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welcome to our MARCH 11th, 2025 Borda County Commission meeting. I d like to call this meeting to order. We ll begin with an invocation by Pastor Jim Harp. Good morning. Good morning, Jim. Please join us. Thank you for this privilege this morning. Let s pray. Father, we thank you so much. Uh, thank you for this beautiful day that you ve given us today, Lord, and uh we thank you for the, for the privilege. That we have to begin here with seeking your presence and your direction got Uh, we are so grateful for your many blessings in our lives, and Lord, you tell us in your word, you, you tell us in the book of Timothy. Lord, you say for us to pray, to bring intercessions for those who are in authority, uh, intercessions and Thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings, and all those in authority that we MAY live peaceful and quiet lives in godliness and holiness, Lord, you, you ve told us, not suggested, you ve told us to pray for those that have been. Elected and placed in a position of leadership and so GOD we thank you for these, uh, folks that have been put in this position. I pray for them this morning for peace. I pray for health. I pray for protection, Lord, and just your blessings upon them. Or we know the Lord s Prayer begins, uh, uh. By saying basically that your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And so Lord, that s my prayer often uh for the kingdom of GOD to be built in our community, in our county in our city, and the apostle Paul, uh, kind of describes that later in one of his letters in Romans, he says that for the kingdom of GOD is not eating and drinking but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Lord, that s what I want. I wanna see righteousness and peace and joy in our community, Lord, that we would just, uh, experience that so pray for the decisions and the directions that are being made that GOD you will guide and direct and give wisdom as you ve promised in your word and I thank you once again for all your goodness to us in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Please join us for the Pledge of Allegiance, which will be led by my favorite golf manager in the world. Mike Saunders. I pledge allegiance to the flag, the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under GOD, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Rock. Good morning, MR. Saunders. Would you like to tell us a bit about your service? Uh, yes, I was in the United States Marine Corps from 2008 to 2012, uh, I was a combat engineer, did 2 deployments to Afghanistan, and here I am working for Martin County now. Thank you very much. Well that right down. That s about the shortest version we ve got that s right. I went over to Afghanistan. I came back. Uh, we have 3 presets today at 9:05. We ll have public comment at 10:30. We re going to have a Florida East Coast Railroad quiet zone update at 5:05 or at the end of the meeting we ll have public comment, um. Is there approval of the agenda? Uh, MISS Cha, I will. Move approval of the agenda, MR. Chair, I will second it. There s a motion and a second to approve the agenda. All those in favor. I oppose that motion passes unanimously. First up is employee recognition. We re going to be recognizing um our employees of the year or something. Yeah, so the employee of the Year award recognizes two exceptional individuals who display outstanding performance and commitment, and the two awards, one is called the Spot On Award. And that s a peer to peer nomination that provides an opportunity for employees to recognize and celebrate each other s contribution and achievements while fostering positive and supportive culture, it s uh often members of the team that are our future leaders in the organization and the safety on the spot similarly is a program that recognizes and rewards employees or teams for their commitment to maintaining a safe workplace, reducing accidents and promoting a culture of. Safety throughout the organization. So the first award we re gonna talk to you is about the spot on Employee of the Year is Keith Estrada. He s chief plant operator for the utilities and solid waste department. Keith began his career and with Martin County as a plant maintenance mechanic for utilities and solid waste. After nearly 10 years in that role, he sought a career growth and transition to the treatment division as a wastewater operator trainee in FEBRUARY 2024, he earned his wastewater treatment plant operator s license from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Keith actively pursues career advancement through training and by working to upgrade his operator license in DECEMBER. 2024, he was promoted to chief Plant operator at the North Jensen Wastewater Treatment Plant. Uh, Keith was recognized for stepping into that leadership role during administrative changes at the North Water treatment plant. He took the initiative to identify and write procedures for the plant while offering support to his team whenever it issues arose, all with humility and helpful attitude his performance and behavior truly embodied the qualities of an employee of the year, and I had the privilege of Sam and I going over to one of their meetings. Of course they were wondering why. I m there. As everyone as everyone would, but it was a great surprise to Keith and uh we had a great celebration when he first uh was nominated. So, thank you, Keith Estrada. MAY. We have several questions for you. He was looking for a check. One of the big ones you get a picture and then we ll, then we ll. The mic. Yeah. Any film in the camera? No, GOD damn it. Congratulations. Thank you so much, um. First, I like to think family, wife. From military then thankfully Martin County hired me as soon as I got out of the army in 2012. It s been an awesome experience. It wasn t for them hold me down from there and then meeting. All the employees here with Pete Brittney. Jay, d Derek, they ve all guided me through this transition from mechanics operator. Awesome. They never let me fail, taking all my tests, everything I needed for study and any assistance I needed if it wasn t at home, I got it at work and I couldn t be any more thankful for Martin County. I, I really appreciate it. So the next award is called the Safety on the Spot Employee of the Year, who s Jose Machado construction Project inspector for the public works department. Jose journey with Martin County began in 2011 as an equipment operator and field operations. He demonstrating exceptional skills and dedication. He quickly rose through the ranks, ultimately serving as a field operations supervisor for 8 years. And his, his skills on a, on equipment is, is really unmatched and I m resistant to actually say it out loud here because I know contractors are watching. But he s always been eager to make a broader impact on county infrastructure, Jose transitioned to the Capitol Projects division is professionalism extensive construction knowledge and diverse skill set have been invaluable and successful execution of the county s capital Plan projects. Beyond this technical expertise, Jose s strong sense of community and genuine passion for helping others is commendable. His dedication to public service is evident both in his work ethic and character. Martin County Public Works is incredibly proud to have Jose as a valid valued member of our team, and we are honored to express our sincere gratitude to us unwavering commitment. This award is well deserved recognition for his outstanding contributions to his to our community. Finally, Jose was recognized for his quick action, ensuring the safety of a small child he found alone in the middle of the street, running after a call while conducting a construction inspection. He spotted the child immediately moved him to safety, and began searching for the parents with the help from neighbors and the sheriff s office, the child was safely returned home. Jose remained humble, saying anyone would have done the same thing, and I know that uh, you know, Jose has been one of those that I ve had the privilege of, uh, of, uh, I wouldn t say working alongside of them because they don t let me do equipment anymore, but uh uh through disasters and and uh Bathtub, beach, washing away, he s out there while waves are smashing over equipment, rebuilding our infrastructure, uh, and his skills as a not only an operator, but he also had his own construction company for a long time. So he s a really exceptional member of our team, uh, just as Keith. So, again, thank you, Jose. Thank you everybody for uh. I m deeply touched at. You all have a chosen to recognize my accents with the employee of the Year award. I truly feel that anyone else would have done the same if faced with the same situation. I was raised to help people whenever I can. And to always do the right thing, I believe I was in the right place at the right time. I m glad that I was able to help that little boy and to reunite him safely with his family. This award is a reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a profound impact on the lives of others. And that we all have the power to make a difference in our community. Thank you to all that s always believed in me. Wow Thank you for this wonderful honor. I am truly humbled and grateful to be a part of the Martin County family of employees. And one more thing before I go, I would like to Thank Pam, makes you rest in peace. Um, I m sure she had something to do with this. Thank Thank you. In other counties, these gentlemen have uh contracts that take them through the end of their career. Here at Martin County, so don try anything. Uh, our next, uh, act is to acknowledge the citizens who have participated in Class 66. The Martin cares program. MR. Stokus, Good morning, ma am chair, um, yes, I am George Stokass. I m pleased to welcome some of the representatives of our most recent cares c class number 66, if you can believe that, 66 classes. Before I read their names and invite them up for a photo, I d like to share uh a quick excerpt from an email that we received from one of our fellow classmates just to give you a little idea of what how this class affects them. Uh, goes as quote, i ve just completed the Martin Cas program and I am writing to tell you what a wonderful experience it was. I thought I knew a decent amount about Martin County, but through this program, I learned so much more, uh, that s from one of our students, Cara. Uh, honestly, I can t pick a favorite part of the program. Each piece was interesting in its own right, and now I have a whole new appreciation, excuse me, on the application, appreciation for not only where our tax dollars go, but also the staff who work so hard making our finding a wonderful place to live, and again that s from Cara, um, and commissioners, we frequently receive comments like this from the, from our carers participants, and I think it s a testament to the efforts of our staff and how they work and what they do for our community. So now I d like to ask the following folks to come up so we can thank them for their participation. Martin Cars and commissioners, if you could come to the well to welcome them. And as the commissioners come on down, what I ll do is I ll, I ll list the names and if you could come off of my left through here through the well. And the commissioners will receive you. Where s the where s the I ll get my kazoo for the next one Stand by your name, yes. Uh, and now I d like to ask the following folks to come up so we can thank them for their participation. Martin cares. Uh, MISS Lynn Castro. And I apologize if I totally butcher the name. I m gonna try my best here. MISS Carrie Cottrell. MR. Jim Latimer. MISS Deborah Marco, MISS Ellen Murphy, MR. Richard Olson, MR. Vincent Piazza, MR. John Steman, MRS. Beverly Steman and MR. James Vassi and MISS Rita Vassi. Yeah Do you want a picture in the well? Ok. I And uh for you graduates, we re gonna ask you to stick around because we re gonna want to take one picture of all of you in the well. It s the last thing you have to do for cares. Yeah Yeah. What I come over here. Scoot in. You want Dana in? Yes. And Can you Great. I. Uh Yes I I ll be in the lobby if you guys want to stay, that s fine. I ll be out. Yeah Thank you, yes. Thank you. Next up are proclamations. The first proclamation is a proclamation recognizing 70 years serving Martin County s libraries in Martin County. The ongoing, um, yes, we have, let s see, presenting a proclamation for 70 years. We have Sheila Lee, PRESIDENT Of the Friends of Martin County Library system. You can come on up. The ongoing work of the Friends of the Martin County Library System highlights the fact that our library system is the cornerstone of our county. Providing opportunities for all to engage in the joy of lifelong learning and connect with the ideas of others from ages past to the present. The friends of the Martin County Library systems have been serving our libraries for 70 years, setting an example for all in how volunteerism leads to positive civic engagement and the betterment of our community. The board urges everyone to join the friends and thank them for all they do to make our libraries and our community an exceptional place to live, learn, work, and retire. Good morning. Good morning, MADAM Chair and commissioners and guests. I m Sheila Lee, PRESIDENT Of the Friends of the Martin County Library Association, and I m here to accept this proclamation on behalf of the friends. As you just heard, the friends have been supporting Martin County s library since 1955 and we were originally called the Martin County Library Association. In the 1990s, the French successfully appealed to the community for a 1% tax to pay for the cost of building additional libraries throughout the county. Subsequently, 6 friends groups emerged engaging in grassroots community support. In 2010, the French advocate for the library system s budget not to be severely cut when all the county budgets were had were being forced to tighten their belts. It was cut, but the library system survived and thrived. In 2012, the former six Friends groups merged, resulting in reducing expenses, maximizing our funding impact and saving hours of staff time. In 2020 we survived and continued to thrive when some communities lost their friends groups and support because of the pandemic. Although the French grant to the library system is a very small percentage of the library system s budget approximately 1%. What we fund is clearly visible. We invite everyone in the community to join us on APRIL 5th at the Blake Library between 2 and 4 P.M. To visit booths set up throughout the library system featuring what our grant funding provides. This family friendly event will be generously arranged by Genalis s staff and friends members. Once again, thank you for this gracious recognition. Thank you. Bring the whole group up. Bring the whole group. Mhm No. Thank you, thank you, thank you very much. Thank you very much. We re BFFs. The next proclamation is a proclamation declaring surveyors and mappers Week in Martin County, Florida. And we have Tom Walker, our county surveyor for public works here to accept the proclamation. Surveyors and mappers are counted among the founding leaders of our country and we re instrumental in the formation of the layout of property boundaries in the United States that provide our citizens the enjoyment of property ownership in recognition of MARCH 16th through the 22nd, a surveyors and mappers Week, the board would like to acknowledge the men and women of this profession for their diligence in meeting the continuing needs in our communities. Tom, Good morning, commissioners. Thank you for