Good evening and welcome to the September 4th of 2024 City Commission meeting. We're also holding a community Re-development Association meeting prior to the Commission Public Commons. There will be a 10-minute recess at 8.30 p.m. Mr. Outroll call please. Vice Mayor Longan. Commissioner Gordon. Here. Commissioner Newbold. Here. Commissioner Arns. Here. Mayor Roosevelt. Here. here Commissioner new bull here commissioner aren't here here so tonight's Invocation we always have a moment of silence and tonight we're going to dedicate it dedicated to the Wonderful and cherished memory of mr. J. C. Clark senior his Family including his wife and Children and grandchildren and others are in the first row here on the on my left. And I'd like to read a letter so you have just a small glimpse of the gentleman that was Mr. JC Clark senior he and Mrs. Clark were one of the are one of the founding families of Oakland Park. So I wrote this a few weeks on his passing to Mrs. Perley, Make Clark and family. On behalf of the City of Oakland Park, I extend my deepest condolences to you and your entire family on the passing of your beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, Mr. JC Clark senior. Our community has lost one of its most cherished and respected pioneers, a man whose legacy will continue to inspire and uplift us all. Mr. Clark was more than just a member of our community. He was a pillar of strength and dedication. His life story is one of hard work, love, and unwavering commitment to both his family and his community. From his early years in Crawford, Georgia, through his honorable service in the United States Air Force, and in his many years as a skilled craftsman and devoted church leader, Mr. Clark exemplified the values of McOklon Park, the special place we know to live work and play. We were honored to celebrate Mr. Clark's 90th birthday, just a few years back during the Youth Day parade in 2022, a testament to the high regard in which he was held by all who knew him. Not everyone gets a fire truck to the home. So the image of the fire truck arriving at his home, your home, with members of our city commission walking over to wish him a happy birthday, or made a cherished memory for our city and I know for your family. Mr. Clark's hands were never idle and his heart was always open. His work not only built structures, but also built the bonds that hold our community together. His willingness to help others, his leadership at spates, at spates, temple church of God in Christ and his deep love for his family have left an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing him. As we reflect on Mr. Clark's remarkable life we give thanks to God for the many years of service, love and wisdom he shared with us. His legacy will live on in the lives he touched. The family, the very big extended family he has with Mrs. Clark and the community here in Oakland Park, he helped shape. Please know the entire city of Oakland Park, Mrs. Clark and family, please know that we mourn with you. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time and we pray the memories of Mr. Clark's well-lived life comfort you now and always with our deepest sympathy and our deepest respect. Mr. Rosenwald, I'm Commissioner Mayor. Thank you. With that I did ask the family. I know there's a very close family friend here as well and this Edward's but if anybody would like to speak, you're welcome to, but if not, that's okay too. Mr. Rout, can you help her with the, if the mic's on? Thank you. I just want to say that we too would thank you all for acknowledging my dad because he was a strong pillar in this community. They've been here, I know they've been here all my life and I'm almost and I won't see how old but anyhow. 39, right? That's a good number. But we do thank you all so much for taking the time out to honor our dad and my mom, husband of 68 years. Thank you so very much. Thank you. Anyone else, sir? Or family, friend? OK. All right. Let us stand now for a moment of silence. We'll go to the pledge. Actually tonight in the preview of our proclamations I'm going to ask our chief, Quigley Marillo and our BSO chief and our fire chief, Steve Cravannick, to please Thank you, Affair. Chiefs can come up to lead us in the pledge. Jointly in, you'll see why we did it this way. Chiefs, please. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic, for which it stands, one nation on the God in the visible relevancy and justice for all. Okay. If our chiefs don't go too far away, we're going to ask you to come up in just a tiny bit. We have five proclimate, is it five, I think? Five proclimateions tonight. And the first is actually on Remembrance Day. Is there a motion to publish? Motion to adopt. Second. Second. Vice Mayor Longan? Yes. Commissioner Gordon? Yes. Commissioner Noobl? Yes. Commissioner Orange? Yes. Mayor Rosemond. Yes. Whereas on September 11th, 2001, the United States experience an unprecedented act of terror that claimed the lives of nearly 3,000 innocent people forever altering our nation's history and leaving a profound impact on families, communities, and the world. And whereas in the face of immagible tragedy, the heroes of that day, first responders, firefighters, police officers, medical personnel, and countless others demonstrated extraordinary courage in selflessness, risking and often sacrificing their own lives to save others. And whereas the taxes September 11th unified our nation in a collective spirit of resilience, patriotism, and determination, as we came together to honor the memory of those lost, support the survivors, and stand firm against terrorism and hate. And whereas it is our duty to ensure the future generations understand the sacrifice, the significance of September 11th, and that the stories of those who perished as well of those who fought to protect others continue to inspire a commitment to peace, unity and defense of our shared values. And whereas September 11th, 2024 is a 2030 anniversary of this tragic event, the City of Oakland Park remembers and reaffirms the hope, resilience, and unity displayed in the aftermath of the attack we will never forget. Now therefore the City Commission of the City of Elkham Park Florida by the virtue of the authority vested by the charter does hereby authorize Mayor Mitchell's law to proclaim the 11th day of September 2024 as Patriot Day and National Day of Service and Remembrance in the City of Elkham Park as we pay tribute to those who lost their lives and spread kindness and comfort through all affected. Thank you. Thank you before I ask Commissioner Gordon to give the proclamation. I want to fold into you know some very current and sad news. It's unfolding the school shooting if you haven't heard of Appalachia High School in Winder, Winder Georgia that's taken at least four lives and injured many. So I don't know the police in Georgia, but I'm sure they in the fire rescue, we hate that we have to have such wonderful professionals, but we have to with fires and frankly with acts of violence and everything. So we know our thoughts are with those in Georgia and that just exemplifies that we're all connected, right? Georgia Oakland Park, we celebrate our first responders in the face of a lot of violence and tragedy that you do your best to keep all of us safe from. So thank you, Commissioner Gord, if you'll give the proclamation. Sorry. population. I'm going for you and my fear. So you are so welcome. So as you all go for your services, services that you have been rendering to our communities for years. This, oh, forget about the mic. Okay, can you hear me better? Good, okay, want to thank Chief Krovenik and our captain Quigley for all of their dedicated services to this community and other communities that they have provided services to. Saving lives, protecting our citizens, we really appreciate what you all do. I'm from New York City, and I remember going to the Twin Towers, Towers, Towers as a child, and going there on Phil Day, you know, it was a Phil Day event. And I was not in New York City when that event took place. But I had family working in that building, in the building. And it was one of the saddest days in the history, the recent history of this country. So let's continue to love each other and champion peace, be good to each other, let's spread that word, spread that word, and spread that news to the world. We are one people and we are one nation. Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you. So I want to give both of you, either one of you, Thank you. You're welcome. Thank you. So I want to give both of you, either one of you, the opportunity to speak. Starting with you, Captain. Thank you so much for this proclamation. I know Chief Caranick needs to mic for a lot longer than me, so I'll let him speak. I'm sure he's going to speak on our behalf. Thank you, Chief. It won't be long. It seems like yesterday, 23 years ago, it goes by that quick. And I just wanted to take a minute to remember those that passed the 3000 port police, regular police officers, firefighters, civilians, way over 6 to 10,000 now. People are still dying from the incidents from that. And so let's keep them in our hearts and minds also. Thank you so much for the recognition for everything. Thank you. Thank you both. Mayor, may we have a picture down here, sir. Thank you. to Thank you so much. Thank you guys are awesome. Thank you so much. Thank you guys are awesome. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. Our next proclamation is Hunger Action Month. Oh, sure, no. Second. Vice Mayor Longigan. Yes. the next year. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. across our nation with many facing daily challenges and accessing adequate nutrition to lead healthy and productive lives. In South Florida, possibly one million individuals face hunger daily. Food should not be an impossible choice for the community. And whereas ongoing economic challenges have exasperated food insecurity, making it more crucial than ever to address the root causes of hunger and support those in need. And whereas local food banks, community kitchen, shelters, and charitable organizations worked tirelessly to provide food assistance to those who are struggling and their efforts are essential in the fight against hunger. And whereas hands-on South Florida empowers people to make a difference for causes they care about, by leveraging the power of people and socially responsible businesses. We transform local communities through meaningful hands-on service projects. And whereas committed to reducing hunger, the City of Oakland Park, partners with hands-on South Florida and farm share to deliver food baskets to our most vulnerable citizens. With the assistance of city volunteers, over 2,500 deliveries have been provided to Oakland Park citizens in need since the inception of the city's homebound food program begin in 2022. Now therefore the city commission of the city of Oakland Park Florida by the virtue of the authority vested by the charter is here by authorized mayor Mitch Roosevelt to proclaim the month of September 2024 as hunger action month. Thank you. Thank you. We have such a robust feeding service delivery through the city that's been around as we just noted for a couple years. And one of our several of our commissioners are always there, one of whom is Commissioner Newbold, so I've asked her to present this to Mr. Mark De Castro, the facility manager at FarmShare. because we know how we have vulnerable community, a community of people that need food. And it gives me pleasure to come there on our Saturdays that are designated in the month to compact food and make sure that the vulnerable community is addressed with food needs. So we need to take this time to acknowledge during this month the lack of food. It's barrier hunger is not only just a lack of food. It's a barrier to health, education, and economic stability. When people don't have enough to eat, they cannot thrive and the effects ripple through all aspects of their lives. This is why it is critical that we come together to address this issue, ensuring that everyone has access to nutritious food they need to lead healthy and productive lives. And again, as the Press of the Commission and I, we come out there and we assist you. We thank you for partnering with Oakland Park and helping us with this drive to help feed our population and it's an honor to present you with this proclamation and I cannot thank you enough because we need to address the people right here in our community the lack of food so thank you and I'll give you this chance to say if you were. Thank you very much. Thank you. This is an honor from behalf of FarmShare. We're very thankful to the City of Oakland Park. I want to bring to light very quickly the importance of food insecurity. A lot of us hear about it, but many of us don't see it. There's people here who work with you, you see every day, but you don't know what their situation is. And unfortunately, a lot of these people are senior citizens that live on a very tight budget, they're living off of Social Security, the slightest fluctuation on prices of supermarket, gas prices, you name it it is going to greatly affect them. And then you also have parents with small children. They could be babies, they could be teenagers. And some of these parents are having to make decisions that am I going to eat tonight or am I going to pay the bills or maybe I don't have gas money to go to work tomorrow and if I don't go to work then I don, I'm not bringing home any money. These are the things that we as a community, we have to address. And it's actually, it's really amazing. I mean, many of you might not see what we do on a regular basis, but every month we get together here in our warehouse here across St. Oakland Park. And along with hands on South Florida and with the city of Oakland Park, we get a lot of volunteers, we get the firefighters who come to help us out. And it's really amazing to see because this is like the entire community coming together to help out those are in need. And these people are the ones that need our help. And I know a lot of people might not know that everybody who's behind me has gone there. We've all sweated. We've all packed up the bags. We've actually made the deliveries. And I really, really appreciate that because you see, farm share does what we do every day. But we require the assistance of volunteers. Volunteers are one of the most important aspects of what we do. And with the assistance of the City of Oakland Park, we go a long way. It helps so much when we, excuse me, when we partner together to get this done so that we can help those in the need. Nobody should be forced to make a decision whether they're going to eat tonight or we're going to pay the bill. I personally, I've experienced it myself at one time, and I try to explain it to people that it can happen to anybody at any given point. You're never going to be prepared for that. And imagine, you know, you're being a parent and then you're making these drastic decisions. I don't want to see that from anybody and that's what we do in farm sure. We are trying to eliminate that altogether. We're not going to rest until that ends, but it really does help us when we partner up with City of Oakland Park and other nonprofit organizations to get the food out to as many people as we can and to our community. So once again, I really appreciate this. Thank you very much on behalf of FarmShare. Thank you. I'll show you how to do it. Thank you. I'm sorry. It's okay. We need to be careful. You take him. Teach him. You're going to go back to your commission school. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. It's okay. You take him. Teach him. You're going to go back to your commission school. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. It's okay. Okay. Continuing our proclamations our third tonight is Hispanic Heritage Month. Motion adopted. Vice Mayor Longan. Yes. Commissioner Gordon. Yes. Commissioner Noobel. Yes. Commissioner Arns. Yes. Mayor Rosenwald. Yes. Whereas Hispanic Heritage Month became a national observant celebration in 1988 when it was approved by the 100th Congress and begins on September 15th, the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. And whereas Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the vibrant heritage and invaluable contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans, we're also recognizing the importance of preserving and promoting cultural diversity and inclusion across our society. And whereas this month's long celebration recognizes that Hispanic Americans embody the best of our American values, including commitment to faith, family, and country, the Hispanic American community has left an indelible mark on our government, culture, and economy. And whereas the city will host LatinFest at Jocco Pistoria's Park on Friday, September 20th, 2024 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. This free family-friendly event highlights live music from Gyan Paul and Latin Soul Band, Children's Activities, Food Trucks, and more. Now therefore, the city commission of the city of Elkhun Park, Florida, by the virtue of the authority vested by the charter, does he by authorize Mayor Mitch Rosenwald to proclaim the month of September as Hispanic Heritage Month? Thank you. Thank you, Ms. Schraut. And I've asked Commissioner Lonergan to present the proclamation to Mr. Otto Valenzuela, Director of the Public Policy and Advocacy Unit at Hispanic unity. Thank you for all your hard work at Hispanic unity, your team, everything that you do helping the people of Oakland Park. We know that we have a good partnership with you as far as there are different types of courses that are offered here at our library. So again, thank you very much for all you do for the people of Alcomhark and Broward County. Thank you, Miss Hayer. Good evening. Thank you very much. Mayor Rosenwald, commission, city clerk. His Vancouver for Florida, Florida for those of you who don't know. We're a 42 year old community organization based here in Broward. Despite our name, we serve everyone under the sun. It's unfortunate, I'll just echo Mark's words. Our community is in need, and we're there to serve. We have programs in education, healthcare, economic sustainability, and also civic engagement. Thank you very much to the city of Oakland Park for the partnership that we've had for several years now. We appreciate it. We appreciate the recognition. A third of Oakland Park, nearly a third of Oakland Park's residents are of Hispanic origin. So thank you all for representing them as well. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Do you handle that? Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. there. Thank you. So all about service tonight. I love this. These proclamations. Our next one is on on Araine and the importance of suicide prevention month. Moxford. Second. Vice Mayor Lonegan. Yes. Commissioner Gordon. Yes. Commissioner Neubold. Yes. Commissioner Arns. Yes. Mayor Rosemallow. Yes. Whereas the weight of life can provoke stress, anxiety, and other emotional challenges and being in suicide, every life lost to suicide is one too many. And each suicide leaves a lasting impact on loved ones, friends, colleagues, and the entire community. And whereas by promoting open conversations about mental health and encouraging those in need to seek help, we can create a community where individuals feel supported and valued, and where the resources necessary to prevent suicide are accessible to all. And whereas mental health conditions, feeling hopelessness, and other factors that contribute to suicide can often be treated or addressed with access to appropriate care, support, and resources. Please seek help. And dial 988 F and Florida or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or text 7-417-41. And whereas the City of Oklahoma Park is firmly committed to raising awareness about suicide prevention and is dedicated To building safer and more supportive environments to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health issues that too often prevent people from seeking the care they need Now therefore the City Commission of the City of Oakland Park Florida by virtue of authority vested by the charter does he abide authorized me or Mitch Rosenwald to proclaim the month of September 2024 as suicide prevention month. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Rout. And I'm going to be presenting this to Pam LaTello, committee member from the Broward League of Women Voters. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You need to go back to commissioner school. Thank you. It's all on. Okay. Hi. Thank you for allowing me to give you this proclamation on behalf of the city. I'm going to go to the next slide. It's on. Okay. Thank you for allowing me to give you this proclamation on behalf of the city. Some of you may know I think a lot of people know I'm a social worker. I'm a licensed clinical social worker. And I started seeing clients again about a year ago. And while the clients I see, you know, there are a lot of times that quote, worried well, that's a phrase where people are, you know, worried, have a little anxiety, maybe a little depression. There are sometimes clients obviously are suicidal. And so it hasn't, there I probably have done about completed at September, maybe about four or five safety assessments this year, contracting with my clients that I will see them another day, talking about the importance of a relatively new hotline 988, which is the suicide and crisis hotline, of course you can still call 911, but it's trying to route people with more mental health concerns to 988 for those services. So I just, as this is kind of a very sober proclamation, but just to let everybody know that in light of food insecurity, discrimination, everything we've talked about and we're trying to be very resilient, all these proclamations tied together tonight. But if there are times when people do have some dark days, please know there is, we all have your back, we have your back in Oakland Park. We have your back as mental health professionals, as well as our first responders. Actually, social workers are known as second responders. Because we also, when the fire and the police have some challenges too, emotionally with everything they do, we're there for them as well, but we're there for you. But anyway, I just wanted to thank you, Pam, for accepting this on behalf of the city. And if you want to say a few words, please. I'm not off the cuff like everybody else was tonight. So, but on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Broward and the Florida Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, I would like to thank the Commission for recognizing Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Over 50,000 Americans die by suicide each year, half of them by firearm. Locking up guns saves lives. The new phone number to call for mental health crisis is 988. Anyone who wants a free gun lock mailed to their home can email gloria.luis at va.gov. I've also brought some gun locks and bumper stickers to give out. I'll show you the gunlocks. They're simple to use. It's especially with suicides. If somebody has a gun in their home and they're feeling depressed and they're suicidal, the fact that the gun is locked can give them enough time to change their mind before they pull the trigger. The fact that the gun is locked can give them enough time to change their mind before they pull the trigger. So for that reason it's good to have this for any of you of firearms in your homes, your families, your friends have children. It's good to lock up the guns so that we don't have any unintended consequences. So I appreciate everything that you're doing here and thank you very much for the out on the table and the bumper stickers, yes. Thank you. Thank you so much. You just so welcome. Thank you. Thank you. You see how they all tied the knowledge to the one-tenth. Thank you. And that's a new number that they were going to use. Yeah, no, but just in case you can't remember that. Well, okay. Thank you very much. Thank you so much. I'm going to go to the next slide. We're up there, but our final motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion motion Yes. Whereas strong communities are built on the foundation of neighborly goodwill and mutual support fostering a sense of unity and shared responsibility. And whereas National Good Neighbor Day observed annually in September serves as a reminder of the importance of building and maintaining positive relationships with those who live around us. And whereas on this special day, neighbors and volunteers across our city will come together to participate in a variety of projects aimed at enhancing our local environment, supporting those in need and strengthening the bonds within our community. And whereas the City of Oakland Park will offer activities including but not limited to, Waterway Cleanup at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, School Church, the 39th Street Greenway Community Cleanup, the Pioneer House and Museum Project, the A-Naber and Need Project, a community food drive, a community bake sale, a community blood drive and Broward Animal Care Wellness Clinic, gardening tips at Dr. Carter G. Woodson Community Garden, and family fun and use book sale at the Ethel M. Gordon Oakland Park Library to promote civic engagement, community spirit, and a collaborative efforts that better our neighborhoods in Oakland Park. And whereas these projects offer an invaluable opportunity for all residents to unite making a positive impact and demonstrate the true spirit of Oakland Park, a city where everyone is encouraged to contribute to the common good. And whereas the city of Oakland Park deeply values resident participation, recognizing their involvement and leadership will inspire others to get involved and highlight the importance of community collaboration. Now therefore the City Commission of the City of Oakland Park, Florida by the virtue of the authority vested by the charter, does hereby authorize Mayor Mitch Rosenwald to acclaim September 7th, 2024 as good neighbor day in the City of Oakland Park, and encourages all residents to join in the planned activities, volunteer their time and talents to help make our community more neighborly and an even better place to live, work and play. Thank you. Yes, well, there's some applause right now. You know, this is a few years old and I tell you that I'm holding this. I think the public has this. This is phenomenal. Whoever is the brain child, Mr. Mataire, or Mr. Castell of this, what do we have? Four, six, two, four, six, ten, two, four, six, eight, ten. We have ten opportunities in this very slick little pamphlet. This is phenomenal. I've asked Commissioner Arns to please present the proclamation to do I who I just mentioned Mr. Steve Matair our wonderful assistant director of parks and leisure. But Mr. Cassel Phil Frida come up to as his I think you would like. I you don't buddy appreciate you and everything you all do. Nice to see you. And this is, this actually started, maybe, you know, the old time that you will remember is it will make a shine day at Oakland Park. Where we did had projects that we, uh, we're naming members of two and then it started with the make a shine day where we've had little projects around the city and everyone sign up to do a project, lay side, plant trees, a whole bunch of different stuff. And I remember Carol Stevens got me involved that years and years ago and I tell you it's a good thing. And now it's really expanded and it's just a really, really great thing. So many different things you can do. I mean, if you know, picking up garbage in your thing, you can go to the library and sell used books or you go you know Anyway, like the waterway do waterway cleanup. So it really is is expanded and it's such a good thing And we really appreciate everything you all do and we appreciate everything parks and recs does for not just The kids but for the whole city because when when your kids are Being top of these people in parks and rec they're getting a way to keep off the streets and keep them busy doing good stuff and a lot of them they you know they end up doing sports for a professional you never know you know my kid didn't like it even soccer is I remember a coach's soccer. All the kids wanted to do is run around and kick the ball. No one wanted to sit back by the goal. All they wanted to do is run and kick the ball. You couldn't tell them no. But you never know who's going to have it. And with all your help and everyone does this thing. And especially to our, we remember our part time where people in the summertime. There are people who are here just part-time, and without them, it doesn't work. So I want to appreciate all those people that do the part-time here in Oakland Park because without them, I say, our rec program just wouldn't be what it is right now. And it's just, and one more thing I'd like to say, I'm really gonna miss Harry Wimbler, who passed away recently, who was the park and Rex director. He was a city manager. He was the utility director. He's a stormwater manager. He was everything in this city. Everything. He started up more on grass in the city 50 some odd years ago. He just passed away recently and he did every job just about you could do. And when I saw the old newspaper article about myself, people's Steve Flood. I saw people's names in there and I haven't seen it a long time in Dick Justy. So it just goes around full circle and it likes that we appreciate everything you do. I'm going to let you turn the mic over to you and shut my you know what? No first of all I want to thank commission and is the honor and the privilege of be a public servant and I want to thank our city manager who said Steve Matica do this. Sometimes you put in situations that you think you're not ready for and other people think you're not ready for and other people know you're ready for it. So I had an opportunity to take on this task and I appreciate that opportunity. Next to me, I have my coworker, Ms. Karen Mahario. She's our I'd of adult coordinator and she has been very an intricate part of this process this year. So with that being said, please come out and support, be a part, everything that you heard does far with the proclamation, bring it out neighbors together. And that's what it's all about. Bring us together, be in one community, like Commissioner Gordon say, one people, one nation. So once again, thank you, thank you to all the civic groups, thank to all the volunteers, thank to all the organizations, the SO Public Works, Fire. Thank you all for being a part of this, and we can't do it without you. Thank you. Come on up. I'm sorry. Thank you. I think you guys. Let me see you inside out. Thank you. Thank you. I think you guys. Let me see you inside out. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I think you guys. Let me see you inside out. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Mayor. There was one proclamation that wasn't on the agenda tonight. I'd just like to hand it out. Andrew Thompson, please come on down. You are the next recipient of the GFLA Award for a good government. I'm going to give you a hand. Come on, show off. These people and finance are the best. Flavits have been 20 years, we've gotten the GFO OA award, which is really, really, really hard to do. So, under his leadership, he makes the city work money wise. And he's what, with the city manager, I can't say enough from I've been through, you know, men have seen a lot of city finance directors in my time here and I tell you, you're the best. Fly out the simple, you're the absolute best and we're really do appreciate you. Thank you, thank you very much, Commissioner. This is the second time you've done this to me now. So fool me once, shame on me. Fool me twice, I'm just that goalable. So shame on me again, but really shame on you. But I do appreciate the kind words. This is the 20th award we've received consecutively, and it's kind of a shock to me that I've been here for 10 of them now. I started here as a budget analyst, really not knowing at all what I was doing, and I was fortunate. No, I'll be honest. Just right out of FSU, go knows. But what impressed me was how professional everyone was in the manager's office and the finance department and how loyal and hardworking and the hours they put in, not just to do their jobs, but to help get me up to speed on everything I didn't know, because government is not something you can train very well and in college, there's no great great masters degree the teachers you procurement or governmental accounting it's all different and we are blessed and fortunate to have a great team and if I just want to thank the the managers we have in the finance department Geneva Burgess over utility billing Michelle Johnson our comptroller Ray Rivera the assistant director Sheryl and Chess, our budget manager, Carrie Ann Fisher, our purchasing manager. All of them, you probably won't see them down here. I'm just the guy who makes the power points. And I'm fine with that arrangement, but they just do a tremendous job and any award we receive is really reflection of the great work they do and provide to the residents of the city. So thank you very much Commissioner. I appreciate the opportunity to pass anything nice you say onto them. Absolutely. And guess what? This was the old mission impossible. Mr. Phelps, your mission if you choose to accept it is to have scorned with that award bringing down to the city commission meeting. So I'll let you figure out. And yes, the tape did expire in five seconds. See, we don't remember the old mission possible. I'm going to. Thank you. Congratulations, as always, Mr. Thompson. Thanks, commissioner. Two more points of privilege. And then we will go on to our official agenda but this is part of what Oakland Park is about is about community and one is about someone who's just referenced who's recently passed away Mr. Wembley and then one who is right here with us on the day as Reservie speak. As commissioner Arntz mentioned Harry Wembrally passed away Monday. It was actually August 26. He was 86 years of age. He started his career in Oakland Park, Mowing Lones, and ended up as one of its most revered public servants. The park is named, of course. When Stevens Field was built in the early 60s, Wembrally graduated from moping grass and picking up trash to be entrusted with the maintenance of the city's newest facility. This is just west of where the Clark family is, of course, just southwest of your family. So soon he was named as the city's first recreation director. And when Parks and Recreation were combined, he became director of that newly created department. He even served as you know, Mr. A. Barr He was a member of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of the state of operations. Eventually everything was consolidated in 95 under Wembrillie as the Public Works Department. He retired as Public Works Director in October of 96 so we pay him much respect and keep him in our hearts. And now someone on the dais that we are pleased who issues maybe even more than Mr. duty publicity but I'm going to ask him to join me at the podium as our city manager Mr. A. Bear. I am told by Mr. Rout you have no idea what's going on. I'm not happy about it. Well, it's my honor in my last few months on the commission to present to you. We just talked about 10 years and 10 years ago. What month? September. Okay, so exactly September. Mr. A. Bear, I actually might want to ask Vice Mayor, will you come down just to share a few words since you were here at the literally part of the decision at the time I was not? Mr. A. Bear was hired 10 years ago today and he has been an amazing visionary. He runs a tight ship, a super tight ship, but actually, he demands perfection of himself. He doesn't demand perfection that he doesn't demand anything he what doesn't of himself. And I've called him basically every time of the day except three in the morning. I've called him on Sundays at 10 am. I think he's at the gym. I can kind of hear the stuff in the background. He answers the phone or calls me back. I've called him certainly at seven in the morning and I've certainly have called him at 11 at night and he's always there. He's always there for a staff, I think, with a full complement with parks and rock part time of around 300 if I recall correctly. And just making this city into our building into our second century, not just about development, making sure our parks are good, overseeing the bond project. So I have something for you, but I do would like vice mayor if you can share some words since you are actually part of the hiring decision and you've served with them even longer than I have. Thank you mayor, appreciate that. So 10 years ago we had our city manager, Mr Stumson and he decided it was time to retire He did a wonderful job here in the city and we got a bunch of new candidates and Mr. A bear was one of the candidates And he went through the interview process with each of the different commissioners and I remember the day I met Mr. A bear and we went in the conference room and he was very happy and smiling and and I had said to Mr. Aver, I said we have a lot to do in the city, a lot needs to change, we need to grow, we need to expand. Things need to be looked at. I asked him if he was ready for the job ahead of him if he would be the one selected and he has not let me down. I'm saying I'm very proud. He has my total confidence and trust in what he does. And with his staff, and I can't believe it's been 10 years. You're here and you're bringing us to our 100th anniversary, proudly. So I just want to say thank you for your service. You have lived up to my expectations and the expectations. I believe of the majority of residents and the commission and city staff. And as the mayor said, we know doing a job right the first time is extremely important to you and that's really important to us. So that's something that you do a wonderful job with. Thank you, Mr. Rebair. Thank you. So I'll ask the commission to please join us down here. We are gonna take a photo, but here's a, you can look at this, we are gonna ask for a few comments as well as why don't while you're absorbing this, we'll ask our fellow commission just to say a few brief words. Commissioner Gordon-Journey. Well congratulations. Since working with you, it has been a pleasure. I like how we sit and not that we agree on everything, but we discuss everything, explain everything, and I appreciate that. And you are a visionary. And the city reflects. Your vision, when you bring your vision to my thoughts, then I see what you see. It's great, look at the city. So I just wanna thank you and it's been a pleasure working with you. Well, we didn't start off at the best at the beginning, but let me tell you what, It's really too hard headed. We both hard headed. And I did actually, I had a conversation with today. It turned into that, but it wasn't even meant for that. And I just appreciate everything you do. You know, when you were buying the church over there, I'd say, what in the world is he buying this church for 1.6 million? Well, now I see why you're buying it. That's going to be our new park. That's going to be our recreation over there. And then I started realizing like when we bought the property of power line prospect, we bought the note off the property. I said, I'd say, well, yeah, that's a good reason. Now we have some leverage because these people may not do follow through with what they said they were going to do, and sure enough they didn't. So, you're ace in the hole. So, it's just the foresight. That's what really, and I've worked with a lot of city managers before. And you're one that is probably going to be here the longest of any of them. I'm just saying that because John Stunson was here probably at least 8, 9, 10 years and two stints. But you have really, you made it through commissions, different type of commissions. And like you said, the commissions may not agree on everything, but in the end, you've got us to all think about what's best for the city. And your heart is in the city. And I remember I was really hard on you about living outside the city, and I had to apologize for that because I know your heart is in the city more than anyone that I've ever seen because you live, breathe, and eat this city. Even though, you know, where you live is inconsequential. And what you've done for the city, you've jumped start the stuff that I started 20 years ago. And without somebody jump start, we'd still be sitting here with an empty lot over there. And now the availability for this to turn into something really great. And I think this is the beginning of really good things to come. So I appreciate everything you've done, and I'm looking forward to working with you for at least two more years. So. I. I. I. I. I. Well, you know what? Well, I'm going to say, diddo to what you said, Commissioner, aren't you? Yeah, I'm right under the mic. So I hope you stay with this city as long as your work history allows you to. I hope you're retired from this city. I wasn't part of your beginning, like the vice mayor wise, but I am a part of your presence and I'm a part of your present so I from my experience with you you strive for perfection and I can kind of relate to that because we both just recently had a birthday, right? So you strive for perfection. You're not afraid to get your hands dirty, right? You don't mind jumping into the trenches and getting it done. And I just enjoy working with you. And I think we have mostly agreed with most things. We might have a little difference in how we see things sometimes. But I'm you as the other commissioner said, you quickly bring us into focus. You are truly a visionary leader and you have taken this city from 10 years ago to where it is today. I remember what the city looked like 10 years ago and this is definitely the best city in Broward County and it is indeed and I say this wherever I am this is a city on the move. Thank you for all of your dedicated services. Well I said my piece but I will hold your statue while you honor us with yours. I wasn't expecting this and I don't like it because I'm the manager and it's my job to manage and obviously I've fallen short of that mark if I don't know what's going to happen this evening. The commissioners write, I moved just three miles from this very building more than 20 years ago. And I have lived in that home for all that time. And I have seen Oakland Park Change. I have such deep respect and regard for the citizens of this city. You know, I decided at the very beginning that the only thing that this city was truly lacking in wasn't pride, it wasn't neighborliness, it wasn't humility, it was someplace to take a picture that would let everybody see what Oakland Park represents. And so the first project I worked on here was the fountain at Jocco Park and to add the opening gate that would open that park to the downtown business district so that people could enjoy the amenity of the park location and support our local businesses. But I couldn't have done anything in this city without excellent leadership. I was talking to somebody just today who had inquired about what the issues are that are facing our city. Cities always have issues. Crime, poverty, schools that are not quite up to the quality that we might expect. But the reality is that the only issue really that faces any city is who the citizens are going to elect at the next election day. That's your most important civic duty is to go to the polls and cast your ballots for those people who are going to set the course of our life to come for you and for the next generations. And so I urge you all to take that duty seriously, learn about the candidates who are on that ballot, and please choose wisely. I can't talk or accept any accolade without recognizing my finest two partners which are the charter officers of this city along with me the clerk and the city attorney. These two individuals along with myself are the only three individuals that are named in the charter which is the city's constitution as the people who are responsible for the charter, which is the city's Constitution, as the people who are responsible for the day-to-day exercise of this city's management. And they've been wonderful partners. And I've also been blessed with extraordinary staff whose hearts and souls are vested in this city. I don't like these kind of events because I have a lot of work left to do here and I don't need to be interrupted with things like this because we've got to stay focused but I have every intention of retiring from this city because I