Sep 11, 2023 City Commission Special Meeting

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:04]

>> I'D LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER. IT IS MONDAY,

SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2023. CALL THE ROLL PLEASE? >> DO WE WANT TO DO PLEDGE OF

ALLEGIANCE FIRST? >> YES, WE DO. >> 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.

>> AND NOW CALL THE ROLL PLEASE. >> MAYOR HUDSON.

>> PRESENT. >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK. >> PRESENT.

>> COMMISSIONER GAINES. >> PHE -- PRESENT. >> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON.

>> HERE. >> FIRST IS COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC.

>> IF THERE IS A MEMBER THAT WOULD LIKE TO COMMENT ON THE BUDGET OR ANY OTHER ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NO MOVEMENT WE'LL MOVE ON.

>> MAYOR, I AM NOT HEARING YOU VERY WELL. >> SORRY.

IS THAT BETTER? >> THAT'S BETTER. THANK YOU.

[a. Resolution 23-R50 authorizing the Director of Finance to serve as the Chef Elected Official's Designee for reporting purposes to the Florida Housing Finance Corporation. ]

>> AND NEXT WE HAVE RESOLUTION 23-R50 A RESOLUTION THAT WOULD AUTHORIZE THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO SERVE AS THE CHIEF ELECTED OFFICIAL'S DESGIEE FOR REPORTING PURPOSES TO THE FLORIDA HOUSING FINANCE CORPORATION AND APPEALING ALL RESOLUTION AND CONFLICT HERE

WITH EPL PAW TPAOEUING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.

>> MOVE AND APPROVAL. >> MOTION AND SECOND. CALL THE ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK. >> YES. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES.

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER C JOHNSON. >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER J JOHNSON. >> YES. >> MAYOR?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> NEXT IS PUBLIC HEARING ON OUR ORDINANCES.

[a. Ordinance 23-049 levying and collecting taxes for Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2023 and ending September 30, 2024, adopting final millage rate. FIRST READING]

ADOPTED 2023 FISCAL YEAR MILAGE DATE AND THE FINAL L -- MILAGE RATE BEGINNING OCTOBER 12023 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2 HAVE 24 IS LEVIED AT THE RATE OF SECONDS .9 -- 6.9 PER EVALUATION FOR CITY PURPOSES. SAID RATE BEING AT THE ROLL BACK RATE OF 10.85%.

SECTIONS 2, THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA LEVIES A TAX OF SECONDS .9 PER VALUE -- 6.9 PER VALUE ON ALL SAID CITY SUBJECT TO TAX ON THE FIRST DAY OF JANUARY 2023, PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT SUCH 6.9 SHALL NOT BE LEVIED UPON PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, EXEMPT UNDERSTATE STATUTE OR FEDERAL CONSTITUTION. SECTION 3, THAT THE CITY MANAGER IS INSTRUCTED AND DIRECTED TO CERTIFY TO THE PROPERTY APPRAISER, THE ABOVE AND FORE GOING ENUMERATED MILAGE FOR ALL PURPOSES FOR FISCAL YEAR OCTOBER 1, 2023 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER THEIR, 202 -- SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. SECTION 4, THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1,

2023. >> AND THIS IS THE FIRST READING.

ANYONE INTERESTED IN ADDRESSING COMMISSION ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

SEEING NO MOVEMENT I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ENTERTAIN A DISCUSSION OR

MOTION. >> I MOVE TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> A MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL THE ROLL PLEASE. >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK.

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

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

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

[b. Ordinance 23-050 Adopting a Final Budget for Fiscal Year 2024, beginning October 1, 2023 and ending September 30, 2024. FIRST READING]

>> NEXT WE HAVE ORDINANCE 23-050, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA ADOPTING THE FINAL BUDGET FOR FORT PIERCE FLORIDA FOR FISCAL YEAR AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION AND THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE FLORIDA SECTION 1, THE CITY COMMISSION OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA AFTER HELD A PUBLIC HEARING ADOPTS THE FINAL BUDGET FOR THE OPERATION OF GOVERNMENT OF SAID CITY OCTOBEG SEPTEMBER 30, 2024. THE ESTIMATES MADE BY THE CITY MANAGER OF SAID CITY PRESENTED TO THE CITY COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2023 WHICH DETAILED AMENDED ESTIMATES ARE ON FILE AT THE CITY CLERK AND THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCE. IT SHALL BE THE DUTY OF THE CITY MANAGER TO SET UP THE AFORESAID REVENUES AND EXPENSES ON THE ACCOUNT RECORDS OF SAID CITY TO KEEP SUCH ACCOUNTS THERE OF AND AS REQUIRED BY CITY CHARTER OF SAID CITY AS

[00:05:07]

BE AO*E -- EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2023. >> THIS IS THE FIRST READING.

ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE WISHES TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

SEEING NO MOVEMENT, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ENTERTAIN A MOTION.

>> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> A MOTION AND A SECOND.

CALL THE ROLL PLEASE. >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK. >> YES.

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

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

[7. CITY ATTORNEY INTERVIEWS]

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

THAT BRINGS US TO THE SECTION OF OUR AGENDA WHERE WE ARE GOING TO DO OUR CITY ATTORNEY

INTERVIEWS. >> MADAM MAYOR, I WILL EXCUSE MYSELF FOR THIS.

>> THANK YOU, MS. HEDGES. I WAS THINKING YOU MIGHT DO THAT.

>> YES, MA'AM. >> HERE IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST WE DO.

WE ARE GOING TO ASK EACH CANDIDATE TO COME IN AND EACH COMMISSIONER WILL ASK THE CANDIDATE ONE QUESTION AND THEN WE WILL ALLOW THE CANDIDATE TO HAVE A TWO-MINUTE CLOSING AND THEN AT THE END OF THE -- AND WE ARE GONNA SPEND PROBABLY ROUGHLY BETWEEN 20 MINUTES TO 30 MINUTES ON THAT AND THEN AT THE END WE WILL DISCUSS IT AMONG THE COMMISSIONERS.

IS THAT ALL RIGHT WITH THE COMMISSIONERS? >> ONE QUICK QUESTION, MAYOR.

>> SURE. >> SEEING AS THOUGH WHAT WE JUST WENT THROUGH WITH THE INTERVIEWS, DOES A COMMISSIONER HAVE TO ASK A QUESTION OR CAN HE BE SATISFIED -- HE OR SHE BE

SATISFIED? >> HE DOES NOT HAVE TO ASK A QUESTION.

I WILL JUST GIVE EACH COMMISSIONER AN OPPORTUNITY. YEAH.

ALL RIGHT. SO WE WILL GO IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER AND SO MR. ANASTASIO IS OUR FIRST ONE. DO WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO CAN TELL HIM --

>> WOULD YOU MIND RUNNING TO THE ENGINEERING CONFERENCE ROOM AND ASKING MR. AASTASIO TO JOIN

US PLEASE? THANK YOU. >> IS IT ANASTASIO OR ANASTASIO? I DON'T KNOW. I SHOULD HAVE ASKED HIM.

>> IS THAT THE QUESTION YOU'RE GONNA ASK HIM? TAKE IT AWAY FROM ME, MY ONE

QUESTION. THAT WAS IT. >> YES.

WE ARE PLEASED. RIGHT THERE AT THE PODIUM PLEASE, SIR.

I'M GONNA ASK YOU IS IT MR. ANASTASIOANASTASIO. >> ANASTASIO IN THE UNITED

STATES OR ANASTASIO IF I VISIT ITALY. >> OKAY.

EACH COMMISSIONER WILL ASK A QUESTION IF THEY HAVE ONE AND WE WILL GIVE YOU A CLOSING OPPORTUNITY FOR ABOUT TWO MINTES TO SAY ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO US.

IF THAT'S ALL RIGHT WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER BRODERICK, ARE YOU READY WITH A QUESTION OR WOULD

YOU LIKE TO -- >> MY QUESTION IS WHY IS THIS ALWAYS ALPHABETIZED?

>> YOUR NAME STARTS WITH A B. >> I CAN COME BACK LATER. >> I THINK WE SHOULD START WITH R. MADAM MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, AS WE'RE ALL AWARE, I AM NOT SURE THE PUBLIC IS AWARE THAT WE HAVE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TOE -- TO SPEND HALF HOUR EACH WITH THE FINALISTS ON OUR LIST HERE TONIGHT. WE WERE ABLE TO HAVE A DIALOGUE AND ASK QUESTIONS. IT WAS A FREE-FLOWING FORM, ONE ON ONE AND VERY INFORMATIVE.

