[1. CALL TO ORDER]
          [00:00:19]
          2.÷÷÷÷ ÷OPENING PRAYER - BISHOP CRAIG COBB WITH CITY OF FAITH 
          >> LET US PRAY, FATHER WE THANK YOU FOR YET ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE OUR PURPOSE AND TO EXIST TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AS A CHANGE AGENT. WE COME FOR YOU THIS EVENING, TO LIFT UP THE CITY COUNCIL, THE MAYOR, THE COMMISSIONER AND ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CREATING A QUALITY OF LIFE WITHIN THIS AREA, CITY OF FORT PIERCE. WE THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE, AND ALL YOU ARE GOING TO DO. WE ARE EXPECTING GREATNESS IN 2025. IN JESUS'S NAME, AMEN. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. 
          >> CALL THE ROLL PLEASE. 
          [5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM DECEMBER 16, 2024 REGULAR 
          MEETING. >> THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. 
          [a.  Dave Strothmann, Vice President, Ocean Village Property Owners Association, commended Danielle Goncalves, a Permit Specialist in the Building Department, for her exceptional communication, helpfulness, and professionalism during a challenging permit process.]
NEXT HIS LETTERS TO THE COMMISSION. DAVE STROTHMANN, VICE PRESIDENT, OCEAN VILLAGE PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION, COMMENDED DANIELLE GONCALVES, A PERMIT SPECIALIST IN THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT, FOR HER EXCEPTIONAL COMMUNICATION, HELPFULNESS, AND PROFESSIONALISM DURING A CHALLENGING PERMIT PROCESS. THE CITY OF ST. PETERSBURG PUBLIC 
          [b.  The City of St. Petersburg Public Works professionals expressed heartfelt gratitude for the City of Fort Pierce’s donation to the Disaster Recovery Assistance program, which provided essential supplies and support for storm-affected staff.]
WORKS PROFESSIONALS EXPRESSED HEARTFELT GRATITUDE FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE'S DONATION TO THE DISASTER RECOVERY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, WHICH PROVIDED ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES AND SUPPORT FOR STORM-AFFECTED STAFF. THE NEXT IS DELETIONS OR 
          [8. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
ADDITIONS TO THE AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA. 
          >> ARE THERE ANY CHANGES, IF NOT I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION 
          TO APPROVE. >> I MOVED TO APPROVE IT. 
          ROLL BEING CALLED ] THE NEXT IS COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC. 
          [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.]
          >> THIS IS A TIME FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE SIGNED UP WITH THREE MINUTES. WE WILL GIVE YOU A WARNING OF HOW MANY SECONDS , 10 SECONDS. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES AND PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. THE FIRST PERSON IS EMILY FINGERHUT 
          EINSTEIN. >> I BEEN CONTACTED AND ASKED TO READ HER STATEMENT ON HER BEHALF. MY ADDRESS IS 590 SOUTH DRIVE. REGARDING THE HIRING OF NEW CITY MANAGER, IT IS MY YOU KNOW THAT WE NEEDED NEW BLOOD AND TO HIRE A CITY MANAGER THAT IS NOT EMPLOYED BY THE CITY OR RELATED TO SOMEBODY THAT IS. 
          FORT PIERCE HAS A HABIT OF EDUCATING EMPLOYEES FROM POSITIONS TO POSITIONS. TO HELP ENSURE THE CITY'S DIRTY LAUNDRY IS NOT AIRED AND ALSO ALLOW THEM TO CONTINUE TO CONTROL THE NARRATIVE. FIRST IS RECRUITING QUALIFIED EMPLOYEES TO HELP US PROSPER. TYPICALY WHEN A COMPANY'S PRESIDENT IS REMOVED BECAUSE OF MISCONDUCT IT'S CALMING IS TO HIRE OUTSIDE TO CLEAN HOUSE. THEY ARE NOT ENTANGLED IN EXISTING RELATIONSHIPS WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION. ALLOWING FOR A MORE OBJECTIVE AND THOROUGH EVALUATION OF ISSUES AND IMPLEMENTATION OF NECESSARY CHANGES. FORT PIERCE SHOULD DO THE SAME THING. WE NEED A FRESH SET OF EYES, SOME IT IS NOT KNOW WHERE THE BODIES ARE BURIED AND WILL NOT ALLOW THE COVERUPS TO CONTINUE. TRULY THE BEST INTEREST OF THE BUSINESS OWNERS AND THE RESIDENCES, NO MATTER WHAT IS DISCOVERED. THIS SHOULD NOT BE ON THE JOB TRAINING WE NEED SOMEBODY THAT HAS EXPERIENCE IN MANAGING A CITY TO AT LEAST GET US BACK ON TRACK. HOPEFULLY SOON. IT IS HEARTBREAKING TO SEE THE FAILURES AND THE IMPACT OF THE FAILURES ARE HAVING DIRECTLY ON THE RESIDENTS AND DOWNTOWN BUSINESS OWNERS. MOST OF WHICH BECAUSE OF MISMANAGEMENT. NOT HAVING ANY CHECKS AND BALANCES. 
          ALL OF THESE FAILURES COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED BUT THE CITY 
          [00:05:01]
DID NOT LISTEN TO ITS RESIDENCES OR LISTEN. SOME EXAMPLES THAT WERE DISMISSED BY KEY CITY STAFF INCLUDING KINGS LANDING, LITTLE GEMS CANCELED AND A LOT OF MONEY GOING OUT TO TWO NONPROFITS THAT DO NOT SEEM TO BE REINVESTING IT INTO THE DISTRICT AS REQUIRE BY THE STATE. THE CITY HAS NOT ASKED THEM FOR A REPORT UNTIL WE PRESS FOR ONE. WE CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER FAILED PROJECT OR CONTINUE DOWN THESE HOLES. TIME TO RIP THE BAND-AID OFF, WE DESERVE BETTER AND HOPEFULLY THE CITY WILL START LISTENING. THIS AGENDA ITEM IS JUST A STARTING POINT OF EVALUATING THE CANDIDATES. I WILL NOT GO INTO DETAILS OR GIVE EXAMPLES OR EVIDENCE. PROVIDED THAT I AM TO PREPARED TO PROVIDE THEM WHEN AND IF NEEDED TO ENSURE THAT WE END UP SOMEBODY NOT EMPLOYED BY THE CITY AND NOT AS PART OF THE ISSUE. DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, KNOWINGLY OR NOT KNOWINGLY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, CHRIS FEINSTEIN. 
          >> THANK YOU. SCOTT HAWKINS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JONES FOSTER ON BEHALF OF 30 310 PALM BEACH GARDENS. I AM NOT CERTAIN WHETHER I WILL HAVE AN UP TO ME TO SPEAK WITH YOU LATER TODAY ABOUT ITEM 13 WHICH PERTAINS TO KINGS LANDING AND THE REQUEST RELATIVE TO THE ASSIGNMENT OF THE AUDUBON INTEREST. I AM HERE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I'M PREPARED TO TALK ABOUT THE PROGRAM LATER. WE HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE THAT IS THE ENTITY AND A MAJOR HOMEBUILDER IN THE NATION THAT WILL BE TAKING THE ASSIGNMENT. WE HAVE COMPLIED TO GIVE YOU NOTICE OF THE ASSIGNMENT . WE REQUESTED TO BE HERE THIS EVENING. MRS. HEDGES HAS BEEN VERY COOPERATIVE AND HELPFUL. I SIMPLY AM WANTING TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNOW THAT I'M AVAILABLE TO TALK. WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVES TO CONTACT YOU AS WELL. I AM HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR MAYBE LATER IN THE MEETING. NEXT WEEK YOU WILL HEAR ABOUT POSITIVE THINGS HAPPENING WITH KINGS LANDING INCLUDING WHERE WE ARE WITH THE MARRIOTT AND MAINSAIL WHICH IS THE HOTEL OPERATOR. THIS IS 
          PROGRESSIVE. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE NEXT IS THE AUDUBON DEVELOPMENT IS THAT THE SAME? THERE WERE TWO SIGN-UPS THIS -- OKAY. THANK YOU. MICHELLE LONGARSA. MY ADDRESS IS CONFIDENTIAL AND I AM WRITING THIS ON CHRIS EINSTEIN. THERE ARE CITY COMMISSIONERS AND MADAME MAYOR. AS YOU ARE WHERE I HAVE BEEN AGAINST AUDUBON BEING AWARDED THIS PROJECT FROM THE BEGINNING. WE ARE IN THIS SITUATION BECAUSE THERE WERE NOT PROPERLY VETTED. THE CITY ACCEPTED A NON-COMPETE /NON- COMPLETE . IF HE WERE TO BE VETTED, HE WOULD HAVE EVEN NOT MADE IT PAST THE RFQ STATUS. WE HAVE ALWAYS SAID THAT THEY WILL SELL OR FLIP LAND OR JUST THE VILLAS AND TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN. SINCE THOSE ARE THE LEAST EXPENSIVE AND MOST PROFITABLE FOR SOMEBODY IN HIS POSITION. 
          WHAT IS DONE IS DONE AND NOW WE HAVE TO MAKE THE BEST OF THIS HORRIBLE SITUATION. THE CITY OWES THE RESIDENCES AND THE BUSINESSES TO WAIT. BECAUSE THERE IS MORE INVOLVED THAN TO JUST SELLING THE PLANS FOR THE VILLAS. WHY, ALL OF A SUDDEN TO JUST GET IT DONE WITH THAT SO MANY UPCOMING DEADLINES. BY DECIDING THIS TONIGHT, THE CITY WOULD BE CUT OFF TO SPITE HIS FACE. AMENDING AND REINSTATING THE AMENDMENT, HOW IS THE CITY CONFORMING THAT THE BUYER IS PLANNING ON STAYING CONSISTENT WITH THE DEVELOPMENT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE AGREEMENT AND THE SITE PLAN. THERE ARE NO ATTACHMENTS, OR SUBMISSIONS SHOWING INTENTION FOR THE AGENDA ITEM. AND NO DECISION SHOULD BE MADE UNTIL WE KNOW WHAT THE INTENTION IS AND IF CONSISTENT. HAS ANYONE EVEN VETTED THE BUYER? EVERY LEARNED OUR LESSONS BY NOW. PLEASE DO NOT FORCE US TO ACCEPT THIS WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT WE ARE GETTING INTO. WE HAVE AVOIDED THIS AND WAITED THIS LONG. DO THEY PLAN ON EVEN BUILDING THE 
          [00:10:02]
VILLAS? WILL THEY BE LUXURY WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT THEY WILL BUILD. WE HAVE NO IDEA, THE IMPACT OF THE DOWNTOWN AND THE CITY. FROM AMENDMENT 2, ON A VAN UNTIL JANUARY, 2025 TO PRODUCE THE DOCUMENTS TO THE SURETY - SHOWING THE MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL. THE CITY SHOULD WAIT TO SEE IF THEY WILL SUBMIT AN APPLICATION. PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING PROMISE HAS NOT BEEN DONE AND EVERY TIMELINE HAS COME AND GONE OR AN EXTENSION HAS BEEN ASKED FOR. HARBORED DECISION ABOUT THE JOINT VENTURE MOVING FORWARD IS SUPPOSED TO BE NEXT MONTH. THAT COULD IMPACT THE REST OF THE PARCELS IN THE FUTURE. WHAT IF THEY BACK OUT AND THE NEXT POTENTIAL BUYER NEEDS THE PLANS FOR THE VILLAS TO MAKE THE NUMBERS WORK. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> GUS GUITERREZ, 117 ORANGE AVENUE AND I WANT TO REQUEST FOR DENIAL FROM MY SUGGESTION ON THE AUDUBON. THESE FELLOWS WERE NEVER THE ISSUE OF WHY WE GAVE THEM. WE ALWAYS HAD A CONSISTENT HOTEL AND CONDOMINIUMS IS THE MAIN PROJECT. WE HAVE BEEN ON - LET ON IN SIX YEARS. BUT THIS HAS TO BE A HARDY DENIAL AND WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THE HOTEL WITH THE MARRIOTT . IF THAT GOES THAT IT IS GOING TO BE ONE MONTH, BIG DEAL. AFTER THAT, FOR ALL WE KNOW, MARRIOTT MIGHT WANT THAT FOR A PARKING LOT. 
          THAT IS THE PRIORITY, THE HOTEL AND THE CONDO, NOT FACILITATING THESE LITTLE VILLAS THAT ARE GOING TO BE AN EASY GRAB. WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THE INITIAL INTENT WHICH WAS HOTEL FOR DOWNTOWN AND CONDO RESIDENCE FOR DOWNTOWN. NOT THIS REALLY THAT IS GETTING DETACHED WITHOUT ANY CONSISTENCY TO WHAT HAS BEEN PROMISED OVER SIX YEARS. THE OTHER ISSUES , I WAS NOT CLEAR ON ISSUE 11 D . IS THAT RELATED TO KINGS LANDING 
          AS WELL? >> WILL NOT ANSWER THAT BUT WE WILL ANSWER LATER. JUST TELL US YOUR QUESTIONS. 
          >> IF ANYTHING PERTAINS TO KINGS LANDING, SHOULD BE HELD OFF UNTIL WE HAVE MARRIOTT 100% AND AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED. 
          IF THEY WANT THAT PROPERTY AS PART OF A CONDITION, FOR THE VILLAS. THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO, TO WAIT TO HAVE THE CONDO 
          [11. CONSENT AGENDA]
RESOLVED. THAT IS IT, THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. THAT COMPLETES PUBLIC COMMENT. 
          >> THE NEXT ITEM IS THE CONSENT AGENDA. 
          >> I HAVE A COUPLE OF ITEMS. >> LET US PULL AND CONTENT E 
          FOR CLARITY. >> SURE. WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR THE REST OF THE AGENDA? 
          >> 2ND FOR THE AGENDA PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. 
          CALLED ] >> ITEM 11 WILL YOU LIKE TO 
          [d.  Approval of Interlocal Agreement between St. Lucie County and the City of Fort Pierce on Non-Annexation of Airport Property. ]
READ THAT. D. APPROVAL OF INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN ST. LUCIE COUNTY AND THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE ON NON-ANNEXATION OF AIRPORT PROPERTY. 
          >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> I HAVE READ NUMEROUS DISCUSSIONS RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE EXPLAIN WHAT THE LOGIC IS BEHIND THIS SO THE RESIDENTS UNDERSTAND. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH SAINT LUCIE COUNTY IS ASKING FOR A LOT WITHOUT A RETURN BUT THAT IS NOT TRUE. THIS IS REALLY TWO PORTIONS OR TWO PARTY AGREEMENTS WITH THE AGREEMENT TO NOT TOUCH THE AIRPORT FOR ANNEXATION. AS WE GO WEST WE WILL HAVE CONTINUOUS PROPERTY TO ANNEX. SAINT LUCIE COUNTY HAS INVESTED EXTENSIVELY IN THE FACILITIES, FINANCIALLY AND FROM A WORK PERSPECTIVE. THIS WILL ATTEMPT TO PROMOTE THE AIRPORT FOR CIVIL SATIATION AND MAKING GREAT STRIDES IN 
          [00:15:07]
THAT AREA. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE IS GOING TO OWN AND MANAGE AN AIRPORT COUNTY IS BEST SERVED TO DO THAT. THE OTHER PORTION OF THAT AGREEMENT IS THAT THEY ARE GOING TO NOT CREATE BARRIERS FOR ANNEXATION. FOR EXAMPLE THIS PROPERTY IS 110 ACRES HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR 2.5 MILLION SQUARE FEET OF SPACE . THAT IS WHAT WE WANT , HENCE WHY THIS IS A TWO SIDED AGREEMENT. THERE ARE MAJOR BENEFITS TO THE CITY TO ACCELERATE OUR ABILITY TO ANNEX THOSE PROPERTIES AND INCREASE OUR TAX BASE, SIGNIFICANTLY. AND WHEN WE COME TO THE GROUND, THE DEVELOPER AND THE COUNTY IS ON BOARD AND THE CITY IS ON BOARD. TRULY THIS IS A WIN, WIN FOR THE COUNTY IN THE CITY. I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS NOT JUST A ONE-SIDED DEAL THAT WE ARE GIVING SOMETHING UP BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING A SIGNIFICANT RETURN. IT IS GOING 
          TO BE A BENEFIT TO EVERYBODY. >> I APPRECIATE THAT EXPLANATION. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE HAD FOR A WHILE. 
          IT IS ALSO THE AIRPORT AUTHORITY AND THE PORT AUTHORITY. I THINK THEY ARE GIVING UP THE WESTERN END BUT WE CAN ANNEX ANYTHING AROUND IT. IT IS PART OF A DEAL THAT 
          WE TRADITIONALLY HAVE BEEN IN. >> I THINK IT IS FROM AN ANNEXATION PERSPECTIVE, THE JOBS CORRIDOR. ALL OF THE ITEMS THAT WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THAT HAVE LINKAGE. IT ALL FALLS INTO PLACE AND THIS IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT TO THAT. I'M EXCITED ABOUT GETTING OUR PORTION AND THE COUNTY IS ALREADY ON BOARD. 
          AS THE DEVELOPER IS, SO THIS IS A GREAT SCENARIO. 
          >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? >> LET ME FURTHER AND THAT TO MAKE IT TO MAKE SENSE. WE ARE ALREADY ON THE WEST AND WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PROJECTS ON KINGS HIGHWAY. THIS IS AN ADDITION THAT GOES TO THE FUNDAMENTAL GOALS OF WHAT WE SOUGHT OUT TO DO. WE HAD TO INCREASE OUR TAX BASE IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. TO AFFORD THE AMENITIES THAT THE CITIZENS ARE EXPECTING FROM US, LIKE PUBLIC SAFETY. NOT TOO LONG AGO WE WERE IN A DEEP CONVERSATION OF HOW WE CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THE RESOURCES FOR OUR PUBLIC SAFETY COMPONENT. THIS SITUATION ALLOWS FOR THAT BECAUSE THE BUILDING OF THAT CONTINUOUS CORRIDOR SOLIDIFIES THAT. IT BRINGS ON A VIABLE PROJECT WITH CONTRACTORS WILLING AND ABLE TO GO THAT WILL IMMEDIATELY ADD TO THE TAX BASE FOR CITY OF FORT PIERCE. I AM IN FAVOR OF IT. 
          THE OTHER IS THE PROPERTIES AROUND THAT AIRPORT ARE STILL LIABLE FOR ANNEXATION. WHO KNOWS? AT SOME POINT, THE COUNTY MIGHT CHANGE THEIR MIND WHEN IT COMES TO ANNEXATION AND WHATEVER THAT MIGHT LOOK LIKE. I HAVE NO IDEA. FOR RIGHT NOW, I HAVE MY HEAD AROUND THIS AND IT MAKES SENSE MOVING FORWARD. 
          >> IF THERE IS NO OTHER DISCUSSION, COMMISSIONER BRODERICK. 
          [e.  Approval of Change Order No. 2 for Specific Authorization No. 4 with Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $49,980.00 for the Indian River Drive Historic Downtown Waterfront Corridor Improvements. ]
CHANGE ORDER NO. 2 FOR SPECIFIC AUTHORIZATION NO. 4 WITH KIMLEY-HORN & ASSOCIATES, INC. IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $49,980.00 FOR THE INDIAN RIVER DRIVE HISTORIC DOWNTOWN WATERFRONT CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS. 
          >> I ASKED I THINK I UNDERSTAND IT. BUT I WOULD LIKE OUR CITY 
          ENGINEER TO HELP WITH US. >> MR. ANDREWS? 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON. THIS IS FOR THE DESIGN OF THE INDIAN RIVER DRIVE PROJECT. I THINK THE MAJORITY OF IT WAS FOR ADDITIONAL SOIL THAT WAS NECESSARY FOR THE PAVEMENT AND THE BRIDGE RECONSTRUCTION. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO . 
          >> IT IS MORE OF AN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE ARE MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO INDIAN RIVER DRIVE. THIS CHANGE IS AN ENTITY THAT WILL DO AN ENGINEERING STUDY. THINGS THAT 
          [00:20:02]
HAVE TO DO FROM AN ENGINEERING PERSPECTIVE AS WE IMPROVE THE 
          DRIVE ITSELF. >> IS CORRECT. 
          >> REGARDLESS OF WHAT IS HAPPENING, KINGS LANDING BUT INDIAN RIVER IS ON THE SCHEDULE FOR BRIDGE REPAIR AND ADDRESSING CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES THAT WE 
          HAVE ON INDIAN RIVER DRIVE. >> YES. 
          >> TO HANDLE THE CAPACITY OF WHAT IS COMING. WITH THAT , LET ME MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE 11 D. E 
          [g.  Recommendations from the Arts and Culture Advisory Board seeking approval of the Mayor and City Commission to include sponsorship of the Highwaymen Festival in the amount of $20,000 and soliciting bids for a mural on the Highwaymen Museum. ]
CALLED ] G.÷÷÷ ÷RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY BOARD SEEKING APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION TO INCLUDE SPONSORSHIP OF THE HIGHWAYMEN FESTIVAL IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,000 AND SOLICITING BIDS FOR A MURAL ON THE HIGHWAYMEN MUSEUM. 
          >> I CANNOT SPECIFICALLY RECOLLECT DID WE DO THIS LAST 
          YEAR? >> YES. THE ARTS AND CULTURE COMMITTEE MADE THE RECOMMENDATION TO HELP SPONSOR THE HIGHWAY FESTIVAL FOR $20,000. THE OTHER PART IS TO DO A MURAL ON THE NEW HIGHWAY , AND TO GO OUT FOR BIDS. BEFORE WE DID ANYTHING, THAT WOULD COME BACK TO YOU. THIS WAS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY WITH FUNDS AVAILABLE. 
