[00:00:11]
>>> I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER. IT IS MONDAY, OCTOBER 7TH. THE CITY OF FORT WORTH -- FORT PIERCE COMMISSION. WE HAVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH AND REMAIN STANDING FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE .
>> MAY WE PRAY OUR FATHER AND OUR GOD, GOD WHO WAS OUR CREATOR, GOD WHO IS OUR SAVIOR, GOD WHO IS OUR COMFORTER AND KEEPER, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY. EVEN IN THE MIDST OF FACING STORMS, WE THANK YOU. THIS IS THE DAY YOU HAVE MADE.
GOD, WE PRAY AS WE COME TOGETHER FOR YOUR BLESSINGS UPON THIS MEETING, BLESSINGS UPON OUR HONORABLE MAYOR, OUR HONORABLE COMMISSIONERS. WE PRAY YOUR BLESSINGS UPON THE CITY AND UPON THE ADMINISTRATORS AND UPON ALL THAT WE DO GOD. HELP WHAT IS DONE HERE TODAY BE A BLESSING TO THOSE WHOM THEY ARE CALLED UPON TO SERVE, EVEN IF THERE ARE DISAGREEMENTS. LET NO ONE BECOME DISAGREEABLE. OPEN DOORS TO THESE ACTIONS BUT NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO CLOSE AND CLOSE DOORS TO THESE ACTIONS THAT NO ONE WILL BE ABLE TO OPEN AGAIN.
THAT WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE ABLE. WE ASK ONLY THAT YOU WILL. GOD BLESS AMERICA. GOD BLESS FLORIDA, GOD BLESS RUTHERFORD COUNTY AND THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. GOD HELP US SOUND FORGIVE US FOR NOT DOING ALL WE ARE ABLE TO DO TO BE ALL THAT YOU WOULD HAVE US BE. HEAR US NOW FOR YOU ARE EVER OUR FATHER AND IT IS IN THE NAME AND BY THE BLOOD AND THE AUTHORITY OF YOUR SON THAT WE PRAY AND SAY AMEN.
>> INMAN. >> 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 ROLL PLAY THE.
[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
>> MR. . . GAINES. >> PRESENT.
>> COMMISSIONER C JOHNSON. >> PRESENT.
>> APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE SEPTEMBER 16TH, 2024 REGULAR
>> COMMISSION AND SECOND. CALL ROLL.
[a. National Disability Employment Awareness Month]
>> BRODRICK. >> GAINES, JOHNSON, MAYOR
>> YES. >> NEXT IS A NATIONAL DISABILITY OF WOMEN AWARENESS MONTH PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS OCTOBER 24TH MARKS THE 79TH ANNIVERSARY OF NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH AND WHERE IS THE PURPOSE OF NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH IS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT DISABILITY IMPROVEMENT -- EMPLOYMENT ISSUES AND DECELERATE THE MANY AND VARIED CONTRIBUTIONS OF AMERICA'S WORKERS WITH DISABILITY.
WHEREAS THE HISTORY OF NATIONAL DISABILITY AND WOMEN AWARENESS MONTH DATES TO 1945 WHEN CONGRESS ENACTED A LAW DECLARING THE FIRST WEEK IN OCTOBER EACH YEAR NATIONAL EMPLOYEE PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED WEEK AND WHEREAS IN 1962, THE WORD PHYSICALLY WAS REMOVED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE EMPLOYMENT NEEDS AND CONTRIBUTIONS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH ALL TYPES OF DISABILITIES. AND WHEREAS, IN 1988, CONGRESS EXPANDED THE WEEK TO A MONTH AND CHANGED THE NAME TO NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH. WHEREAS WORKPLACE WELCOMING OF THE TALENTS OF ALL PEOPLE INCLUDING TO WITH HIS ABILITIES ARE CRITICAL PART OF EFFORTS TO BUILD AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY AND STRONG ECONOMY. WHEREAS HELPING PEOPLE SUCCEED IS CELEBRATING 60 YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE COMMUNITY WITH HIGHLY SKILLED THERAPIST THAT PROVIDED SPECIALIZED OUTPATIENT, MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS THROUGH ITS DIVERSIFIED EFFECTIVE PROGRAM SERVICES AND INITIATIVES, HUNDREDS OF THE MOST VALUABLE, VULNERABLE AND LOCAL CHILDREN, FAMILIES AND ADULTS HAVE TRANSFORMED THEIR LIVES THROUGH EDUCATION AND COUNSELING, TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT AND WHEREAS ACTIVITIES DURING THIS MONTH WILL REINFORCE THE VALUE AND TALENT WITH DISABILITIES ADD TO THE WORKPLACES AND COMMUNITIES AND A FROM THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE'S COMMITMENT TO AN INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY THAT INCREASES ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITIES TO ALL INCLUDING INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.
THEREFORE, LINDA HUDSON, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA DO HEREBY PROCLAIM OCTOBER IS NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AND URGE ALL CITIZENS TO RECOGNIZE THIS MONTH BY BRINGING TOGETHER BUSINESSES AND PARTNERS TO BREAK DOWN THE BARRIERS FACED BY INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES WHO ARE WORKING OR SEEKING EMPLOYMENT AND DEDICATING OURSELVES TO THE TASK OF IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL CHILDREN AND
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU ALL. IT IS REALLY NICE TO BE HERE TONIGHT. THANK ALL OF YOU. SUZY HUTCHISON, I'M FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE THE CEO AT HELPING PEOPLE SUCCEED WE HAVE BEEN IN EXISTENCE FOR 60 YEARS. WE HAVE BEEN SERVING NAY FOR COUNTY AND FOR PEACE -- FORT PIERCE FOR MOST OF THOSE 60 YEARS. WE ARE HANDING OUT A PACKET TO THE WILL TELL YOU PROBABLY MORE THAN YOU EVER WANTED TO KNOW BUT THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR ALL OF OUR CITIZENS TO BE RECOGNIZED, TO BE PART OF THEIR COMMUNITY.
[00:05:03]
BY HELPING PEOPLE FIND AND KEEP JOBS. PEOPLE BECOME NOT ONLY TAXPAYING MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY. THEY ADD TO THE DIVERSITY OF OUR WORKFORCE AND THEY ARE NOT COLLECTING BENEFITS ANYMORE. THEY ARE NOW JUST LIKE YOU AND I, JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. IN YOUR PACKAGE, YOU WILL SEE SOME OF THE COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS THAT WE HAVE BUILT IN FORT PIERCE AND ST. LUCIE COUNTY. YOU WILL SEE A NUMBER OF PLACES WE ALREADY HAVE PEOPLE WORKING. SOME PLACES WHERE WE ARE DOING ON THE JOB TRAINING. WE HAVE CAREER CAMPS. WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY TO HELP PEOPLE FIND AND KEEP EMPLOYMENT, TO BECOME PART OF THEIR COMMUNITY. AGAIN, IT IS NOT JUST WORKING. IF YOU GO TO WORK AND GO HOME AND DON'T DO ANYTHING ELSE, IT IS PRETTY BORING ALTHOUGH I FIND THAT IS WHAT I'M DOING MOST DAYS. BUT THE REALITY IS THAT IT IS NICE TO GO TO MOVIES. IT IS NICE TO HAVE FRIENDS. IT IS NICE TO GO TO THE LIBRARY. SO MANY PEOPLE WITH MORE SIGNIFICANT DISABILITIES DON'T HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY. WHAT WE TRY TO DO IS HELP THEM WITH THAT OPPORTUNITY SO THAT AFTER WORK, MAYBE THEY CAN GO OUT FOR A DRINK WITH SOME OF THEIR COWORKERS. YES, I SAID DRINK, BECAUSE EVERYBODY HAS THAT RIGHT. THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO GO TO THE MOVIE WITH FRIENDS. BUT THE KEY POINT IS THAT EACH ONE OF US IS LIKE INDIFFERENCE.EACH ONE OF US HAVE SOME THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO US THAT MAY NOT BE IMPORTANT TO OTHER PEOPLE. PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES ARE NO DIFFERENT. THEY GREW UP HOPING FOR THE AMERICAN DREAM, TO FIND A JOB AND TO LIVE HAPPILY EVER AFTER AND THAT IS ABSOLUTELY WHAT HELPING PEOPLE SUCCEED ATTEMPTS TO DO FOR EACH AND EVERY CITIZEN IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY. WE ALSO SERVE SOME OTHERS. ST. LUCIE IS OUR BIGGEST AND OUR FAVORITE. AND SO I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME BUT IF ANY OF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH SOMEONE TO SEE ABOUT IF YOU HAVE EMPLOYMENT FOR SOMEONE, WE ARE CERTAINLY WILLING. THERE IS INFORMATION IN THIS PACKET AND WE INVITE YOU TO COME TO JENSEN BEACH FOR A TOUR AND WE WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO BECOME INVOLVED IN ANY WAY THAT YOU MIGHT. WE ARE VERY INVOLVED IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY AND WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU AS PART OF OUR FAMILY. THANK
YOU AGAIN VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU
DO. >> A QUICK QUESTION. I LOVE THIS IDEA. CAN WE, AS A CITY, PUT SOME TYPE OF LINK, NONATTORNEY, IF IT IS POSSIBLE, PUT SOME KIND OF LINK ON OUR WEBSITE TO SHOW. ANYONE NOT HERE LISTENING TO THIS TONIGHT, WE HAVE PACKAGES WHEN EVERYBODY DIDN'T GET IT. SOME TYPE OF LINK TO SHOW, THIS IS ANOTHER ORGANIZATION OUT HERE TRYING TO HELP. WE WILL GET THE WORD OUT. I'M LOOKING AT SOMETHING REALLY QUICK. I'M EVEN LOOKING AT THE HOLIDAY UGLY SWEATER THING. I HAVE PLENTY OF UGLY SWEATERS . I'M JUST CURIOUS IF WE CAN DO THAT BECAUSE IT IS ONE THING TO GET A PROCLAMATION BUT IF THE PEOPLE DON'T GET THE INFORMATION, WE ARE NOT GETTING IT OUT SO I'M JUST ASKING THE QUESTION.
>> COMMISSIONER, I HAVE A POCKY -- I HAVE A COPY OF THE PACKAGE TOO SO WE WILL GO THROUGH THAT AND SEE WHATEVER IS IN THERE, IF WE CAN GET IT OUT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. HOPEFULLY THIS IS MOVING AWAY
[8. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
FROM US. BUT THE BEST OF LUCK TO EACH OF YOU.>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE . >> NEXT ARE ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.
>> MAYOR. >> I WAS GOING TO ASK, WE HAVE DEPUTY CHIEF BRIDAL AND THE AUDIENCE. JUST BECAUSE OF EVERYTHING GOING ON OUT THERE AND ALL THE QUESTIONS PEOPLE HAVE UNDER MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS, I HAD ASKED HIM IF YOU WOULD BE WILLING TO GIVE AN UPDATE ON THE STORM AND OUR
PREPARATIONS. >> THAT SOUNDS GREAT. DOES ANYBODY WANT TO MAKE A MOTION WITH THAT CHANGE?
>> AND MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ACCEPT THE CHANGE AND KEEP THE
AGENDA AS PRINTED. >> A MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL
[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.]
>> YES IT. GAINES. >> YES, IT.
>> MAYOR HUDSON GUEST. >> COMMENTS ON AGENDA ITEMS
THAT REQUIRE A PUBLIC HEARING. >> WE HAD ONE PERSON SIGN UP AND THAT IS PINKY HANLEY, PASTOR PINKY. SHE KNOWS THE RULES. THREE MINUTES AND STATES HER NAME .
>> MADAME MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, I COME TODAY ON BEHALF OF DR. MARY THURMAN IN REFERENCE TO THE CONSENT ITEMS
[00:10:02]
OF 11D. WE WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT FOR THE EXCELLENT WORK THEY ARE DOING. BACK IN 2014, THE LATE JAMES BROWN HAD AN IDEA OF HAVING A MEMORIAL GARDEN, IT PLACED SOMEWHERE IN THE CITY TO COMMEMORATE THOSE WHO HAD LOST THEIR LIVES THROUGH GUN VIOLENCE OR ANY FORM OF VIOLENCE. AND WE HAVE PARTNERED PARENTS OF THE MURDERED GROUP PICK THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE WAS INSTRUMENT TO HELPING US TO SECURE THE PLACE AT CITRUS AND 25TH STREET WHICH IS WHAT WE CALL THE GARDEN OF HOPE AND PRAYER. AND OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, MR. JOHNSON HAS TAKEN WHAT WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER AND I ALSO WANT TO GIVE MR. MEN'S CREDIT AS WELL AND HAS TAKEN THAT INFORMATION WE HAD AND HAS BEGUN TO MAKE THAT GARDEN WHAT WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL PERSONALLY. THERE WERE OVER 60 NAMES ON THAT WALL AND OUR HOPE IS -- WE DON'T WANT TO DO BUT WE WANT ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED SINCE 2019, THE PARENTS WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET THEIR NAMES PLACED ON A SUBSEQUENT WALL. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING IT THE GARDEN THAT THE LATE PASTOR BROWN REALLY WANTED. WE ARE ALSO PARTNERING WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO PUT A BUS THEREFORE DR. KING AND WE ARE JUST EXCITED ABOUT THAT AND THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE. THEY PUT THE LIGHTS OUT. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO HAVING IT EVEN MORE BROAD. WE WANTED TO COME FORWARD ON BEHALF OF THE SURVIVORS OF MURDER VICTIM SUPPORT GROUP, A GROUP THAT NONE OF US WANT TO BE PARTNERS IN. BUT BECAUSE OF CIRCUMSTANCES, WE ARE MEMBERS. AND WE WANT TO SAY THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH AND ALSO TO THANK YOU, MAYOR, BECAUSE YOU WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN MAKING SURE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GET THE GARDEN AND WE WANT TO KEEP IT AS BEAUTIFUL AS PASTOR BROWN THOUGHT ABOUT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.>> FOR THE RECORD, THAT WAS DR. PINKY HANLEY.
