[1. CALL TO ORDER] [00:00:07] >> I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER. THIS IS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2024, THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE COMMISSION MEETING. PLEASE STAND FOR THE OPENING PRAYER BY THE REVEREND DR. ANDREA THOMAS WITH COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH , THEN REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE. >> GOOD EVENING. PRAY WITH ME. GRACIOUS AND HOLY CREATOR, IT IS INDEED WITH HUMILITY EVEN WITH JOY THAT WE APPROACH YOU . WE APPROACH YOU, GOD, BECAUSE WE RECOGNIZE YOUR POWER, PROVIDENCE AND RECOGNIZE THAT YOU ARE ALL IN ALL AND OVERALL. WE THANK YOU SO THAT YOU ARE WITH ALL AND YOUR WISDOM THAT WE SEEK AND IT IS YOUR GRACE THAT WE LEAN TOWARDS. IT IS YOUR THAT WE EMPLOYEE IN THIS MEETING THIS EVENING. WE PRAY FOR THOSE WITH VOICES OF AUTHORITY, VOICES OF INFLUENCE AND POWER. WE PRAY THAT YOUR WISDOM WILL COME ALONGSIDE WHAT ARE CLAIMED FOR THEMSELVES, SO THAT THE GOOD OF THE CITY MIGHT BE ACHIEVED . WE DO UNDERSTAND THAT IN THIS ROOM THERE ARE VARIED OPINIONS. WE ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT IN THIS ROOM IS THE POWERFUL AND HEALING PRESENCE OF YOU WHO ARE HOLY. BLESS WITH WISDOM AND GRACE . BLESS WITH LIFE, THE WORK BEFORE US, AS YOU ORDER THIS AGENDA FOR RE-PRAY WE PRAY IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT IS HOLY AND JUST. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE. >> [5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES] >> FIRST ITEM ON AGENDA'S APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM AUGUST 15, 2024 SPECIAL MEETING. >> MOTION. >> SECOND. >> MOTION AND SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE. >> >> NEXT, APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM AUGUST 19, 2024 REGULAR MEETING. >> MOTION AND SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.. >> [a. Hunger Action Month] >> NEXT, HUNGER ACTION MONTH PROCLAMATION. >> WHEREAS HUNGER AND POVERTY REMAIN GRAVE ISSUES IN THE U.S., THE STATE OF FLORIDA WITH 250,000 CHILDREN, ADULTS, SENIORS, AND VETERANS EXPERIENCING FOOD INSECURITY ON A WEEKLY BASIS. THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE IS COMMITTED TO TAKING STEPS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE NEED TO COMBAT HUNGER IN EVERY PART OF OUR CITY AND TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THAT THE CITIZENS OF FORT PIERCE NEED. THE CITY IS COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH THE FOOD BANK IN MOBILIZING PEOPLE ABOUT THE ROLE OF IMPORTANCE OF FOOD BANKS AND OTHER HUNGER RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS IN ADDRESSING HUNGER AND BRINGING ATTENTION TO THE NEED TO DEVOTE MORE RESOURCES AND ATTENTION TO HUNGER ISSUES. FOOD BANKS AND HUNGER RELIEF ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, INCLUDING THE TREASURE COAST FOOD BANK, COORDINATED HUNGER ACTION DAY ON SEPTEMBER 10, 2024 AND WILL CONTINUE TO HOST NUMEROUS EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER TO SHED LIGHT ON THE IMPORTANT ISSUE. I, LINDA HUDSON, MAYOR OF FORT PIERCE FLORIDA DO HEREBY COME PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF SOME TIMBER AS HUNGER ACTION MONTH. >> GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE . THANK YOU FOR HAVING US TODAY. WE ARE BOTH EMPLOYED WITH THE FOOD BANK. ON BEHALF OF OUR PRESIDENCY , WONDERFUL STAFF AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR MAKING SEPTEMBER HUNGER ACTION MONTH AND PROCLAIMING IT AS THAT. A MEMBER OF THE FEEDING AMERICA NETWORK OF FOOD BANKS AND WE SERVED 250,000 [00:05:01] INDIVIDUALS EACH WEEK WHO MAY NOT KNOW WHERE THEIR NEXT MEAL MAY COME FROM. OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE FOLKS GO TO BED EVERY NIGHT WITH FOOD AND NOT HUNGRY. WE DO HAVE ABOUT THEIR INTERNETWORK PARTNER AGENCIES THAT WE WORK WITH AND THOSE CONSIST OF SOUP KITCHENS, SHELTERS, AND OTHER EMERGENCY FOOD PANTRIES. ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE DOING IS WE HAVE OUR FOURTH ANNUAL 5K COMING UP AND REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN FOR THAT. WE WILL ALSO SEE OUR AREA LIT UP IN ORANGE THROUGHOUT SEPTEMBER, THEN WE ARE PARTNERING WITH THE BREWING COMPANY LATER THIS MONTH FOR THE ANNUAL TOAST OF THE TREASURE COAST. IT IS A BEER AND FOOD PAIRING , WHICH IS ONE OF MY FAVORITES. FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THAT AND ANY OTHER EVENT THAT WE HAVE GOING ON THROUGHOUT THE MONTH, YOU CAN GO TO OUR WEBSITE AT STOP. -- STOP HUNGER.ORG . THANK YOU FOR PROCLAIMING HUNGER ACTION MONTH. >> THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. [b. Suicide Prevention Awareness Month ] >> NEXT, PROCLAMATION ON SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH. SEPTEMBER IS NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH , WHICH DIRECTS THE COMMUNITIES ATTENTION TO THIS PUBLIC HEALTH EPIDEMIC DESTROYING LIVES, FAMILIES AND SOMETIMES ENTIRE COMMUNITIES. SUICIDE RATES ON THE TREASURE COAST AND IN OKEECHOBEE HAVE CONTINUED TO BE AN ISSUE ACCORDING TO OUR MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE WITH 146 SUICIDE DEATHS IN 2022. ACCORDING TO FLORIDA HEALTH CHARTS, THE AGE-ADJUSTED RATE PER 100,000 POPULATION OF SUICIDE DEATHS IN WAS 8.2 COMPARED TO 14.1. SUICIDE IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR FLORIDA RESIDENTS AGES 10 TO 34 AND THE FOURTH LEADING CAUSE FOR 34 TO 54. THERE IS A CALL FOR PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE TO INCREASE SUICIDE INTERVENTION AND PREVENT EFFORTS OF WITH EFFORTS AND STRATEGIES WERE AS SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE AND BY OFFERING PUBLIC EDUCATION DATA , SUPPORT AND SERVICES AND WE HAVE TAKEN STEPS IN PREVENTING ANOTHER SUICIDE BY RESIDENTS. RECOVER, REBOUND AND HEAL. THEREFORE , I, LINDA HUDSON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA , DO HEREBY PROCLAIM THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER AS SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR HUDSON, COMMISSIONERS AND GUESTS. I'M TRACY HERNANDEZ AND IT IS MY PRIVILEGE AND PLEASURE TO REPRESENT SUNCOAST MENTAL HEALTH CENTER AND ACCEPT THIS PROCLAMATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION AWARENESS MONTH. I AM HERE, BECAUSE CONVERSATIONS MATTER AND CAN HELP SAVE LIVES. SUICIDE CONTINUES TO RANK AMONG THE LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH IN THE U.S., ESPECIALLY FOR TEENAGERS AND YOUNG ADULTS. STATISTICS SHOWING THAT NINE OUT OF 10 PEOPLE HAVE DIED BY SUICIDE AND SUFFER FROM A UNDIAGNOSED OR DIAGNOSE MENTAL HEALTH DISORDER. WE MUST WORK TOGETHER TO ADVOCATE THE PREVENTION, CONVERSATION AND EDUCATION. ON AVERAGE, 132 SUICIDES A DAY IN THIS COUNTRY, WHICH MEANS THAT SOMEONE TAKES THEIR LIFE EVERY 11 MINUTES . FOR EACH DEATH BY SUICIDE, THERE ARE 32 ATTEMPTS. AT THE MENTAL HEALTH CENTER, WE ARE ADDRESSING THIS MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS BY BRINGING SERVICES AND SUPPORT DIRECTLY TO THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE AND WE OFFER CLIENT FOCUS COMMUNITY-BASED AND FAMILY CENTERED MENTAL HEALTH CARE HOMES, SCHOOLS, WORKPLACES AND SUNCOAST OFFICE LOCATIONS AND BY TELEHEALTH. OUR DEDICATED TEAM OF PROFESSIONALS ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT HELPING OTHERS AND WORKING TOGETHER TO PROVIDE A HOLISTIC APPROACH TO TREATMENT WITH 1300 CLIENTS EVERY MONTH, INCLUDING HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS AT MORE THAN 80 SCHOOLS IN OUR FOUR COUNTY SERVICE AREAS. HERE, SUNCOAST CURRENTLY SERVES MORE THAN 350 RESIDENTS AND PROVIDES ON-SITE IN PERSON MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. ON BEHALF OF THOSE AND THOSE WHO STILL NEED OUR HELP , THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR JOINING US IN THIS COMMUNITY EFFORT TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS AND PROMOTE CONVERSATION. SUICIDE IS PREVENTABLE AND EACH OF US HAS A ROLE TO PLAY TO SAVE LIVES AND CREATE HEALTHY AND RESILIENT INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES. TODAY THERE TOGETHER, WE CAN CHANGE THE NARRATIVE, SO THAT NO ONE FEELS ALONE IN THEIR STRUGGLES. JUST A FOOTNOTE, OUR COMMITMENT TO [00:10:03] EDUCATE THE LOCAL COMMUNITY, WE ARE HOSTING OUR ANNUAL SUICIDE SYMPOSIUM ON SEPTEMBER 20TH AT MARTIN COUNTY AND IT IS A FREE COMMUNITY EVENT OPEN TO THE TREASURE COAST AREA. I HAVE FLYERS. THANK YOU AGAIN. >> THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. APPRECIATE IT. >> NEXT, LETTERS TO THE [a. Email from Jim Goertler expressing his gratitude for the revitalization of his property, thanking Miriam Garcia for her assistance, and commending Marsha Commond and Sara Delgado for their exceptional efforts.] COMMISSION THAT WE HAVE KEPT ON FILE AND EMAIL WAS RECEIVED FROM JIM EXPRESSING HIS GRATITUDE FOR THE REVITALIZATION OF HIS PROPERTY. THANKING MIRIAM GARCIA FOR HER [8. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA] ASSISTANCE AND COMMENDING MARSHA AND DELGADO FOR THEIR EXCEPTIONAL EFFORTS. NEXT, ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA. >> IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE IT AS PRINTED? >> MOTION TO APPROVE AS PRINTED. >> SECOND. >> CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE. >> [9. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARINGS Any person who wishes to comment on an agenda item which is not under Public Hearings on the Agenda may be heard at this time and must sign up to speak in advance. 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.] PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARINGS. >> WE HAVE TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGNED UP. KEEP YOUR MARKS TO THREE MINUTES. HE WILL BE GIVEN A WARNING. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS . THE FIRST ONE IS RICK. >> 2625 SOUTH U.S. . THE ISSUE IS 12 D. 12 D IS LISTED AS APPROVAL OF HIRING GREEMENT TO ENGAGE THE SERVICES OF THEODORE TED SMALL , ESQUIRE, TO CONDUCT AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OF CITY MANAGER . THE CONTRACT ATTACHED HAS INITIAL SCOPE OF REPRESENTATION THAT CONDUCTS AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO THE ALLEGED ACCESS THAT LED TO THE CRIMINAL ARREST OF CITY MANAGER ON AUGUST 14, 2024 UNDER FINDINGS OF RECOMMENDATION CITY COMMISSION AS IT RELATES TO CONDUCT. THE INVESTIGATION TO EVALUATE WHETHER MIMMS OR OTHER EMPLOYEES VIOLATE THE PERSONNEL RULES AND REGULATIONS . NOW, WHAT'S INTERESTING ABOUT THIS IS THAT THIS GOES ON TO SAY IN THE CONTRACT, THE LAW OFFICE, WHICH IS THE ATTORNEY, WHICH ESTIMATES, BUT CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT THE LEGAL FEES WILL BE 20,000 TO 40,000 MONTHLY. FOR THE SCOPE OF REPRESENTATION DESCRIBED ABOVE , IT IS POSSIBLE TO DETERMINE IN ADVANCE THE AMOUNT OF TIME NEEDED TO COMPLETE YOUR CASE, BUT I WILL CONSULT WITH YOU AND OBTAIN YOUR AUTHORIZATION BEFORE THE FEES EXCEED THE MAXIMUM ESTIMATE , WHICH IS $47,000 A MONTH. WE ARE JUST COMPOUNDING THIS ISSUE. THE STATE ATTORNEY HAS BROUGHT CHARGES AGAINST MR. MIMMS WHO IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. WHY DOES THE CITY FEEL RESPONSIBILITY TO HIRE SOMEONE TO BEHIND THE STATE ATTORNEY? WE WOULD NEVER BE AFFORDED THE AND WE HAVE NO MONEY TO PAY THE COPS. YOU HAVE $40,000 A MONTH TO INVESTIGATE WHETHER HE DID IT , WHEN IN FACT THE ARREST AFFIDAVIT SHOWS AS SAID BEFORE ON JUNE 19, 2023 THAT THE STATE ATTORNEY AND FDL HE MET WITH THE MAYOR AND TOLD HER LATE OUT THE PREDICATE OF WHAT THEY FELT THAT MIMMS WAS GUILTY OF. WHEN YOU ALL SET UP HERE A FEW WEEKS AGO AND SAID THAT YOU WERE BLINDSIDED BY THIS, IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE AT ALL. NOW, $40,000 A MONTH THE REST OF THE CITIZENS HAVE BEEN CHARGED AND YOU DON'T GO BEHIND US TO CHECK THE STATE ATTORNEY AND I DIDN'T KNOW THAT HE WAS THE ENEMY OR FLORIDA LAW ENFORCEMENT. WHAT WE LET JUSTICE PURSUE ITSELF AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS? YOU ALL WEREN'T BEING A WATCHDOG AND THIS HAPPENED UNDER YOUR WATCH AND YOU DIDN'T KNOW. YOU WERE BLINDSIDED BY IT, ESPECIALLY YOU, MAYOR. LYING IS NOT A VOTE THESE DAYS. >> REALLY IS NEXT. >> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR. >> STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. >> I LIVE AT 2607 LAZY HAMMOCK LANE AND TWO BLOCKS OUTSIDE OF THE CITY LIMITS , SO I ASSUME THAT WITHIN THE NEXT TWO YEARS, WE WILL BE INCORPORATED, AS WELL. A LITTLE BACKGROUND, WE'VE MOVED HERE IN 1998 WHEN I RETIRED AS A SERGEANT WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND A JOINT FORT PIERCE POLICE AS A RESERVE OFFICER AT THE TIME AND THEIR UNPAID VOLUNTEERS , WHICH [00:15:02] I'M SURE YOU KNOW. UNTIL 2014 WHEN I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH PARKINSON'S. ADMINISTERED A VOLUNTEER WITH THE RESERVE UNIT UNTIL JANUARY 2024 . I'M TRYING THIS , SO YOU CAN GATHER . FORT PIERCE HAS AN EXCELLENT RECRUITING OFFICER WHO DOES NOT CUT CORNERS FOR HIRING STANDARDS. THE OFFICERS ARE DEDICATED TO FORT PIERCE, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNDERPAID FOR SO MANY YEARS THAT THEY ARE FORCED TO PLAY CATCH UP EACH CONTRACT PERIOD. THE COST OF TURNOVER WITH OFFICERS FORCED TO WORK SHORTHANDED RESULTING IN SHORTER RESPONSE TIME WITH ON ADEQUATE BACKUP . THE SITUATION SWITCHES THE OFFICERS RESPONDED, IT'S DANGEROUS AND TERRIFYING. YOU HAVE THESE INCREDIBLE MEN AND WOMEN GO AND ASK THEMSELVES, ARE YOU WILLING TO WORK IN POSSIBLE DEATH EVERY DAY FOR SUCH A LOW SALARY? LET THESE MEN AND WOMEN GO. WHEN THE POWER IS OUT FOR WEEKS ON END FROM HURRICANE SEASON, MOST TURN ON THEIR GENERATORS AND HOPING THAT SOMEONE WILL BE THERE TO HANDLE THINGS. WHO? THE POLICE. THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE TO RESCUE THEM AND PREVENT LOOTING. I COULD GO ON, BUT YOU GET THE PICTURE. THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DODGE A BULLET FROM CRIME ISSUES AND OTHER COMMUNITIES AROUND THE COUNTRY. THIS MAY NOT LAST LONG OR FOREVER. I'M ASKING THAT YOU GIVE FORT PIERCE POLICE OFFICERS THE PAY RAISE THAT THEY DESERVE . YOU WILL LOSE ALL CONTROL OVER DECISIONS AND YOUR CITIZENS WILL NOT BE SERVED AS WELL AND IT WON'T BE ANY LESS COSTLY. ONCE YOU MAKE THAT DECISION, THERE IS NO GOING BACK. YOU WON'T BE HAPPY. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. [a. Proposed 2024-25 General Fund Budget and Millage Rate for the City of Fort Pierce. The City of Fort Pierce is proposing a millage rate of 6.9 and that rate exceeds the roll-back rate of 6.4316 by 7.28%.] >> THAT IS ALL THAT SIGNED UP AND WE CAN MOVE ON. >> NEXT, PROPOSED 2024-2025 GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND MILLAGE RATE FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE IS PROPOSING A MILLAGE RATE . >> PROPOSING A MILLAGE RATE OF 6.90 AND THE RATE EXCEEDS THE ROLLBACK RATE OF 6.4316 . WE WILL NOW HAVE A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET, WHICH EXPLAINS WHY TAXES ARE AS ANNOUNCED. >> GOOD EVENING , COMMISSIONERS. LET ME GET THE POWERPOINT UP AND GOING. FISCAL YEAR 2025 PROPOSED BUDGET IS BALANCED AT $64,668,140 . IT IS ALMOST 5% INCREASE FROM THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR 2024. THIS INCREASE RESULTED FROM AN INCREASE IN OUR PROPERTY TAXABLE VALUE ON PROPERTIES TO $4.2 MILLION THIS YEAR AND IT IS A 9.1% INCREASE. BECAUSE WE SAW THIS INCREASE, WE ARE PROPOSING NO CHANGE TO THE MILLAGE RATE , WHICH IS 6.9%. WE ALWAYS INCLUDE THIS SLIDE , SO THAT OUR CITIZENS CAN SEE HOW THEIR TOTAL MILLAGE RATE IS DISTRIBUTED BETWEEN DIFFERENT AGENCIES THAT ARE TAXING THEM. THE TOTAL MILLAGE RATE IS THE 23.9786%, WHICH IS MADE UP OF ON THE SIDE AND YOU WILL SEE WHAT AGENCY OR ORGANIZATION AND HOW THAT IS DISTRIBUTED, WHICH IS 7.368 IS THE COUNTY AND 6.9 IS THE CITY. SCHOOL BOARD IS 6.2480 AND FIVE DISTRICT IS THREE AND THE OTHER SPECIAL DISTRICT IS .3938. THE CITY'S PORTION IS 29% OF THAT TAX BILL. YOU WILL SEE HOW THAT IS DISTRIBUTED BASED ON A TAXABLE $100,000 TAXABLE VALUE WITH THAT MILLAGE. THE TAXES WOULD BE $2397.86 . YOU WILL SEE HOW THAT IS DISTRIBUTED WITH WHAT PORTION COMES BACK TO THE CITIES. OF THAT, WE GET $690 TO DO ALL OF THE SERVICES THAT WE HAVE TO . TO GO TO THE BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS , THE REVENUE IS 29,233,916 AND THAT IS A $3,391,335 INCREASE FROM THIS [00:20:03] CURRENT FISCAL YEAR . ALL OF THE OTHER REVENUE THAT WE DID HAVE WITH SLIGHT INCREASES IN TAXES AND STATE DISTRIBUTED REVENUE BASED ON THE ACTUALS AND TREND. MOST OF THE OTHER REVENUE SOURCES ARE PRETTY MUCH REMAINING COSTS AND ARE NOT REALLY GOING , BUT WE WILL SEE INCREASES IN SOME OF THE TAX LINE ITEMS AND THE STATE DESTROYED THE LINE ITEMS. WE CONTINUE TO RESTRICT THE $600,000 FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR , WHICH YOU ALL ESTABLISHED AND WE RESTRICT THAT TO MAKE SURE THAT NEXT FISCAL YEAR WE HAD $600,000 THAT GOES TOWARDS CAPITAL EXPENDITURES. THERE ARE SEVEN NEW POSITIONS THAT WILL BE ADDED TO THE GENERAL FUND AND THE ONE IS IN THE CITY MANAGERS DIVISION , BUT IT IS PRETTY PROJECTS, WHICH WILL BE FUNDED . THERE IS ONE POSITION IN THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND ONE IN HR. ONE IN CODE ENFORCEMENT AND TWO IN POLICE, WHICH ARE FUNDED BY DETAILED FUNDS AND ONE IN LEISURE SERVICES. THERE IS A 5% COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE FOR ALL BARGAINING AND NONBARGAINING EMPLOYEES. YOU WILL SEE WHAT THE COST OF THAT IS AND HOW MANY EMPLOYEES THAT ARE PAYING FOR 11 OF THOSE EMPLOYEES. CURRENTLY WHAT IS BUILDING THE BUDGET, WE ARE STILL IN NEGOTIATIONS, BUT WE ARE AT 8% COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE FOR OUR SWORN IN OFFICES , WHICH IS 880,644, WHICH IS THE COST FOR THOSE 120 EMPLOYEES. WE ALWAYS MAKE SURE THAT IT'S NO THAT THE 20,992,000 -- 20,000,992 -- THAT IS 32.4% OF THE TOTAL GENERAL FUND BUDGET. THE OTHER INCREASES IN THE PERSONAL SERVICE COSTS FOR OUR RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTION FOR THE GENERAL , 1.01% FOR GENERAL GROWTH FOR THE POLICE, INCREASE OF 1.24% . HEALTH AND DENTAL INSURANCE PREMIUMS FOR HEALTH INSURANCE, 4.9% INCREASE IN DENTAL IS 10%. AS IT RELATES TO ALL OF THE OPERATING EXPENDITURES , ALL DEPARTMENTS ARE EVALUATED AND WE HAVE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS IN ALL DEPARTMENTS BASED ON THE NEEDS OF IMPORTANCE. ONCE WE HAD TO GO BACK AND MAKE ADJUSTMENTS, WE RE-EVALUATED THE LINE ITEM AND MADE ADJUSTMENTS, SO WE COULD DO IMPORTANCE OF THE EXPENSES OR EXPENDITURES AND PROJECTS THAT WE COULD DO WHERE THE OTHERS WILL HAVE TO BE ON THE BACK BURNER. THE MOST IMPORTANT ONES ARE BUDGETED AND DEPARTMENTAL BUDGETS WERE ADJUSTED TO ACCOMMODATE FOR THAT. FOR BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS , THERE IS ONE $.25 MILLION THAT IS THERE AND IT WON'T PAY FOR ALL COSTS . WHEN WE WERE GOING THROUGH THE BUDGET WORKSHOP, OUR POLICE ALONE CAME BEFORE YOU WITH AN ASK OF $4 MILLION BEFORE WE EVEN ADDRESSED OUR OTHER CAPITAL NEEDS, BUT THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW . IT IS THE $1.25 MILLION GOING TOWARDS THE CAPITAL. THERE IS A DECREASE IN OUR DEBT SERVICE PAYMENT THIS YEAR OF $221,000 INCREASE IN DEBT. AS WE MENTIONED , I WILL GO AHEAD AND SHOW WHERE WE ARE WITH DEBT. AT THE END OF THIS YEAR, $47 MILLION BALANCE AND I MADE A NOTE TO PUT ON THE SLIDE FROM 2012 WHERE WE WERE $95 MILLION IN DEBT TO THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR UNTIL 47, WE DECREASED DEBT BY $47 MILLION. BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO APPROVING SPENDING PLANS FOR OUR ENTERPRISE FUNDS, ARE THERE QUESTIONS ON THE GENERAL FUND? >> PROCEED. >> ARE ENTERPRISE SPENDING HAVE TO BE APPROVED FOR ALL OF OUR ENTERPRISE FUNDS $622,000 [00:25:02] INCREASE SOLID WASTE AND $506,000 INCREASE IN OUR GOLF COURSE IS $103,000 INCREASE AND I WILL NOTE THAT WE WILL BE MAKING SOME CHANGES AT SUNRISE, BECAUSE WE ARE STARTING OCTOBER 1 AT FULL BUDGET AND IT IS $366,000 INCREASE . BUILDING IS A $969,000 INCREASE IN THE ANIMAL SHELTER IS $250,000 INCREASE. ANY QUESTIONS? >> PROCEED. >> ARE SPECIAL REVENUE FUNDS ARE OUR GRANT FUNDS, SO POLICE GRANTS HAVE A $274,000 INCREASE . THE POLICE GRANTS FOR THE FPR A , WHICH IS ONLY 10 OFFICERS THAT DO POLICING FOR THE FPR AREA THAT WERE ORIGINALLY GRANT FUNDED. THE GRANT NO LONGER EXISTS , SO THOSE OFFICERS HAVE TO BE FULLY FUNDED BY THE ORGANIZATION , WHICH IS WIESE MY WE SEE THAT INCREASE THERE. THE BUDGET IS DECREASING 35,000 AND THE GRANT ENDED ADDED IN 15,000. ANY QUESTIONS? >> QUESTIONS ON SPECIAL REVENUE? >> HOW MANY YEARS WAS THE GRANT? >> THREE. >> HOW MANY TOTAL? TOTAL OFFICERS . >> 10 AND WE STARTED OFF AT FIVE, THEN GOT ANOTHER FIVE. NOW THAT IT IS OVER, WE HAVE TO FIND THOSE 10 OFFICERS. >> IS THERE A COMMITMENT BY THE FUNDING OF THOSE OFFICERS? >> FOR EVERY YEAR, WE HAD TO KEEP HIM ON. IT WAS THREE YEARS. >> OTHER QUESTIONS? IS THAT IT? THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK TO THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. >> EVENING, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM THE TRANSIT DIRECTOR . BACK IN MAY , WE SENT A LETTER TO THE CITY MANAGER REQUESTING A MATCH OF FUNDS OF $105,000 THAT WE HAD AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION FOR THE FORT PIERCE RESIDENTS AND WE RECEIVED A REPLY FROM THE MANAGER THAT WE WOULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE BUDGET PROCESS . FOLLOWING UP LAST WEEK, IT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS BUDGET AND I WANTED TO ADDRESS YOU ALL TO BRING THIS TO LIGHT . WE HAD REQUESTED THE $105,000 TO MATCH ANOTHER TO PROVIDE TRIPS, WHICH PROVIDE 4700 TRIPS TO SENIORS HERE IN FORT PIERCE FOR DOCTORS APPOINTMENTS, SHOPPING, RECREATION ET CETERA. THEY HAVE ACCESS TO THE COUNTY TRANSPORTATION , BUT THAT IS NOT ALWAYS WITHIN THEIR GAME PLAN. THEY ARE A LOT MORE COMFORTABLE, BECAUSE THAT IS OUR FOCUS, WHICH IS FOR THE SENIORS. WE OFFER MORE FLEXIBILITY AND IT NEEDS YOUR ROUTE TO BE ABLE TO HANDLE IT. YOU HAVE EXPANDED THE AREA FOR IT, BUT IT DOESN'T COVER ALL OF THE AREAS. OUR CLIENTS APPRECIATE THE FLEXIBILITY AND ENSURE THAT YOU ARE ALL AWARE HOW SHE WOULD BE HAPPY TO DISCUSS OUR SERVICES WITH YOU. I KNOW THAT THIS IS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS AND IF WE NEED TO MAKE A PRESENTATION ON HOW THIS WOULD BE SPENT, WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO DO THAT BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR FINAL DECISION. APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. >> ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? PLEASE COME FORWARD. NO MOVEMENT. I WILL COME BACK TO THE COMMISSION AND SEE IF THERE ARE ANY AMENDMENTS TO THE PROPOSED 2024 MINUS 2025 BUDGET AT THIS TIME? >> KNOW THAT I WAS A PROPONENT FROM THE COUNCIL AND FOR THE RECORD I DO SIT ON THE BOARD. MAYBE I JUST DON'T REMEMBER, BUT THAT, IN FRONT OF US AND. WE DISCUSS IT? I REMEMBER RECEIVING THE EMAIL AND I KNOW I HAVE TALKED TO HIM, BUT THE [00:30:03] AGENCY DOES PROVIDE A LOT OF SERVICES FOR THE ELDERLY IN FORT PIERCE , SO I DON'T KNOW WHY IT WASN'T INCLUDED AND I CAN'T REMEMBER TODAY. I PUT THAT ON ME. WAS THAT EVER CONSIDERED OR NOT TO PUT THAT ON THE SPOT, BUT WAS THAT EVER CONSIDERED OR I'M JUST CURIOUS. >> IT WAS NOT CONSIDERED WITH ME. I DIDN'T RECEIVE IT. IT IS THE CITY MANAGER'S BUDGET . I DRAFTED AS I AM GIVING PROJECTS. >> THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE HAS A LOT OF ELDERLY PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT -- I WILL BE HONEST. THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO GET INTO . YES, THE COUNTY PROVIDES TRANSPORTATION, BUT THE COUNTY ALSO GETS A LOT OF COMPLAINTS. THAT IS ABOUT THE TRANSPORTATION. IT IS IRONIC THAT THE NUMBER THAT THEY HAVE IS AGING WITH THESE COMPLAINTS. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY CHANGED IT, BUT IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN LOOK AT OR SEE AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN GET A HOLD OF THEM , BUT IF IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN SEE AND LOOK AT AND TRY TO HELP THE ELDERLY AND HELP THE AGENCY TO PROVIDE FOR THE ELDERLY , I'M DONE WHAT I CAN DO IT IN FRONT OF US. >> ANYONE ELSE? >> AND MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WAS MAYBE LOST IN EMAIL? CAN SOMEONE HELP ME WITH THIS? >> I JUST LEARNED OF THIS WHEN HE REACHED OUT TO ME LATE LAST WEEK, SO IT IS NOT AN ITEM ALLOCATION IN OUR BUDGET. I CAN'T SPEAK TO WHY IT WASN'T CONSIDERED. I DO KNOW THAT IT HAS NEVER BEEN BEFORE YOU PROVOKE CONSIDERATION AND I THINK WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT STRATEGIC PLANNING, HOWEVER IF IT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WANT TO DO, WE DO HAVE -- THERE IS AN ITEM IN OUR ADMINISTERED OF BUDGET THAT ISN'T SPECIFICALLY ALLOCATED TO THIS AND IT WOULD BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE THE ALLOCATION. >> OBVIOUSLY, IF THERE IS ROOM TO FIND THIS OR PUT THIS, SOMETHING HAS TO BE DECREASED AND WE HAVE TO HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET. I THINK THE OTHER THING IS SITTING UP HERE AND I KNOW THE IMPACT, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE IMPACT AS TO WHAT IT IS IN FORT PIERCE. I SEE THE TRUCKS AND VANS MOVING ABOUT. THERE IS NOTHING LIKE PUTTING NUMBERS TO THIS TO UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT THAT IS FOR TRANSPORTATION . I AGREE BECAUSE SOME OF OUR SYSTEMS ARE HIGHLY TECHNOLOGY-BASED AND THAT MAY NOT BE THE MOST CONVENIENT WAY FOR OUR SENIORS TO MOVE ABOUT. THIS SHOULD REALLY BE CONSIDERED AND I THINK IT HAS BEEN A PIVOTAL PART AND I AM A LITTLE CONCERNED THAT WE WERE NOT AWARE OF THIS, SO I WILL LEAVE IT WHERE IT'S AT. I GUESS WHAT I'M SAYING AT THIS POINT IS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER , UNDERSTAND AND FIGURE OUT WHAT ALTERNATIVES TO CONSIDER . THIS IS A VOICE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT THESE PEOPLE HAVE PAID THEIR DUES AND A LOT ARE TO DEPEND ON FOR THE GROCERY STORES OR WHATEVER. I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT THIS TO FIGURE OUT WHERE WE HAVE TO SUBTRACT FROM. THIS HAS TO COME FROM SOME AREA AND MOVE SOME STUFF AROUND . WE CAN'T GET A 100% THERE, THEN WHERE CAN WE? >> BOTH COMMISSIONERS, I APPRECIATE THE INSIGHT . I DO RECALL THIS AND HAVE A BRIEF CONVERSATION . MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE WE HAD A CONVERSATION . WE AS A COMMISSION HAVE MADE SOME OTHER DECISIONS AS ONE OF THOSE AND WE HAVE SOME MONIES ALONG WITH THE COUNTY HAD TO MAKE SOME DECISIONS . I APPRECIATE THE REQUEST AND UNDERSTAND IT GREATLY AND I WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE IN ADDITION, BUT I NEED TO SEE SOME OF THE DATA THAT TALKS ABOUT WHAT THE COUNTY IS NOW OFFERING IN ADDITION TO OUR SERVICE THAT WE EXPANDED THE BOUNDARIES AND PROVIDED OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TECHNOLOGY OR BY [00:35:04] PHONE CALL. THAT IS BY HAVING A RIDE. I WOULD NEED SOME INFORMATION AND WE HAVE TO FIND IT. AT THIS POINT, WE DO HAVE A BALANCED BUDGET , SO I'M HAPPY WITH THAT REGARD. I GUESS WE HAVE TO MAKE IT A BUDGET AMENDMENT LATER ON IF WE EVER TRY TO PUT SOME DOLLARS TOWARDS THIS EFFORT. >> I WOULD LIKE TO CHIME IN BRIEFLY. I SUPPORT COMMENTS FROM THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET FOCUS OF OPPORTUNITY FOR A BRIEF PRESENTATION AS TO WHAT THEY DO AND HOW THEY PROVIDE THE SERVICE AND WITH THE EXTENT OF THE SERVICE IS AND I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO GET IN ON SOME DETAILS. >> AS WORTHY AS THIS IS, IT IS A LITTLE CONCERNING TO HAVE THIS REQUEST OF THIS MAGNITUDE AT THIS LAST-MINUTE WHERE WE HAVE OTHER PRESSING NEEDS IN THE CITY AND I WOULD CERTAINLY LIKE TO INVESTIGATE . SOMETHING OF THAT MAGNITUDE, I DON'T THINK IT CAN BE CHANGED AT THIS TIME, BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES . THAT IS THE WAY I FEEL. >> I CAN WORK WITH MR. DRISCOLL AND GET SOME INFORMATION FOR YOU. ALSO, TO IDENTIFY ANY AREAS IN THE BUDGET THAT THIS COULD COME FROM. >> ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT WERE MISS MORRIS SAID UNDER PRESENTATION THAT THE BUDGETS HAVE ALREADY BEEN CUT IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS IN ORDER TO FIND IMPORTANT THINGS LIKE LAW ENFORCEMENT. IS THAT CORRECT? >> WE HAVE ARTIE MADE THOSE ADJUSTMENTS. >> ANOTHER QUESTION . WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT IT ROUTINELY. WHEN I STARTED AS A COMMISSIONER, WE DID NOT HAVE THIS. DO YOU REMEMBER THE YEAR THAT WE IMPLEMENTED THE 600,000 RESERVES? >> I BELIEVE IT WAS AROUND 2013 OR 2014 . >> WAS AT THE 600,000? >> IT STARTED OFF AT 400,000. IT WAS THE 400,000, THEN WE HAD A 200,000 AND WE RESERVED THE 600 OR THE 400 THAT WE USED FOR CAPITAL AND THE 200 WAS THE REPAYMENT THAT HE WAS USING FROM THE LONG THAT WE USED THE MONEY FROM. >> HAVE WE BEEN USING THOSE EVERY YEAR? IS THAT SOMETHING THAT THE RESERVE ACCOUNT? >> FOR THE MOST PART, WE HAVE BEEN UTILIZING THEM EVERY YEAR AND SOME THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN LAGGED AND THEY ARE ALLOCATED FOR THOSE PROJECTS, AS WELL. WHEN THEY ARE ALLOCATED FOR 60 COMPUTERS AND PUT THE ORDER IN AND ONLY RECEIVED THE 30. WHEN WE EARMARKED THE MONEY REMAINED SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO LOOK FOR THE 30 AGAIN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR. IT MAY ROLL, BUT IT IS EARMARKED FOR THAT PURPOSE. >> THE DEPARTMENTS ARE ALSO BUDGETING FOR THEIR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND/OR ITEMS THAT THEY PROJECT. THIS FUND IS CARRYING OVER ANY ITEMS , LIKE FIVE YEARS AGO WHERE WE HAD TO DO SOME SERVER MAINTENANCE AND WE SPENT QUITE A BIT OF MONEY FOR OUR I.T. DEPARTMENT , BECAUSE WE HAD SOME ISSUES WITH TECHNOLOGY. THIS ROOM BECAME AN ISSUE WITH THE AUDIO AND VIDEO FEEDS, WHICH WAS AN ISSUE BACK IN THE DAY. IT WAS KIND OF A GLARING NUMBER ON THE SCREEN AND I KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT, BUT JUST DIAL BACK ON THE CAPITAL COST FOR BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS. A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO WHEN THERE WAS A DISASTER PRIOR TO THE EVENT COMING ON LAND , I HAD A TOUR OF DIFFERENT FACILITIES , SO OUR FACILITIES GROUP OR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ARE FORECASTING THE NEEDS OF IMPROVEMENTS BASED ON LACK OF MAINTENANCE , BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN UNDERFUNDED. THEY ARE LOOKING INTO ALL OF THESE ITEMS AS BUILDING SPECIFIC IMPROVEMENTS? >> THEY ARE NOT BUILDING SPECIFIC IMPROVEMENTS, BUT THAT IS THE TOTAL CAPITAL COST THAT WE HAVE, WHICH IS TO COVER OUR CAPITAL NEEDS. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE STARTING OFF. THAT IS ALL WE HAVE, WHICH IS THE $1.2 MILLION. THEY NEEDED FOUR AND [00:40:08] THAT WAS BEFORE WE EVEN ADDRESS I.T. PUBLIC WORKS AND ALL. WE MADE THE DECISION THAT OUT OF THE $1.25 MILLION AND THE CITY MANAGER, WHICH USUALLY WORKS WITH THOSE DEPARTMENTS TO SEE THE IMPORTANCE ON A NEED BASIS OF HOW THAT IS ALLOCATED. >> PROVIDED INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT AND BUILDING IMPROVEMENTS . ARE THERE ANY ITEMS THAT THE PUBLIC WORK SUBMITTED? AIR-CONDITIONING PROJECTS OR AIR-QUALITY ISSUES? >> JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I HAVE THE CORRECT DEFINITION. >> IF THERE ARE NO AMENDMENTS TO THE BUDGET AND THERE IS NO NEED TO RECOMPUTE THE PROPOSED MILLAGE RATE, IS THERE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE MILLAGE RATE OF 6.90. THERE IS A MOTION AND SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE. >> COMMISSIONER WOULD LIKE TO PULL? >> WE DIDN'T DO THE BUDGET. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GOT TO DO IT RIGHT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IS THERE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE TENTATIVE 2024-2025 GENERAL FUND BUDGET? CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE . >> [12. CONSENT AGENDA] >> THANK YOU , MISS MORRIS. >> NEXT, THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> ANY ITEM THAT THE COMMISSIONER WOULD LIKE TO PULL? >> YES, MA'AM. I WOULD LIKE TO PULL 12 D. >> ANY OTHERS? >> 12 F. >> IS THERE A MOTION WITHOUT THOSE TWO? >> MOVE APPROVA ON THE CONSENT OF ITEMS. >> SECOND. >> MOTION AND SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE. >> [d. Approval of the hiring Agreement to engage the services of Theodore "Ted" Small, Esquire, to conduct an independent investigation of City Manager Nicholas Mimms.] THE HIRING AGREEMENT TO ENGAGE SERVICES OF THEATER ATTEND A SMALL , ESQUIRE, TO CONDUCT AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OF CITY MANAGER NICHOLAS MIMMS. >> META-MAYOR, I WANT TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM. I AM NOT OPPOSED TO THE ITEM PER SE AT THIS POINT , BUT I AM OPPOSED TO THIS TIMING OF IT. THE TIMING IS NOT BAD, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ANALYZE MORE INFORMATION. THIS IS ABOUT AN INVESTIGATION THAT WILL COST TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND MONIES . BASICALLY , I DON'T SEE THE NEED TO RUSH INTO THIS RIGHT THIS SECOND. THERE WAS NEW INFORMATION AND NEW FILINGS IN REGARD TO MR. MIMMS LAST WEEK AND WE GOT THE INFORMATION FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. AT THIS POINT, WHILE I THINK IT MAY BE SOMETHING TO CONSIDER, AND THINK IT'S A TIMING ISSUE FOR ME IN REGARDS TO THE POSSIBILITY AND FUNDING MECHANISM OF THIS ITEM , SO I WOULD JUST LIKE TO HAVE SOME DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLY PUSH THIS DOWN THE LINE EVEN IF IT IS TWO WEEKS INTO OUR SECOND MEETING IN SEPTEMBER WHILE THIS NEW INFORMATION NEEDS TO DIGEST . I DID SEE THE FILINGS. THEY WERE OFFICIAL. THAT IS WHERE I'M AT. I JUST WANT SOME INPUT FROM MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS. >> WHEN I READ THIS AND GOT IT AND READ IT , I GOT STUCK ON THE $20-$40,000 A MONTH. I UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE DOING IT BECAUSE OF HR AND THE REASONS WE ARE DOING IT. $40,000 A MONTH WITH NO ENDING TO HOW MANY MONTHS IT WILL BE IS A PROBLEM FOR ME. I UNDERSTAND THAT WHOEVER DOES THESE TYPE OF THINGS HAS TO DO, SO THE $40,000 A MONTH IS A BIG BILL [00:45:07] PILL FOR ME TO SWALLOW. I AGREE WITH JEREMIAH JOHNSON. GIVEN WHAT WE WERE GIVEN TODAY FROM OUR CITY MANAGER AND NOT REALLY BEING ABLE TO GET INTO IT AS I WANTED TO JUST BEFORE GETTING HERE TODAY , I ASK THIS QUESTION TO THE CITY MANAGER . DID HE GIVE US A TIME CERTAIN DATE THAT WE HAVE TO GET BACK TO HIM? CITY ATTORNEY. I'M SORRY. DID HE GIVE US A TIME THAT WE HAVE TO SIGN NOW OR FIND SOMEBODY ELSE? IF HE COULD DESCRIBE THAT, BECAUSE I'M ALMOST TO THE POINT WHERE I WILL AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER JEREMIAH JOHNSON AND MAYBE LET'S TAKE A STEP BACK AND LET US DIGEST WHAT WE GOT TODAY AND GO FROM THERE. AGAIN, I UNDERSTAND WHY. WE ARE NOT TRYING TO PROVE CRIMINAL ACTIONS . WE ARE TRYING TO SEE IF POLICIES OF THE CITY WERE BROKEN AND FOLLOWED. I UNDERSTAND THAT. MY QUESTION IS, DID THE ATTORNEY GIVE US A TIME WHERE WE HAD TO ENGAGE? >> THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS NO. HE HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPECIFIC TIMEFRAME. AS I'M SURE YOU ARE AWARE, HE IS VERY BUSY AND HAS HIS OWN OBLIGATIONS. WHEN WE SPOKE, HIS ESTIMATE WAS ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF MID-OCTOBER TO COMPLETE HIS INVESTIGATION AND AS I SAID WHEN WE DISCUSS THIS , HE WILL BE DOING HIS INVESTIGATION AND WE WILL NOT INTERFERE IN HOW HE DOES THE INVESTIGATION, BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO RESTRICT HIM IN ANY SORT OF WAY. THE REASON THAT IT IS ON YOU OUGHT TO CONSIDER IS BECAUSE YOU DO HAVE NUMBERS TO LOOK AT WITH AN EXPECTATION OF WHAT SOMETHING OF THIS MAGNITUDE WILL POTENTIALLY COST. IT WILL BE AN IN-DEPTH REVIEW, ACCORDING TO THE WARRANT AFFIDAVIT . IT TOOK THEM TWO YEARS TO DO AN INVESTIGATION AND I DON'T SUSPECT CONSIDERING THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY DONE THAT. THAT JUST MEANS THAT THERE IS A GOOD AMOUNT OF MATERIAL THAT EXISTS. IT IS ON FOR YOU OUGHT TO CONSIDER IF THIS IS THE DIRECTION THAT YOU STILL WANT TO AND IF YOU STILL WANT THE INVESTIGATION TO PROCEED. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECONSIDER THIS, WE ABSOLUTELY CAN . THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT YOU ALL ARE REFERRING TO IS THE INFORMATION FILED, WHICH IS THE FORMAL CHARGING DOCUMENT BY THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, WHICH WAS JUST FILED LAST WEEK, SO THAT DOESN'T OFFICIALLY CHARGE HIM AND THE CASE WILL BE PROCEEDING FORWARD INTO THE CRIMINAL COURTROOM. AS YOU ALLUDED TO , THESE ARE TWO SEPARATE QUESTIONS. THE CRIMINAL CASE AND THE EMPLOYMENT ISSUE THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH ARE TWO SEPARATE ISSUES . THEY INTERACT TRIGGERED THE EMPLOYMENT. THEY DO KIND OF INTERPLAY WITH ONE ANOTHER. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER THIS AT A LATER MEETING , WE CAN PUSH IT TO SEPTEMBER AND RE-EVALUATE AT THAT POINT. YOU ALL GAVE ME A DIRECTION TO HIRE SOMEONE , SO I DIDN'T WANT TO SLEEP ON THAT. AND HOWEVER YOU WOULD LIKE TO PROCEED IT IS HOW I WILL. WE CAN RE-EVALUATE IT AT THE LEADER LATER MEETING DAY. >> THANK YOU FOR EXPEDITING THAT AND GETTING THAT INFORMATION TO US. >> I WOULD SUGGEST THAT I DO BELIEVE THE INVESTIGATION IS NECESSARY. WE HAVE DETERMINED INTERNAL POLICY WHAT TRANSPIRED AND WHAT DIDN'T. HOWEVER, I AM NOT AGAINST KICKING THE CAN TWO WEEKS DOWN THE ROAD TO HAVE A BETTER AND MORE IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION AT THAT TIME. IF THAT IS WHAT THEIR INTEREST WAS TO DO. >> I'M A LITTLE PERPLEXED. HR INVESTIGATIONS ARE LOOKING AT POLICY AND RE-EVALUATING OUR POLICY MANUALS VERSUS WHAT WAS ACTUALLY TRANSPIRED. I CAN LINE UP AT THIS AND I WILL PROBABLY HAVE SOME QUESTIONS WITH OUR OWN INTERNAL HR TEAM TO UNDERSTAND THESE THINGS AND THAT WILL GIVE ME MORE TIME TO [00:50:01] DO THAT, SO THAT WE ARE EVALUATING THIS. I AGREE THAT WE ARE NOT TRYING TO LOOK AT INNOCENT AND GUILTY, BUT AN EMPLOYEE IN A SITUATION. WE HAVE THREE EMPLOYEES THAT WORK FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE THAT WE ACTUALLY HIGHER AND IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT WE ARE IN THE SITUATION , BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE DUE DILIGENCE NOT ONLY TO FURTHER EXTEND ON SOMETHING THAT WE DO , BUT IT COULD LEAD TO OTHER PARAMETERS AND NOT FOLLOW IT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS HEARD FROM ME AND UNDERSTOOD THAT IT WAS WEIGHING ON MY MIND AND I'M OKAY WITH TWO WEEKS ON THIS. >> I AM, TOO. ONE OF THE THINGS YOU DID WAS CONSULT AND THEY GIVE YOU SOME IDEAS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VARIOUS PEOPLE THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO THIS? >> YES, I DID DO RESOURCES AND THAT WAS ONE OF THE RESOURCES THAT I DID USE AND ADDITIONAL RESEARCH ON MY OWN, AS WELL. >> THE CONCERNING IDEA ABOUT THE 20,000 TO 40,000 , THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE WOULD VERY MUCH BE ABLE TO CONTROL THROUGH YOU IN TERMS OF THE COST . THIS IS AN ESTIMATE AND WITH THIS PERSON NOT KNOWING ANYTHING YET EXCEPT THE DOCUMENT AND HAVING HIS CONVERSATION WITH YOU. >> YES, I BELIEVE HE HAS DONE A PRELIMINARY REVIEW OF WHAT THE ISSUE -- WHAT ISSUES EXIST. BASED ON THAT AND HIS EXPERIENCE INTO THIS REALM , THAT IS WHERE THE ESTIMATE IS COMING FROM. THAT WAS THE IDEA THAT MAYBE WAS PROPOSED. >> THE CRIMINAL CASE IS SOMETHING THAT I WOULD EXPECT TO TAKE MUCH LONGER THAN THIS TYPE OF INVESTIGATION , BUT I WANT TO BE CAREFUL IN SAYING THAT WE ARE ABLE TO CONTROL THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT IT WILL COST, BECAUSE I DON'T BELIEVE THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT, BECAUSE IF WE TELL HIM NO , AND TO NOT INVESTIGATE THAT, BECAUSE IT IS NOW COSTING US TOO MUCH, THEN IS THAT A PROPER AND THOROUGH INVESTIGATION? HONESTLY, IT WILL COST WHAT IT COSTS AND IT WILL BE QUITE SIGNIFICANT. >> HE ESTIMATED ABOUT A MONTH AND A HALF. >> I AM THINKING THAT NOW WE HAVE NEW INFORMATION ON A CRIMINAL PACE AND THAT WOULD BE EVOLVING. I THINK WE WOULD BE GETTING MORE AND MORE IN THE NATION , BUT THAT IS GOING ON A PARALLEL TRACK AND IT DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THIS. FIND SOMEBODY TO DO THIS AND COULD DO IT EARLY WITH THE CREDENTIALS AND A LOT OF HR CREDENTIALS . >> HE HAS DONE A NUMBER OF INVESTIGATIONS INTO HR ISSUES. >> I AND PURPOSE -- PERFECTLY ALL RIGHT WITH CONSIDERING IT AND AT THE NEXT MEETING. >> A COUPLE MORE COMMENTS SINCE I DON'T GET TO CALL YOU ON THE PHONE. IN ADDITION TO THAT, I WILL HAVE IN-DEPTH AND MORE IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION WITH MADAME HEDGES AND HR IN DISCUSSING THE PARAMETERS. I UNDERSTAND CONTRACTS , BUT I WILL ASK MORE QUESTIONS . I WILL GET MORE INFORMATION AND I WILL ASK FOR MORE INFORMATION. AS WE WORK THROUGH THIS AND AS WE EVALUATE , WHAT IS PENDING? AS WE DIGEST AND LISTEN TO MY COLLEAGUE COMMISSIONER GAINES HERE , I CAN ONLY HEAR IT FROM UP HERE TODAY , BUT THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PARAMETERS ON MULTIPLE LEVELS FOR ME AND I'M JUST SUPPORTING MY OWN ARGUMENT . I DON'T GET TO SPEAK TO YOU ALL. I WILL SHARE WITH YOU THAT IT IS MY INTENT AND GOAL. PUBLIC TRUST IS AT STAKE AND TRANSPARENCY IS HERE . WE WILL MAINTAIN THAT AND MAKE SURE THAT EVERY EYE IS DOTTED. ON BEHALF OF TAXPAYERS AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT IS WHAT WE ARE HERE TO DO AND FUNCTION IS. IT IS THEIR CITY . THAT IS WHERE I'M AT AND WHAT I PLAN ON DOING, SO I THINK IT MIGHT BE [00:55:05] GOOD INFORMATION TO COME ABOUT AT LEAST FOR ME PERSONALLY, SO THANK YOU FOR THE DISCUSSION AND WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT TIME WE TALK ABOUT IT. >> NOTHING ELSE? DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO POSTPONE UNTIL THE DATE IS CERTAIN? IT'S YOUR MOTION. >> MY FIRST QUESTION IS 13 DAYS TODAY IS NOT A FULL TWO WEEKS BUT IS THAT ENOUGH TIME? I FELT IT TO BE AND I HEARD THAT FROM MOST OF YOU, BUT I THINK THAT MAKES SENSE. >> SEPTEMBER 16TH. >> THE RESOLUTION THAT AUTHORIZED MADAME HEDGES TO PROCEED WITH THAT IS UP FOR DISCUSSION ON THE AGENDA ON THAT DATE , BECAUSE THAT IS A REVIEW OF EVERYTHING IN THAT RESOLUTION AND ONE OF THE ITEMS. >> IT WILL DEFINITELY BE ON THE 16TH. WE CAN PLACE THIS SPECIFICALLY ON THERE, AS WELL. THE RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE ADMINISTRATIVE LEAVE AND INVESTIGATION , ACTING CITY MANAGER , THAT IS ALL PART OF THAT RESOLUTION TO BE REVIEWED ON THE 16TH, AS WELL. IF THE MOTION IS TO MOVE THIS, WE CONSIDER BOTH ITEMS ON THAT DAY. >> I WILL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE POSTPONE THE AGENDA ITEM 12 D TO SEPTEMBER 16, 2024. >> CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE . >> [f. Authorization of expenditure of $900,098.70, which will be financed over five years at an annual payment of $218,814.91 for the attached Municipal Finance Equipment Lease-Purchase Application for 22 vehicles necessary for Police Department operations. ] EXPENDITURE BE FINANCED OVER FIVE YEARS AT AN ANNUAL PAYMENT OF $218,814.91 FOR THE ATTACHED MUNICIPAL FINANCE EQUIPMENT LEASE PURCHASE APPLICATION FOR 22 VEHICLES NECESSARY FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS. >> THIS IS YOU, COMMISSIONER BRODERICK. >> I ASKED THIS TO BE PULLED, BECAUSE I DON'T DISAGREE WITH THE PROPOSITION OF PURCHASING VEHICLES , AND I WANTED THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND , BECAUSE I BELIEVE THERE IS AN ABUNDANCE OF MISINFORMATION ABOUT HOW THE CITY COMMISSION TREATS FUNDING FOR POLICE DEPARTMENT REQUIREMENTS AND WE ARE ABOUT TO SPEND $1 MILLION ON POLICE VEHICLES. THIS IS PROBABLY A ROLLOVER OF THE FLEET IN SOME CAPACITY OR A CHANGE OUT OF A PORTION OF THE FLEET, WHICH IS NECESSARY THAT THEY HAVE RELIABLE TRANSPORTATION AND ADEQUATE NUMBER OF VEHICLES TO CONDUCT OPERATIONS. THIS WASN'T CRITICISM OF SPENDING 900,000 AND I'M ASSUMING THAT THE ANNUAL PAYMENTS OF THIS COME OUT OF THE POLICE BUDGET. >> IT MIGHT BE ADMINISTRATION , BUT IT IS ALLOCATED IN THE BUDGET. >> I JUST WANT THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS THE REQUEST AND WE ARE STEPPING UP AND SAYING THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE. WITHOUT A DOUBT, I'M ASSUMING THAT THE COMMISSION WILL APPROVE IT AND GET IT DONE , SO THAT'S WHY I BROUGHT IT UP. >> SOMETIMES THE PUBLIC DOESN'T REALIZE THAT IT'S ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> IT CAUGHT MY EYE. $1 MILLION GETS MY ATTENTION. >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION? >> I'M GLAD YOU PULLED IT. IN THE DOCUMENT AND I'M NOT SURE WHO WOULD ANSWER THIS . IT CAME TO MY ATTENTION EARLIER AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE DEAL IN THE COMPONENTS OF AGREEMENT AND IT EXPIRES IN MARCH 2024 , BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE NUMBERS AREN'T CONSISTENT AND/OR BETTER SINCE INTEREST RATES HAVE CHANGED. IN THE BOTTOM OF THE ATTACHMENT , TALKED ABOUT A FINANCE APPLICATION. I'M NOT SURE THAT WE ARE UTILIZING THAT. >> WE CAN'T EVEN MAKE AN APPLICATION UNTIL YOU AUTHORIZE THE EXPENDITURE. THIS IS THE FIRST STEP , THEN WE NEGOTIATE THE LEASE AGREEMENT , TERMS AND INTEREST RATES. >> DO WE HAVE A MOTION? >> MOVED TO APPROVE 12 F. >> MOTION AND SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE . >> [a. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 24-030 - Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Fort Pierce Chapter 125, Article 1, Section 125-3 - Definitions Generally, to provide for additional definitions, clarify existing definitions, to remove conflicts with State Statute and internal conflicts with the Code of Ordinances, and to provide consistency with the City’s Comprehensive Plan. SECOND READING.] CHAPTER 125 ARTICLE ONE, SECTION 125-3, DEFINITIONS [01:00:01] GENERALLY TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DEFINITIONS AND CLARIFY EXISTING DEFINITIONS TO REMOVE CONFLICTS PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE AND THIS IS THE SECOND READING. >> ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NO MOVEMENT AND I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ENTERTAIN A MOTION. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> MOTION AND SECOND. >> [b. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 24-031 - Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Fort Pierce Chapter 125 - Zoning, Article IV - Basic Zoning Districts, Section 125-187 - Allowed Uses, to amend the use table and to require Innovative Community Development as a conditional use in certain zoning districts - SECOND READING.] AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES FOR FORT PIERCE CHAPTER 125 ZONING ARTICLE FIVE, BASIC ZONING DISTRICTS, SECTION 125-187 , ALLOWED USES TO AMEND THE USED TABLE AND CREATE WITHIN ZONING DISTRICTS REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS THE SECOND READING. >> ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. NO MOVEMENT. I WILL COME BACK TO THE COMMISSION FOR A MOTION. MOTION AND SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE. >> [c. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 24-032 - Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Fort Pierce Chapter 125 - Zoning, Article V - Conditional Uses, Section 125-243 - Innovative Residential Developments, to revise the title to 'Innovative Community Developments', and to provide updates to the purpose, general standards for approval, potential uses, minimum lot size, residential densities, development standards, common open space and compatibility. - SECOND READING.] AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE FLORIDA ZONING ARTICLE FIVE, CONDITIONAL USES, SECTION 125 INNOVATIVE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS TO REVISE THE TITLE TO INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENTS AND PROVIDE UPDATES TO THE PURPOSE , GENERAL STANDARDS FOR APPROVAL, POTENTIAL USES, MINIMUM LOT SIZE, RESIDENTIAL DENSITIES, DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, COMMON OPEN-SPACE AND COMPATIBILITY. ALL IN CONFLICT AND PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE AND THIS IS THE SECOND READING. >> ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION ON THIS ISSUE, COME FORWARD. SEEING NO MOVEMENT. I WILL COME BACK TO THE COMMISSION. >> I JUST WANT TO THANK OUR PLANNING DIRECTOR FOR THIS. THIS IS GOING TO BE A BIG DEAL FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE . IT WILL BE A BIG DEAL. TO THE DEVELOPERS OUT HERE , BANKS AND EVERYBODY THAT WANTS TO INVEST OR HAVE PROBLEMS WITH INVESTING IN THE CITY , HERE IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. I JUST WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK KEVIN AND FREEMAN FOR ALL OF THE MEETINGS WE HAD AND ALL OF THE HARD WORK TO GET THIS IDEA AND I'M GLAD WE ARE HERE AND I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE YOUR DREAMS AND HOW WE WILL CHANGE THESE LIVES IN OUR CITY, SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK. >> DO I HAVE A MOTION? >> I WILL CHANGE THAT TO AN ENTHUSIASTIC MOTION TO APPROVE. >> CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE >> [d. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 24-034 establishing the Koa Bay Community Development District which is generally located north of W. Midway Road, south of Okeechobee Road, and west of Interstate 95, and contains approximately 200.23+/- acres, as shown on the map below. SECOND READING] >> NEXT, 24-034 IN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION FOR FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA EXAMINING THE BAY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT PURSUANT TO THE FLORIDA STATUTES FOR POWERS , NAMES AND DUTIES PROVIDING FOR DESCRIPTION AND BOUNDARIES TO SERVICE THE INITIAL MEMBERS OF THE DISTRICT'S BOARD OF SUPERVISORS PROVIDING NOTICE OF REQUIREMENTS FOR SEVERABILITY CLAUSE OR FEELING THAT ORDINANCE OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT WITH AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE . THIS IS THE SECOND READING. >> ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION ON THIS ISSUE? PLEASE COME FORWARD. STATE YOUR NAME, PLEASE PRINT >> WITH THE LAW FIRM AND I REPRESENT AND ARE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE? I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND BACK TO THE COMMISSION. >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> MOTION AND SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE. >> [e. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 24-035 providing for the levying and collecting of taxes for the City of Fort Pierce for Fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024 and Ending September 30, 2025 and adopting the final millage rate of 6.9. FIRST READING] >> NEXT, 24-035 PROVIDING FOR THE LEVYING AND COLLECTING OF TAXES FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE FOR FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2024 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 AS NECESSARY TO CARRY ON THE GOVERNMENT OF SAID CITY DURING SAID FISCAL YEAR TO PAY FUNDS COLLECTED IN ACCOUNTS PROVIDED THEREFORE ADOPTING THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE 2020 OR AND 2025 FISCAL YEAR AND PROVIDE FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE SECTION 1 , THE FINAL MILLAGE RATE OF THE CITY OF FOUR PIERCE FLORIDA BEGINNING OCTOBER 2025 IS HEREBY LEVIED AT AT THE RATE OF 6.9 PER THOUSAND DOLLARS EVALUATION AND GENEROSITY PURPOSE BEING IN EXCESS OF THE ROLLBACK RATE BY 7.82%. THE CITY OF COMMISSION OF FORT [01:05:02] PIERCE, FLORIDA BY LIBBY OF TAX ON ALL REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS AND SUBJECT TO TAX ON THE FIRST DATE OF JANUARY 2024 PROVIDED HOWEVER THAT SUCH SHALL NOT BE LEVIED ON PROPERTY EXEMPT UNDER STATE STATUTE OR FEDERAL CONSTITUTION. THE CITY MANAGER IS HEREBY INSTRUCT IT AND COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER FOR MILLAGE TO BE LEVIED FOR ALL PURPOSES FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2024 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 PURSUANT TO THE DIVISION OF LAWS FOR THE STATE OF FLORIDA AND CHARTER OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AND THIS ORDINANCE SHALL 1, 2024. >> ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. I WILL BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMISSION AND ENTERTAIN A MOTION. >> CLICK COMMENT . I DIDN'T MAKE ONE EARLIER, BUT I'M EXCITED ABOUT GETTING THIS MOVING FORWARD AND FOR THIS TO BE ONE OF THE YEARS THAT WE DON'T HARASS EVERYONE APPEAR ABOUT LOWERING THE MILLAGE RATE. FOR MANY YEARS AND BUDGET CYCLES, I HAVE ASKED FOR A LOWERING OF THE RATE AND I MOVE FOR THE APPROVAL. >> SECOND PRINT >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MOTION AND SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE. >> [f. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 24-036 adopting the final budget for the City of Fort Pierce for fiscal year beginning October 1, 2024 and ending September 30, 2025. FIRST READING] CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2024 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE . CITY COMMISSION BY THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA. SECTION 1, CITY COMMISSION OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA AFTER HAVING HELD A PUBLIC HEARING HEREBY ADOPTS THE FINAL BUDGET FOR THE OPERATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF SAID CITY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2024 AND EXAMINED ENDING 2025. PRESENTED TO THE CITY COMMISSION ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2024, WHICH DETAILED AMENDED ESTIMATES ARE ON FILE WITH THE CITY CLERK AND DIRECTOR OF FINANCE. SECTION 2, DUTY OF THE CITY MANAGER TO SET UP THE APPROPRIATION OF REVENUES AND EXPENSES ON THE ACCOUNT RECORDS OF SAID CITY TO KEEP ACCOUNTS THEREOF AS REQUIRED BY SAID CITY DIRECTED FROM TIME TO TIME BY THE CITY COMMISSION. THIS ORDINANCE SHALL BECOME A OCTOBER 1, 2024. >> THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WISH TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, COME FORWARD. >> MOVE APPROVAL. >> JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING, WE CAN ADOPT THIS BUDGET, BUT THE BUDGET CAN ALWAYS BE . I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE , SO THAT THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS. >> THE BUDGET CAN BE AMENDED , BUT IF WE WANT TO ADD SOMETHING SUCH AS THE ALLOCATION OR WHATEVER , THERE ARE PLACES IN THE BUDGET THAT THIS CAN BE TAKEN FROM THAT DON'T REQUIRE A SPECIFIC BUDGET AMENDMENT . THERE IS ONLY ONE BUDGET AMENDMENT, WHICH IS DONE AS PART OF THE AUDIT PROCESS. WE HAVE A METHOD. THAT IS IF WE DECIDE TO DO THAT. >> I WANTED TO MAKE SURE. >> I KNOW ABOUT THE ONE AT THE END. YOU ANSWERED MY QUESTION, SO I WILL SECOND PRINT >> CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE. >> [g. Public Hearing and Resolution 24-R34 regarding TEFRA Hearing at the request of Synergy School of Tomorrow, Inc. to issue tax exempt private activity bonds to be used to finance renovations to and buildout of the facilities located at 5900 Tedder Road, 6130 Tedder Road, 2395 South Jenkins Road, 5200 Oleander Avenue, and 3209 Virginia Avenue in Fort Pierce, Florida, and related activities. ] >> NEXT, RESOLUTION 24-R34 APPROVING THE ISSUE OF NOT EXCEEDING 35 MILLION PUBLIC FINANCE AUTHORITY EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES AND REVENUE REFUNDING BONDS OF THE PROJECT WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986 AS AMENDED OF THE WISCONSIN STATUTES AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING. >> THIS IS MY ITEM. THIS IS A FINANCING ASPECT FOR SYNERGY SCHOOL OF TOMORROW AND I'M SURE THAT YOU'RE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. WE HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE AND IT IS ALLOWING THEM TO REFINANCE BONDS AND PROVIDE EXPANSION THAT THEY WANT TO DO. >> NO FINANCIAL COMMITMENT, BUT IT'S REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED TO US ON FEDERAL FINANCING. ANY QUESTIONS? THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS AN ISSUE , PLEASE COME FORWARD. I WILL CLOSE THE [01:10:05] PUBLIC HEARING AND ENTERTAIN A MOTION. >> MOVED TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE >> [a. Resolution 24-R48 Adopting the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency FY2024-25 Budget.] >> NEXT, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF FORT PIERCE FLORIDA APPROVING FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 FOR THE FORT PIERCE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2025 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 AND PROVIDE AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> ANYTHING TO SAY ABOUT THIS? >> YOU SAW THIS AT OUR LAST MEETING WHERE YOU ACCEPTED THE SPENDING PLAN , SO THIS IS THE FORMALITY OF APPROVING JUST LIKE WE DO FOR THE BUDGET. WE ARE DOING IT BY RESOLUTION, WHICH IS SOMETHING NEW AND WE WANT TO BE CONSISTENT WITH HOW WE ARE DOING IT. THAT IS WHY YOU SEE IT IN THE FORM OF A RESOLUTION. >> QUESTIONS? >> I CAUGHT THAT. I MOVED TO APPROVE. >> MOTION AND SECOND . >> CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE . >> APPLICATIONS TO SERVE ON THE COMMUNITYWIDE COUNSEL PLACED ON THE NEXT AGENDA FOR A VOTE. SUBMITTAL OF APPLICATIONS FOR AN AT-LARGE POSITION ON THE FPUA BOARD, WHICH WILL ALSO BE [15. 