          >> YOU JUST BUY THEM A BLANKET CHECK OF $20,000? 
          >> YES, AND THEY WILL GIVE A REPORT ON WHAT THEY HAVE SPENT. 
          >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? >> A MOTION TO APPROVE. 
          SECOND.. 
          [a.  Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 25-001 - Economic Development Ad Valorem Tax Exemption. FIRST READING.]
ORDINANCE 25. ESTABLISHING THE EXEMPTION OF CERTAIN AD VALOREM TAXATION FOR CERTAIN NEW AND EXPANDING BUSINESS PROPERTIES PROVIDING DEFINITIONS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR PROCEDURES FOR APPLICATIONS FOR EXEMPTIONS. SPECIFYING DUTIES OF THE PROPERTY APPRAISER IN THE CONNECTION WITH SUCH PROPERTY REQUIRING A WRITTEN TAX EXEMPTION AGREEMENT. FOR A SUNSET CLAUSE IN CONFLICT AND PROVIDE FOR THE SEPARATE CLAUSE. THIS IS THE FIRST READING. WE DO NOT HAVE A FORMAL PRESENTATION BUT THIS IS SIMPLY CODIFYING WILL OF THE TAX PAYERS. WHEN WE DO THE REFERENDUM TO TASK TEST PAST THE EXEMPTION, ONE OF THOSE IS THAT WE PUT INTO OUR CITY CODE. 
          WE HAVE ACTUALLY NEVER DONE THAT. THAT IS WHY NOBODY HAS REALLY TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF IT BUT WE HAVE SOMEBODY THAT IS INTERESTED IN TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THIS PROGRAM. THIS IS SIMPLY TO PUT IT IN OUR CODE SO THAT IT WILL BE THERE FOR EVERYBODY. 
          >> ANY QUESTIONS? THE VOTERS WANTED US TO DO THIS AND THIS 
          IS FORMALIZING IT. >> WE HAVE USED IT BEFORE WHEN WALMART CAME IN. IT IS BEEN AROUND FOR 20 YEARS BUT HAS NEVER BEEN WRITTEN. THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY. 
          >> THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE, FORWARD. I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND COME BACK TO THE COMMISSION FOR MOTION. 
          >> DID WE RECENTLY DO THIS WITH THAT OTHER COMPANY? THIS IS THE 
          PROGRAM. >> WE DID A RESOLUTION ESSAY WILL BE INTERESTED IN ENTERTAINING THAT WE DID NOT START IT WE JUST SAID THAT WE WOULD BE INTERESTED IN 
          ENTERTAINING. >> THEY HAD TO COME BACK . 
          >> YES, WITH THE FORMALIZED PROCESS. 
          [b.  Legislative Hearing-Ordinance 25-007, Amending Chapter 103,  Article IX - Buildings and Building Regulations, Providing for Public Access to the International Property Maintenance Code. FIRST READING]
HEARING-ORDINANCE 25-007, AMENG REGULATIONS, PROVIDING FOR PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE. FIRST READING 
          [00:25:03]
TWO PROVIDE FOR THE PUBLIC ACCESS AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF THE ORDINANCES AND CONFLICT PROVIDING SEPARATE CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR PROBABILITY. 
          >> MR. THOMAS, WELCOME. >> GOOD EVENING. THERE IS A LINK BETWEEN ITEM B AND C . I JUST WANTED YOU TO UNDERSTAND A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY. VERY RECENTLY, HUD HAS COME UP WITH THE DETERMINATION THAT THE SPECIAL AREA HALF TO HAVE A TWO FOOT BOARD. PREVIOUSLY, THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE ADOPTED A ONE FOOT. WHATEVER YOUR FLOOD LEVEL IS, YOU HAVE TO BUILD UP . BUT HOW TO SING ANY PROPERTIES IN A SPECIAL FLOOD AREA HAVE TO HAVE TWO FEET WHICH IS HUGE. IF YOU DO NOT DO IT, THEY WILL NOT GIVE YOU FUNDING, OR LOANS OR ANY OTHER THINGS. EVERYONE WHO DOES FLOODPLAIN ADMINISTRATION IS SURPRISED THAT IT IS COMING FROM BEHIND AND NOT FROM ANY ORGANIZATION THAT DO ANY TECHNICAL STUDIES. THIS IS PERHAPS THAT THERE IS SO MUCH DAMAGE AND FEMA RUNS OUT OF MONEY. NOW HUD IS DEALING WITH THE AFTERMATH. THEY ARE MAKING THE SWEEPING DECISIONS. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THAT, OUR CHAPTER ORDINANCE SAID THERE IS A ONE FOOT HAS TO BE MOVED TO TWO FEET. IN THE PROCESS OF DOING THAT, BEFORE WE PRESENT THAT TO YOU AS A COMMISSION WE HAD TO GET APPROVAL THROUGH THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND THE STATE OF FLORIDA. IN THE PROCESS OF DOING THAT, WE CAME TO AN UNDERSTANDING THAT SOME OF THE REFERENCE MATERIAL WAS NOT AS ACCESSIBLE AS WE WOULD LIKE IT TO BE. ALL OF THE REFERENCE MATERIAL IS ACCESSIBLE IN THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT, THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE IS ACCESSIBLE ONLINE. YOU CAN COME INTO THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT TO GET A HARD COPY TO SEE IT. BUT THE PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE, IS NEBULOUS AND AS FAR AS THE MOBILE HOME REPAIR AND REMODELING GUIDELINES, WE WERE GIVEN DIRECTION TO PUT IT IN AN ORDINANCE AND CODIFY IT. THIS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE AND HOW TO FIND IT. IT IS AS SIMPLE AS IT GETS, THERE IS NOTHING ELSE. WE ARE JUST CLARIFYING THAT IF SOMEBODY HAD A QUESTION AS TO WHAT ARE THE GUIDELINES OR FINDING THE MAINTENANCE CODE OR THE GUIDELINES FOR MOBILE HOME OR MANUFACTURED BUILDINGS AND REMODELING. THOSE GUIDELINES 
          ARE PROVIDED. >> THE NO CHANGES EXCEPT THE 
          ONE FEE TO TWO FEET. >> YES, THAT IS GOING TO BE COMING IN THE FUTURE. NOW THAT IS WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA. 
          THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WAS REVEALED. 
          >> TRIGGERED IT. >> YES. 
          >> IS THE FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION? 
          >> YES. >> YOU JUST ANSWERED MY QUESTION . I STILL DO NOT AGREE WITH THE FLOOD ZONE MAP. I'VE BEEN IN FORT PIERCE FOR A LONG TIME. I KNOW CERTAIN AREAS HAVE NEVER FLOODED. BUT DO NOT JUST LEAVE IT AT THAT. I AM GLAD THAT MADAME MAYOR SAYS THAT IT IS FOR NEW CONSTRUCTION ONLY. I WILL NOT HAVE TO TELL MY RESIDENTS . 
          >> ABSOLUTELY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? 
          >> THE POLICY BEING ADOPTED THROUGHOUT MISS APPELLEES IN 
          THE STATE. >> AND THE COUNTRY. 
          >> IS A FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REQUIREMENT. HIS HUD IS SAYING THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO HONOR OUR COMMITMENTS OF THE CITIES 
          DO NOT IMPLEMENT IT. >> THEY HOLD THE CHECKBOOK. 
          >> EXACTLY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING, AND ANYBODY WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NO MOVEMENT, WE'LL COME BACK TO THE COMMISSION FOR MOTION. MR. THOMAS, FOR THE NEXT ONE IT IS 
          THE SAME THING . >> EXACTLY. 
          >> YOU MAY SIT DOWN OR GO WHEREVER YOU GO. BUT DO NOT GO 
          FAR. >> HE IS DISMISSED. 
          >> SECOND.. 
          [c.  Legislative Hearing-Ordinance 25-008, Amending Chapter 103, Article XI, Buildings and Building Regulations - Mobile and Manufactured Homes Ordinance, Section 103-403, Providing for Public Access to the Mobile/Manufactured Home Repair and Remodeling Guidelines. FIRST READING]
CITY OF PIERCE AMENDING CHAPTER 103 , ARTICLE XI, BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS - MOBILE AND MANUFACTURED HOMES ORDINANCE, SECTION 103-403, PROVIDING FOR PUBLIC ACCESS TO THE MOBILE/MANUFACTURED HOME REPAIR AND REMODELING GUIDELINES. REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES AND PROVIDING FOR A 
          [00:30:08]
SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS THE 
          FIRST READING. >> THIS IS A PUBLIC READING, ANYTHING WISHING TO COMMENT ON THIS, PLEASE COME FORWARD. 
          >> SECOND..  
          [a.  Resolution 25-R01 Appointing Christopher Widing to the City of Fort Pierce Planning Board as Commissioner Broderick's appointee. ]
COMMISSION. RESOLUTION 25-R01 APPOINTING CHRISTOPHER WIDING TO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE PLANNING BOARD AS COMMISSIONER 
          BRODERICK'S APPOINTEE. >> A MOTION TO APPROVE. SECOND. 
          [b.  Resolution 25-R02 Asserting no objection to St. Lucie County abandoning portions of an unnamed rights-of-ways at or near the Southeast Corner of S US Highway 1 and South of E. South Market Avenue.]
OBJECTION TO ST. LUCIE COUNTY ABANDONING PORTIONS OF AN UNNAMED RIGHTS-OF-WAYS AT OR NEAR THE SOUTHEAST CORNER OF S US HIGHWAY 1 AND SOUTH OF E. SOUTH MARKET AVENUE. PROVIDING FOR A SEPARATE CLAUSE AND PROVIDING. 
          >> DO YOU WANT TO EXPLAIN THAT? >> IT IS BUT THE COUNTY WANTS OUR AGREEMENT TO ABANDON THE RIGHT OF WAY. THIS HAS GONE THROUGH OUR PLANNING DEPARTMENT AND OUR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. 
          JUST TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE NO OBJECTION TO IT. 
          >> IT IS IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE? 
          >> IT IS IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE . 
          >> BUT IT NEEDS THE RIGHT OF WAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? IS THERE MOTION? SECOND. 
          [c.  Resolution 25-R03 appointing an at-large position to serve on the FPUA Board, filling the unexpired term of Larry Lammers.]
25-R03 APPOINTING AN AT-LARGE POSITION TO SERVE ON THE FPUA BOARD, FILLING THE UNEXPIRED TERM OF LARRY LAMMERS. THEY 
          HAVE ALL BEEN VERIFIED . >> DO WE HAVE ANY BALLOTS? 
          >> YES, WE DO. COMMISSIONER BRODERICK, PEARL DAVIS, COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, PEARL DAVIS MAYOR HUDSON, PEARL DAVIS COMMISSIONER GAINES PEARL DAVIS COMMISSIONER TAYLOR . THAT 
          WOULD BE PEARL DAVIS. >> WE WOULD LIKE A MOTION. 
          SECOND. 
          [d.  Resolution 25-R05 either granting approval or denying approval of the Sale of the Plat of Villas at King's Landing from Audubon Development, Inc to Kings Landing Ft Pierce, LLC.]
GRANTING APPROVAL OR DENYING APPROVAL OF THE SALE OF THE PLAT OF VILLAS AT KING'S LANDING FROM AUDUBON DEVELOPMENT, INC TO KINGS LANDING FT PIERCE, LLC. 
          PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> I BELIEVE THAT YOU WORK ON 
          THIS. >> S, AND COMMISSIONERS. 
          ESSENTIALLY UNDER THE AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT FOR KINGS LANDING. WHAT THAT CONTRACT SAYS IS THAT IF AUDUBON INTENDS TO SELL ANY PORTION OF THE KINGS LANDING PROPERTY. THEY HAD TO PROVIDE NOTICE TO THE CITY WHICH THEY DID AND WE RECEIVED THAT DECEMBER 27TH. THAT WAS WHEN WE OFFICIALLY RECEIVED THE PROPER NOTICE. WE HAVE 15 DAYS FROM 
          [00:35:01]
RECEIPT OF THAT NOTICE TO EITHER GRANT APPROVAL OR DENYING THE SALE OF THAT PROPERTY. THE CONTRACT SAYS THAT IF WE DO NOT GRANT OR DENY THAT APPROVAL WITHIN 15 DAYS WE ARE AUTOMATICALLY DEEMED TO HAVE APPROVED IT. WE ONLY HAVE 15 DAYS UNDER THE AGREEMENT TO MAKE A DECISION. THE AGREEMENT ULTIMATELY SAYS THAT THE CONTRACT WE HAVE WITH AUTO BAN IS ASSIGNED TO THE THIRD PARTY PURCHASER. WHAT EXISTS WILL TRANSFER TO THIS NEW BUYER UNDER THE AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH AUDUBON. IF YOU ALSO LOOK AT THE AGREEMENT, THERE IS A REQUIREMENT FOR A PERFORMANCE BOND WHICH I'VE DISCUSSED WITH AUDUBON'S ATTORNEYS AND THE BUYER IS AWARE OF THE REQUIREMENT TO POST A PERFORMANCE BOND WITH THE SALE OF THE VILLAS PORTION.THIS IS ONLY FOR THE VILLAS PORTION THAT THEY WILL BE SELLING. MR. FREEMAN IS HERE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS RELATED TO SITE PLAN APPROVAL THAT HAS BEEN GRANTED. 
          AUDUBON'S COUNSEL IS ALSO HERE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE SALE OF THE VILLA PORTION. WHAT HAS BEEN RELAYED TO ME IS THEY INTEND TO LEAVE EVERYTHING THE SAME. THAT HAS BEEN APPROVED, SO FAR FROM AUDUBON. THEY ARE HERE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THAT SPECIFICALLY FROM THEM. I BELIEVE THEY COULD HAVE A PRESENTATION REGARDING THIS ITEM IF YOU WISH TO SEE THAT, AS WELL. OTHERWISE, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR ME, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY OF THOSE. 
          >> ANY QUESTIONS FOR ATTORNEY HEDGES? 
          >> I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO READ THE AGREEMENT . COULD YOU EXPLAIN TO THE COMMISSION WHAT GROUNDS WE HAVE, IF ANY TO DENY THIS A SIGNED CONTRACT. THAT IS PORTION ONE. PORTION TWO OF MY QUESTION IS RELATIVE TO THE DEFAULT THAT WE SAW ON THE OVERALL PROJECT. MY QUESTION IS THE BUYER -- IS THIS PROJECT IN THE CAPACITY THAT THE BUYER IS INHERITING IN DEFAULT UNDER THE CONTRACT. THOSE ARE MY TWO QUESTIONS. 
          >> HAD A MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, THE WAY THE CONTRACT READS FOR QUESTION NUMBER ONE. WE MAY NOT UNREASONABLY WITHHOLD CONSENT FOR THE SALE. YOU WOULD NEED TO HAVE A VALID REASON TO WITHHOLD THE CONSENT. THE CONTRACT ALSO SAYS THAT THE INTENT OF THOSE 15 DAYS IS TO REVIEW THE AGREEMENT FOR THE SALE TO MAKE SURE IT IS CONSISTENT WITH OUR DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT. AND CONSISTENT WITH ANY APPROVALS THAT EXIST. YOU HAVE TO HAVE A BASIS. THIS IS NOT A QUALIFIED JUDICIAL HEARING BUT THAT IS THE CLOSEST I CAN LIKEN IT TO FOR WHAT YOU TYPICALLY DEAL WITH. YOU HAVE TO HAVE A VALID REASON TO WITHHOLD THE CONSENT BASED ON THE TERMINOLOGY THAT WE SHALL NOT UNREASONABLY WITHHOLD THE CONSENT. THE SECOND QUESTION, IF YOU CAN REMIND ME. I AM SORRY. 
          >> AS WE ARE AWARE, THERE HAVE BEEN A VARIETY OF TECHNICAL DEFAULTS AND THE OVERALL CONTRACT SCHEME. I BELIEVE WE HELD OFF ON EXECUTING THOSE DEFAULTS WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF HARBERT INTO THE MIX. HOWEVER IN THIS PARTICULAR ASPECT OF THE PROJECT, THEY ARE NOT INVOLVED. IT IS AUDUBON TO A NEW DEVELOPMENT ENTITY. IS THE NEW DEVELOPMENT ENTITY PURCHASING A DEFAULT IT CONTRACT? 
          >> THE ANSWER ESSENTIALLY IS NO . WITH THE SECOND AMENDMENT THE DEFAULTS WENT AWAY. THAT WAS BECAUSE WE DID THE AMENDMENT AND IT CREATED A NEW TIMELINE. THE DEFAULT THAT EXISTED WAS BASED ON ISSUES THAT WERE CHANGED IN THAT SECOND AMENDMENT. THEY ARE NOT INHERITING ANY TYPE OF DEFAULT. 
          THERE IS NO CURRENT DEFAULT THAT HAS BEEN ISSUED TO KING'S LANDING THAT I'M AWARE OF IT. IF SOMEBODY KNOWS, SHE WILL JUMP IN AND TELL ME BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE IS NO OUTSTANDING CURRENT DEFAULT. THE NEW BUYER WILL HAVE TO FOLLOW ANY APPROVAL THAT EXISTS IN THE CONTRACT. IF THEY DO DEFAULT THERE IS STILL THE DIVERSIONARY CLAUSE THAT EXISTS THAT WILL TRANSFER TO THEM. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE AUDUBON COUNCIL IS THE PURCHASE IS FULLY AWARE OF THAT AND UNDERSTANDS THE REVERSIONARY CAUSE THAT EXISTS FOR THE 
          PROPERTY. >> JUST A FOLLOW-UP AND I WILL BE DONE. RELATIVE TO APPROVALS FOR THIS PORTION OF THE PROJECT, THE LAST CONVERSATION I HAD WAS A SIX MONTHS AGO. THE VILLAS WAS INSTALLED IN THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT AWAITING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM AND THE 
          [00:40:02]
ENGINEERS AND ARCHITECTS. FOR THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT TO GO THROUGH A HOST OF QUESTIONS AND THEY RAISED ANY MODIFICATIONS THAT NEEDED TO BE MADE. YOU ARE INDICATING AND YOU MIGHT GET AN OPINION RELATIVE TO LOOKING TO EXECUTE ON THE PLANS AS SUBMITTED. WHERE IN THE APPROVAL PROCESS TO THOSE PLANS SET? HAS THAT BEEN KICKED OUT FROM THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT? OR IS IT STILL EMBROILED IN THE DEVELOPING DEPARTMENT OR PLANNING. I HAVE NO INFORMATION RELATIVE AND THAT IS AN IMPORTANT QUESTION. IT WILL DICTATE A TIMELINE POTENTIALLY. 
          I INTEND TO ASK THEM SPECIFICALLY WHAT THE TIMELINE IS TO GET THIS OFF THE GROUND. THAT SHOULD SET SOME LIGHT. 
          THEY MIGHT HAVE MORE UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION THAN US. 
          >> MET A MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, MR. THOMAS AND WE JUST HEARD FROM HAS LEFT THE ROOM. HE SENT AN EARLIER EMAIL FROM TODAY NOT ANTICIPATING A QUESTION BUT IT IS PERFECTLY ALIGNED WITH YOUR QUESTION. THERE ARE MULTIPLE PROPERTIES WITHIN THE VILLA PORTION. THERE ARE TWO PROPERTIES THAT RECEIVED PERMIT APPLICATIONS. THOSE TWO PROPERTIES THEY WERE REJECTED FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION THAT WAS NEEDED. 
          ESSENTIALLY FOR THOSE TWO PROPERTIES, THEY WILL NEED TO RESUBMIT TO THAT BUILDING APPLICATION. THERE ARE ADDITIONAL EIGHT PROPERTIES THAT WENT TO THE PCR AND RECEIVED APPROVAL BUT THEY DID NOT APPLY FOR A PERMIT YET ON THOSE PROPERTIES. THEY WILL APPLY FOR BUILDING PERMITS FOR THOSE PROPERTIES AS WELL. ESSENTIALLY EVERYTHING HAS DPCR APPROVAL BUT NO BUILDING PERMIT HAS BEEN ISSUED YET. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> JUST TO FOLLOW UP AND I AM CLEAR. IF THEY WERE TO RECEIVE THIS NEW PURCHASE, THEY WOULD ASSUME THE TIMELINE OF THESE ACTUAL IF THIS WAS TO GO 
          THROUGH? >> YES. 
          >> YOU MENTIONED ABOUT A PERFORMANCE BOND. IS THAT CURRENTLY THE -- IS AUDUBON WITH A PERFORMANCE BOND? 
          >> I DO NOT BELIEVE THEY DO. THE WAY THE CONTRACT IS RELATED TO THE SALES, SPECIFICALLY. EITHER AUDUBON OR THE PURCHASER IS REQUIRED TO POST A PERFORMANCE BOND. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT PURCHASER WILL BE POSTING IT BUT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO CONFIRM THAT TO YOU. 
          >> THE PERFORMANCE BOND IS TO PUT THAT IN LAYMAN'S TERMS FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHAT DOES THAT ENSURE? 
          >> ESSENTIALLY THAT THE PROJECT GETS BUILT. THEY WILL POST A BOND SAYING THIS IS WHAT THIS VALUE IS CONSTRUCTION IS WORTH. 
          IF THAT CONSTRUCTION DOES NOT OCCUR, WE CAN GO AFTER THAT PERFORMANCE BOND OR USER TO GET THE PROJECT DONE. 
