Chairman Jay Zembower

Present:

Absent:

Vice Chairman Andria Herr

Commissioner Lee Constantine

Commissioner Amy Lockhart

Commissioner Bob Dallari

Additional Attendees: County Attorney Kate Latorre, County Manager Darren Gray, and

Deputy Clerks Chariti Guevara and Terri Porter.

II. INVOCATION & PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Ron Williams, Palmetto Ave Baptist Church, gave the invocation; and Joe Alcala, Seminole

County Chief Information Officer, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

III. AWARDS, PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS

Proclamation proclaiming Senior Master Sergeant Kathryn Lee-Hunt,

United States Air Force as Seminole County’s February Veteran of the

Month. (Senior Master Sergeant Kathryn Lee-Hunt, United States Air

Force)

2025-086

Motion by Commissioner Lockhart, seconded by Commissioner Constantine, to adopt a

Proclamation proclaiming Senior Master Sergeant Kathryn Lee-Hunt, United States Air

Force as Seminole County's February Veteran of the Month.

Districts 2, 3, 4, and 5 voted AYE.

County Investment Advisor Report (Scott McIntyre, CFA - Senior Portfolio

Manager, Managing Director Hilltop Securities Asset Management)

2025-144

Mr. McIntyre addressed the Board and presented the Investment Advisor Report as

outlined in the agenda backup.

Motion by Commissioner Lockhart, seconded by Vice Chairman Herr, to approve the

implementation of the purchase recommendations of the Board's Financial Advisor

based upon the report submitted today and recommend the Clerk implement said

Board recommendations.

Districts 2, 3, 4, and 5 voted AYE.

Presentation - Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP)

Distinction AND Tourism Update. (Gui Cunha, Director of Economic

Development and Tourism, and Jack Wert, FCDME)..end

2025-130

Mr. Cunha addressed the Board and explained why the Tourism Office pursued the

Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP). One of the concerns the

hoteliers had was if they are looking at an extended term that could possibly go into

decades, how could they ensure the same quality they are receiving now from the

Tourism Office. The Tourism team decided to pursue the most difficult Tourism

accreditation possible to attain, which has to be renewed every five years. DMAP

requires a destination organization successfully comply with over 100 standards that

span a variety of performance areas to gain the destination accreditation. Tourism

partnered with Mr. Wert, who helped guide them through the accreditation process.

Mr. Wert presented the County with a DMAP accreditation plaque for the first time in

Seminole County history.

Mr. Cunha and Danny Trosset, Tourism Division Manager, presented the Tourism

Update as outlined in the agenda memorandum. The presentation was followed by

Board questions and comments.

IV. CONSENT AGENDA – PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Commissioner Constantine requested Item 6, Women's History Month Proclamation, be

pulled for separate discussion.

Commissioner Lockhart stated she would like to make a clarification on Agenda Item 14, Final

Plat for the Riverbank Place Subdivision. The agenda details says she voted against the

River's Edge Large Scale Future Land Use Map Amendment and PD Rezone at the August

10, 2021, BCC meeting; and her recollection is she voted for it. She requested the County

Manager and County Attorney work with the Clerk's staff and figure out how to correct that

record.

With regard to public participation, no one spoke and public input was closed.

Motion by Vice Chairman Herr, seconded by Commissioner Lockhart, to approve

Constitutional Officer's Consent Agenda Item 4 and County Manager's Consent Agenda Items

5 and 7 through 24.

Districts 2, 3, 4, and 5 voted AYE

Constitutional Officers – Consent Agenda (Item No. 4)

Expenditure Approval Lists dated January 29 and February 5, 2025;

Payroll Approval List dated January 30, 2025; and BCC Official Minutes

dated January 14, 2025. (Jenny Spencer, CPA, MAcc, CGFO, and CFE,

Director - Comptroller’s Office)

2025-126

County Manager’s Consent Agenda (Items No. 5 - 24)

County Manager's Office

Approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a Proclamation proclaiming

February 15 - 22, 2025 as National Entrepreneurship Week in Seminole

County, FL. Countywide (Gui Cunha, Director of Tourism and Economic

Development)..end

2025-123

2025-146

Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Proclamation

proclaiming March 2025 as Women’s History Month in Seminole County,

FL. Countywide (Nancy Acevedo, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office)

Pulled for separate consideration.

Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Proclamation

proclaiming March 16 - 22, 2025 as National Agriculture Week in

Seminole County, FL. Countywide (Morgan Pinkerton, Extension Agent)

2025-145

2025-128

Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Resolution amending

County Administrative Code 4.12, Floodplain Management Plan

Committee, based on new titles and position names. Countywide (Alan

Harris, Emergency Management Director)

Resolution #2025-R-14

Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Resolution amending

the Seminole County Administrative Code replacing Section 22.20 Grants

Management in its entirety. Countywide (Lorie Bailey Brown,

CFO/Resource Management Director) Requesting Department -

Resource Management

2025-068

2025-056

Resolution #2025-R-15

10.

Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Resolution amending

the Seminole County Administrative Code replacing Section 8.5 Risk

Management Executive Settlement Authority in its entirety. Countywide

(Lorie Bailey Brown, CFO/Resource Management Director)

Resolution #2025-R-16

Community Services

11. Approve the substantial amendment to the 2020-2024 Consolidated Plan

2025-104

and the FY 2024/2025 Annual Action Plan and authorize the Chairman to

execute all corresponding documents and signature pages, the Standard

Form-SF424 and SF-424D, all certification pages, Subrecipient

Agreements, and subsequent Grant Agreements with HUD, and authorize

Community Services Department staff to submit amendments to HUD for

approval and approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a

Resolution implementing the Budget Amendment Request (BAR) #25-022

in the Emergency Shelter Grants fund to appropriate funding in the

amount of $303,030 for the special ESG allocation. Countywide (Allison

Thall, Community Services Director)

Resolution #2025-R-17

12.

Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute the Housing and Urban

Development (HUD) grant closeout form and certification document(s) for

the HOME funds received in FY 2016, FY 2017, FY 2018, and FY 2019.

Furthermore, authorize the Chairman to execute the closeout form and

certification document(s) for all future subsequent years associated with

the HOME, HOME-ARP, CDBG, (H)ESG grants, and any disaster and/or

special circumstance(s) related funding received by HUD. Countywide

(Allison Thall, Community Services Director)

2025-106

Development Services

13.

Approve and authorize the transfer of ownership of multiple tracts within

2025-049

2025-108

the Cameron Preserve Subdivision from Seminole County to KB Home

Orlando LLC, to correct a conveyance to the County made in error.

District5 - Herr (Jose Gomez, Development Services Director)

14.

Approve the Final Plat for the Riverbank Place Subdivision containing

sixty-one (61) lots on sixty-four (64) acres zoned PD (Planned

Development), located on the east side of E Lake Mary Boulevard,

approximately ½ mile north of S.R. 46; (Sami El-Behiri, Applicant)

District2 - Zembower (Jose Gomez, Development Services Director)

Fleet and Facilities

15.

Approve and authorize the County Manager to execute the Notice to

Terminate Lease Agreement between Seminole County and A & Z

Ventures, LLC, District5 -Herr (Chad Wilsky, Fleet and Facilities Director)

2025-084

2025-105

Management and Budget

16.

17.

Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Resolution

implementing Budget Amendment Request (BAR) #25-023 in the Animal

Services Donations Fund to appropriate funding in the amount of $28,000

for play yard enhancements. Countywide (Timothy Jecks, Management &

Budget Director) Requesting Department - Emergency Management

Resolution #2025-R-18

Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Resolution

implementing Budget Amendment (BAR) #25-024 in the 2014

Infrastructure Sales Tax Fund to transfer $886,662 of existing project

budget to the Nebraska Ave Bridge Replacement Project. District5 - Herr

(Timothy Jecks, Management & Budget Director) Requesting Department

- Public Works

2025-107

Resolution #2025-R-19

Parks and Recreation

18.

Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Seminole County

2025-135

2025-152

Natural Land Resident Caretaker Lease Agreement with Todd A.

Moderson. District2 - Zembower (Rick Durr, Parks and Recreation

Director)

19.

Approve and authorize the County Manager to Execute Contracts for the

Purchase of Parcels Adjacent to Red Bug Lake Park: Tax Parcel ID

Numbers 23-21-30-300-0070-0000 and 23-21-30-300-007C-0000, owned

by Richard Lavender and Nancy Duniho. District1 - Dallari (Rick Durr,

Parks and Recreation Director)

Resource Management

20. Approve ranking and authorize staff to negotiate the Management Fee

2025-072

and Pre-Construction Services Fee in accordance with Section 287.055,

Florida Statutes, the Consultants Competitive Negotiation Act, and

authorize the Purchasing & Contracts Division to execute two (2)

Agreements and Work Order #1 for Pre-Construction Services under

PS-6030-24/MAG - Master Services Agreement for Construction Manager

at Risk (CMAR) for Fire Department Capital Improvement Projects.

Countywide. (Lorie Bailey Brown, CFO/Resource Management Director)

Requesting Department - Fleet and Facilities

21.

Approve ranking and authorize staff to negotiate the Management Fee

and Pre-Construction Services Fee in accordance with Section 287.055,

2025-087

Florida Statutes, the Consultants Competitive Negotiations Act, and

authorize the Purchasing & Contracts Division to execute one (1)

Agreement, and Work Order #1 for Pre-Construction Services under

PS-5968-24/RTB - Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) for the Design

and Construction of the Seminole County Justice Center Renovations and

Five Points Building System Improvements. District4 - Lockhart (Lorie

Bailey Brown, CFO/Resource Management Director) Requesting

Department - Fleet and Facilities

22.

