Sep 10, 2024 FPRA Regular Meeting Agenda

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:25]

>> PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

[4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

>> APPROVAL . >> SECOND .

>> CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

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

>> NEXT IS ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS OF THE AGENDA AND THE

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA . >> NO CHANGES, IF NOT I WILL

APPROVE A MOTION . >> MOTION A SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

>> NEXT IS THE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC .

>> ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WISHING TO ADDRESS , COME

[7. CONSENT AGENDA]

PERIOD AND WE WILL MOVE ON. >> NEXT IS THE CONSENT AGENDA.

ANYONE WANT TO PULL ANYTHING? IF NOT I WILL ENTERTAIN A

MOTION . >>

>> I POLL -- >> ALL RIGHT WOULD YOU LIKE TO MOVE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE OTHER TWO?

>> I MOVE APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA A AND B.

>> IS THERE A MOTION UNDER SECOND? CALL AT -- THE ROLE

[c. Approval of First Amendment to Lease Agreement with the Boys and Girls Clubs of St. Lucie County for the Human Development and Resource Center Gymnasium]

>> MR. GAINES? >> MADAM CHAIR, I PULLED THIS BECAUSE I'M WALKING IN, THE MEMBERS OF THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB ARE HERE IN THE AUDIENCE AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO SAY SOME BRIEF WORDS REGARDING THIS. WHY THEY ARE HERE.

>> ALL RIGHT. WE DON'T USUALLY HAVE THIS KIND OF PUBLIC

COMMENT BUT YOU ARE WELCOME. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH MAYOR HUDSON. KAYLA TURNER HERE REPRESENTING THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB IN THE COUNTY AND I DID WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE BENEFITS AND THE IMPACT THAT OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE HAS EXTENDED TO OUR ORGANIZATION STARTING WITH FIRST AND FOREMOST OUR CONTRACTUAL PARTNERSHIP WITH -- ONE OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE EXTENDED THROUGH THIS IS ALLOWING OUR MAIL MEMBERS TO HAVE PERSONAL HYGIENE INFORMATION. THIS ALSO FOCUSES ON -- HAS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED OUR YOUNG PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS ALLOWING THEM TO SEE THE IMPORTANCE OF THEIR MENTAL WELL-BEING AND HOW HYGIENE PLAYS INTO THEIR SELF PERCEPTION AS WELL AS SPEAKING CONFIDENTLY WITH OTHERS IN ADDITION TO THAT CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIP, ONE THAT WE SERVE DAILY AT OUR CLUB IS THROUGH OUR BEACH STUDIO PROGRAM LOCATED AT THE GYM, PERCY PEAK.

THROUGH THIS PROGRAM WE HAVE A STRONG FOCUS ON SOCIAL EMOTIONAL LEARNING THAT REALLY HAS ALLOWED OUR MEMBERS TO HAVE AN OUTLET FOR THEM TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES, SPECIFICALLY SPEAKING TO OUR COMMUNITY OF FORT PIERCE. A LOT OF OUR MEMBERS SUFFER FROM COPING WITH THE LOSS OF LOVED ONES WITH THE VIOLENCE OF OUR AREA. OUR BEACH STUDIO PROGRAM REALLY PROVIDES THAT OUTLET FOR THEM TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES THROUGH POETRY, MUSIC, AND SONGWRITING AND IT HAS BEEN VERY BENEFICIAL AS WELL AS A HUGE DRAW TO OUR ORGANIZATION FOR THE MEMBERS TO BE IN OUR CARE. WHEN THEY ARE NOT IN THE CLUB, WHERE ARE THEY? THEY ARE EXPOSED TO RISKY BEHAVIORS AND FINALLY, ANOTHER BIG PROGRAM THAT WE PILOTED AND ROLLED OUT LAST YEAR WAS OUR BASKETBALL PROGRAM. THIS BASKETBALL PROGRAM CONSIDERING WE ARE A BASKETBALL GYM IT MAKES THE MOST SENSE TO OFFER THIS PROGRAM TO A LOT OF OUR YOUTH AND IT HAS INCREASED OUR NUMBERS DRASTICALLY WITHIN OFFERING THIS TO THE COMMUNITY.