          >> THOSE THINGS ARE A NIGHTMARE. THEY ARE ENGINEERED TO FAIL. THEY ARE ENGINEERED NOT TO PAY. PERFORMANCE BONDS . 
          >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? IS THERE ANY INTEREST FROM THE PRINCIPALS? WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM WHOEVER IS GOING TO BE THE SPOKESMAN FOR THIS ITEM , PLEASE COME FORWARD. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON, SCOTT HAWKINS . I REPRESENT AUDUBON AS COUNSEL . I AM PLEASED TO INTRODUCE JONATHAN BELL, THE VICE PRESIDENT. THEY ARE THE LARGEST HOMEBUYERS IN THE NATION. MR. BELL AND I HAVE CONFERRED AND HE HAS ASSURED ME. IMB HAS THE FUNDING AND I AGREE WITH MS. HEDGES. THE QUESTIONS THAT WERE ASKED WERE EXTREMELY ACCURATE. I AGREE WITH THE ANSWERS SHE GAVE. AS FAR AS PARTICULARS, MR. BELL CAN COMMENT PICK HE SPENT CONSIDERABLE TIME DOING DUE DILIGENCE. I THINK HE IS VERY CAPABLE TO MAKE THIS BUT LET ME NOTE JUST FOR THE RECORD. THE VILLAS CONSTRUCTION PIECE WAS ALWAYS PROGRAM TO BE THE FIRST CONSTRUCTION PORTION OF THE OVERALL PROJECT. IT IS NOT JUMPING AHEAD OF MARRIOTT, IT WAS ALWAYS SCHEDULED TO OCCUR FIRST. JUST SO THAT IS CLEAR. 
          MR. BELL? >> GOOD EVENING, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN. JONATHAN BELL, IMB HOLMES. YES, WE ARE THE ONE THE 
          [00:45:04]
24TH LARGEST HOMEBUILDER IN THE COUNTRY. WE ARE BIG ENOUGH TO DO THE PROJECT BUT SMALL ENOUGH TO HAVE FLEXIBILITY AND PULL OFF A PROJECT LIKE THIS. THESE VILLAS ARE CUSTOM AND HIGH-END . WE WILL BUILD THEM EXACTLY HOW THEY ARE PLANNED. THAT HAS BEEN OUR THOUGHT FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. LOOKING AT THIS PROJECT, JUST A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY. I DID FOUR EPISODES ON HDTV AND I USED TO GO IN AND REVITALIZE ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOODS . THAT WAS PART OF MY MOTIVE. AND AND ATLANTA NEIGHBORHOOD IN KIRKWOOD AND HIGHLAND PARK NEAR CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE AS WELL. 
          WE LIKE THIS ATMOSPHERE AND WE GRILLED - BUILD ENTRY-LEVEL, ANTI-LEVEL, WITH 1100 LOTS FROM PALM BAY TO PALM COAST. PALM BAY IS ONE OF OUR PRIMARY MARKETS. WE ARE EXCITED TO BE HERE AND WE CAN PULL THE JOB OFF THE GRID ARE VERY FAMILIAR BUT WE DO NOT KNOW ALL OF THE DETAILS IN THE LONG HISTORY THAT HAS GONE ON WITH THIS PROJECT. IT IS PERHAPS BEST THAT WE DO NOT KNOW EVERYTHING. YOU CAN COME IN WITH A FRESH SET OF EYES BUT WE ARE EAGER BEAVERS. WE ARE LOOKING TO GET STARTED RIGHT AWAY. WHEN FAMILIAR WITH THE TIMELINE THAT IS IN THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT. WE CAN MEET THOSE TIMELINES AND PROBABLY BEAT THEM. WE ALREADY HAVE BIDS FOR THE SITE WORK TO GET STARTED ON THE PROJECT. I AM HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE FOR ME. 
          >> ANY QUESTIONS? >> THANK YOU, MR. BELL. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH STAFF , THEY BEEN EXCELLENT TO WORK WITH. THEY ARE VERY NICE AND ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO, WE ARE OPEN AND ACCESSIBLE AND TRANSPARENT IN HOW WE OPERATE. JUST TO KEEP IT 
          EASY. >> MR. BELL. THANK YOU . YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE TIMELINE IN WHICH THIS CURRENT PROJECT IS UNDER. MY CONCERN IS THAT MY UNDERSTANDING THERE WERE PEOPLE THAT PUT A DEPOSIT DOWN IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN ON SOME OF THESE. HAVE YOU HAD CONVERSATION WITH THOSE PEOPLE AND WHERE ARE YOU WITH HONORING THOSE CONTRACTS? YOU ARE ALLUDING THAT YOU ARE HIGH-END BUILDER. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOUR PRICE POINTS ARE PERHAPS AT AUDUBON. CAN YOU 
          HELP ME UNDERSTAND? >> YES. WE HAVE SPOKEN TO A FAMILY MEMBER OF ONE OF THE BUYERS. THEY CAME TO OUR OFFICE AND I THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT TO DO. WE WANTED TO SHOW THAT WE COULD PERFORM AND THEY WERE SUPPORTIVE. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS APPEALING ABOUT THIS PROJECT IS THAT IT HAD TWO PROJECTS ALREADY . THAT KIND OF SET THE BASIS FOR THE PRICE AND FOR MINIMUM PRICE OF THE DEVELOPMENT WHICH IS GREAT PICK WHERE NOT HAVING TO SPECULATE AND FIGURE IT OUT. SO WE ARE GOING TO BUILD PER PLAN, THEY HAVE CHOSEN THE DESIGN OPTIONS. 
          WE KNOW EXACTLY, DESIGNWISE WHAT GOES INTO TOWNHOMES AND THE EXTERIOR IS IDENTICAL TO THE PLANS. IT IS JUST EASIER FOR US AND TO SPEND A COUPLE OF HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS WE DO NOT NEED TO DO THAT FOR THIS PAINFUL APPROVAL PROCESS TO REDO PLANS. IT IS EASIER TO INHERIT AND START BUILDING. 
          >> YOU AGREE WITH THE SPECS AND HOW IT HAS BEEN INITIALLY LAID OUT BY AUDUBON. YOU CAN PICK IT UP AND BASICALLY GO TO WORK AND 
          GET IT DONE. >> THAT IS EXACTLY IT. WE HAVE ALREADY GONE OUT TO OUR SUBCONTRACTORS TO GET BIDS. 
          THAT HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND EVEN THE SITE WORK HAS BEEN VETTED OUT. WE ARE PRETTY MUCH READY TO GO. 
          >> THE LAST QUESTION ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE BOND. WE HAVE HAD COMMENTARY. WHAT COULD I UNDERSTAND FOR THE CITIZENS OF THIS COMMUNITY THAT THIS PERFORMANCE BOND WILL BE WHAT IT IS AND WHAT IS THE TOTAL ASPECT OF THIS BUILDING? WHAT 
          IS THE NUMBER ON THIS? >> ON A SALES SIDE WE ARE LOOKING AT $15 MILLION . WE HAVE SOME UPGRADE OPTIONS WITH ELEVATORS AND A SWIMMING POOL A FEW DIFFERENT THINGS THAT CAN BIT. THAT IS THE THRESHOLD THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT WITH EVERYTHING ELSE IN ADDITION TO THAT. 
          >> THE PERFORMANCE BOND WOULD BE $15 MILLION-$20 MILLION? 
          [00:50:02]
          >> YES. WE DO PERFORMANCE BOND ALL THE TIME. WE DO A LOT OF 
          OFF-SITE SIDE WORK AS WELL. >> AND WE LIVE UP TO THEM, WE 
          HAVE NEVER DEFAULTED. >> OKAY. YOU HAVE HEARD IT 
          HERE. >> DO YOU BUILD HOTELS? 
          >> PERSONALLY, I BUILT ABOUT 4000 APARTMENTS AND I BUILT UP TO SEVEN STORIES. BUT NOT HOTELS. 
          >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> YOU ARE LOOKING TO BASICALLY SLIDE INTO THE PROCESS WHERE THEY ARE SITTING AT RIGHT NOW. 
          YOU HAVE TWO APPROVALS READY TO GO. AND WITH EIGHT UNITS COMING TO DROP MORE PLANTS FOR SUBMISSION. 
          >> YES. >> I NOTICED THERE WAS AN ADDENDUM IN THE PACK TOOK - PACKET YOU HAVE TIGHT TIMELINES AS FAR AS GETTING COMMISSION APPROVAL ARE NOT GETTING COMMISSION APPROVAL. AND WHAT OF THE OUTCOME. REALISTICALLY, WHAT YOU LOOKING AT FOR A TIMELINE GETTING IN THE GROUND? 
          >> IF ALL GOES WELL TONIGHT AND YOU MOVE THIS FORWARD, WE ARE LOOKING TO CLOSE ON THE PROPERTY. WE DO NOT OWN THE PROPERTY WILL WANT TO CLOSE EARLY NEXT WEEK. WE ARE PAYING CASH FOR THE PROPERTY. THE TIMELINES AND THE AGREEMENT IS THAT WE START MOBILIZING CURRENT BIDS BY JANUARY 29TH. 
          BUT WE ARE ALREADY AHEAD OF THAT AND WE PROBABLY HAVE 90% OF THE VERTICAL CONSTRUCTION BIDS. WE HAVE OUR SITE WORK IT'S ALREADY. LITERALLY, AS SOON AS WE GET A BOND IT TAKES TWO WEEKS TO THREE WEEKS. JUST TO DRAG OUT THE PROCESS BUT ONCE WE GET A BOND. LITERALLY, WE ARE READY TO PULL THE PERMIT. I THINK THERE WERE JUST A FEW MINOR OR JUST ONE MINOR THING IF WE ARE GOING TO GET THE BUILDING PERMIT APPROVED. 
          THERE WAS NOT MUCH LEFT FOR THOSE FIRST TWO ITEMS. 
          >> EVERY FIRST, WE WILL SEE SOME BULLDOZERS? 
          >> YES, YOU VERY WELL COULD. THE CONTRACT RECEIVES JANUARY 29TH BUT TIME IS MONEY. WE ARE SITTING ON IT AND WE WANT TO GET IT DONE AND WE PREFERRED TO BUILD ALL 10 OF THEM AT THE 
          SAME TIME. >> THIS QUESTION WAS ASKED BY COMMISSIONER JOHNSON. JUST TO BE CLEAR , THE ISSUE OF DEPOSITS AND PURCHASES THAT WERE DONE BETWEEN THE DEVELOPER AND THE BUYERS. THAT IS NOT OUR BUSINESS. OUR BUSINESS IS TO SIMPLY THE DEVELOPMENT SCHEME ITSELF. BUT I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOUR COMMENTS. AND THE QUESTION FROM COMMISSIONER JOHNSON ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE POSTED MONEY ON TO THIS PROJECT WERE PURCHASED WITH SIGNIFICANT MONEY DOWN. THESE PEOPLE ARE COMING OUT . THESE PEOPLE THAT PUT MONEY DOWN ARE COMING OUT 100% OF THEIR MONEY IS COMING BACK TO THEM. OR A UNIT IS 
          GETTING TRANSFERRED TO THEM. >> YES, THAT IS THE ONLY WAY THAT WE WOULD DO IT. IT WAS A LENGTHY CONVERSATION BETWEEN AUDUBON AND US FOR QUITE A WHILE. AND VERY IMPORTANT TO US 
          AND TO AUDUBON AS WELL. >> IT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU AS THE NEW DEVELOPER TO GET NOT GET A BAD RAP. IT COULD BE PROBLEMATIC FOR YOU. I AM THRILLED TO HEAR THAT ALL OF THE MANIFESTATIONS OF DEPOSIT MONIES AND CONTRACT AND PREPAID HAS BEEN RESOLVED AT THIS TIME. I SEE THE ATTORNEY OF AUDUBON 
          WANTS TO MAKE A COMMENT. >> YES, I CAN ONLY SPEAK FROM 
          MY SIDE. >> HE IS BREATHING DOWN YOUR 
          NECK. >> YOU ARE A TOUGH AUDIENCE. 
          BUT BRIEFLY ONE DEPOSITOR HAD RAISED QUESTIONS. SHE IS SUPPORTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT AND SHE IS SUPPORTIVE OF THE REQUEST HERE TONIGHT AND HER COUNSEL HAS ASSURED ME. HE IS AVAILABLE TO COME FORWARD IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM HIM. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE PROJECT WAS OVERSOLD AND EVERYBODY HAS BEEN MADE WHOLE. 
          >> AGAIN, THIS IS NOT OUR ISSUE BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE ATTORNEY IF HE IS WILLING TO COMMENT. I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO GET HIS INPUT BECAUSE THIS HAS BEEN A CONCERN TO MYSELF 
          [00:55:03]
AND OTHER COMMISSIONERS HERE AND THE ENTIRE CITY COMMISSION AS WELL AS RESIDENT OF THE CITY. YOU UNDERSTAND WHERE WE 
          ARE COMING FROM? >> YES, GOOD EVENING, I AM A RICHARD NEAL AND I ADDRESSES 311 SOUTH SECOND STREET RIGHT HERE IN CITY OF FORT PIERCE. I HAVE REPRESENTED MRS. DOWNS FOR A RELATIVELY SHORT TIME AND BY TAKING OVER FROM AN OUT-OF-TOWN LAWYER. GENERALLY YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH HER SITUATION. 
          SHE IS A PERSON WHO PURCHASED ONE OF THESE UNITS. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR HER TO WORK THIS OUT IN A WAY THAT SHOULD WORK FOR HER. LET ME BE FRANK. THERE IS SOME CONTRACT WORK TO BE DONE WITH AUDUBON AND WITH IMB. WE DO HAVE TO DO THAT BUT THE ENTIRE BASIC CONCEPT AND IMB COMING IN THAT WE ARE IN FAVOR OF AND WE HOPE THAT YOU WOULD PREAPPROVED. 
          >> OKAY, THAT IS SEMI COMMITTAL. CONFIDENT THAT THIS IS GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. YOUR CLIENT IS ADVOCATING TO HAVE YOU MOVE IN THAT DIRECTION. 
          >> EXACTLY. >> I AM SATISFIED. 
          >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MR. HAWKINS , I HAVE ONE MORE QUESTION FOR YOU. YOU HEARD EARLIER TONIGHT SOME COMMENT THAT THIS MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE AT THIS TIME. IT MIGHT -- WHAT WE ARE CONSIDERING TONIGHT HAVE ANY BEARING ON THE BIG PROJECT OF KING'S LANDING? 
          >> I DO NOT THINK SO. AND I APPRECIATE YOUR QUESTION BUT I DO NOT THINK SO. I AM VERY PLUGGED IN ON WHAT IS HAPPENING AND I UNDERSTAND THINGS ARE REGRESSING AHEAD OF SCHEDULE FOR MARRIOTT. MAINSAIL IS THE HOTEL OPERATOR IS OUR BORDER. 
          WE HAVE SUBSTANTIAL TIME DISCUSSING THOSE VARIOUS POINTS. I DO NOT THINK THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT THE PROGRESS OF 
          THOSE ITEMS. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? 
          >> WITH A CONCERN , TWO QUESTIONS. I AM NOT A CONSTRUCTION ENGINEER BUT I DO UNDERSTAND THE SEQUENCE. NOW YOU ARE GOING TO START A PROJECT ON ONE PART OF THIS PROPERTY. I NEED TO PROPERLY HEAR FROM THE DEVELOPER THAT IS DOING THIS. FOR THOSE OF YOU SAID THE SEQUENCE. I NEED TO UNDERSTAND HOW THIS HAVE ANY POTENTIAL IMPACT. DO WE HAVE ANYTHING FROM THE POTENTIAL BUILDER MAINSAIL NOTIFYING OF THIS PROBABILITY. WE HAVE A GUY THAT IS PUTTING BULLDOZERS IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS. THERE IS A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON WITH INFRASTRUCTURE DOWN THERE, AS WELL. MY CONCERN IS ABOUT THE SEQUENCING. NOT GETTING HELD UP BUT I DO NOT WANT ANY SURPRISES COMING FROM MAINSAIL. THEY NEED TO DROP IN PIPES, OR INFRASTRUCTURE AND THEY CANNOT DO THAT BECAUSE OF CONSTRUCTION GOING ON THE NORTHERN PART OF THIS PROPERTY. 
          >> I APPRECIATE YOUR QUESTION MR. JOHNSON. FIRST THE UNDERSTANDING OF THE SEQUENCING IN TERMS OF THE CONTRACT DOCUMENTS HAS ALWAYS LAID OUT TO THE VILLAS AS THE FIRST PART OF THE CONSTRUCTION TO COMMENCE. WITH THE VILLAS COMMENCING CONSTRUCTION WHETHER IT IS FEBRUARY OR LATE JANUARY OR MARCH. THAT WAS ALWAYS THE FIRST SHOE TO DROP WHEN IT COMES TO CONSTRUCTION. THE SEQUENCING IS ALWAYS CONTEMPLATING INTO THE VILLAS INCEPTION OF CONSTRUCTION WOULD COMMENTS BEFORE THE HOTEL. - WOULD COMMENCE BEFORE THE HOTEL. THIS IS NOT ALTERING THE SEQUENCE THAT WAS PUT FORTH IN THE DOCUMENTS. AS FAR AS COORDINATING, I SPOKE WITH HIM TWICE LAST WEEK ABOUT THIS. HE IS ESSENTIALLY THE PROJECT MANAGER. OR THE OVERALL DEVELOPMENT HEAD FOR THE PROJECT AND HE IS VERY AWARE OF THE IMB STEPPING IN. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IT IS ALL COORDINATED. I AM NOT ANTICIPATING ANY QUESTIONS, WHATSOEVER. IF YOU WOULD LIKE 
          TO IMB TO COMMENT . >> I SPOKE TO MR. WARE AS WELL. 
          THIS WAS ADDRESSED AND WE WILL DISCUSS IT RELATIVE TO COMPLICATIONS. HE SAID THEY WERE IN DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITH THE PROPOSED BUYERS OF THE VILLAS SITE. HE CONTEMPLATED NO 
          PROBLEMS. >> IN MY OPINION WE ARE TRYING TO EARN BACK THE PUBLIC'S TRUST. THAT HAS BEEN LOST IN SOME OF THIS. THAT IS WHY WE ARE GETTING CLARIFICATION AND 
          [01:00:01]
ASKING THESE QUESTIONS. IT MAY NOT BE QUASIJUDICIAL TO YOU BUT IT IS TO ME. THESE ARE WHAT IS IMPORTANT AS WE MAKE SURE THAT THE PUBLIC WILL TRUST US BECAUSE THEY ELECTED US. THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS THAT THEY CANNOT ASK, BUT WE CAN. 
          >> LET ME SPEAK ON THAT , I HAVE BUILT SEVEN-STORY APARTMENT BUILDINGS WITH A FULL PARKING DECK AND ROOFTOP SWIMMING POOLS ON FOUR ACRES TRYING TO FIT THE SPACE IN. 
          THERE ARE VERY SIMILAR TO IS WHAT IS GOING ON HERE. IN THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT, THE VILLA IS SMALL. THE UTILITIES ARE RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE PROPERTIES OR WIRETAPPING IN RIGHT THERE. WE DIDN'T HAVE TO CROSS OVER THE WATER OR THE BRIDGE TO GET TO IT. THERE IS NOT ANYTHING THAT WE NEED TO DO TO GO TO THEIR SIDE OF THE WATER OR THE BRIDGE. OR THEY DO NOT NEED TO COME TO OUR SIDE. IT REALLY IS A TWO TOTALLY 
          SEPARATE PROJECTS IN SOME WAY. >> JUST SO I AM CLEAR, IMB AND THE COMPANY IS THE REP /BUT YOU ARE DOING BUSINESS YOU WOULD BE SIGNING A CONTRACT . IS THAT YOUR LLC? 
          >> YES, WE HAVE A SINGLE ENTITY FOR EVERY PROJECT. 
          >> YOUR KING'S LANDING. HIS YES, WE CREATED A NEW ENTITY 
          FOR THE PURCHASE. >> THAT HAS BEEN VETTED WITH THE STATE OF FLORIDA FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE AND IT IS ALL 
          SAID AND GOOD? >> I AM NOT SURE IF IT IS VETTED IN WHAT SENSE. THE LLC IS REGISTERED. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> ANY QUESTIONS? 
          >> THE ONLY THING THAT GIVES ME RESERVATION ON THIS IS HAVING THESE SEPARATED. SHOULD , GOD FORBID KING'S LANDING AND NOT WORK OUT WE HAVE TOWNHOMES SITTING BY THEMSELVES. IF WE ARE LOOKING AT THE DIRT , THEIR PIETY - THEREBY LIMITING ANY DEVELOPMENTS FOR THE FUTURE SHOULD THIS NOT WORK OUT. OR ANY FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS THAT COULD BECOME BEFORE US TO REAR SAID AND DONE WITH AUDUBON. THAT IS MY ONLY RESERVATION BUT I FEEL CONFIDENT BASED ON YOUR TESTIMONY. THIS IS NOT IMPACTING ANYTHING THAT IS GOING ON WITH THE HOTEL OR THE GREATER PROJECT OF KING'S LANDING. AND I FEEL CONFIDENT WHAT YOU STATED. BUT I DO THINK IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD CONSIDER. WE COULD END UP WITH TOWNHOMES . 
