Dec 21, 2020 City Commission Regular Meeting

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:07]

>> I WOULD LIKE TO CALLED THIS MEETING TO ORDER. PLEASE STAND FOR THE OPENING PRAYER BY PASTOR TED RICE AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

DAN'S FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY. THANK YOU THAT PEOPLE CAN COME TO GIVE THEIR INPUT AND PARTICIPATE, THEY ARE WORKING TO IMPROVE IT WILL GET BETTER.

I ASK YOU TO POUR OUT YOUR SPIRIT ON THE COMMISSIONERS AND YOUR ABILITIES SO THEY CAN TAKE TO THE CITY. THIS WOULD BE A GREAT PLACE FOR THE CITIZENS TO LIVE SO POUR OUT YOUR SPIRIT ON THESE PEOPLE AND BLESS THEM THIS SEASON. A METRIC.

>> I PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND

JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> THE FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA

[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

>> WE HAVE AN APPROVAL AND A SECOND. >> CALL THE ROLL.

[a. Email from Beryl Muise, owner of Notions & Potions, expressing her appreciation of the efforts of the City of Fort Pierce and Main Street Fort Pierce that contributed to record sales for some downtown businesses this Holiday Season.]

>> THE FOLLOWING LETTER WILL BE KEPT ON FILE. WE RECEIVED AN E-MAIL FROM BUKE TEN -- THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE RECORD SALES OF HER SHOP. WE HAVE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC

[6. PROCLAMATIONS]

BUT NO ONE SIGNED UP. >> WAIT A SECOND PERIOD. >> I SKIPPED THE PROCLAMATIONS.

>> WE HAVE A SPECIAL RECOGNITION. >> YES, WE DO.

>> WE WILL BE RECOGNIZING COMMISSIONER THOMAS PERRONE UP 14 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE CITY.

>> COME ON DOWN. >> DO I GET A GOLD WATCH? >> YOU GET WHAT IS THERE ON THE

PODIUM. THAT IS ALL FOR YOU. >> AMAZING.

THANK YOU. SUPER. >> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> TEN YEARS WITH THE CITY, RIGHT? >> YES.

TAKE HOME. >> MERRY CHRISTMAS.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR STOPPING ME THERE.

[9. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA]

>> NEXT WE HAVE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE THAT STAFF IS RECOMMENDING WE PULL ITEM 12D AT THE REQUEST OF THE PROPERTY OWNER WHO HAS EVERY INTENTION OF REHABILITATING THE

PROPERTY. >> I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. >> MOVED TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> A MOTION AND A SECOND, CALL THE ROLL PLEASE.

[11. CONSENT AGENDA]

>> THAT WAS AS AMENDED. >>> WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

[00:05:01]

>> IS THERE ANY ITEM ANY COMMISSIONER WANTS TO PULL OR I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.

>> APPROVED. >> I HAVE APPROVAL AND A SECOND. >> CALL THE ROLL.

[a. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 20-030 rezoning two (2) properties generally located at or near 1700 S. 23rd Street from Office Commercial (C-1) to Planned Development (PD) with an underlying Zoning of Office Commercial (C-1). SECOND READING]

>> NEXT WE MOVE ON TO PUBLIC HEARINGS. THESE LEGISLATIVE PUBLIC HEARINGS TODAY. FIRST WE HAVE ORDINANCE 20 -- 030 REZONING TO PROPERTIES GENERALLY LOCATED AT OR NEAR 1700 SOUTH 23RD STREET FROM OFFICE COMMERCIAL C-12 PLANT DEVELOPMENT PD WITH AN UNDERLINING ZONING OF OFFICE COMMERCIAL C-1.

SECOND READING. AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE, THIS IS THE SECOND

READING. >> DOES ANYONE WISH TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

I SEE NO ONE SO WE WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. >> MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> SECOND. >> A MOTION AND A SECOND PERIOD CALLING THE ROLL.

>> ( INDISCERNIBLE ). >> THERE WERE NO MISCELLANY -- THERE WERE NO MISCELLANEOUS

REPORTS. >> 12 A WAS IN THE DRAFT AGENDA AND IT HAS BEEN MOVED.

