[1. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:09]
>> I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.
THIS IS THE FORT PIERCE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY.
IT'S OCTOBER 12, 2021. PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE.
I PLEDGE 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.
[4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
FIRST WE HAVE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM SEPTEMBER 14, 2021,REGULAR MEETING >> VOTE FOR APPROVAL.
>> SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND, CALL THE
ROLL, PLEASE. >> COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> COMMISSIONER PERONA?
>> YES, MA'AM. >> MAYOR HUDSON.
[a. Approval of the lease agreement between the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency and Incubate Neighborhood Center to lease and improve Means Court Center.]
>> NEXT TIS PUBLIC COMMENT. SEEING NO MOTION, I WILL CLOSE
TO PUBLIC HEARING. >> THE FIRST ITEM IS APPROVAL OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN FORT PIERCE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND THE INCUBATE NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER.
I ASKED FOR A PRESENTATION SO I BELIEVE SHE WILL BE ABLE TO COME
DO THAT. >> AND CHAISE AN ASSISTANT, IS
>THAT RIGHT? >> YES, SHE DOES.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK THIS OPPORTUNITY AND FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. SO I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
I KNOW THAT WE'RE PROBABLY GOING TO BE --
>> CAN YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF FOR THE RECORD, SFLEEZ
>> MY NAME IS KENORIA GARDNER, CRAVE OFFICER FOR INCUBATE
NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER. >> THANK YOU.
>> INCUBATE CENTER IS ALSO KNOWN AS THE INC.
WE BELIEVE EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITIES.
OUR CORE PROGRAMS ARE ENTREPRENEURSHIP, WORK FORCE REIMAGINED AND HOME OWNERSHIP. OUR PROGRAM IS CALLED CEO, OUR ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAM WAS DEVELOPED ABOUT 30 YEARS AGO FROM AN ORGANIZATION OUT OF MINNESOTA CALLED NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CENTER. IT'S PROVEN TO REVITALIZE POVERTY STRICKEN AREAS. IT'S A NATIONAL BUSINESS MODEL BEING IMPLEMENTED ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
THE AVERAGE BUSINESS CREATES ABOUT 5.9 JOBS.
BUSINESS OWNERS BECOME COMMUNITY MENTORS, BUSINESSES PAY TAXES TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND IS DESIGNED TO RESET THE ECONOMIC BASE. THE COMMUNITY WILL BENEFIT AS A WHOLE FROM THIS PROGRAM BEING IN LINCOLN PARK.
THE PROGRAM IS GEARED TOWARDS DISCONNECTED YOUTH AND ADULTS.
IT HAS FOUR PILLARS. THE FIRST IS EDUCATION, WHICH IS A 12-WEEK TRAINING PROGRAM, 2 HOURS PER WEEK, AND THE CURRICULUM IS CALLED PLANET. RIGHT NOW THE CURRICULUM IS IN 12 DIFFERENT LANGUAGES. OVER TIME, WE DO ANTICIPATE ON EXPANDING FACILITY TAINTING IN CREOLE AND SPANISH BUT FIRST WE'RE STARTING WITH ENGLISH. COMMUNITIES OF COLOR STRUGGLE WITH GETTING TRADITIONAL LEND SOING THIS PROGRAM HAS A LENDING COMPONENT THAT WILL HELP THEM TO OVERCOME THAT BARRIER.
THE THIRD PILLAR IS CALLED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, WHICH IS LIKE MARKETING MATERIALS, MAKING SURE THAT YOUR WEB SIDE IS GOOD, IF YOU NEED ANY TYPE OF ATTORNEY TO LOOK OVER LEASE AGREEMENTS, WE CAN PROVIDE THAT DURING THE PROGRAM.
THE FOURTH PILLAR IS REAL ESTATE.
ONCE WE HELP GET A CONSISTENT CLIENTELE, WE HELP TO MOVE THEM INTO BRICK AND MORTER SPACE. THE AREA THAT WE'RE TARGETING TO MOVE THEM INTO IS THELING CON PARK AREA ON AVENUE D.
[00:05:06]
OUR WORK FORCE REIMAGINE PROGRAM IS PRETTY MUCH A PIPELINE OF EDUCATION, WORK FORCE TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT A PARTICIPANT CAN GO THROUGH IN ORDER TO GET CONNECTED TO THESE SERVICES. RIGHT NOW OUR COUNTY IS ABSOLUTELY FULL WITH WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT, TRAINING AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS, BUT SOMETIMES THESE EENT TIS MIGHT NOT WORKENTITIES MIGHT NOT WORK COLLECTIVELY TOGETHER TO CREATE EQUITABLE AND ACCESS TO MARGINALIZED PEOPLE OF COLOR.OUR PURPOSE IS TO INCREASE AWARENESS AND HELP LINCOLN PARK RESIDENTS TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND TRAINING, THEREFORE THIS PROGRAM HELPS JOB SEEKERS TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS NO WOULD INTERFERE WITH TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES.
OUR HOME OWNERSHIP PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO HELP PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS PURCHASE THEIR FIRST HOME.
THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO INCREASE CREDIT WORTHINESS, REAL ESTATE KNOWLEDGE, AND OBTAIN A MORTGAGE FOR A HOME LOAN.
THE PROGRAM IS IMPLEMENTED IN FOUR DIFFERENT PHASES.
THE FIRST IS TRAINING, THE SECOND HELPS TO CREATE AN INDIVIDUALIZED PATH TO HOPE OWNERSHIP.
THE THIRD IS MORTGAGE READY. THIS IS THE POINT IN WHICH A HOME BUYER CAN OBTAIN A MORTGAGE AND BEGIN TO LOOK FOR THEIR DREAM HOME. THE FOURTH PHASE IS WHEN THAT PARTICIPANT IS IN THE PROCESS OF CLOSING ON THAT DREAM HOME.
INTERSECTIONALITY IS THE ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK OF UNDERSTANDING HOW ASPECTS OF A PERSON'S SOCIAL, FINANCIAL, AND POLITICAL IDENTITIES COMBINE TO CREATE DIFFERENT MODES OF DISVICTIM NATION AND PRIVILEGE. OUR PROGRAMS HAVE THE LENS OF INTERSECTIONALITY, HOW WE IMPLEMENT THEM.
INTERSECTIONALITY ALSO CREATES ADDITIONAL BARRIERS OF INJUSTICES TO REACH SUCCESS. STAFF ARE CULTURALLY COMPETENT IN REMOVING BARRIERS PEOPLE IN POVERTY FACE.
ONCE YOU HAVE STAFF THAT LOOKS LIKE THE CLIENT THAT IS THEY SERVE, IT CREATES AN ATMOSPHERE OF TRUST.
WE'RE UTILIZING A MULTIGENERATIONAL COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH THROUGH A COMMUNITY HUB BUILDING UPWARD MOBILE.
COLLABORATION IS DEFINITELY THE KEY TO MOVE SOMEONE TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND CREATE A COMMUNITY OF NETWORK PARTNERS TO PROVIDE RESOURCES TO MARGINALIZED RESOURCES TO PEOPLE. WE KNOW IT'S A VERY HISTORIC BUILDING. IT WAS ONCE A SCHOOL FOR BLACK STUDENTS IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY. IT'S CURRENTLY IN HABITABLE CONDITION BUT NEEDS TO BE UP GRATED TO BE INVITING.
THE CONFERENCE ROOM, CLASSROOM, KITCHEN, INTERACTIVE ART GALLERY, MEDICAL CLINIC, COMMUNITY PARTNERS FLEX SPACES, LINCOLN PARK MAIN TREAT. UPSTAIRS A BUSINESS INCUBATOR, A SHARED WORK SPACE, TECHNOLOGY AND VIDEO CENTER, TWO CLASSROOMS, A LOUNGE, CONFERENCE ROOM, COMMUNITY PARTNER SHARED WORK SPACE AND INTERACTIVE ART GALLERY.
WITH THE BUSINESS INCHI BAITER, WE PLAN ON HAVING ABOUT 30 BUSINESSES GO THROUGH THAT INCUBATE TORE GET SERVICES AND HAVE MEETINGS AND STUFF LIKE TO AND THE AVERAGE JOBS THAT THESE BUSINESSES WILL EVENTUALLY CREATE THE 5.9 JOBS SO THIS MODEL CREATES JOBS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
OUTSIDE WILL BE A FARMER'S MARKET, BUTTERFLY GARDEN [INDISCERNIBLE] PREPARE FOR UTILIZATION AS A COMMUNITY HUB.
PHASE 1.1 IS TO RETRO FIT THE CURRENT SPACE, PROVIDE THAT FACILITY A FACELIFT TO INCLUDE INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL PAINING, ILL VARIETY, FLOORING, FURNISHING AND BATHROOMS. PHASE 1.2 IS THE KITCHEN INCUBATOR AND BUSINESS TECHNOLOGY CENTER. PHASE TWO IS THE PLACE WHERE THE COMMUNITY CONNECTS AROUND FOOD, RETAIL AND ENTERTAINMENT.
THE PURPOSE OF HAVING FOOD CONTAINER SPACES AS WELL AS RETAIL CONTAINER SPACES IS THAT WE UNDERSTAND THAT ONCE THESE BUSINESSES GO THROUGH THE HUB AND ALSO GO THROUGH THE PROVEN
[00:10:03]
MODEL OF THE BUSINESS PROGRAM, THEY WILL GROW CLIENTELE AND WE NEED TO MOVE THEM TO A SPACE WHERE THEY CAN CONTINUE TO GROW CLIENTELE BEFORE WE MOVE THEM TO A BRICK AND MORTAR SPACE.THIS IS GOING TO HELP THIS BUSINESS BE SUCCESSFUL AND TO SUSTAIN OVER TIME. IT WILL BE LOW INDICATED ON THE SOUTH SIDE OF THECATED ON THE S SIDE OF THE 2.57 ACRES OF LAND AND THE JOURNEYRY WILL IMPROVE COWERISM FOR OUR CEO PROGRAM, PARTICIPANTS AND PROVIDE A REAL WORLD TRAINING EXPERIENCE FOR PARTICIPANTS OF THE WORK FORCE PARTICIPANTS AND PROVIDE A REAL WORLD TRAINING EXPERIENCE FOR PARTICIPANTS OF THE WORK FORCE REIMAGINE PROGRAM. TO HAVE A COMMUNITY GARDEN AND BUTTERFLY GARDEN AND HYDRO BES PHONICFARM, THESE ARE SOME THINGS WE LOOKED UP. MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY 8:00 A.M.