23.

Approve ranking and authorize staff to negotiate the Management Fee

and Pre-Construction Services Fee in accordance with Section 287.055,

Florida Statutes, the Consultants Competitive Negotiations Act, and

authorize the Purchasing and Contracts Division to execute one (1)

Agreement, and Work Order #1 for Pre-Construction Services under

PS-6032-24/TAD - On-Call Services for Construction Manager at Risk

(CMAR). Countywide (Lorie Bailey Brown, CFO/Resource Management

Director)

2025-088

2025-129

Approve ranking and authorize staff to negotiate the Management Fee

and Pre-Construction Services Fee in accordance with Section 287.055,

Florida Statutes, the Consultants Competitive Negotiations Act, and

authorize the Purchasing & Contracts Division to execute one (1)

Agreement, and Work Order #1 for Pre-Construction Services under

PS-6230-24/HSM - Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) for the

Rosenwald Community Development. District 4 - Lockhart (Lorie Bailey

Brown, CFO/Resource Management Director) Requesting Department -

Parks & Recreation

24.

Award IFB-604900-24/LNF - Term Contract for Pavement Management

Services to Halifax Paving, Inc., Ormond Beach, Hubbard Construction

Company, Winter Park, Masci General Contractor, Inc., Port Orange,

Middlesex Paving, LLC, Orlando, P & S Paving, Inc., Daytona Beach, and

Preferred Materials, Inc., Lutz, in the yearly amount of $9,000,000 and

authorize the Purchasing and Contracts Division to execute the

Agreements. Countywide (Lorie Bailey Brown, CFO/Resource

Management Director) Department- Public Works

2025-100

CONSENT AGENDA – PULLED FOR DISCUSSION/SEPARATE VOTE

Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a Proclamation

proclaiming March 2025 as Women’s History Month in Seminole County,

FL. Countywide (Nancy Acevedo, Seminole County Sheriff’s Office)

2025-146

Commissioner Constantine stated he appreciates the fact they have reduced the

reading of Proclamations and the majority of them go on the consent agenda.

However, he has been contacted by a number of people that are here today about the

recognition of Women's Day and Women's History Month. He requested they read the

Proclamation into the record separately.

Motion by Vice Chairman Herr, seconded by Commissioner Constantine, to adopt a

Proclamation proclaiming March 2025 as Women's History Month in Seminole County,

Florida.

Districts 2, 3, 4, and 5 voted AYE.

V. REGULAR AGENDA

25.

Request for authorization to make binding written offers to property

owners and request to adopt and authorize the Chairman to execute a

Resolution of Necessity for the Hillview Drive Drainage Improvement

Project, Parcels 101, 102, 104 A, 104 B & C, 106, 109, 110, 111, 112,

113, 114, 115, 116, 118, 119, and 120. District3 - Constantine (John Slot,

Public Works Director)

2025-150

Mr. Slot addressed the Board and introduced Joe LoFaso, Senior Project Manager.

Mr. LoFaso presented the item as outlined in the agenda memorandum.

With regard to public participation, no one spoke and public input was closed.

Motion by Commissioner Constantine, seconded by Commissioner Lockhart, to

authorize staff to make binding written offers to property owners and request to adopt

and authorize the Chairman to execute appropriate Resolution of Necessity

#2025-R-20 for the Hillview Drive Drainage Improvement Project, Parcels 101, 102,

104 A, 104 B & C, 106, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 118, 119, and

120.

Districts 2, 3, 4, and 5 voted AYE.

VI. WORKSESSION

26. Land Development Code Update. (Jose Gomez, Development Services

2024-1727

Director, Eliza Juliano, Kimley-Horn Consultant)

Mr. Gomez and Ms. Juliano addressed the Board and presented the item as outlined in

the agenda memorandum. There were questions and feedback from the Board.

With regard to public participation, no one spoke and public input was closed.

Recess BCC Meeting Until 1:30 P.M.

The Chairman recessed the meeting at 11:25 a.m.

Reconvene Meeting at 1:30 P.M.

Chairman Zembower reconvened the meeting at 1:30 p.m. with all Commissioners and other

Officials, with the exception of Deputy Clerk Chariti Guevara who was replaced by Deputy

Clerk Terri Porter, who were present at the opening session.

VII. PUBLIC HEARING AGENDA

Accept Proofs of Publication

Motion by Commissioner Lockhart, seconded by Commissioner Constantine, to authorize the

filing of the proofs of publication for this meeting's scheduled public hearings into the Official

Record.