this opportunity. Um, I m accepting this proclamation on behalf of the Indian River chapter of the Florida surveying and mapping Society, the National Society of Professional Surveyors and the uh National Association of County Surveyors, um, I wanna take this moment to thank, uh, County surveying staff and our um surveying consultants for the work that they do on Coy projects. They re most often the first boots on the ground collecting. Data and um creating uh maps and drawings for the projects and their work often is, um, unrecognized, so I wanna just, uh, reckon take this opportunity to recognize them for that and also, um, In the state of Florida as far as um since uh in at the time of 2024, there were approximately 2400, um, county, or excuse me, uh, licensed surveyors in the state and uh 51% of those licensed surveyors are of the age of 61 or older, so we desperately need surveyors, um, so if you know anybody who is interested, you know, uh, parents with kids who are want to learn more. About, um. Professions and opportunities, any young adults, um, or anybody, uh, looking for a change in their career, um, please, please look at land surveying. It s a very good opportunity. I ve been, uh, blessed to, uh. Uh, in my career to be a surveyor, um, we have a lot of neat opportunities as far as, um, the, the tools and toys we get to use for our work, um. We have everything from planes and drones that collect liar and are used for photogrammetry. Um, we have robotic, uh, total stations that we use in the field and um we use boats for paimmetry and uh. So there s a lot of great opportunities in surveying, so thank you very much. Thank you. Smart idea to say that. Bring the team up. George Washington was a mapper and surveyor. Wow, I heard that recently, like half of the surveyors are over 6, so our audience is getting. We should have a best beard contest. We ve got a lot of good beards. I was hoping not but some legitimate beards. Yeah, and a lot of. You can t even get it with experience, even with experience, you know the 4 year degree, don t you? I Yeah. Mm. They might have to surveyors. Back out into the field. I And the room is cleared out. Our residents love seeing our surveyors in their neighborhoods because it means that a project is on its way. Next proclamation is a proclamation designating MARCH 2025 as Irish American Heritage Month in Martin County, Florida. This is a fantastic one too, um, right? How about the morning. And we have Philip j. Morgan, our state treasurer, um, here to accept and the Irish first came to Spanish La Florida. I think I said that in a French way, uh, in the 1500s, first as missionaries and mercenary soldiers and then as planters, traders, businessmen, doctors, and administrators, and 3 of the Spanish governors of La Florida where actually Irish military officers, Irish Americans since America s inception have provided leadership and service to Florida and to our nation. MARCH is recognized as Irish American Heritage Month month and all are encouraged to celebrate their cultural heritage and any valuable contributions. MR. Morgan Good morning. Steam County commissioners on behalf of the ancient order of Hibernians. The largest Irish American organization within our country is with great pride to receive this proclamation. Over 70 proclamations acknowledging Irish American culture within MARCH have been declared throughout Florida. AUGUST of 2024 was an exciting time for being a Hibernian, being that we celebrated our national convention in Orlando within the great state of Florida. Locally, the Hibernians meet on the first Sunday of every month. At the saint s pub, which is a 2601orningside Boulevard in Port Saint Lucie at 30 P.M. We thanked the board, the commissioners along with our fellow citizens. Of Martin County. Go Irish. Thank you Go And our next proclamation is a proclamation designating MARCH 3 through 9 2025 is flood Awareness Week in Martin County. And we have Christine Madsen, engineering permit manager with the public works department here, um, Martin County has experienced severe weather in the past in the forms of extreme rainfall or tropical events resulting in flooding in both coastal and riverine areas. This flooding has caused damage and flood losses to homes and building in all areas, whether there are high risk special flood hazard areas or low to moderate flood zones. Flood Awareness Week was recognized MARCH 3 through the 9th, and the board encourages residents to increase their knowledge of how to protect themselves and their property in flooding. Good morning, commissioners. Morning. Last week, Martin County public works participated in flood Awareness Week, joining a statewide effort to raise awareness about the importance of flood preparedness and the value of flood insurance. Flooding is one of the most common and expensive natural disasters in the United States. Just one inch of floodwater can cause up to $25,000 in damages. So we re encouraging our residents to become flood ready by preparing and understanding the risks of flooding in our community. We ask that our residents have an emergency plan and a disaster supply kit in case of an evacuation and to obtain flood insurance to protect their homes and property. During flood awareness week, we shared flood-related information through the County social media pages and website. And we ve also set up flood awareness displays here in the lobby, also at the Blake Library and at the building department. So we invite everyone to stop by and check them out. And thank you for helping us spread the word about this important issue. Thank you. Thank you. Mm Thank you. Nice job. Thank you. Now we will begin public comment. The first, uh, public speaker I have is Doug Farley, followed by Tom Pine. Hm Good morning. Moment here. Um, later this morning. We will hear a report from public works about the viability of quiet zones at railroad intersections you mentioned that earlier. I urge this commission to vote for quiet zones. Horns are ineffective. They do not work. Barricades, 4 quadrant gates do work. You learn about these four quadrant gates when the public works makes their presentation. Um, motorists cannot simply drive around a gate if there are 4 gates fully blocking the intersection. Quiet zones would bring a better quality of life without compromising safety. Often politicians Uh, refer to leaders in public safety to help guide their decisions in matters like this. I want to read parts of a letter to tc Palm newspaper written in MARCH of 24 by then Martin County Sheriff Snyder. The, uh The title, the headline of that news report said by Sheriff Snyder. Use caution in considering whether to create bright line quiet zones. He goes on to write emergency responders often rely on the audible warning signals of trains to navigate through traffic and reach their destinations promptly. By eliminating the use of trains horns, we risk impeding the efficiency of emergency services and potentially endangering lives in critical moments. Again, you know, when this is written, Well, actually I m, I m sorry, I m gonna go back here, uh, I, I read this because. I read this because the comments that the sheriff makes in the media has a lot of influence. People listen and assume he s correct, and he not. Uh, those statements are false. As a 31 year veteran in the fire service, many of those years driving emergency vehicles, I can tell you that at no time did I rely on a horn to warn me of a train. Personnel and rescue vehicles where sound impeding headsets. To protect us from the siren and to allow us to communicate with each other and our dispatch. Police officers drive their squad cars with their windows up. The air conditioning on radio traffic between themselves, other officers in dispatch mean they can barely hear outside the vehicle. And must rely on visual references like gates. Civilian motorists are in a similar situation. The windows are up. The air conditioning s on, uh, the radio is playing while they re talking on the phone. They need a visual reference like gates. 4 quadrant gates, physical barriers work. Horns are ineffective. Please silence them so we can have a better quality of life. Again, Quiet zones will not jeopardize public safety. And lastly, uh, Boca Raton has had quiet zones since 2018. They ve had no significant incidences at intersections, and I think you should follow suit. Thanks very much. Tom Pine is next and MR. Pine is the last request to speak form I have. You have a dock cam. Like Morning, commissioners. My name s Tom Pine. I ve been a resident of Martin County for over 50 years. If my photos could be left up while I speak this time, I would appreciate it. Today this county commission will approve $19,970,000381.72 in expenditures between FEBRUARY 10th and FEBRUARY 23rd, using, using the consent agenda and a questionable manner with that identifying the payees or the purpose of the payments. Secrets in our government spending habits is dangerous to democracy. How much did the clubhouse at our county golf course cost the taxpayers in Martin County. It s a secret. It was hidden in the consentage agenda. Even a public records request about the cost of the clubhouse that cost me $35 and got back over 30 pages.. Had nothing related to the cost of the clubhouse because it s a secret. These two photos from Selfish Point. These two photos, one from Selfish Point in 20 2015 from the sand to the top of the seawall, about 11 ft. The second is from Bathtub Beach in 2025 from the sand to the top of the dune is about 9 ft, less than a less than a year since the last time our county government dumped millions and millions of our tax dollars to save bathtub Beach. In reality, it s all about saving Southfish Point from being an island of its own. We can never spend too much money to save some of the wealthiest among us. Everyone wondered where all the sand goes that we dump in Bathtub Beach. It has been suggested to me. It flows north and smothers the reef just north of Bathtub Beach. On the other hand, our Our county, our assistant County administrator George Stokas has promised several times over the past years, he would be he would be providing us with a plan to assist Li income families with help. Downtown Jensen Beach now has a paid parking lot with a gorilla in the room taking full advantage of the situation with $10 gift card to offset the $10 charge to park. What you permit, you promote what you allow you encourage what you condone you own. Thank you for your time. Thank you. Would anyone else like to address this? If not, we will move on, commissioners with your, um, Approval, if we can take up department one, which is Office of Management and Budget Is. There are only 2 items and MS. Morley. Doesn t want to wait until the end of the day to bring up her two items, and after that will be, uh, John Mays, uh, agenda item which is the board and committee appointments. To approve. Oh yeah, is there a motion to approve the consent agenda. So moved. There s a motion in the 2nd to approve the consent agenda. All those in favor. I opposed to that motion passes unanimously. Thanks commissioner comments after these. Oh sure, well, let s have commissioner comments now too. MR. Vargas, ok, there have been a. Quite a few incidents at the rail crossings throughout our county. Judson Beach, being one of the unfortunate top areas where we have have the highest incidence in our county, uh, Hope Sound would be 2, so, uh, I have uh spoken with staff. We re in planning right now to implement numerous safety measures to protect our citizens as they move about the county and be able to be rest assured that we are looking out for their benefit. So I want, want to make a mention of that. It s been spoken about in numerous meetings and let you know that we Have our finger on the pulse of the community. MR. Caps. I m good today. MR. Campi. Thank you. Just a brief, uh, announcement this Saturday, MARCH 15th from 6 P.M. To 9 at the patio at the Palm City Place, which is on Map Road just north of the Palm City. Fire station, we re gonna have another, uh, installment of what we re calling the patio playlist. We re having MISS Carla Holbrook. Who is a very well known Martin County, uh, singer and performer. Musician She will be performing from 7 to 9 we ll have a couple of food trucks, uh, some beverages, bring a chair, uh, or a blanket. We did it last month with a band called Vintage Radio. It was very well, uh, attended, everyone loved it. We re trying to do it monthly, give an opportunity for neighbors and residents to come out and meet each other instead of just staying home watching Netflix and and perusing their phones, come outside, listen to live music outdoors with your friends and neighbors, uh, this Saturday, MARCH 15th from 6 to 9. Thank you very much, Commissioner Hetherington. I m all set this morning. Thank you. MR. Donaldson. I m all set. Thank you, MS. Woods. Thank you. Then now we will begin with MS. Morley s department. One, right? Yeah. Good morning, Commissioner Stephanie Murley here with the omb item today. We have 2 items, um, our first item is uh permission to apply for the Florida Department of Transportation fdot local road safety program grant, um, for the Southeast Dixie Highway Signal Improvements project, um, so Martin County is requesting um to go out for permission to apply to construct safety improvements at 5 Florida East Coast fec railroad grade crossings on Southeast Dixie Highway, um, the proposed improvements will vary, but they are designed to reduce crashes and improve pedestrian and vehicular safety, um, the requested grant award is for 3.2 million, which requires a $300,000 match that s gonna be programmed within our Rhodes capital improvement Plan funds. In the second item is a permission to accept amendment number 1 of the mosquito control agreement, um, from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Um, it s a budget amendment to actually reduce the grant award by $6,185.56. Um, this is due to the number of mosquito control programs that are participating in the tier 2 funding category. Um, this requires a match of 20%, which will also be reduced based on this budget resolution and. We just ask that you accept that amendment, and that s all I have today. Questions for MS. Morley. Um Sorry, go ahead. Um Hm I will move approval of um the. Uh, omb items today. There s a motion in a second. All those in favor, I opposed to that motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Now we will move into bnc1, environmental lands Oversight Committee appointments. MR. Houston. Used to the suit, yeah, I know, right? Like a wonky bureaucrat. Gonna have to buy some new ones if I keep having to go up here. Uh, Michael Houston, senior project manager, um, Martin County Environmental Resource Division. Hope you are having a good day. 942. It s 9:42. So, uh, today we have just come back to you, uh, The at the last meeting, we, uh, basically approved the formation of the environmentalland Oversight Committee, and we have a a slate of members that will fill the different roles on the advisory board, uh, committee, and we re hopeful that we will be able to get started and get the committee meeting within the next month or so. That some good ones. MRS. Campi? Is this an action item? Yeah. I would make a motion to accept the nominees for this committee, uh, having the opportunity to read each of their Um, applications, some of them included resumes, even without, if you just for a lot of us that have been involved in county, um, goings on for many years, that is a who s who list. Of some of the best and brightest and most uh involved members of our community. Um, we couldn t have had a better inaugural