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[CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:02]

SO GOOD EVENING.

IT IS 1800 HOURS AND WE ARE I'M GOING TO CALL THIS SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING 2024, DASH 34 TO ORDER.

SO WE'RE GOING TO DO THINGS A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THE INVOCATION PROVIDED BY BISHOP MERTEN.

CLARK. YOU'RE GOING TO LEAD US IN PRAYER AND PRAYER.

BISHOP AND THEN THE NATIONAL OR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

I WAS GOING TO HAVE YOU, COUNCILMAN.

I COULD TRY. I COULD TRY TO SING THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

BUT WE'LL HAVE YOU WE'LL HAVE YOU SAY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

SO CAN WE ALL JUST RISE AS WE HONOR GOD AND HONOR OUR NATION? LET US RISE. AS WE HONOR OUR GUARD AND HONOR OUR NATION.

FATHER, IT IS AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO BE CITIZENS OF THIS GREAT NATION, BUT IN PARTICULAR THIS GREAT CITY.

A PERFECT PLACE TO SERVE.

A PERFECT PLACE TO GROW.

AND WE HONOR YOU. AND THANK YOU FOR THIS CHAMBER.

WE DEDICATED TO YOU ALL OF THE FIXINGS AND THE.

ISSUES THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED TONIGHT.

WE ACTUALLY ARE BLESSING UPON IT UPON OUR MAYOR AND UPON EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL.

UPON THOSE WHO WORK BEHIND THE SCENES.

OUR CITY MANAGER AND ALL OF THE TEAMS THAT WORK TOGETHER, I DECREASE SYNERGY IN THIS CITY.

THANK YOU FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND THOSE WHO ARE ON THE FRONT LINE.

WE GIVE YOU PRAISE FOR UNITY IN THIS CITY.

WE COME AGAINST THE ENEMY OF UNITY.

AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC, EVEN INTERNAL ENEMIES AGAINST UNITY.

WE COME AGAINST IT AND THROWN IT AND ACTUALLY A BLESSING UPON OUR MEETING TONIGHT, I SPEAK PEACE.

AND THANK YOU FOR THAT.

AND WE HONOR YOU FOR THAT.

AND THE MATCHLESS NAME THAT IS ABOVE EVERY NAME.

AND EVERYONE SAY, OH, MAN, OH, MAN.

SO THE BLOOD OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, RAW. SO OUR FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS, I'M GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO TERESE JONES.

MADAM CITY CLERK.

OH, AS YOU WERE PRESIDENT, FELIX.

HERE. HERE? YEAH. HERE.

SHERMAN. HERE.

HERE. I WILL GO INTO READING THE RESULTS.

[1. Certification of the results of the General Municipal Election held on November 8, 2022.]

CITY COUNCIL SEAT FOR KENNY JOHNSON RECEIVED 21,050 VOTES AND WHITE RECEIVED 17,461 VOTES.

COUNCIL SEAT FIVE.

FILIBERTO WAS UNOPPOSED.

GO TO THE CHARTER AMENDMENT.

CHARTER AMENDMENT GOVERNING COMPENSATION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS.

11,618 VOTED YES.

27,817 VOTED NO.

BROADER AMENDMENT GOVERNING THE EMPLOYMENT OF CURRENT AND FORMER ELECTED OFFICIALS BY THE CITY.

30,002 VOTES FOR YES.

8589 VOTES FOR NO.

CHARTER AMENDMENT GOVERNING THE PROCESS FOR FILLING VACANCIES ON THE CITY COUNCIL.

23,977 VOTED YES.

14,294 VOTED NO.

CHARTER AMENDMENT GOVERNING THE CITY COUNCIL'S REGULAR MEETING SCHEDULE.

30,745 VOTED YES.

7333 VOTED NO.

CHARTER AMENDMENT GOVERNING PROCESS TO ADOPT OR REPEAL ORDINANCES BY CITIZENS PETITION.

EXCUSE ME. 21,074 VOTED YES.

17,156 VOTED NO.

CHARTER AMENDMENT RELATED TO PRONOUNS USED TO REFER TO THE CITY MANAGER.

