Board of County Commissioners

Polk County Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final April 18, 2023 Regular BoCC meeting In accordance with the American with Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities needing special accommodations to participate in this proceeding should contact the Communications Office not later than 48 hours prior to the proceeding. Their office is located in the County Administration Building, 330 West Church Street in Bartow. Telephone (863) 534-6090 or TTY (863) 534-7777. If hearing impaired dial 7-1-1 for Florida Relay services or call (800) 955-8771 (TTY); dial (800) 955-1339 if you are using a computer. Any invocation that may be offered before the official start of the Commission meeting shall be the voluntary offering of a private citizen, to and for the benefit of the Commission. The views or beliefs expressed by the invocation speaker have not been previously reviewed or approved by the Commission, and the Commission is not allowed by law to endorse the religious beliefs or views of this, or any other speaker. If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the board with respect to any matter considered at such meeting or hearing, he or she will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. CALL TO ORDER - 9:00 a.m. (GEORGE LINDSEY, CHAIR) INVOCATION Murphy Hanley, Polk County Fire Rescue Chaplain PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE (GEORGE LINDSEY, CHAIR) A. PRESENTATIONS and RECOGNITIONS A.1. Lance Schmidt, Managing Principal of Office, Central Florida of CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP will present the Annual Comprehensive Financial Audit for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022. Minutes: Lance Schmidt, CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP, showed slides and reviewed the Annual Comprehensive Financial Audit (CAFR) for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022. He discussed the professional services performed. He reviewed the required communications with governance and the new audit standards. He thanked the Board, the Constitutional officers, and staff. He reviewed the 4 major audit reports issued. He congratulated the county on a good, clean audit report. He said there were some comments made on the Single Audit Report, Federal and the Independent Auditor's Report on Internal Controls; he said management will be addressing them for next year's audit. He said it was a pleasure to serve as the auditor. Upon question, Mr. Schmidt said they have specific requirements that they are required to look at concerning CRAs. He said they will continue to look into them. He said management is gathering the CRA financial statements. Page 1 of 16 Stacy M. Butterfield, County Clerk and Comptroller, said she will have the Inspector General's office review the CRAs. She thanked Mr. Schmidt and CliftonLarsonAllen, LLP, for their professionalism and their timeliness. She said the County Manager has an excellent team. She said the audit takes many hours and coordination between the offices. She said Dee Dee Beaver, Comptroller to the BoCC Director, and staff do an excellent job. She said she appreciates that the Board's staff and the fiscal people out in the field are always cooperative and willing. County Manager Bill Beasley said they are updating the CRA Summary report with fresh information with the most recent annual contributions. Chair Lindsey said on behalf of the Board he extends their appreciation to all of those involved. He said it is a team effort. Ms. Butterfield said they Board will received the CAFR within the next two weeks. She said there were some findings in the report but there were no appropriations or abuse . She said the reporting deficiencies were gone over with the Board. C. REQUEST FROM THE GENERAL PUBLIC/AUDIENCE AND OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD C.1. Comments. Minutes: Travis Thompson said he is frustrated over the Conservation Land Acquisition Selection Advisory Committee (CLASAC) appointments. He discussed the responsibility entrusted to the county. He said they self-imposed a tax to purchase conservation lands. He said the appointments were run through a lawyer to see if they did not have to do what the referendum said to do. He said they should have appointed positions that represented the makeup of the Board that was conveyed to the voters . He said he spent a lot of time working on this referendum and he discussed the representation that should be on the CLASAC Board. He discussed the clause used by the County Attorney to appoint whomever they wanted. He said they need to go back and appoint a correct Board. He said the appointments made are all qualified for Land Use and Planning. He said the appointments had no qualifications for sportsmanship, water resources, or public land management. Commissioner Braswell said people are going to have bring the land to the Board they are not going to go seek it out. He said he does not get why they think the group that was selected would not do what any other group would do. He said they will evaluate lands as a group and determine if it is worthy of spending the money on. He asked what does a guy who fishes more than another guy who fishes have to do with making a better selection. He said he does not get it. Mr. Thompson asked Commissioner Braswell if he values diversity and perspective. He said there is no diversity or perspective on the Board that was assigned. Commissioner Braswell said Mr. Thompson does not know these people other than what he has read. He said they are condemning their decisions before they have even Page 2 of 16 made any. Mr. Thompson