[CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:08]
>> PLEASE RISE FOR THE INVOCATION LED BY COMMISSIONER
CONDON. >> PRAY WITH ME IF YOU WILL.
GRACIOUS GOD, I JUST THANK YOU FOR TODAY.
I THANK YOU FOR CLAY COUNTY. I THANK YOU FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FOR OUR FIRE RESCUE AND THOSE WHO WEAR THE UNIFORM TO SERVE IN THIS GREAT COUNTRY.
THIS WEEK ESPECIALLY, LORD, WHEN WE ARE LOOKING BACK ON 25 YEARS AGO. I THANK YOU FOR THOSE WHO WERE WILLING TO GO INTO THE FACE OF DANGER TO SAVE INNOCENT LIVES INSTEAD OF RUNNING FROM IT. I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD BE SO BRAVE. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THOSE HERE IN CLAY COUNTY AND ACROSS THE WORLD WHO ARE.
I THANK YOU FOR EVERY RESIDENT HERE TONIGHT.
I PRAY A HEDGE OF PROTECTION AROUND THOSE WHO TRAVELED TO COME HERE AND YOU WILL GET EVERYONE HOME SAFELY.
AND I PRAY THAT YOU WILL HAVE YOUR HAND ON THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CONDUCTING THE BUSINESS OF THE PEOPLE HERE IN CLAY COUNTY, THAT YOU WOULD BLESS US AND THAT YOU WOULD LEAD US AND GUIDE US INTO YOUR WILL. I PRAY ALL THESE THINGS IN JESUS
>> WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE CAPTAIN DALE, U.S. NAVY RETIRED LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
HE SERVED OUR NATION IN THE UNITED STATES NAVY FOR MORE THAN 31 YEARS AND INCLUDING AN EXTENSIVE CAREER AS A NAVAL AVIATOR. DURING HIS SERVICE CAPTAIN WAS HELD AS A PRISONER OF WAR IN NORTH VIETNAM FROM OCTOBER 1972 1973. HE LATER CONTINUED HIS DISTINGUISHED NAVY CAREER SERVING IN LEADERSHIP ROLES AT HOME AND ABROAD BEFORE RETIRING IN 1993.
HIS MANY MILITARY HONORS INCLUDE THE DEFENSE SUPERIOR SERVICE MEDAL LEGION OF MERIT DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, TWO BRONZE STAR MEDALS WITH COMBAT, PURPLE HEART AND PRISONER OF WAR MEDAL. CAPTAIN, WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR EXTRAORDINARY SERVICE AND SACRIFICE TO OUR COUNTRY.
PLEASE LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE. I THANK YOU WILL HAVE SOMETHING
TO SAY AFTER. >> 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. SPEAKER Y'AL.
>> Y'ALL CAN SIT. THEY SIGNED THE PEACE AGREEMENT IN JANUARY 27TH OF 1973. WE TOLD THEM WHEN WE HAD GIVEN THEM INFORMATION THAT WE WANTED TO BE DELIVERED, AT CERTAIN RATES. WE WANTED TO BE RECOGNIZED AND TOLD THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE GOING HOME WITHIN 48 HOURS.
SO THEY DID THAT. AND THEN WE WERE ABLE TO GET WHAT WE WANTED TO DO WAS TO GET THE PEOPLE THAT WERE INJURED AND HAD BEEN THERE THE LONGEST TO GO HOME FIRST.
SO THERE WERE FOUR SEPARATE RELEASES.
FEBRUARY 15TH, MARCH FIRST, MARCH THE 15TH, AND MARCH 29TH -- WHICH I WAS ON THE MARCH 29TH, BECAUSE I WAS ONE OF THE SHORTER ONES THERE. THE INFORMATION THAT I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU IS FACT THERE WERE 662 RELEASED FROM THE NORTH.
THAT NUMBER WAS APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AND OUR HISTORIAN. EIGHT OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED THE MEDAL OF HONOR. THERE WERE 476 PILOTS LIKE MYSELF. NINE YEARS WAS HELD THE LONGEST.
YOU CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT NINE YEARS CAN DO TO YOU.
151 WHERE NAVY. 38 WERE MARINES.
140 WERE ARMY. AND 353 WERE AIR FORCE.
THOSE FIGURES IF YOU ADD THEM UP, THEY DON'T COME UP TO 660, BECAUSE SOME OF THE RELEASES WERE FROM OUR SISTER COUNTRIES THAT HELPED US A LOT. AND THEY WERE AUSTRALIA, THE KINGDOM OF THAILAND, NEW ZEALAND, REPUBLIC OF KOREA, AND REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES. IF YOU HAD AND HAD A LAPEL PIN FROM VIETNAM, IT HAS SIX STARS ON IT REPRESENTING THE SIX DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I DON'T
[00:05:01]
HAVE IN HERE, BUT I'M GONNA SAY IT ANYWAY.THERE WERE TWO WOMEN THAT WERE CAPTURED IN LAOS ALONG WITH MANY ARMY PEOPLE. THOSE TWO WALKED BACK FROM -- OTHER ARMY PEOPLE WERE WALKED BACK FROM LAOS TO THE VIETNAM AREA AT THAT TIME WAS CALLED THE HILTON.
ACTUALLY IS NOT CALLED THE HILTON.
IT IS REALLY -- IT IS ON A STREET.
AND SO THE AIR FORCE, BECAUSE THEY SEND A LOT OF GUYS OVER THERE FROM NEVADA, THEY CALLED IT THE HILTON.
THESE TWO LADIES, ONE OF THEM DIDN'T MAKE IT.
SHE DIED IN ROUTE. THE OTHER ONE DIED, I THINK IT IS THREE YEARS AGO NOW WE GOT WORD FROM GERMANY THAT SHE HAD PASSED AWAY. SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT.
SOME THINGS ARE GOOD. SOME THINGS ARE BAD.
EVERY DAY IS A GOOD DAY. SOME ARE BETTER THAN OTHERS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [APPLAUSE]
>> CALL TO ORDER. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
[PET ADOPTIONS]
MEETING FOR SEPTEMBER 8TH, 2026 CALL MY COUNTY OFFICIALS ARE HERE WITH ME. WE WILL GO INTO PET ADOPTIONS.>> OUR FIRST CAT TODAY IS CALICO CREEK, SPAY FEMALE, DOMESTIC SHORT THREE YEARS OLD AND WEIGHS 9 POUNDS.
BREAKING NEWS, LOCAL AUTHORITIES HAVE CONFIRMED THE PRESENCE OF A VERY PRETTY CALICO WITH ABSOLUTELY NO INTENTION OF BEING IGNORED. SOURCES SAY CALICO CREEK IS CHARMING, FASHIONABLE AND CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR HER FOREVER FAMILY. SHE'S READY TO TRADE SHELTER LIFE FOR SUNNY WINDOWS CAT COZY NAPS, TASTY TREATS, AND A FAMILY WHO UNDERSTANDS THAT CALICO GIRLS COME WITH A LITTLE EXTRA PERSONALITY. OUR FIRST DOG SPAYED FEMALE MIXED BREED FOUR YEARS OLD AND WEIGHS 21 POUNDS.
HEARTWORM NEGATIVE. A BIT OVERWHELMED BY ALL THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF SHELTER LIFE.
BUT GIVE HER A LITTLE TIME, AND MAYBE A FRIENDLY DOG TO SHOW HER THE ROPES. YOU WILL START SEEING HER PERSONALITY SHINE. SHE IS SWEET, CURIOUS, AND LOVES CHECKING IN WITH HER CANINE FRIENDS.
ONCE SHE IS COMFORTABLE, SHE'S EVEN UP FOR A QUICK GAME OF CHASE WITH HER DOG PALS. SHE WOULD LOVE A PATIENT HOME AND POTENTIALLY A CONFIDENT DOGGY SIBLING WHO CAN HELP HER REALIZE THAT LIFE IS PRETTY AWESOME.
SHE MAY BE A LITTLE SHY AT FIRST, BUT WE HAVE A FEELING MILA'S BEST DAYS ARE STILL AHEAD OF HER.
OUR NEXT CAT IS LADY SAPPHIRE, SPAYED FEMALE, DOMESTIC SHORT HAIRED 9-MONTH-OLD AND WEARS 5.. MEET LADY SAPPHIRE.
THIS BEAUTIFUL SIAMESE GIRL IS ELEGANT, STRIKING AND IMPOSSIBLE TO OVERLOOK WITH THOSE GORGEOUS BLUE EYES AND BEAUTIFUL COLORING, LADY SAPPHIRE IS QUITE THE STUNNER.
SHE'S READY FOR ADOPTION AND HOPING TO FIND A COZY HOME WHERE SHE CAN RELAX, BE ADORED, AND ENJOY ALL THE GOOD THINGS LIFE HAS TO OFFER. COME MEET LADY SAPPHIRE AND SEE IF SHE IS YOUR PERFECT MATCH. LASTLY, WE HAVE XFINITY, NEUTERED MALE HUSKY CAT THREE YEARS OLD AND WEIGHS 44 POUNDS AND IS HEARTWORM NEGATIVE. MEET XFINITY CAT UNLIMITED PERSONALITY, ZERO BUFFERING. THIS HANDSOME HUSKY IS FRIENDLY, SOCIAL, AND READY TO CONNECT. HE GREETS OTHER DOGS APPROPRIATELY AND ENJOYS MAKING FRIENDS AND IS COMFORTABLE HANGING OUT WITH THE GROUP. HE'S GOT THE CLASSIC HUSKY CHARM, PLENTY OF PERSONALITY, AND ENOUGH SASS TO KEEP LIFE INTERESTING. LOOKING FOR A BETTER CONNECTION? UPGRADE TO XFINITY. IF YOU ARE READY TO MEET YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND OUR ADOPTABLE ANIMALS ARE WAITING TO ADD SOME EXTRA LOVE AND FUN TO YOUR LIFE FROM WAGGING TAILS TO PURRING KITTIES, WE HAVE THE PERFECT COMPANION JUST FOR YOU.
YOU WANT TO SEE WHO IS AVAILABLE? HEAD ON TO OUR WEBSITE AND MEET OUR ADORABLE CREW LOOKING FOR THEIR FOREVER HOMES. IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS YOU CAN DROP US A LINE AT THE WEBSITE. AND WE WILL CHAT.
DON'T WAIT. YOUR NEW BEST FRIEND IS A CLICK AWAY. PICTURED LITTLE KITTEN, THE NAME IS TURTLE. WHILE TURTLE IS CURRENTLY IN A FOSTER HOME, WE ALWAYS HAVE MORE THAT COULD USE YOUR HELP TO PICK UP WE ARE ALWAYS IN NEED OF FOSTER HOMES WHERE THEY CAN GROW CUT RECEIVE SOCIALIZATION, AND GET THE CARE THEY NEED UNTIL THEY ARE READY FOR ADOPTION. COULD YOU PROVIDE A LOVING TEMPORARY HOME FOR ONE OF OUR FOSTER ANIMALS? IF SO, PLEASE CONTACT US AT THE WEBSITE.
AND IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN HELPING OUR FURRY FRIENDS BUT YOU CAN'T BRING ONE HOME, PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT OUR AMAZON WISH
LIST. >> WE ARE ALWAYS IN NEED OF ITEMS FOR THE SHELTER ANIMALS. JUST GO TO AMAZON.COM.
[00:10:03]
THAT COMPLETES OUR PET ADOPTIONS.>> THANK YOU, TERESA. IF MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS CAN MEET ME UP FRONT. ALL RIGHT, NATIONAL POWMIA
[2. National POW/MIA Recognition Day (September 18, 2026)]
RECOGNITION DAY HONORS THE AMERICAN SERVICE MEMBERS WHO WERE HELD AS PRISONERS OF WAR. AND THOSE WHO REMAIN MISSING IN ACTION. WE INVITE ALL OF OUR VETERANS AND GUESTS HERE WITH US TODAY TO JOIN US UP FRONT.GOING TO READ OUR PROCLAMATION. >> IT IS CERTAINLY MY HONOR TO READ THIS PROCLAMATION WITHOUT FURTHER ADO.
COME ON UP. ANYWAY, WHEREAS NATIONAL POW M.I.A. EACH YEAR ON THE THIRD FRIDAY IN SEPTEMBER TO HONOR AMERICAN SERVICE MEMBERS WHO WERE PRISONERS OF WAR AND THOSE STILL MISSING IN ACTION. WHEREAS NATIONAL P.O.W.
RECOGNITION DAY WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1979 WHEN CONGRESS DESIGNATED A NATIONAL DAY OF RECOGNITION. JIMMY CARTER PRESIDENT JIMMY CARTER ISSUED THE FIRST PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION HONORING FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR AND THOSE STILL MISSING AND THEIR FAMILIES. THE TRADITION CONTINUED BY EVERY PRESIDENT SINCE. WHEREAS THE P.O.W. M.I.A. FLAG BEARING THE WORDS "YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN" HAS BECOME A POWERFUL NATIONAL SYMBOL OF OUR NATIONS COMMITMENT TO ACHIEVING THE FULLEST POSSIBLE ACCOUNTING OF AMERICANS WHO REMAIN MISSING OR UNACCOUNTED FOR AND FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES IT DISPLAYED AT DESIGNATED FEDERAL LOCATIONS WHEREVER OR WHENEVER THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES IS DISPLAYED. AND WHEREAS MORE THAN 81,000 AMERICANS REMAIN MISSING AND UNACCOUNTED FOR FROM WORLD WAR II, THE KOREAN WAR THE VIETNAM WAR CRACKED THE COLD WAR, AND THE DEFENSE P.O.W. M.I.A. ACCOUNTING AGENCY CONTINUES ITS MISSION TODAY TO E THE FULLEST POSSIBLE ACCOUNTING OF OUR NATION'S MISSING PERSONNEL TO THEIR FAMILIES AND THE NATION. AND WHEREAS ON THIS DAY WE HONOR ALL AMERICAN PRISONERS OF WAR AND EXPRESS OUR PROFOUND GRATITUDE FOR THEIR COURAGE AND PERSEVERANCE THROUGH UNIMAGINABLE HARDSHIPS WHILE PAYING TRIBUTE TO THOSE WHO NEVER RETURNED. AND TO THE FAMILIES WHO CONTINUE TO BEAR THE WEIGHT OF THEIR SACRIFICE.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CLAY COUNTY FLORIDA DOES PROCLAIM FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 18TH 2026 AS POW SPEECH AND RECOGNITION DAY IN CLAY COUNTY. SO THAT WE MAY REMEMBER THE HARDSHIPS EXPERIENCED BY PRISONERS OF WAR AND THE INCREDIBLE SACRIFICES OF OUR SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN WHO NEVER RETURNED HOME. WE VOW THAT THEIR HEROIC ACTIONS WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN. THIS IS DULY ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CLAY COUNTY FLORIDA IN THIS DAY OF 8TH OF SEPTEMBER 2026. DO I HAVE A MOTION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? IT IS OFFICIAL NOW.
THE RECIPIENT HERE. >> I ACCEPT THIS FOR THE REMAINDER OF 345 WHO ARE STILL ALIVE.
LESS OF THEM HAVE PASSED ON OR AS WE SAY FLOWN WEST.
IT'S KIND OF INTERESTING THAT WE KEEP CHECK OF ALL THIS BECAUSE
[00:15:03]
IT AFFECTS US. IT IS HOW OLD WE ARE HOW BAD OUR BONES ARE, AND IT'S ALL GOING TO COME DOWN TO YOU ALL WHO ARE YOUNGER. YOU WILL CATCH UP WITH US.AND YOU WILL FIND OUT IT'S NOT A LOT OF FUN.
BUT YOU'VE GOT TO KEEP GOING. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR RECOGNIZING US. [APPLAUSE]
>> ARE YOU STILL THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT?
>> IMMEDIATE -- MY NAME IS GARY NUMAN, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T KNOW ME. I AM THE IMMEDIATE IN JUNE, PAST PRESIDENT OF THE VIETNAM VETERANS OF AMERICA FLORIDA STATE COUNCIL -- WHICH WERE OVER 6000 STRONG.
WE ALSO ENCOMPASS PUERTO RICO AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS.
MY COMMENTS ABOUT P.O.W. AND MY ASSOCIATION WITH THEM IS ONE, WE NEED TO REMEMBER COLONEL BILL BURNS.
HE HAS BEEN VERY ILL FOR THE LAST FEW MONTHS.
HE IS OUR SECOND P.O.W. THAT IS HERE IN CLAY COUNTY.
THESE PEOPLE SUFFERED TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PAIN FOR US.
AND WE CAN NEVER EVER FORGIVE THAT -- FORGET THAT.
IT WAS IN AUGUST, EARLY FIRST WEEK OF AUGUST, 1964.
I WAS ON THE USS IN THE GULF OF TONKIN.
I SAW A FLIGHT OF AIRCRAFT GO OVER.
ABOUT AN HOUR LATER, THE CAPTAIN ON THE SHIP ANNOUNCED THAT TWO PLANES HAD BEEN SHOT DOWN. ONE OF THE PLANES BELONGED TO COMMANDER EVERETT ALVAREZ. HE IS THE LONGEST P.O.W. DURING THE VIETNAM WAR. HE SPENT 7.5 YEARS IN PRISON.
I'M SURE THE CAPTAIN HAS MET H HIM.
AND HE WAS KIND OF AN ICON FOR ME, BECAUSE HE IS THE ONE THAT GAVE ME ALL THE COURAGE THAT I HAVE, THE SELF CONFIDENCE, AND THE WILLINGNESS TO DO THINGS FOR OTHER PEOPLE.
BECAUSE THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HE WAS.
SO I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU VIETNAM VETERANS.
WELCOME HOME. AND STAY SAFE, PLEASE.
THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE] [INDISTINCT] WHEN I CHECKED IN AT THE CLARK HOSPITAL IN THE PHILIPPINES I WEIGHED 140.
SO IF YOU LOOK AT A PICTURE THAT I HAVE GOT YOU WONDERED HOW I STAYED ALIVE. YOU JUST DO.
YOU DON'T RECOMMEND IT. [INDISTINCT]
[3. World Alzheimer’s Awareness Day (September 21, 2026)]
>> ALL RIGHT, WORLD ALZHEIMER'S DAY RAISES AWARENESS OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND OTHER FORMS OF DEMENTIA WHILE RECOGNIZING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WHOSE LIVES ARE IMPACTED BY THESE CONDITIONS. WE INVITE MEMBERS OF THE ROTARY CLUB OF ORANGE PARK AND GUESTS TO THE FRONT.
COMMISSIONER CONDON IS GOING TO READ OUR PROCLAMATION.
>> WHEREAS WORLD ALZHEIMER'S DAY IS OBSERVED IN SEPTEMBER 1ST TO RAISE AWARENESS OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND OTHER FORMS OF
[00:20:02]
DEMENTIA WHILE SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH THESE CONDITIONS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND CAREGIVERS WHO WALK ALONGSIDE THEM. AND WHEREAS ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE IS A PROGRESSIVE BRAIN DISORDER THAT AFFECTS MEMORY, THINKING, BEHAVIOR, AND THE PERSON'S ABILITY TO PERFORM EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES IMPACTING NOT ONLY THOSE DIAGNOSED BUT ALSO THEIR LOVED ONES. AND WHEREAS GREATER AWARENESS AND EDUCATION CAN HELP REDUCE THE STIGMA AROUND ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA, ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO SEEK INFORMATION AND SUPPORT AND FOSTER GREATER UNDERSTANDING AND COMPASSION THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY.AND WHEREAS, CAREGIVERS PROVIDE INVALUABLE SUPPORT TO INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND OTHER DEMENTIAS OFTEN DEDICATING SIGNIFICANT TIME, ENERGY, AND IN RESOURCES TO ENSURE LOVED ONES MAINTAIN THE GREATEST POSSIBLE QUALITY OF LIFE. WHEREAS CLAY COUNTY RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA, PROMOTING AWARENESS OF AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND ENCOURAGING CONTINUED EFFORTS TOWARD RESEARCH, EARLY DETECTION, TREATMENT, AND ULTIMATELY A CURE. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CLAY COUNTY FLORIDA THAT SEPTEMBER 21ST, 2026 BE RECOGNIZED AS WORLD ALZHEIMER'S DAY. IN CLAY COUNTY FLORIDA AND THE BOARD ENCOURAGES ALL RESIDENTS TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND OTHER DEMENTIAS, SUPPORTING THOSE LIVING WITH THESE CONDITIONS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS AND HELP BUILD A COMMUNITY OF GREATER AWARENESS, COMPASSION, AND HOPE.
DULY ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, CLAY COUNTY FLORIDA THIS EIGHTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2026.
DO I HAVE A MOTION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, AYE.
OF COURSE, IT IS UNANIMOUS. WE APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU BEING HERE TODAY AND OUR DISTRICT GOVERNOR.
I THINK THOSE CAN ACCEPT A PROCLAMATION.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. ON BEHALF OF ALL THE ROTARY CLUBS AND DISTRICT 6970, WE PROUDLY ACCEPT THIS PROCLAMATION AND THANK THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE STAFF FOR IT.
[1. Commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the September 11, 2001, attacks]
THIS YEAR MARKS 25 YEARS SINCE THE TERRORIST ATTACKS OF SEPTEMBER 11TH 2001, A DAY THAT FOREVER CHANGED OUR NATION.WE INVITE MEMBERS OF THE CLAY COUNTY FIRE RESCUE, THE CLAY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND OTHER FIRST RESPONDER PARTNERS TO JOIN US UP FRONT. AND COMMISSIONER WILL READ THE PROCLAMATION. [INDISTINCT]
>> BEFORE I READ THE PROCLAMATION, THIS WEEK IS A SOLEMN WEEK FOR OUR COUNTRY AS WE COME UP ON THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY. SEPTEMBER 11TH 2001, I WAS A SIXTH GRADER AT ARDEN PATTERSON ELEMENTARY OFF PINE AVENUE.
I REMEMBER OUR PRINCIPAL FRED FREDERICK COMING OVER THE INTERCOM SAYING, TEACHERS, AT THIS TIME, PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL YOUR TDS REMAIN OFF FOR THE REST OF THE DAY.
AND I WAS IN MRS. MATHEWS SOCIAL STUDIES CLASS WHEREVER SHE IS, I LOVE YOU MISS MATHEWS. I'M DOING WELL.
AND MISS MATHEWS WASN'T A RULE FOLLOWER.
SHE TURNED ON HER TV. YOU KNOW, WE REALLY DIDN'T KNOW THE GRAVITY OF WHAT HAD HAPPENED.
BUT I REMEMBER A LOT OF MY CLASSMATES BEING PULLED OUT OF CLASS. WHEN I GOT HOME, MY GRANDMA NEVER TURNED ON THE TV. SHE WAS SITTING THERE LOOKING AT THE TV. AND THE MOMENT THAT I REMEMBER MOST WAS MY GRANDFATHER, A NAVY VETERAN, F14 FUEL MECHANIC CAME HOME FROM JACKSONVILLE AND SAT ON THE COUCH NEXT TO MY GRANDMOTHER AND CRIED THE REST OF THE AFTERNOON.
THAT WAS THE FIRST TIME I HAD EVER SEEN MY GRANDFATHER CRY.
AS WE GO THROUGH THIS WEEK, PLEASE REMEMBER, AS CRAZY AS OUR
[00:25:02]
WORLD HAS GOTTEN, AS DIVERSE AS OUR THOUGHTS MAY BE, WE ARE ALL NEIGHBORS. MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE ARE ALL AMERICANS. THIS IS WHAT THE PROCLAMATION SAYS. WHEREAS 25 YEARS AGO ON SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2001, NEARLY 3000 LIVES WERE LOST IN AN UNPRECEDENTED ACT OF TERRORISM IN NEW YORK CITY AT THE PENTAGON AND IN SHANKSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.WHEREAS THE SEPTEMBER 11TH ATTACKS RESULTED IN THE LARGEST SINGLE DAY LOSS OF EMERGENCY RESPONDERS IN AMERICAN HISTORY, IT IS FITTING THAT WE REMEMBER AND HONOR THE LIVES LOST, THE FAMILIES FOREVER CHANGED, AND THE COUNTLESS ACTS OF BRAVERY THAT AROSE FROM THE DARKNESS OF THAT DAY.
AND WHEREAS THE MEN AND WOMEN OF OUR ARMED FORCES HAVE SINCE STOOD WATCH DEFENDING OUR FREEDOM AND SECURITY IN THE WAKE OF THOSE ATTACKS, AND MANY HAVE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE IN THAT CAUSE. AND WHEREAS THIS TRAGEDY UNITED OUR NATION IN GRIEF AND RESOLVE INSPIRING ACTS OF HEROISM AND SELFLESSNESS BY FIRST RESPONDERS, SERVICE MEMBERS, AND ORDINARY CITIZENS WHO RISKED OR GAVE THEIR LIVES TO SAVE OTHERS. WHEREAS THE CLAY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WILL JOIN CLAY COUNTY FIRE RESCUE, THE CLAY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND OTHER LOCAL AGENCIES TO HONOR THE FIRST RESPONDERS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN A SOLEMN CEREMONY THIS FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 11TH AT 9:30 A.M. AT SPRING PARK IN GREEN COVE SPRINGS.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CLAY COUNTY, FLORIDA, COMMEMORATES THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE SEPTEMBER 11TH ATTACKS AND URGES ALL RESIDENTS TO OBSERVE THIS DAY THROUGH REMEMBRANCE, REFLECTION, AND ACTS OF KINDNESS HONORING OUR SHARED COMMITMENT TO FREEDOM, LIBERTY, AND JUSTICE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, CLAY COUNTY, FLORIDA, THIS EIGHTH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2026.
DO I HAVE A MOTION? AND A SECOND? ALL IN FAVOR, AYE. IT IS OFFICIALLY INTO THE RE RECORD. SHERIFF, WOULD YOU SAY A FEW
WORDS? >> YOUR WORDS WERE VERY POIGNANT, COMMISSIONER. IT SEEMS THE FURTHER WE GET AWAY FROM THAT DATE, THE MORE WE FORGET.
WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT, WE ARE ALL NEIGHBORS, WE ARE ALL AMERICANS.
I THINK THAT IS SO TRUE. IT SERVES AS A REMINDER FOR ALL OF US THAT NO MATTER HOW CHAOTIC OR OUT OF CONTROL THINGS SEEM TO BE IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY SOMETIMES, WE ALL ARE NEIGHBORS AND ALL AMERICANS. WE ARE UNITED IN OUR LOVE FOR OUR COUNTRY. TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT ON THAT. THANK YOU FOR THIS.
>> EVERYBODY HAS PRETTY MUCH SAID EVERYTHING.
I WILL SAY THAT 25 YEARS IS A REALLY BIG MILESTONE FOR MOST PEOPLE IN PUBLIC SAFETY. 25 YEARS IS A WHOLE CAREER.
THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE GOING TO BE RETIRING OR A NEW GENERATIONS COMING IN, WE CAN NEVER FORGET THAT DAY THAT THOSE MEN AND WOMEN WENT THERE AND WENT INTO HARM'S WAY AND JUST WENT TO WORK THAT DAY. THEY WERE MOMS DADS, BROTHERS, SISTERS JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.
I WILL SAY IF YOU DO GET A CHANCE, YOU TALKED ABOUT IN THE PROCLAMATION THAT WE WERE GOING TO DO REMEMBRANCE.
A SPECIAL ONE, FIRST OF ITS KIND IN CLAY COUNTY IN SPRING PARK.
PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE TO SEE IT COME OUT AND B. IT WILL BE FANTASTIC.
I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, BOTH OF THESE PROCLAMATIONS ARE THE RESULT OF WORK DONE BY NOT ONLY THE FIRST RESPONDERS AND THE STAFF, I WANT TO THANK YOU AND THE COMMISSIONERS BUT ALSO THE ROTARIANS WHO WERE INVOLVED IN THE ALZHEIMER'S PROJECT, WE THE FIVE CLUBS THAT ARE REPRESENTED HERE TODAY WORKED TO RAISE OVER $3000 IN JUNE AND THEN DONATE THAT MONEY TO THREE DEMENTIA AND ALZHEIMER'S FACILITIES HERE IN CLAY COUNTY.
THE ADULT DAY CARE CENTER, THE SEA GRASS, AND PENNY FARMS. SO WE TOOK CARE OF SOME OF THEIR NEEDS, AND THE BULK OF IT WENT TO ALZHEIMER'S RESEARCH -- WHICH ROTARY HAS HAD A TRUST FUND FOR MANY YEARS. AS FAR AS THE REMEMBRANCE THAT IS COMING UP ON FRIDAY, SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE SEEN THE FLAGS GOING UP AROUND THE COUNTY. THE FLAGS FOR HEROES.
THAT IS ANOTHER ROTARY PROJECT. THAT IS DESIGNED TO HELP US ALL REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED THAT DAY.
THOSE THAT WE LOST AND FOR OTHERS TO HONOR THEIR HEROES.
AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO ONCE AGAIN THANK THE STAFF AND THANK THE COMMISSIONERS, SHERIFF, YOU, AND CHIEF.
WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING PART OF THE CEREMONY.
[4. Check Presentation from Friends of Clay County Animals, Inc. for the purchase of veterinary X-Ray equipment. (E. Hagan)]
[00:31:01]
>> ALL RIGHT, WE ARE PLEASED TO RECOGNIZE THE FRIENDS OF CLAY COUNTY ANIMALS FOR THEIR GENEROUS DONATION OF $51,212 TO SUPPORT THE NEW CLAY COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER.
THIS CONTRIBUTION WILL HELP PURCHASE NEW EQUIPMENT FOR THE FACILITY AND FURTHER OUR SHARED COMMITMENT TO PROVIDING EXCEPTIONAL CARE FOR THE ANIMALS OF CLAY COUNTY.
WE THANK THE FRIENDS OF CLAY COUNTY ANIMALS FOR THEIR CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP AND GENEROSITY AND DEDICATION TO ANIMAL WELFARE IN OUR COMMUNITY. Y'ALL COME ON UP.
>> THANK YOU, EVERYBODY, FOR COMING OUT TO HELP US TO CELEBRATE THIS MOMENTOUS OCCASION.
WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE FRIENDS OF CLAY COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES FOR HELPING US OUT AS THEY HAVE DONE FOR YEARS.
AND WE HOPE TO CONTINUE THIS PRINCIPLE THAT THEY HAVE INCORPORATED. AND WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ANDREA IN PARTICULAR, BUT THE WHOLE STAFF.
AND LISA. THE WHOLE TEAM FOR MAKING THIS POSSIBLE FOR US AND NOT BEING AN EXTRA BURDEN ON THE TAXPAYERS TO GET THIS FOR SPEAKER WE LOOK FORWARD TO MOVING INTO OUR NEW G SO WE CAN PROVIDE NEW SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY.
WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE FOR US AND EVERYTHING YOU CONTINUE TO DO.
[APPLAUSE] >> I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I HAVE VOLUNTEERED AT CLAY COUNTY SINCE 2011.
I STARTED FRIENDS OF CLAY COUNTY ANIMALS IN 2012.
I COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT THIS LADY RIGHT HERE NEXT TO ME, BECAUSE WE ARE THE FUND RAISING DUO.
AND SHE HELPED SO MUCH, AND WE GET EVERYTHING THAT THE SHELTER HAS WANTED. WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DELIVER ON.
WE WANT TO KEEP ON DOING THAT. THANK YOU.
>> I'M EXCITED, TOO. >> ALL RIGHT.
OKAY, WE'LL MOVE ON TO CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS.
ANYTHING FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE? NOTHING? AND THE CLERK'S OFFICE.
I THINK THAT IS EVERYONE. GLAD TO SEE YOU HERE.
[APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
ALL RIGHT. SO I WILL GO ON TO APPROVAL OF MINUTES. CAN I HAVE A MOTION?>> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONER MINUTES FROM AUGUS. >> ALL RIGHT I HAVE A MOTION.
DO I HAVE A SECOND? >> I WILL SECOND.
>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY AYE. WE WILL VOTE.
WE WILL MOVE RIGHT DOWN TO PUBLIC COMMENTS.
