[1. Call to Order] [00:00:10] >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE, I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THIS REGULAR CITY COMMISSION FINAL PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2026 BUDGET , CITY OF PARKLAND , WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24TH, PLEASE RISE FOR THE PLEDGE. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION INDID JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> ROLL CALL? >> COMMISSIONER CINDY MURPHY [4. Approval of the Agenda] SALOMONE ? COMMISSIONER BRIER ? >> APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA ? >> MOTION, SECONDED, ALL IN FAVOR, PLEASE SHOW IT PASSES [5. Final Public Reading of the FY2026 Millage and Budget] UNANIMOUSLY. FINAL PUBLIC MEETING OF THE FISCAL YEAR, BETHANY? >> WE WILL NEED SEPARATE VOTES ON EACH ITEM. AS A REMINDER, 5- A WILL NEED IN 4/3 -- 4/5 VOTE . ORDINANCE , ADOPTING THE MILLAGE RATE TO BE LEVIED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1ST , 2025 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2026, STATING THE PERCENTAGE CHANGE BY WHICH THE MILLAGE RATE EXCEEDS THE ROLLBACK RATE , AS COMPUTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 200.065, FLORIDA STATUTES, PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS, SEPARABILITY, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. B , ORDINANCE 2025-010, FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET , SECOND READING. AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PARKLAND, FLORIDA. THE FINAL OPERATING MILLAGE RATE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 IS 4.2979 MILLS , 5.81% MORE THAN THE ROLLBACK RATE OF 4.0618, CALCULATD PURSUANT TO LAW. NO VOTE FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, THE CITY'S TOTAL MILLAGE RATE IS 4.2979 MILLS. TAKE IT AWAY. >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS , WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH THIS VERY LONG BUDGET PROCESS, WE HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME TOGETHER, WE HAVE GONE THROUGH A LOT OF DETAILS. IT STARTED BACK IN APRIL WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING, AND WE HAD OUR VERY COMPLETE PRESENTATION ON SEPTEMBER 12TH, AT THE FIRST BUDGET HEARING, THIS EVENING I AM GOING TO MAKE IT A LITTLE BRIEFER THAN LAST TIME. JUST TO HIGHLIGHT SOME ITEMS WITH A BUDGET, $75.5 MILLION, THAT IS ACROSS ALL FUNDS. THE GENERAL FUND TOTAL BUDGET IS $58.8 MILLION, WE ALSO HAVE INCLUDED, IN THAT $58.8 MILLION, A TRANSFER TO OUR PROJECT FUNDS OF ABOUT $5 MILLION. SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE GENERAL FUNDS , WE HAVE INCLUDED COST-OF-LIVING INCREASES OF 3% FOR STAFF. MERIT INCREASES, BASED ON PERFORMANCE, 0% TO 3%, ÚWE HAVE THE RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTION. THAT IS THE 401 A, DEFINED BENEFITS, WE ARE NOT UNDER THE OBLIGATIONS OF PENSIONS, AND UNFUNDED LIABILITIES. WE ALSO OFFER HEALTH INSURANCE TO OUR EMPLOYEES AND THAT RATE CHANGED ABOUT .4 .75% . OUR GENERAL INSURANCE INCREASES, THAT IS PROPERTY, WORKERS COMP , GENERAL LIABILITY. THAT INCREASED BY 7.24%. WE HAVE TWO RESERVES