>> SHE FORGOT TO SAY IT. BUT I SAID IT. THAT WAS PASTOR PINKY
HANLEY. >> SURVIVORS OF THE MURDER
VICTIM SUPPORT GROUP. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> PROJECT LIFT JUST DONATED A BENCH FOR THE SAME GARDEN. SO
[10. MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS]
REALLY NICE. LET'S MOVE ON. >> MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS.
>> MS. COX, . >> IF YOU CAN COME FORWARD AND GIVE A BRIEF UPDATE ON WHAT IS GOING ON WITH OUR STORM AND I WILL ADD WHICH STUFF HE MAY NOT QUITE KNOW ABOUT YOU.
>> IT IS CHANGING BY THE HOUR. >> MADAME MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, I THOUGHT YOU WERE GOING TO POSE A CHANGE. I
WAS HOPING. >> I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE.
>> HURRICANE MILTON AS YOU KNOW IS A VERY POWERFUL STORM.
CURRENTLY A CATEGORY FIVE WITH WIND AT 175 MILES AN HOUR. IT IS GOING TO APPROACH FLORIDA AROUND TAMPA EARLY WEDNESDAY.
BEFORE GETS TO FLORIDA, IT IS SUPPOSED TO ENCOUNTER WINDSHEAR WHICH WILL TAKE SOME OF THE STRENGTH OUT OF IT. IT WILL NOT GET DOWN TO A CATEGORY THREE. AS IT COMES OVER LAND, THEY WILL LOSE MORE STRENGTH. RIGHT NOW THE NATIONAL HURRICANE CENTER IS FORECASTING IT TO COME ON BOARD AROUND TAMPA COME ACROSS OVER FLORIDA AND EXIT FLORIDA SOMEWHERE NORTH OF CAPE CANAVERAL. WHAT DOES ALL THAT MEAN FOR US? WHAT THAT MEANS FOR US DEPENDING ON WHICH MODEL YOU BELIEVE OR WHO YOU SUBSCRIBE TO, WE CAN EXPECT SUSTAINED WIND STARTING WEDNESDAY THROUGH THURSDAY IN THE MID-20S TO THE MID-30S. WE CAN EXPECT WIND GUSTING AT 55 MILES AN HOUR . ACCORDING TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MELBOURNE, WE CAN EXPECT POSSIBLE HURRICANE STRENGTH GUSTS. I'M NOT SEEING THAT IN SOME OF THE OTHER MODELS. WE WERE GIVEN THAT BRIEFING TODAY.
RIGHT NOW THEY ARE SAYING 4-6 INCHES OF RAIN WHICH IS AS MUCH RAIN AS WE HAVE HAD LATELY. STILL 4-6 INCHES TOO MUCH.
CURRENTLY PORT ST. LUCIE AND $424,937.06 COUNTY WILL BE CLOSED WEDNESDAY AND THURDAY. ST. LUCIE HE -- ST. LUCIE COUNTY SCHOOLS WILL BE CLOSED TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY . WE ARE UNDER A FLOOD WATCH THROUGH THURSDAY. I HAD EXPECTED TO SEE TROPICAL STORM WATCHES OR WARNINGS ISSUED BY 5:00. I DID NOT SEE ANYONE I WAS SITTING HERE LOOKING. THEY COULD COME LATER TONIGHT. THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE IS DOING THE DISTRIBUTION. JC PARK, STREAMLINED PARK, PIONEER PARK, LITTLE GYM ISLAND. PUBLIC WORKS IS CURRENTLY GOING THROUGH ALL THE STATIONS AND PUMPS AND CHECKING THE WATER DRAINAGE SYSTEMS TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS OPERATIONALLY VIABLE AND MITIGATE ANY FLOODING THAT WE MAY HAVE.
>> ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I'M ALWAYS ASKED IS, WHEN DOES THE
[00:15:04]
BRIDGE CLOSE? >> THE BRIDGE CLOSES WHEN WE HAD SUSTAINED WIND AROUND 40 MILES AN HOUR. WE ARE NOT
EXPECTING THAT . >> ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER
QUESTIONS. >> A FOLLOW-UP ON THAT. IF THE BRIDGE IS DETERMINED TO BE CLOSED, WHAT DETERMINES IT TO BE REOPENED? WE HAVE SUSTAINED WIND AT 40 AND AN HOUR LATER AT BACKS DOWN TO 25, IS THE BRIDGE REOPENED?
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> OKAY, THANK YOU.
>> MAYOR, IF I MAY ADD, WHILE YOU WERE WAITING COME WE GET THE TEXT THAT THE TROPICAL STORM WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR OUR AREA BY ST. LUCIE COUNTY AND THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE COUNTY AND PORT ST. LUCIE.
>> I HAVE A CONCERN. I WANT TO SEE WHERE WE ARE. THERE IS A NUMBER OF DEBRIS ITEMS ON THE CURVES AS WE SPEAK . AND GREATLY CONCERNED EVEN WITH 30-40-MILE AN HOUR WIND, WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE. DEPUTY CHIEF OF OPERATIONS, ARE WE TIED INTO
PUBLIC WORKS ON THIS? >> I HAVE NOT SPOKEN WITH PUBLIC WORKS AS FAR AS TO BREATHE PRESENTLY ON THE GROUND. IF YOU KNOW OF ANY AND YOU CAN LET ME KNOW -- AND MY.
>> I SAW A BUNCH OF IT. I THINK WE NEED TO BE COGNIZANT OF THAT AND IF WE HAVE TO GET THE CREW GOING AND GET AS MUCH OF THAT IS POSSIBLE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE BUT I WAS LIKE MAYBE MS. COX, UPDATE US BY COMMUNICATION AT SOME POINT.
AND CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT I SAW TODAY RIDING AROUND PARTICULARLY IN THE LINCOLN PARK AREA.
>> AND A WE DO HAVE CREWS OUT THERE BUT WE WILL DEFINITELY FOLLOW-UP. IF THERE ARE SPECIFIC AREAS YOU SEE, BE SURE
TO LET US KNOW. >> THE BIGGEST PART I SAW WAS ON 29TH AND B. LITERALLY SOMEONE PUT AN ENTIRE HOUSE ON
>> FOLLOW-UP QUESTION MADAME MAYOR.
>> DEPUTY CHIEF, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU NEED FROM US?
>> NOT RIGHT NOW. >> IF THERE IS, YOU WILL GET
THE MESSAGE OUT? >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HARD WORK.
[11. CONSENT AGENDA]
>> MUCH APPRECIATED . >> NEXT ITEM IS THE CONSENT
AGENDA. >> IS THERE ANY ITEM ANY COMMISSION WOULD LIKE TO PULL? IF NOT, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE WHOLE CONSENT AGENDA?
>> I USUALLY PULL SOMETHING TO SPEAK ABOUT IT. IS IT PROPER TO
TALK ABOUT -- >> WHY DON'T YOU PULL IT AND
THEN YOU CAN TALK ABOUT IT. >> THAT IS FINE.
>> IT ALL DEPENDS ON HOW DEEP YOU GO.
>> I'M NOT GOING DEEP. >> IF YOU JUST LIKE SOMETHING,
POINTED OUT AND SAY IT. >> CAN I JUST SAY IT?
>> I THINK YOU CAN. >> I WANT TO SAY BEFORE WE VOTE, AGAIN, PEOPLE DON'T READ THE CONSENT AGENDA. I'M TIRED OF GETTING THE QUOTES IN FORT PIERCE THAT WE DON'T DO ANYTHING FOR SMALL BUSINESS. ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, GH IJ, THERE ARE FOUR BUSINESS GRANTS THAT HAVE BEEN AWARDED TO FOUR SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. ALL I WANT TO SAY IS THAT IT IS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA WHEN THE GRANTS DEPARTMENT OPENS AT. APPLY AND IF YOU HAVE ALL THE STUFF IN ORDER, YOU CAN SEE WHEN THESE GRANTS ARE TOO.
>> BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR, I HAVE A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION NOT RELATED TO THAT. ITEMS E AND F, BUT THESE REQUESTS BEING SUBMITTED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT? IS NOT
IDENTIFIED WHO THE AGENCY IS . >> THEY ARE BOTH PUBLIC WORKS.
>> AND MOVED FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT.
>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK. >> YES.
[a. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 24-037: Review and approval of a Voluntary Annexation by applicant James Hackett - H&L Planning and Development on behalf of owner Savannah Landing Partners LLC, to extend the territorial limits of the City of Fort Pierce, Florida, to include two (2) parcels at or near the intersection of S. US Highway 1 and Dickson Drive, establishing Future Land Use, establishing Zoning. Parcel IDs: 3427-801-0056-000-3 and 2427-801-0053-000-2 (310 Dickson Drive) - SECOND READING]
>> COMMISSIONER GAINES. >> YES.
>> MAYOR HUDSON. >> YES, MA'AM.
>>> NEXT IS PUBLIC HEARINGS NEXT ORDINANCE NUMBER TO INCLUDE TWO PARCELS AT OR NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF SOUTH U.S.
HIGHWAY ONE AND DIXON DRIVE AND PARCEL TWO BEING LOCATED AT OR NEAR APPROXIMATELY 310 DIXON DRIVE AND SHOWN ON EXHIBIT A DIRECTING THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER TO ASSESS THE PROPERTY AND PLACE IT ON THE CITY TAX ROLL AS OF JANUARY 21ST, 2025 DIRECTING THE NAY FOR COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR TO COLLECT TAXES ON THE PROPERTY ESTABLISHES ZONING BECAUSE VACATION OF HIGH DENSITY R5 AN ESTABLISHED LAND USE, DIRECTING
[00:20:03]
FILING OF THE ORDINANCE WITH THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT AND THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATOR OF OFFICER OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY, DIRECTING REVISION OF THE CHARTER BOUNDARY ARTICLE TO BE FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE OR PULLING OUT ORDINANCE HERE WITH AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.>> THE SECOND READING. ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE,
PLEASE COME FORWARD. >> SEEING NO MOVEMENT, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> MADAME MAYOR, APPROVAL OF 23-027.
[b. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 24-038: Review and approval of a Voluntary Annexation by owner Jason Merritt, to extend the territorial limits of the City of Fort Pierce, Florida, to include two (2) parcels at 1835 Sandridge Rd. and 1839 Sandridge Rd, establishing Future Land Use, establishing Zoning. Parcel ID: 2404-111-0003-010-1 and 2404-111-0003-000-8. - SECOND READING]
>> NEXT 24- 038. ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, 42 INCLUDE TWO PARCELS AT OR NEAR 1835 SANDRIDGE ROAD AT OR NEAR APPROXIMATELY 1839 SHOWN ON EXHIBIT A DIRECTING THE NAY FOR COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER TO ASSESS THE PROPERTY AND PLACE IT ON THE CITY TAX ROLL AS OF GENERALLY FIRST, 2025, DIRECTING THE NAY FOR COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR TO COLLECT TAXES ON THAT HEARING DESCRIBED PROPERTY ESTABLISHES ZONING DESIGNATION OF COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHING LAND USE DESIGNATION OF COMMERCIAL GC, DIRECTING FILING OF THE ORDINANCE FOR THE CLERK OF THE CIRCUIT COURT AND CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OF NAY FOR COUNTY, DIRECTING REVISION OF THE CHARTER BOUNDARY ARTICLE TO BE FILED WITH THAT APARTMENT OF STATE AND SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS IN CONFLICT HEREWITH AND PREVENTING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS THE SECOND READING.
>> ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION, PLEASE COME FORWARD. NO MOVEMENT, WILL CLOSE A PUBLIC HEARING AND
ENTERTAIN A MOTION. >> APPROVAL.
[c. Quasi-Judicial Hearing - Review and Approval of an application for a Final Plat by applicant, Rasim Cinar, to subdivide 2 parcels into sixty-seven (67) platted residential lots, two (2) Road Tracts, two (2) Stormwater Tracts, one (1) Open Space Tract, one (1) Recreation Tract, and associated easements and buffers, located at 4150 and 4200 Gator Trace Road in Fort Pierce, Florida, more specifically located at Parcel Control Number(s): 2435-311-0001-000-4, 2435-243-0001-000-6.]
