Feb 11, 2025 BCC Agenda

[00:00:20]

THIS AFTERNOON, OUR INVOCATION IS GIVEN BY COMMISSIONER COMPERE. MAYBE BOW YOUR HEADS, THANK YOU LORD FOR EVERY OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE TO COME TOGETHER. TO HANDLE THE BUSINESS OF CLAY COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS COUNTY HOME FOR US AND TO US. LORD, I JUST ASK THAT YOU WOULD GUIDE EVERY DECISION THAT IS MADE HERE TONIGHT. LORD, GIVE US HEARING HEARTS AND UNDERSTANDING MINDS . WE ARE ASKING FOR WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, AND UNDERSTANDING TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT BY YOUR PEOPLE HERE IN CALAIS. WE THANK YOU FOR EVERY MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY THAT HELPS THIS TO BE A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE. I THANK YOU FOR THE YOUNG AND AMBITIOUS HEARTS HERE, LORD, WHO STILL WANT TO CONTINUE A FAMILY LEGACY AND CONTINUE THIS GREAT NATION. I THANK YOU FOR HER DEDICATION TO THE STATE AND TO OUR COMMUNITY. WE SAY THIS IN THE NAME OF JESUS, AMEN.

>> PERFECT SEGUE AND A WONDERFUL PRAYER INTO THE VETERAN LED PLEDGE THIS AFTERNOON WE HAVE ARMY SPECIALIST, U.S. ARMY SPECIALIST AURORA KOREY . CURRENTLY SERVING WITH THE FLORIDA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD STATIONED AT CAMP BRANDON. SHE JOINED THE MILITARY SO SHE CAN BE THE FIRST PERSON IN HER FAMILY TO COMPLETE COLLEGE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION IN HER FAMILY TO SERVE AND TO HELP OTHERS WHILE SERVING YOUR COUNTRY. DURING HER SERVICE, SHE LEARNED TO DO WHAT SHE WAS TOLD AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE PRIDE IN WHAT SHE DOES AND STAY MOTIVATED TO KEEP GOING EVEN AFTER LOWEST. HER FAVORITE SERVICE MEMORIES INCLUDE KNOWING THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH MORE THAN SHE EVER ANTICIPATED, GAINING CLOSE FRIENDS ON SEEING THE DIVERSITY IN THE ORGANIZATION. SHE WAS AWARDED THE DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY WAR SOPHIA FLEMING CHAPTER OFFICERS TRAINING METAL. A RESIDENT WHO HAS VOLUNTEERED 300 HOURS AT THE ORANGE PARK LIBRARY AND ASSISTED WITH THE CHRISTMAS ON WALNUT STREET FOR THE PAST THREE YEARS. SHE ALSO SERVES HER COMMUNITY IN THE NAVY JUNIOR RESERVE TRAINING CORPS DOING HIGHWAY CLEANUPS AND SETTING UP EVENTS FOR THE MUSEUM AND ASSISTING WITH SET UP FOR THE -- GAMES SHOULD WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY AND YOUR CONTINUED SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. YOU MAY LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE AND THEN YOU MAY SAY A FEW WORDS IF YOU LIKE.

>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

>> FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW, MY NAME IS SPECIALIST AURORA KOREY I'VE BEEN IN THE GUARD FOR TWO YEARS NOW. I AM GOING TO COLLEGE TO GET MY DEGREE IN ART AND MY MASTERS DEGREE. I'M NOT DECIDED YET, I WILL FIGURE IT OUT ALONG THE WAY. I HAVE BEEN HERE ALL MY LIFE. THIS IS HOME TO ME. I AM SO THANKFUL TO HAVE YOU GUYS HERE. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.

[CALL TO ORDER]

[PET ADOPTIONS]

>> I WILL NOW CALL TO ORDER THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING FOR FEBRUARY 11TH, 2025. LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT ALL COMMISSIONERS ARE PRESENT. WE WILL MOVE INTO PET ADOPTIONS.

>> OUR FIRST DOG TODAY IS BELOW. MIXED BREED, WEIGHS 58 POUNDS AND HIS HEART WORM NEGATIVE. BO CAN GO ON A HIKING VENTURE IN THE WOODS. THIS 11 MONTH OLD SPUNKY PUP WAS FOUND BY SOME FRIENDLY HIKERS AND NOW HE IS LOOKING FOR HIS NEXT GREAT ADVENTURE, WITH YOU. WHETHER IT IS HITTING THE TRAILS, RESUMES IN THE YARD, OR FLOPPING DOWN FOR A SNOOZE, HE'S ALWAYS UP FOR A GOOD TIME. IF BO SOUNDS LIKE AN ADVENTURE BUDDY YOU NEED, HE IS WAITING FOR YOU. NEXT WE HAVE DOTTIE, HOUND MIX,

[00:05:07]

ALWAYS ON THE GO AND FUELED BY ENTHUSIASM AND SNACKS. SHE LOVES SNACKS, PLAYS GREAT WITH OTHER DOGS AND IS WORKING ON MASTERING THE FINE ART OF HOUSE TRAINING. HER BIGGEST CHALLENGE, RESISTING THE URGE TO GREET PEOPLE BY LAUNCHING YOURSELF INTO THEIR ARMS LIKE AN OVEREXCITED FAN AT EIGHT CONSERVATOR MANNERS ARE IN A WORKING PROCESS. SHE WILL BE A PRO IN NO TIME. COME MEET OUR FUN-LOVING GIRL, DOTTIE. NEXT IS GOOSE, FIVE YEARS OLD AND WEIGHS NINE POUNDS. AT FIVE YEARS OLD, GOOSE IS THE ULTIMATE WING MAN, MINUS THE JET BUT WITH ALL THE CHARM. THIS FELINE IS ALWAYS READY TO CRUISE INTO YOUR HEART AND MOCKS DEED. NEED A COPILOT FOR COUCH LOUNGING? HE HAS GOT YOU. WANT A CAT THAT KEEPS HIS COOL UNDER PRESSURE? GOOSE IS YOUR GUY. NO NEED FOR FANCY FLIGHT MANEUVERS. 10 SCRATCHES AND A COMFY SPOT TO LAND. THIS GUY WILL BE YOURS FOREVER. COME AND MEET GOOSE AND LET HIM TAKE OVER. LASTLY, WE HAVE LINDA, SPAYED FEMALE, DOMESTIC SHORTHAIR AND WEIGHS FIVE POUNDS. MEET LINDA, HEAD OF FELINE OPERATIONS. LINDA MAY LOOK LIKE SHE HAS A LOT ON HER PLATE, TRUST US, SHE IS REVIEWING SOME VERY IMPORTANT PAPERWORK WHICH SHE IS SITTING ON TO KEEP IT SECURE. SHE LOOKS LIKE SHE IS RUNNING A TIGHT SHIP. WHEN THE WORKDAY ENDS SHE IS READY TO RELAX WITH POLITY CUDDLES AND CHIN SCRATCHES. NEED A CAT WITH A PROFESSIONAL DEMEANOR AND SOFT SIDE, LINDA HAS BOTH COVERED. COME AND MEET HER TODAY. WE ARE STILL IN NEED OF FOSTER PARENT FOR DOG, CATS, AND CAN. CONSIDER OPENING YOUR HOME TEMPORARILY. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, CONTACT CLAY FOSTERS AT CLAY COUNTY.GOV. THIS BUNNY IS LOOKING TO A FOSTER HOME DUE TO AN INJURY. PLEASE CALL THE SHELTER WITH MORE INFORMATION.

AS ALWAYS, IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN HELPING OUR FURRY FRIENDS, PLEASE LOOK AT THE AMAZON WISH LIST. WE ARE ALWAYS IN NEED OF ITEMS FOR THE SHELTER ANIMALS. JUST GO TO AMAZON.COM. I

[1.  Black History Month (February 2025)]

COMPLETE A PET ADOPTIONS. >> BEAUTIFUL. WE HAVE ONE VERY IMPORTANT PROCLAMATION THIS EVENING. IF MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS WILL JOIN ME DOWN IN FRONT.

>> WELL, IF YOU HAVE BEEN LIVING UNDER A ROCK, FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH. I HOPE THAT YOU DO KNOW THAT. AN ANNUAL OBSERVANCE THAT HONORS THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF BLACK AND AFRICAN AMERICANS THAT HAVE IMPACTED THE COUNTRY ON THE WORLD WITH THEIR ACTIVISM AND ACHIEVEMENTS. INCLUDING RIGHT HERE IN CLAY COUNTY. I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO GIVE JUSTIN PIERCE A SHOUT OUT. HIM AND HIS TEAM HAD AN EVENT ON SATURDAY THAT WAS BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN CLAY COUNTY. I WAS ABLE TO GO OUT THERE FOR A FEW HOURS. IT IS A WONDERFUL DISPLAY. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WILL SET IT UP ANYWHERE ELSE. IF YOU GET A CHANCE, IT WAS A GREAT EVENT ON SATURDAY. IT IS A GREAT DISPLAY.

CHECK IT OUT. YOU CAN LEARN A LOT ABOUT HISTORY HERE IN CLAY COUNTY. TODAY, WE HAVE DR. CHERYL GONZALES. A MEMBER OF THE LAKE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND PART OF A GROUP LEADING THE DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION HERE WITH US THIS AFTERNOON. DR.

GONZALEZ, WILL YOU, NOT AND JOIN US AND WE WILL READ THE PROCLAMATION. I KNOW YOU HAVE A LOSS -- LIST OF PEOPLE COMING WITH YOU. THOSE OF YOU COMING WITH. SURE, COME ON UP, WE WILL HAVE COMMISSIONER BURKE READ THE PROCLAMATION. WE WOULD LIKE YOU, DR. GONZALEZ TO INTRODUCE EVERYONE TO US.

>> LINDA,,, YOU ARE BEING PRAISED.

[00:10:06]

>> I TRY AND SNEAK OUT. >> WHEREAS BLACK HISTORY MONTH WAS FOUNDED DUE TO WORK DONE BY CARTER G. WOODSON BEGINNING IN 1926 TO PROMOTE THE NEED FOR ACKNOWLEDGING AND ACCURATELY REPRESENTING AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT HAVE ENRICHED AMERICA AND THE LIVES OF EVERY AMERICAN.

WHEREAS DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH WE RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE CONTRIBUTION THAT ACHIEVEMENTS OF BLACK AND AFRICAN AMERICANS IN EVERY PART OF AMERICAN SOCIETY. THOSE THAT WORK TO PRESERVE THE TREASURED INSTITUTION. WHEREAS, SIGNIFICANT RESERVATIONS WERE MADE BY CLAY COUNTY RESIDENTS INCLUDING AFRICAN MISSIONARY DR. SICILIANO LOUISE FLEMING, PROMENADE BUSINESSWOMAN AND KINGSLEY CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST, MOD BURROWS JACKSON, NEWLY FOUND AND KNOWN POLITICIANS INCLUDING LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR JENNIFER CARROLL AND MULTIPLE PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES. WHEREAS DEDICATED COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION SUCH AS THE PALMETTO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION ARE STRIVING TO PROMOTE UNDERSTANDING AND CONNECTIVITY OF HISTORICAL INFORMATION, PEOPLE, PLACES, AND EVENTS. AND TO PRESERVE HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURES IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WHEREAS THE PALMETTO CDC IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT SUPPORTS PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR AT RISK YOUTH, PUBLISHES AN ANNUAL MAGAZINE TITLED CLAY COUNTY, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, AND CONDUCTS HISTORICAL RESEARCH WITH CLAY COUNTY HISTORICAL ARCHIVES, CLAY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS AND WHEREAS THE PALMETTO CDC IS DEDICATED TO RESTORING FOR COMMUNITY USE THE 72-YEAR-OLD BUILDING AT MOUNT ZION CHURCH, THE OLDEST BLACK CHURCH ESTABLISHED 152 YEARS AGO. THERE FOR, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, CLAY COUNTY FLORIDA DOES HERE BY JOIN THE NATION IN CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND PROCLAIMS FEBRUARY, 2025 AS BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN CLAY COUNTY. IN SO DOING URGES ALL RESIDENTS TO LEARN ABOUT AND APPRECIATE THE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY BLACK AND AFRICAN AMERICANS IN OUR NATIONS HISTORY AND SUPPORT THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE DEDICATED TO PRESERVING IT. ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THIS 11TH DAY, OF FEBRUARY, 2025 OR DO I HAVE A MOTION? SECOND? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

UNOPPOSED. I WILL RETURN YOU THE MICROPHONE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH TO THE COMMISSIONERS. WE APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO CELEBRATE, NOT JUST TODAY, BUT EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR. RIGHT NOW, BLACK HISTORY MONTH, VALENTINE'S DAY IS COMING UP. BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS VERY IMPORTANT. I'M NOT SURE WHAT I'M SUPPOSED TO DO. I'M SUPPOSED TO INTRODUCE EVERYBODY. YEAH. WE HAVE CINDY WITH THE CLAY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY. THE ORANGE PARK HISTORICAL SOCIETY. MARIANNE WHO IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE VA. DR. LARRY MICHIGAN WHO IS PART OF THE LEGACY FAMILY GROUP. LUCILLE JOHNSON IS NOT HERE. GEORGE L.

READ JR. THE NEW PASTOR, HAS BEEN THERE FOR ABOUT A YEAR.

STEVE GRIFFITH, PRESIDENT OF THE CLAY COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

WITH THAT GROUP, INCLUDING JERRY CASALE, WE CANNOT LEAVE THIS PERSON OUT. AMELIA DIXON OF THE CLAY COUNTY ARCHIVES. OKAY.

SANDRA PERSONS DID NOT,. SHE IS HERE WITH THE WOMEN'S MISSIONARY SOCIETY. SHE IS THERE SITTING NEXT TO CAMA. THAT IS THE HINT. DID I CALL EVERYONE? DID I CALL EVERYONE? OKAY. LINDA BARTLEY? SHE IS RELATED TO THE MULDROW FAMILY FROM BACK IN THE DAY. THAT WAS ONCE A BLACK HOTEL IN THE OLD MIDDLEBURG ROAD. THAT PLACE IS GONE BUT THE PROPERTY IS STILL IN THE FAMILY. WE ARE

GLAD TO HAVE HER HERE. >> THANK YOU. WE HAVE MISS MARTY

[00:15:04]

WE STARTED LAY ON SUNDAY. IT WAS WONDERFUL. YOU PROBABLY HEARD EARLIER ON THE SPEAKER, THANK YOU FOR SATURDAY, IT WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. I HOPE THAT EVERYONE CAN COME AND SEE FOR THE REST OF THE MONTH. ALL RIGHT, LET'S GET SOME PICTURES THEN.

[Clay EDC and JaxUSA Quarterly Update (C. Powell/A. Wallace/A. Lebesch)]

>> ALL RIGHT, MOVING RIGHT ALONG, THIS AFTERNOON WE HAVE ONE PRESENTATION, THE CLAY EDC PRESENTATION AND THE JAXUSA QUARTERLY UPDATE. HERE WITH US WE HAVE ANDRE WALLACE AND CALVIN POWELL FROM JAXUSA AND ALSO IN THE LEASE LABESCH FROM JAXUSA.

COME ON UP. ANDRE, WE SEE THAT YOU ALSO SHOP IN THE POWELL SPRING COLLECTION. OR DOES CRAWFORD SHOP IN THE ANDRE

WALLACE? >> IT'S A GOOD THING, YOU

FELLOWS LOOK GREAT. >> WE USED TO TEASE THE COMMISSIONER BECAUSE HE HAD A FEW JACKETS THAT WE SAID THAT HE WAS SHOPPING IN CRAWFORD POWELL.

