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Welcome to the October 7 Volusia County Council meeting. I've been stalling a little bit pastor – we will start in just a minute with a moment of silence.
There is plenty to pray about.
I will ask you to stand in just a minute.
If you are part of a group that would like to participate in the invocations for our meetings please just send an email to the letter kgreen@volusia.org and they will get you all set up to do that.
All faith groups are welcome.
So, if you would please stand with me.
We will have just a moment of silence and then we will go right into the Pledge of Allegiance.
[Calling Role] 


>> JEFF BROWER: We do have a quorum.
There is an even number which means any vote with a tie will be a lost vote.
So, no ties.
Yeah, take off your tie.
Thank you again for being here.
We will start as we always do with public participation.
The first public participation can be on any subject.
If it concerns Volusia County, something we may be able to act on in a future Council meeting so you are welcome to let us know what your concerns are.
I don't think with the two people I have here I need to say this but just for general public consumption and any public participation we ask that you would just be respectful of those around you.
Those listening and including young children and, we have an amazing thing in America called the First Amendment.
We have freedom of speech and with that comes great responsibility.
The first person that we have, I don't see -  his supervisor of elections Lisa Lewis.
There she is.
I do want to tell you to watch your language right?


>> Not at all.
Good morning chair and counsel. I wanted to come before you and give a little update on what we are doing at the elections office.
We had an idea of painting on the outside of where we are going to host early voting in the elections office. It's in between the main office and early voting.
Patriotic Eagle wings that should help promote voting and is also going to be a part of the mural walk.
We have had to put in an application with the city for their mural art committee.
To be honest I did not know there was one but I have done that.
I've gotten three letters of community support which I feel are very good ones.
So you have a public meeting on – what is today?
Next Tuesday.
530 over at the city commission chambers for the committee to meet and hopefully approve this so we can have it painted which leads into my Segway of our ribbon-cutting on October 21 at 3 PM which is before your 4 o'clock Council meeting.
So I hope everybody will be able to join us because I would love for you all to be a part of the actual ribbon-cutting.
This was based on your approval at the time.
So happy.
And if you haven't seen the building I can't wait for you to see it because it has changed the look of that side of town with that painting that's been done.
We've done some entrance work coming into the building and this I think will just be the icing on the cake along with a flagpole that we are hoping to get soon but it will not be in time because it is a 16 week time for the flagpole that we want.
That will lead everyone to elections.
So, what better thing than something patriotic in our flag.
Let everyone know what the elections office is.
I just wanted to give you all an update and remind you of our ribbon-cutting.
I hope to see everybody.
So thank you.


>> They gave her my great news.
Great art.
John Nicholson.
This wasn't for an item that you signed up for?


>> Okay, do you want to wait until the consent agenda?
You can go right now.
And for anybody that comes up to speed you don't need to give your full address for safety reasons but just tell us what part of the county you're from so that your representative up here knows who you are.
Thank you.


>> Two things.
Normally I talk on the consent agenda so combining the two together.
One is – I am presuming they are supposed to maintain the property.
If they don't and you maintain the property you're doing a terrible job.
I'm asking at this lease requires them to maintain the property maintain the property landscaping the items that are around the building had a lot of metal especially facing the bus route and it is resting so really gives a bad impression not only to the city of Daytona Beach but to the ocean center because it is right next to the ocean center.
Secondly I know penny wise and pound foolish this County and the city of Daytona beach megabucks off our cultural endeavors people come and they spend money.
I'm told you guys have an idea of increasing the shows at the ocean center and investing $40 billion in the ocean center.
That is cultural.
I know you are not taking any money out of this 60,000 but it is part of the cultural endeavors of the city of Daytona Beach.
The County of Volusia.
So I'm asking you to be absolutely okay.
The cultural item.


>> Thank you very much.
That is all that we have for the general public comments.
In a view I know are here to comment on items on the agenda.
First, before we get there I need a motion to approve the agenda.


>> Motion approved, Johansson.


>> Is there a second?
I have a motion to approve the agenda as written by Jake Johansson.
Second by vice chair Reinhart.
Any questions, all in favor of approving an agenda please say aye.
Any opposed?
The agenda has approved six – zero.
That brings us to the consent agenda item 2. Let's take this two ways.
Does anyone have an item they would like to comment on after booting?


>> Yes item P. Does anyone have an item they would like to pull for a discussion and to vote?


>> Chairman, yes, item butter H. I would also like item L. In item R. Scratch that, item R was taken care of this morning.


>> A motion to approve consent agenda as presented absent items H and L. We have a lot of public comments.
On H. But we will go ahead and vote on the other items so it's all in favor of approving the consent agenda except for items H and items L.
Please say – any opposed?
Those items are approved.
If we could just have a comment on item P that is just mentioned.


>> I just wanted to make sure because Mr. Nicholson brought it up.
I am pleased that he did.
Can you briefly just tell us, is that the county or Daytona Lagoon?
Please let her tell us who will take care of the lagoon.


>> 'sThink you might only question for the Council this week when my only questions to stop was about the rent for Daytona lagoon so I got some clarity on that.
I am pleased that Mr. Nicholson you mentioned this and the police of staff is going to address it with the owners.
Please keep us updated.
If I don't get down there as quickly as I need to.
To say quickly on item R which is the beach special event application really happy the city is continuing that.
I had a question which was answered by the mayor and city manager this morning it is always a problem to find a place to park there because become so popular in the city came last year and the city manager will work with our Deputy County manager and let that know where the parking is so we can promote it just for that event if you park in these places outside of the event I think you will be trespassing.
So use it just on the north legends beach.
Everybody in Volusia County that wants to see the historic parade can do so in the city of – city manager thank you very much for standing up.
Okay.
Let's go to item H. This will be for a comment and a vote.
I think that's where most of our comments are from.


>> Parks recreation and cultural director.


>> JEFF BROWER: Counsel, do you want to hear from the public first or start with us?
Councilman Robbins.


>> DANNY ROBINS: Thank you chair.
I think chair is counsel so I just have a couple questions I need clarification on from a couple of the organizations here today seeking grants.
Would it be all right if I just asked the questions?
Just to ask them some basic questions.


>> Everybody is here for a great reason.


>> Theater and shoestring theater.
If you guys are available I know there are some grants.


>> Good morning Craig UpperQ represented the cultural alliance but formally the artistic director what can I do to help answer?


>> I know you're part of the alliance but this is more I would say appropriate for maybe Athens.
Whoever that current directories.


>> She is not here yet this morning. She is still parking but I'm still on staff.


>> Tell a little bit about some of the events, activities, shows, anything that you promote.


>> Built in 1921, opened in 1920 so just a couple of years ago celebrated its 100 year anniversary which is fantastic. It is important to understand the Athens theater is owned and operated by a 501C3 and the Sam's theater incorporated presents six shows a year which are all family-friendly.
They are the producing group.
The other section, come on up grace.
This is actually grace.
I'm going to pass the buck to her in just a moment.
The other part of the organization is a rental house.
And that is the Athens theater LLC.
And so the Athens theater also has a rental string and comes from outside groups and agencies to come in and produce various shows so one thing that I think you might be asking about is perhaps shows that are currently listed on the website so it is important to see who the presenting company is.
So if you ever see it presented by the theater center incorporated that is a nonprofit organization the County Council gives an annual arts and culture grant opportunity to that producing group.
If you ever see something like the absent friends or another outside group presenting.
That's a rental.
So they are coming and like the Volusia County Symphony or Orlando or Deland pride they come in and actually read the Athens theater.
That is due mainly because the County Council asked for all groups, all cultural groups to be more self sustainable.
So being a rental house is something that makes it more self sustainable.


>> Thank you.
I see the PO boxes and the address for this and Athens are the same.
So it is pretty much let's just say one in the same ultimately.
Tax purposes are just too different.


>> Yes and no because the Athens theater LLC actually does pay taxes.
Every time there is a rental they do pay taxes on that.
However, on the 501 C3 taxes –.


>> Can you or another staff member go into any more detail on some of the events and activities promoted on-site across the board?
Just tell us.


>> And relatively new.
I've been on staff for a year now.
Super happy to hear.
We bring all kinds of things.
We bring in other nonprofits and we really try to support.
We really do try to support the community and that aspect but we also bring in concerts and different events we think Volusia County residents would really enjoy.
Nearly annually over $500,000 of revenue for us.
It is a huge push in keeping our doors open.
So, on top of our productions that we do in house which is the Athens theater and which our money would go to our specific programs and it's different from our rentals so we kind of have a diverse group of people coming and each time and one of them really marketed to the greater Volusia County.


>> I heard some keywords earlier about family-friendly and kind of that wholesome – have all of the events been vetted?
The address of some kind of plan to make sure that everything is above board?


>> Yeah, we have a vetting process and we make sure that everything we bring is something we feel good about producing in Athens.
But I think the problem here is family-friendly. I guess it is pretty subjective.


>> JEFF BROWER: It's not for me.


>> But it is.
I think it's hard to really put a definition to family-friendly because something that is family-friendly to me might not be family-friendly to other people.
I think yes, there is a vetting process. Obviously some things are going to be more marketed toward a huddled audience.
Some of the things we do are marketed towards the kiddos in the community.
We have an amazing youth program and amazing yearly production over 3000 kids came this year to our youth production.
We make it accessible to people and kiddos who might not be able to do that.
We really are passionate about that.


>> JEFF BROWER: In the past, I saw there were some festivals.
Can we talk about the festivals?
Athens theater youth Academy is that the main stage at Athens?
Or is that the marketplace?


>> You are asking just for historical purposes and sideboards for the theater for more than 15 years participants in the annual land fall Festival throughout the arts.
There is stuff around town that the Athens theater would perform at.
Something the show would be working on in their afterschool classes.


>> JEFF BROWER: IC on some of the literature, Athens isn't particularly fairytales, family show storytime with ginger beer, storytime use area with Billy Nick.
What else?


>> That's not the Athens theater producing, not at all.
That might be outside organization.
Doing those things is a part of the festival but you know, sometimes for the Deland fall Festival /sands theater incorporated now the Deland Festival is only presented by the Deland Museum of Art.


>> JEFF BROWER: What was the last year that sands –.


>> It's been a number of years now.
For five years.


>> JEFF BROWER: Director, ICA Rocky horror picture show.
Can you talk to me about that show in particular?
Any preshow activities?


>> Yes, that is a rental.
That is an outside organization coming into use of our space.
They are a nonprofit so we are coming in – they are coming into the theater but we don't have any – we are not producing it, yeah.


>> Are you familiar with the preshow?


>> Not specifically familiar with the preshow.


>> The reason I'm asking this very direct question, I'm trying to get down to the bottom of a couple of things here.
It says space – granted it is in your space.
It is a rental.
It says Athens theater Deland.
It's on the website.
The county has their emblem on some of this stuff.
The echo emblem as partners.
The preshow consists of some drag performances where bills for tips are being requested.
And it goes on to costume actors and whatnot.
All drug related stuff.
In Europe he did, is it family-friendly or something to that nature?


>> Personally I don't know if you are going to want my answer.


>> We need to hear your answer.
That is going to help me and also let other folks know that this is important because it is tax dollars that are being used for businesses so I just want to make sure that it is family-friendly and it is a good appropriation if it is something we are going to be promoting, putting our logo on it.
It is going to be family-friendly.


>> I did hear about the logo.
The logo is on a widget that is permanently on the bottom of our website.
No matter what you click on our website, that widget is going to be there.
That's with our address, with our phone number.
That kind of thing.
We did move that.
We have moved that.
And because of the grant moving forward because it is program specific, that logo would just be on specific programs.
Exactly.


>> Talk to me about the Mr. and Mrs. Deland project?


>> That is also 1/3 of the party.


>> JEFF BROWER: That's it for now.
Thank you.


>> Thank you very much.


>> I'm sorry, real quick.
The sands theater.
$31,066.
Is that correct?


>> We have anyone here from the –.


>> Eight $8700 grants.


>> Every organization that was to receive funding this year was invited to attend.
Real quick, I have some information.
And if you go to the next slide.
So counsel and audience, fellow cultural members.
I know you all know what – is.
This was sourced from our website orchestras and museums and exhibition.
Professional music theater 's natural science and history has been around for quite a long time.
Nonprofit and general nonsupport performance art literacy to Volusia County residents.
Next slide.
Here is one of the flyers that caught my attention when I was doing a deep dive and seeing what this program is about.
You will see in the middle you will see some cost information.
You'll see some stuff in terms of partnering.
You can call it a widget or whatever.
It is on all of these advertisements.
And it's still there.
Next slide.
There are advertisements for this.
Athens Deland.com.
Suitably friendly about it.
Next slide.
Pageant with some details there.
VIP seating 25 general admission 10.
Again, partnerships with a bunch of information with the same address.
Next slide.
Next we went over this and this was an event.
Athens theater youth Academy performance.
I'd questions about that.
I believe they were answered by the testimony we heard earlier. There was a sponsorship about this in the past where it was some sort of partnership especially when my questions arise. We have been funding for a long time.
Those were the questions I had for that next slide.
And here is another one.
I'm surprised they are not here; they are asking for $8700.
Another family-friendly event where they are all selling some tickets here for 20 to 50 for this event this last calendar year.
And that should be it right?
So folks this isn't an easy one.
And especially, how do you skin this?
How do you address this without throwing out the baby with the bathwater?
I want to thank Julia.
Is Julia here by chance?
Thank you for sending out the email to everybody because this is very important stuff.
It is important for the arts and the culture.
It is important to keep the arts and the culture.
I'm glad everybody is here to kind of see that this counsel is vetting these programs but also protecting the true arts and culture which is some of the lifeblood of Volusia County.
Right?
And it is very important.
And, like many of you, I stand on principle and I've supported this program for a long time.
Many municipalities support these programs whether it is from general fund, CRA, state level, so there is an obvious cultural need for this.
We see it at all levels of government right?
But what I want in a program and desire is cultural advancement.
We all have a vested interest in society with culture.
I believe we have a moral and societal obligation to promote the arts like I said earlier.
When these programs kind of get hijacked in my opinion with these organizations or County dollars are going to them it becomes all about priority.
Right?
You got enough money to do one thing but you are coming to us from another.
To me that is not being a good steward of tax dollars.
The person who weighs in on approving some of this stuff.
Especially when these programs get hijacked and the arts and culture community is being used to promote an agenda.
But it is my moral obligation to prevent that from happening.
They checked the arts in the culture as it should be.
I don't care if it is direct funding.
Indirect funding.
Advertising.
Third party.
Vendor.
The general fund or echo.
I want these funds if I'm putting my name on them to go to healthy family oriented arts and culture, learning and educational experiences I'm not suggesting, this counts for myself.
Here to stifle free speech or expression.
I'm 100% about it.
On their dime.
But not the taxpayers dime.
This is coming from the general fund where that fund is supposed to be used for core government operations.
So, this right here at the end of the day is optional.
The cultural arts like I said need to be protected.
That's why I asked some of these very important questions so we can further look at this and Yvette some of these applicants just a little bit.
And that is on me.
I missed this the first time so I will take responsibility for that.
For me I'm going to need a little bit more time before I can vote so I know darn well that this money is going to exactly what it is intended for.
Not promoting some of this stuff.


>> Thank you guys.
I hope you understand and thank you to those who sent out some of the emails because this is important.
I think it is important to all of us.
We need to make sure that everything is above board.
So thank you.


>> JEFF BROWER: Thank you.
There are probably comments from the rest of the Council.
I would suggest counsel, before we weigh in on this should be here for the public?
Okay.
There are a lot of you that are here to speak.
I am always happy when the public comes to address your counsel or your employees.
You are the employer.
At the end, I would just call your name, you will have three minutes.
If you can do it in less time.
There are a lot.
But tell us what you need to tell us.
Please tell us where you're from and if you represent a cultural organization and which one.
And we will start with Paul Richardson.


>> Good morning counsel.
My name is Paul Richardson and I am also a member of the Council you're representing and I did come in here to support the cultural counsel and hope you guys vote in favor of it.
I know you guys have some problems with some rental showings of the Athens theater and I get it.
But, let's approve the cultural grant right now.
But we can probably draft a policy about that and then come back to you with that policy. Hopefully maybe we can straighten out any future with regards to rental.
One thing, these are – people who are coming in, no one is forcing anyone to go to these events.
We want these theaters.
To be self-sufficient like you guys want to do.
So like I said, right now.
The Council, the cultural counsel and staff are coming up with a good policy that everyone can live with and we will come back here with a policy update for this at the time.
That's all I'm asking.
Most of you do to – to.
I think it is a good thing.
Let's come back with the policy so that everyone will be happy with it okay?
Like I said, let us improve the ramp now we will come back with great policy.
What is produced by these groups and third-party.
I thank you for your consideration.
God bless Volusia County.
Thank you.


>> Craig up review.
You will be followed by Heather McLean.


