[1. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:10]
MEETING TO ORDER. THIS IS THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE COMMISSION, REGULAR MEETING, FEBRUARY 5TH, 2024. PLEASE STAND FOR THE OPENING PRAYER BY PASTOR FISHER WITH NEW COVENANT PRAYER , CENTER MINISTRIES, AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
HAPPY NEW YEAR. >> HAPPY NEW YEAR.
>> MAY WE START WITH THE PRAYER? FATHER GOD, IN THE NAME OF JESUS, LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE THIS AFTERNOON.
LORD, JESUS, WHATEVER REASON IT IS, LORD, O, FATHER GOD, WE ASK YOU TO BLESS AND EVERYONE HERE TODAY, LORD, BLESS THEM RIGHT NOW IN THE NAME OF JESUS. FATHER, GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY. THIS IS THE DAY YOU HAVE MADE. WE ARE IN IT, WE WILL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT. RIGHT NOW, IN JESUS' NAME,
>> 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.
>> CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE. >> MAYOR HUDSON?
>> PRESENT. >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?
>> PRESENT. >> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON?
>> PRESENT. >> CURTIS JOHNSON INDICATED HE WAS UNABLE, TRAVELING TODAY, WAS NOT GOING TO BE BACK IN TIME TO MAKE THE MEETING THIS EVENING.
>> OKAY. IS THERE A MOTION TO EXCUSE HIS ABSENCE?
>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND MOTION AND A 2ND.CALL
[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
THE ROLL. >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?
>> YES, MA'AM. >> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON?
>> YES, MA'AM. >> ARY JOHNSON?
>> YES, MA'AM. >> FIRST ITEM, APPROVE THE MINUTES FROM THE JANUARY 16-2024 REGULAR MEETING.
>> MOVED TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
>> THE MOTION IN THE SECOND. CALL ROLL, PLEASE.
>> COMMISSIONER GAMES? >> YES MA'AM.
>> COMMISSIONER HUDSON ? >> YES, MA'AM.
[a. Letter sent on behalf of the IRSC Foundation's Board of Directors expressing gratitude to the City of Fort Pierce for a donation to the Promise Program.]
>> WE HAVE NO PROCLAMATIONS BUT A LETTER ON BEHALF OF THE IRS' C, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, ESPECIALLY GRATITUDE TO THE
[8. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
CITY OF FORT PIERCE FOR A DONATION TO THE PROMISE PROGRAM. NEXT, WE HAVE ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.>> ANY ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA?
>> MONOMERIC, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION, WHEN ITEM I LIKE TO ADD TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. HOPEFULLY, ITEM 11J, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ST. LOUIS COUNTY, WHERE IN THE COUNTY WILL ALLOW THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE TO ALLOW THE USE OF LAND NEXT TO 7TH-STRAIGHT AND MORRIS CREEK FOR THE PURPOSE OF HOSTING THE FESTIVAL. THE COUNTY HAS, AS PROVISION, WE MUST EXECUTE THIS AGREEMENT TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
>> AYE. >> ANY OTHER CHANGES? IF NOT, I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS AMENDED.
APPROVE THE AGENDA OF THE ADDED ITEM?
>> SECOND. >> A MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL
THE ROLL, PLEASE. >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?
[a. Recommendations from Arts and Culture Advisory Board seeking approval by the Mayor and City Commission.]
>> YES MA'AM. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?
>> YES MA'AM. >> COMMISSIONER HUDSON?
>> YES MA'AM. >> NO ONE TO SPEAK WITH MS. LET ME'S REPORTS WITH RECOGNITION FROM THE ARGENT ADVISORY BOARD, SEEING APPROVAL FROM THE CITY AND
>> MONOMERIC, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION, WE HAVE OUR REGULAR -- AND CULTURAL ADVISORY BOARD , AND THEY GET TO ALL COME UP IF THEY WANTED TO, OR THEY CAN SIT BACK THERE. IT IS UP TO THEM.
LET'S ALL TURN IT OVER TO THEM.
>> GOOD EVENING. >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, EVERYONE IN THEIR RESPECTIVE PLACES.
>> WE KNOW YOU ARE. BUT SAY IT FOR THE RECORD FOR ME.
>> DARIA TROUSDALE. >> WELCOME .
>> THE FORT PIERCE ADVISORY BOARD -- DO YOU NEED MY
>> OKAY. IQ. WE COME BEFORE YOU TODAY , ASKING YOU -- WE ARE PROPOSING -- THAT YOU REVISE THE EXISTING PUBLIC PLACES ORNAMENT -- ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE OF THE APPROPRIATION OF FEES FROM PRIVATE GOVERNMENT WITHIN THE COMMITTEE.
CURRENTLY, THE BOARD AND ZONING REQUIRES APPROPRIATION FROM A CITY CAPITAL PROJECT . THEREFORE, THIS INITIATIVE AIMS TO CREATE ADDITIONAL FUNDING STREAMS AND A MECHANISM TO MORE EFFICIENTLY ACHIEVE THE CITY, ARTS, AND CULTURAL OBJECTIVES . AS THE CITY CONTINUES TO GROW, THIS APPROACH WILL HELP MAINTAIN AND EXPAND THE EXISTING FUND ,
[00:05:04]
ENSURING THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THE FUTURE, NOTABLY, OTHER COMMUNITIES, SUCH AS THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE, INCLUDING A PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT AS AN ADDITIONAL SOURCE OF FUNDING. WE ARE ASKING YOU ALL TO, PLEASE, CONSIDER THAT FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. SECOND , WE ARE REQUESTING A SPONSORSHIP FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE HURSTON EXPERIENCE FEST. AS IT ON HER NOSE, THE ZORA NEALE HURSTON -- THIS IS A RESTING PLACE, IN FORT PIERCE, AND TO HAVE A FESTIVAL EVERY YEAR IN HER HONOR IS SOMETHING THAT WE, AS A COMMUNITY, SHOULD DO AND IT BRINGS ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES TOGETHER , BECAUSE SHE IS CELEBRATED EVERYWHERE , AND HAVING HER HERE, AS HER HOME, IN FORT PIERCE, I WOULD ASK YOU ALL TO PLEASE APPROVE FUNDING FOR THE ZORA NEALE HURSTON FEST THIS YEAR, IF YOU WOULD>> DOES THAT COMPLETE YOUR REPORT?
>> THAT'S IT . >> COMMISSIONERS? QUESTIONS?
COMMISSIONER BRODERICK. >> I ACTUALLY HAVE A COMMENT, IN THAT I SUPPORT YOUR INITIATIVE TO SEEK ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR ART THROUGHOUT THE CITY. THROUGH PRIVATE INVESTMENT , I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK INTO THIS TO A CERTAIN DEGREE. WHAT I HAVE FOUND IS THAT CITIES, SUCH AS FORT PIERCE THAT HAVE A TREMENDOUS ART, CULTURAL, HISTORIC PERSPECTIVE THAT IS VALUABLE TO NOT ONLY THE COMMUNITY IN WHICH THE CITY EXISTS, BUT ALSO SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES THAT DON'T HAVE THAT BENEFIT TO REALLY EXPLORE AND ENHANCE THAT IS A BENEFIT NOT ONLY THE CITY ITSELF, BUT THE ENTIRE REGION , AND WHAT I HAVE OBSERVED IS THAT THERE HAS BEEN STRUCTURES PUT INTO PLACE. THIS ISN'T BURDENSOME.
DEVELOPERS THAT SAY, THIS IS REALLY BURDENSOME TO OUR PROJECT, IF WE PUT ON A SMALL PERCENTAGE, 1/4% OR 1/2% INTO THE DEVELOPMENT SCHEME, WHATEVER THAT NUMBER WOULD BE, YOU ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE THE DEBATE WITH ME THAT MY PROJECT CAN'T SUCCEED BECAUSE I'M PAYING WANTED JUST 4% TO THE CITY'S ARTS AND CULTURE FUND FOR ART AND COMMON AREAS THROUGHOUT THE CITY. SO, I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK WOULD BE WORTHWHILE INVESTIGATING BY STAFF TO SEE WHAT OTHER LOCALES HAVE DONE. NOT JUST LOCALLY, DOWN THE STREET, I'M TALKING ISTORIC CITIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND OUTSIDE THE STATE TO FOSTER AND ENHANCE THAT, AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE AN EXCITING DEPARTMENT, AND LIKE I SAID, THE DEBATE IS GOING TO TAKE PLACE IS, WELL, IT IS A BURDEN.
NOT ONLY A BURDEN ON THE PRIVATE SECTOR. THE PUBLIC SECTOR IS ALSO FUNDING THESE MECHANISMS. SO, IT'S SOMETHING I WOULD LIKE TO SEE LOOKED INTO. I AGREE WITH YOUR ASSESSMENT, WE JUST NEED TO HIT THE RIGHT POINT OF DOLLARS AND CENTS TO MAKE IT SENSIBLE WITHOUT BEING BURDENSOME. THAT ARGUMENT WILL STILL BE MADE, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THINK WE CAN REACH AN APPROPRIATE POINT, THAT WOULD WORK FOR ALL PERSONS CONCERNED. I THINK IT'S AN
OUTSTANDING IDEA. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?
>> I CONCUR WITH COMMISSIONER BRODERICK .WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO ENHANCE OUR ARTS IN THE CITY, BECAUSE IT GOES ALONG WITH EVERYTHING ELSE WE ARE DOING IN THE WHOLE CITY, THE DOWNTOWN CITY, THE MURALS, EVERYTHING ELSE WE ARE DOING.
IT JUST GOES ON WITH WHAT WE ARE DOING, AND I AM GLAD YOU BROUGHT THIS , THE ZORA NEALE HURSTON FESTIVAL. GROWING UP , YOU ARE YOUNG, YOU KNOW, AND GROWING UP, THAT WAS A BIG THING IN FORT PIERCE. IT WAS A BIG THING IN FORT PIERCE. I REMEMBER, AT SCHOOL, -- I WILL NOT SAY THE TEACHERS MADE US GO -- BUT I WANT TO SAY, THEY MADE US GO, BECAUSE WE HAD TO PUT US UP A, AND WE HAD TO DO THINGS AT THE FESTIVAL FOR SCHOOL. IT WAS ALMOST SOMETHING, YOU KNOW, HOW WE HAVE THE KING PARADE THE FESTIVAL, EACH LITTLE SCHOOL HAD TO DO SOMETHING TO SHOW. I WOULD LOVE THAT , THE CITY, IF POSSIBLE, YOU KNOW, EVERYTHING CALLS, BUT THE CITY, IF POSSIBLE, TO PUT ON SOMETHING, BECAUSE IT COULD BE SOMETHING BIG WITH US, ESPECIALLY WITH THIS BEING WHERE SHE IS NOW.
YOU KNOW, SHE IS LAID TO REST IN FORT PIERCE. AND IT COULD
[00:10:06]
BE SOMETHING ELSE BIG FOR FORT PIERCE TO NOT ONLY SAY, ARE WE DOING ALL THESE OTHER THINGS, BUT HONORING HER ON THIS DAY WITH THIS FESTIVAL. YOU GUYS COME IN AND SEE WHAT FORT PIERCE HAS TO OFFER. THAT IS HOW I AM LOOKING AT IT . WE CAN START SMALL AGAIN, IT CAN GO OUT BIG AND START ASKING THE COUNTY, PORT ST. LUCIE ANYONE ELSE TO COME IN AND JOIN IN AND BE A PART OF THIS BIGGER FESTIVAL, AND EVERYONE WANTS TO COME TO IT AT FORT PIERCE. SO, I LOVE THE IDEA, LOVE THAT IS SOMETHING WE'RE LOOKING AT DOING, AND GOING FROM THERE, BECAUSE THIS IS PART OF OUR HISTORY.>> MADAM CHAIR? >> COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON?