have a centennial celebration to throw in just a couple years time and I want you all to stick around for that I have a centennial celebration to throw in just a couple years' time. And I want you all to stick around for that because that's going to be one fine 100-year birthday. So thank you all very much for this. I appreciate it, great. Now let's get to work. Thank you. Congratulations. I don't think so. Okay, let me pull up my we are going to get to more of the machinery of the city now. One second. Mayors. Yes, sir. If I make take a privilege here, we would like to say on behalf of the residents of Oakland Park, the city staff and your partners up here on the commission, we want to say congratulations to a campaign well run. We are looking forward to you working your magic and Tallahassee and your expertise and even making Oakland Park even more proud of you than we already are. Gotcha. Wow. Thank you. We won't do another part. Wow. I'll speak on this at commission comments, but thank you all. Anybody else, anybody the audience going once? Let's have a night like this instead. It's that'd be one for the ages. Well, we're now doing something we do every age on the annual passage of time, which is the budget. Oh, I apologize. Excuse me. I have none. I have none. Nothing here, Mayor. No. Do you? No, thank you, Mayor. Okay. So we're good to move on. the budget. There's no plan. Nothing here, Mayor. No. Do you? No, thank you, Mayor. Okay. So we're good to move on. Okay. So we're now going on to the budget hearing. The item one, which is the fiscal year 25 adoption of the tonnative millage rate and operating budget, Mr. Raybear. Thank you, Mayor. In July, as is my responsibility as city manager, Andrew Thompson on behalf of your team presented our recommended budget and that budget had resulted in the trim notice mailing which occurred this past month. This evening is the first opportunity for us to consider the setting of the rates and the budget approval process begins formally and I will turn to our chief financial officer Andrew Thompson to walk us through this item Andrew. Thank you, Mr. City Manager Good evening mayor vice mayor commissioners I said this is the fiscal year 2025 recommended budget. Part of the adoption process tonight is three different commission actions. The first, which is item number one, this item is two separate public hearings. The first public hearing is on the fiscal year 2025 millage rates, and which will conduct the public hearing, and then the commission will thereafter adopt the tentative operating millage rate and debt service millage rates. After that first hearing, there'll be the adoption of the fiscal year 2025 tentative budget, again, a public hearing, and then adoption of the budget itself. These two items will then be advertised on the website and the Sun Sentinel and also make notice of our final budget hearing, which is scheduled for September 18th. Also on tonight's agenda is part of the CRA's agenda, is the adoption of the tentative CRA budget. So let's just go through some of action beginning October 1st, 2024 and ending September 30th, 2025. And here are some of the essentials of that plan. The tentative budget contemplates decreasing or operating milled rate to 5.7243 mills. This is our 10th reduction over an 11-year period. It would be the next year. decreasing or operating mileage rate to 5.7243 mills. This is our 10th reduction over an 11 year period. It would be the lowest rate in 15 years. And since fiscal year 14, that is a reduction of about 10 and a half percent. And so that's almost 0.7 mills reduction just on that operating mileage. And those reductions over that period of time have saved taxpayers more than 17 million dollars. We have two other milled rates both support the debt service that principal and insurance payments on the voter approved general obligation bonds. Those bonds are sold back in 2020 and 2020 too. So we have two separate milled rates for that will be adopting for that debt service but together we're recommending that they in anger be decreased to 0.5534 mills a decrease of about 10 percent. One of the other major elements of the budget itself are the city's three non-addedable orm special assessments and these assessments have their own separate hearing. It's next Thursday at 6 p.m. So they are not part of tonight's deliberations only the millage rate and the budget as a whole. So our fire assessment program, we're recommending an increase from 276 per residential unit to 382 per residential unit. And this is based on the growth of fires of press and costs as was outlined in the May presentation on the fire assessment study report. And that's a report that's done every four to five years and reviews the costs of fire suppression and the demand for calls among different property classes and apportions those costs out. We had made the presentation recommended a rate of 402 with some of the other elements we learned since then we were able to recommend that lower level of increase and compared to our pure cities of a similar size that proposed rate remains willable the average of 430 for similar size cities. We do have a stormwater assessment rate. We're recommending that being increased by $11. This is in accordance with the stormwater master plan that was developed and adopted by the city. You can see later in this presentation just how much that $11 is bringing into the stormwater fund itself for all those major drainage projects that fund more than doubling later in this presentation just how much that $11 is bringing into the storm water fund itself for all those major drainage projects that fund more than doubling its size and increasing its capital infrastructure investment from about $730,000 to well over $7 million. And then finally we have a residential solid waste assessment rate. That's an all properties and pays for the two trash pickups each week and the recycling pickup. This is a fee that we've seen the cost escalating that underlie the solid waste fund over the past few years. So we're recommending an increase of 310 or 310 to 340 and that's primarily in response to the tipping free increases that went into effect with our contractors last December. It still remains below that countywide average of $400 and is only $40 higher than what the rate was in 2012 for the city which was $300. Another element of the budget, which has to be balanced between revenues expenditures is maintaining sufficient reserves. So before the general fund, we require 20 to 25 percent be kept in reserves of general fund expenditures. This budget does accomplish that keeping reserves of 22 percent. And then it also continues to fund a highly ambitious capital improvement program of $38.4 million. We talked in July about some of the challenges that came up during budget development. So let's just go briefly through those. We do have increased pension costs. Again, similar challenges. We experienced in fiscal year 24. We're just the legacy fire pension class last year went up about a million dollars again increasing 900,000 this year of citywide those pension costs which are largely set by the state and act for early actual reports they're increasing by 1.3 million total just for the general fund about 18%. We also have a growing public safety costs about 1.4 million for BSO's contract and increase of 7%. We have increased maintenance needs as we prepare for the move to new facilities. We are still maintaining our old ones, many of which are from the Johnson administration and the Reagan administration. These are buildings that do continue to require maintenance to continue to be operational for our city staff during this transition period. The solid waste tipping fees, those increased by 38% last December, bulk trash by 31%. And that's following, fiscal year 23 is recycling increase of almost 50%. So we have seen substantial increases in the cost to operate our solid waste division. We continue to experience supply change challenges, particularly for specialty equipment vehicles and machinery. Inflation has begun to moderate, but it does still mean that there's not been any deflation. so the prices still are higher than what they ever were before for labor and other items. The facility monconstruction costs, construction costs have been much higher than anticipated when we went at the outset and we've been very successful in trying to find creative solutions including grant funding to help stretch those dollars and then there's the reality of building these new facilities means moving into these new facilities. Over the next 12 months, nine out of 10 city employees, about 329 employees, will be moving where they work from. And so everything is going to be changing. Where people are reporting, where people are sending in mail, the operations, and the challenge there is not just logistical, it's maintaining the quality of service, delivering to our community. Interest rates remain elevated. We're anticipating that there'll be some cuts later this month, but they are at historic highs making it difficult to issue new debt without having higher than anticipated or desired interest rates. We also have various rail crossings in the city. The city is party to agreements to maintain these. The CSX and FEC line both lines have maintenance planned for 38th Street together. That city bill is about a million dollars. They give us about a year's notice that that work is coming and that is something they've provided. The fiscal year 25 budget is a plan and new information appears throughout the year and also during the budget adoption cycle. We'll note one of the new challenges that has appeared has been an increase in our property insurance or liability insurance. during the budget adoption cycle will note one of the new challenges that has appeared has been an increase in our property insurance or liability insurance. And that's noted in the agenda item in that cost increases about $250,000. And that's one of those items that we'll be addressing later this year after the adoption of the budget in November when we do one of our regularly scheduled budget amendments. But again, it is a plan and new challenges will develop over the course of fiscal year 25. There are a lot of positive things that came into the fiscal year 25 budget. Our property tax base expanded for the 12th consecutive year and almost 15% increase. The second highest increase in the county and much higher than the county increase of 90.5%. We have seen significant private developments throughout the city. Just this one year alone added $260 million in new construction to the tax rolls. And since fiscal year 22, it's been $400 million. So our total tax base is now about $5.8 billion. $5.8 billion, as you can see there on that chart to the right. The minimum of projects have really changed the dynamics of the city and are working to attract further investment in the city. And that includes Oakland, there on federal highway. Oak tree by Paltay off North West 21st and Pros prospect, and then Bliss featured there with the Middle River Walk, a public amenity. We've also been able to secure low interest rates before rates started to rise with competitive bonds that were double-a rated and also very low interest rates for a public works facility and other critical projects. We also continue to explore options to fund our ambitious storm ladder program recently the Commission approved or application to the state revolving loan fund. That's a state program that provides below typically sub 1% interest rate loans, two jurisdictions for appropriate projects to improve drainage. We've also continued to have great success in obtaining grant funding for capital projects. Just since 2015, the city's been awarded over $65 million in grants. And then we also do have our major new city facilities scheduled to open and that'll open up city properties for redevelopment and also the construction of new amenities. And so this is a major part of reaching our centennial the city manager mentions is our building our second century campaign. So that includes fire station nine, which will have its ribbon cutting and just a few weeks it's a phenomenal building. I just had my walk through last month and was so impressed. The Public Works Facility, moving all of our public works operations from city park to the northeast of the city in a warehouse area, freeing up that space for new parks and amenities. And then of course across the street, we have the sky building being constructed on two lots previously owned by the city that remained dormant and were used for parking for many, many years. So this is a very exciting time for redevelopment in the city. So the total citywide budget for next fiscal year that's recommended is $166.2 billion. The city budget is divided into various different funds and two broad categories are governmental funds and then enterprise funds. Your enterprise funds are about 30% of the budget and those are your utilities, your business-like funds. They pay for themselves, they set their own rates, they issue their own debt, they do their own capital infrastructure. Everything else you see on that pie chart is a governmental fund. Meaning it does the traditional business of government. The largest fund is your general fund, 80.5 million about half your total city budget. And it supports a variety of different funds, including transfers out to the debt service fund that pays all the governmental debt. Our special revenue funds, which includes our CRA, and then our governmental fund, CIP, which is all of the capital projects, excluding those in the enterprise funds. This is our largest adopted budget that's being considered, and it also represents a significant increase in just a few years. So back in fiscal year 2020, the total citywide budget that was adopted was $92.6 million. It's increased almost 80% over these past few years to that 166.2. One of the things I do want to note about the budget is that one of the largest components, particularly in general fund is people. Personnel costs are about 60% of the general fund budget. So it is a core element of the budget when we do these deliberations is understanding that a lot of the cost of the people, many who received accolades tonight. So the general fund revenues, they have to balance with the expenditures just like every fund and the city budget as a whole. So they're $80.5 million in general fund revenues. And as part of the budget process, the ad valorum or property tax and fire assessment revenues are set by commission based on the rate structure they adopt. The remaining revenues are largely just a product of economic activity. These revenues are not all made equally. There are two different types of revenues. There are general revenues like the property tax that can be spent on any governmental purpose. And then there are restricted revenues that are legally limited to what they can be spent on. So it's not a matter of just balancing $80 million and revenues to $80 million in expenditures. That fire assessment of $10.7 million can only be spent on fire suppression costs. The permit fees that are collected by the city, those don't go to subsidize the water and sewer fund or pay for the library. All of those are required in a state lot of use to spend on enforcing the floor to building code. You also have smaller revenue streams such as the gas tax which are used to fund our repaving projects in the city. So it is more than a simple balancing act. We have to look at each revenue stream and see what can be illegally spend on this. And the result is a general fund expenditure of $80.5 million. The largest share of expenditures in the general fund are for public safety, about 47% total. And that includes your BSO or your police services for $20.8 million, a little bit over a quarter of the budget, and then fire rescued almost $17 million, about a fifth of the budget. The rest of the general fund comprises of parks, library, engineering, community development, building the non-interprise fund components of public works, and then also the largest area you see there outside of public safety is general government. That includes city clerk, finance, administration, IT, human resources, but also includes things we'd always think about like those risk management costs that higher insurance rate that I just mentioned, and also the transfers used to support other funds, including our capital programming. We'll just shift very briefly into talking about the enterprise funds and again these are business-like funds. They set their own fees, they're not subsidized by tax dollars, neither do they subsidize the general fund. They issue their own debt and they must maintain their own reserves. The largest is our water and sewer fund. We purchase our water from the City of Fort Lauderdale and our sewer is our wastewater's process by Fort Lauderdale and by Broward County. After that, our second largest enterprise fund is the storm water fund at $12.3 million about a quarter of the enterprise funds. And again, this has increased substantially over last year and then we have our solid waste fund at about $10 million. As stated, the solid waste fund has had seen increased personnel, recycling, repair maintenance, and tipping cost fees. And these fees have increased at a much greater rate than when we did a recent studies with Custler Consulting. And personnel is a matter of high competition for CDLs and qualified drivers. The recycling tipping fee rates have grown much more quickly than anticipated and that's a universal problem in Broward County and one of the elements when looking at the rate structures we did not set the rates to fully balance the fund. There are hopes that we can use some reserves this year to make sure we pay all the costs. But Broward County has been working on establishing in Broward County solid waste authority with the intention of helping ameliorate these problems and mitigate these high cost by coming to symptom collective solutions on tipping and disposal. So that said, the rate increase of $30 as attempted to help stabilize the fund, but we do continue to have concerns about the long-term trajectory of that. The commercial rates or the other element, last commission meeting or an ordinance was approved that changed how these rates were adopted. In prior years it was by ordinance. Now to be set by resolution as part of the final budget hearing. The proposed increase there is a little bit under 10%. Matching proportionally the increase in the residential rate of $30. The Water and Sewer Fund last year, we began work on a water and sewer master plan and then a company rate study. Those are nearing the finish line and we intend to have those presented next fiscal year. While we wait for those results in that presentation the city's code does have an automatic rate adjustment that occurs annually on October 1st and that rate adjustment is based solely on the provider charges of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County. In July, we did not have those numbers. Those are determined as part of those jurisdictions budget processes, but we have received them and if what they propose is adopted and implemented, we'd be looking at a 5% increase in water and a 2% increase on sewer charges and to put that in perspective When the city does this adjustment it also takes into account the savings that the city has through operational efficiencies such as our smart meters program so the 5% increase in water The actual cost for waterdale is charging for us water is increasing 8.5%. So efforts are made to shield those costs. It is not directly transferred on to consumers. Every effort is made to find new efficiencies and if you've not signed up for the SmartMeeters program, I highly recommend it. It provides a critical amount of information and can help you detect leaks and identify problems in your own system and give you hourly records and further details. It helps prevent a lot of surprises when you get your monthly bill. The Stormwater Fund, we talked about it, had its master plan and we are a full steam ahead. We're taught not just building new structures for our Centennial. We're also working on a 15-year plan To help address drainage issues in the city. So we do have that revolving loan fund application submitted For next fiscal year that will be funding some projects But the fund has more than doubled in size Increasing by 7 million and its capital program has gone from 730,000 to over $7 million substantial return just for that $11 increase. The budget is an operations plan, but there is also a need to have it correspond and further the city's strategic plan. As part of that, the city departments work to develop business plan initiatives that further the objectives of the strategic plan. And so we have a variety of different strategic plan performance areas. And you can see those listed on the chart. And there are initiatives that correspond to each. These initiatives, they're over 190 different ones, and altogether they're valued at $8.5 million. And they are all outlined individually as part of the budget book, but some of the highlights include maintaining our roster of city events, including Good Neighbor Day, expanding our business incentive programs from beyond just the CRA to also along a local and park Boulevard west of I 95 in the qualified census tracked area and along Andrew's Avenue. Continuing our food distribution programs with our nonprofit partners and providing hurricane kits to our neighbors at risk. It also contemplates four new positions being added to the city, taking us to a total staffing of 329. And those are a volunteer services manager in the parks department. Two new GIS positions for the ITS division, and an additional administrative assistant in the permitting division. It also contemplates a major investment in the replacement of vehicles, 29 at the cost of 3.3 million. The average service life of these vehicles being replaced is 15 years. Over a quarter million in new incentive, our new capital equipment for fire rescue. Continued investments in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity and it's also our first full year of Keep Oakland Park Beautiful that program and I will also note that it is also the first full year of IVR Interactive voice recognition phone payments for our utility billing system So you don't even need to