Call to order I call to order this City Council meeting for March Third 2025 roll call may or do you present Councilwoman Gillis here Councilman Thomas here Councilwoman Dalbo here Inherent City manager Thurman present City Attorney Wolf here city clerk's Latinac president. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance. Please remainA is pulled from the agenda. Item 3. May I ask that 7a be also pulled? Item 7A which reads as Council purchase order number 11753 Trade Wind Power Court. Is there a consensus to remove that from this meeting? Seeing consensus item 10A is fooled along with 7A. Does Does 10a have a date? Certain or we're just pulling it until a future date? I'd say a date to be certain at this time. Did we pull it or who pulled it? It's stated on my agenda at this time that it says item 10a is pulled from the agenda. Is this correct information? It is enough. That is not correct. I might have meant to put 7A I apologize. I apologize about that mistake but speaking of item 10A I would like to have consensus to pull this from the City Council, regardless. I apologize that I should have been 7a, that's what's listed on my agenda. But at this time, I've met with this developer before. He's a local. I went to contact him because I had a couple questions. I'm then I normally do before I have any kind of voting matter and he much has changed his cell phone number because I've met with him at meetings before. I went to the side and have a couple questions. So I haven't been able to get in contact with him. I tried to contact him on Friday and Thursday last week. So I like to get the proper contact information and I'd like to have consensus to pull this. Did you ask Ryan about, with his contact information? I did not. So now we pulled it last agenda meeting because Councilman Gillis, were you able to reach out to them with your questions? I was not able to get in contact with them. Did you have their, did you ask Ryan for a contact number? No, I had the one that I had on file and I couldn't get a little bit of it. I reached out to Ryan and got the contact information and I did follow up with questions that I had. I'm just, if you guys want to pull it, that's fine, but I reached out to Ryan. I got the number and I spoke with him he answered all the questions that I had so I was kind of hoping just to move forward but if you need more time to continue I would just suggest me be getting the contact information from Ryan so I had the contact information like I said no call to go through so I make a motion that we table item 10 which reads this following Fp201 request or final apply to Pril some earn a creek preserve at 78 lock residential subdivision. Well the mayor should have made the decision. Yeah, I'm going to pass the gavel and make the motion at this time. There was a second. Please call the roll. So this second was the vice mayor who since you passed the gavel cannot make the second. Okay, I apologize. I'll second. Roll call. It's gonna be table to the next roll. Mayor DePueh? Yes. Councilwoman Gillis? Yes. Councilman Thomas? Yes. Councilwoman Darbo? No. Okay. Is there a motion at this time as well to pull item 7a from the agenda? I moved. Okay. I moved that we pulled 7a from the agenda. Second. Roll call. Mayor DePueh. Yes. Councilwoman Gillis. Yes. Councilman Thomas. Yes. Councilwoman Dalbo. Yes. Item 3. Approval of the minutes. None at this time. Proclamation's plaque certificates of donation none at this time item five citizens comments This is a time for the public to come forward with any comments they may have this is comments relating to any agenda matter Maybe made at the time the matters before the council. Please state your name and address and please limit your comments to three minutes or less. Yes, my name is Autslac. 3031 on Brother Trees Drive, Edgewater, Florida. I really wish I knew the meeting that had prior was happening. I would have been here. And yes, I think we're just spinning wheels. Okay, majority of the people I talk to, they basically want to keep the status quo quiet. Not like Daytona Orlando or Tallahassee or any other places. You see how busy it's getting out there now? We can't even control that, okay? But, and I think you will write on the right start, but majority of people don't want it. Looking people right now, there is a lot of people that are out there. We tie a construction workers like myself and a lot of other tradesmen just like myself and they help the elderly people. They help it. We don't have to put a committee together. It's already happening on the outside by decent citizens. What we have to do is just correct the problems we have here now. One of the questions I have here and maybe somebody could tell tell me, I didn't hear anything, I only found out a little bit from the American Legion in Edgewater that they have invoiting for April 1st over there. Where else is April 1st voting going on? Now they referred to the supervisor of elections. So you don't know. is voting going on. That would be referred to the supervisor of elections. So you don't know. Okay. Then I want to know, I understand that February we were going to start addressing the trees down the canals and all that. and we were going to put it in the laps of the power company and they still haven't been around. We have trees that need to be taken care of. These are the things that we are paying taxes for and should be addressed and done completed. We have new equipment that can turn around and go down a canal and with our three people cut them down and get it out of the way before they fall down and then we have more flooding going on. I've seen a little bit of addressing of the water lettuce. It's just migrating more and more and that'll come back to haunt us also. Nothing's being done. We're not even taking care of the problems we have. We're trying to make more problems. Thank you, sir, for your call. I'll be right back R&D Drive. I've seen that you're doing a great job with the canal system on mango. Everything's chopped down, looking good. But I also have a problem, the same problem I came here last week with, with my neighbor building in his yard. You did call me today, Charlotte, with very nice, thank you very much. I'm just wondering, how was this guy getting away with this? Who signed the permit and who looked at this job before everything was done? Now they put three truckloads of concrete. Where are we standing at this moment and who signed that permit? Without any looking at what the job was, he put it right in the middle where the water goes. They used to clear that out with a machine when I moved there because the fence was there and they would clear it out. Oh now it's all taken down and it's all moved where he wants to put his wall right in the flow of the water. I want to get with somebody who knows who signed that permit. Any of you who's signed that permit? No one knows who's signed that permit? Thank you, sir, for your job. I got one minute left. Did anybody you know who signed that permit. Thank you sir for your call. I'm listening to this time. I got one minute left. Does anybody know who signed that permit? Sir, I gave you my phone number last week. It did not receive a call. If you would like to get to the bottom of that, I would please request a call. And we can see how far we can get it. Does anybody have signed the permit? Sir, I really at this time, it's your time to address the council if you could give me a call. Okay, well, I'll get your number. I'll be calling you and thank you for the call. And we'll see. When I know Ryan's signing the permit. We'll get to the bottom of it. Okay, I will. That's what I'm here for. Thank you very much. Thank you, sir, for your comments. It's appreciated. Hello. My name's Eric McPherson. I live down at 162 Jones Fish Camp Road. I'm the event director for the Florida Saltwater Fishing Expo, and I'm just coming up here to see if I can seek support from Edgewater City. You know the event brings together anglers small businesses or you know related to the fishing industry enthusiast captains industry professionals and you know I just want to look and see if I can get support from the city to maybe put up some median signage to promote the event. I would love to highlight your support at the expo as well. You know your involvement with our coastal conservation. How good the fishing is in this area you know such and so forth. You know providing an opportunity to showcase the city and its commitment to the fishing industry. It's really about it. I don't really know who to contact for that either. I think I spoke with you diesel a little bit about it but since then we haven't heard anything so. Thank you for your comments. I gave your contact information to the city manager so I'll make sure to get with him a couple of comments that I have about that. Thank you. Yes sir. Thank you. I'll call you this week. All righty. Thank you sir. Say no for- Thank you. I'll call you this way. All right. Thank you, sir. Seeing no further citizens comments, item 7, the consent agenda is our motion to approve the consent agenda. Item 7A was pulled off of the consent agenda. I move that we approve the consent agenda roll call Mayor de Pueh yes councilwoman Gillis yes councilman Thomas yes councilman Dalbo yes Item eight you skip six. I Apologize item six, Councilman Thomas. I attended the workshop Thursday night. We had over 50 people. It was good. Like I said, everybody participated here, but I was happy with it. I can't wait to see the results. Now you said the next meeting is more 17th. Did she tell say that? Yes, sir. Yes. I'm probably not going to be here because my grandson getting married in Atlanta on the 16th. So we're going to come back Monday, but I don't know if I'll be here or not. I want to let y'all know if you want to move the meetings. I'll be glad to attend, but I'm going to make it back on the 17th. Congratulations, your grandson. Councilwoman Doble. I have nothing at this time. Councilwoman Gillas. I'm going to have a walk. I didn't have any last couple of times. I'm kind of compounded. So I attended the upward trend Academy fundraiser, attended ethics training. I'm going to have a walk. I didn't have any last couple of times. Kind of compounded. So I attended the upward trend academy fundraiser. I attended ethics training. I attended Edge West, Edge Fest, Peta Paloza. I attended Edgewater Public's