Districts 2, 3, 4, and 5 voted AYE.

Ex Parte Disclosure

Districts 2, 3, 4, and 5 submitted ex parte communications (received and filed).

Public Hearings - Quasi - Judicial

27.

6699 Sylvan Woods Drive Boat Dock/House - Consider approval of a

3,044.8 square foot dock/house/slip on the west side of Sylvan Woods

Drive, approximately 2,730 feet south of State Road 46, more particularly

known as 6699 Sylvan Woods Drive; (Peter Fleck, Applicant); District5 -

Herr (Kathy Hammel, Interim Planning and Development Manager)

2024-1723

Ms. Hammel addressed the Board and presented the item as outlined in the agenda

memorandum.

The Applicant, Mr. Fleck, was unable to attend the meeting today.

With regard to public participation, no one spoke and public input was closed.

Motion by Vice Chairman Herr, seconded by Commissioner Lockhart, to approve the

request for a 3,044.8 square-foot boat dock/house/walkway on Sylvan Lake, located on

the west side of Sylvan Woods Drive, approximately 2,730 feet south of SR46, more

particularly known as 6699 Sylvan Woods Drive; Development Order; Peter Fleck,

Applicant; as described in the proof of publication.

Districts 2, 3, 4, and 5 voted AYE.

28.

Panther Street Right-of-Way Vacate - Adopt the Resolution vacating and

abandoning an uncut portion of the public right-of-way known as Panther

Street, in the Van Arsdale Add to Black Hammock Subdivision, as

recorded in Plat Book 1, Page 31, of the Public Records of Seminole

County, Florida, for a property more particularly known as 1000 Elm

Street, Oviedo, Florida; (Joshua Lewis and Sara Lewis, Applicants)

District2 - Zembower (Kaitlyn Apgar, Planner)

2025-138

Chairman Zembower advised that this is a reconsideration of a previous hearing.

Ms. Apgar addressed the Board and presented the item as outlined in the agenda

memorandum.

Philip Kaprow, P.A., addressed the Board and stated he is representing the applicants.

He explained the property to the south never subdivided, so it has never given over the

25' to the County, So even though it is identified as a 50' right-of-way, it is not really a

50' right-of-way; there is a 25' right-of-way that exists and a 25' right-of-way that would

exist if there was ever a subdivision of that property and it was given over to the

County. As a result, the area that is sought to be vacated is the exact same area that

would be retained by an easement. He opined there is no reason not to approve and

stated all the statutory requirements have been met. The Lewis' simply ask that the

right-of-way be vacated and replaced with an easement.

With regard to public participation, the following spoke in opposition: Richard

Robertson, Tara Merritt, Michael Presutti, Alicia Presutti, and Lawrence Capone.

A survey presented by Mr. Presutti was received and filed.

No one else spoke and public input was closed.

Public Comment Forms were received and filed.

In rebuttal, Mr. Kaprow advised the property was sold to the applicants by their

grandparents and it has been owned by the family since 1981. In connection with

concerns that were voiced during public comment, he submitted that vacating the

right-of-way and maintaining an easement specifically for drainage and utilities is

actually a better use of the County's strength because, otherwise, the right-of-way

could be used as a road or for other purposes, other than the drainage, which is

apparently the primary concern of all of the neighbors.

Sara Lewis, applicant, addressed the Board to clarify that they bought the property in

2017 after the grandparents passed away. She was told they were grandfathered in for

that portion of the right-of-way that already had a fence and two gates located there.

They placed an egg stand there and updated the entry gate. They also redid the old

fencing.

Chairman Zembower noted that this was originally denied but was brought back for

reconsideration because there was information that staff had shared afterwards that

there was the right for the County to reserve this area for drainage improvements in the

future, whether it be through this process or any other process, and also reserve the

utility rights. He advised that currently there are multiple basin drainage studies going

on within the Black Hammock including the back side of Oviedo to identify areas of

concern. They will be holding community meetings.

Motion by Chairman Zembower, seconded by Commissioner Lockhart, to adopt a

Resolution vacating and abandoning an uncut portion of the public right-of-way known

as Panther Street, in the Van Arsdale Add to Black Hammock Subdivision, as recorded

in Plat Book 1, Page 31, of the Public Records of Seminole County, Florida, for a

property more particularly known as 1000 Elm Street, Oviedo, Florida; Joshua Lewis

and Sara Lewis, Applicants; as described in the proof of publication.

Under discussion, Commissioner Constantine expressed his concerns about approving

the vacate right now and would rather wait until the studies are completed. Vice

Chairman Herr agreed and thinks there were improvements put in the right-of-way and

this is a solution for that and she doesn't believe it is a good precedent to set.