[PUBLIC COMMENTS]
[00:35:16]
ALL RIGHT WE ARE GOING TO MOVE INTO OUR FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT.THIS PORTION OF THE AGENDA IS DESIGNED TO ALLOW CITIZENS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING MATTERS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE BOARD.
AT THIS TIME THE BOARD WILL NOT ENGAGE IN DEBATE OR ANSWER QUESTIONS. THE BOARD RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MAINTAIN ORDERLY CONDUCT AND PROPER DECORUM IN THE BOARD ROOM DURING A MEETING INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING.
MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE SHOULD REFRAIN FROM ANY AUDIBLE COMMENTS, APPLAUSE, OR HAND GESTURES INCLUDING MOTIONING TO THE CAMERA OR AUDIENCE MEMBERS DURING THE MEETING AND DURING PUBLIC COMMENT. WHEN SEATS ARE AVAILABLE, AUDIENCE MEMBERS SHOULD REMAIN SEATED AND REFRAIN FROM WALKING AROUND THE BOARD ROOM. NO PERSON MAY ADDRESS THE BOARD WITH PERSONAL, IMPERTINENT OR SLANDEROUS REMARKS.
NO UNCIVIL OR UNRULY BEHAVIOR WILL BE ALLOWED AND ALL HATS SHOULD BE REMOVED WHILE IN THE BOARD ROOM.
EACH PERSON IS TO LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO 3 MINUTES.
AT THE TWO MINUTE MARK, YOU'LL GET A YELLOW RIGHT.
AT THE THREE MINUTE MARK, YOU'LL GET A RED LIGHT, AND YOU'LL BE DONE FOR THE NEXT PERSON TO COME UP.
COMMENTS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO THE BOARD AS A WHOLE AND NOT TO ANY INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONER. ADDITIONALLY COMMENTS SHOULD NOT REFERENCE OTHER SPEAKERS. BEFORE ADDRESSING THE BOARD PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.
NOW I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN THE FIRST PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD AT TODAY'S MEETING. I HAVE FIRST/SORRY, DON.
>> HI. MY NAME IS DON, AND I LIVE AT 1713 DEBBIE LANE IN ORANGE PARK. I CAME ON A GOOD DAY BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF VETERANS HERE. I COME FROM A VERY VETERAN FAMILY. MY DAD WAS A SEA WOLF IN THE NAVY. AND MY HUSBAND TWO YEARS AGO DIED. HE WAS 100% -- AND THIS NEW GARBAGE THING I STAND FOR A LOT OF VETERANS.
BECAUSE I THINK MY HUSBAND COULDN'T WALK, TALK, HOLD ANYTHING. AND HE WAS A HUNDRED%.
THERE WAS NO FRAUD IN THE CASE. AND THINGS THAT HAPPENED, I DON'T THINK THAT 100%ERS SHOULD BE PUNISHED FOR A COMMENT LIKE FRAUD IN THE VA. THAT IS FOR THE VA TO HANDLE.
AND I BELIEVE TAKING AWAY A BENEFIT FROM SOMEBODY THAT IS A 100%ER IS AN AWFUL THING. AND SO I JUST WANT YOU ALL TO KNOW THAT THE PEOPLE DO EXIST OUT THERE THAT ARE 100%.
AND A GARBAGE FEE IS MINIMAL TO YOU, BUT TO THEM, IT COULD MEAN EVERYTHING. SO I JUST WANT YOU TO CONSIDER THAT AND NOT PUNISH THEM FOR FRAUD.
THAT IS MY COMMENT. >> THANK YOU.
>> PATRICK LEE. >> MY NAME IS PATRICK LEE.
I LIVE AT 319 SOUTH IN FLEMING. I'M HERE ABOUT THE PARK.
2010, WE EXPANDED THE PARK BY 125 ACRES AND USED A $10,000.000000000 TO FINANCE OUR DRAINAGE.
ROAD PAVING AND RUNWAY IMPROVEMENTS.
THE CRAZY FLORIDA LAND SPLIT RULE LEFT OVER FROM THE 1800S PROHIBITED US FROM HAVING LOT SIZES LESS THAN 10 ACRES.
EVEN THOUGH THE COUNTY ZONING ALLOWED 5-ACRE ONES.
THE NEW COMMISSIONER AND LOBBIED THE COUNTY TO HELP US.
COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AGREED, AND WE GOT OUR 5--ACRE LOTS.
WE PETITIONED FOR 2.5--ACRE LOTS BUT THE COUNTY SAID THAT WILL REQUIRE REZONING, AND THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY THIS COUNTY WAS GOING TO REZONE THE LAND SOUTH OF STATE ROAD 16.
WOW, HAVE TIMES CHANGED. I LOOK BACK AT THE 220 5-2025 THAT THEY WERE USING AND COMPARED TO THE 2045.
THERE WAS ONE GLARING DIFFERENCE.
THOUSANDS OF ACRES SOUTH OF STATE ROAD 16 HAD BEEN REZONED FROM AGRICULTURAL TO PLANNED COMMUNITY.
THE AGRICULTURAL FAMILY WHO BOUGHT THE LAND AROUND OUR AIR PARK LISTENED TO OUR CONCERNS AND REALLY WORKED WITH US TO BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR. BUT BIG MONEY TALKS, AND HAD SOLD AS YOU KNOW TO A HUGE DEVELOPER AND DEVELOPMENT COMPANY FROM FORT LAUDERDALE THAT'S ALREADY HERE IN CLAY COUNTY CLEAR CUTTING LAND AND BULLDOZING ZERO LOT LINE
[00:40:01]
HOMES BY THE THOUSANDS. WE ARE 6 MILES SOUTH OF STATE ROAD 16 AND NOW HAVE A TRAILER PARK ZONED PERMITTED JUST OFF OUR NORTH END OF THE RUNWAY AS WELL AS A CARPET BAG DEVELOPER FROM FORT LAUDERDALE NOW SURROUNDING US TO THE WEST.WE FEAR THAT ULTIMATELY WITHOUT YOUR HELP, YES, YOU, THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, OUR BEAUTIFUL AIR PARK WILL SUFFER THE ENCROACHMENT OF FATE THAT HUNDREDS OF PRIVATE FLYING FACILITIES AROUND THE NATION HAVE SUFFERED.
AND BE FORCED TO CLOSE BECAUSE OUR TRAFFIC PATTERN HAS AIRCRAFT FLYING LOW OVER TINY HOMES AND MOBILE TRAILERS.
WE DON'T QUITE UNDERSTAND YOUR DESIRE TO ALLOW THIS MASSIVE CONSTRUCTION OF THOUSANDS OF TINY LOT HOMES THAT STRESS EVERY SERVICE EVERY TRAFFIC, THOROUGHFARE, EVERY PUBLIC SCHOOL, OUR CLEAN DRINKING WATER, AND EVERY STORM WATER SYSTEM. AND OF COURSE OUR FIRST RESPONDERS. THAT HORSE IS OUT OF THE BARN.
WE EVEN HAVE -- YOU HAVE EVEN CREATED A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR MINING WITH THESE DEVELOPERS CALLED THE DEVELOPMENT SERVICE BUILDING. WE CAN'T STOP THIS DEVELOPMENT FROM BULLDOZING, BUT YOU CAN DEMAND THAT THEY DON'T MITIGATE THE WETLANDS THAT FILTER OUR RUNOFF OR FILL IN THE CREEKS THAT CARRY OUR STORM WATER OFF. SO THEY CAN BUILD ROADS AND SHOPS AND TINY LOT HOMES THAT ARE SURE TO FLOOD US OUT.
ONLY YOU CAN DEMAND THEY DON'T MESS WITH THE HOME DENSITY THAT THE AGRICOLAS WERE GRANTED. ONLY YOU CAN DEMAND THEY HONOR OUR CLAY COUNTY'S ONLY BEAUTIFUL AND UNIQUE FLYING COMMUNITY AND PROHIBIT RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION UNDER OUR TRAFFIC PATH. WE KNOW THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF FORT LAUDERDALE COULD GIVE A DARN ABOUT 85 LOT AIRPARK SOUTH OF GREEN COVE SPRINGS. HOPEFULLY YOU WILL.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT WE ARE THE FOLKS WHO REPRESENT, NOT THE DEVELOPERS, NOR THE FUTURE PEOPLE THAT WALK BY THESE TINY DWELLINGS. HELP SAVE US.
HELP SAVE WHAT IS LEFT OF RURAL CLAY COUNTY AND OUR UNIQUE FLYING COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.
>> JOSEPH. >> GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS JOSEPH. I LIVE AT 3390 CANDLEWOOD DRIVE.
NAVY VETERAN RETIRED 20 YEARS. I ALSO HAVE A 100% DISABLED RATING. I LIVED IN CLAY COUNTY FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS. COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE AT THE LAST MEETING THAT DID NOT SIT WELL WITH ME WHATSOEVER FROM THE BOARD. IN REFERENCE TO SOMEONE MAKING $400,000 OR HAVING AN EXPENSIVE RV.
THAT SHOULD HAVE NO BEARING WHATSOEVER ON WHAT A DISABLED VETERAN CAN OR CANNOT AFFORD. I FIND THAT COMPLETELY VERY APPALLING. AND THE DECORUM FROM THAT PERSON WAS UNCALLED FOR. I REQUEST OF THE BOARD A SIMPLE.
WHEN DISCUSSING DISABLED VETERANS, PLEASE DON'T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THEIR SACRIFICE OR THEIR CIRCUMSTANCE BASED ON THEIR INCOME OR WHAT THEY OWN.
DON'T CONFUSE THE VETERANS SUCCESS WITH THE ABSENCE OF SACIFICE. THANK YOU.
314 KEYSTONE HEIGHTS FLORIDA. >> THEY CAN'T HEAR YOU, THEY SAID. JUST PULL IT UP A LITTLE BIT.
THANK YOU. >> I'M FROM KEYSTONE HEIGHTS FLORIDA. BEAUTIFUL TOWN, KEYSTONE.
I'M HERE TONIGHT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE STORM WATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS THAT Y'ALL ARE PLACING OR ATTEMPTING TO PLACE UPON US.
FLORIDA STATUTES 403 DEFINES STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS AS A MEANS OF A SYSTEM DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED OR IMPLEMENTED TO CONTROL THE DISCHARGE THAT IS NECESSITATED BY RAINFALL EVENTS INCORPORATING METHODS TO COLLECT, CONVEY, STORE, ABSORB, INHIBIT, TREAT, USE, OR REUSE WATER TO PREVENT OR REDUCE FLOODING OVER DRAINAGE. ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION AND WATER POLLUTION. OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE QUALITY AND THE QUANTITY OF WATER DISCHARGE FROM THESE SYSTEMS. WHAT Y'ALL ARE ATTEMPTING TO DO IS CREATE AN ADDITIONAL UTILITY.
WE DO NOT NEED ANY ADDITIONAL UTILITY.
Y'ALL HAVE THE MEANS TO ADDRESS ISSUES.
I BELIEVE THE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN PRESENTED ARE MAINLY ROAD MAINTENANCE ISSUES. STATUTE 403 ALSO FULLY STATES,
[00:45:11]
THE DEPARTMENT INCLUDES WATER RESOURCES AND INFORMATION FOR THEIR PROPER MANAGEMENT OF STORMWATER.IT IS ENVIRONMENTAL DETECTION DEPARTMENT.
THAT EACH WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT WHICH IS IN THE STATE.
WILL MANAGE THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS. I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL HAVE BEEN THROUGH.
YOU HAVE NOT MADE IT CLEAR WHETHER OR NOT Y'ALL HAVE WORKED WITH SAINT JOHN'S WATER MANAGEMENT ON THIS.
I HAVE SEEN THAT Y'ALL HAVE BEEN WITH EDMONDS AND JONES.
YOU HAVE PAID THEM A TOTAL IN CONTRACTS -- I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOUR PAYMENT SCHEDULES ARE AT WITH THEM OF OVER $2,325,000.
FROM THIS COUNTY. THIS MONEY WAS FOR THE DESIGN OF A UTILITY SYSTEM. AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT WHEN YOU ARE AMENDMENT SIX OF THIS. THIS WAS A CONTRACT INITIALLY AWARDED FOR THE YEAR '22-'24. THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL THINGS
THAT Y'ALL HAVE -- >> YOUR TIME IS UP.
YOU CAN JUST FINISH UP, PLEASE. >> ANYWAY, WHAT MY POINT IS, YOU NEED TO RECONSIDER CHAPTER 20 OF THE COUNTY ORDINANCE, COUNTY ORDINANCE COMPLETELY STATES IN SECTION J, THE COST OF MAINTAINING THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM PROVIDING THE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SERVICES IN ACCORDANCE WITH EXISTING PERMITS AND FINANCE EXISTING AND FUTURE REPAIRS, REPLACEMENTS, IMPROVEMENTS, AND EXTENSIONS. THEREFORE, THERE SHOULD TO THE EXTENT PRACTICABLE BE ALLOCATED AND RESHAPED IN RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BENEFITS ENJOYED AND SERVICES RECEIVED OR THE BOARD
CALLS THEREOF. >> THANK YOU CORRECT SIR.
>> DISTRICT FOUR RECEIVE NO BENEFITS.
>> THANK YOU. >> I ASK YOU TO REPEAL SECTION 20, AND ALSO DO AWAY WITH THE ASSESSMENT.
>> THANK YOU. DANIEL COOK IS NEXT.
>> MADAM CHAIR BOARD MEMBERS, DANIEL COOK FOR THE RECORD, MY ADDRESS IS ON FILE. AT THE LAST MEETING, I READ A PETITION TO THE GOVERNOR REGARDING THE FLOCK SAFETY MASS SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS THAT ARE BEING PUT UP NOT JUST IN CLAY COUNTY BUT ALL OVER FLORIDA ALL OVER THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.
AND I WAS PLEASED THAT THE FDOT PUT OUT A MEMO ON SEPTEMBER 1ST SAYING THAT STATE ROADS ARE GOING TO BE REQUIRING THE LOCAL COUNTIES TO REMOVE THE FLOCK CAMERAS FROM THE STATE ROADS.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE COUNTY COMPLYING WITH THAT.
AND SO WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS SUBMIT THE PETITIONS THAT I READ FROM LAST WEEK. WE HAVE ABOUT 40 SIGNATURES.
I WOULD LIKE TO SUBMIT THEM FOR THE RECORD HERE AT THIS MEETING, I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THEY BE INCLUDED IN THE MINUTES, TOO.
IF THAT WOULD BE CONSIDERED. AND I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO WHAT ACTION I THINK IS APPROPRIATE MOVING FORWARD.
BECAUSE I AM APPRECIATIVE THAT THE GOVERNOR DID TAKE ACTION.
BUT THE MASS SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM THAT IS BEING BUILT AROUND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE RIGHT NOW IS MORE THAN JUST FLOCK SAFETY.
IT IS MORE THAN JUST LICENSE PLATE READERS.
FROM MY PERSPECTIVE IT IS A SURVEILLANCE STATE THAT IS ALREADY VERY MUCH IN PLACE. I HAVE HEARD THERE IS A COMPANY NAMED AXON THAT IS REPLACING A LOT OF THE FLOCK SAFETY CONTRACTS AND OTHER MUNICIPALITIES IN OTHER STATES.
I HAVE WRITTEN ANOTHER PETITION THAT WILL BE SERVING TO THIS BOARD. I WOULD LIKE TO READ IT IN PART.
"WHEREAS BENJAMIN FRANKLIN IS CREDITED WITH SAYING, THOSE WHO GIVE UP ESSENTIAL LIBERTY TO PURCHASE A LITTLE TEMPORARY SAFETY DESERVE NEITHER LIBERTY NOR SAFETY.
AND WHEREAS ON MONDAY SEPTEMBER 1ST, 2026, THE FDOT ISSUED A MEMO TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT STATING THAT THE FDOT HAS REVOKED PERMITS ALLOWING AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS ON STATE ROADS GIVING A 30 DAY DEADLINE FOR REMOVAL.
WHEREAS FURTHER ACTION FROM LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO REMOVE ALL
[00:50:02]
FORMS OF MASS SURVEILLANCE FROM CITY AND COUNTY ROADWAYS IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS AND THE PRIVACY OF FLORIDA CITIZENS. AND WHEREAS SURVEILLANCE TOOLS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO VIDEO CAMERAS, AUDIO DETECTORS, AND FACIAL RECOGNITION TECHNOLOGIES BY COMPANIES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO FLOCK SAFETY AND AXON SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM LOCAL ROADWAYS. THEREFORE, WE THE PEOPLE SUPPORTING THIS PETITION WITH OUR AUTOGRAPHS LAWFULLY AND PEACEFULLY INSTRUCT THE CLAY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TO PLACE ON A FUTURE MEETING AGENDA A PUBLIC HEARING FOR A COUNTY ORDINANCE BANNING ANY AND ALL FORMS OF MASS SURVEILLANCE BY ANY COMPANY OR CORPORATION CURRENTLY UNDER CONTRACT AND BY BANNING ANY FUTURE CONTRACTS BETWEEN THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND ANY COMPANY OR CORPORATION THAT PARTICIPATES IN MASS SURVEILLANCE THAT VIOLATES THE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE. I WILL BE BACK FOR THIS PETITIONIN MORE SIGNATURES. >> THANK YOU.
CHANCE SCHWARTZ NEXT. >> I KEEP GRABBING THE WRONG
ONE. >> MR. SCHWARTZ, YOU WERE WANTING TO SPEAK TO QUITE A BIT OF CONSENT AGENDA.
YOU PROBABLY WANT TO SPEAK ON THEM NOW.
>> I DIDN'T REALIZE I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO CRAM THREE DIFFERENT ITEMS IN THE 3 MINUTES. I'M LEARNING THE WAY THIS WORKS.
SO I WILL DO MY BEST. HAS THE TIME ALREADY STARTED?
>> NO IT WILL START NOW, JUST NOW.
CAN HE START OVER? >> GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS CHANCE SCHWARTZ. MY ADDRESS IS ON THE FILE.
THREE ITEMS I WANT TO DISCUSS WE'LL GO REALLY QUICK.
ITEM NINE THE GARDENS. THE GARDENS NEED EVIDENCE OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTION AS PART OF ITS APPLICATION FOR FLORIDA HOUSING FINANCING. EXACTLY WHAT DOES THIS $30,000 COUNTY CONTRIBUTION ALLOW THE DEVELOPER TO QUALIFY FOR? WHAT IS THE TOTAL DOLLAR VALUE OF THE STATE FINANCING TAX EXEMPT BONDS AND HOUSING CREDITS FOR OTHER PUBLIC BENEFITS AS PROJECT IS SEEKING? THE HOUSE FINANCING AUTHORITY HAS GIVEN THE COUNTY $30,000. AND THEN THE COUNTY IS THEN LOANING THAT SAME $30,000 TO THE DEVELOPER AT 0% INTEREST FOR 18 YEARS. AFTERWARD, THE COUNTY ASSIGNS THE NOTE AND MORTGAGE BACK TO THE HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY.
WHY IS CLAY COUNTY REQUIRED TO BE THE MIDDLE IN THIS TRANSACTION? THAT'S ALL I WILL DO ON THAT ONE. ITEM 24.
I LOST MY PHONE. BEFORE ACCEPTING THIS WITH A BOARD REQUEST PRESENTATIONS FROM THE FIRMS AS TONIGHT'S AGENDA SPECIFICALLY ALLOWS YOU TO DO. THIS IS A MAJOR LONG TERM PUBLIC INVESTMENT AND SHOULDN'T THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE PUBLIC UNDERSTAND WHAT EACH FIRM IS ACTUALLY PROPOSING BEFORE MOVING FORWARD? WHAT IS THE ESTIMATED TOTAL COST OF THIS PUBLIC SAFETY COMPLEX INCLUDING FINANCING COSTS, WHAT COULD CLAY COUNTY TAXPAYERS ULTIMATELY PAY OVER THE ENTIRE TERM OF THE FINANCING AGREEMENT? WHAT ARE THE MAJOR DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE FOUR PROPOSALS? THE TOP TWO PROPOSALS.
FIRMS ARE SEPARATED BY 2.3 POINTS.
WHAT SPECIFICALLY CAUSED ONE PROPOSAL TO RANK ABOVE THE OTHER? WHETHER PROPOSED FINANCING STRUCTURES OF LONG TERM TAXPAYER COSTS CONSIDERED WHEN THESE FIRMS WERE SCORED? IF SO HOW CAN THOSE DIFFERENCES BE PRESENTED PUBLICLY BEFORE THE BOARD SELECTS A FIRM? WHAT EXISTING COUNTY FACILITIES WITH THIS COMPLEX REPLACE OR CONSOLIDATE? ALSO, I WOULD ASK, WHAT IS THE DOWNSIDE OF HEARING THESE PRESENTATIONS BEFORE MAKING THE DECISION THE COUNTY IS CONTEMPLATING A PROJECT OF THIS SIZE IN A LONG TERM FINANCING ARRANGEMENT, ADDITIONAL PUBLIC SCRUTINY NOW BE PREFERABLE BEFORE WE FIND OUT IT IS TOO LATE KIND OF LIKE WITH THE STORMWATER THING.
SO WE SHOULD PROBABLY HAVE FULL DISCLOSURE NOW.
THAT BRINGS ME TO ITEM 26. STORMWATER ASSESSMENT REPAIR, MEMBER OF THIS BOARD, QUESTION THE AUTHENTICITY OF A VETERAN'S 100% DISABILITY BY WHAT THAT PERSON OBSERVES IN PUBLIC.
SO WHAT I HAVE OBSERVED ABOUT THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE STORMWATER REPAIR LIST IS THAT MY ADDRESS -- WHICH IS IN DISTRICT FIVE. APPEARS ON THE REPAIR LIST.
MY ADDRESS WAS FIXED IN 2020 BY THE COUNTY.
THAT DRAIN REPAIR IS THE ONLY PLACE ON MY PROPERTY THAT HOLDS
[00:55:01]
WATER. AND THEY REFILLED MY SANDY SOIL.YOU CAN DIG ON MY NEIGHBOR AND GET SAND.
YOU CAN DIG IN MY YARD AND GET SAND.
AND IN THE MIDDLE WHERE THEY PUT A NEW DRAIN, IT IS HARDPAN DIRT.
NOTHING GROWS. NOTHING DRAINS.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I AM REQUESTING -- ON THE REPAIR LIST. THAT RIGHT THERE, YOUR DISTRICT IS MISQUOTED $150,000. AND I WOULD LOVE YOU TO REQUEST
SOME ACCOUNTABILITY. >> THANK YOU.
MR. EDDIE NIGHT? >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
MY NAME IS EDDIE KNIGHT AT 1394. AND JUST BRIEFLY I WANTED TO TOUCH ON THE PROJECT ON HIGHWAY 209.
AND I DID REACH MY EMAILS THIS AFTERNOON ON MY WAY UP.
I JUST WANT TO UNDERLINE THAT WE APPRECIATE ALL THE EFFORT THAT Y'ALL ARE DOING TO KEEP THAT COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OFF THE 209 SIDE. THAT IS ALL I HAVE TO SAY.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> WANDA DUBAY.
OKAY. I DON'T HAVE MY GLASSES ON.
SORRY. IT IS REACHING INTO OUR POCKETS FOR YOUR BUDGET. AND SENIORS SHOULD HAVE A DISCOUNT. RICHARD WARNER.
>> HI, RICHARD WARNER. I LIVE ON CLUB LAKE DRIVE IN ORANGE PARK. IT IS REGARDING THE EMAIL THAT I SENT TO THE FIVE OF YOU WHETHER IT BE YOU AS A BOARD PLAN TO NOTIFY RESIDENTS OF CLAY COUNTY ABOUT THE POSSIBLE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF UPCOMING BALLOT THREE AMENDMENTS.
I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM ANY OF YOU. I HOPE TO HEAR SOMETHING REGARDING THAT, NOTIFYING COUNTY RESIDENTS OF THE POSSIBLE NEGATIVE IMPACT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. BRIAN DRIVER.
>> MY NAME IS BRIAN DRIVER. MIDDLEBURG, FLORIDA.
I WANT TO START BY HAVING A COUPLE OF QUOTES HERE.
"THE GOVERNMENT IS MERELY A SERVANT, MERELY A TEMPORARY SERVANT. IT CANNOT BE ITS PREROGATIVE TO DETERMINE WHAT IS RIGHT AND WHAT IS WRONG.
AND DECIDE WHO IS A PATRIOT AND WHO ISN'T.
ITS FUNCTION IS TO OBEY ORDERS, NOT TO ORIGINATE THEM." MARK TWAIN. WE PUT TWO IN PLACE, PLEASE LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY TONIGHT. ALSO, WHENEVER YOU FIND YOURSELF ON THE SIDE OF THE MAJORITY, IT'S TIME TO PAUSE AND REFLECT.
YOU MIGHT BE DOING SOMETHING WRONG.
TO FOLLOW UP ON WHAT SOME OF MY FRIENDS HERE HAVE ALREADY SAID, SPEAKING ABOUT THE FLOCK, I'VE NOTICED THAT YOU HAVE -- IN ITEM TEN, CERTIFIED A MORTGAGE. CONGRATULATIONS ON WHATEVER THAT MORTGAGE IS FOR, I'M NOT SURE. IT'S PRETTY VAGUE.
IN THE SAME VEIN, WE CAN ALSO SAVE SOME MONEY BY GETTING RID OF FLOCK CAMERAS. GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS ORDERED THE REMOVAL OF FLOCK AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READING CAMERAS AND SIMILAR A.I. SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS FOR ALL STATE'S ROADWAYS. THE DIRECTIVE WAS FLORIDA DOT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ISSUED A MEMORANDUM.
LAW ENFORCEMENT 30 DAYS -- WE ARE ON THE CLOCK.
TO REMOVE EXISTING CAMERAS. IF YOU GUYS NEED HELP LET ME KNOW. I WILL HELP YOU GET RID OF THOSE. I'M SURE SOMEBODY ELSE WOULD ALSO HELP. FUTURE PERMITS ALL EXISTING PERMITS AND AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS ON STATE HIGHWAYS ARE REVOKED. FUTURE PERMITS ARE BANNED.
THE REASONING, HE SAID. HE CITED CONCERNS OF POTENTIAL DIGITAL A.I. SURVEILLANCE STATE. DATA PRIVACY AND REPORTS OF MISUSES SUCH AS INCIDENTS WHERE SOME OFFICERS ALLEGEDLY USED TECHNOLOGY TO LOOK UP INFORMATION -- STATE VERSUS LOCAL ROADS. THE STATE LEVEL PROVIDES STATE
[01:00:04]
ROADS -- I S THAT WE MOVE FORWARD WITH ALL THE REST THAT ARE NOT ON STATE ROADS. IT IS A VOLUNTARY CANCELLATIONS THAT INCLUDE MIAMI DADE COUNTY AND PASCO COUNTY AND VOLUNTARY SHUT THEM ALL DOWN -- WHICH INCLUDES AXON AND LSAC.THE FOURTH AMENDMENT IS THE RIGHT OF THE PEOPLE TO BE SECURE IN THEIR PERSONS HOUSES PAPERS AND EFFECTS AGAINST UNREASONABLE SEARCHES AND SEIZURES SHALL NOT BE VIOLATED AND NO WARRANTS SHALL ISSUE BUT UPON PROBABLE CAUSE SUPPORTED BY OATH OR AFFIRMATION AND PARTICULARLY DESCRIBING THE PLACE TO BE SEARCHED AND THE PERSONS AND THINGS TO BE SEIZED.
OTHER PLACES DEACTIVATED AND CANCEL THESE IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, NEW YORK, AUSTIN, TEXAS, DENVER, COLORADO, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON, OAK PARK ILLINOIS, CAMBRIDGE EUGENE, SPRINGFIELD? FLAGSTAFF, SEDONA, ARIZONA, WEST SAINT PAUL, AND NORTH BRANCH, MINNESOTA.
I ASK THAT YOU FOLLOW SUIT AND PLEASE REMOVE ALL OF THESE.
AGAIN IF YOU NEED HELP, YOU HAVE MY INFORMATION.
I LIVE AT 3414 GREEN COVE. I WAS 16 YEARS OLD WHEN 911 HAPPENED. I WAS IN NINTH GRADE.
9:00 A.M. I SAW THE TOWERS FALL.
MARCH 18TH, MARCH 17TH -- BECAUSE IT ALREADY HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT ON MY BROTHER'S BIRTHDAY, 2003, I WATCHED US INVADE IRAQ. THREE MONTHS LATER I WENT TO THE RECRUITER'S OFFICE, AND I JOINED THE NAVY.
I SERVED 20 YEARS IN THE MILITARY.
THIS DISABLED VETERANS EXEMPTION -- NOT ALL DISABILITIES ARE VISIBLE. MANY CONDITIONS AFFECT VETERANS INTERNALLY, MENTALLY, AND NEUROLOGICALLY WITHOUT ANY EXTERNAL PHYSICAL SIGNS. WHAT I HEARD LAST MONTH IS DEPLORABLE. ESPECIALLY FROM A VETERAN.
AND YES, THE FAA WILL TAKE AWAY YOUR FLIGHT STATUS IF YOU CLAIM CERTAIN THINGS. I UNDERSTAND THAT.
BUT TO SOMEHOW SAY THAT OTHER VETERANS DO NOT QUALIFY FOR THIS, AND FOR THE BIOGRAPHY ON THE CLAY COUNTY WEBSITE TO SAY PAST PRESIDENT OF THE NAVY LEAGUE OF JACKSONVILLE IN A BIOGRAPHY, AND IN ANOTHER PERSON ON THIS BOARD TO ACTUALLY PROMOTE IN THEIR BIOGRAPHY, SON OF A MARINE CORPS VETERAN AND GRANDSON OF A NAVY VETERAN WHO TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN SUPPORTING THE MORE THAN 30,000 VETERANS WHO CALL CLAY COUNTY HOME IS DEPLORABLE. TO BE ABLE TO PUSH THIS ON PEOPLE. 100% PERMANENT AND TOTAL IS THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT ON THE CLAY COUNTY WEBSITE. THAT IS THE ONLY THING THAT QUALIFIES. IT'S NOT THE FULL 30,000 VETERAN. IT IS THE 4565 VETERANS THAT ARE IN THIS COUNTY THAT GET P AND T, THAT QUALIFY FOR NO TAXES.
AND THAT IS WHAT BRINGS US TO THIS COUNTY AND BRINGS US TO THIS STATE. THAT IS WHAT KEPT ME HERE.
I WAS BORN IN ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS.
MY LAST DUTY STATION WAS JACKSON.
I STAYED HERE IN FLORIDA. I OWN TWO HOMES AND ONE IN MIDDLEBURG AND ONE IN GREEN COVE.
I LOVE THIS COUNTY. I DON'T LIKE ST. JOHN'S OR DUVAL. I LOVE CLAY COUNTY, AND I LOVE WHERE I LIVE. RIGHT? $131 FOR THOSE 4500 PEOPLE IS $598,000.
JUST UNDER $600,000. AND SOMEHOW, THIS BOARD WANTS TO GIVE THEMSELVES A RAISE -- WHICH IS ROUGHLY $450,000.
YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE THESE VETERANS WHO SERVED THEM -- I'M
100% PERMANENT AND TOTAL. >> THANK YOU, SIR.
>> I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING VISIBLE, BUT I AM PERMANENT.
AND I DIDN'T LIE ABOUT IT. >> THANK YOU, SIR.
[APPLAUSE] >> THAT IS THE ONLY WARNING YOU'RE GETTING. PLEASE DON'T DO IT.
I READ THE DIRECTIONS RIGHT AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING.
[01:05:06]
PLEASE. >> I WILL TAKE A FEW OF MY SECONDS TO CLAP FOR HIM. I WANT TO TALK FOR A MINUTE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED AT THE LAST MEETING.
AND SPECIFICALLY WHAT I THINK IT SAYS ABOUT PUBLIC PARTICIPATION IN THIS COUNTY. WE HAD FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND -- UNFORTUNATELY, I COULDN'T BE HERE.
I DID WATCH MOST OF IT ONLINE. WHAT I UNDERSTAND TO BE RECORD TURNOUT FROM RESIDENTS OPPOSED TO THE STORMWATER ASSESSMENT.
PEOPLE WAITED FOR HOURS. THEY CAME PREPARED AND SPOKE RESPECTFULLY. THEY SPOKE PASSIONATELY.
