I DON'T KNOW IF I NEED THIS ANYMORE. RIGHT? I DON'T KNOW.
[1. Call to Order]
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GOOD EVENING , EVERYONE. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THIS WORKSHOP FOR THE CITY OF PARKLAND , WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 24TH, I MEAN 21ST, 2024 , TO ORDER.>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
[4.A. South Florida Wildlife Center]
PRESENTATION. I DO NOT HAVE MY PAPERS, BUT IT IS FOR SOUTHFLORIDA WILDLIFE SYSTEM. >> I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING ME AND GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO INCLUDE THIS, BEFORE WE DO, I WILL TALK ABOUT OUR MISSION AND INTRODUCE MYSELF. I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SOUTH FLORIDA WILDLIFE CENTER. I WANT TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF A PRESENTATION OF WHO WE ARE, AND WHERE WE COME FROM.
AND ALSO WHAT WE ARE PLANNING TO ACHIEVE , IN COOPERATION WITH THE CITY OF PARKLAND. IF YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH OUR LOCATION, WE HAVE BEEN IN THE SAME LOCATION FOR 55 YEARS. WE ARE LOCATED ACROSS FROM SNYDER, ON STATE ROUTE 84. WE ARE OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. WE ARE THE LARGEST WILDLIFE HOSPITAL IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WE TAKE MORE WILDLIFE THAN ANY OTHER WILDLIFE FACILITY IN THE STATE. EVEN MORE THAN BUSH WILDLIFE AND OTHER WILDLIFE CENTERS ON THE WEST COAST OF FLORIDA. LAST YEAR, ACTUALLY, WE TOOK 9000 ANIMALS, THAT IS HOW MANY WE CAN TAKE. IN 2022, IT WAS ONE OF THE YEARS THAT WE SAW DECLINED, BY THE END OF 2023, WE SAW OVER 7200 ANIMALS BROUGHT TO THE WILDLIFE FACILITY. WHO WE ARE, AND WHAT WE DO, WE ARE MOSTLY A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, ENTIRELY SUPPORTED BY DONATIONS, GRANTS, AND THE GENEROSITY OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND VETERINARY PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS, FREE TO THE COMMUNITY. AND WE PROVIDE SERVICES TO ALL OF THE HUMANE SERVICES AND ALL LOW ENFORCEMENT -- LAW ENFORCEMENT, WITH PARK RANGERS AND LIFEGUARDS. WHY WE HELP ALL OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS, ESPECIALLY LAW ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE, AS YOU MIGHT KNOW, FLORIDA REALLY HAS AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF EXOTIC POPULATION COMING THROUGH. SO, U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE, THEY DO AT TIMES UNDERCOVER OPERATIONS. THEY SOMETIMES HAVE ANIMALS AND THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO .
BY THE TIME THEY GO TO FEDERAL COURT, WE HOLD THE ANIMALS AS EVIDENCE AND ONCE AGAIN WE WORK WITH U.S. FISH AND WILDLIFE DEFINED A ZOO OR A PROPER OWNER THAT CAN TAKE CARE OF THESE EXOTIC ANIMALS. FLORIDA IS THE NUMBER ONE STATE FOR IMPORTATION OF EXOTICS. I AM SURE YOU ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE CHALLENGES. WE ASSIST WITH THE RESCUE, AND IT TICKETING ALL OF THESE, WHEN WE FIND THE AREAS. AND WE ALSO WORK WITH PARK RANGERS AND LIFEGUARDS. WE HAVE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF SEASHORE BIRDS, PELICANS , EVERY SINGLE BIRD YOU SEE WHEN YOU GO TO THE BEACH, COMES TO OUR FACILITY IF IT IS INJURED OR SICK. 79% OF THE ANIMALS THAT COME TO US COME FROM BROWARD COUNTY RESIDENTS. THE REST ARE FROM PALM BEACH COUNTY AND MIAMI-DADE COUNTY. WE HAVE HAD PEOPLE DRIVING IN FROM OCALA, FROM THE WEST COAST, THE
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PANHANDLE, JUST TO BRING ANIMALS TO US. WHY? BECAUSE WE ARE THE BEST WILDLIFE HOSPITAL. WE ARE THE BEST DOCTORS AROUND. NOBODY CAN DO IT REPAIRED TO A BALD EAGLE, A SURGERY, WITHOUT KNOWING EXACTLY WHAT KIND OF SPECIES THEY ARE DEALING WITH. SO , MORE THAN ANYBODY ELSE , WE ARE CLOSE TO THE EVERGLADES, OUR BEAUTIFUL STATE , WE HAVE IMMENSE BIODIVERSITY AND WE SPECIALIZE IN TREATING ALL OF THE DIFFERENT SPECIES. AND IT IS THE CURRENT SITE OF OUR HOSPITAL. WE BEGIN RESCUING , THE WILDLIFE, WITH MRS. HUMPHREY, IN HER GARAGE . THERE WAS SOME REFER , WE COULD NOT LEAVE IT AT 1969 STANDARDS . SHE CARED FOR THE WILDLIFE FOR 19 YEARS AND HER GARAGE UNTIL WE INCORPORATED IN 1969 , AS SPA OF BROWARD COUNTY. WE HAVE A VERY LONG, DEEP CONNECTION TO THE COMMUNITY FOR OVER 55 YEARS.OUR MISSION, HOWEVER, HAS NOT CHANGED. WE WANT TO RESCUE AND REHABILITATE ALL OF THE SICK, INJURED, AND ORPHANED WILDLIFE. THE GOAL IS TO RE-RELEASE THEM BACK INTO THE WILD. AND WE HAVE A PARTNERSHIP , WITH THE TRIBE, AND RECENTLY WE WERE FEATURED ON WILDLIFE NATION , WE HELPED JEFF TO GATHER ANIMALS. WE TRANSPORTED THEM WITH THE TRIBE TO THE RESERVATION. WE ARE ALWAYS GETTING HELP FROM NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC, BBC, THEY HAVE DONE DOCUMENTARIES ON OUR FACILITY. THE MOST IMPORTANT PILLARS OF OUR MISSION IS ALSO EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY. WE GO TO SCHOOL, WE GO TO THE UNIVERSITY. WE ARE AT PUBLIC EVENTS , WE ARE AT PARKS, WE WENT TO THE TULIP FEST, BUT WE WERE NOT DRINKING, I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT , WE HAD 19,000 VISITORS PASSING THROUGH . AND MOST OF THEM , THEY WERE OKAY, SOME OF THEM WERE A LITTLE TOO TIPSY. THAT IS OKAY. THEY STILL GET TO KNOW US. SO , I ALWAYS MAKE JOKES , YOU KNOW, IF IT CRAWLS , THESE ARE THE PATIENCE THAT WE HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE.
