Aug 05, 2024 City Commission Regular Meeting

[00:00:12]

>> I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER. THIS IS THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE CITY COMMISSION AGENDA. IT'S MONDAY, AUGUST 5TH, 2024. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY A SPECIAL WELCOME TO ALL OF THE MEN AND WOMEN FOR BEING HERE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO BE HEARING FROM YOU. PLEASE STAND FOR THE OPENING PRAYER , AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE.

>> FATHER GOD, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY , WE THANK YOU FOR THIS BODY COUNSEL THAT IS BEFORE US. WE ASK THAT YOU GRANT THEM THE WISDOM, THE COUNCIL, THE MIGHT , THE WHEREWITHAL TO BE ABLE TO DO THE THINGS THAT THEY DO AND TO DO IT IN. IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE CITY AS A WHOLE, WE THANK YOU FOR THE PROVISIONS THAT YOU HAVE ALLOWED THE CITY TO GROW , AND THE DEGREE OF ECONOMIC CHANGE THAT HAS COME AND CONTINUE TO COME. I THINK WE CAN LOOK BACK , THOSE OF US WHO HAVE SEEN THE CHANGE IN FIELD OF CHANGE. FATHER, WE LOOK FORWARD TO MUCH, MUCH MORE AS YOU HAVE GRACIOUSLY GIVEN US LEAD. WITH WHAT YOU WOULD HAVE US DO IN THE HEART AFTER DEVELOPMENT AND PEOPLE. I THANK YOU FOR THAT. FATHER, ASK THAT YOU SIMPLY BLESS THIS MEETING, BLESS THESE LEADERS, GIVE THE MIND TO DO WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, AND JESUS NAME I PRAY,

AMEN. >> AMEN. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH

LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> CALL THE ROLE, PLEASE.

>> MAYOR HUDSON? >> PRESENT.

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> PRESENT.

>> COMMISSIONER GAINES? COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON?

>> PRESENT. >> COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON?

>> PRESENT, MA'AM. >> IS THERE A MOTION TO EXCUSE

[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

COMMISSIONER GAINES? >> I MOTION.

>> SECOND. >> THERE HAS BEEN A MOCHA AND

MOTION AND A SECOND. >> MAYOR HUDSON?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON?

>> YES. >> NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS THE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FOR JULY 15TH, 2024.

>> THERE IS A MOTION IN A SECOND. CALL THE ROLE, PLEASE?

[a. Email from Jim Goertler expressing his gratitude for Redevelopment Specialist Miriam Garcia's consideration and assistance with the significant improvements he made to a building with her support.]

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON? >> YES.

>> MAYOR HUDSON? >> YES.

>> NEXT IS LETTERS TO COMMISSION, WE RECEIVED ONE EMAIL FROM JIM EXPRESSING HIS GRATITUDE FOR REDEVELOPMENT

[8. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA]

A LATER AGENDA. >> OKAY, ANY QUESTIONS? IS

THERE A MOTION IN A SECOND? >> I MOTION.

>> SECOND. >> THERE IS A MOTION IN A SECOND. CALL THE ROLE, PLEASE?

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON? >> YES.

[11. CONSENT AGENDA]

>> MAYOR HUDSON? >> YES.

>> NEXT IS COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS NOT

REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARINGS. >> IS ANYONE SIGNED UP?

>> NO, MA'AM. >> WE WILL MOVE ON.

>> NEXT TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> ANY ITEM NEED TO BE PULLED? I NEXT WE HAVE A, B, AND C. IF NOT, I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.

>> I MOVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEMS A, B, AND SEE.

>> I SECOND. >> CALL THE ROLE, PLEASE?

[a. Public Hearing and Resolution 24-R42 accepting Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) - Annual Action Plan 2024 – 2025 ]

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON? >> YES.

>> MAYOR HUDSON? >> YES.

>> NEXT, UNDER PUBLIC HEARINGS IS RESOLUTION NUMBER 124-ARE 02 , RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN AS REQUIRED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM AUTHORIZING A DEVELOPING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE ANY NECESSARY DOCUMENTS AND CERTIFICATIONS NEEDED BY THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT , COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT, AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE DEVELOPMENT BUT BLOCK GRANTS, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE

DATE. >> MR. JOHNSON, HAS IS ALREADY BEEN PRESENTED TO US? DO WE HAVE A STAFF NUMBER TO PRESENT

THIS? >> A STAFF MEMBER WILL BE PRESENTING THIS. THIS IS FROM OUR GRANTS DEPARTMENT.

>>

>>

[00:05:01]

>> THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, GENERAL PUBLIC.

MY NAME IS DANELLA CLARK, AND I AM HERE FROM THE MINISTRATION DIVISION. WE ARE HERE TO PRESENT THE PLAN FOR 2024-2025'S ANNUAL ACTION PLAN AS PART OF THE CONSOLIDATED PLAN, THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN. EXCUSE ME. THIS IS YOUR FOUR.

SO, WE RELEASED THE PLAN , A DRAFT OF THE PLAN THAT WE WILL BE SENDING ONTO HUD FOR A FINAL ACCEPTANCE. SO, AS A PART OF THE PLAN , WE ARE TASKED TO DO A COMMUNITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT , OF WHICH WE PROVIDED VIA SURVEYMONKEY. WE RECEIVED 83 RESPONSES , AND THIS IS THE LINK BELOW, AND THE INFORMATION AND THE TIMELINE IN WHICH WE PUT THE PLAN OUT. SO, BASED ON THE SURVEY, WE RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS. WHERE 60 2.6 5% OF THE RESIDENCE OF FORT PIERCE CONSIDERED HOUSING ONE OF THE HIGHER PRIORITY IS , COMMUNITY FACILITIES LANDED AT 60.24% , PUBLIC AND PREVENTS WERE AT 66.23% , AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WAS AT 50 3.0 1%. SO, AS WE CAN SEE, HOUSING WAS ONE OF THE MAJOR PRIORITIES THAT THE COMMUNITY IS LOOKING TO DISCUSS , OR LOOKING TO HAVE REASONABLE OR TANGIBLE THINGS DONE ON. THE OTHER FOUR CATEGORIES THAT CAME UP, OR THE LOWER FOUR WERE COMMUNITY SERVICES, HOMELESSNESS, AND UNHOUSED SERVICES AND FACILITIES . 30 8.5 5% ASKED FOR INCREASED POLICE PRESENCE , AND 20 6.5 1% LISTED HISTORIC PRESERVATION ON EXISTING PROPERTIES. THOSE WERE THE CATEGORIES THAT BROKE DOWN THE SURVEY , AND AS YOU SAW IN THE PREVIOUS SLIDE, THOSE TOP FOUR PRIORITY IS ARE FALLING WITHIN THE GRANT THE MINISTRATION DIVISION WHERE WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT HOUSING AND ABOUT THE OTHER PRIORITIES THAT THEY WERE ASKING ABOUT. SO, WHAT I DID THIS YEAR WAS TO PULL TOGETHER SOME COMMENTS AND WORDS THAT REFLECTED THE COMMENTS BASED ON THE BREAKDOWN OF PRIORITY. SO, WE RECEIVED FIVE COMMENTS REGARDING HOUSING , WE RECEIVED FOUR REGARDING HOMELESSNESS , HOMELESS SHELTERS, SERVICES, AND FOLKS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS , FOUR A NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUP AND IMPROVEMENTS , PUBLIC IMPROVEMENTS WERE FOUR AS WELL, FACILITIES, THERE WAS ONE COMMENT THAT WAS REFLECTED ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT , AND THEN THE THERE WAS ALSO ONE COMMENT.

THEY ALSO ALLUDED TO MORE CODE ENFORCEMENT, FLOOD CONTROL , AND ONE PARTICULAR COMMENT CAME ON ABOUT DEMOLITION OF THE OLD ANASTASIA BUILDING ON ORANGE AVENUE. IN PLACE OF THAT, BUILDING A SENIOR HOME IN ITS PLACE , AND I REALIZE THAT F PRA IS ALREADY HANDLING THAT. SO, THAT IS SOMETHING WE COULD

TAKE CARE OF IMMEDIATELY. >> WE ARE NOT DEMOLISHING AT

THOUGH. JUST FOR THE RECORD! >> JUST REPURPOSING IT.

>> YES. >> THEY DISCUSS FOOD PREPARATION FOR THE HOMELESS , AND THE FINAL POINT WAS RE-ENTRY HOUSING FOR THE CITIZENS THAT HAVE BEEN AWAY OR INCARCERATED , AND ARE LOOKING TO RE-ENTER , YOU KNOW, SOCIETY

[00:10:05]

>> ARE YOU GOING TO TELL US HOW THEY CAN DO THAT?

>> THEY CAN COME TO THE PANEL AND HAVE THEIR SAY.

>> OH, THE CANCER THE WEBSITE?

>> THEY CAN. >> OH, OKAY.

>> THEY CAN CONTACT US VIA THE GRANTS DEPARTMENT AT THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. OR, THEY CAN TELEPHONE US, OR COME AND MAKE AN APPOINTED TO CS IF YOU FEEL STRONGLY AND HAVE COMMENTS FOR

US AROUND THE SURVEY. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

>> SO, I GAVE A SNAPSHOT OF THE PROPOSED ACTIVITIES THAT WE HAVE HERE FOR THE YEAR , AND I PROVIDED THE ANNUAL ALLOCATION . SO, THESE CATEGORIES ON THE LEFT ARE PROVIDED TO US BY HUD, AND WE ARE TASKS TO BE IN THE END AVAILABLE SPACE WHERE WE CAN DO THE MOST WORK. SO, ON THE RIGHT, SOME OF THE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES THAT ARE ALREADY EXISTING , WE HAVE THE LINCOLN PARK EXPO THAT IS COMING UP IN SEPTEMBER , WE HAVE A JOB FAIR THAT WILL BE COMING UP IN JANUARY , THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN THE AMOUNT OF $40,000.00 WOULD GO TO EIGHT OF OUR SMALL BUSINESS GRANTS , AND 20,000 WILL GO TOWARDS OUR SMALL BUSINESS STARTUPS , AND AREAS OF THAT NATURE. IN THE PUBLIC SERVICE AREA , WE WILL BE ROLLING OUT FOUR PSA GRANTS, PUBLIC SERVICE AGENCY GRANTS AT THE AMOUNT OF $5000.00.

>> WE HAVE ALLOCATED SOME RAPID REHOUSING APPLICATIONS . IN ADDITION TO PUBLIC FACILITIES, WE ARE GOING TO SPEND $93,983.00 ON PARKS , PLAYGROUND, AND RECREATION FACILITIES. 170,000 ON HOUSING PROGRAMS . WE HAVE A PROGRAM THAT RUNS ANNUALLY PAYING OUR TOWN PROGRAMS, AND SOME EMERGENCY REHABS . WE HAVE NOTICED THIS YEAR THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF -- THAT A LOT OF, BUT A FEW FOLKS WHO HAVE COME IN AND SAID WE REALLY NEED HELP DESPERATELY. WE HAVE BEEN APPROACHED BY THE PUBLIC TO SAY THAT WE REALLY NEED TO HELP THESE FOLKS , BECAUSE THE RESIDENCES ARE VERY CHALLENGING. THEY ARE HOMEOWNERS, SO I WANT TO BE ABLE TO ALLOCATE FUNDING THAT WILL ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES. IN THE LAST CATEGORY IN PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION, THIS IS WHERE YOU MANAGE, COORDINATE, WE PROVIDE OVERSIGHT TO THE PROGRAM, AND WE PUT OUT FAIR HOUSING WORKSHOPS. LIKE I SAID, THIS IS A SNAPSHOT IN HOW THE GRANT WILL BE SPENT FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR. THAT IS GOING TO END MY POWERPOINT.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE WORLD CHANGERS, THEY COME EVERY SUMMER. THEY HAVE BEEN. THAT IS A PROGRAM THAT HAS BEEN HELPED ALONG BY JEWEL AT FORT ST. LOUIS. SO, ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO ASK IS WHEN THAT HAPPENS NEXT SUMMER THAT YOU GET IT ON THE COMMISSION CALENDAR SO THAT THEY KNOW THAT THAT IS HAPPENING , BECAUSE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE COMING FROM ALL OVER OTHER PLACES, USUALLY FAITH-BASED WHO COME TO TOWN TO HELP MEASLY PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING , PAINTING OR TAKING CARE OF THEIR YARD , AND WE REALLY MAKE A CONTRIBUTION TO OUR CITY. SO, THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF STAFF? QUESTIONS OF STAFF? ALL RIGHT. THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.

ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. I AM SEEING NO MOVEMENT. I AM GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC

[00:15:03]

>> MADAM MAYOR, I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >>

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? MOTION IN A

[b. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 24-022: Review and approval of a Voluntary Annexation by owner 69 Delray LLC, to extend the territorial limits of the City of Fort Pierce, Florida, to include one (1) parcel at or near the intersection of W. Midway Road and Oleander Avenue. The proposed Future Land Use designation for the subject property is RH, High Density Residential, with a proposed Zoning designation of R-5, High Density Residential. Parcel ID: 3403-233-0002-000-6. SECOND READING]

>> YES. SECOND. CALL THE >> COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON?

ROLE, PLEASE? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON? >> YES.

>> MAYOR HUDSON? >> YES.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> OKAY, NEXT IS ORDINANCE 24-022, REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF A VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION BY OWNER 69 DELRAY LLC, TO EXTEND THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, TO INCLUDE ONE PARCEL AT OR NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF WEST MIDWAY ROAD AND OLEANDER AVENUE. THE PROPOSED FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION FOR THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IS RH, HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL, WITH A PROPOSED ZONING DESIGNATION OF R-5, HIGH -- DIRECTING REVISION OF THE CHARTER BOUNDARY ARTICLE TO BE FILLED WITH THE BOUNDARY ESTATE AND TO BE BROUGHT TO THE OFFICE OF DEMOCRATIC RESEARCH, PROVIDING SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, REVEALING ORDINANCES AND PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT HERE WITH AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS THE SECOND

READING. >> THIS IS A SECOND READING.

ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

>> HI THERE. I AM DEBORAH JOHNS, I LIVE AT 909 WEST WEATHERBY ROAD, AND I AM JUST CONCERNED WITH THE HIGH DENSITY PROPERTY. WE HAVE A LOT OF FLOODING IN THE AREA , AND THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER PROPERTY IS THAT ARE ALREADY ZONED FOR MULTI FAMILY , AND A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH TRAFFIC ON MIDWAY ROAD. I THINK WE JUST OPPOSE THE HIGH DENSITY USE OF

THIS PROPERTY. >> THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE? >> HI THERE, COMMISSIONERS.

JANICE DOUGLAS . OH, UNION MY ADDRESS. 6385 GARDENIAS STREET, FORT PIERCE. I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT OF WHITE CITY FOR MANY YEARS , AND WE ARE LOW-LYING, WE HAVE NO STREETS, MANY AREN'T EVEN PAVED. TO SEE THE BUILDING THAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW, IT IS VERY DISTURBING. THEY HAVE TIDEWATER WINE, TIDEWATER TO , TIDEWATER THREE IS BEING PROPOSED ALL OFF OF THE OLEANDER COURT OR RIGHT WHERE NEAR THIS IS . I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PLANS ARE FOR THIS LOCATION , BUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE REALLY ISN'T THERE TO SUPPORT THE BUILDING.

WE ARE A QUIET, LOW-LYING NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS JUST SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSES. I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO WITH ALL OF THESE CARS, ALL OF THE PEOPLE. SO, I CERTAINLY ASK YOU TO THINK WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN TO THIS COMMUNITY IF YOU DO AGREE TO CHANGE THE ZONING. OKAY? THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? ANYONE ELSE. THAT'S FINE.

>> YEAH. JANET BURDEN. 5102 PALMETTO AVENUE. MY COMMENT WAS , BEING THAT I AM MUCH OLDER AND HAVE SEEN SO MUCH BUILDING GOING ON , I'M CONCERNED WITH TOO MUCH THAT IS GOING ON RIGHT

NOW. SO -- >> AND YOU SAID THEY ARE TAKING

AWAY FROM ? >> YES, THE CHANGE. WE MOVED HERE IN THE '70S FROM NEW JERSEY. SEEING SO MUCH GOING ON NOW IS JUST OVERCOMING OF ME. I CAN'T BELIEVE IT. YOU KNOW? WHEN IS IT GOING TO STOP? WHEN IS THERE GOING TO BE A LIMIT TO

[00:20:01]

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> HELLO. I RESIDE AT 5080 WEST VIRGINIA DRIVE , AND I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE ZONING, THE ANNEXATIONS, ALL OF THE HOUSING BUILDING UP ON MIDWAY. IT APPEARS THE CITY, PORT ST.

