##VIDEO ID:0WCuLjQc65Q## e meeting for the city of w Haven this the 26th day of August 2024 at 6: p.m. can I get a roll call please yes sir commissioner dollison here commissioner Mercer here commissioner danler here mayor proem Yates here and mayor bson here we're going to have the invocation by Pastor Cesar Perez would you please come forward and then we will be led in the Pledge of Allegiance by Vanessa Castillo city clerk please stand if aable thank you ladies and gentlemen of the board thank you for this opportunity uh let's pray We Gather here today before your presence Holy Spirit to ask you for your guidance and wisdom and moreover your Revelations we come before your presence with Humble Hearts recognizing that all good comes from you and that this meeting goes and as this meeting goes today tonight and the many topic and subjects that are discussed you may provide everyone in this panel with the wisdom of Heaven and the clarity of mind so they can perform their duties within your will I pray for our beautiful city and the great people of Winter Haven protect us all from Evil cover us with your Mighty Wings Of Glory that the fire of the Holy Spirit Burns in each of our hearts so that the perversions and immoralities that are afflicting many parts of this great nations may never arrive to our borders help our First Responders keep them safe keep our school safe keep our streets safe and continue to prosper us all and overall thank you for allowing us all to enjoy good life here in this great City in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ amen amen amen to the United States of America to the for it stands na indivisible andice for all join me mayor and Commissioners as you make your way to the front of the Das uh we have one Proclamation this evening for constitution week and I believe we have some uh representatives of the pon Deon chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution who would come forward our proc reads as follows whereas September 17th 2024 marks the 237th anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention and whereas it is fitting and proper to officially recognize this magnificent document in the anniversary of its creation and whereas it is fitting and proper to officially recognize the Patriotic celebrations which will commemorate the occasion and whereas Public Law 91 5 guarantees the issuing of a proclamation each year by the president of the United States of America designating September 17th through the 22nd as Constitution week now therefore Nathaniel J Birdsong Jr mayor of the City of Winter Haven Florida does hereby proclaimed September 17th through the 23rd 2024 as Constitution week in the city of Winter Haven Florida and asks our citizens to reaffirm the ideals that the framers of the Constitution had in 1787 in witness whereof he has here and to set his hand and caused the Seal of the City of Winter Haven Florida to be affixed this 26th day of August 2024 signed Nathaniel J Birdsong junr mayor attest Vanessa Castillo city clerk the pontillon chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is proud to accept this constitution week Proclamation from the City of Winter Haven in observance of the 237th anniversary of the signing of the US Constitution September 17th through the 23rd is set aside for the observance of constitution week the annual celebration was established when signed into law by President Dwight D Eisenhower in 1956 since then the DAR has been promoting Constitution week in our local communities by obtaining constit leag proclamations from Mayors dis placing displays in public places Distributing Constitution booklets to students and participating in Bells Across America mayor bird song Commissioners thank you for joining us in the celebration of America's most important document the US Constitution take this with you should practice your pose we got three cameras one more right take two here as well one more perfect one more all right on the count of three one two three last one perfect [Music] thank all right we have uh no development of note Commissioners you have the minutes Mr Mayor yes motion to approve three sets of minutes this evening August 7th uh the special City commission Workshop August 7 7th the city commission agenda review and August 12th the regular City commission meeting thank you I will now close the commission meeting open public hearing and one wishing to speak to these minutes may do so at this time seeing n we close the public hearing weop the commission meeting is there any discussion all those in favor of the motion let it be known by saying I I I oppose this by the same sign hearing none the minutes are adopted all right comments from the audience I have one person that has signed up Betty Hoffman yes would you please come forward state your name and address for the record and you have five minutes she's coming she wanted 128 is she I'm going get out I just want to tell you that on August 12th you had a meeting on ordinance 20 2430 and I want to thank uh Mr bird song and I think it was Mr danler when you look at it online I can hear the voices but your faces are real tiny and I just want to say thank you for listening to those eight people from over on Ninth and wear the ninth and wear project that was you were an an annexing into the City and you two sounded sympathetic to those people those eight people that was concerned about the traffic on lern Boulevard and um I see that the vote was like 32 and um on that project to you you just sounded to me sympathetic and I just wish that the rest of you would maybe take in the citizens of the of Winter Haven and be a little sympathetic too when we're developing and traffic and so I just appreciate you for what you do and the positions that you hold and I thank you for your community service thank you thank you for your comments no one else has signed up however if there's someone that would like to uh speak to the commission you may do so at this time all right thank you we we have some ordinances for second reading and I'd like to state that ordinance 02 2422 has been uh withdrawn from the uh agenda uh the applicant has asked for this item to be table so we will not be uh discussing this item this evening ordinance is second reading public hearing ordinance 0242 three which read by tile the City attorney thank you Mr Mayor ordinance number 0- 24-33 an ordinance amending the Winter Haven code of ordinances chapter 21 article Roman numeral 7 section 21- 439 site plans for the purpose of updating the site plan review process providing for repeal of conflicting ordinances providing separability providing for codification providing for the administrative correction scers errors and providing an effective date thank you all right Cate am I know we' reviewed this a couple of times so there anything change Mr Mayor there have been no changes since first read and uh staff recommend City commission approve ordinance 02423 on second read be happy to provide additional details if so needed thank you Commissioners Mr Mayor yes move uh for uh on second reading approval of O 2423 thank you I will now close the commission meeting open the public hearing anyone wishing to uh speak to 02423 may do so at this time seeing none I close the public hearing reopen the city commission meeting is there any discussion all those in favor of the motion let it be known by saying I I I opposes by the same sign hearing none 02423 is adopted o 2432 would you read by title on the City attorney thank you Mr Mayor ordinance number 0-24 32 an ordinance amending the winning Ren code of ordinances chapter 21 article Roman numeral 3 section 21-42 number of spaces in chapter 21 article Roman numeral 8 division three development boards for the purpose of supporting development of affordable housing and cleanup of existing language providing for repeal of conflicting ordinances providing severability providing for codification providing for the administrative correction of scers erors and providing an effective date thank you thank you same applies to 32 C manager yes Mr Mayor uh again second reading um staff will happily answer any questions the commission may have but we are recommending approval of ordinance 02 24-32 on second and final reading this evening thank you Commissioners I have a question some of them on this um on uh I would just like for um someone to explain what on this um the reservation of utility or of infrastructure and what that means certainly I'm going to defer to Mr lbby on this this pertains to Eric on the um the ah Haack piece I believe y just one second let me get there yeah with respect to the affordable housing piece um we're providing for expedited review um of those uh site plans and reduced fees um I'm looking for your reservation of it's D M on page one yeah I apologize on the fact sheet on the fact sheet and I let me while he's seeking that out let me try and provide some clarity so these are the um the allowances within the elap and the uh Florida Housing Finance Corporation guidance for the different strategies that can be employed uh by our ahck and and in crafting what's within our lhap and item these all pertain to different pieces of the development process um commissioner Mercy you were a part of that committee for quite some time so that