THESE ARE NATIVE ANIMALS. WE ALSO HAVE A SPECIAL PERMIT TO TREAT RAPTORS , WHICH NOT MANY HOSPITALS HAVE. WE ALSO TREAT THE LITTLE AND BIG MAMMALS , COYOTES, RACCOONS , THESE ARE JUST EXAMPLES, WE ALSO TREAT ENDANGERED AND THREATENED SPECIES. THEY COME TO OUR FACILITY, AND THESE ARE JUST EXAMPLES OF SOME OF THE PATIENT'S -- THE PATIENT'S WE SEE. WHY ARE THESE COMING TO US? THESE ARE REAL PICTURES OF PATIENTS. THERE IS A CALMER AND WITH A FISHING HOOK THAT IT HAD INGESTED. WE HAVE ONE OVER HERE THAT WITH A BROKEN LEG. AND A SOFTSHELL TORTOISE THAT IS BEING RUN OVER BY A CAR. 90% OF THE PATIENT'S THAT COME TO US, HAVE HAD A NEGATIVE INTERACTION. NOBODY DOES IT ON PURPOSE, BUT BECAUSE OF THE GROWING POPULATION, IT IS BECOMING SMALLER AND SMALLER AND MUCH MORE FREQUENT. SO WE ARE THERE FOR THIS WILDLIFE. AND WE ARE THERE, TAKING ALL OF THE SICK, INJURED, AND ORPHANED , WHEN THEY COME TO US, THEY ARE ACTUALLY IN CRITICAL CONDITION. THAT IS WHY WE ARE IN A TRAUMA HOSPITAL, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF THESE WHEN THEY ARE TRIMMING TREES, THE SEASON OF THE SPRING, THEY MIGHT FIND A LOT OF BABIES, AND MAYBE THE MOM RAN AWAY. ALSO,
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FIREWORKS ARE CAUSING A LOT OF THESE ORPHANED BABIES TO COME TO US. SO, THERE ARE MANY REASONS WHY. ALWAYS NEGATIVE INTERACTION. SOMETIMES THEY ARE ATTACKED BY A CAT OR A DOG.AND SO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE TREAT THOSE, TWO. HOW DO WE HELP? IN OUR HUMBLE ABODE, OUR HOSPITAL, WE HAVE DIGITAL X-RAYS. WE HAVE STATE-OF-THE-ART LASER THERAPY, AQUA THERAPY, EVERYTHING THAT YOU CAN THINK OF. WE DO CUSTOMIZE EACH HABITAT FOR EACH SPECIES. AND WE TREAT THE ANIMAL AND WE STAY WITH IT UNTIL IT IS 100% REHABILITATED AND READY TO GO BACK INTO THE WILD. YOU CAN SEE SOMEONE BOTTLEFEEDING SOME OF THESE BABIES. THE NURSERY IS THE BUSIEST PLACE. SO, JUST A LITTLE BIT TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA. LAST YEAR , OUR STAFF AND DISPATCH PERFORMED 460 RESCUES AND 140 THREE NESTS. WE HAVE TO CLIMB UP ENTRIES, WE HAVE LADDERS, WE HAVE BASKETS. WE PUT THEM BACK WHERE THE MOM IS AND WE PLACE CAMERAS SO THAT WE CAN MONITOR AND MAKE SURE THAT THE LITTLE BABY IS ACTUALLY BEING FED, AND WE WAIT, EVERY DAY, WE MAKE SURE THAT THE BABIES ARE GAINING WEIGHT. THAT IS HOW WE KNOW THAT THE MOTHER'S ARE TAKING CARE OF THEM. IF WE SEE THAT THE ANIMAL IS NOT EATING, WE WILL TAKE THEM BACK IN OUR NURSERY AND WE WILL TAKE IT FROM THERE. AS YOU CAN SEE , FROM THESE STATISTICS , ALMOST 400 FROM VOLUNTEERS, THE MAJORITY ARE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC. BELIEVE IT OR NOT, THE COMMUNITY DEEPLY CARES ABOUT THESE ANIMALS. THEY TAKE TIME OUT OF THEIR DAY TO BRING US THESE INJURED ANIMALS. SO, IT IS GOOD THAT WE CAN DO THE WORK THAT WE DO. BECAUSE THEY BRING THE ANIMALS TO US. OUR RESOURCE CENTER RECEIVES 100,000 CALLS PER YEAR. OUR PHONES DO NOT STOP RINGING. THEY COME FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, ALL OVER FLORIDA, THEY ARE ASKING US FOR DIRECTION, THEY ASK US WHAT TO DO, WHAT NOT TO DO. IF YOU GO ON THE WEBSITE, YOU WILL SEE A LOT OF Q&A AND WE WILL GUIDE PEOPLE OVER THE PHONE, AND WHAT IS THE PROPER WAY SO, OUR NURSERY RECEIVES OVER 4000 BABIES. 4000 IS A LOT. WE HAVE A FULL-TIME STAFF WITH FIVE PEOPLE IN THE NURSERY.
AND SOME OF THEM , SOME OF THEM HAVE SUFFERED TRAUMA, THE MOTHER WAS KILLED , MAYBE RUNAWAY -- RUN OVER BY A CAR.
AS YOU CAN SEE , THIS IS VERY LABOR INTENSIVE, WE HAVE TO SOMETIMES TAKE THEM HOME. THAT IS WHY WE HAVE CREATED ALSO A HOMECARE PROGRAM , WHERE PEOPLE CAN BE TRAINED BY OUR STAFF AND TAKE THESE LITTLE BABIES HOME. AND THEN WE GIVE ALL OF THEM SUPPLIES AND INCUBATORS. IF THAT IS SOMETHING, I JUST WANTED TO DROP IT OVER THERE. HERE , YOU CAN SEE THAT WE ARE PERFORMING A SURGERY TO A BALD EAGLE, WE HAVE DIFFERENT SPECIES, SO THAT WE ARE REHABILITATING EACH ANIMAL .
EACH ANIMAL HAS A PATIENT CHART AND GETS A TREATMENT CHART FOR THAT PARTICULAR SPECIES AND A SPECIFIC DIET. THE DIET , WHAT WE HAVE ACCUMULATED OVER THE YEARS , IT HAS TAKEN YEARS AND YEARS TO GET IT RIGHT, YOU WILL SEE THAT WE HAVE A FULL MENU. EACH SPECIES HAS CUSTOMIZED NUTRITIONAL INTAKE.
AND THE REHABILITATION PLAN ALSO INCLUDES WATER THERAPY.
LASER THERAPY. SOME OF THESE PATIENTS , THEY GET BETTER HEALTHCARE THAN THE PEOPLE WE HAVE HERE IN FLORIDA. SO, SOME OF THIS , WE TAKE 7199 ANIMALS, 263 DIFFERENT
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SPECIES, 11 THAT WERE FEDERALLY THREATENED.REMEMBER, EACH ANIMAL HAS A VERY LONG REHABILITATION TIME.
SOME OF THESE ANIMALS, FOR EXAMPLE, A BABY RACCOON CAN STAY WITH US UP TO SEVEN MONTHS. A PELICAN WITH A TEAR IN THE POUCH CAN STAY WITH US UP TO FOUR MONTHS. JUST FOR REHABILITATION. THEY EAT A LOT. EACH ONE OF THOSE PELICANS.
