[1. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:10]
MEETING TO ORDER MONDAY DECEMBER 18, 2023.
PLEASE STAND FOR THE OPENING PRAYER BY THE REVEREND TIM NORTON WITH INDIAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
>> MADAM MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR THE PRIVILEGE TO PRAY OVER THIS MEET AND TO PRAY WITH YOU.
A JOY TO BE PART OF THIS COMMUNITY AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. LET'S PRAY.
LORD, WE PAUSE AND REMEMBER THAT THIS IS THE TIME OF YEAR WHERE WE, WANT TO BE MINDFUL THAT WE ARE NOT ALONE.
THAT YOU HAVE CHOSEN TO ENTER LIFE WITH US.
WE CELEBRATE THAT YOU DIDN'T COME TO BE BORN INTO RICHES, BUT TO POVERTY. YOU DIDN'T COME TO BE BORN INTO A BIG CITY, BUT A SMALL TOWN. SO THAT WE KNOW NO MATTER WHERE WE ARE. NO MATTER HOW BIG, HOW SMALL OR HOW LITTLE YOU HAVE, YOU SEE US, YOU KNOW US AND CARE.
WE TRUST THAT EVEN THIS MEETING IN A SMALL LITTLE TOWN IN SOUTH FLORIDA, YOU ARE HERE. AND SO WE ASK FOR YOUR BLESSING.
LORD, YOU HAVE -- YOU HAVE GIVEN US A GREAT GROUP OF LEADERS.
LORD, WILL YOU GIVE THEM WISDOM AS YOU DISCUSS IMPORTANT MATTERS. LORD, TONIGHT, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ENGINEERING PLANS. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT APPOINTING LEADERS IN THE ARTS AND IN HOUSING.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE OF THIS TOWN.
LORD, WILL YOU GIVE THEM WISDOM. AND HELP THEM TO DISCERN WHAT WOULD BE BEST. LORD, WE THANK YOU.
AND I THANK YOU AS A MEMBER OF THIS TOWN.
EVEN WITH MY LITTLE SON HERE. HEY, GOOD JOB, BUDDY.
>> WHAT'S THAT? >> THAT'S YOU.
YOU HELP THEM TO MAKE DECISIONS FOR THE GENERATIONS BEYOND THE GROUP OF PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM. AND, LORD, THANK YOU FOR THE SACRIFICE FOR TIME AND ENERGY THEY HAVE HAD.
NO ONE KNOWS THE BURDEN OF LEADERSHIP.
ONLY THEY DO. THE QUIET MOMENTS WHERE IT IS HARD, STRENGTHEN THEM AND ENCOURAGE THEM SO WE MIGHT BE A PLACE THAT LEANS INTO THIS SEASON OF PEACE FOR OURSELVES INDIVIDUALLY AND FOR THIS COMMUNITY.
LORD, WE ASK THAT YOU WILL WORK SUPERNATURALLY IN JESUS'S NAME,
>> WE UNDERSTAND. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IS STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
>> CALL THE ROLL PLEASE. >> BYE-BYE.
>> PRESENT. >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK.
>> COMMISSIONER GAINES. >> PRESENT.
>> COMMISSIONER 234U8C. JOHNSON. >> PRESENT.
>> JEREMIAH JOHN SON. >> PRESENT.
>> AND SITTING IN AS ATTORNEY. THE FOLLOWING LETTERS WILL BE ON
[a. Letter from Pamela E. Carithers, Executive Director, Lincoln Park Main Street, thanking the following employees of the Public Works Parks & Grounds Division for their diligent work efforts toward the continued support of Christmas on Moore’s Creek activities: Paul Bertram, Division Manager; JR Mead, Foreman; Kelvin Toombs, John Violo, and Marcellus Wright.]
FILE. PAMELA E. CARITHERS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE LINCOLN PARK MAIN STREET.THANK YOU FOR THE FOLLOWING EMPLOYEES OF THE PUBLIC WORKS PARKS AND GROUND DIVISION FOR THEIR DILIGENT WORK AND EFFORTS TOWARD THE CONTINUED SUPPORT OF CHRISTMAS ON MOORE'S CREEK.
PAUL BURCHAM, MANAGER JR MEADE FOREMAN, KELVIN JOHN VOYIOLO AND
[b. Email from Latecia Robinson commending Katherine Calderon, Community Response Executive Assistant, for providing exceptional customer service.]
MARCELLUS WRIGHT. 345I8 FROM LATECIA ROBINSON OF[c. Email from John Fortino expressing his gratitude for the expert and professional assistance received from the Assistant Building Director Shaun Coss.]
KATHERINE CALDERON COMMUNITY RESPONSE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT FOR PROVIDING EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE.E-MAIL FROM JOHN FORTINO EXPRESSING HIS GRATITUDE FOR THE
[d. Jim Eaves wrote a post on Fort Pierce Connection thanking the City of Fort Pierce for giving residents the option of paying a parking violation fine or donating canned food worth the same amount to the Treasure Coast Food Bank.]
EXPERT PROFESSIONAL ASSISTNESS FROM THE ASSISTANT BUILDING DIRECTOR SHAWN COSS. AND JIM EAVES WROTE A POST ON THE FORT PIERCE CONNECTION FACEBOOK PAGE OF GIVING AN OPTION OF PAYING A VIOLATION FINE OR DONATING CANNED FOOD WORTH THE SAME AMOUNT ON THE TREASURE COAST FOOD BANK.NEXT ARE ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF
[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
THE AGENDA. >> POLICE COX, BEFORE WE DO THAT, DID WE APPROVE THE MINUTES.
>> WE DID NOT APPROVE THE MINUTES.
>> I MOVE FOR THE APPROVAL. >> SECOND.
>> SHE IS LEAVING TOMORROW. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS.
>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK. >> YES, MA'AM.
[8. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
>> THANK YOU. NOW WE WILL DO THE ADDITIONS OR
DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA. >> ANYTHING THAT ANYBODY WOULD
LIKE TO ADD, MR. MIMMS. >> MADAM MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION. I HAVE A REQUEST FOR LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR THE KING IS LANDING BRIGHTLINE RAIL STATION.
I WOULD LIKE TO ADD FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION TO BE PLACED AS ITEM 13-C UNDER "CITY COMMISSION."
>> ANY OTHER CHANGES? IF NOT, I WILL ENTERTAIN A
[00:05:03]
MOTION WITH THAT CHANGE. >> MADAM MAYOR, I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT THE AGENDA WITH THE ONE SAID EDITION.
>> SECOND. >> A MOTION AND A SECOND, CALL
>> OKAY. WE HAD NO ONE SIGN UP FOR
[11. CONSENT AGENDA]
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC AT THIS POINT ON THE AGENDA, SO WE WILLMOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> ANY ITEM THAT ANY COMMISSIONER WOULD LIKE TO PULL N, IF NOT, I WILL HEAR A MOTION.
