[9. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARINGS Any person who wishes to comment on an agenda item which is not under Public Hearings on the Agenda may be heard at this time and must sign up to speak in advance. 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.]

>> COMMISSIONER J JOHNSON? >> YES, MAM

>> NEXT WE HAVE ITEMS, NOT REQUIRING A PUBLIC HEARING.

WE HAVE DR. MICHAEL GRANT, A NEW SCHOOL AND TOWN THAT WILL COME

AND FORWARD TO INTRODUCE. >> PLEASE COME FORWARD DR. GRANT. WE'RE INTERESTED IN THE CHAMBER TONIGHT. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES.

>> FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS.

AND FIRST OF ALL, SECONDLY, I'M DR. MICHAEL GRANT, I'M THE CEO OF THE FORT PIERCE ATHLETIC ACADEMY.

THIS ACADEMY WORKS WITH BOYS 18-23, AS THEY GO THROUGH THE GAP YEAR EXPERIENCE FROM HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS TO COLLEGE SPORTS.

AND SO WE WORK WITH THE KIDS TO GET THEM PLACED IN JANUARY IN A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY. WE LOOK AT BEST FIT PROGRAM, PROGRAMWISE AND LOOK AT BEST FIT FOR FINANCIAL STABILITY BECAUSE WE WANT ALL THE KIDS TO GRAT WAIT FROM THE SECOND SCHOOL WHEN WE LEAVE DEBT-FREE. WHAT I HAVE BEHIND ME, IS A 2022 FORT PIERCE SHOTS. ALL THE KIDS COME FROM ALL AROUND. WE HAVE KIDS FROM CANADA.

WE HAVE KIDS FROM AFRICA. WE HAVE KIDS IN THE WEST INDIES.

ALL OF THEM REPRESENT THEIR HOME STATES AND THEIR HOME COUNTRIES VERY WELL. WE'VE BEEN IN CAMP ABOUT, MY VOICE IS KIND OF WEAK. WE'VE BEEN IN CAMP TEN DAYS.

WE'VE BEEN DOING A LOT OF YELLING, LOT OF GETTING UP IN THE MORNING AND GETTING TO THE FIELD.

I'M ALSO JOINED BY THE HEAD COACH, COACH MOREANT, A LOT OF EXPERIENCE AS FAR AS THE LEAGUE, IN THE NATIONAL POST GRAD ASSOCIATION. YEARS OF EXPERIENCE THERE, MOVING KIDS THROUGH THAT SPECTRUM OF ASSOCIATION AND RELATIONSHIP, THE GAP YEAR SPORTS PROGRAMS. ONE FINAL NOTE, ALL OF THE BOYS ENROLLED IN COLLEGE THEY CAN NOT BE IN THE PROGRAM UNLESS THEY ARE ENROLLED IN COLLEGE. WE HAVE A SCHOOL SCHEDULE IN ALL OF THEM AND THEY ARE ENROLLED ON THE ON-LINE MOBILITY.

[00:05:04]

MANY OF THEM ARE ENROLLED IN RIVER STATE COLLEGE IN THE FACE-TO-FACE MOBLT. AND WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THE PROGRAM. WE'RE EXCITED TO BRING SOME PHENOMENAL THINGS WITH THE ACADEMY.

>> WONDERFUL NEWS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> COMMISSIONWISE, QUESTIONS

>> QUICK QUESTION. >> HOW DO WE HAVE IN CONTACT.

>> WHERE'S HOME-BASED? >> WE'RE ALL STATIONED IN THE HAMPTON INN IN FORT PIERCE. WE FELT LIKE THIS IS A GOOD AREA FOR US. IT GAVE US AN ALL-INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT WITH THE KIDS. YOU COULD CONTACT US THERE, OR GO TO THE WEBSITE FORT PIERCEACADEMY.COM.

YOU COULD GET MORE INFORMATION, IF YOU'RE SEARCHING FOR MORE

ANSWERS. >> OKAY.

>> ANYBODY ELSE? >> SO THIS IS A FOOTBALL

PROGRAM? >> THIS IS A FOOTBALL PROGRAM.

>> WHERE WILL YOUR GAMES BE SCHEDULED?

>> WE WILL BE HEAR FOR FIVE WEEKS.

WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. WE'RE ON THE ROLL FOR FIVE WEEKS AS WELL. .

>> GAMES WILL BE SATURDAY NIGHT 7:30.

>> AND YOUR SCHEDULE IS ON THE POSTED ON THE WEBSITE.

>> POSTED ON THE WEBSITE. >> WE'RE AWFULLY GLAD YOU'RE HERE. I NEVER KNEW ABOUT YOU.

I'M GLAD YOU CAME AND INTRODUCED YOURSELF.

>> GREAT JOB. I LIKE THE SCHOOL PART 2.

>> GREATLY APPRECIATED IT. >> WELCOME TO FORT PIERCE.

[a. Presentation of St. Lucie Public Schools top-scoring school district grades.]

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT ITEM OF THE AGENDA, THE PRESENTATION OF THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

>> MR. NIMS? >> AT THIS TIME, WE HAVE THE NEW SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS, MR. JOHN.

HE'S NO LONGER NEW. DR. JOHN.

HE'S HERE TO TELL US ABOUT THE EXCITEMENT IN THE SCHOOL

DISTRICT. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP. WE'VE NEVER HAD SUCH SUCCESS OF THE SCHOOL CENTERS. THAT'S A RESULT OF THE C COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT. AND I HAVE A COUPLE OF PEOPLE TO INTRODUCE. THE YOUNG LADY WHO DOES THE YOU POWER POINT WHO MAKES ME LOOK GOOD, CINDY MARTIN.

AND THE PERSON WHO TOOK MY JOB, DR. HEATHER LYLE, CHIEF OPERATION OFFICER. AND I WOULD SAY SOME OF THE BRAINS OF THE OPERATION. WITH THAT BEING SAID -- SOME,

NOT ALL. >> AND THAT'S OKAY.

>> AND IT LOOKS REALLY COOL. >> I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO

THE SOUND. >> THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

. >> THAT'S MR. GENT DOING A SELFIE. MAY HAVE MISSED THAT IT'S BASICALLY A LOT OF COOL VIDEOS, HIGHLIGHTING OUR, YOU KNOW, HANDS ON SOME OF THE STUFF WE DO WITH OUR STUDENTS.

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION, SCHOOL TO WORK, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND ALSO COLLEGE READINESS IT'S REALLY, REALLY GOOD, IF YOU COULD HEAR IT.

IT'S OKAY. IT'S ALL RIGHT. SO I WANT TO JUMP IN KIND OF OUR DISTRICT RANK. WE'RE AT 67.

YOU COULD SEE OUR TREND LINE OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS, WE'RE BASICALLY IN THE BOTTOM THIRD. AND IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, WE'VE SEEN HUGE GROWTH WITHIN OUR SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL COMMUNITIES WHEREFORE THE FIRST TIME, WE'RE THE NUMBER ONE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE TREASURE COAST OUTPERFORMING MARTIN AND RIVER COUNTY. THAT'S NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE.

2018, WE RANKED AS HIGH AS 22ND AND THEN THE PANDEMI.

WE REBOUNDED BECAUSE OF THE HARD WORK OF OUR STAFF, TEACHERS, ANYONE WHO WORKS IN THE SCHOOLS. AND ALSO A ROBUST SCHOOL PROGRAM, WHERE WE SERVICED OVER 5,000 OF THE KIDS.

THESE ARE KIDS, WE TARGETED TO TRY TO SUPPORT, ESPECIALLY OVER THE SUMMER AND BEFORE AND AFTER SCH

[00:10:04]

SCHOOL. >> WE TALK ABOUT OUR GRADUATION RATE. IT'S THE NUMBER ONE INDICATOR OF THE DISTRICT'S HEALTH. IT'S HARD TO GRADUATE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. THEY ARE HARD, THEY ARE DIFFICULT. OUR STUDENTS HAVE TO PASS THE ASSESSMENTS IN OSHED TO GRADUATE, ALONG WITH 23 CREDITEDS AND 2.4GPA. WE'RE THE -- AND I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU, WE'RE GOING TO BE A SIX TIME IN THE 90TH PERCENT TILE BECAUSE I KNOW IN MY HEAD, WHERE THE GRADUATION RATES WILL BE. WE WILL BE ABOVE 90 PERCENT.

I'M REALLY PROUD OF THAT. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I'M MOST PROUD OF. YOU WILL SEE THE GAP BACK IN 1415 BETWEEN OUR HISPANIC, OUR BLACK AND WHITE STUDENTS.

SO IF YOU WERE A CHILD OF COLOR, YOU HAVE A 68 PERCENT GRADUATION RATE AND OUR HISPANIC STUDENTS, WERE ABOUT 78 PERCENT.

BUT OVER THE LAST 7 YEARS, WE SEEN TREMENDOUS GROWTH FOR ALL OF THE STUDENTS. WE'RE ONE OF THE ONLY DISTRICTS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, THERE'S NO GRADUATION GAP IN FACT, LAST YEAR, LAST YEAR, OUR BLACK AND HISPANIC STUDENTS GRADUATED AT A 1 PERCENT HIGHER CLIP THAN THEIR WHITE COUNTERPARTS. THAT'S SOMETHING TRULY TO BE PROUD OF AND OF ALL OF OUR STATISTICS, THIS IS SOMETHING I'M MOST PROUD OF. WE HAVE A NUMBER OF A SCHOOLS.

I'M NOT GOING TO READ THEM TO YOU.

I'M ALSO PROUD OF THE FACT, HAVING REBOUND FROM COVID, WE HAVE NO FAILING SCHOOLS IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

THAT'S ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE HARD WORK WE'VE DONE ESPECIALLY IN THE URBAN AREAS. I'M REALLY PROUD -- MARIPOSA WENT FROM A C TO AN A. THAT WAS A D-RATED SCHOOL.

SAM GAINS ACADEMY, THE CONVOLUTED FORMULA THEY USED TO GRADE SCHOOLS, WAS 1,000 POINTS. SAM GAINS IS ONE POINT AWAY FROM AN A AND WE HAVE 16 SCHOOLS THAT INCREASED A LETTER GRADE. ACTUALLY OUT OF 38 SCHOOLS, 36 IMPROVED SUBSTANTIALLY FROM THE PREVIOUS YEAR.

EVERYONE OF THE SCHOOLS, FOR THE MOST PART, SAW BIG GAINS IN READING AND MATH ACROSS THE DISTRICT.

THIS IS ON OUR WEBSITE, THE FIRST TIME IT'S HAPPENED IN THE CITY OF PUBLICLES SKOO. THAT'S BEING NUMBER ONE IN THE TREASURE COAST. BELIEVE ME, THOSE THINGS HELP.

I WILL TALK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE IN A MOMENT.

WE ARE COMPETING FOR FEWER AND FEWER AVAILABLE TEACHERS.

IT IS VERY COMPETITIVE. AND RIGHT NOW, ACROSS THE DISTRICT, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A TEACHING SHORTAGE.

AND WE STARTED THE YEAR WITH 13. AND THAT SAYS SOMETHING, WE'VE BECOME A DESTINATION DISTRICT FOR EMPLOYEES, PEOPLE WHO WANT TO COME WORK IN OUR COUNTY. WE'RE NUMBER 5 IN THE STATE FOR CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION. OUR KIDS ARE GRADUATING WITH INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS. AND ONCE AGAIN, OUT OF 67 COUNTIES, WE RANKED 5TH. THAT SHOWS, HONESTLY, YOU SEE THE STATISTICS AND, YOU KNOW, OF THE HEALTH OF OUR DISTRICT AND WE ARE DOING VERY, VERY WELL. WE RANKED 5TH IN THE STATE IN GRADUATION. WE RANKED 12TH IN THE STATE OF ACCELERATION. I WILL NERD OUT, AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT. IT'S FROM MIDDLE SCHOOLKIDS, ACCELERATION MEANS THEY ARE TAKING HIGH SCHOOL CREDITS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL. IT'S NOT JUST KIDS ENROLLED IN THE CLASS. THEY HAVE A PASS, IN ALGEBRA OR GEOMETRY TEST TO GET THE CREDIT. WHAT IT DOES, IT CREATES, FIRST GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS. THOSE KIDS, WHEN THEY ARE ENROLLED IN THE CLASSES AND THEY PASS THE TESTS, THEY IMMEDIATELY BECOME ENROLLED IN COLLEGE CLASSES IN HIGH SCHOOL.

SO YOU COULD KIND OF SEE, IT'S THE SUCCESS WE'RE HAVING IN HIGH SCHOOL, IT'S STARTING IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.

WE ARE CHALLENGING OUR KIDS. THE KIDS DON'T RISE TO LOW EXPECTATIONS, OKAY? WE HAVE TO HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR OUR STUDENTS. THESE ARE THE GOALS THE BOARD, MY BOARD APPROVED A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO, STARTING WITH HAVING A SAFE, SECURE PREDICTABLE ENVIRONMENTS FOR OUR KIDS.

WITH THE DISCONNECT OF COVID, WE HAD HALF OF OUR STUDENTS NOT COMING TO SCHOOL. THAT CREATED SOCIALIZATION ISSUES. WE REALLY HAVE TO TEACH OUR KIDS

[00:15:02]

TOIBILITY -- TO INTERACT. AND GOAL THREE IS SOMETHING I WILL SPEND A LITTLE TIME. IT'S ABOUT RENEWING OUR REFERENDUM. IN 2002, WE WENT TO THE VOTERS.

THAT'S HOW WE COMPENSATE OUR TEACHERS BETTER.

IT PAYS FOR A SCHOOL DEPUTY WITH EVERY SCHOOL AND HELPS WITH THE FINE ARTS AND HELP WITH OUR KIDS.

LASTLY, DISTRICT ACCUMULATION. >> AND REFERENDUM.

THAT COMES UP ON NOVEMBER 8TH. WE HAVE NOT TALKED ABOUT INFORMING VOTERS YET BECAUSE OF THE PRIMARIES.

WE DON'T WANT TO APPROVE VOTERS, THERE'S A JOBS REFERENDUM IN THE CITY OF PORT LUCY. WE WILL START TALKING ABOUT IT, AFTER OCTOBER 23RD. IT'S CRITICAL WITH REGARDS WHAT WE'RE DOING AS A DISTRICT. IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, IT RAISED $73 MILLION. WHAT IT DOES, IT ALLOWS US TO BETTER COMPETE WITH THE ADJACENT DISTRICTS ON SALARIES, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE OF VETERAN TEACHERS.

IT ALLOWS FOR DEPUTY AND POLICE OFFICERS IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. SOME OF THE SCHOOLS ARE SERVICED BY MUNICIPALITY. IT ALLOWS THE DEPUTY IN EVERYONE OF THE CAMPUSES. IT HELPS US WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH, THROUGH THE REFERENDUM AND FINE ARTS.

I'M A SON, HE'S A MUSIC MAJOR. HE'S THE DRUM MAJOR AT TREASURE COAST HIGH SCHOOL. SOMING OF THE DOLLARS GOES TO SUPPORTING THE FINE ARTS PROGRAMS. I'VE ALREADY HIT THESE. AND ONCE AGAIN, I GO EXPLAIN WHAT THE REFERENDUM WILL PAY FOR.

WE CONTRACT WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

THEY SUBCONTRACT WITH THE MUNICIPALITIES.

WE HAVE A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SCHOOL DEPUTIES.

THROUGH THE REFERENDUM, IT ALLOWS US, TO MAKE SURE THE BOYS AND GIRLS ARE SAFE WITH THE CAMPUSES.

WE'RE TRAINING AND RECRUITING HIGH QUALITY TEACHERS.

WE SAID, WE HAD ONLY 13 VACANCIES.

WE HAVE A LOT OF TEACHERS THAT LIVE IN ST. LOUISIA COUNTY BUT DRIVE ALL TH WAY TO PALM BEACH. WE'RE STARTING TO GET MORE AND MORE FOLKS, INSTEAD OF CHOOSING TO WORK SOMEPLACE ELSE, THEY ARE STAYING RIGHT HERE. ESPECIALLY THE INFLATION AND COST OF GAS. WE'RE BECOMING VERY, VERY COMPETITIVE. WE ARE ABLE TO COMPENSATE THE TEACHERS, HIGHER THAN THE ADJACENT DISTRICT.

WE'VE BECOME A DESTINATION FOR MANY EMPLOYEES.

ADDITIONAL STAFF, MENTAL HEALTH STAFF AND THEN THE MUSIC AND FINE ARTS PROGRAMS. THAT INCLUDES CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION. WE'RE RANKED 5TH IN CAREER AND COLLEGE READINESS. IT'S INTERESTING, WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE SHOT OVER THE ROOF, IT'S BEEN OVER FOUR YEARS.

I'M NOT ROCKET SCIENTISTS. I WILL SAY, WHAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO HAS BEEN BECAUSE OF THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY.

AND THIS IS JUST A RENEWAL. THEY ARE NOT GOING TO SEE ANY CHANGES IN THEIR BILLS. WE HAVE A QR CODE.

IF PEOPLE WANT TO SEE HOW THEIR MONEY IS SPENT.

THEY CAN SEE EXACTLY HOW THE DOLLARS ARE SPENT.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT FACT FOR MANY OF THE CONSTITUENTS.

CHARTER SCHOOL STUDENTS, THOSE ARE PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS ALSO.

THEY GET A PORTION OF THE DOLLARS.

I HOPE ALL YOU KNOW WHEN VOTING DAY IS.

AS PUBLIC SERVICE, THIS IS BIG DEALS.

THIS IS FOCUSING ON THE NOVEMBER ELECTION DAY FOR THE RENEWAL.

ONCE AGAIN, I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

ONCE AGAIN, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME WITH THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. YOU'VE BEEN A FRIEND TO US AND OUR PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, I ALWAYS SAY, PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE THE GENIUS OF OUR DEMOCRACY. WHEN YOU HAVE GOOD SCHOOLS, THAT BRINGS FOLKS INTO OUR COMMUNITY AND WITH THE LARGEST EMPLOYER.

SO I HOPE TO KEEP OUR FRIENDSHIP.

>> SOME OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, LOST THE STUDENTS, DUE TO THE PANDEMIC. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY WENT.

IT'S ASSUME, IT'S BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC.

HAVE ST. LUCIE'S SCHOOLS, HAVE YOU EXPERIENCED THAT?

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION, MAYOR HUDSON, BUT NO.

WE'RE UP 18-2000 STUDENTS LAST YEAR.

AND IT ALLIANCE WITH THE BIGGEST PROJECT, REBUILDING FORT PIERCE WESTWOOD. WE WILL BREAK GROUND ABOUT

[00:20:02]

PROBABLY NEXT SUMMER AND ALSO A NEW HIGH SCHOOL IN THE SOULT

CORRIDOR, TRADITIONAL AREA. >> AND COMPETING, FOR TEACHER SALARY AND STARTING TEACHER AND EVERYTHING ELSE, IS THERE'S ALSO ANOTHER LEVEL TO THAT, TOO. RETENTION REGULAR TEACHERS, FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. YOU BRING UP THE STARTING TEACHER SALARY. IT INTERFERES WITH THE NEXT LEVEL UP. DO YOU HAVE A STEP SYSTEM GOING O ON.

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. MY WIFE HAS TAUGHT FOR 23 YEARS.

MOST OF THE MONEY HAS BEEN GIVEN TO RAISE STARTING SALARIES.

WHAT YOU SEE IS CALLED A SALARY COMPRESSION.

