Aug 01, 2022 City Commission Regular Meeting

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:27]

>> I LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.

THIS IS THE CITY OF FORT COMMISSION.

IT'S OUR REGULAR MEETING. IT'S MONDAY, AUGUST 1, 2022.

PLEASE STAND FOR THE OPENING PRAYER BY THE REVEREND GEORGE WELCH WITH WHITE CITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

>> WE PRAY. ALMIGHTY LOVING AND ALL-KNOWING GOD, I APPROACH YOU AT THE START OF THIS MEETING, WOULD LAY DOWN OUR DESIRE FOR THIS IS THE SUNRISE CITY.

TO BE A BEACON OF HOPE AND LIGHT INTO THE HEARTS AND THE MINDS OF ITS PEOPLE. I ASKED THAT YOU WILL GUIDE THE HEARTS AND THE MINDS OF THESE PEOPLE HERE TONIGHT, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CRAFTING STEPS THAT ARE NECESSARY FOR THE ENHANCEMENT. THE FURTHERING OF THIS COMMUNITY. AND WE ASK THAT AS WE THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THIS CITY. THAT WE MIGHT DISCUSS AND LISTEN TO THE ISSUES WITH REAL WISDOM.

THE TOPICS BEFORE US THAT ARE PRESENTED THIS EVENING -- UPHOLD US BY THE POWER OF YOUR NAME AND YOUR PRESENCE, WE ASK THIS, AND WE ASK THESE THINGS IN YOUR HOLY AND PRECIOUS NAME.

AMEN.

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.

>> CALLED THE ROLL, PLEASE.

[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

[a. Fort Pierce Farmers Market Week ]

>> FIRST ITEM ON THE AGENDA'S APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE JULY 18, 2022 REGULAR MEETING.

>> I VOTE FOR APPROVAL. >> SECOND.

>> THERE IS A MOTION ANDA SECOND.

CALL THE ROLL PLEASE. HOPE .

>> NEXT, WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR THE FORT PIERCE FARMERS MARKET. SO IF THE FARMERS MARKET FOLKS RECEIVING IT, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME FORWARD? THE MAYOR IS GOING TO COME DOWN --.

RANCHERS PROVIDE CITIZENS WITH ACCESS TO HEALTHFUL, LOCALLY, AND REGIONALLY PRODUCED FOODS THROUGH FARMERS MARKETS, ARE EXPANDING AND EVOLVING TO ACCOMMODATE THE DEMAND FOR A DIVERSE ARRAY OF AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS; AND WHEREAS, FARMERS MARKETS AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL DIRECT MARKETING OUTLETS PROVIDE INFRASTRUCTURE TO ASSIST IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF FARM AND VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTS, THEREBY CONTRIBUTING APPROXIMATELY $9 BILLION EACH YEAR TO THE U.S.

ECONOMY; AND WHEREAS, TREASURE COAST FARMERS AND WHICH WHEREAS, FARMERS MARKETS SERVE AS SIGNIFICANT OUTLETS BY WHICH SMALL-TO-MEDIUM, NEW AND BEGINNING, AND VETERAN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCERS MARKET AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS, GENERATING REVENUE THAT SUPPORTS THE SUSTAINABILITY OF FAMILY FARMS AND THE REVITALIZATION OF RURAL COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE; THE IMPORTANCE OF EXPANDING AGRICULTURAL MARKETINGWHEREAS, THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE RECOGNIZES OPPORTUNITIES THAT ASSIST AND ENCOURAGE THE NEXT GENERATION OF FARMERS AND RANCHERS; GENERATE FARM INCOME TO HELP STIMULATE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND JOB CREATION; BUILD COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS THROUGH RURAL AND URBAN LINKAGES AND MORE; WHEREAS, THE DOWNTOWN FORT PIERCE FARMERS MARKET HAS BEEN OFFERING LOCALLY GROWN FRESH PRODUCE, FRUITS, SEAFOOD, BEEF, POULTRY, AND MANY OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE PRODUCTS OF LOCAL FARMERS, RANCHERS AND OTHERS SINCE 1997; AND WHEREAS, THE DOWNTOWN FORT PIERCE FARMERS MARKET, A 501 C 3 NOT FOR PROFIT ORGANIZATION, HAS BEEN A VENUE FOR LOCAL MUSICAL ARTISTS, AND LOCALLY PREPARED FOOD, AT MARINA SQUARE, EVERY SATURDAY, YEAR-ROUND, RAIN OR SHINE; AND WHEREAS, THE DOWNTOWN FORT PIERCE FARMERS MARKET RELOCATED TO LAWNWOOD STADIUM PARKING LOT AND CONVERTED TO A DRIVE THROUGH MARKET, IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDED FRESH PRODUCTS TO THE CITIZENS OF THE TREASURE COAST AREA DURING THE PANDEMIC; AND WHEREAS, THE DOWNTOWN FORT PIERCE FARMERS MARKET IS A SATURDAY MORNING TRADITION IN FORT PIERCE ND ANNUALLY RANKS AS ONE OF THE BEST FARMERS MARKETS IN FLORIDA. NOW, THEREFORE, TO FURTHER AWARENESS OF FARMERS MARKET'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE TREASURE COAST, I, LINDA HUDSON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF AUGUST 1- 7, 2022, AS FORT PIERCE FARMERS

MARKET WEEK. >> WHO WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW

WORDS? >> THANK YOU.