>> THANK YOU, I SUPPORT. I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY COUPLE OF THINGS AND MAKE SURE I'M ON THE RIGHT PAGE, MAYBE WITH MR. MIMS, AND THE 10,000 FOR THIS ZORA NEALE -- I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN USE THE ART IN PUBLIC PLACES FUNDING FOR THAT.
IS THAT ACCURATE? >> YES, SIR .
>> AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE FUNDING THAT IS IN THE RESERVE ACCOUNT AS OF TODAY -- I SAW A MEMO IN THE FOLDER HERE --
>> PROXIMALLY $184,000. >> IS THAT FROM THE PROJECTS
WE HAVE DONE? >> THERE WAS A CONTRIBUTOR FROM THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, I BELIEVE, 1% THAT IS EQUAL TO THE WONDERS% OF THE PROJECT COST FROM OUR GENERAL FUND IF
MANAGERS FOR CAPITAL PROJECTS. >> THAT IS TO BE PRESERVED IS BUILT UP OVER TIME FROM OUR INTERNAL PROJECTS?
>> YES. >> SO, THE SECOND IS GOING TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR, TALKING ABOUT --
>> THAT IS THE RECOMMENDATION. RIGHT.
>> I AGREE WITH THAT, TOO, JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE VERY CLEAR ON TRYING TO BRING A BACKUP TRYING TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR ON WHAT THE WORD PRIVATE DEPARTMENT MEANS DOESN'T -- SHOULDN'T -- IT SHOULDN'T APPLY -- IN MY OPINION -- TO, LET'S SAY, SINGLE-FAMILY HOME BEING CONSTRUCTED, BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE DESIGNATED AS PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT AS SOMETHING SEPARATE AND APART FROM, BECAUSE IT IS ALREADY IMPACT FEES. THE DEVELOPMENT CAN BE A SMALL PERCENTAGE, LIKE COMMISSIONER GAINES AND COMMISSIONER BRODERICK HAVE TALKED ABOUT. I WORKED WITH VARIOUS-MALADIES.TH E STATE, INCLUDING THE CITY OF POINTS AND LUCY, YOU MENTIONED, EVEN WHEN OUR TAX COLLECTOR WAS BUILT IN TRADITION. THERE WAS AN ART AND PUBLIC PLACES OPTION. I THINK THE CITY HAS AN OPTION AS TO WHETHER THEY PROVIDE THE ART WITH APPROVAL OR PROVIDE A FUNDING IN LIEU OF. I THINK THERE'S OPPORTUNITY THERE. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
>> AGREED. YEAH. I THINK PORT ST. LUCIE'S IS COMMERCIALLY
>> COMMERCIAL ONLY. BUT WE CAN DO WHATEVER WE WANT, AND I AGREE THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE BURDENSOME TO THE DEVELOPER OR OVERLY BURDENSOME TO THE TAXPAYER , BUT IT SHOULD BE A SMALL EDUCATION, WHICH WOULD ADD UP FOR A LOT OF PUBLIC ART. SO, I'M VERY HAPPY WITH THE ZORA NEALE HURSTON REQUEST.
WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE HER WITH SOME KIND OF IN THE PANDEMIC WHEN WE KIND OF STOPPED CELEBRITY FOR A WHILE. WE NEED TO BRING IT ALL BACK TO OUR MIND .I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE TOURISTS, BECAUSE I THINK MANY TOURISTS COME HERE AND VISIT THE ZORA NEALE HURSTON GRAVE , AND ALSO THE HIGHWAYMAN , AND WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT. WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT. SO, THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO PROMOTE, AND I KNOW THAT CHARLOTTE AND THE COUNTY HAVE DONE -- HAS ALWAYS BEEN -- VERY SUPPORTIVE OF ZORA NEALE HURSTON, AS WELL AS THE HIGHWAYMAN TOO. SO, WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND BRINGING THIS TO OUR ATTENTION. MR. MIMS, WOULD
YOU LIKE A MOTION ON THIS ? >> I WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN.
>> ALREADY. SOMEBODY WILLING TO MAKE A MOTION?
>> MADAM CHAIR, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ACCEPT THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE OPUS WHICH ONE -- FROM THE ARTS AND CULTURE REVIVER HE POURED WITH THE TWO RECOMMENDATIONS OF PRIVATE FUNDING, PRIVATE FUNDING AND THE ZORA NEALE HURSTON WEEKEND OR FESTIVAL FOR FUNDING.
>> IS THERE A SECOND? >> I WOULD SECOND THAT.
COMMISSIONER GAINES, AS PART OF THAT, ALSO, WE'RE GOING TO REQUEST THAT STAFF INVESTIGATE THE FUNDING ASPECT OF THIS FURTHER. OKAY? I WILL SECOND THAT.
>> YEAH. STAFF GOT YOU . >> JUST TO ADD, WE WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE TO BRING IT BACK.
>> YES. A LOT MORE WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE ON IT, BUT WE LIKE THE CONCEPT. WE LIKE THE CONCEPT. YEAH. ALL RIGHT. THERE WAS A MOTION AND A SECOND. AND CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.
[00:15:03]
>> I'M GOING TO DO THE MOTION TO ACCEPT THE ZORA NEALE HURSTON RECOMMENDATION AND DIRECT STAFF TO INVESTIGATE THE ORDINANCE OPTION FOR ART IN PUBLIC PLACES. IS THAT WHAT I
HEARD? >> PERFECT. SOUNDS GOOD TO ME .
>> YOU SAID IT BETTER. >> OKAY. COMMISSIONER
>> COMMISSIONER GAMES? >> YES MA'AM.
>> COMMISSIONER GAINES? >> YES MA'AM.
>> MAYOR JOHNSON? >> YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU SO
MUCH FOR YOUR HARD WORK. >> WE DID SOMETHING POPULAR.
[11. CONSENT AGENDA]
>> LET'S GO DO THAT AGAIN. >> CAN WE GO HOME NOW?
>> OKAY. THE NEXT ITEM IS THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> IS THERE ANY ITEM THAT ANY COMMISSIONER WOULD LIKE TO PULL
ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? >> MADAM, I JUST SO -- I CAN GIVE A CHANCE FOR THE AUDIENCE TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE ADDED J AND WHAT J WAS, I ASK THAT, YOU KNOW, PEOPLE J AND JUST LET MR. MAYOS ANNOUNCE IT AGAIN FOR THE RECORD , OKAY, J. ANYBODY ELSE, ANYTHING ELSE? IF NOT, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION
FOR THE REST OF THE AGENDA? >> MADAM CHAIR, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA A THROUGH O I.
>> SECOND QUESTION ? >> THE DISPOSITION OF SURPLUS PROPERTY AND THE NEW PROTOCOLS WE PUT INTO PLACE, THE NEW
PROTOCOLS? >> YES, SIR, UPON THE BIDDING WAR, WE WILL UTILIZE THE NEW DEPARTMENT AGREEMENT AND PROCEDURES IN PROGRESS THAT YOU ALL AGREED TO, AND THAT WILL BE EXECUTED OR, I GUESS, THE PROCESS WILL BE OVERSEEN
BY OUR CITY ATTORNEY. >> DOES THAT COME BACK HERE FOR
>> SO, THOSE FILL IN THE BLANK SCENARIOS, MISSA GOING TO BE THE FIRST REAL TEST OF THIS PROCESS?
>> YES. WE HAVE DONE THIS WITH FPRA PROPERTIES, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST WITH CITY OF FORT PIERCE PROPERTIES.
>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND?
>> SECOND. YEAH. ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION THE SECOND. CALL
THE ROLL, PLEASE. >> MR. BROJA?
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?
>> YES MA'AM. >> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON?
>> YES MA'AM. >> MAYOR HUDSON?
>> YES MA'AM. >> BETWEEN PORT ST. LUCIE AND THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FOR THE SAID PROPERTY FOR THE -- A
FESTIVAL -- >> MR. MIMS, YOU HAVE A STAFF
>> COMMISSIONER GAINES? >> MADAM MAYOR, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAID BEFORE, UNLESS YOU ARE IN CHAMBERS , OR YOU ARE ONE OF THE RESIDENTS THAT GO ON AND PULL THE AGENDA AND READ IT, YOU KNOW, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO BE TRANSPARENT, SO THAT IT WAS ADDED, SO JUST BEFORE WE VOTE ON IT, JUST GIVE US A LITTLE MORE BACKGROUND , AND I CAN MAKE THE MOTION. THAT IS
ALL I AM ASKING. >> GOOD EVENING.
>> PLEASE, JULIUS YOURSELF TO THE CITY COMMISSION AND EXPLAINS A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE FESTIVAL AND WHY WE NEED
THIS AGREEMENT. >> GOOD EVENING MY NAME IS KIMBERLY HENDON, COMMUNITY RESOURCE SPECIALIST IN THE GRANTS DIVISION. I HAVE BEEN TASKED WITH ORGANIZING THE HIGHWAYMAN OF THE SEVENTH ANNUAL HIGHWAYMAN FESTIVAL IN FORT PIERCE. THIS PROPERTY LANNY SUGARMAN IS A GREAT IS BETWEEN US AND THE COUNTY, BECAUSE THE AREA WE ARE USING IS ST. LUCIE COUNTIES PRETTY. WE USED TO FOR THE FESTIVAL LAST YEAR , GOOD LOCATION AND EXPERIENCE. WE WOULD LIKE TO USE IT AGAIN IN ORDER FOR US TO USE IT AGAIN, WE HAVE TO ENTER INTO ANOTHER AGREEMENT. IT WAS BASICALLY US AND THEN PARTNERING WITH US FOR US TO HAVE OUR FESTIVAL ON THEIR
>> I WAS JUST WONDERING, MADAME MAYOR, THE REASON, I'M NOT PICKING ON HER. I'M NOT , BUT MORE AND MORE, I'M FINDING THAT THE STUFF WE'RE DOING, WE ARE GETTING OUT , WE ARE NOT -- I WANTED TO LET EVERYBODY HEAR, PRIME EXAMPLE WAS, THIS SATURDAY, AT THE WALK , ONCE I POSTED THAT WALK THAT I WAS THERE, I GOT SO MANY COMMENTS, SAYING, WHEN DID YOU GUYS ADVERTISE THIS? I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT THIS. YOU HERE, WE ADDED IT ON. GREAT JOB. WANTED TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW WHAT IT WAS, YOU KNOW, AND BECAUSE WE HAD ADVERTISED IT, BUT NOW WE CAN ADVERTISE IT AGAIN, BECAUSE WE WANT EVERYBODY IN THE CITY TO COME TO TRY TO JOIN THIS STABLE. THAT IS WHY I DID THIS.
A.M. TO 4:00 P.M., MORGAN CREEK.
>> SATURDAY ONLY, RIGHT? NOT FRIDAY? RIGHT.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL.
>> THE JOB. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU. WOULD YOU LIKE
TO MAKE A MOTION? >> MAY I MAKE A MOTION WE APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA FOR 11J?
>> SECOND COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?
>> YES MA'AM. >> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON?
[00:20:03]
>> YES MA'AM. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?
[a. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 23-060 relating to the General Employees retirement system in order to extend the DROP period from 5 to 6 years and increasing the standard form of annuity from 75% to 100% with a cap of $115,000 for employees hired after October 2012, and creating a section in the code which prescribes investment standards and provisions for investment contracts and amending the section for the periodic reports. SECOND READING]
>> YES MA'AM. >> MAYOR HUDSON?
