Board of County Commissioners on 2025-12-02 9:00 AM

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FINAL MINUTES 12/2/2025 9:00 AM MINUTES COMMISSION CHAMBERS 2401 SE MONTEREY ROAD, STUART, FLORIDA 34996 Don G. Donaldson, P.E., County Administrator Elysse A. Elder, County Attorney Carolyn Timmann, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Sarah Heard, Chair Edward V. Ciampi, Vice Chairman Eileen Vargas, District 1 Stacey Hetherington, District 2 J. Blake Capps, District 3 CALL TO ORDER 5 - Commissioner Stacey Hetherington Commissioner Eileen Vargas Commissioner J. Blake Capps Chair Sarah Heard Vice Chair Edward V. Ciampi Present: Invocation - Moment of Silence Pledge of Allegiance - Sgt. Jacob Blaszyk, U.S. Army Veteran APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Hetherington, seconded by Commissioner Capps, to approve the agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: 5 - Commissioner Hetherington, Commissioner Vargas, Commissioner Capps, Chair Heard, and Vice Chair Ciampi Aye: Page 1 of 712/2/25 FINAL MINUTES

COMMENTS Public (9:05 AM) - Please limit comments to three minutes. Carol Zolton thanked the Board for their service and congratulated Elysse Elder on her appointment as County Attorney. Jesse Griffin addressed the Board to express concerns about POA governance in the Stuart West community and requested clarification on recent PUD amendments. Executive Director of the Guardians of Martin County, Greg Braun, spoke regarding the health of Martin County waterways and expressed concerns about the proposed changes to the Chancey Bay Ranch property. Commissioner Capps requested an agenda item be brought back to the Board regarding the proposed changes to the Chancey Bay Ranch property. Tom Pine expressed concerns with items approved within the consent agenda. The following members of the public spoke in opposition of PH-1: Carol Zolton, Jesse Griffin, and Ken Haynes. Kirk Domizio of Coral Gardens expressed concerns about drainage and swales on his property. Commissioners AM Commissioner Vargas requested clarification on what information is available to the public regarding the consent agenda. She also announced that the Taste of Jensen and Tree Lighting event will be held tonight at 5:30 p.m. on Jensen Beach Blvd. and encouraged residents to attend. Chair Heard announced the passing of former County Commissioner Ed Fielding and acknowledged his eight years of service to the community. Vice Chair Ciampi expressed his condolences on the passing of Ed Fielding and requested that an agenda item regarding Stuart West be brought back to the Board. He announced that the Annual Palm City Chamber of Commerce Holiday Festival will take place tomorrow night at the Patio at Palm City Place. Additionally, he noted that the Hobe Sound Bible College Singing Christmas Tree will be held Thursday through Sunday; and the Stuart Christmas Parade will take place on Friday at 7:00 p.m. Commissioner Hetherington acknowledged the Coral Gardens resident and advised that she would be in contact. She also announced that the Stuart Christmas Parade will take place on Friday at 7:00 p.m. Commissioner Capps announced that the Hobe Sound Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday at 1:00 p.m., and the Indiantown parade will take place at 5:45 p.m. Page 2 of 712/2/25 FINAL MINUTES

PM None at this time. County Administrator AM None at this time. PM None at this time. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Hetherington, seconded by Commissioner Capps, to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried by the following vote: 5 - Commissioner Hetherington, Commissioner Vargas, Commissioner Capps, Chair Heard, and Vice Chair Ciampi Aye: ADMINISTRATION CNST-1 CONTRACTS THAT MEET THE THRESHOLD FOR BOARD APPROVAL Agenda Item: 26-0008 There were no items. CNST-2 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ APPROVAL OF WARRANT LIST FOR DISBURSEMENT VIA CHECKS AND ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS TO COMPLY WITH STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS Agenda Item: 26-0014 This item was approved. CNST-3 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION MINUTES TO BE APPROVED Agenda Item: 26-0310 This item was approved. CNST-4 LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY SCHOOL DISTRICT APPOINTMENT Agenda Item: 26-0090 RESOLUTION NO. 25-12.1 This item was approved. Page 3 of 712/2/25 FINAL MINUTES

CNST-5 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS Agenda Item: 26-0228 RESOLUTION NO. 25-12.2 This item was approved. CNST-6 TREASURE COAST REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL MUNICIPAL APPOINTMENTS Agenda Item: 26-0220 This item was approved. PUBLIC WORKS CNST-7 ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ACCEPTING A WARRANTY DEED FOR DEDICATION OF A 30-FOOT STRIP OF LAND FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF NE CHURCH STREET Agenda Item: 26-0259 RESOLUTION NO. 25-12.3 This item was approved. PUBLIC HEARING PH-1 PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 71, ARTICLE 2, GENERAL ORDINANCES, MARTIN COUNTY CODE, RELATING TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MARTIN COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOLKIT Agenda Item: 26-0278 RESOLUTION NO. 25-12.8 and ORDINANCE NO. 1266 Assistant County Administrator George Stokus presented the item to the Board. Kevin Crowder with BusinessFlare, County Attorney Elyse Elder, and Senior Assistant County Attorney Sebastian Fox assisted with Board questions. The following members of the public addressed the Board in support of PH-1: Former Commissioner Harold Jenkins, Pete Previte, Paul Skyers, Village of Indiantown Mayor Carmine Dipaolo, Sara Lynch, William Corbin, John Slattery, and Ted Astolfi. MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Chair Ciampi, seconded by Commissioner Hetherington, to approve this item with staff's changes. The motion carried by the following vote: 3 - Commissioner Hetherington, Commissioner Capps, and Vice Chair Ciampi Aye: Page 4 of 712/2/25 FINAL MINUTES