NOT ONE MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC SPOKE FOR IT.
AND AFTER ALL OF THAT, PASSES 3-2 WITH NO MEANINGFUL DISCUSSION AMONG THE BOARD ABOUT WHAT YOU JUST HEARD.
FRANKLY, THAT WAS INCREDIBLY DISCOURAGING TO WATCH.
WHETHER IT WAS ACTUALLY THE CASE OR NOT, CERTAINLY LEFT ME -- AND I'M SURE OTHERS WITH THE IMPRESSION THAT YOUR MINDS WERE MADE UP LONG BEFORE ANYBODY WALKED UP TO THIS PODIUM.
WE HEAR ALL THE TIME IN THIS ROOM THAT RESIDENTS NEED TO SHOW UP, THAT WE NEED TO SPEAK, THAT YOU NEED TO HEAR FROM US.
COMMUNITY SHOWED UP IN RECORD NUMBERS.
THEY TOLD YOU EXACTLY HOW THEY FELT.
SO AT THAT LEVEL OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION DOESN'T WARRANT SERIOUS CONSIDERATION OR MINIMUM MEANINGFUL DISCUSSION, WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU ASKING US TO SHOW UP FOR? TO WASTE OUR TIME? I UNDERSTAND THAT PUBLIC COMMENT IS NOT A VOTE. I UNDERSTAND YOU MIGHT HEAR FROM A HUNDRED PEOPLE AND ULTIMATELY MAKE A DECISION THAT THOSE HUNDRED DISAGREE WITH. BUT IF THAT HAPPENS, I THINK THE PUBLIC DESERVES TO HEAR YOU WRESTLE WITH WHAT THEY TOLD YOU AND EXPLAIN WHY YOU DISAGREE AND EXPLAIN WHY YOU BELIEVE YOUR DECISION IS STILL IN THEIR BEST INTEREST.
WHAT THEY DON'T DESERVE IS TO BE DISMISSED OR TREATED RUDELY AFTER TAKING HOURS OUT OF THEIR LIVES TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR LOCAL GOVERNMENT. AND BY THE WAY, NOBODY IS FORCING YOU TO BE HERE. YOU CHOOSE TO SERVE AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, PUBLIC SCRUTINY COMES WITH A JOB.
PEOPLE ARE GOING TO QUESTION YOUR DECISIONS AND CRITICIZE YOU AND SOMETIMES OUT IN PUBLIC. SOMETIMES THEY ARE GOING TO BE ANGRY WITH YOU. YOU DON'T HAVE TO AGREE WITH THEM. YOU DO HAVE TO BE WILLING TO HEAR THEM. IF YOUR RESPONSE TO CRITICISM IS THAT YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE WHO HAVEN'T WALKED IN YOUR SHOES, THEY RESPECTFULLY, I THINK YOU'VE MISUNDERSTOOD THE RELATIONSHIP HERE. EXCUSE ME.
I JUST MESSED UP HERE. WE DIDN'T ELECT YOU BECAUSE WE HAVE WALKED IN YOUR SHOES. WE ELECTED YOU TO REPRESENT US WHILE WEARING YOURS. IT REQUIRES LISTENING EVEN WITH WHAT THE PUBLIC HAS TO SAY IS UNCOMFORTABLE.
IF ANY OF YOU ARE NO LONGER WILLING TO DO THAT, THEN I GENERALLY THINK YOU SHOULD RECONSIDER WHETHER PUBLIC OFFICE IS THE RIGHT CAREER MOVE FOR YOU.
ANYWAY CAN'T KEEP ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO SHOW UP AND WHEN THEY DO, SHOW THEM THAT SHOWING UP ACTUALLY MATTERS.
I APPRECIATE Y'ALL. >> THANK YOU.
RICHARD. ARE YOU WANTING TO SPEAK NOW OR
THE SECOND PUBLIC COMMENT? >> MY NAME IS RICHARD.
PEOPLE WHO LOOK AT ME OFTEN SEE SOMEONE WHO CHECKED ALL THE BOXES. I SERVED MY COUNTRY IN AND OUT OF COMBAT FOR 27 YEARS. I WORE THE UNIFORM.
TODAY I'M CLASSIFIED AS DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 100% TOTAL DISABLED VETERAN. BUT PAPERWORK DOESN'T CAPTURE THE DAILY REALITY CHECK 100% DISABLED ISN'T A LINE ON A BENEFITS LETTER. IT'S A COMPLEX EXHAUSTING FRAMEWORK FOR LIVING. IT MEANS WAKING UP EVERY SINGLE DAY IN A BODY OR A MIND THAT PAYS A PERMANENT TAX FOR A YOUTHFUL PROMISE. INVISIBLE WEIGHT THAT DICTATES HOW FAR I CAN WALK, HOW LONG I CAN SIT, HOW MUCH OF MYSELF I CAN GIVE TO THE PEOPLE I LOVE BEFORE THE BATTERY DRAINS COMPLETELY. LIVING HERE IN CLAY COUNTY INTRODUCES A VERY SPECIFIC PARADOX TO THAT LIFE.
ON ONE HAND, THIS COMMUNITY IS INCREDIBLY SUPPORTIVE.
WE ARE SURROUNDED BY MILITARY HISTORY RIGHT IN THE SHADOW OF JACKSONVILLE. DRIVE DOWN GREEN COVE SPRINGS AND YOU SEE THE FLAGS, THE BUMPER STICKERS, THE GENUINE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE FROM NEIGHBORS AT THE GROCERY STORE.
THE STATE OF FLORIDA TAKES CARE OF ITS OWN ON PAPER, TOO PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR 100%. DISABLED VETERANS AND GETTING MY VETERANS DESIGNATED DRIVER'S LICENSE AT THE TAX COLLECTOR'S OFFICE IN GREEN COVE WAS PROBABLY THE SMOOTHEST GOVERNMENT INTERACTION THAT I'VE EVER HAD.
[01:10:02]
BEING 100% DISABLED VETERAN HERE MEANS LIVING IN A PLACE THAT DEEPLY HONORS YOUR PAST WHILE SILENTLY FIGHT EVERY SINGLE DAY JUST TO SURVIVE IN THE PRESENT.NEVER BASED ON NEED BUT RATHER RECOGNIZING THE SACRIFICES MADE BY THOSE THAT SIGNED A CONTRACT COMMITTING TO LAY DOWN THEIR LIVES IF ASKED IN THE NAME OF FREEDOM.
IT IS A LIFE OF IMMENSE GRATITUDE FOR THE COMMUNITY WE HAVE MARRIED TO QUIET PERMANENT PANEL THAT HAPPENS LONG AFTER THE UNIFORM HAS BEEN PUT AWAY. I AGREE WITH THE LAST COMMENT A COUPLE OF GUYS BEFORE ME THAT WAS DEPLORABLE WHAT YOU DID LAST WEEK. GOD BLESS OUR COUNTRY.
GOD BLESS OUR STATE AND OUR COMMUNITY.
CHARLES HODGES NEXT. >> GOOD EVENING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN MY NAME IS CHARLES HODGES.
I BELIEVE MY NAME IS ON FILE. I'VE SPOKEN HERE SEVERAL TIMES.
I COME UP HERE TONIGHT AND GIVE YOU FOLKS SOME ADVICE AND YOU CAN TAKE IT IF YOU WANT TO OR NOT.
BUT I INTERACT WITH A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE IN THE PUBLIC OUT HERE ON A DAILY BASIS. AND THE ONE THING THAT I CAN TELL YOU THAT UPSET EVERYBODY LAST WEEK WAS WE BROUGHT A RECORD NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THIS BUILDING.
A RECORD NUMBER OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS, PEOPLE YOU ASK FOR YOUR VOTE. PEOPLE THAT YOU TOLD THAT YOU WOULD PUT YOUR FAITH IN WHAT THEY WANTED YOU WOULD TAKE CARE OF WHAT THEY NEED IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND YOU FAILED.
YOU FAILED THEM IN A HUGE WAY. OKAY? WHEN PEOPLE WALK UP HERE TO TALK TO YOU THEY TOOK TIME OUT OF THEIR DAY, OKAY? SOME OF THESE PEOPLE TAKE TIME OFF OF WORK TO COME UP HERE BECAUSE OF YOUR SCHEDULE FOR YOUR MEETINGS. WHEN YOU PUT YOUR HEAD DOWN YOU'RE NOT MAKING EYE CONTACT WITH THESE PEOPLE, IT IS AN INSULT TO THEM. OKAY? WHEN I LOOK OUT HERE, AND I'VE GOT VETERANS IN THIS AUDIENCE OUT HERE. THESE MEN SIGNED UP TO DIE FOR THIS COUNTRY. AND YOU CANNOT EVEN GIVE THEM RESPECT. YOU TELL THEM THEY HAVEN'T SERVED ENOUGH YEARS TO EVEN SPEAK TO YOU? THAT IS NOT WHAT WE VOTED FOR IN THIS COUNTY, I CAN ASSURE YOU OF THAT. I'M GOING TO TELL YOU, THESE PEOPLE IS UPSET. YOU SHOULD KNOW THIS.
YOU GUYS WATCH SOCIAL MEDIA. YOU SEE THIS MESS.
THESE PEOPLE AREN'T EMPTY WORDS. THE BIGGEST WORDS I'VE HEARD LAST WEEK IS RECALLS. SO I WILL TELL YOU, PREPARE YOURSELF, FOLKS. THEY ARE NOT HAPPY.
HAVE A GOOD EVENING. >> THANK YOU.
2141 CARTER ROAD. DISTRICT FOUR.
AREA. GOOD AFTERNOON LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. I'M HERE TO ASK A FEW QUESTIONS AND APPRECIATE THE ANSWER BEFORE THE NIGHT IS OVER.
DO YOU REMEMBER ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO, MISS CONDON?
>> COULD YOU PLEASE PULL YOUR MICROPHONE?
>> MISS CONDON CAN YOU WAS HERE ABOUT SIX YEARS AGO WHEN THE COMMISSION ACTUALLY ANSWERED QUESTIONS OF THE PUBLIC AND THE TAXPAYERS. Y'ALL FIVE HASN'T DONE THAT.
Y'ALL SIT BACK HERE, AND YOU HIDE BEHIND THIS MICROPHONE RIGHT HERE. THEY TALK, THEY TALK, THEY TALK, AND YOU TURN AROUND AND WALK RIGHT OUT.
WHAT YOU DID THE OTHER NIGHT WAS VERY DISRESPECTFUL.
IF I WAS YOU I WOULDN'T BE THERE.
I WOULD BE SCARED -- >> YOU WERE SPEAKING TO THE BOARD. THANK YOU.
>> THE TAXPAYERS, SIX YEARS AGO, WE COULD TALK TO Y'ALL.
NOW WE DON'T TALK TO Y'ALL AT. YOU MIGHT GET AN EMAIL BACK.
STAFF RECOMMENDS, STAFF DOES THIS.
I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL FIVE COMMISSIONERS KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE VOTING ON. I DON'T REALLY THINK YOU DO.
AND THIS IS A SHAME. BECAUSE THE TAXPAYERS OUT HERE IS THE ONES GETTING THE SHAFT. STORM WATER, ALL THIS OTHER STUFF THAT'S GOING ON. YOU GOT PROPERTY TAXES GOING UP.
THE MAIN THING IS WE GET EMAILS. OR IF YOU DO KNOW HOWARD, YOU GOT HOWARD, YOU CAN GET SOMETHING DONE.
YOU CAN ASK QUESTIONS. BESIDES THAT YOU DON'T GET NOTHING DONE. THEY DON'T EVEN CALL YOU BACK.
BUT THAT'S Y'ALL'S FAULT. WE VOTED FOR ALL FIVE OF Y'ALL.
WE DID NOT VOTE FOR STAFF. STAFF DON'T NEED TO BE CALLING US BACK. COMMISSIONERS NEED TO BE CALLING US BACK. IF YOU DON'T NEED THE TIME, DON'T TAKE THE JOB. AND THE TAXPAYERS GET IGNORED.
TWO WEEKS AGO YOU ABSOLUTELY ALL FIVE OF Y'ALL, I'M SORRY.
THREE OF Y'ALL. ABSOLUTELY IGNORED THE TAXPAYERS THAT'S IN THIS STATE. YOU BEG, AND BEG, AND BEG FOR PEOPLE TO COME UP HERE. WHEN YOU COME UP HERE, YOU SLAP
[01:15:01]
THEM IN THE FACE AND PUSH THEM. NO RESPECT WHATSOEVER.>> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT?
[INDISTINCT] >> GOOD AFTERNOON GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS ROBERT I LIVE AT 2712 RICHARDS ROAD IN ORANGE PARK.
I AM NOT A 100% DISABLED VETERAN.
I'M A COLD WAR VETERAN. I BARELY FINISHED MY FIRST TERM.
I JOINED ON MY 17TH BIRTHDAY. IT WAS AN HONOR TO SERVE, BUT I'M A RULE BREAKER MY WHOLE LIFE WHEN IT DON'T MAKE SENSE.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND. I'M A CERTIFIED FRAUD EXAMINERS FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS. HOW YOU CAN TAKE POSSIBLY THE SMALLEST PERCENTAGE THAT COULD EXIST.
MAYBE IT EXISTS. AND HOLD THE REST OF THESE PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE. THE VA DETERMINES WHO IS ELIGIBLE, NOT ME. I HAVE SEEN PLENTY OF PEOPLE.
HE LOOKS FINE TO ME. BUT THOSE COMMENTS LAST WEEK WERE UNCONSCIONABLE. I HAVE NEVER ONCE WANTED TO DELVE INTO POLITICS. I AM SHAKING, BECAUSE TRYING TO FOLLOW YOUR RULES IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT.
I ACTUALLY EXPECTED TO COME HERE AND GET DRAGGED OUT.
NOW I'M TRYING TO ACT LIKE AN ADULT.
AND I'M ASKING YOU TO RECONSIDER.
I AM 100% SURE THAT ONE OF THESE COMMISSIONERS WOULD NOT HAVE ENJOYED BEING MY LEADER. I WAS ONE TOUGH THUS I CAN TELL YOU THAT. SO WE PROBABLY AREN'T ON THE SAME PAGE WITH ANYTHING. BUT TAKE CARE OF THE 100% DISABLED VETS AND STOP JUDGING, PLEASE.
I AM GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT.
ARE YOU WANTING TO SPEAK, MA'AM? OKAY.
>> GOOD EVENING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN.
I'M YVETTE ON CEDAR GROVE TERRACE IN FLEMING ISLAND.
I AM A 100% TOTAL AND DISABLED VET.
I JUST WANTED TO GO ON RECORD BY SAYING THAT I DO NOT SUPPORT THE STORM WATER DRAIN ISSUES. AND ALSO WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE TRASH FEES AND ALL THAT. I AGREE WITH ALL THE VETERANS COMMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN SPOKEN THIS EVENING.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> ALL RIGHT, I'M CLOSING PUBLIC COMMENT. WE WILL MOVE ON TO 5:00 --
[39. Public Hearing on Petition and adoption of an Ordinance creating the Bellamy Community Development District (District 5, Comm. Burke) (C. Grimm)The Petitioner, Bellamy Property Holdings, LLC, hereby requests that the public hearing scheduled on the Petition to Establish the Bellamy CDD, scheduled for September 8, 2026, be canceled. It is further requested that the public hearing be re-noticed, at the Petitioner’s expense, for November 10, 2026.]
NUMBER 39. PUBLIC HEARING ON PETITION AND ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE CREATING DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT. AND MY DISTRICT.AND COURTNEY. >> AS REFLECTED ON THE AGENDA, THE APPLICANT HAS REQUESTED THAT THIS ITEM BE CANCELED.
AND THEY WILL BE ADVERTISING IT AND RE NOTICING IT FOR THE NOVEMBER 10TH MEETING. SO YOU DO NOT NEED TO TAKE A VOTE TO CONTINUE IT. BUT YOU DO NEED TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING THAT WAS ADVERTISED.
>> OKAY. OPENING PUBLIC HEARING.
ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM?
YOU CAN COME UP. >> I'M JUST WONDERING IF THIS COUNTS AS ONE OF OUR PUBLIC HEARINGS, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO HAVE TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS AND A RESOLUTION.
>> THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING JUST FOR THIS ITEM.
>> I'M WONDERING IF WE STILL GET TO SPEAK ON IT, DOES IT COUNT AS ONE OF THOSE TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS?
>> CORRECT. >> THAT WASN'T REALLY.
MAYBE. I'M WONDERING IF BECAUSE WE GET TO SPEAK ON THIS, BECAUSE YOU GET TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS AND A RESOLUTION BEFORE YOU VOTE YEA OR NAY.
THIS IS BEING EXTENDED TO THE NOVEMBER MEETING.
DOES THIS COUNT AS ONE OF THE PUBLIC HEARINGS OR JUST THE
NOVEMBER IS THE FIRST HEARING? >> SO THIS ITEM WILL ONLY HAVE ONE OFFICIAL HEARING. THIS ITEM WILL ONLY HAVE ONE OFFICIAL HEARING AT THE NOVEMBE. AND YOU CAN COME BACK AT THE NOVEMBER 10TH DATE AND SPEAK ON IT.
>> OKAY, I THINK THAT ANSWERS IT.
CLOSED PUBLIC HEARING. BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
[40. 5:05 p.m. or as soon thereafter as can be heard - First Public Hearing - Adoption of Tentative Millage and Budget for FY 2026/2027 (M.Rood)]
>> NO VOTES REQUIRED. >> WE WILL MOVE ON TO NUMBER 40.
5:05 P.M. OR SOON THEREAFTER. FIRST PUBLIC HEARING ADOPTION OF
BUDGET FOR FY 2026-2027. >> GOOD EVENING BOARD.
M JAY ROOT OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET.
[01:20:02]
BEFORE YOU THIS EVENING, WE HAVE BROUGHT YOU A TENTATIVE BALANCED BUDGET. THERE ARE A FEW NOTES TO TAKE IN OF A FEW NEW FUNDS. THE FIRE EMS FUND AND THE CONSTITUTIONAL FUND. YOUR RESERVES ARE ALSO SET AT YOUR 16.7% IN THE GENERAL FUND. THOSE ARE THE ITEMS THAT I HAVE TO BRING BEFORE YOU TONIGHT BEFORE OUR PUBLIC HEARING.>> MA'AM, BEFORE MADAM CHAIR AND COMMISSIONERS BEFORE THE PUBLIC HEARING, TO TRIM PROCESS FOR THE PUBLIC, THE TRIM PROCESS AS GOVERNED BY THE FLORIDA STATUTE AND IS COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS TRUTH AND MILLAGE. IT SETS FORTH SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR THE CALCULATION AND ADOPTION OF THE MILLAGE RATE AND THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF THE COUNTY AND ITS DEPENDENT DISTRICTS. TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS ARE REQUIRED TO ADOPT A MILITARY AND BUDGET. THIS IS THE FIRST PUBLIC HEARING AND WAS ADVERTISED ON THE NOTICE OF PROPOSED PUBLIC OR TRIMMED NOTICE THAT WAS MAILED BY THE PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE.
THE TRIM PROCESS REQUIRES THAT THE FIRST SUBSTANTIVE ISSUE DISCUSSED SHALL BE THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE IN MILLAGE OVER THE ROLLBACK RATE NECESSARY TO FUND THE BUDGET AND THE PURPOSES FOR WHICH THE REVENUES ARE INCREASED OVER THE ROLLBACK RATE. AND KEEPING WITH THAT, THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 AGGREGATE OPERATE MILLAGE RATE IS 8.5931 MILLS -- WHICH IS MORE THAN THE CURRENT YEAR AGGREGATE ROLLBACK RATE OF 8.3135 MILLS BY 3.36%. THE PROPOSED OPERATING MILLAGE RATES ARE BROKEN DOWN AS FOLLOWS.
COUNTY SERVICES, 5.5471 MILLS. CONSERVATION LANDS PROGRAM, 0.2 MILLS. UNINCORPORATED SERVICES, 0.1477 MILLS. LAW ENFORCEMENT MST FOUR FUND, 2.4014 MILLS. FIRE CONTROL MSTU TECH EIGHT FUND, 0.5048 MILLS. LAKE ASBURY MSBD 0.0 MILLS.
AND CHALLENGER CENTER MSTU 3.0 MILLS.
REVENUES INCLUDING THE ESTIMATED CASH CARRY FORWARD HAVE BEEN UPDATED TO REFLECT THE MOST CURRENT AVAILABLE INFORMATION AS BRIEFED BY OUR BUDGET MANAGER. THE CLAY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MUST APPROVE THREE SEPARATE RESOLUTIONS AS PART OF THIS PUBLIC HEARING. THE FIRST RESOLUTION ADOPTS THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027 FOR THE CLAY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
THE SECOND RESOLUTION ADOPTS THE CLAY COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE LAKE ASBURY MSBD FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027. THE THIRD AND FINAL RESOLUTION AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 893.165 PARAGRAPH SIX OF THE FLORIDA STATUTES DESIGNATES CLAY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER INCORPORATED AS THE RECIPIENT OF THE COUNTY ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUG ABUSE TRUST FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027.
MADAM CHAIR, OVER TO YOU. >> ANYONE LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS?
>> DALE CARTER ON FILE. MY RATES, MY MARKET PRICE KEEPS GOING UP WITH THE CLAY COUNTY. BUT IF YOU READ EVERYTHING AROUND, IT SAYS ALL THE REAL ESTATE -- THEY ARE DOWN 12%. HOW DOES MINE -- OUR PROPERTY TAXES KEEP GOING UP? ABOUT THE 12% IS DOWN IN CLAY COUNTY. I MEAN, SOMEBODY CAN EXPLAIN THIS TO ME. I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.
IT DOES IT EVERY YEAR. I THINK MR. RENNINGER, YOURS WENT DOWN, BUT MINE WENT UP. I'M JUST GONNA SAY THAT.
BUT IT IS ONE OF THEM SITUATIONS.
HOW DOES THAT WORK? CAN SOMEBODY EXPLAIN IT? YOU WILL ANSWER OR ARE WE JUST GOING TO LOOK?
>> ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SPEAK TO IT?
>> JUSTIN, ADDRESS IS ON FILE. AGAIN, THIS IS A PROPOSED BUDGET, RIGHT? 4500 VETERANS.
THAT'S $600,000. IN ORDER TO GET THAT BUDGET THAT YOU ARE GOING TO TENTATIVELY APPROVE OR APPROVE, RIGHT? CAN YOU HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET MINUS $600,000? WHY THESE PEOPLE? $598,000 DOES NOT NEED TO BE
[01:25:04]
THERE. FIND IT SOMEWHERE ELSE.FIND THAT MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE AND GIVE IT BACK TO THE VET
VETERANS. >> ANYONE ELSE? ALL RIGHT. CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT AND BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD FOR DISCUSSION.
>> MADAM CHAIR, I HAD A QUESTION, BUT FIRST I WANTED TO -- I THINK THE ANSWER TO MR. CARTER'S QUESTION IS THAT THE PROPERTY VALUES ARE SET BY THE PROPERTY APPRAISER.
THE TAXES ARE SET BY THE COUNTY COMMISSION.
THE TAX MILLAGE RATE -- WHICH HAS NOT GONE UP IN SIX YEARS.
SIX YEARS AGO -- I THINK IT WAS FIVE OR SIX YEARS AGO.
THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DID RAISE THE MILLAGE RATE. BUT IT HAS NOT BEEN RAISED SINCE THEN EXCEPT FOR THE VOTER 2 MILLS FOR LAND CONSERVATION THAT WENT INTO EFFECT LAST YEAR.
IT WAS APPROVED AT THE NOVEMBER '24 ELECTION.
THAT PROPERTY VALUES ARE ALLOWED -- IF YOU ARE HOMESTEADS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, THEY CAN GO UP 3% PER YEAR.
ON HOMESTEAD IS 10% A YEAR. IF AMENDMENT THREE PASSES, OBVIOUSLY THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.
AND THEN ALSO, NONHOMESTEAD ARE LIMITED TO 5% A YEAR.
AND SO, AT ANY RATE, THERE IS A PROCESS.
AND IT IS A CHALLENGING THE PROPERTY APPRAISER'S ASSESSMENT OF YOUR VALUE OF YOUR HOME. AND I THINK THAT DEADLINE IS SEPTEMBER 15TH. SO IF YOU GO -- OBVIOUSLY THEY ARE CLOSED NOW. BUT IF YOU GO DOWNSTAIRS TO THE SECOND FLOOR, THAT IS THE PROPERTY APPRAISER'S OFFICE.
AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU IF YOU THINK YOUR PROPERTY VALUE HAS GONE UP AND SHOULD NOT HAVE, GO DOWN THERE AND LET THEM KNOW.
[INDISTINCT] I HEAR YOU, BUT THAT IS THE PROPERTY APPRAISER. HE IS DULY ELECTED A CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER. [INDISTINCT] NO ONE TELLS HIM TO RAISE IT. THAT IS HIS JOB.
YOU WILL HAVE TO ASK HIM THOSE QUESTIONS.
I CAN'T ANSWER THOSE. AND OBVIOUSLY, HE IS NOT HERE TO NIGHT. [INDISTINCT] NO, THE MILLAGE -- OKAY.
IT'S NOT A BACK AND FORTH, DALE. I WAS TRYING TO GET YOU YOUR ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION. I UNDERSTAND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND FOR GOOD REASONS IN SOME CASES. I READILY AGREE WITH YOU.
WE HAVE HAD THOSE CONVERSATIONS OFFLINE.
BUT IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE, WE ARE NOT RAISING THE MILLAGE.
BUT I DID WANT TO ASK A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
YOU MENTIONED THAT THERE ARE NEW FUNDS.
>> THERE ARE NO NEW REVENUE STREAMS THAT ARE COMING IN TO FUND THOSE FUNDS. RATHER THAN A SHIFT OF REVENUE THAT WAS COMING IN TO THE GENERAL FUND FOR THE PURPOSE OF PUBLIC SAFETY FOR THE PURPOSE OF STATE REVENUE SHARING.
THOSE REVENUE STREAMS ARE FLOWING IN TO THOSE PARTICULAR FUNDS TO FUND THOSE THINGS IN CLAY COUNTY.
AND THERE ARE ALSO TRANSFERS FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THOSE FUNDS AFTER THE REVENUE STREAMS HAVE FULLY BEEN IN TO THE FUNDS
TO FUND THOSE ASKS. >> I WANT TO ASK YO ABOUT THAT.
CAN YOU EXPLAIN MORE ABOUT THAT? >> ABOUT HOW WE FUND THOSE FUNDS AND WHY WE WOULD TRANSFER FROM THE GENERAL FUND?
>> YES. THE NEW FUND FOR THE FIRE EMS FUND IS ANOTHER FUND THAT WILL GO FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, THAT WAS ONLY IN THE GENERAL FUND. WE SIMPLY SEPARATED THAT OUT, SO WE WOULD BE ABLE TO SEE EXACTLY HOW THOSE FUNDS ARE SPENT AND ALLOCATED. AT THIS TIME, WHAT WE HAVE COMING IN FROM OUR MILLAGE RATES, 100% OF THOSE FUNDS ARE GOING INTO A PUBLIC SAFETY FUND. WHETHER THAT IS A LAW ENFORCEMENT OR A FIRE. YOU WILL SEE FROM THE GENERAL FUND THERE ARE ZERO AD VALOREM DOLLARS ENTERING IN TO THE GENERAL FUND. RATHER THEY ARE GOING TO A SOURCE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY PROPOSED AD VALOREM DOLLARS STILL DO NOT FUND THE ENTIRE PUBLIC SAFETY NEED.
SO WE ARE TAKING OTHER REVENUE STREAMS OF THE GENERAL FUND IN MAKING A TRANSFER FROM THE GENERAL FUND IN TO THOSE FUNDS TO FULLY SUPPORT OUR PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVES.
>> WHERE DO THOSE FUNDS COME FROM? THEY DON'T COME FROM PROPERTY TAXES AD VALOREM.
>> THE AD VALOREM IS 100% ALLOCATED IN TO THOSE FUNDS.
SO THESE ARE REVENUE STREAMS, FOR ANYTHING ELSE COMING IN TO
[01:30:10]
THE GENERAL FUND. DISCRETIONARY SALES TAX.>> I THINK THAT WAS ALL I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT.
ANYONE ELSE? >> ALL AD VALOREM GOES TO PUBLIC SAFETY, AND WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A AD VALOREM FUND FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. WE HAVE TO GO TO THE GENERAL
FUND FOR THAT. >> I DID WANT TO ASK ONE ADDITIONAL QUESTION. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE MILLAGE IS LOWER. I THOUGHT IT WAS 8.61 IN THE
PAST, AND IT IS A .931. >> THAT'S NOT EVEN THE AGGREGATE
RATE THAT IS CALCULATED? >> IT'S NOT LOWER, BUT IT'S NOT
INCREASED. >> OUR MILLAGE RATE IS NOT INCREASING BASED ON THE VOTE IN JULY.
>> OKAY. DISCUSSION? MJ, AND YOU BRIEF US ON THE NEW REQUIREMENTS FOR STATEWIDE LEGISLATURE FOR THIS PAST SESSION?
>> FOR THE RESOLUTION TO SET THE MILLAGE RATES FOR FISCAL YEAR '26-27, THE NEW LEGISLATION DID PUT IN THAT IT NEEDS TO BE A TWO THIRDS VOTE FOR THIS, RATHER THAN A MAJORITY.
'S THAT WOULD BE A VOTE TO SET THE MILLAGE RATE.
>> OKAY. IF THERE IS NO MORE DISCUSSION, I WILL ASK FOR A MOTION. PUBLIC HEARING IS CLOSED.
>> I WILL MOVE TO ADOPT THE TENTATIVE MILLAGE RATES FOR
FISCAL YEAR 25-26-27. >> I WILL SECOND.
>> ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THAT PASSES 5-0. AS FOR A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION FOR FISCAL BUDGET 2026-2027.
>> MOVED TO ADOPT THE TENTATIVE BUDGET.
>> I WILL SECOND. >> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR SAY "AYE".
NUMBER 3, ADOPT THE RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE THE CENTER AS A...
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026-2027. >> MOVED TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND AND-- >> MOTION AND A SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR, SAY "AYE"? ANY OPPOSED? THAT PASSES 5-0. I WILL ASK NOW FOR A MOTION FOR THE SECOND AND FINAL PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 22ND, 2026, AT 5:05 P.M. ON THIS FLOOR.
>> MOVED TO HOLD THE SECOND FINAL PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE BUDGET ON TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 22ND, AT 5:05 P.M.
>> SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND.
ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY "AYE".
ALL RIGHT. AND I THINK THAT IS IT.
[41. Final Public Hearing to consider adoption of COMP 26-0012 (B. Carson)This application is an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan to add the Branan Field Institutional (BF INST) land use.]
>> WE WILL MOVE ON TO NUMBER 41. FINAL PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER
ADOPTION OF COMP 26-0012. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.
THIS IS COMP 26-12, WHICH WAS A TEXT AMENDMENT SENT TO THE STATE. THE STAFF INITIATED AMENDMENT TO CREATE THE BRANAN FIELD INSTITUTIONAL LAND-USE.
AND THE DESCRIPTION IS TO ADDRESS THE FACT THAT WE HAVE THREE PARCELS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY MAPPED AS BFM INSTITUTIONAL, BUT THERE WAS NO DESCRIPTION OF WHAT THAT LAND-USE WAS. THESE WERE ADOPTED IN 2003.
THE THREE PARCELS AGAIN. THE STATE TROOPERS LOCATION BY MEADOWBROOK HIGH SCHOOL AND THE OTHER TWO ARE CLAY COUNTY
UTILITY AUTHORITY SITES BMF. >> THIS WAS WHAT WAS SUGGESTED AND WE HAVE TO ADD THIS TO THE LIST OF USES THAT WE HAVE IT BRANAN FIELD. THIS IS THE ACTUAL POLICY.