CANDIDLY, I DO NOT HAVE A QUESTION. >> COMMISSIONER CURTIS JOHNSON?

>> MADAM, MAYOR, THANK YOU. MR. ANASTASIO, WOULD YOU PLEASE FOR THE LIBERTY OF SPEAKING TO ALL OF US AS A COMMISSION HERE AND THE MAYOR BECAUSE WE HAD INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEWS AND WE ARE NOW IN THE SUNSHINE AND CAN MEET AS A COMMISSION, WOULD YOU MIND SHARING A QUESTION I ASKED ABOUT YOUR VISION ON LEADERSHIP FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY POSITION AS YOU SEE IT FIT BASED ON THE RESEARCH YOU'VE DONE CURRENTLY OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE DEPARTMENT AND HOW YOU SEE IT

MOVING FORWARD IF YOU WERE SELECTED AS THE CITY ATTORNEY? >> WELL, THE PROBLEM I SEE IS THIS WOULD BE THE FIFTH CITY ATTORNEY WITHIN AN EIGHT-YEAR PERIOD.

TRANSITION IS A PROBLEM. IT'S GOING TO BOIL DOWN TO YOUR ATTITUDE.

YOU HAVE THE OTHER CANDIDATES WHO HAVE BEEN FLOATING IN AND OUT OF GOVERNMENT AND YOU HAVE

[00:10:06]

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO MOTIVATE THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE EPL PHRO IYS, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY IT IS A MATTER OF TRUST BUILDING THROUGHOUT THE DEPARTMENTS OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AND THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. HAVE I -- AS I HAVE WRITTEN, THE PRACTICE OF LAW HAS BEEN A REACTIVE PRACTICE. THE LEADERSHIP THAT I BRING IS GOING TO BE TAKING THE INITIATIVE OF THINGS AND TALK DOWN CHARTERS, ORDINANCES, POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AN ATTEMPT TO LOOK FORWARD AND ANTICIPATE PROBLEMS. ONE OF THE TECHNIQUES I RECOMMENDED TO SOME OF MY PRIVATE CLIENTS IS HORIZON SCANNING WHERE DEPARTMENT HEADS ARE APPROACHED EVERY 90 DAYS AND ASKED TWO SIMPLE QUESTIONS.

ONE, WHAT ARE THE TOP THREE -- INCLUDING THE CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS, WHAT ARE YOUR TOP THREE GOALS FOR THE NEXT 90 DAYS AND THIS CAN BE CONTINUING AND WHAT ARE THE FIVE CRITICAL TASKS TO IMPLEMENT THE THREE GOALS? BY ASKING THOSE SIMPLE QUESTIONS AND GETTING 15 BITS OF INFORMATION, I CAN TAKE THAT BACK AND START THINKING ABOUT WHAT CAN GO WRONG, WHAT CAN BE IMPROVED. THERE IS NOTHING WRORGS -- WORSE THAN HAVING A PROGRAM WITH A CITY HEAD OF THE COMMISSION AND IT IS DISRUPTED BECAUSE WE WE HAVEN'T THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT CAN GO WRONG. I WANT TO TRY WITH EVERY PROBLEM THAT THE CITY ATTORNEY ADDRESSES TO DO A SOMETIMES BRIEF CAUSE ANALYSIS SO THAT WE DON'T REPEAT THE SAME MISTAKES, SO WE BUILD UP THROUGH KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT A BODY OF KNOWLEDGE AND TRAINING FOR THE CITY TO AVOID PROBLEMS. AGAIN, I DISLIKE THE WORD

"PROACTIVE," BUT THAT'S IN ESSENCE WHAT IT WOULD BE. >> THANK YOU.

>> ANY QUESTIONS DOWN HERE? COMMISSIONER GAINES? >> THANK YOU, SIR.

WE MEET AGAIN. ONE QUICK QUESTION, WHY DO YOU WANT TO BE ATTORNEY FOR THE

CITY OF FORT PIERCE? >> I LIVED FULL TIME ON THE TREASURE COAST FOR 30 YEARS.

THE TREASURE COAST IS MY HOME. I DON'T INTEND TO BE LEAVING IT ANY TIME SOON.

I WOULD LIKE TO STAY HERE UNTIL I AM EITHER DEAD OR YOU FIND SOMEBODY BETTER THAN ME.

I LIKE THE CITY. QUITE FRANKLY FROM WHEN I WAS A YOUNG CHILD UNTIL THE PRESENT TIME, I LIKE THE LITERAL AREAS OF THE COAST WHERE YOU HAVE THE BARRIER ISLAND AND THE INTER COASTAL AND A TOWN ALSO ALONG WITH IT. I LIKE THE GEE YOKING TKPWRAU -- GEOGRAPHY IN UH -- ADDITION TO LIKING WHERE I LIVE.

IT IS A 20-MINUTE COMMUTE FROM MY FRONT DOOR TO THE FRONT DOOR OF CITY HALL.

I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SERVE FORT PIERCE. I THINK I CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. EVERYBODY SAYS, YEAH, WE CARE. I WOULD LIKE TO PROVE IT TO YOU AND SAY I CARE AND SHOWING HOW THE CITY ATTORNEY CARES. THE MOTTO OF THE CITY ATTORNEY AS I TOLD YOU ALL SHOULD BE LAW, LOGIC, COMPASSION. WE CAN'T FORGET THE PEOPLE COMPONENT IN THE SAME WAYS WE CAN'T FORGET PROCESS AND SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT WHEN IT COMES TO DRAFTING ORDINANCES AND PROGRAMS IN THEIR REVIEW. WITH ALL OF THESE THINGS I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO HELPING MAKE FORT PIERCE A BETTER PLACE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE CITY MANAGER AND THE CITY COUNCIL DO BETTER AND BETTER AND STAND ON MY SHOULDERS TO DO IT.

THAT'S FINE WITH ME. THAT'S WHAT I'M HERE FOR. >> COMMISSIONER J JOHNSON.

>> THANK YOU FOR OUR TIME TOGETHER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. IT IS SOMETHING WE ARE ALL PASSIONATE ABOUT, AS YOU EXPRESSED. AS A CHARTER OFFICER YOU HAVE POTENTIALLY FIVE DIFFERENT PERSONALITIES TO DEAL WITH ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS AND MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE CITY TO ALSO SERVE AS A DEPARTMENT WITHIN THE CITY HALL CONFINEMENT.

HOW DO YOU EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE TO THE FIVE OF US AND TRANSLATE THOSE IDEAS AND EXPERIENCES INTO THE LEGAL PARAMETERS AND ALSO WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE

CITY? >> WELL, THE GOVERNING BODY IS JOB ONE FOR A CITY ATTORNEY.

YOU HAVE TO BUILD AN INTIMATE, PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH EACH OF THE MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY. I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW ABOUT YOU PERSONALLY, POLITICALLY, YOUR HOPES AND YOUR ASPIRATIONS AND YOUR GOALS AND TARGETS. WE CAN LOOK AT THE STRATEGIC

[00:15:02]

YOU HAVE TO ALLOCATE THE TIME. THAT WOULD BE A NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

I WANT TO BE EACH OF YOUR TRUSTED ADVISORS. >> IN OUR INTERVIEW, I ASKED YOU ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

I THINK YOU SAID I'M USED TO WORKING ON THE OTHER SIDE. AND THEN YOU KIND OF FLUSHED IT OUT. I'M SECOND GUESSING MYSELF ON YOUR FORUM ON WORKING WITH

POLICE DEPARTMENTS. >> WELL, I DEALT WITH COMMAND STAFF ON A PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL BASIS. MOST OF MY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN WITH DEFENDING POLICE OFFICERS CHARGED WITH EITHER CRIMINAL OR IN 99% OF THE CASES ADMINISTRATIVE CHARGES,ION EITHER TRYING TO -- EITHER TRYING TO WORK THEM OUT OR ACTUALLY WIN THE PARTICULAR CASE. I ALWAYS LOOK AT A CASE FROM BOTH SIDES.

I LOOK AT MANAGEMENT'S POINT OF VIEW. DOES IT MAKE SENSE? WHETHER IT IS A CAREER SERVICE BOARD, WHETHER WE GO UP ON APPEAL IN CIRCUIT COURT, JUST FINISHED A LABOR ARBITRATION ON A TERMINATION OF A DEPUTY. YOU'VE GOT TO UNDERSTAND MANAGEMENT. I FORCED MYSELF TO THINKING ABOUT IT AS I DEFEND OFFICERS

AGAINST VARIOUS GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES. >> THANK YOU.