          >> IT IS STILL POSSIBLE. THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO EXIT THIS 
          ARRANGEMENT. >> I'M NOT SAYING I'M AGAINST THE SALE . I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THEM BEGINNING SOMETHING AND GETTING SOME CONSTRUCTION GOING IN. IT IS TOUGH TO LOOK AT TO 
          SAY THE LEAST. >> I UNDERSTAND FROM MR. WARE WHO IS SPENT CONSIDERABLE TIME . HIS EFFORT, AND HIS TEAM IS 100% MOVING FORWARD. THE MARRIOTT IS ALSO 100% BEHIND THIS MOVING FORWARD. THE CONTRACT WAS ALWAYS A STRUCTURE WITH THE VILLAS TO GO FIRST. I THINK THIS PROJECT COULD HAVE MAJOR SUCCESS FOR FORT PIERCE. IMB HAS DEMONSTRATED TREMENDOUS 
          ABILITY TO GET STUFF BUILT. >> WE REVIEW THE CONTRACTS BETWEEN AUDUBON AND THE HOTEL AND THE CONDOS AS WELL. WE WANTED TO HAVE A CERTAIN LEVEL OF COMFORT THAT THIS IS ACTUALLY GOING TO GET BUILT. WE FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE AT THIS POINT. IT IS GOING TO GO THROUGH. WORST CASE SCENARIO, WE COULD STEP IN AND BUILD IT OURSELVES BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT 
          WE WANT TO DO. >> YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST. ANY 
          OTHER QUESTIONS? >> ON THAT, I FEEL CONFIDENT WITH MOVING FORWARD WITH THAT. I THINK THE TIMING IS UNFORTUNATE BUT WE ARE LIMITED BY THE CONTRACT WITH THE 15 DAY. SOME OTHER DATES ARE COMING UP WITH AUDUBON WITH PRESENTATIONS BUT IT I■S UNFORTUNATE TIMING . WE WILL FEEL BETTER ABOUT THIS HAPPENING BASED ON CERTAIN MILESTONES GETTING MET BY AUDUBON AND MARRIOTT. BUT WE ARE LIMITED WITH THE CONTRACT DATES. 
          [01:05:06]
          >> ONE COMMENT IS THAT HARBERT IS COMING IN NEXT WEEK. ARE THEY MEETING OR ARE THEY COMING TO THE DAY MEETING? 
          >> MONDAY MORNING, WE ARE GOING TO HEAR FROM THEM SO THERE IS TIME IF YOU WANTED TO WAIT TO GET A FULL REPORT RELATIVE TO 
          WHERE THEY STAND . >> THAT IS THE 15 DAY PERIOD 
          >> I'M SORRY TO DISAGREE. THE 15 DAYS WOULD BE THIS WEEK. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO WAIT UNDER THE CONTRACT. JUST GIVE ME ONE SECOND TO CONFIRM THE DATE ON 
          THE NOTICE. >> THEY NEED THIS TO DO THEIR 
          CLOSING. >> CLOSING IS ON OR BEFORE THE 
          15TH. >> DECEMBER 27 SO MONDAY WOULD 
          BEYOND THE 15 DAYS. >> WE WOULD NEED ABOUT FIVE DAYS FOR THE ATTORNEY TO GET THE PAPER TOGETHER. 
          >> I CAN ONLY TELL YOU THE CONVERSATIONS WITH BILL WHERE RELATIVE TO WHERE THEY STAND. HE IS EXCITED TO COME IN AND GET THE FULL REPORT TO THE COMMISSION. HE WAS INDICATING AS WAS DISCUSSED EARLIER THAT THINGS ARE GOING VERY WELL WITH THE APPLICATION FROM MARRIOTT. THAT IS SOMEWHAT OUT OF THEIR CONTROL RELATIVE TO THE APPROVAL BECAUSE WE REQUESTED TO BE IN ON THE INFORMATION STREAM. AS FAR AS THE BALANCE OF IT IS CONCERNED, I BELIEVE HE HAS BEEN DEALING WITH DIRECTOR FREEMAN, THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT ON THE POTENTIAL PLAN REVISIONS OR THAT COULD SLIDE TO MAJOR SIDE REVISIONS. 
          THAT IS YOUR DEPARTMENT BUT HE HAS BEEN QUITE ACTIVE WITH THE CITY AND THE DEPARTMENTS NEED TO ENGAGE TO GET THEIR FINAL SCHEME SETTLED. OF COURSE, WITH THE HOTEL, THAT IS THE BIG NOT - BIG NUT BUT THAT DOES NOT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION BUT GIVING 
          YOU SECONDHAND INFORMATION. >> YOU ARE MAKING ME FEEL 
          BETTER, AT LEAST. >> I DO WANT TO CORRECT MYSELF SLIGHTLY. THE 15TH DAY WOULD BE ON THE 11TH OF DECEMBER WHICH IS A SATURDAY. TECHNICALLY, USUALLY JANUARY. TYPICALLY IN THE LEGAL WORLD WHEN IT FALLS ON A WEEKEND THAT ROLLS TO THE NEXT MONDAY. I DO NOT KNOW WHETHER AUDUBON OR MR. BROWN WOULD BE IN AGREEMENT TO GIVE UNTIL MONDAY. WE MAY HAVE AN ARGUMENT WHERE MONDAY WOULD BE THE DEADLINE. HOWEVER, IN ABUNDANCE OF CAUTION IF WE GO BY THE 11TH. IF THAT IS YOUR TRIGGER DATE FOR THE 15 YOUR TEAM TO PROVE ON THE 11TH IF THIS GOES SIDEWAYS. HE WOULD BE IN AN ARGUMENT IF THEY GAVE APPROVAL BY NOT DENYING BY THE 15TH DAY DEADLINE. 
          >> I JUST FEEL LIKE WE HAVE AN ANXIOUS PERSON WHO HAS A TIMELINE AND WANT TO BUILD. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THEY ARE LOOKING AT THAT CONSTRUCTION FOR A WHILE, WE HOPE. I WOULD BE FOR APPROVING THIS TONIGHT, MYSELF. 
          >> MADAME MAYOR , I THINK WE ARE THEY ARE BUT WHAT THE ATTORNEY JUST BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION. IT MIGHT BE IN THE ASK OF THE AUDUBON REPRESENTED ATTORNEY. BASED ON THE TIMELINE AND SEQUENCE, WE ARE ONLY TALKING A MATTER OF MONDAY WHEN IT TECHNICALLY WE ARE MEETING. TECHNICALLY WE WOULD ADHERE TO THAT MEETING AND WE CAN MAKE THAT ACTION HAPPEN ON MONDAY. 
          TO SIGN THE PAPER AND EVERYTHING WOULD MOVE FORWARD. 
          BEFORE WE GO OFF THAT, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW. WE HAVE DONE QUITE A BIT HERE TO ENTERTAIN AUDUBON. THEY HAVE COME TO US WITH AMENDMENTS AND EXTENSIONS AND THAT IS NOT TOO MUCH OF US FOR MONDAY. BASED ON THE INTERPRETATION OF WHEN WE RECEIVED IT BASED ON A DATE AND WHEN IT FALLS. WE DO NOT OPERATE ON A SATURDAY, CITY HALL IS CLOSED. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING BEFORE I VOTE ON ANYTHING. 
          [01:10:06]
          >> I DO NOT BELIEVE IT WOULD JUST BE AUDUBON IMPLICATED IN THE DECISION THAT COULD ALSO BE THE BUYER IMPLICATED IN THAT. 
          AS I READ THEIR CONTRACT, THERE ARE TERMS RELATED TO OUR APPROVALS. I AM SURE THEY CAN EXPLAIN THIS BUT THIS IS HOLDING UP THE CLOSING OF THEIR PROPERTY. THEY CAN EXPLAIN THOSE TIME FRAMES AND PARAMETERS AS WELL. 
          >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO HEAR FROM MR. BELL? 
          >> I KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT AN ATTORNEY. 
          >> AND I DO NOT KNOW IF I SHOULD ANSWER THAT WITHOUT SPEAKING TO THE REST OF THE TEAM, AS WELL. PERSONALLY, I DO NOT HAVE AN ISSUE WITH WAITING, AT ALL. IT IS NOT GOING TO IMPACT OUR TIMELINE WE ARE INHERITING THIS DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT SO WE HAD TO MEET THESE TIMELINES. WE HAVE PLENTY OF TIME SO FOR US IT IS NOT AFFECT US. FOR AUDUBON, I KNOW THEY ARE PROBABLY ANXIOUS TO GET THIS OVER WITH. 
          >> I UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION AND I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A LOT ON THE BALANCE OF THIS MATTER GETTING CLOSED. I WOULD URGE THAT THE CITY APPROVE IT TONIGHT. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO PUT IT IN PERSPECTIVE THAT THE CONTRACT THAT HAS BEEN ACCEPTED FOR SEVERAL YEARS ALWAYS SAID THE BILL IS GETTING CONSTRUCTED FIRST. THE VILLAS WAS NEVER CONTINGENT ON MARRIOTT GETTING CONSTRUCTED. I REALIZE THIS IS ONE OVERALL PROJECT. IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN JUST GETTING STARTED, I URGE THAT YOU APPROVE IT TONIGHT SO WE CAN GET STARTED. IT WILL TAKE FIVE DAYS AS AN ESTIMATE FOR THE FINAL CONTRACT TO BE CONCLUDED SO THIS CAN CLOSE WITHIN THE TIMEFRAME SET FORTH IN THE CURRENT CONTRACT. I WOULD URGE THAT IT APPROVED TONIGHT AND IT IS THE INTEREST OF THE PROJECT IN THE INTEREST OF THE CITY AND EVERYBODY WHO HAS BEEN HOPING TO HAVE A UNIT AT THAT PROPERTY. MY COLLEAGUES WHO LIVES HERE IS REMINDING ME THAT THE CONTRACT WITH IMB MANDATE THE APPROVAL AS TO BE AT LEAST FIVE DAYS BEFORE WE CLOSE. IF THE APPROVAL WAS NOT, THE CLOSING COULD NOT OCCUR AT THE END OF THIS WEEK. I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF BALLOTS HERE AND IT IS URGE THAT THE APPROVAL BE TONIGHT. 
          >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> WILL WE HEAR FROM OUR -- MR. FREEMAN? WITH CONCERNS GUIDANCE WANT TO MAKE SURE. 
          >> THAT WAS RELATIVE TO THE OVERALL PRIMARY PORTION OF KING'S LANDING. THEY WERE LOOKING FOR MINOR ADJUSTMENTS OR A POTENTIALLY MAJOR ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SITE PLAN. 
          TO INCREASE THE SIZE OF THE GARAGE, IT COULD BE IN THE DEPARTMENT OF FREEMAN OR JUST A DISCUSSION . I DON'T KNOW, THAT IS WHY THEY'RE COMING IN NEXT WEEK. THEY WILL FILL US IN 
          ON GREAT DETAIL NEXT MONDAY. >> I UNDERSTAND THOSE CHANGES RELATE TO THE PREFERENCES OF MARRIOTT AND ALSO TO THE AVAILABILITY OF PARKING. THAT IS LEAVING FOUR OR FIVE SPACES THAT WILL BE ACHIEVED AND PROPOSED THAT IS WHAT I 
          UNDERSTOOD. >> IS IT A MAJOR CHANGE OR 
          MINOR CHANGE? >> IT WOULD RESULT INTO A MAJOR CHANGE WE HAVE NEGOTIATED SOME IMPROVEMENTS TO THE LAYOUT OF THE SITE TO INCORPORATE MORE PARKING. WITH A BETTER LAYOUT IN TERMS OF CONNECTIVITY WITHIN THE SITE. THE AMENDMENTS THAT WE ARE DISCUSSING WITH DPCR NOT AFFECT THE TOWNHOMES OR THOSE ELEMENTS. THAT WOULD BE COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT FROM 
          WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT NOW. >> A MAJOR SITE PLAN MODIFICATION IS TO GO BACK UP TO THE UNDERLYING. WITH THE TECHNICAL REVIEW, AND THE RESERVATION PLANNING. IT IS GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME TO GRIND TO THAT THROUGH THE MALE. 
          BUT THAT IS HOW IT GOES. I'M GOING TO SUGGEST TO THE COMMISSION . IN MY LINE OF WORK, THIS IS NOT I WANT TO SAY. THIS ENTIRE DEVELOPMENT OF KING'S LANDING IS ON A WING AND A PRAYER. ALL OF THIS IS GOING TO COME TOGETHER. HAVING SAID THAT, COMING BACK TO THE CONCEPT THAT I ADDRESSED WITH THE COMMISSION ONE HARBORED CAME IN INITIALLY. WE ARE GOING FROM THE POSITION OF NONPERFORMANCE TO A COMPANY THAT HAS A FINANCIAL CAPABILITY TO EXECUTE. THAT, TO ME IS THE 
          [01:15:01]
MOST UNDERLYING CRITICAL COMPONENT . SO, THEY CLOSE ON THE LAND THIS WEEK AND AUDUBON IS OUT. THEY ARE IN AND THEY HAVE ONE MILLION-DOLLAR INVESTMENT THEY'RE LOOKING TO RECOUP ON INSTANTLY. THEY WANT TO GET OUT AND GET IN HERE AND SELL SOME UNITS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. THAT IS HOW I WOULD LOOK AT IT. I UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPT OF A GLOBAL PROJECT THAT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH SIMULTANEOUSLY. DOES THE HOTEL APPROVAL HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE VILLA CONSTRUCTION AND THE SALE OF THOSE UNITS? I LOOK AT IT COMPLETELY FROM AN ECONOMIC STANDPOINT. THERE IS NO LINKAGE FROM MY PERSPECTIVE. 
          TO GET SOMETHING COMING OUT OF THE GROUND WOULD BE BENEFICIAL. 
          WE PUT A LOT OF WORK, TIME AND THE ATTORNEY TO GET IT TO THIS POINT. LET US HAVE SOME CONFIDENCE AND FAITH THAT IT IS GOING TO WORK. SPOKEN LIKE A REAL ESTATE GUY SHOULD NOT 
          SPEAK. >> THE OTHER PART IS THE BENEFIT OF THE CITY . AGAIN I GO BACK TO MY COMMENT TEAM. NOW THIS TAKES DIRT THAT IS NOT TAXABLE BUT AN ASSESSED VALUE OF HOUSES ON THAT PROPERTY. THAT ADDS TO THE CITY TAX 
          RULES. >> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, I LOOK AT IT WITH A MILLION-DOLLAR MOTIVATION TO GET THIS GOING. 
          HIS MILLION-DOLLAR CHECK IS GOING TO CLEAR UP HIS WIRE TRANSFER WERE CLEAR BY THE END OF THE WEEK. SOMEBODY'S GOING TO BE SAYING WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET A RETURN ON THAT MONEY. 
          THAT IS A ONE MILLION-DOLLAR MOTIVATION FROM MY PERSPECTIVE. 
          >> THAT IS 100% RIGHT. AND VERY SIGNIFICANT. I HAVE NO OTHER 
          QUESTIONS. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU. YOU CAN DO IT AT THE END. WHAT IS YOUR PLEASURE? 
          >> LET US MAKE A NOTE NEXT TIME IF THERE IS A TIMEFRAME LIMITATION . I KNOW YOU DID NOT DO THIS. 
          >> I UNDERSTAND. >> YOU GOT THE REQUEST DURING 
          THE HOLIDAYS. >> IT WAS SERVED HAND DELIVERY 
          TO MAX COX. >> WAS THERE AN INITIAL REQUEST TO GET SOMETHING DONE DIFFERENTLY ? 
          >> THERE WAS AN EMAIL. >> CORRECT. 
          >> NOBODY WAS DELIBERATELY TRYING TO PLAY GAMES OR DELAY OR HIDE . IT IS JUST THE HOLIDAY TIME. COMMISSIONERS? 
          >> COMMISSIONER GAINES HAS BEEN PARTICULARLY QUIET. I KNOW THAT WE HAVE BEEN ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THIS DISCUSSION. 
          COMMISSIONER, DO YOU HAVE A CONCERN THAT YOU ARE NOT 
          VOICING? >> I HAVE SENT HER FOR 2 YEARS AND HEARD OF CONVERSATIONS . I HAVE HEARD THAT IT IS A GO. I HAVE HEARD THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS, THAT. MY CONCERN IS THAT I'VE HEARD TONIGHT AND EVERYBODY KNEW THAT THIS YOUNG MAN WANTED TO COME IN AND BUILD THIS AND TAKE OVER THE VILLAS. 
          IN MY PACKAGE, I DID NOT SEE ONE -- MAYBE I MISSED IT. NOT ONE A LETTER FROM THE MARRIOTT, ONE LETTER FROM ANY OTHER SAYING THAT WE ARE IN SUPPORT. WHAT I HAVE HEARD IS THAT I'VE BEEN IN COMMUNICATION. I'VE HEARD THAT SEVERAL TIMES, IN MEDICATIONS. IF SOMETHING CHANGES. I HAVE SOME RESERVATIONS BECAUSE I'M NOT IN THE CONSTRUCTION. I CANNOT NOTICE BECAUSE JEREMIAH IS GONE. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO COME IN AND TRY TO TAKE OVER THE PROJECT. DO I BELIEVE THE GENTLEMAN WHEN HE SAYS THAT HE CAN BUILD IT AND HE HAS DONE IT? I DID THE DUE DILIGENCE ON YOUR COMPANY SO I DID GO BACK. 
          AND I THINK YOU SAID ONE THE 24TH AND COULD BE ONE OF THE 22ND FROM THE NUMBERS I LOOKED AT. I AM JUST LETTING YOU KNOW SO I UNDERSTAND, FROM 1 TO 24 TO 122ND AND I THINK THE LAST TIME THAT AUDUBON AND EVERYBODY CAME IN. I WAS A NO VOTE AND I SAID THAT I WOULD BE THE FIRST ONE TO SAY I WAS WRONG. RIGHT NOW, -- I DO NOT WANT TO KNOCK ANYBODY AND I AM NOT THERE YET. 
          I AM GLAD -- AND I UNDERSTAND WHERE THE MADAME ATTORNEY WAS GOING WITH THE SATURDAY. I DO NOT WANT TO GO DOWN THAT ROUTE 
          [01:20:03]
EITHER, I THINK THAT IS YOU AND ME WITH THE COURTS. I THINK THAT IS YOU AND ME WITH THE COURTS AND THE RULES WITH THE COURTS THAT FALL ON THAT SATURDAY. BUT A STRAIGHT CONTRACT LAW MIGHT BE SATURDAY IS A SATURDAY. I WILL NOT LET US GO DOWN THAT ROUTE. BUT THAT IS WHERE I AM AT. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE BULLDOZERS, I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THE NEW THINGS COMING IN . BUT I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE ENTIRE PROJECT. IF THERE ARE GOING TO BE DELAYS . I'M NOT SAYING WE WILL, BUT I WILL GO BACK AND SAY THAT HE IS COMING WITH SOME BAD NEWS . BUT I NOT SAYING THAT. I'M JUST NOT THERE YET. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR SHARING AND I APPRECIATE IT. 
          >> I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SITUATION THAT HAS BEEN EXPLAINED TO US AND WE HAVE BEEN ASSURED THAT THIS IS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE OVERALL PROJECT. IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY FROM THE BEGINNING IT DID NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO , IT WAS NOT AN ADD ON BUT IT WAS ON A DIFFERENT PIECE OF PROPERTY. I, MYSELF FEEL LIKE WE HAVE SOMEBODY HERE WHO WANTS TO BUY THE PROPERTY, BUILD THE PROPERTY AND BUILD SOME HIGH-END VILLAS HERE. AND HE IS ANXIOUS TO DO IT AND ANXIOUS TO DO IT QUICKLY. I DO NOT SEE THE PROBLEM, MYSELF. 
          >> COMMISSIONER GAINES, I DRIVE PAST THAT SITE FOUR TIMES A DAY AS A MINIMUM. WHEN I SEE THE BULLDOZERS, I WILL PACK A 
          PICNIC LUNCH AND CALL YOU. >> I WILL MAKE SURE THAT I COME AND I WILL MAKE SURE THAT OUR CHAIRS ARE NOT TOGETHER. 
          >> I WAS GOING TO SAY. YOU WILL BE OUT THERE IN FRONT OF 
          EVERYBODY. >> A CALL TO THE MADAME ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND WE ARE NOT SITTING TOGETHER. 
          >> I THINK MY LEVEL OF COMFORT COMES FROM KNOWING THAT WE HAVE THE CONTRACT IN PLACE. WILL CONTINUE TO BE IN PLACE WHETHER IT IS ASSIGNED TO THIS NEW COMPANY. IT IS STILL ENFORCEABLE AND THE TIMELINES ARE STILL IN PLACE. THIS FEELS NECESSARY FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD TO GET SOMETHING GOING ON THAT PROPERTY. TO GET THE PUBLIC EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROPERTY AND THE WAY THAT WE WERE SIX YEARS AGO. SEEING IMB READY TO GO AND TO START MOVING DIRT IS A BIG MOTIVATOR. AS LONG AS WE ARE COVERED AND THE ATTORNEY HEDGES SAYS THAT WE ARE COVERED, EVERYTHING AND ALL OF OUR TIMELINES ARE STILL THERE. EVERYTHING IS STILL GOING AND IT IS JUST A NEW BUILDER AND A NEW ASSIGNMENT TO THE CONTRACT. 
          >> AN ACTUAL BUILDER. IT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO HAPPEN. 
