HVAC system that resulted in exorbitant utility bills which they were having difficulty paying. At the end of their one year lease, they sought a better place to rent. However, when the new landlord they applied to attempted to charge them more than the federal rules would allow for their housing voucher, the housing authority had to refuse to approve the new lease. And we now find them homeless sleeping in their car, trying to find a new place where Mr. J and his wife can live and she can recover from the hip replacement surgery that's been postponed your as a result of not having safe housing to live in. My Cajun colleagues will now share with you some of what we've learned about the causes of this affordable rental housing shortage and how we see a new Trust Fund as an innovative way to make a much bigger dent in the problem than we've been able to make so far.
Thank you. Next is Robert Gibbs. And then Sylvia Jones.
Excellent. Your name and address for the record please. Thanks for coming.
Afternoon, my name is Robert Gibbs. I'm a retired United Methodist pastor and member at Trinity United Methodist Church. Thank you, Mr. Mayor and City Commission for addressing this very important issue. I live at 6340 Call cord and Tallahassee Schomburg Center for Housing Studies at the University of Florida documents that in 2020, there were over 13,500 families in Tallahassee with extremely low and very low incomes, who were paying more than half their income for housing. These are the people with whom Capitol area justice ministry is concerned our most vulnerable citizens. The Schomburg Center is 2022 rental market study reports a cumulative affordable rental housing deficit in Leon County as a whole of 21,663 units are extremely low and very low incomes, who are looking for housing they can afford. We've just heard that the staff now reports the 110 multifamily units for families with extremely low incomes been constructed over the past year or in the pipeline, exceeding Tallahassee his house, how's America pledge of 100 units, we celebrate the achievement and look forward to this new these new numbers, the numbers that exceed in what's been accomplished in the recent past. We also acknowledged this is a very small chip in a very huge challenge. And we look at the housing divisions website dashboard, we see a total of 200 multifamily units constructed or under development for families with very low as well as extremely low incomes. This would amount to 10% of the total multifamily units being constructed and in the pipeline. But they only address one and a half percent of the 13,500 families paying more than half their income or rental housing. The research conducted by Capitol area justice ministries, affordable housing strategy team over the past eight months is shaping a refined proposal for the Tallahassee very low income affordable rental housing trust fund, very low income, affordable rental housing trust fund. And we'll be bringing to you later and be talking about this as we reach our spring goal of reaching our community on this very, very important issue. Thank you so much.
Thank you. Our next speaker please.
Next is Sylvia Jones.
Thank you for joining us your name and address for the record please.
Good evening. Allow Rabbi Sylvia Jones, pastor of Ebenezer AME Church, co chair of the Capitol area justice ministries Affordable Housing Strategy Team, and I reside at four to five oh, Woodbridge Road in Tallahassee, Florida. Our research team has found that most developers choose to build multifamily rental housing set aside for families with low incomes rather than very low income. Why is that? The affordable housing experts and practitioners tell us this is because the developers projects are not financially sustainable. If too many of their tenants are paying rents that comply with federal limits for families at these income levels. It is simply a matter of cost when we asked but it will take to break the log jam that uniformly told us additional financial subsidies. This is what the Florida Housing Finance Corporation has done with some projects, offering developers additional subsidized financing to offset lower rent income from it increasing their set asides of rental units that can be afforded by families with very low and extremely low incomes. The experts and practitioners with whom we have been speaking, all tell us that this is the this is the role of Tallahassee, very low income affordable rental housing trust fund, can play in expanding on our recent successes to more rapidly attack the huge deficit in affordable rental housing that afflicts our most vulnerable families. We're working with several of these folks to fashion and effect the trust fund concept. We will be sharing that proposal with staff over the next few weeks, and with each of you in meetings that we are arranging for early next year. And we look forward to these conversations. Thank you.
Thank you. Mr. Clerk, our next speaker, please
have no other speakers on this item.
All right, let's move to commission discussion, or action.
moves. Recommendation.
I'll give the motion to Commissioner Richardson and the second to the Mayor Pro Tem. Mr. Porter.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor. And thank you, Dr. Thomas, and everyone who's been working on this, and this update in particular, I I have a few comments and maybe some questions. I I'm really glad to see a this number of units reserved for extremely low income units, a clarifying question. So our agenda item says that of the 2391 affordable units in the pipeline. 110 are for extremely low income households, correct? That's correct. Okay. So I'm really glad that we not only met but surpassed our goal. And I don't mean this in, you know, for us to be discouraged. But no, I did the math. And that's like 5%, you know, of the units. And that is incredibly, you know, low. I know, there's only so much we can do. You know, we're providing incentives for developers to come. So I'm not saying that we are necessarily at fault for that. But and I know that we are, I trust that we are making a concerted effort to attract that. I just want to bring that to our attention, you know, because that is a little bit of an alarming number for me, you know, alarmingly low. And I'd like to see where we can especially as we are coming together on January 10, for our retreat, you know, whether we can see where we can push ourselves and set our goals a little higher since we've seen not only that we've met some but surpassed them. If there's any way we can, you know, push ourselves even more to to increase that number. Thank you.
All right. There's a motion on the table by Commissioner Richardson seconded by the Mayor Pro Tem. All those in favor of option number one signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed? Passes unanimously, five, zero, it is 540. We're going to take a 20 minute recess. We'll be back at six o'clock for the public hearing.
I'd like to call to order the public hearing. It is six out of five. I do apologize that we are a couple of minutes late. We are on item number 14.01. Mr. Cook or Madam Attorney? Are you going to handle this one for us? Yes. Excellent. Thank you.
Item number 14.0 was the first and only public hearing on ordinance number 22 Dash Oh dash 29 an ordinance of the City of Tallahassee Florida amending sections 14 Dash 3.3 10 and 14 that 3.4 10 of the code of general ordinances of the City of Tallahassee relating to the police employees pension provisions, providing for conflict providing for severability and providing an effective date the recommended action is option one, conduct the public hearing and adopt ordinance number 22 Dash Oh dash 29 which will conform upon passage the C Tallahassee code to the memoranda of understanding are approved by the PBA on October 4 2022, and the City Commission on October 12 2022.
Who have any public comment on the side?
Mayor, we do not but I'm going to speak slowly because I don't have speakers on any of the public hearings. But I did some PC some people standing at the table and in the atrium so I'm waiting one minute to see if they walk through the door with a speaker form. Seeing none we have no speakers on this item.
Okay. Do we have the mic Mayor Pro Tem Williams Cox on the line. Excellent. Yes, I'm here. Okay. Wonderful. So do we have a motion for option number one? Staff recommendation move option one second, and probably moved by Commissioner metal seconded by Commissioner Richardson. Seeing no further comment. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those pose. Okay, it passes five zero. We're on item number 14.02. Madam Attorney,
item number 14.02 is the first and only public hearing on ordinance number 22 dash z dash 30 an ordinance of the City of Tallahassee Florida designated and including additional territory located on point nine five acres at the Northwest intersection of Pablo Avenue and Centerville road as an in the City of Tallahassee neighborhood commercial c dash one from light industrial M one on the official zoning map of the City of Tallahassee, adopted and established by the City Commission, writing for conflicts providing for severability and providing an effective date. recommended action is option one adopt ordinance 22 dash d dash 30, thereby amending the official zoning map from light industrial and one zoning district to the neighborhood commercial C one zoning district based on the findings and conduce conditions at the planning commission. The information contained in this agenda item and any evidence produced presented at the hearing here on any ex parte disclosures concerning this item are available via the hyperlink included in the agenda item as published in the board docs system.
Excellent. Do we have any public comment on this item? No, sir. Direction board
whose staff recommendations? They're actually number one. Option number
one staff recommendation has been properly moved by Commissioner Richardson. Is there a second to the motion? I will second the motion for further discussion. Not all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. All those opposed? Passes unanimously. Five, zero. We're on item number 14.03. Madam Attorney
number 14.03 is the second and final public hearing for the Florida State University campus campus development agreement. Under state law the city as host government and FSU must enter into a campus development agreement to implement the University's campus master plan. The FSU Board of Trustees adopted a revised master plan on September 24 2021. Prior to the adoption of the masterplan city departments reviewed the Draft Master Plan and provided comments to FSU. The existing FSU campus development agreement is scheduled to expire on December 31 2022. FSU Board of Trustees reviewed and approved this agreement at his November 18 2022. board meeting, the city is required to hold two public hearings concerning the campus development agreement. The first public hearing was held by the City Commission on October 26 2022. This item recommends that the City Commission conduct the second and final public hearing and approve the agreement. The updated FSU Master master plan covers 2020 to 2030 planning period.