THAT BE ACCOUNT FOR, THEY ARE THE STABILIZATION RESERVE THAT IS APPROXIMATELY $13 MILLION, AND THE FUND, THE GUIDELINE FOR THAT IS 25% OF OUR BUDGETING EXPENDITURES. WE ALSO HAVE AN INFRASTRUCTURE RESERVE OF $750,000. AND, AS I MENTIONED, $4.9 MILLION BUDGETED FOR CAPITAL THROUGH TRANSFER AND $1.9 MILLION FOR DEBT SERVICE. WE ARE DOWN TO JUST TWO LOANS OUTSTANDING. WE PAID OFF ONE THIS YEAR. SO, JUST A BIG PICTURE, A VERY GRAPHIC PERSON, I'D LIKE TO SEE THINGS. THIS [00:05:01] CHART SHOWS THAT THE PROPERTY TAXES ARE 61%. I LOOKED AT THIS THIS MORNING, ON MY COMPUTER, IT WAS SIX- -- 6-1, NOT G . SO, 61% OF OUR REVENUES ARE FROM PROPERTY TAXES, THAT IS THE VERY LARGE DARK BLUE PIECE OF THAT PIE. I DON'T KNOW IF ANY OF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LISTEN TO THE PROPERTY TAX REFORM MEETINGS THAT OCCURRED OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, I'M SORRY, TWO YEARS? TWO DAYS. THERE WERE A LOT OF VERY GOOD PRESENTATIONS, THERE WERE A LOT OF INTERESTING DISCUSSIONS. BUT I THINK IT HAS BECOME VERY CLEAR THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE MOVING TOWARDS, OR THE STATE IS GOING TO BE MOVING TOWARD PROPERTY TAX REFORM, IN SOME WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM. BUT JUST TO SHOW THE IMPACT TO THE CITY OF PARKLAND , THE PROPERTY TAXES ARE 61% OF OUR GENERAL FUND REVENUES. THE NEXT-CLOSEST REVENUE IS $4.2 MILLION, THAT IS THE FIRE ASSESSMENT. SALES TAX, ALL COMBINED, ONLY $3.8 MILLION SO THAT IS A BIG GAP TO MAKE UP. AS THEY MOVE FORWARD, WE ARE HOPING THEY UNDERSTAND HOW VITAL PROPERTY TAXES ARE TO THE CITY, FUNDING OUR OPERATIONS. OF COURSE, THEY SAID WE DO NOT HAVE A MILLAGE ISSUE, WE HAVE A TAXABLE VALUE ISSUE, THE TAX IN PARKLAND, APPROXIMATELY $8.7 BILLION, THAT WAS THE 6.7% INCREASE. THAT WAS LESS THAN THE COUNTYWIDE AVERAGE WHICH WAS CLOSER TO 9%. OUR NEW TAXABLE VALUE, I THINK YOU CAN SEE THAT A LARGE PORTION OF OUR CITY PROPERTIES ARE HOMESTEADED, AND IT IS DOING WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING, KEEPING THE INCREASES TO THAT MODERATE 3%, THAT WAS THE INTENTION OF THOSE PROGRAMS. AND I THINK, AS SOON AS WE ACHIEVE BUILD OUT , WHICH WILL BE VERY SOON, THAT WILL BE THE ONLY INCREASES THAT THE CITY WILL REALLY OBSERVE. AND FOR THE MILLAGE RATE, THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE OF 4.2979, THAT IS THE SAME AS THE FIVE PRIOR FISCAL YEARS, IT DOESN'T ACCOUNT FOR ADDITIONAL IN REVENUE. FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET AS THE CITY ATTORNEY MENTIONED, THAT IS A 5 POINT ONE -- 5.81 INCREASE, 0.1 MILLS , IT EQUALS ABOUT $129,000 IN REVENUE, THE BIG PIECE OF THIS PIE IS PUBLIC SAFETY AND FIRE, AT 46%. SO, AS WE HAVE EMPHASIZED THROUGHOUT THIS BUDGET PROCESS, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO FUND FIRE IN ITS ENTIRETY WITHOUT THE MILLAGE RATE AND WITHOUT THE PROPERTY TAXES THAT WE RECEIVED SO THAT IS THE BIG PIECE OF THAT PIE, OF COURSE, THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS ARE SMALLER, SUCH AS PUBLIC WORKS, AND PARKS AND RECREATION. AND THAT IS THE HIGH LEVEL COVERING OF OUR BUDGET, SINCE WE HAVE ALREADY HAD IT IN MUCH MORE