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>> WELCOME TO THE FORT PIERCE UTILITIES MEETING DATED SEPTEMBER THE 2023. PLEASE STAND FOR THE OPENING PRAYER AND THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
>> FATHER WE PRAY PROVERBS 21 THROUGH THREE WHICH SAYS THE KING'S HEART IS IN THE HAND OF THE LORD LIKE THE RIVERS OF WATER HE TURNS IT WHEREVER HE WISHES.
EVERY WAY OF A MAN IS RIGHT IN HIS OWN EYES BUT THE LORD WEIGHS THE HEARTS TO DO RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE IS MORE ACCEPTABLE TO THE LORD THAN SACRIFICE. AS ON BOARD GOVERNANCE TODAY, BUT THEN BE AWARE WHEN THE FPO WAY THEY ARE THE KINGS WHOSE HEARTS ARE BEING TURNED BY YOUR HAND TO GOVERN OUR COMPANY.
AS IT SAYS HERE, PLACING THEM A DESIRE WITH RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE. IN JESUS NAME, AMEN.
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> MRS. CORTEZ PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[A. SET THE AGENDA]
>> WE HAVE THE AGENDA AND FRONT OF US.
CAN I GET A MOTION TO MOVE TO APPROVAL.
>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> MRS. BENNETT.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> MR. LAMMERS.
[B. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
>> YES, MA'AM. >> MAYOR HUDSON.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> MAYOR GIVEN.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> MOVING FORWARD HAS EVERYBODY HAD TIME TO REVIEW MINUTES FROM THE LAST MEETING?
ARE THERE ANY CHANGES? >> I APPROVE.
>> SECOND. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
[D. CONSENT AGENDA]
>> MRS. BENNETT. >> YES, MA'AM.
>> MR. LAMMERS. >> YES, MA'AM MAYOR HUDSON.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> MRS. GIBBON.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
TODAY? >> CONSENT AGENDA IS ANYTHING THAT NEEDS TO BE PULLED OR ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS?
>> MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[G.1. Economic Development Council of St. Lucie County Presentation – Presented by Peter Tesch.]
>> IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND.
>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> MRS. BENNETT.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> MR. LAMMERS.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> MRS. GIBBON.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> WE WILL MOVE RIGHT INTO NEW
BUSINESS. >> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR, THE FIRST ITEM IS A PRESENTATION FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY.
HE IS A COMPANY BY MARINE SALTER DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATION AND OUTREACH. FPO A AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AS WE DISCUSSED NEW PROJECTS THAT ARE CONSIDERING ST. LUCIE COUNTY.
HE IS HERE TO PROVIDE A QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE SUCCESSFUL GROWTH WE'VE BEEN EXPENSIVE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS AND HOPEFULLY WHAT WE CAN EXPECT IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, THAT CONCLUDES MY PRESENTATION.
>> MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, MAYOR IT'S GREAT TO BE IN FRONT OF YOU. I AM PETE TASH PRESIDENT OF THE EDC AND HAPPY TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE WITH A GREAT WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH USA AND THE JOB CREATION EFFORTS THAT OCCURRED HERE IN ST. LUCIE. WITH THAT LET'S GET RIGHT INTO IT. JUST A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE EDC WE'RE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP, BOTH WITH THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR INVESTING IN OUR ORGANIZATION, WE WERE FOUNDED IN 2000 AND WE ARE ST. LUCIE COUNTY DESIGNATED ECONOMIC DEVELOPER ORGANIZATION. OUR MISSION IS SIMPLE IT IS TO HELP CREATE JOBS. WE ARE ALSO EXPANDING THE TAX BASE AND DIVERSIFY THE ECONOMY OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY.
AND WE DO THAT, VERY IMPORTANT JOB OF JOB CREATION BY HELPING NEW AND EXPANDING BUSINESSES EXPAND AND RELOCATE HERE TO ST. LUCIE. SOME OF THOSE PROJECTS INCLUDE MANUFACTURING, DISTRIBUTION, LIFE SCIENCE, MARINE AVIATION AND MUCH, MUCH MORE. WE ARE HAPPY THAT THEY EDC IS A VIABLE PARTNER, NOT ONLY WITH THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE BUT UA.
I'M A VERY PROUD MAYOR TO BE A RESIDENT OF FORT PIERCE AND ALSO
I'M HAPPY TO BE A GREAT PAIR. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THIS IS MY TOWN. HOBBY IS A VERY ACTIVE MEMBER IN LATER WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPER COUNSEL AND YOU ARE STRATEGIC PARTNERS ORGANIZATION WITH MANY DISTINGUISHED COMMUNITY LEADERS
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AND BUSINESS EXECUTIVES ON OUR BOARD, THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION AND SERVICE TO THE EDC AND OUR MISSION.WE TALK ABOUT THE EDC THAT INCLUDE YOU IN THE UA BOARD.
OVER THE LAST SIX AND HALF YEARS WE HAVE WORKED 29 EXPANSIONS AND 43 ATTRACTIONS OF DIFFERENT COMPANIES, EITHER HERE IN THOSE TARGET INDUSTRIES OR COMING TO THE COMMUNITY.
AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE BOTTOM THERE IS A WIDE VARIETY OF DIFFERENT COMPANIES THAT ARE FOUND ST. LUCIE COUNTY TO BE A GREAT PLACE TO DO BUSINESS AND TO LIVE AND YOU CAN SEE MADE FRACTURING MAKES UP A BROAD BULK OF THOS JOB CREATING BUSINESSES AND ALONG WITH DISTRIBUTION AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
WE ARE REALLY QUITE PLEASED BY THE DIVERSIFICATION OF THE ECONOMY THAT IS HAPPENED IN THE LAST SIX YEARS.
MADAM CHAIR I'M NOT GOING TO GO THROUGH EVERY ONE OF THESE COMPANIES BUT IT MAKES A NICE VISUAL TO SEE ALL THE COMPANIES THAT HAVE COME HERE AND YOU CAN SEE MANY ON THE LIST OR MOSAIC IF YOU WILL THAT RUA RATEPAYERS. ONE THING THAT BNI HAVE DISCUSSED HOW DO WE MAKE THE METERS TURN MORE HERE AND FORT PIERCE AND THERE ARE METERS TURNERS ON THIS LIST AND WE WANT TO ADD TO THAT. WE KNOW IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE NOT ONLY DIVERSIFY THE ECONOMY BUT ALSO THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF RATEPAYERS THAT UA HAS WE ALWAYS LIKE TO MEASURE OUR RESULTS AND WE USE A FIRM ECONOMIC STRATEGY CENTER OUT OF ATLANTA, THEY ARE AN ECONOMIC ANALYTICS FIRM. THEY DO THE IMPLANT ECONOMIC IMPACT ANALYSIS FOR US AND WE ARE PLEASED TO TELL YOU THAT OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS THAT ALL THE PROJECTS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT HAVE ABOUT $1.25 BILLION IN CAPITAL OR IN THIS CASE ECONOMIC OUTPUT 15 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF NEW FACILITIES THAT IS CREATED OVER 6500 DIRECT JOBS OR INDIRECT OF 3000.
ONE THING THAT KEEPS US UP AT NIGHT, HOW ARE WE GOING TO FIND THE PEOPLE THIS IS AN ONGOING IMPACT OF BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY JUST AS A NOTE THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT OR THE GROSS COMMUNITY PRODUCT OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY IS ABOUT $10 BILLION, YOU'RE GOING TO SEE A RATHER DRAMATIC INCREASE IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY IN OUR COMMUNITY IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS AND YOU WILL SEE WHY IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF SLIDES.
, THESE ARE RECENT PROJECTS THAT WERE ANNOUNCED IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS THAT OCCURRED IMPORT ST. LUCIE AS WELL AS ST. LUCIE COUNTY, XL INTERNATIONAL DRAGONFLY, CLASSICAL LOGICS, LEGACY PARK, COLD STORAGE FACILITY, TRADITION COMMENTS PARK, FORT PIERCE TWIN V AND THEIR EXPANSION.
WE ARE GOING TO ANNOUNCE OFFICIALLY THAT THE FOOD BANK IS BUILDING THEIR NEW STATE-OF-THE-ART WAREHOUSE FACILITY IN THE ORANGE 95 COMMERCE CENTER.