>> MADAM MAYOR, PULL 11-D. >> OKAY.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR THE REMAINDER --
>> MADAM MAYOR, LET'S SEE -- I AM NOT SURE IF MISS VALENTIN, DID YOU HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH MISS MENTION OF 13-C.
>> I HAVE. AND THAT ITEM -- IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO PULL IT, I AM HAPPY TO DISCUSS IT, BUT IT WHAT IS BEEN VETTED BY BOTH MY OFFICE AND THE CITY ATTORNEY.
>> SORRY, NOT 13-C. >> YOU MEAN 11-C?
>> 11-C, I APOLOGIZE. THE GRANT AGREEMENT.
>> YOU WANT TO PULL THAT? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> ALL RIGHT, WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR THE REST OF
THE R CONSENT AGENDA? >> MOVE TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. >> MOTION AND A SECOND, CALL THE
[c. Approval of the Assignment of the FDEP Grant Agreement for the FPUA Wastewater Treatment Plant Resiliency Project from the City to the FPUA.]
>> SO 11-C IS THE APPROVAL OF THE ASSIGNMENT OF THE FDEP GRANT FOR THE FPUA WATER TREATMENT PLANT RESILIENCY PROJECT FROM
THE CITY TO THE FPUA. >> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON.
>> YES, MA'AM, I JUST -- IN -- YOU KNOW IN TIMES PAST WHEN TALKING ABOUT THE FPUA, WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT TRANSITION OR THE PROJECT SPECIFICALLY, I HAD TO RECUSE MYSELF BECAUSE OF A CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP.
SO MISS VALENTIN, DID YOU SPEAK SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THOSE
>> YES, MA'AM. >> I DIDN'T SPEAK TO HER SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THAT, BUT -- IN THIS CASE, I THINK YOU CAN VOTE BECAUSE IT IS BASICALLY THE GRANT IS BEING ASSIGNED TO THE FPUA. AND WE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. WHEREAS IN THE PAST, IT WAS AN ITEM THAT WAS AWARDED TO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, AND THEN WE MANAGED IT AND WOULD HAVE A CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP IN THAT REGARD. IN THIS CASE, YOU WILL BE SAYING IT IS OUT OF OUR HANDS. WE WILL GIVE IT OVER TORT FPUA.
>> I WANTED TO CONFIRM THAT ON THE RECORD.
>> GOOD FOR YOU. DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION FOR
APPROVAL? >> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE
>> THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND.
[d. Approval of Specific Authorization No. 5 to Kimley Horn, Vero Beach, FL, for professional engineering services relating to the structural assessment of the floors of the parking garage, in an amount not to exceed $83,725.94.]
>> 11-D IS THE APPROVAL OF SPECIFIC AUTHORIZATION NUMBER 5 TO KIMLEY-HORN OF VERO BEACH, FLORIDA, FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES RELATED TO THE STRUCTURAL ASSESSMENT OF THE FLOORS OF THE PARKING GARAGE IN THE AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED
$893,725.94. >> MADAM MAYOR, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY -- I READ THE BACK-UP THAT CAME WITH THIS.
THIS IS MORE OF A CONTEXT QUESTION MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE. I SEEM TO REALIZE THAT WE JUST WENT THROUGH A RATHER SUBSTANTIVE MITIGATION ON THE PARKING GARAGE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO.
IS THIS TIED INTO THAT IN SOME CAPACITY, NICK?
OR FURTHER DETERIORATION. >> WHILE I AM SPEAKING I WILL ASK OUR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS TO COME ON UP.
I WILL SAY NOT NECESSARILY FURTHER DETERIORATION.
I THINK THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE AND IT HAS NOT YET BEEN FULLY RESOLVED. WE HAD SPALDING AND THE JOINTS WHERE WE HAD THE CONNECTION AND THE FASTENERS WITH THE MANUFACTURERS AND PRECAST FACILITY THAT HAVE SHOWN TO BE, I GUESS, SOME MINOR STRUCTURAL FAILURES.
NOW THE CITY PARKING GARAGE IS STRUCTURALLY SAFE.
BUT WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET AN ACCURATE LONG-TERM SOLUTION. I THINK WHAT WE DID LAST TIME, WE PUT A BAND-AID ON IT. THIS TIME WE ARE LOOKING FOR A LONG-TERM SOLUTION. WE HAVE AN ENGINEER THAT IS ASSIGNED NOW WITH THIS APPROVAL DESIGN.
A STRUCTURAL SOLUTION THAT WILL RESOLVE ALL THE ISSUES CURRENTLY BEING EXPERIENCED. MIKE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD
>> MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONER BRODERICK, AS MR. MIMMS STATED, THAT'S CORRECT. THIS IS A CONTINUATION.
THE PROJECT RECENTLY WITH THE TOP TWO FLOORS AND WE HAD DEFICIENCIES ON ALL OF THE FLOORS OF THE PARKING GARAGE.
IN THE SCOPE OF THIS PROJECT, TE ENGINEERING FIRM IS GOING TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE HANDS-ON THAN THEY WERE IN THE PAST.
THEY HAVE BEEN ON-SITE FOR THE INITIAL REPAIRS THAT ARE MADE TO
[00:10:02]
ENSURE THEY ARE BEING DONE TO PROPER STANDARDS.AND AS WELL, SEARCH A MEMBER OF OUR TEAM, YOU KNOW, HOW TO DO THAT NUMBERS. SO THIS IS SOME MUCH-NEEDED MAINTENANCE ON THE GARAGE THAT WE ARE --
>> THE SAME ENGINEERING FIRM THAT HAS JUST BEEN INVOLVED
PREVIOUSLY AS WELL. >> YES, SIR.
>> THAT IS A POSITIVE. SECONDARILY, I NOTED THERE IS SOME LANGUAGE IN THE -- IN THE BACK-UP DOCUMENTATION REGARDING SOME TYPE OF A WARRANTY CLAIM. ARE WE -- DO WE HAVE A WARRANTY ISSUE OR IS THAT -- NO? OKAY, SO I -- WISHFUL THINKING ON MY PART. BUT -- THANK YOU FOR THE INPUT.
I OBSERVE THE REPAIRS JUST, YOU KNOW, CURIOUS ABOUT THAT STUFF WHEN IT WAS TAKING PLACE PREVIOUSLY, AND IT SEEMED TO BE PRETTY EXTENSIVE. WE ARE JUST CONTINUING IN THE SAME PROCESS. WHAT IS THE GARAGE 20 YEARS OLD?
>> I THINK IT WAS, WHAT -- NINE, TEN?
>> REALLY? >> TEN, 11, 12 YEARS OLD, YES,
SIR. >> THANK YOU FOR THE REPORT.
THAT IS THE INFORMATION I WAS LOOKING FOR.
