The most prominent debate centered on the performance and future of the village’s lobbying firm, Gray Robinson. Concerns were raised about the lack of clear goals set by the council, which had hindered the firm’s effectiveness. One council member pointed out that despite an annual fee of $108,000 paid to Gray Robinson, there were no appropriations received in the last legislative session. They criticized the lack of creative initiatives proposed by the firm and emphasized the need for shovel-ready projects to secure funding.

Representatives from Gray Robinson, Ryan Matthews and Joseph Salsberg, attended the meeting to provide insights into their work. Ryan Matthews highlighted the importance of communication with the council and the need for a concrete legislative agenda. Joseph Salsberg emphasized his deep connections to the area and experience in legislative matters, presenting their collaborative dynamic as beneficial for the village. Despite the challenges in the previous session, Gray Robinson maintained that they had been responsive and engaged, focusing on developments proposed by Florida state parks.

The council recognized that the village must take the initiative in fostering relationships with lobbyists, as they cannot act without proper direction. Moving forward, the council expressed optimism about improving communication and establishing a legislative agenda under new leadership.

Another topic was the public safety concern regarding a new lightning alarm system in the park. Barry Ray, a community member, highlighted that despite the alarm sounding, activities continued without interruption, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the system. A proposal for constructing shelters that could protect children during lightning storms, which could also serve as shade structures, was discussed. The estimated cost for these shelters was mentioned to be under $100,000, and there was a willingness to collaborate with the parks committee for expedited planning.

The meeting also addressed the issue of legal expenditures, with a suggestion to hire an in-house attorney to manage costs more effectively. A speaker compared the council’s legal expenses unfavorably to the salary of a Supreme Court Justice. This led to a broader conversation about whether to continue with an outside firm or seek an in-house attorney, a decision that would affect the incoming council members. The meeting saw a motion to table the Request for Proposal (RFP) until the new council was seated, which passed with a 3-2 vote.

In terms of community engagement, concerns were raised about the council’s approach to governance and the restriction of public comments.

The council also discussed the Green Turtle Hammock Preserve Basin Improvement project, specifically a change order related to the completion of shoreline stabilization and the installation of a new kayak launch. The estimated cost for the new dock was $339,950, with funding options suggesting the use of Parks and Recreation impact fees or local government infrastructure sales surtax. The motion to approve the change order passed unanimously.

Another resolution expressing opposition to a proposed development on Overseas Highway was debated. While some council members personally opposed the development, they expressed reluctance to involve the village council in matters concerning other governing bodies. The consensus was that formal opposition could undermine the cooperative relationship with the county, especially given the county’s efforts to address workforce housing. The motion to express opposition to the development did not gain enough support.

Finally, the meeting touched on the topic of emergency preparedness, specifically referencing the challenges posed by hurricane evacuations. A resident emphasized the inadequate infrastructure and planning, calling for more limits on new developments to ensure the community is not further burdened during emergencies.