[01:35:03]
IT DESCRIBES THE INSTITUTIONAL LAND-USE CHARACTERIZED BY PUBLIC AND COMMUNITY SERVING INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES.WE ALSO ESTABLISH SOME MAXIMUM FLOOR AREA RATIO IN THIS POLICY OF 50%. AND THIS IS THE POLICY THAT YOU VOTED TO TRANSMIT TO THE STATE. SUMMARY OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS ON THIS, THE PLANNING COMMISSION VOTED 6-0 TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THIS POLICY. THIS ITEM WAS REVIEWED AT THE JUNE 1ST 2026 MEETING AND VOTED 6-02 RECOMMEND APPROVAL.
ON JUNE 9TH, THIS BOARD VOTED TO TRANSMIT THIS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE. THE NORTH FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL PROVIDED REVIEWS BUT HAD NO COMMENT ON THIS POLICY.
WITH THAT, STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THIS POLICY.
AND I HAVE IT HERE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> ALL RIGHT. I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING, BUT IF YOU'RE GOING TO SPEAK YOU WILL HAVE TO BE SWORN IN FOR THIS ONE. IF YOU'RE GOING TO SPEAK ON 42 ARE 43, TO STAND IN THE MIDDLE. AND CHRISTY WILL SWEAR YOU IN.
-- 42 OR 43. >> RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.
DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR AND AFFIRM THAT THE TESTIMONY YOU WILL MOVE GIVE WILL BE NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, SO HELP YOU GOD?
I APPRECIATE YOU. >> HAVE THERE BEEN ANY COMMISSIONER PARTICIPATION COMMUNICATION ON THIS MATTER? ON MATTER 42? ANYONE?
OKAY. >> THAT IS DIFFERENT ON MY NOTES. ALL RIGHT.
ANYONE TO SPEAK ON PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ONE? NO? ALL RIGHT.
I WILL CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING AND BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD.
>> I WILL MOVE THAT. >> I WILL SECOND.
AND I HAVE A QUESTION FOR BETH. MY QUESTION IS OBVIOUSLY YOU MENTION ON THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICE, AND THE TWO UTILITY AUTHORITIES, WHAT OTHER USES-- WHAT OTHER TYPES OF INSTITUTIONS, IF YOU WILL, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD, COULD
THIS APPLY TO. >> PRIMARILY UTILITIES.
BUT IT COULD BE COUNTY BUILDINGS LIKE LIBRARIES, HE MUSEUM AS WELL. IT COULD APPLY TO SCHOOLS.
>> DO THEY HAVE TO BE NONPROFIT? >> THIS WOULD APPLY TO PUBLIC,
I WAS JUST CURIOUS ABOUT THE CLAY COUNTY CHARTER SCHOOL THAT
IS ALSO THERE. >> THOSE CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE CONSIDERED PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND THEY WOULD BE CITED.
THEIR INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS THAT ARE A LITTLE DATED GOING BACK TO 2008, AND THAT HAS A PROCEDURE FOR HOW SCHOOLS ARE TO BE CITED.
>> SO IT IS SEPARATE. AND IF A DIFFERENT PARCEL WANTED TO ACHIEVE THIS WE WOULD HAVE THE SAME ZONING?
>> YES. THE INSTITUTIONAL IS A LAND-USE CATEGORY. THE ZONING IS VERY SIMILAR.
>> THANK YOU. >> MY QUESTION IS A 50% FIR, IS
THAT COMMON? >> BRENNAN FEEL CAN BE EVEN
HIGHER. >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSIONS,
QUESTIONS? >> I WILL MOVE APPROVAL OF THE
>> COMMISSIONER COMPARE AND MAKE A MOTION.
>> WE WERE IN DISCUSSION. >> MOTION AND A SECOND.
ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY "AYE".
[42. First Public Hearing to consider ZON 26-0012 (B. Carson)This application is a land development code text amendment to Article III to add the Branan Field Institutional (BF INST) district.]
WE WILL GO RIGHT TO FIRST PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ZONING 26-0012. I WILL ASK IF THERE WAS ANY COMMUNICATIONS ON THIS ONE? OKAY.>> THIS ITEM IS A STAFF INITIATED ITEM.
IT IS TO DEVELOP THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE POLICY TO SUPPORT THE BF INSTITUTIONAL LAND-USE CATEGORY, WHICH IS CREATED. THIS REQUIRES TWO PUBLIC
[01:40:02]
HEARINGS. SO THERE IS NO ACTION REQUIRED OF YOU TONIGHT OTHER THAN HAVING A PUBLIC HEARING.>> IN JUNE, STAFF PRESENTED THE FOLLOWING TEXT AMENDMENT TO THE 2045 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, WHICH YOU JUST VOTED ON.
AND THIS WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTION AS FAR AS WHAT USES CAN BE ALLOWED IN THE DISTRICT. USES PERMITTED BY RIGHT WOULD BE THE PUBLIC OWNED UTILITIES. PLACES OF WORSHIP, PRIVATE SCHOOLS. PRIVATE SCHOOLS CAN BE HERE.
DAY CARE CENTERS, LIBRARIES, MUSEUMS, PARKS, PUBLIC RECREATION. TRADE SCHOOLS.
THE CONDITIONAL USES ARE THE COMMUNICATION TOWERS, SEASONAL OUTDOOR STALES, TEMPORARY STRUCTURE BUILDINGS.
THE INTENSITY OF 50%. >> ALL RIGHT.
>> YOU WANT ME TO MOVE ON? OKAY.
WITH THIS CATEGORY BEING LOCATED WITHIN RESIDENTIAL AREAS, AND NOT EXCLUSIVELY IN THE ACTIVITY CENTERS, WHERE YOU HAVE SOME HIGHER INTENSITY, WE HAVE ADDED THESE ROAD LIMITATIONS.
BASED ON THE LOCAL ROAD YOU WOULD HAVE THE SMALLEST USE.
THAT IS WHERE IT IS LIKELY TO BE WITHIN A RESIDENTIAL AREA.
MINOR COLLECTORS, MAJOR COLLECTORS, THAT'S WHERE YOU GET MORE IN TO THE MORE COMMERCIAL ZONES OR ACTIVITY CENTERS.
SO YOU WILL SEE THE SIZES OF THE USES INCREASE AS YOU GET TO THE LARGER ROAD CATEGORIES. PLACES OF WORSHIP, YOU COULD HAVE A CHURCH THAT'S UP TO 10,000 SQUARE-FOOT IN SIZE.
WHICH IS RELATIVELY SMALL. I WILL MENTION THE PLANNING COMMISSION RAISE THE QUESTION ABOUT COULD A PLACE OF WORSHIP HAVE A DAY CARE. IF YOU SEE THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ALLOW, A PLACE OF WORSHIP, TO UP TO 10,000 SQUARE FEET, TO ALSO INCLUDE A DAY CARE, WE CAN AMEND THIS. WE ARE IN THE DEVELOPMENT PROCESS. SO IF THAT IS SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE CHANGED, WE CAN DO THAT.
IT WOULD ALSO INCLUDE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES NOT ON A LOCAL ROAD, OR A VOCATIONAL SCHOOL WHICH IS SUBSTANTIALLY LARGER.
BECAUSE IT IS IN BRANDON FEEL THAT THERE ARE POLICIES RELATED TO HEIGHT AND LANDSCAPING AND ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS.
SO WITHIN 50 FEET OF A RESIDENTIAL ZONE, WE LIMITED THE HEIGHT OF THE STRUCTURE TO 35 FEET.
BUT IT'S OUTSIDE THAT 50-FOOT ZONE AND IT CAN GO UP TO A HEIGHT OF 45 FEET MAXIMUM. THERE ARE SIDEWALK AND PARKING STANDARDS, ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS, IF IT IS ADJACENT TO THE ACTIVITY CENTER OR NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER OR COMMUNITY CENTER. IT NEEDS TO FOLLOW THE ARCHITECTURAL STANDARDS OF THAT AREA.
IF THERE IS AREA OUTSIDE THERE IS LESS OF A STANDARD FOR THE ARCHITECTURAL REQUIREMENTS. THERE ARE REQUIREMENTS FOR ROOFLINE PITCH, LIGHTING, AS WELL AS-- THE BALANCE OF THE LIGHTING STANDARDS WOULD BE THE SAME AS WHAT'S IN BRANAN FIELD.
WITH THAT, STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL.
THIS ITEM WAS RECOMMENDED AT THE AUGUST 1ST MEETING, AND IT WAS VOTED 5-0 FOR APPROVAL. DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON THAT? -- THAT DAY CARE SITUATION?
>> ARE YOU SAYING TO BRING IT BACK LATER FOR THAT?
>> WE HAVE TO HAVE TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS.
AND WE CAN MAKE THAT AMENDMENT AND BRING THAT TO YOU AT THE NEXT PUBLIC HEARING, IF YOU LIKE TO SEE THAT CHANGED.
>> PERSONALLY I WAS AT A DAY CARE IN A CHURCH GROWING UP.
AND I THINK THAT IT'S GREAT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT WOULD BE THE REASON FOR DENYING IT. WHAT WAS THE REASON?
>> WE WERE LOOKING TO NOT HAVE A STAND-ALONE DAY CARE WHICH WOULD BE A LARGER FACILITY. WITH A CHURCH WHERE YOU WILL HAVE A CHURCH AND A DAY CARE, IT WILL BE MUCH SMALLER SCALE.
SO THAT'S LIKELY TO HAVE LESS IMPACT ON THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
>> I WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.
[01:45:30]
>> THIS IS FOR 42. >> FORTY-TWO.
>> GO-AHEAD. >> DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR OR AFFIRM THAT THE TESTIMONY YOU ARE ABOUT TO BE-- GIVE WILL BE THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH, SO HELP YOU GOD?
>> YES. SO AFTER LISTENING TO YOU, IT SAYS HERE-- SO, IS THIS GIVING UP RECREATIONAL-- PUBLIC LAND TO BE SOLD AS A PRIVATE-- I WAS LOOKING AT THIS.
IT COULD BE MADE IN TO A SCHOOL OR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY, RIGHT? IS THAT KIND OF WHAT WAS JUST SAID, THAT IT'S GOING TO BE UP FOR PER-- PURCHASE? I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT I'M NOT A NERD TO WHAT I JUST HEARD THE.
BUT IT JUST SEEMS LIKE THIS WHOLE THING IS FOR THEM TO BUILD A CHURCH. SO YOU ARE GOING TO SELL PUBLIC PROPERTY FOR SOMEONE TO PURCHASE-- I AM A CHRISTIAN.
AND I AM FINE WITH THAT. BUT IF THIS IS PUBLIC PROPERTY, PUBLIC DOMAIN HERE IN CLAY COUNTY, IS THE RFP-- ARE THESE PEOPLE ALREADY GOING TO PUSH THE HIGHEST BIDDER? THIS COMMISSIONER CONDONED THAT THEY ARE ON BOARD WITH SELLING IT TO THE CHURCH. YOU GUYS ARE GUNG HO ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT IT'S A CHURCH WITH A KINDERGARTEN.
MAKE SURE IT HAS ALL THIS STUFF. SO I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, IS
THIS GOING TO BE A CHURCH? >> WE WILL ANSWER YOUR QUESTION
WHEN YOU'RE FINISHED. >> I AM DONE.
>> NO, SIR. THIS IS TO CORRECT THE FACT THAT OUR MAP OF THE FUTURE LAND-USE CATEGORIES IN THE COUNTY HAD MAPS DESIGNATED AS BF INSTITUTIONAL, BUT THERE WAS NO DESCRIPTION OF WHAT BF INSTITUTIONAL MET.
-- MEANT. SO THE PREVIOUS ITEM WAS TO CREATE WHAT THUS-- THAT DESCRIPTION SHOULD BE.
WHAT THOSE PARCELS ARE, WITCHES PUBLIC LAND THAT IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE. AND THIS ITEM IS TO CREATE EFFECTIVELY THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE POLICIES THAT WE COULD RELATE TO A PROPERTY IF IT WERE DESIGNATED AS BF INSTITUTIONAL.
THERE ARE NO PROPERTIES FOR SALE TONIGHT.
NONE OF THESE PROPERTIES ARE BEING REDEVELOPED.
THEY CURRENTLY EXIST AS BF INSTITUTIONAL.
>> MORE IMPORTANTLY, NONE OF THESE PROPERTIES ARE PROVIDED BY
>> ANYONE ELSE FOR PUBLIC HEARING ON THIS ITEM.
ALL RIGHT. I WILL CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING AT
BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD. >> THERE IS NO ACTION REQUIRED.
[43. Final Public Hearing to consider adoption of PUD 25-0009. (District 5, Burke) (B. Carson). This application is a Rezoning to change 2.46 acres from Commercial Recreation District (BB-5) to Planned Commercial District (PCD).]
>> OKAY. WE WILL MOVE ON TO 43.
FINAL PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF 25-009 IN MY DISTRICT. ONCE AGAIN.
>> THIS IS AN ITEM YOU HAVE HEARD A FEW TIMES BEFORE.
I WILL GO THROUGH QUICKLY ON THIS.
THE APPLICANT ON THIS IS SHONE DEEP.
♪ , HIS AGENT IS SITTING AT THE DESK HERETO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. THIS IS THE PROPERTY AT 20917.
WHERE THE KITCHEN RESTAURANT IS RIGHT NOW.
THE APPLICATION REQUEST WAS TO CHANGE THE 2.45 ACRES FROM 85 TO PLANT COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT. THIS IS A MAP OF THE ORIGINAL NOTIFICATION. AND WE HAD THE APPLICANT REVISE THE SIGNS OF THE PUBLIC KNEW THAT THIS WOULD BE HEARD TONIGHT. THE PROPERTY LONG 17 IS COMMERCIAL. THIS PROPERTY IS POISED TO GO TO THE COMMERCIAL DISTRICT. THE SUBJECT PARCEL HAS A CONVENIENCE OR BEING REDEVELOPED AS A RESTAURANT.
THE PCD APPLICATION INCLUDED THE LIST OF PERMITTED USES INCLUDING RETAIL BUSINESS, SHIPPING OFFICES, BEAUTY SALONS, THINGS LIKE THAT. PROFESSIONAL OFFICE SPACES,
[01:50:03]
MEDICAL OFFICES ADDED. RESTAURANTS, CONTRACTOR OFFICES.ALL STORAGE MUST BE INSIDE THE BUILDING.
INDOOR GAMING ROOMS. INCLUDING CLIMBING WALLS, VIDEO GAMES, INDOOR DRIVING RANGE.
BANKING FACILITIES, DRIVE-THROUGH COFFEE FACILITY.
LIQUOR PACKAGE STORED FOR OFF-SITE CONSUMPTION.
MEDICAL SPA. THERE ARE CONDITIONAL USES, A SERVICE STATION WITH GASOLINE AND RETAIL PETROLEUM, AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS A CONDITIONAL USE THAT WAS DESCRIBED. THINGS I COULD NOT GO THERE ARE ADULT ENTERTAINMENT AND ORIENTED BUSINESSES, OR ANYTHING THAT IS GROSS OR OFFENSIVE USE. THE DESIGN GUIDELINES WERE PROPOSED BY THE PCD. THIS IS NOT CHANGED.
THE MAXIMUM FLOOR AREA OF 40% WAS NOT PROPOSED AS WELL.
THE WRITTEN NARRATIVE ADDRESSES THE LANDSCAPE BUFFERING AND PROVIDES LIGHTING STANDARDS TO AVOID LIGHT TRESPASS.
OTHER LOCATIONS ARE SHOWN ON THE SITE PLAN.
SINCE THE JULY HEARING, THE APPLICANT HAS FURTHER REFINED THE PCD. THEY HAVE CLARIFIED THAT THE BUILDINGS ADJACENT TO COUNTY ROAD 209 WILL BE LIMITED TO ONE-STORY, AND THE FACADE FACING 209 MUST-HAVE ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES. THE THREE-STORY BUILDING-- THREE-STORY BUILDING WILL BE ALLOWED WITH A HEIGHT RESTRICTION OF A MAXIMUM 12-FOOT FOR-- PERFLUORO, WHICH WHICH WOULD BE 36 TO THE ROOF. THE STIPULATION THAT THE PARKING WILL MEET THE SECTION 8-12 STANDARDS.
THERE IS CLARIFICATION THAT THE PROFESSIONAL OFFICE SPACES WILL ALSO INCLUDE MEDICAL OFFICES. THE POLE SIGN MUST BE REPLACED WITH A MONUMENT SIGN. THE LANDSCAPING LEFT TWO TYPES OF BUFFERS THAT CHANGED A LITTLE BIT.
IN YOUR PREVIOUS VIEWING OF IT THERE WERE THREE.
THERE ARE THREE-- TWO. OFFER B WILL INCLUDE A 302 FOOT-LONG 6-FOOT HEIGHT AND MASONRY WALL, OR CONCRETE WALL SHOWN ON THE SITE PLAN. THE BLOCK WILL HAVE A 10-FOOT WIDE BUFFER ENTRY WITH PLANTING AND NO FANS.
AND THE SITE PLAN HAS BEEN UPDATED TO REFLECT THE LOCATION AND THESE BUFFERS. THIS IS THE SITE PLAN YOU SEE ON THE RIGHT. CIRCLE TO WHERE IT REFERS TO THE WALL. AND ON THE LEFT IS THE ELEVATION SHOWING THE WALL. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS-- I WILL GO BACK TO THE PICTURE OF THE GRAPHIC OF THE SITE PLAN.
THE CITIZENS ADVISORY BOATED 6-0 TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THIS REZONING CHANGE BACK IN JANUARY. THE ORIGINAL PLAN THAT WAS PRESENTED. PLANNING COMMISSION BACK IN JULY VOTED 7-02 RECOMMEND APPROVAL. AND STAFF AS REVIEWED THE CHANGES THAT THE APPLICANT HAS PROVIDED AND ALSO RECOMMENDS THE APPROVAL OF THE CRITERIA. WITH THAT, I WILL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS. AND I WILL GO BACK TO THE SITE
PLAN. >> KAYLA, YOU WEREN'T HERE LAST TIME. IF YOU'D LIKE TO SPEAK.
>> MY NAME IS KELLY. OF IT LIKE FIRST AND FOREMOST TO APOLOGIZE. I TRULY WAS OUT OF TOWN AND COULD NOT MAKE THE LAST MEETING. HAD I BEEN HERE WE COULD HAVE PROBABLY AVOIDED SOME OF THAT. WE DIDN'T SEND THE MOST ELOQUENT SPEAKER. AND HE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ALLOWED. IT WAS MY FAULT.
HOWEVER, SOMETIME SOME GOOD COMES OUT OF IT.
THE NEIGHBORS WANT THE WALL. SO WE ADDED THE WALL BACK IN.
THIS COMMITTEE REALLY WANTED THE MONUMENT OR POLE SIGN GONE.
WHENEVER WE GET TO THE FIRST PHASE, IT WILL BE DONE FIRST, AND THAT POLE SIGN WILL BE GONE AND THE MONUMENT WILL BE PUT IN IT'S PLACE. REMOVE THE THREE-STORY BUILDING FROM 209 OVER TO THE BLUFF, BECAUSE IT WILL AVOID HAVING A TALLER BUILDING LOOKING BACK ON TO ANY NEIGHBORS.
THE WALL EXTENDS ALL THE WAY DOWN TO 209 TO THE EDGE OF THE FIRST-STORY BUILDING. AND I THINK WE HAVE INCREASED THE BUFFERS. I THINK THIS IS A GOOD THING.
I LIVED NEAR THIS AND I STILL DO.
THIS IS A REALLY GOOD IDEA FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROPERTY.
BB FIVE IS NOT. I DON'T WANT ANYMORE THE BB FIVES ALLOWED. THAT'S WHAT THE PLANNING AND ZONING FOCUSED ON. USES, NARROWING IT DOWN AND FOCUSING IT ON USES WE WOULD WANT TO SEE ON OUR ACCOUNT-- IN OUR COUNTY. I AM HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AND DO ANYTHING I CAN TO HELP MAKE A DECISION AFTER
[01:55:03]
NOT BEING HERE LAST WEEK. >> THERE WAS ALREADY SOME EXAMPLES THAT WERE USED THAT YOU CONTINUED ON IN THERE?
>> THERE IS A COFFEE SHOP THAT WE WILL END UP WITH.
NO QUESTION ABOUT THAT. WE HAVE A MEDICAL FACILITY, AND THAT'S WHY WE ADDED THE MEDICAL OFFICES.
IT'S A LITTLE VAGUE. WE DO HAVE A DENTIST THAT IS LOOKING AT SOME OF THE SECOND FLOOR OFFICES AND THINGS LIKE
THAT. >> DID I HEAR ABOUT A UPS STORE?
>> UPS IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE LIKE TO SEE.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR LOW IMPACT TO COMPLEMENT THE EXISTING RESTAURANT THAT IS THERE. THOSE ARE THE USES WE ARE
LOOKING FOR. >> DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING?
GO AHEAD. >> WE SAW MEDICAL OFFICES.
IS A PHARMACY LEGAL UNDER THIS ZONING?
>> CAN YOU GO BACK TO THAT LIST? >> NUMBER 2 WOULD FALL UNDER
PHARMACY, CORRECTLY. >> I BELIEVE THAT'S WHERE THEY ARE LOCATED, IF THERE WAS PHARMACY LIFTED-- LISTED AS
ACCREDITED USE. >> IT IS IN OR OUT?
>> THAT SHOULD NOT BE THERE. THAT SHOULD NOT BE CONDITIONAL
USE. >> WE CAN EXCLUDE PHARMACIES.
>> PHARMACY IS NOT LISTED. >> IT IS LISTED.
>> THAT'S WHY BROUGHT IT UP. >> NOT AT THIS IS CONDITIONAL, THEY WILL WANT TO REMOVE IT FROM THE LIST.
>> YOU ALREADY HAVE LIQUOR IN THE RESTAURANT CORRECT?
>> CORRECT. BUT THEY LISTED SEPARATELY, LIKE A PACKAGE, OR SOMEBODY BUYS A BOTTLE AND TAKES IT HOME.
WE HAVE ON-SITE CONSUMPTION IN THE RESTAURANT.
>> CHAIR, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT INGRESS EGRESS.
THERE ARE THE METRICS OF RIGHT IN AND WRITE OUT, BUT WHAT ABOUT THOSE OTHER TWO THAT CHANGE THE WHOLE INTERSECTION? IT'S THE INTERSECTION I'M CONCERNED ABOUT GOING SOUTH OF 17. WE HAVE THE INTEREST ON 209, A RIGHT TURN IN, OR A LEFT TURN IN.
THAT'S FOR THE PEOPLE TRAVELING SOUTH ON 17, THEY WILL HAVE TO TURN ON 209. OR THEY WILL HAVE TO DO A U-TURN. THIS IS THE ONLY WAY.
THIS WAS RECOMMENDED AND WORKED OUT WITH THE ENGINEERING.
BEARING IN MIND, THAT INTEREST IS FROM THE-- IT'S ACROSS FROM THE CRAB COMPANY. NOT A RESIDENTS.
THE BLUFF ENTRANCE IS WHERE PEOPLE WOULD HAVE TO TRAVEL THROUGH THE PARKING LOT, AND THERE WOULD BE A TRAFFIC LIGHT THERE THAT LETS THEM GO SOUTH. BUT THAT IS THE NEW PATH.
THERE IS NO DIRECT LEFT-HAND TURN DIRECTLY INTO THIS SITE.
AND NO DIRECT TURN FROM EITHER ONE OF THESE ROADS TO 29 THEY ARE TRYING TO MOVE TRAFFIC UP-AND-DOWN 17 WITHOUT CONFLICTING DATA. THEIR BROTHER PEOPLE GO DOWN AND DO A U-TURN THEN HAVE A LEFT-- A LEFT-HAND TURN.
THEY THINK IT IS SAFER. THIS WORKS OUT PRETTY WELL.
>> I'M GOING TO OPEN PUBLIC HEARING.
WOULD ANYBODY LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS?
>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HEARING US. MY NAME IS JOAN.
I LIVE AT 3144 BASELY RODE. AND I AM PLEASED TO HEAR THAT THE CHANGES THAT YOU ALL RECOMMENDED SEEMED TO BE COMING ALONG. AND THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE
[02:00:02]
THE DECORATIVE CONCRETE WALL. AND I THINK THAT THAT WILL SATISFY MANY OF US. IT WILL BE SOUND AND MORE ATTRACTIVE THAN SOME DEAD BUSHES.IN ADDITION TO THAT, I THINK HE BROUGHT UP TWO OTHER ITEMS. AND I AM NOT CLEAR ON WHAT WAS DECIDED AND WHAT WAS SAID TONIGHT. I THINK THERE WAS DISCUSSION ABOUT THE HEIGHT OF THE BUILDINGS.
AND IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE DISCUSSION SAID THAT THE MAXIMUM HEIGHT WAS 35 FEET. IN YOUR NOTES.
A THREE-STORY BUILDING. 12 FEET.
MY MATH SAYS THAT IS 36 FEET. SO IS THERE A CHANGE ON THAT? THE OTHER ITEM, THAT I WANT TO BE SURETHAT I UNDERSTAND, IS THAT THERE WAS DISCUSSION AT THE MEETING ABOUT NOT HAVING THE MEDICAL MARIJUANA. IS THAT OFF OF THE LIST? IT IS. OKAY.
THOSE ARE MY PRIMARY CONCERNS. I DO AGREE THAT WE NEED TO GO FORWARD. AND HAVE THIS COMMERCIAL.
BECAUSE IF IT IS GOING TO BE SOMETHING TO ENHANCE THE AREA, I AM ALL FOR IT. THOSE WERE MY PARTICULAR CONCERNS. IN WHATEVER WE DO ON RODE IN AND OUT, WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THERE IS A BUS STOP AT THE CORNER OF 209 AND THE BLUFF. THANK YOU.
>> THE APPLICATION SAYS 36... >> I WILL SAY THAT AFTER SPEAKING WITH YOU, MA'AM,, I WILL ASK THAT THEY MOVE THAT TO THE BLUFF SIDE, INSTEAD OF IT BEING ON THE BACK SIDE.
SO ME AND YOU HAD DISCUSSED THAT.
YOU CAN COME UP. SHE'S LOOKING FOR THE ANSWER TO
I JUST SAW THE SITE PLAN, AS OF THIS AFTERNOON IT WAS NOT ON THE WEBSITE. I JUST NEED SOME CLARIFICATION.
I'M SEEING A BRICK QUALITY OR AND A SCREEN THERE.
IS A HOME BRICK WALL OF THE WAY HE? I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND, I NEED SOME CLARIFICATION.
>> FROM THE ONE-STORY BUILDING TO THE CORNER OF 209, 302 FEET.
>> IS THE WHOLE AREA WHERE YOU ENTER IN TO 209 DOWN TO THE
BLUFF? >> IT'S ON THE BUILDING CORNER.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO FOLLOW-UP ON THIS AND THANK YOU FOR THE COOPERATION. AND THE MAIN STREET WALL MEANS A LOT TO US. AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.
AND EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE, WE APPRECIATE YOU HEARING US.
THANK YOU. >> THE BUILDING MATERIAL IS SOLD IN 10-FOOT AND 12-FOOT HEIGHT. 35 IS A STRANGE HEIGHT.
THAT'S WHY WE SAID 12-FOOT DARK I'M NOT TRYING TO MAKE IT ANY TALLER, YOU WILL JUST END UP BUYING THREE SETS, AND THEN YOU'LL HAVE TO CUT EVERY SINGLE. IT MAKES SENSE THAT 12-FOOT IS THE MAXIMUM. BUT NORMALLY YOU WILL HAVE A 10-FOOT CEILING, 2-FOOT ABOVE THOSE AS YOUR CLEARANCE.
THAT'S WHERE EVERYTHING GOES ABOVE YOUR CEILING, FOR
INSTANCE. >> WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AVOID
OVERLOOKING THOSE OTHER HOMES. >> TO HAVE A PROPER MANAGEMENT DEGREE-- I HAVE A PROPER MANAGEMENT DEGREE.
AND I'M LOOKING AT THIS RETAIL BUILDING.
IT HAS REAR ENTRANCES-- THERE ARE NO REAR ENTRANCES?
[02:05:05]
>> THAT'S ON 209. >> SO THERE WON'T BE ANY
BACKDOORS? >> THE BUILDING IS NARROW ENOUGH. WE DON'T NEED IT FOR FIRE
ANYONE ELSE? >> THIS ONE BROUGHT UP A GOOD QUESTION. WHERE IS YOUR STORMWATER RETENTION POND, YOUR DRAINAGE AND ALL THAT?
>> WE HAVE SOME LIGHT SECTIONS UNDER THE PARKING LOT.
AND WE ARE PUTTING ALL THE RETENTION UNDER THE PARKING
I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND BRING IT BACK TO THE BOARD
FOR A MOTION. >> MADAM CHAIR, I HAD TO REPORT THAT I HAD PARTY COMMUNICATION WITH MR. KNIGHT VIA EMAIL.
AS THE COMMISSIONER OF THIS DISTRICT I APPRECIATE YOU ALL HEARING THIS AGAIN. I BELIEVE THIS AREA OF OUR COUNTY, OF MY DISTRICT, REALLY COULD USE A PICK ME UP.
AND I AM EXCITED ABOUT-- I KNOW WHAT KELLY'S WORK LOOKS LIKE, AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT MAKING THAT NOT AS MUCH OF AN IMAX OR.
-- AND EYE SORE. I WOULD ASK FOR A MOTION.
>> I WILL MOVE APPROVAL OF THE PUD 25-005.
>> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. >> I WILL SECOND.
MADAM CHAIR, BEFORE THE VOTE, CAN YOU CLARIFY WHAT USES ARE IN THIS AND WHAT ARE NOT? FOR THE RECORD?
>> THE ORDINANCE VERSION HAS COMMERCIAL, RETAIL BUSINESSLIKE SHIPPING OFFICES, BEAUTY SALONS, BAKERIES, SHOPS, PET GROOMING, SPECIALTY FOOD, SALES, SHOP AND TANNING SALONS.
ANY BUSINESSES THAT ARE DEEMED NOT COMPATIBLE SHOULD BE APPROVED BY THE PLANNING AND ZONING DIRECTOR.
OFFICE SPACES, MEDICAL OFFICES, RESTAURANTS, INCLUDING RESTAURANT SELLING ALCOHOL BEVERAGES FOR ON-SITE CONSUMPTION. ALL STORAGE MUST BE INSIDE.
INDOOR GAMING ROOMS, CLIMBING WALLS, VIDEO GAMES, NONVOTING INDOOR DRIVING RANGE. BANKING FACILITY, DRIVE-THROUGH COFFEE FACILITY. LIQUOR PACKAGE STORE FOR ON-SITE CONSUMPTION. MEDICAL SPA.
CHIROPRACTOR, BOTOX, ACUPUNCTURE.
CONDITIONAL USES, THERE IS ONLY ONE LEFT.
SERVICE STATIONS, AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA IS NOW STRUCK.
SO THAT WILL NOT BE ON THERE. AND I DID FIND WHERE IT SAYS 36-FOOT IN HEIGHT. WE HAVE MULTIPLE VERSIONS OF THIS GO THROUGH. 36-FOOT IN HEIGHT.
WOULD BE A BAD THING IF WE STRIKE...
>> YOU HAVE A LOT MORE OTHER THINGS YOU CAN DO THERE.
>> THIS LIST WAS NOT SOMETHING WE JUST THREW TOGETHER.
IT USED TO JUST SAY COMMERCIAL, AND IT WAS LITERALLY THE PNC BOARD THAT SAID GIVE US THE LIST.
THAT SO WE TRIED TO DO. BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY WANTED TO BE SPECIFIC. I CAN TELL YOU, I HAVE NO CONTACT OR DESIRE TO PUT A VAPE SHOP THERE, BUT IF THEY WANT TO STRIKE IT FROM THE LIST, I WOULD SAY I WOULD PREFER NOT TO.
IF IT IS DONE RIGHT, AS BAD AS I DISLIKE THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING, I WENT IN THE OTHER DAY AND I WAS SURPRISED AT HOW CLEAN IT WAS. THEY SELL CIGARS SO I WENT IN
THERE TO GET A CIGAR. >> MADAM CHAIR, FOR ME TO SUPPORT IT THAT NEEDS TO BE STRUCK.
>> I WOULD AGREE. I'M NOT GOING TO SUPPORT IT ANYWAY. I'M NOT GOT-- I DIDN'T LIKE IT FROM THE BEGINNING. I'VE DRIVEN AROUND IT, IT'S TOO SMALL OF A PROPERTY. IT LOOKS BIG ON THIS DRAWING.