THIS WILL BE 113,000 SQUARE-FOOT BUILDING ABOUT $30 MILLION CAPITAL INVESTMENT, WE ARE EXCITED BECAUSE THIS IS ORANGE AVENUE AND I-95 ANOTHER COMMERCE PARK OPENING UP AND IT WILL HAVE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMPANIES INDUSTRIAL, WAREHOUSING, MANUFACTURING.
WE WERE SAD TO LEARN THAT THIS WAS IN FLORIDA POWER AND LIGHT'S TERRITORY WE BROUGHT THE DEVELOPER IN THE COMPANY THERE AND WE MET WITH HOBBY AND HIS TEAM AND WE WERE SO EXCITED THIS IS GOING TO BE A UA PROJECT. AND I SAID JAVI CAN YOU CHECK ONE MORE TIME PLEASE. WASTEWATER AND GAS.
WE HAVE SOME UTILITIES, THERE IS SOME CONSOLATION THERE.
PART OF THE TARGET INDUSTRIES THAT ARE VERY IMPORTANT IS THE MARINE INDUSTRY WE HAVE SEEN TREMENDOUS GROWTH IN BOTH
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AVIATION AND MARINE AND AS YOU CAN SEE WE HAVE ICONIC NAMES IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY, MAVERICK, PURSUIT IS DIRTY ON THEIR THIRD EXPANSION, TWEETED HE WILL BEGIN THE BUILDING PERMIT PROCESS WITH THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AND CONTENDER IS RELATIVELY NEW ADDITION TO THE MARINE INDUSTRY FAMILY AND ST. LUCIE AND I BELIEVE THEY ARE A UA CUSTOMER FOR ELECTRICITY MANY OF US TRIED BY THE PORT OF SAINT PIERCE AND THERE'S NOTHING MORE EXCITED WITH THE DIRECTOR OF FORT PI PIERCE, WE KNOW THIS IS A REPORT PROJECT FOR THE CITY AS WELL AS UA AND THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY.WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME THE DIRECTOR ON THEIR TALENT AND TRAINING ISSUES, WORKFORCE READINESS, HOW COME YOU MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE ALL THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT PLACE TO COMPLETE THE EXPANSION AND COMPLETE THE DREAM OF BEING THE LARGEST YACHT MAINTENANCE AND REPAIR OVERHAUL COMPANIES IN THE WORLD. RIGHT NOW IS AN INTERESTING FACT THE DIRECTOR HAS APPLIED TO THE U.S. FOREIGN TRADE ZONE BOARD TO BECOME A SUB ZONE OF THE FOREIGN TRADE ZONE WHERE THEY WILL BE ABLE TO IMPORT DIFFERENT COMPONENTRY AND EQUIPMENT HERE DUTY-FREE. IT'LL BE EXCITING IF THE INTERNATIONAL TRADE ADMINISTRATION IN THE U.S.
FOREIGN TRADE ZONES SO THEY CAN EXPAND THEIR OPERATIONS.
, PUTS FORT PIERCE ON THE MAP. , JUST FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF MINUTES I WANTED TO SPEND A LITTLE TIME WITH YOU ON THE FUTURE OF INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPENT AND THE GROWTH OF FORT PIERCE IN THE NORTHERN PART OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY.
OBVIOUSLY A LOT IS HAPPENED IN THE SOUTHERN PART OF THE COUNTY AND THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE BUT IT'S TRULY PHENOMENAL WHAT IS OCCURRING HERE AND NOT ONLY THE CITY BUT UNINCORPORATED ST. LUCIE COUNTY AND ADDS A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO EXPAND THE ECONOMY AND ALSO EXPAND THE REBATES.
RIGHT NOW WE HAVE AMAZINGLY THREE-POINT 2 MILLON SQUARE FEET OF INDUSTRIAL SPACE IN THE GENERAL FORT PIERCE AREA.
THIS IS PRETTY MUCH ALL THE WAY FROM OKEECHOBEE ALL THE WAY UP INTO INJURY OVERRODE AND USING THE NORTH-SOUTH CORRIDOR OF KINGS HIGHWAY NASDAQ DEVEL DEVELOPMENT.
WHAT IS FUELING THIS IS OBVIOUSLY THE STATE OF FLORIDA BEING A VERY DYNAMIC ECONOMY AND SOUTH FORK IS VERY EXPENSIVE WITH THE GROWING POPULATION AND GROWING ECONOMY AND THERE IS NO MORE ROOM TO EXPAND IN SOUTH FLORIDA AND ST. LUCIE COUNTY IS A VERY ATTRACTIVE PLACE. ALONG WITH KINGS LOGISTICS CENTER AND INTERSTATE CROSSROADS, SOUTH FOR THE LOGISTICS CENTER AND INTERSTATE COMMERCE CENTER, THESE ARE ALL PRETTY MUCH FOCUSED THEIR ON THE KINGS HIGHWAY ON NORTH-SOUTH CORRIDOR ON OKEECHOBEE ALL THE WAY GOING TO IN INDIO.
AS YOU GO THROUGH THE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS AND CONTINUE TO WORK ON EXPANDING THE FOOTPRINT OF UA, PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY THAT IS OCCURRING AND I'VE GONE THROUGH SOME OF THESE BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL MILLION SQUARE FEET OF SPACE THAT IS CURRENTLY EITHER BEING BUILT OR BEING COMPLETED SO WE WANT TO GET THOSE BUILDINGS FILLED WITH JOB CREATORS QUICKLY.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT THIS PART OF THE COUNTY, I-95, KINGS HIGHWAY, ORANGE AVENUE AND YOU INCLUDE THE AIRPORT, THIS IS WHERE ALL THE GROWTH IS GOING TO OCCUR FROM AN INDUSTRIAL AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE IN OUR OPINION AND THE MORE THAT WE WORK MORE CLOSELY TOGETHER, I THINK WHEN IT COMES TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES AND CAPACITY, CAN WE PROVIDE THE
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POWER AND ALL THE PHYSICAL ASSETS AND TO HELP THE JOB CREATORS AND GROW THE ECONOMY. MADAM CHAIR, I REALLY APPRECIATE HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME BEFORE YOU WILL, MARINE IS A JOURNALIST AND PUBLISHER AND THERE IS AN EXTENSIVE MID-YEAR REPORT IN THEIR FOR YOUR READING, IT IS A LITERARY MASTERPIECE AND IF YOU ARE HAVING SOME ISSUES SLEEPING AT NIGHT AND YOU WANT TO FIND OUT ABOUT WHAT MAKES THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY, IT IS THERE FOR YOU. AGAIN WE ARE PROUD TO BE PARTNERS AND WE LOVE WORKING WITH THE YOU WILL I'M HAPPY TOANSWER THEM AND THANK YOU. >> ANY QUESTIONS 14?
>> MADAM CHAIR. >> THE FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT AND THINGS ARE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
ARE THERE ANY PARTICULAR HURDLES THAT WE NEED TO GET OVER TO GET TO THE NEXT LEVEL AS A COMMUNITY?
>> ONE THING THAT IS REALLY CONCERNING US FOR A COUPLE OF ISSUES THAT NOT ONLY IMPACTS STT PROBABLY THE ENTIRE STATE, THAT IS AFFORDABLE WORKFORCE HOUSING. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF DISCUSSION WITH OUR EMPLOYERS AND WE CAN'T FIND HOUSING OR FIND IT AT A PRICE POINT THAT IS COMPETITIVE WITH OUR SALARY, THAT IS A KEY ISSUE AND YOU ALL KNOW THAT. BEING ABLE TO MAINTAIN AND GROW OUR LABOR POOL MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE RIGHT TALENT THE HOUSE EDUCATION. WE GET A LOT OF COMMENTS NOT ONLY FROM EXISTING COMPANIES OF WHERE IS THE LABOR FORCE GOING TO COME FROM BUT FROM NEW COMPANIES IT'S LIKE EDC YOU HAVE TO PROVE IT TO US IF YOU HAVE THE PEOPLE.