>> YES, MA'AM. >> PUBLIC HEARING ON AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, RELATING TO THE GENERAL EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM IN ORDER TO AMEND SECTION CODE 27-20, SUBSECTION Z, WITH ANNUAL PENSION PAYMENTS IN EXCESS OF $115,000, PROVIDING THAT THE STANDARD FORM OF ANNUITY IS INCREASED FROM 75% TO 100 PERCENT OF AVERAGE FINAL COMPENSTION, MENI CODE SECTION TWO-280 1 WITH SUBSECTION B, EXTENDING DROP FROM FIVE DID YEARS TO 60 YEARS, MANY CODE SECTIONS 2-281, DEFERRED REQUIREMENT FOR THE RETIREMENT OPTIONS FOR SUBSECTION C AND TO DROP UP TO 72 MONTHS, CREATING CODE SECTION TWO-TWO-90S INVESTMENT, PROSCRIBING INVESTMENT STANDARDS FOR THE PROVISIONS FOR INVESTMENT CONTRACTS, MEETING CODE TWO-TWO-THREE AND WILL REPORT, PROVIDING FOR PERIODIC REPORTS FOR THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT SERVICES, PROVIDING SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT WITH AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE
. THIS IS THE SECOND READING. >> THIS IS THE SECOND MEETING.
ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
SEEING NO MOVEMENT, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ENTERTAIN A DISCUSSION OR A MOTION.
>> MADAME CHAIR, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE
>> MOTION AND 2ND.CALL THE ROLL.
>> COMMISSIONER BROJA? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON ? >> YES MA'AM.
[a. Resolution 24-R04 Appointing an individual to serve on the Parking Committee as an at-large member.]
>> COMMISSIONER GAINES? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> RESOLUTION TO THE CITY OF CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, CERTIFIED THE APARTMENT OR REAP, THE MEMBERS TO THE PARKING COMMITTEE AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE . SO, I HAVE WITH US, WE HAD THREE APPLICATIONS THAT WE RECEIVED FOR THE POSITION THAT IS CURRENTLY HELD BY GUS GUTIERREZ, ALSO SEEKING REAPPOINTMENT. I'M GOING TO PASS THESE AROUND. IF YOU COULD VOTE FOR ONE. GIVE IT BACK TO
ME. >> I HAVE BEEN THERE BEFORE.
WE WILL GET IT. RIGHT BACK OVER HERE.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. OKAY. THIS IS EASY. ALL FOUR OF YOU VOTED FOR GUS GUTIERREZ. SO, MR. GUTIERREZ WILL BE REAPPOINTED
TO THE PARKING COMMITTEE. >> IF THERE ARE OTHER VACANCIES, THERE'S SOME OTHER GOOD PEOPLE ON THERE WE WOULD LOVE TO INCLUDE. YEAH, YEAH. YEAH.
>> MOTION TO ACCEPT GUS GUTIERREZ
>> SECOND. >> THE MOTION IN THE SECOND.
[b. Resolution 24-R05 appointing Denetria Timms to serve on the Communitywide Council as a target area member.]
CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE. >> COMMISSIONER BROJA?
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?
>> YES MA'AM. >> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON?
>> YES MA'AM. >> MAYOR HUDSON?
>> YES, MA'AM. >> NEXT, RESOLUTION $115,000 FOR A RESOLUTION THE CITY COMMISSION AND THE CITY OF CITY OF FORT PIERCE, CERTIFIED THE APARTMENT OF THE COMMITTEE WIDE COUNSEL AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS RESOLUTION WILL APPOINT NATURE THAMES TO SERVE ON THE COMMITTEE WIDE COUNSEL. I INITIALLY PROVIDED YOU ADDITIONAL APPLICATIONS, BUT WHEN I WENT BACK AND LOOKED, IT IS A TARGET AREA POSITION, SO SHE WAS THE ONLY ONE OF THE APPLICANT'S QUALIFIED TO SIT IN THAT SEAT.
>> MAKES IT EASY. IS THERE A MOTION?
>> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND MOTION AND A SECOND.
[c. Resolution 24-R06 appointing Gloria Baxevanis to serve as the Arts and Culture Advisory Board as their appointee.]
CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE. >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?
>> YES MA'AM. >> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON ?
>> YES MA'AM. >> MAYOR HUDSON?
>> YES MA'AM. >> NEXT, 24R-06, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, CERTIFIED THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE ARTS AND CULTURAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. UNDER THIS BOARD, THE ACTUAL ARTS AND COMMITTEE BOARD ITSELF GETS TO APPOINT TWO MEMBERS YOU HAVE TO SIGN OFF ON. SO, THEY, AT THE LAST MEETING, AGREED TO
[00:25:01]
APPOINT GLORIA BAXEVANIS TO SERVE AS THEIR APPOINTEE TO THE COURT. THIS IS SIMPLY USING A OKAY.>> IS THERE A MOTION? >> MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. >> MOTION AND A 2ND.CALL THE
[d. Discussion at the request of Commissioner Broderick regarding Amusement Arcades and Arcade Amusement Centers.]
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?
>> YES MA'AM. >> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON?
>> YES MA'AM. >> MAYOR HUDSON?
>> YES, MA'AM. >> NEXT, BRODERICK, REGARDING AMUSEMENT ARCADES IN THE ARCADE AMAZEMENT CENTERS.
>> MR. BRODERICK? >> THANK YOU. WE HAVE A UNIQUE SITUATION THAT DEVELOPED IN THE DOWNTOWN /CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT. LOCAL LANDLORD WAS PRESENT TONIGHT , WAS APPROACHED TO PUT INTO THEIR BUILDING APPROXIMATELY 8000 SQUARE FOOT SPACE OF OFFICE LET'S GET THE TERMINOLOGY CORRECT HERE -- SO WE ALL UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, A TRUE ARCADE. THIS IS IN THE ARCADE WHERE YOU GO GAMBLE. I WANT TO GET THAT CLEAR RIGHT UP FRONT . MAYBE I'M DATING MYSELF HERE, BUT BACK WHEN I WAS A KID, MY PARENTS USED TO TAKE ME TO ARCADES WHEN WE WOULD PLAY SKEE BALL , AND THIS IS GOING TO REALLY GET MYSELF, PAC-MAN, SPACE INVADERS , ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF .
>> KEEP GOING. >> OKAY. I SEE MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS HAVE ALSO SPENT SOME TIME. THE ISSUE IS THIS, THAT OUR ZONING DOES NOT ALLOW THIS USE , SPECIFICALLY ITS NAMED , THESE USES ARE NOT ALLOWED IN THAT ZONING CLASSIFICATION. AND, FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, THE DOWNTOWN AREA IS A DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT, AND WE WANT TO DRAW IN ALL DEMOGRAPHICS TO THAT DISTRICT . THE THOUGHT PROCESS IS THAT, YOU KNOW, PARENTS BRING THEIR KIDS INTO TOWN, GO TO THE OKAY, SPEND THE MONEY IN THE DOWNTOWN ARCADE, THEN THEY TAKE THEIR KIDS TO LUNCH AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT, ET CETERA IT JUST PROVIDES MORE DIVERSITY OF USE IN AN ENTERTAINMENT STRICT THAT WE'RE ENGAGING KIDS , AS WELL AS ADULTS, BECAUSE WE HAVE AMPLE NUMBER OF RESTAURANTS, BARS, AND IZYK VENUES, THINGS OF THIS NATURE . IT BRINGS IN A WHOLE SUBSECTION OF THE DOWNTOWN ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT THAT WE SIMPLY DON'T GET ACCESS TO. AND THE INTERESTING PART OF THIS , I WAS BROUGHT INTO THIS DISCUSSION FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF , NICK AND I TALKED ABOUT IT WITH LINDA AS WELL, THE PROPERTY OWNER AND I DISCUSSED IT AND SAID, NO, THIS IS GOING TO BE A MISTAKE.
THIS CAN TO BE IN OUR ZONING ORDINANCE THIS WEEK. IT IS. AND IT IS SPECIFICALLY NAMED IN THE ZONING ORDINANCE AS NOT BEING ALLOWED. SO, I THINK WHAT WE HAVE HERE IS -- AND CITY CLERK COX COULD PROBABLY EXPLAIN THIS IN MUCH GREATER DETAIL THAN MYSELF, BUT THERE ARE LINKAGES TO STATE STATUTES THAT ARE CANDIDLY ALMOST, LIKE, CATEGORY-KILLERS FROM THIS TYPE OF USE BEING ABLE TO TAKE PLACE SO, AT MY SENIOR STAFF MEETING THIS PAST WEEK, WE DISCUSSED SOLUTIONS. I WALKED IN AND SAID, THIS SIMPLY CAN'T BE. THERE ARE SOME NEW ONES IN THE CODE HERE, WE ARE OVERLOOKING IT OR WHATEVER, BUT STAFF HAD THE OPPORTUNITY, IMMEDIATELY, TO LOOK INTO THIS, AS A TIME SENSITIVE TRANSACTION. IF THE LANDLORD DOESN'T WANT TO LOSE THE LANDLORD, THE TENANT DOESN'T WANT TO LOSE THE OPPORTUNITY TO OPEN UP THEIR BUSINESS. FROM A CITY'S PERSPECTIVE, WE DON'T WANT TO MISS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT MORE DIVERSE USES INTO AN DOWNTOWN ENTERED, DISTRICT MARKETPLACE. WHAT WILL YOU DO TO FIX THIS? SO, THE WE'LL START SPINNING INSTANTLY THROUGHOUT CITY HALL WITH NICK'S AND LINDA'S OFFICE AND RICK FREMIN'S OFFICE. WE ARE ALL GETTING HANDS-ON ON THIS, SAYING, WE HAVE A ROADBLOCK.
AND THE ROADBLOCK IS AN EXISTING ORDINANCE , AND I'M GOING TO SUGGEST THAT THE ORDINANCE IN PLACE WITH BEST INTENTIONS, AND IN THIS CASE, IT HAD ADVERSE IMPACTS. THAT WAS NOT CONTEMPLATED WHEN THIS WAS PUT INTO PLACE. AGAIN, I WANT TO STRESS THAT IT HAS BEEN REPRESENTED TO ME. THIS IS NOT GAMBLING. OKAY ? AS HAS BEEN --
>> WHAT EXACTLY IS IT? >> IT IS FOR KIDS TO GO IN AND PLAY ARCADE GAMES, AND I GUESS WHERE I GREW UP, IT WAS A VERY POPULAR THING WE DID ALL SUMMER LONG. YOU GO IN AND PLAY ARCADE GAMES. SO, IT IS A DRAW. PROBABLY A MUCH MORE MODERN THEME THAN IT WAS 50 YEARS AGO FOR ME. SUFFICE TO SAY THAT I THINK PHILIP IS WHAT NEEDS TO BE ACCOMPLISHED FOR US TO BE ABLE TO ATTRACT THIS USE INTO DOWNTOWN IS A CHANGE OF THE CODE. AND THAT PROCESS, AS HAS BEEN EXPLAINS TO ME AND WE HAVE EXPERIENCED -- THIS BODY HAS EXPERIENCED -- IS IT NEEDS TO GO THROUGH MULTIPLE GENERATIONS, TO THE PLANNING BOARD, NEEDS TO COME BACK TO US, ET CETERA, IF WE ARE IN THE
[00:30:02]
FAVOR OF DOING SO, IN THE PROCESS, REALISTICALLY, LINDA, WOULD YOU WANT TO COMMENT MORE ON THE PROCESS ITSELF?>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, 120 DAYS, PROBABLY BECAUSE IT NEEDS TO GO THROUGH THE WHOLE TRC PROCESS. MAYBE NOT TRC, BUT IT HAS TO GO THROUGH A PLANNING CODE IT ALSO HAS TO BE CAREFULLY WRITTEN. I MEAN, WE STILL NEED TO KNOW THAT THERE'S A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE TWO AND MAKE SURE WE DON'T GET OURSELVES INTO CAN BE TROUBLE. IT IS NOT CAREFULLY WRITTEN. I DON'T KNOW HOW QUICKLY --
>> WHAT STRIKES ME IS THIS IS THE TYPE OF THING THAT A BOWLING ALLEY WANTS TO COME INTO DOWNTOWN. THAT'S ALLOWED.