DETAIL FOR MANY, MANY MONTHS, AND JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, SHERRY ALONG WITH TODD, MELISSA, AND COMMUNICATIONS, THEY DID COMPLETE THIS BUDGETING BRIEF, HOW YOUR TAX DOLLARS ARE SPENT IN THE CITY. ONE OF THE THINGS WE DID, DISCUSSED A LOT OVER THESE MEETINGS, SOMETIMES THE BUDGETS ARE TOO BIG, TOO COMPLICATED, PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE TIME. THIS IS SOMETHING IN THE PAST, WE HAVE UPDATED WITH OUR CURRENT NUMBERS. HOPEFULLY THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR ALL OF THE RESIDENTS , FOR A QUICK AND FAST UPDATE ON OUR BUDGET AND WHERE THE FUNDS GO. RIGHT? WITH THAT, I AM AVAILABLE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU. >> I SEE THAT WE HAVE SOMEBODY HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK? NO? NOT -- OKAY, GOT IT. DO I HAVE A MOTION? >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> THIS IS FOR ITEM 5-A. >> THANK YOU, KELLY, FOR THE PRESENTATION, REMINDING RESIDENTS THAT THEY ARE NOT CHANGING MILLAGE RATES, WE ARE KEEPING EVERYTHING THE SAME. AND I THINK THIS DOCUMENT , I WAS JUST LOOKING OVER THIS AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN PUT IT OUT ON OTHER STREAMS, SOCIAL MEDIA, I [00:10:01] THINK IT IS VERY HELPFUL. IT BREAKS DOWN THEVERY CONDENSED FORMAT FOR RESIDENTS, UNDERSTANDING WHERE THEIR TAX DOLLARS GO. >> WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER BRIER AND A SECOND BY VICE MAYOR ISROW. ROLL CALL? >> >> PLEASE SHOW IT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. FIVE- B. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> DO I HAVE A SECOND? WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER KANTERMAN. ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC ON THIS ONE ? THIS IS A MOTION TO APPROVE 5-B, ROLL CALL. >> COMMISSIONER BRIER ? COMMISSIONER KANTERMAN? VICE MAYOR ISROW? MAYOR WALKER? [6. Comments from the Public on Non-Agenda Items] >> YES, PLEASE SHOW THAT IT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON NON-AGENDA ITEMS? YOU CAME ON A GOOD NIGHT. >> GOOD EVENING, MR. MAYOR, VICE MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, MY NAME IS ANDREW, 77 40 NORTHWEST 63RD AVENUE AND MILL RUN, I LIVED THERE WITH MY WIFE JULIE. WE HAVE RAISED OUR CHILDREN . WE LOVE PARKLAND AND WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO TO KEEP THE CITY BEAUTIFUL. WE KNOW THAT YOU DO A LOT OF WORK , AND THERE IS NO PLACE WE WOULD'VE RATHER RAISED OUR KIDS. WE HAVE TWO IN COLLEGE, THE YOUNGEST ONE IS IN FOURTH GRADE. SO, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. AS FAR AS BEING HERE TONIGHT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ALL BEEN AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND HAD A CAR NEXT TO US WITH REALLY LOUD, OBNOXIOUS MUSIC, WHERE THE BASE IS SO HIGH, YOU FEEL LIKE THE DOORS ARE GOING TO FALL OFF OF YOUR CAR, OR THEIR CAR, THE GOOD THING IS, YOU CAN ESCAPE , AND YOU CAN AVOID THAT OBNOXIOUS EXPERIENCE. BUT NOW, PICTURE THAT HAPPENING, BUT YOU ARE IN YOUR HOME. IT IS THE WEEKEND, YOU ARE TRYING TO HAVE DINNER , OR WATCH A MOVIE, OR YOU WANT TO CATCH UP ON WORK , EVEN