>> NEXT IS A QUASIJUDICIAL HEARING REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF AN APPROVED APPLICATION FOR FINAL PLAT BY APPLICANT WHERE HUMANS ARE TO SUBDIVIDE TWO PARCELS IN THE 67 PLAT AND RESIDENTIAL LOTS, TWO ROAD TRUCKS, TWO STORMWATER TRACKS AND ONE OPEN SPACE TRACT. ONE RECREATION TRACK AND ASSOCIATED EASEMENTS AND BUFFERS LOCATED AT 4150 AND 4200 GATOR TRACE
ROAD IN FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA . >> THIS IS THE ONLY QUASIJUDICIAL PROCEDURE. MADAME CITY ATTORNEY, CAN YOU PLEASE
READ THE PROCESS FOR US? >> YES, MA'AM. THE CITY COMMISSION SERVES BOTH THE LEGISLATIVE AND QUASIJUDICIAL ROLE. WHEN ACTING AS A LITERACY BODY, THE COMMISSION ENGAGES IN LAWMAKING ACTIVITY BY PASSING LAWS AND ESTABLISHING POLICIES.
WHEN ACTING AS A QUASIJUDICIAL BODY, THE COMMISSION APPLIES THOSE LAWS AND POLICIES AND IS HELD TO A MORE STRICT PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENT OR REQUIREMENTS. QUASIJUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS ARE LESS FORMAL THAN PROCEEDINGS BEFORE A CIRCUIT COURT BUT ARE MORE FOR MORE THAN ON NORMAL COMMERCIAL VIDEO QUASIJUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS MUST FOLLOW BASIC STANDARDS OF NOTICE AND DUE PROCESS AND DECISIONS MUST BE MADE BASED ON COMPETENT, SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE. THEREFORE COMMISSIONERS HAVE A DUTY TO CONDUCT THE QUASIJUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS WERE LIKE JUDGES AND LEGISLATORS. THAT IS WHY THE COMMISSION HAS ESTABLISHED THE PROCEDURES FOR QUASIJUDICIAL HEARINGS THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED THIS EVENING.
FINALLY, NO ONE SHOULD APPROACH ANY MEMBER OF THE CITY COMMISSION ON THE DAIS, CITY ATTORNEY OR CITY CLERK DURING THE HEARING. IF DOCUMENTS ARE TO BE GIVEN TO THE CITY CLERK, PLEASE GIVE THEM TO THE SERGEANT AT ARMS WHICH ARE ANY OF THE POLICE OFFICERS IN THE CHAMBER.
>> THANK YOU. MADAME CLERK, HAVE THE ADVERTISING AND NOTICE
REQUIREMENTS BEEN MET? >> YES, MA'AM. ALL
REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET. >> WOULD YOU ASK MISTERS ABOUT
EXPERT TAKE MEDICATIONS POLICE? >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK.
>> ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE KEY MEDICATIONS RELATIVE TO THIS PROJECT GOING ON IN THIS CHAMBER FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD
OF TIME. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES.
>> SAME AS COMMISSIONER BRODERICK SAID. I DID RECEIVE AN E-MAIL TODAY OR YESTERDAY. I DID RECEIVE AN E-MAIL.
>> COMMISSIONER C. JOHNSON. >> DITTO TO ALL OF THAT.
>> COMMISSIONER J. JOHNSON. >> SAME.
>> WOULD YOU SWEAR AND THE WITNESSES.
>> ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, IF YOU CAN MOVE FORWARD AND PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. DO YOU SWEAR OR AFFIRM TO TELL THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE
>> PROCEED. >> EDITING MADAME MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS. BEFORE YOU, WE HAVE A FINAL PLAT APPLICATION FOR A TRACE ON THE GREENS, PARCEL ID 24- 35-311-TRIPLE 01-TRIPLE ZERO FOUR AND 2435-AT-243-TRIPLE ZERO ONE, TRIPLE 0-6. APPROXIMATELY AT 4150 AND 4200 GATOR TRACE ROAD.
THE APPLICANT IS A VERY SEEN SEMINAR. THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING TO SUBDIVIDE THE PARCELS INTO 67 PLATTED LOTS
[00:25:01]
WITH TWO ROAD TRACKS AND TWO STORMWATER TRACKS ON ONE OPEN SPACE TRACK AND ONE RECREATIONAL TRACT AND ASSOCIATED EASEMENTS AND BUFFERS. THE SUBJECT SITE IS APPROXIMATELY SIX TAKE A 94 ACRES. THIS IS THE SUBJECT SITE LOCATED AT THE GATOR TRACE PLANNED UNIT DEVELOPMENT.>> ZONING MAP. >> CURRENT FUTURE LAND USE AND ZONING MAP. MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL RN WITH THE ZONING
OF UNIT DEVELOPMENT. >> THIS IS THE FINAL PLAT .
PLANNING BOARD UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED FINAL PLAT AT THE SEPTEMBER 9TH, 2024 MEETING.
STAFF RECOMMENDED APPROVAL OF THE REQUEST WITH TWO CONDITIONS. THE APPLICANT'S SUPPLY THE TWO MYLARS FOR APPROPRIATE SIGNATURES AND THE PLAT IS RECORDED WITH THE NAY FOR COUNTY CLERK AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH FOR THE STATE STATUTE 177-111 AND PRIOR TO FINAL ENDORSEMENT OF THE PLAT BY THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS MUST BE REMITTED TO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, A THERE D. THE APPLICATION IS CONSISTENT WITH CHAPTER 121 OF THE CITY CODE CONFERENCE A PLAN AND PROPOSED PLAN DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND IT DOES NOT ADVERSELY AFFECT THE PUBLIC HEALTH SAFETY CONVENIENCE AND GENERAL WELFARE. POSSIBLE ACTIONS OR APPROVAL OF THE PROPOSED PLAT WITH THE TWO STAFF RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS AND THEN ALTERNATE CONDITIONS OR DENIAL. THANK
YOU. >> CAN YOU GO BACK TO THE CONDITIONS AND EXPLAINED TO ME THE FOUR BOND REQUIREMENTS?
>> YES. THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDED APPROVAL WITH THESE CONDITIONS AND WE HAVE ADDED THEM JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THE APPLICANT ADHERES TO THEM PRIOR TO APPROVAL .
>> I HAVE JUST NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE.
>> THE APPLICANT SUBMITTED DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF THE BOND AND THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT WHICH WOULD JUST LIKE THEM TO I GUESS RECTIFY THEM BECAUSE AT FIRST, THEY HAD ONE ISSUED ON MAY 9TH AND THEN THEY ISSUED AGAIN ON AUGUST 16TH. AND THEN THERE WAS A WRITER SO IT INCREASED FROM 872,000, TO 1,202,000 AND THEN THERE WAS ANOTHER BOND WRITER AUGUST 29TH WHICH INCREASED THE VALUE FROM 1,202,000, TO 1,213,000 . AND THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT WOULD JUST LIKE FOR THEM TO RESUBMIT THEM WITH I GUESS THE ACTUAL BOND .
>> OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF STAFF. COMMISSIONER BRODERICK.
>> IF MEMORY SERVES ME RIGHT, THIS PROJECT IS SUBJECT TO A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT THAT THE CITY IS A PARTY TO AND PART OF THAT DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT WAS PART OF THE LIMITATION ON THE NUMBER OF UNITS FOR THE MAXIMUM NUMBER OF UNITS. IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, THE NUMBER WAS 67. IS THAT CORRECT?
>> CORRECT. I WANT TO CONFIRM IT IS IN LINE WITH THE
DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF
STAFF. COMMISSIONER GAINES. >> MADAME MAYOR, THANK YOU.
LIKE YOU, AND MAYBE MR. GILMORE GAVE US THE ANSWER BUT I DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE ANSWER FROM THE BOND. SO I'M GOING TO GET OUT OF THIS ENGINEERED TERMS. WILL BE ARE ASKING IS FOR THEM JUST TO SUBMIT THE DOCUMENTATION?
>> CORRECT. >> DOCUMENTATION TO SHOW THAT THESE BONDS HAVE BEEN SIGNED. I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THIS MEANS WHEN IT SAYS YOU ARE REQUIRING THEM TO SUBMIT THE BONDS. IS ADJUSTED DOCUMENTATION THAT THIS BOND THAT WAS ISSUED AUGUST 29TH, HAS BEEN SIGNED OFF AND TAKEN
CARE OF AND FINALIZED? >> THAT IS WHAT WE ARE ASKING
FOR. >> JUST SOME DOCUMENTATION.
>> CORRECT. >> IT SAYS THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS I FEEL LIKE THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES.
>> BASICALLY, WHEN WE REQUIRE DEVELOPERS TO BOND IMPROVEMENTS, A BOND IS ALMOST LIKE CASH AND THE BANK. THEY ARE DELIVERED TO THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT WHO MAKES SURE ALL THE NUMBERS ARE PROPER AND THEY ARE HELD IN THE FINANCE DEPARTMENT PROBABLY IN A SAFE BECAUSE THEY ARE JUST LIKE CASH. AND IN THE EVENT SOMEONE DOESN'T FULFILL THE
[00:30:05]
REQUIREMENTS OF THE BOND, WE THEN HAVE THE ABILITY TO CASH IN THAT BOND AND WE WOULD HAVE TO DO THE WORK. BUT IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THE ACTUAL BOND DOCUMENTS. AND IF THE NUMBERS HAVE CHANGED UNDER OUR CODE, THE BONDS ARE REQUIRED TO REFLECT THE ACTUAL WORK BEING PERFORMED.>> THIS IS A STANDARD THING THAT WE REQUIRE.
>> CRACK. >> THE REASON THIS IS HERE
BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN CHANGED? >> BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE ACTUAL PHYSICAL ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS WHICH IS WHAT WE
NEED. >> GOT IT NOW. THANK YOU FOR
THAT. >> ANYBODY ELSE HAVE OTHER
QUESTIONS? >> OKAY. I WOULD LIKE FOR THE APPLICANT TO COME FORWARD PLEASE AND STATE YOUR NAME AND I HAVE ONE QUESTION FOR YOU AND THEN YOU CAN MAKE YOUR
>> WELCOME. >> YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF
OUR STAFF? >> ME BEING BACK AND FORTH QUESTIONING EACH OTHER. AND VERY HELPFUL. I HAVE THE
QUESTIONS. >> SO YOU HAVE BEEN ASKING QUESTIONS AND THEY HAVE BEEN ANSWERING THEM?
>> THAT IS THE TWO YEARS. >> YOU HAVE BECOME VERY GOOD
FRIENDS. IS THAT IT? >> DO YOU HAVE A PRESENTATION
>> YOU MAY PROCEED. >> I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH MADAME MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONERS. STATE OFFICIALS AND CITY RESIDENTS. THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING. THE GATOR TRACE ON THE TOWNHOMES, THEY ARE LOCATED AT GATOR TRACE GOLF
CLUB. >> HE CAN ADVANCE IT FOR YOU.
>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. OKAY. CURRENTLY, IT IS WOODED LAND AND SAID THE GOLF CLUB. AND THESE ARE THE VARIOUS PICTURES . AS MR. GILMORE PRESENTED, FUTURE LAND USE IS MEDIUM DENSITY. WE ARE ALLOWED TO USE 83 UNITS. BUT WE ARE FORCED INTO SELLING UNITS CURRENTLY. AND BECAUSE OF THE 2007 DEVELOPERS AGREEMENT , AND WE HAVE TO RESPECT THAT DECISION.
AND THE PLAT IS SUBMITTED AND RECORDED AS MR. GILMORE STATED.
WE HAVE WORLD TRACKS, ORDER MANAGEMENT TRUCKS, RECREATION TRACKS, OPEN-SPACE TRACKS AND 67 SIMPLE TRACKS. WE HAVE TWO ADDRESSES AND TWO LOTS ON THE PROPERTY AND COMBINING THEM TO 67 UNITS WITH THE TRACKS. AND THIS IS THE SITE PLAN. PRETTY MUCH COME WE HAVE TWO ENTRANCES AND EXITS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT .
AND WE HAVE 13 BUILDINGS, TWO DETENTION PONDS AND MAIN PARKING AREA. H PLAT, INTERIOR UNIT, IS ABOUT 1500 SQUARE FEET AND SETBACKS AND OTHER DIMENSIONS ARE COMPLYING WITH THE MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL ZONE CODES. AND THE END UNITS ARE ABOUT 2300 SQUARE FEET PLUS OR MINUS. AND THE INTERIOR UNITS ARE IDENTICAL TO THE TOWN HOME THREE-BEDROOM, TWO A HALF BATHROOMS. ONE GARAGE AND COVERED ENTRY . AND THE UNITS ARE CLOSE TO 2000 SQUARE-FOOT UNITS. AND SOME OF THE END
[00:35:06]
UNITS ARE A LITTLE BIT BIGGER. THOSE ARE ABOUT 2400, CLOSE TO 2400 SQUARE FEET AND TWO GARAGES AND TWO-STORY, THREE-BEDROOM. SOME OF THEM HAVE A COVERED PATIO AS WELL.AND COLOR FOR THE COASTAL DESIGN WHICH IS ONE OF THE REQUIREMENTS IS PRESENT IN THIS PRESENTATION. AND LANDSCAPING PLANS AND THE ADDRESS IS HERE. AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE PROPERTY LINE AND THE GOLF COURSE, ADDED UP A LOT OF TREES FOR SCREENING. I WANT TO SHOW THAT TO YOU. SO THERE WILL BE A LOT OF FEES FOR CLEANING GOLF BALLS. AND THE STORM DRAIN PLANS ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE MASTER MANAGEMENT APPROVAL 1985. THAT IS -- ELEVATION AND THE MWATER - CULTURAL STRUCTURES AND ALL IN THE MASTER PLAN. AND THE SEWER PLANS ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE UTILITIES . AND GO OVER ALL THE DETAILS WITH THEM AS WELL. AND PREPARE FOR THIS PROJECT.