          >> LET ME MAKE A COMMENT. WHAT I'VE HEARD TONIGHT , WE HAVE A NEW DEVELOPER THAT IS FULLY CAPABLE FINANCIALLY OF MAKING THIS PROJECT. THEY ARE INVESTING HARD CAPITAL UPFRONT TO ACQUIRE THIS. IT MEANS ABSOLUTELY THE CLOCK STARTS TO TICK. I HAVE GOTTEN PUBLIC REASSURANCE THAT THE PUBLIC TRUST HAS BEEN EARNED BACK. PEOPLE HAVE MET WITH A NEW DEVELOPER AND THEY ARE HAPPY WITH WHAT THEY ARE SEEING AS FAR AS THE DEVELOPMENT OF MONIES THAT THEY HAVEN'T TESTED TO PURCHASE A TOWNHOUSE. THE SEQUENCE OF THIS BEING A TOTALLY SEPARATE PROJECT FROM MARRIOTT. WE ARE GOING TO DO WITH MARRIOTT AND BILL WARE ON MONDAY. I WILL NOT BE HERE BUT YOU ARE GOING TO DEAL WITH THEM TO GET ASSURANCES. OUR DEAL IS WITH MR. BILL WARE AND AUDUBON. THAT IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT CONVERSATION ABOUT GETTING THE HOTEL BUILT IN THE CONDOS BUILT. I HAVE BEEN ASSURED THAT THE SEQUENCING OF GETTING BUILT WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH THE WAS GOING TO BE BUILT WITH THE MARRIOTT. I JUST HEARD FROM OUR BUILDING OFFICIAL CITY PLANNER. 
          WE MIGHT HAVE SOME REVISIONS THAT COULD EVEN TAKE LONGER BECAUSE IT IS A MAJOR SITE REVISIT. THAT HAS TO GO BACK THROUGH THE PROCESS. BUT WHAT I CAN ASSURE THE PUBLIC IS THAT THE CHURCH RIGHT NOW THAT IS VERY LITTLE IF ANY ASSESSED VALUE WILL BE INCREASED AS A RESULT OF ANYBODY SPENDING $15 MILLION ON A DOWNTOWN PROJECT, FORD PIERCE IS MOVING FORWARD. 
          [01:25:02]
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME WITH A $15 MILLION INVESTMENT IN DOWNTOWN FORT PIERCE. IT IS GOING TO TURN . THE COMMENTS I HEARD ABOUT THE DOWNTOWN BUSINESSES LOOKING FOR THE STIMULUS IMPACT OF WHAT IS COMING TO DOWNTOWN. THIS SHOULD BEGIN TO SIGNAL IT AND WE WILL WORK FEVERISHLY TO GET THE HOTEL. WITH ALL OF THAT, IF WE ARE READY FOR MOTION I'M PREPARED FOR THIS RESOLUTION. I MOVE APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 25 - R05 OF THE APPROVAL OF THE SALE FROM KING'S LANDING FROM FORT PIERCE. 
          [e.  Resolution 25-R06 Authorizing the Lease of Space in City Hall to Brian Mast, United States Representative]
AUTHORIZING THE LEASE OF SPACE IN CITY HALL TO BRIAN MAST, UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE PROVIDING FOR THE SEPARABILITY CLAUSE FOR RESOLUTIONS AND CONFLICT PROVIDING FOR AN 
          EFFECTIVE DATE. >> THIS IS JUST HIS LEASE FOR RENEWAL AND THIS IS A SIMPLE RENEWAL OF THE EXISTING LEASE THAT WE HAVE FOR THE SPACE ON THE SECOND FLOOR. ANY 
          DISCUSSION? >> WE CHARGE HIM RENT. IT IS NOT MUCH . IT IS $250 PER MONTH AND HE DOES PAY. 
          >> ANY DISCUSSION? >> MAYBE $1 MILLION PER MONTH SO WE CAN GET THAT MONEY FROM THE GOVERNMENT. BILL HUD. 
          >> A MOVE TO APPROVE. 
          >> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON I WAS WONDERING IF THAT WAS GOING TO 
          BE A NO FROM YOU. >> I WANT THAT OFFICE. 
          >> IT EVEN HAS A CONFERENCE ROOM. 
          [f.  Selection of Mayor Pro Tem pursuant to Section 23 of the City Charter which requires the City Commission to select one (1) of their number as Mayor Pro Tem at the first regular meeting following January 1.]
          >> WE WILL MOVE ON. THE NEXT ITEM IS SELECTION OF MAYOR PRO TEM PURSUANT TO SECTION 23 OF THE CITY CHARTER WHICH REQUIRES THE CITY COMMISSION TO SELECT ONE (1) OF THEIR NUMBER AS MAYOR PRO TEM AT THE FIRST REGULAR MEETING FOLLOWING JANUARY 1. ACCORDING TO THE DIRECTION OF ROTATION, 
          COMMISSIONER JOHNSON. >> IS THERE MOTION? - MOTION . 
          ANY DISCUSSION? 
          [g.  City Manager Applicant Review and Shortlist Interview Selection.  ]
MANAGER APPLICANT REVIEW AND SHORTLIST INTERVIEW SELECTION. 
          >> MISS HEDGES, ARE YOU TAKING THIS ITEM? 
          >> YES. META-MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, BASED ON THE DIRECTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION AND HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT. THEY DID POST THE CITY MANAGER POSITION SOLICITING APPLICATIONS FOR THAT POSITION. WHAT YOU HAVE TONIGHT IS THE APPLICATIONS THAT WERE RECEIVED. I WILL LET HUMAN RESOURCES INTRODUCE THEMSELVES AND EXPLAIN THE PROCESS BY WHICH WE ARRIVED TO THE APPLICATIONS THAT YOU HAVE. 
          THE GOAL FOR TONIGHT IS TO PRESENT THOSE TO YOU. I BELIEVE HUMAN RESOURCES REQUEST WILL BE TO NARROW THAT TO SIX APPLICANTS FOR INTERVIEWS MOVING FORWARD. THIS WILL MEET THE DEADLINE AND THE TIMELINE THAT WE HAVE WITH WHAT THE COMMISSION GAVE US AS WELL AS WHAT HUMAN RESOURCES SET FOR THEMSELVES TO FOLLOW YOUR DIRECTIVE. WITH THAT, LET ME TURN IT OVER TO MR. SORENSEN, OUR HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER. 
          >> GOOD EVENING. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO LINDA WHO IS THE ASSISTANT OF HUMAN RESOURCES. I HAVE HER WITH ME TONIGHT. THE REASON WHY I HAVE HER HERE IS THAT SHE WAS INTEGRALLY INVOLVED IN GOING TO THIS PROCESS. AS YOU RECALL, WE BEGAN RESEARCH ABOUT ONE MONTH AGO. WHEN A TIMELINE TO BRING BACK CANDIDATES AT THIS MEETING. WE ORIGINALLY HAD 66 APPLICANTS . WE HAD ONE OF THAT WITH WITH DREW SO NOW HAVE 60 APPLICANTS. NOW, WE HAVE 60 IN STATE AND FIVE ARE OUT-OF-STATE. WHEN WE RECEIVED THE APPLICATIONS, LINDA WENT TO 
          [01:30:03]
THE APPLICATIONS THAT WE RECEIVED. SHE COMPARE THEM AGAINST THE APPLICATION OF THE CITY MANAGER. SHE WENT THROUGH THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS AND SHE NOTED ANY BENEFICIARY QUESTIONS ABOUT AND I DID THE SAME THING. WE COMPARED NOTES TOGETHER. FROM THAT, WE WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY 24 THAT WE FELT MET THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS. 41 DID NOT. OF THE 24, ONE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO BRING A NOTE TO YOU. WE HAD A QUESTION AND WE SPOKE TO THE INDIVIDUAL. BASICALLY HE STATED THAT HE WAS FINISHING HIS DEGREE THIS YEAR. WE INCLUDED HIM INTO THE MIX BUT IF COUNSEL WOULD LIKE TO EXCLUDE HIM, WE CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THAT. HIS NAME IS DANIEL CURANSA. OF THE 24, WE SET OUT A QUESTIONNAIRE THAT WE DESIGNED TO HELP THE CITY ATTORNEY THAT HAD 15 QUESTIONS THAT POSED DIFFERENT SCENARIOS AND PROBLEMS THAT WE ARE RUNNING INTO FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. INCLUDING ASKING QUESTIONS IF THERE IS ANY NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES OF THE PRESS OR IF WE DID A MEDIA SEARCH IT WOULD APPEAR. WE DID THAT TO HELP THE COMMISSION HAVE SOME ITEM TO COMPARE THE APPLICANTS BASED ON THE LAST CONVERSATIONS AT THE LAST MEETING WE HAD. OF THE 24 WE 
          SENT OUT, THEY HAD TWO WEEKS. >> THIS WAS 19 BACK AT MET THE DEADLINE. WHAT YOU SEE ON THE AGENDA TONIGHT IS THAT YOU ARE GOING TO SEE INDIVIDUALLY THE 19 THAT COMPLETED THE QUESTIONNAIRE INDIVIDUALLY LISTED . IN ADDITION TO THE 19 YOU WILL SEE FIVE THAT WERE QUALIFIED CANDIDATES BUT THEY DID NOT COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRE. YOU WILL SEE THE REMAINING 41 THAT DID NOT MEET THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS. WE WANTED TO SHOW TRUE TRANSPARENCY FOR EVERY THAT APPLY TO THE POSITION. OUR GOAL WAS TO PRESENT TO THIS TO YOU AND HAVE YOU AS A COMMISSION GO THROUGH AND IDENTIFY WHAT IS IT THAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IN THE NEXT CITY MAYOR. SOME HAVE STRENGTHS IN OTHER AREAS THAT OTHERS DO NOT. I BELIEVE WE BROUGHT A LIST OF APPLICANTS AND EVEN FROM OUT-OF-STATE THAT WE DID NOT DO A NATIONWIDE SEARCH. THEY HAVE THE SKILLS, AND THE ABILITIES THAT YOU CAN GO AND COMPARE THE QUESTIONS TO BE OUR NEXT CITY MANAGER CITY ATTORNEY. THE NEXT STEP OF WHAT WE ARE GOING TO RECOMMEND IS SHORTLISTING THESE DOWN TO A GROUP OF SIX OR EIGHT APPLICATIONS THAT WE WOULD DO INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEWS. WE WOULD HAVE THEM ON SITE AND HAVE THE COMMISSIONERS IN A ROOM AND SHUFFLED THEM FROM OFFICE TO OFFICE. WE WOULD BREAK FOR LUNCH AND WE WOULD BRING THEM BACK TO THE CITY COMMISSION FOR DISCUSSION. WE WOULD MAKE A DECISION OR DECIDE TO TAKE DIRECTION ON HOW YOU WOULD LIKE TO PROCEED WITH THAT. AS YOU CAN SEE, YOU HAVE A BOOKLET THAT WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER . IT HAS THE EXECUTIVE SUMMARY IN THE VERY FRONT. GIVE THE JOB DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY MANAGER AND YOU ALSO HAVE THE QUESTIONNAIRE THAT WE SENT OUT. 
          IT IS A PLANE QUESTIONNAIRE WITHOUT THE QUESTIONS. IT GOES INTO THE INDIVIDUAL TABS THAT HAS THE APPLICANTS AND AT THE END, THE ONES THAT ARE QUALIFIED BUT DID NOT COMPLETE THE QUESTIONNAIRE AND THE ONES THAT DID NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS. WE ARE HERE TO BASICALLY -- AS YOU CAN SEE FROM LOOKING AT THE BOOK. THERE IS QUITE A FEW LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT RESPONDED. IT IS A LOT IF YOU LOOK AT THE BOOK AND IS A LOT TO GO THROUGH. WE ARE HERE SO YOU CAN GET ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE FROM THE COMMISSION HOW YOU WANT TO PROCEED. DID YOU WANT A SHORT LIST TONIGHT OR TAKE ADDITIONAL TIME TO GO TO THE APPLICANTS AND REVIEW THEM? WE ARE REALLY HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PROCESS OR WHAT WE CAN ANSWER. 
          BEFORE I TURN IT OVER TO THE COMMISSION, DID I MISS 
          ANYTHING? >> NOTHING WAS MISSED. 
          >> WE ARE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. 
          >> THIS INCLUDES THE 24 THAT COMPLETED THE APPLICATION AND THE QUESTIONNAIRE AND ALL THAT. AND IN ADDITION WE HAVE THE 41 THAT DID NOT MEET THE MINIMUM THRESHOLD OR DID NOT COMPLETE 
          THE APPLICATION QUESTIONNAIRE. >> YES, BUT LET ME ADD ONE CLARIFICATION. ANYBODY WHO APPLIED THROUGH A THIRD-PARTY 
          [01:35:02]
VENDOR SUCH AS INDEED ARE CONSIDERED. EVEN THOUGH SOME OF THEM DID NOT COMPLETE A CITY APPLICATION, EVERYBODY WAS CONSIDERED. WE ARE AS WE - WE ARE GOING TO SEE TO MAKE SURE THAT COUNSEL SO EVERYBODY THAT APPLIED FOR THE POSITION. SO YES, YOUR ANSWER IS CORRECT. 24 THAT WE SENT THE QUESTIONNAIRES BUT ONLY 19 ACTUALLY DID THE QUESTIONNAIRE. THE FIVE ARE 
          LISTED HERE AS WELL. >> IS YOUR INTENTION IN MY UNDERSTANDING THAT YOU ARE LOOKING TO TAKE DIRECTION FROM THE COMMISSION TO GO AHEAD AND SHORTLIST DOWN TO SIX PEOPLE OR 
          EIGHT PEOPLE? >> THAT IS WHAT WE CAME TO TONIGHT. THAT IS MY INTENTION, YES. 
          >> THE REASON I ASK ABOUT IT CANDIDLY. I'M NOT AN HR PERSONNEL MANAGER. THIS IS WHAT YOU DO. I AM REALLY RELYING ON YOU TO THAT THE BEST CANDIDATES THAT FLOAT TO THE TOP AND BOIL THEM DOWN. I WILL READ THE 19 OR 20 THAT HAD TO BE READ. BUT I'M RELYING ON YOUR EXPERTISE TO MAKE SURE THEY PUT TOGETHER A COMPILED LIST OF SIX PEOPLE OR EIGHT PEOPLE THAT MEET THE HARD REQUIREMENTS, TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS. ALSO OF THE WORK EXPERIENCE THAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR TO MARRY INTO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. ONE OF YOUR QUESTIONS AND WHAT TYPE OF EXPERIENCE DO YOU WANT US TO GIVE YOU DIRECTION TO LOOK FOR. 
          IS THAT A FAIR ASSESSMENT? >> THAT IS A FAIR ASSESSMENT BECAUSE I NEED GUIDANCE FROM COMMISSION. WHAT ARE YOU REALLY 
          LOOKING FOR? >> I UNDERSTOOD AND THANK YOU FOR ANSWERING. GREAT WORK. THIS IS BY THE POUND. PAPERWORK BY THE POUND IS A BUNCH OF TREES THAT WERE SACRIFICED FOR THESE BOOKLETS. BUT I ACKNOWLEDGE THE FACT THAT THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION AND VETTING THIS THROUGH THIS PROCESS AND THANK YOU FOR DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> I LOOK FORWARD TO BECAUSE YOUR INPUT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT. 
          >> I CAUGHT MYSELF ON THAT ONE. >> FIRST LET ME START BY THANKING STAFF. HE DID THIS OVER THE HOLIDAY AND WE WERE ALL PROBABLY ENJOYING SOME TIME OFF WITH FAMILY SO THANK YOU. 
          IT REALLY WAS A GREAT TASK. TO ADHERE TO OUR TIMELINE AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE HAD TO HAVE SOME BRIEF CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS. COMMISSIONER BRODERICK, HR IS SOMETHING THAT IS IN MY BACKGROUND. I WOULD ENCOURAGE US TO LOOK TO AT LEAST THE 24 THAT HAVE BEEN VETTED. WE HAVE BEEN GIVING STAFF DIRECTION AT OUR LAST MEETING IN DECEMBER. I PURPOSELY PUT IT ON THE AGENDA AND WE GAVE SOME REFERENCE OF SEMBLANCE OF WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR. IT WAS SIMILARITY OF CERTAINLY CANDIDATES THAT ARE GOVERNING CITIES OR OF OUR SIMILAR SIZE OR PEOPLE THAT HAVE THAT TYPE OF EXPERIENCE DOING THAT TYPE OF WORK. CERTAINLY SOMEBODY THAT IS AT A LEVEL THAT WE WOULD CONSIDER MANAGING HIGH LEVEL EXECUTIVE STAFF WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT IT IS. THE CEO OF OUR CITY IS THE CITY MANAGER. WE DID GET SOME DIRECTION AND SEMBLANCE . FROM MY EARLY ANALYSIS, STAFF HAS DONE THAT AND THEY PUT FORTH 24 CANDIDATES IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN. THEY MET THE HIGH HURDLE OF HAVING AT LEAST HIGH LEVEL EXECUTIVE EXPERIENCE. 
          SOME CITY SOME IN OTHER RELATED INDUSTRIES, ET CETERA. BUT WE HAVE THAT AND WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS SPEND SOME TIME LOOKING AT THESE 24. WE WILL COME BACK TO STAFF AND HAVE IT ANOTHER DISCUSSION. I WENT THROUGH THIS TODAY AND I WANT TO STOP RIGHT THERE BECAUSE I THINK IT IS UNFAIR. MY COLLEAGUES ALSO NEED TO WEIGH IN. I WANT TO RESERVE MORE COMMENTS AFTER I HEAR FROM YOU BASED ON WHAT MY EARLY IMPRESSIONS ARE OF WHAT I SEE. 
          >> COMMISSIONER GAINES. >> I ALSO WENT THROUGH AND I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER JOHNSON. GOING THROUGH SOMETHING LIKE THIS, I UNDERSTAND WE WANT SOMEBODY IN THAT POSITION TO FILL THIS POSITION. BUT I DO NOT WANT TO RUSH. I SPOKE TO HR AND WENT THROUGH WHAT I SAW. I NEED SOME TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME TIME TO GO THROUGH IT AND LOOK AT IT AND PUT MY EYES ON IT. TWO OR THREE TIMES. I THINK TO TRY TO GIVE YOU SOMETHING TONIGHT WOULD BE UNFAIR FOR YOU GUYS AND UNFAIR FOR THE REST OF US TO MAKE JUDGMENTS ON OUR 
          [01:40:01]
          FIRST GO THROUGH. >> I HAVE NOT EVEN MADE THROUGH 
          IT YET. >> ME PERSONALLY, I WOULD LIKE SOME MORE TIME TO LOOK. I HAVE NOTES AND HAVE CIRCLED SOME THINGS THAT I WOULD WANT TO GO BACK AND LOOK AT TO LOOK AT WHAT I HAVE TO DO. LIKE I SAID IN OUR MEETING, I TELL YOU WHAT I SAID. A RESUME ON PAPER , YOU CAN PAY THE RIGHT PERSON . YOUR RESUME WOULD LOOK THE BEST IN THE WORLD. 
          >> AND THEY CAN MAKE ME LOOK GOOD. 
          >> THEY CAN MAKE YOU LOOK GOOD BUT I WANTED TO DO IS GO THROUGH AND HAVE SOME QUESTIONS . IT IS REALLY GOING TO COME DOWN -- LET ME BE HONEST. WHEN THE INTERVIEW SECTION COMES, IF THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT AND I LOOK AT YOUR FACE AND YOU LOOK AT ME IN MY FACE. I CAN TELL RIGHT THAN IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE A FIT. OR IF YOU'RE NOT GOING TO FIT BASED ON WHAT I'VE SEEN ON THE RESUME. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISIONS THAT THE FIVE OF US ARE GOING TO MAKE IN A LONG TIME. WE HAVE MADE SOME IMPORTANT DECISIONS BUT THIS ONE WILL CATAPULT THE CITY FORWARD . WE HAD TO BE RIGHT ON IT. I DO NOT WANT TO RUSH SO A GREAT JOB . ESPECIALLY WORKING OVER THE CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR'S BREAK. THAT IS MY TWO CENTS BUT I JUST WOULD LIKE SOME MORE TIME TO GO THROUGH THE BOOK JUST TO GO THROUGH. I DO HAVE A QUESTION. ON SOME OF THESE THAT WE FELT WERE NOT QUALIFIED BUT DID NOT MAKE THIS LIST. OR DID NOT COMPLETE THE SURVEY , QUESTIONNAIRE. HAVE WE REACHED OUT TO ANY OF THOSE TO COMPLETE THE SURVEY? OR IF THEY HAD TIME AND THEY DID NOT DO IT AND THEY ARE EXCLUDED. I AM JUST CURIOUS. THE ONLY REASON I ASK AND I KNOW YOU GET INTO THE DUE PROCESS. BECAUSE OF SOMEBODY DIDN'T DO IT, DURING THE TIMEFRAME, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE IN MY PROFESSION OR A BUSINESS PROFESSION. THAT CHRISTMAS TO NEW YEAR'S TIMEFRAME , A LOT OF PEOPLE TAKE OFF AND JUST ARE GONE. I AM JUST CURIOUS AND I DO NOT WANT TO PENALIZE ANYBODY . AND I DO NOT WANT TO BE UNFAIR TO SOMEBODY WHO DID IT . BUT WE ARE LOOKING FOR THE BEST CANDIDATE. MY QUESTION IS THAT I WAS STILL ALLOWING ME TO DO IT OR IS THIS IT? SUSPECT THE ANSWER IS THAT I'M GOING TO HAVE LINDA EXPLAIN THE PROCESS BECAUSE SHE REACHED OUT TO INDIVIDUAL APPLICANTS. I DO NOT WANT TO SPEAK FOR HER. THE OTHER PART OF YOUR QUESTION IS THAT THEY ARE STILL CONSIDERED APPLICANTS RIGHT NOW. IF IT IS THE COUNSEL DESIRE TO SAY THIS INDIVIDUAL, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A QUESTIONNAIRE BECAUSE I AM INTERESTED. IF THEY AGREE TO THAT WE CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT. 
