MINUTES CITY OF FORT MEADE SPECIAL CITY COMMISSION MEETING WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY2 21,2024  A Regular Meeting of the Fort Meade City Commission was held on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at 6:00 P.M. at Commission Chambers, 8 W. Broadway Street, Fort Meade, Florida, and  via Zoom Virtual Meeting. CALLTOORDER:  1.  The Meeting was called to order at 6:00 PM by Mayor McCutchen  2.  ROLLCALL: Mayor Vice Mayor Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Staff Present Interim City Manager City Attorney Deputy City Clerk Customer Service Supervisor Finance Assistant  Petrina McCutchen Samuel Berrien James Watts James Possum Schaill Jaret Williams  Present Present Present Present Present  Maria Sutherland Melissa Cannon Danelle Holder Kelsey Kikta  Present Present Present Present Present  Norman Powell, Shirlyon McWhorter  Also present was PCSO Sgt. Earnest Fulcher  Vice Mayor Berrien led the invocation. Mayor McCutchen led the pledge to the Flag of the PUBLIC FORUM: Citizen comments which shall be three (3) minutes per person on Ms. Barbara Arnold, 620 4th Street NE, Fort Meade, stated she has questions on the contract for Dustin Burke, quoting what past city managers have paid for benefits compared to this contract. Ms. Arnold asked ifh he would be city manager ori interim and how many times you can have an Mr. Daryl Gargus, 104 2nd Street, SE, Fort Meade, stated he didn'tunderstand what the closed- door meeting was about and if the commissioners involved were in that meeting. Mr. Gargus Mayor McCutchen stated that we are only discussing items on the agenda and the relationship  United States of America. agenda items only.  3.  interim.  asked ifMr. Burke was related to the fire chief and how that would work.  with Mr. Burke and the fire chiefhas been discussed.  4.  BUSINESS:    City ofFort! Meade, Florida Special City Commission Meeting February 21,2024 Page2 2  A. A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT MEADE, FLORIDA APPROVING THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF FORT MEADE, FLORIDA, AND DUSTIN R. BURKE; AND PROVIDING AN Attorney Shirlyon McWhorter read the title to Resolution R24-08 employment contract Commissioner Watts stated he would like to discuss some oft the items on the resolution and the contract, asking several questions and asking why this contract is not in violation  EFFECTIVE DATE. for Dustin Burke.  oft the charter at this time.  Attorney McWhorter stated they do not see a violation. violation and we should rely on their expertise.  Mayor McCutchen stated that she does not believe our council will let us do anything in Vice Mayor Berrien stated that it appears that due diligence was not done, and those questions should have been asked before we got to this point. Mr. Berrien stated that all the chatter and gossip was unfounded in the background screening, and it is unfair for adults to allow lies to drive their decisions. Mr. Berrien stated that the decision was made to hire Mr. Burke pending the background screening and that has been done. Commissioner Schaill questioned the $350.00 cell phone allowance in the contract. Motion Commissioner Williams; second Vice Mayor Berrien to approve Resolution Motion to approve Resolution R24-08 passed by a vote of 3-2 with Commissioner  R24-08.  Watts and Commissioner Schaill opposed. Mr. Burked wasreceived and sat at the dais.  B.  Reimbursement of funds to Main Street and Chamber of Commerce Mayor McCutchen removed this item for a later time. Congressional Appropriation Discussion factor associated with this item.  C.  Vice Mayor Berrien asked to table this item. Ms. Sutherland stated that there is a time Commissioner Williams requested that items C & D be tabled to allow the new interim Mayor McCutchen stated she would like Ms. Sutherland to pursue the projects and work  city manager to get acquainted with these items and bring them back.  with the interim city manager and bring them back.    City of Fort Meade, Florida Special City Commission, Meeting February21,2024 Page3  Ms. Sutherland explained the detailsofthe 4 projects fori the congressional appropriations and stated there would need to be resolutions prepared for each one and be brought back Motion Vice Mayor Berrien, second Commissioner Schaill to move forward with all 4-appropriations wastewater effluent disposal, firehouse construction, rehab of143 Motion to move forward with all 4-appropriations wastewater effluent disposal, firehouse construction, rehab of143 manholes and electric as-builts for USS 98 bridge  to the commission for approval.  manholes and electric as-builts for US98 bridge project.  project passed by unanimous vote of5-0.  D. ARESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORTI MEADE AUTHORIZINGTHE EXECUTION OF STATE-FUNDED GRANT AGREEMENT PROJECTFPN #4525957- 1-54-01 WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORATION. Attorney McWhorter read the title of Resolution R24-09  Motion Commissioner Watts, second Commissioner Schaill to approve Resolution Motion to approve Resolution R24-09 approving passed by a unanimous vote of5- Interim City Manager, Dustin Burkethanked the commission for the opportunity, stating he wants to do a good job for the résidents and asked one thing of staff that they promise not to believe the rumors aboyt him, and he will promise not to believe the rumors about  R24-09. 0.  them.  The commission welçomed Mr. Burke.  5.  ADJOURNMENT:  There being no further business to conduct, Motion Commissioner Watts, second Commissioney Schaill to adjourn the Special Commission meeting of February 21, 2024,  at 6:42 pm.  Motion to adjourn passed by a unanimous vote of 5-0.  bumebtihd Petrina McCuthen, Mayor  ATTESF:  Melissa Cannon, Deputy City Clerk hlhne