>> Thank you.
Good morning again.
Craig up or give for the record.
Here to represent today the Volusia County cultural alliance.
I am the current sitting president for that.
Which is a nonprofit group that has no dog in the fight in terms of requesting for funding.
We are simply an organization that supports arts and culture here in Volusia County.
And I want to thank each of you for your continued investment in this program.
So when we were here last time, which was in the middle of the night if you remember, it was about 12: 30 in the morning.
We shared with you the Americans for the arts, AEP6 study and the results were very clear and that is that arts and culture generate millions and local economic activities for hundreds of jobs and as a bonus, returned more than five dollars for every single dollar invested in Volusia County.
And here in Volusia County that translates to thriving businesses.
Busy restaurants and a stronger base.
But beyond the numbers.
The impact of the arts is deeply human.
And in a time of division and political tension I think you could agree with each of you that the arts unified people and reminded us of our shared humanity.
Funding arts and culture is not a partisan issue.
Governments throughout history have invested in the arts because they know that culture strengthens communities and economies alike.
And for those that are committed to data-driven decision-making I will call up your attention today to the study that was previously shared.
Evidence of what your constituents value and support for your easy review.
We've entered into the record today and left with the secretary for every organization participating in the 25 – 26 cycle.
And this is what makes Volusia a community where families want to live.
Businesses want to grow and visitors want to return to.
I must add that success is not about climbing ladders.
As each of you know.
It is about lifting others.
The Volusia County Council has the opportunity here to continue its partnership with arts and culture in Volusia ensuring that both our economy and our quality of life arrive together.
Thank you.
Thank you for your comments.
Heather will be followed by Sidney Johnston.


>> Good morning chair Brower and council members.
My name is Heather. I am a member of Deland.
I came today because I am a rather rabid volunteer in our community.
You will actually catch me tonight on national night out making hotdogs with my Rotary club.
In addition to that I am a member of the leadership arts orchestra and I was here – I can today talk about how important cultural arts grants are for all of the organizations in our community that make Deland so wonderful.
They bring in revenue for our local businesses. There is definitely a downtown Deland, there is something known as the Athens rush where restaurants, shops and all that kind of thing get a lot of revenue from people coming to events in our town.
However, I also and the director of Deland pride and Volusia pride and I just wanted to address the fact that while the Athens theater is a rental and we do rent from them for our events and as Craig and Grace mentioned, those are separate and they don't produce our organizations just like they don't produce Clearwater cover bands and that kind of thing.
Also the Rocky horror picture show etc. are 18 and up and so regardless of what someone's definition is of family-friendly when we do have content that is like that I would say inappropriate for people under 18 the tickets are 18 and up and it says that on the website.
I don't if you have any questions for me.
It is not obviously an organization represented under the brand.
I just would say I don't think that it's fair to take funding away from such important cultural organizations that do so much for our community and do a lot of various and varied programming just because one person or something on the Council doesn't agree with some of the programming that is there.
Even though it is done in a responsible manner, it makes money for the organization and I keep hearing the phrase that you want these organizations to be self-sufficient.
They have to make money and if they are doing it in a responsible way.
Everyone has different opinions of everything and I think it's really important that you not penalize so many organizations in our community just because one person doesn't.
Thank you.


>> JEFF BROWER: Thank you very much for your comment.
Sidney Johnston.
Followed by Terry.


>> Sidney Johnston, Deland.
Thank you chair and counsel for the opportunity to present.
The 501 C3 nonprofit in Washington DC publishes the following.
In 2010 the economic impact of America's nonprofit arts and cultural industry generated 151 billion in economic activity nationwide.
That is 73 billion in spending by the organizations which leveraged an additional 78 billion in ventilated spending by their audiences.
Your economic impact supported to .6 million jobs nationwide and generated 29 billion in tax revenue providing 101 billion in income to Americans.
When communities support the arts and culture, communities invest in an industry that strengthens the economies and builds more livable communities.
Ken Ferguson, past president of the American Bankers Association is also past chairman of the Americans for the Arts in Washington DC and a member of the Oklahoma Historical Society.
He reminds us, this is one of America's leading bankers.
I visited businesses in almost every city and town in my state.
There is a difference in places with a community.
I see people looking for places to park, stores stay open late and restaurants packed with diners.
The business day is extended and the cash registers are ringing.
I am a 1/5 generation native of Deland with roots in the 1870s.
My ancestors worked in the fields of education, medicine printing and government as well as being faithful to Cotillion and Presbyterian churches.
My father was an organizing member of the West pollution historical society and its second president.
It served on the Volusia County historical preservation board and is pre-assessed.
The Volusia County historical commission.
My mother supported the arts.
My parents strongly supported the center.
Which now operates my family's paid taxes and Volusia County please do the right thing.
Allocate the request of tax dollars to the arts and cultural organizations blind funding.
Help advance and invest in our county's economic impact and bring additional and new dollars to Volusia County.
Once again, thank you for your leadership and support.
Of Volusia County.


>> Thank you for your comments.
Next we have – I think it's Terry.
You'll be followed by Richard of the Gateway center.


>> First I want to say good morning.
The Gateway Center for the Arts.
Thank you for your service.
Mine is a little bit of a different story.
My husband and I moved down here.
He got a job offer in the mainland.
So we moved our life from down to hear.
We were looking and researched for any area that was family-friendly that had a good school district that was very important to us.
We found Deberry.
The fabulous community and I met with a bunch of artists.
They found out what I did up north as a designer. We got together, they were all volunteers and with echo they built a Gateway Center for the arts.
We are about 16 years old now.
We know there are a lot of organizations that are speaking but I will just keep it short.
Deberry turned out to be the perfect place to begin an echo project with too many nine; the original group of artists started creating youth activities and programs years before the buildings were built.
The largest attraction was the celebration for the arts showcasing individual students and their talents brought to the schools and community.
I am proud to say we are now going into our 25th year with the youth celebration.
Gateway was built as a multipurpose facility having the ability to create programs for all.
We are fortunate with our development that we can do pottery, trivia and our most popular program is our summer art camps for the youth.
I would quickly like to highlight our numbers from our most recent fiscal year 24 – 25 real quick. We did 634 opportunities at our youth summer camp.
We had 114.
We have a lot of growth happening in Deberry.
We are all about the youth.
I just want to ask, please keep supporting me.
The youth for our future.


>> You will be followed by Martha.


>> Good morning counsel.
Chairman of the board.
A Gateway Center for the Arts.
Bed with Gateway since 2019.
I'm here to fight for the youth of our community.
Before 2019 I never had any idea what they did.
I was asked to go in as a financial consultant to use their business bottle and determine where any weaknesses were.
It was at that time I was introduced to actually what they do.
Their business model was weak. You only had one couple thousand dollars in revenue but what I saw was the youth and how the youth's lives were affected and changed in a positive way.
We have children come in from youngsters to young teenagers to young adults.
Then they enter our art classes.
Our singing classes are theater classes and the creativity skills that they do not know they understand or even have.
I found it.
I'm a business man.
I grew up in the athletic world.
I was never introduced to arts and culture.
Had no idea what they did.
But when you see children find the creative talents and skills very hidden inside that come out their eyes.
Their confidence, I swear they grow 8 inches taller with confidence.
That's just one side of it.
When their parents come and pick them up at the end of the day they are so excited to bring what they just did out to their parents and enjoy the smiles and the families that are picking them up are priceless.
It's almost like if you played sports like I did and that baseball player who is not normally hitting grand slams hits that grand slam for the team to win and the excitement that family feels, magnify that by five – six times.
When families see what their children can actually do and what we provide to them is unmeasurable.
I agree when I hear things.
Things need to be audited.
Things need to be vetted.
As an income of $215,000 last year $80,000 were raised by corporate sponsorships and individual donations.
We get support because they believe in us.
$56,000 was raised by our summer camp.
That is growing by leaps and bounds and it is a remarkable service.
That represents 25% of my income.
This grant last year was $16,000.
Which represents only 7% of our income.
But my net and number at the end of the year was only 9000.
So your $16,000 grant last year made us positive.
We appreciate that we needed it to continue.
Please, I'm okay with your vetting and auditing process but to come visit us at Gateway.
Thank you.


>> JEFF BROWER: Thank you very much.
Martha?
You will be followed by Ellen.


>> And the new Executive Director this is my sixth day on the job.
But I am thrilled to be here today to share with you and thinking about the opportunities to speak.
The museum is so grateful for your investment and the difference it makes in our community every day.
At the Museum of art Deland our mission is to serve the people of Volusia County through education, creativity and access to the arts.
Each year our outreach programs, all of our outreach children, families and adults provide a robust art program giving our youngest learners a chance to develop competence, literacy and critical thinking skills through creative expression.
We offer numerous free family programs and community events that ensure everyone regardless of financial situations has the opportunity to engage with the arts.
These experiences bring families together, foster lifelong learning and help build a sense of belonging that strengthens our county as a whole.
When we complete the move downtown we have one free admission date a month with a family oriented activity that is open to the public and free-for-all.
Our impact extends beyond the classroom and gallery walls.
The city of Deland manages the downtown sculpture walk which is our public space that draws visitors and supports local businesses.
Public art and culture activity are proven economic drivers and every dollar invested in the arts returns multiple times over through tourism, local spending and job creation.
When you support the arts and culture funding you're not just supporting museums or performances.
Your investing in education, economic vitality and the quality of life that makes Volusia County a vibrant and desirable place to live, work and visit.
I've had numerous people I know who have moved to our area because of our arts programming. The economic impact of our organization alone, not including our outreach program, provides nearly over $40,000 in government revenue from the people that come through our doors.
On behalf of the Museum of Art Deland in the thousands of residents we serve each year I want to thank you for your past and continued support of these grants.
Your investment makes a tangible difference and together we can continue building a community that values creativity, connection and opportunity for all.
Thank you.


>> Thank you.
Ellen from the Cinema team.


>> Good morning chair and members of the Council.
I live in Orange city.
I currently serve as the board.
On the board.
I'm here today on behalf of the arts and cultural community.
Organizations large and small that bring creative education and vitality to every corner of Volusia County.
The arts are not a luxury.
They are part of the fabric that makes our community strong, connected and economically vibrant, supporting jobs, tourism, education and the overall quality of life that keeps people and businesses here.
Our cultural organizations reach every generation from the children who experience the first live performance or museum visit to seniors that find purpose and community through creative engagement.
The programs supported by these community grants and county grants are family-friendly, inclusive, and deeply local.
They reflect our shared values of creativity, learning and civic pride.
For every dollar invested in the arts, studies have shown that there is a strong return to the local economy.
Through event spending, tourism, small business activity but the impact goes far beyond economics.
The arts help students thrive academically from mental health and healing and give all of us a sense of belonging and hope.
To withdraw funding now after organizations have earned these awards through a fair and rigorous process could cause real harm not just to arts groups but the citizens they serve.
It would undermine the very system of accountability and transparency that this Council has established already.
I ask you to affirm the county's commitment to the arts and culture to stand by the grants to strengthen Volusia County for everyone.
Thank you for your time, your service and your support for the creative community.
Thank you.


>> JEFF BROWER: If you want to get ready, you will be followed by Cameron Vincent.


>> Good afternoon.


>> With only six classes in a shared dream.
To give every child a strong educational foundation that dream has grown beyond whatever you can ever imagine.
We now serve counties supporting the dedication of our staff, families, equity partners like you who believe in the power of early learning and the arts to transform lives.
From an educational perspective this program is so much more than introducing children to art.
It is a core part of how we teach.
Through the creative prince, storytelling and visiting artists, children develop critical early learning skills that align directly with our head start early learning outcomes.
When children explore colors and textures they strengthen fine motor skills and cognitive development.
When they look closely at paintings and talk about what they see, their building language, observation and problem solving.
When they create art together they are learning cooperations, self regulation and empathy.
Art becomes the bridge that connects every domain of learning.
Literacy, math, social emotional growth and creativity.
It's all wrapped into one joyous experience.
To reach every child no matter what their background.
And this joy is unmistakable.
You can see it on their faces.
The moment an artist walks into a classroom with a paint pallet or a storyteller opens a book that connects a piece of art hanging on the wall their eyes light up.
Their hands cannot wait to move.
Their minds come alive with wonder.
For so many of these children this is their first real exposure to the arts.
And it changes them.
They are beginning to see their ideas and imaginations matter.
From a parent's perspective it is just as moving.
Parents tell us that their children come home excited, inspired and proud.
Eager to see what they have created and eight annual art exhibits at the Museum, that is magical.
To watch a parent with their child's artwork displayed in a real gallery framed, respected and celebrated.
That is an emotional moment.
Of pride and belonging.
This stays with families forever.
Together arts and growth brings learning to life.
It brings confidence, creativity and connection.
It shows children that have a voice and the voice can be expressed in art, word and imagination.
Today we ask for your continued support to help us keep the partnership driving.
And we bring ourselves into early education, we are not just teaching.
We are transforming lives.
We are letting Sparks that will carry these children through school and far beyond.
I think of you for your time.


>> Julia.
Followed by Cameron Vincent.
Good morning.
I am Julia.
I am a resident, lifelong resident of Volusia County and I am a board member of the Volusia County cultural lines.
For those of you who haven't, I'm sorry I said this late.
For those of you that haven't had a chance I sent you this email.
We also ask it into the record.
I am of course here to support it goes without saying.
I'm also a lifelong Volusia County resident and as a mom.
Volusia County has long been a place where culture has played a very important part in the community.
Music, museums, right here at home.
I didn't need to take them somewhere else to have those experiences.
And has excellent access to arts and education where they went to school.
I suppose you turn them into smart, serious and engaged adults.
I think that's something we all want.
Part of raising children is choosing what to expose them to and when.
We are in a moment.
And when we are asking that parents be more and more empowered and what their children see, hear and do.
But in order to make those choices there have to be choices to make.
If you do not want your child to read a specific book, if you do not want your child to see a movie or spend more time on Netflix, those are choices you make as a parent.
But it doesn't mean that the choices shouldn't be there.
What else, what should we be choosing?
After considerable discussion and much work by staff and the cultural Council and public input this Council made the choices here to change the grant program.
To fund specific programs.
Not cultural organizations operations.
And that I think makes a difference in what you're looking at here.
And on the slide said operations but that shouldn't be changed because they no longer fund operations.
As we have shown you in the documents, each organization has specifically delineated what they intend to spend the public funds requested for.
Not all offerings will appeal but all are necessary for a rich cultural climate.
One that contributes to our quality of life is economic success.
I do not want Volusia County children to grow up without the opportunities my kids had.
Please continue to fund these important programs.


>> JEFF BROWER: Thank you for your comments Cameron and Vincent.


>> Good morning my name is Cameron. I am the executive director of the art-house foundation in Port Orange Florida.
I am vice president of the Volusia County cultural lands and I sit on the advisory committee for the echo gallery.
The art-house foundation, we were 30 years old, founded out of high school.
To uplift and support the school system.
We are entering into our 30th year of partnerships with Volusia County schools.
We work with children ages four – 18 and young adults.
You guys have heard me say so many times the wonderful programs that we provide and our goal to provide them for children and families.
No matter their ability to pay.
I was part of the process of putting the sheet together that you were emailed last night.
We spent a lot of time trying to show you what an amazing sense of actual auditing that will go on during this grant program.
Those programs are what we asked for funding for.
We don't just get the money anymore.
We have to produce invoices and receipts for this.
And we don't, for that particular program we don't get the funding.
I think it is a wonderful auditing system for our grant process.
I think it shows we are willing and committed to provide these programs for our community. It is a lot more work but the new auditing system I think is wonderfully beneficial and is a great way for you guys to be amazing wardens of our taxpayers money by seeing exactly what those pennies are.
This is just one portion.
Something we provided for you could give you a little bit of insight of where the money is going and who has benefits.
The cornerstone of local economic activity.
The 20 to May 5, 2026 applicants contribute to the County by drunk visitors and tourists and attracting spending.
Residents benefit directly from these programs who have access to affordable and high-quality experiences.
Something I didn't get when I was growing up.
But something I will be so happy to have my son be a part of.
Educational opportunities and enhance community well-being and free and local events.
Volusia $611,000 and investment in the program presents an exceptional return in terms of public reach, economic leverage and community enrichment.
The Volusia County grant remains accessible and economically impactful with strategic investment; the county empowers a wide range of organizations to deliver transformative experiences and draw visitors from across the state and beyond.
Thank you.


>> Thank you.
Anthony?