23,405 VOTED YES.

15,134 VOTED NO.

CHARTER AMENDMENT RELATED TO DETERMINING WINNER OF COUNCIL MEMBER ELECTION IN THE EVENT OF A TIE.

34,819 VOTED YES.

3679 VOTED NO.

AND LASTLY, CHARTER AMENDMENT RELATED TO LIMITATIONS ON CITY'S ABILITY TO INCREASE AD VALOREM TAXES.

13,414 VOTED YES.

24,831 VOTED NO.

THAT IS ALL. MAYOR THANK YOU, MA'AM.

IS THERE ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WISHES TO SPEAK REGARDING THESE RESULTS?

[00:05:01]

EVERYONE. SEEING NONE.

I'M ASKING FOR A MOTION SO MOVED THAT A MOTION BY COUNCILMAN JOHNSON, SECONDED BY DEPUTY MAYOR FELIX.

ANY ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION, GENTLEMEN.

SEEING NONE ALL IN FAVOR.

ANY OPPOSE PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

[2. Administering the Oath of Office to the officials for City Council Seats 4 and 5.]

ITEM NUMBER TWO.

AS MAYOR, WE HAVE OF OF OFFICE TO THE OFFICIALS.

FIRST WE HAVE BISHOP MARTIN CLARKE TO ADMINISTER THE OATH FOR.

AS WE GO INTO THE OATH OF OFFICE.

WE'RE VERY PROUD OF YOU.

REPEAT AFTER ME. I, KENNY JOHNSON.

I, KENNY JOHNSON.

DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

SOLEMNLY SWEAR.

THAT I WILL SUPPORT, PROTECT AND DEFEND.

AND I WILL SUPPORT. PROTECT AND DEFEND.

THE CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT.

THE CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

AND THE CONSTITUTION.

AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

AGAINST ALL ENEMIES.

AGAINST ALL ENEMIES.

DOMESTIC OR FOREIGN.

DOMESTIC OR FOREIGN.

THAT I WILL UPHOLD.

THAT I WILL UPHOLD THE PALM BAY CITY CHARTER.

THE PALM BAY CITY CHARTER AND CODE OF ORDINANCE AND CODE OF ORDINANCES AND BEAR TRUE FAITH AND BEAR TRUE FAITH.

LOYALTY, LOYALTY AND ALLEGIANCE.

LOYALTY AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME.

TO THE SAME. THAT I AM ENTITLED.

AND I AM ENTITLED TO HOLD, OFFICE, HOLD OFFICE.

UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND THE CONSTITUTION AND THE CONSTITUTION.

AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY PERFORM.

THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY PERFORM ALL DUTIES, ALL DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL AND THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL SEAT FOUR OF THE CITY OF PALM BAY. THE CITY OF PALM BAY, WHICH I AM ABOUT.

WHICH I'M ABOUT TO ENTER.

TO ENTER.

THANK YOU, EVERYONE.

I HAD TO WRITE WHAT I WANTED TO SAY IN ORDER TO FORMULATE THE WORDS THAT I WANTED TO GET OFF TO EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM AND ANYBODY WATCHING.

BUT FIRST, BEFORE I START.

GOD IS GOOD.

GOD IS GOOD.

OH, MY GOSH.

WITHOUT HIM, THERE'S NO WAY I COULD BE UP HERE FOR A SECOND TERM.

GOING THROUGH SOME OF THE THINGS WE WENT THROUGH, SOME OF THE STUFF THAT HAPPENED DURING THIS PAST ELECTION, THERE WAS NO WAY I COULD HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT HIM, AND THERE'S NO WAY I COULD HAVE DONE IT WITH A LOT OF THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM AND PEOPLE WHO AREN'T IN THIS ROOM.

AND IT WAS GOD WHO MADE SURE I WASN'T ALONE.

AND I THANK HIM FOR THAT.

AND I WISH I COULD THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU OUT HERE BY NAME THAT HELPED US WIN THIS CAMPAIGN.