IN OUR FIRST YEAR WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH SEVERAL THINGS SUCH AS WINNING CHAMPIONSHIPS ACROSS THE STATE OF FLORIDA. WE HAVE HIGHLIGHTED THEIR ATHLETIC TALENTS TO WHERE 100% OF THESE MEMBERS HAVE GONE ON TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC PROGRAMS PRIOR TO STARTING THIS PROGRAM THAT WAS NOT HAPPENING. SO, NOW, SEEING WHERE THE CONNECTION, HOW WE ARE IMPACTING THE COMMUNITY, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO CONTINUE PROCEEDING FORWARD WITH. RIGHT NOW, NATURALLY, WE ARE SERVING ON AN AVERAGE OF 60 TO 80

[00:05:03]

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR SHARING THAT WITH US. WE

APPRECIATE IT . >> THANK YOU .

>> MADAM CHAIR, I KNOW IT WAS OUT OF THE ORDINARY BUT SOMETIMES WHEN I SAY CONSENT AGENDA AND YOU JUST READ, YOU KNOW, APPROVAL, SOMETIMES I WOULD LIKE THE PUBLIC AND EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND, YEAH WE ARE APPROVING THIS LEASE BUT THIS IS REALLY WHAT WE ARE DOING WITH THIS. WE ARE SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY AND HELPING THE COMMUNITY SO, THANK YOU GUYS FOR LETTING HER COME UP AND SAY AND WITH THAT IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS I WILL MOVE TO APPROVE 7C .

>> SECOND . >> MOTION AND SECOND. CALL THE

ROLL, PLEASE. >>

>> DID SHE CALL YOU, COMMISSIONER GAINES?

>> SORRY, COMMISSIONER? >> YES .

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, AND THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB IS SO VALUABLE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND THIS GIVES THEM MORE TIME IN OUR GYM AND WE ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF WHAT THEY DO FOR OUR CHILDREN. YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT. YEAH.

[a. Approval of the FY2025 FPRA Operating Budget]

>> OKAY WE WILL MOVE ON . >> NEXT IS APPROVAL OF FISCAL YEAR 2025 FPRA OPERATING BUDGET .

>> MS. COX? >> THIS IS BASICALLY A FORMALITY. THE FPRA OPERATING BUDGET WAS APPROVED WITHIN OUR GENERAL BUDGET BUT WHEN IT WAS LAST BROUGHT TO YOU YOU ACCEPTED IT AS A PROPOSED BUDGET SO NOW THIS IS JUST FORMALIZING IT FOR YOU AS FPRA TO FORMALLY ADOPT THE FPRA

BUDGET . >> ANY QUESTIONS ? IS THERE A

MOTION? >> MADAM I MOVE APPROVAL OF

FISCAL YEAR 2025 FPRA BUDGET. >> THE MOTION SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

[b. FPRA Resolution 24-04 appointing an Acting FPRA Director.]

>> NEXT IS RESOLUTION 24-04. A RESOLUTION -- DESIGNATING AN ACTING FPRA DIRECTOR AND PROVIDING FOR AN DIRECTIVE

DATE. >> THIS IS A RESOLUTION, SINCE I'M ALREADY ACTING CITY MANAGER, JUST FORMALIZING THE -- ME AS THE FPR DR. SO WE HAVE ANY DOCUMENTS THAT NEED DESIGN OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, WE'VE GOT THAT FORMALIZED.

>> THAT WAS DISCUSSED WITH PREVIOUS CITY MANAGER -- HE WAS

ALSO SERVED AS THAT . >> YEAH.

>> OKAY, ANY QUESTIONS? IS THERE A MOTION?

>> SECOND . >> THERE'S A MOTION AND A SECOND. PLEASE CALL THE ROLL .