THOUGH WE ARE TOLD YOU SHOULD NOT DO THAT, YOU ARE TRYING TO CATCH UP ON WORK OR WHATEVER IT IS, AND YOU CANNOT DO IT BECAUSE YOUR NEIGHBOR IS PLAYING LOUD, OBNOXIOUS MUSIC. AND IT CAN LAST 20 MINUTES OR LIKE ON AUGUST 23RD, 11 HOURS. THIS IS AN EXPERIENCE MY FAMILY AND I HAVE HAD SINCE MID- 2022. WHEN IT HAPPENS, WE RATHER RARELY CALLED THE ESSO. OUT OF 10 INCIDENTS, WE HAVE CALLED MAYBE TWICE. WE HAVE TRIED TO EXERCISE PATIENCE. BUT IT HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT, WHERE IT IS BASICALLY UNLIVABLE AND WE DO NOT FEEL LIKE THIS IS THE PARKLAND WE HAVE LIVED IN FOR 22 YEARS, WE DO NOT FEEL LIKE THIS FITS WITH THE SPIRIT AND CHARACTER OF PARKLAND. IT IS REALLY DIFFICULT, WHEN THIS HAPPENS, WE DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL HAPPEN FOR 10 MINUTES, 20 MINUTES, OR AN HOUR OR LIKE I SAID, 11 HOURS. I HAVE HAD TWO QUESTIONS WITH CAPTAIN MCARDLE , I AM VERY HAPPY WITH THE RESPONSE THAT I HAVE GOTTEN AT THE CITY LEVEL. I ALSO SPOKE WITH COMMISSIONER BRIER AND COMMISSIONER KANTERMAN, ONE BY PHONE AND ONE BY EMAIL AND THEY WERE VERY RESPONSIVE. WE FEEL LIKE WE ARE BEING HEARD. BUT WE WANT TO MAKE THE CITY AWARE. I KNOW THIS IS NOT A HUGE PRIORITY. THAT IS WHY WE AVOID CALLING THE B.O.. BUT WE WANT TO MAKE THE CITY AWARE THAT IT CAUSES ANXIETY AND IT CAN RUIN A WHOLE WEEKEND OUT OF NOWHERE AND WE DO NOT THINK THAT IS RIGHT FOR PARKLAND. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND I WANTED TO MAKE THE COMMISSION AWARE THAT IT MAY NOT BE A HIGH, HIGH PRIORITY. BUT PLEASE BE AWARE, IF YOU CAN COORDINATE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS ISSUE DOES NOT CONTINUE, I REALLY WOULD APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. I THINK THE STEPS HE IS TAKING, IN TALKING WITH CAPTAIN MCCARDLE, ARE APPROPRIATE. >> WE ARE WELL AWARE, WE HAVE BEEN IN DISCUSSION, BACK AND FORTH VIA EMAIL. IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WHEN THE NOISE IS BOTHERING YOU, YOU CALL THE DEPUTIES RIGHT AWAY, THEY DO HAVE THE NOISE METERS. AND THEY WILL BE ABLE TO HEAR IT, TOO. SO THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT. IF THEY HEAR IT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. OBVIOUSLY, SORRY FOR YOUR TROUBLES. HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET THIS SORTED OUT VERY QUICK. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. ANYONE ELSE FROM THE PUBLIC? SEEING THAT THERE IS NONE, COMMENTS BY THE MAYOR AND COMMISSION. I WILL READ A QUICK LITTLE STATEMENT FIRST, IF THAT IS ALL RIGHT WITH EVERYONE. [00:15:05] ANYWAY, SO, JUST SO EVERYONE IS AWARE, THERE IS NO LONGER A BAN ON OPEN CARRY OF GUNS IN FLORIDA. THERE ARE STILL STATE RESTRICTIONS IN PLACE THAT LIMIT THE CONCEALED CARRYING OF FIREARMS IN CERTAIN LOCATIONS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY MEETINGS OF GOVERNING BODIES OF A CITY, COUNTY, SCHOOL DISTRICT, SPECIAL DISTRICT, COMMITTEE MEETING, SCHOOLS, ANY SCHOOL, COLLEGE, OR PROFESSIONAL OR ATHLETIC EVENT , NOT RELATED TO FIREARMS , BARS, POLICE, SHERIFFS, OR HIGHWAY PATROL STATIONS, POLLING PLACES, AND COURTHOUSES. IT REMAINS A VIOLATION OF STATE LAW FOR AN