I AM ALWAYS HAPPY TO SEE THEM GO. EDUCATION, IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR US AND FOR THE COMMUNITY. AND WE HAVE ANIMALS THAT ARE PART OF OUR COLLECTION. THIS IS SOME OF THE STAFF, FOR SOME OF THESE KIDS , THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THAT THEY HAVE ACTUALLY EVER SEEN A LIVE ANIMAL. THEY HAVE NEVER EVEN SEEN A CAT OR A DOG, THAT IS HOW STRIKING IT IS. FOR THEM TO SEE SNAKES, TORTOISES, SCREECH OWLS, AND EVERYTHING WE BRING . IT IS REALLY A TREAT . YOU CAN SEE THEIR EYES BECOMING BIG. WHAT I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU FROM LAST YEAR, WE HAVE EDUCATED OVER 10 MILLION PEOPLE TO BE REACHED. HOW DO WE KNOW? GOOGLE TRACKS EVERYTHING, UNFORTUNATELY. WE KEEP TRACK OF OUR STATISTICS. THIS IS AN IN-PERSON INTERACTION, WE HAVE EDUCATED OVER 9000 , IN PERSON, MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. AND I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT HOW MANY SCHOOLS, 1643 PRESENTATIONS. WE HAVE EDUCATED OVER 10,000 CHILDREN GOING TO ALL OF THESE SCHOOLS.
SOME OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WE OFFER FREE TO THE COMMUNITY, THE JUNIOR WILDLIFE , WE GET TO DO SOME, A LITTLE , SOME OPERATION , THEY WILL REMOVE FISHING HOOKS. WE GIVE THEM BROOKLET -- BOOKLETS. THEY WILL BE READY FOR THE EVENT.
AT THE END, THEY GET A COMPLETION CERTIFICATE. WE ALSO HAVE OTHER PROGRAMS, AND THE KIDS BEGIN TO DISSECT THE PALLETS AND THE ANIMALS REGURGITATE. IT IS PRETTY INTERESTING TO SEE ALL OF THESE BOOKLETS , THEY ARE BEING PREPARED WITH THE HELP OF BROWARD COUNTY SCHOOLS AND TEACHERS. THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE EXAMPLES WE HAVE, AND OF COURSE, WE CANNOT DO EVERYTHING OURSELVES. WE HAVE DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS , WE HAVE CURRENTLY 206 VOLUNTEERS WITH US. AND LAST YEAR, THEY DONATED OVER 10,000 HOURS. THE CROWN JEWEL OF OUR EDUCATION , FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, IS OUR EXTERNSHIP PROGRAM. WE HAVE STUDENTS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD WHO COME IN AND THEY ARE SHADOWING OUR VETERINARIANS FOR FOUR TO SIX WEEKS. THESE ARE STUDENTS THAT ARE ABOUT TO GRADUATE FROM THAT CHICK SCHOOLS AND THEY HAVE TO DO WILDLIFE RESIDENCY WITH WILDLIFE CENTER AND HOSPITAL. SO WE GAVE THEM FREE HOUSING ON OUR CAMPUS. AS YOU CAN SEE, THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR 20 YEARS. AND WE HAVE OVER 454 VETERINARY EXTERNS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD, INCLUDING TAIWAN, KENYA, AND YOU NAME IT. SO, ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT IS VERY POPULAR, IT IS THE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM. THESE ARE THE STUDENTS WHO WANT TO FURTHER THEIR APPLICATIONS TO APPLY FOR THAT SCHOOL -- VETERINARY SCHOOL. WILDLIFE , ZOOLOGY, WE BASICALLY ROTATE THE INTERNS AND WE LET THEM EXPERIENCE EVERYTHING THAT WE DO. OUTRAGE , THEY KNOW WHAT TO DO , TO HELP THEM FEED THE BABIES AND THEY ARE VERY HAPPY DOING THAT. SO THIS IS WHAT WE PROPOSED. I KNOW THAT WE HAVE
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A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF PARKLAND . WE HOPE THAT WILL COME TO FRUITION. WE WOULD LIKE TO BE A STATE-OF-THE-ART HOSPITAL, 8000 SQUARE FEET TO ALLOW US TO CONTINUE OUR MISSION AND CONTINUE ALSO TO EXPAND THE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM WE CURRENTLY HAVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI , AND MANY UNIVERSITIES ALL OVER THE WORLD , AND WE WOULD LIKE TO GROW THE PROGRAM EVEN FURTHER. THIS IS ANOTHER VIEW OF THE WILDLIFE HOSPITAL , YOU CAN VIEW THE TERRORISTS -- TERRACE , AND WE ALSO WANT IN NATURE CENTER THAT WILL BE AN ASSET FOR THE COMMUNITY. IT CAN BE FROM 25,000 TO 3000 SQUARE FEET , AND IT CAN SHOWCASE THE FAUNA THAT WE HAVE HERE IN FLORIDA. THESE ARE SOME OF THE IDEAS, LIKE THIS INTERACTIVE ROOM , THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO PLACE IN THE NATURE CENTER. AND THIS IS MY PRESENTATION. I TRIED TO MAKE IT SHORT , ONLY 15 MINUTES I WAS LIMITED TO. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF I WENT OVER. I WAS TALKING FAST.>> THAT WAS A GREAT PRESENTATION. I DID NOT REALIZE HOW MUCH YOU GUYS ACTUALLY DO, IT IS AMAZING HOW MANY ANIMALS THAT YOU SEE AND HOW MANY THAT YOU HELP. THAT IS EXCELLENT.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. DO YOU WORK WITH LEGISLATORS ON WILDLIFE LEGISLATION OR ANYTHING? ANY
INVOLVEMENT? >> WE DO NOT DO LOBBYING. BUT WE DO PROVIDE EXPERT OPINIONS TO FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE , REGARDING THE RULES, REGARDING DIFFERENT PROPOSALS , WHEN THEY COME TO THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE, WE DO NOT DO LOBBYING. THAT IS SOMETHING, WITH AS A 501(C)(3) AND CHARITY, WE DO NOT WANT TO DIRECTLY DO, BUT WE DO PROVIDE
OUR EXPERT OPINION. >> WHERE DOES YOUR FUNDING COME FROM, PREDOMINANTLY? WHAT AMOUNT -- I AM KIND OF UNCLEAR , ON WHAT YOU'RE ASKED IS FOR US.
>> WE HAVE SET ASIDE $4 MILLION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION ON THE HOSPITAL. WE DO NOT COME HERE EMPTY-HANDED HERE IT OUR DONATIONS MOSTLY COME FROM VERY GENEROUS DONORS AND FOUNDATIONS WHO SUPPORT US. ONE OF THE REQUESTS THAT THEY HAVE IS THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE A COMMITMENT FROM A MUNICIPALITY, WHERE WE CAN APPEAL TO SOMETHING SOMEWHERE. WE HAVE A VERY WEALTHY DONOR, THEY ARE WAITING TO PUT THEIR NAME TO THAT FANCY BUILDING THAT YOU JUST SAW . EVERYONE WANTS A
LEGACY. >> I THINK US, YOU KNOW, THE LAND THAT WE WERE ABLE TO SECURE FROM TUNNEL WOULD MAKE AN AMAZING , YOU KNOW, THIS WOULD MAKE AN AMAZING ADDITION
TO THE CITY OF PARKLAND. >> THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I ENVISIONED ALL ALONG. I THINK IT SAID 2500 TO 3000 SQUARE FEET IS SORT OF WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. BUT IN TERMS OF
THE ADDITIONAL LAND -- >> THAT IS, I THINK , I THINK THERE WERE TWO. THERE WERE TWO SPOTS. I THINK 13,000, 14,000 IN TOTAL FOR TWO DIFFERENT BUILDINGS?
