>> Tom Flanigan: WELCOME BACK TO THE STREAMING AND STUDIO AUDIENCES.

WE WILL TRY TO GET IN AS MANY AS THESE QUESTIONS FROM YOU AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.

THIS WAS FROM A LIVE AUDIENCE AND ONLINE VIEWERS AND SO WE ARE ASKING OUR COMMISSIONERS TO TRY TO KEEP THE ANSWERS UNDER A MINUTE AND YOU GUYS DID GREAT ON THE FIRST SEGMENT OF THE PROGRAM.

EVERYTHING WAS COMPRESSED AND VERY LUCID AND FANTASTIC JOB.

LIKE WE DID IN THE FIRST SEGMENT, WE ARE GOING TO DO THE LIGHTNING ROUND THINGS AT THE TAIL END.

THINK OF THE QUESTION I HAVE NOT YET ASKED YOU.

WE WILL TRY TO KEEP THAT AROUND 30 SECONDS OR SO.

GREAT QUESTIONS GUYS.

WE COULD BE HERE FOR THE NEXT THREE DAYS.

LET'S START OFF AND WE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT TALLAHASSEE MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE DURING THE OPENING SEGMENT.

WHAT ABOUT THE GOLF COURSE IN THE CAPITAL CITY COUNTRY CLUB?

THE CITY ISSUE SO LET'S START WITH COMMISSIONER JEREMY MATLOW?

WHAT DOES THAT DO FOR THE COMMUNITY TO TRANSITION FROM BEING A CITY ENTITY TO NOW THE INDEPENDENT GOLF COURSE PEOPLE TAKING IT OVER?

>> Jeremy Matlow: I SAID THE HOSPITAL WAS THE LARGEST BETRAYAL OF THE PUBLIC'S TRUST BUT THIS MIGHT BE THE SECOND.

168 ACRES IN THE URBAN CORE OF OUR CITY OWNED BY THE PEOPLE OF TALLAHASSEE SOLD FOR JUST OVER $1 MILLION.

AND FOR WHAT?

AND MORE EXCLUSIVE GOLF COURSE THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE ACCESSIBLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

THAT IS GOING TO HAVE EXTREMELY HIGH FEES LIKE I SAID AT THE TIME.

THEY'RE GOING TO BUILD A EXCLUSIVE GOLF COURSE AND AS SOON AS THE INK WAS DRY ON TRANSFERRING THE PROPERTY, THEY FOUND AN INVESTOR THAT WANTS TO STEP IN AND TAKE OVER.

THIS PROCESS WAS WRONG, IT WAS A VALUABLE PUBLIC ASSET THAT REALLY HAD POTENTIAL FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR CITY.

YOU CAN THINK OF IT AS A MASSIVE CENTRAL PARK IN THE FUTURE, YOU CAN THINK OF IT AS A GOLF CARS - - COURSE OPEN TO THE CITY.

THE VALUE OF THE LAND EXCEEDED THE MILLION DOLLARS WE GOT FOR IT AND THAT IS WHY WE NEED REAL CHANGE IN THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE.

>> Dianne Williams-Cox: I'M SURE YOU KNOW THAT I DON'T AGREE.

SO LET ME JUST GO STRAIGHT TO WHY I THINK WHAT WE DID WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

SOME OF WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND ALSO MET WITH THE NEIGHBORS WHEN IT WAS SAID THAT THE COUNTRY CLUB WAS BEING SOLD FOR $30 MILLION.

AGAIN THE WAY IT WAS REPORTED WAS INCORRECT.

SO WHAT I DID WAS I BROUGHT TOGETHER THE NEIGHBORS AND THE COUNTRY CLUB BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO EXPLAIN WAS WHAT OUGHT TO HAPPEN.

IT WAS GOING TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY BETTER, AND IT IS GOING TO MAKE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OTHERS TO PARTICIPATE SUCH AS FLORIDA AND M UNIVERSITY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HOST COLLEGE TOURNAMENTS THERE WILL BE BETTER.

WE DID THE THINGS THAT WE SAID WE WOULD DO.

I THINK WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO REMEMBER THAT EVEN THOUGH WE WERE COLLECTING ONE DOLLAR PER YEAR IT WAS GOING TO COLLECT 30 MORE DOLLARS ON THE PROPERTY.

WE WERE SPENDING MUCH MORE THAN THAT TO MAINTAIN THAT LAND.

SO I THINK WHAT WE DID WANT TO MAKE A COMMUNITY BETTER.

OUR COMMUNITY WILL MAKE PEOPLE WANT TO COME TO OUR CITY BECAUSE OF THE WORLD-CLASS GOLF COURSE THAT WE HAVE.

IT WILL NEVER BECOME HOUSING, IT WOULD NEVER BE HOUSING, WILL ALWAYS BE A GOLF COURSE.

