Jun 10, 2024 City Commission Regular Meeting

[1. Call to Order]

[00:00:09]

>>> I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER, THIS IS THE CITY COMMISSION DAY MEETING FOR JUNE 10, PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.

>> CALL THE ROLL PLEASE.

INDICATED HE WOULD BE HERE HE WILL JUST RELATE SO HE WILL BE

ARRIVING SOMETIME THIS MORNING. >> ANYTHING ABOUT COMMISSIONER GAINES? SPOT I HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING, HAVE YOU?

>> OKAY, THANK YOU. SO, WE WILL NOT HAVE APPROVAL OF MINUTES

[a. City of Fort Pierce Youth Award Recognition Presentation ]

THOUGHT YOU MIGHT. >> WE DO HAVE OUR SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR AUDREY MOORE THAT WILL ASSIST YOUTH COUNCIL WITH PRESENTATION OF THE YOUTH FORT PIERCE OR THE INITIAL AND FIRST FORT PIERCE YOUTH AWARD PRESENTATION OF THREE VERY DESERVING YOUNG PEOPLE THAT ARE STRONGLY REPRESENTING THE VALUES OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE.

>> OUR FIRST RECIPIENT FOR THE YOUTH AWARD RECOGNITION IS OUR OUTSTANDING VISIONARY AWARD. SO I WILL READ THAT PROCLAMATION.

WHEREAS THE YOUTH IN OUR CITY AND THE CITY MOST BIBLE RESOURCES THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONERS RECOGNIZE FUTURE OF THE COMMUNITY DEPENDS UPON THE YOUTH , THE YOUNG PEOPLE WE RAISE TO HANDLE THE AFFAIRS OF TOMORROW WHEREAS THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AWARD RECOGNITION PROGRAM SEEKS TO SHOWCASE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUTSTANDING AND TALENTED YOUTH WHEREAS SEVENTH GRADER FROM CREATIVE ARTS ACADEMY OF ST. LUCIE IS THE RECIPIENT OF THE OUTSTANDING VISIONARY AWARD WHICH RECOGNIZES YOUTH WHO HAVE TURNED CREATIVITY AND KNOWLEDGE INTO A ENTREPRENEURIAL OR ECONOMIC VENTURE. WHEREAS MOLLY A DRUMMER AND PERCUSSIONIST AND THE OWNER OF RUBBER BAND BONANZA HAS DEMONSTRATED IMPRESSIVE SALES SKILLS RAISING SIGNIFICANT FUND FOR THE BAND BY SELLING CHOCOLATES AND SELLING BRACELETS FOR THE TREASURE COAST CHAPTER WHERE SHE IS THE ONLY STUDENT MEMBER. WHEREAS MOLLY'S DRIVE IS EVIDENT IN HER VARIOUS ENDEAVORS AND AMBITION SERVES AS AN INSPIRATION TO ALL THEREFORE I, LINDA HUDSON MAYOR OF FORT PIERCE ISSUE THIS PROCLAMATION AND RECOGNITION OF MOLLY AND URGE CITIZENS TO CELEBRATE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF

OUR YOUTH. >> WE ARE GOING TO GET A PICTURE.

>> SHE SAYS THANK YOU.

>> OKAY OUR NEXT RECIPIENT WILL BE MR. YOUTH ATHLETE. WHEREAS YOUTH IN THE CITY ARE THE MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE WHEREAS THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONERS RECOGNIZE THE FUTURE OF COMMUNITY DEPENDS ON YOUNG PEOPLE WE RAISE TO HANDLE THE AFFAIRS OF TOMORROW WHEREAS THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE YOUTH AWARD RECOGNITION PROGRAM SEEKS TO SHOWCASE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUR OUTSTANDING AND TALENTED YOUTH AND WHEREAS GRADUATING SENIOR FROM FORT PIERCE WESTWOOD ACADEMY IS RECIPIENT OF OUTSTANDING STUDENT ATHLETE AWARD RECOGNIZING STUDENT ATHLETES WHO SHOW EXCELLENCE IN THE

[00:05:01]

OF OUR YOUTH. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY VERY THANKFUL TO RECEIVE THIS AWARD AND WHATEVER YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH.

>> OKAY I THINK WE HAVE ONE MORE, YES. OUR NEXT HONOREE IS THE RECIPIENT OF OUR OUTSTANDING ROLE MODEL AWARD AND THAT IS A HE ON A. WHEREAS THE YOUTH IN OUR CITY ARE THE MOST VIABLE RESOURCE WHEREAS THE CITY COMMISSIONER AND MAYORS RECOGNIZE FUTURE OF COMMUNITY DEPENDS UPON THE YOUNG PEOPLE WE RAISE TO HANDLE THE AFFAIRS OF TOMORROW WHEREAS CITY OF FORT PIERCE YOUTH AWARD RECOGNITION PROGRAM SEEKS TO SHOWCASE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUTSTANDING AND TALENTED YOUTH WHEREAS ACADEMY IS RECIPIENT OF OUTSTANDING ROLE MODEL AWARD WHICH RECOGNIZES YOUTH WHO LEND A HELPING HAND TO PEERS AND YOUNGER YOUTH WHEREAS ADRIANA , A STRAIGHT A STUDENT ENROLLED IN ADVANCED CLASSES HAS ACTIVELY PARTICIPATED IN FOR AGE 8 YEARS HOLDING A LEADERSHIP ROLE MODEL POSITION GIRL SCOUTS FOR 10 YEARS ACHIEVING THE BRON AND SILVER AWARDS FUTURE FARMERS OF AMERICA AND HORSE DRILL TEAM SINCE 2023 EARNING NUMEROUS AWARDS AND SERVING IN MULTIPLE LEADERSHIP POSITIONS WHEREAS DETERMINATION, WILLINGNESS TO HELP OTHERS AND COMMITMENT OF FAITH SERVES AS AN INSPIRATION TO ALL. THEREFORE I, LINDA HUDSON THE MAYOR OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA ISSUE PROCLAMATION IN HONOR OF ] AND URGE CITIZENS TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE

ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OUR YOUTH. >> SHE SAYS THANK YOU.

>> MME. MAYOR IF IT'S OKAY CAN WE HAVE A PICTURE WITH THOSE RECIPIENTS AND ALSO TO THE PARENTS SINCE YOU ARE THERE, I THINK THEY EMBODY WHAT WE CALL ONE FORT PIERCE. I HAVE THREE PINS HERE FOR THEM AND I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO SHARE THAT WITH THEM.

>> VERY NICE. >> OKAY, NEXT WE MOVE ON TO

[6. Additions or deletions to agenda and approval of the agenda.]

APPROVE THE AGENDA. >> I MOVED TO ACCEPT.

[00:10:04]

>> MOTION AND SECOND, CALL THE ROLL PLEASE.

[7. 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.]

>> OKAY, NEXT WE HAVE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC.

>> ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC PLEASE COME FORWARD, STATE YOUR NAME, YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES AND WE WILL GIVE YOU A THREE SECOND MORNING. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS.

>> I AM HERE MANY TIMES. I HATE TO PUT A DOWNER ON THIS BECAUSE THAT WAS SUCH A WONDERFUL ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE AND I CAN'T BE MORE PROUD. I AM HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THE ANNUAL EVALUATIONS OF SOME OF OUR CITY DEPARTMENTS. I AM REALLY TALKING ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT ATTEMPTS THAT I'VE TRIED TO HAPPEN AND HAVE NOT COME TO FRUITION WHICH I FEEL HAS BEEN A LACK OF DUE DILIGENCE. THE FISHERMAN'S WHARF, KINGS LANDING AND THE BRIGHT LINE STATION. ALL OF THESE ITEMS HAVE BEEN ON THE AGENDA, HAVE BEEN GOING THROUGH THE MILL FOR THE LAST SEVEN OR EIGHT YEARS AND, AS A DOWNTOWN BUSINESS OWNER, ALL OF THOSE THINGS OCCURRING WOULD HAVE MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE FOR THE DOWNTOWN INDIVIDUAL BUSINESSES, RESTAURANTS, MUSEUMS AND EVERYTHING. AND I JUST LOOK BACK OVER THE DIFFERENT ISSUES THAT CAME UP WITH THESE THINGS IN PARTICULAR, KINGS LANDING WHICH I KNOW WE WILL STILL BE TALKING ABOUT TOMORROW NIGHT. ORIGINALLY IT WAS APPRAISED AS A INDUSTRIAL LOT NOT MIXED-USE SO THE APPRAISAL CAME IN RELATIVELY LOW WHICH I THINK STARTED OFF THE BALL ON THE WRONG FOOT OR THE SHOE ON THE WRONG FOOT. WE DID NOT REQUIRE PARKING REQUIREMENTS IN THE BID. THE CITY PAID FOR A THIRD-PARTY EVALUATION FROM WTLA OF AUDUBON DEVELOPMENT AT THE KINGS LANDING AND BASICALLY THEY DID NOT RECOMMEND WE MOVE FORWARD WITH AUDUBON FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS UNTIL THEY CAME BACK IN AND BASICALLY CORRECTED WHAT THEY FELT WERE EXPOSURES TO THE CITY HOWEVER WE WENT AHEAD WITH AUDUBON AND WE'RE STILL DEALING WITH THE ISSUES OF THAT TODAY. I THINK WITH BRIGHT LINE WITH THE OTHER THINGS HAPPENING THE FISHERMAN'S WHARF, THE HOTEL I THINK BRIGHT LINE WHAT IT TAKEN A LARGER INTEREST IN THE CITY. THIS IS WHERE IT SHOULD HAVE COME, A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL THE SAME WAY. THE SITE WE INITIALLY PROVIDED TO PLACE THE STATION REALLY WOULD NOT HAVE ACCOMMODATED IT. IT WAS TOO CLOSE TO SUNRISE, TO BRINGING IN THE TALENT TO SUNRISE AND TRACTOR-TRAILERS AND THE TRAFFIC COMING IN TRAIN STATION IT WAS NOT GOING TO WORK. AND BASICALLY I AM ASKING THE CITY, CITY MANAGER TO LOOK THROUGH A LITTLE MORE CLOSELY LOOK AT THE DUE DILIGENCE A LITTLE MORE CLOSELY AND BRING THE CITY TO WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE TODAY,

THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION PLEASE COME FORWARD. C KNOW WHEN I

[a. National Community Survey Results Presentation]

WILL MOVE ON. >> WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS AND PRESENTATIONS AND WE HAVE A PRESENTATION FROM THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY RESULTS.

>> MME., MEMBERS OF THE CITY COMMISSION THIS INITIATIVE TOOK THE PLACE OF OUR COMMUNITY CONVERSATION. WE BEEN DOING STRATEGIC PLANNING WITH OUR FRIEND FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND ONE OF HIS RECOMMENDATIONS WAS TO HAVE A COMMUNITY CONVERSATION, TO GAIN ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY INPUT.

INSTEAD OF HAVING THAT MEETING WHERE WE WOULD HAVE A SELECT GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS WE DECIDED TO OPEN UP TO THE ENTIRE POPULATION. SO WE DID THIS BY BRINGING IN A GROUP THAT HAS A VAST EXPERIENCE THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COUNTRY WITH DOING SURVEYS AND AS A MATTER OF FACT THEY'RE WORKING WITH OUR SISTER CITY TO THE SOUTH, PORT ST. LUCIE AND ST. LUCIE COUNTY.

I WILL TURN IT OVER AT THIS TIME TO OUR SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR AND BRANDON BENNETT WHO IS GOING TO GIVE US THE PRESENTATION.

>> GOOD MORNING. I BELIEVE ESTHER BARNETT IS ON THE PHONE.

>> BRANDON ARE YOU READY? >> YES I AM READY CAN EVERYBODY

HEAR ME? >> YES.

[00:15:04]

>> OKAY. LOOKS LIKE THE VIDEO IS LAGGING A LITTLE BEHIND. SO MOVING THE SLIDES ALONG WE WILL MAKE THE BEST OF IT. I AM HAPPY TO BE HERE TO PRESENT A SUMMARY OF FINDINGS FROM FORT PIERCE NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY. ON BEHALF OF MYSELF AND MY COWORKERS I WOULD LIKE TO THAN OUR PRIMARY CONTACT THROUGHOUT THE SURVEY DEVELOPMENT IN THE PROCESS PROVIDING THOUGHTFUL AND DETAILED FEEDBACK THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. NEXT SLIDE. ONLINE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLATFORM PROVIDES INFORMATION TOOLS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND OTHER PUBLIC SECTOR LEADERS NOW HUNDREDS OF ORGANIZATIONS NATIONWIDE USE FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING WITH EMPOWERING RESONANT VOICES SIMPLE VERIFIED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ONLINE BECOMES POSSIBLE AND ACCESSIBLE. NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTER GIVES LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND OTHER PUBLIC SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS THE DATA THEY NEED TO MAKE MORE INFORMED DECISIONS. SINCE 1994 WE HAVE WORKED WITH HUNDREDS OF JURISDICTIONS NATIONWIDE. BEST KNOWN FOR NATIONAL BENCHMARKING SURVEYS SUCH AS THE COMMUNITY SURVEY THE NATIONAL EMPLOYEE SURVEY AND THE ASSESSMENT SURVEY FOR OLDER ADULTS AMONG OTHERS. BENCHMARK DATABASE LARGEST OF ITS KIND IN THE UNITED STATES. MERGING INTO THOUSAND 19 TO MORE EFFECTIVELY SERVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT. ALSO EXCLUSIVE PARTNERS WITH THE INTERNATIONAL CITY COUNTY MANAGER ASSOCIATION , THE NATIONAL LEAGUE OF CITIES AND WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THE ENGAGE LEADERS THE ALLIANCE FOR INNOVATION IN MANY ACADEMIC PARTNERS INCLUDING THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF RESEARCH, THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN MADISON AND HOOVER INSTITUTE AT STANFORD UNIVERSITY AS WELL AS THE HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT. NEXT SLIDE. BEFORE WE DIVE INTO THE RESULTS I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THERE ARE A VARIETY OF WAYS THE RESULTS CAN BE USED, MOST COMMONLY THE JURISDICTIONS WE WORK WITH USE THEIR SURVEY DATA TO MONITOR RESIDENTS OVER TIME. THE MEASURE OF GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE AND PUBLIC TRUST AND TO INFORM BUDGETING PROCESSES AND STRATEGIC PLANS. RESULTS ALLOW YOU TO BENCHMARK YOUR COMMUNITY'S SPECIFIC CHARACTERISTICS AND SERVICES AGAINST THE SAME CHARACTERISTICS WITHIN OTHER COMMUNITIES WITHIN OUR STATE AND BENCHMARK DATABASE. THE HOPE IS THIS WILL SPUR IDEAS OF WHAT CAN BE DONE WITH THESE RESULTS ARE WHERE YOU MAY WANT TO DIG DEEPER. NEXT SLIDE. THE NATIONAL COMMUNITY SURVEY IS A STANDARDIZED FIVE-PAGE COMPANY IS OF SURVEY THAT ALLOWS MUNICIPALITIES TO ASSESS FOR THE OPINION OF COMMUNITY GOVERNMENT. FOCUSING ON LIVABILITY OF FORT PIERCE BY CATEGORIZING SURVEY QUESTIONS AS SHOWN HERE. THESE ASSETS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED THROUGH SURVEY RESEARCH AS THOSE MOST IMPACTFUL TO RESIDENT QUALITY OF LIFE. IN CF INCLUDES ITEM WITH EACH OF THESE TO PROVIDE A FULL PICTURE OF HOW RESIDENTS FEEL ABOUT THEIR COMMUNITY.

FINALLY THESE FACETS TEND TO ALIGN WITH MUNICIPAL DEPARTMENTS MAKING IT EASY FOR CITY STAFF TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION OF MOST IMPORTANCE TO THEM IN THE FINAL REPORTING RESULTS. NEXT SLIDE. ALL HOUSEHOLD WITHIN FORT PIERCE WERE ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SURVEY. A LIST OF ALL HOUSEHOLDS IN THE ZIP CODE SERVING FORT PIERCE BASED ON UPDATED LISTINGS FROM THE POSTAL SERVICE. USING FILES PROVIDED BY THE CITY ADDRESS IS LOCATED OUTSIDE OF FORT PIERCE BOUNDARIES WERE REMOVED FROM THE LIST OF POTENTIAL HOUSEHOLDS TO SURVEY. FROM THAT ELIGIBLE HOUSEHOLDS THOUSAND ADDRESSES WERE SELECTED TO RECEIVE SURVEY. 3000 RANDOMLY SELECTED HOUSEHOLDS RECEIVED MAIL INS BEGINNING FEBRUARY 19, 2024 AND THE SURVEY REMAINED OPEN FOR SIX WEEKS, THE FIRST MELON WAS A POSTCARD INVITING THE HOUSEHOLD , THE NEXT CONTAINED A COVER LETTER WITH INSTRUCTIONS WITH A FIVE PAGE QUESTIONNAIRE AND A POSTPAID RETURN TO BELOW. POSTCARD AND COVER LITTLE INCLUDED TO GIVE RESIDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO SURVEY ONLINE WITH FOLLOW-UP MAILINGS ASKING THOSE WHO HAD NOT COMPLETED THE SURVEY TO DO THOUGH AND WHO HAD DONE SO TO NOT RESPOND TWICE. THE SURVEY WAS HOSTED ONLINE AND WAS AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH. 250 COMPLETED SURVEYS RECEIVED PROVIDING A RESPONSE RATE OF 9% AND MARGIN OF ERROR PLUS OR MINUS 6% WITHIN COMPARED DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF SURVEYORS USING THE MOST RECENT CENSUS AND AMERICAN SURVEY DATA AND WAITED THE SURVEY RESULTS. HELPING TO IMPROVE REPRESENTING YOUR SURVEY RESULTS. IN ADDITION TO THE RANDOMLY SELECTED SAMPLE OF HOUSEHOLDS A LINK TO AN ONLINE

[00:20:04]

SURVEY REMAINED OPEN FOR TWO WEEKS AND 26 RESPONSES WERE RECEIVED, THIS PRESENTATION AND REPORT ARE BASED ON THE 250 RESPONSES FROM THE SAMPLE MAIL BASED SURVEY WITH A RESPONSE TO OPEN PARTICIPATION PROVIDED SEPARATELY IN THE FULL REPORT.

NEXT SLIDE. ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES TO THE GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATING IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO COMPARE RATINGS GIVEN BY YOUR RESIDENCE TO THOSE FROM COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE NATION. NCF WAS THE FIRST ORGANIZATION TO CONCEIVE OF THE IDEA CREATING BENCHMARKS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY ALLOWING JURISDICTIONS TO COMPARE RATINGS OF SERVICES AND SIMILAR SERVICES FROM OTHERS , THERE ARE CURRENTLY 500 COMMUNITIES IN THE DATABASE. NEXT SLIDE. NOW MOVING INTO OVERVIEW OF THE SURVEY RESULTS. NEXT SLIDE. IN THE SURVEY WE HAVE TWO QUESTIONS THAT ASK ABOUT THOSE COMMUNITY LIVABILITY IS THE FIRST ASK RESIDENTS TO RATE THE QUALITY OF EACH AND YOU CAN SEE THE RESULTS COMPARING TO THE NATIONAL BENCHMARK ON THE CHART. NEXT SLIDE. THE SECOND QUESTION ASKS ABOUT THE SAME LIVABILITY CENTERED ON HOW IMPORTANT RESIDENTS THINK IT IS FOR THE COMMUNITY TO FOCUS ON EACH ASSET SO WE ASKED ABOUT QUALITY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF EACH ASSETS AND WILL USE THOSE ANSWERS TO CREATE QUALITY IMPORTANCE GRAPHIC WHICH WE WILL SEE ON THE NEXT SLIDE. NEXT SLIDE. WE USE THIS CHART WHICH IS INCLUDED IN THE REPORT TO HELP DETERMINE WHICH AREAS ARE OF HIGHER IMPORTANCE AND LOWER QUALITY TO RESIDENTS THIS IS ONE OF MANY WAYS TO INTERPRET YOUR DATA AND CAN BE USED TO IDENTIFY KEY FINDINGS AND HELP DETERMINE WHICH AREAS MAY NEED ADDITIONAL FOCUS OR RESOURCE ALLOCATION AND WHICH OTHERS ARE PERFORMING WELL BY COMPARISON. NEXT SLIDE. OF THE 122 SURVEY ITEMS FOR WHICH RESIDENTS WERE PROVIDED A VALUE OF RATINGS ONE WAS HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL BENCHMARK, 80 RECEIVE RATINGS SIMILAR AND 41 RECEIVED LOWER RATINGS. RATINGS ARE CONSIDERED SIMILAR WITHIN 10 POINTS OF THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AND HIGHER OR LOWER MORE THAN 10 POINTS DIFFERENT FROM THE AVERAGE. THESE RESULTS CAN BE FOUND IN THE TABLE UNDER THE BENCHMARK TABS IN THE ONLINE REPORT. NEXT SLIDE.

MOVING INTO THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE FINDINGS I WANT TO POINT OUT A FEW ITEMS THAT STOOD OUT TO US. THERE IS A LOT OF ADDITIONAL DATA IN THE FULL REPORT WE WON'T COVER TODAY BUT TODAY'S PRESENTATION WILL FOCUS ON A FEW AREAS WE FOUND MOST NOTEWORTHY WITHIN FORT PIERCE SURVEY RESULTS. NEXT SLIDE. THE FIRST OF KEY FINDINGS WAS RESIDENTS APPRECIATE MANY ASPECTS OF THE CITY LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNANCE.