>> THE HOSPITAL ITSELF , THE WILDLIFE HOSPITAL WOULD BE 8000 SQUARE FEET, TWO STORIES, THE FIRST FLOOR WOULD BE THE WILDLIFE HOSPITAL AND THE SECOND FLOOR WOULD BE OFFICES AND THE NATURE CENTER WOULD BE SEPARATE. IT IS ABOUT 2500 SQUARE FEET. PLUS, THE AREAS, YES, FOR THE REHABILITATION OF
OUR ANIMALS. >> HOW MUCH LAND ARE YOU ANTICIPATING THAT YOU WILL NEED FOR PUTTING THIS TOGETHER?
>> WE ARE CURRENTLY ON FOUR ACRES AND ONE IS A
JURISDICTIONAL WETLAND. >> OUR COMMUNITY , THIS WOULD
BE A HUGE PLUS. >> THE AREA HAS IMMEDIATE ACCESS TO THE EVERGLADES. SO WE CAN PARLAY INTO A REALLY
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] >> IF I MAY , I WANTED TO JUMP IN. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMING. I AM VERY SORRY I COULD NOT BE THERE, AND I COULD NOT SEE THE PICTURES OF ALL THE CUTE ANIMALS BUT I CHECKED OUT THE WEBSITE AND I MAY HAVE TO CONSIDER BEING A FOSTER PARENT BUT WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT ANOTHER DAY. I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING THINGS THAT HAS COME BEFORE US, I SAY THAT BECAUSE OF JUST ALL OF THE DIFFERENT FACETS THAT REALLY MAKE US WHO WE ARE AS A CITY, WE SIT AND WE LOOK AT THE CREST BEHIND THE DAIS. IT SAYS ENVIRONMENTALLY PROUD. WE CHAMPION EDUCATION AS BEING ONE OF THE KEY VALUES IN THE CITY. I THINK THAT IF YOU CAN KIND OF COMBINE THOSE TWO, EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT, ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION, THAT GIVES THEM SOMETHING TO SEE. IN MY MIND, I GUESS I KIND OF COMPARE IT TO THE CITY OF BOCA RATON.
NOW, OF COURSE IT IS ESCAPING ME. THEY RESCUE TURTLES AND ALL OF THAT PRESENTATION. YOU HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATION FOR KIDS TO COME FOR THE VETERINARY PROGRAM. I THINK IT WOULD BE A WIN-WIN , AND I WOULD LIKE TO PERSONALLY SEE SOMETHING MORE FORMALIZED IN THE FUNDING. RECOGNIZING THAT PELICANS EAT $100 IN FISH EVERY DAY, THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A CHEAP THING TO OPERATE. DUMBO LIMBO, IN BOCA RATON. IT JUST CAME TO ME. I AM ALL FOR IT IF WE CAN UNDERSTAND THE NUTS AND BOLTS , I HOPE TO CONTINUE THAT PRESENTATION.
>> AS FAR AS THE FUNDING GOES, THEY HAVE BEEN STAFFED FOR 55 YEARS. I AM SURE THAT PORTION IS MORE OR LESS SECURE.
>> TO THE POINT OF COMMISSIONER BRIER, LOBBYING, AS OPPOSED TO THE 501(C)(3), ADVOCATING AND AGAIN, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE STATE HAS APPROPRIATIONS, OR THERE MAY BE OTHER AREAS, FROM OTHER AGENCIES, WHERE YOU COULD SECURE FUNDING FROM. I THINK THAT WAS KIND OF WHERE YOU WERE
LEADING TO PIT >> IN THEIR BACKYARD, AS I JUST RECENTLY FOUND OUT, THEY HAD WILD ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THE AIRPORT THAT THEY CANNOT TREAT. THERE IS SOME LAW THAT
THE WILL HAVE TO EUTHANIZE. >> THAT MAY NOT BE NECESSARILY THE IDEA OF LOBBYING, BUT THE AREA OF ADVOCATING. THAT IS NUMBER ONE. NUMBER TWO, WHERE ARE MOST OF THESE ANIMALS COMING FROM? THE REASON I SAY THAT, I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING EVERYBODY SAID. THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR PARKLAND.
HOWEVER, GOING ALL THE WAY OUT WEST MOST OF YOUR ANIMALS , THEY ARE COMING FROM, I SAY FORT LAUDERDALE, SOMEWHERE ON THE EAST COAST. IS THAT GOING TO DETER SOMEONE FROM DRIVING ALL THE WAY OUT TO PARKLAND? AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE THE ANSWER BUT I AM JUST BRINGING THAT UP. THE OTHER ANSWER, YOUR FOOTPRINT ON THIS PROPERTY, IF YOU ARE BUILDING 10,000 SQUARE FEET OF PROPERTY, HOW MUCH ROOM IS THERE GOING TO BE FOR PARKING? THE ACCESS IS ONLY ONE WAY IN AND ONE WAY OUT. AGAIN, FROM AN EDUCATIONAL STANDPOINT, SCHOOL BUSES MAKING THE TRIP . WHAT YOU ARE SETTING UP, IT IS FANTASTIC. WE DO NOT SUPPORT JUST LIKE WITH ANY OTHER DEVELOPER, THERE MAY BE OTHER MITIGATION COSTS THAT THE CITY WOULD PICK UP, OR THROUGH SOME OTHER FUNDING, A WIDER ROAD, INCREASE THE LANES OR OTHER TRAFFIC THINGS. I WANT TO BE PRACTICAL AND UPFRONT ABOUT IT, BUT FROM THE STANDPOINT OF, IF WE COULD PUT THIS IN WHERE THAT SCHOOL SITE IS, IT WOULD
BE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. >> I THINK YOU WOULD PUT IT AT
THE END >> RIGHT, ACCESS IN, ACCESS
OUT. >> 12 , 12, 12,000 SQUARE
FEET. >> THERE IS STILL PARKING, IS
IT 50 PEOPLE PER DAY ? >> SHE SAID THEY ARE LOOKING FOR ABOUT FOUR ACRES OF LAND. WE CAN CERTAINLY GET MORE INFORMATION, THEIR ASK IS FOR FOUR ACRES OF LAND.
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>> THE OTHER QUESTION I HAVE, RELATIVE TO THIS, THE ANIMALS ARE KEPT INSIDE, OUTSIDE? IS THERE A NOISE LEVEL FACTOR THAT WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT? BECAUSE WE HAVE A DEVELOPMENT THAT IS COMING IN, THAT IS ADJACENT TO WHERE THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY IS THAT WE ARE THINKING ABOUT. WE WILL HAVE RESIDENTS LIVING THERE. IS THERE A SMELL FACTOR THAT WE NEED TO CONCERN OURSELVES WITH? I MEAN, THOSE ARE ISSUES . WE WANT TO BE GOOD PARTNERS WITH OUR NEIGHBORS, TOO.