WE TOOK CARE OF WHAT WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO DO REGARDING THE KNOWN GRAVESITES.

WE ARE GETTING READY TO HAVE A RIBBON-CUTTING.

WE DID THE THINGS WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO DO.

I DISAGREE AND I DID MY HOMEWORK AND I TALKED TO PEOPLE WHO BUY GOLF COURSES TO SEE WILL BE ACCURATE VALUE OF THE GOLF COURSE.

AND IT WAS WITHIN THAT RANGE.

>> Tom Flanigan: I CAN ALMOST HEAR THE SIGHS OF RELIEF FROM FOLKS ON THE COUNTY SIDE SAYING, BOY WEEK ARE GLAD WE DON'T HAVE A GOLF COURSE OR A HOSPITAL TO WORRY ABOUT.

HOWEVER, YOU GUYS ARE IN A POSITION TO MARKET THE COUNTY AND THE CITY AS A VISITOR DESTINATION AS COMMISSIONER COX ALLUDED TO.

HOW CAN WE BETTER POSITION OURSELVES AS A DESTINATION CITY?

YOU HAVE DONE SOME INTERESTING THINGS AND PRETTY SUCCESSFUL THINGS PARTICULAR OVER THE LAST YEAR.

HOW CAN WE KEEP THAT GOING?

>> Carolyn Cummings: I THINK WE OWE A LOT OF CREDIT TO THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.

WE HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB BRINGING IN COMPETITION, WE HAD THE CROSS-COUNTRY RACES THAT BROUGHT IN OVER 50 DIFFERENT INDIVIDUALS FROM 50 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES EARLIER THIS YEAR.

AND SO WE ALSO HOST HIGH SCHOOL CROSS-COUNTRY COMPETITION.

WE HAVE BROUGHT IN VISITORS THAT HAS ENHANCED OUR ECONOMY.

MILLIONS OF DOLLARS.

SO I THINK WE HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB MARKETING TALLAHASSEE FROM THE STANDPOINT.

THROUGH TOURISM DEVELOPMENT DOLLARS BUT I THINK WE PROBABLY NEED TO DO A LITTLE BIT MORE MARKETING.

LETTING INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS, ORGANIZATIONS IN SPORTS ENTITIES KNOW WE ARE HERE WE HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN LEON COUNTY TO ACCOMMODATE A LOT OF THE SPORTS ACTIVITIES.

THEY HAVE BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB AND I THINK WE NEED TO ENHANCE WHAT WE ARE DOING.

>> Nick Maddox: I THINK WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO POSITION OURSELVES IN WAYS THAT WE ARE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF WHAT WE HAVE NATURALLY HERE IN TALLAHASSEE.

WE HAVE TRAILS, AND WE HAVE DONE THAT WE MAXIMIZE INTO THE ADVANTAGE OF MAKING SURE WE ARE MARKETING AND REACHING OUT.

I AM A SPORTS -- FSU -- [INDISCERNIBLE].

THAT HELPS BEING ABLE TO GET IN AND OUT EASILY.

DIVERSIFYING OUR OFFERINGS WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT TALLAHASSEE AND YOU THINK ABOUT TO COME HERE AND GET MORE DIVERSIFIED ACTS IN WILL HELP.

I THINK THEY'RE DOING A HELL OF A JOB AND WE HAVE TO THINK BROADER ABOUT THE DIVERSITY AND THINGS WE ARE BRINGING IN.

ONE OF THE COOLEST THINGS I HAVE SEEN AND I HOPE YOU GUYS HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY IT.

SAVANNA BANANA AND WE WERE ABLE TO FLIP FSU AND THERE WERE SO MANY PEOPLE AND PEOPLE WERE EXCITED ABOUT IT.

IT WAS SOMETHING I NEVER HEARD OF BUT IT WAS A BIG, BIG THING FOR US IN TALLAHASSEE.

CONTINUE TO DO STUFF LIKE THAT AND DIVERSIFY STUFF LIKE THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO FOCUS ON TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO EVERY DEMOGRAPHIC AGE WISE, RACE WISE, GENDER WISE WITHIN LEON COUNTY.

>> Tom Flanigan: ANY OTHER THOUGHTS ALONG THE LINE THERE?

>> David Obeefe: THANK YOU.

WE DO WELL WITH ATTRACTING BIG EVENTS.

FOR EXAMPLE THE WORLD CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP WHICH BROUGHT IN $4 MILLION IN THAT WEEK ALONE.

WE CONTINUE DOING THAT.

BUT WHEN I THINK ABOUT COOL DESTINATION CITIES I GO TO, I THINK ABOUT COOL COMMUNITIES WITH TRANSIT, WALKABLE DISTRICTS, SHOPPING DISTRICTS THAT ARE SAFE FOR PEDESTRIANS WITH LOCAL BUSINESS AND LOCAL ARTS AND CULTURE.

