Minutes from the City Commission meeting called February 25, 2025, at 5:30 P.M. Page 1 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2025 CITY COMMISSION MEETING - 5:30 P.M. Present: Jesse Nelson, Mayor Judy Vandergrift, Mayor Pro Tem Sam Peebles, Commissioner Pat Perno, Commissioner Jamie Warrick, Commissioner Vickie Gainer, City Manager Sergeant at Arms Cole Davis, City Legal Counsel Item # 1. Call to order. Mayor Nelson called the meeting to order at 5:30 P.M. Item #2. Invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance. The invocation was given by Police Chaplin Frank Stephens followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Item #3. Public Commentary. Mr. William Platt - LH Resident - spoke about his opinion that the city followed discriminatory practices by displaying only black people (including the city manager and Mayor) on banners during Black History month. He feels that Black History is not a federal holiday, and it is local government who chooses to practice such discriminatory celebrations. He said he feels that the material should be removed immediately, and the city manager should be disciplined appropriately (and the Mayor if he was aware ofthe matter). Mr. Scray said that he had queried via emails this past week with the city about the process of nominating people to the various boards, and it was noted that the selection is based on who serves on Board of Adjustments (BoA) the longest. He noticed that the item had been put on the consent agenda for this meeting. He recommends that it not only be removed as a consent agenda item SO all applicants could be considered and not just those who were on the BoA but that it be delayed until after the impending election. He also gave his opinion about a letter that was publicized by ai member oft the community in regard to the city debt and putting money into mutual funds. He has researched that a city cannot invest its funds unless the city has an investment policy. He has not been able to find such a policy on the city website. He asked if there was such a policy. His priority would be paying off the debt. Ms. Parker - Rett Place - said that during the last meeting the Mayor had rudely interrupted her time during her public commentary. The Mayor denied that he had. She said she would like in future that ifhe wants to answer any public commentary, he should do SO during his report time. She also wanted to address the signage for speed control on 17th Street that she had previously requested asi itis getting worse. Also, potholes in road right in front of McDonalds that goes into that neighborhood are appearing again and need to be repaved. Ms. Carter - 3124 East Baldwin Road - has enjoyed the entire month of Black History month and that we should be celebrating it, and she particularly enjoyed the blues concert. She missed the morning meeting in February but would like to recommend that they keep the library private and not join in with NWF libraries. Also, the historical library she believes was built in 1911, and she would like to see a brand-new library. She thinks the city would qualify for a state grant for Florida department of states library grants. They had told her to keep a look out on their website. She also feels that the perfect place would be the space next to Porter Park. Mr. Walker - 1106 Michigan Ave - said thank you to the mayor for the resolution that he put in for Minutes from the City Commission meeting called February 25, 2025, at 5:30 P.M. Page 2 the Grand Patron Grand Lady that was presented at the Harry Jackson lunch - he really appreciated it. He has just been advised by the ED director that the city has received approximately $35k back from AMCT. This and the surplus to the budget would mean you can give that subject of a few weeks ago that raise that was being discussed. Mr. Hines - Lynn Haven - Has served in the military for nearly 22 years and the military cannot do away with Black History month and it is going to stay. The MLK celebration in January was first started by Mayor Margo Anderson not Mrs. Gainer. He appreciated the efforts put in for the celebrations, especially celebrating the blues concert. He thanks them all for all they continue to do. Item # 4. Mayor's Report. The Mayor read and presented the Proclamation for the Flood Awareness Week 2025. The Mayor asked the city manager regarding public commentary concern about the speeding on 17th Street. Mrs. Gainer said they have put out additional warning lights and are looking at whether there is speeding, and they will be happy to do another speed test. The Mayor asked the City Manager to check if the street with potholes is on the list and where it is on the list for repaving. The Mayor advised Mr. Platt that the city manager had made him aware oftheir conversation. Also, Public law 99.9.244 ofFebruary 11th, 1986, by joint resolution passed by the 99th Congress does provide for the National celebration of Black History month. The Mayor proceeded to read the resolution, stating that every US President since President Ford has made a proclamation for it, including this year. Item #5. Commissioners' Reports. Commissioner Peebles Encouraged everyone to have a look at the students artwork around the chamber. Thanks to the staff for giving out the trees at the giveaway which were gone within half an hour. Thanks to staff for the extra work putting on all the activities this month. He dealt with various citizen issues too. Commissioner Perno - Thanks the city employees and first responders. Commissioner Warrick - received a lot of feedback from residents regarding RV's. He