committee the ahac is um has reviewed all 11 categories of strategies and Eric can you confirm there are they adopting in each one of those strategies is that what's coming back in September for the elap correct yes they're and I apologize I didn't realize you're referring to the fact sheet I was looking through the ordinance looking for reservation of capacity we're not touching that in this particular ordinance we're not touching the reservation and capacity these are the um incentives that are allowed by Florida housing um with respect to affordable housing and the ahck will be bringing back um some recommendations to include um reservation of infrastructure policies related to affordable housing um to adopt in our uh next modific of the elap which is our governing document for ship and I don't have all the details for that yet um but these this lists the uh the allowable incentives that that we can adopt it with respect to the local housing action plan they decided which ones they're going to go with or they want to go with all of them they've recommended going with all of them yes ma'am um the reason I I'm asking is is that when I was on it one of the suggestions had your strategies was to um not put sidewalks in front of some of the the housing affordable housing and to me that's wasn't an option it's probably a distraction not to do that because they said there were sidewalks on the other side of the street and to me that kind of if you're going down a street and you're looking at it visually and there's no sidewalk in front of some of the housing and it doesn't look real good so right that's why I wanted some of these explained so we don't get into that yes ma'am and we're working through some of those details but um noted your concern and uh what I'd like to explore is um not necessarily the El the elimination of sidewalks but perhaps other strategies to um help assist with those sidewalks for example if it's in a CRA perhaps there's an infrastructure grant that could be allowed to help create those sidewalks okay I got a quick question yes on the uh on page no um two of nine or excuse me 10 of 17 exhibit B and thank you for the red letters Eric or whoever did this I appreciate that very much um item 11 I just want to point of clarification about the Planning Commission May adopt and maintain bylaws I thought that was our role John maybe you need a way on that I thought I thought only the commission could do these bylaws not the plan you do you do adopt the Planning Commission bylaws what we're saying here is that the Planning Commission May adopt bylaws that are not inconsistent with anything in this ordinance Sor but don't it does It ultimately have to flow up to us and we have to approve it or they can actually as as long as they're not contradictory to anything in this ordinance that you have purview over they can adopt bylaws that are not inconsistent with it they they adopt the the Planning Commission bylaws and that would be the controlling interest would be John or you or who who makes that determination if it's John would certainly have a review yes I thought we had not put in Provisions that that change that portion of it Eric didn't we have that conversation says the the Planning Commission May adopt bylaws May adopt and maintain bylaws that are not inconsistent with the provisions of this code so the major elements that the city commission um desired originally to be in the bylaws are in this ordinance this is here sounds like a double negative I'm trying to understand the concept here um they they're that are not inconsistent I mean understand English but I'm trying to understand the concept of what we're shooting for here because I was under the impression that all bylaws came through this body right here but John that is my general understanding uh commissioner dancer is that um bylaws would be vetted and would come through to the city commission um I see here where the Planning Commission May adopt and maintain bylaws as it says that are not inconsistent with the provisions of this code and if you look at the provisions of this code under the city commission and it may be looking at a different place if we want to if we want to be clear John yeah um I would not be opposed to saying that the the Planning Commission bylaw shall be ratified by the city commission or something like that yeah and I I think the way I would word that would be the Planning Commission May adopt and maintain bylaws that are not inconsistent with the provisions of this code and that have been approved by the city commission I'm go I'm okay with that I I think I just think it needs to be a little more clear I agree with you and that that that would be a modification that I believe could be made tonight on second reading it's not that that the intent of what was of what was presented um I would ask whoever made the motion I believe it was made yet oh okay then then then let's present that um that verbiage did you get that down Eric I did could you read it back so we're clear the Planning Commission May adopt and maintain bylaws that are not inconsistent with the provision provisions of this code and have been approved by the city commission I'm good with that okay and that have been approved by the city Commission okay we're good with that that will be how this will read okay and a motion I'll make that motion all right thank you uh I will close the uh commission meeting open the public hearing anyone wishing to speak to this audience may do so at this time seeing n and close the public hearing reopen the city commission meeting is there any more discussion all those in favor of the motion let me know by saying I I I opposes by the same sign hearing none 0 2432 is adopted Commissioners you have the consent agenda mayor yes motion to approve the consent agenda in its entirety thank you I will now close commission meeting open public hearing anyone wishing to speak to any item on the consent agenda may do so at this time seeing none I close public hearing reopen the city commission meeting is there any discussion all those in favor of the motion let it be known by saying I I oppos this by the same sign hearing none the consent agenda is accepted in its entirety resolution resolution R2 2435 would you read by title owner to the attorney thank you Mr Mayor yes I will resolution R 2435 a resolution approving that certain platin titled Harmony on Lake aloise phase 3A for filing and acceptance of dedications in accordance with chapter 177 Florida Statutes with specific conditions providing for the administrative correction of scrivener's errors and establishing an effective date General location is generally located west of Lake West of West Lake Eloise Drive North of Harmony and Lake Eloise Phase 2 subdivision and Eloise Loop Road thank you thank you city manager mayor commissioner fourstar Real Estate Group is requesting final plat approval for Harmony on Lake Eloise phase 3A this is the 3319 acre subdivision contains no building Lots it has five common Lots the subdivision also dedicates to the city the 100 foot right of way for the realignment of West Lake Eloise drive performance bond of in the amount of 3,380 2221 has been submitted to the city to cover the cost of the remaining infrastructure items to be completed which include earth work final roadway construction sanitary sewer potable water storm water management and Engineering certification Harmony on Lake Eloise phase 3A was developed according to the requirements contained in PUD ordinance 06-12 um staff the proposed subdivision is consistent with comp plan and all requirements of chapter 177 Florida statutes for the platting of land staff recommends the commission approve resolution R 24-35 thank you thank you Commissioners mayor yes motion to approve resolution R 2435 all right I will now close the city commission meeting and open the public hearing anyone wishing to speak to R 2435 may do so at this time seeing an honor close the public hearing reopens to the commission meeting is there any discussion all those in favor of the motion let it be known by saying I I opposes by the same sign hearing none resolution R 2435 is adopted resolution R2 2437 would you read by title owner C the attorney thank you Mr Mayor resolution r- 24-37 a resolution confirming the acceptance of improvements infrastructure and dedications in favor of the public city of Winter Haven as notated on that certain plat entitled Harmony in Lake alaise Phase 2 recorded in the office of the clerk of the Circuit Court in for Poke County Florida in plat book 2 5 pages 26 through 32 public records of Pope County Florida and authorizing the city manager to release the performance bond postered to guarantee completion of required improvements in infrastructure General location subdivision is generally located west of Westlake Eloise Drive North of Eloise Loop Road thank you thank you city manager mayor Commissioners fourstar USA Real Estate Group requests the Commission accept certain improvements and dedications in favor of the public or the City of Winter Haven uh this is for a subdivision consisting of 47.7 72 plus or minus Acres containing 144 building lots and 10 Common Lots all water lines sewer lines reuse lines and related infrastructure will be owned and maintained by the city