>> ANDRE, WILL YOU PULL THE MICROPHONE UP A LITTLE BIT, THEY ARE HAVING TROUBLE HEARING YOU ONLINE. I WONDER IF SOMEONE HIT

ME OFF. LOOK ON THE -- >> OKAY, SORRY ABOUT THAT.

GREAT. ANDRE WALLACE WITH JAXUSA. THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE. THANK YOU FOR THE PARTNERSHIP WITH CLAY COUNTY. AS WELL AS WITH EDC FOR 2023 AND 2024 WERE SOME GOOD YEARS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. THE LAST HALF AND THE LAST SIX MONTHS OF 2024 WERE A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT THAN THE PRIOR 18 MONTHS OF 2023 THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF 2024 WITH A SLOWDOWN IN ACTIVITY BECAUSE OF HIGHER COSTS, HIGHER CAPITAL COST AND

[00:20:02]

TWO IN LIFE-SCIENCES AND FIVE IN TRANSPORTATION. IN 2025, WE HAVE GONE OFF TO A VERY GOOD START. CLAY COUNTY HAS MOST RECENTLY HOSTED A LARGE ADVANCED MANUFACTURING PROJECT THAT IS LOOKING AT NORTH EAST FLORIDA. CLAY COUNTY EDC PUT TOGETHER TWO SITES. THE COMPANY WAS IN TOWN TOWARDS THE END OF JANUARY. ONE OF THOSE SITES IS STILL IN THE RUNNING. THE PROJECT WILL BE COMING TO NORTHEAST FLORIDA AND WILL BRING HUNDREDS OF JOBS AND HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN CAPITAL INVESTMENT TO THIS REGION. STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFORMATION FROM THAT AS WE MOVE FORWARD. FROM A REGIONAL PERSPECTIVE, I ASKED YOU TO BE THE VIENNA WHITE. NEVERTHELESS, WE HAVE SOME FLORIDA TREND MAGAZINES. IF YOU GO TO PAGES 121 THROUGH 154, IT WILL HIGHLIGHT ALL OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA. ON PAGE 122 THERE WILL BE A PROFILE OF LAKE COUNTY. IF YOU PARTICIPATE IN THE DISCUSSIONS IN REGARDS TO THE TOWER REGION, AS WELL AS CRAWFORD POWELL PARTICIPATING IN THIS PROFILE FOR NORTHEAST FLORIDA. WE DO THIS EVERY OTHER YEAR. THIS IS A GOOD WAY TO FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WISE FOR THE ENTIRE REGION, ALL SEVEN COUNTIES OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT YOU WILL PROBABLY READ ABOUT IN THAT RESPECTIVE PROFILE IS THE DOUBLING DOWN AND TRICKLING DOWN ON TALENT DEVELOPMENT. THAT IS A TOP GOAL IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE FUTURE KNOWN AS NORTHEAST FLORIDA. DEVELOPING THE TALENT FROM K THROUGH 20. THE STATE OF THE REGIONS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STANDPOINT THIS THURSDAY AT 9:00 A.M. AT UNIVERSAL NORTH FLORIDA.

I WILL DO A ROUNDTABLE CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE SCHOOL AT JACKSONVILLE AND THE SUPERINTENDENT FOR ST. JOHN'S AS WELL AS THE CHIEF OF STAFF FOR DUVAL COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

THE REASON WHY THIS IS SO IMPORTANT IS THAT THE JOBS THAT CRAWFORD AND I TRIED TO GO OUT AND BRING OUR ONLY SUCCESSFUL IF WE GET THE TALENT POOL FOR THIS RESPECTIVE REASON. THAT IS WHY WE ARE DOUBLING DOWN AND TRICKLING DOWN WITH THAT CONVERSATION WITH TALENT. I WILL TRANSFER TO THE ADVOCACY WE WILL DO AT THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE MAKING SURE THAT ALL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES GET THE SUPPORT THAT THEY NEED FROM THE STATE LEGISLATURE SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO TRAIN THIS TALENT.

BETWEEN ALL THE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES IN THIS REGION, THEY PRODUCE 18,000 PEOPLE PER YEAR. DOING SOME TYPE OF UPSCALING. WE NEED THEM TO CONTINUE TO UPSCALE FOR THE ACTUAL JOBS FOR THIS ENTIRE REGION. ADDITIONALLY, YOU ARE THE READ AND HEARD THE INFORMATION THAT THEY WILL HAVE CAMPUSES IN JACKSONVILLE. THAT CAMPUS WILL HOPEFULLY BEGIN CLASSES THIS FALL. IT WILL HAVE A MASTERS DEGREE SIDE. YOU WILL NEED A MASTERS DEGREE IN MANAGEMENT AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. ALSO A MASTERS DEGREE IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES AS WELL. THIS WILL FIT INTO WHAT THE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ARE DOING INSIDE THE REGION. WITH THAT BEING SAID, YOU CAN ALSO GET THE WAVE OF THE FUTURE WHICH IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE DOUBLING DOWN ON THAT AND CYBERSECURITY. THAT WILL BE ONE OF THE MASTERS DEGREE PROGRAMS WE WILL HAVE AS WELL. SOME OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGION, THE WALL STREET JOURNALS IS WHERE THE SECOND HOTTEST JOB MARKET IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. NUMBER ONE ON THE EAST COAST. TOP 10 IN TERMS OF MOVING DESTINATIONS FOR PEOPLE. RECOGNIZE THAT 44,000 PEOPLE MOVED TO ALL OF NORTHEAST FLORIDA EVERY YEAR. THAT TREND WILL CONTINUE. WE ARE GROWING AT ABOUT 2% PER YEAR, THIS ENTIRE REGION WHICH IS DOUBLE WHAT THE STATE IS GROWING WHICH IS AT 1% AND FASTER THAN THE ENTIRE UNIT IS EIGHT AT .7%. A REGION THAT IS IN THE TOP FIVE FOR ATTRACTING COLLEGE GRADUATES.

[00:25:02]

I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU AND YOUR TEAM HERE TO ALSO WORK WITH REPRESENTATIVE GARRISON AS WELL AS SENATOR BRADLEY TO MAKE YOUR INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS KNOWN TO SUPPORT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

THAT IS ONE OF THE GREATEST WAYS TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE MEANINGFUL EMPLOYMENT AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE RESIDENTS OF LAKE COUNTY. THAT ALSO HELPS HOWARD AND HIS TEAM DIVERSIFY REVENUE STREAMS AS WELL. I WILL TURN IT OVER TO CRAWFORD FROM HERE. THAT IS ENOUGH FROM ME.

>> DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ANDRE BEFORE CRAWFORD? IT IS LOOKING PRETTY QUIET.

>> ONE OF THE ADMINISTRATIONS PROBLEMS IS TRADE IMBALANCES. IN A TARIFF WAR TRYING TO FORCE NEGOTIATION. I HAVE READ THAT CANADA AND JAPAN ARE GOING TO TRY AND ALLEVIATE THAT IMBALANCE. ONE OF THE WAYS TO ALLEVIATE IMBALANCES IS TO LEAD INDUSTRY ONSHORE INSTEAD OF OFFSHORE. WHAT ARE YOU HEARING IT NOT? IT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

>> WE STARTED THIS CONVERSATION IN EARLY 2024. WE RECOGNIZE THAT MANUFACTURING IS GOING TO BE BACK ON SHORE. READINGS WERE LOOKING FOR, NUMBER ONE IS TALENT. NUMBER TWO, IS THAT THEY HAVE TO HAVE A READY BUILDING OR A SITE ALREADY WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE. THREE, ON THE INFRASTRUCTURE SIDE IS UTILITIES. WITHOUT UTILITIES, YOU WILL BE REALLY TOUGH TO GET MANUFACTURING PRODUCTS TO MOVE ON SHORE. ANOTHER THING IN REGARD TO TARIFFS, WHY THIS REGION IS IN A VERY GOOD POSITION IS FOREIGN TRADE ON NUMBER 64. THAT ALLOWS FOR GOODS TO COMMON AND GO THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE REGION WITHOUT TAXATION AND TARIFFS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. THAT MAKES IS VERY ATTRACTIVE. THAT IS WHY YOU SEE A NUMBER OF ADVANCED MANUFACTURING PRODUCTS. SOMETIMES 20+ PRODUCTS. 23 AND 24. I ANTICIPATE THAT NUMBER IS GOING TO STILL BE THE SAME. WE ARE VERY ATTRACTIVE FROM THAT STANDPOINT TO HAVE A LESS CONGESTED PORT. IMAGINE THAT I SAID THE LESS CONGESTED. LOOK AT THE EASTERN SEABOARD. THOSE ARE VERY CONGESTED. THERE IS NOT A LOT OF LAND IN AND AROUND THOSE AREAS FOR INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSES, COLD REFRIGERATION, STORAGE SPACE. THEY ARE LOOKING AT JACKSONVILLE. YOU REACH 98,000 CONSUMERS WITHIN JACKSONVILLE IN 24 HOURS. IN 48 HOURS YOU CAN REACH THE ENTIRE POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES OR THAT IS WHY JACKSONVILLE IS VERY ATTRACTIVE.

>> THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANKS,

ANDRE. >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY.

THANK YOU. JUST A QUICK UPDATE, AS ANDRE SAID, WE ARE SEEING THIS PART OF THE REGION WITH A LOT OF GOOD PRODUCTS THAT ARE COMING IN AND LOOKING AT THE REGION. STILL AS A COMMUNITY, A LOT OF THE MAJOR NATIONAL DEVELOPERS ARE STICKING THEIR TOE IN. WANTING TO BE WITH THE FIRST COAST EXPRESSWAY THAT IS OPENING. THEY DON'T WANT TO BE FINANCIALLY TOO FAR AHEAD OF THAT AND THEY KNOW THEY CANNOT BE THAT FAR BEHIND IT. COME ON, MAKE A DECISION. MAKE A HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS. WITH THE FIRST COAST EXPRESSWAY BEING MENTIONED FEBRUARY 26TH, WE WILL BE HOSTING THE FIRST COAST EXPRESSWAY IN THE SUMMIT CENTER.

WE WILL BE GETTING UPDATES FROM FDOT AND UPDATE FROM SOME OF THE GENERAL CONTRACTORS AND CC YOU A ABOUT THE EXPANSION ALONG THE EXPRESSWAY AND FROM THE COUNTY, WE WILL BE GETTING UPDATES TO EXPLAIN WHAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING WITH THE TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM AND YOUR CONDUCTIVITY BACK THERE. WE EXPECT TO HAVE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 100 AND 125 PEOPLE AT THE TIME THAT IS FINALIZED. PLEASE, IF YOU CAN ATTEND, PUT THAT ON YOUR CALENDAR. JUST AN FYI, THE COMMISSIONER AND SOME OF THE

[00:30:03]

THERE WAS A LETTER OF INTENT BY THE INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSING OPERATION AND THEY ARE STILL DOING THE DUE DILIGENCE PHASE.

THE PROJECT YOU ARE AWARE OF THAT IS OFF OF BLAINE BOULEVARD, THEY ARE DOING SOME SITE PREP WORK. WE ARE DOING THAT CURRENTLY AND JUST AS A REMINDER, THAT IS $29 MILLION OF CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND THE AVERAGE SALARY IS 85,000 FOR THAT. THAT IS A PRETTY NICE PROJECT. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO TO OUR WEBSITE, CHOOSE CLAY.COM. THERE IS A LINK IN FRONT FOR YOU GUYS TO SEE THE LIVE CAMERA ON THE SITE FOR CONSTRUCTION. THEY HAVE PUT THE ROOF ON THE FIRST BUILDING. THEY ARE STARTING TO MOVE EQUIPMENT INTO THAT FACILITY AND THEY SHOULD BE STARTING ON BUILDING NUMBER TWO WITHIN THE NEXT 4-6 MONTHS. THEY ARE STARTING TO HIRE SOME OF THEIR MANAGEMENT TEAM AND THEY ARE LOOKING AT SPEEDING UP SOME OF THE EMPLOYEES BECAUSE THEY WILL HIRE THE EMPLOYEES NOW, SEND THEM TO OTHER LOCATIONS WHERE THEY HAVE THESE SAME OPERATIONS TO GET THEM UP TO THE SO WHEN THE EQUIPMENT IS OPERATIONAL HERE, THE EMPLOYEES WILL COME BACK AND MOVE BACK INTO THAT. I DID MENTION TO YOU BEFORE, THE GENERAL MANAGER IS ACTUALLY A CLAY COUNTY GUY THAT HAD BEEN OPERATING THEIR PLANT IN INDIANA , OHIO, ILLINOIS, THANK YOU. HE HAS ALREADY MOVED BACK AND IS IN THE DAY-TO-DAY CONVERSATIONS. AS A REMINDER TOO, I KO IS COMMITTED TO $250 MILLION IN CAPITAL INVESTMENT OF 150,000 EMPLOYEES. THEY EXPECT TO BE NORTH OF 150 EMPLOYEES BY THE TIME THEY ARE FULLY OPERATIONAL. NIAGARA WATER BOTTLING IS CONTINUING TO INVEST. THE LAST NUMBER I RECEIVED FROM THEM IS $192 MILLION AND 176 EMPLOYEES. THEY ARE COMMITTED TO $90 MILLION AND 80 EMPLOYEES. THEY HAVE ALMOST DOUBLED THAT IN A THREE-YEAR SPAN. THEY ARE CLOSE TO MY $250 MILLION WHEN THEY COMPLETE THE INVESTMENT IN THIS SITE. THEY EXPECT TO BE CLOSE TO 250 MILLION JOBS ALSO. I HAD A MEETING WITH PROJECT GAME

[00:35:11]

>> QUESTION FOR CRAWFORD? NO QUESTIONS FOR CRAWFORD, THANK YOU, WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING THIS AFTERNOON.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. STAY TUNED. IT'S

GOING TO GET BETTER. >> DEFINITELY. THANK YOU. ALL

[CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS]

HOPEFULLY SHE DOES NOT HAVE THE EGG FOR TOO MUCH LONGER FOR WHAT IS GOING ON. WE DO HAVE OUR DEPUTY CLERK HERE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. DID I MISS ANYBODY? WAVE IF I DID. I CANNOT SEE THAT FAR AWAY OUT HERE. WE HAVE OUR FIRE CHIEF HERE FROM ORANGE CLERK.

[APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

>> MADAM CHAIR, MOVED TO APPROVE THE MEETING MINUTES FROM JANUARY

28, 2025 YOUR >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, INDICATE BY

[PUBLIC COMMENTS]

PUBLIC COMMENT CARDS ARE PLACED AT THE MEETING ROOM ENTRANCE AND SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE CLERK ON THE FAR LEFT OF THE DAIS. YOU ARE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES FOR EACH COMMENT PERIOD. BEFORE ADDRESSING THE BOARD, WE ALSO YOU SAY YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND I WILL NOW OPEN THE FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD. I DO HAVE THREE CARDS. MY FIRST CARD IS STEPHEN GRIFFITH. MR. GRIFFITH,

YOU ARE WELCOME TO COME UP. >> HI, I AM STEVE GRIFFITH. I AM THE PRESIDENT WITH THE CLAY COUNTY HISTORIC SOCIETY. I JUST WANT TO BRING TO THE COMMISSIONERS ATTENTION THAT WE NEED DESPERATELY TO GET THE CABOOSE REPAIRED AND COVERED PROPERLY. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE DRIVEN BY THE HISTORIC TRIANGLE THAT IS COVERED WITH A BLACK TARP RIGHT NOW AND THAT INHIBITS THE ABILITY FOR VISITORS TO SEE IT VERY WELL. I DON'T THINK IT WILL TAKE TOO MUCH MONEY OR TOO MUCH TIME TO FINISH IT. HE NEEDS ONE MORE PIECE OF CANOPY OVER IT TO KEEP MOISTURE FROM COMING IN AND THEN IT JUST NEEDS SOME MINOR WOOD REPAIRS ON THE OUTSIDE. THAT WOULD MAKE IT SO THAT IT CAN BE

[00:40:01]

>> THANK YOU, MR. GRIFFITH, WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING THIS AFTERNOON. ALL RIGHT, NEXT WE HAVE JERRY CASALE.

