FORT MYERS CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY

MEETING DATE: February 5, 2017 AGENDA ITEM NO. 13c

WARD: 2. Revised: (Date & Time)
[8J Regular D Special D Workshop
Quasi-Judic ial 0 Yes [8J No
0Proclamations 0Consent ~City Council 0 Public 0 Permission Deity 0 City
& Special Comments & Hearings to Advertise Manager's Attorney's
Presentations Items for Items Items
Consideration
MOTION: To be deter m ined. MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATION:
Discuss Sou th Street Assessmen t Public
Informat ion Workshop held on January 25,
20 18.

FUNDING SOURCE: N/A

FISCAL IMPACT: N/A

WHAT ACTION ACCOMPLISHES: Discusses the South Street Assessment Public Information
Workshop held on Janu ary 25, 2018.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Attach ed is the Janu ary 29, 20 18, mem orandum to City
Man ager, Saeed Kazem i, from Councilman Johnny W. Streets , Jr. regarding Sou th Street
Assessment Public In form ation Workshop 1/25/2018.

Continued to Next Page D Yes [8J No

Person Initiating Request: Johnny W. Streets, Jr. Department: City Cou ncil, Ward 2
Division:
 Johnny W. Streets, Jr.
Councilman, Ward 2
Post Office Box 2217
Fort Myers, Florida 33902
(239) 321-7002 Fax 334-7933
City of Palms

TO: Saeed Kazemi, City Manager J.L<>

FROM: Councilman Johnny W. Streets, Jr., Ward 2 ~~~

DATE: January 29, 2018

RE: South Street Assessment Public Information Workshop 1/25/2018

CC: Mayor and Councilmembers

John Talmage, Chief of Staff
Grant Alley, City Attorney
Terry Cramer, Assistant City Attorney
Steve Belden, Community Development Director
Richard Moulton, Public Works Director
Chief John Caulfield, Fire Department
Chief Derrick Diggs, Police Department
Mary Hagemann, Interim City Clerk

First let me thank you and your entire staff for facilitating the meeting and the
hospitality displayed to our citizens and my constituents. I want to thank the DEP
leaders and staff for all of their assistance in leading us to the best solutions to the
South Street project.

However, I was disappointed on how the meeting was structured. It was my vision
that a panel of professionals including DEP, the consultants that we hired, and you
or your designee from the City would take questions from the audience. The format
was the same format of the last meeting. We insulted the intelligence of our
constituents.

Another area of concern was the police presence. People felt as though you thought
they were animals and would get out of line and it appeared that there wasn't any
officers that looked like the audience (diversity).

Mr. Kazemi, I wish that you and staff would understand how sensitive people feel
about what is happening in our community. People feel that because of what was
dumped in our community may have contributed to the early deaths of their love
ones.
The option to do nothing was an insult and should never have been on the table.
My focus is what it has always been, and they are the physical health of the people
who live in the area, clean it up, development of the property and improve property
values, make sure the people approve and be a part of the decision process. And
don't take our time moving forward.

After we had the consultants make their presentation, I asked you, Mr. Kazemi, was
the DEP on board with their findings. Your response was, yes. I asked you that
because I explained to you that I did not want any surprises leading up to the
meeting. I am highly disappointed that it was not the case.

I was disturbed to receive information the afternoon on the day before the
community meeting that DEP was not on board with the consultants and they were
asking us for proof. I submit to you that it is unacceptable. Again, it appears that
you are ok with asking for forgiveness rather than permission. You owe the Mayor,
Councilmembers, and the community an apology.

I do not want anymore more meetings held without me and community members
involved in setting the agenda. We have to do what the people, who are most
concerned and affected, want us to do within reason.

In conclusion, this memo will be part of our February 5, 2018, council meeting
agenda for further discussion.