[Call to Order by Chair] [00:00:09] >> GOOD MORNING PRAYER IT IS 9:00 A.M. AND WE WILL START THI AT THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING FOR IT IF YOU COULD, PLEASE RISE AND I WOULD INVITE RABBI LEVI VOGEL T DO THE INVOCATION FOLLOWED BY A SERGEANT MAJORS FOR THE PLEDGE. RABBI? >> THINKING APPEARED THANK YOU ETERNAL LIVING DOCUMENT MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE WE THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT OF LIFE AND THE BLESSINGS YOU BESTOW OBAMA UPON US EVERY DAY BREAK WE THANK YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF LIVING IN THIS GREAT LIAM, THE UNITED STATES O AMERICA. WE ARE GRATEFUL TO LIVE IN A SOCIETY BUILT ON LIBERTY, JUSTICE, AND THE DIGNITY OF EVERY HUMAN BEING. ALMIGHTY GOD, PLEASE, BLESS OUR COUNTRY AT THE ASSEMBLY. BRENT WINDHAM AND UNDERSTANDING TO OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS BREAK UP THE LEAD WITH INTEGRITY AND COMPASSION. GUIDE THEIR DECISION SO THEY SERVE THE WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY WHILE SAFEGUARDING TH LIBERTY OF THE INDIVIDUAL. HELP US TO LIVE BY THE TIME THE MORAL PRINCIPLES YOU GAVE TO AL HUMANITY. KNOWN AS THE SEVEN NOAH HYPOTHESIS. THEY ARE TO WORSHIP OLIO, NOT T BLESS ME YOUR HOLY NAME, TO UPHOLD THIS ENTITY OF HUMAN LIFE , TO UPHOLD PROPERTY RIGHTS AND NOT, THEFT OR DISHONESTY, T BE COMPASSIONATE TOWARDS ALL LIVING CREATURES AND ESTABLISH HURTS AND EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS WHICH TEACH AND UPHOLD THESE VALUES. HEAVENLY FATHER, HELP US REMEMBER THAT EVERY HUMAN BEING TO RECERTIFY SPARK WITHIN. MADE THAT INSPIRE MUTUAL RESPECT , CIVILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY. MAY WE WORK TOGETHER ACROSS ALL BACKWARD WITH UNITY AND GOODWIL SEEKING NOT THAT WHICH PROVIDES US WITH THAT WHICH UNITES AND ELEVATES US AS HUMAN BEING. ALMIGHTY GOD, BESTOW BLESSINGS UPON OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS FOR A PLEASE PROTECT OUR ABOUT ENFORCEMENT, FIRST RESPONDERS GRACIOUSLY BLESS ST. JOHNS COUNTY THE GREAT STATE OF FLORIDA IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WITH PEACE, STRENGTH, AND ENDURING PROSPERITY. LET US SAY AMEN. >> AMEN. >> PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE TO OUR FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH I STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. GOD BLESS THIS COUNTRY. MADAME CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLE. >> CHAIR COMMISSIONER CLAY MURPHY. >> PRESENT. >> M TAYLOR? >> PRESSURE KURT. >> CHRISTIANS FEATURE. >> PRESENT. COMMISSIONER KRISTA JOSEPH? >> PRESENT. [Spring 2026 SJC 101 Graduate Recognition (Part 1 of 2)] >> YOU HAVE THE FLOOR. >> THANK YOU. WHEN LARSON DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS FOR THE COUNTY. THIS MORNING WE ARE PROUD TO PRESENT THE CONCLUSION OF OUR FALL SJC 101 OR OUR SEASONS ACADEMY. JUST SOME HIGHLIGHTS FOR THIS WAS ESTABLISHED TWO YEARS AGO AND WE CURRENTLY DUE TO 12 WEEK SESSIONS ANNUALLY, SO THAT IS 2 WEEKS OUT OF THE YEAR SYLVIE AR CONSTANTLY IN THE PLANNING. IT HAS GROWN FROM A FEW DEPARTMENTS TO MALL 30 PLUS DEPARTMENTS AND CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS PARTICIPATING IN OUR CLASSES. THIS PAST YEAR WAS OUR FIFTH SESSION AND NOW WE MUST HAVE 10 GRADUATES BUILDING THIS ALUMNI ALLIANCE. IT IS BUILT ON THE PRIORITIES O THE STRATEGIC PLAN WITH COMMUNITY TRUST BEING THE FOCAL POINT. WE HAVE WON NATIONAL AWARDS FOR THE PROGRAM. NOW WE HAVE A VIDEO TO PLAY. >> CAN MAY HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF MUSIC 12 ARE WAITING. >> AS WE PULLED UP THIS SITES AND SOUNDS OF THE PROGRAM THAT WILL GIVE YOU A FLAVOR OF WHAT WE DID WITH THE STUDENTS TO SHOWCASE THE 12 WEEK PROGRAM. WHAT'S MOST INTERESTING ABOUT [00:05:02] THIS YEARS PROGRAM WE HAD STUDENTS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTY NEW RESIDENTS HAVE RECENTLY MOVED HERE AS WELL AS LONGTIME RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY. WE HAVE SOME OF OUR ALUMNI HERE TO JOIN US IN FRONT. >> THANK YOU. IF WE NEED TO PUSH THIS BACK A LITTLE BIT WE SURE CAN. NO PRESSURE. THE EYES OF THE WORLD ARE NOT O YOU. JIMMY GO TO HER NEXT PROCLAMATION? WITHOUT THE RIGHT? CAN WE DO THAT? WE WILL TAKE CARE OF OUR TECHNICAL ISSUES GO TO THE NEXT PROBABLY CAN ISSUE. THANK YOU. >> WOULD YOU PLEASE READ THE [Proclamation Recognizing Parks and Recreation Month] PROCLAMATION INTO THE. PROCLAMATION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ST. JOHNS COUNTY FLORIDA, WHEREAS THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT MAINTAINS 2,586 ACRES OF ACTIVE AND PASSIVE PARKLAND INCLUDING 56 PARTS, 14 BOAT RAMPS, A PUBLIC GOLF COURSE, IT'S 3,780 ACRES O CONSERVATION LAND AND 40 TO MILES OF COASTLINE PROVIDING EQUITABLE ACCESS TO PARKS, FACILITIES AND NATURAL RESOURCE FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS. THROUGH A SAFE INCLUSIVE AND INCREDIBLE SYSTEM OF PARKS, TRAILS, POOLS, AND RECEATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES WHILE ACCESS TO NATURE SUPPORTS COGNITIVE FUNCTION, AND OVERALL QUALITY O LIFE FOR INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGE AND ABILITIES. WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS AND SERVICES INCLUDING YOUTH SPORTS, OUT OF SCHOOL TIM PROGRAMMING, SENIOR AND VETERAN PROGRAMS, SPECIAL EVENTS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION SUPPORT YOUTH DEVELOPMENT, LIFELONG LEARNING, AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION WHILE REDUCING BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATION AND INCLUDING INCLUSIVE ENGAGEMENT. WHEREAS PARKS AND RECREATION CONTRIBUTES AT THAT ECONOMIC VITALITY BY SUPPORTING TOURISM, ENHANCING PROPERTY VALUES, EXPANDING THE TAX BASE, HELPING ATTRACT AND RETAIN RESIDENTS, BUSINESSES, AND A STRONG WORKFORCE. THERE FOR PREDICT PROCLAIMED THAT JULY 2026 BE DESIGNATED AS PARKS AND RECREATION MONTH RECOGNIZING THEIR COMMITMENT TO CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT BY ASSESSING COMMUNITY NEEDS, ADAPTING AND INSURING PARKS, PROGRAMS, AND FACILITIES REMAIN WELCOMING, INCLUSIVE, AND RESPONSIVE. PASS THE SECOND DAY OF JUNE 2026 . >> GREAT JOB COMING THANK YOU S MUCH. JULY IS PARKS AND REC MONTH, BU FOR ME EVERY MONTH IS PARKS AND REC MONTH. IS THE GREATEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT THAT A COMMUNITY CAN MAKE TO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FROM THE BEACHES TO THE OVER 100 PARKS FACILITIES THAT THESE FINE FOLKS MANAGE BEHIND ME IT'S A TESTAMENT TO THE GOOD WORK AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE AL THE GREAT FOLKS BEHIND HERE WHO MAKE ST. JOHNS COUNTY A LITTLE BIT BETTER TO LIVE. BY THE WAY, THEY DO IT WITH NEW ASSESSMENTS RIGHT I LEARNED AN AGENDA ITEM THEY DO IT WITH NOT ONE ASSESSMENT AT ANY OF THE OVER 100 PARK FACILITIES FOR IT INCLUDED FOR THE LOBO PRICE OF YOUR PROPERTY TAXES AND THESE FOLKS DO IT AT A HIGH LEVEL THE ARE THE ENVY OF MANY PARTS DEPARTMENTS AROUND THE STATE. THANK YOU FOR THE GOOD WORK YOU DO AND PLEASE COME EXCEPT YOUR PROCLAMATION. CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER AND THANK YOU BOARD FOR THE SUPPORT. THANK YOU THE SUPPORT THAT YOU'VE GIVEN THE PARKS AND RECREATION OVER MANY YEARS. IT'S VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. WE REALLY PROVIDE THE QUALITY O LIFE WHERE WE ARE TRULY BLESSED AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY TO HAVE FANTASTIC FACILITIES, BUT THIS IS WHERE OUR COMMUNITY COMES OU TOGETHER. WE'VE JUST RECENTLY CAME ON BOARD WITH THE NEW DATA SOURCE THAT ACTUALLY GIO FENCES AND SHOWS THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE THAT VISIT A SITE AND JUST AS WE'RE ROLLING IT BACK, I AM BLOWN AWA BY HOW MUCH THE PARKS AND FACILITIES ARE USED FOR JUST A GIVEN EXAMPLE DAVIS PARK OVER A [00:10:02] 12 MONTH WINDOW WAS JUST OVER 900,000 VISITS TO THE SITE. THAT'S AMAZING. CREATED SOME TRAFFIC STAMPS FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, CREATED SOME USE TO THE FACILITIES FOR US TO BE ABLE TO OBTAIN. BUT KNOWING THAT THIS IS WHERE PEOPLE ARE COMING FORWARD IN GETTING TOGETHER WHETHER IT'S OUR PROGRAMS, BEACHES, ARE PASSIVE PARKS, SPORTS FACILITIE COMMITTEE HAVE GREAT PLACES FOR THE GREAT PEOPLE OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY TO UTILIZE AND WE ARE APPRECIATIVE OF THE GREAT STAFF THAT PUT THEIR PASSION INTO A. WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT IN PARKS AND RECREATION. [APPLAUSE] >> SQUEEZING GUYS. >> THAT IS A GOOD LOOKING BUNCH. EFFECTIVE FOR OUR ACADEMY AGAIN. [Spring 2026 SJC 101 Graduate Recognition (Part 2 of 2)] IT COULD NOT BE. GET 100 GRADUATES OR THIS PROGRAM TO GET UP PROGRAM ALLIANCE TO BE AMBASSADORS FOR OUR INFORMATION, NEWS IN OUR PROGRAMS. WITH THAT WE HAVE A SHORT VIDEO TO GIVE YOU THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS, LITTLE BIT OF A FLAVOR OF THIS YEAR'S CLASS OF 2026. >> SGC WHEN NO ONE IS AN INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY. >> BEHIND THE SCENES AND LEARN ABOUT ALL THE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS , ALL OF THE DIFFERENT POLICIES. BEFORE WE GET OUT THE DERBY EXPERIENCE PROBABLY TEN OR 12 DIFFERENT PUBLIC SERVICES AND W JUST EXPECT THAT THEY WORK. THERE IS A LOT OF GREAT PEOPLE AND GOOD PLANNING. THERE IS A LOT OF GREAT PROGRAM BEHIND ALL OF THOSE DIFFERENT SOURCES THAT WE USE. THAT'S WHAT YOU LEARN ABOUT WHO ARE THE PEOPLE, WHAT OTHER RESOURCES, WHAT OTHER CHALLENGES , AND HOW ARE THEY WORKING TO MAKE DAILY LIFE AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY BETTER. TO KEEP THE MOST IMPRESSIVE THING IS JUST REALLY SEEING THE PASSION THAT THE PEOPLE HAVE WORKING FOR THE COUNTY. THAT HAS BEEN VERY CONSISTENT. WE HAVE HAD SESSION AFTER SESSION AND THAT HAS BEEN THE CONSISTENT THEME IS JUST SEEING THE LEADERS, THE PEOPLE WHO ARE REALLY BEHIND-THE-SCENES FOR TH MOST PART THE LEVEL OF PASSION THEY HAVE TO DRIVE THE CITY AND THE COUNTY. THAT WAS AN EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCE. >> I REALIZE THE WORK THAT'S BEHIND IT THE PEOPLE PROVIDE THIS INFORMATION SO THERE'S NEVER AN EXCUSE FOR US NOT TO KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE COUNTY BECAUSE THERE IS AN AVENUE FOR ME TO NOT ONLY LEARN THAT, BUT IF YOU PUT IT IN LAYMAN'S TERM, I CAN UNDERSTAND AND I CAN SHARE I THINK IT'S THE VERY FIRST CLASS WE HAVE, BUT IT'S OKAY BECAUSE IT DOESN'T MATTER WHICH CLASS SHE WENT TO PERTH. >> AS A RESIDENT, I WANTED TO B ABLE TO PROVIDE SOME INPUT FOR MY FAMILY AND MY COMMUNITY. I JUST WANT TO BE A BETTER STEWARD IN THE COUNTY OF LIVE-I VERY IT'S THE BEST CLASS FOR THEM DEFINITELY GOING TO TAKE I AGAIN BECAUSE I ENJOYED IT AND I'M SURE I MISSED OUT ON SOME THINGS BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY W ARE AS PEOPLE. >> FOR ME, IT HELPS ME UNDERSTAND WHERE DO I FIT IN BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND COUNCIL SO IT HELPS YOU AND EMPOWERS YOU TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU FIT IN AND MAYBE WHERE YOU CAN TAKE YOUR TALENTS AND KNOWLEDGE AND HELP THE COMMUNITY FURTHER. HAVING A BETTER WAY TO NAVIGATE WHEN YOU NEED HELP OR YOU WANT TO REPORT SOMETHING OR YOU WANT TO TALK TO SOMEONE, SOMETIMES YOU HAVE AN IDEA OR YOU HAVE AN ISSUE, YOU DON'T ALWAYS KNOW WHERE TO GO SO THAT'S HELPS YOU TO BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW GENEVA GATE THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY WORLD. >> IT'S A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY. >> UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH A TRUE APPRECIATION FOR WHAT IT MEANS TO LIVE HERE. [00:15:28] [APPLAUSE] >> 'S SO WE HAD 28 GRADUATES TO SHEPHERD SOME OF THEM ARE HERE THAT WOULD LIKE TO JOIN YOU AND THEY COME TO COMMISSIONER TO SA A FEW WORDS. AND IF THE GRADUATES THAT WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THE STONE IN FRONT AFFECTS PLEASE COME DOWN. CAN GET THIS IT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. WE ARE OPENING THE DOORS TO GOVERNMENT, TO OUR CITIZENS IN REAL EFFORT FOR TRANSPARENCY. WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO SE WHERE THEIR TAX DOLLARS GO, HOW THEY'RE USED, AND I AM JUST SO IMPRESSED WITH THE INFORMATION THAT IS GOING OUT. I PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE TAKEN THIS A LONG TIME AGO SO I COULD BE A BETTER COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU DO, THANK YOU SO MUCH OF THE STAFF. JOY, OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR A BLAKE TO INVITE YOU TO SAY A FE WORDS BECAUSE I AM WHOLLY INADEQUATE TO TALK ABOUT THIS FANTASTIC PROGRAM YOU HAVE. , AND UP AND TO US. >> GOOD MORNING. YOU ARE NOT AN ADEQUATE. WE APPRECIATE THE BOARD SUPPORT ARE PUT UP A PROGRAM LIKE THIS FOR A TWO-YEAR PSYCHO WHEN I ASKED WAYNE HOW COULD WE DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT, WAYNE DELIVERED. WE STARTED FROM A FOUR WEEK'S SMALL PILOT PROGRAM WITH 120 PEOPLE ON THE WAITLIST TO TWO TODAY TWO YEARS LATER WE HAVE TWO SEMESTERS EACH YEAR 12 WEEK PROGRAM AND WE HAVE ABOUT 100 ALUMNI THAT WILL BE PART OF OUR APPLIANCE. WE CONTINUE TO BUILD OUR WAITLIST. CONTINUE TO OFFER THESE OPPORTUNITIES TO WHOEVER WANTS TO BE PART OF. I WANT TO MENTION ONE OF OUR GRADUATES LAST NIGHT SENT ME AN E-MAIL AND VERY GRACIOUSLY SHARED THAT SHE HAS SO MANY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS CLASS AND SHE SAID ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SHE REALLY WAS MOST GRATEFUL TO LEARN WAS OUR CONSERVATION EFFORT, OUR PRESERVATION PROGRA RELATED TO THE ACT, AND OUR EFFORT TO BRING AND SHE HAD ALS MENTIONED ABOUT THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WHOLE PROGRAM WAS THE BUDGETING SESSION. WANT TO SHARE THIS WITH EVERYON AND WITH OUR GRADUATES. I THINK I HAVE GOT WHAT I WANTED . THIS ONE TAKE AWAY IS THAT I WOULD LIKE FOR OUR RESIDENTS TO LEAVE WITH A TRUE SENSE OF CURIOSITY. IT'S NOT NECESSARILY IN A SPECIFIC ONE TAB I, ONE FACTOR ONCE A STATISTIC RIGHT IT'S REALLY ABOUT YOUR WILLINGNESS T BE PART OF A AUTHENTIC DIALOGUE. I THINK WE HAVE GOTTEN THAT FRO EVERY SINGLE GRADUATE FROM THIS PROGRAM. I REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR DESIRE TO LEARN FROM ONE ANOTHER WITH AUTHENTICITY. I THINK THAT'S HOW WE BUILD TRUST IN THE BUILDING TRUST ONE STUDENT AT A TIME. I APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR TIME AND YOUR WILLINGNESS TO BE PART OF THIS. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] [00:20:32] [APPLAUSE] >> I MAKE A MOTION TO ACCEPT TH [Acceptance of Proclamations ] PROCLAMATION. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO SECOND, AGREE BY SAYING AYE. >> AYE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, TO EVERYONE. THAT WAS AMAZING. THAT IS REALLY THE COOL PART OF WHAT WE GET TO DO IS WE GET TO SHARE WHAT THIS FANTASTIC COUNT [Deletions to Consent Agenda ] DOES WITH OUR PEOPLE. OKAY. I WILL START WITH ANY DELETIONS TO THE CONSENT AGENDA? >> COMMISSIONER JOSEPH X. >> COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST? [Approval of Consent Agenda ] >> I HAVE DONE. >> I HAVE NONE. TO WE NEED TO DO PUBLIC COMMENT FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA AFFECTS. >> AT THIS TIME ABLE TAKE PUBLI COMMENT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? COME ON UP. IT LOOKS LIKE WE DO HAVE ONE. GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING. I AM VICKI PEPPER I LIVE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE AND I'M HERE TODAY REPRESENTING MYSELF AND CARE COMMUNITY ADVOCATES FOR RACIAL EQUITY. IT'S JUST HER BLACK AND OTHER UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES BY IDENTIFYING RESOURCES INCLUDING FUNDING SOURCES AND LINKING THE WITH COMMUNITY NEEDS AS IDENTIFIED BY COMMUNITY LEADERS. MY ONLY COMMENT IS WEAK NOTICE THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL AMENDMENTS ON THE CONSENT AGEND RELATING TO YOUTH SERVICES, AND WE JUST HAD SOME CONCERN. I HOPE WE ARE PRESSING UP THE AMOUNTS OR DOING SOMETHING THAT WILL ENHANCE OUR YOUTH SERVICES BUT OBVIOUSLY THERE IS NOT A LO OF VISIBILITY WHEN IT'S ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, SO IT COULD BE ALSO SOMETHING WHICH IS CUTTING WHICH WE THINK WOULD PROBABLY B A BAD THING. AGAIN, AT THIS CURRENT TIME IT SEEMS MORE AND MORE FAMILIES AR STRESSED AND STRAINED AND WE MA NEED TO BE DOING MARCO MIGHT NO LESS. THAT'S ARE ONLY QUESTION COULD WE EITHER HAVE SOME DISCUSSION IN THE PUBLIC AGENDA ARE PERHAP IT MIGHT NOT BE NECESSARY TO REMOVE THEM, BUT LEAVE IT LIKE TO HAVE MORE VISIBILITY TO WHY WE ARE AMENDING ALL THE AGREEMENTS RELATING TO YOUTH SERVICES. >> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? COME ON DOWN. >> TOM REYNOLDS. 3208 FOR A. I WANT THE COMMISSIONERS TO KNO THAT I DO NOT CONSENT TO GOD'S NAME BEING USED IN VAIN IN THIS ROOM LIKE AT THE LAST MEETING AND I DO BELIEVE THAT I CONSENT TO IMMEDIATE EJECTION OUT OF TH ROOM WHEN SOMEBODY TALKS LIKE THAT BECAUSE THAT WAS SOME SERIOUS SERIOUS USING OF GOD'S NAME IN VAIN. THANK YOU. >> ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS ON THIS TIME AND THE CONSENT AGENDA? SEEING NONE WE WILL CLOSE PUBLI COMMENT. >> MOTION APPROVED. >> SO MOVE. >> TO HAVE A SECOND? >> WE HAVE A SECOND. [Additions/Deletions to Regular Agenda] ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE. ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE REGULAR AGENDA. AGAIN I HAVE NONE. >> I HAVE ONE. I WOULD LIKE TO REMOVE AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR BECAUSE OF A TRANSPARENCY AND THE FACT THAT IT NEEDS TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING WHEN WE WANT TO GO INTO THE BIOSOLIDS IN HUMAN BUSINESS OF OTHER COUNTIES BRINGING IT HERE TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY. I THINK THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO WEIGH IN AS THIS IS THE BUSINES THEY WANT OUR UTILITY DEPARTMEN TO BECOME PART OF AND WE HAVE A OCEAN, WE HAVE A RIVER RIVER IN WE HAVE GRANDCHILDREN OF EVERYONE IN THIS COUNTY AS WELL AS THEIR CHILDREN, THIS COULD COME BACK TO SUE OUR COUNTY IF THIS IS SOMETHING WE WANT TO DO THEM FOR FUTURE. I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE PUBLI HEARINGS ON THE BEFORE WE GO FORWARD WITH EVEN CONSIDERING OUR UTILITY DEPARTMENT TO GET [00:25:02] INTO THIS BUSINESS. SO I WOULD LIKE THIS AGENDA ITE REMOVED IF POSSIBLE. >> 'S ABOUT IS YOUR MOTION. >> YES, SIR. >> IS THERE A SECOND? >> WE HAVE A SECOND? >> I SUPPORT THAT BECAUSE I THOUGHT I HAVE AND HAVE A MEETING ABOUT THIS. I FEEL COMFORTABLE HAVING THIS ON THE AGENDA TODAY. I WOULD BE FINE WITH REMOVING THAT UNTIL A LATER DATE. >> ANY COMMENTS BURKE AGAIN JUS TRYING TO UNDERSTAND COMMISSIONER JOSEPH WHERE THIS IS COMING FROM. THE SMELL IN THE COMMUNITY PRODUCED BY BIOSOLIDS THAT COME FROM RESIDENTS OF THIS COUNTY AND TODAY WE ARE TO CONSIDER TH PRESENTATION THAT IS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE SMELL AND YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR INFORMATION? SURVEY. >> WE ARE GOING TO CONSIDER A POSSIBLE SOLUTION, WE DON'T HAV TO VOTE TO SUPPORT THE SOLUTION OR MOVE FORWARD WITH THE SOLUTION BUT DON'T YOU WANT ONE FIGURE OF THE FACTS ABOUT WHAT THE POSSIBLE SOLUTION IS TO KEE THE STINK AWAY FROM THESE NEIGHBORS THAT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS FOR SO LONG? >> CAN I SPEAK NOW? >> ISSUE MAY. >> THE PROBLEM IS WE ARE ACCEPTING THE FROM ALL THE OTHE COUNTIES INTO OUR COUNTY AND THAT IS A HUGE BUSINESS PROPOSA FOR OUR UTILITY DEPARTMENT WHIC THE PUBLIC OWNS, WHICH WILL AFFECT EITHER THEIR RATES OR NOT , WE DON'T KNOW. I HAVE NOT MET WITH ANYONE HAVING TO DO WITH THIS. I HAVE NO IDEA OVER THIS CAME FROM. TO THIRST MULTIPLE OTHER INDUSTRIES THAT DO THE SAME THING. I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING GOIN ON AND WE JUST HEARD ABOUT THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY ACADEMY THAT ARE CHAIR QUOTED TO SAY WHERE TAX DOLLARS GO AND HOW THEY ARE USED, I THINK THERE IS A TRANSPARENCY ISSUE HERE, I DON' KNOW IF THIS IS THE BUSINESS WE SHOULD BE IN PERTH WERE IN THE UTILITY BUSINESS WE JUST TOOK OVER THE BEACHES UTILITY WHY AR WE NOT HAVE BEEN PUBLIC HEARING AHEAD OF TIME AND IF THE PUBLIC WANTS TO DO THIS, THEN GREAT, LET'S DO IT. >> MR. CHAIR? >> LET'S SAY THAT I VOTE WITH YOU TO SUPPORT YOUR MOTION TO REMOVE THIS AGENDA ITEM FROM TODAY'S DISCUSSION, WHAT IS YOU SOLUTION TO STOP THE STINK IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD? >> A PUBLIC HEARING TO GO OVER ALL THE SOLUTIONS BEFORE WE ACTUALLY, THERE IS COMPETITION, THERE IS LOWER PRICES AND IN CLAY COUNTY THERE IS AN OPEN AREA THAT FOR $50 A TON CAN MOV OVER TO THAT AREA. DO WE WANT TO HAVE IN OUR COUNTY ? WE WANT TO TAKE OTHER PEOPLE'S BIOSOLIDS. IF THAT'S A BUSINESS, THAT'S NO JUST OURS I THINK IT NEEDS TO B A PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE SAME FACTS WE ARE HEARING TODAY, NOT ON OUR AGENDA, HAVE YOU MET WIT THESE PEOPLE? USUALLY MEET WITH PEOPLE BEFORE THEY GO ON THE AGENDA. TO KEEP COMMISSIONERS TAYLOR, MURPHY, AND MYSELF WE VISITED FACILITY IN PASCOE COUNTY THAT' RUN BY THE COMPANY THAT IS PRESENTING THIS ITEM TODAY AND IT IS PRETTY STATE-OF-THE-ART GREAT I THINK A LOT OF WHAT THE OFFER IS PROPRIETARY. BECAUSE THE SAME SITUATION EXISTS THERE THAT EXISTS HERE I ST. JOHN'S COUNTY, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR WHAT SOLUTIONS IF ANY THEY COULD PROVIDE TO OUR RESIDENTS WHICH I THINK IT IS OUR DUTY TO EXPLORE SOLUTIONS T PROBLEMS. I HAVEN'T MET WITH THEM BEYOND THAT'S VISITED THEIR SITE, COMMISSIONER MURPHY WAS THERE, COMMISSIONER TAYLOR WAS THERE, WE OUGHT MET WITH THEM AND LEARNED A LOT THERE AND I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR MORE ABOUT WHAT THEY COULD DO FOR OUR RESIDENTS TO MAKE THEIR LIVES BETTER. >> SO WHY WOULDN'T THIS BE A PUBLIC HEARING? >> THIS IS A PUBLIC NOTICE OF MEETING. >> WITH ONE COMPANY, BUT NOT MULTIPLE COMPANIES. >> WE HAVEN'T EVEN GOT TO THE POINT TO WHETHER OR NOT WE WOUL WANT TO CONSIDER GOING RFP OR NOT. >> I CAR UTILITY DEPARTMENT PERMIT, THIS IS A WHOLE NEW ARE IT COULD BE THE FUTURE OF CONTAMINATION IN OUR COUNTY. >> I AGREE WITH YOU. >> I'M STILL SPEAKING CHAIR. I'M SORRY, I SAW HAVE THE FLOOR. .OF ORDER. .OF ORDER. MR. KOMANDO COMMITTED TO I STIL HAVE THE FLOOR? >> NO, YOU DON'T HAVE THE FLOOR. AS THE CHAIR I DETERMINE WHO SPEAKS. IF YOU'RE GOING TO REPEAT THE SAME THING OVER AGAIN. IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SAY, THEN YOU HAVE THE FLOOR. >> MR. KOMANDO COMMITTED I HAVE THE FLOOR AT THE TIME I WAS SPEAKING. >> YOU DID HAVE THE FLOOR. [00:30:02] >> THANK YOU, SIR. I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING AND I JUST THINK IT'S UNFAIR TO THE PUBLIC FOR A FUTURE CONTAMINATION PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTY THAT WE DON'T HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING TO DETERMINE WHETHER OUR UTILITY DEPARTMENT SHOULD DO THIS KIND OF A JOB IN WE ARE ONLY HEARING FROM ONE PERSON, WE'RE NOT HEARING FROM MULTIPLE THINGS FROM OTHER COUNTIES AND THAT IS MY LAST STATEMENT. THANKS. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND WE HAVE A SECOND. LET'S VOTE ON THE MOTION. THE MOTION, A YES VOTE SAYS WE WILL REMOVE THIS FROM THE AGEND ANOVA SAYS WE WILL KEEP IT ON THE AGENDA. CAN YOU BRING UP THE BOAT? DO WE NEED PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS? KNOW. OKAY. THAT FAILS 3-2. IT WILL STILL STAY ON THE AGENDA . ANYTHING ELSE? NO SIR. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR. >> I HAVE DONE. >> ITEM NUMBER THREE ON YOUR AGENDA AT THE PLANNING APPEAL FOR THE TO 03 CANAL BOULEVARD HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN SO THAT MATTER WILL NOT BE HEARD. >> SO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER THREE HAS BEEN WITHDRAWN. THANK YOU. MABEL JUST SKIPPED OVER ECHO NUMBER THREE WHEN WE GET THERE AND GO TO NUMBER FOUR. LET'S MOVE TO PUBLIC COMMENT. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT. >> AT THIS TIME, THE BOARD WILL HEAR GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT HUR WHEN ADDRESSING THE COURT, PLEASE COME ONE TO THE THREE PODIUMS AND STATE THE NAME AND [Approval of Regular Agenda] ADDRESS FOR EACH PERSON WILL BE PROVIDED THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK. >> WE NEED THE VOTES ON THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. >> WE NEED TO VOTE RIGHT I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED. ALL IN FAVOR SAVE AYE. [Public Comment] >> AYE. ALL OPPOSED? >> A POST. >> EACH PERSON WILL BE PROVIDED THREE MINUTES TO SPEAK AND WE ASK THAT YOU SPEAK DIRECTLY INT THE MICROPHONE. SPEAKERS WILL WILL COMPLY WITH THEY MAY NOT DEMAND AN IMMEDIAT RESPONSE FROM THE BOARD PRIOR T MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE WILL RESTRAIN FROM ANY. ANY SPEAKERS THAT WOULD LIKE TO PLEASE UTILIZE THE CENTER OF IMPAIRED PAPER MATERIALS CAN BE PLACED ON THE X EXTRA OVERHEAD CAMERA TO DISPLAY AND ANY USB PRESENTATIONS WILL USE A LAPTOP. POLICE MATERIALS TOOK THE STEP OF THE CLERK OF THE COURT FOR PUBLIC RECORD. THANK YOU. COME ON AT GOOD MORNING. >> I AM NICOLE CROSBY, AND I AM PUTTING UP SOMETHING THAT APPEARED ON THIS VERY SCREEN COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO WHEN COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST MADE A STATEMENT IMPLYING WHAT I POSTE ON MY FACEBOOK PAGE, FIGHT FOR ST. JOHNS COUNTY IS 05, BUT I'M SICKLY APPEAR TO REBUFF THAT. IN FACT, WHAT HE SAID AS IF YOU SEE IT ON FACEBOOK, IT'S PROBABLY NOT TRUE IT IF YOU REA THAT SENTENCE AT THE TOP IT'S A WELL-ESTABLISHED FACT THAT AI DATA CENTERS CONSUME MASSIVE AMOUNT OF WHATLEY END, WATER, AND POWER THAT IS A TRUE STATEMENT. THAT SOME ABSOLUTELY TRUE STATEMENT. HE MADE THE POINT THAT THERE AR NOT WATERLESS TO OTHER CENTERS THAT DO NOT CONSUME WATER WHICH IS OF COURSE A TRUE STATEMENT THAT THAT DIDN'T NEGATE WHAT I POSTED PART WHAT I POSTED A STILL TRUE. HE SAID THAT THE EPICENTERS THE ARE USING IN MANY CASES ARE NOT USING ANY WATER, TRUE FACTS. GREAT HE SAID NOT ONE DROP OF WATER IS USED AT THE DATA CENTERS NOW. NOT TROOPER THEY HAVE BEEN GONE 100 PERCENT TO WATERLESS DATACENTER. THE FACT THAT THE WATERLESS DATACENTER STILL USE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF POWER, AND HAVE IMPAC MORE POWER, MORE POWER THAN THE ONES THAT ARE USING LONGER AND FURTHERMORE THAT USE MANY MANY THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF LAND. I FEEL THAT THE REASON I WAS CALLED OUT WAS BECAUSE THIS WAS A POPULAR POST AS YOU CAN SEE, IT GOT SUCCESS AND UNIQUE VIEWS AND 12,000 VIEWS, HAD THIS HAPPEN PREVIOUSLY WHEN I SPOKE ABOUT IMPACT FEES, AND THE SAME COMMISSIONER SAID I VIED AND I WROTE HIM I SAID WHAT WAS THE LIGHT AND HE DID NOT PROVIDE TH LIGHT SO I AM GOING TO ASK PEOPLE OUT THERE IN GOVERNMENT TV LAND TO GO TO MY FACEBOOK PAGE AND DECIDE FOR YOURSELF IF YOU SEE ANY LIES ON YOUR MY PAG AND WANT TO HEAR ABOUT THAT. >> CAN WE USE THIS PODIUM AS AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR THEIR FACEBOO PAGE? AND THEN THIS COMMISSIONER ACTUALLY SERVED UP A RED HERRIN INSIDE SAINT AUGUSTINE NEWS THERE WAS A DISCUSSION WHERE PEOPLE WERE CONFUSED HIM ARE SAYING THE TREES THAT WE'RE BEING REMOVED WERE A 1,000 HOME [00:35:03] DEVELOPMENT THAT WAS A BIG CONFUCIAN ON THAT PAGE AND THEN HE COMPARED THAT TO MY FACEBOOK PAGE AS IF TO SAY THAT MY FACEBOOK PAGE WAS PERPETUATING SOME HUGE CONFUSION, WHICH IT WASN'T. RED HERRING REALLY IS A PIECE O INFORMATION DESIGNED TO MISLEAD DISTRACT OR SUBVERT FROM THE CENTRAL TOPIC. I AM SIMPLY HERE TO POINT OUT WHAT I SAID, THAT IT WAS NOT A LIE, AND I OBJECT TO MY FACEBOO PAGE THERE IS NO EVIDENCE. BY THE WAY, RED HERRING IS WELL-KNOWN COMMUNIST MANIPULATION TECHNIQUE. GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING. I HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE. WE ARE HAVING A PROBLEM ON SEVILLA FROM A U-TURN THAT WAS PLACED THERE WHEN THEY FLOOR LEANED THE ROAD AND THAT TURN I ON THE HILL, FOR ONE THING WHIC MAKES IT RATHER DANGEROUS AREA. EXCUSE ME. AND WE HAVE EVEN HAD CHANNEL FOUR PEOPLE COME OUT AND DO A REPORT ON IT AND THEY CAME UP WITH THE SAME THING, THEY HAD PICTURES OF CARS CROSSING OVER THE MEDIAN STRIP WHICH WAS NOT AT THE U-TURN BECAUSE IT IS A DANGEROUS AREA. I AM KIND OF THE HEAD PERSON FO THE STREET AT THIS POINT AND WE AS A GROUP FEEL THAT IF MAY BE, I KNOW ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS HAS BEEN OUT THERE AND KNOWS THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM THERE AND IT MAY BE A COUPLE OF THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS COULD TAKE LOOK AT IT, DATE MIGHT UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE TRYING T TALK ABOUT. ALSO, WE HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE GRASS OUT THERE AND AFTER I SPOKE LAST TIME, THE GRASS WAS CUT, AND I DON'T KNOW WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT, BUT WE DO THANK YOU FOR THAT ONE AND FORTUNATELY WE HAVE HAD SOME RAIN SINCE THEN. WELCOME AT THE GRASS IS BACK UP AGAIN SO WE NEED THAT DONE ON A REGULAR BASIS. SO THAT IS BASICALLY IT. WE STILL HAVE PEOPLE CROSSING OVER THE MEDIAN STRIP. IF GOT A BIG MUD AREA THERE AND FPL IS DOING THE SAME THING AT THEIR SERVICE ROAD, SO THEY'VE GOT TWO PLACES ON THAT MEDIAN STRIP THAT IS TORN UP FROM PEOPLE CROSSING OVER IT AND WE JUST WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF WE COULD MAYBE GET A STUDY DONE OR SOMETHING. WE HAVE TRAFFIC PROBLEMS. I ALMOST GOT REAR-ENDED THE OTHER DAY BECAUSE I STOPPED TO MAKE THAT U-TURN IN THE CAR BEHIND ME, I HAD ON MY SIGNAL, THE CAR BEHIND ME JUST CAME RIGHT UP ON ME AND JUST ABOUT REAR-ENDED ME BEFORE HE PASSED INTO THE OTHER LANE. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF TRAFFIC PROBLEMS LIKE THAT IN THAT AREA IN I WOULD LIKE SOMEBODY TO TAK A LOOK AT IT IF THEY COULD. I APPRECIATE YOUR HELP. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. >> 338 NORTH FOREST DOOM. I'M HERE TO GET SOME FACTS ON THE RECORD INTO FOOTBOARD TO DIRECT STAFF TO REASSESS THE ST JOHNS SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH CENTRAL OUTLINE AND PUBLICLY EXPLAINED THE BASIS FOR REJECTING THE ROUTE THAT COUNTIES ON ANALYSIS FOUND TO B THE SAFEST RATE FOR SUN TRAIL PLANNING STUDY IDENTIFIED MACULAR BOULEVARD AS A SAFER ROUTE THROUGH SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH, YET THE COUNTY SELECTED WINNIE BEACH BOULEVARD INSTEAD. THE STUDY CLAIMS TRAIL USER SAFETY IS OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT YOU STRESSED OU OVER A FIVE YEAR PERIOD TO TUPA ROUTES. THEY EXPERIENCED ONE CRASH IN THAT FIVE YEAR PERIOD. IT WHEN A BEACH BOULEVARD EXPERIENCED 86 INCLUDING A FATALITY. IT ALSO MEASURED SAFETY BY COUNTING CROSSING SPIRIT CROSSING CONFLICTS. HAD FIVE CROSSINGS. [00:40:04] A WINNIE AT 34, NEARLY SEVEN TIMES AS MANY. ON PAGE 121 OF THE REPORT IT STATES MINIMIZING THE NUMBER OF AREAS WHERE THE TRAIL MUST CROSSED THE STREET OPTIMIZES SAFETY. ON THE NEXT PAGE IT STATES USIN THE EAST SIDE OF MY CLEAR BOULEVARD WOULD BE THE MOST OPTIMAL AND SAFEST ALTERNATIVE BASED ON THE NUMBER OF INTERSECTION CROSSING SPIRIT HOWEVER IT DOES NOT OFFER THE SAME CONNECTIVITY TO THE DESIRE POINTS OF INTEREST AS BEACH BOULEVARD. IN BOTH SAFETY EVALUATIONS USIN OBJECTIVE DATA, ST. JOHNS COUNT IDENTIFIED AS THE SAFER ROUTE I THE COUNTY CHOSE A WINNIE EACH BOULEVARD THE SUBJECTIVE CRITERIA OF CONNECTIVITY. THIS STUDY ALSO FAILED TO NOTE THAT BEACH CONDUCTIVITY WAS AVAILABLE VIA AN POPE ROAD. MISSING FROM THE STUDY IS ANY QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS WHETHER CONNECTIVITY BENEFITS OUTWEIGHE THE DOCUMENTED SAFETY DISADVANTAGES OF EACH BOULEVARD. THIS CONCERN IS REINFORCED BY THE CAUTIONS AGAINST PLACING HIGH-VOLUME SHARED USE PATHS AN ENVIRONMENTS WITH RECENT FREQUENT CROSSING CONFLICTS AND MANY PEDESTRIANS. THAT'S A WINNIE EACH BOULEVARD WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE DOING. AGAIN I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO DIRECT STAFF TO REASSESS THE CENTRALE ALIGNMENT THREE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH AND PUBLICLY EXPLAIN WHY THE SAFER ROUTE WAS NOT SELECTED. THIS IS NOT ABOUT WHETHER A TRAIL SHOULD BE BUILT, IT'S ABOUT WHETHER THE SAFEST AVAILABLE ROUTE WAS SELECTED AN WHY NOT. IN Q. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. >> WILLIAM JONES, SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH. FOLLOWING UP ON THIS COMMENT WE WERE HERE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND I REALLY THOUGHT WE ASKED THE COMMISSIONERS TO DIRECT COUNTY STAFF TO LOOK AT THE ALIGNMENT AND AFTER PUBLIC COMMENT WAS OVER ON THE SUBJECT THERE WAS SILENCE AMONGST THE COMMISSION WHICH WAS DISHEARTENING AND QUITE DISAPPOINTING FOR NOT ONLY THE REASONS THAT HE BROUGHT FORWARD BUT FOR A NUMBER OF OTHER REASONS AS WELL. THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER TAYLO FOR SETTING UP A MEETING YESTERDAY WE HAD WITH THE MR. CALDWELL AND WE GOT TO SPEAK ABOUT SOME THINGS IN WE WERE AGAIN ALARMED BY WHAT WE HEARD. FOR CENTRALE HANDBOOK IS BEING VIOLATED. THE PRIORITIES IN THE CENTRALE HANDBOOK ARE BEING IGNORED. WE ASKED MR. CALDWELL ABOUT THE PROJECT AND HE SAID HE FELT AND THESE ARE HIS WORDS, WE FEEL LIKE WE CAN DELIVER A SAFE PROJECT. SOVIET EXPANDED FURTHER, AND I' SORRY YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE REST OF THE DISCUSSION YESTERDAY, BU WE ASKED HIM, WHERE IS THE DATE DATA. HE COULD ONLY CITE DATA FROM 2018 FROM THE LAST SET OF PUBLI MEETINGS ALMOST A DECADE AGO. MA SAID OKAY, HOW COME WE DON'T HAVE MORE. HE SAID WELL, THE FDO T. WE'VE ASKED FOR SOME, WE JUST HIM HAVE IT YET. IT SEEMS TO ME WHEN SOMEONE IS ENGINEERING A PROJECT, YOU SHOULD HAVE THE LATEST AND GREATEST DATA AVAILABLE TO YOU AND WE DIDN'T ASK UNTIL WE STARTED SCREAMING AND SAYING WAIT A MINUTE, THERE'S A PROBLE HERE. SO JUST TO PUT THIS IN PERSPECTIVE, ST. JOHNS COUNTY HAS CHOSEN THE MOST DANGEROUS REP FOR CYCLISTS AND PEDESTRIAN FOR THE PROJECT. THEY HAVE IGNORED OUR PLEAS TO ASK FOR THIS TO BE RE-EXAMINED. WE REPRESENT TO HOTELS, MORE THAN A DOZEN BOULEVARD BUSINESSES, A CONDO COMPLEX MANAGEMENT THAT REPRESENTS MORE THAN 500 UNITS ON A WINNIE BEAC BOULEVARD. THESE ARE ALL PEOPLE THAT HAVE TRAFFIC AND CARS COMING OUT OF THEIR AND DON'T WANT THIS THING ON A WINNIE BEACH BOULEVARD. I WOULD ASK YOU TO DIRECT STAFF TO RELOOK AND BRING YOU MORE THAN FEELINGS, THIS IS ABOUT SAVING LIVES, THIS IS ABOUT SAFETY. WE ALL LOVE RECREATION, WE ALL LOVE TOURISM WE ALL LIKE THE IDEA OF THE CENTRALE, WE JUST WANTED TO BE SAFE. NOWHERE HAS MR. CALDWELL OR ANYONE FROM THE COUNTY SHOWN US HOW THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE THE THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES BICYCLISTS , PEDESTRIANS, AND MANAGE THAT TRAFFIC WITH THE TRAIL ON THE EAST SIDE OF THE BOULEVARD. PLEASE COME IF YOU WOULD, LISTE TO US. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING. [00:45:01] I AM JOHN UNIQUE, I AM IN DUVAL COUNTY, JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. TO THE HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS O ST. JOHNS COUNTY, ST. JOHNS COUNTY, I MISS YOU. WHY AM I HERE? IT IS THE NEF RC THE NORTHEAST BORDER REGIONAL COUNCIL. IT'S ONE OF TEN REGIONAL COUNCILS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA . IS ABOUT COUNTY AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY ARE PARTNERS ALONG WITH FIVE OTHERS LIKE CLAY, PUTNAM, NASSAU, AND OTHER INTERGOVERNMENTAL PARTNERS THAT WE SHARE POTENTIAL COLLABORATIO WITH THIS FINE, AND THAT IS 12 COUNTIES. FIND IS AN ACRONYM FOR THE FLORIDA IN DUVALL COUNTY, THE FLYING COMMISSIONER. HE IS DUE AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY, YOU'RE COMMISSIONER I REACHED OUT TO HIM BEFORE I'M POTENTIAL PROJECTS. THAT IS THE HISTORY. WHERE ARE WE TODAY? LAST YEAR IN DUVALL COUNTY, WE FIND THIS SUBCOMMITTEE RECOGNIZED AND RECOMMENDED THAT OUR PLACE THAT IS TO .5 ACRES O WHICH OVER AN ACRE IS CATEGORY ONE WETLANDS NEXT TO A FEMALE HOUSE BE PUT ON A POTENTIAL LAN LIST. IT HAPPENS AND HAS BEEN FULLY SUPPORTED AND VOTED ON BY THE LEGISLATIVE AND EXECUTIVE BRANC OF DUVALL COUNTY JACKSONVILLE. IT'S REAL. IT'S NOT FAKE. SO RIGHT NOW WE ARE MARKETING T THE WORLD. THIS IS A QUALITY OF LIFE GAME CHANGER TO EVERYONE. THERE IS SO MANY POTENTIAL COUNTY COLLABORATION OPPORTUNITIES. ST. JOHNS COUNTY, I'D LIKE YOU. BUT I HAVE TO SHARE WITH YOU, AND THE YEARS AHEAD, WHEN I WIL BE ASKED TO GIVE COMMENCEMENT SPEECHES AT COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES AROUND THE WORLD, THE NUMBER ONE PIECE OF ADVICE WHICH IS WORLDWIDE INTERNATIONA ACCEPTANCE IN UNDERSTANDING IS RIGHT ELEVATORS. YOU WANT AN ELEVATOR RIDE, RIGH THE ELEVATORS IT IS JACKSON CIT HALL. IT NEVER DISAPPOINTS. BACK TO MARKETING TO THE WORLD FOR THEIR 67 COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. IN DUVALL COUNTY THEY HAVE CREATED TO TRUST FUNDS. 2026 TRIPLE O4 PARKS TRUST FUND. 225-0463, THAT'S A VETERANS TRUST FUND. NOW AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY, OF AL THE COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA TO VISIT, LIVE, WORK, PLAY, WHY WOULD YOU GO TO ST. JOHNS COUNTY? BECAUSE ALL THE BOARD OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE GIVING SHIRTS. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. >> THANK YOU. >> NEXT? >> TOM REYNOLDS, COMMISSIONERS, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE STILL AWARE OF THE CONTAINERS THAT THEY ARE USING, WHAT A DISGRACE FOR IT NOT ONLY IS IT A FAKE INDUSTRY, MEDICAL MARIJUANA, BUT THESE HERE, I HAVE SOAP IN THE. THEY ARE GOING INTO THE ENVIRONMENT. OF COURSE, THESE ARE THE NICOTINE FAVES. NOW THIS IS A COMPLETE DISGRACE. I'D RATHER SEE PEOPLE ON CIGARETTE THEN THESE VAPOR THINGS, THEY VAPOR IN THE MIDDL OF THE NIGHT. SINCE THE LAST TIME WHEN I WAS HERE, AND PUT THESE ON HERE, 150,000 BABES WENT IN THE TRASH AND ST. JOHNS COUNTY. I'VE GOT TO TELL YOU SOMETHING, MY ESTIMATE IS LOW. THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA INDUSTRY, I COULDN'T EVEN BEGIN TO KEEP TRACK OF THOSE LOSERS BECAUSE TRULY, THEY DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT. THEY ARE SELLING A $25 CONTAINE OF MARIJUANA THAT WE WILL BE DEAD IN. 300 YEARS BEFORE IT'S EVEN COME CLOSE TO BREAKING DOWN. SO WHERE AM I ANT? WHY ISN'T THE COUNTY COMMISSION DOING A HAZMAT ORDINANCE? I DON'T THINK IT'S UNREASONABLE [00:50:01] TO GET A $25 HAZMAT DEPOSIT A MARIJUANA CONTAINER. AT $25 DEPOSIT ON A NICOTINE CONTAINER, A $25 DEPOSIT HAZMAT DEPOSIT ON THE LEAD CONTAINER. THE WEED VAPE'S. AND, ON THE DISPOSABLE ONE, A $50 HAZMAT DISPOSAL FEE. BECAUSE THEY ARE BUYING THEM, USING THEM FOR A WHILE, AND THE IN THE TRASH. THEY HAVE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILIT FOR THE NEXT GENERATIONS. FINALLY, THIS BIKE TRAIL THING, I'VE BEEN ON THESE BIKE TRAILS IN CALIFORNIA AND JUST SO YOU KNOW, THERE IS GOING TO BE A LO OF FIGHTS BECAUSE WHEN THOSE PEOPLE ARE GOING, ITS DISGRACE. THEY SHOULD LEAVE IT THE WAY IT IS NOW COMMITS PERFECT. FINALLY, MAY 26, BETWEEN 12 AND 2:00 P.M., THE PAVEMENT TEMPERATURE ON THE BAYFRONT HIT 140 TO. 140 TO DEGREES. THE HORSES DIDN'T COME OUT, THE PRESS CARRIAGE INDUSTRY DIDN'T COME OUT UNTIL AFTER 4:00 P.M. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING. 620 SHORES BOULEVARD. PROPAGANDA IS THE DELIBERATE SYSTEMATIC DISSEMINATION OF BIAS , MISLEADING OR ONE-SIDED INFORMATION INCLUDING FACTS, RUMORS, OR DEVICE DESIGNED TO INFLUENCE EMOTIONS, ATTITUDES, AND BEHAVIORS TO PROMOTE A SPECIFIC POLITICAL CAUSE, AGENDA , OR VIEWPOINTS. OFFERED USES MEANINGFULLY TO TECHNIQUES TO TRIGGER EMOTIONAL RESPONSES OVER RATIONAL ANALYSIS . ONE OF THE GREATEST DANGERS AND MY OPINION FACING OUR MODERN SOCIETY IS NOT IGNORANCE ALONE. BUT THE ILLUSION OF BEING INFORMED WHILE BEING CONSTANTLY MANIPULATED. ON MAY 9TH 2026, ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS WROTE IT BEST. MANY GENERATIONS TODAY CONSUME INFORMATION AND FRAGMENTS, HEADLINES WITHOUT CONTEXT, OUTRAGE WITHOUT FACTS, EMOTION WITHOUT DISCIPLINE AND ALGORITHMS THAT REWARD REACTION INSTEAD OF REFLECTION. CRITICAL THINKING IS SLOWLY BEING REPLACED BY INSTANT GRATIFICATION AND TRIBAL LOYALTY . A POPULATION THAT NO LONGER STUDIES HISTORY, QUESTIONS NARRATIVES OR VALUES OR DISCERNMENT BECOMES EASY TO INFLUENCE POLITICS, CULTURE, OU FINANCES AND OUR SPIRITUALITY. THAT IS DANGEROUS. THE STRONGEST SOCIETIES ARE BUILT WHEN INFORMED CITIZENS CAPABLE OF INDEPENDENT THOUGHT, MORAL COURAGE AND INTELLECTUAL DISCIPLINE, NOT MERELY VIRAL OPINIONS IN MANUFACTURED OUTRAGE . THE BATTLE FOR OUR FUTURE MAY ULTIMATELY BECOME A BATTLE FOR ATTENTION TRUTH AND THE ABILITY TO THINK FREELY. THE WORD OF GOD INSTRUCTS THIS SIMPLE BELIEVE ANYTHING BUT THE PRUDENT GIVE THOUGHTS TO THE STEPS. THE DISCERNING HEART SINKS KNOWLEDGE,, BUT THE MOUTH OF A FOOL NEEDS ON FOLLY. ALL A MAN'S WAYS SEEM RIGHT TO HIM, BUT THE LORD WEIGHS THE HEARTS. CHEST ME ALERT AND TRY ME, EXAMINE MY HEART AND MIND. MANY WORDS ARE GOING TO BE SPOKEN IN THIS ROOM TODAY. I PRAY THAT THE TRUTH WILL PREVAIL AND WISE DECISIONS WILL BE MADE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS MORNING. >> THANK YOU. NEXT. COME ON UP. >> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS BILL HENNESSEY 5164 FOREST STREET SAINT AUGUSTINE. THE FIRST THING I WANT TO DO IS APOLOGIZE. SOMETIMES YOUR HEAD IN YOUR HEART IN YOUR BOYS GET KIND OF CATTY WARM PERSON IN IT SETS THINGS OFF AND THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED AT THAT LAST MEETING S I APOLOGIZE TO EVERYBODY. [00:55:02] MY NEIGHBOR SAID THAT AMARI WIL DATE YOU DID A LITTLE ASSESSMEN DOWN AT THE BOAT RAMP YOU AND BRIAN AND MIGHT NEIGHBOR. AM TALKING TO YOU MISTER MCMURPHY. DID JOEL? >> I DIDN'T GO WITH RYAN, I WEN BY MYSELF. AND YOU REMEMBER THE CONVERSATION YOU HAD WITH THE GUY? I DON'T KNOW HIS NAME, I JUST CALL IN THE DUSKY BECAUSE THAT' THE KIND OF BOAT HE'S GOT. HE TOLD ME THAT DURING THIS CONVERSATION THAT LIVING YOU KNOW THAT I WAS KIND OF FORCED TO GO TO THAT, BUT REST PARK WHERE I GOT JUMPED. THE ANNIVERSARY IS COMING UP. THAT CHANGE MY LIFE FOREVER, BU HE SAID ONE OF THE REMARKS THAT WAS MADE WAS THAT HENNESSEY PROBABLY GOT WHAT HE DESERVED. DO YOU REMEMBER SAYING THAT? HE'S KNOCKING A MAKE IT OFF. >> SO HE JUST MADE IT UP. >> IF HE IS TALKING ABOUT ME, THEN HE'S LYING, YES. WELL, I'LL GET WITH HIM AGAIN. >> I'LL GET WITH ALL OF YOU. ALL GET WITH YOU RIGHT AFTER TH MEETING. >> AFTER THE MEETING? I'M NOT HANGING AROUND I NEED T GET OUTTA HERE IS QUICK AS I CAN . THANK YOU ALL. >> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY OTHER GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? COME ON UP. GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING. I HAVE THE GRADUATES OF THE GROUP THAT THE DEPARTMENT LEARNED TODAY THAT THIS IS WHAT THE REAL HOUSE LOOKS LIKE. FOR SHOWS YOU THE DISCREPANCY BETWEEN DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND DIFFERENT COMMISSIONERS IS IT A PRACTICAL DECISION OR A PERSONAL DECISION. IS OF THE PERSONAL OR PROFESSIONAL DECISION THAT IS BEING MADE? PARKS AND RECREATION WITH A LAC OF INFORMATION OF EIGHT YEARS OUT AND THEY STILL WANT TO BUIL UP $5 MILLION BIKE PATH. WAS THAT IN BRIEFINGS THAT IS GIVEN BY THE COUNTY COUNTY HERE? I DON'T KNOW IF IT CAN BE ENTERED EDITED INTO WHERE IF THIS IS GREEK AND DEPARTMENTS O THE HEAD OF THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT'S. IT SOUNDS GREAT. IT'S GOT GREAT INTENTIONS. WHAT COULD POSSIBLY GO WRONG? BUT, AS WE SPEAK. IT IS GETTING LIKE THAT. IS GETTING MORE EVIDENT LIKE THAT THAT MAYBE THIS IS A MORE PERSONAL DECISIONS BACK UP THE PROFESSIONAL, OR I MAY NOT BE AWARE OF IT, BUT I HAVE TO VOTE FOR THE PUBLIC. THAT'S GOING TO BE MORE CLEAR THIS AFTERNOON. AND AGENDA ITEMS THAT IS GOING TO BE VERY MUCH A PERTINENT TOPIC FOR THIS COUNTY AND WHERE IS THIS COUNTY ACTUALLY GOING BECAUSE LIKE I SAID THE DOG AND PONY SHOWS OUT THERE. IT'S LIKE ANYTHING ELSE, YOU CA GRIP AND GRIN, YOU CAN SHINE YOUR BOOTS, BUT WHAT YOU START SEEING WHAT IS GOING ON BEHIND CLOSED DOORS, THIS IS NOT BEHIN CLOSED DOORS THIS IS A PUBLIC ATMOSPHERE. YOU SEE WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THAT. WHY AM I SAYING THAT? RIGHT HERE. I WANT EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND THIS IS MY PERSONAL COMMENTS AN MARTIN WOULD BE AS A PERTINENT INFORMATION PERSON FOR THE COUNTY, NOT FOR HIMSELF OR THE CRONIES AROUND HIM. AND MY OTHER ONE IS YES, A LITTLE CRACK SMILED THERE, BUT THIS IS MY PERSONAL OPINION. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. ARE THEY ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? [01:00:01] COME ON UP RIGHT IF THERE'S ANYBODY ELSE, IF YOU COULD PLEASE BE READY TO COME ON UP. WE HAVE THREE MAKES. MIKE MCDONALD COMMITMENTS FEEL THEY COULD PURCHASE A COUPLE OF THINGS BRING ME INTO TAPE. ONE IS BILLY'S BOAT RAMP THAT H IS FURIOUSLY GOING AFTER A. THAT'S IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD IN I CAN'T EVEN MAKE A U-TURN DOWN THERE. IT'S COME TO THE POINT RYU CAN EVEN MAKE A U-TURN AS A FUNCTIONAL STREET IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. I THINK SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE THERE. AT DON'T THINK WE NEED TO TURN THAT INTO A KAYAK LAUNCH ANY STRETCH OF THE IMAGINATION. I THINK A SUFFICIENT U-TURN WOULD BE AMAZING FOR EVERYBODY. THAT WOULD SUFFICE EVERYBODY THERE. MY NEXT THOUGHT IS THE SON TRAILED. I THINK THAT IS A POORLY PLACED LOCATION. WE HAVE ENOUGH TRAFFIC AND E BIKE ACCIDENTS, WE HAVE ENOUGH ILL-INFORMED KIDS, ET CETERA, I THINK THAT'S A DANGEROUS SCENARIO. THERE IS ENOUGH TRAFFIC ON THAT ROAD ON A SATURDAY AND SUNDAY THAT WOULD MAKE THE TRAIL OBSOLETE. I HOPE WE REJECT THAT IDEA. IT'S REALLY JUST KIND OF A NUISANCE FOR IT WHEN A AND I THINK IT WILL CAUSE MORE INJURY THAN HELP. MY NEXT THOUGHT IS HURT SOME UTILITIES THIS MORNING IN IT BROUGHT ME BACK TO DEVOL COUNTY OWNING THE WATER RIGHTS PER SE IN JE A. HAVE MAJORITY STAKE AND 50 PERCENT I WOULD GUESS THAT THE UTILITIES IN OUR COUNTY. THEY HAVE A LARGE PORTION IN I HEARD A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO THA WE WERE POTENTIALLY GOING TO BE REVISITING THAT. CAN YOU POSSIBLY IMAGINE FOR A FINANCIAL STRAIN THAT THAT WOUL PUT ON THIS COUNTY. I HOPE THERE IS SOMEBODY IN THOSE DEPARTMENTS THINKING ABOU THAT, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT THAT BECAUSE I'M SURE YOU LIVED INTO NORTHWEST PART. THAT GO STRAIGHT TO THE DUBOIS COUNTY RESIDENTS. WITH ALL YOUR NEIGHBORS ET CETERA, YOU CAN IMAGINE WHEN WE TOOK OVER YOU ARE BUYING WHATEVER YOUR GIFTING. MIGHT NEXT THOUGHT IS THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TO 06 FRIDGE HAS BECOME NUISANCE. IT DOESN'T FEEL SAFE TO GO UNDE THERE TO GO FOR STRAIGHT I THIN WE SHOULD MAYBE INCREASE I HOPE WE DON'T TURN THAT INTO A KAYAK LAUNCH. PLEASE EXTEND THE TURNING LANES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TO 06. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> ANYONE ELSE? COME ON UP. GOOD MORNING. REMEMBER, IN MARCH OF 2026, FOU MONTHS AGO, MURDERS OCCURRED IN PUNTER FEET, INSTEAD OF TWO OTHER CONSTRUCTION SITE AND THE SILVER LEAF AREA, IT WAS ONE GOOD ACCORDING TO ST. JOHN CITIZEN REPORTING BUSINESS, WHO INTERVIEWED MISTER CO PO WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH MURDER . IT'S COME TO MY ATTENTION THIS CRIMINAL IS AN ILLEGAL ALIEN, THERE FOR HOMELAND SECURITY NOT THE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY SHERIFF I RESPONSIBLE FOR RELEASING PUBLI INFORMATION. THE CLERK OF COURT COULD NOT PROVIDE A CASE NUMBER TO ME. IF THE SHERIFF VISITS WITH THE PRESIDENT AGAIN IN DC, MURDERS AND 2026 WILL BE DIFFERENT. NOT POSTING ALL MUGSHOTS OF THOSE ARRESTED IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY THAT HE HAS CONTROL OVER CONTINUES TO JEOPARDIZE THE SAFETY OF EVERYONE IN ST. JOHN' COUNTY. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE SAVE OUR HOMES, SAVE OUR HOMES. [01:05:03] SOME GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES MAY ATTEMPT TO SCARE VOTERS. REMEMBER, CIGARS CAN BE SMOKED ON COUNTY FEATURES, BUT NOT CIGARETTES. DISCRIMINATION. THAT SEEMS TO BE GOING ON ON A LOT OF STUFF. SOME PEOPLE GET ONE THING AND SOME PEOPLE GET SOMETHING ELSE BECAUSE THEY CONTACT ONE PERSON OR THEY CONTACT ANOTHER THEY HAVE A LITTLE DISCUSSION IN THE PRETEND THEY HAVEN'T TALKED TO ANYBODY IN ALL OF A SUDDEN SOMETHING IS DONE. WE SAW THAT THIS MORNING. ITEM NUMBER FOUR. BE CAREFUL WHEN YOU VOTE FOR COMMISSIONERS. WE HAD TO GO THROUGH EVERYTHING ELSE AND TALK AT THE END OF THE AGENDA, BUT SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN SO AS THE COMMISSIONERS THAT ARE BROADENING RUNNING WHA THEY'RE FOR AND WHAT THEY'RE AGAINST THEM THAT'S AN IMPORTAN THING BECAUSE IT'S ALMOST 10:00 O'CLOCK OR THEREAFTER, AND WE HAVE AN AGENDA TO GO THROUGH NOW. HAVE A GOOD DAY AND EVERYBODY PAY ATTENTION TO WHO'S AROUND JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. >> ARE THERE ANY OTHER GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE [1. Constitutional Officers' Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Presentations - St. Johns Count Sheriff.] PUBLIC COMMENT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. LET'S GO INTO AGENDA ITEM NUMBE ONE. >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. BEFORE I TURN IT OVER TO THE SHERIFF OR HIS PRESENTATION I WAT TO NOTE TO THE COMMISSION AND THAT THAT ALL CONSTITUTIONA OFFICERS AS REQUIRED BY FLORIDA STATUTE HAVE SUBMITTED THEIR BUDGETS BEFORE THE JUNE 1ST DEADLINE. THE TAX COLLECTOR, AS THEIR BUDGET IS FEE-BASED OR COMMISSION BASED, THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT FOR THEM TO PROVIDE THEIR BUDGET TO US AS WELL BOTH THE TAX COLLECTOR AND THE PROPERTY APPRAISER, THEIR BUDGETS ARE APPROVED BY THE STATE, THE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE , AND NOT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. TODAY YOU WILL HEAR FROM THE SHERIFF BOTH THE CLERK OF COURT AND COMPTROLLER AND SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS WILL PRESENT THEIR BUDGETS. WITH THAT, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO THE SHERIFF. >> GOOD MORNING, SHERIFF. >> I'M GOING TO USE THE STERILE PODIUM OVER HERE, MEANING THE COMPUTER IS IN THE WAY. COUNTY ADMINISTRATION YOUR ENTIRE PHENOMENAL STUFF THAT MOST IMPORTANT OF COURSE A PEOPLE THAT YOU AND I ANSWER TO WHICH OF COURSES ARE VOTERS HER IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY IN ALL OF OUR RESIDENT. THAT I PRESENTED TODAY AS OF YESTERDAY 1,057 MEMBERS OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE OUR BUDGET PROPOSAL TO YOU BERT THIS YEAR AS I OPEN UP, WE BROKE IT DOWN LITTLE DIFFERENT. THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENT IS THREE PRONGS TO MY BUDGET PRESENTATION OF COURSE WHICH IS OVERALL CORRECTIONS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THEN OUR BAILIFF AND EAT 911. OR THE LAST THREE YEARS, YOU HAVE SEEN THIS BREAK IN TIME BECAUSE I WANT TO SHOW YOU WHAT CORRECTIONS KOSTAS, WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT COSTS US, AND DISH ARE WE BROKE IT DOWN FURTHER TO ISSUE WILL SEE IN THE PRESENTATION ABOUT THE HEAVY LIFT WE HAVE WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. THIS IS NO SURPRISE TO ANYBODY HERE PURRED OUR POPULATION CONTINUES TO INCREASE. I HAVE A PARTNER HERE TODAY OF COURSE THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF OUR SCHOOLS WITH GEORGE J WILLITS THEY CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AS WE GO FORWARD. 600 SQUARE MILES OF LAND, 200 SQUARE MILES OF WATER. YOU KNOW THE PARTNERSHIPS I STRIVE ON AS OUR PARTNERS WITH FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL. NOT TO MENTION WITH YOUR STEP UNDER COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS, OU ST. JOHN'S COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT AND SEEN AUGUSTINE BEACH. APPEAR WE PUT SOME BASIC CALLS FOR SERVICE UP YOUR. OR CALLS FOR SERVICE ARE ON A STEADY INCREASE RATE THOSE ARE WHAT THEY CALL COMPUTER AIDED DISPATCH CALLS FOR IT TO CITY O SAINT AUGUSTINE POLICE OFFICERS AND ALSO THE SWORN LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THAT PROTECT OUR NATIONAL PARKS ARE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. WE HAD 101,911 CALLS. THAT NUMBER DOESN'T REALLY SHOW YOU THE EXACT NUMBER COMING INBOUND AND OUTBOUND THAT WE ACTUALLY HAD GO INTO OUR DISPATCH CENTER PER ALSO DOWN THERE YOU WILL SEE OUR 414 IS OUR AVERAGE POPULATION. IF HAVE A STUDY REDUCTION OF 20 OR 30 PRECURE. WE HAVE SEEN A REDUCTION IN RIS OF THE SCHISM. I THINK YOU KNOW WHERE VERY INT [01:10:01] PUTTING PEOPLE BACK INTO SOMETHING BETTER THAN WHAT THEY COME IN OUR JAIL ASPIRATE INTERNET GREAT JOB OF FREE ENTR OUTREACH. JOBS, WE HAD THE MOST GG'S IN THE HISTORY OF THE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY JAIL LAST YEAR WITH 25. WITH INVESTOR THAN OUR TOTAL BOOKINGS FOR THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO SAY IN THAT AREA FOR NEW AREA WE ADDED TO OUR FLEET AND GAVE BACK THE ONE THAT WAS IN THE 1033 PROGRAM NINE BEL, THE BELL HELICOPTER BERT ULYSSE ARE SWIMMERS AND BOATERS AND DISTRESSES THE KEY TO OUR AREA BEING OUT THERE BASICALLY FEEDING REAL-TIME INTELLIGENCE TO OUR FIRE AND RESCUE AND OUR DEPUTY SHERIFFS AND POLICE OFFICERS. NICK SLIGHTLY'S. WE'RE ASKING FOR A 5.6 PERCENT INCREASE TO OUR BUDGET. IT'S PRETTY MUCH 98.7 PERCENT GOING TOWARD PAY RAISES AND INCREASES TO OUR DEPUTY SHERIFFS . WE ARE REQUESTING INCREASES FOR OUR SERGEANTS AND BELOW $3,000 PLUS THERE IF THEY HAVE A GOOD EVALUATION. WE HAVE 577 TO BRITISH ARROWS TODAY. THAT WOULD BE RAISING OUR CURRENT INCREASE AND ARE STARVING PAID HIM 60,500 TO $63,500 FOR OUR DEPUTY SHERIFFS. HERE IS ONE CONCERN I WANT TO BRING TO YOUR. I'M NOT IN THE COMFORTER JUST WITH OUR JACKSONVILLE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, BUT THEY WILL SAY EVERYBODY WANTS TO GO TO THE BIGGER MACHINE. EVERYBODY THINKS THE BIGGER MACHINE IS THE PLACE YOU GOT TO BE. THE CHALLENGE NEXT YEAR IS THER GOING TO FRS. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. WE SPEAK ON A CONSTANT BASIS, BUT THEIR BASE PAY WILL BE $71,828 SO NOT THAT WERE IN A COMPETITION, BUT I THINK WE'RE UNDER. >> WHICH YOU ACTUALLY TO US WHA FRS MEANS AND HOW THAT AFFECTS THIS CONVERSATION? >> THANK YOU. OUT OF ALL THE AGENCIES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA WHICH IS 67 SERVES OFFICE, THERE'S ONLY ONE AGENCY NOT ON THE FLORIDA RETIREMENT PLAN. WE ARE THE OLDEST AGENCY AND 1821 AS FAR AS WE CAN REACH BACK . YOU CANNOT INSTALL ANYBODY'S INTELLIGENCE, BUT YOU CAN TAKE THAT FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM AND WORK AT ANY OF THE OTHER 66 THIS SHERIFFS OFFICE AROUND THE STATES AND I THINK IT'S 100 AGENCIES ON TOP OF THAT TO INCLUDE F WC FLORIDA STATE TROOPERS, FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL . THE FRS IS THOSE COUNTY EMPLOYEES TO INCLUDE OUR FIREFIGHTERS HERE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE HISTORY OF THE JACKSONVILLE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS GOING TO FR WHICH MAKES IT MORE COMPETITIVE TO DRAW THE APPLICANT OF POLICE OFFICERS INTO THE PROFESSION. WHEN IT MIGHT DEPUTY SHERIFFS THAT'S BEEN HERE FIVE YEARS AGO UP TO THE JACKSONVILLE SHERIFF' OFFICE AND PHYSICALLY NOT LOSE ONE DATE OF RETIREMENT WHICH HA BEEN THE COMPETITIVE EDGE WE'VE HAD. GOING UP THERE IS A START AT 71,828 AND THEIR BIGGEST JUMP I WHEN THEY GET TO THE FIVE-YEAR MARK WHERE THEY GO CLOSE TO $90,000 AS A POLICE OFFICER IN THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE. COMING DOWN THE PROPOSAL OF COURSE IS FOR OUR CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES WHICH IS AROUND 300 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES PER $1,000 INCREASE TO THEIR FACEPLATE PLU ONCE THEY PASS THEIR EVALUATION FOR THE YEAR, THEY GET THEIR STEP INCREASE. AGAIN AT THE TOP WOULD BE A PROPOSAL OF 5.8 PERCENT INCREAS WHICH IS PROXIMALLY JUST UNDER 500 SWORN PEOPLE AND THEN TO DUMP A LIVE THERE WOULD BE A 3.87 PERCENT INCREASE FOR NON- SWORN PERSONNEL OR OUR CIVILIAN PERSONNEL WHICH IS JUST UNDER 300. SALARY AND BENEFITS ARE YOU KNO WHERE MOST OF THE MONEY GOES FO THIS YEAR WERE WAITING ON THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE WHICH HAS PROPOSED AN INCREASE TO OUR FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM WHICH WOULD BE THE BENEFITS FOR WHAT WE CONTRIBUTE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES. AGAIN, BUT FINAL NUMBER IS, THA NUMBER ON A WORST-CASE SCENARIO IS IN OUR CURRENT BUDGET PROPOSAL JUST AROUND $7.8 MILLION WHICH IS THE 5.8 O 5.6 PERCENT. HERE IS BREAKING DOWN THE NUMBERS FOR IT ARE PERSONNEL SERVICES, THE TOTAL PROPOSALS $147 MILLION. THAT IS WITH THE INCREASED RATE OF COURSE THE BASELINE, 80 PERCENT IS AT $115 MILLION WHICH IS OUR PERSONAL SERVICES. OPERATING EXPENSES, YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS FOR IT WE'VE HAD T JUGGLE THAT WITH THE INCREASING GAS. ONE THING WE WERE TALKING ABOUT BEFORE I CAME APPEAR, THE BASE PRICE FOR A PATROL CAR WAS FIVE AND HALF YEARS AGO AROUND $56,000. OF THE NEW BASE PRICE IS AROUND $88,000 A YEAR. YOU KNOW THIS, YOU SEE IT YOURSELF WHEN YOU BUY YOUR CIVILIAN CARS, IT'S NO DIFFEREN FOR THAT SHERIFFS OFFICE. THESE ARE ADDED EXPENSES AS WE CONTINUE TO ROTATE OUR FLEET AN MAKE SURE OUR FLEET IS SAFE. OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT HAS DROPPED BY JUST UNDER 9,000. [01:15:02] WE'VE DONE A GOOD JOB WITH USIN OTHER PEOPLES MONEY BETWEEN FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL MONEY. OUR TEAM HAS GONE UP THERE TO SEEK EVERY GRANT LINK IN THE FUND THE ST. JOHN'S COUNTY SO AMAZING MINISTRY TO COME WORK O THOSE NUMBERS AND PUT NUTS AND BOLTS TOGETHER WHERE IT'S ALL PERSONAL SERVICES IN TAKING CAR OF OUR EMPLOYEES. THAT SERVICES DOWN THERE, WE DO HAVE FLEET LOANS. OUR AMAZING TEAM EVERY YEAR IF WE HAVE ADDITIONAL MONEY WE GET WITH DIRECTOR SCHROEDER AND HIS TEAM. 911 IS FUNDED ON ITS OWN, IT'S POINT FOR CENTS ON EVERY ONE OF YOUR WAISTLINES AND ALSO YOUR CELL PHONE LINES. THAT IS ACTUALLY ON THERE, SO IT'S A $149 MILLION BUDGET. IT IS LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CORRECTIONS COMBINED, BUT WE HA BEEN. AND THEN ALSO TO THE BILL. $19 MILLION. HE IS OVER OUR GENERAL SERVICES. AND DIRECTOR MARTIN AS OUR PATROL IN. AND THE NEXT RUNDOWN IS OVERALL OPERATIONS IN OUR CHILDHOOD WE TAKE THAT JAYLE OUT NESHEIWAT WERE INVESTING IN WHAT YOU ARE INVESTING ON THE BOARD OF, OF COMMISSIONERS NINE OF THOSE ARE INDEPENDENT. WHEN IT THOSE CLOSEST TO US IS THEY SHERIFFS OFFICE, THEY DID NOT RUN THEIR JAILBIRD IT'S A SEPARATE ENTITY OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHILD, BUT HERE WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE THE JAIL UNDER THE OFFICE. I WOULD NEVER GIVE IT BACK I THINK WE'RE DOING GREAT THINGS HERE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY. OF THE PEOPLE THAT I WANT TO THANK YOU TO DEPUTY GOMEZ OVER THERE AND OUR CANINE DEPUTY WHO ARE BLESSED TO PROTECT US TODAY. THIS IS ONE THING I WANTED TO BREAK DOWN A BIT. WE HAVE A MEETING FOR OUR SUPERINTENDENT. WE ARE BLESSED, WE HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT GREAT FOR SURE THERE WILL BE FOUR TO SIX OPEN SCHOOL FOR THE TOTAL OVERALL YOUTH RESOURCE DEPUTY BUDGET IS $9.6 MILLION THAT IS ALL PERSONAL SERVICES AND BENEFITS. YOU COME ON DOWN, THEY PAY OUR PUBLIC SERVICES ASSISTANCE. THOSE ARE THE MEN AND WOMEN YOU WILL SEE IN THE BRIGHT YELLOW SHIRTS OR YOUNG SHIRTS THAT DIRECT TRAFFIC THROUGHOUT THE DAY INGOING AND OUTGOING. THE SCHOOL DOES REIMBURSE US. WE JUST MET WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. THERE IS SOME FUNDS FROM THE STATE AVAILABLE. WHERE THESE FUNDS GOING. WE DON'T BELIEVE FOR GETTING THEM FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA PRIDE WE DO FUND THOSE WHO POIN TO MILLION DOLLARS THEY ACTUALL AT THIS TIME MAN OR I SHOULD SA AND THEY MOVE ABOUT 26,000 JEWE CHILDREN TO AND FROM RASCALS EVERY SINGLE DAY. WE TELL YOU EVERY EURO FOR GETTING ADDITIONAL DEPUTY SHERIFFS, WE ARE AND WHAT NOT. THOSE FOUR ADDITIONAL POSITIONS WERE GETTING THIS YEAR WE'RE ASKING FOR. AND ALSO TO EIGHT NEWS CROSSING GUARDS TO MOVE THOSE ADDITIONAL CHILDREN TO AND FROM THE SCHOOLS . WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE OUR CHIEF OF PATROLS HERE WHICH IS KEVIN CRONAN, WE ARE BREAKING ON THE REGIONS TRYING TO TIGHTEN THE SPIRIT LITTLE BIT AS WE GO THROUGH RETIREMENTS AND REPLACE THEM WITH MORE JEOPARDY SHERIFFS . HE JUST TOOK ON THE DISPATCH CENTER WHICH SHE HAD WHEN SHE WAS ACTUALLY AT THE JACKSONVILL SHERIFF'S OFFICE. HE WAS IN CHARGE OF ALL OF OUR WITH THAT BEING SAID, COMMISSIONERS I KNOW THAT WAS KIND OF FAST. AS WE KNOW, HUBERT TANDEM HIM WITH OUR DIRECTOR OF OUR OWN THE , IT'S BEEN A PHENOMENAL PARTNERSHIP. HE COULD THANK YOU ANY QUESTIONS ? >> THANK YOU. YOU DO SUCH A GREAT JOB ESPECIALLY FOR MY AREA. IT'S AMAZING. [01:20:05] ABOUT SOMEONE HITTING YOU, ATTACKING YOU, IT'S BEEN A GREA PLACE TO LIVE FOR THE ONLY QUESTION I HAVE IS ARE YOU GETTING REIMBURSED BY THE SCHOO SYSTEM COMPLETELY OR ARE WE NOT THERE YET? >> WE'RE NOT THERE. WE DID KIND OF A SURVEY, MAYBE SOME RESEARCH ON, BUT IT'S ALL OVER THE STATE BASED ON WHAT SOME JURISDICTIONS, LEE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WENT TO THEIR OWN SCHOOLBOARD PLEA SOMETHING CAME RIGHT BACK. SITTING HERE AS WELL, WE APPRECIATE THAT PARTNERSHIP. SOME OF THE. I DO NOT AGREE WITH THE GUARDIA PROGRAM PART OF BROTHER WE HAVE OUR DEPUTIES IN UNIFORM. IF I COULD EXPLAIN A LITTLE BIT. 60 TO .9 PERCENT THAT COVERS OU FOR OUR UP WHAT THEY ARE ASSIGNED TO VISUAL. IT'S A WREATH YOUTH RESOURCE PARADE WE GET THE DEPUTY SHARES BACK WHEN THEY ARE NOT OPEN FOR THE SUMMER TIME AND WE USE THEM THROUGHOUT THE AGENCY WERE USIN OUR TEEN DRIVING CHALLENGE AS W SEE TODAY. BIGGEST PROGRAM IN THE STATE WERE USING A JUVENILE BOOT CAMP. WHERE RUNNING A JUVENILE DIVERSION PROGRAM THAT JUST STARTED TONIGHT IS THE FIRST NIGHT. A LOT OF THEM GO TO BEACH CONTROL, SOME AUGMENT PATROL OR LIKE OUR CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION. THAT'S WHY IT 69-POINT TO PERCENT. TO KEEP ME AND MY GRANDSON TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE DRIVING PART AND ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR THE BOARD? [2. Presentation by the Foundation for the Museum of Black History.] THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR IT WITHOU FURTHER QUESTIONS, THE BOARD WILL GO TO JEANETTE ITEM NUMBER TWO. MR. COLLIN, YOU HAVE THE FLOOR. >> GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIR IN GOOD MORNING BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS PRAY THANK YOU FO THIS OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THE FOUNDATION FOR TH MUSEUM MUSEUM OF BLACK HISTORY AS WELL AS AN ASK SO WE CAN GET THE PRESENTATION UP. I WANT TO START WITH THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNANIMOUS SUPPORT OF THE MUSEUM BEING HERE AND 23 AN 24. THAT REALLY SET THE STAGE FOR WHERE WE ARE TODAY. I HAVE A COMMENT HERE PRESERVE THE PAST, UPLIFT THE PRESENT, INSPIRE THE FUTURE. LOFTY GOALS. BUT THEY CAN BE ACHIEVED THROUG COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP. I AM HERE REPRESENTING THE FOUNDATION FOR THE MUSEUM OF BLACK HISTORY AND THESE ARE THE 12 MEMBERS WHO WE CURRENTLY HAV GREAT WE VENT AUTHORIZED BY THE BOARD TO EXPAND TEN MORE MEMBERS , BRINGING US TO 20 TO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'VE GOT THE EXPERTISE AND SKILLS WE NEED, AND ALSO TO HELP US COVER THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE STATE. WE STILL NEED REPRESENTATION FROM PENSACOLA, TALLAHASSEE, BU WE'RE AT THE END HAVE JUST RECENTLY HAD INFORMATION FROM ORANGE COUNTY AND FROM BROWARD COUNTY. I WAS ON THE TASK FORCE THAT MADE THE RECOMMENDATION THAT TH MUSEUM BE HERE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE. I WAS ON THAT WITH GIL PHILLIPS FROM LINCOLNVILLE HERE AS WELL. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE IMMEDIATE YOU SEE THE SINGLE BUILDING AND THAT APPEARS TO BE THE MUSEUM. THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THE TAS FORCE WAS THREE ELEMENTS. A PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, AND EDUCATION AND EVENT CENTER, AND A FLORIDA MUSEUM OF BLACK HISTORY. THE COUNTY PUT THIS TOGETHER JUST TO GIVE AN AERIAL REPRESENTATION THAT THIS IS A CAMPUS. SO THAT WE TALK ABOUT THE FLORIDA MUSEUM OF BLACK HISTORY WE SHOULDN'T THINK OF IT AS A SINGLE BUILDING. IT IS A CAMPUS. 40,000 SQUARE-FOOT FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, 40,000 SQUARE-FOOT FOR THE NOT THE EVENT CENTER PER 20,000 FOR THE EVENT CENTER, 40,000 FOR THE MUSEUM PAID 40,000 FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER, 40,000 FOR THE MUSEUM, AND 20,000 FOR THE EVENT AND EDUCATION BUILDING . SO WHAT THE FOUNDATION HAS BEEN DOING WORK WITH THE NORTHEAST REGIONAL COUNCIL IS TO FIND OUR PURPOSE AND/OR ROLE IN THIS [01:25:01] JOURNEY. THESE ARE OUR PRIMARY ROLES. FUNDRAISING, WE KNOW THE STATE WILL PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MUSEUM. WE DON'T THINK IT WILL BE ALL THAT WILL BE NEEDED. OUR ROLE WILL BE TO SUPPLEMENT THAT THROUGH PRIVATE DONATIONS. THAT IS OUR PRIMARY PURPOSE. IT'S ALSO TO DO OUTREACH AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND WE LUNGED WITH THE COUNTY AND THE FLORIDA HISTORIC COAST AND ESTHER BOHNE MAGAZINE. THAT IS THE NAME OF THE FIRST KNOWN BLACK CHILD TO BE BORN IN THE UNITED STATES, WHAT IS NOW THE UNITED STATES, AND THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE ON JANUARY 5TH 1595. NOT EVERYONE ACKNOWLEDGES THEIR LIKELY COULD HAVE BEEN OTHERS, THAT THIS IS THE FIRST RECORDED KNOWN BLACK CHILD TO BE BORN. WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT SAINT AUGUSTINE AND PEOPLE STILL FIGHTING BECAUSE THEY DON'T ACCEPT ABOUT WHY SAINT AUGUSTINE , THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHY. SO WE NAMED THIS MAGAZINE AFTER HIM. IT IS MEANT TO TELL THE STORY O BLACK ARTS, CULTURE, AND HERITAGE IN THE YEARS BEFORE TH MUSEUM ACTUALLY GETS BUILT. BECAUSE WHAT WE ARE DOING IS CREATING A LEGACY FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. OUR SPECIFIC GOALS IN 26 AND 27 IS TO SUPPORT THE COUNTY AND TH DEVELOPMENT PLANNING ENGINEERING . CONGRATULATIONS ON THE SECOND 1 MILLION IN NO 2 MILLION HAS BEEN AWARDED TO THE STATE FOR PLANNING, DESIGNING, AND ENGINEERING. WE HAVE GOT SOME IDEAS ABOUT WHAT IS NEEDED AND IT WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY MORE THAN THAT GREAT THAT WILL BE OUR ROLE TO HELP RAISE THOSE FUNDS AS WELL. OVERALL FUNDRAISING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION, WHEN I WAS ON THE TASK FORCE OUR EXPECTATION WAS THAT THE CONSTRUCTION COST WOUL BE ABOUT $1,000 PER SQUARE FOOT AND I'VE JUST MENTIONED IT'S 100,000 SQUARE FEET, SO WE WE WOULD BE TALKING ABOUT 100 MILLION. AS THE SHERIFF JUST SAID, THOSE COSTS HAVE RISEN SINCE 2024 AND WE ARE NOW LOOKING AT SOMEWHERE CLOSER TO 1500 PER SQUARE FOOT. THE LONGER WE WAIT, THE MORE IT WILL COST. OUR LAST GOAL OVER 26, 27 IS BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS THE STATE. WE WILL TALK A BIT MORE ABOUT THAT. AGAIN THE MOMENTUM IS ALREADY BUILDING. $2 MILLION HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO THE COUNTY BY THE STATE. WE ARE PLEASED WITH THAT AND NO WE HAVE CAPACITY BUILDING TO PU THE STAFF AND RESOURCES TOGETHE SO WE CAN EXECUTE A FUNDRAISING PLAN. THAT FUNDRAISING WE REALLY CAN' LAUNCH UNTIL THE LEGISLATION HA BEEN CLEARED BY BOTH CHAMBERS. AND HAS CLEARED THE SENATE TWIC 35 JUST MAKES 0 AND HAS NOT BEE HEARD IN THE HOUSE IN EITHER TERM. SO WE ARE VERY OPTIMISTIC FOR THE UPCOMING SESSION THAT WE WILL GET THAT DEAL THAT WILL QUANTIFY THE MUSEUM AND THAT WILL THAN ALLOW US TO DO PRIVAT DONATIONS. THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND UNDERSTOOD WAS THAT TO WIN, THI NEEDED TO BE REGION STRATEGY. IT COULD NOT BE A CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE, ST. JOHN. THE BENEFIT OF THIS WOULD BE TO ALL OF THE CONTINUOUS COUNTIES THAT MAKE UP THIS REGION SO COMMISSIONER ARNOLD DID A TERRIFIC JOB IN GETTING FROM AL OF THOSE COUNTIES FLAGLER COUNTY , DEPAUL COUNTY, CLAY COUNTY, AND NOW WE ARE GOING TO GO BACK AND GET THEM TO PARTICIPATE AGAIN IN HELPING US BRING THE MUSEUM AND THE FUNDS NECESSARY TO BEAR. THAT IS THE CAPACITY BUILDING THAT WE ARE LOOKING TO DO. TELLING UNTOLD STORIES IS REALL A BIG PIECE OF WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. BUT I DON'T WANT TO MISS GENERATING INCREMENTAL REVENUE REGIONALLY AND STATEWIDE. THERE IS MUSEUM IN SOUTH CAROLINA THAT OPENED IN 2023. IN ITS FIRST YEAR, IT HAD TO HUNDRED 50,000 VISITORS. 150,000 NEW VISITORS TO [01:30:05] CHARLESTON. THAT IS AN ENORMOUS IMPACT AND CHARLESTON IS NOT PHYSICALLY NEAR ANY MAJOR CITIES SUCH AS JACKSONVILLE OR ORLANDO. SO WE THINK THIS COULD BE A HUG IMPACT TO OUR REGION INTO OUR STATE. IT ALSO EXPANDS INTEREST IN THE RICH HISTORY ALREADY HERE. IMAGINE 150,000 OR WHATEVER THA NUMBER MIGHT BE, THEY ARE NOT JUST GOING TO COME TO THIS MUSEUM, THEY ARE GOING TO EXPLORE ALL. THOSE WHO COME NOW ARE GOING TO COME BECAUSE THIS ISN'T A MUSEU FOR BLACK FOLK, IT IS A MUSEUM FOR THE HISTORY OF WHAT HAS OCCURRED AND SO IN INTEREST TO FLORIDIANS, IT'S A PEOPLE ACROS THE COUNTRY, AND THE WORLD. WAY ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. SO THIS TIME NOW CALLS FOR A COLLABORATION AND COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP. WE NEED THIS DATE TO CONTINUE ITS COMMITMENT IN THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION ENTER BRING THAT TO BEAR. WE WILL NEED CONTINUED FUNDING AND ULTIMATELY CONSTRUCTION FUNDING FROM THE STATE. WE ARE REQUESTING $125,000 FROM ST. JOHN'S COUNTY TO AGAIN CAPACITY BUILDING AND I WILL SHARE WHAT WE WILL DO WITH THAT. AND THEN WE HAVE FUNDING REQUES TO THE OTHER COUNTIES AND THEN ONCE WE HAVE THOSE WE WILL BEGI AN EFFORT TO ENCOURAGE COMMUNIT ORGANIZATIONS AND CORPORATE LEADERS IN THAT SAME GEOGRAPHIC AREA I SHARED WITH YOU TO BEGIN TO SUPPORT THIS CAPACITY BUILDING. THIS IS NOT FUNDING TO BUILD TH MUSEUM. THIS IS FUNDING TO GET ALL THE RESOURCES IN PLACE AND TO BUILD THE CAPACITY AND THE ROADWAY AN TE RUNWAY TO MAKE THE MUSEUM HAPPEN. WE WILL BE HAVING A FUNDRAISING CONSULTANT'S, THAT PERSON WILL LAY OUT THIS OVERALL PLAN FOR THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN THAT WILL BE NEEDED OF SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $100 MILLION. THROUGH IS AN ECONOMIC IMPACT MAY NEED TO KNOW WHAT THAT ECONOMIC IMPACT WILL BE NOT JUS JUST EXCHANGE JOHN'S, BUT THE REGION OVERALL. IT WILL BE A HUGE BENEFIT TO DAYTONA BEACH AND WHAT HAS BEEN OCCURRING THERE OVER THE LAST 150 OR MORE YEARS. ALSO TO NASSAU AND JACKSONVILLE. WE THINK IT WILL HAVE A VERY POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE REGION. THEN WE WILL EXECUTE A STATEWID COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN AND ENGAGEMENT. WE WILL HIRE A PART-TIME COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT RESOURCE T BEGIN TO DO THAT AND WE WILL HIRE FULL-TIME ADMINISTRATOR. WE ARE NOT STAFFING AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT THIS POIN BECAUSE WE WANT TO FIRST GET TH CAPACITY BUILDING IN PLACE, HAV A FUNDRAISING PLAN IN PLACE THA THAT PERSON CAN COME IN AND EXECUTE AGAINST. SO THAT IS PRETTY MUCH IT. I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN FOR ANY QUESTIONS, BUT I'D LIKE TO MAKE ONE CLOSING COMMENT BEFORE I DO. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING AUGUST O 1963, WE ARE NOW FACED WITH THE FACT THAT TOMORROW IS TODAY. WE ARE CONFRONTED WITH THE FIERCE URGENCY OF NOW. THIS IS A TIME FOR VIGOROUS AND POSITIVE ACTION. LET'S COLLABORATE AND PARTNER. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. HOLLEY . TO HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? LET'S LOOK FOR DIRECTION, IS THERE SOME WAY WE COULD GET A CONSENSUS TO DIRECT STAFF TO LOOK AT THE FUNDING ISSUE YOUR? IS THAT SOMETHING WE CAN DO? SISTER PRESENTATION. SAY THAT AGAIN. >> AT THIS POINT IT'S JUST A PRESENTATION. IT DEPENDS ON WHAT THE DIRECTIO OF THE BOARD IS. IF IT COMES TO WORK THAN I AGREE . IS THAT SOMETHING WE COULD GET CONSENSUS ON TICKETS DIRECT STAFF TO LOOK AT THE FUNDING ELEMENT. >> IS THEIR ANYONE AGAINST PRINCESSES, DIRECTING STAFF TO LOOK FOR A FUNDING SOURCE FOR THIS TO BRING BACK TO THE BOARD AT A LATER TIME? THAT IS CONSENSUS, RIGHT? THAT'S WHAT WE NEED. GOOD JOB, THANK YOU SO MUCH. [4. Unsolicited Proposal - Biosolids Facility - Merrell Bros.] >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR SUPPORT. [01:35:01] >> WE WILL GO DIRECTLY TO AGEND ITEM NUMBER FOUR. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER FOUR IS FOR THE UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL THAT W RECEIVED FROM MERRELL BROS TO A BIOSOLIDS FACILITY THAT THEY AR PROPOSING TO BUILD, DESIGN AND OPERATE. FOR SYSTEM INTO IT IN ACCORDANC WITH FLORIDA STATUTE OF 65 AS WELL AS THE COUNTIES ADOPTED PROCESS AND PROCEDURES FOR UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS AND PRIVATE PUBLIC PARTNERSHIPS. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE STATUTE, THERE ARE REQUIREMENTS THAT MUS BE MET IN ORDER FOR A PROJECT T BE CONSIDERED A QUALIFIED PROJECT AND REVIEW OF THESE REQUIREMENTS IN OUR PROCESSES IT'S DETERMINED THAT THE PROJEC PROPOSED ANY UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL MEETS THE UNDER THE STATUTE. AND THEN THESE ARE THE REQUIREMENTS BETWEEN FLORIDA STATUTE UNDER PROCEDURE THAT AN UNSOLICITED FOR US TO CONSIDER IT AN UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL AND BE PROVIDED TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR CONSIDERATION TO ACCEPT. THESE ARE ALL PROVIDED TO YOU ALL OF THESE REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN REVIEWED BY STAFF AND HAVE SEEN TO MEET THESE REQUIREMENTS IN THE PROPOSAL BEFORE US WE HAVE MERRELL BROS HERE, THEY WILL PRESENT YOU THE MATERIAL O THEIR PROPOSAL IN THEN I WILL COME BACK AND PROVIDE YOU WITH NEXT STEPS AND WHAT THAT MEANS AND WHAT YOUR DECISION OPTIONS ARE IN THEN WE HAVE THE UTILITY 'S DIRECTOR HERE FOR ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE FOR THEM AND I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> IF YOU COULD SWITCH TO THE MERRELL BROS PRESENTATION. >> GOOD MORNING. DUSTIN SMITH, CHIEF EXECUTIVE O WHITEHURST. I'M HERE WITH BLAKE MERRELL. OUR GOAL IS TO TALK ABOUT THE CRISIS THAT ST. JOHN'S COUNTY FUNDS HIMSELF IN TODAY. YOU HAVE THREE PRESSURES EXPERIENCING AT THE SAME TIME FOR THE FIRST ONE IN THE INDIANHEAD BIOMASS FACILITY. THERE ARE ODOR COMPLAINTS COMIN FROM THAT FACILITY CREATING A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF PUBLIC COMMENT AND ISSUES. I'M SURE THE COUNCIL IS WELL AWARE OF. THAT UNION HEAD BIOMASS FACILIT HAS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE, TH COMPOSTING PROCESS IS VITAL TO YOUR WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT. UNFORTUNATELY IT'S AN OPEN AIR COMPOSTING FACILITY AND WITH BIOSOLIDS YOU HAVE ODOR CONCERN ON OCCASION AND WITH NEIGHBORS COMING AND CLOSE WITH THE CODE ISSUES IT'S NOT A SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION TO CONTINUED THIS LONG-TERM. IN ADDITION TO THAT YOU HAVE SHORT-TERM CONTRACTS FOR TRANSPORTATION AND DISPOSAL. WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO SERVE THE COUNTY FOR MULTIPLE YEARS FOR TRANSPORTATION AND DISPOSAL OF YOUR BIOSOLIDS, BUT WITH SHORT-TERM CONTRACTS AND WITH PRICES THAT ARE GOING THROUGH THE ROOF, 80 PERCENT INCREASE JUST WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS ON THE DISPOSAL COST BECAUSE THERE ARE LIMITED OPTIONS, THE COUNTY FINDS THEMSELVES WITH A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EXPOSURE BECAUSE YOU CAN'T CONTROL YOUR OWN DESTINY. YOU DON'T HAVE CONTROL OF YOUR DISPOSAL OUTLETS. BUT YOU ARE AT THE MERCY OF ANY OTHER DISPOSAL OUTLET OR LACK THEREOF, AND THAT IS ESCALATING COST AND YOU DON'T HAVE ANY GUARANTEE. THERE IS REALLY A BIGGER PROBLE STATEWIDE PROBLEM WHICH IS WHY YOU MAY OR MAY NOT BE AWARE OF TODAY IS THE FACT THAT IN FLORIDA, THE BIOSOLIDS MARKET I TO SOME DEGREE COLLAPSE AND BECAUSE THERE HAS BEEN FOUR MAJOR FACILITIES THAT HAVE CLOSED DOWN. THERE ARE 500,000 TONS LESS DISPOSAL OPTIONS FOR 500,000 TONS OF YEAR THAT DON'T EXIST ANYMORE AND THIN WITH SENATE BILL TO 90 BEING SIGNED, CLASS B LAND APPLICATIONS IS ESSENTIALLY NO MORE. ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU FIN YOURSELF IN A SITUATION WHERE YOU HAVE ONE DISPOSAL OPTION, YOU HAVE KIND OF PUBLIC YOUR EGGS AND ONE BASKET FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM AND IF THAT DISPOSAL OPTION IS NO MORE, YOU OPTIONS ARE VERY LIMITED AND YO DON'T CONTROL YOUR OWN DESTINY. AS OUR PROPOSAL TODAY, THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO SHOW HERE TODAY. [01:40:11] WITH THAT'S, I WOULD LIKE TO START THE PRESENTATION HERE. WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT A BIT ABOUT WHAT BIOSOLIDS ARE. YOU HAVE MULTIPLE TREATMENT PLANTS WHICH ARE THE COUNTY IN SURROUNDING WASTEWATER TREATMEN PLANTS AND EVERY WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT HAS TWO BYPRODUCTS THE CLEAN TREATED WATER THAT HAS TO GO SOMEWHERE AND THEN YOU HAVE BIOSOLIDS WHICH ARE AT THE BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY, THE MICROORGANISMS THAT HAVE BEEN USED TO TREAT THAT WASTEWATER, THOSE REPOPULATE AND ACCUMULATE INSID OF A WASTEWATER PLANT AND THEY HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE. YOUR WASTEWATER PLANTS CREATE BIOSOLIDS AND BIOSOLIDS HAVE TO GO SOMEWHERE. IT'S NOT A QUESTION OF IF YOU GET TO MANAGE, IT'S JUST HOW YO PLAN TO MANAGE THEM BECAUSE YOU PRODUCE THEM EVERY SINGLE DAY. THAT'S A LITTLE BIT ABOUT BIOSOLIDS. WE COULD GO INTO DETAIL BETWEEN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CLASS B AND CLASS AA, BUT ULTIMATELY IT'S YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MANAGE SURE BIOSOLIDS HE HAVE A PLACE TO TAKE THEM. FEES ARE FOUR OF YOUR FACILITIES . WE PROVIDE SERVICE TO EACH ONE OF THEM. EACH ONE OF THEM DEEP WATER THOSE. YOU CAN SEE THOSE ARE OUR TRAILERS TRANSPORTING THEM TO INDIANHEAD BIOMASS NOW AND THAT'S KIND OF THE ONGOING PROCESS YOU HAVE RIGHT NOW. A LITTLE BIT ABOUT MERRELL BROS AND WHY WE DO THIS. WE LIVE BIOSOLIDS. THIS IS OUR BUSINESS, AND BUSINESS HAS BEEN HERE FOR OVER 40 YEARS. TED INTERIOR OF THE TWO BROTHER THAT. WE ARE THE SECOND-GENERATION LEADERSHIP AMONG OTHERS THAT AR COMING UP, THAT WE ARE IN THIS FOR THE LONG-HAUL. THIS IS WHAT WE DO. WE LOVE THIS INDUSTRY, WE HANDL 30 PERCENT OF THE BIOSOLIDS IN THE STATE. WE HAVE A PRETTY GOOD PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT THE MARKET LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT THE CHALLENGES THAT LIE AHEAD IF YO GUYS IF YOU DON'T TAKE SOME ACTION AND START TO PLAN. THAT'S REALLY WHY WE ARE HERE. WE WANT TO PRESENT A SOLUTION AND WHAT IT WOULD LOOK LIKE. OUR FACILITY WE STARTED IN 2017 AND IT HAS OBVIOUSLY PREVENT TH TEST OF TIME. FLORIDA IS IN A STATE OF CRISIS DUE TO YOUR BIOSOLIDS, YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO HAVE YOUR SOLUTION SO THAT'S WHAT WE WANT TO PRESENT TODAY. I'D LIKE TO HAVE BLAKE COME UP AND WALK US THROUGH THE REST OF THE PROPOSAL. >> GOOD MORNING. I AM PLAGUED MERRELL WITH MERRELL BROS. I LEAD OUR OPERATIONS WORK AND GET A UNIQUE CLAIM THAT I THINK I'VE BEEN TOO EVERY MAJOR WASTEWATER PLANT IN THE STATE O FLORIDA. I DON'T THINK MANY PEOPLE COULD SAY THAT. I'M AMONG THE FEW THAT CAN. AS DUSTIN MENTIONED THERE IS A CAPACITY CRISIS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. IT'S BEING CAUSED BY A NUMBER O FACTORS, BUT I AM PHIL CAPACITY IS DWINDLING A LOT FASTER THAN WHAT WAS PROPOSED AND EXPECTED. WE ARE NOW IN AN ECONOMY WHERE WE DO A LOT OF AMAZON SHIPPING AND RECEIVING, SORRY, I FORGOT TO CLICK THIS, SO THERE IS MORE CARDBOARD AND RECYCLABLES GENERATED THEN WAS. THE WAY PEOPLE SHOP HAS SHIFTED. ON TOP OF THAT OUR POPULATION HAS GROWN MUCH FASTER THEN ME EXPECTED. BECAUSE OF THAT, THE FLORIDA DE HAD A STUDY DONE LAST YEAR IN THEY ALL THE LANDFILL CAPACITY AND AT THE PACE WE ARE CONSUMIN LANDFILL CAPACITY TODAY WE ARE FULL BY 2041. THERE'S NOT A LOT OF TIMELINE BETWEEN NOW AND 2041. THE HOPE WOULD BE THERE WOULD B LOW MORE LANDFILLS PERMITTED, BUT IT IS A REALLY SHORT RUNWAY THAT'S COMING PRETTY QUICKLY. BIOSOLIDS USED TO BE DEALT WITH BY GOING TO PLANT APPLICATION WHICH YOU WOULD GO FROM THE WASTEWATER PLANT TO A PASTOR OR A FIELD, THERE IS A LOT OF BENEFITS, BUT AS A MEANS OF PROTECTING THE WATER RESOURCES OF THE STATE IT'S BEING DISALLOWED AND IT'S REQUIRED TO GO THROUGH FURTHER TREATMENT PROCESSES. IF IT WASN'T LAND APPLIED, IT WAS LANDFILL. THE LANDFILL SOLUTION STILL USE TODAY, HOWEVER EVERY LIEN PHIL IS AT CAPACITY SO THEY TAKEN TH MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF BIOSOLIDS THE CAN. IT'S A WET SOFT MIGHTY MATERIAL AND IT'S DIFFICULT TO BILL A LANDFILL. THEY HAVE TO LIMIT THE RELATIONSHIP WITH WET WAIST AND BIOSOLIDS IS A WET WAIST SO WE ARE AT THE CAPACITY STATEWIDE THROUGHOUT OF FLORIDA AND THERE ARE FEWER THAN TEN THAT RECEIVE BIOSOLIDS. EVERYONE IS AT THE MAXIMUM. LET'S HAPPENING NOW IS MIAMI-DADE IS SHIPPING SOLIDS INTO OTHER STATES. THEY ARE DOING THAT VIA RAIL CAR . AS WAS MENTIONED THIS MORNING, [01:45:02] NOT VERY MANY COMMUNITIES WANT TO BE A RECEIVER AND IMPORTER O OTHER COMMUNITIES WASTE MATERIALS, SO WE DON'T ANTICIPATE SOMETHING THAT LASTS FOR A LONG PERPETUITY. THE POPULATION OF THE STATE IS GROWING QUICKLY. PUT ONE ON THE SLIDE, ALL THE CONTRACTS PRIMARILY IN THE STAT OF FLORIDA WHETHER THEY BE THEI GERM WITH ONE OF OUR OTHER COMPETITORS, BUT THEY ARE SHORT DURATION CONTRACT SO IT MIGHT B A THREE-YEAR TERM OR A FIVE-YEA TERM AND BECAUSE OF THAT THERE IS NEVER THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD OR CREATE A ROBUST SOLUTION BECAUSE YOU HAVE SUCH SHORT TIMELINE. YOU CAN'T SINK A LOT OF INVESTMENT INTO SOMETHING YOU KNOW YOU'RE ONLY GOING TO DO FO THREE YEARS. CONTRACT RISK IS A BIG PROBLEM, IT PREVENTS THEIR BEING MORE ROBUST AND PERMANENT SOLUTIONS. WE TALKED TO, I'VE BEEN HERE TO A COUPLE OF COMMISSIONER MEETINGS, NO QUESTION THAT URBA THERE'S AN ISSUE IN. IT'S BEING FACED IN SUMNER COUNTY, DESOTO COUNTY, POLK COUNTY, AND HIGHLANDS COUNTY. THOSE ARE PLACES THAT OF COMPOSTING FACILITIES IN ARE UNDER SCRUTINY JUST AS INDIANHEAD IS. NO QUESTION THAT THE COMPOSTING WORKS, IT'S A VIABLE MEANS OF TREATMENT YOU GET TIME SURE, YO GET PASTEURIZATION BUT THE FACT THAT IT WORKS AND THE REALITY THAT THAT CAUSES NEIGHBORING CONFLICTS ARE BOTH TRUE. BECAUSE OF THAT WE HAVE TO GRADUATE TO MORE ROBUST INDOOR FACILITIES AS URBAN SPRAWL AND DEVELOPMENT HAPPENS AND STARTS TO CLOSING IN ON THESE AREAS LIKE NEXT DOOR AND ADJACENT TO INDIANHEAD. AS DUSTIN ALLUDED TO, THERE HAV BEEN SOME LEGISLATIVE CHANGES, CLASS B LAND APPLICATION IS NO LONGER, BUTLER SIGNED IN SENATE BILL TO 90 AND THAT TREATED ABOUT 40 PERCENT OF THE STATES MATERIAL. IF YOU WANT TO ZOOM OUT AND LOO AT THE ENTIRE STATE, 40 PERCENT OF THE WASTEWATER WAS DEALT WIT IN THOSE MEANS AND THAT OPTION IS GONE. NOW YOU NEED TO BUILD A SOLUTIO FOR 40 PERCENT OF THE STATES CAPACITY DUE TO THE CHANGE IN REGULATIONS WHILE YOU ALSO ARE MAKING MORE BIOSOLIDS THAN YOU'VE EVER MADE HISTORICALLY BECAUSE OF POPULATION GROWTH IN YOU HAVE DWINDLING LANDFILL CAPACITY. THERE IS A PERFECT OF PROBLEMS HERE AND WE HAVE SEEN IN THE INDUSTRY, SERVING 30 PERCENT OF THE STATES, THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT'S GOING ON ALL OVER. IT IS PUTTING PRESSURE ON SITES LIKE INDIANHEAD SO WE'RE HOPING TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION FOR THAT. DUE TO THE PROXIMITY ISSUES, WHETHER IT'S TRUCK TRAFFIC OR NOISE, URBAN SPRAWL AND ODOR IS THE REAL DRIVER OF THESE ISSUES. THERE HAS BEEN A CLOSURE OR CHANGE IN BUSINESS, DUSTIN MENTIONED THERE ARE FOUR FACILITIES THAT HAVE CLOSED AND JUST THE LAST TWO YEARS. IF YOU LOOK AT THE LAST TEN YEARS, THERE WERE 12 FACILITIES MUCH LIKE INDIANHEAD THAT ARE N MORE. YOU TAKE AWAY 40 PERCENT OF THE LAND APPLICATION WHICH WAS THE SOLUTION AND NOW YOU CLOSE 12 O THE TREATMENT FACILITIES JUST LIKE INDIANHEAD IN THE LAST DECADE. RIGHT NOW THERE'S A SHORTAGE OF ABOUT 25 PERCENT OF THE STATES TOTAL VOLUME. THE STATE OF FLORIDA WILL PRODUCE ABOUT 2.3 BILLION WET TONS WHICH IS HOW BIOSOLIDS IS QUANTIFIED. 25 PERCENT OF THAT 500,000 TONS DON'T HAVE A HOME. THEY DON'T HAVE A TREATMENT WORKFLOW. DOES HAVE HIGH HUNDRED THOUSAND TONS ARE BEING PUT ON RAILCARS, THERE BEING SQUEEZED INTO FACILITIES RUNNING AT CAPACITY, AND BECAUSE OF THAT, COSTS ARE ESCALATING. WE'VE SEEN FEES GO FROM 20 TO 9 IN THE LAST NINE MONTHS. WE ARE THE INCUMBENT CONTRACTOR WE GET PAID A SET FEE, WE CAN'T CHARGE MORE THAN THAT AND IF OU DISPOSAL COSTS START TO CLIMB, AND WE ARE LOCKED AT A CERTAIN RATE, IT GETS SCARY QUICKLY. WE HAVE TRIED TO GO AROUND AND SHARE THIS TWO DIFFERENT UTILITIES AND EXPLAINED THAT WE NEED A LONGER TIMELINE AND THAT IS WHAT WE ARE RESPECTFULLY LOOKING TO ASK FOR TODAY, THAT WE COULD BUILD A MORE ROBUST SOLUTION OVER A LONGER PERIOD O TIME AND NOT TRY TO SOLVE THE CHALLENGES WITH 35 YOUR RUNWAY. FOR SUPPLY IMBALANCES CAUSING THE SHARP INCREASE IN DISPOSAL COSTS AND IT IS A REALLY FRAGIL SITUATION. THERE IS A MISNOMER HERE IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY THAT WE ARE LOOKING TO IMPORT BIOSOLIDS. I CAN TELL YOU AGAIN, I'VE BEEN TOO EVERY WASTEWATER PLANT IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY YOU PRODUCE INCLUDING YOUR OWN WASTEWATER PLANTS, BUT ALSO THAT OF THE CITY OF SAINT AUGUSTINE AND OTHER WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS, YOU PRODUCE 46,000 WET TONS. WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING IS A 50,000 WET TONS SOLUTION. [01:50:02] THERE IS NO MIAMI-DADE MATERIAL THERE'S NO ORLANDO MATERIAL, WE'RE NOT ASKING TO IMPORT OR YOU BECOME A DUMPING GROUND. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IS THAT YOU WOULD ONLY PRODUCE ABOUT HALF O THAT TODAY, BUT AS THE END OF THIS TERM OUR PROPOSED FACILITY MEANT YOU WOULD PRODUCE SUBSTANTIALLY MORE SO YOU WOULD GROW INTO YOUR OWN CAPACITY IN CONTINUED TO REMOVE THESE OTHER ADJACENT UTILITIES LIKE THE CIT OF SAINT AUGUSTINE AS YOU HAVE MORE OF YOUR OWN CAPACITY. WE ARE PROPOSING A SOLUTION TO THESE ISSUES AND THAT SOLUTION INCLUDES A SOLUTION FOR THE ODO CONFLICT WITH THE OUTDOOR OPEN AIR. WITH THE THREE YEAR TERM. THAT RECENT ENACTED LEGISLATION THAT DISALLOWS CLASS BECOME A SOVIETS THAT THERMAL PASTEURIZATION. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL TO THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST. MY FATHER HAS BEEN OUT THERE FO THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS, IT'S FAMILY BUSINESS AND MY FATHER, COFOUNDER OF THE FAMILY BUSINES I GET TO WORK FOR HE DEVELOPED PROJECT THAT WAS ON-TIME AND UNDER BUDGET OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS OF CONSTRUCTION DESPITE THE GLOBAL ECONOMY INTERRUPTION THAT INCLUDED TARIFFS IN IRAN CONFLICT IN ALL KINDS OF THAT IS A PRETTY SUBSTANTIAL ACCOMPLISHMENT. WE HAVE A PATENTED TECHNOLOGY, WE ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT CAN D THIS. IT IS ALSO HERE LOCALLY IN FLORIDA NEAR WHERE I CALL HOME IN PASCOE COUNTY. IF YOUR NOT FAMILIAR WITH VASCO IT'S JUST NORTH OF TAMPA BAY. WE HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF THREE O THE COMMISSIONERS JOINING US. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TO DO THAT. IT'S BEEN HAPPENING SUCCESSFULL IN ADDITION TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, WE HAD GORDON, NEIL, INJURED NUMBER OF THE UTILITY STAFF COME AND KICK THE TIRES AND LOOK AROUND. DURING THESE TOURS, YOU HAD A CHANCE TO OBSERVE AND REALLY SMELL IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT OBSERVATION. WHAT WERE DOING AND PASCOE AND HOW IT WORKS BY MOVING THE TREATMENT THAT IS REQUIRED BY FEDERAL AND STATE RULES INSIDE AND PUSHING ALL THE EARTH THREE CARBON FILTERS IT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE. THAT DIFFERENCE CAN BE ADJACENT TO OTHER PROPERTIES AND SOLVE COMMUNITY CONFLICTS. OF REALLY SIMPLE LITTLE WORKFLO HERE IS THAT THE BIOSOLIDS IS RECEIVED VIA SEMITRUCKS THAT AR UNDER NEGATIVE AIR PRESSURE, AS THE TRUCK IS UNLOADED IT'S BEIN PULLED IN FROM THE FACILITY OF THE TRUCK. WE HAVE USE THIS SOLAR RADIATION , HIGH VELOCITY LOW-SPEED FANS FOR BIG OVERHEAD FANS THAT ARE TURNING AND WE ALSO USE THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT, THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT WE ARE AL FAMILIAR WITH WITHOUT REALIZING IT, BUT WHEN YOU GET INTO A HOT CAR ON A SUMMER DAY, YOU CONTAI THE AIR IN FRONT OF THE STRUCTURE. THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO ACHIEVE TREATMENT AS TO OF THAT EXCESS WATER. AFTER THE DRAWING PROCESS, WE CONVEY IT'S IN THE MIDDLE OF TH CHILD LABOR PAST ROYERSFORD WE CONVEY IT INTO A PASTEURIZATION. IT'S LIKE A BIG PIZZA OVEN. IT IS COMMONLY USED TO PASTEURIZE DOG FOOD OR PEANUTS OR TRAIL MIX AND IT IS SOLD A LOT TO THE FOOD INDUSTRY. WE'VE MODIFIED IT AND CUSTOMIZE IT AND WE USE IT TO PASTEURIZE BIOSOLIDS. WE HOLD THE MATERIAL AT A CERTAIN DURATION OF TIME TO ENSURE THAT WE EXCEED ALL THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR IT PASTEURIZATION ENSURES THAT THE PRODUCT IS SAFE, THAT THERE IS IN CONTAMINANTS THAT COULD BE LIKE E. COLI OR FROM THERE THAN WE SIZE IT, IT IS GOING INTO BAGS, IT'S GOING INTO DIFFERENT PACKAGING TYPES. A LOT OF TREE NURSERIES, AND IF WE HAVE A CHANCE WE HAVE A PICTURE AT THE END OF THIS OF M OWN LAWN. I'VE GOT SOME NICE GRASS, I CAN SHOW THAT TO YOU, BUT ALL OF THIS IS DONE INSIDE OF FACILITY WITH ROBUST AIR CONTROL. IT'S DONE INSIDE WITCHES WHICH IS SERVING THE MORGANS COVE AND THE THAT IS A PROBLEM BEING FACED THROUGHOUT THE. AS WE BUILD MORE RURAL AREAS AN DEVELOP THEM. WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING UPFRONT THE PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP, IN THI [01:55:01] MODEL OF THE COUNTY OWNS THE FACILITY, THE FACILITY CONTROL IS THE COUNTIES AS THE COUNTY PRODUCES MORE VOLUME, THE PROPOSED TIMELINE WITH THREE FIVE-YEAR RENEWAL. BY THE END OF THAT YOU WILL HAV 95 PERCENT OF THE CAPACITY UTILIZED BY THE COUNTY IF WE LOOK AT THE PROJECTIONS IN EXPECTED VOLUMES PRODUCED BY ST JOHNS COUNTY. HOWEVER BETWEEN NOW AND THAT TIMELINE, OTHER UTILITIES INSID OF THE COUNTY INCLUDING JA BLACKFORD WHICH IS OFF LONGLEAF PINE PARKWAY, YOU CONTRIBUTE MORE THAN ENOUGH TONS THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ANY PRESSIN CROSSING ANY COUNTY LINES VERY THERE IS ENOUGH MEAT AND THE ST JOHN'S COUNTY BETWEEN YOU IN TH OTHER UTILITIES THAT OPERATE INSIDE OF YOUR COUNTY. YOU WOULD HAVE A CONTROL AND SECURITY OF THIS CRITICAL WASTEWATER INFRASTRUCTURE AND PROCESS AND THE PERFORMANCE WOULD BE BONDED AND GUARANTEED BY MERRELL BROS. IT WOULD BE OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PERFORM. AGAIN IT'S A PATENTED TECHNOLOG THAT WOULD BE BUILT BY US WITH OUR MAINTAINED BY US WITH A TRU TURNKEY PROJECT FREIGHT IN MENTIONED THE OTHER INTAKE, CUSTOMERS WOULD BE THE CITY AND OTHER WASTEWATER PLANTS INSIDE OF THE FACILITY IN YOU WOULD GROW TO FILL A SUBSTANTIAL IF NOT ALL OF THE CAPACITY DURING THAT PROJECT TIMELINE. AS THE FACILITY OWNER YOU WOULD ENJOY THE BEST TREATMENT COST I YOU'RE THE CITY OF AUGUSTINE THEY WILL PAY MORE TO YOU AS TH HOST FOR IT IF YOU HAVE IDLE CAPACITY THEN THAT WOULD BE SOL TO JA BLACKFORD OR FOR THE SAIN AUGUSTINE AND YOU WOULD RECEIVE MONIES FOR THAT SPACE UP UNTIL THE POINT WHEN YOU NEEDED IT AN THEN YOU WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE TO USE THAT CAPACITY RATHER THA SELL IT. THE NON- OWNING ENTITIES WOULD PAY A HIGHER RATE IN WOULD HAVE THE CONTROL AND CERTAINTY THAT THE COUNT HAVE. THERE IS A SAYING THAT THE BEST TIME TO PLANT A TREE IS YESTERDAY THE SAME IS TRUE OF INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS FREIGHT THE BEST TIME TO CREATE A SOLUTION IS YESTERDAY. AND THIS INFLATIONARY MARKET, I YOU BUILD THE CAPACITY YOU NEED FOR THE NEXT 30 YEARS TO TAKE, IT'S HIGHLY LIKELY IT'S NEVER GOING TO BE CHEAPER TO DO THAT. RATHER THAN BUILDING SOMETHING THAT IS SIZED FOR THE VOLUME YO PRODUCED TODAY AND HAVE TO CONTINUALLY ADD ON IN FUTURE YEARS IN FUTURE TIMELINES, IT'S GOING TO BE MORE EXPENSIVE WHIC I THINK IT'S A SAFE THING TO SA AND A SAFE ASSESSMENT. IN SUMMARY, THE DAY WHEN OWNERSHIP IT WOULD BE THE COUNTIES FACILITY, THE COUNTY WHERE CONTROL IT. YOU AGAIN PRODUCE THE MAJORITY OF THE BIOSOLIDS THAT WOULD BE TREATED THERE. AND INSIDE THE COUNTY WOULD MAK UP THE DIFFERENCE. YOU WOULD HAVE GUARANTEE CAPACITY THE MERRELL BROS FOR PROCESSING. WE WOULD MEET ALL REQUIREMENTS WHETHER IT BE THE EPA OR THE STATES FREIGHT THAT GETS YOU IN COMPLIANCE WITH BILLS THAT ARE AFFECTING OUR INDUSTRY IN CREATING THIS MASSIVE SUPPLY IMBALANCE AND A LOT OF FRAGILITY . YOU WOULD HAVE '-APOSTROPHE REVENUE PAIR THAT WOULD BE MONIES PAID TO YOU AS THE COUNT AS THE OWNER FOR ANY CAPACITY THAT YOU DON'T UTILIZE. YOU WOULD ON THE PROPERTY AT TH END OF THIS 30 YEAR PROPOSED TERM AND THE INDIANHEAD BIOMASS TEAM WHICH ARE EXPERIENCED PEOPLE AND I'VE HAD A CHANCE TO WORK WITH, THEY WOULD BECOME EMPLOYEES OF THIS ENTITY AND A PART OF THE FAMILY BUSINESS AND PRESERVE THOSE LOCAL JOBS. THAT WOULD SOLVE THE COMMUNITY CHALLENGE. THE PICTURE ON THE LEFT IS HAPPENING. IT DOESN'T MAKE THE BEST NEIGHBOR. WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING IS AN INTERFACILITY. MAS 560,000 CFM'S OF AIR. I WOULD LOVE TO GIVE YOUR TOUR AND WALK YOU AROUND. WHETHER IT BE A COMMUNITY PERSO INTERESTED, DON'T HESITATE TO CONTACT ME OR COME SEE US IN TAMPA. I'M ALMOST THIS UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL ASKED THE QUESTION, WHY NOT A PUBLIC PROCUREMENT PROCESS. SO STATE STATUTES AS WELL AS THE COUNTY BYLAWS ALLOW FOR THESE TYPES OF PROPOSALS AS SHARED BY JAMIE OF THE ONSET OF THIS ITEM NUMBER. THERE IS A $15,000 FEE, THERE IS TIME FOR STAFF TO REVIEW THE PROPOSAL WOULD MAKE SURE IT MEANS ALL THE STATE AND COUNTY REQUIREMENTS. BUT THERE ARE FIVE FACTORS WE HAVE TO ABIDE BY IN ORDER FOR THIS TO BE ACCEPTED. AND WE HAVE TURNED IN A PRETTY ROBUST DOCUMENT. IT'S PRETTY THICK, ADDRESSING [02:00:01] THOSE FACTORS IN DETAIL. THE COUNTY HAS TO DATE INVESTED REAL DOLLARS IN A BIOSOLIDS ANALYSIS TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM. SO YOUR DIRECTOR, NEIL, AND THE UTILITY STAFF, THEY HIRED CAROLA AND ABDUR A, WHICH NAMES MIGHT NOT REGISTER FOR MANY PEOPLE,END INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGHOUT FLORIDA AND THE SOUTHEAST PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES. THESE ENGINEERING FIRMS WEIGHED ALL THE TREATMENT TECHNOLOGIES. THEY WEIGHED RISK IMPROVING PERFORMANCE, COST AND VALUE. AND AT THE CONCLUSION OF THAT MEMORANDUM, THEY ENCOURAGE ST JOHNS COUNTY TO NEGOTIATE FOR THIS FACILITY. SO THAT'S WHAT SPURRED THIS PROPOSAL, IT'S THAT THEY DEEMED THAT WE WERE THE BEST VALUE AND HAD THE LOWEST RISK FOR FAILURE POTENTIAL IN ST JOHNS COUNTY. THE PROCESSES PADDED. SO IF YOU WERE TO GO TO A PROCUREMENT MODEL, OTHER PEOPLE COULD SUBMIT OTHER MEANS OF TREATMENT, BUT THEY COULD NOT SUBMIT A SLOWER THERMAL PROCESS. THAT IS OUR PROCESS. SO INSTEAD OF SOLICITING AND PROCURING PUBLICLY THE TECHNOLOGY SELECTION, WE ARE SUGGESTING THAT YOU DO WHAT'S CALLED A PROGRESSIVE DESIGN BUILD. AND IT'S A MODEL THAT JAMIE AND NEIL AND EVERYONE AND STAFF IS FAMILIAR WITH. BUT YOU WOULD SELECT THE TECHNOLOGY FIRST. YOU'D SAY WE WANT TO DO SOLAR AND THERMAL, THEN YOU WOULD COMPETITIVELY SOLICIT AND BUILD THE DIFFERENT INPUTS. THE CONCRETE SUPPLIER WOULD BE PUBLICLY PROCURED, THE BUILDING DIRECTOR THAT PUTS UP THE GREEN HOUSES WOULD BE PROCURED. AND EACH OF THOSE DIFFERENT INPUT COSTS WOULD BE BID SEPARATELY, COMPETITIVELY. WITH DIFFERENT LOCAL ENTITIES. AND ALL THAT WOULD BE DONE IS TYPICAL TO ANY SOLICITATION. YOU JUST FLIP IT AND SELECT THE TECHNOLOGY ON THE FRONT SIDE AND SOLICIT ALL THE INPUT COST TO GET TO WHAT YOU WANT. RATHER THAN PUT OUT A HATE, COME SEND US YOUR IDEAS. YOU PAID TO HAVE THAT WORK DONE. AND YOU HAVE PAID THEM TO DO A GOOD JOB. AND THEY FOUND THIS WAS THE BEST SOLUTION. AND THEIR INDUSTRY EXPERTS HAVE NO CORRELATION. SO THAT'S A THIRD PARTY ASSESSMENT. AND THEY ASK REALLY HARD QUESTIONS, AND WE GIVE THEM HONEST ANSWERS. SO YOU WOULD STILL GET THE COMPETITIVE PRICING THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT IN ALL THE UTILITY WORK. AND TRANSPARENCY WOULD BE THERE. THE PROCESS IS SIMPLE AND RELIABLE. AS LONG AS THE SUN RISES, OUR NUMBER 1 EMPLOYEE IS SHOWING UP TO WORK EVERY DAY. OUR MAIN ENERGY SOURCES THE SUN. WE ARE REMOVING AND SUBSTANTIAL SOURCE OF THE ENTRAPPED WATER THAT IS NECESSARY IN OUR TREATMENT PROCESS AND UTILIZING THE SOLAR RADIATION GREENHOUSE EFFECT. AS LONG AS THE SUN IS RISING. WE HAVE 100% UPTIME. AND WE PERFORMED EVERY DAY SINCE THE SUN IS COMING UP EVERY DAY SINCE THEN. AFTER THAT IS LESSER VOLUME. EVAPORATED A TON OF THE COMPACTED MASS AND VOLUME THAT CAME IN. AND WE ARE COOKING AND PASTEURIZING IT BACK IN AND SELLING THE FERTILIZER OF JUST THE REMNANTS. SO THERE IS A LOT LESS MASS THEY ARE THE END. SO WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT THE BOARD CONSIDER A LONGER TIMELINE. CONSIDER PROGRESSIVE DESIGN BUILD MODEL THAT YOU WOULD APPROVE STAFF TO NEGOTIATE ALL OF THESE TERMS WITH DIFFERENT PARTIES AND SOLICIT EACH OF THOSE INDIVIDUAL INPUT COSTS. THIS WOULD RESOLVE THE COMMUNITY BURDEN OF THOSE ISSUES THAT ARE AN UNFORTUNATE REALITY WITHOUT COMPOSTING AS URBAN SPRAWL HAPPENS THIS WOULD SHIFT THE PROCESSING AND GUARANTEE IT TO BE BONDED AND YOU WOULD HAVE PERFORMANCE THAT WAS OUR PROBLEM AND NOT YOURS. AND THAT WOULD ENSURE COMPETITIVE AND PUBLIC PRICING. UTILIZING THAT MODEL. I KNOW JAMIE WAS GOING TO WRAP UP AND EXPLAIN WHAT I JUST SAID THERE BETTER. >> DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS TO THE BOARD AT THIS POINT? SEEING NONE, THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> BEFORE I GET BACK IN TO PROCESS, TO HAVE QUESTIONS FOR MARROW OR UTILITY STAFF ABOUT THE MERRILL PROPOSAL? I DON'T WANT TO JUMP IN TO PROCESS AND THEN YOU ALL STILL HAVE QUESTIONS. >> AS, THAT WAS A VERY NICE PRESENTATION. IT'S VERY INTERESTING. I KNOW WE HAVE DENALI WATER SOLUTIONS, THE LEO WATER TREATMENT. BCR ENVIRONMENT, AND I DON'T KNOW WHY WE WOULDN'T GO OUT AND GET A FAIR BID. BUT WHAT I'D LIKE TO KNOW IS RIGHT NOW YOU WOULD BE WORKING WITH BIOMASS. SO DO YOU TRUST THEM? WE'VE HAD A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH THEM AND I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE PUT IN THE BUFFER THAT THEY NEED TO PUT IN FOR RIGHT NOW FOR THE SMELL, THAT THEY COULD DO ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT THEY COULD BE DOING NOW FOR US. AND DO THEY TAKE BIOSOLIDS FROM OUTSIDE OF OUR COUNTY? [02:05:05] >> I WILL JUMP INTO THAT. YES, THE OUT OF COUNTY IMPORTATION OF BIOSOLIDS WOULD BE REDUCED ON THIS PROPOSAL. TODAY YOU TREAT MORE TONNES THAN 50,000 TONNES. NOT A LOT MORE. I THINK THEIR ANNUAL VOLUME RIGHT NOW IS SITTING AROUND 60,000. AND THIS WOULD PULL IT DOWN TO 50 AND IT WOULD BE FROM THE IMMEDIATE APPROXIMATE AREA. AS FAR AS THEIR INVOLVEMENT, MY HOPE WOULD BE THAT THEIR TEAM WOULD HAVE NEW JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND DOING THINGS INSIDE THIS FACILITY. IT WOULD BE ROBUSTLY ENGINEERED AND CONSTRUCTED. AND I COULD SHOW SOME MORE PICTURES HERE. >> THAT'S OKAY. I JUST WONDER WHY YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE A COMPETITIVE BID AND HAVE THE PUBLIC INVOLVED. >> I CAN SPEAK TO THE PUBLIC BID PIECE. ALL THE COMPETITORS YOU MENTIONED, THEY HAVE DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS TO THE SAME PROBLEM. SO THEY DON'T HAVE THAT FACILITY, BUT YOU GUYS HIRE TO DO THAT STUDY TO SELECT THE BEST TECHNOLOGY FOR YOU. SO THAT IS WHAT THIS PROPOSAL IS, SELECTING THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY AND MOVING FORWARD, VERSUS OPENING IT UP TO EVERYBODY'S DIFFERENT IDEAS. >> YOU HAVE A PATENT ON THIS, RIGHT? SO IT'S YOUR THING, WHY WOULD WE NOT WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE OTHER ONES ARE DOING AND COMPARE IT AND SEE IF IT'S THE RIGHT THING FOR US, AS WELL AS WORKING WITH A PARTNER THAT WE'VE HAD TROUBLE WITH ALREADY, FROM JOY ANDREWS POINT. BUT I LIKE YOUR PRESENTATION. >> AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONSULT WITH NEIL. IT LOOKS LIKE TECHNOLOGIES, AND OFFERINGS THAT THEY HAVE LIKE A LARGE ROTARY DRYER. IT LOOKS LIKE A POWER PLANT WHEN THEY STAND OUTSIDE OF THEM. AND THERE IS A LOT OF POTENTIAL FOR DOWNTIME AND FAILURE. SO WHAT WE DO IS REALLY SIMPLE. IT DRIES OUT IN THE SUN, IT GOES INTO THE EASY BAKE OVEN AND THERE'S FEW FAILURE POINTS. AND BECAUSE OF THAT WE HAVE 100% UPTIME. THOSE MORE COMPLICATED PROCESSES USE MORE FOSSIL FUELS AND ARE WAY MORE COMPLEX. WE LIKE THE SIMPLICITY OF IT, AND THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS. OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE WISE, TOTAL VALUE EYES, IT'S A GOOD VALUE TO THE TREATMENT. >> I UNDERSTAND THAT'S YOUR PROPOSAL, BUT WHY WOULDN'T WE SEE OTHER PROPOSALS ALSO, AND WITHOUT-- WITH AND WITHOUT A PARTNER, YOU SAID THAT WE WILL TAKE BIOSOLIDS. AT ONE POINT YOU SAID IT WON'T COST OUR COUNTY LINE, BUT NOW YOU SAID MOST OF IT? >> YOU DO RECEIVE IT FOR OTHER PARTIES. TRUCKING AND LOGISTICS, MIAMI-DADE'S RAILCAR SOLUTION WAS CHEAPER TO PUT ON RAILCAS WHEN-- RAILCARS WHEN DRIVING FROM MIAMI TO HERE. SO YOU WOULD SEE MORE AND ST JOHNS COUNTY TO FACILITATE THIS. ECONOMIES TO SCALE ARE IMPORTANT. WHY NOT JUST TREAT ST JOHNS COUNTY VOLUME. AND THE PROBLEM IS THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE AND MACHINES IN DRIVEWAYS AND OTHER CONTROLS WOULD BE THE SAME AMOUNT IF YOU DIVIDED IT BY 10,000 TONNES OR 50,000 TONNES. >> WHY NOT PUT IT ON OUR RAIL SYSTEM? WHY IS THAT LOCATION IMPORTANT? I THINK THE ONE IN CLAY COUNTY IS ON 310. SO THE TRUCKS ARE NOT GOING THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOODS. >> YOU WOULDN'T RAIL FROM THEIR WASTEWATER PLANTS AND ST JOHNS COUNTY TO THIS DESTINATION BECAUSE IT WOULD BE A MATTER OF 10 OR 15 MINUTES. >> BUT THAT'S WHY WE WANT TO FLESH IT OUT IN A PUBLIC HEARING, AS WEL AS A COMPETITIVE BID. THESE ARE THINGS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NOW WITHOUT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDING IT, EXCEPT MAYBE THESE GUYS. BUT I DON'T. THANK YOU. >> KEEPING IN MIND, THE PIECE THAT THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THIS IS THE PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT THE FACILITY WAS SET ON. SO THEY WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE FACILITY, JUST LIKE WE ARE IN THE COUNTY. SO JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT'S CLEAR. ST JOHNS COUNTY PROVIDES THE CAPITAL. AND THEN THE BROTHERS DESIGN THE BUILD IN OPERATION AND WE ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR? >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GREAT PRESENTATION. I DEFINITELY DID ENJOY MY TOUR TO PASCOE COUNTY A FEW MONTHS BACK. AND I HAVE BEEN VERY INVOLVED WITH THE RESIDENTS IN MORGAN'S COVE AND THAT COMMUNITY. I CONTINUE TO HEAR FROM THEM. IT IS HEARTBREAKING WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH. THAT'S WHERE MY FRUSTRATION COMES FROM. I'VE BEEN PROMISE SO MANY TIMES [02:10:01] RIGHT TO MY FACE LAST SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER THAT THINGS WOULD BE IN PLACE TO HELP ASSIST THEM. AND HERE WE ARE IN JUNE AND NOT ONE THING THAT YOU PROMISED ME HAS OCCURRED. THAT'S BEYOND FRUSTRATING AND BEYOND DISAPPOINTING. THE FACT THAT RIGHT TO MY FACE THAT I WAS TOLD SOMETHING AND NONE OF IT HAPPENED. ONE OF MY QUESTIONS IS THAT IN THE PROPOSAL YOU STATE THAT ST JOHNS COUNTY CURRENTLY RIGHT NOW PRODUCES 15,000 TONNES OF BIOSOLIDS, AT THE FACILITY WOULD BE DESIGNED FOR 50,000 TONNES. I'M JUST A BIT CONFUSED. BECAUSE THAT NUMBER, WHAT YOU SHARED WAS 15,000, SO IF YOU COULD CLARIFY THE DIFFERENCE THERE? >> IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL WASTEWATER PLANTS INSIDE OF ST JOHNS COUNTY, THEY ARE NOT ST JOHNS CUNTY PLANS. SO WHEN YOU ADD THOSE UTILITIES TOGETHER, YOU WOULD FEEL THAT THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THIS FACILITY. AND THE ECONOMIES OF SCALE AS THE DRIVER HANDED. YOU CAN BUILD IT SMALLER BUT IT'S GOING TO COST A LOT MORE UNITS TO OPERATE. IF YOU BUILD IT FOR JUST 15,000, IT WOULD COST SIMILAR TO WHAT A FACILITY WOULD COST FOR 50 BUT YOU WOULDN'T GET THE BENEFIT OF THE ECONOMY OF SCALE. AND THE OTHER IMPORTANT COMMENT IS TEN OR 15 OR 30 YEARS FROM NOW YOU WILL BE PRODUCING IT, IF I REMEMBER RIGHT, 42,000 WHEN TONNES BY YEAR 30. YOU ARE GOING TO GO INTO THIS PRETTY QUICKLY, AND YOU ARE GOING TO PRODUCE MORE BIOSOLIDS. BECAUSE IT'S MADE EVERY DAY BY THE RESIDENTS. >> I THINK THAT IS WHERE MY CONFUSION IS COMING IN. YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT GROWING INTO IT, IT YOU SAID WE ARE ALREADY THERE. SO YOU CANNOT HAVE IT BOTH WAYS. >> YOU WOULD END PUTTING IT OUT TO ST. AUGUSTINE OR THOSE OTHER PLANTS FOR THEIR PROBLEM TO SOLVE. YOU WOULD CONSUME YOUR CAPACITY AND IT WOULDN'T BE AVAILABLE FOR OTHER UTILITIES THAT OPERATE INSIDE OF ST JOHNS COUNTY. SO THEY WOULD HAVE A NEW PROBLEM TO SOLVE. THEY WILL BE ON A RAIL CAR TO TENNESSEE AT THAT TIME. AND MAYBE AT SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER PRICES. BUT THAT WOULD NOT BE YOUR PROBLEM, I GUESS, IS ONE WAY TO SAY IT. >> SO CURRENTLY THEY ARE BRINGING IN OVER 60,000 TONNES. IF WE LOOKED AT, INCLUDING THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, AND THAT PORTION THAT IS IN OUR COUNTY, ARE WE AT 58,000 TONNES THEY ARE? >> 46,700 IN JUST ST JOHNS COUNTY TODAY. 46,700 WET TONNES. INCLUDING THE 50 NUMBER YOU MENTIONED THAT'S PRODUCED BY THE COUNTY. >> THANK YOU. AND MY OTHER QUESTION IS THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT THE COST AROUND 34.6 MILLION, APPROXIMATELY, BUT YET, IN THE PROPOSAL IN TABLE ONE YOU SHARED THAT THE ENGINEERS ESTIMATE THAT THE TRUE CAPITAL COST WILL BE MUCH CLOSER TO OVER 54 MILLION. THAT IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE. THAT'S A BIG DIFFERENCE. 34 MILLION TO 54 MILLION. SO I WAS A LITTLE BIT CONFUSED ABOUT THAT. >> NEIL CAN MAYBE SPEAK TO HOW WE ARRIVE AT THOSE NUMBERS. WE KNOW OUR NUMBERS BECAUSE WE BUILT THEM. THE ESTIMATES AT THE ENGINEERS USED, I WOULD TURN THAT OVER TO NEIL. ON NOT SURE WHY THE NUMBER WAS SO HIGH. I AGREE WITH YOU. WE SAW THAT AND WE THOUGHT WELL, WE MADE THESE THINGS. SO WE HAVE FAMILIARITY WITH THEM. >> GREAT. GREAT. AND MY OTHER QUESTION WAS REGARDING THE LEASE FOR THE DIRT. I WAS A LITTLE CONFUSED ABOUT THAT, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THAT PROPERTY-- BASICALLY THAT REAL ESTATE IS UNMARKETABLE RIGHT NOW. THE LOCATION, THE NEIGHBORS CANNOT SELL THEIR HOMES OR ANYTHING. SO I'M CONFUSED BY THE COST-- BY THE COUNTY WOULD HAVE TO BE-- $5 MILLION FOR THAT PIECE OF PROPERTY, THAT IS VERY, VERY EXTREME FOR WHAT THAT PROPERTY IS WORTH. SO I WOULD NEED TO LOOK AT THAT MUCH FURTHER. BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT PROPERTY IS NOT ANYWHERE NEAR THAT COST. SO THAT WAS A HUGE CONCERN OF MINE, WHERE THAT FIGURE CAME FROM. AND ALSO REGARDING. >> IF IT IS OKAY TO COMMENT ON THAT ONE, YOUR STAFF WOULD DEFINITELY NEGOTIATE ALL OF THOSE TERMS. WE JUST PARKED THAT IN THERE AS A PLACE ORDER. I CREATED THAT NUMBER. IT WASN'T DERIVED FROM ANYBODY ELSE. YOUR STAFF AT INDIAN HEAD, THE PROPERTY OWNER, THEY WOULD NEGOTIATE THAT. IT JUST WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN THAT 250,000 PER YEAR LEASE ASSUMPTION, WHICH WE FOUND COMPARABLE TWO PARCELS SIMILAR TO THAT. LOOKING AT CLAY COUNTY AND ST JOHNS COUNTY, FROM A LEASE PERSPECTIVE, IF IT WAS A COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL OR ENTERPRISE, I'M SURE THAT WOULD BE DETERMINED BY YOUR TEAM. WHO ARE VERY PROFICIENT, THEY DO A GREAT JOB. >> TOMMY AKERS WOULD YOU NEED. >> TEN WOULD BE ENOUGH. AND THE PROPERTY IS A LITTLE OVER 2000. [02:15:02] SO WE'LL BE IN THE ISLAND IN THE CENTER OF THAT 2000. A LITTLE FURTHER AWAY FROM RESIDENCES. THIS IS READY ACTIVE COMPOSTING IS NOW. AND WE WOULD HAVE ALL THE CARBON STUFF SEEN IN THE FILTERS. >> ABOUT 10 ACRES, THANK YOU. AND JUST REGARDING WHAT'S REALLY NEEDED. IT WAS MENTIONED IN A PROPOSAL THAT YOU NEED A LARGE PRIMARY CONNECTION FROM THAT. SO IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE WILL BE A LOT OF ELECTRICITY NEEDED FOR THIS. >> THE CARBON TOWERS RUN ELECTRICITY. BUT TO PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE, WE WOULD USE ABOUT ONE-TENTH OF THE POWER OF ONE OF YOUR WASTEWATER PLANTS. SO IT IS NOT SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNTS OF POWER. I WAS ASKING AI LAST NIGHT WHAT ARE POWER CONSUMPTION LOOKS LIKE COMPARED TO OTHER THINGS. WE WOULD BE COMPARATIVE TO AN AVERAGE U.S. HIGH SCHOOL, 112 OF AN AVERAGE U.S. HOSPITAL ABOUT. SO IT'S NOT A HUGE AMOUNT OF POWER. IS ONE 12TH OF A HOSPITAL. BUT THERE IS ELECTRICITY USED BY THE ELECTRIC MOTORS THAT DRIVE ALL THE AIRFLOW. >> SO WOULD BE JUST A FRACTION OF THAT. THANK YOU FOR THAT. AND JUST BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH CONVERSATION RIGHT NOW REGARDING THESE THINGS IN THE PROPOSAL. REGARDING THE RETROFIT. RIGHT NOW WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE-- IN THE FUTURE. SO DOWN THE ROAD WE HAVE TO DO THINGS TO IT THAT CAN BE EXTREMELY COSTLY. AND RIGHT NOW LOOKS LIKE YOU WANT THE TAXPAYERS TO BE-- BASICALLY TAKE 100% OF THAT FINANCIAL RISK. BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN REGARDING THAT. THAT'S VERY CONCERNING. >> THE EPA IS CURRENTLY ANALYSING A NEW CONTAMINANT THAT HAS EXISTED, THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO TEST FOUR YEARS AGO. THE A CLOAK-- EQUIPMENT WAS NOT SENSITIVE ENOUGH. NOW WE CAN TEST FOR IT. THERE IS THIS MATERIAL THAT'S KIND OF LIKE MICROPLASTICS AND CONTAMINANTS WE INTERACT WITH ON A DAILY BASIS. IN FOOD PACKAGING AND UPHOLSTERY AND FURNITURE AND CARPET AND TEFLON PANS. THAT CAN GET INTO WASTEWATER AND IN TO BIOSOLIDS AND IT'S MEASURED IN PARTS PER BILLION. TO PUT THAT IN PERSPECTIVE, ACCORDING TO AI, ONE PART PER BILLION WOULD BE A DROP OF WA WATER. SO BIOSOLIDS WOULD HAVE ONE, TWO, THREE PARTS PER BILLION OR THREE DROPS OF WATER IN AN OLYMPIC-SIZE SWIMMING POOL. STILL IT'S A CONCERN IN THE EPA IS ANALYSING HOW MUCH OF THAT IS TOO MUCH, AND HOW MUCH IS BAD. TODAY THERE ARE SOME INDUSTRY EXCITING NOVEL TECHNOLOGIES THAT PEOPLE HOPE WILL TREAT THAT CONTAMINANT. BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE UNWISE, UNITED STATES AGREED THAT IF YOU WERE TO PREEMPTIVELY PAY FOR THAT TYPE OF TREATMENT WITHOUT THE REQUIREMENT IN REGULATION NECESSITATED AND MAKING IT REQUIRED, YOU MAYBE PAYING FOR SOMETHING THAT'S NOT BECOMING ROB. OR THE EPA COULD COME OUT WITH A RISK ASSESSMENT AND SAY THERE IS A CEILING LIMIT THAT'S TEN. AND YOUR THREE. YOU DON'T NEED TO DO ANYTHING. YOU ARE BELOW THE TEN PARTS PER BILLION REQUIREMENT YOU MAY HAVE TO ABIDE BY. SO WHAT ALL OF THOSE TECHNOLOGIES REQUIRE IS A DRY STAPLE FEEDSTOCK. AND THAT'S A WE PRODUCE AT THE AND OF OUR PROCESS. SO IT'S A NICE SEGUE INTO BIOMASS DESTRUCTION OR THOSE OTHER THINGS. BUT YOU'RE STARTING TO TALK ABOUT, IT COULD BE 50, 100 MILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENT. IT'S A ROBUST AND COMPLICATED SCIENCE, AND THERE ARE NOT ANY UTILITIES DOING IT TODAY IN THE UNITED STATES. IT IS NEW. WE ARE ABLE TO TEST FOR THESE THINGS NOW. BUT WHAT WE WOULD PRODUCE WOULD BE A FEED STOCK INTO THAT PRODUCTION. ALL THOSE NOVEL TECHNOLOGIES NEED WHAT WE MAKE. SO WE WOULD JUST CONTINUE DOWN THAT PATHWAY INTO ANOTHER SOLUTION THAT MAY OR MAY NOT EVER BE REPOT-- REQUIRED. I WOULDN'T PAY FOR THAT TODAY, BECAUSE HE WOULD BE SPENDING A BUNCH OF MONEY FOR SOMETHING NOT REQUIRED. AND WE ARE NOT SURE IF IT'S A HIGH ENOUGH RISK TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT. >> RATE, THANK YOU. WE JUST HAVE NO IDEA WHAT COULD HAPPEN DOWN THE ROAD. AND THAT COULD BE A HUGE FINANCIAL BURDEN. TO OUR COUNTY. AND ALSO I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT-- REGARDING SECTION 16.01, HOW IT STATES THE COUNTY LIGHT WAVES SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY DEFENSES. WHY WOULD WE SIGN A CONTRACT THAT DELIBERATELY STRIPS OUR LEGAL SHIELD AWAY AND EXPOSES THE TAXPAYERS TO UNLIMITED LAWSUITS FROM A PRIVATE VENDOR? >> I WORKED ON THIS MYSELF, BUT [02:20:04] I DON'T REMEMBER THAT. WAS IT SOME LEGAL LANGUAGE? >> YES. AND IT SAYS THAT THE COUNTY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES IT'S SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY DEFENSES. >> I AM NOT SURE. I'D HAVE TO GO BACK AND REFERENCE THAT SECTION. WE CAN DEFINITELY LOOK INTO THAT. I DON'T HAVE A RECOLLECTION OF THAT REFERENCE. >> OKAY. BASICALLY YOU ARE ASKING GOVERNMENT TO SURRENDER THOSE PROTECTIONS. AND THAT'S A HUGE RED FLAG TO ME. THAT THAT LANGUAGE WAS NOT THERE. BUT IT WAS IN THERE. SO GREAT, THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. TO BE HONEST, I WOULD'VE APPRECIATED A PRIVATE MEETING AHEAD OF TIME. THAT WAS JUST ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I WOULD HAVE BEEN OKAY WITH DELAYING IT. ESPECIALLY WITH AN AGENDA ITEM. I APPRECIATE PEOPLE COMING OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING. I JUST THINK THAT IT IS KIND OF FOOD FOR THOUGHT. BUT I WOULD'VE APPRECIATED THAT. AND IF YOU COULD ANSWER SOME OF THE QUESTIONS I BROUGHT UP, I WOULD APPRECIATE THAT. >> YES, MA'AM,. >> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONERS, GOOD MORNING. COMMISSIONER, I KNOW YOU ASKED SEVERAL QUESTIONS, WHICH ONE WAS THAT, AND I COULD ANSWER. >> THE BIG ONE WAS REGARDING THE COST OF THE FACILITY. THEY ARE CLAIMING ONE COST AND IT SAYS THE ENGINEERS ESTIMATE THAT THE TRUE CAPITAL COST COULD BE OVER 54 MILLION. THAT IS A HUGE DIFFERENCE. HUGE DIFFERENCE. >> THE CONSULTANT WE SELECTED TO DO OUR MASTER PLAN THAT WAS DONE IN APRIL DID PROVIDE THE 54 MILLION-DOLLAR COST ESTIMATE. WE DID QUESTION OURSELVES THE COST TO THE CONSULTANTS, AND THEIR ANSWER WAS WHENEVER YOU DO ENOUGH BROAD STUDIES, WE DON'T KNOW THE SPECIFICS, WHERE WILL YOU CONSTRUCT THIS FACILITY. THEY WERE NOT INTENDING TO CONSTRUCT THIS FACILITY ON PROPERTY OR SOMEWHERE ELSE. IT WAS GENERIC. AND THEIR ENGINEERS WERE NOT COMFORTABLE NAILING DOWN WHERE THIS FACILITY WAS. THEY WERE GIVING US GENERAL PROCESSES. ON A MASTER-PLANNED COMMISSIONER, WE GO TO THE 3040 PERCENTILE CONTINGENCY. TYPICALLY THAT'S THE ENGINEERING STYLE OF BUSINESS. A LOT OF THOSE COSTS ARE MACRO. WE DID AN INTERNAL FORENSIC STUDY BECAUSE WE HAVE TO BUDGET COST FOR THE FUTURE. THE COST REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMMISSION, A 500 PLUS MILLION DOLLARS THAT YOU SUPPORTED FOR THE MANDATE. IN THAT NUMBER WE HAD 37 MILLION INTERNALLY. VETTED THROUGH OUR ENGINEERING OPERATIONS DEPARTMENT. THAT WAS A NUMBER WE HAD. SO WE TOOK THAT REPORT THAT THE CONSULTANT PROVIDED, THANK YOU FOR THE MACRO SIDE. WE WERE LOOKING TO SEE WHAT IT TAKES. HOW DOES THE FPL COME IN. DO WE NEED MORE POWER? DO WE NEED THIS? ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF. WE WENT THROUGH THAT. AND THERE WAS A COUPLE BIDS OUT THERE ALSO. IN A SIMILAR FASHION TO CORRELATE AND MAKE US MORE COMFORTABLE IN 37 MILLION. THAT IS OUR INTERNAL NUMBER. DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION? DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR ME? >> I'M TRYING TO THINK IF I HAD ANY MORE FOR YOU. I THINK THAT WAS THE BIG ONE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU MR. CHAIR, TYLER WOULD YOU PUT UP A PICTURE OF THIS. THANK YOU MR. SMITH. MR. MERRILL, WHICH YOU AGREE THAT PICTURE IS AN ACCURATE DEPICTION OF YOUR FACILITY? THAT'S WHAT YOU GUYS BUILT? COMMISSIONER TAYLOR'S HUSBAND SHARE THAT ON FACEBOOK THIS MORNING AHEAD OF THIS AGENDA ITEM TO TRY TO WARN EVERYBODY THIS WAS COMING. SO YOU GUYS BUILD FACILITIES THAT CONTAMINATE THE WATER, THE FRESH WATER IN COMMUNITIES THAT YOU BUILD FACILITIES IN? >> WE HAVE A STEWARDSHIP COMPONENT TO EVERYTHING WE DO. >> YOUR BUILDING PIPELINES FROM MIAMI, ORLANDO AND TAMPA THAT PLAN TO DUMP HUMAN WASTE INTO AN OVERFLOWING TOILET LIKE FACILITY? >> NO, SERA, AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY WATER EVAPORATING, FLUIDS AT ALL. NO PIPES. EVERYTHING WE RECEIVE IS JUST MASS. IT LOOKS LIKE MOD. SO WE DON'T HAVE ANY STORAGE WATER, WE DON'T SEND WATER OUT TO A PIPELINE. WE JUST HAVE TOILETS AND SINKS. NO DIFFERENT THAN A GAS STATION [02:25:03] OR BUSINESS. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR AND HER HUSBAND ARE TWO SEPARATE PEOPLE. I'M NOT GOING TO HOLD COMMISSIONER TAYLOR RESPONSIBLE TO WHAT HER HUSBAND POSE. BUT THIS IS WHAT YOU'RE UP AGAINST. I WANT YOU GUYS TO KNOW. SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS YOU ARE GETTING ARE NOT IN GOOD FAITH. A LOT OF THIS IS VERY POLITICAL. TO STATE THE OBVIOUS. >> EXCUSE ME, POINT OF ORDER, ARE YOU REFERRING TO MY QUESTIONS? >> WE'VE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE GREAT DISCUSSIONS TODAY. >> WENT SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS BEING PUT OUT TO THE PUBLIC FOR CONSIDERATION. >> I HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THIS. BUT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT. >> I DON'T BELIEVE HE ACCUSED YOU OF ANYTHING. >> THANK YOU, CHAIR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT'S THE CASE. >> YOU CAN REBUT IF YOU'D LIKE TO. >> I THINK IT'S TELLING THAT YOU HAVE A HARD TIME LETTING ME FINISH WHAT I'M SAYING. I THINK IT'S VERY TELLING. I JUST WANT YOU GUYS TO KNOW THAT THIS IS WHAT'S BEING DISSEMINATED IN OUR COUNTY. AND THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT PEOPLE TO THINK IS COMMON. I THINK YOU DID A GOOD JOB ANSWERING SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS. THERE'S STILL A LOT MORE TO DISCUSS AND CONSIDER. I JUST WANT YOU TO BE AWARE THAT THIS IS WHAT'S BEING EXPLAINED TO SOME MEMBERS OF ST JOHNS COUNTY. MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, I SHOULD SAY HERE IN ST JOHNS COUNTY, AS WHAT YOU ARE PROPOSING. SO I WANT TO PUT THAT ON YOUR RADAR. >> THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL PROBLEM. WE BELIEVE WE HAVE A SOLID SOLUTION TO THAT PROBLEM, THE BIOSOLIDS PROBLEM. SO FIGURE THAT OUT AMONGST YOURSELVES. WE ARE HERE TO SOLVE THE BIO PROP-- BIOSOLIDS PROBLEM. >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW THAT I'M PUSHING FOR A PUBLIC HEARING AS WELL AS LOOKING AT ALL KINDS OF PROPOSALS. I HAVE NO OTHER COMMENTS THAT THE COMMISSIONER MAY HAVE DIRECTED TOWARDS ME. IT'S NOT POLITICAL AT ALL. THANK YOU. >> OKAY. >> I WAS GOING TO SAY, THIS IS WHAT OUR OUTGOING PRODUCT LOOKS LIKE, IN COMPARISON TO THE PHOTO YOU SAW WITH THE TOILET AND THE AI IMAGE, THIS IS WHAT NEEDS REPRESENTING. >> I'VE SEEN THE PROGRESS. HERE IS MY FRUSTRATION WITH ALL OF THIS. WE HAVE A PROBLEM. IT IS OUR PROBLEM. IT IS OUR PROBLEM TO SOLVE. WE LOOK FOR SOLUTIONS, WE FIND A PERFECT SOLUTION, AND IT IS ATTACKED VICIOUSLY FOR BEING SOMETHING THAT IT IS NOT. I HAVE SEEN THE PRODUCT. I HAVE SOME OF THAT FERTILIZER SITTING IN MY GARAGE. WE ARE TAKING A PRODUCT AND RECYCLING IT AND USING IT FOR GOOD. WE ARE SAVING THE COUNTY MONEY, WE ARE A CAPACITY FOR 30 YEARS. IN THAT CAPACITY WE DON'T USE WE CAN SELL TO SOMEBODY ELSE AND MAKE MONEY OFF OF. AND WE ARE POOH-POOHING THIS FOR SOME REASON. PARDON THE PUN. I DIDN'T EVEN THINK ABOUT THAT. I DIDN'T MEAN FOR THAT. I SURPRISED MYSELF SOMETIMES. ONE OF THE THINGS I THOUGHT WHEN I WENT TO YOUR FACILITY AND TOURED IT IS THAT THIS IS A SOLUTION TO OUR PROBLEM. IT SOLVES THE BIOSOLIDS PROBLEM THAT WE PRODUCE OURSELVES, AND WE NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. YOU CANNOT PUT YOUR HEAD IN THE SAND AND SAY PUT IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. WE NEED TO DEAL WITH IT OURSELVES, AND THIS IS DEALING WITH IT. SECONDLY IT'S USING THE POWER OF THE SUN TO DRY OUT THIS STUFF. THEN WE PUT IT THROUGH ANOTHER-- WE PASTEURIZE IT AND THE PASTEURIZATION KILLS OFF THE BAD STUFF. SO IT'S A BENIGN PRODUCT WHEN IT COMES OUT. THEN WE ARE USING IT AS FERTILIZER. HEALTHY FERTILIZER THAT CAN BE SOWN ON-- SOLD ON THE OPEN MARKET FOR SOMETHING ELSE. SO WE ARE LITERALLY BEING RESPONSIBLE, LOOKING AT THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO TAKE US IN TO THE FUTURE. SOLVING THE SMELL PROBLEM FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN SUFFERING AS LONG AS THEY HAVE LIVED THERE AND THEY'VE SUFFERED THROUGH THIS. I GET THE EMAILS, I GO OUT THERE AND SMELL IT. IT'S A WIN-WIN. -WIN. FOR ME THIS IS THE EPITOME OF GOVERNMENT GETTING IN THE WAY OF DOING SOMETHING THAT THE PRIVATE SECTOR SOLVE FOR US. AND I FULLY SUPPORT THIS. I'M GOING TO COME OUT ON RECORD AND SAY THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE SMARTEST THINGS WE'VE EVER TALKED ABOUT IN MY YEAR AND A HALF YEAR. AND I FULLY SUPPORT THIS AND THE PEOPLE WORKING ON IT. WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE WE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> IF THERE ARE NO MORE QUESTIONS, WHERE IT IS OUTPUT US AS FAR AS PROCESS? IF I MAY THROUGH THE CHAIR, COMMISSIONER JOSEPH, YOU KEEP SPEAKING ABOUT A PUBLIC PROCESS. SO THAT IS WHAT WE ARE IN. THIS IS THE PUBLIC PROCESS FOR AN UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL TO COME TO US TO PROVIDE OR PROPOSE A SOLUTION TO A PROBLEM THE COUNTY'S PUBLIC LISETTE IS A [02:30:01] PROBLEM. OUR PROCESS WHICH IS ADAPTED FROM THE STATE STATUTES AS WE HAVE TWO OPTIONS. -- WELL, THREE OPTIONS. TYLER, IF YOU COULD GO BACK TO MY PRESENTATION. YOU CAN REJECT THE PROPOSAL BEFORE YOU TODAY. THAT IS AN OPTION OF THE BOARD. YOU CAN ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL. AND I WANT TO BE EXTREMELY CLEAR, EXCEPTING THE PROPOSAL A CONTRACT WITH MERRILL BROTHERS IN THE CONTENT AND MATERIAL THAT HAS BEEN PERP-- BEFORE YOU IN THEIR PROPOSAL. THERE IS A WHOLE PROCESS THAT GOES INTO-- ONCE WE ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL. WHILE YOU ARE SAYING IS IF YOU ACCEPT OPTION TWO OR THREE, IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO THE NEXT STEP, MEANING WE HAVE AN UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL BEFORE US AND WE HAVE TWO OPTIONS OF HOW TO DEAL WITH THAT PROPOSAL. OPTION NUMBER 2 ON THE BOARD IS TO GO OUT FOR COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT. WE CAN GO OUT AND SOLICIT OTHER SOLUTIONS, OTHER OPTIONS, AND SEE HOW IT STACKS UP AGAINST THE PROPOSAL IN FRONT OF US. WE CAN ALSO PUT INFORMATION IN NONSOLICITATION THAT MERRILL THEMSELVES CAN SUBMIT AN ALTERNATE PROPOSAL, BECAUSE IF WE HAVE LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THIS DOES NOT WORK FOR US, THAT DOES NOT WORK FOR US, THIS IS A REQUIREMENT OR RESTRICTION WE WANT TO IMPART, THEY CAN ALSO MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT AND SUBMIT AN UPDATED PROPOSAL IN THAT WAY. SO THAT'S THE ONE ROUTE OF A COMPETITIVE PROPOSAL PROCESS. THE SECOND OPTION VIA STATUTE IS THAT WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS TO JUSTIFY A PUBLIC BENEFIT, SUCH THAT IT IS TO OUR DETRIMENT TO GO OUT FOR A COMPETITIVE SOLICIT-- SOLICITATION. IT'S A BIT OF A PROCESS AND THERE IS A BIT OF DOCUMENTATION THAT GOES INTO THAT. AND BASED ON MY POSITION HERE I'M NOT RECOMMENDING THAT. I'M ALL FOR COMPETITION. OTHERWISE I'M IN THE WRONG JOB. BUT THAT'S AN OPTION TO US TO FORGO THAT PROCESS. THAT REQUIRES PUBLIC MEETINGS AND NOTICES AND ALL THE THINGS THAT GO INTO THAT. EITHER PROCESS INVOLVES PUBLIC NOTICES PUBLIC TASKS WALKING THROUGH THE PROCESS. IT DOESN'T NEGATE ANY OF THAT, IT DOESN'T TAKE ANY OF IT AWAY. REGARDLESS OF THE OPTION. THE NEXT STEP, ONCE WE SELECT IF IT'S THE PROPOSAL BEFORE US, AN ALTERNATIVE PROPOSAL THAT COMES FROM A SOLICITATION, THERE IS A NEGOTIATION THAT HAPPENS. THERE ARE TWO PARTS TO A P3 AGREEMENT. THERE IS AN INTERIM AGREEMENT WHERE WE ESSENTIALLY LAY OUT THE RULES AND REGULATIONS THAT BOTH SIDES HAVE TO ABIDE BY TO CONSIDER GOING TO A COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT, WHICH IS A LONG-TERM AGREEMENT FOR THE BUILD, OPERATION, WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE LAND, EVERYTHING AFTER THAT. THAT IS SECONDARY. THERE IS A LITANY OF THINGS WE WOULD BUILD INTO AND NEGOTIATE INTO AN INTERIM AGREEMENT BEFORE WE WOULD EVEN CONSIDER THE FINANCIAL OBLIGATION, THE TIME AND DURATION OBLIGATION THAT A COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT WOULD MEAN. EITHER WHICH WAY, THOSE COMPONENTS ARE THERE. SO FROM A PROCESS STANDPOINT THAT'S WHERE WE ARE. BUT I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR, ACCEPTANCE OF THE PROPOSAL IS JUST SAYING WE ARE GOING TO THE NEXT STEP IN THE PROCESS. AND YOUR DECISION BY YOUR MOTION IS WHICH PROCESS WE ARE GOING TO FOLLOW. WHETHER IT SOLICIT ADDITIONAL PROPOSALS ARE FORGO THAT PROCESS AND GO WITH THE PROCESS OF FORGOING'S, REACHES PUBLIC NOTICE AND PUBLIC BENEFIT AND DOCUMENTING THE DETRIMENT OF GOING OUT TO COMPETITION. THE THIRD OPTION IS TO REJECT THE PROPOSAL BEFORE YOU. >> I JUST HAVE A QUESTION. GOING BACK TO THAT SLIDE YOU JUST HAD. >> THIS ONE? >> NO. THAT ONE RIGHT THERE. OPTION TWO, WHAT IS THE TIMELINE FOR US IF WE SAID LET'S GO WITH OPTION TWO, WITH THE TIMELINE BETWEEN GETTING THESE PEOPLE SOME RELIEF? JUST BALLPARK. >> THERE IS A LOT THAT GOES INTO WHAT WE HAVE TO DO NEXT. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF A FACILITY. THAT MEANS DESIGN CRITERIA MUST BE DEVELOPED BY A PROFESSIONAL. WE HAVE TO DEVELOP THE CRITERIA AND DO ALL THAT. THANK ABOUT FOUR SOLICITATION. THE SOLICITATION PROCESS IS 60 DAYS BETWEEN ADVERTISING ENDED-- ADVERTISEMENT AND EVALUATION AND RECOMMENDATION. TO GIVE YOU A BALLPARK, SIX MONTS WE COULD BE BACK BEFORE THE BOARD TO PROPOSE OR PRESENT TO YOU A NEGOTIATED INTERIM AGREEMENT. IT WOULDN'T BE LESS THAN THAT. >> OPTION THREE? >> THAT IS QUESTIONABLE. THAT REQUIRES MULTIPLE PUBLIC MEETINGS. DOCUMENTATION. >> JUST AN IDEA? >> I WOULD SAY IT'S A SIMILAR TIME FRAME, THE LEGWORK WILL BE DIFFERENT. >> THANK YOU. THAT'S WHAT I NEEDED TO KNOW. ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM THE [02:35:01] BOARD. THANK YOU, I APPRECIATED. >> AT THIS TIME WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGEDA ITEM NUMBER 4. >> CHUCK LABANOWSKI, 1748. I WAS LOOKING AT THE COST OUT THERE, WHAT'S THE AVERAGE YEARLY COST OF UPKEEP OF THE FACILITY. ALL THE MAINTENANCE SONNET, THERE THERE IS NO COST WHATSOEVER THAT I'VE SEEN. 'S OUT IN THE MILLIONS? AND RIGHT NOW WE ARE BRINGING IN SOLIDS FROM OTHER COUNTIES. CANNOT BE SHUT OFF IMMEDIATELY? BEFORE THIS EVEN STARTS? IF WE SAT-- DECIDE TO GO WITH IT CAN IT BE SHUT OFF IMMEDIATELY? , OR DOES THE BIOMASS HAVE TO TAKE IT ON UNTIL THEY TAKE OVER? THESE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO LOOK AT. RIGHT NOW YOU HAVE GROUNDS OUT THERE DOES THE BUILDING NEED TO BE BUILT ON THE GROUNDS ARE CONTAMINATED ALREADY? OR WILL THEY BE BUILT ON OTHER GROUNDS? LOTS HAS TO BE CONSIDERED IN THIS PROJECT. IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN'T JUMP INTO. YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF DOLLARS TO PUT INTO THIS. A LOT OF TAX DOLLARS. MAKE A SMART DECISION AMONGST EVERYTHING YOU HAVE TO CONSIDER. >> MY NAME IS BILL FISHER. I HAVE KNOWN THE OWNER OF INDIAN AND BIOMASS-- INDIAN END BIOMASS FOR PROBABLY 20 YEARS. I WORKED THERE. AND THEY ALSO HAD A PLACE AT THE PORT IN JACKSONVILLE WHERE THEY SHIPPED RECYCLABLE STUFF OVERSEAS. AND I WAS NO LONGER EMPLOYED WITH THEM. BUT I RESPECT THEM. THEY HAVE BEEN ENVIRONMENTALLY CRAZY FOR A LONG, LONG TIME. WE USED TO HAVE A PLANT OVER HERE, A GENERATOR AND AN AIR CONCURRENT-- AIR COMPRESSOR THAT WAS NOT ON PUBLIC UTILITIES. IT WAS DONE BY BURNING IN A CYCLE FREE GENERATED POWER. YOU NEED TO TAKE ITEM TWO ON THIS THING AND TAKE CARE OF IT AND START IT IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING. I AM HERE REPRESENTING MYSELF, BUT I DO WANT TO COMPLEMENT MY HEROES, THE MORGAN COVE RESIDENTS WHO HAVE ENDURED A LOT OVER THE YEARS. THE COLONEL, MY HERO, HE HAS PROPERTY HERE. AS A PROPERTY OWNER I HOPE HE HAS A CHANCE TO ENJOY IT TOO IS HIGHEST AND BEST USE FOR'S PROPERTY, WHICH IS A BIOSCIENCE FACILITY. AND NEIL, A GOOD MAN TRYING TO DO GOOD THINGS. MY FAVORITE HERO IS JOE, WHO I KNOW IS ANALYTICAL AND ALWAYS DOES HIS RESEARCH. LET'S LISTEN TO WHAT JOE MIGHT HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THIS. THE ISSUE IS WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT INDIANHEAD. AND WE KNOW THIS IS A 2019 SPECIAL USE PERMIT EXPRESS FOR VOTERS. AND THERE ARE REAL ONES OUT THERE ADVERSELY AFFECTING RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORS. MERRILL BROTHERS SAYS OPEN-AIR COMPOSTING IS NOT SUITED TO CLOSE PROXIMITY OF NEIGHBORS. SO TO RESOLVE THE ODOR ISSUE THEY ARE PROPOSING A BIOSOLIDS TREATMENT FACILITY. ONE OF THEIR COMPREHENSIVE PROPOSALS. SO, JOE SAYS THAT NO MATTER OUTDOOR OR INDOOR, COMPOSTING TRANSPORT STILL HAS TO COME FROM STATE ROUTE 16 AND 207. AND LOOK AT THOSE ARROWS ALONG ARE CONGESTED ROADWAYS THROUGH NEIGHBORHOODS. OH, MY GOSH. JOE FURTHER SAYS THAT IN HIS OPINION, NEITHER OUTDOOR NOR INDOOR COMPOST IS APPROPRIATE HERE AT THIS LOCATION. IN SUPPORT OF THE COLONEL, JOE SAYS THE HIGHEST AND BEST USE HAS BEEN IN AN INFILL. WHAT A FANTASTIC LOCATION THAT THIS REVISION PLAN TALKS ABOUT IN FILLS IN EXCESS TO INFRASTRUCTURE. AND IF THAT CAN BE PROVIDED OVER THE YEARS, THIS IS A FANTASTIC LOCATION. [02:40:03] AND JUST THE OTHER WAY, A PUBLIC SAFETY CENTER. IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO I-95. CAN GO EVERYWHERE IN ST JOHNS COUNTY IMMEDIATELY FOR EMERGENCY. AND JOE'S OPINION THAT'S THE HIGHEST AND BEST USE FOR THIS LOCATION. NOT A BIOSOLIDS FACILITY. SO I CAN BE DONE ABOUT INDIANHEAD HEAD. PER SMALL, ACT FAST. BECAUSE THE PLANT WILL SEND FROM 10,000 HOMES, WILL SEND BIOSOLIDS. YOU CAN ENFORCE A SPECIAL USE PERMIT MEETING FROM A REPRESENTATIVE, KIM CAMPBELL. KIM SAID THERE IS NO STATUTE THAT PREVENTS IS. NEGOTIATE FOR DIFFERENT LOCATIONS. I JUST HEARD 10 ACRES. MY GOSH. AND ACCESS FROM 206, 20410 ACRES COMBINED. AND WORK WITH FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITIES. THIS IS A STATE ISSUE. FLORIDA REALLY NEEDS TO DIG IN AND SOLVE THIS PROBLEM FOR THE STATE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING, MIKE FROM WINDSWEPT ACRES. WE HAVE MORE PROBLEMS IN OUR GROWING COMMUNITY. OBVIOUSLY YOU GUYS HAVE TO DO SOMETHING SO WERE NOT SHIPPING TRASH ET CETERA. REALLY IT BRINGS-- IT GOT MY ATTENTION, 10 ACRES INTO A 2000-ACRE PATCH DENSELY FORESTED WOODS. AND WE INTEND TO TAKE OVER THE PROPERTY IN 30 YEARS. IN THE MIDDLE OF A PRIVATELY OWNED-- WHERE ARE THE ROADS, WHAT IS THE PURPOSE? THAT'S MY THOUGHT PROCESS ON THAT. YOU GUYS JUST HASHING THAT OUT AND MAKING SURE HOW THAT'S GOING TO WORK, 10 ACRES OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF 2000. I'M OBVIOUSLY AGAINST A BIT OF DEVELOPMENT. BUT THAT ALMOST SEEMS MORE FEASIBLE TO LEAVE THAT LAND POTENTIALLY DEVELOPABLE IN THE FUTURE. IF YOU PUT THAT STRUCTURE IN THERE WHAT'S GOING TO GO IN THAT 2000 ACRES IN 20 YEARS WHEN YOUR GRANDKIDS AND EVERYBODY ELSE NEEDS A PLACE TO LIVE NEXT TO 95 IT'S NOT OUT. WHERE THE WATER HAS BEEN DRAINED FROM-- I FIGURED WE ADDRESS THAT. BECAUSE WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING, BUT TO DO IT IN THE MIDDLE OF A 2000-ACRE PATCH THAT DOES NOT SEEM REAL FEASIBLE. >> THANK YOU. >> HOW MAY TIMES HAVE WE HEARD THE TERM WET TONNES HERE TODAY? EVERY TIME I HEAR THAT TERM UNLIKE OH, WE KNOW WHAT'S IN OUR HEAD WHEN WE HEAR THAT. FACILITY. AND YET JEFF TAYLOR'S CARTOON THAT HE PUT UP THIS MORNING OBVIOUSLY AN EXAGGERATION. THAT'S WHAT CARTOONS ARE. THAT SHOWED TO ME WET TONNAGE. SO WHEN THE COMPANY SHOWED THIS AND SAID NO, NO, THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, THAT'S WHEN IT COMES OUT THE OTHER END. IT'S JUST A BENIGN LOOKING SUBSTANCE. WE KNOW IT LOOKS LIKE COMING IN. IT'S MORE LIKE THAT CARTOON WE SAW THIS MORNING. AND WE KNOW WHAT THAT SMELLS LIKE. AND I'M SURE THIS PROBABLY HAS NO ODOR WHATSOEVER. SO LET'S BEAR IN MIND THIS IS THE ONLY THING WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. CHUCK BROUGHT A VERY GOOD QUESTION. I WAS WONDERING MYSELF. RIGHT NOW I'VE HEARD THAT THERE ARE LIKE NINE COUNTIES. BUT DEATHLY MORE THAN HOURS. HOW IS IT WE CAN GO DOWN TO JUST OUR COUNTY? WHY CAN'T WE GO DOWN TO OUR COUNTY TOMORROW? WHY DO WE HAVE TO GO INTO THIS HUGE FACILITY DEAL IN ORDER TO BRING IT DOWN TO ONE COUNTY? I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY WE CAN'T DO THAT TODAY. I'M A LITTLE SURPRISED THAT THE CHAIR EMBRACES THIS PROJECT SO ENTHUSIASTICALLY. WE DON'T EVEN KNOW IF IT'S 34 MILLION-DOLLAR PRICE TAG OR 54 MILLION-DOLLAR PRICE TAG. EVEN THE PEOPLE DOING THE PRESENTATION WERE REALLY SURE WITH THE-- WHAT THE PRICE IS. SO I THINK WE NEED A TONGUE, MAYBE EVEN A WET TONGUE, MORE INFORMATION BEFORE WE START GOING INTO THIS. AND I AM IN TOUCH WITH THOSE PEOPLE AT MORGAN COVE. I HAVE JUST AS MUCH SYMPATHY FOR THEM AS ANYBODY IN THIS ROOM. I'D LOVE TO HAVE THE SMELL ELIMINATED INSTANTLY, IF WE COULD DO THAT. BUT I DON'T THINK OUR DESIRE TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEM AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN SHOULD CAUSE US TO RUSH INTO AN INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE UNDERTAKING WITH NO EXAMINATION OF ALTERNATIVES AND NOT BEING FULLY EDUCATED AND NOT KNOWING WHAT THE PRICES FOR IT. AND LET'S BEAR IN MIND THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT WAS CREATED BY [02:45:01] BUSINESS PEOPLE. IT WAS NOT-- ALL THIS SLUDGE WAS BROUGHT IN NOT BECAUSE A BOARD EVER VOTING ON IT SAYING LET'S DO IT. SO NOW WE HAVE A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE SOLVED. WE ALL AGREE ON THAT. BUT DOESN'T NEED TO BE SOLVED WITH A 54 MILLION-DOLLAR BAND-AID? I'M NOT SURE THAT'S THE SOLUTION. MAYBE AFTER YOU GO THROUGH EVERYTHING IT WILL BE THE SOLUTION. BUT LET'S DO A FULL EXAMINATION OF ALL THE OPTIONS. THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JACKIE LEBLANC. I THOUGHT THAT WAS A GREAT PRESENTATION. I LEARNED A LOT. BUT FROM THE BUSINESS WORLD AND THE CORPORATE WORLD, OF WHICH I WAS A PART FOR 40 YEARS, I TEND TO NOT GET STARRY EYED WITH SOMETHING AND GUNG HO FOR IT. LETTUCE RESEARCH IT. LET'S LOOK AT OTHER VENDORS. LET'S SEE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE HAVE. I KNOW THERE ARE COMPETITORS TO THE MERRILL BROTHERS, BUT THAT IS JUST SMART BUSINESS. THERE TO MAKE QUESTIONS UNANSWERED, AS NICOLE SAID, THE PRICE, NOBODY KNOWS WHAT IT IS, AS CHUCK SAID, THE MAINTENANCE COST, NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THAT IS. I THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT PRESENTATION. I'D LIKE TO SEE MORE FROM OTHER VENDORS AND SEE WHAT THEIR SOLUTIONS ARE AND WHAT THEIR OPINION IS AS TO WHY THEIR SOLUTION IS BETTER THAN THEIR COMPETITORS. IT'S JUST PLAIN GOOD BUSINESS IN MY VIEW AND I THINK WE SHOULD RESEARCH IT FURTHER. BUT I APPRECIATE THAT PRESENTATION TODAY, AND LISTENING TO IT, I ENJOYED IT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? >> SUZANNE, SINCE-- 620 SHORES BOULEVARD. I'M GLAD YOU ALL DECIDED TO HEAR THIS ITEM TODAY. IT WAS VERY INFORMATIVE. I THINK THAT IT SOUNDS LIKE A VERY GOOD PROPOSAL. I'M GLAD YOU'RE NOT TAKING A VOTE TODAY ON IT. LET'S GO, LET'S GO. YOU'VE GOT THREE GOOD OPTIONS HERE. I HOPE YOU DON'T CHOOSE THE FIRST ONE. DON'T REJECT. PLEASE DON'T REJECT. TWO OR THREE TO ME, ESPECIALLY HEARING JAMIE. SHE KNOWS HER STUFF. IF SHE THINKS IT WOULD NOT PUT US TOO FAR BEHIND OF THE MOVIE HEAD GAME, TO DO TWO OR THREE, WHICH IS WHAT I GOT FROM HER. THAT DOES NOT MATTER. SOME OF THE PEOPLE THAT GOT UP AND SPOKE ABOUT PIECE OF PROPERTY AND PUT INFILL HOUSING THERE, IT'S ONLY GOING TO TAKE 10 ACRES OF WHAT'S A VERY LARGE PIECE OF PROPERTY OVER THERE. AND I AM SURE THAT WE WILL FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MAKE IT WORK SO THAT WE CAN KEEP OPERATING WHAT WE HAVE. BECAUSE WE NEED IT. WE NEED SOMEWHERE FOR IT TO GO IN THE MEANTIME. AND PLACE THIS SOMEWHERE ON THAT PROPERTY. AS FAR AS THE TRAFFIC ON THE ROADS, MOVING THIS STUFF IN AND OUT, IT'S ALREADY THERE. WE ARE NOT BRINGING ANY MORE TRAFFIC. I THINK WE NEED TO BE EX-- EXPEDITE THIS THE BEST THAT WE CAN, BECAUSE IT SEEMS LIKE AS TIME IS MOVING ON, THINGS ARE GOING TO GET MORE EXPENSIVE. AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TOMORROW IS GOING TO BRING. WHERE THE MONEY WILL COME FROM. I GUESS IT'S GOING TO BE BONDED. THAT WOULD BE MY THOUGHT. I DO NOT KNOW. I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS WOULD WORK. SO THAT AT LEAST PUTS A BOND ISSUE ON THE TABLE. THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN-- AND MORGAN'S COVE HAVE LIVED WITH THIS LONG ENOUGH. AND THIS KIND OF OPPORTUNITY DOES NOT COME ALONG EVERY DAY. YOU MIGHT SHAKE THE BUSHES OUT THERE AND SEE WHAT YOU CAN COME UP WITH. BUT THIS IS PRETTY GOOD STUFF. AND IT'S ALREADY BEEN DONE IN FLORIDA. YOU ALREADY HAVE A MODEL WHICH YOU CAN LOOK AT FROM ANOTHER PLACE IN FLORIDA TO SEE HOW THIS IS WORKING. AS I SAID EARLIER TODAY, SLICE AND DICE THE FACTS, AND MAKE A DECISION. >> ANYBODY ELSE, PUBLIC COMMENT? AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 4. >> HELLO. TROY HERE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS IT SO PERTINENT THAT IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN DUE TO POSSIBLE TERRORIST [02:50:02] THREATS AND THE IRAN CONFLICT? IF THIS NEEDS TO GO UP AND CAN IT GO UP? SO IT'S AN INTERESTING POINT. A GOOD WAY OF KEEPING THIS DOWN IN A MORE MANAGEABLE ASPECT, CONTROL THE GROWTH. HOW MY TENS OF THOUSANDS OF HOUSES STILL NEED TO BE BUILT AND HOW MANY ARE PERSPECTIVE TO BE BUILT DOWN THE ROAD? YOU HAVE ALL THESE PROJECTS, BUT THIS IS PROBABLY THE AFTER AFTEREFFECT. WE JUST BUILT AS MANY AS WE WANT TO. AND OUR PRIVATE PROPERTY AND HOMEOWNERSHIP. BUT NOW WE HAVE TO FIGURE THIS OUT. IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A PLAN AHEAD. PLAN AHEAD. THIS IS A GOOD ASPECT OF NOT PLANNING AHEAD. DEALING WITH DEVELOPERS, BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO BAT IN ANY EXTRA CHARGES FOR THEM TO PAY. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF ALL THESE OTHER PLACES IN COUNTY TEN OPERATE THIS TYPE OF SOLAR BAKING OVEN, OR SOMETHING. WHAT IS THE NORMAL OPERATIONAL COST? IF THEY ARE RUNNING IT, WHAT COULD IT BE? $1 MILLION PER MONTH OR SOMETHING? WHAT WOULD THAT BE? WHAT WITH THE OPERATIONAL COST BE IF THEY ARE UP AND RUNNING. GIVE US AN ASPECT OF IT. IF YOU SAY IT'S A HIGH SCHOOL, WHAT SIZE OF A HIGH SCHOOL? AND ST JOHNS COUNTY YOU HAVE 2500 SUITORS. MEANING IT WILL INCREASE THE COST TO OPERATE THE HIGH SCHOOL. AND YES. THE OVERALL COST, THE NORMAL OPERATIONAL COST, AND THE PRICE THAT THEY ARE GIVEN, IS THAT GOING TO COVER CONCRETE, THE ASSEMBLY. MATERIALS. EVERYTHING LIKE THAT. OR IS THAT JUST A BASE COST? AND THE COUNTY HAS TO GO OUT AND GET CONTRACTED TO COME IN AND DO THOSE OTHER ASPECTS OF IT. IT IS STILL UNCLEAR. MAYBE THEY ARE SPEAKING THEIR LANGUAGE OF HOW WE ARE PUTTING IT OUT AND MAKING PEOPLE UNDERSTAND. IT'S HARD TO SEE THROUGH IT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER COMMENTS AT THIS TIME. >> BJ. FROM ST. AUGUSTINE. WE HAVE THREE CHOICES. MY CHOICE WOULD BE REJECT THIS PROPOSAL. AND INVITE OTHER COMPANIES TO PRESENT ALTERNATIVE PROPOSALS. IT'S ONLY FAIR FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND HOW IT'S GOING ON. THIS IS THE BEST ONE. THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. WHEN COMPANY COMES IN HERE AND MAKES A PROPOSAL, AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT ANYTHING ELSE COMPARES TO. THAT'S NOT TRANSPARENCY. WHO ELSE HAS HAD AN IN-DEPTH TALK? BIDEN WE GET SOME INFORMATION BEFORE THIS QUEEN IT'S FREE. I'D LIKE TO SEE MORE ZEROS. TO KNOW I'D LIKE TO SEE MORE ZEROS? BECAUSE OUT OF NOVEMBER, WHAT STAFF IS TALKING ABOUT, IN NOVEMBER WE GET TO VOTE AGAIN FOR COMMISSIONERS. DIDN'T THINK ABOUT THAT. I WAS THINKING WHEN WE GET ALL THIS INFORMATION HERE. BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS THAT THEY SHOULD BE PUT ON HOLD AND REJECTED, AND THEN YOU REJECT-- DIRECT THEM TO MAKE A RFP OR WHATEVER THE THING IS CALLED. AND FIND OTHER PEOPLE TO SPEAK. HOWEVER IT COMES IT'S COMING FROM SOMEONE ELSE. THAT'S $54 MILLION OF. YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT THIS. WE DON'T LIKE THE. WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF IT. [02:55:01] BUT WE REALLY NEED TO DO RESEARCH. I DON'T SEE WHAT HAS BEEN SAID. WHEN YOU GET A JOB, YOU DON'T HAVE TO COMPETE. ARE YOU WITH THE BEST PERSON? CAN YOU REALLY GIVE PEOPLE A CHANCE TO COME IN HERE AND GET THIS MONEY? THAT'S MY ONLY THING I'M SAYING. WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON. SO WE ARE NOT REJECTING THEM. THEY CAN GET AN A+. ALL THESE PEOPLE CAN TELL YOU EVERYTHING THEY WANT TO TELL YOU ABOUT THIS COMPANY, AND THEY GIVE THEM AC. IF WE GIVE THEM IN A, WE WILL USE THEM. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 4. >> I HAVE A QUESTION IF BLAINE COULD COME UP, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. A COUPLE THINGS DID COME UP. CAN YOU PLEASE GO OVER WHAT THE MAINTENANCE, THE AVERAGE OPERATIONAL COST, CAN YOU GIVE US A BALLPARK OF WHAT THAT WILL BE? >> YES. THE COUNTY WOULD PAY A PRICE FOR WEB TIME. THAT'S THE MEASURING MECHANISM. WHAT THAT MEANS IT'S-- IS BASICALLY THE WEIGHT OF THE MATERIAL. AND ENGINEERING THEY CALL IT WET TONGUE VERSUS DRY TONGUE. TRY TO ON WOULD BE IF YOU THINK OF A BAG OF GRAPES, AND YOU HAVE OPERATE ALL THE WATER OUT AND YOU'RE LEFT WITH 100% FREEZE DRIED RAISINS. THERE BE A WEIGHT DIFFERENCE. THE DRIED TONNES WOULD BE THE RAISINS AND THE GRAPES OF BE THE WET TONNES. SO THERE IS AN TRAPPED WATER INSIDE THE MATERIAL. IT STILL AMASS, A SOLID. BUT THERE'S A DROP OF WATER. SO WET TIMES MEANS THE SCALE IN OUR INDUSTRY, LIKE TODAY, ST JOHNS COUNTY PAYS A FEE. MORE THAN $100 PER THANH. AND THAT COVERS ALL THOSE THINGS, THE MAINTENANCE. ELECTRICITY. THE EQUIPMENT, THE PEOPLE, THE STAFFING, THE INSURANCE. THE COUNTY WOULD PAY FEE. THAT FEE, TO GIVE YOU SOME EXAMPLES, WE DO WORK IN MIAMI-DADE. $185 PER THANH. ST JOHNS COUNTY IS 110. AND ON THE LAST YEAR OF A THREE-YEAR CONTRACT, IF YOU GO OUT TO BID TODAY ARE PROBABLY SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 110 AND 180. THE PROPOSAL RESUBMITTED IS LOWER THAN THAT. IF YOU WERE TO BID ON MARKET YOU WILL PROBABLY BE IN THE 150 TO 170 RANGE. ASSUMING YOU HAVE THAT AS A SOLUTION. BUT IF YOU GO INTO GEORGIA OTHER PLACES, THE COST COULD BE $200 PER TON. OUR PROPOSALS LESS THAN WHAT-- LESS THAN THAT 150 NUMBER. AND IT'S IN THE PACKET OF ALL THE DETAILS. I KNOW THAT'S A LOT OF WORDS, OAKLEY THAT ADDRESS THE QUESTION. >> THANK YOU. MY OTHER QUESTION WAS TIED TO THE MORE THAN 60,000 TONNES CURRENTLY BEING BROUGHT IN TO INDIANHEAD. I KNOW WE HEARD ABOUT THE BEACH, PALM COAST, ST JOHNS COUNTY, THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE. WHERE ELSE IS IT COMING FROM? >> IT USED TO COME FROM DAYTONA BEACH AND INDIANHEAD AND OTHER AREAS MADE THE DECISION TO VACATE THAT MATERIAL. IT NOW GOES FURTHER SOUTH IN TO A COMPOST FACILITY WE OPERATE. VERY FAR SOUTH, HOURS AWAY. JUST AS A MEANS OF TAKING SOME OF THE LOAD OFF IN INDIANHEAD TO REDUCE SOME OF THE FRICTION. AND FORSLING THAT FACILITY IS AT CAPACITY. THAT WAS THE ONLY VOLUME THAT COULD BE SHIFTED. YOU MENTION PALM COAST, INDIANA% BEACH. THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE AND ST JOHNS COUNTY. ALL REALITIES ARE THAT THERE IS NOT A CONFLUENCE OF MATERIALS. WE DELETED 25% OF THE STATES CAPACITY. LANDFILLS ARE FULL. IF YOU REACHED OUT TO THE LANDFILL ON THE WEST SIDE OF JACKSONVILLE, THEY WOULD LAUGH AT YOU. THERE IS NO CAPACITY. >> MY QUESTION IS WHO-- WEARS EVERYTHING COMING FROM? IF YOU COULD CLARIFY WHERE IT'S COMING FROM RIGHT NOW? >> THOSE ENTITIES. PALM COAST UTILITIES DIRECTLY SOUTH. THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE, ST JOHNS COUNTY. AND NO LONGER DAYTONA BEACH. >> OKAY., GREAT. THANK YOU. I AM WONDERING. THAT'S A LOT FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT AREAS. >> PALM COAST IS GOING THROUGH SOMETHING SIMILAR RIGHT NOW. THEY HAVE ASPIRATIONS OF THEIR OWN FACILITY. AND THEY HOPE TO OWN IT AND SELL CAPACITY TO DID-- DAYTONA OR OTHER UTILITIES DOWN THE COAST. AND IT WAS MENTIONED EARLIER THIS MORNING IN A COMMENT THAT CLAY COUNTY HAS SOME KIND OF CAPACITY. THEY USE AN ARCHAIC FACILITY DESIGNED THAT THEY ARE NOT HAPPY WITH. AFTER ST JOHNS COUNTY DID A TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM AND SPENT THE MONEY ON ENGINEERING, THEY ARE GOING THROUGH A SIMILAR PATH RIGHT NOW. AND THEY SCHEDULED SOME MEETINGS AND ASKED US FOR SOME INFORMATION. SO BE DETERMINED-- TO BE DETERMINED HOW THAT TURNS OUT. [03:00:01] >> WHAT CAN BE DONE? PEOPLE HAVE BEEN SUFFERING A LONG TIME. WHAT CAN BE DONE BEFORE THIS IS BUILT? WHAT CAN WE-- CAN BE DONE TO GIVE RELIEF TO THOSE RESIDENTS NOW? I'VE BEEN PROMISING SINCE SEPTEMBER. AND NOTHINGS COME TO FRUITION. >> STEPS HAVE BEEN MADE TO CONTROL THE HOURS WHICH HELPS, AND THE TEAM IN INDIANHEAD IS TRYING IT'S BEST. ACTUALLY IT CAME OUT YESTERDAY, THEY DIDN'T INTERVIEW AT THE COMPOST SITE AND THEY WERE THERE WHEN THE TRUCKS ARRIVED. BIOFUELS ARE PERISHABLE. THEY STAGNATE THE LONGER THEY SIT IN A TRAILER. THE BEST OPTION IS TO GET IT FROM THE PLANT TO THE COMPOST FACILITY AND BURY IT IN MULCH AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. ONCE IT'S COVERED, THE OLDER PROFILE SIGNIFICANTLY FALLS. IT IS THE RECEIVING OF THE LOAD THAT IS THE ISSUE. SO PUSHING IT LATER INTO THE DAY HELPS BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE LEFT FOR WORK ON THINGS. BUT I KNOW THEY ARE BEING VERY ADAMANT ABOUT RECEIVING MATERIAL AND MIXING IT IN AND A COMPOST ROW WHERE IT'S BURIED IN WOULD QUICKLY. AND PERSONALLY, HAVING BEEN TO INDIANHEAD HUNDREDS OF TIMES, I THINK IT SUBSTANTIALLY IMPROVED. I KNOW IT'S AN ANECDOTAL OPINION. IS JUST MY OPINION. BUT COMPARED TO WHAT IT WAS LIKE A YEAR OR TWO AGO, BY REDUCING THE INCOMING VOLUME AND TAKING IMMEDIATE ACTION ON EACH TRUCK AS IT ARRIVES, PERSONALLY, I THINK IT'S WAY BETTER THAN IT'S BEEN. I JUST DON'T KNOW IF YOU WILL HEAR THAT POSITIVE FEEDBACK. >> THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT. WE ARE HEARING FROM RESIDENTS STILL. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. MISS LOCKLEAR, I HAVE A QUESTION BASED ON SOME OF THE PUBLIC COMMENT WE HAVE HEARD. IF WE CHOOSE THE OPTION TO ACCEPT THE UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL AND DIRECT STAFF TO CONDUCT TAKEN-- COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT TO SOLICIT PROPOSALS, THIS WILL COME BACK BEFORE THE BOARD AGAIN? >> CORRECT. AT THAT POINT IT BECOMES AN RFP. SO WOULD BE HANDLED AS A SOLICITATION. WHICH IS RECEIVED AND EVALUATED AND WE WOULD BRING BACK A RECOMMENDATION TO GO INTO NEGOTIATIONS, OR BY POLICY WE CAN GO AHEAD AND NEGOTIAE THE NATURE OF THIS AND WE MIGHT BRING IT BEFORE YOU TO MAKE SURE YOU'RE ON BOARD WITH THE RECOMMENDATION. >> IF YOU CONDUCT THE COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT WOULD YOU IRON OUT SOME OF THESE DETAILS, 54 OR $34 MILLION? >> THE PROCUREMENT WOULD NOT NECESSARILY DO THAT. NEGOTIATIONS OF AN INTERIM AGREEMENT CERTAINLY COULD. AND CERTAINLY COULD CLARIFY A LOT OF THE DETAILS AS FAR AS THE NATURE OF THE AGREEMENT AND PARAMETERS OF REQUIREMENTS THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE MET ON BOTH SIDES BEFORE LOOKING AT A LONG-TERM COMPREHENSIVE AGREEMENT. >> OKAY. BUT THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A LOOK AT WHO WON THE BID AND WHAT THE DETAILS OF THAT BID OUR? >> CORRECT. >> THANK YOU. >> CAN I ASK YOU SOME QUESTIONS? HOW ARE YOU? >> GREAT. >> SO, RIGHT NOW, HOW MUCH DO WE PAPER TON? >> I BELIEVE OUR CONTRACT IS AROUND $167-- 100. >> IN MAY OF 2028. SO MUCH A YEAR DO WE PAY? >> 1.4 MILLION, APPROXIMATELY. >> WOULD YOU THINK THAT JUST RUNNING A FACILITY LIKE THAT WOULD BE 1.4 MILLION? JUST RUNNING ELECTRICITY AND UPKEEP AND ALL OF THAT? >> THE PROPOSAL THAT THEY PROVIDED TO US IS $80. THERE ARE THREE COMPONENTS TO THIS. COMPONENT NUMBER 1 IS TO TAKE AN TRANSPORT THE WASTE FROM OUR WASTEWATER PLANTS TO A FACILITY. NUMBER 2 IS PROCESSING THAT SLUDGE. PROPOSAL NUMBER 3 IS THE MIDDLE PROPOSAL WHICH ARE ASKING, $80 PER TON IS WHAT THEY ARE SAYING IT WILL BE WORTH TO THE COUNTY. WHAT THEY SAID EARLIER THIS INSTITUTIONS LIKE THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE WILL PROBABLY PAY MORE. BECAUSE THEY'LL GUARANTEE THAT $80 PER TON TO THE COUNTY. >> I WAS GOING TO SAY IF WE OWN IT WE WOULD NOT BE PAYING FOR IT OURSELVES. AND THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO KNOW IS WE TRACK IT NOW. AND IF THEY BUILD THREE FACILITIES IN OUR AREA, IN CLAY AND PALM COAST AND DAYTONA, AND THEY HAVE CAPACITY. WE WOULD NOT OWN IT, WE WOULD BE RENTING FOR PROBABLY A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. IS WHAT IT SEEMS LIKE. IF THEY DO THE SAME KIND OF THINGS AND THEIR COUNTY? >> IT IS A FAIR STATEMENT. BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHO IS DOING WHAT TODAY. WE HIRED A CONSULTANT. [03:05:02] WE DO OUR MASTER PLANS AND WE VISION THIS COUNTIES FUTURE IN OUR MASTER PLANS. IT IS OUR JOB, WE DO IT FOR EVERYTHING. WATER, WASTEWATER AND BIOSOLIDS. WE DID THIS A LONG TIME BACK. STARTING THIS PROCESS ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS TOGETHER. WHEN OUR MASTER PLAN DICTATES TO US THAT IT IS TIME FOR US TO MOVE TO-- WE GIVE FOUR PILLARS TO OUR CONSULTANT. WAS-- ONE WAS CAN-- SUSTAINABILITY. ONE A PROCESS THAT WOULD BE SUSTAINABLE FOR YEARS. WHEN REGULATORY CHANGES COME WE CAN BE FLEXIBLE. RELIABILITY. WE WANT THAT RELIABLE AA SLOT THAT IS REQUIRED BY THE STATE. US. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, WE WANTED TO BE COST EFFICIENT. THOSE ARE MY FOUR PILLARS TO THE CONSULTANTS. THEY CAME UP WITH THE PROPOSAL. THEY HAD MAIN SOLUTIONS. THEY LOOKED AT TECHNOLOGIES AND CAME UP WITH A RECOMMENDATION TO US. SO THIS WAS NOT PLANNED. THIS PROPOSAL. WE ALREADY, AS A COUNTY, THIS PROPOSAL TENDS TO ABIDE A SIMILAR STRUCTURE. WE CERTAINLY HAVE QUESTIONS THAT WE WILL PROBABLY DEAL WITH. SO I'M NOT SURE IF I'M ANSWERING YOUR QUESTION, BUT I THINK WE ALWAYS MASTER PLAN ENTITIES LIKE THIS. SO IN SHORT WE FEEL THAT AS WE HEAD TOWARDS THE FUTURE, BECAUSE OF REGULATIONS, AND THE CAPACITY IS OUT THERE. I'VE TALKED TO CLAY COUNTY. THEY ARE NOT IN ANY POSITION. PROBABLY TWO OR THREE YEARS BEHIND US. THEY ARE ONLY INTERESTED IN BLACK SURE BECAUSE IT'S CLOSER TO ST JOHNS COUNTY. BUT THEY HAVE THEIR SOLUTIONS. PALM COAST IS TWO TO THREE YEARS BEHIND US. EVERY ENTITY AROUND US IS NOT A MASTER PLAN SCENARIO THAT WE ARE. WE FEEL WE ARE MUCH MORE AHEAD OF THIS. AND WE HAVE THE TIMELINE. MAY 2028 IS OUR LAST NEGOTIATING TIME FOR THE CONTRACT THAT WE HAVE TODAY. SO WE DECIDED TO START THIS SO WE COULD BE READY FOR THAT MAY 28TH, AND THAT INCLUDES THE BUILDING OF THE FACILITY OR DOING SOMETHING WITH IT. THAT IS OUR TIMELINE TO MEET OUR PROCESSES IN THIS COUNTY. WHAT OTHER COUNTIES ARE DOING, HOW THEY WILL DO IT, I CANNOT SPEAK FOR THEM. BUT I CAN TELL YOU THEY ARE TWO OR THREE YEARS BEHIND US IN THE TIME. >> THANK YOU. >> IF I CAN, JAMIE AND NEIL, IF YOU GUYS COULD HANG OUT JUST A MINUTE AND LET ME ASK A COUPLE QUESTIONS. HOW DOES THE BONDING PROCESS WORK AND WHO PAYS THE PAYMENT FOR THE BOND. >> COMMISSIONER, WE HAVE BEEN TALKING TO OUR FINANCIAL CONSULTANT, AND THE RECOMMENDATION FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS WHAT THEY CALL BAD MONEY. 5%. OUR 37 MILLION I PROPOSED EARLIER OR MENTIONED EARLIER, THAT IS IN OUR BUDGET THE NEXT TWO TO THREE YEARS. 5% OF THE BOND WE MENTIONED TO YOU EARLIER, ABOUT 300 MILLION IS NOT NEW YET. IT'S ABOUT 15 MILLION. 15 MILLION WOULD COME FROM THAT BOND. AND THE REMAINDER, 15 PLUS SEVEN, 22 MILLION WOULD BE CASH FUNDED BY THE COUNTY. WHICH ARE OUR RESERVES AND FEES AND CASH FUNDS. >> AND THAT WOULD BE REPLACED BY WHAT? WHO PAYS THE BILL? >> THIS PROPOSAL I THINK, WHAT IT DOES IS IT GUARANTEES THE CAPITAL INVESTMENT. SO THE COUNTY WILL PLACE ON THE CAP NEXT, WHICH IS THE NUMBER-- THE CAP ASK. -- X. THE SECOND PART IS WHAT THIS PROPOSAL DOES. MERRILL SAYING THEY WILL GUARANTEE THAT FOR US UP TO 50,000. SO WHATEVER THAT FACILITY IS, THEY GUARANTEE THAT PAYMENT. I DON'T EXACTLY KNOW, BUT I THINK IT WAS ONE AND A HALF MILLION THAT THEY WERE REIMBURSED TO THE COUNTY TO GUARANTEE THAT SPACE. >> SO THEY ARE GOING TO PAY US BACK BY THE PROCEEDS OF WHAT THEY ARE TAKING IN. OKAY. THIS MIGHT BE A QUESTION FOR MIKE. LOOKING AROUND THIS FACILITY, THERE WAS A LOT OF DIFFERENT FACILITIES. AND MAYBE I COULD HAVE SOMEONE FROM MERRILL. WHEN WE WERE OUT THERE, WASN'T THERE IS SCHOOL NOT TOO FAR FROM THIS? COULD YOU COME UP AND TELL ME WHAT'S AROUND THIS FACILITY? LITERALLY RIGHT NEXT DOOR TO THIS FACILITY. >> IT'S A MIX OF COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL. THERE IS A PLUMBING COMPANY. THEY MAKE PLASTIC PENS THAT YOU WRITE WITH. A WHOLE LOT OF COMPANIES. WE ARE DEFINITELY NOT REMOVED FROM SOCIETY. >> OKAY. [03:10:01] GREAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE TALKED ABOUT THE PRICE DIFFERENCE, YOUR 34 MILLION-DOLLAR PRICE, PLUS THE CONSULTANTS 54. RIGHT? ARE WE RUSHING INTO THIS? >> YEAH. >> COME ON. >> THE COUNTY HAS ESTABLISHED PROCESSES FOR RECEIVING UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS FOR SOLUTIONS LIKE THIS. IT IS BASED UPON THE FLORIDA STATUTE FOR UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS AND PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS. THIS IS THE WAY THAT THESE TYPES OF SOLUTIONS COME BEFORE THE COUNTY. FOLLOWING THE PROCESS WITHIN THAT. IS HOW YOU WOULD GO ABOUT REVIEWING AND CONSIDERING THE SOLUTION THAT IS PRESENTED TO YOU. THE UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL IS JUST THAT. WE DID NOT ASK FOR PROPOSALS. WE DID NOT DO A SOLICITATION. THERE WAS NOT AN ASK FROM THE COUNTY TO RECEIVE THIS. IT IS WHERE A PRIVATE ENTITY COMES FORWARD WITH A PROPOSED SOLUTION. SO THIS IS THE PROCESS THAT IS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. >> SO WERE NOT RUSH MAC IT'S THE RESPONSE OF THE SEED OF THE PROPOSAL. IT'S THE PROCESS. >> I NOTICED SOMETHING OTHER THAN THE TRAFFIC COMING INTO THE FACILITY. 'S TRAFFIC ALREADY COMING INTO THIS FACILITY? TRAFFIC IS COMING IN, RIGHT? AT 60 TONNES? >> THE CURRENT FACILITY WHERE WE DISPOSE OF OUR BIOSOLIDS ALREADY PRECEDES THE TRAFFIC. >> SO WERE GOING TO REDUCE THE TRAFFIC. DO WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY? TO RING IN EXCESS FROM STEREO 16 AND TAKE IT COMPLETELY OFF OF 214? DO WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT? I'M JUST ASKING A QUESTION. AND. >> COMMISSIONER MURPHY IF YOU COULD REPEAT OUR QUESTION ABOUT ACCESS. >> DO WE HAVE THE BUILDING TO COME OFF OF 16 TO THIS NEW FACILITY AND GET TRAFFIC COMPLETELY OFF OF COUNTY ROUTE 214? >> THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE INVESTIGATED. I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSIONS IN THE PAST. BUT I CAN'T ANSWER THAT QUESTION RIGHT NOW. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. I HAVE NO OTHER COMMENTS. >> MR. CHAIR, I AM PREPARED TO MAKE A MOTION. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS SOMETHING THAT EVERY PERSON WHO FLUSHES THE TOILET IN ST JOHNS COUNTY HAS CREATED THIS ISSUE. WE'VE ALL CONTRIBUTED TO IT. WE'VE GOT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE THREE OF US VISITED THE FACILITY IN PASCOE COUNTY. TIP OF A HAT TO PASCOE COUNTY FOR BEGINNING TO PAY FOR THE STATE. IT TOOK A LOT OF POLITICAL COURAGE FOR THEM TO AGREE TO THIS PARTNERSHIP WITH MERRILL, AND I WAS VERY IMPRESSED. I THINK WE ALL WALKED AWAY VERY IMPRESSED. WE'VE HAD SIX MONTHS SINCE THAT VISIT TO DO OUR FINDINGS OF FACT. THIS IS BEEN AN ISSUE THAT'S BEEN IN THE PUBLIC EYE FOR YEARS. THERE'S BEEN NO SOLUTION BROUGHT TO THIS BOARD FOR THE YEARS WE'VE BEEN DISCUSSING THIS IN THE PUBLIC EYE. THIS IS I THINK THE FIRST SIGNIFICANT STEP TOWARD SOLVING THE PROBLEM. SO I'M PROUD TO MAKE THE MOTION TO ACCEPT THE UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL. FROM THE BROTHERS AND DIRECTING STAFF TO CONDUCT A COMPETITIVE PROCUREMENT SOLICIT ALTERNATE PROPOSALS. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY OTHER COMMENTS. LET US VOTE. [5. Public Hearing * CPA(SS) 2025-12 Shofner Property.] OKAY, THAT PASSES 5-0. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 5. WE WILL GO TO COMMISSIONER ARNOLD. >> THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. I SEEN ONE EMAIL. >> NO EMAILS FROM RESIDENTS AND STAFF AND NO MEETING. >> NO RECORD OF EMAILS, PHONE CALLS OR MEETINGS. >> THANK YOU, MR. TAYLOR. >> NO EMAILS FROM RESIDENTS OR STAFF AND NO MEETINGS. >> I DON'T RECALL CORRESPONDENCE ABOUT THIS EITHER. SO WE WILL GO RIGHT TO TO THE PRESENTER. YOU HAVE THE FLOOR. COME ON IN AND GRAB THAT MICROPHONE AND SPEAK RIGHT INTO THE MICROPHONE FOR ME. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ALBERTA HIPPS, MARKET STREET JACKSONVILLE FLORIDA. I REPRESENT MR. SHOFNER. AND THIS PROPERTY PROPOSAL ORDINATES 2025-12. I HAVE A PRESENTATION. AM I TO PUNCH SOMETHING? [03:15:06] >> DO YOU HAVE A CLICKER UP THERE? >> THIS IS A SMALL-SCALE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT FOR 2.3 ACRES FOR EGG OR CULTURAL INTENSIVE TO RESIDENTS A WITH A TEXT MIMIC LYTIC THE PROPERTY TO A MAXIMUM OF ONE SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING UNIT, LOCATED IT 8995-BARREL FACTORY ROAD. THIS IS A SITE THAT IS DOWN ABOUT 2.12 MILES SOUTH OF STATE ROUTE 207. IT SURROUNDED BY PART OF THE SOFTENER FAMILY FARM. THIS GIVES YOU A COMPLETE OUTLINE OF FARM OWNERS FAMILY, FARM MEMBERS THAT HAVE PROPERTY NEARBY. AND THIS ISSUE IS EVEN WHAT-- THIS GIVES YOU A EVEN MORE COMPLETE IDEA OF HOW THE SITE IS LOCATED. WE ARE ASKING YOU TO APPROVE THIS PARTICULAR AMENDMENT. IT WOULD LIMIT, AS I SAID ONE SINGLE-FAMILY HOME ON THE 5.3 ACRES. AND I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR APPROVAL. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. DO WE HAVE QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? DO WE NEED PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS? WE WILL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 5. >> AT THIS TIME WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 5. SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> WE WILL GO BACK AND FORTH FOR A MINUTE. >> MOTION TO ENACT ORDINATES 2026-16. APPROVING THE PLAN ON A SMALL-SCALE 2025-12. BASED ON FINDINGS OF FACT WITH THE TEXT AMENDMENT AS PROVIDED IN THE STAFF REPORT. >> SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. THAT PASSES 5-0. [6. Public Hearing * Second Reading - LDCA 2026-02 Home-Based Business.] CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> LET'S GO TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 6. >> THANK YOU MR. CHAIR, JACOB SMITH WITH GROWTH MANAGEMENT. FOR THE RECORD THIS IS AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 6, A LAND OF ELEMENT CODE AMENDMENT TO UPDATE HOME-BASED BUSINESS LANGUAGE IN THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE. THIS IS THE SECOND HEARING, THE ADOPTION HEARING OF THIS ITEM. AND IT'S FOR THE PURPOSE OF REFLECTING STATE STATUTE 559955, AND TO REMOVE PRIOR REFERENCE TO THE HOME OCCUPATION. AS A BRIEF SAYING, THE HOME-BASED BUSINESS REGULATIONS ADDRESS POTENTIAL STAFFING, PARKING, MODIFICATIONS TO RESIDENCES AND THE ACTIVITIES THAT COULD BE CONDUCTED ON-SITE. AND TO BRING US IN LINE WITH STATE STATUTE. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR SPECIFICS IF THE BOARD HAS ANY. >> QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? SEEING NONE WE WILL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. >> AT THIS TIME WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 6. SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> BACK TO THE BOARD. I WILL MAKE A MOTION FOR 2026 DASH 17. AMENDING THE LAND OF ELEMENT TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENCY WITH FLOOR STATUTES. >> SECOND. >> A MOTION AND A SECOND. [7. Public Hearing * Adoption Hearing LDCA 2026-03 Landscaping Service Accessory Use. ] OKAY IT PASSES 5-0. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 7. >> THIS IS NOT A COMPANION, IT'S A SIMILAR ITEM. THANK YOU, SIR. THIS IS AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 7. AND IT IS A LAND OF ELEMENT CODE AMENDMENT TO ADD LANDSCAPING SERVICES AS AN ACCESSORY USED TO COMMERCIAL NURSERIES AND OPEN RURAL REZONING. YOU'VE HEARD THIS ONE BEFORE. IT'S THE ADOPTION HEARING, AND THE BOARD REQUESTED STAFF COME UP WITH SOME LANGUAGE TO ALLOW LANDSCAPE SERVICES TO BE APPROVED AS A SPECIAL USE BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY. IN CONJUNCTION WITH EXISTING COMMERCIAL NURSERIES. SO WE HAVE DONE THAT AND PROVIDED THIS IS THE EXACT LANGUAGE THAT WOULD BE INSERTED INTO THE DEVELOPMENT CODE. AND ANY APPROVAL FOR A LANDSCAPE SERVICE WOULD FLOW THROUGH THE PLANNING AND ZONING AGENCY AT A PUBLIC HEARING. AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AT THE BOARD MIGHT HAVE. >> ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD? SEEING NONE, WE WILL GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. >> AT THIS TIME WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 7. SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO ENACT ORDINATES 2026 STASH. >> EIGHTEEN. >> TO AMEND THE LAND OF ELEMENT CODE TO AND LANDSCAPE SERVICES ACCESSORY USE BASED ON THE MODIFICATIONS BEING CONSISTENT WITH FLORIDA LAW ON THE ST JOHNS COUNTY COVERAGE PLAN. [03:20:04] >> SECOND. >> THE MOTION HAS A SECOND. LET US VOTE. THAT PASSES 5-0. [8. First Reading - Florida Power & Light Franchise Agreement Ordinance.] CONGRATULATIONS. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 8. >> IT AFTERNOON. AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 8. THE F P/L FRANCHISE AGREEMENT. THIS IS A 6% FRANCHISE FEE. WE BILL AND COLLECT THE FEE FROM CUSTOMERS IN CERTAIN PORTIONS INCORPORATED IN ST JOHNS COUNTY. WE REMIT THE COLLECTIVE FRANCHISE FEE TO THE COUNTY ON A MONTHLY BASIS. THE COUNTY SERVES AS A RECIPIENT OF THE FEE. FRANCHISE FEE REVENUES ARE UNRESTRICTED TO BE USED FOR ANY LAWFUL PURPOSE. CURRENTLY THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE IN THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH AND THE TOWN OF GREENLAND RECRUIT BASIC PERCENT FRANCHISE FEE SIMILAR. AND UNDER THE SAME TYPE OF AGREEMENT WITH FP, THIS WOULD BE FOR THE 30-YEAR TERM. THIS IS A FIRST READING, FIRST PRESENTATION AND IT WILL COME BACK TO YOU ON JULY 21ST. ON OUR PUBLIC HEARING FOR SECOND READING ENACTMENT. >> THANK YOU. ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE BOARD? OKAY. >> HELLO. I WAS WONDERING, DOES THIS GO INTO THE HASTINGS AREA, THE AGRICULTURE AREA, THAT KIND OF THING? >> FOR THE AREA SERVED BY FP NL, I BELIEVE THEY SERVE THAT. YES. >> I WANTED TO GET IT ON THE RECORD. F P/L ALSO DO THE SOLAR PANELS ON OUR LAND AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS IS NOT SETTING THAT UP TO LOSE OUR EGG LAND. >> IT DOES NOT. SO THEY WORK ON OUR RIGHT OF WAYS AND THIS IS FOR THOSE AREAS. ANYTHING THAT WOULD COME THROUGH THE SOLAR PLANS WOULD DO OUR PLANNING AND REZONING. >> THANK YOU. >> PUBLIC COMMENT? >> AT THIS TIME WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 8. THING ON WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC [9. Professional Services Amendment - County Attorney.] COMMENT. >> OKAY. WE HAVE NOTHING FOR THIS. RIGHT ON TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 9. I GUESS I GET TO PRESENT THAT, DON'T TYPE? -- DON'T I? ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD ABOUT THIS? I THINK THERE MIGHT BE SOME QUESTIONS. ANY QUESTIONS FOR COMMISSIONER JOSEPH? MY FIRST QUESTION IS WHAT IS POLITICAL, SIR? >> I THINK SHE'S ASKING YOU, MR. CHAIR. >> YES. WELL, I THINK THAT WOULD BE A SIMILAR PROVISION THAT IS IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT AGREEMENTS SPREAD OUT AMONG SEVERAL DIFFERENT COUNTIES THAT MEANS THAT IF THERE IS NO BECAUSE THERE'S JUST A DIFFERENCE OF POLITICAL LANDS THAT YOU CANNOT DISMISS SOMEONE FOR NO BECAUSE. THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME KIND OF BECAUSE OTHER THAN THE FACT THAT YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE WITH THEIR POLITICS. >> EXCEPT THAT WERE ALL REPUBLICANS SO WE ARE THE SAME PARTY. WHAT EXACTLY DOES THE POLITICAL-- WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? >> I DON'T THINK THAT SAYING THAT WE ARE ALL REPUBLICANS AND WE ARE THE SAME PARTY, BEING THE SAME PARTY IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. BUT WE ARE NOT ALL THE SAME. >> I DON'T UNDERSTAND. >> I'M NOT SURPRISED. I'M NOT SURPRISED. LET'S TALK ABOUT IT. THERE IS A RADICAL LEFTIST AGENDA THAT'S INFECTED OUR REPUBLICAN PARTY IN ST JOHNS COUNTY THAT TENDS TO WANT TO TRY TO CONTROL OUR GOVERNMENT. AND I'M COMPLETELY AGAINST THAT. I STAND UP AS A STRONG CONSERVATIVE AND SAY THAT WE DO GET PUSHBACK AGAINST THAT AND THIS IS ONE OF THE WAYS I INTEND TO TRY TO HELP DO THAT. >> I DON'T SEE THAT. WHAT DID I-- I'M SORRY, I'M STILL TALKING. WHEN I TALKED TO YOU AT OUR LUNCHEON, WHAT DID I TELL YOU? DID I TELL YOU IS GOING TO FIRE YOU IF MARTIN TOOK SARAH'S SPOT AND I AM HERE, DID I SAY I WOULD EVER FIRE YOU? >> NO. >> DID I SAY YOU ARE DOING A GOOD JOB? >> YES. >> OKAY. SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT POLITICAL PEOPLE HE IS TALKING ABOUT. BUT I DO HAVE A QUESTION. NOT FOR YOU, BUT FOR THE ENTIRE IDEA OF FOUR TO ONE-VOTE. YOUR CONTRACT WOULD BE NULL AND VOID IF THERE WAS-- WEIGHT. ONLY FOUR TO ONE-VOTE WOULD BE ABLE TO FIRE YOU, CORRECT? OKAY. YES. AND THAT WAS APPLIED TO JOY ANGERS CONTRACT. THE COMMISSIONERS VOTED FOUR TO ONE. SO IT WAS A SUPERMAJORITY VOTE TO MAKE THAT. SO HOW IS IT LEGAL TO MAKE IT 3-2 TO DO THAT. AND IF I COULD GET AN ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION ON THAT I WOULD FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE ABOUT YOUR CONTRACT. >> IT'S PROBABLY APPROPRIATE. IT IS ABOUT ME, SO I DON'T KNOW [03:25:04] IF THERE WOULD BE SOME TYPE OF BIAS. >> SHE WORKS FOR YOU. SO THAT'S WHY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE. >> I DON'T KNOW THEY WOULD ISSUE AN OPINION, BUT YOU CAN MAKE IT WORK. >> COULD I PLEASE? THAT WOULD BE GREAT, THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL. >> ANYONE ELSE? >> WILL BE GO OVER THE CONTRACT, WILL THERE BE A PRESENTATION? >> THE CONTRACT IS THE SAME AS IT WAS WITH THE CHANGES WE DISCUSSED AT THE BRIEFING. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM, OR THE CHAIR CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> I REQUESTED THE CURRENT EXISTING CONTRACT. AND I DON'T HAVE THAT. I ASKED FOR THAT YESTERDAY. >> IF YOU LOOK THE PARAGRAPH THAT TALKS ABOUT THE SUPERMAJORITY, THAT PARAGRAPH IS NEW. IF YOU LOOK AT THE COMPENSATION PART, IT'S UNAMENDED SO IT INCLUDES THE CONTRACT INCREASING AT THE SAME RATE AS OTHER COUNTIES WOULD. THOSE ARE THE CHANGES ON THE CONTRACT. >> GOT IT. TO BE HONEST I AM CONCERNED THAT BEFORE WE BUILT OUT A CONTRACT THAT PERMANENTLY CHANGES THE IT'S GOING TO LOCK THE TAXPAYERS IN TO AN IRONCLAD FINANCIAL COMMITMENT. I THINK WE HAVE A FIDUCIARY DUTY TO REFUTE INFORMATION. I KNOW WERE BEING ASKED TO GRANT MR. COMMANDO A 4-1 SUPERMAJORITY. BUT THERE IS NO GUARANTEED AUTOMATIC ANNUAL RAISES. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT OUR BUDGET WILL BE OR WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH PROPERTY TAXES. TO ME, THERE SHOULD BE A RECORD OF YOUR WORK WITH A PERFORMANCE REVIEW. ALSO THE TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING $18,000 PER MONTH PER COUNCIL. AND I'D LOVE TO SEE AN ITEMIZED COMPREHENSIVE RECORD OF WHAT THAT BASE IS PLAYING-- PAYING FOR. AND IT ALLOWS THE FIRM TO BUILD $250 PER HOUR PER SPECIAL COUNCIL SERVICES. ON TOP OF THE 18,000-DOLLAR MONTHLY FEE. SO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW A FULL ACCOUNTING OF WHAT THOSE SPECIAL COUNCIL SERVICES HAVE BEEN BILLED UP TO UNTIL NOW. I THINK THE PUBLIC DESERVES THE RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT THE TRUE COST OF OUR ATTORNEY IS. >> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION. >> I DEFTLY HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THIS. >> SURE. I CAN GIVE YOU A FULL ACCOUNTING OF THE EXTRA 250 RIGHT NOW. IT'S ZERO. IT'S BEEN ZERO. EVEN THOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN OPPORTUNITIES WHERE I COULD'VE ENGAGE THAT OUR USE THAT PORTION OF THE CONTRACT, I NEVER HAVE. AND I DON'T ANTICIPATE ANYTHING IN THE FUTURE CHANGING IT. AS YOU MAY RECALL DURING THE ORIGINAL CONVERSATION ABOUT THE CONTRACT, THERE WAS AN ADDED REQUIREMENT THAT TO USE ANY OF THE OCA STAFF BEFORE I LOOKED AT LOOKING AT DOING SOMETHING OUTSIDE OF THE CONTRACT, THAT'S WHAT'S ALWAYS BEEN DONE. >> WOULD YOU BE OKAY WITH A LIMITING THAT PORTION? IT SOUNDS LIKE WE DON'T NEED IT. >> THROUGH THE CHAIR IF I CAN QUALIFY ONE THING. THERE ARE NO AUTOMATIC RAISES. THE RACES WERE WITHIN THE EMPLOYER RAISES. SO IF THE EMPLOYEE STAFFS ARE RAISED, THEN THERE ARJUN ERIC RAISES FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND RAISES FOR MR. KOMANDO. AND WITH REGARDS TO THE 250, THAT FEE IS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER THAN ANY FEE WE PAY FOR OUTSIDE OF COUNCIL. SO IT'S UP TO THE WARD. >> IF IT SOMETHING WERE NOT GOING TO NEED I WOULD BE FINE WITH THAT. >> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU'LL NEED IT OR NOT. THAT'S WHY THE CONTRACT WAS PUT IN THERE LIKE YOUR OTHER LEGAL SERVICES CONTRACTS WITH COUNCIL. >> ANYTHING ELSE? I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS WHEN WE ARE DONE. CEILIDH. DOES THIS CHANGE IN THE CONTRACT MEAN THAT WE WOULD NEED A 401 VOTE TO REMOVE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY FOR BECAUSE? >> YES. SO WHAT YOU ARE VOTING ON NOW IS THAT MOVING FORWARD TO TERMINATE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY FOR CLAUSE, HE WOULD REQUIRE A SUPERMAJORITY VOTE. CORRECT. >> I WENT BACK AND READ THIS. AND IT SAID THE ONLY THING CHANGING WAS THE-- LET ME FIND IT. THE POLITICAL-- WHAT WAS THAT. WHERE DID I READ THAT? >> YES, THAT'S THE MAJOR SUBSTATIONS CHANGE. UNDER THE TERMINATION PROVISIONS THERE IS ADDED PARAGRAPH. >> SO THAT IS WHAT-- THAT'S THE ONLY THING WE ARE CHANGING? [03:30:06] >> ALONG WITH AFFIRMING THE CHANGE AND THE COMPENSATION. SO DIGESTS WITH OTHER CATEGORIES. >> OKAY. TERM AND TERMINATION. YEAR TO YEAR. MAYBE TERMINATED AT ANY TIME WITHIN 60 DAYS WRITTEN NOTICE TO THE OTHER PARTY. PARTIES RECOGNIZE THE NONPOLITICAL AND IMPARTIAL NATURE OF THE WORK AS WELL AS THE GREAT THREAT POSED BY REJECTING THE COUNTY'S POLITICAL INFLUENCE, WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO PROTECT YOU FROM THAT, WHICH WILL RESOLVING CONSEQUENCES OF SUFFERED ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT COUNTY RESIDENTS EXPECT. THEREFORE IN THE EVENT THE A COUNTY ATTORNEY IS SUBJECT TO SERVICES NOT RELATED TO THE PROFESSIONAL COMPENSATION. THE COUNTY AGREES TO PROVIDE POLITICAL ADVERSE RISK PROTECTION INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE EVALUATION PROCESS, NONDESCRIPT NATION, PERFORMANCE EVALUATION CRITERIA, CONTRACT TERMINATION, IN ORDER TO AVOID ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES RELATED TO THE COUNTIES SUPERMAJORITY, THE MEMBERS CAN TERMINATE THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT IN THE-- AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. BUT I DON'T READ IN HERE WHERE IT SAYS THAT IF YOU GO OUT AND COMMIT A MURDER AND GET ARRESTED FOR SOMETHING WE CANNOT REMOVE YOU WITH A 3-2 VOTE. OUT AND SEE ANYTHING THAT SAYS THAT. >> OUT BEFORE CALLS TERMINATION. >> FOUR CALLS TERMINATION. THE SUPERMAJORITY IS ONLY REQUIRED WHEN THERE IS NO CALLS FOR TERMINATION. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I GOT THAT RIGHT. THIS IS AN CARTE BLANCHE FOR YOU TO DO WHATEVER YOU WANT. THIS IS IF THE POLITICAL WHIMS WANT TO GET RID OF YOU FOR NO BECAUSE, IT HAS TO BE FOR SUPERMAJORITY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTOOD THAT RIGHT. SO IF YOU GO OUT WEEKEND DUE TO-- YOU CAN DO YOU NEED TO DO TO GET FOR BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT REQUIRE A SUPERMAJORITY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I UNDERSTAND THAT. THE ONLY CHANGE AS FAR AS THAT'S CONCERNED IS IF WE ARE TRYING TO GET RID OF YOU FOR NO BECAUSE. IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING WRONG, IF WE DON'T LIKE YOUR HAIRCUT ANYMORE, BECAUSE YOU HAVE HAIR AND I DO NOT. >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIRMAN. IT WAS MENTIONED YOUR RATE OF 250 PER HOUR IS LESS THAN THE OUTSIDE COUNCIL. WHAT ARE WE PAYING? WHAT'S HE HOURLY RATE FOR OUTSIDE OF COUNCIL? >> RIGHT NOW I THINK THAT CONTRACT IS 2.75 PER HOUR. >> THAT'S LESS THAN WHAT WE PAY TO THE SPECIAL MAGISTRATE. THANK YOU. >> I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW-- WE READ THAT OUT, WHO READ THAT PART OF THE CONTRACT WITH THE CONTRACT AND IT? >> IT WAS ORIGINALLY REVISED FOR THIS CONTRACT. >> MISS WEST WROTE THAT? >> SHE REVISED IT FROM WHAT WAS IN IT. >> REVISED IT. MISS WEST, WHAT DOES POLITICAL MEAN IN THAT? YOU WROTE IT. SO I WAS CURIOUS WHAT IT MEANT. >> I DON'T THINK I REVISE THIS PORTION OF IT. THIS CAME OUT IN THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS CONTRACT. THIS IS NOT THE PORTION I ADVISED. >> THANK YOU. >> I JUST HAD A QUESTION FOR MISS WEST AS WELL. WHEN YOU WERE ASKED ABOUT THE COST, AND WERE NOT ACTING ABOUT A-- TALKING ABOUT A DUI OR MURDER OR SOMETHING, BUT PLEASE CLARIFY. >> THIS IS INTENDED FOR PROFESSIONAL COMPENSATION. SO IF THE REASON FOR THE-- WERE USING DIFFERENT TERMS IN THIS INSTANCE HERE. IF THE REASON FOR THE TERMINATION IS FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN MR. KOMANDO'S COMPETENCY IN THE JOB, IT WOULD REQUIRE A SUPERMAJORITY. IF IT'S RELATED TO HIS COMPETENCY OR SOME LACK THEREOF, WHETHER HE'S DONE SOME TYPE OF MALFEASANCE, THEN IT WOULD STILL BE A SIMPLE MAJORITY. >> COMPETENCY DOES NOT REQUIRE A SUPERMAJORITY. >> CORRECT. >> I JUST WANTED THAT ON THE RECORD. OKAY. THAT WAS VERY CONFUSING. >> PUBLIC COMMENT? ANYTHING ELSE? >> AT THIS TIME WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA NUMBER 9. >> SUSANNE, 620 SHORES BOULEVARD. WHEN THIS TYPE OF CLAUSE WAS PUT IN TO THE ADMINISTRATORS CONTRACT, I FELT LIKE WE WERE [03:35:02] HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. NOW EVEN MORE SO. YOU ALL IN PUBLIC OFFICE, AND THOSE THAT WORK IN HIGH PROFILE STAFF POSITIONS, ARE SCRUTINIZED DAILY. BY PEOPLE WHO-- THEY ARE JUST LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT. THEY DON'T LIKE THE WAY YOU DRESS. THEY DON'T LIKE THE WAY YOU TALK. THEY DON'T THE WAY YOU DO THIS. OR YOU DO THAT. AND THEY THINK THAT THEY HAVE TOTAL CONTROL OVER YOUR LIFE. BECAUSE YOU'VE DECIDED TO PUT YOURSELF BACK-- OUT THERE AND BE A PUBLIC SERVANT, WHETHER ELECTED, OR HIRED. I PERSONALLY WOULD NOT DO ANY OF THESE JOBS ANYMORE. BACK IN THE DAY WHEN I DID DO IT, PEOPLE KNEW THEIR MANNERS. AND THEY KNEW WHEN THEY HAD CROSSED THE LINE. AND THAT CLOCK IS ROLLING. SO I WILL PROBABLY GET FLAK FOR THAT. BECAUSE YOU LIKE ME BETTER THAN SOME OTHER PEOPLE. OKAY? EVEN THOSE THAT GET UP HERE TO THE PODIUM. GETS LAID. BELIEVE ME. SO THIS LANGUAGE NEEDS TO GO IN THERE. AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED, MR. KOMANDO HAS DONE A GOOD JOB FOR US. THERE WAS A LOT OF QUESTIONING ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF TIME HE'D BE ABLE TO PUT IN BECAUSE HE'S PART OF THE LAW FIRM. I HAVE NOT SEEN WHERE THAT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM. HE HAS AN EXCELLENT STAFF. THAT HE HAS WORKING FOR HIM. AND I THINK WE ARE ROLLING ON ALL CYLINDERS HERE. SO LET'S KEEP IT ROLLING. THIS NEXT YEAR IS GOING TO BE BRUTAL. THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME? >> NOT COMING UP HERE TO BASH YOU, I HAVE A LIST OF THINGS. MY ONLY THOUGHT IS THAT IT SEEMS LIKE SEMANTICS. WHY NOT CALL THIS A 3-2 VOTE AND SAY NO COMPETENCY. TAKE THAT COMPETENCY ISSUE OUT OF THERE. AND I FEEL LIKE YOU SHOULD-- MAYBE THAT COULD BE AN AMENDMENT MOVING FORWARD. IF THERE'S EVER A SUPERMAJORITY VOTE, THE SUPERMAJORITY HAS TO APPROVE IT. THERE HAS TO BE SOME REGULATORY BECAUSE, IF YOU ARE VOTING ON A SUPERMAJORITY REMOVAL, YOU STEP SUPERMAJORITY TO FIND THAT BALANCE THERE. NEXT THOUGHT IS HOW MUCH MONEY WE'VE REALLY PAID IN TO THIS-- THAT COULD BE JUST A FOIA REQUEST TO SEE HOW MUCH THE COUNTY HAS PAID. THAT LAW FIRM. I DON'T THINK WERE GETTING BUILT, BUT THAT COULD EASILY BE DISCOVERED, A FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT FILING ON THAT. SO I WOULD HOPE WE COULD TAKE THE SEMANTICS OUT OF IT. BECAUSE HE IS OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY. AND MAYBE WE COULD JUST MAKE THE-- TAKE THAT MAJORITY VOTE OR GET A RULING ON IT. SEE WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE A MAJORITY-- A SUPERMAJORITY TO WORK. TO WHERE THREE PEOPLE CAN VOTE FOR SOMEBODY TO TAKE FOUR PEOPLE TO VOTE. >> THANK YOU. >> IT AFTERNOON, JUDY. JUSTICE IS REALLY IMPORTANT. I THINK WE'VE SEEN A LOT IN OUR NATION WHERE JUSTICE WAS NOT ALWAYS FAIR. WE DID NOT HAVE BALANCED SCALES. AND IT'S IMPORTANT IN OUR COUNTY. WHEN MR. KOMANDO WAS FIRST BROUGHT ON BOARD I REMEMBER THE COMMENT WAS MADE BY SOMEBODY, WHILE HE IS MY FRIEND. AND I DID NOT THINK THAT WAS A GOOD I'D-- A GOOD REASON TO HAVE SOMEBODY UP THERE JUST BECAUSE HE WAS YOUR FRIEND. BUT WE HAVE WATCHED MR. KOMANDO OVER THIS TIME. I THINK HE'S DONE A SUPERIOR JOB. ALWAYS AVAILABLE, ALWAYS ANSWERED THE QUESTIONS. I'VE NOT SEEN ANY GAP. AND NOW WE HAVE A TRACK RECORD. SO I AGREE. I WOULD NOT WANT TO BE IN A POSITION IN PUBLIC RIGHT NOW, POLITICS. I DON'T GET ON WITH POLITICS AT ALL. YOU CAN BE SO MANIPULATIVE AND TAKE FACTS AND TWIST THINGS TO YOUR AGENDA. [03:40:02] AND I DON'T LIKE LIVING IN AGENDA DRIVEN LIFE. I THINK WE NEED TO WORK AS COMMUNITY, LISTEN TO ONE ANOTHER. AND I THINK WE'VE ALL DONE A GOOD JOB TODAY LISTENING TO THE BIOMASS QUESTIONS. AND I THINK THIS IS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN UNITY TOGETHER, SAYING THIS IS THE BEST THING FOR OUR COUNTY RIGHT NOW. MR. KOMANDO IS SERVING US WELL AND I THINK HE'S A FINE MAN AND I THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> CHARLIE HUNT." CREEK ESTATES PICK LET'S TALK ABOUT THE NONPOLITICAL AND POLITICAL ASPECTS OF WHAT'S GOING ON. EARLIER IT WAS NONPOLITICAL IN A SENSE OF GETTING THE BIOHAZARD MASS PROCESS GOING ON. AND WHO IS BEHIND THAT. SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE WAS THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER. WAS THERE ANY CONNECTION TO THE POINT OF TRYING TO ELIMINATED ONE COMMISSIONER TO GET ANOTHER? SOMEBODY ELSE IN AND BE IN THAT ASPECT? I DON'T KNOW. YOU CAN SAY WHAT YOU WANT. I'M A COMMONER. I AM LOOKING AROUND. I SEE WHAT HAPPENS. WHEN YOU DON'T LIKE HIM YOU WANT TO GET RID OF THEM IN AN INDIRECT WAY. THIS IS THE SAME. THIS FALL-- FALLS BACK ONTO IS THIS A PAYBACK FOR HELP ON THE ETHICS ISSUE? OF SANGO WATCH YOUTUBE, YOU WILL BE CLEAR. YES. LET'S LOOK AT ALL THE ASPECTS RIGHT THERE. OF TRYING TO ILLUMINATE OTHER COMMISSIONERS THAT YOU DON'T LIKE BECAUSE THEY CALLED YOU OUT? THIS IS A GREAT ASPECT OF IT. THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS ALIKE TO GET RID OF HIM BECAUSE IT'S 4-1 SITTING UP THERE. IT WAS 4-1. THAT'S WHY IT GOT PUT IN THERE. THIS IS GETTING PUT IN FOR FAVORITISM. FOR LIKABILITY. TO WORK WITH EACH OTHER, AND MAYBE WE CAN GET THE MONEY BECAUSE THE HOUSE SPEAKER, PROBABLY, IS THAT A CONNECTION WE NEED TO SEPARATE SO WE DON'T SEE CONNECTIONS BETWEEN THESE TWO AND IT'S COMING DOWN THE PIPE FOR ST JOHNS COUNTY? AND IF YOU WANT TO SIT UP THERE AND SAY THAT'S THE WAY THE LEFTISTS WOULD DO IT, NOT THE LEFT OR RIGHT SIDE, DEMOCRATS, THEY DO THEIR THING. YOU HAVE DEMOCRATS, YOU HAVE PROGRESSIVE. YOU HAVE THE LEFTIST. REPUBLICANS, CONSERVATIVES. YOU HAVE THE PROUD BOYS. IF YOU'RE DOING THE SAME PROCESS IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU ARE. IT DOES NOT. I WILL TELL YOU WHAT, I HAD TO WORK IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR FOR ALL THESE DECADES, FOR THE TWO DECADES IN THE MILITARY. BUT I STILL HAD TO LIVE IN A PUBLIC ENVIRONMENT, AND ALL THE COUNTRIES I'VE BEEN IN. AND TO SEE THIS IS WHAT I FOUGHT FOR. FAVORITISM. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. WEST CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE. NUMBER 9. COUNTY ATTORNEY. PAGE 1, PARAGRAPH ONE. TODAY IT'S IN JUNE, NOT MAIN. SPELL OUT THE NAME OF LAW FIRMS. INITIAL SHOULD NOT BE USED. WE ARE DEALING WITH A LAW FIRM. QUESTION. YOU KIND OF ANSWERED SOME OF THESE, I'D LIKE TO PUT THAT ON THE RECORD. QUESTION, WHAT SPECIFIC CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE TO ORIGINAL CONTRACT WITH LAW FIRM. 216,000 PROPERTY TAX DOLLARS WILL BE PAID TO THE LAW FIRM. QUESTION HAS THIS AMOUNT INCREASED? QUESTION CAPTURING NEGOTIATION, DID THE CHAIR NEGOTIATE WITH COUNTY ATTORNEY AND/OR LAW FIRM? SINCE WE ARE PAYING THE LAW FIRM? PAGE 4, SECTION 10C. QUESTION, WHO WILL VERIFY CONFLICT OF INTEREST BY THE LAW FIRM AND/OR COUNTY ATTORNEY? IT IS A POLITICAL GAME AND IT WILL ALWAYS BE A POLITICAL GAME. [03:45:10] WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE PEOPLE COME UP WITH SOMETHING TO SAY. AND YOU MAY NOT LIKE IT. YOU MIGHT WANT TO CALL THEM OUT BECAUSE OF A CONFLICT. AND YOU THINK YOU'RE LIKE ME AND YOU'RE NOT LIKE THEM, SO WE WILL GET WHAT WE WANT. IT'S NOT A JOKE. THE MANNERS THAT HAVE BEEN DISPLAYED IN THIS ROOM OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN. 3-2, PRETWO, 4-1. 4-1. IT'S VERY OBVIOUS TO EVERYBODY, WHETHER THEY ARE HEARER WHETHER THEY LISTEN. IT'S MANNERS ON BOTH SIDES. BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION ON THIS ONE, IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO READ THIS AGREEMENT. PAGE 4 SECTION 10C. WHO WILL VERIFY CONFLICT OF INTEREST BY THE LAW FIRM AND/OR COUNTY LAWYER? AND THE QUESTION IS BEING ASKED BECAUSE I REMEMBER-- I HOPE I REMEMBER CORRECTLY. ONE COMMISSIONER WANTED TO GO WITH THIS PERSON WHO WORKS FOR A LAW FIRM BECAUSE THEY CAN GO TO TALLAHASSEE FOR US AND BE A LOBBYIST. AND ANOTHER ONE WAS MR. HUDSON. WE KNOW THAT'S OBVIOUS. PAY ATTENTION. WERE GETTING DOWN TO IT. AND THERE IS THE THIRD ONE. I MUST ADMIT I FORGOT THAT PERSON'S NAME. BUT IT'S ANOTHER GROUP OF PEOPLE. THAT'S ONE REASON YOU WANT TO PUT THIS FIRM. AND I REALLY BELIEVE, PUT THE FIRM'S NAME DOWN. DO NOT USE ADDITIONAL PICTURES NO WAY TO WRITE-- THAT IS NO WAY TO WRITE THAT AGREEMENT. >> ARE THERE ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENTS AT THIS TIME ON THIS AGENDA, ITEM NUMBER 9. SEEING NONE, WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANY COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? GO-AHEAD. >> BECAUSE IT'S BEEN BROUGHT UP, THANK YOU CHAIR FOR RECOGNIZING ME. IT'S BEEN ASKED WHAT IS POLITICAL AND WHAT IS NOT POLITICAL, I'M ONLY SORRY THAT MS. CROSBY HAS LEFT US. I'M GOING TO CITE HER FACEBOOK PAGE AGAIN. ONE DAY AGO HE/SHE POSTED ABOUT THIS AGENDA ITEM SAME CLAY MURPHY IS COLLUDING WITH DEVELOPERS SHE GOES ON TO SAY "ON TUESDAY CLAY MURPHY PLANS TO CUT US OFF AT THE KNEES. HE IS REWRITING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S CONTRACTS OF THE DEVELOPERS REMAINING CONTROL OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY EVEN IF KRISTA JOSEPH AND MARTIN WENT ON AUGUST 18TH. THAT IS PRETTY POLITICAL. AND IT WON'T GIVE ANYBODY REASON TO BE CONCERNED. THERE IS ANOTHER POST. UNDER THE POST, JEFFREY TAYLOR, WAS BECOMING ONE OF MY FAVORITE WARRIORS IS RIPPING INTO THIS IDEA THAT WE COULD EXTEND MR. COMMANDOS CONTRACT. SOMEBODY ASKED JEFFREY TAYLOR IF THE ATTORNEY MAKES A LEGAL FAVOR TO THE DEVELOPER DOES THAT MEAN HE'S INCOMPETENT? JEFFREY TAYLOR APPLIES THAT NO ONE IS SAYING THAT A SIMPLE FAVOR TO THE BELT-- DEVELOPER SIGNALS INCOMPETENCE, WHAT'S HIGHLY UNETHICAL AS A ATTORNEY CONSISTENTLY PRO IT-- PRIORITIZING DEVELOPER PROFITS OVER TAXPAYER PROTECTIONS. I READ THIS KNOWING THAT WE ARE BEING SUED BY FOUR SEPARATE DEVELOPERS FOR DENYING PROJECTS. WE'VE DENIED A LOT MORE THAN FOUR. A LOT MORE THAN FOUR. CONTRARY TO WHAT IS OFTEN WRITTEN ON ST JOHNS COUNTY AND OTHER WEBSITES. MR. KOMANDO HAS NOT AT ONE POINT TOLD ME DO NOT DENY THAT PROJECT, MR. COMMISSIONER, THAT'S MY FRIEND. MR. KOMANDO HAS NEVER ADVISED ME IF YOU DENY THAT WILL BE IN TROUBLE. MR. KOMANDO SAYS I CAN VIGOUROUSLY DEFEND THESE DENIALS. HE DOES HIS JOB AND CALLS BALLS AND STRIKES. HE CITES THE LONGEST CAUTIOUS AND DEFEND ST JOHNS COUNTY. THAT'S BEEN MY EXPERIENCE WITH MR. KOMANDO. BUT THE POLITICAL WINDS ARE BLOWING AND BLOWING HARD. AND A LOT OF COUNTIES, NOT TO ST. JOHN'S ARE GOING TO FORGO MAJORITY SO THAT THERE COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS AND COUNTY ATTORNEYS ARE NOT SUBJECTED TO THESE HARSH POLITICAL WHIMS. IF YOU'RE GOING TO ATTRACT COMPETENT HIGH-LEVEL PROFESSIONALS IN TO THESE JOBS, THEY CANNOT BE SUBJECTED TO POLITICAL WHIMS. SO I'M IN FAVOR OF THE-- OF THAT WHETHER IT'S FOR POLITICAL OR COMPETENCY. YOU HAVE THE TRACK RECORD. YOU WORKED IN MULTIPLE COUNTIES AND MUNICIPALITIES. THE REPUTATION IS REALLY BEYOND REPROACH IF SOMEONE IS EVALUATING YOU OBJECTIVELY, MR. KOMANDO. YOU TOLD ME AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT WITH A COUNTY ATTORNEY. AND I WILL CITE THE LAWN HAVE THE COURAGE TO TELL COMMISSIONERS WHAT YOU HAVE DONE [03:50:01] BEFORE ME. SO THAT'S WHY STAND ON THESE ISSUES. IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR WHAT DOES POLITICAL MEAN, LOOK NO FURTHER THAN FACEBOOK. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER TAYLOR. >> I JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM, I KNOW I ASKED WHO WROTE THIS, CAN YOU GO OVER AGAIN WHO WROTE THE CONTRACT? THE AGREEMENT? >> THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT WAS WRITTEN. >> THIS ONE. >> THIS IS AN AMENDMENT TO THAT CONTRACT. THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT WAS WRITTEN BEFORE EITHER CAME IN. IT WAS WRITTEN WHEN I WAS BEING CONSIDERED FOR THE INTERIM ATTORNEY POSITION. AND THERE WERE AMENDMENTS THAT WERE CHANGED. AS I WAS OFFERED A PERMANENT POSITION. AND WE DISCUSSED A FEW TIMES TODAY THE AMENDMENTS BEFORE YOU TODAY. >> YOU HAD TOLD ME THAT YOU HAD READ PART OF IT. YOU SAID IT WAS YOU, CHAIR MURPHY, AND ALSO KEELY, WHEN I ASKED YESTERDAY WHO WROTE THIS. >> YOU ASKED WHO MADE THE CHANGES. AND I TOLD YOU THAT. >> OKAY. I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT. I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT THE RESIDENTS IN THIS COUNTY DID NOT APPRECIATE WHEN THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WENT TO A 4-1 VOTE. AND THE SAME WAY WITH THIS. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR ABILITIES, AS COUNTY ATTORNEY, NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT. BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE REPRESENT THE RESIDENTS IN THIS COUNTY. THIS IS NOT WHAT THEY WANT. THIS IS NOT WHAT THEY WANT. AND THAT IS ALL. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I APPRECIATE IT. ANYBODY ELSE? >> I WANT TO POINT OUT, WHAT DID I SAY? IS I'M GOING TO FIRE YOU IN THE NEXT TERM? COMMISSIONER WHITEHURST IS OBSESSED WITH NICOLE CROSBY. I'M NOT SURE WHY. I DIRECTED THAT OBSESSION. BUT I MY OWN PERSON AND I REPRESENT THE PEOPLE OUT HERE. AND I'M REALLY LOOK WORKING HARD TO REPRESENT YOU WITH THE BIOSOLIDS AND FREEDOM OF SPEECH, AND WITH THIS CONTRACT. AND I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST YOU, BUT I WILL BE VOTING AGAINST IT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE 401, AND I BIKE THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OPINION ON IT. SORRY. ATTORNEY GENERAL. >> IF IT SEE WILL OF THE COMMISSION TO ASK FOR THE ATTORNEY GENERAL-- >> YOU TOLD ME YES. >> I SAID IT CAN BE DONE. YES. >> AND I HAVE CONSENSUS ON THAT? >> ABSOLUTELY. ABSOLUTELY. >> JUST SAY IF IT'S LEGAL TO DO A 3-2 VOTE TO A 4-1. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S LEGAL. EVERYBODY GOOD ON THAT? >> FAIR QUESTION. >> ABSOLUTELY. >> OKAY., THANK YOU. >> DOES THAT MEAN THIS CAN BE DELAYED? >> NO. WE ARE STILL GOING TO GO FORWARD WITH THIS. DID YOU GET A PERFORMANCE REVIEW LAST YEAR? >> I DID NOT. I GET A PERFORMANCE REVIEW EVERY MEETING I COME TO. BUT BEYOND A FORMAL SIT DOWN AND WRITTEN DOCUMENTS, I DID NOT. >> ALL RIGHT. I SAW SOME COMMENTS THAT I WANTED TO-- FIRST OF ALL, LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION, WHO IS GOING TO VERIFY IF THERE'S A CONFLICT OF INTEREST BETWEEN OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY AND OUR COUNTY? >> ALL ATTORNEYS ARE HELD BY OUR RULES OF ETHICS. WE ALL HAVE TO DISCLOSE ANY PROBLEMS WE HAVE WITH ANY MATTER THAT COMES BEFORE THIS COURT OR ANY INTERACTIONS. WE TAKE AN OATH AS MUCH AS YOU DO. SO WE HAVE TO DISCLOSE ANY CONFLICTS. WE DO NOT CHECK EACH OTHER, SO RIGHTFULLY SO WE DISCLOSE OUR CONFLICTS. >> SO THAT WOULD GO TO THE BAR? >> THERE IS THE FLORIDA BAR MODEL RULES ON ETHICS WE FOLLOWED. IF THERE IS A VIOLATION OF A CONFLICT ISSUE IT WOULD SUBJECT MYSELF OR ANY ATTORNEY TO AGREEMENTS PROCEDURE THROUGH THE FLORIDA BAR. >> OKAY. I'M GOING TO MAKE ONE STATEMENT HERE. I GOT A PHONE CALL YESTERDAY FROM AN ATTORNEY FROM A PROFESSOR. WHO HAS TAUGHT IN THE-- HE'S AN ATTORNEY THAT'S TAUGHT FOR YEARS. SOMEONE VERY WELL RESPECTED. AND HE WANTED TO LET ME KNOW THAT YOU ARE ABOVE REPROACH WITH THE PIERS YOU SERVED WITH ANOTHER COUNTIES. THAT OTHER COUNTIES THINK THAT YOU ARE THE TOP OF YOUR PROFESSION WHEN IT COMES TO GOVERNMENT AS BEING A GOVERNMENT ATTORNEY. HE ALSO SAID YOU ARE A MAN OF HIGH MORAL VALUE. A MAN OF FAITH AND A FAMILY MAN. AND THAT WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE YOU I THINK WAS THE WORD HE USED. WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE YOU. SO WHEN I RAN FOR OFFICE, I [03:55:12] HEARD THE SAME THING. I HEARD YOU WERE IN THE POCKETS OF DEVELOPERS AND I DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANT. I GUESS IT WASN'T AS SUMMATION THAT YOU TAKING BRIBES FOR SOME REASON. I LOOKED AT YOU WITH A VERY SIDE EYE. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE NOT INDEED IN THE POCKET OF DEVELOPERS. SOME OF THE THINGS I'VE COME TO LEARN ON MY OWN LAST YEAR'S WHAT IN THE POCKETS OF DEVELOPERS MEANS NOW TODAY. BASICALLY IT'S THE NEW TERM FOR YOU ARE A RACIST, IT'S BEEN RELEASED-- REPLACED BY "YOU ARE IN THE POCKETS OF DEVELOPERS." THEY ACCUSE ME OF THE SAME THING AND THERE IS ABSOLUTELY-- THEY ARE SAYING I'M TAKING BRIBES AND THAT'S NOT TRUE. SO I TOOK A HARD LOOK AT YOU BACK AND EVERYTHING YOU SAID LAST YEAR AND I HAVE TO SEE. I FOUND THAT YOU WERE NOT ONLY NOT IN THE POCKETS OF DEVELOPERS, IF YOU WILL, BUT THAT YOU ACTUALLY MADE RULINGS THAT WERE IN OPPOSITION TO THE INTEREST OF DEVELOPMENTS. AND IN THE INTEREST OF COUNTY. YOU DID THAT ON MANY OCCASIONS. AND I WAS SURPRISED BY THAT. BECAUSE I EXPECTED YOU TO BE IN THE POCKETS OF DEVELOPERS. AND WHEN I DISCOVERED YOU WEREN'T, YOU WERE GUARDED BY OTHER PIERS AND OTHER PEOPLE IN THIS PROFESSION, I REALIZED... I SAY THAT BECAUSE MY SUPPORT OF U.S. BASED ON WHAT I'VE SEEN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF AND THE JOBS YOU HAVE DONE. THERE IS NO ADVANTAGE OR DISADVANTAGE TO ME PERSONALLY, IT'S JUST THAT YOU'VE DONE AN AMAZING JOB. ONE THING I NOTICED IN MY POSITION IS THAT WE ARE SO BLESSED IN THIS COUNTY TO HAVE THE PEOPLE WE HAVE. SO I IN THAT SPIRITWOOD MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AMENDMENT BETWEEN BRADLEY AND KOMANDO P.A. >> SECOND. >> I HAVE A QUESTION. HOW MANY TIMES AS CHAIR DID I ASK YOU FOR A REVIEW OF MR. SANDERS POSITION. YOU GOT BACK TO ME MAYBE THREE OR FOUR TIMES, SAYING WE DID NOT KNOW HOW WAS GOING TO WORK I JUST WANTED TO CONFIRM THAT. THANK YOU. >> OKAY., WE'VE HAD PEOPLE COME IN. WE HAVE A MOTION AND THAT PASSES 3-2. CONGRATULATIONS. >> I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING [10. Appointment to the Tourist Development Council.] THE WORK. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER-- NUMBER 10. YOU AT THE FLOOR, MA'AM. >> COMMISSIONER, I AM THE SENIOR ASSISTANT TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. AND BRINGING YOU AN ITEM TODAY FOR THE TOURIST OF ELEMENT COUNCIL. THERE IS CURRENTLY ONE VACANCY FOR AN ACCOMMODATION POSITION. AND IT WAS RECOMMENDED FOR WILLIAM ACKLAND TO FILL THAT POSITION. >> ANY COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? >> I HAVE UP-- A MOTION TO APPOINT WILLIAM AUCKLAND TO THE ACCOMMODATION FOR A FOUR YEAR TERM SET TO EXPIRE ON JUNE 2ND 2030. >> I WILL SECOND THAT. WE NEED TO GO TO PUBLIC COMMENT. >> AT THIS TIME WE WILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 10. SEEING NONE WE WILL CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. LET US VOTE. THAT PASSES 5-0. GREAT JOB. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND CONGRATULATIONS TO WILLIAM [Commissioners’ Reports] FOR HIS POSITION. WE WILL GO NOW IMMEDIATELY TO THE COMMISSIONER. MISSIONER ARNOLD. >> THANK YOU MR. CHAIR. I DON'T MUCH TO REPORT OTHER THAN I WAS OUTRAGED BY MISS EILEEN BUTLER WHO RUNS THE CHAIR ISSUES OF HOPE IN THE COMMUNITY OF WEST AUGUSTINE. AND EVERY SUMMER THEY DO A BACK TO SCHOOL DRIVE FOR KIDS FOR THE SHOES. AND HISTORICALLY WE HAVE WAIVED THE RENTAL FEE. AND I WAS HOPING THERE WAS CONSENSUS THAT WE COULD DO THAT AGAIN FOR THIS YEARS BACK TO SCHOOL CHARITY. >> IT SEEMS LIKE YOU HAVE CONSENSUS. >> THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. >> COMMISSIONER JOSEPH? >> TYLER, AND DON'T THINK I'M GOING TO USE THOSE PICTURES UNTIL NEXT TIME. THANK YOU. NO OTHER COMMENT. >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER? >> THANK YOU, CHAIR. I WANTED TO BRING ATTENTION TO THIS LETTER THAT I RECEIVED FROM A MR. AND MRS. SHALL NOT. HE STARTS OFF BY SAYING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN SHAME ON ME. THIS LETTER SHOULD HAVE BEEN WRITTEN A LONG TIME AGO, AND HE GOES ON TO GUSH ABOUT OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT. [04:00:06] HIS WIFE HAS SPECIAL NEEDS. AND OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS NOT ONLY BEEN IMMEDIATELY RESPONSIVE TO THOSE NEEDS, BUT EXTREMELY POLITE. EXTREMELY PROFESSIONAL. AGAIN, I DON'T WANT TO WASTE ANYBODY'S TIME. BUT HE GUSHES FOR THREE PAGES ABOUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE PROFESSIONAL NATURE OF THEIR DEALINGS WITH HIS WIFE. HE ADDS AT THE END OF HIS LETTER. IN ADDITION, THE RECENT RESURFACING OF THE CREEK WAS OF SUPERB QUALITY. NOT BAD. TAKE A BOW MR. CALDWELL. WELL DONE. WELL DONE. THIS IS WRITING. I HAVE WRITTEN EVIDENCE. AND HAVING CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE ALL OVER THIS COUNTY I THINK IT'S AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO SAY I GET COMMENTS LIKE THIS ALL THE TIME. PEOPLE WHO HAVE DEALT WITH OUR GROWTH MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT. PEOPLE WHO HAVE DEALT WITH OUR BUILDING DEPARTMENT. PEOPLE WHO LOOK AT PARKS AND, IT'S ALWAYS THE MOST FUN. SO YOU THINK IT'S EASY TO GET COMPLIMENTS. BUT THEY HAVE A LOT OF HIGH EXPECTATIONS. THOSE WHO USE OUR PARK SERVICES. AND I GET A LOT OF COMPLIMENTS ABOUT PARKS AND DIRECT. MR. CALDWELL, YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB. I WANT YOU TO COME UP SO I CAN HIGHLIGHT SOMETHING ELSE AT PUBLIC WORKS. THAT YOU WERE RECENTLY AWARDED WITH. I WILL SAY THIS. EVERYBODY SCRUTINIZING EVERY PENNY THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS SPENDING, AND THEY SHOULD. IT IS THEIR MONEY. WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR EVERY PENNY WE SPEND. BUT IF YOU'RE LOOKING AT THE LEVEL OF SERVICE, THE QUALITY OF SERVICE, THE QUALITY OF THE HUMAN BEINGS CARRYING OUT THOSE SERVICES, I WOULD PUT OUR COUNTY AGAINST ANY COUNTY IN THE NATION. IF NOT THE OTHER 66 COUNTIES IN THE STATE. THEY ARE DOING A TREMENDOUS JOB. OUR RESIDENTS ARE GETTING VALUE PLUS FOR EVERY PENNY THEY GIVE TO THE COUNTIES IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT. MR. CALDWELL I WANTED TO BRING YOU UP BECAUSE YOUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, ONE OF THE FASTEST WAS RECENTLY AWARDED WITH SOMETHING AND I WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT THAT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ONE THING THAT'S BEEN ADVERTISE THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS IS OUR SAFETY FOR ALL GRANT. WE RECEIVED A GRANT IN VIBRATE 2025 WITH THE PURPOSE OF CREATING A SAFETY ACTION PLAN FOR ST JOHNS COUNTY. FIRST OF ALL ST JOHNS COUNTY IS THE SECOND SAFEST LARGEST COUNTY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WE ARE THRIVED-- STRIVING TO BECOME NUMBER 1, BUT WE ARE THE SECOND SAFEST COUNTY IN THE STATE. AS PART OF THIS GRANT, WE CREATED A TASK FORCE FOR MEETING WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE D.O.T., THE CITY OF ST. AUGUSTINE BEACH, TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO ENHANCE SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. THIS IS A DATA-DRIVEN APPROACH. WERE LOOKING AT THE DATA PROVIDED THROUGH TRAFFIC VOLUMES AND CRASH DATA AND OTHER SOURCES TO COME UP WITH THAT. BUT ALSO PART OF IT IS THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT COMPONENT. THE SCHOOL BOARD ADVERTISE THE SAFE STREETS POSSIBILITY, WHERE PEOPLE CAN ADD COMMENTS, WE'VE RECEIVED 350 COMMENTS, FROM BIKE LANES TO STRIPING TO INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS. THE GOOD THING FOR ME IS THAT A LOT OF THE IMPROVEMENTS ARE UNDERWAY, OR EVEN IN CONSTRUCTION. SO WE'VE IDENTIFIED THESE THINGS THROUGH DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS ALREADY. BUT WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE TO IMPROVE ST JOHNS COUNTY. THE SAFETY ACTION PLAN WILL ALLOW US TO GRANT OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE AFFORDED THROUGH THIS PROCESS. THAT'S ONE OF THE KEY PARTS OF THIS GRANT. IT OPENS UP MORE FUNDING SOURCES TO ST JOHNS COUNTY. >> THANK YOU FOR TALKING ABOUT THAT. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR? I COULD NOT AGREE MORE. I JUST WANTED TO-- HOPEFULLY AT SOME POINT, I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF DISCUSSION WITH PROPERTY TAX AND STUFF LIKE THAT. AND I WAS HOPING FOR SOME TYPE OF AN UPDATE REGARDING OUR BUDGET, WHERE THE PROPERTY TAXES ARE GOING AND THAT. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WILL HAPPEN TODAY OR AT A FUTURE POINT. BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WITH WHAT'S GOING ON IN TALLAHASSEE THIS WEEK. >> YOU ARE SO RIGHT. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO AN UPDATE. THEY ARE COMPLETING THEIR SESSION TOMORROW. SO WE WILL HAVE AN UPDATE. >> MR. CHAIR, I CAN GIVE YOU THE UPDATE NOW. THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES BY VOTE OF 75 TO 26 ADVANCE IRRESOLUTION PRESENTED BY OR PROPOSED BY GOVERNOR DESANTIS. >> OUR GREATEST FEARS HAVE BEEN REALIZED. TWO THINGS, I GOT A LETTER FROM THE STATE SURGEON GENERAL, [04:05:01] JOSEPH. AND WHAT HE WANTED US TO DO AS A BOARD IS TO HAVE CONSENSUS. FROM THE ST JOHNS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ON THE APPOINTMENT OF PLAN A SAMPLE THE ADMINISTRATOR. DO WE NEED CONSENSUS OR DO WE NEED TO DO A VOTE? CONSENSUS OR A VOTE? OKAY. DO WE HAVE CONSENSUS TO SEND BACK A LETTER TO THE FIRM? FANTASTIC. THANK YOU SO MUCH. MICHELIN CAME OUT WITH THEIR HONOUREES FOR FOOD AND THEY DID A SPECIAL FLORIDA ANNOUNCEMENT THIS YEAR. WE ARE ABSOLUTELY BUT THE RECOMMENDED RESTAURANT FOR ST JOHNS COUNTY IS THE NOODLES BAR MENTIONED ON THE MICHELIN. AS RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS. ALSO IN THE DORMONT CATEGORY, BREAKFAST WAS ALSO MENTIONED. AND I WANTED TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THEM. [County Administrator’s Report] AND WE ARE PROUD OF THEM AND HOW THEY REPRESENT FOOD. THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT. AND WE GO TO OUR COUNTY MINISTER. >> WE HAD PLAN FOR TOW UPDATES AND DISCUSSION. ON ONE OF THEM WAS COMMISSIONER TAYLOR'S REQUEST REGARDING THE OVERVIEW OF THE BUDGET. THE OTHER TOPIC WAS THE USAGE OF THE COUNTY OWNING THE LAND RIGHT NEXT TO THE CENTER FOR A FUTURE RESCUE TRAINING FACILITY. WHICHEVER 11 YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ON FIRST, SO WE CAN START THE PRESENTATION. CHAIR? >> LET'S TAKE ON THE EGG FIRST. GO ON DAN. YOU WORE YOUR JACKET JUST FOR THIS. >> WHILE HE IS WALKING UP I WILL CONTEXTUALIZE THE CONVERSATION. THE STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR A FEW YEARS. WE HAVE RECEIVED A 7.5 ALLOCATION FROM THE STATE. DURING THAT PROCESS, WE'VE BEEN DOING A LOT OF WORK. AND WE CAN GO INTO THE DETAIL OF SELECTING A FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE LOCATION THAT ACHES LOGICAL SENSE. AND SO THIS LOCATION IS RIGHT NEXT TO THE EGG CENTER RIGHT BEHIND THE EEOC COMMAND CENTER. AND RECENTLY, WE RECEIVED SOME FEEDBACK FROM OUR AGORA COMMUNITY SPECIFICALLY MR. BILL HAMILTON AND JEFF BROWNING. THEY HAD REQUESTED A COUPLE MEETINGS WITH THE CHAIR AND THE STAFF. AND AS A RESULT OF A RECENT CONVERSATION BY THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE THERE WAS SOME DESIRE FOR SOME CONVERSATION RELATED TO THE REASONABILITY OF USING THAT SITE. >> CHAIR, DAN WOODCRAFT WITH FACILITIES MANAGEMENT. THIS SHOULD NOT BE ON THE PRESENTATION. WHAT I REALLY WANTED TO TALK ABOUT WAS THE PROCESS OF WHERE WE ENDED UP WITH THE PROPOSED FIRE RESCUE TRAINING CENTER. WE WILL TALK REAL QUICK ABOUT THE SUMMARY, THE SITE SELECTION AND THE STATUS. JUST A LITTLE TIMELINE, THE COUNTY RECEIVED 75 MILLION IN-STATE GRANT. WE ENTERED IN TO A AGREEMENT WITH A DESIGN FIRM DECEMBER 2025. THIS IS SIGNIFICANT BECAUSE PER GRANT LANGUAGE WE NEEDED TO BE IN AGREEMENT WITH THE DESIGN FIRM BY JANUARY 31ST, 2026. WE MET THAT DEADLINE. WE HAVE CURRENTLY ENCUMBERED $300,000 OF THAT 7.5 MILLION. AND THE REASON WE ARE HERE TODAY IS TO TALK ABOUT THE DUCCIO LEGENDS THAT WENT INTO THE SITE SELECTION. SO WE DID NOT PICK JUST THE DRIVE LOCATION. WE LOOK AT FIVE LOCATIONS AND ALL. WE LOOKED AT TURN BILL OFF OF 16TH. ALL OF THESE OUTSIDE THE EGG CENTER DRIVE HAD SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES TO THEM. TURNBULL INFRASTRUCTURE COST. THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF COST ASSOCIATED TO THAT. KEEP IN MIND, THE OBJECTIVE IS TO MAXIMIZE THAT 7.5 MILLION. WE DON'T KNOW IF OR WHEN WE WILL GET ADDITIONAL FUNDING. SO THE OVERALL OBJECTIVE IS AGAIN TO MAXIMIZE THE DOLLARS THAT WE RECEIVED. F CTC. MANY CONVERSATIONS WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD. NONE OF WHICH MATERIALIZED INTO ANYTHING WE COULD USE. [04:10:09] MACE. PREVIOUS USE OF THAT PROPERTY. THERE ARE WELL FIELDS ON THAT PROPERTY. PALACE ON THAT PROPERTY, AND AS YOU MIGHT KNOW THERE IS A PROJECT CURRENTLY UNDERWAY ON THAT LOCATION AS WELL. AND BIG OAK ROAD AIRPORT AUTHORITY. WETLANDS WERE ISSUE. INFRASTRUCTURE COST WAS AN ISSUE. AND THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY ALSO WAS GOING TO HAVE TO BE FLESHED OUT. SO WE DECIDED TO WALK AWAY FROM THAT. SO THAT BROUGHT US BACK TO THE EGG CENTER DRIVE. SOMEWHAT SERENDIPITOUS. THAT WE ENDED UP THERE. IF YOU NOTICE, THIS IS THIS LOCATION, THIS IS WHERE THE SHERIFF AS THEY ARE TRAINING JUST TO THE NORTH OF THAT. WE HAVE THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER. AND CONTINUOUS TO THAT IS WHERE WE PLAN TO PUT THE FUTURE FIRE RESCUE TRAINS IN. SO, WHAT IS OUR CURRENT STATUS? THIS IS THE CURRENT FIRE TRAINING SITE. SAMS PIT. AND THE CHIEF CAN TALK MORE ABOUT THAT. WE ARE CURRENTLY DECOMMISSIONING THE SITE. BUT YOU CAN SEE THE CONDITION OF WHERE THE FIREFIGHTERS ARE DOING THEIR TRAINING. THIS IS WHAT IS PROPOSED FOR THE MASTER PLAN FOR THE EGG CENTER SITE. YOU CAN SEE DOWN IN THE BOTTOM. THAT IS JUST FOR POINT OF REFERENCE. THAT IS THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER. OFF TO THE RIGHT IS THE EXISTING AGRICULTURAL CENTER BUILDING. AND BACK TO THE LEFT IS THE PROPOSED MASTER PLAN. WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET ALL OF THIS FOR 7.5 MILLION. BUT WE WILL BE READY TO GO ONCE IF AND WHEN ADDITIONAL FUNDING COMES ABOUT, WE WILL BE SHOVEL READY AND READY TO GO. SO, WITH THAT, ANY QUESTIONS? >> YES, WITH THE AVAILABLE FUNDS, WOULD YOU BE FACING THIS IN? AND WHERE WOULD YOU START? WOULD YOU START TO THE WESTERLY EAST? >> WE WILL START TO THE EAST. I'M SORRY. >> TO THE LEFT OR THE RIGHT? >> WE ARE GOING TO START TO THE RIGHT. I'M SORRY. YES. >> ARE YOU ABLE TO USE THAT? >> DO WE HAVE THE POINTER? OH WAIT, THAT IS RIGHT. THIS ONE. THERE WE GO. WE ARE GOING TO START IN THIS LOCATION RIGHT HERE. >> THAT IS CLEAR AS MUD. >> THERE YOU GO. [LAUGHTER] >> THIS IS MY FIRST TIME USING THIS THING. >> WHERE IS JOHN MADDEN WHEN YOU NEED HIM. >> HOW ABOUT HERE? THIS LOCATION RIGHT HERE. >> ANY QUESTIONS TO THE BOARD? OKAY. IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD? >> JUST A FEW THINGS. FOR THE SAKE OF TIME. OUT OF THINK ANYONE APPEARER UP THEY ARE, WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT IT, THE INABILITY TO EFFECTIVELY TRAIN WITHOUT A DEDICATED PERMITTED SITE. WE'VE HAD THESE DISCUSSIONS INDIVIDUALLY. I DON'T THINK THE NEED IN QUESTION IS THERE. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT HISTORY OF TRAINING AND HOW WE'VE HAD TO DO IT, MANDATES WE'VE HAD TO PUT ON THIS THING SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE, SINCE IT'S INCEPTION IN 1998, WE'VE NOT HAD A DEDICATED FACILITY TO THIS POINT IN TIME. IT'S THE SIZE OF OUR DEPARTMENT. THE FULL-TIME FTES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS DEPARTMENT WILL BE DONE, 22 STATIONS MADE ONLINE. THIS IS THE NECESSITY. SO I WILL SPARE THE HISTORY OF THE TRAINING SITES UNLESS YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ON THEM. MY BIG THING IS THE LOCATION. AS DAN SHOWED MY WE LOOKED AT THESE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS AROUND THE COUNTY. I FEEL THE MOST EFFICIENT USE OF THE MONEY IS HERE, LAND LOCATION, IT'S PRETTY CENTRAL TO THE COUNTY. [04:15:07] WITH EVERYTHING DOWN TO THE EAST COAST AND THE RIVER. ACCESS TO 95 IS CLOSE, TRAVEL TIME WILL BE REDUCED, IT REDUCES THE NUMBER OF YOU-- UNITS OUT OF THE ZONE FOR A LENGTH OF TIME. MILEAGE AND FUEL COST IT GETS EVERYBODY TO THE CENTRAL LOCATION. IT ALSO CONTINUES WITH THE FACILITIES OUT THERE IN THIS PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX SET OUT THERE. THE LONG-TERM 10-YEAR ON THIS SHOWS FIRE HEADQUARTERS SITE. WE'VE OUTGROWN OUR CURRENT BUILDING. SELECT SOMETHING WE'LL HAVE TO LOOK AT. THIS WOULD MAKE ONE CENTRAL LOCATION FOR EMERGENCY SERVICE, PSE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, STORM PREP, STORM RESPONSE, INT, IT'S A PERFECT SET UP FOR ALL THE ENTITIES INVOLVED IN THIS. SO MY RESPONSIBILITY AS A CHIEF IS TO ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC AND VISITORS OF THIS COUNTY GET THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF CARE FOR EVERY PURCHASE THEY FACE. THAT'S GETTING HARDER TO DO, DUE TO THE FACT I CAN'T GET THE CONSISTENCY IN TRAINING BECAUSE% WE DON'T HAVE A PLACE TO DO IT ANYMORE. WE'VE OUTGROWN OUR OPTIONS THAT WE USED BAND-AIDS ON THROUGH THIS WHOLE PROCESS. LIKE DAN SAID, SINCE PIT IS BEING DECOMMISSIONED, THAT SITE WAS A TEMPORARY SITE DUE TO F CTC NOT REALLY WORKING OUT FOR US ANYMORE. SO THE ONLY TWO PLACES THAT WE'VE EVER BEEN ABLE TO DO LIVE BURN FIRE TRAINING IS F CTC. F CTC WAS GOOD WHEN WE WERE A SMALLER DEPARTMENT BUT DID IMPACTOR OPERATION VERY MUCH. AS OUR DEPARTMENT HAS GROWN, AS OUR FIRE PROGRAM HAS GROWN, THE ABILITY TO GET OUT THERE IS SLIM TO NONE TO DO ANY LIVE FIRE TRAINING. IN ADDITION THERE IS A COST ASSOCIATED WITH IT FOR US. ABOUT $95 PER HOUR ROUGHLY THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO USE AT FACILITY. THAT LED TO RELATIONSHIPS WITH PUBLIC WORKS. THAT WAS ALWAYS A TEMPORARY LOCATION DUE TO THE FACT THAT THAT'S NOT WHERE THE 312 EXTENSION CUTS THROUGH. SO NOW IT'S IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR ROADWAY THAT'S GOING THROUGH THERE. YOU SAW THE SITE. IT'S NOT CONDUCIVE. IT'S MUDDY, WET. BUT IT WORKED. IT GAVE US LIVE FIRE TRAINING. THIS IS PART OF THE EXPANSION WITH THE HIRING. WE HAVE TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO TRAIN THESE GROUPS AND PUT THEM IN THE SCENARIOS SO THEY CAN DEAL WITH THE EMERGENCY STABLE FACE WITH EVERY DAY. HAVING A DEDICATED SITE GIVES US CONSISTENCY IN TRAINING, THE ABILITY TO CONTROL OUR OWN SITE, USE IT HOW AND WHEN WE WANT. SO THIS LOCATION, THIS PROJECT, I BELIEVE IT'S THE BEST USE OF THE SEVEN —-DASH MILLION THE STATE HAS GIVEN US. I BELIEVE THAT'S A RESPONSIBLE USE OF THOSE FUNDS. NO COST TO BUY LAND. SO WE WILL GET BOOTS ON THE GROUND, TRAINING, HOPEFULLY IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS WILL HAVE AN IDEA OF HOW FAR WE CAN GET WITH THAT SEVEN AND A HALF. I WOULD ANTICIPATE THAT WE WOULD GET BOOTS ON THE GROUND TRAINING ABILITY IN THIS PHASE ONE. SO LIKE DAN SAID, IT'S BND COMMISSION BUT IT'S BEING MOVED TO THE SITE. THE PROCESS HAS BEGUN. OUR FEES ARE OUT TO BEGIN REMOVING THOSE AND REASSEMBLING THOSE OUT THERE. THAT SHOULD BE THE PROCESS WITHIN A MONTH OR SO. THE BALL IS ROLLING ON THIS. ANYTHING THAT WOULD STOP IT OR SLOW IT DOWN IS JUST DETRIMENTAL TO THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AS A WHOLE. SO I'D BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT. >> I AM 100% ON YOUR SIDE FOR THIS. EVERYTHING YOU SAID WAS FANTASTIC. THERE IS ONE THING OUT THERE THAT'S AWESOME. AND IT'S THE HONEY. MAKE SURE YOU GET SOME OF THE HONEY FROM THE EGG CENTER. THANKS. >> ANYONE ELSE HAVE COMMENTS? OKAY. WHAT DO YOU NEED. >> I KNOW THIS IS KIND OF AN UPDATE, AND NO PUBLIC COMMENTS REQUIRED. I DO SEE MR. JIM BROWNING IS HERE. AND WE'VE HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS WITH HIM AND I APPRECIATE THE HISTORICAL AND INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE HE BRINGS TO THE COUNTY RELATED TO THIS. SO MAYBE, AND IT'S UP TO YOU GUYS, I WOULD LIKE TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REAFFIRM THE BOARDS-- EVERY INDIVIDUAL, AND THE SAPP'S COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT THIS COMMUNITY, AS YOU HAVE SHOWCASED OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM MR. BROWNING ON THIS CASE, BECAUSE I THINK THAT THAT WOULD BRING VALUE TO THIS CONVERSATION. >> JIM, IF YOU HAVE A MINUTE I WOULD LOVE TO KIND OF HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOU ABOUT THIS. BECAUSE WE TALKED ABOUT IT, AND I CAN UNDERSTAND YOUR FEELINGS. I THINK IT WOULD HELP IF YOU [04:20:03] WOULD COME UP AND GIVE US SOME BACKGROUND. AND LET ME PREFACE THIS CONVERSATION. WITH GOING TO THE COMMITTEE MEETING AND LISTENING TO THE CONCERNS OF THE FARMERS. AS PEOPLE WHO ARE VOTED IN TO MAKE THESE KINDS OF DECISIONS, THEY ARE VERY SELDOM EASY. BUT ONE THING I WANTED TO DO IS COMMIT YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT WE-- THAT WE-- THAT I HEARD YOU WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THE DIRECTION OF EGG IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND WE AS A BOARD, I WILL SPEAK FOR THE BOARD REAL QUICK. THAT WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE THAT WE WILL HELP THE CENTER AND THOSE RESPONSIVE TO THAT COMMUNITY IN A WAY IT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. SO WITH THAT I WOULD LOVE TO PICK YOUR BRAIN. >> JIM BROWNING, 148. I GUESS I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE GRAY HAIR BACK THEN. BUT IN 1983, I WAS HONORED AND PRIVILEGED TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AS COCHAIRMAN OF THE EGG CENTER. AND GETTING THE AG CENTER DEVELOPED. AND HE DIED DURING THAT PROCESS. IT WAS A FIVE-YEAR PROCESS THAT WE FINALLY GOT TO THE STAGE OF BUILDING. AND THE HISTORY IS THAT MR. CHARLES' WHOLE INTENT WAS IN THE CENTRAL PARK, THE HIGH COMMISSIONER'S CENTRAL PART OF THE COUNTY, TO PUT A FACILITY THAT WOULD ACCENTUATE THE PROCESSES AND NEEDS OF THE AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY, OR A COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE, BECAUSE THERE ARE THINGS THAT THE PROPERTY OF EXTENSION SERVICE DOES OTHER THAN AG. THEY DO HOMEMAKERS, THEY DO THE MASTER GARDENER PROGRAM, ONE OF THE BEST THAT'S EVER BEEN THERE. SO THIS FACILITY DONATED THE FIRST 20 ACRES. WHEN WE REVIEWED THE LANGUAGE THE OTHER DAY IN THE DEED IT TALKED ABOUT ERRORS AND SURVIVORS. THE SECOND DEED DID NOT, AND I'VE TALKED ABOUT THAT. THERE IS SURVIVOR LANGUAGE IN THE ESTATE TO WHERE THEY STEED IN THEORY SHOULD BE HONORED. IT'S THE FOURTH TIME NOW THAT SOMEBODY IN THE COUNTY HAS COME TRYING TO UTILIZE THE LAND. THEY WANTED TO PUT A DOG PARK, IT WAS TURNED BACK BECAUSE IT WAS NOT AN AGRICULTURAL FOCUS. BIT EFC BUILDING,-- EEOC BUILDING. THERE WAS MUCH CONSTERNATION ABOUT THAT GOING THERE. AND THAT WAS TURNED BACK. THAT WAS FROM A VERY CONTENTIOUS MEETING WITH ONE OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. THE LONG-TERM USE OF THIS LAND, EVEN THOUGH IT'S BEEN OVERLY UTILIZED IS STILL TO ACCENTUATE THE NEEDS AND DESIRES AND WANTS OF THE COUNTY CITIZENS FOR THIS. IT'S GREEN SPACE, THERE IS A PLACE OUT THERE FOR ARCHERY. IT CAME UP THAT THE PINE TREES OR THERE. THEY WERE THERE BECAUSE OF A DEMONSTRATION. SO WHAT COULD BE DONE WITH FORESTRY. IN NO WAY AM I SAYING THIS IS WHAT FIRE PEOPLE WANT TO DO. BUT I'M JUST SAYING IS THIS HONORABLE FOR SOMEBODY TO DEEM PROPERTY-- PROPERTY TO THE COUNTY WITH AN AGRICULTURAL NEED AND HAVE IT ENCROACHED ON JUST BECAUSE IT DOESN'T COST A THING TO MOVE THERE. AND I UNDERSTAND THE EFFICIENCIES OF THAT. THERE IS LAND TO THE SOUTH OF THIS THAT CAN BE PURCHASED. SO THE STRENGTH OF WHAT WE DID WHEN WE DID IT ORIGINALLY WAS WE GAVE THE 20 ACRES OF LAND, AND FROM THERE WE WERE ABLE TO GO TO THE STATE AND WE WENT THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF AG. AND WE DEVELOPED A CONCEPT. AND FOR THREE YEARS WE ASKED FOR A $100,000 GRANT. AND IN THREE YEARS IT WAS TURNED DOWN. UNTHINKING THE THIRD YEAR THAT WAS VETOED FOR 100,000. THE NEXT YEAR WE WENT BACK AGAIN AND WE GOT 100,000. WHICH WAS A GREAT WAY FOR US TO LEVERAGE THE FACT THAT IT WAS DONATED LAND. IF YOU GO TO THE LEGISLATURE NOW, YOU ALMOST HAVE TO HAVE SOME MATCH THERE. SO WE HAD A MATCH AND THE NEXT YEAR OUT OF THE BLUE THEY CALLED ME AND SAID DO YOU WANT TO ADD ANOTHER 180,000? 