[00:00:03]
>> I NOW CALLED TO ORDER SPECIAL COMMISSIONERS MEETING AUGUST 25, 2020.
GOOD MORNING, ST. JOHN'S COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS. COVID-19 ELLIS, FISCAL WARM BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ADOPTED PROCEDURES TO CONDUCT MEETINGS USING REMOTE PARTICIPATION THROUGH EMERGENCY PROCLAMATION NUMBER 2020 Ã THREE, WITHOUT PHYSICALLY ATTENDING. WITHOUT PRIOR COMMUNICATIONS PUBLIC COMMENT BY TELEPHONE WATCHING THE MEETING VIA GTD OR STREAMING ON COUNTY'S WEBSITE. WEBSITE PROVIDES TELEPHONE NUMBER TO CALL INTO THE IF MEMBERS DO NOT RIPROVIDE,, N REQUIRED TO IDENTIFY THEMSELVES. THIS MEETING IS BEING RECORDED. THOSE OF YOU CALLING INTO,, RECEIVE A BUSY SIGNAL, PLEASE CALL BACK. CONTINUE TO WATCH GTD, THREE-MINUTE, TIMER BE VISIBLE TO YOU. VIEW YOUR PHONE WHILE YOU'RE GOING TO COMMENT. THERE MAY BE 5-9 SECOND DELAY IN VISUAL PRESENTATIONS.
IF WE EXPERIENCE TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, RECESS BRIEFLY AND RECONVENED AFTER PROBLEM RESOLVED. WITH THAT BEING SAID, CLERK PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.
>> COMMISSIONER JAMES JOHN'S. >> PRESENT. >> COMMISSIONER.
>> HERE. >> PLEASE STAND, LEAD US IN PRAYER, PLEASE.
>> GOD, THANK YOU EACH AND EVERY DAY FOR MERCIES THAT ARE NEW.
PRAY AND ASK. YOUR DIVINE HAND PLACED, HEALING THUS FAR CONTINUE TO DO SO. GOD, WE KNOW MANY OTHER FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THIS.
MANY OTHER THINGS OR ANY OF THE SICKNESSES FAMILY MEMBER ANYONE HERE TODAY, PRAY FOR US, BLESSING UPON THEM. GIVE EACH AND EVERYONE WISDOM, DECISIONS AFFECT US AND THE COMMITTEE WILL DO. THANK YOU ALL YOU'VE DONE, THANK YOU THE BLOOD OF JESUS
SHED FOR ALL.ESUS NAME THAT I PRAY, AMEN. >> AMEN.
>> PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. >> I PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVIDUAL, LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> AND YOU, YOU MAY BE SEATED. >> SPECIAL MEETING AGENDA, ,
[1. Proclamation recognizing August 26, 2020 as Women’s Equality Day]
PUBLIC COMMENT AFTER EACH ITEM WE PRESENT THIS MORNING. WE BEGIN THIS MORNING AGENDA ITEM NUMBER ONE, AUGUST 26, 2020. WOMAN'S EQUALITY DAY.WE YOU READ THE PROCLAMATION TO RECORD? GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD PREPARED PROCLAMATION BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ST. JOHN'S COUNTY, FLORIDA VERY FOUNDING OF USA'S WOMEN DENIED THE FULL RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES AVAILABLE TO MALE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES. INCLUDING THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
19TH AMENDMENT READS, "RIGHT OF CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES TO VOTE SHALL NOT BE DENIED BY THE UNITED STATES OR ANY STATE ON THE ACCOUNT OF SEX. EXTENDED WOMAN THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND CERTIFIED AS AMENDMENT TO THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION ON AUGUSTA WAY SIX 1920. SINCE 1971, BY RESOLUTION OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, AUGUSTA WAY SIX HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY.
TO CELEBRATE, DATA CELEBRATE WOMEN CONTINUE TO WORK TO PROMOTE CIVIL RIGHTS FOR ALL.
WHERE AS CENTENNIAL OF INCLUSION OF 19TH AMENDMENT IN THE CONSTITUTION IS CELEBRATED IN 2020. THEREFORE BE A PROCLAIMER BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ST.
JOHN'S COUNTY FLORIDA THAT AUGUST 26, 2020 BEAST DESIGNATED AS WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY. IN RECOGNITION OF THE ROLE OF WOMEN AND PUBLIC LIFE TO WORK TOWARD TRUE EQUALITY FOR ALL. ST. JOH'S COUNTY'S FORD, 25TH DAY OF AUGUST 2020.