>> VERY PREPARED. I CAN TELL. >> AND THEN, AGAIN, WE SIT DOWN WITH THE FIRE DISTRICT AND THEY COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS, WATER HOSES, HYDRANTS . AND PLANS SIMPLE. AND THE CAUSED CONSISTS. I'M SORRY. BUT WE WILL START WITH THE FIRST INFRASTRUCTURE. PIPES AND GREETING AND THEN ON THE RIGHT SIDE, YOU WILL SEE NUMBER ONE . AND THAT WILL GO TWO, THREE, FIVE, SIX, SEVEN. THIS REPRESENTS WHERE YOU START BUILDING THE FIRST BUILDING AND CONTINUE FROM THE CORNER. AND ADJACENT TO THE GOLF COURSE AREA. AND YOU WILL TURN AROUND.
AND THAT WILL BE THE SEQUENCE OF THE CONSTRUCTION . VERY SIMPLE. AND THANK YOU SO MUCH. THIS WILL END MY PRESENTATION.
>> VERY NICE. THANK YOU. QUESTIONS OF THE APPLICANT?
>> THOUGHT IT THROUGH. VERY NICE PRESENTATION. THANK YOU.
ANY QUESTIONS AT ALL ? >> ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING. WERE YOU SWORN IN, SIR? PLEASE COME FORWARD. YOU CAN BE SWORN IN QUICKLY.
>> PLEASE RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. DO YOU SWEAR OR AFFIRM TO TELL THE TRUTH, THE HOME THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE
>> STATE YOUR NAME? >> BOCA RATON. OWNER OF THE PROPERTY. I WANT TO ABOUT THE BOND ISSUE I DROPPED THE BOND PAPERS PERSONALLY SEPTEMBER 6. I WENT THROUGH CITY HALL. AND THE LADY SHOWED A. I GAVE PAPERS TO HER. I DON'T KNOW
WHERE THE PAPERS ARE RIGHT NOW. >> .
>> WE WILL CHECK THAT FOR YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU
VERY MUCH. >> ROCK STARS. KEEP THEM.
>> WRITE THAT DOWN, KEVIN. >> DOES ANYONE ELSE WISH TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE? PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE ELSE? CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMISSION .
[00:40:06]
>> THIS HAS BEEN A SAGA AND I'M VERY HAPPY TO SEE THIS
TODAY. >> THEY HAVE HAD A LONG HAUL WITH THIS. I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO THE LITANY OF REASONS WHY IT IS IRRELEVANT AT THIS POINT IN TIME. I'M HAPPY THEY ARE ADHERING TO THE CONCLUSION. IF YOU ARE READY FOR A MOTION MADAME MAYOR, I WOULD MAKE A MOTION.
>> I WOULD MOVE TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.
>> A MOTION AND SECOND. CALL ROLL.
[a. Submittal of applications to serve on the Civil Service Appeals Board.]
>> MAYOR HUDSON. >> YES. CONGRATULATIONS. THANK
YOU. >> DESKS IT IS A SUBMITTAL OF LOCATIONS TO SERVE ON THE CIVIL SERVICE APPEALS BOARD WHICH WILL COME BACK TO THE COMMISSION AT THE NEXT MEETING
FOR ABOUT. >> CAN I ASK, MS. COX, YOU ARE REQUIRED TO BE A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE?
[b. Resolution 24-R51 appointing members to serve on the Communitywide Council.]
>> ST. LUCIE COUNTY. >> THERE IS ONE COUNTY RESIDENT
IN THERE. PROCEED. >> RESOLUTION NUMBER 24- R51, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, SURVEYING THE COMMITMENT OF MEMBERS OF THE COUNCIL PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> IS NOT GOING TO BE THE NEXT TIME TOO?
>> NO MAN. THAT IS TO BE VOTED RIGHT NOW.
>> WE HAD AS MANY APPLICANTS AS WE HAD SEATS. THEY WERE JUST AUTOMATIC APPOINTMENTS. IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL PEOPLE YOU ARE RECRUITING, I SEE COMMISSIONER JOHNSON. IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL FOLKS THAT HAVE AN INTEREST IN SERVING ON THIS, WE CAN ALWAYS FOR THE ADOPTION OF THE RESOLUTION TO THE NEXT MEETING JUST LIKE WE WOULD TYPICALLY DO WHERE WE JUST HAVE THE APPLICATIONS ON THIS ONE AND DO THE VOTE ON THE NEXT ONE. THAT
IS ENTIRELY UP TO YOU. >> I KNOW THERE WAS ONE SUBMITTAL ONLINE THAT WAS INFORMED AND THEY PUT SOMETHING ONLINE FOR THIS PARTICULAR BOARD.
>> DID YOU SEE THE ATTACHED? >> NO.
>> WE CAN BRING IT TO THE NEXT MEETING AND THEN WE WILL HAVE
AN OPPORTUNITY. >> THERE WERE TWO PEOPLE THAT HAD THE SAME ADDRESS ON THEIR. AND SO, IF THEY WILL SERVE ON THE SAME BOARD, SOMEBODY NEEDS TO TELL THEM THE SUNSHINE
VIOLATIONS CANNOT HAPPEN. >> SOMEBODY NEEDS TO MOVE OUT.
IS THAT WHAT ARE SAYING? >> BITE.
>> IT IS NOT AGAINST THE LAW. >> NO IT IS IN. THEY HAVE DIFFERENT LAST NAMES BUT THEY HAVE THE SAME ADDRESS.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO BRING IT BACK.
>> MADAME MAYOR AND COMMISSIONER, I WAS GOING TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WHENEVER A NEW POINT IS ON A BOARD, WE DO SIT DOWN AND DO AN ORIENTATION WITH THEM. WE GO OVER SUNSHINE AND WE GO OVER PUBLIC RECORDS. THEY CAN STILL SERVE ON THE SAME BOARD BUT SUNSHINE STILL APPLIES TO THEM.
>> THAT IS TRUE. I KNOW YOU DO. AND I WANTED TO BRING IT TO EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION. IF THEY ARE LISTENING, THEY NEED TO BE
THINKING ABOUT IT ALREADY. >> SO WE DON'T NEED TO VOTE.
WE JUST NEED TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION. IS THAT RIGHT?
>> WE ARE GOING TO MOVE IT TO THE NEXT MEETING AND WE WILL HAVE YOU VOTE AT THE NEXT MEETING.
>> OKAY. >> BECAUSE OF THE OUTSTANDING APPLICATION THAT CAME AN ONLINE.
[c. Resolution 24-R52 establishing polling places for the November 5, 2024 General Election.]
>> THAT IS GREAT. OKAY . WE WILL MOVE ON.
>> NEXT IS RESOLUTION NUMBER 24- R52, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA PROVIDING FOR PUBLICATION OF THE DESIGNATED PRECINCT POLLING PLACES IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE FOR THE GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 5TH, 2024 PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> YES. BEFORE THERE IS A MOTION, THERE TWO POLLING PLACES THAT ARE NOW AT WESTWOOD THAT ARE NEW TO ME. IS A NEW TO
>> AND THE PRIMARY. >> WAS IT TWO?
>> IT IS GOING TO BE VERY INTERESTING. I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT IS GOING TO WORK. I DO KNOW THE PLACE UP THE STREET IS NO LONGER A POLLING PLACE. MARICOPA TEMPLE USED TO BE THE
POLLING PLACE. >> AVENUE Q AND 29TH. IT USED
TO BE THERE. >> OKAY. IS THERE A MOTION?
>> AND WITH THAT WE ADOPT THE RESOLUTION.
[d. Resolution 24-R53 appointing members to serve on the Fort Pierce Youth Council. ]
>> MAYOR HUDSON. >> YES IT. NEXT RESOLUTION 24- R53 RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA CERTIFYING THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE
. >> THIS IS ANOTHER ONE THAT IS DIRECT APPOINTMENTS. WE HAD A LOT OF APPLICATIONS. WE DID NOT GET A LOT OF THE APPLICATIONS THAT HAD PARENT APPROVAL. IF, IN FACT, WE DIDN'T GET THE ONES WITH PARENT APPROVAL, THEY ARE NOT ON HERE. I KNOW OUR TEAM REACHED OUT TO EVERYBODY TO SEE. IF WE GET THOSE AT A LATER DATE, WE CAN ALWAYS BRING THOSE NAMES FORWARD, FOR APPOINTMENT.
[00:45:02]
>> I KNOW THAT IS A PERENNIAL PROBLEM NOT JUST FOR THIS BUT FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. ANYTIME THEY NEED PARENTAL
>> I WANT TO ASK THAT THEY ARE MOVING FAST WITH ANOTHER RESOLUTION TO NEXT MEETING BEFORE WE VOTE BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO CALL SOME OF THE PARENTS MYSELF. I HAVE HAD TWO OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT I ASKED TO JOIN, THEIR PARENTS HAVE NOT SIGNED OFF BECAUSE THEY NEEDED MORE QUESTIONS ANSWERED. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT BECAUSE I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GREAT ASSET TO THE YOUTH COUNCIL. SO IF WE CAN
MOVE IT TO THE NEXT. >> I WOULD SAY WE DON'T NEED TO MOVE IT BUT BRING ANYONE FORWARD. WE CAN GET THESE FOLKS STARTED. BUT WE HAVE NEVER LIMITED. WE STOPPED LIMITING THE NUMBER OF FOLKS PARTICIPATING.
>> AND I'M GLAD WE SAID THAT BECAUSE I WANT TO GET THAT OUT.
I WANT TO GET THAT OUT TO THE PARENTS SO THEY CAN'T COME BACK AND SAY, YOU MISSED THE DEADLINE AND YOU CAN'T DO IT.
AS LONG AS WE CAN ADD THEM. I'M TRYING TO GET AS MANY YOUTH ON THE COUNCIL AS POSSIBLE IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. BECAUSE THEY ARE THE FUTURE. AND IF YOU NEVER ATTENDED ONE OF THE MEETINGS, JUST GO SIT IN THE BACK ONE TIME AND YOU WILL BE VERY SURPRISED SOME OF THE TOPICS THEY COME UP WITH . SO I WANT TO GET AS MANY YOUTH AS POSSIBLE. PARENTS WHOSE KIDS HAVE ASKED YOU TO SIGN --
>> COMING FOR THEM. >> I AM ON MY WAY. JUST ANSWER MY PHONE CALL OR I MIGHT KNOCK ON YOUR DOOR.
>> DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS?
>> WE WANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 24- R53.
[14. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Any person who wishes to comment on any subject may be heard at this time. Please limit your comments to three (3) minutes or less, as directed by the Mayor, as this section of the Agenda is limited to thirty minutes. The City Commission will not be able to take any official actions under Comments from the Public. Speakers will address the Mayor, Commissioners, and the Public with respect. Inappropriate language will not be tolerated.]
>> SECOND. >> MOTION AND SECOND.
>> YES. >> COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC.
>> NUMBERS OF THE COMMENTS WISHING TO ADJUST THE COMMISSION, PLEASE COME FORWARD. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. STATE YOUR NAME. I SEE DOLORES JOHNSON GOING TO THE
PODIUM. >> IF I CAN GET THROUGH.
>> GOOD EVENING MADAME MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS. --
>> STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
>> DOLORES HOGAN JOHNSON, CITY OF FORT PIERCE. I'M A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY GROUP, CHAT, AND DO. ONE OF THE THINGS WE WILL START TO GET INTO DEALS WITH THE FORT PIERCE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THE SITUATIONS THAT WE ARE HEARING ABOUT. PART OF MY HISTORY IS THAT I WAS THE FIRST DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE WITH FORT PIERCE HOUSING AUTHORITY. AND HAVE SEEN IT GROW . THE SERVICES I WAS INVOLVED WITH, WE DEALT WITH FAMILIES THAT WERE NOT VERY GOOD HOUSEKEEPERS. WE DEALT WITH THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY EXTENSION. THEY WOULD COME OUT AND I WOULD HAVE THE MAINTENANCE GUYS COME OUT AND SET UP A SINK OR STOVE. SOME PEOPLE, DEPENDING ON THE BACKGROUND MAY NOT KNOW WHAT ITEMS TO USE TO CLEAN. THESE ARE THINGS THAT WE WANT TO GET BACK INVOLVED IN. I WANTED TO ASK WHO IN THE CITY -- I THINK THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS UNDER
YOUR UMBRELLA . >> THEY ARE A SEPARATE
ORGANIZATION. >> I WAS WONDERING. AND CORRECT ME ON THIS, HOW ARE THE MEMBERS ON THE BOARD SELECTED?
>> I WILL ANSWER THAT QUESTION. BUT THE MAYOR APPOINTS THEM.
>> ALL RIGHT. BUT WE WILL BE LOOKING INTO SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT WE HAVE HEARD OF THE UNITS. AND WE ARE THINKING OF HOMELESSNESS AND ALL THIS. SOME UNITS ARE VACANT. THE MAINTENANCE ON THEM, ARE LACKING IN MANY REGARDS. OUR PLAN IS TO ALSO, AND THIS IS JUST GETTING INTO WHAT IS HAPPENING. AND WE WILL BE SETTING UP MEETINGS WITH FORT PIERCE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND TALKINGWITH THEM IN MORE DETAIL AND GETTING THE LAWS AND EVERYTHING THAT IS THEY ARE TO BE GOVERNED BY. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU ALL KNOW.
