e e that's calling our commission meeting for March the 12th to order at 9:00 a.m. at this time we'll have the invocation and pledge by our chaplain for the L Haven Police Department Frank Stevens stand for the invocation and remain standing for the Pledge of Allegiance Heavenly Father the Apostle Paul reminds us to pray for our government when he says I urge you to offer to God petitions prayers intercession expressions of thanks for all people for kings and for everyone who has authority over you so that we might lead a quiet and peaceful life with all godliness and dignity and we thank you for the many blessings that our city has received and I I pray a blessing over the men and women of our city government the the mayor's office the the the Commissioners and all the city officials protect those who put themselves In Harm's Way our law enforcement officers our firefighters EMS workers and I'm so thankful for their service to the citizens of livh Haven I speak blessing over them in the name of Jesus Amen I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands one nation under God indivisible with liberty and just for all thank you this time we'll have our public commentary please remember to state your name and address for the record and direct your comments to the chair Mr Walker good morning Rich Walker 1106 Michigan Avenue looks like it's going to be a nice day little chilly but nice day um I was up here a little while ago dealing with u public speaking public commentary and I just wanted to remark to you two things um 20 years ago an item hit this Commissioners and was handled wrong um this sticks in my throat and it goes as far as almost attempted murder by one of our police officers to a citizen and I didn't like it um I just want to remind you that when you exercise your right that a gentleman in the last commission meeting said you have the police to use them that doesn't mean that you have the police to use them incorrectly use them joyfully use them correctly and uh give Credence to the rights of the citizens uh I I really think you should think about that when you say or do something to invoke a police action in a commission meeting one that I'm talking about was drastic drastic it should never have happened that's because the mayor and the commissioner at the time used their Force incorrectly please keep in mind we have rights you have rights and we're all Americans and we're all here to have a good meeting we're we're here to meet peacefully and be our government thank you thank you Miss tender Judy Tinder my address is 504 Virginia Avenue um I want to say that I had prepared everything that I was going to say and this week I was um blessed with getting to meet a young man came in and we talked for about an hour um hopefully he's going to get elected this coming up election and I think he has a lot to offer Bay County but after talking to him I started looking at things a little bit different so I changed everything and um this is what I have uh free speech is the backbone of democracy and Free Speech affords us the sharing of ideas thoughts and procedures to create Solutions as our commissioners we are asking you to have the courage to display this right that has been given to you because of all the men and women that fight for this right here and abroad as our soldiers fight for those rights and some giving the ultimate sacrifice will you laugh at their efforts or will you stand up the current corruption that needs to be slapped down so that our community can be proud of where we live instead of having to turn the other cheek to all the jokes regarding our chief of police Ricky Ry through his own demonstration I believe Ricky Ry laughs at the rights of others and disregards any need for integrity honesty or honor thank you to all that fight for the rights of free speech thank you [Music] thank you additional public commentary mayor Nelson christe maroy porch St Joe mayor Nelson your policy for public speaking wasn't voted on by this commission to my knowledge May anyone can in the public meeting can call point of order when you stifle comments from this board or from others you are overreaching your powers as presiding officer mayor Nelson you are one of five Commissioners you are the presiding officer but that does not give you special rights Chief Ricky Ramy has systematically misused his power and position against women to influence election outcomes and avoid consequences of his actions two women Ellen fields and Judy Tinder were among Chief ramy's targets during their election who came out the winner of Chief ramy's actions and horrible words why mayor Nelson did by mayor Nelson utilizing his position as mayor during the first election and again in the second election as mayor by protecting Chief Ry mayor Nelson should have recused himself as Chief Ry publicly attacked Miss fields and Miss tnder instead M Nelson St stood firm with Ricky r mayor Nelson it's clear you have a conflict of interests I would ask you to recuse yourself for many more comments concerning Ricky Remy I believe that you and the city manager want to protect him that is not I believe in the best interest of existing police officers or morale or for the panhandle of Florida I would ask all you Commissioners stand up for yourselves use your own conscience that's what you need to do that's what the tax payer payers need from you thank you thank you additional public commentary Barry Parker rep Place Commissioners I want to direct this to y'all don't allow mayor Nelson City attorney Vicky Gainer or anybody else stifle your conscience don't let anyone stifle your care and your concern for the taxpayers of Lin Haven you have to support the safety of the city of Lin Haven and the Integrity of the city of linh Haven what is at the biggest thing right now is everybody thinks that everything's being covered up I've spoken to several of the Commissioners I know there are things going on behind the scenes but why was the the meeting cancelled the pre-commission meeting cancelled is it because y'all don't want other people you don't want the Commissioners to speak up you don't want citizens to come and speak I mean that was pretty shady and Miss Gainer I actually did email you you never did answer me that was my question why why was it canceled they think that the citizens of Bay County are watching what's going on and they don't like it they don't like the repeated um lack of Integrity that has been displayed by the chief um it's very apparent that there were things that were done in the past that people ignored just ignored put a oneline sentence in his as a oral reprimand not even stating