HOWEVER, MAYOR, YOU KNOW THAT WE'VE HAD MEETINGS TILL 1 A.M., AND I'M NOT TRYING TO DO THAT TO US TONIGHT, SO I AIN'T GONNA HAVE UNTIL ONE, AM I? PROMISE. BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS AND PEOPLE THAT I HAVE TO CALL OUT BY NAME, AND I'M GOING TO TRY TO ADDRESS EVERYBODY.

FOUR ORGANIZATIONS SPACE COAST ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS, BOVARD INCLUSIONARY ALLIANCE, FLORIDA HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

PALM BAY. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

SPACE COAST. BLACK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, SIERRA CLUB OF FLORIDA CO OTG.

AND THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO THE STAFF, THE EMPLOYEES.

THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING Y'ALL DO.

IT'S HARD TO, YOU KNOW, TRY TO WORK WITH YOUR DEPUTY MAYOR SLASH COUNCILMAN WHILE HE'S IN CAMPAIGN MODE AND Y'ALL WERE PATIENT WITH ME ON GETTING THINGS DONE.

SO I APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF Y'ALL.

AND I'M EXCITED FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS WORKING WITH Y'ALL TO MY COUNCIL.

I'M EXCITED TO WORK WITH Y'ALL.

I'M EXCITED FOR THE THE MOVEMENT.

WE'RE GOING TO MAKE THE MOVEMENT THAT WE'VE ALREADY STARTED MAKING.

AND I'M ENCOURAGED ON HOW WE'RE GOING TO MOVE THE CITY FORWARD.

OTHER COUNCIL MEMBERS THAT AREN'T HERE.

COUNCILMAN CARDER, COUNCILWOMAN ANGELA RAYMOND.

MAYOR BLAKE OF COCOA, COUNCILMAN GOINS OF COCOA, FORMER MAYOR CAPOTE.

[00:10:04]

HE'S IN THE BUILDING. I APPRECIATE YOU, SIR.

JORDAN CHANDLER. WHERE ARE YOU AT, BROTHER? THERE HE IS. I APPRECIATE YOU, MAN.

DAVID JONES. I APPRECIATE YOU.

ALLISON EDMOND, BOBBY BURNS.

MR. LIANGELO, I APPRECIATE YOU HELPING ME WITH THE CAMPAIGN.

I'M LOOKING FOR YOU. I SAW YOU WALK IN.

OH, THERE YOU GO. YOU RECORD.

I APPRECIATE YOU HELPING WITH THE CAMPAIGN.

THE HAMILTON FAMILY.

STEPHAN WILLIAMS, MISS ISABEL WRIGHT.

A LOT OF PEOPLE SEE YOU AS A FIRECRACKER, BUT I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE FOR ME AND HELPED ME ALONG THE WAY, MA'AM.

I REALLY DO.

MY FRATERNITY BROTHERS.

I SEE SEVERAL OF YOU IN THE BACKGROUND.

I APPRECIATE IT. Y'ALL KNOW, SEE IT THROUGH.

THAT'S WHAT WE DO.

BISHOP CLARK AND TRUTH REVEALED IN INTERNATIONAL MINISTRIES.

I APPRECIATE THE PRAYER.

NOT JUST FROM THAT CHURCH, BUT FROM EVERY CHURCH.

BISHOP BYRD. I SEE YOU, BROTHER.

I APPRECIATE ALL THE PRAYERS.

I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING.

KEVIN FROM PALM BAY LIVE FOR TRYING TO STREAM A DEBATE FOR ALL PARTIES TO SEE WHAT'S GOING ON WITHIN THEIR PEOPLE AS WELL AS THEIR BAYSIDE GOLF COURSE COMMUNITY. THEY DID A DEBATE AS WELL TO MAKE SURE VOTERS KNEW WHO TO LOOK FOR AND WHAT THEY WHERE THEY STOOD ON THE POLICIES.

MY GIRL, MY FAMILY, MY DAD.

DADDY, I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.

AND YOU STUCK THIS OUT TIME AFTER TIME WITH ME.

YOU'VE GIVEN ME ENCOURAGEMENT AND WISDOM ON TIMES WHERE I NEEDED THE MOST.

MAMA, YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU SO MUCH.