THIS ISN'T. >> THE TERMINOLOGY THROWS YOU .
INTENTIONS THAT WERE DONE IT WAS VERY ADVERSE EFFECTS . SO, YOU HAVE A BOWLING ALLEY THAT WANTS TO COME IN AND THE BOWLING ALLEYS ARE REALLY COOL NOW. HOW ARE THEY DOING? GREAT.
IT'S ALLOWED. THE-THROWING PLACE , THAT IS CLEARLY IN THE ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT. THAT IS ALLOWED. THIS IS SPECIFICALLY BY THE CODE PROHIBITED. IT REQUIRES A CODE CHANGE. I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL DOWNTOWN MARKET USE AND THE DEMOGRAPHIC IT BRINGS IN, GETTING KIDS IN TO HAVE SOME FUN WITH PARENTS TO SPEND MONEY IN THE DOWNTOWN MARKET.THAT WORKS FOR ME. SO, I'M ADVOCATING THAT WE WOULD WANT TO PURSUE , AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, A CODE CHANGE, AND HOPEFULLY, YOU KNOW, WE WOULD BE ABLE TO SALVAGE THIS AS A YOUTH IN DOWNTOWN. LIKE I SAID, HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK UP'S THE BOARD AND WE ARE NOT THINKING OF THIS AS A WORKAROUND. THE LANGUAGE IS SO SPECIFIC. IT NEEDS AN ACTION FROM THIS BODY. IS THAT A PRETTY GOOD ASSESSMENT OF THE
>> A FEW COMMENTS. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. I AGREE. I THINK WE'LL HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL WITH HOW OUR CODE DEFINES ARCADE , DEVICES, WHATEVER THAT MIGHT BE, BECAUSE WHEN I GET TO THE END OF THE SECTION, LOOKS LIKE IT WAS UPDATED LAST IN 2011 AT THE SUBSET THERE, AND THE DATE STAMPED. SO, I CAN'T RECALL, BACK IN THOSE DAYS, EXACTLY WHAT THE COMMISSION OR PLANNING BOARD WAS CONSIDERING BACK IN. I BELIEVE AMUSEMENT ARCADES WERE BEING CONSIDERED, AND THE WHEN WE WERE TALKING EARLIER ABOUT THE GAMBLING STYLE. WE WERE UNDER HEAVY SCRUTINY AND REGULATION
>> YEAH. AND THAT IS REOPEN. I THINK WE'LL HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE DEFINE IT IN SOME WAY. MY ANALOGY IS , YOU KNOW, I HAVE TAKEN MY CHILDREN -- WHEN THEY WERE YOUNGER -- TO THE DUFFY SPORTS BAR AND GRILL. THERE ARE TWO OF THEM IN PORT ST. LUCIE.
THEY HAVE EXACTLY THAT, A RESTAURANT THEY NICE ASTONISHMENT AND NICE BOWLING AREA OR THE AMUSEMENT AREA WITH THE ARCADE TEAM . THEY HAVE ALL THE COMBINATIONS. THAT IMMEDIATELY COMES TO MY MIND. I WOULD WANT THAT DONE. I WOULD LOVE THAT TO BE OUT DOWNTOWN. IT WAS SUPER PLAY -- THAT WAS A REWRITE. WHATEVER THAT LOOKS AT, I AGREE. AND WE HAVE TO FIND OUT WHAT IS APPLICABLE, CODE DEFINITION CAN WE MANEUVER THROUGH TO EITHER ADD TO THE CODE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE NOT GETTING INTO THE, OH, BECAUSE IT IS WHAT I DO KNOW FROM EXPERIENCE, AND JUST PERSONAL HISTORY. WHEN THE ARCADES, THE GAMBLING, WHATEVER THEY USED TO CALL THEM, CAME INTO PLAY, IT WAS A GAME IT WAS A PLACE TO COME PLAY A GAME AND PUT YOUR BALONEY IN AND ALL THE SLOTS TO WIN A GIFT CARD FOR PUBLIC OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I DIDN'T EVER DO IT, BUT I JUST KNOW WHAT I WAS BEING TOLD AND IT HAS TURNED INTO SOMETHING WAY MORE THAN THAT AND I WANTED TO MAKE SURE
WE WERE COVERED >> I WANT TO AGREE, CAUTION IS THE BIGGEST CATCHWORD HERE. WE USE THE NET APPROACH WITH WHEN THEY PUT THIS INTO PLACE, MY GUESS, TO AVOID THAT FROM POTENTIALLY HAPPENING. NOW, AN ARCADE AS AN ABSOLUTELY TARNISHED NAME.YOU GOT TO CALL IT SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN ARCADE, BUT SOME REPORT, THIS IS THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE OF ZONING PUT INTO PLACE THAT -- YOU ARE KILLING THE MOSQUITO WITH A TANK HERE. WE NEED TO FIX THIS. THE GOVERNMENT IS IN THE WAY, AND WE NEED TO REMOVE THOSE ROADBLOCKS. COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, I AGREE WITH YOUR ANALYSIS. I WANT TIGHT CONTROLS. I DON'T WANT -- WE KNOW WHAT WE WANT. AND WHAT WE DON'T WANT IS WHAT WE WANT ZONED OUT , AND THEN ZONED IN. SO, IT IS GOING TO BE UP TO THE
[00:35:02]
CITY ATTORNEY HAD JUST TO FIGURE OUT THAT DRAFTING AND THAT LANGUAGE, BUT I WOULD ADVOCATE THIS TO IMMEDIATELYMOVE FORWARD. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?
>> MADAME CHAIR, NOT TO BEAT THIS INTO THE GROUND, I REMEMBER SAYING SOMETHING LIKE THIS WHEN WE STARTED TALKING ABOUT IT LAST YEAR, THE DOWNTOWN PLAN . WE HAD ALL THIS STUFF , AND I ASKED THE QUESTION, OKAY, I SEE ALL THIS VISIBILITY, SEE ALL THIS GREEN THERE. WHAT DO WE HAVE
FOR KIDS? >> YOU DID ASK THAT .
>> ASKED THAT QUESTION. WHAT DO WE HAVE FOR KIDS? BRINGING ALL THESE KIDS DOWN HERE. WANT EVERYBODY DOWN HERE THERE'S NOTHING FOR KIDS TO DO IF YOU GO TO COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, SAID, IF YOU GO TO PLAY ON FRIDAY NIGHT OR SATURDAY NIGHT, OR EVEN GO THIS SATURDAY NIGHT DOWN THERE, BECAUSE THE SUPER BOWL, PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE WATCHING SUPER BOWL.THEY WON'T HAVE THE KIDS UP THERE, DOING DEAL GAMES OR WHATEVER. BUT THIS IS A GREAT IDEA , BECAUSE WE HAVE TO HAVE SOMETHING FOR THE KIDS , OR PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF, THAT ARE GOING TO GO PLAY PINBALL. YOU DIDN'T MENTION PINBALL, BUT GO PLAY PINBALL. SOMETHING FOR THEM TO DO TO FILL A PART OF FORT PIERCE. HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE ONE FORT PIERCE -- MY PEN IS AROUND HERE SOMEWHERE -- WE ARE ALL WEARING IT -- IT INCLUDES THEM ALSO. WHATEVER WE DO -- AND I KNOW HOW THEY'RE TRYING TO CHANGE, NOW, TO THE GAMES THAT YOU AND I PLAYED.
THERE ARE MORE OF THE VIDEO-TYPE THINGS WITH THE MACHINES FROM THE VIDEO-TYPE THINGS. MAYBE WE CAN WORD IT SOMEWHERE. I'M JUST THROWING STUFF OUT TO GET IT IN, BECAUSE THAT'S A GREAT IDEA CAN I GO TO THE ARCADE, MOM? LET'S GO DOWN THERE, LET YOU PLAY THE ARCADE FOR 30 MINUTES TO AN HOUR, GO IN AT ONE OF THE RESTAURANTS DOWN THERE. IT IS A WIN-WIN FOR EVERYBODY. AGAIN, I KNOW IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, YOU KNOW , BECAUSE I GET THE EMAILS AND THE CALLS ALL THE TIME ABOUT OTHER ARCADES , YOU KNOW, AND THEY SHOULDN'T BE THERE. SO , I CAN'T HELP BECAUSE YOU HAVE GONE SOMEWHERE YOU SHOULDN'T BE . SO, WE JUST GOT TO MAKE IT CLEAR TO GET AWAY AND GET AWAY FROM THAT. SO, YOU KNOW, MADAME ATTORNEY, UP TO YOU. USE YOUR BRILLIANCE TO HELP US OUT WITH THIS RIGHT WORDING, AND I THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA, COMMISSIONER BRODERICK WE HAVE TO INCLUDE THE YOUTH AND ALL OF THE MOVEMENTS WE ARE DOING , BECAUSE IF WE LEAVE THEM OUT, YOU KNOW, WE NOT GETTING YOUNGER UP HERE. I'M BEING
HONEST WITH YOU. >> REALLY? I HADN'T NOTICED.
HAVE TO INCLUDE THEM. I LOVE THIS IDEA. AGAIN, IT'S JUST ANOTHER WAY THAT WE'RE THINKING AND BEING -- TRYING TO CREATE THIS DOWNTOWN FOR EVERYBODY TO ENJOY. NOT JUST CERTAIN POPULATIONS OF THE COMMUNITY, BUT EVERYBODY TO COME IN JOY. AND I LOVE THE IDEA. SO, I HOPE WE CAN COME UP WITH THIS, WITH THE RIGHT SOLUTION, TO MAKE IT WORK. YOU KNOW, IT WILL JUST BE ANOTHER PLUS FOR US FOR THIS DOWNTOWN
>> MS. HEDGES, SO, I AM STUCK ON THE DEFINITION OF ARCADE. I READ THROUGH THIS CHAPTER, AND THEN I HAVE BRUISED THROUGH IT YET AGAIN. IT IS ALL -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY, SKEWED TOWARDS, BUT THAT IS WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY. THIS PART OF THE CHAPTER LOOKS TO ME LIKE IT WAS CONTEMPLATING THE ADULT-STYLE ARCADES, THE ENTIRE SECTION OF IT. IS THERE NOT ANOTHER DEFINITION WITHIN THE CODE THAT ALLOWS -- YOU CAN'T EVEN SAY AN ELECTRONIC GAMING DEVICE, BECAUSE THEN THE EXACT THING WOULD HAPPEN AGAIN. RIGHT? SO, IS THERE NO OTHER DEFINITION, LEGALLY, FOR IT? ANOTHER WORD? BESIDES WHAT THESE TWO OLD GUYS HAVE TOLD ME ABOUT? SORRY, MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS .
>> EASY THERE. ALL RIGHT? >> NO, NO.