group than the group that was put together. It s fantastic. Vargas. Yes, uh, question Dan Brady, is he a commercial broker or residential residential. Yeah, I just want to echo what Commissioner Campi said. This is a really impressive list of, of, uh, appointees and there s a tremendous amount of enthusiasm from all the members are all very thankful to be on the committee and are very excited and want to do their best to play their role in our, uh, selection process. I m confident that they will choose wisely, and I want to thank the committees or the organizations for choosing these fine representatives and the motion. Any further comment, there s a motion in a second. All those in favor. I opposed that motion passes unanimously. Thank you. Will now take up public hearing number one. Which is a legislative public hearing to consider adoption of the ERRReport. Uh, based comprehensive plan amendment number 24-02 overall goals and definitions. Morning. Good morning, members of the board. Uh, my name is Clyde Doolan with me is, uh, Jeanabi, uh, senior planner. Uh, before we start chapter two, I would like to just give you a brief introduction, um, this is a required amendment, this is a part of a process that is done every 7 years. The evaluation and appraisal report must be done as a requirement of Florida statutes. This process began in AUGUST of 23 with the Community public outreach. Workshop and an evaluation appraisal report was presented to the board in MARCH of 2024. Um, the board initiated the amendments at that point, um. The amendments have all gone off to Tallahassee for review, uh, they are coming back now for adoption. Uh, this set of 7 public hearings that you ll have today. We ll begin today what are scheduled to conclude on MARCH 25th. So no final action is necessary today on these items, uh. And uh this, as I said, is part of a cycle that occurs every 7 years. Uh, these plan amendments are not changing the urban boundary, the four-story height limit or disregarding the protection of wildlife and wetland and natural habitat. Uh, these plan amendments do make changes required by Florida statutes, address local issues, acknowledging things like the Village of Indiantown being incorporated. And make basic housekeeping changes to keep the plan up to date. And I thank you very much for uh for these. Taking up these 7 hearings today. And with that, MS. Nobby. Good morning. My name is Jenna Abe, senior planner with the Growth Management department and this is a request to consider adoption of cpa 24-02, a text amendment to Chapter 2. Overall goals and definitions of the comprehensive growth Management Plan based upon the 2024 year. When this amendment was transmitted to the state of Florida, the state land Planning agency did not come back with any comments in their objections, recommendations and comments report, also known as the orc report. But a brief overview of what these proposed changes to chapter 2 entail, uh, we have proposed cross references to chapters 8, coastal management element and chapter 9, Conservation and Open Space element to ensure that all the information between chapters 2 and chapters 8 and 9 are consistent with each other. There is a new objective proposed for addition objective 2.2 f and this objective is referencing resiliency planning, which is outlined in chapter 8 Coastal Management element. Policy 2.4c1 is proposed for revision to change the planning period time frame from 15 to 20 years, consistent with Florida statute, Section 163.31775a. And in the staff report as part of this agenda item, proposed changes number 8 through 17 all deal with the definitions contained in chapter 2. There are some definitions proposed for revision based on changes in statute, um, some have uh definitions have been proposed for addition and some have been proposed for deletion, consistent with the proposed changes in chapter one, preamble and chapter 4 Future land use element. So that concludes staff s presentation on the proposed changes and staff recommends that the board continue this public hearing to MARCH 25, 2025 at 9 A.M. Or soon after as the matter MAY be heard, and we are available for any questions you MAY have. Questions for MS. Nobby or MISTER Doolan. Commissioner Vargas. We received a lot of communication about this. I m certain you understand. I know what you said, MR. Doolan. We are not moving. The Urban service boundary, correct? 4 story height is not changing, um, so are we strengthening or weakening our protection of Martin County. A lot of people have referred to Palm Beach County, Saint Lucie County. We re going to look the same. I, I, the answer I think is neither. We are making the necessary updates to comply with Florida statutes and address local issues and changes to acknowledge uh changes in the local circumstances here, but the plan is essentially remaining strong protection that it has always been. So If we were to make a change. Or if we are not to make a change, it would. One would not conflict with the other. Is, is that what I m understanding? Does that make sense to you? I would say some changes that are proposed in Chapter 2 and within other chapters of the comp Plan as part of the er process are required with statute, um, so we would need to make sure that any changes we re proposing, um, are compliant with what the state is requiring. So the state is requiring to make these changes that you referring to is my understanding that it wasn t necessary. Is, is that correct, MS. Elder? So we are making some changes in compliance with Florida law, but the state came back with, uh, in the ork Por they did make some suggestions to make additional changes. I don t think staff is making those changes, but we did make the necessary changes to comply with Florida law. Ok, so a suggestion is a suggestion, it s not a mandate or did have some suggestions, um, I think one was maybe in chapter 9 that we needed to provide for more water and sewer, um, we re doing the, what s necessary under the statute. We re not taking the extra steps. Further that were suggested, we re taking a conservative approach. Ok MR. Capps. Uh, on MARCH 25, we re going to be voting on all 16 amendments. That s correct. And there s a group of them that have a relationship with each other. And Depending on what we do in chapter 4, that would have an influence on chapter one. And 2, and just a little bit of influence on chapter 6, I believe. That s correct. There are definitions in this chapter that are shown stricken because the terms are removed from Chapter 4. So if there s any change in one that needs to be reflected in all so that they re internally consistent. Good. Thank you. Any further questions? No Is your motion to continue this item. I will move to continue this item to MARCH 25th at 9 A.M. Or as soon as possible after. Second There s a motion in a second. We need to call for public comment. Sorry, is there any public comment? Seeing none There s a motion in a second, all those in favor, I opposed that motion passes unanimously. Thank you to public hearing number 2, which is a legislative public hearing to consider, uh, adoption of er amendment 24-08 Coastal Management element. Good morning again, Clyde Doolan for the record, and with me, Amy Eon are um. Engineer from the public works department who did a great deal of the work on chapter 8, and we re very thankful for her assistance. Um There were no objections, recommendations, or comments from the state agencies on this chapter, uh, the it addressed a number of issues that are required in state statutes such as resiliency planning and uh I ll let uh Amy make any additional comments if she, if she has some. Thank you, Amy Eon environmental, uh, resource engineer, um, a lot of it was just housekeeping, updating the information, um, containing our evacuation routes with hurricanes, being consistent with other studies, and for the most part, um, making sure that we clarified that the element that is in the state statute concerning the coastal element had been Uh, taken care of as well as adding goal 8.3, which addresses the peril flood, uh, Florida statute 163.3178, um, very much like the statute in applying those vulnerability suggestions from our sea level rise report per resolution 21-3.32. And just as a note, this, as he had mentioned, this is the ear process. We re bringing things up to Florida statute. Um, we are currently finalizing the vulnerability assessment right now, so they ll probably be another change to this element in the future when it comes to the suggestions in that new updated vulnerability assessment assessment along with our adaptation plan that we re currently working on. If there s any other questions, let me know. Questions for Doctor Eason. I have a couple, um, i m on page. Uh, 2 of 34 or 620, uh, shorelines need to be restored, managed, and maintained to minimize flood damage, reduce storm surge, stabilize the shore and maintain adaptability to future sea level rise conditions. Does that include hardening? No, it includes living shorelines, anything that we need to do to mitigate for sea level rise. So they ll be a, a, um, like a menu of items that will come up as we look at sea level rise and making sure that we re protecting infrastructure. So, so if I have an unhardened shoreline, if I have a mangrove shoreline, and it s damaged by a storm. What am I allowed to replace it with and who makes the, who evaluates what I can replace it with and can I harden it? So they ll have to do per what our code suggests is they would have to provide an an analysis kind of showing whether they can, whether, whether, whether they can t bring it back into vegetation or not, they would have to provide that analysis and we would have to look at it and see if it, if it complies with our code or, or, or not. So, um, I mean, I m very strong opinion on it should go back as a living shoreline, um, but there MAY be conditions because the sea level rise. We MAY have to like raise some things, but that is, that will be taken care of in our LDRs later on, but right now, you had the suggestion you could do it either way, but they would have to provide an engineer s analysis. Commissioner, that s the same as the code today, um, no, it s not, it s new. I m just saying that there are conditions where, uh, a storm damage or persistent erosion still has the same analysis for a property owner seeking to Protect their property has to go through the same process after this amendment as they do today. It s all I m suggesting, which is the natural shoreline is still party to it depending upon what neighborhood you live in, the analysis MAY Allow structures if uh uh depending upon the situation as it is approved today or the restrictions are the same, I should say. It s still a very comprehensive plan now. This is a proposal to add another qualifier into the comprehensive plan. You, you say it s already in the LDRs. I ll have to take your word for it because I don t have them in front of me, but this language is not in the comprehensive plan right now. Until we approve this. Amendment. I m uncomfortable with that, um, er, can you point to this, you text that you were referring to? You ve got it on the screen. Is it? Yeah, ok, it, it s this, this one right here. Also on page 630, uh, it s. Uh, 2, where preservation areas or shoreline protection areas are identified on a plat approved for single-family residential lots before APRIL 1, 1982. Such lots MAY be developed in accordance with the standards for preservation or shoreline protection as described and dedicated for protection on the approved Platt document. Were there any protections prior to 1982? There were, it was an interesting you if you go back and look at some of the old plats, you ll see, uh, some interesting language and some curious requirements put on those plats and sometimes in the old PUDs, uh, like the old Martin Downs pud has some interesting preservation requirements and so on like that along Bessie Creek and in and in various places. And it s Different in many respects than the language we see in the comp Plan today. So Were there any protections required pre-1982. Shoreline protection zones, did they exist? The Oh, only from the State s perspective. I think it was in the mid-70s when the wetlands rules went into the state of Florida in terms of dredge and fill in terms of shoreline hardening, it would have only been to the restrictions by the Department of Environmental Protection, and I, I don t recall what codes the county had at the time, but there were a number of properties prior to 1982 that had bulkheads and canals built and things like that as part of their project. Today those they were able to maintain those those in between, um, have to follow the process of whether or not they qualify for shoreline hardening. Uh, good morning, if I MAY, uh, Darryl DeLeu, Environmental administrator, a growth management department. So, uh, this language is in here to address, uh, plats that were approved before the comp Plan was established in 1982, so we had commissioners like Maggie Hercela at the time. That required these subdivisions to establish preservation areas and shoreline protection areas in these plats. So they re basically vested. Um, on the Platte based on what the board approved at the time, so we have Platts from 78, 79, 80 that have these plaited shoreline protection zones. Uh, some of them have platted wetland areas, so we respect those things because they re vested for the plat. Ok, so that was post Maychala, which would have been 78. What about before then? What kind of shoreline protection zones were platted. Generally, the older platts don t speak to any shoreline protection requirements are just platted lots, but we do have these ones from like the late 70s that started to lock in a shoreline protection zone and they can be 15 ft, they can, they vary in size and certain uh wetland areas that are also established on these platforms from like 1980. Yeah. There are also I might note. Provisions in chapters 8 and 9 that do. Put protections on pre 2 lots of record. So even if something doesn t have a platted protection area on it like the, as I m mentioned, the Martin Downs along Bessie Creek. There s still a requirement for having a shoreline projection zone of 25 ft on the old pre-82 lots of record. Yeah, so if the platt doesn t speak to a shoreline requirement, they re considered to be lots of record prior to 82, so we do have code that establishes how you protect that shoreline on a lot of record. It s this, this weird, uh, These weird plots that exist where the board did approve a shoreline protection area that s vested on the plat, so that s what we hold people to is based on what the board approved in 79, 80, 81 before the comp Plan. It sounds to me like there s a conflict. That where I turned to my legal counsel, Elie Elder, Deputy County attorney. So I think the goal of staff is to put some more teeth in these plots because there are some applicants who might not want to comply with them, and sometimes the requirements are stricter than what the code provides for something pre 1982. So it s really just reinforcing that these plots that have preser preserve areas or shoreline preservation that we are enforcing those and that applicant, um, it s in our comp Plan that you have to comply with that. So I think that s the intention. Of it, I think for prior to 1982, that doesn t have it in the plot. We still have to follow our regular requirements. This is just putting additional protection for those. Maggie Hercella instances that she actually put it in the plot or the board put it in the plot, so that s the, that s the, that s the goal with this provision. They still have to