>> MR. C. JOHNSON. >> THE COMMISSIONER BROUGHT UP A POINT, WE DON'T HAVE A WARRANTY BUT TO HAVE ANOTHER SET OF EYES ON THIS. DOES THAT BRING ABOUT ANY FURTHER LIABILITY PROTECTION BECAUSE OF THAT? WILL THAT HELP US WITH ANY OF THAT GOING FORWARD? ARE THEY CERTIFYING THAT THE WORK WILL BE DONE ACCURATELY AND MAYBE WE CAN GET A BREAK ON OUR INSURANCE, ETC.
THAT IS WHERE MY MIND WENT WHEN I READ THE BACK-UP THAT WE HIRED THIS COMPANY THAT WE GET FURTHER VALIDATION THAT THINGS ARE DONE
RIGHT, ETC. >> MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, I DON'T, I AM NOT SURE HOW TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION ON THE LIABILITY SIDE WITHOUT TALKING WITH OUR RISK FOLKS, BUT I WOULD ASSUME THAT HAVING, YOU KNOW, THIS FIRM HERE, THEY ARE CREATING THE SCOPE -- THEY ARE CREATING THE PLANS HOW IT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED AND ALSO HERE WITH A WATCHFUL EYE.
I CAN ONLY THINK THAT IT WILL HELP US.
>> I WOULD HOPE WE WOULD PURSUE THAT FOR A CITY.
I AM NOT LOOKING FOR THE ANSWER ANSWER TODAY.
I READ THAT AND I SAW THE ALLOCATION FOR THIS TYPE OF SERVICE. MY MIND AUTOMATICALLY WENT TO ALMOST A FURTHER VALIDATION THAT WE ARE ADDRESSING THIS.
WE HAVE MORE STRUCTURAL ENGINEERS LOOKING AT OUR WHOLE SYSTEM HERE. AND I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE IF WE HAVEN'T LOOKED THAT THE FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE, I THINK WE SHOULD. AND IT GIVES ME A -- A VOTE OF CONFIDENCE THAT WE -- WE HAVE SOME OTHER STRUCTURAL PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT REALLY RELATED TO IT OR ACTUALLY DOING THE WORK.
THEY ARE MORE. NOT A SUPERVISOR BUT OVERSEEING.
MY QUESTION IS, WOULD THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY IF THEY SAW SOMETHING STOP OR BRING THAT UP OR, YOU KNOW, THAT TYPE OF
THING? >> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, WE CERTAINLY WOULD. THEY ARE GOING TO BE OUR CONSULTANT ON THIS PROJECTS. THEY SEE SOMETHING, THEY WILL ALERT IT TO US RIGHT AWAY AND WE CAN CERTAINLY STOP PROGRESS.
>> QUALITY CONTROL. >> QUALITY CONTROL.
THANK YOU. >> THAT GARAGE IS ONLY GOING TO BE INCREASING IN USAGE. SO I THINK THERE ARE GOING TO BE TIMES WHEN IT IS GOING TO BE NOT JUST TWICE A YEAR FULL.
BUT NEARLY FULL AS TIME GOES ON. SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT IS IN GOOD SHAPE. OKAY.
LET'S SEE. WOULD LIEU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION ABOUT THAT, COMMISSIONER BRODERICK.
>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
>> MOTION AND SECOND, CALL THE ROLL.
[a. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 23-062 Re-Establishing the City's Debt Limit in the Code of Ordinances. SECOND READING]
WE HAVE A SECOND READING ON ORDINANCE 23-062.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, AR ARTICLE, CHAPTER 5, TO CORRECT A SCRIVENER'S ERROR AND RE-ESTABLISH THE CITY'S DEBT LIMIT. REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN PART IN CONFLICT, PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITIES CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THE SECOND READING.
37. >> THIS IS THE SECOND READING.
ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
SEEING NO MOVEMENT, I WILL TAKE IT BACK TO THE COMMISSION.
>> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 23-062.
>> SECOND. >> THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL THE ROLL PLEASE.
[a. Resolution 23-R60 appointing Lisa Kessler to Arts & Culture Advisory Board as Commissioner Broderick's appointee.]
WE HAVE RESOLUTION 23-R 60, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITICITY OF FORT PIERCE CERTIFYING THE APPOINTMENT AND REAPPOINTMENT TO MEMBERS OF THE ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY BOARD AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
THIS RESOLUTION WILL APPOINT LISA KESSLER TO THE BOARD AS COMMISSIONER BRODERICK'S APPOINTEE.
>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION.
>> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
>> CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE. >> YES.
[b. Resolution 23-R61 reappointing Caleta Scott as a commissioner on the Fort Pierce Housing Authority Board. ]
[00:15:01]
>> NEXT WE HAVE RESOLUTION 23-R 61, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, CERTIFYING THE MAYOR'S REAPPOINTMENT OF CALETA SCOTT AS A COMMISSIONER OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE. >> IS THERE A MOTION.
>> MOVE FOR THE APPROVAL. >> SECOND.
>> A MOTION AND SECOND. CALL THE ROLL PLEASE.
NEXT WE MOVE ON TO COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC.
>> WE NEED ITEM C. >> THAT'S TWO.
>> HELPING ME OUT TODAY. TWO STRIKES, MAN.
ONE MORE AND YOU ARE ON VACATION.
>> ONE MORE, YOU ARE OUT OF HERE.
[LAUGHTER] >> LETTER 13-C IS A LETTER OF SUPPORT TO BRIGHTLINE ON BEHALF OF AWED CONTINUE TO DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A RAIL STATION ON THEIR PROPERTY AT KINGS LANDING.
>> MR. MIMMS. >>NICHOLAS MIMMS: MADAM MAYOR, A REQUEST FROM THE DEVELOPMENT PARTNER IN WITH THE KINGS LANDING DEVELOPMENT TO PROVIDE A LETTER OF SUPPORT BASICALLY SAYING WE ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT HIS EFFORTS TO LAND A BRIGHTLINE RAIL PASSENGER RAIL STATION ON THE WEST SIDE OF HIS PROPERTY.
THE PROPERTY THAT IS LYING WEST OF 2ND STREET CURRENTLY -- I THINK IT WAS PHASE 8 OR 9 IN THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AND WE LEFT THAT SPACE VACANT FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT SUCH AS THIS.
SO THE APPROVAL OF THIS LETTER OF SUPPORT SHALL NOT HAVE ANY BEARING ON THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE WHAT STAUFFER.
THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE PROPOSAL SHALL PROCEED AND BE PROVIDED TO BRIGHTLINE ON OR BEFORE THE DECEMBER 22, 2023 DATE.
BUT THIS IS A -- THIS PRIVATE VENTURE THAT WE ARE SUPPORTING IN OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY. IT IS HERE FOR YOUR
CONSIDERATION. >> QUESTIONS FOR MR. MIMMS OR A
MOTION. >> MADAM MAYOR, I MOVE THAT WE AUTHORIZE AND SUPPORT AND APPROVE THE LETTER OF SUPPORT.