TO 5:00 P.M. FOR SOCIAL SERVICES WOULD BE THE HOURS.
WEDNESDAY 5:00 TO 7:00 FOR EVENING CLASSES OF THE CEO PROGRAM. SATURDAY FROM 9:00 TO 12:00 FOR THE FARMER'S MARKET AND CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS.
DEFINITELY, COLLABORATION IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS SO WE'RE DOING THIS THROUGH AN ECOSYSTEM WHICH IS A COMPLEX NETWORK OF AN INTERCONNECTED SYSTEM. ECOSYSTEMS ARE COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO PROVIDE BETTER ACCESS TO RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES ARE OFTEN PROVEN TO BE MOST EFFECTIVE FOR SERVICE DELIVERERS. THIS IS A WELL FUNCTIONING ECOSYSTEM. THIS IS AN INFODPRAF THAT I TOOK FROM THE CRESCY FOUNDATION. HAVING AN URBAN HIGHER EDUCATION ECOSYSTEM WILL HELP PARTICIPANTS THAT ARE LOW INCOME GET ACCESS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES. LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS HAVE ABOUT A 90% CHANCE OF NOT GRADUATING WITH A BACHELOR'S DEGREE BY THE AGE OF 25. IF SOMEONE IS RAISED IN THE HOUSEHOLD WITH MORE WEALTH, THERE'S ABOUT A 90% CHANCE THAT THEY WILL OBTAIN THEIR BACHELOR'S DEGREE BY 25.
THIS AFFECTS HOW THE UNITED STATES IS SEEN GLOBALLY FOR EDUCATION. WHEN I WENT TO SCHOOL, WE WERE NUMBER ONE IN EDUCATION. NOW I BELIEVE WE'RE ANYWHERE FROM 26 TO 28 BECAUSE AMERICA DOES NOT HAVE A HOLD ON THEIR POVERTY ISSUE. IF SOMEONE COMES FROM A LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLD, IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE NOT AS SMART, IT'S JUST THAT THEY DO NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITIES IN ORDER TO STAY CONNECTED TO THAT SYSTEM, SO BASICALLY THE CRESKY FOUNDATION IS LOOKING AT PROVIDING THAT ECOSYSTEM OF RESOURCES AROUND THAT PARTICIPANT OR STUDENT SO THEY CAN ACTUALLY GRADUATE WITH THEIR BACHELOR'S DEGREE. SO WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THAT PERSON IS 35 YEARS OF AGE VERSUS SOMEONE WHO IS IN A HIGHER INCOME 35 YEARS OF AGE? STATISTICALLY, THERE'S A $33,000 INCOME GAP BETWEEN THE TWO. EVENTUALLY, SOME DO GO AND GET THEIR BACHELOR'S DEGREE. THEY COME FROM THAT LOWER INCOME HOUSEHOLD BUT THEY LOST THEIR ENTIRE 20S TRYING TO FIGURE THAT OUT. THE BETTER WE ARE OF CREATING ECOSYSTEMS AROUND PARTICIPANTS, THE MORE CHANCE WE HAVE TO CLOSE THAT INCOME GAP. SO LOOKING AT THAT, SEE THE COMMUNITY HUB IN THE CENTER OF OUR COMMUNITY HUB IS LOW INCOME RESIDENTS FROM THE LINCOLN PARK AREA.
TO MAKE THEM SUCCESSFUL, THEY ARE NEED JOBS, BUSINESS TRAINING, FOOD SERVICES, SOCIAL SERVICES BECAUSE IF SOMEBODY IS HUNGRY, THEY CAN'T CONCENTRATION IN ORDER TO REALLY DO THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO BE SUCCESSFUL.
ALSO, IF THEY ARE CONSTANTLY IN CRISIS MODE BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE MONEY, THEN IT'S ALSO HARD TO MOVE THEM TO ECONOMIC SELF-SUFFICIENCY. THESE SERVICES ARE DEFINITELY NEEDED SO SOCIAL SERVICES LIKE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, UTILITY ASSISTANCE, HOUSING, HEALTHCARE, EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS, AND YOUTH PROGRAMS. SO PRETTY MUCH WE'RE GOING HAVE FREEDOM ALL THESE DIFFERENT SECTORS COMING THROUGH THE HUB TO PROVIDE THOSE EQUITABLE
[00:15:03]
RESOURCES TO THE LINCOLN PARK COMMUNITY.SO THE HUB IS GOING TO CREATE UPWARD MOBILITY TRACK FOR OUR LINCOLN PARK RESIDENTS. IN LOOKING AT THE SERVICE PROCESS FLOW, COMMUNITY NAVIGATION IS VERY IMPORTANT TO CONNECT WITH THE CLIENT DAY WIN. THERE ARE RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY THAT CAN HELP THEM BUT MOST OFTEN, THEY DO NOT KNOW WHERE THESE RESOURCES ARE. GOING THROUGH OUR THREE CORE PROGRAMS AND WE SEND THEM OUT TO CREATE THAT ECOSYSTEM AND SUPPORT AROUND THEM SO THEY CAN GO INTO TRADE AND CREATE THAT PATHWAY INTO ECONOMIC SUFFICIENCY.
OUR TARGET CUSTOMER IS 250% UNDER THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL, INDIVIDUALS WITH EXTREME BARRIERS TO SELF-SUFFICIENCY.
INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE UNMOTIVATED, ENTREPRENEURS, INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE UNDEREMPLOYED AND PEOPLE WHO ARE LOOKING TO PURCHASE THEIR FIRST HOME. COMMUNITY NAVIGATION, ONCE AGAIN, OUR COMMUNITY IS VERY RICH WITH RESOURCES BUT SOMETIMES THOSE RESOURCES DO NOT PENETRATE INTO THE LINCOLN PARK COMMUNITY. SO COMMUNITY-AND-A-HALF TCPI W NAVIGATION WILL HELP TO CONNECT RESOURCES AND THE HUB WILL MAKE UP WARD MOBILITY A LOT EASIER.
WE ARE GOVERNED BAY BOARD OF DIREABOARD OF DIRE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
OUR CHAIR IS DR. BLAKE COLE WHO IS HERE TODAY AND EVERYONE KNOWS MRS. COLE. SHE HAS A STRONG PROGRAMMATIC BACKGROUND. ALSO DR. MARY SERMONS WHO IS ALSO WITH ME TODAY, HAS A STRONG PROGRAM ATTIC BACKGROUND, ELEANOR CHAN IS ON THE FINANCE COMMITTEE, THERESA BISHOP, BET DES, MALENE, DOROTHY MALIK WHO IS HERE WITH BETSY, MALENE, DOROTHY MALIK WHO IS HEETSY, MALENE, DOROTHY MALIK WHO IS HERE BETSY, MALENE, DOROTHY MALIK WHO IS HERE WITH ME THIS AFTERNOON.
ALSO HAS A PROVEN TRACK RECORD OF DEVELOPMENT.
SO I'M COMING BEFORE YOU TO SAY THANK YOU.
IF WE WORK TOGETHER ON THIS, WE CAN BUILD SOMETHING NEW FOR THE LINCOLN PARK RESIDENTS AND FOR OUR COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE.
>> EXCELLENT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS? YOU'RE AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS, RIGHT? ALL RIGHT, COMMISSIONER PERONA.
>> I'M INTERESTED YOUR FUNDING. >> DEFINITELY BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE A LEASE IF PLACE RIGHT NOW, IT'S KIND OF HARD FOR SOMEONE T IT'S KIND OF HARD FOR SOMEONE TO GIVE N PLACE RIGHT NOW, IT'S KIND OF HARD FOR SOMEONE TO GIVE ME THAT COMMITMENT LETTER.
I HAVE DONE A LOT OF PRE-AWARD OUTSOURCING.
ONCE THAT LEASE IS IN PLACE, THAT WILL KICK IN AS FAR AS FUNDERS BUT I HAVE FEDERAL PARTNERINGS AS WELL WHO ARE VERY INTERESTED IN THIS PROJECT BEING SUCCESSFULS AS WELL WHO ARE VER INTERESTED IN THIS PROJECT BEING SUCCESSFUL AS WELL AS OTHERS IN
THE COMMUNITY. >> I'M VERY TAKEN AWAY WITH YOUR PRESENTATION. YOU HIT SOME STRONG POINTS BUT ONCE IN A WHILE, YOU GET TO BE MY AGE AND YOU HAVE TO SAY WELL, WHERE'S THE MONEY AT AND HOW IS THIS SUSTAINABLE? SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. IT SEEMS LIKE YOU HAVE PARTNERS IN WAITING FOR YOU TO PULL THE PLUG ON THAT AND THINGS WILL START TO FLOW AND I WISH YOU A LOT OF LUCK WITH THAT.
>> QUICK QUESTION. GREAT PRESENTATION, VERY EXCITED ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN ON THAT CORNER.
ONE OF THE SLIDES YOU HAD THE DOWN TEARS, SS, I WTS, IRS, I W HERE. IM TRYING TO GET A PICTURE OF INC. TALKING ABOUT BRINGING IN MEDICAL SERVICES S THAT THROUGH INC OR THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS THROUGH XYZ CLINIC OR WHATEVER, WOULD YOU CONTRACT WITH THEM FOR THOSE SERVICES? I'M TRYING TO FOCUS IN ON, BECAUSE YOU GAVE US A LOT, WHAT IS INC RESPONSIBLE FOR? AND I NOW YOU WILL PROBABLY HAVE SUBLEASES OF OTHER ENTITIES AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO BE PART OF IT BUT I'M TRYING TO FOCUS ON
THE CORE BUSINESSES OF INC. >> EENTREPRENEURSHIP, THE HOME OWNERSHIP PROGRAMS AS WELL AS THE HOME IMAGINE PROGRAMS.
[00:20:02]
EVERYTHING ELSE, THE MEDICAL CLINE I WE ALICS WE ALREADY HAVS FOR THAT, THAT'S PART OF THE ECOSYSTEM.>> THE CITY IS ALWAYS LOOKING FOR PARTNERS TO HELP THE COMMUNITY BETTER POSITION THEMSELVES, MORE ROOFTOPS AND HOMES WE HAVE, THE BETTER THE ECOSYSTEM OPERATES AND WE NEED ROOFTOPS, HOME OWNERSHIP OF SOME TYPE OVER THERE.