IN ADDITION, WE NEED TO DO THINGS THAT HELP COOL THINGS HAPPEN REGULARLY IN THE COMMUNITY.

WHEN PEOPLE COME FOR BIG EVENTS, THE COMFORTING EVENT.

WHEN THEY ASKED HIM WHAT TO DO THE NEXT DAY AND WHAT IS IN TALLAHASSEE?

THE NUMBER ONE THING IS GO TO THOMASVILLE.

MAKE OUR COMMUNITY BETTER FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND MATCHES WHAT PEOPLE WANT TO SEE.

AND ALSO BASICS.

BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE.

WE STILL HAVE AN AIRPORT WITHOUT A WORKING HANDICAP ELEVATOR FROM THE PARKING LOT.

WITH THIS ESSAY THE PEOPLE WHO NEED ADA ACCESS?

WE HAVE TO DO THINGS FOR PEOPLE HAVE BASIC ACCESS.

>> WE ARE AWARE OF THE ELEVATOR AND IT HAS BEEN REPAIRED AND IT BROKE AGAIN.

THERE IS WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE THERE.

BUT UNTIL THAT OCCURS THE AIRPORT DIRECTOR SAID THOSE WHO HAVE THAT NEED CAN VALLEY AND DRIVE RIGHT UP AND NOT HAVE TO USE THE ELEVATOR TO GET TO WHERE THEY NEED TO GET TO.

I DIDN'T WANT TO LEAVE THAT HANGING OUT THERE FOR THE LISTENING PUBLIC.

IF YOU NEED -- IF YOU HAVE A NEED CALL AND TALK TO THE FOLKS AT THE AIRPORT.

WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME.

>> Tom Flanigan: ONE MORE COMMISSIONER MINOR AND THEN WE WILL MOVE ON.

>> Rick Minor: LAST YEAR VISIT TALLAHASSEE DREW IN A RECORD AMOUNT $1.4 BILLION AND BILLION WITH A B. WE HAVE NEVER BROUGHT IN THAT MUCH MONEY WITH TOURISM DOLLARS.

THAT IS SOMETHING TO COMMEND THEM FOR.

THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE UPON THAT NUMBER.

ONE THING WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR QUITE A WHILE AND I KNOW DIANNE WILLIAMS-COX HAS BEEN DOING THIS ON THE CITY SIDE IS THE PASSENGER RAIL COMING TO TALLAHASSEE.

JUST TO THE WEST OF US YOU HAVE A NEW AMTRAK ROUTE GOING FROM NEW ORLEANS TO MOBILE THAT RUNS TWICE DAILY.

THIS IS OPEN LAST AGUST IT IS DOUBLE WHAT IT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE.

IT IS A NEW AMTRAK ROUTE IN AMTRAK'S HISTORY.

MY ARGUMENT HAS BEEN IF YOU'RE HAVING SO MUCH SUCCESS IN THE WEST OF US LET'S CONNECT THAT FROM MOBILE TO PENSACOLA, TALLAHASSEE AND JACKSONVILLE.

CONNECT IT TO CENTRAL AND SOUTH FLORIDA AND THEN TO THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

SOMETIMES WE GET CRITICISM.

WELL YOUR POPULATION DENSITY IS GREAT ENOUGH.

MY ANSWER TO THAT, IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT POPULATION DENSITY RELATIVE TO SOUTH AND CENTRAL, IT IS WHAT YOU CONNECT IT TO.

CONNECTING TO US AND THE REST OF THE COUNTRY'S FUTURE TALLAHASSEE.

COLLEGE STUDENT TO COME TO COLLEGE WITHOUT HAVING TO TAKE THEIR CARS.

WHICH HELPS EVERYBODY, RIGHT?

A BUNCH OF BENEFITS TOWARDS PASSENGER RAIL COMING THROUGH TALLAHASSEE AND CONNECTING FLORIDA WITH THE REST OF THE COUNTRY.

>> Nick Maddox: WORKING WITH HOME GROWN TALENT THAT COME FROM HERE.

T-PAIN, GEORGE CLINTON HAD HIS FIRST FESTIVAL RIGHT HERE IN LEON COUNTY.

IF YOU THINK ABOUT HOW WE ARE NO FOR OUR ART OFFERINGS AND ENVIRONMENTAL OFFERINGS ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT COME OUT OF TALLAHASSEE THAT HAVE CREATED CAREERS THAT PEOPLE CAN'T DUPLICATE.

HOW DO WE GET THOSE PEOPLE TO COME BACK HOME?

