Mar 17, 2025 City Commission Regular Meeting

[1. CALL TO ORDER]

[00:00:19]

DEVOSHAY JOHNSON FINISHES. >> HOLY GOD, WE THANK YOU ON THIS DAY, THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE BESTOWED UPON US, BLESSED WITH, THANK YOU FOR HAVING A SOUND MIND AND USE OF OUR LIVES . THANK YOU FOR BLESSING OUR HEAVENLY CITY.

FATHER, WE FACE ISSUES, CHANGES IN LEGISLATION, THINGS HAPPENING . I THANK YOU THAT THIS IS NOTHING MORE THAN WHAT MEN HAVE FACED FOR ALL ETERNITY, AND YOU HAVE PROVEN YOURSELF WISE IN ALLOWING LEADERS TO HAVE WISDOM AND THE KNOW-HOW AND ABILITY TO MANEUVER THROUGH THESE THINGS FOR THE OVERALL WELL-BEING AND GOOD OF THE CITIES AND LANDS IN WHICH WE OCCUPY. THANK YOU FOR THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THOSE CALLED TO POSITIONS AND THE CHARTERS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, AND THAT YOU PLACED ONE UP, PUT ONE DOWN, HAVE MAYOR'S HEIGHTS IN YOUR HANDS AS THE FLOW OF A RIVER. SO, ALL THESE THINGS ARE ULTIMATELY IN YOUR HAND AND IT DECISION OF YOURS.

IN JESUS' NAME, I PRAY YOU KEEP US, GOD, AS LEADERS. AMEN.

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

>> CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE. >> MAYOR HUDSON?

>> PRESENT. >> BRODERICK?

[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

>> PRESENT. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?

>> HERE. >> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON?

>> HERE. >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR?

[a. Vietnam Veterans Day Proclamation]

>> HERE, MAN. >> FIRST ITEM, APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES FROM THE MARCH 3RD, 2025 REGULAR MEETINGS.

>> MOVE APPROVAL. >> SECOND.

>> MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL THE ROLL.

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> YES.

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

>> MIA RANSON? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION TONIGHT FOR VIETNAM VETERANS

DAY. >> LADIES, WANT TO COME FORWARD?

>> WHEREAS, IT IS AN HONOR TO RECOGNIZE THE MANY VETERANS WHO HAVE MADE SACRIFICES FOR FORT PIERCE FAMILIES, AND WHEREAS , IN 2012, THE UNITED STATES BEGAN THE COMMEMORATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE VIETNAM WAR , 13-YEAR PROGRAM TO HONOR AND THANK THOSE WHO ANSWERED THE CALL TO SERVE IN THE WAR, AND WHEREAS MORE THAN 58,000 SERVICEMEMBERS MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE DURING THE VIETNAM WAR , THOUSANDS MORE WOUNDED, 1600 REMAIN MISSING IN ACTION, AND WHEREAS THE EMILYS AND FRIENDS OF MISSING SERVICEMEMBERS CONTINUE TO INDOOR UNCERTAINTY CONCERNING THE FATE OF THEIR LOVED ONES WHO REMAIN UNACCOUNTED FOR, AND WHEREAS VIETNAM VETERANS TRIBUTE TO OUR CITY, COUNTY, STATE, AND NATION BY OFFERING SKILLS, EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP AND DEDICATION LEARNED IN MILITARY SERVICE, AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE IS HOME TO MANY VIETNAM VETERANS , AND WHEREAS WE CAN NEVER FULLY REPAY OUR DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO THOSE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED, WOUNDED OR DIED IN BATTLE, AND WHEREAS THE NON-VETERANS DAY RESENTS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE OF FORT PIERCE TO HONOR AND THANK OUR VIETNAM VETERANS FOR THEIR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTRY, NOW, THEREFORE, HUDSON, MAYOR OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, MARCH MARCH 19TH, 2029 AS VIETNAM VETERANS DAY IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AND URGE ALL FORT PIERCE CITIZENS TO JOIN US IN THIS

SPECIAL OBSERVANCE. >> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW

WORDS? >> SURE.

>> MAYOR HUDSON, COMMISSIONERS, I'M LINDA GALLUP, DIGNITY HARPER CHAPTER, DAUGHTERS OF THE AMERICAN RESOLUTION. WITH ME THIS EVENING, DONNA NYDEGGER, OUR TREASURER. EACH YEAR, DIGNITY CHARTER AFTER JOINS OTHER CHAPTERS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES TO CELEBRATE THE NON-VETERANS DAY IN MARCH.IT IS TO HONOR AND RECOGNIZE MANY VETERANS WHO HAVE MADE COUNTLESS SACRIFICES FOR ST. LUCIE COUNTY FAMILIES . THIS PROCLAMATION RECOGNIZES THE VIETNAM VETERANS , WHAT THEY CONTRIBUTE TO OUR COUNTRY, STATE, NATION, BY OFFERING SKILLS, EDUCATION, LEADERSHIP, DEDICATION, ALL LEARNED IN THE MILITARY SERVICE . WE COULD NEVER FULLY REPAY OUR DEBT OF GRATITUDE TO THOSE MEN AND WOMEN WHO SERVED, WOUNDED, OR DIED IN BATTLE. VIETNAM VETERANS DAY PRESENTS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE PEOPLE OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY TO HONOR AND THANK THE VIETNAM VETERANS FOR THEIR SERVICE. ON APRIL 30TH, WE WILL CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF THE

[00:05:05]

YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR

REMEMBERING THEM. THANK YOU. >> OKAY. WE RECEIVED THE

[a. Thank you card from Ellen Connor and her family expressing their gratitude to Officer Noah Clark and Detective Michael Dini for the swift and professional recovery of their vehicle in less than 24 hours. ]

[b. Email from Charlene Adair, South Beach Beach & Parks Chair, commending Public Works Department employee Jose Sanchez and his team for their dedication and exceptional service in maintaining the City's South Beach Parks.]