NEXT SLIDE. MANY ASPECTS OF FORT PIERCE GOVERNMENT SCORED ON PR WITH NATIONAL AVERAGE WHICH SHOULD BE SEEN AS A STRENGTH IN THESE TIMES OF PUBLIC DISTRUST, HALF OF RESIDENTS RATE FORT PIERCE GOVERNMENT WITH A SLIGHTLY SMALLER PROPORTION FOUR OUT OF 10 GIVE SIMILAR RATINGS TO THE OVERALL DIRECTION FORT PIERCE IS TAKING AND BEING OPEN AND TRANSPARENT TO THE PUBLIC THE JOB FORT PIERCE GOVERNMENT DOES WITH INVOLVEMENT AND GENERALLY ACTING IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COMMUNITY. NEXT SLIDE. ALSO SCORING ON PAR WITH NATIONAL AVERAGE RATINGS IN THE OVERALL CUSTOMER SERVICE BY FORT PIERCE EMPLOYEES PUBLIC INFORMATION SERVICES AND QUALITY OF SERVICE PROVIDED BY THE CITY. THREE ITEMS WERE BELOW NATIONAL COMPARISON INCLUDING THE OVERALL CONFIDENCE IN FORT PIERCE GOVERNMENT BEING HONEST AND TREATING ALL RESIDENTS FAIRLY INDICATING POTENTIAL AREAS , NEXT SLIDE. THE SECOND OF KEY FINDINGS WAS THE VALUE OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT IN FORT PIERCE AND SUPPORTIVE EFFORTS TO PROTECT. NEXT SLIDE.

RATINGS STRENGTHS AND CHALLENGES SEVEN IN 10 RESIDENTS PRAISED WATER RESOURCES SCORING HIGHER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AND IN THE TOP 22% OF COMPARISON. SIMILAR PROPORTION PROVIDES TO THE AIR QUALITY, ON PAR WITH NATIONAL AVERAGE, SERVICES RELATED TO THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT WITH AT LEAST HALF OF RESPONDENTS PROVIDING POSITIVE REVIEWS TO YARD WASTE PICKUP AND RECYCLING SERVICE. HOWEVER RESIDENT RATINGS INDICATE FORT PIERCE OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION NATURAL AREA AND CLEANLINESS MAY NEED ADDITIONAL FOCUS AS EACH SCORED BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. NEXT SLIDE. RESIDENTS WERE

[00:25:04]

NEXT SLIDE. THE NEXT OF KEY FINDINGS WAS ABOUT SERVICES GENERALLY RECEIVING STRONG RATINGS FEELINGS OF SAFETY .

NEXT SLIDE. THE OVERALL FEELING OF SAFETY IN FORT PIERCE DID NOT RECEIVE MUCH PRAISE FROM RESIDENTS WITH 3% PROVIDING EXCELLENT RATINGS AND 29% SCORING HOWEVER ALMOST HALF OF RESIDENTS PROVIDED FAIR RATINGS WHICH CAN BE CONSIDERED NEUTRAL OR AVERAGE AND 21% PROVIDED POOR RATINGS, DESPITE THE LOW OVERALL RATINGS ROUGHLY 9 IN 10 REPORTED FEELING VERY OR SOMEWHAT SAFE IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA DURING THE DAY. ALTHOUGH LOWER THAN THE NATIONAL AVERAGE FEELINGS OF SAFETY IN RESIDENT NEIGHBORHOODS RECEIVED POSITIVE RATINGS FROM EIGHT IN 10 RESIDENTS WITH SEVEN INTENT SIMILAR FEELINGS OF SAFETY FROM FIRE, FLOOD OR NATURAL DISASTERS WITH SIX IN 10 SAFE FROM PROPERTY CRIME ON PAR WITH NATIONAL AVERAGE. VIOLENT CRIME SAFETY HAD LOW WITH POSITIVE RATINGS FROM HALF OF RESIDENTS.

NEXT SLIDE. SERVICES FARED WELL WITH FIRE SERVICES RECEIVING PRAISE FROM AROUND EIGHT IN 10 RESIDENTS. LESS THAN 3/4 GAVE HIGH MARKS FOR EVIDENCE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES WITH HALF OR SIX IN 10 POSITIVELY RATING EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS, FIRE PREVENTION AND EDUCATION AND COOLING SERVICES SCORING ON PAR WITH NATIONAL AVERAGE. RATINGS FOR THE ECONOMY IN FORT PIERCE REFLECT STRENGTHS AND CHALLENGES. NEXT SLIDE. MANY ITEMS RELATED TO THE ECONOMY SCORED ON PAR WITH NATIONAL AVERAGE MORE THAN HALF GAVE HIGH MARKS AS A PLACE TO VISIT AND VIBRANCY OF THE DOWNTOWN AREA WITH SLIGHTLY SMALLER PROPORTION PROVIDING EXCELLENT OR GOOD RATINGS FOR THE OVERALL QUALITY OF BUSINESS IN CERTAIN ESTABLISHMENTS. FOUR IN 10 WITH POSITIVE REVIEWS FOR A VARIETY OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. NEXT SLIDE. THE PREVIOUS ITEMS REFLECT STRENGTH IN FORT PIERCE DURING A TIME OF DOWNWARD ECONOMIC TREND RATINGS FOR A FEW OTHER ITEMS INDICATE ADDITIONAL FOCUS MAY BE REQUIRED NOTABLY RECORDS INDICATE WORKFORCE CONCERNS WITH 1/3 OF RESPONDENTS PROVIDING POSITIVE RATINGS FOR FORT PIERCE AS A PLACE TO WORK WITH 1/4 WITH SIMILAR RATINGS TO EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES. 1/4 GAVE HIGH MARKS TO SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES AND OVERALL ECONOMIC HEALTH EACH OF THESE ITEMS FELL BELOW NATIONAL AVERAGE. NEXT SLIDE. THE NEXT KEY FINDING FORT PIERCE EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE A VALUED ASPECT OF THE COMMUNITY. NEXT SLIDE. RELATED TO EDUCATION, ARTS AND CULTURE RECEIVING STRONG SUPPORT FROM RESPONDENTS WITH MANY ITEMS GOING ON PAR WITH NATIONAL AVERAGE. LIBRARY SERVICES RECEIVED PRAISE FROM 3/4 RESIDENTS AROUND HALF GAVE HIGH MARKS FOR OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND EVENTS AND FESTIVALS AND ADULT EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY.

SMALLER PROPORTION GIVE SIMILAR RATINGS FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO ATTEND CULTURAL ARTS OR MUSIC ACTIVITIES, COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THE ARTS AND AVAILABILITY OF AFFORDABLE QUALITY CHILDCARE. NEXT SLIDE. ALSO OFFERING SPACE FOR JURISDICTIONS WITH QUESTIONS OF PARTICULAR INTEREST OR PERTINENT TOPICS THAT MAY REQUIRE MORE INFORMATION. WE WILL GO OVER THE OTHER NOW. NEXT SLIDE. IN THE SECOND QUESTION RESIDENTS WERE ASKED TO INDICATE HOW MUCH OF A PRIORITY , THE RATINGS FOR MANY OF THESE ALIGN WITH WHAT WE SAW PREVIOUSLY IN THE RATINGS FOR THE VARIOUS FACETS OF VARIABILITY INDICATING LEADERSHIP IS ON THE T PATH, IN LINE WITH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES 94% RESPONDED CREATING MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES WAS OF MAJOR OR MODERATE PRIORITY SIMILARLY REDUCING HOMELESSNESS AND DECREASING CRIME OR A PRIORITY FOR NINE IN 10 IN LINE WITH RATINGS WE SAW FOR SAFETY. THE NEXT PRIORITY WAS ADDRESSING HIGH COST OF HOUSING WHICH IS A QUICKLY GROWING NATIONAL CONCERN. THIS

[00:30:02]

NEXT SLIDE . IN CONCLUSION, RESIDENTS APPRECIATE MANY ASSETS OF CITY LEADERSHIP AND GOVERNMENT REPRESENTING THE VALUE OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO PROTECT AS SAFETY SERVICES GENERALLY RECEIVED STRONG RATINGS GIVING FEELINGS OF SAFETY IMPROVING, RATINGS FOR THE ECONOMY IN FORT PIERCE REFLECT STRENGTHS AND CHALLENGES AND FORT PIERCE EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES ARE A VALUED ASPECT OF THE COMMUNITY. NEXT SLIDE. IF YOU WANT TO DIG DEEPER TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OPINIONS AND PERCEPTIONS OF RESIDENTS YOU CAN CONTINUE TO ENGAGE WITH YOUR COMMUNITY , FORT PIERCE CURRENTLY HAS 259 RESIDENTS WHO SUBSCRIBE TO YOUR PROFILE IF YOU HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE CONSISTENT, A CONSISTENT DIALOGUE WITH THESE MEMBERS. LOCAL LIBRARY IS INCLUDED AS PART OF FORT PIERCE SUBSCRIPTION AND IT CONTAINS CURATED SURVEYS OF POLLS CREATED BY SURVEY SCIENTISTS.

YOU CAN USE THESE SURVEYS AS THEY ARE, LOOK FOR INSPIRATION OR MAKE A COPY OF SURVEY AND CUSTOMIZE TO FIT YOUR NEEDS.

NEXT SLIDE. ALSO INCLUDED IN YOUR CURRENT SUBSCRIPTION TRACK OVERVIEW DASHBOARD SHOWN ON THE LEFT WITH A PICTURE AND A LOOK AT COMMUNITY DATA WHICH INCLUDES KEY METRICS MEASURES OF PERFORMANCE OVER TIME AND COMPARING FORT PIERCE TO PEER COMMUNITIES WITHIN YOUR STATE AND IN THE POPULATION, THE DASHBOARD BACKED BY ACADEMIC PUBLIC AND PRIVATE DATA IN PARTNERSHIP AND ALSO YOU STANFORD UNIVERSITY AND ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN MADISON. NEXT SLIDE. THE FINAL MODEL INCLUDES BENCHMARK SURVEYS WHICH WERE DEVELOPED IN-HOUSE BY IN-HOUSE DATA SCIENTIST AND CONDUCTED IN HUNDREDS OF JURISDICTIONS NATIONWIDE OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS. EACH ASSESSMENT TARGETS A DIFFERENT SUBSECTION OF YOUR COMMUNITY ALLOWING YOU TO FOCUS EFFORTS AS NEEDED. IMPLEMENT A DIFFERENT BENCHMARK SURVEYS PROVIDE ADDITIONAL CONTEXT FOR DATA AND GIVE A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR COMMUNITY OVERALL PERFORMANCE. NEXT SLIDE. I WOULD NOW LIKE TO OPEN UP FOR ANY QUESTIONS.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU MR. BARNETT. VERY INTERESTING. I LOOK FORWARD TO DIGGING INTO SOME OF THESE , SPEND SOME TIME WITH SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS BECAUSE WHILE I DON'T THINK THERE ARE MANY SURPRISES FROM WHERE I SIT, I WILL OPEN UP TO THE COMMISSION. DOES ANYONE HAVE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

>> I HAVE SEVERAL QUESTIONS. THANK YOU MR. BARRETT OR BARNETT I'M SORRY, FOR THE SURVEY QUESTION. I WILL START WITH THE FIRST QUESTION FOR STAFF. THAT I HEAR YOU CORRECT AT THE END THAT THIS TOOL IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR OUR DISPOSAL TO USE FOR SURVEYING AND ASSESSMENT? DID I HEAR YOU CORRECTLY? IT IS A SUBSCRIPTION WE HAVE? MAYBE FOR YOU FIRST.

>> YES WE HAVE THE AVAILABILITY TO MOVE FORWARD WITH CONTINUED RELATIONSHIP WITH THIS ORGANIZATION.

>> SO WITH THAT BEING SAID HAVE YOU SIGNED THIS TO SOME STAFF PERSON THAT WILL BE DRIVING THIS SPECIFICALLY FOR US TO PROVIDE DATA , INPUT, UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE

SURVEY RESPONSES ARE? >> AS OF THIS TIME NO. RIGHT NOW WE WANTED TO PRESENT FINDINGS, THAT WAS THE INITIAL

STEP. >> SO MR. BARNETT YOUR PRESENTATION WAS INTERESTING. ONE CONCERN AND QUESTION I WOULD HAVE, IF I UNDERSTAND RIGHT YOU HAVE 46 PEOPLE TO GO INTO AN OPEN RESPONSE AND TAKE THE SURVEY CORRECT?

>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> WITH ALL OF THIS I'M SURE THERE IS BACK END DATA YOU CAN PROVIDE THAT WOULD HELP ME UNDERSTAND FROM THE CITY PERSPECTIVE OF THE DEMOGRAPHICS, WHO IS TAKING THE SURVEY, I WOULD LIKE A BREAKDOWN TO UNDERSTAND THE CITIZENS THAT MAKE UP THESE 46 PEOPLE PLUS YOU MENTIONED THERE WERE ABOUT EIGHT OR NINE EIGHT OR 9% RESPONDING OUT OF 250 OUT OF THE 3000 YOU SENT OUT NOW THAT AGAIN , THAT SURVEY PART , DO YOU HAVE DATA THAT COULD PROVIDE THAT AS WELL, FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND KIND OF WHO OUR

[00:35:01]

RESPONDENTS WERE OF THE 250? >> YES THAT WOULD BE FOUND IN THE METHODS SECTION OF THE REPORT. A TABLE SHOWS THE PERCENTAGE OF RESPONDENTS THE UNWEIGHTED AND WAITED AND THE PERCENTAGE-BASED ON THE SURVEY AND DATA.

>> I GOT THAT PART THE METHODOLOGY BUT I WANT DEMOGRAPHICS OF WHO TOOK THE SURVEY.

>> RIGHT. IN THAT SECTION THERE IS THE GRAPHIC WAITED TABLE THAT SHOWS THE PERCENTAGES OF THE DIFFERENT DEMOGRAPHICS.

>> I THINK WE JUST HAD THE PRESENTATION ATTACHED.

>> YES, OKAY MAYBE SO, IT WAS JUST THE PRESENTATION, BUT THAT'S SOMETHING I'M INTERESTED IN AND UNDERSTANDING. IT HELPS ME TO UNDERSTAND WHO THIS SURVEY GOT TO AND WHO RESPONDED AND YOU KNOW, NOT TO QUESTION THAT, BUT WE ARE A VERY DIVERSE CITY. WE HAVE GOT CLOSE TO 50,000 PEOPLE HERE. YOU STARTED WITH 3000 AND WE ONLY HAVE 250 ON THE RESPONSE. SO I'VE GOT INTELLECTUAL CURIOSITY AS TO WHAT THIS LOOKED LIKE AND I DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THAT. WE ONLY HAD THE PRESENTATION SO MAYBE I'M TALKING TO THE STAFF, MAYBE WE CAN GET TOGETHER AFTER. I LIKE TO DIG

INTO THIS FURTHER. >> YOU WILL HAVE THE INFORMATION YOU DESIRE. WE WILL GET THAT TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK .

>> THANK YOU FOR THE SURVEY INFORMATION. I FIND IT TO BECOME INTENSIVE AND I'M INTERESTED IN RECEIVING THE BACKUP INFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN REQUESTED WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW. ONE OF MY STARK TAKEAWAYS AND I DON'T WANT TO START OFF MONDAY MORNING ON A NEGATIVE NOTE, BUT ONE OF THE INITIAL THINGS I SAW IN LOOKING THIS OVER IS IN THE ARENA OF UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF PUBLIC SAFETY. PUBLIC SAFETY WAS BROKEN INTO MULTIPLE COMPONENTS INCLUDING FIRE SERVICES, AMBULANCE SERVICES, POLICE SERVICES AMONGST OTHER AREAS.

I'M JUST GOING TO SAY IT. THE COUNTY SERVICES PROVIDED ARE RATED EXTREMELY HIGH IN THE MID-80S, SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE CITY ARE IN THE LOW 60S. TO ME THAT IS A STARK ISSUE THAT THIS BODY IS GOING TO HAVE TO ADDRESS TO FIX. AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO LOOKING AT THE MINUTIA, BUT THOSE NUMBERS CAUGHT ME INSTANTY TO SAY IN THE ARENA OF PUBLIC SAFETY THE CITY IS SCORED WELL WITH TWO AREAS SCORED WELL IN SERVICES WE PROVIDE. I AM VERY VERY TROUBLED BY THAT. THAT IS SOMETHING I WILL BE LOOKING INTO, IN MORE DETAIL. THAT WAS ONE OF MY IMMEDIATE TAKEAWAYS.

>> ANYONE ELSE? >> ON THE IDEA OF SAFETY, I AGREE. WE NEED TO DIG INTO THAT SITUATION AND THE CONVERSATION, ONE OF THE SLIDES INCLUDED MR. BARNETT, FEELINGS OF SAFETY IN FORT PIERCE PLEASE RATE HOW SAFE OR UNSAFE YOU FEEL. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE METRIC, I AM UNDERSTANDING CORRECTLY. IT IS WITH THE PIE CHART AND THE BARGRAPH ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE. VIOLENT CRIMES 55% SO ARE THEY FEELING SAFE OR UNSAFE?

>> THE PERCENTAGES THAT YOU WILL SEE ARE POSITIVE FOR EACH OF THE ITEMS. 55% A REPORTING THEY FEEL VERY OR SOMEWHAT SAFE SPECIFICALLY FOR VIOLENT CRIME.

>> OKAY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS CLEAR BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE TITLE READS I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THEY DID NOT FEEL 55% UNSAFE. JUST DIVING INTO THAT TOPIC OF PUBLIC SAFETY WE WANT TO MAKE SOME DECISIONS MOVING FORWARD WHICH WE TALK ABOUT QUITE OFTEN. AND YOU KNOW I WOULD LIKE TO DIVE DEEPER INTO HAT. IN ADDITION TO THE ECONOMY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ASPECTS, GOOD INFORMATION, THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER GAINES, ANYTHING?

>> SO, I FEEL WE NEED TO REALLY TAKE THESE PERCENTAGES AND THE SURVEY TO HEART. IT IS KIND OF A BENCHMARK AND I AM WITH YOU

[00:40:03]

WAS >>> BACK BY THAT THE LIBRARY SERVICES EVEN, BUT WE ALSO GOT SOME GOOD MARKS FOR SOME OF THE THINGS AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK WE ARE DOING WITH IS THE GOVERNANCE GOT PRETTY GOOD MARKS AND I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE TO DO IS REALLY LOOK AT THIS AS A FUNCTION OF THE BUDGET. SOMETHING WE ALL TALK ABOUT.

THE BUDGET AND WHAT WE DO A LOT WITH A LITTLE. AND SO, THIS IS SHOWING US WHAT THAT RESULT IS.

>> THAT IS A VERY FAIR ENCAPSULATION, NO QUESTION.

DIRECT DOLLARS TO RESULTS. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING , LACKING A PLAN TO CURE BECAUSE THE CURE IS VERY CHALLENGING TO INCREASE REVENUE AND MAINTAIN COST AND EQUILIBRIUM AND THIS IS A REVENUE DISCUSSION. THAT WE CAN HAVE ALL DAY LONG AND IT IS THE ONLY SOLUTION, IT'S GOING TO BE INCREASE REVENUE TO THE CITY BUDGET WHICH I WILL REITERATE.

BRINGING IT UP ALL THE TIME THE TOTALITY OF THE CITY OPERATING BUDGET IS $58 MILLION. THAT IS IT AND TO THINK A CITY OF THIS SIDE GEOGRAPHICALLY WITH A POPULATION BASE WE HAVE , PROVIDING POLICE SERVICES AND PUBLIC WORKS ET CETERA ON A BUDGET OF THAT NATURE IS SIMPLY IMPROBABLE, VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE AND SO MEDIOCRITY IS NOT THE SOLUTION. WE NEED TO GENERATE MORE REVENUE AND I'M NOT SUGGESTING TAX INCREASES.

THERE ARE OTHER AVENUES BUT THAT'S NOT TODAY'S DISCUSSION SO I WON'T GET INTO THAT BUT I AGREE WITH THE CONCLUSION.

>> I WOULD ECHO THAT, IF YOU LOOK AT THE SURVEY PEOPLE WANTED MORE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. HIGHER WAGES, ET CETERA AND I THINK WE ARE GOING DOWN THAT PATH AND AS I EXPLAINED IT IS A COMPLICATED THING. WE HAVE TO GO OUR COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE A TAX BASE TO PROVIDE SERVICES WE NEED TO PAY THE HIGHER WAGES. AGAIN I GO BACK TO THIS POINT AND I IMPLORE US , LET'S DIG INTO WHO RESPONDED TO THE SURVEY. I THINK THERE IS A CERTAIN DEMOGRAPHIC THAT ARE HIGHLY LIKELY TO RESPOND AND I HAVE A FEELING THAT WILL CORRELATE TO THE SERVICES LIKE LIBRARY AND AMBULANCE, ET CETERA I JUST HAVE A FEELING THAT IS THE DATA. I KNOW THEY PROVIDE EXCELLENT SERVICE, BUT I AM CURIOUS ESPECIALLY WITH THE CITY AND THAT'S THE REASON I ASK. MOVING FORWARD, WE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE TO DO SURVEYS WITH THIS TOOL OR WILL THEY ASSIST US IF WE USE THIS IN THE FUTURE FOR MEASURING RESULTS?

>> COMMISSIONER, IF WE CHOOSE WHICH I DO BELIEVE WE SHOULD, WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH A GROUP SUCH AS THIS TO ASSIST US WITH THIS TASK. THIS IS THE INITIAL BASELINE. THIS IS A VERY SMALL SAMPLE OF OUR POPULATION. WANT TO SEE THE ACTUAL DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE, YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE RANKINGS.

YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THE RATINGS, BUT AGAIN THIS IS A BENCHMARK, A FOUNDATION. FROM HERE, WE BUILD AND I BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO GET THE CLIMATE AND THE FEEL OF THE TEMPERATURE OF THE COMMUNITY. SO LET'S BEGIN HERE AND AS WE GO INTO STRATEGIC PLANNING, AS WE GO TO BUDGETING YOU WILL HAVE INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY TO HELP YOU AND ASSIST YOU.