what it was or what it was about that's pretty lame I know I've gotten oral reprimands before it was very detailed so anyway I ask you the commission to dig deep and do what's right for the people not for who's up here but what's right for the people people and the taxpayers remember each one of you are one of five y'all have the power use it don't let people stifle your conscience don't let them intimidate You by a fear of a lawsuit you know how many lawsuits are going on and that are forthcoming let him Sue let him the evidence is is clear if Ricky Ry gets fired and he gets sued guess what the evidence is going to show it very clearly thank you all right thank you public commentary Jody Moore from uh I'm on amher street and the beacon of Bay County Florida I just have two questions for the mayor why was the pre-commission meeting cancelled and why isn't the Ricky Remy issue on the agenda thank you additional public commentary good morning GE time 1603 Ro Island Avenue I ran for office in the city of L Haven also ran for office in Bay County you represent the whole city of ly Haven not a small group a small group in L Haven been trying to get rid of Ricky Raymond since he came here and the same small group is working now in the Bible it says judge not let you be judged if we judge everyone in this room the same as they want to judge him some of them wouldn't have a job either so I say your job is to do what they said represent everyone in Lin Haven I'm American fighting man I did 21 and a half years in the Army for them to have the right to do what they do and for me to have the right to speak and say what I want to say I think the city of L Haven is a great City to be part of if they don't think so maybe they need to move I don't know I've been here 30 years so I appreciate what y'all do you have to make hard decisions and that's the reason you took the job you don't want to make those decisions you might want to step down yourself thank you thank you additional public commentary this time we move on to the marriage report I have a proclamation here from the American for American Red Cross month we'll read this and then we'll have a few remarks from the American Red Cross whereas during American Red Cross month in March we recognize the compassion of people in Lin Haven and reaffirm our commitment to care for one another in times of Crisis and whereas this generous spirit is woing into the fabric of our community and advances the humanitarian Legacy of American Red Cross founder Clara Barton one of the most honored women in our country's history who nobly dedicated herself to alleviating suffering and whereas today kindhearted individuals in our community exemplify Barton's commitment as they step up through the American Red Cross North West Florida Chapter to provide a Beacon of Hope for our neighbors in need through their voluntary and selfless contributions they make a life-saving difference in people's Darkest Hours whether it's delivering shelter food and comfort during disasters providing CL critical blood donations for hospital patients supporting military families veterans and caregivers through the unique challenges of service saving lives with first aid CPR and other skills or delivering Aid and reconnecting loved ones separated by GL crises and whereas their support volunteerism and generous donations are critical to our community's resilience we hereby recognize this month of March in honor of all those who fulfill Clara Barton's noble words you must never think of anything except the need and how to meet it and ask everyone to join in this commitment and whereas we hereby recognize this month of March in honor of all those who lead with their hearts to serve people in need and we ask everyone to join in this commitment to strengthen our community now therefore I mayor Jesse Nelson and the city commission by virtue of authority invested in Us by the laws of Lin Haven Bay County Florida do here by Proclaim March 2024 as Red Cross month and encourage all the citizens of Lin Haven to join us in supporting this humanitarian [Applause] mission thank you'all we appreciate it uh I just want to say one thing for Mr Mayor uh 90% of the volunteer of the force of the okay I'm sorry okay um 90% of the Red Cross are volunteers 10% are employees in these six counties which is Washington Calhoun Jackson uh Bay Golf and homes there's only one employee me so if you see me you know I'm the only you see anybody else please give them a thank you because they they are passionate uh about what they do and they give their time their talent in their treasure to serve our community and I'm very thankful them just to be the facilitator for them for them so thank you all thank you thank you do want to say thank you to the American Red Cross and the service that you all provide I know you've partnered with us as a city um when we had our tornado that struck uh last April uh Brother Andy was one of the first ones on the scene um whenever I arrived he was there and uh the warming shelter that's happening in Bay County um American r cross is very instrumental in uh in preparing that along with the other community churches and uh cities as well so American Red Cross isn't just a National Organization that we see deploying in other areas they're actually deploying right here in our community when we have needs so thank you all for your services right Proclamation for flood Awareness Week whereas the city of L Haven Florida has experienced severe weather in the past in the form of extreme rainfall or tropical system events resulting in flooding in West Bay area of Florida and this flooding has caused damage and flood losses to homes and buildings in all areas where whether they are high-risk special flood Hazard areas are low to moderate risk flood zones and whereas the city of Lin Haven Florida is a voluntary participant in the National flood insurance program that provides residents with the opportunity to protect themselves against flood loss through the purchase of flood insurance at reduced insurance premium rates as well as setting High regulatory standards to reduce the flood risk and potential flood damage to their property and whereas the reduction of loss of life and property damage can be achieved when appropriate flood preparedness control and mitigation measures are taken before a flood and whereas public education and awareness of potential weather hazards and methods of protection are critical to the health safety and Welfare of residents the Florida flood plane Managers Association have declared the week beginning March 4th 2024 as flood Awareness Week to promote awareness and