HOW DO WE GET THOSE PEOPLE TO COME BACK HOME AND CREATE EXPERIENCE IN LEON COUNTY THAT WILL BRING >> Tom Flanigan: DON'T FORGET THE GEORGE CLINTON ART SHOW THAT IS COMING WHICH IS JUST A WEEK AWAY.

SPEAKING OF COLLEGE STUDENTS AND DESTINATIONS, I LIVED EIGHT BLOCKS FROM POTBELLY'S IN AN AREA WHERE THERE IS A NOISE ORDINANCE.

THE SOUND FROM POTBELLY'S DOES NOT STACK IN THEIR ZONE.

TBD INDICATED THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE NOISE.

SO THERE WONDERING WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PROTECT THE PERMANENT RESIDENCE AND THEIR RIGHTS TO A PEACEFUL LIFE IN THEIR HOMES?

STUDENTS AND BUSINESSES ARE THE ONLY ONES HAVING A GOOD TIME BUT AT THE EXPENSE OF LIFELONG RESIDENTS AND TALLAHASSEE FOLKS.

WHAT DO WE DO ABOUT THE ENFORCE NOISE ORDINANCE DOWN THERE?

ANYTHING?

>> Jeremy Matlow: FEEL FREE TO CONTACT OUR COMMISSION OFFICES DIRECTLY.

THIS ORDINANCE HAS CHANGED A COUPLE OF TIMES OVER THE YEARS.

SOMETIMES WE HAVE FOLKS WHO JUST WANT TO PUSH THE LIMITS.

THE EASIEST SOLUTION IS SITTING DOWN AND TRYING TO GET TO VOLUNTEER COMPLIANCE.

WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THAT AND SOME OTHER INSTANCES.

BUT THERE IS NOT A MAGIC BULLET SOLUTION TO FIX THE NOISE ORDINANCE THAT WORKS FOR EVERYBODY.

IT IS DIFFERENT IN DIFFERENT AREAS OF TOWN AND THE RELIANCE ON DIFFERENT ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICTS.

BUT WE ALSO KNOW SOUND CAN TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF THE BOUNDARIES THAT WE DRAW ON A PIECE OF PAPER.

IF YOU'RE CONTINUING TO HAVE PROBLEM AND NOT ABLE TO FIND A SOLUTION CONTACT US TO SEE IF WE CAN REVIEW IT AND SOLVE THE PROBLEM FOR THE INDIVIDUAL.

AND IT'S NOT AN ORDINANCE CHANGE TO BE ON THE TABLE.

THE FIRST OF IS LETTING US NAVIGATE THE SITUATION.

>> Tom Flanigan: THERE IS AN AGENDA ITEM THAT THE COUNTY COMMISSION IS WORKING ON TO TRANSITION CONTROL OF COCOA GRANTS FOR TOURISM.

THE OFFICE OF TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AND THERE IS SOME GRAVE CONCERN THAT IS GOING TO NEGATIVELY IMPACT THAT WHOLE GRANTING PROCESS.

WHO ON THE COUNTY COMMISSION WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THAT ONE?

RICK -- >> David Obeefe: I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO CHANGE WHAT WE ARE DOING.

COCOA IS AN EFFECTIVE ORGANIZATION AND HAS REALLY DONE A FANTASTIC JOB OF GETTING DOLLARS AND GRANTS OUT TO ALL SIZES OF ARTS AND CULTURE INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS IN A WAY THAT REALLY WORKS.

ESPECIALLY IN A TIME WHEN FEDERAL AND STATE FUNDING FOR THE ARTS IS BEING DRASTICALLY CUT IF NOT COMPLETELY ELIMINATED.

WE DON'T NEED TO DO ANYTHING THAT WOULD JEOPARDIZE ANY OF OUR LOCAL CULTURE AND ART WHICH IS WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE AMONG A LIST OF COOKIE-CUTTER.

>> Rick Minor: ONE CONCERN I HAVE SHOULD THIS RECOMMENDATION GO FOR IT, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE OF COCOA.

AND FORKLIFT COCOA 10 YEARS AGO AS PART OF THE PROJECT THAT DID TALLAHASSEE MUSIC WEEK.

WE DID THAT FOR THREE YEARS.

SO WORK SIDE-BY-SIDE WITH COCOA STAFF WHO ARE INCREDIBLE.

IT IS A DIFFERENT GROUP OF PEOPLE AT COCOA BUT THE ORGANIZATION IS THE SAME.

WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT CAREFULLY IS SHOULD THIS AGENDA ITEM GO FORWARD IN THE RECOMMENDATION GO FORWARD WHAT DOES THAT DOES THE COCOA?

IT IS MUCH MORE THAN TOURISM DOLLARS.

IT DOES MUCH MORE FOR OUR COMMUNITY THAN THAT.