[00:05:17]

SO WE REALLY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR THAT.

>> ANYBODY ELSE? >> WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO PROMOTE TODAY? (INDISCERNIBLE) IN CONJUNCTION WITH NATIONAL FARMERS MARKET WEEK.

THIS IS NOW YOUR CHANCE FOR OUR CITIZENS AND EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY TO HELP SUPPORT THE DOWNTOWN FORT PIERCE FARMERS MARKET BY VOTING TO MAKE US NUMBER 1. WE ARE CURRENTLY RANKED SECOND IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.SO WE NEED YOUR VOTE.

YOU CAN FIND US ON FACEBOOK. YOU CAN FIND US ON OUR WEBPAGE.

OR IF THE CAMERA CAN SCAN THIS QR CODE AND YOU CAN SCAN IT AND TAKE A PICTURE OF IT, YOU CAN VOTE TOO.

IT'S AS SIMPLE AS SCANNING AND CLICKING TO SAY I VOTE FOR MY

LOCAL TOWN, FORT PIERCE. >> THAT'S GREAT.

AND IF YOU GIVE IT TO MS. COX SHE CAN ATTACH IT TO THE AGENDA.ND THEN PEOPLE CAN ACCESS THAT INFORMATION THERE.

WE NEED THE VOTES. WE ARE ALWAYS NUMBER 1, SO WE JUST HAVE TO GET EVERYBODY (INDISCERNIBLE).

WHEN DOES THE VOTING STOP? SEPTEMBER? OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

[7. LETTERS TO COMMISSION]

[APPLAUSE] >> WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM MARK MUSIC, PRESIDENT OF MMPS ENVIRONMENTAL, INC. AWARDING

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

NEXT WE HAVE ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA AND

APPROVAL TO THE AGENDA. >> A MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> I MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA.

>> SECOND. >> A MOTION AND A SECOND.

CALL THE ROLL PLEASE.

[11. CONSENT AGENDA]

THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> ARE THERE ANY ITEMS -- THERE ARE TWO ITEMS. ANYBODY WANT TO PULL ONE OR DO

YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION? >> I WOULD LIKE TO PULL LETTER

A, MADAM MAYOR. >> ALL RIGHT.

A IS PULLED. WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION

[a. Approval of African-American Cultural and Historical Grant Award Agreement between the Florida Department of State and the City of Fort Pierce for the renovation of the Jackie L. Caynon Building for the Fort Pierce Highwaymen Museum in the amount of $483,662.00.]

FOR THE REST OF THE AGENDA? >> I MAKE THE MOTION THAT WE

ACCEPT ITEM B ON THE AGENDA. >> SECOND.

>> CALLED THE ROLL, PLEASE.

OF THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL GRANT AWARD AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF STATE IN THE CITY OF FORT FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE JACKIE L.

CAYNON BUILDING FOR THE FORT PIERCE HIGHWAYMEN MUSEUM IN THE

AMOUNT OF $483,662. >> MADAM MAYOR, BEFORE MY COMMISSIONERS SOON SOON ARE YOU REALLY PULLING THIS OUT (LAUGHING), I DON'T HAVE ANY OPPOSITION TO THIS (LAUGHING) APPROVAL. HOWEVER, IT'S BEEN MY -- WHAT IS TODAY, THE FIRST? ALMOST 8 MONTHS, IT'S BEEN MY UNDERSTANDING (INDISCERNIBLE) THAT SOME OF OUR LISTENERS AND SOME OF THE PUBLIC DON'T REALLY READ THE AGENDA TO SEE THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS. SO I WANTED EVERYBODY TO KNOW THAT THIS IS HAPPENING. WE ARE GOING TO APPROVE THIS MONEY SO WE CAN HAVE OUR FORT PIERCE HIGHWAYMAN MUSEUM.

I JUST WANTED THAT TO BE OUT SO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IT IS GOING

TO HAPPEN. >> YOU'RE GOING TO BE THE

FISCAL AGENT? >> WE ARE GOING TO BE THE FISCAL AGENT SO THEY KNOW IT WAS GONNA BE A BIG SPEECH BUT NOTHING HAPPENING. IT IS HAPPENING.

I WANTED TO BE KNOWN THAT WE ARE GOING TO APPROVE THIS MONEY AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THAT MUSEUM.

THAT WAS MY CONCERN AND I JUST WANTED TO PUT IT OUT.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ACCEPT APPROVAL

[a. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 22-018: An Ordinance by the City Commission of the City of Fort Pierce, Florida; Rezoning the property generally located at or near 511 South Ocean Drive, from Hutchinson Island Medium Density Residential Zone (R4-A) to Planned Development (PD); providing for a severability clause; providing for repeal of ordinances or parts thereof in conflict herewith; and providing for an effective date. Subject Property: Parcel ID: 2401-502-0026-000-6. SECOND READING]

OF CONSENT AGENDA A. >> SECOND.

>> IT'S BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED.

CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

HEARING ON ORDINANCE 22-018 AND ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COMMISSION IN THE CITY OF FORT FOR THE REZONING PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT OR NEAR 511 S. OCEAN DRIVE FROM HUTCHINSON ISLAND MEDIUM-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL R4-A TO PLAN DEVELOPMENT, PD, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY CLAUSE PROVIDING FOR APPEAL OF ORDINANCES AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS THE SECOND READING.

>> THIS IS THE SECOND READING. ANYONE WHO WISHES TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

>> PLEASE INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

[LAUGHTER] >> FOR THE FIRST TIME AND HOPEFULLY ONLY TIME TONIGHT! FOR THE RECORD, MY NAME IS DENNIS MURPHY ON WITH THE FIRM OF CULPEPPER (INDISCERNIBLE) WE

[00:10:15]

OTHER THAN THAT, WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE WISH TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

SEEING NO ONE, WE WILL CLOSE A PUBLIC HEARING AND I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION OR DISCUSSION.

>> I MOVE APPROVAL. >> THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

ROLL-CALL VOTE] >> OKAY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT.

>> WE APPRECIATE YOU! GOOD LUCK!

[a. Resolution 22-R27 establishing polling places for the August 23, 2022 primary election.]

>> (AWAY FROM MICROPHONE). >> NEXT WE HAVE RESOLUTION 20 2R 27 OR RESOLUTION OF CITY OF FORT PROVIDING FOR THE PUBLICATION OF THE DESIGNATED POLLING PLACES IN THE CITY OF FOR PRAYER'S FOR THE PRIMARY ELECTION TO BE HELD ON AUGUST 23, 2022, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

>> IS THERE MOTION? >> MADAM MAYOR, I MOVE FOR APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 20 2R 22 SEVEN.

>> SECOND. >> THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

[b. Submittal of applications to serve as an at-large member of the Planning Board.]

[c. Submittal of applications to serve on the Police Officers Retirement Fund.]

WE DID THE ADVERTISEMENT ONSET FACEBOOK AND DRAW THE CITY PRESS RELEASES. SO THAT WILL COME ACK TO YOU AT OUR NEXT MEETING IN THE FORM OF A RESOLUTION, WHERE YOU WILL

BE ASKED TO VOTE. >> OKAY.

>> AND ALSO FOR THE SUBMITTAL OF APPLICATIONS TO SERVE ON THE POLICE OFFICERS RETIREMENT FUND.

WE ONLY HAVE ONE APPLICATION, THAT'S MR. BOLLA NEIGHBOR SEEKING APPOINTMENT. SO THAT TOO WILL COME BACK ON THE NEXT MEETING FOR AN APPOINTMENT, UNLESS YOU WANT TO

CONTINUE TO SEEK APPLICATIONS. >> WE WILL VOTE ON BOTH OF

THOSE NEXT TIME, RIGHT? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> MADAM MAYOR, JUST ONE QUESTION ABOUT THE PLANNING BOARD -- (INDISCERNIBLE) ARE THEY MEETING CORM? ARE THEY OKAY ON THEIR ATTENDANCE?

>> MISS BAKER HAS NEVER MISSED A MEETING.

I CHECKED THAT. SHE'S THE INDIVIDUAL MEMBER WHO

IS SEEKING APPOINTMENT. >> I JUST DIDN'T KNOW --

[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.]

>> I THINK WE HAVE SOME FRIENDS IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WANT TO COME UP AND MAKE SOME COMMENTS. YOU ARE WELCOME HERE!

PLEASE COME FORWARD. >> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSION (LAUGHING)! I AM DENISE (NAME), I AM THE COMMUNITY CENTER COORDINATOR AT THE LINCOLN PARK COMMUNITY CENTER. BEHIND ME I HAVE MS. (NAME), MS. (INDISCERNIBLE) -- LET ME GET THAT RIGHT AND MISS MARJORIE (NAME). MARJORIE DECIDED SHE DIDN'T WANT TO TALK TONIGHT SO YOU ALL COULD GET OUT EARLY AND YOU COULD STAY ON POINT!

[LAUGHTER] >> THANK YOU, MARJORIE!

>> I'M GOING TO USE THE ONE MINUTE.

I JUST WANTED TO COME BEFORE YOU AND JUST SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT WITH JUNETEENTH. WE HAD A WONDERFUL CELEBRATION THIS YEAR. A WEEKLONG CELEBRATION.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT FOR ALLOWING US TO USE THE CHAMBER.

WE LOVE THAT. BECAUSE FOR THE SPEAK UP SPEAK OUT, WE HAD A CHAMBER FULL OF YOUTH.

BUT WE ALSO HAD A CHAMBER FULL OF LEADERS THAT ACTUALLY CAME TO HEAR THEM AND WE LOVED THAT. ONCE AGAIN, WE MADE THE NATIONAL NEWS -- I THINK IT WAS MSNBC FOR OUR PIECE WALKS.

WE WANT TO THANK THE CHIEF, MR. MIMMS, EVERYONE -- ALL OF YOU WHO CAME OUT AND ACTUALLY SUPPORTED THIS.

IT WAS GREAT, YEP. YOU GUYS DID A GREAT JOB.

WE APPRECIATE IT. >> WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR SUPPORT IN THE FUTURE. THIS MAY BE MY LAST YEAR OF SPEARHEADING, BUT THE GROUP IS GOING TO STAY TOGETHER.