however all internal roadways Street lighting and all storm water related infrastructure will be owned and maintained by the Harmony on Lake Eloise Community Development District fourstar had submitted a performance bond issued by Marquel insurance company in the amount of of all required infrastructure and improvements for the subdivision recent inspections by staff found all incomplete improvements are now complete and the water Wastewater and reuse utilities can now be accepted by the city the city will not be accepting maintenance responsibility for the internal roadways Street lighting or drainage infrastructure within the subdivision staff recommend City commission approve resolution R2 24-37 and authorize city manager to take all necessary actions related there to thank you thank you Commissioners Mr Mayor yes motion to approve resolution r- [Music] 24-37 thank you close the commission meeting open the public hearing anyone wishing to speak to resolution R2 2437 may do so at this time by stating your name and address for the record and you have five minutes yes sir my name is Victoria del Castillo I live at 3708 Crystal Beach Road I'm also a property owner within the limits of Winter Haven on Central Avenue 217 West Central Avenue I was um I just walked in and I don't have a physical agenda I'm better at that but I wanted to just understand that this is the approval for the construction of 47 acres of land to make more housing C manager this is this item is for uh the release of a bond that the developer had uh established and submitted to the city for the improvements associated with a previously approved okay residential development okay so the bond means that because I I don't know much about this language that means that for them to be able to put the shovel on the ground they had to pay the city because they guarantee that they're going to take care of the in the the construction of what is it something like of Harmon on the lake that's this Bond would this is money that the city received and is releasing yes okay and that was sort of like a fee it's to ensure that the the obligations of the developer to construct the infrastructure the storm water systems the Utility Systems the roadway systems that those are complete and acceptable to the city so while they're doing that uh to authorize them to pursue their development once they get to a certain point they can bond for the balance of that they submit a bond to us if for some reason that work doesn't get completed the city can call that bond to offset the cost of completing that work if we were under to undertake it in this case they have completed the unfinished work so therefore we release the bond back to them okay so I don't know if you all have heard around town that people are very and so this is already approved and this has already been this is I'm here late but I just wanted to make the point that it seems that I've come I've been back and forth between Winter Haven since 2020 living here and I've been in South America but I grew up here I was in public schools from lak ship to Winter Haven High and I went to UCF and um people that are even new to the city in The Last 5 Years I go to church at Faith Baptist Church um are also just overwhelmed by the amount of new housing developments going up and I think that it's just something that I hope that the commission is taking into consideration and explaining these kind of processes that a lot of us don't have experience in and understanding what like I own a small small small piece of land here that I want to build on and I wanted to BU I want to build maybe we're not sure but a seven story building was like in the plans and we presented to the city and so forth and the last time I was here I mentioned how I've learned about fluoride being a neurotoxin and that here in Winter Haven it's in our water and that we pay for it and that if I were to build I'm not allowed to I've understood and I hope I'm wrong but I'm not allowed to build a well so I think that it's important to like maybe to consider that the public that we learn more about the details of these projects and maybe there's more public announcements maybe I don't know getting more active in Facebook groups I'm in homeschooling and and there's a lot of people that are coming to our city because they want the freedom of education and they think it's going to be this great experience and we also I just want to finish with this is I think that um we have franchised out our town and we walked around Walmart when I in 1988 I think it was with my mom and when it came to town at se Gardens Boulevard and my mom said this is the beginning of the end of the small businesses and it really is and I just as a small business owner I own a live restaurant a live music restaurant bar traveler choice in South America but and and I know how very hard it is to run a business when you don't have some big brand behind you um and making decisions all day and the cost of employing in my in Columbia South America it was 40% of their salary everything went to the government and then the covid situation happened and my restaurant was closed like all restaurants for 6 months and I had paid 40% of everybody's salary to this government that shut us down for a common cold that's never never been isolated in human tissue thank you thank you anyone else if not I will close the public hearing we open the city commission meeting is there any discussion all those in favor of the motion let it be known by saying I I I oppos this by the same sign hearing none R 2437 is adopted R 2438 would you read by tile on the City attorney thank you Mr Mayor resolution r- 24-38 a resolution approving that certain plat entitled Harbor at Lake Henry for filing acceptance of dedications in accordance with chapter 177 Florida Statutes with specific conditions providing for the administrative correction of Governor errors and establishing an effective date General location subdivision is generally located south of the Eastern intersection of Old lucern Park Road and lucern Park Road State Road 544 thank you thank you city manager honorable mayor and City commissioners Harbor at Lake Henry LLC is requesting final plat approval for The Harbor at Lake Henry subdivision this is a 36.0 3 Acre subdivision will contain 179 building lots and 14 common Lots internal roadways are contained within 50ft rights of way and will be dedicated to the City of Winter Haven all water and sewer utilities will be owned and maintained by the city while all drainage conveyances and storm Water Management areas will be maintained by the HOA or homeowners association a performance Bond issued in the amount of $313,200 of the required infrastructure has been installed by the developer Water Service to the subdivision is from Winter Haven water system and waste water will be treated at was Water Treatment Plant 2 there is adequate capacity in these systems to serve the subdivision lucer Park Road has sufficient capacity to serve this subdivision upon build down of the subdivision using an estimated taxable value of $250,000 per lot the subdivision will have an estimated taxable value of 40.5 million and will generate approximately $266,800 staff recommend City commission approve resolution r- 24-38 thank you thank you Commissioners Mr Mayor yes motion to approve resolution r24 38 thank you all right I'll close the commission meeting open the public hearing anyone wishing to speak to R 2438 may do so if this time again state your name and address for the record yes sir you have five minutes Victoria del Castillo 3708 Crystal Beach Road 217 West Central Avenue I understood the gentleman toate the taxable value of this project and I I think it's interesting as a city that we're concerned about how much more income when am I correct in understanding that in 20123 the capital investment fund for Winter Haven was uh around 151 million did I read that correctly I I don't know where that's coming from but I can't I can't confirm or deny if that's the right number I don't I mean was it around there over 100 million so our our budget for next year has Capital Investments of about $150 million yeah okay so 223 was from what I recall reading that's a lot of money that the and the operating budget is 70 million so I I think win Haven's rolling along really well with 150 million for capital investment is from what I understand I mean 70 million for operating seems also high for me is the population of wi Haven 48,000 probably closer to 58,000 58,000 people okay so there's an $80 million oper $70 million roughly operating budget and 150 million to spend each year and we're concerned about the taxable value of new properties that I think based on not saying okay my assumption which isn't proven that most people in Winter Haven are done with more developments and I realized these were planned earlier and you guys are you know you're fulfilling commitments or whatever but I think it's really important to take a look at maybe the possibility because on the street gentlemen and ladies taxes are really high and I was just with two two friends of mine that have small businesses and their husbands are doing very well and they're in Lakeland and they move from the north about 10 12 years ago but they're like they feel locals here and it's