WHEN WE HAVE THE DISCUSSION ON TUESDAY, I'M SURE THAT DISCUSSION WILL FOCUS ON THAT.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PROTECT ARTS AND CULTURE COMMUNITY IN THIS COUNTY.

IT EBBS AND FLOWS SOMETIMES IT IS THRIVING AND SOMETIMES IT IS NOT.

IN TODAY'S DAY AND AGE, WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL AND MAKE SURE ARTS AND CULTURE PROGRAMMING REMAINS TO BE THRIVING.

>> Tom Flanigan: OKAY.

>> Carolyn Cummings: I THINK COCOA HAS DONE A GREAT JOB IN THE AREA WITH CULTURE AND ARTS IN LEON COUNTY.

THAT IS AGENDA ITEM.

I HAVE A MEETING PERHAPS TOMORROW.

MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR LEVEL OF INVOLVEMENT WITH THE CITY, WITH THE COUNTY AND OUR EXPOSURE TO CULTURE AND ARTS IS NOT DIMINISHED.

I WANT IT TO REMAIN AT THE LEVEL OR EVEN ENHANCE.

I HAVEN'T MADE A DEFINITIVE DECISION BUT I KNOW COCOA HAS DONE A GREAT JOB IN OUR CITY AND IN OUR COUNTY.

>> Tom Flanigan: COMMISSION REPORT I HAVE ONE FOR YOU BECAUSE WE HAD THIS DISCUSSION BEFORE WE GOT THIS UNDERWAY.

YOU ARE NOW THE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT HAVING GONE TO AN ISSUE IN NASHVILLE THAT ADDRESSES EVERYTHING.

WHAT DO YOU THINK CAN BE DONE TO RECAPTURE, RECOVER, CHANGE THE TRAJECTORY WE ARE ON THE PREEMPTION BETWEEN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS LIKE THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AS MORE AND MORE AUTHORITY GET SEATED OVER TO STATE GOVERNMENT AND LEAVING LESS AND LESS AUTHORITY FOR THE CITIES AND COUNTIES IN THE STATE?

YOU GOT INTO THAT PRETTY GOOD OUT THERE.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

>> Jack Porter: I THINK WE AS CITY AND COUNTY LEADERS NEED TO BE USING EVERY SINGLE TOOL IS OUT -- AT OUR DISPOSAL.

WHETHER THAT IS LITIGATION, ORGANIZING, FINDING UNLIKELY ALLIANCES.

LETTING THE PUBLIC KNOW WHAT THEIR STATE OFFICIALS ARE DOING.

THEY ARE TRYING OUR HANDS IN MANY INSTANCES AND THAT IS SOMETHING EVERY SINGLE TALKTOPIC WE TALKED ABOUT THE STATE HAS PREEMPTED OUR ABILITY IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER TO ADDRESS IT HEAD ON.

WHETHER IT'S TRUE FUNDING, ORDINANCES, POLICIES THAT WE CAN PASS THAT WE HAVE GREAT PARTNERS AND WE HAD THE LEAGUE OF CITIES, THE COUNTY HAS SOMETHING SIMILAR AS WELL.

TALKING TO EACH OTHER, BUILDING COALITION FLORIDA IS A REALLY BIG STATE AND DIFFICULT TO ORGANIZE AND BE IN TOUCH WITH EVERYONE AT ONCE.

BUT EVERY TOOL AT OUR DISPOSAL.

I VOTED AGAINST 280 7G AGREEMENT.

I HAVE BEEN IN FAVOR OF LITIGATION WHEN IT COMES TO SENATE BILL 318 THAT EFFECTIVELY MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE FOR THE CITY TO DO ANY PLANNING.

TIME AND TIME AGAIN WE ARE SEEING OUR RIGHTS CHIPPED AWAY AND IT IS NOT JUST OUR RIGHTS AS LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS IT IS THE CITY THAT WE REPRESENT.

THERE'S NOT ONE SILVER BULLET DECISION, MAKING SURE THEY ARE CHAMPIONING OUR CAUSE KNOWING HOW IT AFFECTS US AT THAT LEVEL.

IT IS GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF WORK BUT I THINK THAT BY BIT WE WILL GET THERE.

>> Tom Flanigan: AND FOR THE COUNTY FOLKS HERE WHEN YOU HAVE ISSUES LIKE THIS BUBBLING AROUND IS THAT AN ADDITIONAL IMPETUS PERHAPS FOR CITY, COUNTY CONSOLIDATION?

IF YOU CAN COMBINE THE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES DOES THAT GIVE THEM ADDITIONAL AUTHORITY AND CLOUT AT THE STATE LEVEL II STANDS UP TO THIS SORT OF THING?

IS THAT A ROAD WE DON'T WANT TO GO?

>> Nick Maddox: WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT PREEMPTION THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN COMING FROM THE STATE WHETHER WE CONSOLIDATE OR NOT.