IF I UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU WILL BE PROVIDING SOME SERVICES AS WELL, THAT WOULD HELP POSITION, I HATE TO USE THE WORD TRAIN BUT GUIDE PEOPLE TO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO TO OWN A HOME THE FIRST
TIME. >> ABSOLUTELY AND WE HAVE A CLASS STARTING ON THAT ON THE 18TH.
>> GOT IT. AS I LOOK AT THAT UPSTAIRS, YOU HAVE SOME THINGS UP THERE. THE OTHER PART OF THE CONCEPT IS IF THERE ARE OTHER BUSINESSES, ENTITIES WHO WANT TO SAY I HAVE A BUSINESS THAT DOES THIS AND YOU WOULD BE THE ONE TO INITIATE A LEASE FOR THEM TO BE PART OF YOUR SYSTEM? BECAUSE YOU'RE TAKE OVER FILL MAINTENANCE OF THE WHOLE
WE THOUGH THE BARRIERS THAT ENTREPRENEURS COME INTO CONTACT WITH AND WE HELP THEM IN THE SFASST SPACES.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS. I LOOKED AT THE LEASE.
WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST AND LOOK FOR A VERY PROSPEROUS AND LONG RELATIONSHIP OF DEVELOPING AND REVITALIZING THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND ALL THE
BEST. >> ALL RIGHT THANK YOU, SIR.
>> SO THIS IS VERY AMBITIOUS, BUT I THINK YOU HAVE A GOOD TEAM TO CARRY THIS OUT. I'M ASSUMING YOU'RE GOING TO WORK WITH OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO HAVE A PIECE OF THIS ALL RIGHT, LIKE THE SBDC AT IRSC?
>> THEY'RE HELPING ME RIGHT NOW DEVELOP A FEASIBILITY STUDY.
>> RIGHT. AB, AOKAY, AND YOU SAID THE FOOK AND THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE A BIG PROJECT ON THE KING HIGHWAY IF THEY GET THE GRANT AND ALSO WITH THE SCHOOL SYSTEM, I'M ASSUMING YOU HAVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH PEOPLE ALREADY DOING PIECES OF THIS? MAYBE IFAS, THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA BECAUSE THEY CAN HELP WITH YOUR GARDEN.
YOU WOULD BE REACHING OUT TO EXPERTS TO HELP YOU KIND OF IN THIS AND BRING THEM INTO THIS CENTER.
ABSOLUTELY. WE ARE NOT DUPLICATING SERVICES.
OUR COMMUNITY IS VERY RICH WITH RESOURCES AND EVERYBODY WHO YOU
NAME I HAVE ALREADY CONTACTED. >> GOOD SO YOU'RE GOING TO BE IN ADDITION TO A CERTAIN PROVIDER, YOU'RE ALSO GOING TO BE AN
>> SO THAT'S GOOD, THE ONE THING ABOUT HOME OWNERSHIP THAT I'M SURE YOU'RE GOING HAVE IF THERE IS YOUR SPECIFICS GOT UP TO THE CLOSING BUT MANY PEOPLE WHO HAVE RENTED NEED TO KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO OWN THE HOME. YOU CAN'T CALL THE LANDLORD TO FIX THINGS. YOU'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THINGS. PHASE ONE AT THE OAKS OF MORRIS CREEK, WE HAD HOME OWNERS IN THERE WHO WERE NOT USED TO HOME OWNERSHIP. IT'S LIKE WHEN YOUR KID HAS A CONSIDER, THEY DON'T THINK ABOUT HAVING NEW TIRES OR HAVING THE OIL CHANGED YOU JUST DRIVE THE CAR AND IT SERVES YOU FOR YEARS AND YEARS, RIGHT? YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF IT, SO THAT'S IMPORTANT BUT I THINK THE HOME OWNERSHIP PIECE NEEDS LITTLE HAND HOLDING AFTER OWNING THE HOME BUT WE'RE VERY INTERESTED IN TRANSFORMING THAT NEIGHBORHOOD FROM 80% RENTAL OR WHATEVER THE PERCENTAGE IS TO OWNING BECAUSE ONCE YOU OWN YOUR HOME, THEORETICALLY, YOU TAKE CARE OF IT AND YOU TAKE CARE OF YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD, YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR NEIGHBORS.
IT JUST GETS YOU ENGAGED AND YOU'RE COMMITTED TO THE HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS YOUR OWN FAMILY SO I APLOWED PLAUT YOU ON THAT. I'M GLAD ON THE BUSINESS BECAUSE THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS YOU DIDN'T HAVE UP THERE BUT YOU SAID IT, BUSINESSES, IF YOU OWN A BUSINESS, YOU'RE PROVIDING SOMEBODY A JOB. USUALLY, RIGHT?
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> BUSINESS OWNERS PROVIDE JOBS.
JOBS THIS THAT COMMUNITY WOULD BE GREAT SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO TRAVEL FAR, TRANSPORTATION IS GOING TO BE A BIG ISSUE,
[00:25:02]
ALTHOUGH YOUR AUDIENCE IS RIGHT THERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD SO THEIR TRANSPORTATION PROBLEMS ARE MAYBE GOING TO BE FROM GETTING TO WORK DOWN IN PORT ST. LUCIE OR AT THE AIRPORT OR SOMETHING SO YOUR TRAINING WILL HELP WITH THAT.UNDERSTAND FARMER'S MARKET. I THINK UNDERSTAND CONTAINER RESTAURANT BUT WHAT IS THE LIQUIDATION CENTER?
>> A PLACE TO GET HOUSEHOLD ITEMS FOR UNDER RETAIL VALUE.
>> OH, OKAY. >> HOPES TO THEY WOULD TAKE THE SAVING AND UTILIZE THEM FOR OTHER HOUSEHOLD BILLS.
>> ALL RIGHT. AND IS THERE ENOUGH ROOM FOR THE FARMER'S MARKET AND THE GARDENS YOU'RE THINKING OF?
>> YES. I BELIEVE SO BY JUST PRELIMINARY SKETCHES BUT ONCE AGAIN, THAT'S A CONVERSATION THAT'S EVOLVING
>> SURE, YOU MAY NOT HAVE EVERYTHING HERE.
IT MAY ALSO BE IN DIFFERENT PHASES.
WITH WE GO BACK TO PHASE ONE? DO YOU HAVE A TIME FRAME FOR PHASE ONE TO GET THOSE THINGS UP AND RUNNING?
>> YES, DEFINITELY WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR BECAUSE WE HAVE FUNDING THAT'S WAITING ON THIS LEASE, BUT, YOU KNOW, DELAYS WITH CONSTRUCTION AND STUFF LIKE THAT, WE DO ANTICIPATE THAT, BY,
YES. >> OKAY, SO THESE THINGS YOU EXPECT TO HAVE IN PLACE PRETTY MUCH IN THE FIRST YEAR.
BARRING THE FACT THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS KEPT US FROM GETTING GOODS AND SERVICES FROM THE ORIGIN TO THE MARKET, I UNDERSTAND ABOUT THAT. ALL RIGHT.
I THINK YOU GOT A GREAT GROUP WORKING WITH YOU.
NOW MOST OF THEM AND I JUST THINKI MOST OF KN MOST OF THEM THO MOST OF THEM AND I JUST THW MOST OF THEM AND I JUST THINK IT IS GOING TO BE GREAT. ONE THING THAT ST. LUCIE COUNTY IS GUILTY OF IS THERE ARE A LOT OF NONPROFITS SORT OF DOING THE SAME THING AND YOU'RE GOING WORK WITH THEM AND I THINK THAT'S
A -- UNITED WAY, RIGHT? >> YEAH, JESSICA.
>> I KNOW YOU KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE.
>> I HAVE BEEN DOING THE WORK TO GET THE SUPPORT I FEED FOR THIS PROJECT. I'MEED FOR THIS PROJECT. I'NEED FOR THIS PROJECT. I'M A PLANNER AND WE WILL ROLL
IT OUT IN A STRATEGIC PLAWAY. >> WE NEED AN APPROVAL FOR THE
>> COMMISSIONER PERONA? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> COMMISSIONER HUDSON. >> THANK YOU.
[b. Resolution 21-12 authorizing the sale of 434 North 15th Street to the successful bidder, Brego Construction Corp.]
>> CONGRATULATIONS, THANK YOU. KEEP US POSTED.
>> THE NEXT ITEM IS RESOLUTION 21-12 AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF 434 NORTH 15TH STREET TO BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC, DETERMINE THAT A BID FOR THE REAL PROPERTY FROM A THIRD PARTY PURCHASER AND DIRECTING TO AGENTS TO TAKE ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT TRANSACTIONS AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> MR. MIMMS, DO WE HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT THIS? THIS IS A SIMPLE SALE, RIGHT?
>> NO, MA'AM, SIMPLE PROCESS. I BELIEVE WE HAVE SIEVE
IDENTIFIED A SUCCESSFUL BIDDER >> IS THERE A MOTION?
>> I VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL. >> SECOND.
>> CALL THE ROLL PLEASE. >> COMMISSIONER PERONA?
[c. Resolution 21-13 authorizing the sale of 427 North 16th Street to the successful bidder, Brego Construction Corp.]
>> YES, MA'AM. >> COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON?
>> YES, MA'AM. >> COMMISSIONER HUDSON.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> 21-13 DETERMINING THAT THE TRANSFER OF REAL PROPERTY COMMONLY KNOWN AS 427 NORTH 15TH STREET PREVIOUSLY DECLARED AS SURPLUS PROPERTY TO BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC, DETERMINING THAT A BID FROM THE PROPERTY FOR VALUE TO BE OF THE PUBLIC INTEREST TO TAKE ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE TRANSACTIONS AND PROVIDING
FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> IS THERE A MOTION?
>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND.
>> CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE. >> COMMISSIONER PERONA?
>> YES, MA'AM. >> COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON?
[d. Resolution 21-14 authorizing the sale of 318 North 17th Street to the successful bidder, Brego Construction Corp.]
>> YES, MA'AM. >> COMMISSION HUDAH HU HUDSON.
