MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

November 19, 2002

The Board of County Commissioners of Brevard County, Florida, met in special session on November 19, 2002, at 5:30 p.m. in the Government Center Commission Room, Building C, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, Florida. Present were: Chairman Truman Scarborough, Commissioners Nancy Higgs, Susan Carlson, and Jackie Colon, County Manager Tom Jenkins, and County Attorney Scott Knox. Also present was newly elected Commissioner Ron Pritchard.

The Invocation was given by Reverend Tracy Hunter of North Merritt Island United Methodist Church.

Commissioner Susan Carlson led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Chairman Scarborough welcomed everyone to the special meeting to celebrate the re-election of Commissioner Susan Carlson, and the election of Ron Pritchard.

OATH OF OFFICE, RE: RON PRITCHARD

Honorable Judge David Dugan administered the Oath of Office to Ron Pritchard.

Commissioner Ron Pritchard was congratulated by Judge Dugan, all the Commissioners, the County Manager and County Attorney, and received an applause from the audience.

Commissioner Pritchard advised it is a thrill for him to be sitting here having gone through the campaign process with all the love, devotion, and support he received from the community; and he is especially glad that his Pastor, Tracy Hunter, was able to come tonight to give the Invocation. He stated she is a wonderful person and a good friend. He advised he met Judge Dugan in 1996 or so when he was an attorney; they were in an interesting litigation; he is a wonderful friend; and he is thrilled that he was able to come tonight. He stated when Judge Dugan was appointed as a judge, that was an important moment for him also. Commissioner Pritchard advised his wife Donna stood with him as he went through the invocation; his mother was not able to make it because of illness, but his mother-in-law Eleanor is here; and his assistant campaign manager Brian Holmes is also present. He stated Brian gave his campaign a heart that beat loud and strong; he had a wonderful committee that met monthly and they were all focused, had a plan, and knew what they were doing; and they had support from the community. He noted he supposes a lot of people liked what he had to say and supported him; he received a lot of input from the community and intend to act on the agenda they developed over the past couple of years; and he will make them proud that they elected him as their

County Commissioner. Commissioner Pritchard stated he met many fantastic people, his bosses, the wonderful people of Brevard County, as he walked the neighborhoods throughout District 2. He stated the interesting think is they may be from various backgrounds and have different interests, but they have one common issue that they take to heart; and that is they want Brevard County to be a great place to live. He stated most people come from elsewhere in Florida or other states, but they chose Brevard County because they found opportunity for business, recreation, education, or retirement; they are fortunate; Brevard County is home to beautiful waterways and natural lands; and it has miles of pristine beaches, good schools private and public, Brevard Community College, baccalaureate colleges, and a university. He stated they have restaurants, shopping, theaters, Kennedy Space Center, and courteous people who will let one pull his or her car in front of theirs when trying to get into the flow of traffic, which is not found in South Florida. He stated Brevard County is their home; and he promises he will work hard to ensure that the County is the best and that the qualify of life keeps getting better. He thanked the people for the opportunity to represent Brevard County as their County Commissioner, and expressed God’s blessing to them and Brevard County.

Commissioner Pritchard received a standing ovation from the audience.

Chairman Scarborough advised Commissioner Pritchard that the Board is pleased to have him, and knows he will find it most productive and some of the most exciting years of his life.

OATH OF OFFICE, RE: COMMISSIONER SUSAN CARLSON

Honorable Judge David Dugan administered the Oath of Office to Commissioner Susan Carlson.

Commissioner Carlson was congratulated by the Commissioners, County Manager, and County Attorney upon her re-election.

Commissioner Carlson advised she has a lot of people to thank for the last six months because they ran an excellent campaign; she had a lot of hard working individuals who really believed in the things she believed in; and she wants to thank each and everyone of them. She stated some of them are in the audience, and many are watching the meeting in the comfort of their homes; and she greatly appreciates all that they have done to make this moment possible. Commissioner Carlson stated what she really wants to say is thank you to her family because for the first four years, her daughter Andrea and son Garrett sacrificed quite a bit of time away from their mom. She stated the job does take them away from their families; it is a big sacrifice, but it is well worth it; they have learned the reasons she does what she does are things she feels are important to the community; and she will continue to do those things and looks forward to the next four years to do them. She stated first and foremost she wants to thank her husband Courtney who probably sacrificed almost as much, although he did not miss his mom, he missed his wife; and it is incredibly important to have a supportive spouse and family to do this kind of job and do it well. She thanked her family, expressed her love to them, and her hope that they will hang in there for the next four years so they can do a lot of the good work they have started. She stated she looks forward to finishing that and once again thanked everyone and expressed God’s blessing to them.

