Aug 07, 2023 City Commission Regular Meeting

>>MAYOR HUDSON: YES, MA'AM. BEFORE WE GO ON, I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE COUNCILWOMAN JOJO JOLENE CARBALLO, THE HEAD OF THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES AND HAPPY TO HAVE HER THERE AND GUEST OF FLORIDA LEAGUE OF

[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.]

CITIES AND WELCOME TO FORT PIERCE.

>> COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING

PUBLIC HEARINGS. >>MAYOR HUDSON: ONE PERSON PASTOR PINKLY HENRY. WELCOME TO CITY OF FORT PIERCE

COMMISSION. >> GOOD EVENING, I AM PASTOR HENRY. AVENUE D HERE IN FORT PIERCE.

I WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS ITEM B UNDER ITEM 11.

I AM SO PROUD TO SEE THAT IS BEING DONE HERE IN OUR CITY AND

[00:05:03]

I PRAY THAT THE PURCHASE OF THOSE SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS WILL BE USED TO HELP US MAKE OUR CITY SO MUCH SAFER.

I AM ALSO INTERESTED IN HAVING MORE FUNDING GIVEN TO OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT SO THEY CAN DO THE WORK BEFORE THEM.

WE HAVE A GROUP OF CITIZENS IN OUR FORT PIERCE AREA WHO ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY NOT ONLY WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT BUT WITH OUR CITY, COUNTY OFFICIALS. AND SO I HOPE THAT YOU WILL TAKE THE TIME WITH THE INFORMATION THAT YOU RECEIVE, LOOK AT WHAT WE CAN DO, BECAUSE THERE IS A GREAT NEED FOR US TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE A KIDS THAT ARE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WITH THE SURVEILLANCE THAT YOU ARE NOW GETTING READY TO BE READY TO PROVIDE, IT WILL BE ABLE TO HELP US GET THROUGH SOME OF THE SITUATIONS I HAVE. I MADE COPIES FOR YOU ALL AND YOU HAVE IT IN AN E-MAIL. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE

SERVICE THAT YOU GIVE. >>MAYOR HUDSON: THANK YOU,

[a. Municipal Youth Council Community Service Contest Winner ]

MA'AM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: ALL RIGHTY. >> UNDER MUNICIPAL REPORTS, THE MUNICIPAL YOUTH COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICE CONTEST.

>> GREAT PLEASURE FROM THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF SERIES, MISS ERIN RUSSELL AND JOLENE CABALLO FROM THE CITY OF PPORT ST. LUCI.

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I AM ERIN RUSSELL, PROGRAM SPECIALIST WITH THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES AND HONORED TO HAVE THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF SERIES JOANNE CARBALLO.

>> FOR ONE MORE WEEK. >> ONE MORE WEEK UNTIL OUR CONFERENCE. SHE WANTED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HER PRESIDENCY TO BE HERE TONIGHT TO RECOGNIZE YOUR YOUTH COUNCIL. AND FOR THOSE WHO MAY BE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES.

WE SERVE AS THE UNITED VOICE FOR THE 400 CITY TOWNS AND VILLAGES AND OUR GOAL IS TO MEET THE NEEDS OUR CITIES BY PROMOTING ADVOCACY, EDUCATION, RESOURCES AND OTHER SERVICES AND TO ALWAYS STAND UP FOR THE RIGHTS OF THE GOVERNMENT CLOSEST TO THE PEOPLE, GOVERNMENTS LIKE THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE.

I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR BEING AN ACTIVE AND DEDICATED MEMBER OF THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF SERIES.

OUR HONOR TO BE HERE TONIGHT TO RECOGNIZE THE FORT PIERCE YOUTH COUNCIL WHO WAS SELECTED AS A WINNER IN THE 2023 YOUTH COUNCIL COMMUNITY SERVICE CONTEST. FOR THIS CONTEST, THE LEAGUE ASKED YOUTH COUNCILS TO SUBMIT A PROJECT THAT ADDRESSED A LOCAL NEED. YOUTH COUNCILS WERE REQUIRED TO SUBMIT A NARRATIVE TO ANSWER THE PROMPT.

THE FORT PIERCE YOUTH COUNCIL PLANNED, COORDINATED AND HOSTED THE EMPOWER YOUTH COMMUNITY EVENT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF ST. LUCIE, INDIAN RIVER COLLEGE AND THE CHILDREN'S SERVICES COUNCIL. THE EVENT AIMED TO EMPOWER AND EDUCATE LOCAL YOUTH OF FINANCIAL LITERACY, MENTAL HEALTH, CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND FUTURE PLANNING IN A CONFERENCE-LIKE SETTING.

THE EVENT ADDRESSED ISSUES AND CONCERNS ENCOUNTERED BY THE YOUTH COUNCIL'S PEERS. YOUTH COUNCIL WORKED DILIGENTLY TO PROMOTE THE EVENT, SECURE SPONSORSHIP, GARNER COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND ENGAGE YOUTH FROM DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS.

THEIR EFFORTS OF THE EVENT SURPASSING THE GOAL OF 100 ATTENDEES. EVENT PROVIDED AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE YOUTH WERE EQUIPPED WITH SKILLS TO HELP THEM ADVANCE.

PARENTS AND GUARDIANS IN THE AUDIENCE PROVIDED WITH TOOLS TO HELP THEIR YOUTH ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS BY INTRODUCING THEM TO THE WEALTH OF MUCH RESOURCES THAT THIS COMMUNITY PROVIDES.

THIS IS A STATEWIDE CONTEST OPEN TO ALL YOUTH COUNCILS IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND ONLY THREE PROJECTS WERE SELECTED AS WINNERS FOR THIS. SO I AM GOING TO HAND IT OVER TO THE PRESIDENT TO CONCLUDE OUR COM COMMENTS. MADAM MAYOR, HONORABLE MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL, THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO APPEAR BEFORE YOU TODAY AN CONGRATULATE OUR WINNERS LOCALLY.

I HAVE TO TELL YOU WHEN MADAM MAYOR NOTIFIED ME THAT FORT PIERCE WAS SELECTED, SO EXCITE THAT THE LAST WEEK OF MY PRESIDENCY THAT I WOULD BE HERE CELEBRATING OUR LOCAL REGION.

SO CONGRATULATIONS FOR THIS COMMENCEMENT, MORE IMPORTANTLY BECAUSE YOU GUYS I KNOW SUPPORT THEM AND MAKE THIS YOUTH COUNCIL HAPPEN. AND TO OUR YOUTH COUNCIL -- WHERE ARE YOU AT? RIGHT HERE, RIGHT.

YOU PROBABLY THINK WHAT YOU TO IS NOT THAT IMPORTANT, I AM SURE. OH, I AM ON A YOUTH COUNCIL AND I DO A COUPLE OF COMMUNITY THINGS AND I DON'T MAKE AN IMPACT. IF YOU WILL GIVE ME A COUPLE OF MINUTES, WANT TO SHARE SOMETHING FOR YOU.

BACK IN 1996, THAT IS WHEN I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL, I WAS ON MY YOUTH COUNCIL. AND I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE UNDER THE TUTELAGE OF CITY COUNCILWOMAN MARIANNE CENUTO AND

[00:10:01]

LIKE MANY OF YOU, I HAD DIFFERENT DREAMS WHAT I WANTED TO BE WHEN I GREW UP. I WANTED TO BE AN ATTORNEY.

I NEVER MADE IT TO THAT. WHO KNEW A FEW YEARS LATER I WOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACTUALLY SERVE ON MY CITY COMMISSION. I WAS THE FIRST MINORITY EVER ELECTED IN THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE.

ONE OF 100 PRESIDENTS AND THE FIRST FEMALE EVER ELECTED TO THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES. WHEN I WAS ELECTED IN 2014 FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, WE -- OUR COUNCIL WAS THE FIRST ALL FEMALE COUNCIL IN PORT ST. LUCIE, SO I -- I STARTED FROM HUMBLE BEGINNING. I JUST WENT TO HIGH SCHOOL.

I DID THE SAME TRACK THAT YOU DID.

I SERVED IN MY COMMUNITY AND GOD PRESENTED ME AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY BE ABLE TO DO THAT AND I SHARE THAT WITH YOU BECAUSE I WANT TO YOU KNOW THAT THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING IF YOU CHOOSE IT TO BE YOU CAN ACHIEVE MORE AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO AND WHAT IS GOING ON IN POLITICS TODAY, MY HEART BEHIND MY INITIATIVE WAS COMMON GROUNDS.

YOU GUYS ARE YOUNG, BUT YOU ARE NOT BLIND.

YOU KNOW THIS TODAY'S MEDIA WHAT YOU SEE IS CONSTANT NEGATIVITY AND FIGHTING AMONG OUR OWN BRETHREN AND I AM GOING TO ASK YOU TO BE THOSE CHANGE MAKERS TO BRING AND UNIFY PEOPLE TOGETHER.

MY INITIATIVE OF COMMON GROUNDS TO WORK WITH THE STATE, LOCAL AND FEDERAL PARTNERS TO COME TOGETHER TO DO THE GOOD WORK FOR CITIES AND THE PEOPLE WE REPRESENT.

IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT PARTY YOU ARE, COLOR, CREED OR RELIGION, WE HAVE A JOB TO DO AND THAT IS TO TAKE CARE OF OUR COMMUNITY.

YOU GUYS ARE DOING THE FIRST STEP RIGHT NOW AND I HOPE YOU WILL DO MORE. I HOME SOME OF YOU ARE IMPASSIONED TO SERVE YOUR COMMUNITIES MORE IN A ELECTIVE CAPACITY BECAUSE WE NEED MORE LIKE YOU.

WITH THAT, WE WILL PRESENT WITH YOU THIS AWARD.

CONGRATULATIONS AND GOD BLESS YOU.

AND THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE]

>> WANT TO DO A PICTURE? >> FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO START OFF BY SAYING THANK YOU TO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AND ALSO TO THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB FOR PROVIDING US WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ON THE FORT PIERCE YOUTH COUNCIL.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR REWARDING US.

IT IS AN HONOR TO BE REWARDED FOR BEING IN THE TOP THREE.

THANK YOU.

>> IF YOU WANT TO HAVE THEM COME DOWN TO THE FRONT.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE MARIANNE KETCHAM WHO IS THE VETERAN -- VETERAN PHOTOGRAPHER.

>> I AM GLAD YOU ARE IN THE PICTURE.

THAT IS AWESOME. >>MAYOR HUDSON: THANK YOU,

MADAM PRESIDENT, FOR BEING HERE. >> THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA

[11. CONSENT AGENDA]

IS THE CONSENT AGENDA. >>MAYOR HUDSON: NOW, COMMISSIONER BRODERICK. ANY ITEM THAT ANYONE WOULD LIKE

TO PULL, COMMISSIONER BRODERICK. >>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: 11-E.

>>COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON: 11-F. >>COMMISSIONER GAINES: 11-B

SINCE WE ALREADY DISCUSSED IT. >>MAYOR HUDSON: ANY OTHER? WITH THOSE THREE OUT, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE REMAINDER

OF THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >>MAYOR HUDSON: CALL THE ROLL,

PLEASE. >>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: YES.