>> COMMISSION HUDAH HU HUHN HUD >> YES, MA'AM.
[00:30:04]
>> RIESE LUCIAN 21-14 [INDISCERNIBLE] SIR PLUS PROPERTY TO BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC DETERMINING THAT A BID FOR THE REAL PROPERTY FROM A THIRD PARTY PURCHASER TO BE IN THE PUBLIC INTEREST IN DIRECTING THE OFFICERERS TO TAKE ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE TRANSACTIONS AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> IS THERE A MOTION. >> MOVE FOR THE APPROVAL.
>> SECOND. >> CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.
>> COMMISSIONER PERONA? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> COMMISSION HUDH HUDA HUAN ? >> IT TAKES ME LONG TORE READ
[e. Resolution 21-15 authorizing the sale of Avenue B (parcel ID: 2410-604-0134-000-7) to the successful bidder, Brego Construction Corp.]
THEM THAN FOR YOU TO APPROVE. >> WE HAVE HAD A DRY RUN ON THIS
BEFORE. >> RESOLUTION 21-15 DETERMINING THE TRANSFER OF REAL PROPERTY KNOWN AS LOT 6-BLOCK H ON AVENUE B TO BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC DETERMINING THAT A BID FOR THE REAL PROPERTY FROM A THIRD PARTY PURCHASER FOR VALUE TO BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING [INDISCERNIBLE] TO TAKE ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE TRANSACTIONS NECESSARY PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE. >> IS THERE A MOTION?
>> MOVE FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND.
>> COMMISSIONER PERONA? >> YES, MA'AM.
[f. Resolution 21-16 authorizing the sale of surplus property on North 22nd Street (parcel ID: 2404-710-0017-000-8) to the successful bidder, Brego Construction Corp.]
>> COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> CHAIRWOMAN HUDSON >> YES, MA'AM
>> RESIDENCEOLUTION 21-16 (REA FROM TEXT) FOR VALUE AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE OFFICERS, ATTORNEYS AND AGENTS OF THE FORT PIERCE REDEVELOPMENT AGENT STOW TAKE ALL ACTIONS NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT TRANSACTIONS AND PROVIDING FOR
AN EFFECTIVE DATE >> IS THERE A MOTION.
>> MOVE FOR THE APPROVAL. >> SECOND.
>> THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.
>> COMMISSIONER PERONA? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> CHAIRWOMAN HUDSON? >> YES, MA'AM.
[g. Resolution No. 21-17 appointing Phillip Thompson to the CRA Advisory Board.]
>> OKAY, NEXT WE HAVE RESOLUTION 21-17, A RESOLUTION OF THE FORT PIERCE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY (READING FROM TEXT) WE HAVE RECEIVED ONE APPLICATION FOR SERVICE ON THIS BOARD FROM A MR. PHILLIP THOMPSON SO THAT'S WHAT'S BEING PRO POSED, THAT YOU APPOINT HIM. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO SEEK APPLICATIONS, WE CAN GO OUT BUT IT'S ENTIRELY UP TO YOU.
>> WILL THIS COMPLETE THE COMPLETE STAFFING OF THAT BOARD OR DO WE STILL HAVE VACANCY THERE?
>> I THINK THIS WILL BE THE FINAL.
>> AND WE WILL BE A FULL BOARD? >> WE WILL BE A FULL BOARD AT THAT TIME. I BELIEVE WE HAVE SOME EXPIRING IN JANUARY BUT THIS IS A VACANT SEAT CURRENTLY.
>> SO I DON'T KNOW THIS GENTLEMAN, BUT YOU VET THESE IN TERMS OF THEIR ADDRESSES, RIGHT? AND THEIR ELIGIBILITY, RIGHT?
>> YES. HE DOES LIVE WITHIN THE CRA
COMMISSIONER PERONA? >> SEEMS LIKE HE BRINGS SOME EXPERTISE TO THE TABLE. ONTHE GENTLEMAN, EITHER, BY I'M HAPPY WHEN FOLKS VOLUNTEER AND WANT TO BE ON A BOARD.
THEY'RE PROFESSIONAL PEOPLE AND THEY STEP FORWARD.
I'M ALWAYS EXCITED ABOUT THAT, SO UNLESS SOMEBODY HAS ANY OTHER CONCERNS, I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>>LY SECOND THAT MOTION. >> CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.
>> COMMISSIONER PERONA? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON? >> YES, MA'AM.
[h. Discussion of Community Beautification & Neighborhood Sustainability at the request of Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr.]
>> CHAIRWOMAN HUDSON? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> NEXT WE HAVE A DISCUSSION ON COMMUNITY BEAUTIFICATION AND NEIGHBORHOOD SUSTAINABILITY AT THE REQUEST OF COMMISSIONER
CURTIS JOHNSON, JR. >> COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON.
>> MADAM CHAIR. I'M THE IT BETWEEN US GETTING OUT OF HERE AT A REASONABLE TIME.
I WON'T BELABOR THE POINT. I AM, AGAIN, HAPPY THAT WE ARE TAKING THE STEPS TO REVITALIZE OUR FPRA DISTRICT.
WITH THAT IN MIND, I WAS HAVING A CONVERSATION WITH MR. MIMMS DURING OUR WEEKLY CHAT AND I STARTED TO NOTICE SOME PATTERNS THAT WERE A LITTLE DISTURBING TO ME AND ONE OF THE CONCERNS THAT I HAVE IS THAT THIS FPRA ZONE THAT WE HAVE, WE'RE TRYING TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT, DEVELOPMENT, BUSINESSES, PEOPLE WHO MAY DRIVE THROUGH TOWN AND LOOK AT IT. WHEN I RIDE THROUGH RIGHT NOW,
[00:35:01]
SOME THINGS ARE GETTING OUT OF CONTROL AND IT'S DISTURBING TO ME. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL SKEANS REACH OUT EXPRESSING CONCERNS. PART OF WHAT I SEE IS THE CLEANLINESS OF OUR BLOCKS AND STREETS HAS GOTTEN OUT OF CONTROL. THE EDGING AND THE CURBING OF JUST BASIC THINGS AND GROWTH OF GRASS HAS GOTTEN OUT OF CONTROL.SIDEWALKS FOR PEOPLE WHO DO WALK AND ENJOY DOING SOME OF THOSE THINGS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, WE HAVE TO, I THINK, TAKE BETTER CARE OF THOSE TO PRESENT SOMETHING AND I HAVE A COUPLE OF PICTURES THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU, IF YOU HAVE HAD
A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THEM. >> A LOT OF TIME TO LOOK AT
AND THAT WAS JUST A RIDE THROUGH.
THERE WERE PROBABLY 20 OTHERS I DIDN'T INCLUDE.
IT'S NOT THAT I'M TRYING TO CALL ANYTHING ON THIS PARTICULAR POINT, AND MS. COX I DON'T KNOW IF THESE ARE UP FOR THE PUBLIC
TO SEE UP HERE. >> THEY'RE NOT BUT I CAN PUT
THEM UP. >> WOULD YOU? THANK YOU. SOME OF THESE THININGS I THINK WE'LL ADDRESS THROUGH ENGINEERING, SOME OF THE GUTTERS AND STUFF THAT'S THERE. RECENTLY, WE APPROVED AN ADDITIONAL UNIT TO HELP WITH THE STREET SWEEPING TO THE TUNE OF $145,000. I HAVE GIVEN FEEDBACK THAT I DID NOT FEEL AS THOUGH WE WERE GETTING OUR ADEQUATE SHARE OF WHAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR WITH THAT.
IT'S THINGS LIKE THIS THAT I SEE WHEN I RIDE THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT DISTURB ME. THE OTHER DAY, WE HAD A NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP ON SATURDAY MORNING.
I WAS OUT THERE AT THE MEANS COURT CORNER AND THE VEHICLE CAME BY THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DOING SWEEPING AND THEY SHORTLY TURNED AROUND AND WENT BACK THE OTHER DAY WITHOUT DOING ANY SWEEPING AND I'M LIKE WHAT IS THIS ABOUT? THESE ARE THAT I THINK SO ARE CONCERNING TO NAY IF WE'RE LOOKING TO TRY TO ATTRACT THOSE BUSINESSES TO COME IN HERE, I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THIS FROM AN FPRA INVESTMENT OF WHAT CAN WE DO TO AESTHETICALLY ADDRESS SOME OF THIS STUFF NOW THAT'S BEYOND JUST LITTER PICKUP.
CURBING AND APPEAL OF OUR SAKES. THERE ARE SOME PICTURES HERE THAT I WANT TO SHOW YOU A CONTRAST OFSIDEWALKS.
THERE ARE SOME PICTURES HERE THAT I WANT TO SHOW YOU A CONTRAST OF HOW I THINK WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND BRING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES IF YES LOOK AT DOING THIS THE RIGHT WAY. THESE ARE SOME SHOTS HERE OF 17TH STREET HERE ON THE FIRST SHOT.
THAT'S 17TH AND I RIGHT THERE. THE NEXT PARTICULAR AREA HERE IS GOING FURTHER DOWN 17TH STREET. THEN OVER HERE, YOU CAN SEE THIS IS ON AVENUE D. YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT SET OF SLIDES. BESIDES THE CURBING BEING GONE.
I'M NOT REALLY ADDRESSING THAT NOW BUT THE TRASH THAT'S THERE, THIS STUFF IS WASHED DOWN INTO OUR SYSTEM.
THAT'S CAUSING PROBLEMS AND SO IT'S KIND OF A CHICKEN BEFORE THE EGG. IT CAME FROM SOMEWHERE AND WE'LL ADDRESS THIS WITH OUR PEOPLE WHO MOW THE LAWNS BUT IF WE DON'T PICK IT UP, IT JUST GATHERS, SO IT COMPOUNDS THE PROBLEM, BUT YOU CAN SEE THE SIDEWALK HERE IN FRONT OF MEANS COURT AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE OCCUPANCY THERE. THAT'S THE A SIDEWALK THAT SOME ATTENTION HAS BEEN PAID TO. THE EDGING IS DONE, THERE'S BEEN SOME CLEANING OF THAT SIDEWALK BAY PRESSURE WASHER AND IT PRESENTS A NICE, AESTHETIC LOOK TO THAT PARTICULAR NEIGHBORHOOD JUST IN THIS ONE SECTION SO IF WE GO A LITTLE BIT FURTHER HERE, I HAVE A COUPLE MORE PICTURES. AGAIN, THIS IS RIGHT AT THE CORNER OF 13TH AND AVENUE M. JUST SIMPLE EDGING AND CLEANING UP HERE WOULD BEGIN TO DO THAT AND WE'LL ADDRESS THE REST OF THE STUFF WITH THE HOMEOWNER BUT YOU CAN SEE HERE IN THIS MIDDLE PICTURE, THIS IS A PERSON THAT REVITALIZED THIS HOUSE COMPLETELY. IT WAS OFF THE MASHED FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS.