go through the hassle of opening up an account. If you just want to make a credit card payment, you just call the number and have your account information. We have a very impressive capital improvement program. The highlights of the program were provided back in June by the engineering department. We're looking at a CIP of $38.4 million About a quarter of the work is related to our utilities water and sewer and storm water The remainder are all above ground projects facilities streetscapes neighborhood improvements and parks The CIP is grown tremendously. We keep looking at 2020 as a base here and you can see one of the things that has driven up the entire citywide budget is Fiske year 2020 that's CIP was $3.8 million dollars next year. It's over 38 million dollars That's an increase of 907 percent in just a few years. That's a tremendous amount of work being done and contemplated for the future Just quickly going through this CIP, we have the renovation grant funded of the Collins Building at City Park. We have City Park Phase 2 itself, again, a serious amount of grant funding. Then, out west, we have the Royal Palm Park Trail Improvements. And then we also have the Florida Sidewalk Network funded through this complete streets and local initiatives program. And then some of those stormwater projects include the design for the Emerald Lakes Basin Drainage Area. That chain of lakes can see out west connecting Blue Hair and Lake Emerald, montage and other communities out west. And then we also have a grant funded North E6 Avenue pump station here in Eastern Oakland Park. One of the great things that we can say about next year's CIP is that it's not being funded by residents primarily. Over 25.4 million of the funding is coming from external sources from grants. That's 66% of your entire CIP. So just to recap the budget, we're recommending a decrease in the operating mileage of 5 to 5.72543. We're reducing the debt service mileage to 0.5534 mills. There isn't increased to the fire assessment rate being recommended to 382 per residential unit. And just to focus on those two, those are the only general fund revenues being set tonight and next week. And when we compare those rates to what our pure cities adopted as their preliminary rates in July, you can see that we compare very favorably of these eight cities with populations between 40 to 80,000. We have the second lowest milled rate. And you'll note that not every city here has issued debt service. Most of them haven't. So we're the second lowest combined milled rate. And that's not even considering the fact that most of the others don't have any debt. These other cities with debt service milled rates, you can see are the top three in milled for our peer cities. And we are the second lowest. And for the fire assessment, you can see are the top three in millage for our peer cities. And we are the second lowest. And for the fire assessment, you can see as well that our 382 recommendation remains well below, 48 dollars below that average of $430. So we do understand and acknowledge the fire assessment increase is not always the best news, but it is by comparison something that we're still working very hard to keep competitive compared to similar cities. And it's also the city's intent to keep that 382 rate constant for at least a two year period. Stormwater assessment rate increasing by $11. Residential solid waste by $30. Still well below the county average of $400. Slightly above the rate of $300 back and fiscal year 12 for Oakland Park. About a 10% increase for our commercial rates of solid waste. Maintaining our fund balance within our policy limits. Adding four additional positions, the city staff, bringing us to a total of 329 positions, and that does exclude the 99 contract positions, part of our police services agreement with the Broward Sheriff's Office. It is the city's largest adopted budget in its history. And what does this mean to our residents and to our property owners? And August, every property owner received their trim notice. That trim notice provided what their taxable value was last year, what it's going to be for the upcoming tax year, what the rates they paid last year were, and what if adopted the preliminary rates, how it will affect their property. So we looked at the median single family home from last year and we applied the maximum growth that could have, which was 3% in the state of Florida, the growth in the assessed value for homesteaded property is CPI or 3%, whichever is the lower of the two. Last year, the CPI was applicable with 3.4% according to the state. So that cap took effect. You can see that the effect that has in the property tax with their proposed rate reductions is a net increase of $8.72 about a 1%, less than 1% increase. Then when we look at the special assessment, what's are not based on the value, the taxable value of a property but are based on the cost of service being provided. You can see the $11 increase for storm water, the 30 for solid waste, the 106 for the fire assessment, and you can see the total increase of 147 for the assessments. All told, that tax bill is increasing by 8.45% about $156. And one thing I do want to note is that although both the operating and debt service melodies are decreasing under state law, we're required to advertise an increase in our property tax. And that's because the state of Florida has something called the rollback rate, which has to be calculated. And that's the rate that wouldn't be set to generate just the same amount of taxes as the immediately preceding fiscal year. So the proposed operating mileage rate is 7.42 percent above the rollback rate of 5.3289. Oakland Park is not the only entity on the tax bills. If you look at your trim notice, you'll see a bevy of different special taxing districts and then also the Broward School Board and the Broward County Board of County Commissioners. Oakland Park is less than a third of the property tax bill. And one thing just to take note of is that there are significant benefits and exemptions options available to our homesteaded properties. That save our homes law creates that 3% cap so it can never exceed 3% even when CPI exceeds it as it did in the past couple of years and then the home state exemption also applies which is $50,000 for cities it's only 25,000 for the taxes set by the school board. And so over 60% of residential properties in an Oakland park are homesteaded. So the majority are receiving those benefits. For the non-home-steaded properties, be they residential or commercial or industrial, that cap is 10%. So those properties in prior years that have higher CPIs, they did grow at a higher rate. And so that tax savings from the homestead and the other exemptions you see on the right, that does transfer to some extent the burden onto others. And just to illustrate that, when we look at the growth and the taxable value versus the market value from a single average single family home back in 2020. You can see the market value was about 270,000 or so and the taxable value was 130. Over the course of those years, the market value increased by 73% reaching over $450,000 or as a taxable value increased by only 18% taking it to $154,000. So just to show what that difference is, that property under save our homes is paying $882. If that did not apply with that period of time, that home would be paying almost $3,000 in property taxes. So there are some significant advantages built into Florida's tax law regarding properties. So just a recap of what we're asking for tonight is a public hearing two debt service milled rates, one for the 2020 debt service series of 0.3589 mills from the series 2022 of 0.1945 mills. Afterwards, we're requesting that a public hearing be held on the budget itself, which is included as exhibit A and the value of that budget is 166.2 million. And again, after the adoption of these tentative rates and the tentative budget, those will be advertised along with the next hearing date. Later this month, we do have additional public hearings on the budget next week, next Thursday at 6 p.m. September 12th, we have three public hearings for the non-Avularim Special Assessments. So that will be the fire, stormwater, and residential sawd waste assessments. And if you're wondering why it's Thursday at 6 p.m. it is a product of state law and noticing requirements. Then we have our final budget hearing on Wednesday, September 18th and that hearing also will include not just the final milled rate and final budget. It also includes the CIP, the city's compensation plan, fee booklet and fiscal policies. It also will have the final adoption of the CRA budget. And with that, thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Reber. Did you? Any more? No, thank you very much. At this time, Mayor, we've presented our recommendations. We look forward to hearing from the public assembly here and then entertaining any comments or questions that you might have from the day. So thank you. Okay, so at this point we're going to open the public hearing. Anyone who'd like to speak on this matter of the fiscal year 25 budget and military, please stop forward and you have four minutes. When you come up, if you can just say your name and address for the record, Mr. Dudy. Mr. Mayor for clarification in the record, the first public hearing is on the millage only. So you're going to have two public hearings separately, one from one another, first one's millage, millage only, then you follow it up with the budget. Sorry for that error yes. This first budget hearing is very specific to the tentative fiscal year 25 millage operating and debt services rates adoption. So again you have up to four minutes of anybody who'd like to speak. Popular topic. Okay, no one going once twice. I'm going to close the public hearing and I'll entertain a motion. Prior to considering the resolution if you had by separate motion, adopt military, a tentative military. So we're looking for a motion to adopt a tentative military. Motion to adopt. Go ahead, Commissioner. One motion to adopt the tentative military. Second, you need to state it. State military. the tentative military tentative military of 5.7243 second second. Second. All right so at this point we're going to have discussion from the commission. You'd like to begin the commissioner. Do we need a separate motion or say motion for the debt service to? No sir, that would be included in the resolution. That's all. Unless you take exception is a recommendation. Just want to make sure it's all right, that's all. Is there any discussion? Yes. Mr. Gordon. Thank you. Mr. Thompson. As we commend it you and July and your staff, we want to commend you again for bringing this budget recommendation and military debt services and so on to the commission tonight with the the rising cost in the supply chain and the fact that our properties in this city is increasing in value. So I watch how you balanced everything to make sure that we continue to provide excellent goods and services to our residents. You've done a phenomenal job you and your staff. I did. I do have a question for you. And of course, the $65 million in grants has certainly helped us to defer the cost that will otherwise come from our residents, you know, people in our community. So we want to thank you for those grants dollars. So my question is going back to yes the mandatory rail The mandatory rail cross and contributions and that's a 1.4 million dollar project It's a total about $1 million. So we received by coincidence notice from both entities that are responsible for maintaining those rail crossings. Their notices of the work being done just so happened to fall during the next fiscal year. So together they total a million dollars but they're separate projects and we're responsible for reimbursing them for the value of the work. Okay and when you say it's the next fiscal year we speak in a fiscal year 26. Fiscal year 25 ma'am. 25 yes sir because we're still in 24 just wanted to understand that now does that I think you did mention that that would include the 38th Street repairs Yes both 38th Street crossings for the FEC and the CSX line both just happened to be what they had scheduled next year. So both the workers being done and both those crossings that are maintained for the city. Nice thank you I appreciate that and I also have a question when I look at the pie chart that you presented, and I look at the budgeted amount for the library. Let me go back to that slide. I think that's on what page was that, what slide was that? Leave it on slide 8 to the chose the break down for the general fund, yes ma'am. I'm a little bit concerned about that amount and I'm not too sure how much that's going to bring us and in value as far as having a solid library in the city. There have been concerns about the library and how that's going to look. So I just wanted to bring that to light. Otherwise, I like what I see and just thank you. This is tough. What you all do to keep our city sustainable and continue to provide the best services to our stakeholders. So thank you again. Thank you Mayor. Thank you. Commissioner, just to follow up on what you said did you have any specific recommendation regarding the library budget? I know you said it you had some concern. It's up to you whether you want to be more specific or sure. Sure. Thank you Mayor. It's up to you. I think I would what I would like to do is probably hear more from maybe the city manager on that, sir. I'm happy to do that, Commissioner. If you don't mind though, I think because we're only talking about the milledrate here and the budget as the next item, if we could defer that discussion. Absolutely. That might be easier and more appropriate to the agenda. I agree. Thank you very much. Good redirection you're right. Okay, but thank you. What will bring that right back? Maybe after our pre-cadae 30 Commissioner Arts for the millagest. Can you go over the increases we got from the we were crossing pension BSO About how much dollar wise is that? So if we're let me just go back to that to make sure the commit. I'm sorry. Let's keep this focus on knowledge It doesn't know what you're okay When you'll follow my line of questioning So the increase in pension costs and the general fund was about 1.3 million dollars. Yes, so it was about 1.4. Then the rail crossing is a little bit under a million. And then I mentioned the insurance costs increase. We had built into the budget 484,000, but it looks that the renewal will be an additional 250 on top of that. So we're approximately almost $5 million. I'd say that's for those that's a fair. What would that equate to in the military? One moment. Approximately. I'm not going to hold you to it. So the value of one mill is about $5.5 million. So in other words, if we didn't have all these things hitting at one time this same time of the year, same time this next year, we could not only lower our millage rate below the rollback rate, but we could also reduce the fire fee. The fire fee would be as you could, you could take some of that fire fee out and and use it through the budget. Okay, that's what I'm trying to get at is that it was a perfect storm in the fact that we're they're military. You know, that's a mill We could have dropped in a mill that's what the rollback is 5.3 You have gone down to 4.8 on their military. It's a significant significant a decrease for property owners so With what we've gotten I think the city's done just an outstanding job of making everything work and keeping the the millage rate down and keeping all the everything else down. So it's not like the city's going overboard and spending taxes, spend taxes, spend taxes, spend, the city's actually getting hammered. We got hammered this year by a mill, a solid mill. So when you think about that and you're voting on your conscience, just remember, it wasn't the city's doing. It was what we were, we're playing the hand, we were dealt. Thank you, Commissioner Feismar. Thank you, Mayor. Appreciate it. Mr. Thompson, great details. There's a lot of information here to it to digest. Interesting lack of having any public comment on a day like today, when we're talking about the milledrate in the budget says either a they're trusting their commissioners to do what's right or be they're just disengaged or it's just a percentage in each different area so I think our milledrate I mean this is a we have an aggressive path forward to improve this city and it's a responsible aggressive path forward to improve this city. And it's a responsible aggressive path forward. We're investing in our future. Commissioner Arnard, I think I would 75% agree with you on your assessment. No disrespect. I think there were some decisions that were made by this commission that I thought were, prior commissions that were little bit overly generous not taking in all the different factors. And I know I spoke about them in prior meetings. I'm not quite sure what to say for the next part. You know what I mean as far as costs so for millage we're talking about millage. We're just doing the two mill. Yeah so the budgets probably after the break. Perfect. So as far as when I started with the city some 11 years ago and Mr. Abert came on board one of the things that that I have had a discussion with Mr. Abert about from the very first year is when our property tax base increases and expands, we have to give some of that back to our residents. So in other words, this year we had a 14.78% increase in our property tax base. We got to give some of that back. The rest of it is being used as commission around. It was saying costs were just skyrocketing beyond our control in many cases. In a few cases, I think that we as a commission could have done a little bit better controlling some of the expenses. And if anyone wants to talk about that, feel free to give me a call. We're doing a lot of great things in the city and I'm very thankful for staff. So Mr. Thompson, great job with the budget, with the factors that you're playing with here. And looking forward to continuing the discussion shortly. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Vice Mayor. Mr. Nubel. Thank you vice mayor. Commissioner Newbold. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Thompson, for the detailed explanation of the budget, which is very important to everyone. Everyone takes a budget seriously. And I agree with the commission, we have been hit with costs out of our control. And you've done your best in keeping the budget down, because I know one of the numbers was higher when you first presented this budget to us, and you didn't spend a decrease. I believe it was the fire, but I'm not sure, but you could let me know if I'm wrong, but I know it was one of the numbers. It was much higher when it was first presented to us, and it came down. So I want to thank you because you are very meticulous when it comes to this budget. You explain when I have all my questions doing any briefings I have with you regarding the budget. You explain every detail that I ask regarding fire regarding Indian everything that I ask about the budget, but I look forward to discussing more so I thank you and And thank you for decreasing the military again. Thank you Thank you, Commissioner Newbold. And on the milledrate specifically, the 11th, excuse me, the lowest operating milledrate in 15 years and the 10th reduction in the past 11 years, I want residents to know, I mean, my tax, we're all homeowners here on the commission and many in the audience viewing us and physically here. And then our tax flow goes up. Well, nobody wants to pay higher taxes, but part of why that's going up is because a lot of the reason it's going up is because Oakland parks, a hot commodity. People are looking at us and moving here from around the country. And in a few places, perhaps around the world, certainly they're coming from, I don't know what states exactly in New York or Michigan or something like that, but people are coming here from around the country. So can you imagine the opposite, which I really don't want you to imagine too much if we just kept increasing our millage rate and had a very low fire assessment rate? Maybe we had the lowest in your talking about the fire assessment fee, which did drop by 20 bucks, but you can imagine the opposite where it's very low for fire, but instead we're giving you a very dreary story of having to increase a military, which no politician and no policy holder wants to do. I appreciate the nimbleness cost go up. Everything factors in the military, I mean, I I you know speaking of cost the cost of recycling is 50 percent I mean it's 40 percent at least that's I almost I almost wonder if we ever recycling program but I still think we should have a recycling program but the cost of it is exorbitant particularly when there's a lot of contamination so I just I'm supportive of the cost of it is exorbitant, particularly when there's a lot of contamination. So I just, I'm supportive of the millage of these two milligrates in the motion as well. So at this point we'll call to question and not roll call. Excuse me, Luminon. I'm sorry, Mr. Gideon. Please. Resolution by Title Only, Resolution of City Commission, C. Wilkins Park, Florida, The solution to the City Commission and the City of Ocompaharic Florida adopting a tentative millage rate of 5.7243 for the city's general operating fund for the fiscal year beginning October 1st, 2024. In any September 30th, 2025, adopting the required millage-level for voted debt service for general obligation by the series 2022. For fiscal year begin October 1, 2024. In any September 30th, 2025, provide for conflict, severability and effective date. Mr. Mayor, members of the City Commission, the milled rate to produce a sufficient sum of revenues to pay for the general obligation bonds for 2020 is set at 0.3589 mills. The milled rate for the general obligation bond series for 2022 is set at 0.1945 mills and if you adopt this resolution I'd like to note for the record compliant with Florida law that the final millage rate will be considered at a public hearing at 6.30 p.m. on September 18th 2024 and City Commission Chambers City Hall. the city commission chambers of city hall. Okay, the roll call is for the milled rate. Vice Mayor Longgan. Commissioner Gordon. Yes, Commissioner Newbold. Yes, Commissioner Orange. Mayor Rosenwald. Yes, and now we need an emotion to