>> I AM A FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY. I AM BASICALLY HERE TO BACK UP WHAT STEVE JUST SAID ABOUT IT. THE REASON WE ARE MEETING HERE IS BECAUSE OF THE RAILROADS. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS SUFFICIENT TO HAVE WATER NAVIGATION. THE LAND FERRY GOING INTO THE INTERIOR, IF THAT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO BE APPROVED. THIS AREA WAS WILLING TO TAKE IT AND THE REST IS HISTORY. THIS IS THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE HOTELS AND THE ASSOCIATE.

THE MOVEMENT OF THE RAILROAD MUSEUM WAS BY PRIVATE EFFORTS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS. THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS DONATED OR RAISED AND THE RAILROAD MEMORABILIA INCLUDING THE CABOOSE WAS BY PRIVATE CITIZENS AND THAT IS PART OF OUR HISTORY. IT WOULD BE A SHAME IF WE LOSE THIS TURN OF THE CENTURY CABOOSE WHICH WAS VERY POPULAR. RECENTLY A GROUP OF FLORIDA IS MOST RAILROAD BUSES AND ALSO ALL OF THE SCHOOL KIDS THAT VISIT OUR MUSEUM. IT IS A VERY POPULAR PART OF THE MUSEUM TOTALLY RUN BY VOLUNTEERS LIKE OURSELVES. IF THE COUNTY WILL AUTHORIZE THE REPAIR OF THE PART OF THE CABOOSE AND PROTECTION OF IT FOR THE FUTURE.

BECAUSE IT WILL NOT BE REPLACED OTHERWISE. ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM. THERE IS A

LOT TO BE SAID ABOUT IT. >> WE APPRECIATE YOU COMING THIS AFTERNOON AS WELL AND BRINGING THAT TO OUR ATTENTION.

>> ALL RIGHT, NEXT WE HAVE STEPHEN -- I FEEL LIKE I AM NOT PRONOUNCING THAT CORRECTLY. I KNOW YOU HAVE SPOKEN BEFORE US

TOO. I SHOULD KNOW THAT. >> STEPHEN VAN BLOOM. I LIVE IN DISTRICT TWO. JUST OFF OF CANDLEWOOD AND ACROSS THE HIGHWAY FROM THE OAKLAND PLANTATION. I WANT TO BRING ATTENTION SOMETHING THAT IS A CONCERN OF MY FELLOW NEIGHBORS IN OUR LITTLE AREA WE LIVE IN. IT IS A CONCERN THAT WAS BROUGHT UP UPON CONVERSATIONS THAT I'VE HAD WITH MULTIPLE RESIDENTS IN THAT AREA. THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY IN AND ONE WAY OUT OF CANDLEWOOD. DRIVING DOWN, YOU TAKE THE FIRST COAST EXPRESSWAY AND YOU GET OFF AT CHALLENGER AND THEN RIGHT ONTO CANDLEWOOD.

THE ROAD HAS BEEN THERE FOR DECADES. THERE ARE HALF A DOZEN HOUSES OUT ARE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. 20 YEARS AGO THEY STARTED DEVELOPING IT AND PUTTING HOUSES DOWN THERE. THERE ARE 700 HOUSES NOW DOWN THAT ROAD. THERE IS ONLY THAT ONE ROAD TO GET IN OR OUT. THERE ARE NO OTHER WAYS TO GET IN OR OUT THERE. WE HAD A LIVE INCIDENT THIS MORNING, AN ACCIDENT WITH A SCHOOL BUS AND BUCKLEY THERE HAVE BEEN NO MAJOR INJURIES. AN INCIDENT LIKE THAT IS NOW A REAL LIFE SITUATION TO THE SCENARIO THAT WE NOW HAVE -- OUR CONCERN IS THAT WE HAVE A REAL LIFE

[00:45:01]

>> THOSE ARE ALL THE CARDS THAT I HAVE, IS THERE ANYONE ELSE?

>> MR. OTTO, COME ON UP. >> HELLO. GOOD AFTERNOON. JAMES OTTO, YOU ALL KNOW ME. SO, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE BOARD TO USE PICTURE IN PICTURE MORE, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR THE CITIZENS TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE BOARD AND EVERYTHING ELSE A LITTLE BIT MORE. I ALSO WANT A COPY OF THE LEGISLATION MINUTES WHILE I WAS HERE. IT IS WONDERFUL THAT WE ARE ABLE TO SPEAK HERE FROM TALLAHASSEE. I'M GLAD THAT WE CAN BE HERE AT THE MEETING. SO, I WAS LOOKING AT THE TAURUS DEVELOP ME. THIS AREA IS COMING TO GET A PLAQUE IN FRONT OF THE CHURCH. I THINK IT SHOULD BE A TRADE. THERE IS A PARK BACK THERE AND THEY NEED TO MAINTAIN IT. THE JAILERS CAME OUT AND CLEANED UP BEFORE THE EVENT. WE REALLY NEED A ROAD TO THERE. I KNOW THAT MS. BURROUGHS IS NOT IN FAVOR OF THAT. UNTIL WE CAN GET THROUGH SOME OF THE ISSUES WITH THESE CONGESTIONS AND SOME OF THESE OTHER THINGS, I WOULD ASK THE BOARD TO ASK THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY WHAT THEIR REAL OPINION IS INSTEAD OF JUST A COUPLE OF PEOPLE. BEFORE YOU GO GIVING THEM A PLAQUE AND EVERYTHING WHICH IS FINE AND DANDY, WE NEED TO GET THAT WHOLE AREA TAKING CARE OF. I'VE BEEN DOWN TO ENGINEERING AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOTHING BUT A MESS OVER THERE. WE HAVE ALL KINDS OF ISSUES, PROPERTY ISSUES BACK THERE. BEFORE THE COUNTY DOES ANYTHING, I WOULD ASK THEM TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET THINGS IN THE RIGHT ORDER. SO, THE TDC, AGAIN, I BEG YOU TO DO A MORATORIUM. GREAT WATERFRONT DOWN THERE IF YOU WANT TO CONTRIBUTE TO TODAY'S FLOOD LEVELS. 20% OVER STACKING AND I HEAR THAT GREEN COVE IS CALLING OFF A LOT OF THEIRS. THE DEMAND FOR THE HOUSING THE PRIOR BOARD HAS MADE IS A MESS IN OUR COUNTY. YOU KNOW? 220, I HAVE TO GO THIS WAY, IT'S NOT A BIG DEAL, WE WILL PAY THE IMPACT FEES. THAT IS THE WAY IT GOES. WHEN YOU DON'T PAY THE IMPACT FEES, YOU DON'T HAVE THE STRUCTURE THERE. WE DON'T HAVE A DOG PARK, WE ARE WORKING ON THAT. THERE IS ONE PARK THAT IS

PRIVATELY OWNED. >> THANK YOU, MR. OTTO. YOU MADE A REQUEST FOR MINUTES FOR THE MEETING. I WAS LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION. IF YOU CONTACT THE CHAIRMAN OF THAT BOARD.

>> I WANT TO GET IT ON RECORD AGAIN. I DID IT ON RECORD IN

THAT MEETING. >> YOU HAVE TO REACH OUT TO THEM. THAT WAS NOT OUR MEETING. KRISTI DOES NOT KEEP THOSE

[00:50:02]

>> I DID NOT UNDERSTAND THAT BEFORE I -- YES MA'AM. I HAVE A LOT OF PUBLIC RECORDS. INCLUDING CODE ENFORCEMENT.

>> WONDERFUL, THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT? OKAY,

[CONSENT AGENDA]

[13.  Progress Report on the Bonded Transportation Program and Other Capital Projects (Capital Projects Team)]

>> GOOD EVENING TO THE BOARD THROUGH THE CHAIR. I AM HERE TO UPDATE YOU AND THE TEAM ON THE PROGRESS THE TEAM IS MADE OVER THE LAST MONTH. FROM MASTERS PIT TO PINE TREE LANE, THE TEAM CONTINUED THE BIMONTHLY STATUS MEETINGS, EXCAVATION IS NOW COMPLETE. HINDSIGHT TWO AND THREE EXCAVATION IS UNDERWAY AND SITE NUMBER FOUR IS BEING WATERED. THEY CONTINUE THE ISOLATION OF THE DRAIN STRUCTURES, PIPES , AND THE DEMOLITION OF THE EXISTING GROUND WAYS AND BEGAN PLACING ASPHALT. THIS PROJECT IS ON SCHEDULE WITH 25% PAID OUT AND 47% OF IT IS UNUSED. TWO, APPRAISALS FOR ACQUISITIONS FOR PROJECT NUMBER TWO. THE PLACEMENT OF STORM WATER DRAIN PIPES NEAR U.S. 17. THEY MAKE PROGRESS AT THE RAILROAD CROSSINGS BY PLACING ASPHALT ON COUNTY ROAD 209. ON JANUARY 15TH THE NEW TRAFFIC SIGNALS AT COUNTY ROAD 209 AND 15 B BECAME OPERATIONAL OVER THE RAILROAD CROSSING IT IS 42% PAID OUT. 47% OF THE TIME USE. FOR PROJECT NUMBER FIVE, COUNTY ROAD 220 AND SIX A ON COUNTY ROAD 315, THEY CONTINUE TO TRACK THE PROGRAM APPLICATIONS THAT WILL PROCESS UNDER THEIR REVIEW. RESPONSES ARE BEING FINALIZED FOR BOTH PERMIT PACKAGES WITH THE INTENT TO SUBMIT A BILL PRIOR TO THE AGENCY DEADLINE. FOR PROJECT THREE A, THIS PROJECT IS COMPLETE. WE ANTICIPATE THE FINAL INVOICE IN THE NEXT MONTH. THIS SECTION WHICH CONNECTS THE EAST END OF PROJECT FOR ON THE ROUNDABOUT IN 209B, THEY CONTINUE GOING THROUGH THE SOLUTION AT THE POND SITES. THIS PROJECT IS 12% PAID OUT AND 63% OF THE TIME HAS ELAPSED. THE SCHEDULE IS UNDER CONTENTION FROM THE CONTRACTOR. PROJECT FOUR CONTINUES WITH SOD PLACEMENT, INSTALLATION OF ITALIAN SIDEWALKS. ITALIAN SUBDIVISION ENTRANCE ROADS. THEY FINAL ASPHALT COURSE. THIS IS ON SCHEDULE 97% PAID OUT WITH 81% OF THE TIME USED. MOVING ON TO THE PROJECT AT CATHEDRAL PARKWAY, THE TEAM CONTINUES TO HOLD BIMONTHLY STATUS MEETINGS TRACING REBAR AND CONCRETE IN THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE RAILINGS.

INSTALLATION OF THE SUBBASE IS NOW COMPLETE. THEY HAVE NOW CREATED A LIMESTONE BASE, SITE PLACEMENT CONTINUES. THE DRAINAGE CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES NEAR THE BRIDGE AND A ROOF RACK IS BEING INSTALLED. THE PROJECT SCHEDULE IS UNDER CONTENTION FROM THE PROJECT CONTRACTOR. THE COUNTY IS WORKING TOWARDSA RESOLUTION OF THAT. W JI CONTINUES TO WORK ACROSS THE PROGRAM SPECTRUM. AS OF FEBRUARY 4TH, THEY HAVE EXPENDED $110.9 MILLION. ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?

[00:55:05]

>> WOULD YOU MIND ELABORATING, PROJECT 3B AND 6B, YOU SAID THEY ARE UNDER CONTENTION, CAN YOU REFRESH MY MEMORY ON THAT.

>> THEY WERE IN CONTENTION, THEY DID NOT WANT TO START THE EARLY RELEASE WORK PACKAGE WITH FEAR THAT WE COULD NOT GET THE MITIGATION PERMITS. AGAIN, WE BACK THAT BALL BACK AND FORTH.

AT THIS POINT, THEY HAVE NOT GIVEN WAY TO SAY THAT THEY WEREN'T ALLOWED TO WORK ON THAT. NO RESOLUTION AT THIS POINT. THEY HAVE TO COME BACK TO US WITH SOME DATA TO BACK UP THEIR INITIAL ASSERTION. THEIR FIRST DELIVERY, THEY JUST WANTED MORE DAYS. THEY DID NOT PROVIDE US ENOUGH INFORMATION OR BACKUP.

FOR 6B, 6B WAS A PORTION WITH THE PERMIT WHERE THE STATE PERMIT WAS SHUT DOWN BY THE FEDS. THERE WAS A FEDERAL INJUNCTION AND THAT SLOWED OR STOPPED THE PERMITTING COMPLETELY ON 6B. WE WERE ABLE TO GET ENGAGED INITIALLY AND WITH HIS SUPPORT, WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE PERMIT THROUGH. THAT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A DELAY. WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INFORMATION THAT SUPERIOR PROVIDED, THEIR CASE THAT THEY PRESENTED TO US, WE FELT LIKE IT WAS NOT COMPLETELY FULL. WE PUSHED BACK ON THEM AS WELL. WE ARE STILL WORKING WITH SUPERIOR

ON THAT RESOLUTION AS WELL. >> IN REGARD TO THIS PROJECT, 6B WAS LESS ALARMING COMPARED TO 3B. THE PROJECT IS ONLY 12% PAID OUT. 63% OF THE TIME LEFT. TALK TO ME ABOUT THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS CONTENTION. WHAT KIND OF DELAY ARE WE LOOKING AT?

>> THEY CONTINUE TO WORK ON THE PROJECT. IT IS A FULL FORCE EFFORT TO GET THE PROJECT COMPLETED. WITH THAT, WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THEM AS WE CONTINUE TO WORK ON APPLICATIONS AND WILL CONTINUE TO MAKE PAYMENTS. WE FEEL THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO COMPLETE THIS ON SCHEDULE. IF THEY DON'T FINISH ON SCHEDULE, WE WILL LOOK AT THE DAMAGES WRITTEN IN THE CONTRACT. WE STILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE REPLY ON SOME DATA SIGNIFIED AND DEFINED WHY THEY FEEL LIKE THEY NEED TO DO ADDITIONAL WORK. THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR A RESOLUTION.

>> OKAY. THAT IS A VERY INFORMATIVE ANSWER. I DO HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS. I GUESS THE PART OF MY CONCERN WAS THE POTENTIAL FOR DELAY ON THIS PROJECT. IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE PROVIDED THEY DON'T PRESENT US WITH ANY INFORMATION THAT GIVES VALIDITY TO THEIR ARGUMENT, WE SHOULD COMPLETE THIS ON TIME?

>> CORRECT. IF THEY DO NOT COMPLETED ON TIME, IT CAN BE SLIPPED INTO DAMAGES. IF THEY DON'T COMPLETE IT ON TIME, AS A HYPOTHETICAL SITUATION IT GOES AN ADDITIONAL 60 DAYS, THAT ADDITIONAL 60 DAYS, THERE IS NOTHING CRITICAL FOR THE END DATE IF THEY GO BEYOND IT. NOW THEY DID NOT MAKE THE CONTRACT

DATE. >> LIQUIDATED DAMAGES ONLY APPLIES IF THEIR POSITION IS NOT SUBSTANTIATED.

>> RIGHT. WE WILL LET THEM DO IN DUE COURSE.