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT WHAT MR. BARNETT HAS DONE, COMPARING IT WITH CITIES , LIKE CITIES AND MUCH OF THE RATINGS WERE IN LINE WITH OTHER CITIES. A FEW WERE OUT OF LINE, BUT MUCH WERE IN LINE SO I THINK THAT IS ALSO IMPORTANT. THESE ARE NOT PERCENTAGES IN A VACUUM. VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION AND THANK YOU, FOR BRINGING THAT TO US. I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING WHATEVER THE OTHER DOCUMENT IS THAT IS DEEPER THAN THE PRESENTATION. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. ANYTHING ELSE? WE WILL

[a. Resolution 24-R34 appointing Bob Burdge to Police Community Advisory Committee as Commissioner Broderick's appointee.]

MOVE ON. >> THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA

[00:45:03]

APPOINTEE. >> MOVED TO PROVE.

>> MOTION AND SECOND. CALL THE ROLL PLEASE.

>>

[a. Discussion regarding establishing an optional "Hard Stop" at City Commission meetings.]

>> NEXT WE MOVE ON TO OUR DISCUSSION ITEMS, FIRST ITEM OF DISCUSSION IS REGARDING ESTABLISHING OPTIONAL HARD STOP

AT CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS. >> OKAY I THINK I WILL START AND STAFF CAN CHIME IN. WE TOOK TO HEART WHAT THE COMMISSION DESIRE OF MEETINGS THAT GO LATE INTO THE NIGHT AND NOT MAKING GOOD DECISIONS AFTER WE HAVE HAD BASICALLY FIVE HOURS OF ITEMS TO DISCUSS AND SO, A LOT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED ABOUT HOW TO MANAGE THAT. ONE WAY WAS TO HAVE A MEETING LIKE THIS WHICH IS PART OF IT IS AN ACTUAL MEETING WITH ITEMS THAT PERHAPS TAKE UP TIME, BUT ARE NOT ITEMS THAT YOU WOULD NORMALLY HAVE OR WOULD NOT HAVE TO HAVE IN A NIGHT MEETING. AND THEN ALSO TO DIVIDE THIS MEETING IN TWO AND HAVE IT AS ITEMS THAT WERE JUST FOR DISCUSSION WHICH WE ARE NOW DOING RIGHT NOW. ANOTHER ONE WAS TO MIRROR OR AT LEAST CONSIDER WHAT OUR FELLOW CITY OF FORT PIERCE DOES, THEY HAVE A HARD STOP AT 11:00 . THEY FINISH WHATEVER ITEM AT 11:00 P.M. AND THEN THEY CAN VOTE ON WHETHER TO CONTINUE OR STOP AND POSTPONE. WITH THAT, STAFF, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD TO HOW I SET THE STAGE FOR

THAT? >> NO MA'AM, I HAVE NO

COMMENT. >> WHEN I TALKED WITH THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE , YOU SUMMED IT UP PERFECTLY.

>> ONE QUESTION. DO THEY START AT 5:00?

>> I BELIEVE THEY START AT 6:30.

>> I THINK THAT'S RIGHT. >> THEY DID INDICATE AFTER THEY HAVE DONE THIS, IT HAS NOT ACTUALLY BEEN UTILIZED VERY OFTEN.

A LOT OF TIMES I THINK THEY DO CONTINUE TO PUSH FORWARD, BUT KNOWING THE END TIME IS THERE EVERYBODY IS AWARE THAT IT IS COMING.

>> ANY IDEAS? >> MME. MAYOR I AM ONE OF THEM INTO ADVOCATING THIS ON THE COUNTERPARTS, COUNTY COMMISSION ET CETERA, IT IS A FULL-TIME POSITION FOR THEM. THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE HAS IT RACKET IT BECAUSE THEY HAVE CONCERN ABOUT THIS.

OUR RESPONSIBILITIES FROM THE COMMISSION STANDPOINT, WE NEED TO BE IN A POSITION, CLEAR MINDED TO MAKE SOUND DECISIONS ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY. ALL OF US HERE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE MAYOR WHO HAS A FULL-TIME JOB BEING THE MAYOR DO WORK , AS WELL. SO OUR DAY STARTED SIX OR SEVEN IN THE MORNING AND WE CONVENE CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS AT 5:00 , THEY GO UNTIL 10:00 OR 11:00, LOOKING AT 16, 17, 18 HOUR DAY WHICH IN MY MIND I'M THINKING WE GET TO THE MEETINGS AT 9:00 OR 10:00, I AM NOT IN A POSITION TO BE MAKING SOUND DECISIONS. DUE TO JUST BEING, I GET IT I AM OLDER THAN MOST OF YOU. SO, THE IMPACT IS MAYBE A LITTLE MORE SENSITIVE FOR ME.

BUT I FEEL AS THOUGH , POTENTIALLY A COUPLE MEETINGS AGO WE WENT TO TAKE ON A TOPIC THAT WOULD PUSH THE MEETING UNTIL MIDNIGHT, IF NOT AFTER AND NOW IN ESSENCE NOT INTENTIONALLY, BY ANY MEANS, BUT WE ARE RUSHING TO MAKE A DECISION TO GET HOME AND GET TO BED BECAUSE WE HAVE TO GET TO WORK THE NEXT DAY. I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT AND I KNOW IT'S SUBCONSCIOUS YOU MAY DO THAT SO I THOUGHT A HARD STOP SHOULD BE CONSIDERED. 10:00 TIMELINE MEANS WE WOULD'VE BEEN IN THE CHAMBERS DELIBERATING FIVE HOURS AT THAT

[00:50:01]

MANAGING. >> I THINK ALSO THE EVENING WHERE WE WERE GOING LONG, WHICH THERE HAVE BEEN MORE THAN ONE, BUT THAT PARTICULAR EVENING FOLLOWING ON THE HEELS OF THE COUNTY STARTING A CONTENTIOUS SUBJECT AFTER MIDNIGHT , THE NIGHT BEFORE OR THAT SAME WEEK. THERE WAS A HUGE, A HUGE OUTCRY FOR THEM, OF BACKLASH TO DOING THAT BECAUSE NOT ONLY DID WE STAY OUT LATE, BUT THE CITIZENS STAY OUT LATE. MANY OF OUR CITIZENS DO NOT WANT TO WORK THE NEXT DAY, TOO. ONE OTHER THING I WANT TO SAY, PORT ST. LUCIE I THINK ADDED A DAY WHERE THEY CHANGE SOME THINGS. THEY ADDED A DAY MEETING TOO.

>> I'M OKAY WITH HAVING SOMETHING ON THE BOOKS SO WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY. I DON'T THINK WE WOULD TRIGGER THAT MUCH, BUT I AGREE, THE ONLY PUSHBACK IS A PEOPLE SHOW UP THAT EVENING AND PREPARE TO HEAR IT THAT DAY I THINK WE HAVE TO BE SENSITIVE AND EVALUATE THAT. AS LONG AS WE MAKE THAT CONSENSUS AND READ THE AUDIENCE I AM OKAY WITH SUPPORTING. THE OTHER THING WE OUGHT TO CONSIDER IS STAFF, WE HAVE TO BE HERE AND THEY ARE HERE ALL DAY. THIS IS WHAT THEY DO AND SOME OF THEM'S HAVE TO STAY OVER TO BE OVER ON CALL OR PART OF THE ACTUAL AGENDA. SO AS NOT ONLY US, IT IS STAFF WHO WORK REGULAR 9-TO-5 AT CITY HALL DOING THEIR DUTIES AND THEN HANGING OVER FOR THE CITY COMMISSION ET CETERA SO THAT IS IN THE BACK OF MY MIND AND I THINK AT SOME POINT WE ARE PUSHING THE ENVELOPE . IN EITHER OVERTIME OR BUDGET WISE, WHATEVER IT IS I DON'T KNOW, BUT THAT CONCERNS ME ABOUT PRODUCTIVITY. AT THAT POINT. FOR THEM, BUT ALSO, THEY ARE HERE AND THEY HAVE FAMILIES, AS WELL. IF WE PUSH THE ENVELOPE, PEOPLE TEND TO BURN OUT AND WE DON'T WANT TO BURN OUT OUR GOOD PEOPLE HERE WITH US. I AM OKAY WITH IT AND I THINK WE CAN PUT IT ON. IT IS A TOOL THAT'S WHERE I AM AT.

>> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON AND THEN COMMISSIONER GAINES.

>> I HAVE BEEN ON BOTH SIDES OF THE FENCE AS AN EMPLOYEE AND COMMISSIONER AND AS AN EMPLOYEE, YOU KNOW I THINK A LOT OF FOLKS WOULD TESTIFY AND SAY THAT IT IS MY JOB AND IT'S MY DUTY, I WOULD RATHER QUIT AT SOME POINT BUT IF WE ARE HERE HAVING CITY COMMISSION MEETING THEN WE ARE HERE HAVING A CITY COMMISSION MEETING AS AN EMPLOYEE. THAT WAS THE COMMITMENT IN THE COUNTY. SO YOU KIND OF TAKE IT AS PART OF YOUR DUTIES. AS FAR AS THE PUBLIC. I'M OKAY HAVING IT ON THE BOOKS BUT I'M AGAINST IT. IN GENERAL BECAUSE I THINK WE ARE HERE TO DO BUSINESS OF THE CITY AND I THINK AND I KNOW WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB AS A CITY, AS A COMMISSION , AS INDIVIDUAL BOARD MEMBERS PRIOR TO THE MEETING, MEETING WITH STAFF TO ADDRESS COMPLICATED NUANCES WHEN THERE IS AN AGENDA ITEM.

WE HAD TWO MEETINGS WHERE WE SPENT A LOT OF HOURS HERE. AND I'M OKAY WITH THAT, IF WE CAN DO MORE UPFRONT WORK AND DUE DILIGENCE, MEETING WITH STAFF, TRY TO CHALLENGE OURSELVES TO GET OVER THE HURDLES THAT MIGHT COME UP. THERE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE FACTS THAT COME OUT OF A JUDICIAL HEARING THAT WE ARE NOT READY FOR. BUT I HAVE HAD SOME MENTORS IN MY LIFE WHO HAVE REALLY SHARED WITH ME HOW YOU GET THROUGH THE GOVERNANCE PROCESS AND THEY TAUGHT ME VERY WELL ON MEETING WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS AS A STAFF MEMBER, PREPARING THE COMMISSION OR THE

[00:55:02]

BY THE WAY IN THE MIDDLE OF ANY HEARING IF IT IS THAT LATE AT NIGHT AND WE FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO STOP OR TAKE A TIMEOUT AND NOT POSTPONED, BUT CONTINUE THE HEARING UNTIL THE NEXT ETHICALLY ADVERTISED MEETING, THEN LIKE TO DO SO. I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE EVER EVEN PULLED THAT OUT BEFORE. IF WE FEEL LIKE WE NEED TO STOP AND SAY LISTEN EVERYBODY INCLUDING APPLICANTS AND STAFF, INCLUDING THIS COMMISSION FEELS WE NEED TO TAKE A TIMEOUT THEN LET'S TAKE A TIMEOUT. I DON'T KNOW

IF YOU HAVE TRIED THAT. >> TIMEOUT AND THEN GO BACK TO

DELIBERATION? OKAY. >> ANOTHER DAY.

>> WE DID THAT. >> RIGHT, SO WE KNEW THAT WAS COMING. WE POSTPONED THE WHOLE ITEM.

>> WE DID. I SEE WHERE YOU ARE GOING AND I AGREE WITH THE CONCEPTUAL POINT. I DON'T NEED A VOTE TO SUGGEST THAT WOULD BE TERMINATION TIMELINE, I'M JUST SUGGESTING WE NEED IN THE BACK OF THE MIND WE HAVE ALLOWED TO DO THAT AT 10:00 AT NIGHT TAKING ON A TWO HOUR DISCUSSION I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE APPROPRIATE THING TO DO. TO ADD TO THAT, I THINK, BASED ON YOUR STRATEGY DELVING INTO THIS MORE WITH STAFF PRIOR TO THIS, AGENDA MANAGEMENT BECOMES CRITICAL. IF WE HAVE COMPONENTS ON THE AGENDA WITH 50 PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE, WHO WILL SIT HERE UNTIL 10:00 AT NIGHT WE NEED TO SHUFFLE THE AGENDA. AND GET THOSE THINGS OUT WITH FIRST, BUT THE BUSINESS OF THE COMMISSION BE LATER IN THE MEETING. IF IT'S JUST FUNCTIONING STUFF WE ARE GOING THROUGH THAT CAN BE LATER. IF WE BRING PEOPLE IN THE MEETING I DON'T WANT THEM SITTING THREE OR FOUR HOURS. AND THEN WE HAVE TO DO FOR THAT OR CONTINUE. SO I THINK WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB OF AGENDA MANAGEMENT TO ENSURE WE DEAL WITH THOSE ISSUES EARLIER IN

THE EVENING. >> OR DURING THE DAY MEETING.

>> I FULLY AGREE. THAT'S WHY WE ARE HAVING THE CONVERSATION.

IF YOU LOOK OVER THE HISTORY OF TIME OF THE CITY OPERATING EVEN BEFORE I WAS ALIVE, BEFORE ANY OF US WERE HERE. WE HAVE DONE THINGS IN A VERY EFFICIENT MANNER. WE HAVE CHANGED EFFICIENCY OF MEETINGS FOR THE BUSINESS ASPECT. NOT SAYING WE NEED TO CHANGE WHAT WE DO LIKE RECOGNIZING THE YOUTH TODAY IT IS NOMINAL. SO LET'S SET UP A TIME AND DATE TO WHERE THAT'S THE STANDARD FOR THE CITY SO IF WE'VE GOT A BUSINESS MEETING, 5:00 P.M. AND WE KNOW THERE WILL BE HOT TOPICS AND WE WILL SPEND TWO OR THREE HOURS ON EACH TOPIC THEN AGENDA MANAGEMENT COMES INTO PLAY. PUSHING OFF OR HAVING OTHER ITEMS LIKE WE DID TODAY ON TODAY'S MEETING. VOTE ON IT, WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE, WHICH IS THE PR COMPONENT. AND I HAVE WATCHED MANY GOVERNMENT AGENCIES MORPH INTO THE , EVERY MEETING BECOMES A STANDARD , LIKE YOU ARE THE CHURCH. I SIT IN THE SAME THING , I DO THE SAME THING, THIS TIME, THIS TIME AND I DON'T WANT IT TO BECOME WHERE WE ARE TRAPPED IN HAVING THE AGENDA SET UP EXACTLY THE SAME WAY. THERE ARE CHARTER PARAMETERS WE HAVE TO ABIDE BY, BUT WE GET THE OPTION TO SET THE AGENDA AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING. IF WE NEED TO MANEUVER AND SHIFT THEN LET'S DO THAT. BUT I DON'T DISAGREE WITH IT, IT GETS CHALLENGING. I AM DEFINITELY DIFFERENT FROM THE FOUR OF YOU WITH MY SLEEP PATTERNS.

>> WE FIGURED THAT OUT. >> SO I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT AND I'M OKAY WITH THAT , THANK YOU.

[01:00:02]

>> COMMISSIONER GAINES. >> THANK YOU. JUST BROUGHT UP WHERE I WAS GOING. I AM NOT FOR IT, I WOULD NEVER WANT TO GET THERE BECAUSE I FEEL THAT THE FOUR OR FIVE OF US REACH OUT TO THE PUBLIC AND ASK THE PUBLIC TO PUT US HERE SO WE NEED TO DO THE BUSINESS OF THE CITY. UNDERSTAND , I HAD THAT CONVERSATION IN MY ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS AND , I WAS HERE AND I SAW THE FRUSTRATION WHEN WE POSTPONED SOMETHING AND THE RESIDENT SAT HERE FOR FIVE HOURS. SO, I NEVER WANT TO DO THAT AGAIN. WHERE I WAS GOING IS WHAT COMMISSIONER JOHNSON AND COMMISSIONER BRODERICK BROUGHT UP. WE SET THE AGENDA SO WE KNOW BEFORE THE AGENDA IS PUBLISHED ON THE LAST DAY, WE KNOW WHAT'S ON THERE. SO MAYBE BASED ON WHAT WE DO WITH THE AGENDA MAYBE WE NEED TO CUT THIS AGENDA OR MOVE THE AGENDA AND MOVE STUFF AROUND, CERTAIN THINGS SO IF WE KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE TWO OR THREE HOURS MAYBE WE NEED TO PUT IT ON A DAY, I DON'T KNOW, SOMEWHERE LIKE A DAY MEETING OR SOMEWHERE AND COME IN IF THAT'S POSSIBLE. I DON'T KNOW THE ORDINANCE AND THE CHARTERS AND ALL THAT BY SETTING THE AGENDA, BUT THERE ARE WAYS WE CAN HELP OURSELVES BY MOVING THESE AND WHAT WE ARE FACING, BECAUSE THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS WE HAD TWO OR THREE OR FOUR ON A AGENDA AND EVERY AGENDA WE KNOW IT'S GOING TO TAKE TWO OR THREE HOURS. WE KNEW COMING IN IT WOULD BE A LONG NIGHT. SO I WOULD HATE TO GET INTO A DEEP DISCUSSION AND WE TAKE MORE THAN TWO OR THREE HOURS ON ONE AND OTHER PEOPLE ARE SITTING THERE AND WE HAVE EXPERTS AND EVERYTHING SITTING THERE. AND THEN WE GET TO THE POINT AND WE HAVE TO MAKE THE VOTE AND THEN EVERYBODY LEAVES. THAT DOES NOT LOOK GOOD FOR US. I DON'T CARE HOW WE SPIN IT. I DON'T CARE, I'M JUST AS TIRED AND I GET IT, BUT I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE BACKLASH AND THE NEXT DAY WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THE FIVE OF US UP HERE IF THAT HAPPENS. SO I THINK AGENDA MANAGEMENT IS CRUCIAL. LIKE YOU SAID IF WE CAN MOVE STUFF AROUND, I KNOW I ASKED THE QUESTION BEFORE, WE HAVE TO HAVE CERTAIN THINGS ON THE AGENDA. IF WE HAVE A NIGHT OF QUASI I AM ALMOST TO THE POINT AFTER WE SAY THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE . THE CITY MANAGER WILL READ THAT, THE CITY ATTORNEY READS THAT. AND THEN WE GO INTO IT BECAUSE YOU KNOW EVERY THING ELSE WE MISSED THAT NIGHT WE TRY TO BRING IT BACK IN, TAKE PICTURES AND DO WHATEVER. 5:30 STARTING WITH QUASI, KNOCK THEM OUT, PEOPLE WILL BE HAPPY. I SEE WHERE YOU'RE GOING, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO , WE NEED TO WORK WITH THE AGENDA, WORK WITH OUR , WORK WITH THESE HEARINGS BECAUSE WE KNOW WHEN, THEY HAVE TO HAVE ALL THIS IN, WHAT IS IT?

>> PROBABLY TWO WEEKS PRIOR. MY GOAL HAS BEEN TO TRY TO GET MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS , THINGS THAT DON'T REQUIRE ACTION TO BE DURING THE DAY MEETING. WE AREWORKING TO SHIFT PROCLAMATIONS TO A DAY MEETING. ALL THE QUASI JUDICIAL AND PUBLIC HEARINGS HAVE TO BE IN THE EVENING. THERE ARE STATUTES FOR THAT, NOT ALL OF THEM BUT IT IS CLEANER FOR US AND IT GIVES BETTER ACCESS TO THE PUBLIC .

>> I AGREE THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING. TWO WEEKS TIME PERIOD WE CAN SAY LET'S NOT PUT FIVE QUASI ON THERE THAT WE KNOW WILL TAKE TWO HOURS IN A PIECE. THEY GET ON THE AGENDA AND YOU MIGHT HAVE SOMEBODY IN THE AUDIENCE OR THE COMMUNITY TO SAY WHY DID I MAKE THIS MEETING OR THAT MEETING BUT I WOULD RATHER BE ABLE TO TELL THAT PERSON YOU DID NOT MAKE THIS MEETING BUT YOU HAVE THE SECOND ANNUAL HAVE OUR FULL ATTENTION AND FRESH. AT 5:31. WE ARE READY TO GO. THAT'S WHAT I'M

THINKING, THAT'S HOW I FEEL. >> I WANTED TO BRING UP AGENDA

[01:05:03]

>> I ASK THIS QUESTION IN MY INDIVIDUAL MEETING AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE. BY PUTTING A HARD STOP, SAY 11:00. DOES THAT MEAN AT 11:00 WE TAKE A VOTE AND SAY DO WE WANT TO GO OR NOT OR AT 11:00 DOES IT MEAN WE STOP AND WHATEVER IS AT THAT POINT WE

END? >> PORT ST. LUCIE DOES THIS, THEY FINISH THE AUTUMN THEY ARE ON WHEN 11:00 COMES AND THEN THEY DECIDE , THEY LOOK AT THE AGENDA AND IF SOMEBODY MAKES A MOTION THEY SAY MAKE A MOTION TO POSTPONE UNTIL ANOTHER DATE SOMEBODY DOES IT. IT IS ALWAYS A VOTE.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE. >> WE DON'T HAVE TO DO IT LIKE PORT ST. LUCIE, BUT THAT'S THE WAY THEY DO IT.

>> OKAY THE ISSUE WAS BROUGHT UP FOR OBVIOUS REASONS. IF WE ARE COGNIZANT OF AGENDA MANAGEMENT AND CLEARLY ASK STAFF TO HELP US WITH AGENDA MANAGEMENT AND FRONTLOAD THE ISSUES YOU ARE DESCRIBING, THERE IS NO NEED FOR A HARD STOP . WE DON'T HAVE TO RATIFY SOMETHING. WE ARE NOT RUNNING A SCHOOL SYSTEM HERE WHERE THE BELL WILL RING AND SAY IT'S DONE. I THINK WE WILL KNOW WHEN WE REACHED THE LINE FOR THE EVENING AND SAY WITH THE PULL THE PLUG. NOT SAYING I WANT A HARD TIMELINE BUT I'M THINKING NOW FOR FIVE PEOPLE, AGENDA MANAGEMENT BECOMES THE KEY. HOW CAN WE DO BETTER? I WILL SUGGEST THAT THE COMMISSIONERS WOULD HAVE INPUT TO THE SCHEDULE ON THE AGENDA WHEN WE RECEIVE IT FROM LINDA'S OFFICE.

