Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/18/2026 (2)Indian River Florida County, Indian Riverle 802 Administration OG 27th Street Complex 1801 t q 2� Vero Beach, Florida 32960 2 •C Final Meeting Minutes indianriver.gov Board of County Commissioners Deryl Loar, District 4, Chairman Laura Moss, District 5, Vice Chairman Susan Adams, District 1 Joseph Flescher, District 2 Joseph H. Earman, District 3 John A. Titkanich, Jr., County Administrator Jennifer W. Shuler, County Attorney Ryan L. Butler, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller Tuesday, August 18, 2026 9:00 AM Commission Chambers 1. Call to Order Present: 5 Chairman Deryl Loar Vice Chairman Laura Moss Commissioner Susan Adams Commissioner Joseph Flescher Commissioner Joe Earman 2. A Moment of Silent Reflection for First Responders and Members of the Armed Forces Followed by the Invocation 3. Pledge of Allegiance 4. Additions / Deletions to the Agenda / Emergency Items A motion was made by Commissioner Flescher, seconded by Commissioner Adams, to approve the Agenda as presented. The motion passed by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chairman Loar, Vice Chairman Moss, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Flescher, Commissioner Earman Nay: 0 -None 5. Proclamations and Presentations 5.A. Proclamation National Emergency Management Awareness Month Commissioner Earman expressed appreciation for the Emergency Management staff for their consistent readiness to assist the community. Emergency Management Chief Ryan Lloyd acknowledged the present department members and confirmed the department's preparedness to address any challenges confronting the community. Read and presented by Commissioner Earman 5.B. Recognizing Dogs for Life for Its Outstanding Service to the Community Vice Chairman Moss recognized the positive impact Dogs for Life had on the community by training and providing service dogs for veterans, as well as first responders and individuals with disabilities. Read and presented by Vice Chairman Moss 6. Approval of Minutes 7. Information Items From Staff or Commissioners Not Requiring Board Action 7.A. Annual Fair Housing Complaint Report No Action Taken or Required 7.B. Florida Public Service Commission Consumating Order PSC-2026-0257-PAA-EI No Action Taken or Required 7.C. Florida Public Service Commission Consumating Order PSC-2026-0265-TRF-EI No Action Taken or Required 7.D. Code Enforcement Board Resignation and Vacancy No Action Taken or Required 7.E. Economic Development Council Committee Resignation and Vacancy No Action Taken or Required 8. Public Comment: Agenda -Related Matters (Except for Public Hearings) 9. Consent Agenda A motion was made by Commissioner Flescher, seconded by Commissioner Earman, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. The motion passed by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chairman Loar, Vice Chairman Moss, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Flescher, Commissioner Earman Nay: 0 -None 9.A. Consideration of the Indian River County SHIP Program 2026 Annual Report Approved staffs recommendation 9.B. Consideration of the revised Indian River County Local Housing Assistance Plan for the Fiscal Years 2024-2025, 2025-2026, and 2026-2027 Approved staff's recommendation and Resolution 2026-051 9.C. Second Extension to Agreement for Medical Services at the Persons with Special Needs Shelter (RFP 2022058) Approved staff's recommendation 9.D. Amendment to the Public Transportation Grant Agreement (PTGA) with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for Intercounty Bus Service Approved staff's recommendation and Resolution 2026-052 9.E. Approval to Purchase a Fire Rescue Incident Command Mobile Vehicle Approved staff's recommendation 9.F. Grant Application for Funding Assistance from the State of Florida Beach Management Funding Assistance Program -FY 2027/28 Approved staffs recommendation and Resolution 2026-053 9.G. Approval of 2026-2027 State Funded Subgrant Agreement (T0503) To Update Indian River County's Hazards Analysis Approved staff's recommendation 9.H. Approval of the Initial Fee Schedule for the Indian River County Animal Services Shelter Approved staffs recommendation 9.I. Approval of Interlocal Agreement between Indian River County Emergency Services District and the City of Palm Bay for Automatic and Mutual Aid Approved staffs recommendation 9.J. Award of RFP 2026017 Disaster Recovery Management Services Approved staffs recommendation 9.K. Global Payments Approved staffs recommendation 9.L. Authorization to Increase Blanket Purchase Orders Approved staffs recommendation 9.M. Designation of Excess Equipment as Surplus and Authorization for Disposal Approved staffs recommendation 9.N. Preserving the Current Authorization Status of the Indian River County USACE Shore Protection Project Approved staffs recommendation 10. Constitutional Officers and Governmental Agencies 11. Public Items 11.A. Public Hearings 11.A.A. Amended and Restated Developers