ACTUALLY, THAT'S HOW WE ADDRESS THE SALARY COMPRESSION, IS THROUGH THE REFERENDUM DOLLARS TO GIVE OUR VETERAN TEACHERS THOSE DOLLARS AND THOSE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS TO COMPENSATE FOR THE SALARY COMPRESSION. THAT'S HOW WE ADDRESS IT FOR THE

EXPERIENCED FOLKS. >> IF I MAY, MAYOR, I WILL HAVE TO SAY, I WAS PART OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN OF FORT PIERCE 10 YEARS AGO WE ARE TRYING TO GET FOLKS TO RECOGNIZE WHO THEY ARE. TRYING TO GET THEM TO COME HERE, WE SHOWED THEM, MR. NIMS AND I WE SHOWED THEM THE BEACH AND THE SURF AND THE SUN AND LITTLE HISTORIC DOWNTOWN FORT PIERCE, THE CULTURE AND THE CHARM WE HAD.

WE ALWAYS HIT A BLOCKED WALL BECAUSE OF THE EDUCATION SYSTEM HERE FAILED. WE REALLY DID.

IT'S HARD TO DO THAT. IF WE CAN TAKE YOUR GRAPH AND OVERLAY, THE SUCCESS WE'VE SEEN IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, YOU'LL SEE A DIRECT LINK TO EVERYTHING GOING ON.

I THINK FOLKS REALIZE, FORT PIERCE HAS A WORKFORCE THAT'S TRULY EDUCATED AND HAS PLENTY OPPORTUNITY TO GO FORWARD.

THAT WAS SIGNIFICANT. I THINK WHEN YOU PIN THAT TO THAT, AND YOU START TALKING THE REFERENDUM, YOU TALK ABOUT HOW

IT'S AFFECTED THE COMMUNITIES. >> AND ECONOMIC.

>> ECONOMICS AND EVERYTHING ELSE GOING ON.

I HEARD THAT OVER AND OVER AGAIN.

NOT ONCE IN THE LAST THREE YEARS, HAVE I HEARD, WE'RE NOT COMING HERE, BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES. .

>> ANYTHING THE CITY PROVIDES AND WE CAN WORK WITH THE COMMUNICATION TEAM TO PROVIDE ANYTHING YOU NEED BECAUSE THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. I'VE LIVED HERE FOR 7 YEARS.

THIS COMMUNITY IS -- AND I THINK TO THE POINT, WE'RE BECOMING THE DESTINATION DISTRICT FOR A LOT OF FOLKS.

IT'S A GREAT LIFESTYLE. .

>> I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT IT UP. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO GO IN THE LINE OF QUESTIONING. AND COMMENT AND REQUEST.

IT'S GOOD TO HEAR, TEACHERS ARE STAYING HERE INSTEAD OF DRIVING TO PALM BEACH AND OTHER AREAS TO TEEFRP AND THAT'S A GREAT THING.

AND WHERE WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW, WHERE ARE WE SOURCING THE, NEW TEACHERS WE'RE RECRUITING OUT OF COLLEGE.

I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND, EITHER WE'RE BRINGING YOUNG PEOPLE FROM INSTITUTIONS THAT KIND OF THING.

. >> A PROMISE IS A PROMISE.

AND KIDS GRADUATING FOR HIGH SCHOOLS.

WE GUARANTEE A JOB TO THEM. AND TEACHING OUR STUDENTS.

AND WE HAVE PARTNERSHIPS THROUGHOUT THE STATE, WHERE WE RECRUIT TEACHERS OF COLOR, SO THEY BETTER LOOK LIKE OUR COMMUNITIES BECAUSE WE'RE A THIRD, THIRD, THIRD.

AND WHAT'S INTERESTING, WE DO WHAT'S CALLED GEOFENCING.

THAT'S WHERE WE HAVE LOCAL AREAS, THAT WE WANT TO TARGET, BLACK COLLEGES, LATINO COLLEGES; RIGHT? THEY GO ON FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM, THOSE THINGS, WE SEE OUR ADS.

WE DO SOME, BUT IT'S NOT SUCCESSFUL AS UP NORTH.

WE SHOVEL SAND, NOT SNOW. WE DO SOME THINGS TECH LOGICALLY, TO TRY TO LEAVE OUR FOOTPRINT AND IN A DIGITAL WAY.

THOSE ARE SOME OF THE STRATEGIES WE USE.

MOST OF THE TEACHERS, WE TRY TO FOCUS ON OUR HOMEGROWN AREAS AND LATELY, WE'VE HAD A LOT OF SUCCESS, RECRUITING FOLKS, THAT ARE IN PALM BEACH ADJACENT COUNTIES.

THEY SEE US AN ATTRACTIVE PLACE TO WORK.

[00:25:01]

. >> YOUR STRATEGY LOOKS VERY EFFECTIVE. ULTIMATELY, IT'S THE STRATEGY, DERIVES, YOU PUT IN PLACE. THAT'S WHERE THE NUMBERS COMES IN. NOT TO ONLY LOOK AT REPORT CARDS, AND THROUGHOUT THE STATE IN THE DIFFERENT NETWORKS THAT WE'RE IN. HOW DO WE BEGIN HELP PAINT THAT PICTURE OF FORT PIERCE. ONE OF THE THINGS THIS COMMISSION IS COMMITTED TO IS WORKFORCE HOUSING.

WE'RE BUILDING HOUSES HERE. A

AND. >> ON OUR WEBSITE, YOU GO TO THE HUMAN SOURCES PAGE, WE HAVE THE DIVERSITY SITE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT, WE HAVE THE EMPLOYEES, WHAT FRATERNITY OR SORORITY WE WERE IN. WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO IS RECRUIT THE AREAS. WE WANT THEM, WE GO TO THE SITE, THEY GET DIRECTED. THEY CAN SEE, THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE MY SAME INTEREST. IT'S A FAMILY APPROACH.

THAT'S SOMETHING I'VE DONE THAT I'M REALLY, REALLY PROUD OF.

>> THE CHALLENGE OF IT, THE YOUNG PEOPLE WE'RE ATTRACTING TO TODAY.

WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE GOING TO THE RESPECTIVE PLACES.

GEOFENCING HELPS. AND WE'RE SERIOUS ABOUT THE COMMITMENT. AS YOU LOOK TO PRESEARCH THINGS AND TO MAKE SURE, WE'RE STILL AT LEAST FOR THE STATE, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF HBCU'S IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

WE DON'T HAVE TO GO VERY FAR TO GET GOOD TALENT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A PRESENCE, TALLAHASSEE, DAYTONAS, ET CETERA, SO WE CAN TOUCH THE YOUNG PEOPLE.

>> WE WILL DO EVENT, WHERE WE BRING IN ALL OF OUR STUDENTS, WHERE WE CAN GET OUR LOCAL CIVIC LEADERS TO ATTEND THAT.

>> WE DO GET AN INVITE. >> AND WE HAD -- WE WANT THE WORKFORCE HOUSING TO TAKE EFFECT.

MY FIRST GRADE TEACHER, LIVED ACROSS THE STREET.

>> >> IT MEANT SOMETHING, WHEN THE KIDS COULD SEE THAT. I THINK THE MORE, WE CAN DO THAT FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY AND REPRESENT ALL THE RICH DIASPER OF CULTURE, KOREAN CULTURE AND LATINO CULTURE AND HAITIAN COMMUNITY. IT'S IMPORTANT WE HAVE REPRESENTATION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> MR. JEREMIAH JOHNSON. WHAT'S COMING FOR US IN JANUARY, IS STRATEGIC PLANNING. I WOULD LIKE TO OVERLAY, YOU TALK ABOUT TODAY ABOUT OUR STRATEGIC PLANS.

WE SIT IN A ROOM FOR A FEW DAYS AND WE DIGEST INFORMATION.

AND WE COME BACK AND SIT IN ANOTHER ROOM, CREATE THIS IN A FORT PIERCE. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED GROWTH, THAT YOU'RE EXPANDING. AND HOW DO YOU PLAN TO GROW AND STRATEGIZE BECAUSE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HOUSING ALL THE TIME, ROADWAY NETWORKS, TO REFERENDUMS. JUST LIKE YOU'RE HE CAN PANDING. AND COMMISSIONER ROMO, OH, WELL.

NOW IT'S NOT LIKE THAT >> WE ARE THE PLACE TO BE.

WE FEEL AS A CITY IS THE PLACE TO BE.

WE'RE GROWING, EXPANDING THE PHENOMENAL GROWTH.

WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER AS A COMMISSION TO PLAN AND STRATEGIZE THE NEXT 25 YEARS, TO BE HONEST.

IF YOU'RE PART OF THE TRANSPORTATION NETWORK, THEN WE'RE PLANNING FOR 40 YEARS OUT ALMOST.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE IMPORTANT.

I WANT TO SAY, CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND CONGRATULATIONS ON THE VISION I'VE HEARD SO FAR.

I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR MORE AND LET US SHARE ALL YOUR SUCCESSES.

I KNOW WE DO THAT NOW. I ALREADY GOT YOUR LINK GOING

AND IT'S POSTING. >> AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT'S -- FOR FOLKS, JUST PAY ATTENTION EITHER BECAUSE THEY LIKE US OR DON'T LIKE US. THAT'S OKAY, TOO.

I THINK IT'S AN AWESOME OPPORTUNITY.

WE'RE EXPERIENCING SOMETHING IN ST. LOUISIA COUNTY, THAT I'VE

[00:30:06]

NEVER SEEN BEFORE. I GRADUATED IN 1993.

I WAS IN LINCOLN PARK IN 1989. LOOKING BACK AT THE SUCCESSES OF WHERE MY MOM STOOD IN LINE TO GET ME INTO THE MAGNET SCHOOL, AT 2:00 IN THE MORNING. BACK THAT FAR TO TODAY, IT MEANS SOMETHING. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT VISION, WE DON'T KNOW WHEN IT WILL WATER AND SPROUT AND BLOOM.

WAY BACK WHEN, THE SCHOOL DISTRICT HAD A PLAN AND HERE WE ARE TODAY. .

>> COMMISSIONER GAINES. I GUESS I SHOULD SAY SOMETHING SINCE I'M A PRODUCT OF TWO EDUCATORS.

>> I KNOW ONE OF THE THINGS IS HOUSING.

WE'RE RECRUITING TEACHERS. AND WE'RE TRYING TO WORK ON IT, TO GET SOME HOUSING. ANOTHER THING I WAS GLAD TO HEAR YOU SAY, I UNDERSTAND THE BUMP IN STARTING TEACHERS.

IT'S ALSO A KNOCK. >> YEAH.

>> IT'S ALSO A KNOCK WHEN THE TEACHERS BEEN THERE 20 YEARS AND

IT'S NOT AS BIG. >> I LIVE IN ONE OF THOSE.

SO I'M GLAD THAT YOU'RE ADDRESSING THAT.

A LOT OF THINGS, I WANT TO SAY, SINCE THE COUNTY COULD BE PROUD BECAUSE THE COUNTY COULD BE PROUD BECAUSE THERE'S FIVE OF US

UP HERE ARE GRADUATES -- >> JOHN CARROLL?

>> NO. >> FIVE OF US -- OKAY, FOUR OF US. FIVE OF US UP HERE ARE PRODUCTS OF SAN LUCIA COUNTY SCHOOLS. SO BEFORE YOU CAME IN THERE, THERE'S A JOKE I HEAR YOU SAY, 89, LIKE IT WAS

SO FAR BEHIND. >>

>> IT'S OKAY. I HAVE A SON IN CENTRAL NOW.

I UNDERSTAND THE GROWTH BECAUSE I SEE IT EVERY MORNING DRIVING, TRYING TO TAKE HIM TO SCHOOL. I LOVE THAT YOU GUYS PUTTING MORE OF THE TECHNICAL ASPECT BACK INTO THE SCHOOLS.

>> RIGHT. >> AND PEOPLE STILL DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE'RE IN 2022 AND YOU USED THE TERM, FIRST-TIME COLLEGE STUDENTS. PEOPLE STILL DON'T BELIEVE, THERE'S FAMILIES OUT HERE THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN TO COLLEGE.

>> UH-HUH. >> AND IT'S A BIG DEAL WHEN THAT FIRST PERSON GOES TO COLLEGE AND SO, I LOVE THE GRAPH, WHERE YOU SAW THE GAP WAS CLOSING. WE'RE GETTING EVERYBODY THERE.

SO JUST KEEP DOING THE JOB WE'RE DOING.

LET ME KNOW. AND I SEE ABOUT ONE POINT, AT

GAINES ACADEMY. >> YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

>> MAYBE WE HAVE TO DO SOME RECALCULATIONS OR SOMETHING.

. >> FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW, FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW, TO GET TO WHERE THEY ARE, THAT WAS

A TREMENDOUS JOB. >> TREMENDOUS JOB.

>> SO IF WE'RE THAT CLOSE TO ONE POINT, WE'RE GOOD.

ALL THE OTHER SCHOOLS ARE HERE. AND WE JUST PARTICIPATED IN -- I JUST PARTICIPATED, IN THE WELCOME BACK AT C.A. MOORE.

>> YES. >> AND TO THE COMMUNITY, AND SOME OF THE OTHER CIVIC LEADERS THAT DON'T SEE IT HERE.

WHEN YOU GET NOTIFICATION OF A TON OF HOPE, YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH THAT MEANS TO A KID GOING BACK TO SCHOOL.

YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A CERTAIN TIE.

YOU COULD HAVE YOUR CONSTRUCTION WORKER OUTFIT.

YOU COULD HAVE ANYTHING. SOME OF THE KIDS, JUST COME IN.

YOU BE ABLE TO SHAKE THEIR HANDS AND LOOK AT THEM.

YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT LIFE YOU MAY CHANGE.

SOME KID MAY SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT? I WANT TO BE A DUMP TRUCK DRIVER JUST BECAUSE SOMEBODY CAME AND SHOOK MY HAND.

I SAW AND I WON'T MISS ANOTHER ONE.

I WON'T WANT TO MISS ANOTHER ONE, AS LONG AS I'M HERE.

[00:35:01]

GREAT JOB ON THAT AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

>> THANK YOU. >> AND WE APPRECIATE, WHEN YOU INVITE US INTO THE SCHOOLS. UNFORTUNATELY, SCHOOLS ARE KIND OF -- IT'S NOT EASY COME, EASY GO.

SO WHEN WE'RE INVITED, I KNOW, ALL OF US ARE -- REALLY ENJOY THE INTERACTION WITH THE SCHOOLS AND WANT TO SUPPORT YOU IN WHATEVER WAY BECAUSE IT REALLY IS TRUE, HAVING A GOOD SCHOOL SYSTEM HELPS THE WHOLE REDUCES CRIME, DOES A LOT OF THINGS.

IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT. >> I APPRECIATE IT.

[11. CONSENT AGENDA]

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

. >> ANY ITEM ANY COMMISSIONER

WANT TO PULL. >> I WOULD LIKE TO PULL ITEM B

AND ITEM F. >> B. AS IN BOY AND F AS IN

FRANC? >> THERE A MOTION TO REMOVE THE

REMAINDER OF THE AGENDA. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A

MOTION. >> MOTION AND SECOND.

>> WHO HAD THE SECOND? I'M SORRY.

THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> COMMISSIONER C JOHNSON

[b. Approval of the First Amendment to the Service Agreement for Shelter Administration and Animal Care to allow for the Sunrise Humane Society to contract with the City of Fort Pierce to provide management services at the shelter.]

>> YES, MA'AM. >> COMMISSIONER JEREMIAH

JOHNSON? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> ALLOW THE SEMIS HUMANE SOCIETY TO CONTRACT WITH THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE TO PROVIDE MANAGEMENT SERVICES AT THE SHELT SHELTER.

>> I READ THIS PACKET EXTENSIVELY AND I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THE CITY MANAGER ABOUT THIS.

IN SPIRIT, I UNDERSTAND WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO BUT WHEN I LOOK AT IT FROM A LENS OF BEING IN BUSINESS FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND BEING IN BUSINESS OF HR AND HR COMPLEX AND DEALING WITH EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS -- I HAD SOME CHALLENGE WITH SOME OF THE LANGUAGE WITH HOW I READ THE DOCUMENTS IN THE BACKUP.

AND SOME THINGS THAT COME TO MIND THAT IT FEELS AS THOUGH, MAYBE I MISSED IT. WE HAVE TO HAVE A GOOD CONVERSATION ABOUT, BECAUSE WE HAVE CONTRACTED WITH AN ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE HUMANE SERVICES AND TAKE CARE OF OUR ANIMALS THAT THEY PICK OFF OFF THE STREET.

WE ARE CONTRACTED WITH THEM TO DO THAT AND THEY DO A GOOD JOB.

THEY ARE NOW ASKING US TO -- THIS CONTRACT, STATING WE WILL PROVIDE A PERSON THAT WILL BE AN ADMINISTRATOR THAT HAS DUTIES IN PLAYING, SUPERVISING, MANAGING DAY TODAY OPERATIONSND AND PARTICIPATING IN FUND-RAISING. AND THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE EMPLOYEE AS OPPOSED AS AN EMPLOYEE OF XYZ HUMANE SOCIETY.

WHEN WE STARTED CROSSING LINES LIKE THAT, THAT IS OF CONCERN TO ME. YOU KNOW, CITY OF FORT PIERCE, OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE A FORMAL PROCESS, AND THERE'S A CODE OF CONDUCT AND WE HAVE ALL THE THINGS, PEOPLE SIGN OFF ON.

WE GO THROUGH TRAININGS ET CETERA.

I CAN'T -- AND TO ME, IT FELT LIKE I NEEDED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION. AND IF WE HAD IT, I MISSED IT, THEN SHAME ON ME. I KNOW, MR. ARENA IS HERE AND I KNOW THE INTENT OF WHAT TO DO. I CAN'T GET THERE ON THE WAY TODAY. WE ASKED TO MAKE THE DECISION AND WE'RE OFF AND RUNNING, WHEN THERE'S QUESTIONS WE NEED ANSWERS. AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION AND I THOUGHT I NEED TO PULL IT OFF CONSENT. THIS IS A SERIOUS COMMITMENT THAT WE'RE GOING TO PUT 75,000 INTO AN EMPLOYEE TO RUN THE OPERATION AND I FELT AS A MEETUP CONVERSATION

>> I LABORED IT MANY YEARS SINCE I SWORN INTO OFFICE MY FIRST TERM. TO OPERATE THE FACILITY, IT WAS A CHALLENGE. WE WERE INDIRECTLY INVOLVED IN EVERYTHING WE DID. WE'RE A FINANCIAL MEANS AND METHODS. WE'RE PAYING FOR SERVICES.

AND IN MY VIEW AND IN MY LENS, WE DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH -- WE

[00:40:11]

DIDN'T HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS WITH THOSE FOLKS, WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITHIN THE HUMANE SOCIETY.

WHETHER IT'S ESTATE STATUTE, FOR THE CARE OF THE ANIMALS, RIGHT.

I REVIEWED IT AND WE TALKED ABOUT IT, NOT IN DEPTH AND MR. NIMS TALKED ABOUT IT. AND IN OUR MEETINGS.

AND I JUST CAME TO THE CONCLUSION TO WHERE ANALYZE WHAT'S PREVIOUS, VERSUS WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY, TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, SO THAT WE HAVE A STAKE IN THE GAME, WE'RE BRINGING OUR BEST FOOD FORWARD. I COULD SEE THE POSITION, BEING SOMEONE THAT LOVES THEIR JOB, THEY LOVE WHAT THEY DO.