Commissioner Lockhart said she thinks while she respects both of those concerns, that

vacating this right-of-way does not change the County's ability to address any future

concerns. That property can continue to be utilized by the County for drainage and it

won't be able to be opened up to have traffic on it. If additional drainage or projects

need to occur, they would have to either purchase a portion of someone's property in

that area or condemnation of private property, which is a significant expense. The

nature of the neighborhood drama is not anything this Board can take into

consideration into making a decision. She is in support of approval.

Chairman Zembower asked if this was to be approved, would it impair the ability of the

County to utilize this property for the purposes of an easement for drainage. Ms.

Latorre responded no, because a condition of the vacation is the granting of a utility

and drainage easement to the County. He also asked if the County Attorney had any

concerns about the impact of the private litigation and she advised she reviewed the

complaint, which is the only document in the lawsuit that she has reviewed; her

knowledge is limited to that. But she thinks that the granting of the vacation request is

not related to the litigation and that whether they grant or deny the request, she

believes the litigation will continue.

Upon further inquiry, Ms. Latorre advised if they have easement rights, the easement

would address whose responsibility it is to remove any structures that are in the way.

Typically, the County would remove any structures and put them back after the work

was completed. Commissioner Lockhart added that this Board has vacated

rights-of-way with existing structures in them many times and it happens with some

regularity.

Districts 2 and 4 voted AYE.

Districts 3 and 5 voted NAY.

The motion failed for lack of a majority vote; however, this was revisited after the final

public hearing was heard and will be continued to a date certain.

Public Hearings - Legislative

29.

Consider an ordinance establishing the Seminole County Tourism

Improvement District (SCTID); providing for adoption of the SCTID plan;

providing for services and improvements to be provided and for related

cost estimates; providing for SCTID boundaries; providing for the SCTID

assessment and levying methodology; providing for method of collection

of assessments; providing for the establishment of the SCTID advisory

board; providing for exclusion from codification; providing for severability;

and providing an effective date. Countywide (Gui Cunha, Tourism and

Economic Development Administrator)

2025-141

Mr. Cunha presented the item as outlined in the agenda memorandum. He noted he

would be presenting items #29 (Formation Ordinance) and #30 (Advisory Board) at the

same time.

Mr. Cunha advised that, if approved, the levy of assessment would be March 11th and

then discussion of that benefit, which is the Indoor Sports Facility, would be some time

in summer of 2025. That is when they will take a deep dive into that part of the project.

He added this is solely for the Tourism Improvement District Ordinance.

Commissioner Lockhart asked, in connection with the definition of owner/operator, how

far down into the organization that would go. Mr. Cunha responded as long as they are

employed by a Seminole County Tourism Property, they would be in good standing to

be an operator. At the TDC, they have never had anyone below a Director of Sales

appointed. He confirmed with Chairman Zembower that they are reappointed every

four years.

Chairman Zembower recognized Jason Siegel, President of the Greater Orlando

Sports Commission, and Robert Agrusa from the Central Florida Hoteliers Association.

In regard to public participation, Jeffrey Smith, Holiday Inn Express & Suites,

addressed the Board with questions in connection with how the fee will be structured,

and Chairman Zembower asked Mr. Cunha to meet with him to respond to his

inquiries.

The following spoke in support: Brenda Urias, Chairman, Seminole County Tourism

Development Council; Kristen Oswald, General Manager, TownPlace Suites by

Marriott; Kurt Esser, Seminole State College; Jason Siegel, President, Greater Orlando

Sports Commission; and Robert Agrusa, Central Florida Hoteliers Association.

No one else spoke, and public input was closed.

Public Comment Forms were received and filed.

Motion by Commissioner Constantine, seconded by Vice Chairman Herr, to adopt

Ordinance #2025-5 establishing the Seminole County Tourism Improvement District

(SCTID); providing for adoption of the SCTID plan; providing for services and

improvements to be provided and for related cost estimates; providing for SCTID

boundaries; providing for the SCTID assessment and levying methodology; providing

for method of collection of assessments; providing for the establishment of the SCTID

Advisory Board; providing for exclusion from codification; providing for severability; and

providing an effective date; as described in the proof of publication.

Districts 2, 3, 4, and 5 voted AYE.

30.

Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute the Resolution creating

the Seminole County Administrative Code, Section 4.50 Seminole County

Tourism Improvement District (SCTID) Advisory Board, providing for

SCTID Advisory Board purpose, duties and responsibilities, management

of funds for the SCTID, membership structure, legal and staff assistance,

and dissolution. Countywide (Gui Cunha, Tourism and Economic

Development Administrator)

2025-154

Mr. Cunha presented the item as outlined in the agenda memorandum.

With regard to public participation, no one spoke and public input was closed.