increase knowledge of flood risk the availability of flood insurance flood protection methods and how to prepare for emergencies now therefore I mayor Jesse nson the city commission declare flood of awareness week uh beginning March 4th 2024 and encourage citizens to increase their knowledge of how to protect themselves and their property from flooding signed on this day March the 12th 2024 Publix Appreciation Day whereas George Jenkins opened the first Publix market in Winter Haven Florida in 1930 since then there are now over 1,000 stores across the southeast United States throughout the decades public supermarket has continued to honor Mr George's Legacy of compassion and service and whereas during Public's Appreciation Day we celebrate the employees and corporate leaders of public supermarket for their continued dedication support and generous contribution to the United Way of Northwest Florida's Community campaign and whereas throughout 2023 public super supermarket at Lin Haven in linh Haven Florida along with the four other public stores within Bay County reached the number one spot as the 2022 highest work workplace campaign pledging more than $223,000 contributing to the United Way's mission of ending world hunger within our own neighborhoods and whereas Public's employees make up over 50% of the Red Feather leadership givers in Northwest Florida allowing for United Way to help support and strengthen the local community and providing critical Health and Human Services boosting education for our youth and promoting economic mobility and whereas public supermarkets across the United States are consistently conducting charity drives raising money for food outstanding Charities such as Special Olympics March of Dimes CH Children's Miracle Network and United Way whereas their support volunteerism and generous donations are critical to our community's resilience and growth now I Jesse Nelson along with the city commission Proclaim March 15th 2024 as public appreciation day and encourage everyone to join me in thanking public supermarkets for the generosity and for being an outst standing member of our community signed this 12th day of March 2024 all right I'll uh have a brief report today um thank everyone for their comments and the reflections that they provided uh believe all the Commissioners um heard you and continuing to um try to uh respond to the concerns of our citizens in regards to some of the questions uh that were stated I think one of them was Regarding why was the meeting cancelled um when we initiated uh pre-commission meetings I think it was a little over two years ago well yeah 2021 almost three years ago now one of the things we stated was that if we looked at the agenda and thought that we didn't need to meet then we wouldn't meet and when we look at this agenda there's two agenda items on here uh number 10 and number 11 besides the consent agenda and so um some of our pre commission meetings in the past when we have come for one or two agenda items is basically a 5 to 10minute pre-commission meeting and then we're out and so after looking at the agenda talk with the city manager and decided that we didn't need that we didn't need to have a pre-commission meeting on Friday in regards to that stopping the public from speaking the public doesn't speak during our pre-commission meetings um they speak during the the public meetings and so uh not having a pre-commission meeting didn't stop the public from uh from speaking at all um on that on that day so I believe when we reviewed our pre-commission meetings from 2023 we actually cancelled six pre-commission meetings um from 20123 for various reasons um so no when we established pre-commission meetings we didn't say that we would have one um every time and fact I believe when uh commissioner war made the motion for us to have pre commission meetings he put the caveat in there that we could you know counsel if needed or if we saw that it was a light agenda so uh and so that's what we um decided to do uh in regards to uh there was a question regarding public participation and abusing those privileges or putting rules in that are sort of a violation um actually our public participation policy is what's actually in our codes and ordinances um and so I we drafted this three years ago actually when we first started so this isn't a new public participation to try to protect anyone or stifle anyone this is what we enacted three years ago um three years ago people didn't like it um however you're asking us to do what's in our codes and ordinances and then when we do that then there's an issue with that so I'm not really sure um what certain people want us to do um when we're following um our own codes and ordinances actually we even talked about um there's some things that I didn't do because I didn't want it to seem like we were trying to limit people's uh public commentary or public participation so 3 years ago we did not um put in the fact that we need to have sign-ins which is in our codes and ordinance is that we should have a sign in for public commentary but we didn't do that and I talked to the city manager and City attorney said I don't want people to feel like we're trying to stop them um from actually speaking if they're not signed in now recently as a commission we have discussed having a signin sheet um and we're going to begin that at the next commission meeting we wanted to give ample time uh for people to know so we've announced it during the month of February um and so beginning uh at our next meeting we will have a a signin sheet um that way we can know we can better better uh identify who's speaking in our public commentary not again not to stifle anyone from speaking and not saying that if you don't sign in you can't speak but it allows us to have a little more order in the Quorum um especially when there's new people coming this week and I don't know who they are so some of you are regulars and I do um know who you are and there's some people that I just have to point and say hey the guy in the blue hat um or there's people I overlook that sometimes the city manager other Commissioners have to identify um or you know uh other members from the audience have to identify cuz I don't always see everyone who raises their hands so that is something that the commission discussed if you didn't hear the discussion go back and listen to our pre-commission meetings um about our discussion on actually adding a signin sheet better record keeping that way we can follow with citizens um on their various issues and then just sort of a better uh lineup as we address our public commentary issues um in regards to uh our