I WATCHED HOW THEY HAVE CHANGED MY ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD BY CLEANING THE SIDEWALK. THE NEIGHBOR HERE JUST TOOK THE INITIATIVE. COULD YOU IMAGINE IF WE DID MORE OF THIS IN OUR FPRA ZONE. THE HOPE THAT WE ARE TRYING TO INSPIRE TO THE INVESTORS THAT ARE LOOKING TO COME TO THIS NEIGHBORHOOD, AND SO AND THEN TO THE RIGHT HERE, THERE'S A DIFFERENCE, RIGHT? MAYOR, YOU HAVE BEEN TO THE HOUSE ON THE RIGHT. THE GOLDEN HAMMER, YOU KNOW WHO LIVES ON THAT CORNER BUT YOU CAN SEE, LOOK AT THE DIFFERENCE OF A
[00:40:03]
SIDEWALK TREATMENT. CAN YOU IMAGINE WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE HERE. I THINK WE SHOULD TRY TO FIND WAYS HERE TO LOOK AT A SMALL BUT SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT OF HOW CAN WE MAKE OUR CITY SHINE A LITTLE MORE LIKE THAT LITTLE PICTURE? I THINK THAT WILL HELP AMPLIFY WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO AND BRING IN MORE INFILL, MORE INVESTMENTS AND SEND A SIGNAL THAT WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS INVESTMENT, WHICH I KNOW WE ARE, IN FPRA, BUT THESE ARE SMALL THINGS. THIS IS MANPOWER, MACHINERY ANDWATER, BASICALLY. >> WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, THESE ARE THINGS THE CITY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR?
>> YEAH, THESE ARE CITY SIDEWALKS, YES, MA'AM.
>> I KNOW THAT, BUT YOU'RE TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT NOT THE HOME OWNER SHOULD DO BUT MAKE SURE THE CITY DOES THEIR PART IN
MAKING SURE THIS LOOKS GOOD. >> ABSOLUTELY AND YOU GET SOME HOME OWNERS WHO WILL COME OUT, I THINK AS WE TALKED ABOUT BRIDGING AND CONNECTING THESE NEIGHBORHOODS, I THINK WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THAT. GIST YESTERDAY WE HAD A RESIDENT COMING IN HERE TALKING ABOUT THAT PATHWAY COMING HERE TO AVENUE D AND I LOOK AT WHAT THAT COMMERCIAL BUSINESS OWNER ON D AND U.S. 1, HE'S TAKEN DOWN THE GATE, PUT IN GREAT LANDSCAPING AS IT COMES BUT THESE ARE THE LITTLE THINGS WE HAVE TO ADDRESS AND I WAS TALKING TO MR. MIMMS ABOUT HOW DO WE MAKE AN INVESTMENT LIKE THIS? THIS IS LABOR THING.
IF PEOPLE CAN CONTRACT AND GET CONTRACTS TO CLEANER SIDEWALKS WITH PRESSURE WASHERS AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS, THAT'S JUST WATER AND LABOR. EDGING, THAT'S A LITTLE MORE TECHNICAL AND THE RIGHT OF WAYS, WE MAY NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT WE CURRENTLY DO WITH THE CITY. I KNOW WE HAVE HAD LABOR FORCE COMING IN TO HELP US BUT WITH THE PANDEMIC, THAT'S BEEN CHALLENGED AND I GET THAT, BUT I STILL THINK THAT I WANTED TO BRING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION BECAUSE THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. I WANT TO HAVE A DISCUSSION AS TO HOW DO WE DO THAT? I WELCOME COMMENTS.
I HAVE HAD COMMENTS FROM MR. MIMMS, COMING UP WITH CREATIVE IDEAS SO LET'S JUST HAVE A DISCUSSION.
>> I WISH THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE HERE FOR INC MIGHT HAVE BENEFITTED FROM LISTENING TO THIS BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESSES THAT DO THAT KIND OF LABOR.
>> RIGHT. >> THAT WOULDN'T BE -- BUT ALL OF THAT TAKES MONEY AND I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY BUT IT SEEMS TO ME LIKE WE COULD TAKE SMALL STEPS, RIGHT? 17TH AND I, THAT'S WHERE LINCOLN PARK ACADEMY IS, RIGHT?
>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> WE COULD TAKE BLOCKS RIGHT? WHEN YOU LOOK AT PROGRAMS LIKE THIS, IT'S AMAZING WHAT $50,000 OR $75,000, HOW FAR THAT WOULD GET US, THAT'S MY MENTALITY OF LOOKING AT THIS, AS TO HOW DO WE ADDRESS THIS IN OUR
NEIGHBORHOOD. >> IS THAT OUR RESPONSIBILITY?
>> THAT IT APPEARS THE THE CITY'S RESPONSIBILITY, YES,
MA'AM. >> I SEE PEOPLE WORKING ON THE MEDIAN SOMETIMES AND ON THE SIDE, I HAVE SEEN THEM OUT ON OKACHOBEE ROAD AND THEY'RE BLOWING THE CLIPPINGS AND THAT'S STANDARDS BRIDGE, I GUESS, BUT WHEN WE HEAR FROM EDIE WHITER AND SHE WILL TALK ABOUT HOW MAKING THAT UP IS SO IMPORTANT.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO MOW AND COLLECT THE CLIPPINGS AND MOW
AND TAKING IT A BLOCK AT A TIME? >> I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THIS YOUNG MAN BACK THERE, MIKE RAILS, HE WITH TALK ABOUT THE RIGHT OF WAY AND HOW IT'S DONE AND ALSO METHODOLOGIES FOR
IMPROVEMENT. >> MR. REELS ON THE HOT SEAT
[00:45:12]
AGAIN. >> FIRST OF ALL, I'M VERY HAPPY WE'RE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION TONIGHT.
THE MAINTENANCE OF OUR ENTIRE CITY IS VERY IMPORTANT AND THE APPEARANCE OF OUR ENTIRE CITY IS VERY IMPORTANT.
THE FACT THAT THIS TOPIC IS BEING DISCUSSED IS WONDERFUL.
AS WE KNOW, SINCE MARCH OF LAST YEAR, WE HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED WITH THE PANDEMIC AND COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, YOU ALAWSUITED TO THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A GREAT PROGRAM GOING AND ALLUDED TO THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A GREAT PROGRAM GOING AND THERE'S BEEN A SHORTAGE IN THE JAILS SOME WERE PULLED FROM US.
WHILE I'M SPEAK ON THEM, WE RECENTLY REACHED OUT TO DOA AGAIN FOR WHEN THEY COULD BE BACK AS WELL AS WE ASKED THEM IF WE COULD BEGIN THE PROCESS TO ADD ANOTHER CREW, TO GET ANOTHER WORK SQUAD. WHEN WE MADE APPROVAL OF THAT 3 YEARS AGO I BELIEVE. IT TOOK US 2 YEARS TO GET THE CREW WE HAD AND THEY JUST GOT GOING WHEN THIS HAPPENED.
OUR TYPICAL CITY OF FORT PIERCE RIGHT OF WAY MAINTENANCE PROGRAM, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING FROM THE TELEPHONE POLES OUT TO THE ROAD TO A SIDEWALK OUT TO THE ROAD.
WE GET ASSISTANCE FROM MANY HOME OWNERS AND WE HAVE BEAUTIFULLY MAINTAINED PROPERTIES BEHIND THAT LINE AND THAT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY. WE ARE INTERNALLY RIGHT NOW LOOKING AT WAYS THAT WE CAN IMPROVE HOW WE DO OUR SERVICE DEL DELIVERY.
WE HAVE CHALLENGES WITH LITTER AND RIGHT OF WAYS NOT BEING MAINTAINED BY PROPERTY OWNERS AND WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WAYS THAT WE CAN LOOK AT THAT AND GET THE BEST OF WHAT WE HAVE TODAY WITHOUT ADDING MORE PEOPLE.
THAT'S AN OPTION BUT IT'S GOING TAKE TIME TO GET THOSE IN THERE.
ONE THING WE HAVE WORKING WITH US RIGHT NOW IS SLOWING DOWN AND OUR GOAL INTERNALLY IS TO PUT AS MANY FORCES AS WE CAN BOO AREAS OF CONCERN TO GET THEM IN SHAPE AND TRY TO BE ABLE TO STAY ON TOP OF THAT. HOW DO WE MAKE IT BETTER? OUTSIDE OF IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCIES THAT WE HAVE, HONESTLY I THINK THAT THE BALL IS IN PLAY ON THAT.
I THINK WE'RE DOING THINGS NOW THAT ARE GOING TO MAKE IS DIFFERENCE IN THE LONG RUN. I THINK WE COULD ADD RESOURCES INTERNALLY, WE COULD ADD EQUIPMENT, MORE PEOPLE, I THINK THAT WE COULD LOOK AT DOING THINGS CONTRACTUALLY.
SIDEWALK PRESSURE WASHING, SPRINZ, I THINK WE WOULD FARE BETTER LOOKING FOR A CONTRACTOR TO DO THAT.
>> HOPEFULLY ONE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> HOW DO WE GET THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES TO STEP UP AND BE PART OF THE SOLUTION, RIGHT?
>> DECISIONLY -- ADDITIONALLY IS THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.
I BELIEVE ON ONE OF THE VIDEOS PASTOR COPELAND SAID IF YOU'RE ABLE TO HELP US CLEAN UP THE WHOLE STREET, CLEAN UP WHAT'S IN FRONT OF YOUR DOOR. THAT'S IMPORTANT.
TONIGHT WE SOLD MANY PROPERTIES THAT WILL HOPEFULLY TURN INTO PROPERTIES WITH HOMES ON THEM FOR HOME OWNERSHIP.