AND (INDISCERNIBLE) WORK HARD ON IT.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU!

THANK YOU ALL! >> WE ARE NOT GONNA LET HER LEAVE, RIGHT? [LAUGHTER] THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK -- ALL OF YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> MADAM MAYOR, ONE COMMENT TO THE COMMITTEE -- WHERE'S MY SHIRT? [LAUGHTER] MY DAD HAS IT, OKAY!

[00:15:04]

>> THANK YOU, LADIES. PLEASE COME FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE.

>> MY NAME IS ALFREDO WILDER AGNEW.

DO YOU NEED MY ADDRESS ALSO? >> PLEASE.

>> 1509 BARCELONA AVENUE, FORT PIERCE.

I'M HERE FOR (INDISCERNIBLE). FIRST, THIS UTILITY BILL.

THAT IS NOT FAIR. I THINK THE CITY SHOULD COMPARE THE BILLS ALL ALONG THE WATERFRONT AND SOUTH FORT PIERCE WHAT THEY ARE CHARGING NORTH FORT PIERCE RESIDENTS.

I WOULD HATE TO THINK OF DISCRIMINATION, BUT THAT IS RIDICULOUS. $8900 FOR UTILITY BILL? THAT IS RIDICULOUS! MY SECOND ISSUE IS THE PROPERTY TAXES. I ALREADY KNOW NORTH FORT PIERCE TAXES ARE HIGHER. THAT'S NOT FAIR EITHER.

IT'S TIME FOR YOU GUYS TO BE FAIR.

MY NEXT CONCERN, AT THE CORNER OF MIDWAY AND 25TH, WERE THOSE KIDS LOST THEIR LIVES? THERE SHOULD BE A (INDISCERNIBLE) OR BENCH WERE THOSE FAMILIES CAN GRIEVE WITHOUT FACING THAT SUNDAY 90 DEGREE WEATHER? YOU CAN EVEN SIT AND GREET FOR YOUR CHILD? THAT DOESN'T EVEN MAKE ANY SENSE.

NOW, MY FOURTH ISSUE IS APPARENTLY THE CITY DECIDED TO PAY PEOPLE'S LIGHT BILLS. DOWN 13TH STREET.

PEOPLE OUT THERE IN THAT HOT SUN, STANDING IN LINE TO GET A BILL PAID.I KNOW WHO IT WAS DONE FOR -- THE WHITE CITIZENS.

(INDISCERNIBLE). I CAN GUARANTEE THEY WERE COVERED. WHEREVER IT WAS, WE DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT -- THEY WERE COVERED.

YOU GUYS GOT TO LEARN HOW TO BE FAIR! COLOR DOESN'T MATTER. IT'S LIFE.

GOD HAS CAUSED THE PANDEMIC. HE'S GOT MONKEYPOX, HE'S GOT EVERYTHING TO SHOW YOU ARE NO BETTER THAN WE ARE.

BE FAIR. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE CITY COMMISSION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

ANYBODY ELSE? OKAY.

>> NEXT WE HAVE COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER.

[16. COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION]

>> MR. ANDREWS, DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS IN THE ABSENCE OF MR.

MIMMS? >> NO, MA'AM, NOT TONIGHT.

>> ALRIGHTY. MS. COX?

>> NO, MA'AM. >> MS. EARLEY?

>> NO, MA'AM. >> COMMENTS FROM THE CITY

COMMISSION? >> IS THERE ANYBODY WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO FIRST? COMMISSIONER GAINES?

[LAUGHTER] >> I'LL COME AFTER HIM.

>> I'LL GO FIRST. I RATHER HAVE A COMMENT.

SEEING THAT IT'S 6:15 AND WE DON'T COMMENT (INDISCERNIBLE), YOU MIGHT WANT TO MAKE A MOTION (INDISCERNIBLE).

[LAUGHTER] >> ON A SERIOUS NOTE, I WANT THE RESIDENCE OF FORT PIERCE TO UNDERSTAND THAT I'VE HEARD ALL THE COMPLAINTS. I'VE HEARD ALL OF THE ISSUES WILL STOP I'VE MET WITH EVERYBODY I COULD MEET WITH AND JUST LISTEN STOP EVEN TO THE YOUNG LADY THAT JUST SPOKE IN THE AUDIENCE. I HEAR YOUR FRUSTRATION.

I'M A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF NORTH FORT PIERCE, SO I UNDERSTAND YOUR FRUSTRATION. AND THAT WE ARE WORKING TO MAKE IT BETTER. I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE WOULD THINK IT'S FAIR AND UNFAIR, AND SINCE I'VE BEEN IN FORT PIERCE ALL MY LIFE, I CAN UNDERSTAND IT.

I WROTE DOWN EVERYTHING YOU SAID, AND I'M GOING TO -- ESPECIALLY WITH THE MIDWAY AND 25TH, I AGREE THAT IT IS -- YOU MIGHT WANT TO LOOK AT IT IS -- I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S COUNTY

OR IF THAT'S STILL LOST -- >> I THINK JACK IS NODDING HIS HEAD COUNTY.> YAKIMA COUNTY. THAT SOMETHING WE OUGHT TO DO BECAUSE I KNOW FOR FACT THAT THE FAMILIES DO GO THERE TO GRIEVE THEIR KIDS. SO THAT WAS A GOOD POINT.