2 - Commissioner Vargas, and Chair HeardNay: REQUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS R&P-1 US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS UPDATE Agenda Item: 26-0302 US Army Corps of Engineers Deputy Commander for South Florida Major Cory Bell, PMP provided the US Army Corps of Engineers update to the Board. Public Works Environmental Resource Administrator John Maehl assisted with Board questions. R&P-2 2025 INDIAN RIVER LAGOON ECONOMIC VALUATION Agenda Item: 26-0303 Public Works Environmental Resource Administrator John Maehl introduced the item to the Board. Valerie Seidel with The Balmoral Group provided the presentation to the Board. 4 - Commissioner Stacey Hetherington Commissioner Eileen Vargas Commissioner J. Blake Capps Chair Sarah Heard Present: 1 - Vice Chair Edward V. CiampiAbsent: DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION DEPT-1 OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET ITEMS WHICH REQUIRE BOARD APPROVAL Agenda Item: 26-0024 OMB Director Stephanie Merle presented the items to the Board. Supervisor of Elections Vicki Davis assisted with Board questions. The following items were approved: (1) FIND Grant for Manatee Park Sewall Restoration, (2) Budget Resolution to increase the Supervisor of Elections Funds, (3) 2026 Fiscal Policy Update, (4) Request for Funds to Pay Off Various Debt Obligations, and (5) Request for Funds for Health Insurance Fund. MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Chair Ciampi, seconded by Commissioner Capps, to accept the Supervisor of Elections request. The motion carried by the following vote: 5 - Commissioner Hetherington, Commissioner Vargas, Commissioner Capps, Chair Heard, and Vice Chair Ciampi Aye: Agenda Item: 26-0024 Page 5 of 712/2/25 FINAL MINUTES

MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Capps, seconded by Vice Chair Ciampi, to approve the remaining items. The motion carried by the following vote: 5 - Commissioner Hetherington, Commissioner Vargas, Commissioner Capps, Chair Heard, and Vice Chair Ciampi Aye: DEPT-2 CONTRACTS THAT MEET THE THRESHOLD FOR BOARD APPROVAL $1 MILLION OR GREATER Agenda Item: 26-0030 Senior Purchasing Agent Seth McConihe presented the item to the Board. The following item was approved: (1) Telephone & Telecommunications Equipment Repair & Maintenance. MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Hetherington, seconded by Commissioner Capps, to approve staff's recommendation. The motion carried by the following vote: 5 - Commissioner Hetherington, Commissioner Vargas, Commissioner Capps, Chair Heard, and Vice Chair Ciampi Aye: DEPT-3 CONSIDERATION OF A PUBLIC PURPOSE LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE MARTIN COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION, INC. FOR APPROXIMATELY 30.7 ACRES LOCATED ALONG SW CITRUS BOULEVARD IN WESTERN MARTIN COUNTY Agenda Item: 26-0208 Assistant County Administrator George Stokus and Real Property Manager Carla Segura presented the item to the Board. County Administrator Don Donaldson, Senior Assistant County Attorney Sebastian Fox, and County Attorney Elyse Elder assisted with Board questions. Martin County Fair Association Executive Director Micah Robbins provided additional clarification on the lease agreement. MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Chair Ciampi, seconded by Commissioner Hetherington, to accept the lease agreement agreed to by both parties, striking any mention of camping from the policies and procedures. The motion carried by the following vote: 3 - Commissioner Hetherington, Commissioner Capps, and Vice Chair Ciampi Aye: 2 - Commissioner Vargas, and Chair HeardNay: DEPT-4 PUBLIC MEETING FOR CONSIDERATION OF UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL FOR PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP (P3) TO BUILD MARTIN COUNTY OPERATIONS FACILITY Page 6 of 712/2/25 FINAL MINUTES

Agenda Item: 26-0297 General Services Director Sean Donahue presented the item to the Board. Assistant County Administrator Matt Graham, Assistant County Attorney Frank Moehrle, and County Administrator Don Donaldson assisted with Board questions. MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Capps, seconded by Chair Heard, to approve staff's recommendation to accept unsolicited proposals. The motion carried by the following vote: 3 - Commissioner Hetherington, Commissioner Capps, and Chair Heard Aye: 1 - Commissioner VargasNay: 1 - Vice Chair CiampiAbsent: PUBLIC - PLEASE LIMIT COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES. None was heard. ADJOURN The Board of County Commissioners December 2, 2025 meeting adjourned at 2:42 p.m. _________________________ _________________________ Carolyn Timmann, Clerk of the Sarah Heard, Chair Circuit Court and Comptroller Board of County Commissioners /lp Minutes approved: _________________________ This document may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by contacting the County ADA Coordinator (772) 320-3131, the County Administration Office (772) 288-5400, Florida Relay 711, or by completing our accessibility feedback form at www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback. Page 7 of 712/2/25 FINAL MINUTES