[9. STAFF COMMENTS]

>> NEXT, STAFF PROGRAMS, FPRA PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITY SUMMARY .

>> ATTACHED YOU WILL FIND OUR MONTHLY PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES SUMMARY REPORT. WE HAVE OUR CRA STAFF IN THE HOUSE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS. I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF ACTIVITY GOING ON WITH OUR FPRA. A LOT OF GREAT PROJECTS COMING TO FRUITION. WE HAVE OUR SERVICE CONTRACTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE ON OUR NEXT CITY COMMISSION AGENDA WHICH IS GOING TO ALLOW A LOT OF THESE PROGRAMS AND PROGRAMS TO GET MOVING ALONG. WE'VE BEEN WAITING TO GET OUR CONTRACTORS IN PLACE TO DO THE WORK NECESSARY SO IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THE SPECIFICS IN THE REPORT OR ANY GENERAL COMMENTS WE HAVE OUR STAFF AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY

QUESTIONS. >> QUESTIONS? NO? SO, I THINK

[10. BOARD COMMENTS]

>> I WOULD LIKE TO START IT OFF. I KNOW I USUALLY LET YOU GO FIRST BUT I THINK THAT WE HAVE ALL READ THAT THE STEWART CITY COUNCIL DID NOT -- OR VOTED LAST NIGHT TO EXIT THE AGREEMENT WITH BRIGHT LINE AND SO THEY ARE, I THINK THE MARTIN COUNTY COMMISSION IS GOING TO BE CONSIDERING THAT OR HAS CONSIDERED THAT TODAY AND I THOUGHT THAT WE OUGHT TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ON WHAT THIS COMMISSION WANTS TO DO IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT MIGHT BE AN OPEN-ENDED QUESTION AGAIN IN TERMS OF THE -- WHERE THE BRIGHT LINE STATION IS GOING TO GO ON THE TREASURE COAST. SO I'VE HAD SOME MEDIA INTEREST TODAY AND SO I FEEL LIKE WE OUGHT TO DISCUSS IT AND DECIDE

[00:10:03]

WITH THIS NEW SITUATION. >> MADAME MAYOR? THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT FORWARD. I, TOO, AM IN FAVOR OF HAVING THE DISCUSSION SPECIFICALLY IN THE FPRA DISTRICT WHICH IS HOW WE ARE WEARING OUR HATS RIGHT THIS SECOND AND OF COURSE THAT'S WHERE THE RAILROAD IS SO BEFORE WHEN WE MADE OUR APPLICATION, WE HAD TWO OR THREE DIFFERENT SITES AND I THINK WE SHOULD RE-ENGAGE THE CONVERSATION. I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO HURT ANYTHING TO RE-ENGAGE BRIGHT LINE AND THOSE FOLKS AND HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR THE PROPOSAL THAT WAS MADE ON THE DEPOT DRIVE PROPERTY. THE KING'S LANDING OPPORTUNITY. I KNOW THERE WAS A THIRD PARTY THAT WAS DOWN NEAR FLORIDA AVENUE, SOUTH ON SECOND STREET. SO I AM ALL IN FAVOR OF DIRECTING STAFF TO OPEN THAT LINE OF COMMUNICATION AND SEE WHAT COMES OUT OF IT. YOU KNOW, EVEN FURTHER THAN THAT, MAYBE THERE'S -- WE'VE HAD FOR MANY YEARS, DISCUSSION ON THE FTC PROPERTY THAT IS SOUTH OF ORANGE AVENUE. MAYBE THIS IS THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITY AND TIME FOR THAT CONVERSATION TO REALLY COME ABOUT BECAUSE WE, THE CITY, IT'S DEFINITELY THE CITY, NOT THE FPRA ON SOME RIGHT-OF-WAY WITHIN THAT AREA BETWEEN THE AVENUE OR WHATEVER IT MIGHT BE RIGHT IN THAT AREA AND I THINK THERE'S AN OPPORTUNITY THERE. SO. WE WILL