asked why then is the language in the referendum. Commissioner Combee said he can see that this is important to Mr. Thompson. He said they can only choose from the list of appointees provided; he said they could have gone out and recruited someone with a long pedigree in hydrology or a PHD in Public Land Management. He said they did not do that but opened it up for people to apply. Mr. Thompson said there were people with PHDs in Water Resource Management on the list that were not selected. Commissioner Combee said half of the people that were appointed would consider themselves a sportsman. He asked how a sportsman is defined. Upon question, Mr. Thompson said the language in the referendum suggests a local sportsman group. He said there is no representative from a sportsman group on the Board. Chair Lindsey encouraged the Board to wait until everyone has spoken to share their opinion. Blair Updike said she worked on this referendum a long time and discussed how it was presented to the public. She discussed her issues with the Board's appointments. She said some appointments made are not qualified. She said the Board is filled with developers and the county is suffering because of development. She said they need more open spaces. She said they need to reconsider theses appointments because these appointments look like a major betrayal to the public. Patty McKeeman discussed the Board's appointments and said this is an unbalanced Board. She said only one environmentalist was appointed and 5 appointments are in the construction field. She said many developers think retentions ponds are open spaces. She discussed the wildlife and rare plants in the area. She said morally they should appoint two from each field listed in the referendum otherwise this Board is compromised. Suzanne Lindsey said they should consider appointing 4 additional Board members in the 4 fields listed in the referendum. She said they feel that there is not equal representation. She said they need people with an understanding of how water works in the county, the critical need for biodiversity, and habitat fragmentation. She discussed the conservation area in the Everglades that will run all the way to north Polk County and said they need to be able to align themselves with this group. She said they already have the applicants that they need. Elijah Prior said he understands the people that were appointed have great backgrounds but people need to have knowledge in the proper fields. He said there is no representatives for the sportsman group or water management. He said there are concerns for the future and development is getting out of hand. He said there are qualified people who applied that have been overlooked. Page 3 of 16 Andrew Spicer said he resides in Hardee County but attended Florida Southern College. He said he is a hunting and fishing guide; he said most of his income comes from Florida's public lands. He discussed the Board's appointments and the different fields that have no representation. He said there were qualified people who have applied and would benefit this Board. Kris Dickinson discussed his concerns with the Board's appointments. He said he was raised in Polk County. He said he has concerns for what his 2 year old daughter's future will look like. He said he works in the Tampa/Orlando area and he does not want Polk County to turn into them. He wants his daughter to be able to enjoy the outdoors. Glenn Lawhorn said he was shocked at the Board's appointments and the language of the ordinance. He said perception is reality and a lot of people are up in arms about this. He asked why there were not some regular people on this Board. He said the legal wording of the ordinance is pretty bad and the Board skirted around the intention of the ordinance. Thomas Gil said the idea of the committee was supposed to be for environmental lands. He said when there are 5 builders on an environmental committee that just sounds wrong. He said there was a person from DEP that was rejected and he should have been on this Board. He said most people are not happy with the builders on this Board. He discussed the traffic issues. He discussed the applicants and their qualifications. He asked what happened to Commissioners like former Commissioner Ernie Caldwell. He said none of this would have happened with him on the Board. He said he would not have let the county build like this Board has. He said they have an entire Board for environmental issues and the majority of the members are builders and developers. He said they should have people on the Board who are experts on the issues they will face. Deborah Lawson discussed the area she lives in and said it is wildlife territory. She said the Board keeps trying to let developers build. She said her biggest issue is water resources. She discussed the lakes that are being polluted with sewage from TOHO Utilities and Haines City. She discussed the Board's appointments and the 5 developers that were appointed. She asked why they did not appoint someone to the Board for water resources. She discussed the qualifications of the applicants that were not chosen. Blair Quinn said the Board is not balanced. She discussed the plastics plant that is being developed. She discussed the new aquifer in Babson Park. Mary Prior said she is here because she is naïve about politics. She said they need to work together and they were elected by the public to speak for the public. She said she prays things will be done correctly. Brandon Alvarado said he is opposed to many of the Board's appointments. He said the decisions being made today will affect him and his future children. He said he loves Polk County and he is