>> WILL EVERYONE BE SEATED  PLEASE.  IT IS 6:00.  I AM  CALLING THIS MEETING TO ORDER.   FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS, I CAN'T   -- TURN IT OVER TO MR. COUNTY  ADMINISTRATOR.    >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.    THIS IS THE FIRST AND ONLY   PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE   AMENDING THE OFFICIAL ZONING   MAP TO CHANGE THE ZONING  CLASSIFICATION  FROM   SINGLE-FAMILY DETACHED,  ATTACHED AND TWO-FAMILY   RESIDENTIAL R-3 TO THE   DWELLINGS II PLANNED UNIT   DEVELOPMENT  FOR 33.52 ACRES   LOCATED AT 5100 BLOUNTSTOWN   HIGHWAY.  -- IN THE PROPOSED   PUD, A PROPOSED 130 UNIT TINY   HOME DEVELOPMENTS  IN THE   COMMUNITY CENTER.  WITH AN  APPROXIMATE  200 UNIT  PROPOSAL MULTI-DEVELOPMENT ON THE   NORTHERN PROPORTION WITH A   MAXIMUM OF 335 DWELLING UNITS . STAFF  IS HERE TO WHO ANSWER   ANY QUESTIONS.  THE ANALYSIS IS BEFORE YOU AND WE ARE   RECOMMENDING THAT YOU CONDUCT   THE FIRST AND ONLY  PUBLIC   HEARING AND ADOPT THE ORDINANCE , THEREBY AMENDING THE ZONING   MAP AS SUCH.  AND TO DO SO   BASED ON FINDINGS OF FACT AND   CONCLUSION OF LAW OF THE  PLANNING COMMISSION. AND ANY   EVIDENCE SUBMITTED AT THE  HEARING .  WITH THAT, I WOULD   LIKE TO PIVOT TO THE COUNTY  ATTORNEY TO MAKE AN   ANNOUNCEMENT.   >> THANK YOU, MR. COUNTY  ADMINISTRATOR.  MADAME COUNTY   ATTORNEY.  >>  JUST A REMINDER TO THE    BOARD AS REQUIRED BY TRADITION  PROCEEDING, --  NONE WERE   AFFORDED TO THE COUNTY   ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR  DISCLOSURE.  IF YOU HAVE ANY   COMMUNICATIONS WITH ANYONE  IN  ADVANCE OF THIS MEETING THAT  YOU NEEDED TO DISCLOSE BEFORE   THE HEARING , NOW IS THE TIME  TO DO SO.   >> THANK YOU.  >> MADAM CHAIR,  WE ALSO HAVE A SPEAKER CARD IN, BUT ONLY FOR  QUESTIONS. THE CONSULTANT  ON   THE PRODUCT IS AVAILABLE.    >> THANK YOU, MR. COUNTY   ADMINISTRATOR.  >>  MADAM CHAIR, I MOVE WITH   OPTION ONE.   >> THANK YOU . ANY DISCUSSION?   HEARING NONE,  ALL THOSE IN  FAVOR OF ADOPT THING  OPTION   ONE LET IT BE KNOWN BY SAYING,  AYE. .  AYE.. ANY OPPOSITION?   HEARING NONE,  THANK YOU, MR.   COUNTY ADMINISTERED A.  >>  THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.    ITEM 25 SEEKS  TO CHOOSE THE   BOARD TO CONDUCT  A PUBLIC   HEARING TO  ADOPT A RESOLUTION  TO  BAND AND A PLATTED,  UNIMPROVED RIGHT-OF-WAY LOCATED  IN THE WOODVILLE PLAT. THE   OLDER PLATS  OFTEN INCLUDE   RIGHT-OF-WAY'S THAT WERE NEVER BUILT AND ARE NEEDED  -- NOT  NEEDED AND CURRENTLY SERVE NO  PUBLIC PURPOSE FOR THE STATUTE  REQUIRES  A PUBLIC HEARING AND  THE ADOPTION OF A RESOLUTION --  BEFORE THEY ABANDON A PORTION  OF A PLATTED STREET.  COMMISSIONERS, AS NOTED THROUGH RESEARCH,  WE HAVE CONCLUDED   THAT NO CURRENT ORSER  FORESEEABLE NEED FOR THIS  APPROXIMATELY ONE HALF ACRE   EXISTS. IT IS NOT MAINTAINED    BY THE COUNTY, THERE ARE NO  STREET OR UTILITY NEEDS  IDENTIFY.  THEREFORE, WE ARE  RECOMMENDING OPTION ONE. WE  HAVE NO ACRES ON THIS ITEM.    >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS?   >> SO MOVED.  >>  ALL THOSE IN FAVOR LET IT  BE KNOWN BY SAYING, THANK 15    THAT WILL AYE.. THANK YOU, MR.  COUNTY ADMINISTERED A.   >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.    ITEM NUMBER 26.  THE PURPOSE OF THIS ITEM IS TO CONDUCT THE   FIRST AND ONLY PUBLIC HEARING  TO  CONSIDER ADOPTING THE   PROPOSED ORDINANCE PROHIBITING  UNAUTHORIZED  SOLICITATION ON   PRIVATE PROPERTY. IT WOULD  PROHIBIT UNAUTHORIZED  PANHANDLING  ON PRIVATE  PROPERTIES , WHICH IS BEEN A   PERSISTENT CONCERN  OF LOCAL  BUSINESSES IN THE COMMUNITY.    THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE WOULD  NOT APPLY TO SOLICITATION ON   PUBLIC PROPERTIES.  OR PUBLIC   RIGHTS-OF-WAY, ONLY PRIVATE  PROPERTY.  THE PROPOSED   ORDINANCE WOULD BE APPLIED   COUNTYWIDE, SINCE THE CITY DOES NOT CERTAIN -- CURRENTLY HAVE   AN ORDINANCE IN PLACE.  THE   CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAS  EXPRESSED  SUPPORT . IT INTENDS TO WORK WITH STAFF TO PROMOTE  AND RAISE AWARENESS OF THE  ORDINANCE TO LOCAL BUSINESSES   -- COMMISSIONERS,  STAFF IS   RECOMMENDING OPTION ONE TO  CONDUCT THE PUBLIC HEARING AND  TO ADOPT THE PROPOSED   ORDINANCE. I SHOULD NOTE THE   ITEM APPEAR BEFORE THE BOARD ,  AND THE  BOARD PROPOSE TO  SCHEDULE THIS PUBLIC HEARING.   ALSO, YOU HAVE SEVERAL SPEAKER   CARDS ON THIS ITEM. MADAM  CHAIR,  I WILL DEFER TO YOU.   >> THANK YOU, MR. COUNTY   ADMINISTRATOR.  >>  MADAM CHAIR, IT IS STANDARD PRACTICE TO NORMALLY HAVE THE   SPEAKERS COME FIRST.   >> I AM GETTING READY TO DO   THAT.   >> MY POINT IS,  I SPOKE TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ABOUT AN IDEA I HAVE  THAT MIGHT ADDRESS SOME  OF THE COMMENTS WE WOULD HAVE   DURING SPEAKERS.  IT IS YOUR   DISCRETION, OF COURSE, BUT IF I COULD MAKE A MOTION ABOUT   SOMETHING RIGHT NOW, OUR   SPEAKERS MAY WANT TO MOST --   COMMON -- COMMENT ON THE NEW  MOTION , AS OPPOSED TO HAVING  THEM TALK ABOUT WHAT THE  CURRENT DRAFT ORDINANCE SAYS   RIGHT NOW. IN OTHER WORDS,  IF  I MAKE A MOTION TO MAKE A  CHANGE TO THE EXISTING DRAFT   ORDINANCE, I THINK THE SPEAKERS WOULD WANT TO COMMENT ON  THE   CHANGE.  >> I UNDERSTAND. I DID NOT HEAR THE PART ABOUT YOU MAKING A   MOTION. I WILL USE MY  DISCRETION.    >> THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE IT.  I THINK A LOT OF US  HAVE   SPOKEN WITH OUR BUSINESS   COMMUNITY AND MEMBERS  OF THE   COMMUNITY HERE.  WE HAVE GOT A  LOT OF BUSINESSES IN MY   DISTRICT, I'M SURE IN YOURS AS WELL, THEY HAVE COME TO US   ASKING FOR SOME RESOLUTION.  WE HAVE STORIES OF EMPLOYEES BEING ATTACKED IN THE PARKING LOT.  EMPLOYEES FEELING UNSAFE GOING  FROM THE CAR, TO THE OFFICE  EARLY IN THE MORNING. ARE GOING BACK TO THEIR CAR ONCE THE   BUSINESS HOUR IS CLOSED.  THE   AGGRESSIVE SOLICITATION IS  AFFECTING PEOPLE'S BUSINESSES.  AND THE EMPLOYEES,  AND   CUSTOMERS ARE NOT FEELING SAFE.  THIS PROPOSAL COMES  OUT OF   THAT NEED.  I BELIEVE PROPERTY  OWNERS HAVE THE RIGHT TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT SOMEONE CAN ASK  MONEY OR ASK FOR OTHER ITEMS ON THEIR OWN PROPERTY. THIS   ORDINANCE HELPS THEM EXERCISE   THAT RIGHT.  HOWEVER, THERE IS  AN ISSUE WE NEED TO ADDRESS.   THE DRAFT ORDINANCE, AS   CURRENTLY WRITTEN, IS MY  OPINION ,  IS TOO BROAD. AS   STATED IN THE AGENDA ITEM ON   PAGE 747,  THE TERM SOLICIT MAY INCLUDE BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO   REQUEST FOR PETITION  SIGNATURES,  SUPPORT OF ANY   KIND, MONEY, DONATIONS OF ANY  KIND,  OR SOME OTHER ACTION   ITEM OF MATERIAL  OR VALUE. IT  PLACES ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS  ON PEOPLE'S ABILITY TO  REGISTER VOTERS AND COLLECT   SIGNATURES AND THINGS OF THAT  NATURE.  THESE, I BELIEVE, ARE  ACTIVITIES IMPORTANT FOR  DEMOCRACY.  WHAT I INTEND TO DO WITH MY MOTION IS, CARVE THOSE   ACTIVITIES OUT OF THE  ORDINANCE.  WHAT MY MOTION IS,  MADAM CHAIR, IS TO ADOPT  A   DRAFT ORDINANCE WITH ONE   IMPORTANT EXCEPTION.  TO TAKE   UP THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES  AS IT IS CURRENTLY DEFINED UNDER  THE TERM OF SOLICIT. TAKING OUT THREE ITEMS.  SIGNATURE   GATHERING, VOTER REGISTRATION   AND THE ADEQUACY OF POLITICAL  ISSUES OR CANDIDATES. I BELIEVE THIS MOTION WILL ADDRESS  95%   OF WHAT THE BUSINESS  NEED IS  OUT THERE, BASED ON MY  DISCUSSIONS  WITH THE BUSINESS  COMMUNITY, WHILE STILL MAKING  SURE  THAT WE DO NOT HINDER THE ABILITY  OF PEOPLE IN LEON   COUNTY TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT  TO REGISTER VOTERS , COLLECT   SIGNATURES, PETITIONS OR  ADVOCATING FOR POLITICAL ISSUES OR CANDIDATES.  >> THANK YOU.  IS THERE A   SECOND? COMMISSIONER CABAN.    COMMISSIONER MINOR,  WILL YOU  LOOK AT THE ORDINANCE    BEGINNING ON PAGE SEVEN.  SO I  UNDERSTAND IT? 750?  POINT OUT  WHAT SECTION  YOU ARE PROPOSING TO DELETE AND WHAT PAGE , SO WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.    >> ONE SECOND.  I WILL LEAVE IT TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO   WORDSMITH THIS.  ON PAGE 751,   UNDER SUBSECTION NUMBER TWO,    THE PARAGRAPH , WITH THE  DEFINITION OF SOLICIT AS IT   PERTAINS TO THIS ORDINANCE.    WHAT MY MOTION ASKS , IS FOR   THIS BODY TO  CONSIDER PASSING  THE ORDINANCE AS DRAFTED WITH   THE EXCEPTION OF  IN THIS  PARAGRAPH,  SUBSECTION TWO  --   REMOVING ACTIVITIES  OF   PETITION SIGNATURES, VOTER  REGISTRATION  -- EXPLICITLY   MAKING SURE THIS ORDINANCE DOES NOT PERTAIN TO  SIGNATURE  GATHERING, VOTER REGISTRATION   OR ADVOCACY FOR POLITICAL   ISSUES OR CANDIDATES.  >> COMMISSIONER MINOR.  I AM ON 751, YOU'RE ON THE TOP IT SAYS SOLICIT,  IS THAT WHERE YOU  ARE?  THE DEFINITION OF   SOLICIT?  >> YES,  THE CORE OF MY ISSUE  WITH THE ORDINANCE AS DRAFTED   IS, WHAT YOU SEE RIGHT NOW WERE IN  HAS A VERY BROAD DEFINITION OF THE TERM SOLICIT. IT   PERTAINS TO  THE CORE NEEDS OF  THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY RIGHT   NOW, WHICH IS AGGRESSIVE   SOLICITING FOR MONEY. OR OTHER  ITEMS.  BUT THE CONCERN THAT   I'VE GOT IS THE CURRENT TERM , SOLICIT, INCLUDE SOME OF THE   DEMOCRATIC ACTIVITIES PEOPLE    LIKE TO EXERCISE  IN MAKING   THIS COUNTRY RUN.  >> YOU EXPLAINED IT. I JUST   WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU YOUR  EXCLUSION IS CLEAR WITH US. YOU ARE SAYING EXCLUDE PETITIONS,  SIGNATURES , IS THAT WHAT  YOU'RE SAYING?  >>  I CAN WITH THE COUNTY   ATTORNEY WENT -- WORDSMITH IT.   I WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS TERM  DOES NOT INCORPORATE  SIGNATURE GATHERING,  REGISTERING OF  VOTERS  OR ADVOCACY  OF   POLITICAL ISSUES OR CANDIDATES. >> YOU ARE RECOMMENDING  SOME   EXCLUSIONARY LANGUAGE,  --   >> ALL I'M SAYING IS, IN THIS  PARAGRAPH, IT SHOULD CARVEOUT  THOSE ACTIVITIES. I THINK THE   COUNTY ATTORNEY HAD A COMMENT.  THANK YOU.  >> BEFORE I GO TO THE COUNTY  ATTORNEY, DO I HAVE A SECOND ON THAT MOTION? THANK YOU.  >>  THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.  AS AMENDED,  THE LANGUAGE  THAT   YOU SEE  AN ITEM WHEN YOU LOOK  AT THE DEFINITION OF SOLICIT.   THE THIRD LINE DOWN,  WHERE   SAYS REQUEST FOR:  --  PETITION  SIGNATURE WILL BE  STRICKEN.   AT THE END, TO MAKE IT   EXPLICITLY CLEAR,  I WOULD   PROPOSE ADDING A SENTENCE THAT  SAYS, SOLICIT  DOES NOT INCLUDE  SIGNATURE GATHERING, VOTER  REGISTRATION  OR THE ADVOCACY   OF PUBLIC ISSUES OR CANDIDATES.    >> AWESOME. OKAY.  DO YOU WANT  TO AMEND THE MOTION ?   >> YES, MA'AM.  JUST TO  CLARIFY,  IT CAPTURES EXACTLY  WHAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SAID.  WHAT HER TALK ABOUT  THE EDIT,   THAT REPRESENTS WHAT I'M   TALKING ABOUT.  I WOULD MAKE   THE MOTION TO CHANGE THAT  PARAGRAPH ON PAGE 751  PER THE  COUNTY ATTORNEY'S SUGGESTION.  >> THANK YOU. DISCUSSION?    COMMISSIONER WELCH.   >> THANK YOU, THIS IS FOR MADAM ATTORNEY.  CAN WE DICTATE  WHAT PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS  -- IT  IS PRIVATE PROPERTY. THEY CAN   SAY, I DON'T WANT YOU  GATHERING PETITIONS, OR   REGISTERING VOTERS ON MY  PROPERTY. MADAM ATTORNEY, CAN   WE DO THAT?   >> TO MAKE VERY CLEAR,  IF   SOMEONE CURRENTLY HAS A SIGN    UNDER CURRENT LAW THAT SAYS, NO TRESPASSING OR NO SOLICITATION  ,  THEY ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO  DO THAT BY VIRTUE OF THIS   EXCLUSION FROM THIS ORDINANCE.  THOSE ACTIVITIES THAT ARE  EXCLUDED , PETITION --    SIGNATURE GATHERING, VULVAR  -- VOTER REGISTRATION --  THEIR   CURRENT LOT LIKE TRESPASS LAWS  THAT CURRENTLY APPLY TO ANY   ACTIVITIES ON PRIVATE PROPERTY  THAT ARE NOT  AUTHORIZED BY THE PROPERTY OWNER. .    >> THANK YOU.  ANY OTHER  DISCUSSION?  COMMISSIONER   MADDOX?  >> FIRST OF ALL,  MADAM  ATTORNEY,  MAY THE LAST THREE   ITEMS REFLECT ME VOTING IN  FAVOR.  THANK YOU.  THAT'S FOR PUBLIC HEARING 24 AND 25.  AND  26.  YOU SAID IF THEY HAVE NO  TRESPASSING,  WHAT IS THE   DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT WE ARE  DOING HERE TODAY  AND THE NO  TRESPASSING  ORDINANCE THAT WE  HAVE?  MADAM CHAIR?    >>  TRESPASS OF THE CRIME.  UNDER CURRENT LAW.  WHAT THIS   DOES IS,  IT MAKES IT ILLEGAL   UNDER OUR CODE. THAT IS A   NONCRIMINAL INFRACTION.  IT   WOULD NOT EVEN, UNDER THIS COLD  FOR THE ACTIVITIES THAT WE   PROHIBIT HERE, BE A CRIME.  IT  WOULD JUST BE A NONCRIMINAL  INFRACTION.  AND IT GOES WITH  THE DEFAULT PENALTIES  ONE DASH NINE OF OUR CODE. BUT IT IS NOT A CRIME.  THAT IS ONE OF THE  DISTINCTIONS.    >> THAT IS THE BIGGEST   DISTINCTION I NEED. LET'S SAY  SOMEONE IS ARRESTED , OR GIVEN  A FINE  AND THEY DO NOT  PAY   THE FINE, AT WHAT POINT DOES IT BECOME CRIMINAL?  IF IT EVER   BECOMES CRIMINAL AFTER SOMEONE  HAS BEEN  -- SOMEONE HAS USED  THIS FOR SOMEONE ON THE  PROPERTY?    >>  NONCRIMINAL INFRACTIONS  UNDER OUR CODE ARE PROSECUTED   IN THE MANNER OF A MISDEMEANOR.  IT DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE  MISDEMEANORS, BUT THEY ARE   PROSECUTED IN THAT MANNER. IF   SOMEONE IS CITED  OR EVEN   ARRESTED FOR VIOLATING THIS  COLD,  IT WOULD GO THROUGH  THE NORMAL PROSECUTION PROCESS.  IT IS DEPENDENT ON PROSECUTORIAL   ASSESSMENT. IS LAW ENFORCEMENT  WANT TO CITE OR RUSH SOMEONE  FOR VIOLATION TO BEGIN WITH. IF THEY DO THAT, IT TRIGGERS THE  JUDICIAL  PROCESS. IT WOULD GO  TO THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.  ARE THEY GOING TO DIVERT,  NOT   CHARGE, FULLY CHARGE? IT IS ALL OF THOSE THINGS.  IT WOULD END  UP IN THE PROCESS. IF THERE  ENDS UP BEING A FINE, WHICH  WOULD HAVE TO BE LEVIED BY A   JUDGE FOR A VIOLATION,  THAT   WOULD BE JUST LIKE ANY OTHER   FIND THAT IS IMPOSED BY THE   COURT. AND WHAT HAPPENS FOR  NONPAYMENT.    >> MADAM CHAIR?    >> LET ME SAY THIS.  MADAM   COUNTY ATTORNEY, THAT IS JUST   WASTE ON WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT  NOW?  AM I CORRECT?  >> YES, MA'AM.    >> THAT IS WHAT WOULD HAPPEN  EVEN RIGHT NOW.    >> IN THIS CASE  FROM THE  DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, THERE MIGHT BE A BUSINESS OWNER THAT IS NOT WANTED ON THE POSSIBLY THAT THE PROPERTY.  IF WE ACCEPT THIS,  THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO USE   THIS ORDINANCE, BUT THEY COULD  USE TRESPASSING?   >> THAT IS CORRECT.    >> SO IF THE USE TRESPASSING,  IT BECOMES A CRIMINAL OFFENSE?    >> THAT IS CORRECT.   >> BUT IN THIS CASE,  IF THEY   WERE ABLE TO  USE THIS IT WOULD NOT BE A CRIMINAL OFFENSE?    >> THAT IS CORRECT. THERE IS   ONE OTHER VERY IMPORTANT   DISTINCTION BETWEEN THIS AND A  CRIME.  FOR A LAW ENFORCEMENT  TO  ENFORCE A VIOLATION OF OUR  CODE,  THEY HAVE TO PERSONALLY  OBSERVE THE BEHAVIOR.  UNLIKE A CRIME WHERE YOU CAN USE PHOTOS,  EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY,  VIDEOS, OR THINGS LIKE THAT, THE LAW   ENFORCEMENT OFFICER  HAS TO   PERSONALLY OBSERVE THE  VIOLATION  TO TRIGGER A  VIOLATION OF OUR CODE.  THAT IS NOT TRUE FOR CRIME. IT IS TRUE  FOR A VIOLATION OF OUR CODE.   >> IF IT WAS DEEMED TO BE   TRESPASSING, THEN THEY WOULD   NOT HAVE TO WITNESS IT.  IS   SOMEONE CALLED AND SAID, THIS   PERSON TRESPASSING,  IN THAT   CASE, IT IS NOT HAVE TO BE  WITNESS ?   >> THEY CAN USE VIDEO, PHOTOS   EYEWITNESS TESTIMONY,   STATEMENTS, WHATEVER.    >> THANK YOU.  I JUST WANT TO   MAKE SURE I'M EXPLAINING  CORRECTLY.  WE DON'T  NECESSARILY  -- WE HAVE  SOMETHING IN PLACE THAT  ADDRESSES THIS WITH  TRESPASSING.  IN THE CASE OF   TRESPASSING, THIS WAS  CONSIDERED  -- BE CONSIDERED A  CRIME. WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE   TODAY IS GIVING ANOTHER LAYER  FOR BUSINESS OWNERS TO USE THAT WOULD NOT BE A CRIME. WE ARE  TAKING UP THE PIECES THAT ARE  GERMANE TO THE  DEMOCRATIC   PROCESS FROM THIS ORDINANCE,    BUT THOSE BUSINESS OWNERS WHO   DO NOT WANT A PERSON ON SITE TO DO WHATEVER THEY ARE DOING ,   THAT DOES NOT APPLY TO THIS,   BUT IT DOES APPLY TO  TRESPASSING . SO THEY CAN USE   TRESPASSING IN THAT CASE,  AND  IT WILL BE DEEMED A CRIME, NOT  WHAT WE HAVE HERE TODAY. THANK  YOU. MADAM CHAIR,  I APPRECIATE THE EXHALATION THAT THE COUNTY  ATTORNEY GAVE ME.  I THINK I AM COMFORTABLE WITH THE FACT  THAT EVEN IN THIS CASE  --  IF   SOMEONE WAS TRIED WITH THIS   ORDINANCE AND SOME WAS CALLED   BY THIS ORDINANCE,  WHAT THEY  ARE COMMITTING A CRIME ? WHAT  HAPPENED? DO THEY GO TO THE  SYSTEM?  ARE THEY PROSECUTED?   WHAT COMES NEXT?  IT MAKES THE  CONFIDENCE TO KNOW THIS IS NOT  A CRIME BY OUR CODE.  WOULD   MAKE THE UNCOMFORTABLE , AND   THERE'S FRANKLY NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT. AND I AGREE WITH   PULLING THINGS OUT THAT ARE  GERMANE TO THE DEMOCRATIC   PROCESS. IF THERE IS A BUSINESS OWNER,  AS WE HAVE ALL   EXPERIENCED IT,  THOSE   PETITIONS THAT HAVE BEEN DONE   LATELY IN REFERENCE TO  MARIJUANA. IF THERE THE   BUSINESS OWNER  THAT IS GETTING COMPLAINTS  AND DISTURBANCES  VIA.  THEY COULD AT THAT POINT  CLAIM TRESPASSING  -- IN THAT  CASE,  OUR WITNESS SAYS, I  THOUGHT, I EXPLAINED IT. IT   BECOMES A CRIME.  IT PUTS ME AT A CATCH-22.  AND SAYING,  DO I  WANT TO GIVE --  IN EITHER  CASE,  IF THE BUSINESS OWNER   HAS NOT GIVEN DISCRETION TO DO  IT, THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO CALL AUTHORITIES TO HAVE SOMETHING  DONE ABOUT IT.  DO I WANT TO   GIVE THE ABILITY FOR THEM TO   CALL AND IT NOT BE TRESPASSING? MAYBE I'M THINKING A LITTLE  BIT TOO MUCH. OR DO I WANT TO   TAKE THIS OFF THE TABLE WHEN IT COMES TO THE ORDINANCE AND MAKE THEM GO STRAIGHT TO   TRESPASSING. I DON'T THINK IT  WILL STOP A BUSINESS OWNER FROM CALLING IF THERE REALLY   IRRITATED BY SOMEONE OR THEY'RE GETTING A LOT OF  BUSINESS   BEING AFFECTED BY TO SAY, HEY,  THIS PERSON IS TRESPASSING ON   MY PROPERTY.  THEY DO NOT CARE. THEY JUST WANT THEM OFF. I   ALMOST THINK  THAT SOME MAY   PROVIDE MERCY.  I SAY ALL OF   THAT, BUT I'M ALSO GOING TO   SOME PORT ORDINANCE  -- I MEAN  THE CHANGES THAT COMMISSIONER   MINOR HAS MADE. I JUST WANT US   TO THINK ABOUT WHAT WE ARE  TAKING OFF THE TABLE, THE  OPTION WE ARE TAKING OFF THE   TABLE FOR THOSE BUSINESSES. THE ONES THAT MIGHT NOT WANT TO  SAY, I WANT THIS PERSON THAT IS TRESPASSING -- THEY MIGHT JUST  SAY,  I WANT TO USE THIS  ORDINANCE. AND GET THIS PERSON  OFF MY PROPERTY.  AND THEN THE  EXTRA LAYER, AND I APPRECIATE   YOU MAKING THE DISTINCTION.  IF I CALL AND USE THE ORDINANCE,   THEN OFFICER CAN COME, THEY CAN ASK ME TO LEAVE IF I'M NOT   ACTIVELY DOING WHAT I WAS DOING BEFORE, BUT THEY CANNOT CHARGE  ME WITH ANYTHING. BUT IF THEY   ARE ON SITE IN THEY ACTUALLY  SEE IT THEN THEY CAN ACTUALLY  CHARGE ME WITH IT.  TO ME IN A  LITTLE MORE COMPLICATED  THAN   US JUST SAYING, OKAY WE ARE  GOING TO DO THIS AND NOT THIS.   EITHER WAY GOES, IT REALLY   GIVES AN EXTRA LAYER OF   PROTECTION WITHOUT CHARGING A  CRIME. IT HELPS THOSE IN A WAY  THAT MAYBE THOSE BUSINESS  OWNERS  WANT TO GET THEM OFF   THE PROPERTY, BUT NOT BE   CHARGED WITH A CRIME.  I WILL   SUPPORT IT, I DO THINK WE HAVE  TO BE CONSCIOUS OF THE FACT   THAT WHAT WE ARE TAKING OFF    THE TABLE WHEN WE ARE TAKING  OFF THE PIECE, IT GIVES THE   OPPORTUNITY FOR TO NOT BE A   CRIME.   >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER  MADDIX.  THANK YOU, MADAM   COUNTY ATTORNEY FOR THE  EXPLANATION.  ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO -- AND THEN WE WILL  GO TO TO OUR PUBLIC SPEAKERS.   WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THAT EVEN  WITH THIS ORDINANCE  AND THE  AMENDMENTS , THE PRIVATE   PROPERTY OWNERS HAVE TO BE   PROACTIVE THEMSELVES.  THEY   HAVE TO HAVE SIGNED POSTED    PROMINENTLY  SO THAT    INDIVIDUALS  CAN BE UNNOTICED.   -- IF YOU COME TO A BUSINESS   THAT DOES NOT HAVE THE SIGN  POST DID PROMINENTLY,    ARGUABLY,  YOUR BEHAVIOR WOULD  NOT BE CONSIDERED A CRIMINAL   ACTIVITY PURSUANT TO WHAT IS   ENFORCED TODAY.  HAVING SAID  THAT , AND HAVING LISTENED  TO  THE AMENDMENT .  I WAS   CERTAINLY SUPPORTED.  MR.   COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, I THINK   IS APPROPRIATE  -- IF ANY OF   OUR SPEAKERS  WOULD STILL WANT  TO SPEAK TO THE COMMISSION,    THEY'RE WELCOME TO DO SO.  BUT I BELIEVE IT WAS COMMISSIONER  MINOR,  PUTTING THAT EMPHASIS  AT THE END,  WITH THE   EXCLUSIONS OF THOSE ACTIVITIES  , NOT APPLY TO THE ORDINANCE.   THAT MAY  SATISFY SOME CONCERNS OF INDIVIDUAL  THAT HAVE COME   TO SPEAK BEFORE US TODAY.    >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.  THE FIRST SPEAKER IS ROB CLARK TO   BE FOLLOWED BY DARWIN GAMBLE.     >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.  ROB CLARK,  123 CALHOUN STREET.  I'M ALSO THE CHAIR OF THE   TALLAHASSEE CHAMBER.  THE FIRST THING I WANT TO MENTION VERY   BRIEFLY, IS TO EXPRESS MY   APPRECIATION TO THE STAFF WHO  HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY ON THIS  ORDINANCE.  WE APPRECIATE THE   OPPORTUNITY TO ADD INPUT. I   THINK YOU WILL HEAR FROM YOU   TONIGHTDOUBLETALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SOME OF THEIR EXPERIENCES  AND THEIR BUSINESSES WITH THIS ISSUE.  I RECOGNIZE THIS IS A   DIFFICULT ISSUE THAT REQUIRES   SOME DIFFICULT CHOICES.  AND I  SEE A LOT OF THE CRITICISM OF   THIS ORDINANCE OVER THE LAST 48 HOURS. I WILL TELL YOU, ONE OF  THE THINGS YOU DO NOT SEE IN   THOSE EMAILS.  YOU DON'T HEAR  SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM WE ARE  TRYING TO ADDRESS.  THERE IS A  PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE  ADDRESSED, A HEALTH AND SAFETY  PROBLEMS IN OUR BUSINESSES. WE  DID A SURVEY IN MAY, 2023,    ABOUT THE SAME TIME THE  COMMISSION HAD A WORKSHOP ON  HOMELESSNESS.  AND WE WERE  SHOCKED SIGNIFICANTLY BY THE  LEVEL OF THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE  IN THIS COMMUNITY. WITH REGARD  TO THE ORDINANCE  THAT HAS BEEN DRAFTED, I WANT TO REMIND THE   COMMISSION IT DOES APPLY TO   PRIVATE PROPERTY. I AM GOING TO SAY THAT  WITH AS MUCH EMPHASIS IS APPROPRIATE.  THIS IS   PRIVATE PROPERTY.  WHAT WE ARE  TALKING ABOUT HERE IS A PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER WHO HAS THE  RIGHT, IF YOU WILL, TO CONTROL  HIS PROPERTY.  AND, MADAM   CHAIR, YOU ARE CORRECT.  THIS   ORDINANCE WOULD NOT EVEN BECOME APPLICABLE  UNTIL THAT PRIVATE  PROPERTY OWNER POSTED A SIGN,   CLEARLY AND CONSPICUOUSLY --    THAT HE OR SHE DOES NOT WANT  PEOPLE  ON THEIR PRIVATE  PROPERTY.  JUST LIKE  WE ALL   WOULD SAFEGUARD THAT RIGHT FOR  US IN OUR FAMILY. AND OUR  BUSINESSES.  WHEN THOSE   CIRCUMSTANCES EXIST,  THAT   PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER HAS A  RIGHT TO EXCLUDE UNDER THE LAW.  IF THOSE  STEPS ARE TAKEN, IT  DOES NOT MEAN THAT SOMEONE  CANNOT TELL COME AND SOLICIT.   BUT THEY HAVE TO GET    PERMISSION FROM THAT PRIVATE   PROPERTY OWNER,  WHO HAS MADE   IT CLEAR THEY DO NOT WANT   ANYONE DOING THAT. I HAVE SEEN   REFERENCES TO --  AS IF WERE   NOT TO BE ABLE TO BUY  COOKIES  AT PUBLIC THAT THE ORDINANCE IS PASSED. LET ME ASSURE YOU,    MADAM CHAIR IF I MAY FINISH MY  THOUGHT, I'VE CONTACTED THE   JACKSONVILLE COUNCIL  OF THE   GIRL SCOUTS.  THE GIRL SCOUTS  HAVE FIGURED OUT  HOW TO  SOLICIT ON PRIVATE PROPERTY BY  COORDINATING  WITH THE PROPERTY OWNER AND ENTERING INTO AN   AGREEMENT. AND ENTERING INTO   PROTOCOL FOR HOW THEY DO IT. I  AM CONFIDENCE  THAT IF THE GIRL SCOUTS CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO  SOLICIT ON PRIVATE PROPERTY ,   THE OPPONENTS  OF THIS  ORDINANCE CAN AS WELL. THANK   YOU, MADAM CHAIR.  >>  THANK YOU.   >> DARWIN GAMBLE TO BE FOLLOWED BY ED MURRAY.    >>  1248 HALIFAX COURT. I AM   ONE OF THE OPPONENTS. I SUPPOSE I SHOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR   COMMISSIONER MINOR'S AMENDMENT.  LET ME SEE IF I CAN UNDERSTAND HOW THIS CHANGES THINGS.    LET'S LOOK AT WHAT I DO. I AM  A VOLUNTEER FOR THE VOTING   RIGHTS PROJECT. HE GOES  DOOR-TO-DOOR  AND CANVASES  NEIGHBORHOODS.  WE ASK PEOPLE   TO DO CERTAIN THINGS. WE ASKED  THEM TO REGISTER TO VOTE, WE   ASKED THEM TO KEEP THEIR   REGISTRATION UP TO DATE WITH   THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS   OFFICE. WE ASKED THEM TO RIP    -- REQUEST BALANCE. WE ASKED  THEM TO VOTE IN EVERY ELECTION   BECAUSE IN FLORIDA IF YOU  MISSED TOO MANY ELECTIONS IN A  ROW, --  ALL OF THOSE THINGS   ARE ACTIONS. UNDER THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE,  THOSE THINGS THAT   FALL UNDER THE DEFINITION OF  SOLICITING.  SO IF YOU'RE   ORDINANCE PASSES,  IF I GO TO   AT APARTMENT COMPLEX AND HAS NO SOLICITATION SIGN AND I START  KNOCKING ON DOORS AND ASKING  PEOPLE FOR REGISTERED VOTE, I  RUN THE RISK OF GETTING CHARGED WITH A MISDEMEANOR UNLESS I  HAVE EXPRESSED WRITTEN  PERMISSION TO   PROPOSED ORDINANCE.  WHAT CAN   HAPPEN RIGHT NOW ABOUT THE  ORDINANCE, I CAN DO THE SAME  THING, EXCEPT IF SOMEONE COMES  ALONG  AND SAYS I AM THE  PROPERTY MANAGER, PLEASE LEAVE. I HAVE TO LEAVE OR I RISK   GETTING CHARGED WITH  TRESPASSING. THAT IS THE WAY I  UNDERSTAND IT NOW. SO I PROPOSE  THE CARVEOUT WOULD HELP PEOPLE LIKE ME.  BUT IF THE INTENT IS  TO JUST HELP PEOPLE LIKE ME AND LEAVE OUR VULNERABLE, HOMELESS  POPULATION  STILL SUBJECT TO   ARREST, I AM STILL NOT IN FAVOR OF IT. BESIDES THAT, LET'S   LOOK AT THE BOTTOM LINE. SIX  COMMISSIONERS  -- VOTED TO   INTRODUCE THE ORDINANCE WITH   THAT ADMISSION  --  SWEEPING   LANGUAGE WITH  ADDITIONS AND   EVERYTHING ELSE.  I HAVE TO ASK MYSELF, WHY DID YOU DO THAT IN  THE FIRST RACE.  AND WHY ARE  YOU NOT NOW EMBARRASSED BY IT,  ESPECIALLY SINCE IT LOOKS LIKE  YOU MAY BE BACKTRACKING. THINK  ABOUT THAT. THREE OF YOU  ARE   GOING TO BE ON THE BALLOT THIS  YEAR. IF THAT THING PASSED WITH THE ORIGINAL LANGUAGE IN IT,    YOU COULD GET INTO TROUBLE. YOU MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO REACH   CERTAIN VOTERS, YOU OR YOUR   CAMPAIGN VOLUNTEERS COULD EVEN  RISK ARREST.  THINK ABOUT THAT  FOR A MOMENT. THANK YOU.    >> THANK YOU, MR. GAMBLE.  >> ED MURRAY TO BE FOLLOWED BY  NATHAN PUGH.    >> HEY, GUYS.  1018 THOMASVILLE ROAD.  I AM A FOUNDER AND  PARTNER IN --  WE MANAGE AROUND 5 MILLION SQUARE FEET,  TO 2.5  MILLION ARE SHOPPING CENTERS  AND THE OTHERS ARE OFTEN  BUILDING.  WE HAVE 450 TENANTS  THAT WE MANAGE  FOR MAYBE 500.  WE ARE ON THE GROUND EVERY DAY  AND WE GET CALLS EVERY DAY   ABOUT PANHANDLING. PANHANDLING  IS AN ISSUE. WE BELIEVE THIS IS A GOOD STEP FORWARD.  THERE ARE COUPLE OF BUSINESSES, I CAN GO  THROUGH EXAMPLES. YOU HAVE   HEARD THEM. LET'S SAY THE  CO-OP  ON PARKWAY, I AM NOT   SURE WHICH DISTRICT THAT IS.    WHEN YOU HAVE PEOPLE ON THE  SIDEWALKS AND IN THE STORES   PANHANDLING TO CUSTOMERS AS   THEY WALK IN, CUSTOMERS QUIT  GOING TO THE STORE. YOU YOU'RE NOT TO GO THERE --  YOU WILL   START GOING.  THE NORTH MONROE  INITIATIVE, THIS HAS TO HAPPEN.  THEIR ISSUES THERE  EVERY DAY. WE REPRESENT  THE OWNERS OF   CAPITAL PLAZA,  WHERE ONE STORE THAT USED TO BE OPEN, HOT  BIRDIES,  THEY REGULARLY WOULD  HAVE SOMEONE GO AND WHEN THE   STORE OPENED, A PANHANDLER    WOULD SIT ON THE TABLE AND ASK  PEOPLE FOR MONEY WHEN THEY ARE  COMING IN.  AND AGGRESSIVELY DO THAT. THEY WOULD HAVE TO GET   THE STAFF TO PHYSICALLY REMOVE  THAT PERSON. WHICH WE DO NOT   RECOMMEND, WE TELL OUR PROPERTY MANAGERS  DID NOT REMOVE   EVERYBODY, JUST CALL THE LAW.   THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ORDINANCE, IT IS NOT GO FAR ENOUGH IN MY  OPINION, BUT IT IS A GOOD STEP  FORWARD. BECAUSE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS.   I ENCOURAGE YOU GUYS TO VOTE   FOR THIS AND SUPPORT THIS.   THANK YOU.    >> NATHAN PUGH TO BE FOLLOWED  BY MATT FORTIN.    >>  GOOD EVENING, 631 WEST   EIGHTH AVENUE.  I AM ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF SOCIAL  -- SUNSHINE PANTRIES,  WE CREATE FOOD  ACCESS AND DISTRIBUTION. WE  DELIVERED  TO ABOUT 25   HOUSEHOLDS, AND HAVE ABOUT 18   MICRO PANTRIES IN BUS STOPS  INCENTIVE  -- SOME OF   TALLAHASSEE'S MOST FOOD   INSECURE AREAS.  --  WE HAVE    ASSISTED IN HELPING PEOPLE FIND JOBS, NAVIGATE THE FOOD STAMP   SYSTEM, FIND SHELTER AND NO  ONE.  AS A PARTNER IN THE  ORGANIZATION, WE GET PHONE   CALLS EVERY WEEK FROM PEOPLE   LOOKING FOR EMERGENCY FOOD  ASSISTANCE  AND OFTEN MEET NEW  NEIGHBORS WHILE STOCKING OUR   PANTRIES AROUND TOWN. ALL OF   THAT TO SAY, WE GET SOLICITED A LOT.  NONE OF OUR NEIGHBORS  HAVE MADE ANY PROGRESS IN THE   PLIGHT AFTER BEING ARRESTED,  THOUGH. THEY LOSE WORK, MISS   APPOINTED DESK APPOINTMENT    TESCO AND LOSE ANY PROGRESS  THEY HAVE MADE. THE CURRENT   SITUATION AS I STATED --  -- TO ISSUE TRESPASS WARNING  AND TO  ARREST ANY INDIVIDUALS WERE NOT PERMITTED TO BE ON THE  PROPERTY.  