AND IF THERE IS NO OTHER FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS, DO YOU WANT TO GIVE US ABOUT TWO

MINUTES ON ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH US. >> MAKING A CHANGE IS DIFFICULT, BUT NOT MAKING THE CORRECT CHANGE IS LEADING TO A CHANGE THAT WON'T RETURN DOLLARS TO THE CITY. THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SHOULD NOT BE A PIECE OF OVERHEAD. THE CITY ATTORNEY SHOULD NOT BE A NECESSARY EVIL.

IT SHOULD RETURN VALUE TO THE CITY COMMISSION AND TO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE.

THAT'S WHAT HAS TO BE THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE. AGAIN, THINKING ABOUT SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES AND CULTURE, WHEN YOU EVALUATE PROBLEMS, THINKING AHEAD AND TAKING THE TIME TO DO SECOND, THIRD AND FOURTH ORDER THINKING. IF THIS HAPPENS, THEN WHAT.

IF THAT HAPPENS, THEN WHAT. DOING THE ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS FOR EACH PROBLEM SO THAT WE CAN LAND UP BUILDING A BODY OF KNOWLEDGE THAT IS BUILT UP FOR THE CM.

WE NEED TO OUT REACH. IT IS NOT SIMPLY A MATTER OF TEACHING YOU ABOUT THE SUNSHINE LAW. IT IS ABOUT GETTING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO START THINKING ABOUT LEGAL AND LIABILITY ISSUES. IT IS ABOUT THE CLERK'S OFFICE THINKING MORE AND DESIGNING AN APPROACH FOR PUBLIC RECORDS, PRESERVATION, RETENTION AND PRODUCTION -P ALL OF THESE THINGS. BUT YOU HAVE TO REACH OUT.

IF YOU DON'T REACH OUT THE HAND AND SAY I'LL WAIT UNTIL IT EXPLODES, I AM JUST A LAWYER.

OTHER ATTORNEYS, IT IS NOT THEIR FAULT. THAT'S THE WAY WE GOT RAISED, SO TO SPEAK. I AM LOOKING FOR A NEW ERA IN THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR YOU. IT IS ONE THAT WILL MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER RATHER THAN HARDER THAT WILL BUILD TRUST RATHER THAN RECRIMIATION. I HAVE NO PROBLEM SITTING IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM BEFORE THE MEETING AND AS PEOPLE ARE FILLING OUT THEIR CARDS TO SPEAK, INTERACTING WITH THEM IN PREP -- IN PREPARATION FOR ANYTHING THAT MAY ARISE AT THE MEETING. IT IS A MATTER OF ANTICIPATING NEEDS.

IT IS ABOUT THINKING IN NEW DIRECTIONS. THIS IS WHAT I OFFER TO YOU WHICH I THINK IS DIFFERENT THAN THE COMPETING GOVERNMENT LAWYERS THAT ARE MY SHOULD I SAY ADVERSARIES IN THIS PARTICULAR PROCESS. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE TIME YOU HAVE SPENT. I HAVE ENJOYED MY TIME REGARDLESS OF YOUR VOTES.

[00:20:01]

HOPE TO DO THAT FOR THE CITY. >> THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF PROCESS. THANK YOU.

>> IF YOU'LL BEAR WITH ME A FEW MINUTES. WE WILL MAKE A PHONE CALL HERE

AND WE WILL TEST EVERYTHING OUT. >> HELLO?

>> HI, RHONDA. >> HI. >> OKAY, I THINK WE HAVE IT.

I AM GOING TO TURN ON THE CAMERA. >> OKAY.

DO I KEEP EVERYTHING MUTED? CAN I UNMUTE THE SOUND? >> CAN YOU HEAR US?

>> I CAN HEAR YOU. >> I THINK YOU NEED TO LEAVE THE SOUND MUTED.

>> AND THE MIC MUTED. >> AND ON YOUR COMPUTER. YES.

>> THE REASON WE HAVE TO* -- TO DO IT LIKE THIS IS BECAUSE THERE IS A DELAY.

THIS IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN HAVE THE PURE SOUND. >> YES.

I PUT IT ON SPEAKER SO THAT WAY I AM NOT HOLDING A PHONE TO MY EAR AND LOOKING STRANGE.

>> WE CAN HEAR YOU AND I WILL LET THEM SEE YOU. OKAY.

SHE SHOULD BE IN FRONT OF YOU. IS IT THERE? >> NOT YET.

NOW SHE IS. >> MS. HASAN, HELLO. AM I PRONOUNCING YOUR NAME

RIGHT? >> HASAN? >> HASAN.

>> THANK YOU FORETELLING ME. HERE IS WHAT WE WILL DO. EACH COMMISSIONER WILL ASK YOU A QUESTION, AND THEN AT THE ENN OPPORTUNITY TO DO A TWO-MINUTE SAY ANYTHING YOU WANT TO US.

OKAY? >> MORE QUESTIONS. I LOVE IT.

>> COMMISSIONER, DO YOU WANT TO GO FIRST? >> MS. HASAN, APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME WITH US TODAY AND SHARING WITH US AND I APPRECIATE YOUR INTEREST IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, ESPECIALLY. WE HAD SOME GOOD DISCUSSION TODAY AND I APPRECIATE IT. YOUR DISCUSSION POINTS ON LEADERSHIP AND COLLABORATION, SPECIFICALLY TO YOUR CURRENT EXPERIENCE IN YOUR JOB, COULD YOU ELABORATE A LITTLE MORE ON YOUR INTERACTION WITH THE DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE CITY THAT YOU WORK FOR NOW AS FAR AS THE FIRST RESPONDER AGENCIES, CODE ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND THE PARAMETERS OF THOSE

DEPARTMENTS, PLEASE? >> SURE. SO AS I MENTIONED TO MANY OF YOU, I AM ASSIGNED TO A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND DIVISIONS.

ALL OF THE DIVISIONS WITHIN PUBLIC WORKS, BUT I AM ASSIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO CODE BUILDING AND FIRE. I HAVE DONE REGULATORY ENFORCEMENT WORK BOTH IN FORT LAUDERDALE AND MIAMI BEACH. IT'S BEEN OVER TWO DECADES OF EXPERIENCE.

I'VE GOTTEN INJUNCTIONS AGAINST BUILDINGS. I HAVE DEFENDED AGAINST INJUNCTIONS. I ATTEND THE -- WELL, IN FORT LAUDERDALE IT IS SPECIAL, SO WE HAVE A CODE BOARD AND A IMAGIN. I ATTEND ALL OF THOSE AND I UH -- ASSIST IN THE CIVIL PROSECUTIONS AND CITATIONS AND VIOLATIONS. IF AND WHEN THERE IS AN ADMINISTRATIVE APPEAL AT THE CIRCUIT COURT APPELLATE DIVISION, I AM THE ATTORNEY

THAT HANDLES THOSE AS WELL. >> I GUESS THE COMMUNICATION PART IS WHERE I AM GOING TO DIAL IN. SO YOU DIRECTLY COMMUNICATE WITH THOSE DEPARTMENTS WITHIN

THE CITY. IS THAT ACCURATE? >> YES.

IN ADDITION WITH THEMENT THERER AREAS IN WHICH I ASSIST THEM SO I AM DEALING WITH A LOT OF THE DIFFERENT SHEETS. I HANDLE LOCAL AGREEMENTS. WE HAVE ABOUT 20 INTER LOCAL AGREEMENTS FROM PROVIDING FIRE SERVICE TO PROVIDING RIDE ALONGS AND ASSISTING MEDICAL

[00:25:03]

THOSE FOR THE CITY TO MAINTAIN ITS ACCREDITATION. >> I THANK YOU, MA'AM.

>> COMMISSIONER GAINES, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? >> THANK YOU, MAYOR.

HELLO AGAIN. COMMISSIONER GAINES. I ASKED THIS QUESTION IN OUR INTERVIEW. YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR THE CITY OF FORT FORT -- FORT LAUDERDALE. WHY DO YOU WANT TO MOVE NORTH AND BECOME THE CITY ATTORNEY OF

FORT PIERCE? >> CERTAINLY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

A NUMBER OF COMMISSIONERS ASKED ME THAT QUESTION. FOR ME PERSONALLY IT IS A GOOD TIME OF TRANSITION AND I FELT THE CITY WAS VERY ATTRACTIVE. IT IS A COASTAL CITY, AND MY EXPERIENCE, AGAIN, SPANNING SEVERAL DECADES ARE DIRECTLY WITH COASTAL CITIES.