THOSE TWO ISSUES ARE KEEPING US UP AT NIGHT AND THERE ARE OTHERS BUT THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT THEY WILL DETERMINE HOW SUCCESSFUL IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN THE FUTURE.
>> DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS ON THE BEST PATH TO GET THERE TO SOLVE
THESE PROBLEMS? >> TWO OBJECTIVES FROM THE EDC AND WERE NOT SURE IF WHERE THE ORGANIZATION THAT OWNS WORKFORCE HOUSING WE WANT TO BE A COLLABORATOR.
ONE THING THAT'S ALREADY OCCURRING THERE IS A DISCUSSION BETWEEN ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES AND WITH THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, PORT ST. LUCIE IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY THEY ARE ALL WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE SAME OBJECTIVE AND THE SAME CONSULTANT ON A NEEDS ASSESSMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, THAT IS GOOD THAT A LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARE DISCUSSING THE ISSUE.
OBVIOUSLY SENATE BILL 102 IN THE LIVE LOCAL FLORIDA WILL HAVE SOME CHANGES I'M NOT SURE HOW THAT WILL POSITIVELY OR NEGATIVELY IMPACT US AS WE GO THROUGH LAND USE AND PLANNING FOR SINGLE FAMILIES AND MULTI FAMILY HOUSES AND THE AFFORDABLE WORKFORCE HOUSING CATEGORY, HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE THAT WE WORK WITH QUALITY DEVELOPERS PUTTING OF QUALITY PROJECTS IN AN EFFICIENT TIME. WE THINK THERE IS EXPEDITED PERMITTING AND DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES THAT CAN BE APPLIED THAT MAINTAIN THE QUALITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY AND FIX THE PROBLEM AT THE SAME TIME.
>> I HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS. ALL OF THESE WAREHOUSES AND MAYBE I SHOULD KNOW THIS BUT JUST IN CASE I DON'T AND OTHERS DON'T, ARE THEY BEING BUILT BY YOU GUYS OR ARE THESE PRIVATE ENTITIES BUILDING THESE IN HOPES OF RENTING THEM OUT EVENTUALLY?
>> THIS IS NOT AS. >> THESE ARE PRIVATE DEVELOPERS AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPERS, ABOUT HALF OF IT IS SPECULATIVE SPACE, I'VE BEEN DOING THIS TYPE OF WORK FOR DECADES.
I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT WHERE WERE GOING TO BUILD
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$100 MILLION FACILITY BUT WE DON'T HAVE AN END-USER IN MIND.IT'S A NEW PHENOMENON BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMY I ANTICIPATE THE BUILDINGS WILL BE FILLED RELATIVELY QUICKLY BUT THOSE ARE
VERY DEEP POCKET DEVELOPERS. >> IT IS INTERESTING THEY ARE BUILDING THOSE AND NO HOUSING TO GO ALONG WITH IT SO THAT'S WHERE
I'M WONDERING WHAT THE PASSES. >> KINGS HIGHWAY CORRIDOR OFFERS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THAT WERE AS I MENTIONED 3 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF SPACE GOING UP THERE. THAT AREA WOULD BE CONDUCIVE TO HAVE A MULTIUSE FACILITY AND DEVELOPMENTS WERE HAD RETAIL SERVICE AND HOUSING SO WE DON'T HAVE SPRAWL.
AGAIN AS WE GO THROUGH THE STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS THIS IS THE KIND OF CONVERSATION THAT WE NEED TO HAVE, KINGS HIGHWAY IS NOT A MASTER-PLANNED COMMUNITY LIKE TRADITION BUT THOUGHT NEEDS TO BE PUT IN TO HOW WE DEVELOP THAT FROM ALL THE DIFFERENT INDUSTRY SECTORS AND ALL THE DIFFERENT NEEDS.
>> HAS THE COUNTY HAD ANY INPUT IN THAT WERE COMING UP WITH SOME GUIDELINES FOR THESE COMPANIES THAT ARE PUTTING UP THIS AMOUNT
OF SPACE WITHOUT HAVING. >> MADAM CHAIR I KNOW THE STUDY THAT'S GOING TO BE RELEASED THE CONSULTED IS THOMAS P MILLER AND ASSOCIATES AND THEY DID THE INITIAL RESULTS OF THE STUDY BUT THE FINAL REPORT AND THE ACTUAL ISSUANCE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE DONE. WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO GET YOU A COPY OF THAT REPORT. WE HAVE TOLD THE COUNTY AND ALSO THE TWO CITIES HOW THE EC COULD BE USED TO BRING THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TOGETHER AND ALSO THE DEVELOPERS TO HAVE A CONVERSATION. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE A LOOK OF THE STATUS OF THE STUDY AND THE GUTS OF THE INGRATE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT I'VE SEEN COME OUT OF IT.
>> THAT WOULD BE GREAT. >> YOU A NEEDS TO COME OUT OF THE TABLE IN PARTICULAR WHERE THE AREA IS IN THE GROWTH OF THIS PARTICULAR AREA OF THE COMMUNITY.
>> MADAME MAYOR DID YOU HAVE A QUESTION.
>> IT'S NOT REALLY A QUESTION BUT IT'S IRONIC THAT 10 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS FIRST MAYOR WE NEED MORE JOBS WITH QUALITY JOBS AND NOW WE NEED PEOPLE TO FILL THOSE JOBS AND TRAIN PEOPLE.
I THINK ONE OF OUR PARTNERS IS A COLLEGE AS WELL AS THE HIGH SCHOOLS WITH THEIR ACADEMIES WHICH WE ARE ALWAYS THERE BUT THEY REALLY STEPPED THEM UP IN THE WORKFORCE THE NEW BUILDING THAT IS GOING TO BE JUST FOR TRADES.
>> THE ADVANCED WORKFORCE WHICH THE LEGISLATURE HELP FUND AND ALSO THE DOUBLING OF THE NUMBER OF NURSES THE IRS HE IS GOING TO PRODUCE. WE HAVE SOME GOOD PARTNERS TO ADDRESS THE WORKFORCE BUT IT'S KIND OF LIKE A NEW PROBLEM YOU WANTED ALL THESE JOBS NOW WE NEED PEOPLE TRAIN FOR THOSE JOBS IN ADDITION TO HOUSING WE HAD A TRANSPORTATION ISSUE BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE CANNOT GET TO THEIR JOBS AND DON'T HAVE CARS SO THE WHOLE TRANSIT ISSUE IS COMING ALONG WITH THE WORKFORCE AND I THINK THEY CALL IT ESSENTIAL HOUSING NOT LOOK FORCE
WERE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. >> ESSENTIAL WORKFORCE HOUSING.
>> WILL USE WHATEVER PHRASE YOU WOULD LIKE.
>> WHAT I AM SAYING YOU SOLVE ONE PROBLEM A NEW UP PROBLEMS ARISE IT MAY NOT BE CONSIDERED AFFORDABLE BUT THERE'S A LOT OF NEW HOUSING GOING UP IN THE WESTERN CORRIDOR OF FORT PIERCE ALONG JENKINS AND HARDWOOD SO THAT MAY NOT BE ESSENTIAL WORKFORCE AFFORDABLE BUT IT IS NEW HOUSING THAT IS GOING ON SO WERE NOT ONLY INCREASING OUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BETTER NUMBER OF RESIDENTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE LIVING IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AND THE DYNAMIC IS GOING TO CHANGE BECAUSE IT'S NOT ALL BUT MOSTLY IN THE WESTERN QUARTER.
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>> I AGREE AND I APOLOGIZE FOR HELPING CREATE SO MANY JOBS.
>> YOU BROUGHT US A PROBLEM. >> THANK YOU.
>> MS. BENNETT. >> IS EDC LOOKING FOR CONTRACTORS TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING OUT WEST?