it's just really surprising to me that there's um a a a mention of approving or suggesting the approval of something based on its taxable value being important to a city that seems to me flush with cash thank you for your comments anyone else I'll close the public hearing reopen the city Commission meeting is there any discussion all those in favor of the motion let it be known by saying I I opposes by the same sign hearing none motion passes ordinance first reading the second reading um will be on September the 10th ordinance 0 2436 would you read by title on the City attorney thank you Mr Mayor resolution or pardon me order ordinance number 0- 24-36 an ordinance amending ordinance 23-25 the 2035 Winter Haven comprehensive plan by revising the future land use map series by amending the future land use on one parcel from neighborhood support future land use to Neighborhood Suburban future land use repealing all ordinances in Conflict here with providing for the administrative correction of scer errors and providing an effective date General location the parcel is generally located at the northeast corner of Buckeye Loop Road and palm Nut Drive the area cover by this request is 3.68 plus or minus Acres thank you thank you city manager May Commissioners Eric Labby our director of Economic Opportunity and Community investment will present ordinance 2436 and 2437 thank you yes sir mayor Commissioners uh ordinance 2436 relates to Future land use and O uh 2437 is its companion ordinance related to zoning TPP Holdings LLC is the petitioner requesting the city amend the 2035 future land use map on a parcel from neighborhood support future land use to Neighborhood Suburban future land use uh and res Zone the same parcel from planned unit development zoning District to multifam residential low density R3 zoning District the total parcel is 3.68 Acres um the location was mentioned earlier the parcel was annexed into the city on January 22nd uh 2018 and it was assigned the current designations in April of 2022 uh the parcel is currently subject to a PUD ordinance which permits personal storage units and has remained undeveloped since the Pud zoning was was assigned the petitioner proposes to develop the property with 32 multif family residential units as this request contains a smallscale future land use Amendment the uh review by Florida Department of Commerce is not required surrounding uses uh include a Poke County facilities maintenance site to the north undeveloped property mostly containing of wet uh with single family residential zoning to the East Palm Nut Drive and single family residential to the South uh and Buckeye Loop Road and Buckeye Trace single family subdivision to the West uh a table indicating that there's adequate capacity in all infrastructures included in your fact sheet uh the requested neighborhood Suburban future land use is consistent with surrounding City uses and designations the requested R3 zoning district is consistent with theor neighborhood Suburban future land use designation all public notifications were met there is no direct Financial impact to the city with this request the Planning Commission did hear this on August 6 2024 and voted to recommend approval of this request no members of the public spoke in conclusion the proposed neighborhood Suburban future land use and R3 zoning district is consistent with surrounding uses and designations and there is sufficient public infrastructure capacity to accommodate the proposed development sta staff does recommend City commission approve ordinances 02 2436 and 02437 thank you all right Commissioners the uh second reading will be on September the 10th and if there's anyone from the public that would like to speak to this particular audience I will allow that to take place tonight so if you'd like to speak state your name and address for the record sure uh name's John banon um uh with uh wooden Associates engineering uh 1925 uh BTO Road Lakeland Florida 33801 um representing the applicant and um thank you Commissioners for your time thank you staff for the report um and I'd be happy to take any questions you guys have tonight all right all right there will be a second reading on September the 10th then uh commissioner you have any questions thank you thank you all right ordinance 0 2437 would you read by tile on the City attorney thank you Mr Mayor ordinance number 0- 24-37 an ordinance amending chapter 21 of the code of ordinances of the city of wi Florida by resoning one parcel from plan unit development PUD zoning District to multif family residential low density R-3 zoning District providing for the administrative correction of scri his areas repealing all ordinances in Conflict here with and providing an effective date General location the parcel is generally located the northeast corner of Bucky Loop Road and palm Nut Drive the area covered by this request is 3.68 plus minus Acres thank you thank you so Eric you said this is zoning uh yes sir this is the companion ordinance to assign R3 zoning uh the same fact sheet applies um again R3 zoning the or the applicant proposes to um develop 32 multif family residential units on the site uh the R3 zoning would theoretically allow a maximum of 44 units thank you any questions there one question I just thought of so just just out of curiosity so this was a this was PUD commercial kind of basically now it's going non PUD residential is there a reason why it can't stay PUD residential there's nothing unique or Innovative um necessarily about this uh our code requires that uh you know there' be some some circumstance um something about the proposed development um to necessitate a PUD um um straight um residential Suburban uh future land use is compatible with all of the surrounding uses as well as the R3 zoning the densities intensities are compatible with with everything that's uh around there and so staff doesn't necessarily see a reason to go to a PUD and the the what's like is is there a height maximum it's multif family so we're talking two stories three stories uh R3 allows up to four stories so we the developer could develop four stories on this property and there's single story homes surrounding it that doesn't constitute anything special not in my mind sir okay anyone else all right we will have the second reading on September 10th uh ordinance 02 2441 would you read by title own the City attorney thank you Mr Mayor ordinance number 0-24 d41 an ordinance of the city commissioner of the City of Winter Haven Florida relating to utilities amending sections 19136 19138 and 19-1 152 of the code of ordinances of the city of winter Florida amending and adopting rate schedules 1-r in water Wastewater and reclaimed water rates fees and charges effective October 1 of 2024 2025 2026 2027 and 2028 together with an annual automatic increase for all utility rates fees and charges therein commencing October 1 2029 and thereafter all without further hearing assessing a per Bill administrative fee a per Bill repair and replacement fee and a pope Regional water Cooperative SE charge on certain water users assessing a SE charge on all rates fees and charges paid by outside City customers amending and adopting a schedule of miscellaneous charges and fees and other Municipal Services fees kept on file in the city clerk's office together with an annual automatic increase for all rates fees and charges therein commencing October 1 2025 and thereafter without further hearing articulating legislative intent providing for the repeal of conflicting ordinances for severability for codification and for the administrative correction of scor's Errors providing for an effective date thank you thank you city manager mayor and Commissioners we had a lengthy presentation on this during your Workshop I will however review the fact sheet with you this evening Gary Hubbert is back with us this evening so certainly he can answer questions specific to this as uh Joe Williams is also with us from raap Tellis so raap Tellis Consultants Inc has performed a study of the city's Water and Sewer rates fees and charges entitled City of Winter Haven 2024 utility ratees study and dated August 15 2024 the rapella study recommends the city revised its current rate schedule for the uniform system of water sewer and Rea reclaimed water Service rates fees and charges known as schedule 1 R to adjust and increase the effective dates over a period of five calendar years study recommends C revise its current schedule of miscellaneous charges and fees including Municipal service fees to increase various water related and Sewer related miscellaneous charges the recommendations uh include the following for fiscal year 2425 charges for water sewer and reclaimed water service on schedule 1 R should be increased to meet projected net rate and system Revenue requirements in fiscal years 2526 26 27 2728 in 28 29 charges for typical residential utility service on schedule 1 R should rise annually by 2.5% for water and annually by 7.5% for sewer a regional water Cooperative search charge should be impos imposed on residential water users with use in excess of 5,000 gallons on all gallonage used by irrigation users and on all gallonage used by commercial users to offset the cost of participation in the pulk regional water Cooperative a per Bill repair