THEY COME TO WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY TO DO THIS, BECAUSE IT'S SPECIALIZED AND IT'S UNIQUE TO THE BUSINESS.

I THINK WE NEED OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH THE CONTRACTOR.

I THINK IT GIVES US, AN OPPORTUNITY, IT BE ADVANTAGE JUSTICE FOR US IN THE CITY, TO NOT FALL IN THE CONDITION I EXPERIENCED BEFORE. .

>> WHEN WE APPROVE THE CONTRACT, IT WAS A GOOD DEAL.

FOLKS, THEY CHECKED ALL THE BOXES.

EVERYTHING WENT WELL. I THOUGHT, WOW, WE FINALLY HAVE A REAL QUALITY TEAM IN THERE, WORKING WITH OUR ANIMAL, OUR ANIMALS, ST. LOUIS COUNTY, ESPECIALLY FOR PIERCE.

THEN WE HAD COVID, THAT DRASTICALLY AFFECTED THEIR FUND-RAISING OPPORTUNITIES. AND IT WAS A BIG COME POINTMENT OF THE FINANCES. ST. LUCIE COUNTY DROPPED OUT.

THAT'S ANOTHER PROBLEM. THAT PERSON PASSED AWAY IN THE FIRST COUPLE OF WEEKS. IT'S REALLY, LIKE STRIKE THREE.

YOU APPOINTED ME ON THE BOARD. I GET A LITTLE BIT CLOSER TOUCH TO IT ALL. I HAD THE PRETTY MUCH SAME GENERAL FEELING AS YOU ALL DID. I GOT TO WORK WITH SOME OF THE FOLKS. IT'S AN AMAZING GROUP OF PEOPLE OVER THERE. THEY HAD SOME HARDSHIPS AND SO, I WANT TO START THE CONVERSATION BY THE END OF THE STORY RATHER THAN THE BEGINNING OF THE STORY. THEY DON'T GET FUNDING SOON UB THEY WILL BE GONE. I MEAN SOON WITHIN 60 DAYS.

WE KNEW, I KNEW THIS WAS HAPPENING COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.

I BROUGHT THE ISSUE TO MR. MIMS. MR. MIMS BROUGHT IN BEGGY REYES, THE ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER. WE BROUGHT IN DR. KIDDING.

AND WHAT WE CAME UP WITH THIS, WE TAKE A LOOK WHAT'S GOING ON.

FIRST THING WE DID, IS COMMIT TO THE POINT, THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, NEEDS AN ANIMAL CONTROL. I USED TO THINK, HECK, IF WE DON'T HAVE ONE, THE COUNTY WILL COME IN AND TAKE IT OVER.

THAT'S NOT CONCERN ANY MORE. AND I THINK WE DEFINE OURSELVES, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE SCHOOL SYSTEMS, WE HAVE FOLKS, MOVING INTO THE FORT PIERCE. WE'RE GETTING TO BE THAT PLACE AND NOT TO HAVE A FUNGING HUMANE SOCIETY OR ANIMAL CONTROL PROGRAM. IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE.

WE CAME TOGETHER. ALL THE PROBLEMS, BEING ABLE TO GO OUT AND HIRE SOMEBODY WITH A LIMITED AMOUNT OF MONEY TO BE ABLE TO BRING THEM IN, WITH THE CAPABLITY, TO BE ABLE TO ARRANGE AND ATTRACT VOLUNTEERS, TO BE ABLE TO DO THOSE THINGS THAT HUMANE, HUMANE SOCIETY HAS TO DO ON A VERY LIMITED BUDGET.

BY COMING UP WITH AN EMPLOYEE OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AND TAKING THAT OUT OF THE BUDGET, MONEYS THAT WE'RE GOING TO

[00:45:03]

AFFORD. IT GIVES THEM A CHANCE TO PASS THE HURDLES THAT WE HAD. PAST THE COUNTY LEADING THE PROGRAM. IT GETS US TO THE POINT IN TIME, WHERE THE SYSTEM COULD START GENERATING DOLLARS THROUGH FUND-RAISING, COULD HELP WITH VOLUNTEERS.

HOPEFULLY, THAT POSITION MAY BE TAKEN OVER BY THE SUN RISE HUMANE SOCIETY AND NO LONGER WITH THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE OR SOME FORM OF THAT IN A LONG RUN. I THINK AT THE END OF THE STORY, IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING SOON, WE'LL BE OUT AGAIN.

FOR ANOTHER PROVIDER TO BRING THE SERVICES IN.

THEY ARE NOT THAT EASY TO FIND. .

>> I HAD THE MEETINGS AND TALKED TO ANYBODY, THAT NEEDED TO BE TALKED TO. BUT SOMETHING THAT COMMISSIONER JUST SAID. WE'RE LOOKING INTO EMBARK IN A CON TRACK. I PUT MY LEGAL HAND ON.

THEN I'M HEARING. 60 DAYS.

IF WE DON'T DO ANYTHING IN 60 DAYS, WE WILL HAVE TO TRY TO FIND SOMEBODY, I JUST LEAVE IT THAT.

SO, IF THAT HAPPENS, SAY YOUR 60 DAYS COMES AND IT GOES AWAY, WHAT DOES IT LEAD THE CITY, IF WE ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH SOMEBODY FOR THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY? ARE WE ON THE HOOK FOR THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY.

. >> THIS IS AN EMPLOYEE OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. WE'RE HIRING AN EMPLOYEE, 75 PLUS BENEFITS, BE A CITY OF FORT PIERCE EMPLOYEE.

>> WE'RE HIRING. IT'S STILL A CONTRACT.

IT'S A HIRING CONTRACT >> IT CLOSES.

WHERE DOES THE EMPLOYEE GO? >> YOU WANT TO TAKE A STAB AT

THAT? >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR,

COMMISSIONERS >> THE BOTTOM LINE.

WHAT COMMISSIONER IS SAYING, IS THAT THIS CONTRACT IS THE LIFE RAFT THAT WE'RE SENDING THEM TO KEEP THEM IN BUSINESS.

IF WE DON'T DO THIS, THEN THEY ARE GOING TO SINK AND FAIL, WHICH IS GOING TO BE VERY BAD FOR US.

IT WILL TAKE THE FULL RESPONSIBILITY.

WE HAVE TO PROVIDE SERVICE SHELTERS FOR THE ANIMALS.

WE CAN'T JUST RUN THE STREETS. WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY: I'VE BEEN IN MEETINGS WITH THE BOARD. THEY HAD CONCERNS ALSO.

WHEN IT CAME TO ME AND MY OPINION, I SAID, I'M GOING TO DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO MAKE YOU SURVIVE.

THE SUN RISE HUMANE SOCIETY HAS TO SURVIVE.

IF THAT MEANS, WE HIRE AND EMPLOYEE AND PUT THEM IN THERE TO RUN THE PLACE, THE BOARD IS FULL OF AMAZING PEOPLE.

DR. GEORGE IS AN AMAZING VETERAN.

THEY ARE MISSING THE SKILL SET NEEDED TO RUN THE FACILITY.

THAT'S WHERE WE CAN STEP IN TO ACCEPT.

DR. JULIE, THESE AN AMAZING PERSON, AMAZING VET.

THE MANAGEMENT PART IS NOT HER FORTY.

HER AND I HAVE OPENLY DISCUSSED TH THIS: THIS CONTRACT, IS VITALLY IMPORTANT TO HEN THEM SURVIVE.

I WILL DO EVERYTHING IN MY POWER THAT THEY DO SURVIVE AND FLOURISH AND GET BETTER MUCH. I KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO.

I WAS NOT CONCERNED UNTIL COMMISSIONER SAID WHAT HE SAID.

AND I JUST DON'T WANT TO BE IN A SITUATION WHERE WE GO HIRE SOMEBODY AND THEN THAT PERSON IS LET GO.

THAT PERSON IS WHATEVER AND NOW WE HAVE A WHOLE SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE TO PAY SOMEONE THAT WE HIRED TO DO THE JOB.

[00:50:03]

AND AT THAT IT'S CLOSE UNTIL WE FIND SOMEONE TO RUN IT OVER.

I'M CURIOUS. I UNDERSTAND THE NEED, HAD ALL THE MEETINGS. READ EVERYTHING.

I UNDERSTAND, BUT WHEN -- WHEN YOU SAY 60 DAYS, I TAKE YOUR WORD FOR 60 DAYS, AS YOU KNOW, OCTOBER.

OCTOBER. ARE WE SURE, ARE WE THAT CONCERNED THAT IN 60 DAYS, THAT PERSON COULD TURN IT AROUND.

>> YES, SIR >> AND THERE'S ANOTHER COMPONENT WITH THIS. GIVING YOU A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY ON THAT, COMMISSIONER, WE ORIGINALLY STARTED AT 130,000. SOMETHING THAT RANGED AND WENT TO 135 AND 150 FOR THE YEAR. THAT'S WHEN WE HAD IT AS A PARTNER. THAT CONTRACT LOOKS AT 300,000 AND 757,000 COMES OUT AS THE COST OF WHAT THAT EMPLOYEE DOES.

WHAT WE DID, NOT ONLY BY PUTTING AN EMPLOYEE IN THERE AND WE CAN HIRE EASIER, BETTER: SO THAT IS ALREADY THERE.

THE OTHER PART, THERE'S AN INCREASING MONETARY SUPPORT.

THAT HAPPENS, I THINK OCTOBER 1ST, OCTOBER 1ST.

>> THAT 60 DAYS IS THERE: WE START OFF WITH AN INFLUX OF MONEY, AND EMPLOYEE THAT IS ABLE TO DO ORGANIZING.

THE BEST THING, TO DO, AND PEGGY WILL AGREE.

SHE'S GOT TO MEET EVERYBODY AND BEEN APART OF IT.

SHE'S AMAZING ON WHAT'S HAPPENED HE HERE: EVERY PROBLEM THAT HAPPENS.

SOMEBODY THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE IN CHARGE OF THIS DEPARTMENT, COMES OVER AND RUNS THE OTHER DEPARTMENT.

AND THE VET HERSELF HAS BEEN DOING MANAGEMENT.

AND EMPLOYEE ISSUES AND FINANCE ISSUES AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS GOING ON. NOT DOING JUST WHAT SHE'S SUPPOSED TO BE THERE FOR. WE HAVE THAT GOING ON, TO BE ABLE TO HAVE TO START ALL OVER AGAIN.

AND I'M GOING TO TELL THE COMMISSION, IS NOT THE WAY TO GO. THAT PLAN BE IS WHAT PEGGY, TOM PERONA, NICK MIMS WANT TO AVOID AT ALL COST.

>> I WANT YOU TO JOIN ON THAT TEAM.

TO START ALL OVER AGAIN. IMPOUNDS ALREADY IS STARTING TO RISE IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. THAT'S COSTING US DEARLY.

WE NEED TO STAY IN STEP ON WHAT WE HAVE GOING ON.

I SEE IT. THERE'S MORE SUCCESS, POSSIBILITY OF SUCCESS, THAN IT IS FAILURE.

>> COMMISSIONER PERONA, I WILL SAY ON RECORD THAT, I DON'T WANT PLAN B. I READ ALL OF THIS.

I MET WITH EVERYBODY -- I UNDERSTAND WHAT PLAN B WOULD DO TO THE CITY. WHAT PLAN B.

BUT WE'RE DISCUSSING THIS. AND COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, BROUGHT IT UP. SO I JUST WANT TO BE IN THE BEST POSITION. AND I JUST DON'T WANT TO THROW SOMEBODY TO THE WOODS, SO TO SPEAK.

THEY ARE COME BEING BACK HERE THREE MONTHS.

OH, WE HAVE TO GO TO PLAN B. THEY DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME, THEY DON'T DO WHATEVER. THEY SAY, THERE'S MORE MONEY, MONEY GOING BACK IN. I JUST DON'T WANT TO HIRE SOMEBODY TO FAIL, IF -- I JUST SAY IT.

I JUST DON'T WANT TO DO THAT. ESPECIALLY FOR $75,000.

WE CAN'T HAVE BOTH WAYS. HAVE GREAT BUILDINGS COMING IN AND HAVE DOGS AND CATS AND EVERYTHING, ALL AROUND THE CITY.

AND WE KNOW THE COUNTY IS NOT GOING TO HELP US.

AND THERE IS SOMETHING. THEY ARE NOT JUST WALKING IN, ONE FOOT ON THE DIVING BOARD. .

>> I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, WHEN THIS WAS FIRST BROUGHT TO ME, AND WE HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS, JUST THE MANAGEMENT SIDE OF IT. YOU KNOW, YOU'RE IN A SITUATION,

[00:55:03]

WHERE YOU'RE NOT THE BOSS OF THE PEOPLE.

THEY ARE VOLUNTEERS. YOU ARE EXPECTED TO DO A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS. I UNDERSTAND THE, BECAUSE I GO TO A LOT OF EVENTS, WHERE THE HUMANE SOCIETY IS REPRESENTED EVERYWHERE. AND THEY ARE IN THE FRONT.

THIS IS THE ONE THAT'S IN THE ST. LUCIE.

>> YES, ST. LUCIE. >> ONLY PORT ST. LUCIE.

HUMANE SOCIETY OF ST. LUCIE THEY ARE CALLED.

IN SOME, THEY HAVE NOBODY. BECAUSE THEY HAVE -- THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO THE THINGS THEY WANTED TO DO FOR DIFFERENT REASONS, AND I DON'T LIKE THIS. THIS IS NOT PERFECT TO ME.

I THINK IT'S A MANAGEMENT ISSUE, THAT MR. REYES AND MR. MIHMS IS GOING TO HAVE TO MONITOR VERY, VERY CLOSELY.

COMMISSIONER PERONA IS OUR ASSIGNED PERSON.

IF COMMISSIONER PERONA, I WILL LISTEN TO COMMISSIONER PERONA, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS SOME DICEY ASPECTS.

DOES THIS PERSON REPORT TO YOU. >> I WILL SAY, COMMISSIONER GAINES, IF WE DON'T HAVE THAT PERSON IN 60 DAYS, WE'RE IN WORST SHAPE. IT'S NOT LIKE WHAT HAPPENED HERE. THAT PERSON IS EVEN MORE VALUABLE IN 60 DAYS. .

>> LET'S JUST CUT TO THE CHASE. IT'S NOT THAT I -- AS A CITY EMPLOYEE, SUPERVISING AND MANAGING EMPLOYEES OF ANOTHER BOARD, 513C ORGANIZATION. AND FOR ME, AS A POLICYMAKER, FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, I HAVE TO DO WHAT I CAN AND ASK THE QUESTIONS, LEGAL, CITY MANAGER, TO SAY, WHERE WE'RE IN THE RISK SCALE, THAT WE ARE NOT GETTING THE SALES FURTHER.

THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, WILL BE DONE.

I GET ALL OF THAT. HEAR ME LOUD AND CLEAR.

I UNDERSTAND, THERE'S THE THOUGHT, THAT THE CITY COULD HAVE SOMEONE AND GET IT GOING. I UNDERSTAND, THIS PROCESS WAS OUT FOR ALL FP AT ONE POINT WE DIDN'T GET MUCH RESPONSE.

MY QUESTION, DO WE HAVE PEOPLE IN THE CUE, APPLYING FOR THIS.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE THE STAFF? IN LIGHT OF US NOT BEING ABLE TO GO IN 60 DAYS, WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE.

COULD THE ON BOARD PROCESS WORK TO GET SOMEONE IN THE 60 DAYS,

MY FIRST QUESTION >> YES.

>> HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE UNDER THE PERSON'S MANAGEMENT.

>>, NO, THERE WILL BE MORE. THERE'S EIGHT WORKERS, TWO ADMIN

PEOPLE. >> OKAY. SO THE STRUCTURE OF THAT, AND WE WILL NOT GET TOO DEEP.

MY CONCERN, THIS IS A 501C ORGANIZATION.

THEY HAVE THEIR OWN BOARD: DO THEY HAVE THEIR OWN POLICY OF HIRE, LET GO, ET CETERA. BECAUSE IN PROCESS THAT I READ, IF THERE'S SOMEONE THAT NEEDED TO BE SEPARATED, WITH THE RECOMMENDATION, THEY HAVE TO GO TO THE BOARD AND SEEK APPROVAL?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. .

>> COMMISSIONER GAINS, YOU ASK A GREAT QUESTION.

I WAS THINKING OF AND DIDN'T SAY EARLIER, WHAT HAPPENS IF.

THERE'S A BREACH OF CONTRACT. MAYBE YOU HAVE AN ANSWER.

THE WAY I ANSWER THE QUESTION, I COULD TELL YOU, FROM FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE, THAT, STAFF IN THE ANIMAL CONTROL DIVISION, OPERATED THAT SHELTER. EVERYTHING GOES UP SIDE DOWN, IT'S MONEY WELL SPENT BECAUSE NOW YOU HAVE ANOTHER ADMINISTRATOR, HUMAN BODY PARTICIPANT, HELPING OPERATE THAT. IT WAS VERY TOUGH.

[01:00:02]

I COULD TELL YOU, MANY, MANY HOURS WERE SPENT BY PEGGY AND HER STAFF, WORKING ON THE PROGRAM, WORKING ON THE SYSTEM, WHERE THEY PROBABLY WEREN'T ABLE TO WORK ON OTHER THINGS IN THE DEPARTMENT AS MUCH AS THEY WOULD LIKE TO.

. >> PREVIOUS CON TRACK, SAME OF

THE COUNTY, AND THEY SAID --. >> I CAN'T.

>> AND TO BRING IT UP TO AN OPERATIONAL CONDITION, TO WHERE THEY ARE NOT VIOLATING CODE AND WHAT NOT.

I SEE THIS AS A CONTINUED OPPORTUNITY AS INVESTMENT.

FOR SOMETHING THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE A STATARY REQUIREMENT.

BUT IT'S A VERY LIMITED FUNCTION.

I DON'T KNOW IF THAT GOT OUT OF THE BOOKS IN THE FLORIDA RULES AND REGULATIONS. IT'S VERY LIMITED IN CAPACITY AND RESPONSIBILITY. .

>> I'M LOOKING AT THE WORDS IN BLACK AND WHITE.

WE'RE IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT. WE HAVE TO STAY IN THE DRIVER'S

SEAT TO MAKE IT A SUCCESSFUL. >> I TRY SO HARD.

>> AND APPRECIATE IT. >> I TRY SO HARD NOT TO DO IT.

I WILL FOLLOW-UP ON THE QUESTION, COMMISSIONER JOHNSON SAID. WE'RE HIRING ONE PERSON TO OVERSEE 12 PEOPLE, THE NUMBERS YOU USE.

WHO ARE THOSE 12-15 PEOPLE, REPORT TO?

YOU OR THE PERSON. >> THAT PERSON, SIR

>> I UNDERSTAND, COMMISSIONER JOHNSON IS GOING NOW.

THOSE 12 TO 15 PEOPLE ARE NOT COMING THROUGH THE HIRING

PROCESS, OR THEY ARE? >> NO, SIR, THEY WILL HAVE EMPLOYEES OF THE SUN RISE SOCIETY AND THE MANAGEMENT IS PROVIDED BY THE CITY. ALL THE DISCUSSIONS WITH EACH OF THE COMMISSIONERS, I EXPLAIN, IN MY HISTORY, I'M A CERTAIN FID COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION MANAGER. THAT'S A STANDARD PRACTICE FOR H.O.A.'S. HOA'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS EXIST.