SEE WHAT HAPPENS. >> MADAM CHAIR, I WOULD ECHO THAT. I THINK THAT COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, YOU MENTIONED SEVERAL KEY OPPORTUNITIES ALONG THE WAY. I THINK THE KING'S LANDING OPPORTUNITY AND THAT OPPORTUNITY LENDS ITSELF AND I THINK IN LIGHT OF THE CONVERSATION, THAT YOU ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE CONGRESSMAN, I THINK THAT REALLY NEEDS TO INCLUDE THE PROPERTY YOU JUST MENTIONED. TO SEE IF WE CAN FOSTER CONVERSATION OF THAT OF WHAT I'M GOING TO CALL FRONTAL U.S. ONE FACE AND PROPERTY TO SEE IF WE CAN PUT THAT IN THE BUNDLE OF OPPORTUNITY THAT WE ARE GOING TO PRESENT HIM BECAUSE I THINK NOW IS THE TIME. I'VE MADE MY COMMENTS PUBLIC. I THINK THIS IS THE RIGHT AREA. I THINK THE BIGGEST THING WE HAVE TO TRY TO CONTINUE TO COMMUNICATE TO OUR COMMUNITY IS THAT WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY HERE TO NOT TAX THE TAXPAYERS IF IT'S DONE RIGHT. IF IT'S US OR A PRIVATE ENTITY MEANING THAT KING'S LANDING PROPERTY AND IF THEY PARTNER WITH SOMEONE THEY COULD DO THAT AND MOVE FORWARD, ET CETERA. SO I THINK IT'S THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITY AND I, TOO, WOULD ECHO THAT WE NEED TO GO FORWARD AND IMPLORE STAFF TO REACH OUT AND HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS BUT I DEFINITELY THINK THIS LAST PIECE, WE NEED TO TALK TO A CONGRESSMAN TO GET THIS CONVERSATION GOING.

>> I FORGOT TO MENTION TOO ABOUT THE IRS SEE CONVERSATION.

>> RIGHT, ABSOLUTELY. THAT COULD BE UP PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP THAT COULD GO PRETTY FAST BECAUSE OF THEIR JURISDICTION AND HOW THEY ARE GOVERNED WHEN IT COMES TO THAT. BUT I THINK WE WOULD HAVE TO EXPLORE BECAUSE WE HAVE A CURRENT CONTRACT WITH THE KING'S LANDING DEVELOPER ON THAT PROPERTY I THINK IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN. OKAY, ALL RIGHT.

FAREWELL. >> MR. BRODERICK?

>> THERE'S ALREADY DISCUSSIONS TAKING PLACE. THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING PUZZLE AND SOME OF THE PARTS ARE FALLING INTO PLACE THANKS TO OTHERS. CITY COMMISSIONS AND POTENTIALLY COUNTY COMMISSIONS THAT ARE GOING TO SERVE THIS THING UP INTENTIONALLY FOR US ON A SILVER PLATTER. I'VE BEEN IN THE COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE BUSINESS I ENTIRE CAREER. THIS IS THE SECOND BITE OF THE APPLE, YOU DON'T GET THESE OFTEN. WE NEED TO MOVE ON THIS AND WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A PROFESSIONAL TEAM AND LIAISON WITH OUR CITY ASSET, STAFF WISE TO PUT OUR BEST FOOT FORWARD. SOME OF THE INTERESTING CONVERSATIONS I'VE HAD OVER THE LAST FEW DAYS IS THE CITY MANAGER ASKED TO REACH OUT AND SAY, HEY, WE ARE OUT HERE, BUT THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE ABOUT TO ACCELERATE AND THEY ARE GOING TO ACCELERATE BECAUSE IT JUST SO HAPPENS THAT HARPER REALTY OF KINGS LANDING THAT WE'VE ALL MET HERE AND HAD MEETINGS WITH, HE IS THE NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBOR OF THE CFO OF BRIGHT LINE SO THERE'S HEDGE LINE DISCUSSIONS TAKING PLACE THERE ABOUT THE INTEREST OF PEARSON MOVING US FORWARD.