INDIVIDUAL, IN THE PRESENCE OF ONE OR MORE PERSONS, EXHIBIT A FIREARM IN RUDE, CARELESS, ANGRY, OR THREATENING MANNER, NOT NECESSARILY IN SELF-DEFENSE , THE POSSESSION OR DISCHARGING OF WEAPONS OR FIREARMS AT SCHOOL-SPONSORED EVENTS OR AT SCHOOL PROPERTY REMAINS AN ARRESTABLE OFFENSE. PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS, RESTAURANTS, RETAIL STORES, GROCERS, EXAMPLES, HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROHIBIT INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE OPEN OR CONCEALED CARRY OF FIREARMS ON THEIR PRIVATE PROPERTY. PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS MAY WANT TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY AS TO THEIR RIGHTS AS PROPERTY OWNERS. PURSUANT TO SECTION 790.33 FLORIDA STATUTE, THE STATE LEGISLATURE HAS PREEMPTED THE WHOLE FIELD OF FIREARMS AND REGULATIONS TO THE STATE. THEREFORE, PARKLAND IS PROHIBITED FROM ENACTING OR ENFORCING ANY LOCAL FIREARM REGULATIONS. IN FACT, THE STATUTE EXPOSES INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONERS AND THE CITY TO FIND IN CIVIL LIABILITY AND REMOVED FROM OFFICE FOR VIOLATING THE PREEMPTION BY ENACTING OR CAUSING TO BE ENFORCED ANY LOCAL ORDINANCE OR AN ADMINISTRATIVE RULE OR REGULATION , INFRINGING UPON SUCH PREEMPTION. THE CITY RESPECTS EVERYONE 'S SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHTS AND REQUESTS THAT EVERYONE ADHERE TO THE LAW REGARDING THE POSSESSION OF CARRYING FIREARMS. ON FRIDAY, THE OPEN CARRY BECOMES THE LAW OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA. SO, WE JUST NEED TO ALL BE AWARE THAT IS STATE LAW. WE ARE PREEMPTED FROM MAKING ANY ORDINANCES, OR ANYTHING TO THAT. WHETHER YOU ARE AT A PARK OR, YOU KNOW, ANY PUBLIC FACILITY , THOSE ARE OPEN TO THOSE PARTICULAR STATUTES. BUT I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT, BECAUSE IT IS A BIG CHANGE FOR OUR STATE, POTENTIALLY OUR CITY. I DO NOT ANTICIPATE HAVING ANY ISSUES IN THE CITY OF PARKLAND. IF YOU ARE TRAVELING THROUGHOUT, YOU COULD SEE DIFFERENT THINGS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE RESIDENTS ARE AWARE OF THIS NEW LAW GOING INTO EFFECT. AND, UNFORTUNATELY, THE CITY HAS NO ENFORCEMENT THAT WE CAN DO, AS IT PERTAINS TO THIS PARTICULAR STATE LAW. AS FAR AS MY COMMENTS GO, I DO WANT TO THANK THE B.O.. WE HAD AN EXCAVATOR ON THE LOOSE. SOMEONE BORROWED AN EXCAVATOR AND DROVE IT DOWN UNIVERSITY. BUT I DO WANT TO THANK, YOU KNOW, IT IS FUNNY BECAUSE LUCKILY NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED THERE WAS A BSA DEPUTY THAT MAY HAVE TO GET SURGERY ON HIS KNEE, BECAUSE THE SUSPECT WAS NOT COOPERATIVE WHEN THEY ASKED HIM TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE. SO THEY DID GET INTO A LITTLE SCUFFLE. SO, THERE IS ONE DEPUTY THAT DID INJURE HIS KNEE. OTHER THAN THAT, THE CITY WAS SAFE, BECAUSE THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SOME SERIOUS DAMAGE. WHILE IT IS AN ENTERTANING EVENT THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN IN OUR CITY, I CANNOT SAY THAT I HAVE SEEN ANYTHING QUITE LIKE THAT IN MY SEVEN YEARS OF ELECTED SERVICE IN THE CITY OF PARKLAND. BUT I DO HAVE A NICE VIDEO OF