          THAT IS THE COMMISSIONS RIGHT. BUT LET ME TURN IT OVER TO 
          LINDA. >> META-MAYOR, CITY COMMISSIONERS, THE EVIL WAS SENT OUT DECEMBER 20TH. WE GIVE THEM DIRECTIONS AND WHEN TO TURN EVERYTHING BACK IN, THE DEADLINE. A LOT OF THE APPLICANTS RESPONDED RIGHT AWAY. THEY WERE ON THE EMAIL AND A LOT OF THEM HAD QUESTIONS AND I RESPONDED AS THEY CAME IN. PRIOR TO THE DAY BEFORE IT WAS DUE, I SENT THEM A REMINDER. AT THAT TIME WE HAD THE BULK OF THEM. THE DAY OF, WE RECEIVED A MAJORITY OF THE RESPONSES. FROM THE 24, 19 I FEEL THE OTHER FIVE BUT THE ARE STILL THERE. THEY ARE STILL ACCESSIBLE. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR THAT. I ASKED THAT QUESTION BECAUSE WE ARE OPEN. I WANT EVERYBODY TO SEE WHAT WE ARE DOING. I KNOW I HAD A QUESTION FOR YOU WHEN I CALLED. ONE WAS EXCLUDED, OR SOMETHING. IT WAS NOT THAT PERSON FROM JUPITER. DO YOU 
          REMEMBER? >> YOU HAD TO BRING IT UP. 
          >> YOU HAVE TO PROTECT YOURSELF. 
          >> COMMISSIONER GAINES, THE INDIVIDUAL THAT WE WITHDREW. 
          >> THAT WAS NOT BECAUSE OF OUR COMMENTS. 
          [01:45:05]
          >> I'M JUST SAYING. >> THE LAWSUIT IS COMING. 
          >> NO LAWSUIT BUT LET US CLEAR IT UP, TODAY. 
          >> WE DID REACH OUT TO THE INDIVIDUAL BECAUSE THEY CONTACTED US AND STATED THEY HAD CONCERNS ABOUT LIVING WITHIN THE CITY AND ABLE TO RELOCATE. AND LIMITING RIDDING THE REQUIREMENT. LINDA REACHED BACK OUT AND SENT ANOTHER EMAIL. WE DO HAVE TIME TO RELOCATE. TO DATE. 
          >> HE HAS NOT RESPONDED. >> THERE IS A METHOD TO MY MADNESS, THERE IS SO THAT IS WHERE WE ARE. 
          >> GREAT. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR. 
          >> I DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING BUT I HAVE READ ALL OF 
          THESE. >> I DID TOO. 
          >> I DID TAKE A FIRST GLANCE. MAYBE I DID NOT READ EVERY LINE BUT I HAVE A LIST OF WHO I AM COMFORTABLE WITH INTERVIEWING HIM. I KIND OF USE THE QUESTIONNAIRE AS A GATEWAY, AS WELL. IF THEY DID NOT BOTHER TO FILL OUT THE QUESTIONNAIRE, I'M NOT TAKING THEM SERIOUSLY BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT TAKING THE PROCESS SERIOUSLY. I KIND OF LOOK AT THOSE THINGS AS GRAMMAR AND ONE OF THE COVER LIGHTS REFERRED TO US AS THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT I TAKE INTO ACCOUNT. IF THEY ARE MASS APPLYING TO JOBS, THE PEOPLE THAT ASK YOU TOOK THE TIME TO PAY ATTENTION AND KNOW OUR CITY AND SOME OF THE ISSUES. I THINK THE QUESTION WAS VERY WELL PUT TOGETHER AND I COMMEND THE STAFF FOR DOING THAT. I ALSO DO NOT WANT TO DEPRIVE YOU. TAKING THE TIME TO DO THIS NECESSARY BUT MY PROCESS WAS THAT I KNOW WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR AND I WANT TO SEE IN THE NEXT CITY MANAGER. TRYING TO LOOK AT IT THROUGH A LENS OF THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE NECESSARILY OUR CITY MANAGER FOR THE NEXT 20 OR 30 YEARS BUT THIS IS THE PERSON THAT WE NEED NOW IN OUR TRANSITION. IN THIS TRANSITION. I WAS LOOKING AT EXPERIENCE SPECIFICALLY IN HR AND MANAGING A LARGE GROUP OR A LARGE TEAM. THIS IS A LOT OF EMPLOYEES AND THAT IS OUR BIGGEST RESOURCE IN THE CITY OF HAVING EXPERIENCE HAVING TO DO THAT. THAT IS A BIG ONE FOR ME. WHETHER THAT IS A GOVERNMENT OR PRIVATE SECTOR , ALSO LOOKING AT THEIR GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE AND THEIR EDUCATION. AND I DID A LITTLE BIT OF GOOGLING . YOU CAN FIND OUT A LOT ON GOOGLE AND THERE ARE A FEW THAT I CHECKED OUT AND CROSSED OFF MY LIST IMMEDIATELY. I ALSO COMMND THE STAFFING FOR COMPILING THIS. I AM COMFORTABLE WITH THE SELECTION OF THE 19 THAT WE HAVE WITH THE RESUMES AND QUESTIONNAIRES. I AM EXCITED ABOUT MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS. I LOOKED AT IT WHERE I CHECKED OFF THE BOXES IN MY MIND OF WHO IS QUALIFIED AND WHO I WANT TO PURSUE. I MADE A LIST ON WHO I WOULD LIKE TO INTERVIEW AND I WOULD GO FROM THERE. THAT LIST IS DECIDED AND EVEN TO DIG DEEPER IN THE RESUME AND THE QUESTIONNAIRES. EVEN FURTHER GOOGLING WENT ON AND TO PREPARE FOR THE INDIVIDUAL INTERVIEWS. THAT IS WHAT MY PROCESS WAS. OBVIOUSLY, IF YOU WANT TO TAKE MORE TIME, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD BE RUSHING. 
          >> I DID ACTUALLY READ THEM OVER THE WEEKEND. I HAD EVEN READ THEM LAST WEEK , THE RESUMES. I HAD MY STAFF MEETING TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE QUESTIONNAIRE. I REALIZE THE QUESTIONNAIRE NEEDED TO BE TAKING SOME TIME. LIKE YOU, I WANTED TO SEE HOW PEOPLE EXPRESSED THEMSELVES AND IT WAS INTERESTING TO SEE SOME CANDIDATES. THEY REALLY DOVE INTO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AND THEY WERE ON TOP OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING HERE. OTHER CANDIDATES WERE NOT. I FELT THAT THEM MAKING THE EFFORT TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON HERE AND WHERE THEY SEE WHAT THE NEXT STEPS ARE. I THOUGHT THAT WAS 
          [01:50:01]
VERY IMPORTANT. I ALWAYS FIND IT INTERESTING WHEN YOU ASKED THE QUESTION, WHAT IS YOUR MANAGEMENT STYLE. PEOPLE RARELY SAY ANYTHING THAT IS COLLABORATIVE OR THEY WANT TO BUILD A TEAM INTO THIS. I'M SUCH A GOOD GUY. DURING MY CAREER WHEN I WORKED FOR THE MEDICAL SOCIETY, THE MOST PEOPLE EVER HAD WORKING FOR ME WAS ABOUT 25. I USED TO INTERVIEW A LOT AND GIVE REVIEWS A LOT AND I FOUND THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE. IF YOU TAKE THEM AT YOUR WORK, I ALWAYS GET TO WORK ON TIME. AND I HAD TO HAVE INITIATIVE A LOT OF PEOPLE'S VIEWS OF THEMSELVES DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT . IT IS HOW THE THINK THEY SEE THEMSELVES OR THEY WANT YOU TO SEE THEMSELVES. WHATEVER. SO I FIND YOU HAVE TO GET BETWEEN THE EDUCATION, THE EXPERIENCE AND THE QUESTIONNAIRE, YOU HAVE TO GET A SENSE OF THE ENTIRE PERSON. I HAVE TO GET ALL OF THAT BUT I AM WITH YOU. UNTIL YOU ACTUALLY SPEAK TO THEM, YOU DO NOT DO IT. IF THEY ARE ARROGANT, OR HUMBLE OR EDUCATED OR TALKERS OR NON-TALKERS. YOU DO NOT KNOW THAT. I AM WITH YOU, I IDENTIFY THOSE THAT I THOUGHT COULD BE A GOOD FIT. I PUT ALL THAT TOGETHER, THE QUESTIONNAIRE, THE EXPERIENCE, THE EDUCATION AND THE ATTITUDE THAT CAME THROUGH. I UNIDENTIFIED THE ONES THAT I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SPENDING TIME WITH. LIKE YOU, I ALSO WANT TO GET MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS THE TIME THEY NEED TO DO THAT. AND ALSO I KNOW THAT WE TALKED THAT WE DID NOT HAVE TO BE IN A HURRY AND I DO NOT WANT TO BE IN A HURRY. BUT I ALSO KNOW THE LONGER WE DO NOT HAVE SOMEBODY WHO IS THE CITY MANAGER, THE LONGER IT COULD TAKE. THE STAFF NEEDS TO KNOW THAT THIS IS THE BOSTON THIS IS THE WAY IT IS GOING TO BE. THE BOSS NEEDS TO KNOW THAT I'M THE BOSS AND THIS IS HOW IT IS GOING TO BE. THAT IS KIND OF THE REAL WAY YOU MOVE FORWARD. EVEN THOUGH RIGHT NOW WE ARE MOVING FORWARD. I THINK THAT OUR ACTING CITY MANAGER IS DOING A LOT TO TRY TO MOVE THE CITY FORWARD. WE ALL KNOW IT IS NOT THE SAME AS ACTUALLY THE MAN THAT WOULD BE WORKING THE JOB. COMMISSIONER TAYLOR , I DO NOT KNOW IF THE CITY MANAGER SO I THINK THAT YOU GAVE ME AN AVERAGE TIME OF WHEN WE WERE 
          TALKING. >> YES, THREE YEARS TO FOUR YEARS, THE LIFESPAN OF A CITY MANAGER. 
          >> THE CITY MANAGER ASKED TO WORK FOR US AND FIND DIFFERENT PEOPLE AND DIFFERENT AGENDAS AND DIFFERENT STYLES AND DIFFERENT DEMANDS AND DIFFERENT WAYS OF WORKING. THEY HAVE TO NOT PLEASE THE CITIZENS BUT THEY HAVE TO DEAL WITH CITIZENS IN A WAY THAT THEY DO NOT COME TO YOU AND COMPLAIN TO YOU ABOUT THE CITY MANAGER ALL THE TIME. AN EASY JOB. IT IS AN IMPORTANT DECISION . I HAVE HAD -- IN THE 12 YEARS AS MAYOR, I'VE BEEN ABLE TO HIRE CITY ATTORNEYS, CITY MANAGERS AND ON THE BOARD TO BE THE TREASURER AND ALSO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT HAVE HIRED EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS. BUT I CANNOT SAY THAT THERE IS ANY MAGIC TO IT THAT YOU ACTUALLY MIGHT HAVE SOMEBODY REALLY GOOD ON PAPER WHO WAS A REALLY GOOD TALKER. 
          BUT THEY DO NOT TURN OUT WELL. I WILL SAY THAT I WAS FIRST ELECTED MAYOR, THIS CITY HAD CHOSEN THE CITY MANAGER IN NOVEMBER. IT WAS 2012 . HE WAS A BRAND-NEW CITY MANAGER. I THINK YOU LASTED ABOUT TWO YEARS - I THINK HE LASTED ABOUT TWO YEARS. SO HE LOOKED GOOD ON PAPER BUT IT WAS JUST A VERY IMPORTANT DECISION AND YOU HAD TO REALLY FEEL THAT YOU ARE GETTING IT RIGHT. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE TALKED ABOUT IS THAT WE DISCUSSED YOU WANTED TO HEAR FROM US OF WHAT WE THINK 
          [01:55:06]
THIS NEXT CITY MANAGER IS GOING TO DO . WHAT WE NEED AT THIS TIME. THERE IS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT DEVELOPMENT AND DEALING WITH DEVELOPMENT AND DEALING WITH DEVELOPERS. 
          THERE IS REFERENCE TO THE FACT THAT SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE DOING AND HAVE DONE HAVE NOT ADVANCED AS FAST AS THEY COULD. I THINK THAT IS OUR MOST PRESSING ISSUE. WE ARE A CITY ON THE RISE, WE ARE A CITY THAT WE HAVE A HEALTHY BUDGET RIGHT NOW. BUT WE ARE NOT A WEALTHY BUDGET. WE NEED SOMEBODY WHO UNDERSTANDS HOW TO GET US TO BE ABLE TO FUND THE SERVICES WE NEED TO PROVIDE FOR OUR CITIZENS. WE ARE A CITY OF 50,000 PEOPLE AND THAT IS CONSIDERED NOT THE LARGEST BUT MOST OF THE CITIES IN FLORIDA ARE 5000 PEOPLE OR LESS. WE ARE AN OLD CITY BUT WE NEED TO THINK -- OUR RESIDENTS STILL THINK OF US AS A SMALL TOWN. THEY WANT US TO STAY AS A SMALL TOWN. THAT IS NOT HAPPENING HERE OR ALMOST IN ANY CITY IN FLORIDA. EVERY CITY IN FLORIDA IS EXPERIENCING HUGE GROWTH. WE HEAR THAT . AND EVERYBODY IS GRAPPLING WITH THIS. WE NEED A PERSON THAT WILL HELP US GO FROM BEING A SMALL TOWN TO BEING WHATEVER IT IS WE ARE GOING TO BE. WE ARE KIND OF POVERTY AND URBAN AREA BUT STILL HAVE A SMALL TOWN FEEL. 
          >> META-MAYOR, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SHARING AND I SHARED MY COMMENTS AS WELL. ONE OF THE THINGS I HEAR FROM STAFF IS THAT IF WE COULD KIND OF GET TO THE SIX TO EIGHT LEVEL OUT OF THE 19 OR 24 PEOPLE. I APPLIED THAT TODAY AND I COULD NOT GET THERE. I COULD NOT. IT WAS BASED ON EVERYTHING YOU SAID ABOUT EXPERIENCE OR BEING ABLE TO GET US TO A LEVEL OF THE EXECUTIVE WE NEED TO COME IN AND PUT A CULTURE IN PLACE AND RUN THE CITY AND BE THE BOSS. THAT WAS BEFORE I DID SOME GOOGLE SEARCHES IS - AND MY LIST GOT EVEN SMALLER. AND OBVIOUSLY YOU GOT TO A NUMBER AND I DO NOT KNOW WHERE IT IS. 
          >> THREE. >> TO ME I THINK THAT IF IT IS SIX, I AM FEELING COMFORTABLE THAT WE CAN COME UP WITH SIX AND WHITTLE IT DOWN. AS A COMMISSION, IF WE CANNOT COME UP WITH SIX. WE HAVE TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION NOW FOR STAFF AND HERE IS MY COMMENT. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU'VE DONE AND CONTINUE TO DO. IT WILL BEHOOVE US AS A COMMISSION TO REALLY UNDERSTAND THE SERIOUSNESS . THEY DID EXACTLY WHAT WE ASKED THEM TO DO WHICH WAS GO OUT AND PUT THIS ON THE STREET. FOR ALL OF THESE SOURCES AND ASSOCIATION'S AND WE GOT 60 RESUMES. TRULY QUALIFIED PEOPLE AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES DOING REMARKABLE THINGS WHICH IS GREAT. MY EXPERIENCE TELLS ME THAT THE TIME AND THE YEAR, PEOPLE MAKE DECISIONS ON WHEN THEY ARE LEAVING COMPANIES BECAUSE THEY WANT THAT END OF YEAR BONUSES. THAT IS THE FIRST THING FROM HR TO PEOPLE MAKE DECISIONS GOING INTO THE EARLY SPRING WHEN THEY HAVE GOTTEN BONUSES AND EVERYTHING IS CLEARED. THE SECOND THING I ALSO KNOW IS THE EXACT PROCESS THAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW, THE PEOPLE THAT WE REALLY PROBABLY WANT TO SEE WILL NEVER, EVER APPLY. PUBLIC DISCLOSURE IS DANGEROUS TO A CITY MANAGER THAT IS IN POSITION. WE HAVE LITERALLY POURED OUT ON PUBLIC RECORD WHO THESE PEOPLE ARE THE ONE TO COME IN. I THINK WE NEED TO CONSIDER THAT. WE REALLY NEED TO THINK DO WE EVEN CONSIDER OR EVEN SEE WHAT IT IS TO HIRE AN AGENT TO GO OUT TO BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND WHERE ARE THE CITY MANAGERS THEY CAN QUIETLY HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH TO SEE IF THERE IS INTEREST. TO PULL THEM 
          [02:00:04]
FORTH IN A PROCESS THAT PROTECTS THEM TO A CERTAIN LEVEL OF COURSE. IT WOULD OPEN THEM UP AFTER THEY HAVE TAKEN IT AND THE SEARCH FIRMS CAN DO THAT. I AM OF THE HUMBLE OPINION THAT WE ARE GOING TO GRANT GREAT CANDIDATES AND I WANT TO GET A GREAT CANDIDATE POOL. I THINK WE ALSO HAVE TO PROBABLY HAVE CONVERSATIONS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE LOOKING TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS WITH US RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE TO HAVE CANDIDATES THAT ARE ACTIVELY NOT LOOKING FOR JOBS TO BE IN THIS APPLICATION POOL. I AM OF THE PINION, CURTIS JOHNSON. THAT WE HAVE SOME OF THAT BUT WE DID NOT GET ENOUGH OF THAT IN THIS BINDER. THAT IS MY OPINION. THAT IS MY SOUL OPINION BECAUSE I ALSO HAVE RUN PERSONNEL ON A LARGE SCALE AND HAVE HIRED AND EVEN TO FIRE . THEY ARE GOING TO SAY EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO LOOK AT THE RESUME WILL LOOK A CERTAIN WAY. THE SIX PEOPLE THAT I WANT TO SEE IN FRONT OF ME SOMETHING GOT THEM THROUGH MY RESEARCH. I'M EVEN MORE INQUISITIVE TO GET THEM IN FRONT OF ME. I AM LITERALLY, GOING TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND SOME DIGGING TO SEE WHO THIS PERSON IS AND I HAVE DONE THAT. 
          FOR PEOPLE THAT INITIALLY WERE ON MY LIST BUT GOT SCRATCHED. 
          THAT IS WHERE I AM AT. YOU ALSO HAVE TO DO THAT EXERCISE. 
          >> ONE THING I FORGOT TO MENTION IS THAT I CONCENTRATED ON PEOPLE THAT UNDERSTOOD FLORIDA. OUR SUNSHINE LAWS IN OUR PUBLIC RECORD LAWS AND ALL OF OUR STATUTES AND THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS. INCLUDING THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT, RFP, ALL OF THOSE THINGS MANY ARE SPECIFIC TO FLORIDA. WHEN YOU WERE SAYING IF A CITY MANAGER WAS INTERESTED IN THIS JOB BUT DID NOT WANT THEIR INTEREST KNOWN. YOU CAN DO THAT IN FLORIDA. YOU CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION, YOU'RE RIGHT. BUT IT IS ALL PUBLIC RECORD IN FLORIDA. THAT IS THE NATURE OF THE BEAST AND CERTAINLY PEOPLE IN GOVERNMENT IN FLORIDA IN MUNICIPAL AND LOCAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT ARE AWARE OF THE PUBLIC RECORD LAWS . THEY SHOULD BE AWARE AND IF THEY ARE NOT , I AM NOT INTERESTED. THEY NEED TO BE VERY SENSITIVE TO THAT BECAUSE THAT IS A BIG 
          THING AND A BIG REQUIREMENT. >> I HAVE A QUICK COMMENT. I'M NOT ADVOCATING ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. THIS IS FOR THE COMMISSIONER TO MAKE A DECISION. BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE PROCESS AND YOU WANTED TO DO A SEARCH. I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE STRATEGIC PLANNING. YOU WORK WITH A CONSULTANT THAT 
          DOES THE STRATEGIC PLANNING. >> CORRECT, COMING UP IN 10 
          DAYS. >> ONE OF THE THINGS YOU COULD DO IS THAT AS YOU ARE GOING TO THE STRATEGIC PLANNING. YOU OUTLINE AS A GROUP WHAT IS IT THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH FOR THE CITY. I CAN TELL YOU THAT WE WENT WITH MY EXPERIENCE. THERE ARE CITY MANAGERS THAT COME IN TO SHAKE THINGS UP OR COME IN AND DRAW BUSINESS. I'M NOT GOING TO GO INTO A LOT OF DETAIL. BASICALLY I'VE SEEN DIFFERENT SCENARIOS AND DIFFERENT MANAGERS DO DIFFERENT THINGS. ONE THING THAT IS ALWAYS BEEN A COMMON THEME WAS THE TREE STRATEGIC - THE STRATEGIC WAS THAT THE COMMISSION LEADS AND THE COMMISSION FOLLOWS. THEY SET THE GOALS AND THE MANAGER NEEDS TO ALIGN ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS DOWN BELOW THEM TO REACH THE STRATEGIC GOAL. EACH INDIVIDUAL DEPARTMENT HAD THEIR OWN STRATEGIC PLANS THAT HAVE REQUIREMENTS AND TIED INTO THE CITY. THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU -- THESE ARE JUST IN MY OPINION, THAT YOU COULD SPEAK TO YOUR STRATEGIC PLANNER. TO ALIGN AND GET A BETTER IDEA OF WHAT IT IS YOU'RE LOOKING FOR. AS FAR AS US, I APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE FROM THE COMMISSIONERS. WE DID TRY TO PRESENT THE BEST APPLICANTS THAT WE COULD BASED ON OUR ABILITY TO GET A POOL. I'M NOT ADVOCATING EITHER WAY BUT I 
          [02:05:05]
WANTED TO MAKE A SUGGESTION TO YOU. 