>> THAT ANSWERS MY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER BURKE, ARE YOU GOOD? OKAY. YOU HAVE A QUESTION, WHAT IS THE FINAL DEADLINE FOR PAYOUTS? I WAS NOT HERE WHEN WE

STARTED. >> IT DOES NOT MATTER, DOES IT? THE FINAL PAYOUT IS MARCH 26TH THROUGH 2025. THE DEADLINE IS 89% OF THE -- PAID OUT AT THAT TIME. WE ARE AT THAT MARK RIGHT

[01:00:01]

NOW IS $110 MILLION. >> THAT IS A PROCESS WHERE IF YOU HAVE A P.O. ISSUE DOES THAT CONSTITUTE A PAYOUT?

>> WHEN WE FIRST STARTED DOWN THIS PATH, THERE WAS A DISCUSSION, WHAT DOES THAT ACTUALLY MEAN? IS THAT A P.O.

ISSUE? A CONTRACT ISSUE? RECEIPT OF AN INVOICE? RECEIPT BEEN PAID, RECEIPT HAS BEEN AUDITED. THE INVOICE, INVOICE AUDITED. WE HAVE TO MAKE THAT. THEN WE'LL HIT THE 85% MARK.

>> MY ISSUE IS PROJECT 3A WONDERED I'M CONCERNED ABOUT HOW MUCH IT ACTUALLY COST. HOW HARD IS IT TO TELL HOW MUCH IT

ACTUALLY COST? >> IT IS CERTAIN TO SAY THAT WE

HAVE THE NUMBERS. >> I DON'T WANT A RUNNING TOTAL. IT CHANGES EVERY DAY EXCEPT FOR WHEN THE PROJECT IS

COMPLETE. >> WE KNOW WHAT THE REAL ESTATE COST US AND WHAT THE DESIGN COST US AND CONSTRUCTION. THE ONLY THING THAT WE PAID OUT IS WHAT WE ARE HOLDING. THAT IS WHY WE ARE WAITING TO MAKE A FINAL BUDGET.

>> I KNOW AT SOME POINT YOU HAVE FINALIZE THE FINAL COST. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS THE FINAL COST.

>> WE HAVE A VERY ACTIVE AND ROBUST PROJECT GROUP.

>> WE BETTER KNOW HOW MUCH IT COSTS.

>> COMMISSIONER BURKE DOES HAVE A QUESTION.

>> I KNOW THE ANSWER BECAUSE I ASKED ALREADY. IF YOU CAN EXPLAIN EVERYONE SAID THIS WAS GOING TO BE DONE BY SUNDAY. IT

SHOULD BE ALMOST DONE NOW. >> WHEN I LEFT TO WALK THIS WAY, IT WAS POURING THIS EVENING. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS HAVE TO BE PERFECT. LAST MONTH WE HAD QUITE A FEW DIFFICULT DAYS WITH COLD WEATHER. THIS PAST WEEK, WE SHOULD HOPEFULLY BY THE END OF THIS WEEK BE TOLD THAT THERE WERE SOME ISSUES EARLIER WITH THE PLANT AND ACTUALLY GETTING THAT LAST FRICTION COURSE LAID ON THE WESTBOUND LANE MONDAY AND TUESDAY. WE ARE BEING TOLD AGAIN BY THE CONTRACTOR THAT WE HAVE FULL FAITH THAT THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THAT DONE THIS WEEK. ON THE EASTBOUND LANE, THEY HAD ROLLED UP SOME OF THE SERVICE. THE QUALITY CONTROL TEAM HAD PICKED UP MULTIPLE ERRORS ALONG THE WAY. WE WAITED FOR THEM, THE CONTRACTOR TO DEVELOP A REPAIR PROCEDURE. WE DID NOT WANT A LOT OF PATCHES. WE DON'T WANT TO GIVE YOU A PATCHED PROJECT. THEY CAME AND NAILED UP THAT ENTIRE SECTION. ON THE EASTBOUND SIDE.

>> YOU SAID IF THERE ARE NO STRIPERS THEN THEY CANNOT DO IT THEN. THEY HAD A HARD TIME WITH THE STRIPERS.

>> WE WANTED TO QUALIFY, STRIPERS. THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS IF WE DO LAY THE NEW ASPHALT, AND IF THERE IS NOT TEMPORARY STRIPING DOWN, THERE IS ONLY BLACKTOP AND YOU CANNOT TELL WHERE THE BIKE LANES ARE AND THAT CREATES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. AGAIN, THE STRIPING THAT WILL COME DOWN IS TEMPORARY AND IT WILL BE PERMANENT TWO WEEKS LATER. THAT

IS INCONSEQUENTIAL. >> YES MA'AM. YOU HEARD THAT

INFRASTRUCTURE IS IMPORTANT. >> THANK YOU.

>> YES MA'AM. >> AS A POINT OF CLARITY, I THINK THE POINT THAT COMMISSIONER BURKE IS DRAWING OUT, THE INQUIRIES ABOUT THIS CONTENTION. WHETHER THE CONTRACT SETS OUT THE END DATE STATED DATE, IS FINE, WE ALSO HAVE TO GRAPPLE WITH CITIZENS AND THEIR EXPECTATIONS. WHEN YOU SAY IT IS GOING TO BE 30 DAYS OR 60 DAYS BEYOND THE CONTRACT DATE, IT AFFECTS THEM. THEY ARE FOLLOWING, I'M SURE. IF WE ARE HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT RUSSELL ROAD AND THEIR EXPECTATIONS ARE BEING MET, WHAT I'M LOOKING TO BE ABLE TO

[01:05:04]

CONCERNED ABOUT. >> ON A WEEKLY BASIS WE DO WORK WITH THE IPO TO PUBLISH THE BEST INFORMATION WE HAVE. SHE USES MULTIPLE DIFFERENT PLATFORMS. IT GOES OUT, ALL OF THE VARIOUS DIFFERENT EMAILS AND EVEN ON OUR DASHBOARD, THE DASHBOARD GETS UPDATED AND WE TYPICALLY GET 500 HITS PER PROJECT PER MONTH, AND PEOPLE CAN GO ON IT. I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION. I WILL TRY AND GET OUT THE BEST INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE. WE GO THROUGH OUR FORECASTING AS BEST WE CAN.

>> SURE. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THE BTP? SEEING NONE, WE WILL SWITCH GEARS.

>> TO THE BOARD, THROUGH THE CHAIR, THE DIRECTOR OF CAPITAL PROJECTS. THIS REPORT IS TO SUPPORT THE REQUEST THE BOARD HAD MADE STEMMING OUT OF LAST WEEK'S BOARD MEETING WITH DIRECTION FROM THE COUNTY MANAGER. AS I UNDERSTAND THE DIRECTION, WE WERE ASKED TO DELIVER A MONTHLY REPORT ON ALL COUNTY CAPITAL PROJECTS AND TAKE BETWEEN 3-5 MINUTES FOR THE VOTE DELIVERY AND BASICALLY PROVIDE A HARDCOPY REPORT OF ALL OF THE CAPITAL PROJECTS AND BE AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS TO THE BOARD. BASED ON THAT DIRECTION, WITH FIVE DIRECTORS THAT COVER ALL OF THE VARYING CAPITAL PROJECTS, I WILL GO THROUGH THE LIST. RICHARD SMITH, DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING. JUSTIN PIERCE, DIRECTOR OF PARKS AND RECREATION. JEAN CHRIST, THE DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE AS WELL AS MYSELF, THE DIRECTOR OF CAPITAL PROJECTS. MET TO DEVELOP A WE THINK WILL COVER YOUR REQUEST. BASED ON THOSE DISCUSSIONS, WE WILL MAKE THE FOLLOWING RECOMMENDATIONS. EACH MONTH, WE WILL VERBALLY HIGHLIGHT AND REPORT ON THE TOP TWO MINISTRY PROJECTS PER DEPARTMENT COVERING THE PROJECTS WE FEEL THAT OUR MOST LIKELY OF HIGH IMPORTANCE TO THE COMMUNITY AND YOURSELVES. WE WILL TAKE BETWEEN 3-5 MINUTES TO MAKE THAT REPORT OUT. THESE PROJECTSWILL BE SELECTED BY EACH ONE OF THE DIRECTORS BASED ON A NUMBER OF FACTORS CONSIDERING A RISK MATRIX COVERING PUBLIC SAFETY, SCHEDULING CONSTRAINTS, BUDGET COST CONSTRAINTS, PUBLIC OUTREACH OR THE QUALITY OF PROJECT THAT IS BEING DELIVERED AND PROVIDED. OUR INTENT IS NOT TO PROVIDE A DEEP DIVE ON ALL THE PROJECTS THE MONTHLY REPORT COVERS BEARING 300 PROJECT. AN EXAMPLE OF TODAY'S REPORT HAS 10 OF THE 225 PROJECTS THAT ARE ON THE LIST. ALL FIVE OF THE PREVIOUS MENTIONED DIRECTORS WILL BE PRESENT EACH MONTH BASICALLY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE OF THE TEAM.

NOW I WILL GO AHEAD AND TRANSITION TO DELIVER OUR FIRST PROJECT. THE FIRST CAPITAL PROJECT REPORT WHICH HAS INPUT FROM ALL FIVE DEPARTMENTS WITH SUPPORT FROM CAROLYN EVER ALL.

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, WE'LL GO AHEAD AND MOVE INTO THE REPORT. THE ANIMAL SERVICES BUILDING, THIS IS FOR THE CAPITAL PROJECTS DIVISION WHICH CONSISTS OF DESIGNING AND CONSTRUCTING A 3200 SQUARE FOOT ANIMAL SHELTER AND CARE FACILITY. THE PRECONSTRUCTION MEETING WAS HELD THIS WEEK AND THE TEAM EXPECTS TO RECEIVE THE REMAINING TWO PERMIT THIS WEEK.

CONSTRUCTION WILL START SHORTLY THEREAFTER. THE SUBSTANCE USE RECOVERY AREA WILL CONSIST OF A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER FACILITY WITH A POTENTIAL OF RENOVATING AND REFURBISHING THE EXISTING TAX COLLECTORS AND BUILDING FOR MEDICINE. THE PROJECT IS IN THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN PHASE. DURING THIS PHASE, THE TEAM ACTUALLY REVEALED THAT THE SITE IS SOMEWHAT PROBLEMATIC FOR THE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE EXISTING STREET BUILDINGS BECAUSE THE SITE IS IN A FLOOD ZONE AND THE ELEVATIONS ARE ALL TOO LOW. SO, AN IDEA OF RENOVATING THE EXISTING SITE WOULD BE TO COST PROHIBITIVE. WE ARE PIVOTING AND LOOKING AT ALTERNATIVE SITES AND ALTERNATIVE BUILDING STRATEGIES. UNDER THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUILDING THAT IS NEXT-DOOR, THE PROJECT CONSISTS OF CONSTRUCTING A 35,000 SQUARE-FOOT TWO-STORY BUILDING. THE RIGHT AWAY WORK

[01:10:02]

PUBLIC WORKS, ON THE HARPERS WHALE ON ITS WAY TO REPLACE THE 2400 BLOCK OF BLACK CREEK. THE METAL PIPE IS OPERATING AT 50% CAPACITY WHICH POSES A RISK TO THE ROAD AND CAN LEAD TO SURFACE COLLAPSE AND CAUSE PROPERTY DAMAGE. DUE TO THESE CONCERNS, THE PIPE IS BEING REPLACED WITH A REINFORCED CONCRETE PIPE. THE PROJECT BEGAN EARLIER THIS MONTH AND IS ON TRACK TO BE COMPLETED LATER ON THIS MONTH. PARKS AND RECREATION, THE DEMOLITION OF THE METAL PLAYGROUND IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY ON THE NEW PLAYGROUND WILL BE EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED WITHIN A MONTH. A PURCHASE ORDER FOR THE PICKLE BALL COURT AT TWIN LAKES WAS COMPLETED. WORKING WITH A SUBCONTRACTOR FOR THE INSTALLATION SCHEDULE. IT WILL FEATURE A CONTROLLING SOFTWARE THAT ALLOWS THEM TO TURN THE PUBLIC -- LIGHTS ON BY PUSHING A BUTTON. MEETINGS WERE HELD WITH STAKEHOLDERS AS PART OF THE FACILITIES MASTER PLAN. THEY PROVIDE INFORMATION IN AN EFFORT TO IDENTIFY THE SPACE REQUIREMENTS IN THE NEXT 25-50 YEARS OF GROWTH. THE COUNTY'S TEAM AND CONTRACTOR MET WITH STAKEHOLDERS IN ORANGE PARK WITH A FORECASTED COMPLETION OF DECEMBER 25TH. THE INTENT IS TO ALLOW THE TAX COLLECTOR TO MOVE FROM THEIR CURRENT LOCATION IN PARK AVENUE TO THE NEW LOCATION ON KINGSLEY AVENUE. FINALLY, FROM ENGINEERING, DRAINAGE WORK IS UNDERWAY. ROADWAY WORK ON COUNTY ROAD 220 WILL BEGIN IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. THE CONTRACTOR IS ALSO CLEARING THE POND EXCAVATION. UTILITY WORK IS FORECASTED TO BEGIN IN APRIL FOR THE GREEN OAK TRAIL CONSTRUCTION. THIS CONCLUDES THE VERBAL UPDATE. YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON PROJECT LIBERTIES FOR THE MONTHLY DELIVERIES?

>> GOOD JOB. I THINK THIS IS SUPER VALUABLE AND HELPFUL. ONE PROJECT I DIDN'T WANT TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE AN UPDATE ON IS COUNTY ROAD 220 OVER THE BRIDGE. THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO FINISH UP

PAVING THERE. >> I WILL HAVE TO DO FOR THAT

QUESTION. >> THAT PROBABLY GOES TO

RICHARD. >> RICHARD SMITH, COUNTY ENGINEER. YEAH, THAT PROJECT IS GETTING THE ROAD BACK TOGETHER AND RESURFACING IT. AS THEY INSTALLED A NEW WATER LINE THAT CONNECTS THE WATER SYSTEM TO THE LAKESIDE WATER SYSTEM COMPLETING A VITAL LOOP FOR THE UTILITY SYSTEM. I WILL CHECK AND SEE. HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETED, THE WEATHER HAS BEEN GOOD EXCEPT FOR THE LAST TWO HOURS. THERE IS NO REASON THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE DONE. IT SHOULD BE ANY DAY NOW.

>> OTHER QUESTIONS ON THE PRESENTED PROJECTS OR IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANTED TO HEAR ABOUT? SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD UPDATE, THANK YOU, ED. AND ALL OF THE DIRECTORS. WE APPRECIATE

YOU. >> GOOD TEAM EFFORT.

>> THANKS. >> OKAY, SEEING THE TIME, WE DO NEED TO MOVE TO THE 5:00 TIME, SORRY, RICHARD, WE HAVE TO COME

[15.  Public Hearing on Ordinance and Resolution to Amend the Capital Improvement Plan and Other Budget Adjustments (R. Kantor)]

>> THIS ITEM IS JUST A VIEW BUDGET ADJUSTMENT. REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARING IN REGARD TO THE BONDED ROPE PROJECT. MAXIMIZING BOND MONEY SPENT FOR THE MAXIMIZING OF LAND. ALSO ON THE CIP TABLE, ADDITIONAL 1.1097 FOR CBI COSTS FROM THE STATE. THE

[01:15:04]

>> DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE I MOVE ON TO THE PUBLIC HEARING? I WILL NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE ORDINANCE AND BUDGET RESOLUTIONS TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CIE PORTION OF THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. DOES ANYBODY WANT TO SPEAK TO THOSE? MR. OTTO, YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE SPEAKING ON THIS TOPIC.

>> I HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE BEFORE YOU.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN TALKING AND DISRUPTING MY MEETING. IF YOU WANT TO GO THERE, WE WILL GO THERE. OTHERWISE, DON'T HAVE AN ATTITUDE WITH ME. YOU DON'T OFTEN STAY ON TOPIC AT PUBLIC HEARINGS. I'M ASKING YOU TO PLEASE STAY ON TOPIC.