[b. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 20-033 - extending the territorial limits of the City of Fort Pierce, to include 2564 S. Kings Highway in Fort Pierce, Florida. SECOND READING]

>> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT TO OUR ATTENTION. >>> NEXT WE HAVE ORDINANCE 20 -- 033 EXTENDING THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE TO INCLUDE 2564 SOUTH KINGS HIGHWAY IN FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA. THIS IS THE SECOND READING.

AS OF JANUARY 1, 2021 THE TAX COLLECTOR WILL COLLECT TAXES ON THE PROPERTY SF SHOWING THE ZONING DESIGNATION AND THE LAND USE AND FILING AN ORDINANCE WITH THE CIRCUIT COURT.

DIRECTING REVISION OF THE CHARTER TO BE FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT AND SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICE OF RESEARCH PROVIDED FOR OBSERVABILITY AND ORDINANCE AND PARTS THEREOF.

AND PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE, THIS IS THE SECOND READING.

>> DOES ANYONE WANT TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. I SEE NO ONE I WILL CLOSE THE

PUBLIC HEARING AND ENTERTAIN A MOTION. >> MOVED TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> A MOTION AND A SECOND. >> CALLED THE ROLL.

[c. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 20-034 - extending the territorial limits of the City of Fort Pierce, to include 706 Midway Road in Fort Pierce, Florida. SECOND READING]

>> NEXT WE HAVE ORDINANCE 20 -- 034 EXTENDING THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF THE CITY OF PORT PRIESTS -- FORT PIERCE, TO INCLUDE 706 MIDWAY ROAD IN FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA.

THE TAX COLLECTOR TO COLLECT TAXES ON THE PROPRIETY AND PROPERTY AND FILING WITH THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATION OFFICE. SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC RESEARCH.

PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY CLAUSE PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE'S AND THIS IS THE SECOND

READING. >> DOES ANYONE WISH TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE PLEASE COME FORWARD.

I SEE NO ONE SO I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ENTERTAIN A MOTION.

>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND PAIR.

>> CALLING THE ROLL. >>> NEXT WE HAVE RESOLUTION 20 -- R61 RECOGNIZING THE

[a. Resolution No. 20-R62 recognizing the portion of North 29th Street between Orange Avenue and Avenue Q as "Fannie Lewis-Darden Street"]

STREET. >> AS YOU RECALL, A COUPLE OF MEETINGS BACK WE WERE INSTRUCTED TO GAIN COMMUNITY INPUT AS TO THE POSSIBILITY OF RENAMING NORTH 29TH STREET BETWEEN ORANGE AVENUE AND AVENUE Q AS FANNIE LEWIS DARDEN STREET. WHAT WE CAME BACK WITH WAS A COMMUNITY WHO HAD A STRONG DESIRE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT IS BEING PRESENTED TO YOU TODAY. IN ADDITION, DURING THEIR CONVERSATION WE TALKED ABOUT THE PROCESS FOR NAMING A STREET. IN YOUR PACKET TONIGHT IS A PROCESS THAT WAS GENERATED BY

[00:10:07]

I THINK WE HAVE A VERY GOOD PROCESS RIGHT NOW ON THE BOOKS. >> ANY DISCUSSION?

>> I WANT TO THANK THE STAFF FOR THAT. AS YOU KNOW, WHEN WE STARTED THIS PROCESS, WHEN WE WALKED DOWN THAT ROAD, THERE ARE FOLKS OUT THERE THAT CAN IDENTIFY, MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT HAVE BEEN STANDOUT FOR MANY YEARS AND THEY ALL DESERVED RECOGNITION. RATHER THAN IT BECOME A COMPETITIVE PROCESS WHERE, YOU HAVE TO GET ALL OF THESE PEOPLE TO SIGN UP ON A PETITION, HAVING A CONSISTENT UNIFORM WAY TO DO THIS HELPS US, AND GIVES RESPECT TO THE PEOPLE MOVING FORWARD. THANK YOU STAFF FOR THAT.

>> I AGREE. WE NEEDED A FAIR WAY TO DO THIS, IT WILL GO THROUGH THE PARKS COMMITTEE AND THROUGH THE COMMISSION AND COMMISSION WILL STILL HAVE A SAY SO.

SO, IS THERE A MOTION? >> I MOVED TO APPROVE. >> IS THERE A SECOND?