concerned that there are 5 developers on this Board. He said they need a balanced Board. He said they want future generations to be able to enjoy Page 4 of 16 the county. He said they need to reconsider their appointments. Tom Palmer said that a tree fell in Lake Cannon Park last year and damaged a restroom and picnic shelter. He asked when it will be repaired. He discussed his concerns with the proposed roundabout at Spirit Lake Road and Bartow Eagle Lake Road. He said they need to consider how it will affect the properties along the road. Discussion followed between the parties. Commissioner Combee said he was a member of the Legislature when FDOT proposed a roundabout at SR 33 and Deen Still Road. He said he was at first opposed to it but grew to like it. He said within the last few years there have been major backups on SR 33. He said something will have to be done if it gets worse. He said there will be a community meeting in the Green Pond area in the future. Chair Lindsey said the broader the spectrum the better results and the CLASAC Committee is a quality committee. He said this committee is not going to be looking for land to be acquired, it will be reviewing the properties that have been nominated . He said the developers evaluate property regularly and they are familiar with environmental laws. He said they should not characterize developers as anti-environmental. He said it is a misunderstanding if they think this committee will be taking land out of development. He said environmentally sensitive lands are not developable. He discussed the letters sent to all applicants that were not selected and thanked them for their participation. He encouraged them to stay involved and attend the meetings. He said every Board has turnover regularly; he said when those vacancies occur they can use the list of applicants for replacement. He said they rely on professional staff to evaluate the properties based on a criteria that has already been established. He said he is satisfied that every Board member gave due consideration in their appointments. Commissioner Wilson said he will be the Chair of the CLASAC Committee. He said he has lived here is whole life. He said there will be a technical advisory committee, with people from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, DEP, and SWFWMD coming from the state and federal levels to evaluate these properties. He said they are not going out to look for these properties; he said when the properties are brought before them they will do their due diligence. He said he hates what is happening to this county. He said they have to handle the growth in the county any way they can for the best of the county, not just a small population. He discussed his appointments and said they love this county and hate growth. He said this committee is not going to stop growth. He discussed the conservation easements on his ranches through the State of Florida. He said the people on this committee have a lot of experience and this is about doing what is right. He said there is no one that will love this county more than him and said he will make sure this Board will do this by the book. He said he takes this personally. He said he understands people are upset about the appointments but they have professionals on this committee. He said he thinks they have a good group of people who will make good decisions. Commissioner Santiago thanked everyone who worked to get this referendum on the ballot and passed. She said this Board does want to conserve land. She thanked all Page 5 of 16 those who applied for this committee. She said she takes offense to the statements made that they did not consider everyone that should be considered; she discussed her appointments. She said this is important and this committee will not make the final decisions. She said the final decision will be for the Board to approve. She said these will be open meetings to the public and everyone can speak publicly. She said each Commissioner selected two people that they wanted to see represented on the committee. Commissioner Combee discussed the technical advisory committee and said Parks and Natural Resources Director Gaye Sharpe has more experience than anyone in the county concerning acquiring land. He said he appointed people from District 5. He discussed the sportsman groups. He said they accepted the applicants that applied. He said there is no reason to believe that these people will not do a good job. He said the people he appointed have been affected with Rancho Bonito. He said it is criminal what has gone on out there and discussed the damage done. He said he gets their concerns but if feels it will be okay. Commissioner Wilson said this will go through three processes. He said everything will be scrutinized and be in the public eye. He explained the process that the lands will go through and said they will have public meetings. He said just because you have a degree does not mean that you will make good decisions. He said they want what is best for this county. Sharon Garrett discussed the road and traffic issues on Scenic Highway, Power Line Road, and Snell Creek Road. She said she has calling in to the county about these issues and she is putting the Board on public notice. Chair Lindsey asked Mr. Beasley to follow up on these issues. He said anyone here to speak about the speed hump issues their cases will be held during the public hearings . D. APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA D.1. Approve Consent Agenda. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Neil Combee SECONDER: Martha Santiago AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson E. COUNTY COMPTROLLER (STACY M. BUTTERFIELD, CPA) E.1. Disbursements. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Neil Combee SECONDER: Martha Santiago AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson Page 6 of 16 E.2. Minutes of Regular Board meeting held on April 4, 2023. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Neil Combee SECONDER: Martha Santiago AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson G. COUNTY ATTORNEY (RANDY MINK) G.1. Approve the release of a cash surety in the amount of $23,151.24 for Hunter’s Crossing Phase IV. (No fiscal impact) Minutes: County Attorney Randy Mink reviewed the release of a cash surety for Hunter's Crossing Phase IV. Chair Lindsey recused from voting. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Neil Combee SECONDER: Bill Braswell AYE: Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson Recused: Lindsey H. COUNTY MANAGER (BILL BEASLEY) H.1. Approve Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) subrecipient agreement between Polk County and the City of Winter Haven. ($863,974.15 one-time expense). Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) subrecipient agreement between Polk County and the City of Winter Haven. He said the funds will be for design and engineering for the redevelopment of the Winter Haven Recreational and Cultural Center. He recommended approval. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Martha Santiago SECONDER: Rick Wilson AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson H.2. Approve construction contract with Killebrew, Inc. for the Auxiliary Power and Relocation Lift Station No. 5 project ($842,199.75 one-time expense) Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the construction contract with Killebrew, Inc., for the Auxiliary Power and Relocation Lift Station No. 5 project. He recommended approval. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Rick Wilson SECONDER: Martha Santiago AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson Page 7 of 16 H.3. Approve Consultant Services Authorization (CSA) No. 22-089-01 with Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. (Consultant) to provide Construction Engineering and Inspection (CEI) services for the Fort Fraser Trail Extension Project. ($495,625.26 one-time expense) Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the Consultant Services Authorization (CSA) with Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc., to provide construction engineering and inspection services for the Fort Fraser Trail Extension Project. He recommended approval. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Rick Wilson SECONDER: Bill Braswell AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson H.4. Request Board approve construction contract with Central Concrete Products, Inc. for the Crystal Lake Elementary Sidewalk project. ($495,056.00 one-time expense) Minutes: County Manager Bill Beasley discussed the construction contract with Central Concrete Products, Inc., for the Crystal Lake Elementary Sidewalk project. He recommended approval. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Neil Combee SECONDER: Rick Wilson AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson I. COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 2 (RICK WILSON) I.1. Commissioner Wilson Comments. Minutes: Commissioner Wilson had no comments at this time. J. COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 3 (BILL BRASWELL) J.1. Commissioner Braswell Comments. Minutes: Commissioner Braswell said they had an organized group come in this morning to complain about something that has not happened and they are condemning a process that has not occurred. He said he has never seen anything like it. He said they have come to all these forgone conclusions and nothing has happened. He said it is very disappointing. He discussed the comments made by a citizen who complained about DEP allowing sewage into a lake and then she turns around and asks why they did not appoint anyone from DEP. He said these people need to take a breath and let the process work. He said he thinks they will be pleased with the outcome. He said it is very disappointing to see them come in here and condemn a group of volunteers before they have even done anything. Page 8 of 16 K. COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 4 (MARTHA SANTIAGO) K.1. Commissioner Santiago Comments. Minutes: Commissioner Santiago had no comments at this time. L. COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 5 (NEIL COMBEE) L.1. Commissioner Combee Comments. Minutes: Commissioner Combee had no comments at this time. M. COMMISSIONER DISTRICT 1 (GEORGE LINDSEY, CHAIR) M.1. Chair Lindsey Comments. Minutes: Chair Lindsey had no comments at this time. O. EXPEDITED HEARINGS PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION NO. 2022-089 Minutes: County Attorney Randy Mink reminded the audience of the procedures for public hearings and swore in those that plan to speak. O.1. Public Hearing (LDCT-2021-13 Completion and Acceptance of Infrastructure and Improvements) (Adoption Hearing) to consider the adoption of a County-initiated request for Completion and Acceptance of Infrastructure and Improvements. (no fiscal impact) Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed text amendment to clarify the process for dedicating infrastructure and construction within the County's existing and future easements and rights-of-way as well as protection of infrastructure assets. He said staff recommends approval. Chair Lindsey opened a public hearing; no one spoke. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Rick Wilson SECONDER: Bill Braswell AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson O.2. Public Hearing (LDCT-2022-23 On-Street Parking) (Adoption Hearing) to consider the adoption of a County-initiated request to clarify minimum off-street parking requirements and provide on-street parking standards (No Fiscal Impact). Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed text amendment to provide guidance and standards for on-street parking and clarify minimum off-street parking requirements. He said staff recommends approval. Chair Lindsey opened a public hearing. Page 9 of 16 Sharon Garrett said she is against on street parking and discussed the narrow roads . She said Davenport had to purchase a smaller fire truck to enter these developments . She said they need to require the developers to figure in parking for their developments. He said if they do not they will cram more people into the developments. She said this happens all over the county. Chair Lindsey closed the public hearing. Chair Lindsey said for the reasons stated by Ms. Garrett this is being adopted. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Martha Santiago SECONDER: Neil Combee AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson O.3. Public Hearing (LDCT-2022-24 Internal Sidewalks) (Adoption Hearing) to consider the adoption of a County-initiated request to clarify sidewalk requirements along developments with frontage on County roadways and require internal sidewalks within all major subdivisions. (No Fiscal Impact). Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal reviewed the proposed text amendment to clarify requirements for where internal sidewalks are required within major subdivisions and to clarifying sidewalk requirements along development frontage. He said staff recommends approval. Chair Lindsey opened a public hearing; no one spoke. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Neil Combee SECONDER: Martha Santiago AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson O.4. Public Hearing (LDCT-2022-21 Add uses to Solar Farms) (First Reading), an applicant-initiated request to add additional primary uses associated with solar power generation facilities in Section 303 Criteria for Conditional Uses of the Land Development Code. Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal discussed the proposed text amendment to add additional primary uses within the institutional land use categories where solar facilities exist. He said this is the first reading and no action is required. Chair Lindsey opened a public hearing; no one spoke. O.5. Public Hearing (LDCT-2022-20 ECX Car Washes and Vehicle Service) (First Reading) to consider the adoption of an applicant-initiated Land Development Code text amendment. Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal discussed the proposed text amendment to allow carwashes and vehicle service stations as primary uses within the employment center district (ECX). He said this is the first reading and no action is Page 10 of 16 required. Chair Lindsey opened a public hearing; no one spoke. O.6. Public Hearing (LDCT-2023-3 Anchuca LDC Text Amendment) (First Reading) to consider an ordinance adopting a Land Development Text Amendment to add development conditions in Appendix E related to LDCPAS-2022-32 which is a Future Land Use Designation to change Industrial (IND) and Residential Low (RL-1) to Business Park Center (BPC). (No Fiscal Impact) Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal discussed the proposed text amendment to provide development conditions within Appendix E of the Land Development Code. He said this is the first reading an no action is required. Chair Lindsey opened a public hearing; no one spoke. O.7. Public Hearing (LDCPAS-2022-36 Monument Sign Change CPA) (Adoption Hearing) to consider the adoption of a Small-Scale Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPA) to change the Future Land Use designation on 1.27 +/- acres from Residential Low (RL-1X) to Professional/Institutional (PIX) in the Transit Supportive Development Area (TSDA). (No Fiscal Impact) Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal discussed the proposed map amendment from Residential Low (RL-1X) to Professional/Institutional X (PIX). He said the Planning Commission and staff recommends approval. Chair Lindsey opened a public hearing; no one spoke. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Neil Combee SECONDER: Martha Santiago AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson O.8. Public Hearing (LDPD-2022-38 Artesia PD) (Adoption Hearing) to consider the adoption of a Planned Development (PD) for a Residential Development Park (RDP) in the Transit Supportive Development Area (TSDA), and US 98 SAP. (No Fiscal Impact) Minutes: Land Development Director Ben Ziskal discussed the proposed Planned Development (PD) for a residential development park. He said staff and the Planning Commission recommend approval. Chair Lindsey opened a public hearing; no one spoke. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Neil Combee SECONDER: Rick Wilson AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson P. PUBLIC HEARINGS Page 11 of 16 P.1. Public Hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance prohibiting dangerous uses of public rights-of-way. Minutes: County Attorney Randy Mink discussed the proposed ordinance prohibiting dangerous uses of public rights-of-way. He recommended approval. Chair Lindsey said this ordinance discourages panhandling. Mr. Mink said it is not intended for this purpose but it will discourage people from standing in the median and distracting drivers. He discussed the issues standing in the median causes for drivers. He said this is not to address panhandling but to address safety. He said people can interact in the parking lots, non-arterial roads, and non-collector roads. Chair Lindsey confirmed that this only prohibits individuals from standing in the rights-of-way. Discussion followed. Commissioner Braswell said this came about because he witnessed a group of middle school girls that were standing in the center median to collect money and they were almost ran over by a Walmart tractor trailer. Chair Lindsey opened a public hearing; no one spoke. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Rick Wilson SECONDER: Neil Combee AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson P.2. Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of a Resolution Allowing for the Installation of Four Traffic Calming Devices (Speed Humps) on Davis Road, Near Willow Oak. (estimated $20,000.00 one-time expense) Minutes: Amy Gregory, Roads and Drainage Traffic Manager, reviewed the proposed installation of four traffic calming devices on Davis Road, near Willow Oak. She said Davis Road met the Board's traffic calming policy criteria for speed and volume and they received the required favorable responses from yes votes and non-votes. She said staff recommends adoption. Chair Lindsey opened a public hearing. Deborah Hamilton said there will be 4 speed humps in front of 16 houses. She discussed the noise issues from trucks and trailers going over the speed humps. She said this is a lot of speed humps for a very small space. She said she is not in favor of speed humps. Joe Glorioso said he has 31 years of experience in traffic, road building, and safety. He said he will go with noise issues any day versus safety. He said 18 people signed this in favor of the speed humps that have road frontage. He said this road is used as a bypass due to the new elementary school. He said they need to consider safety first. Page 12 of 16 He said when the county put in the counters people slowed down. Andrew Toole said this is an established neighborhood. He discussed the increased traffic and the speeding issues. He discussed the growth in this area and said people are using Davis Road as a cutoff road. He said he is in favor of speed humps. Heidi Owen said she has lived in this area for 28 years on Waylon Drive. She thanked the Board for taking care of the roads. She said there have been no accidents or fatalities on Davis Road. She discussed her petition of signatures that were not in favor of speed humps. She said this has caused disputes between the neighbors. She said she is against speed humps. Frances Toole said she will be affected by speed humps. She said her yard is not fenced. She discussed the speeding issues in the area and the heavy truck traffic from Mill's Compressor. She said home sites are acre lots. She said she has issues crossing the road due to the speeding. She said she willing to make sacrifices and she is in favor of the speed humps. She said the speed limits are not working. Tim Owen discussed traffic studies used to adopt these techniques. He said speed humps increase noise and emissions. He said speed humps also affect property values He asked that sidewalks be installed in lieu of speed humps. Chair Lindsey closed the public hearing. Upon question, Ms. Gregory said the speed limit was 25 mph. She said the average speed is 39 mph. Commissioner Combee said he understands the need for control and this is a safety issue. Upon question, Ms. Gregory said the vote results were 16 yes votes,18 non votes, and 4 no votes. She said a non-vote is considered a yes. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Neil Combee SECONDER: Rick Wilson AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson P.3. Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of a Resolution Allowing for the Installation of Four Traffic Calming Devices (Speed Humps) on Grady Polk Road, Near Winter Haven. (estimated $20,000.00 one-time expense) Minutes: Amy Gregory, Roads and Drainage Traffic Manager, reviewed the proposed installation of four traffic calming devices on Grady Polk Road, near Winter Haven. She said it meets the Board's traffic calming policy criteria for speed and volume and they received the required favorable responses from yes votes and non-votes. She said staff recommends adoption. Chair Lindsey opened a public hearing. Page 13 of 16 Bruce Burns said he has lived in the area for 51 years. He discussed the speeding issues and said he is in favor of speed humps. He said he is not in favor of the speed hump signage. He said he would love to see the road paved. George Waters said he has lived in the area for 28 years. He discussed the children who walk to the bus stop early in the morning. He discussed the speeding issues and the heavy truck traffic in the area. He said this road is used as a bypass road. Angela Nava discussed the speeding in the area. She said she is in favor of the speed humps. She said she is afraid to let her kids play outside. She said she would like speed humps installed on her road. Deborah Waters said her road is being used as a bypass road. She discussed the speeding issues on this road. She said they are gong so fast she can not get a tag number. She said she is in favor of the speed humps. Chair Lindsey closed the public hearing. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Neil Combee SECONDER: Martha Santiago AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson P.4. Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of a Resolution Allowing for the Installation of Six Traffic Calming Devices (Speed Humps) on Raymond Avenue, Near Frostproof. (estimated $30,000.00 one-time expense) Minutes: Amy Gregory, Roads and Drainage Traffic Manager, reviewed the proposed installation of six traffic calming devices on Raymond Avenue, near Frostproof. She said it meets the Board's traffic calming policy criteria for speed and volume and they received the required favorable responses from yes votes and non-votes. She said staff recommends adoption. Chair Lindsey opened a public hearing. Wayne Dean said he started the petition to start this process. He said there are a lot of children in the area. He discussed the speeding issues in this area. He said a majority of people in this area wanted this. He said safety should come first. Dora Cruz said there are two bus stops on this road. She said children walk to the bus stop early in the morning. She discussed the speeding issues and said people will ride their 4-wheelers on this road. She said she has lived there 6 years and she has seen altercations with speeders. Chair Lindsey closed the public hearing. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Martha Santiago SECONDER: Rick Wilson AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson Page 14 of 16 P.5. Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of a Resolution Allowing for the Installation of Six Traffic Calming Devices (Speed Humps) on Thirty-Seventh Street Northwest, Near Winter Haven. (estimated $30,000.00 one-time expense) Minutes: Amy Gregory, Roads and Drainage Traffic Manager, reviewed the proposed installation of six traffic calming devices on Thirty-Seventh Street Northwest, near Winter Haven. She said it meets the Board's traffic calming policy criteria for speed and volume and they received the required favorable responses from yes votes and non-votes. She said staff recommends adoption. Chair Lindsey opened a public hearing. Christopher Desrochers said he is neutral on speed bumps. He said his concern is that there is a group home on Thirty-Seventh Street and disabled pedestrians use this road . He said this road still has open ditches. He said if they are going to install speed humps they must be ADA compliant. He discussed the speed humps installed on Lake Cannon Drive and said they are not ADA compliant. He said if someone from the group home is injured they will sue and he does not want that to happen. He said he knows this is going to be an issue. Upon question, Ms. Gregory said they have been looking into this issue and there is still a question as to what ADA standards apply. She said she believes the speed humps do meet the ADA standards. She said she will follow up on this. Chair Lindsey closed the public hearing. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Rick Wilson SECONDER: Bill Braswell AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson P.6. Public Hearing to Consider Adoption of a Resolution Allowing for the Installation of Three Traffic Calming Devices (Speed Humps) on Duval Road, Near Winter Haven. (estimated $15,000.00 one-time expense) Minutes: Amy Gregory, Roads and Drainage Traffic Manager, reviewed the proposed installation of three traffic calming devices on Duval Road, near Winter Haven. She said it meets the Board's traffic calming policy criteria for speed and volume and they received the required favorable responses from yes votes and non-votes. She said staff recommends adoption. Chair Lindsey opened a public hearing. Jana Giddings said she is opposed to the speed humps. She said there is no choice but to enter Duvall Road at a high rate of speed due to oncoming traffic from Cypress Garden Blvd. She said semi truck traffic has been approved to use Duvall Road and they will damage the speed humps. She said the speeding issues are on Wakulla Drive and that is where the speed humps should be. She discussed the issues on Cypress Gardens Blvd. Page 15 of 16 Upon question, Ms. Gregory said general spacing is 500 feet from Cypress Gardens Blvd. Discussion followed between the parties. Barbara Cline said you do have to speed up to turn onto Duvall Road from Cypress Gardens Blvd. She said traffic is more of an issue on Wakulla Dive. She said she is not opposed to the speed humps but she hopes they are not like the ones on Lake Cannon. She said they are not ADA Compliant. She discussed the signage and decreased property values. She said there are people in the neighborhood that use walkers. Vicki Robertson discussed the speeding issues on her road. She said the speed limit on her road is 25 mph. She said her concern is the school bus stops on this road. She said Duval is used as a bypass to two gated communities. She said Cypress Garden Blvd has a wreck just about every 6 weeks. She said there are no sidewalks in the area. Harry Bell said he does not see a speeding issue for ingress but there is speed issues with egress. He said he is opposed to the speed humps. He said there is not that much traffic and he does not see the need for speed humps. Cathy Perez said she believes the speed humps should be on Wakulla Drive. She discussed the speeding issues on this road. She said this is a nice neighborhood and there is a lot of traffic in this area. She said there are no sidewalks in this area. She said she can no longer walk her dogs. She said she is in favor of the speed humps. Chair Lindsey closed the public hearing. Commissioner Santiago said the increases number of speed humps items is a sign of the times. She said the problem is the speeders. She said it saddens her that they have to use speed humps to slow people down. She said people need to slow down and be careful. RESULT: APPROVED MOVER: Rick Wilson SECONDER: Bill Braswell AYE: Lindsey, Braswell, Combee, Santiago, and Wilson ANNOUNCEMENTS Minutes: Chair Lindsey adjourned the meeting at 11:24 a.m. Page 16 of 16