LUCIE, AND THE COUNTY, I AM NOT SURE IF YOU GUYS ARE ALL COMING TOGETHER TO SEE ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT PLACES THAT ARE BEING ANNEXED IN, AND THESE PROPERTIES THAT ARE BEING APPROVED FOR MULTI APARTMENT COMPLEXES AND HOUSES. WE, AT ONE TIME, WHITE CITY, WE ARE THE HUB IN THE MIDDLE , AND I FEEL LIKE WE ARE NOT BEING PAID ATTENTION TO BY ALL OF THE SIDES IN THE MIDDLE. WE WERE A VERY QUAINT, BEAUTIFUL LITTLE WHITE CITY HUB , AND I KNOW WE WILL HAVE GROWTH AND CHANGE , BUT I LIVE RIGHT OFF OF MIDWAY ROAD, AND IT IS THE DAYTONA 500. FROM 25TH STREET TO SUNRISE BOULEVARD , WE ARE ZONED 30, 35, THEY ARE DOING 70, 80. HOW MANY MORE HOUSING PROJECTS ARE WE GOING TO ADD TO THIS AREA ? IS ACCIDENTS GALORE ALREADY. SO, THIS IS A BIG, BIG CONCERN FOR US. THE TRAFFIC ON MIDWAY, OLEANDER, SUNRISE IS ABOUT TO GET INUNDATED IF ALL OF THESE OTHER PLACES GET PUT IN THERE, AND WE WOULD LIKE YOU GUYS TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION LOOKING AT ALL OF THE OTHER COMPLEXES THAT ARE A PART OF THE CITY TO SEE HOW IT IS IMPACTING THE WHITE CITY AREA AND MS RESIDENCE . ESPECIALLY THE LOCALS. MY MOM IS 83 YEARS OLD. EVERY TIME WE RIDE BY AND SEE THE WOODS DOWN , SHE IS DEVASTATED. YOU KNOW? I BELIEVE WHAT SHE SAYS. THERE NEEDS TO COME A POINT , IF YOU'RE GOING TO BUILD, DON'T HAVE IT BE FIVE TO SIX PLACES ON HALF AN ACRE. 55 WHAT FOOT WIDE LOTS, THAT'S INSANE! WE WANT YOU GUYS TO CONSIDER LOOKING AT THE WHOLE BIG PICTURE FOR ST. LOUIS COUNTY. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANYONE ELSE?

>> GOOD EVENING. REBECCA. MVP ENGINEERING. I'M HERE TONIGHT ON BEHALF OF THE APPLICANT. I WANTED TO THANK STAFF . I'M DEFINITELY HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. JUST FOR THE RECORD, THOUGH, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE PROPERTY OWNER OWNS THE ADJACENT PROPERTY, WHICH ALSO CURRENTLY HAS THAT SAME HIGH DENSITY RESIDENTIAL . THIS IS AN ANNEXATION HEARING.

WE ARE WORKING ON A SITE PLAN WITH THE CLIENT . AT THAT POINT IN TIME, WE'LL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO DEMONSTRATE CONCURRENCY WITH TRAFFIC AND ALL INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING WATER AND WASTEWATER , AS WELL AS STORMWATER. FOR THE RECORD, WE ALSO HAVE CORRELATED WITH ST. LOUIS COUNTY , BECAUSE THERE IS SOME SHARED RIGHT-OF-WAY SITUATIONS ON THAT ROADWAY. SO, I THINK THE DOWNSIDE OF DOING SUCH A WONDERFUL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT ON MIDWAY ROAD IS THAT THEY DID PUT PLENTY OF CAPACITY ON THAT ROADWAY. BOTH FOR TRIPS AND VEHICLES. BUT AGAIN, I IS HERE TO ASK FOR YOUR SUPPORT. THIS IS THE SECOND READING OF THE ANNEXATION. WE WILL BE COMING BACK IN WITH A SITE PLAN, AND I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE? ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO SPEAK? ANYONE ELSE? OKAY, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING . MY MEMORY, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS LAST TIME, WE WERE ALL VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT THE RESIDENTS WERE CONCERNED ABOUT, AND WE WILL BE WATCHING THAT SITE PLAN VERY, VERY CLOSELY. ANY OTHER COMMENTS?

>> MADAM MAYOR, I WILL ECHO WHAT YOU JUST MENTIONED THERE.

WE DID COMMENT ON THAT SPECIFICALLY . MY COMMENTS ARE RELATED TO TRAFFIC , BUT MORE SPECIFIC THAN THAT IS STORMWATER . IT ALSO LOOKED LIKE AN EASEMENT ACROSS THE PROPERTY OF SOME SORT THAT WE HAD NOT BEEN MENTIONED OF. JUST TAKING ALL OF THOSE FACTORS INTO ACCOUNT AS WE ZONE , YOU KNOW, AND HOW WE LOOK AT OUR CITY IN THE WAY WE BUILD OUR CITY THROUGH COMMERCIAL A HIGHEY RESIDENTIAL ELEMENT, WHICH IS WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE, INTO THE OLEANDER AVENUE CORRIDOR, WHICH IS A LOWER DENSITY RESIDENTIAL. I JUST WANT TO GET THAT BACK ON THE RECORD FOR THIS HEARING , YOU KNOW, AND WE EXPECT GOOD

[00:25:01]

>> ANY OTHER COMMENTS? YES, SIR?

>> MADAM MAYOR, I WILL GO A STEP FURTHER, COMMISSIONER.

LET'S TAKE THE WORD HOPE OUT OF IT. I THINK THE EXPECTATION TO THE DEVELOPER, WE EXPECT THAT YOU WILL MEET WITH THE COMMUNITY . A LOT OF CONCERNS THAT WERE SHARED TONIGHT ARE PEOPLE WHO NEED TO HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CLEAR APPEAR AND ALSO CLEARLY STATING TO THE PUBLIC THAT, YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU ARE SEEING TONIGHT IS A PART OF A PIECE OF PAPER, BUT THE REAL DETAIL WORK COMES WITH THE SITE PLAN DEVELOPMENT. HOW ARE THEY ACTUALLY GOING TO CAUSE PROPERTIES TO NOT BE OVERRUN BY STORM WATER? ALL OF THAT IS HANDLED THROUGH THE SITE PLAN REVIEW AND SUBMISSION THAT COME THROUGH OUR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT WHERE WE HAVE TECHNICAL EXPERTS THAT HAVE THESE PLANS AND KNOW HOW TO LOOK AT THESE PLANS , AND IF THERE WERE TO BE APPROVALS, YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS TECHNICAL RIGORS BY PROFESSIONALS THAT PRETTY MUCH PUT THEIR STAMP OF APPROVAL ON STUFF AS WE MOVE FORWARD. I WANTED THAT ON THE RECORD . I LOOK FORWARD TO OUR PROFESSIONAL STAFF WORKING WITH THE DEVELOPER , AND IN THE DEVELOPER WORKING WITH THE COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY HAVE THIS COMMUNITY CONVERSATION. WHAT I DON'T WANT TO HAVE HAPPEN IS THAT WE GET BACK HERE AND WE ARE REVIEWING YOUR SITE PLAN, AND YOU HAVE NOT TALKED TO THE COMMUNITY. WE HAVE BEEN THERE DONE THAT ONCE, AND WE ARE NOT DOING THAT AGAIN. OKAY? THANK

YOU. >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?

>> I ECHO MY FOR THE COMMISSIONER'S COMMENTS.

HOWEVER, THE BUCK STOPS HERE RELATIVE TO SITE PLAN APPROVAL.

I WILL REQUEST THE DIRECTOR OF PLANNING IS HERE WITH US THIS EVENING. I WILL REQUEST THAT WHEN THE SITE PLAN COMES IN, THAT WE HAVE AN OVERALL VISION OF WHAT IS GOING ON DOWN THERE, BECAUSE THERE IS A VARIETY OF HIGH DENSITY USES THAT ARE APPROVED OR UNDER CONSTRUCTION CURRENTLY , AND WE NEED TO INCORPORATE THAT INTO THE SCHEME OF WHAT IS IN PLACE HERE. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THE PLANE IN THE PERMITS AND PUT ON THAT WHEN THIS COMES IN. WE CAN LOOK AT THAT MORE GLOBALLY.

THANK YOU. >> WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THIS

VERY, VERY CAREFULLY. >> IS THERE A MOTION?

>> MADAM MAYOR, I MOVE FOR APPROVAL OF

>> THERE IS A MOTION AND A THIS ORDINANCE.

>> SECOND.SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON? >> YES.

[c. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 24-023 - City Initiated Annexation of one (1) parcel owned by KG Concrete & Development LLC located at or near 4105 Mariah Cir. Parcel ID#:2407-114-0002-000-9 - FIRST READING]

>> COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON? >> YES.

>> MAYOR HUDSON? >> YES.

>> ALL RIGHT, NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-023, AND ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA TO INCLUDE ONE LOT AT 4105 AT MARIAH CIRCLE , FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA. WE DIRECT THE PROPERTY APPRAISER TO SET IT ON TAX ROLLS AS OF JANUARY 1ST, 2025, MAINTAINING THE ST. LOUIS COUNTY ZONING DESIGNATION OF INDUSTRIAL LIGHT AND ST. LOUIS COUNTY FUTURE LAND USE CATEGORY OF INDUSTRIAL , DIRECTING THE ST. LOUIS TAX COLLECTOR TO COLLECT TAXES ON THE HEARING DESCRIBE PROPERTIES , CERTIFYING PUBLICATION OF THIS ORDINANCE DIRECTING FILING OF THE ORDINANCE WITH THE CLERK OF CIRCUIT COURT AND CHIEF AND MINISTRY OFFICER OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY , DIRECTING REVISION OF THE CHARTER BOUNDARY ARTICLE TO BE FOUND WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, REVEALING ALL -- PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS THE

FIRST READING. >> QUESTIONS OF STAFF? DO YOU

HAVE A PRESENTATION? >> YES, THANK YOU, MAYOR. CITY COMMISSIONER, THE PLANNING DIRECTOR. YOU ALL SEE IN FRONT OF YOU SEVEN ORDINANCES THAT ARE CONSECUTIVE. THESE ALL RELATE TO CITY INITIATED ANNEXATIONS. THEY HAVE ALL BEEN BROUGHT TO YOU DUE TO EXISTING UTILITY AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AND FORT PIERCE UTILITY AUTHORITY , AND THE OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY IS WHO HAVE SIGNED THESE AGREEMENTS WHEN THEY CONNECTED TO UTILITIES FROM FB UA, THE

[00:30:01]

SO, WE HAVE SEVEN ORDINANCES COMING FORWARD, AND THIS ORDINANCE, 24-023 FOR MARIAH CIRCLE IS THE ONE THAT WE WILL BE TALKING ABOUT FIRST. IN EACH OF THESE CASES, AND IN THIS CASE, THE CURRENT ZONING IN FUTURE LAND USE OF THE PROPERTY WILL NOT BE AMENDED AT THIS TIME. WE WILL BE REMAINING IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY ZONING AND FUTURE LAND USE. SO, THE IMPACT OF THE PRESENT USE ON THE PROPERTY IS NOT AFFECTED, AND WE DON'T INTEND TO AFFECT THAT USE UNTIL SOMETHING CHANGES ON THE SITE. SO, THE FIRST ONE , 4105 MARIAH CIRCLE , PARCEL I.D. 2407-114-0002-000-9, IS HERE ON THE SCREEN . ST. LUCIE ACCOUNT ZONING DISTRICT OF LIGHT IN THE FUTURE LAND USE CATEGORY OF INDUSTRIAL WILL REMAIN IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ITEM. MYRA COMMISSION IS A CITY APPROVE THE ANNEXATION OF 4105

MARIAH CIRCLE. >> QUESTIONS OF MR. FREEMAN? QUESTIONS OF STAFF? THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. I AM SEEING NO MOVEMENT. I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ENTERTAIN A

MOTION. >> MADAM MAYOR, I MOTION TO

APPROVE THIS. >> SECOND.

>> THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

[d. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 24-024 - City Initiated Annexation of one (1) parcel owned by Lawn Chair Properties LLC located at or near 4106 Mariah Cir. Parcel ID#:2407-111-0001-000-3 - FIRST READING]

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON? >> YES.

>> MAYOR HUDSON? >> YES.

>> NEXT ON THE AGENDA IS ORDINANCE 24-024 , AND ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA TO INCLUDE ONE LOT AT 4106 AT MARIAH CIRCLE DIRECTING THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY -- AS OF JANUARY 1ST, 2025 MAINTAINING THE SAME WAS A COUNTY ZONING DESIGNATION OF INDUSTRIAL AND LAND USE CATEGORY OF INDUSTRIAL, DIRECTING THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR TO COLLECT TAXES ON THE HERE AND DESCRIBE PROPERTIES DIRECTING FILING OF THE ORDINANCE WITH THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT ANTIFEMINIST RATER OFFICER IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY DIRECTING REVISION OF THE CHARTER BOUNDARY ARTICLE TO BE FOUND WITH THE PERMIT OF STATE AND SUMMITTED TO THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY CLAUSE REVEALING ALL ORDINANCE AND PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT HERE WITH AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS THE

FIRST READING. >> MR. FREEMAN?

>> THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. THE 4106 MARIAH CIRCLE, AS YOU NOTE, IS SITUATED TO THE NORTH OF THE PREVIOUS ANNEXATION , WHICH MADE IT, ACTUALLY, CONTIGUOUS WITH THE CITY LIMITS. SO, IN THAT CASE, IT TRIGGERED THE AGREEMENT. PARCEL I.D. 240-7111 -- 2407-111-0001-000-3, AND WILL RETAIN THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY ZONING DISTRICT OF INDUSTRIAL LIGHT IN ST. LOUIS COUNTY LAND USE CATEGORY OF INDUSTRIAL.

>> QUESTIONS FOR STAFF? I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY , THANK YOU, MARSHALL, FOR THIS COMPANY. YOU MAKE GREAT LAWN CHAIRS THAT LAST A LONG TIME AND OUT OF HER TO FIND. THEY ARE KNOWN

STATEWIDE AND BEYOND . >> WE WANT THEM IN THE CITY OF

FORT PIERCE. >> I WANT THEM IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. ABSOLUTELY. THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. I AM SEEING NO MOVEMENT. I WILL COME BACK TO THE COMMISSION FOR A

MOTION. >> MADAM MAYOR, I MOVE FOR

APPROVAL. >> SECOND.

>> THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON? >> YES.

[e. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 24-025 - City Initiated Annexation of one (1) parcel owned by Unity Three Office Bldg LLC located at or near 4075 Virginia Ave. Parcel ID#:2420-602-0013-000-8 - FIRST READING]

>> COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON? >> YES.

>> MAYOR HUDSON? >> YES.

>> NEXT IS ORDINANCE 24-025, EXTENDING THE CITY LIMITS FOR A

[00:35:06]

>> MR. FREEMAN? >> MADAM MAYOR, THE ADDRESS OF THIS PARCEL IS 4075 VIRGINIA AVENUE, PARCEL I.D. NUMBER 2420-602-0013-000-8. IT IS INTENDED TO RETAIN THE ST.

LUCIE COUNTY ZONING DESIGNATION OF COMMERCIAL GENERAL AND ST.

LUCIE COUNTY LAND USE CATEGORY OF COMMERCIAL . STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED ANNEXATION.

>> QUESTIONS OF STAFF? THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. I AM SEEING NO MOVEMENT. I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND

COME BACK TO THE COMMISSION. >> I MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

[f. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 24-026 - City Initiated Annexation of one (1) parcel owned by Unity Three Office Bldg LLC located at or near 2304 S 41st Street. Parcel ID#:2420-602-0016-000-9 - FIRST READING]

>> SECOND. >> THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON? >> YES.

>> MAYOR HUDSON? >> YES.

>> NEXT IS ORDINANCE 24-026 -- DIRECTING THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY DIRECT PROPERTY APPRAISER TO SET IT ON CITY TAX ROLLS AS A JERRY FIRST, 2025, MAINTAINING THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY ZONING DESIGNATION OF COMMERCIAL , GENERAL, AND ST. LUCIE COUNTY FUTURE LAND USE, CATEGORY OF -- TO COLLECT TAXES ON THE HEARING DESCRIBE PROPERTIES WITH CERTIFICATION OF THIS ORDINANCE DIRECTING FILING OF THE ORDINANCE WITH THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT ANTIFEMINIST RATER OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY DIRECTING REVISIO OF THE CHARTER BOUNDARY ARTICLE BE FOUND WITH THAT PERMIT ESTATE AND SUMMITTED TO THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, REVEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN PARTS THEREOF, AND CONFLICT HERE WITH AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS THE FIRST READING.

>> MR. FREEMAN? >> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. THE ADDRESS OF THIS PARCEL IS 2304 SOUTH 41ST STREET . THE PARCEL I.D. NUMBER IS 2420-602-0016-00 0-9 . THE PARCEL IS SET TO RETAIN THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY ZONING DESIGNATION OF COMMERCIAL GENERAL , AND ST. LUCIE COUNTY FUTURE LAND USE CATEGORY OF COMMERCIAL. STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL FOR THE

PROPOSED ANNEXATION. >> QUESTIONS OF STAFF? IS A PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. I AM SEEING NO MOVEMENT. I WILL BRING IT BACK

TO THE COMMISSION. >> MADAM MAYOR, I MOVE FOR

APPROVAL. >> SECOND.

>> THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

[g. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 24-027 - City Initiated Annexation of one (1) parcel owned by Jose & Rosemary Torres located at or near 4351 S 25th Street. Parcel ID#:2432-414-0005-000-9 - FIRST READING]

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> YES, MA'AM.

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

>> COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON? >> YES.

>> MAYOR HUDSON? >> YES.

>> NEXT IS ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-027, AND ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA TO INCLUDE ONE LOT AT 4351 SOUTH 45TH STREET IN FORT PIERCE, FOR THE, DIRECTING THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER TO ADDRESS THE PROPERTY IN PLACE IT ON THE CITY TAX ROLLS AS OF JANUARY 1ST, 2025, WITH THE STATE WAS THE COUNTY OF DESIGNATION AGRICULTURAL ONE AND ST. LUCIE COUNTY FUTURE LAND USE SUBURBAN, DIRECTING THE STATE WAS A CUT COUNTY TEXT DIRECTOR TO COLLECT TAXES ON THE SAID PROPERTY, -- ANTIFEMINIST RATE OF OFFICER OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY , DIRECTING REVISION OF THE CHARTER BOUNDARY ARTICLE TO BE FOUND WITH A DEFERMENT OF STATE AND SUMMITTED TO THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH , PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE REVEALING ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOFIN COST HERE WITH THEM PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS

THE FIRST READING. >> MR. FREEMAN?

>> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. THE ADDRESS OF THIS PARCEL, 4351 SOUTH 25TH STREET, PARCEL I.D. NUMBER 2432-414-0005-000-9 .

THE PARCEL IS SET TO RETAIN THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY ZONING DESIGNATION OF AGRICULTURAL AR ONE, AND ST. LUCIE COUNTY LAND USE CATEGORY OF RESIDENTIAL . STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL.

>> QUESTIONS OF MR. FREEMAN? THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.

ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. I AM SEEING NO MOVEMENT. I WILL BRING IT BACK TO THE

COMMISSION. >> MADAM MAYOR, I MOVE FOR

APPROVAL. >> SECOND.

>> THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> YES, MA'AM.

[h. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 24-028 - City Initiated Annexation of one (1) parcel owned by Italian Castle Of The Treasure Coast LLC located at or near 4560 S 25th Street. Parcel ID#:2433-333-0001-000-6 - FIRST READING]

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

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

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

>> NEXT IS ORDINANCE 24-028, AND ORDINANCE EXCITED THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA TO INCLUDE ONE LOT AT 4560 SOUTH 25TH STREET IN FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA,

[00:40:02]

>> MR. FREEMAN? >> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. THE PARCEL ADDRESS IS 4560 SOUTH 25TH STREET, PARCEL I.D.

2433-333-0001-000-6 . THIS SITE IS FAIRLY COMPLEX IN ITS ARRANGEMENT THE FUTURE LAND USE AND ZONING CATEGORIES. THOSE WILL BE RETAINED AS ST. LUCIE COUNTY ZONING DESIGNATION OF AGRICULTURAL ONE AND RELIGIOUS FACILITIES RF AND INSTITUTIONAL I. TOGETHER WITH THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY FUTURE LAND USE CATEGORIES OF PUBLIC FACILITIES AND RESIDENTIAL SUBURBAN. STAFF

RECOMMENDS APPROVAL. >> QUESTIONS OF STAFF? THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING. WISHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE MAY ADDRESS THE STAFF. I AM SEEING NO MOVEMENT. I WILL BRING IT BACK

TO THE COMMISSION. >> MADAM MAYOR, I MOVE FOR

[i. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 24-029 - City Initiated Annexation of one (1) parcel owned by Accurate Septic Holdings LLC located at or near 4120 Selvitz. Parcel ID#:2432-233-0001-000-6 - FIRST READING]

APPROVAL. >> SECOND.

>> THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> YES, MA'AM.

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

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

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

>> NEXT IS ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-029, AND ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF SIT THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE FLORIDA, TO INCLUDE ONE LOT AT 4120 SO THAT'S ROAD AND SELL., FOR THE FOR THE COUNTY APPRAISER TO ADDRESS THE COUNTY -- MAINTAINING THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY ZONING DESIGNATION OF INDUSTRIAL HEAVY AND ST. LUCIE COUNTY FUTURE LAND USE CATEGORY OF INDUSTRIAL, DIRECTING THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY TEXT DIRECTOR TO "TAXES ON THE HEARING DESCRIBE PROPERTY WITH -- FILING ORDINANCE FOR THE CLERK OF CERTAIN COURT ANTIFEMINIST RATE OF OFFICER IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY WRECKING REVISION OF THE BOUNDARY ARTICLE TO BE FILED WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT STATE AND SUMMITTED TO THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, REVEALING ORDINANCE AND PARTS THEREOF AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS THE FIRST READING.

>> MR. FREEMAN? >> MADAM MAYOR, THIS IS A PARCEL ADDRESS SELVITZFOR 120 ROAD , I.D. 2432-233-0001-000-6 . THIS PARCEL IS SET TO RETAIN THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY OF INDUSTRIAL HEAVY AND ST. LUCIE COUNTY FUTURE LAND USE CATEGORY OF INDUSTRIAL. STAFF RECOMMENDS APPROVAL.

>> QUESTIONS OF STAFF? THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. I AM SEEING NO MOVEMENT. I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMISSION.

>> MADAM MAYOR, I MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> SECOND. >> THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> YES, MA'AM.

[j. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 24-033 - Voluntary annexation to include one (1) parcel at or near 3804 Sunrise Boulevard, Parcel ID: 2433-123-0001-000-1. FIRST READING]

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

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

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

>> NEXT IS ORDINANCE NUMBER 25-033 TO INCLUDE ONE PARCEL AT OR NEAR 3804 SUNRISE BOULEVARD, AND SUNRISE EXHIBIT A, SHOWING THE COUNTY APPRAISER TO ADDRESS THAT PROPERTY AND PLACE IT ON THE CITY TAX ROLLS AS OF JANUARY 1ST 2025, DIRECTING THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY TEXT DIRECTOR TO COLLECT TAXES ON THE PROPERTY, ESTABLISHING A ZONING DESIGNATION OF SINGLE-FAMILY LOW-DENSITY ARE ONE , WITH THE LAND-USE DESIGNATION OF RESIDENTIAL LOW-DENSITY RL, DIRECTING FILING OF THE ORDINANCE OF THE QUARTER CERTAIN COURT ANTIFEMINIST RATE OF OFFICER OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY WITH THE STATE TO BE SUMMITTED TO THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PROVIDING A SEVERED ABILITY CLAUSE IN PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT WITH PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS THE FIRST

READING. >> MR. GILMORE?

>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS. BEFORE YOU, WE HAVE AN ANNEXATION FOR THE SUBJECT PROPERTY LOCATED AT 3804 SUNRISE BOULEVARD, PARCEL I.D. 2433-123-0001-000-1 . THE APPLICANT IS BLAINE , PROPERTY OWNER DT VENTURES ONE LLC . THE PROPERTY CURRENTLY HAS A ST. LUCIE COUNTY FUTURE LAND USE OF RU RESIDENTIAL URBAN WHICH IS 25 UNITS PER ACRE, AND A ZONING OF OUR S3 TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY. OUR POLICY ONE .11 .5 OF THE CITY'S COMP PLAN , THE PROPOSED FUTURE LAND USE DESIGNATION FOR THE PARCEL IS RL RESIDENTIAL LOW-DENSITY WITH THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION OF R CAPITAL ONE LOW-DENSITY. THE

[00:45:08]

ONCE AGAIN, THIS IS THE PROPOSED EXISTING AND PROPOSED REZONING . AND BEFORE YOU, YOU HAVE A FUTURE LAND USE COMPARISON . THE LOW RESIDENTIAL HAS THE POTENTIAL INCREASE OF UP TO 17 ADDITIONAL UNITS. PLANNING BOARD IN THE RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THEIR APRIL 8TH, 2024 MEETING. STAFF IS RECOMMENDING CITY COMMISSION APPROVED THE PROPOSED

ANNEXATION. THANK YOU. >> QUESTIONS OF STAFF?

QUESTIONS OF STAFF? YES? >> AND YOU GO BACK TO THE MAP ONE MORE? SO, YOU ARE PROPOSING A R1?

>> YES, SIR. >> ANY GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE? YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE DENSITY . EXISTING AND PROPOSED

COMPARISONS . >> SO, THE EXISTING FOR RU UNDER THE COUNTY IS FIVE. OUR MAX IS 6.5. AND THAT IS THEIR LOWEST FUTURE LAND USE THAT THEY HAVE AS FAR AS DENSITY ,

AND OURS IS 6.5. THE MAXIMUM. >> THAT'S THE ONLY VARIABLE.

>> CORRECT. >> I THOUGHT I READ IT WAS RS3

IN THE COUNTY. >> NO, THAT'S THE ZONING.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? OKAY. THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.

ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. I AM SEEING NO MOVEMENT. I WILL BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMISSION. I WILL ENTERTAIN A DISCUSSION OR EMOTION.

>> MADAM MAYOR, I MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> SECOND. >> THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> YES, MA'AM.

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

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

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

[a. Resolution 24-R40 Establishing the Military Hometown Hero Banner Program and Adopting Policies and Guidelines and an Application]

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS RESOLUTION NUMBER 24-R40, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA , ESTABLISHING THE MILITARY HOMETOWN HERO BANNER PROGRAM AND ADOPTING POLICIES AND GUIDELINES IN AN APPLICATION THERE TO PROVIDE A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, REVEALING ALL RESOLUTIONS IN CONFLICT HERE WITH AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

>> MR. JOHNSON, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO LEAD INTO THIS?

>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. SO, THIS EVENING, WHAT I HAVE BEFORE YOU IS THE PROPOSAL FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION. THIS IS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF BACK IN 2022. I KNOW HAD IS BEEN A LITTLE WHILE SINCE THEN, BUT STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING FOR THE DEVELOPING OF THIS PROGRAM, AND WE HAVE REACHED THE FINAL STEP HERE. SINCE I HAVE BEEN WITH THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT, THIS IS MY TASK TO BRING IT TO THE FINISH LINE. WITH THAT BEING SAID, I DO HAVE A VERY BRIEF PRESENTATION FOR YOUR . JUST AN OVERVIEW OF THE DETAILS REGARDING THIS PROGRAM. AFTERWARDS, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE TO ASK. ALL RIGHT. SO, THE PROGRAM PURPOSE , THIS IS FOR THE HONORING AND CELEBRATE OF INDIVIDUALS FROM THE FORT PIERCE COMMUNITY WHO HAS SERVED OR IS CURRENTLY SERVING IN THE UNITED STATES MILITARY, AND THIS PROGRAM ALSO DOES MEET THE CITY STRATEGIC GOAL NUMBER THREE TO ENGAGE OUR COMMUNITY. NEXT ARE JUST SOME THREE PROGRAM FEATURES . THIS ITEM DOES, BACKUP, SO IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT THE DETAILS OF THE GUIDELINES AND APPLICATIONS, YOU CAN DO SO, BUT I JUST WANT TO TOUCH ON THE KEY POINTS FOR EACH ELEMENT OF THIS PROGRAM , THE FIRST BEING THE ELIGIBILITY. THE HONOREE MUST BE AN ACTIVE, RETIRED, OR HONORABLY DISCHARGED MEMBER OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES SERVICE BRANCHES, WHICH IS THE AIR FORCE , ARMY, MARINE CORPS, NAVY, NATIONAL GUARD , RESERVES, AND THE SPACE FORCE.

[00:50:02]

APPLICATIONS WILL BE RECEIVED YEAR-ROUND , AND THERE IS A $100.00 BENEFIT THAT GOES TOWARDS THE DESIGN FABRICATION OF THE BANNER. IN TERMS OF LOCATION , CURRENTLY, WE ARE LOOKING AT THE VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK AS THE SITE FOR THE INITIATION OF THIS PROGRAM. OTHER LOCATIONS MAY BECOME AVAILABLE AT A LATER TIME, BUT CURRENTLY, AT THE VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK, THERE ARE 14 STREET LIGHT POLES THAT ARE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR BANNERS. LASTLY HERE, THE DISPLAY PERIOD. PERIOD IT WILL BE DOUBLE-SIDED ITSELF , FINAL, WEATHERPROOF, AND IT WILL BE 18 INCHES BY 36 INCHES. WE ARE LOOKING TO BEGIN THE DISPLAY PERIOD NOVEMBER 1ST THROUGH JUNE 1ST FOR TWO CONSECUTIVE YEARS , OR UNTIL THE BANNER BEGINS TO DETERIORATE . WHAT YOU SEE TO THE LEFT IS JUST A PORTION OF WHAT THE APPLICATION LOOKS LIKE, AND THEN ALSO COME EASY A SAMPLE IMAGERY ORIGINAL DESIGN FOR WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO FOR OUR BANNERS. WITH THAT BEING SAID , IF THIS RESOLUTION IS APPROVED, THE STAFF WOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH DESIGNING OUR PROGRAM WEBPAGE TO CONTAIN ALL OF THE INFORMATION FOR THE PROGRAM TO INCLUDE THE GUIDELINES AND APPLICATIONS. IN ADDITION, WE WILL ALSO DO SOME PROMOTION AS WELL . ONLINE, EMAILS, THAT SORT. AT THIS POINT, I HAVE FINISHED WITH MY BRIEF PRESENTATION, SO IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, FEEL FREE TO ASK.

>> SO, THE BANNER LASTS UNTIL IT LASTS, AND THAT IS A CAMERA PLACED WITH THE SAME ONE? CERTIFICATE REPLACED WITH A NEW

ONE? >> YEP, SO, ONCE THE BANNER HAS BEEN DISPLAYED FOR THAT TWO YEAR PERIOD, WE WOULD RETURN THAT BANNER TO THE APPLICANT. THEY WILL HAVE 30 DAYS TO

RECEIVE IT. >> OKAY. DO YOU EXPECT IT TO

DETERIORATE? >> I'M SORRY, YES. NO, NOT NECESSARILY. IT'S WEATHERPROOF. THE GOAL IS TO HELP HOPEFULLY HAVE A BANNER MATERIAL THAT CAN WITHSTAND DIFFERENT WEATHER CONDITIONS. IF IT DOES DETERIORATE, YOU

KNOW, WE GIVE IT BACK -- >> CAN WE CONSIDER SOME SORT OF SMALL REPLICA OR MEMENTO THAT PROVES IT SO THAT IF IT DOES NOT STAY IN GOOD SHAPE, THEY STILL HAVE EITHER, YOU KNOW, A BLOCK , SOME KIND OF PLAQUE, OR SOME SORT OF REPRESENTATION OF IT SO THAT THAT WILL LAST LONGER, BECAUSE IT WILL NOT HAVE BEEN OUT IN THE ELEMENTS WOULD BE KIND OF JUST A SMALL MEMENTO OF IT PERHAPS? CONSIDER THAT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

>> QUESTION OR QUICK COMMENT. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS PROGRAM'S ROLLOUT. GREAT WORK.

>> THANK YOU. >> SAME COMMENT. WE HAVE WORKED ON THIS FOR A LONG TIME, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT A STRATEGIC PLAN, WE TALKED ABOUT AS AN IDEA, AND WE HAVE BEEN IN OTHER COMMUNITIES WHERE THIS HAS OCCURRED. IT HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL. I AM EXCITED TO CELEBRATE OUR HEROES FROM FORT PIERCE, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE MANY NAMES THAT WILL COME FORWARD. I WOULD IMAGINE IF YOU GET -- IF THERE IS ONLY 14 , WHAT WOULD YOU DO? WOULD YOU COME UP WITH , YOU KNOW, A LOTTERY TYPE SYSTEM ON THE INITIAL GO IF YOU GET TOO MANY NAMES? WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

>> FOR THIS INITIAL LAUNCH, IT WILL BE FIRST COME FIRST SERVE BASIS, AND THEN AS OTHER LOCATIONS BECOME AVAILABLE, BECAUSE WE ARE LOOKING AT OTHER OPTIONS AS WELL, THERE WILL BE A WISH LIST -- NOT A WISH LIST, A WAITLIST. ANYONE WHO IS BEEN SELECTED DURING THE FIRST ROUND WILL BE CONSIDERED FOR THE NEXT

ROUND. >> MADAM MAYOR, I DO HAVE A QUESTION. SO, GOOD PROGRAM. RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE 14 , AND THEY ARE KIND OF STRATEGIC . SO, ARE WE LOOKING AT OTHER PARTS OF OUR CITY THAT MAY HAVE THESE POLES THAT CAN BE RETROFITTED TO HOLD THESE BANNERS? THAT IN THE PLAN?

>> YES, WE DISCUSSED SOME IDEAS. WE WILL START WE THINK IS MOST EFFECTIVE. I KNOW FACTORS THAT GO INTO THIS DECISION ARE IN A PLACE WHERE IT CAN BE VISIBLE, WHERE THERE WAS SOME TRAFFIC, BECAUSE YOU WANT FOLKS TO BE ABLE TO HONOR, RESPECT, AND CELEBRATE THESE INDIVIDUALS. YOU KNOW, AS WE LOOK AT SOME OTHER AREAS, MAYBE IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA OR OTHER AREAS NOT TOO FAR AWAY, JUST TO KEEP THE SENSE OF THE THEME GOING , WE WOULD DEFTLY LIKE TO OPEN UP MORE OPPORTUNITIES. BUT AGAIN, THE FACTOR WOULD BE VISIBILITY, AND WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS A PRETTY DECENTLY APPEARING LOCATION AS WELL, RIGHT? WANT TO BEAUTIFY A SPACE THAT CAN SERVE AS THE COURT TO SOME EXTENT, BUT YES, WE ARE LOOKING AT OTHER

OPTIONS. >> AND HOW FAR ARE YOU PERHAPS IN MAKING THAT EVALUATION , YOU KNOW, AS FAR AS THIS IS CONCERNED? THESE OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS THAT YOU ARE

[00:55:04]

WORKING WITH? >> WE HAVE NOT COME UP WITH ANY DETAILS JUST YET. I DON'T WE WANT TO GET TOO FAR WITHOUT HAVING FIRST IMPLEMENT IT IT WITH THIS INITIAL LOCATION.

ONCE WE KIND OF GO THROUGH THAT FIRST ROUND , WE WILL HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF WHERE THIS WILL ACTUALLY TAKE US TO EXPAND IN.