          >> IT IS SOON ENOUGH TO BE ABLE BE THINKING ABOUT THAT ENTIRE ASPECT OF WHO IS GOING TO BE LEADING THE CITY IN TERMS OF 
          STAFF. >> JFK WAS TALKING TO A GUY WHO WAS SWEEPING THE FLOOR. HE SAID WHAT DO I DO AND HE SAID I AM A JANITOR. THEY USED THAT IN OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING TO IDENTIFY EVERYBODY IN THE CITY. HE NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND OUR MISSION, WHATEVER OMISSION HAS DECIDED, THAT IS WHAT THEY NEED TO KNOW. 
          EVERY JOB IN THE CITY COMES TOGETHER TO LEAD THOSE GOALS. 
          WE ARE GOING TO MAKE THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE A GREAT PLACE TO 
          LIVE, PLAY, PROSPER. >> A GOOD WAY TO LOOK AT IT, EVERYBODY KNOWS THE GOAL. NO MATTER IF THEY ARE AT THE MARINA, THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OR WHEREVER. WHAT IS YOUR PLEASURE? IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE 19 CANDIDATES IS THAT CORRECT? 19 THAT COMPLETED THE QUESTIONNAIRE. 
          >> WHAT TIME FRAME WILL BE LOOKING AT ? 
          >> WE WOULD NEED TO IDENTIFY A BUDGET BECAUSE IT IS RELATIVELY COSTLY TO DO THAT. I ASSUME THERE IS A PURCHASING PROCEDURE PROCESS THAT WE WOULD TO GO THROUGH TO IDENTIFY A SEARCH PARTY. I AM NOT SURE HOW THAT LONG WITH TAKE. THEY WOULD DO A SEARCH AND SPEAK TO THE INDIVIDUAL DEPENDING ON WHAT TYPE OF SEARCH THEY ARE DOING. AT SOME POINT THEY WILL BRING THEM IN. I WOULD TELL YOU REALISTICALLY THAT IT WOULD TAKE AT LEAST TWO MONTHS TO THREE MONTHS TO GET TO THE 
          PROCESS. >> A MINIMUM. 
          >> THIS IS SOMETHING THE COMMISSIONER ALREADY DISCUSSED PRIOR TO ME GETTING UP HERE. WE DECIDED NOT TO DO A NATIONAL SEARCH WHICH IS WHY WHERE WE ARE NOW. 
          >> WE REALLY DID NOT DISCUSS IT. WE JUST DECIDED TO TRY THIS. I THINK THIS PROCESS -- YOU RATTLED OFF ALL THE PLACES WHERE YOU ADVERTISED. I FEEL LIKE YOU GOT TO THE FLORIDA PEOPLE PARTICULARLY. YOU WENT -- GO AHEAD. 
          >> YOU CAN SEE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GET SOME NATIONAL PEOPLE. WE REALLY GOT THE INFORMATION OUT. WHAT WERE NOT ABLE TO DO WHICH WAS NOT IN MY PRIVITY WAS WHAT MR. JOHNSON WAS TALKING ABOUT. TO SEARCH, THEY WERE CALL PEOPLE AND TRY -- WE JUST DO NOT HAVE THAT CAPABILITY. 
          >> I DO NOT THINK YOU SHOULD BE DOING THAT. YOU ARE HR, YOU ARE NOT A RECRUITER IN TERMS -- THAT IS A TOTALLY DIFFERENT MINDSET. YOU ARE A STAFF MEMBER HERE. 
          >> LET ME BE CLEAR, I ONLY BROUGHT THIS UP SO WE HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION ON THE TABLE. WE OWE IT TO OURSELVES TO AT LEAST WEIGH THE OPTION TO UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH IS IT AND HOW MUCH WOULD IT COST. I AM ASKING THAT QUESTION. AND I WOULD LIKE THE STAFF TO GIVE US SOME SIMILAR NUMBERS OF WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE. KEEPING THIS PROCESS, STILL LOOKING AT 
          THE 19 TO 20 PEOPLE. >> I CAN CERTAINLY PROVIDE AN 
          AVERAGE. >> PREVIOUSLY IS BEEN A 
          $30,000. >> I DO NOT KNOW IF IT HAS GONE 
          UP. >> BECAUSE OF INFLATION. 
          >> I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO UNDERSTAND AND AT LEAST KICKED IT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON AND EXPLORING OUR OPTIONS. 
          >> IF I HAD TO GUESS, IT WOULD BE $35,000-$40,000. 
          >> MAYBE IN THE INTERIM WE COULD GET MORE INFORMATION ON POSSIBLY DOING THAT AND CONTINUE TO REVIEW THE APPLICATIONS THAT WE HAVE. MAYBE ONCE COMMISSIONER JOHNSON DIGS DEEPER, WE MIGHT FIND THE PERFECT CANDIDATE. 
          >> THERE WILL NEVER BE A PERFECT CANDIDATE BUT I DO UNDERSTAND THE DYNAMICS OF BEHAVIOR. THAT IS WHAT I DO, IT IS THAT. THAT PERSON IS TO UNDERSTAND THE BEHAVIOR OF THE FIVE OF US AND UNDERSTAND THAT THEY ALSO HAVE 400 EMPLOYEES 
          [02:10:02]
THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE LEADING. MY LENS ON HOW I LOOK AT THIS ON WHO IS CAPABLE AND WHO HAS DEMONSTRATED THAT EITHER IN THE PROFESSION THEY ARE IN. OR THINGS THEY HAVE DONE AND THAT CAN DO THAT. THAT IS WHERE I AM COMING FROM. THIS IS WHAT I DO. I AM SPEAKING UP BECAUSE THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISION WE ARE GOING TO MAKE. WE HAVE GOT TO GET THIS RIGHT AND WE HAD TO BE COMFORTABLE WITH THOSE SIX PEOPLE WE ARE GOING TO DO IS TO BRING IN. WE ARE ASKING THEM TO TAKE TIME TO PREPARE AND SIT AND TALK WITH US. I DO NOT WANT TO HAVE SOMEBODY HERE WASTING TIME. I SAW SOME PEOPLE HERE THAT ARE HIGH LEVEL INDUSTRY PEOPLE THAT I'M NOT AT ALL COMFORTABLE BRINGING IN TO TALK TO. I'M JUST GOING TO SAY THAT. WHAT IT IS TO RUN A CITY VERSUS A COMPANY AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING NOW ARE TOTALLY UNRELATED. YOU HAVE UNION ISSUES AND WE HAVE MAJOR FINANCE ISSUES AND MAJOR CONTRACT STUFF GOING ON. WE HAVE A CULTURE THAT WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS WE HAD TO RUN AT CITY HALL. WE HAVE FOUR PEOPLE RUNNING AROUND, THAT IS A MAJOR MONUMENTAL TASK THIS PERSON TO STEP IN. BY THE WAY, WE ARE TRYING TO GET -- NOT LOSE ANY STEPS. WE DO NOT HAVE THAT MUCH TIME FOR TRAINING. 
          >> SOME QUICK COMMENTS. WHEN I WAS FIRST ELECTED , I'VE BEEN IN BUSINESS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF TIME, 1994. THAT IS 30 ODD 
          YEARS . >> NO MORE OF THAT. 
          >> I WAS EIGHT YEARS OLD. >> I WAS 8 YEARS OLD IN 1994. 
          >> ONE OF THE MOST SHOCKING REVELATIONS TO ME WAS IN MY INITIAL MEETING WITH CITY STAFF AS TO THE STARK DIFFERENCES BETWEEN BUSINESS WORLD AND THE GOVERNMENT WORLD. AND WE SHOULD BE DISCUSSED, AND LET US DO THIS. WELL, WE CANNOT IN HERE IS THE LITANY OF REASONS WHY. IT IS ALL OF THESE PROCESSES. 
          I'M SHARING THE CONCERN OF COMMISSIONER JOHNSON. YOU BRING IN SOMEBODY FROM THE CAPITALIST WORLD INTO THE PUBLIC SECTOR. 
          THERE IS NO COMPARISON, THERE IS SIMPLY NONE . I'M ALWAYS SHOCKED TO THE COMMENTARY WHY WE CANNOT DO IT THIS WAY EVEN THOUGH I WOULD GO TO THE OFFICE WITH FIVE MINUTES AND IMPLEMENT IT. HERE ARE FIVE MONTHS BECAUSE OF THE PROCESSES AND THE PROCEDURES REQUIRED. BRINGING PEOPLE IN AS COMMISSIONER JOHNSON SAID COULD BE THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE IN THEIR INDUSTRY. THERE IS NO APPLICATION TO RUN A GOVERNMENTAL ENTERPRISE. THAT RESONATES WITH ME , AND THE BOTTOM LINE. IF I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH THESE RESUMES TOMORROW EVENING. IF ANYBODY THAT DOES NOT HAVE ANY GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE, THEY'RE NOT GOING TO MAKE THE CUT. I AM HOPEFUL THERE ARE A COUPLE OUT THERE THAT HAVE GOVERNMENTAL EXPERIENCE WITH A STRONG RESUME AND A STRONG QUESTIONNAIRE. 
          PERHAPS WE COULD ADVOCATE TO BRING IN FOR AN INTERVIEW. I WILL DO MY HOMEWORK BUT I NEED MORE TIME AND I WILL DOWN - I WILL HAVE IT DONE IN 40 MINUTES. 
          >> OBVIOUSLY, COMMISSIONER TAYLOR AND DIE. 
          >> I AM WITH YOU. -- AND DIE. - >> META-MAYOR, I FEEL LIKE I'M HEARING A RELATIVE CONSENSUS OF SPINNING A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME AT LEAST LOOKING AT THESE. PERHAPS THE SECONDARY ISSUE IS PALPABLE AND WHATEVER YOU WOULD LIKE TO AT LEAST HAVE THAT ANSWER. WE COULD BRING US BACK TO YOU WHETHER YOU WOULD LIKE IT NEXT WEEK OR THE FOLLOWING WEEK WITH THOSE ADDITIONAL ANSWERS RELATED TO COST, TIMEFRAME TO DO THAT SURGE WITH A RECRUITER. YOU ALSO HAVE THE ABILITY, WE CAN DO THESE IN SPECIAL MEETINGS INSTEAD OF REGULARLY SET MEETINGS IF THAT IS THE PLEASURE OF THE COMMISSION. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO LET US KNOW HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO GIVE US TO GIVE YOU THE 
          [02:15:05]
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND FOR THOSE TO REVIEW FURTHER INTO THE APPLICANTS WE CURRENTLY HAVE. OR WHETHER YOU WOULD LIKE THAT ON A REGULAR MEETING OR A SPECIAL MEETING, WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN FOR YOU. IF I AM UNDERSTANDING THE CONSENSUS THAT I'M HEARING CORRECTLY. OBVIOUSLY IF YOU WANT TO NARROW IT DOWN TONIGHT, WE ARE HAPPY TO DO THAT AS WELL. 
          >> I DO NOT HEAR THAT. >> META-MATERNITY, YOU HIT ON SOMETHING WITH THAT SPECIAL MEETING. I KNOW THAT WE DO NOT WANT TO COME BACK UP YOUR ABOUT TO HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING. 
          WHERE WE ARE ONLY FOCUSING ON THIS ISSUE AND GIVING THE PUBLIC ENOUGH TIME TO KNOW THE OUTCOME. I THINK IT JUST SHOWS US HOW HOPEFUL WE ARE TRYING TO BE. AGAIN, I KNOW THAT WE ARE HERE . BUT I DO NOT WANT TO ADVOCATE TO COME AGAIN. IF WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS, I WOULD RATHER HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING WHERE EVERYBODY CAN BE HERE. THE ONLY THING ON THAT AGENDA IS THIS SUBJECT. JUST LIKE TONIGHT, I DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE WAITING FOR THIS TO COME ON THE AGENDA. IT IS BEEN - IT HAS BEEN IN THE PUBLIC BUT MANY PEOPLE HAVE TUNED US OUT. 
          BUT TO JUST THROW IT OUT TO THEIR, SO I AM GLAD THAT WE THREW IT OUT. I LIKE THE IDEA BUT I WILL DO ANYTHING THAT I FEEL THEY WANT TO DO. I JUST THINK THAT WE HAVE TO GET THIS 
          RIGHT. >> I AGREE. I THINK A SPECIAL MEETING ON THIS ONE ISSUE IS THE WAY TO GO. WE COULD HAVE AN 
          AFTERNOON SPECIAL MEETING. >> MADAME MAYOR, WOULD YOU PREFER THAT DURING THE DAY OR A 5:05? 
          >> I WOULD PREFER IT IN THE EVENING BECAUSE THE FIRST SPECIAL MEETING I HAD WAS ABOUT CITY MANAGERS. IT WAS A DAY MEETING AND I GOT A LOT OF EMAILS THAT MANY PEOPLE CANNOT MAKE IT. IT WAS A 3:00 MEETING AND MANY PEOPLE COULD NOT MAKE IT OR WERE ON THEIR COMPUTERS AND WATCHING WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO DO. I WOULD PREFER AN AFTERNOON MEETING. THE 5:054 PEOPLE CAN GET NOTICE AND IF THEY WANT TO COME. THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO COME. WITH THE FIVE OF US BUT YOU WILL HEAR IT. HOW WE WORK, AND HOW WE WORK OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS TOGETHER. I DO NOT SEE US BEING HERE UNTIL 2 A.M. ON ANY SUBJECT. WE LISTEN TO EACH OTHER AND WE LISTEN TO EACH OTHER. WE MIGHT NOT AGREE WITH WHAT EVERYBODY SAID JUST LIKE TONIGHT. I WAS TRYING TO BE QUIET BUT HE KNEW HE WAS GOING TO CALL ME OUT. I DO NOT MIND ASKING FOR QUESTIONS BECAUSE THAT IS THE RAPPORT THAT WE HAVE UP HERE. WE SAY AND WE MOVE ON AND WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO GO. THAT IS WHAT I AM SAYING. I THINK ALL OF US UP HERE AND YOU COMMIT - YOU CAN COMMIT RIGHT IN. JUST HONEST. MY FIRST COUPLE OF MEETINGS, I WAS KIND OF SCARED TO SAY STUFF BECAUSE I JUST WANTED TO SIT BACK AND WATCH. BUT LET ME TELL YOU, I'M GOING TO TELL YOU. 
          COMMISSIONER PERONO TOLD ME THAT YOU ARE IN A CHAIR TO OPEN YOUR MOUTH. WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE THINKING IF YOU DO NOT SAY IT. THAT IS WHAT HE TOLD ME. 
          >> IS RESPONSIBLE FOR IT. >> COMMISSIONER, IF HE GETS THE PHONE CALL, I LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG SO I APOLOGIZE. THAT 
          IS WHERE WE ARE. >> IN THE SPIRIT, I HAVE A COMMENT. REGARDING YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT PUBLIC SECTOR OR PRIVATE SECTOR APPLYING. I HAD TWO ALTERNATES ON MY LIST OF THE SIX . ONE OF THEM HAD ZERO PUBLIC SECTOR EXPERIENCE. I THINK THERE CAN BE A LOT OF BENEFIT IN THAT. DEPENDING ON WHAT THEIR PRIVATE SECTOR EXPERIENCE IS WITH 
          [02:20:01]
UNDERSTANDING POLICY AND THERE IS A PROCEDURE TO THINGS. 
          SPECIFICALLY, MANUFACTURING HAS JUST BEEN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES THAT THE GOVERNMENT DOES. JUST AS MANY. I DID NOT THINK THEY SHOULD BE WRITTEN OFF. AT LEAST THEY ARE VALID TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO INTERVIEW AT LEAST. I THINK THE OUTSIDE PERSPECTIVE, AS LONG AS THEY'RE WILLING TO WORK UNDER THE PARAMETERS OF THE CHARTER OF THE GOVERNMENT. IT CAN BE VERY BENEFICIAL. BUT I THINK IT HAS A LOT TO DO Y YOU ARE SO SUCCESSFUL IN THIS JOB. YOU DO NOT HAVE GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE BUT YOU DO HAVE THAT PRIVATE SECTOR ATTITUDE. MAYBE THERE IS POLICIES THAT WE SHOULD CHANGE. I THINK THERE COULD BE A VERY 
          VALUABLE PERSPECTIVE. >> WE DID AGREE AND I THINK WE ARE STILL ON THE SAME PAGE. IF ONE OF US WANTED TO INTERVIEW SOMEBODY , TO BE FAIR . RIGHT. EXACTLY. 
          >> ONE MORE QUESTION. >> SEVERAL HAVE REFERENCES WAS THAT REQUIRED FOR THEM TO SUBMIT ? 
          >> WE DID NOT REQUIRE OR ASK FOR REFERENCES. THEY TOOK IT UPON THEMSELVES. SPEAKING ON THAT IF I COULD. FOR THE ADDITIONAL WE ALSO HAD PRELIMINARY MEDIA RESEARCH ON ALL OF THE CANDIDATES. THERE ARE A COUPLE THAT NEEDED INFORMATION THAT WE WILL HAVE TO OBVIOUSLY EXPLORE FURTHER IF WE WERE TO BRING THEM INTO THE PROCESS. AT SOME POINT, BEFORE WE GET THE ANSWER ON THE SHORTLIST, WE WILL DO A BACKGROUND CHECK ON INDIVIDUALS, AS WELL. THAT IS PART OF OUR REQUIREMENT. THE REFERENCES WERE NOT REQUIRED. 
          >> IF THEY HAVE THEM, IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU WILL BE CALLING REFERENCES IF THEY ARE AVAILABLE? 
          >> WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO DO WAS TO LEAN ON THE COMMISSION TO BEAR DOWN THE APPLICANTS. FROM THERE , WE WOULD DO A BACKGROUND CHECK AND A REFERENCE CHECK. 
          >> UNLESS WE IDENTIFY AS SOMEBODY WOULD WANT TO 
          INTERVIEW. >> EXACTLY, IT COSTS MONEY. 
          WITH THAT, I THINK WE ARE THERE. I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE THAT WE LOOK AT JANUARY 16 , IT IS A THURSDAY. TO HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING JUST TO HANDLE THIS. I DO NOT KNOW, I'M JUST TOSSING OUT A DATE. I DO NOT KNOW IF THAT'S ENOUGH TIME FOR STAFF . IF WE COULD PULL SOMETHING TOGETHER BUT IT WOULD CERTAINLY ALLOW US BETWEEN NOW AND THE 16TH TO GO THROUGH THESE RESUMES. WE COULD EVEN LOOK . 
          >> EVEN IF THERE WAS TIME FOR ADVERTISING. 
          >> WE DO NOT HAVE ADVERTISEMENT SO THAT HAS PLENTY OF TIME FOR US TO POST THIS AND HANDLE THIS MEETING. 
          >> NOTICE. IT IS NOT AS IF IT IS PLANNING. 
          >> IT IS JUST THE NOTICE REQUIREMENT, YES. 
          >> IF WE REACH OUT , WE WOULD POSSIBLY BE LOOKING TO DO THIS SEARCH. IT IS NOT HOLDING YOU TO IT BUT BALLPARK. WE COULD PROBABLY PACK - BACK. WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE ENOUGH TIME. 
          BUT CERTAINLY, WE COULD ANSWER THE QUESTION. 
          >> JUST SO THE COMMISSION IS AWARE, WE WOULD NOT HAVE TO GO TO THE FORMAL PROCESS FOR OUR CODE. TO OBTAIN A FIRM, WE WOULD HALF TO LOOK AT WHAT EXISTS FOR REQUIREMENTS AND WHO WE MIGHT HAVE CONTINUING CONTRACTS WITH. IT MIGHT NOT BE THAT FORMAL OF A PROCESS THAT IT DID SPECIFICALLY FOR A CONSULTANT FOR THIS TYPE OF WORK. 
          >> MAYBE JUST ONE PHONE CALL TOMORROW. 
          >> WE WILL GET YOU THAT ANSWER. >> IT MIGHT BE WORTH A PHONE CALL TO ST. LUCIE COUNTY. THEY RECENTLY WENT THROUGH A SIMILAR 
          PROCESS. >> I CAN CERTAINLY REACH OUT TO 
          THEM. >> IF THERE IS A CANDIDATE ON 
          HERE. >> I DO NOT KNOW IF THEY DID A 
          NATIONAL SEARCH. >> THAT WILL BE ENOUGH TIME FOR US TO GET A BALLPARK FIGURE. AND TO THE TIMELINE THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO SAY THAT IF WE WERE TO DO IT IT WOULD TAKE US THREE MONTHS, FOUR MONTHS WHATEVER. WE COULD GET TO THAT DATE. 
          >> THE 16TH BUT THIS IS MORE IMPORTANT. IF EVERYBODY ELSE IS 
          [02:25:02]
GOOD WITH IT. I REALIZE IT, I KNOW. I KNOW THAT YOU REALLY WANTED TO KNOW BUT I WILL BE HERE FOR THE ENTIRE WEEK. 
          >> IT IS NOT SOMETHING I HAVE TO, IT IS SOMETHING THAT I WANT 
          TO DO. >> WE HAVE THE 14TH, THAT WOULD 
          BE THE ONLY OPPORTUNITY. >> THE 17TH I GATHER IS A FRIDAY. THAT IS THE FIRE BOARD DEDICATION FOR THE NEW FIRE 
          STATION. >> THE 16TH. 