NOT TO OVERREACH, BUT MY COMMENT WAS I DON'T CARE WHERE THEY WANT TO PUT THIS THING IN FORT PIERCE , JUST SOMEPLACE IN

[00:15:02]

DONE. >> MY PARTICULAR -- IS WE ARE THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, WE WANT BRIGHT LINE HERE. WE WANT TO HELP PEOPLE PICK THE BEST LOCATION POSSIBLE. MR. GAINES, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD TO THIS?

>> OF COURSE. I HEAR YOU, COMMISSIONERS AND BOARD AND MADAM CHAIR. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT LET'S BE CAUTIOUS HERE. I KNOW WHAT THE VOTE WAS LAST NIGHT IN THE CITY OF STEWART.

IT WAS 3-2. AND NOW IT'S GOING IN FRONT OF THE COUNTY. WE DON'T KNOW HOW OR WHAT MARTIN COUNTY IS GOING TO DO. WE'VE ALL HEARD THINGS BUT UNTIL THEY DO THAT, WHAT I DON'T WANT TO DO IS BUILD UP HOPE AGAIN IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AND IN MARTIN COUNTY AND SEND SOMEONE COMING BACK AND SAY DO WHATEVER. I AGREE WITH EVERYBODY SAYING WE SHOULD BE READY TO POUNCE AT THE SECOND BITE OF THE APPLE FOR RESIDENTS OF FORT PIERCE BUT I'M KIND OF HESITANT AND I GOT SOME CALLS TO DO AND I DIDN'T RESPOND BECAUSE I'M KIND OF HESITANT TO RESPOND IN PUBLIC JUST BECAUSE THEY -- THERE ARE STILL NEGOTIATIONS GOING ON WITH MARTIN COUNTY AND BRIGHT LINE AND I DON'T WANT TO BE SEEN AS ANY TYPE OF INTERFERENCE. ANY TYPE OF INTERFERENCE THAT IT COMES BACK TO TAKE AWAY OUR SECOND BITE OF THE APPLE. SO, I SAY, IF WE HAVE EVERYBODY READY TO GO, TO BITE THAT APPLE, BUT, JUST, PUMP YOUR BRAKES A LITTLE BIT, LET'S SEE WHAT MARTIN COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE GOING TO DO AND NOT DO AND WATCH IF THEY SAY NO LIKE THE CITY OF STEWART SAID NO, THEN GAME ON BECAUSE NOW YOU HAVE TWO NO'S.

RIGHT NOW I DON'T HAVE TWO NO'S AND EVERY TIME YOU HEAR THERE'S GOING TO BE A NO OR GOING TO BE A YES AND YOU COUNT ON THAT IT BECOMES DEADLY. THAT'S WHY WE ARE IN THIS PREDICAMENT NOW BECAUSE EVERYBODY APPEARED THOUGHT BRIGHT LINE WAS COMING TO FORT PIERCE. WE ALL DID. WE ALL DID.

AND WE STILL BELIEVE THAT TO THIS DAY WE HAD THE BEST PROPOSAL. I WILL SAY THAT, HOWEVER, IT DIDN'T HAPPEN SO I'M READY TO LISTEN AND TAKE THE SECOND BITE OF THE APPLE BUT I JUST WANT TO BE CAUTIOUS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO GET THE PUBLIC AND EVERYBODY UP IN FORT PIERCE READY AGAIN AND THEN MARTIN COUNTY DOES SOME ING WHEN THEY MEET. I DON'T KNOW, I HAVE ENOUGH HEADACHES AND PROBLEMS IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE FOR ME TO TRY TO FOLLOW MARTIN COUNTY POLITICS SO I READ YOU GUYS LIKE YOU GUYS READ OR HERE'S THE THING, YOU CAME OUT THERE THIS MORNING SO I'VE BEEN VERY QUIET AND SO FOR THE NEWS THAT HAS REACHED OUT TO ME, THAT'S THE REASON WHY, BECAUSE I JUST WANT TO BE READY TO IF IT DOES FALL BACK OR WE HAVE A SECOND CHANCE, I WANT TO BE READY TO DO THAT WITH NO OTHER STRINGS ATTACHED THAT SOMEBODY, WE PUT ALL IS