PROJECT PROPERTY   OWNERS HAVE SHARED THAT THE  PROCESS IS CUMBERSOME  AND DOES NOT SERVE THE INTENDED PURPOSE  OF DETERRING SOLICITATION  ACTIVITIES.  IT APPEARS TODAY,  NONE OF WHAT IS  PROPOSED IS   ANY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT IS   CURRENTLY HAPPENING.  THE   COMPLAINT, HOWEVER FROM  BUSINESS AND PROPERTY OWNERS IS JUST HOW LONG IT TAKES THE   CURRENT PROCESS TO GET SOMEONE  IN PRISON, EVEN THOUGH THE  CURRENT PROCESS OF    IMPRISONMENT OF SOLICITORS HAS  NOT YET  DETERRED THEM. THERE   ARE NO OFFERINGS OF RESOURCES,  ONLY QUICKER IMPRISONMENT FOR   BEING UNDESIRABLE.  IF WE WANT  INDIVIDUALS TO MAKE DIFFERENT   DECISIONS, WE HAVE TO OFFER   DIFFERENT OPTIONS. THIS GOES  FOR THE PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS AS WELL.  THEY SHOULD HAVE MORE AVAILABLE OPTIONS TO HOW THEY   CAN MEDIATE PANHANDLERS ON THE  PROPERTY. THIS ORDINANCE DOES  NOT HELP EITHER STAKEHOLDER   RESOLVE THE ISSUE.  THERE ARE   RETAIL BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS AND  EVEN THE TEAMMATE RESIDENCY   CENTER --  TRANSPORTATION IS A  FOUNDATIONAL NEED FOR THE  IMPOVERISHED,  WE ARE  PURCHASING BUS PASSES AND  FREELY DISTRIBUTE THEM TO  PEOPLE THAT NEED MORE   OPPORTUNITIES TO GET TO THE   EXISTING RESOURCES.    FUNDAMENTAL BASICS LIKE FOOD,   TRANSPORTATION AND SHELTER,   LIKE THE CURTIS CENTER,  ARE   SOME OF THE REASON THIS   COMMUNITY WAS ABLE TO HELP  A  HOMELESS VETERAN NAVIGATE THE   AVAILABLE RESOURCES AND MOVE   THEM INTO HIS OWN APARTMENT.    THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE POOREST OF THE POOR IS A   FRAGMENT AND PATCHWORK, IT IS   FRUSTRATING BUT IT DOES WORK.   THEY WILL WORK A LOT BETTER   THAN JAIL.  CURRENTLY RESOURCES LIKE THE SHOULD BE PRIOR  TORIES, EXPANDED AND MADE   READILY AVAILABLE. WE CAN DO A  LOT BETTER. I WILL LEAVE YOU  WITH A QUOTE. "YOU SAY YOU CARE ABOUT THE POOR, TELL ME THEN,  WHAT ARE THEIR NAMES?"    >> THANK YOU.   >> MATT THARP  TO BE FOLLOWED   BY MADELEINE BOWMAN.  >>  3628 PONTIFF ROAD.  I ALSO  OWN AN AWESOME DENTAL OFFICE   BUILDING --  AND MY WIFE  WORKS AT THE CENTER OF TALLAHASSEE.   THERE IS CERTAINLY A NEED FOR   THIS ORDINANCE. I APPRECIATE   THE STAFF HARD WORK ON IT.  AND THANK YOU, STAFF OR   RECOMMENDING THIS MOVE FORWARD.  I JUST HOPE YOU GUYS WILL VOTE TO MOVE THIS FORWARD, I  APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.   >> THANK YOU.    >> MADELEINE BOWMAN, TO BE  FOLLOWED BY THE HONORABLE   JESSICA --   >> HELLO,  I LIVE AT  622 WEST   10th AVENUE.  I AM A  REGISTERED VOTER IN DISTRICT 1. TODAY I URGE YOU  TO OPPOSE   AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 26 , A  PROPOSAL THAT WOULD UNDERMINE   OUR COMMUNITY'S ABILITY TO  PETITION , ASKED FOR DONATIONS  OR JUST SIMPLY ASK FOR HELP.    THIS IS A DANGEROUS ,   ANTI-DEMOCRACY ORDINANCE THAT   WILL FURTHER CRIMINALIZE  HOMELESS.  AND SHOW POLITICAL   SPEECH. DOING NOTHING TO  IMPROVE THE LIVES OF MEN --   LEON COUNTY COMMUNITY MEMBERS.   ADDITIONALLY, THIS WILL PUT   MORE STRESS ON OUR CRIMINAL   JUSTICE SYSTEM.  AN ALREADY   OVERBURDENED SYSTEM THAT LACKS  THE PROPER RESOURCES  TO HELP   WITH THE ROOT CAUSES OF  HOMELESSNESS.  INSTEAD OF   TURNING OUR BACKS ON OUR  NEIGHBORS IN THE NAME OF   PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS, WE  SHOULD ENCOURAGE CONVERSATION,  CIVIL DISCOURSE AND HELPING THE MOST DESPERATE  AND VULNERABLE  MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.    PLEASE VOTE NO ON THIS  PROPOSAL.   >> THANK YOU.  >>  --    >> THANK YOU,  I AM A PUBLIC  DEFENDER IN THE SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT.  I CAN TELL YOU, WE  SEE MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE THE  EFFECTS  OF CRIMINALIZING  POVERTY EVERY SINGLE DAY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. WE   STAND IN OPPOSITION TO THIS  ORDINANCE.  I DO WANT TO  CLARIFY, RESPECTFULLY, WHILE  THIS IS A USEFUL CODE IN  ORDINANCE,  IT WILL HAVE A   CRIMINAL PENALTY ATTACHED TO   IT. LET IT CLEAR THAT PEOPLE   WILL BE ARRESTED AND THIS WILL  BE PROSECUTED IN OUR COURT  SYSTEM.  WE DO HAVE A   OVERBURDENED CRIMINAL JUSTICE   SYSTEM ALREADY. I CAN ASSURE  YOU  THAT EVERY TIME SOMEONE IS ARRESTED FOR TRESPASSING, WE  USE EVERY RESOURCE WE CAN   WITHIN OUR OFFICE TO TRY AND   CONNECT THEM WITH HOUSING AND   OTHER ALTERNATIVES AND THEY  SIMPLY ARE NOT THERE.  SO TO   LOOK FOR SOLUTIONS, I WOULD  ENCOURAGE YOU, COMMISSION, TO  TRULY LOOK AT OTHER   ALTERNATIVES LIKE TRANSITIONAL  HOUSING, LONG-TERM HOUSING,   AFFORDABLE HOUSING , SO PEOPLE  HAVE A PLACE TO GO OUTSIDE OF   LIVING IN THE STREET. THE OTHER ISSUE  THAT WE ARE NOT  ADDRESSING IS SIGNIFICANT   MENTAL HEALTH CONCERNS THAT WE  HAVE OF SO MANY OF OUR CLIENTS  THAT ARE EXPERIENCING   HOMELESSNESS. IF AND WHEN THEY  ARE ARRESTED, THERE PLACED IN  JAIL,  THEY WAIT WEEKS, IF NOT  MONTHS FOR MENTAL HEALTH  EVALUATIONS.  THEY ARE   OFTENTIMES FOUND INCOMPETENT TO PROCEED. AND THEN AGAIN ARE   LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO GO FOR A LONG-TERM SOLUTION.  WE DO HAVE GREAT CONCERNS AT THIS WILL  CONTINUE TO CRIMINALIZE POVERTY AND CRIMINALIZE HOMELESSNESS.  ALSO,  REMEMBER THAT TRESPASS   WARNINGS AND TRESPASS LAWS ARE  ALREADY IN PLACE.  IT IS A  FIRST-DEGREE MISDEMEANOR. IF   SOMEONE'S ON A PRIVATE   PROPERTY OR RESIDENCE  AND THE  OWNER SAYS, I DO NOT WANT THIS  PERSON HERE, THE ISSUE TRESPASS WARNING . IF THEY COME BACK,  THAT IS A FIRST-DEGREE  MISDEMEANOR.  SO THEY CAN BE   PROSECUTED, AND SPENT UP TO ONE YEAR IN JAIL FOR THAT TRUST  LAST.  THESE PENALTIES AND LAWS ARE ALREADY HERE. I CAN ASSURE  YOU, IF YOU LOOK AT ANY FOR THE PARENTS REPORT, YOU CAN SEE  THERE BEING IN FORCE. YOU CAN   LOOK AT THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE   ARRESTED EVERYTHING ALL DAY.   FROM OUR EXPERIENCE,  I WOULD   STRONGLY OPPOSE THIS ORDINANCE. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO HELP   US WORK TOGETHER  TO FIND   ALTERNATIVES TO INCARCERATION  FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE  EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, HELP US FIND THEM CONNECTIONS TO   EMPLOYMENT, CONNECTIONS  TO   GETTING BACK ON THEIR FEET  AND A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE WHILE THEY NAVIGATE THE FINANCIAL  SITUATION THEY ARE IN. THE   OTHER THING TO ADDRESS TO  COMMISSIONER MADDOX'S POINT .   EVEN WITH THE MUNICIPAL CODE  VIOLATION, WITH A FINE, THAT   HAS COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCES. IF THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY THE   FINE, THEIR DRIVERS LICENSE GET SUSPENDED, ANY OPPORTUNITY TO   GET TO WORK OR SCHOOL,  IT IS  NOW IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE THEY  HAVE A SUSPENDED DRIVERS   LICENSE. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU  , I'M HAPPY TO TALK TO YOU   OUTSIDE OF THE MEETING.  TO   COME TO COURT AND SEE WHAT IS   ACTUALLY HAPPENING WITH THE   PROSECUTION OF THESE CRIMES AND TO HELP US CONNECT PEOPLE WITH  RESOURCES  OUTSIDE OF  CONTINUING TO ARREST THEM.    >> THANK YOU.    >>  BARRY MUNRO TO BE FOLLOWED  BY CASSIDY MAGUIRE.    >> GOOD EVENING,    COMMISSIONERS.  MY NAME IS  BARRY.  I'M AT 1248 HALIFAX  BOULEVARD. I HAVE CONCERNS    BECAUSE I, LET MY HUSBAND WHO   SPOKE BEFORE YOU, I GO OUT   EVERY WEEKEND CORBIS  --   CANVASSING AND EDUCATING VOTERS ABOUT THIS VERY ESSENTIAL RIGHT THAT THEY HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY. IT DISTURBS ME  THAT IF   SOMETHING SHOULD HAPPEN TO ME,   IF I HAVE AN ACCIDENT,  OR I   AM FEELING DIZZY,  OR THEIR  -- HOW WOULD FIRST RESPONDERS BE  ABLE TO ASK A LANDOWNER  FOR  ASSISTANCE?  UNDER YOUR VERY  BROAD LANGUAGE, IT WOULD APPEAR TO COVER  THAT TYPE OF  ACTIVITY, AND LEFT THERE WAS AN EXPRESS CARVEOUT. I WAS   ORIGINALLY CONCERNED  ABOUT   THIS BECAUSE I GO OUT AND I CAN THIS IN FRAGILE COMMUNITIES.  I DON'T MEAN THE COMMUNITIES   THAT LOOK ALL NICE AND THEY ARE VISITED  AND COVETED   NEIGHBORHOODS. I AM TALKING   ABOUT THE FRAGILE, MOBILE HOME   PARKS, TRAILER PARKS,   MODULATOR HOUSING . PEOPLE ARE  LIVING IN SUBSTANDARD HOUSING.   AND THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE   WHO NEED ASSISTANCE IN GETTING  TRANSITION TO HOUSING.  --  THE PEOPLE WE ENCOUNTER ARE EITHER  UNABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO   AFFORDABLE HOUSING, OR IN   TRANSITION TO A HOUSING.  SO I  THINK WITH OUR PUBLIC DEFENDER  JUST SAID, I ENCOUNTER PEOPLE  LIKE THAT. I JUST RAN ACROSS A  YOUNG MAN WHO WAS PICKED UP IN  THE SYSTEM BECAUSE HE ASKED FOR HELP. BECAUSE HE WAS FEELING  SUICIDAL. HE HAD A BENCH   WARRANT OUT FOR A NOTICE TO   APPEAR FOR PETTY THEFT.  DO YOU KNOW THAT UNDER OUR LAWS, PETTY THEFT CAN BECOME A FELONY?    WITH ENHANCED PENALTIES?  I   FEEL VERY UNCERTAIN ABOUT THIS  MOVE YOU'RE MAKING TO   CRIMINALIZE THIS ACTIVITY. I   TRULY TAKE PART IN WHAT --    SAID.  WITH THE GROUPS I AM IN, WE TRY TO COORDINATE WITH   COMMERCIAL LAND OWNERS, AND WE  ACTUALLY CONTACT THEM AND THEY  TELL US, NO, WE DO NOT WANT YOU ON OUR PREMISES. AND WE HAVE  NOT BEEN ABLE TO CANVAS OR DO  ANYTHING ON THE PREMISES. THERE ARE SEVERAL BUSINESSES IN TOWN   THAT HAVE A LEASE WITH THESE   BIG COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS.   AND THEY ARE UNCLEAR ON WHAT  POLICY THERE IS TO HAVE  WITH   MAKING AGREEMENTS WITH  LANDOWNERS.  I AM JUST SHARING  WITH YOU, IT IS NOT A SIMPLE  PROCESS , BECAUSE THE   LANDOWNERS HAVE CONTROL.  I   KNOW THAT I WOULD NOT FEEL  COMFORTABLE IF I SAW A HOUSE IT HAD NO SOLICITATION . I WOULD   MOVE ON AND GO TO THE NEXT  PLACE.  IF IT HAD BAD DOGS, I   WOULD MOVE ON AND GO TO THE   NEXT PLACE. BUT I DON'T  FIND  HOW YOU MAKE THIS ENVIRONMENT   ANY SAFER WHEN WE ARE LIVING IN A SOCIETY WHERE WE HAVE SO MUCH GUN VIOLENCE. BEING AN AFRICAN  AMERICAN MAN,  IT REALLY MAKES  ME DISTURBED AT HOW  I MAY BE  ENCOUNTERED  WITH THIS TYPE OF  ORDINANCE, WHERE SOMEONE FEELS  EMPOWERED  THAT THEY HAVE MORE  RIGHT THAN THEY HAVE. IF YOU   ASKED ME TO GET OFF YOUR LAND,  I WILL GET OFF. I REALIZED    THAT WOULD SUBJECT ME TO   TRESPASSING. THANK YOU SO MUCH  FOR LISTENING.   >> THANK YOU.    >> KATHY McGUIRE  TO BE   FOLLOWED BY BOB McCLURE.  >>  I AM KATHY McGUIRE.  I LIVE AT 1101 PINE STREET.  I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER MINOR FOR   HIS RECOMMENDED  AMENDMENT.  OF THIS ORDINANCE,  BECAUSE I AM  CONCERNED  ABOUT THE RIGHT TO   GO OUT AND DO CANVASSING.  AS   FAR AS I READ IN THE ANALYSIS,   CANVASSING AND POLITICAL  ACTIVITY  WAS NOT ONE OF THE   MAJOR PROBLEMS  THAT WAS   SUPPOSED TO BE SOLVED.  SO I  AGREE, IT DOES NOT BELONG IN. I AM GLAD IT WILL BE PROTECTED AS FREE SPEECH.  I WOULD LIKE TO   THANK YOU FOR YOUR POSITION   THAT THE COUNTY COMMISSION HAS  TAKEN  ON FREE SPEECH, BY   ALLOWING PEOPLE TO BE OUT HERE  ON THE COURTHOUSE YARD  WITH   THEIR OTHER PLACES WE CANNOT GO IN TOWN ANYMORE WHEN WE WANT TO EXPRESS OURSELVES POLITICALLY.  THANK YOU.  AS FAR AS THE   EFFECT OF THIS ORDINANCE ON THE HOMELESS,  ONE OF THE THINGS   THAT STRUCK ME ABOUT THIS, WHAT THE STAFF ANALYSIS THAT A LOT  OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ENGAGED IN  THIS PANHANDLING ACTIVITIES    ARE TRANSIENTS.  AND IF THEY   ARE TRANSIENTS,  THEN IT SEEMS  LIKE THEY DESERVE A WARNING    BECAUSE THIS ORDINANCE SEEMS TO CRIMINALIZE EVERY DAY BEHAVIOR.  AND IT WILL ADD FURTHER STRESS  TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM,  AS   ALREADY DISCUSSED.  I THINK IT  IS A DIFFICULT SITUATION. IT  CAN BE INTIMIDATING  TO   ENCOUNTER PANHANDLERS.  BUT  THEY ARE PEOPLE LIKE US. IN MY  EXPERIENCE,  IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO PARTICIPATE, YOU JUST SAY,  NO, I AM SORRY. MOVE ON. I  GUESS I APPRECIATE  THE CHANGE  TO TAKE  PETITION,    SOLICITATION OUT.  BUT I URGE   YOU TO VOTE NO ON THIS  ORDINANCE.    >> THANK YOU, MISS McGUIRE.  >> --    >> THANK YOU ALL FOR THE   OPPORTUNITY TO CHAT WITH YOU ON THIS REALLY IMPORTANT ISSUE.    MANY OF YOU TODAY I HAVE MET  WITH INDIVIDUALLY TO TALK ABOUT THIS. FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. IT STRIKES ME THAT MANY OF THE   ACRES WE HAVE HEARD FROM SO   FAR HAVE FOCUSED ON THREE   DIFFERENT ISSUES.  ONE IS THE   ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS, WHICH IS REAL,  AND ONE THAT WE AS A  COMMUNITY NEED TO ADDRESS.  ONE IS THE ISSUE OF CANVASSING AND  VOTER REGISTRATION, WHICH IS   ONE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS,   WHICH IT APPEARS THAT   COMMISSIONER MINOR HAS  ADDRESSED.  THE THIRD ISSUE IS  THE PROTECTION OF PRIVATE   PROPERTY AND THE ABILITY FOR   BUSINESS OWNERS  TO CONDUCT   BUSINESS AND MAKE DECISIONS    THAT ALLOW THEM TO MOVE  FORWARD. WE ARE  IN 100 NORTH  DUVAL STREET, JUST DOWN THE   ROAD. WE HAVE BEEN THERE 12  YEARS.  APART FROM THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS, APART FROM THE   ISSUE OF VOTER REGISTRATION AND CANVASSING,  THERE IS A REAL  PROBLEM  WITH AGGRESSIVE  SOLICITATION.  I CAN TELL YOU   FOR EXAMPLE,  WHERE WE ARE, AT  100 NORTH DUVAL, WHICH IS CATTY CORNER TO TRINITY METHODIST   CHURCH, WE HAVE SUFFERED FROM  DEFECATION.  THE ACT BETWEEN   MEN AND WOMEN AT NIGHT AND  DURING THE DAY,  WE HAVE HAD TO PUT IN ROUGHLY $40,000  OF   FENCING, LIGHTING, ALARM  SYSTEMS AND VARIOUS OTHER  THINGS  TO PROTECT OUR  PROPERTY.  WE HAD A YOUNG  MOTHER WHO WORK FOR US AND HAD  A YOUNG CHILD.  SHE WAS COMING  OUT OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY WHERE SHE HAD PARKED.  SHE WAS  ATTACKED WITH HER BABY.  RIGHT  THERE, AS SHE WAS WALKING  ACROSS THE TRINITY METHODIST.   NUMEROUS TIMES. WHILE I REALIZE THIS IS NOT PRIVATE PROPERTY,  WE HAVE BEEN ACCOSTED , AS WE   HAVE WALKED TO OUR CARS.  I AM  A FATHER OF TWO DAUGHTERS, 27   AND 24.  AND I HAVE YOUNG  FEMALE EMPLOYEES THAT WORK WITH US. I LOOK AT THEM OFTENTIMES   AS DAUGHTERS.  I WOULD NOT LET  MY CHILDREN WALK OUT OUR FRONT  DOOR  ON 100 NORTH DUVAL ON  THOSE DAYS WHEN IT GETS DARK AT 5:00 TO GO TO THEIR CAR.    FREQUENTLY ON FRIDAY  AFTERNOONS, WE CLOSE AT NOON,   AS MANY AS YOU KNOW. ON FRIDAY  AFTERNOONS DOWNTOWN IS A GHOST  TOWN.  WITH WHOM YOU HAVE   EMPLOYEES THERE  AFTER 12:00 ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON, WE ASKED  THEM  TO TASK  -- TEXT WHEN  THEY ARE IN THE CAR COMMODORES  HAVE BEEN LOCKED AND THEY ARE   ABLE TO DRIVE AWAY. THIS IS   BEEN A SIGNIFICANT ISSUE FOR  US.  THIS IS DIFFERENT THAN THE ISSUE OF HOMELESSNESS AND VERY  DIFFERENT THAN THE ISSUE OF   VOTER REGISTRATION. WE ASK THAT YOU SUPPORT THIS ORDINANCE.   FRANKLY, WE WISH YOU WOULD GO  FURTHER. THIS IS AN EXCELLENT   FIRST START.  THANK YOU.  >> THANK YOU.  >>  --  I APOLOGIZE IF I   MISPRONOUNCED THE NAMES.    >>  MY NAME IS SAMUEL TOLER.  I HAVE HEARD A LOT OF TALK OVER  WHAT THE SOLUTION TO THE  HOMELESS CRISIS IS. THIS IS  TREATED LIKE SOME UNSOLVABLE  RIDDLE.  THE SOLUTION TO THE   HOMELESS CRISIS  IS NOT THE  POLICE.  IT IS HOMES. IT IS   FOOD. IT IS HEALTHCARE.  IT IS  THROUGH LEGAL  ALIENATION OF   PEOPLE'S BASIC NEEDS  THAT THE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT   BEFORE YOU TODAY ARISE. NOT   THROUGH THE HOMELESS PEOPLE  THEMSELVES.  ITEM 26 IS A LARGE  DEPTH IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.  IT ALIENATES RESIDENTS ,   ROBBING THEM OF CONFIDENCE TO   JUST TAKE THE TIME IN PUBLIC.   AND I KNOW THERE IS A  DISTINGUISHING  -- DISTINGUISH  MINUTE MAID FOR PUBLIC VERSUS  PRIVATE.  BUT A LOT OF THESE   BUSINESSES ARE NOT EXPERIENCED  AS PUBLIC ENTITIES  -- AS   PRIVATE ENTITIES.  BUT ARE   CATEGORIZED AS SUCH.  THIS   EXPANDS TO A LARGE AMOUNT OF  THE LAND AND RIGHT OF LEON  COUNTY. IT AUTHORIZES THE   POLICE TO  ASSUME GUILT UNLESS  THE PERSON HAS WRITTEN   PERMISSION WITH A VERY   SPECIFICS OF INFORMATION.  WITH $500  PENALTIES, WHICH ARE   DIFFICULT FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE   TO COVER,  THESE POLICIES  CREATE A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT   FOR EVERYONE.  ONE THAT IS  VAGUE ENOUGH TO BE USED HOWEVER AN OFFICER WISHES.  HOW CLOSE   DOES AN INDIVIDUAL HAVE TO BE   TO SEE A NO SOLICITATION SIGN?   THIS IS LEFT UP TO   INTERPRETATION SOMEHOW.  THE   ORDINANCE ENCOURAGES SIGNS TO  DETER OR PREVENT SOLICITATION.   WHICH HAVE THE CLAIMED UTILITY OF MITIGATING LAW-ENFORCEMENT  USAGE.  BUT WHAT ITEM 26 HAS  FAILED TO REALIZE,  IS THAT IT  IS THE THREAT OF LAW   ENFORCEMENT THEY GIVE THE SIGN  IT'S AUTHORITY. A POLICE   DEPARTMENT WITH A TERRIBLE  LOCAL TRACK RECORD AND  ABUSE   OF POWER BEING ENCOURAGED TO BE PUT IN SITUATIONS THAT RISK   FURTHER ESCALATION.  AS COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS,  YOU KNOW HOW   MUCH A SIGN CAN MEAN AND TO  HUMANITY.  THE SIGN I SEE THIS  ORDINANCE PUSHING TELL THE   COMMUNITY TO FEAR TO COMMUNE.   THANK YOU.   >> THANK YOU.  >>  -- TO BE FOLLOWED BY ROBERT LEE.    >> GOOD EVENING.  MY NAME IS   TABITHA BRIAN.  I WILL BE  GIVING MY ADDRESS.  IT SEEMS  CLEAR  THAT SOME PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM WANT TO EQUIVOCATE  PANHANDLERS  TO PEOPLE WHO   COMMIT VIOLENT. THE PEOPLE WHO  THREATEN  THEIR CHILDREN . THIS IS NOT  A FAIR EQUIVOCATION.   THIS ORDINANCE DOES NOT PROPOSE ANYTHING THAT COULD ACTUALLY   REDUCE CRIME AND SEE A SAFER  COMMUNITY. I THINK IT IS A  SHAME THAT ANYONE IN THIS ROOM  BELIEVES THAT COULD BE THE  CASE. THE PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO PROHIBIT UNAUTHORIZED  SOLICITATION ON PRIVATE  PROPERTY IS A DEHUMANIZING AND  ANTI-HOMELESHOUSE WAS  NEIGHBORS.  PANHANDLING, OR IN  OTHER WORDS, ASKING FOR   ASSISTANCE TO RECEIVE THE MOST  BASIC NECESSITIES FOR LIFE  IS  CAUSED, IN PART, BY A LACK OF   ADEQUATE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING.   LOW WAGES,  LACK OF HEALTH CARE  AND RISING RENT.  AND THESE,   AMONGST OTHER CAUSES ARE HIS    -- SYSTEMIC. IF YOU WANT LESS  PEOPLE FORCE INTO A LIFE THAT   THE MAN THEY ASKED FOR   ASSISTANCE FROM OTHERS, WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES  OF  THE FORCES THAT PUT PEOPLE IN   THESE POSITIONS IN THE FIRST  PLACE.  IT IS A SHAME TO   FURTHER CRIMINALIZE ACTS OF  SURVIVAL FIRE MOST VULNERABLE   COMMUNITY MEMBERS.  TO TREAT   PEOPLE, MOTHERS, FATHERS,   CHILDREN, THE ELDERLY, AS  UNSIGHTLY.  TO ENFORCE THE  REMOVAL AND ARREST AND FIND  THEM $500 IN THE PUNISHMENT   MEMBERS OF OUR HOUSE  THAT   SCHOOLHOUSE COMMUNITY WOULD   HAVE TREMENDOUS TROUBLE FACING. AND THIS ORDINANCE BELIEVES IT  IS RIGHT AND JUST  TO INFLICT   THIS UPON THE UNHOUSED  COMMUNITY?  IT IS SHAMEFUL.    SINCE THE END OF LAST YEAR, I   SPENT EVERY AVAILABLE WEEKEND   SHARING FOOD WITH UNHOUSED   PEOPLE. THE PEOPLE I HAVE MET   HAVE HAD SO MUCH VALUE, STILL , INTELLECT AND CREATIVITY  TO   OFFER THIS WORLD. AND YET THEY  MUST FOCUS THEIR LIFE ON   SURVIVAL INSTEAD OF BEING  ALLOWED  TO THRIVE AND LIVE A   LIFE WHERE THE NEXT MEAL IS NOT A CONST IT, BURNING QUESTION.   THIS ORDINANCE WILL ONLY MAKE   THEIR LIVES MORE DIFFICULT AND  FURTHER DISRUPT ANY SEMBLANCE   OF UPWARD  SOCIAL MOBILITY.  --  THE LANGUAGE OF THIS ORDINANCE  IS DISGUSTING AND  DEHUMANIZING.  TO CALL PEOPLE   UNSIGHTLY IS A LOW AND HORRID  DISPLAY  OF AN UNCARING  ATTITUDE  AFFORDED ONLY BY   THOSE PRIVILEGED ENOUGH TO OWN  PROPERTY.  WE MUST OPPOSE THIS  BILL.    >> THANK YOU.    >> ROBERT LEE TO BE FOLLOWED BY DREW MacLEOD.    >> GOOD AFTERNOON.  MY NAME IS  ROBERT LEE. I'M A RESIDENT OF  LEON COUNTY, I WILL NOT BE   GIVING FURTHER DETAILS ON MY  ADDRESS.  BEFORE I GET INTO MY  PREPARED STATEMENT.  I WANT TO  MENTION, A FEW PEOPLE MENTION  HAVING BUSINESSES ARE BEING   ASSOCIATED WITH THE -- OF  TALLAHASSEE.  MY TWO CHILDREN   GO TO SCHOOL IN THE CENTER  TALLAHASSEE, LET ME TELL YOU,   WE ARE FINE. WE DO NOT NEED  THIS ORDINANCE. THAT IS   RIDICULOUS. I AM A VOLUNTEER  WITH THE FOOD NOT BOMBS . EVERY SUNDAY WE SPENT A FEW HOURS   PROVIDING FOOD, HYGIENE  SUPPLIES AND COMMUNITY OUR   UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS.  I'VE HAD  THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET   WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO COME TO   OUR MEAL SHARES LOOKING FOR  SUPPORT IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE DO THEY DO NOT LOOK LOOK DOWN   UPON. I STAND FIRMLY IN   OPPOSITION OF  THIS   DEHUMANIZING AND IMMORAL  ORDINANCE.  I DO NOT KNOW ABOUT ALL OF YOU, BUT I PERSONALLY A  SHAME THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION.  THE EFFECT OF THIS ORDINANCE WOULD BE HARMFUL AND  INHUMANE,  CONTRIBUTING TO THE  CYCLE OF POVERTY, OPPRESSION  AND VIOLENCE, WITH PREVENT OUR  HOUSE WAS NEIGHBORS FROM    FINDING A WAY OUT OF THEIR  CIRCUMSTANCES.  INSTEAD OF  TAKING AWAY ONE OF THE ONLY   SOURCE OF INCOME OUR NEIGHBORS  HAVE AND WASTING THOUSANDS OF   DOLLARS IN POLICE ENFORCEMENT,   OUR TAXPAYING MONEY WOULD BE   BETTER SPENT  ON PROGRAMS TO   FIND HOUSING AND JOBS.  2017   STUDY FROM THE NATIONAL   HOMELESS LAW CENTER FOUND   CITIES BEEN  MORE MONEY   BRUTALIZING AND INCARCERATING   OUR UNHOUSED NEIGHBORS THAN IT  WOULD COST JUST HOW THEM.  THIS REVEALED A MORAL CRISIS IN OUR  SOCIETY.  THAT POOR PEOPLE DO   NOT MATTER. THAT THEY DESERVE   TO BE PUNISHED,  NO MATTER THE  COST.  IT'S EASIER TO TELL US  OF THE PEOPLE IN POVERTY ARE   SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR  PROBLEMS.  RATHER THAN TAKE A   SOBER LOOK AT THE CORRUPT  SYSTEM THAT ALLOW PEOPLE TO   FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS LIKE   THIS. BECAUSE IT'S EASIER TO  SLEEP AT NIGHT AND OUR SAFE AND AIR-CONDITIONED HOUSE BEING,  COMFORTABLE IN OUR BED,  WHILE  OUR NEIGHBORS ARE SLEEPING IN   THE COLD ON THE STREET.    EXPOSED TO THE ELEMENTS AND  STARTING.  RIGHT OUTSIDE LUXURY APARTMENTS AND GAUDY HOTELS.   INSTEAD OF  TREATING EVERY   PROBLEM WITH THE NAIL TO BE  SOLVED WITH THE BLUNT HAMMER OR POLICE COERCION, WE SHOULD BE   ASKING OURSELVS, WHY ARE THE   PEOPLE WHO WERE ASKING FOR  MONEY OUT SIDE IN THE FIRST  PLACE?  WHAT CIRCUMSTANCES AND  SYSTEMS PUT THEM IN THE  SITUATION?  THIS IS NOT A   PROBLEM THAT CAN BE SOLVED WITH A HAMMER, ONLY CARE, COMPASSION AND LOVE  CAN SOLVE THE  SO-CALLED HOMELESS CRISIS. NOT  PUNISHMENT.  NOT MORE VIOLENCE.  THIS ORDINANCE IS A SHAMELESS  ATTACK ON OUR SOCIETY'S MOST  HONORABLE. NO MATTER HOW MUCH   PR SUGARCOATING AND POLITICAL  RHETORIC IS SOAKED IN, ANYONE   WHO VOTES FOR THIS BILL WOLF    -- SHOULD SPEND AN EVENING  SLEEPING ON THE PAVEMENT,   WALKING THE MILE OF IN THE   SHOES OF A PEOPLE PERSECUTING . AND THEN TRY TO GET A JOB,  HOUSE, OR DECENT MEAL EVERY DAY WHEN THIS IS YOUR LIFE, WITH NO HELP FOR FINANCIAL AID. THIS   ORDINANCE IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WILL SOLVE OUR PROBLEMS.  AND   IT IS NOT SOMETHING WE WILL   STAND FOR A. UNHOUSED CITIZENS  OF OUR SOCIETY IS ONE OF YOUR   CAN THE 22. IT IS TIME TO GROW  UP  AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS TIME TO DO YOUR JOB OF  ACTUALLY REPRESENTING THE  PEOPLE.  >> THANK YOU.  >>  DREW MacLEOD, TO BE   FOLLOWED BY OUR  FINAL SPEAKER, SPENCER BRASS.   >> THANK YOU,  FOR HEARING US   OUT TODAY. I OWN TWO BUSINESSES  AT 115 EAST PARK AVENUE AND   ANOTHER IN DOWNTOWN  AND  ANOTHER IN MIDTOWN.  WE ARE   CONSTANTLY INUNDATED  WITH   AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLING.    LISTEN, NOT EVERYBODY THAT IS A PROPERTY OWNER OR BUSINESS  OWNER HAS SOME KIND OF I DON'T KOW,  DESIRE ,  TO NOT HELP  THE HOMELESS. IN FACT,  WHEN   MR. PUGH SAID SOMETHING ABOUT  -- I KNOW THAT. JEFF, NIKKI,  JESSE,  A MAN THAT LIVES IN THE BACK OF OUR BUSINESS WITH VERY  AGGRESSIVE. I SAT DOWN, MYSELF,  IN THE FRONT OF MY RESTAURANT, TOOK MY SHOES AND SOCKS OFF    AND DELIVER THEM TO A MAN IN  NEED. LET ME BE CLEAR,  WHEN IT GETS AGGRESSIVE,  AND   INDIVIDUALS START WALKING INTO  YOUR BUSINESS WERE A COUPLE IS  CELEBRATING THE FIFTH  WEDDING  ANNIVERSARY AND THEY START  PANHANDLING ARE COMING TO EACH  TABLE AND CREATING CHAOS,  IT   IS A LITTLE UNNERVING FOR  EVERYONE.  TO THE POINT THAT   THE PUBLIC DEFENDER HAD IN  TERMS OF LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING,  I DON'T   THINK ANYONE IS OPPOSED TO   THAT. BUT WHAT CAN WE DO NOW?   WE ARE STRUGGLING NOW TO DEAL  WITH THIS ISSUE. QUITE   HONESTLY, WHETHER YOU DON'T   LIKE THE POLICE OR NOT, IT HAS  NOW BECOME THEIR  POSSIBILITY.  WE ARE SELF-GOVERNING THESE  ISSUES.  BY THE TIME YOU GET A  POLICE OFFICER SHERIFF THERE,   THEY ARE GONE AND THIS TOO   LATE. THEY WILL JUST COME BACK  AND HARASS YOU AT ANOTHER TIME. THAT IS JUST THE FACT. WE ARE  EXPOSED , AND BOB SAID THIS AS  WELL, PUBLIC  IRRIGATION,   INDECENT EXPOSURE,  DEFECATION, PEEING IN MY PLANTERS,  CAUSING ISSUES  IN THE --  I KNOW DOES  NOT ADDRESS ANYTHING IN PUBLIC   PROPERTY. WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS  WHO HAVE COME AND STRONACH   THEIR BELONGINGS IN THE PARK.   PARKS AND RECREATION SAID WE  CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.    IS THAT WE WANT FOR THIS   COMMUNITY? THIS IS TALLAHASSEE. I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR 40 YEARS,  I LOVE THIS TOWN. BUT TO SEE   WHAT IS HAPPENING DOWNTOWN,  -MT IS DIFFICULT TO COMMIT THE TIME THAT IT TAKES FOR US TO BUILD   BUSINESSES AND EMPLOY PEOPLE.  TO THE LAST POINT, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU,  LAST WEEK WE HAD A  YOUNG MAN WALKED INTO SLIDERS   AND WALK UP TO A GUEST ,   REQUESTING A CUP OF COFFEE.    HIS RESPONSE WAS,  NO, I WANT   MONEY. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU,  I HAVE OFFERED PLENTY OF   HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS TO GIVE   THEM A JOB AND THEY ARE NOT   WILLING TO TAKE IT. ONE THING   THAT HAS NOT BEEN MENTIONED AT  ALL HIS MENTAL HEALTH. WE HAVE  A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE. THAT   NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. THANK   YOU.  >>  OUR FINAL SPEAKER IS   SPENCER BRASS.    >> MR. BRASS, ARE YOU THERE?    >>  MR. BRASS, ARE YOU THERE?   MR. BRASS , ARE YOU THERE?    >> YES, I AM HERE.    >> I HEAR YOU FAINTLY,  IS   THERE ANYWAY YOU CAN INCREASE   YOUR VOLUME?  >> HOW ABOUT NOW? CAN YOU HEAR  ME?  OKAY.  SPENCER BRASS,    2020 WEST PENSACOLA STREET.  I  APPRECIATE ALL OF THE COMMENTS  WE HAVE HEARD TONIGHT. I HAVE   TO SAY, I THINK OUR --    SHOPPING PLAZA WILL TAKE THE  TROPHY  FOR DEALING WITH THE  SOLICITATION  CRISIS THAT IS   GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITY.  A   COUPLE OF THINGS, DREW DID A  GREAT JOB MENTIONING IT. I HAVE STOOD IN OUR PARKING LOT MANY  TIMES  AND I HAVE SEEN THE   INDIVIDUALS COME  WITH BOXES OF FOOD  AND HAVE GIVEN IT TO  PEOPLE.  AND THOSE INDIVIDUALS  HAVE TAKEN THOSE BOXES OF FOOD   AND THROWING THEM ALL OVER THE PARKING LOT , THROWING THEM AT  PEOPLE AND WALKED AWAY FOR   SOMEONE ELSE TO CLEAN UP.  I   HAVE SEEN INDIVIDUALS  COME   INTO OUR PARKING LOT,  APPROACH THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED OR LOOK  LIKE THEY ARE IN NEED, GIVE THE MONEY AND THEY WALK ACROSS   PENSACOLA STREET  TO HALFTIME  LIQUORS  AND BUY THEMSELVES A  BOTTLE.  IF THESE PEOPLE DO NOT GET WHAT THEY WANT, I HAVE   WITNESSED FIRSTHAND  SCREAMING, YELLING,  AND ATTACKING    PATRONS  OF THE WEST END SQUARE SHOPPING PLAZA , BECAUSE THEY   ARE NOT GETTING WHAT THEY WANT  IN THAT MOMENT. THESE FOLKS ARE NOT USING  THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE TIME, THEY ARE NOT USING   THE RESOURCES  THAT ARE KINDLY  BEING GIVEN TO THEM TO PURCHASE FOOD , TO PURCHASE DRINKS.    THEY ARE USING THESE RESOURCES  TO PURCHASE DRUGS  AND TO   PURCHASE ALCOHOL.  WE CANNOT   HAVE ENOUGH PROTECTION  FOR OUR PRIVATE PROPERTIES.  WE DO HAVE TRESPASSING LAWS IN THE STATE   OF FLORIDA, BUT THE TRUTH IS,  WE NEED MORE.  EVERY DAY   LIABILITY INSURANCE IS MORE AND MORE EXPENSIVE.  EVERYDAY   BUSINESS OWNERS ARE STRAPPED  WITH THE BURDEN  OF HIGHER   INSURANCE PREMIUMS.  YOU   COMMISSIONS ARE RESPONSIBLE    FOR HARBORING A SAFE COMMUNITY  , BUT YOU'RE ALSO RESPONSIBLE  FOR HARBORING AN APPROPRIATE    AREA FOR BUSINESSES TO GROW AND THRIVE.  THIS ORDINANCE IS A  STEP IN THAT POSITIVE DIRECTION AND WE URGE YOU TO PASS IS  ORDINANCE . THANK YOU VERY  MUCH.  >> THANK YOU.  COUNTY ADMIN   STRATA.  >> THAT CONCLUDES OUR SPEAKERS.   >> COMMISSIONERS  --   COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE IS IN THE QUEUE.  >>  THIS IS A BIG DEAL. I HAVE  SOME QUESTIONS KEPT  -- TO  CLARIFY.  