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

[b. Approve request for the Fort Pierce Police Department to utilize $122,673.44 of Law Enforcement Trust Funds for the purchase of surveillance cameras. ]

SO WE WILL GO IN ORDER. 11-B, IS APPROVE REQUEST FOR THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO UTILIZE $1 22,8673.44 OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TRUST FUNDS FOR THE PURCHASE OF SURVEILLANCE

CAMERAS. >>MAYOR HUDSON: COMMISSIONER

GAINES. >>COMMISSIONER GAINES: THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. AGAIN AS I SAY WITH OUR CONSENT AGENDA, UNLESS YOU COME TO THE MEETING OR YOU TAKE THE TIME TO READ WHAT THE CITY IS DOING, THE CONSENT AGENDA USUALLY GOES OVER

[00:15:02]

THE PUBLIC'S HEAD. AND SINCE PASTOR HENRY DID PULL IT UP, I WAS GOING TO PULL IT UP ALSO.

I WANTED THE COMMUNITY TO KNOW, LIKE I SAID, WE HEAR YOU.

WE KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON AND WE ARE TRYING TO DO THE BEST WE CAN IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE TO PROTECT THE RESIDENTS OF FORT PIERCE. SO THIS IS JUST A START.

AND I CAN'T OR ANY OTHER COMMISSIONER CANNOT DISCUSS OTHER THAN WHAT IS WRITTEN ON THIS PAPER.

SO DON'T -- DON'T CALL AND ASK WHERE CAMERAS ARE GOING, WHAT CAMERAS ARE DOING. I AM GOING TO SAY IT, COMMISSIONER, BECAUSE PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND AND IF THEY ASK YOU, THEY MIGHT -- I WANT ONE ON THIS CORNER.

I WANT ONE ON THAT CORNER. IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY.

AND I AM GOING -- YOU KNOW I AM THE BAD GUY.

SO I SAY IT LIKE I SAY IT. IF I TELL YOU WHERE THE CAMERAS ARE GOING, DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT THE BAD GUYS WILL GO TO THAT CORNER AND DO WHATEVER THEY ARE TRYING TO DO BECAUSE THEY KNOW THE CAMERAS ARE THERE. SO I WANTED TO PULL THIS -- I HAVE NO -- I HAVE NO OPPOSITION TO SPENDING IN MONEY, BUT I WANTED TO SHOW THE COMMUNITIES THAT ALL THE CRIES AND ALL THE COMPLAINTS THAT WE HEARD, WE ARE DOING SOMETHING.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DOING IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE.

THIS MONEY IS PUT TO USE TO PUT CAMERAS AROUND THE CITY LIMIT OF FORT PIERCE. SO THAT -- THAT IS WHAT WE -- THAT IS WHAT THAT IS ABOUT. SO -- SO TELL YOUR FRIENDS.

IF THEY WEREN'T HERE. ANYBODY THAT IS LISTENING TO GO ON AND LOOK AT THE PRINTED AGENDA AND LOOK AT 11-B.

AND THEY WILL SEE THAT THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE IS ACTIVELY TRYING TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. AND LAST, THIS IS NOT THE LAST THING THAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO. THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT WE WANT TO DO BECAUSE AS WE SAY, ONE FORT PIERCE MEANS SOMETHING TO EVERYBODY UP HERE. REGARDLESS OF HOW MUCH WE TRY TO MOVE FORT PIERCE AS WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO AS A COMMISSION, UNTIL WE SAW OR FACE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS IN OUR COMMUNITY HEAD ON, WE ARE NEVER GOING TO MOVE FORWARD.

SO I AM HAPPY THAT WE VOTED FOR THIS.

AND I AM HAPPY IT IS ON THE AGENDA.

MADAM MAYOR, I JUST WANTED THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE WORKING TO DO WHAT WE ASKED US TO DO.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>COMMISSIONER CURTIS JOHNSON: I AM GOING TO ADD TO THAT.

COMMISSIONER GAINES, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP.

AND THE OTHER THING, OFTEN ASKED FROM ME FROM SOMEBODY IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT CAMERAS. I SAID WHAT MAKES YOU THINK THERE AREN'T CAMERAS OUT THERE. WE HAVE TAKEN THE STEPS TO PROTECT OUR CITIZENS. AND THERE ARE MEASURES THAT WE CAN NOT AND WILL NOT DISCUSS FOR YOU FOR THE SAFETY OF EITHER, YOU KNOW, OUR OWN CITIZENS IN THE COMMUNITY BUT WE ARE ON THE LATEST CUTTING EDGE OF TECHNOLOGY.

THIS IS -- YOU ARE SEEING THIS AND OTHER MEASURES WE PASSED IN THE CONSENT AGENDA THAT WE HAVE THE LATEST IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE WHEN IT COMES TO TECHNOLOGY AND I WANT TO THANK OUR CHIEF BECAUSE SHE HAS BROUGHT THIS TO US. WE HAVE BODY WORN CAMERAS THAT ALLOW US TO SEE INTERACTIONS NOW AND NUMBER OF INSTANCES WHERE PEOPLE HAVE COME AND I HAVE WATCHED SURVEILLANCE TAPE OF THESE BODY CAMERAS, AND THAT IS A DIFFERENT STORY THAN WHAT I INITIALLY GET WHEN I SEE THE BODY CAMERA.

I WANT TO THANK OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ESPECIALLY CHEAP BERNIE WHO IS CONSTANTLY IN FRONT OF US BRINGING US THE LATEST TECHNOLOGY. WHEN SHE TOOK THIS LEAP FIVE, SIX YEARS AGO WITH THE BODY WORN CAMERAS.

THE FIRST IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY WITH THAT.

AND SHE IS CONTINUALLY MAKING SURE WE ARE CUT WILLING EDGE AND ANOTHER STEP IN THAT DIRECTION TO ENHANCE OUR ALREADY HIGHLY ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE IN THE CITY OF FORT

PIERCE. >>MAYOR HUDSON: I AGREE.

I AGREE. I OFTEN SAY, WE HAVE ONE OF THE MOST SOPHISTICATED POLICE DEPARTMENTS WHEN IT COMES TO TECHNOLOGY ON THE TREASURE COAST.

AND WE ARE KEEPING UP. AND WE -- THE REASON WE DON'T TALK ABOUT IT. IF YOU DON'T TALK ABOUT SECURITY, YOU DON'T HAVE SECURITY.

MAKE A MOTION. >>COMMISSIONER GAINES: MAKE A

MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 11B. >> SECOND.

>>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: YES, MA'AM.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: YES, MA'AM. >> SO ITEM 11-E IS APPROVAL OF

[e. Approval of the Treasure Coast Youth Sailing Foundation, Inc. (TCYSF) revocable license agreement for a five (5) year term, ending on July 31, 2028.]

THE TREASURE COAST YOUTH SAILING FOUNDATION REVOCABLE LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR FIVE-YEAR TERM ENDING JULY 31, 2028.

[00:20:04]

MAYOR MAYOR IS THAT YOURS, COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?

>>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: YES, THANK YOU.

THE INITIATIVE OF THE YOUTH SAILING -- OBVIOUSLY I AM AN ADVOCATE OF THIS. I GREW UP IN PROGRAMS LIKE THAT AND I UNDERSTAND THE F FUNCTIONALITY OF THE YOUTH IN THE AREA AND I AM A STRONG ADVOCATE OF THAT.

WHERE THIS PARTICULAR FACILITY IS LOCATED IN THE JAYCEE PARK AREA WHERE WE HAVE MIXED USES OF ACTIVITIES TAKING PLACE THERE AT ANY GIVEN POINT IN TIME. AND THIS IS REALLY A TWO-PRONGED COMMENT QUESTION. WE HAVE A SPECIFIC LEASE DOCUMENTS THAT THE CITY AGAIN RATINGS TO PROVIDE TO THE END USER. I HAVE ASKED THE QUESTION IN THE PAST RELATIVE TO, WELL, WHOM MONITORS THESE LEASE DOCUMENTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE TENANT IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH WHAT THE LEASE ACTUALLY STATES. AND AS MY -- AS MY TENURE ON THE CITY COMMISSION CONTINUES TO GROW IN TIME, I FIND THAT THE CITY IS INVOLVED IN MORE AND MORE COMMERCIAL LEASING ACTIVITIES. AND AS YOU WELL KNOW, THIS IS WHAT WE DO ALL DAY LONG OVER IN OUR OFFICE AND WE HAVE TO HAVE PEOPLE ADMINISTRATE THESE TYPES OF AGREEMENTS.

I SPOKE -- I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH NICK ABOUT IT, ETC. MY ONLY CONCERN IS COMPLIANCE.

IN THIS PARTICULAR INSTANCE, NOT A CIVIL ISSUE, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WE HAVE KIDS IN DESIGNATED SWIM AREAS THAT ACCORDING STATE STATUTE IS, YOU CAN'T HAVE POWER BOATS EN FRINGING IN THIS AREA. THE SAILING ORGANIZATION, WORKING IN IMMEDIATE PROXIMITY TO THE SWIM AREA.

IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING HAVE HAD TIMES WHEN THEY HAD TO ENTER INTO THE SWIM AREA WITH THEIR CHASE BOATS, WHICH ARE POWER BOATS AND SAILBOATS, ETC., THAT ARE ERRANTLY THERE.

AND I AM JUST CONCERNED THAT WE ARE ENTERING INTO A FIVE-YEAR AGREEMENT THAT EVERYBODY HAS CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THEIR RESPONIBILITIES ARE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO SAFETY. WE CAN HAVE 50, 70, 100 KIDS OUT THERE SWIMMING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAVE INCOMPATIBLE USES IN THE SAME SPOT. POWER BOATS, ETC., IS NOT WHAT WE WANT TO SEE HAPPENING THERE. AND NICK, I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, HOW WAS THIS COMMUNICATED BACK TO THE TENANT TO SAY, GUYS, YOU NEED TO STICK WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF YOUR WRITTEN CONTRACT WITH THE CITY. THAT IS ALL WE ARE ASKING.

WE HAVE BEEN -- WE HAVE BEEN PUT ON NOTICE THERE IS A LIABILITY SITUATION THAT CAN POTENTIALLY BE CREATED THERE.

HOW DO WE ADMINISTER THAT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS DOING WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING.

>>NICK: YOU ASK ME A VERY TOUGH QUESTION, SIR, THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THAT WE DON'T GO THERE EVERY DAY.

WE RELY ON THE TENANTS TO PROTECT THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

AS PART OF THEIR DEMISE PREMISE, IT IS IMMEDIATELY AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE FACILITIES THAT -- THAT THEY HAVE THE LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR. THE SWIMMING AREA, THAT WAS DESIGNATED BY THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE THROUGH FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION OF SOUTH FLORIDA AND THE DEP.

AND THAT IS UP FOR THE CITY TO ENFORCE.

I WOULD HOPE THAT THEY ARE TAKING ALL PRECAUTIONS TO BE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE WHEN THEY ARE TRAVERSING THEIR VESSELS THROUGH THIS SWIMMING AREA. BUT I AM SURE THERE IS GOING TO BE SOME INTEGRATION WITH THE ACTUAL VESSELS AND, YOU KNOW, FOLKS SWIMMING IN THIS AREA. THE ONLY THING WE CAN TO DO MANIPULATE THAT IS TO ACTUALLY MODIFY THE ACTUAL DIMENSIONS OF THE SWIMMING AREA. THAT WAY THEY WILL HAVE SOME SORT OF CHANNEL, AN ACCESS CHANNEL TO THE WATER ITSELF, BECAUSE WHERE THE -- WHERE THE LICENSE AGREEMENT, PREMISE IS LOCATED, IT IS IMMEDIATELY ADJACENT TO THE SWIMMING AREA.

>>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: RIGHT. OKAY.