comply with everything else. Also replacement of existing structures within the shoreline protection zone shall not be subject to a 75 ft shoreline protection zone. Do you have a page number, same page, 6:30, number 5. Hm It s existing language that s existing text. I don t know when the last time was that we changed it. Uh, I don t think it has been. Do you remember having changed work I d worked on a change on this? No, so what if it wasn t a legally permitted structure for crying out loud. We re still going, going to let them. Replace it in and it won t be subject to the shoreline protection zone because a lot, you know, a lot of them are unpermitted. We address those when we can document that the problem is is you have some of these structures that go date back to the, you know, a seawall from the 60s and, and all we can do is that the best we can do with aerial evidence to show that we re not going to find permits for some of these old structures that exist out there. That s just the reality of what we deal with with some of these older areas. I think the challenge is you have a home built in the 60s. They have a swimming pool within 5 ft of the seawall, and there s no way to enforce a 75 ft setback on an existing property in that condition. And that simply recognizes that. Yeah, that s also a recognition that we have that they have no shoreline protection zones whatsoever. And that we re not enforcing that either. Uh, that s the challenge. Otherwise, you wouldn t allow them to replace their seawater, their pool or do any work in their backyard because of the shoreline protection zone would prohibit it. So it just simply recognizes that there are a number of properties built prior to the comp Plan enforcement that um um for, for the reality is that the, the shoreline protection zone, um. Simply does not exist because it s fully built out prior to the plan s adoption, and we do enforce the shoreline protection zone for lots of records that were platted prior to 82, so we require a minimum 25 ft spz for lots that are 1 acre or less, and we do enforce that. Where Throughout the county. No, no, no, and what in what chapter. Um, it should be here in chapter 8. It s definitely in the ldr and in 9. We even have a handout that we give to residents that walk in. What can I do with this property? And if they re in a, you know, platted lot from the 50s, they, and they re an acre or less, you have a 25 ft shoreline protection zone that is enforced. So we don t let you build your pool 10 ft away from the seawall, if you will. Or expand your patio, which is often the case. Someone goes to Home Depot and gets a. Pallet of pavers and They have to take them out because they re within the 25 ft. Commissioner Vargas. Ok, so this is going forward is what I m understanding. This language here. About the 25 ft or 75 ft, is that correct? No, that s existing. It text in the plan. No one s proposing to make any change to this er 5. I understand. All right, so I had a constituent that wanted to To build a swimming pool. And Martin County went out there. She doess have mangrove. And um She did not have a seawall. And so she was denied her permit. She had the adequate space. So would that be a case where we could look at this again. Um I m familiar with the property you are familiar with the property, ok, so that s a property that had mangroves along the shoreline, and that s a case where in addition to a shoreline protection zone, we would have a wetland buffer that would be regulated, but the language is very similar on a lot of record, the wetland buffer for a lot of an acre or less would be 25 ft. So the, the problem with that particular resident is they, they built their house right on the 25 ft line, so they didn leave themselves any room for a pool. So, so there was, and we do enforce the shoreline protection zone on these older platted lots, so we had to enforce the shoreline protection zone slash wetland buffer and we can t allow any development in that wetland buffer. The house was built right on the line, right? I think that property was built was it the 80s or 90s? Do you recollect that was platted in. Plotted everybody else had had the uh seawall. Except this particular property subdivisions. All the lots are different and and a lot of the lots that people come in to build, you know, a 79 platted lot. They come in to build it in 2020, and it was never built on where there might be a reason because it was, you had a lot of mangroves or other issues with the size of the lot, so. You know, I, I think, um, a CHAIRWOMAN Heard you re trying to maintain consistency is, is that your dilemma? Well, there has to Well, there has to that I think is, is, uh, creates, uh. Less clarity So I think we re trying to avoid interpretation at the moment. Of each particular instance. Contacts Martin County. Well, ok, this is ok and that s not ok. Do you know what I m saying? I mean, rather than the rule is, the rule is. I think you re correct. The rule is what the rule is, uh, but the, every situation is, is not the same and different properties present different challenges. Some are pre-2, lots of record, Post 82, lots of records, some have regulations on their late from 1978, some don t, and, uh, and they re also unique circumstances when extreme erosion occurs. So, uh, it, it s a That Dynamic problem that staff deals with. Yes, I understand about the pr and the post. And then it could be a circumstance where they do have mangroves or they have erosion of a seawall or something different. Commissioner Hetherington. I, I definitely see it as a dynamic problem, so I would like some historical edification because we talk about this, uh. Lots 1 acre or less, and you know, some have a 25 ft setback if they were pre x amount a year, how did we establish the 75 ft um protection zone on lots of extra, how do we come up with that number? So what makes that the magic number. I, of course, wasn t here, so I would just love to hear that. I ll give you a brief history, uh, if I can. The comp Plan adopted in APRIL 1st, 1982, said that there will be a 50 ft shoreline protection zone laid down along all the esturine rivers and water bodies. I think soon after that they realized they needed to make an exception for a lot of residential lots, a lot of smaller lots that have been created, and so they created and put into the comp Plan an exception for lots that existed before APRIL 1st, 1982, and they said that it ll be a 25 ft, um, that number has been, uh, Amended, changed, adjusted at 10 ft construction setback has been added to that at times. Uh, it s gone back and forth over the decades since 1982 and uh 1998, the wetlands Land Development Regulation was adopted to implement the plan policies and the plan was also amended in 1998, I think as a part of an err process to increase that 50 ft shoreline protection zone to 75 ft. And it retained at the same time the reduction down to 25 ft for the residential lots of record that preexisted APRIL 1, 1982. So what analysis was the like say pre 1982 you said there was obviously a lot of problems and challenges based on the the old lots of record. What analysis was used to change the 50 to the 25 or vice versa from the 50 to the 75, what it, it seems like a very arbi number. So what was used in order to say this is the right number to make sure that we re protecting our shoreline. I don t know what data they they ve referred to at that time. But clearly we must have used data and not just pick the number out of the hat, right? Right? Well, they could have picked a number. The number out of the hat. So maybe, maybe there s some data that we need to be looking at for these things. Maybe there s, there something like, I mean, it seems very, I agree with Commissioner Heard It seems kind of inconsistent and sort of arbitrary to me. Like maybe there s a better way to look at this than just. Um Pick a number of 25 to 75 based on your size of your lot and when it was recorded. I don t know the date. MR. Campi. Thank you. Some of this, uh, I was around for in terms of when it went from 50 to 75, I think it wasn t so much a number being picked out of a hat. I think there was a change in majority. And the number was increased for the sake of increasing it, because if it s further away from the shoreline, you would assume that it would mean that you re more protecting the water because you re, everything is further away. Uh, I do remember certain situations and Commissioner Vargas s point. You will have a lot of that same for Commissioner Capps. You ll have a lot of residents that will reach out to you, uh, having already spoken to staff, feeling that the number is punitive, that it, it forces them to, uh, not be able to build and to utilize the property that they had always anticipated that they would, and they re gonna be very frustrated and very angry at our staff. So it s, it s odd to hear that our staff seems to be trying to water this down and weaken it because the Perception from a majority of our landowning residents that have the, the horrific benefit of living near the water. That, uh, somehow the rules are unfair to them and that, you know, hey, I ve lived somewhere else and it wasn t like this. We bought this property assuming that we can be, I ve stood with our staff in many a backyard. Um, I have people that are furious at me to this day because I wasn t somehow able to overrule. Or just automatically change the, the rules and the plan and the LDRs and the comp Plan. They were so frustrated that the commissioners could not just automatically, you know, and then the commissioner Vargas s point that some of the neighbors will have something done already, and they won t. Um, in Lighthouse Point and in Palm Point. There were several people that had Basically landscape lawns right up to the river s edge. And two houses, and these are multi-million dollar homes. Two of them, you know, they didn t have the same type of erosion. They allowed, not they, the people they bought the house from allowed the mangroves to grow very tall and very thick, and they wanted to come in and they can look right next door at these folks that have a beautiful unobstructed view of the wide water river, and they have no view, so they said, hey, we want to trim and up And so they hired landscapers that did not know what the rules were or didn t want to know what the rules were, and they came in there and chopped it up. Then the dep gets involved. And they re really challenging, so be prepared, not in a mean way, but be prepared for a lot of constituent calls for people that are going to come and ask you and tell you that they think these rules are too aggressive. Um, I had a gentleman that was. Um Um Stuck in a wheelchair like he, he was able to walk and then for the rest of his life, he was going to be in a wheelchair and his wife put papers as MR. Donaldson said. In Lighthouse Point, there was a seawall there. Everyone else had it, a dock or something, but he never had it. They had grass that went down. Well, he could no longer get to the, to the seawall, so his wife had a landscaper come and put just two rows of 24 by 24 ft paver so that he could roll his wheelchair back and forth. Imagine us telling him and his wife sorry, you re not allowed to be on the back half of your property, but I m in a wheelchair. Sorry. So there are some of these. So with this, uh, I do have a tremendous amount of respect for my colleague, Commissioner Hurd s been here a long time. She s obviously been a champion for keeping these things as rigid and tight as possible. Or tighter Oh And I hear her. This morning in particular, I hear her, but what tips it for me. Is we have probably 1015 different staff professionals involved from many different departments that are as passionate, I believe, doctor, I believe yours is passionate. I don t think you re less passionate than Commissioner Hurd, and you ve brought forward these suggestions, not because you guys felt like, hey, we got nothing better to do, let s bring this forward. You had to. You re saying to me that the language is either neutral or uh more restrictive or not less, and that we haven t really damaged the plan, uh, you re doing what s appropriate and the whole collection of you decided. With your decades of experience that this is the right thing and because of that, I would make a motion to continue this until MARCH 25th because at this particular point, we re just giving out opinions, trying to overrule what we have hired t
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FINAL MINUTES 3/11/2025 9:00 AM MINUTES COMMISSION CHAMBERS 2401 SE MONTEREY ROAD, STUART, FLORIDA 34996 Don G. Donaldson, P.E., County Administrator Sarah W. Woods, 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 ~ Pastor Jim Harp, Stuart Alliance Church Pledge of Allegiance ~ Michael Saunders, U.S. Marine APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Hetherington, seconded by Vice Chair Ciampi, 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: PROCLAMATIONS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS Page 1 of 133/11/25 FINAL MINUTES
PROC-1 EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION - SPOT ON PEER-TO-PEER RECOGNITION AND SAFETY ON THE SPOT Agenda Item: 25-0633 County Administrator Don Donaldson presented the SpotOn Employee of the Year and Safety on the Spot Employee of the Year. Utilities and Solid Waste Chief Plant Operator Keith Estrada was recognized as the SpotOn Employee of the Year. Public Works Construction Project Inspector Jose Machado was recognized as the Safety on the Spot Employee of the Year. PROC-2 ACKNOWLEDGE THOSE CITIZENS WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN CLASS 66 OF THE MARTIN CARES PROGRAM Agenda Item: 25-0763 Deputy County Administrator George Stokus presented Class 66 of the Martin CARES Program. PROC-3 PRESENT PROCLAMATIONS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED VIA THE CONSENT AGENDA Agenda Item: 25-0553 Senior Communications Coordinator Martha Ann Kneiss presented the proclamations to the Board. Friends of the Martin County Library System President Sheila Leach accepted the proclamation recognizing 70 Years Serving Martin County Libraries. Public Works Surveyor Tom Walker accepted the proclamation declaring Surveyors and Mappers Week. AOH Florida State Treasurer Philip Morgan accepted the proclamation declaring March 2025 as Irish American Heritage Month. Public Works Department Engineering Permit Manager Christine Madsen accepted the proclamation designating March 3rd - 9th as Flood Awareness Week. COMMENTS Public (9:05 AM) - Please limit comments to three minutes. Doug McFarley addressed the Board in support of quiet zones [DEPT-3]. He spoke about the importance of having a physical barrier and visual representation to reduce accidents. Tom Pine spoke regarding County spending, Sailfish Point, and Bathtub Beach. He also spoke about the lack of help for low income residents. Page 2 of 133/11/25 FINAL MINUTES
Commissioners AM Commissioner Vargas spoke regarding incidents at rail crossings. She is working with staff to implement safety measures. Vice Chair Ciampi announced this Saturday, March 15th, Carla Holbrook will perform at the Patio at Palm City Place. He invited the public to attend. PM Vice Chair Ciampi reminded everyone to attend the Patio at Palm City Place this Saturday night. County Administrator AM None at this time. PM County Administrator Don Donaldson provided an update on the Conflict Resolution Meeting between the City of Stuart and Martin County. County Attorney Sarah Woods provided clarification regarding the meeting's purpose; she confirmed an agreement was not made. The Board discussed how to proceed going forward. CONSENT AGENDA MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Hetherington, seconded by Vice Chair Ciampi, 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: 25-0348 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: 25-0359 Page 3 of 133/11/25 FINAL MINUTES