chief of police um do have a brief update would like to uh provide on that or the city has conducted a preliminary inquiry and confirmed that Chief Ry was off duty and that the incident under investigation did not involve any City vehicles or equipment uh the incident was investigated by the Florida Highway Patrol and is currently under review by the state attorney of the First Judicial Circuit uh the city manager and Miss Hodes our HR director and assistant city manager have been actively monitoring the status of the third party investigation and have been in frequent contact with our City attorney and with our City's HR or labor attorney to ensure uh the interest of the city uh the Lin Haven community and the employee are all protected based on the illegal advice of council it would be inappropriate to take any action that could interfere with Patrol or state attorney's investigation or that could be RW as an effort to guide the outcome um of this decision it would be inappropriate to take any Personnel action based on rumor speculation social media post or other unsubstantiated information however once the state attorney uh review is completed the city is prepared to take whatever Personnel action is appropriate based on uh the facts uh I know on last week believe it was on Thursday um the city manager I did have a very um in-depth conversation about some actions that could be taken um at this moment um in regards to um our police chief chief Ricky Ry also talked to our City attorney about what we could do talked to HR about what we could do extensively had an hour and a half meeting with HR um about what can we do and I provided several options some of it based on what um the public has demanded some of it based on what I've seen in other cities um also talked to our HR attorney about the various options of what we could do to take action at this moment that we don't we shouldn't have to wait that maybe we could take some action um and after talking to all of those individuals um we all concluded that whatever Personnel action we take um that we base it on the facts and that we wait until the criminal case is concluded therefore to give us a better direction of what we need to do um in regards to um Chief Ricky Ry and so um I encourage the city manager that you know some action needs to be taken um to what extent I'm not sure what that would look like at this point and I don't think any of us know it depends on the um the outcome of the case um so we we are again monitoring this very closely and not ignoring it not swipping it under the rug um but again as I stated in the last commission meeting we're treating Ricky Ry uh Chief Ricky Ry as we would any other citizen or should treat any other citizen um and that's with uh with due process so that is my report for today commissioner pees thank you mayor uh in the past few weeks I talked to Ron sharp who's over at the Arc of the bay um and he wanted me to let everyone know that they right now they're currently offering free tax services on Wednesdays so anyone that wants help with their taxes uh get in contact with The Arc of the bay if you need help with your taxes um I think it's a great program uh they've already surpassed the amount of people that they've helped this year from last year so it sounds like they're doing a great job um if you need help with your taxes as we get closer to April highly encourage you to do so um definitely don't want to be stressed out with when it comes to taxes uh I also talked with uh Chris Moes who is over toys for kids I don't know if any of you are familiar but they do great work um it's 100% nonprofit and uh they they've done great things over the years uh toys for kids has been around for 30 years now and um I sat down with him and he talked with me about things and he really wants to partner with the city of Lin Haven uh I helped get him in contact with the city manager and so I'm I'm looking forward to see what type of Partnerships can happen there um I think it's a great great thing um toyss for kids Foundation is a great Foundation um I also had obviously some uh talking about the situation with uh Chief Ry I've obviously talked to a bunch of citizens about it and listen to their concerns uh we finally did um receive some information from Florida Highway Patrol uh as far as the public records request um was forwarded to us um it looks like a pre-trial date is set for April uh 11th I believe according to the clerk of court also decided to uh seek some private legal counsel on the matter you know to help better give me an understanding of how to handle all of this and what I determined is that as a commission we do we are allowed to discuss and make recommendations about the situation so I just want to encourage all of you up here that say what you got say how you feel and we'll go from there um I do wish we would have had a pre-commission meeting honestly about this I understand that the agenda was light but um I really like the pre-commission meetings because at the end we have that time where now that the agenda is over we have that time to really just talk about whatever and I feel I feel like it would have been a a good time to do that but I just wanted to make that comment and uh that's all I have for now all right thank you commissioner perno thank you mayor um I'd like to thank everybody for their for their emails and their comments um regarding our police police chief um I I um I would like to uh uh just reassure everybody that it's it's it's going to things are going to happen in due time um and uh we'll just let the city manager do her job um let me um let me be clear uh um I don't I don't support or not support anybody else's opinions um I'm I'm just going to stay with what council has recommended and and uh based on the outcome I know there'll be action so and I look forward to what that action will be as you do um with that um spring ahead happen and days are getting longer uh daylight is a good thing uh I I I really uh felt good in the last couple days I don't know what it is about the time change uh the other way but it messes with my head and uh it's I'm glad to see that the days are sunny and longer and we just need to be safer in the morning when it's a little darker and the kids are out there so just be cognizant both ways and um it's a good sign that that that the days are getting longer CU concerts in the park starts Friday and uh it's going to start with with uh true soul I believe right and they're usually the ones that go last so we're putting we're putting the best foot forward I guess but um those are always a good time time and uh and look forward to the