We know anything. Well, there they are. >> Yeah, they're here. Good evening everyone and welcome to the city of Halia council meeting of February 24th. Welcome everybody. Uh madame clerk please call the role. >> Move present. Miss Perez is present. Mr. Rodriguez. Miss G. Perez. Mr. Zagby >> present. I hear >> Go ahead. Sorry. >> Sorry. Mr. Morero, Mr. Gonzalez. Mr. President, you have a full counsel. All >> right. I hereby call the meeting to order at 5:38 p.m. and um invocation, please, Madame Clerk. >> Lord, we thank you for your blessings and pray for our city. At this time, I would like to ask everyone to join me in a moment of silence in memory of Althia Lutch, whose life touched so many of us. Let us take this time to reflect on her kindness, her contributions, and the moments we shared. Thank you. Um, all rise for the pledge of allegiance led by Council Member Luis Gonzalez. Face the flag, please. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. Please be seated. Madame clerk, could you please read the meeting guidelines? >> All lobbyists must register with the city clerk. As a courtesy to others, please refrain from using cellular telephones or other similar electronic devices in the council chamber. A maximum of three speakers in favor and three speakers in opposition will be allowed to address a council on any one item. Each speaker's comments will be limited to three minutes. No signs or plaque cards in support of or in opposition to an item or speaker shall be permitted within the council chamber. Any person, whether participating via the web platform, telephonic conferencing, or physical presence at city hall, interested in making comments or posing questions on matters of public concern, or on any item on the agenda may do so during the meeting. Members of the public may address the city council on any item pertaining to city business during the comments and questions portion of the meeting. A member of the public is limited to one appearance before the city council and the speaker's comments will be limited to three minutes. Individuals should be respectful of the elected officials and staff and make every effort to speak with a moderate tone using appropriate language and avoiding personal attacks. Members of the public in the audience shall refrain from shouting or making remarks from their seats to the mayor, council members or staff sitting on the deis. The public can view public meetings on the city's YouTube page. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Clerk. Uh, any presentations last minute? >> No, sir. >> Okay. Uh, item seven, comments and questions. Madam clerk, do we have anybody who has signed up to speak? >> Yes, sir. Leonardo Santana. >> Leonardo Santana. Hello, sir. Um, name and address for the record, please. >> Hello. >> Hello. >> Thank you. My name is Leonardo Santana, 43 Eucalyptus Drive, sir. >> Thank you, sir. You have three minutes. Up to three minutes. Come on. >> Members and individuals in this room, I thank you for all being here today and granting me this opportunity to begin this council meeting for everyone here across the country. systems and powers of all of our highest ranks have failed to not only provide justice to those who have wronged been wronged but also failed to pro provide opportunity for the new. We speak and label ourselves with these four words in God we trust. And yet on our seals and currencies, no such actions have been shown of that trust we speak of. If there is no exception or incentive for the young to take responsibility and action against such corruption, then just how guaranteed is the so-called future we all look towards. For is it not a seed that is sewn into a ground to grow into a tree and provide fruit and care for all those below it? Our leadership upon the highest of ranks have shown to be faulty and failing. Trees that have grown into oversized weeds and thorns. I have been here today to show that I have no intention to back down or conform from such misleading and wrongdoing to those we call our so-called powers. For our power was meant to be in the people for the and the consent of the governed, not the abusive and corrupted. For they measure carefully every cent, every bit of data from surveillance and every piece of information we are fed and yet fail to prioritize what is actually vital such as justice, mercy, and faithfulness to all of the innocent, defenseless, and needy across the country. Yet, I stand here today in faith so that perhaps may I not only be the exception for my generation, but that a new seed may be sown for the world me and my peers wish to see. May the power return to what we have wished for so that we may see far more incentive and ability given back to our ch children and generations to come for what we have properly wished to establish since the very beginning and creation of what is the United States today. Thank you for your time. >> Thank you Mr. Santana. >> Do we have any Madam Clerk? Do we have any other registered speakers? >> Jose Azie >> front and center. Mr. As always, Jose, name and address for the record, please. >> Hi, good evening everybody. Uh, welcome, Mr. Councilman Lewis Gonzalez. Haven't seen you in a very long time. Jose Ali, 788 Southeast Park Drive. Yeah, I just want to touch upon the prior speaker. We've always been a conservative community. We got to be careful with like what we call liberal or leftwing come and sell this agenda and all this and that. Uh, just stick to our principle. We're conservative um and we believe in values no matter what they make up. But um yeah, I I I came to talk about Three Friends Park. I'm going to briefly talk about it. Then I want to talk about the importance of the cultural affairs council because I see you're going to you're going to nominate three people for the cultural affairs council. Just real briefly, you heard me a lot of times with Three Friends Park. There was a lot of things that were not true. Uh, Mayor Bobo called me many times a liar and uh, it was not something that that was nice to see, but it was the truth. You know, we were told many times that the park was going to be bigger, the park was going to be better. I kept saying, "No, they're going to trade a house for a for a driveway. Even though it was called, all of it came through. We're going to come this Thursday for the opening." That driveway you see the reason they had to make a make it a dog park because they had to justify why that little space was going to be a dog park. You'll see a driveway right in the middle of it and they considered that a park and I show videos of of the Caesar Lazari lying that the park was always closed and Deborah storage saying that the trees won't be cut whatever. Um I hope you you Deborah Barbara Go our new city attorney represented Bovo on this new ethics and Alexander represented uh our Deborah Storch where they basically said we're unethical. You know if you're going to do something do it but don't lie to the residents you know like they value the house for a million dollars trading it for a park when just a year ago CVS had bought it for 500,000. Just little things to keep in mind that you know give the residents the truth. That wasn't nice for want to get rid of it. Okay, real briefly, the I was on the cultural affairs council that council and councilwoman Monica Perez saved that tree in Three Friends Park cuz they were going to knock that down. Beautiful tree and she was very involved and I want to thank you Mr. Cal, Mayor Calbell, because you did come talk to our community. Yeah. The importance of the cultural affairs council. I'm very pleased that you're going to honor three people. I was on that council on that board and I tried to get them to apply for grants, apply for loans. Just a cultural affairs council gives out $200 million. We only get $20 million. There's al also CBO board that gives away $200 million. We we get very little from the county. And on top of that, like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, they donate over $200 million per year to low-inccome communities. I hope we encourage that board to seek out because the arts we're just because we're like we're considered low income. We have a lot more access to grants that the old board didn't want to do anything and it was just so frustrating asking know we even councilwoman Perez um engineered a meeting that the the cultural affairs council came here to give out grants and the the cultural affairs board didn't even show up. So the cultural fed board is has no limits on how much money they could get from private organization, from county funds, national funds, state funds, and I'm very pleased that that you are that you're going to put through your members. Thank you for listening to me. >> Thank you, sir. >> Madame Clerk, anyone else registered to speak? >> Fernie Co. >> Uh, just identify yourself in whatever way you'd like. >> I Yeah, I'm I'm good. I'm good at >> Okay. I don't subscribe to that. But all right, so we're at the tail end of Black History Month right now and we recently on February 17th, we lost one of our great civil rights leaders, Jesse Jackson. Um, I'd like to take a moment to uh a moment of silence for him if we may before I continue. Our state offers um municipalities and goes ahead and decrees down when flags are to be placed at half staff. However, um each municipality also has its own autonomy to be able to add any additional half staff flag moments. Um, we recently went ahead in the city of Halyia, had our flags at half staff for a podcaster for Charlie Kirk and um, we all agree that killing is bad and we all agree that killing children is really, really bad. So, I'd like to possibly propose what could seem as a radical idea, whether it be through ordinance, through resolution, through executive order, that any time in our nation that there is a school shooting and children die, that they at least get the same treatment as a podcaster and that our flag automatically drops to half staff. I think our children deserve at least that. Now that the state didn't do it for Jesse Jackson, a civil rights leader, can we do it for our children? If that's the case, what can we do to move this forward? What is the next step? And that is a question. >> We'll take it into consideration, sir. We'll take it into consideration. >> And and and how has so in other than through public record here, is there anything that needs to be submitted in writing? And if so, who does it get submitted to? So that again, our flags go. Do I'm assuming that we all agree that our children should receive at least the treatment that a podcaster gets. No. >> If I made through the chair or are we going to let them run out time? >> No, it's cool. It's okay. It's okay. Real quick, just let me know if you can what needs to happen in order to move this forward. Is there something that needs to be submitted in writing? And to who? You could send something right into the clerk's office and she could disseminate it to us >> to you guys. Okay, great. She'll send it to administration. >> Ma'am, do you have the floor? >> Um, hi, good evening. How you doing? >> I think that that's a a great point you bring up. Um, I think all lives matter in that perspective. uh you're you're you're alluding to the Charlie Kirk event and I and I could understand how you sit on a different perspective to what Charlie Kirk stood for and you've made that very clear. So, you know, um which I respect your opinion. You have the right of your freedom of speech. Um but if you're saying if we should respect lives of children during school shootings, I don't think the mayor or anyone up here in the city council would oppose that. And I think that that's that's an appropriate request on your behalf. >> I I may write I'm sorry I I don't want to take up any more time, but I may write to you directly. Yes. >> To see if you'd like to >> I don't see anyone up here opposing anything. >> Thank you guys. I appreciate you. Thank you. >> Um anyone else registered? >> No, sir. >> Anyone else would like to come up for comments and questions? I think I had one. Hello, ma'am. As a formality, your name and address for the record and you have three minutes. >> Jacqueline Gil Barzua. My address is 460 East 23rd Street. Um, good evening everyone. U Mayor Calvo, welcome. Um and the rest of the council members, I am here to hope you're all having an amazing public school week. Um I myself am a veteran educator. I won't say how much. Um I'm also a proud member of United Teachers of Dade. Um Hyia has more than 30 public schools from elementary to K8 to high school. Our graduation rates in the city of Hyalia ran from 93 to 7 to 97%. We have programs ranging from STEM to advanced placement to bilingual programs to programs that offer our students a career in college, a future, and an economic stability. I am here to thank you guys. Um I was at the San Jose Marti parade and I want to thank you for all the acknowledgements that you made to our public schools. They mean a lot to us. Um some of our teachers have from one to three to many degrees. Um our students are graduating and going to college and receiving many scholarships. So the city of Haley is doing an amazing job. I am here to continue to ask you to invest in our public schools. I've seen a little charter here and charter there. Um we all know how public school teachers feel about charter. That's another story. Um and I want to thank you. Please continue to invest in our public schools. your presence is felt. Um, we are very thankful. Um, as American Senior High Public School graduate, um, go Patriots. Um, our high schools are basically, as my students say, killing it. So, thank you and please continue to invest in our public schools and may you all have a wonderful public school week. And if you still know of a teacher or your children have a teacher, um, this goes to everybody. Um, today is Tag Teacher Tuesday. Um, just send him a little text message. Those little things mean better to us than flowers and candy. All right. Thank you. Have a great evening. >> Thank you for what you do, Miss Barbosa. We start with you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> And for reminding us anyone, >> thank you again. Any other reg, Mrs. Santana? Go ahead. Uh, name and address for the record. >> 5601 West 10th Avenue. Um, basically I want to say thank you to your chief of staff, uh, Jose Mayor, because unfortunately, uh, our clerk has continue to be incompetent, uh, to clarify certain things regarding public records. uh he continues to show his professionalism, your chief of staff, Jose, and I do appreciate him uh giving me uh transparency and saying, "Hey, listen. We weren't able to access this, we able to access that." That way, you know, you know, I was arrested two days before uh elections for using a public restroom in a public area in a public library, which is an embarrassment to the police department, but I don't hold it up to them. and the state wants to continue with their nonsense. Right? I'm ready to go. I'm ready to to fight this head on. Uh but I just wanted to put that on the record that I did ask for a video and then um mayor if we can uh that way we can uh work on bettering things because they said that it overlaps basically after 30 days the video starts to overlaps itself. if in the future we could try to fix things like that too, you know, because if I had the video and the state had the video, I don't, you know, they would have just dropped the charges, especially when the officer has a vendetta against me for he tried to put me in federal prison about 14 years ago. And he's also well associated with a certain commissioner that I'm not going to name today that I'm still trying to put two and two together. But, um, that's about it for right now. And, uh, thank you again, Jose. continue to do a great work serving our community and uh thank you very much guys. >> Thank you sir. >> Sir I'd just like to add to the record that everything that Mr. Torres advised Mr. Santana he was told by my staff on numerous occasions in writing. >> Duly noted. Thank you. Thank you madam clerk. Duly noted. >> Um anyone else would like to come up even if you haven't signed up. Uh you already had your three minutes sir. Thank you. Thank you for having come. Anyone else? Okay. Thank you all. Let's go to uh item eight. Madame clerk, please. >> The following items have been added to today's agenda. Board appointment items 9F, 9G, and 9H. And the proposed ordinance for administrative item 11A has been amended and a copy of the new ordinance is on the day for the council's review. >> Very good. Item nine, board appointments. Item A, Madame Clerk. Proposed resolution reappointing Robert Williams III to the board of trustees of the employees general retirement system as the trustee elected from the membership by a majority vote by the current trustees on the employees general retirement system for a two-year term beginning on March 13, 2026 and ending on March 12th, 2028. >> The great Bobby Williams. Does anybody have any comment or you ready to vote on it? >> Motion. >> Pleasure of the motion from Councilman Lewis Rodriguez. Second from Councilman Luis Gonzalez. Madame clerk, please take the role. >> Miss G. Perez. >> Miss Dea? >> Yes. >> Miss M. Perez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Zagby? >> Yes. >> Mr. Morero? >> Yes. >> Mr. Gonzalez? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. >> Good appointment. Um item D, >> proposed resolution reappointing Javier Mongol as a member of the beautifification committee for a two-year term beginning on February 24th, 2026 and ending on February 23rd, 2028. >> Thank you, Madam um Perez, would you like to add something for your nomination? Good man. >> Um he's a wonderful person. I thank you for saying that. Um Javier has volunteered here in our community. He constantly is a wealth of knowledge. Um, and he really cares. He gives back on his free time. He does it as a gentleman with a good heart. And, uh, we're very lucky to have him here in the city of Halia with his input that he does in his private sector of his life. So, it would be, um, our pleasure and our honor to have him sit on our beautifification committee. So, if I could have a motion for Javier [ __ ] you I'll you will be the first motion and we have a second from >> Councilwoman Jayen Perez. Madame clerk, please take the role. >> Mr. LaGa, >> yes. >> Miss M. Perez, >> yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez, >> yes. >> Mr. Zagby, >> yes. >> Mr. Maro, >> yes. >> Mr. Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Miss G. Perez, >> yes. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. >> Congratulations, Javier. Thank you. >> Congratulations. Uh, item C, >> proposed resolution reappointing Maria Negroon Gonzalez to the Veteran Affairs Committee of the City of Halia for a two-year term beginning on February 24th, 2026 and ending on February 23rd, 2028. >> Another good choice. Madame Perez, would you like to >> um Thank you, sir. Uh, yes. Miss Gonzalez has been part of this board since 22. Um, and she was a pivotal person. That's that's how actually how I met her um in starting this board. It's very close to her heart. Her father served as um an a US Army Korean War. Her husband is an army uh veteran. Her brother-in-law was actually killed as um in the Navy against narco trafficking. Um so her family has given a lot. It's very close to her heart. She was um very pivotal in raising funds for our our veterans here in the community. She's taken it upon herself to go to visit uh Lou Wilson who is part of the the Florida Veterans Foundation in Tallahassee to gather information and resources here in the city. Um so I think she's she's excellent for this position. Again, I motion for Miss Negron Gonzalez. >> Motion uh from counciloman >> second. Second from Councilman uh Luis Gonzalez. Madam clerk, please call the role. >> Miss M. Perez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Zagby? >> Yes. >> Mr. Morero? >> Yes. >> Mr. Gonzalez? >> Yes. >> Miss G. Perez? >> Yes. >> Miss Dea? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. >> Thank you, Miss Gonzalez. I don't know if she's here, but thank her for Thank you. >> This is volunteer boards, people. It's like we're so grateful to have these good people working with us. This is incredible. Item D. Proposed resolution appointing Alejandra Cortina to the Historic Preservation Board of the City of Hyia for a three-year term beginning on February 24th, 2026 and ending on February 23rd, 2029. >> U mayor, would you like to expound on it? You want us to go to a vote? >> No. >> Very good. Everybody knows Alexandra excellent nominee also. Um, do I have a pleasure of the council to a motion? >> Motion second. Second. >> Did you motion? >> Yes. I'll take the motion. >> Councilwoman Dega. >> Everybody wants a motion. >> Then everybody jump in at the second. Second from Lewis. >> No. From uh >> Perez. >> Uh second from Councilwoman Monica Perez. Please call the role. >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zagvi. >> Yes. >> Mr. Morero. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gonzalez. >> Yes. >> Miss G. Perez. >> Yes. >> M. De La. >> Yes. >> Miss Empere. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. >> Congratulations, Mr. >> Congrats. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Uh item E, please. >> Proposed resolution appointing Sophia Cruz to the Cultural Affairs Committee of the City of Hyia for a two-year term beginning on February 24th, 2026 and ending on February 23rd, 2028. >> Good candidate, uh, Miss Sophia Cruz for Cultural Affairs. Pleasure of the council. >> Motion. >> Second. Motion from Councilman Luis Gonzalez, second from Councilwoman Jayen Perez. Madame Clerk, please call the role. >> Mr. Zagy, >> yes. >> Mr. Maro, >> yes. >> Mr. Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Miss G. Perez, >> yes. >> Miss Dega, >> yes. >> Miss M. Perez, >> yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez, >> yes. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. >> Thank you, Miss Cruz. I don't know if she's here. Thank you for volunteering for this. Uh, item F. >> Is she here? Proposed resolution appointing Maria Luiz to the cultural affairs committee of the city of Halia for a two-year term beginning on February 24th, 2026 and ending on February 23rd, 2028. >> Thank you, madame vice president. Would you like to expound on your nominee? >> Sure. Yes. So, I've met Maria several times, uh, pretty much participating in all of our city events. I think a lot of us might know her. Um, and the cultural affairs board, you know, is tasked with supporting a lot of our initiatives to celebrate Halia's history, our heritage, and our artistic expression, right? Our cultural affairs board used to be extremely active, and I really hope that we're able to get that board back up and running to what it used to be. And so, I believe Maria will be a great addition to this board. >> Thank you. I'll take that as a motion from Council Vice President Dega. >> Second. Second from Councilwoman Jayen Perez. Madam clerk, please call the role. >> Mr. Morero, >> yes. >> Mr. Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Miss G. Perez, >> yes. >> Movea, >> yes. >> Miss Perez. >> Mr. Rodriguez, >> yes. >> Mr. Zagny, >> yes. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. >> Thank you to Miss Maria Reese. Thank you so much. Okay. Item G, >> proposed resolution appointing Michael Delgado to the cultural affairs committee of the city of Hyia for a two-year term beginning on March 9th, 2026 and ending on March 8th, 2028. >> I hear he's very very qualified. Is that correct, Mr. Rodriguez? >> Yes. He is not in motion, but Miss Council would like to say a couple words. >> I I just also wanted Yes. I just wanted to also add U. Michael Delgado is is very wellqualified, extremely active in our community. And I think again since we're trying to get this board back to what it used to be and and and up and running, I think he would be an amazing asset to that board. >> Thank you. I agree. So, do we have a motion from Councilman Rodriguez? And I take it as a second from Council Vice President. Uh, very good. Please call the role, Madam Clerk. >> Miss Chief Perez. Yes. Miss Dega. Yes, Miss Empere. >> Yes, >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes, >> Mr. Zagby. >> Yes, >> Mr. Morero. >> Yes, >> Mr. Gonzalez. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. >> Thank you to Michael Delgado. He is very qualified. We're lucky to have him. Thank you. Uh item H, >> proposed resolution appointing Mikey Dalgo as a member of the beautifification committee for a two-year term beginning on February 24th, 2026 and ending on February 23rd, 2028. >> Mr. President, >> right? Yes, sir. That's your nominee. >> That's my nominee. Here's another young person. Makes me very proud to see how active uh the young uh participation in our community. As a matter of fact, Michael's even up in day days in Talahasi participating with us and uh going up there and doing some lobbing. So, I think he's excellent and I will request that your support for this. >> We have a motion from you and I agree with everything. Mike is excellent. Excellent. >> Third. >> Pleasure of the council. >> Gonzalez, >> who uttered a s Yes. Second. >> Second from from councilwoman Monica Perez. Madam clerk, please call the role. >> Move. >> Yes. >> Miss M. Perez. Yes, >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes, >> Mr. Zagnney. >> Yes, >> Mr. Morero. >> Yes, >> Mr. Gonzalez. >> Yes, >> Miss G. Perez. >> Yes, >> Motion carries. The item is approved. >> You just out of looks alone. >> Thank you, Mike. Thank you for volunteering to serve. We're going to love having you. >> Okay, we're done with the board appointment. So, we're going to 10 consent agenda section of the agenda. Um, does anyone in the DAS want to pull any of the consent items? >> If I may through the chair. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um, if we could pull item Q and item R. >> Okay. >> That's it. >> Um, >> yes. >> Yes. Anyone else? >> Motion. >> Okay. >> Through the chair. >> Uh, yes. Well, okay. I understand we have a motion from you, Louis. Okay. Hold. >> Uh, just item D, please. >> Item D in >> for the mayor is in Delta. And of course, this is open for public also. Is anybody does anyone from the public want to pull and discuss a particular item in consent agenda? Absent, anybody from the audience? Nothing else from the dis. Uh we have a motion for the rest for the remainder of the consent agenda from Councilman Lewis Gonzalez. We have one motion. Anyone else? >> Second. >> Second from Councilman Lewis. Why? Why do you make me sweat? Okay. Councilman Lewis Rodriguez. Madame clerk, please call the role. >> Miss M. Perez. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zagby. >> Yes. Mr. Morero, >> yes. >> Mr. Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Miss G. Perez, >> yes. >> Miss Dega, >> yes. >> Motion carries. The consent agenda has passed. Accept items QR and D. >> Thank you. >> Madame clerk, can you please read item D of the consent agenda into the record? Request permission to award invitation to quote number 2025-26-00009 Bucky Dent Dog Park sidewalk construction to Eastern Harbor Group Incorporated for the construction and rehabilitation of a sidewalk at Bucky Dent Dog Park and installation of a safe level walkway with proper drainage constructed in accordance with applicable municipal codes and industry standards in a total commutive amount not to exceed $28,995. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. You have the floor. Uh, >> I just wanted to take the opportunity to congratulate our um amazing parks and and and community engagement division as well as our construction and maintenance division. Uh, on Thursday, uh, we're going to be inaugurating uh, the new Three Friends Park with a beautiful dog park uh, ribbon cutting ceremony that's going to be held on Thursday at 11:30 in the morning by all the members of the public, certainly the council. Uh and that'll be at Park Drive in Southeast 8th Court. Uh you know, it's beautiful that we are able to uh as as a city as we turn into our 101st year to be able to basically renew a park completely from scratch. And so this is going to be a beautiful uh moment of celebration. And then also the reason I pulled this item specifically is we're not stopping there. We are continuing our efforts in renovating our parks. And uh this is for Bucky Dent. So, they're going to be doing a beautiful uh dog park there as well in the northeast field. Uh it'll probably be uh really more even more beautiful than the one that we're inaugurating now on Thursday. So, uh again, we're we're kind of in the dog theme right now, but we also have a lot of stuff in the pipeline uh for pools. We want to make sure our pools are all open in the summer. Uh we have a lot of beautiful and exciting things coming through through our park system. So, just a moment to uh congratulate our hardworking parks uh and recck team and also construction and maintenance. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. Welld deserved. Are pets allowed at these events for the dog carts? >> Uh you you can come. You can come. >> I have to lease a dog though right now. >> Thank you. Um >> unfortunately, you can't make a motion, mayor. Do I have a motion from uh the dascese? >> Motion. >> Second. What's that? Thank you. Motion from Councilwoman Monica Perez and the second from Councilman Lewis Rodriguez. Uh, Madame Clerk, please call the role. There's a lot of dog fans here. >> Mr. Morero? >> Yes. >> Mr. Gonzalez? >> Yes. >> Miss G. Perez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Dega? >> Yes. >> Miss Perez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Zagy? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. >> Thank you. Madame clerk, can you please read item G from the consent agenda into the record? On item two, >> request from Santa Cecilia Catholic Church located at 1040 West 29th Street, Halia, Florida, 33012 to host a Palm Sunday procession on Sunday, March 29th, 2026 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:00 noon with an expens expectancy of approximately 300 attendees subject to the requirements of the police department, the fire department, and the risk management department. >> Thank you, Madame Councilwoman. you have the floor. >> Thank you, sir. I just wanted to make light and welcome the clergy that are here from Santa Cecilia. Welcome, Padre Pedro, for being here. We appreciate it and um it's a beautiful event that you host here in our city and I hope that um we could have the community come out and support your church and support Palm Sunday, which is a beautiful conclusion here to our to our season of Lent. So, thank you so much for being present and thank you for the work that you're doing here in our community. We appreciate it. >> Thank you. Well said. Thank you, Madam Jam. That's a tradition here. It's fantastic. >> How many years have you done this already, Bedro? >> Began last year because uh it was very before we have a parish, but also we have a Catholic seminar where we have 44 seminaries. >> But it was beautiful last year. It was very big for being the first time. Beautiful. Well, I wish you lots of success. So, I have a motion on this item. Second. >> Yes. Motion from council in Monica Perez. Did somebody else? >> Second. >> Second from council vice president uh de la. Madam clerk, please call the role. >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zarly? >> Yes. >> Mr. Morero? >> Yes. >> Mr. Gonzalez? >> Yes. >> Miss G. Perez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Dea? >> Yes. >> Miss M. Perez? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. Thank you, Madame Clerk. Please read item R into the record. >> Proposed resolution authorizing the mayor, his designate, and the city clerk as a testing witness on behalf of the city to enter into an agreement with Thomas Ruters Corporation, West Publishing Corporation. a copy of which is attached here to as exhibit A for a term of five years beginning on February 25th, 2026 and ending on February 24th, 20, 2031, providing for a monthly payment of $3,616 for the first year with an annual 6% increase each subsequent year for a total communive amount not to exceed $244,64.88 88 cents over the 5-year term as provided for herein granting access to attorneys and staff in the city's office of the city attorney to West Publishing Corporations select database of legal publications for the purpose of conducting legal research and providing for an effective date. >> Thank you madam councilwoman. You have >> Thank you madam attorney. I just had um a few questions of upon this contract. So, we've engaged with, >> if I may, just for the record is clear, we do have a record from Weslaw that is present, Matt Matt Burch, and he's also available to answer any question. >> Wonderful. Thank you for that. Um, so we've had a contract with him over the na the past 19 years, right? Um, and what did that previous contract, what was that like? Was it a five-year contract? what was the the cost of the profess uh the professional services and additionally did it also have that included 6% increase if we did have that written into the contract prior yes we have had a contract with west law for a number of years as you all know west law is a a tool that all attorneys use in order to conduct legal research in order to check precedents that have been set by the court that are binding oftent times on our jurisdiction and um about two or three years ago we had renegotiated that contract and we actually got a a lower price than we had had in previous years. Um, however, now we've actually expanded uh this contract to include um uh additional uh services and that being um the use of generative AI for attorneys. uh we don't want attorneys in the office of the city attorney relying for example on chat GPT other types of generative AI tools that lay persons re um rely on because oftent times they're not accurate so um Weslaw has this built-in feature that actually checks for accuracy and the representative could speak to that but I think that that is something essential uh to the city and also to members of the law department that we'll be utilizing and to our advantage >> so The AI is just to do research. It's not to write actual legislation cuz that's against the ethics. >> That's correct. We do have a citywide Oh, pardon. >> Sorry to interrupt here. So, I actually did a mayoral memo a few weeks ago went out citywide and we're one of the first cities to do it, which is a policy on AI. Um, you know, the reason for that is even I as mayor have been receiving work product from some of our departments that are very clearly done on chat GBT. it's becoming a real problem. Uh the court system is also similarly getting inundated by filings that are done uh using chatt or other uh AI softwares. And so uh essentially we put out a memo saying look we're not against you using AI but if you're going to do it there's certain things that you need to follow. Number one you need to register using your city uh email address and that's for public record purposes because anything that you type into this chat box is a public record. Number two, you can't delete your chats. Um, and number three, if you are going to submit a work product um, using chatbt, you need to disclose it. You need to disclose, hey, I use this um, software or what have you and and what and you have to verify the accuracy of the information that the software spits out. So, that's the policy that we've created. Obviously, any employee is subject to that policy. If they don't follow the policy and we catch them, then obviously there's going to be consequences for that. So you understand uh what this is. There's basically a monopoly on the legal market. Uh there's two big companies, Lexus Nexus and then Weslaw. Uh Weslaw is the one that the cities use. It's very common for governments, municipalities to use Weslaw. And so basically we're renewing the contract with them for for the 5 years. Um but now as part of that, they're also adding the AI feature. And the good thing about Weslaw's AI feature is that it pulls directly from the cases that are in the the WLAW system, not like Chad GBT that just goes out into the internet and will pull from anything. So that's where you're seeing those issues. Um, but essentially we're paying the same amount. We're just doing so with additional features of the AI and that's going to be a benefit because obviously we want to operate the city efficiently as possible. The amount of workload that Barbara's getting especially from my office has increased dramatically. Uh so this is going to maintain cost low and again it's not an additional cost but basically an additional service that we're getting with the renewal. Um so in an essence you know that that's what it's going to be the the city attorneys are still subject to the AI policy that we put out. They have to verify the information and obviously they have to certify uh if they're using it. They have to certify to us as a city that they're using it and they would have to certify to the court if it's a court filing uh that they're using it so that everybody uh is following the rules. >> Yeah. I I don't think that changes the statemandated ethics cuz I took the training already and and that's it's the same as what we've enforced here in the city. I don't think it's anything different than what the state is mandating. Um, but you said that we re renegotiated the contract two years ago, so it wasn't a five-year contract. >> I have in regards to the price. Um, back in 2021, and Matt, uh, Mr. Burch, you could correct me if I if I'm wrong. You could, you're free to come to the podium if you so wish. Um, in 2021, the contract price was on an annual, uh, basis $48,53352. In 2022, it was $49,18 um.92. And then in 2025, after we had renegotiated different scopes of services and things to that effect, added features including the number of attorneys, um that annual rate was 50,54. Um I believe it's because of the added features that at the end of the day, um made up for that difference. Correct. So now now we're down to to 43,000 >> and now it's down to Thank you, mayor. And now that is the estimated cost on its annual basis. >> So we don't they don't meet like an annual build hours and then from there they assess and they charge us more. It's it's written into the contract as many times as their services. >> It's like it's licenses essentially. So it's usage licenses. >> We're not build by the hour. Um, for example, I could be on Wesla for three hours a day as opposed to one of my colleagues that may be on for five minutes. We're just basically bill. >> Got it. All right. Yeah, that was my >> Okay. Perfect. Thank you. Thank >> So, a motion to approve. >> We have a motion from Councilwoman Perez. We have a second from >> Councilwoman Gonzal Counciloman Gonzalez. I apologize. Uh one moment before we take the role so we can um madam attorney. So we don't get the 300 books a year per attorney anymore. It's all digital now. Huh? >> West law is the gold standard which most law firms and municipalities use. It is a necessary not evil. It is a necessary tool. They are they're the west law. So no everything is digital now. Huh. >> That's correct. >> Do you collect all the expired books? You have them at home? We still have them in the law department. So you can always come by and grab a book. >> They make great backgrounds for pictures of lawyers. Encyclopedia Britannica. >> Oh my god, these are monsters. So okay, so we have two motions on the uh table here. Uh Madame Clerk, can you please uh call the role? >> Mr. Zagby? >> Yes. >> Mr. Morero? >> Yes. >> Mr. Gonzalez? >> Yes. >> Miss G. Perez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Dega? >> Yes. >> Miss Perez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. Thank you. We now move on to the administrative items of the agenda. Madame clerk, please read item A into the record. >> Second reading and public hearing of proposed ordinance amending chapter 2 entitled administration, article 2, departments, offices, and divisions. Division 7, human resources department. Division 8, finance management department. Division 9, Grants and Human Services. Division 10, Community Development Department. Division 13, Parks and Community Engagement Department. Division 17, Risk Management Department. Division 19, Department of Public Libraries of the Court of Mornes of the City of Hyia. Specifically by collapsing the risk management department into the human resources department as a division and renaming the human resources director to chief human resources officer. Renaming the executive director of finance management to chief financial officer. Collapsing the Department of Public Libraries into the parks and community engagement department as a division. Creating a special events department, collapsing the grants and human services department within the community development department as a division. Providing for severability clause, repealing all ordinances in conflict here with. And providing for an effective date. >> Can you read that again, Madam Clerk? No, just kidding. Um, this item is on second reading, open for any comments or questions. Uh did you have something? Go ahead, sir. I uh identify yourself. Good evening again. Thank you. >> Sorry. Jose Ali 788 Southeast Park Drive. Yeah, mayor. I don't mean to say this is done intentional, but I've read this five times. It's very confusing and like one of the the prior administration, they would do administrative orders that nobody would understand. I go back to three furnace park when they didn't put addresses. They put lot this and that. Nobody understood. I understand there's an amendment made but we're not told of the amendment. This is a huge this is a huge uh change in our in our departments and u I don't fully understand it. I hope like some video presentation or something. >> I know like um when we gave away Bucky Dan Park that they came making amendments amendments amendments and we we didn't have access to the amendments. We weren't even told like the community of Bucky Den still don't know they're losing the park. Um but I just the part of like the special events department was always under parks and recreation and it always was for parks and recreation until Robin um Carlo Dandez and Volvo change it to be a political department advertising political events. I just hope that goes back in the parks and recreation and if you could you don't have to your if you could explain what's going to happen to the park and recreation department and how the special events department and this is really confusing. I mean for the average person I know other people read this. If you want to if you could clarify that I I appreciate it. >> Sure. Um I I kind of went over it a little bit last on first reading and basically um you know the the the purpose of this is to create a lot of efficiency. It's um you know very similar to what other cities our size are doing. Uh essentially what we've had for a long time is we've had all these directors um you know basically leading these departments but the department ends up being just three or four people. Uh and so what we're doing is we're streamlining and cutting down the number of direct reports to my office. It's going to make it a lot more manageable to run the city. Uh where I had under the current system 17 direct reports uh with an additional 10 secondary reports, now I'm going to limit myself to having 10 direct reports and create a lot more of these secondary reports. Um so when we talk about human resources, for example, we're consolidating that umbrella. So, human resources is now going to be um retirement, risk, and HR. It's all one umbrella led by a chief human resources officer, which is um still Elsa, but she basically gets that title that um sort of focuses the three divisions that she's going to lead. Uh same thing for finance. So, we had a director of finance, uh an executive director of finance, and then a finance director. I mean, it it just made no sense. So it's three people with the same title. So we create the position of chief financial officer. That is the number one person. That is the person that reports to me and that person oversees the three divisions which is the finance division, the budgeting division and the purchasing division. Uh when we move on to parks. So again at some point as I've been told the history parks had parks, library, uh recreation, all of that was one thing and then it over time it got split up. So, we're just bringing that back together. There'll be a chief recreation officer, right, which is Willie Sanchez. He will lead uh sort of the big umbrella, which is library, parks and recreation, and education uh and community services. So, those three departments are all um under his sort of purview. Uh let's see what else in regards to special events. You know, I think special events is by the nature of how quickly they have to put together an event, it feels like it's a little bureaucratic to throw them so deep away. So, the special events is being pulled out and it'll be kind of how it was before, which is more in line with communications and special events aspect of the of the thing. Um, I think that's pretty much it. There's a few that we're going to bring back on a different ordinance. Oh, sorry. Then there's the community development. So, this is an important one. Community development is sort of the big umbrella which is planning and zoning, building tax, building department, code enforcement, and then we're also throwing uh housing and community services because again they deal with the community sort of on that aspect. So everything that has to do with development or has to do with you know helping people through uh rent assistance all these things that are related interconnected will be in that umbrella of community development. Uh so again the goal of this is to streamline to make things a lot more uh efficient and also to make sure that there's better oversight over all of these departments. >> Thank you for the chair. >> Yes ma'am. >> Just for clarification as to the change from first reading to second reading the only change had to do with the title of um the director of the of basically uh parks and recreation. um as a reason our code on now is a director and um the the change in the ordinance it is going to be renaming that position to chief recreation officer so if my legal opinion council members that is not a substantive change from first reading to second reading that's just a title change >> and through the chair >> yes sir >> I just want to say this is more of a model of a private sector uh instead of that bureaucratic system that we've seen in governments overloaded with a lot of information um you're retired and I'm sure whenever you needed something I mean the first thing that I thought of in the private sector is human resources instead of what risk management you go here and you go there it's like you myself every time I called I go straight to human resources whenever I need something so just looking for efficiencies and I think you know I had that conversation with the mayor I thought it was great and thought it was brilliant on his part to be able to do that and be more efficient but nothing's changing the in the in the city itself it's just more efficiencies towards him and I think it's going to lead to a better outcomes for all of us. >> If I may through the chair. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um, who's going going to be leading the oversight for the community development department? >> So, there's no like specific point person. It's just that they're all grouped together so that they can have more conversations, more communications amongst themselves. A lot of the complaints that we hear are hey uh I got the approval let's say in zoning to pick one but it got stopped in building or it started great in building in tax building tax but then uh you know there was a hiccup somewhere else. So we want all these four or five uh divisions essentially to have better communication and they're all wrapped around the idea that you're here to help uh push projects forward. >> I love that you gave that example because that's exactly where I was going with this. So given that this department has the most complaints in that exact scenario that you gave, >> I think that this is the department that needs a lead person the most compared to any other department. I think this is the one that we need to focus on to have one lead person that's like the case manager, the social worker, the check department. um where they go in and they do a little checklist because everyone that's sitting up here knows that they'll go to one department, they're told they have to do X, Y, and Z, and then they come back and they were told, "Oh no, I didn't know I had to do this. Now I'm at fire. Now I have to start all over." Um so that's a big complaint that we all get and I'm sure that you you you gave the the perfect scenario. I know that you've heard it. >> Um so I think that that's something to consider. Not someone to oversee these departments per se. Not some building runs, code and compliance, a business tax, but someone that's a liaison, a liaison to the community, like one-stop shop. Come with your papers. This is your checkpoint. This is what you're what you're missing. Um, and I think a lot of us take those calls. And that was a scenario that I gave you, us not having access to Tyler, not being able to punch in that address. I have to call all these poor people and drive them crazy and tell them, "Hey, can you look this up for me? Which which part of the case is missing?" >> So, one of the one of the items we approved today um was the Tyler renewal. I forgot what letter was now, but basically uh here it is. Letter L. Um, so letter L is the creation of the Tyler 311 program, which we spoke about, I think, at some point, which is essentially just what you're saying, a way for people to be able to input. And not only will you, your council, be able to input when you get those complaints, but this software is going to be great because it's going to link directly to our city website. So, if you have a a constituent uh that wants to just type it in themselves online, they will be able to do so and it'll automatically go into the system and it'll automatically the system will then dispatch it to the appropriate department so it can already start getting handled. Uh so it eliminates a lot of the kind of middlemen, >> right? >> Um so that that's already in the works and then you know we we talked to Ricky and and you should be able to get that up and running very soon. But I I think that to be efficient and to serve the community, I think having an office that's meant for all these departments, for businesses to sit there, for someone that wants to put up a fence or, you know, some anyone they want to do a checklist, this is what you have. Maybe if we have one person that's that's knowledgeable in all these areas or maybe could walk them over um >> or look it up on the program for them and see what they're missing. I think the community needs that and this is a great opportunity that you've created these divisions and I think it would shine. >> It would. >> Thank you. >> Um >> well, anybody else? >> I have another question if you don't mind. Um additionally, these these um these directors that are now assuming additional uh job descriptions, are they also going to be uh changing their salary? Are they getting any kind of increase now for more responsibility? >> Yeah, we've been so we've been um dealing with with these issues. So yes, some some people have been bumped, others haven't. Right. It depends on uh some of this changes are changes in paper but they've already been doing the function, others um you know obviously if it's an additional function we understand and then they get that bump. So it's on a case- by case basis. >> Okay. And for example, let's say in the libraries, if now the the the library director wants to pass or purchase an item, does she now need to seek the director's permission before she does that? Now, is that going to like make her I haven't spoken to her so, you know, I'm just using her as an example so easier. I'm sorry, Casselle. But does that then now, you know, make this process longer in order for her to do her job? Does she need approval? But with workday, um, it it streamlines all that. So, I'm constantly I'm the top of everybody's workday approval chart. So, I basically see everything because it all comes to me at the end. It's very quick. So, somebody, let's say you want to purchase something, there'll be a a cost manager. That person will basically uh begin the process of purchasing the good. From there, it'll go to their supervisor. Their supervisor will just click approve. It's it's a quick thing. It shows up on their cell phone even. And then from there it'll get kicked up to that person's supervisor which is typically the director of the department. Uh so in your case specifically that you're mentioning for the library yes there would be an additional approval which would have to go to the chief recreation officer which would be Willie uh in that specific scenario and then from there would go then to me uh ultimately to do the final approval and then through there it's also layered that it goes to the CFO to make sure that it meets all the budgetary requirements. So yes, to answer your question specifically, it does it would be an extra task, but um again, it's it's so fast now with workday that we can approve something within an hour. It goes through. It wasn't like before where you had all the paperwork um that you know it would take very long to get something approved. >> Thank you. And is that something that we're going to be able to have access to the work date to see those those files? Is there a way of um the council access to that? >> Yeah, I don't know. I don't have a problem with you having access to the file. I just don't know because you have to get set up in a role. So there's so you understand workday has two parts. There's an employee management part which is basically like how you get paid, how you you know get your vacation days, your health benefits, all that information. So that's sort of the employee side. Then there's uh sort of a management side which is again all these approvals of POS and things of that nature. Um, you basically have to have a role in the system to be able to view it. Uh, I guess I don't know, unless you did a public record request, I guess, and somebody would have to print out their screen or something like that. But, uh, yeah, I I think, correct me if I'm wrong, I don't know if you guys have access to the employee side if I think that that would be the easiest one to be set up. it. What makes it difficult is when we have all these softwares and all these programs that we have to approve up here as a council, but then we don't have access to playing with it or understanding how it works or if they tell us we did this on this program, it's it's Chinese cuz we're not we don't have access to it. >> So, just for the sake of having like fluid conversation, understanding. Yeah, there's um yeah, there's these training training programs that basically show you how it works and it walks you through how the whole software is. It's like candidly it's like four hours, but we can definitely send that to you and and that'll give you a really good understanding of how it works and what all the different features are and you know it's kind of like interactive a little bit. So I think that would probably be the best. Is >> that a Ricky question? Is there a view only on workday? Ricky, do they have there is >> they have a an employee >> a voyer a voyer uh profile >> rush Ricky. >> So that's a complicated answer. Yes, there is view only to certain information. Uh we'd have to see how far we can go with that. But yes, there is view only for intent purposes. >> But do they have the like an employee portal for their pay and stuff >> for theirs? Yes, >> they do. No. >> Okay. We don't we don't clock in. >> You don't clock in? >> No, we don't have >> But you get paid to work days. So there is there is a profile for you. >> But does anyone know? >> We have access. >> But have you gone in? >> Yeah, you can go in and get your >> But you don't put your hours. >> You don't have Yeah, you don't accept anything. So, >> but you can view your page tubs. You can view >> maybe send maybe send the council woman her her login info or whatever so she can get in there. Um, >> you may have gotten it when you just got >> the onboarding. They give it to you on boarding process. >> We'll walk you through it. >> Yeah, that's it. So, you only view the pay stuff is what they're saying. >> That's it. >> For the most part, yes. >> Yeah. >> The employee portal for the rest of the city would be to request time off to >> Right. >> Uh, any expenses, items like that. It's cool because at least if you have that, you'll be able to get on the app and you'll be able to like log in and see how the alerts work. There's more tabs than just the paste up. There's like there's like five or five or six tabs uh that you can mess around with. >> Okay. Thank you, >> just for the record, name and address. >> Ricardo Suarez, CIO, 501 Palm Avenue. >> Thank you, sir. I have a question. So now that the chief recreation officer has a lot more responsibility this new position. So Willie Sanchez will not be a part- timerr anymore. He's going to be full-time. >> He's actually getting a pay cut. >> Oh, good for you. >> Any other comments from the dis? >> No. >> Would anyone uh do I have a motion on this? >> Uh motion from Councilman Gonzalez and >> I'll second. >> Second from Councilwoman Monica Perez. Madam clerk, please call the role. >> Miss G. Perez, >> yes. >> Missa, >> yes. >> Miss Empere, >> yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez, >> yes. >> Mr. Zagby, >> yes. >> Mr. Morero, >> yes. >> Mr. Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. >> Thank you. Item B, please, Madam Clerk. First reading of proposed ordinance repealing and rescending Helia ordinance number 2018-107 granting a special use permit to allow the expansion of the neighborhood business district regulations to a property located in in an activity node pursuant to Hilia code of ordinances section 98-1630.8 8 for the sitting of a residential care and treatment facility with 38 beds on the third floor and granting a variance permit to allow 80% of the residential units with less than 850 square ft where a maximum of 10% of the units can have a minimum area of 850 square ft. Allow front setback of 7 ft where 10 ft built to line is the minimum required and allow 196 parking spaces where 408 parking spaces are required. Contra to Halia court of ordinances sections 98-1630.2 2 98-2189 subsection 7 and 16A and 98-1630.3 subsection E1 property located at 7,000 West 12th Avenue Helia zone C2 Liberal Retail Commercial District repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict here with providing penalties for violation hereof providing for severability clause and providing for an effective deed. >> Thank you. um planning and zoning. Claudia, please. Thank you. >> This ordinance is basically to terminate um the zoning entitlements for this property. This uh property got what is called a special use permit in 2018 and they have not submitted um applications to move this project forward. Um the lobbyist has been notified and um nobody has requested an extension since then. >> This is the oracita. Yeah. Yeah. Yes. Uh, ambitious, beautiful project, but it got off. Yeah. >> Any any questions? >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Caesar, are you the lobbyist for them? Yeah, you work. >> Good. Good evening. Caesar Master with offices at 8105 Northwest 155th Street, Miami Lakes, Florida. Uh, this is Dr. Orasita. This is that project back then. Um, I spoke to him. Unfortunately, the economics didn't work out. Something that he thought was going to be 20 million is now 70 something million. So he's okay with the rescending of the the approval. >> Thank God. >> So nothing's happening. That means nothing's happening. >> Yeah. >> We approved a project, a big ambitious project in 18, but it it expires. If they don't develop it, it expires. And that's what we're doing here, >> which is a good thing. So special use is gone. >> Yeah. This is a motion. >> Happy motion. >> Motion from Councilman Rodriguez. Lewis Rodriguez. Second from uh Councilwoman Jayen Perez. Madam Cler, please call the RO. >> Mr. Dega? >> Yes. >> Miss Perez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Zagby? >> Yes. >> Mr. Morero? >> Yes. >> Mr. Gonzalez? >> Yes. >> Miss G. Perez? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. Second reading and public hearing is scheduled for March 10th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. >> Thank you. Item C, Madame Clerk. First reading of proposed ordinance amending chapter 70 entitled retirement and pensions article 7 entitled elected officials division one entitled generally of the code of ordinances of the city of Halia specifically by amending the composition of the oversight committee by replacing the division director of budget and finance with budget administrator providing for severability clause revealing all ordinances in conflict here with and providing for an effective date. >> Thank you. Item C is on first reading. Um, does anyone have any questions for administration, retirement division on item C? >> Otherwise, pleasure of the council. >> Motion to approve. >> Second. >> We have a motion from Councilman Gonzalez. Lewis Gonzalez. Second from Councilman Lewis Rodriguez. Madam Clerk, please call the role. >> Miss M. Perez. >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zagi? >> Yes. >> Mr. Morero? >> Yes. >> Mr. Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Miss Chief Perez, >> yes. >> Miss Dega, >> yes. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. Second reading and public hearing is scheduled for March 10th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. >> Are we done with administrative items? >> One more item, sir. >> Item D, please read into the record. This is the important one. We got to eat too. >> First reading a proposed ordinance approving and adopting the distribution of a senior's homeowners relief stimulus check for the city of Halia, Florida senior residents for fiscal year 2026. Providing for purpose eligibility, stimulus check administration, funding allocation and oversight. Providing for implementation, repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict here with providing for conflict and separability clause, and providing for an effective date. >> Thank you, Mr. Mr. Mayor, >> thank you. So, um, first of all, I mean, I said it in in our first council meeting, but obviously Pedro is our, uh, CFO. He's doing a great job. And the very first conversation I had with him was, um, I made this big promise to eliminate taxes for over 65 and, uh, it's your job to make sure it happens. So, he's been working diligently in the past month. Um, and and in less than 45 days, we're able to bring this this proposal to the residents. um he's going to go in and all the details and answer any questions. But in a nutshell, so residents understand what's going on. Uh we are able to do this without cutting any services. We're able to do this without raising a tax somewhere else. Uh we've been able to identify efficiencies within our uh operations. One of those efficiencies was very very big which is by prepaying uh some of the the necessary payments for the pension plan. We've able to uh have over a million dollars in savings. That same money is being directly applied to completely fund 100% fund uh this program once approved if it's approved here today. Um just to be clear 21% of our residents in the city of Halia will pay no tax in the city. 21%. That is a very very um satisfactory number because we are helping a lot of people. There'll be over 6,500 families in our city that are going to be directly benefited from this program. And again, to be clear, without cutting any services and without raising fees anywhere else, we've been able to do this in less than 45 days. So, that's a huge testament uh not only to to the administration, but to uh Pedro specifically. Thank you for your for your help. and um please along with your presentation. >> Pedro name and address for the record and you have three minutes. >> Good evening and thank you mayor Pedro Defaria interim chief financial officer 501 Palm Avenue. So tonight I am proud to present to you excuse me the city of Halia's senior relief check program as the mayor alluded to uh previously uh during our first conversation when we first met and when he came to office when he first met when I became the the interim CFO he said to me we need to take care of the seniors and this program is a result of all those conversations. >> Next slide. I don't think it's working. Thank you. So, the goal of this program is essentially to ensure that seniors in Halia are able to afford and maintain their homes. Next slide. How we're going to do it is basically by providing a direct relief check to Haley seniors to offset their property tax bill. Next slide, please. So, currently in Halia, we have essentially two groups of seniors that benefit from some sort of senior exemption. The first group, group A, is your low uh the group of seniors that benefit from an exemption called the lowincome senior citizen exemption. Now, this group of seniors, they get $50,000 off the assessed value of their home on top of the $50,000, the standard uh seniors uh standard homestead exemption most property owners benefit from. Now, if a senior in this group has a home that is assessed at less than $100,000, they will essentially pay no taxes to the city of Halia. Now, if their their home is assessed at 150, 200, 250,000, they're basically going to pay the difference to the city. Now, the second group, uh, group B has a benefit called the long-term resident senior citizen exemption. This exemption has additional requirements such as a 25-y year residency as well as uh the first year of the residency, the home has to be valued at less than uh $250,000. And this group pays no taxes to the city of Hyia. Next slide, please. So, the problem is that the long-term resident senior exemption does not reflect today's reality. And essentially what we have here is two groups of seniors that are very similar but are facing different financial burdens. One group has pretty much a tax-free status while the other one has the financial burden of paying their their property taxes to the city. Next slide please. So just to talk a little bit more about the first exemption I was alluding to the low-income senior citizen exemption. This is the this is the first level, the one with the least requirements and have the most number of uh bene beneficiaries. Um the requirements for this exemption is essentially you must have a homestead exemption. You must be 65 years or older as of January 1st of that tax year. And you must have an adjusted household income of $37,694 for 2025. And the reason I mentioned 2025 is we're referring to the 2025 tax year, which is the currently what a homeowner the taxes they're paying right now or they started paying in November. Um, and I, as I said previously, if you are a if you do benefit from this exemption, your taxable value would be lower by $50,000, excuse me, your assessed value, but it does not eliminate your taxes entirely. And the total number of residents that benefit from that is is 5,194. Next slide, please. So, here is an example, real world example of what we have here, right? So, let's say you have a 68-year-old senior who's been living in that home for 20 years. If this senior were to apply for homestead exemption, they would qualify for the the the standard senior exemption, the $50,000 rate, but they would not but they would be denied the long-term senior exemption because they do not meet the 25-year residency. And if this senior was to have a home valued at $200,000, they would essentially pay the city $630 for that taxes. And how you get to that number is your $200,000 minus your your first 50,000 homestead exemption, your additional 50,000 for being for having the senior exemption multiplied times the city's current millage rate divided by a th00and. Next slide, please. So the solution we're proposing with this program is to basically issue a check for the entire amount that that senior with the senior exemption paid to the city of Halia back to them. Essentially bridging the gap that was created by the outdated long-term senior exemption and as a result you have a net zero uh city tax burden for that senior. Next slide please. Here's a little information about the population that will be affected. uh it'll be a total number of homes without exemption right now is 5,141. If you add the the group of seniors that already pay no taxes to the city, the long-term senior resident, it equates to 6,635. So essentially, and as the mayor alluded to at the beginning of this, 21% of our resident of our homesteaded residents do not pay or will not pay any property taxes to the city of Haley. Next slide, please. So what's the cost of this program? Well, uh, a couple weeks ago, we reached out to the office of the tax collector and we asked them for basically our entire tax role, uh, and how much taxes were paid by our by our residents and how much taxes are still owed. The number that came back to us is approximately $1.2 million. And as you can see from the slide, around uh over a little over a million has already paid their tax debt, while 131,799 still are outstanding. So, what we're asking for here and what the mayor's project uh program is is to essentially give back the entire amount for not only the folks who paid property taxes, but for those who owed as well. And part of this part of the ordinance is a budget appropriation of the $1.2 million cost. Next slide, please. So, the big question is how we're going to pay for it, right? So, every year the city of Halia budgets something called the annual required contribution to the pension plan. This is a number that's provided to the city by a third party actuary. Basically, what we're required to fund the pension. Now, rest assured, we are not touching anybody's pension benefits. We're not doing anything whatsoever. What we're doing rather is a plan that the mayor has approved and we already enacted, which we due to our strong cash position, we are going to frontload a lot of those payments in advance, essentially yielding a savings of 1.2 million or greater. So, another way to explain this, let's say you have a mortgage or credit card debt. By you paying off that credit card debt in advance, you're essentially going to save on interest in the long run. And by paying our our our city uh annual acquired contribution, which we budgeted every dollar, every penny by paying most of it up front, because we have a strong cash position, we are going to be able to fully fund this program. Next slide, please. So in essence that this program will be a net zero cost to the city and it will uh result in no reduction in city services and yet we'll be able to help out one of our most vulnerable populations. Thank you. If you have any questions I'll be happy to answer it. >> Thank you. Don't go away. Pedro questions >> through the chair. >> Yes ma'am. >> Thank you. Um, this is obviously um is something that I think is great and and much needed for our our seniors. Um, Pedro, I I have a question because as um many of you know, right back in October, we spent many nights um back and forth and we were trying to provide relief to our residents at that time. And so I just kind of want to um make sure that we put it out there for our residents is how come back in October when we were fighting for a $200 check and it didn't pass. How does this now work out? Can you just kind of explain that? >> Sure. Well, when when the mayor approached me for this initiative, we basically started and discussing, okay, what can we do and how can we pray for it? And just consulting myself, consulting with my team and just researching different ways we could save money, we found that there is this way, this this unique way of of of even though we have to budget the 39.4 million, we're going to save on the interest in the long run. So, at the same time, we couldn't necessarily reduce the budget at the time, but we're still going to benefit from this from this. Uh, that's a very political answer to say that the pe the previous people sucked, but it was a lot better and um the previous administration just, you know, obviously they weren't as efficient as as we're able to do it. So, u we've totally revamped our finance team, our budget team. We have very very confident professionals now and uh this is the result. >> Yep. Um, and I'll say, you know, you know, congratulations on being able to, you know, figure this out. Um, I will say although I wish every resident, right, would be able to get a relief, which is something we really fought hard for and weren't successful, at least, you know, 6,500 families hopefully will be getting this. But, um, thank you. I just wanted to really understand because >> we all know that was a a tough couple months, um, during budget process. Absolutely. >> A lot of pressure is being placed in Tallahassee now. So they hope that what they do or what they pass will not affect us in the cash situation in the future. So they hope that there will be a well balanced and um I'm not sure coming from Tallahassee if it will be but we'll see. >> Yeah, I think I think this is a model for other cities to adopt. Um certainly even the state right as they're having all these conversations of what the path forward is for property taxes. I think the most middle ground approach is to give the relief to the people that need it the most. We could all use more cash in our pocket, but you know, we're not going to die, you know, uh, working professionals, but a senior, yeah, it does affect their bottom line tremendously because they're on a fixed pension. And so that's why the relief is is targeted to them. And I think that's really the path forward in this property tax base. >> So through sorry, uh, Pedro, so hopefully your interimm title is not too too short. Sorry, little plug there. U, so thank you. Appreciate that. You know, we had our debates. Everybody had a good intentions last year and uh we're just not giving the money away any not providing everybody we actually providing people that really need it and like the mayor said $700 can make a difference of somebody's elderly insurance payment which is having a hard time and the good thing is we're not affecting anything any building roads or anything like that was presented to us. So thank you for the administration. Thank you very much. And and I'm I'm a motion guys. I don't know. >> If I may through the chair. >> Yes ma'am. >> Are you done sir? >> Yes. >> Okay. Um, so I just walk me back a little bit because my concern is kind of what Councilman Gonzalez just said in the future. We're we're very um in limbo right now with how um this tax role will develop. Right. So the bucket of where this money is coming from is that from money that we have received through the taxes tell me again the bucket that that >> Yeah. I mean essentially yes these are general fund dollars. So these are ad valerum property tax dollars. We're just basically finding a creative way with thanks to a strong cash position. If you don't have the proper cash flow and cash management, you won't be able to do this program. But because we could do it, uh we presented this to the mayor and he's like, if if you're good with it, I'm good with it. And we already started that. So we're already going to benefit from this the savings of of just the upfront payments. >> But we're So the total is 1.9 >> 1.2.2. >> Yeah. >> 1.2. going to and we're throwing a hail mary hoping that our taxes this topic that's on there is not going to go through >> if I may Pedro if I may say wait a minute wait a minute wait Jose hold on >> thank you sir >> oh I'm sorry to interrupt sorry >> um you know we're hoping that that we get this tax roll if we don't you mentioned that this is coming through the the pensions and the retirement fund >> it just it's it's the funding associated with that with the pension with the annual required contribution, but we're it doesn't affect any single like dollar of our p of the actual pension itself. We're just because we're paying it up front, it it yields an interest savings for so time value of money, right? Just paying your credit card in advance. It's just because of that our our pension plan doesn't require us to pay the entire 39.4 million, just whatever the the savings would be. Let's say 38 38.2. So walk me through the worst case scenario that we don't the taxes this rule is passed we don't we don't receive ad valorum what happens to this bucket god forbid just walk me through the worst case scenario of that >> so this is aside from this program right you're saying in general >> in general >> this program is the one time unless the mayor you know want >> but this one time this one time >> nothing because that but so what's happening at the state levels are you referring to that wouldn't happen until >> two budget cycles from So then we would still make up the 1.2. >> Yes, you're going to benefit from that 1.2 regardless based off the payment schedule we're doing for these funds. >> Maybe I can maybe I can help. >> And um >> remember, so we're going off 2025 figures. You always are one year behind, right? So the numbers that we have on what we're going to receive, all of that is set in stone. And that was in the budget that was approved by by the council back in September of last year. So, the only thing that's happened is we budgeted, hey, we have to spend, let's say, roughly $40 million on our pension payment, right? For for the for the budget that we're in right now, you have to spend about $40 million. What was done previously is that they would basically say, "Okay, every month we're going to cut a check for 4 million, and that's going to be 10 months of checks." But the money's budgeted. It's already there. We know we have to spend the 40 million. We have to spend it because those are all our pension obligations. So instead of doing, hey, equal payments of $4 million, because we had so much cash already in the system, we can say, hey, we're going to upfront and we're going to pay these people 20 million now and 20 million at the end of the fiscal year. By doing so, we save $1.2 million because you don't have all the interest that's occurring throughout the year, >> right? >> So in in essence, right, I think your question and and which is valid like moving forward, how does this work? Well, because every single year we still have to have the same pension requirement of having to make this amount of money. Basically, it's just reoperating how we how we think and how we, you know, move money in the city. >> And what is the the minimum value that we must keep in that account before we we get any penalty? >> You're saying that, excuse me, the city's general operating account, there is no minimum value, but we have a very very conservative amount in there. There's no required amount in in that account. >> We don't I thought we we had a penalty. We went under it. >> No, >> not in that account. >> Not in that account. >> And we have Well, are you Oh, you're uh you're probably referring to the uh the um the fund balance reserves fund balance. >> Yeah. Yeah. No, we're probably two to three times the minimum requirement. >> Okay. >> Of of fund. This doesn't touch fund balance because we are touching with the with the budget appropriation. We're saying, "Hey, let me just use this 1.2 2 million which will be immediately replenished with the savings yielded from from this prepayment of the pension contribution. >> Okay. And then take me back to the slide that you said that there's um I believe it was what 5,141 that have paid their taxes and a thousand >> that haven't. >> The the total population of the group of seniors that we're that we're targeting is the the first like the the the lower level senior exemption, right? the 50,000. That group is 5,141 seniors in there. However, I would say that not everyone in that group pays any property taxes. If you have an assessed value of less than $100,000 because of the first 50,000 and the additional senior 50,000, you're already going to pay no taxes to the city because your taxable value is is below your your total exemption. So the total number would be >> So the total number of seniors that would directly benefit from a check is 2,226 >> that would receive 630 and8. >> So the average uh payment to those folks would be $539. >> What's the $6318? >> That was that was just an example. >> That was just an example. >> Not everybody gets the same check. It's based on what they owe. If they owe 630, they get a check for 630. If they owe 550, they get it for 550. >> Right. >> Yeah. >> Um, can you repeat the the amount again? 