>> CALL THE ROLL. >> NEXT WE MOVE ON TO COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC.

[14. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Any person who wishes to comment on any subject may be heard at this time. Please limit your comments to three (3) minutes or less, as directed by the Mayor, as this section of the Agenda is limited to thirty minutes. The City Commission will not be able to take any official actions under Comments from the Public. Speakers will address the Mayor, Commissioners, and the Public with respect. Inappropriate language will not be tolerated.]

>> THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANY MEMBER TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION.

YOU HAVE 3 MINUTES. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND YOU WILL BE GIVEN A

WARNING LIGHT. >> MY NAME IS TIM GUENTHER. I AM A BUSINESS OWNER.

I JUST WANT TO EXTEND OUR CONGRATULATIONS TO THOSE WHO GOT REELECTED.

MR. C JOHNSON, BECAUSE I KNOW WE HAVE OHNSON & JOHNSON ON THE BOARD.

ALSO THE MAYOR, MR. JOHNSON ON THE PHONE, CONGRATS ON BEING HERE.

I AM SPEAKING ON TWO POINTS. I JUST GOT BACK FROM TRAVELING. I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING.

I APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION NEXT MONTH.

I WILL BE PART OF THAT MEETING. HALF OF THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION WE HAVE A MONTHLY MEETING, ON THE LAST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH. YOU ARE WELCOME TO COME TO SEE WHAT IT IS ABOUT. WE ARE TRYING TO GET THAT REVITALIZE.

I WANT TO SAY I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING AS A BUSINESS OWNER DURING COVID.

WE HAVE SEEN SOME UNUSUAL THINGS HAPPEN. THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP DOWN THERE. THAT IS WHY I LIKE BEING IN FORT PIERCE.

WE ALL LOOK OUT FOR EACH OTHER. WE HAVE DIFFERENT INITIATIVES. BY YOU GUYS REDIRECT DURING THE DECISIONS IT ADDS VALUE TO A LOT OF THINGS. IT IS SO NICE TO HAVE MUSIC PLAYING DURING THE WEEK. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AND AS A BUSINESS OWNER IN FORT PIERCE, WE ARE HERE FOR THE LONG RUN. YOU WILL SEE ME A LOT.

I WILL RUN FOR CITY COUNCIL AND I LIKE WHAT IS HAPPENING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> WHERE DID WE MEET MR. GUENTHER? >> SECOND STREET BISTRO.

I HAVE YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESSES I CAN SEND YOU AN INVITE. I CAN ALSO SEND YOU A MONTHLY INVITE. WE SEND IT OUT TO ALL BUSINESS OWNERS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> DOES ANYONE ELSE WANT TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION, PLEASE

COME FORWARD. >> HELLO. I AM BARBARA MOORE.

I KNOW YOU KNOW ME. ANYWAY, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE STREET NAMING OF MY GRANDMOTHER. THE FAMILY IS READY. WE WILL BE SENDING INVITES BECAUSE WE ARE PLANNING A PARADE. THERE SHOULD BE ON THE 24TH OF DECEMBER. THE LADY ACROSS THE STREET IS ALSO 100-YEARS-OLD.

>> WE CAN'T IGNORE HER. >> PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IN THE AREA FOR THE LONGEST TIME.

[00:15:05]

WE WILL BE GLAD TO COME HERE. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AND I APPRECIATE YOU.

YES, I WANT TO LISTEN TO YOU BECAUSE THE PROCESS, I DID NOT KNOW THE PROCESS.

I STARTED IT IN JUNE. I DIDN'T KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TO DO.

IF YOU NEED ME TOO PLAN OUT A PROCESS OR SOMETHING, I CAN DO IT.

>> BECAUSE THIS CAME FORWARD YOU HELPED US TO COME UP WITH A PROCESS BEAR, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> MS. MOORE, WHEN IS THE PARADE?

>> THE FAMILY DID NOT WANT TO COME ON THE 24TH WE WERE TRYING FOR THE 24TH, IT IS GOING TO BE IN JANUARY. WHEN WE HAVE THE SIGNS WE WILL HAVE THE PARADE.