>> Good morning.
My name is Anthony Ehrlich.
I am president of the creative happiness Institute.
I succeeded to that position after the death of the late Doctor, the opportunity to address the County Council and I have to tell you a little bit about what we do, what we've done in the past and what we intend to do in the future.
And we are kind of a micro because of the arts but we support the arts that have been talked about here and will continue to be talked about.
Our particular focus is on poetry.
The written work.
The spoken word.
And in the past we have different workshops, we have conducted a young poets mentoring program that included workshops and tours and we have mentored and published the works of seven young poets and Volusia County over the last few years.
And we intend to continue those programs.
We are also going to initiate visitations and poetry at assisted living facilities.
We have one scheduled for October.
Another one is being investigated for November and then we will have them on a monthly basis and 2026.
We are also going to participate in the County's effort to support veterans who have special reports valve workshops. We found that poetry, writing poetry is a healing process.
It allows us to give voice to what we have in our heart.
On a very microscopic event we have instituted a week, monthly poetry event at the regional library on the first Saturday of each month in the afternoon I hope that some of you Councilman will attend and experience these things we poetry it lifts this souls of the poets and the people in the audience just as a microscopic thing again we have people attending from Orlando from Saint Augustine and from other – from villages and all those people come and they go out to eat.
I will stop.
So thank you very much for your consideration.
Thank you for the hard work that you do and please support the arts.


>> Kathy Thompson.
You will be followed by Jennifer Coolidge?
Jennifer will be followed by Lynn Peterson.


>> Good morning.
Kathy Thompson.
I reside in Ormond Beach but probably spend most of my life in Daytona.
Daytona Playhouse.
I just want to thank you.
I was thinking as I drove here Daytona Playhouse was not producing musicals.
If it had to stop because of the financial cost of doing a musical.
And into thousand 12 we applied for our first cultural grant from you all.
And you granted that money to us.
So, for the first time we could actually produce and hire musicians, a choreographer and musical director.
We now do with your support.
So I really really appreciate it.
The year has started.
My season has started.
I promised you I would use your money for a show that is now in rehearsal.
So I just ask you, please approve it today and as this gentleman said, development policy, take the time to develop the policy so we all know what the rules are and can follow it for next year.
Thank you.


>> Jennifer Coolidge followed by Lynn Peterson.


>> Good morning I live in Deland Florida but I work for the beach. I am the director for I think you councilmember Reinhart for returning our email and Danny Robbins on Sunday discussing this issue.
We wanted to invite you all to come to our campus.
One thing we all can agree on, we love Volusia County and these organizations want to bring some really great things to our communities and to visitors.
I want to tell you about something I haven't heard yet which is building the brand of our county.
I love working with the echo program.
They are doing a wonderful job with your investment coming up with a broader strategic marketing effort.
So we want to be a part of the solution of making Volusia County a cultural destination.
We do that at the Atlantic center by bringing an outside artist.
We have 27 artists from around the United States, two from the UK.
One from Scotland, one from Korea and one from Canada.
They are spending three weeks working on their artwork and they will present performances, poetry readings and original dance and process to the community.
Just last week we had an awesome concert with Ron the second from Hawaii and he reached out to 400 students in the schools sharing his positive message through his original signed writing and played to a sold out audience on our campus.
So, what we want to do is at least in the Atlantic center.
I know all of our colleagues presenting artistic excellence.
You want to make Volusia County a cultural destination and bring world-class arts experiences and performances to our community. I want to thank you again for your willingness to let us all speak and collaborate.
I want to hear how we all must work together. Perhaps the best solution in this instance is to pass the cultural funding now and then give it to your cultural Council to develop some sort of proviso where third-party presenters Volusia County funds.
That might be a suggestion to consider.
Thank you so much. I appreciate all you do in your leadership.


>> Thank you Lynn Peterson.


>> Followed by Jennifer Marano.


>> Good morning to the Council.
My name is Lynn Peterson.
I live on January 1, 2019 private Road Deland.
I am out all of yesterday so, the!
On that.
Doctor Brendan Luce leads three different venues of music in our county.
The jazz band and symphony at which I participate.
Musicians from all over the county gather and play music for all of the county.
He excludes no one.
I am living proof of that.
Our concerts are family-friendly which I know is important to you which is another!.
There are several produced each year.
This past summer we had a program entirely for children.
Children's music from movies and we all dressed in crazy outfits for summer.
It was wonderful.
I'm here to ask you to continue your support for the music that is provided for our county.
It is a great addition to our lives and, keep in mind that our mirror plays in two of those venues.
I hope you will continue supporting us, we love it.
They give very much.


>> Thank you.
Jennifer?
You will be followed by Kayla.
Close.


>> Good morning.
I just want to take the time to thank you guys for hearing us out and for your continued investment in the arts.
And cultural organizations of this amazing county that we live in.
I wanted to speak a little bit about the economics and the visitors that we bring into the county and specifically new Smyrna Beach.
We are a vibrant arts community and with the help of the visitors Bureau I could tell you I probably did between 30 and 50 interviews with influencers and TV stations like morning shows and travel writers not only from the United States but also from Europe and these people come and they visit and they bring their money.
So, I didn't realize how impactful it was until we opened up a hub one morning. I was walking on the steps and somebody went, "Hey, are you Jennifer?
And I'm like yeah.
I saw you on the Connecticut morning show.
We are from up there and we decided this would look like a cool place to be.
They came down and visited.
So, we are – all of the arts in organizations do great work but we also are a driving force in the economy here.
When people come to decide where they are going to live they not only look at the hospitals.
The schools their children will go to but they are also looking at parks and arts and culture.
That is just – that piece of it.
I don't like to double on everything everyone else is saying.
I just want to go through these really quickly.
The canal obviously hosts a lot of community free events for people of all ages.
Open to the public.
But we also do classes, workshops, and we have education.
But most importantly we do outreach.
And we work with veterans.
We work with cancer patients.
And all of that is the arts can heal.
There is proven data.
And that is what we are doing.
All of these organizations are doing really good work.
When we have graduates from the brevet program come and they say this program saved my life.
Or they tell us this program has done more in 10 weeks than four years worth of therapy.
It makes a difference.
So please continue to fund us.
We appreciate you.
We are an investment.
I just appreciate it and I hope you can vote today.
Thank you.


>> Okay.
I'm going to try again.
Kayla.
Tell me how close I got.


>> So close.
Hi.
Thank you for trying.
It just matters.
Italian Hawaiian hybrid.
I am Italian and I married a Hawaiian man.
It is beautiful and has a lot of bowels.
So thank you.
My name is Kayla with a C which is also unusual.
Bartolucci, Locou.
It is like towel bongo but Locou.
So hi, thank you so much again for starting the conversation.
I am grateful that we can all talk that means so much from Volusia County.
Growing up in Texas for the artist workshop.
Growing up in 1986 until he passed in 2012.
New Smyrna always had a special place in my heart.
I always identified it because of the arts, culture and community that it brings.
Thank you for your investment.
I know we are all saying investment because it does feel like an investment and a creative culture and community that welcomes families like mine.
I relocated to New Smyrna because I purchased a family home that my uncles wanted to get rid of.
I saw the opportunity to know the community and wanted to be there for that reason.
Now is the executive director, the first Executive Director for the artist workshop, this means so much to us.
I'm just kind of getting started and I want to continue working with you without support and acknowledgment that we are a part of culture in Volusia County.
We have something so magical here.
From our workshops and classes.
My grandfather has been a member for over 20 years and that was his family.
He would not move to Texas with this because he would not leave New Smyrna Beach because of his artist community.
That is really special to me and I want to preserve that with you.
I just want to thank everyone in this room for showing up.
I think you can tell how much we care and how much we are invested.
So thank you.
What day is it?
Is it Tuesday?
Happy Tuesday.
Please consider us with compassion and care.
So thank you so much.


>> Nice to meet you.
Lucy spots you will be followed by Lori.
Lori will be followed by Tracy.


>> Hi there.
My name is Lucy spots.
I'm a 20-year-old full-time singer, songwriter and surfer from New Smyrna Beach.
I recently had the honor of being the opening artist for a world-class musician for the Atlantic Center for the arts.
And it was a sold-out show.
The buzz around town before and after was so exciting for me as a young artist and all was evident to me that we lived in an artist, artistic and artist loving community here in Volusia County.
I was able to be a part of the presentations Ron Artese gave to our public school kids.
It was an honor to witness and see firsthand the engagement that was created when people met Ron and heard his story.
When he was asked, when he asked the highschooler's if anyone had questions, it was so cool to see the majority of those in the auditorium raising their hands.
Eager to ask questions.
It was clear that he had opened the floodgates of curiosity, hope and inspiration.
He answered their thoughtful questions about fear, how to learn the instrument, life's purpose and many other things.
I was inspired along with them.
Technology is a great tool.
However in a world of AI, cell phones, technology and technology of all kinds keeping our minds busy with the fast-paced easy to reach distractions with our community and every community needs more of authentic human music.
That kids in our schools, our family and our communities need arts.
We all need places like the Atlantic Center of the arts promoting art, culture and music.
To me, music is humanity.
I also think statistically we are on our way to a serious shortage of humans who make original hearts.
Let's see, where am I here?
One of the downsides of technology is it is killing creativity.
Not to mention our attention spans.
Fast-forward 10 – 20 years from now kids were too involved in things like tick-tock to commit to learning an instrument.
We need organizations like ACA to counteract these influences.
Many students will learn an instrument and stop playing when they get out of school.
It's going to take artists and those invested in showing up for the kids.
In igniting them in a passion for music and painting and all forms of creativity.
Hope and inspiration come from seeing other people who create.
Kids and communities need to be exposed to art.
If it is one thing I learned about music it brings people together.
In 20 years we don't want to look back and regret decisions made from organizations like ACA.
Thank you.
They do so much.


>> JEFF BROWER: Lori and if Tracy wants to come up.
There are open seats in the front row.


>> Good morning gentlemen.
I have been coming before you guys for about 10 years now.
This is our 75th anniversary of the theater.
Right now we are in the middle of production for Fiddler on the Roof where our youngest cast member is eight and our oldest is 74.
I love the aspect of theater, and brings all of our citizens together.
You are never too young to teach somebody something and you are never too old to learn something new.
And being a part of theater has really taught me that.


>> JEFF BROWER: Excuse me one second.
Can you hold her time?
Go ahead.


>> It's just a beautiful thing I witnessed.
People coming together and being able to work together towards important initiatives and bringing art to the community.
We had six sold-out houses for fiddler so far.
We are excited about the 75th anniversary revival season which are shows that have been done in the past 75 years.
Fiddler was actually first performed when we were still at the Deland naval base and so being able to bring that back over the current director was a performer for the show.
Happy to take any questions. I just wanted to thank you guys for your continued support for really small organizations like ours.
This $8000 that we are able to get from the county really does help sustain our programming and make sure the theater will be here for the next 75 years.
Click thank you very much.


>> Tracy?
Followed by John Nicholson followed by Lloyd Bowers.


>> Good morning members of the Council.
I just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to be here to hear our concerns today.
And also for your investments.
My name is Tracy I am the executive director of Volusia community and arts.
Again it has come to our attention there might be a possibility that the brand is in jeopardy again.
And again we gather to ask that you respectfully reconsider your decision.
The arts have always been one of the most important aspects of this community.
The beautiful pieces of artwork and minerals that are strategically placed in our city prove that.
There are many that travel here from other counties and cities just to enjoy what is right here in our own backyards.
Those of us who live here work hard to make sure they continue to come back and visit.
Everyone of us here works diligently to make sure, we abide by the news structure of the grant, we share our thoughts and concerns.
Eventually we did it and we did it in an amount of time this year.
For us it has grown in the last four years since we restructured.
We started with 36 volunteers playing in our symphony.
When everything opens back up after COVID, as of yesterday we had 121 volunteers and our wind ensemble has approximately 30.
Our jazz ensemble has approximately 21 in our full sympathy and is normally 60+ players depending on our session.
Volunteers consist of locals and those who travel from other cities and counsel for those who practice on a weekly basis so we could share our love of the arts.
We started a program two years ago called summer orchestra Academy for youth musicians.
We have professional mentors who help them gain confidence, teach teamwork and what they don't always get in school.
We even have some orchestra members who have now joined our ensembles to gain more experience on the stage.
The ability to be awarded grant funds is not what keeps our doors open.
It gives us wiggle room to put on the best programs that we can.
With every program, with every program we do not just provide music.
We educate the audience on music we choose to play.
Doctor Brandon, our artistic director, takes the time to research pieces so he can share with the audience the background of the piece or why the proposer wrote it to begin with.
I could stand here and share all of the numbers and statistics again.
Like all the other times but today I share why we do what we do which is just as important as passion and we love doing it which is why we fight so hard to make sure it stays a part of this community with health for you.
Thank you, John Nicholson.
Followed by Lloyd Bowers and the last speaker will be Jill.


>> Two things popped up.
The definition of art and family-friendly.
Jake is old enough to remember, Picasso and Monet were not considered artists.
They are now.
When I was a kid, Jason Pollock was not considered an artist.
Anybody who can sell a $4 million painting is an artist.
When I graduated college I went for a couple of months.
While I was there you had to go there.
It was considered cultural.
While there I ran into a family from where I went to college.
They had their 14 and 16-year-old kids there.
An adult club.
But they thought it was cultural.
I'm sorry how many of you think the beach is family-friendly?
Have you seen the thongs?
There is not much there.
So, seeing frilly panties, if that is going to upset you then the things are going to upset you.
The beach is family-friendly.
What we consider art, someone else may not.
You know I'm not really fond of ballet or opera but I do consider them cultural.
We cannot look at these things as what we like or what is acceptable today.
When I was young, in high school there was a singer and I forgot what his name was.
All of the preachers went nuts.
You can't have this guy and the public.
No, worse than that.
Elvis Presley, have you heard of him?
He became a very famous singer.
Terrible.
Waving hips and the whole nine.
It is obscene.
Nobody should be able to be seen.
The obscene stuff.
I'm sorry.
I'm not big on drag shows.
However it is a cultural thing.
I'm not big on graffiti.
It is a cultural thing.
What we individually may or may not like is not necessarily cultural to someone else.
All right, I was in gymnastics.
My father did not think that was a sport.
But now everybody does.
You have to look at the long game.
You can't hold this up because you don't like – which is basically what Danny was saying.
It is a cultural thing.
Rocky horror picture show.
People were seeing it 40, 50, 60 times.
I never saw it but it was a cultural thing.
Okay, everything here.
Not only that but increasing it yearly.
Because things are getting more expensive every year.
Thank you.


>> Okay.
Lloyd Bowers.
You will be followed by Jill.


>> Members of the Council as you know I am a member of the cultural counsel for years and I served as vice chair and February 18 of this past year you approved the revised program that we developed based upon your recommendations, a lot of time, a lot of hard work and not.
Then we rated the grants based upon that.
So the majority of people receiving grants are program driven.
They are not operating the expense.
So we looked at those programs and those programs work within the rubric of what you asked us to do.
We did that and I hope that you will approve what we brought to you today.
As far as grant funding goes.
If you have concerns from here going forward we should reevaluate every year.
A drop in the amount that can be awarded starting next year, 50,030 5000 after that going forward.
The funds are decreasing.
However, I think we should also include legal advice on that.
Councilman Robbins I was a little concerned by the two programs you put out.
Our County code after 36 prohibits discrimination based on personal gender identity and sexual orientation.
Both employment, housing and public accommodations.
Our County definition public accommodations include theaters.
If that is a concern then, let us look at working with legal to see if that is appropriate.
Clark's hello.
I am an artist.
You can tell I'm an artist because my hair is wet.
I'm dressed inappropriately and I was late because I went to Arizona Street, a dead end.
Don't go to Arizona Street.
I'm just here in Georgia, I knew I was going to get emotional.
My mom was born below the poverty level.
So she measured success by how much money her daughters made and I was the weird one of the family.
I will struggle my whole life because I'm not good with math and engineering and all of that but I love what I do.
And I finally found a place for me in New Smyrna Beach and there were no studios when I got here. I finally saved up enough money to move here. I set up a little garage.
It was really hard for me.
I got a studio up at the hub and I started crying and I just can't imagine that being taken away.
We love what we do.
We work so hard and we don't care about the money.
The irony here is that artists just want to do what they love and if I did have to have money, when I look for a vacation spot to take my obviously very opinionated and judgmental mother.
[LAUGHTER] Ironically I do look for places where there is art or stuff to do because I think it elevates a community.
You've got new Smyrna Beach.
You have the beach.
People are going to go to beach bars, whatever.
I'm not going to take my mother there.
A lot of people and I'm just going to say it.
With a certain average household income that is higher than the national average they probably don't just want that.
I want more cultural experiences.
So I wanted to point that out just to the investment.
That I know is being considered for today.
So thank you for letting me speak.


>> Thank you very much.


>> They get everybody that comes in every year.
When this comes up you all fill the chambers.
I'm going to open this up.


>> I think you might've had a public participation.