I APPRECIATE THE PRAYERS EVERY TIME I COME OVER TO GRAB A QUICK MEAL.

BECAUSE I WAS TOO LAZY TO COOK BECAUSE I WAS TIRED, JUST LIKE COLLEGE.

I APPRECIATE IT. MY GRANDMOTHER, I DON'T SEE HER HERE, BUT SHE'S MY ROCK.

SHE'S MY ROCK. SHE'S BEEN THERE AND FROM DAY ONE AND I'VE TOLD THIS STORY AND I'LL NEVER STOP TELLING THIS STORY ABOUT MY GRANDMOTHER.

I WAS HOPING THAT SAY, COME ON IN, BROTHER.

COME ON IN. BUT MY GRANDMOTHER, SHE'S FROM BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, AND SHE SHE GREW UP THERE DURING THE JIM CROW LAWS TIME FRAME, LIKE SHE MARCHED WITH DR.

KING, LIKE.

SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT VOTER SUPPRESSION AND THE THINGS WE SEE IN BLACK AND WHITE, THAT WAS IN COLOR AND THAT WAS RIGHT THEN AND THERE, SHE'S 83 YEARS OLD NOW.

BUT WHAT SHE TOLD ME FOUR YEARS AGO, IT RINGS TRUE TO THIS DAY.

SHE TOLD ME, YOU KNOW, WHEN SHE WAS MARCHING, YOU KNOW, WITH DR.

KING AND THE WHOLE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, SHE DIDN'T REALIZE SHE WAS GOING TO BE MARCHING FOR A FUTURE FOR HER GRANDSON.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT'S SOMETHING I WANT TO BRING TO EVERYBODY BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE DO NOW, THE IMPACT IT CAN HAVE, NOT JUST FOR FIVE, TEN YEARS FROM NOW, BUT FOR DECADES FROM NOW.

SO WHETHER BISHOP TALKS ABOUT IT, WHETHER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT CREATING GENERAL GENERATIONAL WEALTH OR WE'RE TALKING ABOUT BREAKING GENERATIONAL CURSES, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WE TIE IT IN WITH OUR SPIRITS AND IT STARTS HOME.

I APPRECIATE YOU ALL. I APPRECIATE MY COUSINS TONIGHT.

BURNS OLIVIA BURNS.

COME ON IN. LADIES.

AND MY AUNT VICKI, SHE COULDN'T BE HERE.

SHE'S AT A FUNERAL FOR A FAMILY MEMBER, BUT I APPRECIATE HER.

BUT, EZRA, I LOVE YOU, SON.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE SHY. I KNOW THIS IS YOUR FIRST COUNCIL MEETING.

IT'S ALL RIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO GET YOU OUT.

BUT, YOU KNOW, FOR FOUR YEARS AGO, I WAS JUST RUNNING FOR COUNCIL.

I HAVE A BUSINESS AND I HAVE A SON NOW.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT WERE DIFFERENT, SO I HAD A LOT TO JUGGLE, BUT I MADE SURE I PUT HIM FIRST.

I PUT GOD FIRST, AND THROUGH GOD, I PUT HIM FIRST.

AND I APPRECIATE YOU, SON.

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH AND YOU KNOW IT.

THAT'S ALL RIGHT. WE'LL GET YOU OUT SOON, BUDDY, BUT I'LL WRAP THIS UP.

I'LL BE BRIEF.

I'LL TRY TO BE BRIEF.

BUT THE LAST FOUR YEARS, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THIS STAFF AND COUNCIL, THERE'S BEEN SEVERAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS THAT I HAVE TO NOTE, BECAUSE THAT'S PART OF THE REASON WHY I FEEL I'M IN FRONT OF YOU TODAY.

WE HAVE OUR CITY MANAGER, SUZANNE SHERMAN, WHO'S BEEN DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB AND WE HAVE OUR STAFF THAT'S BEEN DOING AN EXCELLENT JOB.

THE YOUTH ADVISORY BOARD, VETERAN'S DAY PARADE, A BUSINESS ASSISTANCE WEB PAGE, A CIVIL CITATION PROGRAM FOR THOSE WHO HAVE MADE A MISTAKE.