>> MADAME MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, CERTAINLY, WE COULD COME UP WITH DIFFERENT DEFINITIONS FOR DIFFERENT CATEGORIES THAT YOU WOULD LIKE. I DID GET LOOPED INTO THIS TOWARDS THE END OF THIS CONVERSATION IS HAPPENING, SO I HAVEN'T HAD A FULL CHANCE TO REVIEW. FROM MY PRELIMINARY REVIEW, MY CONCERN ISN'T SO MUCH THE DEFINITION . MORE SO, SPECIFIC TO THIS ISSUE, WHERE YOU ARE PROHIBITING THE ESTABLISHMENT , ALONG WITH THE RESTRICTIONS. FOR EXAMPLE, WITHIN THE CODE, THERE'S A RESTRICTION THESE DEVICES CAN'T BE PLAYED BY ANYONE UNDER THE AGE OF 18. THINGS LIKE THAT. THERE ARE PROHIBITIONS RELATED TO ALCOHOL SALE AND CONSUMPTION. THERE ARE DIFFERENT PROVISIONS
[00:40:02]
THAT IF YOU WANT TO GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION, STAFF WOULD WANT TO DIRECTION ON THOSE TYPES OF RESTRICTIONS THAT CURRENTLY EXIST . WHEN YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT GAMBLING ARCADES THAT ARE FOR PROFIT, GIVING THE MONEY, THOSE ARE PROHIBITED BY STATE LAW. OUR CODE, WE READ IT, IS DIRECTED AT THOSE LEGAL ESTABLISHMENTS, BECAUSE WE DO NOT APPROVE AND ALLOW ILLEGAL ASTONISHMENT , SO YOUR LEGAL ESTABLISHMENTS WOULD BE A BROAD DEFINITION THAT YOU ARE RECEIVING. IN THIS DEFINITION. AGAIN, IF YOU WANT TO CHANGE THIS TO ALLOW CERTAIN THINGS IN CERTAIN AREAS , TO FIND THEM DIFFERENT, WE CAN DO THAT. YOU WOULD JUST NEED TO DIRECTION AS TO HOW THE COMMISSION WOULD LIKE US TO PROCEED.>> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON'S COMMENT WAS PROBABLY THE LEAST WE GO BUT MOST APPROPRIATE COMMENT AS A DUFFY'S. OKAY? THAT IS WHAT THEY RUN. YOU KNOW, SO YOU CAN GET A DRINK AND A BEER, GET THE FOOD, YOU ARE ABLE TO PLAY ALL OF THESE -- FOR LACK OF A BETTER TERM -- ARCADE GAMES. I'M NOT SURE HOW TO BOIL THAT INTO -- BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY, THE UNDER-18 PROVISION IS OUT THE DOOR. THE SERVING OF THE BEER AND WINE, OR THE DRINKS, WHATEVER. SO, THE PARENTS ARE HAVING A GOOD TIME WHILE WATCHING THE GAME, AND THE KIDS ARE SPENDING MONEY ON THAT. SEEMS TO MAKE SENSE TO ME. IT IS ALMOST -- COMMISSIONER JOHNSON HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD -- I THINK THAT IS THE MIRROR IMAGE OF WHAT WE WOULD WANT OUR ZONING TO SAY, I WOULD THINK, UNLESS I'M MISSING SOMETHING HERE .
>> MR. MIMS, I THINK YOU HAVE SOME IT IS A WITH MR. FREEMAN
TOO. >> I THINK WE CAN MAKE THIS VERY SIMPLE. LET'S NOT REINVENT THE WHEEL. IT HAPPENS ALL OVER THE WORLD. WILLIE FINDS, NETWORKS AND BRING IT
BACK TO YOU. >> YUP. IT HAS BEEN DONE
BEFORE. >> THIS WAS IN THE CODE FOR A REASON. IT WAS A HEIGHT, SOMETHING HAPPENING WITHIN THE INDUSTRY THAT CREATED THIS. I WAS PROBABLY ON THE PLANNING BOARD AT THE TIME. I DON'T REMEMBER EXACTLY, BUT I KNOW THE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT IT, AND I WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK AND LOOK, BUT I DON'T REALLY CARE. IT SAYS, HERE IT IS IN OUR CODE. LET'S COME UP WITH A SOLUTION, BECAUSE IF WE DEFINE IT AS AN ARCADE, I THINK I SAW A DEFINITION THAT HE POPPED UP ON THE SCREEN WITH VERY BRIEFLY. IT HAS A VERY BROAD STROKE OF THE BRUSH, WHICH I DISAGREE WITH TOO, HOWEVER, WE JUST WEREN'T THINKING WITH THIS.
>> THAT WAS THEN, THIS IS NOW. RIGHT?
>> I THINK YOU SAYING, COMMISSIONER, IF YOU SEE AROUND 2011 , WAS NOT THE HEIGHT WHEN THE VIDEO AND VIDEO POKER AND ALL THAT STUFF STARTED COMING IN.
>> 2010. >> THOSE MACHINES STARTED COMING IN. I WENT HERE, BUT I CAN ALMOST THINK YOU GUYS WERE TRYING TO STOP THE VIDEO POKER'S AND OTHER LITTLE ILLEGAL SLOT MACHINES THAT WERE COMING IN. BUT I CAN'T IMAGINE YOU GUYS SAYING THAT , YOU KNOW, A KID COULDN'T GO PLAY PINBALL. I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT. SO, BUT I KNEW YOU GUYS WERE TRYING TO STOP THE ILLEGAL GAMBLING THAT WAS STARTING TO POP UP IN THESE VIDEO POKER MACHINES, OR THE VIDEO ARCADES THAT WERE POPPING UP ALL OVER THERE , EVERY CONVENIENCE STORE AROUND FORT PIERCE. LAKE CITY MANAGER SAID, I MEAN, THIS IS, AND THAT HAPPENS IN EVERY OTHER CITY. SO, LET'S JUST LOOK AT IT AND SEE AND COME UP WITH THE BEST SOLUTIONS SO WE CAN HAVE IT IN OUR CITY FOR THE KIDS.
>> MR. FREEMAN, DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANTED TO CHIME IN
WITH? >> NOT AT THE MOMENT. I THINK, AS THE CITY MANAGER SAID, WE CAN MAKE THIS WORK. I THINK WE HAVE GOT THE PEOPLE HERE WHO CAN DO THAT.
>> WE ARE VERY, VERY SURE THAT WE DON'T WANT
>> ON A CLOSING STATEMENT, MADAME MAYOR, I'M GOING TO REPEAT WHAT COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON SAID. HE HAD TO TAKE HIS KIDS OUT OF TOWN IN ORDER TO DO THIS. THAT'S A MISTAKE.
WE NEED -- THIS OPTION IS TO BE FOR OUR KIDS HERE. OF COURSE, THE ECONOMIC DRIVERS BEHIND THAT ARE SECONDARY .
NO, WE'RE NOT GETTING IN THE CAR TO GO TO PORT ST. LUCIE TO SPEND OUR MONEY HERE. WE'RE GOING TO SPEND RIGHT HERE, DOWNTOWN FORT PIERCE. THAT'S IT. THAT'S MY CLOSER
STATEMENT. >> GLAD YOU PICKED UP ON THE
SUBTLETY THERE. >> WELL, DO YOU HAVE DIRECTION, MR. MIMS? DO YOU HAVE DIRECTION? ALL RIGHT. ALRIGHTY.
[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.]
GOOD? COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?>> THANK YOU . >> OKAY. NEXT, WE MOVE ON TO
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC . >> NOW IS THE TIME FOR ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION. PLEASE COME FORWARD, STATE YOUR NAME. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS, I SHOULD SAY. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. MS. COX WILL GIVE YOU A THREE-SECOND MORNING. MS. JOHANSSON?
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU. I AM JAMIE JOHANSSON. FORT PIERCE OUR CLUB. I HAVE SOME EXCITING NEWS FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AND THE RESIDENTS , AND FOR THE CHILDREN. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR SEVERAL YEARS. MR. MIMS WAS ONE OF MY
[00:45:05]
INSPIRE HER S WHEN HE APPROACHED CRAYOLA CROWN -- CRAYON IN 2019 BEFORE THE PANDEMIC.WE WERE WORKING TO BUILD A RELATION WITH CRAYOLA CRAYON. LAST WEEK, UP TO ORLANDO TO SEE THE CRAYOLA EXPERIENCE, AND ALL I COULD DO TO GET THREE OF MY ARTISTS OUT OF THERE -- BECAUSE WE WERE HAVING WAY TOO MUCH FUN. SO, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING SINCE LAST YEAR TO BRING A PROGRAM CALLED COLOR FORT PIERCE BEAUTIFUL, HONORING EDWIN BETTY. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING EDWIN BETTY.I HAVE TOTALLY FALLEN IN LOVE WITH THIS MAN. I SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION TO THE STATE OF FLORIDA FOR HIM TO GO INTO THE HALL OF FAME. THIS HAPPENED AFTER I SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION FOR A GRANT TO DO THE PROGRAM COLOR FORT PIERCE BEAUTIFUL. THEY SAID TO ME, WE WILL GIVE IT TO YOU. YOU KNOW THAT EDWIN BENNY IS NOT IN THE HALL OF FAME. I SAID, YOU HAVE GOT TO CHANGE THAT. SO, I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING AND FOUND THAT I CAN'T ACTUALLY DO THE LINEAGE FROM EDWIN BENNY TO AE BECKETT TO THE EILEEN. THIS MAN HAD A TREMENDOUS IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY. HE WAS A FARMER, FISHERMAN, HE DID ALL KINDS OF THINGS. YOU NAME IT, HE DID IT. HE WAS A HUNTER. HE WAS A GARDENER. HE LOVED TO GARDEN. I AM PLEASED TO TELL YOU THAT I HAVE BUILT A RELATIONSHIP WITH CRAYOLA CRAYON , THE FORT PIERCE OUR CLUB, THAT THEY HAVE NOW GIVEN US ACCESS TO THEIR LOGO. THIS IS HUGE, BECAUSE THIS MEANS , WHEN I JUST FINISHED TALKING WITH CHARLOTTE HAMILTON, IT DOES NOT CONTROL THE PELETON -- CHARLOTTE WITH THE TOURISM
>> THANK YOU. I KEEP DOING THAT. WE CAN NOW MOVE FORWARD TO SEE ABOUT A SCULPTURE, AGAIN, IN FORT PIERCE, BECAUSE LAST ONE WAS DESTROYED . THE TITLE OF THE PROPERTY THAT EDWIN BENNY GAVE TO THE SEA SCOUTS , TAKEN OVER BY THE PELICAN YACHT CLUB . NOT TO SAY ANYTHING TO THEM, BUT THIS IS REALLY BIG. THE OTHER THING IS THEY ARE SENDING THEIR EXECUTIVE FROM EASTON PENNSYLVANIA, THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EXECUTIVE , WHO WAS INSTRUMENT LINK, THE LETTER FROM CRAYOLA'S EXECUTIVES FOR THE APPLICATION INTO THE HALL OF FAME , AND THEY WILL BE COMING FROM IRVINE, MARCH 30TH, THE SAME AS ZORA . ANYBODY WHO KNOWS ME KNOWS I WORKED ON THE ZORA COMMITTEE FOR YEARS AS THE TREASURER.
>> AND JAMIE, YOUR TIME IS UP.YOU HAVE SO MUCH MORE TO SAY. I KNOW. BUT EDWIN BENNY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PORT OF FORT PIERCE AND MANY OTHER THINGS. SO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE . GREAT. MARCH 30TH IS YOUR
EVENT. THANK YOU. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAME MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS. I AM SO GLAD THAT I AM HERE.
>> WHAT IS YOUR NAME? I KNOW YOU THANK YOU.