>> She watches me pretty closely.
I'm going to open this up to the Council.
I wanted to start, on our screens we have the names of who wants to speak.
Nobody is up yet.
I don't know.
I wanted to go first because I think I'm going to suggest that we take this in a different direction than where I believe Danny was going.
I didn't hear Danny.
Somebody said this boat is in jeopardy.
I didn't hear what he said.
What I heard was he had concerns with a couple of programs.
I want to separate what I'm about to say from that because Danny will explain where he is coming from but I don't think that was his intention at least from what I heard.
There were a couple of things that were said that have guided my thinking.
You had a moral obligation to support the true art and culture.
For me that is the issue.
We heard about it today.
Who decides that?
Who decides what true art is and what real culture is?
I support the arts.
Many people, because I am a farmer, don't think I have any culture at all.
I have gotten emails that say my family's culture is how far can be through a cow party?
Pretty far if it is sufficiently dry.
My daughters have been invigorated and excited from the hub and different painters.
Cinema Steak is an outstanding venue on Beach Street.
This year my wife and I joined the Symphony.
One of the symphonies and societies because we were invited by friends and we loved it.
We are going to a fundraiser.
When I'm struggling I am put in the position I am making the charitable decisions for everybody we represent.
If there is a program that somebody doesn't like they'll have to attend and that is absolutely true.
But we are asking them if we provide this money to pay for events then they wouldn't necessarily support me . My wife and I make decisions on what cultural events we can go to because of our budget and our economy.
This year with three kids getting married there is not going to be a lot of budget.
But that is just me.
I can make that decision.
What I can do is make that decision for all of you.
I believe that we have a moral obligation to spend taxpayers money wisely and reading in the local press this week the employment is down and Volusia County.
I'm wrestling with the fact that we were able to reduce the budget enough this year to not give you a tax increase.
I think you pay enough between taxes and skyrocketing insurance because they can't afford to live here.
When I look at – what is our moral obligation?
What are our core responsibilities?
I look at the art.
For me I see that is part of what brings people here.
What is part of bringing entrepreneurs here but then I look at, because we just went through budget season everything we pay for we have half the amount that we are looking at here at $611,000 to fix cracked and decaying sidewalks there hundred thousand dollars.
Counsel, I am going to do something that probably nobody expects.
And none of you are ever going to like me again.
I think we need to take the $611 and move it to the $5 million that we have for roads, sidewalks for support.
We have very limited funds to maintain our road.
For me that is more of a core responsibility. I can guarantee you every taxpayer and Volusia County will say yeah, you spend our money wisely if you're fixing sidewalks my kid can get to school safely.
If you're fixing the roads I won't ruin my car in the potholes.
I think we should move this money to that and instead of me making charitable decisions for every taxpayer and Volusia County then I think we ought to take, to give you an opportunity to maybe raise more money then you are asking us here today this might cost the county more I don't know.
I think we should have a cultural exhibit in the ocean center entered by all of you there.
One of the reasons people might not come to your events.
They are not overly expensive.
They don't know.
And they don't go to the county website or your website.
Let's really promote a cultural program at the ocean center and let people choose to give funds.
To donate there.
You would have to compete with everybody else.
I think that's where we are.
And Volusia County that we need to move to that form of competition.
It is easy to come to the county government and ask for money.
I'm not trying to make it hard for you but I can't make a decision from the taxpayers to give to your program when your kids can't get to school on the safe side walk.


>> Thank you chair.
May I Mr. Upper Q?
If you don't mind.
Craig, thank you sorry to be such a pain in the butt.
Is your part of the alliance correct?
You interact with all the groups let's say personally Volusia County wide?


>> Me personally, no but our organization, yes.


>> JEFF BROWER: With that being said, I did some research and some other counties.
Kind of what they are doing, who they are partnering with.
Have you guys ever utilized any services like the United arts essential Florida pretty much through a firm or court?


>> We are not eligible for that.
They are a local letter a letter a. Right?
So we are not local letter a letter a letter a. You've chosen a counsel to have your letter a letter a letter a within your organization already.
As the county government.


>> At the end of the day, what policy – these folks are here from what I can see they are raising a lot of money.
Not just possibly here locally.
Or even governments for that matter.
Is there a way somewhere policy wise that the County.
That was not my intent today.
Typing and stuff like that.
But, is it possible to see what policy changes could be made, if they have to be made on our end where these organizational partners go after grants nationwide for tourism facilities, special events and venue subsidies.
Is that something that we can work towards partnering with?


>> I'm sure that is something we could work toward.
I think that you would want to rethink how the local arts agency is already currently set up.


>> Yeah, you have the cultural counsel and each of you have appointed one member to sell, not bored right?
Lloyd Bowers is one of them, Paul Richardson is one of them.
There is one from everyone in your district.
I'm not sure if there's one at large that is currently how it is set up.
Better directed through that but the cultural alliance is happy to be part of that.


>> JEFF BROWER: We can all look at this. It is no different from Craig – I see where the chairman is coming from.
When you put it in perspective, if you have lights, food, other people, Bruce's.
You go out and buy a Corvette.
Probably not smart.
what the chairman was trying to get across was the best use of federal tax dollars.
If we can work together and have a discussion where it alleviates possibly tax dollars but help the organization get towards or get linked up with United arts are one of these people that do that service of course they get a percentage.
But I looked at the client list.
They have some very vibrant communities in Orange County. It may be better than the system that you are using now given the current economic and fiscal hurdles that we all have.
I think it is a good discussion.
I think we should have it.
I appreciate your time.
I think decision-making has already taken place.
It is a little counterproductive to go backwards in time.
It is not always counterproductive to have a discussion about it quickly. Some of this policy is 20 – 30 and 40 years old.
I don't necessarily see it going backwards.
Is it a better, more efficient way to do things to still accomplish our overall goal of making sure you all are successful in getting to that goal?
Is it a better funding mechanism?
Does it alleviate general fund tax dollars?
All of the above.
If policy changes in a positive manner, go for it.


>> MATT REINHART: Think you chair.
I definitely see where you are coming from.
With respect to what you say about the roads and core responsibilities.
I also think that cultural arts is a core responsibility.
And I always have.
You can say that you don't take individuals.
And I don't support this or I don't support the other.
I have kids that are out of school obviously that is different from this dais.
The government and I think the same.
Volusia County a cultural destination.
I love this one.
Our fruit, our future.
Arts unify, strengthen and economy.
Several dozen emails I think I said the same thing talking about how much our economy helps.
I think I was pointed out today by several speakers.
The grading system that we went back to that you spoke of.
That's true, we just approved that back in February.
I've never been – I can't say I've never been.
I really don't like the ninth inning fourth quarter. Let's change the rules.
Every year we fight for this.
Every year we vote for this.
I can say that this is not a different year.
I haven't heard a motion yet.
Some are going to make that motion.
We approve this cultural arts funding and if they want to look at these other things in the future like what was recommended by policies changing that for future use.
I'm going to make that motion, that's what I'm going to leave it.


>> The $750,000 expenditure as presented.
Is there a second on that motion?


>> I'm sorry.
We've had the public input we will go right now.
The motion dies for lack of a second.
But we are not discussing it.
You might have another chance.
Jake Johansson.


>> Quick question, it was mentioned that there are some laws that restrict us from possibly restricting things happening, case in point or funding things that may be occurring there.


>> It is possible, yes.
If you want to review them, my recommendation would be that rather than picking and choosing winners or non-winners I think it kind of goes back to the question of what to support the program rather than picking and choosing?


>> So Athens theater is funded by echo.
So regardless of what we did, I think by law or rule or whatever the heck it was said that the Volusia echo logo has to be associated with Athens.
So if we don't fund it and they have this event anyhow.
We are still going to be associated with that particular.
I've seen a Rocky horror picture show I think before I was 18.
But I believe we are associated, which is what we are trying to do.
Just associate ourselves with things. I think Councilman Robin said family friend but I do see two or three times on their website but it is 18 and above only.
I just want to know whether we lose or give the money or not. We are going to be somehow connected to the event or events such as that.
So I'm trying to figure out what we accomplish from distancing ourselves from that particular event or events such as that.
So it doesn't sound like we make any progress because it is still going to say Volusia echo.


>> Right.
That is one of the requirements.
The display where we got funding from.
So, anything else that is bought and paid for by the Volusia echo that is used may have been happening for years right?
It's going to be used by any entity that can legally rent that facility rights?
Port Orange is the pavilion down on the water.
It is not something that by virtue of our vote we can stop.


>> I don't believe that would violate any of the grant conditions.
I do understand that Athens did remove Volusia County as well, not much but a little bit.
And doesn't know where that money goes.
There was $18 million and once they dilute that into counties, we are not quite sure where that goes.
I'm kind of looking for the state to go in that direction, therefore we should have the government closest to the people and we get all of the emails family-friendly.
I also appreciate that we've spent a lot of time telling the cultural counsel what we expected of them and that we wanted to wean people off of this program to not pull the rug right out from under them in one year and here we are with the rug right out from under.
It's just not the way I appreciate doing business.
I don't want to spend $11,000 a year.
I want to figure out a better way to get that money.
And it can be more.
But I don't want to do it through the general fund.
Having said that this isn't the direction just like permitting, just like building, just like everything else.
I don't like moving the bar.
That's where we are right now.
I would like to move to try to get away from trying to figure out a way to make us happy and you happy a win win and that holds up the cultural rants and for those people that are not in this predicament.
Off the tax dollar here is the way I propose. When we did that big change in the cultural counsel I did some heavy lifting that did what we wanted to do.
I'm not a big fan of the drag show stuff but I am also very supportive of cultural arts in general.
So not sure where I am going yet but there has not been a motion made there is no motion to be concerned about.


>> JEFF BROWER: Thank you Jake.
I think Danny is next.
According to our rules.
There is nothing to debate if there is not a second.
So I gave some leniency to let somebody else talk. I thought there might be a second but unless somebody seconds this, our rules say there is nothing to discuss.
And the motion is to improve the 611 758,000 as presented.
Is there a second on that?
And if there is no second, I would like to make a motion to approve.
And withhold Athens theater funding for a quick legal discussion with them and us to see if we can resolve the issue at hand.
And shoestring.


>> Let's straighten this out then.
That means since there wasn't a second to Matt's motion to approve as presented, that dies and now you are placing another motion on the table to approve it but withholding shoestring and Athens funding.


>> Until we can discuss with them how to work the writ with the cultural counsel if need be.
And then bring it back.


>> Okay.


>> JEFF BROWER: Is there a second to that motion?
By Jake Johansson.


>> JAKE JOHANSSON: If it gets the other ones going I will second it.
One thing, Mr. Chair, if I could, maybe it is clear to you I want to trouble the right page with staff.
It's not clear to me so I was going to – you and I might be the only ones.


>> JEFF BROWER: His motion is approved the way it is presented except for two of them which leaves it wide open.
Who discusses, is it legal or the Council?
Who discusses Athens and shoestring?


>> I just had some questions.


>> We haven't nailed down the motion yet.


>> What I'm hearing is some concerns about Athens theater and shoestring.
They are not involved in any programs funded by this grant, worked right?


>> Correct.
The programs that pledged are not what they are asking funding for.
The question of Rocky horror is not what they are requesting funding for.


>> Mr. Bailey you can say it is not going directly to this program but, yes, sir no, is this taxpayer dollars going towards this entity?
Is our tax dollars going towards the entity to promote – I gave everybody the respect when you all were talking.
I would appreciate the same.
Mr. Bailey.
The point where I think we tried to drill down on his tax dollars are going to entity promoting things that may not be acceptable use of taxpayer dollars.
That is the question here.
And I know we have to tiptoe around it for obvious reasons because we all are in this together okay?
That is the question that has really nothing to do with you but I think we all know the answer it may not be going to that direct program but they are getting tax dollars.
Some of them are getting tens of millions of tax dollars in addition on echo.
Mr. Bailey, sorry to drag you into this.


>> Correct me if I'm wrong.
I'm going to go with what I know to be true.
So, Sam's theater which is a 501 C3 not taxable where the app to the community cultural grant.
Building the bricks and mortar there is two entities.
You've got the LLC which pays taxes with which is Athens LLC then you have the Sam's theater which is a nonprofit.
Two different taxable entities.
The taxable entity is the one that is collecting revenue from the Rocky horror picture so.
The Sam's theater.
The nonprofit are not collecting those revenues?
But it is in the same building.
That was funded with –.


>> But also if you go to sunbathers.com you will see that the owner and addresses are alike right?
This is for tax purposes.
I get it.
We can spin this however we want to try to justify this.
But my whole point of this was I looked at in depth, several of these.
Not all 34.
In that, why I did not second your motion.
As presented using your words, who here can say knowing what we know with just five minutes or 10 minutes of investigation I guess you can call it.
Are we comfortable going forward approving the other 32 without knowing exactly where those tax dollars are going?
That is the basis for it.


>> JEFF BROWER: We still need to tie this up.
Since you asked him directly.


>> Mr. Robbins, to answer your question, I think it is what the dollars are for.
And I know not everybody had the opportunity.


>> But the stuff I found was not on those papers.
Like Danny, before you continue, I'm still – this is really loose what the motion is.
Let me ask you if you're willing.
This is your motion to approve everything except for the $31,000 for Sands, the 8766 for shoestring and they would bring that back for a different time?


>> I just want to delay those two so someone cannot be conversation.
If no one wants to have the conversation, I will sit down with them and have the conversation.
I'm trying to get to a win – win here.
And get all those people in the back row that are looking at me.
Jennifer Coolidge is staring at me.
To get them to go home and start molding pottery and getting the next event to going while we have a conversation with shoestring and Sands, Athens, I don't care who.
And try to work this out.
Right now nobody is going to get squat.
I'm just trying to get to a win-win.
I'm always trying to get to a win-win.
There is no legal class – I include the people I thought would be stakeholders.
If legal doesn't have a plan we won't invite to that table.
If Tim Bailey doesn't want to planet I want to invite you to that table and I will go right to the horses mouth and tell him what I want and ask him if they can get there.


>> I would be more than happy to work with you.
I was not against one or the other.
I was just answering Danny's question.


>> I know.
The question is who.
Right now it is me.
And I will invite anybody else to the table but I don't want to keep pointing fingers.
I think you're getting at what I want to get to.
I just can't do it here at 11 o'clock for the next three hours to work out a deal.


>> So let's – let me see if I can restate your motion clearly and if you don't agree with it, tell me.
You want to approve everything other than Sam's and shoestring and that can come back at another time.
Time uncertain.


>> As soon as I have the opportunity to get together.


>> Just so everybody knows what we are debating.
I interrupted you.
Did you want to continue your thought?


>> Let me just make sure I got the picture.
Athens theater is who they are saying owns the building?
And Sam's theater is just the production company?
I'm looking at the form 990.
And they own – I think what was presented to us was that Athens owns the building.
And that Sam's is merely just a production company but it's not that way.


>> Sands is a nonprofit that is asking for the grant money.
Athens is the entity that is producing some of the questionable programs and you know, that is the difference.
What I could suggest though is that, if counsel could direct staff to exactly what they'd like us to try to negotiate.
If there is some problems with some of the programs.
Identify what the problems are and then we could maybe go to the cultural counsel and work together and create some policies that identify these are the parameters we want to institute into the program.
Bring them back to you for approval so, family-friendly or however we would like to keep the structures, the guardrails on and you decide as a counsel if that is the policy you would like before we embed that into the application process and now it is more clear to everyone and the applicant on what programs and how they perform and behave in the future.


>> That sounds reasonable.
It is just not part of the motion.
I think that would probably happen afterwards.
But we can try and nail that down if this motion fails, somebody can make another motion to state specifically what we want done.
Or you can amend your motion if we have a idea of exactly what you want to hear from Athens.


>> So, my goal is to ask them both to take away the portion that is offensive to some of us.
It sounds like the drag show before the movie is a issue.
So, why can't we just see if they are willing to get rid of that part of it.
I don't think the movie is going to be a issue.
It is showed around the world.
It is kind of funny and it's over 18.
Just let it happen.
I don't think the movie is anymore drag show-ish than it has been for the past 45 years.
You know, it's kind of a hollowing movie.
And there are many other movies similar to it and if not worse I know, that is how old I am.
That is the intent.
For me.


>> Think you chair, Mr. Johansen.
I appreciate that.
Are you comfortable with the other 30 to applicant's that there is no other questionable exhibits or up to your standard and in part to you know I will leave it at that.
I don't know what I don't know for sure.
But it sounds like we are probably going to have a January goal where we can discuss policies like this in the future.
And make sure that everybody knows.
But let me tell you something.
In January we are going to tell them what they want and go back and do it.
We are going to pass the budget and give them the $611,000 next year and then in October when it comes on the consent agenda we are going to move the bar again.
We just, we been doing that for the past two years.
So, at some point we can't keep coming up with great ideas and moving the bar on these people.
We bust our butts for economic development.
We bust our butts for making homes quicker to buy and build and we spent hours messing with these people.
I think cultural arts is important.
If you want to get rid of this $611,000 we should have done in the budget.
And I think it is a good idea to take a look at our responsibilities and take everything out of the budget that you don't think should be funded by the general fund.
But now is not the time to do that.
So, I would like to move forward and take a leap of faith with the rest of them.
And then take a hard look at how we are doing the rest.
For the following year if we do them at all.