5 what? >> $539.25 is the average. >> Did you have a question, Mr. Gonzalez? You had a question cuz you you spoke when I was >> Sorry to interject and I apologize. No, what I wanted to explain is that I thought there was a lot of conversation is through an interest payment because my first interest too when I was informed about this like you know what's going to happen in the state but this is besides the point first of administratively uh not like in the past when we have lowered the military which I think it's been a mistake in the past and then nobody's willing to raise taxes which is nobody wants to raise the taxes of anybody here in the community um but doing administratively I totally agree with it and then we'll see where we're at next year and depending what happens to the state but in this case in itself, it's like it's not costing us. It's a savings through interest that we're not going to acrude by putting that large sum of $20 million into the uh retirement account. >> In the past when I was here, we were struggling. It wasn't the same amount of income that we received and we were just nickel and dimeming a little by little and then the interest kept accumulating which is even losses towards the end. So in this case being able to put you know $20 million up front that's how you found the saving and interest alone. So, it's not costing us, just some savings by being able to be able to run that money up front. >> Bless you. >> Bless you. >> I >> I think it's great. I think I concur. I think that um there was a lot of back and forth and I think this is the highest number that that we were able to achieve because I think prior to this it was only 200 300 that anybody agreed um on landing on. So, I think it's it's wonderful. Um it's it's disappointing that it's only 2,000 people because I think that was the we wanted to offer everyone relief, right? So I don't know if maybe with this maybe we could discuss >> so >> changing the the the number and maybe expanding it to playing with that. I don't know if that's something that you guys did already prior to this. Um, and we're not privy to to those numbers, but >> so this is this is in tandem with the activity that's going to happen on Thursday. So on Thursday uh in collaboration with the property appraisers office, we're going to do a massive uh event for all of our residents, but especially our seniors and that's going to be uh at 5:00 p.m. at Myander. They're bringing over 40 uh personnel from the property appraisers office that process applications. So, anyone who is not um you know doesn't have the senior exemption right now on their property but for whatever reason believes that they're eligible, they should attend this event and uh they will be with the staff there. They'll be provided an application that will help them fill out that application and submit it and then that application gets vetted by the property appraisers office. Basically what it does is it takes all the vetting aspect of it away from Halia, puts it on the property authority, which is the appraisers's office. Uh again, the criteria is set by the state, which is the over 65. You're on the deed, and you have a household income of roughly $40,000 or less, which is your retirees. Um and essentially then we'll be able to evaluate down the road. Okay, um pursuant to this event and people just finding out about the program, what is the new number, right? And then we can make an evaluation at that point. Um but these are the people that have it right now that we know for a fact are over 65. They're on the deed and they have the income um requirements and so therefore they're going to automatically they don't have to do anything. they will get the check in their mail um as soon as as March, the end of March. And uh for the new folks, then um we'll see how how big that number grows. You know, Pedro and I have gone back and forth on it. It could be as little as a couple hundred additional applications or it maybe it's a couple thousand. And so that's why we want to make sure um we're being uh conservative and we allow that process to to play out through the appraisers's office and then we'll get updated figures from them and and make an evaluation at that time. What's the most appropriate uh path forward? >> Okay. Um >> oh yes, go ahead. >> One last question. First of all, thank you to our finance department for putting this together and thank you mayor bringing this forward. Um, from the moment this gets approved, how long before the checks will be in our our residents hands? >> So, excuse me. We already started working on the internal mechanism to make this happen through work day through a large import file. Um, I'm pretty confident my team could do it, you know, within a week or so. But, you know, just in case, you know, the mayor's saying end of March just to be a little more conservative. >> Okay. Okay. >> Obviously, there's there's a second reading. So second reading would be in 2 weeks. From there then it'll take about you know let's call it 2 weeks for them to get the checks. So I say end of March is a pretty conservative uh time frame. And I will add if for the record that technically residents don't have to do anything. We have the names, we have the addresses, we have the amounts and it's we're already loading everything into the system pending this reading and the second reading of March 10th. >> I think that's fantastic. I motion to approve. >> Thank you. We have a motion from Councilman Perez before we get a sec second one from >> uh Council Vice President Melinda Dega. And just to pause a second just to make it clear because there's a lot of people watching and a lot of people in the audience. We want them to spread the word. Correct me if I'm wrong just to make the important points. The difference between this proposal we're doing today and the one we floated around with, you know, a while back is 32,000 homes, homesteaded homes in Hyia would have qualified for the rebate which we were trying to figure out what the number was going to be. 30 I would have qualified because I have a homesteaded home, but I'm not a low-income person, so it's really not fair. This time it's limited to the state standard of what's considered a lowincome household. So, I wouldn't qualify even if I was 85. I wouldn't qualify for this because I don't have a low income. I don't have that greater need. So, this targets those seniors who are pretty much living off of strictly a very low social security check. These are not professionals who are making thousands of dollars a month even on their social security. So, in other words, those that will get a check perhaps as early as maybe the end of March will be people who are within that threshold, the household income of about 38,000 approximately a year household income. >> Homesteaded properties. And just to make it clear, because people have asked me, doesn't mean it has to be paid off. You could still owe money on it, but it's your the property which you own and inhabit making it a homestead property. That's why it limited because of the um household financial requirement, the threshold. That's why it limited now to 5,000 and uh 5141 homes plus another,000 and something that didn't pay any taxes anyway that were seniors because they qualified for all the existing exemptions. So that's what it is. But it will be higher than the $200. And it all depends. We can only the goal is to have these seniors of low income pay no high aliyah taxes. Now, we can't change that number. If we want to say tomorrow $1,000, we can't return a thousand. We can only return what they paid us. >> That's the maximum amount that they can get returned. Depending on the value of your house, you may have paid us $200 in those seniors in hyalia taxes, separate from school board and county taxes. But if my house is worth $500,000, I probably paid more in taxes. So, I'll get a bigger reimbursement from the city. they'll give me all that money back that I paid to the city, but we just paid it a rears. So, we've already paid those taxes, the homeowners. So, all we're going to do is we're going to we can't change that through the um tax collector's office. We can just write a check from here. And what he's saying is is very where we got the money was so creative. The 1.2 million, which is a lot less than the $200 we would have spent for a household. Again, I would have gotten a $200 check the other way around. Um We have an obligation. Our calculated contribution per year to our pension fund is about right the mid30s million a year. >> The the the custom was to make payments and those interest payments add up. By us having the cash now to pay it up front, right? It's like early payments on your house. If you can pay two, you know, two payments per month, you you shave off hundreds of thousand dollars in the end in interest payments. In this case, it's the same. We're seeing that $1.2 million come from an early payment avoiding all the interest doesn't come from what we have to contribute to the fund from our obligation. It doesn't take money from >> right from the fund in any way. It doesn't risk that. It's just now that we have the cash we're able to pay this upfront saving that interest which is exactly what we need >> to pay these most in need seniors. So that's basically what it is. So, so that people don't understand not everybody who's homesteaded in Halyia at this point. Something may happen in the state. Creative things are happening in the state. We probably all will see relief, but for now it's lowincome seniors of 65 and over who will see hopefully the the goal is a complete relief from Halia taxes. >> And you're absolutely correct. And for clarification, you must have an approved lowincome senior citizen exemption as of January 1st, 2025. approved by the appraiser tax appraiser and tax collector. We're going off that specific. >> We're not doing that approval. They approve it, they vet it, and then we just get that information, right? >> Yes. >> Yeah. >> Any other questions? We have a motion from Councilwoman Perez. Is that correct? >> Motion. >> We have a motion. And we have what? >> A second from uh Dega. >> And we have a second from council vice president. That's right. Call the go ahead. Are you hungry? >> Senior citizen. Everybody's home. >> Senior citizen. Yes. I'm a senior citizen. Call the role. >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zagi? >> Yes. >> Mr. Morero? >> Yes. >> Mr. Gonzalez? >> Yes. >> Miss G. Perez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Dea? >> Yes. >> Miss Empere? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. Second reading and public hearing is scheduled for March 10th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. We have You can't leave yet, mayor. Item E, M, >> license revocation hearing to determine a if the business tax receipt of Lonita Coffee Shop Incorporated located at 2200 West 8 Port, Helia, Florida 33010 should be revoked or suspended. >> We have a presentation from the city on this item. Um name and um address for the record, sir. >> Good evening, council president. Good evening, madame council vice president. Good evening, est team members of the council. And last, but of course, most importantly, good evening, Mr. Mayor. My name is Raymond Sales. I'm an assistant city attorney with the city of Halia. I am also serving as a police legal adviser to the city of Halia Police Department. My officers are located at 501 Palm Avenue, fourfloor law department. The reason that we are here uh before you today in this presentation is to seek the council's approval for a decision that was taken via emergency powers pursuant to city of Halia code of ordinances section 86-56. In that code of ordinances section, it specifically conveys the power to the business tax official, Miss Cassenya Gruich, on an emergency basis to uh allow her to afford her a prompt suspension or revocation of any business should it be deemed that the dis the business is uh conducting uh any sort of activity that constitutes an emergency involving serious danger to the public health, safety or welfare of the city of Hyia. That action was taken pursuant to an investigation that was performed by the Halia Police Department in conjunction with several other law enforcement agencies on February 13th, 2026. Once that was done, a cease and desist order was provided by the business tax official notifying Primos Investments Group LLC doing business as Lonita Cafeteria, the business tax receipt license holder for the location uh located at 2200 West 8th Court, Helia, Florida 33010. That cease and desist order formerly revoked license number 72211-638. The reason that we are here today is to seek the council's approval to sustain that revocation that was performed on that date by the business tax official, Miss Yasen Grwich. With me today, I have three witnesses. >> One moment. One moment, Mr. Sales. >> Mr. sales. Before we continue, um just so the record is clear, I'm not sure if any representative of Lamolita is present before the dis or um the business tax receipt holder. If so, you will need to announce your appearance for the record. This is quasi judicial uh proceeding in nature and you have every right to be heard and to cross-examine the witnesses that will be called by the city if necessary. >> So, you're referring to me since I log in. So, I just want to introduce myself. My name is >> Can you come to the >> mic for the record? Thank you. Name and name. >> Carolyn Frank, 3636 West Flagler Street, Miami 33135. And I am solely here on behalf of the owner, DCL Warehouse, just to see >> the owners of the warehouse. You're not here with the license holder? >> No. >> Oh, okay. >> But I wanted to explain who we are. We were provided notice of this proceeding, and I know there's a cease and desist, and we want to know how to proceed. >> Thank you. the cler. >> There's another attorney here with the property owner right now. Are you the only one representing the >> Okay. Is anyone here for Luna for what is it? Primos Corporation. Anybody here for them? No. Okay. For the life of go madam, >> that clarif clarifies everything. Okay. >> Go on, please. >> Mr. Council President, with that clarification and thank you, Madam City attorney. Uh, as the madam city attorney has established, this hearing is quasi judicial pursuant to 86-57. There are no formal rules of evidence with respect to this hearing. However, 86-57 requires that a hearing be performed when the business tax official makes a revocation pursuant to their emergency powers in 86-56, which is the purpose of today's hearing. With that, council vice president, with her permission, I have a couple of preliminary housekeeping matters I'd like to address with you, sir, if that's okay. >> I'm I'm He would be she would be the vice president. >> I'm sorry, Council President. I apologize. >> You give him authority to do so. >> Thank you. Go on. >> If I may, uh we have provided a packet and we've prepared the packet and given a exact copy to each of the members of the city council. For the purposes of this hearing, I'm seeking that that uh packet be added as the city's composite exhibit one and be made a part of the record of this proceeding. M Mr. Council President, >> duly noted. >> I'm also requesting permission to publish as needed when examining the witnesses. Sir, >> dy noted. >> Thank you. >> With that, uh Mr. Council President, I believe that that covers the housekeeping matters. At this time, the city would call to city would request if at all possible, if madam city clerk could please swear in the witnesses uh in advance so that we can call them in turn and proceed with this hearing as quickly and efficiently as possible. >> Have the witnesses step up. Go ahead. >> Please raise your right hand. Do you swear or affirm that the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? So help you God. If so, say I do. Let the record reflect that I have responded in the affirmative. >> With that, Mr. Council President, the city calls to the stand. Lieutenant Marlon Espinosa. >> Thank you, Lieutenant. Name and address for the record, sir. Thank you, >> Marlon Espinosa. Lieutenant Kalia Police Department, 555 East State Avenue. >> Thank you. >> Good evening. Lieutenant Espinosa, could you please uh explain to the members of the council who may not be familiar with you who you are, what your assignment is, and how you're related to this case? >> Yes. um the lieutenant that oversees the special investigation section at the Halia Police Department. >> And did you participate in an operation that occurred on or about Friday, February 13th, 2026 at the business known as Launita Cafeteria located at 2200 West 8th Court, Haley of Florida 33010. >> That is correct. We executed Operation Luna Ka on that day. >> Okay. When you say operation Luna Kaida, what was the purpose of that operation sir? In conjunction with Florida ABT, Homeland Security, Human Trafficking Task Force, FDLE, and other federal partners, we executed this operation to address some of the complaints that were coming in from the community and the neighboring businesses. >> And what were the results, if any, of that investigation, sir? >> Total 14 arrests were done. Seven them seven of them came from our police department. Three of them being warrants and four of them being narcotic related. >> I believe you mentioned previously that you were a part of this operation. Were you present on scene on February 13th, 2026? >> I was. >> Did you walk the scene at that time? >> Yes, I did. >> Did you personally observe any code violations that were occurring at the business? >> Yes, I did. >> Okay. Could you please inform the members of the council what those code violations you observed were? by making checks. >> Is that in in our book? >> Yes. If you would turn to tab, not with respect to his notes, but if you turn to tab four of your trial binder, you'll see the cease and desist order that was generated by the city tax official, which lists specifically the code violations that were observed by the Haley Police Department on that date listed between item A through E. >> Thank you. So upon entering the business, the business was clearly operating as a nightclub. Um, it was not operating as a cafeteria. There was no food being served. The lights were dimmed, flashing lights like a nightclub. Beverages were on the table, buckets of beer. There were red solo cups filled with hard liquor as well. There was gambling machines that were being operated. And uh there was drugs that were being sold during that operation as well. >> Okay. So, we're going to take those uh violations that you observed in turn. But prior to getting into that, did you have crime scene respond to the scene at the time in order to take photographs? >> Yes, I did. >> Okay. And did you provide those photographs to the city uh prior to this hearing? >> Yes, I did. >> Okay. So, that's going to be in tab 7 and the materials provide to the council, the photographs that we're going to be referencing. Now, Lieutenant Espinosa, the first photograph that we have in the binder, what does this photograph depict, sir? >> It's a little blurry, but if you do see, it's two bottles of whiskey that are on top of a counter. >> Why is that significant with respect to this particular business activity? >> That business does not have the license to serve our hard liquor. Okay. >> You mentioned in your statement of the council just a moment ago that no food was being prepared. Why is that relevant for this council to consider? According to the license that they have and they have applied for and was current, they're only allowed to serve beer and wine with food. >> And how did you verify that no food was being prepared at the time? >> Kitchen was cold to the touch. I personally went in, touched the put my hand over the stove to see if it was hot. It was not hot at all. The refrigerators were empty. No food was inside of any of the refrigerators. There about three or four refrigerators that were in the premises. All of them were filled with beer. >> Did you observe any food on any table within the premises? >> Absolutely not. >> You've also mentioned that there were narcotic sales being conducted on the premises. Did you impound narcotics as a result? >> Yes, we did. >> And that photograph was also provided to the city council. >> Yes. >> Okay. >> Now, you also mentioned that there was illegal gambling that was being conducted in the premises. How were you able to make that determination, sir? >> That is correct. So, uh during the inspection, we found some ledgers. In the ledgers as we were looking through them, we found a beginning amount balance from la machinas which are referred to as the machines that are being operated and there was a ending ledger uh ending balance of what was paid out. We also found all the lot all the winning tickets that were being stored with the with these ledgers. Now, it's not illegal to possess amusement machines at a res or at a business, I'm sorry, within the city of Haley. Is that correct? >> That is correct. >> Okay. But what you're if I'm and correct me if I'm wrong, what I'm understanding from your testimony is that you found evidence that shows that this was actually gambling activity taking it out of the context of just a simple amusement machine. >> That is correct. Okay. >> You mentioned that there were seven arrests. Was there anything any other activity that occurred outside of narcotics that you observed with respect to this uh business activity? >> Yes. So um there was a bar girl or b girl what's considered a b girl activity that was happening and a um did two arrests for an operation that they had conducted prior. >> Okay. When you say birls, can you just inform the council who may not be as familiar with that terminology what a b-roll is and what they do? So be girls in the context of what we saw happening here. They are female servers who are not directly employed by the business. They come in as contract employees and there's goal is to solicit the patrons, mostly men, um to buy them beers. These beers are not your normal size beers. They're your 4 oz cans and they charge them three times the amount of what a regular beer would cost. Some of the money goes to the brow, the other money goes to the house. and that's how they make their money. The bee girls also act as brokers. Um, if there is a drug dealer in in house, they act as that broker. And in this case, there was one of the females was acting as a broker and she request she offered drugs, they bought drugs, she went to a security guard who she bought the drugs from and gave it to our undercover um agent that was there. So to understand you clearly, the reason behind the increased value of the 4 oz can of beer that you mentioned was three times the value of what that beer would normally cost is to facilitate this narcotics transaction that you just described. >> That is correct. Okay. Based off of all that you've observed and based off of the entirety of your investigation and based off what you have testified today, is it is your opinion that the emergency decision of the business tax official of the city of Halia to revoke BTR license 72211-638 issued to Lalita cafeteria should be sustained by this city council. >> Absolutely. >> Thank you, sir. I have nothing further for this witness. >> Or your next witness. >> Thank you, Mr. Council President. Our next witness is Major Fernando Via. >> Council Major Via 555 East State Avenue. >> Again, Major Via, if you could please just introduce yourself to the members of the council may not be familiar with you. >> Good afternoon. I'm the major of the criminal uh investigation division. I'm in charge of all investigations, also the special investigation section. >> Did you also participate in the operation that occurred on or about Friday uh February 13th at uh the business known as Laita Cafeteria? Yes, I did. >> Okay. Was this your first interaction with Lonita or the business organization? >> No, we actually uh have a couple of shootings that happened in 2025 and in 2026. We also have stabbings. This place has been um a hub for the criminal elements in our city to be able to gather and hinder the businesses around it and our uh and also our citizens. Now you mentioned some of these prior incidents, the shooting and and a couple of shootings that you mentioned in some stabbings. Uh was did the city take action at that time with respect to so to those incidents? >> The city we actually um initiated at the tail end of that investigation. We found out that the patrons and the the the subject and the victim were patrons of that business. But the shooting occurred outside the business which we could not correlate at that time as being a violation for this particular uh code. >> So prior to that shooting that you're referencing, when did that shooting occur? By the way, >> the shooting in 2026 occurred in January 11th uh at 10:17 a.m. >> Prior to that shooting, had the city of Halia entered into, to the best of your knowledge, entered into a settlement agreement with the owners of La Lonita Corporation in order to avoid a revocation hearing with respect to their business tax receipt. >> That is correct. Uh the city entered on October 17, 2025 with the last chance agreement uh with La Luna Cafe. Okay, >> that's going to be tab three in your materials, >> guys. some question for you. What does last chance mean? What what >> it's a settlement agreement with the city. >> So, Major Via, let me see if I can help assist the council with a question. When you say a last chance agreement, what was your understanding of the reasoning behind that settlement agreement? Was there any specific language in that agreement that makes you describe it in that fashion as a last chance agreement? in uh in other words, practically they had violations before and the city provided this business an opportunity to be able to fix themselves, be able to not have any violations for a six-month uh period, which it ended on April 17, 2026. And at that time, the business were not was not able to take care of uh their backyard. And we obviously have this case in front of you today. Did we specific did the city specifically negotiate a clause at that point in time that notified the business owners that any violation would result in an immediate revocation or s or suspension hearing of their business tax receipt? >> That is correct. is on number I page number three of FAB number three which the business agrees with any violations of the agreement within six month period will result in an immediate re uh relocation and suspension hearing of its business tax receipt as ordered by the city council got question uh notification was it sent to the building owner building or both of both entities >> with respect with respect to which notification sir >> uh any of the violations >> so with respect to this violation notice was prominently posted on the exterior of the building. As a matter of fact, that was indicated to you in your materials. In tab 6, you're going to see a photograph of the exterior of the building, including a doorork knob. That's 2200 West 8 Court. On the doororknob, you're going to see a fixed in plastic with zip ties, both the notice of the cease and desist order and the notice of this hearing. It was also sent by a certified return receipt to the business tax receipt holder. which is the per which is the subject of this here on certain. >> My question is more to the prior notice the one that gave them the six months to remediate. Did the business owner um the title manager were they made aware of of this operation happening in their building >> as a with respect to the let me understand your question uh counciloman Perez I believe if I'm understanding your question correctly with respect to the settlement agreement the settlement agreement was entered into between the city of Halyia and Primos Investments uh doing business as Lonita cafeteria they were represented by council which as you can actually see is reflected on page four of the settlement agreement. Okay. Were represented by council in the negotiation of this agreement and entered into this agreement freely and voluntarily and understood that this was their last chance and that any substantive violation of the settlement agreement would result in the proceedings for which we are here today. So they were made aware and they were they were involved from the onset with respect to the settlement agreement >> to the business owner. But I'm talking about the actual the person that they're renting the location from the the the party that's present here today. So this TLC >> this is with respect to the business tax receipt. The business tax receipt is held by this company. So the only people that had privy of contract with respect to the business tax receipt is the business tax receipt holder and the city of Halia. The property owner is separate in this instance because they're not the ones who are in possession of the business tax receipt. This is their tenant. They are aware and as you can see that they were present. They were aware of the goings on and as a matter of fact subsequent to this agreement a sale was conducted of the business to a different entity. Despite this a BTR had not been transferred because they had not obtained a new lease under the new ownership from the uh from the building managers from the building operators. With respect to anything past that that question may be better directed at the building owners who work here. So the fact that we don't involve um the the property owner is that um to protect you know do they have a legal protection since they are the business tax holder? Is that common practice throughout all municipalities? Because maybe if I'm the owner of this location and I have this tenant that is continuously being uh out of compliance, I would like to be made aware because maybe their contract is coming up. maybe that's not a license that I want to renew. Uh, and maybe they weren't made aware. Is is there some kind of tenant protection law that violates that privacy? Or is that something we have to rewrite our ordinance and maybe let these business owners in on this activity that's happening and let them know that they're a nuisance to society and that maybe they should consider not having them in our community? Respectfully, Councilwoman Pres, with respect to this particular issue, the notices are always prominently placed in the exterior of the property. The notices are made public. It's a public hearing that is noticed and they're made aware within the public record of the actual in of the hearings. When we send notices, we send notices to everybody involved and we send them to the business address as well as the business holders and as well as anybody who may have a potential property interest with respect to the uh to this action. in the notice that you have in your materials and that's going to be reflected in tab five. You will see that there are a number of folks listed in the top of the header who are in no way, shape or form related to this business tax receipt and yet notice is sent and delivered to these folks because they have a property interest in the goings on of the business. So they they are made aware uh with respect to whether or not the tenant the landlord and the tenant wish to retain the tenant whether they want to continue the license that's between the landlord and the tenant >> and if I may just for clarification council >> yeah but I but I think that the the the question here is they know now once this bomb exploded at the end but but um officer um uh Villa was saying that they had a shooting I don't know I don't want to misquote you but they've had two prior shootings prior to 2026, there's been already a a a a nuisance and and violence to this property. And I'm just reflecting back to kind of the conversations we had. Remember when we were discussing the hotels and when we were discussing those rental hotels, we said that within those ordinance, we wanted to make those those property owners aware that, hey, they've called the cops to this location x amount of times. you need to, you know, tighten up ship and and have some added security. Is that something that we need to change and we need to rewrite into our ordinance so that it doesn't have to get to this point? It could be something prior to that. >> If I may, in regards to the internal procedures that we have, the law department and the business tax receipt administrator does in fact send the notices uh to the