Excellent. Do we have any public comment on this item?
We have one speaker on the side of mayor that is Mike Goldstein,
your name and address for the record place?
My goals seem to unsend West Second Avenue. Just a few comments on this plan. I guess the process I found out is just a annual review for the plan. I guess that's part of what I'm confused about. Because it's the last time we had a I'm glad that it got put to y'all before it got rushed. Like the last thing we've had to deal with last year with the blueprint project that's down the hill as well. That $27 million dollars for stadium seems like there's a rush project. That's the nice annual plan. But if infrastructure is the thing that's about this plan, hopefully by the time this plan is in action, then that project The stadium will be done by then as well. So you always have some way to measure both metrics on the business side, this stage, the stadium and the civic center. And I'm just trying to understand is the arena districts still an option with this plan or not? So in the verbiage that they read, the district was actually listed in the guidelines for the plan itself. But But I misunderstood from last year was if the funds that were meant for the conference center, that's not going to happen now from what I understood, was diverted to the stadium. Is the plan now for this massive mile plus Doak Campbell to the business school part is that all part of the economic development plan as a whole to help drive the economy year round, because I mean, quite honest, I haven't seen a lot at the stadium to show that there's actually work being done from that last item from last year. So I'm just trying to understand and need clarification going forward what these plans are about what they are actually helping with the community for and how, yes, a business school off campus is going closer to downtown will help in the long run. But over time, how do we as a community better understand these things going forward?
Mr. Goldstein, I'd like to introduce you to Mr. Kevin Graham, who represents Florida State University in their master planning process. So if you haven't Questions. I'm sure Mr. Graham will be more than happy to answer as well. Not not here at microphone, but maybe y'all can take it outside. Minute laughs But seriously, I think that when it's questions to the growth of campus, the processes, it begins with the with the university. So Mr. Graham, thanks so much for Internet questions, as Goldstein might have.
Our next speaker, please. That was the only Speaker Okay,
looking for direction questions.
Whose staff recommendation option number one,
option number one has probably been moved by Mr. Richardson. Is there a second to the motion? Again? Going back? All right, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those passes unanimously, five, zero. Do we have any other items come before us at the public hearing, Madam Attorney? No, we did not. Okay. Colleagues, we are back on general business 12.5 The noise ordinance update Mr. goad.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor, this this item is a follow up from your October 26 meeting you'll recall and March of this year, you voted to I think can be generally described as simplify the noise ordinance, which which eliminated the use of decibel meters as well as in abled TPD to act proactively to deal with noise complaints and those actions helped. We provided you an update in October of this month regarding that. At that time, there was discussion about the urban core Zoo. As you know, there's two distinct dis districts as it relates to noise regulation. And you asked for an agenda item to be brought back regarding noise issues in the urban core. With tie ending times for amplified outdoor music, staff has scanned other cities in the state to look for similarities, are there models that we could reference we've included information in your agenda item, I think generally what you find is that every city is a little bit unique. But we do find there to be distinct regulation dependent upon the objective of the local city. nominee Maddix is lead the charge with the strategic innovation team to kind of do this review and really try to put some parameters on what you could consider based on your feedback and what we've heard trying to get really to the root cause of the issue that we understand that there have been core. She's done. So with the help of TPD and, and Deputy City Manager Barbara has been directly in touch with citizens that have expressed concerns. I like Dominique, just to walk us through her findings and overall summary and we look forward to your feedback.
All right, Miss Maddox. Thanks for joining us and for all your hard work.
Thank you, Mayor. Thank you city manager commissioners. As mentioned at the October 26 meeting you direct a staff to bring back an item to address noise regulation in the urban core. As you know, our revised noise ordinance has enabled more effective enforcement of noise nuisance across the city, particularly outside the urban core. However, it limits the regulation of noise within the urban core to the hours of 2am then to 7am, which is a concern for some of our residents in a near the area. The urban core distinction was originally created to balance various quality of life factors of residents, businesses, tourists and our growing College community as well as the needs of our nighttime economy, which is an important element to creating an vibrant 18 hour downtown. At your direction and based on resonance feedback staff conducted research on noise ordinances of numerous Florida cities including Fort Lauderdale, Gainesville, Hollywood, Jacksonville, Miami, Orlando, St. Petersburg, and Tampa. of the city's five have entertainment districts and each case higher noise levels are permitted inside the entertainment districts. And while the time when noise restrictions take effect varies across cities, generally between 10pm to 3am. Most of them begin enforcement at 11pm. Additionally, in these each of the city's entertainment districts are regulated in such a way as to minimize adverse impact to the nighttime economy. One way that cities strike the balance is by regulating live outdoor music after certain hours. So currently, our noise ordinance does not regulate live outdoor music. While this item seeks commissioned direction, we did explore what a potential regulation of live outdoor music might look like within the urban core. This could include setting a time at which live outdoor music would have to be taken inside and ours could naturally vary between night during the week versus on the weekends. We have a similar model in place for the capital city amphitheater at cascades park staff anticipates that something Sam Letter for the urban core would present no enforcement issues. violations would be met with the same penalties already being established and the current noise ordinance. All of this information is provided to you and the item for your consideration. And this item six year direction. Excellent.
Mr. Management in this way, if I could just draw out a point you heard what Dominique indicated, we talked about live outdoor music, we dropped the term amplified. In our discover, we felt like they could create a loophole, and it may be difficult to enforce. And we felt like live outdoor music was the root cause. And so we've simplified it. From that point of view. I just want to draw on that distinction.
Excellent. Mr. Clark, do we have any public comment on the side?
Yes, sir. We do mayor. The first of those speakers is Blake Sandler, and followed by Harley Edmondson.
Thanks for joining us your name and address for the record.
Hi, my name is Blake Sandler. I live at 415 St. Francis street and I represent the Citizens Committee on noise pollution and all saints district community association. Something that we've heard at a lot of the past meetings was about an 18 hour city. So I did research and I wanted to talk about that 18 Our city is not defined by constant and less noise or loud partying throughout the night. It is defined by a second tier city that is more affordable to live in and has solid infrastructure, appealing amenities and public transportation and to attract professionals that enjoy an urban lifestyle. But without the Boston in New York City price tag. discussion about an 18 hour city has become a talking point in the past to underserved residents and businesses who operate in the urban core. And ATR city is supposed to be a draw for professionals, families and entrepreneurs alike. I'm having a hard time understanding why the there needs to be a distinction between having an 18 hour city or having quiet time because a lot of the 18 hour cities that we looked at have 10pm and 11pm cut offs for for loud noise. Which makes me think that it's not mutually exclusive. And I am for an 18 hour city you know I want a vibrant downtown. I want thriving a place of thriving residents, hotels, other services. And I think that if we don't have a noise ordinance, then there's not going to be an 18 hour city left to enjoy. The Citizens Committee on noise pollution wants to have a say in how this noise ordinance gets made to ensure that this is a downtown that people want to live work and raise a family and you can have an 18 hour city and enforce noise after 10 or 11pm as all other 18 hour cities have done. The All Saints history Community Association has also studied other 18 hour cities that we have found in Austin, New Orleans Key West Tampa, Denver, Raleigh, Durham, Portland, Nashville, Charleston, Chattanooga, Kansas City, Miami and Miami Beach all have noise ordinances that are forced either 10 or 11pm throughout the entire city and most regulate amplified outdoor noise. Therefore these cities understand that in order to have a vibrant downtown, you need residents who are going to want to live and have a stake in downtown. Having loud noise throughout the night is also a disincentivizing debt for downtown Homer. homeownership and business development at our city is supposed to be a place to encourage investment from homeowners and businesses. But right now, I've seen our downtown failing to maintain businesses. And we have seen a lot of businesses closed down for good recently. University cycles, Serenity coffee, All Saints cafe, simply Mac voodoo dog, Neff, Ataris, and more. And the hotels downtown all who also bring in a lot of money for our city are going to struggle if we don't have a noise ordinance for downtown. Because Thank you, if because if we're having if they have you know numerous negative reviews about the noise, then they're not going to be as much of a draw and that helps a lot of the surrounding businesses, which we want. And our downtown can be so much more if we have your support in improving noise regulation. I urge you to make a motion for our city managers and city staff to work with the Citizens Committee on noise ordinance to revise a new ordinance that is ready for review in the January 18 commission meeting. All I want for Christmas is a new noise ordinance and with your help, we can get it done. Thank you and happy holidays.