>> By your words and by mine earlier I supported the arts what is being presented and just like Mr. Reinhart in this case with you is improving it not knowing exactly with the other programs are like.
That was my reason for bringing this up.
I said earlier I can't move forward until I know Don well what this taxpayer money is doing because in just a few minutes I found this.
Everybody wants responsibility, transparency and accountability.
I said from the beginning I don't feel comfortable going forward until I know 100%.
That's not saying I don't support it.
The other entities.
But approving it, not knowing.
My opinion is just as bad if not worse.
There was some reference made earlier to discrimination we are not discriminating against anything.
But what we are saying I just wanted to point out that I think this discussion is a great example of why everybody in this group does not want the government responsible for they need to be defining it themselves and offering it to the public.
Whether or not they support that.
And I would also point out that this is exactly the problem this cycle this is not a good time to put money into roads.
Like I said this is not the right time.
I do want to heed this warning that the state is going to put on the ballot in 2026 erasing property taxes.
Then we are going to be dependent in Volusia County they are going to tell us what they found.
I think it's also already shown weakness in the knees on this I think we have to focus on our core responsibilities because we are going to have less money going forward.
I don't see anybody in Volusia County.
Very few people not voting to be able to get rid of property taxes.
But it is the way we fund government and the state hasn't told us at how they are going to replace all that money.
Councilman Kent.


>> Thank you Chairman.
I appreciate the healthy discussion.


>> How many sidewalks and all of Volusia County?


>> Is probably in a couple million dollar range.


>> The 300,000 number.
That's not correct.


>> The road program that has sidewalks in it.


>> It's in that kind of range.


>> That was clear as mud.


>> Haven't seen him and you together in a long time.
I know there is a only beach connection there.
This is just my personal opinion.
Just personal.
But when you and your brother and your family ran the local news Journal paper you talk to a rich cultural climate.
I felt like our community had a much more rich cultural climate because of giving that your family did.
I felt like you all would put your money where your mouth was.
And I just wanted to say thank you for that.
As a young man that at the time that grew up in this community I was able to attend certain things and I know your family was – so publicly, thank you.
Then counsel, I will just tell you because I'm not waiting on this today.
I've always voted for this year after year since I've been on this counsel and I've struggled with it because of what the chairman has stated and I will just tell you you can look at this as apples to apples or apples to oranges but members, councilmembers I will just tell you there is a situation in Ormond Beach where I served on that commission and we were asked towards the statue of the cloud Methuen and Daytona Beach and I'm a huge advocate for historically black colleges.
I'm a huge advocate but I thought it was appropriate for me to spend taxpayer dollars on a project in a neighboring sister city.
It was too far-fetched for me to commit those dollars.
So I did something.
I said it publicly that night.
My wife and I did.
But Troy and Heather wrote a personal check to the statue fund because as you know, that is our statute and capital in Washington DC for the state of Florida but the other statue I wrote a check.
I would dare to say looking at my measly net worth compared to the net worth of some of those heavy hitters looking at percentagewise of what I gave compared to what they gave.
I gave a whole heck of a lot more compared to others.
That is because my wife and I believed in it but I didn't think it was appropriate to spend the taxpayer dollars on it.


>> It's easy to say yes when it's not your money you know?
When it's not coming out – when I say your money not coming out of your pocket, just to say yes.
I struggle chairman with not what you say but the whole argument of it because we are picking the winners and losers and to give individually instead of us taking tax dollars they've given great discussions and tax dollars.
I'm interested to see how this works out tonight, thank you.


>> Do you actually have a motion yet on the floor?


>> For having the courage to actually get up and propose because we've all been talking about weaning these organizations off of the tax role where they are independent and self funding.
The Sam's theater I review the 90 form and the revenue from the tax year 20 to – 23 went from to .1 million in revenue to to .4 million in revenue.
The salaries went from 670,000 a year to 841 in a year.
So they've been able to apparently get more staff work give raises depending on revenue over the history I've been here to witness the whole thing the Athens theater renovation wonderful things.
To get started I believe back in 1994 and they were getting grants to date.
I believe they've got nearly $8 million from federal, state and local funding.
I think they are at a point.
I don't even know where the Athens theater ties into their books.
It seems like they've arrived but they are self funding.
I've been there for a few shows this past year and they do a wonderful production the vital part of the downtown the to strain theater.
It is also a wonderful organization and they add so much to the community.
But I've got to agree in the chair at some point it really shouldn't be asked to vote to take money from certain people and give it to them that is just what we like.
I really think they should be self-funded.
I don't think they are struggling they are 990.
It doesn't look like they are struggling financially.
I don't think they are going to close the doors over $31,000 God I hope not.
It seems like they are driving.
I understand what Mr. Johansen is saying.
You want to pull the rug out from under them.
Maybe we should do a hybrid of getting this year past and saying this is it.
We are done.
Then go with the chairs recommendation of here on out this will be the last year for funding.
Is what I would propose.


>> Will have to do with this motion first and if it fails anybody else will have to make another motion.


>> MATT REINHART: Thank you chair.
It is true, we have roads and sidewalks, I totally agree with that 110%.
What I'm getting at and the reason why I went ahead and seconded that motion separate from the first motion is all these people, a lot more than to agencies that are here I've said it before and with respect to what Mr. Dempsey just said and what councilmember Johansen again, ninth inning fourth quarter I think and everyone appear said I don't like it either.
And that being said I also heard a great recommendation which we can get to after this.
We have a goalsetting coming up in June.
Make that part of the goalsetting.
We look at this a little more thoroughly.
We bring individuals from the culture counsel to the table.
But I think waiting until today's vote waiting to do this is absurd and you want to know what the money is being spent on.
The information was provided to us.
You want to go deeper, go deeper.
Ninth inning.
With that being said I would like to call the question.


>> JEFF BROWER: Thank you.
We are at that point.
The motion on the table is to approve the $611,758,000 shy whatever the portion is for Athens shoestring.
I don't think we will need that number to vote on this.


>> They've got two different names.
It was Sam's and shoestring.
It was $486 plus –.


>> Almost $40,000 less.


>> That is the motion on the table.
Carissa, will you call the role please?


>> DON DEMPSEY: No.


>> JAKE JOHANSSON: Yes.


>> TROY KENT: No.


>> MATT REINHART: Yes.


>> DANNY ROBINS: No.


>> JEFF BROWER: No.
The motion fails.
I will give you a opportunity if anybody would like to make another motion before we move on its before we go to item I. We will no doubt take this up again next.


>> I will make a motion to approve this here's budget but then this is the last year.


>> To approve the budget as a whole?


>> I'm sorry, yes.


>> JEFF BROWER: Including Athens and shoestring?
Don's motion is to approve the budget and make this the last year – which we say every year and never do.
But this would set it in motion.


>> The last year for cultural arts funding.


>> Don makes that motion.
Is there a second?


>> DON DEMPSEY: Just the general fund.


>> JEFF BROWER: The motion is to approve this year's award and have it be the final year of the general fund.
Is there a second on that motion?
A second going once.
Twice.


>> JAKE JOHANSSON: Second.


>> JEFF BROWER: A second by Jake Johansson.
To approve the entire budget this year as the final.


>> Pardon me.
I am still – sorry I withdraw my second.


>> JEFF BROWER: We have a motion without a second.
No second?
Then Don your motion dies for lack of no second.
We moved to item I. 


>> I think it was L sir.


>> JEFF BROWER: Yes sorry go to item L. Which is the fees for the marine science center.
And I can make this really quick.
Are you speaking for the MSC?
I don't – I can make this really quick for us.
I don't have a problem with any of the fees except for one.
The item said that it has – it was renewed for a discount for veterans.
Which is basically a dollar discount for many other adults and I wanted to ask the Council if they would make a motion to approve veterans or not charge anything.
But it is free for veterans.
They can earn that when they go to the marine sites they can probably bring a wife, grandkids, the family are all paying.


>> I like that.
I will make that motion.
Yes sir.
To change it to veterans for free.


>> Second.


>> JEFF BROWER: Motion made by Matt Reinhart.
A second by Jake Johansson.
Discussion on that?


>> TROY KENT: What better it goes, does their family have to pay?


>> Yes it was a dollar off the admission of the veterans themselves.
We included the dollar off if they got an annual pass as well as the family members.


>> TROY KENT: I'm going to approve this today but maybe we'll talk about the whole family.
I don't know.
Jake, you are going to this day I believe.
I'm going to tell you this quickly.
I believe anybody that is fishing in the state of Florida.
I don't care if you are a grandfather, grandmother.
If you are fishing with your kid I firmly believe – I don't care if the data is 90 and the kid is 70, you should be doing it for free.
I like the idea of us following that lead right here.
If you're going to bring your family, something to talk about in January for our goal.
Not going to mess up this motion but if you will just write that down so we don't forget that in our goals, thanks.


>> A motion on the table was to allow veterans in the marine science center.
Just the veterans at no charge.
All in favor say aye. Any opposed?


>> Everything else stays the same.


>> Thank you Ginger.
Great job.
Okay.
That was all of the consent agenda.


>> JEFF BROWER: Item 3. The legislative priority.


>> Good morning counsel.
John Booker.
The Council before you is the 2026 priority document.
It is brought to you as part of our – this document serves as your blueprint for our time.
The committee weeks began this week.
The whole hearing.
Draft bills.
And will move forward when the session begins in January.
Major additions to this document from last year reflected in number four items.
A position statement on Senate Bill 180.
When we get to that point.
Discussion regarding the torus development taxes was a big issue that came up last year.
We anticipate that to be a full-blown – coming up.
And this session.
A statement supporting local educational facilities to comply with local stormwater regulations and our non-million-dollar request for the Sheriff's administration building should you have any questions. The agenda has been part of the record for a few days.
Should you have any additions or deletions or refinements or if I had forgotten anything we will incorporate those revisions into the document for distribution to the legislative delegation.
With that I will take any questions that you may have to document in front of you.


>> Thank you.
John.
I'm glad to see your body cameras there again.


>> Body cameras were on there again last year.
They were trying to get a body camera bill.
Did not quite get to the point of being proposed.
But our lobbying team is actually –.


>> I've talked to Andrew about that.
They had said we are going to try again.
Thank you for taking up the fight again for the TDC as well.
Knowing what that will cost – here we are talking about $40 million investments in the ocean center.
It's going to be hard to keep that going without those.


>> Senate Bill 180 is going to be the talk of Tallahassee.
Once I get up there.


>> Thank you.


>> Mr. Booker, for the cameras for the code enforcement I mean, there is an existing bill.
How hard would it be to just modify that language you stuff to go through the whole bill.


>> To my understanding the whole bill would need to be – right.


>> A couple of words would solve this thing but it's the government.
Thanks.


>> JEFF BROWER: Councilman Johansson.


>> JAKE JOHANSSON: John, thanks for the list.
You pretty much nailed it.
All of the important things that I want have been discussed.
I think it will be important under hurricane recovery and resilience infrastructure that you and Ben and the flooding subcommittee and roundtable all work together to determine what projects are the most important for the county.
Geographically the county.
And that we all try to band together to go up there and instead of 16 cities going up and saying I want this, I want that.
Come up with the top three or five and when Jim brings us all up there for Volusia days or whoever is bringing us up these days that we say we all want these projects but if there are five these are the five we need.
And make it – with that whole collaborative no harm to others kind of thing that we've been talking about I think we are there with the subcommittee.
I think everybody is kind of on board with how we've got to fix the global problem here.
I just don't want us to ditch that when we all go up and say yeah but I'm over here and I want this so hopefully we can work together and lobby for that.


>> JEFF BROWER: Anyone else?


>> I would just say what I said in our meeting.
I don't think you were there.
As I read through the list I started highlighting things that I really liked and I stopped because I was highlighting the whole list. I think it is well-written.
The policy positions might continue taking a long time to come up.
It is not exhaustive.
I'm hoping there will be some other things that will promote the county to Tallahassee.
I am really glad to see Senate Bill 180 on the top of the list.


>> Asked our lobbyist to try to get a meeting from last year which is my understanding they are going to meet with him today.
Take the temperature of the former bill sponsor to see what he thinks is going to happen.
He is still relying upon leadership to see if there is room for a glitch bill or some sort of language that we would be supportive of.
But the senator did take that meeting. We are very pleased you are lobbying, our lobbying firm is willing to meet with him and take the pulse.
Assuming you are going to the legislative – final legislative action day in Tampa as the county attorney and IR.
We went to the first one and got a unanimous vote from the committee to amend this.
And I don't know if – Mike you want to say anything about where the amendments lie.
You don't have to but –.


>> Sure.
As I mentioned before I guess FACA D attorney group – what a legislative change can look like.
We are going to be meeting actually tomorrow as far as what the recommendation is and go from there.


>> I think some of the two counties and some cities have also filed a lawsuit.


>> They filed a lawsuit.
I think there are 25 cities if I'm not mistaken.


>> Well hopefully, that will get the attention of the original bill sponsor without the lobbyist.
Okay.
Any other questions on this list?


>> John has assured me he will not come home from Tallahassee until all of these are –.


>> And stayed at a Holiday Inn Express last night.


>> Can I get a motion to approve the list?


>> Motion to approve.


>> JAKE JOHANSSON: Second.


>> JEFF BROWER: Motion to approve by vice chair Reinhart second by Johansson.
No other discussion, all in favor say aye. Any opposed?
The list is approved six – zero.
Item four community block grant disaster recovery hurricane.
This has been a long time coming.
A lot of hard work behind this.


>> Good morning Mr. chair and community.
Officer recovery and today we have the second round of infrastructure projects in front of you as the agenda item says there are several cities that have applied.
One actually had to withdraw one of their projects from last time reapplied because they had lost their funding they were using as much and then we have a County project and several from nonprofits.
So I have a PowerPoint that I can go through if you'd like or I can answer questions.


>> I am assuming everybody looked at the PowerPoint.
The only reason to do it again would be for the public but it is on our agenda online that the public can see it.
We do have questions.
Okay.
There you are.


>> Not a question.
Very happy to see that several of these are moving forward.
Of the 10 I think cities.
Six of them are District 2. I will just point that out.
I'm very happy about that.
With that being said, no other questions.
I will make a motion to approve.
We have a motion to approve as written by vice chair Reinhart and second comes from Johansson.
We do have quite a few members of the public that want to speak on this.
Call your name, just to come up you have three minutes to discuss this.
Please tell us what area of the county you are from and please stick to three minutes.
We could probably give you a little more time if you need.


>> It's okay.
Thank you very much.
I will try to keep this brief.
Thank you County Council and County staff this is a great opportunity for a lot of us.
I just want to mention two things very quickly.
Our project very briefly purchases vacant properties.
Aligning the bottom of the bowl.
There is a trough where it runs.
It is a closed drainage basin which means the water flows once it gets to the bottom.
This project would purchase properties to eventually be able to design the retention pond so the other thing that was pointed out to us is there is a limited amount of funds.
We've been encouraged to seek other funding sources to help stretch these dollars.
I just want to let you know we are going to be seeking a legislative appropriation list in the next section.


>> Thank you very much.


>> Thank you.
Okay, to staff the city manager carbon.
Thank you for coming sir.


>> My pleasure, Your Honor.
Awesome job with your staff.
This particular grant program helps us through this particular process.
We also will be applying for state appropriations to help reduce this and will be presenting at the delegation this month and you will see our presentation to answer any questions you might have.


>> Cynthia Roberts.
From Lake Helen.
She had to leave?
Christina loudest.


>> JEFF BROWER: You still only get three minutes.


>> I live in Lake Helen and we are still trying to recover from the last hurricane.
I live in a villa which is an over 55 home community and we are still not able to get to the post office because one of our streets is closed.
One of the proposed items on the agenda is one for $11 million.
There is an alternative to that because Taylor Road is going to take up more than 10 miles of pipe and then just dump it in front of Lake Helen villas where I live.
I spent 10 days not only getting out of my house during the hurricane and there is an alternative.
The alternative is – hold on.
The Victoria Hills golf course deed restriction.
The park developments which is in Deland.
We are going to take all of this to land water and dump it in my backyard which is already – anyhow.
This deed restriction indicates that it is first and foremost the golf course is a stormwater management facility that is with the golf course.
It is on the southernmost sloping part of the Victorian Park development.
All of the water is going to flow there anyway.
The neighborhood's excess stormwater is supposed to go also to the golf course during a major storm event.
It has a high filtration rate so it is going to suck up all the water.
There is no risk of flooding those homes in Victoria Park.
Much easier and cost-effective.
It will cost $1 million around Taylor Road at least on the south side through the change of length and then with a new pipe underneath orange camps it goes right into the golf course.
Instead of putting it on us.
I'm thinking you got like three projects helping you and you have zero and district one here.
When we take the 900 million you save by putting the water then you have 900,000 more dollars and you can help us build the small 1 mile dump spread the Victoria Park's water is going right now just an idea.
It would really help all of us out.
On our front step the island surrounding Bywater and 10 days for it to go down.
All the animals.
There are rabbits and everything and Lake Helen villas.
They're all on our doorstep trying to get out of the floodwaters.
We can't afford any more water being dumped on us right now.
Please could you rethink how you spend 11 million.
Spend 1 million.
The project is the Victoria Park's golf course.
Take that and help us.