AND IT BROUGHT IT UP. WE'VE DISCUSSED IN DETAIL THE LIGHT BILLS. I DON'T KNOW HOW, AND WHAT ORGANIZATIONS PAY THE LIGHT BILLS, WHAT WERE THE LOCATIONS THAT WERE SELECTED, BUT MA'AM, I CAN LOOK INTO THAT AND GET YOU AN ANSWER. I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER.

I'LL TELL YOU I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER, BUT I WILL LOOK INTO IT. SO JUST UNDERSTAND THAT THE CITY COMMISSIONERS APPEAR, WE UNDERSTAND WHAT WAS GOING ON.

WE FEEL THE PAIN. IT MIGHT NOT LOOK LIKE IT, BUT WE FEEL THE PAIN BECAUSE TWO OF US APPEAR LIVE IN THE NORTH.

WE GOT THE SAME ENVELOPES THAT YOU GUYS GOT.

IT'S NATIONAL -- IT IS A NATIONAL CRISIS.

IT WAS A BIG HIT, YOU KNOW, AND WE ARE WORKING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN IN OUR POWER, AS A BOARD, TO MAKE IT BETTER FOR THE RESIDENTS OF FORT PIERCE. OTHER THAN THAT, MADAM MAYOR, THE LAST THING I'LL SAY IS (INDISCERNIBLE) YOU'RE NOT

[00:20:07]

I KNOW IT'S A LOT OF HEADACHE. YOU AND ME TALKED ABOUT UP.

BUT INSTEAD OF GIVING IT UP, LET'S ASK FOR SOME MORE HELP SO YOU WILL BE RUNNING AROUND, STRESSED, AND LET'S MAKE IT BETTER. THIS TIME, LET'S MAKE ALL THE NEWS STATIONS! SO MADAM MAYOR, I TURNED BACK

TO YOU. >> THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER JOHNSON. >> MADAM MAYOR, THANK YOU.

AND TO MS. AGNEW WHO MADE SOME COMMENTS HERE.

THE FIRST THING, THAT IS THE COUNTY BENCH.

AND IT'S NOT ONLY THAT BENCH, MS. AGNEW, AND I'VE ADVOCATED FOR THIS FROM THIS DAIS BEFORE, AND WE'VE HAD THE SAME PORTATION ORGANIZATION COME IN. AND AGAIN, I WILL MAKE A PLEA THAT ALL OF OUR BUS STOPS, ESPECIALLY THAT ONE, BUT ALL OF THEM I WATCH. WHEN I DRIVE THROUGHOUT THE CITY, I SEE PEOPLE STAND IN THE ELEMENTS.

WE DO HAVE SOME COVERED. BUT TYPICALLY, THERE ARE SOME AREAS IN THE INNER CITIES, AND SOME OF IT I UNDERSTAND BECAUSE OF THE SITE PASSAGE AND RIGHT-OF-WAY, TO PUT SOMETHING THAT WOULD BLOCK OR AN OBSTRUCTION.UT I CHALLENGE US TO FIND ALTERNATIVES FOR THOSE BUS STOPS.

I SEE ONE IN PARTICULAR THAT'S MAYBE A BLOCK OR TWO FROM MY HOUSE, AND I SEE PEOPLE TRYING TO CATCH TRANSPORTATION TRYING TO GET TO WORK. LATELY THE WEATHER HAS BEEN CHALLENGING AND BAD. RIGHT AT THE CORNER OF AVENUE O AND 17TH STREET. AND SO, IT'S A BACK CORNER.

EVEN TO PUT A BUS STOP ON. EVEN TO TRY TO PUT A BENCH THERE, IT WOULD BLOCK THE SITE OF PEOPLE TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT. THAT'S ONE THING I THINK WE CAN FIND SOME ALTERNATIVES FOR THAT ONE.

BUT THE ONE ON 25TH STREET, (INDISCERNIBLE) MEMORIAL, WE NEED TO REACH OUT TO THE COUNTY AND SEE WHERE THEY ARE AND ADDRESS THAT. AS FAR AS THE BILL PAY -- I TOO HAVE RECEIVED THE CALLS AND CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND.

WE ARE ALL FEELING THE PAIN WITH THAT.

I KNOW THAT THAT BOARD HAS TAKEN SOME ACTIONS TO LOWER THE PCA. MAYBE AS WE GO FORWARD I THINK MORE INFORMATION WILL BE COMING ON THAT.

ONE OF THE THINGS I DID WANT TO TALK ABOUT AS A COMMISSION, AND I HAD A DISCUSSION JUST A LITTLE BIT WITH OUR CITY MANAGER IS THAT WE HAVE SOME FUNDS THAT ARE STILL LEFT FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN. AND MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR US TO LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE FUNDS TO SEE HOW WE MAY BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT OUR COMMUNITY IN THIS TOUGH TIME TO GET THROUGH THAT. AND MAYBE THERE'S SOME ALLOCATION OF SOME OF THOSE MONIES THAT WE COULD PUT FORTH TOWARD THE COMMUNITY, TO HELP THROUGH THAT.

AND I KNOW WHAT WE DO. WE PARTNER WITH ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCE OF HANDING THAT STUFF OUT, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO FILL OUT SO MUCH PAPERWORK THAT HAS TO GO A CERTAIN PLACE. I GET THAT.