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

THE AGENDA. >> ANY CHANGES TO THE AGENDA ,

OR A MOTION? >> MOTION TO APPROVE AN AGENDA

AS PRINTED . >> A SECOND?

>> SECOND. >> SECOND AND A MOTION.

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> YES.

[a. Post-event report of the 8th Annual Highwaymen Heritage Trail Art Show and Festival]

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

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

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

>> NOBODY SIGNED UP . WE'LL MOVE ON TO INITIAL REPORTS. WE HAVE A POST-EVENT REPORT OF THE EIGHTH AND WILL EILEEN HERITAGE

TRAIL ART SHOW AND FESTIVAL. >> JOHNSON?

>> COMMISSIONERS, THIS IS FOR THE PUBLIC COMMISSION, AND WE HAVE MRS. MOORE AND MRS. HINTON HERE TO PRESENT .

>> GREAT.

>> GOOD EVENING . >> WELCOME.

>> KIMBERLY HINTON . FOR THE LAST , I WOULD SAY, 3 YEARS SINCE I STARTED WITH THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, I HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED THE TASK OF ORGANIZING THE HILLS -- THIS YEAR, OUR EIGHTH ANNUAL, AND I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT IT CONTINUES TO GROW SINCE ITS INCEPTION. IT IS HELD IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, OFF OF 7TH-STRAIGHT AND AVENUE D, CLOSE TO MORSE CREEK. NOT EXACTLY MORSE CREEK, BUT CLOSE .THIS YEAR, IN ATTENDANCE, WE HAD OVER 500 ATTENDEES WITH OVER 80 PIECES OF ARTWORK SOLD. WE TRIED OUR BEST TO CAPTURE ALL THE PEOPLE WALKING AROUND THE ART PAINTINGS. IT WAS A GOOD EVENT FOR ALL THE VENDORS , AND THE ARTISTS AS WELL . I TRY MY BEST TO USE LOCAL TALENT, SO, WE HAD THE LOCAL BAND, KAYLA IS AN ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, HAS ENTERTAINED US THE LAST 3 YEARS. MICHAEL, A LOCAL RADIO HOST, HE EMCEED AND PROVIDED DJ SERVICES FOR THE EVENT. WE USED LOCAL FOOD VENDORS, LOCAL ARTISTS , TRIED TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITH OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, ALLOWED THEM TO COME AND PROMOTE THEIR SMALL BUSINESSES AS WELL.

OVERALL, IT WAS A BIG SUCCESS FOR THE HIGHWAY ARTISTS WITH ANTICIPATION OF THEIR MUSEUM OPENINGS AND. THEY HAD A TENT IN COMMEMORATION OF THE MUSEUM OPENING . WE CONTINUE TO DO THE TRAILS , AND THIS EVENT IS A FREE EVENT . EVERYTHING OTHER THAN THE PURCHASING THE ART AND THE FOOD IS FREE. SO, IT IS FREE TO ATTEND, IT IS A GOOD , FAMILY-FRIENDLY EVENT, HAS BEEN NO INCIDENTS OR OCCURRENCES -- SO -- EVERYONE WHO HAS ATTENDED THE EVENT HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR GRATITUDE FOR HAVING IT, AND THEY ENJOYED THE EXPERIENCE OF IT.

>> WONDERFUL . >> YES. I ATTENDED. HAD A GOOD TIME. HAD A BEAUTIFUL DAY FOR IT.

>> YEAH. >> IT WAS VERY, VERY NICE FAMILY-FROM THE EVENT, AND I'M GLAD THE ARTISTS SOLD PICTURES.

THAT IS THE POINT. >> WE CAME IN UNDER-BUDGET. THE BUDGET WAS ALLOTTED 20,000, WE SPENT $18,976. SO, WE DIDN'T GO

OVER BUDGET. >> GOOD. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?

>> FIRST OFF, CAN ADD TWO MORE PIECES OF ART TO YOUR LIST. MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED TWO NOT TAKEN THAT DAY. WE DO NOT WALK

OUT WITH THEM. >> OKAY.

>> SECONDLY, THE CITY'S CONTRIBUTION TO THIS WAS

$20,000, CORRECT? >> YES.

>> IN YOUR DEPARTMENT, AS PART OF YOUR TASK, YOU KEEP A DETAILED EXPENDITURE LIST OF WHAT ALL THOSE FUNDS GO TO?

[00:10:03]

>> YES. BECAUSE I DO REQUISITION. SO, I STARTED A REQUISITION. I KEEP THINGS -- TRACK -- OF THE PURCHASE ORDER NUMBERS, AND I HAVE TO GIVE A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT I PURCHASED, HOW MUCH WENT TO THAT PARTICULAR ITEM, HOW I PAID FOR IT. SO, SOME THINGS WERE PURCHASE COURT EXPENDITURES, SOMEWHERE A CHAIR

. >> PERSONALLY, I'M JUST CURIOUS TO SEE WHAT THE BREAKDOWN IS. I'M NOT CRITICIZING IN ANY CAPACITY, BECAUSE IT WAS A PHENOMENAL EVENT. DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB. I THOUGHT IT WAS A GREAT EVENT.

>> THANK YOU. >> BUT JUST FROM A COMMISSION

STANDPOINT -- >> EDUCATION --

>> RIGHT. EXPANDING TAXPAYER DOLLARS IN SOME CAPACITY, ALTHOUGH I BELIEVE THESE FUNDS COME FROM THE ART IN PUBLIC

PLACES FUND, SPECIFIC FUND. >> YES.

>> OKAY. I KNOW TAXPAYER DOLLARS NECESSARILY, BUT IT IS SECONDARILY TAXPAYER DOLLARS. I'M CURIOUS IF THE COMMISSION COULD GET A BREAKDOWN WHAT THESE MANAGERS ARE. I WOULD LIKE TO

SEE . >> I WOULD LIKE AN EXPENSE REPORT WITH MY REPORT THIS EVENING.

>> THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR

[11. CONSENT AGENDA]

COMMENTS? >> GOOD JOB. LOOK FORWARD TO

NEXT YEAR. THANK YOU. >> OKAY. NEXT, WE HAVE THE

CONSENT AGENDA. >> ANY ITEM ANY CONDITIONER -- COMMISSIONER WANTS TO PULL? IF NOT, I MOVE FOR A MOTION.

>> MADAME MAYOR? >> YES.

>> I LIKE TO MOVE OUT THEM -- ITEM B AND ITEM D.

>> YOU MAKE A MOTION FOR THE REST?

>> I MAKE A MOTION FOR THE REST OF THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> MOTION AND A SECOND? >> SECOND.

>> SECOND FOR THE CONSENT AGENDA, MINUS B AND E. CALL THE

ROLL, PLEASE. >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?

[b. Approve recommendation from the Arts and Culture Advisory Board seeking approval of a sponsorship request from the Florida Zora Neale Hurston Education Foundation for the Zora Experience Festival 2025 and to require post reporting in accordance with the proposed sponsorship reporting requirements.]

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

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

>> YES, MA'AM. >> ARTS AND COLLEGE ADVISORY BOARD SEEKING APPROVAL OF A SPONSORSHIP IN THE FLORIDA NEIL HURST FOUNDATION FOR THE 2025 ZORA FESTIVAL, REPORTING

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE FESTIVAL. >> WE HAVE THE CHAIRPERSON FROM THE COMMUNITY HERE? COULD WE HAVE HER COME UP FOR A QUICK

QUESTION? >> SURE.

>> PLEASE. >> THAT EVENING. MY NAME IS JULIE PULLIETTE, CHAIR OF THE ARTS AND CULTURAL ADVISORY BOARD. THIS FESTIVAL FOR ZORA IS SIGNIFICANTLY IMPORTANT TO THE CITY. SHE SPENT THE REMAINDER OF HER YEARS HERE .HER WORK IS A CULTURAL ANTHROPOLOGIST AS A STELLAR , AND SHE SHARED HER WORK AND RESEARCH WITH US THROUGH WRITING. MOST PEOPLE KNOW HER AS AN AUTHOR, BUT REALLY, HER WORK WAS AS AN ANTHROPOLOGIST. THIS FESTIVAL IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT THAN THE HIGH NOON FESTIVAL. THE HIGH WIND FESTIVAL IS SPONSORED BY THE CITY, PAID FOR BY THE CITY, AND THE EXPENSES ARE INCURRED BY THE CITY . WHERE WE HAVE BEEN APPROACHED BY THE ZORA AND NEIL HURST AND FLORIDA EDUCATION COMMISSION TO SPONSOR THEIR FESTIVAL, WE ARE NOT IN CONTROL OF THE EXPENSES OR WHAT EXPENSES ARE USED IN PRODUCING THIS FESTIVAL. SO, BECAUSE OF THAT, WE PUT TOGETHER SORT OF PARAMETERS AND REQUIREMENTS SO THAT WE KNOW THAT THE FUNDING THAT WE PROVIDE FROM THE ARTS AND CULTURE -- OR THE ARTS IN PUBLIC PLACES FUND -- ARE SPENT ON THOSE ITEMS THAT ARE CULTURALLY OR ARTISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT , AND THAT IS THE PURVIEW OF OUR BOARD AND WHAT WE THINK THE CITY WOULD EXPECT FROM US. SO, IF YOU LOOK AT -- I THINK YOU WERE GIVEN AN ITEMIZED BUDGET THAT WE HAD PRESENTED -- WHAT WE TRIED TO DO WAS LOOK AT THE PARAMETERS OF WHAT WAS SAFE FOR THE PUBLIC, WHAT WAS NECESSARY, AS FAR AS SANITATION, SECURITY, TRASH AND SEPTIC GOALS, INSURANCE, PERMITTING, ET CETERA, AND ALSO PROVIDE A STAGE LIKE THE SOLID ELEMENTS OF WHAT THEY MIGHT REQUIRE , THAT STAGE, CHAIRS, AND TABLES. BEYOND THAT, WE LOOKED AT WHAT WAS THE MORE ARTISTIC ASPECTS OF THE FESTIVAL, AND WHAT WE WANTED TO SEE MORE. ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WAS TO PROVIDE AN EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT FOR THE KIDS THAT WAS ALSO FUN FOR THEM, AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE BUDGET, THERE IS, FOR THE KIDS CORNER, SPECIFIC ITEMS , MAKE YOUR OWN BOOK , FLY A KITE, HAVE A ZORA GIVEAWAY. WE INCLUDED FACEPAINTING IN THERE FOR THEM, BUT THERE WERE SOME ITEMS ON FEEL WHERE A PART OF WHAT WE NO- SHOULD SUPPORT, JUST IN GENERAL

[00:15:04]

ANSWER THEM FOR YOU. >> FOR. I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF QUICK QUESTIONS. JUST FOR FULL DISCLOSURE, JULIE IS MY NEXT-DOOR NEIGHBOR. SHE IS ALSO MY WIFE'S AUNT IN LAW.

>> SHE IS ALSO MY APPOINTEE. >> RIGHT.

>> NEPOTISM . >> SMALL-TOWN.

>> FIGHTING OVER HER >> WHAT WAS THE TOTAL BUDGETED

REQUEST? >> THEIR REQUEST WAS AROUND 37 AND CHANGE. 37,000 AND CHANGE. THEY CAME TO US LAST YEAR WITH A REQUEST FOR $10,000. THIS YEAR, IT WAS 15. SO, AS THEY SAID, WE LOOK THROUGH THEIR ITEMIZED EXPENSES AND LEGITIMIZE THOSE THAT SEEM TO BE APPROPRIATE AT THE INCREASE. ONE I DIDN'T MENTION WAS MUSIC, AND THAT IS PART OF THE BUDGET THAT WE ARE REPORTING, BECAUSE WE BELIEVE MOST OF THEIR MUSICIANS ARE

LOCAL TALENT . >> SO, WE'RE KIND OF KEEPING IT INVOLVED. THAT IS GREAT I KNOW YOU AND I HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS IN THE PAST REGARDING THE ARTS IN PUBLIC PLACES FUNDING MECHANISM. I KNOW WE HAVE DONE A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THIS. SINCE WE HAVE YOU HERE, MIGHT BE A GOOD TIME TO ASK THE QUESTION AS TO WHAT YOUR FINDINGS ARE AND WHAT YOUR CONCLUSIONS ARE. AS FAR AS YOUR BOARD IS CONCERNED, HOW THAT ACTUALLY WORKS.