AND I JUST CANNOT MAKE IT VISUALLY WORK.
I GET THAT YOU WANT BETTER COMMERCIAL IN THE AREA.
I DID NOT WRITE YOUR NAME DOWN, I APOLOGIZE.
[02:10:03]
BUT THE RESIDENT SAID THERE IS A BUS STOP THERE.AND THAT'S THE LAST THING THAT WE NEED TO GO AND PAY A VAPE
SHOP WHERE THERE IS A BUS STOP. >> I WAS NEVER IN SUPPORT, ON THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR, I JUST THINK IT'S
TOO SMALL OF A PROPERTY. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
STRIKING VAPE SHOP. ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR SAY "AYE".
[CONSENT AGENDA]
THANK YOU. GOING ALL THE WAY BACK.ANYONE ELSE? >> MADAM CHAIR, I'D LIKE TO PULL NUMBER 9, NUMBER 10, AND NUMBER 26.
>> I WILL TAKE A MOTION OF ALL, EXCEPT NINE, TEN, 24 AND 26.
>> I HAD A COMMENT BEFORE. >> IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE
CONSENT? >> IT DOES HAVE TO DO WITH CONSENT. BUT I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO PULL THE ITEMS. I JUST WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT SOME OF THE ITEMS. WOULD YOU RATHER I PULL THEM?
>> I HAVE A COMMENT TO MAKE ABOUT ITEMS 15, 16 AND 21.
>> THE MOTION IS TO APPROVE EVERYONE EXCEPT FOR NINE, TEN,
15, 21, 1026. >> I WILL MOVE APPROVAL WITH THE
EXCEPTION OF THOSE ITEMS. >> I HAVE A MOTION FOR THAT.
A SECOND? >> I SECOND THE MOTION.
>> THE MOTION IS SECONDED EXCEPT FOR ALL OF THOSE LISTED, ALL
[9. Interlocal Agreement between Clay County and the Housing Finance Authority of Clay County, Florida, regarding the Leah Gardens Project and accompanying Local Government Funding Form (T. Sumner)A) Approval of the Interlocal Agreement with the Housing Finance Authority of Clay County (HFA) addressing the County’s contribution in the amount of $30,000.00 to the Developer, Leah Gardens, Ltd., related to the construction of affordable housing. HFA will deliver the above amount to the County which the County will use to provide the County’s contribution to the Developer in exchange for a Note at the closing. The terms of the Note will be secured by the mortgage on the Project given by the Developer to the County. After closing, the County will assign the Note and Mortgage to HFA.B) Additional approval of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation Local Government Funding Form.]
THOSE IN FAVOR SAY "AYE". ANY OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT. WE WILL GO TO NUMBER 9 WITH TERESA. THANK YOU FOR COMING UP FORTHAT. >> TERESA, HOW ARE YOU DOING?
>> I'M VERY GOOD. HOW ARE YOU?
>> GOOD. I PULLED THE SITE THEM AND I WANTED YOU TO PROVIDE SOME POTENTIAL CLARIFICATION ABOUT THE $30,000 TO THE DEVELOPER, NY THAT'S THAT'S NECESSARY AND WHAT
THAT MEANS? >> I'VE BROUGHT SOMEONE HERE IF YOU'D LIKE TO TALK TO THEM AS WELL.
BEST CORE PLANS TO APPLY TO FLORIDA HOUSING FOR FINANCING TO BUILD HOUSING IN THE NEXT YEAR. AND THE REQUIREMENT OF THE APPLICATION IS TO HAVE A COUNTY CONTRIBUTION FORM.
AND THE COUNTY CONTRIBUTION EQUATES TO A 30,000-DOLLAR LONE.
THE COUNTY DOESN'T HAVE THOSE FUNDS IN THEIR BUDGET.
SO THE HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY PROVIDES THOSE FUNDS TO THE COUNTY TO USE FOR THAT LONE TO THE COUNTY CONTRIBUTION.
>> THOSE $30,000 ARE NOT NECESSARILY TAXPAYER FUNDS.
>> THEY ARE FROM THE HOUSING FINANCE AUTHORITY.
WE ARE NOT FUNDED BY THE COUNTY OR THE STATE.
>> WHAT IS THE REASONING FOR-- YOU MENTIONED EARLIER, THE COUNTY HAVING TO GIVE MONEY TO THE DEVELOPER.
IS THAT THE PROGRAM? HOW DOES THAT WORK?
>> IT'S THE FINANCING PORTION. BUT SOMEONE HERE MAYBE ABLE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION A BIT BETTER.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO HEAR FROM THEM?
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.
TERESA IS CORRECT, A 30,000-DOLLAR CONTRIBUTION HAS TO COME FROM THE COUNTY MUNICIPALITY.
IN ORDER TO SATISFY THE REQUIREMENTS, WE HAVE TO PROVIDE THOSE COMPONENTS TO THE COUNTY. THE COUNTY NEEDS TO-- ULTIMATELY THE LONE GET SIGNED BACK TO THE VHF A.
TO SATISFY-- SATISFY FLORIDA HOUSING.
>> WHEN YOU SAY SATISFY FLORIDA HOUSING, AND NEWT'S PLANE THAT
PROGRAM? >> WE WILL APPLY FOR SALES FINANCING, AND THE FLORIDA HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION APPLICATIONS DUE SEPTEMBER 22ND.
AS PART OF THAT APPLICATION PROCESS, FLORIDA HOUSING REQUIRES THE APPLICANT TO PROVIDE A COUNTY CONTRIBUTION.
SO IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THAT, WE WORK WITH THE HFA IT'S A SCORING
[02:15:07]
ITEM, AND WITHOUT THE CONTRIBUTION YOU ARE NOT COMPETITIVE FOR FUNDING. YOU ARE NOT-- IF YOU ARE INELIGIBLE IT'S NOT COMPETITIVE AND IT WILL NOT BE FUNDED.THIS IS A TYPICAL STRUCTURE WE HAVE USED IN THE PAST WITH THE
COUNTY AROUND APPLICATIONS. >> TERESA, AND YOU EXPLAIN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENT OF HAVING OF-- AFFORDABLE HOUSING THRESHOLDS? ISN'T THERE A THRESHOLD OF THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS TO BE DEEMED AFFORDABLE?
>> FOR THIS PROJECT? >> IN GENERAL.
>> THE PROJECT HE'S PLANNING TO BUILD, 60% OF THE PROJECT HAS TO BE AFFORDABLE. THE PERSONS LIVING THERE HAVE TO BE-- THEIR INCOME HAS TO BE UNDER 80% OF MEDIAN INCOME.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. 18 YOUR MORTGAGE.
I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF AN 18 YEAR MORTGAGE.
WHY NOT 15, WHY NOT 20, 30. >> FROM A FINANCING PERSPECTIVE WE WILL HAVE A TWO YOUR CONSTRUCTION LONE AND A 15 YEAR PERMANENT LONE AFTER IT. THE TOTAL CONSTRUCTION PERMIT IS 17 YEARS. WE NEED THE COUNTY LONE TO BE BEYOND THAT PERMIT LONE. SO THE 18 YEARS IS WHERE WE
SETTLE. >> WHICH PLACE IS THIS FOR?
>> THIS IS ON COLLEGE DRIVE AT THE INTERSECTION OF PEORIA ROAD
AND COLLEGE DRIVE. >> NOT EVERYONE IS FAMILIAR, BUT THEY ARE WONDERFUL TO OUR COUNTY, AND THEY JUST HAVE SOME WONDERFUL PLACES FOR OUR RESIDENTS.
I HAVE A WAITING LIST, BUT THEY MAKE THEM BEAUTIFUL AND TAKE CARE OF THEM. IT IS SOMETHING WE NEED MORE AND MORE OF. BUT THERE ARE ONLY SO MANY PLACES. BUT I'M TRULY GRATEFUL FOR WHAT
YOU HAVE DONE FOR OUR COUNTY. >> THANK YOU.
>> I WILL MOVE APPROVAL OF ITEM NUMBER 9.
>> MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF ITEM NINE,
[10. Satisfaction of Mortgage – Operation Lifeline – Mays (T. Sumner)]
SAY "AYE". ANY OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.WE WILL GO ON TO NUMBER 10. >> NUMBER 10 WAS THE SATISFACTION OF MORTGAGE. TERESA, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.
OPERATION LIFELINE IS A HOUSING OPPORTUNITY FOR VETERANS.
AND THIS IS THE SATISFACTION OF THAT MORTGAGE FOR VETERANS FOR
WE HAVE A STRATEGY WITHIN THE SCHIP PROGRAM.
A NONPROFIT HOUSING DEVELOP END. THEY ARE 1 OF 2 DEVELOPERS THAT ARE IN THAT PROGRAM. HABITAT FOR HUMANITY IS ONE OF THE DEVELOPERS. OPERATION LIFELINE IS THE OTHER.
OPERATION LIFELINE DOES FOCUS ON VETERAN HOUSING.
>> I WANT TO COMMEND DEREK AND HIS TEAM AT OPERATION LIFELINE.
THEY DO REALLY GOOD WORK IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS WHAT THAT SATISFACTION OF MORTGAGE IS GOING TO.
>> THIS DEVELOPMENT THAT THE SATISFACTION ROSE TO IS-- THE OLD OF ELEMENT, WAS BUILT MOSTLY FROM VETERANS.
AND MR. MAZES THE RECIPIENT OF THAT MORTGAGE.
LIFELINE LANDING I THINK IS THE NAME.
>> I'D LIKE TO ALSO MAKE A COMMENT.
WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH ERIC FOR SIX OR SEVEN YEARS FROM REHAB OF HOMES TO BUILDING HOMES. HE TRAINS VETERANS LEAVING SERVICE SO THEY CAN GET JOBS. HE IS A MULTIFUNCTIONAL TYPE.
>> I NEED A MOTION FOR NUMBER 10.
IS THERE ANY MORE DISCUSSION? >> OLMO FOR APPROVAL.
>> SECOND. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY "AYE"?
[15. Problem-Solving Courts Case Manager Agreement with Valerie Henry for FY 2026-2027 (C. Grimm)Approval of the Problem-Solving Court Case Manager Agreement with Valerie Henry for the term of October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, pending FY26/27 budget approval.]
[16. Professional Services Agreement for Family Court Magistrate Services with K. Beth Luna for FY 2026/2027 (C. Grimm)Approval of the Professional Services Agreement for Independent Contractor for Family Court Magistrate Services with K. Beth Luna beginning October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, pending FY26/27 budget approval.]
[21. Professional Services Agreement for Independent Contractor for Magistrate Services with Dominic D. DeLuca for FY 2026/2027 (C. Grimm)Approval of the Professional Services Agreement for Independent Contractor for Family Court Magistrate Services with Dominic D. DeLuca beginning October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027, pending FY26/27 budget approval.]
ANY OPPOSED? IT PASSES 5-0.THANK YOU, TERESA. WE WILL GO ON TO 15.
>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT 15, 16 AND 21.
NOT THOSE INDIVIDUALLY. BUT BECAUSE THESE ARE THE SPECIAL COURTS, IF YOU WILL. THAT THE PROBLEM-SOLVING COURT-- FAMILY COURT MAGISTRATE AND THE NEW ONE THAT THEY HAD ASKED FOR FOR AN ADDITIONAL FAMILY COURT MAGISTRATE FROM LAST YEAR, AND THESE ARE PAID FOR OUT OF COUNTY SUPPLEMENT.
[02:20:07]
BECAUSE THE COURTS CHARGE $65,000.AND THAT FEE DOES NOT COVER THESE SERVICES.
SO WE SUPPLEMENT THESE SERVICES OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND.
AND I BRING THIS UP BECAUSE IN THE PAST WE HAVE ASKED THE LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION IN TALLAHASSEE FOR THEM TO TAKE A LOOK AT THESE FEES COVERING THE SERVICES SO THAT THE COUNTY TAXPAYERS DON'T HAVE TO SUPPLEMENT THOSE.
THIS IS NOT SUPPLEMENTED OUT OF PROPERTY TAXES, BUT IT SUPPLEMENTED OUT OF TAXES THAT WE PAY.
SALES TAXES AND THESE KINDS OF THINGS.
SO I BRING IT UP BECAUSE IF AMENDMENT THREE PASSES, AND I'M NOT SUGGESTING THAT I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF THAT, I KNOW-- YOU KNOW THAT I'VE BEEN IN FAVOR OF TAX REFORM.
BUT THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WOULD BE AN UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE IN CLAY COUNTY. BECAUSE THERE WILL NOT BE THE MONEY TO SUPPLEMENT THAT IN THAT CASE.
I DON'T THINK. I THINK THIS A BE SOMETHING THAT IS LOST. AND I KNOW DIFFERENT CONSTITUENTS HAVE ASKED ABOUT WHAT THINGS MIGHT BE CUT IF THAT HAPPENS. AND THIS WOULD BE ONE OF THEM.
BECAUSE IT IS A STATE. IT'S A NICE TO HAVE, NOT A HAVE TO HAVE. WE HAVE TO HAVE COURT.
WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE THE SPECIAL-- WE WANT TO HAVE THE SPECIAL COURTS, WHICH HAVE CHANGED A LOT OF LIVES.
AND IT WAS NOT THAT LONG AGO THAT I GOT TO ATTEND.
I GUESS COURTNEY AND KAREN AND I GOT TO ATTEND THE JUDGES INVESTITURE DOWN IN JACKSONVILLE.
AND THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THE JUDGE WHO WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN STARTING THE MENTAL HEALTH COURT AND THE DRUG COURT.
I CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH PARTICULAR COURT THEY GAVE THE EXAMPLE OF, BUT THERE WAS A PERSON WHO WAS IN FRONT OF JUDGE MOBLEY, WHO HAD NOT BEEN NICE AT ALL.
AND SHE REFERRED HIM, HE ASKED IF HE COULD GO TO THIS COURT, SHE REFERRED HIM TO THE COURT AND CHANGED HIS LIFE.
SO I THOUGHT THAT THAT WAS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A USE OF THAT.
BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD NOT-- WE HAVE TO FUND PUBLIC SAFETY. WE WANT TO FUND PUBLIC SAFETY.
SO WE HAVE TO TRANSFER AND SHIFT MONIES TO PUBLIC SAFETY, THESE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT WE MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO FUND. I, FOR ONE, WILL BE ADVOCATING WITH OUR WEBSITE DELEGATION AND OTHERS IN TALLAHASSEE THAT THIS WOULD BE MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IT HAS NOT INCREASED IN DECADES.
SO I WILL BE ADVOCATING AGAIN, AND I WILL APPRECIATE EVERYONE WHO MAY WANT TO PUT THIS ON OUR LEGISLATIVE PARTIES AGAIN.
I KNOW WE HAVE BEFORE. THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE MIGHT WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT IS GOING TO GO AWAY.
AND THAT IS ONLY IF WE APPROVE ALL 15, 16 AND 21.
>> I THINK THIS SPEAKS TO MR. WARNER'S INQUIRY EARLIER.
MR. WARNER, I AM YOUR DISTRICT COMMISSIONER.
IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN. I THINK YOU HEARD THE COMMISSIONER'S RESPONSE, HERE ARE THREE ITEMS ON OUR AGENDA SPECIFICALLY ON CONSENT, THAT COULD POTENTIALLY BE IMPACTED, DEPENDING ON THE RESULTS OF THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.
HERE IS THE STICKY WIDGET, IF YOU WILL.
I KNOW THAT YOU WERE ASKING FOR US TO PUBLISH OR MAYBE GO PUBLIC ABOUT THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS. NOW THAT WE KNOW THIS IS ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT, WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT HOW WE ENGAGE IN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THE IMPACT OF AMENDMENT THREE PASSING.
AS A GOVERNMENT ENTITY, THERE ARE PARAMETERS AROUND PROMOTING IT OR SPEAKING NEGATIVELY ABOUT MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION.
SO HERE IS CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT WE COULD LOSE.
I KNOW THE FIVE OF US ARE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT NOT TAKING A POSITION PUBLICLY IN OUR OFFICIAL CAPACITY ABOUT THE POSITIVES AND THE NEGATIVES BECAUSE WE HAVE RULES WE MUST FOLLOW. I CANNOT ASK YOU TO COME UP BECAUSE I HOPE THAT THAT ADRESSES THE CONCERN THAT YOU HAVE. AND IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE TO CALL ME OR EMAIL ME. THAT I HAVE TO TELL YOU HERE AND EVERYONE ELSE, I CANNOT PROMOTE OR DISPARAGE WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE MOVING FORWARD. [INDISCERNIBLE]
[02:25:09]
>> I CAN OUTLINE FOR YOU, ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO, THE BOARD PUBLISHED-- HOWARD, CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG.
IT WAS PROBABLY IN JUNE, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN.
THE FIRST WEEKEND IN JUNE, THE COUNTY PUBLISHED WHAT THE IMPACTS WOULD BE IN THE EVENT THAT AMENDMENT THREE MOVED FORWARD. DO YOU REMEMBER THAT?
>> YES, MA'AM. WE HAD A SLIDE AND IT WAS PART OF OUR DISCUSSIONS IN ONE OF THE WORKSHOPS, IF NOT MULTIPLE ONES.
BUT BACK ME UP THERE. >> THAT IS ALL, THANK YOU.
>> WE CAN PROVIDE THAT AGAIN? WE HAVE MR. WARNER'S EMAIL.
I DID GET A MOTION. AND A SECOND.
15, 16, 21. >> I MADE THE MOTION.
[24. RFP No. 25/26-085, Public Private Partnership (P3) to Design, Build and Finance a Public Safety Complex in Clay County (J. Loos)Review and acceptance of staff’s ranking for RFP No. 25/26-085, Public Private Partnership (P3) to Design, Build and Finance a Public Safety Complex in Clay County. If desired, the Board may request presentations from the firms. Should the Board desire presentations, the committee recommended that the Board consider scheduled presentations at a workshop or special meeting versus during a regular scheduled Board meeting. 1. Balfour Beatty Developments, Inc. – 136.92. Florida Development Solutions, LLC – 134.63. E2L Real Estate Solutions, LLC – 125.84. VanTrust Real Estate, LLC dba VTRE Development, LLC – 125.1If the Board approves the staff’s ranking, approval of award will be effective after the 72-hour protest period has expired. Staff will negotiate a Phase 1 Interim Agreement for Board consideration and approval for pre-construction activities which will include spatial needs assessment, site planning and financing. A committee consisting of the Assistant County Manager – Internal Services, Fire Chief, Director of Public Works, Engineering Director, Facilities Operations and Maintenance Division Director, Capital Projects Bond Transportation Program Director, President of St. Johns River State College, Chief Financial Officer for Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Chief of Services for Clay County Sheriff’s Office performed the evaluation and ranking of the Proposals received.]
>> MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR SAY "AYE".
WE WILL GO TO 24 NEXT. >> TWENTY-FOUR'S THE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP CONSENT AGENDA ITEM FOR THE MULTIPURPOSE TYPE FACILITY THAT WE WILL BE BUILDING.
I THINK THAT IT IS-- IT'S VERY SIGNIFICANT-- A VERY SIGNIFICANT ENDEAVOR. AND THERE WERE FOUR RESPONDENTS.
THE FIRST TWO WERE WITHIN A POINT AND I HAVE OF EACH OTHER.
I STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT WE ASK ALL FOUR TO COME BACK FOR PRESENTATION. A STUDENT WORKSHOP OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT WHERE WE CAN ASK THE APPROPRIATE QUESTIONS.
WHAT IS THE ESTIMATE FOR THE COST OF THIS? TWO TO $400 MILLION. SO I THINK IT'S WORTHY OF A LITTLE BIT MORE THAN A CONSENT AGENDA ITEM.
I THINK WE HAVE TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT THIS AND GET ICED MAC ON AND MAKE SURE WE ARE COMFORTABLE MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS.
>> DO WE WANT TO DO A WORKSHOP OR A SPECIAL MEETING TO VOTE AT THE SAME TIME? WHAT DO YOU ALL WANT TO DO?
>> WE COULD DO IT ON OCTOBER 13TH, A BOARD MEETING DAY.
AND YOU COULD BE AT THE SPECIAL MEETING OR VOTE THAT NIGHT AT THE BOARD MEETING. WHICHEVER IS YOUR CHOICE.
>> I WOULD RECOMMEND A WORKSHOP ON THE 13TH.
WE CAN GET THAT SCHEDULED. >> ARE YOU GOOD WITH THAT?
>> I WAS JUST LOOKING AT THE BACKUP AND THE FOUR APPLICANTS, THEY ARE VERY DIVERSE IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT WAYS.
DEFINITELY TAKING THE TIME FOR THE PUBLIC TO SEE THE DIFFERENT FINANCING OPTIONS, AND LOGISTICAL SETUPS THAT WILL BE IMPORTANT. SO I AGREE.
>> ALL RIGHT. I WILL TAKE A MOTION THEN.
>> HOW ABOUT WE SCHEDULED A WORKSHOP OCTOBER 13TH TO INVITE ALL FOUR RESPONDENTS TO GIVE A PRESENTATION? DO WE WANT TO LIMIT THE PRESENTATION?
>> WE NORMALLY ALLOW FIVE TO 10 MINUTES, BUT DO TO THE SIZE OF THIS, YOU MAY WANT TO EXTEND THAT TIME.
>> I WOULD SAY 10 MINUTES. SHORTER? [INDISCERNIBLE] [INDISCERNIBLE]
>> BUT FOR THEIR PRESENTATIONS, WE MAY NEED 20 TO 25 MINUTES.
>> SOUNDS GOOD TO ME. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL OF THOSE IN FAVOR SAY "AYE".
WE WILL HAVE THE WORKSHOP. OCTOBER 13TH, 9:00 A.M., I AM
ASSUMING. >> WE WILL CORDON IT WITH
[26. Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Clay County, Florida, providing exemptions for Hardship Assistance and Disabled Veterans towards payment of a stormwater assessment (C. Grimm)]
>> MADAM CHAIR, I PULLED NUMBER 26 BECAUSE IT'S BEEN SOMETHING THAT I HAVE BEEN PERSONALLY RESTING WITH, AND I VOWED TO MYSELF WHEN I GOT INTO THIS THAT I WOULD NEVER HAVE ANY REGRETS. I FEEL LIKE IF I DON'T PULL THIS UP I'M GOING TO HAVE REGRETS. TROY, AND YOU TO THE MICROPHONE FOR A SECOND. CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW VETERANS EXEMPTIONS WORK IN TERMS OF THE BOARD DECIDES TO GIVE AN EXEMPTION, WHERE DOES THAT MONEY COME FROM?
[02:30:03]
>> AN EXEMPTION YOU GIVE HAS TO COME OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND.
THE FUND HAS TO STAY HOLE. SO YOU PAY THAT GENERAL FUND
INTO THAT FUND. >> WHEN YOU SAY EXEMPTION IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND, IT'S NOT LIKE OKAY, WE ARE NOT GOING TO COLLECT THAT MONEY.
IT COMES FROM THE TAXPAYERS. >> I THINK THE CONFUSION COMES FROM BETWEEN THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION, WHICH MEANS YOU DON'T PAY THE TAXES, AND THAT IS THE MONEY YOU DON'T REALIZE, VERSUS AN EXEMPTION IN THIS SENSE WHEN YOU DO A SOLID WASTE STORMWATER EXEMPTION. THAT MONEY BY STATUTE HAS TO BE MADE UP. THAT HAS TO BE MADE UP OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND AND TRANSFERRED INTO THAT FUND TO KEEP IT WHOLE.
>> THIS SPECIFIC ITEM IS FOR THE STORMWATER.
BUT LET US BACKUP A SECOND. FOR THE TRASH EXEMPTION-- WHEN THAT WAS 100% WHAT DID THAT COST CLAY COUNTY.
>> 1.4 TO 1.5 MILLION. >> DROPPING IT TO 50% IS COSTING 750,000. SO IF WE WERE TO PUT IT BACK WE WOULD HAVE TO ESSENTIALLY CUT 750,000 FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE?
>> YES. OR AT THE BOARDS DIRECTION, TAKE
IT OUT OF RESERVES. >> WHAT IS THE ESTIMATED COST OF
THE STORMWATER EXEMPTION? >> AT THE CURRENT ONE, OR TOTAL,
>> SO WERE TALKING ABOUT 500,000.
SO THAT WILL BE ABOUT 240 IS, 245, 250,000 FOR THE 50%.
IF I HAVE MY NUMBERS RIGHT. >> LET ME PREFACE THIS-- PREFACE THIS. ALL FOUR OF YOU FELLOW COMMISSIONERS-- I RESPECT YOU MORE THAN YOU WILL EVER KNOW.
THERE DOES COME A TIME WHERE FOR ME, MY CORE PRINCIPLES ARE MY CORE PRINCIPLES AND THEY ARE NOT IN A GHOST-- NONNEGOTIABLES.
AND SINCE DAY ONE, SINCE I DECIDED TO RUN FOR OFFICE I SAID I WOULD SUPPORT VETERANS. WHEN THIS GOT BROUGHT UP IN THE BUDGET WORKSHOP I SAID I WAS VEHEMENTLY AGAINST TOUCHING IT.
WHEN WE HAD TO MOVE IN THE DIRECTION OF STORMWATER, I ADDED AND MADE THE MOTION-- I MADE THE COMMENT TO ADD THE EXEMPTION.
I APPRECIATE THE COMMISSIONER ADDING THAT TO HAS MOTION FOR THE STORMWATER FEE. I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE THE VOTES, BUT I PERSONALLY-- PERSONALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE STORMWATER GO TO 100%. AND I KNOW IT'S NOT THIS AGENDA ITEM, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE TRUST GO BACK TO 100% AS WELL. I JUST HOPE THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC UNDERSTAND, THAT $750,000, THAT IS COMING FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE. THROUGHOUT THIS BUDGET PROCESS, WE TALKED ABOUT CUTTING STUDENT PROGRAMS, CUTTING BUS SERVICE IN THE COUNTY. THESE ARE REAL THINGS THAT AFFECT REAL PEOPLE. BUT TONIGHT I CAN'T END THE MEETING WITHOUT SAYING I WOULD LIKE TO PUT IT BACK.
AND I HAVE BEEN OUTVOTED TWICE, THREE TIMES, I THINK.
BUT I NEEDED TO PUT THAT OUT INTO THE HEMISPHERE.
>> THE SECOND YOUR REVISION FOR STORMWATER TO BE 100%, OUTVOTED FOR YOU, ON THE TRASH. I WOULD LIKE CLARIFICATION FROM COURTNEY, BECAUSE I WAS ASKED TO PUT IT BACK ON THE AGENDA FOR THE TRASH AND STORMWATER FEE OVERALL.
AND MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT BECAUSE I WAS NOT ON THE PREVAILING SIDE OF EITHER BOAT THAT I COULD NOT PUT IT BACK ON.
SUMMON ON THE PREVAILING SIDE WOULD HAVE TO PUT IT UP AGAIN.
>> I WAS ON THE PREVAILING SIDE OF THE STORMWATER-- BUT NOT THE
TRASH. >> I DO SECOND YOUR MOTION TO PUT THE EXEMPTION AT 100% FOR STORMWATER.
>> WHICH WOULD GO FROM 240 TO 500,000.
SO WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH $360,000, RIGHT?
YOU HAVE TO COME UP WITH ABOUT A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS.
>> THAT IS MY MOTION FOR NUMBER 26, TO MAKE IT 100% FOR
STORMWATER. >> I SECOND YOUR MOTION.
>> IT'S DURING PUBLIC COMMENT. YOU CAN SPEAK AT THE LAST PUBLIC COMMENT. IT WAS 250,000 FOR THE
THAT WOULD BE THE DIFFERENCE. IF IT'S 100% VERSUS 50%.
>> ANYONE ELSE? >> I KNOW WE HAD THE BUDGET
[02:35:05]
HEARING, AND WE ARE GIVING MGA HEADACHE RIGHT NOW, BUT I FEEL LIKE-- A LOT OF THE THINGS WE PUT IN BUDGET ARE FROM DIFFERENT-- IN DIFFERENT CATEGORIES THAT DON'T GET SPENT THE WAY THEY ARE ALWAYS. THIS STORMWATER ONE WILL FUND ITSELF. THE EXEMPTION WILL COME FROM THE STORMWATER FEE THAT YOU ALL PASSED.>> THE MONEY HAS TO COME OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND VOTE IN TO
STORMWATER. >> HOW CAN THAT BE?
IT DOESN'T FOR THE TRASH. >> IT COMES OUT OF THE GENERAL
FUND. >> YOU TOLD US THE GENERAL FUND
WAS GOING TO PUBLIC SAFETY. >> THE REGULAR GENERAL FUND'S AD
VALOREM. >> YOU'RE TAKING MONEY OUT OF OTHER STUFF, MEDICATION SERVICE TAX, SALES TAX, DISCRETIONARY, YOUR TAKING THAT MONEY OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND AND MOVING IT IN TO STORMWATER AND SOLID WASTE.
THAT IS WHAT IS REQUIRED BY FLORIDA STATUTE.
>> I THINK THAT THERE CAN BE A WAY TO FIND IT.
AND I ALSO THINK THAT THAT IS MAYBE SOMETHING ELSE WE NEED TO TALK TO TALLAHASSEE ABOUT. ABOUT HAVING THE STORMWATER FEE FUND THE EXEMPTIONS THAT WE NEED TO GIVE FOR HARDSHIP AS WELL.
I ALSO WANTED TO BRING UP, MADAM CHAIR, IF I MAY, TALKING WITH SOME CONSTITUENTS, AND TALKING WITH HOWARD AND COURTNEY.
A COUPLE THINGS CAME TO MY ATTENTION, AND I HAD IT IN MY NOTES TO TALK ABOUT AS IT APPLIES HERE.
OUR APPLICATION IS SEPARATE FROM THE PROPERTY TAX.
SO A VETERAN GOES TO THE PROPERTY APPRAISER AND THEY PROVIDE DOCUMENTATION AND THE PROPERTY APPRAISER CHANGES WHAT THEY CHANGE ON THERE'S. AND AS LONG AS THEIR STATUS DOES NOT CHANGE AND THEY LIVE IN THAT HOUSEHOLD, THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING ELSE. IT'S LIKE YOUR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION. THE POSTCARD COMES IN THE MAIL AND IT SAYS UNLESS YOU'VE HAD A CHANGE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING. IF YOU HAVE NOT HAD A CHANGE YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING. IF YOU HAVE HAD A CHANGE, YOU MAIL THAT POSTCARD BACK IN. NFC WEIGHT IS WITH OUR VETERANS.
WHILE WE MAKE OUR VETERANS FOR THE TRASH AND FOR THE STORMWATER, BECAUSE WE WILL BE USING THE SAME APPLICATION, WE MAKE THEM VERIFY IT EVERY YEAR. SO I HAD SOME VETERAN SHARE WITH ME THAT WE MAKE IT VERY DIFFICULT AND IT'S NOT THE EASIEST APPLICATION TO GET THROUGH.
OUR HARDSHIP IS EVEN HARDER. I UNDERSTAND THERE'S INCOME VERIFICATION AND THINGS LIKE THAT WITH THE HARDSHIP.
IF ANYONE NEEDS A COPY OF THE APPLICATION, I CAN EMAIL IT TO YOU. I DON'T HAVE THAT IN MY EMAIL INBOX RIGHT NOW. I DON'T HAVE THE ONE FOR VETERANS. BUT BECAUSE WHEN I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE GAP IS, THERE ARE 4500 VETERANS WHO HAVE THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION. BUT ONLY ABOUT 3000 HAVE THE TRASH. AND I DID NOT KNOW WHY.
THE REASON WHY IS BECAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE TO COME BACK AND APPLY FOR THAT EVERY YEAR. I DON'T THINK THAT'S FAIR.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S RIGHT. IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING WITH THE PROPERTY ONE, YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING WITH HOURS. AND THE STATUS CHANGES.
AND I GET IT, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE-- OF PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO BE HONEST AND THEY TAKE THIS EXEMPTION, THAT IS ON THEM.