>> SECOND. >> THERE IS A MOTION AND A
SECOND, CALL THE ROLL PLEASE. >> YES.
[14. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Any person who wishes to comment on any subject may be heard at this time. Please limit your comments to three (3) minutes or less, as directed by the Mayor, as this section of the Agenda is limited to thirty minutes. The City Commission will not be able to take any official actions under Comments from the Public. Speakers will address the Mayor, Commissioners, and the Public with respect. Inappropriate language will not be tolerated.]
>> NOW WE HAVE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC.
[LAUGHTER] OKAY, THIS IS THE TIME FOR ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION ON ANY SUBJECT.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. PLEASE COME FORWARD AND STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND MISS COX WILL GIVE YOU A THREE-SECOND WARNING. WELC
MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, CITY MANAGER.
I WAS HERE TWO MONTHS AGO REGARDING MY PROJECT.
AND FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO, AGAIN, REPEAT MY APPRECIATION OF THE ZONING DEPARTMENT. THEY ARE DOING A GREAT JOB.
THEY ARE RERESPONSIVE. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THEM AT ALL. I THINK THAT PROCESS TOOK LONGER THAN IT SHOULD TAKE, BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS ON THE PAPER AND WE DON'T HAVE ANY ANSWERS SINCE TWO MONTHS FROM THE OUTSIDE ATT ATTORNEY.
BACK TO THE CITY WITH ANY COMMENT OR ARE THEY STILL IN THE PROCESS. I'M HERE TO ASK IF YOU CAN EXPLAIN THIS PROCESS A LITTLE BIT MORE BECAUSE I WANT TO START THIS PROJECT IN 2024. AND THE MORE LONGER WE WAIT, WE ARE LOSING ALL TOGETHER. IF THEY HAVE ANY -- IF ANYTHING TO EXPLAIN, I AM READY. OR IF I NEED TO GO AND AT THAT YOU CAN TO ANYONE, I AM READY. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU CAN EXPEDITE THAT POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE.
WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT TO DO. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYBODY. WE ARE READY TO MAKE BUSINESS WITH YOU IN 2024. THANK YOU.
>> WE APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION?
PLEASE COME FORWARD. >> WELCOME.
>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, JACQUE CHESTER, FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, 34946. MY NAME IS JACQUE CHESTER.
GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, CITY MANAGER NICHOLAS MIMMS AND CITY COMMISSIONERS. I AM A REAL ESTATE BROKER OF A COLD WELL REALTY. SOLD $250 MILLION IN REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS OVER THE PAST 18 MONTHS.
THE REASON I'M HERE TODAY IS TO ADDRESS THE CITY OF FORT PI PIERCE LIEN POLICY AND THE HUNDREDS OF REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION IT ISES THAT IMPACTED THAT DID NOT CLOSE.
AND ALTHOUGH I RECOGNIZE YOUR EFFORTS TO REDEVELOP AND REVITALIZE THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THE LIEN POLICY WE HAVE IN PLACE IS WORKING AGAINST YOUR TRUE EFFORTS IN YOUR GOALS OF BECOMING A VIBRANT AND THRIVING
[00:20:04]
CITY. WHAT I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU GUYS, AND I BELIEVE YOU HAVE IT ALL IN YOUR HAND IS ONE OF THE REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS THAT CAME ACROSS OUR DESK THAT I AM CURTIS JOHNSON RECENTLY WORKING WITH.I WANT TO SHOW YOU WHAT IT ACTUALLY LOOKS LIKE FROM THE FACE OF THE CONSUMER, THE SELLER AND THE BUYER.
IF YOU CAN LOOK AT ITEM NUMBER 7, IT IS ASKING FOR A PARTIAL RELEASE OF LAND FROM THE CODE ENFORCEMENT LIENS AND 33 DIFFERENT VIOLATIONS ON THIS PARTICULAR PROPERTY WHICH MEANS THIS REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION CANNOT BE FUNDED EITHER SECURED FUNDING BY THE SELLERS TO FIX THE PROBLEM OR SECURE FUNDING BY THE BUYER TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY.
THESE ARE BLIGHTED PROPERTIES THAT ARE IN THE HANDS OF NONCOMPLIANT OWNERS WHERE WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR A BUYER TO TAKE THESE PROPERTIES TO HELP PUSH FORWARD THE EFFORT ON REVITALIZING THE COMMUNITY. WHAT I AM HOPING TODAY IS TO BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION. NOT TO MENTION ONE OF THE WORST THINGS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR TRANSACTION THIS KNEES PARTICULAR PROPERTIES OR VIOLATIONS ARE NOT ATTACHED TO THIS PROPERTY -- WELL, NOT ON THIS PARTICULAR PROPERTY.
IT IS THE SPREAD OF LIENS THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE SELLER HE IS NAME. SO THIS ONE PROPERTY, ALTHOUGH IT IS IN COMPLIANCE, IT IS STILL IMPACT AND AFFECTED.
A VACANT LOT WHERE SOMEONE IS LOOKING TO BUILD AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND HE CAN NOT BUILD UNTIL THE CODE VIOLATIONS ARE CLEARED OR PARTIALLY RELEASED. I WANT TO BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION WITH HOPES OF FINDING A BETTER WAY INTO THE NEXT FUTURE AS WE SEE THE DEVELOPMENTS OF KINGS A LANDING AND EVERYTHING ELSE HAPPENING HERE WHERE IT IS EASIER TO NAVIGATE THIS PARTICULAR PROCESS.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION? PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NO MOVEMENT, WE WILL MOVE
ON. >> NEXT WE HAVE COMMENTS FROM
THE CITY MANAGER. >> MR. MIMMS.
>> NO COMMENTS AT THIS TIME. >> MISS COX? YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY BEFORE YOU ARE OUT THE DOOR? [LAUGHTER] MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY
HOLIDAYS TO EVERYONE. >> MISS VALENTIN, SO LONG ON THE
JOB, ANYTHING TO REPORT? >> NO, SAME, I HOPE YOU HAVE AN AMAZING HOLIDAYS AND THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SIT HERE TONIGHT.
[16. COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION]
>> ON TOP COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION.
>> ANYBODY WANT TO GO FIRST? COMMISSIONER GAINES.
YOU ARE LOOKING -- YOU ARE GRINNING.
>> I WILL GO FIRST. FIRST OF ALL, JUST WANT TO SAY TO MADAM MAYOR AND THE COMMISSIONERS, WE MADE IT ANOTHER YEAR. SO I THINK WE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT THIS YEAR. WE ARE STILL SMILING AT EACH OTHER. AND TALKING TO EACH OTHER.
SO THAT -- THAT IS ALWAYS A GOOD THING.
TO THE -- TO THE YOU CAN LIKE ARE LISTENING, I WANT TO SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.
BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE ARE BACK BEFORE NEXT YEAR.