I THINK I HAVE A VERY GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF THE ISSUES AND THE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS AS WELL AS APPEAL OF COASTAL CITIES. I THOUGHT THE IDEA OF SHAPING MY OWN OFFICE WAS APPEALING TO

ME. >> OKAY. COMMISSIONER C JOHNSON?

>> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. MS. HASAN, COMMISSIONER JOHNSON.

FOLLOWING UP TO YOUR LAST COMMENT THERE OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHAPE THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, COULD YOU TALK A LITTLE MORE AND ELABORATE ABOUT WHAT THAT VISION OF LEADERSHIP IS AND YOUR LEADERSHIP STYLE THAT YOU WOULD BE FOSTERING IF GIVEN

THIS OPPORTUNITY? >> ABSOLUTELY. SO I WORKED UNDER APPROXIMATELY FIVE CITY ATTORNEYS. I FOUND FROM MY EXPERIENCE THAT THE MOST EFFECTIVE ONES ARE ONE WORKING CITY ATTORNEY BECAUSE, YES, THERE ARE -- I HAVE WORKED UNDER CITY ATTORNEYS THAT DIDN'T DO A LOT OF WORK. AND TWO, CITY ATTORNEYS THAT WERE COLLABORATIVE, RESPONSIVE AND LISTEN TO THEIR OFFICE, ACCEPTED FEEDBACK AND MADE SURE THAT THE WORK WAS FAIRLY

APPORTIONED AND REALLY MADE SURE THEIR TEAM IS VALUABLE. >> THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME THIS AFTERNOON.

I ENJOYED THOROUGHLY OUR HALF HOUR OF CONVERSATION. A CONCERN TO ME IS THAT WE HAVE A COHESIVE, COOPERATIVE AND TEAM APPROACH TO THE OPERATIONS OF CITY GOVERNMENT.

MY LIKENESS TO THE CITY STOOL, THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THEN WE HAVE A CITY COMMISSION AS THE ELECTED BODY. WHAT WOULD BE YOUR APPROACH TO FOSTER THAT ENVIRONMENT AND CREATE A TEAM ENVIRONMENT FOR WHICH THE CITY COMMISSION CAN WORK IN AND ALL OF THE SENIOR CITY STAFF? CANDIDLY, IN A SMALLER CITY SUCH AS THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, THAT COOPERATIVE AND HARMONIOUS NATURE IN MY OPINION BECOMES CRITICAL.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR VISION TO FOSTER THAT ENVIRONMENT? >> SURE.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. FIRST OF ALL I NEED TO HAVE A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE ELECTED OFFICIAL'S VISION OF THE CITY IS. AGAIN, THE ROLES THE CITY ATTORNEY IS TO ADVISE AND IT IS NOT TO MAKE POLICY. IT IS NOT NECESSARILY TO GET THINGS ACCOMPLISHED IN THE SAME SENSE THE CITY MANAGER HAS TO DO.

THAT BEING SAID I THINK I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A GOOD TEAM PLAYER. I WORKED UNDER A CITY ATTORNEY WHO DID NOT -- WHO WANTED TO BE AT ODDS WITH THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE.

SO MUCH SO THAT THE CITY MANAGER WOULD GO THROUGH A BACKDOOR AND COME TO MY OFFICE WHEN THAT CITY ATTORNEY WAS NOT IN THE OFFICE TO GET STUFF DONE.

OR WE WOULD GET STUFF DONE OUT BY THE ELEVATOR. IT WAS INTERESTING TIMES.

I THINK MUTUAL RESPECT IS IMPORTANT FOR OUR RESPECTIVE ROLES.

>> THANK YOU. >> IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE OF WHATNOT TO DO, RIGHT? WHEN YOU AND I WERE CHATTING WE WERE TALKING ABOUT SALARY AND

[00:30:01]

I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THAT. WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE WHOLE PACKAGE.

ONE OF THE THINGS YOU SAID WAS IMPORTANT TO YOU WAS KEEPING THE FRS -- YOUR FRS WHICH WE DO NOT HAVE. WE HAVE OUR OWN PENSION SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO ASK INFORMALLY HERE, AND I I DON'T THINK THE FRS WOULD ALLOW THAT TO CONTINUE.

DID I GET THAT RIGHT? DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO THAT AT ALL?

>> THANK YOU, MAYOR. I APPRECIATE THAT AND I APPRECIATE YOU LOOKING INTO IT.

AS I SAID, EARLY IN THE PROCESS AFTER I PUT IN MY APPLICATION, I ASKED THE RECRUITER THAT BECAUSE THAT WAS A VERY, VERY IMPORTANT QUESTION FOR ME. UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS A DEAL BREAKER FOR ME. HE THOUGH IT WAS POSSIBLE FOR ME TO GO TO FRS, BUT IT COULD BE A POINT OF NEGOTIATION. I'M TOO FAR IN TO NOT VEST AND SO WE GOT -- I JUST HAVE TO BE HONEST WITH YOU ALL. IF THAT CAN BE WORKED OUT, THEN, AS I MENTIONED TO YOU, I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK AT THE TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE. I WOULD SAY THAT IS A --

UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS A DEAL BREAKER. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NOW YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES TO SORT OF TELL US ANYTHING YOU WANT.

>> WELL, FRIGHTENINGLY ENOUGH, I'M ALMOST TALKED OUT AND I CAN TALK.

FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT MY CREDENTIALS TO YOU AND TO MEET WITH YOU ALL. IT HAS REALLY BEEN A PLEASURE TO DO THAT. I BELIEVE THAT MY 25 YEARS OF MUNICIPAL EXPERIENCE HAS LEAD ME HERE. I THINK I AM QUITE CAPABLE OF PROPERLY CREATING AND ORGANIZING AN EFFICIENT AND COLLABORATIVE OFFICE THAT WOULD BEST SERVE THE CITY AND BEST SERVE YOU ALL AS ELECTED OFFICIALS AND ITS DEPARTMENT IF GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY.

AND AGAIN I THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. YOU HAVE A VAST AMOUNT OF EXPERIENCE. WE APPRECIATE YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. OKAY.

I'M GONNA GO AHEAD AND HANG UP. >> YES. AND I'M LEAVING.

YES. THANK YOU. >> KEV, WOULD YOU MIND GOING TO

ASK SARA TO JOIN US PLEASE? >> WE ASKED THE OTHER TWO HOW TO PRONOUNCE THEIR NAME AND SO EACH COMMISSIONER WILL ASK YOU A QUESTION AND YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO HAVE A TWO-MINUTE CLOSING PRESENTATION, IF YOU WANT. IF YOU WANT IT.

COMMISSIONER C JOHNSON DO YOU WANT TO START? >> I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO SHARE A QUESTION I ASKED FOR ME AND MY COLLEAGUES HERE ABOUT YOUR VISION AND OF LEADERSHIP STYLE AND A VISION OF THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND HOW YOU WOULD ENVISION THAT GOING FORWARD IF GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE THE CITY ATTORNEY.

>> ENTER -- INTERNATIONALLY I LIKE WORKING WITH MY STAFF. I BELIEVE IN WORKING KHRAB BRA TESTIFILY. I THINK BOUNCING IDEAS OFF OF EACH OTHER IS HOW YOU COME UP WITH GOOD IDEAS. SO WHEN I FIRST TOOK OVER AS THE INITTER RIM, I SAT DOWN WITH EVERYONE AND WENT OVER HOW DO YOU THINK THINGS ARE RUNNING AND WHAT IDEAS DO YOU HAVE? HERE ARE SOME IDEAS WE HAVE FOR HOW WE CAN IMPROVE LITTLE THINGS.

I BELIEVE IN WORKING TOGETHER. AT THE END OF THE DAY I DO UNDERSTAND IT IS MY DECISION HOW TO RUN THE OFFICE BUT I UNDERSTAND WHEN EVERYONE UNDERSTANDS THE COMMON GOAL IT

MAKES EVERYTHING MORE EFFICIENT. >> THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO NEXT? >> SARA, I CERTAINLY ENJOYED OUR TIME CHATTING. IT GAVE MORE TIME FOR YOUR DIRECTION AND MOTIVATIONS HERE.

[00:35:08]

FOSTER THATTEN SRAOERPB MEANT? >> SURE. WE DO HAVE THE RISK MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT. THEY DO A LOT OF DIFFERENT EVENTS WITHIN THE CITY.

THEY CELEBRATE THE BARBI MOVIE. THEY DO THINGS TO CELEBRATE IN THE CITY.