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FINAL AGENDA 12/2/25 9:00 AM BOCC MEETING AGENDA COMMISSION CHAMBERS 2401 SE MONTEREY ROAD, STUART, FLORIDA 34996 Don G. Donaldson, P.E., County Administrator Elysse A. Elder, County Attorney Carolyn Timmann, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Sarah Heard, Chair Edward V. Ciampi, Vice Chairman Eileen Vargas, District 1 Stacey Hetherington, District 2 J. Blake Capps, District 3 PRESETS 9:05 AM - Public Comment 10:00 AM US Army Corps of Engineers Update (R&P-1) 11:00 AM - Economic Development Toolkit (PH-1) 1:30 PM - Indian River Lagoon Economic Valuation (R&P-2) 5:05 PM - Public Comment CALL TO ORDER Invocation - Moment of Silence Pledge of Allegiance - Sgt. Jacob Blaszyk, U.S. Army Veteran APPROVAL OF AGENDA Additional Items Approval of Agenda COMMENTS Public (9:05 AM) - Please limit comments to three minutes. Commissioners County Administrator Printed on 11/26/202512/2/25 BOCC FINAL AGENDA Page 1 of 6

CONSENT AGENDA Approval of Consent Agenda Consent Agenda items are considered routine and are enacted by one motion and will have no action noted, but the "Recommendation" as it appears on the Board item is the approved action. Discussion of Pulled Consent Items ADMINISTRATION CNST-1 CONTRACTS THAT MEET THE THRESHOLD FOR BOARD APPROVAL This item is a placeholder on all Board meeting agendas to streamline the process for items that meet the Board approval threshold. Specific items requiring approval, if any, will be provided by Supplemental Memorandum. If there are no items, a Supplemental Memorandum will not be attached. Agenda Item: 26-0008 No items CNST-2 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS’ APPROVAL OF WARRANT LIST FOR DISBURSEMENT VIA CHECKS AND ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS TO COMPLY WITH STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS Pursuant to Chapter 136.06, Florida Statutes, checks, and electronic payments issued by the Board of County Commissioners are to be recorded in the Board meeting minutes. In compliance with statutory requirements, the Warrant List is added to the Consent Agenda for approval by the Board of County Commissioners. This Warrant List is for disbursements made between November 3 and 16, 2025. Additional details related to these disbursements may be viewed in the office of the Martin County Clerk of Court and Comptroller or on the Clerk’s website. Agenda Item: 26-0014 Warrant ListAttachments: CNST-3 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION MINUTES TO BE APPROVED The Board is asked to approve minutes from the November 4, 2025 regular meeting. Agenda Item: 26-0310 Nov04.2025 Minutes.pdfAttachments: CNST-4 LOCAL PLANNING AGENCY SCHOOL DISTRICT APPOINTMENT The Board is asked to confirm the re-appointment of Julie L. Sessa to be the School District’s non-voting representative on the Local Planning Agency. Agenda Item: 26-0090 Local Planning Agency.docx Establishing Document LPA.pdf Resolution LPA_School School_Sessa_Julie.L.pdf Attachments: CNST-5 EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL APPOINTMENTS The Board is asked to make appointments to the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council. Agenda Item: 26-0228 Printed on 11/26/202512/2/25 BOCC FINAL AGENDA Page 2 of 6

Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council.docx Establishing Document EMSAC.pdf Resolution EMSAC.docx Indiantown_Williams Palmer Vernestine.pdf Jup Island_Lasaga.Frank.pdf Jup Island ALT_Scolly_Joseph.pdf Attachments: CNST-6 TREASURE COAST REGIONAL PLANNING COUNCIL MUNICIPAL APPOINTMENTS The Board is asked to confirm the appointments of Mayor Vinny Barile as the Town of Sewall’s Point primary municipal appointment and Vice Mayor Phyllis Waters Brown as the Village of Indiantown’s alternate municipal appointment to the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC). Agenda Item: 26-0220 TCRPC LetterAttachments: PUBLIC WORKS CNST-7 ADOPT A RESOLUTION APPROVING AND ACCEPTING A WARRANTY DEED FOR DEDICATION OF A 30-FOOT STRIP OF LAND FOR RIGHT-OF-WAY LOCATED ON THE NORTH SIDE OF NE CHURCH STREET This is a request for the adoption of a Resolution approving and accepting a Warranty Deed from Seabreeze North Corporation, a Florida profit corporation (Seabreeze), for the donation of a 30-foot strip of land along the north side of NE Church Street for right-of-way, as part of the Church Street Redesign Project under the Jensen Beach Community Redevelopment Area Improvements (CRA). Agenda Item: 26-0259 Location Map.pdf Resolution.pdf Executed_Warranty Deed.pdf Executed_No Conflict of Interest Affidavit.pdf Executed_Corporate Owner-Seller Affidavit.pdf CIP Sheet.pdf Attachments: PUBLIC HEARING PH-1 PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 71, ARTICLE 2, GENERAL ORDINANCES, MARTIN COUNTY CODE, RELATING TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FUND AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MARTIN COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TOOLKIT This is a public hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance amending Chapter 71, Article 2, Economic Development Fund, General Ordinances, Martin County Code. These revisions are necessary to implement the new Martin County Economic Development Toolkit, which is presented for Board of County Commissioner (“Board’) review and approval as a strategic, comprehensive framework for the County’s economic Printed on 11/26/202512/2/25 BOCC FINAL AGENDA Page 3 of 6