          >> I WILL BE HERE. >> THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS AT NIGHT AND THE SPEAKERS ARE DEBBIE HOLLY AND HER FATHER 
          SHERWOOD JOHNSON . >> MAYBE WE CAN HAVE IT EARLY. 
          >> I HAVE THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY ON MY CALENDAR. WAS THE 
          15TH AN OPPORTUNITY? >> HE IS OUT OF TOWN. I HAVE TO BE AT TALLAHASSEE AFTERNOON UNLESS YOU SEND A JET. 
          >> I DO NOT HAVE THAT SIGNING AUTHORITY. SEND A JET. 
          >> I WILL APPROVE IT TOMORROW MORNING. SPECIAL MEETING, I AGREE. WE WILL ASSUME IT IS THE 16TH UNLESS WE CAN FIND A DATE THAT WORKS FOR EVERYBODY ELSE. WHEN IS THIS TO COINCIDE WITH 
          THE STRATEGIC PLANNING? >> THAT IS THE 23RD. STRATEGIC PLANNING IS AFTER THIS SPECIAL MEETING. IS EVERYBODY OKAY WITH 
          THAT ? >> THIS IS A TOP PRIORITY THAT 
          WE NEED TO GET DONE. >> DO YOU WANT TO MOVE THE TIME 
          UP BY 4:00? >> I AM GOOD WITH THAT. 
          >> I WANT TO GET YOU TO YOUR SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT. 
          >> IT IS A WORKING MEETING AND THEY ARE GOING TO WEIGH IN AND IF THEY HAVE COMMENTS, ET CETERA. I THINK THAT IS FAIR. 
          >> I AM FINE WITH THAT. >> OKAY. 
          >> WHAT WE WILL DO AT THAT MEETING HIS HEAD INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE ASKED FOR. EVERYBODY WILL HAVE READ THIS AND WE ARE GOING TO DECIDE BASICALLY WHAT WE DO FROM 
          THERE. >> OUR FUNCTION IS TO BRING OUR 
          CANDIDATES FORWARD. >> DO YOU NEED ANYTHING ELSE? 
          >> I JUST WANT TO THANK PUBLICLY THE COMMISSION AND MADAME MAYOR. I APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE GIVEN US ON THIS AND IN THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT. THE STAFF HAS WORKED HARD ON THIS ESPECIALLY LINDA . SO WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH. 
          >> WE APPRECIATE IT AND YOU HAVE WORKED HARD AND OVER THE HOLIDAYS. I TELL EVERYBODY THAT NOTHING HAPPENS IN GOVERNMENT OVER THE HOLIDAYS. YOU HAVE PROVED ME WRONG. THANK YOU VERY 
          MUCH. >> WE CALL HER LINDA. 
          [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.]
          >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. THE NEXT IS 
          COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC. >> THERE ARE NO TIME 
          OPPORTUNITIES. >> GOOD EVENING, ADDRESS CONFIDENTIAL. I WANTED TO WELCOME COMMISSIONER TAYLOR. I KNOW THAT YOU ARE NEW, WELCOME. I HAVE A FEW COMMENTS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS. I KNOW THAT YOU SAID WE HAVE 50,000 PEOPLE. IN MY OPINION, I'M FROM PALM BEACH COUNTY. THIS CITY IS A SISTER CITY . I AM NOT POSITIVE, BY THE WAY. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED, I THOUGHT I WAS MOVING AWAY FROM PALM BEACH 
          [02:30:03]
COUNTY. MY CHILDREN WENT TO PALM COAST. SHOOTINGS, I WENT THROUGH IT ALL. SO A LONG STORY SHORT, I HAVE A BIT OF A PROBLEM. THIS GENTLEMAN IS IN NO POSITION TO BE TALKING ABOUT ANYTHING. YOU KNOW HIS HISTORY. HE HAS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HE HIT SOMEBODY WITH A HAIRDRYER IN THE BACK OF A HEAD. WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE SO UNQUALIFIED THAT WORK IN THE CITY THAT ARE MAKING A LOT OF MONEY. ONE OF YOUR APPLICANTS LINDA COX HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT NICE TO HAVE SOME PEOPLE EN ROUTE TO OTHERS. 
          SHE DOES NOT ACCOMMODATE AND I'VE ASKED HER MULTIPLE TIMES FOR A MEETING AND SHE WILL NOT GIVE IT TO ME. AMONG OTHER COMMISSIONERS BUT WE WILL NOT GO THERE. YOU KNOW, SHE IS ALREADY ABUSING POWER IN CONTROL. SHE HAD A TICKET REMOVED AND WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS ON THE RECORD. 
          UNFORTUNATELY, MICHAEL HAD A PROBLEM AND HE HAD AN ACCIDENT. 
          THIS IS ALL AROUND LINDA COX ILLEGALLY PARKING IN GETTING HER TICKET REVOKED BY PEGGY ARASS. AND THEY CALLED HIM A DEROGATORY NAME. I AM SORRY THAT YOU ARE COMING INTO THIS CITY. BUT THERE IS SO MUCH THAT HAD TO BE DISCOVERED ON YOUR LEVEL. OUR CITY LAWYER IS ACCUSED AND BEEN -- YOU KNOW, THREATENED , INTIMIDATING, COERCING WITH FELLOW EMPLOYEES , SUPERVISORS. THESE ARE THE KIND OF PEOPLE WE HAVE WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ? A HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT AND WE HAVE A CITY CLERK STANDING MANAGER HE WAS ABUSING POWER AND CONTROL. WE HAVE A LAWYER AND I WILL NOT EVEN GET TO THE OTHER STUFF IN THE BACKGROUND. WE HAVE OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE UP THAT I WOULD NOT LIKE TO EVEN HAVE IN MY HOME. BECAUSE OF THEIR MANNERISMS. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO YOUR HOMEWORK BECAUSE YOU ARE THE NEW ONE. IF YOU LIKE, THIS MEMO IS DATED FEBRUARY 8TH AND I WILL EMAIL IT TO YOU. 
          >> ANYBODY ELSE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION? SEEING 
          [15. COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER]
          NO ONE, WE WILL MOVE ON. >> COMMENTS FROM THE CITY 
          MANAGER. >> MISS COX? 
          >> WHERE THE CITY MANAGERS REPORT THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE AGENDA. YOU WILL SEE THAT OUR TEAM WAS VERY, VERY BUSY OVER THE HOLIDAYS SPREADING CHEER AND JOY. WE ARE HAPPY ABOUT THAT. JUST A COUPLE OF QUICK REMINDERS. WE HAVE OUR COMMISSIONER DAY MEETING ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY EVENING AS COMMISSIONER JOHNSON POINTED OUT, HE WILL NOT BE JOINING US. 
          WE HAVE OUR CITY STAFF IS BEGINNING OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING PROCESS TOMORROW. YOUR STRATEGIC PLANNING SESSION WILL BE ON JANUARY 23RD. I WANTED TO REMIND YOU OF OUR MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY PARADE ON JANUARY 20TH. IT IS ALWAYS A PHENOMENAL PARADE. LINE-UP IS AT 9:00 A.M. AND IT BEGINS AT 10:00 A.M. I WILL BE PROVIDING INFORMATION ON HOW WE ARE GOING TO BE DOING THE PARADE. ALSO I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE ARE CLOSELY MONITORING THE WEATHER TEMPERATURES AND WORKING WITH THE CITY PUBLIC SAFETY . IT APPEARS THAT TONIGHT WILL BE OPENING UP A COOL WEATHER SHELTER. THERE WAS A GLITCH -- THE COUNTY SWITCH TO NEW EMAIL SYSTEM. IF IT IS GOING TO BE TONIGHT IT MIGHT LIKELY BE TOMORROW NIGHT AROUND 8:46 A.M. 
          THEY ATTENDED TO SEND AN EMAIL. IT ACTUALLY NEVER WENT TO ANYBODY. WE REGROUPED IN ANTICIPATION OF THAT. OUR PUBLIC WORKS TEAM WENT OUT TO THE SHOULDER TO MAKE SURE THE HEAT WAS WORKING AND EVERYTHING WAS READY. THEY SHOWED THE STAFF HOW TO OPERATE EVERYBODY. AND EVEN BEFORE WE KNEW, OUR TEAM WAS ON IT AND EVERYTHING HAS BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. WE ARE IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH ST. LUCIE COUNTY AND WE WILL OPEN THOSE SHELTERS AS NECESSARY. THE IMAGE OF CHRIST DOES THAT FOR US. WE ARE MONITORING IT CLOSELY AND WE WILL JUST KEEP YOU ABREAST AND THAT IS ALL I HAVE. 
          >> WHERE IS THE SHELTER? >> GYM. 
          >> THAT IS RIGHT. IT HAS BEEN A WHILE. 
          >> IT IS BEEN A WHILE SINCE WE'VE HAD TO USE THEM BUT THAT 
          [16. COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION]
          IS WHERE IT IS LOCATED. >> ANYTHING? WE'LL MOVE ON TO 
          [02:35:02]
COMMISSION COMMENTS. DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANYTHING? 
          >> I WAS JUST CONCERNED ABOUT THE COLD SHELTER. I HAVE BEEN MONITORING THE WEATHER. IT LOOKS LIKE TONIGHT IS GOING TO BE 44 DEGREES. I DO NOT KNOW IF WE NEED TO LET THEM KNOW. 
          TOMORROW NIGHT, 48 DEGREES, 43 DEGREES AND IS BACK UP TO 50 
          DEGREES. >> THE THRESHOLD IS 40 DEGREES FOR 4 HOURS OR LONGER WITH A WINDCHILL. WE KNOW THIS MORNING, THE FORECAST WAS LOWER . BUT AS WE ARE SEEING, WE ARE 
          MONITORING IT. >> I JUST DID NOT WANT ANYBODY TO HAVE TO BE OUT THERE. YOU SAY 40 DEGREES. 
          >> 40 DEGREES WITH THE WIND CHILL. THE COUNTY IS NOT PUT OUT THERE NOTICE YET SO IT IS LIKELY. 
          >> IT IS GOING TO HIT. BUT IF IT IS 40 DEGREES, YOU'RE STILL GOING TO BE COLD. IF IT IS WINDY , SO I AM GLAD THAT WE ARE ON TOP OF THAT. I JUST WANT TO SAY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE. I LOOK FORWARD TO 2025. TO PUSH THE CITY FORWARD TO STRATEGIC PLANNING. AND I AM JUST READY TO WORK AND PROCEED 
          FORWARD. >> HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYBODY. 
          I'M EXCITED ABOUT 2025. AND WHERE THE CITY IS HEADED AND WE WILL GET SOME STUFF DONE THIS YEAR, I AM EXCITED ABOUT IT. I HAVE NOT STARTED ANY OF MY COMMITTEES OR ANYTHING. I HAVE NO REPORTS ON THOSE BUT WE DO HAVE TOMORROW , SO EVERYBODY IS AWARE. I'M SURE IT IS ON YOUR CALENDARS FOR THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY OFFICER SWORN IN AT THE COUNTY OFFICE . THE NEW SHERIFF IS GETTING SWORN IN AT 10:00 A.M. SO IT IS A BIG DAY TOMORROW AND IS EXCITING. WE ARE GOING CONSTITUTIONAL'S AT 
          THE COUNTY AT 9:00 A.M.. >> THERE IS A BIG DRAW. 
          >> THEY ARE THERE RIGHT AFTER BUT THEY ARE GOING FROM EDC AT 12. YOU KNOW THAT I QUESTIONED IT TOO. 
          >> I WILL BE THERE ALL DAY. >> IS THAT IT? 
          >> THAT WAS IT. THANK YOU. >> HAPPY NEW YEAR AND THANK YOU 
          FOR THE UPDATE. >> THAT IS IN THE SAME 
          BUILDING. >> GOT IT, NOW I AM CLEAR AND I WILL BE THERE. I WILL BE THERE. JUST A COUPLE THINGS. THERE ARE OTHER ACTIVITIES WITH MARTIN LUTHER KING AND THANK YOU THE CITY STAFF FOR SHARING THAT WITH ALL OF US AND PUTTING ON THE CALENDAR. I WOULD INVITE YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT, GOING FORWARD. THE FIRE STATION WILL BE DEDICATING A NEW FIRE STATION ON THE 17TH. IF YOU'VE NOT GOTTEN THAT, PLEASE COME OUT. WE ARE ACTUALLY OPENING UP A FIRE STATION . WE ARE OPENING UP A FIRE STATION AND DEDICATION. 
          >> IT IS AT 10:00 A.M. >> I WILL NOT HAVE TO RUSH TO 
          MAKE IT. >> I WILL HOLD IT UP FOR YOU. 
          WE WILL WAIT FOR YOU, AND I WILL HAVE A CHAIR FOR YOU. WE WANT YOU THERE. PLEASE, THAT IS THE WEST PORTAL THAT IS GROWING. WE ARE WILL HAVE OUR FELLOW COMMISSIONERS JOIN US FOR THAT DEDICATION. I AM OPTIMISTIC ON WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE. I THINK IT IS EVIDENT TONIGHT, THE WESTERN CORRIDOR, THE FIRE STATION AND A SEARCH FOR THE CITY MANAGER. IT IS UNDERWAY . BUT ALSO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE KING'S LANDING IS IMPORTANT. 2025 IS GOING TO BE A GREAT YEAR FOR 
          [02:40:01]
THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. I LOOK FORWARD TO OUR CONTINUED WORK . 
          I APPRECIATE ALL THAT WE DO TO DO OUR HOMEWORK BY COMING UP HERE. TO PUT IN OUR TIME, WE ALL HAVE MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS. IT IS A GREAT DISCUSSION SO THANK YOU AND I LOOK FORWARD TO OUR CONTINUED MOMENTUM GOING FORWARD. 
          >> I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO WISH A HAPPY AND ESPECIALLY A HEALTHY NEW YEAR. 2025, I AM VERY OPTIMISTIC FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. I THINK WE HIT THE GROUND RUNNING. THE TEAM IS EXECUTING AND I'M JUST COMPLETELY OPTIMISTIC WITH A NEW CITY MANAGER THAT IS GOING TO BE IN PLACE. THAT WILL SET A NEW TONE LED BY THE COMMISSION. WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET THIS RIGHT IN WITH THE CITY FORWARD. I'M VERY EXCITED ABOUT THOSE PROSPECTS. AND I AGREE, THERE ARE A LOT OF GOOD THINGS COOKING. WE GET A LOT OF CRITICISM FROM THE BAD THINGS, GOODNESS KNOWS IN 2024. WE HAD ISSUE AFTER ISSUE I WILL NOT SAY FAILURES . SOME OF THESE WE RECONSTITUTED AND KING'S LANDING IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE. I AM VERY OPTIMISTIC OF THAT PROJECT AND WE WILL BRING IT WITH COOLER - WITH A LUNCH COOLER, WITH SANDWICHES AND BEER. WE DO HAVE A RATHER SOMBER TOPIC TO BREAK UP - WE'VE ALL SEEN THE EVENTS IN NEW ORLEANS MOST RECENTLY. SIX WEEKS AGO IT WAS THE CHRISTMAS MARKET IN GERMANY, THE SAME METHODOLOGY TO INJURE PEOPLE. 
          THE THOUGHT PROCESS I HAVE GONE THROUGH WITH THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE . I GET IT, WE ARE SMALL TOWN COMPARED TO THE NATION BUT REASONABLY BIG IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. I THINK WE HAVE SECURITY ISSUES WE NEED TO ADDRESS. EXACTLY, IDENTICAL TO WHAT HAPPENED ON BOURBON STREET. WE HAVE MARINA SQUARE THAT IS CONSISTENTLY USED FOR EVENTS WITH FRIDAY FESTIVAL, SATURDAY MORNING MARKET AND THE FARMERS MARKET ET CETERA. 
          AMONGST OTHER EVENTS THAT TAKE PLACE DOWN THERE. I WILL JUST TELL YOU A SIDE STORY, I SHOULD PROBABLY NOT ADMIT THIS. I WAS GOING THROUGH TOWN THIS LAST SATURDAY, AND MY WIFE WANTED TO PICK UP A PACKAGE OF HERBS. WE HAD TO PARK AND WALK TO BUY A PACKAGE OF FRESH HERBS. BUT SHE LIKED THIS PARTICULAR VENDOR AND I SAID OKAY. WE DROVE AND PULLED IN FRONT OF THE MARINA BUILDING WHENEVER THE BIG TARMAC. I KNOW THE DELIVERY VEHICLE IS PARKED THERE SO I SAT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT TO BE ABLE TO RUN OUT. FIVE MINUTES LATER, SHE PURCHASED THEM BUT I CANNOT SEE A SINGLE POLICE OFFICER OR A SINGLE SECURITY PROTOCOL OR A SINGLE BARRICADE. I COULD HAVE BEEN THAT VEHICLE THAT WENT DOWN BOURBON STREET IN THE GUN RIGHT TO THE FARMERS MARKET. MY SUGGESTION IS THAT I'M NO LOCKING TO GET INTO PANIC MODE. BUT WE MUST HAVE SOMEBODY QUALIFIED IN THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. WITH THESE GREAT NEW HIRES AND VERY HIGH AND TOWN TO DO AN OVERLAY OF THE DOWNTOWN AREA. WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO PROTECT THAT AREA AND WE KNOW HAVE CONGREGATIONS, LARGE CONGREGATIONS OF PEOPLE EVERY WEEKEND. I JUST THINK IT IS A WORTHWHILE EXERCISE TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT LOOK AT THIS, ASSUMING THEY HAVE THE EXPERTISE TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE CITY COMMISSION. AT LEAST HARDEN THAT ONE TARGET THAT WE KNOW IS CONSISTENTLY USED. I GET IT, THERE ARE FESTIVALS AND THINGS TAKING PLACE ALL OVER THE CITY CONSTANTLY. SECOND IS ANOTHER PERFECT EXAMPLE. WHEN THEY CLOSE OUT A SECOND STRAIGHT FOR THE EVENTS, THERE ARE PLASTIC BARRICADES. THEORETICALLY, THAT IS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING. I JUST THINK THAT IT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT. I WAS WATCHING ABOUT THE COMMENTS IN NEW ORLEANS. THIS WAS A FORMER FEDERAL HOMELAND SECURITY OR FBI SOMEBODY OF THAT NATURE. HE SAID ALL YOU ELECTED OFFICIALS IN ALL THESE SMALL TOWNS THAT YOU TAKE NOTICE OF WHAT HAPPENED HERE. 
          GET ON IT. YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE, YOU ARE THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE. WE ARE. WE SUGGEST WE GET OUR STAFF GEARED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS AND POTENTIALLY GET A REPORT AS TO WHAT THEIR FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE. 
          >> NOT A BAD IDEA. >> YOU HATE TO THINK IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN IN BEAUTIFUL CITY OF FORT PIERCE. BUT WE ARE 
          LIKELY AS BOURBON STREET IS. >> AND TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE PROTOCOL AND THE POLICE CHIEF DID NOT KNOW THEY HAD A CERTAIN BARRICADE . IT WAS EMBARRASSING FOR HER AND FOR THE CITY. MAYBE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN THROUGH THIS EXERCISE. I KNOW -- I WILL NOT SAY I KNOW THIS. BUT WHEN AN EVENT THAT SERVES 
          [02:45:04]
ALCOHOL . I THINK MORE SECURITY AS REQUIRED BY US. YES. THE FARMERS MARKET HAS NOT NEEDED OR REQUESTED -- IT HAS NOT BEEN SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN PUT IN PLACE FOR THE FARMERS MARKET . 
          IT WOULD BE AN EXTRA EXPENSE. BUT IF IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE 
          NEED TO DO, WE NEED TO DO IT. >> THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF 
          PEOPLE THERE EVERY SATURDAY. >> SOMETIMES THE SATURDAY POLICE DEPARTMENT IS A ROLL CALL BUT THEY HAPPENED EARLY IN 
          THE MORNING. >> THE TRIGGER FOR THE POLICE DETAIL IS TYPICALLY THE CLOSURE OF STREETS. FOR THE FARMERS MARKET AND THE JAZZ FESTIVAL, THERE IS NO STREET CLOSURE. 
          THAT IS WHY THERE IS NOT A REQUIREMENT. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF LOOKING AT ALL OF OUR EVEN PROCESSES. WE WILL TIE THAT IN. YOU'RE NOT THE FIRST PERSON TO BRING UP WHAT HAPPENED ON BOURBON STREET. AS THE SAME THING COULD HAPPEN TO US WITH THE DOWNTOWN. I KNOW THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT MAKING SECOND STREET A FESTIVAL STREET. BUT I DO NOT KNOW IF THAT IS ENOUGH BUT THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK INTO. 
          >> RIGHT. I THINK THAT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS THE POLICE 
          DEPARTMENT NEEDS TO TELL US. >> WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO? 
          >> ASSESS THE SITUATION. >> CROWDS OF PEOPLE COULD DICTATE HAVING A SECURITY DETAIL AS OPPOSED TO JUST A STREET CLOSURE. IT WILL BE AT A COST. SAFETY IS MORE IMPORTANT. 
          >> RIGHT. >> AGREED. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT TO US. I WANT TO WISH EVERYBODY A HAPPY NEW YEAR. THANK YOU TO THE STAFF FOR ALL THE HARD WORK IN THE 2024 AND I LOOK FORWARD TO 2025. WITH OUR CITIZENS AND STAFF. WITH THAT, WE ARE GOING TO BE ADJOURNING
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.