BUT CERTAINLY, BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE EXTRA MONIES TO CONTINUE THAT -- I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE -- I HAVEN'T GOTTEN REPORT YET OF HOW MANY THEY ACTUALLY SERVED, BUT I'M SURE THERE ARE PLENTY MORE THAT THEY CAN SERVE.

AND I WOULD LIKE FOR THIS COMMISSION TO REALLY TAKE A STRONG LOOK AT THAT, MAY BE, AND HAVE THAT DISCUSSION.

WE'VE GOT UPWARDS OF A LITTLE OVER HALF A MILLION LEFT OF THOSE AMERICAN RESCUE DOLLARS. I THINK A PORTION OF THAT CERTAINLY CAN HELP. WE ALSO HAVE TO BE MINDFUL THAT UNFORTUNATELY, WE ARE ENTERING INTO THE STORM SEASON AS WELL.

SO WE DON'T WANT TO COMPLETELY PUSH EVERYTHING.

BUT I THINK 1/4 OF THAT OR A PORTION OF THAT TO HELP WITH THIS TOUGH PERIOD MAY BE A GOOD USE OF THAT AND INTENDED USE OF THAT THAT WE RECEIVE THAT GIFT FROM THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. IT'S NOT TODAY, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO HAVE ADISCUSSION, AND MAYBE HAVE A WORKSHOP ON THAT AND BRING THAT FORTH . WE HAVE A GOOD DISCUSSION.

ASK YEAH, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. DID HE INDICATE THAT THEY ARE ELIGIBLE? AS FAR AS HE KNEW?

>> AS FAR AS HE KNEW.

(NAME). THEY WERE ADMINISTERED AND PROCESSED. WE ARE NOT -- THE CITY IS NOT

[00:25:12]

-- WE DON'T DO THAT. >> WE DON'T CHOOSE THE PLACES

WHERE THIS IS DONE. >> RIGHT.E DON'T CHOOSE THE PLACES NOR DO WE ACTUALLY DO THE WORK.

THAT'S NOT WILL BE DUE. WE CAN PROVIDE THE FUNDING AND GET THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE EXPERIENCED TO DO THAT.

THERE ARE NUMBER OF PLACERS. WE CAN ALSO LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF CENTERS. THERE MIGHT BE OTHER LP PROVIDERS THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY THAT MAYBE WE COULD SEND SOME MONEY TO AND TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF OF JUST ONE SITE.

MAYBE WE CAN GET A COUPLE MORE SITES THROUGHOUT THE CITY THAT

WOULD HELP. >> I KNOW THEY'VE DONE IT BEFORE AT THE CHURCH OF 10TH AND ORANGE.

>> ST. MARK'S. RIGHT.

THAT WOULD BE MY PLEA HERE TODAY IS THAT WE LOOK AT THAT AND HAVE THAT CONVERSATION SOONER THAN LATER.

I KNOW THERE'S A CONFERENCE AGENDA COMING UP ON MONDAY.

MAYBE WANT TO TAKE IT UP THERE? (INDISCERNIBLE) I THINK THAT SOMETHING THAT THE COMMISSION NEEDS TO TAKE UP AND WORK THROUGH. A MR. MIMMS WILL BE BACK AT THAT TIME TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.

I HOPE. THAT'S IT FOR ME.

>> COMMISSIONER PERONA? >> JUST ON THAT TOPIC WILL STOP THE NEWS FIRST THING THIS MORNING FOR PIERCE'S ON THERE AGAIN FOR UTILITY RATES. YOU KNOW, HUNDRED YEARS AGO, MANY AMERICANS -- UTILITY WAS A LUXURY.

IT'S NOT A LECTURE ANYMORE. IT'S A NECESSITY OF LIFE.

ESPECIALLY TODAY, WALKING OUT IN THAT HEAT.

I DON'T THINK MANY OF US WOULD SURVIVE THE DAY.

I KNOW YOU DID BACK IN THE DAY, MAYOR, WHEN YOUR HOUSE DIDN'T HAVE AIR CONDITIONING AND YOU ALL SLEPT UNDER THE HOUSE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU DID.

>> (LAUGHING) YEAH, (INDISCERNIBLE) WALK FIVE MILES

IN THE SNOW! >> THE WORDS FROM JACOB WILLIAMS RUN REALLY STRONG WITH ME.

SELF-INFLICTED. THIS IS A SELF-INFLICTED PROBLEM. THERE ARE TWO RESPONSIBILITIES AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED: ONE IS WE HAVE TO REACH OUT TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND OUR FOLKS AT THAT LEVEL TO HELP TRY TO MOVE THIS FORWARD. TO OPEN UP SOME OF THOSE DRILLING SITES. BE ABLE TO GET --

>> PIPELINES AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

IN TAKE THIS AWAY. IT'S A REGULAR, EVERYDAY AVERAGE FOLK WHO ARE CARRYING THE WEIGHT OF THIS RIGHT NOW.

IT IS. IF IT'S POLITICS, FIGURED OUT.

GET IT DONE. THE SECOND RESPONSIBILITY IS WHAT DO WE DO AS FAR AS A COMMUNITY HERE IN FORT PIERCE? I'VE HEARD (NAME), THE DIRECTOR OF FORT PIERCE WHO TO DEEP.