TINY HOMES INITIATIVE, JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT MONEY, ONE ON ONE PROGRAM FOR THOSE LEARNING, LOOKING TO LEARN FINANCIAL LITERACY, BODY CAMERAS, A POLICE AND FIRE RACE ADOPT A PARK PROGRAM.

CHRISTMAS EVE EMPLOYEE VACATION OF THE UPDATE OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN HURRICANE SHUTTERS COALITION TO HELP ELDERLY AND DISABLED THAT MIGHT NEED ASSISTANCE WITH THEIR SHUTTERS, BUS SHELTERS, A LOCAL GUN CLUB TO HELP PEOPLE LEARN ABOUT THEIR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS AND HOW THEY CAN PROTECT THEIR FAMILIES, THEIR BUSINESSES AND THEIR LOVED ONES. LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT FOR SUSTAINABILITY.

VOLUNTEER INCLUSIONARY HOUSING TO CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING INITIATIVES, HYBRID VEHICLES, CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS. SO THAT WAY, WHEN KIDS GRADUATE FROM OUR SCHOOLS, THEY HAVE A JOB WAITING FOR THEM WITHIN THE CITY OF PALM BAY, AND THEY CAN START A CAREER THEMSELVES, A ROAD MAINTENANCE POLICY AND SMOKING, MAKING SURE WE DON'T HAVE SMOKING AT PUBLIC PARKS SO FAMILIES CAN ENJOY AND BREATHE THE FRESH AIR AND HAVE A GOOD TIME.

[00:15:04]

BUT WE HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO DO AND YOU MADE SURE YOUR VOICES WERE HEARD.

SO FOR THOSE THAT VOLUNTEERED AND VOTED FOR ME, I THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE YOU.

AND FOR THOSE WHO DIDN'T, I THANK YOU AND I APPRECIATE YOU AND I LOVE YOU JUST AS MUCH.

BUT YOU CLEARLY DIDN'T VOTE FOR ME FOR A REASON.

AND I WANT TO HAVE I WANT TO HAVE THAT DIALOG SO THAT WAY WE CAN MOVE THE CITY FORWARD.

WE CAN EITHER BUILD BARRIERS OR YOU CAN BUILD BRIDGES.

AND I'M ALL ABOUT BUILDING BRIDGES.

SO IF YOU DIDN'T SUPPORT ME IN THE PAST FOUR YEARS, I'M AN OPEN DOOR.

WHETHER WE MET AT CITY HALL, WHETHER WE CONVERSE ON THE PHONE, PLEASE REACH OUT TO ME.

SO THAT WAY WE CAN, YOU KNOW, MOVE OUR CITY FORWARD.

AND I WANT TO TAKE A QUOTE FROM THE LATE CHADWICK CHADWICK BOSEMAN.

WE ALL KNOW THE TRUTH MORE CONNECTS US THAN SEPARATES US.

BUT IN TIMES OF CRISIS, THE WISE BUILD BRIDGES.

WHILE THE FOOLISH BUILT BARRIERS, WE MUST FIND A WAY TO LOOK AFTER ONE ANOTHER AS IF WE WERE ONE SINGLE TRIBE.

PALM BAY YOU ARE MY TRIBE AND I'M HONORED TO GET BACK TO WORK WITH YOU SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO TAKE ACTION AND GET RESULTS.

SO THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS.

MAYOR. NEXT, WE HAVE FORMER MAYOR FRANK FILIBERTO TO ADMINISTER THE OATH TO PETER FILIBERTO.

PRESSURE. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME.

I, PETE FILIBERTO.

DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR? YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR? I WILL SUPPORT PROTECTED DEFEND THAT WILL SUPPORT, PROTECT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION.

THE CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA. AGAINST ALL ENEMIES.

AGAINST ALL ENEMIES.

DOMESTIC OR FOREIGN.

DOMESTIC OR FOREIGN. I WILL UPHOLD THE CITY OF PALM BAY CHARTER, AND I WILL UPHOLD THE CITY OF PALM BAY CHARTER AND CODE OF ORDINANCES AND CODE OF ORDINANCES.

