Indian River County  
Administration Complex  
1801 27th Street, Building  
A
Indian River County Florida  
Vero Beach, Florida,  
32960-3388  
Meeting Minutes - Final  
Board of County Commissioners  
Chairman, Joseph E. Flescher, District 2  
Vice Chairman, Peter D. O'Bryan, District 4  
Commissioner Susan Adams, District 1  
Commissioner Joseph H. Earman, District 3  
Commissioner Laura Moss, District 5  
Jason E. Brown, County Administrator  
Dylan Reingold, County Attorney  
Jeffrey R. Smith, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller  
Tuesday, January 5, 2021  
9:00 AM  
Commission Chambers  
1. CALL TO ORDER  
2. ROLLCALL  
5 -  
Present:  
Chairman Joseph Flescher  
Vice Chairman Peter O'Bryan  
Commissioner Susan Adams  
Commissioner Joe Earman  
Commissioner Laura Moss  
2.A. A MOMENT OF SILENT REFLECTION FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AND MEMBERS OF  
THE ARMED FORCES  
2.B. INVOCATION  
Dr. Christina Moore  
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
Commissioner Peter D. O'Bryan  
3.A. CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS OATH OF OFFICE  
The Honorable David C. Morgan, County Judge, Nineteenth Judicial Circuit Court of  
Florida  
Property Appraiser Wesley Davis, Clerk of the Circuit Court and  
Comptroller Jeffrey R. Smith, Supervisor of Elections Leslie Rossway Swan,  
and Tax Collector Carole Jean Jordan recited the Oath of Office,  
administered by The Honorable David C. Morgan, County Judge, Nineteenth  
Judicial Circuit Court of Florida.  
4. ADDITIONS/DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA / EMERGENCY ITEMS  
(Clerk's Note: This item was heard prior to Item 3.A.)  
Moved: Item 11.A. to follow Item 8. Consent Agenda  
Items 12.B.1. and 12.B.2. to follow Item 11.A.  
Item 11.B. to follow Item 12.B.2.  
A motion was made by Vice Chairman O'Bryan, seconded by Commissioner  
Adams, to approve the Agenda as amended. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
5 -  
Aye:  
Chairman Flescher, Vice Chairman O'Bryan, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner  
Earman, and Commissioner Moss  
5. PROCLAMATIONS and PRESENTATIONS  
5.A.  
Presentation of Proclamation Honoring Deborah Gee on Her Retirement From the  
Indian River County Office of the Tax Collector With 38 Years and 8 Months of  
Service  
Attachments: Proclamation  
Chairman Flescher read and presented the Proclamation to Deborah Gee, who was  
present with her family, coworkers and friends. The Chairman thanked her for 38  
years and eight (8) months of service to the residents of Indian River County.  
Members of the Board, County Attorney Dylan Reingold, County Administrator  
Jason Brown, and Tax Collector Carole Jean Jordan each spoke of Ms. Gee's  
patience, kindness and unwavering dedication to the taxpayers.  
Read and Presented  
6. APPROVAL OF MINUTES  
6.A.  
Final Budget Hearing of September 23, 2020  
A motion was made by Commissioner Adams, seconded by Vice Chairman  
O'Bryan, to approve the Final Budget Hearing Meeting Minutes of September 23,  
2020. The motion carried by the following vote:  
5 -  
Aye:  
Chairman Flescher, Vice Chairman O'Bryan, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner  
Earman, and Commissioner Moss  
7. INFORMATION ITEMS FROM STAFF OR COMMISSIONERS NOT REQUIRING BOARD  
ACTION  
7.A.  
7.B.  
Order PSC-2020-0448-TRF-EI approving FPL's COVID-19 small business  
assistance program  
No Action Taken or Required  
Florida Public Service Commission Consummating Order PSC-2020-0508-TRF-EI  
approving FPL's petition for proposed disposition of voluntary solar partnership rider  
and approving revised tariff  
No Action Taken or Required  
7.C.  
7.D.  
Order PSC-2020-0512-TRF-EI granting FPL’s proposed optional vehicle public  
charging pilot tariffs, effective 1/1/21  
Attachments: 13675-2020[1]  
No Action Taken or Required  
Appointment of New District 1 Representative to Children's Services Advisory  
Committee (CSAC)  
Commissioner Adams thanked Mr. Paul Reeves for his service on the Children's  
Services Advisory Committee (CSAC). She announced that Kerry Bartlett would be  
replacing Mr. Reeves as the District 1 appointee.  
No Action Taken or Required  
7.E.  
7.F.  