THE MAYOR IS OUR CEO SO I WOULD SUGGEST THAT SHE WOULD HAVE LATITUDE TO MOVE THINGS AROUND THAT WE KNOW ARE GOING TO BE BULKY AND THAT WAY WE MAY BE ABLE TO FIX IT THROUGH THOSE MECHANISMS . I'M NOT THE TYPE OF PERSON WHO WILL KILL A MOSQUITO WITH A TANK. WE DON'T NEED TO DO THAT, WE CAN MANAGE THIS, LET'S FIX THE AGENDA THE BEST WE CAN AND SEE IF THAT REACHES A RESOLUTION FOR US WITH OVERSIGHT ON THE AGENDA FROM ALL OF US AND THE MAYOR ESPECIALLY AS CEO TO SAY I WANT TO MAKE SOME SHIFTS. IF EVERYBODY , I'M FINE WITH

THAT. >> I HEAR YOU AND I'M NOT GOING TO LEAVE YOU OUT ON A LIMB LIKE THAT. SOME NIGHTS IN SOME MEETINGS 9:00 AFTER A COUPLE OF THESE YOUR MIND IS LIKE WHAT DID I JUST LISTEN TO? WHAT DID I GO THROUGH AND I LOOK AT THE AGENDA AND ANOTHER ONE IS COMING AND HERE WE GO AGAIN. WE HAVE TO REFOCUS. I GET IT WE ARE HUMAN, BUT AT THIS TIME I THINK LIKE YOU SAID LET'S WORK WITH IT BEFORE WE PUT SOMETHING ELSE ON THE BOOKS. I WOULD RATHER WORK ON

[01:10:01]

>> I AM GOOD WITH IT. >> AGENDA MANAGEMENT AND WE ARE VERY SENSITIVE. STAFF AND I ARE SENSITIVE TO THIS AND WE TALK ABOUT IT AND WE WILL CONTINUE TALKING. OKAY I THINK WE WILL

[b. Discussion of the Historic Preservation Board]

MOVE ON. >> NEXT ITEM IS DISCUSSION OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION PORT.

>> THIS ITEM WAS REQUESTED BY A MEMBER OF CITY COMMISSION. SO I WILL LET THAT INDIVIDUAL KICK IT OFF.

>> IS THERE AN INDIVIDUAL WHO WOULD LIKE TO KICK THIS OFF?

>> TURN TO THE LEFT. OKAY. I WILL MAKE THIS AS BRIEF AS I CAN. I SPENT MANY YEARS SERVING ON THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD, THE FUNCTION OF THE BOARD IS SOMEWHAT DICTATED BY THE SEC. OF INTERIOR ON A FEDERAL LEVEL WITH REQUIREMENTS FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION. WHICH HAVE BEEN LIBERALIZED, EXTENSIVELY FOR THE PROTECTION OF HISTORIC PROPERTIES.

ESPECIALLY IN AREAS OF FLORIDA SUCH AS OURS WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO MULTIPLE NATURAL DISASTERS WITH HURRICANES AND THINGS OF THIS NATURE. THE BOARD IS THE ONLY BOARD LEFT IN THE CITY I BELIEVE THE ONLY BOARD LEFT IN THE CITY THAT HAS QUASI JUDICIAL AUTHORITY. AS WE RECOGNIZED FROM THE LATEST ROUND OF ISSUES WITH THE DECISION OF THE HISTORIC RESERVATION BOARD I THOUGHT THE ISSUE OF THE JUDICIAL AUTHORITY SHOULD BE REVISITED. HISTORIC PRESERVATION IS RECEIVED IN THE CHARTER. IT CAN BECOME AN ADVISORY BOARD LIKE ALL THE OTHER BOARDS IN THE CITY HAVE, BUT THERE ARE PROS AND CONS TO THAT. LET ME GIVE YOU A COUPLE EXAMPLES AFTER HAVING SERVED ON THE BOARD FOR SO LONG AND FOLLOWING UP ON THE DISCUSSION WE HAD. I WILL MAKE A VERY STARK EXAMPLE AND I'M NOT PICKING ANYBODY OUT TO BE CRITICAL BUT DOES THIS BODY NEED TO BE SITTING HERE AT 10:00 AT NIGHT DETERMINING WHICH SHADE OF PINK THE CAKE LADIES AWNING SHOULD BE? THOSE ARE THE DECISIONS THAT THE BOARD IS CHARGED WITH. DO WE NEED TO BE DETERMINING IF A BUILDING OF HISTORIC NATURE WITHIN HISTORIC ZONES WHICH ARE DECIMATED CAN HAVE A STANDING METAL ROOF WHEN IT HAS A TIN ROOF CURRENTLY? THESE TYPES OF DECISIONS ARE ROUTINE FOR THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD TWO AND THERE IS A TON OF ADMINISTERED OF CAPACITY THAT THEY DEAL WITH WHICH DOES NOT HAVE TO COME TO THIS BODY. AS IN FENCES, ONE HOT BUTTON ISSUE, I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE 10:30 AT NIGHT TALKING ABOUT A 5 FOOT FENCE VERSUS A 4 FOOT FENCE AND THOSE ARE THE DEBATES THAT THIS BODY NEED STEP TO PROTECT HISTORIC INTEGRITY OF THE CITY. THEY WORK VERY HARD AND TAKE THOSE ISSUES THAT I POINT OUT VERY SERIOUSLY TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE MAKING APPROPRIATE DECISIONS ON BEHALF OF OF THE CITY AND THE HISTORIC NATURE OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE WHICH CANDIDLY IS ONE-OF-A-KIND. THE QUASI JUDICIAL ISSUE , MY SENSE OF IT IS THAT MAY BE MORE BEST ELEVATED TO THE CITY COMMISSION LEVEL. I ADVOCATED YEARS AGO , I THINK I GIVE TESTIMONY IN FRONT OF THE CITY COMMISSIONER.

TO MAINTAIN HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD WITH THE QUASI JUDICIAL AUTHORITY I LOBBIED VERY HARD TO MAINTAIN THAT . I THINK THESE ISSUES MOVING FORWARD, BASED ON GROWTH OF THE CITY WILL BECOME MORE COLLOCATED AND MORE COMMON. AND WE NEED TO BE VERY VERY CAUTIOUS IN PROTECTING THE INTEGRITY OF THE HISTORIC NATURE OF THE CITY, HISTORIC PARTIES ET CETERA AND I THINK THIS BODY WEIGHING IN ON THOSE ISSUES WOULD HAVE IMPORTANCE. ALLOWING HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD TO TAKE CARE OF THE BULK OF THE BUSINESS THAT COMES BEFORE THEM. I THINK IT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TO KEEP IT OFF OUR AGENDA AND THEY ARE VERY WELL-VERSED IN BEING ABLE TO DO SO. KEEP IN MIND, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD IS REPRESENTED BY COUNCIL IN THESE

[01:15:01]

PREPARED TO WEIGH IN ON THAT. >> I HAVE A QUESTION. THE BULK OF THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD AGENDA ITEMS. HOW MANY ARE QUASI JUDICIAL ON AVERAGE AND HOW MANY ARE NOT?

>> WHAT THEY ARE DOING ARE QUASI JUDICIAL HEARINGS.

>> ALL OF THEM? >> I BELIEVE SO. TO GO BACK, COMMISSIONER BRODERICK INDICATED YOU BELIEVE THEY ARE THE ONLY QUASI JUDICIAL BOARD LEFT, WE DO HAVE ANOTHER WHICH IS THE PLANNING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT. THEY ARE QUASI JUDICIAL AS WELL. THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD IS PART OF OUR CERTIFIED LOCAL GOVERNMENT AS IT RELATES TO HISTORIC RESERVATION. THERE ARE REQUIREMENTS WE HAVE TO FOLLOW TO KEEP THAT DESIGNATION. COMPLETELY STRIPPING THE QUASI-JUDICIAL AUTHORITY WOULD NOT BE ADVISABLE. WE DID LOOK , MY OFFICE DID LOOK AT HOW OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN THE AREA ARE DOING THIS. WE ARE SIMILARLY STRUCTURED TO OTHER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN THE TREASURE COAST AREA. IF THERE IS A CONCERN RELATED TO DECISIONS THEY ARE MAKING, THERE IS THE APPEALS PROCESS THAT EXISTS WITHIN THE BOARD RULES, IN THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD CODE CHAPTER. ONE OF THE THINGS I WILL POINT OUT IS I BELIEVE OURS IS A SEVEN MEMBER BOARD IS THAT CORRECT? THE RULES REQUIRE A FIVE-MEMBER BOARD. CURRENTLY WE HAVE FIVE APPOINTEES, DIRECT APPOINTEES AND TWO AT-LARGE. IF THERE IS CONCERN RELATED TO THE STRUCTURE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT COULD BE CONSIDERED WITH AMENDMENT. WE WOULD STILL BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH A FIVE-MEMBER BOARD REMOVING THE TWO AT-LARGE APPOINTMENTS . IT MAY ALSO BE SOMETHING WHERE THIS MEETING ALONE GIVES THEM DIRECTIVE OF WHAT THIS COMMISSION IS EXPECTING OF THEM AS A BOARD.

SO THEY ARE AWARE OF THOSE CONCERNS. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO JUST COMPLETELY STRIPPING THE QUASI-JUDICIAL I DON'T THINK WE CAN DO THAT NOR WHAT I RECOMMEND THAT WE DO THAT.

>> THAT PRETTY MUCH ANSWERS THAT QUESTION. I WAS NOT AWARE THOSE SIMPLISTIC ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS WERE QUASI-JUDICIAL.

SO IF THAT IS THE CASE WE ARE IN THE ROLE WE NEED TO BE IN. I UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS WORKS, OBVIOUSLY , WE JUST DEALT WITH IT AND IF IT'S THAT'S THE CASE I'M HAPPY TO LEAVE IT THAT WAY AND MAYBE THEY WILL UNDERSTAND CONCERNS OF THE COMMISSION. MY CONCERNS AS A FORMER MEMBER OF THE BOARD NOW IN THIS SEAT RELATIVE TO WHAT I PERCEIVED RESPONSIBILITIES TO BE AND I WOULD NOT HAVE A PROBLEM TELLING THEM THAT.

SIMPLY PUT, THIS IS GUIDED BY SOMETHING GREATER THAN JUST A PERSONAL REACTION TO WHAT'S BEING APPLIED FOR , THESE ARE FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS AND THEY NEED TO BE TAKEN WITH THE WEIGHT OF CONSIDERATION WHEN MAKING THEIR DECISIONS. I WILL BE MORE COGNIZANT AND MORE AWARE AS TO WHAT THE BOARD IS UNDERTAKING FOR ACTIVITY MOVING FORWARD.

>> THERE ARE ADMINISTRATIVE DECISIONS MADE BY STAFF. THOSE ARE THEN PRESENTED TO THE HISTORIC RESERVATION BOARD AS A STAFF REPORT OF THESE ARE THE DECISIONS THAT WERE MADE. IF THERE IS A DESIRE FOR MORE TO BE GIVEN TO STAFF TO DO ADMINISTRATIVE , WE COULD REVIEW WHAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE THE BREAKDOWN AS, TO SEE IF THERE'S SOMETHING THAT SHOULD OR COULD BE SHIFTED TO STAFF IN A ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITY.

THOSE GET PRESENTED TO THE PRESERVATION BOARD , BASICALLY HERE IS WHAT STAFF HAS DONE AND THEY REVIEW WHAT STAFF HAS

DONE. >> I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO

[01:20:02]

NEIGHBORHOOD? >> WELL, IN CONVERSATIONS.

WHERE IS IT? WHY IS IT SO SPECIAL. SO I THINK IT WAS UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE OF THE APPEAL AND SO I THINK AND AS I TOLD YOU I LISTENED TO THE AUDIO OF THE MEETING AND SO I THINK , I THINK PERHAPS THIS CONVERSATION AND ALSO MAYBE SOME GUIDANCE FROM STAFF , OBVIOUSLY YOU WERE THERE A LONG TIME, THAT SOMETHING YOU ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH AND YOU TOOK TO HEART. SO PERHAPS THEY NEED EMPHASIZING OF WHAT THEIR MISSION IS, WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING.

>> I WOULD ALSO SUGGEST THE CITY ATTORNEY , THE IDEA TO EXPAND ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL INTERNALLY TO STAFF , EVEN WHEN SITTING ON THE BOARD I THOUGHT THAT WOULD TAKE PLACE SO PERSONALLY I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ANALYSIS DONE TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT CA TAKE PLACE TO SHIFT SOME OF THOSE DECISIONS TO STOP BECAUSE A LOT OF THIS IS BY REGULATION, THIS IS NOT DECISION-MAKING STUFF. THIS IS REGULATED BY MULTIPLE LAYERS OF GOVERNMENTAL I WOULD SAY INTERFERENCE, BUT INVOLVEMENT . INTENTIONALLY SO BECAUSE THAT'S ONE OF THE FUNCTIONS GOVERNMENT SERVICE, TO PROTECT HISTORIC ARTIFACTS LIKE THIS. SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF STAFF CAN PICK UP MORE OF THAT DECISION-MAKING PROCESS. I THINK THAT WOULD BE A VALUABLE ASSET TO THAT BOARD AND TO THE COMMISSION.

>> ANYBODY ELSE? >> ONE QUICK COMMENT. I HAVE SEEN THE OPPOSITE OF THAT. I READ THE ORDINANCES AND THE STATUTES AND I HAD A CONCERN ABOUT THE QUASI-JUDICIAL. SO I WAS WITH YOU ON THAT. SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE A SOLUTION PERHAPS, TO LOOK AT IT. GOING BACK TO HEARING FROM THE COMMUNITY. THERE IS A GROUP IN THE COMMUNITY THAT PROBABLY DON'T KNOW THEY HAVE HISTORICAL HOUSES. AND THEN THEY FIND OUT LATER THAT THEY WERE TRYING TO DO SOMETHING , PUT A FENCE UP OR WHATEVER AND NOW THEY ARE CALLED BEFORE THE BOARD AND I THINK ONE OF THE THINGS AND I WENT THROUGH THAT EARLY ON WITH A RESIDENT WHO CALLED ME ON IT, SO YOU KNOW IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS. THERE HAS GOT TO BE BETTER COMMUNICATION AND I HAVE ASKED STAFF TO MEET WITH ALL OF MY BOARD MEMBERS. I THINK IT WILL CHALLENGE US TO WORK WITH THESE BOARDS, THEY ARE MY EYES AND EARS ON THAT BOARD AND I THINK THEY NEED TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE SERIOUSNESS WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT QUASI-JUDICIAL. I AM NOT QUITE SURE THEY GET TO THAT. IT TOOK ME A LONG TIME TO GET IT UP HERE. SO IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE DECISIONS WE MADE AND IT IS STILL RUNNING THROUGH MY HEAD. WE CLEARLY HAD SOMETHING WRITTEN THE ORDINANCE, YET THEY WENT AROUND THAT AND UNTIL SOMEBODY HELPS ME TO UNDERSTAND THAT I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THAT HAPPENED. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THAT HAPPENED.

>> LISTEN TO THE AUDIO. >> OKAY. WHEN I LISTEN I'M STILL GOING TO CHALLENGE HOW DID THEY DO THAT? RIGHT? BECAUSE ONE THING PEOPLE DON'T KNOW IS THE LAW IS THE LAW, IT IS WRITTEN. SO WHEN YOU START WEIGHING IN I START TO

[01:25:03]

>> ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO CHIME IN?

>> REALLY QUICKLY. ONE OF THE ATTACHMENTS, THEY HAD THAT SECTION OF THE CODE WHICH TALKS ABOUT RECOMMENDED AS APPROPRIATE CERTAIN PROVISIONS BE WAIVED OR SUPERSEDED WHEN APPROPRIATE ET CETERA SO IT TALKS ABOUT THE ASPECTS OF WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE THE LEGISLATIVE PORTION OF THE CODE RELATED TO ZONING. IN MY EXPERIENCE I THINK , NOT EVEN I THINK, MY EXPERIENCE IS THAT THOSE ARE THE POINTS OF APPLICATION OR CHALLENGES THAT BECOME CHALLENGES TO THIS COMMISSION. THE ZONING CODE VARIATIONS. WITH OUR OWN AGENDA ITEMS OR APPLICANT COMING TO THE COMMISSION ASKING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT WITHIN THE ZONING BOARD. WHEN IT COMES TO THAT, IT IS VERY POLITICAL AND MOVING IN THE COMMUNITY. FOLKS TALK ABOUT IT A LOT BUT WE HAVE HAD A COUPLE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT EDGARTOWN SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD APPLICATIONS, WE ADDRESSED THOSE ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS AND I THINK IT IS VERY CLEAR. WITHIN THE CODE, WITHIN THE STATE RULES AND PROCEDURES, PROTECTED ITEMS AND STRUCTURES WE SHOULD FOLLOW PROCEDURES, KEEP THE QUASI WHEN APPROPRIATE . THERE IS SMALL NUANCE WITHIN GOING BACK TO EDGARTOWN FOR EXAMPLE. I WANT TO SAY IN THE EDGARTOWN DISTRICT IT EVEN TALKS ABOUT HOW HISTORIC HAS THE ABILITY TO WEIGH IN ON A VARIANCE WHICH I READ TO YOU ABOUT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE VARIANCE. SO THERE PART OF THE CODING CONFLICT, MAYBE DOES THAT MEAN IT IS IN CONFLICT WITH THAT I DON'T KNOW BUT THAT SOMETHING WE CAN TAKE UP WITH THE PLANNING DIRECTOR INDIVIDUALLY AND THE CITY ATTORNEY AND ASK THOSE QUESTIONS. FOR ME, THAT'S THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE , ADDRESSING THE SITUATIONS WHERE THERE IS ZONING CHANGES. COMMISSIONER YOU ARE RIGHT ON WITH HISTORIC RESERVATION OF THE STRUCTURE OF THE FENCES, THE COLORS, THE SCHEMES AND THE LAYOUT OF PROPERTY, ALL THE NUANCES THAT COME ABOUT IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHILE I'M NOT DEALING WITH IT BUT SOMEBODY IN THE GROUP I WORK WITH IS DOING WITH THE BOSTON HOUSE IT'S A PRIME EXAMPLE DATA GO THROUGH AND REVERSE COURSE AND GO BACK THROUGH AGAIN FOR A SMALL LITTLE APPLICATION AND I'M NOT SAYING THAT'S NOT APPROPRIATE JUST THINK IT'S A PROCESS, PART OF THE CODE TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT AND I GET THAT PART OF IT. YOU KNOW, YEARS AGO TALKING ABOUT EDGARTOWN WHEN WE IDENTIFIED NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE HISTORIC IN A THEN THERE IS A SET OF RULES AND PROCEDURES TO GO WITH THOSE DISTRICTS.

GOOD FOR US FOR HAVING SUCH A THING. I LOVE HISTORY I WILL ALWAYS LOVE HISTORY AND PRESERVING IT ANYWAY WE CAN , BUT AT THE SAME TIME USE COMMON SENSE PRACTICAL APPROACH TO THE LEGISLATIVE BODY, THE CITY COMMISSION RULING AND ACCEPTING THE , THE WILL TO THE VOTE FOR THE RESIDENTS OR AGAINST WHICHEVER ARE MAKING THE REQUEST. WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE FOR OR AGAINST. SO WE WENT THROUGH THIS I FORGET HOW MANY YEARS AGO WHEN WE WERE LOOKING AT ALL THE BOARDS.

>> 2014 . >> WE WRESTLED WITH IT WHEN WAS HERE 17, 18 OR 19. 17 AND 18 I BELIEVE IS WHAT IT WAS. WE WRESTLED WITH THAT AT THE SAME TIME, I HAD SIMILAR COMMENT. IF WE CAN GET THROUGH PORTIONS OF THE CODE THAT MAY BE IN CONFLICT AND/OR TRANSFER THE LEGISLATIVE PORTIONS THAT ARE TRULY LEGISLATIVE TO THIS COMMISSION THAT'S WHERE IT SHOULD BE. IF NOT ALLOWED, THEN BE TRANSFERRED, WE DO WHAT WE

[01:30:01]

AND I DON'T WANT TO TIE UP THE PRIVATE SECTOR, EITHER. I DON'T WANT TO TIE UP SOMEBODY TRYING TO IMPROVE THEIR HOME AND THEY HAD TO GO THROUGH HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND THEN TO CITY COMMISSION TO GET A SMALL VARIANCE.

>> RIGHT, RIGHT. I THINK THERE ARE SIX HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS IN FORT PIERCE? AND THEN THERE ARE HISTORIC STRUCTURES. SO, COMMISSIONER GAINES ANYTHING TO ADD TO THE CONVERSATION?

>> I SAID ENOUGH ABOUT THE HISTORIC BOARD LAST WEEK.

>> SO, IS STAFF CLEAR WHERE WE ARE COMING DOWN ON THIS?

COMMISSIONERS? ARE YOU CLEAR? >> I AM GOOD. THE DISCUSSION NEEDED TO TAKE PLACE AND I THINK IT HAS RAISED EVERYBODY'S AWARENESS OF WHAT'S UP. UNDERSTAND THE UNDERPINNINGS AND THE WORKING OF THE BOARD INTIMATELY. SO JUST LIKE THE RETIREMENT BOARD THAT WE SAY WE NEED TO ELEVATE UNDERSTANDING OF THAT IF WE DO THAT HERE I THINK WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED WHAT WE NEED TO ACCOMPLISH.

>> IT IS EXACTLY THAT. YOU MENTION SIX HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS. SITTING HERE I'M NOT SURE I KNOW ALL OF THEM. I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF I KNEW THAT AND CAN YOU GIVE ME AN IDEA AND IF WE FOUND A WAY TO PUT IT ON THE

WEBSITE THAT CAN HELP. >> IT USED TO BE ON THE

WEBSITE. >> AND THEN I GUESS FOR THE HISTORIC STRUCTURE, THEN HOW WOULD ONE GO ABOUT DETERMINING THAT? YOU KNOW HOUSES BUILT IN THE 30S AND 40S ARE STILL GOOD,

ARE THEY GRANDFATHERED IN? >> YOU HAVE TO APPLY FOR THE HISTORIC STRUCTURE 50 YEARS OR OLDER OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> AND THEN HISTORIC DISTRICTS HAVE CONFORMING STRUCTURES AND NONCONFORMING WHICH COME INTO PLAY AND IT BECOMES DILUTED.