>> SO SORRY. I'M SO GLAD THAT I'M HERE TO TALK. I'M EXCITED ABOUT WHAT COMMISSIONER BRODERICK HAS BROUGHT, BECAUSE AGAIN, GOING ALL THE WAY TO PORT ST. LUCIE IS NOT AN EASY TASK I THINK THAT THE ENTIRE ORDINANCE THAT THERE SHOULD BE REVAMPED, BECAUSE WE ADDRESSED THAT SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, BECAUSE THERE'S SOMETHING IN THERE THAT SAYS , AMUSEMENT ARCADE CENTER SHALL PROVIDE ICICLE RACKS WITHIN ENOUGH STALLS TO ACCOMMODATE ONE BICYCLE WITH EACH 5 GAME MACHINES. I'M SAYING, THE WORDS WE CAN COME UP WITH TO DESCRIBE THIS IN A DIFFERENT VEIN IS GOING TO MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE . I THINK IT WOULD BE A GREAT ASSET TO OUR COMMUNITY, BECAUSE I WAS READY TO TALK ABOUT ARCADES, AND THE ARCADE CENTER AREA, BUT THIS IS A WONDERFUL IDEA. I THINK IT IS SOMETHING WE CAN EMBRACE. IT MIGHT JUST BE A GOOD TIME TO MAYBE HAVE A LITTLE CONTEST FOR SOMEONE TO COME UP WITH THAT LITTLE THINGS THAT WE WILL EMBRACE WHAT YOU DO. THANK YOU
SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION, PLEASE COME
FORWARD. >> GOOD EVENING. HELLO MY NAME IS KRISTA STONE. I'M HERE REPRESENTING MARIE CLEANUP INITIATIVE. I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU A DETAILED REPORT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE HAVE COME TOGETHER WITH A GROUP OF PARTNERSHIPS WITH YOUNG PEOPLE, WHICH WE ARE REALLY EXCITED -- WE TOOK UP 300 POUNDS OF TRASH OUT ON 7TH-STRAIGHT IN BENTON. THEN, MADE OUR WAY TO INDIAN RIVER LAGOON, WHERE WE WERE AT THE INDIAN HILLS RESTORATION. JUST
[00:50:02]
WANTED TO COMMEND TO YOU OUR GRACE AND HONOR OF WORKING WITH YOU, AND I JUST SEE SO MUCH THAT YOU ARE DOING WITH IN LINCOLN PARK , WITHIN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. I HAVE DEFINITELY SEEN A LOT OF COLLECTIVE UNITY TOGETHER. WE WERE ALL WORKING TOGETHER. I JUST WANT TO GO ON RECORD AND SAY , THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'M HONORED TO BE HERE, REPORT TO YOU, AND GRACED AND HONORED TO WORK TOGETHER. IT IS ABLESSING. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE APPRECIATE YOU. WHO IS NEXT? AVENUE. I WANT TO FOLLOW-UP ON THE DISCUSSION THAT WE JUST HAD ON THE AMUSEMENT CENTERS. I WILL NOT USE THE WORD ARCADE.
I WILL TELL YOU WHY IN A SECOND. FIRST, I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER BRODERICK NUNNALLY FOR TAKING THE BULL BY THE HORNS, BUT DOING IT IN ABOUT SIX DAYS. BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT I HAVE A TENANT THAT'S READY, WILLING, AND ABLE TO GO IN THE SPACE THAN I STRUCK OUT THREE TIMES MORE ON THE FOOD STORE, AND THE SPACE IS READY AND BUILT TO GO FOR HIM . ANYWAY, I SPENT THE WEEKEND -- I GOT A PHD ON AMUSEMENT CENTERS -- THE STATE OF FLORIDA. MOST OF THE WORK IS ALREADY DONE FOR YOU. MAKE IT A LITTLE BIT EASIER. IN 2011, WHEN Y'ALL DID THIS ORDINANCE, THE MAIN FOCUS WAS ON GAMBLING. IF YOU READ THE ORDINANCE, IT REFERS TO STATUTE 849, THE GAMBLING ORDINANCE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WELL, CHUCKY CHEESE AND DAVE AND BUSTERS WEREN'T TOO HAPPY WITH THAT STATUTE. IN 2015 , HOUSE BILL 641 CAME UP, AND HOUSE BILL 641 PAST , AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE GOVERNOR SCOTT AT THE TIME -- SIGNED THE NEW STATUTE, WHICH IS CALLED 546- 10, THE FAMILY AMUSEMENT GAMES ACT, NO WORD OF ARCADE. THE FAMILY AMUSEMENT GAMES ACT, FIVE, 46.10, SPELLS OUT EXACTLY WHAT YOU WANT. IT GIVES YOU THREE TYPES OF GAMES , AND I RESEARCHED -- WHAT ARE OTHER CITIES DOING? WHY ARE THEY IN OTHER CITIES? I RESEARCHED THAT. THEY HAVE THE SAME SITUATION YOU ARE ALL IN. THEY CREATED, BASICALLY, AN EXEMPTION. IN OTHER WORDS, THEY HAD ALL THE RULES FROM 849, ADULT ARCADES, BUT THEY CREATED A PARAGRAPH FOR AN EXEMPTION, AND THE EXEMPTION WAS IF THE AMUSEMENT CENTER COMPLIED WITH 546.10 SO, THAT IS THE MAIN THING THAT I THINK YOU WANT TO FOCUS ON FOR THAT. LAST THING I WILL SAY IS -- THIS WOULD BE MORE FROM A BUSINESS STANDPOINT -- THESE FUNDS ARE READY, WILLING, ABLE TO GO THEY WOULD LOOK FORWARD TO GET GOING RIGHT AWAY. I MEAN, TWO WEEKS. WE WERE BY CITED -- BLINDSIDED BY THE FACT THAT IT WAS NOT ALLOWED. IT WAS SHOCKING TO US. THE QUESTION I WOULD ASK, MOSTLY FOR MR. MIMS, IS THERE A POSSIBLE WAY, RATHER THAN WAIT 120 DAYS TO REWRITE THIS ORDINANCE , TO HAVE SOME KIND OF INTERIM APPROVAL , MAYBE SOME KIND OF HARD ACT EXEMPTION, BECAUSE
HARD ACT IS REALLY -- >> YOUR TIME IS UP.BEEPING. WE
APPRECIATE IT . WE GET IT. >> EXPEDITED.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> WAY TO DO IT.
>> THANK YOU, SISIR. WHO IS NEX?
>> AFTERNOON, MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS.MY NAME IS STEVE MYERS, BUSINESS AGENT WITH TEAMSTERS LOCALS, SEVEN, SECTION 9, THE GENERAL VOICE AND THE PARENTS OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. WANTED TO FOLLOW UP WITH YOU, COMMISSIONERS.
LAST TIME I CAN FORWARD TO MEET WITH YOU WAS NOVEMBER 6TH.
KIND OF FRUSTRATED WITH THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS WITH THE CITY DRAGGING THEIR FEET. REGRESSIVE BARGAINING, AND THE POINT OF COMMON BOARD ON NOVEMBER 6TH WAS BECAUSE WE HADN'T MET WITH THE CITY SINCE BEGINNING OF SEPTEMBER. THE CITY WAS DRAGGING THEIR FEET, AND JUST TO UPDATE YOU, WE STILL HAVEN'T MET WITH THE CITY SINCE THE LAST TIME WE MET WITH YOU. SO, WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE BROUGHT THAT FORWARD. ON FRIDAY, I FINALLY GOT AN EMAIL FROM THE CITY OUTSIDE OF THE ATTORNEY FINALLY AGREEING TO A DATE, FEBRUARY
[00:55:02]
13TH. HOPEFULLY, THE CITY WILL KEEP THAT DATE, BUT CONCERNING THE US IS THE DELAY IN THE PROCESS. THESE NUMBERS HAVEN'T HAD RAISES. AS YOU KNOW, THIS ISN'T HELPING ANYTHING WITH MOREL. IT'S NOT HELPING THESE EMPLOYEES PAY THEIR BILLS. WE ALL KNOW WHAT INFLATION IS AROUND THIS AREA. BUT IT'S NOT HELPING. THE CITY DRAGGING THEIR FEET IS NOT HELPING. WE NEED SOMEBODY TO PUSH THE CITY FORWARD. MAYOR, I THINK IT IS GOING TO TAKE PUSHING THE COMMISSION TO HAVE THEM GIVE DIRECTION TO THE CITY MANAGER, YOU KNOW, TO MEET WITH THE UNION AND GET THIS DONE. IT IS ONLY FAIR TO THE EMPLOYEES. ONE OF THE THINGS I ALSO TEST ON WHEN I WAS HERE, BACK IN NOVEMBER, WAS THE RETENTION OF PUBLIC RECORDS. I REQUESTED THE PUBLIC RECORDS FOR THE MINUTES OF THE JULY 27TH NEGOTIATION SESSION , OR THE RECORDING THAT I KNOW WAS MADE AT THAT SESSION. AND THE CITY HAS EITHER INTENTIONALLY OR UNINTENTIONALLY -- WHICH I DON'T KNOW -- HOPEFULLY NOT INTENTIONALLY -- WE KNOW THAT CARRIES UP TO A ONE-YEAR OF JAIL TIME -- BUT NOBODY FROM THE CITY HAS INVESTIGATED TO FIND OUT WHERE THESE PUBLIC RECORDS ARE. WHY NOBODY KEPT MINUTES, IF THEY WERE GOING TO GET RID OF THE RECORDING. THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER. I THINK SOMEBODY NEEDS TO LOOK INTO WHAT HAPPENED TO, YOU KNOW, THE MINUTES. 20 OF CITY EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN TRAINED ON EPIC RECORDS, RETENTION, THAT WERE IN THAT MEETING THAT SHOULD HAVE KNOWN WHAT THEIR OBLIGATIONS WERE TO RETAIN THOSE RECORDS. THAT WASN'T DONE. HOPEFULLY, YOU WILL DIRECT THE CITY MANAGER TO LOOK INTO THESE MATTERS. THANK YOU.>> THANK YOU, SIR ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION, PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE ELSE? SEE NO
[15. COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER]
MOVEMENT, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. WE'LL MOVE ON.COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER. MR. MIMS?
>> MADAME CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION, ALL OUR EMPLOYEES ARE SITTING HERE. I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AND THE CITY MANAGER 'S OFFICE HAS NOT DRAG ITS FEET WHATSOEVER. IF YOU WANT THE TRUTH, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS COME AND SEE ME. MY DOOR IS ALWAYS OPEN TO OUR CITY EMPLOYEES. I WANT THE BEST FOR YOU. I HAVE TOLD YOU, TIME AND TIME AGAIN, JUST COME AND SEE ME. NOW, MOVING ON, WE DO HAVE A MEETING FOR FPRA TUESDAY . WE DO HAVE STRATEGIC PLANNING ON NEXT MONDAY. AND WE DO HAVE A SPECTACULAR EVENT , THE HIGHWAYMAN FESTIVAL, FEBRUARY 17TH AT MORSE CREEK LINEAR PARK. IN ADDITION, WE JUST LAUNCHED THIS OR WE JUST ADVERTISED -- THE LAUNCHING OF AN AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROGRAM.
WHEREBY WE ARE USING OVER $2 MILLION IN COMBINED FUNDS BETWEEN THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN, THE SHEER PROGRAM AND CDBG FOR HOUSING REHABILITATION, LOAN PAYMENT, DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE, AND ALSO RAPID REHOUSING. SO, WE ARE TRYING OUR BEST TO UTILIZE OUR STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDS TO HELP THOSE IN NEED, ESPECIALLY WITH THE HOUSING SITUATION WE ARE IN TODAY SO, THAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.
ADDITIONALLY, WE ALSO HAVE OUR YOUTH COUNCIL THAT JUST ADVERTISED A CALL FOR AWARD NOMINATIONS FOR USE WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WE TALKED ABOUT HERE, WITH THE CITY COMMISSION, TO NOMINATE THOSE YOUTH THAT ARE DOING SHORT AND EVERYTHING IN OUR AMENITY. SO, WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THOSE NOMINATIONS, AND THEY ARE DUE MARCH 31ST, 2024. SO, WITH THAT, THAT IS THE END OF MY COMMENTS.
>> QUESTIONS OF MR. MIMS? MS. COX, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING?
[16. COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION]
>> I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TONIGHT. THANK YOU.
>> COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION? ANY COMMISSIONER
WANT TO START? >> MADAME MAYOR?