>> I SUSPECT THAT THIS WILL BE WIDELY LOOKED AT, AND PEOPLE WILL TRY FOR IT OBVIOUSLY. WITH SOME OF OUR CITY PARKS, WE TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE WE TALKED ABOUT THE CDBG FUNDS, AND SOME OF THESE PARKS MAY PROVIDE SOME TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITIES . IT MAY NOT BE ON A ROADWAY , MY CONCERN IS THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION WHEN THEY ARE DRIVING. THAT'S A REAL CONCERN, RIGHT? IF WE LOOK TO PUT UP SOME OF THESE OTHER PARKS, PARTICULARLY IN THE HISTORIC LINCOLN PARK AREA, ET CETERA WE WILL BEGIN TO BRING THAT AWARENESS TO PEOPLE THAT LIVED ANSWERED IN THIS COMMUNITY AS WE LOOK TO HONOR THEM AS WELL. SO, THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT I WILL BE WATCHING FOR PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO, AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PARKS THAT THE CITY MAINTAINS . I WOULD LOVE TO BEAUTIFY OUR PARKS WITH SOME OF THIS, AND GET PEOPLE BACK TO VISITING PARKS AND USING PARKS FOR WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE USED FOR. OKAY?

>> DULY NOTED, YES. >> GOOD IDEA. SO, IF SOMEBODY LISTENING TO THIS, HOW DO THEY FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THIS

PROGRAM? >> WANT TO GET FROM PROMOTED, THEY WILL FIND INFORMATION ON THE WEBSITE. LIKE I SAID, WE WILL PUSH THAT INFORMATION OUT AS WELL.

>> OKAY, ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? IS THERE A MOTION?

>> MADAM MAYOR, I MOVE FOR APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 24-R40.

>> SECOND. >> THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> YES, MA'AM.

[b. Resolution 24-R41 Authorizing the purchase of property near 610 N. Causeway from the State of Florida for the cost of recording and processing fees totaling $54.75.]

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

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

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

>> THANK YOU, GOOD JOB. >> OKAY, NEXT IS RESOLUTION 24-R41, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA AND MUNICIPAL CORPORATION AUTHORIZING THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY NEAR 601 NORTH CAUSEWAY FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA, BY AND THROUGH THE STATE OF FLORIDA DEPARTMENT TRANSPORTATION, AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF ALL DOCUMENTS NECESSARY AND INCIDENT TO SUCH PURCHASE, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

>> MR. JOHNSON, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT THIS?

>> I DON'T BELIEVE SO, NO. >> OKAY. THIS IS A STANDARD THING WITH NORTHBRIDGE I THINK.

>> YES. >> YES, THIS HAS TO DO WITH NORTH BRIDGE. OH, MR. ANDREWS HAS SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT IT!

GO AHEAD! >> MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS , THIS IS AN EXCESS PROPERTY THAT D.O.T. DEEMED THAT THEY WANTED TO DISPOSE OF , AND THIS IS ADJACENT TO THE LITTLE BRIDGE PROPERTY THAT THE CITY OWNS. SO, THIS WILL TIE RIGHT INTO THAT. IT HAS BEEN A PHENOMENAL AMOUNT , AND WE ACQUIRED THIS

PIECE OF PROPERTY. >> A VERY NOMINAL AMOUNT. GOOD NEGOTIATING, JACK. ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANY QUESTIONS OF MR. ANDREWS? ALL RIGHT. IS THERE A QUESTION?

>> MADAM MAYOR, I MOVE FOR APPROVAL.

>> SECOND. >> THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

[c. Selection of Florida League of Cities Voting Delegate for annual business meeting on Saturday, August 17.]

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> YES, MA'AM.

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

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

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

>> NEXT IS THE AGENDA OF SELECTION OF FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES VOTING DELEGATE FOR ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING FOR

SATURDAY, AUGUST 17TH. >> OKAY , MR. JOHNSON, HE

WANTED TO BE THERE? >> ALL RIGHT, I WOULD BE HAPPY

TO. >> MADAM MAYOR, I NOMINATE THAT WE NOMINATE COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON.

>> SECOND. >> THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> YES, MA'AM.

[d. Submission of applications to serve on the Planning Board.]

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

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

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

>> NEXT IS SUBMISSION OF APPLICATIONS TO SERVE ON THE PLANNING BOARD. THIS WILL COME BACK FOR A VOTE AT THE NEXT

MEETING. >> ALL RIGHT.

>> HALF THE CITY APPLIED I THINK.

>> JUST A QUICK COMMENT ON THAT, THE PLANNING BOARD HAS DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB. YOU KNOW, THE CITY HAS ALWAYS BEEN LOOKED AT , AND FOLKS ARE COMMUNICATING WITH THEM , AND I AM JUST EXCITED TO SEE A LIST OF NAMES, BUT I WANT TO SAY THAT FOR SURE , I THINK ONE OF THESE CANDIDATES ARE AN EXISTING MEMBER. I KNOW WE WILL VOTE ON IT NEXT TIME , BUT THEY'RE DOING A TERM IT IS JOB AND WE DON'T SAY THAT ENOUGH.

THEY ARE REALLY DOING A GREAT JOB.

[14. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Any person who wishes to comment on any subject may be heard at this time. Please limit your comments to three (3) minutes or less, as directed by the Mayor, as this section of the Agenda is limited to thirty minutes. The City Commission will not be able to take any official actions under Comments from the Public. Speakers will address the Mayor, Commissioners, and the Public with respect. Inappropriate language will not be tolerated.]

>> I WATCHED THE PLANNING BOARD MEETING, AND THIS PARTICULAR PERSON REALLY PARTICIPATES. OKAY. WE CAN MOVE ON.

[01:00:05]

>> NEXT IS COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC.

>> OKAY. THIS IS A TIME FOR ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO MAKE COMMENTS. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS , THEN YOU WILL HAVE THREE MINUTES , AND WE WILL GIVE YOU A WARNING. THREE? THREE SECOND WARNING WARNING. PLEASE, WELCOME. WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

>> YOU DO! GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS DENNIS MCWILLIAMS, AND I AM RETIREE FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. ESTEEMED MAYOR, HONORABLE COMMISSIONERS, CHIEF BERNIE , CITY CLERK LINDA CLARK, I KNOW SHE'S NOT HERE EITHER, I STAND BEFORE YOU TONIGHT WITH A DEEP SENSE OF URGENCY AND A HEAVY HEART. THE LAST TIME I ADDRESS THIS BOARD WAS FOR MY RETIREMENT FROM THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT IN DECEMBER OF 2013. EXCUSE ME.

TIME FLIES. IT WAS A MOMENT FULL OF PRIDE FOR ME, BUT ALSO A BIT OF BITTERSWEET FAREWELLS. TODAY, I SPEAK NOT JUST AS A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER, BUT AS A CONCERNED PARENT. IN 1988, I BEGAN MY JOURNEY WITH THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT. I EARNED $8.35. I THINK THAT WAS ABOUT $17,000.00 A YEAR. AS A SINGLE GUY LIVING WITH MY PARENTS, IT WAS NOT THAT BIG OF A DEAL. THE SALARY SUFFICED. OVER THE YEARS, MY LIFE CHANGED. I GOT MARRIED, STARTED A FAMILY , AND HAD ACTUALLY STARTED TO MEET A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE POLICING WORLD. LOCALLY, AS WELL AS FROM FAR AWAY. ONE THING THAT I ALWAYS KNEW WAS TRUE WAS EVERYBODY IN THAT POLICING WORLD NEED MORE MONEY THAN ME. FINANCIAL STRUGGLES WERE A CONSTANT COMPANION FOR US. IT CHALLENGE MY FAMILY AND I NAVIGATED MONTH AFTER MONTH DESPITE THE HARDSHIPS, MY COMMITTEE THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND NOT WAIVER. BUT THAT IS NOT THE ISSUE AT HAND HERE. IT IS A MUCH LARGER ISSUE, A MUCH MORE PRESSING CONCERN , AND THAT IS OFFICER TURNOVER. THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS LONG SUFFERED TURNOVER. WHAT STARTED OUT AS A TRICKLE FOR A FEW OFFICERS LEAVING EACH YEAR AS I WAS PROGRESSING THROUGH MY CAREER GOT WORSE AND WORSE.

LEAVING TO CITIES LIKE TAMPA, TAMPA, OR TAMPA, THEY ARE LEAVING FOR COUNTIES LIKE MARTIN COUNTY , STEWART, AND OTHER LOCAL AGENCIES. PALM BEACH COUNTY. OVER THE YEARS, THE TRICKLE BECAME A STREAM, AND I THINK IT HAS NOW BECOME A DELUGE. OFFICERS COMING HERE , THEY ARE GETTING ABOUT A YEAR OF TRAINING, AND AS SOON AS THEY GET THE TRAINING IN , THEY GET ALL THAT STRAIGHT KNOWLEDGE, THEY GET ALL OF THAT EXPERIENCE, AND THEY LEAVE FOR OTHER AGENCIES. IT'S ACTUALLY QUITE SAD. THE CONSTANT TURNOVER IS DRAINING OUR RESOURCES. IT'S RAINING THE CITY'S RESOURCES , AND IT'S RAINING THE RESOURCES OF THE COMMUNITY. IT HAPPENS EFFICIENCY, EFFECTIVENESS, AND I THINK SAFETY OVERALL. THE EXODUS DOES NOT STOP WITH NEW RECRUITS. WE HAVE LOST SEASONED OFFICERS, SOME I KNOW THAT WERE 10, 15 , EVEN 20 YEAR VETERANS IN THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR GREENER PASTURES. THEY ALWAYS LEAVE FOR THE SAME REASON. BETTER PAY.

OH, SHOOT. WE ARE AT A CROSSROADS. WE REALLY ARE. YOU GUYS NEED TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE PAY . LIVES ARE DEPENDING ON IT. THESE OFFICERS LIES ARE DEPENDING ON IT , OUR COMMUNITIES LIES ARE DEPENDING ON IT. PLEASE, WHEN YOU GUYS MEET , NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH, AND PLEASE GET THEM A RAISE.

THEY REALLY NEED IT. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. WHO IS NEXT? WHO WOULD LIKE TO BE NEXT? WELCOME. I KNOW WHO YOU ARE TOO.

>> MADAM MAYOR, PUBLIC, MY NAME IS ELLEN GILLETT. I LIVE IN REST WHILE TURN , AND I WANT TO READ A PORTION OF AN OP-ED I WROTE. THIS IS JUST A PORTION. IMAGINE WANTING A LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER. THERE IS NO BETTER PLACE TO CUT YOUR TEETH AND IN FORT PIERCE. WITH ITS FULL GAMBIT OF CRIME, THE DEPARTMENT INVESTS ABOUT $30,000.00 INTO GETTING YOU INTO UNIFORM, TESTING, BACKGROUND CHECKS, TRAINING, AND EQUIPMENT. YOUR STARTING SALARY MAY BE LOWER AS OPPOSED TO OTHER AREA DEPARTMENTS, BUT THE EXPERIENCE YOU RECEIVE WILL BE MORE THAN TO MAKE UP FOR IT. EVENTUALLY, HOWEVER, THINGS BEGIN TO DETERIORATE. YOU ARE PAYING MORE TOWARDS RETIREMENT AND INSURANCE AND OFFICERS ELSEWHERE. YOU ARE WORKING MORE OFF-DUTY DETAILS JUST TO MAKE ENDS MEET, KEEPING YOU FROM

[01:05:01]

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO NEXT? WHO WOULD LIKE

TO GO NEXT? >> CHARLIE, MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, MEMBERS OF THE DAIS , EVERY TIME I COME HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE POLICE SALARIES , I FILE THE DOG THAT IS CHASING HIS TAIL. WE CAN NEVER GET ENOUGH TO GET THE RESOURCES TOGETHER TO PAY OUR POLICE OFFICERS WHAT THEY ARE WORTH. YOU HAVE HEARD SEVERAL SPEAKERS TONIGHT TALK ABOUT THE LOSS OF GOOD OFFICERS. YES, WE HAVE PLENTY OF THAT. THE PAY, WE CAN'T COMPETE. AND THEY UNDERSTAND HOW BUDGETS ARE MADE. WE GET A CITY BUDGET, YOU GET AN AMOUNT OF TAX MONEY, AND YOU HAVE TO ALLOCATE THE RESOURCES AMONGST ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS. PERHAPS IT'S TIME TO BITE THE BULLET . MAYBE PUT ANOTHER MILEAGE OR TWO ON TAXES THAT WE CAN ALLOCATE TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. OTHERWISE, WE ARE NEVER GOING TO CATCH UP.

WE CAN PUT A BIG SIGN OVER OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT NOW AND NOT CALL IT THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT , IS THE FORT PIERCE TRAINING ACADEMY, BECAUSE WE LOSE SO MANY OFFICERS TO OUTSIDE AGENCIES. IT COSTS A LOT OF MONEY TO TRAIN AN OFFICER AND GET THEM THE ONE OR TWO YEARS THEY NEED , AND AS SOON AS THEY GET THAT PERIOD, THE OTHER DEPARTMENT ARE COMING IN . BECAUSE, OUR OFFICERS HAVE MORE CALLS FOR SERVICE, ABOUT 50% MORE CALLS THAN ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT IN OUR AREA. SO, BY THE TIME THEY HAVE HAD ONE OR TWO YEARS IN, THEY ARE A SEASONED OFFICER. AND YOU OUGHT TO SPEND SOME TIME WITH OUR OFFICERS. WE HAVE GREAT MORALE AMONGST OUR UNITS . THESE GUYS ARE GREAT TO WORK WITH, THEY ARE FUN TO BE WITH, AND THEY CARE ABOUT OUR CITY. BUT WE KEEP LOSING THEM. WE HAVE GOT TO DO BETTER AT THAT. WE DID A SURVEY, THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE, ABOUT TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO. OVERWHELMINGLY , THE CITIZENS WANTED MORE POLICE PROTECTION , AND BETTER PAY FOR OUR OFFICERS. AND UNLESS THE BUDGET IS INCREASED , WE CAN'T DO IT HERE. THERE WERE NINE ANNEXATIONS TONIGHT. THAT MEANS EVERY ONE OF THOSE PROPERTIES HAVE TO BE PROTECTED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. WE ARE ALREADY ABOUT EIGHT OFFICERS SHORT IN A FULL COMPLEMENT, AND THE BUDGET DOES NOT ALLOW FOR HIRING ANY NEW PEOPLE. I DON'T KNOW HOW WE CAN KEEP PROTECTING EVERYBODY WITH A SMALLER FORCE. YOU HAVE GOT TO FIGURE OUT TO GET MORE PAY AND MORE BENEFIT FOR OUR OFFICERS. I MEAN, THE BAD GUYS HAVE ALL THE MONEY AND ALL THE GOOD EQUIPMENT. OUR

[01:10:04]

SOLUTION. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. WHO IS NEXT?

>> GOOD EVENING. GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, AND MEMBERS OF THE FORT PIERCE CITY COMMISSION. MY NAME IS CATALINA, AND FOR SEVEN YEARS, I HAVE SERVED WITH THE FORT PIERCE POLICE , AND LIVED AS A RESIDENT OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY. WHILE I DEEPLY APPRECIATE THE GUIDANCE OF MY SUPERVISORS PAST AND PRESENT, IT'S TIME TO ADDRESS SOME CRITICAL ISSUES IMPACTING OUR DEPARTMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY. I WAS PREVIOUSLY ASSIGNED TO ROAD PATROL, WORKING IN PATROL AREAS WHERE I WAS THE SOLE OFFICER FOR A HUGE BAND OF FORT PIERCE. IN MY TIME WITH ENROLL PATROL, I WAS AWARDED NO ADVANCED TRAINING DUE TO STAFFING AND BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS . IN THE LAST 10 MONTHS, I HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED AS A DETECTIVE ALONG WITH SIX OTHER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DETECTIVES , TAKING IN ANY CASE ASSIGNED.

DUE TO CHRONIC UNDERSTAFFING AND BUDGET CONSTRAINTS, I LACK THE ADVANCED TRAINING DETECTIVES AT OTHER AGENCIES ARE AFFORDED. INSTEAD, THE REQUIREMENT IS LIMITED TO SENDING ONE PERSON AT A TIME TO TRAINING , AND REQUIRE ATTENDEES TO UTILIZE THEIR OWN PAID TIME OFF TO ATTEND TRAINING. THE PROBLEMS DON'T STOP THERE. WE ARE WORKING WITH BARE-BONES EQUIPMENT . AS DETECTIVES, WE HAVE TO TURN TO NEIGHBORING AGENCIES AT THEIR DISPENSE TO UNLOCK AND EXTRACT CRUCIAL DATA FROM CELL PHONES INVOLVING IN MAJOR CASES, SUCH AS HOMICIDES, BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE NECESSARY TOOLS OR BUDGET TO AFFORD THE SOFTWARE OR EQUIPMENT NEEDED . TO MAKE IT CLEAR, WE DON'T EVEN HAVE LAPTOPS ASSIGNED TO US , BECAUSE THEY GET TAKEN AWAY AND ASSIGNED TO ROAD PATROL , AN ESSENTIAL PIECE OF EQUIPMENT FOR MODERN POLICE WORK , YET WE HAVE A FOOD TRUCK AND A MINI ELECTRIC PATROL VEHICLE . WHERE ARE OUR PRIORITIES? ADDITIONALLY, I SPEAK SECONDLY THAT THIS COULD STILL GREATLY BENEFIT OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY, YET INSTEAD OF RECEIVING AN INCENTIVE, I AM SIBLEY GIVEN MORE WORK. THIS IS DISHEARTENING. THESE DECISIONS MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE MY ROLE AS ANY MORE THAN JUST A JOB. OUR OFFICES ARE DOING THEIR BEST TO FIGHT CRIME, BUT WE ARE STRUGGLING FINANCIALLY. WITH A COMPETITIVE PAY AND ADEQUATE EQUIPMENT , IT'S HARD TO RECOMMEND OUR AGENCY IS A CAREER CHOICE . IN CONCLUSION, URGE YOU TO INVEST IN HIGHER PAY, BETTER EQUIP AND FOR THE FORT FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THIS INVESTMENT WOULD NOT ONLY ENHANCE OUR EFFECTIVENESS, IT WOULD ATTRACT AND MAINTAIN PROFESSIONALS COMMITTING TO KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE. THANK YOU FOR

YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, I HAVE SORT OF LET IT GO WITH THE APPLAUSE. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF YOU WOULD NOT APPLAUD , BECAUSE THAT TAKES UP MORE TIME , AND THIS IS NOT A GAME SHOW THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS THING. YES, SIR?