St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) 2021 Governing Board  
Meeting Schedule  
No Action Taken or Required  
Notice of Amendment No. 2 - Florida Department of Environmental Protection,  
Coastal Partnership Initiative for the Jones’ Pier Conservation Area Saltmarsh  
Wetland and Hydric Hammock Restoration - Grant Agreement Number CZ219  
Attachments: Staff Report  
No Action Taken or Required  
7.G.  
Indian River County Venue Event Calendar Review  
Attachments: Event Calendar  
No Action Taken or Required  
7.H.  
7.I.  
Update on Brightline Trains Expenses  
Attachments: Staff Report  
No Action Taken or Required  
2021 Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council Comprehensive Economic  
Development Strategy Committee (TCRPC CEDS) District Appointment Member  
Listing  
No Action Taken or Required  
7.J.  
Children's Services Advisory Committee - District 5 Appointment  
Attachments: Staff Report  
Commissioner Moss thanked Ms. Molly Steinwald for her service on the Children's  
Services Advisory Committee (CSAC), and she announced that she would be  
appointing Ms. Hope B. Woodhouse to represent District 5.  
No Action Taken or Required  
8. CONSENT AGENDA  
A motion was made by Vice Chairman O'Bryan, seconded by Commissioner  
Earman, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. The motion carried by  
the following vote:  
5 -  
Aye:  
Chairman Flescher, Vice Chairman O'Bryan, Commissioner Adams, Commissioner  
Earman, and Commissioner Moss  
8.A.  
8.B.  
8.C.  
Checks and Electronic Payments December 4, 2020 to December 10, 2020  
Approved  
Checks and Electronic Payments December 11, 2020 to December 17, 2020  
Approved  
Public Official Bond for Eric S. Flowers as Sheriff  
Approved  
8.D.  
8.E.  
8.F.  
Request by Catherine Mary Blum and Brendon R. Blum for release of an easement  
located at 4531 7th Place SW  
Attachments: Staff Report  
Approved Resolution 2021-001, releasing an easement located at 4531 7th Pl SW,  
Arbor Trace Phase 1 PD. (Blum)  
Request by 63rd Street Group, LLC for release of an easement located at 4400 77th  
Street  
Attachments: Staff Report  
Approved Resolution 2021-002, releasing an easement located at 4400 77th  
Street, Hobart Estates Subdivision Unit 1. (63rd Street Group, LLC)  
Resolutions Cancelling Taxes on Properties Purchased for Public Purpose:  
Right-Of-Way for 66th Avenue from Marsha A. Kinchen, an Unmarried Woman and  
Marvin Kenneth Kinchen, an Unmarried Man; and Kinchen Groves, Inc., a Florida  
Corporation  
Attachments: Staff Report  
Approved staff's recommendation and Resolution 2021-003, cancelling certain  
taxes upon publicly owned lands, pursuant to Section 196.28, Florida Statutes  
(Kinchen); and Resolution 2021-004, cancelling certain taxes upon publicly  
owned lands, pursuant to Section 196.28, Florida Statutes. (Kinchen Groves, Inc.)  
8.G.  
Professional Roof Design and Evaluation Consulting Services, RFQ No. 2020031  
Attachments: Staff Report  
Approved staff's recommendation, with the three (3) top ranked firms being Jay  
Ammon Architect, Inc.; REI Engineers, Inc.; and A/R/C Associates, Inc.  
8.H.  
Work Order No. 15 - Morgan & Eklund, Inc. 2021 Beach Profile Monitoring  
Surveys (WINTER)  
Attachments: Staff Report  
Approved staff's recommendation  
8.I.  
Work Order No. 16 - Morgan & Eklund, Inc. 2021 Beach Profile Monitoring  
Surveys (SUMMER)  
Attachments: Staff Report  
Approved staff's recommendation  
8.J.  
Approval of FY 2020/2021 and FY 2021/2022 Radiological Emergency  
Preparedness Agreement (REP Grant)  
Attachments: Staff Report  
Approved staff's recommendation  
9. CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS and GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES  
10. PUBLIC ITEMS  
A. PUBLIC HEARINGS  
PROOF OF PUBLICATIONS OF ADVERTISEMENT FOR HEARINGS IS  
ON FILE IN THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK TO THE BOARD  
10.A.1.  
Public Hearing for Amendment to Section 100.03 "Amendment or Repeal of  
Ordinances" of Chapter 100 "General Provisions" of the Code of Indian River  
County, Codifying and Publishing the Ordinances to Readopt the Code up to and  
Including Supplement 137 - LEGISLATIVE  
Attachments: Staff Report  
County Attorney Dylan Reingold referred to staff's memorandum dated  
December 3, 2020, to present an annual compliance item regarding the Code of  
Indian River County.  