WE'RE LOOK AT TRYING TO PROMOTE MORE VOLUNTEERISM.
THIS MORNING, KEEP FORT PIERCE BEAUTIFUL, THEY WILL BE COMING IN SHORTLY WITH IDEAS WE HAD INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR NICE PROGRAM IN PORT ST. LUCIE AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, A LOT OF GREAT IDEAS ABOUT HOW THEY HAVE ANNUAL, BIANNUAL COMMUNITY MEETINGS TO GET FEEDBACK AND HAVE ENGAGEMENT WITH THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS. PART OF THAT IDENTIFICATION WILL HOPEFULLY BRING ALONG NEIGHBORHOOD PRIDE.
THE CONTRACT THAT WAS SIGNED WITH INCUBATE, I THINK THAT'S FANTASTIC WHAT'S GOING ON THERE AND THAT WHOLE CORNER IS FIXING TO CHANGE DRAMATICALLY WITH THE HIGHWAYMEN MUSEUM AND
[00:50:02]
EVERYTHING. MY SUGGESTION IS IT'S A COMBINATION OF ALL, INTERNAL RESOURCES, CONTRACTUAL RESOURCES AND CONTINUING TO PUSH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND TRY TO GET OUR COMMUNITY INVOLVED AND HELP OUT AS MUCH AS WE CAN.>> I GUESS, MADAM CHAIR, FIRST IS TO BE AWARE OF THE SITUATION.
THAT'S THE FIRST THING. I'M OPEN TO GETTING THE INFORMATION WE NEED TO MAKE A DECISION AS TO IS IT FEASIBLE AND REASONABLE BASED ON COST? AND WE DON'T KNOW THAT BECAUSE I'M BRINGING THIS UP NOW AND BEFORE THIS GETS OUT OF HAND, WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT WHAT DOES THAT LABOR COST LOOK LIKE? AND I DON'T KNOW THAT BUT I WOULD LIKE TO GET HAPPEN WITH STAFF AND THROUGH THE FPRA, WE LOOK AT THIS BECAUSE THIS IS A FPRA PROJECT. IN MY MIND -- AND I WENT UP TO THE PEACOCK ARTS DISTRICT AND WORKED MY WAY BACK BUT THOSE ARE AREAS WE'RE TRYING TO BRING IN INVESTMENT AND THE LEAST WE CAN DO, I THINK, IS HAVE THE STREETS SWEPT AND THE SIDEWALKS ADDRESSED AT THAT POINT AND GO FROM THERE.
I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS AND I KNOW HOW HARD THE WORKS PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO ADDRESS THIS, BUT I DO KNOW THAT IF THIS CONTINUES TO GO UNADDRESSED AND WE DON'T TAKE LOOK AT THIS AND BEGIN TO ADDRESS IT. IT'S GOING TO BE MUCH HARDER BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE MUCH MORE.
I THINK IT'S GOING TO CAUSE CHALLENGES.
WHAT I DIDN'T INCLUDE WAS THE WHO HE WOULD MORRIS CREEK AREA.
I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH MR. MIMMS AND THE CITY INVESTED A LOT OF MONEY IN THAT WHOLE MORRIS CREEK AND WHAT I SAW A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO WAS NOT GOOD.
I DID NOT PURPOSEFULLY GO BACK THERE AND TAKE PICTURES.
>> IN THE WATER OR ON THE LAND? >> IN THE WATER, ON THE LAND, ON THE BENCHES,OUT LIESING CITY ELECTRICITY, ALL OF THAT.
>> AND WE HAVE A GROUP THAT PAYS ATTENTION TO IT QUARTERLY, BUT.
>> IT'S S MUCH WORK TO BE DONE, BY THE TIME THE QUARTER GETS HERE, IT'S OVERWHELMING. IF THIS CONTINUES, IT BECOMES SO DAUNTING AND SO OVERWHELMING, IT GIST REALLY TEARS AND WEARS.
LET'S FIGURE OUT WHERE WE ARE AND FIGURE OUT A PLAN OF HOW BEGIN TO ADDRESS THIS. TO LET THIS GO UNADDRESSED IS GOING TO REFUTE WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO WITH BRINGING BUSINESSES LIKE INC AND ANY OTHER BUSINESS, THE HIGHWAYMEN MUSEUM, THE LINCOLN PARK THEATER, IT'S GOING TO REFUTE WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO. WE JUST SOLD $66,000 WORTH OF PROPERTY IN THE LINCOLN PARK NEIGHBORHOOD TO ONE INVESTOR THAT'S TRYING TO BUILD A SINGLE FAMILY HOME.
WHY WOULD I BUY A HOME IN THIS AREA THAT'S NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OF, IF MY OPINION. I WANT TO HELP BRING MORE MORE INVESTMENTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND TO DO THAT, WE HAVE TO ADDRESS LITTLE THINGS LIKE THISMENT
>> AND THAT WOULD BE CONSIDER PART OF THE FPRCRA.
I THINK MR. MIMMS TOLD ME THE DOJ, THAT WAS A SUCCESSFUL PROJECT. WE HAD A LOT OF AGGRESSIVE WORK LIKE THIS DONE BECAUSE THEY WERE HELPING US.
DO YOU HAVE A TIMETABLE OF -- I KNOW YOU SAID THE FEDS MOVED
SLOWLY. >> WE REACHED OUT 2 WEEKS AGO AND WE HAVE NOT NOT EVEN HAD A RESPONSE YET SO WE HAVE NO TIMETABLE. WE WERE OPTIMISTIC WHEN NUMBERS TRENDED DOWNWARD IN MAY AND JUNE AND WITH THE SPIKE, WE HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING AS FAR AS AN UPDATE.
>> AND THEIR REASONING WAS THEY HAD A SHORTAGE OF PERSONNEL AT
THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS? >> CORRECT.
THE CREWS STAYED HOUSED. >> I BET THEY HATED THAT.
I BET THEY LIKED TO GET OUT. >> THEY HAVE BEEN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING, THEY REALLY HAVE, AND THE QUALITY OF WORK THEY DO, THE AMOUNT OF WORK THEY DO HAS BEEN GREAT.
>> DID WE PAY SOMETHING FOR THAT?
>> WE DO. >> WAS IT A REASONABLE PRICE?
>> FOR A CREW OF FIVE PLUS A CORRECTIONS OFFICER IT'S ABOUT $65,000 A YEAR. JUST FOR MATH, FOR EASY MATH, IF WE WERE TO, AS OUR MINIMUM WAGE IS APPROACHING $15 AN HOUR, FOR EASY MATH, WE CAN FIGURE ON WHEN YOU KNOW EMPLOYEE OF THE PUBLIC
[00:55:04]
WORKS DEPARTMENT IS ROUGHLY $50,000 WITH BENEFITS.>> SO INSTEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, IF YOU HAD A BUSINESS OR SEVERAL BUSINESSES THAT WERE IN THAT BUSINESS, YOU COULD HAVE DIFFERENT CREWS AT DIFFERENT TIMES FOR WORKING IT
IN DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS? >> SURE.
ABSOLUTELY. MANY COMMUNITIES ALL OVER DO CONTRACTS FOR RIGHT OF WAY MAINTENANCE, RIGHT OF WAY MOWING. PORT ST. LUCIE, THEY'RE DOING SIDEWALKS NOW BUT FOR A WHILE THEY HAD SWELL LINE NURSRS.
WHAT WE COULD DO IS PUT OUT A SCOPE OF WORK TO RECEIVE COST ON WHAT THESE SERVICS WOULD LOOK LIKE SO THERE'S AT LEAST AN IDEA ON WHAT THEY WOULD COST. THESE THINGS COULD CERTAINLY BE
CONTRACTED OUT TO SOMEONE ELSE. >> YEAH, I SEE WHAT YOU'RE SAY SAYING AND IT NEEDS SOME ATTENTION BECAUSE WE WANT OUR WHOLE CITY TO LOOK GOOD AND THERE'S PROBABLY OTHER PLACES THAT ARE NOT IN DISTRICT ONE THAT ARE PROBABLY --
>> I WENT ALL THE WAY OVER TO DISTRICT TWO AND THERE ARE SOME AREAS OVER THERE AS WELL THAT NEED THIS ATTENTION.
I'M NOT JUST FOCUSING ON THIS. THAT WHOLE PREMISE ONE FORT PIERCE BUT THIS HAS BEEN NEGLECTED AND WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT A PLAN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT COSTS BY WE NEED TO START TO LOOK AT IT. YOU SAID SOMETHING A MINUTE AGO, MADAM CHAIR, THERE HAVE TO BE WAYS OUT THERE THAT WE CAN HELP REVITALIZE AND CLEAN UP THESE NEIGHBORHOODS TO HELP FUND SOME OF THIS TO GATE GOOD JUMP START. IT'S SO OVERWHELMING THAT GOOD .
IT'S SO OVERWHET GOOD JUMP STAR. IT'S SO OVERWH GOOD JUMP START.
IT'S SO OVERWHA GOOD JUMP START.
IT'S SO OVERWHELMING THAT IT'S A LOT OF WORK.
>> COMMISSIONER PERONA? >> THIS IS ALL REALLY IMPORTANT BUT I'M HEARING ALL THE DIFFERENT ISSUES AND LOOKING AT ALL THE DIFFERENT PICTURES AND IT'S NOT JUST ONE PROBLEM.
YOU HAVE STORM WATER ISSUES, ROAD REPAIR, CODE ENFORCEMENT, STREET SWEEPING, ALL THESE THINGS ARE GOING ON AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I'M THINKING ENGINEERING OVER THEY'RE, PUBLIC WORKS OVER HERE AND ALL THESE THINGS GOING ON.
FIRST WE NEED TO, IN YOUR DEPARTMENT, HOW DO WE IDENTIFY, OTHER THAN COMMISSIONER JOHNSON HERE, HOW DO WE IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AREAS? DOES SOMEONE GO AROUND AND LOOK THERE'S A RIGHT OF WAY HERE GETTING OUT OF WHACK? IS IT CODE ENFORCEMENT THAT KNOCKS ON YOUR DOOR? HOW DO YOU IDENTIFY THOSE PROBLEM AREAS?
>> IT'S A COMBINATION. WE ASK OUR CREWS IN THE FIELD TO IDENTIFY THEM. WE HAVE AN INSPECTOR.