Title I meeting and their science night. It's in several local SAC and PTA meetings. I attended the BluShit County Q Economic Breakfast. I attended the Habitat for Humanity fundraiser fundraiser as well as spent time with Jeff Thurman, raising several walls on a habitat for human... economic breakfast. I attended the Habitat for Humanity fundraiser as well as spent time with Jeff Thurman raising several walls on a Habitat for Humanity built-day last month. I attended the Friends of the Edgewater Library Board meeting and they're always looking for members and they also provide scholarships to local children. I attended a Florida League of Cities Advocacy Committee meeting. I attended the State of the County with Mayor DePueh. I attended the first annual Volusia County State of the Schools Address. I also attended a opening game day at the Oak Hill Sports Club with Mayor DePue and I met with several residents about different issues. I did attend the Princess Ball and I wanted to thank staff, specifically Jason, Amy, Javier, Cameron, Donovan, Jeff and, and all the police and fire that all kind of came out and joined forces. It was a lovely event and raised money for a local scholarship fund, and I always love to see that. And then I have a, and that's what I have as far as my report, but I do have a couple things I wanted to bring up at the end. I wanted, I had some concern people who asked me for updates on the new public works facility. I wanted to see if I could get an update coming up on that and where that was moving along. Certainly. So I would like to have some information on that. And then I also, another one, I wanted to, I don't know if it would be a consensus thing, but I wanted to see if we could also, as far as the investigative report, have the investigator reach out to everybody, they questioned to ask if they had discrepancies because we've had people reach out here at meetings saying that they have issues with some of the things that were in the report, but I've also had other people approach me privately that said they were not happy with the things that were said that they said as well. So I wanted to see if we could have them reach out to everybody to question for discrepancies and then have it brought back as amended by everybody. So there's nothing moving forward that any meal after the fact. I'm sure at a price I could ask how much it would cost to have them go back to to amend the report that they made mistakes in it. I mean, if we if we are of having multiple people who are interviewed saying they were having there was discrepancies. I mean that wouldn't that fall under an error on the road quarter? I just want I just want to see brought out. I mean I can have Aaron look into it or somebody else look into it. I just I think that there was a lot of mistakes made. I'd be curious to see if it's going to come at a price. We spent nearly $16,000 on this investigation report. I would even like to have them come hold a workshop. But if it comes at a price, I think we've spent enough. I mean, we learned from our mistakes. I hope it never appears again. But yes, there's a lot of mistakes. I would be curious to see how the contract reads and what the manager has possibly unupdated the next council. I can also release the transcripts, the recordings of all the interviews if you would like that. Is there consensus for an updated the next council? Do I have consensus on releasing the transcripts, the recordings from the actual interviews? Yes. Beautiful. Yes, we have a public record. Beautiful. Please no participation at this time. And then two more things I wanted to see if we could also have an update like a follow up on the conversation that was happening with the DEB and the concrete cutting and where that was at, that's from updated from the last meeting. And then another issue I wanted to bring up again, I brought it up a couple of times and I wanted to, I mean, it's not really a consensus thing as far as you said, we would be moving forward on it. So I kind of, the future, I kind of wanted an update, but I brought up, we still have a lot of residents who are saying that they are, they're, I believe they're having meter issues. And I know we said that we were going to possibly look into that, you know, widespread people having issues are they reaching out to us with their addresses and the issue because every issue that's brought to my attention. It's brought to utilities and they have someone that's very good at checking those out. I would love those addresses and those names. I mean, I can tell you one off the top of my head where they sent somebody out. They said the meter was fine, but the people said that somebody was sent out and said they didn't have a leak, but there was, and then the next month it was fine. So I mean, it's sometimes there's people who are reporting these things and they're having issues and then it's a one off and everything goes crazy and then, but there's, the reporting is new leak and the next time it's fine. And when I brought it up to the, you know, prior management before I was told it was a new meter and that can't be the problem. So I mean, I would if I could have that address in that name, I will look into it and. Well, then as well because you said I was told before that I mean at a prior meeting that someone would be looking into that as to what it would cost for the future. So I just wanted an update on that. Okay, it'll be part of the rate study. There will be part of the rates that I as a cost for that. And that as well as I had also brought up looking into what it would cost for lack of literature of clearer water and then what would have to be done and would that be something we would be working on? We are bringing that forward with some options, generate study. So those are things that are still being worked on. I just wanted to clear the impact, because I haven't heard about it in a while, so I just wanted to bring it up again. It's a rate study portion. The DEP, the DEP concrete cutting, Sean would you address that please? Sean Moroni, interim, um, director of environmental services. Um, I mean, nothing's changed since last week. I sent a response back to the state. They're okay with us. Seven 60 days to inspect all the boxes and then come up with a plan from there on repairing them. Okay, I'm going to turn to your comments. As far as that goes I did have a few things related to that in a roundabout way. We're going through our cycle for budgeting. We're just coming up very soon. We talk about things we want to have explored every year when the utility bill comes around. We've asked a lot of questions with former management and directors, but we haven't received very much in the answers. This council gave direction to have SAP look at the cost difference between our garbage and privatizing. One of the things we brought forward, I don't know if it was publicly handled, but I did have a response, and I wanted to hold, potentially, a workshop to talk about our utility bill. Again, there's a few questions about the way we build itself. Can we add it to the tax roll? Our water and sewage like to do in other municipalities. How much revenue a year will it lose? What exactly the utility bill goes towards? Which I understand that that is during the rate study cycle. But a lot of the questions I think we could give directions before we go into the rate study. And I'm not here to say we're privatizing your garbage. I'm here to say we need to look into solutions because we've already asked a question about cost difference and we, I would love an answer. It's former management. I would love to explore what we have going as far as we're each other build. And I've had a lot of complaints lately, and I've received the images. The reveals of skyrocketed, doubled within the last two months. So I really would love to hold a workshop on that, to explore and talk about some variations and solutions about what we can't do and understand that would be our consultants job, but would still talk and get some answers and directions as far as the council's side does before we get on the right study. Look forward to it. Right, so there is consensus to hold a workshop at a date to be sorted. Yes. Okay, great. That is all I had at this time. Item seven, the consent agenda, item seven B has been approved. Item eight, public hearing, ordinances and resolutions. Item eight, a resolution 2025, R-03, Mark's amend budget for the fiscal year 2024 to 2025. Please read into the record. Resolution 2025-R-03 resolution to seek council of edgewater Florida adopting budget adjustments to the 2024-2025 fiscal year budgets and provider and effective date. Staff report Good evening mayor and council. I am here before you with a budget amendment Resolution 2025 R-3. I'm in the budget for the fiscal year 2425. The interim city manager and staff have performed a review of various matters that have occurred after the approval of the original budget and the roll forward budget amendment. The budget is amended at fun level and actually I think there's a PowerPoint. So, bear with us for just a moment. I had a management team member assist me with a really great presentation. I know there's a lot of detail when it comes to budget. And I walk you through a lot of the items, but sometimes the visual helps to explain some of what I'm discussing. Can you do the screen show if I've got a paper copy? I'm going to have to go to the next page. Somebody got some nice nails. I was thinking of a thing. That's how to light that color. All right, so thank you for bearing with us. So it's a little, not on the fuzzy side, but the resolution before you, there's a lot of detail. The overall budget amendment before you, it's amended at a fund level, which was attached as Exhibit A. And there was an additional detail schedule that was also attached to the agenda to assist in providing further clarification on budget amendment items. So, attached to the agenda was a whole lot of detail. Again, I think the pictures worth a thousand words. The total budget amendment before you this evening is 17 million six hundred and fifty five thousand two hundred and ninety eight dollars. Keeping in mind that there is eight million three hundred and ninety nine thousand three hundred and forty nine dollars of just transfers to capital projects and internal service funds for a total increase in expenditures of