[00:20:04]

THAT'S MY ONLY CONCERN. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT AND I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT. WE HAVE TO -- IT HAS TO BE A DONE DEAL BEFORE WE CAN BE INVOLVED. I DO KNOW THAT BUT I WANTED TO BRING IT TO THIS BECAUSE I WANTED US TO BE CASH EXACTLY WHAT YOU SAID. WHEN IT'S TIME, WE WANT TO BE READY. ANYTHING ELSE?

>> I HAVE A COMMENT. COMMISSIONER GAINES I DON'T WANT TO BE THE BEARER OF BAD NEWS BUT THE EXCITEMENT IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE -- THAT HORSE HAS LEFT THE BARN. I HAD 10 OR 12 CONVERSATIONS TODAY SPECIFICALLY ABOUT BRIGHT LINE AND WHAT ARE WE DOING TO LAND THIS DEAL. BECAUSE I SMELL BLOOD IN THE WATER RIGHT NOW. AND THIS IS WHEN GOOD REAL ESTATE PEOPLE NAVIGATE TO GET THE DEAL DONE AND I UNDERSTAND THEY NEED TO MAKE THEIR SEPARATION AND PEOPLE TALKING IT'S GOING TO BE TIED UP IN LITIGATION FOR YEARS. IN MY OPINION IT WON'T BE. THAT'S JUST MY OPINION AND I HAVE MY REASONS FOR SAYING THAT THIS IS AN ECONOMIC DEAL, NOT LEGAL. SO THEY ARE GOING TO , IN TERMS OF MUTUAL RELEASES, WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE, IF THEY SMELL A DEAL UP HERE THAT IS FAVORABLE TO THEM THEY ARE GOING TO EXTRICATE THEMSELVES FROM THAT MESS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE IN MY OPINION. SO, THE EXCITEMENT IN THE CITY RIGHT NOW IS PALPABLE. IT'S OUT THERE RIGHT NOW. AND PEOPLE ARE ALREADY -- WHAT'S THE COMMISSIONER GOING TO DO ABOUT THIS? WE DON'T WANT TO SIT ON OUR HANDS. WE ARE NOT SITTING ON OUR HANDS. WE ARE ENGAGING THE APPROPRIATE PEOPLE TO COMMUNICATE THE WISHES OF THIS BODY AND THE CITIZENS OF FORT PIERCE. THAT'S ALL WE ARE DOING RIGHT NOW SO I ENCOURAGE US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH BREAKNECK SPEED ON THAT AND OPEN THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION. THEY MAY TELL US TO GO POUND SAND, WE ARE NOT GOING TO TALK TO YOU UNTIL WE GO TO THE INITIAL ROUNDS OF LITIGATION ON THIS BUT THEY

MAY. WE DON'T KNOW. >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK, THANK YOU FOR THAT AND IS MUCH AS I TRY TO TAKE OFF THAT LEGAL HATS THAT I WEAR, I JUST CAN'T WHEN IT COMES TO CERTAIN THINGS. AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I'VE TALKED TO A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE TOO AND I THOUGHT THAT I WOULD HAVE THE SAME REACTION THAT YOU HAD BUT I GOT MIXED REACTIONS SO

I'M JUST -- >> WE ARE GOING TO BE DEALING

WITH THAT . >> RIGHT. WE'VE GOT MIXED REACTIONS SO I JUST DON'T WANT US TO JUMP THE GATE OR DO ANYTHING THAT ANYBODY CAN COME BACK AND SAY WE JUMPED THE GATE OR WE DID SOMETHING WRONG. I UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNICATIONS.