and replacement charge should also be assessed and then finally miscellaneous charges and fees such as meter install a temporary service lean search charges would increase commensurate with modern Personnel rates and vehicle trip costs schedule one R rates fees and charges for water sewer and reclaimed water service should rise 2.5% annually each October 1st beginning in fiscal year 2930 and that all miscellaneous charges and fees in Municipal service fees should rise 2.5% annually each October 1st beginning in fiscal year 2526 consistent with the historic billing practices and expected rates of inflation City leadership and the city's customer service team are of the collective opinion that raap Tellis proposed increases to customer facing service fees for new account initial turn on irrigation turn on transfer of account 15-day service unauthorized connections or tampering and delinquent account reactivation and turn on should undergo further staff review and examination as such staff recommended schedule of miscellaneous charges and fees and Municipal service fees attached to proposed ordinance 2441 only increases customer facing service fees by a nominal 2.5% instead of the full amount identified in the rafella study if adopted the schedule of miscellaneous charges and fees and Municipal service fees would happen automatically each October 1st without the need for further advertisements or per public hearings modific ations to the code of ordinances of the City of Winter Haven Florida may be made by ordinance made by ordinance 0 2441 are necessary to implement the new rate structure as this ordinance relates to the adoption of water and sewer Revenue sources that are necessary to fund the city's budget and capital Improvement projects identified in the rafella study staff is of the opinion that this ordinance is exempt from the business impact estimate requirement as set forth in section 16 6041 4 C3 of Florida Statutes based upon the rafella study and in further furtherance of the city's efforts to provide efficiencies and Implement best management practices the city's utility staff Rec recommends ordinance 02 2441 be adopted by the city commission the City of Winter Haven and that the city manager or design be authorized to take further necessary actions related there too so in conclusion this is uh the effort to adjust our utility rates uh in consideration of the 5-year Capital Improvement plan um the participation in the PK Regional water cooperative and the uh related repair and replacement of existing infrastructure due to Natural wear and tear on that system this is a first read and a second read will be held on uh September 10th as well so again Mr Williams is with us this evening uh Gary Hubbert as well who has uh certainly more expertise on our utility system than I and we will stand for any questions the commission may have okay Commissioners as previously stated the second reading will be on September the 10th however if there's anyone from the audience that would like to speak to this I will allow you to speak stating your name and address for the record I'm going to give you five minutes thank you for allowing me to speak uh my name is Victoria del Castillo 217 West Central Avenue I came to Dollar Tree I went to Dollar Tree right before I got here with my two children and I haven't been in a while I try not to buy things from China and when we got in my I said girls you can uh go look take a look at the little books for being on a road trip and my daughter came back after 10 minutes he goes mom you don't know what happened at Dollar Tree I'm like what she's like we know it's 1225 which which is ridiculous cuz it was dollars before but now they're selling things for $5 right so I I say all of that because I have learned quite a bit about water I've dedicated my life in the last four years to understanding the truth about how things work and I'm not near close to anything except that what I'm understanding is it's very important for longevity to have clean water um my good friend is uh best-selling author uh Carolyn angel of 50 shades of grain is the name of the book I highly recommend it and it's about the different poisons that have been imposed on mankind due to chemicals and so that has again I'm going to repeat this because I think there's people here that maybe weren't here when I was here last time and maybe don't know I learned in 2020 that fluoride is a neurotoxin it lowers the intelligence of children up to six points um it creates um bone cancer it's not good for your teeth it creates dementia and Alzheimer's and it calcifies the P the pineal gland it's in our toothpaste and it's in Winter Haven City water so when I just heard this uh I think wow we should really kind of ask a couple of basic questions where is water from in Winter Haven what does this pulk County pulk Regional water cooperative mean I can answer that let me let me answer uh um first and foremost as it relates to water in the State of Florida not just Winter Haven the State of Florida owns all of the water that is consumed by its consumers all of the water secondly there are regulations as it relates to how the water is treated and what's in the water thirdly the south Florida Water Management District permits us to pump whatever water we need and finally the South the Florida the south Florida Management District has said that the way that we are pumping our water for our citizens that we've got to have alternative water supply thus the creation of the uh Cooperative which is composed of the municipalities that are in P County that will be getting their water and finally instead of getting the water from the upper arfer it's going to come from the lower aquafer and so there in lies what we have to do and so there's a a a F that's uh attributable to this to make this happen and it has got to happen there's a Time certain it's under development and so that's what this okay just a Qui clarification you said so we've been getting our water from this from the northern aquifer is that what you the uper the upper aquifer and that this would change it to the lower aquifer we will be still getting water from the upper but the additional water that we need will have to come from the lower AR because someone recently told me who is a a very important property owner that his well is 350 ft deep and that my well and I think the average well in Winter Haven is 150 140 I'm not sure but that's what I understand and I went to a well guy and I'm pretty sure that's right and he made the depth and he said to me because there's arsenic in our water in the countryside like there's fluoride in the city water but there's arsenic in our land water and he's and the EPA confirmed that in Barto I spoke to two officials and he said uh he said yeah and he goes you know that in Winter Haven we sell our water down though down below maybe what you're talking about the lower aquafer to Charlotte County is that true ma'am I I I just want to say this to you uh was someone told me that let me let me sure you asked a question and I'm going to answer your question we do not sell our water outside of P County all right that's number one number two the ordinance that we're discussing has to do with our water rates and so I've been very very understanding that uh that you really don't have a total grasp of what's happening so what I would recommend to you this is the first reading the second reading is going to be on September the 10th the people that can answer all your questions and basically give you a little better education is our utility director Gary Hubbert and our city manager so before you leave here today if you would like to uh engage them they would be more than happy okay okay my my only finishing point was why I'm asking these essential questions I think they're essential to an increase in my water to 2.5% and I think it's very important that we consider removing that last statement that there will be no need for public hearings and automatic increases will happen that's insane the world changes every day and we have all these new housing developments coming in and it may be that the people don't come and they don't come and rent there and then people are not able to pay the rent cuz there's no jobs left there's a lot of things that could happen and by taking the water away or allowing in 5 years 2029 that there's no public discussion about increasing water rates is very concerning and that's why I was asking about what is the root cause where is the water coming from and why is there a need to do these processes and why is there a need to even increase the water that was the that's why I came to these basic questions because the problem in the world today is people aren't asking basic questions I understand the questions that you're asking and what I'm saying to you tonight that we can't in this meeting ask all of the questions that you but I'm giving you a way to get the answers that you may need yes sir thank you and there will be a second public hearing on September the 10th all right moving right along ordinance 02 2442 would read by ton City attorney thank you Mr Mayor ordinance number 0- 24-42 an ordinance of the city Commission of the city w in Florida relating to utilities amending and revising the schedule of rates for water