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.] PLACED FOR A VOTE. NEXT, COMMENTS FOR THE PUBLIC. >> THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND WILL GIVE YOU A THREE SECOND -- 10 SECOND WARNING. WOULD YOU LIKE TO FIRST? PLEASE COME FORWARD. >> MY NAME IS E THAT CRUISE AND THEY WORK FOR THE COUNCIL AT 2501 SOUTHWEST BOULEVARD. WE ALSO HAVE A LOCATION. I'M LETTING YOU KNOW THAT THE COUNCIL MEETING IS HOSTING A BALL GALA IN SEPTEMBER AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAND THESE OUT TO EVERYONE. THE WHOLE REASON FOR THIS IS TO RAISE FUNDS TO MEET OUR MATCHING GRANTS THAT WE GET FROM THE AREA AGENCY FOR STATE AND FEDERAL MATCHES. I WOULD LOVE FOR ALL OF YOU TO COME OUT. I DID WRITE A STATEMENT ON THAT . I DON'T WANT TO READ IT, BECAUSE IT WILL TAKE TOO LONG, BUT THE THREE MINUTES. >> YOU CAN GIVE THEM TO AND SHE WILL PASS THEM OUT. >> WHEN YOU OPEN IT , THERE IS THE INVITATION AND IF YOU CLICK THE QR CODE, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO PURCHASE , BECAUSE WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU THERE. >> WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO NEXT? PLEASE COME FORWARD. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAME MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS AND PUBLIC. I LIVE ON 2420 IN FORT PIERCE AND MY HUSBAND AND I BECAME RESIDENTS OF THE CITY AND I MOVED HERE FROM MIAMI SEPTEMBER 2023 , BECAUSE WE COULD NOT AFFORD THE HIGH COST OF LIVING IN MIAMI AND BUYING A HOME WAS OUT OF THE QUESTION. I RECEIVED PROPOSED PROPERTY TAXES FOR 2025 AND FIND IT APPALLING THAT THEY WANT TO ESCALATE A HIGH TAX BILL AND PURCHASED A NEW HOME. I HAVE BEEN SPEAKING IN OUR LAND AND AN EXCUSE THAT . THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THE MEDIAN PROPERTY VALUE IS $190,000. DEMOGRAPHICS CONSIST OF 44% AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND 42% WHITE. FORT PIERCE HAS A LARGE POPULATION OF MILITARY PERSONNEL WHO SERVED IN VIETNAM AND I'M SHARING THIS, BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE CITIZENS THAT LIVE HERE AND OUR ECONOMIC SITUATION. I HAVE A TAX RATE FOR NEIGHBORS ON MY STREET. THIS RAISES A LOT OF QUESTIONS. YOU SEE TRADITIONS [01:15:05] AND HIGH SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS. 61% ARE WHITE. TO ALL OF YOU IN YOUR SEATS, I KINDLY ASK THAT YOU LOOK WITHIN YOURSELF TO ANALYZE WHO YOU ARE SERVING AND REPRESENT AND TAKE SOME TIME TO DRIVE BY FORT PIERCE AND TO LOOK INTO THE COMMUNITY. MY HUSBAND AND I WERE PUSHED OUT OF MIAMI AND SEEKING OPPORTUNITIES . THE SCENE SITUATION IS REALLY DISTURBING. IT IS CRUCIAL THAT YOU ANALYZE HOW YOU CAN SERVE THE COMMUNITY BETTER AND DO RIGHT BY US. IT IS NOT SIMPLY A MATTER OF ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY, BUT A MORAL RESPONSIBILITY. PRACTICE TO BE IMPLEMENTED TO SERVE ITS CITIZENS. PLEASE TAKE SOME TIME TO EQUITABLY ACCESS PROPERTY TAXES, SO THAT RESIDENTS CAN TRUST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND CONTINUE LIVING OUR LIVES, OTHERWISE THE GENTRIFICATION THAT WE SEE IN THE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR WILL NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD HOMES AND BE PUSHED OUT DUE TO THE INCREASES. I EXPECT THE CITY TO PROVIDE MEANS TO MEET MY NEEDS AND PAVE MY ROADS AT THE VERY LEAST. YOU HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO US. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION AND CONSIDERATION. >> WOULD LIKE TO GO NEXT? >> GOOD EVENING. 920 SOUTH U.S. ONE FORT PIERCE. MAN-TO-MAN AND COMMISSIONERS, THE DISCUSSION OF THE POSSIBILITY OF THE ST. LOUIS OFFICE TAKING OVER THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT MAY SEEM LIKE A STRAIGHTFORWARD SOLUTION, BUT IT CARRIES RISKS FOR OUR COMMUNITY. ONE OF THE MOST COOL ISSUES AT STAKE. POLICE DEPARTMENT IS TAILORED TO FORT PIERCE WITH POLICIES AND PRIORITIES SHAPED BY THE VOICES OF OUR RESIDENT MAC. SHIFTING RESPONSIBILITY, DIRECT INFLUENCE. OUR CITIZENS WILL NO LONGER HAVE THE LEVEL AS TO HOW THEIR COMMUNITY IS PLACED. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SURGING SERVING A MUCH LARGER AREA MAY NOT ADDRESS SPECIFIC CONCERNS, IN ADDITION TO THESE CONCERNS, THE ONGOING UNCERTAINTY OF THE LONG-TERM VIABILITY WILL HAVE A DETRIMENTAL IMPACT IN RECRUITMENT AND OFFICERS. WITH POTENTIAL RECRUITS, THE INSTABILITY AND DISCUSSION OF THE FUTURE OF THE DEPARTMENT BEING IN QUESTION, LESS LIKELY TO JOIN. OUR OFFICERS -- SIMILARLY, CURRENT OFFICERS WHO ARE COMMITTED TO SERVING FORT PIERCE MAKE SEEK EMPLOYMENT ELSEWHERE WHERE THEY SEEK EMPLOYMENT ABOUT THEIR CAREERS. YOU WILL UNDERMINE OUR EFFORTS TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN STRONG AND DEDICATED POLICE FORCE THAT TRULY UNDERSTANDS AND SERVES OUR COMMUNITY. IN SHORT, THIS WEEKENDS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND STRIPPING AWAY THE RESPONSIVE APPROACH THAT ONLY A LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT CAN PROVIDE. DESERVES TO HAVE ITS OWN VOICE . REGARDING THE BUDGET, I EMPLOYEE TO PULL FROM THE RESERVES AND FUND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OFFICERS . BASED UPON THE NUMBERS PRESENTED, THE RAISES WE REQUEST WOULD COST THE CITY APPROXIMATELY $900,000 MORE THAN ALLOCATED IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET. TO PUT THAT IN PERSPECTIVE, WE LOST FIVE OFFICERS IN THE LAST 45 DAYS AND THE COST OF THAT ALONE IS APPROXIMATELY $500,000. LET'S INVEST IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ENSURING THE SECURITY STABILITY AND REFLECTS THE NEEDS AND DESIRES OF THE COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU, SIR. WHO'S NEXT? >> GOOD AFTERNOON . HOW ARE YOU ALL TODAY? ARE YOU ALL DOING ALL RIGHT? I'M USED TO SMILING FACES . EVERYONE'S FROWNING FOR SOME REASON. AT ANY RATE, I'M GLAD YOU WILL RECONSIDER THE ISSUE REGARDING THE ATTORNEYS THAT YOU ARE CONSIDERING HIRING AS IT RELATES TO THE INVESTIGATION AND INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION OF THE SITUATION. I SEE THAT [01:20:04] YOU FOLLOWED PRETTY MUCH WHAT I INDICATED THAT YOU WILL ULTIMATELY HAVE TO DO ANYWAY. WE LOOKED IN THE INDICTMENT FROM WHAT IT SOUNDS LIKE AND YOU MADE A DECISION , AT LEAST THE DECISION NOT TO MOVE FORWARD. THAT IS WHAT YOU WILL END UP DOING THROUGHOUT THIS ENTIRE INVESTIGATION, WHICH WILL TAX THE CITIZENS AND GIVE THEM THE OPPORTUNITY FOR AN OPEN CHECK TO A LAWYER OF $40,000 A MONTH THAT WILL ULTIMATELY GO ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND THE ATTORNEY WILL PRETTY MUCH WE CAN DO WHAT YOU ALL JUST DID WITH REGARDS TO INFORMATION FROM THE STATE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. MAY TAKE, YOU NEED TO FIND THAT MANY. WE ARE IN A TERRIBLE STATEMENT NOW IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE WITH WHAT IS GOING ON . THE MORALE AND LACK OF PROSECUTIONS AND LACK OF EQUIPMENT . OFFICERS BEING UNDERPAID . WITH ALL ELSE REALIZES THAT WE HAVE A CASH COW CALLED THE UTILITIES AUTHORITY. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE CITIZENS HAVE PUT MONEY INTO , YET WE SIT HERE AND WE DON'T WANT TO FORCE THEM WITH WHAT SAYS WE CAN DO. WE BORROWED MONEY FROM THE UTILITY AUTHORITIES BEFORE. MONEY TO DEAL WITH CRISIS LIKE THIS ONE. THERE IS MONEY THERE AND DO JUST HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHERE YOU WILL FIND IT. THERE IS MONEY THERE. WHEN I SUBMIT IS TO NOT SLEEP ON THIS, BECAUSE THE SITUATION WILL GET WORSE THESE APPRECIATIONS CONTINUE. . FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, MAYBE THAT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU WILL WANT TO LOOK INTO. WE HAVE DONE IT BEFORE. THEY HAVE A LOT OF MONEY OVER THERE. I HAVE A 635 WAITING FOR ME TO PAY. THANK GOD I CAN PAY IT. THE CITIZENS LIKE THE YOUNG LADY THAT JUST DON'T -- SPOKE UP. LET'S . THANK YOU. >> WHO'S NEXT? WOULD LIKE TO GO NEXT? >> MY NAME IS ELLEN GILLETT AND I LIVE AT 1701 WEST ROYAL TURN AND FORT PIERCE . I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT FOR MOST OF THE LAST 57 YEARS . ALMOST 20 YEARS AGO, WE MOVED TO NORTH CAROLINA FOR ABOUT SIX YEARS . I HAVE SEEN SO MANY POSITIVE CHANGES OVER THE YEARS. FORT PIERCE NEEDS TO STAY SMALL . NEEDS TO KEEP THE HOMETOWN FEEL AND NEEDS TO KEEP ITS QUAINTNESS. SOMEONE ONCE TOLD ME THAT EVERYONE IN FORT PIERCE SHOULD BE A MILLIONAIRE, BECAUSE WE GOT IT ALL. DOWNTOWN ACCESS TO I-95 AND WE'RE OBVIOUSLY NOT ALL MILLIONAIRES. WE HAVE TO EXPAND THE TAX BASE AND BRING IN BUSINESS. WE CAN'T DO THAT WITHOUT INFRASTRUCTURE . THE KEY POINT OF THE STRUCTURE IS A SAFE ENVIRONMENT WE NEED A SILLY -- CITY THAT LOOKS SAFE AND YOU STILL HEAR FROM PEOPLE AND OTHER COUNTIES WHEN THEY HEAR A GOOD RESTAURANT DOWNTOWN OR AN EVENT. IS IT SAFE FOR ME ? THERE IS A STIGMA THAT WE NEED TO ERADICATE WITH A STABLE POLICE DEPARTMENT . WE NEED A STABLE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ONE THAT DOESN'T LEAVE AFTER IT'S BEEN TRAINED , BECAUSE WHO WANTS TO WORK HARDER UNDER DIFFICULT CIRCUMSTANCES. WE NEED VETERANS WHO HAVE DEVELOPED RELATIONSHIPS AND BUILD THAT TRUST , SO THAT WHEN NEW RECRUITMENTS COME IN , THEY CAN INTRODUCE THEM IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO SOLVE THE CRIME PROBLEM . THEY HAVE TO HAVE A SALARY THAT MAKES SENSE FOR THEM TO STAY AND WE HAVE TO INCENTIVIZE . I'M ASSUMING THAT YOU ARE ALL CITY LEADERS , BECAUSE YOU LOVE FORT PIERCE. MAYBE I'M OVERREACTING, BUT I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A PIVOTAL MOMENT IN THE HISTORY OF FORT [01:25:02] PIERCE AND THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT. IT FEELS LIKE THE DECISIONS YOU MAKE NOW CONCERNING THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL BE THE BIGGEST PART OF YOUR CIVIC LEGACY. MAYBE THE MONEY ISN'T THERE AND MAYBE YOU CAN'T FIND IT ANYWHERE . THEY USED TO BE IN S.W.A.T. TEAM WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THERE ISN'T ONE NOW. I DREAD THE DAY THAT IT COULD BE SAID THAT FORT PIERCE USED TO HAVE A POLICE DEPARTMENT AND NOW THEY DON'T. THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT. >> ANYONE ELSE? WE WILL MOVE ON. WAIT. >> HELLO, MAYOR . SHAMEFUL AND DISGRACEFUL. >> YOUR NAME PLEASE. >> SHAMEFUL AND DISGRACEFUL AND DISHEARTENING . AS A FORT PIERCE POLICE OFFICER, I HAVE GIVEN MOST OF MY ADULTHOOD TO THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT . I HAVE WORKED LONG HOURS CAUSING SLEEPLESS NIGHTS AND I HAVE MISSED CHRISTMAS MORNINGS WITH MY KIDS AND THAT I COULD SHARE WITH MY KIDS. I HAVE LOST MANY BLOOD, SWEAT AND TEARS SHED. I WEAR THE UNIFORM AND I LEFT MY HOME WONDERING IF THAT WOULD BE MY LAST DAY OF WORK. MY BIGGEST GOAL WOULD BE TO ONE DAY RETIRE FROM THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT , BUT THAT HAS BEEN UNDER THREAT, BECAUSE OF RECENT THINGS SAID ABOUT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TAKING OVER. DURING OUR LAST NEGOTIATIONS, WE WERE TOLD BY THE CITY'S NEGOTIATION TEAM THAT IT WAS TIME TO LEAVE AND THE DEPARTMENT WOULD NO LONGER BE SUSTAINABLE, BUT AS IT STANDS, PEOPLE WILL LEAVE . WHAT IS THE SENSE TO STAY HERE IF KNOWING THAT IN A FEW YEARS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WILL BE NO MORE WITH A SHERIFF'S OFFICE TAKE OVER. ALL WE ARE ASKING IS TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THE HARD WORK THAT MEN AND WOMEN DO. FOR THE NEW GUYS, DON'T WORRY. YOU WILL BE THE LOWEST PAID AND MOST OVERWORKED . YOU WILL BE MANDATED TO WORK OVERTIME. ACTUALLY, YOU HAVE TO WORK OVERTIME TO SURVIVE . THE RACE FOR GREATER SAFETY AND SECURITY OF CHILDREN AND ELDERLY IS NO LONGER OBTAINABLE. OUR RESOURCES ARE STRETCHED IN AND MORALE IS THE WORST I HAVE EVER SEEN . WE HAVE A HIGHER NEED FOR POLICE OFFICERS THAN WE EVER HAD. APPROXIMATELY $242.60 MORE A MONTH IS WHAT MY LIFE IS WORTH IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME, JUST TELL MY KIDS I'M SORRY. THE ONLY COMMENTS I HAVE TO SAY IS WILL THE LAST PERSON PLEASE SHUT THE LIGHTS OFF. WELCOME TO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. WE CANNOT GUARANTEE YOUR SAFETY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION? >> MAYOR MADAME, CITY COMMISSION , NOAH CLARK. A FINAL OFFER WAS PROPOSED AND WE WOULD NEED 15% TO BE COMPARABLE TO WHERE OTHER AGENCIES ARE CURRENTLY. LET'S NOT MENTION THE FACT THAT WE JUST LOCKED IN A 24% PAY INCREASE FOR YOUR ONE AND WE HAVE A FINAL OFFER OF 8%, BUT ALSO GIVING UP MORE AND WE CURRENTLY HAVE GUARANTEED STAFF INCREASES FOR EACH YEAR OF EXPERIENCE AN OFFICER HAS COME UP WITH THE CITY'S PROPOSAL WOULD TAKE THAT AWAY. TO ADD INSULT, THE CITY IS NOT PUBLICLY DISCUSSING THE FACT . SUBSEQUENTLY PLACING MORE FEAR INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYEES IF NOT ALL GUARANTEED OR ABLE TO TRANSFER ULTIMATELY LEAVING SOME OFFICERS UNEMPLOYED AND THEIR LIVELIHOODS ARE AT RISK AND NOW WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING NO JOBS TO PROVIDE FAMILIES. LET'S NOT ? THAT'S NOT TO MENTION A CITY EMPLOYEES IN OUR CITY GARAGE WITH THE FAMILY PHENOMENAL GROUP OF GUYS. YOUR COMMENTS HAVE BETRAYED THE COMMUNITY WHILE YOU EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS AND IT'S TIME FOR OUR EMPLOYEES TO EXPLORE THEIR OPTIONS. I IMPLORE THEM TO DO WHAT'S BEST FOR FAMILIES. OUR FUTURE IS NO LONGER. GUARANTEED BY THE CITY . MOVING UP 24% IN YEAR ONE AND FOR ANY OFFICER WITH EXPERIENCE, IT IS A NO-BRAINER TO MAKE THE JUMP. IF I COULD PROVIDE 11 TO THE CITY, IT IS THIS. THREATENED TO TAKE [01:30:06] IN, FROM AND SEE HOW THE VISION AND PERCEPTION OF THE CITY DIMINISHES. THANK YOU. >> ANYONE ELSE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. >> I SIT HERE AND LISTEN TO THIS. YOUR PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY IN SAFETY. THAT IS THE GOVERNMENT'S PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY , YET YOU SIT HERE AND LIKE THE SITUATION WITH MIMMS. HELEN KELLER, STEVIE WONDER WOULD SEE THIS. YOU JUST SIT THERE. HOW IN THE WORLD CAN YOU DESTROY OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT? YOU KEPT THE POLICE CHIEF AND I SAY IT 1000 TIMES. THE CITY MANAGER AND POLICE CHIEF WITH TWO IMPORTANT PARTS OF THE CITY AND LOOK WHAT WE GOT. ONE IS FACING JAIL TIME AND THE OTHER IS DISAPPEARING. THEY WORK FOR YOU ALL. THE BLOOD IS RUNNING IN THE STREET. GAINES, I SEE YOU LOOKING AT ME. SHUT UP. I DON'T WANT TO LISTEN TO YOU. >> YOU ARE OUT OF ORDER. >> YOU ARE OUT OF ORDER FOR ALLOWING THIS TO HAPPEN. YOU DO THIS WITH THE POLICE. >> STEP AWAY FROM THE PODIUM. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION? PLEASE COME FORWARD. WE WILL CLOSE THIS PART OF THE PUBLIC HEARING AND [16. COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER] MOVE ON. >> FROM THE CITY MANAGER. TO MAKE IT EVENING, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS. A FEW UPDATES FROM ME THIS EVENING. I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I TALKED WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND HE WAS INQUIRING ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON DOWN SOUTH AND ASSURE THAT IN THE EVENT THAT IT DOESN'T WORK DOWN SOUTH OF THE CITY WOULD STILL LOVE TO ENTERTAIN A STOP FOR THE CITY, BECAUSE I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO HELP BUILD OUR ECONOMIC BASE. >> WE INITIATED THE EVALUATION AND REWRITE OUR PURCHASING CODES AND WILL BE CONDUCTING EMPLOYEE TRAINING ON THAT . IN MY NEW ROLE AS ACTING CITY MANAGER, I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO MEET WITH DEPARTMENT HEADS AND ANY STAFF NUMBERS THAT HAVE WANTED TO DO AN INDIVIDUAL MEETING AND JUST LISTEN AND HEAR WHAT THEIR CONCERNS ARE AND I FEEL THAT IT'S GOING VERY WELL. COMMISSIONER CURTIS JOHNSON INDICATED OUR LAST MEETING THE RESOURCES THAT HAS AVAILABLE TO US AND THEY HAVE WHAT THEY CALL A CITY MANAGER SENIOR ADVISER PROGRAM , SO I REACHED OUT TO A SENIOR ADVISER TO BE THERE FOR ME IF I HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR ANYTHING AND I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO HAVE MY SENIOR ADVISER WHO IS THE FORMER CITY MANAGER AND WORKED WITH HIM BEFORE , SO IT WAS NICE TOUCHING BASE. I WANTED TO ALSO LET YOU KNOW THAT LAST WEEK WE LAUNCHED THE CENTER FOR PUBLIC SAFETY MANAGEMENT STUDY , WHICH IS THE GROUP THAT WILL COME IN AND EVALUATE STAFFING LEVELS AND IT WILL GIVE US THE DATA WE NEED. HOPEFULLY THE RESULTS OF THAT WILL HELP US ADDRESS ISSUES THAT WE KNOW IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. IT WILL NOT ADDRESS THE BUDGET ISSUES , BUT AT LEAST IT WILL GIVE US DATA AND GUIDANCE ON WHAT IS HAPPENING THERE . THEY DON'T EXPECT THAT TO BE COMPLETED UNTIL FEBRUARY, BUT THAT IS UNDERWAY AND I MET WITH THE CHIEF AND HER COMMAND STAFF AND I THINK EVERYONE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING THE REPORT DONE AND OUT AND USING THAT INFORMATION FOR EVERYBODY. MISS MORRIS TALKED ABOUT DOING THE BUDGET AND WOULD YOU HAVE AN RFP OR WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER PUTTING THAT OUT FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE SUNRISE THEATER ITSELF. MISS INGLE IS RETIRING AT THE END OF THE MONTH, SO WE ARE UNDERWAY FOR A SEARCH FOR AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SO HOPEFULLY WE FIND THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THAT AND SHE WILL BE THERE TO HELP IN ANY WAY SHE CAN WITH THAT PROCESS. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. >> YOU MENTIONED THE STUDY , WHICH WILL BE EVALUATING THE EFFICIENCY? >> IT WILL PROVIDE DATA. IT IS A DATA-DRIVEN ANALYSIS OF WHAT IS GOING ON. WHAT IS THEIR WORKLOAD? WHERE DO THEY NEED HELP? IT WILL LOOK AT STAFFING [01:35:01] LEVELS AND IT WILL LOOK AT THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND CULTURE AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND PERFORMANCE METRICS. IT IS JUST GOING TO BE TALKING WITH THE INDIVIDUAL OFFICERS WITHIN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND TALKING WITH FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY TO LOOK AT WHAT THE EXPECTATIONS ARE AND THEY WILL LOOK AT THE OPERATIONS AS A WHOLE OF THE PD AND THEY WILL COME AND VISIT ON SITE AND TALK TO DIFFERENT FOLKS WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION AND THE COMMUNITY. >> THERE HAS BEEN COMMENT ABOUT THE NEGOTIATIONS. CAN YOU TELL US WHERE SOME OF THE COMMENT HAS LED PEOPLE TO BELIEVE . >> THERE ARE FUTURE NEGOTIATION MEETINGS AND EVERYONE IS REALLY CONCERNED. NEXT YEAR, WE HAVE A BUDGETED SHORTFALL AND I THINK WE HAVE TO BE MINDFUL IN MAKING SURE THAT WHATEVER DECISIONS YOU MAKE , WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO FUND IT. WE ARE NOT RUNNING UP TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, BUT WE ARE JUST SAYING THAT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT EVERYTHING. >> THE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS ARE NOT THERE. >> THEY ARE NOT FINALIZED. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING? [17. COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION] >> COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION. >> WHO WOULD LIKE TO FIRST? >> I JUST HAVE TO ASK THIS QUESTION AND I WILL BE QUIET. I KNOW NEGOTIATIONS ARE GOING ON WITH THE POLICE AND UNION , AS WELL AS OTHER NEGOTIATIONS. I KNOW THAT WHEN NEGOTIATIONS ARE GOING ON, WE REALLY CAN'T DISCUSS WHAT IS BEING GIVEN TO THE OTHER SIDE OR WHAT'S NOT. WHEN CAN WE LET THE PUBLIC KNOW WHAT THE CITY HAS BEEN OFFERING ? I DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS WHOLE GOING TO THE SHARP HAS COME FROM. I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S COMING FROM, BECAUSE NONE OF US VOTED ON IT. I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT'S GOING, SO I DON'T WANT TO KNOW. I WANT TO KNOW WHEN I CAN SPEAK TO OUR SIDE OF NEGOTIATIONS, SO THAT THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS WHAT TRULY HAS BEEN GIVEN FROM OUR SIDE . CAN I DO THAT OR WOULD THAT MESS OF NEGOTIATIONS? THAT IS WHY I'M SO UPSET RIGHT NOW. I'M HEARING THESE THINGS AND I LOVE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. SOME OF THE STUFF SAID IN THE PUBLIC IS JUST NOT TRUE. SITTING HERE AND HAVING TO LISTEN TO IT WITH EMAILS AND GETTING BOMBARDED. I CAN'T RESPOND, BECAUSE WE ARE IN NEGOTIATIONS. CAN I NOT RESPOND? I DON'T WANT TO MESS OF NEGOTIATIONS. THAT IS MY QUESTION. >> ALL OF THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE DONE IN PUBLIC AND IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE NEWS HAS BEEN THERE THE LAST TWO ROUNDS OF NEGOTIATIONS , SO THEY ARE DONE IN A PUBLIC SETTING AND THE PUBLIC IS ABLE TO ATTEND. ALL OF THESE CONVERSATIONS ARE HAPPENING IN THE PUBLIC FORUM WITH NO SECRET AS TO WHAT THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE WITH RESPECT TO WHAT YOU CAN AND CANNOT SAY BUT I WOULD PREFER THAT WE WOULD HAVE THAT CONVERSATION IN A ONE-ON-ONE SETTING , BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE MINDFUL THAT WE ARE IN NEGOTIATION WITH THAT UNION AND BOTH SIDES HAVING DIFFERENT OPINIONS AS WE HAVE CLEARLY SEEN, BUT WE CAN AND CANNOT DO AT THIS POINT IN TIME. >> WE HAVE HAD PEOPLE COME AND STAND IN FRONT OF US AND TALK ABOUT OUR CITY. THEY COME AND LOOK AT US AND WANT US TO DO IT. DRIVING HOME IN THE RAIN LAST NIGHT WITH A GARBAGE CAN WRITE AT OUR BUS STOP. THE TRASH IS RIGHT ON THE GROUND WITH TWO MORE STEPS . DON'T COME TELLING ME TO CLEAN UP MY CITY FOR WHAT I'M DOING FOR MY CITY IF YOU ARE NOT WILLING TO [01:40:03] TAKE PRIDE IN MY CITY AND TAKEN THE STEP AND PUT GARBAGE IN THE GARBAGE CAN. ON ANOTHER NOTE , DON'T WALK BY THE GARBAGE IF YOU LET YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD PICK IT UP AND PUT IT IN THE GARBAGE CAN. I HAVE BEEN UPSET ABOUT THAT LAST NIGHT , BECAUSE I COULDN'T BELIEVE THAT THE CITY PROVIDED A GARBAGE CAN RIGHT BY THE BUS STOP. I CAN UNDERSTAND IF THE GARBAGE CAN WAS FULL AND OVERFLOWING , BUT THEY NEVER ARE, BECAUSE WE ARE ONE OF THE BETTER PUBLIC WORKS IN THE STATE TO MAKE SURE IT'S NOT LIKE THAT. IF YOU WANT CHANGE OR WHATEVER , YOU HAVE TO START DOING YOUR PART. IT'S NOT THE FIVE OF US UP HERE. I'M NOT GOING TO GO AROUND EVERY COMMUNITY AND PICK UP TRASH AND DO WHATEVER. UPSET, BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO WITH OFFICERS. I WANT THEM IN FORT PIERCE AND I WANT THEM SAFE AND TO GO HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES AND I WANT THEM TO HAVE A GOOD SERVICE RECORD FOR SALARY . I GET THAT. I CAN'T SAY WHATEVER THEY WANT TO SAY RIGHT NOW , BUT TO THE OFFICERS, WE ARE TRYING. NOTHING IS COMING IN MY OFFICE SAYING THAT WE WILL GIVE IT TO THE SHERIFF. HAVEN'T SEEN THAT. I HAVE TO SAY NO MA'AM OR YES MA'AM . THEY HAVE TO COME IN FRONT OF US. TO PUT IT IN THE PUBLIC THAT IT'S WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS NOT RIGHT. THAT'S JUST NOT RIGHT. I HAVE A CITY TO RUN ON 60 MILLION DOLLARS. $64 MILLION. WE ARE TRYING TO FIND EVERY BIT OF MONEY WE CAN , BECAUSE I DON'T WANT THE SHERIFF TAKING OVER THE CITY. I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT FOR 56 YEARS , SO DID ONE OR 102? 100 LAST YEAR. >> I MISSED 44 OF THOSE YEARS. I HAVE FAMILY THAT WAS IN THE EARLY PART OF FORT PIERCE HISTORY . I UNDERSTAND THAT AND WE ARE TRYING , BUT JUST LISTEN TO ME AND WORK WITH US. WE HAVE A CITY TO RUN . I HAVE OTHER EMPLOYEES . YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY PHONE CALLS I GET AND I WILL JUST SAY THIS, THE PUBLIC WORKS DIDN'T COME DOWN MY STREET AND PICK UP MY TRASH TODAY. PEOPLE SEE THAT IT'S APPLES AND ORANGES, BUT IT'S NOT HARD IT'S ALL PART OF THE CITY. FOR THE YOUNG LADY THAT SPOKE , I AGREE 100%. >> WE CAN BUILD THE BEST RESORT RIGHT HERE AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO COME. I GET THAT. IF WE DON'T DO THIS RIGHT AND WE HAVE A DUTY , THEN WE KNOW IT'S COMING NEXT YEAR IN THE BUDGET AND YOU KNOW THAT THERE IS A SHORTFALL . IF WE DON'T DO THIS RIGHT, WE WILL HAVE PROBLEMS. CAN I SEE SOME NEGOTIATION? THIS IS WHAT I DO FOR A LIVING. I WISH I COULD , BUT I CAN'T. LET'S DO WHATEVER WE HAVE TO GET THIS RIGHT THAT WE DON'T CRIPPLE THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE . THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING . AT THE LAST MEETING , WHEN YOU USE THOSE TWO WORDS, RAISE TAXES , THE EMAILS I GOT AND PHONE CALLS I GOT SAYING , WHY SHOULD MY TAXES BE RAISED ? WHY DON'T YOU DO THIS AND WHY DON'T YOU DO THAT? IF YOU ARE GOING TO SAY THAT TONIGHT, JUST SKIP OVER THAT PART. >> I PROBABLY WON'T SAY THAT AGAIN. >> TO ALL OF THE POLICE OFFICERS LISTENING , BECAUSE I DON'T WANT THE EMAILS OR [01:45:03] COMMENTS. I AM NOT ANTI-POLICE. AS THE YOUNG LADY SAID , I AM NOT GETTING UP AT 3:00 RUSHING INTO A HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT. I GET IT AND I THANK YOU FOR THAT , BUT NINE OUT OF 10 TIMES IF I GET THE EMAIL , AND TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE ALL RIGHT. ONCE WE GET THE EMAIL , EVERYBODY , JUST CALM DOWN. LET'S DO THE BEST FOR THE CITY. WE DON'T WANT YOU TO GO. WE WANT TO HEAR. LET'S JUST CALM DOWN AND TO THE BEST FOR FORT PIERCE. MAYBE THAT'S WHAT USUALLY HAPPENS AND MAYBE WE HAVE TWO HEADS TO THE TABLE WHO HAVE DRAWN THE LINE IN THE SAND AND THEY DON'T WANT TO BUDGE , SO MAYBE WE HAVE BOTH SIDES AND PEOPLE WITH COMMENTS FOR THEM TO THINK AND TALK AND GET A DEAL DONE, SO THAT THE RESIDENTS OF FORT PIERCE CAN FEEL SAFE AND WE CAN MOVE ON AND DO WHAT WE TRY TO DO. THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. >> WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO NEXT? COMMISSIONER BRODERICK. >> I WOULD LIKE TO STATE THAT I DO KNOW AND I MAY HAVE HAD SOME TO DO WITH THAT. IN THE CONTEXT OF AND THE CONTEXT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT HERE. I WAS ON VACATION LAST WEEK IN THE CALL BY THE MEDIA TO COMMENT ON THIS POTENTIAL SCENARIO . ONE, I SUPPORT OUR CITY OF FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT FULLY. WHEN PEOPLE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TABLE, WITH REASONABLE EXPECTATIONS AND A REASONABLE SOLUTION WILL BE REACHED AND I TRY TO HAMMER THAT POINT HOME THAT TOOK PLACE. I DID ALSO COMMENT THAT AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS THIS BODY'S RESPONSIBILITY TO PROVIDE PUBLIC SAFETY FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. IF THIS WERE TO BE A CRASH AND BURN SCENARIO , THIS BODY IS RESPONSIBLE TO INVESTIGATE ALL ALTERNATIVES AND I THINK IT'S A FAIR STATEMENT AND I DON'T SEE ANYTHING POLITICALLY INCORRECT WITH THAT. NEGOTIATION WAS INCORRECT WITH THAT , BUT I WANT IT ON THE RECORD THAT I SUPPORT A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION TO THE NEGOTIATIONS OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE . HAVING SAID THAT , I DO HAVE AN INTERESTING COUPLE OF FACTS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT TO MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS. COMMISSIONER GAINES BROUGHT UP ONE OF MY FAVORITE TOPICS , THE EXTENT OF THE CITIES BUDGET, $61 MILLION COMING INTO FISCAL YEAR 2025 . I WENT ONLINE AND DID A BIT OF RESEARCH TO SEE THE COMPETING AGENCIES THAT ARE DRAWING OUR OFFICERS AWAY AND HIRING THEM . THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE HAS A BUDGET UNLIKE OUR $64 MILLION BUDGET, WHICH IS $709 MILLION. PRINT OF THAT $709 MILLION, THEY DEDICATE 70 MILLION TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THAT IS LESS THAN 10% OF THEIR BUDGET. ST. LOUIS COUNTY BUDGET ANNUALIZED IS $726 MILLION. AGAIN, THEY DEDICATE APPROXIMATELY $100 MILLION TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS. THAT