>> DEEP BREATH WE DO HAVE A QUESTION RIGHT NOW . BECAUSE THE

ARTS IN PUBLIC PLACES -- >> MOVE CLOSER TO THE MICROPHONE. YOU KEEP WALKING AWAY.

>> THE ARTS IN PUBLIC PLACES FUND, THE PROCEEDS ARE GENERATED FROM CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS MADE BY THE CITY . A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THE USE OF THE FUNDS IS THE BEACH PARKING AT THE END OF THE PORT WHERE THEY PUT A BEAUTIFUL PARKING LOT IN, BUT THEY ALSO INCLUDED A MERRILL ON THE WALL WITH THIS GORGEOUS FISH BIKE RACK . THAT IS A PERFECT USE OF THE FUNDS. THE FUNDS , ACTUALLY, SPECIFICALLY CALL FOR VISUAL , PROFESSIONAL ART .VISUAL ART IS MURALS, PAINTINGS, SCULPTURE, IT IS HARD, MATERIALISTIC ART. IT IS NOT FESTIVALS. IT IS NOT CULTURAL NORMS OR EDUCATION.

THERE IS A BACKDOOR TO THIS THAT, WITH THESE FUNDS ARE NOT SPENT ON PUBLIC ART WITHIN THREE YEARS, THEY CAN REVERT TO THE GENERAL FUND AND BE USED FOR GENERAL ART PURPOSES. SO, WE HAD LEGAL HOPEFULLY LOOKING AT THIS. THAT IS THE BACK DOOR , AND THE USE OF THE FUNDS AS FAR AS THE PAST TWO YEARS WITH THE HIGH WIND FESTIVAL AND LAST YEAR'S FESTIVAL. IT IS CERTAINLY WORTH SUPPORTING THIS FESTIVAL WHEREVER THE FUNDS COME FROM, BUT ART IN PUBLIC PLACES FUNDING IS REALLY FOR VISUAL ART. I THINK THE MECHANISM FOR OUR BOARD HAD ALWAYS UNDERSTOOD TO BE THAT GRANTS ADMINISTRATION WOULD SEEK GRANTS FOR FUNDING FOR EDUCATIONAL AND FESTIVAL AND CULTURAL PURPOSES. I AM NOT SURE IF I HAVE JUST STEPPED IN THE MUD HERE, BUT THERE IS THAT CLAUSE THAT THE FUNDS , THE GENERAL FUNDING, NOT USED WITHIN THREE YEARS, THAT IS IMPORTANT . AT ONE TIME, THERE WAS $200,000 IN THIS FUND, AND HAD NONE OF IT HAD BEEN SPENT OVER A PERIOD OF THREE YEARS . SO -- THERE HAS BEEN FUNDING SITTING THERE, AND I THINK IT IS UP TO THE COMMISSION TO BECOME BETTER VERSED IN HOW WE USE THESE FUNDS , AND HOPEFULLY CITY MANAGEMENT CAN HELP US DO THAT. IT SEEMED TO BE A WASTE TO HAVE IT NOT GO TOWARDS ART, BUT I CERTAINLY UNDERSTAND THERE ARE 1 MILLION DIFFERENT WAYS MONIES ARE NEEDED IN THE CITY. SO, THAT BEING

[00:20:05]

>> NO. I'M IMPRESSED WITH YOUR RESEARCH. I APPRECIATE IT AND

APPRECIATE YOUR INTEREST. >> I HAVE HAD THIS EXPLAINED TO ME. THAT IS GREAT. I KNOW WE TOUCHED ON THIS TOPIC A YEAR OR SO AGO. WHEN WE FIRST KIND OF UNCOVERED THIS WHOLE SCENARIO, KIND OF A LIGHT BULB WENT OFF, YES, THERE IS MONEY. YOU KNOW WHAT IS THERE FOR FUNDS AVAILABLE CURRENTLY?

>> I THINK THE LETTER YOU RECEIVED, AS FAR AS OUR RECOMMENDATION TO YOU ON THIS ITEM WAS $129,000.

>> THAT IS MY MEMORY. YEAH. >> BUT THERE HAS SINCE -- IT IS AN ONGOING THING. EVERY TIME YOU FIX A STREET, PIPELINE, OR BUILDING, A PERCENTAGE GOES TO THAT FUND, FOR INSTANCE, I THINK RECENTLY, YOU WERE APPROACHED THAT WE RECOMMENDED PROVIDING MONEY FOR THE MURAL ON THE SIDE OF THE NEW HIGHWAY 1% OF THE COST OF THAT UPGRADE TO THAT BUILDING SHOULD GO TOWARDS THAT MURAL ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE BUILDING. SO, A $400,000 BUDGET WOULD BE $4000 TOWARDS THE MURAL. THAT IS THE WAY IT IS

SUPPOSED TO WORK. >> WISH IT WAS A $400,000

PROJECT. NORTH OF THAT -- >> I THINK THAT THE IMPORTANT THING TO THINK ABOUT IS THAT WE CAME ACROSS -- IT BECAME OBVIOUS TO US -- WE WERE LOOKING FOR PARAMETERS TO PROVIDE SOME GUIDELINES FOR FUNDING FOR THIS PARTICULAR FESTIVAL OR ANOTHER THAT HOW DO WE CALL TO RESPONSIBILITY THOSE PEOPLE THAT APPROACHED US, WHAT ARE OUR PARAMETERS, AND IN LOOKING THROUGH THE ORDINANCE TO TRY TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANY ALREADY ESTABLISHED, WAS WHEN THE GLARING VISUAL PROFESSIONAL ART , VISUAL PROFESSIONAL ART, CAME SO APPARENT, THAT THIS IS ALL ABOUT SCULPTURES, MURALS, MEETINGS, THOSE THINGS, NOT THE CULTURAL ASPECTS OF THE CITY, WHICH IS THIS CITY IS FULL OF CULTURE. SO, TO PROMOTE IT WOULD BE THE PERFECT PLACE, TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE MEANS TO PROMOTE IT WOULD BE EVEN BETTER.