Our next speaker please.
Harley Amundson followed by Patrick row.
Hello, this is Hayley Amundson. I live at 415 St. Francis street and I represent the Citizens Committee on noise pollution, and the AllSaints district community association. The Citizen committee on noise pollution comprises 10 neighborhoods in four hotels, three neighborhoods are inside the urban core and the other seven are outside the urban core. We understand that this noise ordinance requires a complex solution and stakeholder involvement. To do this, we need a motion and support from our City Commission to allow the citizen committee on noise pollution to direct and work with The city manager and city staff before it is presented to the City Commission to a vote. Our committee has the backing from both business homeowners and residents of the city. The Citizen committee on noise pollution has also conducted research regarding other 18 hour city noise ordinances that are consistent with the four elements that we have incorporated within a stakeholder revised noise ordinance. These four elements that we want, these are four elements that we want to change about our noise ordinance. First, we want to regulate outdoor amplified noise, amplified not just only live because music can be blasted through speakers in the urban core after 10pm On weekdays, and 11pm on weekends, which was discussed during the October 26. City Commission meeting. Second, we want noise regulations for all residential properties throughout the city, including downtown, especially after 10pm on weekday nights, and 11pm on weekend nights. Third, we would like to incorporate decibel readers or change the existing ordinance to a shorter distance in feet from the source than the existing 100 feet if we're removing decibels. Fourth, we'd like a stronger enforcement than just fines for noise offenders that are not voluntarily complying, and are repeat offenders. We have precedent in cities like Miami since we no longer have a business license in Tallahassee. The city of Miami is a great example that uses strong fines of up to $15,000 in penalties for apt amplified noise offenders within a 12 month period. This combats the issue of negligible fines, being part of the cost of doing business and offers the ordinance more teeth for enforcement. We also need a date for the commission and rec in directing the city manager and staff to get an ordinance completed and up for review. I would like to request a motion from the Commission that and we have a noise ordinance ready for review at the January 18 2023. City Commission meeting. We need a date so that members of the public know that there is an end in sight. We can't live like this. This downtown. Thank you this downtown in the urban core area are not livable, and it's a public health issue. Indeed it is for its residents. Let's come together with the citizen committee on noise pollution and create the solution that the public supports. Thank you for your time and I urge you to make a motion for our city managers and city staff to work with the citizen committee on noise pollution, to revise a new ordinance that is ready to review on the January 18 commission meeting and up for a vote on the February 1 commission meeting. Thank you so much. I look forward to working with you.
Thank you. Our next speaker, please is
next speaker is Patrick row. And then Chris Loudon.
Thank you for joining us your name and address for the record, please.
My name is Dr. Patrick Rowe. And I live just across the street. At the center tower. It's 215 West College Avenue. And I own a condominium in the tower. It's apartment 301. And you might recall I've in front of the commission before and in the tower, there is problem with noise the people live there, we must all agree that it's out of control. And I just want to thank my friends and colleagues for all the work they've done gathering statistics and data to study what's done in other cities in and just make it comfortable for the residents. It's just not fair to have that kind of loud noise especially on weekdays when people are trying to get enough sleep so they can go to their jobs and and do what they have to do. So I appreciate you listening and considering and thinking about the problem and and hopefully with the city officials we have talked to seem to be willing to help solve the problem. I just want to thank you for listening, like everybody else. Have a good break and enjoy Christmas. I think we all deserve it. Thank you very much.
Thank you. Our next speaker please.
Chris Loudon. He'll be followed by Eric Mullins.
Thank you so much. Good afternoon address please,
Chris loud and all saints Association as well as the community for noise pollution. A good afternoon commissioners appreciate your time. Our citizen committee that's made up these neighborhoods. We've done hours of research on this noise and And we came up with a ordinances and entertainment districts and other 18 hour cities that we did research on. We also met with staff, Miss Barbara has been fantastic and meeting with us and making time to talk to us about their findings. And as staff has said, it shows that there are noisy entertainment districts. And we think that if you look at the noise ordinances, they all have real three common elements. One is a time 10 On the weekends 11. The second one is a quantitative way to see if the ordinance is being violated, either, you know, decibel reading, or audible. And the other thing is a graduated fine schedule. We don't have a occupational license in the city, which kind of floors me I don't understand how we don't have that. But so your enforcement is handicap. So we are going to have to do it monetarily. So as Haley said in Miami, there's severe fines for repeat offenders that don't want to that don't want to cooperate. Okay. So I would ask you guys to direct staff and these three elements along and to draft it along with us. The stakeholders before the next commission meeting in January, I'd also like to take this time, an opportunity to implore you guys to do more. We got a beautiful city. We're at a crossroads though. You know, we got noise, gun violence, trash, public intoxication and urination in the downtown area. And we have FSU expansion. We which is great, you know, after she's a good partner, they keep a very clean campus. But with that comes student housing, and there's been pressure put on our neighborhoods, from developers to move into our neighborhoods. And, you know, in my neighborhood, you know, we have special land use designations for residents, and historical effects. And we don't want to see that, you know, ruined and, but we also need the students, we want FSU. We want all these amenities that we want from urban downtown. And there is a way so we'd like to work together and make that happen, but we want to be at the table along with everybody else. So thank you.
Thank you. Our next speaker, clerk,
Eric, excuse me, Eric Mullins, followed by Stanley Simms.
Thank you for joining us your name and address for the record,
please. Eric Mullins, 600 West Gaines Street. I worked the residents in down there. I heard specific mention they were not worried about amplified music. That's kind of concerning to us. If this works, you'll understand why. random Wednesday 130 In the morning, almost a mile away this is right in front of our hotel. I went inside because I knew our phones were going to blow up. That was a you woke up the entire building. Not part of the building the entire building. Pick a profession. They traveled to town. They need sleep. They're not getting it at the residence in. Caroline savage from the Hyatt right down the street has the same problem. Michael Davis at the Hampton has the same problem. Folks at the Indigo have the same problem. I don't know why you can't have an 18 hour downtown that has some peace and quiet for sleep. I don't see them as a conflict. People need to live there. These folks live there. They want the amenities. Well, we also would like to sleep my guest would like to sleep. So appreciate your time. And just consider how loud that was in front of our building. One night Wednesday.
Thank you Mullins, which which which operation was that?
Oh, I have no idea that was coming from that pot bellies. So railroad turns into Macomb and it was coming from up up Macomb coming south down Macomb. Okay. And let's be it's just a just a cheap iPhone. So it was loud.
Thank you. Our next speaker release
Stanley Sims and then we'll have one virtual connection and that'll be the conclusion of our speakers
name and address for the record, please.
My name is Stanley sounds I'm at 1320 Avondale way. I hope we're not trying to prove that music we don't like is louder. I'm not a big fan of country music. But I know that music I don't like tend to irritate me a little bit more. But when I want to say in first class, I like first class, my wife will tell me stay and stop singing so loud. Mr. City Manager, we don't see eye to eye on a lot of things. But I love your definition and clarity that you gave the difference between amplify and loud music. Because some of the conversations that I've had with Deputy Chief on some of my issues is, I believe now I don't know this. I don't want to misrepresent. I believe that recording came from a young man riding in a car with amplified music going down a road. Here's what I'm concerned about with the noise ordinance. And I've shared this with Deputy Chief Holmes and I will not say in this city manager because they are doing something that I don't approve, you know, I'm commending them, because I thought this noise ordinance could be used something like the seatbelt thing as a ploy to go in as a way to other do other Magen they dealing with a very complex area. The down the game Street area is located in an area where that Miami dome in between a major number one top HBC University and a top collegiate FSU so you ain't gonna have country music rolling through when you built the Indigo and got those tax credits for CRA, though, so some of the things that you should have considered. And so my point here today mayor is I'm very thankful, Deputy Chief Holmes, that you are going in dealing with this with a surgical knife and not a bull with my wife last night, had to come straight my son because of indoor noise. We live in a college town
30 seconds. And I think that
we need to be very sensitive to this. And, and I've talked to some other older individuals and I do understand. But here's a calamity that we have i kids have gone through a pandemic. They're out. There are some mental issues that's going on. Our police force have their hands full. And even though this is a serious issue, your three men we got to be careful with how we do it. Good job chief. And I hope that we continue to handle this with sensitivity. Thank you for allowing me to
speak please. Mayor Julian Kerr signed up to speak I don't know if we've got a connection, or Julian Currer. I'm here.