Chairman Flescher opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, the  
Chairman closed the public hearing.  
A motion was made by Vice Chairman O'Bryan, seconded by Commissioner  
Adams, to adopt Ordinance 2021-001, amending Section 100.03 "Amendment  
or repeal of ordinances" of Chapter 100 "General Provisions" of The Code of  
Indian River County ("The Code"), codifying and publishing the ordinances up  
to and including Supplement 137 thereto, readopting the Code, designating  
the Code as the best evidence of the current law of Indian River County,  
Florida, and providing for severability, codification, and an effective date.  
The motion carried by the following vote:  
5 -  
Aye:  
Chairman Flescher, Vice Chairman O'Bryan, Commissioner Adams,  
Commissioner Earman, and Commissioner Moss  
10.A.2.  
Amending Section 401.07 (The Indian River County Wind Borne Debris Region  
and Basic Wind Speed Map) of Part I (Standard Codes Generally) of Chapter  
401 (Building Codes) of the Code of Indian River County, to Adopt an Amended  
Wind Speed Map - LEGISLATIVE  
Attachments: Staff Report  
Director of Community Development Phil Matson introduced Scott McAdam,  
Building Official, who provided a brief presentation on the County's amended  
Wind Speed Maps as detailed in staff's memorandum dated December 14, 2020.  
He included that a new map for Risk Category IV, listed as Exhibit 2 in the  
attachments, had been added to the 2020 7th Edition Florida Building Codes.  
Chairman Flescher inquired and received a breakdown of the Florida Building  
Code from Official McAdam, who detailed the three (3) wind speed zones and  
the wind speed increase for Risk Category 4, which included essential buildings  
such as police stations, fire stations, the Emergency Operations Center, and  
buildings or structures providing support to the essential service buildings. He  
made mention that the current essential structures had been grandfathered in and  
would remain in compliance until they needed to be repaired or replaced.  
Chairman Flescher opened the public hearing. There being no speakers, the  
Chairman closed the public hearing.  
A motion was made by Commissioner Earman, seconded by Vice Chairman  
O'Bryan, to adopt Ordinance 2021-002, amending Section 401.07 (The Indian  
River County Wind Borne Debris Region and Basic Wind Speed Map) of Part  
1 (Standard Codes Generally) of Chapter 401 (Building Codes) of the Code of  
Indian River County, to replace the existing wind speed map with two  
updated wind speed maps; and providing for codification; severability;  
conflict of ordinances; and effective date of the ordinance. The motion  
carried by the following vote:  
5 -  
Aye:  
Chairman Flescher, Vice Chairman O'Bryan, Commissioner Adams,  
Commissioner Earman, and Commissioner Moss  
B. PUBLIC DISCUSSION ITEMS  
10.B.1.  
Request to Speak from Deborah Cooney Re: Settlement Offer  
Ms. Deborah Cooney addressed the Board to discuss allegations against the  
County, the Sheriff's Department, and former Sheriff Deryl Loar. She requested  
that the Board call the former Sheriff's $10,000 bond.  
Chairman Flescher and Vice Chairman O'Bryan denied Ms. Cooney's claims  
against County employees and the Constitutional officers.  
No Action Taken or Required  
C. PUBLIC NOTICE ITEMS  
11. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR MATTERS  
11.A.  
Provide Update Regarding COVID-19 Vaccinations  
(Clerk's Note: This item was moved to follow Item 8. Consent Agenda.)  
Director of Emergency Services Tad Stone provided an update regarding COVID-19  
vaccinations. He noted that the Fire Rescue and Emergency Management Divisions  
of Emergency Services were working with the Florida Department of Health in Indian  
River County, Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, and Treasure Coast  
Community Health to make the vaccination process run as smooth as possible. He  
discussed the schedule for administering the vaccines to individuals 65 years of age or  
older, and he reminded the Board of the continuous guideline changes that have been  
coming from the State and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  
Commissioner Moss inquired and received clarification from Chief Stone that  
regarding vaccination appointment availability. In addition, the Commissioner  
mentioned community frustrations related to communication and limited supply, and  
Chief Stone clarified that the State determined the number of vaccines each County  
would receive.  
Vice Chairman O'Bryan was in favor of vaccinations being administered to the oldest  
residents first. Chief Stone pointed out the difficulty of sorting by age based on the  
Governor's orders.  