food trucks um U it's all it's all it's a good Gathering usually when when when everybody gets together in Sheffield Park um I'm glad that we're doing taking a look at Porter U uh James A Rogers Park in Belair neighborhood um it's been a long time coming and I know we got a couple emails on that so I'm thankful that uh that we have the diagram and and we're looking at funding getting a good project going for the citizens of linhaven um I'd like to thank all the department heads and all the city of linhaven employees all our First Responders and and our dispatchers and uh and uh I I I appreciate what y'all do um I know this is the time of year when the when you know when we do concerts in the park who who's doing the extra work it's it's our our employees our department heads our people are are man in man in the boat uh over over and above and it's appreciated so with that I'll I'll express my gratitude and say thank you right thank you commissioner Ward um so the only thing I have is on 23 March I'll have my time with the commissioner I have once a month at tacos away at 11:30 um but I did want to address something um earlier this week I asked for something to be on the agenda and and it's not put on there and I was given a reason why but um how do I get something on the agenda the way I understand it this is what was told to me was you the mayor had a conversation with a City attorney and it was advised not to put it on there and you made the decision not to have it on there correct so how do I get something added to the agenda depends on what that something is so I want to add it to the agenda what are you trying to add to the agenda the exact one I gave you the discussion about the situation with Ricky Remy and his future employment with the city you can make a motion to have it I make a motion to add it is there a second I'll second with a purpose for discussion right there's a motion and and there's a second to add discussion regarding Ricky ry's employment with the city of ly Haven uh City uh public commentary thank you commissioner War thank you commissioner peoples although I don't live in your city I grew up here graduated from Mosley in 1980 I care about this area it's important it's important that this area be a leader in addressing things that have to do with police or law enforcement or state attorneys it's important you can certainly either put it on the agenda or call a special meeting and Mr obos you know you know that they have the right to do that and you should honor their right because you represent this entire Council they're the ones that vote you and your firm to represent them you can call a special meeting additional public commentary any more again um you know I just want to say something I don't hate anybody I don't hate anybody up here I really don't I pray for the city I've been even though I also don't live in the city limits I'm surrounded by the city of linh Haven I've been coming to these meetings since mayor Kelly was mayor and I've been very involved in the city of Len Haven as I've said before okay and regarding Ricky Ry I don't hate him either I feel terrible for him that he's going through this we all make mistakes there was a comment earlier about judge not lest you be judged there's forgiveness but there have to be consequences for your actions when you do something wrong and I personally would say yes this happened when he was off duty at a bar at 3:30 in the morning I think when you're chief of police you're always on duty and you always have to set an example for others and I don't think he did that and this is not the first time that he has TR transgressed okay um if this was the first time he'd ever done something like this or you know done something wrong you know okay everybody makes mistakes we can move on but you really need to think about the person that's in charge of the police department of this city that carries a gun and has the power to arrest people and take their Liberty from them you really need to think about who you have in charge thank you additional comments Mr Walker and Rich Walker 1106 Michigan Avenue thank you um thank you commissioner work it's about time about time what I said before about citizens having rights you have rights too about time you started speaking up a long time ago a man named Rober Tai who's passed away said it what you normally say up there on that stand might not be the truth but I've never heard anybody object when they've heard something wrong say something it's about time and commissioner War commissioner pebles thank you thank you very much additional comments Harry Parker R Place um I heard Mr hin say that we've been trying to get rid of Ricky Ry for a long time that's totally untrue um when the linhaven corruption case became about that's when we started getting involved I never went to a Mission meeting prior to the hurricane ever ever I have lived here since 2002 I came here cuz I came had problems with my contractor that was my first experience with a commission in this city ever if this was Chief ry's only offense I'd give him some Grace but it's not it's not people the evidence is clear here the election interference the the vulgar text that were in federal court that are proof that's not my opinion that's proof and anybody that wants to see them I have them I have the text messages I have the pictures they were they were given as evidence in a court case and it's called the Lin Haven corrupt case not Tallahassee it might be happening in Tallahassee but it's called the Lin Haven corruption case that involves us the City Commissioner War I appreciate your fortitude today commissioner pebles I thank you for standing up and doing what's right for the people and mayor Nelson you are one of five this is not a strong mayor commission I want you to remember that because you're acting like it's a strong mayor and it's not so I ask you again everybody to vote with their confidence and their conscience thank you additional comments yes ma'am morning Joy Smith 3020 meow street L Haven I stand I try not to say anything but I wanted to tell you and to ask you be strong and courageous be strong and courageous I feel so much better now when they make the comments and everything give me a reason to stay closer to God be encouraged and I thank you for being quiet and living What You Preach I thank you I thank you I thank you for those that say good things and bad you know where your help comes from and so be strong courageous stay prayerful and we pray for those that we pray for blessings to all of you and I appreciate what you all are doing thank you additional comments times my name has been