>> I'M JUST TELLING YOU THAT I UNDERSTAND THAT.

>> YOU ARE USING YOUR TIME. >> OKAY. I AM AGAINST ANYTHING THAT DOES NOT FOLLOW WITH THE MORATORIUM OF THE CHAIRMAN. WE NEED TO STOP ALL OF THIS NONSENSE FOR THIS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT NEEDS TO GO FOR WHAT WE NEED. WE NEED A HUMAN SHELTER, NOT AN ANIMAL SHELTER. OKAY? FOR OVER $20 MILLION FOR AN ANIMAL SHELTER AND YOU DON'T HAVE A HUMAN SHELTER, THE NEW LAW, NO SLEEPING IN PUBLIC. YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE HOUSES FOR THE HOMELESS. YOU ARE GETTING ALL OF THIS TDC MONEY AND ACTING LIKE YOU ARE RICH. I UNDERSTAND YOU CANNOT TAKE THAT AND MOVE IT OVER HERE. IN THE SAME REGARD, THIS IS A MESS. THIS COUNTY IS AN ABSOLUTE MESS. I'M NOT BLAMING THIS BOARD FOR HIM. IT WAS THE PEOPLE VOTING THIS IN RIGHT BEFORE YOU CAME INTO. THE WAY THAT THE MONEY IS BEING SPENT NEEDS TO CHANGE. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS NEEDS TO CHANGE. OUR TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING FOR STUFF THAT SHOULD BE IN THE REGULAR BUDGET. THE JAIL, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND ON AND ON. SMALL BUSINESSES DID NOT GET THEIR $2000. 1000 PER PERSON AND OTHER COUNTIES WERE GIVING 5000 PER PERSON. YOU TURN AROUND AND GIVE THAT TO THE CHURCHES. I'M NOT GETTING TOO FAR OFF. I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK, BETSY,

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MR. OTTO, IS THERE ANYONE ELSE I WANT TO SPEAK DURING THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET WARNING. HEARING ON, I AND BRING IT BACK. WE DO NEED TO VOTE ON ITEM A AND B. WE CAN VOTE ON THEM TOGETHER BUT WE DO

NEED TO INCLUDE THE RESOLUTION. >> I MOVED TO APPROVE A AND B.

>> SURE. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, INDICATE BY SAYING AYE. THOSE OPPOSED? IT

PASSES 5-0. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 15 C, APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET RESOLUTION

AMENDING THE 2024, 25 BUDGET. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, INDICATE

[16.  Public Hearing on the Town of Orange Park's Application for Renewal of a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity for Ambulance Service (J. Boree)]

GOOD EVENING. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIR AND COMMISSIONERS. JASON BOREE. AS YOU STATED HERE, TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE TOWN OF ORANGE PARK, I HAVE A SCRIPT TO READ HERE FOR YOU AND THAT I WILL GO FROM THERE. FLORIDA STATUTES LIKE COUNTIES ARE -- OF EMERGENCY SERVICES TO THEIR CITIZENS. CLAY COUNTY HAS DONE THIS FROM CHAPTER 7.3 OF THE ORDINANCE CODE. I WANT TO ESTABLISH STANDARDS FOR ISSUING

[01:20:02]

THE APPLICATION. >> THANK YOU. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR CHIEF BOREE? ALL RIGHT, SEEING NONE, I WILL OPEN IT TO PUBLIC HEARING AND WE HAVE THE FIRE CHIEF FROM ORANGE PARK. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK TO US THIS AFTERNOON?

>> FIRE CHIEF AS -- OF ORANGE PARK. I HAVE NO COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS. HE DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS FOR

CHIEF? >> I KNOW WE INTEGRATED 25 FOR

THE AMBULANCE. >> 22.

>> THAT INTEGRATION TOOK PLACE IN THE LAST 12 OR 14 MONTHS OR SO, LAST YEAR? HOW HAS IT WORKED?

>> IT HAS BEEN WORKING WONDERFULLY. THE CREW IS ENJOYED AND EVERYONE IS GETTING ALONG. NO PROBLEMS? OKAY, THAT'S ALL.

>> THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL. IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING? MR. OTTO?

>> JAMES OTTO, I DID NOT GET A CHANCE TO READ THIS. DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH THEM GETTING LEFT OUT A VACATION DAY THAT EVERYONE ELSE WAS GOING TO GET?

>> THIS IS ABOUT THE AMBULANCE IN THE TOWN OF ORANGE PARK.

[01:25:03]

>> OKAY, I DID NOT KNOW IF THIS HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THAT. I STAND IN SUPPORT OF IT, THEY HAVE NOT REALLY DONE ANYTHING

WRONG IN THE COUNTY. >> THANK YOU, MR. OTTO. ANYONE ELSE? ALL RIGHT, SEEING NONE, CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND NOW WE MOVE IT BACK TO THE BOARD. I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION ON THE APPROVAL OF THE -- FOR THE AREA OF ORANGE PARK.

>> I SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A

[17.  Public Hearing on an Ordinance amending Clay County Ordinance No. 2018-23, as amended, which is codified as Chapter 7.3 of the Clay County Code, entitled "Emergency Medical Transportation Services" (C. Grimm/L. Mock)]

COURTNEY? >> I CAN START IT OFF, IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS. WE HAVE RECEIVED -- TO ADD AN AIR AMBULANCE WITHIN THE COUNTY. THE CURRENT ORDINANCE DOES NOT PROVIDE FOR THAT. SO, THE TEAM WORKED TOGETHER AND FACILITATED THOSE CHANGES TO INCORPORATE IN AN AIR AMBULANCE. THERE IS A MAJORITY OF CHANGES. ADDITIONALLY FROM OUR EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH THE ORDINANCE, WE HAVE ALSO ADDED A COUPLE OF ADDITIONAL CHANGES TO PROVIDE FOR U.S. MAIL AS WELL AS CHANGING SOME PUBLICATIONS. TO UPDATE IT.

>> ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD, CHIEF? ANY QUESTIONS FOR CHIEF

OR FOR COURTNEY? >> I JUST HAVE A QUESTION. I UNDERSTAND THAT THEY WILL FLY OUT OF REYNOLDS?

>> YES, THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY INTRODUCING.

>> PILOTS ARE ALWAYS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAFE OPERATION OF THE AIRCRAFT. ANY RESPONSIBILITY IN THE AREAS FOR PICKUP? CLEAN

AREAS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT? >> SEPARATE FROM THIS REQUEST FROM THEM , FOR THE ORDINANCE CHANGE, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THROUGH OUR POLICIES, PREDETRMINED LANDING ZONES FOR US TO LAND ANY TYPE OF HELICOPTER AIRCRAFT.

>> THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

>> I DO. COURTNEY, TALK TO ME ABOUT THE CHANGES THAT EXPAND THE SCOPE OF OUR SERVICES AND THE METHOD IN WHICH WE OFFER THOSE SERVICES. WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS OF LIABILITY MOVING

IN THIS DIRECTION? >> IT IS THE SAME AS FOR THE NORMAL RESCUE UNITS. WE STILL HAVE THE SAME REQUIREMENTS FOR INSURANCE. THOSE ARE ALL THE SAME. AS THE ONES WE HAVE FOR

OUR GROUND VEHICLES. >> THIS WILL NOT BE A COUNTY

VEHICLE? >> YOU WON'T. IT IS INTRIGUING TO ME THAT WE HAVE HAD AIR AMBULANCES FUNCTION IN AND OUT OF THE COUNTY FOR YEARS BUT NOT ONE LOCATED HERE.

>> HISTORICALLY, HE WAS 15 OR 20 YEARS AGO, THEY WERE HOUSED AT NORTH PARK. THEY ALREADY HAD THE FAA LICENSED TO BE THERE. THEY ARE JUST LOOKING TO RETURN TO THE AREA.

>> 15 OR 20 YEARS, WHAT HAPPENED?

>> THAT PREDATES ME, MA'AM. PROBABLY ECONOMICS. I KNOW THAT A LOT OF THEM AT ONE POINT STARTED FUNCTIONING AT THE HOSPITALS AND THAT WAS PRIMARILY WHERE THEY WERE HOUSED. THE PENDULUM IS SWINGING AND THEY ARE LOOKING TO HOUSE THEM THERE.

>> MAYBE YOU HAVE AN ANSWER TO SUPPLEMENT?

>> 15 YEARS AGO? >> WHY DID WE? I'M SURE IT WAS FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS. THERE WAS SOMEBODY WHO WAS AROUND BACK

THEN. >> GIVE ME YOUR QUESTION AGAIN.

[01:30:03]

>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS WAS 15 OR 20 YEARS AGO THAT WE USED TO HAVE A HEADQUARTERS HERE IN CLAY COUNTY. SO, WHY WAS THAT

NO LONGER THE CASE? >> FOR A FRAME OF REFERENCE, WE SAID BEFORE WOULD BE ENHANCING OUR SERVICE. IT ENHANCES OUR SERVICE, IN ORDER FOR A TRANSPORT AGENCY TO OPERATE WITHIN THE COUNTY, THEY HAVE TO BE SET TO STATE GUIDELINES AND CANNOT OPERATE WITHOUT IT WHICH IS THE REASON FOR THE ORDINANCE CHANGE. WHEN THEY WERE HERE BEFORE, THEY CUT RIGHT ACROSS THE RIVER. THEY ARE KIND OF GETTING TO WHERE THEY ARE CLOSER TO WHERE THE PATIENTS WOULD BE AND WE HAVE SO MANY TRAUMA CENTERS. A LOT OF WHAT THEIR BUSINESS IS IS TO NOT JUST GO FROM HOSPITAL TO HOSPITAL BUT FLYING THEM FROM OUTLYING AREAS TO THE TRAUMA CENTERS. THEY USED TO BE THERE AT THE HOSPITAL AND USED TO HAVE TO FLY ALL THE WAY OUT THERE TO GET THEM AND BACK AND THIS PUTS THEM CLOSER TO THE DEMOCRAT -- DEMOGRAPHIC THEY ARE TRYING TO SERVE. SOUTH CLAY COUNTY, PUTNAM COUNTY, THOSE KINDS OF AREAS. TO FLY THEM BACK TO ORANGE PARK.

>> THANK YOU, THAT HISTORY IS GREAT. GIVEN HOW IMPORTANT THAT INFRASTRUCTURE SOUNDS TO ME, IT SEEMS LIKE AN ESSENTIAL SERVICE, HOW DO WE GO 15 OR 20 YEARS WITHOUT IT?

>> WE DID NOT. THIS IS BECOMING WHERE THEY WANT TO PUT THE PLACE AT. AIR MILES, NAUTICAL MILES, HE LOOKS DIFFERENT IN THE AIR.

RIGHT ACROSS THE RIVER IN ST. JOHN'S, NOT IN A MUCH DIFFERENT LOCATION THAN BEFORE. THIS IS A PARTICULAR LOCATION FOR THEM TO BE IN. STRATEGICALLY, THEY TRY AND PUT IT WHERE IT WILL DO THE BEST FOR THE MOST PEOPLE. THEY HAVE A MUCH BROADER BASE WHERE THEY CAN DO THAT. IF THAT MAKES SENSE. AND I WILL SAY, THE STRUCTURE OF THE HOSPITAL AGENCIES IN FLORIDA HAS CONTINUED TO CHANGE OVER TIME. THEY HAVE TO FLY BACK FROM THOSE FACILITIES. SOME OF THE DEMOGRAPHIC THAT THEY SERVED HAS CHANGED. WE LOOK TRADITIONALLY IN CLAY COUNTY, WE USED TO USE THEM A LOT. WE HAVE HARDLY EVER USED HELICOPTERS IN SOUTHERN CLAY COUNTY OR THE SOUTHERN END OF VIRGINIA VILLAGE. BY THE TIME WE HAD THE HELICOPTER, THEY HAD A 50 MINUTE SPIN UP TIME. IF WE CAN BE TO THE HOSPITAL IN 20 MINUTES, WE WILL JUST PUT THEM IN THE TRUCK AND GO TO THE HOSPITAL. THERE ARE TIMES THAT THEY CANNOT FLY, THAT TYPE OF THING.

>> CHIEF, IS THAT THE CASE WHERE THEY PARK THE HELICOPTERS WHERE THEY NEED THE CPN? THEY HAVE BEEN FLYING AND PICKING UP PATIENTS. PICKING THEM UP AND THE KEYSTONES HEIGHTS AREA AND

ALL OF THAT. >> THE NEAREST ONE YOUR END OF THE COUNTY WOULD BE SHANE'S CARE ALL THE WAY TO GAINESVILLE.

THEY OVERLAP THEIR AREAS, THEY HAVE DIFFERING CONTRACTS WITH DIFFERENT HOSPITALS. THERE ARE CHILDREN FROM THE HOSPITALS AND THE TRAUMA CENTER, THAT KIND OF STUFF TOO. THAT IS THEIR NICHE MARKET. YOU KNOW, ST. JOHN'S COUNTY, PUTNAM COUNTY, THEY ARE FLYING A LOT TO THOSE TRAUMA CENTERS. I HOPE THAT I WAS ABLE

TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION. >> SURE. THAT'S FINE, WE CAN

TALK ABOUT IT. >> I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED 20 YEARS AGO, THE BUSINESS MODEL HAS CHANGED WITH THE GROWTH IN CLAY COUNTY. WE KNEW IT WAS GOING TO CHANGE. THEY PROBABLY THOUGHT THAT THIS IS A BUSINESS MODEL THAT WILL REALLY WORK. I JUST ASSUME THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE DOING.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR THE CHIEFS? ALL RIGHT, I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CLAY COUNTY ORDINANCE 2018-23. IS THERE ANYONE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THIS? SEEING NONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.

>> I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CERTIFICATE OF PUBLIC CONVENIENCE AND NECESSITY FOR AMBULANCE SERVICES.

[18.  Public Hearing for the purpose of considering the entry into a Purchase and Sale Agreement for the purchase by the County of real property necessary for the Bonded Transportation Program, more particularly described as a portion of Tax Parcel No. 32-05-26-021022-001-00 and authorization for County Manager to execute all documents necessary to close the acquisition (C. Grimm/E. Dendor)]

[01:35:02]

>> THANK YOU, WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, INDICATE BY SAYING AYE. THOSE OPPOSED TO THE MOTION CARRIES 5-0. ITEM NUMBER 18 IS A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PURPOSE OF ENTERING THE ENTRY INTO A PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT FOR THE PURCHASE BY THE COUNTY OF REAL PROPERTY NECESSARY FOR THE BONDED TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM.

>> BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING IS ITEM NUMBER 18. THE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT FOR THE DESIGNATED PARCELS AT 624 AND 6-717. BOND PROJECT NUMBER SIX A. THIS IS A PURCHASE OF 1300 SQUARE FEET. A TRIANGLE PIECE OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY. WITH 630 SQUARE FEET. THIS REQUIRES A PUBLIC HEARING AND BOARD ACTION FOR APPROVAL ON THE SALE IMPROVEMENT OF $9000. THEY HAVE GIVEN THE AUTHORIZATION TO EXECUTE ALL DOCUMENTS TO CLOSE

THE ACQUISITION. >> OKAY. ANY QUESTIONS FOR ED ON THIS ONE? I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS PURCHASING AND

SALE AGREEMENT. MR. OTTO? >> YES MA'AM, JAMES OTTO. I BROUGHT MY SHIRTS IN CASE SOMEONE SHOWED UP TONIGHT. I WILL JUST ASK THE BOARD THAT IF THERE IS ANY WAY POSSIBLE , IF THE BONDED TRANSPORTATION DOES NOT NEED IT, YOU NEED TO PUSHOFF EVERYTHING YOU CAN. TWO BY FOURS ARE DOWN FROM FIVE DOLLARS TO THREE DOLLARS. WE NEED TO STOP CONTRACTING THE STUFF AT FULL PRICE. WE REALLY DO. WE WILL HAVE A LOT OF VACANT HOUSES TO TAKE CARE OF AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS THAT ARE SITTING VACANT. I WOULD JUST ASKED THE BOARD, PLEASE SLOW THE GROWTH OF. THE REMAINING CONCERN IS THE SAFETY OF OUR ROADS WHICH HAS BEEN COMPLETELY IGNORED. I REALLY BEG OF YOU. LIKE DR.