Agreement Between Lawrence Land Holdings, LLC and Indian River County - Bluewater Bay [Clerk Note: Items submitted as evidence are on file with the Clerk to the Board] Deputy County Attorney Susan Prado presented the amended Developer's Agreement, which updated a previous 2006 Developer Agreement to reflect current ownership and conditions. Changes included nullification of a benefit related to a canal along County Road (CR) 510, and new benefits included construction of a signalized intersection at 86th Avenue and CR 510 and additional right-of-way contributions. Attorney Prado noted that the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) had approved the updated plat and requirements. She added that the Indian River Neighborhood Association (IRNA) sent a letter to the Board stating their concerns, which was entered into evidence. Assistant Public Works Director and County Engineer Nick Gagliardo addressed Vice Chairman Moss' request to review the issues raised in the IRNA letter. Discussion included clarification of the timing of the signalization of 86th Avenue, proportionate -share cost participation for intersection improvements at CR 510 and 66th Avenue, stormwater treatment and management, the utility remediation plan, and the timing of the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) planned improvements of CR 510. Utilities Services Director Sean Lieske provided the Utilities Remediation Plan, which was entered into evidence, and confirmed the developer would bear the cost of the improvements. Assistant Planning and Development Services Director Ryan Sweeney confirmed he would provide the Board with the developer's Conditional Concurrency Certification. The discussion also included the amount of right-of-way the developer had already dedicated and whether it was possible to request new public benefits. It was agreed that staff would amend the agreement to add the developer's commitment to provide a proportional fair share of the cost for improvements at CR 510 and 66th Avenue. The Board added their requests for further clarification and additional details in the revised Developer Agreement before the second required public hearing. Chairman Loar opened the hearing for comments. The following people spoke before the Board: Josh Miller, resident Mike Duley, representative for Lawrence Land Holdings Josh Black, Lassiter Transportation Group There being no further comments, the Chairman closed the public hearing. Attorney Prado requested moving the second public hearing to September 15, 2026, to allow staff time to make the requested modifications. A motion was made by Commissioner Flescher, seconded by Commissioner Earman, to approve staff's recommendation, as amended to add the developer's commitment to provide a proportional fair share of the cost for improvements at CR 510 and 66th Avenue, and to move the second hearing to September 15, 2026. The motion passed by the following vote: Aye: 4 - Chairman Loar, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Flescher, Commissioner Earman Nay: 1 - Vice Chairman Moss 11.A.B. Public Hearing for Ordinance Amending Indian River County Code Chapter 106 Deputy County Attorney Susan Prado presented the proposed amendment to Chapter 106, Disposition of Real Property. The proposed changes allow County staff, including the newly established Land Acquisition Specialist, to negotiate certain property transactions directly, reducing reliance on real estate brokers and avoiding substantial commission costs. Attorney Prado emphasized that the ordinance changes would not prevent the County from using a real estate broker when appropriate, such as when listing a property for sale. The language changes also addressed properties which were "unbuildable" or "not in use." The Chairman opened the public hearing for comments. There being none, the Chairman closed the public hearing. A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Commissioner Flescher, to approve staffs recommendation and Ordinance 2026-013. The motion passed by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chairman Loar, Vice Chairman Moss, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Flescher, Commissioner Earman Nay: 0 - None 11.B. Public Notice Items 12. County Administrator Matters 13. Departmental Matters 13.A. Building and Facilities Services 13.B. Community Services 13.C. Emergency Services 13.D. Human Resources 13.E. Information Technology 13.F. Natural Resources 13.G. Office of Management and Budget 13.H. Parks, Recreation, and Conservation 13.I. Planning and Development Services 13.J. Public Works 13.K. Sandridge Golf Club 6 13.L. Utilities Services 14. County Attorney Matters 14.A. Consideration of a Sale Agreement for the Purchase of the +/- 38.9 -acres of Land Located at Blue Cypress Lake Rd. site through the Environmental Lands Acquisition Bond Assistant County Attorney Chris Hicks presented the sale agreement for a 38.9 -acre parcel of land located at Blue Cypress Lake. The land was rated a Tier 1 property