and sewer connection fees providing Authority for administrative increase for all water and sewer connection fees equal to the percentage increase in the engineering news-record construction cost index on the 1st of October of each year without hearing creating section 19-1 154 code of ordinances of the city of Winer Haven Florida providing for connection fee price lock agreements for large scale projects repealing conflicting ordinances providing for codification for the administrative correction of sc's errors and for an effective date thank you thank you city manager mayor and Commissioners um again you had a special workshop on Wednesday of last week regarding connection fees we will have a second uh Workshop specific just to connection fees at your next Workshop um forgive me I will get the date of that for you but September 4th thank you City attorney um that will be at five o'clock here but in response to the item that stands before you uh this is ordinance 02 2442 again raap Tellis financial consultants Inc has performed a study of the city's water and SE connection fees dated August 14 2024 in which they provide a thorough an fiscal analysis of the city's Water and Sewer Capital requirements actual revenues generated and expected revenues generated from water and sewer connection fees the study recommends the city Revis its current rate schedule to adjust and increase the effective rates to net amounts that are Equitable provide for reasonable recovery without exceeding the current cost of expansion related Capital Improvements associated with new connections and take into consideration reductions from revenues derived from other sources that are anticipated to pay for a portion of the expansion related Capital Improvements an increase from $1,669 to $3,671 25 for water and an increase from $4,195 to 8,175 I'm sorry 1 8,175 for sewer is what's recommended in the special south industrial area connection fee Zone covering Industrial Development south of wastewater treatment plant 3 typically the industrial the integrated Logistics Park the recommended adjustments and connection fees per equivalent residential connection are an increase from [Music] $962,000 and. 75 for water and an increase from $3,454 to $7,000 for sewer ordinance 2442 implements a staff recommended change to create a water and sewer connection fee price lock for large scales as defined large scale projects as has defined in the ordinance again as you may recall that is for projects multif family projects greater than 300 units and for commercial and Industrial developments greater than 250,000 Square fet ordinance 2442 makes a specific F fact finding that the rafella study is a qualifying demonstrated need study that would justify a present extraordinary need to amend and increase the water and sewer connection fees beyond the acts fee phasin limitations if the ACT applied based on current conditions such as the city's participation in the prwc the cost in need to develop the city's onew master plan and Regional alternative water supply projects for water supply and the city's need for significant land acquisition and system improvements to increase processing and discharge capacities ordinance 2442 if approved will take effect on January 1st of 2025 in addition this ordinance relates to the adoption of water and sewer Revenue sources that are necessary to fund the city's budget and capital Improvement projects addressed therein accordingly staff is of the opinion that this ordinance is exempt from the business impact estimate requirement is set forth in Florida Statutes uh again this will come back to you for second reading on September 10th and when we talk of connection fees the these are the development costs associated with new development this is not on existing customers this is assigned to new development that occurs within the system um and is intended to offset the impacts of such new new development coming onto the system so different from user rates that we just discussed this is strictly associated with new construction whether that be homes or commercial property thank you all right the second reading will be on September the uh 10th however if there's anyone would like to speak to this audience you may do so at this [Music] time commissioner Daner okay two questions primarily we had a rather robust discussion last week about credits for people that have already paid impact fees and passed and it didn't seem like there was a lot of interest in exploring that but I'm just curious is anybody with rapis or anybody that has done any work or research on that in the meantime to see if that's even feasible so I I'll defer to Joe if he's been able to find anything my intent uh commissioner dancer I apologize for not addressing that in my comments um we heard that very loud and clear from you in the discussion and wanted to um have some time to look into that versus just kind of you know take whatever we find initially that may be out there uh and report back to you during the workshop on September 4th but give Mr Williams an opportunity if he has found anything to that regard before you speak the other the other part of my question has to do with the um the new law that's that you you you said that the staff is consist is is uh determined that this is consistent and it's not breaking the the um the new ordinance the new law that we have to deal with to make sure this impact statements yeah yeah does that does that John do you do that or who makes that determination yes sir in coordination with um St we've concluded that the adoption of these particular these last two ordinances derive to deal with Revenue okay that need to be deriv to fund your Capital Improvements and to fund your um your your budgets that are adopted this one end the one prior to that this one in the one prior okay yes sir all right go ahead Joe thank you Joe Williams with ref Tellis and I did talk to a couple people in the office we have about 20 people over in the Orlando Florida area and couple of the 40 plus Year guys with a lot of experience um I did ask that question about the situation of existing residents versus new development and potentially having credits and they have not seen that before and generally agreed with the discussion that it it didn't seem like a program that would be Equitable across the board for all customers okay well where this is coming from is a philosophical belief that I have that the people that have been here should get some sort of break on on this but the other thing is is there there was conversation a long time ago I think it was save our homes or something that people could carry their Homestead or their value of their house to a new house if they downsized in other words if my house was valued at 50 Grand you could only go up by 3% a year but then if I sold and I went to another house and had to pay 250 I could somehow carry that value with me and it was a big huge discussion I don't think it ever actually passed but it was a lot of consternation and nashing of teeth and there was a lot of people like you that looked at it and studied it and they came up with all these things but it's the same concept that you know and I've used myself as an example but I'm a bad example because I can afford the tax okay but I paid an impact fee when I couldn't afford it and it and now I would you know I I'm beating a dead horse I get it you guys understand where I'm coming from but it's the same way with with taxes and everything I just feel like we have to somehow start watching out you know for people that have been here and have been here and carried the freight all this time and and I know it's not normal but I wish there was a way we could do that that's what I'm trying I'm asking you to help me that's all that's all so I'm through I'm on my soap box I'm walk now Mr dancer I I know it does I I appreciate your passion for this and and certainly greatly respect the the thought of trying to take care of the people that have have been been here and they've carried the freight um I know it's no consolation but I would say that you know what we're able to do with respect to the everyday customer and the the rate adjustments that we're proposing as I mentioned the other night um we're still at this point in time even with the adjustments to the user rates the second lowest user rate in the county and by adjusting the connection fees accordingly and having new development pay its fair share were're able to do so and keep those everyday costs um for everybody whether they're building a new home or not the actual you know I'm turning on my faucet what does that cost me those dollars down without the adjustment on the connection fees then the likelihood of the user rate having to be at a higher level certainly comes into play or the defraying of theay of of capital Improvement so um I know that doesn't really answer your question but it it it or or address your point but I do think it's important to note that you know trying to um keep costs as low as possible for the everyday consumer you know the 40 some odd thousand accounts that we have um is is kind of the the positive outcome of it for what Phil philosophy is the people that are causing all the problems are new people right they're the ones that are clogging our roads I'm not