invoked so I will speak again in the good book of the Bible it tells you how to live your life some people read it and then they do the opposite God said vengeance is mindset the Lord all of you are individuals all of you have your own mindset and God gave you the free will to think and act as you do I said that some people want to get rid of the mayor I'm going say Chief Raymond that was a fact that wasn't a statement I talked to them when I ran for office they talked to me when I ran for office some of them hate me because of who I am that's the way life is I've been that way all my life I only told the truth and I will tell the truth Raymond is a good guy everybody make mistakes judge not like you be judge that's why I said that's I meant so you can have a special meeting you can have a trial if you like to but everyone have to bring in their own Witnesses and fight this thing out the way it should be done thank you for your time right thank you Mr SC Ryan SC um for clarity and recordkeeping purposes can the actual motion be stated I didn't hear it very well the motion is to add the a discussion regarding Chief ramy's future employment of the city of Lin Haven okay so this vote would be just to add the agenda item would that agenda item be in today's meeting yes that's what we're doing now okay so if this passes the agenda item is added and then there will be an additional discussion will this agenda item be after the other two agenda items cor is okay thank you for the clarity additional comments yes sir on hanky 5:15 Missouri Avenue Cas strikes me kind of close I used to be a State Correctional Officer put myself in Ricky ry's shoes if I did that as a correctional officer I can guarantee that once I got out of the county jail without my driver's license few th000 my Warden would call me up come out here I want to talk to you we got done I'd be out of a job I'd be out of a pension that's that's the law here as regards Law Enforcement Officers when it comes to the law you got two options you can obey it or disobey it I don't know Ricky Remy I have no opinion of the man telling you if I was in his spot that's what would happen to me thank you additional comments right see the minut you call the vote commissioner War yes commissioner pebles yes commissioner VRI no commissioner perno commiss excuse me mayor [Music] no at this time we'll have our city man uh yeah city manager report oh I'm sorry commissioner Vander Griff I don't have a report I think not been said Thank you see the manager mayor just a couple of things um currently we're still doing radio read and you will see a lot of our folks out in uh U around the city replacing those with the radio read meters they're more accurate and they'll give you real time information so I know a lot of people have been calling saying hey my bill is up or it seems to be going down it's because those radio reads are very very accurate we have um put a plan in place that we're going to re uh replace 2500 radio reads per year that will include the entire city that will help us read faster more accurate information uh so you will see a lot of those around uh in my leadership meeting we also t talked about having an amesty day for the city of L Haven which uh that has happened in the past but you know hurricane Michael came along and so many other things come along we haven't been able to do that so there will be an amsty day in April and we're still just uh talking through it I think the citizens will enjoy that um the first esport is March 16th uh we have 24 kids signed up for that as you know we had to cancel opening day but opening day will be this Saturday at 9 9:00 a.m. as we have done it before the city is also pursuing a grand opportunity with G goost Triumph had the pleasure talking to Mr David beay who's is the chairman of the board at the uh Northwest Florida Symposium uh he was actually on the supposing stage gave a lot of good information as to how to apply for this grant large amount of money so that we can finish the head Works project and that's what we're going to be going after uh so we're pretty excited about that and then reminder that we are partnering with the Major League Baseball uh the Alumni associ Association we're going to be running a camp on the 27th of April more word to come on that and also next month mayor we will bring to you a resolution for uh Arbor Day that's my report thank you uh also have the warrant list sorry the warrant list good morning are there any questions on the warrant list I have a question from the detailed account I noticed that there were some a FEMA equipment expenditures uh what what's that um I'm not sure um I it's on several places throughout the budget that FEMA equipment FEMA expenditures are we still paying for things that we rented yes so anything to have to do with rebu we capture it in the 101 account and so that's that is what we we will submit to have reimbursement so we put it all in the one 101 account some of it will be reimbursed when we we hit that that uh ceiling but that's where it's it's Cod it to you're exactly right yeah each each each uh payable run there's FEMA monies identified and I move it to the appropriate Place yeah I noticed it was in several locations okay thank you thank you all right City attorney yeah just very brief to follow up on the you procedural stuff we've talked about today obviously you know and more to commissioner work I think our our codes and procedures are pretty lacking as far as you know who can add an agenda item it's different in different cities ours is is pretty silent obviously the city manager puts the the agenda together and then you've got the chairman of the board so in this case you know depends on what board you are but here would be the mayor um but procedurally I think today is how it would happen any member Can Vote or make a motion to add or remove or alter an agenda item and so basically I think the answer would be city manager mayor or three or more Commissioners are the ones that could add or delete something from the agenda which is really consistent with the special meetings we talked about special meetings and that actually is clear in our code where the mayor can call a special meeting city manager can call one or three or more Commissioners can call one so just procedurally I wanted to kind of get that out there I mean that may be something we want to look at I know in in Callaway I think any commissioner can add an agenda item and so we have meetings that have discussion item by so and so they get added on there and they they kind of drag on because there's no you know no sort of um rules in place you can just