WE LAY OUT   REQUIREMENTS OF ASSIGNMENT MUST BE PROMINENTLY NOTED THAT WILL  SAY, NO SOLICITING  AND IT   REFERENCES THE ORDINANCE.  MY   CONCERN IS,  ARE WE NOT GOING   TO LAY OUT HOW LARGE THE SIGN  HAS TO BE AND HOW MANY SIGNS   HAVE TO BE EVERY 500 FEET,   THOUSAND EIGHT?    >> MADAM ATTORNEY, CAN YOU  ADDRESS THIS?  >>  I CAN ADDRESS IT.  WE HAVE  HAD EXTENSIVE CONVERSATIONS  WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE    AS ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS  NOW, YOU CAN ADOPT ANY  ORDINANCE YOU WANT . BUT WHEN   IT COMES TO ENFORCING IT, THAT  GOES INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT.    WHEN WE WORK WITH THEM IN  DEVELOPING THE CRITERIA YOU SEE IN THE DRAFT ORDINANCE,  IN   TERMS OF THE SIZE OF THE SIGN   OR LOCATIONS OF THE SIGN, THAT  IS GOING TO BE DATED BY THE  BOUNDARIES  AND THE  CHARACTERISTICS  OF EACH   INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE PROPERTY.    IF YOU HAVE A STOREFRONT OUT  HERE ON MONROE STREET,  YOU'RE ONLY GOING TO NEED ONE SIGN.    IF SOMEONE IS APPROACHING THAT  DOOR , IT IS UP TO THE PROPERTY OWNER TO MAKE SURE IT IS AN  APPROPRIATE SIZE TO FIT THEIR  PROPERTY. IT IS GOING TO BE   VERY DIFFERENT IF YOU'RE   LOOKING AT A ONE ACRE PARCEL    WHERE THERE IS INGRESS AND  EGRESS.  IT IS ON A   CASE-BY-CASE BASIS.  THAT IS  LEFT TO THE PROPERTY OWNER TO   DECIDE THOSE THINGS BASED ON   THOSE SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS.  IN TERMS OF ENFORCEMENT.  IT  VERY WELL MAY DEPEND ON WHETHER THAT SIGN IS VISIBLE  IN LAW  ENFORCEMENT EVALUATION OF   WHETHER THERE HAS BEEN A  VIOLATION. AGAIN, THAT IS  CASE-BY-CASE.  >> THANK YOU.  >>  THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.  SO SHOULD THIS PASS, ANYONE  SOLICITING SOMETHING OF VALUE , WHETHER IT BE A PANHANDLER,   GIRL SCOUTS, DANCE TROOPS ,   ANYTHING ELSE, THEY WILL NEED  TO GET THIS WRITTEN SLIP.  AND  IF WE ARE IN A SHOPPING MALL,   THERE IS A OWNER, PROPERTY  MANAGER  AND THEN A SERIES OF  BUSINESSES.  WHO DECIDES  AND   HAS THE AUTHORITY TO GET   PERMISSION TO SOMEONE TO  SOLICIT?  IN STRIPMALL? THE   OWNER? PROPERTY MANAGER OR AN   INDIVIDUAL BUSINESS OR STORE?     >> ARE YOU ADDRESSING THAT,   MADAM ATTORNEY?    >> THESE ARE ALL QUESTIONS TO   BE ANSWERED  BY WHOEVER MADAM   CHAIR BELIEVES IS THE BEST.  >>  AGAIN,  IT IS GOING TO  DEPEND  WHO HAS CONTROL OVER   THAT PROPERTY.  IF IT IS A  PARTICULAR  PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY WHO HAS CONTROL  OVER   THE PARKING LOT,  IT IS GOING   TO BE UP TO THAT MANAGER TO   DETERMINE WHETHER A PERSON IS   ENTITLED TO SOLICIT THEIR    EITHER WITH PERMISSION OR NOT   AT ALL.  AND FOR WHAT PURPOSES.  AS LONG AS THE ORDINANCE  APPLIES.  IF IT IS A STOREFRONT . IT IS GOING TO BE WHOEVER HAS CONTROL OF THAT STORE. IT IS  GOING TO DEPEND AND BE  CASE-BY-CASE.    >> THANK YOU, MADAM ATTORNEY.   >> THANK YOU.  WHEN WE TALK   ABOUT ENFORCEMENT,  DO WE NEED  TO BE CAREFUL, OR HOW CAN WE BE SURE  THAT WE EVENLY ENFORCE  IT?  IS THERE A WAY WE CAN  TRACK  OR REPORT BACK EVERY   YEAR HOW MANY BOY SCOUT AND  GIRL SCOUT THIS WAS ENFORCED   AGAINST, OR HOW MANY  PANHANDLERS?  OR HOW MANY   PEOPLE WHO ARE ASKING FOR GAS  MONEY?  WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO   TO MAKE SURE --  TO MAKE SURE   WE ARE NOT PICKING AND  CHOOSING?    >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.    ENFORCEMENT IS UP TO LAW   ENFORCEMENT. THIS PROSECUTORIAL  DISCRETION.  IF YOU WANT  STATISTICS,  JUST LIKE FOR  ANYTHING ELSE, YOU REQUEST    STATISTICS FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT ABOUT ANY NUMBER OF ISSUES.    >> THANK YOU.    >>  LET'S SEE,  DO WE HAVE ANY DATA, EMPIRICAL DATA  ABOUT HOW MUCH WE EXPECT ORDINANCE LIKE  THIS WILL REDUCE PANHANDLING  AND WHAT COST WOULD BE  OF A   NEW ORDINANCE IN ENFORCING  --     >> I'M SORRY, DID YOU ASK   ABOUT THE COST?   >> DO WE HAVE ANY DATA THAT WE  HAVE ANALYZED TO ESTIMATE  HOW  EFFECTIVE THIS ORDINANCE  -- AN AMOUNT OF HOW MUCH REDUCED  PANHANDLING WE COULD EXPECT  BY PUTTING THIS ORDINANCE INTO  EFFECT?    >> NO.  THE CHAMBER HAS DONE  RESEARCH  AND INDICATED  GENERALLY  THAT IN ANOTHER  JURISDICTION  WHERE THEY HAVE   AN ORDINANCE LIKE THIS,  THEY   SAW AN APPRECIABLE DECLINE.    BUT THAT IS STRICTLY ANECDOTAL  AND NOT SOME THING  THAT I OR   ANYONE ELSE TO MY KNOWLEDGE ON  THE STAFF HAS RESEARCHED OR  VERIFIED.    >>  AND THEN WE HEARD A LOT   ABOUT THE  ACTIVITIES.  ARE   THERE ALREADY LAWS ON THE BOOKS  THAT CAN BE ADDRESSED ?  IS   THIS ADDING A NEW LAW  THAT   WOULD APPLY  TO THE --  OR   PLANTAR ISSUE  OR THINGS LIKE  THAT?    >> TO CLARIFY,  ONE,  THIS IS   NOT CRIMINALIZING ANYTHING.   LET'S BE CLEAR.  IF SOMEONE IS CHARGED WITH IT,  THEY ARE   PROSECUTED IN THE MANNER OF A  MISDEMEANOR.  THIS IS NOT   CRIMINALIZING ANYTHING.  THIS   DOES NOT ADDRESS -- THIS ONLY  ADDRESSES  THOSE SORTS OF   ACTIVITIES IN THE CONTEXT OF  SOMEONE BEING ON PRIVATE  PROPERTY  AND ENGAGING IN THOSE ACTIVITIES  TO THE EXTENT THERE ARE  ALSO SOLICITING WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE DEFINITION IN THE  PROPOSED ORDINANCE.  ONE OTHER  THING, IF I MAY.  THERE IS NO   FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHT TO  EXERCISE FREE SPEECH ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.  I NEED TO ALSO MAKE  SURE FOR THE RECORD THAT IS   MADE VERY CLEAR.  I JUST WANT   TO MAKE SURE BECAUSE THERE WERE SOME STATEMENTS TO THE  CONTRARY.  THANK YOU.   >> THANK YOU, MADAM ATTORNEY.   COMMISSIONER.   >> THANK YOU. THE  THAT SO   THOSE ARE HELPFUL. I WILL NOT  BE SUPPORTING THIS.  SOMETHING  I WANT TO POINT OUT. FOR THE  SAKE OF NOT REPEATING WHAT A   LOT OF THE GREAT POINT PEOPLE   HAVE MADE.  IT SEEMS WE ARE   DOING SOMETHING , WHEN I LOOK   AT COST VERSUS BENEFIT, I SEE  ALL COST THE NO BENEFIT THAT.   I AM THINKING PRACTICALLY HERE. WE HAVE  THEORETICALLY   ADDRESSED THE CANVASSING AND    -- LET'S THINK ABOUT WHERE WE  BELIEVE THIS CAME FROM.  LAST   YEAR THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY  APPROACHED TO TALK ABOUT A   PANHANDLING ORDINANCE. TALKING  ABOUT MEDIANS AND THINGS LIKE   THAT. DID NOT  LIE BECAUSE WE   RAN INTO LEGAL ISSUES THAT  CANNOT DO IT. SO WE GET TO THIS REQUEST.  WHICH WE HAVE BEEN  WORKING ON TOGETHER.  NOW,    EVERYONE HAS A RIGHT TO PRIVATE PROPERTY. MY CONCERN IS, WE ARE ADDING AN ORDINANCE WHERE,  IF  I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY,   CURRENTLY, IF I'M SO LUCKY AS  TO BE THE SHIFT SUPERVISOR AT  TVs , I CAN CALL AND SAY,   HELLO, SOMEONE IS PANHANDLING  OR HARASS BEING PEOPLE AND THAT CAN TRIGGER  SOMEONE TO COME   OUT AND DEAL WITH IT . AND THE  CHANGE HERE IS, IF I HAVE  A   CVS AND I PUT THE SIGNS UP,  THEN I DO NOT HAVE TO DO ANY OF THAT.  AND EVEN IF I DID NOT  GIVE WRITTEN PERMISSION TO   SUMMATIVE SOLICIT,  THEN AN  OFFICER COULD ENFORCE THAT  WITHOUT ANY ACTION FOR ME MY   CONCERN IS, WE ARE ADDING A LOT OF RISK AND A LOT OF IMPACT TO  A LOT OF  THAT ACTUALLY, WHEN   YOU THINK ABOUT IT REALLY ONLY  CHANGES TO THIS PHONE CALL HAVE TO BE MADE  VERSUS CAN SOMEONE  JUST ACT ON THEIR OWN --  THE   OTHER THING IS, I WANT TO THINK THIS THROUGH. THE PEOPLE ARE  SOLICITING , TYPICALLY THEY DO  BECAUSE THEY NEED.  IF THEY   CANNOT DO IT IN THE PARKING   LOT, WHERE DO THEY GO?  THEY   DON'T DISAPPEAR INTO THIN AIR. UNLESS WE FIND HOUSING.  THEY   WILL BE PUSHED TO OUR PUBLIC  SPACES, WHICH IS WHERE WE HAVE  GOTTEN THE MOST COMPLAINTS TO  START WITH, STARTING YEARS AGO. PEOPLE PANHANDLING NEXT THE   STREET, PARKS AND PUBLIC  SPACES.  KEEP IN MIND IS EITHER PRIVATE SPACES OR PUBLIC  SPACES.  IF WE MAKE IT EASIER  TO PUSH PEOPLE OFF OF PRIVATE  BASIS,  IN A WAY THAT IS NOT   EVEN REQUIRE SOMEONE IN CHARGE   IN THAT MOMENT TO SAY, I WANT  THEM REMOVED.  WE MAY RAISE   JUST PUSHING THEM INTO MORE  EXPOSURE.  I WANT TO ADVISE ON  PRINCIPLE I DO NOT LIKE IT. I   ALSO DO NOT THINK IT WILL BE  EFFECTIVE OR GET WHAT YOU WANT.  I'M KIND OF WARNING YOU I  DON'T THINK IT WILL GET WHAT   YOU WANT. THE OTHER THING IS,   MY CONCERN IS IT ALSO CREATE  AMBIGUITY AND CONFUSION.  I   ALWAYS WANT TO AVOID THAT. WE   HEARD ENFORCEMENT , AS WITH   EVERYTHING IS UP TO THE   DISCRETION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.  --  I THINK IT WOULD  BE   REASONABLE, EVEN THOUGH IT IS  NOT OUR PURVIEW, WE SHOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT HOW THINGS WOULD  BE ENFORCED. WHILE I HAVE NO   OBJECTION TO GIRL SCOUTS, AND I DO OCCASIONALLY ENJOY GIRL  SCOUT  COOKIES, AND LET'S NOT  FORGET BOY SCOUT SELLING PART  ONE.  I HAVE A FEELING WE ARE   NOT GOING TO FIND  ANY ARRESTED BOY SCOUTS AND GIRL SCOUTS   WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE   WRITTEN PERMISSION. BUT WE WILL CERTAINLY SEE PEOPLE WHO END UP IN THE COURT SYSTEM,  EVEN   WITHOUT CRIMINAL CHARGES WHO  HAVE TO GO IN FRONT OF A JUDGE, IN ALREADY OVERBURDENED COURT  SYSTEM TO DEAL WITH HIS   NONCRIMINAL VIOLATION.  AND SO, IF WE ARE GOING TO DO IT,  LET'S DO IT.  AND LET'S WORK  THAT OUT. THE OTHER THING IS,  IT CREATES CONFUSION WITH, WE   SAY IF YOU PUT UP A NO   SOLICITING SIGN , WELL, WE   SPECIFICALLY PUT IN HERE THAT  HAS TO SAY PER ORDINANCE --    THIS IS GOING TO GOING TO THE  NEWS.  BUSINESS AND THAT   INDIVIDUAL WILL HEAR IT AND   THEY WILL PROBABLY NOT CATCH   THAT PART.  ARE THEY JUST WANT  TO GO TO THE SCIENCE STORE AND  GET A SIGN THAT SAYS, NO  SOLICITING.  AND THEY THINK IT  IS ENFORCEABLE? AND NOW WE   CREATE CONFUSION AND CONFLICT  FOR THE COURT SYSTEM?  NO ONE   HAS TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION.  I AM CURIOUS  --  MY ISSUE IS,    IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE GETTING TO SOMETHING  -- WE COULD NOT GET  PANHANDLING PANNED OUT RIGHT SO WE,  WE BRING IT BACK TO LET'S MAKE IT IF WE BRING UP A SIGN,  I DON'T EVEN HAVE TO CALL AND  FEEL BAD THAT I'M CALLING ON A HOMELESS PERSON. I ABSOLUTELY   THINK WE SHOULD ADDRESS ALL OF  THESE NUISANCES. NO ONE SHOULD  BE ATTACKED OR AGGRESSIVELY  SOLICITED.  ORDER PLANTAR   DAMAGE CRITICALLY.  BUT WE HAVE THINGS THAT CAN ADDRESS THAT.   THIS DOES NOT ADDRESS THAT. IN  FACT,  IF IT HAS TO BE VIEWED  BY LAW ENFORCEMENT ANYWAY,  PERHAPS ADDRESSING IT IS  PUTTING SOME -- PARKING A  DEPUTY IN THESE AREAS AND THAT  IS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN CREATING ORDINANCES AND THEN AN OFFICER  COULD OBSERVE THESE THINGS AND  ACTUATHING IS,  THE OTHER  REASON I OPPOSE THIS IS   PERSONAL. YOU CAN TELL ME IT   WON'T BE ENFORCED --  BECAUSE  PEOPLE ARE NOT MAKING ORDINANCE BECAUSE OF THIS, BUT WHAT ABOUT  WHEN MY FAMILY'S CAR BREAKS  DOWN AND WE ARE WAITING AROUND  AND ASKING FOR A JUMP. THAT IS  A THING OF VALUE.  YOU CAN SAY, THAT IS RIDICULOUS. LET ME TELL YOU WHAT,  IF IT IS IN THE LAW, SOMEONE MAY BRING UP A   RIDICULOUS CHARGE. THEN, WHAT   ABOUT WHEN MY FAMILY HAD A GAS  TANK  RIGHT NOW AND WE HAD NOT  GOT TO THE PAYDAY LENDER. AND   I'M JUST ASKING FOR MONEY FOR  A CAN OF GAS. THIS APPLIES TO  YOU IF THERE IS A NO  SOLICITATION SIGNED. WHILE USA, CERTAINLY WE WOULD NOT ENFORCE  IT, IF WE DO NOT THINK WE  SHOULD NOT ENFORCE IT,  WE   SHOULD NOT PASS IT.   >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER   O'KEEFE. ANY OF THE  COMMISSIONERS ? COMMISSIONER   PROCTOR.   >> MADAM CHAIR,  I WANTED TO   ASK TO HONOR A PUBLIC DEFENDER  A QUESTION.  --  MY QUESTION    -- AS MEMBERS  ON THE PUBLIC   SAFETY COUNCIL,  I SERVE AS   CHAIR OF PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL.  QUESTION,  WHAT IS THE AVERAGE  NIGHT COST  OF AN ARRESTEE   BEING HELD IN THE LEON COUNTY  DETENTION  FACILITY?  >>  APPROXIMATELY $100 A NIGHT.    >> WHAT IS OUR AVERAGE NIGHT   PER YEAR, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE  WHEEL  -- WE ARE HOLDING?    >>  ARE YOU ASKING HOW MAY   PEOPLE ARE IN JAIL?  >>  FOR 365, WHAT IS AVERAGE?  >>  ABOUT 920 RIGHT NOW .  THAT OBVIOUSLY CHANGES THROUGHOUT  THE YEAR.  >>  I KNOW YOU KNOW THESE  THINGS,  WHAT IS THE AVERAGE   NUMBER OF DAYS IN WHICH AN  ARRESTEE  REMAINS IN LEON   COUNTY FACILITIES?  >> IT WOULD  DEPEND ON THE   CHARGE.  >>  WOULD YOU ALL THINK I WAS  ERRONEOUS IF I SAID  300 AS AN  AVERAGE?    >>  I THINK YOUR AVERAGES ABOUT 260 .  FOR YOUR AVERAGE LENGTH  OF STAY.   >> OKAY.  WHAT IS THE   PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE  OF THE  900  OR SO FOLKS THAT WE HAVE   ON AVERAGE, WHAT IS THE  PERCENTAGE OF MISDEMEANORS    THAT ARE SMALLER OFFENSES, SUCH AS  TRESPASSING?    >> IT IS A SMALL PERCENTAGE,   YOUR HONOR., COMMISSIONER.    SORRY.  IT IS A SMALL   PERCENTAGE. THE VAST MAJORITY   OF INDIVIDUALS HELD IN THE   DETENTION FACILITY ARE FOR  FELONY OFFENSE.  >>  SO IN TERMS  OF WHAT THIS   WOULD DO , CAN YOU PROCEED WITH THIS WILL DO TO PARENTS --    >> IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO   INCREASE IT. THE ISSUE TO IS,   EVEN WHEN PEOPLE ARE ARRESTED,   THE CONTINUOUS ARREST   COMPOUNDS THE ISSUES  FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.    THEN, IF THEY ARE RELEASED AND  DON'T HAVE SOMEWHERE TO GO,    THEY WILL RETURN TO THE SAME   AREA AND DO THE SAME THING THEY WERE DOING BEFORE. WHICH IS WHY WE TRY SO HIGHLY TO CONNECT   THEM WITH RESOURCES AND  COMMUNITY  -- TO KEEP THEM OUT  OF INCARCERATION.    >> OKAY.  AS YOU ALL TASKED ME  TO SERVE  --  IS OUR EXECUTIVE  DIRECTOR.  EACH NIGHT, IF WE   AVERAGE 960 FOLKS,  AND THAT IS AN AVERAGE.  SOMETIMES IT'S   CLOSE TO 1200.  THAT IS $96,000 PER NIGHT  TO OPERATE IN HOUSE   THE 900 FOLKS.  WE THE CITIZEN  -- CITIZENS ,  IF WIEST  DATE  AT 960, THEY PUT THAT AT 85   MILLION AND $40,000.  WE ARE   LOOKING AT 35 MILLION  DOLLARS   FOR THE COLLECTIVE OF 960  PEOPLE.  I HAVE NOT CHASTISED  THE PUBLIC SAFETY COUNCIL,  BUT I HAVE CHIDED US  TO STRIKE A   PUBLIC DECLARATION  OR NUMBER  OF AT LEAST 850,  REFLECTING   OUR. CODE  --  AREA CODE AS A  REFLECTIVE. THE STATE MANDATES  US TO PAY FOR THE FEE TO HOUSE  EVERYBODY .  I HAVE EMPATHY  TO THE PEOPLE ON PENSACOLA STREET  ,  BUT BALANCING  -- I ALSO   HAVE EMPATHY  FOR THE ALMOST  100,000  --  EACH DETAINEE ,    ALL EXCEPT 260,  FOR SOME  REASON I WAS THINKING IT MIGHT  BE 300 DAYS.  MADAM CHAIR,  I   DON'T CARRY ALL THESE NUMBERS  WELL ANYMORE.  BUT WE SAY 260  IS AN AVERAGE STAY FOR PEOPLE.   260.  TIMES $100 A NIGHT,  BUT $26,000.  SO FOR EVERY PERSON   WE ARE WILLING TO ARREST,  WE   ARE TALKING ABOUT $26,000 THE   COST YOU, YOU, YOU.  AND THE  COST AND BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF  THE HOT CORE  DOLLAR VALUE TO  ME,  I HAVE ARRIVED AT THAT  POINT THAT I'M COMFORTABLE.  I JUST DO NOT WANT TO BREAK THE  BANK . MISS YEARLY,  SHE IS   SAID TO US,  SHE IS THE PUBLIC  DEFENDER  OF THE SECOND   JUDICIAL CIRCUIT.  SHE HAS SAID  THERE ARE LAWS ON THE BOOK.    AND THE PENALTIES AND LAWS  ARE ALREADY ON THE BOOKS.  SHE   SUGGESTS THAT MENTAL HEALTH  IS A DIFFICULT PROBLEM.  AND IT   AFFECTS THE POPULATION . SHE IS INDICATED THAT THIS  TENDS  TOWARD  CRIMINALIZING  HOMELESSNESS.  AND REVEREND  JOHNSON,  I THOUGHT ABOUT   JESUS, THE CHRIST.  AND HE WILL PROBABLY BE ARRESTED FOR BEING  HOMELESS.  PROBABLY WOULD'VE   BEEN THOUGHT TO BE MENTALLY ILL AS WELL.  NO DOUBT HE HIMSELF  SUGGESTED  THAT FOXES HAD  --   AND HE HAD NO PLACE  TO LAY HIS HEAD. HE DECLARED HE HAD NO   ADDRESS, HE COULD NOT HAVE EVEN VOTED WITH NO ADDRESS AND FOR   THE. THESE ARE FACTORS  THAT   FROM A DIFFERENT ROLE YOU   ASSIGNED ME TO LOOK AT.  AND I  TRIED VERY HARD TO KEEP THAT --  TO PUT THIS ON THE BOOKS RIGHT NOW,  I AM JUST GOING TO BE  CONSERVATIVE AND SUGGEST  THAT  IF THIS EVEN PICKED UP  --  30  PEOPLE,  I WILL NOT DO MY MATH  IN PUBLIC IN FRONT OF YOU. BUT  WHATEVER 20 MORE PEOPLE EQUAL,  ADD THAT UP.  AND THEN MULTIPLY IT BY 260.  HOW MUCH IS THAT?   SOMEBODY FAMOUS CAN DO THE   MATH? WHAT IS THAT?  THAT IS   WHAT THAT WOULD EQUAL. THAT IS  A BIG NUMBER.  THAT IS A GREAT  BIG NUMBER.  I'M JUST NOT SURE  THAT WE, THE TAXPAYERS ENDING  OUR MONEY  ON THIS PROBLEM   AFFECTS EVERYBODY THE SAME.  I  SUPPORT PROPERTY RIGHTS,    PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS.  I AM  VERY EMPATHETIC . BUT AS A  COMMISSIONER,  OUR BUDGET  HEARING BEGINS I BELIEVE IN  APRIL.  AND WHAT WE ARE ABOUT  TO PUT ON THE BOOKS  AND WHAT   IT WILL DO AND RESOLVE,  WE ARE ABOUT TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE  BOOKS  THAT IS GOING TO EXPLODE THE JAIL. YOU'RE ASKING ME TO  DO MY BEST TO HOLD DOWN  RECIDIVISM,  AND HOLD DOWN THE  NUMBERS . AS LONG AS I AM THE  CHAIRPERSON , THAT YOU ALLOW   FOR ME TO SERVE.  AND THE   TAXPAYER DOLLARS,  I WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE INFORMATION COME  BACK.  WE DO NOT HAVE A   PERSPECTIVE ON  THE PROJECTED  NUMBERS  ON WHAT THIS WILL DO  TO THE JAIL. WE DON'T HAVE  PERSPECTIVES  ON THE INCREASE , LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS NOT GIVEN   US A STATEMENT.  I RESPECT  THAT.  BUT LAW ENFORCEMENT IS  NOT IN OUR NOTES.  EVEN OUR  LEGISLATION . THIS  --  FOR THE RUNAWAY COST, POTENTIALLY.    THIS THAT WE ARE TASKED TO  MAINTAIN.  THIS ADDITIONAL   BURDEN. I AM NOT SURE WE CAN   AFFORD YOU.  AND WITH NO LAW   ENFORCEMENT STATEMENT  --   SAYING WE WILL PICK UP 10, 20,  30 PEOPLE.  THE OTHER PROBLEM  IS,  WHAT IS ADEQUATE NOTICE    TO PLACE NO TRESPASSING?  WE   HAVE NOT DEFINED IF IT NEEDS TO BE GONE THE DARK.  DOESN'T NEED TO BE THIS BIG?  SOME OF THOSE  PEOPLE CANNOT SEE FAR AWAY.   THEY CANNOT READ, SOME OF THEM. THEY ARE DYSLEXIC, IT DOES NOT  MEAN A THING. THOSE ISSUES  --  IT IS NOT DEFINED.    >> WE OPEN A WIDE LANE TO   CRIMINALIZE WITHOUT DEFINING   EXCEPT FOR THE LAW AND THE   PROPERTY OWNER TO SAY . HOW DID SOLICIT WITH A SHEET OF PAPER   THAT YOU SAY WHEN YOU GIVE   SOMEBODY PERMISSION TO DO  SOMETHING YOU HAVE TO WRITE ON  A SHEET OF PAPER LIKE WRITING A NOTE TO THE PRINCIPAL. IT HAS   TO BE DECLARED. IT IS NOT   DEFINED IN TERMS OF THE COST   AND THE INJURIOUS NATURE AND  THE ADVERSE CONSEQUENCES FOR   WHAT IT WOULD DO TO PEOPLE'S   LIVES. I THINK DUE PROCESS   REQUIRES GREATER, AND THIS IS   NOT READY FOR PRIME TIME, IF WE CAN GET IT TIGHTER AND RIGHT,   POSSIBLY I CAN GET ON BOARD   WITH OUT A PROJECTED ECONOMIC   ANALYSIS, I SEE A LOT MORE POOR PEOPLE ADDING TO  $35 MILLION  AND $40,000 WE SPENT YEARLY. WE WOULD JUST BE SPENDING MORE. I  AM NOT SURE WHAT PROBLEM WOULD  BE SOLVED. I CANNOT SUPPORT IT  TONIGHT. BRING IT BACK, TIGHTEN IT UP AND LET'S SEE. THANK   YOU.   >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER   PROCTOR. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? I  WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW-UP ON  COMMISSIONER PROCTOR 'S   ANALYSIS WITH THE NUMBERS FROM  THE PUBLIC DEFENDER. WE GAVE AN AVERAGE OF -- I GUESS A RISK   AND A NUMBER OF DAYS AN  INDIVIDUAL IS INCARCERATED IN   THE LOCAL JAIL. I DON'T THINK  IT WAS A DELINEATION BETWEEN   THE CHARGES  WHETHER IT IS   FELONIES, MISDEMEANORS,  TRESPASSING. IF I CAN ASK YOU,  PUBLIC DEFENDER, YEARLY, DO YOU HAVE AN IDEA OF A PERCENTAGE OF THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS THAT  YOU ALL COME ADJUST ON AVERAGE, THAT YOU REPRESENT WHO HAVE  TRESPASSING  CHARGES?   >> I CAN GET IT FOR YOU,  CERTAINLY. I DON'T HAVE IT OFF OF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. AS I   MENTIONED, I THINK ALL OF US   LOOK AT THE BOOKING REPORTS   EVERY DAY AND YOU CAN SEE IT IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM IN OUR   COMMUNITY.   >> FREQUENT WITH TRESPASSING?   >> ABSOLUTELY. WITH PRETRIAL   RELEASE, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND   WHAT WE HAVE WE TRY TO CONNECT  OUR CLIENTS WITH THE RESOURCES. IS MAKING SURE THAT THEY HAVE A LONG-TERM PLAN.    >> AND HE MAY HAVE AN IDEA. I  KNOW YOU DON'T HAVE SPECIFIC  NUMBERS, BUT I AM TRYING TO   ADDRESS THOSE THAT ARE   ATTRIBUTED TO TRANSIENTS AS   OPPOSED TO THE HOMELESS   POPULATION.  >> I CAN FIND THAT OUT.   OBVIOUSLY SOME OF THAT FALLS   WITHIN PRIVILEGED INFORMATION.  SELECT JUST THE NUMBERS.  >> I DON'T KNOW THAT I CAN   MAKE THIS DISTINCTION, BUT WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT FINDING  HOUSING, SAFE HOUSING FOR OUR  CLIENTS LONG-TERM IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES THAT WE FACE.    >> AND AS FOR THE HOMELESS  POPULATION, NOT NECESSARILY  TRANSIENT.  >> IT IS FOR BOTH AND IT IS   ALSO AN ISSUE IF PEOPLE HAVE   PRIOR CONDITIONS. WE TALK ABOUT THIS ALL OF THE TIME. IT IS   ANOTHER BARRIER TO FINDING   HOUSING. WORKING WITHIN THE   RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE LOCALLY  AND TRYING TO PARTNER WITH   HOUSING ALTERNATIVES IS   SOMETHING WE FOCUS ON ALL OF   THE TIME. I THINK TO SAY IT IS  AN ABSOLUTE PART OF THE PEOPLE  THAT WE REPRESENT AND OUR   CASELOADS, IT IS PREVALENT.  >> THANK YOU MADAME PUBLIC   DEFENDER. COMMISSIONER MADDOX?     >> MADAM CHAIR, I ADDRESS THE   ATTORNEY? WHO WOULD MAKE THE  DELINEATION BETWEEN IF SOMEBODY CALLED, BETWEEN WHETHER IT IS A TRESPASS OR WHETHER THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE UNDER THIS   ORDINANCE?  >> PLEASE.    >> CERTAINLY, IF THE PROPERTY   OWNER SAYS THEY WANT TO   PROSECUTE FOR TRESPASS, THAT   WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD   BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION BY  LAW ENFORCEMENT. BUT AGAIN, AT  THE END OF THE DAY IN TERMS OF  PROSECUTION, IT MAY LEFT UP TO  THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.   RATHER TO PROSECUTE FOR A CRIME OR NOT. AGAIN,  THERE IS  PROSECUTORIAL DISCRETION.  ENFORCEMENT AS BY LAW   ENFORCEMENT AND PROSECUTION IS  BY THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE BECAUSE, AGAIN, EVEN THOUGH IT  IS NOT A CRIME, IT IS   PROSECUTED IN THE MANNER OF A  MISDEMEANOR.  WE COULD HIRE  SOMEBODY IN THE COUNTY   ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO PROSECUTE THESE. THE STATE ATTORNEY'S  OFFICE WOULD NOT HAVE TO BE  INVOLVED AT ALL. THE DEFENDERS  OFFICE WOULD NOT BE INVOLVED   BECAUSE IT IS NOT A CRIME. THAT IS OUR OPTION. WE CAN EITHER   PAY THE STATE ATTORNEY'S   OFFICE TO PROSECUTE THEM FOR US OR WE CAN BRING IT IN-HOUSE AND WE CAN PROSECUTE THEM   OURSELVES. THOSE ARE THE   OPTIONS.  >> MADAM CHAIR. MADAM ATTORNEY. NEVERMIND. MADAM CHAIR, DO YOU  MIND IF I ADDRESS OUR   SHERIFF'S DEPUTY? A COUPLE OF  QUESTIONS OF ENFORCEMENT. MAY   I?   >> PLEASE.   >> I BELIEVE HE MAY BE  PROTECTED. IF SOMEBODY CALLS   YOU TONIGHT. IT COULD BE EITHER TRESPASSING OR IT COULD BE THIS ORDINANCE. HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE IT?  >> IF IT IS TRESPASSING AND THE OWNER WANTS THEM REMOVED OR   TRESPASSED, WE WILL GIVE THEM A WARNING. IF THEY COME BACK THEY WILL BE ARRESTED.   >> OKAY.  >> IF IT IS A FIRST INSTANCE OF THEIR TRESPASS OR EVOLVE OUT OF THE ORDINANCE YOUR FIRST RESORT WOULD NOT BE TO TAKE THEM TO   THE JAIL IT WOULD BE TO GIVE   THEM A WARNING THAT IF IT   HAPPENS AGAIN THEN AT THAT   POINT IT WOULD BE AN ARREST?   >> THAT IS RIGHT.  >> I WOULD IMAGINE YOU WOULD  HANDLE THIS ORDINANCE THE SAME  WAY.   >> YES.   >> OKAY.'S IT WOULD BE A   REPEAT OFFENSE BY THE PERSON   WHO IS DOING THE TRESPASSING?   >> YES.  >> THANK YOU, SIR.   >> THANK YOU.  >> I ASKED THE QUESTION BECAUSE A LOT OF WHAT I AM THINKING   ABOUT IS, WHAT IS THE PROCESS?  AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT  PRIVATE PROPERTY. IF SOMEBODY   IS ASKED  -- I'M IMAGINING   THAT WITH SOME OF THESE FOLKS   IN THE ROOM, THESE PRIVATE   PROPERTY OWNERS, AND EVEN IF IT IS YOUR HOUSE, IF YOU ASK   SOMEBODY TO LEAVE YOUR PROPERTY AND THEY SAY ABSOLUTELY NOT,   THEN WHAT DO YOU RESORT TO? YOU CALL THE POLICE. IF YOU CALL   THE POLICE, THE POLICE ARE   GOING TO ASK YOU IF YOU WANT   THEM TRESPASSED. THEY'RE NOT   GOING TO TAKE THEM TO JAIL.   THEY ARE GOING TO GIVE THEM A   WARNING WHICH MEANS THEY HAVE   TO COME BACK AND DO THE SAME  THING IN ORDER TO BE ARRESTED,  OR IN ORDER TO BE FIND UNDER  THE PENALTY WE ARE TALKING   ABOUT TODAY. I HEARD A LOT OF   CONVERSATION AROUND HOW   INHUMANE THIS WOULD BE IF WE   WERE TO PUT THIS IN PLACE. WHEN I THINK ABOUT PRIVATE PROPERTY  VERSUS PUBLIC PROPERTY, AND I   THINK ABOUT THE RIGHTS OF THOSE THAT HAVE PRIVATE PROPERTY.   THEY DO HAVE A RIGHT TO SAY  WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT DO ON   THEIR PROPERTY. AND IF THEY SAY YOU CANNOT, AND YOU CONTINUE TO DO IT, WHY WOULDN'T THEY CALL  THE POLICE? AND THEN IF THE  POLICE COME AND GIVE YOU A   WARNING, WHICH THE SHERIFF JUST SAID THAT WE ARE GOING TO GIVE  THEM A WARNING FIRST. THEY GIVE YOU A WARNING, YOU LEAVE AND   THEN YOU COME BACK AND DO THE   SAME EXACT THING  THAT THE   PROPERTY OWNER HAS ASKED YOU  NOT TO DO. SECOND COMEDY CHEF   IT -- SHERIFF'S DEPUTY COMES   TO NOT ARREST YOU BUT GIVE YOU  A WARNING. IT THEN YOU COME  BACK. THAT MEANS YOU HAVE   DISREGARD FOR EITHER THE   TRESPASS OR THE ORDINANCE IN  PLACE , AND YOU HAVE SAID THAT  YOU ARE GOING TO DO WHAT YOU   WANT TO DO ANYWAYS. ONE MORE   QUESTION, MR. DEPUTY. EXCUSE   ME. MADAM CHAIR, IF IT IS AN   ISSUE WHERE THE PERSON WHO IS  TRESPASSING HAS A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE, HOW WOULD YOU HANDLE   THAT? THEY HAVE A WARNING, THEY COULD HAVE COME BACK AND YOU   CAN TELL OFF GUARD THIS IS   SOMEBODY THAT HAS A MENTAL   HEALTH ISSUE.   >> THAT COULD LEAD TO THE BAKER ACT. THERE IS SOME DISCUSSION   THERE.  >> THERE IS DISCUSSION THERE.   OKAY. THANK YOU SIR. EVEN IF   THERE IS A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE  OF THE SHARES HELD -- THE   SHERIFF'S DEPUTY SEES THERE IS A MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE THERE IS  ANOTHER WAY TO GO THAN TAKING   THEM TO JAIL. I UNDERSTAND BOTH SIDES OF IT. I'M GOING TO   SUPPORT WHAT  COMMISSIONER   MINOR HAS SAID BECAUSE I COULD  SEE IF THE FIRST TIME SOMEBODY  DOES THIS AND POLICE ARE CALLED  THE TRESPASSING ORDINANCE THIS ORDINANCE THEN AT THAT POINT   THERE TAKEN STRAIGHT TO JAIL   AND THEY ARE NOT GIVEN ANY KIND OF CHANCE TO SAY , I HEARD IT,  I AM SORRY, I WILL NOT DO IT  AGAIN. BUT YOU ARE NOT GIVING   THEM ONE TIME. YOU ARE GIVING   THEM TWO CHANCES. I WOULD  IMAGINE THAT SOME OF THE FOLKS  HERE ARE NOT THE TYPE OF PEOPLE WHO IF I HAVE ASKED YOU TO   STOP, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO   JUST IMMEDIATELY CALL THE   POLICE. SOME OF THESE FOLKS ARE GOING TO ASK YOU TO LEAVE.   PLEASE DO NOT DO THIS. DO NOT   HARASS MY CUSTOMERS. DON'T DO  THIS ON MY PROPERTY. AND WHEN  IT GETS TO A POINT, I HAVE   NOTHING ELSE TO DO. I HAVE TO  CALL LAW ENFORCEMENT. OF ASK   YOU TO. I'VE SIGN UP AND YOU   CONTINUE. TO ME THERE IS A LOT  OF CHANCES IN BETWEEN THE SIGN  AND GOING TO JAIL, AND THE   PERSON WHO IS VIOLATING EITHER  TRESPASSING OR THE ORDINANCE ON PRIVATE PROPERTY TO COMPLY WITH WHAT IS BEING ASKED FOR. FOR   THAT REASON, I'M GOING TO   SUPPORT IT. WHAT I WAS   WONDERING ABOUT A LITTLE BIT   IS, BECAUSE WHAT I DON'T --   WHAT I WAS WONDERING ABOUT IS  THE AMOUNT OF PENALTY. DEFINE  AND THE JAIL TIME AMOUNT. FOR   THE OWNERS WHO WERE HERE THE  PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS. I   WOULD IMAGINE  THIS WOULD NOT   JUST APPLY TO BUSINESSES, BUT   HOME IS. YOU WANT THE PEOPLE   OFF OF YOUR PROPERTY. YOU  DON'T NECESSARILY CARE HOW  MUCH THE FINE IS, YOU WANT TO   HAVE ENOUGH FOR PEOPLE TO   UNDERSTAND, IF THIS HAPPENS, IT IS ENOUGH HERE THAT YOU ARE NOT GOING TO DO IT AND NOT WORRY   ABOUT THE RECORDS OF THE FINE.  I COULD GET WITH LOWERING THE   FINE AND LOWERING THE JAIL   TIME, BUT AS FAR AS WITH THE   FEE, I LIKE THE ORDINANCE   BECAUSE THE ORDINANCE DOESN'T  MAKE IT A CRIMINAL IF I --   OFFENSE. IF I COULD COME I   WOULD HAVE SOMEBODY FROM THE   COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE   BECAUSE, LIKE YOU SAID, IT IS   NOT CRIMINAL, BUT IT DOES HAVE  A PLACE TO DEAL WITH THIS   BESIDES GOING TO TRESPASSING   WHICH BECOMES A STATE ATTORNEY  DEAL. I LIKE THAT PIECE OF IT.  I GET A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT   THE FINE BECAUSE NOBODY WANTS   PEOPLE TO LOSE THEIR LICENSE.  IT DOES MAKE LIFE HARDER. I   COULD GET WITH MAYBE LOWERING  THAT A LITTLE BIT NOT SO MUCH   THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT DETERRED BY THE CONSEQUENCE OF DOING IT. AS IT IS, I CAN SUPPORT IT. IF YOU WANT TO DEAL WITH THE FINE OR   THE JAIL TIME. BUT I WILL SAY  THIS. THE LAST TIME I WILL SAY  IT. THERE ARE TOO MANY STEPS IN BETWEEN I TOLD YOU I DIDN'T   WANT TO ON MY PROPERTY AND YOU  GOING TO JAIL FOR ME NOT TO   SUPPORT THIS. YOU HAVE TO   BLATANTLY COME BACK AFTER BEING GIVEN A WARNING AND BEING TOLD  BY THE PROPERTY OWNER THAT THEY DON'T WANT YOU THERE IN ORDER  FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPUTY TO   COME BACK AND DEAL WITH YOU.  