WE ARE ON KIND OF AN ISLAND BECAUSE OUR ROLE IS DIFFERENT. WE HAVE THE THREE CHARTER OFFICERS AND IT TAKES ALL OF US TOGETHER TO ACCOMPLISH REALLY ANYTHING IN THE CITY.

I BELIEVE OUR OFFICE HAS TO WORK TOGETHER TO INCLUDE THE OTHER CHARTER OFFICERS.

AT THE END OF THE DYE -- DAY, IT IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS ARE DOING OUR GOAL IS WE NEED TO REVIEW EVERYTHING AND MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING LEGALLY CORRECT AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE REDUCING ANY SORT OF LIABILITY.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHILE I 100% WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR OTHER DEPARTMENTS AND OUR OTHER CHARTER OFFICERS, MY GOAL IS TO PROTECT THE CITY AND MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING LEGALLY CORRECT AND THAT'S WHAT WILL BE PARAMOUNT MOVING FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU. >> ONE MORE QUICK QUESTION. YOU'VE BEEN HERE, AND YOU UNDERSTAND THE TURN AROUND THAT WE'VE HAD IN THIS OFFICE. MY QUESTION TO YOU IS -- YOU KNOW, GIVEN A CHANCE TO BE THE CITY ATTORNEY, CAN WE COUNT ON YOU TO BE OUR CITY ATTORNEY SO I AM NOT DOING THIS NEXT YEAR AND THE YEAR AFTER THAT? I KNOW YOU CAN'T SEE INTO THE FUTURE, BUT, YOU KNOW, WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS WITH THIS OFFICE IF 9YOU'RE GIVEN THIS CHANCE?

>> I HAVE NO INTENTION OF GOING ANYWHERE. OBVIOUSLY IN THIS ROLE YOU SERVE THE PLEASURE OF THIS COMMISSION, HONESTLY. SO AS LONG AS YOU'RE HAPPY WITH THE WORK I AM PROVIDING, I WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THAT WORK FOR ALL OF YOU.

I WORKED IN FORT PIERCE FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS IN A DIFFERENT CAPACITY THAN THIS.

I DO LOVE THIS CITY AND I AM EXCITED ABOUT WHERE IT IS GOING.

WE HAVE A LOT IN THE WORKS TO ADVANCE THIS CITY. I AM EXCITED TO BE A PART OF THAT AND MAKING SURE LEGALLY WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING CORRECT AND MOVING FORWARD THE BEST WE

CAN. >> THANK YOU. >> MR. J JOHNSON.

>> I JUST APPRECIATE YOU AND EXPRESS THAT TO YOU AND THANK YOU FOR STEPPING IN AND ACTING IN THE ROLE YOU ARE IN NOW. THE THEME OF MY QUESTIONING AND THE THEME OF OUR CONVERSATION WAS ABOUT COMMUNICATION. I ASKED EVERYONE TO EXPRESS HOW DO YOU -- NUMBER ONE, YOU GET A LEG UP BECAUSE YOU DO HAVE TO COMMUNICATE WITH US RIGHT NOW. I'M ASSUMING -- I'M ASSUMING YOU COMMUNICATE WITH FIVE. DESCRIBE THAT FOR US AND HOW YOU CAN IMPROVE UPON WHAT IS HAPPENING NOW, BUT STRATEGICALLY, HOW YOU ARE GOING TO -- HOW YOU CAN IMPROVE UPON COMMUNICATING WITH DEPARTMENTS WITHIN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE.

>> SURE. MY COMMUNICATIONS STYLE, I AM PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD.

YOU ARE ALWAYS GOING TO GET A STRAIGHT FORWARD HONEST ANSWER FROM ME ON WHATEVER YOUR QUESTION IS. WHEN IT COMES TO COMMUNICATING WITH DEPARTMENTS I MAKE MYSELF AVAILABLE BY PHONE -BGS EMAIL, WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE. YOU CAN ASK THOSE IN MY OFFICE.

THE PHONE DOESN'T STOP RINGING. I THINK I DO A GOOD JOB MAKING MYSELF AVAILABLE FOR THE COMMUNICATION. THERE HAS TO BE A LINE THOUGH TO WHERE THE REST OF MY JOB CAN GET DONE. AND SO THERE IS THAT BALANCE AND THERE IS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT WITH ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS. I PLAN TO CONTINUE TO COMMUNICATE NO MATTER WHICH ROLE I AM IN AND NO MATTER WHAT QUESTIONS ANYONE HAS.

THE ONE THING YOU CAN EXPECT TO GET FROM ME IS MY HONEST OPINION ON WHATEVER THE TOPIC IS. AND YOU ARE GOING TO GET THAT STRAIGHT FORWARD ANSWER FROM

[00:40:01]

ME. >> THANK YOU. AND TO DIAL IN JUST A HALF STEP FURTHER, GOVERNMENT SOMETIMES, HUMAN BEINGS GET STUCK IN THEIR WAYS.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO COMBAT OR CHALLENGE YOURSELF TO CHANGE THE EVERY DAY, THIS IS THE WAY

I HAVE ALWAYS DONE IT ATTITUDE? >> SURE. THERE'S ALWAYS ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT. JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE SOMETHING ONE WAY IT DOESN'T MEAN IT IS THE RIGHT WAY OR THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY TO DO SPH-BG -- SOMETHING, RIGHT? THE WAY I UH PROERB THAT, IF THERE IS -- APPROACH THAT, IF THERE IS SOMETHING WE CAN IMPROVE UPON AND IF THAT OCCASION EVER ARISES, I PREFER TO SIT DOWN AND EXPLAIN, YOU KNOW, HERE IS THE LAW. HERE IS WHAT I AM LOOKING AT.

WHAT DO YOU THINK? IT IS MORE OF A TEACHING AND A BOUNCING OFF OF EACH OTHER INSTEAD OF TELLING PEOPLE NO. MOST OF THE TIME IT IS NOT A NO.

WE NEED TO FOLLOW STEPS 1 THROUGH 3 TO GET TO THE YES FROM THE NO.

THAT'S MY GOAL. >> THANK YOU. >> YES, SIR.

>> WHEN YOU AND I CHATTED ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT, SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN HERE YOU HAVE DONE A LOT WITH OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT. I THOUGHT MAYBE YOU COULD SHARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU DO, LIKE THE RISK PROTECTION ORDERS AND SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS.

YOUR BACKGROUND, YOU WORKED WITH THE STATE ATTORNEY AND YOU HAVE SOME EXPERIENCE WITH SOME

OF THE THINGS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DEAL WITH. >> I WORKED FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. THAT WAS 10 YEARS. COMING HERE, THE EXPERIENCE WAS INVALUABLE TO STEPPING IN TO AND DEALING WITH PROTECTION ORDERS.

WHEN SOMEONE IS A DANGER TO THEMSELVES AND OTHERS THERE IS A LEGAL PROCESS TO REMOVE THE FIREARMS. THAT IS A PROCESS WHERE YOU HAVE A TRIAL IN FRONT OF A JUDGE. YOU HAVE TO ADMIT EVIDENCE AND CALL WITNESSES.

IT IS A DIFFERENT SIDE OF WHAT I WAS DOING AT THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS DOING WAS FORFEITURES. WHEN YOU HAVE CONTRABAND THAT IS OFTEN TIMES MONETARY CURRENCY THAT WAS USED FOR ILLEGAL ACTIVITY, THERE IS A LAWSUIT THAT CAN BE FILED RELATED TO SEIZING THAT AND FORFEITING THAT TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. AGAIN, THAT INVOLVES A TRIAL AND PRESENTING EVIDENCE AND GOING THROUGH THAT ENTIRE PROCESS AFTER YOU FILE YOUR COMPLAINT.

SO I DO ALL OF THOSE THINGS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND I MAKE MYSELF AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS THAT THEY HAVE. THEY ALL GOT MY PHONE NUMBER AND THEY USE IT WHEN THEY NEED TO USE IT. NO MATTER WHICH ROLE I AM IN, THAT WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.

I THINK IT IS THE BIGGEST DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY. THERE IS A LAW BUILT ISSUE THAT GOES HAND IN HAND. I DO DEVOTE THE ADEQUATE ATTENTION IT NEEDS FOR WHAT

THAT DEPARTMENT IS. >> THANK YOU. WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE WHATEVER TIME YOU WANT TO TAKE, UP TO TWO MINUTES, AND TELL US ANYTHING ELSE THAT MIGHT BE --

>> I HAVE ONE FOLLOW-UP QUESTION. >> SURE.