>> SO, JUST TO CLOSE THAT OUT, WE HAVE SEVERAL MURALS THAT ARE IN THE PIPELINE. IT IS YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS THAT THOSE SHOULD ALL BE FUNDED THROUGH THIS PARTICULAR FUND.

>> RATHER THAN 250048 SIX FUNDS. >> OUR CITY GENERAL FUNDS. WE SHOULD MAKE A NOTATION OF THAT, PULL UP THE FUNDS BEFORE THEY GET SENT OVER TO THE GENERAL FUND AND BASICALLY GET SUCKED INTO THE VORTEX AND NEVER BE SEEN FROM AGAIN.

>> RIGHT. >> THE STANDALONE FUND SPECIFICALLY DESIGNATED FOR THESE TYPES OF ACTIVITIES THAT I THINK WE NEED TO ACCOUNT FOR WHEN WE ARE APPROVING THESE PROPOSALS THAT ARE COMING IN FRONT OF US, BECAUSE THE MONEY IS SITTING THERE. CERTAINLY DON'T WANT IT TO GET SUCKED

INTO THE GENERAL FUND. >> IF IT COULD BE UTILIZED IN THE WAY IT IS MEANT TO BE, YES. IF FUNDS ARE SPENT FROM OTHER SOURCES, RATHER THAN THIS, FROM THIS GRANT RATHER THAN OTHER

SOURCES, -- >> BACK TO THE MIC FOR ME,

PLEASE. >> THEY CAN BE SPENT FOR THIS SOURCE, RATHER THAN OTHER SOURCES, WHICH HAVE PROBABLY MORE DIRE NEEDS . IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT. MURALS AREN'T ALL THERE IS TO IT, THOUGH. MURALS NEEDS TO BE MAINTAINED, SCULPTURE IS ALL ABOUT PLACEMENT. SO, PROGRAMMING BECOMES IMPORTANT ON OUR END AS A BOARD . YOU KNOW, THE ARTS AND

CULTURE BOARD. >> YOUR BOARD IS DESIGNATED WITH MAKING RECOMMENDATIONS ON ALL THESE TYPES OF ITEMS.

>> YES, SIR . >> OUTSTANDING. I THINK THAT IS WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE. YOU HAVE COME FORWARD TO US, TELL US WHAT YOUR SUGGESTIONS ARE FOR YOUR IMPROVEMENT. YOU HAVE THE FUNDING MECHANISM IN PLACE, WE HAVE THE EXPERTISE IN PLACE TO MAKE THE RECOMMENDATIONS. IT SEEMS LIKE A RATHER FLAWLESS APPROACH TO DEAL WITH THIS APPROPRIATELY.

>> YES. AND, ACCOUNTING FOR WHAT IS IN OUR FUND , AND AS THINGS COME THROUGH THE ENGINEERING PROCESS, AND PROJECTS ARE

COMPLETED, WE WILL BE ABLE TO. >> GREAT. THANK YOU.

>> FOR CLARIFICATION FROM ALL OF US AND ANYBODY WATCHING, WHAT IS THE DOLLAR REQUEST ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM?

>> 15,000. >> 15. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR

YOUR HARD WORK . >> ABSOLUTELY WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU. >> MADAME CHAIR?

>> YES. >> BRIEFLY, SO MADAME CHAIR IS AWARE, I HAVE CHECKED ALL OF THE PENDING LEGAL REQUESTS THAT I HAVE IN MY OFFICE , OF THE 11, NONE IS A QUESTION SHE HAS MENTIONED, SO, SHE MAY WANT TO FOLLOW UP WITH BOARD OR STAFF ABOUT THE QUESTION THAT SHE HAS FOR LEGAL.

>> OKAY. WE JUST HAD A GOOD COMMUNICATION THERE.

[00:25:02]

>> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?

>> REAL QUICK, META MAYOR. I WILL SAY THIS LIKE I SAID LAST YEAR WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THIS. WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THINGS TO GET FORT PIERCE ON THE MAP FOR GOOD THINGS. THIS FESTIVAL , IN MY OPINION, SHOULD BE THE BIGGEST ONE IN THE COUNTRY, JUST

BECAUSE SHE IS STILL HERE. >> RIGHT. SHE IS HERE.

>> GOING TO GO TO THE GRAVE, WE CAN GO TO THE HOUSE, WE CAN GO TO EVERYWHERE, SO, FORT PIERCE CAN BE PUT ON THE MAP AND HAVE PEOPLE COMING IN TO THIS FESTIVAL TO SEE , YOU KNOW, SO, IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD BUILD ON. I SAID IT LAST YEAR, I'M GOING TO SAY, WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE THIS MUSEUM OPENING UP, TALKING ABOUT TODAY, THEN WE CAN HAVE THIS FESTIVAL TO BACK THAT UP. SO, IT IS GREAT TO ATTRACT OUTSIDERS AND, BECAUSE THE ZORA FESTIVAL IN DC IS A BIG FESTIVAL .IT IS A BIG THING. I CAN SEE THAT HAPPENING HERE, BECAUSE WE HAVE EVERYTHING THAT THEY WANT. SHE STILL HERE WITH US. SO, I JUST WANT TO SAY, I'M GLAD WE TOLD AT COMMISSIONER BRODERICK. I'M GOING TO SAY, THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT, BUT THIS IS AND THEN THAT WE CAN GROW INTO BUSINESSES AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND REVENUE RAISING FOR OUR CITY, BECAUSE WE HAVE EVERYTHING THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT HERE.