>> ANYONE ELSE? ANYONE ELSE? PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> STATE YOUR NAME. >> LENA PEPPER.
>> WELCOME. >> THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING
[00:50:02]
COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR. MY NAME IS LENA PEPPER. I REPRESENT IATAE, MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY CENTER. AND WE ARE ACTUALLY NEW TO FORT PIERCE AND WE HAVE RELOCATED FROM BROWARD COUNTY AND PALM BEACH COUNTY. AND WE ARE SIMPLY LOOKING FOR A NEW HOME. WE ARE LOOKING FOR A CITY THAT NEEDS MENTAL HEALTH.WE OFFER PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES, MEDICATION MANAGEMENT. WE ARE A NONPROFIT. AND WE OFFER HOUSING. WE HAVE A TRANSITIONAL HOUSING IN PALM BEACH AND IN BROWARD COUNTY FOR THE MENTALLY ILL , PEOPLE SUFFERING WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA, BIPOLAR DISORDER. WE ALSO WORK WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND WE JUST WANT A CITY TO WELCOME US. WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO DO COMMUNITY WORK. WE ARE ADVOCATES OF THE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITY AND THE SEVERELY PERSISTENT MENTALLY ILL THAT CANNOT ADVOCATE FOR THEMSELVES. WE JUST WANT TO COME HERE AND SPEAK TO THE LEADERS OF THE CITY. YOU TELL US WHAT YOU NEED FROM US. YOU TELL US WHERE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE US AND HOW WE CAN SERVICE YOUR CITY. WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO? I KNOW THAT ON OUR OWN, WE WENT LOOKING IN THE AREA AND WE FOUND LINCOLN PARK. WE THOUGHT LINCOLN PARK WOULD BE A GOOD PLACE TO START. YOU PRESENT LEADERS. YOU TELL US WHERE YOU NEED US TO FIND OUR HAPPY HOME AND HOW DO WE START HELPING OUT THE COMMUNITY? HOW DO WE GET THE YOUTH WELL. HOW TO BEGET THE ELDERLY WELL HOW DO WE GET DRUG ADDICTS OFF THE STREET? HOW DO WE GET MORE PEOPLE IN HOUSING? YOU TELL US WHAT YOU NEED AND WE ARE HERE FOR YOU GUYS AND WE ARE LOOKING FOR A
HOME. THAT IS PRETTY MUCH IT. >> IF YOU WILL GIVE STAFF YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION AND THE COMMISSION WILL DISCUSS THAT WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR COMMISSION COMMENTS.
>> I WILL ALSO BE SCHEDULING INDIVIDUAL APPOINTMENTS WITH EACH OF YOU GUYS TO JUST GIVE YOU A MORE PERSONALIZED VIEW OF WHO WE ARE AND WHAT YOU GUYS NEED FROM US.
>> WELCOME TO FORT PIERCE. THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE? >> CAN I MAKE A FOLLOW-UP
COMMENT. >> WELCOME TO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. IT IS GOOD THAT YOU ARE EXPANDING HERE. THE FIRST PLACE YOU SHOULD START IS HOLD THE SESSION FOR THE FIVE PEOPLE
>> JUST TELL US WHERE YOU NEED US TO GO.
>> LOOKING FORWARD TO OUR ONE-ON-ONE MEETINGS.
>> THANK YOU. NIKKI HENLEY. >> AT THIS TIME I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I THINK I FORGOT TO MENTION IN THE PRESENTATION , I DO NOT WANT TO IMPLY THAT WE ARE SURVIVORS. THE GARDEN WAS A BRAINCHILD OF THE LINCOLN PARK COUNCIL OF MINISTERS AND WE JUST TOOK UP THE LEAD AS THEY DISBAND. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT BECAUSE I KNOW SOME PEOPLE WILL BE OUT THERE SAYING IT WAS THE LINCOLN PARK COUNCIL. I WANTED TO GIVE CREDIT WHERE
>> ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION? OKAY .
[15. COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER]
WE WILL CLOSE THAT PART OF THE MEETING AND MOVE ON.>> NEXT IS COMMENTS FOR THE CITY MANAGER
>> MS. COX . >> A COUPLE OF ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR ME. I WANT TO LET DOLORES HOGAN JOHNSON THAT THE FOR SPEARS HOUSING MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT , JUST LIKE HERE. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE STATES I CAN GET THOSE FOR YOU. THE FPR MEETING SCHEDULED FOR TOMORROW NIGHT HAS BEEN CANCELED. THERE ARE ONLY A FEW MINOR THINGS ON THE AGENDA, NOTHING THAT COULD NOT WAIT A MONTH. WITH ALL THE CRAZY THAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW, I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE MORE APPROPRIATE TO JUST CANCEL THAT. IN RESPONSE TO A LOT OF THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON AND AS PART OF OUR REVIEW OF OUR PURCHASING POLICIES , WE DID HOLD A ETHICS CLASS FOR ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES, WE DID HAVE ETHICS AND IT INCLUDED PUBLIC RECORDS TRAINING ALONG WITH IT . WE HAD IT VIDEOTAPED SO WE CAN PUSH THAT OUT TO ALL EMPLOYEES. IF YOU WOULD LIKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THAT, WE HAVE THAT AVAILABLE FOR EVERYBODY. THEY ARE WORKING ON IT NOW TWEAKING IT AND PUTTING IT ON THE YOUTUBE CHANNEL.
>> ONE OF THOSE YOU MADE MANDATORY .
>> WE DID MAKE IT MANDATORY FOR EVERY SINGLE EMPLOYEE .
>> IT DEPENDS ON WHETHER -- >> RIGHT. MOST EVERY DEPARTMENT HEAD WAS THERE, IF THEY HAD NOT SCHEDULED TO BE AWAY. A LOT OF
[00:55:02]
FOLKS WORKED IN PURCHASING AND HAD THAT TOUCH PURCHASING TO MAKE SURE THEY UNDERSTOOD. PEOPLE JUST DO NOT UNDERSTAND, THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT THE RULES ARE. NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING DELIBERATELY, THEY JUST DON'T KNOW.>> SOMETIMES YOU NEED REFRESHERS .
>> EXACTLY. >> COMMISSIONERS HAVE FOUR
HOURS EVERY SINGLE YEAR . >> EXACTLY. AND WE HAVE NEW STAFF COMING AND ALL THE TIME AND THEY HONESTLY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE RULES ARE. THIS WILL BE PART OF THE ON BOARDING
PROCESS. >> THAT SHOULD BE ONGOING.
>> IT WILL BE PART OF THE ON BOARDING PROCESS SO EVERYONE HAS A GOOD INSIGHT AS TO THAT REQUIREMENT. THE MURAL THAT WAS STARTED ALONG THE INDIAN RIVER DRIVE WALL IS UNDERWAY. I FEEL BAD ABOUT ALL THE RAIN, I HOPE NOTHING GETS WASHED AWAY THEY ARE WORKING ON IT, THE WHOLE WALL IS PAINTED WITH A BASE
COAT. >> I SAW THEY WERE WORKING
SUNDAY. SUNDAY . >> THERE WERE A LOT OF FACEBOOK POST I SAW SAYING WHY ARE THEY ALLOWING SPRAY PAINTERS AND GRAFFITI ARTIST TO BE THERE. I WAS LIKE, WE PLANNED THAT. WE DO HAVE THE CITY COMMISSION DAY MEETING ON MONDAY. I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW WE WILL HAVE THE KING'S LANDING UPDATE, THEY ARE REQUIRED TO GIVE A QUARTERLY UPDATE AS PART OF OUR AGREEMENT, THAT WILL BE HAPPENIN ON MONDAY. I ALSO WANTED TO SHARE THAT WE HEARD A LOT ABOUT SHOT SPOTTER AND DIFFERENT POLICE THINGS. ON THAT AGENDA, HOPEFULLY , IS GOING TO BE THE FLOCK SAFETY. WE ALREADY HAVE FLOCK SAFETY, THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF THAT SERVICE THAT INCLUDES A SHOT DETECTION SYSTEM. IT HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR A LONG TIME, IT HAS BEEN ON THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WANT LIST , WE ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH THE ACQUISITION OF THE EXPANSION OF THAT PROGRAM AND PRODUCT. OUR UNION CONTRACTS WILL BE ON THAT AGENDA AND WE WILL HAVE THE LOVELY DISCUSSION ABOUT SHORT
TERM VACATION RENTAL FEES. >> OH BOY.
>> -- ON THAT AGENDA. >> I THOUGHT WE PUT THAT THING
TO REST. >> I THOUGHT YOU DID TO CREATE SOMEHOW IT CAME ON THE LIST THAT YOU WANTED TO REVIEW IT AGAIN. IF YOU ALSO YOU DO NOT WANT TO REVIEW IT AGAIN --
>> HAS THERE BEEN MUCH DISCUSSION ABOUT IT?
>> I HAVE HAD ZERO FEEDBACK. NOBODY IS COMPLAINING . WE ARE NOT RECOMMENDING ANY CHANGES TO IT .
>> MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, I BELIEVE THERE WAS A REQUIREMENT TO REVIEW IT .
>> IT WAS NOT INCORPORATED INTO THE RESOLUTION I LOOKED.
>> WE CAN REVIEW IT OR NOT, RIGHT ?
>> IT WAS NOT IN THE RESOLUTION, THAT IS CORRECT.
>> I SAID IT THIS WAY , IT IS BETTER TO BRING IT UP, TALK ABOUT IT OR ASK ANYONE TO TALK ABOUT IT , JUST SAY WE BROUGHT
IT UP AND MOVE ON. >> I WILL SAY THIS . IN MY POLICY COMMITTEE MEETING IN ORLANDO, THERE WAS A LOT OF TALK ABOUT VACATION RENTALS AS NOT -- THAT CERTAIN MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE WHO HAVE BEEN THE ONES WHO TRIED TO MAKE IT ALLSTATE HAVE SAID I AM NOT DOING IT ANYMORE. REMEMBER THE GOVERNOR VETOED THAT LAST TIME. MAYBE THE LEGISLATURE IS TIRED OF TINKERING WITH IT. I DON'T KNOW.
>> SIX OR SEVEN YEARS THEY HAVE BEEN PLAYING AROUND WITH IT.
>> I WILL BELIEVE IT WHEN I SEE IT.
>> THERE ARE ALWAYS NEW ONES TO COME IN. IT IS ALL RIGHT. WE
CAN TALK ABOUT IT. >> THE LAST THING I HAVE IS WE WILL BE DOING A DECLARATION OF THE STATE OF EMERGENCY THAT WILL BE EFFECTIVE THIS EVENING. I HAVE IT FOR THE MAYOR SIDE AND THEN WE HAVE TO FILE IT WITH THE CLERK AND THAT ALLOWS US THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR AND RECEIVE FEMA. HOPEFULLY WE DO NOT NEED IT. WE WANT TO BE PREPARED IN THE EVENT THAT WE DO. THAT IS ALL THAT I HAVE THIS EVENING.
>> ANY QUESTIONS? MADAM CITY CLERK?
[16. COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION]
>> COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION.
>> WANTS TO GO FIRST >> I WILL GO FIRST. FIRST I WANT TO THINK MS. JOHNSON FOR SEEKING OUT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY . IT WAS FUNNY WHEN YOU SAID IT I LOOKED UP AND THE CITY ATTORNEY WAS LIKE DON'T SAY NOTHING, JUST BE QUIET. I
[01:00:01]
WILL BE QUIET , BUT I GET THOSE COMPLAINTS ALSO . I AM WILLING TO LISTEN BECAUSE I AM TIRED OF THE COMPLAINTS AND I AM TIRED OF HOW SOME OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE ARE BEING FORCED TO LIVE. GUYS, I ALREADY WELCOMED MS. PEPPER TO FORT PIERCE, SHE SAW ME LAST WEEK AND I HEARD , WE WANT YOU, WE NEED YOU AND I AM TELLING YOU NOW, WHEN SHE COMES TO MEET WITH YOU INDIVIDUALLY, BE PREPARED TO BE BLOWN AWAY BECAUSE SHE DOES NOT SEEM LIKE SHE IS TALK. SHE IS READY TO PUT BOOTS ON THE GROUND AND HELP THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE.SHE IDENTIFIED THE LINCOLN PARK AREA. SHE ROLLED AROUND AND THEY ARE READY TO COME AND DO THE WORK THAT WE NEED. IF YOU GET TIME TO MAKE THE APPOINTMENT, GO AHEAD AND MAKE THE APPOINTMENT. MS. PEPPER, I TOLD YOU THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT YOU NEEDED TO TALK TO. IF YOU LOOK TO YOUR RIGHT , THOSE THREE LADIES RIGHT OVER THERE ON THE SAME ROW , YOU CAN START WITH THOSE THREE AND THEY WILL GET YOU TO THE OTHER CONTEXT THAT YOU NEED AND I WILL WAIT UNTIL YOU MEET WITH OTHER COMMISSIONERS AND THEY COULD PROBABLY GIVE YOU SOME MORE. I KNOW THOSE THREE RIGHT THERE, THEY CAN GET YOU EVERYWHERE YOU NEED TO GET TO IN THE LINCOLN PARK, FORT PIERCE AREA THEY CAN GET TO THERE. THERE IS A CONNECTION.