THAT PRETTY MUCH SUM IT IS UP, NICK, AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE GIST OF -- I KNOW WE DON'T HAVE A HALL MONITOR OUT THERE KEEPING AN EYE ON, BUT I WANT IT IN THE PUBLIC QUORUM THAT THERE IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND THAT MY EXPECTATIONS ARE SIMPLE, THAT, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY RESPECTS THEIR BOUNDARIES AND DOES WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO. WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANT ANY TYPE OF AN ACCIDENT OVER THERE. WE WANT EVERYBODY TO ENJOY THE WATER AND ENJOY THESE GREAT PROGRAMS AND, ETC.

THAT IS A CRITICALLY IMPORTANT THING, BUT SAFETY COMES FIRST.

SO AT THE END OF THE DAY, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR TEAM IS SATISFIED WE CAN REGULATE THIS. IN THE EVENT THERE ARE ISSUES THAT ARE CREATED, WE WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO COME BACK AND VISIT THIS. I DON'T KNOW -- MORE OF A COMMENT THAN A QUESTION. SO I GUESS I AM GOOD WITH IT.

I JUST WANT IT ON THE RECORD THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE EYES ON THIS TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS PLAYING NICELY TOGETHER AND

DOING THE CORRECT THINGS. >>MAYOR HUDSON: ITS RULES IN THE

LEASE. >>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: I

UNDERSTAND THAT. >>MAYOR HUDSON: CLEARLY SPELLED

OUT IN THE LEASE. >>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: ARE WE

[00:25:01]

ADMINISTERING THIS OR THE TENANT STUCK IN THE DRAWER AND NOT ADHERED TO. SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS ADHERING TO WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING AND THE PARKS COMMITTEE WILL BE KEEPING AN EYE ON THINGS AS

WELL. >>MAYOR HUDSON: I HEARD THE VERY SAME THINGS THAT YOU HAVE. INFILTRATION INTO THE SWIM AREA AND VEHICLES IN THE PARK THERE, IN THE BACK WHERE THEY SOMETIMES PARK. AND SO -- SO I -- I THINK IT IS -- I THINK IT IS A DIFFICULT THING TO -- TO CONSTANTLY MONITOR, BUT MAYBE WHAT OUR PARKS COMMITTEE CAN DO AND OUR STAFF IS TO RAISE THE -- EMPHASIZE THE FACT THAT WE WANT THEM TO OBEY THE RULES. WE ARE WATCHING.

AND ALSO I THINK -- WE HAVE A 30-DAY TERMINATION OF THE LEASE LEASE IS WHAT I READ. NOBODY WANTS TO DO THAT.

WE DON'T WANT TO DO THAT. BECAUSE IT IS A GOOD PROGRAM.

AND I KNOW THEY HAVE A LOT OF VOLUNTEERS.

SOMETIMES THE VOLUNTEERS DON'T KNOW THE RULES.

AND, YOU KNOW, SO THEY -- >>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: AS LONG AS EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS WHAT THEIR REQUIREMENTS ARE, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE HAM HE SHALL IS THE 30-DAY REVOCATION IN THE LEASE DOCUMENT.

I AM COMFORTABLE WITH THAT, BUT WE SIMPLY DON'T WANT AN INCIDENT THAT WILL SPUR THAT TO COME BACK TO US.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: RIGHT, RIGHT. YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION ABOUT

THIS? >>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: I WILL

MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: CALL THE ROLL. >>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: YES.

[f. Approve letter to the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority offering the City's support and agreement to jointly submit a grant application for potential financial assistance from the State of Florida Resilient Florida Grant Program to offset the conveyance costs of the Wastewater Reclamation Facility relocation.]

>>MAYOR HUDSON: YES, MA'AM. >> ITEM 11-F IS APPROVE LETTER TO THE FORT PIERCE EWE TILTS TILT AUTHORITY TO JOINTLY SUBMIT A GRANT FOR POTENTIAL FINANCIAL FROM THE STATE FLORIDA RESILIENCE TO OFFSET THE CONVEYANCE OF THE WASTEWATER

RECLAMATION FACILITY RELOCATION. >>MAYOR HUDSON: IS THIS YOURS,

COMMISSIONER JOHNSON. >>COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON: IT IS MINE, THANK YOU. SINCE THE FPUA BOARD APPROVED THE FINAL CONTRACT WITH THE CONTRACTOR FOR THE WASTEWATER PLANT, THAT, IN TURN, SPURRED A CONFLICT FOR M ME SO WE HAVE A CONFLICT WITH THE VERTICAL CONSTRUCTION AND CHARTS ARE SUB TO THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR. I WANTED TO SAY THAT I HAVE A CONTRACT AND WILL BE ABSTAINING FROM THE VOTE.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: YOU WILL NOT BE VOTING ON THIS.

>>COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON: YES. >>MAYOR HUDSON: I DON'T THINK YOU CAN MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO APPROVE IT.

>>COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON: I DON'T THINK I WILL DO.

>>COMMISSIONER CURTIS JOHNSON: MOVE APPROVAL OF AGENDA ITEM

11-F. >>MAYOR HUDSON: A MOTION AND SECOND. CALL THE ROLL PLEASE.

>>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: YES. >>COMMISSIONER GAINES: YES,

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

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

[a. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 23-047 An ordinance extending the territorial limits of the City of Fort Pierce, Florida, to include two (2) parcels at or near approximately 2570 S. Rock Road. The parcel IDs are 2323-501-0011-000-6 & 2323-501-0013-100-1. SECOND READING]

>> OKAY. THAT CONCLUDES OUR CONSENT AGENDA NOW WE MOVE ON TO PUBLIC HEARINGS.

FIRST IS AN ORDINANCE 23-047, AN ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, INCLUDES TWO PARCELS NEAR APPROXIMATELY 2570 S. ROCK ROAD PARCELS HAVING PROPERTY ON THE CITY'S TAX ROLLS JANUARY 31, 2024, THE TAX COLLECTOR TO COLLECT ON THE HEREIN DESCRIBED PROPERTY OF FILING OF ORDINANCE WITH THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT AND CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY AND CHARTER BOUNDARY ARTICLE TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE DIVISION OF STATE AND THE DEMOGRAPHIC, PROVIDE FOR SEVERABILITIES CLAUSE AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES AND CONFLICT HEREWITH AND PROVIDING EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS THE SECOND READING.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: SECOND READING. ANYONE WANT TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION, PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NO MOVEMENT.

ENTERTAIN A MOTION. >> MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >>MAYOR HUDSON: MOTION AND SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

>> WHO HAD THE MOTION? >>MAYOR: COMMISSIONER GAINES.

>>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: YES. >>COMMISSIONER GAINES: YES,

[b. Community Development Block Grant Annual Action Plan for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Public Hearing]

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

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

>> OKAY, NEXT WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024. THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING WHERE NO ACTION WILL BE REQUIRED OF YOU.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: YOU ARE JUST SHARING INFORMATION, AREN'T YOU.

>> CORRECT. >>MAYOR HUDSON: YOU ARE DRESSED ALIKE. YOU LOOK NICE.

>> THAT WASN'T PLANNED. >>COMMISSIONER CURTIS JOHNSON:

COORDINATED. >>MAYOR HUDSON: SORRY, COORDINATED. WHO IS STARTING?

>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, I AM JUST HERE FOR MORAL SUPPORT AND BACK UP VERNA JACKSON.

I DON'T KNO IF YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET HER, BUT SHE IS A MEMBER OF OUR GRANT ADMINISTRATION STAFF AND SHE WILL BE PRESENTING THE REPORT TONIGHT.

[00:30:01]

>>MAYOR HUDSON: MISS VERNA JACKSON, I HAVEN'T MET YOU AND

WELCOME. >> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONER, CITY MANAGER. AS SHE SAYS, I AM VERNA JACKSON AND I'M HERE TO PRESENT THE 2023-'24 ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR

THE CDBG AS REQUIRED BY HUD. >>MAYOR HUDSON: IS SHE CLOSE

ENOUGH TO THE MIC, MISS COX. >>MAYOR HUDSON: WE CAN HEAR YOU BUT THE RECORDING HAS TO HEAR YOU.

>> OKAY, I CAN SPEAK UP. WE WILL START FIRST WITH COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT. IN ORDER TO GATHER INFORMATION FROM THE PUBLIC. A SURVEY WAS POSTED ON OUR WEB SITE, THE GRANTS ADMINISTRATION HOME PAGE WITH A SURVEY MONKEY LINKS JUNE 2023. 66 COMMENTS VIA THE INTERNET SURVEY AND THREE FAIR USE U.S. POSTAL SERVICE WERE COLLECTED AND ACCEPTED REGARDING THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN.

THE COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT RANKING COLLECTED FROM THE SU SURVEY.

FIRST OF ALL, THE CITIZENS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT THE -- TO ASSIST

A NONPROFIT AGENCY. >>MAYOR HUDSON: MISS JACKSON, DO YOU HAVE A NEW SLIDE? DO YOU HAVE A NEW SLIDE?

>> NEXT SLIDE. >> OH.

SORRY. >> DON'T BE NERVOUS.

>> CONCENTRATING. >> YOU ARE GOOD.

>> OKAY, IF I READ THE SLIDE, THEN I KNOW TO CHANGE.

NONPROFIT AGENCY THAT PROVIDES COMMUNITY SERVICE LIKE SENIOR AND YOUTH CENTERS AND FOOD BANKS.

ALSOS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC FACILITIES LIKE PARKS AND LIBRARIES, ADDRESS CLIENT SAFETY ISSUES, IMPROVE ASSETS -- ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND IMPROVE STREETS AND ROADS AND PROVIDE SMALL BUSINESS ASSESSMENTS AND HOMELESS SHELTERS. PUBLIC NOTICE.

THE PUBLIC NOTICE WAS PRINTED IN THE ST. LUCIE NEWS TRIBUNE ON JULY 7 AND JULY 14, 2023 FOR 30 DAYS.

PUBLIC COMMENT REVIEW PERIOD AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE PUBLIC HEARING THAT WE ARE HAVING TODAY.

THE REVIEW PERIOD WAS FOR -- FROM JULY 6 THROUGH AUGUST 5.

THE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES FOR THE ALLOCATION WE ARE EXPECTING FOR THIS YEAR IS $564,875. AND IT IS ALLOCATED TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, $90,000. THIS WILL GO TOWARD JOB FAIR AND THE LINCOLN PARK BUSINESS EXPO, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND GRANTS TO SMALL BUSINESSES, AND SMALL BUSINESS EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS.

SMALL BUSINESS START-UPS. THE PUBLIC SERVICES, $40,000.

AND THAT IS PSA GRANTS. PUBLIC FACILITIES, $80,000 IMPROVEMENTS OF PLAYGROUNDS, PARKS, PUBLIC FACILITIES AND ALSO THE COMMUNITY GARDEN. HOUSING PROGRAMS, $95,000.

THIS INCLUDES ASSISTANCE TO CHANGES FOR $10,000, HOUSING WORKSHOPS, $20,000. RENTAL ASSISTANCE, $20,000.

EMERGENCY REHAB, $45,000. NEIGHBORHOOD REVITALIZATION, $146,900. $46,900 TO PROMOTION OF LOCAL ARTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE AND $100,000 TO COMMUNITY-BASED DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS. PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION, $1 12,975. THIS IS FOR MANAGEMENT COORDINATION AND OVERSIGHT OF PROGRAM AND FAIR HOUSING WORKSHOPS. THANK YOU.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF? QUESTIONS OF STAFF? THIS IS A REQUIRED PUBLIC HEARING. AND THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.

ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

I SEE MOVEMENT. PLEASE COME FORWARD.