those agendas can get get pretty long but um that that is um probably lacking in our certainly in our our code and our our Charter but you know by default it would be the the chairman the city manager or three or more commissioners I mean we we've done that multiple times in the past any of us go to the city manager and we say we want this added to the agenda and it gets added so what makes it right for the mayor to say this does not get added on the agenda any one of us no matter if we disagree with it or not it should be added to the agenda period I mean I don't understand that I mean if you disagree with it don't want it on there no matter how I don't care it needs to be added to the agenda calm down sir I'm not yelling at you calm down yeah but I mean no I'm getting strong armed here Cal down no I'm not going to calm down I'm getting strong armed here you're trying to strong arm the commissioner commit you're trying to you're the one that told me not to you're the one that stopped it from being on the agenda I did and that's not right any one of us should be able to add it to the agenda and we just voted on it and it wasn't added no we just voted on it and it so anytime we add something to the agenda needs to be voted on no we plenty of times we've added stuff to the agenda and had it added to it you know that's the truth you okay commissioner Ward no no I'm notse you want to say what anything else you want to say yeah I want so how how do I add something to the agenda from now on do we have to have a vote of three not necessarily not necessarily so so what what in the code makes you the approving official to whether something gets added to the agenda or not just reference the chairman of the board whatever board it is they're going to be the ones that run the meeting and run the agenda city manager could put down there otherwise yeah three three or more would be able to add or delete so although you don't realize it every time y'all requested add something to the agenda the city manager lets me know and I either approve it or disapprove it so it's not that everything you requested is always added there's been things that commissioner ald want to added to the agenda and I told the city manager no we're not going to add that there's things commissioner perno has asked to add to the agenda I tell the city manager no and we don't add that the difference is is that they understand why we didn't add it and they're not happy about it commissioner perno will call city manager and city manager let me know hey commissioner perno call I'm not trying to put him on out on front but it's letting the public know you're not the only one that's asked for one thing that hasn't been added he's asked for several things in the past three years to be added to the agenda and I've said no let's discuss that privately with the city manager let's discuss it with the city attorney let's discuss that off record so let's discuss that differently so it's not just because this is a Ricky Ry situation that I'm not trying add this to the agenda or Strongarm you or stifle you we take discretion at what we add and what we don't add so there have been several items over the past three years that have not been added when commissioner tender was on the commission she made requests for things to be added to the agenda I see all the agendas before they go out city manager and I discuss the agenda we build the agenda and then I say yes let's add this no let's not add that so this may be the first time that your request has been denied but every commissioner on the past commission made requests and I denied those to be part of the agenda if I thought it would be something that was not pertaining to the meeting that we're having at hand so again what specifically states that the City attorney just mentioned to you and I must have missed it I want to know what specifically states that I just made clear that our Charter and our codes are lacking and so what you do you go to the chairman of the meeting runs runs the meeting runs the agenda the city manager obviously that's her job is to put the things on there beyond that it would be three or more Commissioners just like calling a special meeting nothing specifically States it that's what I said we need to there right there it's it's nothing specifically states that he can stop something from being added we just had a vote and and no but that's not my question my question is there's nothing that specifically states he cannot add something to the agenda that was requested by a commissioner and there's nothing that specifically states that you can add anything to the agenda right right right you just proved your point but but how can we legislate how can we legislate if we can't add stuff to the agenda we cannot effectively legislate if we can't add stuff you could add stuff to the agenda commissioner Ward what's that we didn't say you couldn't add stuff to the agenda have there been things that You' requested that's been put on the agenda every time every time I requested something it's always been on the agenda okay but again how can we effectively legislate if we can't add stuff to the agenda it depends on what you consider to be effective well and when you say we it needs to be I mean again the majority three or more so assume it had been on the agenda then somebody makes a motion to remove the item and it's three to2 that way we'll take care of it the next meeting anything else you like to say commissioner Ward all right moving on to our consent agenda approval of minutes for 227 regular meeting minutes approval to De cleare trucks 3536 46 94 96 and 97 at Surplus and authorized staff to auction off and use the proceeds to purchase a sard non CDL dump truck is there a motion for this agenda second all right motion by commissioner Vander second by commissioner perno city manager if you call the vote commissioner Vander yes commissioner perno yes commissioner Peebles yes commissioner Ward yes mayor Nelson yes motion passed new business discussion of possible approval to award the hazard mitigation grant program generator project to the lowest bidder Bill Smith Electric in the amount of $398,500 uh this white foot good morning um as you all may recall we bid this project out actually last August um it did come in over budget from the hmgp grant that was approved back in 2019 um it took this time to get um FEMA and Dem and Doc to approve the budget increase that has all now been approved and we can now award it to Bill Smith electric there any questions for Mr Lightfoot there a motion motion to approve [Music] second any comments from the public to minut you call the