>> When we are done here you will get an answer to this.
Thank you.
From the Halifax urban ministry the new Executive Director.


>> Did all of the hard work.
I've just been there for 60 days.
Thank you so much for having us today.
I just want to say how important our work is for the county.
We live in a building that is an old-school or renovated school as you might imagine. We have folks to live with us 24 seven.
We provide food and shelter for those individuals.
And proud of the work that we do.
For $808,000 for our new roof.
Everybody else is talking about water.
Built in 1957 and it is time to save her.


>> I would just like to say that we invest and we do operate under core values also.
Which is Volusia County.
We served hundred and 89 families last year with hundred and 87 individuals and in addition to that we have homeless youth and the most youth today are enrolled in school other than a GED program or college.


>> The folks that we are serving right now are your neighbors.
They are families where both parents work, both kids get up in the morning and go to school, they are challenged by the cost of housing right now and insurance.
And this is no longer about other people.
These are people you know.
And we would like to continue to serve them.


>> JEFF BROWER: Thank you very much for coming in.


>> John, Daytona Beach side.
I like to think out-of-the-box on this.
I am trying to get you to understand that the need for wreaths in our code is important.
I've thought for years there would be a hurricane coming with damage to our coastline.
I didn't believe it.
I think you believe now that hurricanes do a lot of damage to our coast.
Reefs offshore a meeting in which they did have wreaths.
It was a bunch of rocks sitting at the shoreline.
I'm talking about offshore that will stop that water.
That force that comes on shore that does all the damage.
Stop it dead in its tracks.
That little toast by the time it hits the shoreline.
There are several kinds of 
reefs and instead of us keeping paying for the damage.
– Secondly with regards to the flooding which is an issue.
We use tanks.
If you dig and you take all this land off you only get a foot of water.
So, if you go up and use that same area you get 30 times the amount of water that can be maintained.
If we did that and our Midtown we can wait until low tide ships water out it may take a day or two instead of flooding the houses.
Miller Lake, if we went up, they would not flood.
Over time it would release that water between rains and hurricanes.


>> Wendy Anderson.


>> Good morning, thank you and Wendy Anderson.
I live in District 1. I wanted to speak a little bit more on what Laura Lie was talking about.
The item for the East flooding concern.
Mr. Dempsey hosted a town hall to discuss it with the residents around that area and as we all know that is an area that has chronically flooded certainly with the big storms but there has also been flooding all day, every day for the last several years since some of those developments were completed.
As Laurlie was just discussing while I do not want to wait another day to get a solution in place for these people and we waited long enough for the solutions I do have some heartburn over this project and I was just speaking with Ben Bartlett a couple minutes ago and he assures me that St. Johns River water management District will not allow any water that is going to get pumped over to Lake Moore to discharge further east into the Fairgrounds property.
A county asset.
Or further on into deep Creek which is Laurlie concern the mobile home park just east of brevet.
I think we have to look very carefully without input constraints on that project so it doesn't cause more problems.
More costly problems down the road.
Ashley mentioned, yes I did a primer on this.
We do have solutions within the watershed.
We do not have to pump that water out of its existing watershed.
We can push it south which is its regular normal hydrologic flow way into the Victoria Hills golf course which is where it belongs.
At least the water that is coming from south of Taylor road.
North of Taylor road there are some other solutions. I talked a bit about the past.
I don't want to delay this project.
You all should probably approve it with contingency that may be a follow-up conversation and study on this.
And I don't mean a study we pay for but a study of stakeholders coming together one more time to try to find the very best solution for this beyond what is currently on the books right now.
$10 Million is a lot of money.
It is one of the most expensive projects on this list today.
And I'm not sure that 2 miles of pipe is really the best use of our funds.
So again I don't want to delay a solution for these folks they've suffered long enough but I want to make sure we are using every single penny of federal tax dollars to their best use.
So thank you very much.


>> Thank you for the public comment on this item, Councilman Jake Johansson.


>> How many projects.


>> They did not.
They did apply for a planning project.


>> How far out is it?
Got it.
Procurement +12 months.


>> To address the concerns number one, the project wherever we have a pump project set up the district sets elevations and the receiving bodies of water.
A great example and has dozens of ponds with an eventual outfall to a large borrow pit that holds the ending of the water.
Has similar projects like this.
I know because I put them all in they are all set again with elevation from St. John's, that will be the case so, this one over here.
To the point, there is a lot of money being spent.
I agree, $10 million is going to be a lot of money and you have one home that actually had water in it so that is something I think people need to be cognitively aware as we are spending this money.
Return on investment for this.
That particular project also which is property forever purchased we work with them on this project.
We will either expand upon so the idea hopefully is the circumstances, the graduated effect on that area and lastly as far as the talk about we already approved another project moving through the ponds to that golf course that was mentioned.

We work with them on this project and it also involves buying another property nearby that would either expand upon an idea hopefully is that we do not have to pipe the water.  It is a graduated affect in that area.  Lastly as far as the talk about moving the water to the golf course, we already approved just a few minutes ago another project that was under consent studying moving the water through Victoria Park onto the golf course that was mentioned.  Bartlett is the expert on that particular area if you have any other questions.  I want to make sure those are the procedures.  
>>  Just one other question, is the big 10 million include purchasing the house that you mentioned that had water in it?  
>>  Yes, sir it includes property acquisition for potential acquisition of the house.  And other homeowners indicated, sellers as well as across the street.  What is left of the farm?  
>>  Councilman Dempsey?  
>>  Is that based on what we have for the basin study?  
>>  Yes.  
>>  Okay.  I know we've had meetings and the engineers has it been addressed with the engineering firm for increasing the flooding in Lake Helen?  
>>  Exactly how doctor Anderson stated at a certain point it can tip and float east instead of there is another pond and pipes that work its way under I-4.  Our plan will be too not do that.  We will utilize Lake Moore only and we have pumped there before and we have not seen it reach that tipping point.  We do not anticipate to utilize without sin -- sending it.  You don't want to send additional water to areas that are already flooded.  We have a water analysis that are specifically looking at Daytona Park Estates down to this area.  One of the areas specifically asked them to model and look at was this connection through what essentially is a part of DeLand.  We want to make sure they incorporate the plans for this project in that water analysis so we can see exactly what is going on.  I do not anticipate nor do I plan on asking the water management District to pump a certain amount of volume of water that is going to reach the tipping point and send more water down the stream.  
>>  One last question.  The idea of using the golf course, is that part of the plan?  Is it even possible?  I am assuming it is private.
>>  The analysis you just approved, it was 1/5 14 DeLand.  They're looking at that for the specific reason.  It is flooding to the south and they have identified getting water across orange camp and utilizing the golf course.  That will be looked at.  I think the one thing to remember in all of this is you can never have enough places to put water.  Ideally, we may be able to interconnect some of the systems and move water to certain places when some of them become full.  The more options we have the better off we will be.  
>>  Thank you.  Any other questions?  We have a motion on the floor to approve the list and a second.  We have had questions, any debate on it?  All in favor of approving the development block grant disaster recovery hurricane Ian fund please say aye.
>>  Aye.
>>  Any opposed?  6/0.  We have a lot of people in this room waiting for future items.  Some of them that you're waiting for or whenever we take lunch, it is not going to happen until after lunch.  How does the Council feel about taking a break?  12:05 PM, let's break for lunch until 12:50 PM. 


>>  We are on item number five.  Bobby King?  
>>  Thank you Bobby King, director.  Thank you for having me this afternoon.  We can go to the presentation if you would like.  I think everybody has a copy of it.  
>>  Has everybody seen it?  
>>  Motion to approve.  
>>  We will stop talking when you are ahead.  [LAUGHTER] 
We have a motion to approve item number five by Councilman Robins.  I did not catch the second, it was by Vice Chair Reinhart.  Any questions for staff?  It is good work.  All in favor of approving the new recommendations?  
>>  Bobby, as we talked about it briefly this involves expanding the program is that right?  
>>  Yes, sir.  
>>  That is it.  [LAUGHTER] 
>>  Who uses it?  What is the number one rider?  
>>  Well, everybody does.  Here on the website, we had 25% since we have put it in.  So we have a lot of coverage area.  
>>  Do we still have the same fares like two dollars?  
>>  When we came to you in January, we increased affairs holistically throughout the service.  We did increase affairs.  It is a two dollar fare for a short trip.  And then it can go up to seven dollars for up to 10 miles.  That is the maximum amount of miles you can go on a boat ride.  
>>  The same trip would cost basically 10 – $15 through one of the cabs or lift?  
>>  We did analysis on UBER rides and where we want to introduce UBER transit in areas like Ponce Inlet.  It was about $12 for a 5 mile ride.  It is a little bit higher but it is still a lot less running the large bus.  
>>  Thank you.  Councilman Robins Rick.
>>  I just want to highlight a couple of things.  When we started this two – three years ago.  A lot of it is coming to fruition now.  How much has the taxpayers saved over the last two years just on hand?  I do not need a definite number.  I know we saved a couple million.  
>>  Good question.  We are working on more savings.  The biggest was the nine vehicles that we do not have to replace here on the west side.  It's $700,000 a piece.  We are using that to provide more service to our constituents in Volusia County.  
>>  Thank you.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: Councilman Dempsey?  
>>  This program is still open to the entire public not just the indigent?  
>>  Right.
>>  We had no public comments on these?  I do not see any more questions.  We have a motion to approve boat transit services.  All in favor say aye.
>>  Aye.
>>  I am against this for the same reasons I was when we voted on this initially.  I understand we are saving money from the big buses by converting two cars.  I still don't like the idea.  With buses your indirectly competing with private industry.  Taxicabs, UBER, lift but now boat ride.  I know it is saving money but I unfortunately do not like the idea that we are directly competing with private industry.  The same ride is costing two dollars versus $12 it is a sixfold savings to the commuter.  It is going to the private industries out of business in this area.  I don't think lift, UBER or the cabs, it is a matter of time until they go.  It has been successful because people are catching on and they realize what bargain it is there.  I do not think we need it.  Thanks.  
>>  Thank you.  Councilman Johansson?  
>>  Thank you.  Bobby, I have a question down the same lines.  If I order eight UBER right now, it would be here in about five minutes.  If I called boat ride, one with a beer?  
>>  The max waiting time is 45 minutes.  
>>  45?  Can I get a boat ride in six minutes right now?  
>>  It depends on the time of the day.  It is also a shared ride.  A single person will ride the boat ride is a shared ride that is what makes it economical.  
>>  Got it.  Thanks.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: Any other questions?  Debate?  Concerns?  All in favor to approve the service please say aye.
>>  Aye.
>>  Any opposed?  
>>  Aye.
>>  Item passes five slaves -- 5/1.  For Volusia County administrative building.  
>>  Janine Jennings director of business services.  With me today I have Jim Corbett who will be the project manager for this project.  We have the Sheriff's and the chief who can answer questions on the operation of the building.  We have awarded Smith here today and if you have questions on construction, we will be happy to answer that.  
>>  Before you go into that, was a motion to approve.
>>  Second.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: We have a motion to approve a budget resolution by Councilman Kent in the second was by Vice Chair Reinhart.  
>>  If I can really say, Ms. Jennings and other staff members, I appreciate that you want to go through with it.  We did our homework and I read through this.  This is going to be exactly what we need in this location.  That is why, I am not trying to shut you down.  I read through it and I am to go.  
>>  I do not have my feelings hurt and also I am good.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: Any other questions for staff?  Discussion?  
>>  Just a quick one for the sheriff.  Everything you need?  
>>  Fantastic.  I just want to get clause.  The counter stomach County does everything good and with buildings is exceptional.  There's no golden handles and toilet seats, it is a very effective building.
>>  I appreciate you saying that.  The supervisor of elections was here and the next meeting at 3:00 PM she is 20 over ribbon-cutting.  I don't know what your schedule is like but I would love to have you there.  
>>  Sherrif, thank you.  I know hit -- it has been a long time coming.  Look in the public expect?  I know technology and you do not have to tell everything with that.  Certain service I know it is in a strategic location when it comes to response times.  
>>  Great question.  I think it is monitoring operational efficiency.  When you look at storms, we have to have a backup to the 9-1-1 system.  It is a lifeline for accounting area it is going to be house in that building.  The building is on the brink services to a proportion of the county that never had that.  It is going to be the headquarters right there for all the western part of the county from DeLand all the way up to the county limits.  It is like to be district headquarters.  What is going to be really important is dedicated processing center for all of the technology that we have four crime scenes.  We do fingerprints for every Police Department basically in the county.  We do real-time crime for everybody in the county.  We handle every firearm in the county that comes in.  We don't have the space to do that anymore.  FDLE was the backup lab.  If FDLE came to the crime scene, they saying can you roll the resources out there to process these things?  It is a 24 hour coverage and open to the community.  They can hold meetings, I think if you look at it 20 years ago the population has grown by over 30%.  We are continuing to grow.  Everybody knows this better than anybody it seems like everything was a problem.  The county should be doing this, everyone is saying the county.  It is not all of our burden but in a way it is.  I think this is something that has never happened before.  In hundred and 40 years they have never had their own standalone headquarters.  It can bring so much value into the community.  We appreciate you gentlemen taking this under consideration and really quarterback was George and the quarterback for me was Brian.  
>>  Sherrif, this is just not from now but I can see projected this can handle many generations in Volusia County.  
>>  That is the very first thing when we first started.  The building started at 45 million and we got it down to what we got it today.  It is going to be something that outlive all of us.  It has room for growth for the next 25 years, we can build another 25 years.  
>>  Jake Johansson?  
>>  You said that backup now one is going to be in the new building?  
>>  It will be in the new building.  We have a good landlord that we are renting from now.  Unlike some of the other places where we make the improvements they jack up the rent three times the amount.  The real-time crime center will be joined with all of the cities.  They have every access to databases, cameras and that is going to be house out there as well.   
>>  It is going to be the forefront of the piece absent a state of Florida.  Yet the remembered way before any of us were elected somebody had to foresight to bring all three disciplines under one roof.  The biggest criticism of Parkland was all four disciplines were just there separated in different areas.  We do not have that issues in Volusia County.  We are in the same room and got the bid if something should happen, we only have to move 20 miles down the road and we have everything we need.  
>>  Any other questions?  Okay, we have a motion and a second.  The budget resolution with Warden Smith for the Volusia County Sheriff's office and ministry the building all in favor say, aye.
>>  Aye.
>>  Any opposed?  It is approved 6/0.  Item 7 comes on the heels of that resolution of the county 's counsel of Volusia County expanding the geographical area of the county seat pursuant to Florida law.  I am assuming you are going to explain that a little bit?  
>>  Yes, sir.  
>>  Motion to approve.
>>  Second.
>>  Do not move your lips.  We have a motion to approve by Danny Robins and the second was by Vice Chair Reinhart.  I would ask you one thing because I think this is important to the public.  Are we are are we not expanding the geographical line of the city of DeLand?  
>>  No, sir.  Has no effect on the city or corporate of DeLand.
>>  All in favor say, aye.
>>  Aye.
>>  Any opposed?  It passes 6/0.  Item 8.  Be careful before you speak.
>>  Motion to approve.
>>  Second.
>>  Item 8 is a proposed abandonment of fourth Street within the re-plat of Daytona Estates.  They have a motion to approve by Councilman Robins.  I did not who -- here who the second one was.  The second was from Vice Chair Reinhart.  A member of the public would like to speak on this?  Does anybody have any questions for Tad?  Barbara King are you in the room?  Would you like to speed on this item?  You are a property owner close to this?  
>>  My name is Barbara King.  I am a business owner and a resident of DeLand for the past 30 years.  My husband and I, this is adjacent to the west side of the right-of-way of fourth Avenue.  We also own two parcels to the west of that adjacent.  Together it's about eight lots 20 feet wide.  Combine we have about 0.91 acres.  Just before we bought this, I spoke to development and engineering inquiring about driveway access.  She spoke to a couple of the other County engineers and they recommended we pursue vacating the right away.  This was a great benefit to us so we bought it.  The roads is about 250 feet long and intersects with four of the roads at the South end of Daytona Park Road.  There's a five lane intersection which is hazardous actually.  West Parkway is a divided road as well.  The zoning before which is a minimum of 1 acre don't have that much.  It is about 9 acres so that will benefit us.  Lot 2 is very small triangle and maybe you can see that.  That lot would benefit as well.  With the two road abandoned lot one and two along with the other parcels that we own cannot be combined would be 1.6 acres on a prime corner at the first major intersection entering DeLand from Daytona Beach.  It is ideal for a pharmacy or a local market, restaurant like Chick-fil-A.  If approve and we have been in contact with the solutions to work with them in the county to see if they redirect westbound traffic using the current turning lane on 92.  Direct that traffic to the stoplight which is about 180 feet to further.  There is a safety factor and this future benefit on that corner.  So I appreciate your consideration.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: Thank you for coming in to speak on it.  We have a motion to approve and a second.  Any other questions for tad?  Comments?  All in favor say aye.
>>  Aye.
>>  Any opposed?  It passes 6/0.  Item 9 proposed vacation of a portion of the plat of the map of spring garden city.  Motion to approve -- 
>>  Motion to approve.
>>  A motion to approve by Robins and a second.  
>>  Chairman and have no ex parte.  
>>  Anyone else have any ex parte to declare?  We do have one member of the public that would like to speak.  Is there anyone that have questions for tad before I do that?  Michael?  Are you here?  It does not look like it.  We have a motion to approve.  All in favor say aye.
>>  Aye.
>>  Any opposed?  That is approved 6/0.  Item 10.  It is a discussion on location to allow for dogs on the beach in Daytona beach.  
>>  Motion to approve.
>>  Second.
>>  I need direction on this one.  I will read the room and run through this presentation really quickly.  Director of public protection.  
>>  You need to know which one we are proving?  
>>  We have three options for locations.  We are bringing this back to get the idea of where you want to put this.  On option one, we are looking at Williams to sea breeze.  These are terminating at sea breeze but Williams to seabreeze is 1.7 miles.  You can see how many of the ramps and off beach parking.  We are looking at something that started and stopped with a beach ramp or driving ramp onto the beach.  This one and option two if you take a look at it, Hartford to seabreeze is a little bit shorter.  These two from the final option here which is Zelda to seabreeze.  If you go to option three, we are left with about a mile of dog beach with three vehicle ramps.  We lost about 10 beach parking spaces.  It does miss the residential portion.  Again we are looking at something that started and stopped with a driving ramp.  That did have beach driving in that area so we avoided any environmental issue that we had to work through the last time.  Those are the three options.  We are looking for direction so we can bring this back in an ordinance.
>>  Motion to approve option one.
>>  Second.
>>  Troy Kent make a motion to approve option one.  The second was by Councilman Robins.  Questions for staff?  Troy do you have questions or comments?  
>>  I have a question.  Can you come up for a quick moment?  I have not spoken to you about this.  Looking at this stuff is saying that the initial cost is going to be 7800 -- [INDISCERNIBLE].  It is daytime a -- 
>>  I have my checkbook for whatever is approved today.  We are prepared to not only pay for the initial installation but we are prepared at this point to pay for multiple years.  
>>  Thank you for helping to lead the way on what a partnership looks like.  If the second is okay I am going to amend my motion, I will withdraw and restate.  Daytona dog beach paying 9760 start up cost and the $2500 per year as long as your group is in existence.  
>>  Second.  
>>  Second.  
>>  I appreciate Troy you bringing those questions.  One of the things we just had a long conversation about was one of our core responsibilities to add more things which are great and we love them but they are not our responsibilities.  Thank you for coming up to the plate.  It is a truly a partnership.  If you find yourself short, I will give you my phone number and I can write a check then dipping into the taxpayers dollars for this.  I appreciate it.  
>>  Jake, that is also man area that is fantastic.  
>>  I have a question for you, I happen to think this is a core response ability because we have to add to the entire county and the citizens.  I think this will do it.  I really wanted to thank you for stepping up once again.  This is not part of the motion.  I am wondering and looking down around, what if this had been for the entire county?  Would you pay for that too?  
>>  Potentially.  We are prepared to do more than just Daytona that is for sure.  Obviously, I would have to meet with Suzanne and her whole team here to figure out the initial costs to put into spencers.  That would be the main cost to incur and the bags.  I think probably we could do it to be honest with you and then we would have to understand the yearly commitment.  As far as volunteers, we have quite a few already.  I am constantly getting emails or things on Facebook that they want this in their areas.  We are going to take it one step at a time.  But yes, I think we can do it.  
>>  You have a request to speak.  Do you have something else you would like to add while you're up at the microphone?   
>>  How do you like horses?  We can change it to one hoof at a time.  
>>  Chair Brower, counsel and managers as you said my name is Nanette of Daytona Beach side residence and founder and president of Daytona dog beach.  I spoke to Volusia County in this capacity in 2021.  Preparing for today, I reflect on the past 4+ years and what brought us to this point.  Remarkably, when I pulled the first report that we submitted to counsel in advance of the June 22, 2021 meeting regarding dogs on the beach, I was pleasantly reminded that all the solutions that we presented to present concerns and objections for dogs on the beach have been effectively implemented at the dog beach in Ormond.  All of the data for the benefit of having dogs on the beach is being realized.  Not just by our organization and those enjoying the renewed freedom but also by the business community.  Recently, I was invited to speak to a school of K – five students and to a post secondary Academy about our organization and what it took to reverse the nearly 40 year ban on dogs on the beach.  While each presentation was unique given the different audiences the overarching message was the same.  We all have the potential to apply our skills, experience, and passions to make a positive difference in our communities even as volunteers.  To do so, I encourage them all to stay committed and don't give up, be patient, stay positive, deliver on your commitments, build for sustainability and succession.  We are grateful we were given a chance to provide input to this opportunity based on our experience funding and hosting the dog beach in Ormond for two years.  We appreciate all of you challenging us at times, encouraging us at times, being open and willing to change your positions and then say so.  Hopefully, you have seen we have delivered on our commitments in the past and you are confident in our ability to deliver on them again hosting a successful dog beach and Daytona.  We do support the option of seabreeze to Williams based on our experience and knowledge of what would be the long-term outcome.  We encourage you to go with that option.  I ended it with saying, if you have any questions about our commitment to help fund additional dog beaches in Volusia County, please reach out to us.  We are willing to look at that.  If I can go beyond my few seconds?  