MISS JOHNSON, WELCOME. STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD

FOR US, PLEASE. >> MRS. JOHNSON.

WELCOME ABOARD. WE ARE SITTING BACK AND UNDERSTAND AND LOOKING AT SEVERAL AVENUES WITH THE SURVEY MONKEY AND ALL OF THAT. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A MORE

[00:35:04]

CONCENTRATED EFFORT ON THE RADIO, THE TALK SHOWS, THE CHURCHES. BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE BEEN GETTING THIS MONEY FOREVER. AND WE DON'T NEED TO LEAVE ANY STONE UNTURNED. THAT THIS -- THAT THIS INFORMATION SHOULD BE OUT THERE BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY.

I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE THE NEWSPAPER AND WHAT HAVE YOU. BUT WE WANT TO -- AND I WON'T DRAG IT OUT, BUT WE WILL TALK MORE ABOUT THE USAGE AND THINGS.

BECAUSE I AM LOOKING AT RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND HOUSING.

THOSE ARE VERY CRITICAL ISSUES. HAND THIS IS SOMETHING I GUESS WE CAN SPEAK WITH OUR REPRESENTATIVES A LITTLE MORE.

BECAUSE THE FUNDS HAVE TO BE UTILIZED.

AND WE WANT TO GET THE BEST USAGE OUTS OF THE MONEY.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. >>MAYOR HUDSON: THANK YOU, MA'AM. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO --.

[APPLAUSE] -- ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

ANYONE ELSE? >> I ONLY CAME UP BECAUSE --

>>MAYOR HUDSON: STATE YOUR NAME.

>> MARJORY HAROLD. I WAS GOING TO SAY IT FROM PACK THERE. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY -- WHEN I SAY THE COMMUNITY, I MEAN ALL OF FORT PIERCE GETS THIS INFORMATION AND UNDERSTAND WHAT -- WHAT YOU ARE

DOING AND WHAT IS HAPPENING. >>MAYOR HUDSON: GREAT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, WE DON'T APPLAUD HERE -- AS MUCH AS WE LIKE WHAT THEY SAY, THIS IS A BUSINESS MEETING SO WE DON'T APPLAUD.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANYONE ELSE? ANYONE ELSE? OKAY.

SEEING NO ONE, I WILL COME BACK TO THE COMMISSION.

WE DON'T HAVE TO VOTE ON THIS, BU WE APPRECIATE THE INCHES AND YOU HEARD THE COMMENTS. AND HOPE YOU TAKE THEM TO HEART.

>> THANK YOU. >>MAYOR HUDSON: THANK YOU, MA'AM. THANK YOU, BOTH.

>>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: GOOD JOB ON YOUR FIRST PRESENTATION,

BY THE WAY. >>MAYOR HUDSON: YES, GOOD JOB.

YOU GET TO DO IT AGAIN. >>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: EASIER

THE SECOND AND THIRD TIME. >> THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA

[a. Resolution 23-R41 - appointing members to the Fort Pierce Youth Council.]

IS A RESOLUTION 23-R 41, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE CERTIFYING THE APPOINTMENT OF THE YOUTH SURTAX ADVISORY COUNCIL.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: IF WE ARE VOTING ON THIS, HOW MANY MEMBERS DO WE

HAVE? >> I THINK WHEN IT WILL BE ALL SAID AND DONE, YOU WILL BE UPTO -- LET'S SEE, EIGHT, NINE, TEN.

I THINK 12. >>MAYOR HUDSON: OKAY WITH THE COMMISSION. 12 MEMBERS? ARE WE OKAY WITH THAT? IS THERE -- IS THERE -- DO YOU

-- >>COMMISSIONER GAINES: I AM LOOKING AT 11 IN THE AUDIENCE AND I AM HEARING 12.

>> IT MIGHT BE 11. I HAVE TO COUNT THEM.

WE ALREADY HAD THREE OR FOUR THAT WERE ON LAST YEAR AND WILL REMAIN ON. AND THEN I BELIEVE WE HAVE EIGHT

NEW APPLICANTS. >>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: THAT IS GREAT. THAT IS REALLY GREAT.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: I AM GLAD OF THE INTEREST.

>> MAYBE -- NO, MAYBE IT IS TEN MORE.

I THINK IT MIGHT BE TEN MORE. >>MAYOR HUDSON: IT DOESN'T MATTER. WE WELCOME THEM ALL.

>>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: TAKE THEM ALL.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: GOOD JOB. DID YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING,

COMMISSIONER GAINES? >>COMMISSIONER GAINES: I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION, BECAUSE I GOT A QUESTION ASKED SUNDAY.

WITH OUR YOUTH COUNCIL, IS IT THE ONLY TIME WE ARE ALLOWING PEOPLE TO COME ON THE YOUTH COUNCIL DURING THIS PERIOD? SO IF THEY MISS THIS PERIOD, THEY HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT PERIOD SO -- I GUESS THEY MISSED THE NOTICE AND SOME -- SOME KIDS WANT TO GET ON IT. SO IT IS -- THEY COME AT THIS PERIOD, FILL OUT THEIR APPLICATIONS AND THEN COME TO -- IS THAT HOW -- IS THAT HOW WE DO IT? OKAY. I KNOW WE ARE TRYING TO INCREASE THE NUMBERS. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE TO PASS

OUT THE CORRECT INFORMATION. >>MAYOR HUDSON: ANYBODY CAN COME TO THE MEETINGS. THESE ARE OPEN MEETINGS.

EVEN IF THEY ARE NOT ON THE COUNCIL, THEY CAN COME TO THE MEETINGS. YEAH, YEAH.

>>COMMISSIONER GAINES: GET THEM INTERESTED THAT WAY.

SECOND THING, MADAM MAYOR, I THINK TWO OF THE NEW MEMBERS ARE HERE. STAND ON UP.

THEY SHOULD HAVE TOLD YOU -- THEY SHOULD HAVE TOLD YOU ABOUT ME. BLAME THEM.

SO -- COME ON UP AND INTRODOES YOURSELF.

WE WANT TO KNOW WHO YOU ARE. IT IS WHAT IT IS.

[00:40:02]

>>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: WOW, THAT IS --

>>MAYOR HUDSON: OKAY. >>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: GET UP

TO THE PODIUM RIGHT NOW. >>MAYOR HUDSON: THE VICE MINOR

HAVE CALLED YOU TO THE PODIUM. >>COMMISSIONER GAINES: ITS OTHER YOUTH COUNCIL COMMISSIONERS KNOW I DO THIS ALL THE TIME. THE ONLY TIME TO TRAIN THEM TO

SPEAK IN PUBLIC. >>MAYOR HUDSON: YOU ARE

ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. >>COMMISSIONER GAINES: WE READ

THE PAPERWORK. >> MY NAME IS TEMELIA GARDENER.

I GO TO FORT PIERCE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: WELCOME. >>COMMISSIONER GAINES: THAT'S

WHAT I WANT TO HEAR. >> I AM IN 10TH GRADE.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: GOOD. THANK YOU FOR JOINING.

YES, SIR. >> MY NAME IS CODY INGRAM.

I GO TO FORT PIERCE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL AND I AM IN 10TH GRADE.

>>COMMISSIONER GAINES: GOOD JOB.

WASN'T THAT HARD. >>MAYOR HUDSON: THANK YOU VERY

MUCH. >>COMMISSIONER GAINES: THE LAST THING, MADAM MAYOR. TO MY YOUTH COUNCIL, I WANTED TO WEAR MY SHIRT. I KNOW AUDREY IS GOING TO KILL ME -- I WANTED TO WEAR MY SHIRT, BUT I COULDN'T FIND A TIE TO MATCH IT WITH THAT SHIRT, BUT I HAVE MY SHIRT.

SO I GOT MY BLUE ON. BUT I HAD YOUR GUYS' BACK.

I WANTED TO WEAR MY SHIRT. TO THE NEW YOUTH COUNCIL.

WELCOME. WELCOME.

GET READY TO WORK. NOT JUST A -- NOT JUST SOMETHING TO PUT ON YOUR RESUME AND JUST SIT THERE.

THESE YOUNG PEOPLE WORK. AS YOU JUST SAW, THEY GOT A TROPHY. I AM EXPECTING ANOTHER ONE NEXT YEAR. YEAH.

RIGHT. SO I AM JUST BEING -- JUST LIKE IN THE MEETING. I COME TO THE MEETING AND SAY THE SAME THING.

Y'ALL WANT ME TO LEAVE. I COME TO THE MEETING AND SAY THE SAME THING. TO THE PUBLIC, MADAM MAYOR, TO THE PUBLIC, IF YOU HAVEN'T GONE TO A YOUTH COUNCIL MEETING AND JUST THINK IT IS A GROUP OF KIDS SITTING IN A ROOM TALKING ABOUT NOTHING. YOU OUGHT TO GO AND SPEND TEN MINUTES AND JUST WATCH THESE KIDS DO BUSINESS.

YOU WILL BE LIKE, WOW, WE ARE IN GOOD HANDS IN THE FUTURE.

SO, AGAIN, GUYS, CONGRATULATIONS.

WELCOME. YOU WILL BE SEEING ME AROUND.

THEY WILL TELL YOU. DON'T BELIEVE EVERYTHING THEY SAY ABOUT ME. JUST NOT -- BUT I -- ANYTHING THAT THE YOUTH COUNCIL NEEDS, YOU GUYS KNOW TO CALL ME.

AND I AM LOOKING FOR BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS.

THANK YOU, GUYS. >>MAYOR HUDSON: ALL RIGHTY.

YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION. >>COMMISSIONER GAINES: YES, MA'AM. MADAM MAYOR, I MAKE A MOTION WE ACCEPT THE -- ALL OF THEM FOR THE YOUTH COUNCIL.

>>COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON: SECOND.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR APPROVING RESOLUTION 23-R 41. A SECOND.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: RIGHT HERE. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

>>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: YES. >>COMMISSIONER GAINES: YES,

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

[b. Resolution 23-R43 approving the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority FY2024 Annual Budget and FY2023 Amended Budget. ]

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

CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU.

>> NEXT WE HAVE RESOLUTION 23-R 43.

RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE FY 2024 BUDGET FOR FORT PIERCE UTILITIES AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 2024. APPROVING THE FY 2023 AMENDED BUDGET AND WAIVING 30-DAY PERIOD FOR DISAPPROVAL AND FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS IT THE NEW PROCESS FOR

THE FPUA BUDGET. >>MAYOR HUDSON:S IN THE

RESOLUTION. >> NO NO RO PROBLEMS WITH THE

RESOLUTION AT THE END. >>MAYOR HUDSON: IT IS IN THE RESOLUTION. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WELCOME MISS SIS ANY ROSE AND MISS MICAH.

AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR PRESENTATION.

>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONERERS, MISS COX AND MR. MIMS. I'M HERE TO PRESENT THE FPUA BUDGET FOR FY 2024 AND AMENDED 2023 FOR APPROVAL AS REQUIRED BY CHARTER. THE STAFF MUST PRESENT A BUDGET AT LEAST 45 DAYS PRIOR TO THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW BUDGET YEAR. WE HAVE DEVELOPED THIS BUDGET WITH THREE KEY AREAS: SYSTEM GROWTH IS NUMBER ONE.

SYSTEM GROWTH IS A TOP PRIORITY TO -- SO WE CAN TELL YOU TO HELP THE CITY GROW. THE GROWTH INCLUDES THE RELOCATION OF THE WASTEWATER PLANT, MANAGING THE ELECTRIC POWER COST ADJUSTMENTS IS NUMBER TWO.