nine $9,255,949. So for internal tracking purposes, good portion relates to transfers within the funds. The funds that are identified to cover the additional costs that is included within this budget amendment include $6,763,941 of externally funded sources, such as grants and ARPA Economic Impact Fund. On the next slide. So on the next slide here, you see additional detail related to just the general fund. The general fund is being amended for various items. Special election costs, $16,000, $350. The city received an additional $50,348 in transport revenue from the county, and the fire department is using that to purchase bunker gear for its new employees. There was additional public safety overtime that we've projected through the year year end of the year, additional need of 825,000 by the end of the current fiscal year, 537,000 for police and 288,000 for fire. We anticipate receiving approximately 190,000 in mutual aid to offset some of the police departments over time. The building department is in need of two additional vehicles, one additional vehicle, one replacement vehicle, estimated cost to be $61,814 of which the fund balance related to building permit revenue would be used to offset that cost. Whistle stop park, milling and asphalt driveway parking cost of 109,375 that was approved at the January 13th council meeting. We currently have an open project with FEMA, which is in the works, reserves would be used until and if FEMA funding is secured for that particular project. A reduction to the budget for the first-step shelter, 38,887, that would offset some of these costs. And the last budget amendment, we brought before Council and increased 300,000 for the comp plan and the land development code update. Use of reserves towards that. Community development department believes they'll be able to do the comprehensive plan update in-house for about 50,000 over time and so forth. But we are still actually evaluating the land development code, meaning adjust the budget again at a later date. The NRM city manager was directed through a consensus of council to add a part-time grants clerk. The annual amount is estimated to be 33,634 and the amount to cover current fiscal years about 19,000 that would be funded from other department vacancies. We have wage increases of 154,000, 421 that would be offset by health insurance savings. There'll be later slides and agenda items on those various items. So on, I'm sorry, funding sources identified for the items not offset by the expenses and savings health insurance covering the cost of wage increase 50,000 transport that was mentioned mutual aid building permit revenue. We also did receive 50,000 in property tax payments from the county. County BTR program was suspended, so there's actually a reduction of 21,000 to our budget. So the remaining portion that was not specific funds identified in the amount of 440,000, 621 use of general fund reserves on the slide three. So on some of the other funds that were included in the budget amendment, the mayor and council approved the purchase of a sniper rifle and accessories using funding from the special law enforcement trust fund of approximately 18,000 additional mounts needed for emergency traffic signal in front of the fire station 55. City has teamed up with F.DOT on this project. It's currently estimated to have a total estimated project cost of around 902 million. I'm sorry, 902 thousand, 898 dollars. The city's match would be 32.5% of the total project cost. The city has already matched 127,000 in the design phase project within the CRA fund that was previously identified for Hawks Park. Excuse me. It was originally identified as part of the whole pickleball. It was determined that CRA funds could not be used. So we're using that 300,000 reallocated towards that emergency traffic signal. That was a fire, fire chief Larisee, his department working with Sandy and FTOT to get that grant in progress. Additional costs for engineering services for CDBG sewer lining project and the amount of 58,500. 50,000 would be reduced from the construction amount of the project and the other 8,500 would be transferred from another project. Some of the larger items that you will see up here, there was a lot of grant funding that recently came about. So the 386, transform 386 CDBG grant projects are a couple of big hitters. Sandy worked with Sean and Environmental Services, our grants administrator, and the city was awarded Transform 386 CDBG grant for a stormwater canal armoring project. The total estimated project cost of this canal armoring is 4,150,000. Would receive grant funds totaling 3,717,000, of which the city matched portion, 1,797,000. The city already set aside a million of that at the beginning of the budget process into the grants fund from ARPA Economic Impact Fund. The additional 79,000 that is needed for the city match would be coming from ARPA Economic Impact Fund. Also in the 386 realm, the Environmental Services Department, Tynah, Randy, work with Sandy. The city is awarded Transform 386 for the flood-proofing and hardening of the wastewater treatment plant operations building. Total project cost is estimated to be 2.1 million. The grants fund would be in the amount of 1,575,000. City Match 525,000. City has already identified 525,000 of water and sewer projects for the match. The mayor and the interim city manager have applied for 1 million in house appropriations with one million city match. This appropriations as I understand it would be used for canal armoring. City staff will transfer the one million city match portion into the grants tracking fund so that it's earmarked specifically for that if awarded. The city was approved a grant funding for the vulnerability study in the amount of 75,000. This amendment just incorporates the budget for the grant revenue in the study expense. And then the city wishes to move forward with stormwater impact fee study estimated to be 20,000. So those are some of the larger items throughout other funds. We go to the next slide. So briefly mentioned related to the general fund, but citywide. So the interim city manager, Jeff Thurman, and the human resources director, Julie Christine, met with police and fire unions for the additional meeting that was discussed prior in prior negotiations. Due to Julie identifying budget savings for open positions and insurance cost savings, there was an agreed upon wage increase of 2% for police and fire. and this budget amendment also includes a 2% increase for all employees with the exception of the interim city manager. The related MOUs and the agenda items are included in the other business section later on the agenda this evening. Total cost associated with that budget amendment. Again, 2% increases related to cost savings of health insurance that would cover that cost so it's shifting amongst the line items. Citywide $222,437. Breakdown, Police Department $50,000, 277. Fire Department $46,655. All other general fund 57,489, Water & Sewer, 41,409, Solid Waste, 11,393, Stormwater, 9,000, IT 3000, Fleet, almost 3000. A couple of things came to right light recently, environmental, sorry, development services has been meeting with various development. There was an agreement that was made prior to this entire management team recently brought to light to existing management staff and to finance. So this was a, by the way, here's some additional information that you really should be aware of. So development agreement for park town industrial park requires the city to pay the cost of certain road and pond improvements. There will be three phases in the next few years. The first phase is estimated to be 1.4 million, of which 501,000 of the cost is eligible to be funded through transportation impact fee. The remaining 963, 941 for the stormwater ponds will be transferred from the ARPA Economic Impact Fund to the Stormwater Capital Projects Fund. The remaining two phases are estimated to cost an additional $3 million, of which $750,000 would qualify for the Transportation Impact V Funds. The remaining $2.3 million of the funds would need to be identified. Next. The development agreement related to the ComQuot extension will require approximately approximately 877,000 in transportation impact fee use. We do have the impact fees on hand to spend towards this project. We're currently incorporating 100,000 in the budget amendment brought before you for purchase of property related to this project. So that is all of the nitty gritty detail within the budget amendment before you. It's staff recommendation to approve resolution 2025 R-03 here in referred to as the March amended budget for fiscal year 2425. I would be happy to assist with any questions you may have. Thank you. When's the typical budget year approved? Okay. Okay. So we actually, we start working on the budget process. We actually have started internally all the department directors start reviewing their operating needs, their staffing needs, equipment. It's a budget typically approved for the year. So the budget is approved in the September public hearings. So OK, September,, typically. So, correct. This is what transparency's all about. Yes. I understand that there's a lot that's added through the year, but a lot of things I know as far as sitting on the council, I was told it was already budgeted for. So I'm not too thrilled about this. At this point in time, I'm gonna make the motion, I I'm going to pass the gavel to the vice mayor and do what we normally would do during a budget cycle. It's hold a special meeting for this agenda item. And I would love to have a second at this time. I think that this is a lot to process. It's a lot to hear through. I had time to look at this. Yes, 110%. It's a lot to digest. And I would like to have more time to hear the public comments on this. The agenda is posted publicly. Yes, I've received a lot of calls about this. And I think that the easiest and best way to effectively handle this is how we would normally do it during a normal budget cycle and hold a special meeting with public comments. So just a motion to table at times. Short side bars for as the impact to the items later in the agenda. they cannot be ratified until that happens because it's part of this mid-year. The ratifications for the Coastal Florida Police Benevolent Association, the Professional Firefighter International Association, Firefighters, local, those