I'M GOING TO SUPPORT IT BUT   THEY FINE, I WOULD BE OKAY WITH LOWERING THAT.   >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.   MADAM ATTORNEY, LET ME ASK YOU  A QUESTION. IN THE ORDINANCE IT SAYS FINES UP TO $500. WHO HAS  THAT DISCRETION TO DETERMINE   ANYWHERE BETWEEN ZERO TO $500?   SELECT THE JUDGE, IF IT   ACTUALLY GOES ALL THE WAY TO  ADJUDICATION IN THE CASE.   OTHERWISE, IT IS SETTLED ALONG  THE WAY. IF THEY AGREE TO A   FINE, AND IT MAY BE SOMETHING   THE PROSECUTORS OFFICE HANDLES  OR WHOEVER IS HANDLING THE   CASE. ULTIMATELY, IT CAN BE   DECIDED BY A JUDGE. THAT IS WHY THERE IS NO SET SCHEDULE OR  ANYTHING LIKE THAT. BECAUSE IT  IS DISCRETION.  >> IT WOULD NOT EXCEED , AS FAR AS THIS ORDINANCE, IT COULD NOT EXCEED $500. IT SAYS UP TO   $500. AT LEAST WE HAVE A LIMIT. >> FOR THE FINE. AND THAT   MIRRORS THE PENALTIES THAT ARE  STATUTORILY AUTHORIZED FOR   VIOLATIONS OF ORDINANCES. IT   TRACKS WHAT IS IN THE STATUTE   IN CHAPTER 125.   >> THANK YOU MADAM COUNTY  ATTORNEY.  COMMISSIONER WELCH .   >> THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR. I  HAVE BEEN REALLY QUIET TONIGHT  AND ON THIS ITEM,  I THINK WE   HAVE TO BE PRAGMATIC. WE HAVE   TO BE REASONABLE. I THINK WE  CAN GET LOST IN THE WEEDS ON  ALL OF THESE THINGS. THIS IS   NOT THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE  DISCUSSED THIS AT LENGTH. I   WOULD JUST REMIND YOU, TWO  YEARS AGO WE HAD A MUCH MORE   COMPREHENSIVE ORDINANCE BEFORE  US THAT APPLIED TO PUBLIC   SPACES. THAT APPLIED TO  DEFECATION, CAMPING, AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS AND WE HAD VERY   SIMILAR CONVERSATIONS. THAT DID NOT GO ANYWHERE TWO YEARS AGO.  AND I THINK WE HAVE TO KEEP   THIS IN THE CONTEXT OF THAT WE  ARE TALKING ABOUT PRIVATE   PROPERTY. THIS IS PEOPLE'S   PRIVATE PROPERTY  WE HAVE  EMAILS FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE  DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY. EMAILS FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE  CHAMBER OF CONGRESS TOOK EMAILS FROM BUSINESS OWNERS. AND WE   HAVE EMAILS FROM THE PUBLIC AT  LARGE WHO ARE SENSITIVE TO  THESE TYPES OF THINGS. I THINK  COMMISSIONER MINOR'S  CURRENT  MOTION ON THE TABLE IS A   REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION FOR   SOME OF THE CONCERNS I WANT TO  REMIND US WE ARE TALKING ABOUT  A PROPERTY. IF WE ARE GOING TO  BE PRAGMATIC WE'VE GOT TO  APPRECIATE THE CEO OF OUR   DOWNTOWN IMPROVEMENT AUTHORITY  SENT US A GOOD EMAIL TODAY  EXPLAINING IN DETAIL HOW SHE   AND THE BUSINESSES DOWNTOW   HAVE HAD TO DEAL WITH THIS   ISSUE REPEATEDLY AND THAT IT IS UNSAFE. THESE ARE ANECDOTAL IN  THE SENSE THAT THEY ARE STORIES BUT EVERYTHING WE ARE TALKING   ABOUT IS VERY ANECDOTAL. WE   HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO DO   SOMETHING, TO GIVE SOME MEASURE OF REGRESS TO OUR BUSINESS  OWNERS  ARE HAVING TO DEAL WITH THIS. SPENDING THOUSANDS AND   THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. WE HAVE  GONE SO FAR AS TO PUT SIGNS IN  THE MEDIANS. TO TRY TO   ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO DONATE   ELSEWHERE. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLING. NOT   JUST ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, BUT   PUBLIC PROPERTY AND PUBLIC   ROADWAYS. THESE ARE REAL   PROBLEMS AND WE ARE JUST KIND   OF DANCING AROUND SOLUTIONS.   AND I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE   ACQUIESCED. WE ARE TALKING   ABOUT PRIVATE PROPERTY. THIS IS PRIVATE PROPERTY. THE CITY OF   JACKSONVILLE PASSED A BLANKET   BAN ON PUBLIC OR PRIVATE  SOLICITATION LAST YEAR.  JURISDICTIONS ALL OVER THE   STATE ARE DOING THIS AND WE   TALK IN HERE ALL THE TIME ABOUT STATE PREEMPTION AND THESE  THINGS. THE STATE HAS A MUCH   MORE ONEROUS BILL WORKING  THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE NOW  THAT WOULD DEAL WITH ALL OF  THESE SAME ISSUES THAT WE HAVE  CONTINUALLY DANCED AROUND. NOW  WE ARE GOING TO GET A BILL FROM THE STATE, PROBABLY. A LOT,   POTENTIALLY, THAT COULD BE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO NAVIGATE THAN THIS. I WOULD ENCOURAGE US TO  KIND OF STEP BACK AND LOOK AT   THE BIG PICTURE, WHICH IS, WE   ARE TRYING TO ALLOW OUR   BUSINESSES TO FUNCTION  EFFECTIVELY. TO FUNCTION   WITHOUT FEAR OF HARASSMENT,  INTERFERENCE , LET ALONE ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS. WE ARE  TALKING ABOUT PRIVATE PROPERTY. I THINK THE POINT THAT  COMMISSIONER O
KEEFE MADE ARE   GOOD POINTS ABOUT POTENTIALLY  PUSHING ALL OF THIS ON PUBLIC   PROPERTY. I THINK THAT IS   REALISTIC. BUT IT IS A SMALL   STEP IN THE DIRECTION OF GIVING SOME. LIFTING THE BURDEN A  LITTLE BIT FOR OUR PRIVATE   PROPERTY OWNERS. WHEN WE TALK  ABOUT ALL OF THESE OTHER   THINGS, AGAIN I SAY, IF THE   GIRL SCOUTS ARE SELLING COOKIES OUTSIDE OF PUBLIX, THEY HAVE   GOTTEN PERMISSION TO DO THAT.   IF I AM SOLICITING PETITIONS   AND I SOLICIT PETITIONS,   THOUSANDS OF THEM,  IF I DO IT  ON PRIVATE PROPERTY, I HAVE THE PERMISSION OF THE PROPERTY   OWNER TO DO THAT BECAUSE THEY  DO NOT WANT ME THERE, I WILL   NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE THERE.   THIS EXPEDITES THE PROCESS AND  WOULD ALSO ACT AS A DETERRENT,  HOPEFULLY, TO FOLKS WHO ARE   CONTINUALLY INVADING THE   PRIVACY OF PRIVATE PROPERTY   OWNERS. THEY ARE TRYING TO   CONDUCT BUSINESS IN A DOWNTOWN  THAT WE CONTINUALLY INVEST IN   AND TRY TO ENCOURAGE TO BE A   MORE VIBRANT PLACE AND WE HAVE  THESE  PROBLEMS, CONTINUALLY.  THIS IS NOT NEW. WE HAVE BEEN   DEALING WITH THIS FOR THREE   YEARS NOW. I'M GOING TO   SUPPORT THIS ITEM. I THINK THE  CARVE OUT OR WHATEVER WE WANT   TO CALL IT FOR PETITIONING IS   FINE. BUT I KNEW THAT IF WE DID THAT, WE WERE STILL GOING TO   GET HAMMERED. IT IS ALMOST   LIKE, AT WHAT POINT DO WE SAY,  NOT EVEN PRIVATE PROPERTY. WE   SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY MITIGATION  OF WHAT HAPPENED ON PRIVATE   PROPERTY. PRIVATE PROPERTY   OWNERS HAVE A RIGHT TO PROTECT  THEIR PROPERTY AND THEIR  BUSINESS AND THEIR INTEREST. I  WOULD ENCOURAGE US TO SUPPORT   THIS. OBVIOUSLY, THE PUBLIC   DEFENDER'S WORDS ARE VERY   WEIGHTY. A LOT. AND I   APPRECIATE THAT AND I THINK  THAT HAS CAUSED SIGNIFICANT   CONSTERNATION. I DON'T THINK   OUR GOAL IS TO CLOG UP THE   CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. I   TRUST OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS   CRAFTED AN ORDINANCE THAT IS   REASONABLE, FAIR, AND   PRAGMATIC. BUT I FELT THAT WAY  ABOUT THE ONE WE HAD TWO YEARS  AGO ALSO. I WOULD JUST SAY THAT WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO DO   SOMETHING. WE HAVE TALKED UP   HERE ABOUT BEING HARD AND   DEALING WITH THE ISSUE HEAD-ON  AND THESE THINGS AND THEN WE  DON'T. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY  TO DO A SMALL THING TO HELP OUR PROPERTY OWNERS AND BUSINESS   OWNERS. THANK YOU.  >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER  CABAN.   >> THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR.  I   SAT HERE JUST LISTENING AND   DEBATING IF I WANTED TO   WEIGH-IN ON THE TOPIC. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE   HO HAS DISSIPATED I. THANK YOU FOR EXPRESSING YOUR  OPINION. I KNOW THIS IS A VERY  DELICATE MATTER. SOMETHING THAT IS BOTHERING ME A LITTLE BIT   ABOUT THE DIALOGUE, BOTH WITH   SPEAKERS AND SOME OF THE   CONVERSATION WE HAVE HAD AS A   BOARD IS WE ARE ACTING LIKE WE  ARE NOT TRYING OUR BEST AND   SPENDING MILLIONS OF DOLLARS  WORKING WITH HOMELESSNESS. IT  IS A CONVERSATION THAT I THINK  HAS BEEN DISCUSSED. ONE OF THE  MOST SINCE I HAVE BEEN A  COMMISSIONER. HOMELESSNESS. WE  HAVE HAD A WORKSHOP ON IT. JUST RECENTLY WE DISCUSSED GETTING   HALF $1 MILLION MORE TO THIS. I BELIEVE IT IS ONE OF OUR   STRATEGIC INITIATIVES THAT   WOULD JUST DISCUSSED AT OUR   RETREAT. AND I ASK YOU GUYS,   WHERE DO WE COME UP WITH THE   MONEY TO SPEND ON HOMELESSNESS? PROPERTY VALUES. PROPERTY   OWNERS. WHERE DO WE GET THE   MONEY FOR BLUEPRINT?   BUSINESSES. THINK IT IS VERY   IMPORTANT THAT WHILE WE ARE   ACTIVELY TRYING TO WORK ON   HOMELESSNESS, THAT WE ARE   PROTECTING THE BASELINE OF OUR  REVENUES THAT GIVE US THE   ABILITY TO FUND THOSE POGROMS.  AND I SIT HERE, EMPATHETIC   BECAUSE THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM  IN MY DISTRICT.  811 BUENA  VISTA DRIVE. I'VE HAD MULTIPLE OCCASIONS OF AGGRESSIVE   PANHANDLERS COMING TO MY DOOR   AFTER 10:00 P.M.. I THINK   ABOUT, IF I WASN'T THERE, HOW  THAT WOULD HAVE GONE OR COULD   HAVE GONE WITH MY PARTNER. HER  BEING THERE BY HERSELF. I   IMPLORE MY COLLEAGUES AND   SPEAKERS TO GO SIT AT BAGEL,   BAGEL AT PENSACOLA STREET IN   THE MORNING. ALL HAVE OFFICE  HOURS THERE. HAVE A COPY THERE. I GO THERE FREQUENTLY. AND I   THINK ABOUT THE STRUGGLES  THAT BUSINESS OWNERS AND PEOPLE WHO  WANT TO INVEST IN OUR  COMMUNITY. PEOPLE WHO WANT TO   RAISE A FAMILY IN OUR   COMMUNITY. I THINK ABOUT THE   STRUGGLE THEY HAVE TO GO   THROUGH TO DO THAT, TO PAY   THEIR BILLS OR TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES. THINK ABOUT HOW  PROPERTY VALUES ON PENSACOLA   STREET, JACKSON BLUFF, ROBERTS  AVENUE. NEIGHBORHOODS IN MY   DISTRICT AND FOLKS THAT HAVE   BEEN THERE FOR GENERATIONS. 30  OR 20 YEARS, ARE EFFECTED BY   AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLING.  I KNOW THAT THIS IS A DELICATE MATTER  AND I KNOW THIS IS ONE OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS THAT COME BEFORE  THE BOARD WHERE THERE IS NO   REAL WINNER AND NO REAL LOSER.  BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT   THAT WE UNDERSTAND, WE CANNOT   DO ANYTHING WITH HOMELESSNESS   WITHOUT REVENUE FROM PROPERTY   VALUES. THAT IS WHAT I -- WHY I AM GOING TO SUPPORT THIS MOTION AND I ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES  TO AS WELL.   >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER   CABAN. COMMISSIONER PROCTOR  -- COMMISSIONER MINOR.    >> I THINK I WILL BE THE ONE  WRAPPING THIS UP. WE ALL HAVE   THE RIGHT TO GO ON SOMEONE   ELSE'S PROPERTY AND ASK PEOPLE FOR MONEY OR OTHER ITEMS  WITHOUT THAT PROPERTY OWNERS   PERMISSION. WE JUST DON'T. AND WHAT THIS ORDINANCE DOES IS   GIVES PROPERTY OWNERS,   BUSINESSES, A TOOL TO ENFORCE   THAT RIGHT. THAT IS IT. WE HAVE TALKED A LOT ABOUT HOMELESSNESS TONIGHT. I THINK THAT SOMEBODY  SAID THIS EARLIER, BUT I WILL   SAY IT AGAIN. HOMELESSNESS AND  AGGRESSIVE PANHANDLING AND   SOLICITATION ARE NOT THE SAME.  SOMEBODY FOR HOMELESS BUTTER -- SOME ARE HOMELESS AND LISTENING AND SOME ARE SOLICITING THAT   ARE HOMELESS. BUT SOME THAT ARE SOLICITING ARE NOT HOMELESS.   WHAT WE ALL NEED TO DO, AND WE  ARE DOING THIS AS BEST AS WE   CAN WITH THE MONEY THAT WE   HAVE, ADDRESSING THE ISSUES OF  HOMELESSNESS. HELPING PEOPLE   GET INTO SAFE HOUSING. IF YOU   HAVE HEARD OTHER PREVIOUS   MEETINGS TALK ABOUT THIS, YOU   KNOW IT IS TRUE. WE HAVE MORE   WORK TO DO BUT WE HAVE SPENT   MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN THE CITY SPENT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS  TRYING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF  HOMELESSNESS AND HELPING PEOPLE THAT HAVE A NEED FOR HELP. THEY HAVE HEAD TRAUMA IN THEIR LIFE  AND DO NOT TRUST PEOPLE WHO   LOOK LIKE THIS -- US TO PROVIDE MORE RESOURCES FOR THEM SO WE  CAN GET THEM INTO SAFE HOUSING. IT IS NOT SAFE TO BE ON THE  STREET. WE HAVE HAD MY P --   PEOPLE IN MY DISTRICT GET   STABBED AND DIE BECAUSE IT IS   NOT SAFE ON THE STREET. I WILL  TELL YOU ONE THING. WE NEED TO  HAVE COMPASSION FOR FOLKS ON   THE STREET THAT ARE STRUGGLING. WE ALSO NEED TO HAVE COMPASSION FOR BUSINESSES THAT ARE TRYING  TO RUN A BUSINESS AND TRYING   NOT JUST TO HELP THEMSELVES,   BUSINESS MANAGERS AND OWNERS  BUT THE EMPLOYERS THAT WORK FOR THE BUSINESSES. OVER THE LAST   SIX MONTHS, HAVE WALKED UP AND  DOWN NORTH MUNRO STREET AND I   HAVE KNOCKED ON THE DOORS OF A  MORE THAN 200 BUSINESSES,   ASKING THEM  WHAT THEIR ISSUES  ARE. FAR AND AWAY, THE THREE   THINGS I HEAR MORE THAN  ANYTHING ELSE OUR CRIME,   HOMELESSNESS, AND SOLICITATION. SOLICITATION IS ONE THING THAT  I HEAR. ONE OF THE TOP THREE.   FROM EVERY SINGLE BUSINESS THAT I TALK TO. SOME OF THEM TELL ME THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY THINKING   ABOUT MAYBE NOT STAYING HERE AT THIS LOCATION ANY LONGER. WE   HAVE THOUGHT ABOUT CLOSING.   BECAUSE IT TAKES SO MUCH TIME   FOR THAT BUSINESS OWNER,   EMPLOYEES OR  TO DO WITH   SOLICITATION ON THEIR OWN  PROPERTY WHEN THEY DO NOT WANT  IT. WE DON'T WANT TO   BUSINESSES TO LEAVE NORTH   MONROE. WE DON'T WANT  BUSINESSES TO LEAVE PENSACOLA,  OR SOUTH MONROE, OR DOWNTOWN.   WHEN IT GETS HARDER FOR US IS   ONE SOME OF THE BUSINESSES  DECIDE IT IS JUST TOO MUCH. I   GOT TOO CLOSE OR GO TO ANOTHER  TOWN OR HAVE TO GO TO ANOTHER  LOCATION. THAT IS WHAT AS   COMMISSIONER CABAN SAID, AND   STARTS TO EFFECT OUR ABILITY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT HOMELESSNESS IN TERMS OF FUNDING.  I'M GOING TO VOTE YES FOR THIS. I REALLY  STRONGLY URGE MY COLLEAGUES TO  VOTE YES FOR THIS. I HAVE  SPOKEN TO A LOT OF BUSINESSES   AROUND TOWN. NOT JUST THE ONES  ON NORTH MONROE, AND THEY NEED  THIS. THERE ASKING US FOR HELP. IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE   MANAGERS OR THE OWNERS. IT IS   ABOUT THE EMPLOYEES THAT WORK   THERE AND THE CUSTOMERS THAT GO TO THAT ESTABLISHMENT. THIS IS  ABOUT OUR LOCAL ECONOMY AND  UNDERSTAND IT IS NOT A PERFECT  POLICY , BUT WE'VE GOT TO DO   SOMETHING. WE HAVE TO HAVE   COMPASSION FOR THE FOLKS ON THE STREET AND WE ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CREATING THE   ENVIRONMENT FOR BUSINESSES TO   THRIVE. RIGHT NOW WE ARE NOT   DOING THAT AND WE HAVE TO TAKE  A STAND. THIS WILL NOT SOLVE   ALL OF THE PROBLEMS BUT IT WILL TAKE A SOLID STEP THERE. I URGE EVERYONE TO SUPPORT THE MOTION.   >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER   MINOR.  COMMISSIONER PROCTOR.  >> MADAM CHAIR, I SAID EARLIER  TONIGHT ON ITEM 18 THAT   PROBABLY MORE THAN HALF AFRICAN AMERICANS  -- I WENT BACK TO  MAKE SURE IN MY NOTES. I SAID   THAT AFRICAN-AMERICANS, I DID   NOT SAY IT AS I WROTE IT OVER  THE WEEKEND. THEY WERE ABOUT   HALF CRAZY FROM THE WEATHERING  BEAT DOWN OF OUR GOVERNMENTS   THAT HAVE EATEN US DOWN TO A   PULP. THE RESIDUAL IMPACTS OF   PEOPLE MARCHING ON THE STREET.  ALL OF THE BEHAVIOR THAT YOU   SEE. THE RESIDUAL IMPACTS OF   FOLKS WHO OF POVERTY AND HAVE  BEEN CAST DOWN. AND YET OUR   VANTAGE POINT OF HISTORY AND   HOW PEOPLE ARRIVE AT WHO THEY   ARE, WHERE THEY ARE, AND HOW   THEY ARE DOES NOT ALWAYS BEGIN  WITH THE GENERATION IN WHICH   THEY LIVE. I GET THAT. I KNOW  THAT PEOPLE CANNOT DEFECATE AND DO ALL OF THOSE THINGS ON   ANYONE'S PROPERTY. THAT IS NOT RIGHT. BUT IT WAS SAID WE HAVE  ENOUGH ON THE BOOKS. AND AS I  HEARD FROM COMMISSIONER MADDOX  , HE ACTUALLY  GAVE THE REASONS WHY WE HAVE BOTH -- THIS IS NOT BEING SOFT ON CRIME, IT IS ALSO BEING HUMANE ON THOSE WHO ARE   MORE VULNERABLE, AND HOW EASY   IT IS TO TAG THEM AS CRIMINALS  ONE PERHAPS THEY ARE MORE   MENTALLY ILL AND HAVE BEEN   BEATEN DOWN TO A PULP, IF NOT   THEMSELVES DIRECTLY, THE   CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THEY  DERIVE.  THE PLEA OFFER, ONCE  WE PUT PEOPLE IN JAIL AND WE  GET TO THE 260 DAYS, ONE OF MY  HESITATIONS IS THAT,  MISS   YEARLY DID NOT GET TO THAT I   WOULD'VE THE REVERBERATING   FACTORS, THAT WOULD GO OUT. IS  THAT THE PLEA OFFER -- AND I'M NOT GOING TO ASK YOU TO COME   BACK, MS. YEARLY, BUT THE PLEA  OFFICER -- OFFER IS MAYBE   SOMETIMES EXCESSIVE,   UNREASONABLE, AND WHAT WE   REALLY NEED IS A STUDY OF THE   PLEA OFFER AND THE FAILURE THAT WE CAN RESCUE PEOPLE BEFORE   THEY SPENT A AND A HALF MONTH   IN JAIL. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT   EVERY ARRESTEE IS, ON AVERAGE,  WITH THE WAY THINGS GO, WILL  SPEND A AND A HALF MONTHS   BEGGING FOR WHATEVER. IF YOU   THINK THAT BEGGING IS WORTH   EIGHT MONTHS OF SITTING IN   JAIL, THAT IS THE AVERAGE. WE   HAVE THE NUMBERS BROKEN DOWN ON WHAT  CATEGORIES AND HOW LONG  THEY HAVE BEEN SITTING OUT   THERE FOR A TRIAL. FOR JUSTICE. FOR AN OFFER. THAT PART YOU DO  NOT SEE. YOU DON'T SEE THAT   INFORMATION. AND THAT IS OKAY.  $500 . WHAT IS THE MISDEMEANOR  AMOUNT IN OUR STATE. $500 OR   LESS IS A MISDEMEANOR? IS THAT  ONLY PUTTING $500 AS A FINE   AMOUNT, THEN CATEGORICALLY THIS CAN ONLY BE INTERPRETED AS A   MISDEMEANOR, AND SHOULD NEVER   BE, PER SE A FELONY OR IT WOULD WE WOULD BE PUTTING $751 OR   $800. THIS IS A MISDEMEANOR THE NUMBER OF WHAT IT CODIFIES IN  THE MISDEMEANOR CATEGORY AS A   FINE. I HOPE THAT WE DO NOT   ABUSE THIS TO MAKE IT A FELONY. WHAT IS THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE DOING ARE WE PUTTING THE ONLY   ORDINANCE ON THE BOOK. ARE THE  FIRST TOP OR THE LAST STOP?   DOES THIS MIRROR THE ORDINANCE  OF THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE, AND I'M CURIOUS IF WE ARE OUT ON A LIMB BY OURSELVES? HOW DOES   THIS INTERFACE WITH THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE'S EXISTING   PANHANDLING ORDINANCE, MADAM   ATTORNEY.   >> THE CITY DOES NOT HAVE AN   ORDINANCE THAT ADDRESSES OR   PROHIBITS SOLICITATION ON   PRIVATE PROPERTY. THEREFORE,   THERE IS NO CITY ORDINANCE THAT IS ON POINT AND UNDER OUR CODE  UNLESS THEY ADOPT ONE IN   CONFLICT THAT WOULD SUPERSEDE   HOURS, THE ORDINANCE WOULD BE   COUNTYWIDE.   >> OKAY. WHAT IS THE CITY SCARE OF? WHY AREN'T THEY ACTING. IF THE CITY POLICE ARE MAKING THE  MAJORITY OF THE ARREST, 80% OF  THEM, MORE LIKELY WILL OCCUR  FROM TPD BUT THE CITY DOES NOT  EVEN HAVE AN ORDINANCE TO GO   BY. WHY ARE WE ACTING IN A   JURISDICTION. THE DOWNTOWN   IMPROVEMENT, THE CHAMBER OF   COMMERCE DESMET COMMERCE PICK   ALL OF THESE PEOPLE IN THE   CITY. WHAT ARE THEY RUSHING TO  DO WITH THE CITY COMMISSION   WILL NOT STAND UP FOR   ACTIVITIES GOING ON IN THE CITY JURISDICTION. I AM CONCERNED.   THANK YOU.  >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER   PROCTOR. AND I WANT TO THANK    ALL OF YOU THAT WEIGHED IN. AND OUR PUBLIC DEFENDER. THANK YOU  SO MUCH FOR ALL BEING HERE AND  THE CITIZENS HAVE COME INTO A  IN ON THE ISSUE. AS YOU ALL   RECALL A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO,   AS COMMISSIONER WELCH   MENTIONED, WE DID HAVE AN   ORDINANCE SIMILAR . IT DID NOT  PASS. WE DID NOT SUPPORT IT   BECAUSE IT DID COME A LITTLE   CLOSE TO PERHAPS, MAY BE   CRIMINALIZING THE HOMELESS. I   WANT TO THANK THE COUNTY   ATTORNEY AND STAFF FOR BRINGING THIS BACK AND I THINK A FAR   BETTER ORDINANCE THAN WHAT WE   LOOKED AT LAST YEAR. IT MIGHT   HAVE BEEN A YEAR BEFORE BECAUSE NONE OF US WANT TO CRIMINALIZE  BEING HOMELESS.  I SEE THE  ISSUE BEFORE US AND IT IS VERY  SERIOUS. IT IS A CRISIS, TO BE  HONEST WITH YOU. HAVE HEARD  REPORTS  ABOUT THE INCREASE IN  HOMELESSNESS IN OUR CITY. WE  HAVE HEARD REPORTS THAT MUCH OF WHAT IS HAPPENING MAY BE  CRIMINAL RELATED ACTIVITY THAT  IS OCCURRING FROM THE TRANSIENT POPULATION. AND WE ARE   ATTRIBUTING THAT TO THE  HOMELESS. IN MANY INSTANCES   THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS THAT COME IN  TALLAHASSEE FOR A WHILE AND MOVE ON. NEVERTHELESS, I SEE  THIS AS A CRISIS. I THINK THAT  WE DO HAVE TO ADDRESS IT. A LOT OF WHAT IS HAPPENING ADVERSELY  IS IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. I HAVE A BUSINESS IN THE DOWNTOWN   AREA. MY BUSINESS HAS BEEN THE  SUBJECT OF SOME OF THIS  ACTIVITY OVER THE YEARS WERE I  HAVE HAD TO CALL THE POLICE TO  COME OUT FOR VARIOUS REASONS.  MY BUSINESS IN THE DOWNTOWN   AREA HAS BEEN VICTIMIZED WITH   DEBRIS, LOITERING, DEFECATION  MORE THAN A DOZEN TIMES. MORE   THAN THAT. I AM VERY FAMILIAR   WITH THE FRUSTRATION THAT THE   BUSINESSES HAVE EXPERIENCED IN  THE DOWNTOWN AREA. HAVING SAID  THAT, HAVING EXPERIENCED THAT,  STILL EXPERIENCING MANY OF   THOSE BEHAVIORS, I AM STILL NOT IN FAVOR OF ANYTHING CLOSE TO   CRIMINALIZING THE HOMELESS. AND I THINK THIS PARTICULAR  ORDINANCE THAT WE HAVE BEFORE  US  WAYS  THE HEALTH, SAFETY   AND WELFARE OF ALL OF THE   CITIZENS. THE PRIVATE PROPERTY  OWNERS, WHICH I AM ONE OF THE   PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS IN THE  DOWNTOWN AREA. AND ALSO, THE   RIGHTS OF OUR HOMELESS, OR   TRANSIENT POPULATION.   COMMISSIONER PROCTOR MENTIONED   DUE PROCESS AND NOTICED TO   THOSE INDIVIDUALS. HOW WILL   THEY KNOW THAT THIS ORDINANCE   HAVE PASSED? HOW WILL THEY KNOW THE EFFECTIVE DATE AND THE  EFFECTIVENESS OF IT. I BELIEVE  DURING THE DISCOURSE WE TALKED  ABOUT, PERHAPS, THE FIRST   INSTANCE IS A WARNING AND THEN  IF THERE IS A SECOND INSTANCE   ON THE SAME PROPERTY THAT HAS   PROMINENTLY DISPLAYED A SIGN   THAT SAYS NO SOLICITATION, THEN ON THE SECOND INSTANCE, IT GOES A STEP FURTHER. I DON'T SEE   THAT, MADAM ATTORNEY, IN THE   ORDINANCE. IS THAT SOMETHING   THAT WE WOULD NEED TO ADOPT?    OR WOULD THAT JUST BE   DISCRETIONARY IF LAW   ENFORCEMENT IS CALLED?   >> YOU ARE ASKING WHETHER THERE COULD OR SHOULD BE A WARNING   AND THEN, IT IS PROSECUTORIAL   DISCRETION AND THE REASON IS    TALKING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT IT IS DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO KEEP   TRACK OF WHO HAS BEEN ISSUED A  WARNING AND WHO HASN'T.  >> THEY WILL KEEP TRACK?   >> IT IS HARD TO BECAUSE YOU   HAVE PEOPLE WHO ARE PATROLLING  ON DIFFERENT DAYS OR DIFFERENT  HOURS, AND EVERYTHING ELSE.   TRYING TO KEEP TRACK OF THAT  BECAUSE IT IS DIFFICULT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT WHICH IS WHY THEY   JUST HAVE A STANDARD PRACTICE  OF WARNING BEFORE THEY TAKE  ACTION AND THEY DO THAT IN THE  CONTEXT OF TRESPASS CURRENTLY.  >> AS A FOLLOW-UP, IF INDICE   ORDINANCE, IF WE WERE TO ADOPT  THAT SPECIFIC LANGUAGE, IT IS   ALMOST NON-ENFORCEABLE BECAUSE  IT IS NOT SOMETHING THEY WOULD  KEEP TRACK OF, FOR THE MOST   PART.   >> IT IS DIFFICULT IN   APPLICATION AND ENFORCEMENT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO DO THAT.   >> BUT IF THEIR MODE OF   OPERATION IS GENERALLY THE  FIRST ARREST YOU ARE GIVEN A   MORNING AND THE SECOND ARREST,  AND I GUESS IT WOULD DEPEND ON  THE PROPERTY OWNER THAT CALLED  AND SAID, THIS IS THE SECOND   TIME OR THE THIRD TIME THIS   PERSON HAS DONE XYZ, THAN LAW  ENFORCEMENT WOULD PRETTY MUCH   RELY ON THAT REPRESENTATION   ABOUT THE PRIVATE PROPERTY   OWNER?  >> YES. AGAIN, KEEP IN MIND,   FOR THEM TO VIOLATE THIS   ORDINANCE, THEY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER HAS TO PERSONALLY  OBSERVE THE BEHAVIOR. THEY ARE  GOING TO HAVE TO SEE THE   BEHAVIOR OCCURRING FOR IT TO  EVEN TRIGGER A VIOLATION UNDER  THE ORDINANCE.   >> RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR  REPEATING THAT BECAUSE  THAT   GAVE ME A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF   CONSOLATION. WHEN YOU MENTIONED THAT EARLIER TONIGHT, THAT LAW  ENFORCEMENT HAS TO ACTUALLY   OBSERVE THE BEHAVIOR. BUT I  THINK THAT IT WOULD STILL   PROVIDE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF   PROTECTION FOR OUR PRIVATE   PROPERTY OWNERS. WHAT I AM   HOPING IS, THIS WOULD BE A   DETERRENT. IF PRIVATE PROPERTY  OWNERS POST PROMINENTLY, THIS   SIGN THAT SAYS NO TRESPASSING  ENTER NO SOLICITATION, THAT IS  YOUR NOTICE THAT YOU ARE NOT   WELCOME ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.  ONE OF THE THINGS IN THE   ANALYSIS IS THAT THIS DOES NOT  INVOLVE PUBLIC PROPERTY AT ALL. I BELIEVE THE COURT ATTORNEY   HAS TOLD US THAT THE COURT HAS  INDICATED THERE IS A CERTAIN   AMOUNT OF FIRST AMENDMENT   RIGHTS ON PUBLIC PROPERTY. BUT  WE DO NOT HAVE THOSE SAME   RIGHTS ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.  I  FEEL, COMMISSIONERS, THAT WE  HAVE GOT TO DO SOMETHING TO  PROTECT THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND WELFARE OF ALL OF US AS   CITIZENS. ARE PRIVATE PROPERTY  OWNERS. OUR HOMELESS   POPULATION. OUR TRANSIENT   POPULATION. BECAUSE THIS   AGGRESSIVE BEHAVIOR THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING NOW, MORE THAN   EVER, COULD BE TRAGIC. IT COULD CERTAINLY BE TRAGIC WITH ALL OF THE GUN VIOLENCE THAT WE HAVE   REALIZED HERE AN OUR   COMMUNITY. I KNOW THAT WE HAVE  EXPENDED, MR. COUNTY   ADMINISTRATOR FOR OUR HOST   SHARE AND HOST DEPUTIES TO   ENGAGE THE HOMELESS POPULATION  THAT ARE HAVING MENTAL   PROBLEMS. MENTAL ILLNESS. IT I  THINK THEY ARE DOING A GOOD   JOB. THEY GIVE US A REPORT   PERIODICALLY. I KNOW THAT THE   SHERIFF SAYS WHEN YOU RECOGNIZE THOSE INDIVIDUALS ON PRIVATE   PROPERTY, OR IN THE PUBLIC, WE  RESORT TO PERHAPS, THE BAKER   ACT. BUT WE HAVE OUR WHOLE   SHARE -- SHERIFFS OUT TO   THERETO AS A BACKUP. IT FOR THE MOST PART THEY HAVE TRIED TO   IDENTIFY HOMELESS PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT ARE SUFFERING   THROUGH A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF   MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. THE   BOTTOM LINE IS, I BELIEVE THAT  WE HAVE SAFEGUARDS IN PLACE TO  SAFEGUARD PROPERTY OWNERS AND   TO SAFEGUARD THOSE INDIVIDUALS, OUR HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS, OUR   TRANSIENT INDIVIDUALS BECAUSE   THEY ARE GIVEN NOTICE WITH A   SIGN. THEY ARE GIVEN NOTICE   WITH A FIRST OFFENSE. AND   HOPEFULLY, THE SHERIFF WILL   ADVISE THEM THAT IF THIS OCCURS AGAIN, AND OF COURSE, ON THE   SAME PROPERTY, THEN THERE WILL  BE MORE STRINGENT ACTION TAKEN  AGAINST YOU. BECAUSE OF THOSE   STEPS THAT ARE IN PLACE, I WILL SUPPORT COMMISSIONER MINOR'S  AMENDED MOTION THAT TAKES OUT   THE OTHER AREAS WE ARE   CONCERNED ABOUT THAT WE REALLY  DON'T WANT TO RESTRICT. IF WE  ARE ON PUBLIC PROPERTY, SUCH AS THE MALLS, STRIP MALLS, GROCERY STORES, WHAT HAVE YOU, AS YOU   SAY, SELLING GIRL SCOUT COOKIES WE GENERALLY GET PERMISSION TO  BE THERE. HERE WE ARE TALKING   ABOUT PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS   THAT ARE EXPERIENCING ADVERSE   EFFECTS FROM DEMORALIZING   ACTIONS ON THAT PROPERTY. I   THINK THIS SUFFICIENTLY WEIGHS  THE RIGHTS OF THE PERSONAL   PROPERTY OWNERS WITH ANY RIGHTS THAT THESE INDIVIDUALS WOULD   HAVE TO COME OR NOT COME ON THE PROPERTY. IF I DO NOT HAVE A   SIGN UP THAT SAYS NO   SOLICITATION, THEY CAN COME ON  MY PROPERTY. BUT IT IS MY   RESPONSIBILITY TO, AS A PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNER, TO GET THE SIGN AND POST IT PROMINENTLY ON THE  PROPERTY TO PUT THEM ON NOTICE. AND TO ME, COMMISSIONER   PROCTOR, THAT IS DUE PROCESS. I HAVE THAT SIGN THEIR.  >> MADAM CHAIR, CAN WE PUT NO  BEGGING. HOW MANY PEOPLE KNOW   WHAT SOLICITATION MEANS?   >> I THINK IT IS UP TO THE  PROPERTY OWNER. WE WOULD HAVE   TO SAY NO SOLICITATION. IF WE   WANT TO SAY NO BEGGING, WE   COULD DO THAT AS WELL.  >> MORE PEOPLE KNOW THAT WORD   THAN SOLICITATION. I DID NOT   KNOW WHAT IT WAS UNTIL I WENT   TO LAW SCHOOL.   >> OKAY. ALL RIGHT. HAVING SAID THAT HERE WE HAVE A MOTION.   >> ONE POINT.   >> BRIEFLY.   >> IS IT KNOWN TO OUR STAFF,   WHEN A PERSON IS ARRESTED, DO   THEY LOSE THEIR PUBLIC SERVICE  BENEFITS. IF YOU GET AN ARREST  RECORD, ARE YOU NULLIFIED FROM  RECEIVING A HOMELESS SHELTER,   RECEIVING FOOD BANK? IS THERE   ANY LOST -- BECAUSE POVERTY   BRINGS CERTAIN LIGHT. BUT WHERE IF YOU GET A POLICE RECORD, DO  YOU ALSO LOSE YOUR HUMAN  SERVICES HELP?   >> KNOW, COMMISSIONER, THEY DO  NOT. THE ONLY THING THAT IS  USUALLY BARRED IS ISSUES   REGARDING SEXUAL PREDATORS.   >> THANK YOU.  >> THANK YOU. THERE IS A MOTION ON THE FLOOR THAT CARVED OUT AN EXCEPTION TO PARAGRAPH 2 IN THE ORDINANCE AND A HAS BEEN SECOND DO WE HAVE TO REPEAT THE   EXCEPTION? COMMISSIONER MINOR.    >> SUBSECTION 2 ON PAGE 751   WOULD BE CHANGED TO REMOVE   PETITION GATHERING FROM THE   SENTENCES CURRENTLY THERE AND   AT THE END OF THE PARAGRAPH IT  WOULD HAVE A SENTENCE TO THE   EFFECT OF THE TERM SOLICIT DOES NOT PERTAIN TO GATHERING, VOTER REGISTRATION OR ADVOCACY ON  POLITICAL ISSUES OR CANDIDATES. THAT IS THE MOTION.   >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER   MINOR.  ALL THOSE IN FAVOR LET  IT BE KNOWN BY SAYING  AYE.   >> AYE.  ANY OPPOSITION? NO.    >> COMMISSIONER O