IS APPROXIMATELY A 14% FACTOR. CITY OF FORT PIERCE IS THE ANOMALY. IF YOU LOOK AT THE GROSS ADVOCATING BUDGET , OUR COMMITMENT TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS 32.4% OF OUR ENTIRE OPERATING BUDGET FOR THE CITY. I BELIEVE THAT THE ANOMALIES CREATED BY THIS ARE SIGNIFICANT AND ARE CAUSING US THIS TEMPORARY STALEMATE IN NEGOTIATIONS. IF YOU ARE DOING A BUSINESS ANALYSIS YOU WOULD SAY, HOW CAN THAT BE? WE ARE COMMITTING A THIRD OF OUR BUDGET. KEEP IN MIND THAT ALL OF THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS ARE WATCHING THESE NEGOTIATIONS TO SEE WHERE THEY WILL GO, BECAUSE THEIR EXPERT NATIONS WILL BE MOVING NEXT WITH THESE TYPES OF INCREASES . I COME BACK TO THE POINT AND I NEGOTIATE ALL DAY LONG, WHICH IS VIRTUALLY ALL I DO. REASONABLE PEOPLE WITH [01:50:04] REASONABLE PROPOSITIONS COMING TO THE TABLE WILL RESOLVE. THERE IS A DELTA BETWEEN WHERE THE CITY POSITION IS AND THE POLICE UNION'S POSITION. SOMETHING WILL HAVE TO SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO BLINK. AS DIRECTORS OF OUR TEAM, REASONABLE AND NEXT ROUND OF NEGOTIATIONS COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT IS GOING TO WORK. WE HAPPEN TO BE ELECTED AND WE ALSO GET PAID THE SAME FUNDS THAT EVERYONE GETS PAID FROM TO BE REASONABLE IN EXPECTATIONS BASED ON THE FACT THAT 32.4% OF OUR BUDGET IS COMMITTED TO POLICE ACTIVITIES . I WILL LET IT SIT AT THAT, BECAUSE I'M VERY INTERESTED TO SEE WHERE THIS WILL GO NEXT. ONE OTHER THING I WILL MENTION TONIGHT AND AS YOU ARE AWARE , UNDERTAKING INITIATIVE ON FUNDING CITY DEPARTMENTS. WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND HER TEAM, WE WILL WRAP THIS UP SHORTLY AND I THINK THE FUNDING REQUEST WE RECEIVED FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS SOMEWHERE IN $40 MILLION. IT'S UP THERE. I HAVE NOT SEEN THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS, BUT THEY WILL BE FORTHCOMING AND WE WILL COMPILE ALL OF THIS WITH SOME SUMMARY AND COMMENTARY . I WILL HAVE A MEETING WITH CONGRESSMAN TO SAY TO THE FEDERAL CHECKBOOK OUT AND SEE WHAT COMES OF IT. I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED ON THAT. YOU WILL RECEIVE A COPY OF THAT AND WE WILL SEE WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO, BUT IT ADDRESSES A LOT OF ISSUES , LIKE THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WORTH OF VEHICLES IN THAT PACKAGE ALONG WITH UPDATED FIREARMS , COMPUTER SYSTEMS AND A VARIETY OF THINGS . THE POLICE DEPARTMENT PUT IN THE STAFF AND AN AMPLE AMOUNT OF TIME INTO INVESTIGATING THIS AND IT'S PROFESSIONALLY DONE. I'M HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL GET SOMETHING OUT OF THIS EFFORT. I'M ASSUMING THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS HAVE DONE THE SAME AND IT WILL BE PRETTY IMPRESSIVE. >> THAT'S A LOT. THANK YOU. >> MY TAKE IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT. ALWAYS HAVE BEEN AND ALWAYS WILL SUPPORT THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. SPENT TIME ON PATROL WITH OFFICERS AND THEY CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE NEEDS AND CONCERNS ARE. WHAT YOU HAVE HEARD FROM COMMISSIONER GAINES WITH HISTORY AND PASSION , WE ARE LOOKING TO EVERY ROCK TO TRY TO FIND FUNDS. WHAT YOU HEAR FROM COMMISSIONER BRODERICK IS WHERE WE ARE IN REALITY AND WHAT WE ARE SHUFFLING TO MOVE HERE TO THERE TO ADDRESS THE SITUATION AND ADDRESS IN FACTS VERSUS SPECULATION AND NEGOTIATION TACTICS USED ON BOTH PARTS TO TRY TO GET TO A CERTAIN LEVEL POINT . MY APPROACH TO THIS IS MORE ASPIRATIONAL AND HOPEFUL . I AM A 57 YEAR RESIDENT OF THE CITY. IN 1925, I GO BACK TO THE 1800S IN THIS AREA. WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT FOR MANY YEARS, WE DIDN'T HAVE A PATHWAY TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN TRY TO GET OURSELVES OUT OF THIS. WE WILL WERE AN INDUSTRY DOMINATED AREA THAT KEPT WAGES IS SUPPRESSED AND KEPT US SLEEPY. KEPT US A SMALL COMMUNITY. THIS COMMISSION UP HERE THE LAST FOUR YEARS HAS BEEN WORKING VERY HARD TO PUT AN ECONOMIC ENGINE IN FORT PIERCE THAT CAN DRIVE THE CAR THAT WE NOW HAVE. THIS CAR HAS ABOUT 50,000 PEOPLE IN IT AND IT HAS GREAT DEMAND. WE REALIZE THAT. WE HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED BY THE WORLD, SO MORE PEOPLE HAVE MOVED INTO OUR CITY AND DEMAND SERVICES. WHAT WE REALIZE AS A COMMISSION AND GOT TO WORK IS HOW DO WE BUILD THAT. WE STARTED WITH A STRATEGY OF THE CITY. >> AND QUITE FRANKLY, IT HURTS AND IT IS INSULTING FOR THOSE OF US WHO OF BEEN AROUND A LONG TIME. FOR THOSE WHO SERVE , I [01:55:04] UNDERSTAND THAT . AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THIS COMMISSION HAS TRIED TO PROMOTE OUR CITY AND TO MEET WITH ACTUAL DEVELOPERS AND TO SELL THE VISION OF WHY YOU NEED TO INVEST $200 MILLION OR $300 MILLION. TO BUILD IN THIS CITY. THAT'S WHAT WE DO AND THAT IS WHAT I DO . I REALIZE THAT A $200 MILLION INVESTMENT THAT SOME ENTREPRENEUR WILL PUT OUT OF THEIR POCKET TO BUILD IN THIS CITY WILL GENERATE THE TAX BASE SO WE CAN INCREASE OUR TAX BASE TO GET TO WHERE THEY ARE AT . THEY HAVE THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE TREMENDOUS GROWTH WHICH USED TO BE PALMETTO, SWAMPLAND, AND RACCOONS. NOW, LOOK AT IT. THE ONLY REASON FORT PIERCE IS NOT LIKE THAT IS BECAUSE THE PEOPLE THAT BUILT THIS CITY ARE STILL HERE IN THIS CITY. THEY SURVIVE ON MEANINGFUL , SMALL WAGES AND THEY ARE STILL HERE . WE NEED THEM HERE AND WE DON'T WANT THEM GENTRIFIED OUT OF OUR CITY BECAUSE THEY DESERVE TO STAY HERE JUST AS WELL . WHAT I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND IS THE COMMISSION IS WORKING VERY HARD TO BRING IN RESPONSIBLE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN OUR AREA, BUT WE NEED YOUR HELP. THESE INVESTORS ARE GETTING NERVOUS AND I TALKED TO ONE TODAY . THEY ARE WATCHING. IF WE CONTINUE , THEN THAT 200 OR 300 OR WHATEVER THE MILLIONS ARE THAT PEOPLE HAVE IN THEIR POCKET TO INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY WILL BE DELAYED AND THEN THEY ARE RIGHT BACK HERE. THAT'S HOW I LOOK AT THIS. IT IS BUSINESS AND IT IS DATA AND IT IS NUMBERS. WE REALIZE AND WE KNOW WHEN YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND OUR COMMITMENT IS TO GROW OUR TAX BASE SO WE CAN PROVIDE SERVICES NOT ONLY FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS AND CITY STAFF . BUT TO ATTRACT PROFESSIONALS TO RUN OUR CITY . IT ALL HAPPENS BECAUSE OF A TAX BASE. OUR TAX BASE RIGHT NOW ONLY SPINS OFF $64 MILLION. $64 MILLION IS WHAT WE GET . WE ARE SQUEEZING IT HERE TO ROB PETER TO PAY PAUL . WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT. AND COMMISSIONER GAINES AND WHOEVER ELSE IS IN THE ROOM NEGOTIATING, I REALIZE YOU GUYS ARE GOING TO FIGHT FOR EVERYTHING AND I DON'T BLAME YOU , BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE FIGHT FOR THE CITIZENS OF FORT PIERCE . I TOO GET THE EMAILS ABOUT THE TAXES GOING UP . WE HAVE A YOUNG LADY HERE TODAY WHO MOVED TO OUR AREA FROM MIAMI. I WANT TO CHARGE OUR CITY CLERK TO REACH OUT TO HER . AGAIN , BAD INFORMATION . IT IS NOT A CITY STREET BUT IT IS IN THE COUNTY OF ST. LUCIE. THEY HAVE A FOUR PIERCE RESIDENT ADDRESS BUT THAT IS THE COUNTY . WE NEED TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE LIKE THAT ARE INFORMED PROPERLY SO THEY UNDERSTAND YOUR TAXES ARE HIGH BECAUSE YOU LIVE IN THE COUNTY OF ST. LUCIE . YOU SAW THE BREAKDOWN OF THOSE NUMBERS TODAY BASED ON WHAT MS. MORRIS PRESENTED. I SAY THAT AND USE THAT AS AN EXAMPLE . WE ARE BEING TRANSPARENT TO PROVIDE FACTUAL DATA. LIKE IT OR NOT, IT IS FAX. IT'S NOT PERSONAL, JUST FAX . YOU HAVE MY COMMITMENT TO UNDERSTAND WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN . WE WILL MAKE OFFERS AND CONTINUE TO MAKE OFFERS AND THE NEGOTIATIONS ARE ONGOING. JUST TO UNDERSTAND THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF SCENARIOS BEING CONSIDERED . YOU HEARD ABOUT THIS STUDY WE ARE DOING. PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE NUMBERS LOOK LIKE AND HOW WE OPTIMIZE THAT. I WILL END ON A POSITIVE NOTE MADAME MAYOR . I SPENT SOME TIME IN THE CAST PAST COUPLE OF DAYS WITH YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THE TREASURE HILLS AREA . THEY WERE FROM GIFFORD AND FORT PIERCE AND COURAGEOUS KIDS FROM IMAGE OF CHRIST IN BELLE GLADE . WE HAD 54 YOUNG PEOPLE FROM THIS TREASURE COAST GET ON A BUS AND GO TO IT LIKE THAT, GEORGIA. THEY EXPERIENCED [02:00:03] SOMETHING BECAUSE ONE PERSON IN THIS COMMUNITY WANTED YOUNG PEOPLE, BOYS AND GIRLS, TO SEE SOMETHING DIFFERENT. I DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY BUT I OBSERVED A LOT . MY ROLE WAS TO SEE THIS IN ACTION. I CAN TELL YOU THAT WERE MEMBERS FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT WERE THERE. WHAT I SAW WAS A FUTURE GENERATION . I AM CONCERNED ABOUT OUR FUTURE GENERATION, LET ME FIRST SAY THAT. IN 2024 , WE ARE HAVING YOUNG PEOPLE EXPERIENCE THINGS FOR THE FIRST TIME. EXPERIENCE RIDING IN AN ELEVATOR. LITERALLY IN AN ELEVATOR FOR THE FIRST TIME AND TERRIFIED. THAT IS OUR FUTURE. AS I LISTENED TO THEM AND I LISTENED TO THEIR QUESTIONS AND WATCHED THEIR EXPERIENCES GROW, IT IS BECAUSE IT IS HERE IN COURT PIERCE THAT SOMEONE MADE A SACRIFICE TO TAKE THESE KIDS ALL-EXPENSES-PAID TO LIVE IN A HOTEL. THERE WERE NO TAX DOLLARS . THIS WAS A PRIVATE PERSON AND THOSE KIDS HAD AN EXPERIENCE OF GOING TO A RESTAURANT TO ORDER OFF THE MENU WHATEVER THEY WANTED TO EAT. IT WAS MONUMENTAL. I AM NOT SAYING THIS TO SAY I AM LOOKING FOR PRAISE, WE ARE GROWING AS A CITY . THIS IS 2024 AND WE HAVE A COMMUNITY WE ARE TRYING TO PROVIDE AN ECONOMIC ENGINE TO DO EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED TO DO AND THAT INCLUDES LAW ENFORCEMENT . THAT ENGINE RIGHT NOW IS NOT ADEQUATE TO PROVIDE EVERYTHING YOU ARE ASKING FOR. I JUST HOPE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THAT. ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT WE WILL DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MEET SOMEWHERE THAT IS A AGREEABLE AND THEN SET FORTH SOME TYPE OF PLAN MOVING FORWARD WHERE YOU WILL UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE COMMITTING TO. I CAN TELL YOU AS THE TOP ASK , AND YOU HEARD IT HERE TONIGHT . YOU MAY GET THAT BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW WE SUSTAIN THAT AND PAY FOR IT IN YEAR TWO . WE TOOK ON GRANTS FIVE OR 10 YEARS AGO TO BRING ON OFFICERS AND WE NOW HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT . WE GOT THE MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND NOW WE HAVE TO FIND MONEY IN OUR BUDGET TO KEEP THOSE OFFICERS ON STAFF . IT IS NOT AS EASY AS GOING OUT AND GRABBING GRANTS. IT HELPS, BUT WE HAVE TO FIND IT IN THE BUDGET AND THEN PLAN FOR THAT BUDGET TO BE COMMITTED EACH AND EVERY YEAR . SO, I HAVE TO PUT THAT OUT THERE. I SAID MORE THAN I WANTED TO SAY , BUT I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE FIVE COMMITTED PEOPLE UP HERE THAT ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO KEEP YOU IN FORT PIERCE. THANK YOU MADAME MAYOR . >> THANK YOU . MR. JOHNSON. >> I GET TO WORK HARD FOR THREE MORE MONTHS AND I CAN TELL YOU I HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD . I AM NOT SAYING THAT TO BOAST AND IT HAS BEEN A TOUGH DECISION. YOU KNOW, IT GIVES ME ALL KINDS OF CRAZY THOUGHTS , BOTH HAPPY AND SAD, I PROMISE YOU . I CAN TELL YOU I AM 1000% COMMITTED TO THE RESIDENCE OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AND THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT . THAT THE IDEA OF THE SHERIFF'S AGENCY COMING IN HERE , NOT WHILE I AM A RESIDENT . I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE COMMISSION'S SEAT , BUT NOT WHILE I AM A RESIDENT. YOU WILL FIND ME ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PODIUM AND I WILL FIND A WAY TO GET MORE THAN THREE MINUTES IN. IT WILL BE OFF-LINE AND NOT ON THE PODIUM . IT IS THAT IMPORTANT AS A CITY AND AS AN AGENCY AND IT IS THAT IMPORTANT AS A FAMILY AND AS A COMMUNITY. EIGHT YEARS AGO , I WAS WRITING CALCULATIONS ON THE BUDGET AND THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE EIGHT YEARS AGO , WE HAD $900 TO SPEND PER RESIDENT AND THAT WAS THE BUDGET CALCULATION. IF YOU DID THE BUDGET OF THE ANNUAL BUDGET OF $36 MILLION DIVIDED BY THE 45,000 PEOPLE WE HAD , THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE AND THE COUNTY AND OTHER AGENCIES -- THIS IS PER CAPITA AND NOT [02:05:02] OTHER AGENCIES . WE HAD 900 DOLLARS IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET. IT WENT FROM $36 MILLION-$64 MILLION AND SOME CHANGE . I AM PROUD OF THAT THAT WE HAVE INVESTED IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THAT WE HAVE INVESTED IN PROPERTIES THAT HAVE EXPANDED THE TAX BASE WITH SMALLER CALLS FOR SERVICE , WHETHER IT IS PUBLIC WORKS OR POLICE . THOSE ARE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES. WE HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF BANG FOR OUR DOLLAR AND THE HARD WORK THAT WE HAVE PUT INTO PLAY . THIS YEAR, SO LET'S ASSUME WE HAVE 49,000 RESIDENTS BASED ON THE SENSES AND ANNUALIZED INCREASES . WE ARE UP TO $1300 PER CAPITA . WE WENT FROM $900-$1300 . WHEN WE LOOK AT THE PERCENTAGE INCREASE, THAT MEANS WE ARE DOING THE WORK. NOT US, BUT THE CITY IS DOING THE WORK AND THE CITY RESIDENTS ARE DOING THE WORK . THE CITY RESIDENTS ARE ENGAGED IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND IN THE JURISDICTION OF HOW THEY WOULD LIKE THEIR CITY TO GROW . THE CITY OF PORT SAINT LUCIE, COMMISSIONER I WROTE DOWN WHAT YOU SAID AND I BELIEVE THEM TO BE TRUE AND I WENT FROM $2700 TO $2800 AND THEY HAD A SMALLER PERCENTAGE. THOSE ARE THE NUMBERS I LOOK AT DAY IN AND DAY OUT IN THE PERCENTAGES AND THE PARAMETERS I LOOK INTO. I AM LOUD AND PROUD ABOUT OUR CITY AND ABOUT OUR AGENCY AND ABOUT OUR PD. I AM HAPPY THAT WE HAVE A GROUP COMING IN TO PERFORM WHAT I LIKE TO CALL AND AUDIT . OUR FINANCIAL DIRECTOR GETS AN AUDIT, WHY SHOULD WE NOT AUDIT EVERY DEPARTMENT ROUTINELY? I THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA AND WE WILL AUDIT THAT AND GET SOME DATA OUT OF IT . DID YOU SAY FEBRUARY? THAT IS UNFORTUNATE . I WILL ASK FOR SOME DATA . >> YOU WILL STILL BE AROUND . >> THAT WILL BE A