>> WE WOULD BE A FACILITATOR, WE TOLD OUR PUBLIC SECTOR PARTNERS THAT WHATEVER WE CAN HELP BRING QUALITY TO DEVELOPERS TO THE TABLE AND MAYBE HELP THEM WITH ALL THE THINGS THAT IMPACT ESSENTIAL WORKFORCE HOUSING LAND USE, ZONING, PERMITTING AND REGULATORY PROCESS THE FEES, THE DENSITY, HOW CAN WE FOR THE RIGHT COMPANY AND RIGHT DEVELOPER LIKE WE DO IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CAN WE HELP THEM DO MULTI-FAMILY OR SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE IN THE RIGHT AREAS? PART OF THAT CAN WE HAVE THE DIALOGUE AND HOW DO WE WORK WITH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS TO MAKE THAT
HAPPEN. >> THIS IS GOING TO BE ATTRACTING CERTAIN KINDS OF DEVELOPERS AND WE'VE ALREADY HAD ONE PROJECT THAT'S BEEN BROUGHT TO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AND THAT IS A NEW LAW THAT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO BUILD HOUSING ON WHAT IS COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES, THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE HAS NO SAY SO AND WHAT THE LAW SAYS IT IS CERTAIN GUIDELINES THAT THEY HAVE TO ABIDE BY SO ZONING AND ALL THE STUFF DOESN'T APPLY. THIS PROJECT WILL BE AT U.S. ONE AND TUMBLING LANE ROAD AND IT'S A BRAND-NEW PROJECT THAT WE HEARD ABOUT IT THE OTHER NIGHT AT THE COMMISSION MEETING BUT IT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE NO SAY SO AND THE DEVELOPER WORKS UNDER STATE GUIDELINES SO CONTRACTORS WILL BE DOING THAT AND WHAT IS SAYING WE HOPE THESE ARE GOING TO BE QUALITY PROJECTS BUT IT'S UNDER THE PURVIEW OF THE STATE AND NOT THE CITY.
>> WE WANT TO HELP, WERE PART OF THE COMMUNITY AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T OVERSTEP OUR BOUNDS BUT LIKE THE MAYOR SAID SENATE BILL 102 ALLOWS AFFORDABLE WORKFORCE HOUSING DEVELOPERS TO GO INTO INDUSTRIAL WERE COMMERCIALLY ZONED PROPERTIES, FIGURE TO TAKE INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THERE IS A QUALITY OF HOUSING NEXT TO THE QUALITY BUSINESS WOULDN'T THAT BE A NOVEL IDEA THAT YOU CAN
LIVE AND PLAY IN THE SAME AREA. >> IT COMES, IT'S NOT A PERFECT NEW BILL. AT THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES WE ARE JUST LEARNING HOW TO WORK WITH AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL MAKE CHANGES INCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSIONS THAT WILL IMPROVE THE WHOLE PROJECT ALLOW FOR THE HOUSING BUT IMPROVE SOME OF THE
GLITCHES HOPEFULLY. >> ARE THERE ANY OTHER COUNTIES THAT HAVE THE SAME TYPE OF GROWTH GOING ON WITH THE WAREHOUSES ARE GETTING PUT UP, IT CAN'T JUST BE ST. LUCIE
COUNTY OR IS IT? >> MADAME CHAIR, IT IS HOT WITH FIRE WHEN IT COMES TO THE ECONOMY, THERE ARE MANY OTHER COMMUNITIES, LAKELAND COMES TO MIND, SARASOTA BRADENTON AREA, NAPLES, OCALA AND DAYTONA ARE SOME OF THE AREAS IN DEVELOPERS ARE DOING THE SAME THING. FLORIDA IS AMAZING AND A LOT OF GROWTH GOING ON. I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE
IT. >> 1200 PEOPLE A DAY MOVING IN.
>> YOU HOW TO PUT A GATE ON SOUTH HUTCHINSON ISLAND.
>> HOW ABOUT THE GEORGIA BORDER. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
>> 'S AIRPORT ARE READY OF FOREIGN TRADE ZONE?
>> YES IT IS. >> FOREIGN TRADE TO 18.
>> WOULD THAT MAKE IT MORE EASIER FOR THE PORT TO GET IT?.
>> THERE IS SOMETHING CALLED ALTERNATIVE SITE FRAMEWORK THAT
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WE WON'T GET INTO. EXPEDITE THE PROCESS, NOT ONLY ST. LUCIE COUNTY BUT THE TREASURE COAST CAN TAKE A BIT OFJAVA. >> WHAT IS A PRACTICAL BENEFIT.
>> TYPICALLY FOR MANUFACTURING. A LOT OF AUTOMOTIVE COMPANIES USE THAT WITH THE COMPONENTRY AND EQUIPMENT FROM ALL OF THE WORLD. IN THE COMPLETED PROJECT IF IT SHIP BACKED OUT OF THE UNITED STATES, NONE OF THOSE DUTIES APPLY. IF THE PRODUCT STAYS IN THE UNITED STATES MAY ENJOY AN INVERTED DUTY WHICH IS TYPICALLY SMALLER IT IS A GREAT COST SAVINGS FOR THE COMPANY AND
KEEPS US GLOBALLY COMPETITIVE. >> IT SOUNDS GOOD.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> ENJOY THE REST OF YOUR
AFTERNOON. >> THANK YOU PETE, THANK YOU MAUREEN, WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
>> THE NEXT ITEM IS JUST AS EXCITING AS THE FIRST.
IT'S A REQUEST TO APPROVE A BUDGET TRANSFER FOR THE COVER MEMO IT SHOWS THAT THE FUNDS AVAILABLE ARE MARKED, NO FUNDS NEEDED AND BUDGETED THAT IT IS BUDGETED, THE SUPERVISOR ENGINEER FOR WASTEWATER WILL PRESENT THIS ITEM.
>> THANK YOU, GOOD AFTERNOON MADAM CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, TODAY I'M HERE TO ASK YOUR APPROVAL OF A BUDGET TRANSFER AND THE REQUEST OF 300,000 TO RECOVER THE ORANGE AVENUE REPLACEMENT PROJECT FROM 25TH STREET TO 32ND STREET.
ON APRIL 18 OF THIS YEAR THE BOARD APPROVED THE POST BUDGET PROJECT FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND UPSIZING OF THE FAILING SIX IT ON 6-INCH BETWEEN 21ST AND 32ND STREET, THE WORK HAS BEEN DONE IN PREPARATION FOR THE F DOT MAILING AND RESURFACING ROADWAY. INITIALLY 200,000 OF THE ESTIMATED 500,000 WAS IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE TO FUND THE BUDGET, THE BUDGET HERE ALMOST TO A CLOSE STAFF HAS IDENTIFIED THE AVAILABILITY OF THE ADDITIONAL 300,000 AND RESPECTFULLY ASK YOUR APPROVAL OF THE BUDGET TRANSFER WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET, WITH THAT I'LL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY
QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. >> QUESTIONS?
>> IF NO QUESTIONS MAY BE ENTERTAINING MOTION?
>> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> MRS. BENNETT.
[G.2. June 2023 Quarterly Financial Operating Results. Presented by Michele Harris.]
>> MAYOR HUDSON. >> YES, MA'AM.
>> MADAME CHAIR THE NEXT ITEM IS EQUALLY ENTERTAINING.
IT IS A QUARTERLY FINANCIAL OPERATING RESULTS AND IN JUNE 2023, MICHELLE HARRIS WILL PRESENT THIS ITEM.
>> THE REST OF THE MEETING AGENDA IS BORING FROM HERE ON
>> WE CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU MAYOR HUDSON MADAME CHAIR BOARD MEMBERS WILL BE PRESENTING THE FINANCIAL OPERATING RESULTS THROUGH JUNE, I DO KNOW THAT YOU GUYS LOOK FORWARD TO THIS EVERY SINGLE MONTH YOU WILL NOTICE THE SLIDES OF THE SAME BUT THERE ARE NEW SLIDES OF THIS PRESENTATION AND HOPEFULLY THEY WILL GIVE YOU A BETTER PICTURE TO WHERE WE STAND AND I DEFINITELY APPRECIATE ANY FEEDBACK THAT YOU HAVE.
THIS FINANCIAL SUMMARY BASICALLY SHOWS HOW FPO A IS OPERATING AS A WHOLE AND SHOWS HOW EACH UTILITY IS OPERATING INDEPENDENTLY. OPERATING REVENUE OF 97 MILLION IN OPERATING EXPENSES OF 83 MILLION RESULT OPERATING INCOME OF $13 MILLION. EACH SYSTEM CHANGES AN OPPOSITION AND POSITIVE AND THE COMBINED AMOUNT IS 11 MILLION-DOLLAR INCREASE IN THAT POSITION PRIOR TO THE DISTRIBUTION ADJUSTMENT. AS STATED HERE TODAY OPERATING REVENUE THROUGH JUNE ARE 97 MILLION, THIS IS AN INCREASE OF EIGHT AND A HALF MILLION FROM THE SAME NINE MONTH/YEAR.