Miranda Hawker, Health Officer, Florida Department of Health in Indian River  
County, stated that the County was unable to break down the vaccinations by age  
due to the current executive orders from the Governor, which included eligibility for  
individuals age 65 or older. She also mentioned that the vaccine supply coming to the  
County was variable with little advanced notice; however, once the vaccines became  
more readily available there were outlets for getting the shots administered. Vice  
Chairman O'Bryan inquired and received clarification from Ms. Hawker that the  
County had been assured the second doses of the vaccine. In addition, he  
commended the Health Department on their effort to reach as many people as  
possible, noting that all people do not have access to a computer.  
Commissioner Moss addressed concerns that phone calls were not being answered at  
Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital. Ms. Hawker recommended that established  
patients of Cleveland Clinic should continue to reach out to the hospital for vaccines.  
She also pointed out that the volume of phone calls being received by the Hospital  
and by the Health Department was tough to keep up with.  
Chairman Flescher spoke on the effectiveness of the County's alert system, noting that  
the residents who were signed up to receive the alerts had acted in a timely fashion  
and filled the available appointments very quickly, and that the issue of limited  
vaccines was challenging for everyone. The Chairman was encouraged by the  
number of residents interested in getting the COVID-19 vaccine, and he suggested  
that the County would need additional medical professionals to administer the  
vaccines when they were more readily available.  
County Administrator Jason Brown stated that the County had worked with a vendor  
to supply nurses and medical staff when needed. In an effort to be prepared, he  
authorized Chief Stone and Ms. Hawker to get updated pricing for administering  
vaccines since the previously used pricing was for 24-hour staffing. Administrator  
Brown stated that he would return to the Board for approval when the vendor pricing  
was available.  
Commissioner Earman applauded the work done by Chief Stone and his staff, Ms.  
Hawker and her staff, and Administrator Brown.  
Commissioner Adams requested clarification regarding the formula used to determine  
the number of vaccines being allocated to each County, and Ms. Hawker explained  
that the State made the decision and the number of vaccines were determined by the  
population. Chief Stone added that nonresidents meeting the age requirement could  
sign up to receive a vaccination in Indian River County. The Commissioner also  
addressed the frustrations felt throughout the community due to the number of  
individuals trying to reserve an appointment versus the limited number of vaccines  
available.  
Individuals who were interested in receiving vaccine notifications were reminded to go  
email and/or by text message, would include a link to follow for choosing an  
appointment time.  
In closing, it was the full consensus of the Board that Administrator Brown would get  
the nursing staff pricing secured and return to a future meeting for discussion and  
approval.  
Board Reached Consensus  
11.B.  
CARES Act 2.0 - Proposed Spending Plan  
County Administrator Jason Brown referred to staff's memorandum dated December  
24, 2020, to provide a detailed overview of the CARES Act 2.0 Proposed Spending  
Plan, which included the previously approved allocations and the recommended  
reallocations for public health and public safety. He announced the possibility of a  
revision from Treasure Coast Community Health, noting that staff would return for  
Board approval if the request for additional funding was received.  
Administrator Brown discussed increasing the Small Business Assistance Program  
funding from $5,000 to $10,000 for new applicants and reaching out to small business  
owners who had received the initial $5,000 to see if they were in need of additional  
funding. He mentioned that aesthetic services and small family farms had been added  
to the list of eligible small businesses, and he clarified the role the United Way had  
played to assist the County and numerous other partners in providing services to  
residents who were severely impacted by COVID-19.  
Under discussion, Vice Chairman O'Bryan spoke in full support of staff's  
recommendation as it had been presented, and he and Commissioner Earman  
commended staff on the great work being done. Commissioner Moss inquired about  
nonprofit organizations being included under Economic Development, and she  
suggested offering them a $5,000 grant. Administrator Brown requested direction  
from the Board due to the fact that nonprofit organizations were measured differently  
than for-profit businesses. Commissioner Adams pointed out that the United Way  
had funded 23 nonprofit organizations, and she agreed with the County Administrator  
that a separate process for funding nonprofits would need to be established and voted  
on at a future meeting. Commissioner Earman and Vice Chairman O'Bryan agreed,  
with Vice Chairman O'Bryan adding that nonprofit organizations should reach out to  
the United Way, who would be receiving an allocation under Community Support as  
presented in staff's recommendation. Commissioner Moss disagreed with her fellow  
Commissioners regarding nonprofits being excluded from the Economic Development  
category.  