Motion by Vice Chairman Herr, seconded by Commissioner Constantine, to approve

and authorize the Chairman to execute Resolution #2025-R-21 creating the Seminole

County Administrative Code, Section 4.50 Seminole County Tourism Improvement

District Advisory Board, providing for the SCTID Advisory Board's purpose, duties and

responsibilities, management of funds for the SCTID, membership structure, legal and

staff assistance, and dissolution.

Districts 2, 3, 4, and 5 voted AYE.

Public Hearings - Quasi - Judicial - Continued

28.

Panther Street Right-of-Way Vacate - Adopt the Resolution vacating and

abandoning an uncut portion of the public right-of-way known as Panther

2025-138

Street, in the Van Arsdale Add to Black Hammock Subdivision, as

recorded in Plat Book 1, Page 31, of the Public Records of Seminole

County, Florida, for a property more particularly known as 1000 Elm

Street, Oviedo, Florida; (Joshua Lewis and Sara Lewis, Applicants)

District2 - Zembower (Kaitlyn Apgar, Planner)

Ms. Latorre stated that before they get to the County Attorney's Report, the Board

needs to revisit Item #28, the Panther Street Right-of-Way Vacate. She noted that

Chairman Zembower was correct that when there is tied vote, the motion is defeated.

However, they still have a public hearing and they have a pending application. They

have a two-two vote. Because they have an application and they do not have an

approval and they do not have a denial, she recommends they make a motion to

continue the item to a date certain because they need five of the commissioners here

to make the decision one way or another. She also recommended that staff reach out

to the people that were in attendance today to let them know of this development so it

does not appear that they are trying to do something underhanded.

Commissioner Constantine inquired as to when the basin studies would be completed.

Tony Nelson, County Engineer, addressed the Board to advise the Basin Studies

should all be completed by the end of this year. And in regard to the easement, the

location that is up for the vacate is 95% in the wetlands, so if they ever want to go

forward with a project, they would need to mitigate for that impact, so that is another

thing they need to consider. Public Works, at this time, has no plans to do any kind of

improvement, but if the drainage studies come back and say they need to do additional

improvements, they would have to mitigate for the wetland impact.

Motion by Chairman Zembower, seconded by Commissioner Lockhart, to continue to a

date certain, March 25, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as possible, the

request for the Panther Street Right-of-Way Vacate.

Under discussion, Commissioner Constantine felt they should wait and hear this after

the studies are done by the end of the year.

Districts 2, 4, and 5 voted AYE.

District 3 voted NAY.

Motion passes 3 to 1.

Deputy County Manager Tricia Johnson stated they will reach out to those that were in

attendance earlier for this and also work with Code Enforcement in connection with any

structures that currently exist in the easement.

IIX. COUNTY ATTORNEY'S REPORT

Ms. Latorre announced that David Shields, Deputy County Attorney, is retiring effective March

3rd and she thanked him for his service and wished him well in his retirement.

IX. COUNTY MANAGER'S REPORT AND STAFF PRESENTATIONS

Ms. Johnson said she wanted to ensure that the Board and Public are aware that due to

unforeseen circumstances, the West Library located at 245 N. Hunt Club in Longwood closed

this afternoon and will reopen tomorrow morning. This was later corrected to the library being

reopened tomorrow at 1:00 p.m.

X. DISTRICT COMMISSIONER REPORTS

District 3 - Commissioner Constantine

Commissioner Constantine reported on several events that had occurred and some

scheduled in the future.

District 4 - Commissioner Lockhart

Commissioner Lockhart updated the Board on the Medical Examiner Advisory Committee

meeting that she attended a couple of weeks ago. At the last meeting Sumter, Citrus, Marion,

Seminole and Lake counties were the five in attendance. She opined is was a very protracted

and circuitous meeting. They talked about the same issues over and over again, she

believes, in an attempt to persuade and change opinions of the Lake County Commissioner

and herself, not to necessarily take action and have there be actual votes taken. The

Chairman, who is from Citrus County, requested that they vote as a Medical Examiner

Commission to give some type of consensus for every county to try to make Marion whole for

their funds that they have expended so far toward the building that they decided to go ahead

and start the engineering and design and the property purchased for without any of the other

boards giving right consent.

The Commissioner noted it is a nominal amount of money, but she felt it was meaningful in

that it is in their mind an acknowledgement that they had committed to something and were

pulling out. From her perspective, and she made it very clear at that meeting that if they were

going to insist on a vote at that moment, that her vote would be "no" and that she did not have

the approval or direction of this Board.

The Lake County Manager was very clear in her comments at the meeting that she had

direction from her board on a four-to-one vote to separate from the existing ME District and

join Seminole County. At the end of the day what was asked of the Lake County

Commissioner and herself is that they go back to their respective boards and ask if there was

any interest in contributing. Seminole's portion would be $25,000 to make Lake County whole

and to reassert their intentions of staying or going. She noted she did tell them that she did

not think it was necessary to bring it to this Board, that from the County Manager's perspective

and staff's perspective, they already had very clear direction that they had planned to set forth

on a process to go back on their own, or partner with Lake County.