>> SHANE STOKES, FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT, SOUTHWEST U.S. ONE. MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONER, I'VE BEEN EMPLOYED WITH THE CITY EVERY YEAR, AND WE FIND OURSELVES REPEATING THE SAME MESSAGE. WE NEED MORE MONEY. WE NEED TO RETAIN OFFICERS. DUE TO INCREASING EXPENSES, WE HEAR THE SAME RESPONSE. WE UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE . WE KNOW WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING. YET EACH YEAR , WE RECEIVE A 3% RAISE. LAST YEAR, WE RECEIVED A 2% RAISE, WHICH WAS NOT HELPFUL. IT WAS BASICALLY A SLAP IN THE FACE. I HAVE SEEN OFFICERS WITH 10+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE LEAVE. THE PRIMARY REASON WAS THE DEPARTURE FOR PAY. I SPEAK WITH THESE OFFICERS OFTEN. THEY LOVE THE AGENCY , BUT ARE UNABLE TO ADEQUATELY SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES. WE ARE 15 TO 20% BEHIND SURROUNDING AGENCIES THAT DON'T HANDLE HALF OF THE CALLS THAT WE MANAGE DAILY , LET ALONE MONTHLY. WHY WOULD OFFICERS WANT TO STAY AND WORK FOR ALMOST NOTHING? OFFICERS HAVE TO WORK NUMEROUS OFF-DUTY DETAILS JUST TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

HOWEVER, THESE EXTRA HOURS DO NOT CONTRIBUTE TO THE RETIREMENT . WE ARE ESSENTIALLY FORCED TO TAKE ON A SECOND JOB TO SURVIVE. IT'S A SHAME. YES, WE HAVE HAD SOME RAISES , BUT WHEN THEY DO OCCUR , THEY RAISE THE INSURANCE COST, MAKING IT FEEL AS THOUGH THE RAISES HAVE NEVER HAPPENED. IN ADDITION, WE HAVE OUTDATED AND WORN DOWN EQUIPMENT TO DO OUR JOBS. AND WE HAVE WORN-OUT OFFICES BECAUSE THEY ARE UNDERPAID. WE HAVE TO WORK TWICE AS HARD WITHOUT THE PAY TO PROTECT THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY. SO, I ASK, ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE

[01:15:06]

>> THANK YOU, SIR. WHO IS NEXT? WOULD LIKE TO GO NEXT?

>> GOOD EVENING. DETECTIVE KEVIN MOHAMMED . I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR GIVING ME THE TIME. I AM AN 11 YEAR VETERAN OF THE FORT PIERCE POLICE OF, AND OVER THE YEARS, I LOST COUNT OF HOW MANY OF OUR FRIENDS HAVE LEFT FOR OTHER JOBS OF VARIOUS AGENCIES, DEPARTMENTS , AND AS STATED HOW MUCH GREENER THE GRASS IS ON THE OTHER SIDE. BUT I AM HERE, AND I AM HERE HOPING THAT MY WORDS, ALONG WITH THOSE OF MY COWORKERS IN THE PUBLIC AND FINALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE, AND WE CAN FINALLY BE PROPERLY RESPECTED AND COMPENSATED FOR THE JOB THAT WE DO. OVER THE PAST 11 YEARS, I FEEL THAT THOSE OFFICES LEFT BECAUSE THEY HAD TO DO TO NOT BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILIES ON WHAT THEY WERE BRINGING HOME , OR THE LEFT BECAUSE THEY WERE TIRE FOR FIGHTING FOR A RAISE AND HAVING A SLIVER OF HOPE ONLY TO BE DISAPPOINTED IN WHAT WE ARE OFFERED IN THE END. FOR THE PAST FOUR YEARS AS A DETECTIVE, I HAVE WORKED WITH MANY OTHER AGENCIES ALONG THE STATE . AS I HAVE SAID, I HAVE FRIENDS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, AND WHEN THEY ASK WHAT KIND OF DETECTIVE I AM, I SEASONALLY MAJOR CASES. THEY SAY OKAY, BUT WHAT SPECIFICALLY? AND I TOLD HIM EVERYTHING. THEIR JAWS DROP BECAUSE THEY WORK WITH ESSENTIALLY AN AGENCY THAT HAS 30 TO 40+ DETECTIVES INVESTIGATING SPECIAL TYPES OF CRIMES, AS WE JUST HAVE SEVEN TO DO IT ALL. TODAY, I AM HERE FOR MORE THAN JUST OUR SALARIES. WE NEED FUNDS. OTHER PEOPLE HAVE SAID THAT. WHEN THE PROPER UPDATED TOOLS TO HELP US DO OUR JOBS PROPERLY AND EFFICIENTLY FROM COMPUTERS TO PROGRAMS TO HELP US IN OUR INVESTIGATIONS TO EVEN THE SIMPLER THINGS LIKE OFFICE IN EQUIPMENT. I HAVE TO TAKE MY OWN MONEY TO BUY MY OWN CHAIR SO I CAN SIT COMFORTABLY, AND I GET BACK PAIN WHEN WRITING MY REPORTS. IN THE END, I HOPE YOU LISTEN TO OUR WORDS AND THEY HAVE NOT FALLEN ON DEAF EARS.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. WHO IS NEXT? WOULD LIKE TO GO NEXT? WOULD LIKE TO GO NEXT?

>> HI. MY NAME IS LARRY. I RECENTLY RETIRED AS THE PUBLIC AND PERMISSION OFFICER FOR THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT.

PRIOR TO THAT, I SPENT 40 YEARS AS A JOURNALIST ALL OVER THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING A STINT HERE AS THE EDITOR OF THE COMMUNITY, AND I SPENT 40 YEARS COVERING LAW ENFORCEMENT. ALL ACROSS THE UNDER MY BELT , INCLUDING A FOUR MONTH STINT HERE IN THE '90S. I TELL YOU ALL OF THAT BECAUSE THEY WANT YOU TO KNOW THIS. THESE ARE SOME OF THE FINEST OFFICERS I HAVE EVER WORKED WITH AND BEEN ASSOCIATED WITH. THE LEVEL OF EXPERIENCE IS ESSENTIAL TO THE CITY. I LOVE FORT PIERCE , AND NOW THAT I AM RETIRED, I HAVE THE TIME TO DO FUN THINGS HERE , BUT I WANT TO FEEL SAFE, AS I KNOW ALL OF THE CITIZENS DO. I HOPE YOU WILL KEEP THESE FOLKS IN MIND AND NEGOTIATE FAIRLY WITH THEM, BECAUSE THEY CERTAINLY DESERVE IT. THANK

YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU, SIR. WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO NEXT?

>> HELLO, MAYORS, COMMISSIONERS. I AM DETECTIVE CASEY DAVIS WITH THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT . I HAVE BEEN SO FOR THE LAST 10 YEARS. I'VE ALSO BEEN A RESIDENT HERE MY ENTIRE LIFE. THESE PAST 10 YEARS, I HAVE HELD DEAD BABIES, DEAD CHILDREN, AND THE CRYING MOTHERS IN MY ARMS AREA WE NEED TO STOP VIOLENCE IN OUR CITY, AND IT STARTS WITH YOU. WE HAVE SO MUCH VIOLENCE ON A DAILY BASIS, AND WE ARE AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH WITH HOMICIDES, VIOLENT CRIMES, AND OFFICER INVOLVED SHOOTINGS. WE EVEN JUST HAVE ONE OF OUR OWN WHO WAS SHOT AND IS IN THIS VERY OWN ROOM TODAY WITH US. WE NEED THE FUNDING, AND ASSERTS WITH YOU. THE STOP THE VIOLENCE TOGETHER. LET'S KEEP OUR CITY

SAFE. >> THANK YOU. WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO NEXT? WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO NEXT?

>> MY NAME IS JOHN. 4351, MORNING CLIQUE. HOPEFULLY WILL BE ON THE SAME ENJOYMENT THAT I AM IN A FEW MONTHS, BUT WHAT I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT TODAY IS A CITIZEN, AND I KNOW YOU KNOW THE BUDGET ALREADY, YOU KNOW WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. SO, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING YOU HAVE NOT HEARD BEFORE. BUT I AM LEARNING FROM DOING THIS JOB AND TRYING TO GET READY FOR MY NEXT EMPLOYMENT IS THE BUDGET NEEDS TO BE REWORKED , NOT RAISING THE MILLAGE RATE AS SOMEBODY ELSE HAD SAID. I NOTICED THAT

[01:20:05]

JUST TO KEEP THE GOOD ONES. I REALLY BELIEVE THAT TO PROTECT THE YOUNG POLICE OFFICERS THAT ARE HERE ONE TO FIVE YEARS, BUT ALSO FOR US, I LIVE HERE, AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THAT I HAVE A REALLY GOOD POLICE DEPARTMENT. I HEAR ALL THE PEOPLE TELLING ME WELL, IF I REJOICE, I WILL CALL THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT INSTEAD OF FORT PIERCE. IS WHAT I WANT TO HEAR. I WANT TO HEAR FORT PIERCE PEOPLE SAYING I'M CALLING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE GOOD POLICEMAN. SO, THAT IS ALL I

HAVE. THANKS. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> I WANT TO SHOW MY SUPPORT TO THE POLICE FORCE.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. YES, SIR? >> GOOD EVENING. I WAS ASKED BY

SEVERAL OFFICERS -- >> CAN YOU SPEAK UP OR GET A

LITTLE CLOSER TO THE MIC? >> IS THAT RIGHT?

>> YES. >> I WAS ASKED BY SEVERAL OFFICERS TO COME HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ON THEIR BEHALF. I AM A CRIMINAL DEFENSE ATTORNEY AND A FORMER PROSECUTOR. I AM THE ONLY ONE IN THE ROOM RIGHT NOW. THESE OFFICERS THAT I WORKED WITH OTHER PROSECUTOR HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE BEST OFFICERS I HAVE EVER WORKED WITH IN TERMS OF THE ATTITUDE AND INTERACTIONS WITH THE CITIZENS. BUT THEY DEAL WITH THE MOST THAT COMES WITH EXTRA TRAINING, EXTRA ATTENTION , AND EXTRA MONEY. THEY NEED THE TOOLS IN ORDER TO DO THEIR JOBS. WHEN I COME HERE AND I INTERACT WITH THEM COMPARED TO OTHER AGENCIES, EVEN IN MY LAWYER WORLD , IT IS DIFFERENT. THEY ARE TRAINED HERE DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO DO WITH THE COMMUNITY DIFFERENTLY. THAT ALSO MEANS THEY TAKE ON EXTRA TRAUMA , GOING HOME AT WORK, DEAL WITH THE COMISSIONER NOT PAYING ATTENTION. THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH , AND GOING HOME TO THEIR FAMILY. I AM ASKING YOU TO GIVE THEM A RAISE THAT IS EQUAL TO PSL , STUART, COMPARABLE. IF YOU LOOK AT THE STARTING RATES HERE IN FORT PIERCE COMPARED TO BOCA RATON, IT'S ALMOST DOUBLE. THAT'S $86,000.00 . WE ARE STARTING THEM HERE WITH ALMOST NOTHING.

BEING A CITIZEN NOW IN FORT PIERCE, I WANT TO BE ABLE TO CALL THEM AND BE ABLE TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO THE JOB WITH MY NEIGHBOR IS HURTING OR IF THERE IS A CRIME DOWN THE STREET. WE CAN'T DO THAT RIGHT NOW. THEY ARE TO SPREAD OUT. WE JUST ADDED MORE LAND . WE CAN'T DO THAT. THOSE ARE THE REASONS WE ARE ASKING YOU TO GIVE THEM A RAISE, PLEASE.

>> WOULD YOU SPELL YOUR LAST NAME FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE?

THANK YOU. WHO IS NEXT? >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS TAYLOR HASKINS, 302 SOUTH SECOND STREET. MY PERSPECTIVE IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT. I AM A BUSINESS OWNER IN FORT PIERCE. MY FAMILY HAS BEEN A BUSINESS OWNER FOR MANY DECADES , AND WE RELY ON THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR BUSINESS , OUR EMPLOYEES, AND OUR CLIENTS. I AM HERE TODAY TO ASK FOR A RAISE ON BEHALF OF THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THEY ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR COMMUNITY , AND THEY DESERVE TO BE COMPENSATED AS SUCH. SO, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANYONE ELSE? WAS NEXT? IS NEXT?

>> MY NAME IS -- COULD EVENING, MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS . TODAY, I AM HERE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT PERENNIAL ISSUES WITHIN THE FORT PIERCE PLEASE THE PERMIT. THE ISSUE OF HIGH TURNOVER, LOW PAY, AND LACK OF EXPERIENCE. DURING RECENT INTERVIEWS, ONE OF THE QUESTIONS TO THE MAYOR WAS HOW DO WE REDUCE VIOLENCE WITHIN THE CITY. THE MAYOR ANSWERED THAT, AND THEN ASKED A REPORTER IF HE HAD ANY IDEAS. WELL, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS , DO YOU HAVE ANY SOLUTIONS TO STOP THE HIGH TURNOVER? I MAY BE ABLE TO HELP WITH THAT. START BY OFFERING BETTER COMPETITIVE PAY, KEEPING HER EXPERIENCED OFFICERS, AND STOP GIVING THEM OUT TO OTHER AGENCIES. WITH BETTER PAY, THIS WILL HELP RING BETTER APPLYING APPLICANTS . DURING OUR LAST NEGOTIATION MEETING, WE OFFERED IDEAS TO THE CITY. ONE OF THOSE IDEAS WAS TO MAKE OUR SALARIES SURROUNDING AGENCIES, AND INCLUDED IN A SENSE OF PACKAGE. HOWEVER, DURING THE TOPIC OF SALARIES IN OUR NEGOTIATIONS, WE WERE OFFERED A STEP AND 3%,

[01:25:04]

FOR THEM TO BE OVERWHELMED , OVERWORKED, AND ALWAYS PUTTING THEIR LIFE ON THE LINE , LOW PAY HAS ALWAYS BEEN AN ISSUE WITHIN OUR DEPARTMENT. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT HAVE AN ISSUE OF HIRING OFFICERS, OFFICER RETENTION IS A PERENNIAL ISSUE WHERE OFFICERS COME HERE AND GET THEIR TRAINING , AND THEN THEY JUST LEAVE BECAUSE OF THE LOW PAY.

ULTIMATELY, BETTER EXPERIENCED OFFICERS HELP DETER CRIME MORE EFFECTIVELY , AND BETTER KNOWLEDGE ON HOW TO HANDLE BETTER SITUATIONS. AS A BORN AND RAISED RESIDENT IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, I AM PROUDEST OF THE GREAT JOB THAT MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS ARE DOING IN PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY. BY KNOWING THE STATE OF OUR GROWING CITY, I DO NOT FEEL COUNTABLE LETTING MY THREE CHILDREN PLAY OUTSIDE BECAUSE OF THE OVERWHELMING CLOCK CALLS OF ANNEXATION OF THE CITY. WITH THIS BEING SAID, PAY YOUR OFFICES WHAT THEY DESERVE. STOP LETTING EXPERIENCE LEAVE OUR CITY AND POLICE DEPARTMENT.

STOP LETTING THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE BE A TRAINING GROUND, AND IN OUR NEXT NEGOTIATION ON AUGUST 8TH, PLEASE GIVE US A BETTER OFFER, BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A GAME, THESE ARE PEOPLE'S

LIVES. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. WHO IS NEXT?

>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS. THIS IS THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE PUBLIC WORKS. 52 SAVANNAH ROAD. I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT ALONG WITH PUBLIC WORKS. WHEN THEY NEED SOMETHING, THEY CALL PUBLIC WORKS, THEY DON'T CALL YOU. THEY DON'T CALL I.T. THEY DON'T CALL CITY HALL. WE ARE IN HURRICANE SEASON. WE HAVE EQUIPMENT THAT IS 30 YEARS OLD . IT SHOULD HAVE AN ANTIQUE TAG. THE NUMBER IS ON THE BUDGET. THE MANAGERS PUT IN FOR MORE MONEY, THEY NEVER GET IT.