Wonderful your name and address for the record, please. And the clerk will let you know when you're at 30 seconds.
Thank you. This is Julian curb 2603 Block drive. I'm here representing the Citizens Committee on noise pollution and the blocks and terrorists neighborhood association. Sorry, I couldn't be there in person. I'm traveling nurse on assignment. I want to thank the Deputy City Manager for meeting with us several times over the last 10 months in reference to this issue. And thank the commissioners that have responded, particularly you Mr. Mayor, the Commissioner Porter and Commissioner Diane Williams Cox, who really appreciate your support in this. We'd like to centralize our communication at this point with communicating through our email address, which is the Tallahassee noise pollution@gmail.com. Again, Tallahassee noise pollution@gmail.com. And we encourage all neighborhood leaders and businesses impacted by noise to please join us by emailing us at Tallahassee noise pollution@gmail.com. To to follow up on the last speaker, this is not a mere subjective like or dislike issue. In fact, it's an objective public health and public safety issue that is impacting our city in negative ways in a wide spread way. And as the Committee on We would like to be part of the solution. Instead of continuing to talk about the problem, we want to we want to develop a solution that's comprehensive, meaning that it takes all the complexities involved in developing a noise or noise ordinance into into scope. So we can have a comprehensive and evolving noise ordinance over time as the city grows as well. We would like it if you please Can motion to direct the city staff to utilize our committee and our resources, so that we can continue to have this conversation. Just to make it clear, we believe that excessive noise is a serious hazard to public health and welfare. And we have examples of that, in our city, as congregations are attracted by unregulated noise that leads to these large gatherings that then leads to gun violence, and actually exacerbates our police force. And so in a way to, to help our police force, we need to have better a better law, a more comprehensive law. And we would like to be a part of that solution. Thank you.
Thank you. Our next speaker, please, Mr. Clerk,
that's the last speaker on the item.
Okay, let's open it up for comments and direction. Mayor Pro Tim.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor, I want to I want to thank all of the speakers who spoke and had an opportunity to meet with with with them, some of them on yesterday. Also want to thank the staff. I know, in my briefing that I had with the city manager and Deputy City Manager, they are working very, very hard to try to make this work for everybody. And I'm looking forward to hearing more seeing more. I know I say to the citizens I spoke to yesterday. And we're taking baby steps. But we've got to make sure that we don't miss step. And we've got to try to do our best to understand I would not want to be awakened in the middle of the night with loud noise, as well as I understand that. But we've got to make sure that we're doing the best we can for all residents included. And thank you for your research. And thank you for sharing what you have put together for us for our input, we value citizen input. And I note that our staff, our staff under the leadership of the city manager and the Deputy City Manager in our instrumentation group, we are at the right solution. I look forward to hear more about where we are. I know you all have asked for data of the commission meeting on January eighth. I'm hoping that after the holidays, we our staff will will be able to provide us at least with an update of where we are. And are some proposals. I'm not sure that we will make all the way to the ordinance. But if we do, that'd be that'd be awesome. But I'd like to see where we are when it comes on January 18. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Thank you. Comments. I got Commissioner Richardson. Commissioner Mela.
Thank you. Mr. Mayor, I would like to make the motion that we do direct the city manager and staff to sit down and meet I mean, we can't it can't hurt us at all to get additional information how we can best make this thing work for all parties concerned I can tell you, I've been personally affected by that loud music that y'all are talking about. I live that just under a mile away from the Piggly Wiggly shopping center. And And when those and I think is cars, and they're playing that I can hear it in my bedroom at home. Like said I'm just under a mile away from that shopping center. So I can't even imagine, you know, what's happening at pot bellies and some of the other places where the music is louder and people are closer to the music. So I would make a motion that we direct the city manager and staff to work with the Citizens Committee on on noise pollution, to see what we can come up with that positively affects all parties involved with this issue. All right.
Motion on table. Is there a second to the motion? Okay. Seconded by Commissioner Porter, a commissioner matla.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I I can support the motion but I'd really like to see an proposed ordinance come back in January. So we're not we don't drag it out. Longer. I just wanted a couple clarifications on the recommendations that Mr. City Manager The distinction between live outdoor music. I noted in the agenda item it says including a DJ would be considered live music is that how is that defined or?
Mr. Manager? Thank you, Commissioner. As we move to an ordinance, we clearly would have to come up with definitions. I think, you know, that's, that would be the next step. But the concept was I think we we've circled around this issue, we've listened to the commission, we've listened to the citizens, we believe there's a desire to make a distinction between indoor activity and an outdoor activity. We know there's a particular club, I think that probably is at the center of this we've had experienced over the years AJs. That's no longer a business that created problems. We know that was kind of an outdoor venue, we've had GVO, that's not operating. Similar. What we what staff is concerned with is that you could have outdoor music, so they're playing the band is outdoors. And at times certain whatever the ordinance comes in at, they just simply play live outdoor music without amplification, I think you've, you get the same issue we I think we all probably can relate to you're in the marching band and one of our local high schools, they're not amplified. They're just live and it travels along waves, because it's not. So that's that's the logic. Clearly a DJ that's outside doing the same thing really is, you know, for all intents and purposes, the same as a band playing. So that probably is amplified, but we were trying to strip it back, make it simpler, make it clear, put a hard time on it that that was that did behind what we suggested. Okay.
And I agree with that. I just wanted to make sure that terminology was was consistent with you know, what we're talking about. The second thing I wanted to ask the current sound ordinance. I just want a clarification, the first violation, I guess there's a come into compliance opportunity, but then it's 253 50 and 500. And as that the question is, I believe it's subsequent every 15 minutes. So if somebody with the current penalties in place, it would essentially be every 15 minutes it will get another $500 violation if they don't comply, or is there any cascading?
Mr. Mayor, let me ask. I believe that's the right interpretation. But I'm not intimately familiar with the DC homes do you are city attorney may have a better Val can
can address that issue. Thank you.
I'm just the just the nature of the penalties the first second so somebody doesn't comply? I believe it's every 15 minutes, they would incur an additional penalty. Yes. Okay.
Yes. And we've had an actual incident where that occurred at one of the local establishments, to where they had the five minutes didn't come into compliance, issued a citation. They continue additional five minutes, we issued another one. It was a third one, they wished it another one. And they were the next step was going to them being arrested. So they came into compliance at it.
Okay. So it is it's effective, isn't it? Guess what I'm asking that people aren't
able to gain the compliance that we need the current audits we have right now. Outside of the
Okay. Thank you. Well, I would support the motion. I'd be looking for that to come back with the live music DJ terminology. However, that works out with the 10 o'clock, weekday and 11 o'clock, weekend penguins.
All right, motion on table made by commission Rich says bring it back. Jay, we're meeting seconded by Commissioner Porter. All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. All those opposed? Passes unanimously, five, zero. We are on item number 12.06. Mr. Clerk?
Thank you, Mayor 12.06 is a sunset review of City Commission policy 150, which deals with retiree health care. It's a policy that was put in place about 10 years ago, it's operated since then a couple of cleanup items, including making sure that the sunset review happens on a five year basis. Like most of our other policies, there is one change in our practice that we're we've recommended in this policy. For most of our retirees who continue on our health care program, their insurance premium is simply deducted from their pension check. There are a small number of retirees, maybe people who didn't work very long at the city but enough to earn a small pension, where their their payment does not cover the premium. In that case, we draft payment from those individuals to cover their insurance premium. We have a very small number of those folks who want a consistent basis fail to make that payment or have those funds available. So the recommended change in there is that individuals who in a 12 month period failed three times to make that excuse me make that payment would would be removed from the from the health care program. In other words, long as you're making your premium payment should continue. And if you're a habitual problem, then we would take action. That's the item that's before you.