CONVERSATION PIECE, WITHOUT A DOUBT . IT WILL ANALYZE INFORMATION AND ADJUST WHERE NEEDED . WE CAN MAKE ADJUSTMENTS WHERE NEEDED, JUST LIKE WE DO WITH THE OVERALL CITY BUDGET AND THE AUDITS WE GET WITH THE CITY BUDGET . WHERE WE ARE SPENDING MONEY AND WHERE WE ARE NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO SPENDING MONEY. IT'S NOT ABOUT FEELINGS OR ABOUT FRIENDS, IT'S ABOUT BUSINESS AND IT'S ABOUT ECONOMICS AND IT'S ABOUT WHERE THE FOCUS IS . THE FOLKS THAT I TALKED TO SAY I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT WHAT WE SPEND FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FOR THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF THE PUBLIC . I'M TALKING ABOUT TAX PAYING RESIDENTS. THEY HAVE ALWAYS ASKED AND I HAVE ALLUDED TO THIS EARLIER. THEY ASK EVERY YEAR I AN OFFICE FOR A REDUCTION IN THE MILLAGE. I HAVE HAD THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE YEARS I HAVE BEEN SITTING HERE. I AM TASKED WITH BEING THERE VOICE AND EVERY YEAR I WALK UP AND I SAY, LET'S DO THIS AND PUT THE HAT ON. I HAVE BEEN IN THE MEETINGS OVER THE YEARS AND OH, BOY, I KNOW WHAT'S COMING. COMMISSIONER, IF YOU DON'T DO 6.9 MILL, IT WILL BE A DISMAL DAY. NOW WE ARE AT 6.9 AND THEN WE TALK ABOUT NEXT YEAR AND OH, BOY. WE TALK ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE AND BUILDINGS BECAUSE THESE ARE PARAMETERS AND 2017. I MENTIONED EARLIER THAT I WENT TO THE PD WHEN THEY WERE ON ALPHA BRAVO SHIFT BECAUSE OF HURRICANE WHATEVER IT WAS AND I FELL ON THE FLOOR. IN MY MIND, MY GOODNESS, LOOK AT THE CONDITIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND LOOK AT THE CONDITIONS OF YOU GUYS SERVING THIS COMMUNITY. HOW DO WE DO A BETTER JOB? WHAT DO WE DO TO FEED THE TROOPS AND TO MAKE SURE THE COMMUNITY IS SAFE ? WHAT DO WE DO TO MAKE SURE THEIR FAMILIES ARE SAFE AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN DO IT TO THE END OF AN EVENT LIKE THAT. THOSE ARE DISCUSSION POINTS I HAVE HAD OVER THE YEARS AND I THINK THAT IS WHY THE FOCUS WAS IN 2017 OR 2018 THAT THE BUDGET WENT FROM LET'S SEE, I WROTE IT DOWN BECAUSE I HAD TO GO BACK AND LOOK ONLINE. $13 MILLION ANNUAL BUDGET FOR THE PD. $13.3 [02:10:06] MILLION. STILL AT 13% OR 33% OF THE CITY'S BUDGET . 13.3 TO 20 POINT WHATEVER IT IS NOW. I FEEL PROUD OF THAT AND THE OTHER FACTOR AN ELEMENT I THINK WILL COME OUT OF THIS CONVERSATION PIECE AS THERE WERE ALSO ONLY 100 -- 152 FULL-TIME EQUIVALENTS. NOW WE'VE INCREASED 176 . SO, I HAVE TALKED TO TO THE CHIEF IN DETAIL AND I HAVE TALKED TO MR. MEMS IN DETAIL. EVERY YEAR YOU TELL ME THERE WILL BE 14 OFFICER SHORT, BUT MAYBE YOUR NUMBER IS TOO HIGH . IF EVERY YEAR YOU ARE TOO SHORT . WHAT IS YOUR DEFINITION. IF WE ARE 14 EMPLOYEES SHORT EVERY TIME -- I'M WRITING UP NUMBER ON A PIECE OF PAPER KNOWING I'M 14 EMPLOYEES SHORT AND WE HAVE DECREASED THAT IN RECENT MONTHS AND YEARS AND THEN WE HAVE HAD FOLKS LEAVE AS HAS BEEN TESTIFIED FROM THE PODIUM HERE. WHAT IS THE DELICATE BALANCE HERE ? IS A PER CAPITA OR CALL OUT AND HOPEFULLY THAT INFORMATION WILL BE IDENTIFIED . I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT ASPECT OF IT TOO. YOU KNOW , THE MEDIA CAUGHT ME TODAY AND I WENT OUTSIDE AND TALK ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY WERE WONDERING ABOUT THIS SO THING . I ALREADY TOLD YOU WHERE I STAND ON THAT AND SO THAT WAS EASY. IT IS OKAY . IF IT IS OUT THERE , IT IS OUT THERE. IT HAS BEEN OUT THERE FOR 22 YEARS I HAVE BEEN AROUND . I WAS BORN AND RAISED HERE BUT AS A RESIDENT AT MY HOUSE AND WHERE MY GRANDFATHER BUILT AND THAT I PAID FOR, FINALLY, OR I AM PAYING FOR. I HAVE HEARD THAT 22 YEARS OR 24 YEARS OR 20 WHATEVER YEARS. SO, IT CONTINUES. I'M NOT SAYING IT IS RIGHT OR WRONG, BUT IT CONTINUES. IS IT A CONVERSATION PIECE? NO. DO WE WANT A CYCLE LIKE WHAT WE WENT THROUGH AS A CITY? NOT SO MUCH. IN THE PRIMARY ELECTIONS, I'M NOT SUPER EXCITED ABOUT SUCH A THING HAPPENING IN OUR CITY. YOU KNOW , THERE ARE -- THERE ARE MANY PARAMETERS TO LOOK AT FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US IN THE ROOM. I JUST SAY THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING . I SAY THANK YOU FOR WORKING HARD EVERY SINGLE DAY. I SAY THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO IN YEAR HERE ONE YEAR OR 35 YEARS. HOWEVER I CAN EXPRESS THAT GRATITUDE EVEN MORE , I AM HAPPY TO DO SO. IT IS NOT ALWAYS IN MY MIND . I TRIED TO TEACH MY CHILDREN IT IS NOT ALWAYS ABOUT WHAT CAN I GAIN TODAY . IT IS ALWAYS ABOUT WHAT AM I ABLE TO DO TO HELP OTHERS? I'M NOT SAYING YOU DON'T LOOK AT THAT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE FOR YOUR FAMILIES AND I HAVE TO PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY. YOU KNOW, I HEAR THE CRIES AND THE PLEAS AND THE PASSION ABOUT THE EXTRA HOURS. I UNDERSTAND THEM TOO . AS SOMEONE WHO CANNOT SAY NO TO WORK . I DON'T SAY NO TO WEIRD THINGS AND I SHOULD ON BEHALF OF MY FAMILY AND OTHER REASONS . WHEN YOU TELL ME YOU HAVE TO WORK BECAUSE YOU ARE TRYING TO PROVIDE, I UNDERSTAND AND I HEAR YOU. WE ARE WORKING HARD AT IT , I PROMISE YOU. WE ARE WORKING HARD AT IT . THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT , I WAS LOOKING AT BASICALLY THE PERSONNEL COSTS . I WAS LOOKING AT WHAT IT COSTS FOR A CLEAN CITY. WHAT I MEAN IS THE PUBLIC WORKS AVERAGE . WHAT THE COSTS WERE AND THE BENEFITS WAS ABOUT $85,000-$90,000 PER EMPLOYEE . THE PD, I AM PROUD OF OUR INVESTMENT WITH AN AVERAGE, IF YOU DO THE MATH ABOUT $110,000 PER EMPLOYEE . THAT IS THE COST OF THE BENEFIT PACKAGE AND THAT IS WHAT OUR BUDGET SAYS . I AM [02:15:01] SURE THE PAYCHECKS SHOW THERE IS A PACKAGE TO THAT. I WILL CHALLENGE THE HR DEPARTMENT ON SOME OF THE QUESTIONS I HAVE HAD BEFORE. I WILL CHALLENGE THEM AND I MENTIONED IT TONIGHT THAT I WILL TALK TO THE CITY TO ATTORNEY AND THE HR DEPARTMENT TO UNDERSTAND THE INS AND THE OUTS OF DIFFERENT PARAMETERS OF THE NEGOTIATION AND OF THE PERCENTAGES. I AM ALSO CHALLENGING THE UNION TO RICK THE SAME THAT HAS BEEN SAID HERE TONIGHT. TO NEGOTIATE, AND I KNOW YOU ARE NEGOTIATING IN GOOD FAITH AND ON BEHALF OF THE EMPLOYEES. I RESPECT THAT AND I RESPECT TO THE ASK . I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW THAT 185 GETS INTO PLAY . MAYBE I MISSED IT IN MY EMAILS BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS TO THE AVERAGE EMPLOYEE HAD TO SWORN PERSONNEL . I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THAT IS PERCENTAGEWISE OUT OF EVERYONE'S CHECK. YOU HAVE CITY RETIREMENT AND 185 CONTRIBUTIONS AND I NEED TO KNOW THOSE NUMBERS. MAYBE IT IS FOR MY OWN GRATIFICATION , I DON'T KNOW. I'M DECIDING ON A BUDGET TO DO THINGS AND I NEED TO KNOW THOSE NUMBERS AND WHAT EFFECT IT IS . I ALSO NEED TO KNOW, AND I HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS IN PREVIOUS EMPLOYMENT ENVIRONMENTS WHERE I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE EXIT INTERVIEW SAYS . NOT EVERYBODY WALKS OUT THE DOOR AND SAYS , NOT SO NICE THINGS AND YOU GUYS DON'T PAY ME ENOUGH. THERE HAS TO BE OTHER PARAMETERS TO THE EMPLOYMENT ENVIRONMENT, THERE HAS TO BE . IN EVERY PLACE I HAVE WORKED IN MY 25 YEARS , THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS I HAVE CONSIDERED INSTEAD OF JUST THE DOLLAR THAT COMES IN MY CHECK. CAN I GO TO WORK EVERY DAY AND BE PROUD OF WHAT I DO EVERY SINGLE DAY? IT IS A FACTOR FOR ME AND I NEED TO KNOW WHAT THOSE EXIT INTERVIEWS LOOK LIKE. I NEED TO KNOW THAT . OUR HR DEPARTMENT, I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH THEM QUICK LEAK ABOUT THAT . THEY ARE TRACKING THE INFORMATION AND YOU NEED TO KNOW THAT TOO. THEY ARE TRACKING THE INFORMATION AND THAT IS USEFUL INFORMATION. COMMISSIONER CURTIS SAYS THAT IS A HUGE FACTOR IN THE HR WORLD. WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE ? I WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE OTHER AGENCIES AROUND US THAT MAY BE TAKING AWAY FROM OUR CITY -- THAT ARE TAKING AWAY FROM OUR CITY , THOSE EMPLOYEES. WHAT ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO LEAVE THOSE PLACES? WHAT DOES THE EXIT INTERVIEW LOOK LIKE? IS IT THE WORK ENVIRONMENT OR THE COUNTY OR THE MUNICIPALITY, OR WHATEVER IT IS ? YOU KNOW, THIS IS A REGIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND A NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND IT IS GREATLY RESPECTED BY ME . I KNOW IT IS GREATLY RESPECTED BY THIS CITY AND THE ADMINISTRATION . SO, THOSE ARE MY TWO DUES AND MY DESIRES AND MY WANTS. THEY ARE MY PASSION AND MY CONVERSATION . >> THANK YOU, SIR . IN 2010 AND 2011 , BEFORE I WAS MAYOR , I SERVED ON THE BUDGET COMMITTEE FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE . THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE WAS IN DIRE STRAITS AT THE TIME. IN FACT, POLICE OFFICERS HAD BEEN LAID OFF . THEY ASKED THE BUDGET COMMITTEE TO COME UP WITH RECOMMENDATIONS. WE MADE SOME SENSIBLE ONES, BUT WE ALSO MADE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS -- I REALIZE THEY LOOKED FUEL FOOLISH AT THE TIME. ONE OF THE REASONS THE CITY WAS IN DIRE FINANCIAL STRAITS WAS THE DEBT THAT HAD ACCUMULATED. IF YOU PAID ATTENTION TONIGHT, IT WAS $95 MILLION , $95 MILLION. THERE WAS A QUOTE IN THE NEWSPAPER ABOUT THE LAST $35 MILLION FROM THE FINANCE TO YOUR -- TWO OR THREE FINANCE DIRECTORS BACK THAT SAID THE CITY CANNOT NOW OR IN THE FUTURE REPAY THIS DEBT. SO, THIS CITY WAS IN DIRE STRAITS . ONE THING I PERSONALLY WANTED TO DO AND THE COMMISSION, WE WORK TOGETHER AFTER I WAS MAYOR , WAS TO REDUCE THE DEBT. IF YOU HAVE HUGE DEBT PAYMENTS, YOU CANNOT USE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR ANYTHING ELSE AND YOU HAVE TO PAY THE DEBT. WE HAVE REDUCED THAT AND IT HAS TAKEN THIS MANY YEARS TO REDUCE IT TO LESS THAN ONE HALF. LESS THAN ONE HALF . AND, WE ARE A CITY [02:20:08] THAT IS HEALTHY , BUT NOT WEALTHY. SO, WE HAVE WORKED HARD TO GET TO THIS PLACE TO HAVE MONEY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE. MONEY TO FIX THE ROADS AND MONEY TO FIX THE BUILDINGS AND OUR BIGGEST INVESTMENT IS OUR EMPLOYEES AND WE KNOW THAT. WE HAVE PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES WHO ARE PROBABLY AS NUMEROUS AS THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHO HAVE THEIR OWN ISSUES AND ARE PROBABLY GOING TO BE WATCHING THESE NEGOTIATIONS VERY CLOSELY. SO, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I THINK IS IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND IS WHERE WE HAVE BEEN AND HOW WE HAVE GOTTEN FINANCIALLY HEALTHY AS A CITY. IN SOME WAYS , COMPETING WITH THE SHERIFF 'S OFFICE -- THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS A CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICER AND WHEN IT IS MONEY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY , GUESS WHERE IT GOES? IT GOES TO THE 67 SHERIFF'S OFFICES AND NOT TO CITIES. IT PUTS US AT A FURTHER DISADVANTAGE TO EVEN COMPETE MONEY TO THE SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICERS, THAT WENT TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. SO, I WANT YOU TO KNOW WHERE WE HAVE BEEN . ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED TONIGHT IS A WELL INTENTIONED , AND I BELIEVE A PERSON CAME AND ASKED FOR 100 THOUSAND DOLLARS AS IF WE HAVE ALL OF THE MONEY IN THE WORLD . IT IS FOR A GOOD CAUSE. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DID 10 YEARS AGO IS TRY TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM COMING UP IN PUBLIC COMMENT AND ASKING US FOR MONEY FOR DIFFERENT PROJECTS THAT WERE ALL , ALL VERY WELL FUNDED AND YOU WANT TO DO THAT . YOU TAKE YOUR CHECKBOOK OUT AND RIDE A PERSONAL CHECK . WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY AS A CITY AND I LOVE WHAT THE SPEAKERS SAID TONIGHT ABOUT FORT PIERCE HAVING TO GROW UP WHETHER IT LIKES IT OR NOT . I AM PARAPHRASING . THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO WANT TO KEEP THE SMALL TOWN IN THE SMALL TOWN CHARM AND LIMIT THE GROWTH . TO THE BEST EXTENT POSSIBLE, WE HAVE TO BALANCE WHAT THOSE PEOPLE WANT WITH WHAT WE NEED TO DO. WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE WE ARE IN AND URBAN ENVIRONMENT EVEN THOUGH WE ARE ONLY 48,000 PEOPLE. WE ARE NO LONGER AGRICULTURE AND WE ARE NO LONGER FARMING . WE ARE A BIG CITY ENVIRONMENT WE ARE IN A SMALL TOWN. SO, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO OUR POLICE OFFICERS THAT CAME TONIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I AM WORKING VERY HARD SO THIS DOES NOT TURN INTO TURNING AGAINST EACH OTHER BECAUSE WE ARE ON YOUR SIDE. WE ARE NOT NOT ON YOUR SIDE AND I DO NOT WANT THIS TO BE US AGAINST THEM. I HAVE SAID IT BEFORE AND I WILL SAY IT AGAIN , IF WE COULD GIVE YOU EVERYTHING YOU WANTED RIGHT NOW AND THEN SAY IT COULD HAPPEN IN THE FUTURE, I WOULD LOVE TO DO THAT. I WILL COMMIT TO YOU, FROM MY STANDPOINT THAT WE WILL DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN THAT WE CAN SUSTAIN AND STILL RUN A CITY . WHILE, ALL THE WHILE TRYING TO GET INVESTMENT TO COME HERE . COMMERCIAL TO COME HERE . OUR TAX BASE IS BASED ON RESIDENCE , FROM THE MOST PART. THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH MONEY YOU CAN GET OUT OF A RESIDENT AND SOME RESIDENTS DO NOT PAY TAXES . THAT MAKES THE TAX BURDEN FALL HARDER ON THE ONES THAT DO. SO , IT IS A BIG PUZZLE WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT. NOBODY UP HERE THINKS THAT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT DESERVE EVERYTHING IT WANTS AND NEEDS . WE ARE GOING TO DO THE BEST WE CAN WITH WHAT WE HAVE. I TELL PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE CITY WE DO A LOT WITH A LITTLE BECAUSE PEOPLE CANNOT BELIEVE HOW SMALL OUR BUDGET IS AND SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO AND ACHIEVE. I AM COMMITTING TO YOU THAT [02:25:04] FROM THIS PERSON, THIS PARTICULAR ELECTED OFFICIAL, WE ARE GOING TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO KEEP THIS CITY OPERATING AND KEEP THIS CITY THE BEST IT CAN BE. THAT IS MY COMMITMENT TO YOU. SO, UNLESS THERE IS ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION , I WOULD LIKE TO ADJOURN . WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS WE WILL TURN OUT THE LIGHTS SO EVERYONE WILL LEAVE * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.