I AM HAPPY TO REPORT THAT WE ARE ABLE TO LOCK IN GAS PRICES MARCH OF 2025 BRINGING MUCH-NEEDED STABILITIES TO THE COMMUNITY.

AS A RESULT, THE FPUA BOARD REDUCED POWER COST FROM 39 TO 9 OVER THE LAST FOUR MONTHS. WE ARE HOPEFUL TO BRING THE PCA TO ZERO IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER. FOCUSING ON IMPROVING OPERATIONAL EFFICIENCIES IS NUMBER THREE.

OUR FOCUS IS TO BE A STR STRONG, LEAN MACHINE.

THINGS THAT NEED IMPROVEMENT, I WANT TO DO BETTER.

THE THINGS I DO, I WANT TO DO EVEN BETTER.

WANT TO WORK HARDER AND SMARTER TO MAKE FPUA THE BEST UTILITY IN FLORIDA. THAT IS A GOAL.

[00:45:03]

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COMMISSION FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND FOR YOUR ENGAGEMENT WITH THE UTILITY AUTHORITY, SPECIFICALLY WITH ME. AS ALWAYS, I AM LOOKING FORWARD A GOOD YEAR -- GREAT YEAR FOR FPUA AND OUR COMMUNITY.

FOR NOW I WILL TURN IT OVER TO MISS MICAH.

>> THANK YOU, MR. CISNEROS. MADAM MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, GOOD EVENING. I'M HERE PLEASED TO PRESENT THE ANNUAL BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 AND AMENDING THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 FOR YOUR APPROVAL.

THIS BUDGET WAS PREPARED TAKING A CRITICAL LOOK AT EVEN DEPARTMENT'S PLANS PROJECTS AND PROJECTIONS TO SUPPORT T THE FPUA'S MISSION AND STRATEGIC GOALS OF THE ORGANIZATION.

THE OBJECTIVE IS FOR SUSTAINABILITY OF FPUA AND ACCOMPLISH THIS WITH STRATEGIC FOCUS IN MIND.

WE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE CITY ON PROJECTS THAT HELP SUPPORT THE CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS OF OUR CUSTOMERS AND THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. THE SINGLE LARGEST PROJECT THAT FPUA HAS UNDERTAKEN IS THE RELOCATION OF THE WATER RECLAMATION FACILITY OFF OF HUTCHINSON ISLAND.

THIS PROJECT WILL ENHANCE THE ECONOMIC BUILD FOR THE CITY AND PROVIDE FPUA WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE FACILITY THAT WILL TAKE US INTO THE FUTURE.

THE EXPANSION OF THE GAS SERVICE TERRITORY AND NEW GATE STATION TO THE NORTH AND WEST OF TOWN WILL NOT ONLY SUPPORT DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS BUT OPEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUTURE GROWTH.

THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN DEVELOPED AS PART OF THIS BUDGET PROVIDES FOR RELIABILITY IMPROVEMENTS THAT WILL BE MADE OVER TIME. WE CONTINUE TO WORK ON A MULTIYEAR STORM-HARDENING PROGRAM TO IMPROVE OUR ELECTRIC SYSTEM RELIABILITY, STRENGTHENING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE, IMPROVES RELIABILITY OF THE AGING WASTEWATER SYSTEM WITH CONTINUED WORK ON FORCE MAIN LINING.

FPUA HAVE RENEWED OUR COMMITMENT OF BEING PROACTIVE AND STRATEGIC WITH OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE BUILDING A VISION OF COMMUNITY PROUD THAT IS AIMED AT INSPIRING TRUST AND CONFIDENCE IN OUR STAFF AND THE UTILITY. WE HAVE THE UTILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE WORKING ON DEVELOPING A PLAN THAT WILL ENSURE THAT ALL CUSTOMERS HAVE A QUORUM FOR THEIR QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS.

FPUA EMPLOYEES TAKE PRIDE IN THE ORGANIZATION, SUPPORTING OUR CUSTOMERS THROUGH RELIABILITY AND FRIENDLY SERVICE.

FPUA AS A MEMBER OF THE ALL REQUIREMENTS PROJECT WORKS CONTINUOUSLY ON MANAGING OUR COST AND KEEP OUR RATES -- TO KEEP OUR RATES AS COMPETITIVE AS POSS POSSIBLE. THIS GRAPH REPRESENTS THE TOTAL BUDGET. THESE AMOUNTS INCLUDE ALL FUNDING SOURCES AND SHOW THE TREND OF THE INCREASED COST YEAR-OVER-YEAR. THE COST OF PURCHASE POWER AMENDED FOR FISCAL YEAR '23 IS $9.1 MILLION LOWER THAN THE ORIGINAL BUDGET AND ANTICIPATED TO.43% OF TOTAL OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE BUDGET. THE LOCKED-IN RATES FOR GAS COSTS BY FMPA WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SAVINGS FOR FPUA ADDITIONAL SAVINGS FOR WHY 2024 AND 36% OUR TOTAL BUDGET.

COST OF PURCHASES FOR RESALE ARE NOT CONTROLLED BY FPUA; HOWEVER, WE BUDGET IN A MANNER THAT ACCOUNTS FOR THE VARIABLE PORTION OF OUR COST. THIS CHART TAKES A CLOSE-UP LOOK PAT THE FISCAL 2024 REVENUES THAT ARE BUDGETED BY SYSTEM.

ELECTRIC REVENUES ARE PROJECTED TO BE $80.5 MILLION, THAT IS HALF OF OUR TOTAL REVENUE BUDGETS.

FOR FISCAL YEAR '24. AND IT IS A 5.4% DECREASE FROM THE AMENDED FISCAL YEAR 2023. THE DECREASE THAT IS PROJECTED RELATES TO THE REVENUE THAT IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE POWER COST ADJUSTMENT. IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT OVER THE NEXT YEAR, THE COST TO PURCHASE POW WILL ALIGN WITH OUR BASE COST, REDUCING THE NEED TO RECOVER POWER COST THROUGH THE RATE STABILIZATION FUNDS. WATER AND WASTEWATER COMBINED REVENUES FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 OF $69 MILLION ARE 26% GREATER THAN THE FISCAL YEAR BUDGET FOR 2023. INDEX RATE ADJUSTMENTS THAT ARE PUBLISHED BY THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION WILL SUPPORT THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE UTILITY SYSTEM.

IN ADDITION TO CUSTOMER GROWTH AND ADDITIONAL GRANT REVENUE.

WILL HELP FUND SOME OF THOSE WASTEWATER PROJECTS.

[00:50:01]

GAS REVENUE ARE ALSO EXPECTED TO INCREASE FROM FISCAL YEAR 2023-'24 WITH THE COMPLETION OF GENERAL SERVICE PROJECTS THAT ARE ANTICIPATED -- THAT WILL COMPLETION OF THE NEW GATE STATION IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS WILL PROVIDE GROWTH OPPORTUNITY FOR THE GAS 39% OF THE BUDGET.

THE OTHER OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE EXPENSES MAKE UP 61%. THAT IS THE BLUE PORTION OF THIS CHART. AND INCLUDE PERSONNEL SERVICES, EMPLOYEE BENEFITS, CONTRACTUAL SERVICES, INTEREST EXPENSE.

THE CITY DISTRIBUTION. AND CONTINGENCY AND SOME OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES. THIS BLUE PORTION OF THE OTHER O&M IS FURTHER SHOWN IN DETAIL HERE.

THIS SLIDE BREAKS OUT THAT OTHER O&M EXPENSE PIECE AND SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS HERE IN THE BLUE SECTION FOR PERSONNEL AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS COMBINED FOR 24% OF THE TOTAL BUDGET.

INCLUDED IN THESE CATEGORIES IS A 5% COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR ALL FPUA EMPLOYEES. THE STOW TALL BUDGET IS BUDGETED POSITIONS 297 BUDGETED POSITIONS, 39 OF THOSE POSITIONS ARE CURRENTLY VACANT DUE TO HIRING PROBLEMS, GETTING PEOPLE ON BOARD. FPUA IS OPERATING ON AVERAGE OF 258 TO 262 EMPLOYEES AND THAT'S WHERE WE ARE STANDING RIGHT NOW, BUT WE STILL HAVE OPEN POSITIONS THAT ARE INCLUDED IN THAT BUDGET. EMPLOYEES RATES FOR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE RETIREMENT SYSTEM REMAIN UNCHANGED FOR THE NEXT YEAR AND THE EVALUATION PERFORMED FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022 RESULTED IN 3% INCREASE TO THE EMPLOYERS CONTRIBUTION BRINGING THAT RATE FOR NEXT YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER, THE EMPLOYER IS 20.9%. 20.89.

EMPLOYEES INSURANCE HAVE ALSO SLIGHT BUDGET INCREASE INCLUDED IN HERE OF 2%; HOWEVER, WE ARE CURRENTLY ON OUR LAST REPORT MEETING AND TRENDING 5% BELOW WHAT IS EXPECTED FOR THIS YEAR.

THIS SLIDE SHOWS THE TREND OF THE DISTRIBUTION TO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. THE CALCULATION OF THE '23 AND '24 ESTIMATES CAN BE FOUND IN YOUR ANNUAL BUDGET ON THE PAGE 48 OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET, THE CALCULATIONS.

THE FISCAL YEAR '23 ESTIMATED DISTRIBUTION CALCULATION PAYABLE NEXT YEAR IN FISCAL YEAR 2024 IS $7,653,954, APPROXIMATELY.

IT IS -- IT IS ABOUT 900,000 GREATER THAN THE DISTRIBUTION THAT WAS PAID THIS YEAR. THIS CHART REPRESENTS THE FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN BY SYSTEM.

YOU CAN SEE THE LION'S CHAIR OF THE CIP IS 65% OF PROJECTS FOR THE WASTEWATER SYSTEM. IT INCLUDES LOCATION OF THE ISLAND RECLAMATION FACILITY AND WILL HAVE LONG TERM INVESTMENTS FOR THE FPUA AND THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE.

THE ADDITIONAL INFILL OF EXPANSION OF WASTEWATER THROUGH OUR SEPTIC TO SEWER PROGRAM WILL ENHANCE OUR REVENUE TO COVER OUR DEBT SERVICE. THE WATER SYSTEM, CIP, WHICH REQUIRES THE SECOND-LARGEST PORTION OF THIS FIVE-YEAR PLAN WITH 14% OR ABOUT $29 MILLION, PROJECTS INCLUDE THE ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE, SOME CUSTOMER-BASED EXPANSION PROJECTS, SOME ROUTINE RENEWALS AND REPLACEMENT AND TO HELP KEEP OUR INFRASTRUCTURE AND OUR PLANTS OPERATIONAL.

THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN INCLUDES RELIABILITIES PROJECTS FOR OUR SUBSTATION IMPROVEMENTS.

STORM HARDEN CAN, TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION POLE REPLACEMENT IN ADDITION TO THE ADVANCED METERING PROJECT FOR ELECTRIC. EXPANSION PROJECTS FOR THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM ARE LIMITED TO INFILL CURRENTLY HAVE SOME DEVELOPER GROWTH FOR OPPORTUNITY TO EXPAND OUR CUSTOMER BASE IN

[00:55:04]

ELECTRIC. NATURAL GAS SYSTEM EXPANSION ABOUT 9 MILLION. MAY SEEM LIKE -- OR WILL LOOK LIKE A SMALLER PORTION MUCH THIS BIG PICTURE, BUT THE PROJECTS INCLUDED WILL PROVIDE FOR EXPANSION THAT COULD OVER TIME DOUBLING THE CURRENT CUSTOMER BASE.