CLERK OF COURTS, BUT OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS SAIST. JOHN'S, FLORIDA, JEB SMITH.> ANY
[00:05:01]
QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? PROCEED TO PUBLIC COMMENT.COMMISSIONER DEAN. >> PUBLIC COMMENT. [INDISCERNIBLE]
>> GOOD MORNING. TOM MEADOWS, SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH, FLORIDA.
GEMMA, I CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR DOING THIS RESOLUTION FOR WOMEN'S EQUALITY. I WANT TO TYPE SOMETHING, I FEEL GOOD ABOUT THIS.
COMING UP AT 200 YEAR ANNIVERSARY ST. JOHN'S COUNTY START RECOGNIZING WOMEN ARE EQUAL. IT IS AMAZING, ESPECIALLY, COMMISSIONERS, THIS IS IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY AFTER WOMEN WERE RECENTLY DISCRIMINATED AGAINST IN ST.
JOHN'S COUNTY ON HIRING OF THE DEMONSTRATOR. I THINK THIS IS A GOOD STEP FOR COUNTY COMMISSION. I HOPE YOU GENTLEMEN WILL ALWAYS RECOGNIZE THAT WOMEN ARE EQUAL. IN MY CASE, MY MOTHER, MADELEINE REYNOLDS, SMARTEST PERSON I EVER KNEW. A REGISTERED NURSE. I DO SOMETHING RIGHT NOW, MY DAD WAS A SHARP GUY, MY MOM WAS THE SHARPEST, SHE WAS 78 YEARS OLD.
SHE RETIRED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING THIS RESOLUTION TODAY.
MAY THE FATHER ALMIGHTY MAKE US ALL BETTER.HANK YOU.
>> DO WE HAVE ANOTHER CALL AND BACK ANY COLON OR COMMENTS? >> PUBLIC, CLOSED ITEM NUMBER
[INDISCERNIBLE] >> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER DEAN.
DISCUSSION. PROCEED WITH REGULAR VOTES. DO NOT HAVE ANYBODY ON THE
LINE. >> IT PASSES. IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME WE HAD
[2. Emergency Management Update]
DO THAT. [LAUGHING]. >> ALL RIGHT, MOVE ON TO ITEM NUMBER TWO, MR. PALMER, GOOD
MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. QUICK UPDATE FOR YOU THIS MORNING ON INFORMATION RELATED TO THE CARES ACT AND TO WHERE WE ARE LOCALLY WITH COVID RESPONSE, CALLY TO HOSPITAL SPACES. TODAY, AS OF YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, 4101 TOTAL PLACES IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY COUNTY RELATED COVID.
224 HOSPITALIZED. CURRENT HOSPITALIZATIONS, AS OF YESTERDAY, CURRENT IS 20 HOSPITALIZATIONS. OBVIOUSLY, A DOWNWARD TREND. 50 DEATHS RELATED COVID.
THE OTHER PIECE IMPORTANT TO NOTICE, AS OF YESTERDAY, [INDISCERNIBLE] HELP, AVAILABLE BED SPACE ICU CARE 55 PERCENT. 56 PERCENT. 24 ADULT AVAILABLE BEDS IN ICU UNIT AT FLY GOOD HEALTH. STILL AVAILABLE BEDS AT ANOTHER PLACE AS WELL.
SOME OF THE NUMBERS RELATED TO COVID-19. RESPONSE THERE, TOO.
FOR THE CARES ACT FUNDING COME THROUGH. YOU A QUICK UPDATE.
RELATED TO THE RESIDENTIAL OR INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE. AS OF YESTERDAY, 66 FULLY SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS AND APPLIED FOR IT. GOING TO THE PROCESS AND DISTRIBUTION OCCUR AFTER THAT. 515 APPLICATIONS IN PROGRESS. 66 ARE RESUBMITTED APPLICATIONS. 515.HE BUSINESS AND RESIDENTIAL, OVER 2000 PHONE CALLS INQUIRING. AS YOU CAN HEAR, QUITE A BIT OF NUMBER OF OUR POPULATION LOOKING INTO THE CARES ACT YOU ALL APPROVED FOR THE COMMUNITY. ON THE BUSINESS SIDE, BUSINESS ASSISTANCE, 206 APPLICATIONS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED. 206.
215 IN PROGRESS. OVER 2000 VOCALS BETWEEN BUSINESS AND INDIVIDUAL ASSISTANCE. YOU HAVE OVER 500 APPLICATIONS IN PROGRESS BETWEEN TWO RELATED TO INDIVIDUALS AND BUSINESSES. THAT IS ALL OF THE INFORMATION I HAVE. WOULD BE HAPPY TO STAND BY AS EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT IS HERE.> ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. CONNOR? ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, SIR.