development incentives and programs in accordance with the Martin County Comprehensive Plan. Agenda Item: 26-0278 MC Economic Toolkit FINAL.docx Economic Development Ordinance FINAL.docx 2025_Economic Toolkit_Resolution.docx Business Impact Estimate.docx Attachments: REQUESTS AND PRESENTATIONS R&P-1 US ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS UPDATE The US Army Corps of Engineers will be providing an update of the Central and South Florida regional water management system, progress of Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan projects, and the operational planning for the dry season. Agenda Item: 26-0302 SUPP MEMO USACE Presentation Attachments: Supplemental Memorandum (presentation) R&P-2 2025 INDIAN RIVER LAGOON ECONOMIC VALUATION The Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program (IRLNEP), with funding from the EPA and NOAA, partnered with The Balmoral Group to conduct an updated economic valuation of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) for 2025. The study assessed the economic impacts and ecosystem services provided by the IRL, covering its entire watershed, which spans 7 counties, 38 municipalities, and 3.5 million residents. This presentation will report the findings of the study. Agenda Item: 26-0303 SUPP MEMO IRL Economic Valuation Presentation Attachments: Supplemental Memorandum (presentation) DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION DEPT-1 OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET ITEMS WHICH REQUIRE BOARD APPROVAL This is a placeholder on all Board meeting agendas to streamline the process for grant applications, awards, budget resolutions, budget transfers from reserves, and CIP amendments. Specific items requiring approval, if any, will be provided by Supplemental Memorandum. Agenda Item: 26-0024 Printed on 11/26/202512/2/25 BOCC FINAL AGENDA Page 4 of 6

SUPP MEMO (5 items) 1_Item #1 Cover Sheet.docx 1A_MA-25-100 Manatee Park Seawall Restoration AGR.pdf 1B_139965_Budget Resolution 2_Item #2 Cover Sheet.docx 2A_Budget Resolution SOE - Voting Equipment 12.2.25 3_Item #3 Cover Sheet.docx 3A_FY26 Fiscal Policy.pdf 4_Item #4 Cover Sheet.docx 4A_Budget Resolution_Debt Payoff.pdf 5_Item #5 Cover Sheet.docx 5A_Budget Resolution_Health Insurance.pdf Attachments: Supplemental Memorandum (5 items) DEPT-2 CONTRACTS THAT MEET THE THRESHOLD FOR BOARD APPROVAL $1 MILLION OR GREATER This item is a placeholder on all Board meeting agendas to streamline the process for items that meet the Board approval threshold. Specific items requiring approval, if any, will be provided by Supplemental Memorandum. If there are no items, a Supplemental Memorandum will not be attached. Agenda Item: 26-0030 SUPP MEMO (1 item) RFB2025-3718_TelephoneTelecommunicationsEquipmen tRepairMaintenace_BidTabulation.pdf Attachments: Supplemental Memorandum (1 item) DEPT-3 CONSIDERATION OF A PUBLIC PURPOSE LEASE AGREEMENT WITH THE MARTIN COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION, INC. FOR APPROXIMATELY 30.7 ACRES LOCATED ALONG SW CITRUS BOULEVARD IN WESTERN MARTIN COUNTY The Board is requested to consider approval of a Public Purpose Lease Agreement (“Lease”) with the Martin County Fair Association, Inc., a Florida not-for-profit fair association, for approximately 30.7 acres along SW Citrus Boulevard in western Martin County, along with a Non-Exclusive Access and Maintenance Agreement. Agenda Item: 26-0208 Public Purpose Lease FINAL.pdf Exhibit A - Lease Premises.pdf Exhibit C - Policies and Procedures.pdf SUPP MEMO Fully Executed Access_and_Maintenance_Easement.pdf Attachments: Supplemental Memorandum GENERAL SERVICES Printed on 11/26/202512/2/25 BOCC FINAL AGENDA Page 5 of 6

DEPT-4 PUBLIC MEETING FOR CONSIDERATION OF UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL FOR PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP (P3) TO BUILD MARTIN COUNTY OPERATIONS FACILITY In accordance with Section 255.065(3)(c), Florida Statutes, Martin County has received an unsolicited Public-Private Partnership (P3) proposal from Building Tomorrow’s Schools, Inc. (BTS), a Florida-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, to design, build, and convey a Maintenance and Operations Facility by July 2027. This item is being presented to the Board for consideration and to provide the public with an opportunity to provide public comment. Agenda Item: 26-0297 UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL FOR PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP (P3) TO BUILD MARTIN COUNTY OPERATIONS FACILITY CIP_MCOpsFacility.pdf Attachments: PUBLIC - PLEASE LIMIT COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES. ADJOURN This document may be reproduced upon request in an alternative format by contacting the County ADA Coordinator (772) 320-3131, the County Administration Office (772) 288-5400, Florida Relay 711, or by completing our accessibility feedback form at www.martin.fl.us/accessibility-feedback. Printed on 11/26/202512/2/25 BOCC FINAL AGENDA Page 6 of 6

Good morning and welcome to our DECEMBER 2, 2025 Border County commission meeting. We are delighted that you ve joined us this morning. Uh, please join us for a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, which is going to be led by Sergeant Jacob Blasic and would you like to add something before we MADAM Chair, good morning. During this moment of silence, I would like all of us to recognize and remember Sergeant Terry Sweeting mash cow. She was the Indian River County deputy. That was murdered, uh, when her and her partner were trying to serve a eviction notice. Let also remember David Long, who was simply doing his job as a locksmith, and he was also murdered. And West Virginia National Guardswoman Sarah Beckstrom, 20 years old, standing in Washington dc protecting the folks of dc unarmed, was also murdered. So while we have our moment of silence, let s remember those folks, please. Thank you. Thank you, Sergeant. Would you lead us in the pledge? I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States. To