We have any public comment on this item? No, sir. All right, let me jump in first. I don't like to propose change that don't do that behind closed doors. I think we need to dig in. If somebody's having a hard time making the payment. I don't feel comfortable just dropping their health care insurance. That's my two cents. I would like to renew the policy. I mean, we renew our federal policy, but not with the recommendation. I go into more detail or Mr. cookin as well. But you understand what the proposal is?
I guess the question I would have was, how would the policy be paid if they aren't? in it?
It's from what I understand. And Mr. Cook, I'll turn it back over to you. But it's a small number of people, either older or retired. If they miss a payment or two, what I'm suggesting much like our utilities, we work with them and try to figure out how we can help get them back on track, instead of just cutting off their health insurance, which is what's being proposed. Correct. Mr. Mayor? Hold on just second. Mayor Pro Tem, I'll come back to is that correct?
Yes. Mayor, I think the thing that the one distinction I would draw is that it's not using the utility analogy is not being laid on your bill one month, it's a on multiple times. It's a repeat problem. And we are trying to work with them in the interim to get there. But if they ultimately don't, but that's but essentially your your descriptions Correct.
Your mayor pro Tim
was my concern to the treasurer. Regarding this is that we're talking about a small number of people. We're talking about people who are a part of our city family, the retirees and who may be maybe in a gap between health insurance and Social Security, Medicare. So my issue is, I believe that even though it's not on utility bill, we can still provide that same type of customer service that concierge services I call with utilities, coffee, a service with those who have worked for the City of Tallahassee and now retired, because they haven't paid their health insurance carriers and medicine is very expensive. I know this without insurance, and insurance, having to go get insurance somewhere else is also very expensive. So I would not want to be responsible for someone missing, having to decide whether they can buy food or medicine because they were not able to make their their payment. So I would hope that we will find a more friendly cannula gentler, let me use those terms, a way of dealing with our retirees to make sure that they have coverage.
So thank you, Mayor Pro Tem I believe that motion would be to reapproved. Its Option One without the second half. It'd be reapproved City Commission policy 1/5.
Mayor or if I if I if I if I may, just shortly I would word that I think and understand and appreciate the concerns and we can we can work with that. And if it continues to be a problem, we can identify that in more detail and figure out a different solution to come back to you. If I could, would recommend that the action be to re approve City Commission policy 150 with the noted updates without making a change, okay for the individuals who have not made payment.
Mayor Pro Tem Are you comfortable making that motion?
Perfect. Okay, I am comfortable making that motion. Perfect. Thank you. Thank you, Jim.
And St. Yeah, thanks for the clarification. Who was seconded by Commissioner Richardson any further Are we all clear on the motion on the table? Okay, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. All those passes. Passes unanimously. Five, zero. Mr. Manager. Do we have any other business to come before the City Commission? Under policy formation and direction? No, sir. All right. We are now on unagented speakers for the evening. Mr. Clark, how many speakers do we have?
In person in one virtual Alright, let's begin. The first speaker is Brian forming. Brian forming is first followed by Mike Goldstein. Brian for being and then might Goldstein.
Your name and address for the record. Please
sir. My name is Brian Fortman. My address is 5011 Dustbowl lane. Thank you guys for having me. I'm the director of capital battleline incorporated red drumline mentor mentorship agency here in Tallahassee. And I just wanted to give you guys a brief update of what we're what we have going on in the community. And also to end with a brief ask a couple about our line incorporated or CBl is that is comprised of members of the percussive arts community within expressed an interest and drumline performance CBl is purpose to inspire youth to make responsible choices and their decision making processes. Processes, provide tutoring and mentoring services and improve the performance standards of its membership and participants in their respective academic career, vocation and social lives. We believe drumming is a communal activity forging special enduring bonds between drummers, much akin to breaking bread with one another. So prior to COVID to the COVID social disruptions, CBl was contracted with a different Leon County School 21st century programs and maintain 15 active high school participants to helping us with our elementary school mentorship programming. During the shutdown, it was CBl that actually spurred the ideas for the political canvassing that originated with us renting out weekly from every weekend and starting in June July U haul and we put the drummer's on the back of the U haul with a lot well recorded music track music, the whole idea actually you all are you guys were it's to recreate the parade experience that we lost with the COVID shut down to get everybody outside in their front yards. And having a neighborly this social distance, communal celebration of life, as it were losing losing a lot of life. So that was a fun, exciting community service project that we embarked on. And some actually campaigns partnered up with us and others establish their own thing, which is really cool. I personally have worked with a few projects and community and committees locally, including a preliminary committee for the Ashmore building. And I believe that Miss Miss Barnes actually recommended me for that committee, because she believes in what I'm doing with CBl and the program with the youth here in Tallahassee, and she was just trying to find us a place of home to operate out of. So with all that we have going on moving forward into the new year, we're actually established in eight different communities or five different community centers now. That's Jay Gaither bond. In the bond community. We're in Walker, Fort, and Smith and Williams. And then we're also in the Springfield Community Center, you're 30 seconds, okay, and Dade Street. And so we have a growth plan in place to grow into 13 different elementary service programs. And the model is actually to station each one of those with trained high school members that are trained with national coaching, certifications, and babysitter childhood development training with the Red Cross, which I've already forged partnerships with, I'm looking for assistance with growing this program. And we I would love to sit down with each and every one of you to discuss this in more detail. Thank you so much.
Great, thank you. Our next speaker, please.
Next speaker is Mike Goldstein. He'll be followed by Michael McLachlan
your name and address for the record, please.
Hey, it's still my Goldstein at 2171 Second Avenue. I'm actually speaking on behalf of Brian as well, because we're having that free evening. So let's get the party started. If anybody asked from a year and a half ago, I'm just a bike rider. He's just a drummer. And we met through pizza maker from a couple years ago. So that's how we kind of forged a bond of what we do. And we all know the story behind that that terminology of how you describe your vocation because the drama that led to the discussion between the chamber and Mr. Malla that got us to meet over that breaking bread at Casio pies one day. So me and Brian from relationship from that he has meeting the minds and tears later feels like that, but about a year later now. He's become a big part of my organization. He just saw his shirt was what part of it sounds like that's a possible solution to the agenda item in January with the puzzle in it because what Brian does with youth also helps prevent crime with drumming and music, education and mentorship. So I think what he does is he actually brings in middle school high school students to help them prepare for college and life skills that may or may not lead to college, but that's part of what could help with noise ordinances, crime prevention and things of that nature. But we're also looking to build partnerships with the city and the county and long term longevity of mentoring through entrepreneurship skills. That's a big thing with the city and county these days. Oh UVI and hoops like that. I'm actually working with him to get through with Domi now. So we had big little show at First Friday through Domi station First Friday. Him and the drummers were out for a good probably hour or so just wrapping around and it wasn't too out. I don't think it's First Friday is one of those exceptions where it's before 10 o'clock on a weeknight and that got people to notice but Brian does more. He didn't leave out I believe he helped with a few of the campaigns who are still in office and Somebody didn't make it. So, like me and my advertising Brian's group has hit or miss with hitting elections out there, but we do make an impact with what we do. So we're just trying to make a small difference in the city but also help people be aware of what we can offer as far as how we can team up with simple things like drumming on a bike to make an impact with praise in the future. He did just march in the winter festival so that was his first trade back in a while. I think a few of you might have seen him out there with the drummers but we're working together to better but said he's trying to do for years now because it takes me with ego my arm to work on apologies in advance everyone I've offended over the years on the DRC and after the Yes, but um, he found me through a mutual friendship. And now we're trying to keep sharing online in the sense that we can actually so 30 seconds we're trying to work together in a sense that we both have the same mindset and ideas sometimes but we feed off each other's creative creativity and ingenuity that leads to things like Jim Ranas suit, Jim Moran school. Again, no AV don't me station, all these big players in the room and outside the room and the table that we find ourselves in and out of. We're trying to make a difference and we need help. And not just funds but awareness of what we can offer to people that want to listen.
Thank you. Our next speaker, please.