NOBODY ELSE ON THE LINE, MR. CONRAD? THAT BEING SAID, OPEN FOR
PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS. MR. D-DOT. >> EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT UPDATE.
[00:10:09]
[INDISCERNIBLE] >> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING, SHERRY BADGER, SOUTH COLLINS AVENUE. WE NEED TO GET THIS OUT TO THE PUBLIC A LITTLE BETTER.
I HEARD ONE OF YOU ALL WERE ON THE RADIO YESTERDAY DISCUSSING IT.
LETTING PEOPLE KNOW IS OUT THERE. YOU NEED TO HAVE SOME KIND OF OUTREACH PROGRAM THAT GETS TO THE WORKING MEMBERS AND LOWER LEVEL INCOME PEOPLE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PAY THEIR MORTGAGES BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT HAD, YOU KNOW, A JOB.
I THINK YOUR OUTREACH NEEDS TO BE THERE. MY DADDY TOLD ME ONE TIME, SHERRY LYNN, BE PATIENT. PEOPLE ARE SIMPLE IN HASTINGS. NOT MEANING ANYTHING BAD BY THAT, BUT NOT BEING IN THE LOOP. YOU GO TO HASTINGS, PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW THERE'S A PROBLEM OVER THERE.KAY [LAUGHS] YOU NEED TO GET DOWN TO LOWER LEVEL. A SUGGESTION.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM 2, PUBLIC CALL IN.
>> SAINT AUGUSTINE BEACH, GENTLEMEN, I THINK THAT WAS A WEEK UPDATE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. MR. CONRAD, I HOPE PEOPLE GET MORE INVOLVED.
I APPRECIATE HIS NATIONAL GUARD SERVICE, WE HAVE EMERGENCY GOING ON NOW.
I'M LOOKING FOR MORE STATISTICS. I CANNOT HELP BUT TO WONDER, WHY IS NOBODY THERE FROM COUNCIL AGENT NOW? MORE THAN EVER EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT, DO WE HAVE EMERGENCIES IN THE COUNTY WITH PEOPLE NOT GETTING PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION IN THE MAIL? DO ANYTHING GOING ON WITH LOW INCOME SENIORS? I'VE GOT TO TYPE SOMETHING.
I'M DISAPPOINTED IN THIS ONE. I HOPE THERE IS GOING TO BE A MORE COVERED I DO NOT KNOW YET.
ONCE AGAIN, EVERYBODY KNOWS THIS, COUNSEL IN AGENT, IT IS RUN A MISMANAGE.
THAT WOMAN IS NOT QUALIFIED TO RUN COUNCIL ON AGING. THE SAME BOARD OF DIRECTORS, YOU ARE NOT THE BOSSES, GET THE MONEY. THEY SHOULD BE HERE FOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. A GOOD TO TYPE SOMETHING, I WANT TO KNOW ABOUT UNEMPLOYMENT STATISTICS IN THE COUNTY. IS THAT OF CONCERN OF ANYBODY? HOPE IT IS A CONCERN.
I HOPE YOU THINK OF OTHER PEOPLE. A WHOLE LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HURTING. PEOPLE FROM ST. JOHNS COUNTY COUNTY, A LITTLE PROUDER.
THEY WON'T SAY THEY ARE HURTING, BUT THEY ARE HURTING. ONE THE WORST EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT MEETINGS I'VE SEEN SO FAR. I'M DISAPPOINTED THANK YOUYOU.
>> THANK YOU. FURTHER PUBLIC COMMENT. >> ARE THERE COMMENTS FROM THE
[3. Extension of Local State of Emergency]
BOARD? VE ALONG TO AGENDA ITEM NUMBER HREE.MR. PERRY AND MCCORMACK. >> AS THE BOARD KNOWS, GO IN SEVEN DAY INCREMENTS.
YOU'VE HEARD FROM YOUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. YOU HAVE HEARD PUBLIC INPUT ON EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT UPDATE. YOUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR IS HERE PRESENTING QUESTIONS ARE,, WITH THAT, MR. CHAIR WHAT WOULD BE IF ADOPTED BY THE BOARD IS EMERGENCY
PROCLAMATION NO. 2020-31. UP FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. >> THANK YOU, MR. MCCORMACK.
ANY QUESTIONS OR, FROM THE BOARD? >> MODERNA PUBLIC,
>> PUBLIC COMMENT ON ITEM 3, EXTENSION OF LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY.