THAT'S FINE. ABSOLUTELY. >> WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO CHAT TODAY. YOUR OFFICE CURRENTLY IS BARE BONES.

THERE'S YOU. AND THERE IS SUPPORT STAFF. >> YES.

>> LOOKING TO GEAR UP FOR THAT AND BALANCE OUT YOUR AREA OF EXPERTISE, WHAT WOULD YOU BE LOOKING TO BRING IN TO SUPPLEMENT AND COMPLEMENT YOUR STAFF WITH ANOTHER ATTORNEY?

>> I WOULD LIKE SOMEBODY WITH DIFFERENT EXPERIENCE THAN ME, DIFFERENT BACKGROUND AND DIFFERENT KNOWLEDGE, BUT THERE ARE SOME THINGS I DO THAT NEED TO BE PASSED ON.

IF IT IS ME IN THE CITY ATTORNEY ROLE TO WHO IS COMING IN AS AN ASSISTANCE.

THERE IS A BALANCE OF FINDING THE RIGHT PERSON. I BALANCE THAT IN MY MIND WITH, IF YOU HAVE SOMEBODY THAT IS INTELLIGENT AND THAT IS A SMART PERSON AND A QUICK LEARNER, THEY CAN BE TRAINED ON THOSE THINGS. AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THE CAPABILITY WITHIN THEMSELVES, THE THINGS I DO THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE THE BACKGROUND IN, THEY CAN BE TRAINED IN HOW TO DO THOSE. IT IS GETTING SOMEBODY IN THAT CAN LEARN ON THIS JOB QUICKLY AND HAS A DIVERSE BACKGROUND. I WOULD LIKE IT TO BE COMPLEMENTARY TO MY OWN. THAT WAY YOU HAVE MORE SKILLS IN THE OFFICE.

>> AND I'M GOING TO ASSUME SINCE YOU HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK IN THIS GEOGRAPHIC MARKET, NOT NECESSARILY IN THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT, BUT IN THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE, ET CETERA, THAT YOU HAVE A VAST ARRAY OF CONNECTIONS THROUGHOUT THE LEGAL COMMUNITY.

>> I DO. >> THANK YOU. >> OKAY.

NOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TELL US ANYTHING YOU WANT?

>> SURE. OF COURSE. I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR TIME TODAY THROUGHOUT TODAY AND THIS EVENING. I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE A

[00:45:02]

I'M EXCITED FOR THE FUTURE OF THE CITY. I DO BELIEVE I CAN ASSIST THIS CITY AS THE CITY ATTORNEY MOVING FORWARD. I DO BELIEVE I UNDERSTAND WHAT IS FACING US AND HOW THE CITY RUNS. I AM ABLE TO CONTINUE MOVING US FORWARD. AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS YOUR DECISION AS ARE ALL OF THE DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE HERE. I WILL RESPECT WHATEVER DECISION YOU ALL MAKE FOR WHAT

IS BEST FOR THE CITY. >> THANK YOU. >> YES, MA'AM.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> SARA, WOULD YOU MIND ASKING IOLA TO JOIN US NEXT PLEASE?

THANK YOU. >> WELCOME, MS. MOSLEY. I'M GONNA KILL SOME TIME UNTIL MR. BRODERICK GETS BACK ON. WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE ALPABET.

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT SOMEBODY'S NAME WHO STARTED WITH M WOULD BE THE LAST IN THE ALPHABET, BUT IT IS YOU. HERE IS WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO.

EACH COMMISSIONER WILL ASK A QUESTION OR PERHAPS A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION.

AT THE END OF YOU WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY UP TO TWO MINUTES TO TELL US ANYTHING YOU WANT TO. OKAY? ALL RIGHT.

COMMISSIONER GAINES, CAN I START WITH YOU. >> SURE, MADAM, MAYOR.

GOOD EVENING MS. MOSLEY. WE MEET AGAIN. A QUICK QUESTION.

FROM OUR TALK THIS AFTERNOON, WE LEARNED YOU ONCE SERVED IN THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN FORT PIERCE. MY QUESTION IS IF GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE THE CITY ATTORNEY, HOW DO YOU VISION YOUR OFFICE AS THE CITY ATTORNEY?

>> WITH RESPECT TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE OFFICE I THINK IT FUNCTIONS MOST EFFECTIVELY WHEN YOU HAVE TWO ASSISTANTS AND A CITY ATTORNEY. INITIALLY THAT WOULD BE WHAT I WOULD LOOK AT IN TERMS OF STRUCTURE OF THE OFFICE. THERE MAY ALSO BE A NEED TO ADD FOR A LEGAL SECRETARY OR PARALEGAL WHICH WOULD BE THE GOAL.

IN TERMS OF CHANGES THAT WOULD NEED TO BE MADE, I WOULD NEED TO SIT DOWN WITH EACH OF YOU TO DETERMINE WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND HOW THAT OFFICE CAN BEST SUPPORT THIS COMMISSION. I WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO OR INTERVIEW THE PERSONS CURRENTLY SERVING IN THE OFFICE TO FIND OUT WHAT HAS WORKED AND WHAT IS NOT WORKING SO WELL AND TRY TO REVAMP THAT TO MEET EFFICIENCY IN TERMS OF RESPONSE TIME AND CAPTURING THE INFORMATION YOU

NEED TO DEVELOP A MECHANISM FOR TIMELY RESPONSE. >> THANK YOU.

>> I HOPE THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION. >> YES.

>> MR. J JOHNSON, ARE YOU READY? >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TODAY AND YOUR INTEREST IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. YOU AND I HAD GOOD CONVERSATION ABOUT COMMUNICATINGY -- COMMUNICATING EFFECT -- EFFECTIVELY.

THIS IS A TWO-FOLD QUESTION. HOW DO YOU COMMUNE 80 -- EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE TO THE COMMISSION AND THE DEPARTMENT HEADS IN THE CITY TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE SERVICE TO THE

DEPARTMENT? >> THAT REQUIRES OPEN DYE LAG. WE TALKED ABOUT MAKING CERTAIN THAT THE WISHES AND THE PLANS OF THE COMMISSION ARE ACTUALLY COMMUNICATED TO THE ENTIRE LEGAL STAFF. IF I AM SELECTED AND CERTAINLY THAT IS YOUR DECISION AND NOT

[00:50:07]

IT ENGENDERS MY OPINION AND YOUR OPINION, BUT THERE MAY BE SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAT A STAFF MEMBER SEES OR KNOWS OR UNDERSTANDS AND HAS EXPERIENCE WITH THAT WOULD AFFECT THE OUTCOME FOR THE COMMISSION AND THAT WOULD AFFECT THE APPROPRIATE OPINION THAT WOULD

BE RENDERED TO THE COMMISSION THROUGH OUR OFFICE. >> THANK YOU.

WILL. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> MR. JOHNSON?

>> MS. MOSLEY, THANK YOU FOR THE CONVERSATION AND THE INTERACTION THIS AFTERNOON.

FOLLOWING ALONG SOMEWHAT WITH THE LINE OF QUESTIONS THAT'S BEEN -- YOU BEGAN TO ANSWER.

WE KNOW YOU SERVED BEFORE WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO SHARE -- WE ALWAYS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THINGS FROM A DIFFERENT LENS.

SINCE YOU HAVE DEPARTED FROM THAT CITY COMMISSION -- THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, WHAT ARE THE LIFE LESSONS THAT YOU HAVE LEARNED OR THINGS YOU WOULD WANT TO SHARE WITH THIS COMMISSION IN RETROSPECT OF YOUR TIME HERE AT THE CITY FROM THE ASPECT OF A POSITIVE YOU

HAVE TAKEN FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE HERE? >> OH, THAT'S AN INTERESTING QUESTION. I THINK ACCOUNTABILITY STARTS WITH POINTING AT MYSELF.

ONE OF THE THINGS I LEARNED IS YOU HAVE TO HAVE PATIENCE. YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY PERSON AFFECTED BY THE ADVICE YOU ARE GIVEN.

IT IS NOT YOUR SHOW. AS THE CITY ATTORNEY, IT IS NOT MY SHOW.

IT IS PROVIDING THE SERVICE THAT YOU NEED. YOU MAY DECIDE I'M NOT THE RIGHT PERSON TO DO THAT AND I CERTAINLY WOULD RESPECT THAT DECISION.

UNDERSTANDING A PERSON ON THE INSIDE, I CAN BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR HOW I IMPLEMENT THINGS.