actual owner of the property. However, in our code, pursuant to section 86-57 subsection C1, it is not required. It simply says that upon the request for a hearing, the business tax administrator shall serve notice to the business tax receive holder of the time and place of the hearing before the city council, which shall be held um at a date no less than 5 days after filing or at the next regular scheduled council meeting. So, we have met the requirements. However, the city has in fact gone beyond and notified it. But >> no, I'm aware I'm aware of the hearing, but I'm talking about prior to the hearing. >> Yes, we have. >> All these all these other violations, the shooting, the this, you know, that's >> we the law department did in fact to the property owner and Mr. Sales could basically corroborate what I just uh informed the council of. >> Of course, Madam City attorney is is 100% correct. And if I said otherwise, I'd probably be out of a job tomorrow. I'm just kidding. Um yes, she's absolutely correct. And second and and secondarily, upon conferring with uh the business tax official, Miss Bridge, notice was sent at the time to the property owners as well prior to the hearing and prior and with respect to the prior incidents as well. Correct. I'm hope I'm not misquoting. >> Yes. Saurich, uh business tax official, 501 Palm Avenue. um the date that we scheduled the informal hearing, which is when I when law, myself and the owner, if he wants to show up and the tenant uh meet to kind of try and remedy some of these violations before we do a revocation of license, um they are notified. As a matter of fact, the day that we entered into the settlement agreement, um I spoke to the owner of the property, uh he showed up at city hall. Um and so we kind of advised him that we set we entered into a settlement agreement. That's how I know that the they did not want to issue a new lease uh when there was in fact a change of ownership. >> Okay. And so with that, Major Via, and I apologize. Let's see where we left off here. To your knowledge and to the best of your your recollection, the settlement agreement as you test previously testified was effective October 17th of 2025. >> Yes. >> And that was effective for a period of 6 months. >> Correct. >> And given what you know about the what has occurred since that settlement agreement has occurred and given the results of the investigation was conducted on February 13, 2026, is it your opinion that these violations constitute a significant violation and a violation of that settlement agreement? >> Yes. Uh, thank you, Major V. I have nothing further for this witness. Last but not least, Mr. Council President, I have the business tax official, Mr. Senior Grwich. >> You've already identified these pieces. >> Okay. >> All right, Miss Gridge. briefly. Um, as a result of this operation that was conducted on February 13th, 2026, did you exercise your emergency powers pursuant to the city of Halia code of ordinances section 86-56 to revoke BTR license number 722211-638? >> Yes. And as you previously had mentioned, as you previously testified, was that as a result uh of the violations that you listed in the cease and desist order that you issued to Laonita Cafeteria reflected in tab four of your materials? >> Yes. >> In the cease and desist order, you specifically list those violations. This is is your opinion that those violation constitute a violation of the settlement agreement that you were uh made a part of negotiating that went into effect October 17, 2025? >> Yes. >> And is your is it your opinion as the business tax official for the city of Halyia that Lonita Cafeteria has violated the terms of settlement agreement and given this that your decision to revoke the BTR license should be sustained by the city council today? >> Yes. Anything further? >> Mr. Council President, that concludes the uh presentation conducted by the city. Briefly, if I may, what I would just like to say, I think it is abundantly clear and the city has established by substantial and competent evidence that a violation of the terms of the settlement agreement have occurred that this is an ongoing issue within the city of Hyia. That the business activities of Lonita Cafeteria do constitute an actual threat to the public health, safety, and welfare of the city of Hyia. And for these reasons, we respectfully request that the city of Halia council move to sustain the uh determination of the business tax official and uphold the revocation for Lonita cafeteria. >> Thank you, sir. Um Madame Attorney, so we're going to give a chance for the uh council representing the property owner if they wish to speak. >> It's the it's at the council's pleasure. We have you're representing the property owner, >> right? Would everybody like to hear from her? Any questions? Are they subject to any Miss Gurish or or are they subject to the property owners at this point? Any violations at >> Not with respect to the hearing today, sir. No, this is specifically to the business tax holder, >> which is only to the BTR holder who is not present before the council despite receiving notice. So she doesn't you don't there's nothing she needs to defend on behalf of the property owner. Is that >> go ahead? Yeah. >> The only thing I want to clear the record on is the notice was provided and Ivan, our manager, appeared and was advised that a settlement agreement was reached already. So we had no right to do anything in response to that. In the answer to your question, we kind of bought the sixmonth period of time that you, the city, allowed this tenant to remain in the property. >> Thank you, ma'am. >> And and again, whatever your decision is with respect to this issue, we'd like to know how to proceed to move forward. There's a cease and desist order and how do we if their license is revoked, proceed, evict or do whatever is necessary. We've also asked the keys. We haven't been for the bag of pieces to the June. >> Well, that you can advise them on whatever the results of our decision >> ification of the the council will make a determination based on the evidence that's been heard today and an order will be entered within 10 days. We have 10 days. The city has 10 days in order to enter an order and you'll receive a copy of that order. >> If I may through the chair. >> Yes, ma'am. So th this BTR that's that's issued for this uh business, it's a cafeteria uh license, there is a time frame, right, for them to to operate with this business tax. Does the cafeteria cap it off at a certain time? They don't have 24hour. They don't have midnight. >> So their BTR is a restaurant BTR. >> That's how they have it. >> Yes. >> What did they purchase? Cuz it says cafe. >> Yeah. Well, it's a it's a restaurant. >> It says restaurant. >> Um, what they can't do is sell beer and wine within certain hours. >> Okay. So, it's not capped. What's the time that they're supposed to operate? Cuz I know that we extended sometimes like for those businesses and those restaurants that were in that shopping center of Flamingo. They were restaurants, but we weren't allowed to allow the restaurants to operate past 10:00 due to the area. So I don't know if this business tax is tied to a similar kind of >> Yeah. So there there are only regulations on operational hours for beer and wine. It's it's 1:00 a.m. >> It's allowed till 1:00 a.m. >> Yes. All right. >> And they operate in a 2 COP. So, it's just be >> when a business like this when this this person, this gentleman that's that issued this license, um what's his name? Jose Danilo Cruz. Now, is he put on kind of like a red flag list to not get another business tax license here in the city of Halia? Do we have some kind of like preempted hit list of people that have violated our >> Yes, it's in our code. Yes, >> it's it's in our code. >> So, he will not be able him his wife. >> Well, the the the violations issued to Po Investing Group. Um there was a transition in ownership at some point. Um so, right now we're going under the LLC >> what we had to revoke the license under. Um, that corporation is currently under Danila Cruz, but our BTR was issued under another name which was a previous owner. >> So, how would we move forward if that previous owner or this LLC tries to open another business? Is there some kind of red flag that we wouldn't issue them, >> right? So, a license, >> we we would put in the contact for that person a hold. >> Okay. I mean, I I believe that, you know, I congratulations to to to our police department, first of all, for for putting yourselves in in that risky situation and entering a place that had so much illegal activity, uh, a place that has a history of violence, of of shootings and stabbings and breaking bottles on people's heads. and two weeks ago, someone got shot there and then finding that person that was shot on a flight to Cuba. I mean, this this is a long historical nuisance in our community. So, thank you for even walking in there and and making this happen. Um, congratulations to everyone that was involved. Thank you, Jen. I think our legal department. Um, I think moving forward though, there's there's a lot of similar locations that I've never stepped into, but just driving in front of it scares me. And um, I just want to figure out how us as a council could be effective in writing or rewriting this this business talks to these cafes that are in warehouses. Um maybe we can mayor have a discussion about this and think about maybe copying it off to make it easier for Pey. Maybe that's a conversation to have with Pey and say what do you suggest? How do we rewrite this? Um for businesses operating in these warehouses in these shady locations, maybe they shouldn't be open past 8:00 if they're a restaurant and all the businesses nearby are closed, you know, and no one's really going there to have dinner. It's not an olive garden, you know, it's meant to be a sandwich and a soda while you're at work. Um, and and maybe we need to re-evaluate and make this a a a subsection in in our business talks and say these businesses that operate in X, Y, and Z locations close down 8:00, 7:00, whatever, to make it easy for code compliance, to make it easy for PD to not have a nuisance, and to not have, you know, this is the second case and I've been here and I don't know, Mr. Gonzalez, you've been here many years prior to me. I don't know how many have come before us. I remember the last one. I think it was called Eightball or something weird like that. And it was the wife that did an aliens name because the husband was already, you know, performing illegal activity at another location. So, we need to to be smart and work together and maybe, you know, help PD, help code compliance, help her residents, and not have these thugs committing, you know, these crimes and and having this drug activity in our city. And, um, I think that's a responsibility that we have, Jasonia, and and, you know, chief, if if you would like to have a conversation with me and I'd be happy to come up with some options to present to the council. Mayor. >> Uh, no. Thank you. And and you know, first of all, again, thank you um you know, to our police department, to our um great business tax division. Uh you know, one of the conversations I had with the chief is, you know, we got to step up our enforcement game. And so, um I personally attended several of these bar checks in the days following um what occurred at Laonita. And certainly, uh we are making sure that our code is being enforced. We're making sure uh that we're cutting down on any illicit activity. Uh when we did those bar checks, you know what I saw um you know there was businesses that were in complete and full compliance even though they were operating in the in the late hours and then there was one uh that we checked on that that wasn't and so obviously they got uh dinged that evening. So I think it's an enforcement mechanism. I think the regulations that we have are very strict as they are. Um it's just a matter of making sure that we're on top of enforcement and you know I have the full confidence in PD and in our code uh department and as well as business tax to make sure that we are uh not letting any bad actors continue to operate as we uh find them. And again these these bar checks, you know, the best part about them is that they're random. So they will happen at any any time any day. And and like I said, there's going to be zero tolerance in my administration for uh any sort of of illicit activity. Okay. Thank you. >> So, uh, through the chair, so we're going to need a motion. >> Okay. >> We're looking for a unless there's more comment. The motion would be what the city is requesting a total revocation, permanent revocation of license for. >> Okay. >> Luna LLC, right? >> Yes, sir. That's correct. >> Motion to uphold. >> My mic on go on sir. Got a motion. >> Motion to uphold the reation. I got Okay. Go ahead. >> Go ahead. Gonzalez. Motion from Luis Gonzalez. So, yeah, I gave you your spotlight. >> Second. >> Second from Luis Rodriguez. Motion uh uh from Luis Rodriguez. So, madame clerk, please call the role. >> Mr. Zagi, >> yes. >> Mr. Morero, >> yes. >> Mr. Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Miss Perez, >> yes. >> Mr. Dea, >> yes. >> Miss Empere, >> yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez, >> yes. >> Motion carries. the revocation of the business tax receipt for La Luna uh is hereby revoked. >> Amen. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you very much. I'm sorry. I thank our our firefighters who attend these calls and to really transport these victims and and mend them. So, thank you to our high our highly uh fire department as well. I apologize. >> Thank you. Unfinished business. Any unfinished business? >> Everything is finished. >> New business >> through the chair. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Louisa, thank you. Mr. Sat together >> through the chair. I just wanted to see if um if I had the opportunity to ask some questions to our parks department, please. >> Willie, you're up. Willie, you're up. Part-timer. Come up. Part timer. that brand new title, which is great. >> Um, Willie, if if >> Yes, ma'am. >> If you can just please um kind of >> um walk me through if you can the whole process with renting our fields for baseball. Um, my office has received in the last couple weeks, right, just lots of different calls from different parents >> regarding just uh the inability to rent fields and and I know that um you know we have the Marlins program, we have several programs. I know I believe we have 19 baseball fields. Um so if I can just understand the program on how to rent our fields and what the accessibility is for them. >> Yes, ma'am. Uh William Sanchez, uh 900 East 56th Street, uh Department of Parks and Community Engagement. Uh we have an online booking system, uh Civic Recre, and we're fortunate to have Steve here who put the system together who on board the system. Uh but yeah, the basically it works. Residents try, you know, log in and they see if the field is available. It goes to our manager and then it goes through approval process. Uh we have a lot of demand for baseball. That's that's for sure. Uh we have our own program which is the Marlins. That's our cityrun program. Uh, but we have a high demand on rentals. To give a further details how the system works, I can have Stephen elaborate a little bit more, but it's an online booking system. >> You you said when um some of the residents came into the office, we kind of walked through, they showed me the website on on where to book. once they book and they pay. Um I guess some of the complaints are that they're able to book it but then a couple hours later it gets refunded, cancelled. Is that is that part of the process or should is the program live where if the field is already booked by somebody else that field wouldn't be available during booking? >> Good evening. Steve Diaz, deputy director of parks. uh 900 East 56th Street. Um yeah, so uh there has been instances where uh we're currently on boarding also some internal programming as well. Uh for instance, uh adult flag football, you know, any many of our adult sports are coming online uh currently. So what we're doing is incorporating those blockout dates um into the system now. So there is a little bit of crossover in between when people are going in and and and requesting a reservation online. Uh it might be mixing in with our with our blackout dates uh for some of our programming. So there there might be some some carryover there. >> Do we have on all of our parks and and because I know again there's a lot of programming, a lot of demand, which is great, right? Um we're getting people back into the parks, which is our goal. Do we have uh for these programs that are that are renting? Um do we have always set aside at least one field where where residents not programs but where residents can can book these fields >> in terms of while they're simultaneously going on with uh internal programming. Is that what you're referring to? I I think um what's happening in certain parks and I would have to find the name. I have it in my other >> what we do try to do is despite having uh uh you know a lot of our general field areas and baseball fields taken up by by rentals uh we try to to reserve at least a space open for the public that's you know not available for rent. For instance, uh, Goodlet Park, I know it's kind of one of those instances where we have a large area of the space taken up by the, uh, youth soccer group that's out there, but we designate one specific area that they're not allowed to use so that we have members of the public able to access that if maybe, you know, small family wanted to go kick a ball around or play cash or what, what have you, they're able to do that in these small areas. Okay. >> Um, which just brings me to one last question. Sure. >> What's going on with Filer Park? I'll pass it along to our chief >> and and I say that just because you know I know years ago there was a program there. I think people from all >> areas Yep. >> Y >> would come to Filer and play in that HAA. And so we have so many interests in in making that back, right? Um >> so what what what is it that we're doing? Is that our property? >> It's it's not our property. We're still working with the administration and the mayor to see how we proceed with that property. But it belongs to the school board. It's not ours. >> Um there's a cost associated for us to take over again and and those are the numbers we're you know that we have to to work with and uh we have so many needs in other parks. So we're we're trying to to manage our budget correctly and and most efficiently for our our properties that we own. Uh but yes, they uh the last conversation we had with FER, they're willing to hand it over. Uh, but there's a there's an amount that we're going to have to rehab the field. >> Sorry. Thanks, my phone's >> Yeah, >> sorry guys. It's there's an amount that we have to um obviously budget to get up and running again because it has been, you know, closed for many, many years. I think the school board is using it now as a rental for soccer for a soccer program. Um, but it was going to take a it's going to take a um it's going to take some work to get up and running again. and through the chair if I may. >> Yes, sir. >> Console woman like I played there ha and and it was ran by a family that ran it for many many years but they got very old and their the kids moved on and eventually just started falling apart and and it wasn't working. So that's eventually what >> how it just kind of ended just like Cory did as well. >> Yeah the other parks as well. So >> and councilwoman we have recognized the fact that uh we are in need of of more field space. Uh we have 22 baseball fields um currently and um uh you know that was something that we were in the preliminary works of planning for was hopefully the uh you know working together with the school board to absorb that that field space. Um, I know that during last uh fiscal year's plan, uh, budget planning, we were, you know, working behind the scenes with trying to plan for staffing, uh, what our revenue projections would look like, that sort of thing, just to sort of, uh, sort of stay ahead of the of the curb on that, uh, in the event that it was passed the line to us, we'd be ready to go. Um, so, as of right now, I know that we're still in conversations with with the school board, but that's not something that's finalized yet. Um, but we'd definitely love to, you know, explore or revisit that that idea again. I I do want to make a comment like the mayor said, we have a new administration. We have a new finance now. I think we're going to get a lot of things done that we didn't have before that were talked about to be blunt about it. I know you guys had a great ideas and I'm going to be supporting and I know I I can see we're going to be supporting the ideas from before, guys. I mean, there's a lot to do. There's a lot to uncover what I just said, but I feel confident that we have the right administration that we're going to invest back heavily more in the park systems and the baseball. >> Yeah. Thank you. And and candidly it's not through the chair. Sorry. >> Yes sir. >> Candidly it's not our um you know the ball's kind of more in their court is my point. I mean obviously it's schoolboard property. Uh if they wanted to give it to us and and go 50/50 on the rehab that'd be great but they want us to basically completely rehab it. They keep the property and if they want to take it back they can. And now it's fully rehab. So that's not really a deal for us. So it's just a negotiation and that's what we are. we're negotiating with the school board. Um, and you know, unfortunately, they're very slow uh to butt. So, obviously, you know, we have other priorities and there other investments that we're making in our own fields uh that right now are higher priority. But if you know, if again, if we're able to come to a a good business decision, then absolutely we would we would definitely want to do it. So, um that's not really the limiting factor. It's it's more the school board being a kind of a tough negotiator. Anyone else? >> Through the chair. >> Um, really quick, what what are the costs right now for a resident to rent out one of our baseball fields? >> Uh, $30 an hour. >> $30 an hour. >> Okay. >> Um, is that resident fee? Do we have like a non-resident fee? >> There is a non-resident fee. Yes, that's 40. 40 for non-resident. >> How much? >> 40. >> 40. >> Great. >> Um, so I just want to take the opportunity. It has been brought to my attention. Um, my office has gotten uh emails and calls of uh Good Lip Park, Bri Park, Slate Park. Um, as far as the field conditions being, uh, grass is cracked for the dirt. There's no like grass. I don't know if it's being watered or not. Um, and it's making it hard for the kids to play cuz they're kicking up dirt pretty much. Um, I also hear that there's lighting problems at Thrive Park. Um, are you guys aware of this? Is there anything on the timeline to fix these issues? >> Yes, definitely. Uh with with respect to the lighting concerns, uh we do we I had actually hoped to have it uh in the consent agenda uh this evening, but we are planning on having at the next council meeting uh uh something for you all to approve with regards to uh repair company coming in and and correcting those. Something that's been on our radar for for quite some time. We have made some adjustments and some repairs already uh to specifically Goodlet Park who has a brand new lighting system there. Uh, Breit Park was actually repaired a few months ago and then about a few weeks after there was another electrical issue that happened um, which was going to cost us more money. So, what we did is uh, basically plan to kind of strike while the irons hot and and have all of these lighting uh, repairs done at once uh, which would obviously be be presented to you all uh, before council in the next meeting. Um, with regards to field repair and things like that, that's usually the reason why we have uh, you know, rest days incorporated into our scheduling so that way we can ensure that we understand how highly used these fields are. And, uh, to your point, Councilman, uh, you know, these sometimes, you know, the dirt kind of lifts up and and grass dies. Um, so we need to make sure that we're properly maintaining these fields and incorporating uh, some time off because >> you go, for instance, Good Lit Park where they're out there six times a day for about four or five hours at a time. It's it's rough. Uh and so we have to, you know, do what we can to with our resources, uh obviously to uh make sure that that grass stays green. And be clear, it's not an infrastructure problem. Our sprinklers are working over there. >> Yeah. Yeah. We we used >> we've had some irrigation repairs uh done in several of our facilities. We're looking to repair a few more. Uh we actually just met with a member of finance uh who has uh presented us with a grant opportunity to assist us with that as well. So we're looking forward to to getting those uh those items fixed as well. And I'm sorry through the chair. Um, so mayor, I reached out to Willie because I know there was a complaint and he gave the answer. There's appeal already open. So Steve, maybe we can let the public know what's coming because you guys are on it on on there with a good park. I mean, you had a solution to it. Maybe the neighborhood needs to know and that's it. Yes. >> Okay. So the information that you gave me, I passed it on to them and that's it as far as communication was. So other words, maybe we have something. Look, this is coming. This is already we problem >> so they can see what's going on. Just that >> Yeah, typically large scale capital improvement project uh projects will will, you know, either put a banner up or we'll put some sort of signage up letting people know, hey, we're, you know, under construction. Sorry, you know, sorry for our mess and whatnot. And and uh and to your point too, Councilman, uh some of these some of the individuals that have reached out to our office as well and uh we've responded. We're trying to trying to uh you know provide some understanding as to what the procurement process is and and you know that it's not usually as simple as just getting a repair guy to come over and and fix it from one day to another. Uh we we sometimes hope that's the that's the occasion, but uh you know trying to just enlighten them on the process and and assisting them as best as we can. Sure. >> Is that a motion? Councilman Rodriguez. and and mayor if if it's okay um if I can stay involved for however I can advocate for filer uh the field um because you know higher residents can also reach out to our school board members right it's whatever the most strategic way is to kind of let the school board know >> pastor Robert >> this is that's very easy >> okay this is this is important right this is important to our residents they they continue to call us to kind of talk about the demand that there is for that field well let's Show them where the demand is. Right. >> Let's rack him the filer and put him under the fire. >> Do it. Thank you. >> He knows where Filer is. >> Thank you guys. Have a good night. >> You're okay. >> Go ahead. >> Just one quick comment on what you were discussing. Caesar Mastree, 8105 Northwest 155th Street, Miami Lakes, Florida. I had somebody come to me maybe a year and a half ago, private entity. they were willing to pay for the renovation. Um, I put them in contact with the school board and it didn't go anywhere but just to let you know that there is an appetite out there kind of like the Hideory League or whatever soccer people. >> Uh, no it was baseball. >> It was Yeah, it was baseball and they they they were very aware what was going on. They were willing to pay for the improvements and as long as they could work out some kind of deal with the city. But I knew it it was schoolboard property so I directed them to go that way. But just so you know that there is interest out there to finance those those those renovations. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. >> Thank you. >> Uh motion. >> Do I have a second? Can you read the Shriner's error report, Madam For the record? >> Report error for section 30-31 agenda of city council meetings of the city of Haley Code. The city clerk shall correct Scrivener's errors that are discovered in ordinances, resolutions, council minutes, and staff reports and promptly report all corrections to the city council. The header of resolution number 2026-003 passed and adopted by the city council on January 13, 2026 reflects the term ending date as January 13, 2029. And section one of said resolution provides for January 12, 2030 as a term ending date. The header of said resolution is hereby hereby amended to reflect the ending date of the term as January 12, 2030. >> Thank you. If there's nothing else for the administrative session through Mr. Mayor, >> uh just a point for for personnel purposes um for the council to understand. So now as you move into your planning and zoning meeting, obviously Barbara will remain here as a city attorney, but um we uh we had a resignation uh in the law department um for Alexander McGriso, I think, who who you guys might have dealt with on PNZ matters. So uh basically replacing him is uh Tony Reio right here. Tony standing up. So he'll be here in the front row. uh if you guys have any specific questions on any PNZ items from a legal point, uh Tony is more than equipped to to handle that and will be assisting throughout this process and he'll also be present moving forward at the planning and zoning meetings as well. >> Thank you, mayor. Uh members of the council, I'm really looking forward to working with you and uh you know, I hope I can I can help and answer any questions that you may have whenever you need it. >> Welcome. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you all. >> So, we move on to zoning. Does everybody want to just move along to zoning? >> Let's get it. Okay. So, madame clerk, do your thing. >> Will all those persons who will be testifying on an item, please stand and raise your right hand? Do you swear or affirm that the evidence you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? So, help you God. If so, say I do. Let the record reflect that I have responded in the affirmative. >> Zoning item. So we'll move right along to 15A. Final decisions. Madame clerk. 15A. >> Proposed resolution approving the final decision of the planning and zoning board. Decision number 2026-01 allowing an interior east side setback of 4.02 ft where 7.5 ft are required and allow a rear setback of 7.27 ft where 7.5 ft are required for the legalization of an existing detach utility room property located at 1590 West 53rd Terrace Halia zoned R11 family district and providing for an effective D. Final decision 15A pleasure of the council or any questions for >> second >> the applicant. So we have a motion from councilman Lewis Rodriguez second from councilman Leuis Gonzalez please call Mr. Did you have anything that you wanted to add Kalia because I saw you trying to get up >> somebody. >> Huh? No no no ma'am. No no >> you're in no hurry. >> I'm not in hurry. >> Go ahead. >> Mr. Morero. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gonzalez. >> Yes. >> Miss G. Perez. >> Yes. >> Miss de la your uh final decision. A >> yes. >> Miss M. Perez. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zagby. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. >> Item B and final solutions. The final decisions. >> Final solutions. >> Proposed resolution approving the final decision of the planning and zoning board. Decision number 2026-02 allowing a rear setback of 3.93 ft where 7.5 ft are required. Allow an interior westside setback of 2.36 ft or 6.5 ft are required for the legalization of an existing utility shed. Allow an interior eastside setback of 5.94 ft where 6.5 ft are required for the legalization of an existing addition to the main residence. Allow a rear setback of 19.63 63 ft where 20 ft are required for the legalization of an of an aluminum roof terrace and allow a distance separation of zero feet between the utility shed and the aluminum roof terrace where a minimum of 10 ft is required. Property located at 761 Southeast 10th place Helia zoned R11 family district and providing for an effective date. >> Um what >> that's your >> here to speak on this? >> Yes. Is that are you an owner? >> I live two blocks from here. >> Just you can go ahead. Go ahead. I just identify yourself again for the record, please. >> Hi, Jose AI 788 Saudi Park Drive Mia. I first want to mention you need the title council president so people don't get confused. >> Is that why they were getting I figured that. Yeah, you know, I figured that is my Where's my uh >> It's not there. >> No. Is that yours? >> Another >> Yeah. and and and I I just want to say I'm I think we have a good combination of older I'm going older and young and different >> Thank you. >> different fields of of business and nonprofit. No. So yeah. So this is okay. I live two blocks from here. This is the first time ever that I received a letter >> that explained everything that was going on. Before we would only get a postcard and the postcard only said uh in language that we didn't understand like for three friends park and also when when we gave away parts of Slade Park we only told the residents that 200 extra students were going to be in Slate Park we never told them that we're going to take away property and I keep saying the prime ministration the department of ethics and trust said that that what highly was doing as far as planning and zoning was illegal was not not it was illegal, was unethical. And I do have the recording when Alexander our stood in front of the council board and they told him it's it was unethical. Why was it unethical? Because we're only providing information in English where it should be provided English and Spanish. And why why was it unethical? Uh you guys know you guys have seen sorry the council has seen the big orange sign that we get and it has a a QR code and Deborah ST kept saying that the QR code told them about the project. I'm I'm hoping that you consider the QR code that's placed in the in the entire has a site plan and the plan of recommendation. Right now if you go on that QR QR code it only has a landing page and I hope that big orange signs everything that we produce is in English and Spanish. the day county population for is is only like less than 5% Haitian or Creole and Day County publicizes in English, Spanish and Creole and every other municipality does Spanish and English especially us that we're such a high high Spanish speaking. So I I I consider I I hope that you consider and the planning director consider that these orange signs and make it in English and in Spanish and take the recommendation from day county ethics board um to advertise and use the language that we understand. In the past, I've talked about the language that was given to us for three friends park and just for Kazos Park, the residents slave park, the residents don't know what's going on because sometimes we use the language that is hard to understand. The language is not Spanish. The QR code, please consider giving information and then that'll that'll resolve all these issues where in the planning and zoning a lot of times you have residents come up and they really don't have the information and they're talking about something that but they don't have the information. So just just keep I I applaud for that letter that we're getting. I'm I'm not opposed to this property. I just want to say it was a good idea giving me that letter explaining everything, but take go a little further. Spanish English and the QR code. Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. Um we have a final decision. Um B, uh pleasure of the council. >> Motion to approve. >> Motion from Councilman Lewis Gonzalez. >> Second. >> Second from Councilman Lewis Rodriguez. Please call the role. >> Miss G. Perez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Dega? >> Yes. >> Miss M. Perez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Zagby? >> Yes. >> Mr. Morero? >> Yes. >> Mr. Gonzalez? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. >> Thank you. Thank you. Uh item uh C, final decision. >> Proposed resolution approving the final decision of the planning and zoning board. Decision number 2026-03 allowing an interior westside setback of 2 feet where 6 feet are required for an existing aluminum roof to be legalized. Allow zero feet where 6 feet are required for a wood wood covered terrace to be legalized and allow a rear setback of 5.77 ft where 20 ft are required for an existing aluminum roof terrace to be legalized. property located at 161 East 43rd Street Helia zoned R11 family district and providing for an effective date. >> Any questions for the applicant from the dis >> is the applicant here? >> Is the applicant here? Edinia Gonzale Moreno. >> Oh hi. >> Thank you. Uh through the chair I have a question for Claudia. Claudia, how do we get to this point right here? Just >> these are the result of code enforcement actions. So basically because they have done work without a building permit and unfortunately whenever they submit a building permit um these items these structures um are not following our zoning code. So that's why they're here to request relief for those. >> So these are all um residents who have received violations. >> Not all of them. Not all of them but the vast majority. >> Okay. Okay. Um who are not up to code. Right. >> Correct. >> Correct. and we tell them they have to do pull permits, do different things, right? Because I know a lot of that is going on right now. >> Um I feel like I'm inundated with calls, which at the end of the day, we have laws to follow. But these these final decisions come to us when there's just no way of them meeting code or they just they're not going to pull the permits. I can we just understand this process >> because of the code enforcement nature basically and it was done without a building permit. So most likely those structures are not following they're not in compliance with our setbacks you know sizes etc. So the property owner will have several options one is to demolish the structure they can do that but the other one is that they want to request relief because they want to maintain those structure. So this is the process that is in place for them to request that relief. Are you done? >> Yes. >> If I may through the chair. Yes, ma'am. >> In front of the property, it looks like they p poured concrete on the soil and I don't see that as part of one of the remed uh to remediate. And then it looks like they're parking vehicles. They're using it as a parking lot. And that street is like some of them have grass, some of them have dirt. Everyone's using the soil to like park. And this property or concrete or asphalt. >> It's it's asphalt. Yeah. >> Yes. Exactly. So they have a wide driveway and um over the years wide driveways they had been approved. So basically the approach it has to reflect the same distance as um the driveway. Um >> but did they have to pull a a permit for that >> for the street? put the asphalt >> for the >> and that's something that they were approved. >> I will have to search. I don't know. Do you know if you request a permit for this as >> I think that that's something that >> I'll be crazy >> through the chair. Um trying to understand does the does the roof kind of wrap around the house? >> Techman saw it. Yes. Yes. Exactly. >> And just looking at it here on Google, do do they comply with the the the drainage requirement like the green area? >> They have to demolish certain um structures in order for them to meet that minimum requirement >> to be in compliance. >> Okay. >> No, cuz there's concrete from one side of the driveway to the other side, from front to front and the entire swale. >> So there's nothing in here that that says that they need to cut the the driveway, right? Oh, no, it does. If I indicate two feet minimum drainage on both sides, >> yes, it's a series of conditions that they need to meet in order to get to that minimum requirement, >> but the but the soil is not there. I would want to add that on there if they don't have a permit. I guess that's pending checking to see if they did that legally or not. And if not, then add that. Okay, let me just because he trying to >> Okay, so the property owner has accepted uh regarding the swell area that they will check for any permits, street permits that they have been issued and if they're not, they will have to obtain one or um they have to correct that situation in the swelled area. So, what we're telling them that they have to take off cuz looking at aerial view, it looks like they have a U around the backyard. Correct. Is that closed in structures or those that's just aluminum? >> They're all open. All open. >> All open. >> And the pool has has also permits pulled on all of that >> for the pool. Yes. >> So, you're we're requesting them to legalize that or to knock down that structure? >> No, they're legalizing some and they're removing some others. >> Correct. Exactly. And >> but none of those are closed. >> None of those are closed. No. >> Okay. >> Uh through the chair, do we know I guess do they have to tell us are do we know which fence, which roof they're removing and where they're going to get the 30% from? >> Yes. >> Mhm. >> Like where they're going to cut to to have drainage. >> Yeah. Here and here. So all the area to the so all the area to the northeast corner it's going to have to be converted into green area um in the front also and into the side also there's going to have to provide uh greenery uh green area. So, the minimum square footage that they need to have um to be shown on plants is 2,484 square feet of pvious area throughout the entire lot. Sorry. >> All right. I'm I'm good. >> The uh and I had those questions too in the beginning. They're at the zoning stage correcting setback issues and pvious area issues. They might have to tear up half of the cement they poured to get to the 30%. that's that they have to do to get there. But from this point, then it goes to building and building may look at all these structures and go, >> uh-uh, tear them down. They're not built to code. So, this is just the beginning in order for them to get right the violation completely of final closed complied with >> everything's got to be up to code. All they're doing is the setbacks and you're allowing the setback between the shed and the and and the roof and all that which should be 10 feet things like that. But if this wasn't done by code, they're going to have to tear it all down anyway. It's going to >> it's got to be done right. Right. >> You informed her of the swale. >> Yes. Yes. And she understood. And but yeah, but I get her point in case it was overlooked. That swell may have not been and streets department has to permit it, you know, if they're gonna cement it with all the requirements. Anyhow, pleasure of the council on this. >> Motion for approval. >> Motion with conditions of course for approval. Councilman Lewis Gonzalez. >> Second. >> Second from from Councilman Lewis Rodriguez. Please call the role. >> Mr. La. Yes, Miss Empere. >> Yes, >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes, >> Mr. Zagy. >> Yes, >> Mr. Morero. >> Yes, >> Mr. Gonzalez. >> Yes, >> Miss G. Perez. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. >> Thank you. Thank you, Miss Maro. All right. 16. Land use amendments. Item A, part >> I'm sorry. Oh my lord. >> Oh my. Okay. Sorry. >> Oh, she lives here. >> Good. >> Yes. First reading of proposed ordinance amending the future land use map from major institution and transportation and utilities to commercial properties identified by folio number 04203500550 and a portion of approximately 160.13 ft by 295.07 feet 1.08 08 acres of property located at 1550 West 60th Street, Hyia, zoned R2, 1 and two family residential district and R1 one family district and legally described in exhibit A, repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith, providing penalties for violation hereof, providing for a cerability clause, and providing for an effective deed. Um so we have um you're representing >> Yes. Caesar M office at 8105 Northwest 155th Street, Miami Lakes, Florida. Uh good evening. Uh as you know may remember this was uh >> tabled last time. So we're going forward now. Um I've been brought on board to make the presentation along with uh Manny Rails the architect on this project. This is uh two things and I'd like to make one presentation, Mr. President, if possible for both 16A and 16 C. >> I think we can do that if nobody opposes. We'll get the land use and the zoning with one presentation. >> Thank you very much. >> A denial after the denial or what? >> Uh whichever way it goes. >> Now go on. >> Um this the first part is the land use amendment. Uh the property presently has a designation of major institutions, transportation and utilities. Uh we're asking for it to go to commercial. The second part was a resoning from R1 R2 to C2. Next slide. This is uh located on West 60th Street right off the corner of uh West 16th Avenue behind the shopping center. Uh the church which is there on the uh left side owns that property and it owns the what used to be at some point I guess an FPL easement that's located to the east and goes all the way from 60th Street to 58th Street. Next slide. This is just showing you uh the land use on one side and the zoning on the other. Uh it's important to notice that the north part of this off of 60th is um land use designation as major institutions. So under major institutions there's the possibility of a school, government buildings, college, hospital. Those are things that are allowed under major institutions. The south portion is R1 or R2, which would be single family residences or duplexes. And I ask you to keep in mind that a house or a duplex has the ability, as a matter of right, to be a two-story structure. This does have these FPL easements which kind of make it difficult for anything to really fit in there and comply with that. But I just bring that to you so that you're aware of what the possibilities could be. Next slide. On the conditions of the land use approval from your staff, um they talk about the properties in the process of being partitioned into two different parcels. The west parcel, which on this slide is shown as parcel number one, is where the church and the parking for the church is. Then parcel number two is where the proposal is for the recreational vehicle and boat parking. So they're planning on dividing those two and that's one of the conditions for your land use approval in preparing for this. And I was here last time when I heard all of the presentation and the questions. So I wanted to make sure that I answered any and every question that you guys brought up last time. But more importantly, I was sitting there going, "How can these folks get this accomplished but be good neighbors to the neighborhood?" And I understand you guys represent the neighborhood. You represent your constituents and that's very important. So my concentration is how do we get this done and not affect the quality of life of these folks that live there? You have 11 houses that border what's this proposed parking lot. Okay. Now, I went around the neighborhood and I took some pictures. Next slide. This is what the neighborhood looks like this week. I went out there this week and took those pictures. These are not three blocks away. These are not four blocks away. These are the streets right around the proposed parking lot. The picture on the right is directly that backyard is directly adjacent to with the proposed property where we want to do the uh parking lot. Next slide. Again, these are the streets that border the property that we are talking about. The one on the left I thought was interesting because you have a number of cars parked in front of the house, but then you have a number of cars parked on the side of the house. Supposed to be a single family home. Next slide. This one's directly south of where the proposed parking lot is. So, I'm not saying anything bad about these folks. I just want you to be aware of what this neighborhood looks like. Next slide. So, as I said, this is a peculiar property because it's an FPL easement or was an FPL easement or is an is a privatelyowned FPL easement property. I'm aware that there's a whole line of FPL easement that goes north and south through the city. So, I did a little research and I found out that the properties to the south, the easements to the south are either owned by Dade County or FPL. The ones to the north, there's some that go to the north, some are owned by the city of Halia. And I've noticed that all of the public publiclyowned properties are either vacant or there's been some really nice work done. There's parks. Um the ones on West 15th Avenue, kind of like between 73rd and 75th Street. Beautiful, beautiful park with trees. Absolutely gorgeous. That one goes up. You go to 76th Street, owned by the city of Halia. the beautiful park that you guys did with the art, that walkway, absolutely gorgeous. At the end of that, there's one little corner there that's privately owned. That's still part of the FPL easement. That became the parking lot for the adult club that's located on 20th Avenue. Now, it's empty and it's overgrown. It just looks terrible. The other privatelyowned FPO easements are West 20th Avenue, West 19th Avenue between 19th and 20th behind the warehouses. It goes from 76th Street all the way to like 79th Street. And what is there is commercial parking of boats, trucks, you name it, it's in there. And the other one is between West 16th Avenue and West 15th Avenue on West 35th Street and it's four lots. Next slide. This is a property a picture of our actual lot which is the one on the left. And this picture is important because the owner, the church was forced to put this chainlick fence. But that wasn't enough. They had to put the chain and they had to put the lock. And even with the chain and the lock, folks still find their way into the empty lot to do drugs, to hang out, to loiter. They've had problems with homeless people. And I hope that before second reading, I'll be able to have a print out of the police grid to see how many calls have been had at this place because it hasn't been just a beautiful green area. It's been a problem. It's been a nuisance. Directly to the south, this is on the same street on 58th Street, just the south side. You see this is the other FPL easement that this is owned by Dade County. As you can see from the picture, there's uh vehicles that are going in and out of there because you can see the tire tracks. You can see that there's cars parked back there. More importantly, you see the signs, no dumping signs. Why does the government put up no dumping signs in places like this? because you've been having a problem with people dumping. So, I just want you to make aware, make you aware of what is going on in this area. Next picture. This is again a little further south, just south of 58th Street, you have the FPL easement owned by Miami Dade County. As you can see, some of the residents have decided that they want to take over this property. If you look at the picture on the left, you've got five boats parked behind this house on what is supposed to be the easement. Directly across from that, if you look real close, it's either a mechanic shop, a junkyard, it's just a bunch of things in that backyard, but it's not his backyard. It's the easement of the property that's there. On the picture on the right, you can tell where that property ends. You can see the line right after the two swimming pools. As you can see, that neighbor on the on the bottom of the picture just decided, I'm going to take over and park an RV and some other vehicle there uh and make it part of my yard. Again, I just want you to be aware of what is going on there. Next slide. These pictures are the pictures of the two privatelyowned FPL easement properties. the two privately owned. The one on the left is the one between 19th and 20th Avenue. That long rectangular thing you see full of vehicles, that's the one that's one that's privately owned. I'll show you another picture, but the important thing here, and I don't want our proposal to be grouped with these two privatelyowned FPL ement properties. Why? because these are not following any none of the things that we are going to propose to try to be good neighbors to these folks that live here. As you can see the picture on the left on the left side, the west side, you have warehouses. Okay, not a problem. Then there's an alley. Then there's a fence. The issue is on the east side you have residential properties. One of the things that we are proposing is a very very detailed landscape program that will benefit the residents and create a real buffer between the residences and the parking. That does not exist here. On the right side is the other privatelyowned FPL property. It's four lots. It's been divided into four lots. And as you can see, again, a lot of parked commercial vehicles. Again, same same scenario. Warehouses to the west, single family homes to the east. Absolutely no landscaping buffer. If I want I want to say that there may not even be a wall dividing one from the other. So again, I don't want us to be grouped with those those folks. Next picture. These are taken in the alley of the privatelyowned FPL easement located off of West 20th Avenue. As you can see, it's it I have no other way of saying it. It's kind of a big mess. They have everything in there. Boats, commercial vehicles, uh vehicles that don't operate. Uh you name it, it's in there. Forklifts, everything else. Next picture. This is the same area but a little further down. As you can see, containers, uh commercial vehicles again. Next slide. This is the one um located off of West 35th Street between 15 and 16th Avenue. As you can see, commercial vehicles. You can see the residences behind there. I couldn't get to the other side to take the pictures, but I just wanted you to see that. And you can see the power lines overhead. So, that's that's what makes it part of this FPL easement. Next slide. The proposal that we have before you is for recreational and boat parking only. No commercial vehicles, no trucks. It's a total of 81 spaces. You have the different dimensions here. 25 of 22 feet, one of 25, 38 of 30, 14 um of 38, and they're all 12 wide, so I'm not talk I'm not mentioning those. And three ADA compliant for a total of 20 of 81 spaces. Again, the theme is how can we be good neighbors? So, the proposal is on the next slide. This is a rendering which is actually one of the best renderings I've seen in all this time. Um they actually superimposed it over the actual neighborhood. So this is what it would be look it would look like. Administration met with the owners and they requested that on the right side that walking path uh be added. Uh that's something that the owner's willing to do. That's not going to be a an inexpensive thing. Um, I estimate it's going to be probably over $100,000. And I understand why they asked for it because hopefully someday the property to the south that's owned by Miami Dade County will be as nice as the park that you guys did on 76th Street. And the part to the north will be as nice as that park. And then this will tie it all in together. I'm sorry. I couldn't hear you. >> The picture that I'm seeing here on the trees, is that the way it's going to look or did you just show me the >> I'm I'm going to get into significant more detail on the trees. >> Thank you. >> Because I think that's the most important part. The next one is another rendering showing a different angle. And the one right after that, the next one, this is a rendering of what's supposed to be eye level from somebody's backyard looking towards the parking. Okay. So, you're looking at this. I'm looking at this going, "Okay, yeah, I've seen renderings before. How can you assure me that it's really going to be like this?" And I called zoning and I said, 'Look, I really want to give this thing some teeth. This has to be like for real. We're not just going to put lush landscaping. That doesn't mean too much to me. So, we came up with some wording and a proposal that will be implemented into, if you guys decide to approve this, into the declaration of restrictions or the covenant that gets recorded in Miami Dade County. So that will be part of this deal. What we came up with is specific species. The Clusia Rossa, the shrubs will be Clusia Ross and they have to be 15 gallon size. They have to be spaced every 3 ft. So that means that on the east side there will be 200 shrubs that will be planted. And on the west