208,000. AND MISUSING THAT DURING THAT TIME PERIOD HAD EXTENDED ANOTHER [04:25:04] 20 ACRES. SO WE HAD THE 40 ACRES WHERE WE WOULD DO SOME OF THE TIMBER WORK AND SOME OF THAT. SO AT THAT POINT, THE COUNTY HAD TO GO, WHERE WE GOT THE MONEY TO BUILD THIS THING? SO IN A MEETING LIKE THIS, I WAS ON BOARD COMMISSION, AND HARRY AT THAT TIME, CALLED THE MEETING AND GOES LET'S GO BACK HERE AND TALK TO HARRY HENDRICKS, WHO WAS THE CFO IN THE COUNTY. FINANCIAL DIRECTOR AT THAT TIME. AND HE SAID THAT HENRY NEEDS $1 MILLION TO BUILD THIS BUILDING. SO HENRY IS BACK ON THE LEDGER SYSTEM FLIPPING PAGES. AND HENRY GOES HERE IT IS. AND IT WAS FOR UNUSED OR CARRYOVER FUNDS FROM THE PRIOR YEAR. SO WE WENT TO BED AND WE CAME IN-- IT CAME IN HIGHER THAN WE THOUGHT, WE REJECTED IT AND CAME BACK AND WE GOT IT. AT A PRICE THAT WE WANTED TO DO. PART OF THE REASON THAT WE WERE INTERESTED IN THIS AS IT GAVE THEM THE ABILITY TO BE A REGIONAL FACILITY. OUR OFFICES THERE THAT WOULD HOUSE THE MARINE SCIENCE PEOPLE. THAT AT THE TIME WAS VERY BIG. VERY, VERY BIG PROGRAM. ANY REGIONAL AT THAT TIME, I WAS LOOKING TO CONSTRICT THE NUMBER OF AGENTS. AND MAKE THEM MULTICOUNTY AGENTS VERSUS SINGLE AGENTS. AND THAT BASICALLY MAKES THIS THE ABILITY TO BE A HUB. ONCE WE GOT THE APPROVAL AND GOT IT BUILT, THEN WE WENT TO A PLAN, AND THERE WAS A PLANNED DEVELOPED FOR THE WHOLE 48 ACRES. SO ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT SERVICING NOT ONLY THE DISCIPLINES, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS WE KNEW WAS THAT THERE WOULD EVENTUALLY BE ENOUGH PEOPLE. IN THE PERIMETER. WE WOULD PUT IN AN EXERCISE FACILITY, WHERE YOU ARE WALKING, WHERE YOU HAD X NUMBER OF STATIONS FOR EXERCISE SUCH AS THAT. THE WIND MITIGATION BUILDING HERE WE RECEIVED ONLY 1 OF 4 COUNTIES IN THE STATE THAT GOT THAT WIND MITIGATION BUILDING FROM INSURANCE FEES. SO WE WERE ABLE TO BUILD THAT WITH THE FUNDS. AND THE PLAN WAS, AND IF YOU'VE BEEN OVER IN THIS AREA SOME, THEIR DEMONSTRATIONS OF PEOPLE THAT WOULD HAVE GARDENS AND MASTER GARDENERS, THEY DID A LOT OF WORK IN THAT AREA. BACK ON THE BACK. AND I'M JUST BEING VERY BROAD, THAT'S WHERE THE TIMBER WAS PLANTED. IN ST JOHNS COUNTY WE HAVE THE WINNING FORESTRY CLUB. OUR WINNING FORESTRY TEAM. SO SOME OF THAT WAS THE FACT THAT WE HAD SOME ABILITY TO TRAIN PEOPLE. ESPECIALLY NOW, WITH WILDFIRES SUCH AS THAT. THERE IS A NEED TO ACTUALLY SHOW HOW TO UNDERBRUSH STUFF LIKE THAT. IN THE CENTER PART, WE TALKED ABOUT A COUPLE THINGS. AN OPEN PAVILION WHERE YOU CAN DO TRAININGS LIKE MASTER GARDENER, SUCH AS THAT. OR ANY MULTICOUNTY THING. BUT BASICALLY WERE CITIZENS OF ST JOHNS COUNTY COULD COME AND DISCUSS FARMERS' MARKETS, DISCUSS A LOT OF THINGS. TEND ANOTHER BUILDING AREA WAS THIS AREA HERE. WHICH WE WANTED TO PUT AN ACTUAL EDUCATIONAL TYPE CENTER WHERE TRAININGS AND SUCH OF THAT COULD GO ON. SO MAYBE DO TO SOME LEADERSHIP ISSUES, WITH THE COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE, THE FACILITY IS STILL THERE TO HOLD AND PROTECT THE... AND WE CAN GO WITH HARSH WORDS AND LEGAL STUFF AND DEEDS, STUFF LIKE THAT. BUT IN THE END, THE INTENT OF THIS LAND WAS FOR AGRICULTURE. AND FOR TRAINING PEOPLE. USING THE VARIOUS DISCIPLINES OF THE EXTENSION SERVICE TO DO THAT. SO LONG-TERM, THE LAND SHOULD STAY WHERE IT IS. I AM A BIG PROPONENT OF THE BETTER THAT WE CAN GET ISO RATES DOWN FOR HOMEOWNERS, THAT IS GREAT. BUT YOU CAN TRAIN PEOPLE FOR THAT STUFF THAT HAD TO BE SPECIFIC TO THIS SITE. THIS SITE WAS GIVEN FOR ONE REASON. AND THAT REASON WAS TO HELP PROMOTE AGRICULTURE. [04:30:02] AND YOU ARE ALL MAKING SOME GREAT STRIDES IN THE AG COMMITTEE MEETING. I WENT TO THE FIRST AG COMMITTEE MEETING. AND YOU ARE ALL MAKING GREAT STRIDES. THE FARMERS ARE UNDER ATTACK EVERY DAY. I DEAL WITH FARMERS EVERY DAY IN MY BUSINESS. AND THEY ARE JUST GETTING TIGHTER AND TIGHTER AND TIGHTER. DOWN IN ALABAMA AND MINNESOTA, WHEN I GOT OUT OF COLLEGE. MY DEGREE IS IN AG. SO I UNDERSTAND IT. I JUST FEEL LIKE THIS NEEDS TO BE TURNED BACK. AND WITH THE NEW POSITION THAT WE HAVE NOW, WITH PERCEIVED FLETCHER, I THINK THAT SHE CAN BE THE PIVOT POINT OF THE LEADER FOR THAT. AND QUEEN TO GET EVERYONE ON BOARD AND MONITOR IT SOME AND MOVE FORWARD. THE NEXT TEN TO 15 YEARS, AS THE POPULATION GROWS AND IT WILL CONTINUE TO SUFFER PRESSURE FROM GROWTH AND THIS IS OUR CENTRAL PARK. IT WILL BE A DARK SPOT IN A LIGHTED AREA AT NIGHT AND IT WILL BE A GREEN SPOT FOR PEOPLE TO USE AND COME TO WITH GREEN SPACE. THE 4H DOES ARCHERY WORK THERE AND AGAIN THIS IS NOTHING AGAINST THE FIRE SAFETY PEOPLE, AS MUCH AS OUR COOPERATIVE EXTENSION DIRECTOR SHOULD HAVE COMMON TOLD THE ADVISORY BOARD BECAUSE THERE IS AN ADVISORY BOARD AND WHAT'S GOING ON -- ISSUES IN THE PAST. >> AND I SERVED PROBABLY 30 YEARS, PROBABLY 25 YEARS AS CHAIRMAN OF IT SO I KNOW WITH THE INTENT WAS AND WE NEED TO PRESERVE THE INTENT. ANY QUESTIONS, I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER. >> THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE YOU COMING OUT. WHAT WAS THE NEXT ITEM? BUDGET? DO WE REALLY HAVE TO DO THAT TODAY? [LAUGHTER] JUST KIDDING, COME ON UP. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS, WAYNE, DIRECTOR FOR THE OFFICE MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. SEVERAL MEETINGS AGO THE COMMISSION HAD ASKED FOR SOME INFORMATION TO BE PUT OUT RELATED TO THE BUDGET AND THE BREAKDOWN OF THE BUDGET. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH PUBLIC AFFAIRS TO GET SOMETHING TO PUT ONLINE AND THAT IS YET TO MATERIALIZE AND AS COMMISSIONER TAYLOR MENTIONED, WITH THE SPECIAL SESSION ON PROPERTY TAX REFORM, TIME IS OF THE ATHENS REALLY -- ESSENCE REALLY. I WILL GO THROUGH A COUPLE OF SLIDES ON THE BUDGET TO KEEP IT REALLY HIGH-LEVEL, SOMEWHAT SIMPLE AND THEN I WILL GO THROUGH AT LEAST WHAT WE KNOW AS OF RIGHT NOW ON PROPERTY TAX REFORM. THERE'S NOT A WHOLE LOT OF DETAILED INFORMATION OUT THERE AND THERE HAS BEEN SOME AMENDMENTS. I TRIED TO CAPTURE THE AMENDMENTS AS OF YESTERDAY IF THEY HAD ANY ADDITIONAL TODAY, THEY WILL NOT BE PART OF THIS PRESENTATION. GETTING INTO THE BUDGET, TAKING A LOOK AT PROPERTY TAXES SO FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, THE COUNTY HAD ABOUT 400 MILLION IN PROPERTY TAX REVENUES AND THIS REALLY IS A BREAKDOWN OF WHERE THOSE PROPERTY TAXES ARE GOING SO GOING IN ORDER HERE, 30% IS GOING TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT, BAILIFFS AND JAIL OPERATIONS AND ANOTHER 27% GOES TOWARDS FIRE RESCUE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES INCLUDING COMMUNICATIONS AND OTHER PUBLIC SAFETY SO JUST LOOKING AT THOSE TWO PIECES ALONE, MORE THAN HALF, 57% OF YOUR PROPERTY TAXES ARE GOING TOWARDS PUBLIC SAFETY. THE THIRD ITEM, ROADS AND TRANSPORTATION, WE HAVE A DEDICATED TRANSPORTATION AT 13% OF YOUR OVERALL PROPERTY TAXES GOING TOWARDS THE MAINTENANCE, THE IMPROVEMENTS AND THE EFFICIENT TRAFFIC OPERATIONS THERE. I WILL JUMP DOWN TO THE BOTTOM REALLY QUICK. THE TOP THREE, AS FAR AS WE KNOW RIGHT NOW AND ARE WHAT WOULD BE INCLUDED IN PROPERTY TAX REFORM. AN ADDITION YESTERDAY ON THE BOTTOM IS CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS SO 4% GOES TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICES, THE PROPERTY TAX COLLECTOR AND SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS. INITIALLY PROPERTY TAX REFORM [04:35:03] INITIALLY PROPOSED DID NOT INCLUDE THOSE AS AN ALLOWABLE USE OF PROPERTY TAXES AND I ASSUME THAT'S WHAT WE'LL WAS VOTED ON AND APPROVED TODAY AND INCORPORATED, BE ADDITIONAL USE. THE OTHER AREAS AGAIN ARE NOT ALLOWABLE USES MOVING FORWARD, WHAT IS PROPOSED ON THE BALLOT IN THOSE INCLUDE, AND THIS IS WHERE OUR PROPERTY TAXES HAVE BEEN GOING, 7% TO PARKS AND RECREATION AND LIBRARIES AND 7% TOWARDS COUNTY BUILDINGS AND TECHNOLOGY. THAT IS THE MAINTENANCE OF OUR CURRENT BUILDINGS AND OUR TECHNOLOGY INFRASTRUCTURE. 5% TO GENERAL GOVERNMENT, THAT IS YOUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, YOU BCC, YOUR HR, LEGAL SERVICES AND OTHER SUPPORT FUNCTIONS THAT SUPPORT THE OTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS. AND THEN THE FOUR TOWARDS ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT. HOUSING PROGRAMS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, HOUSING PROGRAMS AND VETERAN SERVICES AND THEN FINALLY 3% TOWARDS HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND THOSE ARE YOUR SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAMS AND YOUR PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS. AGAIN WE HAVE A DEDICATED MILLAGE FOR THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT SO THAT IS WHERE THOSE REVENUES WOULD GO AND I'M NOT SURE WHERE THAT WOULD FALL UNDER PROPERTY TAX REFORM BECAUSE THAT'S NOT CURRENTLY AN ALLOWABLE USE OF PROPERTY TAXES SO WE WILL HAVE TO NAVIGATE AS WE GET MORE DETAILS. AGAIN, THIS IS AN ALLOCATION OF THE 400 MILLION IN PROPERTY TAXES THAT WE RECEIVED FOR FISCAL YEAR '26, THE AREAS WHERE THE TAXES ARE APPLIED TO. I WILL SWITCH TO LOOK AT THE OVERALL COUNTY BUDGET. AND I WILL -- OVERALL, THE GREEN, SHADED AREAS ARE WHAT WE WOULD CALL RESTRICTED. YOU HAVE RESTRICTED ENTERPRISE FUNDS, YOUR SOLID WASTE AND UTILITY FUNDS AND PROPERTY TAXES ARE NOT GOING TO THOSE FUNDS AND VICE VERSA, THOSE FUNDS ARE RESTRICTED FOR THE UTILITY SERVICES. WE HAVE RESTRICTED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT FUNDS OR FISCAL YEAR 2026, PRIMARILY THE COMPLETION OF THE 2025 BOND PROJECT, THE EXPANSION OF THE PARKS AND THE FIRE STATIONS, ALSO SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING RELATED TO SOME COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROJECTS AND THOSE FUNDS ARE RESTRICTED ESPECIALLY THE BOND FUNDS FOR THOSE APPROVED PURPOSES. MOVING DOWN, WE HAVE RESTRICTED DEBT SERVICE. DEBT SERVICE ITEMS RELATED TO PRIOR BOND ISSUANCES OF THE COUNTY. IN THE BUDGET OFFICE, WE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO PAY OUR DEBT. THAT IS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE PUT IN THE BUDGET IS OUR DEBT SERVICE SO RESTRICTED INTERNAL SERVICE FUNDS, THOSE ARE RELATED TO THE COUNTY'S HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN AND WORKER'S COMP. PRIMARILY. THOSE FUNDS ARE FOR THOSE SPECIFIC USES AND CAN'T BE REDIRECTED TOWARDS OTHER AREAS. REALLY, THE BIGGEST AREA ON THE BOTTOM IS SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS AND THEY ARE NOT PART OF THE GENERAL FUND FOR A REASON BUT THE BOARD AT ONE TIME MAY HAVE COMMITTED THOSE FUNDS, WHATEVER REVENUES WERE RECEIVED TOWARDS THAT SPECIFIC USE. THEY MAY BE RESTRICTED FROM STATUTORILY REGULATIONS TOWARDS DEVELOPENT FUNDS, ONLY USED FOR SPECIFIC PURPOSES, BUILDING SERVICES FUNDS, IT CAN ONLY BE USED TOWARDS ENFORCEMENT OF THE BUILDING CODE, AND I WILL SAY IN THERE AS WELL THAT THERE ARE SOME GRANT FUNDS IN THERE SO THOSE ARE ONE TIME. THE BALANCE OF THE FUNDS ARE IN THAT SPECIAL REVENUE FUND, RESTRICTED JUST FOR PURPOSES AS OUTLINED IN THE REGULATIONS. AND THEN FINALLY, THE LAST THREE AREAS IN THE BLUE ARE YOUR PROPERTY TAXES AND OTHER GENERAL FUND REVENUE SO THAT'S WHAT'S A LITTLE MORE UNRESTRICTED, WE DO HAVE RESTRICTIVE PROPERTY TAXES THERE IN THE LATEST BLUE SHADE. THAT IS PRIMARILY YOUR TRANSPORTATION AND FIRE MIL MILITARY. THOSE FUNDS GO INTO THOSE -- THOSE TAXES GO INTO THOSE FUNDS AND ARE RESTRICTED FOR TRANSPORTATION AND FIRE SER SERVICES. AND THE GENERAL FUND, YOU HAVE PROPERTY TAXES OF 262 MILLION, JUST THE PREVIOUS SLIDE OUTLINED HOW THOSE FUNDS ARE ALLOCATED. AND THEN FINALLY, YOU HAVE OTHER [04:40:05] GENERAL FUND REVENUES. I WILL TAKE A MINUTE TO BREAK THIS DOWN A LITTLE BIT, 225 MILLION. THE BIGGEST PIECE OF THAT, MORE THAN HALF AT ABOUT 138 MILLION ARE OTHER SOURCES OF REVENUE AND THAT IS PRIMARILY FUNDED BALANCED, ANY PROJECT THAT IS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED AND NOT YET COMPLETED. THOSE FUNDS ARE INCLUDED IN THAT FUND BALANCE TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT IN THE CURRENT YEAR. IN ADDITION, WE HAVE RESERVES. WE HAVE RESERVES, WE DON'T UTILIZE THEM FULLY EACH YEAR, THEY ARE RESERVES JUST IN CASE. IF THOSE RESERVES ARE NOT SPENT, THEY COME OVER AS FUND BALANCE AS WELL. AND THEY ARE REALLY A NONRECURRING SOURCE OF REVENUE SO ONCE THAT PROJECT IS COMPLETE, THAT REVENUE, THAT FUND BALANCE GOES DOWN AND DOESN'T REALLY OCCUR AS WELL AS IF YOU SPEND YOUR RESERVES, THOUGH REVENUES AND THE BALANCE GOES DOWN AND IS NOT RECURRING. IN ADDITION, IN THIS NUMBER, THERE IS ABOUT MORE THAN 18 MILLION IN GRANT FUNDING, THOSE ARE RESTRICTED TOWARDS THOSE SPECIFIC PURPOSES SO WHILE IT IS ANOTHER GENERAL FUND AND IT'S TYPICALLY AN UNRESTRICTED AREA, THERE ARE RESTRICTED REVENUES. THE NEXT BIGGEST AREA ARE SOME OF OUR STATE SHARED REVENUES. THAT IS REALLY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT PROGRAM, THE STATE REVENUE SHARING PROGRAM AND OTHER SMALLER STATE SHARING REVENUES. AND THEN ABOUT 21 MILLION IS RELATED TO ANY CHARGES FOR SERVICES SO WE HAVE OVERALL A LITTLE MORE THAN $400 MILLION GENERAL FUND. ALBEIT THAT DOES INCLUDE THE FUN BALANCE BUT 21 MILLION IN CHARGES FOR SERVICES RELATED TO THAT GENERAL FUND. AND THEN SOME TAXES IN THERE, MINOR, 3 MILLION PERMITS AND FEES BUT REALLY THAT IS THE BREAKDOWN OF THAT OTHER GENERAL FUND REVENUE, ANY QUESTIONS THERE? WITH THIS I WILL MOVE ONTO PROPERTY TAX REFORM. >> I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION. THE BUDGET FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR, DID YOU EVER GET THAT NUMBER? >> I HAVE NOT YET. >> CHIEF, DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT WAS WITH THE FIRE FUND AND WHAT WE SUPPLEMENT FROM LAST YEAR'S FISCAL BUDGET? YOU CAN SHOUTED OUT. [INAUDIBLE] >> A LITTLE OVER 100 MILLION. THANK YOU. >> I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT. THERE WE GO. MOVING ON TO THE PROPOSED PROPERTY TAX REFORMS. THERE ARE FORMAT KEY COMPONENTS RIGHT NOW OF PROPERTY TAX REFORM. AGAIN, NOT A WHOLE LOT OF DETAILS IN ALL OF THIS BUT WE WILL GO THROUGH WHAT WE KNOW AS OF RIGHT NOW. THE FIRST COMPONENT IS EXPANDED HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION AND THEN THERE ARE ASSESSMENT CAPS ON NONHOMESTEADED PROPERTY AND THEN AS I MENTIONED, THE REVENUE WOULD HAVE RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT IT CAN BE USED FOR AND FINALLY THERE IS A STATE TRUST FUND TO SUPPORT LOCAL GOVERNMENTS FOR REVENUE LOSSES. GOING INTO HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, THE CURRENT EXEMPTION IS UP TO $50,000 FOR A PROPERTY UNDER THIS PROPOSAL THE EXEMPTION WOULD INCREASE TO 150,000 BEGINNING JANUARY 1ST 2027 AND INCREASED TO 250,000 BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2028. REALLY, MORE IMPORTANT, THE PROPOSAL INCLUDES THE LEGISLATURE TO WORK ON A FUTURE FRAMEWORK FOR A FULL ELIMINATION OF HOMESTEADED PROPERTY TAX. RELATED TO NEW RESIDENTS, IF YOU MOVE HERE AFTER JANUARY 1, 2027, YOU DON'T GET THE 150,000 OR 250,000 EXEMPTION IMMEDIATELY, THERE IS A FIVE-YEAR WAITING PERIOD FOR THAT AND THEN ALL OF THOSE EXEMPTIONS ARE ADJUSTED ANNUALLY BY THE CPI. SO IN ALL OF THESE EXPANDED HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS APPLYING TO ALL PROPERTY TAXES, TAX LEVIES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SCHOOL DISTRICT LEVIES AND THAT IS ONE CHANGE FROM THE INITIAL PROPOSAL, THE INITIAL PROPOSAL ALSO APPLIED IT TO SCHOOL [04:45:03] DISTRICT LEVIES SO SOME RELIEF FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. ASSESSMENT CAPS ON NONHOMESTEADED PROPERTY FOR RESIDENTIAL NONHOMESTEADED PROPERTY, THE CURRENT CAP IS 10% AND IT WOULD DROP TO 5% BEGINNING JANUARY 1ST, 2027. SIMILARLY FOR ALL OTHER REAL PROPERTY, THE CURRENT CAP IS 10% AND IT WOULD REDUCE TO 5% AS WELL. AND AGAIN THESE CAPS APPLIED TO ALL PROPERTY TAX LEVIES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE SCHOOL DIS DISTRICT. HERE IS THE RESTRICTIONS MOVING FORWARD, ORIGINALLY THERE WERE SIX AND AS I MENTIONED THAT SEVENTH ONE WAS ADDED YESTERDAY FOR THE COUNTY OFFICERS SO MOVING FORWARD TAXES CAN BE USED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIRE, EMS AND AS I MENTIONED WHERE OUR CURRENT TAXES ARE GOING IS A LARGE PORTION OF OUR CURRENT TAXES. THEY CAN ALSO BE USED OR EDUCATION AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY APPLY TO US BUT MORE TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. NUMBER 3, THEY CAN BE USED TOWARDS INFRASTRUCTURE AND IT DOES SPELL OUT IN THEIR ROADS, BRIDGES AND STORMWATER SO I BELIEVE OUR TRANSPORTATION MILLAGE IS AN ALLOWABLE USE OF THOSE THERE. NUMBER 4, NATURAL RESOURCE PROJECTS AND FLOOD CONTROL. WE MIGHT NEED A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION AND DETAIL ON THAT ONE WE SEE WHAT WE HAVE THAT MAY APPLY TOWARDS THAT. NUMBER 5, OUR LOCAL BONDS AND EXISTING DEBT SERVICE. WE HAVE A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF OUR BUDGET THAT IS GOING TOWARDS DEBT SERVICE. MOVING FORWARD, PROPERTY TAXES COULD BE USED TO PAY THAT DEBT SERVICE. NUMBER 6, RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, THAT IS WITH OUR EMPLOYEES AND ANY PROPERTY TAX RELATED FUND, THOSE TAXES ARE BEING USED CURRENTLY. THIS JUST CLARIFIES THAT THAT IS AN ALLOWABLE USE FOR PROPERTY TAXES. FINALLY, THE LAST WHEN THERE IS FUNDING FOR THE OPERATIONS AND ADMINISTRATION OF COUNTY OFFICERS AND COMMISSIONERS AND MUNICIPALITIES. AND THEN, THE LAST COMPONENT THERE IS THE TRUST FUND. NOT A WHOLE LOT OF DETAILS ON THIS OTHER THAN THE STATE WILL ESTABLISH A TRUST FUND TO PROVIDE GRANTS TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO HELP OFFSET REVENUE LOSSES FROM THE EXPANDED EXEMPTIONS. SO WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO ST. JOHN'S COUNTY? THESE ARE NUMBERS FROM THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION COUNTY, THIS INCLUDES BOTH THE EXPANDED HOMESTEAD EXEMPTIONS AND THE ASSESSMENT CAPS ON HOMESTEADED PROPERTY SO FOR FISCAL YEAR 2028, THAT IS WHEN THE EXEMPTION INCREASES TO 150,000 AND THAT WOULD BE A $16 MILLION REVENUE IMPACT TO ST. JOHN'S COUNTY AND THEN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2029, WHEN THE EXEMPTION INCREASES TO 250,000, THAT WOULD JUMP TO 113,000 AND THOSE ARE RECURRING -- MILLION, I'M SORRY. THANK YOU. ONCE THOSE REVENUES ARE GONE, THAT HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION IS REOCCURRING IMPACTS TO US. AND THEN LOOKING FORWARD, I DON'T HAVE A NUMBER ON IT YET NECESSARILY BUT WITH THE FRAMEWORK OR WHAT FRAMEWORK MAY BE PUT IN PLACE FOR THE FULL ELIMINATION OF HOMESTEAD PROPERTIES, THIS IS ALSO FROM THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION FROM AN AUGUST 2025 REPORT FOR ST. JOHN'S COUNTY, OVER 53% OF OUR TAXES COME FROM HIM SET OF PROPERTIES SO COMPARING THAT TO THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE, THE STATEWIDE AVERAGES ABOUT 31% HOMESTEAD, WE ARE 53% SO IF THERE IS A FULL ILLUMINATION OF HOMESTEAD PROPERTY TAXES, WE WILL BE HIT HARDER THAN MOST OTHER COUNTIES RELATED TO IT SO FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 WE HAD 400 MILLION APPROXIMATELY OF PROPERTY TAXES SO IF THERE WAS A FULL ILLUMINATION, MORE THAN 53% WOULD BE OVER 200 MILLION AND IN REVENUE IMPACT. WITH THAT, THAT CONCLUDES WHAT WE KNOW RIGHT NOW ON PROPERTY TAX REFORM. IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU. JUST KNOW THAT NOTHING COULD GO WRONG WITH THIS STATE-FUNDED TRUST FUND TO HELP OUT THE POOR COUNTIES. NOTHING COULD GO WRONG WITH [04:50:03] THAT, RIGHT? >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I WILL ASK THE BOARD. >> THROUGH THE CHAIR, LAST NIGHT IN COMMITTEE THIS STATE TRUST FUND WAS REMOVED AFTER A JOINT RESOLUTION. >> SO NOTHING COULD GO WRONG WITH THE STATE TRUST FUND? >> WHAT STATE TRUST FUND? >> SO NO WE DON'T HAVE ANY MO MONEY. THERE WE GO. I HAVE A QUICK ASK, IF WE CAN GET CONSENSUS TO DIRECT STAFF. I THINK THAT OBVIOUSLY THIS WILL APPEAR ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT IF THE COUNTY CAN WORK WITH PUBLIC AFFAIRS, OUR STAFF CAN WORK TO DO A FACT SHEET. NOTHING QUITE SO COMPREHENSIVE IS THAT BUT I PUT TOGETHER A LITTLE PRESENTATION OF MY OWN IF YOU WILL PERMIT ME. IF THE $113 MILLION DEDUCTION WAS TAKEN OUT OF LAST YEAR'S BUDGET, A $400 MILLION, THIS IS SIMPLE FOR PEOPLE LIKE ME. YOU CAN SUBTRACT 113 MILLION FROM NOT. FOLLOW ME. HERE WE GO. 400 -1 HUNDRED AND 13, ALL MILLIONS, LEFT WITH $287 MILLION. BASED ON WHAT I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GATHER FROM MR. SCHROEDER, OUR SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FIRE DEPARTMENT TAKES ROUGHLY, OF THE 287 MILLION THAT REMAINS, TAKES ROUGHLY 250 MILLION. THAT IS LAST YEAR. TODAY WE SAW A BUDGET PROPOSAL FOR 147 FROM THE SHERIFF SO WE KNOW THOSE NUMBERS WILL BE HIGHER. WE KNOW THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WANTS US TO WORK TOWARDS THAT SO IT WILL BE A LOT HIGHER. IT WILL BE AT LEAST THIS. I'M TRYING TO BE AS CONSERVATIVE AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE I KNOW PEOPLE ARE WATCHING AND SCRUTINIZING EVERY WORD THAT COMES OUT OF MY MOUTH, AS THEY SHOULD BE. SO THEN WE HAVE $37 MILLION LEFT BASED ON THIS VERY CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE OF WHAT OUR FIRE AND SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT COST, $37 MILLION LEFT TO RUN OUR PARKS, HUNDREDS OF LOCATIONS PICK MAINTAIN THOUSANDS OF MILES OF DRAINAGE PIPES, VETERAN SERVICES, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, WITH FUNDING THAT WE GIVE TO THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS SO THAT WE CAN HAVE FAIR AND FREE ELECTIONS, $37 MILLION RATE COUNTY OF 350,000 PEOPLE AND GROWING. >> DON'T FORGET LIBRARY. >> IF PEOPLE WILL HAVE THE FACTS, THEY CAN GO INTO THE POLLS AND IF THEY WANT TO VOTE TO ABOLISH THE PARKS AND DEPARTMENT, THEY CAN DO THAT WITH THEIR EYES WIDE OPEN. THAT IS THEIR RIGHT. THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO GO IN AND VOTE ON THAT ITEM BUT I THINK THAT WE NEED TO -- AS MUCH AS WE CAN, NOT BEFORE OR AGAINST IT BUT PRESENT THE FACTS ABOUT THE IMPACT THAT THIS HAS ON THE COUNTY'S BUDGET OF $400 MILLION. IF WE CAN GET CONSENSUS FOR OUR STAFF TO HELP WORK WITH PUBLIC AFFAIRS, HE GIVES OUR RESIDENTS THE CHANCE TO MAKE A FACT-BASED DECISION. THANK YOU. >> YOU HAVE CONSENSUS. ANYTHING ELSE? I WILL GO BACK TO MS. ANDERS. >> IN HONOR OF THE PASSING OF THE PROPOSED REFORM, IT'S TIME TO INFORM THE BOARD THAT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE AS A COUNTY LEADERSHIP TEAM WITH THE DIRECTORS THAT WE ARE WORKING ON. ONE OF THEM IS THAT WE ARE ACTIVELY EVALUATING OUR TIERED SERVICE IN EACH DEPARTMENT AND WE ARE DOING A FUNDING ASSESSMENT IN PREPARATION OR REFERENDUM MAY COME OR NOT. SO THAT WE CAN BRING SOME OPTIONS AND SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD IN TERMS OF DETERMINING THE LEVEL OF SERVICE. THIS IS GOING TO BE -- SAY IT LATELY, REVOLUTIONARY OR CATASTROPHIC, DEPENDING ON HOW YOU SEE IT BUT OUR FUNDING MODEL FOR OUR -- TO SUPPORT OUR CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICES WILL LOOK VERY DIFFERENT FROM WHAT IT IS TODAY SO THE NEXT MONTH OR SO IS WHAT WE WILL BE WORKING ON. WE ARE ALSO WORKING DILIGENTLY ON THE FEE SCHEDULE, PURSUING A BETTER COST RECOVERY MODEL AS PART OF THE SOLUTION. THE OTHER THING WE WILL BE LOOKING AT IS THAT WE WILL PUT A PAUSE ON ANY UNCOMMITTED LONG-TERM ENCUMBRANCE ON CONTRACT SERVICES SO EACH DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING AT THAT AS WELL AND PAUSING FOR HIRING FOR A POSITION MADE AT THIS TIME THAT NO OFFER HAS BEEN OFFERED. PEOPLE HAVE MADE DECISIONS BASED ON OUR OFFERING OF THE POSITIONS. SO THOSE POSITIONS WOULD NOT BE APPLICABLE BUT IN A POSITION THAT HAS NOT BEEN OFFERED WILL BE ON PAUSE AT THIS TIME SO YOU MAY SEE SOME IMPACT. HOW WE WILL BE RESPONDING TO YOU AND YOU WILL PROBABLY FEEL SOME OF THE IMPACT SO ENSURING THAT [04:55:02] WE ARE INFORMING YOU AS WE GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS. >> ALSO, AND WE LOOK AT PRIVATIZING DIFFERENT AREAS MAY BE. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT WOULD BE A WAY TO -- SOMETHING DOWN THE ROAD. >> I APPRECIATE THIS RECOMMENDATION. THAT ABSOLUTELY IS ONE OF THE FUNDING OPTIONS IN THE MODELS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT SO JUST FULL TRANSPARENCY, WE ARE LOOKING AT EVERYTHING AND WE ARE LOOKING AT TEXT RECOVERY BASED ON WHAT WE ARE ALLOWED IN TERMS OF POLICY DECISION AND LOOKING AT GAS TAX AND SALES TAX AND BENEFIT UNIT WHICH IS YOUR ASSESSMENTS. RELATED TO SOLID WASTE AND DRAINAGE AND SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS AND ALSO P3 PRIVATIZATION SO WE ARE REALLY LEAVING NO STONE UNTURNED IN TERMS OF HOW WE CAN PROTECT A LEVEL OF SERVICE THAT WE DO PROVIDE WHICH IS A VERY HEALTHY AND STRONG PORTFOLIO OF SERVICES THAT YOU PROVIDE TO OUR RESIDENTS. >> ANYTHING ELSE TO YOUR REPORT? [County Attorney’s Report] >> THAT WILL CONCLUDE MY REPORT. >> THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. AS WE DISCUSSED WITH EACH OF YOU, PENDING LITIGATION THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT TRYING TO WRAP UP AND IN ORDER TO DO THAT WE WILL ASK TO HAVE NING ON JUNE 16TH. I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT TIME BUT WE DO HAVE TO PROVIDE SOME REASONABLE NOTICE AS YOU ARE ALL AWARE THAT DISCUSSION OF THAT MEETING WHICH WILL NOT BE PART OF -- IT WILL BE REPORTED BY A COURT REPORTER AND BE LIMITED TO THE DISCUSSION. ANY QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE TO ASK ME OUTSIDE OF THE MEETING. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. >> THANK YOU. UNLESS * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.