I CAN'T BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR ANYONE ELSE'S FEELINGS. I HAVE TO GIVE APPROPRIATE ADVICE. I MUST ENDEAVOR TO UNDERSTAND NOT JUST ONE SIDE OF THE PROBLEM OR AN ISSUE, BUT I MUST ALWAYS ENDEAVOR TO UNDERSTAND THE ENTIRISH EYE -- THE ENTIRE ISSUE. IF IT IS LITIGATION, I NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS IT THAT THE PLAINTIFF IN ANY GIVEN SITUATION, WHAT IS IT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR? AND I NEED TO MAKE AN EVALUATION. I DID NOT SEE THIS AS MUCH AS I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN OUR OFFICE AT THE TIME. IT IS NOT JUST CONSIDER, OH HERE IS WHAT WE ARE GONNA DO, HERE IS WHAT WE ARE GONNA DO, BUT LOOK AT ALL OF THE POSSIBLE OUT COMES AND LOOKING AT BOTH SIDES, WHAT IS THE BEST POSSIBLER OF ACTION.

I DIDN'T SEE ENOUGH OF THAT? I ENJOY A CHALLENGE. FOR THE MOST PART I LEARNED THE VALUE OF HARD WORK AND THE VALUE OF NOT TAKING THINGS PERSONALLY.

IT IS NOT ABOUT ME. IT IS ABOUT YOU AND THE COMMISSIONERS.

I CAN'T BE MORE PLAIN THAN THAT AND I HOPE IT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION.

>> IT DOES. THANK YOU. >> MR. BRODERICK STP?

>> YES ENJOYED OUR TIME TODAY. WE HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR A LONGTIME.

IEN SKWROU -- I HAVE ENJOYED WORKING WITH YOU. SOMETHING OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE IS THE STAFF AND ALL OF THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN WORKING JOINTLY AND IN A POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT TO MOVE THE CITY FORWARD. I LIKEN THAT TO THE LEGS OF A STOOL. WE HAVE THE SENIOR STAFF. WE HAVE THE CITY COMMISSION.

[00:55:01]

>> WELL, ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT A THREE-LEGGED STOOL. THE THIRD LEG IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE DEGREE TO WHICH IT CAN SUPPORT THE WHOLE STOOL. WILL MY VISION IS TO CREATE A PROFESSIONAL LEGAL OFFICE. THAT HAS BEEN MY VISION. IT WILL PROBABLY ALWAYS BE MY VISION NO MATTER WHERE I AM. PROFESSIONALISM COMES FIRST. DELIVERY OF SERVICES RIDES ON THAT. YOU HAVE THE CITY MANAGER. YOU HAVE THE COMMISSION.

THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS TO MAKE CERTAIN THAT THERE IS ADEQUATE COMMUNICATION OF THE GOAL. UNDERSTANDING THE GOAL. MAKING CERTAIN THAT EVERYONE WORKING WITHIN THAT OFFICE UNDERSTANDS THE GOAL AND THE OBLIGATIONS TO THE COMMISSION AND THE OBLIGATIONS FOR MOVING THE CITY FORWARD. I'VE KNOWN MR. MIMMS SINCE I WAS IN FORT PIERCE, BUT THERE IS A NEED TO HAVE A -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY A FORCE, BUT FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD A FORCE THAT CAN PULL THE PIECES TOGETHER FOR THE CITY, FOR THE SAKE OF THE CITY. ALL WE DO IS FOR THE CONSTITUENTS OF THE CITY.

THAT'S IT. EVERYTHING ELSE FALLS TO THAT. WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITIZENS? THAT IS UP TO YOUR CITY MANAGER AND THE COMMISSION.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE GUIDED BY SUFFICIENT RESEARCH, GUIDED BY PROFESSIONALISM AND OPINIONS

THAT SUPPORT THE MISSION OF THE CITY. >> THANK YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> MS. MOSLEY, YOU AND I CHATTED ABOUT YOUR CURRENT POSITION THAT YOU -- AND YOUR PASSION FOR THAT. IT'S A WONDERFUL THING.

I'VE SEEN YOU OUT AND ABOUT IN TOWN. I CONSIDER US FRIENDS BECAUSE I SEE YOU IN A LOT OF PLACES. I KNOW YOU WORK HARD IN THAT POSITION.

I WAS WONDERING, IN YOUR CITY ATTORNEY -- PUTTING YOURSELF IN THAT POSITION HOW WOULD YOU

WORK WITH OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT? >> OH, I HAVE A -- I THINK I ENJOY A GREAT RELATIONSHIP WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT. ONE OF THE AREAS THAT -- ONE OF THE GRANTS MY CURRENT FIRM HAS IS A VICTIM OF CRIME ACT PROGRAM.

YOU KNOW, I WAS AN ASSISTANT STATE ATTORNEY. I KNOW HOW TO WORK WITH POLICE OFFICERS. I KNOW THE DIFFICULTY OF PUTTING TOGETHER A CASE FOR THE POLICE THAT IS SUCCESSFUL, AND IT HELPS THE VICTIMS OF CRIME TO GET OVER THAT, YOU KNOW, HURDLE OF VICTIMHOOD I GUESS IS THE BEST WORD I CAN THINK OF. CURRENTLY IN THE CAPACITY OF MANAGING ATTORNEY OF FLORIDA RURAL, I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, VICTIMS OF BURGLARY, VICTIMS OF ROBBERY, AND I WORK ALONGSIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, WITH THE COUNTY, THROUGH THE CLERK'S VICTIM ADVOCACY PROGRAMS AND THE STATE ATTORNEY'S VICTIM ADVOCACY PROGRAMS AND I WORKED WITH A VICTIM ADVOCATE FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT. I THINK IT IS FRANK WHITE IF I AM CORRECT. WE WORKED IN HELPING PEOPLE VI. I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT JOINS MY OFFICE TO POLICE DEPARTMENTS ALL THROUGHOUT THE 19TH CIRCUIT.

>> THANK YOU. SO NOW IT IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO TELL US ANYTHING YOU LIKE,

[01:00:03]

UP TO TWO MINUTES. >> OH, OKAY. I'LL TRY TO BE BRIEF.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO. >> WELL, I DON'T WANT TO TAKE ALL YOUR TIME.

>> I CAME HERE YEARS AGO WITH AN IDEA OF DOING SOMETHING GREAT WITH THIS CITY, OF CONTRIBUTING TO WHAT I UNDERSTOOD WAS THE POTENTIAL OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE.

I BOUGHT A HOUSE HERE. I MOVED HERE BECAUSE OF THAT, BECAUSE I WANTED TO BE HERE AND I WANTED TO BE A PART OF THIS COMMUNITY SO I CAN BETTER UNDERSTAND IT.

I THINK THAT IF YOU DECIDE TO HIRE ME AS YOUR CITY ATTORNEY, I'M GONNA WORK FOR YOU.

I'M GONNA MAKE CERTAIN THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THE INTRICACIES OF THE LEGAL PART OF WHAT IT -- YOU KNOW, WHATEVER THE TASK IS THAT YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH. I THINK PART OF THE DUTY ALSO ENCOMPASSES BEING A CONCILIATOR. RIGHT NOW I AM WORKING WITH THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF CONCILIATION PROFESSIONALS. WHAT WE DO IN FAMILY LAW SITUATIONS WE KNOW THERE IS A PETITIONER AND WE KNOW THERE IS A RESPONDENT.

THE LITIGATION THAT OCCURS DOESN'T HAVE TO BE ADVERSARIAL. JUST LIKE THE RELATIONSHIPS AMONGST THE COMMISSION WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND WITH THE CITY CLERK, WITH THE OTHER BOARDS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS, IT CANNOT BE ADVERSARIAL OR ELSE IT WON'T WORK.

SO PART OF THE JOB IS TO BUILD CONSENSUS AND CONCILIATION. THAT'S WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO BRING. AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER ME FOR THAT POSITION, I WOULD BE HONORED AND I WILL WORK HARD FOR YOU AND I DO NOT KEEP 9 TO 5 HOURS.

I WORK ON WEEKENDS. I WORK LATE AT NIGHT. BUT NOT PAST MIDNIGHT BECAUSE

THE GARAGE IS CLOSED. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

HAVE A GOOD DAY. >> THANK YOU. >> NOW WE HAVE A DISCUSSION AND

[8. DISCUSSION AND SELECTION OF CITY ATTORNEY]

SELECTION OF CITY ATTORNEYS THAT'S NEXT ON THE AGENDA. >> IS THERE ANYBODY THAT WOULD

LIKE TO START? >> MADAM MAYOR, I WILL KICK OFF THE DISCUSSION.