>> I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR THE CLEANUP DAY THAT WE HAD. I WISH THERE WERE MORE PEOPLE, BUT IT WAS A PRETTY GOOD SHOWING AND JUST THINK, EVERYTHING THAT WE CLEANED UP THAT SATURDAY NOW WE DO NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT GETTING BLOWN AROUND THE CITY IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS. IT DOES
MATTER. >> AS A PERSON THAT KEPT MY WORD YOU CAN LAUGH AT ME CITY ATTORNEY I'M GOING TO SAY IT, I DID DRIVE AROUND AND I SAW SOME STREETS WITH SOME NAMES ON THEM AND I -- BUT I DID NOT SEE ANYBODY CLEANING UP. I'M NOT GOING TO CALL ANY NAMES THIS TIME, BUT I WILL CALL NAMES NEXT TIME BECAUSE IT IS ONE THING TO SAY YOU CARE ABOUT THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE TO THE POINT WHERE YOUR ORGANIZATION HAS ASKED THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE TO PUT A NAME UP ON THE SIGN THAT SAYS I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS STREET AND THEN I DO NOT SEE ANYTHING THE WHOLE YEAR. THEN WE HAVE PLANNED THE CLEANUP DAYS AND YOU DO NOT HAVE ANYBODY OUT THERE THERE.
IF I WOULD HAVE SAW ONE PERSON I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF MY CAR AND HELP YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE TRYING TO DO SOMETHING. YOU HEARD HER SAY THERE ARE FORMS THAT NEED TO BE FILLED OUT IF YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR NAME UP ON THAT ROLE. WE ARE VERY SERIOUS. WE ARE LOOKING FOR ACTION. IF YOU WANT YOUR CITY TO BE CLEAN, STOP WAITING ON SOMEBODY ELSE YOU ASKED FOR THAT ROAD, CLEAN IT UP. OTHER THAN THAT, I TELL EVERYBODY TO BE SAFE GOING ON WHAT COMMISSIONER CURTIS JOHNSON SAID WITH THE DEPUTY CHIEF WAS SPEAKING, IF YOU SEE SOMETHING OR YOU SEE SOME TYPE OF DEBRIS , DO NOT WAIT UNTIL WEDNESDAY MORNING AT 7:59 WHEN THE STORM IS SUPPOSED TO HIT AT 8:00 TO TRY TO CALL PUBLIC WORKS. GO OUT THERE TONIGHT, GO OUT TOMORROW AND IF IT IS SOMETHING YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT, CALL AND LET US KNOW SO WE CAN ATTEMPT TO TRY TO GET IT. CANNOT GUARANTEE IT WILL GET PICKED UP BUT AT LEAST WE KNOW WE CAN GO FROM THERE. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST. AGAIN, PRAYERS TO THE PEOPLE IN NORTH CAROLINA AND PARTS OF FLORIDA AND TENNESSEE THAT ARE STRUGGLING AND I AM PRAYING FOR THE PEOPLE ON THE WEST COAST OF FLORIDA BECAUSE YOU KNOW, USE A CATEGORY 5 RIGHT NOW WINDSHEAR, CATEGORY 3 , IF YOU CAN REMEMBER RIGHT, JEAN AND FRANCIS WERE THREE WHEN THEY HIT US BACK IN THE BACK IN, THREE, FOUR CAN DO DAMAGE DO NOT TAKE IT LIGHTLY THAT IT WILL DROP BACK DOWN FROM 5 TO 3. I LIVED THROUGH JEAN AND FRANCIS THAT WERE THREE AND IT WAS PRETTY UGLY AND I AM PRAYING FOR THEIR SAFETY AND I HOPE THE RESIDENTS
[01:05:01]
OVER THERE TAKE HEED OF THE OFFICIALS. WHEN YOU SEE VACATE, THIS IS NOT ONE WHERE I THINK YOU NEED TO STICK IT OUT, GO AHEAD AND VACATE AND SAVE YOUR LIFE THE LAST THING, MADAME MAYOR, I DID ATTEND THE CITY POLICIES AND AS YOU KNOW I'M ON THE UTILITIES . I WAS ACTUALLY TEXTING THE CITY MANAGER ABOUT OUR , WHAT WAS IT ?>> SURCHARGE. >> WHICH ONE OUTSIDE THE CITY
LIMITS? >> THAT IS A HEATED ARGUMENT INSIDE THAT POLICY COMMITTEE. I WAS SHOCKED THAT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE INSIDE THAT SAID OTHER CITY LEADERS THAT SAID WE SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CHARGE OUTSIDE OUR CITY LIMITS , I WAS ACTUALLY SHOCKED. I WAS LIKE, YOU WANT US TO GIVE YOU SOMETHING AND PAY FOR EVERYTHING , IT WAS KIND OF HEATED AND THEY SAID YOU SHOULD CREATE YOU OWN IT, YOU SHOULD.
IT GOT HEATED WERE PEOPLE LIKE US , NOT ME, I JUST LISTEN. ONE GUY BASICALLY SAID IF THAT'S THE CASE -- I AM JUST TELLING YOU IT GOT HEATED. THAT PART OF ME WAS GOOD UNTIL THAT PART.
YOU KNOW HOW IT IS BUT I JUST WANT US TO KNOW THAT I THOUGHT COMMON SENSE WOULD SAY IF WE ARE PROVIDING YOU WITH A SERVICE AND WE ARE TAKING CARE OF EVERYTHING FOR THE SERVICE , THE SURCHARGE IS APPROPRIATE AND IT IS ALLOWED BY STATUTE AND CODE . I AM JUST LETTING YOU KNOW I WAS NOT IN TALLAHASSEE, I WAS IN OTHER CITY'S THAT DO NOT FEEL THAT WAY THAT ARE ON OUR SIDE. I WANTED TO BRING THAT BACK TO THE BOARD. I DO BELIEVE THAT MY COME BACK UP IN TALLAHASSEE IN JANUARY . WE NEED TO BE PREPARED CREATE
>> REPRESENTATIVE BRACKET INTRODUCE THE LEGISLATION BUT HE WAS SURPRISED WHEN I TOLD HIM WHAT -- HOURS IS VERY REASONABLE. SOME CITY'S HAVE REALLY MADE A BIG SURCHARGE .
THOSE ARE THE ONES THAT I THINK ARE REALLY ANGRY.
>> I JUST WANTED TO BRING IT TO OUR ATTENTION. I KNOW MADAME MAYOR SAID HERS IS NOT GOING BACK UP, SHORT-TERM RENTAL, WE WILL SEE SOME BILLS ABOUT SURCHARGES OUTSIDE OF THE CITY LIMITS. THAT IS WHAT I PULLED FROM THAT MEETING.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. >> WANT TO GO NEXT JAY JOHNSON?
>> YES. I JUST WANT TO COMMENT ON THE UTILITY, FIRST OF ALL I LIKE THAT STUFF. NUMBER TWO, AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE DEVELOPERS COME IN AND EXTEND CITY SERVICES , SPECIFICALLY WATER AND SEWER AND THEY PLAY A BIG ROLE IN THIS. THEY PLAY A BIG ROLE WITH THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND THE UTILITY DEPARTMENTS. THEY WANT TO DEVELOP THE PROPERTY AND THEY HAVE TO HAVE PUBLIC UTILITIES TO DEVELOP THE PROPERTY. THEN THEY WALK AWAY AND THEY STICK THE RESIDENTS, A.K.A. PROPERTY OWNERS WITH THE BILL. NOT A LOT OF FOLKS KNOW THERE IS A SURCHARGE. THERE IS A BALANCE BETWEEN AND MAYOR, YOU SIT ON THE UTILITY AUTHORITY BOARD BUT THERE IS A BALANCE BETWEEN URBAN SERVICE BOUNDARIES AND THE EXTENSION OF THE SERVICES ALONG WITH ANNEXATION. THEY ALL THREE GO HAND IN HAND AND IT IS A CONVOLUTED AND COMPLICATED ITEM . THEY GO HAND IN HAND AND IT GOES BACK TO THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND IT GOES BACK TO FOLKS KNOCKING ON OUR DOOR SAYING WE WANT TO BE IN THE CITY, WE DON'T WANT TO BE IN THE CITY THE COUNTY IS SAYING WE WANT YOU TO DEVELOP BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE PUBLIC UTILITY SERVICE. IT IS A VERY COMPLICATED AND COMPLEX FORMULA. AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE FOLKS THAT MOVE INTO OUR LITTLE COMMUNITIES, THEY ARE THE ONES THAT END UP PAYING FOR IT. FOR US, NOW IT IS MORE WEAR AND TEAR ON THE STREETS, IT MIGHT BE MORE WEAR AND TEAR ON OUR TRUCKS IN THE UTILITY SERVICE INDUSTRY THEY WILL SERVE OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS AND WE ARE THE OWNERS, WE THE RESIDENTS OWN THE UTILITIES.
BACK IN THE DAY WHEN THE CITY DECIDED TO BE IN THE UTILITY BUSINESS, BACK IN 1900 WHATEVER THAT'S WHAT THEY DECIDED. I HAVE A LOT OF FAITH IN WHAT THE PREVIOUS LEADERS INSTITUTED, WHAT THE RESIDENTS VOTED ON FOR A RESOLUTION , YOU ARE RIGHT, IT IS A VERY COMPLICATED ITEM. I IMAGINETALLAHASSEE WILL GET INVOLVED AT SOME POINT BECAUSE SOME FOLKS ABUSE THE SYSTEM. WE
SEEM TO DO IT JUST RIGHT. >> WE ARE IN A SWEET SPOT
[01:10:05]
BECAUSE WE HAVE A SEPARATE UTILITY AND OUR TRANSFER IS VERY REASONABLE. SOME CITY'S ARE NOT THAT REASONABLE .>> WE ARE IN A GOOD SPOT. I WILL ADVOCAT HOWEVER YOU NEED
WITH A HAT ON OR OFF. >> WE WOULD LOVE FOR THEM TO COME IN THE CITY IT IF THEY COME TO THE CITY THEY GET TO
PAY TAXES AND NO SURCHARGE. >> AS FAR AS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, THERE IS A LOT TO THAT. I WOULD CHANGE THE NAME.
TO BE HONEST . I WOULD ASK THEM TO CHANGE THE NAME. THE FORMULA IS NOT WORKING. THERE ARE SO MANY PROBLEMS, I HAVE SPOKEN TO SO MANY FOLKS AS ARE MANY PEOPLE THAT WERE ACTUALLY EMPLOYED BY ME YEARS AGO THAT HAD FAMILY MEMBERS AND A PART OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND THEY ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE RESIDENTS AND THE HOUSING THAT THEY ARE PROVIDED AND THEY SHARE. AT THE END OF THE DAY , THE FORMULA NEEDS TO BE REWRITTEN BECAUSE , HOW DO I EVEN SAY IT ? SOMETIMES WHEN YOU GET INTO A BUSINESS , OR A BUSINESS ENTITY YOU FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE TO EXPAND, EXPAND AND YOU FORGET AND YOU HAVE TO MAINTAIN. WE HAVE BEEN THERE. WE HAVE BEEN THERE AS A CITY AD AS A UTILITY. YOU GROW THAT IS PART OF GROWING PAINS. I WILL JUST SAY THAT THEY PROBABLY NEED TO REWRITE IT AND DIAL BACK AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAINTAIN THEMSELVES AND I WILL BE GLAD TO HELP HOWEVER I CAN. THAT WAS WHAT I WANTED TO SAY
ABOUT THAT PART. >> YOUR JEALOUS ? WIFE?
>> I COME UP TO THEM I CANNOT GET THE STARING FROM THE CORNER
>> I'M NOT SAYING WE HAVE A VOTE AUDIT.
>> YOU SAY WHAT I WANTED TO SAY NICER. THANK YOU.
>> MADAM CHAIR AND COMMISSIONERS, TO DEFEND MYSELF YOU HAD COMMISSIONER COMMENTS COMING UP AND THAT WAS THE TIME FOR YOU TO SAY WHATEVER YOU WANTED TO SAY.
>> I UNDERSTOOD YOUR LOOK, BE QUIET.
>> ARE YOU DONE? >> NO, MA'AM.
>> WE ARE ALSO THINKING OF ALL OF THE FOLKS THAT ARE GOING THROUGH THE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGES. I FAMILY WITHIN 20 MINUTES OF THE FOLKS IN THE ASHEVILLE MOUNTAINS, THE SMOKY MOUNTAINS, THEY WERE NOT DIRECTLY AFFECTED, THEY ARE BOOTS ON THE GROUND, THEY ARE SERVING AND WHEN I TALK TO THEM, IT TOOK ME A WEEK BEFORE I COULD TALK TO THEM SO I DID NOT KNOW, IT IS INTENSE. IT IS MORE INTENSE THAN WHAT WE ARE BEING SHOWN. IT IS BAD. I AM ENCOURAGED THAT CREWS FROM FORT PIERCE ARE SERVING A PARTS OF FLORIDA, WHETHER UTILITIES OR VOLUNTEERS . I WAS WITH A GROUP OF FOLKS AT OUR CHURCH LAST NIGHT AND THEY HAD JUST COME BACK FROM THE NORTHWEST SECTION OF FLORIDA AND THEY WERE GIVING SOME STORIES ALSO. WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE COMING AND I THINK WE ARE WELL PREPARED AS A CITY.