the republic for which it stands nation under GOD. Indivisible with liberty and justice for all. And can you tell us a little bit about your experiences in the us Army. Yes, my name is Jacob Blazak. I was in the us Army from 2007 to 2012. I deployed to Iraq, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and was stationed in Fort Carson, Colorado. Thank you very much. We have a full agenda today. We will start with public comment at 11 o clock. We have a preset with the Army Corps of Engineers giving us an update at 11 o clock we re going to have a discussion on an economic development tool kit at 1:30 we re going to have an update on the Indian River Lagoon Economic valuation and at the end of the meeting or uh at 5:05 we ll have our final public comment. Is there, let see, there, is there a motion to approve the agenda, including uh the agenda, not, not the consent approval of the agenda. Second, here s a motion in a second to all those in favor, I opposed that motion passes unanimously. Uh, now we ll hear from the public. Uh Carol Zolton is first, followed by Jess Griffin. Good morning, commissioners. My name is Carol Zolan, and I m a longtime homeowner in Stuart West. First, I want to sincerely thank each of you for your service in Martin County. I know how much time, preparation, and thought goes into every decision you make, and our community truly appreciates it. I also want to congratulate MS. Elise Elder on her appointment as Martin County Attorney. We are grateful to have someone with her professionalism and clarity guiding the county s legal framework. Her recent written gu id ance to our community has been extremely helpful. I m here today regarding the proposed Stuart West Pott amendment seeking to add and expand domesticated animals as a permitted use. I am respectfully asking the commission to deny this amendment. First, the term domesticated animals is vague and undefined, and across Florida can include animals like chickens, goats, and pigs, not just household pets, leaving a phrase that open-ended creates interpretive challenges and risks with unintended cons equ ence s Staff would be put in a position of determining animal by animal what qualifies. The ambiguity is reason for caution. Second, our community has very clear governing documents prohibiting any nuisance, noise, sanitation issues, odors, or anything disruptive to neighbors. Barnyard animals, particularly chickens, are widely recognized to create exactly those issues, allowing them at a county level would directly conflict with the private covenants that protect our neighbors neighborhood s character. Third, the amendment simply isn t necessary. We are in an established 40-year-old equestrian residential community and nothing in our zoning or our history indicates a need for this change. I do want to raise one point from a place of genuine concern and not criticism, harboring illegal chickens is one of the county s top complaints to code enforcement. Multiple reports have been made within our community as birds have been let loose, crowing has become disruptive, and the situation has escalated for a long time. Neighbors stayed silent, but eventually this ongoing issue became too much, so we are simply trying to understand what is the role of code enforcement when an issue like this is repeatedly reported but seems unresolved. We ask this respectfully because we now Code enforcement works hard, and we also know that these rules and ordinances exist for a reason. Approving this amendment would almost certainly increase these kinds of issues. It would create predictable enforcement burdens, increased neighbor disputes and set a precedents for other residential communities to request similar broad language in their own pods. Finally, this amendment does not come from our community. It was initiated by a small group of individuals, the 249 families who live under the Stuart West Pod were not included in crafting this request, and it does not reflect the will of the community for all of these reasons, I respectfully ask you to deny the Pott amendment. Stuart West does not need it, does not want it, and would be negatively affected by it. Thank you, commissioners for your time and for your dedication to protect Martin County. Thank you. Jess Griffin is next, followed by Greg Braun. Good morning, commissioners. Also, as Stuart West issue, this is relating to, uh, poa governance concerns. I m here to briefly summarize a series of governance issues occurring within the Stuart West Property Owners Association that have grown beyond normal hoa disagreements and now affect public trusts and stability within our community. Over the past several months, the board has taken actions that appear designed to avoid accountability and obstruct a lawful recall twice in AUGUST and again in OCTOBER, directors voted on their replacements and then resigned the following day. Even with active recall petitions. The vote today resigned tomorrow, pattern disrupts stability and appears intended to manipulate board composition during a recall. In addition, the association s attorneys filed unauthorized corporate changes with Sunbiz on 3 separate occasions since late AUGUST This includes signing as a registered agent without consent and also replacing all directors and listing her office as the association s address. These filings raised serious doubts about proper corporate authority affecting almost 250 residents. A majority of the homeowners have submitted valid recall petitions with more than enough signatures under the Florida statutes. 