KEEFE AND   COMMISSIONER PROCTOR. THANK YOU SO MUCH. IS THERE ANYTHING   FURTHER?   >> AT THAT CONCLUDES YOUR  BUSINESS, MADAM CHAIR.   >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.  THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED.  ---------   >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.   AND WELCOME TO OUR  LEON COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING  FOR   FEBRUARY 20th, 2024.  IT IS   GREAT TO SEE ALL OF YOU THAT   ARE HERE. GREAT TO SEE MY   FELLOW COMMISSIONERS. AT THE   TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL ON   COMMISSIONER PROCTOR  TO   INTRODUCE OUR INDICATOR  AND   ALSO INTRODUCED , WILL LEAD US  INTO THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.     >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.    COMMISSIONERS.  WE ARE VERY  EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY.  THIS FINAL TUESDAY IN THE MONTH.  IF THE STAFF  CAN GET SOME OF THIS% OUT OF MY MICROPHONE,  SCHOOL   BOARD MEMBER JONES, IT IS GOOD  TO SEE YOU. I AM VERY PLEASED   THAT THE ASSOCIATE  MINISTER OF BETHEL MISSIONARY BAPTIST  CHURCH, REVEREND DON TOLLIVER  IS HERE TO LEAD US IN OUR   INVOCATION. CAN YOU PLEASE,, WE ASK THAT ALL OF US STAND    DURING THE INVOCATION.    >> LET US PRAY.  GOD OF OUR   WEARY YEARS.  GOD OF OUR SILENT TEARS.  THOU WHO HAS BEEN WITH  US THUS FAR ALONG THE WAY.    THOU BY THAT MIGHT HAVE LET US  INTO THE LIGHT, KEEP US FOREVER IN THE PAST WE PRAY.  DEAR GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS MEETING  TODAY.  WE THANK YOU FOR THIS   OPPORTUNITY TO BE WITH YOU.  WE THANK YOU FOR THE BUSINESS THAT WILL TAKE PLACE.  LEFT OUR   MINDS, OUR HEARTS AND SOULS  TODAY.  WE ASK TO KEEP   EVERYTHING THE IMPERSONAL IN   YOUR WELL. MOST OF ALL, WE ASK  YOU CONTINUE TO BE WITH US AS  WE TRAVEL TO AND FRO.  I ASKED  THAT YOU HELP US TO CONTINUE  CONDUCT BUSINESS -- BUSINESS    AND IT  -- ORDER.  AND ALSO   KEEPING THE CONSIDERATION  OF   THE PEOPLE LEON COUNTY.   >> PLEAD I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE    FOLLOW TO THE FLAG ME IN THE  PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.  >>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.    >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.    >> THANK YOU, BUT COMMISSIONER  PROCTOR. WE CERTAINLY WANT TO  THANK  REVEREND TOLLIVER.  FOR  THE APPLE OF --  BEAUTIFUL  INVOCATION.  [ INAUDIBLE ]    THANK YOU.  COUNTY  ADMINISTRATOR.  THAT BRINGS US   TO OUR AGENDA.  DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS ON CONSENT ?  OH,   LET'S SEE.  OKAY, I AM SORRY.  I SKIPPED AHEAD. NEST WE WILL  ASK COMMISSIONER MINOR  IF HE   WILL COME FORTH  WITH THE  PROCLAMATION  RECOGNIZING DJ  DEMP FOR HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO   THE COMMUNITY.    >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.  I   MUST ADMIT,  AT FIRST I DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE EXTENT  OF YOUR  CONTRIBUTION TO THIS COMMUNITY  OVER THE LAST 27 YEARS.  LAST   MONTH I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF   ATTENDING THREE OR FOUR OF THE  EVENT AT DUMP WEEK  -- DENT   WEEK. I TOOK MY DAUGHTER TO THE BASKETBALL GAME.  I SAW   FIRSTHAND THE VALUE YOU PROVIDE TO THIS COMMUNITY. YOU ARE A   LEON COUNTY TREASURE.  IT IS AN HONOR TO DO THIS PROCLAMATION   ON BEHALF OF THE LEON COUNTY   BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.   WHEREAS IT IS WITH GREAT   PLEASURE AND GRATITUDE WE COME  TOGETHER TO RECOGNIZE AND   CELEBRATE THE EXCEPTIONAL   CONTRIBUTIONS OF DJ DEMP TO THE COMMUNITY OF LEON COUNTY,  FLORIDA.  AND WHEREAS DJ DEMP  HAS CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATED  AN UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO    COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, YOUTH  DEVELOPMENT, PHILANTHROPY AND  CULTURAL ENRICHMENT. MAKING A   LASTING AND POSITIVE IMPACT  ON THE RESIDENCE.  WHEREAS,   THROUGH PARTNERSHIP AND ANCHOR  RECOVERY PARTICIPATION TO OPEN   THEM HOUSE, THE DAY TEMP  THAT SO DJ DEMP HAS  -- TO SUPPORT   INDIVIDUAL STRUGGLING WITH DRUG ABUSE  AND ADDICTION. AND  WHEREAS  HE PARTICIPATE IN THE  EMPOWERMENT OF YOUTH THROUGH    MENTORSHIP , ADVOCACY AND --    AND THE MISSION TO GIVE   CHILDREN A SAFE SPACE TO LEARN  AND GROW. AND WHEREAS DJ DEMP  BULLYING  PREVENTION PROGRAM    ADDRESSES SOCIAL ISSUES IN   COMBAT THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS  THROUGH  PROBLEM SOLVING AND    SELF-DEFENSE. AND WHEREAS DJ   DEMP'S PHILANTHROPIC ENDEAVORS HAVE CONTRIBUTED  TO THE   BETTERMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY,   PROVIDING SUPPORT TO THOSE IN  NEED AND EXEMPLIFYING THE TRUTH HERE OF GENEROSITY . AND   WHEREAS AS A PROMINENT FIGURE   IN THE LOCAL CULTURAL SCENE,    DJ DEMP HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL   IN PROMOTING AND PRESERVING THE DIVERSE CULTURAL HAT  NATIONAL  HERITAGE THAT ENRICHES OUR  COMMUNITY.  THEREFORE, BE IT   RESOLVED THAT THE COUNTY  COMMISSIONERS OF LEON COUNTY,  FLORIDA HEREBY PRONOUNCE  EVERY 20th, 2024 AS DJ DEMP DAY IN   HONOR OF HIS OUTSTANDING  CONTRIBUTIONS AND DEDICATION TO THE BETTERMENT OF OUR  COMMUNITY.  SIGNED ON BEHALF OF THE  COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.    PLEASURE.    >> WOW, THIS IS SUCH AN HONOR.  I APPRECIATE IT.  I THANK YOU  FOR COMING OUT TO THE EVENTS. I SAW YOU SHOW UP TO A FEW OF MY  EVENTS.  AND ALL OF THE   COMMISSIONERS WHO STOOD BEHIND  ME IN MAKING SURE  THAT YOU   WERE WITH ME WHEN I WAS GOING  THROUGH THE PROCESS. I JUST  WANT TO SAY, EVERYTHING I HAVE  DONE TO RECEIVE THIS AND TO BE  HONORED, I AM GOING TO CONTINUE DOING IT. AS I HAVE BEEN DOING  FOR THE PAST YEARS THAT I LIVED IN TALLAHASSEE. I WILL CONTINUE DOING IT.  AND ELEVATING WHAT I AM DOING.  IF ANYTHING THAT YOU NEED ME TO DO, TO HELP YOU OUT   IN REACHING THE COMMUNITY,   JUST REACH OUT AND I GOT YOU.  THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE YOU ALL SO MUCH.    >> THANK YOU,  COMMISSIONER  MINOR.  AND DJ DEMP.    >>  I WANT TO STEP DOWN AND  JOIN.  BUT I WANT TO ASK    STANLEY SIMMS  IF DJ DEMP IS   HIS COUSIN, HEATING  -- HE  DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING. HE   USUALLY LETS US KNOW WHO HIS   COUSINS ARE.  I WANTED TO SAY   TO DJ DEMP, WORD ON THE STREET  IS,  WE WANT YOU TO HEAD UP A  SUPER BOWL PARTY NEXT YEAR.  I  DJ DEMP SUPER BOWL PARTY. I'M  JUST PUTTING IT OUT THERE.    >> MADAM CHAIR?    >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER   PROCTOR. COMMISSIONER MADDOX.   >> THANK YOU.  I WANTED TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO  THANK DJ  DEMP FOR WHAT HE DOES IN OUR   COMMUNITY. IT'S MUCH BIGGER   THAN JUST THAT WEEK,.  IS  EXTRAORDINARY.  I ALSO WANTED   TO THANK AND GIVE CREDIT TO   COMMISSIONER MINOR AND DJ DEMP   FOR TAKING THE OPPORTUNITY TO  HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OF YOU CAN  UNDERSTAND WHAT EXACTLY WE PUT   OURSELVES ON THE LINE FOR, AND FOR HIM TO COME FORWARD TODAY   AND ASKED FOR THE PROCLAMATION   AND PRESENT THE PROCLAMATION,  AND THE WORDS IN THE   PROCLAMATION BECAUSE A LOT OF  THE TYPE OF MAN  THAT   COMMISSIONER MINOR IS. I IS   RESPECT THE TIME YOU TOOK IN   THE OPPORTUNITY  TO LEARN WHO   THAT MAN IS AND REALLY  CHERISH WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR OUR  COMMUNITY. THEREFORE, ON YOUR  SIDE OF IT,  DEB, YOU HAVE THE  OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE  THE   COMMISSIONER THIS EXPERIENCE,   AND TO NOT TAKE IT PERSONAL .   SO HE COULD KNOW EXACTLY WHO   YOU ARE, YOU DID THAT WITH OPEN ARMS. AND YOU ROLLED OUT THE   RED CARPET  SO HE COULD   UNDERSTAND THE IMPACT AND   EFFECT YOU HAVE ON OUR   COMMUNITY. IN MY OPINION THAT   IS HUMBLENESS THAT EVERY MAN  NEEDS.  BIGGER THAN ANY  ACCOMPLISHMENT WE HAVE SEEN   THUS FAR,  I THINK THE WAY WE  WERE ABLE TO PUT TWO PEOPLE   TOGETHER WITH DIFFERENT   EXPERIENCES TO COME TO RESPECT  ONE ANOTHER  ONE GIVING THE  EXPERIENCE,  COME TO RESPECT   WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, IT SPEAKS A LOT ABOUT THE POLITICAL   PROCESS. AND  ABOUT YOU TWO AS  MEN. THIS IS WHAT I LOVE FOR  LEON COUNTY TO BE ABOUT AND BE  LIKE, WHETHER YOU ARE FROM THE  NORTH SIDE, EASTSIDE, WEST OR  SOUTH.  THAT WE CAN COME   TOGETHER AS WE DID IN THIS   SITUATION TO REALLY RESPECT,   LOVE AND CHERISH  ONE ANOTHER   AS COMMUNITY MEMBERS.  THANK   YOU, MADAM CHAIR.  >>  THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER  MADDOX. ANY OTHER  COMMISSIONERS?   >>  MADAM CHAIR, STANLEY SIMMS  IS BACK IN THE CHAMBER.  MR.   SIMS, WE DID NOT NOTE THIS WITH YOUR COUSIN OR NOT. IF DJ DEMP   IS YOUR COUSIN. OKAY.    >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER  PROCTOR.  I ALSO WANT TO ECHO   THE SENTIMENT  OF COMMISSIONER  MINOR AND THE OTHER  COMMISSIONERS , DJ DEMP,  ON   THE POSITIVE IMPACT  YOU HAVE   HAD ON OUR CHILDREN IN THIS  COMMUNITY. NOT JUST THIS YEAR,   BUT THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. WE   APPRECIATE DEMP WEEK  AND WE   CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOU AND   YOUR COMMITMENTS  TO MAKE SURE  OUR YOUTH HAVE POSITIVE ROLE  MODEL . YOU HAVE CERTAINLY BEEN A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL. THANK  YOU SO MUCH. AND THAT  RESOLUTION  IS VERY WELL  DESERVED.  CONTINUE TO DO GOOD  WORK IN OUR COMMUNITY. IF YOU  NEED ANYTHING FROM US, YOU KNOW HOW TO CONTACT US. THANK YOU.     >> MADAM CHAIR, I WANT TO SAY  THAT IT DJ DEMP'S MOTHER  TO   HIS IMMEDIATE LEFT. AND  WHATNOT.    >> YOUR MOTHER IS HERE?  OKAY , MOTHER.  LET'S GIVE HER  A   ROUND OF APPLAUSE. THANK YOU.   THANK YOU FOR RAISING SUCH AN   AMAZING SON. WE APPRECIATE YOU. OKAY,  BACK TO OUR AGENDA,  COMMISSIONERS.  MR. COUNTY   ADMINISTRATOR, DO WE HAVE   DIGGERS ON CONSENT  AND   NON-AGENDAED ITEMS ?   >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.   COMMISSIONERS, GOOD AFTERNOON.   WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER ON CONSENT AND NON-AGENDAED ITEMS. MICHAEL -- .    >>  MY NAME IS MICHAEL McBRIDE, --  ON MARCH 28th, 2010, MY SON  WAS HAVING AN ARGUMENT WITH   HIS FIANCEE .  AT OUR   HOUSEHOLD, WE WERE ON SPRING   BREAK. WHEN SHE DROVE AWAY,  MY SON LOADED UP HIS GUN TO TAKE   HIS OWN LIFE, HE CAME BACK IN   HIS HOUSE.  IN ENSUING  INTERACTION,  CONNOR SHOT AND.  A WEEK LATER SHE DIED. AND  PARENTS  DID NOT WANT TO FOLLOW THE DATA SQUALL,  THEY DID NOT  WANT RETRIBUTION, THEY WANTED  ANSWERS.  THE PURPOSELY   INTRODUCED RESTORATIVE PROCESS   -- JUSTICE IN THE PROCESS.   SIMPLY PIT  -- PUT, THIS IS   ANOTHER WAY OF DOING THINGS.  THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU, OUR  COMMUNITY LEADERS, TO  UNDERSTAND.  YET UNDERSTAND THE HARM THAT WAS DONE, WHO WAS   HARMED AND HOW THE COMMUNITY  CAN WORK TOGETHER TO REPAIR THE HARM. THE EXISTING LEGAL SYSTEM DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY CONSIDER SUCH COMMUNITY CENTRIC  PERSPECTIVES.  I AM NOT HERE   TODAY TO EDUCATE YOU ABOUT   RESTORATIVE JUSTICE OR EXPOUND  ON ITS BENEFITS. I'M HERE TO  IDENTIFY THAT WE ARE AT A  CROSSROADS FOR YOU TO MAKE A  DIFF.  A CONTRACT HAS RECENTLY  BEEN SET BETWEEN THE CITY OF  TALLAHASSEE  AND CONNECTION  FIRST  FOR A PROGRAM THAT  LEVERAGES  A MEMORANDUM BETWEEN OUR STATE ATTORNEY, OUR PUBLIC  DEFENDER , OUR SHARE OF  AND   OUR CHIEF OF POLICE.  BUT NOW   COMES THE HARD PART -- HOT    DESK ALL THE DOING. THIRD IS   GREAT COUNT  THAT THE    COMPETENCE FOR THE BENEFITS.    WITH THERE WOULD BE MORE   BENEFIT IF  YOU, THE   COMMISSIONERS, COULD STEP UP  AND ADVOCATE FOR THE PROGRAM  AND LEARN HOW IT WORKS, LEARN   WHO IS INVOLVED AND HOW IT CAN  HELP THE COMMUNITY.  THE   PROGRAM WORKS BY PROVIDING  ALTERNATIVE  OPPORTUNITIES ,   LOCAL RESOURCES ARE REQUIRED TO INCREASE CONNECTION AND   OVERCOME BARRIERS TO SUPPORT   SUCH OPPORTUNITIES.  A   COMMITMENT FROM YOU TO HELP  EDUCATE  AND BRING ON BOARD   THOSE RESOURCES FROM ACCOUNTS   THAT GO ACROSS THE COUNTY WOULD BE A VALUABLE.  WHEN LEADER   SHOWS SUPPORT FOR PROGRAM, THE  COMMUNITY IS MUCH MORE LIKELY   TO BUY END. WITH SUCH INFORMED  SUPPORT FROM THE TOP,  A   DIFFERENT CAN BE MADE. WHILE  MANUALLY  THAT SO MANY WOULD  CALL THIS A SOFT INTERVENTION  PROGRAM, MICE AND WOULD CALL IT AN ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAM    ESTABLISHING A NORM FOR   ACCOUNTABILITY IS THE COMMUNITY CHANGING THOUGHT.  PLEASE LEAD  IN THE SUPPORT F THAT THOUGHT.  WE CAN BE THE CATALYST FOR   CHANGE BY PROMOTING EFFORTS TO  TEACH PEOPLE  THAT DO HARM,  RATHER THAN ISOLATING THEM,   HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE,   RATHER THAN BLAMING THEM,    CHANGING PEOPLE RATHER THAN   INCARCERATING THEM.  WITH THIS  COMMISSIONS ACTIVE SUPPORT IN   SUPPORTING PROGRAMS SUCH AS  THIS RESTORATIVE JUSTICE  PROGRAM,  CATALYST CAN BE   AMAZING. THANK YOU FOR  LISTENING.    >>  THANK YOU, MR. Mc WRIGHT.   MR. McBRIDE.    >> THANK YOU,  I WANT TO THANK  MICHAEL FOR  SPEAKING TO    RESTORATIVE JUSTICE.  HE AND  HIS WIFE JULIE ARE ADVOCATES   FOR THIS PROGRAM.  OBVIOUSLY,   HAVING LIVED IT AND EXPERIENCED IT.  MICHAEL, IF YOU HAVE ANY   INFORMATION, I ENCOURAGE YOU  SEND IT TO US AN EMAIL. THANK  YOU FOR SHOWING UP TONIGHT.    >>  ANY OTHER COMMENTS?    COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE?    >> THANK YOU,  FOR SPEAKING UP   FOR THAT. YOU WILL BE HEARING  FROM MY OFFICE TO FIND MORE   ABOUT THIS. THIS IS VERY  IMPORTANT.    >> THANK YOU, WE CERTAINLY  APPRECIATE YOU COMING AS WELL.  I AM SORT OF FAMILIAR WITH   RESTORATIVE JUSTICE . I AM   INTERESTED IN IT . WE  APPRECIATE  YOUR PRESENCE. MR.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR?  >>  THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. AS  REFLECTIVE  IN THE AGENDA,   ITEMS SIX AND 11 HAVE BEEN   POLLED.   >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, I  WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A   MOTION TO CONSENT  THE AGENDA   WITH EXCLUSION OF ITEMS SIX    AND ITEM 11.   >> SO MOVED.    >> SECOND?  THANK YOU, ABBY   MOVED TO SECOND TO CONSENT THE  AGENDA EXCLUDING  CONSENT   AGENDA ITEMS SIX AND 11.  ANY  DISCUSSION?  ALL THOSE IN FAVOR TO MOTION ON THE FLOOR SAY,   AYE.    >> AYE..    >> ANY OPPOSITION?  THANK YOU.     >>  ITEM #6  SEEKS FUNDING IN   THE AMOUNT OF $218,400 TO THE   DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO PROVIDE FIRST RESPONDER  HIGH-PERFORMANCE  RESUSCITATION WORKFORCE TRAINING  TO OUR EMS  STAFF.  WITH THAT, WE ARE   RECOMMENDING OPTIONS ONE AND  TWO , HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY   QUESTIONS. THIS ITEM WAS PULLED BY COMMISSIONER PROCTOR ARE.  >> COMMISSIONER PROCTOR?   >> COMMISSIONERS,  I'M CURIOUS TO ASK WHAT A  HIGH-PERFORMANCE RESUSCITATION IS?    >>  THANK YOU, I WILL ANSWER.   I WOULD ASK CHIEF ABRAMS TO   COME UP AND SPEAK TO SOME LEVEL OF SPECIFICS. THIS IS THE  DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH THAT WOULD PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT  IN THE   AMOUNT SHOWN IN THE ITEM TO  PROVIDE  RESUSCITATION,    HIGH-PERFORMANCE, WHICH I THINK HAS TO DO WITH  THE NEUROLOGY  COMPONENT  OF DEALING WITH  RESUSCITATION . AGAIN, CHIEF  ABRAMS CAN DO A BETTER JOB THAN I IN EXPLAINING.   >> COMMISSIONERS, AS YOU KNOW,   AS OUTLINED IN THE AGENDA, THE BOARD HAS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE MEDICAL OUTCOMES AND SURVIVAL RATES . WE DO THAT  THROUGH A NUMBER OF WAYS   CURRENTLY. THIS IS THE NEXT   LAYER OF THAT. IN VIEWING HOW   OUR RESUSCITATION HEALTH A  PERSON  RETURN BACK TO HOME IN  THE STATE THEY WERE IN PRIOR.  IT IS A LOT OF SCIENCE  THAT   SHOWS CHANGING HOW WE DO THE   RESUSCITATION INITIALLY WILL   HELP TO DO THAT. THIS PROGRAM   OFFERED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF   HEALTH GIVES US THE TRAINING ON ALL THE PIECES AND PARTS   NECESSARY TO DEPLOY THAT TO THE COMMUNITY.   >> SO THE WORD RESUSCITATE ,   WHAT IS THE MEANING?  >>  THIS IS FOR INDIVIDUALS   WHOSE HEART HAD STOPPED THAT   NEED CPR.  THIS IS TO   RESUSCITATE THEM BACK TO HAVING THE HEARTBEAT  AND BEING  DISCHARGED  FROM HOSPITAL.   >> OKAY,  I JUST KNOW SOMEONE   --  JESUS CALLED UP LAZARUS    FROM THE DEAD. IT SAID  HIGH-PERFORMANCE.  IF YOU KEEP  LIVING IN YOUR HEARTBEAT, BUT   ALL OF THAT WAS HIGH. I WAS NOT CLEAR ON WHAT HIGH-PERFORMANCE  VERSUS RESUSCITATION WAS.  ON   THE TO 18, WE HAVE ADVANCED  MONEY  FOR THE STATE. IT SEEMS  THAT THE STATE IS GIVING US    218 AND WE ARE HOLDING IT. AND  WE PICK FROM THERE AND APPROVE   DESK APPROVED LIST OF VENDORS. IS THAT GOOD OR BAD?    >>  -- THEY WILL REIMBURSE THE  COUNTY FOR THE COST.  >>  COMMISSIONERS, I WANT TO  BRING UP, MADAM CHAIR, SINCE I  SAW THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH  HERE , WE HAVE ANOTHER ISSUE.   I WANTED TO ASK OUR COUNTIES   ADMINISTRATOR IF THERE IS ANY  UPDATE WITH RESPECT  TO THE --  THAT HAS BEEN RECEIVED FROM   NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH TO LEAVE  THE BUILDING ON ORANGE AVENUE.   THE EVICTION.  THE DEPARTMENT  IS CHERRY PICKING WHAT WE DO    AND WHAT IS DONE IN THIS   COMMUNITY. EVICTING SOME,  AND  ESTABLISHING  RESUSCITATION   SERVICES AND OTHERS.  WHAT IS   GOING ON IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD?     >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.  --  IN ESSENCE, WHAT  COMMISSIONER  PROCTOR IS REFERRING TO IS,    OUR LONG-STANDING AGREEMENT   WITH THE  DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH  TO PROVIDE  PRIMARY CARE AT THE ORANGE AVENUE  HEALTH  DEPARTMENT.  THROUGH THE   AGREEMENT WITH NEIGHBORHOOD   HEALTH SERVICES, AS YOU MAY  KNOW,  ABOUT ONE MILE DOWN THE  ROAD, NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH HAS   RENOVATED A NEW BUILDING.  THEY ARE PREPARING TO MOVE INTO THE  NEW BUILDING  AND PROVIDE THE  FULL COMPLEMENT OF THEIR   SERVICES THERE.  COMMISSIONER   PROCTOR, I KNOW HE WILL NOT  MINE  -- MIND  IF I REVEAL HE  HAD SOME CONCERNS AND ASKED   THAT WE DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO   MAKE SURE THE CONTINUATION OF   PRIMARY HEALTHCARE SERVICES IN  THAT AREA,  -- HAS BEEN DOING A LOT OF WORK BETWEEN THE HEALTH  DEPARTMENT AND NEIGHBORHOOD  HEALTH TO ENSURE A SMOOTH  TRANSITION  AND A COMMUNITY   EDUCATION OF WHERE THE SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED. IN THE  PROCESS,  THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH HAVE  EXTENDED WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY   THE DATE TO DISCONTINUE THE  SERVICES.  THAT WAS JUNE 31st,  IT WILL NOW BE  DECEMBER, AFTER THEY HAVE ALL AGREED TO ENSURE  A SMOOTH TRANSITION  FOR THE   SERVICES. AGAIN, HAPPY TO  ANSWER ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.   >> THANK YOU, MR. COUNTY   ADMINISTERED A. ANY FOLLOW-UP,  COMMISSIONER PROCTOR?    >> COMMISSIONERS, WE ARE   CHARGED AS THE GOVERNMENT TO   PROVIDE THE HELP , SAFETY AND  WELFARE  OF LEON COUNTY  CITIZENS.  THE STATE OF  FLORIDA,  EVICTING NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH  FROM ORANGE AVENUE ,  A SITE WHERE FOR MAYBE 20 YEARS  IT HAS BEEN A MEDICAL HOME  FOR SO MANY PEOPLE IN THAT QUARTER  OF THE COMMUNITY.  THIS CREATES A MEDICAL SERVICE DESERT IN  COMMISSIONER CABAN HAS OFTEN   SPOKE TO  THE ABSENCE OF   MEDICAL FACILITIES  OVER ON   HIGHWAY 20.  WE CLOSE THIS  ON  ORANGE AVENUE.  AND FULTON  STREET.  WE ARE TURNING THE   LIGHTS OUT  ON HEALTHCARE. IN   THAT AREA.  THIS IS A GRAVE   CONCERN. IT IS MY HOPE  THAT   WE, OUR STAFF, CAN CONTINUE TO  FIGHT  FOR THE ANTENNA OF   NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH AND ITS   FOOTPRINT THAT ALREADY EXISTS   TO REMAIN.  IN THAT TIME, AND   THE DUST THE TIME WILL BRING  WILL NOT COVER THE FOOTPRINTS,  WE NEED THAT.  I'M CURIOUS    ABOUT WHAT USED TO BE THE ROAD  , SPRINGHILL ROAD.  IT HAS   BUILDINGS THERE THAT ARE EMPTY.  AND OTHER VACANT PROPERTIES  WHICH MIGHT SERVE,  IF WE ARE   ABLE TO DO SOMETHING, MADAM  CHAIR.  I KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE  WILL BE LEFT DESK TOOT  --  DESTITUTE  AND HOMELESS.  IF   NOT HOMELESS,  THEY WILL BE   MEDICAL HOMELESS.  THAT IS NOT  GOOD IN THESE TIMES. IF YOU ARE UNINSURED,  YOU COULD GO TO  NEIGHBORHOOD.  BUT IF  NEIGHBORHOOD IS NOT THERE, AND  YOU ARE UNINSURED,  THAT   FOSTERS BAD DAYS AHEAD.  IF OUR BOARD WOULD ALLOW THIS INTEREST OF MINE,  I HAVE HEARD IT    ARTICULATED BY THE DISTRICT TO  COMMISSIONERS. THAT AREA  LACKS MEDICAL CARE.  I AM HOPING WE   CAN ASSIST  IN IDENTIFYING A  PROPERTY  WHERE THEY CAN  MAINTAIN  OPERATIONS. THAT IS A RECOMMENDATION,  I WILL MOVE   THAT IS OPTION ONE.  THAT WE  ADOPT THE STAFF'S   RECOMMENDATION, AND WITH THIS  RECOMMENDATION  WE CONTINUE TO  ASSIST AS WE CAN , TO FIND    OPTIONS FOR NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH TO PROVIDE  SERVICES IN THAT   COMMUNITY.   >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER  PROCTOR.  AND COMMISSIONER   O'KEEFE. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK   MR. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, A  FOLLOW-UP QUESTION IN REFERENCE TO NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH.  I KNOW THEY ARE RENOVATING A NEW  BUILDING ON SOUTH MONROE.  IS   THAT THE PLAN TO  AND WHEN THEY CLOSE?   >> YES, BUT I MENTIONED, THEY  ARE DOING IT IN A  COORDINATED  MANNER.  THE BOARD MAY RECALL,  THE BOARD HAS AN INVESTMENT OF  ABOUT  $500,000  IN THE NEW   NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTH FACILITY.   AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING , AND  MR. LANDY HAS BEEN PROVIDING A  LEAD TO THAT FOR THE SMOOTH   TRANSITION OF SERVICES.   >> THANK YOU,  ANY OTHER   COMMENTS?  >> THANK YOU,  THE MOTION WAS  FOR OPTION ONE? IS THAT  CORRECT?  I THINK IN THE  DOCUMENTATION  OUR STAFF WERE   RECOMMENDING OPTION  ONE AND   TWO ON PAGE 93. I WANT TO JUST  MAKE SURE --  OPTION NUMBER TWO MAKES SENSE TO ME AS WELL.    COMMISSIONER PROCTOR, DID WE   PURPOSELY LEAVE OPTION TO OUT?     >> THE RECOMMENDATION SAYS   OPTION ONE.  OH, I AM SORRY.  >> OPTION ONE AND TWO.  ON PAGE 93.    >>  I THINK ON THE FIRST  PRESENTATION IT PRESENTS    OPTIONS ONE AND TWO.  AND THEN  WE GET THE BACK  -- BACKGROUND  ANALYSIS  AND THEN THERE'S   OPTIONS ONE THROUGH FIVE, AND   THEN THE RECOMMENDATION IS  OPTION ONE.   >> I SEE THAT ON PAGE 95.  WHAT ON PAGE 93, IT LOOKS LIKE   OPTION TWO IS A NECESSARY PART.   >> I CAN PROVIDE    CLARIFICATION. IT IS A MISTAKE. IT SHOULD BE OPTIONS ONE AND   TWO. NUMBER TWO FACILITATE THE  ACCOUNTING.  >>  IT SAYS ONE, BUT IF YOU CAN AMEND YOUR MOTION, COMMISSIONER PROCTOR?  >>  ONE AND TWO. I MOTION.  >>  WE MOVED TO SECOND TO ADOPT OPTIONS ONE AND TWO? ANY OTHER  COMMENTS?  >>  THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR AND  COMMISSIONER PROCTOR. SEPARATE  FROM THIS MOTION,  I WILL PLAN  TO SEE FOR US. AT THE NEXT TIME WE UPDATE  OUR ECONOMIC  VITALITY  STRATEGIC  GOALS AND  THINGS LIKE THAT, THIS IS   ANOTHER EXAMPLE  OF SOMETHING I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP US IN MIND   IS, WE HAVE A DESPERATE NEED   FOR MEDICAL PROVIDERS  OF   PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE MEDICAL  CARE.  -- AND FOR PEOPLE WHO  HAVE INSURANCE BUT CANNOT FIND  ENOUGH LOCAL PROVIDERS. WE TALK ABOUT STRATEGICAL  ECONOMIC   DEVELOPMENT, I DON'T SEE WHY  WE CANNOT ESPECIALLY FOCUS ON  RECRUITING AND EXPANDING   BUSINESSES THAT PROVIDE MEDICAL CARE, THEY GIVE US THE JOBS AND ECONOMIC ACTIVITY THAT WE LOOK  FOR AND GIVE A DOUBLE WHAMMY OF  FILLING UP COMMUNITIES. I AM   JUST PLANTING THAT SEED.    >> THANK YOU FOR THOSE  COMMENTS. COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?  ON THE  MOTION ON THE FLOOR  FOR   OPTIONS ONE AND TWO, SAY AYE..  ANY OPPOSITION? THANK YOU, IVO  AYE.. COUNTY ADMINISTERED A?  >>  --  THIS IS FOR THE DESIGN  AND CONSTRUCTION OF  THE   WELCOME TO LEON COUNTY SIGNS   INSTALLATIONS ON ROADS   MAINTAINED BY FLORIDA   DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION    FOR THE RESPECTIVE AGREEMENTS   TO BE EXECUTED. WE HAVE THE  ANALYSIS BEFORE YOU. WE ARE  RECOMMENDATION  -- OPTIONS ONE  AND TWO. THIS WAS PULLED BY  COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE.  >>  THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER  O'KEEFE?   >> THANK YOU, AT THE TIME I   PULLED THIS,  THE COST SEEMED  UNREASONABLE.  JUST BEFORE THE  MEETING, THE COUNTY   ADMINISTRATOR PROVIDED SOME   DETAILED INFORMATION  THAT MADE IT MORE UNDERSTANDABLE TO ME.   I MOVED STAFF RECOMMENDATION   OPTIONS ONE AND TWO.   >> THANK YOU , COMMISSIONER  PROCTOR.    >>  THANK YOU,  --  I   ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS WAS  PRICEY.  WHAT I AM UNCLEAR OF  IS,  THE MONEY WILL BE PLUCKED  FROM THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT  COUNCIL.  AS A MEMBER OF THE  TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, I  WAS UNAWARE  THAT WE WERE  MAKING THIS EXPENDITURE. I'M   JUST PONDERING HOW DID WE COME  TO THIS  TOURIST DEVELOPMENT   COUNCIL CAN WE HAVE NOT SEEN IT AS A BOARD.   >> IT IS NOT UNCOMMON AT ALL  FOR THIS TYPE OF EXPENSE TO BE  PAID FOR THROUGH THIS ACCOUNT.   I WOULD REMIND THE BOARD THAT  THE BOARD IS ENTIRELY   RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACCOUNT AND THE TDC IS NOT.  SO IT IS NOT  UNCOMMON FOR US TO MAKE THIS   AVAILABLE. FUNDING IS   AVAILABLE, AND AVAILABLE FOR   THESE EXPENDITURES. I'M HAPPY  TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.    >> THANK YOU.    >>  ASIDE FROM THE LITTLE BIT  THAT WE WERE UNAWARE,  I WAS  UNAWARE.  THERE OUR  -- ARE  TIMES WHEN OUR BANK AT TDC    GETS TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF  UNBEKNOWNST TO US.  THIS IS   ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE INCIDENTS  TO ME.  I SAY, THIS TO ME IS A  COST  THAT FDO T  OR SOMEONE   LIKE THAT SHOULD PAY.  THE   STATE OF FLORIDA SHOULD PAY FOR THE SIGNS. BECAUSE WE ARE THE  STATE OF FLORIDA, THE STATE  CAPITAL.  AND WE ARE PAYING FOR AN UNANNOUNCED THAT THIS IS THE STATE'S CAPITAL  WHEN THE   STATE OUGHT TO BE PAYING FOR  THEIR OWN ANNOUNCEMENT.  SO I  DO NOT GET IT,  WHY WE HAVE THE TOTE THIS WAR FOR THE STATE OF  FLORIDA.  WE HAVE BEEN THE   STATE CAPITAL SINCE 1845 OR  SOMETHING.  AND WE CANNOT EVEN  GET THEM TO PAY FOR SIGNS.  WE  TALK ABOUT  PAYMENT IN LIEU OF,  WHAT BENEFITS, WHAT  PARTNERSHIP, WHAT   COLLABORATION, WHAT DOES THE  STATE DUE TO  ONUS?  AND HERE   WE ARE SHINING A LIGHT  ON THE  STATE OF FLORIDA, WHO WE ARE.  WHEN THE STATE OF FLORIDA   SHOULD GLADLY PT THE SIGNS OUT  AND REALLY CRUEL ABOUT THE OUT TENDING UNITY WE ARE.  WE ARE   NOT SECOND FIDDLE TO NOBODIES  COUNTY IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. I DO NOT HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE LIST  OF WHAT KIND OF GREAT  INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING WE HAVE.  MEDICAL SCHOOLS, OUR  PHARMACY SCHOOL, OUR BANDS, OUR FOOTBALL.  WHY DOESN'T THE   STATE DO SOMETHING?  I THINK   THIS RIGHT HERE SHOULD'VE BEEN THE BURDEN AND THE TASK AND   OWNERSHIP, THE ANNOUNCEMENT,   THE LIFTING AND PUTTING THE   SHINE ON THE LINE AS TO WHO WE  ARE.  THIS SHOULD BE A STATE  COST.  I'M GOING TO SORTED  BECAUSE  -- SUPPORTED BECAUSE  THAT IS WHAT WE DO.    >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER  PROCTOR.  ANY OTHER  COMMISSIONERS?  HEARING NONE,   ALL OF THOSE --  I'M SORRY.    COMMISSIONER PROCTOR,  DID YOU  DO A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE  RECOMMENDATION?  IS THERE A  SECOND?  THANK YOU. ANY OTHER  COMMENTS?  ALL THOSE IN FAVOR  TO MOTION ON THE FLOOR SAY,   AYE.  OKAY.  COMMISSIONER  O'KEEFE,  SECONDED BY    COMMISSIONER WELCH.  TO ACCEPT  OPTIONS ONE AND TWO AS   PROPOSED. I STAND.  ANY OTHER   QUESTIONS, COMMENTS?  IF NOT,   ALL THOSE IN FAVOR LET IT BE   KNOWN BY SAYING AYE..  IVO   AYE.. ANY OPPOSITION CAUGHT  --  MR. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR?    >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. ITEM NUMBER 17 , AS REQUESTED BY THE BOARD IS A STATUS REPORT THAT  PRESENTS AN UP  DATE ON OUR  ONGOING EFFORTS TO EXPAND   BROADBAND TECHNOLOGY TO  UNSERVED  AREAS  IN RURAL LEON  COUNTY.  THERE ARE DETAILS ON   THREE STRAIGHT GRANTS AWARDED   TO COMCAST.  --  TO SUPPORT THE $50 MILLION PROJECT  TO EXPAND  BROADBAND IN AREAS ACROSS THE  COUNTY.  IN A FEW MOMENTS, I   WILL TURN IT OVER TO KEITH  BOWERS,  WHO WILL TELL YOU A   LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE  INVESTMENT  TO EXPAND BROADBAND SERVICE IN OUR COMMUNITY.    