I THINK THIS IS IT FOR US -- THIS IS IT FOR US THIS YEAR.
HAPPY NEW YEAR. AND WHILE WE ARE OUT CELEBRATING, LET'S JUST THINK OF THAT NEIGHBOR THAT YOU THINK IS CELEBRATING BUT NOT REALLY CELEBRATING BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOTHING TO CELEBRATE. SO GO NEXT DOOR AND JUST SAY, HEY, MERRY CHRISTMAS. HAPPY NEW YEAR.
AND PUT A SMILE ON THEIR FACE. AND MAKE WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO UP HERE ONE FORT PIERCE REALLY MEAN SOMETHING ABOUT ONE FORT PIERCE, BECAUSE WE ARE ONE FORT PIERCE.
MADAM MAYOR, I HEARD IT BEFORE THE MEETING.
WE HAD THE SECOND ANNUAL RUFUS ALEXANDER TOY DRIVE.
IT WAS A SUCCESS. THE FAMILY IS LOOKING TO BUILD ON IT MORE TO TRY PROVIDE MORE TOYS AND OTHER GAVE NOT OUT IN D BIKES BUT THE BOOKBAGS THAT KIDS CAN GO BACK TO SCHOOL.
THEY DIDN'T LIKE THAT, BUT THEY GOT IT ANYWAY, BOOKBAG FULL OF SUPPLIES WHEN SCHOOL IS BACK IN. AND ALSO HAVE ENOUGH CLOTHES THAT WERE DONATED TO GIVE OUT FREE CLOTHES TO EVERYBODY WHO NEEDED FREE CLOTHES. AND IT WAS A MIXTURE OF NEW CLOTHES WITH TAGS ON THEM. AND SLIGHTLY USED CLOTHES.
SO THAT WENT -- THAT WENT OUT VERY WELL.
SO I KNOW COMMISSIONER BRODERICK CAME BY.
HE MISSED SOME GOOD HAMBURGERS ANDDOGS.
HE LEFT BEFORE THEY GOT DONE. >> HE DIDN'T TELL ME.
I WOULD HAVE HUNG AROUND. >> THEY WERE GOOD.
THAT WAS A GOOD EVENT SATURDAY. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, AS YOU SEE, MADAM MAYOR, I AM WEARING GREEN AND ORANGE.
[LAUGHTER] AND THE REASON I AM WEARING GREEN AND ORANGE IS BECAUSE THIS WEEKEND, THERE WAS A CELEBRATION
[00:25:05]
BOWL, WHICH IS THE BLACK COLLEGE CHAMPIONSHIP BOWL BETWEEN THE TWO CONFERENCES, SWAC AND THE MEAC AND MY ALMA MATER HOWARD UNIVERSITY PLAYED COMMISSIONER JOHNSON'S ALMA MATER, FLORIDA A &M. BUT THE BUYSENS TOOK THE L.IT WAS A GREAT GAME. LOST 26-30.
RATTLERS MIGHTY QUIET FOR THE WHOLE THREE, FOUR QUARTERS, AFTER THE SCORE THEY WENT AHEAD. MY PHONE STARTED RINGING.
MY FACEBOOK PAGE STARTED JUMPING.
IT WAS FINE. I AM HAPPY BECAUSE A GREAT TURN OUT. STILL FRIENDS.
I PUT ON MY COLORS JUST FOR MY FRIEND OVER THERE, COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, BUT I PUT A POST, MADAM MAYOR, I PART POSTY POST SUNDAY MORNING AND TOLD THEM WE MIGHT BE GOING BACK TO D.C. WITH THE LOSS, BUT YOU CAN'T TAKE MY JOY, PAUSE THE BEST PRESENT I GOT IN DECEMBER WAS CERT CERTIFICATION THAT MY DAUGHTER HAS COMPLETED HER STUDIES AT HOWARD UNIVERSITY.
AND ALL THAT IS LEFT NOW IS FOR HER TO MARCH IN MAY, BECAUSE WE DON'T DO TWO GRADUATIONS. WE DO THE ONE BIG GRADUATION AND SHE WILL BE GRADUATING IN MAY FROM HOWARD WITH A 3.91 AVERAGE.
>> CONGRATULATIONS. >> THESE RATTLERS CAN'T STEAL MY JOY. CURTIS IS HAPPY ABOUT THAT TOO BECAUSE HE HAS KNOWN THE KIDS SINCE THEY WERE BORN.
SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, TO ALL THE RATTLERS OUT THERE SENT ME THE E-MAILS THAT WOKE UP SATURDAY MORNING AND SAID, GOOD MORNING TO EVERYBODY EXCEPT THE HOWARD BISON.
I GOT THOSE POSTS TOO. I AM GOING TO SAY GREAT GAME.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR CHAMPIONSHIP.
AND I AM ACTUALLY GOING TO SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAVE A HAPPY
NEW YEAR, MADAM MAYOR. >> VERY GRACIOUS OF YOU.
ALWAYS NEXT YEAR. >> ALWAYS NEXT YEAR.
>> WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO NEXT. >> THE RATTLER HAS TO FOLLOW UP.
>> THE RATTLER. I SAW JOHNA MORRIS WITH HER --
>> FIRST AND FOREMOST. HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
COMMISSIONER MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF THE HOLIDAYS THAT YOU CELEBRATE, HANUKKAH, KWANZAA, THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, TREASURE COAST. A TREMENDOUS YEAR.
2023 QUESTION SAW MANY GAINS. WE SAW SOME LOSSES.
SOME PEOPLE THAT WERE NEAR AND DEAR TO OUR HEARTS ARE NO LONGER HERE AND SOME OF US ARE ENTERING INTO THAT PHASE THE FIRST TIME WITHOUT OUR LOVED ONES. YOUR WORDS AND SENTIMENT, COMMISSIONER GAINES, YOU NEVER KNOW HOW IT MAKES SOMEONE FEEL TO TAKE THAT EXTRA MOMENT DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
WHATEVER IT IS. WHATEVER SMALL GESTURE THAT IS HOW IT WILL PROBABLY MAKE SOMEONE FEEL THAT YOU PROBABLY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH.
SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT TO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE.
LAST WEEK WONDERFUL WE -- WE HUNG SOME BANNERS ON THE BUILDING AND GOT THE PRESS GOING AND PEOPLE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE ARE SUBMITTING OUR APPLICATION THIS WEEK FOR BRIGHTLINE.