3 times they were rejected without valid justification, and the board s explanations changed multiple times, including contradictory statements about ballots. Rather than the required dppr recall process. The attorney has filed 3 lawsuits lawsuits in Circuit County, causing delay and unnecessary costs. I also want to address the repeated misstatements involving this commission and multiple communications, the board majority has asserted that the county attorney Elise Elder, additional county legal staff and Commissioner Campi directed the board to rewrite our pud in governing documents to align with the county that is simply not likely accurate, but attorney Elder and commissioner Campi have likely been misquoted to homeowners repeatedly now. The county did not mandate this action is my view. Their names were used to justify the board, the decisions the board has already made. If this is incorrect, it has caused great confusion in the community. Can you please address these repeated cited statements in a public forum to set the record straight. Well, I know you cannot be intervene relating to hoa issues, the patterns of misrepresentation, irregular filings, and misuse of county officials names now touch on public trust, property values, and governance integrity. Thank you for your time. Thank you, Tom Pine is next. Oh, I m sorry, Greg Brawn is next, followed by Tom Pine. Good morning. Good morning. I m Greg Brown, executive director of the Guardians of Martin County, um, and with me today are our PRESIDENT Tony Zunino and past PRESIDENT And current board member Peter Consey. Um, as you know from our previous numerous interactions, uh, both the Guardians and I personally hold the county and your county staff in high regard, you know, we agree with you on almost everything, not all the time, but almost everything. Um, we don t, and like you we also believe that what we re all doing is best for the community, for our economy, for our environment, for our residents, and for taxpayers. The Guardians believe that the health of the of our economy is directly related to the health of our waters, hence our investment of resources as a member organization of the Rivers Coalition, the irl nep and uh and our support of the irl Riverkeeper. We re concerned now, however, about the adverse impacts from the beef processing facility that is proposed for the Chancey Bay Ranch property in northwestern Martin County. Because facts about the project have been hard to obtain. We ve queried online permitting databases and made foia requests to a variety of state and federal agencies. We ve used a peer reviewed fact sheet on slaughterhouses that was published by the Center for Biological Diversity as the basis for our research. With assistance from attorneys and input from a variety of our ngo colleagues. We ve developed an extensively referenced position paper that I ll distribute to you shortly. That describes the results of our inquiries and our concerns about water use, pollution, abatement, social justice, and natural resource protection. We ve learned that there have been a variety of noncompliances in the past with both the BMPs for the ranch and also, uh, violations of the basin management Action Plan for Lake Okeechobee, which was declared as an impaired water back a number of years ago. We re not necessarily opposed to this project. We are, however, opposed to the alleged preemption of the county s regulations. We believe that this project deserves some discussion um in the public forum. We believe that by carving off the meat processing facility from the rest of the 2000 acres of the property. The owner has created an industrial operation rather than an agricultural operation. And therefore we think that you have not only the responsibility but the authority to proceed with reviewing the application. I m asking for two things today. Number 1, that you accept our position paper and allocate staff resources to take a look at it. And number 2 that you that you schedule the project for a future public hearing so that we can all hear about it. Thank you. Yes, MR. Cats. Yes, MADAM Chair I think the, the guardians have, have done a lot of work on this issue, and it s worthy of an agenda item at a future meeting, so I would make that motion that we have that future agenda item. I would second that motion Anything further, Commissioner Vargas? No, um, I have, uh, spoken with them. I m very familiar with the project, and I think it was a bit rushed to push this through a kind of slipped through, uh, a lot of the details that I was unaware of and was brought to me after the fact that we had voted earlier this year. Do we need to have a vote or can we just nod and say let s have an agenda. I prepared for Chancey Bay. You can have nod and have an agenda item. We ll bring one. Thank you, thank you for bringing this matter up Tom Pine is next, followed by Ken Haynes. Morning, commissioners. My name s Tom Py. I ve been a resident of Martin County for over 50 years. It was just a joke at our last county commission meeting. One a seventy-page register report detailing all the expenditures and the clerk s warrant list was made available to the public because this week we are back to the same old smoking mirrors, nothing to see here. I m speaking about the consent agenda. Once again, our county commission will approve $15,044,022.99 which was spent between NOVEMBER 3rd and NOVEMBER 16th of 2025 without identifying the papers, the payees, or the purpose of the payments. I don t have any degrees I didn t go to college, but I did learn how to use a dictionary. Today I use the modern dictionary. It s called Google. Consent agenda, a tool to streamline meetings, procedures by collecting run routine noncontroversial items to a group whereby all are passed with a single motion and boat. Topics that have not been discussed by the board in