Chairman Scarborough stated Brevard County has been blessed to have Commissioner Carlson and is fortunate to have her back for another four years.

Commissioner Carlson received an applause from the audience.

SELECTION, RE: CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Commissioner Higgs nominated Commissioner Jackie Colon as the chair.

Motion by Commissioner Higgs, seconded by Commissioner Carlson to appoint Commissioner Jackie Colon as the Chairperson of the Board of County Commissioners for 2002-03. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Commissioner Scarborough relinquished the chair to Chairman Colon. Chairman Colon received an applause from the audience.

Chairperson Colon advised she knew something was going on because there was a lot of whispering in the office; but she did not know she was going to be sitting as the chair tonight. She expressed appreciation to the Board for the honor of entrusting the position of chairperson to her; welcomed Commissioner Pritchard, noting he will be a great addition and provide wonderful balance; and stated she is looking forward to leading the County along with him and the rest of the Board. She stated Pat Higgs, Courtney Carlson, and Charlie Colon are the spouses of the women on the Board; and they would not be able to do this job if it wasn’t for the support of their husbands who are confident men and who gave them the opportunity to be here and lead the community with a woman’s touch. She noted that is important because they are able to vote with a touch of compassion, not to say that their fellowmen are not able to do that. Commissioner Scarborough noted this is going to be a rough year; and Commissioner Pritchard commented he thought he was a sensitive person. Chairperson Colon stated the sacrifices that their husbands make are incredible for them to make a difference in the community; so to Pat, Courtney and Charlie, she wants to say thank you for being so unselfish and giving so much. She stated her husband Charlie is not feeling well but managed to be here; she loves him for all the support he has given her in the past eight years she has been an elected official; and she thanked Jasmine for giving her the opportunity to sit on the Board. She noted it is important to her as a mother and wide to make sure her family was okay with what she was about to enter. She stated C. J. is her little world; and she looks forward to going home because they are so much fun. Chairperson Colon thanked her staff Evelyn, Rob, and Mary; reiterated there was a lot of whispering going on in the office; and noted she is choked up because she sees so many friends sitting in the audience, friends she has had for decades; and thanked Mr. Frank, Camillo, and everybody who she has been friends with even before politics. She stated to still have them by her side is incredible; they say true friends are the ones you meet before politics; and they are all here and will stick with her no matter what happens. She stated she gets emotional when she sees her Pastor; thanked Sister Betsy for coming to the meeting and all her friends who were there; and Christine, David Matt, Enselmo Baldonado, Monine on behalf of Puda Rivera, and Tom Redman, her community liaisons. She stated she is not able to do it by herself; Christine is the liaison for the beaches; Enselmo is at-large; Monine is a stand-in for

Puda Rivera, David Matt for the City of Palm Bay, and Tom Redman for the City of Melbourne. She stated they are her eyes and ears and a blessing to her; and thanked them for being at the meeting. She said a few words in Spanish to her mother; recognized her prayer worriers who pray with her before every Board meeting and have been such a blessing to her in times of need; and thanked them for giving her so much and keeping her focused and letting her know the Lord is the one who gives the wisdom to be able to lead. She thanked Jesus Christ and God for the honor to serve the community; stated she is excited and looking forward to the next year; the community has a lot that needs to be accomplished; and they will be able to do that as long as they stay focused on their priorities. She recognized the young ages of the campaign managers Brian and Thomas; noted they look to the Commissioners as roll models; and apologized if she missed thanking anyone. She thanked the Palm Bay City Council, Mr. Mayor, Mr. Pat Woodard, and all her friends from the Beaches, Mr. Wilson, and everyone from Melbourne and her hometown of Palm Bay.

SELECTION, RE: VICE-CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Commissioner Scarborough nominated Commissioner Higgs as vice chairman of the Board.