BURKE WAS SAYING, I CAN'T TAKE ANYMORE. THE GROWTH IS JUST -- THE MARKET IS FALLING APART WILL BE WORSE THAN 2006. IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO PAUSE OUT ANY OF THESE CONTRACTS AND BUYOUT PROPERTY, I WOULD BEG YOU TO STOP . THIS IS INSANE WITH AN OPEN CHECK IN ALL OF THESE WORK ORDERS. IT IS JUST -- IT NEEDS TO STOP. WE DON'T DESERVE WHAT THE COUNTY HAS BEEN PUTTING ON

THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE HERE. >> THANK YOU, MR. OTTO, THIS IS TO MOVE ROAD CONSTRUCTION ALONG. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.

>> I MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> WE HAVE A MOTION, DO WE HAVE A SECOND? WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND. DID YOUR MOTION AND SECOND INCLUDE THE COUNTY MANAGER SIGN OFF? THANK YOU. ANY

[19.  Public Hearing for the purpose of considering the entry into a Purchase and Sale Agreement for the purchase by the County of real property necessary for the Bonded Transportation Program, more particularly described as a portion of Tax Parcel No. 39-05-26-015113-006-02 and authorization for County Manager to execute all documents necessary to close the acquisition (C. Grimm/E. Dendor)]

THOSE OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES 5-0.

>> YES MA'AM, ITEM NUMBER 19, THIS PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT IS FOR PARCELS 616 AND 6-709. NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS ON BOND PROJECT 6A AGAIN. EAST OF THE RAILROAD TRACKS. THIS ITEM INCLUDES A FEW SIMPLE PURCHASES . A RECTANGULAR SHAPE OF PROPERTY THAT IS 85 FEET BY 15 FEET WIDE AND A TEMPORARY CONSTRUCTION EASEMENT OF 1842 SCHOOL YEAR FEET. MEASURING 20 FEET WIDE. BOTH FEATURES REQUIRE A PUBLIC HEARING AND BOARD ACTION FOR APPROVAL FOR THE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT OF 114,000 DOLLARS FOR THE COUNTY MANAGER TO EXECUTE ALL THESE DOCUMENTS.

>> ANY QUESTIONS FOR ED? I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE ANYONE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 19 FOR THE

[01:40:05]

MOTION. >> MOTION TO APPROVE AGENDA ITEM

19. >> I SECOND THE MOTION GIVEN THE AUTHORITY TO EXECUTE THE PROPERTIES.

[14.  Approval of the revised North Florida TPO list (R. Smith)]

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, INDICATE BY SAYING AYE. THOSE OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES 5-0. GOING BACK TO OLD BUSINESS, ITEM NUMBER 14, APPROVAL OF THE REVISED GPL LIST, RICHARD WILL COME BEFORE US. WE HAD A REQUEST FROM THE TPO. I MISUNDERSTOOD THE ASSIGNMENT, THAT IS MY MISTAKE. THEY NEEDED TO HAVE THE KEYSTONE HEIGHTS TURN LANE INTO THE TOP FIVE WHICH WILL IMMEDIATELY COME BACK OFF OF IT. IT DOES NOT TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM THE COUNTY PROJECTS BECAUSE THE PROJECT THAT JIM NIGHT WITH D.O.T. ASKED US TO MOVE TO NUMBER SIX, WAS NOT GOING TO BE FUNDED THIS YEAR. JIM DID NOT THINK HE HAD THE MONEY FOR. HE SAID, DON'T WORRY. I KNOW THAT AFFECTS YOUR DISTRICT. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE HAD THAT CONVERSATION. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE, IF THERE WERE QUESTIONS ON THE AMENDED LIST.

>> WHAT WE DID TO GET TO THE REAL STORY, MR. BURKE, YOU KNOW WITH TPO, THEY HAVE A TOP 20 LIST, YOU GUYS WILL HAVE A CHANCE TO VOTE ON IT TO MAKE IT A TOP 20 LIST INDIA, UPCOMING MEETING YOU ARE ATTENDING. GIVEN TOP 20, YOU HAVE TO BE ONE OF THE TOP FIVE PROJECTS IN THE COUNTY REGION. WE WILL GET AN ADDITIONAL ONE FOR NEXT YEAR'S LIST. WE WANTED TO KIND OF FASHION OUR NEW LIST INTO THE TOP 20 AND THE TOP SIX PROJECTS ARE THE ONES THAT ARE MOVED ON TO THE TPO LIST. WHAT WE DID TO MAKE THIS QUICK CHANGE SO THAT THE CITY OF KEYSTONE HEIGHTS REQUEST FOR A RIGHT TURN LANE NORTHBOUND STATE ROAD 21 TO EASTBOUND 100 WAS TO MOVE THE STATE ROAD 21 INTERSECTION SOUTH TO THE COUNTY LINE AND THAT WAS OUR NUMBER TWO PROJECT. WE TOOK THE NUMBER TWO PROJECT WHICH WAS THE SIX LANE OF 217 FROM TOWNCENTER PARK BOULEVARD SOUTH TO 315 AND SWITCH THE PLACES.

NEXT YEAR, WE WILL DEFINITELY BRING THE U.S. 17 PROJECT TO THE D.O.T. REQUEST. THEY DO NOT HAVE FUNDING FOR IT, WILL NOT HAVE FUNDING FOR AND THEY WILL HAVE TO REMAIN IN THE TOP SIX. THAT WAS THE REASON FOR IT. THIS IS NOT A ONE TIME DEAL. WE ALL DID IT LAST YEAR TO TAKE CARE OF A SMALL PROJECT THAT POPPED UP.

ST. JOHN'S HAS DEFINITELY DONE IN THE PAST. I WENT OVER THERE TUESDAY MORNING LAST WEEK. THIS IS THE WAY THEY DO BUSINESS. SO.

>> QUESTIONS ON THE FINAL TPO LIST?

>> TALK TO ME ABOUT WHAT IT IS WHEN WE ARE SUBMITTING THESE LISTS, ISN'T THE TPO ALSO LOOKING FOR A COUNTY BUY-IN ON THESE PROJECTS? LET ME REFINE. IF WE ARE ADDING THESE LISTS, WE ARE LOOKING AT THE TOP FIVE. THESE ARE ROADS TO US AND WE ARE RUNNING THE STATE TO COME ALONGSIDE US IN THESE PROJECTS.

SHOULD IN ALL FIVE OF OUR PRIORITIES, ARGUABLY ALL 20 HAVE SOME KIND OF ALLOCATION SET ASIDE FOR THEM?

>> I DON'T WANT TO SAY THIS IN A CONDESCENDING WAY. I ASKED A SIMILAR QUESTION CONCERNING THE WORK THAT WE HAVE COMPLETED ON COUNTY ROAD 350 WITH FINAL PLANS, RIGHT AWAY ACQUISITIONS COMPLETE, ALL PERMITS IN PLACE AND MY RESPONSE FROM JEFF SHEFFIELD WHO IS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION WAS THAT WE DON'T LOOK AT THIS AT THE TIME. WE

[01:45:01]

I WILL NOT SAY THAT THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT THE DETAILS, THAT COMES UP LATER IF THAT MAKES SENSE. IT DOES NOT CHANGE THE RANKING. WE HAVE THE PROJECT READY TO GO. IF YOU HAVE FUNDS, WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE 18TH MONTH PROJECT FOR THE MANAGERS DISTRICT TWO YEARS TO NEGOTIATE WITH A PARTICULAR LANDOWNER. WE CAN GO AND START NOW. THEY SAID THAT THEY USED TO DO IT THAT WAY AND IT KIND OF GOT BOGGED DOWN IN DETAILS. I GUESS THAT THE BEST THING TO SAY IS, WHEN YOUR PROJECT IS PUT OUT LIKE COUNTY ROAD 220 WAS, LIKE A MAP FOR THEM TO FOLLOW, WE NEED TO PICK IT UP AND BE READY FOR A PERIOD I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SAY IT, WE NEED TO HAVE THE BUDGET TO PASS IT, SO TO SPEAK, TO

MATCH IT WERE ASSIST. >> THEY LIKE FLEXIBILITY. THEY WILL TALK IN OUR MEETINGS, YOU ARE WELCOME TO COME ANY TIME, THEY ARE A PUBLIC MEETING AND THEY ARE ADVERTISED. OBVIOUSLY WE STILL OBEY THE SUNSHINE AND DO NOT TALK ABOUT OUTSIDE OF THE MEETINGS, YOU ARE WELCOME TO COME AND SEE WHAT IT IS LIKE. IT IS FUNNY. AT THE BEGINNING, GIVE ME A LIST OF 20 AND YOU WILL ONLY FIND THE FILE. HE SAID, THE TOP FIVE, YES. BUT WE CAN GO DOWN AND PICK ANYTHING UP ON THEIR AND PULL IT UP. AN EXAMPLE THAT HAS BEEN AN INTERESTING ONE TO WATCH FROM MY PERSPECTIVE WAS ROAD 16. THE WIDENING OF STATE ROAD 16 IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US.

WE HAVE HAD A VERY HIGH ON THE LIST. D.O.T. DOES NOT SEE IT AS MUCH OF A PRIORITY AS WE DO. 17, THEY KEEP MOVING UP AND COMING UP WITH NEW PROJECTS FOR 17 THEN WERE ON THERE, FOR INSTANCE, THAT WE FIRST GOT ON THE BOARD. THOSE PROJECTS FOR 17 WERE NOT ON THERE. THE ONE I'M INTERESTING TO SEE WHERE THEY START KNOCKING ON THE DOOR IS -- THEY ARE DOING THE STUDY FOR US ON CHEST BROOK OAKS. THEY WILL HAVE A PRICE TAG ON IT. AND SO THEN IT BECOMES ON THEIR RADAR. BY DOING THE STUDY, THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THE NUMBER OF CARS, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE. THAT ONE COULD RISE TO A LEVEL OF IMPORTANCE THAT WE WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO FUND AS A COUNTY. WE HAVE TO HAVE THEIR SUPPORT. SOMETIMES THERE ARE PROJECTS LIKE THAT. SOMETIMES THERE IS A PROJECT, 315 COULD BE ONE OF THEM. D.O.T., STATEWIDE ENDS UP WITH EXTRA MONEY. THEY WILL GO TO A DISTRICT AND SAY, WHO HAS A PROJECT THAT MATCHES THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY AND THEY WILL PLUCK THAT ONE OUT. IF YOU HAVE THE PLANS AND DESIGNS AND RIGHT AWAY READY TO GO, IT COULD HAVE A CHANCE. IF SOMEONE IN SOUTH FLORIDA HAS MONEY THEY CAN SPEND, THEY DO NOT LOSE THE MONEY, IT STAYS IN A TRUST FUND. WHICH IS WHY, THIS ALL PLAYS INTO WHY THE ROADS THAT WERE ON LAST YEAR'S LEGISLATIVE STATE BUDGET THAT THE GOVERNOR VETOED, WHEN I CALLED AND INQUIRED , THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN FUNDED EVEN THOUGH THE DELEGATION THOUGHT IT WOULD BE. THEY SAID THAT THE TRANSPORTATION TRUST FUND WAS OUT BESIDE THEM. THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH MONEY IN THE TRUST FUND. IF THEY HAD FUNDED OURS, THEY WOULD'VE HAD TO PULL SOMETHING BACK FROM THAT PLAN AND NOT A FUN DAY. THESE ARE ALL MOVING PARTS. THEY OPERATE ON THESE FIVE-YEAR PLANS. 217 BRIDGE IS A GOOD EXAMPLE. THEY HAVE SAID IT IS GOING TO BE FUNDED IN 2030. WE ASKED THEM TO DO IT SOONER.

[01:50:04]

>> RICHARD, ME AND HIM TAG TEAMED AT THE BEGINNING WHEN I FIRST STARTED ON THE TPO WITH THE INTERCESSION OF 217. THOSE PEOPLE BEHIND THERE ARE TRAPPED. THEY ONLY HAVE ONE WAY TO BE ABLE TO TURN LEFT WAY DOWN TO THE OTHER END WHERE PETE'S I/O WAS. THOSE PEOPLE CANNOT GET OUT UNLESS THEY DO A U-TURN. WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT IT RIGHT AWAY BECAUSE A RESTAURANT CLOSE DOWN THE ENTRANCE SO THEY CANNOT GET TO THE RED LIGHT ANYMORE. I WENT TO JIM WYATT AND IMMEDIATELY, HE SAID TO OPEN A BALLOT AND THAT IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE FOR THOSE PEOPLE.

HE IMMEDIATELY STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE AND GOT THAT INCLUDED. I WAS NEVER EVEN ON A LIST. THEY LOOK AT STUFF LIKE THAT TO MAKE

SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS SAFE. >> THAT IS A VERY GOOD EXAMPLE, THE COUNTY WAS NOT ASKED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THAT. THE 121 INTERSECTION IS THE SAME WAY. I DON'T THINK WE WILL NEED TO BE MATCHING FUNDS FROM THE COUNTY. THAT WILL BE A TPO GRANT.

>> THEY DID UTILIZE CDB, NO, WHAT IS IT? CRA FUNDS FROM THE KEYSTONE HEIGHTS CRA, THEY USE THOSE TO PURCHASE THAT BUILDING.

D.O.T. MADE A DEAL WITH THE CITY TO SAY, WE WILL FUND THE TURN LANE IF WE PURCHASE THE BUILDINGS AND HAVE A.

>> THAT IS WHY IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT. LOBBYING SEEMS LIKE A DIRTY WORD. THE EFFORT THAT WE PUT IN, AS NEW DEPUTY DIRECTOR , WE GO ON A MONTHLY BASIS AND WE HAVE TWO COMMISSIONERS THERE. I AM THE VICE DIRECTOR ON THE BOARD. I WILL BE A CHAIRMAN NEXT TERM. IT IS IMPORTANT TO GET THAT. I CAN COME BACK AND SHARE WITH YOU, IT IS TIME TO MOVE CHESTNUT GROVES UP. GIVE THEM SOME VISIBILITY AND THEN SOMETHING WILL DROP OUT. WE WERE REQUESTED BY FDOT TO PUT 17 ON THERE. I DON'T GET A WHOLE LOT OF CALLS ABOUT THE TRAFFIC ON 17 BEING CONGESTED BESIDES 209 , OUTGOING TRAFFIC AND A LOT OF THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE OPERATION. YOU HAVE ONE VEHICLE GO TO THE RACETRACK AND IT CAN BLOCK UP ABOUT 60 CARS. AND HOW NICE PEOPLE ARE LETTING THEM CROSS. THAT WILL NOT BE A MOVED RIGHT AWAY IN THE FINAL DESIGN.

WE JUST HAVE TO BE AWARE IN OUR APPROACH, COMMISSIONERS TO FEEL THE PULSE OF THEIR AND SEE, WHEN IS IT TIME TO MAKE A CHANGE IN OUR LIST? 220, LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS, IT NEEDS TO BE IN THE TOP 20. IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AND WE GET MONEY FOR THAT SECTION AGAIN THAT HAS BEEN PERMITTED, RIGHT-OF-WAY PURCHASED, PLANS COMPLETED ON THE SHELF, AND FOR FIVE YEARS, THE PERMIT WILL BE, WE CAN BEGIN THAT FROM THE END OF THE PRESENT PROJECT. THAT

WOULD BE ANOTHER EXAMPLE. >> THE ONLY OTHER INTERESTING POINT, WE MAY HAVE LEARNED THIS. DURING THE PREVIOU ELECTION.