Additional inquiries were made by Commissioner Moss regarding municipalities  
receiving CARES Act funds in 2021 if they had returned unused funds at the end of  
2020, and the dollar amount being budgeted for community education. Management  
and Budget Director Kristin Daniels clarified that the proposed $45,000, an additional  
need under BCC Expenses, Educational Campaigns, would bring the amount  
available for community education to $90,000. Administrator Brown added that  
funding would be available to provide additional assistance to the municipalities and  
for outreach to the community, if necessary. Commissioner Moss resumed discussion  
and received feedback from Administrator Brown about the degree of need and the  
ability of the Treasure Coast Food Bank to distribute food throughout the County.  
Commissioner Earman inquired with Administrator Brown about the United Way's  
process of sorting/screening the local non-profit organizations.  
Vice Chairman O'Bryan suggested that flyers be included with utility bills as another  
way to inform the public about the available assistance programs to home owners,  
tenants, and small businesses.  
The Chairman opened the floor for public comment.  
Deborah Cooney addressed the Board with comments regarding the United Way.  
She also mentioned an issue she was having with uploading public comments and  
sending emails to the County. Chairman Flescher informed Ms. Cooney that her  
messages had been received.  
Heather Stapleton, Executive Director, Vero Heritage, Inc. who stewards the  
Heritage Center and operates the Indian River Citrus Museum, spoke on the financial  
hit they had taken due to the vast number of rental cancellations caused by  
COVID-19. She encouraged the Board to have a discussion in the near future  
regarding offering assistance to unique nonprofit organizations that were not direct  
service providers.  
Helene Caseltine, Economic Director, Indian River County Chamber of Commerce,  
spoke on behalf of small business owners within the community as she thanked the  
Board for increasing the small business grant program funding. In addition, she  
inquired and received clarification from Administrator Brown that long-term vacation  
rentals were not included under the category of hospitality due to the "one size fits all"  
structure of the program.  
A motion was made by Vice Chairman Bryan, seconded by Commissioner  
Earman, to approve staff's recommendation. The motion carried by the following  
vote:  
4 -  
Aye:  
Nay:  
Chairman Flescher, Vice Chairman O'Bryan, Commissioner Adams, and  
Commissioner Earman  
1 - Commissioner Moss  
Chairman Flescher called for a recess at 11:01 a.m., and he reconvened the meeting  
at 11:10 a.m., with all members present.  
12. DEPARTMENTAL MATTERS  
A. Community Development  
B. Emergency Services  
(Clerk's Note: The Emergency Services items were heard following Item  
11.A.)  
12.B.1.  
Approval of Renewal of the 800 MHz Communications System Master Service  
Agreement with Communications International, Inc.  
Attachments: Staff Report  
There was no Board discussion on this item.  
A motion was made by Vice Chairman O'Bryan, seconded by Commissioner  
Adams, to approve staff's recommendation. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
5 -  
Aye:  
Chairman Flescher, Vice Chairman O'Bryan, Commissioner Adams,  
Commissioner Earman, and Commissioner Moss  
12.B.2.  
Approval of Extension of the Public Safety Communications System FX Software  
Services Agreement  
Attachments: Staff Report  
There was no Board discussion on this item.  
A motion was made by Vice Chairman O'Bryan, seconded by Chairman  
Flescher, to approve staff's recommendation. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
5 -  
Aye:  
Chairman Flescher, Vice Chairman O'Bryan, Commissioner Adams,  
Commissioner Earman, and Commissioner Moss  
C. General Services  
D. Human Resources  
E. Information Technology  
F. Office of Management and Budget  
G. Public Works  
H. Utilities Services  
12.H.1.  
Sole Source for Aqua Aerobic Systems Inc.  
Attachments: Staff Report  
There was no Board discussion on this item.  
A motion was made by Vice Chairman O'Bryan, seconded by Chairman  
Flescher, to approve staff's recommendation. The motion carried by the  
following vote:  
5 -  
Aye:  
Chairman Flescher, Vice Chairman O'Bryan, Commissioner Adams,  
Commissioner Earman, and Commissioner Moss  
13. COUNTY ATTORNEY MATTERS  
14. COMMISSIONERS MATTERS  
A. Commissioner Joseph E. Flescher, Chairman  
B. Commissioner Peter D. O'Bryan, Vice Chairman  
C. Commissioner Susan Adams  
D. Commissioner Joseph H. Earman  
E. Commissioner Laura Moss  
15. SPECIAL DISTRICTS AND BOARDS  
A. Emergency Services District  
B. Solid Waste Disposal District  
C. Environmental Control Board  
16. ADJOURNMENT  
There being no further business, the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 11:38 a.m.