>> TO GIVE YOU AN ANSWER, WE HAVE ANALYZED, WHERE THE ANIMALS ARE COMING FROM. AND WE HAVE A PROJECT TO GEOCODE , WHERE THIS ANIMAL IS COMING FROM. YOU KNOW? IF YOU LOOK AT WHERE THEY ARE COMING FROM, IT IS AN EVEN SPLIT , WESTERN BROWARD COUNTY, AND EASTERN BROWARD COUNTY. IF YOU WANT TO DIVIDE BROWARD IN THE MIDDLE, FROM NORTH TO SOUTH. PEMBROKE PINES, DAVIE , ALL OF THE GROWTH IS HAPPENING IN THE WEST. IT IS PRETTY BUILT OUT ALONG THE OTHER AREAS. SO, WE DO NOT SEE THAT DRIVING IS A FACTOR IN THIS, IF WE HAVE PEOPLE DRIVING FROM OCALA, KEY WEST , FROM EVERYWHERE, THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO REALLY WANT TO, YOU KNOW,, AND HELP. NOBODY IS FORCING PEOPLE TO DRIVE FROM MIAMI DADE OR PALM BEACH COUNTY. THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE DEEPLY, DEEPLY PASSIONATE ABOUT ANIMALS. REGARDIG THE NOISE LEVEL, THE ANIMALS , ACTUALLY, THEY ARE NOT AN ISSUE, REGARDING THE NOISE, PEOPLE , THEY ARE THE ISSUE FOR THE ANIMALS. IF YOU GO TO OUR CAMPUS, OUR CAMPUS AT NIGHT IS VERY QUIET. AND ACTUALLY, WHEN WE LOOK AT ALL OF THE PROPERTIES , REGARDLESS OF THE MUNICIPALITY, WE TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE NOISE LEVEL.
A RAPTOR, SUCH AS A BALD EAGLE, WHEN THEY ARE IN REHABILITATION, THEY ARE VERY SENSITIVE TO A CERTAIN DECIBEL LEVEL. WE TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THOSE FACTORS, REGARDING THE EXPANSION OF THE ROADS AND ACCESS, OBVIOUSLY, I CANNOT SPEAK FOR THE CITY . THIS IS SOMETHING WHERE YOU ARE MORE FAMILIAR, WHAT IS COMING DOWN, AS FAR AS THESE DEVELOPMENTS ARE GOING TO BE LAID OUT . OF COURSE, BECAUSE THIS IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE UP PUBLIC FACILITY, THERE WILL BE SOME NEEDS AND CONSIDERATION TO BE TAKEN, SUCH AS REQUIRED PARKING, SCHOOL BUSES , THINGS LIKE THAT. RIGHT NOW , WE DO NOT HAVE THOSE ISSUES. WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK ALSO FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE , IF THERE ARE ANY CONSTRAINTS, WHATEVER PROPERTY WE ARE LOOKING INTO, AND JUST TO MAKE YOU AWARE, I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE BOARD. I HAVE A SIX-MEMBER BOARD THAT MAKES THE DECISION. IT WOULD BE THERE DECISION, REGARDING THE PROPERTY THAT THEY WILL EVENTUALLY MOVE TO.
WE HAVE THE DEFINITE DESIRE TO BUILD WHAT I JUST PRESENTED AND WE HOPE THAT THE CITY OF PARKLAND WILL BE OUR NEW HOME.
BUT, YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE TO MAKE YOUR CONSIDERATION. AND WE WILL HAVE TO CONSIDER THESE FACTORS. ALSO, YOU KNOW, THE DECISIONS. YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE.
>> I THINK , NOW, IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS A CONSENSUS TO TAKE THE NEXT STEPS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A BUSINESS PLAN AND
A DEVELOPMENT. >> I WANT TO KIND OF GET SOME
>> EXCITEMENT ON OUR SIDE, BACK TO YOU, WHEN ARE YOU SEEKING THE
COMMITMENT BY? >> WE HOPE TO SEE A COMMITMENT WITHIN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS. THE REASON IS, WE HAVE OTHER MUNICIPALITIES THAT HAVE APPROACHED US.
>> YOU WERE INTERESTED IN SOME OTHER LOCATIONS, CAN YOU TELL
US ABOUT THOSE? >> WE HAVE BEEN APPROACHED BY CORAL SPRINGS, AND WE HAVE ALSO BEEN APPROACHED BY THE TOWN OF SOUTHWEST RANCHES. THERE IS ANOTHER LAND , I WAS
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VERY UPFRONT WITH JACKIE, AND ALEX , THAT WE HAVE BEEN ALSO DEVELOPING OTHER MUNICIPALITIES. THEY SEE VALUE IN WHAT WE BRING. I WANTED TO COME HERE TONIGHT, TO SHOW YOU WHAT WE BRING TO THE TABLE, THE SAME AS WITH THE OTHER MUNICIPALITIES. I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE RESULTS , I HOPE THAT THEY ARE MOVING IN THIS DIRECTION.>> WHAT IS YOUR EXCITEMENT -- ASSESSMENT OF THE SITE AT THIS
LOCATION? >> RIGHT NEXT TO THE EVERGLADES. IT IS A LOT EASIER. WE JUST OPEN THE CAGE AND WE LET THEM ROLL OUT. A LOT OF MILES. WE MAKE SURE, YOU KNOW, THAT IT IS PRETTY SAFE OVER THERE. OF COURSE, THERE ARE SOME LOGISTICS , WHICH STILL NEED TO BE DEVELOPED AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN SEE THAT THROUGH IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
THE TURNING OF, YOU KNOW, THE POTENTIAL SCHOOL BUS, THAT COULD BE A CHALLENGE . I AM NOT QUITE SURE, WITH THIS DEVELOPMENT RIGHT NEXT DOOR , WHAT IS THE PLAN, WHAT EXACTLY
THEY WANT TO DO. >> THEY ARE SINGLE-FAMILY
HOMES. >> WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO SAY, THIS IS SO EXCITING. AND OTHER PEOPLE SAY, WILDLIFE? I COME FROM NEW YORK. SO, IT IS A LITTLE BIT ALSO DOING SOME PR. REGARDING THE NOISE AND THE SMELL FACTOR, I BELIEVE THAT JACKIE CAME TO OUR PROPERTY. AND YOU DID NOT HEAR ANY LOUD NOISES. YOU ARE MORE THAN WELCOME TO COME IN AND TAKE A TOUR OF OUR FACILITY. YOU ARE WELCOME ANY TIME. YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE IT YOURSELF.
>> I THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA. I THINK IT IS A BLOWN UP VISION OF WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT.
>> 100% , THAT IS EXACTLY ONE OF THE REASONS WE WANT TO GET THIS LAND, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE ENVISIONED TO BE THERE. REALLY, I THINK THAT WE NEED TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO, SO THAT YOU CAN , YOU KNOW, YOU CAN NARROW IT DOWN, YOU KNOW,
WHAT MORE CAN WE OFFER? >> WHAT IS THE ASK, FIGURING OUT HOW TO OPERATE THOSE BUILDINGS, IS IT JUST THAT, IS IT SOMETHING ADDITIONAL? WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE
BUSINESS TERMS WOULD BE. >> I THINK THAT WE NEED A MORE SERIOUS DISCUSSION, WHAT DO WE NEED? WE HAVE A STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION SCHEDULED FOR EARLY APRIL. I WOULD LIKE TO BRING THIS BACK TO MY BOARD, SO THAT WE CAN BUDGET ACCORDINGLY.