THE COUNTY HAD -- IN THE TOP FIVE FOR YEARS. THE COMMISSIONS FINALLY CAME BACK AND SAID, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO FUND THAT BECAUSE IT DOES NOT TOUCH A STAY ROAD. THE WAY THEY HAVE TO DO THEIR FUNDING, IT HAS TO BE A FEEDER INTO ONE OF THE STAY ROADS. WE KIND OF FOUND OUT. IT WAS PART OF THE COUNTY. THERE WAS MONEY THAT WE WERE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET.

[01:55:03]

>> THAT IS WHERE THE REQUEST BEGINS. JENNINGS, THERE IS A TERM THAT IS BEGINNING OR ENDING AT THE STATE ROUTE. IT IS A REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION. IT IS NOT A DISTRICT AREA, IT IS A COUNTY REGION, BASICALLY A NONVOTING

COUNTY. >> THAT WAS THE NUANCE THAT I WAS LOOKING TO GET SOME CLARITY ON. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ROADS ON OUR LIST. I UNDERSTOOD THAT THE STAY ROAD WAS VERY IMPORTANT, HAVING IT TO CONNECT, SOME OF THESE PROJECTS DON'T HAVE ALLOCATIONS. I WANTED TO KNOW IF IT WAS A WASTE TO HAVE IT IN THE TOP FIVE. OF COURSE, CHESTNUT OAKS, WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT. WELL BEFORE I WAS HERE. IT WAS ONLY GETTING MORE EXPENSIVE BY THE SECOND. I GOT IT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE, AT LEAST FOR THE PROJECTS THAT I HAVE ZEROED IN ON, THAT I AM NOT MISSING A STEP IN PRIORITIZING AND MAKING SURE THAT IT GETS WHAT IT NEEDS. THAT IS NOT UNIQUE TO ME, ALL FIVE OF US ARE CURIOUS. THEY ARE INTENTIONAL ABOUT OUR PROJECTS BEING MET.

OLD JENNINGS JUST GUY ADDED. WITH A DEEPER LOOK, IT IS NOT

BEING FUNDED. >> THERE IS SOME FUNDING IN THE BUDGET FOR OLD JENNINGS WHICH IS THE WESTERN AND OF THE PROJECT THAT WE REQUESTED ON. WE PLAY $2.7 MILLION IN THAT INTERSECTION. IF IT DID NOT MATTER, THEY COULD SEE IT. THIS GOVERNMENT IS SERIOUS ABOUT IT. THEY ARE FIXING A CHOKEPOINT. WE CAN HELP THEM MAYBE FIX THE POINT CONNECTING.

>> THAT IS A WAYS AWAY FROM THE EXPRESSWAY. YOUR POINT IS THAT IF WE ARE ALREADY MAKING IMPROVEMENTS ON ALL JENNINGS AND LONG BAY, THAT SHOULD GET THEIR ATTENTION.

>> IT DOESN'T MATTER. IT DOES NOT MATTER NOW WHEN THEY OPEN UP THE BOOK. HEY, OLD JENNINGS , THAT IS AN OLD PROJECT, EXPLAIN IT TO US. I CAN SAY, WE ARE PUTTING COUNTY FUNDING IN. YOU MAKE A REALLY GOOD POINT. WE ARE PUTTING OUR SKIN IN THE GAME, SO TO SPEAK. IT IS ONLY A COUPLE OF MILES. THE FIRST INTERSECTION OFF THE EXPRESSWAY. THAT TURNPIKE THERE IS TO COLLECT

TOLLS. EVEN IF IT IS $.22. >> IT IS NOT COSTING ME $.22. I

LIVE THERE. >> MY POINT IS THAT YOU MAKE A GOOD POINT. THE TPO DIRECTOR DOES NOT WANT TO SEE THAT ON THE LIST. THAT MAY BE PART OF THE REASON WHY I MADE THE TOP FIVE.

BECAUSE WE ARE INVESTING IN IT.

>> THANKS, RICHARD. GIVING ANYONE THAT IS INTERESTED, THEY HAVE THE TPO BOARD MEETINGS THE SECOND THURSDAY OF EVERY MONTH AT 10:00 A.M. AT THE TPO HEADQUARTERS IN JACKSONVILLE ON JEFFERSON STREET AND THEY ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC.

>> COMMISSIONER WORK IS THE INCOMING CHAIR NEXT YEAR. ALL RIGHT. SO. THAT IS ITEM NUMBER 14. I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO

APPROVE THE REVISED LIST. >> I WILL SECOND THE MOTION.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION?

[20.  Discussion of Re-Appointment to the Clay County Board of Adjustments]

>> THE REAPPOINTMENT OF KEITH HADDEN, WE HAD NO OTHER APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FOR CONSIDERATION.

>> OKAY. >> I MOVE APPROVAL.

>> OKAY, I HAVE A MOTION. DO I HAVE A SECOND? A MOTION AND A

[21.  Discussion of Re-Appointment to the Health Planning Council of Northeast Florida]

[02:00:07]

RECOMMENDING REAPPOINTMENT OF ANDREA CROWDER, WE ALL KNOW ANDREA. I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAD ANY OTHER APPLICANTS FOR THAT

EITHER. >> SHE IS A GOOD PICK.

>> I WILL SECOND. >> A MOTION AND TWO SECONDS. WE ARE GOOD TO GO. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR,

[22.  Bid Opening Tabulations (K. Smith)]

[PUBLIC COMMENTS]

>> YES MA'AM. THE VIDEO, I HOPE IT IS RECORDING FOR FOLKS TO WATCH IN THE FUTURE, I'VE BEEN SAYING THE HOLES THING FOR THE WHOLE MEETING. THE STATE WILL PAY FOR 215 BECAUSE THEY NEED THE TRAFFIC OFF 301. I SPOKE ON THAT A FEW TIMES. I WOULD LIKE TO LET THE FOLKS KNOW THAT CLAY COUNTY IS ARRESTING PEOPLE FOR CIVIL OFFENSES. JUDGE COX IS ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT FILED A WARRANT ON A CIVIL ISSUE. FOLKS, PLEASE PAY ATTENTION TO THAT.

YOU ALL ARE TALKING ABOUT D.O.T. AND THERE ARE STILL AMPLE AMOUNTS OF ISSUES WITH THEM. ALWAYS ONE MORE ON 17 THAT YOU SHOULD GET. THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE ON 16. I DON'T THINK THAT D.O.T. IS SAYING IT IS GOOD. WE OUGHT TO LEAVE THEM ALONE. AND THEN WE CAN DO SOME OF THIS OTHER STUFF LATER. LET ME TOUCH ON THE FORMING CIRCLE THING. I MOVED IN AFTER THESE FOLKS WERE HERE. I JUST THINK WE NEED TO HAVE SOME -- IT WOULD BE GREAT FOR THEM TO HAVE A ROAD FROM SOUTH DOLPHIN TO LANDING.

WE NEED TO HAVE MORE COMMON SENSE, THANK GOD THAT D.O.T. IS IN CHARGE OF ALL THAT. WE REALLY NEED TO FORM A CIRCLE AND I WILL PROVIDE JOBS. WE HAVE THIS HUGE ISSUE ABOUT THE DAY CARE THAT WAS IN MEADOWS. THEY GOT THE DAY CARE THERE. REALLY, WE SHOULD NOT BE PROVIDING ANYTHING UNTIL THEY COME TO THE TABLE WITH THE COUNTY. WE NEED SOMETHING OFF OF 218. WHATEVER. WE JUST NEED SOME MORE ROUTES IN THERE. AS FAR AS GREEN CALLS GOING TO REYNOLDS PARK, PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THAT. IT IS BEAUTIFUL FROM THE GREEN COAST AREA DOWNTOWN. MAYBE ON 16, I ALWAYS THOUGHT THAT REYNOLDS PARK WAS ALWAYS VERY WELL MAINTAINED. I WOULD LIKE TO

[02:05:04]

SHERIFF'S OFFICE. >> THANK YOU, MR. AUTO. YOUR

TIME IS UP. THANK YOU. >> YES MA'AM. YOU CANNOT ARREST

PEOPLE ON CIVIL ISSUES. >> I DON'T ARREST ANYONE, MR. AUTO. I AM NOT A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER BUT I'M GRATEFUL FOR THE ONES WE HAVE. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AT PUBLIC COMMENT? I DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER CARDS.

SEEING NONE, WE WILL BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMISSION AUDITOR.

[COUNTY MANAGER]

>> MADAM CHAIR, TWO ITEMS. FIRST, WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE CABOOSE RESTORATION. REAL QUICK, BRIEFLY. WE HAD TO ESTABLISH OWNERSHIP AND IT IS NOW ON OUR PROPERTY LIST. THE DIVISION OF HISTORICAL RESOURCES GRANTS OPEN AND ABLE. THE GRANTS DEPARTMENT IS VERY CONFIDENT IN GETTING MONIES TOWARDS IT GETTING FIXED FOR THAT. THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF A DELAY THERE. I JUST WANT TO LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW. WE WERE NOT NEGLECTING IT. WE JUST HAD TO ESTABLISH OWNERSHIP WITH WE DID. SECOND THING, I WAS CHECKING A LOT OF THIS ONLINE, ADOPTABLE ROADS OR SPOTS. ADOPT A MILE OF ROAD OR SPOT ACROSS THE COUNTY. I'VE SIGNED 20 OF THESE AGREEMENTS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. THERE IS A LIST OF MOST NEEDED ROADWAY ADOPTION SITES. THERE ARE TINY OF THEM. 217, 352, COUNTY ROAD U 20, 226, OLD JENNINGS AND LONG BAY. THOSE ARE THE ONES. I JUST WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE VOLUNTEERS THAT ARE OUT THERE FOR THIS ADOPT A MILE OR SPOT AND FOR THE ANIMAL SHELTER. OUR COMMUNITY IS COMING TOGETHER. THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT DO IT ALONE. WE TRY IN THAT. THE RESOURCES OF HAVING VOLUNTEERS OUT THERE HELPING THE ANIMAL SHELTER TO FOSTER THESE PETS AND TO CLEAN UP THE KENNELS ARE VERY IMPORTANT. AND ALSO CLEANING UP THE ROADWAYS. I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY THAT SIGNED UP FOR THAT. I PLAN ON BRINGING SOME OF THESE GROUPS BACK IN FRONT OF THE BOARD TO SHOW WHAT THEY HAVE DONE. WE HAVE TRACKED THE AMOUNT OF WASTE THAT IS PICKED UP IN ADDITION TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUPS. AND OUR INITIATIVES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY THAT WE HAVE. AGAIN, THANK YOU, CLAY COUNTY FOR VOLUNTEERING. WE HAD AN OVERWHELMING RESPONSE TO THAT.

PENDING ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS, THAT'S ALL I HAVE.

>> IS A LIST ON THE WEBSITE? >> YES MA'AM. IT'S REALLY EASY, YOU CAN CALL THE NUMBER OR SEND AN EMAIL. IF YOU SIGN UP ON THE VOLUNTEER WEBSITE YOU CAN GET AN ACCOUNT. THERE ARE 40 OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER EACH DAY ON THE CALENDAR. THEY ALLOW YOU TO FILL THE CALENDAR UP FOR THOSE PARTICULAR THINGS. THE ADOPT A MILE SPOT IS DIFFERENT. THERE ARE SAFETY REASONS BEHIND THAT. THOSE ARE THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE THERE.

>> WHERE DO YOU FIND THAT OUT? >> IF YOU JUST GOOGLE CLAY COUNTY VOLUNTEERS, IT'S VERY EASY. I AM A BIG GOOGLE PERSON.

GO ONTO THE WEBSITE AND IT WILL TAKE YOU TO THE CLAY COUNTY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. IT GIVES YOU AN AREA TO SIGN UP AND THEN YOU LOG IN AND THEN IT HAS THE CALENDAR. IT'S VERY EASY.

YES MA'AM. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, COMMISSIONER COMMENTS.

[COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS]

YOUR FIRST THIS TIME. >> MADAM CHAIR, I WOULD LOVE TO START. LAST WEEK, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHECK OUT THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND ALSO THE LIBRARY SYSTEMS. I WANT TO THANK STAFF TREMENDOUSLY. THE ONGOING PROCESS AS A NEW COMMISSIONER HAS BEEN EXTREMELY HELPFUL AND GETTING TO SEE OUR STAFF AT WORK HAS BEEN A GOOD THING. DURING THAT VISIT, WE GOT TO SEE STAFF IN ACTION WITH SOME OF THE DETOURS. I THINK SOME OF THE GROWING PAINS WERE GOING THROUGH WITH ALL THE ROAD DEVELOPMENT. STAFF IS ACTIVELY LOOKING AT THESE THINGS AND WITH THE TIMING OF LIGHTS, PUTTING IN CALLS TO D.O.T., SHOWING WHAT THEY ARE SEEING BOOTS ON THE GROUND TO GET SOME OF THE TIMING FIGURED OUT. THAT WAS AWESOME TO SEE THEM DOING THAT. ONE OF MY FAVORITE SPOTS FOR THE STOP WAS THE SIGNED APARTMENT. THEY ARE

[02:10:02]

THERE ARE SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILDREN AND NOT JUST CHILDREN THE LIBRARIES BUT ADULTS AS WELL, KNITTING CLUB, BOOK CLUBS, ALL KINDS OF THINGS. IT'S GREAT TO SEE ALL OF THAT GOING ON. WE HAD THE FIRST EDC MEETING OF THE NEW CALENDAR YEAR, HE WENT VERY WELL, WE WELCOME SOME NEW TDC MEMBERS, NEXT COMMISSIONER MEETING WILL SEE THE GRANTS THAT WE APPROVED THERE. THROUGH THAT, IF YOU ARE A CLAY COUNTY RESIDENT OR IF YOU ARE LISTENING ON THE INTERNET, THE EXPLORER CLAY APP IS SOMETHING THAT IS FANTASTIC. AS A CLAY COUNTY RESIDENT, SOMETHING I WAS UNAWARE OF. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO TAKE HER HUSBAND OR WIFE FOR VALENTINE'S DAY, THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF EVENTS ON THE EXPLORER CLAY APP AND EXPLORER CLAY.COM WHERE YOU CAN SEE EVERYTHING GOING ON IN CLAY COUNTY. THERE IS AN EVENTS CALENDAR. IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FAMILY, THAT IS A GREAT WAY TO GET THAT. TWO BIG EVENTS COMING UP, THE 30TH ANNUAL SCOTTISH GAMES ON THE 30TH IS GOING TO BE KICKING OFF. THE COUNTDOWN IS ON. 51 DAYS UNTIL THE CLAY COUNTY FAIR. WE WILL MAKE SOME VISITS FOR SOME FOOD, WE TALKED ABOUT IT. LASTLY, THANK YOU TO D.O.T., AS MENTIONED EARLIER, ON MY WAY DOWN HERE, I WENT ON THE DOCTORS LEG BRIDGE AND IT WAS A SMOOTH RIDE ON SOME BRAND-NEW PAVEMENT.