TWO TOTALLY DIFFERENT ISSUES.

THE KEY IS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER.

FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, CITY OF TALLAHASSEE, TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PROTECTING HOME RULE AUTHORITY WHICH IS WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE.

BUT MORE THAN THAT OUR CITIZENS NEED TO HELP US OUT WITH THAT.

GO TO YOUR LEGISLATURES, TALK TO YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT THE FACT THAT IT MEANS SOMETHING TO BE ABLE TO GO AND HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOUR COUNTY COMMISSIONER, YOUR CITY COMMISSIONER AND YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A CONVERSATION OF WHAT IS GOING ON LOCALLY AND HOW THOSE THINGS ARE AFFECTING YOU AND EXPECT CHANGE OUT OF THE LOCAL OFFICIAL.

THE HIGHER YOU GO THE MORE REMOVED OF THE CHANGE.

WHEN IT COMES TO CONSOLIDATION, I THINK IT IS A TOTAL SEPARATE ISSUE.

IT IS THE ISSUE OF HOME RULE.

WE ARE GOING TO NEED YOUR HELP IN TOGETHER COLLABORATION STATEWIDE COLLABORATION SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR YOU ALL TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS THE MOST POWERFUL GOVERNMENT WHEN IT COMES TO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT MEAN THE MOST TO YOU.

WE ARE NOT THE SAME AS THE MIAMI.

WE ARE NOT THE SAME AS ORLANDO.

WE ARE LEON COUNTY AND YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO RELY ON US TO MAKE DECISION -- DECISIONS.

>> Dianne Williams-Cox: THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES THEY DO AN OUTSTANDING JOB TO TRY TO HELP ROLLBACK SOME OF THOSE THINGS.

THEY INFORM US AND DO A LOT OF LOBBYING FOR US.

I THINK THE MOST EFFECTIVE THING THAT WE CAN DO IS TO ELECT STATE REPRESENTATION WHO HAVE SERVED AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

BECAUSE THEY HAVE SERVED AT THE LOCAL LEVEL THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANS THAT YOUR CLOSEST TO THE PEOPLE BUT YOUR HANDS ARE BEING TIED BEHIND YOUR BACK.

WE ALSO NEED TO ELECT A GOVERNOR WHO IF FOR NOTHING ELSE TO BE A BACK STOP TO SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF THE LEGISLATURE THAT IS SETTING US BACK AS FAR AS HOME RULE.

WE HAVE TO DO THOSE KINDS OF THINGS BE STRATEGIC AND EFFECTIVE BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE THE VOTE AND THEY NEED TO KNOW WHO AND HOW TO VOTE.

SO THAT WE CAN GET BACK TO SERVING OUR CONSTITUENTS.

THE SENATE BILL 1134 HAPPENED AS A RESULT OF FOLKS CONTINUING TO PREEMPT WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO IN OUR COMMUNITIES TO PROMOTE SOMETHING IN THEIR COMMUNITY THERE ARE APPLYING IT TO EVERYBODY.

THAT IS JUST NOT RIGHT SO WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ELECT PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE EXPERIENCE OF WORKING AT THE LOCAL LEVEL.

>> Tom Flanigan: HERE IS A QUESTION THAT REALLY IS A CONSOLIDATION OF CITY AND COUNTY BECAUSE BOTH CITY AND COUNTY BODIES HAVE TO WORK ON THIS ONE.

WE HAVE ALREADY HEARD WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE SITUATION DOWN IN WOODVILLE IN REGARDS TO ELEVATE AND THINGS FOUND IN A PRIVATE WATER WELLS DOWN THERE.

WE HAVE THAT GOING ON AND THERE IS A POSSIBILITY SOME SAY A PROBABILITY THAT THE CITY SPRAY FIELD IS A POINT SOURCE FOR THAT KIND OF CONTAMINATION.

SO THAT BRINGS US INTO THE COUNTY WHICH HAS THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT THAT HAS TO RESPOND TO THOSE KINDS OF THINGS.

IF THE COUNTIES, THE LEON COUNTY DEPARTMENT WHAT IS IT?

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OF LEON COUNTY, THAT IS WHAT IT IS.

YOU WOULD HAVE POSSIBLE WATER FILTERS THAT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED THROUGH THAT TO SOME OF THE AFFECTED RESIDENTS.

THE CITY WOULD HAVE TO WORK ON THE SPRAY FIELD.

IT IS A BIG ISSUE.

WHO CAN TALK ABOUT IT FIRST ON THE COUNTY LEVEL AND THEN ON THE CITY LEVEL?

>> David Obeefe: THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH IN LEON COUNTY IS PART OF THE STATE.

SO THE COUNTY IS IN CHARGE OF THAT.