HOA'S HIRE, LANDSCAPE, MAINTENANCE AND LEVEL OF EMPLOYEES AND THEY CONTRACT WITH THE MANAGEMENT COMPANY TO BRING THE MANAGER IN. THE MANAGER IS RESPONSIBLE TO OVERSEE ALL THE EMPLOYEES HIRED BY THE H.O.A.

THAT'S WHAT NARROWED AND, THE MANAGEMENT OF THE EMPLOYEES WOULD BE DONE BY WHOEVER THIS INDIVIDUAL IS THAT WOULD BE HIRED. THE DIRECTION WILL BE FROM THE BOARD. THE MANAGER WILL BE TAKING CARE OF EVERYTHING. WITH THE RECOMMENDATION, THE MANAGER AND THE EXPLANATION WHY. SAME WITH THE HIRING OF EMPLOYEES. SO THE ADMINISTRATION WOULD ADMINISTRATOR WHILE THE BOARD WILL MAKE FINAL DECISIONS ON CERTAIN THINGS LIKE HIRING AND FIRING ET CETERA.

>> LET ME ASK THE QUESTION. .

>> WE HIRED A MANAGEMENT PERSON. THEY TERMINATE AN EMPLOYEE: THAT EMPLOYEE CLAIMS WHATEVER THE EMPLOYEE WANTS TO CLAIM.

HOW DOES THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE NOT GET SUED.

>> BECAUSE THERE WILL BE EMPLOYEES --

>> YES. >> BEFORE THE CITY ATTORNEY WAESZ IN, I BELIEVE WHAT NEEDS TO BE CRYSTAL CLEAR IN ALL OF THIS, IS THAT THIS PERSON SHALL NOT TERMINATE NOR HIRE NOR DISCIPLINE ANYONE. THIS PERSON SHALL ONLY MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE BOARD FOR THE ACTIONS.

THAT IS IT. THAT'S NOT THE APPOINTING AUTHORITY. IT'S SIMILAR TO THE OPERATION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. THE DEPARTMENT HEADS MAKE RECOMMENDATION. I WOULD BE THE ONE RESPONSIBLE

FOR THE HIRING AND FIRING. >> MADAM MAYOR.

>> I HEAR EXACTLY WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.

I'M NO LAWYER, BUT I KNOW I READ IN THE DOCUMENT.

[01:05:02]

IT DOES NOT SAY WHAT YOU JUST SAID.

I DON'T HAVE HAVE A PROBLEM GETTING PASS.

THE LANGUAGE I USE. I HEAR WHAT HE'S SAYING.

IT DOESN'T SAY THAT: IT SIZ, THIS PERSON HAS THE AUTHORITY.

>> THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO GET TO.

>> I THINK IT DOES SAY IT. >> LISTEN.

>> THIS EARLY. >> IF YOU LOOK AT PAGE 5 OF 7.

THERE'S A PARAGRAPH ENTIGHTLED PERSONNEL.

IT STATES THE SHELTER ADMINISTRATOR, COULD HIRE, SUPERVISE, ET CETERA. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO TERMINATING AN EMPLOYEE, THEY HAVE TO GO TO THE BOARD.

. >> PRIOR APPROVAL THEN DISCHARGE. SO THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION, COMMISSIONER GAINS, THEY PROVIDE THAT LEVEL.

AND IN A TERMINATION SITUATION, THEY WOULD PROVIDE, THEORETICALLY, THAT LEVEL OF PROTE PROTECTION: WE NEED TO MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE LANGUAGE.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S CLEAR AS DRAFTED.

>> MADAM, CITY ATTORNEY, I THINK WE NEED TO BE AS CLEAR AS POSSIBLE, WITH YOUR -- YOU KNOW THE WORDS THAT PEOPLE LIKE ME OUTSIDE OF THIS. I LOOK FOR DOCUMENTS LIKE THIS IN MY DISCOVERY TO PICK ONE WORD TO SUE SOMEBODY.

IF YOU COULD DO THAT FOR ME. WOULD YOU CLARIFY EVERYTHING FOR ME. I WILL SIT BACK AND MY QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED. .

>> IT'S NOT THE PRINCIPLE. I'M NO ATTORNEY LIKE YOU ARE.

I KNOW WHAT I READ AND IT DIDN'T SIT RIGHT ON CERTAIN THINGS

I WANT TO BE REAL CLEAR. >>

>> SO I SEE A STUMBLING BLOCK. IF WE WAIT FOR A BOARD OF COMMISSIONER, WE WILL NEVER HIRE ANYBODY.

THE BOARD NEEDS TO MEET SO OFTEN.

IF WE TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY FROM MR. MIMS.

>> WHAT I HEARD, THE ADMINISTRATOR HAS TO GET APPROVAL FROM THE BOARD TO HIRE SOMEBODY.

IS THAT NOT TRUE? >> AND I WAS DOING THAT AS THE EXAMPLE. THE ADMINISTRATOR HAS TO GET APPROVAL FROM THE SUN RISE HUMANE SOCIETY BOARD TO HIRE SOMEBODY. THAT WOULD BE LIKE US TAKING RESPONSIBLE FROM MR. NIMS. AND FOR EXAMPLE, ALL EMPLOYEES SHOULD COME TO THE COMMISSION TO HIRE SOMEBODY.

IN MY VIEW. IN MY VIEW.

>> GOOD QUESTION. .

>> HERE'S WHY I SAY THAT. THE ADMINISTRATORS ARE AUTHORIZED TO DO A FEW THINGS. AND YOU KNOW, THEY ARE COORDINATING, THEY ARE BUDGETING, THEY ARE LOOKING AT.

HERE'S HOW I CREATED TO. I SEE A BOARD AUTHORIZING AND AGREEING TO HIRING A COO FOR A CORPORATION.

THAT'S WHAT I EQUATE THIS, TOO. AND THIS IS GIVEN TO THE DUTIES TO THE CEO OO TO OPERATE, MAINTAIN,ED ABOUT JET AND HIRE.

ONLY THING WE ASK, YOU COME BACK TO US.

LET'S HAVE AN CONVERSATION AND WE GIVE YOU AUTHORITY AND THEN YOU DISCHARGE. THAT'S HOW I SEE THIS.

AS A QUOTE, UNQUOTE, LEGALLY, IT'S NOT THE RIGHT THING.

THAT'S THE WAY I SEE IT. PEOPLE LEASE ALL THE TIME.

IN THIS CASE, THEY ARE LEASING A COO TO US

>> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, YOU JUST PROVED MY POINT.

YOU JUST PROVED MY POINT. IF I'M READING IT ONE WAY.

COMMISSIONER JOHNSON IS READING IT ONE WAY.

YOU READING IT ONE WAY. A JURY OR SOMEBODY THERE.

I'M ASKING THAT THE CITY, THE CITY ATTORNEY LOOK AT IT, AND MAKING SURE, WHEN YOU READ IT, I READ IT, WE'RE IN THE SAME PAGE.

THAT'S ALL I'M ASKING. >> THIS EARLY, ARE YOU CONFIDENCE, FROM HOW YOU COULD FIX THIS

>> I'M HEARING TWO DIFFERENT THINGS, MAYOR, FRANKLY.

BECAUSE WHAT I HEARD, THE FIRST QUESTION I HEARD FROM COMMISSIONER GAINS WAS IT SEEMED LIKE THERE'S A DESIRE TO HAVE THE BOARD APPROVED THE HIRING OF EMPLOYEES.

. >> THE WAY IT'S WRITTEN RIGHT NOW, IT'S NOT NECESSARY. IT LOOKS LIKE IT'S THE AGREEMENT OF THE PARTIES, THE ADMINISTRATOR WOULD HAVE THE FREEDOM TO HIRE AT WILL, BASICALLY.

[01:10:01]

IN ORDER TO MAKE A TERMINATION DECISION, THEN THE ADMINISTRATOR WOULD HAVE TO GO TO THE BOARD. THAT'S THE WAY IT'S DRAFTED.

GIVE ME A SECOND. I WILL READ IT OUT LOUD.

>> YOU TELL ME, WHAT YOU WOULD BE HAPPY WITH.

>> PARAGRAPH C1. >> GOING BACK TO.

I'M TRYING TO BE QUIET, BUT I CAN'T.

IF YOU READ, THE ADMINISTRATION DETERMINES.

THE HIRING PART. COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, I DON'T WANT ANY STUMBLING BLOCKS. I DON'T WANT ANY STUMBLING BLOCKS. WE HAVE TO HIRE SOMEBODY AND GET SOMEONE OVER THERE. IF THE ADMINISTRATIVE DETERMINES ANY POSITION TO BE UNNECESSARY OR ANY EMPLOYEE TO BE UNSUITABLE, THE ADMINISTRATION MAY DISCHARGE THE INDIVIDUAL ON BEHALF OF THE SUN RISE, HUMANE SOCIETY WITH THE SUN RISE HUMANE SOCIETY PRIOR APROFRL; RIGHT? THAT'S WHERE WE ARE; RIGHT?

EVERYBODY IS CLEAR? >>THE TROUBLE IS THE ONE-THIRD

OF THE SENTENCE. >> I THINK YOU WANT IT CLEAR, THAT THE BOARD OF THE SUN RISE HUMANE SOCIETY, SHALL MAKE THE FINAL DECISION AS FAR AS TERMINATION, DISCIPLINE, ET CETERA. IT'S GOING TO BE UP TO THE ADMINISTRATOR'S SOLELY TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION.

I COULD REWORD THAT, I'M HAPPY TO DO IT.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT MEETS WITH EVERYBODY'S APPROVAL.

WE'RE HAPPY WITH THE FIRST SENTENCE.

FIRST TWO SENTENCES, SUB 1. >> FIRST THIRD OF THE LAST SENTENCE IS THE PROBLEM, FOR ME. .

>> MAY DISCHARGE THE INDIVIDUAL ON BEHALF.

>> AND YOU GOT IT. >> YOU FIX IT.

I DON'T WANT TO WRITE THIS DOCUMENT BY COMMITTEE.

>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, THANK YOU MAYOR FOR YOUR PATIENCE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE, IS SOMETHING COMMISSIONER IS HAPPY WITH.

I REALIZE, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.

>> WE'RE A POLICYMAKERS AND WE'RE HAPPY TO PROTECT THE TAXPAYER CITIZENS WHO FUND THE CITY.

I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO, SOMETHING WE CAN AVOID.

AND WELLS, TO GET THINGS FIXED IN COURT, FOR SOMETHING, WE AT LEAST HAVE A GOOD CONVERSATION ABOUT.

YOU COULD TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT INSURING THE BOARD.

OR SOMETHING. >> IT ACTUALLY COMES FROM THE BOARD. .

>> IT WILL BE 300,000, GOING TO SUN RISE SOCIETY, IN WHICH, $75 COMES OUT FOR THE EMPLOYEE. THAT'S A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, BECAUSE WE'VE IDENTIFIED, THIS COMMISSION. YOU ALL HAVE, IDENTIFIED THE FACT, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE CITY.

AND THAT WE WANT IT TO SCHEDULE WITH THE -- SO WITH THE

[01:15:07]

SOLUTIONS THAT CAME, AND MR. NIMS, I'M TELLING YOU, THAT, IT WAS OUTSIDE OF THE BOX: IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT FOR THE BOARD, THE SUN RISE HUMANE SOCIETY BOARD TO GET TO THE POINT. MORE DIFFICULT THAN WHAT WE ARE DOING RIGHT NOW. THE IDEA IS TO GIVE UP A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF FREEDOM. THEY UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE TO THIS. AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ALL SURVIVE. I SOUND LIKE I'M SELLING IT, BUT

WE DON'T HAVE ANY OPTION. >> THIS IS THE BEST DEAL GOING FORWARD. .

>> IF ANYTHING SHOULD HAPPEN, WE HAVE AN EMPLOYEE, THAT'S EMERESED INTO THE SUN RISE SHELTER FOR HOPEFULLY SEVERAL MONTHS, YEARS. .

>> WE KNOW THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, WILL BE ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OPERATION OF THE SHELTER.

. >> THAT'S WHAT WE WILL CLOSE ON.

MY INITIAL CONCERN AND I'M GOING -- THAT THING, WILL BRING THIS TO A CLOSE, IS EXACTLY THAT.

BECAUSE, THIS IS PUTTING US IN THE EYE OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE TO SAVE THIS. IF IT DOESN'T, IT'S ON US.

IF WE DO, IT'S ON US. I THINK WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND

THAT; RIGHT?. >> IT'S WHO WE HIRE FOR THIS.

THEY HAVE TO -- VOLUNTEERS, AND, YOU KNOW, A WHOLE BUNCH OF THINGS. THIS IS --

>>. I'M GOING TO SUPPORT IT RELUCTANTLY. AS AN HR, I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING TODAY FROM THAT. WE'RE IN A WORLD RIGHT NOW, THAT'S A LITTLE BIT UNCOMFORTABLE.

I UNDERSTAND THE URGENCY NEED OF IT.

SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO TAKE RISK. I HOPE WE'RE TAKING THE RIGHT RISK, WE'RE HELPING PEOPLE TO SUPERVISE PEOPLE WHO DON'T WORE

IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. >> AND WOULD YOU LIKE FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY TO REVISE THIS DOCUMENT, BRING IT BACK ON THE SEPTEMBER 6TH CITY COMMISSION MEE

MEETING. >> I DON'T KNOW IF WE WANT TO

HOLD IT UP. >> RIGHT NOW, WE'RE PUTTING IT IN THE HANDS OF OUR CITY ATTORNEY.

IT WILL COME BACK TO YOU, WITHOUT THE RISK OF THE BOARD SEEING THOSE REVISIONS. .

>> WE'RE DONE.

>>. >> WHAT DOES THAT DO TO YOUR

TIME LINE? >> THE TIME LINE WOULD NOT BE

TRULY BE AFFECTED, BECAUSE -- >> I COULD APPEARS, THE CONSEQUENCES WILL MOVE FORWARD. IT TAKES TIME.

I'M GOING TO BE, I NEED TO SCHEDULE INTERVIEWS.

WE HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL APPLICATIONS.

WE NEED TO ARRANGE INTERVIEWS AND DO THAT WHOLE PROCESS.

THAT WILL TAKE SOME TIME. JAMIE, AS THE MANAGEMENT TEAM HAVE STARTED LEARNING THE SHELLEDER PROCESS.

THAT WILL TAKE TIME. WE'RE GOING TO THE SHELTER, WATCHING, LEARNING TAKING NOTES, AND GETTING THE INFORMATION THAT WE NEED TO DO: THAT PROCESSES IS ONGOING AND WILL CONTINUE:

MAKING EVERYTHING OFFICIAL. >> YOU COULD WORK WITH THE TIMING IF WE BRING THE CONTRACT BACK IN SEPTEMBER.

>> YOU HAVE A JOB DESCRIPTION READY TO GO?

THAT WHAT I HEARD >> WE'RE READY TO START

INTERVIEWING. >> YOU ARE THAT FAR ALONG, OKAY

>> SO DO WE POSTPONE THIS UNTIL SEPTEMBER, ARE WE DO?

>> THERE COULD BE A MOTION TO TABLE THE ISSUE.

WE WILL BRING IT BACK. WE CAN RESET IT TO A DATE CERTAIN. IT'S RESETTING IT.

>> TABLE, SO YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO VOTE.

>> TABLE AND THINGS. >> EITHER WAY, IT'S NOT A NORMALIZED HEARING. I THINK WE CAN VOTE TO MOVE IT

[01:20:04]

TO THE NEXT AGENDA. >> I MOVE WE MOVE IT TO THE NEXT

AGENDA SEPTEMBER 6TH. >> MOTION AND SECOND.

>> COMMISSIONER GAINES >> YES, MA'AM.

>> COMMISSIONER? >> JEREMIAH JOHNSON?

[f. Approval to allocate $100,000 of American Rescue Plan Act Funds for Utility Bill Assistance Program.]

>> YES, MA'AM. >> AND MAYOR HUDSON?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> AND FUNDS FOR UTILITY, BILL

ASSISTANCE PROGRAM? >> MY FELLOW COMMISSION, I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE A GREAT DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS.

THAT WOULD BE A REDUCTION. AND IT MEANS ONLY 90,000 COULD GET TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICE, COMMUNITY.

AND I THINK WE CAN DO A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

AND WE'RE PUTTING 100,000-PLUS DOLLARS INTO THE COMMUNITY.

AND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 100,000 AND 90,000, WE WOULD CUT OFF ABOUT 40 FAMILIES THAT COULD BENEFIT, BECAUSE WE HAD A CAP OF 250. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THAT AND THE 250 AND 10,000 IS 40 FAMILIES OUT THERE.

AND I WOULD RATHER SEE THE 40 FAMILIES SERVED ALONG WITH THE MANY OTHERS THAT WILL GET THIS BENEFIT.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US, MAYBE MOVE THIS AND CONSIDER 125, THAT WAY THE PEOPLE THAT WILL ADMINISTER THE GRANT, THERE'S AN ADMINISTRATION FEE, OBVIOUSLY. IT WILL ALLOW FOR MONEY TO GET OUT THERE AND SERVICE THE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT NEED THIS

HELP. >> I NEED TO HEAR FROM STAFF, THE FUNDING IS NOT SET TO GO IN ANOTHER DIRECTION.

>> COMMISSIONER PERONA, THE LATE I CHART OR SPREADSHEET ON THE AMERICAN RESCUE FUNDS, BASICALLY, ILLUSTRATES THE 116,000. WE HAVE NOT DETERMINED THE FUTURE, EXPENDITURES OF THE FUNDING.

THAT WILL COME OUT OF 613,000. ORIGINALLY THE REQUEST WAS $100,000. THE ADDITIONAL 25 WOULD NOT HURT

THE AMERICAN RESCUE FUNDS? >> THANK YOU.

>> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION. >> READY?

>> SO WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION.

>> MADAM MAYOR, I WOULD MOVE WE APPROVE THE ALLOCATION OF $125,000 ON AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ON THE UTILITY ASSISTANCE

PROGRAM. >> SECOND.

>> ANY DISCUSSION. CALL ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER GAINES >> YES, MA'AM.

>> COMMISSIONER JEREMIAH JOHNSON >> YES, MA'AM.

>> MAYOR HUDSON? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> FOR THE BENEFIT OF ANYBODY LISTENING, IT WILL BE DONE BY

ST. LUCIE COUNTY. >> I JUST MET EARLIER TODAY.

WE ARE IRONING THE DETAILS OF THE PROGRAM.

WE WILL LOST WITH THE PRESS RELEASE AND IT'S ANTICIPATED ON THE SECOND WEEK OF SEPTEMBER. AFTER WE SUCCESSFULLY ANSWER AGREEMENT, WE WILL HAVE THE FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR THE

[a. Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan for Fiscal Year 2022-2023]

COMMUNITY. >> GREAT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT. .

>> NEXT, WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANTS, ACTION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023.

>> WE HAVE THE GRANTS, ADMINISTRATION, BRITTANY MORENELLO, WILL COME AND TALK TO US ABOUT THE UPCOMING CBG, ANNUAL ACTION PLAN. THAT'S WHAT IT IS, YES.