by the Environmental Land Acquisition Panel (ELAP) with a negotiated price of $380,000. Attorney Hicks noted the property was entirely composed of wetlands, with portions submerged. Commissioner Earman, the Board's ELAP representative, expressed concerns about the lack of accessibility or development opportunities. Given the lack of public benefit, the Commissioner suggested the parcel would be better considered as a conservation easement at a lower price. Other Commissioners agreed with this assessment. Beth Powell, Director of Parks, Recreation, and Conservation, discussed the property's ranking and location, and agreed it would be a better value as a conservation easement. A motion was made by Commissioner Earman, seconded by Commissioner Flescher, to decline the purchase of the Blue Cypress Lake Shoreline property. The motion passed by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chairman Loar, Vice Chairman Moss, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Flescher, Commissioner Earman Nay: 0- None 14.B. Consideration of a Lease Agreement for the 5.84 acre Martin Luther King Jr. Park site for the Gifford Cultural Center and Museum County Attorney Jennifer Shuler presented the lease agreement with the Gifford Cultural and Resource Center, Inc (GCCRC) for the site, which was the proposed location for the Gifford Cultural Center. Attorney Shuler noted the proposed lease would be for 99 -years, for $1 per year, and provided a history of the site, which was designated a historic cemetery; it was also the location of the Gifford Health Center. Attorney Shuler noted the key points of the lease that were agreed upon: limited use for a cultural resource center, preservation of the historic church on the grounds, proof of available funds for construction, a 3 -year window to obtain site approval, seven years to complete substantial construction, and insurance. Disagreements between the County and GCCRC included responsibility for maintaining existing amenities and the presence of remains within the cemetery, which was under the County's jurisdiction as the property owner. Attorney Shuler cautioned the Board to consider the complexities of developing a historic cemetery. During discussions, the Board expressed support for the project but raised concerns regarding the contract. Commissioners highlighted their discomfort with the potential for interred bodies in the old cemetery. Although a ground -penetrating radar (GPR) survey was conducted in 2013, the results were inconclusive. Commissioner Adams referenced her conversation with the Florida Division of Historical Resources regarding state research grants which mandated GPR surveys conducted by specialists. She advocated completing the GPR study before lease consideration. Other Board members emphasized a need for caution and respect in advancing development. County Administrator John Titkanich supported obtaining quotes for the survey to proceed quickly. The Chairman opened the floor for comments. The following people appeared before the Board to speak in favor of the location for the GCCRC and for conducting a conclusive study regarding the cemetery: Jonnie Mae Perry Tony Brown Dale Dawkins Wilfred Hart Stan Boling Richard Bialosky Bruce Barkett Barbara Lipton Administrator Titkanich agreed to work with staff to obtain the cost and funding for the GPR study. A motion was made by Commissioner Flescher, seconded by Commissioner Adams, to direct staff to seek and obtain the advanced ground -penetrating radar study for the project. The motion passed by the following vote: Aye: 5 - Chairman Loar, Vice Chairman Moss, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner Flescher, Commissioner Earman Nay: 0 -None 15. Commissioners Matters 15.A. Commissioner Deryl Loar, Chairman 15.B. Commissioner Laura Moss, Vice Chairman 15.C. Commissioner Susan Adams 15.D. Commissioner Joseph E. Flescher 15.E. Commissioner Joseph H. Earman 16. Special Districts and Boards 16.A. Emergency Services District 16.B. Solid Waste Disposal District 16.C. Environmental Control Board 17. Public Comment: Non -Agenda -Related Matters Josh Miller requested clarification on the existence of right-of-way connected to the installation of rural broadband in Fellsmere. Spencer Taft was directed to speak with the Sheriffs Department regarding his questions on Flock cameras. Joel Molinari addressed the Board regarding the stormwater culvert installation project at Raintree Garden subdivision. Doug Bergman asked the Board to investigate excessive speeding along the block of 12th Street and 33rd Avenue SW. David Aiello, Heritage Plantation, requested the Board's assistance with a still -unresolved safety issue surrounding electric meter bases. No Action Taken or Required 18. Adjournment There being no further business, the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 11:45 a.m. ATTEST: 1 Ryan L. Butler Clerk of Circuit Court and Comptroller By: Deputy Clerk BCC/RW/August 18, 2026 Minutes Approved:Ster�ber 15, 202615, 2026 10