I WILL NOTIFY YOU AND SEND E-MAILS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> ONE MORE QUESTION, WHAT IS THE TIMETABLE ON THAT COLLECTS. >> GETTING THE SIGNED?

>> IT TAKES 4-6 WEEKS TO ORDER THE MATERIALS. SO I WILL BE CONSERVATIVE AND

SAY 8-10 WEEKS. >> OKAY. >> GOOD.

THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION, I WILL CLOSE

PUBLIC COMMENT AND WE WILL MOVE ON. >>

>> THE MEETING IS CURRENTLY ON COMMISSIONERS JEREMIAH JOHNSON'S LIST TO ATTEND.

JUST SO YOU ARE AWARE THEY CANNOT ALL ATTEND. >> ONE AT A TIME.

[15. COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER]

>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT CLEAR. >> ANY COMMENTS FROM THE CITY

MANAGER? >> WE WILL START WITH THE CORONAVIRUS UPDATE.

I RECENTLY SENT THIS AS FAR AS OUR RELIEF EFFORTS. WE JUST HAD A VERY STRONG PERSON AND WE DID TESTING, WE TESTED 440 INDIVIDUALS OVER TWO DAYS. FORTY-FOUR CAME BACK POSITIVE.

WE HAD A 10% POSITIVITY RATE. THAT WAS LAST WEEK. ALL TEST RESULTS HAVE BEEN COUNTED AND ALL INDIVIDUALS THAT TOOK THE TEST HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED EITHER VIA TELEPHONE OR E-MAIL.

>> IS THAT RIGHT LINDA QUICKSAND I GOT MINE BY E-MAIL. I GOT IT FRIDAY NIGHT.

IT WAS GREAT. HE GOT TESTED BEFORE ME. >> ALEX, THEY HAVE BEEN AN AMAZING PARTNER. PARTNER. THEY ARE A STATE-OF-THE-ART LAB.

THEY REALLY HELPED US OUT AND THE COMMUNITY. WE WANTED TO PREPARE THE POPULATION AND THE PEOPLE WHO WERE CONCERNED ABOUT VISITING THEIR GRANDPARENTS AND GRANDCHILDREN. WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN HELP IN THAT REGARD.

AS YOU KNOW, THE FORT PIERCE AUTHORITY HAVE BEEN OUT, AND THEY PAID $200,000 INTO ASSISTANCE. AS OF 12:50 P.M., $151,000 OF THE MONEY HAD BEEN GRANTED TO CUSTOMERS. I BELIEVE THE CUT OFF LIST AS SIGNIFICANTLY DECREASED.

I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT NUMBERS OFF OF THE TOP OF MY HEAD BUT I THINK WE HAVE AVOIDED THAT MASSIVE NUMBER THAT WAS PUT INTO THE COMMUNITY. I BELIEVE NOW, OVER THE HOLIDAYS AND OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS FAMILIES WILL BE SUSTAINED AND WILL HAVE UTILITIES.

THAT IS A GOOD THING. OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS HAVE DONE A GREAT THING.

>> AS FAR AS EMPLOYEES, I HAVE TO COMMEND THE EMPLOYEES, OUR FRONT-LINE EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN AMAZING. WE HAVE BEEN OUT THERE IN ALL ELEMENTS DOING WHAT WE CAN.

THE POLICE, PUBLIC WORKS, CODE ENFORCEMENT, I HAVE ASKED THEM TO DO SO MANY THINGS THAT THEY HAVE DONE IT WITH SMILES ON THEIR FACES. THEY MAY TALK JUNK WHEN THEY SEE ME, BUT I STILL THINK WE HAVE A FANTASTIC LABOR FORCE, FANTASTIC DEPARTMENT HEADS AND I THINK

THINGS ARE ON A POSITIVE UPTICK FOR THE CITY. >> I DO WANT TO LEAVE WITH A POSITIVE NOTE. I WAS OUT AND ABOUT THIS PAST WEEKEND.

I WAS DOWNTOWN THIS WEEKEND AND IT WAS LOADED. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL.

[00:20:04]

I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ON AN EVENING OUT.