LOCATION ? >> IT WOULD NOT MAKE SENSE.
>> I THINK EVEN WITH THE TURNING , THE LAYOUT OF THE
PROPERTY . >> WE PUT THAT ON A LOT LESS.
>> I AM SURE THERE IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO A ROUNDABOUT, IN THE PARKING, OR WHATEVER. THIS IS THE PERFECT FIT AND OUR RESIDENTS WOULD EAT THIS UP, AS FAR AS VOLUNTEERS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, YOU WOULD HAVE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RESOURCES IN THE CITY. THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR US , BUT IT IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU AS WELL.
[4.B. Youth Ambassador Program - Discussion of Youth Issues]
DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS.TONIGHT WE WILL HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH OUR YOUTH AMBASSADORS. THIS IS OUR SECOND YOUTH AMBASSADOR GROUP THAT HAS COME THROUGH THE CITY. THEY HAVE BEEN MEETING ON A
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REGULAR BASIS, THEY HAVE HAD EDUCATION FROM EVERY DEPARTMENT, ALMOST ALL DEPARTMENTS BY THIS POINT, THEY HAVE BEEN LEARNING A LOT ABOUT THE CITY AND PART OF WHAT THEY DO IS, THEY TALK ABOUT WHAT THINGS ARE IMPORTANT TO YOUTH TODAY, TO THEIR CLASSMATES AND OTHER STUDENTS IN PARKLAND AND TONIGHT IS THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO TELL YOU ABOUT THOSE THINGS.WHAT I WILL DO IS, I WILL ASK THEM TO COME UP, INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AND TELL YOU WHAT SCHOOL THEY GO TO. THEY ARE ALL PARKLAND RESIDENTS. THEY GO TO DIFFERENT SCHOOLS. THEY WILL PROCEED WITH THEIR PRESENTATION.
>> GOOD EVENING , I GO TO AMERICAN HERITAGE.
>> I AM SPENCER KAUFMAN. >> I AM STELLA MARBLE, I GO TO
MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS. >> I AM ALANA , AND I GO TO
MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS. >> I GO TO NEWBURGH HERITAGE.
CULMINATED IN OVER 100 RESPONSES. WE HAD 106. WE SENT OUT THE SURVEY TO OUR PEERS, OUR CLASSMATES, OUR TEAMMATES, AND OUR FRIENDS. ALMOST 60% WERE PARKLAND RESIDENTS. THE REASON WHY YOU SEE LIKE, 31.1%, AND 35.8% BEING 16 AND 17 IS BECAUSE WE ARE JUNIORS. A LOT OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE SEND IT OUT TO, THEY ARE ALSO JUNIORS. SO , MOST OF , LIKE, THE MAJORITY OF THE PROBLEMS THAT OUR RESPONDENTS GOT, DRUGS, LITTER, MENTAL HEALTH AND BULLYING, THOSE ARE THE BIG THREE . KEEP IN MIND, DRUGS, LITTERING , AND MENTAL HEALTH ARE THE MOST WIDELY EXPRESSED.
>> ALL RIGHT. SO, 51.9% OF THE SURVEY TAKERS VOTED DRUGS AS THE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEM IN THE COMMUNITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA AND PARKLAND SPECIFICALLY. THAT RESONATES WITH ME PERSONALLY, BECAUSE 51.9% OF PEOPLE SHOULD NOT DEAL WITH THIS, ESPECIALLY IN SCHOOLS. WHICH IS WHAT THE SURVEY WAS ASKING. HOW DO DRUGS AFFECT YOU IN SCHOOL? I GO TO DOUGLAS. I AM NOT ASHAMED TO SAY, DOUGLAS HAS A LOT OF DRUG ACTIVITY. IT IS ALL OVER THE PLACE. THE STAFF DOES TRY TO REALLY CRACKDOWN. AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS NOT VERY EFFECTIVE. ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHO TOOK THE SURVEY, WE ASKED THEM TO GIVE POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO THIS. THE FIRST ONE, IT SAYS SHOW THE FACTS , OF WHAT CAN HAPPEN IF PEOPLE I HONESTLY DISAGREE. THE AMOUNT OF SEMINARS AND SPEECHES , TO TALK ABOUT THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF BATHING, MARIJUANA, OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, WHERE THEY GET AN IMPORTANT OFFICIAL TO SHARE THEIR OPINION.IT IS A SOLID HOUR AND USUALLY BORING. I DON'T THINK IT CHANGES ANY LEVEL OF STATISTICS. EVERYONE CONTINUES JUST DOING WHAT THEY ARE DOING, NO ONE IS GOING TO ELIMINATE THE PEER PRESSURE OF THOSE DRUGS JUST BECAUSE SOME PERSON THEY HAVE NEVER EVER MET BEFORE SAYS THAT IT IS NOT GOOD FOR YOU. I AM VERY BIG ON PEER TO PEER, IF THEY AGREE, I THINK THAT THE OTHER ONES WILL AGREE , AND FOLLOW, THE ONLY SOLUTION THAT I THINK IS POSSIBLE IS STRICTER SECURITY. DOUGLAS HAS A LOT OF SECURITY. THEY HAVE, I THINK, FIVE OR SIX POLICE OFFICERS THAT ARE AT THE SCHOOL, AND 10 SPECIFIC SECURITY GUARDS THAT WORK BETTER, THEY CHECK THE HALLS AND THE BATHROOMS. I HAVE DEFINITELY HEARD OF PEOPLE GETTING CAUGHT DOING OTHER THINGS. BUT MOST OF THE TIME, YOU ARE SUSPENDED FOR A DAY, MOST OF THE PEOPLE THEY DO NOT REALLY CARE ABOUT THOSE CONSEQUENCES. I THINK THAT WE NEED TO UP THE CONSEQUENCES TO MAKE IT SCARIER SO THAT NO ONE WANTS TO RISK IT IN SCHOOL. I WANT TO FREQUENT THE MOVEMENT. THE BATHROOMS GET CHECKED ONCE EVERY THREE HOURS, IF YOU ARE NOT IN THERE, IN 30 SECONDS, YOU WILL GET CAUGHT. IT NEEDS TO BE MORE FREQUENT RUNS, CHECKING THE CLOSETS, CHECKING WHATEVER IT IS. IT IS BECOMING A PANDEMIC. EVERYONE IS DOING IT IN SCHOOL, AND A
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LOT OF THE STAFF DOES NOT REALIZE. SCHOOL IS NOT THE PLACE FOR DRUGS AT ALL. IT SHOULD BE FOR LEARNING AND CREATIVITY. THE VAPING, THE USE OF MARIJUANA IN SCHOOL HAS TO COME TO AN END. AND SECURITY I THINK CAN FIX IT. THANK YOU.THAT WAS REPORTED , MENTAL HEALTH AND BULLYING. THIS WAS ABOUT 55.7% REPORTING THIS AS ONE OF THE TOP THREE, MOST PREVALENT ISSUES IN THE COMMUNITY. AND WE KIND OF SEE THE SAME ISSUES POPPING UP. AND THE SAME RESOLUTIONS POPPING UP, THAT THEY BELIEVE. THE MAIN ONES THAT WE SEE ARE LESSONS ON STOPPING BULLYING AND MORE INCREASED POLICE SUPERVISION AND ENGAGEMENT. STUDENTS, WHEN THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, THEY RECOMMEND FOR TEACHERS TO IMPLEMENT, LIGHTEN THE WORKLOAD, AND REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT A STUDENT CAN RECEIVEIN A DAY. ANOTHER COMPLAINT, DO THESE PROGRAMS, DO THEY SOMETIMES HAVE PRESSURE TO OPEN UP, THESE ARE SUPPOSED TO IMPROVE THE MENTAL HEALTH. IT CAN CAUSE NEGATIVE EFFECTS AND RETRACT MORE WITHIN THEMSELVES. AS WE SEE THESE REPEATING, RECURRING ISSUES, WE SEE THESE PROBLEMS RESURFACING AND THE MOTIVES ARE IN PLACE TO FIX THEM, BUT IT IS NOT CAUSING A GREAT IMPACT.