HOWEVER, WE COORDINATE WITH THEM.

I WOULD IMAGINE I WOULD THINK OF THIS IS STARTING TO COME TO THE LEVEL OF EMERGENCY.

AND IT MAY INVOLVE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS PROVIDING IN COLLABORATION WITH ALL OF OUR PARTNERS MAKING SURE IF WE FIND OUT THAT OUR RESIDENTS STILL HAVE ACCESS TO CLEAN SAFE WATER THAT WE HAD TO STEP IN AND TAKE ACTION IN COLLABORATION WITH ALL OF OUR PARTNERS.

>> Tom Flanigan: FROM THE CITY'S VIEWPOINT COMMISSIONER JEREMY MATLOW BEFORE GET SPRAYED ONTO THE FIELD OR WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?

>> Jeremy Matlow: THIS IS EXACTLY WHY WE DON'T NEED CONSOLIDATION WE JUST NEED MORE COLLABORATION BETWEEN GOVERNMENTS.

THE CAUSES ELEVATED LEVELS AND SOME OF THE PRIVATE WELLS IN THE WOODVILLE AREA AS WELL AS THE CITY WELL.

THE CITY WATER IS COMPLETELY SAFE TO DRINK THAT IS BEING DISTRIBUTED BY SOME OF THE PRIVATE WELLS THE LEVELS MAY BE TOO HIGH.

WE WORK TOGETHER WITH THE LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT THROUGH COMMISSIONER PROCTOR.

AND TRY TO FIND THE POINT OF CONTAMINATION.

THE SPRAY FIELD WAS TESTED THIS WEEK.

THIS IS GOVERNMENT WORKING AT ITS BEST.

COLLABORATING ACROSS SECTORS AND FINDING SOLUTIONS TO THE PROBLEM.

>> Dianne Williams-Cox: I WANT TO ADD TO WHAT COMMISSIONER JEREMY MATLOW JUST SAID.

THIS WILL BE DISCUSSED AT THE MEETING BUT WE RECEIVED A REPORT THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE WE HAVE DONE OUR OWN TESTING.

AS A PART OF THAT, WE'RE FINDING THAT AS HE SAID THE DRINKING WATER IS GOOD AS WELL AS WHAT MAY HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED THE SPRAY FIELD BEING THE CULPRIT.

IT DOESN'T SEEM THAT IS INDEED THE CASE.

WE RECEIVED A REPORT FROM OUR ENVIRONMENTAL FOLKS JUST THIS WEEK FOR THE RESULTS OF THAT TESTING.

I KNOW DP IS ALSO TESTING AND WE EXPECT THEY WILL FIND THE SAME THING SO WE WILL HAVE A DOUBLE CONFIRMATION THAT IT IS NOT COMING FROM THE SPRAY FIELD.

>> Tom Flanigan: WE ARE INTO THE LIGHTNING ROUND.

32ND THING AND WE ARE GOING TO TAKE ON COMMISSIONER CAROLYN CUMMINGS TO START US OFF.

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IN YOUR CAREER ON YOUR RESPECTIVE BOARDS THAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO REDO.

LET'S TALK ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO OR YOU HAVE DONE SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN ON THE COMMISSION.

>> Carolyn Cummings: ONE OF THE VOTES I AM MORE PROUD OF AND SUPPORT THAT I GAVE BECAME A COMMISSIONER AND I CERTAINLY LOOK TO DIRECTION FOR THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR FOR DIRECTION.

I SUPPORTED AMAZON AND I THINK THAT WAS A GREAT DECISION.

AMAZON HAS COME TO OUR CITY, THEY HAVE HIRED OVER 1200 INDIVIDUALS FAR ABOVE MINIMUM WAGE.

I BELIEVE THEY HAVE HELPED TO ENHANCE THE STANDARD OF LIVING FOR OUR CITIZENS.

SO I AM VERY SO PROUD OF THAT SUPPORT AND VOTE.

>> Nick Maddox: I WOULD SAY WORKING WITH TALLASSEE HOUSING AUTHORITY, LEON COUNTY ALL OF US PUT OUR MONEY TOGETHER TO REDEVELOP ORANGE AVENUE APARTMENTS TO WHAT IT IS NOW.

IT WAS AN IMPERFECT PROCESS BY ANY MEANS.

WHAT WE HAVE IS A PRODUCT THAT I THING A COMMUNITY CAN BE PROUD OF.

I WAS GLAD TO BE A PART OF THE VOTE THAT MADE THAT HAPPEN.

>> Rick Minor: THE THING THAT IS MOST RECENT IN MY MIND IS THE $21 MILLION SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS FOR NORTH MONROE.

WE WORKED FOR 2 AND A HALF YEARS THE BLUEPRINT, CRT PA, COUNTY COMMISSION ON APPLYING FOR FEDERAL FUNDS FROM US DOT.