feels the intent is to make it more lenient than itis written. He had the pleasure ofhanding out the prizes to the school students for their artwork. Thanks to all the first responders and staff for all they do. Commissioner Vandergrift - attended a few TPO meetings at the county. Bayway was going to be discontinued on Sundays, but this will be restarted as they did find additional money. The blues festival was delightful with a cross section of people and ages. She did not realize that the son of the famous Amos cookies was the blues artist. She had several conversations with citizens about RV's and the impending development over the bridge. The Mayor reminded the commissioners to respond to the invitation for March 10th from the Bay County League of Cities and ift they want dinner to please rsvp to the email. The Mayor asked if Bay Transportation are still going up HW 231 to Youngstown and HW20. Commissioner Perno said that was a contract with Uber done through a grant and he thinks it has come to an end. Item # 6. City Manager's Report. A. Warrant list: Commissioner Vandergrift queried the Jetvac amount. Ms. Roman said that it was for the trailer jet for the sewer department that they had approved previously. The City Manager Gainer said that the opening day is March 1st at 8.30 and we have over 1200 participants this year. Therefore, the program will be out on the field this year. The Sports and Recreation team is going to be putting together the youth volleyball league in March due to it being SO popular. Tennessee sidewalk plans are almost complete. Sidewalk plans are going well. She had a great strategic planning session with her leadership team last week to work on the vision for the city Minutes from the City Commission meeting called February 25, 2025, at 5:30 P.M. Page 3 for the next 5-10years. Clarified for Mr. Scray that the person going onto the planning board, usually is the person who has been on the Board of Adjustment who goes onto the planning board next. We try to keep it in order that they have applied. Item #7. City Attornev's Report. City Attorney - had nothing to report. CONSENT AGENDA Item #8. Approval of Minutes dd 02/11/25 - Regular meeting minutes. Item #9. Approval of Minutes dd 02/12/25 - Special meeting minutes. Item # 10. Approval to appoint Mr. Doolittle to the Planning Commission Board. Commissioner Warrick requested that item 10 be removed for discussion. The Mayor confirmed item 10 will be removed from the consent agenda and become Item 16. Motion by Commissioner Perno to approve items 8&9 on the consent agenda. Second to the Motion: Commissioner Peebles On Vote: Perno aye Peebles aye Vandergrift aye Warrick aye Nelson aye Motion passed: 5-0 OLD BUSINESS Item # 11. Discussion only pertaining to Accessory Structures. The Mayor addressed the item, asking ift the commissioners had any feedback. Commissioner Warrick said he hadn't received many comments from residents on this one. Commissioner Peebles would like more specificity about what a portable storage unit is and the period oftime it can be kept on the property. Otherwise, he was pleased with what he saw as he read through it. Item # 12. Discussion only of Chapter 46 Peddlers and Solicitors. Mayor Nelson addressed the item, asking for feedback from the commissioners. Commissioner Peebles - feels this might be the right move because it reduces the time it takes to approve aj permit. Regarding the blanket $1000 dollars bond for all employees of an organization, is that SO that each individual person doesn't need to pay for their own individual permit? Mrs. Gainer confirmed, saying that this will also allow the city to track it a little better. Commissioner Vandergrift - is the proposed cost $60? Does that cover the fingerprinting also? Mrs. Gainer confirmed. NEW BUSINESS Item # 13. Discussion and possible approval to award the contract installing turn lanes on 9th Street at HW-77 intersection to Emerald Coast Striping. Mr. Baker explained the item. The Mayor opened the floor to the Commissioners for comment. There were none. Motion by Commissioner Peebles to award the contract installing turn lanes on 9th Street at HW-77 intersection to Emerald Coast Striping. Minutes from the City Commission meeting called February 25, 2025, at 5:30 P.M. Page 4 Second to the Motion: Commissioner Perno The Mayor opened the floor for comments from the public. Mr. Scray asked at what point DOT will be made aware of it SO they can have appropriate time to adjust the lights. Mr. Baker said it is the county that adjusts the lights, and they will work with them on that. On Vote: Peebles aye Perno aye Vandergrift aye Warrick aye Nelson aye Motion passed: 5-0 Item # 14. Discussion and possible approval to award the bid for the Well 5 Rehab to A.C. Schultes of Florida dba Rowe Drilling. Mr. Lightfoot explained the item and said that pages 55 and 56 should not have been part of this package. The Mayor opened the floor to the Commission for comments. Commissioner Peebles asked ifthis falls within budget. Mr. Lightfoot confirmed. Motion by Commissioner Peebles to award the bid for the Well 5 Rehab to A.C. Schultes ofFlorida dba Rowe Drilling. Second to the Motion: Commissioner Perno The Mayor opened the floor for comments from the public. There were none. On Vote: Peebles aye Perno aye Vandergrift aye Warrick aye Nelson aye Motion passed: 5-0 Item # 15. Discussion and possible approval of emergency purchase of one (1) floating decant weir assembly for the Wastewater Treatment Facility from Aqua Aerobic Systems. Mr. Lightfoot explained the item. The Mayor opened the floor to the Commission