The meeting began with Mayor Brooks proposing an addition to the agenda: a discussion and vote on the removal of concrete debris and rebar from the jetty. This motion clarified that the removal was not of the entire jetty but specifically targeted man-made materials, a point that sparked considerable debate among the commissioners.

One commissioner expressed concerns that removing the debris might lead to erosion, referencing potential conflicts with the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System regulations. This commissioner supported the removal of artificial materials but was cautious about the potential consequences of exposing natural sand without a comprehensive erosion management plan in place.

Another commissioner reassured that the plan was solely to remove the man-made materials—specifically, the concrete and rebar from the sidewalk—while leaving the natural stone intact. This assurance seemed to alleviate concerns, and after some discussion, the city manager was directed to proceed with the removal. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously, signaling a collective agreement on the action plan, though the commissioners acknowledged the need for ongoing monitoring to prevent any unforeseen environmental impact.

In other discussions, the commissioners addressed the reading of Resolution 2024-08, which involved opting out of providing a property tax exemption for developments qualifying under House Bill 7073. This resolution required a two-thirds vote to pass, and the commissioners unanimously approved it.

The meeting also featured a presentation by Amy Lee, Clinical Director for Capacity Path, who provided insights into the organization’s community crisis stabilization efforts following recent unprecedented storms. Lee emphasized the importance of community resilience and support, offering a pro bono workshop on community well-being and resilience, potentially scheduled for the upcoming Friday morning. She highlighted the significant psychological impacts of the storms on residents, advising city officials to remain sensitive to these issues.

Lee’s presentation underscored the broader theme of community support, encouraging commissioners and residents to focus on small, daily choices to combat feelings of helplessness and regain control over their lives. Her insights into the neurobiological effects of trauma were particularly noted, as she cautioned against repeatedly recounting traumatic experiences, which can entrench such memories rather than alleviate them.

Public participation was invited following the presentation, but no comments were received, allowing the meeting to progress to routine matters such as the approval of previous meeting minutes.

Further discussions included the agenda setting for future meetings, with a focus on providing regular updates on the Court of Honor, the dredging of John’s Pass, and the status of the jetty walkway. One commissioner highlighted the importance of these updates for maintaining community engagement and awareness. There was also a brief mention of potential future concerns regarding boat docks at the Rock, though this was not a focal point of the discussion.

The latter part of the meeting included reports and correspondence, where the city clerk outlined the schedule for the Board of Commissioners meetings in 2025. Regular meetings were confirmed to remain at 6 PM to better accommodate residents’ schedules, and the city attorney offered a brief report wishing everyone a Merry Christmas while noting no additional updates.

An update on the Laserfiche project was provided by the city clerk, who highlighted progress in digitizing historical documents, including meeting minutes dating back to 1947. This project aims to centralize city information, making it more accessible to residents and staff, with an emphasis on preserving historical data relevant to the community, especially given recent events affecting the city.