NONE, OKAY. AUDIENCE, NONE. CONCLUDES PUBLIC,
>> PUBLIC, CLOSES. A MOTION. >> I WILL MOVE TO ADOPT ST.
JOHNS COUNTY PROCLAMATION NO. 2020-31 EXTENDING LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY FOR ADDITIONAL 70
PERIOD. >> ANY DISCUSSION? SEE NONE.
PLEASE VOTE. PASSES 3-0. >>> MOVE ALONG TO ITEM NUMBER
[4. State request for County expanded COVID-19 testing for agricultural farm workers in Hastings area]
FOUR, MR. GIAMMANCE. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. THIS ITEM IS COMING FROM DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES REQUESTED TO EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO THE
[00:15:03]
COUNTY TO PROVIDE COVID TESTING AND HASTINGS TO INCLUDE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT, STAFF, SUFFICIENT TO MEET THE NEEDS AND TARGET AGRICULTURAL FARM WORKERS.A TESTING SITE IN HASTINGS BETWEEN 5-7 DAYS A WEEK. STARTING SEPTEMBER 1 TO THE END OF DECEMBER. IN ORDER TO SUPPORT THIS REQUEST, THE STATE DIVISION EMERGENCY MEASUREMENT REQUEST COUNTY FUND UP TO 1.19 MILLION FROM COUNTY'S CARES ACT TO SUPPORT THIS MISSION. THE FUNDING WILL SUPPORT THE STAFFING REQUIREMENTS WHILE THE STATE WILL PROVIDE REST OF COMPONENTS, TEST OF LAB AND EQUIPMENT NECESSARY TO FACILITATE THIS. ALSO, ON THE LINE, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER ÃTWO PEOPLE FROM
AGRICULTURAL AND CONSUMER SERVICES. >> THANK YOU, VERY MUCH.
ANY QUESTIONS FOR MR. GIAMMANCE OR ANYONE IN TALLAHASSEE? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
BEFORE WE GO INTO THIS, ASKED SOMEONE TO BE AN EXPERT IN THIS AREA TO COME FORWARD TODAY.
MR. CHRIS BARNES, TO GIVE STATISTICAL INPUT AND INFORMATION REGARDING THIS PARTICULAR TOPIC. POSSIBLE LIABILITY WITH THIS BOARD FUNDING IT.
I ASKED MR. BARNES TO COME IN, THANK YOU FOR DOING IT. I APPRECIATE.
>> ACTUALLY. >> STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE RECORD.
>> CHRIS BARNES, 4095 STATE ROUTE 206, [INDISCERNIBLE] >> THANK YOU, VERY MUCH.
DESCRIBE YOUR OPERATION A LITTLE BIT. >> FIFTH-GENERATION FARMS IN HASTINGS. RIGHT NOW WE GROW APPROXIMATELY 1000 ACRES OF CABBAGE A YEAR.
11 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES YEAR-ROUND. AND I HAVE USUALLY RUN ANYWHERE
FROM 60-65 H28 WORKERS, FROM DECEMBER UNTIL JUNE. >> AVERAGE COST PER ACRE FOR THE PRODUCT YOU PRODUCE, I KNOW YOU PRODUCE CABBAGE AND CAULIFLOWER WITHOUT LABOR?
>> IT VARIES FROM YEAR TO YEAR, DEPENDING ON FUEL UTILIZER. RANGE OF $3400-$3600.
>> COST PER ACRE? >> 1600-$1800. >> ALMOST HALF?
>> YES. >> ABOUT 33 PERCENT OF PRODUCTION YOU HARVEST.
HOW MANY WAS IT AGAIN, WORKERS UTILIZED? >> AROUND 60, SOMETIMES HIGHER,
SOMETIMES LOWER, 60 IS AVERAGE, >> MOST OF ANYBODY IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY?
>> YES, SIR. >> BRIEFLY DESCRIBE H TO A PROGRAM.
>> EVERYONE IS THERE LEGALLY. READY TO WORK. VERY EXPENSIVE.
IT IS PROBABLY, 1/3 AGAIN, LOCAL LABOR.>> VERY GOOD. A FEDERAL PROGRAM?
>> YES, ABSOLUTELY.> IT PROVIDES YOU LEGAL WORKFORCE, VERY IMPORTANT?
>> VERY MUCH SO. >> WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY IN REGARD, PROVIDE HOUSING?