>> THIS IS REQUIRED BY YOUR FUNDERS TO HAVE THE PUBLIC HEARING. WHAT WE DON'T VOTE, SO TAKE IT

AWAY. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS. THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN, IS SOMETHING WE DO EVERY SUMMER. WE DO AN ASSESSMENT, SURVEY, PUBLIC SERVEINGS, PEOPLE E-MAILING US, TELLING US THE NEEDS. AS A RESULT, I'M PRESENTING THE COMMENTS AND ADDITIONAL COMMENTS CAN BE MADE DURING THIS TIME, BEFORE I SUBMIT IT TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR APPROVAL.

>> THE FIRST QUESTION ASKED, IS BASICALLY GOING TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD, MEANS AND SERVICES, THAT IS CURRENTLY AVAILABLE AND WHICH ONES ARE OF GREAT NEED.

ACCORDING TO THE SURVEY, IT LOOKS WANT TO IMPROVE THE ACCESS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND ASSESS NON-PROFIT AGENCIES. EVERYTHING IS NECK TO NECK TIED.

NON-PROFIT AGENCIES GOT ABOUT 85 PERCENT.

[01:25:04]

DIFFERENT PROGRAMS, THAT COULD BE DONE, AND NUMBER ONE, OVERWHELMING IS MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL ILLNESS ASSISTANCE.

AND THEN HOUSING REHABILITATION. THOSE ARE THE GREATEST NEEDS.

IT DWINDLES FROM THAT, WHERE IT GOES INTO MORE SERIOUS ACTIVITIES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

OVERWHELMINGLY, IT SEEMS TO BE A HOUSING ISSUE, MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE, AS THE GREATEST NEED. THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS TO WRITE IN THE RESPONSES.

FIX THE STREETS, MORE BIKE LANES.

THOSE NOISY KIDS THAT KEEP GOING ON MY LAWN.

I JUST WANT TO DISPLAY IT. IT'S AVAILABLE FOR ANYBODY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE COPY AND COMMENTS AS WELL.

THIS IS SENT TO HUD AS WELL FOR THE FEDERAL GUIDELINES.

>> VERY INTERESTING? >> NUMBER ONE I WOULD SEE IS HOUSING REHABILITATION OR IMPROVEMENT TO SEPTIC TANKS OR SEWER LINES OR SIDEWALKS, BIKE LANES OR HOMELESS SHOELTERS AS WELL. .

>> WITH THIS PLAN, HUD AT THIS TIME, PROPOSED, WE RECEIVE $ $541-184. AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WILL RECEIVE $80,000. THAT WILL GO TOWARDS THE JOB FAIR, BUSINESS EXPO. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL GRANTS AND BUSINESS SMALL GRANTS AND SMALL EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS AND SMALL BUSINESS START-UPS. WE HAVE PUBLIC SERVICES AND 50,000 WOULD GO TO THE PSI GRANTS, NON-PROFIT GRANTS.

THE THING THAT WILL CHANGE, THE GRANT WILL BE OPEN YEAR ROUND THE COMMUNITY WIDE COUNCIL WILL REGULARLY ON A QUARTERLY BASIS, REVIEW THE APPLICATIONS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR: PUBLIC FACILITIES, WILL GO TO INCLUDE PLAYGROUNDS, AND COMMUNITY GARDEN, WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, TO SEE WHAT THE NEEDS ARE IN THE COMMUNITY. AND NEW SORT OF NEW OR REVAMPED INITIATIVE IS THE HOUSING PROGRAMS, WHICH IS $90,000.

THIS IS SPLIT BETWEEN THE WEATHERIZATION PROGRAM, AND WORKS ON REVAMPING AND KIND OF WORKING AROUND SOME THINGS TO MAKE IT FEASIBLE FOR PEOPLE. AND HOUSING WORKSHOPS, FIRST WORKSHOP HAS KICKED OFF THIS THURSDAY, AUGUST 18TH.

WE HAVE A DIFFERENT TOPIC EVERY MONTH.

ONE THURSDAY A MONTH. WE HAVE PEOPLE COME TO THE RIVER WALK. WE HAVE ATTORNEYS THERE FROM FLORIDA LEGAL SERVICES, REAL ESTATE AGENTS, LENDERS, LANDLORDS, ANYONE THAT'S INTERESTED.

THE FIRST MONTH IS RENTAL HOUSING ISSUES.

. >> THIS IS THE SUPPLEMENTAL ONE.

WE HAVE SOMETHING TO FALL BACK IN CASE OF EMERGENCY FOR SOME PEOPLE ARE SLEEPING IN CARS WITH CHILDREN.

EMERGENCY REHAB. ONLY IN THE EMERGENCY DIRE EMERGENCY SITUATIONS. THIS IS WHEN I GET A PHONE CALL.

SOMEONE'S PIPE BURST. AND WE GO IN AND HELP THEM WITH THE SITUATION. NEXT, IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION PROGRAM. WITH 152,947.

THIS GOES TO THE COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATION, MAIN STREETS AND IT GOES TO PROMOTION ARTS AND HERITAGE, WHERE WE ARE NOW KICKING OFF AGAIN, A LOCAL ARTIST, CALLED TO ART IST WHERE WE CAN GO TO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, TO GET BACK TO THE ROOTS

OF ART AND CULTURE. >> YOU MAY NOT GET TO THE CAP BUT THAT'S THE MAX IT COULD GO TO.

THIS GOES TO MANAGEMENT COORDINATION OVERSIGHT, FAIR HOUSING WORKSHOPS. THAT WOULD BE MORE LIKE A SHIP WORKSHOP. WITH SHIP PROGRAMS, WE ARE REQUIRED TO DO WORKSHOPS AS WELL.

WE HAVE TO IS A HUD CERTIFIED PERSON COME IN AND TEACH A COURSE. WE ARE LOOKING AT PARTNERSHIPS, WITH OTHER NEIGHBORING CERTIFIED HUB LOCATIONS.

THAT'S WHY IT'S FUNDED COMING OUT OF SOMETHING ELSE, INSTEAD OF HOUSING WORKSHOPS IN THE NATION.

[01:30:01]

WITH THAT, WE'RE OPEN TO ANY QUESTIONS.

>> ANY QUESTIONS WITH MS. MARNELO.

. >> I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. I SAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

[b. Quasi-Judicial Hearing - Review and approval of an application for Final Plat, submitted by Property Owner(s) Anthony Verderame (Neill Farms FP LLC) and Applicant, David Baggett PE, Project Manager (Engineering Design & Construction, Inc.), to subdivide approximately 24 acres of land (more or less) for The Avalon Crossing Planned Development (Phase II) located at or near 2790 S Jenkins Road in Fort Pierce, FL. The property is currently zoned Planned Development (PD). Parcel Control Numbers: 2419-702-0014-000-8, 2419-702-0015-000-5, 2419-702-0016-000-2, 2419-702-0017-000-9, 2419-702-0018-000-6, 2419-702-0019-000-3, 2419-702-0020-000-3.]

GOOD JOB. .

>> NEXT ITEM, APPROVAL OF APPLICATIONER FOR FINAL PLATT, SUBMITTED BY ANTHONY -- NEOFARMS AND APPLICANTS, DAVID BAGUETTE.

PROJECT ENGINEER TO SUBDIVIDE 24 ACRES OF THE LAND, PLANNED DEVELOPMENT, LOCATED AT OR NEAR 1790 JENKINS AVENUE FLORIDA.

THIS IS A QUASI JUDICIAL HEARING.

>> THIS IS A QUAZI JUDICIAL HEARING.

MS. EARLY IS GOING TO READ THE PROCEDURES.

EVERYBODY WHO IS INVOLVED, IF YOU LISTEN TO IT, SHE WILL ONLY

READ IT ONCE. >> THE CITY COMMISSION SERVES LEGISLATIVE AND QUASI JUDICIAL ROLE.

WHEN ACTING AS LEGISLATIVE BODY, COMMISSION ENGAGES IN BODY ESTABLISHING LAWS AND ESTABLISHING POLICIES.

WHEN ACTING AS QUASI JUDICIAL, COMMISSION, IS HELD TO STRICTER PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS. QUASI JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS ARE LESS FORMAL BEFORE A CIRCUIT COURT BUT IS MORE FORMAL THAN THE NORMAL COMMISSIONER MEETING. THEY MUST FOLLOW NOTICE AND DUE PROCESS AND IT MUST BE BASED ON COMPETENT EVIDENCE.

AND THEREFORE, THEY HAVE DUTY TO CONDUCT JUDICIAL QUAZI.

AND FINALLY, NO ONE SHOULD APPROACH ANY MEMBER, THE CITY ATTORNEY OR CITY CLERK DURING THE HEARING.

IF DOCUMENTS ARE TO BE GIVEN TO THE CITY CLERK, PLEASE GIVE THEM TO THE SERGEANT OF ARMS AND IT IS ONE OF THE POLICE OFFICERS IN

THE CHAMBER. >> THE PROCEEDINGS IS CALLED TO ORDER. CITY CLERK, HAVE WE MET THE

REQUIREMENT. >> WE HAVE.

>> AND WOULD YOU ASK COMMISSIONS ABOUT THE EX-PARTY

COMMUNICATIONS. >> NO MA'AM.

>> COMMISSIONER JEREMIAH JOHNSON >> I HEARD FROM THE NEIGHBORS, NOT SPECIFIC TO A FINAL PLATT BUT SPECIFIC TO THE DEVELOPMENT.

>> COMMISSIONER PERONA >> NO, MA'AM.

>> COMMISSIONER HUDSON? >> NO, MA'AM.

>> PLEASE STAND AND RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND.

DO YOU SWEAR OR AFFIRM TO TELL THE TRUTH, NOTHING BUT THE

TRUTH? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> THANK YOU. .

>> AND CITY STAFF IS NOW TIME FOR YOU TO MAKE YOUR PRESENTATION. WELCOME.

>> GOOD EVENING. MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS.

BEFORE YOU, WE HAVE AN APPLICATION FOR A FINAL PLATT, LOCATION AT OR NEAR 2790 SOULT JENKINS ROAD.

SUBJECT PROPERTY, HAS A ZONING OF PD PLANNED DEVELOPMENT.

THE PLATT IS INTENDED FOR 166 LOTS OF THE AVALLON CROSSING PHASE 2 SUBDIVISION. THE STAFF IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF THE SUBDIVISION, FINAL PLATT.

WE'RE RECOMMENDING, THE APPLICANT SUPPLY, ST. LUCIE COUNTY AND ACCORDANCE TO THE STATUTE.

177 177111.

HERE IS A MORE LOCATION OF THE PLOT SHEET.

AND THE CENTRAL LOCATION OF THE PLOT SHEET.

AND THE SOUTHERN LOCATION OF THE PROPOSED PLOT POSSIBLE ACTIONS OF THE CITY COMMISSION.

APPROVE THE PROPOSED, WITH THE STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION.

ONE CONDITION APPROVE THE FINAL PLOT WITH CHANGES OR DISAPPROVE THE FINAL PLOT. THANK YOU.

>> ANY QUESTIONS OF MR. GILMOR OR STAFFER.

ANY DISCUSSION. ANY QUESTIONS? THIS IS THE TIME TO DO IT. SO NOW I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE APPLICANT COME FORWARD. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF

STAFF? >> DAVID BEGET, EMC, PARKS ROAD, NO, WE DOAN. I DON'T HAVE ANY.

>> DO YOU HAVE A PRESENTATION OR WOULD YOU.

WE DON'T HAVE A PRESENTATION. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THANK YOU TO STAFF.

THIS PROJECT IS A LONG TIME COMING.

IF YOU RECALL, THIS PROJECT GOT APPROVED AND STARTED CONSTRUCTION IN 2006. AND DURING THE DOWNTURN, THE HOMEBUILDER PULLED OUT AND THE PROJECT KIND OF LAID DORMANT FOR

[01:35:01]

A LONG TIME. WITH STAFF AND YOUR COOPERATION, WE ARE ABLE TO GET THE PROJECT BOOTED BACK UP.

THE REASON, IT IS BEFORE, THEY ARE VERY QUICK IN SELLING HOMES IN THE FIRST PHASE. WE ARE READY TO TURN IT LOOSE, AFTER IT GETS RECORDED. YOU KNOW, EVEN, IN SPECIFIC TO THIS ITEM, WITH THE PLOT, IN TERMS OF -- THE PLOT DEPARTMENT, AND THEY WERE HELPFUL. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I GIVE YOU

THAT FEEDBACK. >> ANY QUESTIONS.

>> WHAT'S YOUR CONSTRUCTION PHASING.

WHERE ARE YOU AT WITH THE SIDE OF THE PROJECT.

>> AND ALL OF IT IS COMPLETE. AND THERE ABOUTS MUCH AND ONCE, THE BUILDING GETS A LITTLE FURTHER ALONG, YOU WILL GET THE FINAL LIST OF ASPHALT. WE CERTIFIED THE AUTHORITIES, LIST STATIONS, SEWER, WATER, ALL CERTIFIED, FDADP.

WE CERTIFIED A LOT OF THE SITE WORK ASSOCIATED WITH THE WITH THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PLOT, AND SELLING THE REMAINING ITEMS, BONDING OUT UNTIL LAST, LAST FEW STRETCHES OF THE SIDEWALK.

THAT'S WHERE WE ARE. AND THERE'S SOME PERIMETER WORK THAT HAS TO BE DONE IN THE SIDE OF THE HOMES.

LANDSCAPING AND THINGS LIKE THAT, FINISHED UP WITH THAT PART OF THE BUILDING. .

>> YOU'RE MAINTAINING STORM MANAGEMENT, AND BASICALLY, DEWATERING PLANT, IF YOU NEED ANY.

>> THERE SHOULDN'T BE MUCH -- >> I ASKED ABOUT PHASE

CONSTRUCTION. >> ABSOLUTELY.

AND THE DEVELOPERS, KEEN TO MAINTAIN THAT AND GET EVERYTHING ESTABLISHED. TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY ISSUES, JUMP RIGHT ON IT. .

>> THANK YOU.

>>. >> YOU'RE NEAR FIVE MILE CREEK,

IN THIS AREA >> CANAL IN THE NORTH SIDE OF THE PROJECT. .

>> CERTIFIED WITH THE WATER DISTRICT IN ST. LUCIE.

>> MOST COMPLETED IS AT 300. >> 300.

. >> GATED, DIFS OR --

>> NOT GATED. >> ANY ADJUSTMENTS.

>> I WILL SEE IF ANYBODY ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE.

ANYBODY ELSE WANTS TO TALK ON THIS SUBJECT, PLEASE COME

FORWARD. >> YOU WANT ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY, BEFORE WE CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

WE'RE CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING.

I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION OR DISCUSSION.

>> I MOVE WE APPROVE THE FINAL PLATT FOR KNEEL'S FARM.

>> IS THERE A SECOND. >> SECOND.

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

>> STAFF CONDITION? >> WITH STAFF CONDITION.

>> COMMISSIONER GAINES >> YES, MA'AM.

>> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> COMMISSIONER C JOHNSON? >> YES, MA'AM.

[c. Quasi-Judicial Hearing - Review and approval of an application for a Site Plan (Development and Design Review) approval to construct a 21,162 square foot building expansion to an existing Automobile Sales and Service Facility with associated site improvements at or near 3350 S US Highway 1, more specifically located at Parcel Control Number: 2427-801-0001-000-3.]

>> MAYOR HUDSON? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> APPROVAL OF THE SITE PLAN AND DEVELOPMENT AND DESIGN REVIEW TO CONSTRUCT 120 SQUARE FEET BUILDING, WITH ASSOCIATED SITE IMPROVEMENTS, AT OR NEAR 3350 SOUTH HIGHWAY 1, MORE SPECIFICALLY LOCATED IN A PARCEL CONTROL NUMBER.

>> HAVE WE MET THE ADVERTISING AND NOTICE REQUIREMENTS?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> WOULD YOU ASK COMMISSIONERS

ABOUT EX-PARTY. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?

>> NO, MAM. >> COMMISSIONER C JOHNSON

>> YES, MAM. >> AND WOULD YOU SWEAR IN THE

WITNESSES. >> ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SPEAK ON THE ITEM. DO YOU SWEAR OR AFFIRM TO TELL THE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH?

>> YES. >> STAFF, YOU MAY PROCEED.

>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS.

BEFORE YOU, WE HAVE A SITE PLAN, DEVELOPMENTAL REVIEW AND SITE REVIEW, FOR EXPANSION, LOCATED AT 3350, SOUTH U.S. HIGHWAY 1.

THE LOCATION, SUBJECT PROPERTY HAS APPROXIMATELY 6.1 ACRES.

[01:40:02]

AND CURRENTLY HAS A FEATURE LAND USE, GC, CITY OF FORT PIERCE, GENERAL COMMERCIAL ZONING FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE.

THE EXPANSION INCLUDES, 21,162 SQUARE FEET TO THE EXISTING AUTOMOBILE SALES AND SERVICE FACILITY, WITH SITE IMPROVEMENTS. .

>> BEFORE WE HAD THE LANDSCAPE PLAN.

24 GREEN, AND 5 EAST, 9, LITTLE GERM MAGNOLIA AND 12 LIVE OAKS, PALMETTOS, SHRUBS AND GROUND COVER.

THIS IS A WEST ELEVATION OF THE PROPOSED EXPANSION AND REMODEL.

EAST ELEVATION. NORTHERN ELEVATIONS.

SOUTH ELEVATIONS. THE PLAN, IN THEIR JULY 13TH, 2022, MEETING VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST. STAFF IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL WITH FOUR CONDITIONS. NUMBER ONE COMPLETED CERTIFICATION BY A LAND SKIP ARCHITECT, PURSUANT TO CITY CODE, 123-6, REQUIRED BEFORE THE FINAL SERT CAL OF OCCUPANCY.

AND BICYCLE PARKING, LOCKERS WILL BE PROVIDED IN RATIO OF ONE SPACE FOR EVERY TEN, CITY CODE SECTION 125-315, F-1A.

PRIOR TO THE ISSUANCE, BUILDING APPROVAL, TO DEMONSTRATE, THE BUILDING PERFORMS TO THE SPECIFICATION TO THE CITY CODE, 125, DESIGN REVIEW. CONFIRM THAT THE ARCHITECTURE AND COLOR SCHEME WILL MATCH THAT OF THE EXISTING STRUCTURE.

PROVIDE SIDEWALKS, RIGHTS OF WAYS, PER CITY CODE SECTION-31-17D. AND APPROVE SITE PLAN AND APPROVE AND DEVELOPMENT REVIEW, WITH CHANGES OR DISAPPROVAL.

>> THANK YOU. >> ANY QUESTIONS WITH STAFF?

>> JUST A QUICK ONE. >> WASN'T GOING TO ASK A QUESTION, UNTIL IT CAUGHT ME. COLOR SCHEMED ITEM 3.

>> YES. >> COLOR SCHEME OF THE STRUCTURAL MATCH. OBVIOUSLY, THAT INCLUDES IF THEY

WANT TO REPAINT THE EXISTING? >> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

>> AND IS THERE ANY SIDEWALKS ALONG THAT WAY?

IS THIS GOING TO BE IN LIEU OF? >> THERE'S NO SIDEWALKS ON THE

NORTHERN >> TALKS ABOUT CONNECTION AND IF THERE'S NOTHING TO CONNECT, I'M WONDERING HOW THAT WORKS.

>> THAT'S THE SOUTHLAND IS A COUNTY ROAD.

IT WOULD BE UP TO THE DISCRETION OF THE COUNTY.

AND WE WOULD STILL RECOMMEND THE COMMISSION, FOR WHEN THE PROPOSED SIDEWALK IS BUILT, IF THEY APPROVE THE PAYMENT IN LIEU

OF. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.