WITH NO TERRITORIAL BOUNDARIES FOR GAS SYSTEM, EXPANSION PROJECTS WILL BE HUGE AND CAN BOOST CUSTOMER GROWTH AND REVENUES FOR THAT FOR GUESTS. THIS IS THE FISCAL YEAR 2024 JUST NEXT YEAR'S CAPITAL PLAN. WASTEWATER SYSTEM CAPITAL PLAN IS TO SPEND $67.5 MILLION NEXT YEAR WITH $44 MILLION COMING -- BEING FUNDED THROUGH PROCEEDS FROM THE 2022 BOND ISSUANCE.

THE WATER SYSTEM PROJECTS HAVE $4.3 MILLION FUNDED THROUGHOUT BOND -- THOSE BOND PROCEEDS. EXPANSION PROJECTS WILL BE IDENTIFIED AND PRIORITIZED BASED ON THE NEEDS AND MANDATE OF CITY, COUNTY, AND FDOT PROJECTS. THE GAS SYSTEM CAPITAL PLAN FOR $3.1 MILLION WILL HAVE $2.5 MILLION OF FUNDING FROM THOSE BOND PROCEEDS. THE ELECTRIC SYSTEM HAS BUDGETED TO THE COMPLETION OF THE ADVANCED METERING INFRASTRUCTURE IMPLEMENTATION IN ADDITION TO THE STORM HARDENING AND SUBSTATION TRANSFORMER REPLACEMENTS.

THE OVERALL FISCAL 2024 CAPITAL PLAN INCLUDE 13% OF THE PROJECTS BEING FUNDED THROUGH RATES. 21% FROM GRANTS.

AND 58% OF THE CIP FUNDING IS COMING FROM THE BOND PROCEEDS FROM LAST YEAR'S BOND ISSUANCE. ALL PROJECTS ARE PRIORITIZED WITH A CLOSE EYE KEPT ON THE FUNDING.

ABOUT 74% OF THE PROJECTS IN FISCAL YEAR 2024 CAPITAL PLAN MANDATE BY THE REGULATORY COMPLIANCE AND REQUIREMENTS FOR GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES. APPROXIMATELY 11% OF THOSE PROJECTS ARE PLANNED FOR SAFETY AND RELIABILITY AND 13% ARE FOR SYSTEM GROWTH. THIS BUDGET HAS BEEN ADOPTED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY RESOLUTION AT THE AUGUST 1 REGULAR MEETING OF THE FORT PIERCE UTILITIES BOARD. THE BUDGET CONSISTS OF TWO PARTS, THE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE BUDGETS AND THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. BOTH FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1 OF 2023 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30 OF 2024, AND AMENDING THE BUDGET FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2022. AND ENDING ON SEPTEMBER 30, 2023. WE ARE REQUESTING SEPARATE APPROVALS FOR THESE BUDGETS FOR THE FORT PIERCE UTILITIES AUTHORITY. FIRST, THAT THE CITY COMMISSION WAIVE THE 30-DAY PERIOD AND APPROVE THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE BUDGET WITH REVENUES OF $126,110,561 AND EXPENSES OF $1 31,878,643. FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024.

AND THE AMENDED REVENUE AND EXPENSES OF $151,594,014.

AND $1 33,772-198 RESPECTIVELY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023.

SECOND, THAT THE CITY COMMISSION WAIVE THE 30-DAY PERIOD AND APPROVE THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLANS FOR FISCAL YEAR '24 IN THE AMOUNT OF $19,154,543 AND FISCAL YEAR '23 FOR $63,474,361.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR APP

APPROVAL. >>MAYOR HUDSON: BEFORE I OPEN THAT UP FOR QUESTIONS. IS ALL OF THAT INCLUDED IN THE

RESOLUTION? >> NO, MA'AM.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE RESOLUTION IS WAIVING THE 30 DAYS. WE HAVE TO TAKE TWO VOTES.

>> ADOPTING THE BUDGET AS A WHOLE.

>> WE HAVE TO TAKE TWO VOTES. IS THAT WHAT YOU REQUESTED.

TWO VOTES. >> WHAT WE ARE REQUESTING.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: WHICH IS AMENDING THE 2023 BUDGET AND

APPROVING THE 2024 BUDGET. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> MADAM MAYOR, I WILL ASK IF WE TAKE A QUICK RECESS.

A FEW MINUTES BREAK AND I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH COMMISSIONER JEREMIAH JOHNSON .

[01:00:04]

>>MAYOR HUDSON: MISS COX. >>COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON: IF I CAN JUMP IN. I APPRECIATE THE PRESENTATION, BUT WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS I HAVE CONTACTED THE COMMISSION ON ETHICS TO TALK ABOUT -- BECAUSE OF A CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP WITH MY FIRM WITH THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT CONSTRUCTION

PROCESS. >>MAYOR HUDSON: OKAY.

>>COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON: THE CONVERSATION REGARDING THE ORNGZ &M BUDGET VERSUS THE CAPITAL BUDGET AND I WANT TO BE CLEAR WITH MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS THAT THEY SAID I COULD PARTICIPATE OF THE VOTE AS LONG AS THE VOTE VOTE WAS TWO PARTS OF PIECES. O &M VERSUS CAPITAL.

I WILL ABSTAIN AND RECUSE MYSELF FROM THE TOTAL VOTE TO MAKE IT LESS COMPLICATED TONIGHT BECAUSE IT WASN'T FULLY -- WE DIDN'T KNOW THIS UNTIL THE 11TH HOUR IN MY CONVERSATIONS.

IT IS OKAY. THANK YOU FOR THE FPUA STAFF FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND I WILL RECUSE MYSELF FROM THE VOTE AND MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOU ALL TO VOTE ON A RESOLUTION AND KEEP IT COMBINED AND SIMPLE AS IT IS WRITTEN.

OKAY. >>MAYOR HUDSON: OKAY WITH ME.

IF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU TALKED OVER WITH MISS HEDGES.

>>COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON: MISS HEDGES, CLEAR ENOUGH FOR THE

RECORD. >> YES, SIR, MADAM MAYOR.

THE PRESENTATION WAS COMBINED WITH THE TWO, SO MOVING FORWARD I BELIEVE WITH THE CONFLICT, JEREMIAH JOHNSON, COMMISSIONER, WILL BE ABSTAINING. YOU CAN VOTE ON THE BUDGET AS A WHOLE AS IT THE RESOLUTION PRESENTED ON THE WEB SITE.

IT WOULD BE -- IF IT IS THE WILL OF THE COMMISSION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION AND APPROVE THE BUDGET AS A WHOLE AND WAIVE THE

30 DAYS. >>MAYOR HUDSON: WILL BE ONE

VOTE. >> YES, MA'AM.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: BECAUSE HE IS NOT VOTING.

>> YES, MA'AM, THAT IS THE RESOLUTION THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY PREPARED 23-R 43. YES, MA'AM.

>>COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON: CLEAR FOR THE PUBLIC AND EVERYONE

INVOLVED AND LESS CONFUSION. >>MAYOR HUDSON: THANK YOU VERY

MUCH. >>COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON: THANK

YOU. >>MAYOR HUDSON: OKAY, SO NOW.

I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE QUESTIONS FROM THE COMMISSIONERS. WHO WOULD LIKE TO START.

>>COMMISSIONER CURTIS JOHNSON: I WILL START FIRST.

THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION. VERY CLEAR.

A COUPLE OF THINGS I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HIGHLIGHT, PARTICULARLY NOT FOR THE DAIS BUT FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC WHO IS WATCHING THIS. GENERALLY WHEN YOU SAY AMENDING A BUDGET, FISCAL YEAR 2023, OCCURRENCES OR SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED TO MAKE THAT AMENDMENT TO HAPPEN.

SURPLUS, OVERRUN OR SOMETHING. CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT GENERALLY WHY WE ARE AMENDING OUR FISCAL YEAR 2023.

SO THERE IS A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING WHAT THAT PROCESS HAS PUT NEWS THE SITUATION TO AMEND IT.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: WELL, SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS EACH YEAR.

AND WE MAKE OUR BUDGET A YEAR AGO WITH THE BEST KNOWLEDGE WE HAVE AT THAT POINT. WHEN WE LOOK AT OUR PROJECTIONS AND HOW WE ARE FALLING IN LINE. FOR THE BUDGET TO BE MORE REASON TO BE MORE IN LINE WITH WHAT THE ACTUALS WILL BE.

I BELIEVE THE REVENUES WERE GREATER.

>>COMMISSIONER CURTIS JOHNSON: REVENUES ARE PROJECTED GREATER.

THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS WATCHING THAT AND THAT THEY BRING THEM A CLEAR UNDERSTAND WHY THEY ARE AMENDING THE BUDGET AND MOST PEOPLE REALIZE THEY MAKE PROJECTIONS.

WHEN THINGS HAPPEN, THEY HAVE OVERRUNS AND PRICE GOES UP EVERY DAY. GENERAL SENSE.

NOT LOOKING FOR THE HARD CORE. MISS MICAH, WHY WE ARE AMENDING

2023. >> THE CAPITAL BUDGET -- WE DON'T AMEND THE CAPITAL BUDGET BUT THE REVENUE AND EXPENSES.

>>COMMISSIONER CURTIS JOHNSON: REVENUES CAME IN A LITTLE UNDER

AND EXPENSES UP -- >> I THINK THEY WERE BOTH UP.

>> LAST YEAR WAS AN EXPENSIVE YEAR AND CHEMICAL COSTS WERE UP.

COSTS FOR TRANSFORMERS, WIRES, CONDUIT, ALL UP LAST YEAR, ESPECIALLY WITH SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES THAT AFFECTED THE PRICE.

PRICE OF MATERIALS. >>COMMISSIONER CURTIS JOHNSON: ONE OF THE SLIDES YOU INDICATED THAT THE POWER COST ADJUSTMENT WITH THE HEDGES OF GAS PRICES ALOW FOR YOU TO KIND OF STABILIZE THE WHOLE POINT WHEN IT COMES TO ELECTRIC RATES WHICH IS EXCELLENT. LAST YEAR IN A TOUGH SITUATION THAT WE DIDN'T GET THE HEDGE RIGHT AND WE SAW CASE LATING PRICES -- SAW ESCALATING PRICES. AND WE HAVE GOTTEN THAT RIGHT SO FAR AND WILL CONTINUE TO GET THAT RIGHT, WE HOPE, SO WE DON'T HAVE THAT HUGE SURGE IN PEOPLE'S ELECTRIC BILLS WE SAW LAST YEAR BECAUSE WE DIDN'T QUITE BUY A LOT SUPPLY.

I WILL PUT IT IN SIMPLE TERMS. WE DIDN'T BUY ENOUGH IN LOWER COST SO WHEN PRICES WENT UP, WE DIDN'T FEEL THAT BURDEN.

YOU SHOULD BE COMMENDED ON HEDGING ON THAT.

[01:05:03]

UP SAW AN UPTICK IN WASTEWATER AND SOMETHING HAD TO DO WITH THE CAPITAL PROJECTS. SOME HAD TO DO WITH COSTS.

MY GENERAL QUESTION IS, I KNOW WE ARE BUILDING A WATER RECLAMATION PLANT. LARGELY THE COST THAT I SAW, IT WENT UP TREMENDOUSLY. AND SO -- WHAT I SAW AS FAR AS THE EXPENSE THAT WAS A PIE CHART THERE.

ABOUT $36 MILLION I THOUGHT I SAW -- $36 MILLION, $38 MILLION.