55% OF OUR OPERATING REVENUE COMES FROM GENERAL SERVICE SALES WHILE 41% COME FROM RESIDENTIAL SALES.
REVENUES FROM THE PCA IN PGA ACCOUNT FOR ALMOST 10% OF THAT WHICH IS ABOUT NINE AND A HALF MILLION IN OUR RATE
[00:35:01]
STABILIZATION FUND IS AT A HEALTHY $6 MILLION AT THE END OF JUNE. THIS IS SOMETHING ADDED DIFFERENTLY AND PRIOR MONTHS WE WOULD KIND OF COMPARED ISSUES REVENUE VERSUS THE LAST TWO. WE DECIDED TO LOOK AT REVENUE VERSUS BUDGET. HOW ARE WE DOING VERSUS WHAT WE BUDGETED. THE ELECTRIC REVENUES OF $61 MILLION OR 8% BELOW BUDGET. MEANWHILE WATER REVENUE OF 22 MILLION ARE ABOVE BUDGET BY 14%.GAS REVENUE THROUGH JUNE 500, 0000 ARE ALMOST 15% BELOW BUDGET AND WHILE WASTEWATER REVENUE OF 17 MILLION ARE ABOVE BUDGET BY 10%. OVER HERE ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE FPO A REVENUE OF 1.4 MILLION OR SLIGHTLY ABOVE BUDGET BY $300,000 WHILE THE MANATEE CENTER REVENUE IS BASICALLY RIGHT ON TARGET THROUGH JUNE WE HAVE BUDGETED OVERALL REVENUE, TOTAL REVENUE OPERATING AND NONOPERATING IN HER OVERALL REVENUE OF 108 MILLION ARE JUST BELOW $2 MILLION BELOW PROJECTION. WE KINDA WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS WE TALK A LOT ABOUT REVENUES BUT WHERE DOES THAT GO WHERE IT IS EACH REVENUE SOURCE IN WORD WE USE THAT MONEY FOR.
ON THE UPPER LEFT-HAND SIDE ARE BASICALLY ARE SOURCES OF REVENUE THAT ARE UNRESTRICTED THAT COMES FROM CONSUMPTION IN OUR UTILITY SALES AND WE HAVE A CATEGORY OF OTHER OPERATING REVENUE LIKE YOUR PULL RENTALS YOUR RECONNECTS, PENALTIES, TAMPERING STRONG WASTE FEES AND NONOPERATING REVENUE AND THAT IS INTEREST INCOME, APPLIANCE SALES AND REVENUE.
THOSE THREE CATEGORIES FUND WHAT IS ON THE LEFT-HAND SIDE, THOSE THREE CATEGORIES WILL FUND 100% OF OUR OWEN AND BUDGET WHICH IS PURCHASES FOR RESALE, PURCHASE POWER, CITY DISTRIBUTION AND THROUGH JUNE THAT ACCOUNTS FOR $98 MILLION.
ALSO OUR DEBT SERVICE SINKING FUNDS WHICH IS BASICALLY EVERY SINGLE MONTH WE PUT AWAY 112 THE BAR PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST TO PAY OUR BOND PAYMENTS AND UP UNTIL JUNE THAT IS $7 MILLION AND ALSO PAYS FOR OUR RATE AND CAPITAL FUNDED AND GREAT FUNDED PIECE OF OUR CAPITAL PROJECTS. AND THROUGH JUNE THAT ACCOUNTS A $10 MILLION. ON THE ABOVE UNDER ANOTHER RIGHT-HAND SIDE THEY CAN ONLY BE ÚSPENT ON CERTAIN THINGS.
WHEN WE GET CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT% OR CONTRIBUTE TO CAPITAL, WE CAN ONLY SPEND ON THE CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT ARE FOR THE USE AND IT'S BASICALLY WHEN DEMAND INCREASES, ANY KIND OF PROJECT THAT WE HAVE TO EXPAND OUR INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THAT SO THEY CAN ONLY BE SPENT ON THAT. WE ALSO RECEIVED CUSTOMER DEPOSITS, THOSE ARE BASICALLY HELD IN A CASH INVESTMENT A RESTRICTED CASH INVESTMENT IN OUR STATEMENT OF OUR POSITION AS OF JUNE IS $9 MILLION IN THE BOND PROCEEDS THAT WE GOT, THAT COULD ONLY BE SPENT ON THE EXPANSION, AMI, THE RELOCATION OF THE WASTEWATER PLANT AND THROUGH JUNE WE HAVE 83% OF THAT THAT IS STILL RESTRICTED ABOUT $108 MILLION.
, YEAR TODAY OPERATING EXPENSES ARE 84000050% OF OUR PURCHASES FOR RESALE WHICH IS ABOUT 42 MILLION WHILE 20% IS FOR GNA.
IN OUR OPERATING EXPENSES COMPARED TO THE SAME NINE MONTHS LAST YEAR AS A SLIGHT INCREASE OF ABOUT 1%.
JUST LIKE WE KIND OF COMPARED THE REVENUES BUDGET VERSUS ACTUAL WE'RE GOING TO COMPARE OUR EXPENSES AND HOW DID THEY COME INTO WHAT WE BUDGETED. OUR ELECTRIC EXPENSES ARE 59 MILLION WHICH IS ABOUT 11% BELOW BUDGET BUT BASICALLY THE BIGGEST DRIVER HAS THE PURCHASE POWER COMING IN AT 15% BELOW BUDGET. OUR WATER EXPENSES AND 16 BILLION ARE BELOW. OUR GAS EXPENSE OF 5 MILLION ARE BELOW 29% IN THAT IS BECAUSE OF GAS PURCHASES FOR RESALE WHICH ARE ABOUT 42% BELOW PROJECTIONS. IN WASTEWATER EXPENSES OF 14 MILLION ARE BELOW BUDGET BY 4%.
FPO A NET EXPENSES OF A MILLION DOLLARS ARE SLIGHTLY BELOW BY 130,000 IN JUST LIKE REVENUE MANATEE CENTER COMING IN RIGHT AT TARGET. OUR OVERALL EXPENSES OF 98 MILLION ARE ABOUT 10% BELOW PROJECTIONS.
THIS IS OUR DEBT SERVICE COVERAGE RATIO WHICH IS THE AVERAGE OF NET AVAILABLE INCOME TO HER CURRENT DEBT SERVICE WHICH IS OUR PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST PAYMENT IN THE 12 MONTH ENDING JUNE OF 20. DEBT SERVICE RATIO IS 2.58% AND JUST A REMINDER THAT INDICATED BY THE RED LINE THAT ARE BOND
[00:40:03]
COVENANTS REQUIRE WERE AT 1.25, THIS IS INFORMATION ONLY BUT I'LL BE GLAD TO ADJUST ANYTHING ON THE PRESENTATION OR IN YOURPACKET AND ANYTHING PROVIDED TO >> THANK YOU FOR THE NEW SLIDES.
>> VERY INFORMATIVE. >> QUESTIONS.
>> A COMBINATION OF WHAT WE USED TO DO.
>> IT IS NICE TO SEE IT IN A FORMAT LIKE THAT.
IT HELPS MAKE SENSE. >> IF OUR RATES ARE BASED OFF A BUDGET WE WANT TO KNOW HOW WE ARE COMING IN.
MY MEMORY AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.
WE ARE BELOW BUDGET IN TERMS OF OUR EXPENSES, THAT IS KIND OF
TRADITIONAL. >> WE ARE BUT NOT MUCH, WE USUALLY SPEND BETWEEN 9899% OF OUR OWEN M BUDGET.
>> EXCEPT FOR PURCHASES AND RESALE.
>> I WAS GOING ASK YOU. >> IF YOU EXTRACT PURCHASES FOR
RESALE, RESUSPENDED 98 - 99%. >> OKAY.
>> ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN BELOW PROJECTED BUDGET ON THE CAPITAL, CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT IF TYPICALLY BEEN SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW BUDGET BUT WERE BUDGETING TIGHTER AND TIGHTER TO PROJECTS THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY GET DONE BUT THERE IS A LOT OF UNKNOWNS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR ESPECIALLY WITH AN OLDER CITY. BUT THAT NUMBER IS GETTING
SMALLER. >> ISN'T THAT A FUNCTION OF DOING MORE PROJECTS BECAUSE THE CITY IS DOING MORE ROAD
PROJECTS? >> ACCOMMODATION OF THAT IN YOUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLANS THAT WE HAVE BOND ISSUANCE AS WELL AS A PART OF THAT SYSTEM EXPANSION, A COMBINATION OF BOTH.
>> A CONTINUATION OF WHAT. >> WE USED TO BUDGET OUR CAPITAL A LITTLE BIT HIGHER THAN WHAT WE SPENT, NOW WE ARE TIGHTENING OUR CAPITAL BUDGET TO GO ALONG WITH THEIR FEASIBILITY STUDIES AND SAYING THIS IS YOUR BUDGET, WERE NOT GOING TO BUDGET FOR WHAT IF'S, THIS IS WHAT YOU CAN SPEND SO THE CAPITAL BUDGET HAS BEEN ABOUT TIGHTER THE LAST YEAR OR TWO.
>> THAT IS WHY WE'VE BEEN ASKING STAFF TO HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY WITH MOVING THE STUFF AROUND IF IT 30 AND APPROVED A BUDGET.
MINISTRY DELAY TAKES A LOT OF TIME TO BRING IT TO THE BOARD WHEN YOU ALREADY APPROVED IT. WERE TRYING TO MANAGE THE MONEY IN THE PROJECTS WITHIN THE BUDGET.
>> I THINK MR. FEE HAS A QUESTION.
>> AM I GOING BACK TO THE FIRST LIE?
>> RIGHT THERE. >> IT SEEMS LIKE OUR ELECTRIC FORECAST WAS A LITTLE BIT OPTIMISTIC ON WHAT THE REVENUE WAS GOING TO BE AND WE'RE 14% OFF, WHAT DOES THE 14% OF REVENUE, WHAT DOES THE 14% REPRESENT.
OUR CUSTOMERS BEHIND ON MAKING PAYMENTS?
>> OUR REVENUES, WE CAPTURE WHEN IT IS BUILT SO IT DOESN'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING WITH COLLECTIONS. BUT WHY IS BELOW IS BECAUSE THERE BELOW ON THE ELECTRIC BECAUSE OF PURCHASE POWER.
IF IT IS A PASS-THROUGH AND ALL THE SUDDEN IF OUR COSTS ARE LOWER THAN THE PCA IS GOING TO BE LOWER THAN WE ORIGINALLY BUDGETED AND REVENUE IS GOING TO BE LOWER.
>> SO WE ESTIMATED THIS BACK IN MARCH OR APRIL OF LAST YEAR?
>> BEFORE A LOT OF THE HEDGING NUMBERS FINALLY CAME INTO PLAY.
>> THAT MAKES SENSE. >> NO MORE QUESTIONS?
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> ALRIGHT, MOVING ON, WE HAVE A
[I.1. The first reading, PUBLIC HEARING, of the 2023 resolutions for the rate adjustments for the Electric, Natural Gas, Water and Wastewater systems. PUBLIC HEARING, second reading, and presentation for approval will be at 4:00 on September 19, 2023. Presented by Barbara Mika.]
FEW RESOLUTIONS TO DISCUSS AND APPROVE.WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO TREAT THESE AS IF THEY ARE FOUR SEPARATE ENTITIES. I THINK THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO ROLL IT UP INTO ONE TO GIVE YOU GUYS AND THEN WE WILL HAVE TO DO IT FOUR SEPARATE TIMES. IF MS. CORTEZ COULD READ THEM
THAT WOULD BE GREAT. >> RESOLUTION YOU A 2023 E- 0 EIGHT, A RESOLUTION AMENDING SUPERSEDING AND RESENDING THE SCHEDULE OF RATES FOR ELECTRIC SERVICES FURNISHED BY FORT PIERCE UTILITY AUTHORITY, FORT PIERCE FLORIDA AND RESOLUTION UNA 2022-0 SIX IN ACCORDANCE WIE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE FLORIDA ARTICLE 12 PROVIDING FOR A SEVEN-POINT 07% INCREASE IN THE CUSTOMER USAGE, I'M SORRY, CUSTOMER AND USAGE
[00:45:10]
TARGET UNDER CHARGES 2023 FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL PRICE INDEX AND PROVIDING ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION ANNUAL INDEXING PROVISION SCRIBNER'S ERROR REPEALSEVERABILITY AND EFFECTIVE DATE. >> PASS THIS OFF TO STAFF.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. BARBARA MICAH OUR DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL SERVICES WILL PRESENT THIS ITEM.
AND AS YOU MENTIONED THERE WILL BE FOUR SEPARATE RESOLUTIONS.
BUT WERE GOING TO PRESENT THE PRESENTATION ONE SO WE DON'T WANT TO DO THAT FOR THE BOARD. AND AFTER EACH READING I WILL REQUEST THE PRESENTATION THAT BARBARA IS MAKING THE PART OF THE RECORD FOR EACH RESOLUTION SO SHE DOESN'T HAVE TO PRESENTED AGAIN. BARBARA?
>> THANK YOU MR. P. MADAM CHAIR, BOARD MEMBERS.
THE RATE ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE FIRST READING TODAY, I WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME INFORMATION ON THE RATE ADJUSTMENTS.
THE WISE OF THE RATE ADJUSTMENTS, THE PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION EACH YEAR THEY ESTABLISH AN INDEX AND IS PRESENTED AND PUBLISHED ON OR BEFORE MARCH 31 OF EACH YEAR AND IT IS BASED UPON OPERATING COST AND THERE IS A CALCULATION BASED ON THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT FOR THE MOST RECENT 12 MONTH PERIOD WHICH IS THE PRECEDING CALENDAR YEAR, THIS IS THE BASIS OF THE RATE ADJUSTMENTS AND IT WAS PART OF THE RESOLUTION THAT WE PASSED LAST YEAR THAT WE WOULD PROPERLY PUT INDEXES AND TO SUPPORT OUR INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE OPERATION OF FORT PIERCE UTILITIES AUTHORITY. THE REASON THAT WE'RE DOING THIS IS TO MAINTAIN A PACE WITH INFLATION, THE COST OF EVERYTHING IS GOING UP AS WE SEE IT EVERYWHERE.
MATERIALS YOU HAVE SEEN PRESENTATIONS BROUGHT FORTH TO THE BOARD, OPERATING COST AND MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES ARE GOING UP GREATER THAN WE HAD ANTICIPATED, THESE ARE DRIVING UP THE COST OF WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IS ESSENTIAL PROJECTS FOR HARDENING OUR SYSTEM, KEEPING ON PACE WITH THE REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS, THINGS THAT THE UTILITY AUTHORITY NEEDS TO DO AND BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH SO THE 2023 AND DECKS IS THE GREATEST IT'S EVER BEEN. WHEN THEY FIRST INITIATED THESE INDEXES. IT'S REFLECTIVE OF THE CHANGES IN THE ECONOMY THAT WE ARE EXPERIENCING.
THIS IS WHY, WHAT IS BASED ON AND WHY WE NEED TO IMPLEMENT ADJUSTMENTS IN OUR SYSTEM AND OUR RATES.
THIS IS THE HOW AND THE WIN OF THE ADJUSTMENTS.
ELECTRIC AND GAS ADJUSTMENTS ARE CALCULATED A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENTLY IN THE WASTEWATER SYSTEM.
WE ONLY CALCULATE THE ADJUSTMENT ON THE EXCESS OVER THE BASE COST YOU HEAR ABOUT THE BASE COST OF THE $79.52.