AND BEAR TRUE FAITH.

BEAR TRUE FAITH. LOYALTY.

LOYALTY AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME.

AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME.

AND I AM ENTITLED TO HOLD.

I AM ENTITLED TO HOLD OFFICE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICES, UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND THE CONSTITUTION AND THE CONSTITUTION.

AND THAT I WILL FAITHFULLY PERFORM ALL DUTIES.

I WILL FAITHFULLY PERFORM ALL DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL SEAT FIVE OF THE OFFICE OF THE CITY COUNCIL.

C50 THE CITY OF PALM BAY.

O THE CITY OF PALM BAY, WHICH I'M ABOUT TO ENTER, WHICH I'M ABOUT TO ENTER.

PLACES ON.

THANK YOU ALL. LIKE COUNCILMAN JOHNSON, I PREPARED A SPEECH MYSELF.

SO I BELIEVE WE LIVE IN THE GREATEST COUNTRY ON EARTH.

THE TRUTH. AND WITH ALL THAT'S TRANSPIRED IN THE PAST FEW YEARS, I FEEL WE LIVE IN THE BEST STATE IN THIS COUNTRY.

WITH THE SPACE COAST LIVING UP TO ITS NAME AND ROCKETS LAUNCHING FROM ON A REGULAR BASIS.

I KNOW WE LIVE IN THE BEST COUNTY IN FLORIDA.

AND TO QUOTE MY MAYOR, THE MAYOR OF PALM BAY, ROB MEDINA PALM BAY IS THE GREATEST CITY ON THE FACE OF THIS EARTH.

WHOO! RAH, RAH, RAH.

EIGHT MONTHS AGO, I HAD MORE HAIR AND LESS GRAY HAIR.

EIGHT MONTHS AGO, THE REST OF PALM BAY ELECTED ME AS THEIR COUNCILMAN.

I SPOKE BEFORE YOU DISCUSSING THE BIGGEST OBSTACLES THAT PALM BAY FACE TODAY.

THAT IS A SLUGGISH GOVERNMENT.

EIGHT MONTHS AGO, THE DATA WASN'T THERE.

IT WASN'T KNOWN THAT PALM BAY POLICE DEPARTMENT RANKED 241 OUT OF 246 IN THE STATE.

IN REGARDS TO STAFFING THAT ARE 1.38 OFFICERS PER 1000 RESIDENTS IS FAR BELOW THE STATE AVERAGE OF 2.33.

THAT THE AVERAGE POLICE RESPONSE INCREASED FROM 30 TO 34% FROM 2020 TO 2022.

IS BROUGHT TO LIGHT THAT OUR PALM BAY FIRE RESCUE HAS 0.95 OFFICERS PER 1000 RESIDENTS.

WHEN NFPA STANDARDS SIT AT 1.5 TO THAT, THE AVERAGE RESCUE RESPONSE IS NEARING 8 MINUTES WHEN NFPA STATE STATE STANDARDS STATE.

STATE STANDARDS SAID IT SHOULD BE BETWEEN FOUR AND 8 MINUTES.

THIS IS A TOUGH PILL TO SWALLOW.

IT'S NOT EASY TO DISCOVER THAT PALM BAY'S PUBLIC SAFETY SCHOOLS AND ROADS ARE BELOW THE STANDARD LEVEL OF SERVICE.

I HAVE TWO OPTIONS.

I CAN CAST BLAME AND SPEND THE NEXT EIGHT MONTHS LIVING IN A PASS DISCUSSING WHY, OR INSTEAD I CAN FIND A SOLUTION TO PALM BAY SHORTFALLS AND DISCUSS HOW CAN WE FIX

[00:20:09]

THIS? I HAD AN INSPIRATION BESIDES MY FAMILY, BESIDES MY FRIENDS.

A QUOTE BY JOHN F KENNEDY DO THINGS NOT BECAUSE THEY ARE EASY, BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE HARD.

BLAME IS EASY RHETORIC.

FINDING A SOLUTION IS HARD.

IN THE PAST EIGHT MONTHS, I MET WITH EVERY DEPARTMENT HEAD, DISCUSS THEIR DEPARTMENT SHORTFALLS AND STRENGTHS.