>> GO AHEAD. >> JUST A FOLLOW-UP, TOO, ON THE CITY EMPLOYEES HERE TONIGHT, AND JUST , MR. MIMS, YOU AND I HAVE HAD THESE CONVERSATIONS BUT I KNOW YOUR DOORS OPEN, MY DOOR IS ALSO ALWAYS OPEN -- TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS. YOU KNOW, IN ADDITION TO THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME EVENT IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. I KNOW YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE MOVEMENT ALSO. BUT , MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAN THAT, I WOULD LIKE THE MOVEMENT WITH WHATEVER EMPLOYEE HAS NOT HAD THE INCREASE SINCE THE TURN OF FISCAL YEAR. I WOULD LIKE THAT TO MOVE FORWARD. CONTRACT OR NO CONTRACT, IT NEEDS TO MOVE FORWARD, AND I WILL GET WITH THE ATTORNEY ON WHETHER THE CONTRACT IS BINDING RIGHT NOW, WHETHER IT'S LEGAL, WHETHER WE HAVE ONE, WHERE WE DON'T HAVE ONE, IF WE'RE AT AN IMPASSE. THIS IS WHERE I GET FRUSTRATED AND I KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY IN THIS ROOM FRUSTRATED WITH THAT, BECAUSE THERE'S WANTING THAT I WANT TO TAKE CARE OF, FIRST AND FOREMOST, IS THE RESIDENTS AND THE EMPLOYEES,
[01:00:02]
BOTH, AT THE SAME TIME, ALWAYS. SO, THAT'S WHERE I'M AT. I EXPECT US TO ACT . I DON'T WANT ANY DELAYS ON EITHER SIDE.I KNOW YOU HAVE HEARD ME SAY THAT. SO, I AM SAYING IT OUT LOUD. LOUD AND PROUD. BECAUSE THAT IS THE WAY I FEEL. THAT IS MY HEART, AND I HAVE ALSO BEEN A PUBLIC-SECTOR EMPLOYEE. SO, I UNDERSTAND, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT IN DETAIL. SO, THAT IS WHEN I AM AT . I.E. GET FRUSTRATED WITH THE CONTRACT DELAYS, AND IF YOU GO BACK, YOU AND I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS THE LAST 7 1/2 OR 8 YEARS ABOUT HOW WE CAN EXPEDITE THESE CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS SO, WHEN OCTOBER 1ST COMES, IT IS OVER, AND IT IS ALREADY COMPLETE. AND SO, I HAVE ENGAGED YOU IN THAT CONVERSATION. SO, THIS IS NOTHING THAT HARD, I JUST TAKEN NEEDS TO HAPPEN. RIGHT? SO, THAT'S WHERE I AM AT ON IT. SO, OUTSIDE OF THAT, REALLY, EXCITED JUST ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING WITHIN OUR CITY . A LOT OF GOOD THINGS ARE HAPPENING THE WHAT CAN BE AND THE WHAT IS , AND SO, I AM VERY ANXIOUS ABOUT BOTH OF THOSE THINGS. EVERY SINGLE DAY. BUT I WANT TO CONTINUE WITH OUR STRATEGIC PLAN CONVERSATION, WITH WHAT WE CAN DO FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR CITY EVERY SINGLE DAY. IF IT'S STREET SWEEPING, IF IT'S US GETTING OUT THERE AND HAVING CLEANUPS, IF IT'S WHATEVER IT IS, IF IT'S NEIGHBORHOOD EDIFICATION.
RIGHT? WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THOSE THINGS. I'M GOING TO
MAKE IT A . >>> THIS YEAR TO TALK ABOUT MORE OF A STRATEGIC PLAN WITHIN OUR MEETING. JUST VERY BRIEF.
>> IT IS REALLY A GOOD REMINDER, BECAUSE IT IS ABOUT PRIDE AND JOY OF OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR CITY. BECAUSE, WE ALL FEEL THAT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S BEING ANNOUNCED, AND FROM THIS CITY HALL PLATFORM, THAT THE FOLKS IN THE UNITY ARE UNDERSTANDING , AS COMMISSIONER PIERCE MENTIONED TONIGHT . THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU.
>> WANTS TO GO NEXT? COMMISSIONER GAINS?
>> MADAME MAYOR , TO THE STAFF THAT ARE HERE, TO THE ONES I HAVE SPOKEN TO PERSONALLY, FACE-TO-FACE, THE MEETINGS BEHIND DOORS THAT YOU DON'T SEE, YOU HAVE A COMMISSION BEHIND YOU GUYS. YOU HAVE -- I CAN'T SAY IT ANY CLEARER THAN THAT. I CONCUR WITH COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, WHATEVER YOU DO, MADAME ATTORNEY , YOU KNOW, TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. WE CAN FIX THAT, WHATEVER THE DELAY IS LET'S SEE WHAT WE CAN LEGALLY DO, YOU KNOW, TO JUST GET IT DONE. I KNOW THAT IS NOT ALL ON THE CITY. SO, LET'S JUST GET IT DONE. BUT, RIGHT NOW, IT LOOKS LIKE -- WHAT I DON'T LIKE -- IS THAT THE STAFF IS CAUGHT IN BETWEEN, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER IS GOING ON. SO, LET'S JUST SEE WHAT WE CAN DO. YOU KNOW, WITHIN THE LIMITS, GET IT DONE. I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT. SO, I CONCUR WITH WHAT COMMISSIONER JOHNSON SAID ON THAT . GREAT SESSION. OTHER THAN THAT, MADAME MAYOR, ONE REPORT THAT I HAVE COMPLETED , THE CERTIFICATION FOR THE RETIREMENT. SO, I'M FULLY CERTIFIED , RETIREMENT, TRUSTEE, WHATEVER TOTALLY GAVE ME. I DON'T KNOW. WHATEVER IT WAS. I HAVE SAT THROUGH THE THREE CERTIFICATION DESIGNS, PAST EXAMS. I KNOW MORE ABOUT RETIREMENT , FUNDS , AND STUFF WE SHOULD BE TRYING TO INVEST -- LIKE I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD KNOW I WANTED TO KNOW WHEN I RAN FOR THIS POSITION. SO, DO HAVE ANOTHER CERTIFIED NUMBER ON THE RETIREMENT ACTION TO PROTECT THE RETIREMENT FUNDS , YOU KNOW, FOR THE EMPLOYEES. SO, I DID DO THAT. THIS WEEKEND, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE
IN THE WAGS. >> WAGGING TAILS.
>> WAGGING TAILS 5K. IT WAS EARLY IN THE MORNING. I WAS LOOKING FOR MY OTHER COMMISSIONERS TO BE OUT THERE, WALKING THE TRAIL WITH ME. BUT I WAS BY MYSELF. BUT TO BE HONEST WITH YOU , I'M GLAD I DID IT. I KNOW I MET A LOT OF PEOPLE, AND THE FIRST PERSON THAT RAN UP TO ME WAS COMMISSIONER TOM PERRONE NO CHALLENGE, TO A RACE. MEN,
LEAVE ME ALONE. >> HE IS SERIOUS. YET.
>> HE HAD THIS LITTLE RUNNING OUTFIT ON. I SAID, TOM, LEAVE ME ALONE. GO ON AND RUN. I'M GOING TO RUN AND MOSTLY WALK.
IF YOU HAVE NEVER WALKED THAT TRAIL, I'VE BEEN HERE ALL MY LIFE I HAVE BEEN HERE ALL MY LIFE, FORT PIERCE, AND I HAVE SEEN THAT , AND I HAVE MADE THAT RIGHT-TURNED TO GO TO THE
BEACH . >> NOT THE LEFT-TURN. YET.
[01:05:05]
>> THE RIGHT-TURN TO GO TO THE BEACH, JUST SIT ON THE BEACH.
BUT NEXT TIME YOU GO TO THE PARK, MAKE A LEFT-TURN TO GOOD TO PEPPER PIKE, PART YOUR CAR, AND WALK THAT TRAIL. IT FOLLOWS THE RIVER AND THE MANGROVES , AND YOU WILL BE LIKE, WOW. YOU REALLY SEE SOME OF THE OLD, BEAUTIFUL FORT PIERCE. SOME OF THE VIEWS THERE, I HAVE NEVER BEEN BACK THERE. SO, NOW I'M THINKING, I BETTER BE RUNNING UP PLACES WHAT I DO MY WALKS OR WHATEVER, GO THERE, BECAUSE IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL SITE. I'M JUST TELLING THE PUBLIC IF YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT, GO CHECK IT OUT.THAT'S A GREAT TRAIL. IT IS A GREAT TRAIL. YOU ARE GOING TO SEE BEAUTIFUL SITES. ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD RECOMMEND, WHEN THE SUN WAS COMING UP, THE ONE VIEW , BACK ON THE NORTH PART, OPEN, YOU SEE THE RIVER, LIKE WOW I SHOULD'VE TAKEN A PICTURE OF THAT. SO, THAT WAS THAT. SO, COMMISSIONER BRODERICK, I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT UP, YOU KNOW, BECAUSE WITH -- WHAT DID WE CALL IT -- I WOULD CALL HER WHEN HE CALLED IT, THE FEELING THAT GAMES AT -- WHAT WAS IT? FAMILY GAMES AND? NOT GOING TO SAY, ARCADES, GOING TO SAY, FAMILY AMUSEMENT CENTERS. I HOPE THAT WE CAN MOVE FAST ON THAT, IF POSSIBLE, BECAUSE I THAT REALLY WANTS TO DO IT. SO,- I HOPE WE CAN WORK OUT SOME KIND OF WAY TO GET IT DONE, BECAUSE I DO SEE, LIKE YOU SAID, I'M GLAD YOU GUYS SET IT. SO, I DIDN'T HAVE TO SAY IT . I'VE GOT TO DRIVE TO PORT ST. LUCIE TO SPEND MY MONEY. I WAS ABOUT TO SAY IT, BUT YOU BEAT ME TO IT TONIGHT.
NOTHING AGAINST PORT ST. LUCIE, BUT FORT PIERCE CAN STAY HERE.
YOU CAN TAKE THE MONEY TOO. SO, WITH THAT, MADAME MAYOR, I THINK THAT'S IT FOR ME. DID I DO SOMETHING ELSE ON HERE? GO
AHEAD . >> HE WENT TO ANOTHER WALK?
>> YEAH. WE HAD -- I DID 2 5K'S. I HAD A CANCER WALK FOR WHEN MY FRIENDS, AND , UNFORTUNATELY , WE WERE REPRESENTING HIS MOM, AND HIS MOM PASSED. SO, IT WAS A SAD OCCASION , BUT IT WAS -- WE GOT HIM THROUGH IT, BECAUSE SOMEONE PEOPLE SHOWED UP. SOMEONE PEOPLE SHOWED UP TO WALK . SO, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT ANYBODY THAT'S OUT HERE WHO IS DEALING WITH CANCER, WHO IS DEALING WITH THE DEATH OF SOMEONE FROM CANCER, YOU HAVE MY PRAYERS. IF YOU KNOW SOMEONE THAT'S DEALING WITH IT, YOU KNOW, A QUICK CALL, A QUICK TEXT, JUST TO SAY, HEY, HOW YOU DOING, IT GOES A LONG WAY. WITH THAT, MADAME MAYOR, THAT'S MY COMMENT .
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?
>> FIRST OF ALL, I WISH IT YOU BRINGING UP THE ISSUE, COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, ON PARITY OF PAY FOR STAFF THAT HAVE BEEN, IN ESSENCE, EXTENDED OUT OVER TIME VS. THE INCREASES PUT IN PLACE, I'M GUESSING, LAST SEPTEMBER OR OCTOBER. SO , I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF IT'S AT ALL POSSIBLE -- COMPLETELY AGREEING WITH YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON IT. I LIKE TO SEE IF THAT TO BE INSTITUTED, EFFECTIVE AS SOON AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE.