COMMISSIONERS, YOU MAY RECALL  THAT BROADBAND EXPANSION  IS   ALSO A STATE NATIONAL PRIORITY. LOCALLY,  -- COORDINATES AND  SERVES AS A LOCAL LEAD TO THE   DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE'S    DEPARTMENT OF BROADBAND.  OE V  WORKS TO  EXPAND BROADBAND  BY  CONNECTING INTERNET SERVICE  PROVIDERS  TO STATE AND FEDERAL OPPORTUNITIES  FOR GRANT   AWARDS. THE STATUS REPORT   INCLUDES AN UPDATE AS REQUESTED BY THE BOARD ON FEDERAL    EFFORTS AS WELL TO GROW THE   RADIO SPECTRUM ACCESS  TECHNOLOGY  THAT ENABLED THE   BROADBAND. WITH THAT AS AN  INTRODUCTION, I WANT TO HAND IT OFF TO KEEP BOWERS FOR AN UP  DATE.    >> THANK YOU, MR. ADMINISTRATOR FORGETTING OAB THE OPPORTUNITY  TO PROVIDE AN UP DATE ON THE   COMBINED EFFORTS  OF THE  COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS TO   EXPAND BROADBAND SERVICES  THROUGHOUT LEON COUNTY.  WE ARE PLEASED TO REPORT THE COMCAST  WAS RECENTLY AWARDED $.5   MILLION TO EXPAND BROADBAND  IN UNSERVED AND UNDERSERVED AREAS  IN LEON COUNTY. AS YOU MAY  RECALL,  THE BOARD OF COUNTY   COMMISSIONERS DIRECT  OE V TO   LEAVE THE COUNTIES BROADBAND  EXPANSION INITIATIVE IN 2021.   SINCE THAT TIME, OAB HAS FORMED AND LED  THE LOCAL TECHNOLOGY   PLANNING TEAM.  THIS TEAM HAS   BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN DEVELOPING THE LEON COUNTY BROADBAND  STRATEGIC PLAN THAT WAS  APPROVED  BY THE BOARD OF  COUNTY COMMISSIONERS IN MARCH   OF 2022.  IT WAS SUBSEQUENTLY   SUBMITTED TO THE STATE IN JUNE  OF 2022 AND APPROVED BY THE   STATE THAT SAME MONTH.  THE LT  PT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2021.  IT IS COMPRISED OF A CROSS-SECTION OF COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS,  WHO HAVE A VESTED INTEREST IN THE  EXPANSIONS OF BROADBAND  SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE  COMMUNITY.  AS YOU CAN SEE,    THERE ARE A NUMBER OF FOLKS  THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING IN THIS  EFFORT. IT INCLUDES HEALTHCARE  PROVIDERS,  EDUCATIONAL  INSTITUTIONS,  INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS  AND ALL THREE   CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE.  THE   BENEFITS OF BROADBAND ARE  FAR-REACHING.  FAST, RELIABLE   INTERNET  RELIABILITY ENHANCES  COMMUNICATION,  FOSTERS   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT,   FACILITATES TELEMEDICINE  AND   ALLOWS FOR QUICK DISSEMINATION  OF INFORMATION  DURING  EMERGENCIES.  THE FCC HAS  CATEGORIZED  THE SERVICE   RECEIVED INTO  FOUR DISTINCT   CATEGORIES. SERVED,  UNSERVED,  UNDERSERVED AND NO SERVICE.    ONE OF THE FIRST RULES OF THE   LTPT  WAS TO DELINEATE THE   AREAS IN LEON COUNTY  CATEGORIZED AS UNSERVED.  BY   AND LARGE, THESE UNSERVED AND   UNDERSERVED AREAS ARE OUTSIDE   OF THE  --  AND ARE  INCORPORATED  RURAL AREAS OF   LEON COUNTY.  ON THIS MAP,  THE SURGEON UNSERVED AREAS ARE  DELINEATED  BY A MAGENTA  BORDER.  WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE COUNTY,  LTPT AND OE V COLLABORATE WITH  THE INTERNET  SERVICE PROVIDERS  FOR ALL   FEDERAL GRANTS WITH THE GOAL OF ENSURING ALL RESIDENTS AND   BUSINESSES IN LEON COUNTY HAVE  ACCESS TO RELIABLE, HIGH-SPEED  BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS.  OUR EFFORTS HAVE RESULTED IN THE   AWARDING OF TWO OF THREE GRANT.  OUR PARTNER INTEREST  --   INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS HAVE APPLIED FOR.  THE GRANTS WE  HAVE RECEIVED THUS FAR WORTH   THROUGH THE  BROADBAND   OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM,  WHICH WAS NOTED THAT COMCAST RECEIVE    OVER  $6 MILLION.  WHEN YOU   LOOK AT THE INVESTMENT IN   COMCAST, WITH THE EXPANSION,    IT EXCEEDS $15 MILLION.  ALSO,   ANOTHER INTERNET SERVICE  PROVIDER , CONNECT SON,    RECEIVED $2.3 MILLION  THROUGH  THE RURAL DIGITAL  OPPORTUNITY  FUND IN 2020. THEY HAVE A PLAN  COVER  OVER 1300 HOUSEHOLDS    WITH INTERNET ACCESS .  HERE IS THE MAP  THAT DEPICTS THE AREAS  THAT WILL BE SERVED BY COMCAST NOTED IN GREEN.  COMCAST WAS   ALERTED $236,000 TO EXTEND   BROADBAND SERVICES IN THE. --  AREAS  SOUTH OF -- IN THE   SECOND ROUND  OF THE BROADBAND  OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM,  ANNOUNCED TWO WEEKS AGO, COMCAST RECEIVED $2.3 MILLION  TO EXTEND    INTERNET SERVICES TO   APPROXIMATELY 1400 RESIDENTS   AND BUSINESS.  THE SECOND AREA  THEY PLAN TO SERVICE,  THEY   WERE AWARDED $3 MILLION  TO   EXTEND INTERNET SERVICES  TO   SERVICE APPROXIMATELY 1700  RESIDENCES  AND BUSINESSES IN   MULTIPLE AREAS THROUGHOUT  LEON COUNTY.  -- IS AN INTERNET  SERVICE PROVIDER THAT GENERALLY SERVICES THAT WILL CONNECT WITH  -- TO PROVIDE FIBER INTERNET  ACCESS.  THEY WERE AWARDED $2.3 MILLION OF FEDERAL FUNDS  IN   THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS  COMMISSION  IN AN AUCTION. THE  PLAN TO SERVICE  1341 HOMES IN  LEON COUNTY BY 2020 THREE  --  2023.  THERE ESTABLISHING    CONNECTIONS WITH RURAL CO-OPS   AND THEY HAVE CONDUCTED AN  ANALYSIS OF THE AREA THAT THE   GRANT WILL COVER AND HAVE PLAN  TO MEET WITH -- CO-OPS  THAT   ARE PRESENT IN THOSE AREAS TO  SEE  IF THERE ANY PARTNERSHIP  OPPORTUNITIES.  HERE IS A MAP   OF THE AREAS THAT --  HAVE   INCLUDED IN THEIR APPLICATION   TO COVER  LEON COUNTY, IN BLUE.  INFORMATION,  THE STATE HAS   AWARDED COMCAST $6.5 MILLION TO SUPPORT BROADBAND EXPANSION  PROJECTS TO LEON COUNTY.    AGAIN, THE TOTAL INVESTMENT BY  COMCAST EXCEEDS $15 MILLION   OVER THE NEXT TWO YEARS.  CONSTRUCTION  IS EXPECTED TO   BEGIN AS EARLY AS JUNE, 2024.   EXPANDING BROADBAND SERVICES TO OVER 3000 HOUSEHOLD ACROSS LEON COUNTY.  CONEXON WAS AWARDED  $2.3 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS  IN AN AUCTION TO SERVE  1341  HOMES IN LEON COUNTY  BY 2030.   WHAT IS NEXT?  ALTHOUGH WE ARE HAPPY TO PROVIDE THAT  INFORMATION  AND HIGHLIGHT THE  AWARDS THAT WERE RECEIVED BY   CONEXON AND COMCAST .  WE ARE   JUST GETTING STARTED.  THE    LTPT WILL REMAIN ENGAGED IN THE PURSUIT OF GRANT OPPORTUNITIES  AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE. THE  BROADBAND EQUITY ACT  SAYS  A   DIPLOMA PROGRAM IS EXPECTED TO  ROLLOUT AND FALL OF THIS YEAR.  ANOTHER EXCITING INITIATIVE ON  THE HORIZON , AS COMMISSIONER  PROCTOR POINTED OUT,  IT IS THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S PLAN TO GROW RADIO SPECTRUM ACCESS.    THE NATIONAL RADIO SPECTRUM  STRATEGY WAS ANNOUNCED IN   NOVEMBER OF 2023 BY THE   BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION.    YOU WILL FIND MORE IN-DEPTH   ANALYSIS OF THIS ITEM  IN YOUR  AGENDA THAT YOU HAVE BEFORE  YOU.  THE RADIO SPECTRUM   CONSISTS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC  FREQUENCIES THAT TRANSMIT  DATA WIRELESSLY.  CURRENT USERS OF   THE SPECTRUM INCLUDE RADIO  BROADCASTING, TELEVISION   BROADCAST, MOBILE  COMMUNICATIONS,  SATELLITE,   WI-FI AND BLUETOOTH.    CURRENTLY, THERE ARE NO FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES  IN THE FCC HAS   PLANS TO CONDUCT A TWO-YEAR   STUDY, AND IS WORKING ON  DEVELOPING  AN IMPLEMENTATION  PLAN.  OEV AND LTPT WILL   CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE  ADVANCEMENT OF THIS INITIATIVE.  WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO   THANK THE INTERNET  SERVICE   PROVIDERS THAT ARE IN THE ROOM  WITH US TODAY.  MR. CARL FROM   CONEXON.  AND STEPHANIE BOWED  IN FROM COMCAST CABLE.  I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT   TO THE MEMBERS OF THE LTPT WHO  ARE HERE TODAY. AND ALSO, OUR   STATE PARTNERS, FLORIDA  COMMERCE. WITH THAT,  I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.    >> THANK YOU, MR. BOWERS FOR   THAT IN-DEPTH RECITATION.  WE   MAY WANT TO CALL UP SOME OF   THOSE REPRESENTATIVES IN A  MINUTE.  RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE  SOME SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM.  IF YOU SIT TIGHT, WE MIGHT CALL   YOU BACK. I WILL TURN IT OVER   TO MR. COUNTY ADMINISTERED A.  >>  THANK YOU, THE SPEAKERS ARE REPRESENTATIVES OF OUR   PROVIDERS. FIRST UP, STEPHANIE  BOWERS  -- STEPHANIE BOWED IN .    >> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU,   COUNTY ADMINISTERED ALONG AS   WELL AS COMMITTEE MEMBERS.  MY  NAME IS STEPHANIE AND I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF OEV JUST TO GIVE A BRIEF UPDATE FROM THE COMCAST   AND --  WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT   WHAT IS COMING AHEAD FOR THE   COUNTY WHEN IT COMES TO  BROADBAND.  AS A COMPANY, WE   HAVE SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE IN  PUBLIC AND PRIVATE HARDSHIPS.   PROMOTING BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT  PROJECTS  AND WE UNDERSTAND   WHAT IS NECESSARY TO DEPLOY   BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE  AND  LOCATIONS  THAT HAVE VARIED   GEOGRAPHY OR DENSE POPULATIONS.  UNSUCCESSFUL PROJECTS WE HAVE  COMPLETED OVER THE PAST TWO -YE  BROADBAND IN AREAS OF  LOCAL   ACCOUNTING, CLAY COUNTY  AND   MONTICELLO, LAKE BUTLER AND  WALDO.  OUR NETWORK IS VERY  RELIABLE  AND SCALABLE, WELL   BEYOND FOR SIEBEL NEEDS. IS  ALSO CAPABLE OF MULTI-   GIGABYTES SPEEDS.  HERE IN  FLORIDA, WE EMPLOY OVER  --  EMPLOYEES.  OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS, WE HAVE INVESTED $3.8  BILLION INTO THE STATE.  WE   MAINTAIN A LARGE ENGINEERED AND TECHNICAL EMPLOYEE BASE.  AS   WELL AS CALL CENTER AND SUPPORT EMPLOYEES.  WE HAVE RESOURCES   TO RESTORE SERVICES QUICKLY    AND VARIOUS EXPERIENCE IN  THOSE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO NATURAL DISASTERS.  2011, WE HAVE LAUNCHED THE NATION'S  LARGEST BROAD AND ADOPTION  PROGRAM,  CONNECTING -- TO   INTERNET SERVICES  THROUGH OUR  INTERNET ESSENTIALS PROGRAM.    THAT IS AROUND 1.68 MILLION   RESIDENTS IN THE STATE OF  ORDER.  COMCAST HAS BEEN A   STRONG PARTICIPANT  OF OEV  SINCE THE BEGINNING FOR THEIR   LOCAL TECHNOLOGY PLANNING TEAM. AND DURING THOSE MEETINGS,  WE  HAVE HEARD WHEN THEY STRESSED   THE AREAS  THAT ARE EITHER   UNSERVED OR UNDERSERVED ACROSS  THE COUNTY.  FOR EXAMPLE, FOR   TRADING., WOODVILLE .  THE   FEEDBACK HELPED ASSIST US WHEN  IT CAME  TO APPLYING FOR GRANTS FOR THE STATE. AS MENTIONED,   UNFORTUNATELY TWO OF THE FIVE   GRANT THAT WE APPLIED FOR WERE  NOT AWARDED TO US.  FOR THE   AREAS THAT WERE AWARDED, THAT  WILL REACH OVER 3000 RESIDENTS  WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.  THE   APPLICATION THAT WE SUBMITTED,  WE HAD TO PROVIDE  DATES. MOST  OF THE DATES WE PROVIDED WERE   PROBABLY A TWO-YEAR SPAN,    STARTING FROM THE BEGINNING OF  CONSTRUCTION  TO WHEN WE  FINISHED CONSTRUCTIONS AND   RESIDENTS WERE STARTING TO BE  INSTALLED.  WE CONTINUE TO   INVEST MONEY IN THIS  INITIATIVE, JUST BASED ON  RESEARCH.  WE'VE SEEN WE ARE   HAVING TO INVEST EVEN MORE  DOLLARS AND WHAT WE STATED TO   THE STATE, BECAUSE MANY OF THE  AREAS ARE NO LONGER CAPABLE OF  HOLDING. LINES.  WE ARE NOW   TRYING TO GO UNDERGROUND FOR  THAT.  WE ALSO PLAN ON DOING A  MAJOR INVESTMENT WITH MARKETING  AND WE WILL HAVE AN APP THAT   IS AVAILABLE FOR RESIDENTS  SO  THEY CAN SEE WHEN THE SERVICES  WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THEIR   MARKETS ONCE CONSTRUCTION   STARTS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.   >> THANK YOU.    >>  I WAS GOING TO CUT   STEPHANIE OFF,  BUT SHE SAID IT WOULD KEEP ROLLING ANYWAY SINCE WE WERE ON COMCAST.  NEXT UP,   CARL MEYER OFFERED .    >>  HELLO, COMMISSIONERS.    THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.  MY   NAME IS CARL, I AM REPRESENTING CONEXON, ONE OF THE OTHER    SERVICE PROVIDERS.  THE MAIN   REASON I WANTED TO  COME HERE   AND SPEAK TO ALL OF YOU IS,    CONEXON IS NOT NECESSARILY A  HOUSEHOLD NAME.  MAYBE LIKE   SOME OF THE OTHER SERVICE  PROVIDERS. I WANTED TO MAKE   SURE YOU COULD PUT A FACE THE   NAME. AND RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE A COMPANY  THAT IS CENTERED   AROUND RURAL BROADBAND   DEPLOYMENT. COMPANIES  -- HAVE  BEEN AROUND FOR AROUND 10   YEARS, WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF  A DIFFERENT APPROACH OF HOW WE  BUILD BROADBAND.  OUR BUSINESS  MODEL TYPICALLY REVOLVE AROUND  A PARTNERSHIP WITH A LOCAL  ENTITY, WHICH IS THE ELECTRIC  COOPERATIVE.  AND WHILE   TRADITIONAL SERVICE PROVIDERS  WILL BUILD IN AREAS  THAT ARE   ECONOMICALLY BENEFICIAL FOR  THEM,  AND THEN TYPICALLY STOP   WHEN THE DENSITY OF AN. MAC    -- AREA GETS TOO LOW, OUR  APPROACH IS A LITTLE BIT  DIFFERENT.  WHEN WE PARTNER   WITH A ELECTRIC  COOPERATIVE,   IT IS A NO MAN LEFT BEHIND  PHILOSOPHY.  WE BUILD TO EVERY  MEMBER, EVERY RESIDENTS,    FIBER, SEEMS BE,  SAME PRICING   TO EVERYBODY.  IT IS A VERY  UNIQUE MODEL, BUT A MODEL THAT  IS CATCHING ON ACROSS THE   COUNTRY. WE ARE WORKING  CURRENTLY WITH ABOUT  80   ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES ACROSS   THE COUNTRY,  AND HERE IN THE   STATE OF FLORIDA, WE HAVE  REACHED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS  WITH FIVE CO-OPS  AND WE HAVE  RURAL DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY  FUNDS, WHICH WAS MENTIONED,   THAT SPANS ACROSS THE ENTIRE  PANHANDLE.  SO OUR ULTIMATE   GOAL IS TO BUILD  RURAL   BROADBAND ACROSS THE ENTIRE   NORTHERN PANHANDLE,  SERVING   EVERY ELECTRO  COOPERATIVE   MEMBER IN THAT FOOTPRINT.    RIGHT NOW WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT   WITH ESCAMBIA RIVER, AT THE   VERY TIP OF THE PANHANDLE, AND  WE HAVE AGREEMENTS ALL THE WAY  THROUGH THE BIG BEND  TO   TRI-COUNTY ELECTRIC, SUWANEE   VALLEY AND CENTRAL.  WE EVEN   HAVE A PROJECT GOING ON IN  SOUTHERN FLORIDA, WHICH IS  --  COOPERATIVE. OUR GOAL IS TO   CREATE AN ENTIRE NETWORK ACROSS  THE ENTIRE NORTHERN PART OF   THE PANHANDLE,  SATISFYING ALL  OF OUR ART OFF OBLIGATION    WHILE ALSO PROVIDING  VERY  AFFORDABLE , HIGH-SPEED , FIBER BROADBAND TO EVERY RESIDENT    WHO IS IN ELECTRIC CO-OP  FOOTPRINT. IS A VERY UNIQUE  MODEL.  THE OTHER THING I WILL  MENTION IS, THIS IS ALSO   AFFORDABLE BROADBAND. THE  PACKAGES WE OFFER A KIND OF   LIKE NO-NONSENSE.  4995,   SYMMETRICAL, 100 MEGABIT.    7995, SYMMETRICAL GIGABIT.    9995, TWO GIGABIT  ELECTRICAL.   NOT ONLY IS THIS BROADBAND    THAT IS HIGHLY RELIABLE,  HIGH-SPEED , IT IS THE SAME  PRICE ACROSS OUR ENTIRE   NETWORK. NO-NONSENSE.  ANY  QUESTIONS?    >> THANK YOU .  THANK YOU FOR   THAT REPORT AS WELL.  I   UNDERSTAND WE HAVE NO MORE  SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM. WE HAVE  A RECOMMENDATION FROM STAFF FOR OPTIONS . OPTION ONE.  I WOULD  LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION. WE  WILL HAVE  COMMISSIONER WELCH.     >> THANK YOU, I WILL MOVE THE   STAFF RECOMMENDATION.  >>  THANK YOU, IS THERE A   SECOND? COMMISSIONER MINOR.  THANK YOU. DISCUSSION.    COMMISSIONER WELCH.   >> THANK YOU,  MADAM CHAIR. I   JUST WANT TO THANK OUR STAFF    AT OEV, KEITH AND THE PLANNING  TEAM. THE NEWS LAST WEEK OF  COMCAST 'S AWARD WAS WELCOMED  , CERTAINLY,  1383 OF THOSE   HOMES ARE IN DISTRICT 4.  THE   VAST MAJORITY ARE IN THE  MICCOSUKEE..  KYLE AND I HAD AN OPEN HOUSE A COUPLE MONTHS AGO,  WE HAD SOME OEV STAFF AND A   HUGE CROWD AT THE COMMUNITY  CENTER.  A LOT OF FOLKS OUT  THERE WERE VERY HUNGRY FOR SOME RELIABLE AND GOOD INTERNET   ACCESS. THIS IS A BIG AREA OF  NEED.  I WANT TO JUST THANK OUR STAFF, AND THINK THE FOLKS AT   COMCAST FOR RECOGNIZING THAT  NEED. AND THE SAME WITH THE   FOLKS AT CONEXON.  OBVIOUSLY,   WE HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS  ON THE  ELECTRIC IN RURAL CO-OPS.  --   CERTAINLY LOOKING FORWARD  TO   CONSTRUCTION BEGINNING  ON THE  MOST RECENT GRANT AWARDED THE   SUMMER, POTENTIALLY. THAT IS   GREAT NEWS FOR THE FOLKS IN   MICCOSUKEE, AND FOR THE FOLKS   IN THE RURAL AREAS . I JUST  WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU TO  EVERYBODY  FOR THE ROLE YOU   PLAYED IN GETTING THAT DONE.   >> THANK YOU COMMONER --   COMMISSIONER WELCH.    >>  AS COMMISSIONER WELCH  MENTIONED, I HAVE CONSTITUENTS  IN DISTRICT 3  THAT ARE VERY  ANXIOUS FOR BROADBAND SERVICE.   OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS,  WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT PROVIDING  SERVICE TO PEOPLE AROUND LAKE  JACKSON. I KNOW COMCAST IS   WORKING HARD ON THAT. I HAD THE  CHANCE TO SPEAK TO MR. -- THIS IS ENCOURAGING NEWS.  I WANT TO CONGRATULATE EVERYONE ON OUR   STAFF AND THAT LOCAL  PLANNING  TEAM ON THEIR WORK ON THIS.  I  AM VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THE RESULT.   >> THANK YOU,  COMMISSIONER   MINOR. ANY OTHER COMMISSIONERS?  COMMISSIONER MINOR X.  --   COMMISSIONER MADDIX .   >> I JUST WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT  OUT  TO THOSE RESIDENTS IN THE  MICCOSUKEE..  FOR A LONG TIME,  THOSE FOLKS HAVE BEEN  ASKING   FOR RELIABLE INTERNET.  AND  BROADBAND.  SO I AM PROUD THAT  COMCAST AND  -- WAS ABLE TO GET THAT DONE. I KNOW THEY ARE   REALLY EXCITED ABOUT IT.  WE   THANK YOU FOR MAKING IT HAPPEN.  WE LOOK FORWARD TO MORE OF  THESE TYPES OF THINGS   HAPPENING. MY PRIORITY IS  ALWAYS  NOT JUST MICCOSUKEE,   BUT FORT GREENE -- AND   COMMISSIONER CABAN DISTRICT.  I THINK THOSE COMMUNITIES, ALONG  WITH  --  WE NEED TO FOCUS ON  MAKING SURE THEY HAVE GOOD,   RELIABLE INTERNET.  I WOULD   LOVE TO SEE US MOVE THE BALL  FORWARD .    >>  THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER  MADDIX.  COMMISSIONER CABAN?   >> THANK YOU, FIRST OFF, I WANT TO GIVE A  BIG SHOUT OUT TO   OEV, KEITH  BOWERS AND THE   ENTIRE STAFF.  I KNOW THEY PUT   A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK   INTO THIS.  MANAGING THE STATE  DEPARTMENTS, AND THIS IS NOT   HAPPEN WITHOUT THE WORK IN OEV,  THANK YOU TO YOUR WHOLE  DEPARTMENT.  I WANT TO PUT THIS ON THE RECORD.  I THINK THIS IS PHENOMENAL.  I THINK THIS IS  GREAT.  I KNOW IN MY DISTRICT,   THIS IS A HUGE NEED,  ESPECIALLY BY MY CONSTITUENTS.   BUT I ALSO HAVE SOME CONCERNS  . I WANT TO PUT THEM OUT THERE  SO WE ALL KNOW WE ARE DEALING  WITH A LITTLE BIT. OVER THE   LAST WEEK, I HAVE EDUCATED MICE HEALTH ON THIS ENTIRE PROCESS.   SO THE WAY IT WORKS,  WHEN THE PROVIDERS GET MONEY FROM THE   STATE VIA GRANTS,  IT BLOCKS A  TERRITORY FROM ANOTHER PROVIDER  GETTING A GRANT FOR THAT SAME  TERRITORY.  IN A WAY, THEY ARE  KIND OF BLOCKING MONEY  COMING  INTO OUR DISTRICTS AND COUNTY   BECAUSE THERE IS ALREADY A  GRANT PENDING. RECENTLY,  AND   LET ME DISCLOSE, I DO NOT HAVE  A DOG IN THIS FIGHT.  MY GOAL   IS TO GET BROADBAND TO MY  CONSTITUENTS.  I DON'T CARE IF IT METRONET, COMCAST, CONEXON.   I JUST WANT THE ROUTE  THAT IS GOING TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO MY CONSTITUENT THE FASTEST AND   MAKE IT MOST RELIABLE. WHAT IS  HAPPENED IS,  COMCAST APPLY FOR A GRANT RECENTLY IN MY   DISTRICT. IT WAS DENIED.  THAT  IS WHAT WE ALL SAW ON THE NEWS  A WEEK AGO.  THE REASON THEY   WERE DENIED IS BECAUSE A FEW   YEARS BACK,  CONEXON WAS  AWARDED A FEDERAL GRANT , WHICH KEITH TALKED ABOUT EARLIER.   THAT EFFECTIVELY HAD BLOCKED    COMCAST FROM GETTING A GRANT IN MY DISTRICT. ALSO,  AND SOME OF OUR DISTRICTS AS WELL, WE LOOK  AT THE MAP, CONEXON HAS  CONTRACTS HERE.  MY CONCERN IS, AS IS THE FAIRLY NEW COMPANY,   THEY ARE NOT CURRENTLY    SERVICING ANYONE IN LEON  COUNTY.  AND I HAVE CONCERN THE TIME WILL GO BY  AND THEY HAVE  TO PARTNER WITH A CO-OP ,   TALQUIN ELECTRIC. I SPOKE WITH  THEM. I'VE HAD  PERMISSION   FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER TO  DISCLOSE IS CURRENTLY  NO DEAL  ON THE TABLE.  I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE ACTIVELY WORKING WITH  EACH OTHER.  MY CONCERN AT THAT TIME WILL GO BY, WE HAVE A   PROGRAM COMING UP THAT OTHER   PROVIDERS COULD APPLY FOR.  AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET SERVICE FOR MY DISTRICT FOR PART OF   LEON COUNTY.  MY FEAR I THINK   IS LEGITIMATE, BUT IF THEY DO   NOT EXECUTE ON THESE GRANT, NOT ONLY WILL TIME GO BY, BUT I WAS CONSTITUENTS  IN MY DISTRICT   AND OTHER DISTRICTS WILL NOT  HAVE SERVICE --  BUT ALSO, WE   ARE MISSING OUT ON MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT IS   ABOUT TO COME TO THE STATE THIS YEAR. ONCE AGAIN,  I DO NOT   HAVE A DOG IN THIS FIGHT . I   WANT FOLKS IN MY DISTRICT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE BASIC NECESSITIES  THAT THE FOLKS IN TOWN HAVE,   THAT IS BROADBAND.  I'M GOING  TO SUPPORT THE MOTION, BUT I   ALSO FEEL THAT I SHOULD ADDRESS MY CONCERN WITH THIS BOARD .   I'M HOPING TO SEND FEEDBACK .  THE MAP I HAVE,  THERE ARE  GRANTS  IN ALL DISTRICTS THAT  CONNECT  -- THAT  CONEXON HAS.   I WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR   CONSTITUENTS ARE GIVEN A FAIR   FIGHT IN THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO   HAVE BROADBAND.   >> THANK YOU,  COMMISSIONER   CABAN. COMMISSIONER PROCTOR?  >>  THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.    WHAT IS THE CURRENT LIFE   EXPECTANCY OF BROADBAND?    BEFORE THE NEXT GREAT THING   COMES ALONG IN THE WI-FI  FAMILY?  STEPHANIE, CAN YOU   HEAR ME?  WHAT IS THE LIFE  EXPECTATION OF BROADBAND  AND   WHAT IS THE NEXT TECHNOLOGY   THAT IS WAITING  IN THE   BATTER'S CAGE?    >>  CAN YOU COME BACK TO THE  PODIUM?    >> I WILL PREFACE THIS WITH, I  AM IN  GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS AND   NOT TECHNICAL TEAM.  WITH  COMCAST,  WE HAVE A TEAM  THAT  IS WORKING 24 SEVEN TO BE   PREPARED FOR THAT NEXT THING,   IF IT IS  10 G OR WHATEVER  COMES  AFTER THAT. IS BROADBAND GOING AWAY? I DO NOT FORESEE  IT.  WE ARE ALWAYS ONE STEP   AHEAD OF THE CURVE TO ENSURE  THAT THOSE WE SERVE HAVE THE   BEST AND MOST RELIABLE SERVICE   THAT CAN TAKE CARE OF ALL OF   THEIR NEEDS.  >>  IF BROADBAND IS GOING TO BE HERE FOR THE NEXT SEVEN YEARS   BEFORE THE NEW THING IS  WAITING,  I DO NOT WANT TO  FIGHT SOMETHING THAT IS   ANTIQUATED BEFORE WE CAN   INSTALL IT.  THERE IS ALWAYS   SOMETHING POPPING UP NEW.  I   THINK THIS IS ON THE LATTER   STAGES OF GOING OUT OF STYLE   THE OR THE NEXT GREAT THING   COMES ALONG . TO COMMISSIONER  CABAN'S  POINT,  CONEXON HAS   PREEMPTED  COMCAST  BY VIRTUE  OF THEM HAVING A FEDERAL AWARD   AND THEY IN TURN  ARE  AUTHORIZED  TO WORK WITH CO-OP  . DID HE STATE THAT RIGHT? DID  I UNDERSTAND THAT CORRECTLY?    THAT YOU ARE EFFECTIVELY BARRED FROM AREAS THAT ARE SHADED IN  PINK?  IS THAT ACCURATE  >>  THAT IS AN ACCURATE    TREATMENT, THAT IS BASED ON ANY GRANT FUNDING.  THEY DO NOT   WANT ISPs  TO OVERLAP ON AN  AREA THAT IS ALREADY COVERED.   >> SO SINCE COMCAST IS ALREADY  HERE,  A LOT OF CABLE AND A LOT OF CAPACITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE  IS LAID. AND WE ARE WORKING   WITH A CO-OP  THAT HAS NOT LAID ANYTHING, IS NOT IN THAT AREA,  THAT IS NOT THE SPECIALTY.  WE  ARE REALLY GOING TO STAY BEHIND AND NOT CATCH UP WITH CONEXON,   OR SOME COMPANY WORKING WITH  CO-OP THAT IS NOT CONTEMPORARY.  WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET   ANYWHERE ON BROADBAND.  MAYBE   OUR EFFORTS SHOULD BE TO THE   NEXT BIG THING.  IS CONEXON  HERE? CAN I ASK A QUESTION ?    SIR,  WHAT IS YOUR GAME PLAN    WITH TALQUIN  WITH TALQUIN HAS  NOTHING GOING ON?  WHAT IS THE  INFRASTRUCTURE GAME PLAN?   >> SURE.  LET ME JUST MAKE SURE THE  -- THIS  IS CLARIFIED. WE  DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE A   PARTNERSHIP WITH TALQUIN,  IT   IS IN THE COMMUNITY'S BEST   INTEREST TO, WE DO NOT HAVE TO. WE CAN INSTALL BROADBAND JUST   THE SAME AS COMCAST DOES TODAY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT   IS CLEAR.  WE PROVIDE  THE   LOCAL ELECTRIC COOPERATIVE WITH AN OPPORTUNITY. THAT   OPPORTUNITY IS TO PARTICIPATE   IN THIS BROADBAND PROJECT.    THEY CAN DECIDE TO PARTICIPATE  OR NOT.  IF THEY DECIDE NOT TO  PARTICIPATE,  WE WILL DEPLOY IN THE SAME MANNER THAT  TRADITIONAL  ISPs DEPLOY.  SO   THIS IS REALLY MORE OF AN  OPPORTUNITY FOR THE REST OF THE COMMUNITY. BECAUSE TRADITIONAL  ISPs  WILL BUILD ONLY WHERE  THEY GET GRANT FUNDING.  THAT  IS NOT OUR STRATEGY.  OUR   STRATEGY IS A UBIQUITOUS  APPOINTMENT  THAT WILL  DEPLOYMENT ACROSS A LARGE AREA  THAT REACHES EVERYONE. IS A   COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TYPE OF  STRATEGY.  THAT REQUIRES A  PARTNERSHIP WITH THE   COOPERATIVE. IF WE DO NOT    RECEIVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE  COOPERATIVE, WE WILL BUILD  AND HONOR OUR  -- COMMITMENT, THE   SAME AS IF ANY OTHER ISP   RECEIVED FUNDING.  >>  WOULD THAT COST IF YOU HAD  TO TAKE THE LATTER APPROACH?    AND MULTIPLY THE $49 A MONTH?   AND IF YOU HAVE THE LAY NEW   INFRASTRUCTURE AND BUILD ALL OF THAT, THE PRICE FOR THE  CONSUMER IS GOING TO --'S    >> STAYS THE SAME.  >> HOW IS THAT?  >>  THERE IS NO EMBEDDED   BROADBAND INFRASTRUCTURE WITH  THE ELECTRIC UTILITY TODAY.  SO THE COST , YOU ARE RUNNING A  NEW FIBER CABLE,  WHETHER IT IS A PARTNERSHIP OR NOT.    >> HOW MUCH TIME WOULD YOU   PARTNERSHIP THE EXISTING  COOPERATIVE  SAVE YOU  AND MAKE FASTER THE LIFE AND DELIVERY?  >> IT IS SIGNIFICANT.  IN THE   SPEED OF DEPLOYMENT.  >> I HEARD THE COMMISSIONER OF  DISTRICT TO, COMMISSIONER  CABAN,  INDICATE THERE HAS BEEN NO CONVERSATION.   >> THERE HAS BEEN A   CONVERSATION.  >>  WHAT DID YOU SAY,   COMMISSIONER CABAN? NO   AGREEMENT ON THE TABLE.  HOW   CAN WE EXPEDITE OR HELP YOU ALL TO ACHIEVE AN AGREEMENT?  >>  WE ARE WORKING THROUGH THE  TYPICAL PROCESS THAT WE DO WITH OTHER CLIENTS OF OURS.  AND   THAT IS TO PUT FORTH A STUDY    THEY GIVE THE COOPERATIVE A   FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITY TO   PARTICIPATE IN THIS PROJECT.    WE ARE AT THE STAGE RIGHT NOW  WERE WE HAVE THAT PRESENTATION  READY AND WE ARE CURRENTLY   SCHEDULED WITH THE EXECUTIVE   TEAM AT TALQUIN.    >> I THINK COMMISSIONER CABAN   HAS A QUESTION. I WILL ASK   ASHTON AFTER HIS QUESTION.  >>  THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR.    OUT OF ALL THE COOPERATIVES YOU GUYS DO BUSINESS WITH, HOW MANY OF THEM -- I WILL REPHRASE. OUT OF ALL OF THE COUNTIES THAT YOU DO BUSINESS WITH,  HOW MANY OF  THEM HAVE YOU NOT COME TO A   DEAL WITH WHAT YOU HAD TO  LAY  THE FOUNDATION YOURSELF?    >> WE HAVE ONLY HAD THAT --    ONE COOPERATIVE NOT PARTICIPATE TODAY IN A PARTNERSHIP  AGREEMENT.  WERE WE ARE NOW   DEPLOYING IN THE COOPERATIVE   FOOTPRINT ON OUR OWN.  JUST   LIKE ANY OTHER ISP WOULD.  WITH THE BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY FOR   THE COOPERATIVE IS SIGNIFICANT.  SO WE HAVE ONLY HAD ONE OUT OF 80 PROJECTS  THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW WHERE THE CO-OP HAS CHOSEN  NOT TO PARTICIPATE.    >> DO WE HAVE A COMMITMENT TO   WHERE IF YOU DO NOT DO A DEAL   WITH THE COOPERATIVE YOU GUYS  WILL LAY THE FOUNDATION AND DO  THE WORK YOURSELF?  >>  YES, WE HAVE A COMMITMENT   THAT WE HAVE DONNA.   >> NO MATTER WHAT, YOU ARE   COMMITTED TO -- IN THE  DISTRICT?    >> CORRECT.   >> MATH FOLLOW-UP?  MAY I   FOLLOW-UP? YOU ARE PRIVATE  COMPANY , CORRECT?  YOU HAVE   GOVERNMENTAL PREEMPTIVE  --    SOMETHING LIKE THE RAILROAD    THAT YOU CAN LAY THAT WITHOUT A PERMIT,  OR NOTWITHSTANDING .   YOU HAVE PIPELINES COMING   THROUGH THIS COMMUNITY.  IN THE PIPELINE LAID  COMPANY SEEM TO  HAVE SOME TYPE OF IMMUNITY.    THE CITY'S VOICE DOES NOT  MATTER.  THEY GET A FEDERAL --   I MIGHT BE ASKING  A GENERAL   COUNSEL QUESTION.  BUT WITHOUT  GOVERNMENT STATUS,  YET   OBVIOUSLY YOU WORK WITH   SOMETHING THAT CAN ACT AS A   PUBLIC AGILITY IS WHAT I'M   SAYING. WHAT IS YOUR POWER IN   THAT REGARD?  DO YOU HAVE SOME  IN PREMATURE  -- LIKE THE   RAILROAD OF PUBLIC AGILITY?  >>  NO , WE ARE NOT A UTILITY,  WE ARE BROADBAND SERVICE  PROVIDER, JUST THE SAME AS   OTHER ISPs ARE.  WE FOLLOW THE  SAME PROCESSES THAT EVERYONE   ELSE WOULD,  WE GO THROUGH THE  PERMITTING PROCESS,  YOU GET   ATTACHMENT AGREEMENT FROM THE   LOCAL UTILITY,  THERE IS NO   UNIQUE STATUS THAT WE HAVE.    >> OKAY. VERY GOOD. THANK YOU   SO MUCH.  I AM NOT SURE IF THIS IS DIRECTED TO YOU. LOOKING AT  THE PAPER  OF ECONOMIC  VITALITY.  LOOKING AT AROUND  TWO .  IS KEITH STILL HERE?   I'M SORRY.  KEITH,  I DO NOT  KNOW WHICH ATTACHMENT.  THERE   ARE A WHOLE  BUNCH WHERE THE   ATTACHMENT NUMBER WAS.  BUT IS  PAGE 368  OF 757.  I DID NOT   READ ALL OF IT.  BUT I FOUND   THAT THESE MAPS.  AND SOME OF   THESE MAPS,  A PICTURE IS WORTH 1000 WORDS.  WHAT I SEE IN   THESE MAPS  IS COMMISSIONER   WELCH IS  DISTRICT IS ON   AUTOMATIC PILOT AND THEY HAVE  THE  BIG LOOPED CIRCLES.  AND  DISTRICT 4 IS  DISPROPORTIONATELY RECEIVING  ATTENTION , AND APPLICATION HAS BEEN MADE IN THEIR INTEREST    AND AWARDS BEING GRANTED.  