This item was approved. CNST-3 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION MINUTES TO BE APPROVED Agenda Item: 25-0757 This item was approved. CNST-4 ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL OVERSIGHT BOARD APPOINTMENT Agenda Item: 25-0559 RESOLUTION NO. 25-3.1 This item was approved. CNST-5 ADOPT A PROCLAMATION DECLARING VIETNAM WAR VETERANS DAY IN MARTIN COUNTY, FLORIDA Agenda Item: 25-0431 This item was approved. CNST-6 APPROVAL OF REVISED LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE PLAN (LHAP) FY 2023-2026 Agenda Item: 25-0635 RESOLUTION NO. 25-3.5 This item was approved. CNST-7 REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A JOINT UTILITY SERVICE TERRITORY INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN MARTIN COUNTY AND THE TOWN OF JUPITER ISLAND Agenda Item: 25-0737 This item was approved. GENERAL SERVICES CNST-8 REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF AMENDED INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN MARTIN COUNTY AND THE MARTIN COUNTY SHERIFF REGARDING SECURITY VIDEO CAMERAS Agenda Item: 25-0563 This item was approved. PUBLIC WORKS CNST-9 REQUEST THAT MARTIN COUNTY GRANT A UTILITY EASEMENT TO FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY (FPL) FOR RELOCATION OF UTILITY SERVICES, AND THAT THE BOARD ADOPT A RESOLUTION DEDICATING RIGHT OF WAY ALONG SW NEWFIELD PARKWAY Agenda Item: 25-0654 Page 4 of 133/11/25 FINAL MINUTES
RESOLUTION NO. 25-3.6 This item was approved. CNST-10 REQUEST THAT MARTIN COUNTY GRANT A UTILITY EASEMENT TO FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY (FPL) FOR UTILITY SERVICES REQUIRED FOR A NEW CHILLER PLANT ON COUNTY OWNED PROPERTY AT THE LARRY MASSING BUILDING Agenda Item: 25-0727 This item was approved. BOARD AND COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS B&C-1 ENVIRONMENTAL LANDS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Agenda Item: 25-0624 Environmental Resources Senior Project Manager Michael Yustin provided the Environmental Lands Oversight Committee appointments. [James Snedeker (Martin County Forever), John Keller (The Everglades Foundation), Merritt Matheson (Rivers Coalition), Beth Kacvinsky (Audubon of Martin County), Tom Campenni (Martin County Taxpayers Association), Dan Brady (Martin County Realtors Association), W. Scott Turnbull (Economic Development Council), Vicki Davis (Martin County Farm Bureau Inc.), David Hafner (University Florida Institute of Food & Agriculture Science Extension Martin County's 4H Youth Development Program)]. MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Chair Ciampi, seconded by Commissioner Hetherington, to accept the nominees for the Environmental Lands Oversight Committee. The motion carried by the following vote: 5 - Commissioner Hetherington, Commissioner Vargas, Commissioner Capps, Chair Heard, and Vice Chair Ciampi Aye: PUBLIC HEARINGS PH-1 LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT (EAR) BASED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT 24-02, OVERALL GOALS AND DEFINITIONS, A TEXT AMENDMENT Agenda Item: 25-0509 Growth Management Comprehensive Planning Administrator Clyde Dulin introduced the EAR Amendments to the Board. Senior Planner Jenna Knobbe presented the Chapter 2 Amendment. Growth Management Director Paul Schilling and Deputy County Attorney Elysse Elder assisted with Board questions. Chair Heard solicited public comment; none was heard. MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Hetherington, seconded by Page 5 of 133/11/25 FINAL MINUTES
Commissioner Capps, to continue this item until March 25, 2025 to be heard at 9 a.m. or a time soon thereafter. The motion carried by the following vote: 5 - Commissioner Hetherington, Commissioner Vargas, Commissioner Capps, Chair Heard, and Vice Chair Ciampi Aye: PH-2 LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT (EAR) BASED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT 24-08, COASTAL MANAGEMENT ELEMENT, A TEXT AMENDMENT Agenda Item: 25-0516 Growth Management Comprehensive Planning Administrator Clyde Dulin introduced the EAR Amendment to the Board. Environmental Resource Engineer Amy Eason presented the Coastal Management Element. Growth Management Director Paul Schilling, Environmental Manager Darryl Deleeuw, County Administrator Don Donaldson, and Deputy County Attorney Elysse Elder assisted with Board questions. The following member of the public addressed the Board regarding this item: Carol Ann Leonard. MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Chair Ciampi, seconded by Commissioner Hetherington, to continue this item until March 25, 2025 to be heard at 9 a.m. or a time soon thereafter. The motion carried by the following vote: 4 - Commissioner Hetherington, Commissioner Vargas, Commissioner Capps, and Vice Chair Ciampi Aye: 1 - Chair HeardNay: PH-3 LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT (EAR) BASED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT 24-09, CONSERVATION AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT, A TEXT AMENDMENT Agenda Item: 25-0517 Growth Management Comprehensive Planning Administrator Clyde Dulin introduced the EAR Amendment to the Board. Environmental Manager Darryl Deleeuw presented the Conservation and Open Space Element. Growth Management Director Paul Schilling, County Administrator Don Donaldson, and Deputy County Attorney Elysse Elder assisted with Board questions. The following member of the public addressed the Board regarding this item: Carol Ann Leonard. MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Chair Ciampi, seconded by Commissioner Hetherington, to continue this item until March 25, 2025 to be heard at 9 a.m. or a time soon thereafter. The motion carried by the Page 6 of 133/11/25 FINAL MINUTES
following vote: 4 - Commissioner Hetherington, Commissioner Vargas, Commissioner Capps, and Vice Chair Ciampi Aye: 1 - Chair HeardNay: PH-4 LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT (EAR) BASED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT 24-10, CHAPTER 10, SANITARY SEWER SERVICES ELEMENT, A TEXT AMENDMENT Agenda Item: 25-0518 Growth Management Principal Planner Samantha Lovelady introduced the amendment to the Board. Utilities and Solid Waste Technical Services Administrator Leo Repetti presented the Sanitary Sewer Services Element. Growth Management Director Paul Schilling, Comprehensive Planning Administrator Clyde Dulin, County Attorney Sarah Woods, and Deputy County Attorney Elysse Elder assisted with Board questions. Chair Heard solicited public comment; none was heard. MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Chair Ciampi, seconded by Commissioner Hetherington, to continue this item until March 25, 2025 to be heard at 9 a.m. or a time soon thereafter. The motion carried by the following vote: 3 - Commissioner Hetherington, Commissioner Capps, and Vice Chair Ciampi Aye: 2 - Commissioner Vargas, and Chair HeardNay: PH-5 LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT (EAR) BASED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT 24-11, CHAPTER 11, POTABLE WATER SERVICES ELEMENT/10 YEAR WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES WORK PLAN, A TEXT AMENDMENT Agenda Item: 25-0519 Growth Management Principal Planner Samantha Lovelady introduced the amendment to the Board. County Hydrogeologist Ann Murry presented the Potable Water Services Element/10 Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan. Growth Management Director Paul Schilling, Technical Services Administrator Leo Repetti, and Deputy County Attorney Elysse Elder assisted with Board questions. Chair Heard solicited public comment; none was heard. MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Hetherington, seconded by Commissioner Capps, to continue this item until March 25, 2025 to be heard at 9 a.m. or a time soon thereafter; and direct staff to review the prior sewer item. The motion carried by the following vote: Page 7 of 133/11/25 FINAL MINUTES
4 - Commissioner Hetherington, Commissioner Vargas, Commissioner Capps, and Vice Chair Ciampi Aye: 1 - Chair HeardNay: PH-6 LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT (EAR) BASED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT 24-12, CHAPTER 12, SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE, A TEXT AMENDMENT Agenda Item: 25-0520 Growth Management Principal Planner Samantha Lovelady introduced the amendment to the Board. Utilities and Solid Waste Director Sam Amerson presented the Solid and Hazardous Waste Element. Growth Management Director Paul Schilling and Deputy County Attorney Elysse Elder assisted with Board questions. Chair Heard solicited public comment; none was heard. MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Chair Ciampi, seconded by Commissioner Hetherington, to continue this item until March 25, 2025 to be heard at 9 a.m. or a time soon thereafter. The motion carried by the following vote: 5 - Commissioner Hetherington, Commissioner Vargas, Commissioner Capps, Chair Heard, and Vice Chair Ciampi Aye: PH-7 LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT (EAR) BASED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT 24-13, CHAPTER 13, DRAINAGE AND NATURAL GROUNDWATER AQUIFER RECHARGE ELEMENT, A TEXT AMENDMENT Agenda Item: 25-0521 Growth Management Principal Planner Samantha Lovelady introduced the amendment to the Board. Environmental Resource Engineer Amy Eason presented the Drainage and Natural Groundwater Aquifer Recharge Element. Growth Management Director Paul Schilling and Deputy County Attorney Elysse Elder assisted with Board questions. Chair Heard solicited public comment; none was heard. MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Capps, seconded by Vice Chair Ciampi, to continue this item until March 25, 2025 to be heard at 9 a.m. or a time soon thereafter. The motion carried by the following vote: 5 - Commissioner Hetherington, Commissioner Vargas, Commissioner Capps, Chair Heard, and Vice Chair Ciampi Aye: PUBLIC HEARING QUASI-JUDICIAL Page 8 of 133/11/25 FINAL MINUTES
PHQJ-1 PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE MARTIN COUNTY ZONING ATLAS TO CHANGE THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FOR GASTON FAMILY HOLDINGS, LLC (S280-002) Agenda Item: 25-0715 RESOLUTION NO. 25-3.7 Ex parte communication disclosures were provided by the Commissioners. There were no interveners. The participants were sworn in by the deputy clerk. COUNTY: Growth Management Senior Planner John Sinnott provided staff's presentation to the Board. Growth Management Deputy Director Peter Walden and Deputy County Attorney Elysse Elder assisted with Board questions. The following County exhibits were filed for the record: (1) agenda item/staff report and (2) John Sinnott's resume. APPLICANT: Gunster Law Firm Attorney Bob Raynes addressed the Board in support of this item. Notices were filed at the LPA. Chair Heard solicited public comment; none was heard. MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Hetherington, seconded by Vice Chair Ciampi, 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: DEPARTMENTAL QUASI-JUDICIAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT DPQJ-1 REQUEST APPROVAL OF THE THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE DISCOVERY PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) ZONING AGREEMENT (H123-030) INCLUDING A REVISED MASTER AND PHASING PLAN Agenda Item: 25-0701 Ex parte communication disclosures were provided by the Commissioners. There were no interveners. The participants were sworn in by the deputy clerk. COUNTY: Growth Management Principal Planner Brian Elam provided staff's presentation to the Board. Growth Management Deputy Director Peter Walden and Deputy County Attorney Elysse Elder assisted with Board questions. The following County exhibits were filed for the record: (1) agenda item/staff report, (2) Brian Elam's resume, and (3) change of ownership disclosures. APPLICANT: Gunster Law Firm Attorney Bob Raynes addressed the Board on behalf Page 9 of 133/11/25 FINAL MINUTES
of the applicant in support of staff's recommendation. Lucido & Associates Senior Partner Morris Crady presented the applicant's presentation. Becker Holding General Manager Rick Melchiori discussed the project's public benefits. The following applicant's exhibits were filed for the record: (1) Morris Crady's resume and (2) Rick Melchiori's resume. Chair Heard solicited public comment; none was heard. MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Chair Ciampi, seconded by Commissioner Hetherington, 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: DPQJ-2 REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF THE SOUTH FLORIDA GATEWAY PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) REVISED INFRASTRUCTURE FINAL SITE PLAN (S265-016) Agenda Item: 25-0707 RESOLUTION NO. 25-3.8 Ex parte communication disclosures were provided by the Commissioners. There were no interveners. The participants were sworn in by the deputy clerk. COUNTY: Growth Management Principal Planner Brian Elam provided staff's presentation to the Board. Growth Management Deputy Director Peter Walden and Deputy County Attorney Elysse Elder assisted with Board questions. The following County exhibits were filed for the record: (1) agenda item/staff report and (2) Brian Elam's resume. APPLICANT: Lucido & Associates Senior Partner Morris Crady provided the applicant's presentation to the Board. Chair Heard solicited public comment; none was heard. MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Chair Ciampi, seconded by Commissioner Hetherington, 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: DPQJ-3 REQUEST PLAT APPROVAL FOR THE SOUTH FLORIDA GATEWAY PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) PLAT NO. 2 PROJECT (S265-018) Agenda Item: 25-0724 Ex parte communication disclosures were provided by the Commissioners. There Page 10 of 133/11/25 FINAL MINUTES
were no interveners. The participants were sworn in by the deputy clerk. COUNTY: Growth Management Principal Planner Luis Aguilar provided staff's presentation to the Board. Growth Management Deputy Director Peter Walden and Deputy County Attorney Elysse Elder assisted with Board questions. The following County exhibits were filed for the record: (1) agenda item/staff report and (2) Luis Aguilar's resume. APPLICANT: Lucido & Associates Senior Partner Morris Crady addressed the Board in support of staff's recommendation; no presentation was given. Chair Heard solicited public comment; none was heard. 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: DPQJ-4 REQUEST PLAT APPROVAL FOR THE SOUTH KANNER CAR WASH PROJECT (T125-012) Agenda Item: 25-0725 Ex parte communication disclosures were provided by the Commissioners. There were no interveners. Notices were not required. The participants were sworn in by the deputy clerk. COUNTY: Growth Management Senior Planner John Sinnott provided staff's presentation to the Board. Growth Management Deputy Director Peter Walden and Deputy County Attorney Elysse Elder assisted with Board questions. The following County exhibits were filed for the record: (1) agenda item/staff report and (2) John Sinnott's resume. APPLICANT: USA Autowash Agent Thomas Nalis addressed the Board on behalf of the applicant; no presentation was given. Chair Heard solicited public comment; none was heard. MOTION: A motion was made by Vice Chair Ciampi, seconded by Commissioner Hetherington, 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: Page 11 of 133/11/25 FINAL MINUTES
DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION DEPT-1 OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET ITEMS WHICH REQUIRE BOARD APPROVAL Agenda Item: 25-0378 RESOLUTION NOs. 25-3.2 and 25-3.3 OMB Director Stephanie Merle presented the items to the Board. The following items were approved: (1) FY 2025 FDOT Local Road Safety Program Grant for FY 2029 Funding for SE Dixie Highway Signal Improvements Project and (2) Amendment #1 to FY 2023 Mosquito Control Agreement. 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-2 CONTRACTS THAT MEET THE THRESHOLD FOR BOARD APPROVAL $1 MILLION OR GREATER Agenda Item: 25-0389 There were no items. PUBLIC WORKS DEPT-3 FLORIDA EAST COAST RAILROAD QUIET ZONE UPDATE Agenda Item: 25-0620 Assistant County Engineer Matthew Hammond presented the item to the Board. Triad Railroad Consulting President George Gavall provided historical context on quiet zones. Deputy County Attorney Elysse Elder provided the legal context. County Administrator Don Donaldson assisted with Board questions. The Board discussed the implementing of quiet zones in the County. The following members of the public addressed the Board regarding this item: Sharon McGinnis and Leonard Sucsy. MOTION: A motion was made by Commissioner Capps, seconded by Commissioner Vargas, to not have any quiet zones in Martin County. The motion carried by the following vote: 5 - Commissioner Hetherington, Commissioner Vargas, Commissioner Capps, Chair Heard, and Vice Chair Ciampi Aye: PUBLIC - PLEASE LIMIT COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES. There were none. Page 12 of 133/11/25 FINAL MINUTES
ADJOURN The Board of County Commissioners March 11, 2025 meeting adjourned at 4:04 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 13 of 133/11/25 FINAL MINUTES
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FINAL AGENDA 3/11/25 9:00 AM BOCC MEETING AGENDA COMMISSION CHAMBERS 2401 SE MONTEREY ROAD, STUART, FLORIDA 34996 Don G. Donaldson, P.E., County Administrator Sarah W. Woods, 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 10:30 AM - Florida East Coast Railroad Quiet Zone Update (DEPT-3) 5:05 PM - Public Comment CALL TO ORDER Invocation ~ Pastor Jim Harp, Stuart Alliance Church Pledge of Allegiance ~ Michael Saunders, U.S. Marine APPROVAL OF AGENDA Additional Items Approval of Agenda PROCLAMATIONS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS PROC-1 EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION - SPOT ON PEER-TO-PEER RECOGNITION AND SAFETY ON THE SPOT The County Administrator would like to recognize two employees as part of our Employee Recognition Program. The program has two components SpotOn and Safety on the Spot. SpotOn peer-to-peer allows employees to nominate their peers who have gone above and beyond doing their job and demonstrate exceptional performance. The Safety on the Spot program provides an opportunity for employees to regularly be spotted demonstrating Printed on 3/6/20253/11/25 BOCC FINAL AGENDA Page 1 of 13
excellence in safety-conscious behaviors. Agenda Item: 25-0633 PROC-2 ACKNOWLEDGE THOSE CITIZENS WHO HAVE PARTICIPATED IN CLASS 66 OF THE MARTIN CARES PROGRAM Class 66 brings the number of residents who have experienced the Citizens Academy and Resource Education Series (Martin CARES) to over 3,200. The Martin CARES program is offered two times per fiscal year, and there was a CARES Open House on February 27. Agenda Item: 25-0763 PROC-3 PRESENT PROCLAMATIONS PREVIOUSLY APPROVED VIA THE CONSENT AGENDA The Chair will present a proclamation recognizing 70 Years Serving Martin County’s Libraries, declaring Surveyors and Mappers Week, declaring March 2025 as Irish American Heritage Month, and designating March 3-9 as Flood Awareness Week in Martin County, Florida. Agenda Item: 25-0553 COMMENTS Public (9:05 AM) - Please limit comments to three minutes. Commissioners County Administrator 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: 25-0348 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 February 10, 2025 and February 23, 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. Printed on 3/6/20253/11/25 BOCC FINAL AGENDA Page 2 of 13
Agenda Item: 25-0359 Warrant ListAttachments: CNST-3 BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION MINUTES TO BE APPROVED The Board is asked to approve minutes from the February 11 and 25, 2025 regular meetings. Agenda Item: 25-0757 Feb11.2025 BCC Minutes.pdf Feb25.2025 BCC Minutes.pdf Attachments: CNST-4 ANIMAL CARE AND CONTROL OVERSIGHT BOARD APPOINTMENT After solicitation of applicants, the Board is asked to make the necessary appointment to the Animal Care and Control Oversight Board. Agenda Item: 25-0559 Animal Care and Control Oversight Board.docx ACCOB Establishing Document Information Release ACCOB Resolution_ACCOB Wood_Roderick.M.pdf Attachments: CNST-5 ADOPT A PROCLAMATION DECLARING VIETNAM WAR VETERANS DAY IN MARTIN COUNTY, FLORIDA The Board is asked to adopt a proclamation declaring Vietnam War Veterans Day in Martin County Florida. Agenda Item: 25-0431 Vietnam_War_Veterans_DayAttachments: CNST-6 APPROVAL OF REVISED LOCAL HOUSING ASSISTANCE PLAN (LHAP) FY 2023-2026 The Local Housing Assistance Plan (LHAP) governs Martin County’s State Housing Initiative Partnership Program (SHIP) programming and expenditures. The revised 2023-2026 LHAP was prepared by staff and reviewed by Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC), which approved the technical revision to the LHAP on January 2, 2025. Agenda Item: 25-0635 Martin 2023-2026 Revised - 3-11-25.pdf 2023 exhibit a.pdf 2023 exhibit b.pdf 2023 exhibit c.pdf 2023 exhibit d.pdf 2023 exhibit e.pdf Attachments: CNST-7 REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A JOINT UTILITY SERVICE TERRITORY INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN MARTIN COUNTY AND THE TOWN OF JUPITER ISLAND This item seeks approval for the Interlocal Agreement between Martin County Board of County Commissioners and the Town of Jupiter Island, which establishes a Joint Utility Printed on 3/6/20253/11/25 BOCC FINAL AGENDA Page 3 of 13
Service Territory. The agreement terminates the existing 2005 Joint Planning Agreement (JPA) and formalizes the coordination of utility services in designated areas of south Martin County. The agreement is set to become effective on January 1, 2025, and has a term of 10 years, with an option for a 10-year renewal term. Agenda Item: 25-0737 Martin County-TJI JLA TJI Executed 013125.pdfAttachments: GENERAL SERVICES CNST-8 REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF AMENDED INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN MARTIN COUNTY AND THE MARTIN COUNTY SHERIFF REGARDING SECURITY VIDEO CAMERAS The County currently has an Interlocal Agreement with the Martin County Sheriff’s Office for security cameras. The Martin County Sheriff’s Office has requested to modify the existing Agreement to change personnel access to the County’s security video cameras for various law enforcement purposes. The Interlocal Agreement provides for the use, operation, and maintenance of the County’s security video system between the County and the Sheriff. Agenda Item: 25-0563 ILA Security Video_Redacted.pdf Exhibit A to ILA for Security Video with changes in red font.docx Exhibit B_Redacted.pdf Exhibit C_Redacted.pdf Exhibit D_Redacted.pdf Exhibit E_Redacted.pdf Exhibit F_Redacted.pdf Exhibit G_Redacted.pdf Attachments: PUBLIC WORKS CNST-9 REQUEST THAT MARTIN COUNTY GRANT A UTILITY EASEMENT TO FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY (FPL) FOR RELOCATION OF UTILITY SERVICES, AND THAT THE BOARD ADOPT A RESOLUTION DEDICATING RIGHT OF WAY ALONG SW NEWFIELD PARKWAY FPL has requested approval for a Utility Easement on County-owned property for the relocation of existing underground services along SW Newfield Parkway. Additionally, to streamline documentation for County-owned property, staff is requesting the adoption of a Resolution designating a portion of the County-owned parcel on SW Newfield Parkway as right-of-way in Palm City. Agenda Item: 25-0654 Location Map.pdf Resolution mj.docx Approved Exhibit A ROW.pdf FPL Easement pkg.pdf Attachments: Printed on 3/6/20253/11/25 BOCC FINAL AGENDA Page 4 of 13
CNST-10 REQUEST THAT MARTIN COUNTY GRANT A UTILITY EASEMENT TO FLORIDA POWER & LIGHT COMPANY (FPL) FOR UTILITY SERVICES REQUIRED FOR A NEW CHILLER PLANT ON COUNTY OWNED PROPERTY AT THE LARRY MASSING BUILDING FPL has requested approval of a Utility Easement on the east side of the Larry Massing Building just south of SE Runhke Street, for extension of electrical service to the new chiller plant which will provide HVAC to the Building Department and the future Employee Wellness facility. Agenda Item: 25-0727 Location Map.pdf FPL Easement.docx DRAFT-WR_13638719_11x17 OH - Kevin Comments.pdf Attachments: BOARD AND COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS B&C-1 ENVIRONMENTAL LANDS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS The Board is asked to confirm the appointments to the Environmental Lands Oversight Committee. Agenda Item: 25-0624 Environmental Lands Oversight Committee.docx Establishing Resolution ELOC Resolution MC Forever_James Snedeker.pdf Everglades Foundation_John Keller.pdf Rivers Coalition_Merritt Matheson.pdf Audubon_Beth Kacvinsky.pdf Taxpayers Assoc_Tom Campenni.pdf Realtor Assoc_Dan Brady.pdf Econ Council_W.Scott Turnbull.pdf Farm Bureau_Vicki Davis.pdf 4H_David Hafner.pdf Attachments: PUBLIC HEARINGS PH-1 LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT (EAR) BASED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT 24-02, OVERALL GOALS AND DEFINITIONS, A TEXT AMENDMENT This is a request to consider adoption of Comprehensive Plan Amendment 24-02, a text amendment to Chapter 2, Overall Goals and Definitions, of the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan, Martin County Code (CGMP) based upon the 2024 EAR. Agenda Item: 25-0509 Printed on 3/6/20253/11/25 BOCC FINAL AGENDA Page 5 of 13
Ch. 2 EAR_Draft Staff Report_02-05-25.docx Ch. 2 Matrix EAR.pdf 2024_0815_LPA Approved Minutes.pdf 2024_1003_LPA Approved Minutes.pdf Objections Recommendations and Comments.pdf Draft_Ordinance_CPA24-02.docx Chapter_2_OVERALL_GOALS_AND_DEFINITIONS.docx 2025_0207_Publication Tearsheet.pdf Ch. 2 Public Comment.pdf SUPP MEMO 2025_0311-0325_BCC_Add'l Public Comments.pdf Attachments: Supplemental Memorandum PH-2 LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT (EAR) BASED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT 24-08, COASTAL MANAGEMENT ELEMENT, A TEXT AMENDMENT This is a request to consider adoption of Comprehensive Plan Amendment 24-08, a text amendment to Chapter 8, Coastal Management Element, of the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan, Martin County Code (CGMP) based upon the 2024 EAR. Agenda Item: 25-0516 Staff Report_24-08 Coastal_02-05-25.docx Ch. 8 EAR Matrix.pdf 2024_0815_LPA Approved Minutes.pdf Objections Recommendations and Comments.pdf Reso_21-3.32.pdf SLR Report Agenda Item 03_23_2021.pdf Excerpt Florida Statutes.pdf Draft_Ordinance_CPA24-08.docx Chapter_8_COASTAL.docx Ch8 Figs_Existing_Proposed.pdf 2025_0207_Publication Tearsheet.pdf Ch 8 Public Comment.pdf SUPP MEMO 2025_0311-0325_BCC_Add'l Public Comments.pdf Attachments: Supplemental Memorandum PH-3 LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT (EAR) BASED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT 24-09, CONSERVATION AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT, A TEXT AMENDMENT This is a request to consider adoption of Comprehensive Plan Amendment 24-09, a text amendment to Chapter 9, Conservation and Open Space Element, of the Comprehensive Printed on 3/6/20253/11/25 BOCC FINAL AGENDA Page 6 of 13
Growth Management Plan, Martin County Code (CGMP) based upon the 2024 EAR. Agenda Item: 25-0517 Chapter 9 EAR Staff Report.docx 2024_0815_LPA Approved Minutes.pdf Objections Recommendations and Comments.pdf Draft Ordinance_CPA24-09.docx Chapter 9 CONSERVATION AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT.docx Figure 9-1 CGMP(r).pdf 2024 Florida Statutes_581.091_InvasivePlants.pdf FNAI Rank_and_Status_Explanation.pdf FNAI_Short_Descriptions_Final_2010.pdf Florida Land Cover Classification System.pdf 2013 Corresp FDAC Local Ord for Prohibited Plant Species 2025_0207_Publication Tearsheet.pdf Ch 9 Public Comment.pdf SUPP MEMO 2025_0311-0325_BCC_Add'l Public Comments.pdf Attachments: Supplemental Memorandum PH-4 LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT (EAR) BASED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT 24-10, CHAPTER 10, SANITARY SEWER SERVICES ELEMENT, A TEXT AMENDMENT This is a request to consider adoption of Comprehensive Plan Amendment 24-10, a text amendment to Chapter 10, Sanitary Sewer Services Element, of the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan, Martin County Code (CGMP) based upon the 2024 EAR. Agenda Item: 25-0518 Chapter 10 EAR Staff Report_CPA 24-10.docx Pages from Matrix EAR.pdf 2024_0912_LPA Approved Minutes.pdf Objections Recommendations and Comments.pdf Draft_Ordinance_CPA24-10.docx Chapter 10 Sanitary Sewer Element.docx 2025_0207_Publication Tearsheet.pdf BCCPublic Comment re CPAs.pdf SUPP MEMO 2025_0311-0325_BCC_Add'l Public Comments.pdf Attachments: Supplemental Memorandum Printed on 3/6/20253/11/25 BOCC FINAL AGENDA Page 7 of 13
PH-5 LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT (EAR) BASED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT 24-11, CHAPTER 11, POTABLE WATER SERVICES ELEMENT/10 YEAR WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES WORK PLAN, A TEXT AMENDMENT This is a request to consider adoption of Comprehensive Plan Amendment 24-11, a text amendment to Chapter 11 Potable Water Services Element/10 Year Water Supply Facilities Work Plan, of the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan, Martin County Code (CGMP) based upon the 2024 EAR. Agenda Item: 25-0519 Chapter 11 EAR Staff Report_CPA 24-11.docx Ch 11 Matrix EAR.pdf 2024_0912_LPA Approved Minutes.pdf Objections Recommendations and Comments.pdf Draft_Ordinance_CPA24-11.docx Chapter 11 Text.docx Figs 11-1 and 11-2 Existing.pdf 2025_0207_Publication Tearsheet.pdf BCC Public Comment re CPAs.pdf SUPP MEMO 2025_0311-0325_BCC_Add'l Public Comments.pdf Attachments: Supplemental Memorandum PH-6 LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT (EAR) BASED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT 24-12, CHAPTER 12, SOLID AND HAZARDOUS WASTE, A TEXT AMENDMENT This is a request to consider adoption of Comprehensive Plan Amendment 24-12, a text amendment to Chapter 12, Solid and Hazardous Waste, of the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan, Martin County Code (CGMP) based upon the 2024 EAR. Agenda Item: 25-0520 Chapter 12 EAR Staff report.docx 2024_0912_LPA Approved Minutes.pdf Objections Recommendations and Comments.pdf Draft_Ordinance_CPA24-12.docx Chapter 12 Solid Waste Element.docx 2025_0207_Publication Tearsheet.pdf BCCPublic Comment re CPAs.pdf SUPP MEMO 2025_0311-0325_BCC_Add'l Public Comments.pdf Attachments: Supplemental Memorandum Printed on 3/6/20253/11/25 BOCC FINAL AGENDA Page 8 of 13