I WANT THE COMMUNITY TO KNOW THAT WE WANT BRIGHTLINE TO KNOW WE WANT THEM THERE. THESE BANNERS ARE AN ENCOURAGE TO KNOW THAT WE WANT BRIGHT LINE HERE AND CITIZENS FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT THAT YOU WANT TO STOP AT FORT PIERCE AND THAT WILL NOT HURT US. WE NEED TO TELL PEOPLE WE WANT THEM AND WE NEED THEM HERE AND THAT WILL HELP OUT COMMUTER COMMUNITY. I TOO ENJOYED -- UNFORTUNATELY I WASN'T HERE, THE RESILIENCY OF THE ALEXANDER FAMILY TO MOVE THAT WITH THE INCLEMENT WEATHER AND BROUGHT JOY TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE. I SAW YOU, COMMISSIONERS GAINES, AS WELL AS THE ST. LUCIE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND BHOELT ME AND THE
MAYOR SERVE ON THAT FIRE BOARD. >>COMMISSIONER GAINES: CHIEF
WAS THERE. >> THE CHIEF WAS THERE.
THIS COMING WEEKEND. THAT CONTINUES.
THE NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WILL BE DOING THE SAME THING. YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS GET MYSELF IN TROUBLE BECAUSE I LEAVE SOMEONE ELSE BUT PASTOR SHAW HAS SOMETHING GOING ON AT HIS CHURCH AND PASTOR HAZEL HORTON MAKING THEIR ROUNDS TO AVENUE G TO BRING JOY TO THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY AND THE ANNUAL BEN GAY BOWL BETWEEN THE COBRAS AND WESTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL. WE ARE NOT PLAYING, COMMISSIONER GAINES. THERE IS AN AGE LIMIT TO THIS.
WE ARE RELEGATED TO THE SIDELINES.
A LOT OF FUN, FAMILY FUN. AS PEOPLE COME BACK HOME TO VISIT LOVED ONES, I AM SURE IT WILL BE A GREAT POINT OF
[00:30:03]
LAUGHTER. BUT GREAT THINGS GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITY. A NUMBER OF ORGANIZATION THERE IS A WILL DO THINGS THIS TIME OF YEAR TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY.LASTLY BUT NOT LEAST, COMMISSIONER GAINES, I GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORT TO TAKE THIS -- THIS WEEKEND'S LOSS THE RIGHT WAY. IT WAS -- IT WAS A LOSS NOR YOUR UNIVERSITY, BUT A WIN FOR BOTH OF OUR UNIVERSITIES BECAUSE WHAT I SAW IN THAT STADIUM WAS CLOSE TO 42,000 PEOPLE REPRESENTING NOT ONLY OUR TWO SCHOOLS BUT MANY OTHER HBCUS.
WE WERE BLESSED TO HAVE THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES A GRADUATE OF HOWARD. SHE WAS IN THE BUILDING THAT MADE THINGS QUITE COMPLICATED. SHE WAS THERE.
AND WE ENJOYED THAT. BUT, YOU KNOW, ALL IN ALL, IT WAS A GREAT WEEKEND, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE BOTH -- YOU KNOW FAMU MORE SO THAN HOWARD BUT WE BOTH AND ALL OF HBCUS SEND PEOPLE FROM THIS COMMUNITY THOSE INSTITUTIONS.
AS WELL AS ANY INSTITUTION BUT PARTICULARLY TO THOSE AND IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THAT BECAUSE ALL TOO OFTEN THOSE INSTITUTIONS TOOK YOUNG PEOPLE AND STILL MAKE YOUNG PEOPLE AND MAKE AND MOLD THEM INTO GREAT LEADERS.
EVEN LEADERS THAT CAN BE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE RECOGNIZE THAT AND FUNDS THAT WE RAISE RIGHT HERE IN COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE SENT YOUNG PEOPLE THERE. I WANT TO SAY WE HAVE A YOUNG MAN -- I TRULY APOLOGIZE -- ON OUR FOOTBALL TEAM THAT IS A CHAMPION FROM FORT PIERCE. WE WILL RECOGNIZE THAT IN 2024.
SO THEY ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 45 YEARS TO THE DAY WHEN FAMU WON THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AND WE WON ONE THIS SATURDAY.
45 YEARS TO THE DAY THAT WE WENT UNDEFEATED TO WIN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. HATS OFF TO ALL THE RATTLER NOTICE COMMUNITY. ALL HBCUS.
MERRY CHRISTMAS. HAPPY NEW YEAR.
CONTINUING THE PROGRESS OF ONE FORT PIERCE IN THE CITY OF FORT
PIERCE. >> MR. BRODERICK, YOU WANT TO GO
NEXT? >> FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WISH EVERYBODY A MERRY CHRISTMAS,:HAPPY AND SAFE NEW YEAR AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
A SPECIAL TIME OF YEAR TO BE THOUGHTFUL OF THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE LESS FORTUNATE THAN US.
THAT WAS CERTAINLY REPRESENTED AS WELL AT SATURDAY'S EVENT FROM THE -- FROM THE ALEXANDER TOY DRIVE.
AND I HAD A GREAT TIME. IT WAS JUST FUN.
THE EXCITING THING ABOUT IT IS JUST TO SEE THE SMILES ON THOSE KIDS' FACES AS THEY ARE GOING UP WITH A TICKET AND PICKING OUT A BIKE. AND IT JUST -- IT JUST WARMS YOUR HEART. THAT IS FOR SURE.
I KNOW OTHER EVENTS TAKING PLACE IT WEEKENDS.
I AMMING FORWARD TO PARTICIPATING IN THOSE.
AND THE MORE WE SPREAD TO THE COMMUNITY AND SHOW GENERAL SUPPORT, THE BETTER OFF THE COMMUNITY IS, AS WELL AS THE FOLKS THAT ARE INVOLVED. GIVE UNTIL IT HURTS.
AND I KNOW I SAY THAT EVERY TIME, BUT GET YOUR CHECKBOOKS OUT. SECONDLY IS THE BRIGHTLINE INITIATIVE. I AM THRILLED TO BE WORKING WITH THIS BODY AND THE TEAM OF THE CITY TO BE THE MUNICIPALITY THAT HAS STOOD ON AND ON WITH BRIGHTLINE FROM DAY ONE.
-- FROM OUR COMPETITORS. FROM - AND I AM HOPEFUL THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A POSITIVE RESULT IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE.
I AM TRULY IMPRESSED WITH THE -- WITH THE PRESENTATION THAT WAS PACKAGED UP AND ON THEIR DESK FOR THE 22ND.
I APPLAUD THE TEAM FOR THAT. THAT WAS CERTAINLY AN INITIATIVE THAT WAS NOT ONLY WORTHWHILE, BUT YOU CAN TELL THERE WAS A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK -- WORK PUT INTO THIS.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE TEAM NOR PUTTING FORWARD EVERY BIT OF EFFORT. THE BANNERS WENT UP.
MY PHONE STARTED BLOWING UP. IT WAS GREAT! AND JUST MEANS WE HAVE THE STATION -- WELL, NOT YET.
WE ARE WORKING TO GET TO THAT POINT.
BUT I THINK THAT'S ALL I HAVE GOT TONIGHT.
>> OKAY. COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. VERY THANKFUL FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND THE CITY AND THE MANY BLESSINGS THAT WE HAVE.