M.O.A.'s I can't afford. When was the last time we've done something like this? As far as ratifying and mid-budgeting? Ratifying to my knowledge, not since I've been here, that was not. So this is a big step and the residents look at their council meetings as far as public information. And I hold a lot of questions because the knowledge I've been giving as far as the mayor is not necessarily what aligned with what's been presented. So I have a lot of questions, which is my geogelogist's mayor to listen to and ask. and we had a meeting a month a week ago. And I just think that it's a lot of process. And... to listen to and ask. And we had a meeting a month a week ago. And I just think that it's a lot to process and vote on tonight when the public has heard this for the first time. Because my thing is, if you guys would like to move forward, we can move forward. I appreciate that. I did meet from my agenda review within term, same manager Jeff, Thurman, and he also had Bridget and Ryan there, you know, as the agenda review went on, four questions. They did answer a lot of my questions, so I appreciate that. It's a lot of information. I think it's quite so important that we always make sure that we take advantage of the staff when we can. Having said that, I don't know. Do we table it and table everything? Do you love it? That's what would have to happen. I would be okay with it. It would be I can't see the gavels. What did you say, John? I know, I said, he passed the gavel. So I can't say that. So I mean, I said I would suggest a motion. So I have not passed the gavel at this point in time. I would suggest that this be a special meeting. I think that the residents will have a lot of questions related to this. The agenda was posted publicly, absolutely, but potentially there's residents at home that cannot make it to this meeting, but would make it that are accounts. It's just my thing. I think there's a lot on the agenda that has to be done. The morale of the employees of this city is down. I know that for a fact, I've checked. And if we don't do something tonight, one of them is giving them a 2% raise, which I think is going to help in the morale of the builder. And the police will never say a station Flaitors. I can't support that. I want to, I'd like to move forward with that. Brigitte is, I've worked with her how many years? Excellent, excellent. I mean, I can, millions of dollars and you have to rob Peter to pay Paul. I worked for the state for 30 years. And it's hard. Her job is extremely difficult. And I think she does an excellent job. I agree. Oh, I think she does a great job as well. She's a great individual. It's my suggestion. So is there a motion on the table? Seeing no motion on the table, we will move forward with this discussion. Who would like to have comments first? How much is in our arpefunds total as of today? As of today? Yes. So I actually have a question. So I actually have that folder sitting on my desk. Do you mind taking either a two minute break or just giving me two minutes to run to my desk and back? Sure. I make a request that we will recess at 7 o'clock and come back at 7 o'clock. I'll go better and I'll go better and talk to you. Okay. We'll begin this meeting at 7 o'clock. Number 7 we're on item 8A resolution 2025 R03. Please remain discussion. How much is in our ARPA fund as of today this year? Absolutely. So the last update through the end of the last month end close, we had $3,9,339 dollars available within the ARPA economic intact fund. The budget amendment before you would be using 2,941, which would leave a remaining balance of 1.8 million in ARpefants. Thank you. Yes, sir. And then one other thing that was identified, I know, the union contracts that were up for agreement during the last negotiation, it was actually spelled out as it was brought before you, that there would be, that was not through finance, I guess that was the prior city manager, but it was within the terms of the contract that was before council in September. Yes, sir. Yes, please. Yes. Open a public citizen's comments. Please, perhaps a podium, say, your name and address. And please learn your comments three minutes or less about this agenda. We're none back to council discussion. I may that we approve resolution number 2025. Dash R, dash out three, March amended budget for the fiscal year, 2024, 2025. I would like to have, I mean, I didn't think you're going to move so fast for that. I mean, I do have some comments on budget as well. I mean, I have, I would like that to be more discussion about some of the other items. I mean, I understand the needs of the raises and Staff morale is there a way that we can move forward some of the items of tonight and not all of them and have the other for discussion later Is that something can be done? I think that would be a question for our touring It's legally possible. I don't know what kind of accounting issues or problems that would entail. So, legally it would be possible. Could be a little bit messy if you did want to move forward in that type of direction. I would recommend calling a recess for the amount of time that it would take to revise the exhibit and the additional detail for that resolution. Typically, it takes a bit of time to put one of these together. So I'm going to bring that up as an option because I mean, like I said, you want some more discussion about some of the items and I don't know what those items were on healing, but I know that I mean, I would definitely like to see. You could amend the motion by detailing the ones that you would like to show you. So, because of the amounts of ins and outs, transfers and so forth, if there were, and it depends on what specifically you're asking to have included or excluded, as far as how detailed or how lengthy a process it could be to make sure that we have our eyes dotted teeth crossed to make sure we have the exhibit and then the grand total change in budget before you correct. So typically we try to meet with all of the mayor and council prior to the meetings and have it posted to the website for any questions or concerns prior to the meetings so that we can clarify anything of concern. I believe we have also the directors available related to any items. We'd be happy to discuss with you this evening. That is something. You know, you know, which one do you want to exclude? One up. Well, my only issue is that we all had the opportunity to have a council review to go over all these questions and ask them. And now at the 11th hour, try to pull pieces together and repiece it. I think it's, I don't think it's not response, we weren't responsible or do diligence of learning what we need to learn before we came up here for the meeting. And I find lately, we're pushing things, pushing things because we don't have enough information, we need to ask more questions. But part of, I feel my opinion, being on council is coming to the council meeting ready to discuss and give options. I come here open-minded every time and I count on you as my fellow council members to give me information as we move forward on projects. But with something like this that's so important that we move forward on, we have to really do our due diligence and make the time to meet with our director heads and meet with our interim city manager. I mean, they're here. They put it out to us, you know, every, before every meeting, please set up an agenda review. First thing I do is do that, and I have a list of questions already after I print the report out because I want to come with as much information like hand and I you know the pay ass people said well how do you know this and how do you do that it's because I meet with I meet with my department heads I make phone calls I I want to learn as much as I can about everything's up here And I don't know everything but I I arm myself with as much information like hand so I come up here making a good choice I I'm not election. I just make you a good choice. You're spot on. Absolutely. And I think all of us have always done our due diligence. I always contact Jeff Thurman probably on a weekly basis which at all the time I ask a lot of questions. A lot of this has been added from what I thought was already taken care of, such as the grants department. I think it's a tremendous thing that we are looking and seeking grants. I think it's wonderful. I think it's great that we're seeking state appropriations. There's been a lot added and a lot more questions that I think that the residents would have. That we have the information to that necessarily they don't. And during a budget cycle, typically we have always had a special meeting. I have sat in that seat since I was 12 years old. And typically, when it's a budget item, it's always a special meeting or a workshop. And then the ordinance comes to the city council. That is typically how it works and how it works in other cities. I have always met with our department heads and our city manager. We have a great relationship, I think. We meet regularly to go to lunch and just talk about opportunities in the city of Edgewater. I had a lot of questions that were addressed, but there's a lot to this that has been added that I still have questions to and quite frankly the residents do as well. And I think that they should be here tonight absolutely, but I think public participation is always a key and typically when we have a budget item, we've always had a special meaning. It's just my opinion. Well, could we do this? Could we amend the motion to include the ratification of the police and the investigation, the ratification of the firefighters in the midterm? Wait. I'm in the motion to include the ratification of the police and the association, the ratification of our firefighters in the midterm wage adjustment, and then come back with all the rest of it. Our police and fire are no brainer. No brainer at all. And I think our grants department is as well. I mean, we have a great police and fire team. Right. But what I'm saying is we need to, if we don't do something tonight, then that's going to just send a message to these employees that we're not forming. We are forming because the employees make up this city. And we have very good employees. Absolutely. And I hate to see them around getting on the drain. And I would like to approve. I think he told me that the city manager said that those can't be approved without the budget