In the spirit of good faith, she is bringing this to them to see if there is any interest, at this time,

in making a commitment to contribute the $25,000 toward a building that they did not indicate

they were interested in building.

Commissioner Lockhart explained she tell them that they could make this much easier and go

much faster by supporting Lake County and Seminole County in their request to the State

Medical Examiner Board to have them go ahead and leave because then they have their

answer rather than them trying to continue to keep them and "hold us hostage," that perhaps

they could be a part of helping them just move on their way. The Sumter County

representative did state that he felt there was not a need to try to force someone to continue

to be in a partnership that they did not want to be in, and she thanked him for that.

She advised what she committed to them was that their staff is working on a plan and they will

come back to them with whatever that will be at the May meeting that may involve some type

of remuneration for their trouble, maybe for their consideration and support in helping them

have an amicable separation. Chairman Zembower stated that is a conversation he would not

mind having.

Kristian Swenson, Assistant County Manager, stated that everything the Commissioner said

was spot on. He added the Marion County Manager did send an official invoice-type letter to

them and they are in the process of drafting a response which will include this Board's

discussion and then they will circulate it for everyone to review. In their request for payment

of the twenty-some thousand dollars, there are some questions on it as to funds that were

expended from the Building Fund, and there were also questions when trying to look at it in

detail (some of their line items). There is an appraisal cost and some things like that in there

that, and if they are planning on keeping the property, should those be borne onto the

partners.

Commissioner Lockhart noted that in an eleventh hour attempt to maybe revisit this

separation, one of the committee members said, "Well, what if we were to look at the current

funding formula, and what if we were willing to consider going from a population-funding

formula mechanism to a usage base." She said she thought that was off the table quite some

time ago, and they said that maybe it could be back on the table. She responded that she

believes that "ship had sailed."

Chairman Zembower added that now it is going to be in Summerfield, Florida, which is a long

way for their law enforcement, their investigators, and their citizens to drive, up I-75 and the

Turnpike to get there to identify or pick up loved ones. He voiced he is a "no go" on that.

Vice Chairman Herr opined that at some point, you just have to call it, "stupid dating." She

does not see this coming to a fruitful end of them having to drive all this way to be part of this

massive building project, when they know that their growth is going to support this being

closer within the next 40 or 50 years and it is not a good long-term strategy for them.

Commissioner Constantine noted he is only throwing this out, but if they did change this to

usage and they kept it in Lake County, that could be a conservation. Chairman Zembower

stated that process was already well vetted by Marion County as the administrative arm of the

group. He thinks there is absolutely property there that would qualify but is not desirable by

some of the others.

Commissioner Lockhart stated she thinks she has great direction.

_________________________________

Commissioner Lockhart gave a huge shout out to the student government of the 7th and 8th

graders at Tuscawilla Middle School where she recently spoke.

District 5 - Commissioner Herr

Vice Chairman Herr stated she wanted to call to the Board's attention from the CFX board

meeting held on February 14th, a program called "Moving 4 'I-4' Forward" and it is a new way

of re-imagining how we are building roads and it is literally road building on steroids. She

shared it with staff. They are designing and building as they go for all of these bottlenecked

intersections that are happening along I-4. It was the Governor's initiative and it is really

fascinating.

She complimented all of their professional team members that put together the State of the

County. She talked about Sylvan Walk-the-Loop Trail and said it is stunning. She heard

PorchFest was wonderful and congratulated all connected. She added that on March 4th,

The Bronx House Pizza place in Lake Mary is having a pizza party and all of the cash receipts

will go to Rescue Outreach Mission.

District 1 - Commissioner Dallari

Commissioner Dallari was not in attendance, and therefore, there is no report.

District 2 - Chairman Zembower

Chairman Zembower reported that Oviedo High School is bringing back the Agriculture

Program after all these years. He has been advocating for this for about four years, and

talked about the benefits and the funding. It also includes things like plumbing and welding.

He then listed future events.

XI. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT

No submissions.

Chairman Zembower thanked everyone in connection with the State of the County.

31.

Approve the appointment of Alexandra Garnier-Mercier (Local Senior

Resident) to the Commission on Aging for term dates 1/1/2025 -

12/31/2027.

2025-148

Chairman Zembower noted a copy of the application of Alexandra Garnier-Mercier was

distributed to the Commissioners today.

Motion by Chairman Zembower, seconded by Vice Chairman Herr, to approve the

appointment of Alexandra Garnier-Mercier (Local Senior Resident) to the Commission

on Aging for a term of 1/1/25 through 12/31/2027.