CAN YOU SPEAK -- OR GIVE ME MORE INSIGHT.

THE CAPITAL PLAN. IT WAS -- ONE MORE BEFORE THAT.

>> BY SYSTEM. >>COMMISSIONER CURTIS JOHNSON: YES, BY SYSTEM. REVENUES.

THIS IS REVENUES GENERATED BY SYSTEMS.

>> REVENUES PROJECTED FOR NEXT YEAR.

>>COMMISSIONER CURTIS JOHNSON: HELP ME WITH MY UNDERSTANDING OF THAT. WHEN I READ THROUGH, I DIDN'T QUITE GET THAT AND WHY WE ARE GENERATING MORE THERE BECAUSE NOT ONLINE, WE ARE BUILDING. HELP ME UNDERSTAND THAT AND

WHERE IT IS COMING FROM. >> THE INCREASE OF REVENUES FOR NEXT YEAR, WE HAVE OUR INDEXED INCREASE THAT WE -- YOU KNOW THAT WE WOULD PROPOSE FOR ALL SYSTEMS OF THE PUPUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION AND GROWTH OF THE PROJECTS WORKED ON AND SERVICES

CONNECTED. >>COMMISSIONER CURTIS JOHNSON: SO OUR WESTERN CORRIDOR IS GROWING LARGER.

ALOT OF COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE OUT THERE.

OVER A MILLION PLUS SQUARE FEET OF REAL ESTATE OFFICES OUT THERE. AM I HEAR YOU CORRECT, THOSE KIND OF GROWTH -- THE GROWTH OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

MORE HOUSES BUILT IN FORT PIERCE THAT IS CAUSING THIS SURGE IN

REVENUES WHEN IT COMES TO THIS. >> A COUPLE OF THINGS HAPPENED.

ESPECIALLY ON THE WATER, WASTEWATER SIZE RESIDENTIAL HAS INCREASED CONSUMPTION THAT ULTIMATELY REFLECTS SOME REVENUES. AND THE WAREHOUSE GROWTH THAT YOU SEE WEST OF TOWN WILL DEFINITELY HELP IMPACT THAT AS WELL. MAYBE NOT SO MUCH ON THE WATER AND WASTEWATER DEPENDING ON WHAT FACILITY BECAUSE MOSTLY STORAGE, BUT WILL ON THE ELECTRIC SIDE. ELECTRIC CONSUMPTION AND SOME OF THOSE FACILITIES ARE TYPICALLY SOME KIND OF WAREHOUSE FACILITIES THAT REQUIRE A LOT OF MOVING OF BOXES AND STORAGE WHICH REQUIRE INTERNET CONNECTION HAND THIS WILL ALSO

HELP IMPACT THE REVENUE STREAM. >>COMMISSIONER CURTIS JOHNSON: I GUESS I WAS TRYING TO MAKE SURE WITH WASTEWATER WE WEREN'T LOOKING FOR AN INCREASE. TRYING TO DRIVE DOWN THAT OUR

WASTEWATER RATES ARE GOING UP. >> WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO NOT BRING ANY RATE INCREASES TO THIS CITY COMMISSION. WE ARE TRYING TO BE MORE EFFICIENT. WE ARE ALSO TRYING TO WORK WITHIN THE FUNDS TO CONTINUE TO FUND THE PROJECTS THAT WE NEED TO FUND. WE HAVE A VERY OLD CITY AND A LOT OF PROJECTS THAT ARE VERY COSTLY AND WHEN YOU DIG UP AN OLDER ROAD AND PIPES THAT YOU CAN'T REALLY REPAIR ANYMORE AND ESSENTIALLY HAVE TO REPLACE THEM.

TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO OPERATE EFFICIENTLY AND INTERNALLY, AND MINIMIZE ANY IMPACT TO THE CUSTOMER THAT WE CAN.

AS BARBARA MENTIONED, WE HAVE AN INDEX THAT HAPPENS EVERY YEAR.

FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION THAT IS ADOPTED EACH AND OVER YEAR HAND THIS YEAR WE ARE WORKING VERY HARD TO ADJUST WITH THE POWER COST SO THE IMPACT TO THE CUSTOMERS' BILLS IF NOT EVEN A LITTLE LOWER THAN THAT.

WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN AND THAT IS ABSOLUTELY THE GOAL.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD INCLUDED IN THESE NUMBERS, TOTAL REVENUE NUMBERS AND GRANT REVENUES ARE INCLUDED IN THAT NUMBER.

THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT CHARGES THAT WE ARE GETTING WITH THE DEVELOPER -- PROJECTS THAT ARE GROWING.

ALL THOSE NUMBERS INCLUDED IN THE $38 MILLION AS WELL.

>>COMMISSIONER CURTIS JOHNSON: OKAY.

THAT HELPS ME TO UNDERSTAND THAT, BECAUSE LOOKING AT THAT AND I SAW A HUGE JUMP. I SAID WHAT IS GOING ON WITH WASTEWATER AND A HUGE JUMP IN GRANT REVENUE US AND FORECASTING. THANK YOU.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: ANYONE ELSE? COMMISSIONER BRODERICK.

>>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.

IT WAS COMPREHENSIVE, CERTAINLY. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND THE WORKSHOP YOU PUT ON A FEW MONTHS BACK WHICH WAS VERY BENEFICIAL. I ALSO HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WHERE, ARE WITH A VARIETY OF YOUR STAFF WHO HAVE BEEN VERY FORTHCOMING WITH INFORMATION. SO I AM APPRECIATIVE OF THAT.

YOU -- YOU HAVE A -- OFF COMPANY -- GROSS REVENUES OF $160 MILLION APPROXIMATELY. IT'S -- YOU DON'T WRAP YOUR ARMS AROUND THAT IN ONE AFTERNOON OF READING THROUGH A FEW -- A FEW PIECES OF PAPER. SO THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME. I KNOW FOR YOU FOLKS, YOU DEAL WITH IT EVERY DAY. INDOCTRINATING ME INTO YOUR SYSTEM TO EDUCATE ME HAVE TAKEN YOUR STAFF TIME.

[01:10:04]

AND I AM APPRECIATIVE OF THAT. COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

PERTAINING TO THIS PRESENTATION. WHEN -- WHEN IS THE CITY

DISTRIBUTION PAYMENT ISSUED? >> THAT WILL BE AFTER OUR FINANCIALS -- OUR FINANCIALS ARE APPROVED AND ACCEPTED BY THE CITY COMMISSION. WE BRING THAT IN MARCH, SO WE

TYPICALLY PAY IT IN APRIL. >>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: OKAY.

THE REASON I ASK, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW SOME OF THE PAPERWORK RELATIVE TO THIS DISTRIBUTION.

AND SUFFICE IT TO SAY, THAT THE INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THIS IS VOLUME LULL USE - -- VOLUMINOUS.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE BACK-UP DAY TO GET A FURTHER UNDERSTANDING HOW THAT OPERATES. THE REASON I MENTIONED THAT, THIS ISN'T -- THIS ISN'T A SMALL PORTION OF THE CITY'S BUDGET -- THIS REPRESENTS SOMEWHERE IN THE VICINITY OF 13, 14% OF THE CITY'S ENTIRE BUDGET FOR THE OPERATING YEAR, SO IT IS OF INTEGRAL IMPORTANCE. SO I LOOK AT IT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE, WANT CLEAR AND 100% UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THAT PROCESS WORKS, WITH WHERE THOSE FUNDS FROM EXTRACTED FROM, WHAT THE FORMULATION IS TO GENERATE THAT.

I HAVE SEEN PAPERWORK THAT HAS GONE BACK TO 2010, NOBODY WAS HERE WHEN ALL THAT WAS GOING ON. SO I AM -- I AM NEW TO THAT ASPECT OF IT. I FEEL THAT SINCE THIS IS SUCH A LARGE COMPONENT OF THE CITY'S OPERATING CASH FLOW, THAT I, AS A COMMISSIONER, WANT TO HAVE A VERY -- VERY FINITE UNDERSTANDING OF THAT SPECIFIC BREAKDOWN AND WHAT THE LOGIC IS BEHIND GENERATING THAT SO I CAN MARRY THAT INFORMATION TO WHAT THE CITY CHARTER INDICATES IS THE FORMULATION, ETC.

BECAUSE IT IS SOMEWHAT CONVOLUTED, I GUESS IS A GOOD WAY TO PUT IT. SO I NEED TO DIGEST MORE OF THAT. ANY INFORMATION THAT YOU CAN GET TO ME REGARDING THAT WILL BE HELPFUL.

IN MY FOLLOW-UP DISCUSSIONS WITH YOUR TEAM AS WELL, I HAVE REQUESTED THE ABILITY TO MEET WITH THEM ON A REGULAR BASIS AS YOUR GRANT STATUS CHANGES ON THE WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT.

SO MY GOAL THERE IS TO RECEIVE REALTIME INFORMATION.

WE ALL UNDERSTAND WHAT THE CHALLENGES ARE HERE.

AND THAT YOU GUYS ARE WORKING IN EARNEST TO RESOLVE THESE CHALLENGES. THAT FLOW OF INFORMATION FROM YOUR TEAM TO THIS TEAM TO THE CITY'S MANAGEMENT TEAM, I CONSIDER THAT TO BE CRITICAL AND WE ARE ALL PLAYING OFF THE SAME PLAYBOOK. AND I THINK BY THAT TRANSITION OF INFORMATION TO THE CITY COMMISSION, TO THE CITY MANAGEMENT TEAM, IT IS GOING TO THEN -- ALSO BE DISPENSED TO THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. AND I THINK THERE MIGHT BE A BIT OF A DISCONNECT THERE THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT WE ARE GETTING THE INFORMATION TO THE COMMUNITY AND EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS PRECISELY WHAT IS GOING ON.

AND I APPLAUD YOUR GRANTS TEAM, BY THE WAY, THEY ARE CRUSHING IT. NO OTHER WAY TO PHRASE IT.

IF I CAN SENDS IN LUNCH EVERY DAY TO KEEP THEM WORKING AT THEIR DESKS, I THINK I WOULD. BUT THEY HAVE THEIR WORK CUT OUT FOR THEM AND I AM REALLY PROUD THAT YOU GUYS ARE REALLY PUSHING THE ENVELOPE ON THIS. AND THAT IS -- THAT IS THE SOLUTION TO THE FUNDING ISSUE AND THE COST OVERRUNS WHICH ARE NOT FPUA'S DOING. WE SEE THIS EVERY DAY IN OUR BUSINESS LIKE EVERY OTHER BUSINESS IS EXPERIENCING COMMODITY PRICES, COMPONENT PRICE, ETC., HAVE SIMPLY SKYROCKETED. SO YOU WERE CAUGHT IN THE PERFECT STORM. I THINK THE ONE -- THE ONE ADVANTAGE TO WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER WAS TO LOCK IN YOUR BONDING. THAT BONDING ISSUE IS I BELIEVE 100 MILLION FOR THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT AND A LOCKED IN INTEREST RATE MOVING FORWARD. HALLELUJAH.

WE ALL ARE EXPERIENCING THE RATE INCREASES.

THEY ARE MIND NUMBING IN MY OPINION AS TO WHAT IS GOING ON OUT THERE. HAVING SAID THAT, I DON'T REALLY HAVE QUESTIONS IN PARTICLAR TO -- WITH THE ANALYTICAL WORK YOU HAVE DONE THERE. THE ADDITIONAL FLOW OF INFORMATION COMING TO ME IS VERY HELPFUL AND I AM VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THE FACT THAT YOUR TEAM IS WILLING TO UNDERTAKE THAT TO EDUCATE ME FURTHER AS THIS PROCESS MOVES FORWARD. AND I DISCUSSED WITH THE CITY MANAGEMENT TEAM, ETC., THE CONTRIBUTION PAID TO THE CITY ANNUALLY. AND THAT IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF CITY REVENUE STRUCTURE.