amendment. Is that correct? That is correct. The way Florida statute is written, wages and the union contracts are written that the budget should be in place while it is line item transfers approved at budget level. We, you know, the insurance through to the wages. So we're recommending that it is formally approved. The only other item too that would be, I don't know how it would impact, but I believe they'd all have to go back for ratification. I'm not sure how that process because there's date specific within the MOU. I don't want to overstep or overspeak. It's my understanding they've been ratified by the unions. It's just asking the sign now by the mayor. Right. But the dates would have to change throughout the contract of. So the grants are no brainer also. You know, we want to do those with I think we need to do something before the discussion is there any further council comments? I think some of the items and I mean Debbie brought up a point about asking questions. I mean, the certain things, if we ask questions about, I mean, it doesn't necessarily mean that if we have an item of concern that that's still going to get pulled because if they feel they have the approval from everything, it's still going to move forward and come to Council. So, I mean, we can ask questions about a lot of things, and it still comes up for the vote and nothing changes based on our questions. So just kind of clear for that. I think asking the questions on each line item maybe give us a better understanding of why it's changing or why it's being amended. I mean they can give us an explanation of why things are there or why they're getting amended but I mean that doesn't doesn't mean we always agree as to what the items are there. I mean... Well, I think you have an emergency situation just like, I mean, when my air conditioner went out at my house, the air conditioner costed $12,000 now. And I had to make a budget amendment to do that. So I think there's a lot of things that came up unexpectedly, you know, these budget amendments were made. That's why you have a finance director to make these. Make it decision. I'd be happy to go through each of the line items with you. Are there any further comments? I'm fine with, I don't need a line item review but if anyone else on council does, I'll be happy to go through. I just agree about having more public participation on it, but I mean I don't have an issue with the wage increases for staff. I mean I would understand the need to have more public participation in some of these other larger items. Please, and fire in General Police, I think, is a great thing. Absolutely, I'm not ill-willing. Our grants department is a wonderful wonderful thing. We have raised, I don't know if the public knows this enough or not, over $30 million in grants have been brought back to the city. It's amazing and our grant writer is a tremendous individual at writing these grants. We get and all over the county for the collaboration. So I think the grants are wonderful. I'm not stating that whatsoever. I think our employees and police and fires should always come first and I would like to move forward to visiting the items and have a special meaning for the rest. How are you going to do that when if we don't approve the budget amendment? How are you going to do that? They said they can do it, but they have to take a short recess. How long have a recess do you think that you and me? Can you please clarify specifically what you are looking to move forward? I understand the wage increase, police, fire, and general employees. What additional are you looking to include in the budget amendment if I could get clarification on that? At this time I'd like to move forward with those three items. Just the three items. Okay.. Okay. Um, How can you do that if you don't make a budget? You said we couldn't do it, right? She said you can do it. So if it's just moving forward with police fire in general, I can reprint the exhibit for attachment and actually will be a net zero increase overall for each of the funds because we did identify insurance savings that would cover it so that would just be transferred among lie-dynops. So I can easily come back within five minutes roughly. We do that, Mr. if it's strictly the weekend we can hold on just one minute also how long of time time would that require, along with adding the grants in Greece? When you say adding the grants, that would be to... Everything on this that related to grants, that would take probably a half hour to an hour. Depending, there are a lot of grants that touch the storm water fund, the grants fund, the water and sewer fund, the corresponding transfer to the capital projects funds for water and sewer, the corresponding transfers that correspond to the storm water fund, the ARPA Economic Impact Fund, which is transferring portions of the match. The CRA fund related to the emergency traffic signal, the general fund related to that. The majority of this amendment actually before you was grants related and salary increases, grants hold on one moment. So we would not be moving forward with special election cost, fire gear for the fire department. Over time, over time, was okay. Building department vehicles. Let me just go through and find out. Building. Whistlestop Park project was approved at previous council. You would want that removed from the budget amendment. The- About this. Is there a motion to approve item 8A as a whole? I make that motion to approve resolution number 2025-R-03. I've already did that. The council member Thomas makes a motion. Is there a second? Roll call. Mayor DePieu? No. Councilwoman Gillis. And councilwoman Gillis? No. Who's there? No. Councilman Thomas? Yes. Councilwoman Daubeau. Yes. Emotion fails. I make a suggestion at this time because we need a little bit more time to research this that we hold a special meeting with public require at a date to be served right now. What day would you like that to be? How soon can the agenda be published? I need the minimum of 72 hours. I'll be going the week of the 9th through the 15th. I will not be able to end it until the next week. I really would like to be here for that. Okay. Missed 17th and I would like to be here for that. Okay and I'll miss a 17th and I would like to be here for that. I make the suggestion that we hold the workshop or special meeting I apologize on March 5th at 4 p.m. That would be 72 hours correct. Or would you need until Thursday? No, that would not be 7. Yeah, that's nearly 48. Okay. I wouldn't be able to. So I think Friday would be the earliest if you were to publish the agenda tomorrow. I will not be in town Friday. Okay. Okay. Next week. Deputy clerk. Step on. We don't have a deputy clerk. Did you want to do it on Friday. I make that suggestion. I can't say I can't who? I said I'm not supposed to be in town. What about could we not do it Monday? What day are you leaving? The 9th, that Sunday, for the entire week. week. We will open item 8a back for discussion. We'll take a brief recess and she can move forward with the police and fire negotiation along with general fund employee general fund. So just so that I understand we're just recessing and coming back for discussion or are you asking me to go back and amend anything? Correct. Recess for discussion you stated that you would come back with a three. That was the consensus, Kim, and the motion did fail. I'm reopening that back for discussion. So do we need to make the motion for it to move forward with those three items? Is that what we're looking for? That's the clarification I'm asking for is what exactly are you anticipating? A budget amendment. Re recessing to come back before you with a revised of support for the federal government to provide support for the federal government to provide a lot of support for the federal government to provide a lot of support for the federal government to provide a lot of support for the federal government to provide support for the federal government to provide a lot of support for the federal government to provide support for the federal government to provide a lot of support for the federal government to provide a lot of support for the fiscal year 2024 to 2025. Please read into the record again. Resolution number 2025-R. So 3a-A resolution of the City Council of Edgewater, Florida adopted budget adjustments to the 2024-2025 fiscal year budgets and providing an effective date. Thank you. We're going to go back to staff report. So walk you through the budget amendment as described. So before you this evening, as originally presented correct, was a budget amendment, if you want to bring up the first slide there. So citywide budget amendment of 17 million six no worries 17 million 655 thousand 298 of that amount there is 8 million 399,349 for transfers into capital projects and internal service funds. Additionally, there is 6.7 million of externally funded grants and use of ARPA funds to cover a lot of what is before you. General fund detail on the next slide. It includes the special election costs that was approved by Mayor and Council previously, bunker gear for the fire department, again approved by Mayor and Council, over time for police and fire, vehicles for the building department that would be covered strictly by the building permit revenue that is within the fund, reduction to first step shelter contribution that would help to offset some of these costs. Reduction to the land development code, Complan update of 250,000. Part-time grants clerk for 19,000 404 would be offset by savings of health insurance and vacancies within the departments. Wage increases within than general fund of 154,000, 421 that is offset by insurance savings. So health insurance came in lower than budgeted. So on this slide, a little bit a little bit busy. Special Enforcement Trust Fund funding 18,000 for a sniper rifle. The emergency traffic signal would be in front of station 55 and we're reallocating CRA funds for the city match portion of that grant. The CDBG sewer lining project, 58,500, just reallocation amongst that specific project along with 8,500 that was identified in another water sewer project. The 386 CDBG grant award of the total grant project city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the city of the, total project cost of $2.1 million. It's 1.5 million of grant funding and 525,000 of city match. So that's within the water and sewer fund projects. The House appropriations for Canal Armoring, we had described 1 million, bless you, of funding from appropriations that we would receive. The other one million city match would be coming from that ARPA Economic Impact Fund, which is why the balance was requested. So that would be coming from that funding source. The vulnerability study, we have grant fundings to cover the full cost of that project and 20,000 for the city to move forward with the stormwater impact fee study. So that covered some of those major grant and ARPA economic impact fund uses. So then again, here the 2% mid-year adjustment for wages. The bargaining unions, police and fire had negotiated with the prior management to go back to the negotiating table just for wages in January. We were able to identify through discussions, savings within the health insurance line items and vacancies to cover that cost. And then the next slide. Now for park town industrial park. So this was one that came before us recently that is 1.4 million is what is being brought before you at this moment in time of that 1.4 million. 