I WAS GOING TO ASK ABOUT THE STATE OF EMERGENCY BUT YOU COVERED IT. I THINK WE ARE STILL FIGHTING FEMA ON A FEW THINGS , MAYBE EVEN FROM 04. IT IS AMAZING IT IS PROCESS THE WAY IT IS. WE HAVE TO DO THE THINGS WE HAVE TO DO TO MAKE SURE OUR CITY IS IN THE RIGHT SPOT THANK YOU PUBLIC WORKS, THANK YOU ENGINEERING, THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE FOLKS WHO ARE OUT THERE DOING AS MUCH AS THEY CAN. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, THEY ARE GOING TO GO ON , I IMAGINE A ALPHA BRAVO SHIFT.
HAVE NOT HEARD . >> THEY WILL DO WHAT'S NEEDED.
>> COMMISSIONERS, I WOULD SHARE WITH YOU, IF YOU GET A CHANCE AND THEY GO INTO THAT, THIS IS A GREAT TIME, IF IT IS NOT SUPERINTENDENTS, GO VISIT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND SEE HOW THEY OPERATE SO YOU CAN SEE THE OPERATIONS AND YOU CAN SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH FOLKS COMING AND GOING , LIMITED SPACE. I DID IT IN 2017, I WAS OUT AND ABOUT AND I SAID I'M GOING TO DRIVE TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT KNOCK ON THE DOOR, I DID NOT INTERFERE WITH ANYONE, IT TOOK 10 MINUTES, THREE QUARTERS OF THEM DID NOT EVEN KNOW I PUT MY HAT DOWN AND I WAS WALKING AROUND BY ONE OF THE DEPUTY CHIEFS JUST CHECKING EVERYTHING OUT SAYING THANK YOU. IT IS A EYE-OPENING EXPERIENCE . I SHARE THAT WITH YOU ALL TO DO THAT IF YOU CAN.
>> I WILL LET YOU KNOW IF IT WILL HAPPEN I DO NOT KNOW IF
THEY MADE THE CALL. >> THERE IS INFRASTRUCTURE NEED OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. THAT'S ALL I HAVE.
[01:15:03]
>> ON YOUR THING WITH THE POLICE, JUST SO YOU KNOW, THE SAND DROPS ARE VERY APPRECIATED A LOT OF PEOPLE AND RESIDENTS ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE . THEY WERE VERY APPRECIATIVE.
>> WE HAD TO REPLENISH SEVERAL TIMES.
>> THAT IS GREAT. >> I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME YOU TO FORT PIERCE. I THINK WE HAD A PLAN SCHEDULED BUT THAT WILL BE RESCHEDULED. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DIRECTION OF SOME ORGANIZATIONS ALREADY DOING SOME WORK . I THINK WE NEED TO BEGIN TO ALWAYS ALIGN AND JOIN THOSE ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY , A MUCH-NEEDED RESOURCE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO AN
ALIGNMENT. >> I THINK, AS WE THINK ABOUT OUR CITY AND PREPARATION FOR THIS STORM , MY COLLECTIVE PRAYERS, OUR COLLECTIVE PRAYERS ARE WITH THE CITY AND ALL OF THE RESIDENTS HERE. I HOPE PEOPLE TAKE HEED TO WHAT IS HAPPENING AND DO NOT LET YOUR GUARD DOWN. IT WAS KIND OF DISTURBING, I WAS LOOKING AT STUFF ON FACEBOOK THIS MORNING, MY USUAL TIME 3:30, 4:00 A.M. , WHEN EVERYBODY ELSE IS ASLEEP.
THERE WERE PEOPLE MAKING CONVERSATION ABOUT POWER BEING OUT ALREADY. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THAT IS ABOUT. WHEN I LOOKED , I DO KNOW OUR CREWS WILL DO ALL THAT THEY CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE POWER. I ASKED THEM TO BE SAFE TOO AND THEY WILL COME OUT WITH AN ABUNDANCE OF SAFETY TO RESTORE WHEN THEY CAN. IF AT SOME POINT WE DO NOT RESPOND BECAUSE OF THAT. TO THE FIREFIGHTERS, TO THE PUBLIC WORKS, POLICE DEPARTMENT, SHERIFFS DEPARTMENT, UTILITY WORKERS, JUST ORDINARY CITIZENS , I JUST ASK YOU TO BE CAREFUL THIS WEEK. THERE WILL BE SOME TREES, HOPEFULLY NOT TOO MANY AND HOPEFULLY NOT TOO MANY POWER LINES. JUST BE CAREFUL AND HAVE ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION.
ONE THING, I APPRECIATE THE SAND DROPS, THAT WAS GREATLY APPRECIATED. FOR THOSE CITIZENS WHO DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO SANDBAGS, DO WE HAVE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THEM SO IF THEY DO NOT HAVE ACTUAL SAND BAGS, THERE WERE A COUPLE OF RESIDENTS THEY HAD DIRT BUT NO BAGS TO PUT IT IN PRINT JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT. I DO
NOT KNOW HOW THAT WORKS. >> DO THEY USE PLASTIC BAGS OR
GARBAGE BAGS? >> THEY CAN USE GARBAGE BAGS.
IN THE PAST WE HAVE HAD THOSE SUPPLIED .
>> I CAN ANSWER THAT QUESTION. FROM WHAT I SAW THIS MORNING AND FROM WHAT THEY SAID, HOME DEPOT HAD PALLETS AND PALLETS OF BAGS THIS MORNING. I DO NOT KNOW IF THEY ARE STILL THERE. I ALSO KNOW I SAW PEOPLE FILLING UP GARBAGE BAGS, BUT WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU HAPPY COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, I SAW ONE IN FORT PIERCE THIS MORNING BECAUSE SOMEBODY CAME IN WITH SMALLER GARBAGE BAGS, YOU COULD TELL IT WAS GOING TO TEAR AND I SAW RESIDENTS GIVE HER SOME OTHER SANDBAGS. THAT MADE ME FEEL GOOD. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT. FROM WHAT I WAS TOLD THIS MORNING, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE STILL THERE NOW, HOME DEPOT HAD PALLETS OF SANDBAGS FOR SALE.
>> I JUST THINK AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO THAT , WE ARE A COASTAL COMMUNITY AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO BE VIGILANT ON. ONCE YOU FILL THEM ONCE, THEY DO NOT GO AWAY. YOU WILL HAVE THEM . THEY GENERALLY STAY WHERE YOU PUT THEM AND
THEY ARE HEAVY. >> AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS LET'S BE MINDFUL. WE ALL HAVE PEOPLE OUT TO THERE WHO WILL BE INVOLVED IN A LOT OF PROCESSES AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUED UPDATES. I ASKED THAT WE CHARGE OUR PHONES AND BE ON STANDBY . THE OTHER THING THAT I WANT TO SAY, THIS HAS BEEN A VERY TOUGH WEEK ON OUR COMMUNITY. WE HAVE LOST SOME STALWART PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WITH MS. JUDGE ROSS DEPARTING US AND LAST NIGHT THIS CAN BARELA'S , SHE UNFORTUNATELY HAS GONE ON , IT IS QUITE A SHOCK TO US IN THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY , JUST RETIRED MAYBE SIX, SEVEN MONTHS AGO I WAS A PART OF HER RETIREMENT CELEBRATION. I THINK WE JUST HAVE TO VALUE LIFE. LIFE IS TOO SHORT. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO ALL WE CAN WHILE WE CAN RAIN HERE. IT IS
[01:20:02]
IMPORTANT THAT WE REFLECT ON THAT , AS I THINK ABOUT THE PASTOR AND HIS PRAYER, THIS COMMISSION IS COME TOGETHER ONE FORT PIERCE. WE HAVE NOT ALL AGREED ON VOTES , WE HAVE HAD DISAGREEMENTS BUT WE HAVE NOT BEEN DISAGREEABLE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO MODEL THAT. NO ONE IS GOING TO SEE EVERYTHING ONE WAY AND WE INTERPRET THINGS DIFFERENTLY AND WE DO NOT LISTEN TO OUR CONSTITUENTS. SOMETIMES WE NEED TO BRING THEM ALONG BECAUSE OF INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE AND VICE VERSA. IT IS A WELL-ROUNDED PROCESS. AS WE TURN THE CORNER HERE IN THE SELECTION PROCESS COMING UP IN THE NEXT 30 DAYS OR SO, I PRAY FOR OUR NATION AND PRAY FOR OUR CITY THAT WE CAN GET THESE CIVILLY. WITH THIS STORM ON TOP OF IS, WHO KNOWS WHAT CONDITION THE STATE WILL BE IN. I TOO AM ON THE POLICY COMMITTEE. I CHAIR A COMMITTEE ON POLICY AND IT IS A COMBINATION OF A LOT OF THINGS. AND I AM REALLY WORRIED ABOUT A NUMBER THINGS, ANNEXATIONS BETWEEN CITY'S AND COUNTIES AND LARGE PARCELS OF LAND WITH HAVING NOT THOUGHT OF MAINTAINING GREEN SPACE AND RANCHING AND SMALL NUMBER DWELLING UNITS ON PROPERTY ACREAGE IS PARAMOUNT IN SOME CASE AND SOME A GROWING. THAT WAS ONE THING AND THE MOST DOMINANT THING THAT I WAS TELLING MADAME MAYOR, SMALLER CITY'S RIGHT NOW ARE BEING THREATENED BY DISSOLUTION FROM THE LEGISLATURE. THEY ARE TRYING TO DISSOLVE SOME CITY'S. I COULD TELL YOU THAT WE ARE GOING TO BAN TOGETHER AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE DO NOT WANT THAT HAPPENING. WE ARE 411 CITY STRONG. THE ACTIONS, THE OVER REACHING OR OVERARCHING ACTIONS OF OUR LEGISLATURE WILL BE TESTED THIS CYCLE. NOT ONLY FROM UTILITIES, TRANSPORTATION TO JUST THE ABILITY FOR US TO LEGISLATE . I HAVE SAT HERE AND I HAVE WATCHED PEOPLE COME TO THAT PODIUM AND ASKED US TO DO STUFF NOT KNOWING THAT OUR HANDS ARE TIED BECAUSE OF THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND THAT HAS GOT TO CHANGE. WHILE I HAVE THE GAVEL AT THIS CHAIR FOR THE LEAGUE OF CITY'S , I AM GOING TO MAKE SURE WE COMMUNICATE THAT. OUR CITIZENS PAY ATTENTION TO US MORE SO THAN FLORIDA LEGISLATURE. THEY DEPEND ON US. THEY SEE US, THEY TOUCHED US, WE GO TO CHURCH WITH THEM AND WE HAVE GOT TO HELP THEM TO UNDERSTAND WE NEED THEIR HELP AND WE HAVE TO POINT THEM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OF WHO TO TALK TO AND HOW TO TALK TO THEM SO THAT THEY CAN REPRESENT THE INTEREST IN TALLAHASSEE. WE WILL HAVE TO BE VIGILANT THIS YEAR IN THE LEGISLATURE. THERE WILL BE THINGS COMING OUR WAY . I CAN ALREADY SEE IT IT IS STARTING TO LINE UP. WITH THAT BEING SAID, I JUST PRAY EVERYONE STAY SAFE IN THE CITY AND WE WILL DO THE BEST WE CAN TO MAKE SURECOMMUNICATION STAYS OPEN. >> MR. BRODERICK.
>> A COUPLE OF COMMENTS AND OBSERVATIONS. I HAD A DISCUSSION THIS MORNING FROM HOBBY AND FPA HE HAS INDICATED THEY ARE AT 100% . THEY WERE INVOLVED IN THE NEUTRAL ASSIST PROGRAM WHERE CREWS GO TO HELP THE SMALL UTILITIES OR INDEPENDENT UTILITIES AROUND AND ALL OF OUR FOLKS ARE BACK, ALL OF THE EQUIPMENT IS BACK HERE. HE INDICATED THE ABILITY TO LATCH ONTO MUTUAL AID AND ASSIST OTHER MEANS THE PENALTIES WILL BE LIMITED BASED ON THE SIZE OF THE STORM. AS HE PHRASED IT, I'M USING HIS WORDS, WE ARE ON OUR OWN. I HAVE VERY CONFIDENCE IN GETTING US BACK ONLINE FASTER THAN FPL WILL IN NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES. FPL WILL BE A TRAIN WRECK , THEY ARE SPREAD WAY TOO THIN AND YOU AT THIS AND. HE WAS VERY CONFIDENT AND AS EXPECTED TO BE, HE HAD A ACTION PLAN FOR ALL CONTINGENCIES. MY FIRST OBSERVATION IS COMMISSIONER GAINES REPORT WHERE HE SAID HE SAT IN ON A MEETING AND LISTENED AND DID NOT SPEAK .