I APPRECIATE YOU GETTING THAT BACKUP. I APPRECIATE THAT, THAT

IS ALL I HAVE. >> I WANTED TO DO A SHOUT OUT TO THE PUBLIC COMMUNITY OUT THERE, SCOTTY TAYLOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE LOVE SEEING YOU. YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT. ALL RIGHT, AND A MORE SERIOUS NOTE, MR. OTTO ACTUALLY BROUGHT SOMETHING TO MY MIND. THANK YOU SO MUCH. TALKING ABOUT ROADS. I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO BE THE DISTRICT RECIPIENT OF EVERY SINGLE PROJECT. I AM GRATEFUL. HOWEVER, IT HAS BEEN ROUGH. I WANTED TO TALK A LITTLE BIT TO MY CONSTITUENTS OUT THERE. YOU KNOW. I BECAME A COMMISSIONER AND YOU SEE STUFF ON THE NEWS ABOUT HOW PEOPLE ACT AND I HAVE BEEN A LITTLE BIT DISAPPOINTED. I'M SURE I WILL HEAR ABOUT THIS. WHENEVER I HEAR FROM OUR PROJECT DIRECTOR THAT ARE FLY GUYS HAVE BEEN RAN OVER AS SOON AS A STOP TURNS AROUND, THEY ARE GOING AS FAST AS THEY CAN TO GET THROUGH IT. A CONSTITUENT GOT OUT OF HIS CAR AND GUARDING ONE OF THE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS FACE, PHYSICALLY THREATENING HIM. YOU KNOW, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. WE DO NEED ROADS. FROM THE TIME I EVEN STARTED RUNNING AS A COMMISSIONER IN MY CAMPAIGN, THAT'S ALL I HEARD, WE DON'T HAVE INFRASTRUCTURE, WE NEED ROADS AND NOW ALL I HEAR IS, WHY ARE YOU STARTING OVER HERE? OH, THEY WILL BUILD A ROAD HERE. COME ON, WE NEED THE ROADS. YOU WANTED TO LAST 20 YEARS? THINK GOD, IF I LOOK AT THE CALENDAR YEAR, THE LAST ONE WILL BE DONE IN 2026. COME ON. I'M SORRY. I DRIVE THROUGH EVERY SINGLE DAY. YOU CANNOT TELL ME THAT THESE COMMISSIONERS ARE YOUR DO NOT EXPERIENCE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR DISTRICT. WE LIVED THERE. WE HAVE TO LIVE IN OUR DISTRICT.

SO, YOU KNOW. EASE UP AND BE KIND. BE PATIENT. IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME TO GET TO WORK. I UNDERSTAND, LEAVE EARLIER, GO A DIFFERENT ROUTE. THERE ARE MANY OTHER ROUTES AND THERE ARE OTHER ROUTES. THERE ARE MANY OTHER ROUTES. GO THE ROUTES. WE WANT TO DO IT NOW. WE WANT TO GET THIS DONE NOW. WE

[02:15:03]

WE HAVE A GREAT PLAN. IN 2026, ALL OF YOU WILL BE EXCITED DRIVING THE WONDERFUL ROADS. THIS IS WONDERFUL. WE HAVE TO GET THERE, YOU CANNOT JUST DROP IN A ROAD WITH A HELICOPTER. YOU CANNOT JUST PUT THE UNDERGROUND UTILITIES IN UNEXPECTED WILL BE DONE OVERNIGHT. 40 DEGREE WEATHER, YOU CANNOT PUT ASPHALT DOWN IN UNDER 40 DEGREE WEATHER. I DON'T KNOW, I HAVE BEEN ASTOUNDED AND I DON'T REALLY CARE WHAT YOU SAY ABOUT ME. I'M TIRED OF IT. WE NEED THE ROADS. GET OVER IT. LET'S GET THIS

DONE. I'M SORRY. >> THAT'S OKAY. COMMISSIONER

COMPERE. >> I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT FOR THE PUBLIC, ONE OF THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS TONIGHT WAS THE AGENDA ITEM 11, THE GRANT AGREEMENT FROM THE STATE AGREEMENT DEPARTMENT FOR THE LIBRARY PROJECT. I HIGHLIGHT THAT SPECIFICALLY FOR THE OAKLEAF PORTION OF DISTRICT 2. I WAS IN THE DRIVE-THROUGH FOR AN OAKLEY BUSINESS AND WAS ASKED ABOUT THE LIBRARY. I HAVE RECEIVED AN UPDATE. I WAS SCANNING THE ROOM FOR THEM BUT DID NOT SEE THEM. KAREN'S OFFICE, HEY KAREN, WILL BE SENDING OUT THE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS BEFORE THE END OF THE MONTH. THAT PROJECT IS MOVING ALONG. WHEN THAT LAND WAS CONVEYED TO THE COUNTY, IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING. LOOK AT US, WE ARE MOVING IT FORWARD. I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH HOW IMPORTANT IT HAS BEEN TO HAVE THOSE RELATIONSHIPS ON THIS LEVEL. THE BOARD WAS ALONGSIDE THE COMMUNITY VERY QUICKLY AND DID NOT HESITATE. WE HAVE STEPHEN VAN BLOOM WHO IS IN THE LEAF AREA AND HE AND HIS FAMILY WILL GET TO BENEFIT FROM THIS. YOU ARE VERY CLOSE TO THE COUNTY LINE. ALL OF THAT TO SAY, THANK YOU. WE ARE MOVING THE NEEDLE.

HAT TIP TO SPEAKER GARRISON AND SENATOR BRADLEY FOR HELPING ACHIEVE THE CHAMPION ACT ACROSS THE LINE. WITHOUT THEIR PARTNERSHIP, YOU CANNOT ALWAYS GET SOME OF THIS STUFF DONE. THE $750,000 WILL GO TOWARDS, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, THE DESIGN PLAN. SO, I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING PROJECT GET OFF THE GROUND. OTHER THAN THAT, I YIELD MY TIME TO THE REMAINING COMMISSIONERS. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> THANKS. >> THAT'S GOOD, I HAVE A FEW THINGS TO SPEAK ON. YOU KNOW, THE LAST FEW WEEKS HAVE BEEN VERY BUSY. WE BROKE GROUND IN SARATOGA SPRINGS. BROOKE AND I WERE THERE FOR THE GROUNDBREAKING. AT THAT GROUND MEETING AND A FOLLOW-UP MEETING , AT THE ANNUAL MARKET FORECAST, I HAD TWO DEVELOPERS COME UP TO ME AND COMPLEMENT CLAY COUNTY ON THE ORGANIZED WAY WE ARE DEVELOPING CLAY COUNTY. FOR INSTANCE, SARATOGA SPRINGS IS 2400 ACRES. 4000 BUILDING LOTS.

IT IS ONE BIG DEVELOPMENT. THEY COULD HAVE SUBDIVIDED INTO 25 DIFFERENT PROJECTS. IT WOULD'VE BEEN CRAZY. THIS DEVELOPMENT AND THE OTHER DEVELOPMENT. WE HAVE A DOG PARK. THEY ARE GOING TO CREATE ONE BIG DEVELOPMENT WHERE EVERYONE ENJOYS THE AMENITIES FOR ALL. I JUST WANT TO RELAY THOSE COMMENTS TO YOU. WE HAD A

[02:20:01]

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY, THE COUNTY MANAGER AND I TOWARD LINCOLN UNIVERSITY. IT IS PART OF THE DEVELOPMENT WE DO THAT WE ARE PROMOTING ON WELLS ROAD. IT IS A VETERINARIAN AND MEDICAL SCHOOL.

THEY WILL HAVE 1000 STUDENTS THERE WHEN THEY ARE FULLY OPERATIONAL. CONTRARY TO A COMMON WE HAD LAST MEETING ABOUT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS THAT DON'T WANT RESTAURANTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. THESE GUYS WANT MORE RESTAURANTS AND MORE AMENITIES. THEY ARE ADULT STUDENTS WITH FAMILIES. THEY ARE GETTING WHAT CLAY COUNTY OFFERS LINCOLN UNIVERSITY. THEY ARE ALREADY PLANNING AND EXPANSION AND HAVE DEVELOPED THEIR FIRST FOOTPRINT YET. I WILL INDULGE YOU A LITTLE BIT. WE HAD A MEETING WITH THE REGIONAL COUNCIL AND ONE OF THE REGIONAL COUNCILS WAS A MILITARY INSTALLATION RESILIENCY INSTALLATION. WELL, THEY WERE GIVEN A RESILIENCY FOCUS. IT HAS CHANGED TO A READINESS FOCUS. I WAS KIND OF INTERESTED. WE HAD A PRESENTATION THAT WENT 30 MINUTES. I WANT TO INDULGE IN A LITTLE BIT. DEFENSE ACTIVITIES IN THIS REGION BRING IN A $.3 BILLION. THAT WAS IN 2022 DOLLARS. ANOTHER $3.2 BILLION OF REVENUE THAT THE MILITARY BRINGS IN. NUMBER TWO IS MILITARY STUDENTS. IN CLAY COUNTY, 8.87% OF THE STUDENTS IN CLAY COUNTY SCHOOLS COME FROM MILITARY FAMILIES. IN OUR AREA, WHICH INCLUDES TWO BALL AND CLAY, THERE ARE 78,000 MILITARY VETERANS. THEY ARE LOOKING AT RESILIENCY AND RATING. IF THE BASE GETS FLOODED, YOU CANNOT OPERATE WITH A WATER EMERGENCY.

JUST THINK OF IT LIKE THAT. WILDFIRE EVENTS AT WHITE HOUSE FIELD, WATER SUPPLY WITH SALTWATER INTRUSION. IF THAT OCCURS IN THE WELLS. FLOODING , WRITING THE TITLE PLANE. IF WE GET A LOT OF FLOODING, MAYPORT WILL BE UNUSABLE. ENCROACHMENT.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT ENCROACHMENT. IF TOO MANY HOMES BUILD UP TO THE FENCE LINE, AIRPLANES MAKE NOISE. AIRPLANES MAKE THOSE KIND OF NOISES. WE ARE LOOKING AT SEVERE WEATHER, HURRICANE POTENTIAL, NOISE INTRUSION, SEALEVEL RISE AND THINGS LIKE THAT. JUST LOOK AT HABITAT PRESERVATION. THE TORTOISES AT JA ASK AS WELL. THERE IS THE NAVAL STATION MAYPORT, WINEHOUSE, ALL OF THE RANGES DOWN AT PINE CASTLE IN ST. GEORGE AND THINGS AND SUCH. WE HAVE A LOT OF MILITARY UNITS IN THAT REGION. I THINK THIS IS THE LAST ONE. THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO MITIGATE SEALEVEL RISE SO THAT IT DOES NOT FLOOD YOUR FACILITY. PUT THOSE CONCRETE SEAWALLS. OR SOMETHING CALLED A LIVING SHORELINE. THIS PLAN TYPE LIFE TO TRY AND STOP THE RISING SEA WATER FROM FLOODING YOUR PROPERTY. I WANT TO BRING THAT TO YOUR ATTENTION. IT WAS ABOUT A 30 MINUTE PRESENTATION. I

[02:25:05]

IT AT THIS MEETING. >> I HAD BROUGHT IT UP AT THE

LAST MEETING TO SEE. >> IT IS THE SAME SUBJECT AND

SAME RESOLUTION. >> THAT WAS ON MY LIST FOR FOLLOW-UP. I HAD BROUGHT IT UP. THEN I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY RIGHT BEFORE THE LAST BOARD MEETING. IF ANYBODY IS INTERESTED IN THAT, PLEASE FOLLOW UP WITH HER.

BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY, I COULD NOT ON THE BOARD FLOOR. THE OTHER THING I HAD ON MY FOLLOW-UP FROM LAST MEETING IS, DID ANYONE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE COUNTY MANAGER SIGNING OFF ON US GETTING ALLOCATED MONEY FOR THE KEYSTONE LAKES 88 ACCESSIBLE FISHING PIER THAT THEY ARE DOING NOW WITH THE -- ORGANIZATION. THE COUNTY MANAGER SAID THAT NOBODY HAD -- $200,000 ARE ALLOCATED. THEY ARE NOT ASKING FOR THAT MUCH. THEY ARE ASKING FOR $45,000. IF WE WANT A PRESENTATION TO CALM TO THE BOARD, WE HAVE TO LET THEM KNOW. IF ANYBODY WANTS ONE. LET THE COUNTY MANAGER KNOW AND WE WILL PUT IT ON THE NEXT AGENDA. IT IS A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT.

CITY OF KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, THEY HAVE A BUNCH OF DIFFERING GRANT FUNDERS THAT WHEN THE VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT DISBANDED YEARS AGO, THEY FINALLY SOLD THEIR BUILDING AND TOOK THAT MONEY AND ALLOCATED IT OUT TO DIFFERENT NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS. THEY ARE PUTTING THAT IN. THAT IS THE ONLY A.D.A. ACCESSIBLE FISHING PIER WITHIN THE TRI-COUNTY. IT WOULD COME OUT OF THE DESIGNATED $200,000. AND IT WOULD JUST DECREASE THE AMOUNT IN THERE.

DOES ANYBODY HAVE AN ISSUE OR WANT TO SEE A PRESENTATION? OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THANKS. I ALSO BROUGHT MY BOOK. THERE ARE TWO OF THEM. GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE. IF ANYBODY WANTS TO LOOK THROUGH IT, IT IS A BIG AGENDA ON THERE WERE LOTS OF PRESENTATIONS IN THERE. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT IN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, GRAB AND TAKE A LOOK. I HAD WRITTEN ON THERE, PRESENT ANY COMMISSIONER COMMENTS ON THIS MEETING SET. IT IS AN OUTSTANDING GRANT FOR THIS READINESS BECAUSE MARK MCMAHON IS FROM THE NAVY. THE PRESENTATION COMMISSIONER TALKED ABOUT THIS. HE WAS FOCUSED ON NAVY INSTALLATIONS. AS WELL AS ALL OF OUR VETERANS. THEY SAID BY COMPLETING THIS READINESS GRANT, IT ENABLES ALL OF THE SEVEN COUNTIES WITHIN THE REGIONAL COUNCIL TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR OTHER GRANTS THAT INVOLVE OUR INTERACTIONS WITH THE MILITARY. SO, THAT IS IMPORTANT TO DO. GOOD WORK BY THE REGIONAL COUNCIL, CHIEF MOATS WAS

[02:30:04]

THAT IS ONE MORE HURDLE THEY DON'T HAVE TO OVERCOME. THE FINAL THING THAT I THOUGHT WAS REALLY COOL, BASED ON -- JUDGE FORBIDS BROUGHT UP THAT THE PRACTICE DONE AT ST. JOHNS COUNTY, WE ARE IMPLANTING HERE IN CLAY COUNTY, IT WAS A MATTER OF BUYING A RED STAMP AND CHANGING THE PRACTICES AT THE JAIL. THEY ARE CHANGING THE ARREST BOOKING SHEET. THEY HAVE A RED STAMP THAT SAYS VETERAN. IMMEDIATELY WHEN THE PERSON COMES INTO THE JAIL TO BE BOOKED, IF THEY ARE A VETERAN, THEY STILL CAN DO IT THAT WAY. FROM MOMENT ONE, EVERYONE THAT INTERACTS WITH THAT FILE KNOWS THAT PERSON CAN BE ELIGIBLE FOR THINGS LIKE VETERANS COURT AND THEY ALSO HAVE A WING AT THE JAIL OR A ROOM OF THE JAIL THAT IS FOR VETERANS ONLY. THEY ARE SELF POLICING MAKING YOUR BED AND YOU HAVE TO BE A GOOD INMATE TO BE IN THEIR. IT IS SELF POLICED. I THINK THOSE WERE GOOD TO BRING TO YOU FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY COORDINATOR. AND AT THE END OF THE MONTH THEY ARE TAKING A TOUR OF THE JAIL. IT IS REALLY KIND OF INTERESTING. TO HEAR IT THAT THE JUDGES HAVE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE THAN THE PUBLIC DEFENDER. HE GOES IN THERE TO SEE INMATES. THE FEEDBACK ON THE JAIL RENOVATIONS AND THEN WHEN WE TAKE THE TOUR, HE WAS PRODUCTIVE. I THOUGHT THAT WAS GOOD. AND I THINK THAT WAS ALL, I AM OUT OF WORDS ANYWAY.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.