Motion by Commissioner Scarborough, seconded by Commissioner Carlson, to appoint Commissioner Nancy Higgs as the Vice-Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners for 2002-03. Motion carried and ordered unanimously.

Commissioner Scarborough inquired if Commissioner Colon is a Democrat; with Commissioner Colon responding affirmatively. Commissioner Scarborough stated Commissioner Higgs is also a Democrat; and he wants everyone to understand that in Brevard County they do things differently; they have a majority of Republicans on the Board, but their leadership is Democrat; and they expect great things of the Democrats in the County.

Vice Chairman Higgs advised there is a tradition of nonpartisanship with the Board; it is a proud one; and she appreciates the willingness to let them lead. She noted they voted for Commissioner Scarborough the last time.

PRESENTATION OF PLAQUE, RE: OUTGOING CHAIRMAN

Chairperson Colon read a plague as follows: “To Commissioner Truman Scarborough, in recognition of his service to the citizens of Brevard County as Chairman of the Brevard County Commission, November 2001 to November 2002, presented November 19, 2002 by the Board of County Commissioners.”

Commissioner Scarborough received an applause from the audience.

Chairperson Colon stated Commissioner Scarborough was a wonderful Chairman; she hopes to follow in his footsteps, which will not be an easy task; and the Board is thankful for his leadership throughout the year.

RESOLUTIONS, RE: SUPPORTING BREVARD COASTAL SCRUB EOCSYSTEM FLORIDA
FOREVER PROJECT AND INDIAN RIVER LAGOON BLUEWAY PROJECT

Commissioner Higgs advised she offered two resolutions to be passed by the Board tonight and presented tomorrow in Tallahassee by staff in support of two projects; those projects have been long-standing projects; so she will move the two resolutions.

Motion by Commissioner Higgs, seconded by Commissioner Carlson, to adopt Resolutions supporting the Group B Brevard Coastal Scrub Ecosystem Florida Forever Project ranking be put into Group A, and supporting the Indian River Lagoon Blueway Project be put in the A Acquisition List under the Florida Forever Program.

Commissioner Pritchard advised he just received the resolutions yesterday and had several questions regarding the wording; and requested instead of approving the resolutions tonight, he will move to postpone them until the December 3, 2002 meeting.

Motion by Commissioner Pritchard, to table resolutions supporting the Group B Brevard Coastal Scrub Ecosystem Florida Forever Project ranking be put into Group A, and supporting the Indian River Lagoon Blueway Project be put in the A Acquisition List under the Florida Forever Program until December 3, 2002.

Commissioner Carlson inquired if there will be a problem with the later date; with Commissioner Higgs responding the committee is meeting tomorrow; the Brevard Coastal Scrub Ecosystem and the Indian River Lagoon Blueway project have been a part of the County’s long-standing submittals; and the resolutions support those projects being in the A Group where they would be fully funded by the State as opposed to requiring contributions. Commissioner Higgs stated the Board has on numerous occasions considered these projects and passed them; and while she appreciates Commissioner Pritchard’s concerns, to delay them would make them ineffective and of no consequence.

Commissioner Pritchard advised his concerns are that the first resolution deals with the EEL’s program; it says full fee project ranked in Group A; and he does not understand Group A versus Group B. He stated it also says the County will continue to offer its funding support until such time that all available EEL Program funds are expended; it appears to be an effort in continuity and perpetuity; and that is one of his concerns. He stated he also has a concern about the line that says science-based evaluation process; he has no idea what science was used to base that evaluation; and those are some of his concerns before he can offer his support to the resolution. He stated the second resolution says restoration and protection of the Indian River Lagoon System; he is in favor of supporting anything that is favorable to the Indian River Lagoon; however, it says the State purchase of wetlands and buffers is in the public interest of the citizens of Brevard County; but he personally feels the interest of Brevard County is when the State stays out of its business.

Chairperson Colon called for a second on the motion to table; and hearing none, declared the motion failed for lack of a second.

Chairperson Colon called for a vote on the motion to adopt the two resolutions. Motion carried and ordered; Commissioner Pritchard voted nay. (See pages for Resolutions Nos. 02-297 and 02-298.)

Upon motion and vote, the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m.

ATTEST: _________________________________
JACKIE COLON, CHAIRPERSON
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA

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SCOTT ELLIS, CLERK

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