>> CHAIR BROWER: No, Troy does not allow that.  Did you say positive?  Will remain positive?  You have three minutes.  
>>  I thought I was going to have to convince you of something.  I am a volunteer with Daytona dog beach and on the board as treasurer.  As soon as we open the dog beach on November 1 our ambassadors have removed 8600 pounds of trash from 0.6 miles of beach.  If you add that to the trash we picked up before we had a beach and we did monthly beach cleanups the extra cleanups that we have done with the Jimmy Buffett day, kids from academic oasis who came out 10,557 pounds of trash.  As an environmental scientist that is why I'm there.  Every bit of beach you give us will be just that claim.  Thank you.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: Thank you very much.  John Nicholson?  
>>  John Nicholson, Daytona Beach.  I was told to be nice.  I rather be truthful.  I was at the cinematheque by two ladies, the dog beach ladies.  I can't understand why I am opposed to giving up the entire Volusia County to dogs.  You will give the county over to the dogs.  Especially the proposed area.  One of the reasons which I mentioned before as I have been getting several times, a police dog who is well-trained was not going to bite you, they sniff you and you are fine.  It's okay while to get them loose, I was not so fine.  Family dogs, I had an aunt that raised seeing-eye dogs who don't bite until they do.  I am a little bit leery of it.  Reading all of these children and elderly that are being killed by dogs and the owners right there with them, so you understand my reluctance to put this with 8 million tourist who do not know these dogs.  I think I have said it at least once or twice that I believe Daytona Beach is the economic engine of Daytona Beach and Volusia County.  I don't want anything to screw it up.  You have three choices here.  You never discussed the best option.  The first time you went for a fraction and now you're going to go to three or four sizes.  The core areas not resident friendly.  We can go to our own beach because you have given it to the vendors.  There are umbrellas so if I lived there I have to walk 2 miles to get to my beach which is 250 feet away.  That to me is not good.  You're going to take the entire North half and divide the city in half forward dog and half dog.  I rather you do the Zelda approach and eventually want to extend it, yes it is okay.  But to take the whole kit and caboodle in one swoop, please think about doing Zelda to seabreeze.  Thank you.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: Thank you for your comments.  Vice Chair Reinhart?  Exit looks like it is going that way.  -- It looks like it is going that way.  
>>  I commend you on the hard work for that.  An convincing and bringing the right players to the table.  I know how it feels about the farm.  That is all I wanted to say publicly.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: Councilman Troy Kent?  
>>  Thank you.  That means more than you know especially when you present it as the old Warden.  I love that.  I am going to keep that for a while.  It makes me smile and I really appreciate it.  I campaigned on this.  I did not know who she was because she saw one of my mailers but I will tell you a friend of mine in Ormond beach called me.  He said to me, could this really happen?  My wife is really excited about this.  Could this really happen?  I said absolutely it is going to happen.  It is great helping to change minds but I have to tell you this was sold to most of us because I was convinced in the beginning.  I do not say this lightly but Daytona dog beach not just none -- they sold this because they had a plan in place.  I have not spoken to them and how long when they sent me a message and said they will pay the upfront costs.  Mr. Nicholson one of the things I love about local government is that enough to keep pointing Jake out of going to the state but I think Jake is going to win and go to the state.  He is going to have to work with a bunch of people up there and it is not a one-person show and this is not a one-person show.  You have to get the majority rules here.  It is interesting because there's so much I agree with you on and I think it is healthy that things we do not agree on.  And I use the term fear mongering a little bit because I got bit by a dog back when you can do this because I got bit by a dog way back when.  I got my foot run over by my sister's boyfriend when he was 17 years old because I was talking to him in the road ahead my foot in front of the tire.  But I didn't say no one can drive cars because I got my foot run over by my sister's boyfriend.  That would be inappropriate and fear mongering and not okay.  I had ownership and that.  Not that she had ownership in getting bit by a dog.  That is not what I am saying.  I publicly said that because I am a fan of what you say most of the time.  But I will just say this counsel the 0.6 miles that we have in Ormond, I made a motion for an Mr. Robins second four.  We're talking about 2 miles out of 47 miles.  It allows you to make sure the proof is in the pudding and make that as equally as clean as the half-mile of Ormond beach.  There is no doubt about it.  That is where I live and my wife and I walk that.  There's no doubt about it.  I have never seen dog mess and it is the cleanest section of beach of Volusia County.  They are cleaning up 10,000 pounds of trash.  It is not from the dogs, it is from the people.  Thank you Chairman.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: Did you help your sister find a new boyfriend?  
>>  I am pleased to say she did find a new boyfriend.  Even though at the time, I was a fan of his.  He just took off and left.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: we have a motion and a second on the floor to accept option one of 1.7 miles of Daytona Beach.  They will continue to provide bags and signage.  Any other questions?  Comments?  All in favor say aye.
>>  Aye.
>>  Anybody opposed?  
>>  Can they come up and take a picture?  Can your whole group come up and take a picture, please.  Thank you.  [APPLAUSE] 

>> CHAIR BROWER: A little levity there but it represents years of hard work from Daytona dog beach.  
>>  Thank you for that latitude, chairman.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: Item 11 contract with Central Florida building and inspections LLC for their construction management general contracting services for Volusia County X motion to approve.
>>  Second.
>>  I did not hear who the motion came from.  And the second was Councilman Robins?  
>>  Yes.  
>>  I have no presentation.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: Any questions for staff?  Any comments?  All in favor say aye.
>>  Aye.
>>  Any opposed?  Item 11 is also approved.  6/0.  Item 12 is a contract with PMS paving Inc. for improvements.  Expenditure $4 million.
>>  Motion to approve.  It is in district 4 in Ormond beach.

>> CHAIR BROWER: Motion to provide counseling Kent and the second was by Councilman Robins.  Any questions for all of the staff that is coming down?  
>>  I will briefly Seder this time, I am so appreciative that we talked about streamlining.  This counsel has done their homework.  We have done our reports and gone to them.  If we don't have questions and we are good to go.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: I just want to say one thing since the public didn't do their homework, we are approving this.  We are going to vote to approve PMS paving.  There was seven bids for this.  This was not an easy deal.  There were seven bids and they were the lowest bid from a contractor that our staff trusts.  That is why we are here today.  
>>  They are a local company here in Volusia County.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: Any of the questions for Tad?  All in favor please say aye.
>>  Aye.
>>  Any opposed?  It is approved 6/0.  Item 14 is a discussion on local specialty licenses.  I was trying to be efficient.  Contracts with CTI Inc. for enterprise resources planning system upgrade on platform.  How can I forget this one?  
>>  Good afternoon counsel.  I have a 10 slide presentation if you want me to go through that?  It is a comprehensive narrative as well.  
>>  I have read through it, thank you.  
>>  Second.  
>>  Yes that was a motion, thank you.  
>>  A motion to approve by Troy Kent and Councilman Johansson.  Any questions?  This also represents a lot of work.  I know you have talked with every Councilman about it.  It is a lot of money and it will save us a lot of money and help us to be more efficient.  
>>  It will be another two years to implement this offer.  [Multiple Speakers] 