>> HOUSING, THREE MEALS A DAY, TRANSPORTATION, TRANSPORTATION ON THE WEEKENDS FOR THEM TO GO SHOPPING. BASICALLY, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR EVERYTHING WHEN THEY GET
HERE. >> ON TOP OF THAT, YOU HAVE A PRICE PER HOUR, WAGE PER HOUR
AND PIECEWORK? >> YES, SIR. IT GETS VERY EXPENSIVE.
KNOWING YOU'RE DOING EVERYTHING RIGHT, AND MAKES IT A LITTLE ASIER ON YOUR CONSCIENCE.
>> IF YOU DO NOT HAVE WORK FOR THEM, ARE YOU STILL OBLIGATED TO AY?
>> YES, SIR. 75 PERCENT OF THE IME. YOU HAVE TO AVERAGE 35 HOURS,
IS THE MINIMUM. >> YOU CAN PAY THEM. IT DOES WORK OUT.
SAY WE DID NOT WORK MUCH THIS WEEK, NEXT WEEK BE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, 80 HOURS NEXT WEEK, THE
NUMBERS WORK OUT. USUALLY BALANCES PRETTY GOOD. >> THE REASON I ASKED THAT, DURING THIS PAST SEASON Ã DURING HARVEST SEASON ÃYOUR TIME DURING COVID YOU ARE NOT WORKING THEM, CAN YOU DESCRIBE THAT IT BEEN? HOW LONG THE DURATION YOU WERE
LIABLE FOR? >> IT WAS ABOUT AN EIGHT WEEK PERIOD.
WE WERE SLOW WOW! SLOW AS AN UNDERSTATEMENT. WHEN THEY MANDATED SHORT OF THE RESTAURANTS, PROBABLY 50-60 PERCENT OVER MY PRODUCT GOES. I TOOK AHEAD OF EVERYONE.
[00:20:01]
ONLY WA TO MOVE YOUR PRODUCT, MOVE IT CHEAP. WE DID SO WE COMPETE PEOPLE WORKING. THEY HAVE FAMILIES, TOO. MY FAMILY, THEIR FAMILIES ÃWEALL WORK TOGETHER AS ONE. WORKS ITSELF OUT. >> YOU HAD ABOUT EIGHT WEEK PERIOD HAVING TO SELL PRODUCT VERY CHEAPLY IN ORDER TO KEEP PAYING THIS BILL YOU HAVE A
>> I THINK PEOPLE DO NOT RECOGNIZE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF INPUT THAT IS.
HAS FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES ARE FURTHER DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT CONTACT YOU OF LOSSES, LIABILITY OR SUSTAINABILITY?
>> NO, SIR. >> AND OTHER FARMS IN ST. JOHN'S COUNTY HAVING WORKERS?
>> YES OR, I BELIEVE THERE ARE FIVE FARMS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY COUNTY.
>> WHAT KIND OF TOTAL OF MIGRANT WORKERS AT THE PEAK OF THE SEASON?
>> AT THE PEAK? I COULD GUESS, NO WAY MORE THAN 200-220 AT THE MOST.
>> 200-220 MIGRANT WORKERS, H2A WORKERS FOR ENTIRE ST. JOHNS COUNTY COUNTY.
DO YOU BELIEVE FORMAL REQUEST BY FORMAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND AGRICULTURAL SERVICES, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY MR. GIAMMANCE, $198,000 FOR SIX NURSES, EIGHT HOURS A DAY, $185 PER HOUR FOR 135 DAYS; DO YOU BELIEVE THAT IS A REASONABLE REQUEST:
>> CONSIDERING ÃHAVE MAYBE 20-30 WORKERS NOW UNTIL THE END OF NOVEMBER.
I MEAN, THIS BILL GOES FROM NOW UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR. THAT IS OVER $5000 A PERSON, EVEN IF WE WERE AT PEAK. WE WILL NOT HAVE OVERABUNDANCE PEOPLE IN HERE UNTIL DECEMBER.