I CANNOT MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON SOMEBODY WHO MAY NOT BE DOING IT RIGHT PICTURING MY COMMENTS I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU IF WE COULD AUTHORIZE COURTNEY AND TROY TO REVISIT THIS EXEMPTION APPLICATION PROCESS IN THE NEXT YEAR?
>> SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO BRING IT BACK?
>> AND ANY OTHER. COURTNEY DID NOT WRITE IT.
IT PREDATES HER BEING OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY.
AND SHE SAID THAT THE ORDINANCE ITSELF IS VERY CUMBERSOME, AND THEREFORE THE APPLICATION IS VERY CUMBERSOME.
>> I DID ASK ABOUT THAT TO COURTNEY, AND SHE SAID THAT THEY DO HELP, AND THAT THEY WOULD ALSO HELP THEM WITH THE STORMWATER EXEMPTION, ALSO. I'M SURE IT'S HARD FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE. SO THEY COULD HELP THEM FILL IT
OUT. >> IS THAT GOOD FOR YOU ALL? I'M TALKING ABOUT WHAT YOU SAID LOOKING AT IT-- OKAY.
>> TROY, AND YOU OR MJ SPEAK TO-- IF WE TAKE BOTH
[02:40:07]
RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE COMMISSIONER AND LOOK AT THE DOLLARS AND CENTS THAT WOULD NEED TO BE WITHDRAWN FROM THE GENERAL FUND, MY PREFERENCE, IF WE WERE MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION, WOULD LOOK AT ACTUALLY REDUCING OUR RESERVES, INSTEAD OF THE OTHER OPTION. HOWEVER, IN LIGHT OF THE DECISIONS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE TONIGHT, I WANT TO KNOW THE IMPACT SO WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE.FOR FULL TRANSPARENCY, WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE TO YOU TO GO BACK ON VOTE SO WE HAVE CAST TONIGHT? WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?
>> I DON'T THINK WE WOULD ASK YOU TO GO BACK ON THE BOATS TONIGHT. IT DOES NOT TAKE PLACE UNTIL OCTOBER 1. WHAT YOU WOULD SEE ON YOUR OCTOBER BUDGET. IN YOUR FIRST OCTOBER MEETING.
YOU WOULD SEE A BUDGET TRANSFER TO REDUCE YOUR RESERVES BY $1 MILLION. SO YOU HAVE ABOUT $10 MILLION IN RESERVES BUDGETED IN GENERAL FUNDING NEXT YEAR SO YOU CAN GO TO ABOUT 9 MILLION IN RESERVES TO START THE YEAR.
>> IS THAT THE APPROACH? >> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> IT WOULD HAVE TO TAKE PLACE AFTER THE BUDGET IS APPROVED.
>> IT WOULD TAKE PLACE ON THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE BUDGET THAT DROPS ON OCTOBER 1. WE WOULD BRING IN AN AMENDMENT TO REDUCE RESERVES TO COVER THE EXEMPTIONS.
>> IT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND THAT THAT'S A BIG DEAL, BECAUSE WHEN YOU PULL IT OUT OF RESERVES, AND CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, COME BUDGET CYCLE 27-28 YOU HAVE TO BALANCE. SO YOU PUT $1 MILLION BACK IN TO
THAT. >> THEN YOU MAKE UP 16.7% TO MAKE SURE WE START THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR.
WE WOULD NEED TO MOVE FUNDS AND CONTINUE TO MOVE THEM TO MAKE SURE WE ARE BACK UP AT THAT 16.7 BY THE TIME THE NEW BUDGET CAME
INTO PLAY. >> WITH THE PUBLIC FOLLOWING ALONG, THAT WAS A BIG REASON FOR THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS IN THIS BUDGET CYCLE TO RESERVE TIPPIN'S USAGE.
YOU TALKED ABOUT THE ROAD, $2.1 MILLION TRANSFER FOR FUEL.
BECAUSE OF THE POLICE CARS AND FIRE TRUCKS AND EVERY THING
ELSE. >> PERSONALLY, ALL THIS IS REALLY EASY TO TALK ABOUT FOR US.
JUST TAKING $1 MILLION OUT OF RESERVES.
TELL US WHY THAT'S A BIG DEAL? I AM A CITIZEN AND A RESIDENT.
AND I'M GOING TO TAKE $10 MILLION OUT OF RESERVES AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE AT THE 16.7 MARK.
WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT? WHY SHOULD I AS A RESIDENT CARE ABOUT THAT? AND WHY SHOULD I CARE THAT IF THERE IS AN EXEMPTION THAT THIS WILL BE MADE UP BY THE TAXPAYER? NOT BY THE COUNTY, BUT BY THE TAXPAYER.
WE SAY GENERAL FUND, THAT'S WHAT THAT MEANS.
SO WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT TO STAY AT 16.7, 7%?
>> SIR,, YOU WILL HAVE TO LEAVE IF YOU CANNOT CONTROL THAT.
GO AHEAD. >> THE BEST PRACTICE FOR BUDGETS IN FLORIDA IS TO START AT THAT 16.7.
THAT 16.7% REALLY GETS YOU THROUGH THE FIRST FEW MONTHS IN YOUR FISCAL YEAR WHERE SOME REVENUES HAVE NOT BEEN COLLECTED. SO THAT IS A PORTION OF MAKING SURE THAT YOU HAVE THE RESERVES IN CASE OTHER REVENUES ARE NOT COMING IN. YOU ARE STARTING THE YEAR OFF TO ENSURE THE FISCAL SOUNDNESS OF THE COUNTY.
AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, THERE ARE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT THE BOARD AND BUDGET OFFICE CANNOT FORESEE HAPPENING.
THE FUEL PRICES THAT DID GO UP DUE TO ECONOMIC THINGS IN THE WORLD. DIFFERENT ITEMS, HURRICANES THAT MAY COME. THAT RESERVE IS MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THAT FISCAL SOUNDNESS TO COVER ANYTHING WE ARE NOT PLANNING FOR. SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO ENSURE THAT YOU HAVE THE RESERVE TO CONTINUE TO RUN THE COUNTY SOUNDLY, BUT STILL WITH MORE BOARD DIRECTION TO MOVE THOSE RESERVES IN TO
YOUR OPERATING ACCOUNTS. >> ANYONE ELSE?
>> I FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT BOTH DIRECTIONS.
I SERVED FOR A WHILE IN THE NAVY.
[02:45:02]
SOME SERVED LONGER. SOME COMMITTED EVEN MORE OF THEIR LIFE TO SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY.THE VA TAKES CARE OF DECIDING DISABILITIES AND REMUNERATED THOSE WITH 1% TOTALS AND A PERMANENT.
ON THE OTHER HAND I LISTENED TO SIX HOURS OF AFFORDABILITY.
TO SHARPEN YOUR PENCIL. LOOK FOR WAYS TO CUT PLACES IN THE BUDGET SO WE CAN COME UP WITH A BALANCED BUDGET.
AND THE REASON WE MADE THE MOTION, AS WE DID IN THE PAST, WAS WE TALKED TONIGHT ABOUT PROPERTY TAX MONEY REIMBURSING THE SOLID WASTE FUND. THE PERSON THAT PAYS PROPERTY TAX GETS CHARGED WITH THE WASTE FEE.
AND HE HAS TO PAY AGAIN. SO LIKE I SAID, I LISTEN TO SIX HOURS FROM CONSTITUENTS THAT HAD A VALID POINT ABOUT AFFORDABILITY. AND YET WE ARE ADDING MORE COST TO THE PLATES. SO IT IS A CONUNDRUM THAT I WOULD HAVE TO FACE. IT IS NOT PLEASANT AT ALL.
>> IT'S DIFFICULT. AND WE TALKED ABOUT THIS LAST MEETING. EVERYONE WANTS US TO CUT, BUT THEY DON'T WANT US TO CUT FROM THEM.
OR FROM THEIR-- FROM THERE. >> I WANT TO BRING THIS UP TOO.
AND THIS COMES FROM A PLACE OF EXTREME MUTUAL RESPECT WITH ALL OF US DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS. I PROPOSE FULLY ELIMINATING GTA.
THAT'S $500,000 MORE. WE COULD HAVE TAKEN IT OFF AND KEPT THE EXEMPTIONS. AND THIS IS HOW IT WORKS GREAT THIS IS WHY THERE'S FIVE DISTRICTS.
FIVE COMMISSIONERS. LIKE I SAID, VETERANS IS A NONNEGOTIABLE. AND THAT-- I COULD NOT WALK AWAY TONIGHT WITHOUT BRINGING THIS BACK UP.
IN THIS BUDGET PROCESS, WE LIMITED OUR EMPLOYEES TO LESS THAN A 1% GOAL. WE INCREASE THEIR HEALTH CARE COST AND INSURANCE PREMIUMS BY 18 TO 35%.
WE CUT PHYSICIANS. WE DID A LOT OF STUFF.
AND WE CUT INTERNALLY A LOT. I'M CONFLICTED WITH THIS PROPOSAL. WE HEARD FROM 100 PEOPLE LAST WEEK. ABOUT THE REDUCED COST TO THEM.
THIS IS ADDING TO THE COST OF LIVING IN CLAY COUNTY.
THIS IS ACTUALLY IN THE DISTRICT COST.
>> MADAM CHAIR, A QUESTION FOR ACCORDING.
THE CURRENT ITEM, IS IT JUST APPROVING THE ORDINANCE?
>> THE CURRENT ITEM IS APPROVING THE RESOLUTION THAT WAS DIRECTED AT THE LAST BOARD MEETING TO BE BROUGHT BACK.
ONLY RELATED TO STORMWATER. >> CORRECT.
>> THAT MATTERS TO ME. BECAUSE FOR THE STORMWATER, I DON'T WANT TO VOTE FOR THE STORMWATER, BUT I WANT TO VOTE
FOR THE EXEMPTIONS. >> THAT IS MY MOTION TO MAKE IT 100% HARDSHIP EXEMPTION AND 100% DISABLED VETERANS EXEMPTION FOR THE STORMWATER ASSESSMENT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE VOTING ON. WHICH WAS THE TOTAL FOR-- WHAT
DID YOU SAY, TROY? >> IT'S AN INCREASE OF ABOUT
>> A TRANSFER FROM THE RESERVES TO COVER THIS ONE.
>> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND ON NUMBER 26.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR SAY "AYE". ANY OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT. THAT IS ALL FOR CONSENT AGENDA.
[36. Progress Report on the Bonded Transportation Program and Other Capital Projects (Capital Projects Team)]
WE WILL GO TO DISCUSSION UPDATES.PROGRESS REPORT ON OTHER CAPITAL PROJECTS WITH ED AND RICHARD.
[02:50:01]
>> THROUGH THE CHAIR, I'M HERE TO UPDATE YOU ON THE PROGRESS THAT THE TEAM MADE THE LAST MONTH.
PROJECT NUMBER 1, CATEGORY 218. THE TEAM CONTINUED OUR MONTHLY STATUS MEETINGS. WE CONTINUE THE INSTALLATION OF DRAINAGE STRUCTURES, PIPES, SUMP BASE, BASEMENT MATERIAL, CURBING, SIDEWALKS AND WORK ALONG THE NORTH SIDE OF THE PROJECT. A SUBCONTRACTOR CONTINUED TO MAKE REPAIRS TO THE LINER PICKED THE PROJECT IS 77% PAID OUT AND 118 DEMONS OF COMPENSATORY TIME EXTENSION WAS GRANTED DUE TO WEATHER IMPACT-- 118... SO THE TIME WILL BE ADJUSTED ACCORDINGLY. THE FORECAST OF COMPLETION IS EARLY NOVEMBER FOR THIS PROJECT. PROJECT NUMBER 2, FROM U.S. 17 TO PETER STREET BRIDGE, THE COUNTY TEAM CONTINUED THEREBY MONTHLY STATUS MEETINGS, WHILE WE HELD OUR LAST MONTHLY MEETING. SUPERIOR PLACED SOUGHT ON THE BANKS OF BOTH POND SITES AND COMPLETED THE INSTALLATION OF ALL BASE FRICTION ASPHALT WEST OF THE RAILWAY TRACK.
THIS PROJECT IS NOT COMPLETED, WHICH WAS COMPLETED AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, WITH 82% PAID OUT TO DATE.
SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION ACHIEVED ON SEPTEMBER 3RD PACK AFTER THE REPORT WAS WRITTEN. FOR PROJECTS FIVE AND SIX, THE TEAM CONTINUES TO CORRELATE WITH THE VARIOUS AGENCIES IN PURSUIT OF THE DEPARTMENTS. FOR PROJECT TWO, 38, THREE BE, FOUR COCCYX BE, THEY ARE ALL COMPLETE.
AND IN SUPPORT OF ALL THIS WORK WE CONTINUE TO ONLY WORK ON PROJECT MANAGEMENT AS WELL AS INSPECTION SERVICE.
AS OF SEPTEMBER 1ST THE PROGRAM HAS EXPANDED 168.9 MILLION.
-- EXPENDED. >> SO I KNOW THAT WE HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH THE RAIN, HOWEVER, I WAS WORKING IN MY YARD ON SATURDAY, IT DOES NOT RAIN EVERY DAY ALL DAY LONG, EVER.
NORMALLY, IN FLORIDA. SO I'M WONDERING, HOW PATIENT ARE WE WITH THIS WEATHER IMPACT AND SPECIFICALLY WITH 218?
>> WHEN WE SAY WEATHER IMPACT, SOMETIMES THERE WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT DAY LOSE YOUR RAIN. AND THEN MAYBE YOU WILL DEWATER THAT AND GET IT BACK TO WHERE YOU WERE BEFORE THE RAIN.
AND WITH AS MUCH AS WE HAVE HAD, WE ARE GETTING RAIN ALMOST EVERY DAY, WE HAVE INSPECTORS OUT THERE EVERY DAY MONITORING THE WEATHER IN THE CONSTRUCTION. SO IT'S JUST NOT THE CONTRACTOR ASKING ABOUT THE DAY OF RAIN AND BEING IMPACTED FOR AN ADDITIONAL DAY, IT'S ACTUALLY VALIDATED BY THE INSPECTORS.
AND NOT ONLY ARE THE WEATHER DAYS, BUT ALSO A LOT OF UTILITIES AND CONGESTION IS IN THAT AREA.
SO WHEN WE DO FIND A UTILITY THAT IS IN CONFLICT WITH OUR STORM SYSTEM, AS BUILT, OR INCORRECT, OR POSSIBLY IN A LOCATION THAT IT WASN'T ORIGINALLY DESIGNED FOR, WE ASKED TO STOP AND TAKE A STEP BACK AND REANALYSE OR REDESIGN THE PARTICULAR CONFLICTS OF THE CONTRACTOR CAN MOVE FORWARD.
SOMETIMES US JUST NOT A DAY. YOU HAVE THE LOSS OF EFFICIENCY, MOVING YOUR WORKERS FROM WHERE THEY ARE WORKING INTO A WHOLE SEPARATE AREA. REGARDLESS, EACH ONE OF THOSE INCIDENTS ARE ANALYSED AND LOOKED OUT.
>> DO WE EVER SAY NO? >> WE DO.
AND WE PUSH BACK A LOT. THEY SAY WE ARE IMPACTED, AND WE CAN LOOK AT IT AND SAY, REALISTICALLY, THE RIGHT ANSWER
IS TWO AND THAT IS ALL YOU GET. >> WE ARE KNOCKING ON 60 DAYS.
THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DONE IN EARLY SEPTEMBER.
IF IT IS NOT UNTIL EARLY NOVEMBER... I'M NOT SO CRAZY ABOUT ADJUSTING THE TIME PERCENTAGE USED.
MAYBE PUT AN ASTERISK BY IT. IT JUST SEEMS TO ME LIKE REVISIONIST HISTORY. IS THERE SOMETHING IN THE CONTRACT THAT SAYS WE ARE SUPPOSED TO AGREE AND REVISE
THAT? >> THROUGH THE NEGOTIATIONS, AND TO ANDERSON COLUMBIA'S CREDIT, WE WORKED OUT NOT COMPENSATORY, WHICH WAS BECAUSE OF THE EXTENSION THEY HAVE OVERHEADS THAT ARE ADDITIONAL COSTS FOR THEM, WE COULD GET INTO A POSITION WHERE IT'S EVEN LARGER FINANCIALLY.
[02:55:03]
SOMETIMES IT'S LOOKED AT AS A-- AS YOU LOOK AT THE DAYS THAT ARE GRANTED, IT'S LESS IMPACTFUL ON THE COUNTY'S POCKETBOOK TO GRANT A DAY, RATHER THAN A DAY WITH ADDITIONAL POWERS TO THE CONTRACTOR'S POSITION. IF WE DON'T GRANTED WE CAN GOBACK TO THE NEGOTIATING TABLE. >> SO WE HAVE TO PAY FOR RAIN.
>> I WISH I COULD CONTROL THE RAIN.
>> I'M ASKING YOU TO CONTROL THE RAIN.
WE GOT THE PROJECT DONE, INTO KEEP GIVING THEM MORE TIME, AS
LONG AS IT IS MOVING ALONG. >> WE TRAVEL EVERY DAY.
WE ARE OUT THERE EVERY DAY. >> I KNOW.
SWITCHING HATS FROM THE TRANSPORTATION SIDE, TO THE UPDATE OF THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FROM SIX DIRECTORS, TEDDY MYERS, A RESEARCH DIRECTOR, OUR PARKS DIRECTOR.
THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR. THE FACILITIES OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE DIVISION DIRECTOR. TRAINED MY RIGHT, RICHARD SMITH, DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING. AND MYSELF THE CAPITAL PROJECTS MANAGER. THE PROJECT DATA WAS COMPILED BY OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS ESTIMATOR SPECIALIST.
IN GENERAL TERMS, OVERALL FOR THE COUNTY THE CAPITAL PROJECT LIST INSISTS UP-- CONSISTS OF 226 PROJECTS.
THE TOTAL PROJECT PORTFOLIO AND WORKDAYS TO ENDED $16,276,168.
WITH A SPENT RATE OF $161,281,520.
SPLIT ACROSS 25 DEPARTMENTS. TODAY THIS FISCAL YEAR THE TOTAL BUDGET FOR THE CAPITAL BUDGET DEPARTMENT IS MANAGING 157 PROJECTS ACROSS 30 DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR $104,174,953. FOR THE OVERALL STATUS ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY BOND, SO FAR TODAY THE COUNTY HAS SPENT 28.1 MILLION, OR ROUGHLY 43% OF THE 65 MILLION-DOLLAR BOND.
THE QUICK RUNDOWN OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY PROJECTS ARE FIRE STATIONS. FIRE STATION NUMBER 1, CONSTRUCTION IS 89% COMPLETE, AND 59%...
FORECAST COMPLETION IS ALL THIS YEAR.
FOR FIRE STATIONS 13 AND 21, THE DESIGNS ARE 90% COMPLETE.
THESE SITES WILL BE-- THE DESIGN WILL BE SHELVED FOR A FUTURE SHOVEL READY CONSTRUCTION. SINCE OUR LAST REPORTING WAS RECEIVED WE RECEIVED GUARANTEES FROM FIRE STATIONS 15 AND 16 AND THE FIRE TRAINING FACILITY. THESE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WERE APPROVED EARLIER THIS EVENING. MEANWHILE AT FIRE STATION 15, THE DEVELOPER FINISH THE SITE CLEARING AND GROUTING WHILE THE INSTALLATION OF STORMWATER STRUCTURES AND PIPE WILL BEGIN.
THE FORECAST COMPLETION FOR FIRE STATION 15 WILL BE WINTER OF 27.
AND THE FIRE TRAINING FACILITY WILL BE FOLLOWED 27.
FIRE STATION 22, THE CONSTRUCTION IS 84% COMPLETE AND 62% IS PAID OUT. CONSTRUCT THE MEDIAN BREAK TO ACCESS THE EASTBOUND TRAFFIC. FORECAST COMPLETION IS THIS FALL. FIRE STATION 24, CONSTRUCTION IS 39% COMPLETE WITH 14% PAID. OVER THE LAST MONTH, THE BUILDING FLAT WAS PLACED. AND TWO OF THE THREE WELLS WERE SET. CONSTRUCTION IS WELL UNDERWAY WITH CONCURRENT PLUMBING AND ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION.
CURBING WAS INSTALLED ALONG THE ENTRANCE ROAD IN TO THE STATION FROM COUNTY ROAD TO 26. FORECAST COMPLETION IS SPRING OF NEXT YEAR. NEXT UP FOR VERTICAL PROJECTS IS THE FITNESS COURT IN SUPPORT OF THE NATIONAL FITNESS CAMPAIGN.
THE PROJECT INCLUDED THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF A 38-FOOT BY 75-FOOT CONCRETE SLAB AND QUICK-- FITNESS EQUIPMENT THROUGH THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL FITNESS CAMPAIGN.
A CONCRETE SLAB WAS PLACED AUGUST 14TH WITH THE EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION TO FOLLOW IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER.
THEN THERE IS WORK THAT WAS COMPLETED AT THE PARK THIS PROJECT CONSISTS OF A FULLY TRANSITIONING DILAPIDATED SEPTIC FIELD AND WEALTH SYSTEM TO UTILITIES, WHICH ARE FED FROM THEIR MAIN OFF COUNTY ROAD 218. THIS PAST MOANS CONSTRUCTION WAS COMPLETED. FINAL INSPECTION ACCEPTED IN TO THE SYSTEM. COMPLETION WAS ON AUGUST 25TH,
[03:00:05]
WITH THE APPROVAL... ON AUGUST 27TH.FOR PUBLIC WORKS THEY HAVE EXPANDED 93% OF THE ALLOTTED 1.6 MILLION OF THIS FISCAL YEAR BUDGET ACROSS 22 PROJECTS.
OF THOSE, FIVE WERE TOTAL REPLACEMENTS IN-KIND, WHILE 17 WERE INCURRED IN PLACE PIPELINE PROJECTS.
THREE OF THE PROJECTS ARE AWAITING FINAL BOARD AND SCHEDULING FOR HYDRAULIC CEILING AND STORMWATER STRUCTURE ON SILVER BLUFF BOULEVARD, EAGLE LANDING PARKWAY AND OLD JENNINGS ROAD. WHILE TWO HERE IN PLACE PIPELINE PROJECTS REMAIN AT SUSAN DRIVE WITHIN THE GROWTH PARK UNIT SIX SUBDIVISION. ADDITIONALLY, AND UNANTICIPATED EMERGENCY REPAIR AND PARTIAL ROADWAY CLOSURE OCCURRED ON AUGUST 17TH ON FOX RIDGE ROAD DO TO A FAILING STORMWATER PIPE.
THIS ISSUE WILL BE MITIGATED BY LIGHTING THE 230 AND STORMWATER PIPES. ALL REMAINING PROJECTS ARE FORECASTED TO BE COMPLETE BY THE END OF THIS MONTH.
LET'S TURN IT OVER TO RICHARD. >> BEFORE WE LEAVE, TO THE CHAIR, NATIONAL FITNESS-- FITNESS CAMPAIGN IN MOD.
DID WE HAVE THE CONCRETE HAD TO DO IT? OR DID I DREAM THAT WE HAD SOMEBODY--
>> WE WILL HAVE JUST AN ADDRESS OR QUESTION.
>> THIS IS GOING TO BE A COMPLICATED ANSWER THAT I WILL TRY TO MAKE SURE IT. YES, AND NO.
THERE WAS A CONTRACTOR THAT SAID THEY WOULD DONATE IT.
DUE TO TIMING CONSTRAINTS AND THINGS THAT HAPPEN WITH YOUR COMPANY, THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO DONATED.
SO WE WENT OUT TO BID TO HAVE IT POURED.
AND THE VENDOR THAT WAS SELECTED TO DO IT ALSO SAID THEY WOULD SPONSOR PART OF IT TO LOWER OUR INVOICE.
SO YES, AND NO. >> WE DIDN'T PAY FULL PRICE.
WE PAID PARTIAL PRICING. THANK YOU.
>> RICHARD SMITH, COUNTY ENGINEER.
220 COUNTY ROAD, THE PROJECT AT BRIDGE REPLACEMENT ON SCHEDULE.
FLORIDA D.O.T. HAS AN INSPECTION SCHEDULE TOMORROW.
THE SCHEDULED INSPECTION TOMORROW IS THE FIRM THAT INSPECTS ALL BRIDGES AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
ALL BRIDGES AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA ARE INSPECTED ANNUALLY OR EVERY TWO YEARS DEPENDING ON THEIR LEVEL OF EFFICIENCY, AND BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.
CITY ROAD, COUNTY ROAD, TOWN ROAD, CITY ROAD.
SO THEY WILL BE OUT THURSDAY ON THE NINTH TO DO THEIR FINAL INSPECTION, AND AT THAT POINT WE CAN-- IT'S GETTING CLOSE TO THE END. I WAS OUT THERE TODAY, AND THE FINAL COURSE IS GOING ON BETWEEN THE BRIDGE AND DOLLAR GENERAL.
THAT IS BEING THE LAST PIECE WITH THE FINAL PAYMENT FINISH TODAY, WEATHER PERMITTING. FINAL PUNCH LIST ITEM FOR THE BRIDGE INCLUDES MINOR CURB WORKOUT GUARDRAILS, NEW COMPLETION, AND A MID-OCTOBER OPENING REMAINS ON SCHEDULE.
>> THERE WAS A POST TODAY. THAT THE BRIDGES OPENING SEPTEMBER 17TH. SO I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO GO OVER THAT AGAIN. IF YOU WERE TO DRIVE UP THERE OR WALK UP THERE, IT DOES LOOK LIKE IT.
SOMEBODY WHO WAS WORKING ON IT SAID IT MAYBE OPEN THEN.
BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE SIGN OFFS. TELL US ABOUT THAT.
THERE IS SOME CONFLICTING INFORMATION.
>> LET'S TALK ABOUT DRIVING UP AND WALKING UP IN YOUR PRIVATE VEHICLE. WE HAVE THESE FOLKS WITH-- AND GREEN WITH THE BLUE LIGHTS THAT WILL TAKE YOU AWAY.
IT'S OFF-LIMITS AND DANGEROUS PICTURES EQUIPMENT MOVING EVERYWHERE. YOU NEED A HARD HAT.
DO NOT TRY IT. SOMEONE DID TODAY, SUPPOSEDLY TALK TO THE BRIDGE ENGINEERS, WHICH I WAS THERE IN TALLAHASSEE. AND DID NOT TALK TO ANY OF MY PEOPLE. THERE WAS ONLY ONE AND EVERYONE WAS SCARED TO TALK TO HIM. AND THE INSPECTORS DON'T OPEN THEIR DOOR UNLESS THEY ARE DOING A TEST.
SO HE GOT SOME INFORMATION WITH SOMEONE ON-SITE.
AND THAT INFORMATION WAS INCORRECT.
HOPEFULLY, WHO KNOWS, IT MAYBE A PROFIT, AND IT MIGHT OPEN.
IF WE GET ALL GOOD WEATHER, WE ARE AT A POINT NOW WHERE IF IT DOES RAIN, WE CANNOT PAVE. THAT IS WHAT IS LEFT TO BE DONE OUT THERE. THE PAVING AND SOME STRIPING.
>> GUARDRAILS, YOU SAID. >> GUARDRAILS HAVE TO BE PUT IN.
THOSE CONTRACTORS ARE NOT EVEN ON-SITE YET.
[03:05:01]
THE INSPECTION, CROSS YOUR FINGERS, SAY YOUR PRAYERS.HOPEFULLY IT GOES WELL ON THURSDAY.
WE DID THIS, THERE WAS-- IT WAS FOUND THAT A CULVERT, OF LARGE ENOUGH, CAN CLASSIFY AS A BRIDGE AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA.
WE HAD A CULVERT WITH A CRACK THAT HAD TO BE REPAIRED, FILLED IN AND THEY ARE VERY, VERY, VERY THOROUGH.
THIS WILL NOT HAVE TRAFFIC ON IT IF NOT PASSED BY THE FLORIDA D.O.T. AND WE WILL NOT ALLOW THAT.
I WON'T ALLOW ANYONE THAT WORKS WITH ME TO SAY IT'S OKAY.
SO WE ARE STILL SHOOTING FOR OCTOBER 17TH.
IF THINGS GO WELL, AND ALL THE STARS ALIGNED, WE CAN HAVE IT
EARLIER THAN THAT. >> WE WILL LET PEOPLE KNOW AS
THERE IS WORK TO BE DONE. IT'S NOT SOMETHING WE CAN GO DO.
WE CANNOT CHANGE THE STRIPING ON LIGHT BOX TWO WEEKS AHEAD OF TIME. PEOPLE WILL BE RUNNING INTO EACH OTHER. YOU WANT TO MAINTAIN THE DUAL LEFT TURNS GOING SOUTHBOUND, TO EASTBOUND 220.
THAT GOES AWAY. THAT WILL BE A SINGLE LEFT TURN WITH A RIGHT TURN GOING THE OTHER WAY.
SO THAT HAS TO HAPPEN THE DAY OF OPENING.
IT'S NOT SOMETHING WHERE WE CAN SAY THESE CARS GO THIS WAY, THESE CANNOT. IT WILL BE SIMULTANEOUS, AND WE HAVE TO HAVE SIGNALS. THE SIGNALS HAVE TO BE CHANGED.
RIGHT NOW THERE IS A LEFT TURN ARROW ON 220.
THERE IS NO WORD-- ROAD TO TURN LEFT.
THAT'S GOING TO BE CHANGED BY A U-TURN.
WE'VE MADE THOSE SIGNAL HAD REPLACEMENTS.
WE HAVE A PLASTIC BAG, A BLACK BAG.
YOU CANNOT SEE THEM. WE ARE READY, WE, THE COUNTY, ARE READY. AND THE STATE INSPECTIONS AND CONTRACTORS SAYS WE ARE OPENING THE ROAD.
I THINK OUR FOLKS IN THE SIGNAL &-AMPERSAND SHOP PROBABLY HAVE A TWO TO THREE HOUR REACTION READY TO GO TO GET IT WORKED OUT.
BUT WE HAVE OTHER WORK TO DO BEFORE THAT.
RADAR ROAD IS THE NEW ROAD THAT PUT-- CONNECTS 17.
AS YOU CAN SEE, WE HAVE A ROADBED THAT COMES FROM THE ROUNDABOUT HEADING EAST TOWARDS 17.
IT IS CONNECTED TO THE EXISTING ROAD THAT GOES TO THE CHURCH AND DEPARTMENTS. WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR MID-NOVEMBER. PROBABLY A TO TEN WEEKS TO SWITCH THE PAVING. 17 WILL BE CLOSED FOR ACCESS, AND THOSE RESIDENTS, AND PARISHIONERS AT THE CHURCH WILL THEN USE TOWN CENTER BOULEVARD AS ACCESS.
IT'S ON SCHEDULE. AS WE SAID IN SOME DISCUSSIONS A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, WE GO BACK TO 220.
WE HAD A DRAINAGE ISSUE ON THE SITE.
AS WE FACE THE DRAINAGE ISSUE ON THE DOD SITE, 500 FEET TO THE EAST, THIS STUFF IS JUST ALL DETERIORATED.
WE FOUND THAT ON THE RADAR ROAD SECTION.
THE INFRASTRUCTURE HERE DOES HAVE A LIFELINE, AND A LOT OF IT'S COMING TO THE END OF IT'S LIFE.
SO THE DIRT ROAD PAVING JOB THIS YEAR IS DOWN TO-- PAVING TWO ROADS IN A LITTLE TOWN IN KEYSTONE THAT IS IN THE COUNTY.
THEY HAVE PAVEMENT DOWN, THEY HAVE SAWED DOWN.
IT LOOKS GREAT, AND THEN THE CONTRACTOR TOOK A LITTLE BIT OF SOME DIRECTIONS AND WENT THE WRONG WAY FROM IT.
WE HAD SOME SIGNIFICANT RAI RAINFALL.
YOU CAN SEE LITTLE SQUARES AND YOU CAN SEE HOW MUCH RAINFALL HAS FALLEN YESTERDAY, OR YOU CAN PICK A TIME FRAME.
THIS PARTICULAR SECTION SINCE JULY 28TH HAS HAD 22 INCHES OF RAIN. THEY PROBABLY DID NOT HAVE 22 INCHES OF RAIN THE PREVIOUS YEAR.