Next is Michael McLachlan. And then Rosetta Bobo.
Name and address for the record please.
Hello, my name is Michael I live in 100 D Street. I'm here to talk about this missions. Questionable commitment to democracy. This afternoon's vote to remove members of the CPRP makes it clear that this commission would rather listen to the police than to the people when nine members of the public come forward and voice their support for Taylor Bureau for my for a diverse array of reasons. Their voices were outweighed by a single person who identified themselves as Pro police. When the people stand in support of Bureau of the PBA, which endorsed your campaign in your campaign, and Dan Williams Cox's campaign, when they stand opposed, the three of us stand with the police against the people. The CPRP is supposed to be a space for the citizens of Tallahassee to make recommendations regarding TPD policy and procedures is a space where the people get to tell the police what we think they should do, and to have that translated into policy recommendations. As such, the police themselves along with organizations like the Police Benevolent Association, who worked directly for the police have no place making any statement about the suitability of the police appointed the people appointed to that board, people in power like yourselves and the police should not get to decide who gets to review them. When they do we call that corruption. And this commission knows about that. After the CPD officers murdered three civilians in early 2020 1000s of Tallahassee, Ian's took to the streets demanding community control the police, who had democratically elected civilian police accountability Council. Such a council would put oversight of the police in the hands of everyday people, the people, the police swear to protect and serve. Rather than implementing the CPAC, which could hire and fire the police chief control the police department's budget and hold killer cops accountable. This Commission created a weak Toothless review board that can't do anything more than make policy recommendations. And now you want absolute control over what board member thing and you've criticized them. They tried to take any real action. The controversy resulting from Dan Williams Cox's misleading statement on the October 12 commission meeting highlights the pressing need for true community control the police in Tallahassee, it's a city refuses to implement a truly democratic civilian police accountability Council than the least this commission could do is support the work of the CPRP in every way it can. The CPRP asks you for an expanded scope of authority. This Commission needs to grant them that authority they ask for most importantly, the City Commission should not interfere with the workings of the CPR be up today. You commissioners you're saying Mayor Daley and Commissioner Williams Cox, let's say you cross that line, you're 30 seconds today you demonstrated a clear bias against participatory democracy a clear bias toward listening only to the organization's which is supported your campaigns and a clear bias against the people you alleged to represent. That's demonstrated bias calls into question your suitability to continue holding seats on this commission. Your actions today underscored the need for true community control the police, you have demonstrated the inability of our current system to reform itself in ways that disrupt and eliminate harms caused by our current methods of policing years we cannot alright.
Thank you. Our next speaker please.
Next speaker is Rosetta Bobo. And then Joe West. He I don't know Joe West followed by will handling
Thanks for joining us your name and address for the record please.
Joe West, a little bit 2831 dufton court here in Tallahassee. Good afternoon Mayor Daley commissioners, administrators. I passed the invoices and i hope i Mr. Cook found him that I wanted to have everybody have anyway, I'm burning time category. This past summer I came before the commission, and requested that the City of Tallahassee match funds the county has made available since we took over the Tallahassee Leon County Veterans Day Parade in 2010. Mayor Daley was on the county commission then and I'm sure he recalls how vetting came to be. We created a nonprofit organization staffed by all volunteers. No one. No one at vetting draws any compensation for their efforts. These efforts require between five and 600 man hours every year, and we think we do a pretty good job of producing the Tallahassee Lana County Veterans Day Parade. This was the first year the city agreed to put some money towards our efforts, we were instructed to apply to the CRA. We did and after being coached on how to answer their questions to become eligible, we were awarded $5,000 that we would have of course, we have to account for how it is used to maintain that eligibility. We have met all the CRS criteria up to this point. This year for the first time, we not only got city funding, we also got an invoice from the city for $3,245.11, which has been presented to be 16% of the city's cost for the parade. According to the invoice, which I've shared with you all this year, the cost was $20,281.11. And John just gave Mr. Cook a check for our share. I'm told springtime will also get a bill like this for their efforts. Winterfest is exempt from these charges. Having been told by your Parks and Recreation event coordinator that this will be a recurring charge for all future Veterans Day parades. And having discussed this with Blackboard, it is with heavy heart that we better and events in Tallahassee Incorporated, will relinquish rights to conduct the annual Tallahassee Leon County Veterans Day Parade and turn those rights over to the City of Tallahassee. Accordingly, with no primary mission veteran events in Tallahassee, Incorporated will be dissolved in accordance with our bylaws and the articles of incorporation. Thank you.
Thank you. Our next speaker, please.
Next speaker is Willa Hanley And then Anita Davis. Was your question the document camera. If you stand at the microphone, there's a little stand just to the right and you place your document under that white device.
My name is Wil Handley. I live at 1911 Wahala. COURT I period three months ago to speak with you about concerns that I had about our police associating and training with a convicted criminal in a militarized context. I don't feel that their training with Eddie Gallagher was the problem itself. I felt that it's I feel that it's the symptom of a of a deeper problem, which is a problem of a culture of violence and a cultural of a culture of unaccountability, which we need to be careful to control and not allow to permeate our society including our police. So what happened after I gave those comments, which was the chief responded to them, and his response caused me to feel even more concerned rather than allaying my concerns. And I want to just show you some excerpts from from his response.
Just to repeat, Commissioner Williams Cox asked the chief, the patrol officer is not the one getting that kind of training. And he replied, correct. Now, I've confirmed with the city manager, DC Smith that the meaning of the citizens police Review Board, and I confirmed with the Office of the Chief, that in fact patrol officers are receiving that kind of training. So the statement was that he made at this Dyess was incorrect. That's a cause of concern for me. Now, I'm thinking I'm imagining a scenario where there's a public controversy over a bond issue. And there are stories in the paper there are meetings where people are have disagreements about this. It's it's a controversy. The Treasurer is called before the commission at a commission meeting, and is asked, so the bond has not been issued. And the treasurer says correct. But the bond has been issued. Or what are the consequences in a situation like that, this situation is parallel to this. Now there are mechanisms, disciplinary mechanisms of supervision, which include conduct unbecoming, which is the mechanism used for untruthful statements by people who are being supervised by the city few sessions. And I encourage you to, to explore these provisions and to encourage your staff who have been slow to respond to my messages if they've responded at all. You're who consider these questions, which are very serious.
Thank you. Our next speaker,
Anita Davis, Anita Davis, and then Mark osako.
Thank you for joining us your name and address for the record, please.
My name is Anita Davis. And I'm with litigate on high road and I live at 1111. O Russell road. I didn't expect to speak tonight. So you're excuse me and scratching here? I've watched over the years, as we've lost Tallahassee has lost its treasures. Historically, archaeologically. Biology that the biologists would be we don't have anybody on staff. Now, you know, yourself that the state has covered us for years with an archaeologist. But actually, they got to the point this year, and I pointed this out before, where they said, they're not going to do this. And they have been told that we completely took advantage of their archaeologically department. And they finally had to say no, so that means there's absolutely no oversight for archaeology. And this puts me back to the English property that was passed the PUD that was the forest that is going to be developed coming up. There's no archaeology oversight, among many other things. To Deus species, for instance, there are there are endangered species on that property. That's been noted. But they do species by air. That's how we do it in this town. That's how that's how we check off that endangered species. There's no if if they're viable or not to be looked into. We do infrared. We don't do boots on the ground. We have no archaeologists. And we refuse to have one to pay for it. It was nixed over at the County this year in their budget. So I'm just asking you guys, what's up with that? You know, you're you're you're you're red, you're giving the green light to this, this 700 acres. There's no archaeologists. And you go back to the archaeologists report from Calvin Jones from Lewis plays are and they both say there are absolutely sites on that property that needs to be explored. There is pre history sites. Okay. Where there is sunken lates for pre history man. They're prehistoric man. Excuse me. There's and heka sites there? And there's DeSoto sites because we all know it's not written in stone that that is the DeSoto encampment of Lafayette that that looks like it but really and truly it doesn't meet the the markers to actually be it so so that site is still under investigation. We don't have an archaeologist but I mean I could go on and on about the oversight that is unique. No Word. And it's not just I mean, I'm talking on the English force, where it's a restock charging station for what color spring, and how detrimental this will be. We'll call a spring. Absolutely directly. I said, I apologize. I know I'm rambling on tonight. Again, I'm a little tired to expect, but I'm just you know, and from what I've heard tonight, guys, thank that kind of put me back.