THE SUSPECT. AND THAT IS IT. DOES ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS? I HAD A VERY NICE COFFEE WITH THE VETERANS AT HER CHESKY JOINED, AND IT WAS N- VERY NICE TO HEAR SOME STORIES AND TALK TO THEM ABOUT THEIR SERVICE AND, YOU KNOW, THANK THEM FOR EVERYTHING THAT THEY HAVE DONE TO ENSURE THAT AMERICA [00:20:01] CONTINUES TO BE THE BEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. WITH THAT, I WILL MOVE TO COMMISSIONER BRIER. >> YEAH, ECHOING YOUR COMMENTS ON BSO, THANK GOD NO INJURIES, BEYOND WHAT HAPPENED TO THE DEPUTY. IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH, MUCH WORSE. SO WE THANK THEM FOR THEIR INTERVENTION. WE ARE ALWAYS THANKFUL AND APPRECIATIVE, JUST A REMINDER HOW DANGEROUS THEIR JOBS CAN BE. WE THANK THEM FOR THAT AND WE SAY PRAYERS FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY FOR THE DEPUTY. I WANT TO NOTE, TODAY WE HAD ANOTHER TRAGIC SHOOTING IN OUR COUNTRY AND OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO THE VICTIMS, AND THEIR FAMILIES. ALL OF US NEED TO COME TOGETHER. I URGE ALL OF OUR LEADERS ON ALL SIDES OF THE AISLE TO STOP POINTING FINGERS. NOT USE IT AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE OTHER SIDE, BUT COME TOGETHER, TRY TO BE CONSTRUCTIVE, AND FIGURE OUT A WAY THAT WE AS DECENT HUMAN BEINGS CAN TRY TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS AND LIMIT WHAT SEEMS TO BE BECOMING MORE COMMONPLACE IN OUR SOCIETY. I WANT TO ALSO JUST END WITH WISHING MY AMAZING WIFE HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COMING UP ON SATURDAY. >> HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TERESA. >> WITH THAT, MAYOR, A HAPPY ROSH HASHANAH TO THOSE CELEBRATING AS WELL. >> COMMISSIONER MURPHY SALOMONE? >> I COMPLETELY MISSED THAT. THANKS, MAYOR. I JUST HAVE TWO THINGS, MAYBE THREE. HAPPY NEW YEAR. WISHING ALL WHO CELEBRATE, AND REALLY EVERYONE, A PEACEFUL, PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR. A COUPLE OF THINGS, KUDOS TO THE PARKLAND FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY BOARD, THEY DID AN AMAZING JOB WITH THE MEMBERSHIP TEAM, IT WAS A LOT OF FUN AND A LOT OF WORK, I COULD TELL. SO, I ENCOURAGE EVERYONE WHO LOVES OUR LIBRARY , I DON'T KNOW ANYONE WHO DOESN'T, TO ALSO JOIN THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY AND SUPPORT IT. THE ONLY OTHER THING THAT I WANTED TO MENTION WAS , IN LIGHT OF ALL OF THESE THINGS HAPPENING, GET ANOTHER SHOOTING TODAY. I HAVE NOTICED ON FACEBOOK, LOCALLY, I AM SEEING MORE POSITIVE, FEEL-GOOD POSTS. AND I LOVE TO SEE THAT. WHETHER IT IS KIDS DOING GOOD DEEDS, THERE WAS A RESIDENT THAT POSTED ABOUT KIDS RECOVERING PACKAGES FOR HER, AND THEY STOOD AROUND AND HAD A NICE DISCUSSION WITH THE RESIDENT, THAT WAS HAPPY TO SEE. OR THE BSO, ABOVE AND BEYOND THEIR DUTY, MAYBE I AM FOCUSED MORE ON THAT BUT I AM NOT NAÏVE. I THINK THAT IS GREAT AND I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT CONTINUE SO I DID WANT TO COMMENT ON THAT AS WELL. I WANT TO WISH EVERYONE WHO CELEBRATES THE GREAT NEW YEAR, THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS. >> COMMISSIONER KANTERMAN? >> JUST TO ADD ONTO