>> READY. WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ASK THE APPLICANT TO COME FORWARD PLEASE.

STATE YOUR NAME AND -- YOU'VE BEEN SWORN IN?

>> YES, I WAS. BILL SPECIE.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF?

>> I DO NOT. >> SO WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO

TELL US? >> I COULD CLARIFY ON THE SIDEWALK THERE. CURRENTLY THERE'S AN EXISTING SIDEWALK ON SOUTHFORD DRIVE. IT'S ACTUALLY ON THE PROPERTY, WITHIN THE RIGHT OF WAY. SO WE HAVE PROVIDED AN EASEMENT, PEDESTRIAN ACCESS EASEMENT ON THE SIDEWALK.

AND WE ALSO PROVIDE CONNECTION FROM THE PROPERTY TO THE

SIDEWALK. >> SUPER.

>> WITH THE DEVELOPMENT. >> ANY QUESTIONS OF THE APPLICANT. YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT

TO SHARE WITH US. >> OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

. >> AND ANYONE ELSE IN THE CHAMBER WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NO ONE, YOU HAVE ANYTHING MORE TO SAY BEFORE I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING. >> OKAY. MOTION OR DISCUSSION?

[01:45:04]

>> MAYOR, MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE WITH THE FOUR

CONDITIONS. >> SECOND.

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

>> MR. GAINES >> YES, MA'AM.

>> COMMISSIONER C JOHNSON >> YES, MA'AM.

>> J JOHNSON >> YES, MA'AM.

[d. Quasi-Judicial Hearing - Review and approval of an application for a Conditional Use with No New Construction submitted by applicant, Lindsay School of the Arts, to operate a private arts school with 3 classrooms for approximately 25-30 students at 515 Avenue A. Property is zoned General Commercial (C-3). Parcel ID: 2410-606-0005-000-0]

>> MAYOR HUDSON? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> WE HAVE ANOTHER QUASI JUDICIAL HEARING FOR APPROVAL FOR THE APPLICATION OF CONDITIONAL USE WITH NO NEW CONSTRUCTION SUBMITTED BY APPLICANT, TO OPERATE A PRIVATE ART SCHOOL, MAINTAIN THREE CLASSROOMS FOR APPROXIMATELY 25-30 STUDENTS AT 515 AVENUE A. THIS PROPERTY IS IN GENERAL

COMMERCIAL C3. >> WOULD YOU ASK COMMISSIONERS

ABOUT EX-PARTY. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?

>> I'VE MET WITH THE APPLICANT BUT I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S IN REGARDS TO THIS LOCATION. I HAVE, IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT,

I THINK I MET WITH. >> COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON?

>> SAME. I MET NOT WITH THIS PROJECT.

I DON'T KNOW. >> WILL CALL THAT A NO OR YES?

>> SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THIS PROJECT, NO.

I HAVE NOT TALKED ABOUT THIS. >> COMMISSIONER JEREMIAH JOHNSON

>> YES, I MET WITH THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY, THE CHURCH.

YES .

>> COMMISSIONER PERONA? >> NO MA'AM.

>> MAYOR HUDSON? >> NO, MA'AM.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO SWEAR ON THE WITNESS WAS.

ANY WITNESS WHO WANT TO SPEAK ON THIS.

PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. DO YOU AFFIRM TO TELL THE TRUTH

AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH? >> YES.

>> PLEASE PROCEED. >> AND GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS. PROPOSED TO BE LOCATED 515 AVENUE A. THIS SUBJECT PROPERTY IS APPROXIMATELY 1.05 ACRES. THE CURRENT FUTURE LAND USE IS GC JOURNAL COMMERCIAL, WITH GC GENERAL COMMERCIAL.

THIS IS THE APPLICANT'S PROPOSED SITE PLAN WITH ADJACENT PARKING.

THE SITE PLAN AND FLOOR PLAN SHALL INCLUDE THE EXISTING 23,742 SQUARE FOOT STRUCTURE WHICH IS PART OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. AND PROPOSED HOURS OF OPERATION, 8:30 A.M. TO 8:30 P.M. APPLICANT IS IMPOSING TO EMPLOY THREE STAFF MEMBERS, ATTENTIVE CAPACITY, IS 25-30 STUDENTS 6TH THROUGH 11TH GRADE. STAFF IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL OF CONDITIONAL USE WITH NO NEW CONSTRUCTION.

PLANNING BOARD AT THE JULY 13TH, 2022 MEETING VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO RECOMMEND THE APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST.

POSSIBLE ACTIONS, CITY COMMISSION, INCLUDE APPROVAL OF THE CONDITIONAL USE, WITH NO CHANGES, APROFRL OF THE CONDITIONAL USE WITH NO CHANGES OR DISAPPROVAL.

THANK YOU. >> ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF.

COMMISSIONER PERONA? >> WHAT'S THE PROCESS OF TAKING A CHURCH AND TURNING IT INTO A SCHOOL

>> THERE'S A CHANGE OF USE. THIS PARTICULAR PORTION OF THE

CHURCH WAS A PREVIOUS SCHOOL. >> AND THE CHANGE OF USE, IS

DONE TO THE BUILDING PROCESS. >> THEY MAY HAVE ISSUES?

>> YEAH. >> THAT'S GOT NOTHING TO DO WITH

THE BUILDING CODE. >> BUILDING CODE, CORRECT.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, STAFF? ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF STAFF? I DIDN'T SEE AN APPLICANT HERE. SO WE HAVE NO PRESENTATION.

IS THERE ANYBODY IN THE CHAMBER THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE ISSUE. PLEASE COME FORWARD? SEEING NO MOVEMENT, WELCOME BACK TO THE COMMISSION AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND I'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.

>> MADAM, I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> MOTION AND SECOND.

CALL THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> COMMISSIONER C JOHNSON

>> YES, MA'AM. >> COMMISSIONER JEREMIAH

[a. Approval and acceptance of the FPUA FY2023 Annual Budget and FY2022 Amended Budget.]

JOHNSON? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> COMMISSIONER PERONA? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> MAYOR HUDSON >> YES, MA'AM.

>> AND WE HAVE F-22 AMENDED BUDGET.

>> ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT THIS. >> WE HAVE OUR FRIEND, JAVIER CISNEROS, AND MS. BARBARA MIKA, WILL BE COMING UP DETAILING OUR UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR BUDGET AND THE BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE

[01:50:03]

CURRENT FISCAL YEAR. >> CISNEROS AND MICHAEL.

>> AND GOOD ARCH, MADAM MAYOR. GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONER, MR. MIMS, MR. COX, THIS EARLY.

AND AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, I'M HERE WITH BARBARA MIKA, TO PRESENT THE FPUAFY2023, PROPOSED BUDGET AND AMENDED 2022 BUDGET AT YOUR APPROVAL. AS REQUIRED BY CHARTER, STAFF MUST PRESENT A BUDGET AT LEAST 45 DAYS PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR. WE HAVE DEVELOPED THIS BUDGET FROM THE STRATEGIC GOALS AS DEFINED BY THE JOINT FYUA, AND STRATEGIC PLANNING WORKSHOP. FROM THE BUDGET IDENTIFIED THE TOP KEY AREAS. NUMBER ONE, SYSTEM GROWTH TO INCLUDE THE RELOCATION OF THE WASTE WATER PLANT.

NUMBER TWO, MANAGING THE COST ADJUSTMENT.

AND NUMBER THREE, PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

I'D LIKE TO SPEND A LITTLE TIME TO DETAIL THE ASPECTS OF THE BULLET ITEMS. NUMBER ONE, SYSTEM GROWTH, INCLUDES THE EXPANSION OF THE WATER, WASTE WATER, ELECTRIC GAS AND PUBLIC SYSTEM. THE EXPANSION OF THE BUSINESS UNITS, WILL BE INSTRUMENTAL IN THE GROWTH OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, BY EXPANNING CITY LIMITS, INCREASE EXPANSION CONNECTIONS AND EXPANDING GROWTH SUCH AS WHAT WE'VE SEEN IN THE LAST FEW YEARS. RELOCATION OF THE PLANT IS A TOP PRIORITY. IT WILL BE FAR AWAY FROM THE RESIDENTIAL HOMES AND FAR AWAY FROM ANY RIVER LAGOON.

THIS IS IMPORTANT TO HELP THE CITY GROW AND GROW THE UTILITY.

I RECOGNIZE HOW MUCH THE PLANT DEPENDS ON A TEAM.

IN THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS WE'VE ASSEMBLED A TEAM.

WE UNDERSTAND THE MISSION AND DIRECTIVE TO CONTINUE TO GROW AND PROVIDE RELIABLE ECONOMIC AND FRIENDLY SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY. NUMBER TWO, THE POWER COST ADJUSTMENT. THIS YEAR HAS BEEN A TOUGH YEAR, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUMMER BECAUSE OF THE NATURAL GAS PRICES.

THE POWER COST ADJUSTMENT HAS BEEN TOUGH THE LAST FEW MONTHS.

WE'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

AS WE CONTINUE TO MANAGE THE PCA TO BRING STABILITY TO THE CUSTOMERS. I'M NOT STAEFD WITH THIS, OUR TEAM WILL CONTINUE TO FOCUS ON LOWERING THE COST.

I WANT TO BE AT OR LOWER AT THE INVESTOR IN THE UTILITIES IN THE STATE. FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR, ELECTRIC COST WILL BE 12 PERCENT OF THE NEIGHBORING UTILITY.

MY GOAL IS TO BE AT OR LOWER THAN THEM IN 2023.

TOMORROW, STAFF HAS PROPOSED A REDUCTION IN THE POWER ADJUSTMENT TO THE FBA BOARD AND WE WILL SHARE THAT INFORMATION ONCE WE GET THE FINAL ACTION FROM THE BOARD TOMORROW.

NUMBER THREE. OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS, WE HAVE REVAMPED OUR PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND COMMUNITY ACTIONS PROGRAMS. OUR APPROACH WILL BE SIMPLE. CONNECT, ENGAGE AND STAY ENGAGED. WE'VE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS BEHIND THE SCENES AND THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, WE'LL SEE THE PROACTIVE AND FRONT FACING EFFORTS IN FULL FORCE.

YOU ALSO, THE UTILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS MET SEVERAL TIMES.

THAT'S ONE OF THE WAYS, WE WILL CONTINUE TO OUTREACH TO OUR COMMUNITY, TO RECAP OUR THREE TOP PRIORITIES ARE, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT, MANAGING THE PCA AND SYSTEM EXPANSION.

I WANT TO WRAP UP WITH A QUICK STATEMENT.

LAST WEEK, I WAS ASKED, IF WE WERE CONSIDERING SELLING OUR ELECTRIC SYSTEM. ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT MY DECISION, MY ANSWER IS UNEQUIVOCALLY NO.

THIS HAS BEEN A TOUGH FEW MONTHS, WHEN I COMPARE OURSELVES, WE HAVE AN OPEN LOBBY, WITH RESIDENTS HELPING RES DENS. YOU COULD TALK TO A HUMAN.

AND OUR STORM RESTORATION IS SUPERIOR TO THE INVESTMENT UTILITIES. IN MY OPINION, WE HAVE NEVER HAD A TEAM LIKE THIS BEFORE AND WE WILL GET BETTER.

NOW I WOULD LIKE TO TURN IT OVER TO MS. MIKA.

>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND BOARD MEMBERS.

WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT YOU THE ANNUAL BUDGETS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR, DECEMBER 30TH, 2023.

AMENDMENT FOR THE BUDGET, ENDING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2022.

THIS BUDGET WAS PREPARED WITH A CRITICAL LOOK AT EACH DEPARTMENT'S PLANS, PROJECTS AND PROJECTS TO INSURE THAT THEY SUPPORT THE MISSION, AND THE STRATEGIC GOALS OF THE ORGANIZATION. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE CITY ON SYSTEM EXPANSION AND RELY ABILITY PROJECTS THAT HELP SUPPORT THE CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS OF THE CUSTOMERS AND THE

[01:55:03]

CITY OF FORT PIERCE. OUR CONTINUED COMMITMENT IN ASSISTING OUR BOARD AND CUSTOMERS WITH THE UTILITIES NEEDS, HAS ENTERED INTO THE EXPAPGS.

THE EXPANSION OF THE GAS TERRITORY TO THE NORTH AND WEST OF TOWN AND DEVELOPING THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A SMART CITY ARE PART OF THE PLAN TO BRING NEW BUSINESSES TO FORT PIERCE.

PLANNED CAPITOL PROJECTS, SUPPORT THE SHARED OBJECTIVE OF THE WATER MAINLAND WATER FACILITY.

THE CAPITOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, DEVELOPED AS PART OF THE BUDGET, PROVIDES RELIABLE IMPROVEMENTS, WE MADE OVER TIME.

WE CONTINUE TO WORK ON A MULTI-USE STORM HARDENING PROGRAM TO IMPROVE THE RELIEKT. STRENGTHENING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, IMPROVES RELY ABILITY OF AGING WATER SYSTEM WITH CONTINUED WORK WITH THE FORCE MAIN LINING.

FBI EMPLOYEES HAVE TAKEN PRIDE IN THE ORGANIZATION, AND SUPPORTING OUR CUSTOMERS, WE WILL LIVE AND WORK TO THE COMMUNITY TO PROMOTE POSITIVE IMAGE FOR FBUA.

AND IN ADDITION, WE ARE MAKING INNOVATIVE CHANGES TO ASSIST CUSTOMERS WITH OPTIONS AND OBTAINING FINANCIAL RELIEF.

FBA, TO BEING PROACTIVE AND STRATEGIC WITH THE COMMUNITY.

WE ARE BUILDING A VISION OF COMMUNITY PROUD THAT WILL INSPIRE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN OUR STAFF AND THE UTILITY AND WE HAVE ESTABLISHED THE UTILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE, WHICH IS COMPRISED WITH CUSTOMERS, WHO WILL EVALUATE CITIZEN CONCERNS. THE COMMITTEE WILL INSURE THEY HAVE, FOR ALL QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED.

AND THESE BUDGETS REPRESENT AND APPROVED BY THE BOARD ON AUGUST 6TH. THIS BUDGET IS BEING PRESENTED TO YOU IN ACCORDANCE OF FORT PIERCE CHARTER FOR CONSIDERATION AND APPROVAL. THE INCREASE IN THE FISCAL YEAR 23 PROJECTED REVENUES IS MAINLY DUE TO ANTICIPATED INCREASES TO THE POWER COST ADJUSTMENT AND THE ANTICIPATED GROWTH IN THE CUSTOMER BASE OF GENERAL AND RESIDENTIAL SERVICES THAT WILL BE BROUGHT ON THROUGH EXPANSION PROJECT AND INFILL.

CAPITOL CONTRIBUTIONS ARE EXPECTED TO REMAIN STRONG AND THE ANTICIPATION OF GRANT REVENUE FOR WASTE WATER MAIN LINING WILL ROUND OUT THE INCREASE IN THE WATER REVENUE.

THE 5.5 MILLION INCREASE IN FISCAL YEAR, IN MAINTENANCE COST IS MAINLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE INCREASE INTEREST ASSOCIATED WITH THE 2002 NEW DEBT ISSUANCE. THE 3.8 MILLION APPROVED FOR CAPITOL FOR FISCAL YEAR 22 INCLUDING $7.8 MILLION OF FUNDS CARRIED FROM THE FISCAL YEAR. 2023 CAPITOL BUDGET OF $65.5 MILLION, INCLUDING $40.5 MILLION, IN PROJECTS FUNDED THROUGH THE BOND ISSUANCE. THIS GRAPH REPRESENTS THE TOTAL BUDGET. THESE AMOUNTS INCLUDE ALL FUNDING SOURCES AND SHOWS THE TREND OF THE INCREASE YEAR AFTER YEAR. THE COST OF PURCHASE FIRE, FISCAL YEAR 2022, IS ANTICIPATED TO BE 48.9 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE BUDGET.

IF THE PROJECTED DIRECTION OF THE COST OF NATURAL GAS, WHICH IS DIRECT, WHICH DIRECTLY IMPACTS THE COST OF THE PURCHASE POWER IS CORRECT, THE PURCHASE FOR RESALE WILL REMAIN LEVEL FOR FISCAL YEAR, 2023 AND SHOULD ACCOUNT FOR 46.8 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL BUDGET NEXT YEAR. THE COST OF THE PURCHASES FOR RESALE ARE NOT CONTROLLED BY FBUA.

HOWEVER WE REFLECT FOR FLUCTUATION AND COST AND HOPE TO COME IN BELOW THE BUDGETED NUMBER.

THE REVENUES BY SYSTEM AS COMPARED TO THE PRIOR FOUR YEARS ARE ON A STEADY INCREASE. FISCAL YEAR 2022 AND 23 REVENUE PROJECTIONS INCLUDING REVENUES FOR ALL SYSTEMS. REVENUE BASE, AND RATE ADJUSTMENTS AND HISTORICAL AND SYSTEMICAL DATA. THE SHARP INCREASE IN ELECTRIC REVENUES FOR BOTH YEARS, 2022 AND 23 AS A RESULT OF THE ANTICIPATED COSTS OF THE PURCHASE POWER

[02:00:03]

ADJUSTMENT. WATER AND WASTE WATER REVENUES INCREASES FOR BOTH 2022 AND 23 AS A RESULT OF RATE ADJUSTMENTS AND ADJUSTED GROWTH IN RATE, AND SUBJECT TO SEWER IS COMPLETED.

THIS CHART TAKES A CLOSER LOOK AT THE FISCAL YEAR 23, BUDGETED BY SYSTEM. ELECTRICAL REVENUES IS PROJECTED TO BE 88.5 MILLION OR ABOUT 60 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL REVENUES.

BUDGETED FOR 23. AND WITH A 5.3 INCREASE FROM THE AMENDED FISCAL YEAR 22. AND THE DIFFERENCES, INTO THE TERRITORY WILL INCREASE OUR CUSTOMER-BASED.

WATER AND INCOMING WATER COMBINED, FISCAL YEAR 2023, $7.7 MILLION COMBINED, 17.3 PERCENT GREATER THAN THE AMENDED YEAR 2022 BUDGET. APPROVED RATE ADJUSTMENTS, THAT SUPPORT THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE UTILITY SYSTEM, AS WELL AS NEW CUSTOMERS COMING ON-LINE, IS THE REASON BEHIND THE INCREASE. GAS REVENUES IS EXPECTED TO INCREASE 2022-23, WITH THE COMPLETION OF THE CURRENT GENERAL SERVICE PROJECTS, ANTICIPATED TO BRING ADDITIONAL, CUSTOMERS TO FORT PIERCE. COMPLETION OF THE GATE STATION IN THE NEXT 2-3 YEARS, WILL INCREASE, NATURAL GAS CUSTOMER-BASED AND EXPANDED SERVICE, TERRITORY.

THIS GRAPH COMPARES THE OPERATING AND MAINTENANCE, EXPECTED FOR THE BUDGETS FOR THE YEARS.

WE CAN SEE THE TREND THAT ARE ACTUAL EXPERIENCE EXPENSES ARE TYPICALLY LESS THAN THE ORIGINAL BUDGETED PROJECTIONS BY 6 PERCENT. ROLL OVER 6 PERCENT ON AVERAGE SINCE 2018. MAIN REASON WE COME BELOW BUDGET. THIS IS THE BIGGEST LINE ITEM SHOWN IN RED. IN EACH YEARS BUDGET.