THERE IS A LOT TO TAKE IN. I HAD SOME GREAT DISCUSSIONS. LIKE I SAID EARLIER, ALL THE APPLICANTS, WE HAVE A GREAT POOL OF APPLICANTS, GREAT DISCUSSIONS HAD BY ALL.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, WHERE I HAVE EVALUATED BASED ON THE GROWTH OF OUR CITY, THE OPPORTUNITIES WITHIN OUR CITY, I HAD A LOT OF LENGTHY DISCUSSION WITH EACH APPLICANT ABOUT CONTRACTS WHETHER IT IS A DEVELOPMENT CONTRACTS, LAND USE CONTRACTS, OUR FIRST RESPONDERS WHETHER IT IS PUBLIC WORKS OR POLICE DEPARTMENT, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES.

ANOTHER THING THAT DIDN'T GET BROUGHT UP IN OUR PROCESS HERE JUST A TPAU MINUTES AGO AS -- A FEW MINUTES AGO AS A GROUP, BUT THOSE ARE THE THINGS I SHARED AND TALKED ABOUT WITH THE APPLICANT. TWO ROWS AT THE TOP FOR ME AND OUT OF ALL THE PLACES WE SEE OUR CITY HEADED. MS. HASAN AND MS. HEDGES ARE MY TOP TWO.

AND THAT'S WHERE I STAND AT THIS SECOND. >> MS. HASAN, I'M INTERPRETING

SHE'S OUT. >> I WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT ON THAT.

AS AN FRS PERSON WHO HAS FRS HOLDING IN A RETIREMENT SYSTEM, I THINK THERE IS MORE EXPLORATION. SHE DID SAY THAT. THAT WAS A NO-GO.

I DON'T KNOW IF ALL THE OPTIONS HAVE BEEN VETTED. MAYBE THEY HAVE.

>> I DON'T KNOW EITHER. WAS IT JUST A PRELIMINARY CONVERSATION --

>> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION. >> IT WAS A PRELIMINARY CONVERSATION, AND I BELIEVE THAT MR. MIMMS SAID IF SOMEBODY WAS WORKING HERE THEY COULDN'T PARTICIPATE IN FRS BECAUSE THEY HAD TO PARTICIPATE EITHER IN OUR PENSION PROGRAM OR -- I'LL LET YOU TALK FOR YOURSELF.

>> MADAM MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION, CITY OF FORT PIERCE DOES NOT

[01:05:02]

AS FAR AS RETIREMENT PLANNING, IT IS SOMETHING TO CONSIDER. >> VERY WELL SAID.

I APPRECIATE YOU SHARING THAT, MR. MIMMS. THE OTHER QUESTION I HAVE IN MIND IS THERE IS THE PERCENTAGE RATE FOR YEAR OF SERVICE. I'M IMAGINING BASED ON YOUR SERVICE THAT MR. HASAN IS VESTED IN THAT PROGRAM, SO IT CAN BE DEFERRED.

I AM NOT MAKING AN ASSAULT -- ASSAULTION. AN ASSUMPTION.

IT CAN BE DEFERRED. THEY HAVE A DEFINED AMOUNT OF PERCENTAGE PER SERVICE.

YOU HAVE TO BE AT A CERTAIN POSITION BEFORE YOU GET A 3% PER YEAR SERVICE.

IT IS USUALLY A 1.667 OR 1.67. I'M FAMILIAR WITH THAT. SO THAT IS A DISCUSSION POINT.

>> I THINK SHE IS THE ONE THAT SAID IT WAS A DEAL -- SO I AM NOT SURE WHAT THOUGHT SHE HAS GIVEN TO IT. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? SHE JUST BASICALLY SAID THAT'S

A DEAL BREAKER SO I DON'T -- >> I'M GONNA TAKE IT AT FACE VALUE.

SHE SAID IT IS A DEAL BREAKER. WE ARE NOT PARTICIPATING IN THAT PROGRAM AND IT IS A DEAL

BREAKER. >> SHE HAS VAST EXPERIENCE. SHE HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE AS

A -- AS A CITY ATTORNEY. >> AS WE GO FURTHER WITH THIS, IS THIS AN ISSUE WE WANT TO MAKE A DETERMINATION ON OR TAKING IT AT FACE VALUE THAT SHE SAID SHE IS OUT? DO WE GO THROUGH THIS WHOLE EXERCISE -- I AM NOT SURE HOW TO PROCEED.

>> I WAS JUST GOING BY WHAT SHE SAID. >> SHE WAS DEFINITIVE ABOUT IT.

SHE SAID IT THREE TIMES. >> AND I GAVE HER A CHANCE IN MY OWN INTERVIEW.

>> I'M GRATEFUL THAT YOU HAVE THE WISDOM TO ASK THAT QUESTION.

WE COULD GET 90% INTO THIS PROCESS AND FIND OUT THAT THIS IS NOT WORKABLE.

I'M PLEASED THAT YOU -- >> AND I'M NOT -- YEAH. AND THINK WELL IT MIGHT BE OFF THE CUFF, BUT SHE HAD A CHANCE TO THINK ABOUT -- I DON'T KNOW. SHE HAD A CHANCE TO EXPLORE IT OR THINK ABOUT IT OR THINK ABOUT OPTIONS PRAPGS. -- PERHAPS, I DON'T KNOW.

>> FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, I'M GOING TO ASSUME SHE'S OUT. I DON'T THINK -- I DON'T KNOW.

OR WE JUST DEFER THIS ENTIRE DECISION-MAKING PROCESS FOR ANOTHER MEETING WHICH I DON'T THINK IS REALLY BENEFICIAL. I THINK THOSE ARE THE OPTIONS AND WE ARE OPERATING IN A

VACUUM OF INFORMATION. >> MADAM MAYOR, I WILL WEIGH IN.

FOR ME, IT EVENTUALLY GOT DOWN TO TWO. I CAN TELL YOU THAT THAT COMMENT THAT MS. HASAN MADE WAS RIVETTING TO ME. I HAD SOME OTHER CHALLENGES WITH HER CANDIDACY FOR THIS. PART OF THAT WAS CONCERN WHEN I LOOKED AT AND EVALUATED, YES, SHE HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH BOARDS AND SITTING ON VARIOUS BOARDS, I LOOKED AT, YOU KNOW, LEADERSHIP AND LEADERSHIP OF PEOPLE AND COMING INTO A SYSTEM WHERE SHE IS ONE OF 9 ATTORNEYS FOR THE CITY OF FORT LAUDERDAL IS WHAT I GOT OUT OF THIS.

THERE IS A TOP ATTORNEY AND SHE HAS HER SPECIFIC AREAS SHE IS AN EXPERT IN, AND I'LL CALL IT THAT WAY. THAT CONCERNS ME KNOWING HOW WE ARE COMPRISED HERE IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. WE ARE A SMALL NUMBER, MAYBE TWO, A CITY ATTORNEY AND AN ASSISTANT AND THE PARALEGAL DEPARTMENT. WHAT I WAS TRYING TO GET TO, ENVISIONING HOW TO MOVE FORWARD, SOME THINGS CONCERNED ME ABOUT THAT AND AN UNDERSTANDING OF THIS DEPARTMENT AND WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW AND IN OUR FISCAL

[01:10:01]

THAT WAS A CONCERN. IT DID HELP ME MUCH LIKE MY FELLOW COMMISSIONER GET TO TWO AT THAT POINT. WHEN I LOOKED AT IT FROM AN ASPECT OF -- WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE TWO PEOPLE THAT ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE.

THAT ABSOLUTELY HELPS US, RIGHT? THEY WORK HERE AT THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ARTICULATE SIMILAR VISIONS OF EXPERIENCES OF WORKING HERE IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, WHO HAVE EXPERIENCE WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, SPECIFICALLY THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND SOME TYPE OF RELATIONSHIP IN SOME KIND OF WAY. POSITIVELY FROM WHAT I GATHER FROM BOTH. WHEN I PUT THAT ALTOGETHER IT DREW ME TO THE CANDIDATES BECAUSE OF THAT. THE TWO HAVE MY FOCUS WHICH ARE MS. MOSLEY AND MS. HEDGES.

WE HAVE LEGISLATION COMING UP IN THE NEXT CITY COMMISSION MEETING AND THAT ATTORNEY IS GONNA BE SITTING IN THAT SEAT 9OVER THERE WE HOPE AT ■SOME&-ÚP

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.