THAT ABOUT BSO . WE ARE SO APPRECIATIVE THAT THEY ARE THERE FOR US . EVERYONE WHO PUTS ON THE GREEN POLYESTER, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT WILL LEAK ON THAT DAY. THIS IS A SLIGHTLY COMICAL THING TO SEE HAPPEN, ABOUT 21 YEARS AGO IN GRANBY, COLORADO, A GUY CREATED A BULLDOZER AND CREATED MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF DAMAGE THROUGHOUT GRANBY, COLORADO, PLATED STEEL , AND HE WENT ON AN ABSOLUTE RAMPAGE AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT CAN GET BAD QUICKLY AND THEY HANDLED IT PROFESSIONALLY AS I EXPECT THEM TO. I JUST WANT TO WISH PEOPLE HAPPY ROSH HASHANAH, HAPPY NEW YEAR. YOU KNOW WHITE HONEY IS USED FOR SWEETNESS? JUST BECAUSE IT IS SWEET ? TO GET TO THE HONEY, YOU HAVE GOT TO REACH THROUGH THE DANGER, POSSIBLY GET STUNG , AND THERE IS POSSIBLE TRAUMA TO GET IT. NO ONE KNOWS THAT . >> I LEARNED SOMETHING TODAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. VICE MAYOR, WRAP US UP. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. IT IS A TOUGH TASK. I WILL WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY NEW YEAR. I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER MURPHY SALOMONE, IT SHOULD NOT JUST BE THOSE WHO CELEBRATE IN A RELIGIOUS OR SPIRITUAL EXTENT, BUT AN OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYONE TO GET A FRESH START. NOWADAYS, EVERYONE CAN USE POSITIVITY, [00:25:01] HAPPINESS, SWEETNESS, BEE STINGS BE . FIRST OF ALL, I THINK, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT PARTS OF BEING AN AMERICAN IS NOT JUST EXERCISING OUR RIGHTS. BUT ALSO KNOWING WHAT OUR RIGHTS ARE, RIGHT? IT SEEMS TO BE ONE OF THE CRITICAL AND FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS WE HAVE TODAY, YOU HAVE PEOPLE WHO BELIEVE THAT THEIR RIGHTS EITHER EXTEND BEYOND SOMEONE ELSE'S RIGHTS, WHERE THEY BEGIN AND END. OR THAT THEIR RIGHTS, I AM TRYING TO OF THE WORD. I HAVE TO USE THE WORD TRUMPED, BUT THAT IS A MUCH BETTER WORD, SUPERSEDE THE RIGHTS OF OTHERS. IN THESE PAST COUPLE OF WEEKS OR DAYS, I THINK IT IS KIND OF FASCINATING TO OBSERVE , OF ALL THE BACK-AND-FORTH, ALL THE THINGS ON THE LEFT, THE RIGHT, THE LIBERALS, THE CONSERVATIVES, WHICH EVERYTHING THEY DISAGREE WITH, 99.9% OF THINGS, THE ONE ISSUE THAT EVERYONE RALLIES BEHIND AND IS SORT OF A CORNERSTONE OF OUR DEMOCRACY IS THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH. BOTH PARTIES, WHEN IT IS ENDANGERED, THEY ALL COME TO THE AID. THEY ALL FIGHT FOR THAT RIGHT. AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK IS KIND OF HOPEFULLY THE KIND OF A LITTLE BIT OF A LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL, RECOGNIZING THAT THERE IS THIS ONE ELEMENT THAT EVERY GENERATION IS PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE, THEIR MOMENT OF STICKING UP FOR THAT RIGHT. YOU HAD THE PENTAGON PAPERS IN THE '70S, THE NEW YORK TIMES. THERE IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE SOME FEAR OF SILENCING OPPOSITION, GOVERNMENT POLICY, THAT IS WHY THE FIRST AMENDMENT EXISTS. SO, THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE WRITING SO HARD, I THINK, IS SOMEWHAT A DEPOSITED -- OF A