ONE OF THESE APPROACHES PROPOSED IN THE SURVEY , IT IS A PROGRAM CALLED HIP . THE HEALTH INFORMATION PROJECT.
THIS AIMS , SORRY, PEER-TO-PEER INTERACTION, STUDENTS TRAINED TO TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH. HOW TO SUPPORT CLASSMATES , HOW TO REPORT SEXUAL ASSAULT, HOW TO HELP FRIENDS AND FAMILY COPE WITH DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY. I AM SURE THAT SOME OF YOU HAVE KIDS. THEY DON'T REALLY LIKE PARENTS AND OLDER PEOPLE TELLING THEM WHAT TO DO.
H.I.P. WILL HELP THEM TO KIND OF OPEN UP AND LISTEN MORE TO THEIR PEERS, WHAT THEIR PEERS DO, THAT WILL BE A GREAT WAY TO IMPACT AND MAKE THESE CHANGES .
>> ONE ISSUE THAT HELD SIGNIFICANCE TO THE YOUTH OF PARKLAND, WAS LITTERING. 52.8% CITED LITTERING AS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS IN THE CITY. THE OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS SEEMED ODD, ESPECIALLY IN SUCH A CLEAN CITY LIKE PARKLAND. BUT THE RESPONSES OF INDIVIDUALS GAVE US SOME INSIGHT AS TO WHY THIS MAY BE. IT FALLS MAINLY INTO CATEGORIES. LITTERING IN SCHOOL AND A WANT FOR INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES IN THE CITY. SO, THE ISSUES CITED BY PARTICIPANTS ARE NOT CITYWIDE, BUT SCHOOL BASED. AS A STONEMAN DOUGLAS STUDENT MYSELF, I UNDERSTAND THE ISSUES THAT THEY ARE FACING AND REFERRING TO AND I HAVE HEARD COMPLAINTS MYSELF, FIRSTHAND. THERE SEEM TO BE A CALL FOR MORE TRASH CANS IN THE CITY AND CAMPUS CLEANUPS , THIS IS NOT A CITYWIDE ISSUE. IT IS KIND OF TRICKLING INTO THESE RESPONSES THOUGH. ON THE OTHER HAND, PARTICIPANTS TALK ABOUT LITTERING, IN RELATION TO THE CITY OFFERING MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS TO TAKE MORE ACTION. THERE WERE CALLS AND RESPONSES FOR OPPORTUNITIES IN A CITYWIDE GROUP SETTING, SUCH AS A CLEANUP CREW BEING OFFERED IN THE CITY. IT SEEMS THAT PEOPLE REALLY WANTED THE CHANCE TO COME TOGETHER IN A PEER-BASED SETTING AND HAVE MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE CITY WHILE ALSO GETTING SERVICE HOURS. IT IS DEFINITELY PROMISING TO SEE THESE ANSWERS, CONCERNING LITTERING AND IT ALSO SHEDS LIGHT ON STUDENTS WHOSE DESIRED INVOLVEMENT IN THE CITY OF PARKLAND IS INCREASING, WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT PARTICIPANTS SAID THEY WANTED MORE OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN THE CITY. HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF SOME OF THE RESPONSES THAT STUDENTS GAVE, EXCUSE ME, TRASH CANS, AT THE SCHOOL. AS I
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SAY, IT WAS REFERRING LARGELY TO THE SCHOOL, RATHER THAN THE CITY ITSELF. BUT WE DID SEE THERE WAS A LOT OF TRACTION BASED ON PEOPLE WANTED TO GET MORE INVOLVED IN HAVING MOREOPPORTUNITIES OPEN TO THEM >> SO, POLICE SERVE AS DETERMINANTS . POLICE SERVE AS DETERRENCE AND THAT REDUCES FIGHTS. FIGHTS HAVE BEEN A BIG PROBLEM AT MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS. THE POLICE PRESENCE IS HUGE, THIS MAY BE A PROBLEM. BUILDING ON THE H.I.P. PROGRAM, I BELIEVE THIS WOULD BE THE PERFECT SOLUTION. AS FOR THE QUOTATION ON THE TOP LEFT, MENTIONING FREE COUNSELING, THE CITY SHOULD PUBLICIZE THE TRAUMA WELLNESS CENTER, EAGLE HAVEN, LOCATED IN
CORAL SPRINGS. >> JUST TO SUMMARIZE, OUR RESULTS HAVE MADE IT EVIDENT THAT STUDENTS WANT TO TACKLE LITTERING AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. AS MENTIONED BEFORE, AN EXAMPLE TO HELP THIS ISSUE WOULD BE A PROGRAM LIKE H.I.P.
, WE DO NOT KNOW ALL OF THESE SITUATIONS OR SCENARIOS THAT WOULD BE POSSIBLE TO IMPLEMENT WITHIN BROWARD SCHOOLS, BECAUSE A PROGRAM LIKE H.I.P., OR A CLUB LIKE H.I.P., WOULD BE SUPER EFFECTIVE. KIDS TRUST KIDS AND THEY TRUST KIDS MORE THAN THEY TRUST ADULTS THAT WOULD BE PERFECT TO DISCUSS MENTAL HEALTH AND THE RESPONDENTS VOICED AN INCENTIVE TO CLEAN UP, OFFERED BY THE CITY OR SCHOOLS WOULD BE A GOOD STEP FOR SOLVING THE LITTERING ISSUE. BECAUSE OF SERVICE HOURS AND OTHER MOTIVES. SO, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, THAT WAS A GREAT PRESENTATION.
>> I AM GLAD YOU DISTINGUISHED THE FACT THAT PARKLAND DOES NOT HAVE MUCH OF A LITTERING PROBLEM, IT IS MORE OF A MARJORY STONEMAN DOUGLAS PROBLEM. HOPEFULLY THE PUBLIC HEARD THAT. DIRECTLY FROM OUR STUDENTS. YOU GUYS DID A FANTASTIC JOB. THE MENTAL HEALTH AND THE BULLYING THING, THAT IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING THAT IS YOU KNOW, CLOSE TO MINE. OBVIOUSLY, IT WAS CLOSE ON MY MIND THERE. IT WAS INTERESTING TO HEAR YOU TALK ABOUT THE PEER-TO-PEER PROGRAMS, I AM CURIOUS IF THERE ARE OTHER PROGRAMS LIKE THAT. STONEMAN DOUGLAS, AMERICAN HERITAGE, THEY DON'T HAVE THOSE TYPES OF PROGRAMS ? BECAUSE, YOU KNOW THAT H.I.P., YOU KNOW, THAT SOUNDS VERY INTERESTING.