PH-7 LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF EVALUATION AND APPRAISAL REPORT (EAR) BASED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT 24-13, CHAPTER 13, DRAINAGE AND NATURAL GROUNDWATER AQUIFER RECHARGE ELEMENT, A TEXT AMENDMENT A request to consider adoption of Comprehensive Plan Amendment 24-13, a text amendment to Chapter 13, Drainage and Natural Groundwater Aquifer Recharge Element, of the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan, Martin County Code (CGMP) based upon the 2024 EAR. Agenda Item: 25-0521 Staff Report_24-13 Drainage.docx Ch 13_Matrix EAR.pdf 2024_0912_LPA Approved Minutes.pdf Objections Recommendations and Comments.pdf Draft_Ordinance_CPA24-13.docx Chapter 13 DRAINAGE AND NATURAL GROUNDWATER AQUIFER RECHARGE ELEMENT.docx Chapter 13 Figures.pdf 2021_UEC_Plan_Appendices-final.pdf DEP_2024_Final.pdf Lake Okeechobee BMAP_01-31-20.pdf Loxahatchee River 4e Plan_Final.pdf UPDATED BMAP St_Lucie_BMAP_01-31-20.pdf 2025_0207_Publication Tearsheet.pdf Public Comment Ch. 13.pdf SUPP MEMO SFWMD Section 13.6 Email.pdf FDEP Section 13.6 Email.pdf 2025_0311-0325_BCC_Add'l Public Comments.pdf Attachments: Supplemental Memorandum PUBLIC HEARING QUASI-JUDICIAL PHQJ-1 PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER ADOPTION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE MARTIN COUNTY ZONING ATLAS TO CHANGE THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION FOR GASTON FAMILY HOLDINGS, LLC (S280-002) This is a request by Gunster, Yoakley & Stewart, P.A., on behalf of Gaston Family Holdings, LLC, for a proposed amendment to the county zoning atlas to change the zoning district classification for an approximately 2.15-acre marine sales and service facility from the current B-1, Business District, and R-3A, Liberal Multiple-Family District, to the GC, General Commercial District. The site is located at 4900 SE Federal Highway in Stuart. Included with this application is a request for a Certificate of Public Facilities Exemption. Printed on 3/6/20253/11/25 BOCC FINAL AGENDA Page 9 of 13
Agenda Item: 25-0715 2025_0214_S280-002_Staff_Report_Final.docx 2025_0311_S280-002_Draft Resolution.docx Exhibit A_Legal Description.pdf 2025_0204_S280-002_Application Materials.pdf 2025_0204_S280-002_Disclosure of Interest Affidavit.pdf 2025_0206_S280-002_Sample Letter to Surrounding Owners.pdf 2025_0204_S280-002_Surrounding Owners Certification.pdf 2025_0116_S280-002_Sign Posting Affidavit.pdf 2025_0219_S280-002_Legal Ad Tearsheet.pdf 2025_0311_S280-002_Draft Reso to Deny.docx Staff Presentation.pptx Attachments: DEPARTMENTAL QUASI-JUDICIAL GROWTH MANAGEMENT DPQJ-1 REQUEST APPROVAL OF THE THIRD AMENDMENT TO THE DISCOVERY PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) ZONING AGREEMENT (H123-030) INCLUDING A REVISED MASTER AND PHASING PLAN This is a request for approval of a Third Amendment to the Discovery PUD Zoning Agreement including a revised master and phasing plan for the purpose of adjusting the Golf Clubhouse and Kid’s Club Adventure Park Recreation Tracts and adding a lake clubhouse within the lake adjacent to the Clubhouse Tract. The Discovery PUD is an approximately 1,530-acre property located north of Bridge Road approximately one mile east of the I-95 Interchange at 2935 SE Bridge Road in Hobe Sound. Included is a request for a Certificate of Public Facilities Exemption. Agenda Item: 25-0701 2025_0205_H123-030_DRT_STAFF_FINAL.docx 2025_0219_H123-030 DRAFT THIRD AMENDMENT (35063403.2).doc 2025_0214_H123-030 EXHIBIT D RMSP.pdf 2025_0214_H123-030 EXHIBIT D-1 PHASING PLAN.pdf 2025_0214_H123-030 APPLICATION.pdf 2025_0214_H123-030 DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST.pdf 2025_0214_H123-030 SIGN POSTING AFFIDAVIT.pdf 2025_0311_H123-030 RESO DENY.doc Staff Presentation Attachments: DPQJ-2 REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF THE SOUTH FLORIDA GATEWAY PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) REVISED INFRASTRUCTURE FINAL SITE PLAN (S265-016) Printed on 3/6/20253/11/25 BOCC FINAL AGENDA Page 10 of 13
This is a request by Lucido & Associates on behalf of South Florida Gateway Industrial, LLC for approval of a Revised Infrastructure Final Site Plan for the South Florida Gateway PUD. The project is located on the west side of SW Kanner Highway approximately 0.6 miles south of SW 96th Street in Stuart. This application includes a request for a Certificate of Public Facilities Exemption. Agenda Item: 25-0707 2025_0206_S265-016_DRT_STAFF_FINAL.docx 2025_0219_S265-016 RESO APPROVE PUD FSP.docx 2025_0219_S265-016 EXHIBIT A LEGAL DESCRIPTION.pdf 2025_0221_S265-016 EXHIBIT B RIFSP.pdf 2024_0627_S265-016 APPLICATION.pdf 2024_1211_S265-016 DISCLOSURE OF INTEREST.pdf 2024_0627_S265-016 SIGN POSTING AFFIDAVIT.pdf 2025_0219_S265-016 RESO DENY PUD FSP.docx Staff Presentation Attachments: DPQJ-3 REQUEST PLAT APPROVAL FOR THE SOUTH FLORIDA GATEWAY PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT (PUD) PLAT NO. 2 PROJECT (S265-018) This is a request by Lucido and Associates on behalf of South Florida Gateway Industrial, LLC, for plat approval for South Florida Gateway PUD Plat No. 2. The plat is to be consistent with the South Florida Gateway PUD Revised Infrastructure Final Site Plan. The approximately 32.26 acres site is a portion of the approximately 216.37-acre Master Plan and is located on the west side of SW Kanner Highway approximately 0.6 miles south of SW 96th Street in Stuart. Included is a request for a Certificate of Public Facilities Exemption. Agenda Item: 25-0724 2025_0225_P172-022_Staff_Report_Final.docx S265-018_Plat.pdf S265_South_Florida_Gateway_PUD1.pdf Contract for Construction1.pdf Performance Surety Bond (01138785).pdf S265-018_Boundary Survey.pdf S265-018_Application Materials.pdf S265-018_Disclosure of Interest Affidavit.pdf S265-018_Sign Posting Affidavit.pdf Staff Presentation SUPP MEMO 2025_0221_S265-018_Staff_Report_final.docx Attachments: Supplemental Memorandum DPQJ-4 REQUEST PLAT APPROVAL FOR THE SOUTH KANNER CAR WASH PROJECT (T125-012) Printed on 3/6/20253/11/25 BOCC FINAL AGENDA Page 11 of 13
This is a request by USA Auto Wash, LLC, for approval of the South Kanner Car Wash plat. The plat is to be consistent with the South Kanner Car Wash Revised Final Site Plan which contains two commercial lots. The approximately 3.74-acre subject site is located on the west side of South Kanner Highway, approximately 0.2 miles northeast of the intersection of South Kanner Highway and Southwest Salerno Road, in Stuart. Included is a request for a Certificate of Public Facilities Exemption. Agenda Item: 25-0725 2025_0217_T125-012_Staff_Report_Final.docx 2025_0213_T125-012_Plat.pdf 2025_0213_T125-012_Approved Revised Final Site Plan.pdf 2025_0213_T125-012_Survey.pdf 2025_0108_T125-012_Application Materials.pdf 2025_0108_T125-012_Disclosure of Interest Affidavit.pdf 2024_0213_T125-012_Sign Posting Affidavit.pdf Staff Presentation Attachments: 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: 25-0378 SUPP MEMO (2 items) 1_Item #1 Cover Sheet.docx 1A_Resolution_25-XX_FDOT-LRSP.docx 2_Item #2 Cover Sheet.docx 2A_ARTHROPOD_CONTROL_BUDGET_AMENDMENT _SIGNATURE_BLOCK.pdf 2B_ANNUAL_CERTIFIED_BUDGET_AMENDED_SIGNA TURE_BLOCK.pdf 2C_Budget Resolution decreasing- Mosquito Control Grant 13811 -FY25_.xlsx Attachments: Supplemental Memorandum (2 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. Printed on 3/6/20253/11/25 BOCC FINAL AGENDA Page 12 of 13
Agenda Item: 25-0389 No items PUBLIC WORKS DEPT-3 FLORIDA EAST COAST RAILROAD QUIET ZONE UPDATE County staff will present on the evaluation of establishing one or more Quiet Zones over the Florida East Coast right-of-way within Martin County. The presentation will review the risks, benefits, and requirements of Quiet Zones and how they apply within Martin County. Agenda Item: 25-0620 Staff PresentationAttachments: 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 3/6/20253/11/25 BOCC FINAL AGENDA Page 13 of 13
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welcome to our MARCH 11th, 2025 Borda County Commission meeting. I d like to call this meeting to order. We ll begin with an invocation by Pastor Jim Harp. Good morning. Good morning, Jim. Please join us. Thank you for this privilege this morning. Let s pray. Father, we thank you so much. Uh, thank you for this beautiful day that you ve given us today, Lord, and uh we thank you for the, for the privilege. That we have to begin here with seeking your presence and your direction got Uh, we are so grateful for your many blessings in our lives, and Lord, you tell us in your word, you, you tell us in the book of Timothy. Lord, you say for us to pray, to bring intercessions for those who are in authority, uh, intercessions and Thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings, and all those in authority that we MAY live peaceful and quiet lives in godliness and holiness, Lord, you, you ve told us, not suggested, you ve told us to pray for those that have been. Elected and placed in a position of leadership and so GOD we thank you for these, uh, folks that have been put in this position. I pray for them this morning for peace. I pray for health. I pray for protection, Lord, and just your blessings upon them. Or we know the Lord s Prayer begins, uh, uh. By saying basically that your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. And so Lord, that s my prayer often uh for the kingdom of GOD to be built in our community, in our county in our city, and the apostle Paul, uh, kind of describes that later in one of his letters in Romans, he says that for the kingdom of GOD is not eating and drinking but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Lord, that s what I want. I wanna see righteousness and peace and joy in our community, Lord, that we would just, uh, experience that so pray for the decisions and the directions that are being made that GOD you will guide and direct and give wisdom as you ve promised in your word and I thank you once again for all your goodness to us in Jesus name. Amen. Amen. Thank you. Please join us for the Pledge of Allegiance, which will be led by my favorite golf manager in the world. Mike Saunders. I pledge allegiance to the flag, the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under GOD, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Rock. Good morning, MR. Saunders. Would you like to tell us a bit about your service? Uh, yes, I was in the United States Marine Corps from 2008 to 2012, uh, I was a combat engineer, did 2 deployments to Afghanistan, and here I am working for Martin County now. Thank you very much. Well that right down. That s about the shortest version we ve got that s right. I went over to Afghanistan. I came back. Uh, we have 3 presets today at 9:05. We ll have public comment at 10:30. We re going to have a Florida East Coast Railroad quiet zone update at 5:05 or at the end of the meeting we ll have public comment, um. Is there approval of the agenda? Uh, MISS Cha, I will. Move approval of the agenda, MR. Chair, I will second it. There s a motion and a second to approve the agenda. All those in favor. I oppose that motion passes unanimously. First up is employee recognition. We re going to be recognizing um our employees of the year or something. Yeah, so the employee of the Year award recognizes two exceptional individuals who display outstanding performance and commitment, and the two awards, one is called the Spot On Award. And that s a peer to peer nomination that provides an opportunity for employees to recognize and celebrate each other s contribution and achievements while fostering positive and supportive culture, it s uh often members of the team that are our future leaders in the organization and the safety on the spot similarly is a program that recognizes and rewards employees or teams for their commitment to maintaining a safe workplace, reducing accidents and promoting a culture of. Safety throughout the organization. So the first award we re gonna talk to you is about the spot on Employee of the Year is Keith Estrada. He s chief plant operator for the utilities and solid waste department. Keith began his career and with Martin County as a plant maintenance mechanic for utilities and solid waste. After nearly 10 years in that role, he sought a career growth and transition to the treatment division as a wastewater operator trainee in FEBRUARY 2024, he earned his wastewater treatment plant operator s license from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Keith actively pursues career advancement through training and by working to upgrade his operator license in DECEMBER. 2024, he was promoted to chief Plant operator at the North Jensen Wastewater Treatment Plant. Uh, Keith was recognized for stepping into that leadership role during administrative changes at the North Water treatment plant. He took the initiative to identify and write procedures for the plant while offering support to his team whenever it issues arose, all with humility and helpful attitude his performance and behavior truly embodied the qualities of an employee of the year, and I had the privilege of Sam and I going over to one of their meetings. Of course they were wondering why. I m there. As everyone as everyone would, but it was a great surprise to Keith and uh we had a great celebration when he first uh was nominated. So, thank you, Keith Estrada. MAY. We have several questions for you. He was looking for a check. One of the big ones you get a picture and then we ll, then we ll. The mic. Yeah. Any film in the camera? No, GOD damn it. Congratulations. Thank you so much, um. First, I like to think family, wife. From military then thankfully Martin County hired me as soon as I got out of the army in 2012. It s been an awesome experience. It wasn t for them hold me down from there and then meeting. All the employees here with Pete Brittney. Jay, d Derek, they ve all guided me through this transition from mechanics operator. Awesome. They never let me fail, taking all my tests, everything I needed for study and any assistance I needed if it wasn t at home, I got it at work and I couldn t be any more thankful for Martin County. I, I really appreciate it. So the next award is called the Safety on the Spot Employee of the Year, who s Jose Machado construction Project inspector for the public works department. Jose journey with Martin County began in 2011 as an equipment operator and field operations. He demonstrating exceptional skills and dedication. He quickly rose through the ranks, ultimately serving as a field operations supervisor for 8 years. And his, his skills on a, on equipment is, is really unmatched and I m resistant to actually say it out loud here because I know contractors are watching. But he s always been eager to make a broader impact on county infrastructure, Jose transitioned to the Capitol Projects division is professionalism extensive construction knowledge and diverse skill set have been invaluable and successful execution of the county s capital Plan projects. Beyond this technical expertise, Jose s strong sense of community and genuine passion for helping others is commendable. His dedication to public service is evident both in his work ethic and character. Martin County Public Works is incredibly proud to have Jose as a valid valued member of our team, and we are honored to express our sincere gratitude to us unwavering commitment. This award is well deserved recognition for his outstanding contributions to his to our community. Finally, Jose was recognized for his quick action, ensuring the safety of a small child he found alone in the middle of the street, running after a call while conducting a construction inspection. He spotted the child immediately moved him to safety, and began searching for the parents with the help from neighbors and the sheriff s office, the child was safely returned home. Jose remained humble, saying anyone would have done the same thing, and I know that uh, you know, Jose has been one of those that I ve had the privilege of, uh, of, uh, I wouldn t say working alongside of them because they don t let me do equipment anymore, but uh uh through