adopt the resolution. Motion to adopt the resolution. Second. Any further discussion? Now we need an emotion to adopt the resolution. Motion to adopt the resolution. Second. Any further discussion? Roll call. Vice Mayor Longton. Yes. Commissioner Gordon. Yes, Commissioner Neubull. Yes, Commissioner Arns. Yes. Mayor Rosenwald. Yes. We did say a break at 8.30. I think you use my point of privilege. Let's have the budget, our second hearing relating to the budget now And then we'll take a break obviously the audience can use the restrooms you would like but ask us to hang it tight up here So this is on the this is our will be our second public hearing on the fiscal year 2510 to the Vanguels City budget adoption Mr. Doody year 2510th of annual city budget adoption Mr. Dudy. Sir, you may consider opening the public hearing please unless there's just additional staff presentation. Is there additional? Okay so we're going to open the public hearing again specifically on the fiscal year 2510th of annual city budget adoption. Any individual can come up and you have up to four minutes just please say your name and address. Another popular item, Mr. Vice Mayor, as you would reference. So you trust us or I guess you trust us so that's good to have that. Really close the public hearing and I'll entertain a motion. motion to adopt. second. all right let's have some resolution by title only resolution the city efficiency of open park. Florida adopting a ten in the budget for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024 and any September 30, 2025. determining and fixing the amounts that said to carry on the government of the city for the ensuing year. determining the amount of people funds on hand, S-Main receipts and expenditures for all funds exhibited, provide for severability, conflict, and effective date. Okay, we'll have some discussion. Let me first pick up with Commissioner Gordon, your comment on the library. Thank you, Mayor. City Manager, it's your turn, sir. Thank you very much. Yes, there was a question raised earlier today I heard about just before I came into commission chambers this evening and we'll get you more information about that tomorrow. each and every department goes through a process of assessing what their needs are going to be next year and meeting with their budget analyst to discuss how they might be able to find some needed savings. The challenge that we're facing this year is, as was noted earlier in the presentation, that 9 out of 10 of our employees will literally be working in a different location next year. And that means that we're going to have to focus perhaps on moving rather than delivering our usual services at least for a period of time. The library, we've already committed to doing what we can to try to accommodate their regular operating services at their current location, until such time as the work is completed at the Collins Building. It is vital to remind everybody that the Collins Building is being renovated to serve today as a temporary location for the library while we go through our facility bond process. It is true, as we have said, on multiple locations in this chambers that our projections have been dramatically impacted for the facility bond because of construction, close and inflation, something that no one could have predicted in 2018. And so we are having to make some two choices and perhaps reassess some of our goals. But at no time, no time has there been any determination made to my knowledge, not even a recommendation that we cut back on the number of facilities that we will ultimately deliver to our citizens as part of that bond effort. So there seemed to be some potential misunderstanding. Like I said, I'm happy to clarify that in more detail when I get some input from staff tomorrow. But anybody that has questions, can certainly call up here to our office, we're always happy to engage with the citizens. We are going through a time of transition. There's nothing I can do about that. We saw this coming in 2018. We know that it was going to be a process that was going to be a little bit of an upheaval. But we're ready to do it. And we're focused on getting it done. And we're going to try to continue to the best of our ability to deliver our services while we go through that process. And then through the process, time getting it done and we're going to try to continue to the best of our ability to deliver our services while we go through that process and then to have them available as soon as we open our doors at our new facilities as well. So I hope that helps address some of the concerns that you have on your mind this evening commissioner and like I said I'll get you more information once we all assemble our team and have a more thorough Explanation we also have plans within the next two months to bring you another update on our facility bond effort and to talk in greater detail about that Thank you, Mr. A bear and I do appreciate you explaining that because it's for public consumption as we know whenever our citizens reach out to us here on the day us and I brought this up previously and when they have concerns and they bring it to us certainly we have to take that opportunity to present it you, to city management. I just looked at the 1% and it's a concern. So I know that we are going through a transition. I know that the supply chain is completely out of our control. I do understand how construction costs can be affected by the supply chain, everything goes up. You know, and the bond that we, that the citizens voted for in 2018, the $40 million at that time, it looked good, and we thought that we can cover lots of improvements and we now see after COVID things have changed. So I don't know I'm not an economist but I know for a fact what I see when I go shopping I pay more than what I paid a few years ago. So I understand that you know the cost is out of our control, but I'm always concerned about how we are going to navigate and continue to provide those services that our citizens are so interested in. Absolutely. And having a library, of course, and having that type of institution as a power mind to our citizens. And I know you've done the best you can. I appreciate that as we stood here and gave you all of those accolades and how we want you to stay. And I know how hard you and staff work to bring this to us. But just keep that in consideration for us at a later date. Absolutely. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Madam. Thank you, Mr. Reiberd. As much as I said, that is still in our, well as advertised it still in our bond projects but the expenses are real but it will provide an update. Thank you. Commissioner Arnard, I'll call it. Yeah. A couple of things. The trees on 21st Avenue there in the budget. Recently they installed the trees that were along the west side and veterans park. They have received the permit for the trees and the medians. That's planned as part of their general tree replacement program. So you won't see it in the CIP, but it is in the public work operating budget. And the second thing is the garbage truck. Is that that can be charged off to the enterprise fund? The sanitation fund. There are two side loaders each for 375 that are included next year's budget given the elevated level of interest rates we're trying to make sure that we are paying for things with the funds we have on hand. But I'm saying is are they they're not charged off the the general budget they're charged off to the yes sir it's in the solid waste fund. That's all make sure because and I know we're using reserve funds to buy all the vehicles which if keeps them from having to adjust the milled rate upwards that's why our reserve now is down to 22% because it was a one-time expenditure and that's what that's what those are made for one-time expenditures. They're not made for battles in the budget they're not made for barrels in the budget They're not made for low in the milled rate. They're made for one time expenditures and and this is you know these vehicles do need to be replaced And if you do wait another year or two, they're going to look 5 10 15% So now's the time to do it and it doesn't affect the milled rate one bit. So I appreciate you know, you keep keeping up on that because that's very important because when you don't want people to come up to the the lectern here and say the garbage truck dumped oil on my streets or the you know my my stew, my store-and-water drains plug, we don't have a vector truck, the vector truck's broken. Stuff like that, that and stuff needs to be kept up on. And that's one thing I know about vehicles is it's all worked with it all my life. So I know when they when they wear out it's time to replace them, especially the garbage truck that There's only six years old. There's an element. That's the one we kept having trouble with just constantly. So I question at the beginning. That's the one Andrew told me that public works have been having nothing but trouble with. So it's time to replace out. Usually they're they're in service of 10, 15 years. But this one just ain't gonna make it. Commissioner on Zyvers, I don't think you are a copy. I received an email about it. The truck, one of the trash trucks and the stain and I miss Leonard got back to the resident about this, Mr. Carbon. Is this the same truck he's talking about with the, with the stainage? Okay. So that's going gonna be retired. Any other comments? No, go fix. Vice mayor. Thank you, Mayor, appreciate it. It just wanted to go over a few different things. One of the things I wanna start with is, is thank you guys for being such good partners up here. And I appreciate you taking my feedback. Sometimes I seem like I'm a little hard. And I apologize for that. I'm thankful to have you as my partners up here. Mr. Thompson went into personnel costs, and it's really important for everyone to just understand what that means. When we're talking personnel costs, and Mr. Ray Bear, if you feel I'm going missing something, please feel free to interject. When we're talking personnel costs, we're talking about salary. We're talking about pensions. We're talking about health care costs. We're talking about things like tuition for employees. So that's something that can add up. It can be costly as you can aware. In the budget itself, it talks about in 2007, our staffing for the city was 344 employees. So if you remember, in 2008, we went through a really rough time. So we went from 344 employees, and if I'm not mistaken, that excludes BSO, correct? That excludes what now is our 99 BS. But anyways, in 2007 we had 344 employees. By the time 2015 rolled around, we were at 289 employees. So you can see we had went down 55 employees that helped, that, you know, was a sign of the times and things that happened. In 2025, our staffing is at 325. So that's a 36 employee increase. So I know that Mr. A. Barron, his team are carefully evaluating when we need new employees and new positions and hiring accordingly. Again, in 2025 now we're going to be potentially adding four more employees that's going to give us a grand total of 329 people that are servicing the 40, let's say, 6,000 people that live in Oakland Park. This 329 does not include our 99 BSO contracted employees. So just to give you guys a perspective, we got about 46,000 residents in eight square miles. We have 329 employees plus another 99 that are with BSO that are providing services that are keeping us safe, keeping our city running. So I just think it's good that everyone understands exactly the factors that are involved with that. When we're looking at the budget, there was a lot, Andrew, Mr. Thompson did a great job on talking about there were some unfunded mandates by the state. And those were those pension costs. As Commissioner Arns was saying, that really killed us. Those amounts were difficult. Solid waste pretty much beyond our control also, those tipping fees. So I think rest assured that the city manager and his team really did a good job getting control of what they, the factors that were in front of them and presenting a good budget. I shared in the last meeting my frustration was a little bit with our fire rescue increase for our fees for that. I expressed a little bit about my frustration with the 700 homes that were removed from the roles, from having to pay that fire assessment fee. And I think that those costs went on the backs of the other residents in the city. I just wish at this point the reduction where people do not have to pay that fee was automatically granted based on the property appraisers, qualification system that they have. It was based on income and I don't believe if I'm mistaken, I don't believe it was based on assets. So there could be people with millions of dollars in the bank who aren't showing an income, who are now not paying a fire assessment fee. That's where I have a concern. So I definitely want us to be able to help people who are financially struggling, but I don't want us to be picking up the costs for people who have the money in the bank, but they just don't have an income flow coming in, but they may have the resources in the bank. So my wish in the future would be that this would not be automatically granted, but optionally granted, there are a lot of people out there who are very proud and say, no, I can cover myself. And automatically giving something out without asking for someone who qualifies, I think is just giving things away where we may not need to. So again, it's something that I would ask that we look at in the future. Let's see. Mayor, I think that's all I think. I just would like to say again, you know, wonderful job by the staff on all these grants, because I can tell you with the as as the other commissioners who were saying, you know, wonderful job by the staff on all these grants. Because I can tell you, as the other commissioners were saying, with the bond, we got started, and then we realize now, with the COVID that made costs go up, those grants made the difference for allowing us to get where we are today and where we need to get to in the future. So I just wanna say, as everyone else was saying, that new library is coming. We apologize it's taking longer and have no doubt we're gonna be getting that library and we'll continue fixing up the city. And Mr. Thompson, you and your team, Mr. A. Bear, everyone commissioned. This is a great job on a budget and as Commissioner Arns did say, we had a lot of a lot of headwind this year. So hopefully next year we don't quite have the challenges we have this year. Thank you, Mayor. Thank you, Vice Mayor Lonegan, Commissioner Newbold. Thank you. You're right. I agree, Vice Mayor. We have had challenges in Mr. A. Bear and Mr. Thompson. I just think they do a great job when it comes to the budget because I am very particular when it comes to budgeting. I want an explanation as to everything. And again, when I ask questions to Mr. Thompson, he's always, he give me detailed by detail. And I know some of these costs, again, are out of our control, just like the fire assessment, as we spoke, attrition costs. The operating costs have gone up when it comes to the fire. And then, but I still think, you know, you kept the budget. It was presented at a higher rate, and when you came back to me again, it was lowered. So thank you. And I would also like to add, and to the library, Mr. A. Bear, if you can also include, will the same services be offered to the families? Because that's another concern from the residents. They just want to know because that library is always packed with the children and they like the services that the library is offering. And to talk about recycling, I believe we spoke about this last meeting, Commissioner Ernst, because when I'm asked by residents why certain fees are going up, I like to explain. And I know now we used to recycle cardboard, glass, as well as 10, and now we're only recycling the 10 aluminum. Therefore, someone has to, you know, absorb that cost and it's unfortunate we're not able to provide that lower cost to residents anymore because I guess the companies do not exist that came and bought the cardboard as well as the glass. So I just, to inform residents for public consumption just to let you know that the city of Oakland Power is responsible, very responsible when it comes to the budget. And I appreciate that because I too pay a bill. I pay the bills and I look at them and I watch them carefully. So I just want to thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Newbold. So again, terrific job, Mr. Thompson, Mr. A. Barron, your team. Head forward specific questions, Mr. Thompson, I just spoke earlier today twice, actually, so thank you for speaking to me twice today. One was a we're going to get to this in the CRA meeting after break and we are taking a break or right right in a few minutes. We talked about if people do remember the CRA meeting from a month or two ago we were like how can the city help with funds you you know, innovation for struggling businesses. And you mentioned to me, Mr. Thompson, that in the, I see in the CRA budget, the $75,000 strategic initiative piece, but we had talked about the qualified census track. So helping businesses is not just a CRA geographic location, but around the city. I just want to clarify, is that a $75,000 budget for that subsumes everything, or is there a separate $75,000 in the general budget? So there are three business plan initiatives that I think you're talking about. So two of them are city incentive programs that have been approved by commission. The first for 60,000 is the CRA incentive program that's been operating for some time, and that is just within the CRA. And then earlier this year, Dr. Tinsley brought an item to you all to create that QCT program. And that is a separate initiative in the general fund that covers the Oakland Park Boulevard Corps of our, quarter west of I-95 within this qualified census tract area. And then also the western side of Andrew's Avenue, which is just outside the CRA. So those two are the first two buckets, so two existing grant programs. Then as part of the CRA's budget, there is a bucket labeled FY25 strategic initiatives. And that's a bucket that's specifically for the CRA to develop and implement new ideas and new initiatives based on the feedback of the board and the city manager to be responsive of those needs as they evolve. So that's within the CRA budget itself, but again, the budgets are plans. If that's something that that bucket ends up the direction being that we don't want to just focus in the CRA with these business initiatives. We want to focus citywide. That would be a product of the commission doing a budget amendment. Just to make sure on an accounting and a budgetary basis, that citywide expenditure was reflected appropriately in the general fund, not the CRA. But I think at the end of the day, you'd have the same folks working on economic development regardless of what pod it's coming out of. Sure, thank you. So that's just like you raised the idea about the Library, Commissioner Gordon. I just would raise that to my colleagues up here in the Mr. Ray Bear. I'm very, I think we're all over the past few years. And again, I give over the past few years, we've looked at in the CRA is East. When you go east of Dixie on commercial, that's Oakland Park 2. And so I just want to put out there that wherever we're looking at facade improvement or that's, I like the new bucket of strategic initiative. I think that's what it's called that we think about it geographically around the entire as the vice-versa-n vice mayor said, or eight square miles. I don't want us to favor one over the other geographically, so that's that piece. So thank you. I had a question. I've said to you, over the years of Australia, I always like your diligence when you see that to convert subcontractors, like the GIS, there's a lot of GIS, I try to understand what that all means, into staff members, which includes, they're the kind of tuition and benefits, and you factor that in. I just had one question about the administrative assistant position for the planning department. And I know I appreciate I see Mr. Ostroth in the room and I really appreciate your your Re-vamping that department the administrative assistant looks like it's pretty much tasked with these 40-year reviews Now I'm sure that's a feature. I mean out of feature. That's a component of the work that the I said the planning, excuse me, the building department does. But is this person dead? Is the work so much that they're going to be pretty exclusively just to the 40 year review? I mean, because I have to trust, of course, I trust you, Mr. Raybeard, Mr. Ostrov, but I just know that as we're looking for improved efficiencies, I've talked to so many residents and business owners like tons over the past two years and it was never about the 40 year review was more just about the basics of permitting. So I don't wanna say I'm concerned because I trust you both, but if you could clarify a bit about that this new admin in building services is going to be like pretty dedicated just to that. I assume that that will then free up the other admin staff, right? If you can just clarify or expand. Thank you. Yes, thank you Mayor. The new position is intended to primarily focus on that program. That's a state requirement of buildings that are older, and it does bring in revenue. As Andrew noted in his budget presentation, the permitting process for the building services department must be funneled into and exclusively into the continuing operations of that department. So you're absolutely right by adding this individual, even though it's added to the budget, it will actually be funded by the increase in the permitting fees that we are getting. It's neutral. Because, right, exactly. Because of those investments that people are making when we talk as the vice mayor indicated of an increase in the tax base, most of that is being driven because of new development. And new development is requires permits to be issued and fees to be paid. So when we were talking, even again, with the vice mayor's very focused comments about personnel, most of those departments, those personnel were added within the building services department too, in order to keep pace with the building that was taking place in our city. And again, that all comes directly from the fees that are collected there. So it is