500,000 is transportation impact fees and then the additional 963,941 is coming from ARPA Economic Impact Fund. The remaining two phases will be before you and re-evaluating the funding sources. And then the next slide. In the budget amendment, before you, also there is 877,000 estimated costs for the Cum quadot, all of which would be transportation impact fee funded of this budget amendment were asking for 100,000 in the budget amendment to move forward with purchase of a property. So that covers all of the major areas. I would be happy to answer any of the questions Recommended approving resolution 2025 R-03 I want to start out by saying I apologize to my fellow council members as you say did you need to come prepared? There was a few things that were added to this presentation During my time of speaking city manager I wasn't aware of one of the things I was not aware of was I had a couple questions about ones as far as our appropriations. I wanted to make sure that there was no burden to the taxpayers. I want to be clear that is being approved by ARPA funds. This is being approved by impact fees. There is not a single tax increase for this fiscal year. The upcoming budget year is still approaching. We'll cross that bridge when we get there, but I would never support a tax increase. Number one, number two, I had some unanswered questions that were added and for that I do apologize. We're as good as the information we're given and all of you guys do a tremendous job, especially our inter-city manager or letting us know what is occurring and going on. So I'm not saying it's anybody's fault. I do apologize. And I'm not saying it's anybody's fault. I do apologize, and with further review, that this is not going to be a burden at all to our taxpayers. It is paid by impact fees, credits, along with existing ARPA funds. And it's a 0% increase across the board. It has already been budgetized for several months years now through approval of grants. It's already been budgetized for the year, but it just has to come back for approval. And the only thing that was not was police and fire, getting negotiations broke that way for some reason by former management. But it had to come back for discussion no matter what. There's a 0% increase on taxes. It's already money we already have by the taxpayers. And there's no increase. I apologize that I had a couple of onions for questions I normally do come prepared. So I apologize for that. And it has my support. We have a great staff and we need to move forward. So Bridget has also clarified my questions as well. So I would like to make a motion to have it be reherred. Yes and if there's a second in that passes then you would vote again on the resolution. So there's a motion to have the item re-heard for a reconsideration. Is there a second? Second. I'll go to the second. You can second. Okay, I'll second. Yes, you can. A roll call. Mayor DePueh. Yes. Councilwoman Gillis. Yes. Councilman Thomas. Yes. Councilwoman Dalbo. Yes a motion to approve resolution 25-R-03, March amended budget for fiscal year 2024- 2025. call. Second. Roll call. Just to clarify, this was the original or... Original. Original. It's not reviled. Okay. Mostly I wanted to make sure of what I was having side. Thank you. Mayor DePue. Yes. Councilwoman Gillis. Yes. Councilman Thomas. Yes. Councilwoman Dalbo. Yes. Item 9. Board appointments. None of this time. Item 10A has been table to this time item 10 B ratification of the coastal Florida police been living association. That's a mouthful PDA and Miranda of agreement staff report. The subject is the ratification of the coastal Florida police Meville and associationorandum of Agreement. In the Coastal Florida Police Benevolent Association, PBA, Collective Bargain Agreement, the following was addressed for the FY 2425 budget. Article 294, Wages for Physical Year, Fiscal Year 2020,-25. The city agrees to meet with the PBA in January of 2025 to discuss possible additional pay increases for the fiscal year 2024-25. This shall not be considered a reopening of this agreement. Any agreement reached through the meeting and discussion process will be subject to ratification by both parties. After further discussion negotiation, a 2% pay increase was negotiated and agreed upon, including increasing the minimum pay range by 1% and the maximum pay range by 2%. Recommended action, motion to approve the PBA memorandum of agreement for fiscal year 24, 2425 and authorized the mayor to execute the agreement. It hasn't been ratified by the union. Thank you. Citizens comments. Council comments. Yes, I have. I met with Chief Money about our staffing and what did you tell me you're down five officers. How many officers are you down? We're fully staffed. Sorry about that. We are fully staffed currently, but we have officers that are out either workers comp or FMLA and training. What you told me you needed five, right? Because the staff of the future. So our staffing study indicated we need approximately 10 police officers to have the appropriate staffing level. We were discussing overtime and the increase in our overtime budget and since we're set essential personnel when somebody is out for whatever reason we have to backfill the position with overtime. So if the city were to allocate more personnel it could reduce the potential overtime. So long story short. And then you told me me that at a 16 cities in which county were what halfway down the list and the pay comparison that while we're having problems. So currently with this pay increase we're probably somewhere in the middle. I don't know know the exact number, probably five or six. Sir, how much is your overtime for the year? They pay your officers for strictly just overtime. Do you happen to know that? Well, the finance director just mentioned that he was 500,000 bridges, that correct? That was the needed increase. So some of that is reimbursable. So like we deploy for hurricanes, the city's gonna get approximately 100,000, 190,000 back for the overtime that was incurred during that deployment, plus the use of our equipment. But typically it's running somewhere around 3, 5, 500 in between that range depending on what occurs. But the real problem is it's the whole point of this conversation for me is we don't have enough staffing, enough allocated staffing. We've been full staff for five years. We attract personnel, we have a good police department. The problem is when somebody is out sick, somebody's on vacation, somebody's out of FMLA, or a workers' compensation, we have to force overtime in. And that affects morale. So if we have the proper allocated staffing, we therefore then can reduce overtime. I want to go on the 12th of a cracker if say I'm going to report another raid for the police officer to get it back up there where we belong. Always sure you're going to be one of the lowest paid and most kind last year in Clive. What's the good conversation? And the fact that we were to hire two new officers that would cut her overtime out, and potentially it would pay for themselves. So for the patrol division, if we just hired four police officers, if somebody were to call out sick or be on vacation, we wouldn't have to backfill that position. We have the same mandatory staffing level as when I walked on the door in 2003. So it's been 22 years and we have the same mandatory staffing level and it needs to be increased. Our workload has increased significantly as well as our population and it's about what level of service we want to provide. So if we can reduce our level of service which I don't want to do. So we need to allocate positions very quickly. Thank you, Chief. Seeing no further comments. Is there a motion to do? I move that we approve. The Revocation has the Cultural Police, the Neville Association, PBA, memorandum of the Green. Second. Roll call. Mayor DePio. Yes. Councilwoman Gillis.Pueh. Yes. Councilwoman Gillis. Yes. Councilman Thomas. Yes. Councilwoman Dalbo. Yes. Okay. Item 10C ratification of Edgewater Professional Firefighter International Association of Firefighters, IAFF, local 4575, Lieutenant Driver, Engine and Firefighter, and Random of Agreement. That was easier to say, staff report. In the Edgewater Professional Firefighters, International Association of Firefighters, IAF local 4575, collected the Barrier Agreement. The following was addressed for FY 2024 25, article 29 wages. For physical year, 20, 2024, 25, the city agreed to meet with the IAFF in January of 2025 to discuss possible additional pay increases for fiscal year 2425. This shall not be considered a reopening of this agreement. Any agreement reached through the meeting and discussion process will be subject to ratification by both parties. After further discussion, a 2% increase was negotiated and agreed upon, including increases to the minimum pay range by 1%, and a maximum pay range by 2%. Motion to approve the Edgewater IAF, Lieutenant Driver Engineer Fire Frouder Memorandum of Agreement for Fiscal Year 2024-25 and authorize the mayor to execute the agreement. This was also ratified by the members of the Union waiting for signature and approval. Thank you, sir. Citizens comments? Council comments. We have a great fire department. Glad we're here discussing this. Is there a motion to approve? I think a motion to ratify of