side there will be a 100 shrubs planted. So that will be 300 Lucia rosas planted there. In addition to that, these have to be 45gallon size trees. These are trees. There's going to be two different types. Green buttonwoods and Clusia rosa. So I didn't know that there was clus that are actually trees. And if you guys don't know, clucas are the ones that you see kind of popping up everywhere. They grow really really fast and they they really tie together so that there's a solid wall that's created. And those are going to be one of one kind, one of another, one of a kind one kind, one of another. And they're going to be put um 30 45 total in the area. So 45 trees, 300 bushes. As I said, these are going to be part of the declaration of restriction. Next slide, please. These are actual pictures of what those bushes are going to look like once they're planted. These are the two types of bushes that we are committing to providing on the property. Next slide. These are the trees. These are part of the 45 trees that will be planted to create the landscaping and the buffer between the property and the parking lot. >> There's going to be a combination of them. >> The trees are going to be planted one of one type, one of another, one of one type, one of another. The 45. >> Uhhuh. >> And the bushes are going to be 3 foot apart. Planting. >> Okay. original. So the idea is that they grow and they they do this. I also next next picture. >> Great, Caesar. The the picture of the Clusia tree. >> Yes. >> And the last slide. How many gallons is that tree right there in the picture? Cuz I just looked up a Clusia tree 45 gallon and it's tiny. >> Well, I'm going to I'm going to >> Okay. >> I have something something that that addresses that. Next slide. This is a onegon plant versus the 15gallon. This is the size or the the ones that have to be for the bushes that are going to be planted. Okay. Um I tried to get one that had a person with but I didn't I couldn't get it. Uh next slide. And this is one gallon versus 45 gallons. And I don't know too much about landscaping, but I know that they go based on the size of this container because that way the roots are grown and and they kind of they kind of start them in the little ones and they start moving them up as they grow bigger and bigger. So obviously the idea is so that they're not baby trees or baby seedlings that there will be an immediate effect and these bushes and trees grow fast. So the idea is that this will be a quick fast um buffer in addition to the six foot uh wall that will be put up. So next slide. The answer to my question was how do we become good neighbors? How do we do this the right way? And here's what we've come up with. The owner will build the walkway to connect the Lydium Park at the owner's expense. There will be no vertical improvements. Nothing is going to go up other than trees and that's it. There's not going to be any building. There's not going to be any place where a security guard is going to hang out. There's no other construction going on. The six foot mason masonry wall with the lush landscaping I put very detailed because I believe that that's what we've been able to accomplish. on both sides the between the residential and the parking and be on the west side right after the walkway and the church um staff recommended and I think that's that they've agreed on a chain link fence on the north side and the south side is what I understand where the entrances and yeah the gate a f No. Go ahead. >> On the fence you can when if I'm driving I look I can see through. >> No. >> On the fence. >> No. >> Yes. >> Oh yeah. If you drive in through you have the rest of the chain man. >> Thank you Manny. >> We have the the push edges which are going to block and then we're going to have some trees behind that as it's shown on the >> Okay. software. >> I think council a councilman is asking on West 60th Street. Will you be able to see in? >> How does the How do the boats and the RVs get in? If you can't, >> right? I'm sorry. I'm sorry. is a man's architect. You the area where you approach and you have to be able to see to get through the gates. But anything that is away from the gates is going to be having the hedge behind it and the trees behind it. >> Got it? >> So in other words, when you're driving on both 58th Street and 60th, you won't you basically after we put up all the landscaping, you won't be able to see unless you have the entrance the entrance areas. You have you can't put trees there. But is the gate Sorry, through the chair. Is the gate see-through the entrance gate? The gate that opens? >> No, it they're sliding gates. >> But is it is it a chain link fence? Is it is it panels? What kind of material is that fence? >> Probably will be chain link fence. You cannot put such a long gate. It will probably be an aluminum g fence. >> So then you can't see into the property. >> I'm sorry. >> So you won't be able to see into the property. >> Yes. It'll probably have aluminum sheets behind as part of the decoration. If that is something that you guys >> Yes, we we can we can Yeah, >> we need to clarify. >> We we can we can add that. I can I can >> I can I'm sure I can convince my client to say we will put landscaping so you can't see on 58th or 60th. >> Okay. >> And we will make sure that the gate is covered in some fashion so that you can't see >> through the chair. Really quick, you said the masonary wall on the side of the sidewalk is after the sidewalk or before it. Like, does the sidewalk cross on the inside? >> There's a sidewalk on 60th. I imagine there's going to be a sidewalk or there is a sidewalk on 58th. >> But the walkway >> Yeah, the walkway. >> The walkway that goes north to south. My understanding is the gate will be to the west of that. >> That will be closed off when the when the parking lot is closed. So to use my understanding is part of that is concerns from the police. >> Okay. >> Not to have that available in the dark at night when everything's closed cuz it it could create an issue. >> But there'll be access for people who want to use the walkway during the day. They cross through the property. >> Yeah. >> So anyone could go in to the property. Well, my understanding is to go into the property, you have a fob. That's my next point on my on the on the project. So, you will need a fob to get in and out. >> So, the walkway would only be accessible to people with the fob. >> The walkway The walkway is a only available to >> like park hours from sunset to sunrise. >> But again, it it'll be closed. It will be closed because you're going to have a fence along 60th Street and a fence along 58th Street. So, it's going to be all fenced in. >> So, we'll have an additional gate for pedestrians. >> Okay. >> That will be able to walk in during daylight hours >> and will they have >> and will be locked once the >> But will those pedestrians have access to the rest of the parking lot like >> Yes. Yes. >> Yeah. Whenever you access Yes. >> You'll be inside the parking garage. Well, >> if if there's a concern, we can try to separate it somehow. >> Yeah, it just seems like um >> I see what you're saying. Kind of makes sense to me. Maybe we should have an additional fence. >> Additional fence. That seems like it would cause a problem if just anyone had access. >> Let the the the walkway be separate from the parking lot. I I'm sure that won't be an issue. >> That's a good idea. >> I agree with that. >> Yeah. >> So, it'll be fob entry into the park. That's the parking lot. Um, obviously they'll be computerized. So, um, we use it in my office. If if somebody's authorized to come in, you you you you get in, you get out. But obviously, um, after hours, it's turned off for everybody. This was a big part for you guys. Um, and I handed out something that's one of the companies that we're talking to. Um, active contract with 24-hour surveillance. And I just found out about this. they actually have it where it's AI enhanced. So what does this mean? There is somebody that's in a room uh these these companies uh provide the service, several people in a room watching the cameras, but if for some reason those folks are not attentive, the AI picks up on anything that's going on that they don't pick up. Uh they will call the police. They will do uh whatever needs to be done at that point. In addition to that, we are agreeing to have our employees go three times a day, at least 7:00 a.m., noon, and 7:00 p.m. All of the contracts will be a minimum of a 3month rental. Halia residents will be given a preference. I know that was given that was talked about last time and I know uh legal had comments on it, but if we do it voluntarily, I don't think there's an issue, but they will give highly a resident's preference. No commercial vehicles, no activity between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., no mechanical repairs, no maintenance operation, no cleaning of recreational vehicles or boats, no sewer or water to service the RVs at the site, the site to receive a monthly code enforcement inspection voluntarily saying, "Come here every month. make sure that everything's running the way it's supposed to be. This one I had to come up with which is >> so Caesar when it comes down this is strictly leisure. >> This is strictly >> leisure just your your own property what you excuse me the you use for vacation boats and RVs. >> Correct. Okay. And then this one, um, I think Councilman Zabi, I I I looked this I saw the the the video and I thought that this one addressed some of the concerns that that you had. And I believe uh Councilman Rodriguez, no vehicles allowed that are dilapidated, rusted, partially dismantled, have flat tires, broken windows, missing body panels, substantial exterior exterior damage, or otherwise constitute a visual nuisance. We agree that there will only be a right turn coming out of the parking lot on West 60th Street. No exit on 58th Street. There will be a police and fire entry exit. They have a special key or special um remote that opens it, but nobody else will be able to do that. So, there will be no traffic affecting the residential area on 58th Street. All vehicles and trailers must have a valid tag and registration. No tarps or other makeshift coverings except commercially commercially manufactured fitted covers in good condition. Next slide. This is uh part of the little pamphlet that I gave out uh just showing you that these are the companies that are available. They're presently talking to two or three of them, but this is the one that I think is is in the forefront right now. And last during the last discussion, I heard several of you, next slide, mention that there is a need for this type of thing. Um, I think you can see it from the pictures, even from the same neighborhood. These folks have cars and and other things that RVs parked that that they need a place to be. So, um, this is the best that I came up with to try to be a good neighbor. Nobody promised the residents that this would always be a green area, even though it's been a green area, but it's been a green area that's had problems. The reality is it's it's kind of been a nuisance. It's been an attraction to folks that want to do things where you can't do it out in public. They're there doing drugs. They're there doing other things. they're there if they're homeless. It It's been an issue. So, is it beautifying the neighborhood? I don't think so. But is it an improvement? I think it is. And does it does it help with a need that the city has? I think it does. So based on this presentation, based on your staff's recommendation of approval, based on your PNZ board's recommendation of approval, we respectfully ask you to approve the land use amendment and the resoning and allow this project to go forward. I'll be happy to answer any questions that you guys may have >> through the chair. >> Before before, just pardon me one second. Before this is on first reading, so I don't know if the people I see a lot of people in the audience. I don't know who's here uh against this. If you're here in the audience against this project, I can't let you speak today, but if you just wanna stand up and I'll I'll just acknowledge that there are people here. Anybody? Nobody through the chair. Easier. Go now. Yes, please. Do you have anything? >> It's just one quick question. >> Go ahead. >> Um, can we add to the covenant the the double stacking bolt trailers to make sure that they don't have in the future? >> Absolutely. >> Can we one? >> There's 84 81 slips. So, maximum of 81 vehicles, be it RVs or or boats. >> Yeah. But if we can add that that will be >> absolutely >> and also for the future let's say 20 years from now they sell that property to somebody all these rules gets recorded with a county and it says that it's good for 30 years. >> Okay. >> And then it can be extended later on. >> Okay. Thank you. >> And anybody that buys it buys it subject to that covenant. They have to comply. >> Thank you. >> Say something. I >> basically >> the side lighting we I addressed when I did the previous presentations. It'll be the proper side light bulbs with the BA baffles that the lighting will not protrude into the neighbors. I just wanted to make that clear please. >> So I have a question and and I know there was a >> for all the shrubs and the trees that we're going to put for we're that are being proposed to put for cover. Is there irrigation for that? It's not gonna right. Yes, there is an ir Okay. They're not gonna die on them. >> Vote required. >> Vote required. Thank you. That was any Go ahead. Somebody had a question through the chair. Yes, ma'am. >> Um, President Carl Zagby. I just wanted to mention that although there is not anybody here in opposition, there is a petition that was signed by the residents as well as several emails and letters sent to our offices um that are not on not being shown or read out here, but I just want to make sure everybody's aware of that. >> If I may through the chair. >> Yes, ma'am. So, thank you Caesar for that presentation and and um providing some visuals to say that this is better than what's there and that's why we should vote for it. I think limits our creativity, right, of what we could bring to this location. Um I I I believe that right now it's poor planning. Yes, it's a it's a problem and there's not lighting. you know, we have something like that in Artman Park that isn't uh gated, but it does have lighting and and it's turned into a walkable area and a park for kids of that neighborhood and many people use it. Um, so maybe that's something in the future to that other property that you showed in the north that that's something we could do. Um, however, to say that this would be, you know, plan B, I think is is limiting our creativity as a council, uh, because I don't I believe that this is beyond, um, you know, compatible to that area. Uh, the site plan that you showed, you know, it it just goes to show all those pictures that you showed of all the other locations that this is already here. There's a need, but we've already addressed that need. It's not like we have none of these properties in the city. Miami Lakes doesn't have this. I'm sure Coral Gables isn't going to do this. I'm sure, you know, there's certain locations that wouldn't even think of bringing something like this to their city, and we already have offered it in several locations. Um, and and you saw what an eyesore it is. So, it it I don't know the restrictions that are on that property. I can't speak for them. I don't know um you know how many times code has gone out there and violated them but if imagine if it's already here and it already has all that forklift those containers eventually if they don't keep up keeping up with that property it turns into that um there's there's also no drainage right because we're telling them no you you can't wash your boats here which is great but who's to say now that we said that we can't look into the property Right. And although management's going to go at 7, 12, and 7:00 p.m., what's happening between 7:00 and 12? What's happening between 12:00 and 7:00? There's all these guys that wash cars with a power washer and and and a generator. Who's to say that someone's not going to pull up with their generator and their power wash, start rinsing this car, and leaking all these chemicals? there's nothing put in the restrictions also for fuel and how they're going to be handling fuel which is very dangerous um for these vehicles as well. Um it's an eyesore. It's an eyesore and and it's it's ugly to have something like this right there where Gracianos is where it's a nice restaurant that has a beautiful back patio area that people go out there and sit out there and could have a glass of wine to have this these tall RVs. And I know cuz I have an RV that's parked next to my house. And if my window in my bathroom's open too much and they're in there cleaning, getting ready for their upcoming trip, they could see into my bathroom. So I know and I could sympathize and empathize with these residents what they may be feeling. Um even I have trees. I I planted the Ku the Koosa trees and they could still see into my property. You know, it's and I've planted them. I I think it was seven years ago. So, um I think that that yes, I I I commend that, you know, you you thought about some some points, but it's still something that I'm apprehensive approving. I I think that we could be more creative as a council. It's a big lot. It's a big property. There's there's a lot more that we could bring to this location. Um and it's not to say that there's poor planning, so then let's do this. No, there's poor planning, so then let's let's plan appropriately. Um, what was the other issue that I that I thought about? What I know that there was that we could have the Claudia and I spoke about that the zoning could go in once a month to check that they're doing what they have to do. Um, but is there anything in the restrictions that we wrote that says if they have I don't know, however many violations that they're going to have to shut it down on the on those visits. We can definitely work on some of a schedule within timeline to figure it out if there are violations for the declaration or you know even further issues that there will be a revocation of of of their co. Okay. And then and then I could just imagine like I know that when you turn on these RVs or these boats to make sure that they're working before you go out for the long weekend on Memorial, it makes a sound when it's on idle. It goes right while they warm up. They see if it's working. You have to turn on the vehicle. You have to like warm it up. >> They won't be able to. >> But it's at 5:00 a.m. that they're allowed to go into the property. >> They won't be able to. >> They can't turn on the the motor. >> They need to have the water connected to the mansion when it's running. If not, it'll burn out. They are not They can't They can't do it. >> They can't turn on But they have to turn on the motor of the RV. >> The RV? Yes. Not the boat. >> Yeah. But you turn off You turn it on. You're getting it ready. There's a noise that's that's associated with that. And I could just imagine like five RVs turning on their motors at 5:00 a.m. before Memorial weekend and it makes a really loud noise, you know. Um, and we have to be considerate of our neighbors. I I mean, I don't know. I I think that that the location, how narrow that property is, I I don't think it's something that I feel comfortable approving. And I and I feel that it it's a lack of creativity on our part if we approve that. Your presentation showed that there's already these locations in the city, three locations. It's not that we don't offer it at all. We do offer it and it's already poorly maintained. So, it could get out of control. the fact that we can't look into the property at 10:00 a.m. and there's still a lot of things that you would have to write into the restrictions, I think, for us to feel safe and comfortable. Um, as it pertains to the gas, as it pertains to having generators, as it pertains to having power washers, as it pertains to, you know, idling over early in the morning with your vehicle parked. Um, 5:00 a.m. is really early, too. But I I know that people go on trips early and that's probably a reasonable time and other lots, but I I don't think that that this location is worthy of this um parking lot. I think that we should be creative as a council and bring something nice that that it's a long property, make it something pretty engage in this opportunity that we have that park that we could have a little outdoor cafe. We could include some someone that wants to bring in like a little bike trail. We could make it really pretty if we get the right partners involved and maybe we could sit with them and give them some ideas, Claudia, if this doesn't work out. But I don't know. I think that it's just scary all all the restrictions that have to be involved just to approve it and we're still not comfortable with it. So that's where I stand. But thank you. >> No, if I if I may respond. >> Yes, sir. The isore comment is exactly why I concentrated so much on the landscaping. The 24 hours, 7 days, 365 video monitoring is where the fuel and anybody coming to watch cars would be taken care of. That would immediately trigger uh them. We can add a time constraint to the RVs turning on in the mornings. Uh, like I said, the boats cannot cannot do it. And the reason I showed you the pictures of the other private lots is to show you what we are not going to be and that's why all of the restrictions were placed in there. Most of all, I think that it's very very critical and important to understand and that's why I differentiated between privatelyowned and publicly owned. for a private person to they decide what goes on their property with your approval or disapproval. But obviously there's a a need and a market for this type of thing. And for some reason it gravitates exactly to this type of lot. this FPL easement is is seems to be made for this type of thing, but the private owner gets to decide what he would want on his property within the constraints of of the city code. Um, but to think that somebody is going to put a few tables out there in a walkway, I I don't think is realistic with all due respect. Um, but you know, we're trying to do the best we can to kind of balance it out and and I understand your your >> your comments for the chair. >> Are you are you done? >> Um, am I done? >> Let's see. Am I done? >> There was another question that I had to the size of the vehicle, the boats and the RVs. If there's a limited restricted size to the to the boats that are allowed to park, >> well, they're going to be constrained by the size of the parking stalls, >> which would be >> the >> I I didn't see the size of it. I just saw the image, but it didn't have marked. >> No, it it was on that on that page that I I'll show you right now. >> I think the largest one was 12 by 38. >> 12 by what? 38. >> Yeah, they were all 12. The long the longest one was 38. >> 38. >> I'll tell you right now. first one I'm looking for. I can't find it. >> It was slide 15 and it's 25 12 x 22 >> 22 >> 12 x 22 ft long. one that's 12 x 25, 38 that are 12 by 30, and 14 that are 12 by 38. Those are the big ones. Those are the biggest ones. >> Okay. And those are parked on on which side of the lot are they parked on the side of the walkway or on the residence? >> If you look at the rendering, >> I'm looking. >> Unfortunately, >> it doesn't say >> they're shown No, they're shown on the side of the residences. >> Okay. And I asked because I would have preferred to have seen them on the side of the church. >> But my understanding is that due to the FPL >> the FPL easement restrictions, this is the only way that it could work. >> So the parking stalls, the sizes were distributed to be able to comply with the FBL restrictions. And the entrance to that to that parking, is it wide enough for that RV to turn and loop in? Is it was there space to make let's ask the architect. I don't I really don't. >> There's space to make it wider. I don't know if they would have to encroach onto the oncoming lane. >> It has a um about a 40ft radius 45T radius when you come in or more. When you come in, you can go uh left and park backwards or you can go straight back and then also park backwards. >> Most of these vehicles are going to be parked backwards. In other words, the engine will be in the front and the whatever it will be like the boats, the boats will be parked backwards, of course, so they can hang up and leave. And the RVs also, so you don't have people uh basically driving backwards. They just drive forward. They just right. >> The radiuses here that we've shown are >> But they can't drive into the parking lot backwards. >> I'm sorry. >> They can't drive into the lot backwards. >> No, because you sign. You come in and you back out. >> And you back out. >> Park and leave. >> You leave >> the other way. >> Through the chair. >> Oh, wait a minute. If we had a Did you want to No, go ahead. Willie, >> really quick. I I you know, I am a little um do have some reservations about this project. Um, as you know, Councilwoman Delega said, we've have had resident or I have had residents reach out, spoken to a couple of them, and I think their their concerns are genuine, right? Uh, for one thing, I think that hasn't been brought up. Uh, this the exit falls between like two school zones. You have a school on 16th, you have one on 12th, right? >> Um, do are we concerned at all? Has there been any traffic study as to during those school hours, right, the incoming or outcoming of boats or RVs, how it would affect already being, right, a road between two school zones? >> They're they'll be making a right turn, so it won't have anything to do with the one on 16th, right? >> Um and the one on 12th is just south of there, Palm Springs Middle. Um, >> but I I don't see how there would be a need for a parking I mean a a traffic study, but you have 81 vehicles, okay, >> that will mostly be used on weekends when there's no school. Hey. Um, as far as drainage, what measures have been taken to address flooding or >> like I said on the previous hearings, uh, this is going through Sharon Elwork, which is our their best, uh, civil engineer in town, and she's been with us for over 25 30 years, and it will be based on, uh, percolation test, design, and approval by the the building department. It's that's that's basically simple stuff. It will be the the French drains will be designed according to uh the percolation test and they work perfectly. Okay. We don't have a problem with drainage. >> Um in the event of a hurricane, are these vehicles going to stay on site? Are they going to have any tie down measures, anything to ensure that there's no boat or RV end up in someone's backyard? >> I would imagine the owners are going to be really concerned about that. So, whatever I think they decide is safest. Um, >> can we put something into writing to ensure that they they have to >> What would be your preference? I I'm I'm at a loss right now. I don't know. I really don't know which would be better. If if the RV is there and it blocks the wind from the residents or if it's not, I I really don't know. I >> I mean, the the issue would be right if it gets a boat or an RV get picked up, right? a smaller RV, a smaller trailer or a smaller boat gets picked up and it ends up in someone's backyard or I mean can there be any sort of measure? Right? >> We can probably add and I would feel comfortable adding something along the lines of whatever the fire department or the police department consider adequate measures to take in a in the event of a storm. I I don't have a problem with that. So they would have to You're saying in the event of a storm, they would have to clear out the lot and put in a warehouse >> or tie it down or tie it down. >> Yeah, that's what I'm saying. Whatever. For example, when when you're building a house and and you're in the middle of putting on your roof, you have the tiles up there. I know you got to tie them in bundles so that that the wind can't blow them around. Uh you got to cut your coconuts down from your coconut trees. So whatever measures I I'm not familiar with it that's why I'm not giving you a suggestion but whatever measures are in place when there's a storm and I I would think there's different one for the storm watch or storm warning whatever measures they the department the fire department or the police department consider adequate that's what they'll do I think >> um you as is um I I wouldn't feel comfortable proceeding with it um if you guys did come back with some sort of solution you know I am open to hear it um but that is something that would be important would mostly, you know, public safety, ensuring that the residents are, you know, >> I didn't think about it. That's that's a good idea. >> Um, the Florida Fish and Wildlife actually does set forth procedures that are to be followed um especially for vessels that cannot be moved. So, that might be a resource. >> Perfect. Okay. >> Yeah, I'm sure there's some type of guideline or rules out there and we we'll go we'll abide by them. That's not a problem. >> That's a great point. I I'll never forget during Hurricane Andrew, I drove well, my parents drove through Homestead and there there was a boat >> right in the middle of a house anchored in the middle of the house that flew up. So, that's an excellent point. >> Oh, >> through the chair. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um Caesar, thank you so much for the presentation. Um, so I know um you ended the presentation with that that there is a need and and I do believe there is a need which is why we see so many pictures right in the neighborhood um of boats being parked in people's houses. But um I I do know that in that area, not even a mile away, there is right a lot where where if residents wanted to park it and wanted to pay the fee to park there, they have that ability, right? Um I think I said it in the last meeting. Um, you know, when I visited the church and I found out that that land was theirs, I I was excited that they owned that land because I thought that maybe the project that would go there would be something that would be great for the community, something that would be great for the parishioners. Um, I I maybe I'm missing it, but I don't see and and again, we make or or let me speak for myself, but I up here represent the residents and want to make sure that I'm doing things that are going to better the quality of life of our residents. And I just don't see where this project benefits the parishioners from that church. Um, I do have many phone calls from residents in that area. as you know, there is a petition out there um kind of opposing this. >> I I haven't I have not I have not seen it, so I don't know. >> Okay. So, there's a petition out there from residents in that in the area that has been shared with us, which I'm kind of surprised hasn't been Yeah. Well, it's in the backup, but I I I feel like this is something that should be published. We've received several emails and several um you know, calls about this. So again, and I'm just trying to see things from different points of views as to how this is beneficial. Um, one of the biggest concerns too is uh we mentioned lighting, right? So we know that this area needs to be lighted, right? Um, and we were told that there was going to be lights across the project. Is that correct? How much lighting? study foot candles and the phototric by our electrical engineer will determine the type of or the type of lighting is going to be LED. The heights will be determined by the phototric. >> Okay. >> And like I said before, there will be baffles behind it. So the spillage does not go into the neighbors. Right. >> Okay. So, um, you know, we know that there's houses directly on this, you know, facing the property. And so, when we have lighting that's going to be 8, 10, 12 ft up in the air, um, you know, these lights are going to be on at night, right? And so, I can foresee these residents being disturbed by a light that's going to be turned on all night while residents are sleeping. We get those complaints all the time. Now it just this is something that hasn't been discussed but this is a big issue right and what about lighting pollution we haven't addressed that um >> yes >> we have baffles >> if you want to come to the mic >> man architect we have baffles that are designed to prevent the light spill towards the back we just did a project in in u uh pmpo beach where the uh the turtles the issue with the turtles is 25 times worse than than this and we had to come up with different baffle designs as to the spillage will never go within 200 250 ft towards the ocean where the water hits. So we're very familiar with that. There will be baffles that the spillages won't and the and the and the and the lights across will be limited into the projection wattage wise. So it will not interfere beyond the the and also keep in mind that the these single family residents are supposed to be 20 to 25 to 30 feet from the backyard or if not more. So that gives you a bigger distance. Plus the landscaping will block a great deal of your quote unquote spillage. So that's why we're using the 45gallon tanks which will be probably 12 to 15 16 18t high trees. >> Yeah. Understood. And I think that the intention is there, but I don't know of any light that honestly just covers from the wall this way and doesn't spill back. >> Right. So there there there is that there is that hesitation. Um >> no, if if there's a light facing, let's say west and it's in the parking lot, I can with with a baffle behind it, there will be no light going to the residence at all. Okay. It's I'm trying to think of of an example because I I I just put some lights in my house and and I I I the light will go only forward. It won't go to the sides or back. It's impossible. Um you know, another thing that I wanted to to mention was the school. The school that is that is right there on 16th is Milm. So, if you've ever been um to that school in the morning or during pickup uh drop off, right, they don't have a parking. So families park on the Graciano's shopping. They park in the um the corner and there is families for a good 2 hours walking. I go through there in the morning. Um having boats and RVs and this type of traffic I feel like is a hazard to the families who are walking there. We're talking about these We're talking about big, you know, vehicles on these streets. You you I can foresee going down 60th and making a left to get into the parking, which would be illegal, but I can foresee that. Um it I I I do see that and I do predict that this is going to be a nightmare when it comes to traffic. Just one second. And then uh my other concern is that I know that the wall is supposed to be 6 feet. Um which is kind of eye level, but these RVs and these boats are 8 10 and 12 ft tall. So is there any consideration of making these walls if it were to pass to making these walls higher? >> I I would be all for it. There would just be an additional variance that would be required. No. your landscaping buffer could be higher. >> Yeah, landscaping is going to be a lot higher after all. >> I just wanted to um you know it it's just hard I will say kind of to echo what councilwoman Perez said you know and I know that we keep saying that this is an FPL easement and we have those lines there but Artman Park is a beautiful park. It's used by so many. Um, again, >> I agree 100% with you. 100%. >> I really wish it was a >> It's not owned by the city of Halyia. That's the problem. >> Well, I I think we can get creative and kind of meet with the owners and try to see what else can come up that would actually benefit the neighborhood, >> hospital, school, college, >> or RV RV parking. I mean, come on. You know, again, this is just my reflection of what, you know, of of the residents that are reaching out to us. Again, I want to work with the church, but I just don't feel in a residential area, this doesn't help the residents. This doesn't help the properties. This actually, if anything, is going to diminish the property values of the people who live around there. And again, you know, people when they bought their houses there, they didn't think an RV parking, an RV and and and boat parking was going to be there. There's one less than a mile away. If there is a need, people can go to the other side. >> If you have an empty lot, you don't know what's going to go. >> I know. That's why I'm saying let's get creative and and come up with something good that would actually benefit the church, benefit the parishioners, benefit the residents that is not an eyesore to the community, or that's actually going to diminish the value of that area. I'm sorry. I just can't I can't support this project. >> But I'm I'm I'm hearing different things that that are not adding up in my head. >> Okay. We can't look into the property. That's a problem. But it's an eyesore. They don't go hand in hand. >> Well, it's an eyesore because right now you have you have six foot walls where you can see any RV or boat that's in there. The front is is is gated. We we don't know exactly what gate is going to be there. It can be like the pictures that you showed us. You see everything through there. >> You can see everything >> from 60th Street. >> 60th and 58th. 58th is a residential area. >> Well, 58th doesn't have to open. That one's going to be completely sealed. >> Okay. But it's still it's still going to be an exit for fire, which could open. >> It'll have a gate that'll be covered as well. >> And and 60th again is such a main street of ours. So many people, you know, drive through that area. Again, we are trying to improve the city of Helia. We are trying to bring great projects to the city. How Councilwoman Perez said, you don't see this in Coral Gables. You would never see this in Miami Lakes. Why Hy Alia, right? Let's let's let's bring good projects to our city. >> Miami Lakes is in the process of of doing one. >> Well, I mean, I I can't really speak for them, but you know, I I would say it's probably something very hard that I don't I don't see somebody, you know, something like that getting approved there. But again, we have one less than a mile away. You know, can we guide the need there? I'm sure we can. Can we meet with the owners of this property to come up with something that's going to benefit the residents? I just don't think this is a benefit to them. I know it's a great business model, but I don't think it's a benefit to the residents and or to the parishioners. And so, I'm sorry, but I feel so strongly about this and and I just can't support it. >> Understood. The chair >> through the Yeah. >> All right. You want to >> Yeah. I just want to say I made the comment about the left turn but not necessarily over the school is that you have a light immediately. Okay, but school don't open Saturday and Sunday when most voters will take out and probably even the RBs. Um the buffer towards the end legally I think can go up to 8 ft when it comes to the the trees. Okay, that's probably going to be I I would suggest that. I think that's that's a good thing to do and it's going to buffer it even more the noise for the wall. Then you have the trees and like I'm a boater myself and yeah there's incredible need. There's still a need just to say to go to the other one. No, this is the best use that I ever seen and the best project that I ever seen under these FPNL lines. They say no place for a cafeteria. They say no place for a it's a private land. It's not even public land. Um I'd like to make a motion to approve. I think we've said enough. I mean unless somebody else wants to say something but we obviously >> have expressed you know a lot of feelings and they have uh come here and try to do everything bent backwards to uh to please uh everybody's needs or not it's never going to be perfect or 100% but um I really believe this is the best use here and this is the best project I've seen under these FPNL lines and um saying that I'd like to make a motion to approve let's give a second reading coming up and and we'll hear some more after that. >> Thank you. Yes, sir. >> Hey, I'm going to be a second. >> Motion recognized. Go ahead. >> I'm going to be a second to the comment I have is also listen, you answer all the questions I had. I think as long as we as the city maintain the code's going to keep it clean, I'm fine with that. And also, to be honest with you, I don't want more apartments also because that also is going to contribute to more traffic. And like you said, we also have the possibility of having duplexes and six parking lots and all that. Unfortunately, we live in a city that those things happen right now. So, um that's just my two cents. I mean, we are a democracy. We have a chance to vote here, but I'm good with it. Thank you, Caesar. We are going to hold the city, we're going to hold them accountable for be sure everything in that comment is met. Okay. So, I'm a second. >> So, we have a second motion from Councilman uh Lewis Rodriguez. Madam sir, please call the role. Barring any other Go ahead. >> Before I call the role, I just wanted to respond to the council vice president regarding the petition. So, we add these documents to the backup and provide them to the decision maker. Obviously, it's a public record. the applicant should have it or the applicant's representative, but we're not putting it up on the screen because it's not our presentation. It's the applicants. If the council would like otherwise, then I you know, we can speak and we'll figure it out, but just to respond to the com. >> Sure, it is part of the but you know, she was referring to putting it up on the screen >> and and I just meant sorry through the chair. I I just mentioned that because in some of the phone calls, you know, from last meeting to this meeting was can we get pictures of the project? >> Well, my response was go, you know, the meeting shows that we didn't have any pictures of the project in the last meeting, you know, so so the residents who are watching from home because not everybody can make it to our meetings, right? How do the residents from home get to see these backup? we can request it and we can provide it. But I will tell you unfortunately we haven't done a good job and and again this is right just education purposes right but we haven't done a good job where the normal day-to-day resident knows how to request a public record or even knows how to come to a hearing and see what we're you know and and I guess that's you know that's for us to kind of educate the public on but I do think that something like this or any backup uh especially pictures or presentation should be but I do know that uh Mr. today, you know, showed pictures of the project and so that is now public on the on the YouTube. >> Sure. >> Well, um, Claudia's here in the audience and if you know, Zonia wants to speak with the mayor and consider putting up the backup on the screen for everyone in the public to see. I don't know what other way we would be able to. >> It's the backup is for our information. >> It is it is part of the agenda as well, right? Yeah. >> Um, so all the records part of the agenda, >> but not the agenda that's published. >> When it's when it's not published, it doesn't, right? >> When it's published on our website. >> So, >> they can access the backup. >> No, they can access they can access the agenda, but not the backup. They will need to request it. >> We can we can address those those conditions. So, everybody will have access to a full application, a full request. >> Thank you. Um, the vote for the motion to approve. Miss Perez and Perez, I'm sorry. No, >> pardon >> me. Can I make one quick minor just clarification? You guys are voting on the land use amendment >> right now. It was a combined hearing. I just wanted to make sure everybody's on. >> Yeah, it's the land use is the first thing we're deciding on. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, sir. >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zagby? >> Yes. >> Mr. Morero? >> No. >> Mr. Gonzalez? >> Yes. >> Miss G. Perez? >> Yes. Mr. Lavega. >> No. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. Second reading and public hearing is scheduled for March 10th, 2026 at 5:30 p.m. All right. With your permission, let's go right to the um zoning item on this proposal. >> So, we've got land use done. A and we're going to number it >> 17 C. >> Yes. First reading of proposed ordinance reszoning property from R1 one family district and R2 one and two family residential district to C2 liberal retail commercial district for the properties identified by folio number 042035001 0550 and a portion of approximately 160.13 ft by 295.0 feet 1.08 08 acres of the property located at 1550 West 60th Street, Hyalia, zoned R2, 1 and2 family residential district and R1 one family district and legally described in exhibit still have a meeting going on please. Thank you. Thank you. No, thank you. Thank you. >> Repealing all ordinances or parts of ores in conflict here with providing penalties for violation hereof. providing for a severability clause and providing for an effective date. >> Thank you. Okay. Uh does anybody basically it's going to be the same thing. Any questions for Caesar? >> We have a motion from Councilman Luis Rodriguez, a second from Councilman Luis Gonzalez. Please call the role. >> Mr. Rodriguez, >> yes. >> Mr. Zagby, >> yes. >> Mr. Meredo, >> no. >> Mr. Gonzalez, >> yes. >> Miss G. Perez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Dega? >> I'm sorry. Can can can we just go over this really quick? What is Can you give me some details on this? >> This is exactly the same presentation. This is just the reasoning part. >> Okay. This is a zone. Okay. No. >> Miss M. Perez. >> No. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. Second reading and public hearing is scheduled for March 10th, 2026. >> Thank you. Zoning item A, Madame Clerk. 17A. >> Okay. >> Second reading and public hearing of proposed ordinance granting a variance permit to allow an interior north side setback of 1.5 ft where 2 feet 7 in are required for the legalization of an existing metal roof within a legal non-conforming property. In contrast, the HYIA code of ordinances section 98-1372 property located at 4938 East 11th Avenue Helia zoned M3 Industrial District and legally described herein, repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict here with, providing penalties for violation hereof, providing for a severability clause, and providing for an effective date. This item is on second reading open for public discussion if anybody in the audience or online. Barring that. Uh any questions for the motion? Motion from Councilman Lewis Rodriguez >> on item 17A. Second from Councilman Luis Gonzalez. >> Please call the role. >> Mr. Zagby. >> Yes. >> Mr. Morero. >> Yes. >> Mr. Gonzalez. >> Yes. >> Miss G. Perez. Yes, >> Miss Deega. >> Yes, >> Miss San Perez. >> Yes, >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Item 17B. Where you going, Caesar? Aren't you representing 17B? >> No. Second reading of public hearing of proposed ordinance granting a conditional use permit pursuant to city of Helia Court of Ordinances section 98-181 subsection 2 I to allow a K through 5ifth grade private school with a maximum capacity of 80 students in conjunction with a 143 children daycare center granting a variance permit to allow 19 parking spaces where 30 parking spaces are required and to allow a waiver of minimum landscape requirements through landscape mitigation as per section 98-2235. All in contrast to the city of Halia code of ordinances section 98-2189 subsection 8. Property is located at 2400 West 56th Street Helia zoned R35 multiple family district and legally described herein. Repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict here, providing penalties for violation hereof, providing for severability clause and providing for an effective deed. Bert would have killed you had you walked out. Caesar, >> I thought this was that one. >> Thank you. >> So I take back my good night. >> 17 is on second reading. Open for public discussion. Anyone in the audience or online? Absent of that. Any questions or discussion from the disa otherwise pleasure of the council? >> Mo, >> we have a tied game here. Motion from uh from councilwoman um Jayen Perez. Second from Councilman Lewis Rodriguez. Please call the role. >> Mr. Morero? >> Yes. >> Mr. Gonzalez? >> Yes. >> Miss G. Perez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Dega? >> Um, Caesar, I have a question. Is this a Are they currently a K through five? >> They've been since 1992. >> Okay. And they've had the same parking spots? >> Yes. And we we um we postponed it last time. >> Mhm. because we said we were going to get a parking analysis done. We received the parking analysis from the engineer and he's recommending approval the way it is. >> Okay. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Miss San Perez. >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez. >> Yes. >> Mr. Zagby. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. >> Thank you and good night. >> Thank again. You sure? >> Okay. Um, moving over to item 17D. Madam Cliff, >> uh, 17 17, right? First reading of proposed ordinance granting a variance permit to allow the construction of a single family home on a substandard lot having a total area of approximately 5,820 square ft where 7,500 ft is a minimum required and allow a lot width of 60 ft where 75 ft is a minimum required. All in contrast to Halia Court of Ordinances section 98-499 property located at 425 East 52nd Street Hyia zoned R11 family district and legally described in exhibit A repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith providing penalties for violation hereof providing forability clause and providing for an effective date. Um, is the applicant here, the the Vayos family, or do we need him? No. Yeah. Okay. Um, okay. Just hold on in case somebody has any questions for you. Um, first reading, pleasure of the council as far as on 17D. >> Claudia, what >> anybody the applicants here in case >> can you let us know what a little bit of what? >> Yes. So basically this property um has been platted as such but it's a small uh lot. So what happened is considered as a super standard lot. Um they submit for the building permits to um to develop it as a single family home but we had to bring it back to this step u because they're not with the current sizes of a lot. So basically that is the only thing that they're requesting is to develop it as a substandard lot. >> Okay. If I made through the chair, Claudia, it's just a piece. It's just a lot. There's no there's no there's not a standing building there. >> No, no, no. It's a vacant lot right now. >> It's a vacant lot. >> It's a vacant lot. >> No. >> Do you want to come? Do you want to come? >> Identify yourself. Just name and address for the record. >> Hi, I'm Teresa and the address is 425 East 52nd Street. >> Your full name? >> Yes. >> Thank you. Go on. Did anybody have any further questions from Miss Inspire? >> So, this land has always been a vacant lot. We recently purchased it and we're building that home, but it's never had a property on it. Only had a tree, but it's been torn down before we even purchased a property. >> Thank you. Motion. >> And is this if I may, is this for you to live in or are you an investor? >> No, no, no. I recently purchased it because I wanted to do it like an investment property, but it's my first property that I purchased. >> Okay. >> Yeah. I got lucky. >> We have a motion from Thank you. from uh Council Vice President Melinda [ __ ] We have a second from Councilman Luis Gonzalez. Please call the role. >> Miss G. Perez. >> Yes. >> Mr. Dega? >> Yes. >> Miss M. Perez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Zagi? >> Yes. >> Mr. Morero? >> Yes. >> Mr. Gonzalez? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. Second reading and public hearing is scheduled for March 10th, 2026. >> Perfect. Thank you so much. >> You're very welcome. >> Item 17E, please. >> First reading of proposed ordinance granting a variance permit to allow a residential unit, unit B, to have an area of 570 ft where 750 ft is a minimum required. Allow parking in the front setback where no parking in the front setback is allowed. and allow four parking spaces fronting East Fourth Street to back out into the rightway where backout parking is only allowed in lowdensity residential districts. All in contrast to Highland Court of Ordinances sections 98-876 subsection B3 98-881 subsection 182 and 9-3 subsection A3 property located at 158 East 4th Street Hyia zone CR commercial residential district and legally described in exhibit A repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict here with providing penalties for violation hereof providing for a severability clause and providing for an effective deed This item is on first reading. Um not open to public discussion but certainly discussion from us here. Is the applicant here? Ala. Okay. Just stand by sir. Stand by sir. And um does anybody have any questions for the applicant or Claudia? Motion. I I Claudia what is basically I I've recognized Lewis Rodriguez's motion. What is basically a unit B in this case and what are they doing? Go ahead. >> The rear um the property has a rear structure that it was built in 1930, >> right? A legal real structure. >> Exactly. It was legally done and now basically they're doing a residential unit on the in in that rear >> like a secondary residential. Yes. ADU. Yes. >> An ADU. >> Additional unit. >> Thank you. Uh all right. Uh, we have a motion from Councilman Rodriguez. >> Second. >> Second from Council Vice President De Laga. Please call the role. >> Mr. Dega, >> yes. >> Miss M. Perez. >> Mr. Rodriguez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Zagby? >> Yes. >> Mr. Morero? >> Yes. >> Mr. Gonzalez? >> Yes. >> Miss G. Perez? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. Second reading and public hearing is scheduled for March 10th, 2026. >> Thank you, sir. F. Item uh 17F, please. First reading of proposed ordinance granting a variance permit to allow the expansion of a legal non-conforming single family residence including a proposed addition with a rear setback of 20 ft where 25 ft are required an interior eastside setback of 4.91 ft where 5t 1 in are required and allow a streetside setback of 10.16 ft where 15 ft are required. All in contrast to Halia code of ordinances section 98-348 subsection A and 98-501 property located at 501 East 14th Street Halia zoned R1 one family District and legally described in exhibit A repealing all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict here with providing penalties for violation hereof providing for a servability clause and providing for an effective deed. >> Thank you. I believe that the petitioners are here. I see them. the Corales and Reyes, right? >> Okay. >> Does anybody have any questions for the applicants or uh Claudia? >> Second. >> That's your question. A motion from Councilman Rodriguez and a second from >> Councilman Maro. Thank you. Please call the role. Miss Empere, >> I just want to make sure on their document on the ordinance it says that the condition is that they shall include whatever whatever and then it says question mark question mark question. >> So is it a question or are they going to include it? >> Did you see that >> the condition? >> Yeah. >> Just to make sure that they understand that they will have a minimum 30% ABS requirement. Where are you seeing that >> in the ordinance in in backup the condition? >> It ends in a question mark just to ensure that >> they know. >> I'm sorry the agenda quick does that sometimes. >> Okay. I've never seen that. >> No, I'm sorry. We didn't catch it when we printed the the today's >> So, just for the record, the condition is staff recommends approval of the variance subject to the condition that the site plan be revised to include the pvious area calculation demonstrating compliance with the minimum 30% pvious area requirements. Yeah. So, that is a condition. So, it has to be a condition, not a question mark. >> Yes. No. No. >> Sorry for those that that overlook the detail, but the teacher in me does not allow that. >> I'm sorry if that irks you, uh, Councilman Gonzalez. >> Sorry if it irks you. >> Go ahead. >> Motion. >> We have a motion and a second. >> And a second. Please call the role. >> Miss M. Perez? >> Yes. >> Mr. Rodriguez? >> Mr. Zagby? >> Yes. >> Mr. Morero? >> Yes. Mr. Gonzalez, yes. >> Miss G. Perez, >> yes. >> Miss Dega. >> Motion carries. The item is approved. Second reading and public hearing is scheduled for March 10th, 2026. >> Does anybody And now unless anybody has any further comments, uh, this meeting is hereby adjourned at 9:44. You do. You have 3 minutes