NO, SIR. IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO ME. WHAT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO HAVE A CENTRAL LOCATION WHERE THE FARMERS COULD TAKE THEIR PEOPLE AND HAVE RAPID RESULTS.RAPID IS THE BIGGEST THING. WHEN 60 PEOPLE ARE WORKING TOGETHER CLOSELY, AND WE HAVE A PROBLEM, WE NEED TO KNOW IMMEDIATELY. NO, SIR, I DO NOT SEE HOW YOU CAN HIRE SIX PEOPLE, SIX DAYS A WEEK WHEN WE ARE GOING TO HAVE 30 PEOPLE HERE UNTIL DECEMBER,
BASICALLY. THAT DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE TO BE AT ALL.>> ARE YOU ABLE TO
TRANSPORT YOUR WORKERS TO LOCATION? >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> ARE YOU WILLING TO DO THAT? >> ABSOLUTELY. >> ARE YOU IMPLEMENTING MEASURES AND OPERATIONS TO MITIGATE THE SPREAD OF COMMUNICABLE DISEASES,
ESPECIALLY COVID-19? >> YES, SIR. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD, SEE WHERE THEY ARE FOLLOWING WE FIGURE, PROTECT THE CHILDREN, I HOPE AS GOOD AS PRODUCTION YOU CAN GET. WE ARE IMPLEMENTING THINGS IN. SAY, THE COLORS STAY TOGETHER, THE EAT TOGETHER, THEY ROOM TOGETHER. TRY TO KEEP THE GROUPS
TOGETHER. KEEP IT SEGREGATED, BASICALLY. >> THAT WILL DEFINITELY
INCREASE YOUR COST, WILL IT NOT? >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> ARE YOU BEING COMPENSATED FOR THAT? >> NO, SIR. > ON YOUR OWN VOLITION TO PROTECT YOUR CREW, YOU'RE DOING THAT AND NOT GUARANTEED ONE PENNY MORE ON YOUR PRODUCT FROM YOUR BUYERS, YOUR CONTRACTS, OR ANYTHING YOU HAVE?
>> ABSOLUTELY NOT. >> ARGUE AWARE OF YOUR FOREIGN COMPETITION BEING SUBJECTED TO ANY OF THESE SAME EXPECTATIONS. [LAUGHING]
>> I KNOW THEY ARE NOT. I CANNOT SAY TO EVERYONE IS NOT, BUT A LOT OF THE GUYS THAT CAME FROM MEXICO THAT WORK FOR US THROUGH H2A, THEY WILL TELL YOU SAFETY MEASURES ÃNO SAFETY MEASURES. IT IS CRAZY. WE PAY PEOPLE $15 AN HOUR HERE TO WORK, THEY GET PAID $8.80. THE DO NOT FOLLOW, OT, USDA Ã THEY DO NOT HAVE TO JUMP
THROUGH HOOPS THAT WE DID, NOT ALL. >> WHICH INCREASES YOUR COST?
GLOBAL MARKET, MAKES YOU LESS AND LESS COMPETITIVE. >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> ABSOLUTELY. I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DO NOT REALIZE WHAT FOOD WE ARE GETTING INTO THIS COUNTRY, A LOT OF IT IS COMING Ã ESPECIALLY CABBAGE IN
[00:25:02]
CALIFORNIA ÃCOMING FROM MEXICO.O NOT HAVE THE SAME REGULATIONS.THEY DO NOT HAVE DOT, OTHER REGULATORY AGENCIES WHICH INCREASE OUR COSTS.
A COMPETITIVE DISADVANTAGE. HAS S U.S., THE NEW NAFTA BENEFITED YOUR UR OPERATIONS?
>> HALFWAY CLEANED UP VERSION Ã NO, IT HAS NOT. ABSOLUTELY NOT.
>> WILL MEXICAN PRODUCERS CONTINUE TO DUMP ON THE MARKET? >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> PEOPLE DO NOT REALIZE SERIOUSLY DEFINED IN REGARD TO LAW, JUMPING GOING ONTO THE MARKET THAT ARE COMPETING AGAINST U.S. PRODUCERS. HIGHER REGULATIONS AND HIGHER
INPUTS. >> THEIR LABOR COST IS 5-8 PERCENT TO WHAT MINE IS.
5-8 PERCENT. IF I COULD TAKE LABOR OTHER QUESTION ÃFARMING WOULD BE
FUN. >> CAN YOU CONTINUE TO FARM IN HASTINGS FLORIDA, ST. JOHNS COUNTY IN A GLOBAL MARKET WAS UNFAIR, AND EQUITABLE
COMPETITIVE DISADVANTAGES? >> I HOPE FARMING HAS BEEN GOOD TO MY Y FAMILY.
I DO SEE THE TREND IS MORE REGULATION.ORE OF THIS, WORTH THAT, BECAUSE SIDE THE COUNTRY BY THE PRODUCT AND ON THE SHELVES, PROUDLY DISPLAY. IF THAT KEEPS GOING, I DO FEAR
MY CHILDREN WILL NOT HAVE THE SAME OPPORTUNITY I HAD. >> IF SO, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO
THAT LAND? >> I MEAN, I WOULD SAY DEVELOP YOUR I DO NOT KNOW IF ST. JOHNS COUNTY HAS MORE ROOM FOR DEVELOPMENT. BASICALLY YOUR OPTION.