>> PUT YOURSELF IN THE STORM. >> YES UNLESS YOU ARE IN ONE OF

THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS. >> I THINK PEOPLE ARE LISTENING AND THEY NEED TO UNDERSTAND. GO AND VOLUNTEER AND PUT YOUR HOUSE IN HISTORICAL THEN SUBJECT YOURSELF IF YOU WANT TO STUCCO YOUR HOUSE OR DO SOMETHING TO YOUR HOUSE OR AT A GATE THEN YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH STEPS. IF YOU'RE IN A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS A HISTORICAL NEIGHBORHOOD YOU SHOULD BE AWARE OF THAT AS YOU TRY TO IMPROVE YOUR HOUSE.

HOPEFULLY. HOPEFULLY YOU SHOULD BE AWARE.

>> IF YOURS DON'T YOU WILL SUBMIT TO THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT AND IT'S GOING TO GET FLAGGED . SO YOU'RE GOING TO BE SENT TO HISTORIC PRESERVATION OR PLANNING TO GET ROUTED THROUGH HISTORIC PRESERVATION. SO THERE IS A METHODOLOGY IN PLACE. INDIVIDUALLY HISTORIC DOES NOT MEAN HISTORIC STRUCTURES. FOR EXAMPLE MY OFFICE BUILDING IS INDIVIDUALLY DESIGNATED HISTORIC STRUCTURE , EVERY TIME I TOUCH THE BUILDING IN FRONT OF HISTORIC PRESERVATION WHICH IS FINE THAT'S OUT OF THE PACKAGE AND THAT'S WHY I SAY PEOPLE COMING FORWARD LOOKING TO DESIGNATE HISTORICAL JUST UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE GETTING. YOU GET THE DESIGNATION AND YOU'RE GETTING A BUCKET LOAD OF REGULATION.

>> I AGREE TO AN EXTENT WHAT YOU SAID. SOME OF THESE OF THE SIX, SOME RESIDENTS ARE MOVING INTO , THEY HAVE NO IDEA. THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THEY ARE MOVING INTO. I KNOW WE CANNOT CONTROL THE PURCHASE AND SALE OF CONTRACTS AND ALL OF THAT BUT I KNOW FOR A FACT SOME NEIGHBORHOODS ON THIS PEOPLE ARE MOVING INTO AND SOME OF THEM DON'T EVEN SPEAK OUR LANGUAGE AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA. SO I AM GOING ALONG WITH COMMISSIONER JOHNSON. WE NEED TO EDUCATE SOME RESIDENTS ABOUT WHAT THESE SIX HISTORICAL DISTRICTS ARE AND ALSO WHAT YOU JUST SAID. BEFORE SOMEONE RUNS AND SAYS I WANT HISTORICAL PROTECTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO CALL IT, WE NEED TO HAVE SOMETHING TO EXPLAIN. OKAY THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS AND THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE TO DO. I DON'T KNOW IF THE WEBSITE SAYS ALL OF THIS, BUT WE NEED TO GET IT OUT BECAUSE SOME OF THESE HISTORICAL DISTRICTS THAT YOU SUMMING COUNTING ON MY FINGERS I'M TRYING TO NAME ALL OF THEM . I HAVE DRIVEN THROUGH SOME OF THEM AND I AM SAYING SO PEOPLE IN THERE WITH NO IDEA THEY ARE IN HISTORICAL DISTRICTS THAT'S

ALL I'M SAYING. >> THAT'S PART OF THE BRANDING

[01:35:02]

THERE IS AN EASY WAY TO DO THAT. THERE IS A MOVEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY FOR OTHER HISTORIC STRUCTURES TO BE DESIGNATED SPECIFICALLY THAT THE CITY OWNS, THAT PROPERTY.

SO THERE IS A LARGE MOVEMENT. MEMBER THIS CONVERSATION WHEN THAT HAPPENS. THERE IS A VERY LARGE MOVEMENT AND WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR. YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU

ASK FOR. >> I BROUGHT THAT UP INDIVIDUALLY. BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU ASK FOR.

>> THE POINT OF THAT STORY IS MOST PEOPLE WHO COME INTO MAKE THAT APPLICATION, THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR BECAUSE THEY ARE LOOKING FOR THAT SPECIAL PART OF HISTORY. AND IT IS VERY UNIQUE. 99% OF THE TIME IT IS VERY

CLEAR. >> I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE CLEAR DETAILED SPECIFIC INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION ON CITY OF FORT PIERCE WEBSITE UNDERNEATH PLANNING FOR HISTORIC RESERVATION. ALL THE INFORMATION IS THERE AT THE PUBLIC'S FINGERTIPS AND WE WILL BE HAPPY TO FORWARD THAT INFORMATION TO YOU AND THE PUBLIC SO THEY ARE AWARE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THIS HAS BEEN A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION AS LONG AS I'VE BEEN IN THE COMMUNITY. WHEN I WAS WEARING MY OTHER HAT BEFORE I CAME TO WORK FOR THE CITY WE TALKED ABOUT INCLUDING A GIS LAYER OF HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOODS SO WHEN YOU ARE ON THE PROPERTY APPRAISER WEBSITE, WHEN YOU LOOK AT ZONING HISTORIC DISTRICTS WAS ONE LATER YOU CAN CLICK ON. I'M SURE THAT EXISTS ON OUR WEBSITE, BUT THAT WAS SOMETHING WE WERE ADVOCATING 10 YEARS AGO. PEOPLE BY THE HOMES AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA THEY ARE IN A HISTORIC DISTRICT.

>> THAT WILL BE EASY TO FIND OUT.

>> WE HAVE A GREAT GIS MAPPING AND LAYER SYSTEM. GET ON THAT WEBSITE AND YOU CAN FIND OUT A LOT OF INFORMATION. SOME PEOPLE MOVING TO THE DISTRICT AND KNOWINGLY MOVE AND WANT TO CHANGE THE RULES.

>> I AM LAUGHING IT'S NOT FUNNY BUT I'M JUST SAYING IF YOU LOOK AT OUR, APPEAR WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THIS AND WHAT'S ON THE COMPUTER I CAN ONLY IMAGINE HOW THE PUBLIC IS OUT HERE GOING TO THEIR PHONES AND THEIR COMPUTERS , GOING DOWN AND LOOKING AT ALL THESE MAPS AND WE ARE LOOKING LIKE OKAY SO I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE RESIDENCE ARE DOING THE SAME THING.

RESIDENCE , IT'S ON THE WEBSITE.

>> SO MUCH INFORMATION. >> GO LOOK IT UP AND WE WILL GO

FROM THERE. >> OKAY DONE WITH THAT TOPIC

>> YOU ALL CANNOT MAKE MOTIONS AND DECISIONS, IT CAN BE MORE THAN A DISCUSSION. I WAS NOT COMPLETELY CLEAR TO THE EXPANSION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE APPROVAL. ARE YOU WANTING STAFF TO COME WITH RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION OR ARE YOU WANTING THE CITY ATTORNEY TO DRAFT REVISION OF THE

ORDINANCE? I WAS NOT CLEAR. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SUGGESTIONS. UNDERSTANDING THE NUANCE OF THE CODE FAIRLY WELL , SUGGESTIONS TO BEEF UP AUTHORITY FOR THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO

SEE A SUGGESTION LEVEL FIRST. >> YES, GOOD IDEA. WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE STAFF INPUT. GOOD WITH THAT? EVERYBODY? OKAY I

[c. Discussion of City Attorney's request for additional Assistant City Attorney position]

>> NEXT ITEM FOR DISCUSSION IS CITY ATTORNEY REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY POSITION.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO START OFF WITH THIS?

>> YES, I DID SEND A MEMO TO YOU ALL BACK ON MAY 30 RELATED TO MY REQUEST TO ADD ADDITIONAL ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY TO THE CITY ATTORNEY OFFICE. I DID HAVE A CHANCE TO SIT DOWN WITH OUR DIRECTOR OF FINANCE TO KIND OF GO OVER THE PROCESS, WHAT THE NUMBERS LOOK LIKE FOR THE UPCOMING BUDGET CYCLE AS WELL AS CURRENTLY. AND SHE DID GIVE ME EXPRESS AUTHORIZATION TO SHARE WITH YOU THAT SHE HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE BUDGET FOR NEXT YEAR AND SHE HAS BUILT THAT POSITION INTO THE CITY ATTORNEY BUDGET AND SHE WILL BE ADVOCATING FOR IT TO BE KEPT IN

[01:40:04]

ADDITIONALLY WE HAVE INCREASING WORK IN THE CITY. LAST WEEK ALONE I REVIEWED NINE ANNEXATION ORDINANCES. WE ARE GOING THE CITY WHICH MEANS GROWING WORK FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS. SOME OF THE BACKGROUND , I THINK WHEN THERE WAS AN ADDITIONAL ATTORNEY POSITIONED REMOVED FROM THE OFFICE AND THERE WAS A SHIFT TOWARD OUTSIDE COUNSEL PREFERENCE IS TO HAVE THINGS DONE INTERNALLY MORE THAN EXTERNALLY. WHEN YOU HAVE QUALITY STAFF THAT CARES ABOUT THE CITY, YOU MAY GET MORE ATTENTION TO DETAIL WHERE WE WILL DIVE INTO SOMETHING MORE SO THAN OUTSIDE COUNCIL HIRED FOR A SPECIFIC TASK , THEY DO THE TASK AND MOVE ON SO I PREFER TO HAVE THAT DONE INTERNALLY AS MUCH AS WE POSSIBLY CAN. ONE OF THE BIG THINGS WE BEGAN PUSHING WHEN I JOINED THE CITY ALMOST 3 YEARS AGO NOW ARE RISK PROTECTION ORDERS. LEGAL MECHANISMS WE HAVE WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT TO ENSURE THOSE THAT ARE DANGERS TO THEMSELVES OR OTHERS BY POSSESSING FIREARMS, A STATUTE ALLOWS THAT RIGHT TO BE REMOVED UP TO ONE YEAR. IT REQUIRES FILING A LAWSUIT AGAINST THAT PERSON. THERE IS A HEARING HELD WITH A JUDGE FOR YOU TO CALL WITNESSES, ENTER EXHIBITS, IT IS A MINIATURE TRIAL IN FRONT OF THE JUDGE. THAT LAW WAS PASSED AROUND 2018. WHAT WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS IS WITH POLICE AND DILIGENCE IN RECOGNIZING INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DANGER , WE WENT AND THE FIRST WAS FILED IN 2020 WE FILED ONE THAT YEAR AND THIS WAS GOING BACK TO LOOK AT THE CLERK OF COURT WEBSITE. THESE WERE NOT TRACKED INTERNALLY THAT WHILE SO THAT IS SOMETHING WE ARE CHANGING THE TRACKING. IN 2020 THERE WERE FIVE, 2022 WERE SIX, 2023 WE DID 11 , 2024 WE HAVE FILED FIVE SO FAR. I GOT AN EMAIL THIS WEEKEND ABOUT ANOTHER SO WE MAY BE UP TO SIX IN THE NEXT FEW DAYS. IT REQUIRES A LOT OF WORK FROM POLICE AND OUR OFFICE. YOU HAVE TO FILE AFFIDAVITS, PETITIONS, GET EXHIBITS READY, AND THEN YOU GO AND HAVE A TRIAL BASICALLY IN FRONT OF THE JUDGE THE PERSON DOES NOT AGREE TO THAT RISK PROTECTION ORDER. SO

[01:45:01]

WE KEEP THEM UNTIL THE RISK PROTECTION ORDER IS OVER. THE OTHER THING WE HAVE SEEN GOOD SUCCESS IN IS FORFEITURE, THAT'S ANOTHER THING WE FILE. AGAIN THAT'S A LAWSUIT AGAINST PROPERTY OF SOME SORT THAT IS THE MEANS OF ILLEGAL ACTIVITY OR THE PROCEEDS OF ILLEGAL ACTIVITY , FISCAL YEAR 23-24 WE FILED TWO RESULTING IN FORT PIERCE POLICE BEING AWARDED IN THOSE FORFEITURES THOSE WERE BOTH U.S. CURRENCY. ONE OF THE CHANGES WE HAVE MADE IS RELATED TO TRACKING AND PROCESSING , SO WHENEVER THE CITY IS SERVED WITH A COURT ORDER BASICALLY SAYING PRODUCE THESE DOCUMENTS, BEFORE THERE WAS NOT A TRACKING SYSTEM THAT EXISTED. IT WAS DONE THROUGH EMAIL SO WORKING WITH CITY CLERKS AND THE CITY MANAGER WE CREATED A SYSTEM WITHIN THE AGENDA QUICK SYSTEM WHERE THOSE ARE UPLOADED AND CAST OUT TO INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENTS SO WE CAN TRACK WHAT WE ARE SEEING. WE NOW ACCEPT THOSE FOR POLICE AND THE CITY WHICH WE HAD ALWAYS DONE WE ADDED ACCEPTANCE FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT RECENTLY. SO WE HAVE CREATED SOME DIFFERENT PROCESSES THAT HAVE CREATED ADDITIONAL WORK FOR THE CITY, SORRY FOR THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE BUT IT PUTS US IN A LEGAL POSITION THAT'S BETTER. WHEN IT COMES TO THE END OF THE DAY I BELIEVE WE ARE UNDERSTAFFED, CURRENTLY WE HAVE ONE ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY, MYSELF AND ONE PARALEGAL. THERE IS IN THE DIGITAL WORLD, WE DO FORMAL REQUEST FOR LEGAL SERVICES ELECTRONICALLY SO EVERYONE WANTS EVERYTHING AS QUICKLY AS THEY POSSIBLY CAN GET IT. CURRENTLY, THINGS TAKE LONGER TO PROCESS THAN I WOULD LIKE AND DEPARTMENTS WOULD LIKE. A BIG PART OF THAT IS THE INCREASING WORK AND THE FACT THAT WE NEED ANOTHER ATTORNEY IN THE OFFICE THAT IS THE CLASS THE REASON WHY IT WAS DONE NOW INSTEAD OF WAITING UNTIL THE BUDGET TALKS WAS TO GET THE BALL ROLLING. IF WE FIND SOMEONE WHO CAN COME IN AND THE CURRENT BUDGET CYCLE I HAVE REVIEWED THE BUDGET. WE HAVE REVIEWED WITH , I BLANKED ON THE LAST NAME. THERE IS SUFFICIENT MONEY IN OUTSIDE COUNCIL. IF SOMEONE COMES INTO WHERE THE ADDITIONAL MONEY COULD COME OUT OF MY BUDGET CURRENTLY AS A BASIS. THAT'S IF WE GET SOMEONE IN THIS FISCAL YEAR AGAIN I WOULD EXPECT IT TO TAKE THREE OR FOUR MONTHS TO POST, INTERVIEW, MAKE THE OFFER AND THEN GIVING NOTICE WHERE THEY ARE, HR TO THE BACKGROUND CHECKS AND GET SOMEBODY ON BOARD.

>> RISK PROTECTION ORDERS YOU HAVE TO PREPARE FOR THEM BUT YOU ALSO HAVE TO PREPARE PERSONALLY OR SOMEBODY DOES? SPY YES MEN. THE MEETINGS WITH YOU, I HAVE THOSE SET. TUESDAY

MORNING SEEMS TO BE. >> YES THEY DO. NOT ONLY DOES THAT TAKE YOUR TIME, BUT GETTING THE GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF SOMEBODY WHO SHOULD NOT HAVE ONE IS REALLY IMPORTANT. SO WE ARE ABLE TO DO WHATEVER IS WANTED. IS THAT A

FAIRLY NEW LAW? >> IT WAS ENACTED AFTER MARJORIE STONEMAN DOUGLAS. SO IT IS RELATIVELY NEW.

>> A NEW TOOL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO PREVENT GUN

VIOLENCE. OKAY COMMISSIONERS. >> ADVOCATE OF THIS REQUEST AND I SUPPORT IT FULLY. WE SHOULD FUND NO MATTER THE REQUEST OR WHAT TIME OF YEAR. MONEY IN THE BUDGET LET'S MOVE THAT FORWARD INTO THE SALARY PORTION WE HAVE LAPSED SALARIES WE SHOULD , YOU KNOW THOSE SALARIES THAT OF INPUT INTO THE BUT IT WERE

[01:50:04]

>> ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO WEIGH IN?

>> QUICKLY. A VERY SIMPLE BUSINESS DECISION. THE CITY IS RUNNING A BUSINESS. PART AND PARCEL OF THAT IS PROPER LEGAL ADVICE AND REPRESENTATION ON A LAUNDRY LIST OF ISSUES SIMPLISTIC AND COMPLEX. WITHOUT THE REPRESENTATION WE ARE INCREASING THE WORKLOAD. BECAUSE WHEN THINGS GO AWRY WE DID NOT DEAL WITH IT WITH CHECKS AND BALANCES UP FRONT WITH PROPER LEGAL REPRESENTATION WE WILL SPEND MORE TIME, RESOURCES ET CETERA TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE MOVING FORWARD. I SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE 100%, GET THE POSITION FILLED AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE THAT'S MY SUGGESTION.

I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER J JOHNSON ON THAT, THIS NEEDS TO

TAKE PLACE. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES.

>> I AM IN AGREEMENT. >> AGREEMENT.

>> I AM TOO AND I WANT TO STRESS ONE OF THE THINGS YOU SAID, THINGS ARE SOMETIMES DELAYED AND YOU DON'T WANT THEM DELAYED BECAUSE YOU HAVE A LOT TO DEAL WITH AT THE SAME TIME AND PEOPLE GET THINGS TO YOU AT THE LAST MINUTE SOMETIMES AND SOMETIMES THINGS ARE NOT IN GOOD ENOUGH SHAPE THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN. SO ONE OF THE THINGS AND I WOULD WANT YOU TO TELL ME. IF WE GET AN ADDITIONAL PERSON WITH THREE ATTORNEYS, WILL THAT GO A LONG WAY TOWARD SOLVING THE PROBLEM

OF THE TIMING OF THINGS? >> I DO BELIEVE SO. IT WILL GET RINGS OUT A LOT QUICKER BECAUSE WE WILL HAVE AN ADDITIONAL ATTORNEY TO REVIEW REQUEST FOR LEGAL SERVICES. I SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN MEETINGS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AND I'M DOING A LOT OF WHAT I WOULD CALL LINE ATTORNEY WORK IN REVIEWING DIFFERENT FORMAL REQUEST FOR LEGAL SERVICES THAT COME IN. SO IF I AM TIED UP ALL WEEK IN MEETINGS SOME THINGS SIT FOR LONGER THAN ANY OF US WOULD LIKE BECAUSE CURRENT ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY ALSO ATTENDS A LOT OF MEETINGS WITH DIFFERENT SET REQUIREMENTS. SO IT WILL HELP WITH THE PAPERWORK ASPECT OF THE JOB AS WELL AS RELIEVING SOME OF THE DIFFERENT BOARD REQUIREMENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. SO WE CAN EFFICIENTLY

[01:55:04]

>> RISK MANAGEMENT NOW IS IN YOUR REPORTS. TO I REMEMBER

THAT RIGHT? >> AM REMEMBERING BEFORE WE HAD THE IN-HOUSE ATTORNEY WE HAD OUTSIDE COUNCIL. AND OUTSIDE COUNCIL HAD I DON'T THINK WAS HERE PHYSICALLY FULL-TIME , MOST AFTERNOONS IS MY MEMORY AND FROM HIS LAW FIRM HE HAD FOUR OTHER ATTORNEYS AND STAFF. FOUR OTHER ATTORNEYS AND OF COURSE NONE OF THEM WERE FULL-TIME OR DEVOTED TO THE CITY FULL-TIME , BUT I DO REMEMBER HAVING OUTSIDE COUNCIL MEANT OUTSIDE COUNCIL PLUS THE OTHER LAWYERS IN THE LAW FIRM THAT DID SOME WORK FOR US ALSO HAD OTHER CLIENTS. ONE OF THE REASONS WE WANTED TO HAVE IN-HOUSE COUNCIL IS WE WANTED THAT PERSON TO BE TOTALLY 100% OURS. WE DID NOT WANT TIME SPLIT . SO THAT , I WOULD SAY THAT WITH THREE ATTORNEYS AND MY UNDERSTANDING I WANT TO CLARITY ON THIS. THIS IS MORE LIKE A SENIOR ATTORNEY OR HAVE A STABLE OF TWO ATTORNEYS AND YOU? HAVE YOU THOUGHT IT THROUGH?

>> YES MA'AM, THE CURRENT BREAKDOWN OF THE ATTORNEY POSITIONS THAT EXIST IN OUR HR RATE DOWN THERE IS ASSISTANT CITY ATTORNEY, THERE IS A LEVEL THAT IS SENIOR ASSISTANT ATTORNEY POSITION. I WOULD LIKE TO ADVERTISE FOR BOTH PREFERABLE TO BRING IN SOMEONE ON A SENIOR LEVEL THAT HAS LOCAL GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE OR EXPERIENCE IN AREAS WE SPECIFICALLY NEED HELP IN. ONE OF THE BIG DEPARTMENTS IS POLICE. IF I CAN FIND SOMEONE WITH EXPERIENCE IN POLICE LEGAL ADVISING OR THE CRIMINAL WORLD THAT WOULD BE IDEAL. I DO CURRENTLY STILL KEEP THAT DEPARTMENT AND IT TAKES UP A LARGE AMOUNT OF TIME. SO IF THERE IS SOMEBODY QUALIFIED WHO CAN DO THE JOB WELL THAT WOULD BE IDEAL. I THINK POLICE WOULD LIKE THAT AS WELL. I GET A LOT OF PHONE CALLS AND ANSWER A LOT OF PHONE CALLS, BUT THERE'S A LOT OF WORK FROM THAT DEPARTMENT AND A LOT OF NEED SO IF YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO CAN ASSIST WITH THAT THAT WOULD BE EXTREMELY HELPFUL.