OUR DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS GOES AROUND.
WE ARE WORKING WITH CODE ENFORCEMENT ALSO ALL THE TIME.
WE JUST STARTED HELPING WITH SOME OF OUR ISSUES AND CODE BUT THEY ALERT US TO THINGS AS WELL AND THAT'S HOW THEY'RE
IDENTIFIED. >> WE NEED TO ENGAGE NEIGHBORHOODS, MAYBE THAT'S PART OF WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT, COMMISSIONER, SO TO BE ABLE TO GET THEM INVOLVED AND SAY, HEY, WE WANT OUR NEIGHBORHOOD TO LOOK BETTER, WE NEED HELP AND TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT ENGAGEMENT AND I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE GET MORE THINGS DONE FOR THE MONEY THAT WE SPEND.
IT'S NOT JUST FPRA, I SEE CITY KROVMENT, ENGIINVOLVEMENT, ENGIC WORKERS, INCH EVERYONE WILL HAVE TO COME AND GET A PIECE OF THIS AND FIND OUT WHO ARE OUR PARTNERS WITHIN OUR OWN HOUSE SO MOVE THIS FORWARD AND PERHAPS WE CAN COME UP WITH FUNDING MECHANISMS THAT CATCHING THOSE THINGS THAT ARE NOT NECESSARILY TAKEN CARE OF THROUGH THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS.
I REALLY THINK IT'S NEIGHBORHOOD ENGAMEMENT.
I KEEP THINKING ABOUT THE HIBISCUS GROUP.
THEY HAVE NOT BEEN HERE IN A WHILE BUT WHEN THEY'RE HERE, THEY'RE HERE. THEY WATCH EVERYTHING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. WE HAVE DONE STUDIES ABOUT
[01:00:02]
IMPROVING THEIR STREETS, THEIR LIGHTING,>> THEY HAVE CRIME WATCH. >> IT'S NOTIT'S NOT JUST THAT O.
THAT SHOULD BE FOR ALL NEIGHBORHOODS AND MAYBE THAT'S WHAT WE SPEND OUR EFFORTS ONTO GET THAT BUY-IN.
>> I HAVE TO ADDRESS THAT. IF WE WAIT ON THAT, THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO COMPOUND. PART OF THIS CONTINUE BUGS TO THIS AND PLENTY OF THESE GATHER WAYS ANDRIBUTION TO THIS AND PLENTY OF THESE GATHER WAYS AND YOU MENTIONED IT EARLIER, MANY OF THESE AREAS ARE LARGELY RENTALS.
WHILE WE WORK TO BUILD THESE GROUPS, THAT'S STARTING THE PROCESS BUT WE CANNOT FAIL TO ADDRESS THIS NOW BY MECHANIZED WAYS OF JUST AT LEAST SWEEPING THE STREETS.
WE SPENT $145,000 ON A CONTRACT FOR A THIRD PARTY SWEEPER THAT'S NOT SWEEPING THE STREETS. WE APPROVE THAT HAD IN THE CITY COMMISSION AND THEY ARE NOT DOING WHAT THEY ARE CONTRACTED TO DO BASED ON THIS EVIDENCE. THAT'S BASIC TO ME.
>> I UNDERSTAND IT, THAT'S JUST PART OF IT, BUT I'M TAKING ABOUT THE WHOLE BALL OF WAX. WE COULD THROW $75,000 OR $100,000 TO THIS WITHOUT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, WE'RE DOING THE SAME THING OVER SO THIS IS A LITTLE MORE COMPLEX THAN JUST REACHING OUT. I WANT TO DO IT RIGHT AWAY, I'M NOT TRYING TO BELABOR ANYTHING BUT WE HAVE TO GET OUT AHEAD OF IT, START THE PROGRAM THROUGH THE CITY PUBLIC WORKS, INVOLVE THE ENGINEERING FOR SOME OF THE STUFF THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SEE WHAT WE NEED TO FIX BUT WE REALLY NEED TO GET OUT THERE AND PUSH THESE NEIGHBORHOODS TO HAVE BUY-IN SO WE DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK EVERY 6 MONTHS AND SO THE SAME THING OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN LIKE WE HAVE WITH MORRIS CREEK.
WE HAVE DONE THAT WITH MORRIS CREEK AS LONG AS I HAVE BEEN A COMMISSIONER IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, I HAVE HAD THE PICTURES SHOWN WHAT THY LOOK LIKE WITH THE MATTRESSES THROWN DOWN THERE AND THE GARBAGE, IT'S DEPLORABLE.
GO THROUGH AND WE CLEAN IT UP AND 6 MONTHS LATER, IT IS BACK.
IT'S GOT TO GET BETTER THAN THAT.
>> I AGREE WITH YOU. >> WELL, I THINK WE ALSO CAN WALK AND CHEW GUM AT THE SAME TIME.
>> SOME OF US, YEAH. [AUGHTER] SPEAKING FOR MYSELF. I THINK THAT MR. REELS AND MR. MIMMS CAN LOOK INTO THE IMMEDIACY OF KIND OF FOCUSING ON SOME AREAS AND PROJECTS AND COMING BACK WITH MONEY AND USING FPRA DOLLARS IF WE HAVE IT AND DO YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING
MR. MIMMS? >> IF YOU DON'T MIND, IF YOU'RE
FINISHED DISCUSSIONING. >> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, THANK
YOU FOR BRINGING THIS UP. >> NOT A PROBLEM.
>> I BELIEVE THAT ONE OF THE CLEANEST AND MOST PRISTINE AREAS IS ON SOUTH BEACH AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE NEIGHBORS AND THE CITIZENS THAT LIVE THERE. CHARLENE LEADING THAT CHARGE.
HIBISCUS PARK YOU HAVE MY FRIEND MARTHA WRIGHT LEADING THAT CHARGE. WE USED TO HAVE REVEREND QUARTERMAN BEFORE HE STOPPED MOVING SO WELL BUT WE HAVE THE COMMUNITY ENGAGED. WITHOUT THAT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTICIPATION, IT WILL NOT WORK.
I CAN TELL YOU THAT RIGHT NOW. WE CANNOT KEEP UP WITH THE COMMUNITY IF THE COMMUNITY DOES NOT HELP US.
WHAT WE CAN DO, HOWEVER, FROM THE FPRA PERSPECTIVE, WE CAN LOOK AT OUR MOST VISIBLE THOROUGHFARES, OUR ROADS, WE CAN LOOK AT THAT AND LOOK AT HOW WE CAN ENGAGE A MORE PRISTINE AND INTENSIFIED MAINTENANCE TYPE ACTION THAT CAN BE POSSIBLY FUNDED BY FPRA FOR BEAUTIFICATION SAKE.
AS FAR AS NEIGHBORHOOD SUSTAINABILITY, I THINK KEEP FORT PIERCE BEAUTIFUL IS RIGHT ON IT.
WE HAVE TO ENGAGE THE NEIGHBORHOODS TO TAKE CARE THEMSELVES BECAUSE WE'RE NOT GOING TO KEEP UP AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, THEY'RE STRUGGLING.
THEIR STAFF HAS NOT INCREASED. ABOUT A DECADE AGO WE HIT A ROUGH TIME AND MANY OF THE EMPLOYEES WERE RELEASED, LAID OFF, LET GO, AND THOSE POSITIONS HAVE NOT COME BACK.
PUBLIC WORKS BASICALLY JUST DOES WHAT THEY CAN POSSIBLY DO AND I GET ON MICHAEL ALL THE TIME, HE NOSE WHEN I CALL HIM, HE HATES
[01:05:01]
IT, BUT HE STILL TAKES THE CALL. HE TAKES IT SO IT'S SOMETHING THAT I'M PUSHING HIM, WE'RE PUSHING OUR EMPLOYEES, WE NEED THE COMMUNITY'S HELP BUT I BELIEVE THE FPRA CAN LOOK AT THESE CORRIDORS AND IMPLEMENT SOME CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIPS WHEREBY WE CAN CLEAN UP THE MAJOR CORRIDORS, THE HIGH VISIBILITY AREAS AND WE CAN MAKE AN IMPACT IN THE FPRA.>> AND THAT'S A START. WE START AT THAT.
THESE ARE MAJOR ARTERIES COMING IN TO OUR FOCAL POINTS.
IF WE GIVE THE MANAGERS TO THE BEAUTIFICATION BOARD, ABSOLUTELY, I THINK THAT WILL SPUR THAT.
THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING. THESE ARE MAJOR CORRIDOR THAT IS
YOU'RE SEEING PICTURES OF TODAY. >> TO ELABORATE ON WHAT MIKE SAID ABOUT THE KEEP FORT PIERCE BEAUTIFUL, WHAT PORT ST. LUCIE DID WAS THEY STARTED WITH ONE OR TWO NEIGHBORHOODS.
THEY DIDN'T START WITH A BUNCH OF NEIGHBORHOODS, RIGHT? AND THEY PICKED NEIGHBORHOODS THAT PERHAPS NEEDED SOME ATTENTION. DIDN'T HE SAY THERE WERE SOME CHALLENGES THAT KIND OF WERE -- AND THEY HAD COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE THINGS IS WE LEARNED FROM THEM THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS, THEY DON'T WANT A CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS AND COMMITTEE MEETINGS.
THEY DON'T WANT TO SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITH CITY STAFF TALKING ABOUT IT, RIGHT? SO THEY HAVE WHAT? TWO MEETINGS A YEAR AND IF 20 PEOPLE SHOW UP, THAT'S A GOOD THING. PEOPLE ARE REALLY DEDICATED TO IT. THEY HAD ONE MEETING WHERE 300 PEOPLE SHOWED UP AND THEY WERE LIKE OH, WHAT'S GOING ON? WELL, THOSE 300 PEOPLE THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING CHANGE THE NAME OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD SO THEY WERE THERE TO FIGHT AGAINST IT.
WE LEARN ADD LOT FROM THAT AND I THINK THE KEEP FORT PIERCE BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY WILL TRY TO FOLLOW THAT PATTERN, IS THAT
>> ALSO KEEP FORT PIERCE BEAUTIFUL ALREADY HAS AN DOADAPA PARK PROGRAM AS WELL AS ADOPT A STREET PROGRAM.