a department, as you know, that is going through transition. You're absolutely right, I think, under Brad Ostrov's supervision. We are seeing significant improvements and we're anticipating that they will continue. But in the meantime, I think that the recommendations that we have included here in will assist us in getting there even faster. Great. Thank you. And then two very specific items, whoever would like to address them. One of the residents, I think in this email that went out to office today was talking about the radar speed signs. Now this is something I've brought up. These are the big signs on streets about this is your speed. I know in the past both BSO has provided some in public works has provided some I think two years ago, but I don't put me on this. We had three or something like that and then they can break and that sort of thing. So I just wanted to ask, I know the captains here too, but for these, how many signs this is your speed signs or whatever they are and whatever their nuances are? How many does the city own? How many do we own? Do we own the ones through BSO? Does BSO, it's BSOs, but we just use them and do we have enough between the complement between BSOs, signs and public work signs? Because they're always in demand and that was a question I received from the Senate. And we do use them for a number of different purposes and there are some that are static, like for example the one that we've had on Florida for some time. We are regularly looking at acquiring additional items. BSO has been very generous in allowing the use of theirs, but we have to move them from time to time and place to place in no small result because people get too used to them. And as a consequence, they no longer have the same impact that they do initially when we put them up. As you know as well, the team over at BSO has been very aggressive in dealing with enforcement issues on our traffic corridors primarily, and we're gonna continue to do that. So we have a number of different strategies, but certainly electronic signs are important to that process and we're gonna continue to look into acquiring more as well as implementing additional strategies for traffic enforcement. So they're in the budget, I mean I trust you of course, but they're in the budget as necessary because I know sometimes they break because they're in accidents or what have you. We've always, I may be wrong, but I've always felt there's a perceived short it, it's perceived, it may not be real, that there's a shortage of these signs. But, you can tell me I'm wrong on that, but others have, there's this perception, so I just want to, I guess mayor I think is a judgment call and that we do the best job that we can with the limited resources that we have but we hear you the inquiry that you're referencing as as I noted earlier came in just within an hour or two of the actual meeting tonight so we'll include this as a follow-up item so that everybody can get the specific details on that. Thank you. And one last thing Vice Mayor Long-Tor right to you. All in that email too was, and I appreciate, I think it's Mr. Carb and Mr. Lips and the streets part of public works as well as Mr. Castell and Parks and Rucks for veterans park. It seems like in the past there had been some neglect frankly and it looks like a lot of things are now being replaced. I just wanted to make sure and I know you'll get back to us because we just got the email today that just that to make sure that in the budget, which I think it is for all the parks that that veterans park that a thorough assessment is conducted a vocal of a park a veteran spark just to make sure that every possible structure not the graphs, but I know that new, something new is being delivered or is on order now, but just to make sure that the residents, it's more than just the one resident that we're all thinking of. I appreciate her saying this, but it's multiple residents, particularly who happen to live in South Royal Palm Isles because they live east of there, are have many concerns legitimate on 21st and the traffic and homelessness. But specifically my question or my comment tonight is specifically about the infrastructure of veterans parks. I appreciate I don't need an answer today on it because no, but it's important. I know that the parks like everything the thorough assessment doesn't mean we can buy everything that's needed. But my sense from a lot of residents there is that this park in the past, not most recently, because Mr. Cassel, you're doing a bang up job and Mr. Lips and Mr. Carbin Arbit, and the past, my sense was there had been some neglect in the past. We have a grant coming through, I think it's for $400,000 and it will be part of a public process. Remember that we can't be in a situation to get a grant if it is supplanting monies that are already allocated. So we've got to be really cautious. Sometimes it means a little bit more of a delay than we'd like to realize. But the other side of the coin is it saves us the tax payers money in order to achieve the grant opportunity and That's coming up if I'm not mistaken this next year. Yes, sir There's a $400,000 grant that we were awarded and then we're also having a $160,000 transfer in the general fund so you have about $560,000 for improvements to veterans parks scheduled for next year. Thank you all it Mr for improvements to veterans Park scheduled for next year. Thank you all. Mr. Lonergan, vice mayor. Thank you, Mayor. I just wanted to say thank you for bringing up the issue on the speed signs. I think neighborhood wide in our neighborhood, that's probably a good idea. You know, I could tell you, anytime of the day or night, I can sit in my yard and I can hear federal speedway or Oakland Park raceway or Dixie raceway, Dragway, all times of the day. And I had a discussion with Mr. Ray Bear about a month ago saying, this is a quality life and safety issue. And we have to lead Broward County. The rest of the city, the rest of the cities in Broward, I don't think are addressing the problem either and I think we really whether it's getting more motormen in Oakland Park we need to send a message that we're done with this and if you're going to be speeding through our city you're going to get pulled over and you're going to pay a fine. I'm just really I sit in my yard any time of the day or night and I can just hear room and they sound like I've got raceways all around here so it's just on it's got to appoint that it's horrible and we have to do something about it so Mr. Raybear told me assured me that he was gonna talk with Chief Quigley and thank you and find some solutions. But I think it's something that needs to be a priority. Thanks. Thank you, Vice Mayor. Any other comments on the budget? Commissioner Nubel. Just one quick quote. Since you brought up the Veterans Park, the tank that's at the Veterans Park. Will is that included for improvements? Or you can get back to me later on that. Yeah, I'm happy to do that. That is a little bit of unique situation and it takes a little bit more time and energy to go through all of that. But we haven't identified everything and how we're going to go about utilizing all the monies. We've given a general idea to the grant agency and we're hoping to fine tune it as we get closer to the time that the monies are available to do the actual work and you'll hear more of that as the year unfolds. Thank you. Okay. Any final comments? So we're ready for roll call, Mr. Ditty. Okay, roll call. Vice Mayor Long again. Yes. Commissioner Gordon. Yes. Commissioner Neubull. Yes. Commissioner Arnst. Mayor Rosenwald. Yes. We're done. Okay, we have to always talk to our attorney. We'll see you back here. We'll adjourn until 9-10. We'll take a break. Thank you. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. 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I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next room. I'm going to go to the next slide. I'm going to go to the next slide. I'm going to go to the next slide. I'm going to go to the next slide. I'm going to go to the next slide. I'm going to go to the next slide. I'm going to go to the next slide. I'm going to go to the next slide. I'm going to go to the next slide. I'm going to go to the next slide. Okay. Okay. Okay. We're going to reconvene our city commission meeting and immediately go into a recess for our community redevelopment agency meeting. We'll call Mr. This is for the CRA meeting. Vice Chair Lonegan here, board member Gordon here, board member new bull here, board member, arms and chair Rosenwald here. Okay, so our first excuse me. Our first item is public comments. So this is public comments specifically to any matter relating to this community redevelopment agency. You have up to four minutes. So anybody would like to speak, just come up and say your name and address please. Vice mayor, it's a quiet crowd tonight. Okay, we're going to close the public. Okay. We love the microphone around here. Would you mind just to say your name and address? It's first Fisher 37 11 Northeast 13th Avenue. Can we get some clarification? I know I'm not allowed to technically ask you all questions, but just as far as a community redevelopment agency meeting with the consent agenda here is it just the following up of the agenda items that proceed it is that correct? Yeah, just this right there's public comments. There's a consent agenda, which is the minutes and then there's a budget public hearing And then there's reports from us and the executive director I'll just be very you can speak on any item related to the community read about the agency I just want to kind of speak to something just regards community and real quick Just because I don't see anywhere else in the agenda, maybe I did miss it on public comments. And it's after this meeting. Well, then I am getting out of here. Thank you very much for your time. Okay, thank you. Any other public comments for this CRA meeting only? At this point, I'll close the public comments and we have consent agenda. Mr. Judy. So the minutes for July 17, 2024. Motion adopted. Second, roll call. Vice Chair Lonegan, former Gordon. Yes, former Newbold, former Orange, Chair Rosenwald. Yes. At this point, we have. Yes, remember new bull. Yes, remember aren't chair rows and all. Yes, at this point we have our budget public hearing. The hearing is on the community redevelopment agency tentative budget for fiscal year 2025. Avertising for this public hearing appeared in the Sun, set in August 27th, 2024. Mr. Doody. Resolution by title only. Resolution of the Board of Commissioners, the O'Claipark community redevelopment agency, the committee to vote for the committee to vote for the committee to vote for the committee to vote for the committee to vote for the committee to vote for the committee to vote for the committee to vote for the committee to vote for the committee to vote for the committee to vote for the committee to vote for the committee to vote for the committee to vote for the up. Oh, sorry. No worries. And I really go to our executive director, Mr. Ray. Thank you, board chair. I'll turn this over to Andrew Thompson. This is an item that he referenced briefly in the earlier presentation. This will cover it in a little bit more detail in order to conform to our usual procedure. Chief Financial Officer Thompson, if you would please. Thank you, Mr. Executive Director, board members. This is the tentative budget hearing for the city's CRA. Just as background, this has been advertised in the Sun Sentinel. What we're doing tonight, similar to what we've done before, is we'll need to conduct a public hearing, and that'll need to adopt a tenant of CRA budget. And like many other CRAs throughout the state, we do not have tax increment financing. So there is no rate setting tonight with the CRA. The CRA is almost completely funded by transfers from the general fund. So as part of the budget, the citywide budget, a CRA budget was adopted of $854,000. Some of the highlights of that include the $60,000 for incentive grants that were mentioned earlier, the entrepreneurship academy for $20,000, then continued support for the live like a local, find an Oakland Park program and then also some flexibility of new strategic initiatives for $75,000. I do want to know if you're comparing this to the CRA budget of fiscal year 24. As was approved earlier this year, we had the CRA director restored as a position that had previously been an assistant director position as part of community development but now the CRA is a standalone department reporting to the city manager so those personnel costs were moved over from planning and community development back over to the CRA and that's two staff persons. So again, I recommend that you conduct a public hearing and thereafter adopt a resolution improving the CRA's budget for fiscal year 25 and then the final budget will be for consideration on September 18th. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Thompson. At this point, I'm going to open a public hearing. This is a public hearing specifically on the CRA tentative budget for fiscal year 2025. Anybody who'd like to speak, you have up to four minutes. Just please say your name and address. I'm going to close the public record and entertain a motion. I'm excused. I'm going to close the public record and entertain a motion. I'm excused. I mean, it closed the public hearing and entertain a motion. Both do adopt second. And then discussion. Yeah, real quickly. You know, I know we don't have tip funny, but it really gets lost in and we had the loan to grant program. and every time we sell some of the downtown property, that money goes back into the general budget, general budget, which in fact pays for a lot of this because all that land we got, all the land we bought across streets, off to here, over here down the street, that was all loan to grant that was done by the county. And what happens is if we had significant tax increase increasing because of the new development, they forgave the loans. So a lot of this, you know, we had to fund this, you know, a tip funding. But a lot of this funding too is now is being really sold for 2.25 million. So that offsets three or four years of this now. So it's not just coming directly from the general but this actually comes from the county because the county actually paid for those properties and deeded them to the city. And when the city sells them, we reap the benefits of them, and especially with the increase in property values. So it's not just stricken on the taxpayers. This is actually the county actually helped us with this. And it just doesn't happen all the time. It doesn't happen every year. But when we do sell some of our property we own downtown, that was because of the loan grant program. It was like over here, the singing sun's building. That was done the loan to grant program. So when we sell this property the parking lot out here was the loan to grant program. So we acquired a lot of property from the county, you know, the county paid for it and we really didn't have turned into a grant. So we never had to pay any payments on the on the property. So we we did get a lot and I don't know how much that dollar something about us, but it's every time we sell something it goes up so it actually offsets us to see our aid budget. So I just didn't know if everyone knew that. You weren't around when we did this low-degrant program back know, 20 years ago. And it really, it doesn't take, it doesn't help you right away, but in the long run, it really helps offset, you know, what goes on the CRA. Thank you. So that was a comment that wasn't a suggestion for an accounting. That was a comment. Just because it never gets, it never gets mentioned. The fact that, you know, we, all these properties we bought down here we didn't have to pay for them they're they're sent to for free just like jock of the story is that was done in the park bond we got that for free so you know we've got a lot of money for the county for free it's a good reminder we have money coming from for affordable housing across the street yes okay the city commission meeting. So that's $75,000. I want us to connect back to it. It was a very, I would use the word, but an emotional CRA meeting. Our last CR and my CRA meeting. What was it about a month ago? So I think it was a very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very a very, I would use the word, but an emotional CRA meeting, our last CRA meeting, what was it about a month ago? So, Mr. Thompson, can you explain a little more? I love this idea, this strategic initiative. Can you explain a little more about the idea of that? What sort of that? This was a practice we started last fiscal year in response to adopting that new strategic plan for the CRA was to make sure that the CRA had the flexibility to address issues as they arose and develop new programs. So it's really an opportunity for the CRA to be responsive to those needs of economic development throughout the budget cycle or throughout the fiscal year. So it does provide essentially an allowance to work on economic development in a number of ways. And I know speaking with Director Herrera, she's working on following up on a lot of those comments and requests from the prior meeting. Thank you. Senator Abert. Mr. Abert, managerially is would obviously you supervise Mr. Herrera. So ideas you and she and others have how would they be would they brought be brought to the CRA or how would they be? So the next step one should do of you have ideas like like with any budget. This is only a budget. And so once you have ultimately determined what the budget will be, that will provide us the guidance to ensure that we know we can go forward with the program and a plan. Mr. Rare isn't here this evening because we had anticipated that this would be a longer meeting. But she will bring back an update, a CRA update that will encompass our ideas about this specific component if this meets with your approval. And I think in light of the suggestions that we've heard recently and the very successful downtown partners meeting that we had in August, which I know a number of you were able to attend. We're going to let a lot of the decisions about this be driven by what the business community is looking to us for. What we found and what we've been explaining is that there are a lot of services that we simply haven't the resources to provide, but that are provided from other entities. So we're working on establishing a network so that we don't compete with other agencies and their programming while at the same time like Mr. Thompson just indicated, remaining flexible to try to address unique circumstances that might occur here. And both Renee Miller are consultant for the CRA and Nasa Herrera, our department had our working on that approach. They're having a follow-up meeting with the department with the downtown partners this month in fact next week. So we'll get more information about that and you know former mayor Jane Bowlin has been very very helpful because she herself is a small business owner and has been an executive of the intrepid nurse organization internationally she speaks to the group both nationally and internationally. So we're really excited about trying to open up our opportunities to continue to empower our small businesses. But we'll bring that back to you as we bring the next CRA update. Thank you. And again, I know it's a CRA, so it's geographic, but we've had some flexibility in the past for the Vassade improvement. I just wanna say on the record that, and I know when René Miller a year and a half or so was out west in Westernacle Park, which he's speaking to residents or business owners, do you recall off-hand? Yeah, that was primarily business owners, but residents were invited and several did attend. So while we call it downtown, which again has a geographic, that means the downtown here, we know what streets by which streets I just, there's, we have wonderful business owners, not in our downtown. And I had the idea, I forwarded an idea a year or two ago. I can't remember. You might remember because there's just two of us. I think it was just the two of us here about a extending or I don't know if it'd be renaming it, but having a west side business partners, but of course, could we just have one? We're not that big of a city. So I just want to encourage everything that's CRA since're freed, probably from a lot of legal requirements, since we're not to funding that we have the flexibility with our budget that we, we, we, I totally get we had to start somewhere, but now we are on the move as you, you so said to Mr. Raybear, a hour or two ago, and we just want to make sure we consider our entire geography. We don just want to make sure we consider our entire geography. We don't want to leave anybody out. The other item I had, we've had it coming on. I know we talked about it. I think it was in last year's budget, Mr. Buthee, you've brought it up a few times. And past meetings was the entrepreneurship academy. So I'm happy to support that. So if we're all supportive of that, then that will be re-enlivened in initiative, Mr. Budhoo, so we can, and for all of us, so we can see what that looks like. So thank you all in the other comments. Okay, roll call. Vice Chair Lonegan. Yes. Board Member Gordon. Yes. Board Member Nubal. Yes. Board Member Arns and Chair Roosevelt. one again. Yes. Remember Gordon. Yes. Remember new boom. Yes. Remember aren't. Yes. And chair as well. Yes. Okay. At this point reports from us. Reports from board members. Any reports? Vice chair. Hey, thank you. Chair. First, I just wanted to say congratulations to Libera Bar, the gourmet burger place, Anokal and Park Boulevard about half a block west of federal highway. They had the grand opening, commission Newbold and I. I can't remember some of the others may have been there also throughout the time, but great place. Initially, we all received the email that said, LaBera for Lauderdale, and I sent them an email, and they went out and they had a new sign made that says Oakland Park in neon now, so excellent. And they apologized for that too. So. How's our website? Yeah. A little bit, a little bit. So welcome to Oakland Park, right? More business here. Delicious food, delicious burgers. It's kind of a burger bar, uh, fried stuff like that. So I just wanted to say welcome. It