I HAVE BEEN IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE SINCE I WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD. THIS IS MY TOWN. I AM NOT GOING ANYWHERE. I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND IS THE BIGGER PICTURE HERE WITH THE GROWTH, AND I FULLY UNDERSTAND IT. I AM A TAXPAYER . I'M WILLING TO PAY LITTLE BIT MORE FOR SAFETY. I WANT WILLING TO PAY A LITTLE BIT MORE TO HAVE WHAT WE HEAR HAVE IN THIS TOWN BECAUSE IT IS NOT GOING TO STOP. I WILL TELL YOU. IT WILL KEEP ON GOING.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. WHO IS NEXT?

>> HELLO. ONE .684 ROAD. I AM PAYING ONE POINT THREE 5% OF PROPERTY TAXES. I CAN'T PAY ANYMORE . 3.5% FROM A PURCHASE PRICE . WHAT I AM TRYING TO DO IS TO PROVIDE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING . TRIED TO BREAK IT INTO FOUR UNITS AND PROVIDE MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE TO MAKE THE HOUSE BETTER. I WAS MET WITH -- AM SORRY, THIS IS MY FIRST TIME

SPEAKING. >> THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

>> THERE IS A LINK FOR $18,000.00 PLACED ON MY HOUSE BECAUSE THEY DO NOT REPLY ON TIME TO THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT . THERE WAS NOT A VIOLATION. I SUBMITTED IT TO THE CITY CLERK, AND I AM STILL WAITING ON THAT. SO, I AM FIGHTING THAT. I WILL TRY TO REDUCE THAT . THAT'S ABOUT IT.

>> GREAT. WILL YOU SPELL YOUR LAST NAME FOR US PLEASE?

>> DONCHU. >> THANK YOU. WHO IS NEXT?

>> GOOD EVENING TO ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS. I AM A HOMEOWNER AT 710 NORTH 18TH STREET. THE REASON I AM HERE TODAY IS TO ADVOCATE FOR OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN BLUE FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT I AM ONE OF THE BIGGEST ADVOCATES FOR THEM, AND YET, I WILL CALL THEM OUT ON ANYTHING THAT I SEE THAT IS NOT RIGHT. YOU KNOW?

>> I KNOW. >> THE REASON I AM HERE, I AM THE MOTHER OF 13, AND I AM RAISED HERE IN FORT PIERCE. I THINK THAT THEY REALLY, REALLY NEED TO BEHAVE WITH WHAT THEY DESERVE , BECAUSE I HAVE CALLED THEM NUMEROUS OF TIMES . THEY

[01:30:03]

FREED ON THE CORNER OF 18TH AND G, I LIVE RIGHT THERE. MY KIDS OUT THERE. MY KIDS RAN INTO THOSE BULLIES. THIS IS STUFF THAT THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH. I MEAN, I JUST WENT TO A TRAFFIC STOP WITHIN OFFICER THE OTHER DAY , AND THE WAY THAT THEY ARE TREATED , I MEAN, IT DOES NOT ENCOMPASS WHAT THEY GET PAID. I MEAN, HE WAS REALLY, REALLY SO CALM AND COLLECTED WITH THESE GUYS, AND HE TREATED THEM SO BAD. LIKE, THEY DON'T DESERVE THIS. WHATEVER YOU DO, PLEASE FIND IT IN YOUR HEART TO RAISE THEIR PAY WHEREVER THEY NEED . GIVE IT TO THEM. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WHO IS NEXT? WHO IS NEXT?

>> MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, MY NAME IS -- I WAS NOT PLANNING ON SPEAKING TODAY, MISSING MY FELLOW OFFICERS COME UP, I DECIDED I WOULD SPEAK TODAY. JUST TO GIVE YOU AN EYE-OPENER ON JUST HOW MUCH WE ARE LACKING AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, I WAS HIRED IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR. I HAVE NO CAR TO TAKE HOME RIGHT NOW. WHY? BECAUSE WE HAVE NO MONEY IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. I NEED TO TAKE MY OWN TRUCK TO THE DEPARTMENT, SWITCH ALL OF MY STUFF INTO A CAR THAT I AM SHARING WITH ANOTHER OFFICER , AND IN MY OPINION, IT IS A DISGRACE TO OUR DEPARTMENT. WHEN I STARTED MY FDL TRAINING , I STARTED WITH ONE SHIRT. I SPENT A MONTH AND A HALF WITH ONE SHIRT . WHY? BECAUSE WE HAVE NO MONEY IN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT. THEY HAD NO MONEY FOR THEM TO BUY MORE SHIRTS.

INAUDIBLE - MUFFLED ] THIS IS EMBARRASSING. TO START ON THE ROAD, I HAD TO SPEND $400.00 OUT OF MY POCKET TO BE ABLE TO WORK IN A POLICE DEPARTMENT. THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. LIKE I SAID, I JUST WANTED TO COME OUT HERE AND GIVE YOU GUYS THAT INFORMATION. YOU GUYS DON'T REALIZE HOW MUCH MONEY WE ARE LACKING IN THE PLEASE THE PERMIT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. WHO IS NEXT? WAS NEXT?

>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS LISA NELSON. I AM HERE AT WEST MIDWAY ROAD, FAMILY FARMS. I CAME TO SPEAK ABOUT STORMWATER MANAGEMENT AND HIGH DENSITY DEVELOPMENT , BUT SINCE I HAVE BEEN A MEMBER HERE OF THIS COMMUNITY SINCE 1974 , AND MY HUSBAND'S FAMILY SINCE 1938 , IT IS A TRAVESTY WHAT I AM HEARING IN THESE CHAMBERS. I HAVE WATCHED FORT PIERCE BEING THE ORIGINAL CITY OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY , WAY BEFORE TRADITION , WAY BEFORE PORT ST. LUCIE , AND YET THEIR UNITS, THEIR EQUIPMENTS LOOK LIKE TATTERED TOYS COMPARED TO WHAT I I HAVE SEEN SOUTH COUNTY OF US. MARTIN COUNTY, INDIAN RIVER COUNTY. I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST TO THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE THAT NOW ON, WHEN THERE IS HIGH DENSITY DEVELOPMENT , MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENT, COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT , THAT THERE BE AN IMPACT FEE THAT GOES TOWARDS THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT. I AM A TAXPAYER , I HAVE PROPERTY IN THE COUNTY AND THE CITY , BUT I WANT MY TOWN TO BE PROTECTED , AND I WANT OUR OFFICERS TO GO INTO THEIR ENVIRONMENT WITH THE PROPER EQUIPMENT, THE PROPER UNITS, THE PROPER TRAINING THAT THEY FEEL EMPOWERED TO BE A FORCEFUL UNIT, AND THEY ARE RESPECTED BY OUR FELLOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

THE ONLY WAY TO DO THIS IS THERE MAKING DEVELOPERS MEET CONCURRENCY AND APPLY IMPACT FEES . THIS IS THE ONLY WAY YOU WILL GAIN RESPECT FROM DEVELOPERS THAT ARE COMING IN AND BUYING OUR AFFORDED PROPERTY THAT IS READY FOR

[01:35:02]

>> THINK, MA'AM. THANK YOU, MA'AM. WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO NEXT? ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

>> 2625, SOUTH U.S. ONE. I SUPPORT THE FORT PIERCE POLICE.

WE DON'T FEEL SAFE IN THIS COMMUNITY. THIS IS A TRAVESTY.

AND YOU KNOW WHAT? SWITCH TO TALK ABOUT THE 800 POUND ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, OR THE ONE THAT IS MISSING. THE SPEED OF THE BOSSES THE SPEED OF THE CREW. I SENT APPEAR ALL THE TIME AND SAY THIS. WHERE IS THE CHIEF? WHERE IS THE CHIEF? WHO IS THE ONE ADVOCATING FOR THESE EMPLOYEES? WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, YOU LOOK AT WHAT SHE HAS DRUG OVER FROM TAMPA CONSTANTLY, AND WHAT IT HAS COST US, HOW MANY PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICERS, HOW MANY MAJORS, SHE'S GOT A NEW ONE , SHE CHANGES THAT MORE THAN SHE CHANGES HER UNDERWEAR. YOU KNOW? AND YOU ALL LET THIS HAPPEN. BECAUSE SHE TAKES CARE OF YOU ALL. AND WE, THE BUSINESS OWNERS, THE TAXPAYERS AND THE RESIDENCE, ARE TIRED OF THIS. YOU KNOW, YOU ALL BOUGHT HER A BOAT NOT LONG AGO. WE'VE GOT A COAST GUARD STATION, A MARINE PATROL, WILDLIFE, AND SHERIFF. WHAT DOES SHE NEED A BOAT FOR? WHY NOT TAKE THAT MONEY , AND GIVE RAISES? CAN HEAR THEIR COMING. THEIR RAGGEDY CARS ARE ALL OVER TOWN.

YOU KNOW? SHE HAS HER STEP INFECTIONS. THE ONES THAT SHE TAKES CARE OF. THE REST OF THEM WORK NIGHT AND DAY. YOU GOT THEM OUT THERE POSING CARS WITH AIRPLANES. ALL OVER THE STATE.

NOT TAKING CARE OF FORT PIERCE. WE WANT TO TAX MORE BUSINESSES? WE PAY TAXES! WHY DON'T WE ALLOCATE OUR MONEY CORRECTLY? YOU ALL DON'T DO IT. Y'ALL'S RESPONSIBILITY, GOVERNMENTS FOR FIRST RESPONSE ABILITIES TO KEEP US SAFE. AND THIS IS OUR FIRST LINE. YOU ARE FAILING THEM. I MAKE IT A LITTLE BETTER ONCE THE SHOOTING IS CONTINUE ON THE BEACH. ONCE IT CROSSES OVER THE EAST SIDE OF U.S. ONE, IT WILL HIT THE FAN, RIGHT? I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT. MAYOR, YOU AND THE REST OF YOU ALL WILL NOT LIVE UP THERE AND BE SAFE OR WORRIED LIKE THE REST OF US HAVE TO DO EVERY DAY. YOU ALL ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN. YOU ALLOW HER TO DO THIS! WHERE IS SHE TONIGHT? WHERE IS OUR CHIEF? IS SHE IN TAMPA? WHERE IS SHE TONIGHT? HOW DO YOU RUN AN ORGANIZATION OR A MILITARY , PARAMILITARY ORGANIZATION, THE SPEED OF THE BOSSES THE SPEED OF THE CREW. WHERE IS SHE? SHE WORKS FOR Y'ALL. SHE WORKS FOR Y'ALL. I DON'T KNOW WHETHER THE TAIL IS WAGGING THE DOG, IT LOOKS LIKE IT. YOU WILL NEED TO DO SOMETHING. AND YOU ALL NEED A RAISE.

>> WHO IS NEXT? WOULD LIKE TO GO NEXT?

>> GOOD EVENING. FOR THE RECORD , SITUATION THAT WE HAVE HERE TONIGHT WHEN I WAS SITTING UP THERE , WHAT I DESCRIBED IS EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE HAVING RIGHT NOW. AND IT IS AS A RESULT OF ADMINISTRATION. THERE IS NO WAY THAT THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE CAN FUND A POLICE DEPARTMENT , ESPECIALLY IN THE STATE THAT MOST CITIES ARE IN

[01:40:07]

WE NEED TO STOPPING THE TRAINING GROUND. I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU WILL WITH YOU ABOUT THIS MONEY SITUATION, BUT YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING , BECAUSE IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU GIVE YOURSELF A RAISE, AND ONLY ONE OF YOU OPPOSED IT A FEW WEEKS AGO. AND IT WAS WITHOUT A HEARING. BUT AT ANY RATE, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. THE ADMINISTRATION , YOU HAVE TO GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A TRAINING GROUND. THIS IS NOT A MIAMI -- CAME HERE TO LIVE AND COME BACK. HE COULD'VE STAYED UP IN NEW ORLEANS IF I WANTED TO BE WITH THIS KIND OF CRIME. CAME BACK HOME BECAUSE AND THIS WAS THE PLACE FOR ME TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE. BUT YOU HAVE GOT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THESE GUYS LIVES. YOU HAVE TO GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO HOLD ONTO. YOU HAVE TO GIVE THEM HOPE. YOU HAVE GOT TO FIND THE MONEY. BUT IN THE MEANTIME, DON'T LET THAT HAPPEN AGAIN. DO NOT DOWNPLAY CRIME. CRIME IS AT AN ALL-TIME HIGH. TAKE IT SERIOUS SO YOU CAN GET SOME HELP IN HERE. BECAUSE ULTIMATELY, WHAT IS LEADING NOW IS THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THE SHERIFF'S PERMIT. THAT IS WHAT THE CITIZENS ONE, AND IT'S TOO MUCH POWER FOR ONE INDIVIDUAL FOR THIS COUNTY. BUT THAT IS WHAT IT IS GOING TO LEAD TO, BECAUSE PUBLICLY, THAT IS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. YOU HAVE SO MUCH PRESSURE ON YOU, THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DO. FIND THE MONEY. TREAT THEM RIGHT. GIVE THEM HOPE. THESE YOUNG PEOPLE , STAY OUTSIDE THE BOX . GET THEM THE TYPE OF SALARY THAT THEY HAVE.

>> THANK YOU. >> THE MANAGEMENT THE COMPANY INTO, A LOT OF THEM LIKE TO OPT OUT.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> MADAM MAYOR? >> YOUR TIME IS UP, SIR.

>> I THINK THEY WOULD SAY THAT ABOUT THE BEACH AREA. YOU WILL

START TO FEEL WHAT I FEEL. >> WHO IS NEXT? WHAT IS NEXT? WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO NEXT? WHO IS NEXT? OKAY. OH? OKAY.

>> MAYOR, MADAM, CITY COMMISSION , MY NAME IS -- EXCUSE ME. UPPER RESPIRATORY. MY NAME IS NOAH CLARK. 920 SOUTH U.S. HIGHWAY 1. I WORKED IN THIS DEPARTMENT FOR SEVEN YEARS. I HAVE SERVED AS A ROAD PATROL OFFICER, A DETECTIVE IN THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION , AND INTERNAL AFFAIRS AS WELL. CURRENTLY, I SERVE AS A TRAINING OFFICER, THE ONES WHO GET THEIR TRAINING AND LEAVE. WHAT WAS RECENTLY DESCRIBED AS A PERENNIAL PROBLEM IN A NEWS INTERVIEW, WE ARE A TRAINING GROUND AGENCY. REALLY A PHYSICAL FATHER OF TWO CHILDREN, AND STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET. NOT ONLY DO I DO MY JOB WELL , BUT I DO THE WORK OF MORE THAN TWO OFFICERS COMBINED PROFICIENTLY FOR LESS PAY THAN OTHER SURROUNDING AGENCIES. THIS IS STATED DUE TO THE FACT THAT WE HANDLE MORE THAN DOUBLE THE CALLS OF SERVICE FANS RUNNING AGENCIES.

CURRENTLY AM COMING UP TO A CROSSROADS. THERE ARE NIGHTS THAT I GET MINIMUM TO NO SLEEP AT ALL. CURRENTLY, THIS DEPARTMENT IS NOT MAINTAINABLE IN THE LONG RUN FOR THE CARE AND PROVISION OF MY FAMILY. PLEASE DO RIGHT BY YOUR OFFICERS AND RIGHT BY ITS CITIZENS THAT ARE SUFFERING IN THIS VIOLENT CRIME THRIVING COMMUNITY. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE OUR MOST SPIRITS OFFICERS IN REPLACING OUR BOTTOM OF THE BARREL OFFICERS TO FIGHT THE WORST CRIME . OUR OFFICERS DESERVE BETTER , AND SO DOES OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. WHO IS NEXT? WHO IS NEXT? ANYONE ELSE?

>> I AM A CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATOR WITH THE CITY OF

[01:45:02]

IT IS UNFORTUNATE , BUT WE NEED TO HAVE THIS, AND THE CITY NEEDS TO INVEST IN ITS EMPLOYEES. I CAN TELL YOU THIS.

THE PRICE OF MILK, PRICE OF MILK, AND THE PRICE OF EGGS AS THE SAME AS IT IS IN STEWART AS IT IS IN FORT PIERCE. IF WE CAN'T AFFORD HERE, IT'S NOT GOOD FOR ANYBODY. THANK YOU.

>> SIR, COULD YOU SPELL YOUR LAST NAME?

>> RAJHURAJ. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> WHO IS NEXT? ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. LAST CALL. I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND MOVE ON. MISS RALPH?

>> NEXUS, FROM THE CITY MANAGER.

>> MR. JOHNSON? ALL RIGHT. DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS? HOW

[16. COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION]

ABOUT YOU? OKAY. >> NEXUS COMMENTS FROM THE

COMMISSION. >> ALL RIGHT. WOULD LIKE TO

START? >> MADAM MAYOR, I WILL START.