Edgewater Professional Firefighters is an international association of fire fighters, I-A-F-Local, 47, or 45 75 second roll call Mayor DePueh yes councilwoman Gillis yes councilman Thomas yes councilwoman Dolbo yes I have a comment on that when I first moved here the fire department was all all volunteer. There was no pay at all. And oh my gosh, one of the reasons I moved here was the forces two lights celebration that they put on across. They had the barbecue, barbecue chicken. We had the grease, poles, and we had an old-fashioned forces of light celebration. I I'm really really proud of where we evolved. Thank you. Chief Larersey. There are great stories about that celebration. Item 10D, mid-year adjustment on wage increases and amendments to the minimum and maximum pay grade for General Police. Staff report. For all General Management and General Non-Management employees excluding the interim city manager, the city has agreed that effective the beginning of the first full pay cycle after approval of this agenda request by City Council, all eligible employees shall receive a 2% increase in their hourly rate of pay. Employees are not eligible for this increase till they have successfully completed their new higher probation and have been deemed a regular employee. For all general management and general non-management employees, the city has agreed that affected the beginning of the first full pay cycle after approval of the Cegender request by City Council the minimum pay range shall be increased by 1% and the maximum pay range shall be increased by 2%. I'll recommend that action motion to approve the mid-year increase and amendments to the minimum and maximum pay grade for general management and general non-management employees for fiscal year 2425. Thank you. Citizens comments? Council comments? I'm going to go on record saying it I am going to support in the future of another wage increase for our CDL drivers. I talked to a garbage truck driver the other day and they're making $17 an hour which is ridiculous. That's a CDL life and what is happening is the other companies UPS and other companies are coming there in higher for a higher wages and we're losing good employees. So I'm really, really going to support that. I'm also going to support hiring of a deputy clerk. I think Bonnie is overworked and I think we really need that. And we'll count on Thomas how we're going to get this money. I would like to see us raise the impact fees on 11,000 future homes to double or triple, you know, and then we will have some money because this city, as long as I have been here, has always been about money, you know. And I I think if they wanna move here, then they can pay us and that will help with the police department, the fire department, and the city, the general fund, and the paving of the streets and everything. So I'm really gonna push that. So that's my comment. Well Council member, I agree. We have a lot of great employees and we're always learning from our mistakes in the past and how to better ourselves. We're not up there with other municipalities like you stated for a lot of CDL. I want to say that this was already approved before or talked about before and budgeted. This will not be any kind of tax increase or anything like that. It's already been established in the budget for the year, but just needs to become before reading. Are there any further comments? Is there a motion to approve? I think a motion to approve the mid-year adjustment on waging freezes and amendments to the minimum and maximum pay grade for general employees Roll call Mayor to pew yes councilwoman Gillis yes councilman Domus yes councilwoman Dolbo yes Item 10E provide direction regarding sentiment related to a motor vehicle accident that occurred May 28, 2022 Clay number 39 613134. Staff report. Yes, Mayor and Council. This claim is in pursuit, so they have not filed a lawsuit yet. But by way of background, back in May of 2022, a mark to the ambulance operating with emergency lights and sirens and transporting the patient. This is probably northbound on Nova Road and Daytona Beach. It entered the intersection at Bellevue Avenue without slowing. Nester Reyes was traveling westbound on Bellevue Avenue with the green line as he approached Nova Road. In front of his vehicle, struck the passenger side of the ambulance in the intersection. And Mr. Reyes sustained injuries to his right knee, right leg neck and back. He incurred approximately $21,000 in medical expenses. Mr. Reyes passed away in early 2023 due to issues unrelated to this accident. So Mr. Reyes' state made a demand for $250,000 and the matter was brought before the Council on February 5, 2024. With a recommendation from the city's insurance carrier to make a counteroffer of 25,000 to settle the claim The council authorized The insurance company to settle the claim for 25,000 But that offer was rejected by the claimant the claimants council recently we do their demand to 40,000 down from 250,000 and your insurance company recommends that the city offer 35,000 to settle the claim. So I'm looking for a motion authorizing the city's insurance company to settle the claim for 35,000 and I'll try to answer any questions you might have. Thank you. Citizens comments? Council comments. Is there a motion to approve? I don't have the verbiage for me. I make a motion to approve the city to make a counteroffer of $35,000 and a lawsuit against the ambulance. Second. Roll call. Mayor DePueh. Yes. Councilwoman Gillis. Yes. Councilman Thomas. Yes. Councilwoman Dalbo. Yes. I'm 11. Officer Reports. I'm 11 a city clerk. I think I really have his last Tuesday. We have the first city manager search committee meeting. It was I just go over what they would be doing. The recruiter from SGR gave a presentation, basically on how the process would work. At that time, we had 22 applications. I've not had an update since then, so that was the number of applications since last Tuesday. We do have two more meetings with the committee scheduled. There will be one April and March and April and a March and then one in April. And if we need to do more, we'll adjust. But that's what we have at this point. That's all I have. Thank you. City Attorney. Yes, just real quickly, I wanted to make the council aware of a new lawsuit that was filed against the city by a Paul Camp and Deborah Camp. They alleged that honor about the number 13, 2023. They were driving in their 2006 Chevy Cobalt, traveling on Coco Palm Drive, approaching its intersection with Mariners Gate Drive, to an edge water, and at that time, they hit a manhole that was sunk into the asphalt, which caused them to be hung around inside their vehicle in the engine. So I'll be defending the city and the latest lawsuit. That's all I have. I have a comment for Mr. Wolf. I don't know if you all have got it, but I got a letter that he responded to the Volko Southern vision on the did when we denied their second phase of class and he did an excellent job. I read it while I guys. So I want to thank you for doing that. And I thank you to do an excellent job right in that. Thank you, my pleasure. City Manager. I had put a hard copy of my CM report in your mailboxes, also tried to email them to you as well. Beyond what's listening to report, I would like if Orion would you give us a little update on how the last two meetings went and what you see coming forward. So we had the two workshops this last week. We covered the future land use element housing and transportation. We had roughly about 50 people in attendance based on the attendance sheet across both Thursday and Saturday. And based on my familiarity of the people, it looks like about 40 of them were city of edgewater residents. And so we're going to keep moving forward. Staff will likely come back to the Council, so staff can get back to 250,000. will come back to ask the council for help on the land development code in the immediate future. Comments, I know 50 sounds like a lot, but it kind of like with our visioning statements. We don't get the input and we've put banners in the mediums, social media, everything of the sky writing, and we're trying to get that input. So please, please, please, I'm begging you to hear if you're hearing me in your living room or in your car, please come to the next vision or the next meeting that Ryan held or anybody out here, please, we need your input. We will be- Did you have on Saturday? We had 12 on Saturday. I mean, 12. But you had 50, 30, right? 38, we had- 38, yeah. We have a population of over 25,000. So we will be doing the banners in the right of way. Again, we have a queue up for another utility bill flyer again. So we will be advertising. These people are helping make shaping the city of Edgelwater for generations to come. So I would want more than 40 people getting me input. All right, how much are you saving the city by doing it in house, at least the part of it that we're working on now, the land development code? I would say for a city of this size to do both projects with the number of public meetings that staff is doing. If you wanted another consultant, probably about $500,000 to do both the comp plan and the land development code. If we were to hire another consultant out, we would not get the interaction with the residents as we are doing the job as because we're working within staff. The interaction with the residents would depend on the price you're willing to pay really So we're saving a lot of money by doing this But if what you're saying is if we don't have a better turn out more participation You know, it's causing the edge city of edge water or tax pay or it's a lot of money to Advertise to make the banners, all the staff time and preparing these sessions that you have already prepared. I would also like to see a great turnout, a so that you continue because if we don't have a turnout, it will work, you will stop and then we will have to go out and hire a consultant which can cost us minimum of 300,000 what you had told me. It It could be up 500,000 if we want the interaction that we we crave for our residents. We want the interaction but as you said it comes with a cost. So we're saving a lot of money. We just need the participation or we may have to go a different way as a city and cost us a lot of money. And staff are of course open to suggestions from the council if there's something that would be better to reach out to