the past shall not be in the consent agenda. It s that plain and simple, then why was our county community center. It s that plain and simple Then why was our community center rented out to the Jensen Beach Chamber of Commerce some time ago, all hidden in the consent agenda. It s one of the few I know because I was discussed at a later meeting or the millions of our tax dollars and new contracts that have been approved in the consent agenda. It never ends. Our county commission commissioners use the consent agenda to hide from the public where they are spending our tax dollars outside the items passed in our yearly budget with no public input or discussion. This is why our taxes have gone up almost every year over the past two decades. Greed rules in Martin County. I do not trust my local government. It started with the illegal expansion of runway 12:30. The two lived to two men that lived on both sides of my home, died of bone and brain cancer. Which is related to the jet fumes we were forced to breathe for several years before the county finally bought us out after their illegal expansion was complete. As we move into the new gilded Age in America, our Martin County government is leading the way on the treasure Coast and the working class is paying the ultimate price. What you permit you promote, what you allow, you encourage, what you condone, you own. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Ken Haynes is next followed by Kirk DeMisio. Hello, good morning, commissioners. My name is Ken Haynes, and I m a resident of Stuart West. Um, I also happened to be on the board. But I m speaking to you today as a resident of Stuart West. We moved to Stuart West about 4 years ago after living over in North River Shores for over 25 years. Um, when we discovered the community and compared it to other areas. We did weigh in, uh, the Palm City farms, and that s more of a farm community. You can, you know, have whatever, um. Animals, barnyard animals, chickens that you would like. When we saw Stuart West, we fell in love with it. Uh, we ll never move Um, beautiful community, but we were aware that it was an equestrian community with restrictions on the barnyard animals, the chickens, etc. And really thought that suited us. Unfortunately, as you know, there is an upcoming amendment challenge to our pud and it s posed as aligning rpud with our governing documents. Which the alignment part they claim is to make sure that the equestrian, the horses, the donkeys, the zebras are allowed, but they have snuck in the term domesticated animals, and it s very important, as Carol Zolin mentioned earlier, that opens the door for the chickens, the barnyard animals, and a whole host of other animals that are not currently allowed by our governing documents or the pud. It s a Trojan horse. At, at a board meeting they refused, although challenged by over 50 residents to remove that. They just dug in and would not. When I say they, it s a small, uh, group of residents. Most of that group is already in violation of our governing documents with the animals and rpud because they have those animals uh, one of our fears, you know, property values, of course, is an issue. Not wanting the nuisance of those animals, but also predator animals which they attract and when this was brought up over a year ago, uh, they, they scoffed at the predator animals as that that was just made up and exaggerated. Less than a year ago, it was reported that one of the residents in violation lost over 20 chickens. Now think about that. They re not even allowed to have those lost over 20 chickens to a predator animal. Whether it was a coyote or a bobcat, really doesn t matter. And one of my concerns is we have small, uh, house pets, cats, dogs, a dog. Um if, if we had the amendment approved and it attracted those predator animals. I mean, even now letting him out every night to go to the bathroom, you know, I have your time is up. So I, I urge you, please, when this comes up, please vote no and stand with the majority. Your time is up. Stuart. Thank you Kirk d Mizzio is next, and this is the last request to speak for him I have. Good morning Hey, I m Kirk DMizio. I, I ve been a resident for 17 years in Martin County. I live in Coral Gardens, about 2 years ago, they came and worked on all our swells and our, our drainage and our wastewater wastewater that drains into our lake behind my house. At the time I talked to the guy that was running the whole, I, I think it was subbed out to another contractor. And my swell was sinking and it s approaching to my driveway, which my driveway will soon collapse. And nothing was done about it. They did a lot of the other storm drains. Nothing. I got sinkholes on my easement, two sinkholes, and my neighbors across the street got sinkholes where the pipes distribute the water into the, the when it overflows and I had a, there s a lot of kids of fish at the lake behind my house, and they come through my swale and one kid went into the washout and flipped over. There s gonna be, if he gets hurt, there s gonna be a lawsuit. I mean, I ve told, and a guy came out about 2 weeks ago and looked at it and said, oh, we ll get out here and get this done. Nothing s been done. This has been going on for years. I got a huge, I mean, a huge, uh washout before it. When they fixed all those squalls, I don t know why they didn t do these. We have the worst ones. Now I don t know how this goes, but I, they, they kept putting me, you got to go to a meeting, you know. I ve been in Corps Gardens for over 10 years. It seems like nothing s getting done. And that s all, that s all I got to say. I don t know. Thank you. MR. Hetherington, Yes sir, before you leave, um, i represent