Thank you. Our next speaker please.
Next speaker is Mark osako followed by Midori osako.
Thanks for joining us you name and address for the record place.
Thank you very much. My name is Mark Oka SOCO live at 1689 Silverwood drive. And Mr. Mayor, commissioners, thank you very much for allowing me to speak. Since July saved the English forest. Our team of concerned citizens has been diligently preparing a Florida forever New Project land acquisition application. The proposed project called the English property PUD Forest Preserve would protect vulnerable natural features like ravines, sinkholes and wetlands. It would provide an a nature wildlife corridor traversing north to south from East Orange avenue to tram road. This proposed corridor would extend from existing conservation easements and green spaces of two well established Orsted neighborhoods layer stone forest and Indian Head acres. The entire 3.5 mile nature wildlife corridor from St. Augustine road into the English property PUD, but also connect for disjointed open spaces and by the developer. Our proposed 250 acre Florida forever project would have preserved a significant urban forest with valuable, irreplaceable, natural, biological, hydrological and archaeological features within Tallahassee. However, were not able to submit our application by the October 31 deadline, in spite of the fact that we had already completed 12 of the 13 required supporting documentation. The missing item was a commitment letter from the governmental entity, agreeing to become the manager of the proposed property, Project property. This letter was necessary since this would be a fee simple acquisition. Our team had initiated the request to the City of Tallahassee in June, regret regrettably, at the 11th hour on Friday, October 28. The city's reply to our request was declined. We were disappointed with the city's decision. Even more, we were disappointed that the city's response came just three days before the application submission deadline. Here's a brief timeline. Even third in an in person meeting with Ashleigh Edwards, the city's director of Parks and Recreation. You described our plan to apply for Florida forever new project in the English property PUD. We also discussed our preference for the city to be at the manager, August 24, we made a formal request to Ashley Edwards that the city be the manager. October 3, Miss Edwards replied and asked for more information and a map of our project. October 11, Miss Edwards said the City of Tallahassee staff group that was reviewing the proposed project needed more information about the restrictions on the manager by Florida forever. October 24, Miss Edwards and Scheana Marie of Florida forever discuss this in a phone call. October 28. Miss Edwards informed us that the city declined to be the manager. reason given was that they had insufficient information on the internal roadways of the English property PUD and the stormwater management facilities that will be needed for these roadways. Therefore they could not agree to the Florida forever restrictions. No specifics were given about this or water management facility. But it should be noted that the PUD amendment application from the August 2021 at marked the southwestern sinkholes as possible stormwater retention facilities. Regardless, this outcome could have been avoided. There was a six week gap between our formal request to the city and the city's first reply. Your three minutes if the deliberation had taken place in September instead of October when the application was due. Thank you, we would have had time to discuss possible solutions to the problem. I thought I was given 30 seconds was that
didn't give the 32nd warning My apologies. 10 more seconds if you want to wrap up your
tip come on last paragraph. If the delivery if the deliberation had taken place in September instead of October when the application was due, we would have had time to discuss possible solutions to the problem with the city and come up with a compromise or find another manager. Perhaps this can still be done. We look forward to the city's suggestions and perhaps we can still come to an agreement with the city becoming the manager for our project.
Thank you. Our next speaker please. Midori,
Oka Sacco and Stanley Sims
thanks for joining us your name and address for the record please.
Yes, my name is Midori Oka Sacco and I live in their stone for
her Slee our team would like to thank our regional, nature and local nonprofit groups and individuals are supporting our efforts with the Florida forever proposal to acquire 250 acres within the privately owned English property PUD. This PUD on the south side is one of the largest unprotected natural habitat within the city's urban service area and serving the forest natural resources while extending a ribbon of net of wildlife corridor and protecting physical features such as the karst sinkholes in this PUD with sustained the ecological health and water quality of adjoining streams, rivers, strings and the underlining aquifer that connect to the vocalist springs. There are three distinct thing calls on the southern parcels of the proposed project to straddle the northern boundary of the Wakulla spring priority focus area and the Tallahassee Leon County primary springs protection zone. The developers General Land Use Plan suggests these two sinkholes west of the Paul Russell extension road be converted to stormwater facilities. This suggested plan was reviewed and approved by the city in the interim, converting the existing closed sinkholes as stormwater retention ponds may work. However, failure to address the potential problem. Prolonged increase in water load with stormwater drainage could open up the closed basins, consequently exposing high levels of nutrients and contaminants into the sensitive underlying aquifer connected to the surrounding water feature. Regrettably, due to the differing visions for these two sinkholes, or requests for the city to be the manager for the proposed Florida forever new project was declined three days before the application deadline. Since advocating the protection of the majestic English forest for a year now, our team respectfully questions your preferential treatment and time, the city grants the key players. In this case, the realtor and the developer. The PUD decision processes which include planning zoning, stormwater, management and the environment are weighted towards the developers. The key players who dictate the PUD implementation are versed and navigating the city's bureaucracy your 30 seconds. Our appeal for more carefully considered comprehensive plan prioritizing the conservation and the protection of the Natural Resources and the Environment were met with in different affirmations by the city, the developers and other principals. Our sincere concern and input input had been sidelined by the city. Last but not least, our team's hope for the coming year is for the city to genuinely practice the mission of our citizens voices to ensure a better PUD project.
Yes, ma'am. Thank you very much. Our next speaker please.
Mayor that's the last speaker we have in chambers.
We do have the Sims is here. Oh,
I apologize. I had moved, we have said is osako and then Stanley Sims and then I put your card aside Stanley Sims and then we have a virtual Connect.
I believe we have one more speaker as well in chambers.
Don't have another card but we'll take him in and get a card when we're done. Mr. Sims
Good afternoon. My name is Stanley Sims. I'm at 1320 Avondale way. And the reason I'm here is because Mr. Mayor there I have been receiving since November 30. The city's desire to permanently keep me out of the building. But the correspondence is not clear. I noticed that when the white guy came up here and talked about the issues with our chief, he didn't yell out and call him or lie. What I'm concerned with Mayor, according to our inspector, if I continuously to email, city employees can accuse me of cyber bullying. If I talk within a passion, I'm aggressive. I even email you all. Commissioner Curtis Richardson I was so blessed to get your texts ran from my son because when I sent out an email to all the city employees saying that is it okay for me to talk to you Only three commissioners email me back. So that left me with the mindset. If I continue to email you, then you would charge me with aggression. I even have a copy of an email that Mayor Pro Tem, Diane Cox, in my opinion, reprimanded the staff for allowing my emails to reach her. My second issue of concern is you all are trying to implement to keep me out of this building for my natural life, but will not allow me to pretend to protect myself and was so discouraging and hurting to me. Our police chief has directed the command staff not to talk to me. Not to help me. They have credible information that will prove me innocent on their cams. Were a clear incident from Dana Morgan, a city employee who took a situation where the chief falsely accused, he falsely threatened to arrest me, charged me and thrown out of the building, because he did not know the correct interpretation of a law. Because when he was yelling at me, I chose to grab my phone and record him. You're 30 seconds. He apologized for his actions. And I accepted that this is the first time I've talked about this at the Dyess the City of Tallahassee through the city manager constantly tells me that they will do X, Y and Z and have me arrested and thrown out of this building. If I act like the chief act tonight when I was at this time. My question is to you guys, you can what will you all do? When city employees are infringing upon my right, I would like to have a meeting with Deputy City Commissioner, our Deputy City Manager Cynthia Barber, and the city manager.
Thank you. Our next speaker, please your name and address for the record.