I UNDERSTAND EVERYBODY KNOWS, EVERYBODY IN MARTIN COUNTY AND EVERYBODY AT RIGHT LINE KNOWS THAT FORT PIERCE WANTS THE STATION. THAT IS NOT CHANGED. EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT SO AS EVERYBODY SAID, LET'S JUST -- IT'S FOOTBALL SEASON SO I USE THIS ANALOGY. LET'S JUST HUDDLE UP AND WHEN WE GO TO THE LINE TO RUN THAT PLAY, WE HAVE THE PERFECT PLAY TO SCORE THE TOUCHDOWN. THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING.

>> BUT WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW IS, WE ARE GOING TO CALL THAT PLAY AND WE ARE GOING TO EXECUTE THAT PLAY

WHEN IT'S TIME. >> THAT'S ALL I ASK, MADAM CHAIR. THAT'S ALL I'M ASKING.

>> IT'S GOING TO BE SOON. >> I THINK THE VOTE IS TONIGHT

. >> THE CITY COMMISSION VOTED THIS MORNING. -- LAST NIGHT. BUT THE COUNTY COMMISSION --

>> 9:00 A.M. THIS MORNING AND THEY POSTPONED IT.

>> THEY POSTPONED IT, RIGHT. THEY ARE NEGOTIATING.

>> ANYTHING CAN HAPPEN NOW BUT I JUST WANTED US TO BE READY FOR WHATEVER WE WANTED TO HAVE HAPPEN IF WE HAVE THAT CHANCE.

>> I WANT TO ADD, IF I COULD, COMMISSIONERS, I WILL ADD WITH YOU WHEN WE DID THE ORIGINAL RFQ AND RFP I KNOW BRIGHT LINES BUSINESS MODEL HAS CHANGED. I UNDERSTAND THAT. HOWEVER, I WILL SHARE WITH YOU THAT MADAME MAYOR AND I HAD INDEPENDENT MEETINGS. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU DID, I'M SURE YOU DID. WE HAD MEETINGS WITH THE APPLICANT'S. WE HAD INDEPENDENT MEETINGS.

AND WHEN I GOT INTO THE ROOM, SPECIFICALLY -- WHEN I GOT INTO THE ROOM TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE APPLICATIONS I ASKED FOR THEIR 20 YEAR PLAN. THAT'S WHAT I DO. THAT'S WHAT I ASK FOR. AND SO, THEIR GOAL AT THAT TIME, AND I WOULD HAVE HOPED THE GOAL HASN'T CHANGED TOO MUCH NOW THE FINANCIAL PLANNING AND MAYBE THE FORECASTED TIME HAS CHANGED BUT THEIR GOAL WAS TO HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STG THE TREASURE COAST INTO COCOA BEACH -- ACTUALLY INTO MELBOURNE, COCOA BEACH, TURNING TO ORLANDO, MAYBE EVEN BRANCHING INTO THE JACKSONVILLE REGION. WE ALREADY KNOW THEY ARE TALKING TAMPA. SO

[00:25:01]

>> THEY HAD A LITTLE BIT OF STICKER SHOCK DOWN THERE.

>> I'M FAIRLY CERTAIN. WHEN YOU START FORECASTING YOUR BONDS AND ALL THAT GOOD STUFF, MY GOODNESS. THAT'S A LOT.

THAT'S A LOT. SO, MY HOPE IS NEVER LOST IN IT. I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT. I THINK THE TEAM HUDDLE, AND READY TO CALL THE PLAY, IF NOT ALMOST SHOWING THE OTHER TEAM THE PLAY IS NOT A BAD ING. AND I'M OKAY WITH THAT. THAT'S RIGHT. AND THEN YOU CAN AUDIBLE OUT OF IT. YOU KNOW THAT. SINCE WE ARE TALKING FOOTBALL. SO, IT'S OKAY. HERE WE ARE AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT IT AND I THINK THE CONVERSATION SHOULD OCCUR. I THINK IT'S GOING TO BE, REGARDLESS OF WHAT HAPPENS AND HOW THE STRATEGY IS PRESENTED TODAY OR TOMORROW, IT'S GOING TO EVOLVE INTO SOMETHING BIGGER AND THERE'S ALL THE PLAYERS ARE COMING TO THE PLATE. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND THE AIRPORT DEVELOPMENT. WE JUST TALKED ABOUT AVENUE OH. I WISH WE HAD SOME PROPERTY RIGHT OVER THERE. I'M TRYING TO

FIGURE OUT HOW TO CONNECT IT. >> EXACTLY. EXACTLY.