>> I HOPE THE BOARD UNDERSTANDS WHY ASKED CHRIS TO COME IN HERE HE AS AN EXPERT.
I DO NOT HAVE THAT KIND OF LABOR NEED. ESPECIALLY IN REGARD TO WORKERS. I FEEL IT NECESSARY AND UNDERSTAND THE BREADTH AND SCOPE OF THIS REQUEST AND TRUE FACTS FROM A PERSON FACING US. ALSO FACING TREMENDOUS OBSTACLES NOW IN LIGHT OF THIS OPERATION. FAMILY BUSINESS.
CHRIS IS 1/5 GENERATION FARMER HERE, LIKE I AM. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT Ã DIFFICULT TIMES. EVEN THEN, SOME OF THESE HAVE OUTSTANDING LIABILITIES THAT HAVE BEEN THERE. EVEN COVID. THEY SURVIVE.
WHAT THEY DO FOR OUR COMMUNITY, INCREASING GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY.
SUPPLYING ECONOMIC BASE. TRULY APPRECIATED. HOPE YOU ALL ARE ABLE TO
CONTINUE. >> CAN I MAKE A COMMENT? THIS IS HOW THE CONSEQUENCES OF VOTING WORKS. YOU HAVE AGED COMMISSIONER NOT IN OUR AREA WHATSOEVER, NOR THEIR AFF. THEY SHOULD PUT BOOTS ON THE GROUND AND TALK TO FARMERS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY COUNTY BEFORE YOU THROW 1.2M DOLLARS SOMETHING.
IT DOES NOT HELP HER FIX THE PROBLEM. IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE.
I HOPE IT CHANGES VERY SOON. >> THANK YOU, CHRIS. APPRECIATE IT.
VOTE FOR ANY FURTHER PUBLIC, >> I HAVE A COMMENT. CHRIS, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT IN MY OPINION, THAT WE AS A NATION CANNOT BECOME DEPENDENT ON FOREIGN FOOD JUST AS WE HAVE
WITH OIL. >> AMEN. >> WE ARE RECOVERING FROM THAT DILEMMA, JUST LAST THURSDAY, I WAS HAVING A MEETING WITH CONGRESSMAN ON THE ISSUE, HE WAS LATE TO THE MEETING. THE REASON HE WAS LATE, HE HAD BEEN ON ONE HOUR CONFERENCE CALL WITH FLORIDA FRUIT AND VEGETABLE ASSOCIATION, INCLUDING MY DIRECTOR.
I CAN TELL YOU CONGRESSMAN RUTHERFORD NOT ONLY AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT TRYING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT NOW. BECAUSE THIS IS A SERIOUS STATE OF FLORIDA PROBLEM, NOT JUST ST. JOHNS COUNTY. WE NEED TO BE AWARE THAT WORKING AS HARD AS WE CAN WITH OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO DO SOMETHING. IT IS JUST NOT FAIR.
IT IS RIDICULOUS TO BE COMPETING WITH ANOTHER COMPETITOR THAT HAS NO ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS. NO WAGE LOSS. IT IS CRAZY.
WE CANNOT BECOME DEPENDENT ON FOREIGN FOOD. >> YES, SIR. I WILL ADD TO THIS. ONLY ONE OF OUR STATE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION VOTED, CONGRESSMAN FROM PUTNAM AND FOR THE WEST. HE UNDERSTOOD THE SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACTS UPON AGRICULTURE OF THIS ESTATE. IT IS SIGNIFICANT.
[00:30:02]
VERY IMPACTFUL AND DUMPED HER MENTAL. TRY TO SURVIVE.THANK YOU, CHRIS FOR COMING AND THANK YOU FOR CONFERENCE COMMISSIONER.
>>, COMMENT ON ITEM 4. GO AHEAD, NAME AND ADDRESS. >> TOM REYNOLDS, BRINGING IN COURTS, THAT WAS INCREDIBLY NTERESTING. THANK YOU CHAIRMAN SMITH FOR LOOKOUT PERFORMANCE. THANK BARDS MET, DON'T WANT HIM LAYING BLAME, NOT JUST MAKE YOU FREE. HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE BUSH FAMILY.
25 YEARS IN IFORNIA, I SOLD OVER ONE OR TRUCKS TO FARMERS ALL OVER SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA.
I WOULD YOU TELL YOU SOMETHING. I RESPECT FOR FARMERS. ONE OF THE FEW INDICES I CAN STILL RESPECT. THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY SAVING OUR LIVES BY PRODUCING FOOD.