>> I KNOW THAT IS , THAT IS THE DEPARTMENT YOU WALK IN EVERY DAY AND ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN IN TERMS OF MEETING SOME LEGAL PROTECTION OR LEGAL ADVICE ET CETERA AND THEN THERE'S THE OTHER CONTRACTS AND EVERYTHING ELSE , PLUS I KNOW I AM IN TWO MEETINGS PER WEEK WITH YOU SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR TIME BUT I KNOW I TAKE UP SOME OF YOUR TIME. ALL RIGHT. MR. MIMS YOU WANT TO WEIGH IN AT ALL?

>> THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT. DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION OR ?

SINCE WE CAN >> I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ACCEPT CITY ATTORNEY REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL CITY ATTORNEY POSITION. CALL THE ROLL PLEASE.

>>

[d. Annual evaluation of Linda Cox, City Clerk]

>> OKAY THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS THE ANNUAL EVALUATION

OF LINDA COX, CITY CLERK. >> MY GOODNESS. I WILL START.

SO I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO IN TERMS OF MY SCHEDULING AND IT WORKS OUT, THE ONLY TIME IT MESSES UP IS WHEN I SCHEDULE MYSELF AND I MESS UP. I APPRECIATE THAT. I KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT OF OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES IN TERMS OF BTR AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS YOU DO AND I THINK YOU HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB WITH STAFF AND THEY DO GREAT SERVICE WITH A GREAT REPUTATION. I THINK SURVEY RESULTS TALKING ABOUT CITY STAFF DOES A GOOD SURVEY CITIZENS WHAT I REMEMBER FROM THOSE STATISTICS AND I THINK OUR STAFF, THAT IS ONE OF THE FRONT LINES SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU ARE

[02:00:01]

JOB. WHO WANTS TO GO NEXT? >> YOU KEEP ME ON TRACK WITH ALL OF MY APPOINTMENTS AND MAKE SURE YOU TAKE THE EXTRA TIME YOU TAKE THE TIME COME YOU GIVE ME AN UPDATE LIKE OKAY, YOU REMEMBER IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE XYZ. NOT ONLY DO YOU DO THAT FOR US, YOU TAKE CARE, A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND YOU TAKE CARE OF A LOT OF TRAVEL AND WHEN WE GO TO CONFERENCES OR WHATEVER SHE MAKE SURE THAT MORE IMPORTANTLY BESIDE YOURSELF A GREAT LEADER IS SEEN BY HOW HER STAFF WORKS WHEN SHE IS NOT HERE OR SHE IS NOT AROUND. ANYTIME YOU HAVEN'T GONE ON VACATION OR YOUR BUSY ON THE PHONE AND I NEEDED SOMETHING FROM YOUR STUFF, YOUR STAFF STOOD UP AND GOT IT DONE EVEN WHEN YOU HAD TO SEND PEOPLE IN THESE MEETINGS WE DID NOT MISS A BEAT. THAT SAYS IT ALL, YOU CAN LOOK AT A LEADER AND THE LEADER, IN MY OFFICE MY NAME IS FIRST EVERYBODY LOOKS AT ME BUT IF I'M NOT THERE AND MY OFFICE IS RUNNING THAT MEANS I PICKED COULD PEOPLE TO BE THERE. THAT'S WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, YOU HAVE TRAINED YOUR STAFF TO GIVE TOP-NOTCH SERVICE. EVERY TIME I WALK IN AND THEY ARE DEALING WITH SOMEBODY, THAT PERSON IS GETTING THE HELP THEY NEED AND I KNOW FOR A FACT YOU MIGHT GET MAD, BUT SOMEBODY CALLS ME AND I WILL SAY I DON'T KNOW, BUT I'M PRETTY SURE I CAN FIND OUT SOMEBODY TO CALL WHO WILL GET YOU IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND THAT PERSON, THE PEOPLE I REFER TO THE OFFICE HAVE NEVER CALLED BACK AND SAID WHY DID YOU TELL ME TO CALL HER SHE DID NOT HELP ME? THAT BEING SAID I THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO FOR THE CITY AND

FOR US UP HERE AND GREAT JOB >> WHO WANTS TO GO NEXT?

>> THINK YOU VERY MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO AND CONTINUE TO DO AND I ECHO THE SENTIMENTS OF MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS.

JUST ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH YOUR. THANK YOU FOR THE CREATIVE IDEAS YOU COME UP WITH, IT HELPS US AND I KNOW YOU CARE AND IT IS EVIDENT THAT YOU CARE EVEN THOUGH SOME LIKE TO JUMP UP AND DOWN AND YELL AND SCREAM, YOU DEAL WITH IT PROFESSIONALLY AND WITH THE UTMOST SINCERITY. THANK YOU

VERY MUCH. >> I WILL ECHO ALL OF THOSE SENTIMENTS, THANK YOU FOR KEEPING ME ON TRACK AND ALL THE CRAZY REQUESTS I HAVE FOR A LOT OF MEETINGS, I MADE WITH QUITE A FEW PEOPLE, THANK YOU FOR THAT. I WOULD ECHO, YOUR STAFF IS EXCELLENT, THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO MAKE SURE WHEN YOU ARE AWAY OR WHEN THEY ARE CROSSTRAINED OTHERS ARE OUT OF THE OFFICE THEY TEND TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT TO DO. I ECHO ALL THE SENTIMENTS, GREAT JOB AND WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING TO GET BETTER SO I'M SURE YOU'RE FINDING THE NEXT THING YOU CAN BRING THEM UP ON FROM A DEVELOPMENT STANDPOINT SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE THAT AS YOU WORK WITH YOUR STAFF AND

DEVELOP. THANK YOU. >> I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOUR OFFICE WORKS WITH MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY. IT SEEMS FLAWLESS, YOU MAKE IT LOOK TOO EASY. I KNOW THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE DEDICATION OF YOURSELF AND YOUR STAFF TO OPERATE THE OFFICE FLAWLESSLY AND I APPRECIATE THAT. ON A PERSONAL NOTE WITH MY SCHEDULING AND THINGS OF THIS NATURE IT HAS BEEN CHALLENGING WITH EVERYTHING I HAVE GOING ON CURRENTLY.

CANDIDLY, LINDA HAS BEEN ON THE DAILY CALL LIST TO MOVE THAT OR I WANT TO MOVE THIS PARTICULAR MEETING AND WITHOUT THAT ASSISTANCE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO. FROM THAT PERSPECTIVE, THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART I AM VERY APPRECIATIVE. THE EFFICIENCY YOUR OFFICE RUNS WITH, TO ME IS

[02:05:03]

>> OKAY, ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY?

>> I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. AS ALL OF THE REFERENCE, I HAVE PHENOMENAL STAFF, I HAVE STABILITY AND I KNOW FINALLY, I HAVE A GREAT GROUP THAT IS, YOU KNOW WE ARE LIKE-MINDED, WE ARE HERE TO SERVE, NOT EVERYBODY WILL BE HAPPY WHEN THEY CALL THE MAYOR FOR SURE, BUT WE ALL KNOW HOW TO WORK THROUGH IT AND DEAL WITH IT, OUR BUSINESS TAX PROGRAM IS CHANGING. ONE BIG PROJECT THIS YEAR HAS BEEN BUILDING OUT THE NEW ERP PLATFORM. NOW WE ARE CHANGING IT SO WE ARE MAKING A QUICK TURNAROUND TO CHANGE THAT. ALSO REALLY WANT TO TALK ABOUT PUBLIC RECORDS AND RECORDS MANAGEMENT . WHEN WE STARTED THIS EFFORT, HAVING A SINGLE PERSON DEDICATED HAS BEEN TREMENDOUS. WE HAVE ALMOST COMPLETELY EMPTIED THE ADDITIONAL STORAGE WE HAD OFF-SITE AT PUBLIC WORKS. OF ALL THE OLD RECORDS. I AM REALLY REALLY PROUD OF OUR TEAM FOR GETTING THROUGH THAT AND THAT'S NOT JUST OUR TEAM, THAT'S THE ENTIRE CITY OF FORT PIERCE STAFF. WE CONTINUE TO SEE IF THE MINDSET WHERE YOU HAVE TO KEEP EVERYTHING TO ONLY KEEPING WHAT WE NEED, WE ARE SCANNING THINGS DOING IN-HOUSE TRAINING QUITE A BIT, IN-HOUSE TRAINING ON PUBLIC RECORDS SO EVERYBODY TRULY UNDERSTANDS. HAVING THAT DEDICATED PERSON IN THAT ROLE HAS BEEN GREAT FOR THE CITY AS A WHOLE. AGAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS. A GREAT SHOUT OUT OUR

TEAM WORKING HARD EVERY DAY. >> THAT REMINDS ME HOW IMPORTANT THE PUBLIC RECORDS PART OF YOUR JOB IS BECAUSE THAT HAS BECOME A VERY SEXY THING FOR ATTORNEYS TO TRY TO TRIP YOU UP ON. SO IT HAS BECOME VERY IMPORTANT AND YOU HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB HELPING US WITH THAT CHALLENGE, SO THANK

YOU VERY MUCH. >> OF COURSE, THIS IS QUALIFYING WEEK. THAT IS ONE JOB I DON'T GET TO DO EVERY DAY, BUT THIS IS QUALIFYING WEEK.

>> EVERY TWO YEARS YOU HAVE TO RELEARN.

>> WE DON'T DO A TON OF CROSSTRAINING WITH STAFF BECAUSE THE PITFALLS WITH THIS ONE ARE TREMENDOUS, I DON'T WANT TO PUT THEM IN THAT POSITION.

>> THAT'S WHEN YOU DO YOUR SELF.

>> THEY DO UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS AND HOW FAR THEY CAN AND CAN'T GO. IT WILL BE A FUN WEEK.

[e. Annual evaluation of Sara Hedges, City Attorney]

>> OKAY MOVING ON. >> NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS ANNUAL EVALUATION OF SARA HEDGES , CITY ATTORNEY.

>> SO, I REALLY LIKE OUR MEETINGS, I LIKE YOUR DIRECT APPROACH AND COMMUNICATION, HONEST ASSESSMENT. YOU DO NOT HOLD BACK. EVERY CITY ATTORNEY I HAVE WORKED WITH HAS BEEN DIFFERENT. YOU CAN'T HELP , BUT COMPARED TO THE LAST OR THE ONE BEFORE AND SO, I JUST APPRECIATE THE HARD WORK THAT YOU DO. I APPRECIATE THE TIME YOU PUT IN FOR THE DEPARTMENT, % I KNOW THAT , I FEEL, I HAVE A LOT OF CONFIDENCE IN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND I KNOW THAT MANAGEMENT IS BACKING THEM, TOO AND THAT HELPS ME FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY ARE PART OF OUR FAMILY. AND, THEY NEED , THEY NEED CHAMPIONS FROM OUR COMMISSION AND FROM OUR CHARTER OFFICERS. SO I APPRECIATE THAT.

SO, AND, WHEN YOU GET YOUR OFFICE FULLY STAFFED WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE, THEN , THEN WE EXPECT GREAT THINGS AND SMOOTH RUNNING AND NO LAWSUITS AGAINST THE CITY. TOTAL RISK-FREE ENVIRONMENT. WHO WANTS TO GO NEXT? YOU WANT TO GO NEXT,

COMMISSIONER GAINES. >> MINIMUM ATTORNEY THANK YOU AGAIN. WHAT THE PUBLIC DOES NOT SEE IS OUR ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS OR WEEKLY MEETINGS WHERE , YOU KNOW YOU ALWAYS USE NEVER PUT TWO LAWYERS IN THE SAME ROOM. WE BUMP HEADS, WE DISCUSSED LEGAL STUFF. AND, I WANT TO ECHO WHAT THE MARRIAGES SAID.

ONE THING I LIKE IS YOU DON'T BACK DOWN, YOU STAND YOUR GROUND AND SAY YOUR PIECE EVEN WHEN I ASK QUESTIONS AND YOU SAY YOUR PIECE. I SEE THE DEDICATION, I SEE THE HARD WORK

[02:10:01]

>> I WAS GOING TO DO IT IN THE SAME ORDER. ANYBODY ELSE?

EVERYBODY OKAY WITH THAT? >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. YOU KNOW, YOUR FORTITUDE AND STAMINA BECAUSE I KNOW YOUR JOB CANNOT BE EASY.

SO, THANK YOU. THAT'S WHERE I STAND WITH THAT. WE HAVE SOME GREAT CONVERSATIONS. WE ARE MOVING THROUGH UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES AND UNIQUE TIMES WITHIN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE.

I APPRECIATE THE WISDOM YOU BRING , I APPRECIATE THE EDUCATION FOR ME AND QUESTIONS THAT I ASK AND CONVERSATIONS WE DO HAVE AND GOING THROUGH THE MOTIONS OF POTENTIAL PITFALLS, POTENTIAL SUCCESS IS WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE. SO YOU HAVE HEARD ME BEFORE, WE HAVE HAD GOOD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ME STANDING WITH YOU AND WHAT YOUR OFFICE NEEDS AND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. YOU HAVE THE FIRST AND LOOK AT WHERE YOU MIGHT BE GOING OR WHERE YOU WANT TO BE. SO , THANK YOU FOR SAYING IT OUT LOUD AND PROUD AND ADDRESSING IT HEAD-ON. FOLKS DO NOT ALWAYS DO THAT , THAT'S NOT ONE OF MY GIFTS AND THAT'S OKAY. CAN I WHEN IT'S TIME? SURE, BUT YOU HAVE THAT GIFT AND I APPRECIATE THAT SO I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT.

ADDITIONALLY, THERE ARE FOLKS THAT FIND YOUR NEW METHODS TO BE TAXING ON THE AND THAT'S OKAY IT IS A NEW METHOD AND OPPORTUNITY. AT THE END OF THE DAY IT COMES FROM A GOOD PLACE BECAUSE YOU ARE SAYING LISTEN THIS IS FOR PROTECTION AND BENEFIT OF THE CITY SO I RESPECT THAT, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR OUR MEETINGS. APPRECIATE YOUR WISDOM ON LEGAL GUIDANCE AND COUNCIL. I WOULD ALSO WANT TO PUBLICLY APPLAUD YOU FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY YOU ARE SEEKING IN BRINGING ADDITIONAL COUNCIL. I OFTEN HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE WORKLOAD. I THINK AS WE GROW OUR CITY, THE DEMAND IS GOING TO BE EVEN HIGHER. AND MY EXPECTATION IS THAT THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WILL HELP TO ELEVATE SOME OF THE THINGS WE SEE IN LEGAL CONTRACT. WE HAVE DRAWN THE EYE AND ATTENTION OF QUITE A FEW ENTITIES. I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT AND IT IS IMPORTANT WE GET THAT RIGHT GOING FORWARD. BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD SITUATIONS HERE ARE WE HAVE GOT TO GAIN BACK THE TRUST OF THE PUBLIC , THAT WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE AND I WILL BE LEANING ON YOUR OFFICE TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THAT SERVICE AND ANSWER MY QUESTIONS. I'M NOT A LAWYER, BUT I CAN SEE THINGS CLEARLY REAL QUICKLY AND I WILL LET YOU WORRY ABOUT THE LEGAL PART. I WILL ASK MY SIMPLE QUESTIONS

[02:15:02]

>> WHEN THIS JOB WAS VACATED ORIGINALLY AND YOU PUT YOUR NAME FORWARD FOR CONSIDERATION, I REMEMBER MEETING WITH YOU AND ASKING THE QUESTION ARE YOU SURE YOU REALLY WANT TO DO THIS? AND WE HAD A VERY CANDID DISCUSSION ABOUT THE RESPONSIBILITIES, EXPECTATIONS, MY EXPECTATIONS WERE QUITE SIMPLE. I USE COUNCIL IN MY BUSINESS CONSISTENTLY JUST LIKE I PROVIDE MY COMMENTARY. PRETTY BLUNTLY. I EXPECT MY FOLKS INVOLVED IN THAT ENVIRONMENT YOU JUST GIVE IT TO ME UNFILTERED. GIVE IT TO ME AS BAD AS IT CAN BE, IF THERE IS UPSIDE TELL ME AFTER THE FACT BUT I WANT TO KNOW ALL OF IT RIGHT NOW. AND YOU HAVE FULFILLED THAT ROLE NOW I HAVE COME TO FIND OUT THAT IS ACTUALLY YOUR STYLE. SO IT WAS NOT DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO FILL THAT ROLE. I KNOW YOU ARE THROWN INTO THE DEEP END OF THE POOL VERY QUICKLY. MY COMMENTARY AT THE TIME WAS I HAVE FULL CONFIDENCE WITH YOUR CAPABILITY THAT YOU WOULD GO INTO THE MANAGERIAL PORTION OF THIS POSITION. I HAVE SEEN THAT GROWTH TAKE PLACE RAPIDLY AND I AM PROUD OF YOU, YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB IN RATHER ADVERSE CONDITIONS. WHEN WE HAVE THOSE PRIVATE MEETINGS WE HAVE VERY CANDID CONVERSATIONS, THERE IS DISAGREEMENT ET CETERA WE WALK OUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WITH WHAT I CONSIDER A GOOD STRATEGY MOVING FORWARD AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING WORK TOGETHER FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

>> ANYTHING YOU WANT TO SAY? >> YES, BRIEFLY , THANK YOU FOR THE KIND WORDS. MY GOAL IN TAKING THE JOB WAS TO BRING STABILITY TO THE OFFICE. WE HAVE HAD A LITTLE BIT OF INSTABILITY OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS. SO THE GOAL IS TO GET THIS OFFICE STAFFED APPROPRIATELY, RUNNING SMOOTHLY BECAUSE THAT HELPS THE CITY. I LOVE WORKING HERE, I BELIEVE IN WHAT WE ARE DOING. AS MUCH AS I WOULD LOVE TO SAY I CAN GET US DOWN TO ZERO LAWSUITS I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT'S POSSIBLE BUT I WILL GET US AS CLOSE AS WE POSSIBLY CAN.

>> YEAH, WELL NO HARM IN TRYING.

>> I WILL TRY EVERY DAY. YES MA'AM.

[f. Annual evaluation of Nick Mimms, City Manager]

>> OKAY MOVING ON? >> NEXT WE HAVE THE CITY

MANAGER 'S EVALUATION. >> YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS A JOB DESCRIPTION IN THE CHARTER. DID YOU KNOW THAT? I HAD AN OCCASION TO READ IT AND IT COVERS THE BUDGET AND THE STAFF AND YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING SURE WE FOLLOW THE ORDINANCES AND YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AUDIT AND YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE BOARDS AND COMMITTEES AND FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE CITY. THE LAST ONE THAT SAYS ANYTHING ELSE WE WANT YOU TO DO. SO, I THINK THAT, YOU DO THAT JOB VERY WELL. AND TO FOLLOW, I WANTED TO SAY THAT, WE ARE UNDER A MICROSCOPE. BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE PROJECTS THAT HAVE NOT COME TO FRUITION OR SEEM TO BE NOT COMING TO FRUITION. I WANT TO REMIND THIS COMMISSION THAT WITHOUT THESE TWO OF THE PROJECTS WE HAD OUTSIDE SERVICES TO HELP US THAT AND MAKE A DECISION AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS A WISE DECISION YOU HELPED US MAKE TO DO THAT BECAUSE, THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE IS SOMETIMES THOUGHT TO NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS. EVEN THOUGH WE THINK WE DO WE GOT OUTSIDE HELP AND NOT ONLY THAT, ESPECIALLY FOR THE FISHERMAN'S WHARF IN KINGS LANDING, IT HAD HUGE LOCAL SUPPORT, HUGE LOCAL SUPPORT. AND SO , AND EVERYTHING WE HAVE DONE WITH THOSE PROJECTS HAS BEEN TRANSPARENT , HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT IN OPEN MEETINGS. NOTHING HAS BEEN HIDDEN AND SHOULD ANYTHING HAPPEN IN TERMS OF LITIGATION, THINGS LIKE THAT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO BE TALKED ABOUT, BUT THIS COMMISSION, WITH YOUR HELP HAS PUT EVERYTHING OUT IN THE OPEN. AND

[02:20:05]

>> NICK, I WILL CALL YOU NICK TODAY MR. MANAGER. I AM GOING TO FOLLOW UP WHAT THE MAYOR SAID. WHEN EVERYTHING IS GOING GOOD AND PRESENTATIONS ARE GOING OUT AND EXPECTATIONS ARE RUNNING HIGH, WE ARE THE BEST IN THE WORLD. BUT, WHEN IT DOES NOT COME TRUE OR HOW WE WANT IT TO COME AND EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. ALL THE PROJECTS MENTIONED TODAY.