>> CHAIR BROWER: No other questions or debate?  All in favor please say aye.
>>  Aye.
>>  Any opposed?  It is approved 6/0.  Now we can go to item number 14 discussion on local specialty licensing and contractors.  Who is doing this one?  
>>  Good afternoon.  Director of building administration.  Due to recent changes to the Florida statute regarding contractor licensing, we are looking for directional specialty contractor licensing.  Counties have two options to continue to require licensing and update the code of ordinance to directly correspond with the statewide licenses or stop issuing County specialty licensing and accept statewide licensing.  We need to update chapter 22 code of ordinances.  The state has process in place to convert these local licenses to the state license.  Staff recommends amending Chapter 22 to reduce regulations and the duplications by the special licensing to the state.  We are asking County Counsel to draft ordinance to one of the two options.  
>>  Councilman Robins?  
>>  Which option in your opinion will keep the most money and -- in our businesses pockets in the least amount of bureaucracy in this process?  
>>  The firm the licenses to the state would reduce the cost to the contractors.  If you have locally issued specialty license every county that you work in, you have to pay a registration fee.  For us it is $150 every two years.  If you have the state license, they can work in Florida not have to pay any additional fees only the one to the state.
>>  What we are currently doing is above and beyond and not nickel and dining?  
>>  We were able to issue them.  There was some house bills and Senate bills that was adopted over the past couple of feet years.  At first they were going to preempt us and take it out of the way and then every retracted that and came back and said, we can continue to issue them.  We would have to issue equivalent licenses to what they have created for the specialty contractors.  
>>  If we went with that option and got rid of it, what would be the total overall budget savings if we deferred this stuff to the state?  Do you have an idea?  
>>  I don't have an idea on that.  It wouldn't really be budget savings because the staff still has to or the staff that does this and it is only two staff members in the activity.  One is a contractor licensing investigator who goes around and investigates unlicensed work.  The other one handles and we would still do Germans licenses and master electrician, journeyman plumber's.  She also handles getting everyone hooked up to use the system which we had years ago a local agreement where the county would list all of the contractors on to connect live and all of the cities have access to that to verify their insurances and licenses are current.  
>>  Thank you.  Counsel I am good whatever the best option is here to streamline this whole thing.  
>>  That was the state option is that what I am here?  
>>  Second.  
>>  Let me read it just to make sure that is what we are all talking about what the staff recommended was amending Chapter 22 to reduce regulation by different specialty licenses to the state.  It is not every license but specialty licenses by $150 by every two years.  That is your motion Mr. Robins and the second by Troy Kent.  All in favor say, aye.
>>  Aye.
>>  Any opposed?  The job, thank you.  That takes us to appointments.  Item 15 are four appointments to the human services advisory board.  Chris, I do not know but I think there are five applicants and we need four.
>>  There five applicants and two or replying to be on the board.  Any councilmember can make these appointments.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: Vice Chair Reinhart?  
>>  I nominate Phyllis the incumbent.  
>>  Second.  
>>  Let's get them all with emotion and a second.  
>>  I would like to nominate Derek Collins.  
>>  I nominate David Hart.  Is there a second for Derek Collins?  
>>  Is there a second for David Hart?  We need one more.  When you read to them, they are all good applicants.  
>>  I choose Susan Clark.  
>>  Susan Clark from Troy Kent.  
>>  You need for correct -- four correct?  
>>  All in favor of the four nominees please say aye.
>>  Aye.
>>  Any opposed?  Approved 6/0.  Item 16 is the appointment to the tourist development Council.  
>>  Correct.  This person need to be from category six.  This person would need to be from category six which is an owner or operator of a motel/hotel or vehicle parked.  We only have one application for that position.  
>>  Vice Chair Reinhart?  
>>  I nominate the hard rock hotel.
>>  Second.  
>>  Michael is nominated and second by councilmember Kent.  Any questions?  All in favor say aye.
>>  Aye.
>>  Any opposed?  The nomination is also approved 6/0.  Item 17 is district 3 appointment to the Volusia for ever advisory.  
>>  I nominate Mr. Gamble.  
>>  Second.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: Councilman Robins nominates Mr. Gamble.  Troy Kent makes the second.  Any questions?  All in favor say aye.
>>  Aye.
>>  Any opposed?  Mr. Gamble is appointed 6/0.  That concludes all of our items.  This turns us to public participation.  
>>  One of the ones we are talking about is item 3. It got lost.  Those things I would like you to add our sales tax, schools, and flooding.  When you ask things of the state, you are not aware that Daytona Beach pays 150 millions dollars in sales tax and we get back about $5 million.  We are losing money.  I mentioned that before.  However, I thought what about Daytona Beach Shores?  Daytona Beach Shores and Lake Helen have about the same population.  The shores raises 10 – $50 million and Lake Helen about $100 but yet they get to say the same amount of money based on population.  So neither group and there are five cities on the shoreline that gain more money than they received.  They raised the sales tax from tourism with the eight – 10 million people do not count.  Port Orange loses money, Daytona Beach loses money and Smyrna Beach loses money.  Ponce Inlet and Edgewater has a couple.  I've always been told that you cannot do anything about it.  Yes, you can.  The thing about squeaky wheels if you do not bring it up, the dog Beach has been turned down for years and guess what?  Something we thought would never happen, we have a dog Beach.  So I am asking you to consider finding out if there's a little bit more equity?  We do not need all the sales tax back but 50% would really help.  $75 Million is a lot more than 5 million.  Secondly, schools I know that is not your jurisdiction.  Our schools get shafted by tens of millions of dollars every year.  Because we live next to the ocean and that is not a valid reason to screw our kids.  Just add your name to theirs that we need equity because our kids need that money instead of being denied.  And flooding, it is an issue.  If you want to give up money out for flooding anywhere because it is universal at this point.  We need our fair share of it because we definitely have money.  That is item 3. The shelter had 1000 and you guys do not show up.  I have asked Matt to explain how much money the county saves by donating $400,000 or $300,000 by these people not going into the jail in spending $119 a day for them to be in jail 100 times or 200 times a year.  It is a waste of money.  Thank you.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: That takes us to the County manager.  
>>  Yes, sir.  I want to give a shout out to the team.  On the amazing speed, the facilities team, animal control and the shelter from the county.  The cities will also be helping them as well.  To get it set up in a time that we didn't want to think the Council for their support.  For letting us lease the building and get it up and running.  Kudos to those.  Thanks.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: County attorney?  
>>  Nothing, thank you.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: We will start with the County Council and David is not here so Don is your first today.  Councilman Dempsey passes it to Councilman Johansson.
>>  I have a couple of things, October is breast cancer awareness month.  For those of you that don't know, I don't know how you wooden when it is plastered all over the ads in the newspaper.  We can take time out to think about those people who are trying to eradicate cancer.  There is interesting things happening in southeast Volusia and October.  We have the economic summit and a few other things that are of interest.  If you're interested go to the southeast Volusia Chamber of Commerce and they will have all of that information.  It is usually quite an interesting morning and afternoon.  Lastly, we took a hard look during the cultural arts discussion on getting back to core responsibilities.  Now is the time and that is the time.  It is important that we adjust our budget accordingly while trying to save taxpayer money.  We are talking about saving taxpayer money and that is not done today when we save $611,000.  We could have saved that money and tax and I'm sure there's more money of what some of us may consider nice to have an it could be cut if we want to go down to core responsibilities.  I just hope we are going to stay on course with that.  I am excited and I really want to get back to what we should be doing and not what we want to do or what some of us want to do.  Thank you.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: Councilman Kent?  
>>  I want to tell the Council, I appreciate the leadership from all of you today.  It showed and how efficiently this meeting took place.  Thank you all very much and have a great rest of the week.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: Vice Chair Reinhart?  
>>  I have a couple of things.  I made a phone call yesterday, if you have had the opportunity to go to the annual report and I have gone to several events trying to get the farm underway.  The cost per day was at 1195 and John quote me on that.  That has gone down to $100.55 and that is a per diem cost.  Our ADP daily ovulation increases but the per diem has gone down.  And I want to give publicly George and the rest of the staff for an awesome job.  Imagine what we can do in the future hopefully.  We were dealing with this second chance initiative.  Thank you so much publicly for what you do.  Please convey my appreciation to the staff.  One thing I was going to briefly mention, I have a couple of events coming up.  We are visiting city Council permission meetings and we have combined it and doing domestic abuse awareness month for the month of October.  That is an organization that is near and dear to my heart for those that know my family situation.  I am on the board and I am on the board for that reason.  Some of the cities that are out there and we are still waiting to hear back from you, we would like to get you on board for that.  We have here at the county anyways.  The last thing in the most important, you all have given a booklet and I had the opportunity of meeting the young lady Jennifer who is here and our audience today.  She is the daughter of James Milton Hunt.  Who is James Milton Hunt?  The booklets will explain to you.  My purpose here is not to say let's change it, my purpose here today is to provide you with this information for future discussion about the possibility of renaming the park from Lighthouse Point Park to James Milton Hunt lighthouse point Park.  He was extremely instrumental in the creation of that park.  When he was four, he moved from North Carolina and correct me if I am wrong to the Wilbur area.  He was a Boy Scout and help develop leadership skills through that and becoming an Eagle Scout and with the Seabreeze high school.  He was the president of his class for three years.  He grew up going down going down to that point in points there Ponce Inlet.  He was a lifeguard on the beach.  He watched races on the beach, he moved around to different places that would never measure up to the beauty of Ponce Inlet.  He was living in Miami when he learned that there was land being bought for future development.  All you were going to see with condos and all kinds of other housing which we now enjoy a park.  It was a result of his efforts.  When he heard that was coming, he moved back up and dropped everything he was doing and give up his career and moved back up here.  He started the process of saving that area.  He wanted to preserve it for future generation that my generations.  The dedication so they put a plaque recognizing him.  I hope you take the time to do so and we will see if it is a lot more.  He was actively involved as a member of the Ponce Inlet community and attended meetings and dedications.  Now that he is gone, I would like the opportunity for this counsel to discuss a possibility of renaming it in his honor.  I did meet with her and she shared interesting stories.  One of my favors -- favorites, she had a cool story.  All the information we spent a good hour or so talking.  If you do have questions, she is here.  Something that I can probably share with you that she can expand on what all I want is to see if we can put this on a future agenda so we can at least discuss it.  Thank you.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: Do you have a meeting date in mind?  
>>  I think if staff need to gather more information so I will leave it up to our County manager and at your discretion.  I know you have a pack agenda and there's a lot of things coming up.  I know we are getting to a time where we have one meeting in December.  So we have to take that into consideration.  The sooner the better.  But I also understand the issues.  Thank you very much.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: Councilman Robins did you make the second?  Then the motion is to put the renaming of the Lau -- lighthouse point Park.
>>  Thank you for bringing that up.  There's a letter from the mayor of Ponce Inlet with their full support.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: Staff will bring them back.  
>>  The park is not owned by us.  It is owned by the DEP.  It will take research on what we can and can't do.  
>>  Okay, thank you.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: All in favor please say aye.
>>  Aye.
>>  Any opposed?  It is 6/0.  Councilman Robins?  
>>  Thank you.  I want to echo Troy and thank you for your leadership.  Unwilling to press forward on the efficiency areas in our budget.  We have a lot of people and a lot of hard places in the hardest thing about this job is sometimes saying, no.  And there are other reasons as well and we saw today.  How this counsel feels about and with that being said the general fund for essential services that benefit all residents for public safety and judicial operations and court administrator functions about maybe tasking are sending us over to our team saying anything outside of these core categories bring it back to us.  We are two weeks into the budget year and I don't know how or what the good time would be.  We could try to all start now with that or we can start in January.  What do you guys think?  Troy do you have something?  
>>  I do not mind starting out but also we can start in January and it will be totally appropriate then as well.
>>  We can wait.  
>>  Jeff I thought you brought up a couple of times and we have brought it up.  I started looking up the policy when it comes to the cleaning of the waterways and some of the ponds and the hoops that these folks have to jump through not just at a local level but a state level.  How quickly -- can we incentivize harvesting?  How can we get them to go the route of mechanical like some of those machines that will float and pick up stuff?  George, I bounce this off of you couple months ago.  It was a wetland alteration permit to maintain a pond.  We want them to do the mechanical versus discrete.  If he had a waterway at some point so how can we incentivize the folks that do that sort of thing to do mechanical through policy or making it easier?  Does that make sense?  George, is that enough for you to work on?  
>>  I think we have already begun.  I know Suzanne had has conversations with environmental.  
>>  To the best of my knowledge some of them need a DEP permit and other permits.  It is too much of a pain in the rear end to do it.  If we can get rid of it in Volusia County, I think we will be doing our part.  That is pretty cool if we can get that identified.  If we can pay attention friend and colleague Congressman fine has this Parksville coming up to get more information.  Getting more information is fine but I started looking at the second and third effects of possible implementation of the national or federal parks.  It goes against and everything has pluses and minuses but we have made it is standard here.  We want to use outdoor recreation and promote hunting but we want to promote fishing, we want to promote boating.  This will go against and unanimous vote we took for keeping and supporting boater.  If you look a bit deeper you have federal leases on some of these places we are in Florida.  There are pipelines in all sorts of stuff to the federal leases.  It opens up the doors for other things that you may not think about on the surface and it looks goods, feels good and sound good.  I just want to pay attention to that immediacy if we can offer an opinion or support.  Or say hey, Mr. fine or Congress, please take our concerns little Volusia County these are our concerns and this is how it can hurt us economically.  If you guys can think about that and that is my asked of the Council.  Bounce it around because I am researching it a little bit.  This is what jumped out to me first of the economic impact.  Today when I brought up some of that stuff, it was not easy.  I would like everybody to think, how do we avoid some of that in the future?  Through policy?  
>>  As you're talking I'm looking and going, I don't know if we can.  That is why we are in the seats.  It was heavy on your shoulders and something on your mind and it is not easy.  That is why we are here.  Because it is not easy.  
>>  I know their legal matters and that.  You do not have to answer it today.  It is just something to think about and maybe let us know.  If it has to be a policy change?  
>>  Are you suggesting a booking policy?  
>>  How can Volusia County promote healthy stuff in the use of our logo or what we are going to be advertising?  I don't know if there is a way and I will be thinking about it.  I want to CYA.  That is it guys, thank you.  
>>  Just like -- I am not sure if I will support the final outcome of that.  What I have supported with Congressman fine is federal study to look at all of our springs and Central Florida and see how they can be tied together to get more federal funds to protect them.  Until I know that looks lack -- like, I can't say if I will supported or not supported.  I think he agrees with that and wants to see what it will look like and how much money we can get and what the ramifications would be.  I am not sure and I could be wrong but I am not sure that he is for the federal government taking it over completely.  But you are right, once the federal government gets involved then they are involved.  There's a lot to be looked at for that.  The other thing and I'm glad you brought it up is the mechanical harvesting.  Deputy County manager probably knows this and she will remember what I am going to say.  We had a company three years ago come through and that is what they do mechanical harvesting.  They make immediate in which they spread anywhere from 1000 miles away through hoses while they are collecting if they can spray nearby pastors and farmlands as a nutrient.  They are doing that all over the state of Florida and they are really good at getting DEP permits.  DEP is using it on the big lake in South Florida, Lake Apopka and I think they may have done it in Okeechobee and Ponce Inlet.  It might have been private work.  That is something that we need to look at.  It is not going to solve everything.  I have spent a lot of time this weekend looking at canals and ditches, they are going to have to be sprayed.  You cannot get that kind of equipment in there.  I have chaired the value adjustment board in the last meetings.  They were pretty easy but I want to point out that it is not easy for our staff.  Our staff is working really hard because now the process is people coming and assigning values to their properties.  It affects the property taxes and I do not know how to keep up with all of the other work.  It is a huge load.  Our staff is really working hard on that.  Course possibilities, I wanted to go back to that.  I have always felt and said, I probably don't always get it right that our chief responsibility is to protect the freedom and liberty of our constituents.  So when I look at things like what we did today with dogs on the beach, I see that as restoring a liberty and freedom that was lost.  But doing it in a way that still showed respect for other people up and down the beach that don't like it.  Even though I asked her about can you do this on the entire beach, I was really curious.  And surprised that she said she could.  That is not my intention but I do see a time when Mr. Kent or Matt would say we need one in Daytona Beach Shores or wherever.  I think that does for me that fits into a course possibility because it is a freedom.  And now we are trying to judiciously with a lot of thought to how it affects private people and the hotels, motels and other businesses that have invested in our beach to protect their rights and their businesses as well.  I have two other quick things.  This has weighed heavily on me since our boat this morning on the arts.  I say this because I know it did every one of you and I could feel the right after the vote.  There was a heaviness across his counsel and because you regret your vote but because you have friends that were out there.  We have every one of us out there that are representing the arts.  I admired their work that they do.  They work really hard but we discuss this every year and we keep saying we want to wean them off but this year was expanded.  There are still people with tremendous endowments that are getting money.  I think we made the right call even though they are going to have a hard night tonight and figuring out what is the next step.  I think it will benefit the county and them in the long run.  I don't believe it is a course possibility for us to be generous with our taxpayers money.  I think that qualifies on them making their own donations.  I have never been comfortable with that.  I voted for it every year.  I think we made the right call.  I believe this counsel will work hard with the arts community to promote them and promote their events and attend their events.  With that, I would say, the $611,758 now reverts back to general funds.  I would like to ask the council again if anybody would be willing to make a motion to take that out of the general County fund and put it into the $5 million pot of money that we have for safety and improvement on roads and sidewalks?  Jake Johansson?  
>>  I would be interested in hearing from George and staff for where the money is best spent for safety.  It might be roads and sidewalks, it might be flooding, it might be something else.  Give them two weeks and have them to come back with a list with four or five things and go from there.  
>>  Can you make that emotion?  
>>  I did, that is a motion.
>>  Second by Troy Kent.  If staff can come back that is good enough for me.  Thank you.  

>> CHAIR BROWER: Lastly, I appreciate the way that you did this.  I wanted to let the Council know Jake, are you done?  
>>  Did you vote?  
>>  On that motion we just had?  
>>  All in favor of Jake's motion and Troy second please a aye.
>>  Aye.
>>  Any opposed?  Thank you Mr. County attorney.  
>>  I wanted to let everybody know that I have as chair, I can add things to counsel to our agenda.  I have asked staff to do that in the second meeting of November to add naming a road or Making It Rd. in Memorial Highway in honor of Charlie Kirk.  Just like we did with Tomoko Farms Road.  It doesn't change your address.  We made it in Memorial Highway.  I want you all to know that because you're going to hear it in the public and want to give you the opportunity to really think about it.  You will hear it from the public as well the pros and cons.  I suggested and it is just a suggestion.  I don't know if it can be done.  I suggested to staff North Beach St. from Granada to the Flagler County line, the reason I did that is because that is already known as a place where motorcycles have freedom rides.  It is a well used area and for me as somebody who grew up here, it was always an area that represented freedom in Volusia County.  It is such a beautiful place.  I am open to other suggestions.  It is already a scenic byways.  I don't know if it is a road that will work for this.  If you have suggestions, please give suggestions.  Lastly, I will answer the question that you all are thinking why?  Why Charlie Kirk?  For me, it is simple.  I think one of the things that we need most right now in Volusia County and the entire United States is the ability to communicate with one another.  To look at one another eye to eye especially when we disagree and hash things out and leave as friends even when we didn't change the other person's mind.  We have to have that kind of conversation and there's nothing that takes the place of eye to eye conversation.  Charlie Kirk was known for that.  That represents his life.  If you ever watch what he did in public go to college campuses where brains are being molded.  He said, whoever disagrees with me come up to the microphone first.  That is the way it should be done.  You do not have to agree with everything he stood for.  I know people in this community who I have great respect for that don't agree with some of the things he said based on his understanding of the faith and the Christian faith.  I think he is deserving of its especially in the hideous way he was killed in front of his wife and children for the crime of speaking out in public.  He put himself on the line and I think he deserved honor.  So that is what I have asked the Council to research and come back with.  
>>  Do you need that in a motion, chair?  

>> CHAIR BROWER: No.  Thank you.  Apparently you were willing to do that and I appreciate it.  I would say, if you have an all of you look at your districts if you have a road you would like to suggest just email it to George.  That is it for me.  It is 2:21 PM.  We will adjourn the meeting at 2:21 PM.  Thank you all.