THING -- I THINK AT SOME POINT THEY WILL COME TO THE COMMISSION AND TELL THE COMMISSION WHAT THEY HAVE DONE AND GET BUY-IN
FROM THIS COMMISSION. >> CORRECT.
>> SO WE CAN DO IT ON TWO TRACKS.
>> EACH ARTERY AND GET A COST ESTIMATE OF WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE FROM A CONTRACT PRANCE AND I HATE TO BETHRASH POINT BY YOU MENTIONED THIS WITH THE STORM WATER, I KEEP GOING BACK TO THAT, WE ALLOCATED FOR CURBING TO BE SWEPT AND IT'S NOT BEING
IS IT NOT WORKING? >> THEY ARE REPORTED BECAUSE I ASKED FOR THE REPORTS. WE'LL HAVE TO TALK TO
MR. ANDREWS >> YEAH, MADAM CHAIR, THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE HAS EMPLOYED A COMPANY.
I FORGET THE NAME OF THE COMMITTEE BUT THE CITY ENGINEER IS WORKING WITH THEM. THEY TOLD US THEY'RE HAVING LABOR SHORTAGES AND ISSUES BECAUSE OF COVID.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE BEING TOLD AND WE HAVE SEEN LONG STRETCHES WHERE THEY ARE NOT REPORTING TO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE TO DO THE STREET SWEEPING. WE'RE WORKING ON IT.
>> LIKE WASTE PRO IN PORT ST. LUCIE, THEY HAVE LABOR SHORTAGES
>> AND YOU HAVE LABOR SHORTAGES >> IT'S ALL OVER BUT WE'RE NOT UP HERE TO MAKE EXCUSED. IT'S A REALITY BUT ONE THING WE HAVE WORKING FOR US AS WE WORK THROUGH THIS IS WE HAVE MOTHER NATURE COMING ON OUR SIDE WITH THE GRASS SLOWING DOWN.
WE'LL BE ABLE TO TAKE OUR EXISTING FORCES AND TRY TO GET AHEAD OF SOME OF THIS STUFF WHILE WE WORK AT ENGAGING OUR CODE ENFORCEMENT, OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, GETTING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE WORK WE'RE LOOKING TO HAVE DONE, SO THAT'S ONE POSITIVE THAT WE HAVE GOING FOR US RIGHT NOW.
HOPEFULLY, YOU KNOW, THE NUMBERS CONTINUE TO TREND DOWN AND WE'LL GET THAT DOJ CREW BACK SOON AND --
>> THE PANDEMIC DID A LOT OF THIS SLOWDOWN, EVEN FOR YOUR STAFF, YOU HAD STAFF OUT THAT WERE SICK OR WHATEVER.
AND WE DIDN'T KEEP UP. >> IN ADDITION TO STAFF BEING OUT, WE'VE, UNFORTUNATELY, LOST A STAFF MEMBER.
WE HAVE HAD STAFF MEMBERS WHO HAVE LOST FAMILY MEMBERS.
WE HAVE BEREAVEMENT LEAVE, THINGS LIKE THAT, WE'RE FINDING IT CHALLENGING TO EVEN BRING ON TEMPORARY HELP RIGHT NOW THROUGH TEMPORARY STAFFING AGENCIES. IT'S ACROSS THE BOARD.
[01:10:04]
>> IT'S HAPPENING ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, NOT JUST FORT PIERCE.
SO ARE YOU CLEAR, MR. MIMMS ON WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO IN
>> I AM CLEAR, YES, MA'AM. >> ALL RIGHT.
>> I GIST -- JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO THIS.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY CALLS AND I WILL KEEP CALLING.
MR. REELS, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
THE COMMUNITY IS MORE ENGAGED NOW THAN THEY EVER HAVE BEEN.
PEOPLE ARE CALLING, ADOPTING STREETS, THEY WANT TO DO IT.
LET'S JUST TRY TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION TO HELP US WITH SOME OF THIS STUFF BECAUSE I'M GETTING THE CALLS. IF I GET THE CALLS, YOU'RE GOING GET THE CALLS. YES, SIR.
>> IF HE GETS A CALL, I'M GETTING A CALL.
>> COMING RIGHT ON DOWN. >> THE PHONE TREE, RIGHT?
>> I ANSWER THE PHONE AND E-MAILS, I DO THAT.
>> I DO BELIEVE THAT WE ARE DEFINITELY SEEING MORE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THAN WE HAVE BEFORE. WE'RE SEEING MORE INTEREST IN WANTING TO HELP. I THINK THE CITY IS DOING THE RIGHT THINGS, IT'S JUST CONTINUING THAT MOMENTUM AND KEEP THIS GOING. I'LL AWAIT MR. MIMMS' DIRECTION
[7. STAFF COMMENTS]
>> APPRECIATE YOU, MIKE. THANK YOU.
NEXT WE HAVE STAFF COMMENTS. MR. MIMMS.
>> SO I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING HAPPY.
I WANT TO HAVE A SPECIAL PROJECT COORDINATOR AUDREY WELLS THAT WILL SPEAK ABOUT THE ELIGIBILITY OF FUNDING FOR A COUPLE SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURES IN OUR COMMUNITY WE WILL
>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
WE RECEIVED SOME EXCITING NEWS FROM THE STATE I BELIEVE IT WAS YESTERDAY ABOUT THE AMERICAN AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORICAL RESOURCES GRANT. THE COMMISSION I BELIEVE FIRST HEARD ABOUT IT FROM FORMER REPRESENTATIVE LARRY LEE.
HE SPOKE ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY AND SO WE HAVE RECEIVED WORD THAT THE GRANT IS, THEY'RE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS AND ACTUALLY THE STATE LEGISLATURE HAS SET ASIDE $24.5 MILLION FOR FEDERAL AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN FOR CORONOVIRUS RELIEF.
THE PURPOSE OF THE GRANT IS TO PROVIDE FUNDING FOR FIXED CAPITAL OUTLAY PROJECTS AT FACILITIES IN FLORIDA THAT HIGHLIGHT THE CONTRIBUTIONS, CULTURE OR HISTORY OF AFRICAN AMERICANS. WE HAVE TWO PROJECTS WE THINK WOULD BE IDEAL TO SUBMIT GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR.
ONE PROJECT IS THE HIGHWAY MUSEUM.
HIGHWAY MAN MUSEUM. UPGRADES WE ARE IDENTIFYING THAT NEED TO BE MADE TO THE BUILDING IN ORDER TO HOUSE OUR PIECES OF ART AND ARTIFACTS. WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE HIGHWAYMEN ORGANIZATION IN CONDUCTING SITE VISITS TO IDENTIFY THE THINGS THE CITY WOULD NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO RETROFIT THE BUILDING TO DO THAT AND BE A MUSEUM.
THE OTHER PROJECT IS THE LINCOLN THEATER RESTORATION.
WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE MARTIN LUTHER KING COMMEMORATIVE COMMITTEE. WE THINK THIS WOULD BE PERFECT TO SUBMIT TO THE STATE TO RECEIVE FUNDS.
ACTUALLY YOU CAN ASK FOR AS MUCH AS YOU LIKE.
HOWEVER, IF YOU REQUEST $500,000 THERE'S NO CASH MATCH FOR THAT.
IF YOU REQUEST A MILLION DOLLARS OR MORE, YOU HAVE TO PUT UP AT LEAST 50% OF THE MATCHING FUNDS FROM OTHER RESOURCES.
SO WE'RE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT SUBMITTING GRANT REQUESTS FOR THOSE TWO PROJECTS, THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT IS NOVEMBER 30TH BY
5 O'CLOCK. >> SO WILL BOTH OF THEM WILL BE FROM THE CITY? WILL WE BE
>> BECAUSE ONE WILL BE SUBMITTED IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE MARTIN LUTHER KING COMMEMORATIVE COMMITTEE.
THE FACILITY OR PROPERTY HAS TO BE OWNED BY THE PROPERTY SUBMITTING THE GRANT. BUT WITH THE HIGHWAYMEN MUSEUM, WE OWN THAT SO WE WILL BE ABLE TO SUBMIT ON BEHALF OF THE CITY TO RECEIVE FUNDS. I'M EXCITED.
[01:15:03]
>> WELL, YOU BETTER GET WRITING, RIGHT?
>> I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOU. >> GREAT NEWS.
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MANAGER, CHEYENNE IS HERE.
SHE HASN'T SAID ANYTHING. I WILL HAVE HER TALK ABOUT FISHERMAN'S WHARF AND KINGS LANDING.
>> MADAM CHAIR, GOOD NEWS FOR KINGS LANDING.
WE HAVE ALL OF THE DOCUMENTATION IN FOR THEIR SITE PLAN DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW APPLICATIONS AND THERE WILL BE A SPECIAL PLANNING BOARD MEETING ON OCTOBER 25TH.
WE WEREN'T ABLE TO GET THEM IN FOR YESTERDAY'S MEETING.
INSTEAD OF PUSHING THEM TO NOVEMBER, WE WILL HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING DEVOTED TO THAT. WE MET WITH ALL OF HIS TEAM TODAY WITH THE PLANNING DIRECTOR AND EVERYTHING IS A GO.
LOOKS GREAT FOR THAT FISHERMAN'S WHARF, WE'RE STILL IN THE DUE DILIGENCE PHASE. SEA GRASS, THEY HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THAT AND LINDSEY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE BEEN DOWN ORANGE AVENUE BUT YOU HAVE SEEN THE PUMPKIN PATCH OUTSIDE. THEY ARE CHUGGING AWAY AT GETTING FUNDING. THEY ESTABLISHED GRANTS TO APPLY FOR AND DOING EVENTS ON THE PROPERTY AS WELL.
THOSE ARE THREE PROJECTS -- WERE THOSE THE THREE? ANYTHING THANK YOU.
[8. BOARD COMMENTS]
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> AND CONCLUDES STAFF COMMENT. MS. EARLY.
>> I HAVE NOTHING. >> NOTHING.
>> BOARD COMMENTS. >> JUST HAD A LONG DAY.
COMMISSIONER SAINT JOHNSON, DO YOU WANT TO TALK ANYMORE?
>> SINCE MR. MIMMS TOLD ME NO, I THINK I WILL MAKE A COMMENT.
THANK YOU TO STAFF FOR ALL HARD WORK.
>> I AGREE. >> COMMISSIONER PERONA.
>> LET'S MOVE OUT OF THE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.