YOU HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THAT MME. MAYOR AND THE COMMISSION HAVE ASKED YOU TO DO IN THAT LIST OF THINGS. I READ IT THE PRESENTATIONS. I READ OVER ALL THE CONTRACTS THAT WERE ENTERED INTO. TO GET US TO THIS POINT. THE ONE THING THAT YOU HAVE NOT DONE OR HAVE SEEN OR NOT SEEN YOU DO WAS AFTER THE DECISION WAS MADE BY CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONS OR BY COMPANIES NOT TO COME TO FORT PIERCE , YOU DID NOT RUN AND HIDE. YOU ANSWERED ALL THE QUESTIONS. YOU ARE STILL OUT FIGHTING FOR , NOT ONLY BUSINESS OWNERS IN FORT PIERCE, BUT , YOU KNOW THE RESIDENCE OF FORT PIERCE. I THOUGHT I HAD A BULL'S-EYE ON MY BACK AND YOURS IS A LITTLE BIGGER. BUT, IN OUR MEETINGS, YOU ALWAYS SAY , CAN'T REALLY SAY WHAT WE SAY IN THE MEETINGS BECAUSE IT'S PRIVATE, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE ALWAYS SAID WAS IF YOU DO THE BEST YOU CAN DO FOR THE CITY, WHEN YOU LEAVE HERE AT NIGHT, YOU ACCOMPLISH WHAT YOU SAID TO DO AND THAT STUCK TO ME. YOU WERE ONE EARLY ON SITTING UP HERE LIKE , YOU'RE GOING TO LEARN THAT , UN COMMISSIONER JOHNSON

[02:25:02]

I DON'T CARE IF IT IS COMPETITIVE DANCING FOR THE FEMALES OR FLAG FOOTBALL, I DON'T CARE IF IT'S SOCCER OR LACROSSE, WHATEVER WE CAN DO. IF IT IS CRICKET. IF SOMEBODY CAN TEACH CRICKET . I WANT TO EXPAND AS MUCH AS WE CAN THE YOUTH DEPARTMENT BECAUSE A LOT OF OTHER ISSUES , I THINK THAT WILL HELP AND YOU AND I HAVE HAD THAT CONVERSATION AND I LOOK FORWARD TO DOING THAT BECAUSE WE CAN REALLY SHOW THE WORLD. ALL THE NEGATIVITY THAT YOU ALL WANT TO TALK ABOUT IN FORT PIERCE, THAT IS SOME OTHER PLACE YOU'LL HAVE IN YOUR MIND, BUT NOT FORT PIERCE . SO, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU PLAN ON DOING. I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU RUN YOUR SHIP THE WAY YOU RUN YOUR SHIP AND THAT'S YOUR RIGHT, JUST KEEP DOING WHAT YOU DO FOR THE CITY OF

FORT PIERCE AND WE THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON.

>> I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU BRING TO THE TABLE. YOUR KNOWLEDGE, YOUR HISTORY AND I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU WHAT I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT FOR A NUMBER OF MONTHS. IN BUSINESS I REALIZE AND I WAS TALKING WITH SOME FOLKS , PROBABLY MORE WISE THAN ME. ABOUT BUSINESS AND I FEEL LIKE THE CITY IS AT THAT POINT. WHEN I TOOK OFFICE YEARS AGO PROBABLY A FEW YEARS INTO YOUR MANAGEMENT CITY MANAGER CAREER. WE HAD A BUDGET OF MID-30S TO UPPER 30S IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET. NOW WE HAVE HEARD AND WE KNOW THE ANNUAL BUDGET IS 58 MILLION AND GOING TO BE MORE. WHAT I WAS TAUGHT IS WHEN YOU GET TO THE POINT IN SMALL BUSINESS, WHEN YOU ARE A SMALL BUSINESS AND YOU HAVE TWO OR 3 MILLION OF ANNUAL GROSS REVENUES AND YOU REACH THAT

[02:30:05]

YOU HAVE TO START UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU CAN'T DO IT ALL WITH YOUR OWN TWO HANDS. YOU CANNOT DO IT ALL WITH THE EXISTING STAFF YOU HAVE AND YOU CANNOT DO EVERYTHING YOU THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO DO BECAUSE YOU ARE IN A DIFFERENT GROWTH PHASE. WHEN I HEARD THAT STORY I THOUGHT OKAY WHATEVER. WHEN I GET TO THIS POINT WHEN I GET TO THIS .6 OR 7 MILLION OF GROWTH REVENUE IN A SMALL BUSINESS WHATEVER I CAN STILL DO THIS I'VE GOT THIS. SO THE POINT OF MY STORY IS I HAD TO REALIZE THROUGH THAT EDUCATION AND TRAINING , I HAD TO DIVERSIFY EVEN MORE, MY THINKING. I HAD TO DIVERSIFY HOW GOING TO STRATEGICALLY PLAN FOR THE GROWTH OF THE CITY BECAUSE WE KNOW IT'S NOT GOING TO STOP. FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS I HAVE ASKED AND YOU HAVE DONE IT A SUCCESSION PLAN. WE'VE HAD GREAT DECISIONS ABOUT SUCCESSION PLANNING. THANK YOU FOR PREPARING OTHER MEMBERS OF THIS CITY EMPLOYMENT FIELD TO BE YOUR SUCCESSOR IF SOMETHING WERE TO CHANGE TOMORROW OR THE NEXT DAY OR THE NEXT DAY. I WAS ALWAYS VERY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH THAT. I APPRECIATE YOU HAVE PUT THAT INTO MOTION. YOU KNOW, THERE ARE CHALLENGES WITHIN OUR CITY. I WROTE DOWN A FEW OTHER THINGS THINKING ABOUT THE GROWTH OF OUR CITY. WHAT I DON'T WANT US TO BECOME IS NO, WE WILL GROW BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS GOOD AND HAPPENING BUT WE CANNOT BE COMPLACENT. WE HAVE TO HAVE STRATEGIES JUST LIKE EARLIER TODAY WE HEARD ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY , WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO THE COMMUNITY. SO NOT SAYING YOU DON'T HAVE THAT IN MIND, THE POINT OF MY STORY IS SHARING WITH YOU FOLKS ARE TELLING ME A LOT OF THINGS AND I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU THAT WISDOM BECAUSE THEY ARE OUT THERE. THEY ARE OLDER OR THEY SEE IT EVERY DAY OR WHATEVER. I TAKE THE INFORMATION AND CONVEY THAT. THOSE FOCUSES HAVE TO BE CHANGE. WE HAD TO BE DYNAMIC IN THINKING, AS AN ENGINEER YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO DO THAT. YOU HAVE AN ADVERSE SITUATION AND YOU NEED A SOLUTION. FOLKS WILL NOT ALWAYS LIKE THE SOLUTIONS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE TO MAKE THE DECISION, STICK WITH THE DECISION AND YOU DO THAT SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. THERE ARE ALSO PARAMETERS AND RULES THAT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW SOMETIMES IT'S BLACK AND WHITE IN THE ENGINEERING WORLD LI GO AGAINST THE GRAIN MANY TIMES, I KNOW YOU GO AGAINST THE GRAIN MANY TIMES. BUT I THINK, AGAIN GOING BACK TO THAT STORY, YEAH, WE ARE GROWING IN THAT CAPACITY OF REACHING AND EXCEEDING 60 MILLION ANNUAL BUDGET. WE HAVE TO BE NIMBLE AND I NEED YOU TO BE NIMBLE. AND YOU KNOW IF THERE'S SOME OUTLANDISH REQUEST FROM THE COMMISSION, THEN GO FOR IT LET'S TALK ABOUT IT AND MOVE ALONG OR SHUT IT DOWN. WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE.

I SHARE THAT WITH YOU BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO BE THE EXPERT IN EVERYTHING WE DO AND WITH EVERY CONTRACT WE HAVE. I WANT YOU TO BE THE EXPERT ON EVERY PROJECT POST. I WANT YOU TO BE THAT PERSON , AND YOU DO THIS AND YOU ARE THE BIGGEST CHEERLEADER IN FORT PIERCE FOR FORT PIERCE ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS AND ON BEHALF OF THIS COMMISSION. WHATEVER IT IS YET TO GRAB THE TOOL OUT OF THE TOOLBOX TO CONVEY WE HAVE GOT THIS UNDER CONTROL. WE ARE DOING IT, YES WE HAVE OUTSIDE PARTNERS, OKAY.

THOSE THINGS ARE OUT OF OUR CONTROL, BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE IT SO WE ARE IN CONTROL. IF THAT MEANS LEANING ON MISS HEDGES AND THE LEGAL SIDE , IF IT MEANS PUBLIC RECORDS I KNOW YOU TAKE CARE OF THAT. IF IT MEANS BETTER RESOURCES OR MORE RESOURCES IN HR BECAUSE WE ARE SLACKING IN STAFF OR GETTING THE MESSAGE OUT THAT WE NEED MORE MEMBERS, IF IT'S THE BUDGET PART WHICH IS PART OF THE CHARTER, YOU KNOW THEN I HAVE GREAT EXPECTATIONS. AND I WANT YOU TO HOLD DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR THOSE BECAUSE IT IS CRITICAL, WE CANNOT BECOME COMPLACENT, GOING BACK TO THAT WE CANNOT BECOME COMPLACENT OR REMAIN COMPLACENT AND IF WE ARE CHALLENGE THOSE FOLKS THAT YOU SEE WHO MIGHT BE GETTING COMPLACENT TO NOT BE

[02:35:01]

THAT'S MY REQUEST AND THAT'S THE CONVERSATION AND THAT'S WHERE I'M COMING FROM. IF I DON'T MAKE A DECISION IN FOUR DAYS I PROBABLY WON'T BE SITTING RIGHT HERE WHICH I KNOW I'M NOT MAKING THAT DECISION UNLESS SOMETHING WERE TO ERUPT SOMEWHERE HERE IN THIS TOWN. BUT, COME ON HE SAYS. I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE, BUT YOU KNOW, THERE ARE GREAT THINGS HAPPENING IN THE CITY AND IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE SITTING IN THE SEAT WORKING WITH YOU, THIS WILL BE THE LAST ANNUAL REVIEW THAT I DO WITH YOU. THERE'S A LOT TO TAKE INTO ALL OF THIS. I SHARE WITH YOU PROFESSIONAL RSPECT AND FRIENDSHIP AND JOKING AND SMILING AND I APPRECIATE YOUR WILLING TO BE EXCITED ABOUT EVEN THE SMALLEST OF THINGS.

SO, THANK YOU FOR THAT AND I APPRECIATE THE HARD WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY. YOU HAVE A BULL'S-EYE, YOU ARE RIGHT. WE ALL HAVE ONE AT SOME POINT. THAT'S A CHALLENGE, THAT'S THE WAY THE WORLD IS TODAY. AND THAT'S ALL RIGHT. BUT YOU KNOW, IF WE CAN JUST BE THE EXPERT, DO THE DEAL, GET THE DEAL, GET OVER THOSE HURDLES THAT HAVE BEEN STARING AT US FOR A LONG TIME. I KNOW YOU WANT TO AND YOU DESIRE TO BE IN THAT POSITION. SO THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO LIFT UP FORT PIERCE IN A VERY POSITIVE WAY EVERY SINGLE DAY.

>> MR. MIMS, FIRST LET ME COMMEND YOUR MOVE THREE OR FOUR TO GO TO BRING ON THE DEPUTY CITY MANAGER'S. I HAD BEEN SITTING HERE ALMOST 4 YEARS AND FROM DAY ONE THAT WAS A CONCERN. YOU BRINGING ON ADDITIONAL HELP . AS A HR MARKETING PERSON WHEN I LOOKED AT THE STRUCTURE OF THE CITY, WE DO A LOT WITH VERY FEW PEOPLE. YOU HAVE PEOPLE WITH A LOT OF DIFFERENT HATS THAT THERE WAS BY DAY DOING THIS AND BY NIGHT FILLING IN THIS ROLE. SO I KNOW YOU DO THAT BECAUSE WE WERE LIMITED IN FUNDS FROM THE CITY SO YOU DID WHAT YOU HAD TO DO TO MAKE SURE THERE WERE NO GAPS AND WE FULFILLED AT THAT. AS WE CONTINUE TO DEVELOP COMMUNITY ECONOMICS AND PROVIDING MORE RESOURCES , I WOULD HOPE YOU WOULD CONTINUE TO BE A GOOD STEWARD OF THOSE FUNDS. AND A GOOD STEWARD OF THE HUMAN CAPITAL THAT WE NEED TO ATTRACT . I THINK THE NEXT PHASE OF EVOLUTION FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE IS A CONTINUED DEVELOPMENT OF HUMAN CAPITAL IN THIS CITY. YOU HAVE A BIG MOUNTAIN TO CLIMB WHEN IT COMES TO THAT. IN MY EYES THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP . WE NEED TO EVOLVE TO LEADERSHIP ON A HIGH LEVEL ON ALL DEPARTMENTS THAT UNDERSTAND ACCOUNTABILITY, THAT UNDERSTAND TO BE SOLUTION DRIVEN, THAT UNDERSTAND HOW TO INTERPRET DATA AND HOW TO SET THE VISION AND LEAD PEOPLE. AS YOU KNOW, I HAVE ALWAYS HAD THAT CONVERSATION WITH YOU ABOUT HOW ARE YOU DEVELOPING YOUR PEOPLE? AND I THINK I AM BEGINNING TO SEE SOME OF THE EVOLUTION. CERTAINLY WHEN IT COMES TO ACCOUNTABILITY, STARTING TO SEE EVOLUTION WHEN YOU ARE HAVING , YOU ARE GIVING YOUR TEAM THE ABILITY TO SET SOME VISIONS AND LEAD PEOPLE, BUT THAT IS ALWAYS A CONSTANT EVOLUTION OF LEADERSHIP. A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THEY WANT IT UNTIL THEY GET IT. IT IS TOUGH AND DIFFICULT AND SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO DO TOUGH THINGS WHEN YOU ARE LEADING PEOPLE AND SOMETIMES THAT HELPS THEM UNDERSTAND THIS OPPORTUNITY MAY NOT BE THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITY

[02:40:02]

I WILL FLY ORLANDO CRASH, ONE OF THE OTHER BUT I WILL DO SOMETHING. I DON'T HAVE TO HAVE IT CALCULATED AND FIGURED OUT, BUT IF IT FEELS RIGHT I FOLLOW MY INTUITION. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THE LEADERSHIP YOU WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE.

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK.

>> BEEN HERE ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF. IN THIS POSITION.

CANDIDLY , YOU'RE THE MOST CHALLENGING POSITION IN THE CITY. YOU ARE THE LIGHTNING ROD FOR ANY AND ALL CRITICISM. YOU GET NO CREDIT WHEN THINGS GO RIGHT BECAUSE WE TAKE ALL OF

[02:45:03]

IN THE MINUTIA OF MANAGEMENT AND I WILL ECHO COMMISSIONER JOHNSON'S COMMENTARY. I HAVE BEEN IN THAT ROLE MANY YEARS THERE IS MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP AND I BELIEVE FROM MY OBSERVATIONS YOUR LEADERSHIP OF YOUR TEAM AND THE CITY IS STRONG. YOU RUN THE CITY WITH THE AUTHORITY NEEDED TO DO SO .

THERE HAS BEEN A DYNAMIC SHIFT IN THE EMPLOYMENT THOUGHT PROCESS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS OR DECADE, AT LEAST FROM MY OBSERVATIONS. AND THAT IS A CHALLENGE SO I APPLAUD YOU AND YOUR ABILITY WITH ALL THE MOVING PARTS TO KEEP THEM TOGETHER. I WILL EMPHASIZE AGAIN, THIS IS ALL ON A BUDGET IN A UNDERFUNDED ORGANIZATION. I CANNOT PUT IT ANY OTHER WAY.

WE DO NOT HAVE THE ASSETS AVAILABLE TO YOU THAT YOU NEED.

YOU DO NOT HAVE THE ASSETS TO BRING IN MORE QUALIFIED OR UPPER ECHELON PEOPLE TO FACE THE CHALLENGES THAT ARE FORTHCOMING IN THE CITY. COMMISSIONER JOHNSON'S POINT ABOUT THE GROWTH OF THE CITY AND MORPHING OF THE BUSINESS MODEL IS COMPLETELY ACCURATE. EVERYTHING IS GOING TO CHANGE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF MANAGERIAL REQUIREMENTS BUT I BELIEVE YOU HAVE THE VISION AND SKILL SET TO ADAPT THAT INTO YOUR DAILY OPERATION STYLE. A COUPLE OF PERSONAL NOTES. I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER GAINES COMMENT. EVERY TIME, ANYTIME I SEND OVER AN ISSUE BROUGHT TO ME BY A CONSTITUENT, IT IS ADDRESSED IMMEDIATELY. I CANNOT ASK FOR A QUICKER RETURN FROM YOUR RESPONSE AND THEN IT BEING SENT OVER TO DEPARTMENT HEADS OR STAFF, WHEREVER IT NEEDS TO GO. I AM VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THAT AND I KNOW THE CONSTITUENT WITH THAT CONCERN IS LOOKING FOR A QUICK RESPONSE AND WE PROVIDE THAT TO THEM AND I BELIEVE THAT CRITICALLY IMPORTANT AND REFLECTS WELL ON THE OPERATINS OF THE CITY. HAVING SAID ALL OF THAT MY ONLY SUGGESTION IS THAT MOVING FORWARD WITH THE COMPLEXITY OF THE DECISIONS YOUR OFFICE HAS TO MAKE UNDER YOUR TUTELAGE THAT THIS COMMISSION WILL HAVE TO MAKE, I AM STRONGLY SUGGESTING THAT WE SEE A BETTER INTERWOVEN APPROACH WITH LEGAL TO MAKE SURE COMING OUT OF THE GATES WE CAN TRY TO BE AVOIDANCE SCENARIO ON COMPLEX TRANSACTIONS THAT WILL BECOME MORE COMPLEX AS WE MOVE FORWARD. TRUST ME, I'M AN OLD-SCHOOL REAL ESTATE GUY. I GET IT. I THINK I KNOW ALL THE ANSWERS AND OF COURSE I DON'T, THAT'S WHY I RELY ON EXPERTISE NOW FROM DAY ONE WE WOULD DO TRANSACTIONS ON THE BACK OF A MAP THOSE DAYS ARE LONG GONE. SO THE COMPLEXITY OF THE TRANSACTIONS THAT THE CITY ENTERS INTO ON VIRTUALLY EVERYTHING NOW REQUIRES INPUT FROM THE GET-GO. I KNOW CONCEPTUALLY EVERYBODY SIT AROUND THE TABLE AND SINGS COULD BUY A WE HAVE A GREAT DEAL GOING AND WILL MAKE THIS PROJECT WORKING SIX MONTHS LATER IN THE WEEDS LOOKING AT CONTRACTS TO SAY WHAT'S REALLY GOING TO HAPPEN NOW? SO THAT'S A SUGGESTION I HAVE FROM A MANAGERIAL PERSPECTIVE SO WE GET THE DEPARTMENT MANAGING THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WORKING VERY VERY COHESIVE ON THAT AND I SEE A LOT OF AGREEMENT WHEN WE COME TO MEETINGS TO TALK ABOUT POTENTIAL PROBLEM AREAS WE ALL WALK OUT OF THERE WITH THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO PROCEED ET CETERA AND MOVING FORWARD. I AM ALL ABOUT PROBLEM AVOIDANCE, I THINK WE CAN WORK TO IMPROVE THAT AREA. I WILL BE HONEST WITH YOU I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU'D DO YOUR JOB I HONESTLY DON'T. I WILL LEAVE IT AT THAT VERY CHALLENGING POSITION I KNOW YOU LOVE YOUR JOB IF YOU DIDN'T YOU WOULD NOT HAVE A

[02:50:01]

IT IS A CHALLENGE TO THE COMMISSION TO DEAL WITH YOU YOU THE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND EMPLOYEES ET CETERA ALL ON THE GOVERNMENTAL ISSUES WHICH WE DON'T HAVE IN THE PRIVATE INDUSTRY. I MAKE A DECISION AND I SCREW UP SO I OWN IT, YOU MAKE A DECISION, WE MAKE A DECISION AND WE SCREW UP THE CITY OWNS IT. I KNOW YOU'RE VERY COGNIZANT OF THAT AND WALK CAUTIOUSLY INTO MAKING THEE DECISIONS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY. I TRULY APPRECIATE YOUR EXPERIENCE AND CEREBRAL APPROACH. YOUR VAST KNOWLEDGE OF CITY OPERATIONS IS OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THAT RELATIONSHIP MOVING FORWARD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY ANYTHING MR. MIMS?

>> IS IT MY TURN NOW? I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY FIRST AND FOREMOST, THANK YOU FOR YOUR FEEDBACK. YOU GUYS SPEND SOME TIME WITH ME THIS MORNING AND I APPRECIATE IT. LEADERSHIP STARTS AT THE TOP COMING FROM CITIZENS FIRST AND DOWN TO YOU, THEY ELECT YOU AND THE CITY COMMISSION. THE MOST FUNCTIONAL CITY COMMISSION AND MOST COHESIVE GROUP I HAVE EVER WORKED WITH. I BELIEVE THAT'S BECAUSE YOU ALL HAVE MUTUAL RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER AND I BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A FLOW OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION THAT HAS BEEN UNPRECEDENTED THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION'S HISTORY. I BELIEVE THIS COMMISSION PLAYS A LOT INTO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CITY. SO I THINK YOU FOR THAT. THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD STUFF GOING ON AND I WILL SAY THAT AND I APPRECIATE SUGGESTIONS AND COMMENTS, BUT WAS GOING TO PUT CITIZENS FIRST AND WHAT CITIZENS NEED IS HOW WE ATTACK THE SITUATION. ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY GOOD AND HOW WE HELP CITIZENS NAVIGATE THROUGH THESE CHALLENGING TIMES AND I WE HELP CHILDREN, ELDER CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES. I AM STILL LOGGED IN, ENJOYING WHAT I DO AND AS LONG AS YOU GUYS ARE, TOO THIS SHOULD BE FUN, SO THANK YOU.

[12. City Commission Boards and Committees Updates]

>> OKAY SHOULD WE MOVE ON? >> THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS CITY COMMISSION BOARD AND COMMITTEE UPDATES.

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK. >> AS THIS BODY IS AWARE I HAVE BEEN SOMEWHAT OFF-LINE FOR THE LAST 30 DAYS DUE TO HEALTH ISSUES AND I APPRECIATE THE COOPERATION AND THE SUPPORT THIS BODY AND THE TEAM HA SHOWN ME. IT HAS BEEN REMARKABLE. HAVING SAID THAT , GETTING BACK INTO FULL THROTTLE MODE I HAD PARKING COMMITTEE WEDNESDAY, SUNRISE BOARD IS TOMORROW NICK AND I WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE. WE HAVE SUGGESTIONS THERE. RETIREMENT BOARD COMING UP NEXT WEEK , IT IS COMING UP.

>> I JUST LOOKED AT MY CALENDAR.