THE AMOUNT THAT IS OVER THAT IN OUR RATES IS ONLY PART THAT WE APPLY THE ADJUSTMENT TO WHICH IS WHY THE ADJUSTMENT ON THE ELECTRIC SEEMS A LITTLE BIT SMALLER IT IS NOT THE FULL 7% THAT YOU WILL SEE. THE SAME THING FOR GAS ON THE PGA PURCHASE GAS ADJUSTMENT. WE TAKE OFF THE BASE COST AND THE SAME THING WITH ELECTRIC AND WE APPLY IT ONLY TO THE ADDITIONAL PIECE. WATER AND WASTEWATER ADJUSTMENTS ARE LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. IT'S BASED ON THE VOLUME OF CHARGES. THE RESOLUTION COMING BEFORE YOU EXCLUDES ANY ADJUSTMENT FOR ANY OF THE BULK RATES, JUST THE COMMERCIAL RESIDENTIAL AND GENERAL SERVICES.
THE ANNOUNCEMENTS HAVE GONE OUT. WE HAD BILL INSERTS AND WE PUT IT ONLINE IN OUR PLATFORM IN SEPTEMBER AND IT WENT OUT WITH THE CUSTOMER BILLINGS. NOTICES WERE PLACED IN THE LOCAL NEWSPAPER AHEAD OF THE TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS TODAY WITH THE FIRST READING WE HAD OUR MEETING IN TWO WEEKS ON THE 19TH WILL BE THE FORMAL PRESENTATION FOR THE REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF THESE RATES, THIS IS A TABLE OF THE BEFORE IN THE CURRENT BILL
[00:50:04]
YOU'VE SEEN THIS FORMAT BEFORE, WE PRESENTED THIS LAST YEAR SO WERE CURRENT BILL FOR ELECTRIC YOU CAN SEE WITH THE ADJUSTMENT OF THE PCA THIS IS ASSUMING THE PROPOSED PCA IS GOING TO BE REVIEWED BY OCTOBER 1 THAT IS THEY ASKED HER, BOTTOM, IS $9 CURRENTLY IN THE BILL CALCULATED THAT $9 IS 13802 AND WITH THE ASSUMED 0 PCA AND THE ADJUSTMENT, THE BILL WILL BE 132 WHICH IS A DECREASE ON THE ELECTRIC FOR THE 1000-KILOWATT HOUR BILL SO IT'S 4.3% CHANGE NEGATIVE.WATER AND WASTEWATER IS SHOWING THE FULL 7% WHICH IS BASED ON THE FULL VOLUME CHARGES THAT WE CHARGE NOW AND ON NATURAL GAS IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT IS AN INCREASE BUT THE PGA IS A MUCH SMALLER NUMBER SO THE CHANGES ON AN AVERAGE BILL WILL BE $2.13 BUT THE OVERALL CHANGE PERCENTAGE CHANGE FOR CUSTOMER WITH ALL FOUR SERVICES IS AN INCREASE OF 1.3%.
THIS IS A MONTHLY RESIDENTIAL BILL IN THE NUMBER OF SERVICES AND CUSTOMERS AND SERVICES THAT WE BILL.
THIS IS INFORMATION AHEAD OF THE READINGS OF THE REVOLUTION AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION IN LISTENING TO ME.
>> MADAM CHAIR WE DO PLAN ON BRINGING THE SEPTEMBER 19 BOARD MEETING A 9-DOLLAR PC REDUCTION AS OF RIGHT NOW BASED ON THE LATEST INFORMATION THAT WE RECEIVED.
THE CHART THAT YOU SOLD OR INCLUDES A 9-DOLLAR PC
REDUCTION. >> OUR BUDGET WAS AN INCREASE INCLUDED IN OUR BUDGET FOR THIS YEAR? NO? BECAUSE WE DID NOT KNOW WHAT
>> YES IT WAS CALCULATED AS PART OF OUR BUDGET PROCESS, WE GOT THAT NUMBER IN LATE MARCH OR EARLY APRIL WHATEVER IT WAS THAT WE PREPARED AS PART OF OUR BUDGET WORKSHOP PRESENTATION TO THE BOARD AND PRESENTATION TO THE CITY COMMISSION BECAUSE HIS PROJECTED REVENUES IN OUR BUDGET, THE PROJECTED REVENUE
WOULD BE BASED ON THE INDEX. >> RIGHT.
>> MADAM CHAIR, THIS IS AN ANNUAL THING THAT WE DO.
WE LOOK AT THE INDEX. >> THE INDEXES PUBLISHED ANNUALLY. THERE HAVE BEEN YEARS WE HAVE NOT APPLIED THE INDEX BUT BEGINNING WITH LAST YEAR AND JUST TO CATCH UP WE DID NOT APPLY THE INDEX AND WE FOUND OURSELVES A LITTLE BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL IN REGARD TO THE WAY THE ECONOMY WENT INTO 40 THE SURGEON PRICES AND GETTING OUR MATERIALS THAT WE NEED THAT MAYBE HOPEFULLY THINGS ARE SLOWING DOWN AND THINGS CAN GET MOVING BUT WE HAVE PROJECTS THAT WERE WORKING ON THAT ARE ESSENTIAL THAT NEED TO HAPPEN.
>> I THINK WE ALSO PROJECTED THESE WOULD BE CONSIDERED THE
BOND AND APPROVE THAT. >> THE PSC WAS INCLUDED FOR A
THREE-YEAR PERIOD AFTER THE 23 . >> WHEN WE VOTED FOR THAT WE
KNEW THIS WAS COMING. >> WE DID NOT KNOW THE RATE.
>> BUT WE KNEW. >> WE COMMITTED TO THAT.
>> KEEPING TO THE INDEX. >> YOU MAY NOT REMEMBER BUT I
REMEMBER. >> IT WAS ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE BONA FIDE NEED.
>> YES. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THAT HISTORICALLY THE INDEX IS TYPICALLY BEEN IN THE ROUND THE 1.5% TO 2%, THIS SURE IS A BIG YEAR BUT IS CATCHING UP WITH INFLATION AND YEAR THEY HAVE A PROJECTED NUMBER UNDER FOUR OR JUST ABOVE FOR BUT IT'S REALLY EARLY BUT THEY MAKE A PROJECTION AHEAD OF TIME SO THE IMPORTANT PART ABOUT THE INDEX IS TO MAKE SURE HE DOES NOT DIG INTO THE MONEY THAT WE MADE RATE ADJUSTMENTS FOR TO PAY FOR THE BOND.
IF YOU DON'T DO THE INDEX THEN EAT INTO THE ABILITY FOR THE BOND WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT MR. FEE WAS GETTING TO.
WE DID THE INDEX AND WE CAN BE SELF-SUSTAINING.
>> AS I RECALL THAT'S WHY WE DID NOT GET THE TOP RATING BECAUSE WE DIDN'T IN YEARS PAST MAKE ADJUSTMENTS WITH THE INDEX.
>> LAST YEAR'S INDEX WAS 4.53 AND WE IMPLEMENTED THAT ALTHOUGH SOME OF THEM WERE HIGHER BECAUSE OF THE PLANS OF WHAT WAS INCLUDED IN THE SERIES OF THE 22 BONDS.
THIS YEAR IT'S THE HIGHEST IT'S EVER BEEN BUT THINGS ARE
UNPRECEDENTED RIGHT NOW. >> THAT GOES ALONG WITH INTEREST-RATE, EVERYTHING IS HIGH THAT GOES ALONG WITH THE
WHOLE ECONOMY. >> I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT AND
[00:55:03]
OPEN THIS UP, THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING I'M NOT SURE IF THERE IS ANYBODY THAT WOULD LIKE TO BE HEARD ON THIS BUT TODAY WHEN WE DO APPROVE THIS THIS IS NOT AN APPROVAL OF THE RATE INCREASE IT IS AN APPROVAL FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD TO BE ON THE AGENDA FOR SEPTEMBER 19 WITH ANOTHER PUBLIC HEARING.>> AT THAT TIME, THAT IS WHEN THE PUBLIC.
>> THEY HAVE TODAY AND THEN THEY WILL HAVE ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY ON THE 19TH TO COME AND SPEAK AS WELL.