>> OKAY. >> FIRST, I WANT TO THANK THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMITTEE FOR COMING OUT TONIGHT AND SHARING YOUR COMMENTS. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE HAVE HEARD FROM YOU IN THE LAST COUPLE OF CITY COMMISSION MEETINGS, AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT YOUR CITY COMMISSION IS DOING THE WORK TO EVALUATE THIS. TO PUT OUT THE SOLUTIONS SO THAT WE HAVE DONE OUR WORK ON OUR END TO LOOK AT WHAT THE POSSIBILITIES ARE , BECAUSE WHAT I HAVE HEARD TONIGHT AND GLADLY UNDERSTAND IN HERE, BUT IT IS WANT TO CLARIFY A COUPLE OF THINGS. THE PERSPECTIVE IS THAT WE ARE AND WE WILL AND WE ARE NOT OPPOSED TO SUPPORTING INCREASED PAY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE AND MY SEAT, I AM LOOKING AT THIS , AND I'M LOOKING AT STAFF TO PREPARE SITUATIONS THAT WE ARE ALL LOOKING AT. SOME OF WHICH ARE GOING TO BE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS OF THINGS THAT WILL IMPACT EVEN CITY HALL, CITY HALL STAFF, EVEN OUR OWN POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT WE WILL HAVE TO CUT IN SOME ASPECTS TO TRY AND FIGURE THIS OUT. AND THE CITIZENS OF FORT PIERCE ARE GOING TO POSE THE QUESTION AND HAVE TO PAY LITTLE BIT MORE. I HEARD THAT AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION. I ALSO HEARD SOME THINGS ABOUT DEVELOPMENT. SO, FOR MY PERSPECTIVE AND HOW I LOOK AT THIS IS THAT WE HAVE TO BALANCE THE BUDGET IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE , AND I THINK, AND I HEAR YOU VERY LOUD AND CLEAR, THAT THE CITY OF 50,000 PEOPLE , WE REALIZE, AND I REALIZED, THAT OUR CHALLENGES ARE GREAT. THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE HAS GOT OVER 350,000 PEOPLE WITH MINIMUM HOUSEHOLDS , MINIMAL COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT , AND WE ARE JUST STARTING TO ATTRACT THAT TYPE OF TAX BASE HERE IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE SO WE CAN MOVE MONEY FORWARDAND PAY MORE FOR OUR PUBLIC WORKS LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EVERY THING ELSE THAT IS ON THIS BUDGET SHEET THAT WE NEED TO COVER. SO, I WANT YOU TO HEAR FROM ME , CURTIS JOHNSON, THAT I AM LOOKING AT THIS. I'M LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS TO SAY WHAT IS A COME FROM, BECAUSE THIS MONEY HAS TO COME FROM SOMEPLACE . I THINK I HEARD AUGUST 8TH , WHICH IS THE NEXT ROUND, I WILL BE HAVING MY DISCUSSION WITH THE CITY MANAGER ABOUT WHERE I THINK WE SHOULD BE, AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION SO THAT WE ALL REALIZE THAT THERE WILL BE GREAT SACRIFICE. GREAT SACRIFICE. EVEN BASED ON WHAT YOU ARE SAYING AND WHAT YOU ARE RECOMMENDING FROM WHAT I HAVE HEARD , THERE WILL STILL BE CUTS IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. SOMEBODY HAS GOT TO GIVE SOME ASPECT. WE DON'T HAVE COUNTLESS AMOUNTS OF MONEY HERE AT THIS POINT. WE ARE GROWING OUR CITY. IT IS UNDERSTOOD THAT

[01:50:06]

THE MILEAGE RATE IN FORT PIERCE RIGHT NOW JUST WHERE YOU ARE IS 6.9. THAT'S NOT ENOUGH, SO THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO GO UP.

AND WE ARE LOOKING AT NUMBERS AROUND SEVEN. EIGHT. SO, FOR THOSE HOMEOWNERS IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE , THIS WILL BE A CRITICAL CONVERSATION THAT WE MUST HAVE , AND IS INTERESTED IN THAT WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, THERE ARE PARTS OF FORT PIERCE THAT NEVER HAD ASSESSED VALUES ON THEIR HOME. AND I AM NOT GOING TO LET THE COMMUNITY BE GENTRIFIED OUT OF FORT PIERCE BECAUSE OF ON AFFORDABILITY. THEY LABORED IN THIS COMMUNITY, PICKING FOOT -- LIVE IN THAT LINCOLN PARK AREA THAT DON'T HAVE CENTRAL AIR AND HEAT. THAT BOOK THIS COMMUNITY. SO, THAT STORY WILL BE TOLD TO, BECAUSE THAT NEEDS TO BE UNDERSTOOD. BECAUSE THAT IS THE WORKFORCE THAT IS GOING TO WORK IN THIS COMMUNITY WHEN WE DO BRING DEVELOPMENT HERE. THE CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE HERE IN A LOW-WAGE SITUATION AS WE SPEAK.

YOUR COMMISSION IS DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO BRING UP THE WAGES FOR EVERYBODY. INCLUDING YOU. SO, THAT IS WHAT CURTIS JOHNSON HAS TO SAY. I WAS BORN AND RAISED AT THIS TOWN . SO, I UNDERSTAND IT , BUT I WANT YOU TO HEAR ME CLEAR. THE TOUGH DECISIONS WILL BE MADE . WE, AS A COMMUNITY, HAVE ALWAYS FULL PULLED OURSELVES UP BY OUR BOOTSTRAPS, AND WE WILL DO THAT. I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT I HAVE YOU HERE AT THAT FIGHT WITH US. WITH ME. WITH THIS COMMUNITY.

WE NEED YOU AND YOU NEED US. I HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR, BUT ALSO HEAR MY WORDS IN MY PASSION , BECAUSE I WALK THE STREETS AND I LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY. SO, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME, BECAUSE I HAVE HEARD YOU AND I

HOPE THAT YOU HEAR ME. >> WOULD LIKE TO GO NEXT?

>> MADAM MAYOR, I WILL GO. I HAVE A FEW COMMENTS AND I MIGHT MAKE SOME MORE LATER. THE LAST FEW MEETINGS WE HAVE HAD, EVEN PRIVATE MEETINGS, WE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY , NOT ONLY THAT , BUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE NATION. THOSE ARE THE CONVERSATIONS THAT I HAVE HAD, AND THOSE OF THE CONVERSATIONS THAT I HAVE GOT , AND WE LOOK AT EXACTLY WHAT IS HAPPENING WITHIN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, AND WE EVALUATE , YOU KNOW, I AM A LIFELONG RESIDENT HERE BORN AND RAISED. I HAVE SEEN THE COMMUNITY CHANGE IN SO MANY WAYS , BUT THERE IS A COMMON THEME THAT I HAVE SEEN AS A VERY YOUNG PERSON. I HAVE HEARD PARENTS TALK ABOUT IT, GRANDPARENTS TALK ABOUT IT , AND IT IS THE EVER-CHANGING WHAT CAN FORT PIERCE BE, WHAT IS FORT PIERCE DOING , HOW COME FOLKS ARE LEAVING THE CITY, HOW COME FOLKS ARE LEAVING THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT? AS EMPLOYEES, OFFICERS, AND LEADERSHIP. IT HAS ALWAYS TROUBLED ME SINCE THE DAY I HEARD AT THE VERY FIRST TIME , AND WHEN I STARTED SERVING HERE AS A VOLUNTEER IN THE EARLY 2000'S , YOU KNOW, IT WAS A THEME BACK IN THOSE DAYS . I WAS SHARING WITH YOU ALL WHAT I WAS HEARING. I SAW A SHIFT, AND

[01:55:01]

THIS IS A CHANCE AND CONVERSATION, AND IN THE LAST MEETING , I HEARD AND NEW WITH MY MEETING THAT THERE IS A NEGOTIATED CONVERSATION , AND THE RESPONSE WAS THE STEPLESS THE 3%. YOU ALL ASKED FOR IT, ACTUALLY, OF GIVING US A PARAMETER OF INCREASES, GIVING US A PARAMETER OF WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE A TERRIBLY , SPECIFICALLY MY QUESTION WAS ABOUT A STEP PLUS 10% , AND I HEARD IT OUTSIDE OF THIS CHAMBER THAT IT WAS REQUESTED OF A STEP PLUS 15 IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN. SO, YOU KNOW, AND THE OVERALL EVALUATION , I WILL HAVE TO ASK EVEN MORE OF WHAT I AM SEEING ON THE SPREADSHEET THAT IS IN FRONT OF US TONIGHT IS WHAT IS A TRUE IMPACT . WHAT IS THE TRUE SOLUTION TO ACCOMMODATING THE REQUEST OF A STEP PLUS 10 A STEP +5, WHATEVER THAT IS . I NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON WAS TALKING ABOUT. IF WE STEP INTO THIS, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT THE BUDGET AND WHERE DO WE CUT IT? THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO. I DON'T % THINK THE COMMUNITY IS READY OR THEY WILL ENTERTAIN A MILLAGE RATE CHANGE . I JUST DON'T BELIEVE THAT. THERE ARE ALREADY GROUPS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO TALK ABOUT ST. LUCIE COUNTY AS A WHOLE , AND THEY ARE OUT THERE AND FIGHTING FOR THEIR TAXES AND MILLAGE RATES TO GO DOWN. FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS, ASKED THE QUESTION TIME AND TIME AGAIN. WHAT CAN WE DO AND WHEN CAN WE REDUCE THE MILLAGE RATE? AFTER SELF-EVALUATION, AFTER BUDGET EVALUATION , I ALWAYS CAME BACK TO THE FACT OF IT IS AN IF THEN STATEMENT. IF YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISHMENT, THEN WE HAVE TO HAVE THE BUDGET HERE. I'M AT THAT POINT TODAY. I'VE BEEN IN SUPPORT OF THE MILLAGE RATE FOR THE PAST TWO TO THREE YEARS WITHOUT QUESTIONING A REDUCTION , BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN PRETTY CONSISTENTLY IN OUR BUDGET HEARINGS IF YOU GO BACK , I WAS JUST TRYING TO FIND THE EXACT SAME SOLUTIONS THAT WE

[02:00:06]

HAS COME AT A PRICE , BUT WE HAVE DONE IT. WE HAVE MOVED FORWARD, BECAUSE OUR FIRST CONVERSATIONS IN THE FIRST SIX MONTHS IN OFFICE , I AM NOT DOUBTING MYSELF, I'M JUST SAYING IT WAS AN OBSERVATION FOR ANY SPIRIT RESIDENT THAT HAPPENED TO WHERE A CITY COMMISSIONER HAT. OH, MY GOODNESS, WHY IS THAT NOT BEING TURNED OFF? BECAUSE THEY WERE VISITING. SO, THE PHONE CALL BACK THAT SAYS, WELL, KINDLY IF WE TURN THAT CAR OFF, IT WILL NOT START AGAIN. AND I WAS LIKE OH, MY GOODNESS. SO, I AM COMING FROM A WORLD OF FREAK CHANGEOVER INTO A CONVERSATION OF WHY ARE WE NOT DOING THAT? AND I WAS A REAL CONVERSATION. SO, WE ADDRESSED THAT. WE CAME UP WITH A PLAN, WE CAME UP WITH AN IDEA , AND IT WAS A SOLUTION. MAYBE NOT THE BEST AT THE TIME, I CONSIDERED TO BE THE BEST AT THE TIME, BUT WE DID A LOT OF RESEARCH. TODAY, WE NEED TO FURTHER EVALUATE THAT EXACT SAME QUESTION, AND WHAT ARE WE DOING WITH RESOURCES? HEARD A LOT ABOUT TECHNOLOGY. WE HEARD ABOUT EQUIPMENT. IN THE LAST PRESENTATION, THERE WAS CONVERSATION ABOUT , YOU KNOW, WE NEEDED TO CHANGEOVER DUTY WEAPONS, AND WE WERE GOING TO CHANGE OVER, YOU KNOW, TECHNOLOGY AND ELEMENTS THAT ARE IN THE COMMUNITY, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN TO THE PUBLIC AS FAR AS CAMERAS OR POSITIONS THAT HELP US SOLVE CRIMES BETTER , AND THOSE CONVERSATIONS, MR. MIMMS COMMITTED TO US SITTING HERE THAT WE WOULD FUND THOSE.

>> YEP, IT'S ON THE RECORD. >> SO, THAT MUST MEAN HE IS GOING TO TALK ABOUT, I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS RESERVE THAT HE IS LOOKING INTO, MOTHER MAYBE IT IS LAP SALARIES TO FILL POSITIONS, I DON'T KNOW HOW THE BUDGET WILL SHAKE OUT IN THAT PARAMETER TO FUND THAT , BUT IT WAS TALKED ABOUT AND IT WAS COMMITTED TO. SO, ON AUGUST 8TH, WHICH IS COMING UP , I AM STILL STANDING BY, AND I NEED TO UNDERSTAND SOME MORE IN-DEPTH PARAMETERS OF THE SPREADSHEET AS FAR AS THE COMMITMENT IN THE ALLOCATIONS TO EACH DEPARTMENT. BECAUSE I WAS ASKING SPECIFICALLY FOR, AND MR. MIMMS IS NOT HERE, THOSE ALREADY PREPLANNED , BUT THAT IS OKAY. WE HAVE CONVERSATIONS. HE HAS A CELL PHONE AND I KNOW HOW TO GET TO HIM. YOU KNOW, I THINK THESE NUMBERS THAT ARE PROBABLY CUTTING EACH DEPARTMENT , I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS PROPERLY ALLOCATED. HAD WE COME UP WITH THAT ALLOCATION? I APPRECIATE THAT HE DID COME UP WITH THAT , YOU KNOW, BUT HE HAD ALSO ATTACHED TO IT A MILLAGE RATE ALTERNATIVE , YOU KNOW, AND THAT CONVERSATION IS DO WE FUND, YOU KNOW, EACH THE PERMIT AS REQUESTED IN ADDITION TO THE MILLAGE RATE INCREASE, WHICH I AM NOT A FAN OF, OR DO WE JUST MAKE THOSE CUTS? AT THIS POINT, IT'S A LONG STORY GETTING LONGER . WHEN I SAW THE SWAY AND THE TRASITION OF, I DON'T EVEN KNOW IF IT IS INFLUENCE, IMPACT, OR POSITIONING FOR A SUCCESSFUL CITY , YEARS AGO, TAKING MONEY, REINVESTING IN OUR COMMUNITY , I NEVER REALLY SAW IT ON A SCALE OF INVESTING, NUMBER ONE, TOP PRIORITY , PUBLIC SAFETY, A.K.A., FORT PIERCE PLEASE DEPARTMENT. I'M NOT SAYING WE HAVE NOT DONE THAT, BUT I AM SAYING, IS THAT THE NUMBER ONE TOP PRIORITY LIKE WE DID WITH OUR REDEVELOPMENT LIKE WE DID WITH, YOU KNOW, WITH REDEVELOPMENT MEANS MORE PUBLIC WORKS AND MEANS MORE IN SERVICE AS IT WAS TALKED ABOUT TONIGHT. FOR MANY YEARS, I WILL GO BACK TO THOSE STORIES WERE TALKING ABOUT THE REVOLVING DOOR. I HEARD THE STORIES OF THE REVOLVING DOOR. I WAS NOT A COMMISSIONER 21 YEARS AGO, BUT I HEARD THE SAME SORT STORY 21 YEARS AGO. SO, I WILL REPEAT THE QUESTION, AND I HAVE SAID THIS QUESTION 21 YEARS AGO. WHAT DOES FORT PIERCE WANT TO BE, AND WHAT DO WE WANT TO BE , YOU KNOW, AS WE ARE GROWING UP?

[02:05:04]

BUT YOU KEEP ASKING FOR CHANGES IF YOU DON'T CHANGE WHAT WE DO EVERY SINGLE YEAR. WE SHOULD NOT EXPECT CHANGES WHEN WE DON'T CHANGE WHAT WE DO EVERY SINGLE YEAR. IF WE REWRITE THE FORMULA , AND WE REWRITE THE FORMULA FOR OUR BUDGET, AND WE REWRITE THE FORMULA TO SAY THAT WE WILL PRIORITIZE THIS, BOOM, NUMBER ONE. LET'S LET THE APPLES FALL WHERE THEY MAY, RIGHT? SO, WE HAVE ENHANCE THEIR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, WE HAVE ENHANCED THROUGH CRA FUNDING. WE HAVE ENHANCED THROUGH, YOU KNOW, INFRASTRUCTURE . TONIGHT WAS TALKED ABOUT WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT IMPACT FEES. THAT IS BEEN A CONVERSATION WITHIN THIS COMMISSION, AND I BELIEVE IT WILL BECOME A REALITY. OR AT LEAST IT WILL BE TALKED ABOUT WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY SO THE COMMUNITY CAN DECIDE IF WE WANT TO DO THAT. BUT I AM READY TO REWRITE THE FORMULA. LET'S INVEST IN THIS PORTION OF IT, AND SEE WHAT THE OUTCOME IS. I AM NOT SAYING WE HAVE NOT KEPT UP WITH STRIDES, BUT I HAVE MADE A COMMENT ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO KNOWING THAT WE ARE GOING TO ENTER THE BUDGET YEAR ABOUT HOW CAN WE, AND WHAT IF WE WERE THE NUMBER ONE HIGHEST-PAID AGENCY. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? DOES IT MAKE SENSE ON PAPER? DOES IT MAKE SENSE , YOU KNOW, WITH OUR OFFICERS? NO, DOESN'T MAKE SENSE WITH THE MORALE OF THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT? THE COURSE IT MAKES SENSE IN THE MORALE OF THE DEPARTMENT. OF COURSE IT MAKES SENSE FOR STRATEGICALLY, YOU KNOW , BEING THE NUMBER ONE AGENCY WHERE WE ARE HIRING THE TOP-NOTCH INDIVIDUALS, WHETHER SEASONED OR NEW. THOSE ARE THE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTIONS THAT I HAVE BEEN REHEARSING AND TALKING ABOUT . I HAVE NEVER SHARED THIS WITH YOU ALL INDIVIDUALLY IN A COMMISSION MEETING . IT IS BEEN ON MY HEART AND BEEN ON MY MIND .