THANK YOU TO ALL THE RESIDENTS AND TO YOU AS COMMISSIONERS AND MADAM MAYOR AND ALL CITY EMPLOYEES FOR WHAT YOU DO EVERY SINGLE DAY. I WISH YOU A HAPPY HOLIDAYS AND A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR OF COURSE.
VERY EXCITING TO SEE WHAT IS ON THE HORSE FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE IN OUR BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY.
SO SHARING IN THE GREAT NEWS OF TALKING ABOUT BRIGHTLINE.
I GOT HOT OFF THE PRESS AN E-MAIL I WILL FORWARD TO THE
[00:35:03]
CITY MANAGER. YOU MAY HAVE A COPY ALREADY FROM THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.I KNEW DID YOU BUT I HAD TO SAY IT JUST IN CASE.
JUST IN CASE YOU WERE PUTTING IT AWAY IN ANOTHER FOLDER OR SOMETHING. LAST WEEK, THE TDC VOTED TO PROVIDE A $250,000 TOURISM-FUNDED RIPERSHIP COMMITMENT OVER A THREE-YEAR PERIOD.
>> SO THAT IS, OF COURSE, ONCE THE -- THE CITY AND ST. LUCIE COUNTY IS SELECT AS LOCATION OF THE BRIGHT LINE STATION.
FACTS THAT I WON'T TALK ABOUT TOO, TOO MUCH.
INTERESTING TO SEE THE NUMBERS, BECAUSE WHEN WE DO THESE REVIEWS AND LOOK AT THE EVALUATION AND THE NUMBERS, YOU KNOW, TNETS HAE AN ECONOMIC $39 MILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT.
TENS OF THOUSANDS VISITORS COMING TO OUR COMMUNITY.
UTC SEAL MUSEUM, 80,000 ANNUAL VISITORS.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR US TO SHARE.
THE LAST TIME -- THERE WAS A COUPLE OF UNIQUE ITEMS. OUR ECONOMIC IMPACT OF TOURISM IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY WAS OVER $1 BILLION IN 2023. IN ADDITION TO THAT, YOU KNOW, LOCATION, WE ARE KIND OF I CAN QUESTION DISTANT FROM MIAMI AND ORLANDO. ALL OF OUR -- ALL OF THE TOP OR REAGAIN OF OUR VISITORS WITHIN ST. LUCIE COUNTY ORLANDO, WEST PALM BEACH AND THE MIAMI MARKET. JUST MAKES SENSE THAT WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER FORM OF TRANSPORTATION COMING TO OUR FRONT DOOR, RIGHT. 1 MILES OF FREE BEACH AND FREE PARKING AND, YOU KNOW, OF COURSE, THE STATE PARK.
AND ALL THE AMENITIES THAT GO ALONG WITH IT.
JUST THROWING IT OUT THERE. JUST FLOWING IT OUT THERE.
>> I LOVE IT. >> SO, YEAH, ALL THE FRENZY FROM AFAR LOOKING AT SOCIAL MEDIA. GOT MANY RESOON.
AND QUESTIONS AND SO, IT WAS JUST FUN TO PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT OF -- OF ANSWER OR CONVERSATION PIECES HERE AND THERE.
I HAVEN'T EVEN SEEN ALL OF THE E-MAILS BUT I AM CATCHING UP ON THEM. BUT, LIKE YOU SAID, ONE OF YOU HAVE SAID, CALL THEM UP AND TELL THEM THEY WANT BRIGHTLINE STATION THERE AND MAKE IT HAPPEN.
I WAS IN THE ORLANDO AIRPORT, HAND THIS TERMINAL IS PHENOMENAL. A BEAUTIFUL PLACE.
THEY HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB. I WILL SHARE WITH YOU AND ON THE WEST COAST OF THE UNITED STATES THAT THERE IS ALSO CALLED BRIGHTLINE WEST. AND SO THEY ARE WORKING ON -- ALL THEIR AMENITIES ON THAT SIDE OF THE UNITED STATES ALSO.
SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS VERY INTERESTING TO SEE.
AS I LANDED IN A CITY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I SEE A SIGN THAT SAYS BRIGHTLINE. ALL RIGHT.
I AM A GOD-FEARING FELLA AND I SAID THANK YOU, LORD, FOR THE
>> RIGHT. IMENCOURAGED OVERALL OF THE PROJECT. I AM ENCOURAGED OF THE LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR KINGS LANDING. ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY AS WE SEE THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE DOWNTOWN CORRIDOR AND ALL THE -- THE IMPACTS AND THE POSITIVE IMPACTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE OCCURRING.
SO I GOT TO TALK WITH LYLE A LITTLE BIT TODAY AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT STRATEGIC PLANNING LATER.
OBVIOUSLY NEXT YEAR. BUT IT IS INTERESTING TO TALK TO HIM A LITTLE BIT AND LOOKING AT THE VISIONS AND FORECAST AND ALL THE THINGS WE PROVIDE TO HIM. I SAID, YOU KNOW, THE ODDEST PART IS WATCHING A CITY YOU GREW UP IN CHANGE.
AND WATCHING IT CHANGE IN SUCH A POSITIVE WAY WHERE FOLKS ARE JUST SMILING BIGGER AND BIGGER EVERY DAY.
IT IS UNIQUE TO WATCH. AND I KNOW EVERY ONE OF US ARE EXCITED TO SEE IT. SO IT DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO OVERGROW. DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO OVERDEVELOP. DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE TO LOOK LIKE OTHER CITIES. IT JUST MEANS WE ARE SPECIAL IN OUR OWNWAY. WENT TO THE MUSEUM.
AN OLD POST OFFICE AND UNIQUE IDEAS OF WHAT A POST OFFICE COULD BE. IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A POST OFFICE, BUT WHAT A HISTORICAL BUILDING COULD BE.
AND IT WAS UNIQUE. BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, HOW DO YOU -- HOW DO YOU -- YOU TIE A LOT OF HISTORY.
IT WAS ABOUT THE MOB. YOU GET THROUGH ALL THE PARTS AND PIECES AND UNIQUE TO SEE A BUILDING BEING UTILIZED FOR ANOTHER PURPOSE. AND I KNOW WE TALK ABOUT THAT A
>> WE HAVE ONE OF THOSE HERE, THAT'S RIGHT.
WE HAVE A LOT OF HISTORICAL BUILDINGS.
SO THE POINT IS, IT CAN BE -- YOU KNOW, RENOURISHED AND REDEVELOPED AND PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL THE FOLKS, INCLUDING FOLKS THAT ARE RIDING BRIGHTLINE TO COME SEE US.
APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
HAVE A -- HAVE A SAFE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
WE DON'T HAVE -- WELL, WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT IN A MINUTE.
WE ARE NOT GOING TO MEET FOR ANOTHER MONTH, RIGHT?