IT WAS A JOYOUS OCCASION AND A WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR. OUR STAFF HAS STEPPED UP TO MAKE

THIS PLACE LOOK AS BEAUTIFUL AS POSSIBLE. >> AND WE HAVE A BRAND-NEW LED MARQUEE SIGN OUTSIDE OF CITY HALL. WE WILL TALK ABOUT ALL OF THE EVENTS. WE WILL PUT CURTIS JOHNSON'S NUMBER ON THE MARQUEE.

WE WILL HIGHLIGHT WHAT IS GOING ON IN FORT PIERCE. THAT'S JUST ANOTHER WAY TO GET THE WORD OUT TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. THAT CONCLUDES MY UPDATE.

>> IT IS ALL GOOD NEWS. >> YOU KNOW THE F PA, THE MONEY THEY HAVE GIVEN, I THINK THERE WILL BE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADDITIONAL MONEY IF PEOPLE NEEDED.

THEY ARE NOT CUTTING ANYONE OFF DURING THE HOLIDAYS. THEY HAVE DONE AN OUTSTANDING

JOB, OVER THE TOP AND I APPRECIATE THAT. >> DIDN'T WANT TO SPEAK?

>> I HAVE NOTHING, HAPPY HOLIDAYS. >> MS. COX?

[16. COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION]

>> MERRY CHRISTMAS. >> NEXT WE MOVE ON TO COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION.

>> COMMISSIONER ALEXANDER WILL YOU START TO ASK -- WILL USE START.

>> MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE STAY SAFE AND WEAR A MASKS PRAYER I KNOW SOME PEOPLE DON'T

WANT TO WEAR THEM, ( INDISCERNIBLE ). >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO NEXT

COLLECTS ? >> I JUST WANT TO SAY HAPPY NEW YEAR, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ALL AGAIN AND 2021. I HAVE A COUPLE MORE DAYS TO GO AND I WILL BE THERE. I APPRECIATE EVERYONE. I APPRECIATE THE STAFF, AND I WANT TO WISH THEM A HAPPY NEW YEAR END THE HARD WORK THAT THEY DO.

GET SOME REST. NEW EXCITEMENT FOR 2021. >> THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER C JOHNSON, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO NEXT? >> MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE. HAPPY KWANZAA TO THOSE WHO CELEBRATE KWANZAA.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGE AND THANK MR. MIMS, WHO THIS WEEK, JOIN ME ON THE RADIO TO GET THE WORD OUT ON TESTING. I THOUGHT THAT WAS SOMETHING, AS I CONTINUE ON THIS ENGAGEMENT HE GAVE US SOME TIME, WE DID A GOOD JOB ENGAGING THE COMMUNITY AND GETTING PEOPLE TO LEARN ABOUT TESTING AND PARTICIPATE. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

I AM GLAD THAT THE NUMBERS ARE SMALL. AT ONE POINT THEY WERE LARGER.

AT THIS POINT I THINK THEY ARE OKAY. I JUST WANT TO SAY A SPECIAL PRAYER FOR THOSE WHO CAME BACK POSITIVE TO GET A SPEEDY RECOVERY.

IT'S GOING THROUGH THE COMMUNITY AND WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MINDFUL OF THAT AND AS WE GATHER WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS, WE TAKE PRECAUTIONS AND WEAR FACE COVERINGS.

PROTECT NOT ONLY YOURSELF BUT THOSE YOU LOVE. MADAME MAYOR I WANT TO MAKE A SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT. I JUST POSTED ON FACEBOOK, BEGINNING 2021, WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF MR. MIMS I WILL HAVE A SATELLITE OFFICE. I WILL DO THAT STARTING ON JANUARY 7, FROM 6-8:00 P.M. AT THE BLACKBURN CENTER. IT IS MY EFFORT TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY. I WILL HAVE OFFICE HOURS THAT WILL BE LET SAINT WORK FRIENDLY FOR THOSE WHO WORK FROM 9-5 P.M. I WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THURSDAY EVENINGS FROM 6:00 P.M. UNTIL 8:00 P.M. WE ARE TAKING APPOINTMENTS. WE WILL HAVE ONE STARTING JANUARY 7, 6 VAMPIRIC I AM MAKING MYSELF MORE ACCESSIBLE AND AVAILABLE.

I AM HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE THAT. SO, I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THE

[00:25:09]

I AM HONORED TO BE ON THE DAIS WITH MY COLLEAGUES. I LOOK FORWARD TO 2021.