>> BACK IN THE SADDLE SO NOTHING SPECIFIC , BUT YOU WILL BE HEARING FROM ME IN THE NEAR FUTURE. AGAIN, THE SUPPORT HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> REMARKABLE HOW MIDDLE -- LITTLE YOU HAVE MISSED.

>> A STORY YESTERDAY. 72 HOURS AFTER MY SURGERY I WAS IN ATTENDANCE AT A CITY COMMISSION MEETING BASED ON THE IMPORTANCE FOR THE ITEM THERE AND PEOPLE SAID WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?

>> NEXT IS YOUR MENTAL HEALTH DAY.

>> THAT WE CAN SIT HERE UNTIL 5:00 TODAY.

>> QUICK UPDATE LINKIN PARK MAIN STREET. WANT TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THAT A SUCCESSFUL MAYDAY FREEDOM CELEBRATION. A NUMBER OF US ATTENDED THAT IT WAS COVERED BY HOMETOWN NEWS.

JUST ELATED THE COMMUNITY SHOWED UP FOR THAT. REALLY A GOOD EVENT. OF COMING JUNE 21 IS JAZZ ON MORRIS CREEKS, FRIDAY, JUNE 21. AND THEN THE FLORIDA MAIN STREET ANNUAL CONFERENCE IS JULY 10 THROUGH THE 13TH IN TALLAHASSEE. SO WE WILL HAVE PEOPLE THERE FOR THAT. MAIN STREET IS TAKING A LONG. WE HAVE THE FUNCTIONAL BOARD, WE MEET REGULARLY AND CONTINUE TO DO THOSE THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS. BRIEFLY ABOUT TPO , WE HAD A VERY EXCITING MEETING THIS PAST WEDNESDAY. THERE ARE A LOT OF PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN FUNDED AND PLACED ON THE BOOKS AS FAR AS BENCHMARKS, MOVING FORWARD AND IDENTIFYING SOME OF THE

[02:55:01]

OTHER THAN THAT , THAT COVERS IT FROM MY BOARD. FIRE BOARD COMING UP MOST IMPORTANT DECISION MAYOR AND I GETTING READY TO HIRE CLERK TREASURER. GOING THROUGH THE INTERVIEW PROCESS NEXT WEEK JUNE 10, THE 19TH. WE HAVE INTERVIEWS ON THAT DAY. BUT YOU KNOW WE ARE BUILDING FIRE STATIONS, JUST ABOUT DONE WITH ONE ON CENTRAL. WE HAVE THE RIBBON-CUTTING COMING UP ON ANOTHER STATION. OUR COUNTY IS EXPANDING AND IT IS EXCITING TO BE PART OF THAT. THE THING I WANT TO SEE TO THE COMMUNITY 'S WE WILL NEED MORE PERSONNEL IN THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. YOU HAVE TO STAFF THREE DIFFERENT SHIFTS AND WE'RE BUILDING TWO STATIONS. WE NEED PEOPLE EVERYWHERE IN THE CITY, THE CITY AND THE COUNTY, EVERYTHING IS GROWING BUT WE NEED PEOPLE, GOOD PEOPLE EVERYWHERE. POLICE AS WELL I WILL PUT THE POLICE IN THERE ABSOLUTELY. I HAVE TO SAY IT PUBLICLY. WE NEED OUR COMMUNITY TO GET THESE YOUNG PEOPLE AND WE TALK WITH THEM ABOUT GREAT CAREER OPPORTUNITIES RIGHT HERE

IN THIS COUNTY. THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON NEXT?

>> I DON'T HAVE TOO MUCH TO EXPAND ON TPO EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT LONG-RANGE TRANSPORTATION PLANS AND ALSO D.O.T. ATTENDS MEETING , D.O.T. IS THERE WITH COMMISSIONERS FROM THE COUNTY WORKING HARD ON TREASURE COAST INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. SOME FUNDING GOES TO THE EXPANSION OF THAT OPERATION. IF YOU GO TO THE AIRPORT NOW THERE ARE SOME TAXIWAYS BEING IMPROVED , BUT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR THE PART 139 ALLOWING COMMERCIAL SERVICES INTO THE COMMUNITY SPECIFICALLY AT THE AIRPORT LOOKING TO EXPAND THE TERMINAL.

I THINK THE TERMINAL ENCOMPASSES 70 PASSENGERS IF I REMEMBER THAT CORRECTLY. A LONG TIME SINCE I LOOKED AT THE NUMBERS BUT IT'S AROUND THERE. 2011 AND UNFORTUNATELY THERE WAS SOME CHALLENGES THERE. I HAD TO SIT THROUGH SOME LEGAL DEPOSITIONS. SO I'VE A LITTLE REVERB THERE INSIDE AND WITHIN.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF OPPORTUNITY. LOOKING AT THE NUMBER OF ACRES ON THE PROPERTY, I THINK IT'S OVER 4000 OR RIGHT AT 4000. HARD TO BELIEVE WE TRULY HAVE THAT MUCH LAND HERE IN FORT PIERCE , ST. LUCIE COUNTY TO EXPAND THOSE OPERATIONS. THAT FURTHER ENHANCES EXACTLY WHAT THE INFORMATION IN THE REPORT WE GOT TODAY WITH MORE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES. I AM JUST HAPPY THE D.O.T. IS ON BOARD WITH EXPANSION. THEY ARE DOING SOME HORSE TRADING AND I CAN SEE THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE A VERY LOW NUMBER OF STATE OPERATED AND MAINTAINED ROADS. WANT TO SAY UNDER 15% OF THE TOTAL ROAD NETWORK OPERATED AND MAINTAINED BY FLORIDA D.O.T. I DON'T KNOW

[03:00:06]

>> NOT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. >> IT IS A LOW NUMBER AND FOR EXAMPLE MIAMI DADE IS 50% BROWARD COUNTY PROBABLY

SOMEWHERE AROUND THAT. >> A LOT OF MONEY GOES THERE.

>> A LOT OF MONEY GOES THERE AND DOES NOT COME TO THE COMMUNITY SO FOLKS DON'T UNDERSTAND WE DON'T SEE THAT.

HOW DO YOU CONVEY THAT MESSAGE? I DON'T EVEN KNOW. HOW DO YOU CONVEY THAT OR EVEN SAY ABOUT IT BECAUSE PROBABLY IT'S RETROSPECT IF YOU HAVE A CONVERSATION THAT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE MAKING EXCUSES. WE ARE NOT HERE FOR EXCUSES, BUT THOSE ARE CHALLENGES. THE GOOD THING IS OUR PARTNERS AT THE D.O.T.

UNDERSTAND THAT AND RECOGNIZE IT, THEY ALSO CHALLENGED POLITICALLY. IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO THE GROWTH WITHOUT A DOUBT.

AND THERE WAS ONE OTHER THING I WAS GOING TO TALK ABOUT.

>> I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT TPO. YOU TALKED ABOUT THE TRAIN

STATION OPPORTUNITIES RIGHT? >> YES THAT'S RIGHT THAT WAS THE OTHER THING I HAD. WHAT WE DID WAS REITERATED GOT TPO SUPPORT FOR SOME KIND OF A PASSENGER RAIL SYSTEM TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT. SO THEY WENT BACK AND LOOKED AT THE BRIGHT LINE PROPOSALS AND THE PREVIOUS AMTRAK TRI-RAIL . SO IT IDENTIFIED THE SAME PARCELS WE IDENTIFIED. FOLKS HAD QUESTIONS ABOUT OTHER PARCELS THAT ARE AVAILABLE AND PRIVATELY OWNED, A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN CITRUS AND ORANGE. THE CITY HAS A COUPLE RIGHT-OF-WAY SECTIONS ATLANTIC AND BOSTON AVENUE. SO THERE'S OPPORTUNITY THERE AND FOR THE CITY. EVEN GOING BACK INTO WHAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT WITH THE GROWTH AND DYNAMICS OF THE CITY WHAT CAN WE DO WITH THAT, HOW TO REENGAGE PARTNERS OR THE PARCEL OWNERS TO MAKE SOMETHING PRODUCTIVELY HAPPENED IF THAT'S WHERE WE SHOULD MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN. THE OTHER PARCELS WE TALKED ABOUT WAS KING'S LANDING, THE ONE BY SUNRISE THEATRE, THE OTHER ONE

FLORIDA AVENUE TO THE SOUTH. >> THERE WERE FOUR I THINK.

>> THEY FOCUSED ON THREE. >> YEAH, OKAY.

>> THEY CALLED BOSTON FEC. THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE REFERRING TO. ABOUT 6 ACRES THERE. IF YOU PARCEL IT OUT. I WILL SHARE WITH YOU, I ALSO ENGAGED OWNERS OF THE COMPLEX SOUTH OF CITY HALL. I TALKED TO THEM ABOUT THIS MONTHS OR YEARS AGO SO THEY ARE FULLY AWARE. THE GATES BUILDING, MR. MILLER. THE OTHER SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TO THE SOUTH. THEY ARE AWARE AND THEY KNOW AND GOOD FOR THEM. THEY ARE INTERESTED AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO BE PART OF IT, WHATEVER THEY CAN DO BECAUSE THEY ALL CARE ABOUT AND LOVE FORT PIERCE. ENOUGH OF THAT BORING TRANSPORTATION STUFF. TDC MEETS THIS WEEK SO THAT'S ON THE AGENDA AND YOU GUYS GOT THE FULL ASPECT OF TDC WHEN CHARLOTTE CAME TO REPORT SO I'M VERY APPRECIATIVE OF HER AND WHAT SHE'S DOING, EVERY SINGLE DAY. THERE IS ALSO REQUEST ON TDC , MY GOODNESS. ANYWAY, MORE EXPENDITURES, REQUEST FOR MORE EXPENDITURES. NORTH OF MIDWAY ROAD. THE PROJECT PROBABLY HAS TO DO WITH THE AIRPORT. IT HAS ESCAPED ME.

SO WE WILL TRY TO GET MORE DOLLARS NORTH OF MIDWAY ROAD EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A REQUEST TO SEND THE DOLLARS SOUTH OF MIDWAY. ALWAYS COMPETING. MAIN STREET FORT PIERCE ALWAYS DOING GOOD THINGS. WE DID CANCEL THE FRIDAY FESTIVAL THIS PAST

WEEKEND, BUT . >> IT DID NOT RAIN.

>> IT DIDN'T. IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS. A LOT OF EVENTS GOING ON AND YOU KNOW HERE TO IMPROVE THE CITY. NOT SO MUCH AGENDA OR COMMITTEE I SAID ON BUT HAS TO DO WITH THE DBA, WE

[03:05:01]

AGREE OR DISAGREE. I COME THROUGH DOWNTOWN ON MY WAY HOME AND HAPPENED TO STOP AND PARK AND MAKE MY WAY UP AND DOWN SECOND STREET. GRAB SOMETHING ON THE WAY THROUGH AND I GO HOME. SOMETHING I WOULD NOT NORMALLY DO. DO ALL THE PARTICIPANTS DO THAT? NO. DBA HAS HAD GOOD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT IT. I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS 50-50. I KNOW IT IS A CHALLENGE FOR SOME BUSINESSES AND SOME ARE LIKE OKAY IT'S ANOTHER NIGHT. THAT IS A POINT OF INTEREST WITHIN OUR CITY. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ALL HAVE HEARD ANYTHING, HAVE YOU HAD

CONVERSATIONS? >> I HAVE A DOCTORS APPOINTMENT TO GET TO. I HAVE HAD SOME PUSHBACK ON THIS. SO FOR THE ACTIVITIES TAKING PLACE, NOT SPENDING MONEY. IT'S HARD TO QUANTIFY BUT THAT'S THE COMMENTARY I HAVE HAD.

>> ME TOO, SAME THING. ONE PARTICULAR BUSINESS OWNER.

>> I HAVE HEARD THAT TOO. IT IS DELICATE BUT AT THE SAME TIME IF THERE ARE 30 OTHER DAYS IN THE MONTH, I HAVE HEARD FOLKS SAY THAT'S PUSHING ME OUT OF TOWN AND OKAY WAIT A MINUTE .

YOU'VE GOT 265 DAYS A YEAR AND THAT IS QUITE THE INFORMATION AND SCIENCE STUDY TO SAY ONE DAY A MONTH FOLLOWS THAT MUCH ESPECIALLY IN THE EVENING HOURS, BUT THAT DOES NOT MEAN WE DON'T OVERLOOK OR INVESTIGATE IT. THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS ABOUT ADA , TALKED ABOUT AND DBA SAYS OKAY FOLLOW THE RULES. TALKING ABOUT AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT. I THINK THOSE ARE BEING ADDRESSED AND THE CITY APPLICATION IS CLEAR ON WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT DO AND PARAMETERS YOU SHOULD FOLLOW. THIS IS ONE OF THE WEEKS WERE THURSDAY NIGHT IS COMING. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WILL HOLD THE EVENT OR NOT. I WOULD HATE TO SEE IT GO AWAY AT THE SAME TIME IF YOU DON'T FOLLOW THE RULES AND YOU DON'T BUT IF YOU FOLLOW THE RULES FOLKS COMPLAIN ABOUT IT, THEY CAN COMPLAIN.

>> I HEARD THEY WANT IT MOVED. MOVED SOMEPLACE ELSE.

>> THEY WANTED FRIDAY FESTIVAL TO BE MOVED.

>> OKAY. COMMISSIONER GAINES SAYS WE CANNOT PLEASE

EVERYBODY. >> I THOUGHT YOU HAD A FORMULA.

>> THAT'S ALL, YES MEN. >> THANK YOU. STARTING WITH THE TREASURE COAST COUNCIL LOCAL GOVERNMENT. MEETING LAST WEEK WE TALKED TO A YOUNG LADY FROM PORT ST. LUCIE COUNTY AND GAVE HER AN INTERVIEW A CAP OF COMMUNICATIONS AND OF COURSE I MADE THE COMMENT YOU MIGHT HAVE COME UP A COUPLE LATE WEEKS FOR ME. SO THEY KNOW , THEY SAID YEAH WE KNOW WE ARE PRAYING FOR

[03:10:08]

JUST GO THROUGH THE TRAINING. IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, REPORTERS ARE TRYING TO PULL YOU ONE WAY AND JUST GOOD TRAINING. THE ANNUAL BARBECUE IN OKEECHOBEE IS THE 11, I HAVE BEEN TOLD YOU WOULD BE THERE OR YOU WERE COMING. I WILL BE OUT OF TOWN IN D.C. SO THE INVITATION IS OPEN FOR THE REST OF CITY COMMISSION TO COME. THE ONLY REQUEST IS THAT IF YOU RSVP AND DO NOT SHOW UP THAT WILL SEND YOU A $15 BILL . AS BRAD SAID THAT MIGHT NOT BE THE PLACE TO COME.

>> JUST TELLING YOU. RETIREMENT BOARD I WAS LOOKING AT MY CALENDAR WHEN COMMISSIONER RODERICK WAS TALKING. I DID NOT SEE ANY UPCOMING MEETING. PLEASE EMAIL ME. IT GOT CANCELED OKAY. HOWEVER, I AM LEAVING SOMETIME THIS MONTH TO GO TO THE ANNUAL FBP TO CONFERENCE. FOR THE FIRST TIME I'M GOING I DON'T HAVE TO TAKE THE TEST. ALREADY TESTED AND CERTIFIED, GOING IN TO LISTEN TO THE NEW IDEAS SO THAT WILL BE A GOOD FEELING. HOMELESS TASK FORCE, THE COMMITTEE IS WORKING REALLY WELL. THEY HAVE MADE CONTACT WITH CITY MANAGER AND SOME PROJECTS THAT ARE COMING ABOUT.

I WOULD RATHER WAIT UNTIL WE GET FINALIZATION THEN LET THAT COME FROM CITY MANAGERS BECAUSE I WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW THERE ARE THINGS ARE ABOUT SEVEN WITH HOMELESSNESS AND TASK FORCE FROM ST. LUCIE COUNTY THAT THEY SHOULD BE HAPPY ABOUT. I MET WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMMITTEE LAST WEEK. THEY ARE GOING TO PRESENT, THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING HAND-IN-HAND WITH PLANNING AND THEY WILL PRESENT US NEXT MONTH WITH SOME IDEAS LOOKING AT TRYING TO CHANGE THE ZONES TO TRY TO ACCOMMODATE OR MAKE IT EASIER FOR TINY HOUSES OR OTHER THINGS THAT WILL BRING SO THAT SHOULD BE INTERESTING. HAVE BEEN WORKING HAND-IN-HAND WITH DIRECTOR FREEMAN AND THE PLANNING BOARD. COUNCIL OF AGING, THAT MEETING IS COMING UP THE END OF THE MONTH. THEY ARE WORKING, THERE OUT TRYING TO RECRUIT MORE FUNDING AND DO WHAT THEY CAN TO PROVIDE BETTER TRANSPORTATION. I KNOW THEY ARE DOING WHAT THEY DO FOR THE ELDERLY MOVING RIGHT ALONG.

LAST BUT NOT LEAST IS THE ROUNDTABLE. I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUES THAT COMMISSIONER JOHNSON HAS. A LOT OF FRIDAY MORNINGS I'M EITHER IN COURT OR FLYING OUT SOMEWHERE OR TRAVELING. I HAVE TALKED TO THE CITY MANAGER AND I DON'T KNOW HOW IT WAS SET UP THEY WANTED A COMMISSIONER ON THE BOARD SO I DON'T KNOW IF SOMEONE WANTS TO SWITCH, BUT I AM THINKING IF WE CAN GET SOMEBODY FROM THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE , I DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS IN THE CHARTER. HOW IT WAS SET UP. I WAS THERE ONE TIME AND I SAW DEPUTY CHIEF THERE AND THEY KIND OF TOLD HIM HE COULD SIT THERE BUT COULD NOT VOTE. SO I MEAN HE WAS THERE WITH ME. I'M THINKING WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE ROUNDTABLE BECAUSE I DON'T WANT IT TO BE SAID AND IS THROWN OUT I DON'T WANT IT TO BE SAID THE CITY DOES NOT CARE BECAUSE I CAN'T SHOW UP AND I KNOW I ASKED AT THE LAST MEETING THIS WEEK I

[03:15:07]

ANYTHING. >> WE SENT DOCUMENTATIONS DISSEMINATED AND THAT WAS DEPUTY CITY MANAGER JOHNSON WHO DID SIT AT THE TABLE AS FAR AS HAVING STAFF THERE THAT WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA. WE CAN MAKE TIME HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE THERE. I BELIEVE THIS IS ABOUT BEING REPRESENTED. POLICE IS A DEPARTMENT OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. IT'S NOT REALLY MATTER IF THERE IS A POLICE EMPLOYEE, A DEPUTY CITY MANAGER, SELF OR COMMISSIONER. ITS REPRESENTATION FOR THE CITY, HOWEVER YOU LIKE TO STRUCTURE THAT WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN.

>> THAT WAS MY CONCERN WITH THE ROUNDTABLE. BECAUSE I CAN'T GET THERE AND WE CAN'T GET THERE THIS IN THE CITY DOES NOT

CARE WHICH IS NOT TRUE. >> I WILL LOOK AT MY SCHEDULE.

>> THAT HAS BEEN A CONCERN OF MINE. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S WRITTEN IN THAT LANGUAGE , I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT. THINGS COME UP SO YOU KNOW THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE NEED TO ADDRESS GOING FORWARD. SOMETIMES PEOPLE THEY WANT CANNOT GET THERE AND IF YOU GOT SOMEONE DESIGNATED TO GO BRING CONTENT INFORMATION BACK IT'S NOT LIKE THERE'S A CONSTANT THINGS YOU HAVE TO WORK THERE AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS SO I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING IT UP. I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S WRITTEN IN THE ORIGINAL BINDING AGREEMENT. IF THERE IS A DOCUMENT AGREEMENT WHEN IT WAS STARTED IT WOULD DESIGNATE THIS PERSON MUST BE HERE AND THE ONLY PERSON WHO

CAN REPRESENT. >> THEY WANTED THE TOP PERSON , THAT WAS, YES. WHAT THEY WANT PARTON IT'S THEIR REQUEST.

>> WHAT THEY WANT DOES NOT MEAN SO THEY HAVE TO DO.

>> OKAY, I WILL TRY TO BE QUICK SO WE CAN GET OUT OF YOUR. I ATTENDED THE MIT BOARD MEETING AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE MODEST RATE INCREASES. NOTHING LIKE WHAT WE HAD LAST YEAR WHICH WAS 75% INCREASE. AND WE HAVE A BUDGET MEETING COMING UP AND OF COURSE PCA IS ZERO AND WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF EXTENDING THE GAS LINE ALL THE WAY OUT TO SOMETHING THAT WILL PROBABLY SERVE WHEN IT COMES ALONG THE RAILROAD. IN LAKEWOOD PARK. YES AND BUSINESSES HAVE STARTED SO GAS LINE THAT IS EXCITING. AND ANNUAL CONFERENCE IS COMING UP FOR THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, AND I THINK THIS IS BEING MADE ARRANGEMENTS

>> YES, COMMISSIONER GAINES, COMMISSIONER C JOHNSON AND YOU

TO ATTEND. >> YEAH AND HAD ONE QUICK THING I WAS AT THE COAST GUARD STATION ON SATURDAY FOR THE OPEN HOUSE. POLICE WAS THERE, THANK YOU FOR BEING THERE.

SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, A LOT OF GOOD REPRESENTATION. I TALKED TO THE AUXILIARY HEAD AND HE WANTED TO KNOW HOW WE WERE COMING ON CERTIFICATION. I SHOULD HAVE CHECKED BEFORE I CAME BUT I WILL CHECK IT WHEN I GET BACK. SO AS I THINK MIRIAM GARCIA IS IN CHARGE OF THAT AND HE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM HER

THE STATUS. >> I WILL GET COMMISSION AND

COAST GUARD UPDATE NEXT WEEK. >> GREAT. THAT A PRETTY GOOD TURNOUT . SO, THAT IS ALL THAT I HAVE FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER. SO WHAT WE WILL DO IS ADJOURN, BUT CLEAR OUT THE CHAMBERS AND TURN OFF THE

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.