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Board of County Commissioners <br />Meeting Minutes - Final September 10, 2019 <br />C. Commissioner Joseph E. Flescher <br />14.C.1. 19-0722 Discussion on county support for maintenance and repairs on the bridge to <br />Memorial Island <br />Recommended Action: Discussion <br />Attachments: Commissioners Memorandum <br />(Clerk's Note: This item was heard in conjunction with Item 10.B.1.) <br />Commissioner Flescher acknowledged the Veterans in attendance and spoke on <br />their involvement with the events held at the Veterans Memorial Island <br />Sanctuary (Memorial Island) on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. He <br />requested that the County share with the City of Vero Beach (the City) the cost <br />of repairing and maintaining the bridge to Memorial Island. Commissioner <br />Flescher explained that the City had earmarked slightly over $100,000 for the <br />bridge repair, and he proposed that the County share the costs with the City by <br />paying $50,000 of the bridge repair costs. <br />Although stating their support and appreciation for the Veterans and for <br />Memorial Island, three (3) of the five (5) Commissioners offered reasons for <br />not supporting the expenditure. Commissioner O'Bryan made mention of the <br />Budget where it related to the County's commitment to Veterans Services, and <br />Vice Chairman Adams explained why she felt the request was untimely. She <br />included that sharing the cost of the project was presented to her as a gesture by <br />the County after receiving clarification by City of Vero Beach Councilman <br />Anthony "Tony" Young that the project was fully funded by the City. <br />Chairman Solari stated financial and government reasoning as to why he could <br />not support spending the taxpayer's dollars on the City's bridge repair project. <br />The following residents spoke in support of the County's cost-sharing <br />contribution to the City. <br />Reverend Sylvester McIntosh, Wabasso <br />Joseph Paladin, Vero Beach <br />Michael Johannsen, Vero Beach <br />Jason Patzer, Commander of the Next Generation Veterans of Indian River <br />County <br />Barney Jodan, representing the Veterans Council of Sebastian and Indian River <br />County <br />Pastor Richard Demsick <br />County Administrator Jason Brown spoke on the County's commitment to fund <br />many programs that offer assistance to the Veterans of Indian River County. <br />Indian River County Florida Page 20 <br />