District 2, and we just had a meeting, um, and we can t go back and forth, but I will get your contact information and come out to see your house personally. We just had a meeting where many of the residents attended, but I d be happy to call you and come see your. That s my neighbor. He the one who told me to come to the meeting. Thank you. Thank you. Commissioner comments, Commissioner Vargas, uh, yeah, um, I want to make a comment. I know I can t go back and forth and shouldn t, but you know, oh, this has been voiced several times about the uh consent agenda, uh, my understanding, and I did ask uh Ken, a member of the public, anyone, click on a link that is next to each item to see what is being funded. Is this correct, MR. Donaldson? So the clerk has um uh where you can access um all the inforate on our webpage, there isn t a direct link for it, but there is through the circuit clerk of Courts office and um, uh, so that avail that information is available. The summary of documents expenditures that are shown there are all related to items that have been previously approved by the board, whether it s through contracts or other cip sheets and it s just the summary of all the funds that have been expended in the previous, uh, uh, weeks or months prior to the agenda item. Ok, because that s important that uh the folks, what, what is the, what is the uh link What is the address, uh, can we broadcast that now? I don t have it off the top of my head, you know, perhaps MISS Mirley might remember the linkage to it. So, Good morning. Um the clerk of the circuit court s website should have a link that says finance division and they have a list of all the financial transactions called clerk check register and it should have all that information, but I believe that there is a link on the agenda as well that, that directly links to the clerk s register somebody s saying no there isn t. So what is the address that we put in the address bar to get to the. I don t know it off the top of my head, but it s like the clerk of the circuit Court of Martin County. Ok, you might try that Um, circuit Court of Martin County. Um, I, I will try it myself also because I think this needs to be available, um, to everyone uh before the funding is dispersed, so folks are reminded of that. There was something else that was mentioned, has been mentioned before to me outside of this meeting that if decisions need to be made on topics of of extreme importance. I think this gentleman talked about a preferential lease, um, that needs to be discussed by our board, um, who s making the call to put it on the consent agenda. So that would be your county administrator, along with the rules of that the board adopts annually for, uh, uh, but yes, I, I make that recommendation and, uh, and sometimes in consultation with the chair. Yeah, ok, so if it s uh dealing with a lease that s a county owned property, don t you think that s something we should be discussing rather than just tucked into the consent agenda. I, I think the circumstances would dictate if it s a renewal or something that the board has already discussed then then we would uh um put it on we would only go on the uh consent agenda if it was already previously approved. Yeah, I understand that, but if it s not previously proved, I think it s something that needs to be discussed. This is owned by taxpayers of Martin County and it s no preferential treatment for family or friends. On a lighter note, um, we have the taste of Jensen tonight. It s um our community tree lighting ceremony and I urge all of you to come on out. Let s have a great time. It gonna be the taste of Jensen, so it ll be all of the restaurants and all of the businesses that are there to meet you. You can have taste and samplings. There ll be music and this starts at 5:30. We ll be going for a couple of hours right down Jensen Beach Boulevard, so I look forward to seeing you there. Thank you, MR. Capps. I am good today Yeah, we re a small community, so we unfortunately make announcements about people passing in our community who we know, who we know well, and I d have the, uh, uh responsibility this morning to tell, to say that I ve just learned of Ed Fielding s passing, uh, I served for 8 years, uh, as a commissioner with him. He was a he was a brilliant guy, a graduate of mit, uh, a funny, a funny man, and he was, uh, he loved, uh, public service and was a dedicated public public servant, so rest in peace, Ed. MR. Campi, yeah, thank you. Rest in peace, Commissioner Ed Fielding. I did not know that either. Um couple of things. One I would like to have an item at next week s meeting, uh, or at least a conversation about the Stuart West, um, emails and information that s being put out, uh, I do receive that from multiple. Uh, residents, um, so my name, excuse me, saw my name mentioned. A couple of different times, surprised by some of those comments. Uh, I will research with our growth management staff to see if there is any. Way that something that might have happened several years ago could be construed as me offering some kind of discounts which off the top of my head I would say is not, is not possible Uh, we don t do discounts like that at for anyone, and I certainly don t have the authority to issue complimentary discounts on, on procedural or um permitting or paperwork issues, that s not a thing, but I will double check to see if there was something that took place. I know that there are some time discounts that are built into a structure that are not offered that if certain paperwork reaches a certain threshold or level, it would be one price and if it comes in below, it would be something else. So I d like, and if also if our county attorney s name is bein