disasters and and uh Bathtub, beach, washing away, he s out there while waves are smashing over equipment, rebuilding our infrastructure, uh, and his skills as a not only an operator, but he also had his own construction company for a long time. So he s a really exceptional member of our team, uh, just as Keith. So, again, thank you, Jose. Thank you everybody for uh. I m deeply touched at. You all have a chosen to recognize my accents with the employee of the Year award. I truly feel that anyone else would have done the same if faced with the same situation. I was raised to help people whenever I can. And to always do the right thing, I believe I was in the right place at the right time. I m glad that I was able to help that little boy and to reunite him safely with his family. This award is a reminder that even the smallest acts of kindness can have a profound impact on the lives of others. And that we all have the power to make a difference in our community. Thank you to all that s always believed in me. Wow Thank you for this wonderful honor. I am truly humbled and grateful to be a part of the Martin County family of employees. And one more thing before I go, I would like to Thank Pam, makes you rest in peace. Um, I m sure she had something to do with this. Thank Thank you. In other counties, these gentlemen have uh contracts that take them through the end of their career. Here at Martin County, so don try anything. Uh, our next, uh, act is to acknowledge the citizens who have participated in Class 66. The Martin cares program. MR. Stokus, Good morning, ma am chair, um, yes, I am George Stokass. I m pleased to welcome some of the representatives of our most recent cares c class number 66, if you can believe that, 66 classes. Before I read their names and invite them up for a photo, I d like to share uh a quick excerpt from an email that we received from one of our fellow classmates just to give you a little idea of what how this class affects them. Uh, goes as quote, i ve just completed the Martin Cas program and I am writing to tell you what a wonderful experience it was. I thought I knew a decent amount about Martin County, but through this program, I learned so much more, uh, that s from one of our students, Cara. Uh, honestly, I can t pick a favorite part of the program. Each piece was interesting in its own right, and now I have a whole new appreciation, excuse me, on the application, appreciation for not only where our tax dollars go, but also the staff who work so hard making our finding a wonderful place to live, and again that s from Cara, um, and commissioners, we frequently receive comments like this from the, from our carers participants, and I think it s a testament to the efforts of our staff and how they work and what they do for our community. So now I d like to ask the following folks to come up so we can thank them for their participation. Martin Cars and commissioners, if you could come to the well to welcome them. And as the commissioners come on down, what I ll do is I ll, I ll list the names and if you could come off of my left through here through the well. And the commissioners will receive you. Where s the where s the I ll get my kazoo for the next one Stand by your name, yes. Uh, and now I d like to ask the following folks to come up so we can thank them for their participation. Martin cares. Uh, MISS Lynn Castro. And I apologize if I totally butcher the name. I m gonna try my best here. MISS Carrie Cottrell. MR. Jim Latimer. MISS Deborah Marco, MISS Ellen Murphy, MR. Richard Olson, MR. Vincent Piazza, MR. John Steman, MRS. Beverly Steman and MR. James Vassi and MISS Rita Vassi. Yeah Do you want a picture in the well? Ok. I And uh for you graduates, we re gonna ask you to stick around because we re gonna want to take one picture of all of you in the well. It s the last thing you have to do for cares. Yeah Yeah. What I come over here. Scoot in. You want Dana in? Yes. And Can you Great. I. Uh Yes I I ll be in the lobby if you guys want to stay, that s fine. I ll be out. Yeah Thank you, yes. Thank you. Next up are proclamations. The first proclamation is a proclamation recognizing 70 years serving Martin County s libraries in Martin County. The ongoing, um, yes, we have, let s see, presenting a proclamation for 70 years. We have Sheila Lee, PRESIDENT Of the Friends of Martin County Library system. You can come on up. The ongoing work of the Friends of the Martin County Library System highlights the fact that our library system is the cornerstone of our county. Providing opportunities for all to engage in the joy of lifelong learning and connect with the ideas of others from ages past to the present. The friends of the Martin County Library systems have been serving our libraries for 70 years, setting an example for all in how volunteerism leads to positive civic engagement and the betterment of our community. The board urges everyone to join the friends and thank them for all they do to make our libraries and our community an exceptional place to live, learn, work, and retire. Good morning. Good morning, MADAM Chair and commissioners and guests. I m Sheila Lee, PRESIDENT Of the Friends of the Martin County Library Association, and I m here to accept this proclamation on behalf of the friends. As you just heard, the friends have been supporting Martin County s library since 1955 and we were originally called the Martin County Library Association. In the 1990s, the French successfully appealed to the community for a 1% tax to pay for the cost of building additional libraries throughout the county. Subsequently, 6 friends groups emerged engaging in grassroots community support. In 2010, the French advocate for the library system s budget not to be severely cut when all the county budgets were had were being forced to tighten their belts. It was cut, but the library system survived and thrived. In 2012, the former six Friends groups merged, resulting in reducing expenses, maximizing our funding impact and saving hours of staff time. In 2020 we survived and continued to thrive when some communities lost their friends groups and support because of the pandemic. Although the French grant to the library system is a very small percentage of the library system s budget approximately 1%. What we fund is clearly visible. We invite everyone in the community to join us on APRIL 5th at the Blake Library between 2 and 4 P.M. To visit booths set up throughout the library system featuring what our grant funding provides. This family friendly event will be generously arranged by Genalis s staff and friends members. Once again, thank you for this gracious recognition. Thank you. Bring the whole group up. Bring the whole group. Mhm No. Thank you, thank you, thank you very much. Thank you very much. We re BFFs. The next proclamation is a proclamation declaring surveyors and mappers Week in Martin County, Florida. And we have Tom Walker, our county surveyor for public works here to accept the proclamation. Surveyors and mappers are counted among the founding leaders of our country and we re instrumental in the formation of the layout of property boundaries in the United States that provide our citizens the enjoyment of property ownership in recognition of MARCH 16th through the 22nd, a surveyors and mappers Week, the board would like to acknowledge the men and women of this profession for their diligence in meeting the continuing needs in our communities. Tom, Good morning, commissioners. Thank you for this opportunity. Um, I m accepting this proclamation on behalf of the Indian River chapter of the Florida surveying and mapping Society, the National Society of Professional Surveyors and the uh National Association of County Surveyors, um, I wanna take this moment to thank, uh, County surveying staff and our um surveying consultants for the work that they do on Coy projects. They re most often the first boots on the ground collecting. Data and um creating uh maps and drawings for the projects and their work often is, um, unrecognized, so I wanna just, uh, reckon take this opportunity to recognize them for that and also, um, In the state of Florida as far as um since uh in at the time of 2024, there were approximately 2400, um, county, or excuse me, uh, licensed surveyors in the state and uh 51% of those licensed surveyors are of the age of 61 or older, so we desperately need surveyors, um, so if you know anybody who is interested, you know, uh, parents with kids who are want to learn more. About, um. Professions and opportunities, any young adults, um, or anybody, uh, looking for a change in their career, um, please, please look at land surveying. It s a very good opportunity. I ve been, uh, blessed to, uh. Uh, in my career to be a surveyor, um, we have a lot of neat opportunities as far as, um, the, the tools and toys we get to use for our work, um. We have everything from planes and drones that collect liar and are used for photogrammetry. Um, we have robotic, uh, total stations that we use in the field and um we use boats for paimmetry and uh. So there s a lot of great opportunities in surveying, so thank you very much. Thank you. Smart idea to say that. Bring the team up. George Washington was a mapper and surveyor. Wow, I heard that recently, like half of the surveyors are over 6, so our audience is getting. We should have a best beard contest. We ve got a lot of good beards. I was hoping not but some legitimate beards. Yeah, and a lot of. You can t even get it with experience, even with experience, you know the 4 year degree, don t you? I Yeah. Mm. They might have to surveyors. Back out into the field. I And the room is cleared out. Our residents love seeing our surveyors in their neighborhoods because it means that a project is on its way. Next proclamation is a proclamation designating MARCH 2025 as Irish American Heritage Month in Martin County, Florida. This is a fantastic one too, um, right? How about the morning. And we have Philip j. Morgan, our state treasurer, um, here to accept and the Irish first came to Spanish La Florida. I think I said that in a French way, uh, in the 1500s, first as missionaries and mercenary soldiers and then as planters, traders, businessmen, doctors, and administrators, and 3 of the Spanish governors of La Florida where actually Irish military officers, Irish Americans since America s inception have provided leadership and service to Florida and to our nation. MARCH is recognized as Irish American Heritage Month month and all are encouraged to celebrate their cultural heritage and any valuable contributions. MR. Morgan Good morning. Steam County commissioners on behalf of the ancient order of Hibernians. The largest Irish American organization within our country is with great pride to receive this proclamation. Over 70 proclamations acknowledging Irish American culture within MARCH have been declared throughout Florida. AUGUST of 2024 was an exciting time for being a Hibernian, being that we celebrated our national convention in Orlando within the great state of Florida. Locally, the Hibernians meet on the first Sunday of every month. At the saint s pub, which is a 2601orningside Boulevard in Port Saint Lucie at 30 P.M. We thanked the board, the commissioners along with our fellow citizens. Of Martin County. Go Irish. Thank you Go And our next proclamation is a proclamation designating MARCH 3 through 9 2025 is flood Awareness Week in Martin County. And we have Christine Madsen, engineering permit manager with the public works department here, um, Martin County has experienced severe weather in the past in the forms of extreme rainfall or tropical events resulting in flooding in both coastal and riverine areas. This flooding has caused damage and flood losses to homes and building in all areas, whether there are high risk special flood hazard areas or low to moderate flood zones. Flood Awareness Week was recognized MARCH 3 through the 9th, and the board encourages residents to increase their knowledge of how to protect themselves and their property in flooding. Good morning, commissioners. Morning. Last week, Martin County public works participated in flood Awareness Week, joining a statewide effort to raise awareness about the importance of flood preparedness and the value of flood insurance. Flooding is one of the most common and expensive natural disasters in the United States. Just one inch of floodwater can cause up to $25,000 in damages. So we re encouraging our residents to become flood ready by preparing and understanding the risks of flooding in our community. We ask that our residents have an emergency plan and a disaster supply kit in case of an evacuation and to obtain flood insurance to protect their homes and property. During flood awareness week, we shared flood-related information through the County social media pages and website. And we ve also set up flood awareness displays here in the lobby, also at the Blake Library and at the building department. So we invite everyone to stop by and check them out. And thank you for helping us spread the word about this important issue. Thank you. Thank you. Mm Thank you. Nice job. Thank you. Now we will begin public comment. The first, uh, public speaker I have is Doug Farley, followed by Tom Pine. Hm Good morning. Moment here. Um, later this morning. We will hear a report from public works about the viability of quiet zones at railroad intersections you mentioned that earlier. I urge this commission to vote for quiet zones. Horns are ineffective. They do not work. Barricades, 4 quadrant gates do work. You learn about these four quadrant gates when the public works makes their presentation. Um, motorists cannot simply drive around a gate if there are 4 gates fully blocking the intersection. Quiet zones would bring a better quality of life without compromising safety. Often politicians Uh, refer to leaders in public safety to help guide their decisions in matters like this. I want to read parts of a letter to tc Palm newspaper written in MARCH of 24 by then Martin County Sheriff Snyder. The, uh The title, the headline of that news report said by Sheriff Snyder. Use caution in considering whether to create bright line quiet zones. He goes on to write emergency responders often rely on the audible warning signals of trains to navigate through traffic and reach their destinations promptly. By eliminating the use of trains horns, we risk impeding the efficiency of emergency services and potentially endangering lives in critical moments. Again, you know, when this is written, Well, actually I m, I m sorry, I m gonna go back here, uh, I, I read this because. I read this because the comments that the sheriff makes in the media has a lot of influence. People listen and assume he s correct, and he not. Uh, those statements are false. As a 31 year veteran in the fire service, many of those years driving emergency vehicles, I can tell you that at no time did I rely on a horn to warn me of a train. Personnel and rescue vehicles where sound impeding headsets. To protect us from the siren and to allow us to communicate with each other and our dispatch. Police officers drive their squad cars with their windows up. The air conditioning on radio traffic between themselves, other officers in dispatch mean they can barely hear outside the vehicle. And must rely on visual references like gates. Civilian motorists are in a similar situation. The windows are up. The air conditioning s on, uh, the radio is playing while they re talking on the phone. They need a visual reference like gates. 4 quadrant gates, physical barriers work. Horns are ineffective. Please silence them so we can have a b
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