>> AND THE TOURIST DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, I THINK, CHARLOTTE IS CONTINUALLY -- PROMOTES -- THAT FESTIVAL.

>> RIGHT . >> ALSO, THE ZORA TRAIL AS WELL.

>> YEAH . >> META MAYOR?

>> YES. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR ALL OF THIS. I THINK WE GOT A LITTLE BIT OF EDUCATION. NOT LONG AGO, I MET WITH MY REPRESENTATIVE ON THIS COMMITTEE. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE, WHEN I MEET WITH THE STAFF LATER THIS WEEK, TO GET AN UPDATE ON THE ATTENDANCE OF THIS. HE EXPRESSED TO ME THERE WAS CONCERNS OF THIS COMMITTEE MEETING CONSISTENTLY AND BEING ABLE TO GET A QUORUM. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT, BECAUSE I'M COMING UP HERE WITH IDEAS IN THE PROJECTS THAT ARE AT LEAST TWO ARTISTIC RELATED EVENTS THAT I WANT YOU TO MAKE SURE OF FOR THIS COMMITTEE IS IN POWER TO GET SUPPORT FROM STAFF AND ARE ABLE TO GET CONSISTENT MEETING ON THE BOOK AND A CLEAR TASK OF CLEARLY WHAT WE NEED THEM TO DO AND RECOMMEND GOING FORWARD . I THINK THE OTHER THING THAT GIVES ME A LITTLE BIT OF CONCERN AND PAUSE IS THAT, AT WHAT TIME POINT DOES THIS MONEY THING WE HAVE HEARD FROM THE CHAIR -- APPARENTLY THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS -- THAT MONEY KIND OF BEEN GRANDFATHERED OVER AND IS JUST KIND OF AN OPPORTUNITY, BECAUSE WE HAVE -- RECENTLY -- I'M SURE BEGAN, SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND THE TIMELINE OF WHEN THE MONEY COMES IN, WHAT THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY IS COMPARED TO WHAT WE HAVE IN HERE RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE TECHNICALLY, THAT MONEY PROBABLY SHOULD GO TO THE GENERAL FUND , AND I WOULD BEG TO DIFFER THAT THERE ARE SOME NOTABLE PROJECTS THAT HAVE PROBABLY GOT SOME COSTS OF THE RUNS IN OUR GENERAL FUND THAT WE CAN USE THOSE FUNDS TO SUBSIDIZE THAT, BUT I'M NOT GOING TO GO THERE TODAY. THIS HAS BEEN EDUCATIONAL. THANK YOU. I REALLY THINK WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THIS ONE. WE ARE ADDING -- HOW THIS FUND IS GENERATED -- IS BASED ON CAPITAL -- YEAH -- AND SPENDING -- I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT WE KEEP OUR EYE ON

THAT. >> NO INITIAL COMMENT ON THAT -- THIS DISCUSSION HAS BEEN HAD IN THE BACKGROUND, RELATIVE TO COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT , AND TAKING A PERCENTAGE OF THAT , LIKE OTHER COMMUNITIES DO, TO FUND THIS SAME FUND , YOU KNOW, 1% , 1/2%, WHATEVER THAT FUND MAY BE, IT IS QUITE FREQUENT, ACTUALLY, AND I THINK WE NEED TO TAKE A SERIOUS LOOK AT THAT.

THIS IS JUST CAP X AT THE CITY IS DOING, WE BRING IN CAP X THE DEVELOPMENT IS DOING, 1/2 OR 1% IS NOT GOING TO SKEW ANY COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE DEALS. WE HAVE WE TEND 1 MUSEUM, PARKING LOT A JCPENNEY PERFORMED GRAND. THOSE THINGS ADD UP QUICKLY. YOU ADD UP PROJECTS LIKE GREENS LANDING FOR $80 MILLION , YOU'RE GOING TO GET SIGNIFICANT FUNDS INTO ART PUBLIC PLACES MECHANISM, AND IT CAN BE A VERY DYNAMIC AND EXCITING THING FOR

THE CITY. >> THE LEGISLATURE IS LOOKING AT

THAT, TO TAKE THAT AWAY. >> ONE OF THEM IS. YEAH.

>> YEAH. >> THEY'RE GOING TO RETIRE ALL OF US. THE LEGISLATURE WILL COME IN AND RUN THE CITY.

>> RIGHT. ALRIGHTY. DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION FOR THIS

PARTICULAR ITEM? >> META MAYOR, I WOULD MOVED TO

[00:30:02]

APPROVE ITEM B. >> A SECOND?

[e. Approval to increase purchase order 250048 for an additional $30,000.00 with RDK Truck Sales, Tampa, FL to cover the cost of refuse truck rentals.]

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

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> YES.

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

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

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

>> OKAY. ITEM E, OPERABLE TO INCREASE PURCHASE OF ORDER 25-004-8 FOR AN ADDITIONAL $30,000 WITH OUR DECAYED TRUCK SALES OF TAMPA, FLORIDA TO COVER THE COST OF REFUSE TRUCK RENTALS

. >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?

>> I GUESS MY CONCERN IS SIMPLY , I'M NOT AN ADVOCATE OF RENTING THIS TYPE OF EQUIPMENT. I KNOW THAT WE HAVE PROBABLY PURCHASE ORDERS OUT ON HAVING TO COME IN THAT HAS NOT COME IN .

DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHAT THE STATUS OF THAT IS? I DON'T WANT

TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT. >> NO WORRIES. PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR FOR THE STUDY WILL COME UP AND DISCUSS SOME OF THOSE FOR TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, YES, THERE ARE SEVERAL PURCHASE ORDERS OPEN AND SEVERAL MACHINES FOR PIECE OF QUITMAN THAT ARE

BACKORDERED. >> JASON , PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR, META MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS. THE WORK ORDERS , OR THE PURCHASE ORDERS, ACTUALLY, I DON'T QUITE KNOW ALL THE ONES THAT ARE IN THE PROCESS NOW, BECAUSE KIND OF DIFFICULT GETTING AN ASSIGNMENT TO THAT BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE CAPITAL PLAN IS LAID OUT. SO, WHAT I CAN SAY IS THAT THE COST OF THIS TRUCK, WITH $8500, THAT WE ARE PAYING, IT IS VERY IN LINE WITH THE LEASE. RIGHT? SO, THE LEASE IS SO CLOSE THAT IT ALMOST MAKES ME FEEL LIKE LEASING UNLESS I WAS GOING TO BUY IT OUTRIGHT. SO, ONCE YOU PUT IN YOUR FINANCE CHARGES AND EVERYTHING ELSE, IT IS RIGHT THERE. SO, IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN TO THE TRUCK, WE DO DO NORMAL MAINTENANCE AND EVERYTHING ELSE, BUT IT IS RIGHT THERE. I WAS LOOKING AT THAT TODAY. I WAS ACTUALLY SURPRISED, BECAUSE I PRICED ONE OUT VERY SIMILAR WITH THE WARRANTIES, AND EVERYTHING ELSE , AND THAT TOOK ME TO AROUND $110,000 HERE. SO, $110,000 A YEAR VS. WHERE THIS 1

WAS, I BELIEVE >> 18500 OR DO THAT TIMES 12, ROUGHLY LIKE 100 OR $200,000. IT WAS ACTUALLY MORE TO BUY THAT TRUCK AND LEASE IT OUT THEN IT WOULD BE TO GO THROUGH THE RENTAL PROCESS. NOW, YOU CAN TURN THAT TRUCK IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, ANY KIND OF ISSUES . THE TRUCK HAS BEEN WORKING OUT WELL. HASN'T HAD A SINGLE BREAKDOWN. I SPOKE TO THE ROY, WHO IS IN CHARGE OF OUR SOLID WASTE DIVISION, AND THE TRUCK IS WORKING OUT. RIGHT NOW, ALL OF OUR FLEET , IT IS MAXED OUT OF THE USAGE. IT DOES TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME FOR SOME OF THOSE TO COME IN.WE ARE LOOKING AT SOMEWHERE SOME BUILDS, I THINK WE HAVE A PO WHERE THE TRUCK IS SUPPOSED TO BE HERE IN ABOUT, I THINK, 3 MONTHS OR LESS , BUT IT IS JUST COVERING US UNTIL THAT TIME, BUT I AM ALSO TAKING A LOOK AT, I GUESS, A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT EVERYTHING AND JUST SEEING WHERE FINANCES IS, BUT WHEN I SAW THE PRICE OF THAT TRUCK, I WAS SURPRISED, BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN THEM AROUND, SAY, $11,000 A MONTH . SO, THAT PRICE WAS AMAZING TO ME WHEN I SAW IT. THAT IS WHAT I SEE .

>> YOU HAVE A TRUCK COMING IN IN 3 MONTHS, NEW TRUCK WE ARE

PURCHASING? CORRECT? >> YES.

>> IS THAT TRUCK A LATERAL MOVE? ARE WE BRINGING THAT IN TO TAKE AN OLDER TRUCK? HOW IS THAT GOING TO WORK? JUST SUPPLEMENTING THE EQUIPMENT WE HAVE ON HAND BECAUSE WE NEED

ANOTHER TRUCK? >> WE HAVE SOME OLDER TRUCKS. WE DID DO A FLEET INVENTORY. BUT THE OF THE TRUCKS WE HAVE LOOKED AT. SO, THE AGE OF OUR TRUCKS AREN'T THAT BAD ON OUR SIDE MOTORS, BUT THEY ARE GETTING UP THERE IN AGE. WHEN I SAY UP THERE IN AGE, AROUND FIVE DID YEARS OR 4 YOUR MARK ON AVERAGE.SO, THOSE TRUCKS ARE IN GOOD SHAPE. WE ARE REALLY BAD ON THE SIDE OF THE SMALLER PICKUP TRUCKS. THAT SIDE IS LAGGING BEHIND. IT ALSO VARYS THROUGHOUT THE DEPARTMENTS FOR THE PARTICULAR FUND, SOLID WASTE ENTERPRISE FUND. THE TRUCKS, THEY ARE IN LINE WITH THE REPLACEMENTS TO MOVE THEM ALONG, SO THEY ARE RIGHT WHERE WE NEED THEM TO BE, BUT THIS JUST IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH, BECAUSE I THINK WE HAVE WANTED TRUCK THAT IS BROKEN DOWN, AND WE HAVE A SPARE TRUCK, BUT WHEN RECYCLING RUNS, RIGHT NOW, WE ARE AT FULL CAPACITY FOR EVERYTHING. WE DON'T HAVE AN ADDITIONAL TRUCK WAITING, BUT WE'RE NOT A TRUCK LIKE THAT, SO WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE .

>> ONE TRUCK THAT GETS SIDELINED, YOU ARE SHORT?

>> ON RECYCLING TIME, YES. >> THANK YOU FOR THE THE REPORT.

>> YOU ARE WELCOME. >> OKAY. ANYBODY ELSE, WANT TO

MAKE A MOTION ON THAT? >> META MAYOR, I MOVED TO

APPROVE ITEM E. >> SECOND?

>> SECOND. >> THANK YOU .

[00:35:01]

>> CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE. >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?

>> YES. >> COMMISSONER GAINES?

[a. Quasi-Judicial Hearing - Review and Approval of an application for a Conditional Use: No New Construction by applicant Lany & Claudel Romulus, to operate New Elite Academy, daycare center in the 7,711 sq. ft. building with associated site improvements, located at 2210 Orange Avenue, more specifically Parcel Control Number 2409-602-0010-000-2. ]

>> YES >> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR?