I KNOW HE WORKS DAY AND NIGHT WITH HIS TEAM TO TRY TO FIGURE THIS THING OUT. I GET A BILL IN THE MAIL FROM FMP A WHO GOT A BILL IN THE MAIL FROM SOMEONE ELSE ON THIS.

AND IT HAS TO GO ON DOWN TO THE FINAL USER.

I GET IT. I UNDERSTAND IT.

AND YEAH, I'M WALKING THROUGH THE HOUSE TURNING OFF CEILING FAN AND TURNING OFF LIGHTS. I PROBABLY SAVED TWO DOLLARS TODAY. BUT I FEEL LIKE I'M DOING SOMETHING. BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT THERE UTILITY BILL IS A LARGE PART OF THEIR INCOME.

A VERY LARGE PART. ONE THIRD OF EVERYTHING THAT THEY TAKE IN IN A MONTH IS A UTILITY BILL.

SO THOSE ARE THE ONES WE REALLY GOTTA DO WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO SUPPORT THE UTILITY AUTHORITY AND THEIR EFFORTS.

I KNOW THEY ARE PUSHING MONEY TOWARDS MUSTARD SEED.

MUSTARD SEED I'M SURE IS OVERWHELMED JUST LIKE ALL THE

OTHER AGENCIES. >> IS A PANDEMIC ALL OVER AGAIN BECAUSE THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THESE TWO AGENCIES --

>> BUT GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT THERE.

EVERYBODY THINKS THE CURE IS GOING TO F PML.

THERE ARE $1.6 MILLION UPSIDE DOWN BECAUSE OF THE GAS CHARGES. NOW THEY ARE AT THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION RIGHT NOW ASKING FOR RAISES AND EVERYTHING ELSE. WITHIN MONTHS, THEY ARE GOING TO BE IN THE SAME SOUP WE ARE HERE AND PROBABLY LONGER BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T RECOVERED THE SAME WAY WE DID.

SO THAT'S NOT AN ANSWER.HE ANSWER IS REACH OUT TO THE FOLKS THAT MAKE THOSE BIG DECISIONS IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, AND ALSO TO STAY HOME AND TRY TO GET THROUGH, ESPECIALLY FOR THE LOW INCOME FOLKS THAT HAVE THOSE BIG CHARGES COMING THROUGH. I MEAN, A FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, $800 BILL? IT'S PARALYZING.

IT ABSOLUTELY TAKES EVERYTHING AWAY.

YOU KNOW, YOU'VE GOT MEDICATION, YOU'VE GOT FOOD, YOU'VE GOT RENT -- YOU'VE GOT THIS GOING ON AND YOU'VE GOT UTILITY BILLS. WE ARE SENSITIVE TO IT.

WE ARE ALL WORKING IN OUR OWN WAY TO DO THIS.

I SUPPORT THE UTILITY COMMITTEE ANYWAY I CAN TO COME UP WITH SOME IDEAS. BACK AND FORTH AND TRY TO DEVELOP SOME KIND OF SYSTEM THAT WE CAN GET THROUGH THIS.

I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO LAST MUCH MORE THAN A YEAR AND AND A HALF, AT WORSE. I THINK THE POLITICAL CYCLE WILL HAPPEN. I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE A BIG PLATFORM. IT'S GOOD TO BE PART OF SOMEBODY'S PLATFORM OUT THERE, TRYING TO BRING THAT

[00:30:05]

THEM. >> MM-HMM.

COMMISSIONER J JOHNSON. >> THANK YOU.

I'VE TALKED TO PEOPLE ABOUT IS HOW MUCH THE FMP A, THE GROUP THAT WE ARE A PART OF RELY ON NATURAL GAS? AND WE DO RELY ON NATURAL GAS FOR OUR LOT OF OUR POWER GENERATION.N THE REPORTS THAT I'VE SEEN, WE ALSO ARE IMPLEMENTING SOLAR TECHNOLOGY AND OTHER RENEWABLE SOURCES OF ENERGY. AND SO, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS AND HEARS US TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE OTHER GROUPS THAT PROVIDE POWER, THE DUKE AND F PML'S OF THE WORLD, THERE AT 78 TO 80 PERCENT OF NATURAL GAS POWER PLANTS ALSO. EVERYONE THINKS IF WE JUST SWITCH -- I SAID NO, THE GRASS LOOKS THE EXACT SAME ON THAT SIDE OF THE FENCE AS THE SITE. IT'S JUST A MATTER OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE TODAY AND HOW THE VARIABLES CHANGE IN THE REPORTS OF 1.6, $1.7 BILLION BEHIND. IN REQUESTS FOR THE MAKEUP MONEY. FROM THE END-USER -- AGAIN, FROM THE END USER. IT'S TOUGH AND THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF TOUGH CONVERSATIONS. EACH OF YOU HAVE HAD THEM.

AND I'VE HAD THEM TOO. YOU KNOW, WE JUST HAVE TO PUT OUR BEST FOOT FORWARD AND COME UP WITH CREATIVE IDEAS, LIKE COMMISSIONER C JOHNSON BROUGHT FORWARD.ND REQUEST THAT MAYBE WE CAN COME UP WITH SOMETHING AS A COMMISSION.