[00:40:03]
I HAVE TO REMIND MYSELF. >> WE HAVE A CONFERENCE AGENDA
IN JANUARY. >> WE HAVE TO LEARN TO GET ALONG
WITH US WITHOUT US. >> THAT'S ALL, MA'AM.
>> SO FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE PUBLIC COMMENTERS TONIGHT FOR BRINGING THE ISSUES FORWARD TO US.
WE APPRECIATE THAT. BOTH OF THEM, WE ARE AWARE OF.
AND TAKING STEPS TO TRY TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
REALLY, ALL YEAR LONG, PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME TO MAKE PUBLIC COMMENT. I APPRECIATE THEM.
AND I WAS GOING TO BRING UP TALKING TO LYLE TOO, BECAUSE COMMISSIONER GAINES, TALKING ABOUT REVIEWING WHAT WE WERE DONE THIS YEAR WHEN TALKING TO LYLE.
HE IS FORCING US TO TELL HIM WHAT DOES WE THINK WE ACCOMPLISHED THIS YEAR AND WHAT WE NEED TO ACCOMPLISH NEXT YEAR.
AND, OF COURSE, I TALKED ABOUT BRIGHTLINE AND OUR WORK FOR THAT. AND ALSO, HOW WELL OUR COMMISSION WORKS TOGETHER. EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T ALWAYS VOTE THE SAME WAY. WE ARE NOT ALWAYS ON THE SAME SIDE OF THE ISSUE, BUT I CAN TELL FROM YOU GOING TO OTHER -- FROM GOING TO FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES MEETINGS THAT NOT EVERYBODY HAS THAT. VERY FEW PEOPLE HAVE THE KIND OF CIVILITY THAT WE HAVE. AND FOR THAT, I AM VERY, VERY GRATEFUL AND I HOPE THAT WE CONTINUE TO DO IT BECAUSE WE ARE GOING INTO AN ELECTION YEAR AND NOBODY WANTS TO GET UGLY, RIGHT.
SO WE DON'T WANT IT TO COME TO FORT PIERCE.
IT CAN GO SOME OTHER PLACE ELSE. WE DON'T WANT IT IN FORT PIERCE.
I ATTENDED THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT'S TOY GIVEAWAY. THAT WAS AN IMPRESSIVE FEAT OF ORGANIZATION. BIKES EVERYWHERE.
ALL TAGGED. AND BAGS OF GOODIES.
AND PEOPLE CAME IN. THEY HAD TIME SLOTS.
IT WAS VERY WELL ORGANIZED BY SANTA AND MRS. CLAUS WHO WERE THERE AND THEY HAD PICTURES TAKEN WITH THEM.
AND I HAD HOUSE GUESTS FROM IRELAND WHO WANTED TO GO TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE THEY HAD HEARD IN AMERICA POLICE CARRY GUNS. AND THEY DON'T DO IT IN IRELAND.
SO THEY -- THEY WERE FASCINATED BY ALL THE THINGS ON THE POLICE
YOU NEVER KNOW. >> YOU NEVER KNOW.
RIGHT. THEY ALSO WANTED -- THEY TOOK BACK ENGLISH MUFFINS BECAUSE THEY DON'T GET ENGLISH MUFFINS IN IRELAND. FIGURE.
ANY WAY A GREAT HOLIDAY PARTY. HEATHCOVE GARDEN OF LIGHTS.
ABSOLUTELY GORGEOUS. EVERY YEAR IT IS BETTER.
THEY CLAIM THAT BUT IT IS TRUE. EVERY YEAR IS BETTER.
I ENCOURAGE ANYBODY TO GO BECAUSE THEY HAVE DONE SUCH A WONDERFUL JOB. AND THEY ARE MOSTLY VOLUNTEERS.
I THINK THEY ONLY HAVE ONE PAID PERSON.
SOME A GREAT -- AND I THINK -- WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY ABOUT BRIGHTLINE. ONE OF THE FEW ISSUES THAT HAVE UNITED OUR CITY FOR THE MOST PART.
I MEAN, TALK ABOUT ONE FORT PIERCE.
EVERYBODY IS FOR BRIGHTLINE. THE FEW CURMUDGEON WHO AREN'T ARE VERY FEW. AND SO I REALLY BELIEVE THAT IT HAS BEEN A GOOD THING FOR -- GOING THROUGH WHAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH, EVEN IF WE DON'T GET IT, IT HAS BEEN A GOOD THING FOR OUR CITY AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE A GOOD THING FOR OUR CITY.
SO WITH THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FOR THE PEOPLE IN FORT PIERCE, ALL THE GRACIOUS PEOPLE SO KIND TO ME. AND I, TOO, WANT TO SAY THAT SOMETIMES THE HOLIDAYS CAN BE THE LONELIEST FOR THE LOANIEST PEOPLE. IT IS MORE -- BECAUSE THEY KNOW EVERYBODY ELSE IS WITH THEIR FAMILIES.
SO I ENCOURAGE US ALL TO REACH OUT TO ANYONE WE KNOW WHO IS ALONE AND MAKE THEM FEEL LIKE THEY ARE PART OF THEIR FAMILY.
AND SO WITH THAT -- >> MADAM MAYOR, I HATE TO DO
>> THERE WAS AN E-MAIL RECEIVED TODAY AND I WANT TO CALL OUR ATTENTION TO IT. CAME FROM THE FLORIDA
TELL US THAT. >> THE REALITY OF THE MUSEUM IS COMING EARLY FALL OF 2024. THEY HAVE ALREADY FORECASTED THAT. AND GIVING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE -- THEY HAVE A GOAL OF $10,000 TO BUY -- AND THEY ARE SELLING BRICK PAVERS. AND THEY HAVE A WEB SITE.
I WILL FORWARD IT TO YOU, MISS COX IF YOU CAN CIRCULATE IT. AND A WAY TO MEMORIALIZE OUR LOVED ONES IF YOU WANT TO. AND DO IT THIS YEAR TO GET THE
TAX CREDIT AND TAX DEDUCTIBLE. >> YOU CAN GIVE IT AS A GIFT
TOO. >> YOU CAN GIVE IT AS A GIFT.
I SAW THAT TODAY AND I WAS VERY ENCOURAGED AND IT POPPED UP OUT OF NOWHERE. THAT BOARD IS WORKING WITH A GOAL OF $10,000. AND THE BRICK PAVERS ARE ANYWHERE FROM $100 TO $200. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I
[00:45:01]
ANNOUNCED THAT HERE. I THINK WE WILL DO OUR PART TO SUPPORT THE BRICK PAVER CAMPAIGN AND GRATEFUL FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO GET AMUSEUM IN DOWNTOWN. >> GOING TO BE A REALITY.
>> A REALITY. >> MAYBE WE CAN PUBLICIZE IT
MORE THROUGH OUR PLATFORMS. >> BRIGHTLINE, DID YOU HEAR THAT? ANOTHER MUSEUM.
>> RIGHT, SO WITH THAT, MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.