vote commissioner perno yes commissioner Vandergriff yes commissioner Peebles yes commissioner War yes mayor Nelson yes motion passed discussion and possible approval to move forward with an RFP for construction services to rebild James Z Rogers Park good morning i' like to ask for your approval for us to move forward with an RFP to uh advertise for construction services for the rebuild of the park and so it's clear for the public we are not beginning construction of the park no sir this is for advertising for putting it out to bid okay we are currently probably at 95% completion on the design so we are not far from being ready to actually advertise got it and commissioner perno did reference some uh emails that we had Reed would you like to address that now commissioner perno yeah I would just like to make sure that um if city manager I don't know if you were copied on the emails um I'll I'll forward them to you so is it possible to reply to the emails with this diagram U with with what we have in front of us because I honestly believe what that person asked for in her email would answer every question sure sure and we can definitely do that and will address that commissioner perno yeah we met with them the entire neighborhood three times the great thing we have is uh Tyler notified that it specifically notifies that neighborhood that we're going to meet on site and she may have not or whoever it was may have not been able to come so I will make sure that they get that information of Mr perno was that uh the same email that you forwarded to me last week um it may have been um I'm I'm searching through right now to try to try to find it I sent her that same copy the same day I received your email now I received one we we did receive one yesterday as well it was yesterday yeah yeah um but as commissioner perno stated that the questions that she's asking um she's excited well first of all she says I'm excited about it and she just had some questions as a parent um but as we look at the diagram most of these things um are actually covered um within that diagram for example she asked about is there a fence place for dogs is there there a covet area for parents to sit um things of that nature I haven't seen that email no okay so uh commissioner per if you make sure to for that to the city manager and if yall she excuse me she also mentioned about the ditches right so there is a fence around there for the ditches yeah on the diagram um so yeah she did ask a lot of questions and as commissioner perno stated and what Miss vandagriff just mentioned um and what commissioner vff just mentioned that yeah there are some of it is plainly seen in the diagram and some of it isn't um so if you could just follow with her I just forwarded it to city manager thank you we will make sure we get all those her her her main concerns were the D the the Deep ditches outside of the perimeter of the park so how stand absolutely and and she she requested a walk a walkway around which is great and there is one on there yep so as as much as we could fortify to to keep kids away from straying toward the ditches I guess so that would that would that would answer her email but when I looked at the diagram it it it looked like it answered everything to me and it looks like looks like a great amenity for the neighborhood it really is and I'll be happy unless city manager you would like to I'll be happy to address each one every one of those issues I'll forward it to the city manager and let you indeed absolutely I talk I talk to a lot of people who say how they used to use that Park and it'll be nice to see it revived a lot of people played a lot of pickup basketball there you know it was refreshing though to see the residents come out they had a chance to look at exactly what you're looking at and ask it was our last call do you want any changes to it do you want their appearance there with their kids hey will our kids be able to play and be safe and so it was very refreshing to see so many residents that came out and uh gave their opinion and then we could translate their get those things that they wanted into um this preliminary planning so we're pretty excited about it um just before Ty finishes up this is a part par project under pars for FEMA it's a 428 so they clumped all of the parts projects together there's about $1.2 million left on the parts project that this is where this is going to come from so this coming from FEMA essentially yes we have not spend all the money with Parks is this a bottom left there is that a retention Pond that is indeed a retention Pond one of the Reas this is probably our fin Park project as part of the rebuild and I think one of the reasons this was pushed a little further back was because of the construction that was going on on 390 as you know that neighborhood is typically floods MH we didn't want to build this park and not have 390 be effective to control some of the flooding so we held off in the event we could make sure it works otherwise we may have to utilize a greater portion of that property for retention to help alleviate flooding so it appears that the flooding has been minimized so we like to move forward but we're also adding some additional storm water capture there I think it'll help the neighborhood awesome that's great cuz some residents just wanted it to be a a big storm water retention pun as well so I'm glad you're able to to to do both um to help retain some water as well as to help beautify it so that our families can get out and and enjoy the park and I see we have the pick a ball course there for um everyone to get out and and enjoy those as well one of the things that the neighbors were adamant about is very minimal parking they didn't want this to turn into a pickle ball Central where you know there's 13 or 14 cars either they wanted to walk to the park they wanted bicycles or golf carts so they wanted to truly be a neighborhood a belera state neighborhood park and that really is one of our um enduring neighborhoods you don't have a lot of homes for sale in that area so you have a lot of people that have been there for many years um that I think this is Mayor Kelly you know former mayor Kelly lives in uh in in belera state so I'm sure it's going to be something that uh that him and all of his neighbors get a chance to enjoy um is there a motion for this like the motion to approve I'll second right is there comments from the public motion by commissioner perno second by commissioner pees C man you call the vote commissioner perno yes commissioner pebles yes commissioner Warick yes commissioner Vander yes mayor Nelson yes motion pass meeting adjourned