clogging the roads I've been here for 60 years that's but that's the philosophy that I'm trying to convey you know what I mean that's the point and and if I've decide to downside my house and I have to pay another all these impact fees I just don't feel like that's fair that's all just fairness I know it's not going to go anywhere but that's what I think so I all right I think the primary impact is going to be new construction for the most part correct yes sir so for existing uh citizens that they would really not be any impact to them at all that I can tell except I guess if you were going to build something new then that impact feed would be if you're a resident you've been here and I guess assume it's what you're coming from if you've been living here and decide you want to build a new a new uh yeah I've got a 2,800 foot home and I want to get a, 1500 foot home and I want a new one I got to pay impact fees corre that's all you do the same thing it happens you all of us that's correct that's it that's it all right well we wek I'm beating a dead horse I get it we we thank you commissioner dancor uh we will be back on September the 10th and you'll have at least two more times all right on a serious note uh ordinance [Music] 02448 um this is an ordinance that we're going to uh vote on tonight to um submit to uh doc so would you read by tile on the City attorney 02448 thank you Mr Mayor ordinance number 0- 24-48 an ordinance amending ordinance 23-24 the 2035 Winter Haven comprehensive plan by amending the portable water subelement and sanitary sewer subelement to address adopted level of Service Los standards for portable water usage and sanitary sewer treatment repealing all ordinances in Conflict here with providing for the administrative correction of SC errors providing for ability and providing an effective date thank you thank you city manager mayor and Commissioners the 2035 Winter Haven comprehensive plan was adopted by the city commission August 28th of 2023 that plan consists of 11 elements including future land use housing neighborhood preservation Transportation infrastructure Public Schools Recreation open space conservation intergovermental coordination Capital Improvements and private property rights within the infrastructure element there are five sub Elements which address the provision of public infrastructure in the city each of these sub elements establishes a level of service standard in the poble water subelement there there are two types of Los standards with one addressing conservation and usage in the second addressing water system design in the sanitary sewer subelement no specific design standard level of service for the collection and treatment system has been established based on a study of the utility system commissioned by the city's water department it was found the level of service standard addressing water system design can be reduced from 350 gallons per person per day to 275 gallons per person per day sanitary sewer Los should be 250 gallons per person per day uh this is based on an analysis of per capita water consumption and wastewater treatment over the past sever years prior to the adoption of the 2025 Winter Haven comprehensive plan the level of service was $250 250 gallons per person per day uh which was based on data and Analysis from the 1990s the current 350 gallons per person day standard was based on observed consumption rates in the 2000s what does that mean well basically prior to uh the adoption of the of the comprehensive plan water consumption was very high or very low in Winter Haven um around 250 gallons per person per day in the early 2000s whether that be through irrigation and development whatever the case may be that spiked up to two up to 350 gallons we started aggressive conservation efforts really through our rate structure and through education over the past 1520 years and have brought been able to bring that number down to what's being recommended at this point uh the Planning Commission had approve its August 6 2024 regular meeting unanimously voted to recommend approval of these requests there were no public comments uh this again is uh been deemed to be exempt from the business impact estimate uh requirements in in Florida Statutes and staff is recommending the city commission approve 2448 on first reading and its transmittal to the Florida Department of Commerce for review thank you thank you Commissioners Mr Mayor yes motion to approve ordinance 0- 24-48 on public hearing thank you I will now close the commission meeting and open the public hearing anyone wishing to speak to 02448 may do so at this time seeing none close the public hearing and reopen the city commission meeting is there any discussion all those in favor of the motion let it be known by saying I I I oppos this by the same sign 02448 has been approved on first reading to submit to doc thank you new business we have n commissioner Le on report commissioner danler okay good news to report to our my fellow Commissioners we had a TDC meeting last week and city manager and I were there have you given the good news everybody or uh I don't I think some I may have mentioned in passing but I wanted give that honor to you sir uh we were able to secure another $2 million from the TDC to help us pay for overages down at the Fieldhouse and Conference Center with the new Fields that's going on so um it was unanimous vote and uh basically all the comments from the entire committee were positive so now it just moves on to the P County commission for their stamp of approval and then we've got $2 million more and they were um quite impressed actually the fact that we were going to maybe not Finance as much as they were and so they I think they're looking at that way it may be a cash transaction but we'll see the um just for the benefit of of the commission what that will require is an amendment to the interlocal agreement that we have with pul County Board of County Commissioners you approved last year for their initial contribution of $10 million um so that will be amended to reflect a $12 million contribution uh City attorney has is helped draft that Amendment it is with the county attorney's office I believe at this point and we will hopefully have that before you at one of your two meetings in September for and then on to the county for their final approval don't anticipate any problems with the U County Commission but if any of you see any County Commissioners feel free to give them plug what a great idea we that we all think it says uh also went to a pul vision annual meeting uh actually was a big meeting over in uh over at poke at pok's office in Winter Haven by the Sheriff's Office and that was now they're now up to leadership poke class 10 already been to 10 classes and I was in leadership poke one so I continue to get over and then of course City University class number three again this is the third third session was held at the Women's Club with able to give greetings there I'm very uh happy with the way that that class is continuing develop kudos to staff Katrina and everybody who puts that all together and uh the more of these classes we can cycle through the more informed citizens we have the better off everybody's going to be so that's it for me thank you commission Mercer okay I attended those two I attended the city uh University class the third one and the pope Vision annual meeting at poke State College um and then I also of course we attended the Florida Le of cities and we learned a lot about um a lot of varied and different things and we learned from the municipal experts who've been there a long time we shared ideas and um we discussed different strategies and um for Florida's future also um learned what a disruptor was so so so anyway um sometimes you have them in the public and sometimes you have them on your own board so that was interesting um to do that and um so that was it thank you Mr y mayor Pro Yates yeah attended lots of different things nothing really new to report this evening I will just say you know in all all the conversations that I had at the conference with Municipal leaders across the state what's happening in Winter Haven is happening in every municipality across the state I'm partial but I will say I feel like the City of Winter Haven is one step ahead of the game in trying to do the things that need to be done to handle the growth and the development and I've said this before I don't think any of us up here we all Native to winner Haven Generations back we don't like the overdevelopment just like anybody else that's out there that's that that sees it I mean we see it too but we're trying the best that we can to continue to shape developments and projects to lower the numbers and and make it as compatible as that we can with our limitations that the state Pro puts on us on um on approving development and whatnot but so I I just wanted to point that out that you nothing is unique to Winter Haven about that it's not a unique Winter Haven problem it's a Statewide problem but I think our staff and and Leadership is um doing a phenomenal job with you know the best that they can with the tools that they've got to work with so thank you thank you commission also I was able to attend the uh boorder league and uh I would concur with that uh speaking with many