SO IT HAS BEEN REALLY DRY DOWN THERE.
AND THIS ROAD IS STEEP. IT DROPS 28 FEET IN THE LAST THOUSAND FEET. IF IT EVER SNOWS, THIS IS WHERE YOU WANT TO GO. IT RAINS HARD THERE.
AND IT RAIN SO HARD, ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO I HAD A DRIVEWAY POURED. A 6-INCH CONCRETE DRIVEWAY WAS WASHED OUT. THE CONTRACTOR, WEEKS PLAIN TO HIM THAT WE WANT TO PUT IN DITCH CHECK DATE, 2 FEET WIDE BY THE WIDTH OF THE DITCH TO SLOW THE WATER DOWN.
[03:10:02]
IN MAYBE EVERY 15 TO 100-FOOT INCREMENTS.IT DID NOT WORK. WHAT HE HEARD WAS THAT THE CONCRETE DIDN'T LOOK GOOD ON THE SHOULDER.
A SO WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF CLEANING THAT UP.
OR THEY ARE. THE PROJECT IS STILL UNDER BUDGET, AND ON SCHEDULE TO BE COMPLETED NEXT MONTH.
RESURFACING. WE FINISHED UP IN THE JOHNSON ROAD NEIGHBORHOOD, AND THE RESURFACING TEAM WILL BE IN FOX MEADOWS WITH A PROPOSED START OF NEXT WEEK.
WE ARE HOPING THAT THAT HAPPENS. WE WILL BE PUSHING OUR DEPARTMENT REAL TOUGH. FROM FOX MEADOWS TO PONI STREET.
IF WE CAN GET OUR PURCHASING DEPARTMENT AND OUR NEW BUDGET CYCLE BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, WE WILL ROLL BACK IN TO FOX MEADOWS SO IT'S NOT A LONG DELAY. WE HAVE TO GET IN TO FOX MEADOW AND FINISH IT OR WAIT UNTIL JANUARY.
THERE IS A LARGE CHRISTMAS DISPLAY OF LIGHTS OUT THERE THAT WE DON'T WANT TO MESS UP. SO WE WANT TO GET IN AND FINISHED BY NOVEMBER 15TH, OR PUSH IT IN TO JANUARY.
WEATHER PERMITTING AT THAT POINT, WE DO HAV TEMPERATURE CONCERNS BUT THE D.O.T. UPDATE. 17 IS CONTINUING.
WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THERE. THE BLUFF IS COMPLETE.
THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO GET.
THERE WILL BE SOME FINAL STRIPING AND RESURFACING.
IT WILL BE SMOOTHER GOING THROUGH THERE.
BUT IT DOES OPERATE SMOOTHLY. IT TOOK A FEW DAYS, AS WE TALK ABOUT. WE HAVE ABOUT 25 OR 30 SIGNAL DIRECTIONS GOING THROUGH THERE. WHERE A NORMAL INTERSECTION HAS SIX. SO IT'S A LOT OF COMPLICATED ISSUES THAT, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, OUR PEOPLE IN CLAY COUNTY TAUGHT THEM HOW TO DO IT. SO WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE FOLKS THAT TALENTED. I'M SURE WE MAINTAIN VERY WELL.
I HAVE BEEN UP THERE A LOT TO WATCH IT.
AND IT DOES WORK WELL. PEOPLE NEED TO REALIZE THERE ARE TWO LEFT TURN LANES TO GO NORTH. DON'T ALL GET IN ONE OF THEM AND BLOCK TRAFFIC. U-TURNS HAVE BECOME A BIT MORE AGGRESSIVE. THE BAGS CAME OFF THE SPEED LIMIT. THAT MEANS THE FOLKS IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE THAT DEAL WITH SAFETY EVERY MONDAY MORNING, THEY WILL BEGIN PATROLLING IT. BUILD THE RACETRACK THE RIGHT WAY. IT WILL NOT BE WORTH THE U-TURN TICKET. THAT IS A VERY DANGEROUS ACCIDENT THAT WILL HAPPEN. SO THEY ARE GOING TO BE BACK ALONG NORMAL PATROL TO TAKE CARE OF THAT AREA.
AND THEY ARE IN DOWNTOWN GREEN COVE.
IF YOU'VE BEEN DOWN THERE, AS I HAVE BEEN, THE STREETS HAVE BEEN BLOCKED ALL NIGHT ONE NIGHT. THE LAST BOARD MEETING, EVERY ROAD IS CLOSED OVER FROM HERE-- FROM WAHLBERG, SOUTH TO 17, WHEN THEY POURED THE ENTRY PADS. THAT GOES ON UNTIL SPRING 27.
THEY ARE WORKING ON THAT. THE WELLS ROAD INTERSECTION, THAT'S ALL SET UP FOR THE BIG YOU TURN.
BUT YOU TAKE THE WELLS READ U-TURN TO ILLUMINATE THE STRAIGHT ACROSS. BUT IT'S NOT BEING USED RIGHT NOW. THAT IS ON SCHEDULE FOR A NOVEMBER COMPLETION. I WILL CHECK AND SEE IF WE CAN PUT OUR SIGN BACKUP. OUR WELCOME TO CLAY COUNTY SIGN WAS DISASSEMBLED FOR THAT. I WILL SEE IF WE CAN GET THAT UP IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. WE JUST DON'T WANT TO PUT IT UP UNTIL IT IS CLEAR-- THEY TOLD US WE WILL-- IF WE LEAVE IT THEY WILL BREAK IT. THERE WAS NO INTENT TO PRESERVE ANYTHING. STATE ROUTE 16 CONTINUES TILL THE END OF THE YEAR. AND THAT WILL BE-- IT'S ARY HIT OR MISS. YOU CAN CATCH IT.
THEY WORK DURING THE DAY. FROM WEST TO THE INTERSECTION OF 21 AND 16. WHEN THEY HAVE TO DO THE SINGLING CLOSURES IT'S A BIG BACKUP GOING TO CAMP LANDING AND STAR. AND I THINK THAT IS ALL I HAVE.
ANY QUESTIONS. >> EARED GROUP-- DOING GOOD WITH
ELDRIDGE, BUT NOT ENOUGH. >> IF IT PLEASES YOU THEY HAVE BEGUN WELLS ROAD TO THE DOCTOR'S BRIDGE.
AND I WILL UPDATE YOU ON THAT IN FOUR WEEKS.
[03:15:01]
THAT WILL BE A RESURFACING JOB. IT IS REMARKABLE.AND I WANT TO PAT A LITTLE BIT OF THE FOLKS HERE ON THE BACK.
VIEW DRIVE ON SOME PRETTY DARN GOOD ROADS.
WE HAVE RESURFACED 222 ROADS AND COUNTIES-- THAT THE COUNTY HAS RESURFACED SINCE 2021. IN FIVE YEARS.
EVERY D.O.T. ROAD WITH EXCEPTION OF KINGSWOOD LAKE TO THE BRADFORD COUNTY LINE, BY THE STOMACH OF THIS YEAR WILL BE RESURFACED BY FLORIDA D.O.T. LIKE THE LAST 24 MONTHS.
YOU MAY NOT HAVE IT IN FRONT OF YOUR HOME, BUT WE ARE GOING TO
[37. Active & Upcoming Formal Solicitations (J. Loos)]
>> MOVING ON TO ACTIVE AND UPCOMING SOLICITATIONS.
>> GOOD EVENING. JESSICA LEWIS.
PURCHASING MANAGER. FOR OUR ACTIVE SOLICITATIONS WE HAVE BID NUMBER 25, 20-- 25-26-98.
FIRE STATION SHOWER ADDITIONS. SIX BIDS WERE RECEIVED IN THAT SCHEDULE TO COME TO THE SEPTEMBER 22ND BOARD MEETING.
WE HAVE RFP 25-26-105. TWO BIDS WERE RECEIVED.
THEY WILL HOLD AN EVALUATION COMMITTEE WITHIN THE NEXT WEEK.
AND THAT ONE IS SCHEDULED FOR THE SEPTEMBER 22ND MEETING.
BID NUMBER 2526-110. THE CONTAINER SERVICES FOR CLAY COUNTY ENVIRONMENT OF SERVICES SIX BIDS WERE RECEIVED AND THAT'S SCHEDULED FOR THE 22ND OF SEPTEMBER.
THE IMPACT UPDATE LEGAL REVIEW, EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES ANALYSIS UPDATE. TWO BIDS WERE RECEIVED.
THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE IS GETTING READY TO MEET AND HAVE A PREEVALUATION MEETING. THAT IS SCHEDULED FOR THE OCTOBER 13TH BOARD MEETING. BID NUMBER 25-20 FOR CONTINUING SERVICES FOR SIDEWALK, DRIVEWAY AND CONCRETE IMPROVEMENTS.
BIDS WILL OPEN ON SEPTEMBER 29TH.
SCHEDULED FOR THE OCTOBER 13TH BOARD MEETING.
BID NUMBER 25-26, WASHINGTON AVENUE BOX CULVERT RENOVATION. THAT IS SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 13TH. RFP NUMBER 2526-108.
THE CLAY COUNTY PAVEMENT ASSESSMENT.
BIDS WILL OPEN ON SEPTEMBER 18TH, SCHEDULED FOR THE OCTOBER 13TH BOARD MEETING. BID NUMBER 25-26-104.
THE ANNUAL ROADWAY STRIPING AND PAVEMENT MARKING SERVICES.
BIDS ON SEPTEMBER 25TH, AND THAT'S FOR OCTOBER 27TH.
THEN FOR UPCOMING SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER.
THIS IS AN NO CERTAIN ORDER. WE HAVE THE FAIRGROUNDS WATER IMPROVEMENTS. THE GEL RECREATION YARD WATER PROOFING ROOF REPAIRS. THE PROPERTY AT 3229 PERON BOULEVARD. THE COUNTY PROPERTY FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES 50 PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FOR THE REGIONAL PARK EXPANSION. CONTINUING GENERAL ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING CONSULTING SERVICES FOR THE CLAY COUNTY PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT. THE CLAY COUNTY GEL HEATER REPLACEMENT. APPLIANCES FOR THE CLAY COUNTY JAIL AND THE EEOC HVAC DEMOLITION AND REPLACEMENT, WHICH IS A REBID. DOES ANYBODY HAVE QUESTIONS ON
THE BIDS? >> THE PAVEMENT ASSESSMENT, IS THIS A STUDY FROM GROUND UP FOR AN UPDATE TO ONE WE HAVE?
>> THIS IS A WHOLE NEW STUDY ON THE PAVEMENT.
YES, SIR? >> JESSICA, HE MENTIONED A NUMBER OF THEM, AND THEY ARE SCHEDULED FOR A BOARD MEETING
TWO WEEKS LATER. >> SOME OF THEM HAVE OPENED AND WE ARE UNDER EVALUATION. WE'VE OPEN THEM PROBABLY TWO WEEKS AGO, OR WITHIN THE LAST WEEK.
>> I THOUGHT THE WASHINGTON AVENUE BOX CULVERT SIDEWALK DRIVEWAY THAT YOU MENTIONED ARE OPENING AT THE END OF THE MONTH AND THEY ARE SCHEDULED FOR THE OCTOBER 13TH MEETING. IS AT THE BID OR THE AWARDING?
>> THEY ARE SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 29TH AND SEPTEMBER 18TH. AND WE WOULD TAKE THEM TO THE BOARD OCTOBER 13TH. BUT IF WE OPEN THEM, IF WE HAVE ISSUES OR WE NEED TO DO MORE INVESTIATION, WE CAN PUSH IT.
[38. Selection of Canvassing Board Members for November General Election (C. Grimm)]
[03:20:01]
NUMBER 38. SELECTION OF BOARD MEMBERS FORTHE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION. >> PREVIOUSLY, HE YOU HAD, ALONG WITH THE CHIEF JUDGE, SELECTED THE CANVASSING BOARD MEMBERS FOR THE PRIME... FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION.
BUT WE NEED ANOTHER ALTERNATE. AND THE PERSON SERVING ON YOUR BEHALF AT THE PRIMARY IS WILLING TO SERVE.
SO IT WOULD BE A RECOMMENDATION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH HIM SERVING
[44. Bid Opening Tabulations – (J. Loos)Bid Opening Tabulations for August 28, 2026:A. RFQ No. 25/26-103, Impact Fee Study Update, Legal Review, Extraordinary Circumstances Analysis, and Ordinance UpdateB. RFP No. 25/26-105, Indigent Decedent ServicesBid Opening Tabulation for September 1, 2026:A. Bid No. 25/26-098, Fire Station 17 Shower Remodel]
DOCUMENTATION. WE HAVE THE IMPACT STUDY UPDATE.LEGAL REVIEW, CIRCUMSTANCES, LEGAL ANALYSIS ORDINANCES UPDATE. AND FIRE STATION 17 SHOWER
[PUBLIC COMMENTS]
REMODEL. ALL RIGHT.I WILL OPEN UP THE SECOND PUBLIC COMMENTS.
AND I HAVE STEPHAN. >> GOOD EVENING.
STEPHAN VAN BLOOM. I WANTED TO SAY THAT THIS IS A GREAT CELEBRATION FOR OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY.
I WAS-- I WAS NOT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES WHEN THAT HORRIBLE EVENT HAPPENED. I WAS ON BOARD AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER IN THE NORTH CARIBBEAN SEA.
AND WE DID NOT HAVE MUCH SOCIAL MEDIA BACK THEN.
ONLY SOCIAL MEDIA WE HAD WAS EMAIL.
FAMILY, FRIENDS SENT PICTURES TO PROVIDE A THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND UPDATES. I WAS MOVED BY HOW MUCH THE UNITED STATES WAS COMING-OUT OF IT'S OWN ASHES.
WE DIDN'T LET THAT KNOCK US DOWN.
SEPTEMBER 11TH WAS A HORRIBLE DAY.
SEPTEMBER 12TH WAS PROBABLY AN AWESOME DAY.
THAT SOME PEOPLE PUT UP THEIR FLAGS.
PEOPLE ARE PROUD. WE WERE JUST APPRECIATIVE.
NOT JUST AS AMERICANS. WE WERE HUMANS.
I GOT TO SEE THIS MOVEMENT HAPPEN OVERSEAS.
I DON'T REMEMBER IF IT WAS THAT DAY, OR MAYBE THE NEXT DAY, WHEN THEY DO CHANGE INTO THE CEREMONY AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE-- THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD CEREMONY, THEY DO THE NATIONAL ANTHEM CHARACTERS LOTS OF THAT GOING ON.
BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY I'M HAPPY THAT WE ARE ABLE TO COMMEMORATE THIS HORRIBLE EVENT AND COME TOGETHER.
I WILL BE THERE ON FRIDAY IN DOWNTOWN HERE TO SHOW MY SUP SUPPORT. I'M LOOKING FOR OTHER PEOPLE TO BE THERE. BUT ONE THING I JUST REALLY WANT TO DRIVE. THIS IS NOT DIRECTED TO THE BOARD HERE. BUT JUST TO EVERYBODY, LATELY WE HAVE BEEN UGLY TO EACH OTHER. A LOT OF SHAMEFUL ACTS EXCUSE ME. WHAT I JUST WANT TO SAY IS THAT I THINK WE NEED TO REASSESS OURSELVES, NOT JUST IN A ROOM, OR ANY-- IN THE ROOM, OR WHO CAN HEAR MY VOICE ONLINE.
BUT AS AMERICANS WE HAVE A GREAT COUNTRY, AND WE NEED TO SELF ASSESS AND BE THANKFUL MORE. AND WE SHOULD APPRECIATE WHAT WE HAVE AND HELP. 25 YEARS AGO THERE WAS A WHOLE BUNCH OF LOSS OF LIFE. PEOPLE DIE EVERY DAY.
BUT REALLY HOW FRAGILE WE ARE AS PEOPLE.
AS ALAIN ALWAYS SAYS, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.
[INDISCERNIBLE] >> DANIEL FRANCIS COOK.
>> MADAM CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS, DANIEL COOK.
FOR THE RECORD, AFTER SITTING THROUGH TODAY'S MEETING ON THINKING MORE ABOUT MONEY AND TAXATION.
I SEE WHAT LOOKS LIKE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA YOU PASSED APPROVAL FOR THE FIRST HEARING FOR THE BUDGET.
I DID NOT SEE MANY SLIDES ON IT. I SHOULD HAVE CHECKED THE
[03:25:02]
ATTACHMENT, AND I WILL LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT'S IN THIS BUDGET. CALLED FIND OUT AND A COUPLE OF WEEKS. BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS ABOUT TAXES. WHETHER IT IS THE STORMWATER FEE THAT COMES IN, AND AFFECTS LOCAL RESIDENTS, WHETHER IT'S THE SALES TAX THAT WE ALL PAY WHEN WE GO OUT AND SPEND MONEY.WHETHER IT IS THE COMMUNICATION TAX, THE 911 TAX, THE SOCIAL SECURITY TAX THAT GETS TAKEN OUT OF OUR PAYCHECKS, OR THE MEDICARE TAX THAT GETS TAKEN OUT OF OUR PAYCHECKS.
THE FEDERAL INCOME TAX THAT GETS TAKEN OUT OF OUR PAYCHECKS, WHERE THERE IS ALSO A DEATH TAX. A GAS TAX.
THERE IS THE INFLATION TAX. IT ALL ADDS UP.
I'M NOT THE ONLY CITIZEN WHO IS LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK.
I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO EATS PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY FROM TIME TO TIME. BECAUSE YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE KIDS HAVE A FULL PLATE BEFORE YOU DO.
AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE THAT IS FED UP WITH TAXATION THAT IS GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE SOME OF THE CITIZENS, MANY OF US FEEL LIKE WE ARE FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS.
WHEN I'M LOOKING AT YOU, AS REPRESENTATIVES AT THE LOCAL LEVEL, AT THE STATE LEVEL, AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AS WELL.
I'M LOOKING FOR REPRESENTATIVES WHO GO FOR BACK-- TO GO TO BAT FOR ME, AND GO TO BAT FOR THE TAXPAYERS, AND DO EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER TO NOT RAISE TAXES. WHETHER THAT IS STORMWATER FEE, DIGGING THROUGH THE CONSENT AGENDA AND FINDING ANY AREAS THAT YOU CAN DO WITHOUT. WITHOUT ANY PROJECTS THAT ARE NICE TO HAVE, BUT NOT ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.
I AM LOOKING FOR YOU, TO YOU AND ALL MY ARE ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES, TO TAKE ACTION SUCH AS THAT.
BECAUSE WHILE IT IS HARD FOR YOU TO MAKE IT, YOUR ENDS MEET, AND I KNOW THE SHERIFF IS HERE, EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT IS TIGHTENING THEIR BUDGETS. AND SO ARE THE PEOPLE.
AND IT IS HARD SOMETIMES. AND SO I HEAR A LOT OF FRUSTRATION SOMETIMES FROM CITIZENS.
MYSELF INCLUDED. WHEN I COME UP HERE AND SPEAK.
JUST TO LET YOU GUYS KNOW, IT IS HARD TO GET BY SOMETIMES AS AMERICAN CITIZENS, WITH $40 TRILLION IN NATIONAL DEBT.
THAT IS JUST SUCH AN UNFATHOMABLE NUMBER.
AND THAT'S WHY IN THE PAST I'VE ASKED YOU TO CONSIDER THE TENTH AMENDMENT, AND CONSIDER YOUR AGREEMENTS AND CONTRACTS THAT YOU MADE WITH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
MONEY DOES NOT JUST GROW ON TREES.
AND IT'S NOT PRINTED OUT OF THIN AIR.
IT COMES OUT OF THE VALUE OF OUR MONEY, WHICH AFFECTS EVERY
AMERICAN CITIZEN. >> THANK YOU.
IT TOOK A LOT FOR YOU TO SAY WHAT YOU SAID TODAY.
AND I KNOW THAT YOUR GRANDFATHER, YOUR FATHER WOULD BE PROUD OF YOU TO STAND ON BUSINESS.
SO I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DID. YOU CAN HAVE A BUMPER STICKER ON THE BACK OF YOUR CAR, YOU CAN SAY THAT YOU SUPPORT THE TROOPS.
BUT WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOVE, DO YOU DO THAT? DOES YOUR BUSINESS WEBSITE SAY YOU SUPPORT THE TROOPS, OR THAT YOU GIVE MILITARY DISCOUNT. IF IT DOESN'T, STAND ON THAT.
THERE'S A MOVEMENT COMING IN CLAY COUNTY.
TWO OF YOU ARE UP FOR REELECTION IN TWO MONTHS.
THREE OF YOU ARE UP FOR REELECTION IN TWO YEARS.
REMEMBER THAT. EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT HAS COME BEFORE YOU, E-MAILS YOU, CALLS YOU, SEES YOU OUT IN PUBLIC IN CLAY COUNTY OR YOUR CONSTITUENTY OR THEY KNOW SOMEBODY THAT KNOWS SOMEBODY, WANT TO KEEP SITTING THERE? STEP UP. I GET IT.
THERE'S PEOPLE THAT CAN'T AFFORD THINGS.
BUT WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON SOMETHING.
30,000 VETERANS OUT OF A 250,000 PERSON CONSTITUENCY AND ONLY 4500 OF 245,000 PEOPLE, YOU HAD TO STAND UP FOR AND YOU DIDN'T
[03:30:06]
WANT TO. AND THIS GENTLEMAN SAID HE WASN'T THE ONE TO PROPOSE AT THE LAST MEETING SO HE COULDN'T PUT THE TRASH UP FRONT, AND THREE PEOPLE THAT VOTED YES SAT SILENT AND DIDN'T DECIDE TO BRING IT UP.THAT IS GOING TO BE REMEMBERED FOR HISTORY AND IT'S GOING TO BE REMEMBERED BY EVERY CLAY COUNTY RESIDENT.
NUMBER 23. I HAD ON HERE SOME NEW SAFETY WHATEVER Y'ALL WANT TO CALL IT. 300 MILLION DOLLARS.
I SAT THERE AND WATCHED EVERY ONE OF Y'ALL ARGUE ABOUT 500,000 FOR THE VETERANS, BUT YOU HAVEN'T SAID A WORD ABOUT -- FOR OUR NEW BUILDING. I KNOW YOU ALREADY BOUGHT THE LAND PROBABLY. IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO BE LIKE THE NEW COMPLEX OUT THERE. WE BUY THE LAND, REZONE IT AND A HIRE CONTRACTOR AT THE SAME TIME.
AND WE DID THAT. IF YOU WANT TO LOOK IT UP, IT WAS DEFINITELY DONE EXACTLY THAT WAY.
BUT THAT NUMBER IS 350 MILLION DOLLARS.
WHETHER YOU BORROW IT OR WHAT, SOMEBODY'S GOT TO PAY FOR THAT.
THERE IS NO SENSE IN WHAT Y'ALL ARE DOING FOR THAT.
YOU'VE GOT 30 ACRES UNDER ROOF? THAT IS BIG -- THAT'S FROM HERE TO 17 UNDER ROOF. THERE IS NO REASON, SHAPE, OR FORM THAT YOU NEED ALL THAT IN ONE SPOT.
AND ANOTHER THING, WHAT THEY WAS TELLING YOU ON THE ROAD TO 18, THEY FORGOT TO TELL YOU THERE'S HUNDRED AND SOMETHING DAYS TRYING TO GET INFORMATION ON HOW TO MOVE THE SEWER LINE AND A STORM LINE. SO YOU GOT TO ADD THAT STUFF IN THERE INSTEAD OF BLAMING IT ALL ON ANDERSON COLUMBIA.
>> DAWN GRIORE. WHAT I'VE HEARD TODAY WAS A LOT OF, YOU KNOW, MONEY BEING MOVED HERE AND THERE.
AND YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTAND IT TAKES MONEY FROM PEOPLE.
I DO. AND I UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE REDOING THIS STORM THING FOR THE VETERANS.
DISABLED. BUT TO GIVE A HUNDRED PERCENTER SOMETHING AND THEN TAKE IT AWAY, THEY'RE ALREADY DEALING WITH SOMETHING THAT YOU GUYS PROBABLY DON'T EVEN REALIZE, YOU KNOW.
AND I TOOK CARE OF MY HUSBAND FOR SEVEN YEARS, AND HE DIDN'T ASK FOR IT. I DIDN'T ASK FOR IT.
AND IT DOESN'T EVEN AFFECT ME BECAUSE I'M A WIDOW.
BUT IT AFFECTS ME BECAUSE I STAND FOR ALL THE VETERANS BECAUSE HE WAS A VETERAN AND MY DAD'S A VETERAN.
AND I JUST FEEL LIKE TAKING MONEY OUT OF SOMEBODY THAT'S HUNGRY, OR, YOU KNOW, WOULD YOU TAKE MONEY OUT OF A STARVING PERSON OR SOMEBODY THAT CAN'T WALK.
AND I UNDERSTAND SOME OF THEM CAN'T.
I UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OF THEM YOU CAN'T SEE WHAT THEY ARE.
BUT IF YOU'RE LIVING IT OR IF YOU'RE TAKING CARE OF IT, YOU DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND UNTIL YOU'RE THERE.
AND I KNOW IT TAKES A LOT OF MONEY LIKE HE SAID, A MILLION DOLLARS OR WHATEVER. BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S BUSINESS.
AND THIS IS LIFE. YOU KNOW, IT'S LIKE I JUST FEEL I'M REPRESENTING VETERANS. JUST REPRESENTING THEM BECAUSE MY HUSBAND COULDN'T TALK, AND I HAD TO BE HIS VOICE FOR SEVEN YE YEARS.
YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY HAS TO MAKE A STAND.
SOMEBODY -- I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WORK AND THEY'RE WORKING AND THEY CAN'T GET HERE, YOU KNOW.
BECAUSE SOMEBODY HAS TO DO IT. AND I APPRECIATE YOU ALL, I REALLY DO. YOU HAVE TO STAND UP FOR THE VETERANS. YOU REALLY DO.
THIS IS A VETERAN TOWN. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.
[COUNTY ATTORNEY]
[03:35:05]
ANYONE ELSE? CLOSE PUBLIC COMMENT AND GO TOCOUNTY ATTORNEY. >> THE ONLY THING I HAVE IN ADDITION UNLESS YOU HAVE SOMETHING ELSE FOR ME IS THAT NEXT WEEK IS THE FACT INNOVATION AND POLICY CONFERENCE.
I WILL BE THERE ON THURSDAY FOR THE FACTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS
[COUNTY MANAGER]
MEETING. >> WILL BE THERE TOO FOR THE BOARD MEETING, AND IT'S TO SUPPORT YOU ALL THERE WHILE WE'RE THERE ON WHAT'S BEING PRESENTED.
ONLY THING I HAVE, A REMINDER, 9/11, 9:30, FIRST RESPONDERS MARCHING DOWN THERE, THE ROADS WILL BE CLOSED BEHIND THE BUILDING HERE AND ALL THE WAY DOWN THERE FOR A VERY SOLEMN CEREMONY OF 25 YEARS. SO I REMEMBER WHERE I WAS, I'M
[COMMISSIONER COMMENTS]
SURE YOU ALL REMEMBER TOO. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER, I'LL START WITH
I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THERE WAS A HOUSE FIRE IN KEYSTONE HEIGHTS LAST WEEK AND FOUR ELEMENTARY-AGED KIDS SAW THAT THE HOUSE WAS ON FIRE AND THEY WENT AND KNOCKED ON THE DOOR AND TOLD THE PEOPLE THEIR HOUSE WAS ON FIRE, AND THAT'S HOW THEY CALLED 9-1-1 AND SO THE FAMILY CREDITS THEM FOR SAVING THEIR LIFE AND THEIR HOME WAS NOT A COMPLETE LOSS.
AND SO I'VE ASKED COUNTY MANAGER AND CHIEF MOTT IF WE CAN HONOR THEM. THEIR SCHOOL HONORED THEM ALREADY AT KEYSTONE ELEMENTARY. AND SO CHIEF MOTT SAID HE'D LIKE TO DO IT, FIRE PREVENTION WEEK. SO IT WILL BE SOMETIME AROUND EITHER THE LAST MEETING IN SEPTEMBER OR THE FIRST MEETING OCTOBER. I DON'T KNOW WHICH.
BECAUSE FIRE PREVENTION WEEK IS THAT FIRST WEEK OF OCTOBER.
SO I DON'T KNOW WHICH ONE THEY'LL CHOOSE.
I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW ABOUT THAT.
A SECOND FIRE IN KEYSTONE HEIGHTS IS REALLY QUITE ALARMING. AND I THOUGHT IT WAS WORTHWHILE TO BRING UP. THERE'S SOME FIREFIGHTERS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HONORED LATER THIS YEAR, AND I'VE ASKED CHIEF IF WE CAN HONOR -- THEY'LL BE HONORED AT THEIR CEREMONY.
BUT THE FIREFIGHTERS FROM SAYINGS 23 WHICH IS IN MCCRAE GOT A CALL THAT LIGHTNING -- THERE'S NOT A TON OF HOUSE FIRES IN THE KEYSTONE AREA, AND NOT A LOT IN THE COUNTY OVERALL, YOU KNOW. THAN THANKFULLY. LIGHTNING HAD STRUCK THIS HOUSE, AND IT WAS ON FIRE. SO THE FIREFIGHTERS WENT THERE.
WELL, THERE WAS AN UNPERMITTED ADDITION MADE TO THIS HOUSE.
THERE WAS A SECOND STORY ATTIC, A DISABLED ELDERLY WOMAN WAS IN THE TOP OF IT WITH NO WAY TO GET DOWN. AND THE FIREFIGHTERS GOT UP THERE AND GOT THROUGH THE WALLS AND GOT HER.
AND SHE WAS UNCONSCIOUS WHEN THEY TRANSPORTED HER.
BUT SHE'S GOING TO BE OKAY. AND THEY REALLY SAVED HER LIFE.
I WANTED TO BRING IT UP BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF TIME THE PUBLIC GIVES THE COUNTY AND PERMITTING AND THAT KIND OF THING A REALLY HARD TIME, AND THIS IS WHY BUILDINGS HAVE TO MEET FLORIDA BUILDING CODE. IT'S NOT FOR US TO BE DIFFICULT, TO COLLECT FEES. IT'S BECAUSE IT'S LIFE SAFETY CODE, AND IT JUST MATTERS A LOT. AND SO ANYWAY, I JUST WANTED TO BRING THOSE UP. SO DON'T ADD ON TO YOUR HOUSE WITHOUT HAVING THE PROPER INSPECTIONS AND GOODNESS KNOWS, IF YOU NEED TO PUT AN ELDERLY PERSON ON THE SECOND FLOOR, FIND A WAY THAT THEY CAN GET OUT BY THEMSELVES IF THEY'RE THERE ALONE THANK GOODNESS SHE'S OKAY. I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE BUDGET CUTS. AND SO WE TONIGHT PASS A TENTATIVE BUDGET THAT IS 10 MILLION DOLLARS LESS THAN LAST YEAR. AND I AM NOT SUGGESTING THAT.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S STILL AREAS THAT WE CAN CUT THAT WE CAN MAKE TRIM THINGS WITHOUT CUTTING CRITICAL SERVICES TO OUR COMMUNITY. BUT I THINK THAT THERE ARE PLACES THAT WE CAN, BUT I ATTENDED THE NORTHEAST FLORIDA REGIONAL COUNCIL MEETING LAST THURSDAY.
AND A COMMISSIONER WAS TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING THAT SHE DID, AND SHE OPENED IT UP TO THE PUBLIC AND SAID YOU GUYS LOOK AT OUR BUDGET AND YOU DON'T -- THE ISSUE WAS PAID PARKING.
I DON'T KNOW THE INS AND OUTS. I'M NOT -- PLEASE, PLEASE DON'T
[03:40:03]
COME AT ME. I'M NOT TAKING A STAND ON THAT AT ALL. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT.BUT THEY NEEDED TO FIND SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS IN THEIR BUDGET.
AND I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT THEIR BUDGET IS THAT BIG.
BUT AT ANY RATE, SHE SAID THEY ASKED PEOPLE WHAT DO YOU WANT US TO PROVIDE FOR YOU, OR WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU, OR WHAT DO YOU WANT US TO CUT. COMMISSIONER, I KNOW YOU DID SOME OF THAT IN THE BUDGET WORKSHOPS.