DEBATES WERE HAD.

CHALLENGES WERE MADE KNOWN ALONG WITH SOME UPFRONT UPFRONT CONVERSATION WITH COMMON GOAL OF EXCELLING THE DEPARTMENT TO CREATE A BETTER PALM BAY.

I AM PLEASED TO SAY THAT I MEET WITH STAFF DID NOT GO TO WASTE.

STAFF WENT STRAIGHT TO WORK CREATING A PLAN FOR STRATEGIC GROWTH AND THE NEAR FUTURE COUNCIL WILL ADDRESS AND ANALYZE OUR IMPACT FEE RATES.

AN INDEPENDENT TRAFFIC STUDY WILL BE FORMED AROUND OUR CITY.

PLACEMENT OF NEW FIRE STATIONS WILL BE MARKED AND A FUNDING PLAN ESTABLISHED SOON TO BE SEEN WITH FIRE STATION SEVEN ON PALM BAY ROAD.

WITH FUNDING EARMARKED FOR OVER 40 NEW VEHICLES, PALM BAY POLICE OFFICERS WILL NOW BE ABLE TO RESPOND TO A CALL FOR SERVICE WITHOUT THE FEAR OF THEIR VEHICLE BREAKING DOWN ON THE WAY. MONTHLY UPDATES REGARDING THE ROAD BOND PROGRAM ARE PRESENTLY PRESENTED MONTHLY BEFORE COUNCIL AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC.

A MORE PROACTIVE APPROACH TO FUNDING OUR ROAD MAINTENANCE PROGRAM IS IN THE WORKS.

QUALITY CLEAN CITY WATER WILL SOON BE PROVIDED WHEN WE INSTALL A REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM AT OUR NORTH UTILITY CAMPUS TO PROVIDE PUBLIC SCHOOL SHELTER.

MS.. JENKINS OVER THERE PROVIDE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

I HAVE NOW BEEN NOTIFIED WHEN A MAJOR DEVELOPMENT COMES TO OUR CITY, SO THAT WAY THEY ARE PREPARED TO PROVIDE MORE SCHOOLS.

COLLECTIVE GOALS HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED.

GOALS OF HAVING A MORE COMMERCIAL, A DOWNTOWN PALM BAY AND A BAYFRONT AREA THAT WILL MATCH NO OTHER.

THE NEXT FOUR YEARS, WE NEED TO KEEP OUR EYE ON THE BALL.

THE STRATEGIC GROWTH PLAN IS CURRENTLY WORDS ON PAPER.

NOW IT'S TIME TO MATERIALIZE.

IN CLOSING, I WANT TO SHOW GRATITUDE TO MY FAMILY WHO RAISED ME RIGHT HERE IN PALM BAY.

MY DAD, THE FORMER MAYOR, AND MY MOM, THE GRADUATE OF MALVERN HIGH SCHOOL.

BAYSIDE WASN'T AROUND BACK THEN, JUST SO I HAD TO HOLD IT AGAINST HER.

YOU KNOW, I AM PRIVILEGED, PRIVILEGED TO BE BORN AND RAISED IN THIS GREAT CITY.

PRIVILEGED TO RECEIVE A QUALITY EDUCATION IN THIS CITY OF OPPORTUNITY.

PRIVILEGE TO LIVE IN THE PALM BAY WAY OF LIFE, WHICH INCLUDES THE LAGOON, 36 PARKS, TWO COMMUNITY CENTERS, AND THE TURKEY CREEK SANCTUARY.

PRIVILEGED TO HAVE FOUR GENERATIONS LIVING HERE IN PALM BAY.

AND I AM PRIVILEGED TO REPRESENT YOU THE PEOPLE AS PALM BAY COUNCILMAN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

UH, SOMEONE.

FILIBERTO, STAND FAST.

WE'RE ABOUT TO PRESENT YOU WITH THOSE CERTIFICATE.

IS.

I THINK. COME ON UP, MR. MAYOR. THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU.