POSITIVE SIGN, WE CAN AGREE ON SOMETHING, CONTRARY TO WHAT MOST PEOPLE BELIEVE, THEY CAN AGREE ON SOMETHING. THE WHOLE JIMMY KIMMEL EXPERIENCE, IF YOU WILL, WAS IMPORTANT. AND I THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT, BECAUSE IT IS A REMINDER OF HOW FRAGILE THAT RIGHT IS AND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS AND HOW QUICKLY IT CAN BE TAKEN AWAY IF NOT FOUGHT FOR, PROTECTED, AND PRESERVED. I THOUGHT THAT WAS REALLY EXCITING. I HOPE A SIMILAR KIND OF COMPROMISE CAN MANAGE ITS WAY INTO OTHER AREAS OF OUR LIVES, WHICH INCLUDES, TO YOUR POINT, THE GUN LAW. AND I SAY THAT, AT THE LAST MEETING WE SPOKE ABOUT THIS. I MADE A COMMENT THAT I BELIEVE THE RIGHTS THAT WE HAVE OUR IN ORDER OF IMPORTANCE, BECAUSE YOU CANNOT HAVE LIBERTY, WITHOUT LIFE. YOU CANNOT HAVE THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS WITHOUT LIBERTY. AND THAT IS WHY RIGHTS ARE NOT ABSOLUTE. EVEN THE RIGHT TO LIFE IS NOT ABSOLUTE. WE HAVE LAWS THAT HAVE DEATH PENALTIES. OUR SOCIETY CAN DECIDE THAT YOU ARE NO LONGER ENTITLED TO LIVE.O SO, KNOW THAT YOU HAVE THE -- NO, YOU DO NOT HAVE THE ABSOLUTE RIGHT TO LIFE, WE DO NOT HAVE THE ABSOLUTE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH. PEOPLE CAN UNDERSTAND WHERE THAT RIGHT ENDS, LEGAL EXCEPTIONS, INCITING VIOLENCE, DEFAMATION, OR CERTAIN THINGS WHERE PEOPLE CAN SPEAK FREELY BUT RECOGNIZE, EVEN THOUGH YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO FREEDOM OF SPEECH, IT DOES NOT COME WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES. YOU KNOW, THE SAME THING HOLDS TRUE WITH, YOU KNOW, THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS. EVEN THOUGH WE ARE NOT, QUOTE, ALLOWED LEGALLY TO LEGISLATE GUN LOT IN THE MUNICIPALITY, I THINK WE ARE STILL ALLOWED TO ADVOCATE. ANTHONY, COLLECT ME IF -- CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG. WE CAN ADVOCATE TO BE MINDFUL AND RESPONSIBLE. WE DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU WHAT TO DO. BUT WE LIVE IN A SMALL COMMUNITY WITH AN OBVIOUS HISTORY, TO HAVE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY AT A FARMERS MARKET, WITH A GUN, YOU KNOW, ON THEIR WAIST, PUBLICLY SHOWING, IS POSSIBLY GOING TO CREATE SUSPICION FOR AT LEAST ONE OR MORE PEOPLE, MAKE THEM UNCOMFORTABLE. WHILE YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO IT LEGALLY, AS A MATTER OF RIGHT, I WOULD JUST ASK, SIMILAR TO HOW WE COMPROMISED ON THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND HOW WE UNDERSTAND ITS IMPORTANCE, REACH SOME COMPROMISE IN THE COMMUNITY, MAYBE OUTSIDE OF THE COMMUNITY BOUNDARIES, WITHIN THE COMMUNITY WE HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING AMONGST OURSELVES THAT WE WILL TRY NOT TO WALK AROUND WITH FIREARMS BRANDISHED AND EXPOSED, BECAUSE OF THE LIKELIHOOD THAT IT WILL CAUSE DISCOMFORT OR ISSUES FOR PEOPLE WITHOUT ANY PERCEIVED BENEFIT TO JUST HAVING IT PUBLICLY DISPLAYED. THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COMMISSIONER, WELL SAID, AS ALWAYS. CONSENT AGENDA, WE HAVE NONE. REGULAR AGENDA, WE HAVE NONE. WAIT. I AM JUST GOING TO WAIT UNTIL * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.