WITH THE FINE FOLKS THAT ARE HERE SHARING WITH US AND TESTIFYING THEIR PERSONAL EXPERIENCES WITH US . YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE OTHER CONSIDERATIONS IS TALKING ABOUT THE MANPOWER PART OF IT. I GUESS WE HAVE TO GET THROUGH THAT CONVERSATION ALSO. AS FAR AS FULL-TIME EMPLOYEES , WHAT DO THE METRICS SAY ON WHERE WE SHOULD BE BASED ON POPULATIONS AND SQUARE MILES? SO, THAT IS ANOTHER PART OF THAT CONVERSATION. MR. MIMMS IS ALSO INDICATED, YOU KNOW, AND TALKED ABOUT A SURVEY TO GIVE US HIS ANALYTICS. IS VERY CRITICAL TO THIS CONVERSATION ALSO. AND WE SHOULD AS ACCOUNTABILITY . WHAT DO THE STATISTICS SHOW THROUGH A NUMBER OF CALLS, SQUARE MILES, POPULATION, AND SERVICE TERRITORY? THAT IS WHERE AM AT THIS POINT. I KNOW THERE IS A NEGOTIATION COMING FORWARD. IT IS WITHOUT A DOUBT THE BETTER THAN THE INITIAL STEP PLUS 3% , AND THAT IS A, WHAT, $844,000 .00, RIGHT? I HAVE IT CIRCLED ON MY PAPER. IF WE GO TO A STEP PLUS 15 , THAT IS BASICALLY ONE POINT FOR 5 MILLION. THAT IS WHERE AM AT THIS POINT. THANK

YOU. >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?

>> THANK YOU. I WOULD FIRST LIKE TO THANK ALL OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT STAFF WHO ARE HERE TONIGHT TO SPEAK WITH US. IT IS APPRECIATED. I LOOK AT THIS ISSUE STRICTER FROM A BUSINESS

[02:10:04]

MANY OF YOU HAVE HEARD ME SAY FROM THE SEAT HERE PREVIOUSLY THAT THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE IN THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR HAS A BUDGET OF $20,000,000.00. 58 MILLION. THAT IS IT. THE SHERIFF'S A PERMIT BY ITSELF IN THE COUNTY IS OVER $100,000,000.00. THAT IS JUST THEIR BUDGET FOR THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT. OUR PLEASE THE PERMIT USES APPROXIMATELY A THIRD OF THE CITY'S BUDGET AND APPROXIMATELY 20 MILLION . NEXT FISCAL YEAR, OUR BUDGET IS A 63 MILLION. THE CITY IS PUTTING A LARGE AMOUNT OF MONEY ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE AGGREGATE THAT IS NOT YOU DO FOLKS ANY BENEFITS TODAY WITH INCREASED PAY. SO, HOW DO WE FIX THE DELTA? FROM THE BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE , WE RAISE REVENUE AND CUT OFFENSES. WE HAVE BOTH OF THOSE PROPOSAL SITTING IN FRONT OF US RIGHT NOW. BOTH COMMISSIONER JOHNSONS OF COMMENTED ON, IT IS THE FORMULA THAT WILL BE THAT WILL INTIMIDATE BOTH OF THOSE DELTAS TO GET THE MONEY THAT THE OFFICERS NEED SO THAT THEY ARE PAID COMMENCEMENT WITH COMPETING AGENCIES OF THAT THEY ARE NOT BEING DRAGGED AWAY BASED ON PAY INCENTIVE. THAT IS THIS BODY'S JOB TO DO , AND BASED ON THE COMMON FLAVORS OF OUR TONIGHT, I AM VERY CONFIDENT THAT THAT WILL HAPPEN AND ULTIMATELY WE WILL BE GETTING CITY STAFF DIRECTION HOW TO RESOLVE IN EVERYBODY'S BEST INTEREST. WE ARE IN DEVELOPMENT MODE CURRENTLY. WITHOUT PROPER POLICE PROTECTION AND PUBLIC SAFETY, THE DEVELOPMENT COMES TO A SCREECHING HALT. PERIOD, NO FOR THE SIEMENS TO BE MADE. WITHOUT YOU FOLKS DOING THEIR JOB, PEOPLE WILL NOT COME HERE AND INVEST MONEY IN THIS COMMITTEE. WE NEED THAT INVESTMENT TO PAY THE SALARIES EVERYBODY IS LOOKING FOR. AND PUBLIC WORKS, TO THE POLICE APARTMENT, TO ALL OF THIS ROUGH THE CITY, IT'S VERY SIMPLE AND A STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS. I'M CONFIDENT THAT THE PIECES ARE THERE T BE ABLE TO MAKE THIS WORK AND YOU WILL SAY THAT IS A FAIR SHAKE. I SEE THAT IN THE FUTURE. I AGREE WITH THE ANALYSIS TO ANSWER SOME OF THE QUESTIONS TO BE ABLE TO GET TO THAT POINT. BUT, WE CANNOT LET THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE SACRIFICE DEVELOPMENT CAPABILITY , BRINGING IN FRESH DOLLARS TO THE CITY. WHAT WE NEED IS WE NEED NEW MONEY HERE . THE SAME MONEY TURNING TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY CONSISTENTLY.

THAT'S FINE. WE NEED NEW INVESTMENT, WE NEED ANNEXATION , ET CETERA TO INCREASE TAX ROLLS TO GENERATE ADDITIONAL REVENUE TO THE CITY . THE ONLY WAY THAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH PROPER PUBLIC SAFETY , AND YOU FOLKS ARE RUNNING THE FRONT LINE ON THAT. SO, WE NEED YOU TO BE COMPENSATED PURPOSELY FOR THE SERVICES THAT YOU PROVIDE. I AM COMMITTED TO THAT, I KNOW MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS ARE COMMITTED TO THAT , AND IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN. I ASSURE YOU THAT. I DO HAVE A SECOND TOPIC TO BRING UP, BUT RATHER LET THIS TOPIC PLAY OUT FIRST, THEN I WILL GET INTO THAT DISCUSSION.

>> I JUST WANT TO ADD THAT I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THIS A LOT OF THOUGHT AND A LOT OF CONVERSATION WITH PEOPLE IN TERMS OF THERE IS NOT A LOT OF MONEY IN THE WORLD TO PAY WHAT YOU DESERVE. THERE'S NOT ENOUGH MONEY IN THE WORLD , AND I DON'T SAY THAT LIGHTLY. I'M NOT TRYING TO GET OFF THE HOOK , I JUST BELIEVE THAT , AND I WANTED TO SAY THAT WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT ANNEXATION , THE COMMISSION IS TRYING TO

[02:15:03]

SO, IF WE ARE GOING TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, COMMISSIONERS , I WOULD LIKE TO SOLVE IT FOR THE LONG RUN . I WOULD LIKE NOT TO HAVE TO REVISIT THIS EVERY FEW YEARS , BECAUSE OTHER JURISDICTIONS WHO HAVE MORE REVENUE , WHOSE TAX PHASES MORE DIVERSIFIED , WHOSE PROPERTY VALUES ARE HIGHER , THEY END UP PAYING MORE AND LURING AWAY OUR POLICE OFFICERS. THAT'S JUST A NEVER ENDING CYCLE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE. I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX. TO THINK BEYOND JUST MAKING IT RIGHT NOW , BUT THINK ABOUT HOW WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT FOR THE FUTURE. I THINK THAT WE NEED SOMETHING DRASTIC. SOMETHING DRASTIC. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS , BUT I WOULD LIKE TO WORK ON IT WITH MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS AND WITH YOU , BECAUSE I, TOO, BELIEVE THAT THERE IS NO WAY THAT WE CAN IMPROVE THE CITY, ATTRACT DEVELOPMENT , SMART GROWTH, DO ALL THE THINGS THE WAY WE WOULD LIKE TO KEEP OUR CITY AND LIKE OUR CITY TO KEEP IT BEAUTIFUL AS WELL AS SAFE. THERE IS NO WAY THAT WE CAN DO IT WITHOUT YOU BEING ABLE TO DO YOUR JOB WITH THE PROPER EQUIPMENT, AND BEING PAID AT LEAST COMPETITIVELY WITH OUR SURROUNDINGS AND SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. I AM ALSO COMMITTED TO THAT, BUT I'M ALSO COMMITTED TO A LONGER RANGE SOLUTION. MORE THAN JUST FIX IT THIS TIME, AND IN A FEW YEARS, WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK HERE. WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK HERE UNLESS WE DON'T IMPROVE OUR REVENUE BASE , AND FIX THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM. I'M COMMITTED TO WORKING ON THAT MYSELF AS WELL TO MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS. LET'S SEE. COMMISSIONER BRODERICK WANTS TO

CHANGE THE SUBJECT. GO AHEAD. >> THIS JUST CAME TO ME, IF YOU COMMENTS I WAS THINKING ABOUT. YOU KNOW, THERE ARE FOLKS IN THIS COMMUNITY, AND ALL COMMUNITIES, NOT JUST OUR COMMUNITY THAT THEY DON'T WANT GROWTH. THAT' OKAY. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT. BECAUSE AT THE SAME PACE, MY OWN BREATH, FORT PIERCE SURE IS CHARMING. FOURPOSTER IS SPECIAL. FORT PIERCE SURE IS, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE THINGS THAT OF CHANGE THAT I AM LIKE, WOW, I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT HAS CHANGED. I AM BEING HONEST WITH YOU. AS A KID GROWING APPEAR, I HAVE SEEN CHANGE, AND WANTING THE BEST FOR MY CHILDREN , YOU KNOW, AND WENDY WITH THE BLESSING OF GRANDCHILDREN I SUPPOSE. I THINK ABOUT THOSE THINGS. WHEN YOU SEE YOU DON'T WANT TO CHANGE OR YOU DON'T WANTED TO GROW, THEN THE NEXT QUESTION FOR ME IS HOW THE HECK DO WE PAY FOR THAT? HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO THAT? THERE IS NO EASY ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION

[02:20:01]

WAIT A MINUTE, HOLD ON. >> JUST LIKE IT IS.

>> IF WE WANT TO DO THAT, THAT IS OKAY. THE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO SHARE THAT. I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A WILL BY AND OR FORMING MAJORITY TO STOP THE PROCESS BY ANY MEANS. WE WOULD NOT HAVE ANY DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS WHATSOEVER OTHERWISE. AND OUR CITY RESIDENTS WOULD BE CRASHING DOWN CITY HALL EVERY SINGLE TIME WE HAVE A MEETING. IT'S SOMETHING TO ALWAYS JUST CONSIDER. AS ALWAYS CONSIDERATIONS . I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU MENTIONED IT, MADAM MAYOR, BECAUSE I FORGOT . DO WE ALLOCATE AND RESERVE SPECIFIC PORTIONS OF REVENUE INCREASES TO THIS EXACT ISSUE? THAT IS WORLDVIEW HAVE GONE AS FAR AS SOLUTION ORIENTED APPLICATION.

A LONG-TERM SOLUTION ORIENTED APPLICATION. THE OTHER QUESTION I HAVE, AND I JUST DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT HR MANAGER OR HR DIRECTORS , WHEN YOU GET INTO NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE UNION, I HAVE NEVER EVEN ASKED THE UNION, AND SHAME ON ME, I SUPPOSE, BUT IT JUST CAME TO ME A FEW WEEKS AGO. BUT YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW TO ASK I GUESS. HOW DO YOU GET TO THE NUMBER OF STEPS? NEGOTIATED THAT POINT? WHO PUSHED, I THINK THERE IS 11, I'M PRETTY SURE IT'S 11. I HAVE SEEN OTHER AGENCIES WHERE THERE ARE SIX, SEVEN, OR EIGHT. I HAVE SEEN NINE, 10, OR 11. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? IS THERE A SWEET SPOT THAT ONCE YOU GET TO LESS STEPS, DOES IT MAKE MORE SENSE , BECAUSE OF THE HIT STEP THREE, I HAVE A BIGGER INCREASE. I DON'T KNOW THAT ANSWER , SO I'M ASKING WHOEVER YOUR REPRESENTATIVES ARE, MAKE SURE YOU AND I TALK , BECAUSE I WANT TO LEARN FROM OTHER COMMUNITIES TO LEARN WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY SO THAT I CAN ADDRESS THIS ISSUE ON MY LEVEL FOR ME SPECIFICALLY AND PERSONALLY. BECAUSE AGAIN, I'M GOING TO GO BACK TO IT ABOUT THE FORMULA. I'M READY TO TAKE THE FORMULA. LET'S CHANGE THE FORMULA. I LIKE FORMULAS , AND I THINK IT WILL HAPPEN AT THE END OF THE DAY.

SO, THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONER

BRODERICK? >> A SEPARATE TOPIC, ALTHOUGH IT DOES TIE INTO THIS ULTIMATELY IS I WAS APPROACHED BY A CONGRESSMAN RECENTLY THAT I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH. THAT CONVERSATION WAS RELATIVE TO FEDERAL APPROPRIATIONS. THESE ARE NOT GRANTS THAT WE APPLY FOR, THESE A LINE ITEM APPROPRIATIONS IN THE FEDERAL BUDGET. AND HE HAD ASKED ME TO ENGAGE IN CITY TEAMS TO IDENTIFY FUNDING NEEDS FOR THE CITY . HE SPECIFICALLY SAID HOW IS THAT DOING WITH FUNDING WITH THE WATER TREATMENT PLANT, AND I GAVE THEM A SNIPPET OF THE UPDATEON THAT. BUT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE. ANY HARDWARE. ALL KINDS OF HARDWARE. VEHICLES, BODY ARMOR, PROPER WEAPONRY, COMPUTERS, CHAIRS . ONE OF OUR OFFICERS HAD TO BUY HIS OWN CHAIR TO SIT IN. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANYTHING LIKE THAT! BUT MY POINT IS THAT HE WAS VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT THE FACT THAT HE BELIEVES THAT HE CAN WORK SUCCESSFULLY AND ADVOCATE FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE FOR FUNDING FOR A VARIETY OF THINGS. WHEN I MEET WITH A SENIOR STAFF LATER THIS WEEK , I WILL ASK FOR A DESIGNATED HITTER FOR THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE TO WORK DIRECTLY WITH ME , AND DEPARTMENT HEADS TO BERKELEY THAT INFORMATION UP.

THEY WANT SPECIFICS. THEY WANT GRANULAR SPECIFICS AS TO WHAT WE ARE REQUESTING. NOT, HEY, WE ARE NOT WANT 10 NEW POLICE CARS. HOW MUCH THEY COST? YOU KNOW, THEY WANT THE TYPE OF GRANULAR SPECIFIC FOR THE APPROPRIATIONS. HE WANTS TO

[02:25:08]

SPEARHEAD THAT. >> APPELLEE. GO FOR AS MUCH

GOLD AS YOU CAN GET. >> SURE.

>> I APPRECIATE YOU, PERSONALLY, FOR DOING THAT AND SPEARHEADING THAT. YOU KNOW, I DISCOVERED BACK TO WHAT I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT. WE HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO DO. AND IF IT IS LEVERAGING ANY OTHER RESOURCE, MOSTLY MONEY, SURE WITH THE MONEY. THAT IS RIGHT.

ABSOLUTELY. YOU KNOW, IT IS ON MANY LEVELS. IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA, IT'S A UNIQUE. PEOPLE COME TO THE STATE OF FLORIDA NO MATTER WHAT WE DO. YOU KNOW, WE PUT A LOT OF TIME, EFFORT, AND ENERGY IN IT. I'M NOTHING THAT WE DON'T FOCUS ON AND TALK ABOUT IT A LITTLE BIT, BUT WE PUT A LOT OF EFFORT IN IT.

>> GROWTH IS HAPPENING, AND WE CAN'T STOP THEM. WE CAN GO TO THE LINE AND SAY STOP COMING, RIGHT?

>> WE ARE A BEACH DOWN, AND HE WILL COME VISIT THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, AND WE NEED THEM TO BE SAFE AND WELL EQUIPPED FOR WHATEVER RESOURCES THERE ARE.

>> THERE WAS A CONVERSATION TONIGHT THAT WAS BROUGHT UP ABOUT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT OVERTIME, THE CITY HAS -- THE PEOPLE HAVE BROUGHT THAT UP AS OPPOSED TO NOT HAVING OUR OWN POLICE DEPARTMENT , AND HAVING THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT THINKING THAT THAT IS THE MAGIC SOLUTION. WELL, MY CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHER PEOPLE IN THE CITIES , WHAT HAPPENS IS IF YOU DO GIVE UP YOUR POLICE DEPARTMENT , YOU GIVE UP YOUR OWN CONTROL, YOU GIVE UP YOUR OWN FAMILY, AND IN RETURN, YOU GET PRESENTED WITH A BILL EVERY SINGLE YEAR, AND YOU HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER THAT BILL. SO, IT IS NOT EXACTLY LIKE YOU ARE TRADING A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR LESS MONEY. YOU ARE STILL PAYING THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY AND MORE. SO, THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS BROUGHT UP FROM TIME TO TIME, AND I HAVE INVESTIGATED IT PERSONALLY AND INVESTIGATED IT SINCE I HAVE BEEN MAYOR, AND I COME BACK EVERY TIME TO IT IS OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR WHICH I AM VERY, VERY PROUD , AND THEY WANT TO SHOW YOU THAT WE DO APPRECIATE YOU, AND NOT ONLY THAT, BUT THAT WE NEED YOU. SO, WITH THAT, UNLESS THERE IS ANYTHING ELSE ANYONE ELSE NEEDS TO SAY , I THINK WE WILL ADJOURN. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU ALL TO DO IS TO GO OUT INTO THE FOYER, BECAUSE WHAT WE DO IS WE TURN OFF THE LIGHTS, WE CLEAR THE CHAMBERS. IF YOU WANT TO TALK TO ANYBODY, YOU NEED TO TALK TO THEM OUT IN THE FOYER . WE ARE ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.