>> I DIDN'T. >> I THINK WE NEED TO SEE THE
VIDEO OF THAT MEETING AND >> I WILT IN NOVEMBER BUT I DID
IN OCTOBER. >> MY SECOND OBSERVATION OF THE EVENING. I SAW A PIECE ON THE NEWS THE OTHER NIGHT THAT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION WHERE THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE INSTITUTED A BUDGET INCREASE THIS YEAR OF BETWEEN 20 AND 25%. THEIR BUDGET INCREASE , INCREASE ONLY , NOT THEIR
[01:25:01]
BUDGET , INCREASE ONLY IS MORE THAN TWICE THE SIZE OF OUR ENTIRE OPERATING BUDGET. THE NUMBERS ARE SHOCKING. THEIR BUDGET IS NOT UP TO APPROXIMATELY $860 MILLION A YEAR. OUR BUDGET IS BASICALLY A, -- COMMA . I SAY THAT FACETIOUSLY BUT IN ALL SERIOUSNESS I COME BACK TO THIS REGULARLY BECAUSE THE EXPECTATIONS ON WHERE THE MONEY IS COMING FROM IN THE CITY COMMISSION TO FUND ALL THE INITIATIVES IT NEEDS IS A LOT OF HANDS OUT TO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AND THERE IS NO MORE MONEY COMING IN. I'M VERY EXCITED TO HEAR FURTHER REPORTS FROM COMMISSIONER C JOHNSON ON THIS COMMITTEE HE IS INVOLVED WITH RELATIVE TO ANNEXATION.YOU KNOW A TOPIC NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART. WE WILL OWN IT ALL AT SOME POINT IN TIME. BUILD IT AND THEY WILL COME. WE ARE COMING FOR YOUR. PLEASE BUILD IT BECAUSE WE ARE COMING.
>> MY NEXT COMMENT WAS RELATIVE TO CONGRESSMAN BRIAN MAST WITH THE HELP OF MS. COX AND HER STAFF, WE POLISHED UP OUR SUBMISSION THAT I HAVE BEEN STEWARDING TO GET FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THERE HAVE BEEN FOLLOW-UP EXCHANGES OF CONVERSATIONS AND EMAILS RELATIVE TO THIS. WE HAVE MEETING WITH THE CONGRESSMAN THIS WEEK. THAT IS NOT ONE OF THE ITEMS DRIVING THIS MEETING, ÚI INTEND TO MAKE IT ONE OF THE ITEMS DRIVING THIS MEETING WHEN WE MEET.
>> IT'S NEXT WEEK . >> HAS IT BEEN CHANGED? PROBABLY NOT A BAD IDEA TO CHANGE.
>> WE WILL CONTINUE TO PRESS THIS ISSUE. FUNDING REQUEST IS SOMEWHERE IN THE VICINITY OF 40 MILLION , BETWEEN 30 AND 40 MILLION IN TOTALITY , PRIMARILY DRIVEN BY POLICE DEPARTMENT AND PUBLIC WORKS. WE ARE GOING TO HAMMER THIS POINT HOME AND SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO FOR US OR WHAT HE IS ABLE TO DO FOR US. IT IS IN TWO PHASES, ONE INITIALLY IS TO RECAPTURE MONEY THE CITY HAS EXPENDED FOR COSTS RELATED TO THE TRUMP ISSUES NEXT DOOR AT THE COURTHOUSE, WHICH MAY BE IN ONE OF THE CRS THAT IS GOING THROUGH AND PASSED BY CONGRESS AND THE SECRET SERVICE PORTION OF THAT BUDGET. THE MAJOR TRON WILL BE NEXT YEAR'S OPERATING BUDGET AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL. WE WILL MONITOR IT AND I WILL KEEP EVERYONE POSTED AS THAT PROGRESSES. MY FINAL ISSUE IS A FOLLOW-UP ON COMMISSIONER JAY JOHNSON'S COMMENTARY ABOUT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS. I DID NOT ATTEND THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS BECAUSE WE WILL BE OUT WORKING BUT I DO INTEND TO STOP BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND PUT SOME EYEBALLS ON THAT. I ALSO DID REQUEST RIGHT ALONG WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
DAYTIME SHIFT AND NIGHTTIME SHIFT SO THAT I CAN GET A PICTURE OF WHAT'S GOING ON. I CERTAINLY HOPE, DON'T SEND ME TO THE EASY AREAS. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT . I THINK THAT
IS ALL I HAVE. >> YOU HAVE FIRE DISTRICT TO.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT AS WELL.
>> THAT IS EYE-OPENING. >> I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT TO MY ATTENTION. LET ME KNOW, COMMISSIONER JOHNSON AND I SIT ON THAT AND WE CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
>> CANNOT DRIVE THE TRUCK? >> NO.
>> HE HAS ONE MORE. >> I JUST WANT TO UPDATE YOU ALL. WE HAD A GOOD TPO MEETING THE OTHER DAY. I AM ENCOURAGED WHEN I SEE OUR STATE PARTNERS LOOKING AT OUR COMMUNITY AND WORKING IN OUR COMMUNITY. WHERE OUR STATE ROADS ARE BEING IMPROVED. FOR THE LAST, IT HAS BEEN EIGHT YEARS, SEVEN AND THREE-QUARTER YEARS I HAVE BEEN ABDOMEN FOR A LONG TIME. I'M NOT SAYING THEY EVEN LISTEN BUT THEY ARE WORKING OUT HERE. THEY ARE WORKING ON A FEW OTHER ROADS. THANK YOU TO JACK AND THE STAFF. I WANTED TO SHARE A COMMENT I MADE IN MY STAFF MEETING THE OTHER DAY ABOUT CODE ENFORCEMENT. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE ROADWORK GOING ON? YOU SEE ENERGY AND EXCITEMENT. YOU SEE NEW THINGS HAPPENING IN YOUR COMMUNITY, DEVELOPMENT APPLICATIONS AND ANNEXATIONS. MY POINT IS, AS THE STORIES BEING TOLD ABOUT FORT PIERCE , THE STORY HAS BEEN TOLD FOR MANY YEARS NOW OUR STATE PARTNERS ARE HERE AND LISTENING. SO I MADE A COMMENT ABOUT CODE ENFORCEMENT. AS YOU SEE NEW PAVEMENT, IT'S A SHINY NEW CAR AND PEOPLE ARE EXCITED THEY WANT TO OBSERVE IT AND NOW THEY WANT TO DIG INTO THE CODE ENFORCEMENT SIDE AND DIG INTO DIFFERENT PARTS OF OUR COMMUNITY. IT DOES NOT MATTER, NORTH, SOUTH, EAST, WEST, IT IS ALL OVER OUR CITY OF JUST ENFORCING OUR OWN RULES THAT
[01:30:05]
ARE ON THE BOOKS. THAT'S ALL IT TAKES. WE HAVE THE EXCITEMENT, THE MOMENTUM, WE HAVE THE STATES BACKING WE HAVE OUR OWN ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS AND NOW IS THE TIME TO ENGAGE THAT AND ENHANCE IT. WHAT WE THOUGHT WE WERE DOING WELL, CHANGING THE FORMULA IN A DIFFERENT WAY WITHIN OUR OWN SYSTEM. I DID WANT TO SHARE THAT. I DID GET MY THANKS AFTER THE MEETING TO THE D.O.T. FOLKS BECAUSE I HAVE TALKED ABOUT THEM FOR MANY YEARS AND THEY ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT JUST AS MUCH AS I AM EXCITED THEY ARE HERE WORKING. I DID WANT TO SHARE THAT, OUR STATE GROUPS ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF FORT PIERCE AND THEY ARE EXCITED TO WORK YEAR.>> GOOD. >> CODE ENFORCEMENT, HALF THE PEOPLE ARE HAPPY TO SEE THEM AND THE OTHER HALF ARE NOT.
>> I DID WANT TO , MS. COX TALKED ABOUT THE DISASTER PROCLAMATION. WHEN I WAS FIRST MAYOR, ONE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY SAID YOU DO NOT HAVE MUCH TO DO , YOU ARE ABOUT THE SAME AS THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS. THE ONLY THING YOU CAN DO DIFFERENTLY IS
YOU CAN PROCLAIM A DISASTER. >> WHAT AN HONOR.
>> RIGHT. >> AND YOU CAN ISSUE A PROCLAMATION. EVERYTHING ELSE, JUST SO PEOPLE KNOW MY VOTE COUNTS THE SAME AS THE OTHER FOUR COMMISSIONERS WE ARE ALL EQUAL IN THIS AND I GET THE PLEASURE AND HONOR OF RUNNING THE MEETING. MANY PEOPLE THINK THAT THE MAYOR HAS A LOT OF POWER. A LOT OF MY FRIENDS SAY YOU CAN PARK THERE YOU ARE THE MAYOR IT WON'T MATTER. I SAY NO. THE MAYOR HAS THE PARK LEGALLY EVERYWHERE. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY KNEW WE ARE ALL EQUAL, IT TAKES THREE VOTES UP HERE TO DO ANYTHING IN THE CITY. I WANTED TO REEMPHASIZE THAT.
>> I ATTENDED THE CHARRETTE ON SATURDAY AND IT WAS WELL ATTENDED AND PEOPLE STAYED AND MADE THEIR PRESENTATIONS AND THEY WERE GOING TO BE HERE THROUGH THE NEXT FEW DAYS BUT PROBABLY THE HURRICANE IS GOING TO AFFECT THAT. THERE WAS A LOT OF EXCITEMENT AND THERE WERE SOME DEVELOPERS THERE, THERE WERE PROPERTY OWNERS, JUST ORDINARY PEOPLE, THERE WERE RESIDENTS, IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WHAT COMES OUT OF THIS. I AM GLAD YOU BROUGHT UP ABOUT THE POWER. IF UA IS ON HIS OWN BECAUSE REALLY, ALL THE POWER COMPANIES IN THE SOUTHEAST ARE STRETCHED VERY THIN , ALSO IN FLORIDA. ON THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. I DO APPOINT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD MEMBERS. I TALKED TO ROSA TO WASHINGTON WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ONCE A MONTH ABOUT , I ASKED HER WHAT IS GOING ON , WHAT THE PROBLEMS ARE, WHAT IS HAPPENING AND SHE HAS SHARED WITH ME THAT THERE ARE UNITS THAT ARE EMPTY BECAUSE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THEY HAVE TO DO IS ONCE PEOPLE MOVE OUT, THEY HAVE A LOT OF WORK OFTEN , IN TERMS OF CLEANING THEM AND MAKING THEM LIVABLE. THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW HUD RULES. HUD AUDITS THEM. THERE IS A LOT MORE TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY THEN WE ALL KNOW . I AM GLAD YOU'RE LOOKING INTO IT. I ENCOURAGE IS WORKING WITH HER BOARD AND WANTS TO DO THE RIGHT THING. MAYBE WE ALL COULD HELP HER AND HELP OUR RESIDENTS . I KNOW THERE IS A WAITING LIST . ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAS HAPPENED IS PEOPLE HAVE COME FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY AND THEY HAVE VOUCHERS AND THEY GET ON THE WAITING LIST TOO. THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF THINGS, CONSIDERATIONS BEYOND THE CONDITIONS THAT ARE THERE NOW AND THE APARTMENTS THAT ARE EMPTY. THERE IS A LOT MORE TO IT AND I'M GLAD YOU'RE LOOKING INTO IT AND I ENCOURAGE YOU. IF I CAN HELP YOU ANYWAY I WOULD BE HAPPY TO.
>> SATURDAY, I THINK THESE THINGS WILL HAPPEN. THE WHITE CANE AWARENESS DAY IS GOING TO BE HELD AND WE ARE MEETING AT AVENUE A AND US 1 AND WE ARE WALKING WITH PEOPLE WHO USE WHITE CANES FROM THERE TO THE MARINA TO BRING AWARENESS TO PEOPLE WHEN YOU SEE A WHITE CANE BUT THIS IS A PERSON WHO IS LEGALLY BLIND AND CANNOT SEE AND THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT YOU NEED TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT AND VERY SAFE . WE WANT THEM TO FEEL SAFE AND BE SAFE. ACTUALLY I DID A WHITE CANE, I TRIED TO
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DO IT EVERY TIME THEY ASK ME AND ONE TIME THEY BLINDFOLDED ME AND MADE ME WALK WITH A WHITE CANE AND THAT IS A VERY VERY HUMBLING EXPERIENCE , LET ME TELL YOU . THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN VERY DEFINING AND NEVER LEFT ME. THEN WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE NAMING OF THE ALL ACCESS PLAYGROUND AFTER THE SUNRISE QANTAS AT 10:00. I THINK ALL OF THAT WILL HAPPEN, IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE WET AND TORN UP, WE WILL SEE. GOD BLESSFOR EVERYBODY IN THE HURRICANE. >> I HAVE ONE PARTICULAR ITEM, OBVIOUSLY WE ARE HOPING FOR THE BEST FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE WITH THE STORM AND OUR CITIZENS. DON'T FORGET YOUR PETS. YOU HAVE PETS, YOU HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE SAFE. BRING THEM IN AND BRING THEM OUT OF THE ELEMENTS. IT IS A RESPONSIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF THEM PLEASE DO THE APPROPRIATE THING AND PROTECTOR ANIMALS.
>> GOOD POINT . >> WE DON'T KNOW ANYTHING
ABOUT SHELTERS YET. >> WE HAVE TREASURE COAST HIGH SCHOOL AND WESTWOOD ARE BOTH OPEN. I BELIEVE THEY ARE BOTH
PET FRIENDLY SHELTERS. >> THE THIN CENTER IS OPEN AS A
SPECIAL NEEDS SHELTER AS WELL. >> WATCH FOR INFORMATION ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND WHEREVER YOU GET YOUR NEWS SO YOU CAN KEEP UP TO DATE. EVERYBODY BE SAFE, GOD BLESS, WE WILL ADJOURN THE MEETING SO EVERYONE IF YOU LEAVE THE CHAMBERS WE APPRECIATE IT WE WILL TURN OUT THE LIGHTS. IF YOU WANT TO TALK TO
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.