26:20In a discussion, the commission addressed the ongoing recovery efforts from Hurricane Helena Milton. The community development director presented updates on permits, damage assessments, and community assistance programs. To date, 3,658 permit applications have been submitted, with 2,765 issued and 820 assessments yet to be completed. Notably, there have been 1,781 FEMA claims filed, and a total of $3.2 million in permit fees has been waived to date, impacting projected revenues. The commission also approved a 50% fee waiver for hurricane repairs, set to take effect from April 23rd to June 1st, following a general consensus to formalize it through a resolution on the 22nd. This move aims to support residents in completing necessary repairs without exacerbating financial burden.

52:44The commission also tackled concerns about the potential strain on the permitting system, with estimates suggesting 300 to 500 homes could be involved in unpermitted work following the disaster. Staff emphasized treating each appeal independently amidst challenges posed by data inconsistencies. New software is anticipated to expedite the process, with a focus on maintaining a reserve floor of $2 million. There is consensus among the commission that residents would prefer paying fees if it ensured faster service rather than prolonging fee waivers, which might result in a backlog.

01:49:47Simultaneously, the city has taken a step towards securing additional disaster recovery funding by authorizing the hiring of a federal lobbyist, Becker, for a two-year contract at $48,000 annually. This decision stems from the belief that cities with federal lobbyists often receive more funding than they spend on lobbying. The city manager emphasized the potential return on investment, especially considering the city’s reliance on federal funds for recovery efforts. A unanimous motion also approved a $5,000 monthly agreement with Shoemaker Advisors for state lobbying activities.

01:16:14The meeting also featured public comments, where residents expressed gratitude for the commission’s approach to hurricane recovery and raised concerns about property categorization errors on the 4ERunner website that could inflate insurance rates. There were calls for the city to rectify these discrepancies to improve insurance rates and the city’s overall rating. Additionally, a resident questioned the alignment of the city’s mission statement with its current practices, particularly regarding the focus on family-friendly environments versus hotel development.

01:57:06In the realm of city staffing, the commission discussed the hiring of a new city clerk. Renee Rose emerged as the preferred candidate due to her Certified Municipal Clerk certification, despite concerns about her short tenure in her current position. The commission’s consensus allowed the city manager to proceed with contract negotiations for Rose.

02:05:55The meeting concluded with reports from commissioners addressing community concerns about alley trash pickup services, dune stability, and upcoming community meetings focused on resiliency. An informal public gathering was also announced, fostering community engagement with a commissioner at a local brewery.