for discussion. Commissioner Warrick - we know this is a big deal SO please keep us updated on the progress. Motion by Commissioner Perno to approve of emergency purchase of one (1) floating decant weir assembly for the Wastewater Treatment Facility from Aqua Aerobic Systems. Second to the Motion: Commissioner Peebles The Mayor opened the floor for comments from the public. There were none. On Vote: Perno aye Peebles aye Warrick aye Minutes from the City Commission meeting called February 25, 2025, at 5:30 P.M. Page 5 Vandergrift aye Nelson aye Motion passed: 5-0 Item # 16. Approval to appoint Mr. Doolittle to the Planning Commission Board. Commissioner Warrick said he thinks this is the first time this has happened since he has been on the commission where there have been two applicants. He has spoken to both of them. He feels it should be based on who we think the best person is for the position. They are both outstanding individuals and would both be great candidates. He feels it should also be advertised and get as many people as possible, and the commission should sit and talk with them. Commissioner Perno said hel had received an email from Ryan Scray about someone who was qualified, and he had a call from Mr. Clubbs. This is supposed to be decided by the commission and not the staff. Commissioner Peebles is just happy that there is more than one person wanting to volunteer for these positions. He: is undecided about the best way forward as everyone has good points. He wondered if they should delay this until they figure out a process. Commissioner Warrick didn't know either of them until he sat and talked to them this week. Commissioner Perno said the other person is okay for the person that is being nominated this time as long as he is up for the nomination next time. Commissioner Warrick feels they should table this one until they have all met with the applicants. Then after this the commission should decide the process going forward. The Mayor explained the process the city currently follows with using the board ofadjustments (BOA) as the holding bay for applications to the Planning Board. Mrs. Gainer also explained the process of serving on the BoA until an opening comes up in the Planning Board. Every applicant will go into the queue on the BoA until their turn comes up for the Planning Board. Commissioner Peebles asked if they could make a motion to appoint Mr. Doolittle and then also approve Mr. Clubbs as the official next person. The attorney asked if they wanted to know if they could appoint Mr. Clubbs the Member in Waiting. Commissioner Peebles confirmed and Mr. Cole Davis said yes, the process is what they decide iti is going to be. Commissioner Warrick asked if this process is written anywhere or ifit is just something they have always done. The mayor asked the city manager to write the process down SO they can look at it for the next commission meeting. Commissioner Perno asked if the person who applied will go on the BoA in the meantime? Mrs. Gainer confirmed, saying that she would them be after Mr. Clubbs in the queue. Commissioner Warrick asked the other commissioners if they feel they had enough information to decide now. Commissioner Perno said that the next in line has advised that Mr. Doolittle is the best qualified, SO he is more than confident in Mr. Doolittle and the current process. Commissioner Warrick said he feels it should not be based on tenure but rather the next qualified person for the position. Commissioner Perno said he feels confident in Mr. Doolittle seeing as the next alternate had advocated that he would be the best person for the job. Commissioner Perno would also like to name Mr. Clubbs as the Member in Waiting. Motion by Commissioner Warrick to Table till the next meeting SO all Commissioners have an opportunity to talk to both applicants. Second to the Motion: Commissioner Vandergrift The Mayor opened the floor to the public for comments. Minutes from the City Commission meeting called February 25, 2025, at 5:30 P.M. Page 6 Mr. Scray read from the city manager's email. He also said he trusts the commission judgement. What happens if someone from the community services board wanted to apply? The Mayor said it is based on the date that the person originally applied for the actual Planning Commission. Mr. Scray asked which boards are appointed by the entire commission versus which boards are appointed individually by a commissioner. Mrs. Gainer said the Surtax, Financial Review, Charter Committees are all appointed by individual commissioners. Mr. Beshearse - feels it is great to have multiple people applying for this job. It feels important to take the most qualified person. He has no doubt Mr. Doolittleis well qualified fori the Planning Board. Mr. Beshearse said itis his understanding that the Chairman ofthe Board of Adjustment had resigned as well SO that position will need to be filled as well. Mr. Beshears clarified that even though the commissioners each appointed a member to eth of the committees, they still needed to be brought before the board to be voted on. Both the Mayor Nelson and City Manager Gainer confirmed. The city attorney clarified when the agenda item is being tabled till a time indefinitely or a time certain. Commissioner Warrick said to table it to the next meeting. On Vote: Warrick aye Vandergrift aye Perno aye Peebles aye Nelson aye Motion passed: 5-0 Item # 17. Adiournment. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 06:32 P.M. APPROVED THIS 21h DAYOF MAR 2025. Aubyh Jesseelson, Mayor ATTEST: - fldhkey Ques Vickie Gainer, City Manager prepared by Cicelia Rushing