>> I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ONE MORE THING THE 1.3% CHANGE IS PRETTY IMPORTANT TO IDENTIFY BECAUSE WE PLANNED THE PCA, HAPPEN TO WORK OUT THAT WAY BUT WE PLANNED THAT IT WOULD ALL HIT AT THE SAME TIME AND WE WERE ABLE TO ACHIEVE THAT THIS YEAR, 1.3% IS UNPRECEDENTED. THAT IS A PRETTY SMALL PERCENTAGE IN MY OPINION TO BE ABLE TO IMPACT THE UTILITY BILL, THOSE THAT HAVE ALL FOUR SERVICES.
>> YOU GUYS HAVE DONE A NICE JOB TRYING TO KEEP US ON TARGET SO
THIS WOULD BE MITIGATED. >> AS BEST AS POSSIBLE.
>> ARE THERE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS?
OR A MOTION? >> WE ARE DOING ONE AT A TIME,
>> SHE HAS READ THE FIRST ONE. >> I MOVE APPROVAL FOR THE FIRST
ONE. >> I THINK WE CAN HAVE HER READ
>> I THINK THE FORM OF THE MOTION CAN APPROVE RESOLUTION NUMBER 2023-0 EIGHT ON SEPTEMBEN THEREAFTER AS MAY BE HEARD.
>> WHAT SHE SAID IS MY MOTION. >> DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> SECOND. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> MRS. BENNETT. >> YES, MA'AM.
>> MR. LAMBERT. >> YES, MA'AM.
>> MAYOR HUDSON. >> YES, MA'AM.
>> THEY ARE GIVEN. >> YES, MA'AM.
>> MOVING FORWARD WE HAVE THE SECOND RESOLUTION YOU A 2023,-0 NINE, RESOLUTION AMENDING SUPERSEDING AND RESENDING THE SCHEDULE OF RATES AND CHARGES FOR NATURAL GAS SERVICES FURNISHED BY FORT PIERCE UTILITIES AUTHORITY, FORT PIERCE FLORIDA AND RESOLUTION 2022-07 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE FLORIDA ARTICLE 12 PROVIDING FOR A SEVEN-POINT 07 INCREASE IN THE CUSTOMER AND COMMODITY CHARGES BASED ON THE 2023 FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL PRICE INDEX. IN PROVIDING FOR ANNUAL INDEXING PREVENTION ADMINISTRATIVE AC ACTION, SCRIVENERS ERRORS, REPEAL SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> MADAM CHAIR STAFF REQUEST THAT THE SAME PRESENTATION PROVIDED FOR THE FIRST RESOLUTION TO BE INCLUDED FOR
THE RECORD FOR THIS ONE. >> THANK YOU.
>> IS THERE A MOTION OR ANY QUESTIONS.
>> I'M SO SORRY MADAME CHAIR, BOARD MEMBER.
IF WE CAN OPEN IT UP FOR A PUBLIC HEARING FOR EACH ONE THAT
WOULD BE THE BEST. >> I WOULD LIKE TO OPEN IT UP TO THE PUBLIC. I DON'T THING WE HAVE ANYBODY HERE BUT WE WILL DO IT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS FORMAL.
WE DO NOT HAVE ANYBODY TO SPEAK. WE WILL MOVE FORWARD.
>> ON MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION NUMBER 2023-0 NINE FOR THE SECOND READING A PUBLIC HEARING TO BE SET FOR SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 WERE AS SOON THEREAFTER CAN BE HEARD.
>> NICE JOB, SECOND. >> SECOND.
>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. >> MRS. BENNETT.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> MR. LAMBERT.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> MAYOR HUDSON.
>> YES, MA'AM. >> RESOLUTION UA 2023-10.
A RESOLUTION AMENDING SUPERSEDING AND RESENDING THE SCHEDULE OF RATES AND CHARGES FOR WATER SERVICES FURNISHED BY FORT PIERCE UTILITIES, FORT PIERCE FLORIDA RESOLUTION UA 2022-0 EIGHT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE FLORIDA ARTICLE 12 PROVIDING FOR A SEVEN-POINT 07 INCREASE IN THE CUSTOMER VOLUME CHARGES BASED ON THE 2023 FLORIDA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL PRICE INDEX IN PROVIDING FOR ANNUAL INDEX PROVISION, ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION, SCRIVENERS ERRORS, REPEAL SEVERABILITY AND AN
EFFECTIVE DATE. >> MADAME CHAIR, THE STAFF REQUEST THE SAME PRESENTATION FOR THE FIRST RESOLUTION TO BE
[01:00:02]
INCLUDED IN THIS RESOLUTION FOR THE RECORD.>> THAT IS GOOD, SEEN THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING IS THERE ANYONE THAT HAS ANYTHING TO SAY? ALRIGHT.
MOVING ON. >> MOVED APPROVE RESOLUTION 2023-10 FOR SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTSEPTEMBER, 2023 WERE SOON THEREAFTER AS MAY BE HEARD.
>> SECOND. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> MRS. BENNETT. >> YES, MA'AM.
>> MAYOR HUDSON. >> YES, MA'AM.
>> MRS. GIBBONS. >> YES, MA'AM.
>> FINALLY WE HAVE RESOLUTION UA 2023-11, RESOLUTION AMENDING SUPERSEDING AND RESENDING THE SCHEDULE OF RATES AND CHARGES FOR WASTEWATER SERVICES FURNISHED BY FORT PIERCE UTILITIES AUTHORITY, FORT PIERCE FLORIDA AND RESOLUTION UA 202020 NINE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHARTER, THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE FLORIDA ARTICLE 12 PROVIDING FOR A SEVEN-POINT 07% INCREASE IN THE CUSTOMER IN USAGE CHARGES BASED ON THE 2023 PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION ANNUAL PRICE INDEX AND PROVIDING FOR ANNUAL INDEX PROVISION, SCRIVENERS ERRORS, REPEAL SEVERABILITY AND AN
EFFECTIVE DATE. >> MADAME CHAIR STAFF REQUEST THE SAME PRESENTATION BE PROVIDED FOR THIS RESOLUTION TO
BE INCLUDED IN THE RECORD. >> THAT IS GOOD IS THERE ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME FORWARD?
>> I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION. >> I MOVED APPROVE RESOLUTION 2023-11 FOR SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING ON SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 OR SOON THEREAFTER AS MAY BE HEARD.
>> I WILL SECOND. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> MRS. BENNETT, MR. FEE. >> YES, MA'AM.
>> MR. LAMMERS. >> MAYOR HUDSON.
[J. DIRECTOR]
>> MRS. GIBBONS. >> YES, MA'AM.
>> ALRIGHT MOVING ON TO DIRECTORS NOTES.
>> WILL I STAND CORRECTED IT WAS A VERY EXCITING PRESENTATION,
THANK YOU. >> VERY EXCITING, THANK YOU.
>> MADAME CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, NEXT WEEK MR. RUTHERFORD AND I WILL BE HOSTING MR. BRODRICK AT THE BOARD MEETING. HE'S BEEN THE APPOINTED POLICYMAKER FOR THE CITY COMMISSION AND AS YOU ARE FOR THE FPA BOARD, THAT WILL BE EXCITING TO GET HIM UP TO SPEED WITH THE WAY FMP A IN THE BOARD WORKS, THAT'LL BE NEXT WEEK.
AS OF TODAY NATURAL GAS IS AROUND $2.59 FOR BTU WE HAD 75% OF THE FUEL THROUGH MARCH OF 2024 AND 50% LOCKED IN WE LOCKED IN OUR FUEL THROUGH MARCH OF 2024 AND 50% FROM APRIL 2024 THROUGH MARCH OF 2025, THE CURRENT THRESHOLD IS STILL SET AT $3.50 FOR ANY ADDITIONAL TRANSACTIONS BUT THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED BECAUSE IT IS STILL ABOUT $4.3 SO IT IS ABOVE THE THRESHOLD. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WILL BE TALKING ABOUT THE FMP BOARD MEETING IS WHAT THE PLAN LOOKS LIKE PAST MARCH OF 2025. OBVIOUSLY PRETTY IMPORTANT TO DO SOMETHING AS IT PROVIDES STABILITY FOR OUR CUSTOMERS, ESPECIALLY THE ELECTRIC CUSTOMERS.
THAT IS ALL I HAVE FOR THE BOARD TODAY.
>> ANY COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD? I GUESS THAT IS IT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. THE MEETING IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.