WE FAILED THE FIRST TIME AND THEY REJECTED THE APPLICATION.

WE APPLIED THE SECOND TIME AFTER A LOT OF WORK AND GOT $16.8 MILLION.

AFTER THAT THE $4.2 MILLION FROM BLUEPRINT.

YOU HAVE A PRETTY GOOD INFUSION OF FUNDING TO HELP IMPROVE SOME OF THE DANGEROUS ASPECTS OF NORTH MONROE.

NORTH MONROE IS IN THE MORNING GATEWAY IN TALLAHASSEE AND THEIR MORE PEOPLE COMING INTO LEON COUNTY THAN ANY OTHER POINT.

BUT IT IS ALSO WHAT THEY CALL PART OF THE HIGH INJURY NETWORK.

THIS ONE IS GOING TO SAVE LIVES.

IT IS GOING TO IMPROVE THE AESTHETICS OF NORTH MONROE.

I'M VERY PROUD OF THAT WIN.

>> David Obeefe: MY FAVORITE VOTE IS ON AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING THAT RESULTED IN WHAT WE GOT.

IT DIDN'T START THERE.

I WAS ONE OF THE FEW PUSHING $1.3 MILLION REQUEST AND I LOVED EVERY VOTE WE UNFORTUNATELY WHEN I WAS THERE MINORITY TO GET THOSE PUSH, MY VOTE ON BLUEPRINT TO TRY TO ESTABLISH INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT THAT WOULD ALLOW AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING.

ALL THE WAY UP TO THE FINAL VOTE WHERE WE DID COME TOGETHER AND COMPROMISE ON AND A HALF $1 MILLION FROM THE COUNTY.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE BIGGEST VOTE THAT I DIDN'T THINK WAS GOING TO GET THERE.

THAT IS DEFINITELY MY FAVORITE.

>> Jeremy Matlow: I WOULD SAY RAISING THE PAY AND ADOPTING CLEAN ENERGY PLAN 100% RENEWABLE ENERGY AND BUILDING A GROCERY STORE.

>> Jack Porter: FUNDING THE NEIGHBORHOOD FIRST PLANS AT THE CITY LEVEL WAS AN EXAMPLE OF A KIND OF PARTICIPATORY BUDGETING PROCESS THAT WAS SUCCESSFUL AND COLLABORATIVE INTO MANY YEARS OF HARD WORK.

I THINK WE WERE ALL VERY PROUD OF THAT.

>> Dianne Williams-Cox: THANK YOU FOR MAKING ME LAST.

LET'S SEE IF I CAN BRING IT HOME.

FOR ME ONE OF MY MOST RECENT FAVORITE VOTE WAS THE VOTE TO EXPAND HEALTHCARE IN THIS COMMUNITY.

WE KNOW THAT YOUR HEALTH IS YOUR WEALTH.

HAVING TO DO THE THINGS THAT MANY OF US HAVE HAD TO DO I KNOW PEOPLE ARE TRAVELING ELSEWHERE FOR EXPANDED HEALTHCARE AND BRINGING THAT HERE WAS GOING TO HELL.

I KNOW IT IS GOING TO HELP FOR LOCAL AND COMMUNITY -- [INDISCERNIBLE].

TO HAVE THAT HERE IN TALLAHASSEE WHERE YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DRIVE TO GET GOOD HEALTHCARE, YOU CAN HAVE IT RIGHT HERE AT HOME.

>> Tom Flanigan: ONE THING I THINK WE HAVE TO SAY FOCUSES WHEN IT COMES TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN THE CITY OF TALLAHASSEE AND LEON COUNTY, WE HAVE SOME OF THE MOST THOUGHTFUL FOLKS YOU CAN IMAGINE THAT ARE SITTING ON BOTH OF THESE COMMISSIONS.

WE AS A COMMUNITY REGARDLESS OF HOW YOU VIEW VARIOUS ISSUES THAT MAY COME UP AND BECOME CONTENTIOUS AND DEBATABLE IN ALL, WE HAVE GOOD FOLKS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

I THINK WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE IN THAT REGARD.

WE WANT TO THANK OUR CITY AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR JOINING US IN OUR TALLAHASSEE TOWN HALL.

THANKS TO OUR STUDIO AND ONLINE AUDIENCE FOR THEIR QUESTIONS AND FOR TAKING THE TIME TO BE HERE WITH US TONIGHT.

ON BEHALF OF THE WFSU TEAM AND ALL OF OUR PARTNERS AT VILLAGE SQUARE LEADERSHIP TALLAHASSEE, TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT, CITY OF TALLAHASSEE AND LEON COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FO JOINING US.

AND HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK.

(APPLAUSE)