I AM GOING TO BECOME A LOT MORE EDUCATED IN THAT.

I READ FILES OF INFORMATION GOING BACK 15 YEARS AGO.

IT MAKES FOR SOME INTERESTING READING, I WILL TELL YOU THAT.

SUFFICE IT TO SAY, AS I ACCUMULATE MOORE INFORMATION, I WILL BECOME A BETTER ADVOCATE FOR WHAT THE UTILITY IS ATTEMPTING TO DO. AND THE DIFFICULTIES OF WHERE

[01:15:03]

YOU FIND -- YOUR CHALLENGES CURRENTLY.

SO EDUCATE ME. I WANT TO BE A SPONGE AND JUST ABSORB ALL THAT INFORMATION. I MADE SOME NOTES HERE, BUT I WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH YOU INDIVIDUALLY ABOUT -- I AM NOT GOING TO GET INTO THE WEEDS OF ALL THAT TONIGHT HERE BECAUSE WE COULD BE HERE FOR HOURS DRILLING INTO DEBT SERVICE AND DEBT SERVICE COVERAGE RATIOS AND A MYRIAD OF OTHER THINGS, BONDHOLDERS THAT ARE REQUIRING, ETC.

BUT I WILL GET EDUCATED AND THE COMMISSION WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO DISCUSS THESE THINGS FURTHER IN THE FUTURE, I AM PRETTY CERTAIN OF THAT. SO I AM GOOD.

YOU GUYS HAVE DONE A HECK OF A JOB OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS FROM MY PERSPECTIVE TO FORCE FEED HOURS AND HOURS OF INFORMATION, BUT IT HAS BEEN WORTHWHILE FOR ALL PARTIES.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: THE NEW GUY. COMMISSIONER PERONA SAT ON THE SEAT AND WAS THE LIAISON AS YOU ARE, AND HE HAD BEEN THE UTILITY AUTHORITY FOR EIGHT YEARS. SO HE -- IT IS A HUGE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION TO ABSORB. HUGE.

>>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: YEAH. FORTUNATELY I LIKE FINANCE.

I DON'T KNOW WHY. I NEED TO GET A FEW HOBBIES, I THINK. [LAUGHTER] THE STRUCTURE THAT THEY ARE DEPLOYING OBVIOUSLY THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSAND OF HOURS PUT INTO ALL THIS, AND I AM LEARNING MORE

AND MORE BY THE DAY. >>MAYOR HUDSON: OKAY.

YOU ARE GOOD. COMMISSIONER GAINS.

>>COMMISSIONER GAINES: REAL QUICK.

DIRECTOR, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP WHEN YOU TOOK THE ROLE. YOU KNOW ME AND YOUR COMMUNICATIONS. THREE THINGS WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT EVERY MEETING. COMMUNICATION TO THE PUBLIC.

COMMISSIONER BRODERICK JUST SAID IT, IF YOU DON'T WANT TO DO IT, GET US THE INFORMATION. TRUST ME, WE WILL GET THE INFORMATION OUT. BECAUSE EVERYTHING YOUR GRANT TEAM IS DOING, YOU ARE DOING, UNLESS THE PUBLIC KNOWS, THEY DON'T THINK YOU ARE DOING ANYTHING.

THE ONE THING WE ALWAYS TALK ABOUT -- TWO THINGS THAT -- THAT REALLY MATTERS -- A LOT OF THINGS, BUT TWO THINGS THAT REALLY MATTER TO THE PUBLIC. WHEN THEY HOPE UP THOSE BILLS.

IF THEM BILLS CAN START GOING DOWN, THEY ARE HAPPY.

YOU HAVE SAT IN PLACE WHERE IS HOPEFULLY NEVER HIT ANOTHER SPIKE LIKE WE DID AND YOU COVER THAT AT LEAST 2025, SO WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT SURPRISE AGAIN.

AS COMMISSIONER BRODERICK JUST SAID, YOUR GRANTS TEAM IS CRUSHING IT. THOSE WERE YOUR WORDS, GETTING THE MONEY IN. SO, PUT THEM ADVERTISEMENTS IN THERE AND THOSE BILLS TO SAY, HEY, THIS IS WHAT IS GOING ON.

AND LET THEM SEE -- HIGHLIGHT IT.

LET THEM SEE, IF IT IS A PENNY, LET THEM SEE THE PENNY.

IT MIGHT NOT MATTER TO SOME PEOPLE.

BUT OTHER PEOPLE. LET THEM SEE IT.

THE SECOND THING IS THE PROGRESS WE ARE DOING.

GETTING THAT WASTEWATER PLANT OFF THE WATER.

YOU KNOW, IT IS MOVING. LET'S CONTINUE TO MOVE IT.

LET'S CONTINUE TO GET IT. BECAUSE, KNOCK ON WOOD, WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF -- I AM NOT GOING TO USE THAT WORD -- SEASON. NOT USE THE WORD, SEASON, BUT -- YOU KNOW, WE ALL LIKE THIS. YOU KNOW, WE ARE ALL LIKE THIS.

SO LET'S JUST KEEP IT GOING. I WILL STAY IT TO YOU AGAIN IN EVERY MEETING THAT WE HAD, THE THREE THINGS.

NOTICE TO THE PUBLIC. AND ANY -- ANY WAY WE CAN REDUCE THE CONSUMER VIEWS IS -- JUST TO HELP THE PUBLIC OUT.

AND AS SOON AS WE GET THIS WASTEWATER PLANT OFF THAT WATER, I THINK YOU WILL -- YOU WILL HAVE SOME BETTER NYE NIGHT SLEEP. JUST A FEW.

AND YOUR STAFF, AND AS I SAID, YOU AND I TALK, YOU KNOW, ONCE A MONTH AND WHEN WE NEED IT. AND MADAM MAYOR, FOR THE PUBLIC AGAIN TO KNOW, IT IS NOT A NORMAL TALK WITH MANY DIRECTORS.

IT IS A REAL TALK. WE -- WE DROP TITLES AT THAT DOOR. AND WE SAY WHAT WE HAVE TO SAY BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ARE ALL DOING THE SAME THING TO TRY TO BENEFIT THE PUBLIC. SO I JUST WANT TO SAY GREAT REPORT. I UNDERSTAND WHAT -- WHAT COMMISSIONER BRODERICK SAID READING THESE NUMBERS AND WHEN WE START READING THIS STUFF AND MOST OF US AT THE TIMES OF THE NIGHT WE ARE READING THIS STUFF, THESE NUMBERS START -- WAIT A MINUTE, LET ME SEE WHAT THIS GRAPH SAID.

OKAY. YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND IT TO BE ABLE TO DO IT. GREAT REPORT.

I UNDERSTOOD IT. YOU KNOW, I UNDERSTOOD WHERE COMMISSIONER JOHNSON WAS COMING. UP ALMOST HIGHLIGHTED THAT PAGE -- I KNOW THAT COMMISSIONER JOHNSON WILL ASK THESE

[01:20:04]

QUESTIONS. SO WE KNOW EACH OTHER.

GREAT REPORT. JUST CONTINUE TO GET EVERY POSITIVE THING THAT I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING.

GET IT TO THE PUBLIC SO THEY WILL KNOW.

AND I THINK THAT IS WHAT COMMISSIONER BRODERICK WAS TRYING TO SAY. AND IF YOU GET IT TO US, TRUST ME, WE WILL MAKE SURE WE GET IT TO TO THE PUBLIC.

THANK YOU. >>MAYOR HUDSON: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND I KNOW THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HEARD IT. FOR THE PUBLIC'S UNDERSTANDING, BECAUSE -- WHEN YOU ARE ELECTED MAYOR, YOU ALSO SERVE ON THE W THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HEARD IT.

FOR THE PUBLIC'S UNDERSTANDING, BECAUSE -- WHEN YOU ARE ELECTED MAYOR, YOU ALSO SERVE ON THE FPUA BOARD.

SO I MEET WITH THE FPUA BOARD AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE WE HAVE A BOARD MEMBER IN THE AUDIENCE. DR. BARBARA BENNETT.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. SHE WORKS VERY HARD AND I WILL HAVE TO SAY WE HAVE ONE OF THE BEST BOARDS WE EVER HAD.

AND ALSO -- WE -- WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMISSION AND ACTUALLY I THINK IT WAS A COMMISSIONER'S IDEA TO FORM THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS MEETING REGULARLY. AND I WOULD LIKE TO -- THIS IS A LITTLE BIT OFF THE BUDGET, BUT IF YOU REMEMBER IN THE LEGISLATURE THIS PAST YEAR, THE LEGISLATURE TRIED TO -- TRIED TO PUT ALL CITY UTILITIES REPORTING TO THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DIFFICULT THING.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE LEARNED IN THAT PROCESS IS, THE LEGISLATURE FOUND THAT THE -- THAT THE -- THAT THE UTILITIES THAT HAD A SEPARATE UTILITY AUTHORITY WITH A SEPARATE BOARD WAS A MORE ACCEPTABLE FORM. AND THEY WEREN'T -- THEY -- THEY WERE GOING TO ELIMINATE THOSE FROM THAT, BECAUSE THEY -- THEY CONSIDERED THAT TO BE A BETTER FORM THAN PART OF THE CITY GOVERNMENT AND THE CITY BUDGET. ALSO, THEY WERE TALK OF THE TRANSFER OF -- THE DISTRIBUTION AND THE DISTRIBUTION 10% OR ABOVE WAS EXCESSIVE. WE ARE AT 6% AND A VERY MODEST AND JUSTIFIABLE PERCENTAGE. AND ALSO, ONE OF THE THINGS COMMISSIONER BRODERICK THAT I HOPE IS IN YOUR READING MATERIAL IS DIDN'T -- WE HAD A CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION A FEW YEARS BACK THAT JUST DEALT WITH THE FPUA AND MOSTLY WITH THE TRANSFER. AND SO THAT -- THERE IS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT -- AND A LOT -- THERE WAS A LOT OF EYES ON THAT AT THAT PARTICULAR TIME. SO JUST FOR YOUR EDUCATION AND BEYOND THE BUDGET. I WILL SAY THAT THE BOARD AND STAFF IS WORKING VERY HARD AND WE HAVE BEEN EDUCATED.

AND I REALLY THINK IT IS A REALLY GOOD BOARD THAT YOU WILL BE PROUD OF. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE

RESOLUTION? >>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: MADAM CHAIR, I HAVE ONE QUICK QUESTION.

YOU SAID 6% IS REASONABLE. CAN WE NEGOTIATE TO 8% RIGHT NOW? JUST KIDDING.

[LAUGHTER] I HAD TO TRY.

[LAUGHTER] >>MAYOR HUDSON: GO FOR IT.

THAT IS YOUR -- THAT IS YOUR -- IT IS IN YOUR BALI WICK.

YOU CAN TRY TO SELL IT. YOU CAN TRY SELL IT.

>>COMMISSIONER GAINES: MADAM MAYOR, BEFORE MY COLLEAGUE SAY SOMETHING ELSE, I WILL MAKE A MOTION.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: LET'S GET OUT OF THIS QUICK.

>>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: I WILL SECOND THAT MOTION.

>>MAYOR HUDSON: CALL THE ROLL PLEASE.

>>COMMISSIONER BRODERICK: YES. >>COMMISSIONER GAINES: YES,