was a great ribbon cutting and grand opening. Uh, also, uh, satellites pinball lounge. I took a walk there about two weeks ago I love pinball it's pretty cool oh it is so cool yeah so if there's any pinball lovers out there they also make some excellent pizzas it's a great way to spend some time and play a little pinball and have some fun with your friends. I also want to mention that being from Wisconsin, I'm a Packer fan. I know that surprises you all, right? Black Flamingo has agreed to host our Packers group. So anyone who may be a Packer fan and wants to help support one of our local businesses, we will be at Black Flamingo right here on Main Street during the Packer games. The first one is this Friday at 815. I got to tell you their food menus. Great also. Great burgers. Good stuff to munch on. So anyone who wants to come down, help support our local business. We'll see at Black Flamingo during the during the Packer games. And just want to say Nasa Cesar To do a great job always connecting with the businesses and and actually when I see them connecting with me And I know you guys see them all the time right when we do the ribbon cuttings and grand openings and You got some great people working. So thank you. Just thank you to everyone who makes that possible Thank you for chair. possible. Thank you for chair. Sure. Thank you vice chair. Thank you. Board member Gordon. So to your point by smear. Yes. We have seen Miss Herrera and Mr. Gonzalez, say saw Gonzalez around town everywhere. Every ribbon cut cutting ceremony. We all ended up at a ribbon cutting ceremony a few weeks ago. There's a new place called Oasis. Yes, speaking of new business. They were there, but I'm going to tell you, Mr. ABeer, the two of them have really heightened the awareness of the CRA and our business developments and how we engage with our businesses. You could not have had better people than those two individuals. We've always had great people, Dr. Tensley and going back to Caitlin, Caitlin, Collier. Yes, it's been just so many people, but I've seen them on the west side. Okay, I had a business owner reach out to me yesterday and they called her by name. Shall I reach out to Nesa Herrera? And I said absolutely. Do you need her number? So yes, doing an excellent job. I just wanted to ditto that by smear. Thank you. Thank you, board member. Board member Nub you. Thank you board member, board member new board Thank you. I agree Miss Herr Herrera and Mr. Gonzalez They're all over from the west to the east to the north to the south and You've had and I've had business Owners tell me personally, that's a great group. They're young and they was just complimenting on how they come in and just give them ideas regarding business. And I like how they once we heard the issues regarding the downtown businesses, they just took off running by making sure to be more accessible for the businesses to listen to them and find out ways in order to connect them with the resources to help them. So that's definitely I wanted to say that and thank you and thank you to Mr. Thompson for that presentation. Thank you. Boardman Barnes. I'll get my list out. You ready? Nothing. And I'm dead out with you tonight, sir. Mr. Ray Barrett. Mr. Ray Barrett reports. I don't have with you tonight, sir. Mr. Ray Barretti reports. I don't have anything to add this evening. Thank you, Board Chair. Okay, so we're going to adjourn, and we're going to resume our city commission meeting, and we do not need to do a roll call again, right? Mr. Ralph. Okay. Give me a second. I think we're on item four. I know we're on public comments. That's right. At this point we're going to have public comments for the general city commission meeting and the item pertinent to the city you have up to four minutes. There we go. And if you can just say your name and address for the record. Fitzgerald Budhoo 720 northeast 59th Court. Good evening everyone. This may this is on you. Congratulations. So happy for you. It was a tremendous victory on August 20th. You went to all the six cities in St. House District 98, and you presented yourself. Has a public servant. Has a professor, doctor, as a friend. It was good. It was enlightening to see what you do on this day. You took it out into the neighborhood in the community, in all areas, in all of our diverse community. With that, you got to charge to keep. We are praying for you make God keep you on the trails to Leon County and coming back on the brow County and the counties in between because you're gonna need it you have a tough monumental task a hundred fifteen billion dollar budget open plot we want some our ship back we want those grand dollars back so I am gonna be knocking at your door Let you know hey no partitions ship work with everybody because we need funding because we are on the city in the move And also the other six municipalities that you're gonna cover you're gonna cover a 180,000 people from 45 to 180. Hey, that's a big and monumental task, but you know, we got the right person, right public leader to do it. So with that, congratulations, Dr. Mitch Mitchell, Rosenwald, former soon to be mayor and elect state representative and will be state representative for our house district. Congratulations and have a good night. Everyone, good night. Thank you, Mr. Butto. Good evening. Good evening. Thank you very much, commission and Mr. Mayor, City Manager, City Staff. Sorry about the confusion earlier when it came to the agenda. Good names, sir. Chris Fisher, 37-11, Northeast 13th Avenue. A couple of things. I'm also a president of the Coral Civil Compact Neighborhood Association. A couple of things I want to bring up tonight and most of them are very pleasant. I think the city works so hard. City staff work so hard to prepare this budget. Obviously, we get a chance to preview it much earlier in July and just the work and dedication that it goes through, Andrew, his team. I think it's just tremendous what they're able to do. And they can constant consideration to keep the military down. Considering the property taxes, fire assessment, just the faces, I remember the commission meeting, Mr. Abert, you know, when you had to tell people about the fire assessment going up and just what it means for a property taxes going up this year, I know it's a very difficult job to do in that regard, but thank you for being vigilant about it. My next thank you goes to the library staff. I've had the opportunity now to take my young son across the street to the library, went in today at 10 o'clock, you know, to see the Oakland Park Fire Department out there, everyone's day with the truck. It's just amazing for the kids. A lot of people come in from out of Oakland Park to visit and you know, for story hour, the chance for the kids to interact, we will certainly miss having the library this close to us here in the Coral's Portia, but I'm glad to see it's moving more central to the rest of the community. You know, I know we will get that library done at some point and I do look forward to a grand library when it does come, because I know it will be fantastic, but I'll a big shout out to Heidi Bernat, Shree Maria, the staff over at the library because not only do they make the kids feel so welcome and the parents feel so welcome, but everybody that walks in there and the programs that they have for the children. I mean, I don't know if there are talks about enough. The chance for your child to go in there and use the computers to learn different languages is just amazing. The AI factor that they bring in there is tremendous and then the preschool elements, you know, because it's so expensive send your kids to preschool on Mondays that they offer. It should be really promoted a lot more and I understand that library's going away but when it gets to Collins I think it'll be really useful if you promote those objectives a lot more. Public works, everything that they're doing as far as, you know, the roads right now and the pipes and trying to fix the drainage as we go into our drainage season, I, rainy season, excuse me. I just really want to show support to them and they can, for the hard work. We have skipped out here every morning, walking through the downtown, blowing things off, saying hi to people. He's fantastic and I know a lot of people are. And then obviously parks and rec and everything they do for the kids and the parents in the area, the different sports, I think is fantastic, the Silver Sneakers programs. So a lot of those folks who go, um, they don't get rewarded, but probably once a year when they get a parking or something but just let them know the citizens are watching and real quickly just something that if we could try to figure out with sky building coming. I've spoken over the years about a crosswalk being built. I know at this point with this budget it's not going to be possible for next couple of years over Dixie Highway but with the importance of the library moving to Collins. the folks here in the corals would love to see a safer crosswalk put in across Dixie Highway to allow accessibility and not only just to the library but to our parks over there. And then obviously the new sky building, which will have a lot of fantastic new businesses within it. So just something I hope would go to toward one of the top of the agendas. So thank you very much, Commissioner, over your night. Thank you, sir. Good evening. Good evening. Matt Bisoni, 3460 Powerline Road. I was here about a month ago to address the ongoing the city of Oakland Park in a ongoing, very avoidable litigation with all St. Soup Kitchen. After my last appearance, I left and then I was informed that a member of the panel commented that all saints was in fact suing Oakland Park not the other way around so I just wanted to kind of give some clarity that is correct but I believe background would be helpful here I don't want anybody to be misled all saints has been receiving relentless fines $125 a day since 2014. That's a half a million dollars give or take. There's significant legal bills that's being incurred by the city and by all Saints, all of which is unavoidable. Sorry, all of which is unavoidable. Sorry, all of which is avoidable. All Saints was also pushed out of its previous property by the city, Oakland Park, rezoned the area, and as I understand it, there's been a number of hearings about this. And at one point, part of the dialogue that happened with the judge was that a member representing the Oakland Park, the city of Oakland Park said that they were not, they were trying to do this without causing undue pressure nor stopping all saints in their religious practice. the judge then commented and asked the representative whether they were familiar with what a grandfather clause was. And if he had ever read the Religious Rights Act on the court screen and requested that it be read The judge made it clear that this case would not pursue that the case would proceed and it would not be dismissed City of Oakland Park was asking that it be dismissed the judge denied that the city the judge denied that. The city has caused a religious entity to sell property below market value and continue to follow them to the sanctuary to issue cease and to cease orders and fines. At a recent hearing, the City of Oakland Park, represented by Council, was what would be described as reprimanded by the judge for attempting to dictate what all Saints' religious rights should entail. Oakland Park representatives further misrepresented the Patrick Frazier of Channel 7 news that they offered meetings to all Saints in an effort to resolve this matter. No such meetings were offered. The commission should consider the rights of this little soup kitchen, as well as those of its own less fortunate residents, and stop this ongoing excessive spending relating to this lawsuit. President does not favor the city in this matter. It's not likely to win. It's just going to cost the city more and more. And also based on the judges' comments, it appears the court doesn't favor the city in this matter either. So thank you for your time. I just wanted to come back and clarify that matter. Thank you, sir. Any other individuals would like to speak at public comment? All right. We're going to close that just for you. If you allow me to read it for your consideration. Item 3 is approval of minutes for June 5th, 2024. Item 4 is code lean 7-1 for 4211 northeast 8th Avenue. Item 5 is a resolution by Title only. Resolution City Commission, C-Volkampark, Florida, approving adopting and revised travel policy, providing for conflict, severability and effective date. Item six is a resolution by Title only. Resolution of City Commission, C-Volkampark, Florida, approving, authorize the appropriate city officials to work authorization with Langen engineering and environmental services LLC for remedial action implementation phase three of the public works campus green reuse site 3801 Northeast Fifth Avenue approving the proposed budget amendment provide for conflict service bill and effective date. Item seven is a resolution by Title Only. Resolution City Commission, C-Volkampark Florida, Proof-and-Authorized, appropriate City officials, X-Q degree with the Garen Group to provide insurance, agent broker services for employee benefits. Piggy backing the terms and conditions of City of Parkland contract, RFP 2022-03, for a one year period for October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, providing for conflict, severability and effective date. Item NACE, the resolution by Title Only, resolution city commission, C. Vulcan Park, Florida, the commission to see the appropriate city officials to execute interlocal agreement with the Broward Metropolitan Planning Organization for Transportation Planning and related services provide for conflict, severability and effective date. Item 9 is resolution by title only. A resolution of the city commission to see the appropriate floor to approve the of Hulcom Park, Florida, approving an authorizing the sole source purchase of vehicle replaces parts and services for fire rescue vehicles in apparatus as needed from a fried liner of Broward and approving expenditure authority up to the budgeted availability for fiscal year 2024 and 2025. Providing for conflict, severability and effective date. Item 10's resolution by Title only a a resolution of city commission, civil, park, Florida. Approving the contract with CC control corporation for supervisory control and data acquisition, renewal, and upgrades. Piggy back in the terms conditions of the city, West Palm Beach contract. With CC control, corporation, provide for conflict, cerebral and effective date. Item 11 is a resolution by title only, resolution city commission, C. Volkampark, Florida. Approving, authorizing the proper city officials that excuse a service agreement. For the city's pavement management system review with trans, map, corporation, piggyback in terms of conditions, city, panels, park, Florida contract with TransMap, providing for conflict, civil, and effective date. Item 12 is a resolution by Title Only. A resolution of the City Commission, the City of the Silicon Park Florida, proving the sole source purchase of badger water meters and points and accessories from utility solutions and automation of Florida. Providing for conflict, service, and effective date. Item 13 is a resolution by title only, resolution city commission, city of Elkhompark, Florida. Approving and authorizing the appropriate city officials. Dexue to work authorization for professional consulting services with Craig A Smith and Associates for stormwater master plan project 10 North Coral Lake Drainage Improvements, provide for conflict, serobility, and provide for an effective day. That concludes the consent agenda for the Seagull Mississ Mayor motion. Second. Roll call. Vice Mayor Long again. Yes Yes Commissioner Gordon. Yes. Excuse me. Yes. Commissioner new bold. Yes. Yes. Mayor Roosevelt. Yes. Our loan resolution of Miss Alaneus is item 14 approval of the work authorization for Blue Marlin investments incorporated DPA. Okay. Keko Keko landscaping for the landscaping component of the prospect road improvement project Mr. Dute Resolution by title only a resolution city commission to see welcome park Florida approving an authorized to the appropriate city officials execute a work authorization with blue marlin investment sink DBA Keko landscaping for landscaping component of the prospect road improvement project approving the proposed budget amendment, per-river conflict, cerebral ineffective date. Thank you, Mr. Reiber. Thank you, Mayor. Yes, we do have a brief presentation. I think Sierra Moreiro is out there for us. Sierra, there she is. I'm here. A more formal introduction would be that she is the director of our engineering and our community development areas. So Miss Morera, I'll turn this over to you. Absolutely. And good evening, Mayor Vice Mayor and commissioners, C.M. Roe, director of engineering and community development here tonight to present to you the approval of a work authorization for the landscaping component of the Prospect Road Improvement Projects. So this project is actually for the landscaping and irrigation. Irrigation has been previously approved by commission. This is for the landscaping portion on Prospect Road. The project actually begins on the western portion of Prospect Road at northwest 15th Avenue and goes all the way to Dixie Highway. This project, as I mentioned, we do have the irrigation component currently in construction and both components, both irrigation and landscaping should be completed by the end of this year. Just to give you a little insight as to what the typical section will look like. The plantings do vary throughout the roadway, but this is a general understanding of what it will look like with the the hallies, the different kind of green island ficus, cocoa plums, and various kind of spider lilies and other plantings along the medians. We will have the trees in the medians with the lower plantings along the median. We will have the trees in the median with the lower plantings on the bull belt so that we can ensure the site triangle. So with that being said, the recommendation is that staff recommends the city commission, a doctor resolution authorizing the proper city officials to execute a work authorization between the city and the blue Marlin investments, Inc. DBA, Kiko landscaping, with a landscaping component of the Prospect Road project and amount of $179,250 at 50 cents and approving the proposed budget amendment. And with that being said, I'm available for any questions if you may have them. Thank you and I'll entertain a motion. Motion to adopt. Second discussion. Vice mayor. Absolutely. This is wonderful. It's I don't mean this to sound negatively. Finally, it's going to be we're getting there. So I'll be excited to see those trees going in in the shrubbery. Thanks mayor. Thank you, Vice Mayor. Commissioner Gordon. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Diddo. Nice to meet you. This is very exciting. Thank you, Miss Marrero for that presentation. And we're certainly looking forward to this greenery in our city. Thank you. Commissioner Newbone. Thank you. Commissioner Newbone. Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Morello for the presentation and excited to hear that this road will be softened by the greenery that's going to be placed there. So I'm all for it. Thank you. Commissioner Arts. I just want to thank the County for paying for most of it. Come on guys. It's all about the money. Yeah. I don't think of her. She did nothing. She just sits here. She writes all the stuff down. I'm thanking. I think about money. This has been your county gratitude. You know, money money tonight. I think about money. This has been your county gratitude Yes, Mr. Reiber This is a a prime example of how Governments have to work together This is a county road folks and I know that I say this all the time and citizens have a real difficult time understanding that we do not as a city have control over most of our major roadways. We don't and we cannot take action on those roads without the specific approval and funding support from other agencies. The vice mayor will remember because in a previous term of his he was here when the county was going to renege on the grant to reduce the lanes on that road and I had to make an appearance at the county commission to make the case that Prospect Road is not a through road. So the policy of the county had shifted to no more lane reduction when the roadways are through streets. But Prospect Road, as you know, ends at North Dixie. It doesn't go through beyond to the Federal Highway roadway. So it's not a pass through street and we were able to convince them of that. But it delayed the initial construction and then we had COVID and then they had revoked the money that had been earlier committed for the landscaping and then we had the drainage work and the irrigation. So trust me when I tell you these do not come easy. And as wonderful as a partner as the county is and they are wonderful partners, we are only a small part of the very complicated jurisdiction that they have to deal with. And in the midst of all of this, they passed the voters passed the certax. And so they shifted the policy entirely when it came to providing support for roadwork projects. So it has been frustrating. I share that with you, Vice Mayor. I hear your pain, but not for the perseverance of our team. And it may seem pretty easy for her just because we finally got that check from the county. But trust me, Sierra has been on top of this and working her fingers to the bone on this for quite some time now and it's really one to fall to see this come to fruition. I don't think I will ever be as happy as I will be with this project's completion on any other roadway in the city. So thank you, County. Thank you, Sierra. Thank you, team. Great outcome. Thank you and roll call. Vice Mayor Lonegan. Yes, thank you, Sierra. Commissioner Gordon. Yes, Commissioner Newbold. Yes, Commissioner R. Mayor Rosewald. Yes, then we hopefully won't need it. I do need to entertain a motion the motion to extend the motion to extend until 11 or whatever time we need that may be prior to 11. Second. Roll call. Vice Mayor Lonegan. Yes. Commissioner Gordon. Yes. Commissioner Newbold. Yes. Commissioner Arons. Yes. the commission of the commission of the commission of comprehensive plan in document under the private rights addition I just would like to incorporate rights and responsibilities because with rights come responsibilities and I just personally believe that they should both be there and I know it's not something that may be crystal clear to staff right now as far as what to put in there, but I think rights and responsibilities go hand in hand. All right, so this is just a thumbs up or thumbs down or yes. Well, thumbs up, thumbs down. I'll show up in the record. Yes. Yeah. Yes. Where did the thumbs up come from? I don't know. So we'll all say yes. is the affirmative yes yes yes okay thank you vice mayor my item number 16 this is in reference to yes you all know we just passed on second hearing and I see it was just accepted by the state so So that's great job, Ms. Herrera, if you're still on and Mr. Schwartz from before. Land use amendment on affordable housing was just following up in that discussion we had had. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. And vice mayor. Okay. So, well, vice mayor and I will each separately speak to Mr. Ray Barra about moving these forward I certainly were like item 16 to come and 15 to come before I'm off the day so at this point let's have reports from the City Commission Commissioner Newbold let's begin with you tonight. I want to thank the residents for contacting the commission whenever there's issues or whenever you have something good to say about the city is always nice to hear. And I would also. I know it's been a while for back to school, but I just thought it was nice to mention how we all had a great first week back the students were happy to return. I even had to assist with making sure the children were checked in. It was just a fun week. It was, I think it was a successful week. And Captain Crickley was out there. She was out there with Commissioner Gordon and I as we welcome the students and I just think we had a wonderful time. And then I also had a pleasure of going on a cruise with my daughter finally so I just thought I wanted to mention that. And like vice mayor mentioned, the beer bar, the burger, the Argentine, Argentina burgers, they're delicious, they're tasty, and I believe in services great there. So everyone stopped by. So on the corner of Oakland Park, right where the old Wendy's used to be, go stop by and have a nice burger. And also had a pleasure of attending the planning council meeting. Where, where this is hopefully the start of relieving the city of Oakland Park as well as nine other cities of the mitigation fees that are applied to us by the Barrow County School Board. That agreement was generated because schools were overcrowded. Schools are no longer overcrowded and I think a good argument was made. The information was provided to give to the county commission to hope that we relieve from the mitigation fees. So I'm looking forward to that. We're going to stay on top of that. And also the Urban League summer block party. I don't know, Commissioner Ernst was dancing away. You missed that. He was doing the bump with Commissioner Gordon and he beat me at line dancing. So we had a blast. That was really nice. The residents on the west side and residents from the east were also there. Everyone was happy and to see that event going on there and they're hoping that there are more. And I also want to give condolences to our residents, Miss Pamela Jenkins, who lost her mom. So condolences go out, who lost her mom. So Condola Sons go out to her and her family, let her know that she's still in my thoughts and prayers. And if she's watching, you know, she can call if she need anything, I'm here for her. And we also have a long time, well he wasn't a resident of Oakland Park, but he had his church in Oakland Park for years, Bishop Lewis Lawson. His church was off 21st. He passed away last week. So I just want to give condolences off to the Laws and Family. And one important message that I want to send out to the public, because the incident happened on in my, in the neighborhood that I live in. There was a shooting and one of our residents lost her grandson. We weren't allowed to go in, but I want to commend our police department, our fire department. They were there. They were unseen. It was in the, it was raining. Captain Monika, I messed up her last day. Mom and all, sorry. She made sure everyone had drinks out there because they were out there on that scene for hours. And it was so sad this young gentleman was walking from the store and someone was waiting for him. So I just want to just put away the guns, put the guns away. If you have a disagreement with your friend or relative, just go back to the old way, fuss it out, have an argument, but let's put away weapons and anything that's going to harm us or take us away from here because We live in that moment, but after that you can't bring the person back So my heart goes out to Mrs. Marshall and her family during this difficult time and I want her to know that we are here for her And I just thought I just needed to say that that we just need to put the guns away And also Saturday. I'll see you all on good neighborhood. Thank you say that that we just need to put the guns away. And also Saturday I'll see you all on Good Neighbor Day. Thank you. Thank you. It's very powerful message and light of the shooting in George Edges this afternoon too. But I read about that and I'm glad the police were on the scene and of course very sorry. We have any any deaths in the city we've had some deaths in the city. You don't need to get rid of two is the no snitch. That's the problem is they don't want to snitch on anyone because they snitch on them they're going to come back for them. So that that whole mentality of the no snitch has to change until it does a Good part of these crimes will never get solved It's just it's a sad You know It's sad that they just won't go ahead and give it wouldn't call crime stoppers They know come back to them and they're gonna be the next one of the line so There's no answer to it really there's no answer to it. It's a sad note on society that people get me gunned down every day and sometimes innocently sitting inside of a house often. Yeah. Commissioner, it's God and share your other comments. That's all I have. I just wanted to to extend on hers and the other thing too, I'd like to give my condolences to Harry's wife, Pan, her son, Steven, David, and Kelly, and Kelly's husband, Rickl Sarah, which we all knew was a BSO and an interlocoper police department for years and years. Harry, you know, not just was a great administrator, a great worker, but he was my friend. And anything you ever asked me to do, he didn't want to become an acting city manager. He was, don't make me acting city manager. I said, well, we don't have anyone else around here. So, so he, and the other thing he said, we don't have anyone else around here. So, he said, I don't want to sit up in that office up there. He goes, there's bad luck up there. Because everyone's up there getting fired. So he stayed in his office over there. And the last thing here really said to me, and the said to me or Lane and when he left his office, he goes, glad he's made the time to see me today. And every time, and I'm a Gator, he's a seminal, so he'd always chop me on the way out, and I'll be Gator baited him on the way out. So I'm gonna miss him, Harry, they lived down the street for me. They actually lived next door to Lane for a long time. Then they moved my neighborhood and just, that's a pleasure and I'm just sad, sad, sad. Because he lived, eat, sleep, and drank, go to park just like you do. He just, everywhere, he did everything. And I'm going to miss him. He was just a really, really good friend. That's all I have tonight. Thank you, Vice Mayor. Thank you, Mayor. Appreciate it. Again, congratulations on your campaign. You live in Oakland Park. You've got a key to the city. We want to see you here. I know you're going to be busy also taking care of other people, but it's going to be a challenge. Be strong, right? Be strong. And Mr. Abert, congratulations on 10 successful years here. It did. It flew by a couple minutes ago. We were talking about our partnership with the county and being thankful for the county and I completely agree 100% with that. I think they've been good partners to BSO. There's one thing that I saw on the news that was very frustrating though as far as the county and that was the BSO Sheriff branding expenses. I don't know if you guys ended up seeing that spending about half a million dollars to put his name on shower curtains and walls and stuff. Can you imagine the staff we could have put on the street with a half a million dollars? So, although I appreciate everything the sheriff does and everything that the county does, part of what we do to try and eliminate waste, they got to make sure a vanity issue like that, just having their name over everything is just unacceptable and wrong. So I'm sorry I had to say it publicly, but our residents paid for that, right? Because we get what 30% of the taxes that are collected and the county gets what percent. They got to do a better job making sure that these vanity issues and wasteful spending does not occur. Regarding the Northeast High School, the first day of school, I was at Northeast High School. They actually had two scanners. One at each door, it was a nightmare the first, just the first day. And the principal said, he said, Vice Mayor, it's gonna be a nightmare the first day. We know that. They were originally gonna send one scanner and the principal insisted that they have two scanners. So there was one at different doors. So it took hours to get all the kids in the class. But by the end of the week, the good news was they worked on their efficiencies. I have to check back. I think everything was pretty much worked out there. Thanks to Mr. Layton at Sunfire High School on Oakland Park Boulevard for the invitation. I know the rest of the commission was there too for their career day and community day. It was great meeting staff and students there at Sunfire High School. Also got to say chief Quigley and chief Krovanik. Thank you guys for being there and for having your teams there also to talk with the kids. It was a great event. We, they were also carry, is it Mahadal? From Parks, she was also there and she educated them on things that the city events that the kids can get involved with, earn volunteer hours, things like that. As the rest of the commission said, thanks also for everyone who participated in the August food packing event at FarmShare. That's what Mark was talking about earlier. He and his team are wonderful in Alexandra from hands on Broward. What would you say guys, usually once a month we've got close to 50 volunteers there. I would say a good 50 volunteers. So always a good time. Friends of Oakland Park is having their used book sale. I believe this Friday in Saturday. You can check the website for the exact hours. I'll be seeing you guys at the National Good Neighbor Day event. And then a reminder to mark your calendars. That Latin Fest is coming up on Friday, September 20th at Chaco Pistoria. So thank you mayor. Appreciate it. Thank you vice mayor and Commissioner Gordon. Thank you mayor. So just want to thank everyone who came out tonight. We had a full pack chambers. I personally invited two students. They are my mentees, protégés. And they came out for the very first time to attend a commission meeting. And I know they are not going to sleep very well tonight because they were so excited. It was such a huge experience for them. They are aspiring attorneys and public elected officials. That's their aspiration. I met them early middle school and they are now sophomores in high school. So they sat here, they were hoping to stand up and say something, but time got away and they have school in the morning so. But they are definitely coming back. I will bring them back. They were so impressed and so were their parents to see how we conduct business here. So a few of the events that I attended alongside by SMAIR, Commissioner Nubo and others, we all attended different events. The Sunfire, the block party that was put on by Dr. Baugh, Urban League, and the Oasis, that was a busy, busy day. We had the Urban League, and then we went to the ribbon cutting at the Oasis, which is diagonally across the street from here on Dixie. And I also attended a you to mayor great job. I mean, you're not that out of the box. So we're very proud of you. And we're looking forward to working. You're so welcome on your end as state house representative. So congratulations. I know Mr. Abear just doesn't like to be. He doesn't like to be on this on the stage and have the spotlight on him, but I'm going to put him back on stage and give him a little spotlight. Mr. Abe Bear, thank you. Your services to this city is simply amazing. You are an incredible leader, and we so much appreciate you and all of your staff for all that you do in this great city. Because we also, it helps our job, you know, it helps us with making decisions. So thank you. Thank you to Mr. Thompson for that presentation as well. And I want to extend my condolences to you Commissioner Arnst, you to Commissioner Newbold, life is so precious and we tend to take it for granted and that's sad. So we have to continue to cherish life, cherish each other. Don't put off for tomorrow what you can do today. And let's just continue to embrace and support each other. I did attend Mr. Reverend Clark's funeral and I also read that letter and it was a, oh you're so welcome. It was a packed church and they invited them here tonight so they are thoroughly grateful for recognizing their loved one. So that's it for me and thank you so much and I would definitely be at the good neighbor's day on Saturday. Thank you. Thank you. Commissioner Newborn. I'm sorry and thank you. I apologize. I forgot to congratulate you on your race. You were in my community and we had a great conversation and I just want to say you did a great job. Look forward to working with you. Thank you, Commissioner. You don't get rid of me that easily. On a serious note, I, you know, we know of former Mayor Carol Stevens, whose grandparents were here in the 40s. We know of, we saw Sandra Edwards here, who's born here. His father was the minister or the pastor at Welcome Baptist for 40 some years. And I met Mr. Clark on his porch and Mrs. Clark about four, six years ago when I was campaigning. And while I couldn't go to the funeral, I was able to go to their home for almost an hour last week. And just to see one of the pillars, the Clark family, they were born here, both of them. Mr. Mrs. Clark and the, what's in the age, but you know, back when Oakland Park, not quite what it was founded, but it just makes me think as we talk about new development as we talk about It's also about honor and traditions, which I've spoken about. One day still would love a historic tour of Oakland Park. Our historic families are pie in your house, which is one of the events on Saturday from the, I guess the 1920s or 30s at home. So we're both old and we're new. We're innovative and we honor our tradition. So I actually went to the one that school I had never been to before, but leave it or not. I mean, I'd been to it but not inside or at least thoroughly remember. So if we're back to school, I went to North Andrews Gardens and met the principal there and had a great time. I think I've never I don't know how it happened. I've been in all the other schools, but I'd not really been in North Andrew's Gardens. And wow, with the courtyard and the trees, I'm like, wow, this is at a state here. And the principal, she's so dynamic, I'm never going to be having a meeting with the principals in October. But that was pretty, pretty amazing. Lastly, I just want to, I mean, I'll speak a little more in October, I guess guess my last meeting but I do want to thank all of you the voters, the residents of Oakland Park of course but also Amarac, Lauderdale Lakes, Fort Lauderdale, Pompolyno Beach and Deerfield Beach. It was a tough race, it was a four-way race, but I hope to do everybody proud. I have to, since this is publicly, publicly recorded, I have to say I will help all six of my cities, but I will note only Oakland Park and its entirety is in this district. My office, I'm still shopping around where my office will be, but it will be in Oakland Park. And when they see State Representative as of November 19th, when you're mayor again, your vice mayor again, State Representative Rosenwald, and guess where it says where they're from. It always lists their city. It says Oakland Park. So I'm happy to be an ambassador to the state. It's gonna Oakland Park, Oakland Park, Oakland Park. You all have my phone numbers anyway. And then there's no sunshine. I could just chat with you all whenever you want. We're not, you know, individually. But as of November 19th, as of November 19th, I can talk. Prior, I cannot do that. But I just want sunshine, November 19th and after. Or you know what I'm saying. After the election, I'll be able to talk to everybody freely. But again, I just want to thank you all. It's a, it's a, it's, it's truly humbling. I mean, being a commissioner and mayor is truly humbling. And this is, I suppose this is even more because it's more people. one of you says somebody mentioned Mr. Buddy, what's 100 and 40. So it's it's a big big feet to Big shoes to fill. I want to honor Current representative Patricia Hawkins Williams Who is our current state representative and prior to that who I've gotten to meet as Representative what past representative Gondelon Clark Reed They've represented pomp. They were from Papano. They're from Deerfield Beach. Beautiful Both commissioners By the way one of Lauderdale lakes one of the field, but I'm very happy That I can bring Oakland Park with me to the state and I'm still just around the corner So I'll be showing up here in December January my new role. I'll be doing this with all six cities At least once a year if not twice to formally introduce myself and my staff and we're going to be having office hours. I haven't even talked about that yet but in the future vote hopefully the Oakland Park Library or somewhere for constituent needs on state issues. I just like to say one thing you were the first person that I can ever remember. DJ me correct me but that has made the jump from the local park city to any, any one higher. I don't know if it was correct. Yeah, first one, first one. So congratulations on that. That is a big feat because it always, well, the thing is it always, no, it always was, I know a lot of people tried, you know, going to the county commission. This is that just never worked out, but you made the jump and you did your first shot. So that's the really impressive thing. Is that not that you got elected, you worked your butt off the board, but you've broken the curse. And I hope you the last anyway. More in October during my sponsor. And Mr. Abert, thank you for your leadership. I think we've known each other at least six. Actually, we've known each other. I think we've known each other eight years. Miss Bating, I run the local government academy together with Matthew Sparks back in the 16. That's where I first met you. But congratulations on ten more years. And I know you're going nowhere prior to the Centennial. That I know but thank you for your service and for your commitment to the city. It's very unparalleled. I talk to other people about their city right here from other electives about their city managers or we'll just put it at that and I think you're kind of unparalleled so you deserve that I know it's embarrassing for you we didn't really want to embarrass you much but we need to embarrass you a little bit to highlight you so thank you and with that I'll go to you sir with any comments. Thank you and I'll take that as a commitment that you won't be doing this again for another 10 years which I will greatly appreciate but yes it's been a great pleasure and joy. I you know people talk about their jobs being important to them. This has really been a mission. It truly has been and it's because all of you have taken on that quest with me you know when you feel deep down that you're in the right place doing your calling, that's a different level of living, you know, because it's not a work-life balance anymore, because they're not separated in my world. They're combined because the things that we are doing are touching people's lives. That's why. My congratulations Mayor. You'll do much more touching of people's lives where you're at and I know you'll be in the right place and thank you both of you Mayor and Commissioner Newbold. I didn't go to the Planning Council meeting last week. You know that I went out of town. It was my father's 87th birthday. And I don't get up to see him very often. He's in Minnesota. And I just made it a point to do it. And that was on Wednesday. It's hard to turn around from Minnesota, which takes a full day's effort. But you two made a phenomenal team. I heard all about it from a whole mess of people. And this afternoon, there was a very supportive memo that came from the council chair indicating that they were supporting an effort to get the county commission behind the goal that you had so eloquently stated the commissioner in your role as a Broward Planning Council member to dispense with those outdated mitigation agreements for all of the cities that have been facing that burden. So you're right, it's not the end, but it's certainly a first down. And we're on the field and we're going to keep playing until we actually score. And I am determined to make that happen. DJ, in fact, talked with me once about it and then he called back within the hour with more information. So let me tell you, you got your whole team working on it. But thank you all very much. It's very generous of you. I've had a wonderful 10 years and I'm going to tell you you got your whole team working on it. But thank you all very much. It's very generous of you. I've had a wonderful 10 years, and I'm looking forward to more to come. So thank you all very much. Thank you, sir. Mr. Dudy. Yes, sir. Congratulations, Mayor on your election. Congratulations, Mr. Abert on your 10th anniversary. My condolences to the Clark family as well as the Wembley family. Okay, motion to adjourn.