Under discussion, Commissioner Lockhart explained that she had asked a couple of

questions because she was not familiar with this individual and had not been provided

a copy of her application until she sat down today at the dais. She was looking at what

a local senior resident would be, and she thought it may be age related to qualify as a

senior. She found out that Ms. Garnier-Mercier is younger than some of those on the

dais. So she questioned what is considered a senior. It was not because of her, but

because of the way they tend to say things but then they don't define them. She was

thinking a senior was 60+ maybe and then she asked the County Attorney, because

there was not a definition in this item.

Ms. Latorre advised there is one Florida statute that defines what a senior citizen is and

it is related to consumer protection and that is 60 and above. Commissioner Lockhart

noted that this individual is younger than that.

Commissioner Lockhart opined it seems like Ms. Garnier-Mercier would be a

phenomenal member of this board after reading an email from one of the staff

members that recommended her. She is clearly very involved and engaged, and she

wants to be on this board and she works in the Alzheimer field and so it makes sense

that this is something that is near and dear to her heart, and she would be an expert in

this. But she does not know how she would qualify as a senior resident. She thought

maybe they would want someone who is actively living in the community and

experiencing what it is like to be a senior citizen living here.

Commissioner Lockhart asked that as they move forward, because they have all these

boards and committees, that they get a little more granular in defining some of these

positions, and who actually appoints them. There is great confusion about who is

supposed to be appointing whom and where and when. Meloney Koontz, Assistant

County Manager, addressed the Board and shared with her that they are going to bring

all of these back to the Board at some point for the purpose of doing some type of

cleanup work. Commissioner Lockhart said she will support the motion, but believes

they need to be clear of what their intentions are if this is their board and this is the

makeup of the board that they want to have senior citizens be on it, then they need to

be clear what they believe that is.

Districts 2, 3, 4, and 5 voted AYE.

Vice Chairman Herr stated she thinks the bigger issue is with the process. It is not

related to this application; it is related to the continuous issues that they have with

these. This is not the first time they have ended up on the dais with an application in

front of them. They have ended up with somebody making an appointment that was

not their appointment. They have ended up with it's the Chair's or the Board's - they

are not sure. She thinks there has been a tremendous amount of work done on the

part of their professional team that is actually working through this, but it had not been

in good shape. There is still refining that needs to be done. She also thinks that they

should not be presented with an application at the dais unless it does qualify, and it is

the responsibility of that committee that is making the recommendation before it comes

in to their offices. That is the level they need to get this to so they are doing this the

way they should be doing it. The Chairman agreed.

XII. PUBLIC COMMENT (Items not Related to the Agenda)

Christian Sean Loosier, Library Advisory Board, addressed the Board to thank the

Commission for all of their support in rebuilding their libraries in Seminole County. They are

very excited to move forward with the master plan now that the penny sales tax has been

approved.

Dennis Schoeppner, United Sovereign Americans organization, addressed the Board to

discuss his concerns about what he believes are civil rights violations occurring in elections.

He noted that violations that occurred in 2022 have been discussed with this Commission,

with the previous Supervisor of Elections (SOE), the County Sheriff, the Florida Division of

Law Enforcement, and with the Florida Department of State. He then provided statistics

about the 2024 elections and asked that the County formally submit a letter to the new SOE

giving her their full support to investigate these violations.

Written copy of Mr. Schoeppner's comments received and filed.

Commissioner Lockhart noted that a few people from the SOE are in attendance today and

just heard these concerns. She asked if any of them would like to speak.

Amy Pennock, Supervisor of Elections, addressed the Board and confirmed she does have a

meeting scheduled with Mr. Schoeppner on Thursday. She said they are not aware of the

violations he is speaking of when it comes to state-level data. They have not seen any report

to the State and then to them giving any indication that they have that volume of issues. She

is interested in seeing the specific details that he provides. She did want to correct a statistic

that Mr. Schoeppner cited. She advised as of the end of last year, they had 353,000

registered voters and as of the end of the election, they had 351,041 voters. Right now they

have 350,030 voters. It shows they are continuously working their voter roles to clean up any

issues of any concerns.

Ms. Pennock added that since she has been working in their office, she can honestly say that

their team works very, very hard to make sure that they have a really solid, clean election, and

they will continue to provide transparency through their office. She added that they have not

found any widespread issues from the last election, but they will continue to look at the

information that is provided to them.

Public Comment Forms were received and filed.

XIII. ADJOURN BCC MEETING

There being no further business to come before the Board, the Chairman declared the

meeting adjourned at 3:40 p.m., this same date.

APPROVED by the BCC:

__________________________________

Chairman

______________________________

Date

ATTEST:

__________________________________

Clerk of Court and Comptroller

AS Clerk to the BCC