SECONDLY, IN OUR ENDEAVORS TO ENHANCE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COAST GUARD, BECOME A COAST GUARD-DESIGNATED CITY, I WAS APPROACHED BY THE COAST GUARD AUXILIARY ABOUT A CAREER DAY MEAN BY THAT -- I BELIEVE IT WAS FOR SENIORS, NICK? WAS IT FOR SENIORS? SENIORS IN HIGH SCHOOL. SO, I GOT THAT INFORMATION, GOT IT TO THE TEAM, THE TEAM GOT CIRCULATED TO WHOEVER MIGHT BE INTRODUCED OR INTERESTED. I FOUND COMMISSIONER GAINES' COMMENTS RELATIVE TO THAT, WHEN THE COAST GUARD WAS HERE PRESENTING, AND THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR OUR HIGH SCHOOL FOLKS TO BE INTERESTED IN SERVING IN THE COAST GUARD, ET CETERA, GETTING EXPOSURE TO THE FACILITIES HERE. SUCH A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM TO SEE IT IN REAL TIME, REAL LIFE, WHAT THESE FOLKS ARE DOING. SO, THEY WERE VERY KIND IN REACHING OUT TO MAKE SURE WE KNEW ABOUT IT, AND I'M APPRECIATIVE OF THEIR EFFORTS TO DO SO. SO, I'M EXCITED ABOUT THAT INITIATIVE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE COAST GUARD CITY SCENARIO, LOOK FORWARD TO MIRIAM'S UPDATE ON THE FUTURE. ONCE AGAIN, MORE INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THAT. ON ANOTHER TOPIC, ELEGANT MORE SENSITIVE TO THE COMMISSION, I THINK, IS THAT I HAVE REALLY TAKEN TO HEART OUR EFFORTS TO WORK WITH OUR NATIONAL POLITICIANS IN
[01:10:02]
IMPROVING THE CONDITIONS IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. I'M GOING TO FREEZE THIS CORRECTLY. IN THAT REGARD, I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPERATIVE TO BRING THEM INTO THE DIALOGUE ABOUT MONEY . HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH CONGRESSMAN MASS, REPRESENTATIVE HERE, DEREK ANDERSON . HIM AND I HAD A GREAT MEETING . I'M NOT AN EXPERT IN SECURING GRANTS OR ANYTHING . IN FACT, I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT HOW THAT ALL MANIFESTS ITSELF, AND I KNOW WE HAVE EXPERTS IN THAT AREA WORKING ON BEHALF OF THE CITY'S BEHALF TO MOVE THAT FORWARD ON THE LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL LEVEL, ET CETERA. YOU KNOW, BASICALLY, I JUST ASKED FOR TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO FIX THE THINGS THAT WE NEED FIXED IN THE CITY , BUT MORE SPECIFICALLY, THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT NEEDS A CAP, OR WE NEED INVESTMENT ON A CORPORATE-WIDE SPECTRUM. NOT SPEAKING TONGUE-IN-CHEEK.I WAS SERIOUS TO SAY THAT WE HAVE ISSUES AND NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. $50 MILLION BUDGET.WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WITH WHAT'S LEFT OVER? NOT A HECK OF A LOT. ALL RIGHT? MEANING PAYROLL AND RESPONSIBILITIES WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, PUBLIC WORKS, ET CETERA. ALL OF THESE THINGS NEED TO BE FUNDED. AT THE END OF THE DAY, $50 MILLION, PEOPLE SAY, $50 MILLION, DOES THAT ALL THEM? THAT IS THE COMMENT I GET WHEN I BRING THAT UP IN THAT VEIN, ASKING THE CONGRESSMAN/STAFF, THEY WERE 110% COOPERATIVE TO MEET WITH US, TO MEET WITH OUR STAFF, TO ENDORSE GRANT RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE ARE JOINED BY FORWARD ON A FEDERAL LEVEL, WITH THE CONGRESSMAN'S RECORDATION OF APPROVAL, ET CETERA THEY HAVE ALSO INDICATED THAT AS WE HAVE ACTUALLY SCHEDULED A MEETING BETWEEN NICK , MYSELF, AND MEMBERS OF OUR GRANT TEAM. TO ASK THE PEOPLE WHAT YOU NEED FOR TOOLS THAT WE CAN GET ON A FEDERAL LEVEL TO OPEN UP MORE DOORS FOR MORE GRANTS, POSSIBLY MORE MONIES AVAILABLE TO THE CITY? CANDIDLY , AFTER ALMOST AN HOUR OF MEETING WITH CONGRESSMAN'S ASSISTANT, I WENT OUT, MY EYES WERE IN THE BACK OF MY HEAD.
THIS GUY HAD THREE LEGAL PAGES LONG FOR ALL THE THINGS HE WANTED TO GO AFTER. HE WAS GENERALLY EXCITED TO HELP THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE ON A HOST OF FRONTS HAVING TO DO WITH EMPLOYMENT, HAVING TO DO WITH HOUSING, HAVING TO DO WITH X THE CITY NEEDS TO IMPROVE OUR DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS, ET CETERA , SO I'M VERY EXCITED FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT AND GET OUR EXPERTS IN THE ROOM.
TALKING TO ME IS LIKE TALKING TO A WALL. I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE YOU ARE GOING WITH THIS. WE NEED EXPERTS IN THE ROOM TO LIAISON , AND COME UP WITH A GAME PLAN, COME UP WITH IDEAS, AND TRULY ADDRESS THE BASELINE NEED, BECAUSE HE IS INDICATING TO ME THAT IN AN ELECTION YEAR, MONEY IS BOUNTIFUL ON A FEDERAL LEVEL . IF IT'S BOUNTIFUL, WE WANT TO GET A CHUNK OF THAT WE WANT IT DRIVEN DIRECTLY INTO OUR NEEDS, HERE, IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. THAT MEETING IS SET UP FOR THE PAST TWO WEEKS FROM NOW. WE'RE GOING TO CONVENE IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM WE ARE NOT LOCKING THE DOORS UNTIL WE GET THE MINUTES AS TO HOW WE WILL PROCEED, AND NOT JUST PUT TALK TO THIS. WE WANT TRACTION. CANDIDLY, LIKE I TOLD NICK , I SAID, I'VE GOT NOTHING TO ADD TO THE CONVERSATION. THAT IS ALL OF TO THE TEAM. I'M JUST THERE TO MAKE SURE WHAT IS BEING REPRESENTED TO THE CITY IS GOING TO OF THIS I CAN THEN FOLLOW UP WITH THE BOARD WITH THAT . MAYBE I WILL LEARN MORE TERMINOLOGY AND ALL THAT, BUT I AM ON IT. I WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO REPORT BACK TO THE COMMISSION AS TO OUR RESULTS.
THANK YOU, NICK. THE TEAM GOT ON IT INSTANTLY. I CALLED NICK, AND FIVE MINUTES, HAD AN INVITATION WITH 2 FOR 3 WEEKS.
INSTANTANEOUS RESPONSE, THEY'RE EXCITED, I'M EXCITED. LET'S
SEE HOW IT COMES FORWARD. >> GREAT. AND DEREK IS LOCATED RIGHT HERE, IN THIS BUILDING. THE PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE THAT CONGRESSMAN HAS AN OFFICE IN THIS BUILDING. DEREK IS TELLING ME HE WILL BE WORKING OUT OF THIS BUILDING, HAD BEEN
IN JUNE. >> VERY EXCITING FOR US. HIS ENERGY LEVEL, BY THE WAY, I THOUGHT I GOT EXCITED WHEN I DRINK COFFEE WITH CAFFEINE. THIS GUY'S ENERGY IS INFECTIOUS. SO, I THINK WE ARE GOING TO ASSEMBLE A GREAT TEAM FOR THE CITY . I'M EXCITED.
>> THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. THAT IS GREAT. THAT IS GREAT. I
[01:15:02]
THINK YOU ARE THE MAN FOR THE JOB. PROBABLY WON'T LEAVE HIMALONE. >> I WILL. HIS OFFICE IS RIGHT UNDERNEATH HOURS.A BREAK IN MY SCHEDULE, LIKE YOU GOT IT YET? VERY MUCH. SO, I ALSO WANT TO SAY TO THE STAFF, WHAT YOU HAVE IS A COMMISSION WHO IS VERY MUCH CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR WELFARE , AND WE WANT THIS TO HAPPEN IS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE , AND I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT YOUR CITY MANAGER, WHO HAS BEEN ONE OF YOU FOR ABOUT 25 YEARS IS VERY, VERY MUCH IN SUPPORT OF WHAT YOU NEED TO DO . SO, WHATEVER IS HAPPENING FROM NOW ON, IT WILL HAPPEN QUICKLY, SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK FOR THE CITY. I WANT TO SAY HOW GRATEFUL I AM, BECAUSE MANY OF YOU DO JOBS THAT PEOPLE DON'T REALLY SEE YOU. BUT WHAT YOU DO EVERY DAY IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THE CITY. AND SO, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT. THE COMMISSION FEELS THIS WAY TOO.
MUCH OF WHAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT TONIGHT , WE HAD A DISCUSSION AND A RECENT MEETING, WHICH MUCH THE SAME THING WAS SAID , AND MR. MIMS WAS PART OF THAT CONVERSATION AND SUPPORTIVE OF THAT CONVERSATION. SO, DON'T EVER THINK THAT HE DOESN'T SUPPORT YOU AND THE WORK THAT YOU DO.
I ALSO WANT TO SAY, IN CONNECTION WITH COMMISSIONER CURTIS JOHNSON, TALLAHASSEE LAST WEEK , TO WORK WITH THE LEGISLATORS TO TRY TO GIVE THEM THE CITY'S POINT OF VIEW ON SOME OF THE LEGISLATION THEY'RE TRYING TO PASS. ONE THING I THINK YOU WILL FIND OF INTEREST IS MANY OF THE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS ARE REDUCING THE REVENUES FOR CITIES. SO, WHAT COMMISSIONER BRODERICK WAS TALKING ABOUT, THE SIZE OF OUR BUDGET, $50 MILLION, WELL, MANY THINGS THAT THE LEGISLATORS ARE TRYING TO DO WILL FURTHER REDUCE THAT REVENUE. SO, WE'RE TRYING TO SAY, DON'T HAMPER WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO FOR OUR CITIZENS. AGAIN, IT'S AN ELECTION YEAR, AND SOME THINGS LOOK GOOD TO TAXPAYERS, TO VOTERS, AND IT LOOKS LIKE -- BUT SOMETIMES, WHAT THE LEGISLATURE IS DOING IS REDUCING OUR ABILITY TO DO A GOOD JOB FOR YOU. SO, THAT WAS WHAT WE WERE THERE FOR. WE ACTUALLY HAD A PRETTY GOOD RECEPTION FOR MOST OF THE BILLS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT. SO, THAT WILL WORK ITS WAY THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION . IT ENDS IN THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH. SO, SOME THINGS HAPPEN AT THE LAST MINUTE THAT YOU CAN'T STOP , BUT WE'RE WORKING ON TRYING TO KEEP CITIES TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT WE WANT TO DO FOR OUR CITIZENS, AND SOMETIMES, THAT DOESN'T SEEM TO BE OF US THAT SEEMS TO BE AT ODDS WITH WHAT LEGISLATORS WANT TO DO. SO, AT ANY RATE, THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER? WE'RE ALL CLEAR ON WHERE WE'RE GOING, MR. MIMS? CLEAR ON THE WHOLE OF HIS WHAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT IN TERMS OF THE STAFFING? YOU VERY MUCH. I'M GOING TO SAY, WE'RE GOING TO ADJOURN. PLEASE, LEAVE THE CHAMBER. WE'RE GOING TO TURN OUT THE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.