folks to get more interaction because it is important and so we encourage we will be posting all the boards online just so people can take a look what the last one was composed of if they didn't get the opportunity to be here. I said, Adeloo, was that upset up here on an offence of five? And you tell me how to do it, and we'll do it. We tried everything in the world before. Unless you have a problem with the garbage pick up, are you going to build a marina, or you, floods, people's houses. It's the same people. I see the same faces that was here in05. But it's hard for people to participate in good. Most people think we're all crooks. Simple as that. And they think government's bad. But anyway. I think it's frustrating. And I appreciate the mayor being as transparent as possible. Because I think that really really helps. And it's almost like an impossible thing. I'm sorry. I know, I said Mike, but what, and you said, what do we do? But I would just hate to have to revisit this again and say, OK, now we have to, we have to budget 350,000 to hire a consultant. And then maybe we'll have a packed room. But besides, then that time we're done or something we can do. I don't want that. And house the best. Absolutely. We're continuing what we're doing. I think it's great. We're having public participation. You got more of that. Yeah, we did, but we're doing the best of what we can do. And what we can handle without hiring a consultant. Anything Ryan, like you said, is doing a tremendous job. We're doing all we can to get it out. Yeah, but I guess I'm just worried about the future. If we don't get a better participation, this will stop and we will have to hire someone. Well, let's come to that point where we reach that point. I just wanted to bring that there so that way people would realize it and maybe put a seat in and do the jobs. Well, I feel like most people devoted for me are sitting home Monday night watching Monday night football or something. and they want me to come back to the decision forum. And I tried to talk to them or talk to as many people and get as many different opinions as I can. So I can make a positive decision when I get up here. But they're dependent on us to do that. I've heard a lot of compliments. I appreciate all that you do. Thank you. Yes, you're doing a good job, Ron. Thank you. I have some more good news. I got an update from staff regarding the 2500 acres west of Florida shores. Someone had reported that there was activity in that portion of what's going to be conservation land. The county is cleaning up some leftover items from the hunt club as well as some illegal dumping throughout the years. Once that's done, the state will come in and do their inspection, and then it will be forever deemed conservation. Right. All right. We're also looking forward to that transaction finalized because there's a canal that goes from Silver Palm Canal to the West. And we're going to be able to get in there to get that cleaned out for another opportunity to get water out of the shores as fast as possible. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And that's all I had. Thank you. I want to compliment Mr. Moroney on putting that stuff on Facebook about the ditches or cleaning and all that. It's good. I think a lot of people see that and they appreciate that. Thank you, sir. We have the reports in the back of the room as well. I hear 12, so this is comments. Miss Charlotte we spoke with you on my name is Donna Copeland 29 Blue Heron Lane Pelican Co. Vist spoke with mr. Sark Charlotte on this miss Charlotte on this issue spoke with Mr. Thomas on this issue. About getting the correction, clearing my husband's name from the malicious false accusation that was made by a citizen. We came to you asking you for help and guidance and you told us no, you do nothing about it. We spoke with you yesterday, Saturday, you reassured us several times on the phone. You would bring the issue up and you would help to clear my husband's name. You did not do that. My husband has been falsely accused. Here's the here. Why? None of you. you have read the correction. She sent a message to the mayor on November the 15th. The excuse we hear is he wasn't sworn in yet. He was still you were voted in as mayor. You replied to her as mayor diesel the pew. In this what she, and it is a flat out lie. We have a police report that proves my husband's innocent that you would not choose to read. You sit you sat in your house and said, you want me to read this? That's what you said to me. Right here from 22 22 24uatt. Bobby Copeland is not allowed on my property. You know, he is a city worker. And you're having an individual state he's not allowed on her property. Should something occur. Now, what happens if he goes there? She's going to trespass him. She on here. She talks about, you wonder why I think the city is corrupt. You have your city employee, and she already named my husband. This is in the same one, okay? Facilitating the entire event after the storm to my parents back in my house, where he caused the entire scene that everybody got away with except my dad. A thousand dollars in bills and time off work and a broken jaw. My husband was never made aware or allowed to defend himself against such a malicious accusation. Are you we've spoken to professional people we have spoken to to an attorney. This is a violation of civil rights by everyone that's sitting on here. And not one of you would lift a finger to call. We spent emails not one of you responded or called us back to. The only individual that was logic, honest, and open with us was Ms. Debbie. And that's pretty sad. Mr. Depugue, we expected an answer from you. Thank you for your comments. I just want to say I addressed you after that your husband actually addressed me. That's okay. Also, you had said it's been a few demanded. You've had your time. Thank you, ma'am. You've had your time. Thank you. I want to state that I did not change my Facebook name until I was sworn in on December 5th. And ma'am. Ma'am. Secondly, I respond to every email that is sent to me. Thirdly, I want to state that I responded as I do to every resident in the report you'll see, please email ddpue at thecityofedgewater.org for any kind of comments, questions and concerns. I want to say that the board listens to every comments that we have from our residents and we have addressed this investigation several times and I have personally read the revised report that's provided at the last council meeting would like to respond. I took her phone call, talked to her, she said she'd like to come by my house to show me the Facebook evidence and the police report which she brought and the police report was long. I couldn't read it in 10 minutes. So I asked her to give me a copy in which she did not provide. So I went to the police chief the next day and got both copies of the police report and read it. I would also like to comment as well. I mean we did speak in length and that's why I brought up that I wanted to have it gone back over to where everybody could have their time. So we address it all at once. The Copeland said that they had some issues with some discrepancies in the report and I wanted it to go back over to make sure when we're moving forward with clarification and sitting down and going back over it that there's no other discrepancies so it's all handled at once and That way everything's on the table can be all just be discussed at one time now We address this and then somebody else comes forward, you know in another month or so and says well I just looked at it and this was said that I said and I didn't say this either I wanted it to go Have it gone back over so it could all be addressed so I I think these no citizens participation at this time. Final warning. They've seen more more comments. Opening back to citizens comments. Edgewater the Edgewater Chuck. Martin 205 Cherry Woodland Edgewater. I mean, I might be wrong, but I think Mr. Thurmond is the one that chose the investigative company, that contacted them, and then chose the questions that we're going to be asked. And then was the first person to get a copy of all this. And he read it before by the end of us, seeing it or any y'all seeing it, give us little speech up there. He sits over there nice and quiet. But I think if I was Mr. Mrs. Copeland, I would be talking to the end term city manager. And you know, after Hurricane Irma, here comes Nicole. And I went and complained to Glenn Irby that our trash wasn't being picked up or the branches and stuff neighborhood. So he sent out some around. We talked at length about some things. And then I'm first time I met him, then I went down to pick up diesel sign at Mike's tires over there because of the hurricane wouldn't blow it away. Now we can't get our stuff picked up in our neighborhood a day before the storm, but I see a white city truck there with a city employee at Mike's tires picking up his side-by-side wheels in a city truck I believe he was on city time oh hmm okay you know it's funny how we happen to be in certain places at certain times and we can point fingers, but I think at the end of the day, you need to talk with that man over there at the boss because he knew about all this and could have stopped it a long time ago. You know, well, I guess I don't know what's the old saying. He who was without sin cast the first stone. I mean, I think we're all built. He had been wrong at one time or another, you know? We're all just trying to get along here. We don't want to flood again, you know? Bobby worked with my brother for many, many years before he died. I've never heard a bad thing about Bobby Copeland, but it upset me because I couldn't get my transplant up and, you know, I didn't know the man was on his own time or whatever, but it kind of hit me. And I never said nothing about it until tonight. I got a lot of respect for this man back here. That's all I got to say. Thank you, sir, for your comments. Bobby Copeland, 29 Blue Hair and Lane. Earlier tonight, I heard you're going to have the city manager. It's gonna release the audio Report or audio on the report is gonna be released to the public Okay, when can we expect that you can contact the city court for any kind of public record and they're gonna be redacted or Why are we do an audio? All right, thank you. Thank you for your comments. Seeing no public comments, we are adjourned. you you you