BUT I'VE SEEN PEOPLE ONLINE TALK ABOUT TOURISM.
WE COULD CUT THE ENTIRE TOURISM BUDGET.
THAT DOESN'T CHANGE THE COUNTY BUDGET BECAUSE IT'S FUNDED THROUGH BED TAXES. IF YOU STAY IN A HOTEL OR VACATION RENTAL, YOU PAY THE TAXES.
FLORIDA LAW SAYS THOSE TAXES CAN ONLY BE USED FOR TOURISM ACTIVITIES. WE CAN CUT THE TOURISM DEPARTMENT, BUT IT DOESN'T CHANGE THINGS LIKE THIS.
SO I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS.
REAL CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE ABOUT WHAT WE VALUE.
BECAUSE WE'VE HAD THESE -- YOU KNOW, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT LIBRARIES AND PARKS AND THINGS HAVE ALREADY COME UP TONIGHT.
I GOT A PETITION. I DON'T KNOW IF THE REST OF YOU GOT IT, BUT I GOT A PETITION TODAY IN MY E-MAIL FROM CHANGE.ORG THAT SAID 228 PEOPLE WERE ASKING FOR A SKATE PARK AT RONNY -- PARK. SO IF THOSE THINGS ARE GOING TO BE IMPORTANT TO US, I'M SURE IT IS TO THOSE 228 PEOPLE, BUT WE NEED TO START PRIORITIZING SO THAT IF AMENDMENT 3 PASSES, WE'VE TALKED TONIGHT AND I FULLY AGREE WITH YOU.
THERE ARE NOT UNLIMITED FUNDS. SO WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN CUT KNOWING AND UNDERSTANDING THAT EVERYTHING OUT THERE THAT YOU MIGHT THINK MAKES A LOT OF SENSE FOR US TO CUT, WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CUT. AND SO I JUST WANTED TO BRING THAT UP AND THROW THAT OUT THERE THAT I'M WILLING TO LISTEN.
I BROUGHT UP AND I GOT JESSICA SENT ME THE INFORMATION FROM PURCHASING. IF WE CHANGED AWAY FROM THE FIRE UNIFORM SHIRTS VERSUS THE T-SHIRTS, AND THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT COST DIFFERENCE. T-SHIRT WITH -- IS $20.
THE EMBROIDERED WHITE UNIFORM SHIRT THEY MAKE THEM WEAR ON EVERY CALL IS OVER A HUNDRED DOLLARS.
AND THAT ADDS UP. AND ALSO THEY'RE HOT AND NOT AS COMFORTABLE FOR THE FIREFIGHTERS.
SO CHALLENGE COUNTY MANAGER -- THAT DOESN'T MATTER IF SOMEBODY IS IN CRISIS AND THE FIREFIGHTERS SHOW UP, NOBODY -- AS LONG AS THEY'RE IN SOMETHING THAT INDICATES THEY'RE A FIREFIGHTER AND THEY'RE FROM THE COUNTY, THAT'S WHAT MATTERS.
THOSE ARE THINGS THAT MAY BE ON THE SURFACE WOULD LOOK LIKE WE WERE CUTTING PUBLIC SAFETY. BUT THEY DON'T CUT PUBLIC SAFETY. THEY CUT AREAS OF THE BUDGET THAT WE CAN TIGHTEN POSSIBLY. ANYWAY.
AND THEN I WANTED TO CLOSE WITH I HEARD FROM A LOT OF MY CONSTITUENCY, AND OTHERS, OF VETERANS AND COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE AT OUR LAST MEETING. AND I TRY TO GO BACK AND WATCH THE VIDEO AND THE VIDEO CUTS OFF AT THE END.
I COULDN'T SEE ALL THE COMMENTS. AND SO READ COMMENTS AND LISTENED. I WANT OUR CLAY COUNTY VETERANS TO KNOW THAT I VALUE YOU. WHETHER YOU SERVED THE GENTLEMAN WHO I THINK LEFT, BUT HE SAID HE BARELY FINISHED HIS FIRST WHEN HE SIGNED UP, OR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE SERVED A LIFELONG CAREER.
I VALUE YOU. I HOPE THAT MY VOTES HAVE BACKED THAT UP. I UNDERSTAND THE CONVERSATIONS AND THEY'RE HARD CONVERSATIONS. AND I'M NOT NAIVE ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT THERE'S NOT FRAUD OUT THERE.
I HAD SOMEONE TELL ME THAT THERE IS A NEIGHBORHOOD IN MY DISTRICT WHERE SOMEONE HAS A MILLION DOLLAR HOME AND THEY GET A VETERAN'S EXEMPTION AND NO VETERANS LIVE THERE.
AND SO TO ME, I SAID THAT EARLIER, THAT'S ON THEM.
IF THEY'RE WILLING TO COMMIT THAT FRAUD, THAT'S ON THEM.
BUT I DO WANT OUR VETERANS TO KNOW THAT I SUPPORT THEM.
I AGREE WITH WHAT THE COMMISSIONER SAID EARLIER ABOUT I HAVE SO MUCH RESPECT FOR EVERYONE ON THIS COMMISSION.
I DO. I DIDN'T KNOW COMMISSIONER -- WELL, I GUESS I KNEW EVERYONE EXCEPT COMMISSIONER BURKE BEFORE I BECAME A COMMISSIONER. I'VE KNOWN THESE COMMISSIONERS
[03:45:05]
FOR MORE THAN A DECADE. AND SO I KNOW -- I KNOW THAT -- I KNOW THAT -- I KNOW EVERYONE UP HERE VALUES CLAY COUNTY AND VALUES THE OATH THAT WE TOOK TO SERVE.AND THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN SAID AROUND ACCUSATIONS. I HAVE NEVER ASKED FOR A SALARY INCREASE. I'VE RUN THREE TIMES NOW FOR THIS SEAT. I RAN IN 2020 FOR THE SPECIAL ELECTION. I RAN IN 2022.
AND THEN I RAN AGAIN THIS YEAR UNOPPOSED.
AND AUGUST 18TH I WAS REELECTED FROM OUR LAST TERM, AND I KNEW WHAT IT PAID THE WHOLE TIME, I'VE NEVER ASKED FOR A RAISE.
I DON'T KNOW OF ANY OTHER COMMISSIONER WHO'S ASKED FOR RAISES. BUT I READ THE THINGS THAT YOU SAY, AND I UNDERSTAND THE ANGER AND THE HURT, AND I KNOW YOU WANT TO BE HEARD AND I'VE TRIED TO HEAR.
AND I'VE TRIED TO MAKE DECISIONS BASED ON THAT.
AND FOR SOME IT DOESN'T MATTER IN OUR COUNTY.
BUT FOR THE ONES WHO DO SEE THAT I DO CARE AND DO SEE THAT IT AFFECTS ME AND HOW I MAKE DECISIONS, THEN I APPRECIATE THAT DIALOGUE. AND I'M WILLING TO CONTINUE IT.
BUT IT'S -- IT'S A WEIGHT BECAUSE I THINK IT'S GREAT THAT LOCAL -- LOCAL GOVERNMENT, THIS IS THE ACCESS YOU HAVE.
AND AT NO OTHER LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT DO YOU HAVE THIS KIND OF ACCESS, THAT YOU CAN SEE EACH OTHER IN THE GROCERY STORE, IN THE RESTAURANT, OR THAT YOU CAN PICK UP THE PHONE AND CALL AND YOU HAVE THAT CONVERSATION. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE MORE CONVERSATIONS THAN YOU WOULD HAVE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
AND I APPRECIATE THOSE WHO CAME TONIGHT.
I APPRECIATE THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ENGAGED ENOUGH TO SEND E-MAILS. I WAS TALKING WITH SOME CONSTITUENTS WHO DIDN'T EVEN STAY FOR THE MEETING BEFORE THE MEETING OUTSIDE. I THINK IT'S GOOD THAT WE HAVE THIS RENEWED INTEREST IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
I DO THINK IT'S GOOD. BUT I JUST HOPE THAT IT WILL STAY RESPECTFUL ON ALL SIDES. BECAUSE I DO RESPECT YOU, AND I VALUE YOU AS A CITY OF CLAY COUNTY, AND JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MA'AM.
SO FIRST, I WAS VERY INTERESTED TO HEAR ABOUT THE FIRES IN KEYSTONE. I KNOW THAT SUNDAY, THIS PAST SUNDAY I BELIEVE THERE WERE TWO STRUCTURE FIRES.
ONE WAS RIGHT BEHIND MY HOUSE IN FLEMING ISLAND, ABOUT 4:45 P.M., MY FAMILY ABOUT TO GO TO DINNER, LOUD LIGHTNING STRIKE CAUGHT A HOUSE BEHIND MY HOUSE ON FIRE. SAME THING, THE HOMEOWNER WAS NOT HOME, AND ACTUALLY COLONEL PERRY, THAT INTERN, HER SON KNOCKED ON THE DOOR, NO ANSWER, BUT THEY CALLED 9-1-1, AND HATS OFF TO FIRE RESCUE. THEY GOT THERE VERY, VERY QUICKLY, WHICH SAVED THE HOUSE FROM BEING A TOTAL LOSS.
BUT THEY DID HAVE TO -- A LOT OF THE INSULATION CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE ROOF. THEY WERE THERE FOR ABOUT EIGHT HOURS, PUTTING OUT THE FIRE AND DOING WHAT THEY HAD TO DO.
I THINK THE BIG THING FOR THE PUBLIC IS, IT WAS KIND OF AN UNFRIENDLY REMINDER OF HOW DANGEROUS LIGHTNING IS.
IF IT'S LIGHTNING, YOU NEED TO GET INSIDE.
JUST A FRIENDLY REMINDER THAT IT CAN DO A LOT OF DAMAGE, AND GOD FORBID IT'S YOU AND NOT A STRUCTURE.
STRUCTURES CAN BE REPLACED. YOU CANNOT.
SO, YOU KNOW, BE CAUTIOUS THERE, BUT THANK YOU AGAIN TO FIRE RESCUE FOR THAT. THERE'S BEEN A LOT THAT'S HAPPENED SINCE THE LAST MEETING. WE HAD A TDC MEETING.
I JUST WANTED TO SHARE SOME NUMBERS.
I'M VERY PROUD OF THIS BOARD FORGETTING OUR SPORTS TOURISM VENDOR AIR STREAM BACK ONLINE. THE DATA IS TREMENDOUS WHAT THEY'RE DOING SINCE THEY'VE BEEN BACK ONLINE.
THE REGIONAL SPORTS COMPLEX OUT AT THE INTERSECTION OF 16 AND BLANDING, JUST WANT TO SHARE THIS WITH THE PUBLIC.
SO IN THE 24/25 FISCAL YEAR, THEY WERE 13300 VISITORS AND 8250 OF THOSE WERE FROM OUTSIDE OF 50 MILES.
HANG ON TO YOUR SEAT. 25 AND 26, THE ATTENDANCE HAS BEEN 88400 VISITORS WITH 27,000 OUTSIDE OF 50 MILES.
THAT'S 564% INCREASE IN ATTENDANCE.
[03:50:01]
THAT'S A BIG DEAL. I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT TOURISM. WHY IS TOURISM IMPORTANT TO CLAY COUNTY. NUMBER ONE IT PROVIDES ECONOMIC IMPACT. THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS COMMUNITY THAT OWN BUSINESS, AND THEY NEED PEOPLE TO ATTEND AND PARTICIPATE IN THEIR BUSINESS SO WHEN THESE FOLKS COME FOR WHETHER FLAG FOOTBALL TOURNAMENTS, LACROSSE TOURNAMENTS, WHATEVER IT MAY BE. FESTIVALS.ORANGE FALL FESTIVAL, IT BRINGS ECONOMIC IMPACT THAT HELPS SUPPLEMENT OUR ECONOMY THAT'S NOT FROM PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY LIVE HERE. THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.
AS COMMISSIONER SAID, THAT BUDGET IS TOTALLY SEPARATE OF THE GENERAL FUND IN TERMS OF IT IS FUNDED THROUGH BED TAX.
AND EVERY YEAR THE LEGISLATURE TRIES TO ATTACK TDC FUNDING.
BUT I DO THINK THERE'S ROOM FOR US TO GIVE OUR LEGISLATIVE DELEGATIONS TO ADJUST FUNDING TO HELP US IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT MORE. THERE WAS ALSO A PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL MEETING. AND THAT'S A GREAT MEETING IF YOU'VE NEVER HAD THE ABILITY TO CHECK IT OUT.
THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TALKS ABOUT THE JAIL, THE CAPACITY.
WHAT'S GOING ON OVER THERE. WE HAVE A CLAY COUNTY JUDGE THAT ATTENDS. ALL OUR MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES IN ATTENDANCE IN THE COMMUNITY. I LEARNED SOMETHING THAT I WANTED TO SHARE. THIS IS A LITTLE BIT SOLEMN NEWS. ALONG WITH FIRES, THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW SUICIDE IN THE COMMUNITY OVER THE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS IMPORTANT IS IF YOU ARE GOING THROUGH A MENTAL CRISIS, CLAY COUNTY DOES HAVE A SERVICE THAT CAN HELP.
IT'S THE CLAY BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CENTER.
THEY HAVE A MOBILE RESPONSE TEAM.
YOU CAN CALL 24/7. THE NUMBER IS 904291 HELP, WHICH IS 4357. AND IT SAYS ON THE WEBSITE, IF THERE'S ANYONE IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE MENTAL HEALTH -- SUBSTANCE ABUSE, A THREAT TO HARMING THEMSELVES, STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL BEHAVIORAL HEALTH DIFFICULTIES, THE MOBILE RESPONSE TEAM IS THERE TO HELP. IRENE TOTO DOES A GREAT JOB WITH HER TEAM AT CLAY BEHAVIORAL. DURING THE MEETING, THEY TALKED ABOUT HOW THE AMOUNT OF BAKER ACTS HAS TREMENDOUSLY DROPPED, AND A BIG REASON IS BECAUSE OF THE MOBILE RESPONSE THEM AND THEIR -- REALLY GOOD WAYS TO HELP OUR COMMUNITY.
LAST TWO THINGS, SATURDAY NIGHT WE -- IT WAS ACTUALLY FRIDAY, SATURDAY, AND SUNDAY, WE WELCOMED J.C. RODEO FROM MISSISSIPPI. I GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND SATURDAY NIGHT. IT WAS SOLD OUT.
IT'S REALLY COOL SEEING SADDLEMAN'S ARENA WERE FULL LIKE THAT. THE FAMILY, FROM MISSISSIPPI, THEY WERE SUPER APPRECIATIVE OF CLAY COUNTY, HOW HOW WELCOMING WE WERE. IT WAS A GOOD EVENT FOR US.
AND THEN THE LAST TEAM HAS HOWARD HAS MENTIONED, I HOPE THE COMMUNITY WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN US FOR THE SOLEMN CEREMONY OF 9/11. YOUR COMMENTS WERE RIGHT ON TARGET TONIGHT, MY FRIEND. AS WE CONTINUE TO MAKE TOUGH BUDGETARY DECISIONS. HERE'S WHAT TELL THE COMMUNITY.
SOMETHING I'VE REALIZED JUST IN MY TWO YEARS.
REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS IN NOVEMBER, THE BUDGET PROCESS AND NOT JUSTER LYSOL FOR THE COUNTY BUT THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS NOT GOING TO GET ANY.
-- WHEN WE LOOK INTO THE BUDGET CYCLE NEXT YEAR.
IT'S -- MAGIC WAND AND BACK TO UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF CASH ONE MAY HAVE SEEMED TO HAVE DURING COVID WITH THE FEDERAL -- POURED INTO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. I WANT TO END WITH THIS.
SEPTEMBER 12TH WAS PROBABLY THE BEST DAY IN A LONG TIME IN THIS COUNTRY. WE ALL SHOULD CHANNEL THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE AND REMEMBER LIKE I SAID EARLIER TODAY, WE'RE ALL NEIGHBOURS. BE SURE TO LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR.
>> I JUST HAVE TWO THINGS THIS EVENING.
ONE AS WE ARE -- IT SEEMS LIKE THE PLANE IS COMING FOR A LANDING FOR THE BUDGET CYCLE. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO US, SPECIFICALLY, OUR BUDGET TEAM, TROY, MJ.
WE'VE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATION AND IS AFTER HOURS TOO.
I APPRECIATE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT IT TAKES TO GET US TO THIS POINT. IN YEARS PAST, I'VE LIKENED THIS
[03:55:01]
KIND OF YEAR TO THE SUPER BOWL. THIS YEAR NOT SO MUCH.AND I WON'T TELL YOU WHAT I'VE BEEN LIKENING IT TO.
IT'S BEEN ROUGH. BUT I DO APPRECIATE ALL THE HARD WORK IT TAKES, AND WE DID A LOT OF THAT PUBLICLY THIS CYCLE.
SO HATS OFF. THE SECOND THING I WANTED TO SAY IS THIS WEEK IS ESPECIALLY DIFFICULT FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. AND I JUST PRAY THAT WE FIND COMFORT IN THE LORD'S PEACE AND KIND KIN KINDNESS.
THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY COMMENTS ABOUT -- I THINK, STEVEN, YOU SAID IT WELL ABOUT JUST THE HUMANITY OF IT ALL.
THIS WEEK IS PARTICULARLY HARD. THIS TIME LAST YEAR WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT THIS WEEK WOULD ENTAIL.
AND 25 YEARS AGO WE COULD NOT HAVE FORESEEN WHAT THIS WEEK WOULD HAVE ENTAILED. SO I WISH YOU PEACE AND COMFORT THAT ONLY HEAVEN CAN GIVE. ESPECIALLY THIS WEEK.
AND IN THE COMING MONTHS, WE'VE GOT A LOT OF ROLLING UP OUR SLEEVES STILL TO DO. AND SO I APPRECIATE THE PUBLIC'S PATIENCE WITH US AS WE NAVIGATE THESE DIFFICULT AND CHALLENGING TIMES. IT'S IMPORTANT.
SO I ALSO THANK THE PUBLIC FOR THE CALLS AND THE TEXT MESSAGES.
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF GRACE. I MEAN, THERE'S BEEN A LOT -- THERE'S BEEN A LOT. BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT DURING THIS TIME WE COULD REALLY APPRECIATE -- WE COULD REALLY USE YOUR PATIENCE AND YOUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AS WE GO THROUGH ALL OF THIS. I THINK THAT'S ALL I HAVE FOR
I HAVE A COUPLE THINGS. ONE THANKS FROM REGIONAL COUNCILS. STOOD THE TEST OF TIME UNTIL THE BITTER END. WANT TO THANK HER FOR THAT.
WE SPOKE A COUPLE TIMES ABOUT 911.
BUT OVER 3,000 PEOPLE WHO PERISHED THAT DAY, BUT THERE WERE 343 FIRST RESPONDERS, BASICALLY, THAT PERISHED THAT DAY. STAY BACK 343 FEET.
AND I COULD NEVER UNDERSTAND WHERE THEY CAME UP WITH -- BUT THAT WAS THE FIRST RESPONDERS. OR MAYBE IT WAS JUST FIREFIGHTERS THAT PERISHED THAT DAY.
I URGE YOU WHEN YOU SEE THAT 343, SAY A PRAYER FOR THOSE LOST SOULS AS WELL AS THE FAMILIES THEY LEFT BEHIND.
I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE BUDGET.
A LOT OF TIMES IT LOOKS LIKE -- WELL, LET ME JUST PREFACE THIS BY SAYING A LOT OF PEOPLE, VERY CONTROVERSIAL ISSUES THIS TIME, THIS BUDGET CYCLE. PEOPLE ASKED ME SHOULD I COME IN AND TALK ABOUT IT. YOU KNOW, TRY TO CHANGE THE TENOR OF WHAT'S GOING ON. AND I SAID, WELL, IT'S NOT DONE YET, OKAY. THE BUDGET ISN'T FINALIZED YET.
AND YOU CAN SEE TONIGHT THERE STILL WAS SOME CONTROVERSY HERE.
NOT CONTROVERSY. I THINK IT WAS MORE EDUCATIONAL.
AND THAT'S BECAUSE WE CAN'T TALK TO EACH OTHER.
WE HAVE A LAW THAT SAYS SUNSHINE LAW SAYS I CAN'T TALK TO ANY ONE OF THESE COMMISSIONERS ABOUT WHAT I'M THINKING ABOUT CONCERNING A DECISION ON THE INDICT.
REQUEST. SO A LOT OF TIME WE BRING UP THINGS JUST TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT ALL THE IMPACTS ARE SO WE CAN MAKE GOOD DECISIONS.
I THINK TONIGHT WAS A GOOD EXAMPLE.
I THINK WE MADE A GOOD DECISION. IT'S WORKABLE.
BUT IT WASN'T PRETTY. IT WAS PRETTY UGLY.
THEY TALKED ABOUT LEGISLATION LIKE THEY'RE -- THROWING THIS THING, GRIND IT UP, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, HEY, THIS SAUSAGE ISN'T TOO BAD. I WANT TO THANK MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS FORGETTING US THROUGH THIS.
AMEND 3, I DON'T THINK -- I THINK IT'S ILLEGAL.
I THINK WE DISCUSSED THAT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE.
I THINK IT'S ILLEGAL TO TRY TO -- LEFT OR RIGHT, ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. IS THAT TRUE.
>> YOU CAN HAVE YOUR OPINION. BUT YOU CAN'T ADVOCATE.
[04:00:01]
>> SO IF SOMEBODY ASKS YOU WHICH WAY AM I GOING TO VOTE --
>> I THINK YOU CAN PROVIDE YOUR OPINION ON -- BUT YOU SHOULD NOT
PERSUADE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. >> JUST TO CLARIFY THAT.
I THINK IT'S CLEAR, MY OPINION. BUT DON'T PERSUADE THEM.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE. >> AND I'M VERY GRATEFUL FOR IT.
I HAVE TO SAY. I'VE LEARNED TO MUCH.
I MET SUCH WONDERFUL PEOPLE. THE COUNTY STAFF HERE, AND EVERYBODY KNOWS, I'M A CRY BABY TOO, AND I'M GOING TO TRY BECAUSE I'M TOUGH ALSO. I THINK YOU ALL HAVE ALREADY PICKED UP ON THAT. WE ARE ELECTED AND WE HAVE TO SIT THERE AND TAKE IT. NOT THREATS, WHICH I'VE HAD THIS PAST TWO WEEKS. NOT BEING DEGRADED.
NOT PERSONALLY INSULTED. WE DON'T HAVE TO TAKE THAT.
BUT WE ARE HUMAN, AND I THINK THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE DEFINITELY, YOU KNOW, WHENEVER YOU SEE US UP HERE AND WE ARE TRYING TO -- I'M THE CHAIR, AND I'M TRYING TO MAINTAIN THE ORDER. AND THAT'S MY JOB.
AND I AM A RULE FOLLOWER. AND I HAVE FOUR KIDS, AND I EXPECT THEM TO FOLLOW THE RULES. SO I'M SORRY, BUT I HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT ORDER IS MAINTAINED IN THIS ROOM.
SO, YOU KNOW, WHEN PEOPLE LAST -- AND I'M GOING TO SAY THIS BECAUSE I'M SURE YOU'VE ALL SEEN IT OUT THERE.
I'M SURE YOU'VE ALL SEEN I'M THE MOST HATED PERSON IN CLAY COUNTY. I'M SURE YOU'VE ALL SEEN THAT I WAS ON MY PHONE. I WASN'T ON MY PHONE THE WHOLE TIME. THAT'S WHERE OUR AGENDA IS.
AND THERE'S NOTHING JUICY ON MY PHONE.
WE'VE HAD, YOU KNOW, RECORDS REQUESTS FOR WHAT'S ON MY PHONE.
I -- THAT'S HOW I'M ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH WHOEVER'S IN THIS ROOM WITH THE COUNTY MANAGER, COUNTY ATTORNEY, WITH THE DEPUTIES. IT'S MY JOB ALONE TO MAKE SURE IT'S TAKEN CARE OF. THERE'S NO CANDY CRUSH.
I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW TO PLAY CANDY CRUSH.
THAT'S ANOTHER COMMENT I HEARD. YOU KNOW, I DO HAVE FAMILY.
I HAVE KIDS AND I HAVE A HUSBAND THAT HAD SURGERY THAT DAY AND WAS ON PAINKILLERS. MY 18-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER WAS THERE TAKING CARE OF HIM. THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A COUPLE TEXTS ON THERE FROM HER BECAUSE I WANTED TO MAKE SURE HE WAS OKAY. I'M A JOKESTER.
YOU PROBABLY MIGHT HAVE PICKED UP ON THAT.
I TRIED TO MAKE IT LIGHT SOMETIMES.
WHENEVER WE CAME IN THE ROOM AND I FELT LIKE I WAS -- I FELT LIKE I WAS PREPARED, BUT I WASN'T. I WASN'T BECAUSE THE ANGER THAT I SAW AND I WITNESSED AND YOU HAD EVERY SINGLE RIGHT, EVERY SINGLE PERSON LISTENING TO THIS AND I'M SURE THERE WILL BE LITTLE TIDBITS OF VIDEOS, AND I HOPE YOU ACTUALLY PLAY WHAT I SAID INSTEAD OF WHAT MAKES IT JUICY AND THE MOST LIKES ON YOUR FACEBOOK PAGE. BUT I UNDERSTAND THAT ANGER.
I DON'T LIKE TAXES. I DON'T LIKE FEES.
I'M A REPUBLICAN, I'M A CONSERVATIVE PERSON, I'M A CHRISTIAN. I DON'T LIKE ANY OF THAT.
BUT I ALSO -- AND THERE WERE 390 PEOPLE HERE.
AND PROBABLY SOME PEOPLE THAT LEFT.
BUT THOSE WERE 390 PEOPLE THAT WERE UPSET.
THERE WERE A COUPLE PEOPLE THAT SPOKE THAT WERE OKAY WITH THE STORM WATER FEE. BUT THERE'S 238,000 PLUS OR MINUS PEOPLE IN OUR COUNTY, AND I DID LISTEN TO THE 390 PEOPLE.
I DID. BUT I DID MY RESEARCH, AND I LISTENED TO PEOPLE E-MAIL AFTER E-MAIL.
I SEE HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE AT MY OFFICE EVERY SINGLE DAY.
AND I LISTENED TO THOSE PEOPLE TOO.
I LISTEN TO EVERYONE. I LISTEN TO MY FAMILY.
AND SO YEAH, I DO LISTEN. AND I DON'T THINK -- I MEAN, I KIND OF THOUGHT WHENEVER I CAME INTO THE ROOM THAT -- I MEAN, I KNEW WE NEEDED THE FEE. I KNEW WE NEEDED THE MONEY.
BECAUSE THIS IS SOMETHING WE DIDN'T EVEN TALK ABOUT.
IF WE HAD NO PASSED THAT, 5 MILLION HAD TO COME OFF THE BUDGET. AND YEAH, WE PROBABLY COULD HAVE FOUND 100,000 HERE OR THERE. FOR THE MOST PART, WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO GET RID OF BETWEEN -- I WASN'T PREPARED TO DO THAT.
[04:05:01]
HARDSHIP EXEMPTION. THERE IS NO REASON FOR SOMEONE NOT TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD TO BUY THEIR FOOD AND STILL PAY FOR THAT FEE. IF THERE IS NOT, THEY CAN USE THAT EXEMPTION. CALL ME.I WILL MAKE SURE SOMEONE HELPS YOU FILL IT OUT.
AND I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T START OFF LIKE THIS.
I DIDN'T START OFF WITH A HOUSE. I MEAN, I DIDN'T HAVE -- I DIDN'T HAVE -- I HAD $37 IN MY POCKET GOING TO COLLEGE WHEN I WAS DROPPED OFF. AND THIS ISN'T ABOUT ME.
BUT JUST KNOW THAT -- I'M SO SORRY YOU'RE HURTING.
IT JUST, IT TUGS ME AT MY HEART. I HAVE A HUSBAND AND I ALMOST LOST HIM MYSELF. AND I'M SO SORRY YOU'RE HURTING.
I JUST WISH YOU COULD HUG YOU RIGHT NOW.
BUT I LOVE VETERANS. THE MAJORITY OF MY PRACTICE IS VETERANS. THANK THE LORD I GET TO SEE VETERANS AND TAKE CARE OF THEM, AND THEY CRY TO ME, AND COME TO ME AND HUGGED ME THIS PAST WEEK AND TOLD ME I'M SO SORRY BECAUSE OF THE WORDS I WAS HEARING. THE MOST HORRIBLE WORDS I HAVE EVER HEARD SPOKEN ABOUT ME AND MY DAUGHTER CALLS ME AND SAYS, GOD, MOMMY, I WANT TO GET ON THAT PAGE AND I WANT TO BLAST THOSE PEOPLE. AND I SAID NO, YOU CANNOT.
YOU CAN'T. BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHAT, IT'S NOT GOING TO HELP. BECAUSE THEY'RE STILL GOING TO SAY THOSE HORRIBLE THINGS ABOUT ME AND THEY'RE STILL GOING TO POST THE PICTURES. AND THAT'S FINE.
I'LL TAKE A PICTURE WITH YOU AT A RESTAURANT.
I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.
BUT PLEASE JUST REMEMBER WE ARE HUMAN.
AND WE HAVE FAMILIES. AND NO, I DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THIS. I DON'T HAVE TO BE HERE RIGHT NOW. YOU'RE RIGHT.
BUT I LOVE CLAY COUNTY. AND I LOVE VETERANS, SIR.
AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT RIGHT NOW.
YOU LOOKING STRAIGHT AT ME ON MY WEBSITE.
YOU'RE RIGHT. I NEED TO ADD THAT.
I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT MY WEBSITE IN YEARS BECAUSE I DO LOVE AND APPRECIATE VETERANS. I PULLED ALL THE VETERANS THAT COME INTO MY OFFICE THE PAST TWO WEEKS AND ASKED FEELING ABOUT THE STORM WATER FEE AND GARBAGE TAX.
THE OVERWHELMING RESPONSE I RECEIVED WAS WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR ANY DISCOUNT WE EVER GET.
WE SERVED OUR COUNTRY, AND WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING THAT YOU GIVE TO US. HOWEVER, THEY SAID TO ME, THIS IS FROM THE VETERANS COMING TO MY OFFICE, AND AGAIN, I SEE A VERY LARGE AMOUNT OF THEM AND I'M SO GRATEFUL FOR THAT FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY. BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY ARE COMPENSATED. AND FOR THOSE THAT DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO PAY, THAT THEY CAN HAVE THEIR HARDSHIP EXEMPTION. AND SO IN MY MIND, I WOULD LOVE TO BE ABLE TO GIVE THEM A HUNDRED PERCENT EXEMPTION.
BUT THAT IS IN MY MIND I KNEW THAT THEY WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF. AND THIS BOARD DOES SO MUCH FOR VETERANS. AND I KNOW MANY OF YOU HAVE NEVER COME TO THE MEETINGS UNTIL THIS IMPORTANT TIME RIGHT NOW.
AND SO -- >> PLEASE, CAN HE BE ESCORTED OUT? I'M DONE.
(INAUDIBLE) SIR. MAINTAIN DECORUM, PLEASE.
>> AND I'D LIKE FOR HIM TO BE NO TRESPASS FOR THIS BUILDING, PLEASE. WE HAD BUDGET WORKSHOPS.
WE'RE GOING TO HAVE ANOTHER ONE. YOU HEARD COMMISSIONER, CREATIVE IDEAS. ANY OF YOU THAT THINK YOU -- YOU MAY HAVE SOME IDEAS, THEN WE ARE WILLING TO LISTEN.
AND I KNOW ALL OF US -- I'VE SAID TO MY CONSTITUENTS, I WILL SIT DOWN WITH YOU ANYTIME. I'VE HAD TEAMS MEETINGS WITH SOME OF MY CONSTITUENTS, AND WE'VE DISCUSSED THE BUDGET AND DIFFERENT THINGS. TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND.
AND WE'RE WILLING TO DO THAT. ANYWAY.
I GUESS THAT'S ALL I HAVE. I HOPE WE CAN HAVE A BETTER WEEK. AND I PRAY EVERY DAY THAT EVERYONE HERE IS SAFE AND EVERYONE IN OUR COUNTY IS SAFE.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.