>> IT WOULD BE SUPER BASIC TO WOMEN. AND IT COULD BE VERY SMART TO PUT IT IN . WE ARE SEEING THAT NOW.
>> THINGS ARE HAPPENING THROUGHOUT THE CITY AND YOU ARE SEEING A DISCONNECT WITH THE PARENTS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A LITTLE MORE INTO THAT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS OR WHAT ELSE THEY ARE DOING HERE, JACKIE, BUT I WOULD BE VERY CURIOUS, YOU KNOW, TO SEE . YOU DO NOT NECESSARILY HAVE TO TALK ABOUT YOUR PARENTS, SPECIFICALLY. BUT I AM CURIOUS WHERE THAT DISCONNECT IS COMING FROM. YOU KNOW? WHY THERE SEEM TO BE MORE DISCONNECT FROM CHILDREN TO THEIR PARENTS THEN THERE USED TO BE, OBVIOUSLY YOU DON'T KNOW, MAYBE 15 TO 20 YEARS AGO. WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, THINGS WERE DIFFERENT. NOT THAT WE DID NOT REBEL, LIKE YOU GUYS DO. BUT IT SEEMS THAT GAP IS GROWING LARGER AND LARGER AS TIME GOES ON. I WOULD BE REALLY CURIOUS TO KIND OF SEE, AGAIN, I DO NOT KNOW WHAT ELSE THEY ARE WORKING ON. BUT THIS IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY AND IT IS CERTAINLY TIMELY, SEE , YOU KNOW, WHAT WE COULD POTENTIALLY FIND OUT FOR THAT, BECAUSE THAT HELPS US, AS A CITY, WHY WE CAN POINT TO SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS. WE POINT THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO GIVE THEM A LITTLE BIT MORE SUPPORT IN SOME OF WHAT YOU TALK ABOUT. YOU MENTION WHAT YOU KNOW, WHICH IS GREAT. THE SCHOOL BOARD IS DIFFERENT THAN THE CITY. BUT WE DO INTERACT WITH THE SCHOOL BOARD. I AM VERY CURIOUS TO SEE HOW WE CAN TRY TO BRIDGE THE GAP, WITH, YOU KNOW CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS.
>> I THOUGHT THAT THE KIDS DID AN EXCELLENT JOB, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET 106 PEOPLE TO RESPOND TO A SURVEY AND I AM
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SURE THAT YOU GUYS FOUND THAT OUT. AS YOU POINTED OUT, YOU KNOW? MOST OF THE ISSUES THAT YOU HAVE TALK ABOUT TONIGHT, THEY ARE ISSUES THAT WE, AS A CITY, DO NOT NECESSARILY HAVE CONTROL OVER BECAUSE THEY OCCUR AT THE SCHOOL. I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF SENDING THE AMBASSADORS TO THE SCHOOL BOARD TO TRY TO GET THEM ON THE AGENDA AND MAKE THE PRESENTATION DIRECTLY TO THE PEOPLE WHO CAN EFFECT SOME OFTHESE CHANGES. >> AT LEAST TO THE CHAIR.
>> YOU ARE DEALING WITH SOME HEAVY TOPICS. WHEN I WAS AT DOUGLAS, WE HAD A PEER COUNSELING PROGRAM. THERE WAS A PEER COUNSELING PROGRAM, IT HELPED KIDS WHO FELT MARGINALIZED, AND WHO COULD NOT GO TO A REGULAR COUNSELOR AND I AM SAD TO HEAR THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THAT TYPE OF PROGRAM THERE. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN TALK TO THE SCHOOL BOARD ABOUT, I WONDER IF THERE IS ANY OPPORTUNITY FOR A PEER PROGRAM THROUGH EAGLES HAVEN ? IF YOU THINK THAT IT WOULD BE RECEPTIVE, AND WE NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB OF PROMOTING EAGLES HAVEN WITHIN THE SCHOOL. IT IS A TREMENDOUS RESOURCE, BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THE MESSAGE IS NOT GETTING TO THE STUDENTS AS CLEARLY AS MAYBE IT SHOULD. I LOVE THE IDEA OF CLEANUPS, I KNOW THAT WE HAVE RESIDENTS AND PATRONS OF THE EVERGLADES OUT THERE, THERE IS SOMETHING WE CAN DO IN PARKS, TOO. THERE ARE TIMES, ESPECIALLY AFTER A BUSY SOCCER WEEKEND, OUR PARKS ARE PRETTY ROUGH. THE RANGERS DO A GOOD JOB, BUT HAVING SOME STUDENTS VOLUNTEERING , THAT IS A GREAT IDEA. ONE OF THE SURVEY RESULTS, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS.
ASIDE FROM PARKS, WE HAD AN ARCADE, WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF PLACES WHERE TEENS, WITHOUT GETTING IN TROUBLE, CAN GO AND SOCIALIZE. AND I DON'T THINK WE HAVE MUCH OF THAT NOW. THOSE ARE BOTH WAYS TO EXPLORE THAT AND THAT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO TALK ABOUT THAT. I CANNOT THANK YOU GUYS ENOUGH. YOU DID AN AMAZING ISSUE IN TACKLING THE ISSUES.
>> I WILL CONCLUDE, GREAT PRESENTATION, GREAT OPPORTUNITIES. ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD SUGGEST. AS EVERYONE SAID, REACH OUT TO THE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS , OR WHATEVER. BUT YOU MAY WANT TO REACH OUT TO SOME OF THE EXISTING CLUBS IN STONEMAN DOUGLAS, THE KEY CLUB DEALS WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN SOME CITIES. THEY ADOPT STREETS AND DO CLEANUPS. THAT IS A PROGRAM THEY MAY BE INTERESTED IN SPEARHEADING, TO ADOPT A CAMPUS, DO DIFFERENT BUILDINGS AT DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE YEAR. THE MENTAL HEALTH IS ANOTHER ISSUE AND I THINK IT GOES BEYOND EVEN THE SCHOOL BOARD, BUT THAT IS SOMETHING, I KNOW THAT OUR STATE REPRESENTATIVE IS VERY INVOLVED IN MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. IT MAY BE JUST TALKING TO HER. MAYBE YOU DO SOME KIND OF PILOT PROGRAM TO GET STATE FUNDING AND WORK THROUGH THAT ISSUE. THOSE ARE MY SUGGESTIONS. REACH OUT TO OTHER GROUPS AND OTHER PEOPLE. YOU HAVE HAD A GREAT START.
OBVIOUSLY, OUR YOUTH AMBASSADORS, YOU GUYS ARE FANTASTIC. KEEP ON TRUDGING ALONG.
>> ALL RIGHT, THAT IS IT. I
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.