My name is Lila, I will not be giving my address to the record. It's interesting that even though every single time I come to one of these meetings, I fill out an agenda item form. And I absolutely filled that one and gave one to the person in the front. For some reason they're unable to find it all the sudden at the end of the meeting, even though everyone knows that I'm going to come to this meeting, I'm going to speak. So I ask that whatever you're doing, you stop, because I am going to enter up this place and speak because it is my right as a citizen of Tallahassee, which you seem to not respect. But that's who you are. So I understand that. And I guess if I have to record it next time, I'm going to record it next time. But let's get into it. Let's get into the heinous display of the city Commission's lack of any real accountability or democracy for you know, people in the City of Tallahassee, your constant disrespect of the citizens, police review board members who have done nothing except follow the rules that you laid down for them. That nothing except showing you the utmost respect in the proceedings and done nothing except said to you what they're going to do and give you the information that they will but you can't respond to them. When it comes to the Eddie Gallagher situation. You don't have the time for that you can't come out to a meeting and support them for that. I haven't seen one of you except City Commissioner Jack porter at a meeting by the way, you can't give them any information about what's going on or what's happening in Tallahassee. You don't accept the barest minimum of their proposals. One of those proposals just being hey, if a police officer is surrounding someone, and it's two or three or four people, maybe we shouldn't use batons to beat that person down. No, he can't do that. But you can spend your time immediately creating a motion to vote off a popular citizens police review board member, a citizen police review board member who had every single member of the Citizens police review board stand for her when she was attacked by all he is of a police mug that you lied about and Let's call a spade a spade. It's not misleading. It's a lie. You lie to the public like you've done multiple times before. You said hey, the City Commission met this city citizens police Review Board member had an F the police mug when the mug didn't even say a boss. The police. By the way, let's get the record clear. It said abolish police brutality and the audacity of a City Commission where our city mayor has a cut that says I support police where half of you are funded by the Police Benevolent Association where you have friendships and connections on and on with the police talking about a diversity of opinion and views like you actually care about that. The truth is You want the citizens police review board to be a pro police mouthpiece and if it's nothing else, it cannot exist not even with the barest minimums of reform, not even the barest minimum of criticism Taylor Bureau is popular in the community and public people showed up to the citizens police review board to speak on her behalf. Y'all didn't show up the Police Benevolent Association Dinshaw up to the people from the PBA who are in this room? Are they do they even live in Tallahassee? How much do they stand Tallahassee? How much do they come to public meetings? Oh, let's go on the cat board that the police have the one that doesn't have public meetings, the one that has no public forum to be criticized or judged. And this is exactly why we need community control the police and why I believe it's the only option and the option that you're setting up for people in Tallahassee, because when you don't provide people with an ability to criticize some of the most powerful people in our society, they will revolt against it. And if change can't be made to this day, I believe that change will be made in the streets. Thank you.
Thank you. Our next speaker, please.
Mayor The next speaker is Erica Halbert who is connected via WebEx.
All right. Erica Halbert
was connected earlier and apparently has has dropped Do we have anyone remaining there? The only other name I had was Kristin Ervin. And I don't think that connection was made at all. So I believe we're finished with our speakers.
Okay, more good to the sharing of ideas. We'll start with the Mayor Pro Tem his own phone.
Thank you all very much. Happy birthday to the mayor. Happy anniversary to my Chief of Staff Dr. Juan diavola. Davis and her husband Christopher for 26 years. Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah, happy Kwanzaa. Have a great end of the year.
Thank you, Mr. Richardson.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I guess I could say ditto to what Commissioner Williams Kocsis said wishing you a happy birthday. As well as staff. There was a think she's still here. I know. There she is. There's the birthday girl. Happy birthday. And Happy anniversary to Reverend Dr. Towanda Davila Davis as well, I hope she's enjoying her anniversary with her loved one of 26 years. And I also wanted to announce that tomorrow is the public safety marketplace at Walker Ford Community Center if anyone wants to come by and get some goodies to eat, and we're certainly encouraging the community to come by those who are in need. And as Mr. Williams Cox said, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas. Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa. Thank you, Mr. Mayor.
Thank you, Mr. Malla.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Just to address a few of the public comments, Mr. For being yet please reach out to us with more information about what you're working on. Secondly, I think I wanted to get more information on the status of the veterans parade. I got the information that Mr. West distributed and heard a statement. I do think it's important, our community continues to have a veteran's parade. It seems like we're discussing a matter of a few $1,000. If that's accurate, I think we should just readdress that in the future to make sure that event can continue. The third point on the Forever Florida application, I think there's some I don't know the specifics of the roadway location and those sorts of things. But my general question is, is there an opportunity for us to prepare an application for forever Florida that could be that could work with all parties to get a concrete proposal in? Manager?
Mr. Mayor, I would say what I know is Ashley Edwards is our Parks Recreation Director. That was the idea that was the goal. The plan is not clear enough to know the land that would have been purchased and beaten, essentially to our parks and recreation department. So is that clarity? happens? I think there is absolutely but it just couldn't be done in the time that if we wouldn't be making the Application The owners have gathered together to make the application you'll recall, this is privately owned land being developed by somebody else. And with an attempt to get forever Florida, dollars to set certain land aside in order to do that, as I understand and I could be wrong, forgive me if I am on this, that we would make need to take title to it and put it in our parks and recreation group. So just it just wasn't clear enough where the infrastructure would go relative that land and I think ultimately, but to that end, yeah, I think it is entirely possible for a future application.
Okay. I would be interested in us. Just keeping that conversation going and figuring out what what is doable and what we can obtain as information becomes available. And lastly, I just wanted to address the comments on the the training with war criminal le gap, Eddie Gallagher, where it was stated that they weren't patrol officers, that we're being trained on the matter of the tag team. Can we get some clarity on that statement if it was misconstrued of the question when it was asked or?
I can answer the question or go ahead.
I'm not even clear on what was presented
with Mr. Hanley presented about the question whether or not it was the patrol officer receives that kind of training, the chief said no. And understand what the chief met and in fact I exchanged I copied you guys on it. So you would see the exchange of emails with Mr. Handley, the members of the tech team received that training. The question Mr. Handley then said, are any patrol officers on the tag team? It's possible can say there are they're not. It's a variety of ranks, patrol officers in their duty as a patrol officer do not receive the training and that was the answer that the chief provided. So I've felt confident in the answer that the chief gave. Understood. Mr. Henley's question. I know he reached out to Deputy City Manager barberries reached out to the city attorney shared his concern, I think we're clear on the concern in confident that the answer was as intended that TAC team members received the training not not a patrol officer, could they separately be a patrol officer? They could in other varieties of ranks?
Okay. Yeah. Thank you for that clarification, because I my recollection, the conversation was based around officers interactions with the general public and if general public patrol officers are interacting with the public, and they were also at a training, where Eddie Gallagher was that so I think that clarifies the question for everybody that thank you. And that's all I'm assuming. Mr. Porter.
Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I too want to see if there's anything we can work on for the English pod. I would love to see that. I was wondering if we could get an informational item about the change in the state's participation in our planning process and how I know that several months ago, they let us know that they weren't going to be participating in some kind of archaeological review. If we could have a an item come back to us just an informational item about that, including, you know, information about other cities and whether they have archaeologists on staff, whether it's something they contract on a rolling basis, their roles. We're just curious about that. Generally. If so, you have any thoughts, Mr. Manager
certainly can send an email, that's easier if the, if the commission wants to vote on bringing it out. And back, we could do that too. It certainly won't take much. That's
just emails, if you're an email is fine, if possible, if it could also include and I can just follow up asking for this. I do want to see what other cities do because I imagine other cities do things like this. So if that's something that can be included in that email beyond just the pre existing relationship with the state and what they did, I would appreciate that,
Mr. Mayor and commissioners Sure. In that thing, Commissioner Porter understands just for clarity, he said, There is a required duty to do the archeological study. I'm probably saying that wrong. But it's the question of who does and we were fortunate to have the state do it for us for many, many, many years. That was the exception, not the rule. And they gave us notice, and they were no longer doing it. But it doesn't eliminate the need to do it. Question is how's it get done? So we'll certainly be happy to provide that information.
Thank you. And lastly, I wanted to say some of us were at the city's winter fest parade, it was a lot of fun. I cannot believe how many people like to run. I'm not one of those people who are in that jungle. Well, I was shocked by I think it was 1300 people or something crazy. And I do want to wish everyone a happy holidays. I'm looking forward to spending some time away with my family. And then for all those who are listening, and interested members of the public here. I want to remind everyone that we have our annual retreat coming up on January 18 In the morning, so if there are items of VISTA interest, things you want to bring to that table, think about it beforehand. Email us I know that, you know with the holidays, things can just creep up on you. So I wanted to let everyone know that we're gonna be having that retreat. Thank you.