>> THE ENGINEERING TEAM OVER HERE IS GOING OH MY GOSH.

DON'T WORRY I WILL SEND AN EMAIL ANOTHER DAY ABOUT THAT.

BUT, YEAH, I'M EXCITED. I THINK THERE IS PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITY HERE. AND I AM READY TO POUNCE WHEN THE TIME

IS TO POUNCE. >> MADAM CHAIR, REAL QUICK, 30 SECONDS OF THIS SO THIS WILL NOT GET TWISTED ANY KIND OF WAY. PLEASE DO NOT SAY COMMISSIONER GAINES IS AGAINST THE IDEA OF BRIGHT LINE. I DID NOT SAY THAT. I'M NOT SAYING

THAT. >> THERE'S A FEW FOLKS THAT WILL APPLAUD YOU FOR SAYING THAT .

>> I KNOW BUT I'M NOT SAYING THAT TONIGHT, SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2024, OMISSION OR GAINS DID NOT SAY HE IS AGAINST BRIGHT LINE.

I DID NOT SAY THAT. SO, THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. I DID NOT SAY

THAT. >> WE HAVE ONE FINAL COMMENT AND I DON'T WANT TO BE NEGATIVE BECAUSE AS YOU CAN TELL, I'M ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THIS AND ALL THE PHONE CONVERSATIONS I'VE HAD HAVE BEEN VERY WORTHWHILE AND PRODUCTIVE HOWEVER, MOVING FORWARD ON A POTENTIAL TRANSACTION OF THIS FINANCIAL MAGNITUDE, WE ARE GOING TO NEED OUTSIDE EXPERTISE TO DETERMINE THE FINANCIAL WHEREWITHAL AND CAPABILITY OF BRIGHT LINE. I'M NOT SAYING I'M QUESTIONING THEIR BALANCE SHEET OR THEIR BOND RATING OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE. WE ARE GOING TO NEED IMPORT TO GIVE US FIRM FOOTING THAT BEFORE WE INVEST A PENNY IN MOVING THE SUBJECT FORWARD, THAT WE HAVE A PARTNER IN THIS THAT IS GOING TO BE HERE FOR THE LONG HAUL. I DON'T WANT TO GET HALFWAY DONE WITH BUILDING A STATION AND, WE ARE OUT OF CASH AND WE DON'T WANT TO FLOAT ANYMORE BONDS SO .

>> I THINK OUR TAXPAYERS WOULD APPRECIATE THAT.

>> WHEN WE GET INTO THOSE DISCUSSIONS MOVING FORWARD, IT'S GOING TO BE LIKE OKAY, GUYS, GIVE US YOUR FINANCIALS AND YOUR BOND CAPABILITY AND ALL THAT. WE NEED OUTSIDE INVESTMENT COUNSELING TO MAKE A DETERMINATION IF THIS IS A SOUND INVESTMENT OF -- PIERCE .

>> THE SAME CONVERSATION I HAD YEARS AGO AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FPRA. SHOW ME THE MONEY .

>> EXACTLY. >> ALL RIGHT. WE ARE ALL KIND OF CASH I THINK WE ARE ALL CLEAR AND ALL ON THE SAME PAGE, RIGHT? RIGHT? I HAVE ONE MORE THING. WE HAVE THE 9/11 CEREMONIES TOMORROW AT 9:45 IT AT THE BAY GARDEN IN THE

[00:30:04]