NEVER WANT TO LOSE FARMS IN ST. JOHNS COUNTY. I THINK WE COULD DELBERT SHOULD DO LAND PRESERVATION. APPROVE MONEY FOR FARMERS. IN FACT, IF I'M READING CORRECTLY, BUMP THIS UP BECAUSE THEY ARE QUALIFIED FOR HAZMAT PAY.
I ABSOLUTELY BELIEVE THEY SHOULD GET HAZMAT PAY IN THESE TIMES.FURTHERMORE, COMMISSIONS, I WOULD TO TELL YOU. I AM AGAINST THAT WORK PROGRAM.
I WANT TO TELL YOU WHY. I'VE ALWAYS BEEN AGAINST IT. I FEEL AMERICA HAS 2.2 MILLION PEOPLE IN CARS AWAY. NOT ALL RAPISTS AND MURDERERS NEED TO BE BEHIND BARS 24/7. I DO NOT KNOW WHY THIS MAN IS NOT ABLE TO HIRE PEOPLE OUT OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY JAIL, WHILE WE DON'T HAVE JOE BUSES GOING OUT THERE. IT WAS SITTING IN THE SLAMMER, I WOULD WANT TO BE OUT PICKING VEGETABLES AND MAKING A BUCK. I APPRECIATE THAT MAN PAYS $15 AN HOUR, DECENT FOR THAT GENTLEMAN TO DO THAT. I APPRECIATE HARD WORK TO THE ST. JOHNS COUNTY. I WOULD TIE THIS REAL QUICK, MOST IMPORTANT SERMON I HEARD MY WHOLE LIFE LAST 12 YEARS IS WHEN MY WIFE PASSED AWAY. WERE GOING TO COME TO TIMES WHEN FOOD IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING. PEOPLE WITH WHEELBARROWS FULL OF MONE AND GOLD TRY TO BUY FOOD. WE HAVE TO PRESERVE ST. JOHNS COUNTY FOOD. IF I CAN'T GET IT RIGHT, GIVE $250,000 ADDITIONAL, HAVE THE PAGES SPREAD AROUND FOR OWNERS FOR THE WORKERS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COMMISSIONS. I APPRECIATE WHAT JEB SMITH HAS DONE.
WHAT SHE WOULD DO MORE. LET EVERYONE KNOW HOW IMPORTANT OUR FARMERS OF ST. JOHNS COUNTY ARE. TRULY, A COUNTY THAT ONLY HAS TOURISM, A LITTLE ON THE WEAK SIDE AT THE MOMENT. EVERY TIME SOMETHING GOES DOWN WE LOSE TOURISM, WE CANNOT LOSE FARMERS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT.
>> ANY OTHER PUBLIC COMMENT? CONCLUDES PUBLIC, >> PUBLIC, CLOTHES, BACK TO THE BOARD FOR THIS. BECAUSE OF CHRIS' ANALYZATION OF THE SITUATION, I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS PARTICULAR REQUEST. HOWEVER, CHRIS HAS SAID, NUMBER ONE WILLING TO TRANSPORT HIS WORKERS TO A LOCATION TO HAVE THEM TESTED.
WE NEED TO HAVE TESTING DONE. MR. GIAMMANCE, DO HAVE CAPACITY WITH THE BOARD'S APPROVAL? X YES, TESTING SITE AT THE HOSPITAL, LEST WE CAN HAVE AVERAGING HAVE THE CAPACITY.
WE HAVE 200 TESTS PER DAY, WITH THOUSAND PER WEEK. AVERAGING ABOUT 600.
>> THERE'S ROOM THERE TO DO THAT WITH RTE APPROVED FUND? >> YES, SIR. RESULTS COMING IN QUICKER. THEY'RE NOT THE RAPID TESTS, BUT THEY'RE COMING IN QUICKER WHICH HAS BEEN TYPICALLY SEEN FOR A WEEK. SEEING ABOUT US.
DEPENDING ON THE DATA. IF YOU GET TEST ON FRIDAY, WHEN I GET RESULTS ENTITIES.
TEST ON MONDAY, MOST LIKELY WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY GET RESULTS BACK.
>> TWO OR THREE DAYS? >> CORRECT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON ITEM NUMBER FOUR? ALL RIGHT, MOVE ALONG TO ITEM NUMBER FIVE, AND OF THE BUSINESS TO COME TO THIS BOARD THIS MORNING? COMMISSIONERS. ADMIN NOTHING. MR. MCCORMACK?
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.