AND  I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS  DISPARITY  THAT YOUR OFFICE HAS SHARED WITH THE.  I LOOK AT   PAGE 369,  OF 757.  ATTACHMENT  NUMBER SIX.  I GUESS THAT IS   THE NORTHWEST. THERE IS A GREAT WEEK CIRCLE. THAT GREAT CIRCLE   IS GREATER, IT IS CONCENTRATED . WHAT WE HAVE IN THE SOUTH   SIDE IS  SEVEN LITTLE CIRCLES.   AND THE LARGEST CIRCLE  SOUTH  OF  --  OVER AND COMMISSIONER  CABAN 'S DISTRICT,  ON PAGE  368,  THERE IS A GREAT BIG  CIRCLE.  IT LOOKS LIKE  YOU ALL ARE FAVORING TO ME. JUST   LOOKING AT CIRCLES. AND ON THE  EAST SIDE, ON ATTACHMENT FOUR,   PAGE 367,  THERE IS A  BABY  CIRCLE RIGHT HERE  FOR I GUESS  SOME SIGNIFICANT AND SPECIAL  PEOPLE.  PLEASE HELP ME TO   UNDERSTAND --  I MISSED PAGE   370, WHICH IS THE NORTH.  WE   ARE MERIDIAN, THOMASVILLE, ALL  OF THAT AREA.  WHY IS THERE A  FAVORITISM  AND FORMER GREEN   LINE SPACED OUT FOR THESE AREAS . STEPHANIE IS HOLDING HER   HANDS UP.    >>  I JUST WANT TO SPEAK  QUICKLY. THE MAP  THAT KEITH   PROVIDED EARLIER,  -- DUE TO   PROPRIETARY REASONS, WE CANNOT  PROVIDE A DETAILED MAP OF OUR   PLANS. WHAT WE DID PROVIDE ,   WHICH IS SIMILAR TO WHAT THEY  WERE ABLE TO ACCESS WAS A MAP   THAT SHOWED THE AWARDED AREAS.   WE ARE ABLE TO MEET WITH LTPT  INDIVIDUALLY, OR EVEN MEMBERS   OF THE COMMISSION INDIVIDUALLY  TO SHOW YOU WHERE OUR SERVICE.  IS  THEREFORE YOU CAN SEE A  SIGNIFICANT AS FAR AS WHY SOME  AREAS HAVE BIG CIRCLE AND SOME  DO NOT. THAT REFLECTS A CERTAIN  AREAS  THAT WERE SERVED  --    UNSERVED OR UNDERSERVED.  YOU   MAY HAVE MENTIONED THE SOUTH   SIDE, THE SOUTH SIDE IS PRETTY  MUCH SERVED I COMCAST. THERE   WERE AREAS IN THE WOODVILLE    FOOTPRINT THAT WERE NOT, BUT WE WERE AWARDED THOSE AREAS IN THE SECOND GRANT THAT WE APPLY FOR.   >> OKAY,  DISTRICT 2,  THE   GREEN LINES ON DISTRICT TO IS   OVER THE NATIONAL FOREST.  THE  GRAY.  LIKE I SAID, THIS WORLD  WITH THERE.  I DON'T KNOW WHO  IS DOWN THERE.  THIS IS NOT ON  YOUR LETTERHEAD.  THIS IS ON   ECONOMIC VITALITY.  THAT IS WHY THEY GIVE US THIS INFORMATION.   YOU HAVE NOTHING REFLECTED   THROUGH CONTACT.  WITH WHAT WE  ARE BEING SHOWN, WE CLEARLY CAN SEE  A FOCUS  ON  COMMISSIONER  WELCH'S DISTRICT.  AND I AM  CONCERNED.  HELP ME TO FEEL  BETTER.  MS. STEPHANIE IS   SAYING I NEED TO SCHEDULE   PRIVATE CONVERSATIONS  --  BUT  WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IT.  AND   WE DO NOT SEE PARITY.  >>  COMMISSIONER PROCTOR,  OEV  DOES NOT MAKE  THE DECISION AS  TO THE FUNDING.  THAT IS MADE   BY FLORIDA COMMERCE  THROUGH AN APPLICATION PROCESS  THAT THE  ISPs PROVIDE FOR.  THEY   DESIGNATE THE AREAS  THEY   INTEND TO SERVE.  BASED ON THE  AREAS THAT ARE UNSERVED AND  UNDERSERVED, OEV FACILITATE THE CONVERSATION AND FACILITATES  FEEDBACK  THROUGH LTPT AND   ENGAGES WITH THE INTERNET   SERVICE PROVIDERS  AND PROVIDES AS MUCH ASSISTANCE AS WE CAN.   THOSE DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE  BY THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE.   EVEN WITH THE FUNDING THAT IS  ANTICIPATED TO ROLLOUT,  THE   PROGRAM IS GOING TO BE  ADMINISTERED FLORIDA COMMERCE.   IT COME FROM THE FED AND IT  GOES TO THE STATE.  FLORIDA   COMMERCE HAS ESTABLISHED AN   APPLICATION PROCESS. AND OEV    HAS NO ENGAGEMENT OR   INVOLVEMENT AS TO WHERE THESE  INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS   DECIDE TO FOCUS.  >>  NOT TO PROLONG, MADAM   CHAIR. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD  --  ASKED THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR  IF HE COULD FACILITATE ALLOWED  ME TO ACCEPT THE OFFER OF   INVITATION BY  MS. STEPHANIE  BOUTIN  SO WE CAN MEET WITH   THEM. I WOULD LIKE TO MEET WITH YOU  WITH THE COMCAST TEAM AND  MR. BOUTIN .    >> I THINK YOU WOULD AGREE WE   DO NOT REALLY NEED A MOTION.  ANY OTHER COMMENTS  FROM THE  COMMISSIONERS?  WHY HAVE YOU  THERE,  LOOKING AT URINALYSIS,  IT INDICATED  THAT WORK IN  THESE UNDERSERVED AREAS WOULD   BE EXPECTED TO BEGIN THIS  SUMMER.  IT SAID  JUNE, 2024.   THAT IS PRETTY MUCH IN THE  MICCOSUKEE  AREAS .    >> YES, THAT IS CORRECT.   >> OKAY.  AND YOU DO NOT HAVE A PROJECTED DATE BEYOND THAT?   >> NOT FROM COMCAST IGNORED --  NOR  CONEXON.  STEPHANIE MAY   HAVE SOME MORE INFORMATION  AVAILABLE.   >> I THINK YOU.  I JUST WANT  YOU  -- TO COMMEND YOU AND YOUR STAFF AS WELL AS THE COUNTY   ADMINISTRATOR AND STAFF  FOR   WORKING ON THIS. I THOUGHT   THERE WERE SOME QUESTIONS AND  ISSUES . BUT I THINK IT IS A  WIN-WIN SITUATION FOR MANY  OF  OUR CITIZENS AND CONSTITUENT.   WE HAVE HAD REPRESENTATIVES   FROM THE CHAIR 'S MICCOSUKEE,  AND LITERALLY BEG US FOR  ASSISTANCE.  I KNOW IT HAS   AFFECTED THEIR ABILITY TO  COMMUNICATE, AND THEIR  CHILDREN'S ABILITY TO DO THEIR HOMEWORK AND WHAT HAVE YOU.   THEY HAVE COME RIGHT HERE  AND  APPEAL TO US TO DO WHAT WE CAN. I APPRECIATE YOU ALL HAVING  WORKED ON THIS AND BROUGHT THIS REPORT  TO US.  THERE WILL BE  SOME  VERY HAPPY CONSTITUENTS . I AM EXCITED ABOUT WHAT WILL   HAPPEN IN. OF COURSE,  THERE   ARE SOME CONCERNS.  I KNOW THE  COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR --    >>  OUR GOAL IS TO AGAIN,   ENSURE THAT EVERY CITIZEN IN IN LEON COUNTY  HAS ACCESS TO   RELIABLE HOUSE DEED  BROADBAND  COLLECT  -- CONNECTIVITY.    >> THANK YOU.    >> LAST COMMENT.  I THINK OUR   RURAL SCHOOL SHOULD BE A  PRIORITY.  I COULD NOT TELL  FROM THE CIRCLE IF WOODVILLE    ELEMENTARY SCHOOL .  STEPHANIE, IF IT GOES THAT FAR SOUTH .   THAT WOULD BE AMONG MY  INTEREST.  I THINK IN OUR  COMMUNITY,  I HOPE ALL OF THIS  COMMISSION AGREES  THAT   EVERYONE OF OUR OUTLINED SCHOOL  --  WOULD BE A PRIORITY  FOR   OUR SCHOOLCHILDREN. THANK YOU.  >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER   PROCTOR. OKAY.  HEARING NO  OTHER COMMENTS, ALL THOSE IN   FAVOR OF ACCEPT BEING THE  REPORT  AND THE RECOMMENDATION  FROM STAFF , LET IT BE KNOWN BY SAYING AYE..  AND I VOTE,  AYE.  ANY OPPOSITION?  THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. MR. COUNTY   ADMINISTRATOR?  >>  ITEM NUMBER 18 WAS  REQUESTED BY THE BOARD ON   JANUARY 22nd AT THE BOARD  RETREAT.  IT'S TOO    ACKNOWLEDGE AND APOLOGIZE FOR   THE HISTORY OF SLAVERY AND  RACISM IN LEON COUNTY.  WITH   THAT, MADAM CHAIR, BEFORE I   HEADED OFF TO YOU. WE HAVE TWO  SPEAKERS AND ONE ON ZOOM THAT I WILL GO TO FIRST.  OR A VIRTUAL SPEAKER, RATHER. WASILLA  HAWKINS.  PRISCILLA  HAWKINS.     >> MISS HAWKINS, ARE YOU ON THE LINE?  >> CAN YOU HEAR ME?  OKAY. I   APOLOGIZE FOR MY VOICE.  I AM   NOT THERE TODAY BECAUSE I'VE  HAD THE VIRUS THAT IS BEEN   GOING AROUND. I CANNOT COME AND INFECT ANYBODY.    >> WE HEAR YOU REAL CLEAR, YOU  HAVE THREE MINUTES.    >> THANK YOU. FIRST OF ALL,    COMMISSIONER PROCTOR HAS NOT  MADE  HIS STATEMENT YET.  BUT I WANT TO THANK HIM FOR EVEN  CONSIDERING  TO TAKE THIS  OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.  AND   FOR HIS TAKING A LOOK AT WHAT  FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN   DOWNTOWN TALLAHASSEE HAS DONE   AND OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THEM,  BLACK HISTORY ALLIANCE, TO HELP THIS EFFORT GO EVEN FARTHER    THAN JUST FIRST PRESBYTERIAN,   OR JUST TALLAHASSEE.  TO GO BE  ON, JUST NOW. TO GO BEYOND    BLACK HISTORY MONTH. TO GO  BEYOND THE CITY, THIS STATE,   THIS TIME.  WHAT IS COMING IS   AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT  AND APOLOGY  FOR SLAVERY, WHICH WE  APPRECIATE.  BUT AS I MENTIONED TO COMMISSIONER PROCTOR EARLIER WHEN WE SPOKE  THIS PROGRAM  THAT THE SEARCH AND BLACK  HISTORY ALLIANCE IS FAR MORE   REACHING THAN JUST AN APOLOGY.   IT IS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT, AND  APOLOGY  TO REPENT AND ALSO TO  REPAIR . SO THERE ARE THOSE   FOUR STEPS,  AND I AM HOPING   THAT EVEN THOUGH NOW IT IS JUST UP THE DISCUSSION,  THAT PART  OF WHAT THIS COMMISSION WILL   AGREE TO DO IS TO PUT TOGETHER  A TASK FORCE , WITH SOME   DOLLARS BEHIND IT,  THAT WILL   ALSO STUDY HOW TO MAKE  ALL OF  THESE THINGS A REALITY, NOT  JUST THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT , BUT  THE REPENTING AND REPAIR AS  WELL. SLAVERY , IT IS NOT LIKE  YOU BOUGHT SOMEONE AS YOU  WALKED DOWN THE STREET.  YOU   BUMP THE MENU SAID, I AM SORRY.  THAT IS YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT,   YOUR APOLOGY.  NO HARM DONE.    IT DID NOT LEAVE A LASTING  EFFECT. SLAVERY DOES. AND IT  HAS.  SO THERE ARE FAR-REACHING THINGS. WHAT WE ARE ADVOCATING  FOR AND PLEADING FOR,  AND WHAT MILLIONS OF BLACK AMERICANS   HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR FOR   DECADES, IS SOMETHING MORE    THAN JUST AN OFF  CUFF APOLOGY. I KNOW THAT IS WHAT  COMMISSIONER  PROCTOR HAS IN  MIND.  AND I AM HOPEFUL THAT   THE ENTIRE COMMISSION  WILL   TAKE A LOOK AT SOME WORK THT  HAS BEEN DONE IN OTHER PLACES   THAT WE ARE WORKING ON. I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE EACH OF YOU  THURSDAY,  EVERY 29th  AT NOON   -- FEBRUARY 29th  FOR A FREE   LUNCH AND.  WE ARE HAVING THE   PRESBYTERIAN USA'S DIRECTOR   FOR THE CENTER  OF THE REPAIR  OF HISTORIC HARM  AS OUR  SPEAKER.  HE WILL COME IN AND  TELL YOU ABOUT THE PROCESS    THAT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN AND THE REST OF THE PRESBYTERIAN   ASSOCIATION CHURCHES ARE GOING  THROUGH.  AND EXACTLY WHAT WE   INTEND TO IMPLEMENT HERE IN   TALLAHASSEE AND HOW WE ARE   GOING TO MOVE FORWARD WITH  THIS.  AGAIN, THAT IS THURSDAY  AT NOON. FEBRUARY 29th.  THE   LUNCHEON IS FREE, WE CAN   ACCOMMODATE UP TO 100 PEOPLE.   FOR THE LUNCH, WE CAN   ACCOMMODATE UP TO 405th THE  PEOPLE IN THE SANCTUARY,  WHERE WE WILL HAVE THE SERVICE.  I   INVITE YOU ALL PLEASE.  MY   FINAL WORD IS  YOU PLEASE TAKE  THIS FARTHER THAN JUST AN  APOLOGY .    >> MISS HAWKINS, THANK YOU FOR  YOUR COMMENT. WE APPRECIATED.  MR. COUNTY ADMINISTERED?    >> FINAL SPEAKER ON THIS  MATTER.  STANLEY SIMMS.    >> THEY SAY APOLOGY IS A NOUN.   REGRETFUL  OF AN OFFENSIVE    ACT OR FAILURE.  MY GRANDMOTHER  HAD ABOUT AN  EIGHTH GRADE    EDUCATION BUT A PHD IN LIFE.    AND THE OTHER DAY I RAN INTO   DR. JANET  SHERMAN.  MY HEALTH  TEACHER .  AND  I RAN  UP TO  HER AND EMBRACED HER AND I SAID I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR  EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE TRIED  TO GIVE ME.  AND I SEEMED LIKE  I DID NOT  UNDERSTAND HOW TO  RECEIVE.  AND SHE TURNED AROUND AND SHE EMBRACED ME.  AND    APOLOGIZED.  BLACK HISTORY WAS   DIFFERENT. AND THIS  YOUNG   LADY HERE WILL  TELL YOU. YOU  COULD NOT COME INTO OUR CLASSES , MADAM ATTORNEY  IN THIRD  GRADE AND TALK ABOUT  MARTIN   LUTHER KING, AND ROSA PARKS.   BECAUSE MS. MILES DID NOT PLAY  THAT.  SO AROUND FIFTH GRADE ,  I WILL NEVER FORGET THIS. WE  WERE TALKING ABOUT BLACK   HISTORY. ONE OF MY CLASSMATES.  OUR CLASS WAS SMALL. AND THEY   SAID SOMETHING OFFENSIVE ABOUT  WHITE PEOPLE.  AND I REMEMBER  THE TEACHER SHUT IT  DOWN  QUICKLY.  AND SAID  BLACK   HISTORY IS NOT A BLACK THING.   SHE SAID THE WORD QUAKERS . I  WILL NEVER FORGET THIS.    BECAUSE SHE MADE US GO ACROSS   THE STREET.  SHE SAID WHITE  PEOPLE ,  BLACK HISTORY IS    WHITE HISTORY TOO. BECAUSE WE  CANNOT HAVE GOTTEN THIS FAR   WITHOUT WHITE FOLKS.  AND THEY  WERE OFFENDED, AS WELL.  THEY   WERE HUNG LIKE BLACKS.   PERSECUTED LIKE BLACKS.  BUT MY FINAL 30 SECONDS. IF YOU JUST   GIVE ME A FEW. IT IS NOT OVER.   IN QUINCY, IN 1971 FIVE MEN   WERE MURDERING  A DEPUTY. BY   THE LAST NAME OF  DONARELLO.    WITH AN ALL  WHITE JOURNAL AND  HE WAS REPRESENTED BY THE   NUMBER ONE CIVIL RIGHTS LEADER  THAT HAS GONE ON. BUT HIS SON  STILL REPRESENTS TODAY.  DINO  KITCHEN  A WHITE MAN, A QUAKER.  CONTRIBUTED  TO THE  ADVANCEMENT  OF BLACK PEOPLE.   SO I  ACCEPT YOUR APOLOGY.    WITH GLADNESS.  BUT I WANT TO  ACCEPT IT WITH THE   UNDERSTANDING. THAT IT IS NOT   AN APOLOGY  TO JUST BLACK  PEOPLE. WE DID NOT  GET TO   WHERE WE ARE TODAY BY  OURSELVES.  YOU HELPED ME AND I THANK YOU.   >> THANK YOU MR. SIMS.    >> CONCLUDES OUR  SPEAKERS.   >> THANK YOU.    >> MR. COUNTY AND  I WOULD LIKE TO ENTERTAIN A MOTION.  >> I MOVE  OPTION ONE.  >> THANK YOU.  IS THERE A  SECOND?  COMMISSIONER PROCTOR?     >> IN 1860  POPULATION OF LEON  COUNTY  TO MY UNDERSTANDING.   FIVE YEARS  BEFORE  THE   CONCLUSION OF THE CIVIL WAR.    ONE YEAR PRIOR TO THE  COMMITMENTS OF THE CIVIL WAR.   OUR POPULATION WAS 73% SLAVES   OCCUPYING THE COUNTY.  FOR   EVERY FOUR PEOPLE IN LEON  COUNTY, THREE OUT OF FOUR  WERE SLAVES IN 1860.  I WANTED TO   THANK YOU THE COUNTY  COMMISSION.  FOR THIS  GET THE  STEP.  AND IT IS NO WONDER THAT MOST AFRICAN-AMERICANS WERE   MADE HALF CRAZY.  FROM THE    GENERATIONAL TO THE  INTERGENERATIONAL  SUPPRESSION,  OPPRESSION.  REPRESSION.  AND  PRESSURE  UPON THE LIVES    CONTINUOUSLY. OF EACH    GENERATION.  I WENT OUT TO THE  GRAVEYARD ON SUNDAY.  TO GIVE   AN INTERVIEW .  AND I DROVE ALL ACROSS THE GREENWOOD  CEMETERY  WHERE MY GRANDPARENTS ARE AND   GREAT-GRANDPARENTS ARE. SO MANY OF THE PEOPLE  OF NAMES OF  FAMILIES .  THEY WILL NOT KNOW  THE WORDS OF COUNTY COMMISSION   WERE COMMENTS OF APOLOGY.  OR  THE LIMITATIONS PLACED UPON    THEIR LIVES. BUT I WANTED TO  MAKE SURE THAT I PLACE MYSELF   IN CONNECTION WITH THAT PAST.   BUT THIS IS SYMBOLIC TO THOSE   PEOPLE LAYING IN THE GRAVEYARD. AND IT IS MEANINGFUL TO THE   PEOPLE IN THEIR LIVES . AND IT  IS A SIGNIFICANT IN THE  BICENTENNIAL  YEAR FOR OUR   COUNTY. A STATEMENT TO THE   FUTURE. FOR THOSE THAT HAVE YET TO ARRIVE. WE ARE SAYING HERE  TODAY.  IS THAT WE ARE THROWING DOWN THE GAUNTLET.  FOR FRESH  AND  A NEW BEGINNING.  THAT WE  RECOGNIZE WHAT OUR COUNTY HAS   BEEN. AND EVEN  CONJUNCTIVELY   WITH PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH.   WHICH I  SALUTE, CELEBRATE  THE MORAL CLARITY.  THE MORAL    SEASONED  VOICE  OF THEIR   APOLOGY STATEMENT. AND TO SAY  THEY  WORSHIP IN A BUILDING  BUILT BY SLAVES.  BUT IT WAS   WHAT IT WAS.  AND I AM  APPRECIATIVE  THAT YOU  THOUGHT IT NOT ROBBERY.  TO PLACE THESE  SIGNIFICANT WORDS ON A SHEET   OF PAPER.  TO THE COUNTY  ADMINISTRATOR.  TAKING MY OLD   STANDBY FILE. AND MAKE SURE   THAT I READ  THAT. ONE OF MY   FAVORITE BEST READINGS.  AND  I COULD HAVE  TWEAKED THE BIBLE.   IN AN ERRANT WORD  OF GOD.    BUT I'M WILLING TO LET THIS GO AS PRINTED WITHOUT  MODIFICATION.  AND I AM  DESPERATELY  RESISTING  FURTHER COMMENT. BUT  TO KNOW THAT THIS IS A GALLANT EFFORT  AND THE   SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT  RESOLUTION  I HAVE EXPERIENCED.  I AM NOT GOING TO TELL NOBODY  OUT LOUD  THAT I REALLY DID CRY  READING THIS.  IT IS KIND OF  HARD TO DO.  IT REALLY BROUGHT   TEARS.  AND ALL OF THESE   SLAVES INSIDE OF ME. WHO'S    DNA I HAVE INHERITED. ALL OF   THESE SLAVES  THAT RUN ACROSS   MY BACK. AND UP AND DOWN MY  BACKBONE. I DO NOT KNOW THEM.   BUT  IT MADE ME CRY.  AND THEY  FELT THE WEIGHT OF THESE WORDS.  THAT IS ENOUGH RIGHT THERE,   FOR ME.  BECAUSE I AM GRATEFUL.  THIS IS SIGNIFICANT TO  THOUSANDS OF DEAD  AND LIVING  PEOPLE.  THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE TO COMMENT. I WANT TO SAY THANK  YOU.  THIS IS COURAGEOUS.    HUMANE.  AND A GOOD STEP  FORWARD.  AND IT BRINGS US    INTO THE SPIRIT OF CELEBRATION   OF OUR BICENTENNIAL.  PUTTING  THE LADIES WORDS  DOWN FIRST.   THANK YOU VERY MUCH.    >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER   PROCTOR.  ANY OTHER  COMMISSIONERS?  COMMISSIONER   MADDOX.  >> THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK   YOU COMMISSIONER PROCTOR FOR   HIS  WORDS. AND HIS WILLINGNESS .  OFTEN TIMES WE THINK  OR DO  NOT WANT TO THINK ABOUT THE   THINGS THAT WE HAVE BEEN   THROUGH, AS PEOPLE. TO GET TO   WHERE WE ARE TODAY. BUT THE   MOMENTS THAT WE HAVE. WALKING  THROUGH SOME OF THE HARDEST   TIMES IN LIFE. WE FIND  THAT   THOSE TIMES REALLY MAKE US AS   WE ARE AS PEOPLE . TO LOOK BACK ON THOSE TIMES. NOT JUST   APOLOGIZE FOR MOMENTS THAT  COULD HAVE HURT ONE ANOTHER.   BUT ALSO MEAN IT  DEEPLY. FROM  WITHIN OUR SOULS AND HEARTS.   THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.  YOU  CANNOT ERASE HISTORY.  BUT WHAT  YOU ARE ABLE TO DO IS  KNOW   THAT YOU HAVE DONE SOMETHING.  IT  MAY HAVE NOT BEEN RIGHT   TOWARDS ANOTHER.  TAKE   RESPONSIBILITY AND APOLOGIZE   AND YOU CAN'T MEAN IT. AND   THOSE THAT HAVE ENDURED IT.    ALMOST OFTEN TIMES  ENOUGH TO  UNDERSTAND.  TIMES CHANGE AND  PEOPLE CAN TOO. ACCEPT A   BIOLOGY IN A WAY THAT IS GIVEN  GRACE. NOT JUST THE GRACE THAT  A HUMAN BEING CAN BE GIVEN.  EVEN IF NOT AS GRATEFUL AT  TIMES.  SO THANK YOU,  COMMISSIONER PROCTOR FOR ASKING FOR THIS. BUT I ALSO ASK FOR   PEOPLE TO RECEIVE IT WITH GRACE AND UNDERSTANDING. WE, AS   HUMANS ALWAYS  DO NOT DO THE   RIGHT THINGS. BUT WE STRIVE TO  GROW AS PEOPLE. TO RESPECT ONE  ANOTHER, LOVE ONE ANOTHER AND   BE THERE FOR EACH OTHER.  >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER   MADDOX.    >> COMMISSIONER MINOR?  >> THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK  YOU FOR BRINGING THIS UP AS AN  AGENDA ITEM. I HAVE A 70 REACH  OUT TO ME AND WHY THIS WAS  NECESSARY.  AND IT IS   ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.  THE PAIN THAT YOUR ANCESTORS ENDURED.    AND OVER THE YEARS I'VE HAD   CONVERSATIONS WITH FRIENDS OF  MINE.  THAT ARE  AFRICAN-AMERICAN.  I WILL NEVER FULLY UNDERSTAND.  WHAT IT IS   LIKE TO BE AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN.  BUT WE ALL HAVE THE  OPPORTUNITY  TO CLOSE THAT  TERRIBLE  CHAPTER OF OUR  HISTORY. DO NOT FORGET ABOUT  IT.  CLOSE AND START THE   HEALING PROCESS.  MANY OF US   HAVE BEEN DOING THAT FOR MANY  YEARS . THIS IS ANOTHER SOLID   STEP. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING   THIS UP THIS RESOLUTION. A GOOD OPPORTUNITY  FOR US TO LOOK AT  EACH OTHER AS ONE COMMUNITY.  THAT IS 200 YEARS OLD. IT IS   UNFORTUNATE THAT IT TOOK 200  YEARS TO GET TO THIS   RESOLUTION. BUT I AM HERE TO  SUPPORT IT. THANK YOU.   >> THANK YOU . ANY OTHERS?    COMMISSIONER O
KEEFE?   >> THANK YOU. AND  THANK YOU   COMMISSIONER PROCTOR FOR   BRINGING THIS UP.  I AM BOTH  SADDENED THAT WE HAVE A HISTORY THAT WE NEED TO APOLOGIZE FOR   AND ACKNOWLEDGE . BUT FORTUNATE THAT I CAN BE PART OF THE BODY  THAT REPRESENTS THIS   GOVERNMENT. WHEN WE DO SO. NONE MAY HAVE BEEN LIVE WHILE THIS  HISTORY TRANSPIRED . BUT WE  COVER THIS COUNTY AND  GOVERNMENT. AND IT IS ACTUALLY  THE RIGHT THING FOR US TO DO AS REPRESENTATIVES. TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND APOLOGIZE. AT OUR COUNTY  GOVERNMENT.    >> THANK YOU.  COMMISSIONER   O'KEEFE? COMMISSIONER PROCTOR.   >> AND I FAILED TO ASK  FOR  CONSIDERATION.  NOT ONLY THE  APOLOGY  BUT THE ASPECT OF  SLAVERY  IN LEON COUNTY.  IT IS VERY, VERY PUBLIC. AND WELL   PUBLICLY NOTED.  IN THIS  APOLOGY.  THAT WE ASSIMILATE   THIS APOLOGY QUIETLY.  IN PLACE AN  ADVERTISEMENT IN THE  NEWSPAPER.  AND WE PUT IT ON  OUR CHANNEL 16.  ON OUR CABLE  NETWORK.  THAT WE SEND A COPY   TO THE  ETON  ARCHIVES AT    FAMU.  AND THE GREAT STATE  LIBRARY.  BUT WE ALSO LET THE  ENTIRE WORLD KNOW. THAT WE HAVE TAKEN THIS POSITIVE STEP.  AND  IF THE COMMISSIONERS ARE OPEN   TO THAT. THAT WE DO NOT PUT  THIS UNDER THE RUG.  THEN WE GO TO FRONT STREET AND PUT THIS ON FRONT STREET.  SO I WANTED TO  ADD AN ADDENDUM WHY THIS  IS   INFORMATION IS IMPORTANT.   >> THANK YOU.  IS THAT AN   AMENDMENT TO YOUR MOTION TO   ACCEPT OPTION ONE. WITH THE   ADDITIONAL INFORMATION?   >> YES.    >> OKAY.  AND IT WAS SECONDED   FROM COMMISSIONER MADDOX.  DO   YOU ACCEPT THAT AMENDMENT?  ANY OTHER DISCUSSION?  I JUST WANT   TO WEIGH IN VERY BRIEFLY. ALSO  THANK YOU COMMISSIONER PROCTOR FOR RAISING THIS . AND I THINK  IT IS SO APPROPRIATE.  WITH THE AMOUNT OF CELEBRATION  FOR THE  BICENTENNIAL.  I WANT TO THANK  MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, AS   WELL. FOR BEING SENSITIVE TO   THIS ISSUE. IT IS AN ISSUE  OF  SENSITIVITY THAT WE VOTED  UNANIMOUSLY.  AND I ALSO WANT   TO THANK MR. COUNTY    ADMINISTRATOR. THEY DID A GREAT JOB ON THIS RESOLUTION.  AND  THE  COUNTY ATTORNEY. BUT   EVERYBODY HAD A HAND IN IT.    THIS HISTORICAL. I TELL YOU  WHEN I READ IT. I AM NOT FROM  LEON COUNTY.  BUT I CAN TELL  YOU.  AND VERY COUNTY IN   MISSISSIPPI HAS BEEN THE  POOREST  COUNTY IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. THIS COULD BE    ALSO  HAVING THE SAME  FACTUAL  INFORMATION IN VERY COUNTY.  AS FAR AS THE ENSLAVEMENT  OF   AFRICAN-AMERICAN PEOPLE.  SO,   WHEN I READ THIS. I WAS VERY   EMOTIONAL. I FELT LIKE MY  ANCESTORS  WERE SPEAKING FROM   THEIR GRAVES.  HOWEVER, I THINK THAT WE HAVE GROWN A LOT.  CLEARLY, WE HAVE.  WHEN WE HAVE  DIVERSITY. AND IN SPITE OF  THAT DIVERSITY WE ALL RECOGNIZE  WHAT  HAS HAPPENED IN THE  PAST.  AND THERE NEEDS  TO BE A RECOGNITION , OF PREVIOUS  WRONGS SO WE CAN  MOVE FORWARD.  AS A  COMMUNITY, UNITED.    REGARDLESS OF RACE .  SO THANK  YOU  TO STAFF FOR THIS   HISTORICAL ANALYSIS.  IT IS  JUST VERY EMOTIONAL.  VERY  MOVING.  AND I AGREE WITH   COMMISSIONER PROCTOR.  THIS   DOES NOT NEED TO BE PLACED   UNDER THE RUG. BUT IT SPEAKS  A LOT, IN MY OPINION OF LEON   COUNTY.  THE CHARACTER OF LEON  COUNTY. THE GREAT PEOPLE  THAT  LIVE IN THIS COUNTY. THAT WE  WANT TO MOVE FORWARD   PROGRESSIVELY. WORKING TOGETHER AND RECOGNIZING.  THAT   EVERYBODY'S HISTORY IS   IMPORTANT. IT HAS BEEN  IMPORTANT AND PLAYED A MAJOR    ROLE. IN BUILDING OUR  CITY AND COMMUNITY TO WHERE WE ARE  TODAY.  SO I WILL NOT GO ON AND ON BUT I COULD.  BUT A   BEAUTIFUL DOCUMENT.  IN MY   OPINION IS SO THANK YOU, ALL.   OKAY ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?  AYE..  ANY OPPOSITION?  THANK YOU .     >> WE DID NOT HAVE AN   OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE.    >> ABSOLUTELY.  THANK YOU  FOR  BEING HERE. AND WE ALSO HAD A   SCHOOL MEMBER BOARD  MEMBER  HERE,  JONES.  HE HAD TO LEAVE.  IN MY OPINION, THIS IS VERY  HISTORIC.  A VERY HISTORIC   COMMISSION MEETING.  THANK YOU  COMMISSIONER PROCTOR.  COUNTY   COMMISSION?  >> THANK YOU. ITEM 19.  SEEKS   APPROVAL FOR A BID FOR THE   MAGNOLIA DRIVE TRAIL. PHASE  TWO.  TO THE LOWEST RESPONSIVE  BIDDER. AND  THE MANAGEMENT OF  THIS PROJECT . AND IT IS   ENTIRELY FUNDED BY BLUEPRINT.  IN THE CITY THROUGH SEPARATE  GPAS. WE ARE THE MANAGER OF THE PROJECT.  HE FACILITATED THE   BIDDING PROCESS. IT WAS   COMPETITIVE BID. THEY MADE ALL  OF THE REQUIREMENTS. IT IS   RECOMMENDED TO THE LOWEST   RESPONSE. WHAT IS BEFORE YOU.   AND THE ITEM  RECOMMENDS   OPTIONS ONE, TWO. WE HAVE   SPEAKERS ON THIS.   >> THANK YOU MR.  COUNTY   COMMISSION. COMMISSIONERS, LET  ME ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO    ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATION.    >> SO MOVED.  >> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANY  DISCUSSION?  COMMISSIONER   O'KEEFE.   >> I AM ACKNOWLEDGED AND  EXCITED ABOUT THIS.  IT IS   IMPORTANT FOR OUR COMMUNITY.   BUT PRACTICALLY AN IMPORTANT  PROJECT THAT WOULD LIKE TO SEE  HIM -  SEAT FORWARD. FOR   DISTRICT 1 AND TWO. AND THIS    ON THIS TRAIL.    >> THANK YOU.  COMMISSIONER   O'KEEFE. ANY OTHER COMMENTS  FROM THE COMMISSIONERS?   >> SO EXCITED . I REALLY AM.    NOTHING BUT A SHOUT OUT  TO   YOUR PREDECESSOR.  PROBABLY   EQUALLY AS PLEASED.  SO WHEN WE DO A RIBBON-CUTTING .    HOPEFULLY COMMISSIONER MADDOX   WILL MEET HALFWAY.  HE WILL   START FROM THE ORIGINAL    STARTING POINT OF ADAM STREET.   AND RUN DOWN THE HILL AND RUN  UP THAT BIG HILL.  AND HE IS  GOING TO HAVE TO RUN UP BUT   I'M GOING TO RUN DOWN. TO MEET HIM.  SHAKE HANDS IN THE  MIDDLE.  FOR A GREAT CEREMONY.     >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER  PROCTOR. ANY OTHERS? AND I AM   JUST PLEASED WITH THE ANALYSIS  THAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.  THE FACT THAT THIS WAS NOT JUST THE LOWEST BIDDER. BUT  THEY   ALSO MET ALL OF THE LOWEST   REQUIREMENTS. AND EVEN BEYOND   RECOMMENDED. SO, THANK YOU SO   MUCH FOR  ALL OF YOUR HARD  WORK. IN SELECTING THIS  PARTICULAR ENTITY. OKAY  ALL   THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE.. ANY   OPPOSITION? ?  THANK YOU.  MR.  COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.   >> THANK YOU. I NORMALLY  PRESENT ONE ITEM AT A TIME. BUT I WANTED TO SAY AS AN OVERVIEW  FOR THE NEXT THREE ITEMS BEFORE YOU. 20, 21, 22. THEY HAVE AN   OVERRIDING THEME. THE  SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS THE COUNTY HAS MADE  THROUGH OUR SEWER   PROGRAM. TO PROTECT THE  ENVIRONMENT. THE COLLABORATION  THAT HAS OCCURRED. WITH OUR  PARTNERS, THE CITY, THE STATE   TO EXPAND THE SEWER ON THE   SOUTH SIDE. IN OUR SUCCESS IN   SECURING CONSIDERABLE GRANT   FUNDING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE   PROJECTS. TO PROTECT  THE   SPRINGS. I KNOW THAT I HAVE TO  SAY THIS TO THE BOARD. BUT FOR  THE PUBLIC RECORD. GIVEN ALL  THE PRIORITY AND THE EMPHASIS  THAT THE BOARD HAS PUT ON THESE PROJECTS OVER THE YEARS. AGAIN, THIS IS ALL INDEED VERY GOOD   NEWS. THIS IS THE EXCITING   PART. WHEN WE SEE  THIS COME TO FRUITION. WHILE THE NEXT TWO   ITEMS WILL DETAIL  THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN NEW STATE GRANT   AWARDS TO CONVERT  SEPTIC TANKS TO SEWERS. AND  ADDITIONAL   GRANT FUNDS FOR THE NEXT ROUND  OF SEWER CONSTRUCTION. THIS   ITEM BEFORE YOU. ITEM NUMBER  20. THIS PROVIDES A BROAD   STATUS REPORT ON THE EXTENSION  OF CENTRALIZED SEWER. TO THE   UNINCORPORATED AREAS WITHIN THE URBAN SERVICES AREA.   COMMISSIONERS, CITING  SPECIFICALLY, THIS INFORMATION  IS WHAT YOU REQUESTED IN   NOVEMBER. REGARDING THE $20   MILLION CITY PROJECT TO EXPAND  SOCIAL SEWER IN THE SOUTHERN   TRIANGLE. BETWEEN CRAWFORD ROAD AND WOODVILLE HIGHWAY NORTH OF  THE CIRCLE. AND I AM PLEASED TO TURN IT OVER TO OUR PLANNING   DIRECTOR. TO PROVIDE SOME   IMPORTANT DETAILS AND AN  OVERVIEW REPORT. ON ALL OF THAT WHICH IS OCCURRING TO STIMULATE THESE MAJOR PROJECTS. WITH  THAT, LET ME HAND IT OVER TO  YOU.  >> THANK YOU. IN THANK YOU,   COMMISSIONERS FOR THIS   OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE A BRIEF  UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE. THE   SEWER EXTENSION. THIS WILL   PROVIDE SOME BACKGROUND  INFORMATION ON OUR  PROGRESS.   THE COORDINATION THAT WE ARE  DOING WITH MAJOR OPPORTUNITIES  TO EXPAND THE PROGRAMMING.  INCLUDING ADDITIONAL FUNDING   SOURCES AND OUR REQUEST FOR  APPROVAL TO PURSUE THIS.  AS WE ARE APPROACHING OUR  BICENTENNIAL YEAR. IT IS  INTERESTING TO NOTE. OUR FIRST  SEWER ELEMENT WAS THE  CENTRALIZED WATER SYSTEM IN  1890. AND A PUBLIC UTILITY WITH WATER AND SEWER THAT IS RUN BY  THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE. THAT  STARTED IN 1920. AND WE   COORDINATE LEON COUNTY TO   IMPLEMENT SEWERS WITH INSIDE   THE URBAN SERVICES AREA.  PRACTICALLY IN THOSE AREAS THAT HAVE SENSITIVE ENVIRONMENTAL   FEATURES. IDENTIFIED IN OUR   PRIMARY SPRINGS PROTECTION  OUTCOME.  SO THE FRAMEWORK FOR  SANITARY SEWER EXTENSION IS   GUIDED BY OUR COMPREHENSIVE  PLAN. THIS IDENTIFIES A   LOCATION THAT IS APPROPRIATE  FOR SANITARY SEWER SERVICE.   PACKED INSIDE OUR USA SERVICES  AREA AS WELL AS LOCATIONS IN   OUR DESIGNATED RURAL   COMMUNITIES. AND  THE URBAN  FRENCH CATEGORIES. ALSO GUIDED  BY THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE   WATER AND SEWER AGREEMENT   BETWEEN LEON COUNTY AND THE   CITY OF TALLAHASSEE. THAT LED   TO THE MASTER SEWER PLAN OF THE CITY THAT MAINTAINS AND   OPERATES. AND SUBMITS TO THE   COUNTY FOR APPROVAL EVERY FIVE  YEARS. SO IMPLEMENTATION OF  SANITARY SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE   IS COMPLETED IN THREE WAYS. ONE IS THROUGH THE  MEANS OF THE   MASTER SEWER PLAN. IT LOOKS AT  EASE ABILITY OF EXTENDING  SERVICE. THOSE PROJECTS CAN   INCORPORATE INTO THE CITY'S  FIVE-YEAR CAPITOL IMPROVEMENTS  PROGRAM. THE OTHER IS THROUGH  THE ROBUST SUBJECT THAT LEON   COUNTY THE PUBLIC WORKS   DEPARTMENT LEADS. YOUR   LEADERSHIP IS LOOKING TO  HAVE  OVER 700 CONVERGENCE, THUS FAR.  THROUGH THE PURSUIT OF GRANT  FUNDING. FOR PROTECTION IN THE  STATE OF FLORIDA. ALO THROUGH  PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT. THE WATER  IN SUITOR - SEWER ACCESS MUST   CONNECT TO THAT SERVICE.  SO   SEWER EXPANSION PROJECTS THAT  ARE HAPPENING RIGHT NOW ARE THE SOUTHERN TRIANGLE WATER AND   SEWER EXPANSION. INITIATED IN   2022. $20 MILLION INVESTMENT IS BEING DONE BY THE CITY OF  TALLAHASSEE .  IT IS THE  CONCEPTUAL AND DESIGN PHASE.   