of our officials from around the state and uh I did come away with a a fond appreciation for uh what we do here in Winter Haven and um very insightful uh very informative just really enjoyed the you my first opportunity to attend um and it it really is helpful to uh give you a broader view of uh things that are happening throughout the state the challenges that we that we face and uh even the approaches that uh that we implore to uh try to address those issues and uh do we have all the answers absolutely not uh but I think uh making the best effort that we know how um this is a very challenging time it's an exciting time I would say uh I think that to see the growth and development of our city and growing responsibly and uh that is done in a way that I think will enhance the quality of life in Winter Haven is essential important uh certainly to those who have been long life residents as uh our commissioner shared um you know when you have that experience of of past and I've been here number of years as well so I I you know I'm like many of you uh seen what is happening uh they just uh almost completing tearing down the Northeast complex and uh I drove by there uh yesterday and because I've been looking at that building since I've been in Winter Haven and uh driving by there and it's not there was uh quite you know shocking uh but then I was thinking uh because I've you know seen the beautiful Renditions of what is going to be built and uh and that really brought you know a lot of Hope in my heart and a smile on my face because now I'm excited about what is yet to come so uh that's uh that's kind of uh I guess in part what I've just shared that change um some of us challenging but at the same time I think that uh we ought to uh thank God for the opportunity that we have uh to do uh the work of our city and and again again to our staff who does an outstanding job I think the longer I've been in this POS the longest as I stay in this position uh I really have grown to appreciate the staff and the great work they do each and every day so thank you and uh we appreciate all your work thank you well uh the one thing that I attended was the Florida League of cities and there have been some great comments and I would just Echo the same sentiment that uh in speaking with uh other Mayors about their cities and what they're experiencing uh I just felt so so so proud of what's happening in our city and uh because the problems that we're facing that we are tackling the monies that uh our citizens are paying for taxes I tell you one city and I don't want to call their name but they're in North Florida and uh I was talking with uh the mayor of that City about their avalor tax rate and the size of their city and uh I'm just saying that I was he was shocked at what we're doing and I was really shocked with what they're doing they're way up there we down here so um we're doing a great job I don't want to get too far ahead of us but there are some things that if we don't tackle if we don't tackle as a commission future Generations are going to suffer I mean no matter what we it's what we've got to do and so I'm just so proud and happy that we've got the staff the consultants and the commission that has the way with all to move us forward so with that I'm going get off my uh I would say pull pit but this isn't a pull pit off my soap oper all right okay City attorney thank you Mr Mayor and U I have nothing to see city manager thank you Mr Mayor and Commissioners um likewise it was a great opportunity for public affairs and communications director Katrina Hill and myself to attend the league with you all and sit in on some of the same classes it's uh shows great alignment that U certainly it's an affirmation that the things that we're working on from staff align with the things that you're concerned about and what we're hearing from the league um and a lot of great takeaways for those think that we we went to the beach and spent 3 days having fun in the sun it rained the entire time we were there so that to be said um I want to take a quick minute to uh Welcome to our meeting this evening uh Mrs Betsy Cleveland Betsy if you could stand in the back for us Betsy is the now I think three-week uh employee as the president and CEO of the Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce um so she is off and running had a great board meeting with uh the chamber board today uh and she intends to make it a a regular appearance here at the uh city of City commission meeting so feel free to call upon her for anything you need regarding the chamber we're always happy to see you um also uh commissioner Dawson mentioned the Winter Haven Recreation and Cultural Center I will say that there will be a groundbreaking for that new facility uh Andy mentioned that this morning we are wrapping up the demo and once that safe can that site can be safed up a little bit then it it lends itself to a okay we're we're done with what was there let's really focus on what's to come and celebrate all that lies ahead last thing I'll note is that um you may recall when we were in Tallahasse I believe it would have been January of uh 24 we had a number of meetings with different agencies we heard from some folks with Florida Department of Environmental Protection on the resilient Florida grant program they came in in met with us at one point to give us some insight on that little fact finding effort that we had um we have been notified obviously I think you may have heard this already that the city has been uh selected to receive one of those grants uh the value of that is approximately $ 6.375 million that is specific to our efforts at the Bradco Farms property so it is a 5050 match Grant and um we are confirming with the the department although we know we'll spend certainly that much on the development of that site if in fact our um land acquisition that was completed in December of 23 will also uh serve as a match on that uh either way we know that we have the match and and as we develop that property we'll be fine so staff will be submitting back to D early next week a confirmation of that yes we are interested in that Grant and then we have to submit some some uh documents on that by September 20th I don't believe there's anything for the city commission to act on in that regard um we are asking D if they need some type of formal acceptance to move forward from the the commission but we have not uh affirmed that as of yet we don't believe that to be the case however they will send us a grant agreement from D you guys have have seen these time and time again when we have grants that must be approved by the city commission so once we get that we'll be bringing that back forward to you but you know in in kind of addition to what mayor commissioner dancer talked about you know additional $2 million from our our local folks here at the county um what it looks like to be about a 6.375 million Grant opportunity from the state of Florida so very excited about that great didn't we get 2 million from P from Pepsi to on that is it PepsiCo correct yes sir that's great we're getting there that concludes my report nothing this evening thank you city clerk nothing this evening Deputy city clerk emergency matters mayor D or mayor B song I I do understand that Miss Davis had a comment that she was not able to make during the public comment if you were so inclined to entertain any further comment okay all right M Davis please come forward State your name and address for the record Davis pull the mic down thanks Ernestine Davis 37 to5 South excuse me Ernestine DAV is 379 buckout Point Drive in W Haven Florida good afternoon I was coming to uh discuss the um Lake m park because the bathroom the door on the bathroom need repairing or need a new door I can need a new door it's terrible it's clean inside but you look at the do you don't want to go inside so you all need to take a look at that and also the park you need to check the electricity out because we don't have a center anymore so we plan events for the children and at the at the park so we need some L twinity if you all haven't fixed it we need Lake Twisted to add the park this Lake m park and also I wanted to ask GH a report on the park the new park that we just celebrated what uh if it had finished what's going on with it you know been asked you know the uh the fence off fence around it and everything what's going on what what phase two three or four where is we with the par Miss Davis you speaking of Lake mod Park specifically not Lake mod Ruben Williams Ruben Williams so Ruben Williams Andy if I'm mistaken all everything is done at Ruben Williams Park and it is operational at 100% so there's no there's no more phases to that yes it is you you you are have n defening you defening to that car the fencing yes sir I'm no no defens it you have okay you all don't have the fence supposed to go around the park and Lake Mall Park you never did finish that you got wood fences all around and start from pop Community College which that shouldn't be that would should going be here and it just a mess so we you need to have a meeting about yes ma'am Andy Palmer will get with you to get some more points on that thank you thank you thank you anyone else emergency Ms not receed for the agenda motion to adjoin we stay on the joint