WE HAVE ASSIGNMENTS AND THEY ARE ALREADY BOOKING UP. THAT IS MY 2-3 MINUTES.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE. >> COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU.

THIS HAS BEEN A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER. I KNOW A LOT OF FAMILIES AND BUSINESS PEOPLE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE WE WILL GO FROM HERE. I THINK ALL OF THE SOLUTIONS ARE FALLING INTO PLACE RIGHT NOW. I LOOK FORWARD TO 2021 GETTING BACK TO WHERE WE WERE.

WE STARTED THIS YEAR WITH STAFF, WITH A BIG LIST AND OUR STRATEGIC PLAN AND ALL OF THE GREAT THINGS WE WERE GOING TO DO AND IT GOT HIJACKED. IT GOT HIJACKED BY A VERY SERIOUS VIRUS. MY WIFE AND I BOTH CONTRACTED THE VIRUS BACK IN AUGUST.

SO, I HAVE TOTAL RESPECT FOR THAT AND THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH IT.

I AM THERE WITH YOU. 2021 IS OUR CHANCE TO REINSTITUTE THE PLANS AND MAKE SURE WHAT WE HAVE DONE. A LOOK BACK ON HOW WE CAN TURN SO QUICKLY, REINVEST, TAKE OUR FUNDING AND USE IT IN PLACES. WE WENT TO COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE WERE TAKEN CARE OF.

WE ARE DOING FOOD DRIVES AND TESTING. INFORMATION FLOWED FREELY AND I AM PROUD OF THE FACT, YOU NEVER KNOW HOW GOOD YOUR COMMUNITY IS UNTIL YOU ARE TESTED.

WE GOT TESTED. GOING FORWARD I THINK WE HAVE A CHANCE TO BE ABLE TO DO ALL OF THE GREAT THINGS AND THE THINGS WE WERE GOING TO DO ANYWAY. I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING THIS DONE WITH ALL SOLUTIONS IN PLACE. THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, FAMILIES NEED TO BE CLOSE TOGETHER BUT YOU HAVE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS. WHERE YOUR FACE COVERINGS, BE RESPECTFUL, MAKE SURE, AFTER THE HOLIDAYS AND THE DINNERS AND THE LUNCHES AND THE CHRISTMAS DAY FESTIVITIES, MAKE SURE YOU ALL WALK AWAY HEALTHY AND SAFE. I WISH YOU A VERY MERRY

CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I TOO WANT TO SAY THAT YEAR, EVEN THOUGH WE WERE CHALLENGED BY COVID WE GOT A LOT DONE.

WE CONTINUED ONTO TRACKS WHERE WE KEPT THE CITY GOING AND DEALING WITH CENTRAL BUSINESS AND OUR PRIORITIES. ALWAYS ON THE OTHER TRACK MAKING SURE WE WERE KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE. I THINK, ONE OF THE THINGS THIS COUNTRY HAS RECOGNIZED IS THAT, CITIES AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARE SO MUCH MORE NIMBLE AND ABLE TO HANDLE THESE THINGS AS OPPOSED TO STATE GOVERNMENT OR THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. I BELIEVE, INNOVATION, ADJUSTMENT AND PARTICULARLY -- WE STILL MANAGED TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY.

I AM VERY PROUD OF THE CITY AND GRATEFUL TO EVERYONE WHO HAS BEEN KIND TO US AND SUPPORTIVE AND THIS IS A SEASON OF GRATITUDE. I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO SERVE AS YOUR MAYOR AND I WANT TO WISH THE CITIZENS OF FORT PIERCE A VERY SAFE AND WARM CHRISTMAS AS

WELL AS THE OUTSTANDING STAFF AND I LOOK FORWARD TO 2021. >> THAT IS A GOOD POINT.

>> MAKING SURE WE DON'T LOSE. >> THAT'S RIGHT. THIS IS HOW IT WORKS FOR US AND OTHER CITIES. THIS IS WHERE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY AND INNOVATION HAPPENS RIGHT HERE AT THE LOCAL LEVEL. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH WE ARE ADJOURNED AND EVERYONE CAN MOVE OUT TO THE FOYER AND WE WILL TURN O

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.