LEON COUNTY SEWER PROGRAM IS   MULTIPLE PROJECTS WITH MULTIPLE PHASES. THE TOTAL INVESTMENT OF $63 MILLION. THE CURRENT   PROJECTS ARE UNDER CONSTRUCTION THAT WILL BRING A CONVERSION OF OVER 1500 PROJECTS AND IT IS   PRIMARILY WITH PROJECTS LOCATED IN THE  PRIMARY SPRINGS  PROTECTION ZONE. SUPPORTED BY   THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF   ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. AND   UPDATE ON THE  SOUTHERN   TRIANGLE PROJECT.  CURRENTLY   THE CONCEPTUAL DESIGN  PHASE.   ESTIMATE TO BE $20 MILLION.  WITH THE MOST RECENT UPDATE AT  THE JANUARY MEETING FITTED IN  PROVE  $12 MILLION IN STATE  GRANT TO SUPPORT THAT PROJECT.  IN THE TIMELINE WE ARE LOOKING  AT ABOUT FIVE YEARS OUT FOR   COMPLETING CONSTRUCTION WITH  CONCEPTUAL  DESIGN COMPLETED  THIS YEAR. EASEMENTS GRADED  THIS YEAR, AS WELL. AT THE   COMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT ALL  PROPERTIES WITHIN THE TRIANGLE  WILL HAVE SEWER, AND WATER   CONNECTION OPTIONS. AN  ADDITIONAL $200 - 200   PROPERTIES. SO FOR THE SUBJECT  TO SEWER PROJECTS THAT LEON   COUNTY IS LEADING IN WE HAVE   THE  WOODSIDE HEIGHTS, THE   BELAIR NEIGHBORHOODS. THESE ARE NEARING COMPLETION PHASE ONE.   IT IS ALREADY COMPLETE. IT WILL HAVE  3 TO 20 PROPERTIES WITH  ACCESS TO WATER AND SANITARY   SERVICE. THIS IS PART OF THE   CUMULATIVE $63 MILLION   INVESTMENT TO DATE. ALSO   NORTHEAST DIRECTLY ADJACENT IS  CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.   IT POTENTIALLY BRINGS 3 TO 20  PROPERTIES ONTO THE WATER AND   SEWER WERE -  WATER PROJECT.  THIS IS A FOUR PHASE PROJECT.   WE ARE IN PHASE ONE THAT IS   UNDER CONSTRUCTION BETWEEN NOW  AND OCTOBER. AS WELL AS PHASE  TWO THAT IS ACQUIRING THE RIGHT OF WAY EASEMENT. I WILL RUN   UNTIL OCTOBER 24.  AND THIS IS  QUITE A LARGE PROJECT WE ARE   HALFWAY THROUGH FUNDING THIS IS OVER $100 MILLION INVESTMENT IN TOTAL. THAT IS WHY THESE AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE STATE GRANTS.  THAT LEON COUNTY WAS ABLE  TO   UPDATE AND INCREASE THE FUNDING AND REQUEST INFORMATION TO  PURSUE ADDITIONAL GRANTS.  HERE ARE SOME UPDATES OF ITEMS 21,   AND 22. AMENDING AN EXISTING   FTP GRANT TO RAISE IT TO $70   MILLION WHICH IS FOR THE   NORTHEAST SEWER SYSTEMS   PROJECT. WITH MATCHING FUNDS   FROM THE LEON COUNTY  WATER   QUALITY SALES TAX REVENUE. ITEM 2022 ON YOUR AGENDA WAS A  REQUEST.  TO ALLOW US TO PURSUE FLORIDA WATER AND MANAGEMENT   APPLICATIONS FOR A TOTAL OF $12 MILLION. 10 MILLION OF WHICH  WILL GO TO THE SEWER SYSTEMS   PROJECT THAT IS UNDERWAY RIGHT  NOW. $2 MILLION FOR REPAIR   PROJECT AND ABATEMENT. SO ALL   THIS WORK HAS IN  PROGRESS WITH ADDITIONAL GRANT FUNDING  OPPORTUNITIES. THAT SUBSTANTIAL BENEFIT THE COMMUNITY. THE   ENVIRONMENTAL AND ALSO AN  ECONOMIC BENEFIT. WITH THE  CONNECTED PROTRACT. THIS WILL  BENEFIT  PROPERTY OWNERS THAT   CONVERT THEIR SEPTIC ONTO THE   SEWER SYSTEM.  SO THERE ARE $63 MILLION INVESTED TO DATE. IN   THE SEPTIC TO SEWER PROJECT. IT WILL EXTEND SERVICE TO 1529   INDIVIDUAL PROPERTIES IN  LEON  COUNTY. YOUR STAFF IS PURSUING  GRANTS AGGRESSIVELY. LOOKING   FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO LEVERAGE  THE EP GRANTS. IN THE FLORIDA   WATER MANAGEMENT GRANT. AND IF  YOU APPROVE THE REQUESTED GRANT TONIGHT? THAT WILL BE AN   ADDITIONAL $19 MILLION . THAT  WE COULD RECEIVE TO SUPPORT  THAT. THANK YOU FOR THE   OPPORTUNITY WHAT THE BEEN ABLE  TO ACHIEVE WITH THESE PROJECTS. AND HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY   QUESTIONS.  >> THANK YOU, VERY MUCH FOR   THAT. FOR THAT PRESENTATION. WE SHOULD TAKE THE ITEMS ONE BY   ONE. AND ESTABLISH A REPORT ON  THE AGENDA.  IN THE STAFF   RECOMMENDATION IS OPTIONAL.   >> IV PROCEDURAL QUESTION.  - I HAVE A PROCEDURAL QUESTION FOR  THE ATTORNEY. DO WE HAVE TO  TAKE THESE ONE BY ONE? WITH 21, 22, 23 ?   >> IF YOU'RE JUST GOING TO   MAKE A MOTION FOR STAFF  RECOMMENDATION FOR ALL THREE.   YOU COULD DO THAT. THERE IS  NOTHING THAT REQUIRES YOU TO  TAKE THEM INDIVIDUALLY IF YOU   DO NOT WANT TO.  >> THANK YOU. LET ME REVISE.    >> AS LONG AS THERE ARE NO   CITIZEN COMMENTS FOR EACH ITEM.   >> THERE ARE NONE . AND MADAME  CHAIR IF I COULD.  WITH WHAT  THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SAID YOU  CAN DO THAT WITH YOUR FUTURE   ITEM. JUST MOVE THE ENTIRE  BULK.  [ LAUGHTER ]    >> LET US TAKE EACH ITEM ONE BY ONE.  ITEM 20. THE STAFF  RECOMMENDATION. I WILL ACCEPT A MOTION TO ACCEPT THE STAFF  RECOMMENDATION.  IS THERE A   SECOND?  COMMENTS?    >> MADAME CHAIR.    >> COMMISSIONER PROCTOR .   >> WE HAVE THE MOST OUTSTANDING  COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.  GOING   FROM ZERO TO $69 MILLION.  ADDING OVER $20 MILLION  TONIGHT.  THAT IS GOING TO PUT  US IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $80  MILLION.  I AM TRULY , OOLIE,   GRATEFUL FOR THE PERSISTENCE  THAT THEY HAVE DONE.  PIPES IN  THE GROUND AND SOMETHING THAT   PEOPLE DO NOT SEE.  IN YOUR   LEGACY OF THE SEWER PIPE.    NOBODY WOULD EVER TAKE NOTE.  I AM NOT ASHAMED  TO SAY THAT MY  NAME HAS BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH   THIS EFFORT.  AND I REMINDED   SOME YEARS AGO. WE WERE OUT  DEDICATING THE PARK  IN    WOODINVILLE.  GARY  WALKED UP   TO ME MATTER-OF-FACTLY.  DURING THE DEDICATION.  AND HE SAID DO NOT WORRY, DO NOT WORRY BILL   PROCTOR.  YOUR NAME IS GOING TO BE ON A PUBLIC PROJECT SOMEDAY.  IN FACT, YOUR NAME IS GOING TO GO ON A SEWER TREATMENT PLANT.  THAT IS WHERE WE ARE GOING TO   PUT YOUR NAME. SO I HOPE THAT  GARY  DID ASSURE ME. THAT MY   NAME WOULD BE PLACED ON A  SEWER. ON A SEWER TREATMENT  PLANT.  FOR POSTERITY. I ASKED  THAT IT WOULD NOT BE PLACED ON  A SEWER TREATMENT POSTERITY  PROJECT. I'M VERY HAPPY.  THE  EFFORT FOR OUR STAFF.  THAT THE COMMISSION RECOGNIZES AND THE   EQUALIZING CHANCE  TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.  ONCE WE GOT  THESE  PIPES, IT  CHANGES. WHAT IS IN  THE GROUND.  AND IT GIVES WHAT  IS ON TOP OF THE GROUND,    GREATER EXPENSE.  AND WHAT CAN  OCCUR.  THANK YOU.   >> TREAT  -  THANK YOU   COMMISSIONER PROCTOR.    >> OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR   WERE TALKING ABOUT AN UNRELATED ISSUE. THE SUBJECT ABOUT THE  COUNTY BEING EXTREME .   EXTREMELY GOOD  ABOUT   LEVERAGING OUR DOLLARS. AND   BRINGING GRANT  DOLLARS FROM   THE FEDERAL OR LOCAL.  TO   ACHIEVE OUR GOALS. LEON COUNTY  IS INCREDIBLY GOOD AT THAT.    JUST ANOTHER REASON WHY OUR   COUNTY ADMINISTERED IS THE BEST IN THE STATE.    >> BEST IN THE WORLD!    >> THAT IS RIGHT. THE COUNTY  STAFF ARE ALSO THERE, AS WELL.  PROPPING HIM UP  MAKE SURE THEY GET THAT AWARD.  FROM THE TOP   ALL THE WAY THROUGH. THANK YOU  TO EVERYBODY.  NOT JUST ON THIS IN TERMS OF DRAWING DOWN THESE  MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. TO MAKE   REAL PROGRESS ON THE SOUTH SIDE SEWER.  COMMISSIONER PROCTOR    SEWER TREATMENT PLANT.  BUT A   WHOLE HOST OF OTHER THINGS,  TOO. IT IS IN THERE. BUT ON ALL TYPES OF OTHER THINGS. THIS IS  A REALLY  WELL OILED MACHINE.  IN TERMS OF DRAWING DOWN  DOLLARS. THANK YOU TO   EVERYBODY.  >> THANK YOU.  COMMISSIONER   CABAN?   >> THANK YOU. I THINK    COMMISSIONER MINOR,  COMMISSIONER PROCTOR HIT THE    NAIL ON THE HEAD. WHEN I AM IN  WOODINVILLE GETTING MY HAIR   CUT. MANY PEOPLE IN MY   DISTRICT. THEY ASK  WHEN IS THE SEWAGE GOING TO BE DONE?  SO I  KNOW THAT THIS IS REALLY  IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE IN   DISTRICT 2. FOR THE PEOPLE LIVE OUT.  REALLY IMPORTANT TO THE  PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN   WOODINVILLE. SO THANK YOU TO  STAFF IN THE COUNTY   COMMISSIONER FOR LOOKING AND   FINDING MORE MONEY. I BELIEVE  WE ARE ON TIME. WE ARE ON TIME. THEY ARE MOVING. I THINK IT IS  REALLY IMPORTANT.  TO DELIVER  TO OUR CONSTITUENTS. WE GO OUT  THERE AND DELIVER. THANK YOU.   A REVELATION.   >> THANK YOU.  ANY OTHER  COMMENTS?    >> THE COMMISSIONERS, LET ME   JUST SAY TO WRAP THIS UP. A LOT OF NICE THINGS THAT YOU HAVE  SAID.  NEEDLESS TO SAY THIS   FOLLOWS THE PRIORITY OF THE  BOARD. THAT HAS PLACED  ON   THIS. THERE HAVE BEEN TOUGH   DECISIONS TO MAXIMIZE DOLLARS   WITH RESPECT TO THIS. WE HAVE   DONE THAT. COMMISSIONER PROCTOR WE TALKED ABOUT  700   CONVERSIONS. AND MANY MORE  ON  THE ALTERNATIVE.  FROM THE   SEWER PROGRAM THAT ARE COMING.   AND I WAS GOING  TO SAY THAT   COMMISSIONER PROCTOR WE HAVE  DONE EXACTLY  IN OUR 200  HISTORY OF LEON COUNTY. WE   TALKED ABOUT IT FOR A LONG TIME AND PRIORITIZED IT FOR A LONG   TIME.  THERE WAS NOT MATCHING  DOLLARS TO DO IT FOR A VERY  LONG TIME. WE STARTED TO GIVE  KUDOS TO OUR STAFF. SUBJECT TO  SEWER CONVERSION.  THAT IS NOT  A TOPIC THAT ANYBODY TALKS  ABOUT . BUT THAT CAN BE   DIFFICULT. IN TERMS OF TEARING  UP NEIGHBORHOODS. TEARING UP   ROADS. IT IS HARD AND DIRTY   WORK. SOMETIMES YOU'RE GOING   RIGHT INTO ROCK. IT REQUIRES    YOU TO DO A LOT. FOR THAT  REASON, THERE IS NOT A LOT OF   PEOPLE THAT ARE ACTIVELY DOING  IT. WE ARE, IN FACT THE STATES  BEST PARTNER. NOBODY HAS THERE   PROTECTION OF THE SPRING  DOLLARS  LIKE WE DO. WHEN WE  TALK ABOUT OUR STAFF. IT TAKES  A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF EFFORT   AND MANAGEMENT  TO DO THIS.   ALONG THE WAY AS WE HAVE BEEN  DOING IT. SO WE ARE JUST   GETTING STARTED. AS YOU CAN   SEE. WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT  THE PROGRESS THAT WE HAVE MADE. SO THANK YOU.   >> THANK YOU.  COMMISSIONER   MADDOX?    >> THIS IS ABOUT ELEVATORS. THE ELEVATORS ARE DOWN.  ANYBODY   THAT NEEDS TO BE ESCORTED OUT  BY THE ESCORT OF THE DEPUTY.    BEFORE WE TAKE A BREAK.  PLEASE NOTE THAT THE ELEVATORS ARE   DOWN.   >> THANK YOU.    >> THE SHERIFF DEPUTY IS GOING  TO  WALK US DOWN ONE BY ONE?   >> I  WILL ELECT TO HELP THEM.  BECAUSE I'M GOING TO RUN UP .    >> THAT WILL GIVE YOU GOOD  PRACTICE TO RUN UP THAT HILL   AND MEET ME AT THE TOP.   >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER   MADDOX.  WE RECOGNIZE THE   ELEVATOR IS OUT.  SO WHEN WE  TAKE A BREAK , WE WILL GOVERN   OURSELVES ACCORDINGLY.  AND   AGAIN, THE STAFF.  YOU HAVE  KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE BALLPARK. AS YOU ALWAYS DO. WE JUST   APPRECIATE ALL OF THE HARD WORK THAT YOU  DONE ON THIS   PARTICULAR ITEM. SPECIFICALLY   DIRECTED TO OUR NEIGHBORS  ON   THE SOUTH SIDE. IT IS ABOUT   ELEVATING THEIR QUALITY OF  LIFE.  FROM SEPTIC TO SEWER  PROJECT. AND IT IS BEEN GOING  ON IN THE SOUTH. AND MOST OF US HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO OUT  AND WITNESS THE WORK THAT IS   BEING DONE.  LIKE THE COUNTY  ADMINISTRATOR SAID. IT IS NOT  EASY OR CLEAN WORK.  LITERALLY, GET DOWN IN THE  DITCHES IN THE TRENCHES. AND ACTUALLY WE HAVE  WITNESSED THAT.  BUT IT IS  ABOUT ELEVATING NOT ONLY THE   QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR   CITIZENS. BUT IT WILL ALSO  IMPACT. ON THE  QUALITY OF  WATER . OF COURSE LEADING DOWN   TO THE SPRINGS AND OTHER  AREAS.  CLEARLY THIS WILL HAVE  A POSITIVE IMPACT  ON OUR  COMMUNITY.  AND WITH OUR   CITIZENS. HAVING SAID THAT,   THANK YOU  FOR ALL THE HARD   WORK THAT YOU DO.  AND WE LOOK  FORWARD FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS UPON THE COMPLETION. HOPEFULLY  WE WILL ALL BE ABLE TO SEE THIS , IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA. ALL  THOSE IN FAVOR ON THE MOTION?  LET IT BE KNOWN BY SAYING AYE.  ANY OPPOSITION?  THANK YOU, SO  VERY MUCH. MR. COUNTY   ADMINISTRATOR.  >> THANK YOU.  ITEM 21 AND I   GUESS THESE COULD GO QUICKER.   WE ARE RELATIVE TO TIME.    BUILDING A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT AND CONTINUE ON THIS MOMENTUM.  THIS SEEKS APPROVAL TO AMEND  THE EXISTING SPRINGS   RESTORATION. THE GRANT   AGREEMENTS WITH THE COUNTY AND  THE FTP.  TO REALIZE AN   ADDITIONAL $7.8 MILLION IN NEW  STATE FUNDING. TO PRIORITIZE   THE COUNTY SEWER PROJECT.  AND  THE GRANT  WILL BE ALLOWING THE  COUNTY TO AWARD THE NEXT PHASE OF THIS PROJECT. AND AN ITEM   WILL BE COMING BACK TO THE  BOARD DURING THE BUDGET   WORKSHOP. BUT I WILL BE HAPPY   TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.    RECOMMENDING OPTIONS ONE, TWO,  THREE.   >> THANK YOU.  IS THERE ANY   COMMISSION DISCUSSION? HEARING  NONE?  AYE..  ANY OPPOSITION?   THANK YOU SO MUCH.    >> AGAIN,  THIS ITEM THAT IS   BEFORE YOU IS ITEM 22. AGAIN TO CONTINUE  THE THEME. A SIX-YEAR APPROVAL  TO HAVE A SUPPLY  FOR ADDITIONAL GRANTS. TO SUBMIT  TWO GRANT APPLICATIONS .   TOTALING $12 MILLION. IN THE  GRANT REQUESTS. AND AGAIN, THIS INCLUDES $10 MILLION FOR THE  NEXT PHASE OF THE WOODINVILLE   PROJECT. AND $12 MILLION FOR  THE  EMBANKMENT REPAIR PROJECT. AGAIN, A HAPPY  TO ANSWER ANY  QUESTIONS. WE ARE  OFFERING   OPTIONS ONE AND TWO WITH NO   SPEAKERS.  >> THANK YOU MR.  COUNTY   COMMISSIONER. I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION? ANY DISCUSSION?    COMMISSIONER PROCTOR?    >> WHICH  DISTRICT?  I DID NOT  EVEN KNOW THAT WE WERE IN THAT  DISTRICT FOR FUNDING OF $12  MILLION.    >> MADAM CHAIR?  >> YES. WE GET THESE DOLLARS  SPENT.  AND AGAIN, THAT IS THE  BASIS FOR THE AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE WITH FTP.  THE LEGISLATURE HAS PRIORITIZED SPRING  PROTECTION CAN WE BE  THAT WE  HAVE BEEN AND AN AREA THAT HAS  DEMONSTRATED THAT REQUIREMENT.     >> ANY OTHER COMMENTS  OR   QUESTIONS FROM THE   COMMISSIONERS? HEARING NONE?    ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF    ACCEPTING THE RECOMMENDATION OF ONE AND TWO. LET IT BE KNOWN BY SAYING TRAINING TEAM ANY   OPPOSITION?  HEARING NONE.   THANK YOU SO MUCH. MR. COUNTY   ADMINISTRATOR.   >> ITEM 23. SEEKS THE  FULL  BOARD'S CONSIDERATION OF THE  APARTMENT TO THE CITIZENS  ADVISORY COMMITTEE. FOR THE  GROWTH OF THE JOINT CITY    BICYCLING WORKGROUP. AS   REPRESENTED IN THE OPTIONS ONE  AND TWO.  IS THERE A SECOND?    >> IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION?    HEARING NONE.  AYE. THE.  THANK YOU, SO MUCH.  IS THERE   ANYTHING ELSE MR. COUNTY  ADMINISTRATOR?  >> THERE IS NONE , MADAM CHAIR.    >> THAT CONCLUDES  YOUR GENERAL BUSINESS.  >> THANK YOU. WE HAVE A  PUBLIC HEARING AT THREE PUBLIC   HEARINGS SCHEDULED AT 6 P.M.    AND JUST ONE ELEVATOR.   >> WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO.  IF WE CAN GO  INTO COMMENTS.  AND  DISCUSSION ITEMS FROM THE  COMMISSIONERS FROM THE COUNTY   ATTORNEY AND FROM THE COUNTY  ADMINISTRATOR.  LET US CONSULT  WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.  >> THANK YOU. I HAVE NOTHING  FOR THE BOARD.  >> THANK YOU. THIS IS A QUICK   ONE. NIKKI PAID ONE  - NIKKI    PAYTON.    >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS AS  WE BEEN COVERING IN OUR  WEEKLY CAPITOL UPDATE REPORTS. THERE  HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF BILLS   THAT WE HAVE BEEN TRACKING IT  WILL HAVE MAJOR IMPLICATIONS  FOR COUNTY GOVERNMENTS. THESE   INCLUDE THE FRS CHANGES, NEW   VOTING REQUIREMENTS FOR    MILLAGE RATES. EVEN PROPOSED   TERM LIMITS. BUT I WANTED TO   TAKE A MOMENT TO TOUCH ON A  COUPLE OF BILLS OF PARTICULAR  INTEREST.  GIVEN THE IMPACT AND THE POTENTIAL IMPACT TO THE  COUNTY.  THE FIRST IS HOSPITAL  7015 PROPOSES AN ADDITIONAL  $25,000 HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION FOR ALL AD VALOREM TAXES. THIS   PROPOSAL WHICH HAVE TO   ULTIMATELY BE APPROVED BY   VOTERS. THIS WOULD INCREASE THE EXISTING EXEMPTION ON HOMESTEAD PROPERTY VALUES BETWEEN $50,000 AND $75,000. IN OTHER WORDS,  VALUES FROM $50,000  WOULD BE   ACCEPTED. IF APPROVED, AN   ADDITIONAL $1.2 BILLION OF   PROPERTY VALUE WOULD BE COMING  ACROSS THE COUNTY.  THIS WOULD  RESULT IN AN $11 MILLION  REDUCTION IN REVENUE.  AT THIS  POINT, THE BILL HAS STALLED IN  COMMITTEE AND IS YET TO BE   CONSIDERED BY THE FULL HOUSE.   A SIMILAR MEASURE HAS ALSO BEEN PROPOSED. HOUSE BILL 7017.  WHICH SEEKS TO REQUIRE AN  ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT FOR INFLATION TO THE EXEC VALUE OF HOMES AND  VALUES. THIS PROPOSAL WOULD   APPLY TO ALL HOMESTEAD EXEMPTEDO VALUES  OF HOMESTEAD  PROPERTIES.  IN THIS ADJUSTMENT WILL BE BASED ON CHANGES ON THE CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FROM THE  PRIOR YEAR. CAN HAVE AN IMPACT  ON THE COUNTY'S PROPERTY TAX   IN 2026. HOUSE BILL  7017 HAS   BEEN PASSED BY THE HOUSE. IT IS SAID TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THE   FIRST TIME IN THE SENATE  THIS  WEEK. LASTLY, ANOTHER MEASURE   THAT WE HAVE BEEN TRACKING IS   THE PROPOSED COST-OF-LIVING  ADJUSTMENT FOR PENSION PLAN   MEMBERS. THAT IS BEEN ONLY TO  APPLY  TO MEMBERS THAT ARE   ENROLLED IN THE PENSION PROGRAM AS OF 2011. THIS IS  AN IMPACT  OF $9.6 MILLION FOR LEON COUNTY THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR. WITH AN  ANTICIPATED GROWTH OF $3  MILLION IN IMPACT. AT THIS  POINT, THE MEASURE HAS BEEN    PASSED BY THE HOUSE BUT WAS   REJECTED BY THE SENATE SO IT   WILL ADVANCE  TO CONFERENCE   BETWEEN BOTH CHAMBERS. EACH OF  THESE BILLS ARE PRIORITIES    GIVEN A SUBSTANTIAL IMPACT EACH WOULD HAVE ON THE COUNTIES. SO  THEY'RE WORKING HARD TO OPPOSE THIS LEGISLATION. AND CONTINUE  TO WORK WITH OUR STATE LOBBYIST AND MONITOR THESE AND MANY  OTHER BILLS WHILE ENGAGING WITH OUR LOCAL DELEGATION AND OTHER  LEGISLATORS. AND WE WILL CAN DO TO KEEP YOU UPDATED. BUT OF   COURSE, I'M AVAILABLE FOR ANY  QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.   >> THANK YOU.  AND   COMMISSIONERS, AGAIN.  THE   BOARD HAS CERTAINLY EXPRESSED   CONCERNS FOR GOOD REASON. AS  YOU REVERT THROUGHOUT . BUT IT  IS REALLY TOO SOON TO TELL   EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING TO   HAPPEN. SOME OF THESE BILLS    THAT SHE TALKED ABOUT HAVE A  HIGHER PRIORITY AMONG   LEADERSHIP. AND THE   LEGISLATION, THEN OTHERS. WE   WILL CAN YOU TO KEEP YOU   POSTED. OF COURSE , WE WILL BE  STARTING UP THE BUDGET PROCESS   IN EARNEST. WILL HAVE AMPLE   TIME AGAIN TO PROVIDE THE BOARD  WITH BUDGETING STRATEGIES. THE BEST POSITION FOR THE COUNTY,  NO MATTER THE OUTCOME OF THE  SESSION IS. THANK YOU.  >> THANK YOU MR. COUNTY  COMMISSIONER.  COMMISSIONER   MADDOX?  >> A PROCLAMATION HONORING THE  DELTA  FRATERNITY INCORPORATED. FOR THE 50th ANNIVERSARY TO BE   REPRESENTED ON FSU. AND YOU  ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO   PRESENT THAT.  AND I KNOW THAT  SHE THINKS ESPECIALL EXCITED  ABOUT IT. BUT MADAM CHAIR,  YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME TO  PRESENT THAT PROCLAMATION. IN  ATTENDANCE.    >> I WILL CHECK MY CALENDAR,   THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION?   IS THERE A SECOND?  ALL THOSE  IN FAVOR? AYE..   >> HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO EVERYBODY  IN FEBRUARY. ESPECIALLY COUNTY  ADMINISTRATOR. THEY HAVE BEEN   THE  BEST IN THE WORLD. AS WELL AS THE DEAN OF THE COUNTY  COMMISSIONER.  COMMISSIONER   PROCTOR  TURNED TO 25 YEARS OLD AGAIN.  AND  I WANT TO THANK  EVERYBODY  FOR ALL OF THE WELL  WISHES TODAY.  AND TO THOSE OF  THE PROBABLY TWO LONGEST    SERVING PROFESSIONALS WITHIN  THE COUNTY. WITH RESPECT TO THE BOARD. ALSO TO THE LEON COUNTY  ADMINISTRATION. I APPRECIATE   YOU BOTH . BACK  THANK YOU   COMMISSIONER MADDOX FOR  MENTIONING THOSE BIRTHDAYS. SO  HAPPY BELATED  BIRTHDAYS.    COMMISSIONER O'KEEFE?  >> I WANTED TO RECOGNIZE  ONE   OF OUR GREAT STAFF.  AND I  THINK THEY JUST STEPPED OUT OF  THE ROOM AND.  I HAVE HEARD A   LOT FROM OUR RESIDENCES THAT  ARE TRYING TO UTILIZE THE $7500 GRANT. WHO ARE INSTALLING   NITROGEN REDUCING  SEPTIC. THEY ARE GETTING  PROBLEMS WITH A   COST-EFFECTIVE MODEL. WITH A   RECENT CALL TO LET US KNOW THAT WITH  HER HELP IN THE SEPTIC   INSTALLER. I IMAGINE THEY DID A LOT OF THEIR OWN RESEARCH. THEY FOUND A MODEL THAT THEY   SUCCESSFULLY GOT THEIR GRANT.  WHERE THEY PUT IN NITROGEN  REDUCING  SEPTIC TANK. AND IN   THEIR SITUATION, INSTEAD OF  $6000. THEY PAID  $2500   OUT-OF-POCKET. THEY GOT THE $75 GRANT. THEY GOT A NITROGEN   REDUCING GRANT  PERSONNEL THE  VENDOR KNOWS ABOUT IT WILL SEE  MORE COMING THROUGH. BUT HE   WANTS TO GIVE CREDIT TO ANNE.  THAT IS ALL.   >> THANK YOU,  COMMISSIONER   O'KEEFE WE CERTAINLY    APPRECIATE THE HARD WORK.    >> COMMISSIONER MADDOX?   >> WE ALL APPROVED THE CORRIDOR .  AND I DO NOT KNOW IF YOU HAD A CHANCE TO PERUSE IT? BUT IT  IS TERRIFIC. OUR  LEON COUNTY  PLANNING DEPARTMENT DID A GREAT JOB ON IT. IT INCORPORATES THE  SURVEY RESULTS THAT WE GOT.   WHEN WE SURVEYED  THE  COMMUNITY.  IN OCTOBER AND  NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR. AS WELL  AS CAPTURING SOME OF THE  PROJECTS THAT ARE ON THE WAY.   IN THE PROJECTS TO COME. I  WANTED TO THANK EVERYBODY HERE. FOR APPROVING THAT FINAL  REPORT.  THERE ARE 10 ACTION  ITEMS AND RECOMMENDATIONS THEY  KEEP THE BALL MOVING FORWARD.  WE STILL A LOT MORE WORK TO DO  . BUT WE ARE OFF TO A GREAT   START. BECAUSE OF THE WORK OF  THE PLANNING STAFF IN THAT   REPORT. AND ALL OF YOUR   SUPPORT. THANK YOU TO EACH OF   YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK ON   THAT. THANK YOU, THAT IS ALL I  HAVE.  >>  THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO   MENTION. I READ THE REPORT, AS  WELL. WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE  ALL OF THE WORK THAT YOU DID IN PUTTING THAT TOGETHER. I LOOKED AT ALL OF THE ACTION ITEMS, AS  WELL.  AND WE ARE WELL ON OUR   WAY WITH THE NORTH CORRIDOR.   THANK YOU SO MUCH.    COMMISSIONER CABAN?  >> I DO NOT HAVE ANY BUSINESS  TO DISCUSS . I WANT TO INVITE  EVERYBODY OUT. MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN COMMISSIONER PROCTOR  ON   SATURDAY MARCH 16 FOR FOUNDERS  DAY.  OUR OFFICE WILL HAVE A   BOOTH WITH SOME UPDATES.    ANYTIME WE CAN WE CAN TALK  ABOUT WOODVILLE AND MORE   ATTRACTION TO WOODVILLE. WE  WILL DO IT. MARCH 16th AT NOON. THANK YOU.  >>  THANK YOU COMMISSIONER  CABAN.   >> COMMISSIONER PROCTOR ?   >> ON MAY  15th WE HAVE A  WORKSHOP.  I WOULD LIKE TO   RECOMMEND ON THAT DATE.  THAT   WE SCHEDULE A WORKSHOP REVIEW   CALLED THE SOUTHERN STRATEGY  AREA.  AND TO HAVE AN ECONOMIC  DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY REVIEW.    AS PART OF WHAT WE DO . I  DESIGNATED BUT I WOULD LIKE TO  SUGGEST THAT WE LOOK AT THAT.   KEEPING OUR SPOTLIGHT  ON THAT  STRATEGY.  COMBINED  WITH A   LOOK AT THE BANKING  COMMUNITY   REINVESTMENT ACT . AND  TO   DETERMINE IF THERE IS ANY   REDLINING ISSUES.  IT HAS BEEN  YEARS  SINCE WE'VE DONE A CRA  REVIEW.  AND IN KEEPING THE  MARKETPLACE ,  AND MAKING SURE  THAT THERE ARE  POSITIVE  DOLLARS IN THE BANKING . THOSE  ARE COMING BACK.  PROPORTIONATE TO THE DOLLARS ARE COMING IN. I WOULD LIKE TO APPROPRIATE THAT  TO LOOK AT THOSE ITEMS.    >> COMMISSIONER PROCTOR, MAY  28th? FOR BOTH OF THOSE?    COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR?   >> THANK YOU. OF COURSE,  WHATEVER  THE DIRECTION THE  BOARD WILL CERTAINLY PURSUE   THAT. BUT I WANTED TO BRING   YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS ITEM   BEFORE YOU.  NUMBER SEVEN . THE BOARD APPROVED THE SCHEDULING   OF THE PURCHASING  WORKSHOP.   BASED ON YOUR PREVIOUS  DIRECTION.  FOR MAY 28th AT   1:00 P.M.    >> MAY 28th.    >> YES.  SO WE HAVE THAT    TIMESLOT . AND WE HAVE NO  COMMISSION MEETING ON THAT  DATE.  SO WE COULD ACCOMMODATE.  IF THE BOARD WANTED  TO MANAGE .  THAT ITEM AS WELL AS THE   ITEM THAT  COMMISSIONER PROCTOR BROUGHT UP AS FAR AS THE   ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE   SOUTHERN STRATEGY. WE CAN   CERTAINLY DO THAT.  AND LET   REMIND YOU ANOTHER PIECE OF   COMMISSIONER PROCTOR TALKED   ABOUT. WHERE PREVIOUS DIRECTION TO BRING BACK AN ITEM ON THE   CRA POLICY.  THAT WE ARE HAVING IN THE WORKS, RIGHT NOW. BUT IF THE BOARD WISHES TO?  TO ADD   ANOTHER WORKSHOP. WE CAN  CERTAINLY DO IT. IN THE MORNING OR THE AFTERNOON.    >> MAY 28th.   >> CAN WE RESTATE THE MOTION?   >> YES.  COMMISSIONER PROCTOR  IS ASKING  FOR A WORKSHOP. MAY  28th.  ON THE SOUTHERN STRATEGY REVIEW.  AS WELL AS THE CRA.    AND IT IS IN THE WORKS  ACCORDING TO THE COUNTY   ADMINISTRATOR. FOR THAT DATE.   IS THERE A MOTION?  IS THERE A  SECOND?  ANY DISCUSSION?  THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE    CLARIFICATION.  AYE.    >> THANK YOU.  MADAM CHAIR, I  WANTED TO ASK THE MEMBERS .    FOR A LITTLE MORE MUSCLE  FOR   CRAWFORDSVILLE ROAD 319.  IT IS AMAZING. I WENT DOWN THE OTHER  DAY. TWO WOODVILLE  -  TO SEE   THE PHENOMENAL WORK THAT IT HAS OCCURRED.  AND OUR COMMITMENT.   THAT  WE WOULD MEET THEM AT   THE COUNTY LINE.  I AM JUST  HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN KEEP OUR   WORD. SECONDLY.  AND OUR  MEMBERS AND COLLEAGUES.  WE   SHOULD NOT GET MANHANDLED  DOWN AT THAT BOARD OR   RUBBERSTAMPING. OR TELLING   EVERYBODY WHAT TO DO.  PEOPLE   TO STAND UP.  I AM NOT TRYING   TO STEP IN YOUR DISTRICT.  BUT  I WENT DOWN THERE AND IT WAS   EVEN SCARY YESTERDAY. CARS   CREEP UP.  IN ALL OF THESE   DIFFERENT DRIVEWAYS.  WITH   MULTIPLE UNITS.  AND IT IS LIKE PLAYING RUSSIAN ROULETTE WITH   DRIVING. YOU  DO NOT KNOW WHAT  CAR IS GOING TO CHASE OUT AND  JUMP. YOU CANNOT SWERVE BECAUSE THERE ARE DITCHES.  THAT ROAD   RUNS PARALLEL  TO TENNESSEE   STREET NORTH.  AND PENSACOLA   RUNS PARALLEL  WITH THE  TENNESSEE STREET SOUTH.    TENNESSEE STREET AND THE SOUTH  PARALLEL IN  PARTNER WITH  PENSACOLA.  ALL THE WAY DOWN.   IF YOU GO TO THE PARALLEL ROAD  NORTH  TO TENNESSEE STREET.    YOU COME FROM CAPITOL  CIRCLE   AND YOU JUST HAVE TO PRAY HARD  THAT YOU COULD GET DOWN AND   CLEAR IT.  I DO NOT KNOW IF   SOCIOLOGY IS DRIVING THAT  TRAIN.  OR SCIENTIFIC DATA. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US  TAKE A  TRAFFIC COUNT SURVEY.  WE NEED   DATA. NO OFFENSE TO    COMMISSIONER WELCH.  WHEN WE   HAVE A 20  2034  BLUEPRINT.  WE MOVE THAT 2034 PROJECT DOWN  TO A 2021 PROJECT.  WE PULL  UP  EARLY.  WITH 13, 14 YEARS  ADVANCEMENT FOR THOSE ROADS.    HOW CAN  GO OUT TO 14 MILES   FROM WHERE WE SIT?  YET, FIVE  MILES FROM WHERE WE SIT. WE  CANNOT  DO ANYTHING. WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL DOOMSDAY.  THERE ARE A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE.  ON THE  SIDE OF THAT ROAD.  SO I JOIN  IN.  I CANNOT BELIEVE WE ARE   GOING WAY UP THERE.  AND WE   CANNOT SEE RIGHT ACROSS THE   STREET. SO I URGENTLY BACKING.   TWO LEFT THAT UP.  - TO LIFT   THAT UP.    >> THANK YOU.  COMMISSIONER   O'KEEFE, COMMISSIONER MADDOX?  THAT IS NOT A MOTION THAT IS  JUST A RECOMMENDATION.    >> IT IS AN ASK.   >> THANK YOU. ANYTHING FURTHER?   >> NO.    >> COMMISSIONER WELCH?    >>  COMMISSIONER WELCH.   >> THANK YOU.  I WOULD ASK FOR  A PROCLAMATION FOR WOMEN'S  HISTORY MONTH TO BE PRESENTED   AT OUR MEETING IN MARCH. THANK  YOU.    >> DID WE VOTE?   >> THAT WAS NOT A MOTION THAT  WAS A RECOMMENDATION FOR THE   MEMBERS OF THE CR TO LOOK AT  319. GOING SOUTH.    >> MY APOLOGIES.    >> THAT IS OKAY. IT WAS NOT A   MOTION. IT WAS A   RECOMMENDATION. THAT IS WHY I   IDENTIFIED TO THE MEMBERS WERE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE  WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH   PROCLAMATION LET IT BE KNOWN BY SAYING AYE.  AND MR. COUNTY   ADMINISTRATOR I HAVE THE  PRIVILEGE  OF ATTENDING A 30   YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF THE  CONSORTIUM. RECOGNIZING LEON   COUNTY  FOR THE SUPPORT OVER   THE YEARS.  IF YOU WILL STAND?   AND THIS IS BEAUTIFUL.  THIS  IS  TALLAHASSEE ,  LEON COUNTY  GOVERNMENT. IN RECOGNITION AND  APPRECIATION FOR YOUR   INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE  TALLAHASSEE CONSORTIUM. THE   30th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.   FEBRUARY 8, 2024.  THANK YOU.   A PROMINENT PLACE.  >>  THANK YOU.   >> THANK YOU.  IF THERE IS   NOTHING FURTHER?  WE HAVE A   PUBLIC HEARING .    >> DID I SKIP YOU?    >> I HAVE NO BUSINESS TO   DISCUSS. BUT  I WANTED TO   RESPOND TO SOME OF THE COMMENTS .  I WILL BE VERY BRIEF.    >> I WILL USE MY DISCRETION.    >> FIRST AND FOREMOST I WANT TO SAY THAT.  DECEMBER, 2022  THAT WE MOVED UP  FARM STREET.  IT   WAS ROUGHLY 8 YEARS ON ITS   PLAN. SO WE'VE BEEN SLATED . I DO WANT TO SAY BY NEXT WEEK. IN BLUEPRINT. WE ARE GOING TO BE   DISCUSSING A $124 MILLION    PROJECT AT THE AIRPORT GATEWAY.  AND IF WE KEEP IT WITHIN    BUDGET. AND IF WE USE SPRING   HILL ROAD.  THE FIRST APPROVED  ROUTE THAT VOTERS APPROVED ON.  WE WILL HAVE $40 MILLION THAT   WE CAN SPEND AMONG OTHER  PROJECTS.  I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT DISCUSSION.  >>  THANK YOU COMMISSIONER  CABAN THAT GIVES US SOMETHING  TO THINK ABOUT. WE APPRECIATE   YOUR COMMENTS. WE ARE PUBLIC   HEARINGS SCHEDULED FOR 6:00  P.M.  WILL ADJOURN UNTIL 6:00  P.M.