SO JUST AS AN IMPROMPTU COUNCILMAN JOHNSON WALKED OUT THAT DOOR AND IDEALLY.

OH, PERFECT TIMING.

SO LET ME LET ME PRESENT THAT CERTIFICATE OF ELECTION.

COUNCILMAN JOHNSON.

TRULY AN HONOR. BLESSING FOR ME.

VENTILATION. WANT TO HAVE YOUR DAD? YEAH.

COME ON UP. YEAH, HE'S COMING TOO.

HE'S COMING TO. SO EVERYTHING.

[00:25:17]

IS THE LORD. HERE'S AN ANNOYING THING RIGHT HERE ON THE TAPE.

LET'S TAKE A PICTURE. I WILL MAKE A.

IF YOU MAKE A STAND FAST RIGHT HERE.

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I ASKED.

I'M GOING TO ASK COUNCILMAN.

IT'S GOING TO TAKE ME A LITTLE WHILE NOT TO CALL HIM DEPUTY MAYOR.

JUST FOR THE RECORD, I'M GOING TO ASK.

COUNCILMAN JOHNSON TO ENTERTAIN THIS THIS IDEA.

SEVERAL YEARS AGO, WHEN I FIRST CAME TO THIS COMMUNITY, THERE WAS A MAYOR, FRANK FILIBERTO AND FRANK FILIBERTO HAD A SON BY THE NAME OF PETE FILIBERTO.

PETE FILIBERTO HAS A CHILD, SAT ON THE DYESS.

AND SO I BELIEVE THAT'S TRADITIONAL.

NOW, SINCE WE HAVE A COUNCILMAN THAT'S SITTING ON THE DAIS, I'D LOVE FOR BEFORE WE ADJOURN THIS MEETING, TO HAVE YOUR BABY BOY SIT ON THE DAIS WITH YOU.

YOU MIGHT HAVE.

HE'S SHAKING HIS HEAD NO, BECAUSE HE KNOWS HOW LONG THE MEETING STARTS.

SO, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WITH ALL THE BUSINESS CONDUCTED TODAY, I WANTED, I WOULD HAVE BEEN REMISS IF THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN.

COUNCILMAN JOHNSON, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE A FEW WORDS WITH YOUR SON BEING HERE RIGHT NOW? SO THIS JUST HAPPENED LAST WEEK.

HE RANDOMLY CAME UP TO ME.

HE'S THREE YEARS OLD. SO EVERYBODY TOLD ME ABOUT TERRIBLE TWOS.

THEY DIDN'T WARN ME ABOUT THREES.

SO, LIKE, I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR HIM TO TALK, TALK, TALK.

AND NOW HE WON'T STOP.

AND I LOVE IT. I LOVE IT BECAUSE HE CAME TO ME THE OTHER DAY.

HE'S LIKE, DADDY, I WANT TO BE LIKE YOU.

I'M GOING TO WORK HARD AND BE STRONG.

AND I WAS JUST LOOKING LIKE, WOW, LIKE GOD CAN SPEAK TO US THROUGH CHILDREN.

AND THAT'S WHAT HE DID WITH MY SON.

SO THE SAME WAY GOD USE MY SON TO SPEAK LIFE INTO ME, I WANT TO MAKE SURE I SPEAK LIFE INTO MY SON.

AND I DO THIS PRAYER ALL THE TIME AND I WANT TO DO IT RIGHT NOW.

YOU KNOW, I PRAY FOR WISDOM LIKE THE KING SOLOMON I PRAY FOR MIGHT LIKE KING DAVID.

I PRAY FOR STRENGTH, LIKE SAMSON IN THE BIBLE.

AND I DECLARE ALL OF THAT IN HIS NAME.

AMEN. AMEN.

AMEN. THAT'S. SO WE'RE SETTING A TRADITION THERE.

COUNCILMAN FOSTER AND DEPUTY MAYOR JOHNSON AND COUNCILMAN FILIBERTO.

ONCE YOU HAVE CHILDREN, WE'LL PUT THEM ON THE DIETS AS WELL.

ALL OF THE BUSINESS BEING CONDUCTED.

WE ARE ADJOURNED. THANK YOU FOR COMING.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.