I'VE TALKED TO HARVEY MANY TIMES ON THE PHONE ABOUT THE IDEAS. I'VE SAW HIM IN PERSON.

I TALKED TO HIM IN PERSON. E'S WORKING HIS FINGERS TO THE BONE TRYING TO GET IT DONE. SO WE APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS THAT THEY ARE PUTTING FORTH. IN ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'VE ASKED MYSELF AND I'VE ASKED OTHERS IS, INCLUDING HAUGHEY, IS WHAT IS THE TAKE AWAY AND THE STRATEGIES FOR TRYING TO GROW OUR COMMUNITY AND HAVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT? AND THEN, TRYING TO LOOK FORWARD TO, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS TO COME IN THE GREAT THINGS THAT ARE TO COME? AND IMPLEMENTING THE STRATEGIES OF MOVING THE WASTEWATER PLANT? THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONVOLUTED MESSAGES, OR CONVERSATIONS ABOUT HOW THAT'S IMPACTING ELECTRIC.

WHICH IT REALLY DOESN'T, RIGHT? BUT IT'S STILL A COST.

SO THAT'S A REAL THING TOO. SO MINDFUL OF ALL OF THAT.

WHAT WAS I GONNA SAY? OH -- I HAD TO MISS OUR LAST MEETING. SO I THINK NEXT MEETING IS NEW START TIME, RIGHT? CLICK START TIME, YET.

>> GOOD. I'M ALL ON BOARD AND IT IS

5:05, IS THAT RIGHT? >> SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU

MISS A MEETING? >> I THINK IT'S GREAT!

>> YOU HAD A COMMISSIONER REALLY STICKING UP FOR YOU!

MOST OF US DIDN'T! >> I HEARD YOUR VOICE! JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE ARE IN A COMMISSION TOGETHER, AND IT'S OKAY TO TALK ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES.

AND THEN, COME TOGETHER AND, YOU KNOW, MOVE FORWARD.

SO -- THAT'S ALL I HAVE.THANK YOU.

>> SO ON THE FPUA, THIS IS WHAT DESK FPUA HAS HAD THE STRATEGY OF LOWERING THE UTILITY BILLS IN THESUMMER .

SO -- TO HELP. AND RAISING THEM IN THE WINTER, WHEN THE REST OF THE COUNTRY IS HEATING, WE ARE NOT HEATING, RIGHT? AND THAT HAS SERVED US WELL THE PAST FEW YEARS.ND BECAUSE OF NATURAL GAS -- THIS IS BEYOND OUR CONTROL. IT'S NOT THE FPUA.

WE ARE THE ONES WHO GET BEAT UP ABOUT IT.

BUT THIS IS BEYOND OUR CONTROL. THIS IS A NATIONAL PROBLEM THAT HAS -- IS GOING TO AFFECT WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IN THE WINTERTIME. EVERYBODY WHO HAS COLD WEATHER IS CAN HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. AND THEIR HEATING BILLS ARE GONNA GO SKY HIGH. BECAUSE MOST OF THEIR HEATING BILLS ARE NATURAL GAS. BUT WE ARE PLANNING -- WE HAVE SOME STRATEGIES IN MIND TO TRY TO AT LEAST STABILIZE THEM.

WE ARE WATCHING THE NATURAL GAS PRICES, MONITORING THEM, OUR STAFF IS EVERY DAY AND OUR BOARD IS TWICE A MONTH.

SO WE ARE GOING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN BECAUSE THIS ISN'T SOMETHING THAT WE LIKE EITHER.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE FEEL -- IT JUST IS BEYOND OUR CONTROL. SO WE ARE GOING TO DO THE BEST WE CAN TO WORK WITH IT. AND TO TRY TO SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS THE BEST WE CAN. AND TRY TO -- FUNNEL AS MUCH HELP AS WE CAN TO OUR CUSTOMERS -- BECAUSE WE DID THIS IN THE PANDEMIC. FOR MONTHS, WE WORKED WITH OUR CUSTOMERS TO TRY TO PREVENT -- WE DID NOT WANT TO CUT ANYBODY

[00:35:11]

ELSE, WE ARE -- >> JUST ONE LAST COMMENT.

MAYOR, I THINK WE ARE ENTERING BACK-TO-SCHOOL TIME IN ST.

LUCIE COUNTY. I THINK ORGANIST SEE THE YELLOW BUSES STARTING SOON -- NEXT WEEK? THE 10TH. NEXT WEEK.

>> IT'S LIKE WEDNESDAY, I THINK.

>> A LOT OF BACK-TO-SCHOOL AND THINGS GOING ON THIS WEEKEND.

BACKPACK GIVEAWAYS. >> A LOT OF OPEN HOUSES.

>> A LOT OF OPEN HOUSES. BUT SO IF THERE IS A SCHOOL BUS

STOP SIGN, STOP. >> PLEASE, DO.

>> IT'S NOT A SUGGESTION AS A POLICE SAY.

IT'S MANDATORY. >> WE WANT TO KEEP THOSE TEACHERS, ADMINISTRATORS AND OUR YOUNG PEOPLE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AS THEY ENTER BACK INTO SCHOOL RIGHT NOW. IT'S UPON US!

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.