FALLING SHORT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. WE BUDGET TO THE BEST OF THE KNOWLEDGE AND TO INSURE ALL EXPENSES ARE COVERED.

WHILE WE CAN'T CONTROL WE ARE PLEASED COSTS COME IN LOWER THAN ANTICIPATED. THIS CLOSE-UP LOOK, AT THE END OF 2023, OPERATION MAINTENANCE BUDGET IS A CLEAR REPRESENTATION ON HOW MUCH OF THE BUDGET IS MADE UP FOR RESALE.

PURCHASE OF RESALE, MENTIONED EARLIER, IS ABOUT 46.8 PERCENT OF THE BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR. THAT'S THE RED SECTION.

THE OTHER OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE EXPENSES, THAT MAKE UP ABOUT 43 PERCENT INCLUDE PERSONNEL SERVICES, EMPLOYEES BENEFITS AND CONTRACTUAL SERVICES, ABOUT 8 PERCENT.

INTEREST EXPENSE, 5 PERCENT AND OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES, INCLUDING THE CITY DISTRIBUTION AND CONTINGENCY, ACCOUNTS FOR ADDITIONAL 11 PERCENT OF THE TOTAL.

THE DISTRIBUTION TO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE CALCULATION FOR 2022-23 ESTIMATES COULD BE FOUND IN PAGE 50 ON YOUR ANNUAL BUDGET. IN THE BOOK DOCUMENT YOU HAVE YOU HAVE BEEN RECEIVING. AND THE FISCAL YEAR 2022, ESTIMATED DISTRIBUTION, PAYABLE IN CALCULATED UPON THIS YEAR AND PAYABLE ON FISCAL YEAR 2023 IS 6.5 MILLION, WHICH IS BASICALLY FLAT TO THE CALCULATED DISTRIBUTION OF 2022, AND IT'S VERY CLOSE. THE CALCULATIONS WILL BRING IN CLOSE TO WHAT WE WERE IN LAST YEAR.

FBA ALSO COLLECTS, 10 PERCENT UTILITY TAX, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 2.8 MILLION LAST FISCAL YEAR.

. >> MOVING ON TO THE CAPITOL.

C.I.P. FROM FUNDING SOURCE. KNOWING THE CAPITOL BUDGET IS CRITICAL. TO HAVE A LOT OF BALANCE, MAINTAINING COMPLIANCE WITH THE CASH RESERVES.

APPROXIMATELY 17 1/2 PERCENT OF THE 2023, WHICH IS 63 AND A HALF MILLION, OF CAPITOL BUDGET IS EXPECTED TO BE FUNDED THROUGH

[02:05:03]

RATES. THE FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY STUDY PERFORMED IN CONNECTION WITH THE 2002 DEBT ISSUANCE, TO SUSTAIN THE ANTICIPATED GROWTH INCLUDING, AND SPENS AND DEBT SERVICES AND CAPITOL MUCH THE BUDGETING PROCESS, BROUGHT TWO ROUNDS OF CUTS. FROM THE INITIAL CAPITOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN WE CAME UP WITH.

THE FIRST, BASED ON THE FINANCIAL FEASIBILITY.

THE FIRST ROUND OF THE REPORT. WE MADE ADJUSTMENTS AND CUT AND DEFERRED TO 0.3 MILLION. IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE ADEQUATE STABILITY TO ISSUE THE BONDS, SECOND ROUND OF CUTS AND REFERRALS WERE MADE AND BUDGET WAS CUT, FROM ADDITIONAL 2.4 MILLION TO THE FIRST ROUND OF CIP.

THE RATE FUNDED PROJECTS, PRESENTED IN THE FISCAL YEAR CAPITOL BUDGET TOTALLED 0.3 MILLION.

AND THE CAPITOL FUNDED BY RATES. THE DIFFERENCE OF THE UNFUNDED IS GOING TO BE -- PROJECTS, WON'T HAPPEN DURING THE YEAR.

THEY WILL PRIERLTIZE AND DO PROJECTS, BASED ON THE RATE FUNDED, BASED ON WHAT'S AVAILABLE AND IN TOTAL, THAT'S

1.8 MILLION FOR THE YEAR. >> YOU MENTIONED THE PERCENTAGE, 11.1 REPRESENTS. WHAT'S THE PERCENTAGE AGAIN.

>> EARLIER, A PARAGRAPH BEFORE. YOU SAID THE RATES, CAPITOL IMPROVEMENT IS FUNDED BY RATES, AT SOMETHING --

>> 17 1/2. >> THAT'S WHAT I NEEDED THANK YOU. .

>> ADDITIONAL FUNDING IS NEEDED FOR THE CLEEGS OF THE CONVEYANCE SYSTEM FOR THE MAIN AND WATER FACILITY.

WE'RE CURRENTLY PURSUING GRANT FUNDS, TO OFFSET THE FUTURE NEED TO BORROW. APPROXIMATELY 28 MILLION OF THE BOND PROCEEDS WILL FUND EXPANSION AND RELIABILITY PROJECTS FOR ALL SYSTEMS. AND COMPLETION OF THE ADVANCE METERING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR ALL SYSTEMS. GATE SYSTEM FOR THE NATURAL GAS AND OTHER EXPANSION PROJECTS WILL ROUND OUT THE THREE YEAR SPENDING OF THE FUNDING SOURCE.

SPEND OF CONTRIBUTION OF AGE, WILL BE LIMITED TO THE FUNDS AVAILABLE FROM THE FUND DEVELOPERS OR THE CAPITOL CHARGES THAT HAVE BEEN ALREADY APPROVED.

GRANT FUNDING FOR THE SEWER LINING, WITH FUNDING FROM GRANTS OBTAINED FROM THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ADULT PROTECTION.

WE HAVE HERE A LOOK AT THE C.I.P. BI-SYSTEM.

THE LINE SHARE, ABOUT 67 PERCENT IS SHOWN IN GREEN WILL GO TOWARDS PROJECTS FOR THE WASTE WATER SYSTEM.

WE WILL HAVE LONG-TERM BENEFITS. AND WE WILL RESOLVE FC CONCERNS ABOUT THE SUSTAINABILITY WITH THE LAGOON AND PROVIDE THE POTENTIAL OF THE ECONOMIC GROWTH OF THE AREA.

ADDITIONAL, ON HANDS TO COVER DEBT SERVICE.

AND THE WATER SYSTEM SHOWN IN BLUE, CIP PLAN, REQUIRES, OF THE FIVE YEAR PLAN. AND PROJECTS INCLUDE THE ADVANCE MEDIA INFRASTRUCTURE, AND CUSTOMER BASED EXPANSION PROJECTED AND ROUTINE RENEWALS AND REPLACEMENTS, TO KEEP THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND PLANT OPERATIONS SOUND.

THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM, SHOWN IN RED, INCLUDES RELIABILITY PROJECTS, SUBSTATION IMPROVEMENTS.

STRONG HARDENING, POLE REPLACEMENTS, IN ADDITION TO THE COMPLETION OF THE AMI PROJECTS. EXPANSION PROJECTS ARE LIMITED TO INFILL. WE CURRENTLY HAVE A DEVELOPMENT GROWTH, TO PROVIDE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND THE CUSTOMER BASE FOR ELECTRIC. NATURAL GAS SYSTEM, WHICH IS SHOWN IN YELLOW, 3 PERCENT. IT'S ABOUT 6 MILLION.

THEY MAY SEEM LIKE A SMALLER PORTION OF THE BIG PICTURE.

THE PROJECTS INCLUDED WILL PROVIDE EXPANSION THAT COULD OVER TIME DOUBLE THE CURRENT BASE FOR THE NATURAL GAS CUSTOMERS, WITH NO TERRITORIAL BOUNDARIES, THE PROJECTS WILL BE

[02:10:01]

A HUGE GROWING TO THE CUSTOMER REVENUES.

>> AND THIS BUDGETING PROCESS IS CHALLENGING.

I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE EFFORTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE STAFF, DIRECTOR OF UTILITIES.

THE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND SUPPORT STAFF, HOURS THAT THEY WILL PUT INTO TO COMPLETE THE BUDGET. IN CONCLUSION OF THE COMPLETION, STAFF IS REQUESTING APPROVAL, ADOPTED BY RESOLUTION, UA2022-14. AND RESOLUTION BEGINNING IN THE YEAR SEPTEMBER 12022 AND ENDING 2023 AND AMENDING BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2022. AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, OR COMMENTS, WE WILL BE HAPPY TO ADDRESS THEM.

ANY QUESTIONS? ANY COMMENTS?

>> COMMISSIONER PERONA? >> THANK YOU.

IT'S ALL BIG NUMBERS, BUT I'M THRILLED LISTENING TO THIS IN THE LAST, I'VE BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE UTILITY AUTHORITIES FOR PROBABLY THE LAST 15 YEARS AT LEAST.

MAYBE EVEN LONGER THAN THAT. NOT HAVING THE FUNDING TO GO BACK AND DO RENEWALS AND REPLACE AMS AND GET FORWARD ON HOW WE CAN ADVANCE OUR UTILITY CUSTOMER BASE.

COMMISSIONER BECK WOULD ALWAYS SAY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO GROW

MY UTILITY? >> AND NOW, IT SEEMS TO BE THE CENTER STAGE OF WHAT'S HAPPENING.

I THINK IT WILL BE VERY IMPORTNT AS WE GO FORWARD.

AND I THINK THERE'S ANOTHER PART, TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION CUSTOMERARY THEIR OWN BUDGETS. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE, THAT WILL INCREASE TO THEM. EVEN THOUGH, YOU EARN THE IOU, IT'S ONLY HALF THE BATTLE. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE, WE'RE NOT INCREASING THE AMOUNT, SHO, SO WHERE WE PUT.

OUR FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES IN JEOPARDY.

YOU COULD FLY THAT FLAG ALL DAY LONG.

HEY, WE'RE SHEEPER THAN FPL, STILL THEY ARE HAVING A HARD TIME MEETING THEIR BUDGETARY DEMANDS.

I KNOW YOU'RE WORKING ON IT. ALL THE CREATIVE WAYS, YOU KNOW HOW TO DO IT. I WILL WISH YOU A WHOLE LOT OF LUCK, WITH TRYING TO GET SOME OF THE BOARD MEMBERS, TO BE ABLE TO GO ALONG WITH YOU. WHEN I'M BUDGETING AS AN INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNER OR SMALL BUSINESS PERSON, IT'S SCARY TO KNOW, NOT KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. YOU COULD TELL ME ALL DAY LONG, IT'S A PASS THROUGH. YOU COULD TELL ME, ALL DAY LONG, IT'S GOING TO BE CHEAPER THAN OUR NEIGHBORING IOU.

THAT DOESN'T HELP ME OUT. I WANT TO KNOW YOU AS A MUNICIPAL UTILITY PROVIDER, WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HELP ME GET THROUGH THIS TIME? AND THAT'S THE BENEFIT OF BEING A MUNICIPAL UTILITY PROVIDER. YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO GET OUT AND SOFTEN THAT SOMETIMES. I KNOW YOU'RE CREATIVE.

I HOPE AND PRAY, YOU DELIVER ON THAT GOING FORWARD.

I APPRECIATE. >> I DO ACCEPT THE CHALLENGE.

I KNOW IT'S IMPORTANT, TO NOT ONLY BE COMPETITIVE, BUT ALSO TO BE ECONOMICALLY RELIABLE AND FRIENDLY FOR OUR CUSTOMERS.

I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS, WE WANT TO FOCUS ON IS EFFICIENCIES. THE AMI PROJECT WILL INCREASE THE EFFICIENCY TO HELP LOWER OUR COST.

. >> AUTOMATIC MET -- AUTOMATED

INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT. >> ADVANCED.

>> WE HAVE SO MANY ACRONYMS. >> AND AMI.

WE CURRENTLY HAVE THE AMI TECHNOLOGY.

[02:15:02]

FOR THOSE WATCHING ON LINE. FOR THOSE WATCHING ON LINE, WE HAVE AN AMR SYSTEM THAT EFFECTIVELY, USES, IT REQUIRES A HUMAN TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT. .

>> ADVANCED METER PROJECT, WILL HELP US REDUCE THE COST.

IT WILL PROVIDE CRITICAL DATA TO THE CUSTOMER.

PART OF THE ISSUE, SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES

. >> WE WENT TO THE AMI VENDOR, TO BIAS MUCH POSSIBLE. ALSO TO GET THE PROJECT MOVING FASTER SO WE CAN IMMEDIATELY GAIN EFFICIENCIES.

ALSO, THE CONSUMPTION, WHAT YOU USE IN YOUR HOUSE.

EFFICIENCY IS A BIG ONE. THAT'S ONE OF THE WAYS, WE WILL

TRY TO LOWER COSTS. >> COMMISSIONER PERONA FOR LEADING IT OFF. I THINK YOU PUT IT QUITE ELOQUENTLY AS FAR AS THAT AND APPRECIATE THAT.

SOMETIMES I HAVE THOSE INTENTIONS, BUT I DON'T QUITE COME ACROSS THAT WAY. OBVIOUSLY, LOOKING FOR EFFICIENCIES IS ONE WAY. IN SOME WAYS, IT'S A SLICE OF AN APPLE. ONE OF THE CONCERNS, IS OBVIOUSLY THE GROWTH TO HELP GROW A COST.

. >> WITH AGREEMENTS AND GAS AND SEEING PARTS OF THE UTILITY GROW.

TODAY, WE'RE LOOKING AT A TOP LINE WITH THE BUDGET WITH THAT.

YOU MENTIONED ONE PART, IT WILL BE RATES FOR MEETING SOME OF THE BUDGET. I THINK THAT'S THE PART, WE CAN GROW OUR WAY TO THE PROBLEM, BY BRINGING PORE PEOPLE, TO HELP SHARE THE BURDEN. I DON'T THINK GETTING THAT, IF I MISSED, I APOLOGIZE. .

>> I'M ASSUMING THE VIDEO IS OUT.

I COULD ANSWER YOUR QUESTION. >> AND I'M BACK NOW.

OKAY. >> SO YOU -- THE POINT ABOUT -- GROWTH IS VERY IMPORTANT. INCREASING OUR CUSTOMER BASE SO THE UNIT COST IS LOWER. YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

THAT'S A TOP PRIORITY. AND IT'S GOING TO BE A GOOD VENUE. WATER AND WASTE WATER, BECAUSE IT DOES HELP THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE GROW.

YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. AND I BELIEVE WE PROVIDED -- FOR

THE COMMISSIONERS AS WELL. >> WE HAVE SOME STUFF GOING ON HERE TONIGHT. .

>> AND WE PROVIDED THE MAP WITH THE COMMISSIONERS.

AND THAT MAP SHOWS THE AREA OF GROWTH.

YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. .

>> I THINK I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT YOU HELP KEEP THAT OUT HERE, NOT ONLY IN FRONT OF US, NOT ONLY FOR THE PUBLIC.

THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND, TOO, THE MEASURES THAT WE'RE ASKING AND THAT WE'RE ACHIEVING ALONG THE WAY.

THAT MATCHES UP TO WHAT WE'RE DELIVERING THAT HELPS IN COMMUNICATION AND BUILDING TRUST.

WE COME AND TALK THE BIG NUMBERS.

WE HAVE TO GET AT LEAST THE COMMON DEN NOMINATOR.

THIS IS WHERE WE'RE GOING. WE JUST APPROVED, SOME 300 SOME TODAY. THERE'S MORE COMING.

SKO MAYBE EVEN IN ANTICIPATED WORKSHOPS GOING FORWARD, IN LOOKING WHAT'S COMING ON-LINE. THAT'S A REAL INTERESTING EXERCISE, TO MODEL. TO HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND.

RIGHT NOW, WE'RE ALL KIND OF TRYING TO BALANCE OUR BUDGET.

[02:20:05]

THE LAST PART I WANT TO COMMENT, IN THE BUDGET, CRASS THAT INCREASE TO THE CUSTOMER EFFICIENCY BY REVITALIZATION PROGRAM. DO WE SEE, A SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE IN THE PROCESSED BUDGET FOR THAT.

>> THAT ONE, WE HAD TO GO AND REVISIT.

WE WERE DOING IT, THE WAY WE HAD TO DO THE PROGRAM, WAS THROUGH THE CONSERVATION FUND. THAT WAS -- DEDICATED TO THE FUNCTION. AND I BELIEVE, WE'RE AT -- YOU COULD REMIND ME THE BUDGET NUMBER.

>> IN THE 20,000. >> $50,000.

. >> WE REALLY NEEDED TO GO AND VISIT THE WAY WE LEGALLY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO THAT.

>> AND I COULD TELL YOU, WE WERE TO BRING IN ADDITIONAL REOP SOURCES, SO WE CAN REACH A LARGER GROUP OF THE COMMUNITY.

SO THAT WILL SUPPLEMENT OURS.

>>. >> THAT'S SOMETHING I ENCOURAGED TO PARTICIPATE IN. THERE'S ALL KINDS OF THINGS OUT THERE. I THINK THAT'S A GREAT LEARNING, THAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND.

IS IT GOING TO BE EASY OR MORE ASTRINGENT.

>> WE WILL LOOK TO PRESENT IT TO THE CITY COMMISSION.

SOME OF THE THINGS, WE WERE WORKING ON, YOU HEARD ABOUT IT TONIGHT. WE WERE WORKING TOGETHER, TO FIND A PATH FORWARD TO MAKE IT EASIER.

ONE OF THE THINGS, WE WANT TO REACH THE HOMEOWNER MARKET, BUT ALSO THE RENTER MARKET. A LARGE PORTION OF THE COMMUNITY IS A RENTER CATEGORY. WE ARE LOOKING TO REACH OUT TO THE COMMUNITY TO -- THAT WE NOT REACHED IN THE PAST.

FOR CLARITY, WE RARELY EVER SPEND THE MONEY WE HAD BUDGETED.

OUR INTENTION IS TO REACH A LARGER GROUP, SO WE CAN SPEND THE FUNDS, WE'RE GETTING FOR CONSERVATION.

IT AFFECTS THE CUSTOMERS, WHEN CONSUMPTION IS HIGHER BECAUSE OF

TEMPERATURES. >> THAT HELPS WITH EFFICIENCY.

IT'S A GREAT DEAL -- IN THE PAST, THEY WERE PENALIZED.

THAT MOTIVATION WAS NOT THERE, YOU KNOW, BY CERTAIN LANDLORDS OR SECTORS. THEY DIDN'T QUALITY FOR THE PROGRAMS. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>> ANYBODY ELSE IN THIS SIDE? >> GO AHEAD.

. >> WE'VE ALREADY TALKED.

YOU KNOW I'M COMING. MY BIGGEST CONCERN WITH EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON IN MY COMMUNITY IS COMMUNICATION.

YOU OPEN UP YOUR PRESENTATION WITH.

AND IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING, IN YOUR OPENING, TALK ABOUT YOU'RE PUTTING TOGETHER A COMMUNICATIONS TEAM, OUTREACH TEAM TO GET THE GOOD PART AND THE WORD OUT TO THE COMMUNITY.

LET'S NOT HIDE ON IT. LET THE RESIDENTS AND CUSTOMERS KNOW, THAT WE HEAR THEIR CONCERNS.

WE UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS. WE'RE TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING IN THE POWER THIS BOARD AND YOUR BOARD TO LESSEN THE HIT, SO TO SPEAK. AGAIN, I UNDERSTAND.

COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, I THINK, WITH 303, TONIGHT, THE NEW BUILDING, 303. THAT'S NOT EVEN INCLUDING, THE OTHER BUILDINGS THAT WE APPROVED.

THEY ARE GOING TO USE ELECT ELECTRICITY AND I ACTUALLY HEARD.

I DON'T KNOW THE PART OF THE AREA.

WHEN DOCTOR ONCE SAID, SOME NEW BUILDINGS.

I KNOW, I KNEW ABOUT WESTWOOD. THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE THE

[02:25:13]

PROJECTS, SUPPOSED TO BE ONE OF THE JEWELS OF THE CITY.

HE MENTIONED SOME OTHER SCHOOLS BEING BUILT.

WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO GROW BUT HELP OUR RESIDENTS AND CUSTOMERS, THAT'S -- I UNDERSTAND.

I UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE DOING EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER TO DO THAT. WHEN WE'RE GROWING AND WE'RE GROWING, LET'S JUST TAKE A STEP BACK AND REMEMBER THAT A LOT OF THE GROWTH IN MY AREA, ESPECIALLY IN DISTRICT 1, IN MY AREA, A LOT OF THE UTILITIES THAT ARE USED IN DISTRICT ONE IN MY AREA, THEY ARE USED BY RENTERS.

LET'S REMEMBER THAT. THEY ARE RENTERS.

WE HAVE TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION, YES, WE WANT THEIR SERVICES, BUT WE HAVE TO TRY TO HELP THEM SOME KIND OF WAY. IF YOUR LANDLORDS ARE LISTENING, YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.

I ALSO FEEL YOU HAVEUTY TO MAKE SURE PROPERTY IS UP-TO-DATE, AS FAR AS WEATHERIZATION OR WHATEVER YOU COULD DO TO LOWER SOMEONE'S BILL IN THE PROPERTY.

I KNOW I GET A LOT OF E-MAILS. WE HAVE TO PROTECT THE INDIVIDUALS. I NEVER WANT TO GET A CALL.

COMMISSIONER GAINS, WHAT AM I TO DO TO GO FEED MY KIDS OR PAY A

UTILITY BILL. >> SITTING HERE, SAYING, I UNDERSTAND, THEY ARE LOOKING AT ME, NO, YOU DON'T.

WHAT I TELL THEM, I OPEN MY BILL, TOO.

SO -- YOU KNOW, THEY SAY, YOU'RE STILL EATING.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS REAL. WHEN WE'RE THINKING ABOUT ALL OF THIS STUFF. I KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT ON YOUR PLATE. THINKING ABOUT THIS STUFF, I UNDERSTAND. I UNDERSTAND, SOME OF GOAL ON THE FUTURE. AND SOMETIMES, DON'T EVEN HOLD IT. LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW HOW HARD YOU'RE WORKING TO TRY TO GET, YOU KNOW, I'M GONE.

WHAT'S YOUR GOAL, TO BE -- SOMETIMES, WHEN YOU COME IN FRONT OF US -- I KNOW, WE'RE HERE.

THIS IS WHAT WE'RE WORKING WITH. WE'RE TRYING TO BE IN THE POSITION, WE WANT, WANT. AND COMMUNICATION, AND COMMUNICATION AND KEEP DOING WHAT YOU HEAR.

>> AND WE'VE BUILT A TEAM. IT'S TAKEN A LITTLE LONGER.

IT'S A LOT MORE COMPLICATED THAN I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED IT.

COMMUNICATION, LIKE I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE WILL SEE US FRONT AND CENTER. WE'RE BUILDING A PRETTY GOOD

TEAM. >> APPRECIATE THE INFORMATION.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THE ENTHUSIASM AND YOUR DETAILED RESPONSES ON WHERE YOU WANT TO BE.

IN A NUMBER OF YEARS, I SEE THAT.

3-POINT PLAN, SYSTEM EXPANSION. HAVING A UTILITY ADVISORY BOARD, BRINGING IN FOLKS, TO TALK ABOUT REAL WORLD PROBLEMS. JUST FROM A STANCE AS GETTING IN A ROOM, RESIDENT OWNED COMMUNITY. MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IT. WE'VE HEARD FROM YOU.

ONE THING I'VE >> THAT'S COMMUNITY DRIVEN,

[02:30:23]

FOCUSED OUTLOOK ON WHERE WE WANT TO BE, WHERE WE WANT TO BE IN THE SHORT TIME AND WHERE WE WILL WANT TO BE IN A LONG TIME.

I'M GLAD WE ARE AT POINT. FOLKS FEEDS TO -- SO IT JUST HAS TO BE A FOCUSED. BULLET POINT NUMBER 3, EXPANSION. I KNOW, MARY YOU PROBABLY TALKED ABOUT IT IN THE BOARD MEETINGS. LET'S GET OUT THERE AND GET SOME CUSTOMERS. AND I LOOK AT THE MAPS AND LOOK WHERE WE ARE AND WHAT CAN WE DO TO EXPAND AND INVEST IN OUR OWN UTILITY. .

>> WE'VE DEFINED SOME TERRITORY; RIGHT? WE'VE DEFINED THROUGH URBAN CITY BOUNDARIES, OR INNERCITY AGREEMENTS.

BECAUSE WE HAVE THE BOUNDARIES, I LIKE WHEN YOU THINK BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES BECAUSE THOUSAND PEOPLE A DAY ARE MOVING IN FLORIDA. FEW PEOPLE ARE CHANGING THE WAY THEY LIVE. MILLENNIALS ARE DOING SOMETHING DIFFERENT. I'M NOT AFRAID TO APPROACH THE SUBJECT, TERRITORY AND ANNEXATION AGREEMENTS, OUTSIDE, GOING BEYOND THE REALM AND OUR -- AND ALMOST 24 YEARS, A GO

HUGE INVESTMENT TO SI PLY WATER, >> AWARD-WINNING, TOO

>> AWARD-WINNING. >> NOW WE'RE IMBARK.

AND SAYING YES IS NOT WHAT WE WANT TO BE AS A CITY COMMISSION.

WE'RE IN A LOT OF TERRITORY IT FILL UP.

IF WE GROW TO THE LIMITS OF THOSE WATER AND SEWER BOUNDARIES, THE ELECTRIC IS ALREADY SET.

IT'S PROBABLY SOMETHING, NONE OF US WANT TO NEGOTIATE AND GET MORE FOLKS. THAT'S ANOTHER SUBJECT.

. >> WE'VE ASKED FOR IT.

YOU'VE GOT IT IN THE BUDGET. I APPRECIATE THAT.

IT'S THE BLUE AND GREEN LINES I SEE HERE, WHERE WE FEED TO BE FORWARD THINKING. I'M THINKING, MOVES WE COULD HAVE DONE, THAT SUBSTANTIALLY MANIFEST.

LET'S LEARN FROM THAT, WHAT COULD WE DO TO CHANGE THE METHODOLOGY. I WILL CONTINUE TO ASK THAT, WHETHER I'M A COMMISSIONER OR NOT.

WHERE DO WE NEED TO BE? THERE'S A COUPLE OF US, THAT JOKED ABOUT, WHERE WE WANT FOB. THE CITY HAS THE BOUNDARY.

WE HAVE A TON OF RESPONSIBILITY AS A COMMISSION TO MAINTAIN THE SAFETY AND SECURITY AND RELIABILITY OF OUR CITY SERVICES, CITY STREETS. THREE OF US HAS TALKED ABOUT LOWER COSTS. IF I COULD GET MORE CUSTOMERS, LET'S LOWER THE COST OF THE CITY.

>> AND THE PEOPLE VOTED -- I DON'T KNOW IF IT GOT BROUGHT UP.

THIS IS AB OPPORTUNITY. WE'RE GROWING AND EXPANDING COMMUNITY .

>> I'VE TALKED TO SO MANY FAMILIES WHO ARE SELLING, THOSE COMING OUT OF STATE. .

>> I TALKED TO A COUPLE OF PEOPLE.

THE LAST THREE MONTHS, SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE MOVED NORTH.

I SAY, WHAT, GOT AGREAT OPPORTUNITY TO SELL MY HOME AND

[02:35:03]

I HEESH. THERE'S A FELLA, REMEMBER THE M MOM.

HE FORGOT TO ATTACK MOURNIALS A AND. YOU NEED TOM.

THERE'S SO MANY FOLKS. I WILL JUST DO TINY HOME LIVING.

NOW THEY ARE 23, 24, 25-YEAR-OLD.

AND THAT GENERATION. NOW THEY ARE SAYING, NICE YARD WOULD BE AWESOME. A DOG, WITH THE SIGNIFICANT OTHER WOULD BE AWESOME. THEY ARE FLIP-FLOPPING THIS THING. .

>> THEY TOLD US WHAT WE WILL DO. AND MY KIDS, ALONE, OH, IT'S

OKAY. . >> I'M ABOUT BRINGING IT TO THE PEOPLE. I THINK EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM, WOULD BE ALL FOUR BRINGING IT TO THE PEOPLE.

LET'S SET THE BOUNDARY OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE.

WE NEED TO GROW MORE THAN THAT LATER.

. >> WHAT I'M SAYING, IF WE CAN SELF SERVICE OUTSIDE OF THE BOUNDARY, THEN LET'S GO DO IT.

I THINK THE PEOPLE WILL BE FOR THAT.

I THINK PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THAT.

I THINK PEOPLE WOULD ENJOY THE OPPORTUNITY TO, YOU KNOW.

I WOULD LIKE TO EXPAND THAT MUCH WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT CAPITOL IMPROVEMENT, THAT'S WHY I ASK, RATES SPECIFICALLY.

I'M NOT SURE IF I READ IT. NEW DEVELOPERS COMING INTO THE CITY. WHAT PART OF THE CAPITOL ARE

THEY FUNDING. >> IT'S ON THE SPREADSHEET.

>> ONE OF THE -- IT'S SPECIFIC TO ZO.

>> AND JUST TO ECHO WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, COMMISSIONER J JON JON.

AND IN MY. IN MY MIND, WE HAVE 23.8 MILLION GALLON PLANTS PER DAY. WE PUSH ABOUT $10 AND A HALF MILLION. I WANT TO GET TO 150 WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO SELL WATER AND LOWER OUR COSTS.

>> 10.WHATEVER IS ALSO INCLUDES THE COINTY.

. >> TOLD US, WE MAY OR MAY NOT BE

IN THE BUSINESS WITH YOU LATER. >> WE HAVE PLENTY OF WATER TO SELL. .

>> OPPORTUNITY IS THERE FOR THAT ALSO.

IT'S LIMITLESS. IT'S IN THE RESTAURANT DELAWARE MUCH AND DELAWARE HAS BEEN THERE SINCE THE 19-EVER.

. >> WE HAVE A GREAT PROJECT.

AND TO CONTINUE WITH YOUR FOCUS ON EXPANSION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGE AM. WHAT DO THEY WANT IT TO BE?

WHAT DO THEY LOOK LIKE. >> WE DON'T WANT TO BE BROWARD

COUNTY. >> I APPRECIATE THIS THIS IS GOOD. I COULD DO MY OWN MATH.

IN THIS YEAR, 63, TWO-THIRDS OF IT IS SERIOUS 2022-A WHICH IS

WASTE WATER. >> AND ALSO.

WE HAVE WATER WASTE WATER EXPANSION AND GAS AND FIBER.

>> THE FIBER IS THE B. .

>> AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE REALLY HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT, THE FIBER EXPANSION. INTRODUCING A NEW REVENUE STREAM TO THE UTILITY PORT FOLIO. OUR GOAL IS TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH THE INCUMBENTS AND PROVIDE FIBER.

WE'RE REALLY DOING GREAT PROGRESS.

>> AND WE'RE ALSO CHARGING OTHER UTILITY PROVIDERS AND

[02:40:01]

COMMUNICATION PROVIDERS TO USE OUR POLLS, RIGHT?

>> WE HAVE ATTACHMENT AGREEMENT WITH SOME OF THOSE.

>> AND IT IS GOOD. THIS IS SOMETHING NEW AND EXCITING. I SAID IT EVERY YEAR.

I WILL SAY IT AGAIN TODAY. I DON'T WANT TO GET TO THE POINT, WE'RE NOT DOING ENOUGH AND WE CAN'T SPEND OUR MONEY.

TAEGS KAKTLY WHAT THE MISSION STATEMENT SAYS.

>> I'VE BEEN HERE 20 YEARS. I'M SO EXCITED BECAUSE IT'S GROWING THE CITY AND EXPANDING THE CUSTOMER BASE.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR FINANCIAL STABILITY.

I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. >> AWESOME.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> YES AND TOMORROW, WE'RE HAVING A MEETING. I THINK WE SHOULD CARRY THE MESSAGE OF THE COMMISSION TO OUR BOARD.

IF YOU BRING IT UP, I'LL FILL IN THE BLANKS.

I WILL SAY, THIS FDUA BOARD HAS REALLY GELLED.

THIS STAFF, I THINK FOR ALMOST THE FIRST TIME SINCE I'VE BEEN MAYOR, THIS STAFF IS REALLY LIKE HEARING, GROWING THE UTILITY AND GROWING THE CITY: NOT ONLY HEARING IT, BECAUSE BEFORE, THEY WERE DOING IT A LITTLE BIT HERE AND LITTLE BIT THERE.

NOW THERE'S AN EXCITEMENT. I THINK THIS STAFF HAS REALLY LISTENED TO WHAT THE COMMISSION WANTS AND WILL CARRY IT OUT.

THEY SEE THE SAME VISION. THEY'VE BEEN WANTING THAT FOR A LONG TIME. THE BOARD TO SEE THE SAME VISION AS THE COMMISSION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

EXCELLENT PRESENTATION. WE HAVE TO A MOTION.

>> IS IT ONE MOTION OR TWO DIFFERENT MOTIONS FOR BOTH THE

AMENDED 2022 AND THE 2023? >> MADAM MAYOR, IF I MAY, I THINK IT COULD BE ONE MOTION MOTION MAKER SHOULD DECIDE, WHETHER OR NOT TO INCLUDE THE PROVISION TO WAIVE THE 30 DAYS.

>> YOU WANT TO PUT IT BACK ON THE SCREEN.

>> IF YOU LOOK -- IF YOU LOOK AT THE BUDGET ITEM, IT'S WAIVED THE 30 DAY FOR DISAPPROVAL. APPROVE THE ANNUAL BUDGET AND

SUBMITTED BUDGET AS SUBMITTED. >> WHAT SHE SAID?

>> MADAM MAYOR, EXACTLY THAT. I MAKE A MOTION WE WAIVE THE 30 DAY PERIOD FOR DISAPPROVAL AND APPROVE THE 2023 ANNUAL BUDGET AND THE 2022 AMENDED BUDGET AS SUBMITTED.

>> SECOND. >> READY.

CALL ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?

>> HOLD ON. YES, MA'AM.

>> COMMISSIONER C JOHNSON? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> COMMISSIONER JEREMIAH JOHNSON?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> COMMISSIONER PERONA?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> MAYOR HUDSON

[b. Resolution 22-R29 appointing an at-large member of the Planning Board.]

>> YES, MA'AM. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING GOOD THING.

>> THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS RESOLUTION 22, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION, IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE SERLT FYING AN AMENDMENT TO THE CITY PLANNING BOARD AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. I HAVE A BALLOT.

WE HAVE FOUR SUBMISSIONS FOR THE AT LARGE PLANNING BOARD SEAT.

>> ONE SEAT AVAILABLE. >> READY TO VOTE.

>> COULD PUT OUR NAME DOWN. >> RIGHT.

. >> SLIPPING TOGETHER.

>> FILL MINE OUT. >> FILL IT OUT FOR YOU.

DON'T WORRY.

>>. >> COMMISSIONER PERONA VOTED FOR AN TON CYSTIO. COMMISSIONER JOHNSON VOTED FOR DAVIS. COMMISSIONER GAINES VOTED FOR

DAVIS. >> MAYOR HUDSON VOTED FOR ANTON

[02:45:10]

C CRIESLE.

>> IT APPEARS THOUGH ANTON CRIESLE IS OUR NEWEST BOARD

MEMBER. >> MOTION.

>> APPROVAL. >> CALL THE ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER GAINES >> YES, MA'AM.

>> COMMISSIONER C JOHNSON? >> YES, MA'AM.

[c. Resolution 22-R30 appointing a member to the Police Officers Retirement Fund.]

>> COMMISSIONER JEREMIAH JOHNSON >> YES, MA'AM.

>> NEXT, WE HAVE A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION, CERTIFYING THE APPOINTMENT OR REAPPOINTMENT TO THE POLICE OFFICER'S FUND AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES AND PROVIDING FOR THE DATE, WOULD CERTIFY THE REAPPOINTMENT OF CARLOS VILLANOVA?

>> IS THERE A SMOEGS. >> MOTION AND SECOND.

CALL A ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES

YES, MA'AM. >> COMMISSIONER C JOHNSON

[d. Discussion and direction regarding the District 1 appointed seat on the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority Board currently held by Ms. Barbara Bennett with a term expiring 9/30/2022.]

>> YES, MA'AM. >> MAYOR HUDSON

>> YES, MA'AM. >>ND A NEXT, WE HAVE THE DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION REGARDING THE APOINTED SEAT OF THE AUTHORITY BOARD CURRENTLY HELD BY BARBARA BENNETT WITH TERM EXPIRING 9 LSH 30-2022. THIS IS THE SEAT, APPOINTED BY THE COMMISSIONERS. BY MUTUAL AGREEMENT, YOU APPOINT A PERSON. IF YOU DON'T AGREE, THE MAYOR WILL CAST A DECIDING VOTE. MS. BENNETT HAS INDICATED SHE WOULD LIKE TO BE REAPPOINTED. IF THAT'S SOMETHING YOU TWO ARE IN AGREEMENT, WE CAN PROCEED WITH THE REAPPOINTMENT, OR I WOULD DO ADVERTISEMENTS SEEKING ADDIT

ADDITIONAL. >> IS SHE SERVING A SHORTER --

>> RIGHT. >> SHE FILLED THE TERM.

>> THAT'S WHAT IT WAS. >> MR. MATTHEWS.

>> MADAM MAYOR, ON THAT, BECAUSE IT'S HAPPENED BEFORE IN THE PAST, SHE'S STILL IS ELIGIBLE FOR TWO FOUR YEAR TERMS.

>> YEAH. >> AND JUST SO YOU ALL KNOW.

WHATEVER SHE HAS SERVED UP TO THIS POINT IN TIME, DOESN'T COUNT AGAINST THOSE TWO FOUR YEAR TERMS.

. >> MADAM MAYOR, I'VE BEEN HAPPY WITH MRS. BENNETT. SHE'S REALLY WRAPPED UP IN HER, AND IS PASSIONATE OF GETTING INFORMATION IN THE COMMUNITY AND PLUGGED IN ENGAGEMENT. I'M CONFIDENT SHE WILL CONTINUE ON AND SHE WILL BE ABLE TO HELP BRIDGE THE GAP WE WERE TALKING ABOUT EARLY, WITH THE COMMUNITIES HERE.

SO COMMISSIONER GAINES, I'M SATISFIED WITH THAT

>> CONKERR. >> AND BEFORE THE MOTION, THOUGH, THE BOARD IS INTERESTING BECAUSE IT IS VERY DIVERSE.

WHEN YOU LISTEN TO THE MEETINGS AND TALK TO THE BOARD MEMBERS.