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

>> YES, MA'AM. >> OKAY. WAS I JUDICIAL REVIEW FOR APPROVAL FOR APPLICATION FOR CONDITIONAL USE WITH NO NEW CONSTRUCTION BY APPLICANT LENNY AND CLAUDEL ROMULUS TO OPERATE NEW ELITE ACADEMY DAYCARE CENTER IN THE 77 , 1100 SQUARE-FOOT BUILDING WITH ASSOCIATED SITE IMPROVEMENTS LOCATED AT 2210

ORANGE AVENUE. >> ALREADY. THIS IS A QUASIJUDICIAL HEARING. WE HAVE WANTED TONIGHT. MANNY MACHADO, WOULD YOU LIKE TO LATE OUT THE PROCESS FOR US?

>> YES, MA'AM. THE CITY COMMISSION SERVES BOTH A LEGEND I LEGISLATIVE AND CAUSE ADDITIONAL ROLE. WE PASS LAWS AND ESTABLISH POLICIES. WHEN ACTING AS A QUASIJUDICIAL BODY, THE COMMISSION APPLIES THOSE LAWS AND POLICIES AND IS HELD TO A STRICTER PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENT. QUASIJUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS ARE LESS FORMAL THAN PROCEEDINGS BEFORE A CIRCUIT COURT BUT ARE MORE FORMAL THAN THE NORMAL COMMISSION MEETING .

QUASIJUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS MUST FOLLOW BASIC STANDARDS OF NOTICE AND DUE PROCESS AND DECISIONS MUST BE MADE BASED ON COMPETENT SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE. THEREFORE, COMMISSIONERS HAVE A DUTY TO CONDUCT THE QUASIJUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS MORE LIKE JUDGES THAN LEGISLATORS. THAT IS WHY THE COMMISSION HAS ESTABLISHED THE UNIFORM PROCEDURES FOR QUASIJUDICIAL HEARINGS THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED THIS EVENING. FINALLY, NOAH SHOULD APPROACH ANY MEMBER OF THE CITY COMMISSION ON THE DAIS , THE CITY ATTORNEY, OR THE CITY CLERK DURING THE HEARING. IF DOCUMENTS ARE TO BE GIVEN TO THE CITY CLERK, PLEASE GIVE THEM TO THE SERGEANT AT ARMS, WHICH ARE ANY OF THE POLICE OFFICERS IN THE

CHAMBER. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

>> CLERK, ADVERTISING THE NET FOR THIS ITEM?

>> ADVERTISING FOR THIS ITEM HAS BEEN MET.

>> WOULD YOU ASK COMMISSIONERS ABOUT ITS EX PARTE

COMMUNICATIONS? >> YES, COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?

>> I WILL TAKE THE REPORT. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?

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

>> NO, MA'AM. >> TAYLOR?

>> NO, MA'AM. >> THANK YOU.

>> WOULD LIKE TO SWEAR IN ANY WITNESSES?

>> ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, PLEASE STAND AND RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. DO YOU SWEAR OR AFFIRM TO TELL THE TRUTH, ALL TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH?

>>

>> PLEASE PROCEED. >> GOOD EVENING, META MAYOR, CITY COMMISSION. TODAY, WE BRING BEFORE YOU NEW ELITE ACADEMY NO NEW CONSTRUCTION APPLICATION, LOCATED AT 2210 ORANGE AVENUE.

WHERE THE APPLICANT IS LONNIE AND CLAUDEL ROMULUS, PROPERTY HOLDER, ARS FLORIDA HOLDING, PARTIAL I.D. 2496020010002, SITE LOCATION, PROPERTY, AS MAYOR PROPOSED, ZONING IS C-3, FUTURE LAND-USE BEING GC GENERAL COMMERCIAL. THIS SIDE AREA IS APPROXIMATELY 1.032 ACRES. IN SUMMARY, A CONDITION OF USE, NO NEW CONSTRUCTION APPLICATION HAS BEEN SUBMITTED FOR A NEW PROPOSAL FOR NEWLY ACADEMY DAYCARE AT 2010, ORANGE AVENUE.

AGAIN, PROPERTY, C-3 COMMERCIAL ZONING AND FUTURE LAND-USE DESIGNATION IS GC, GENERAL COMMERCIAL. FOR EDUCATION PURPOSES, ACCORDING TO THE CITY ORDINANCE ORACLE 5, SECTION 125-325, A CONDITIONAL USE, PURPOSE OF USE IS TO ALLOW DESIRABLE USES THAT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE, GENERALLY ALL WITHOUT RESTRICTION THROUGHOUT PARTICULAR ZONING DISTRICTS, BUT WHICH IS CONTROLLED AS TO MEMBER AREA LOCATION OR RELATION TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD NOT TO ADVERSELY AFFECT THE PUBLIC HEALTH FOR GOOD ORDER, PARENTS, AND THE GENERAL WELFARE. HERE IS THE FUTURE LAND-USE OUTLINED IN THE PROPOSED PROPERTY AND ITS SURROUNDINGS OF OUR LOW-DENSITY RESIDENTIAL. THE ZONING, AS SURROUNDED BY OUR THREE SINGLE-FAMILY AND MODERATE CITY -- HERE ARE SOME PHOTOS FOR THE LISTING LOCATION OF THE NEW ELITE ACADEMY AS IT CURRENTLY STANDS. PICTURE OF THE PROPOSED LOCATION AGAIN, 2010, ORANGE AVENUE. CURRENT USE IS JAY NERRIS PHARMACY. DETAILS AROUND THE DAYCARE, EXTENSIVE WAITING LIST, IN OPERATION UNTIL 6:00 P.M. SERVING APPROXIMATELY 152

[00:40:04]

>> EXTERIOR ELEVATIONS -- AND THE DEMOLITION FLOORPLAN TO ACCOMMODATE THE BUILD-OUT AND THE MODIFICATIONS .

>> THE PROPOSED FLOORPLAN --

>> AS WELL AS THE LANDSCAPE.

>> OTHER FEBRUARY 10TH MEETING, PLANNING BOARD VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE CONDITIONAL USE , NO NEW CONSTRUCTION, THEREFORE, STAFF ACCOMMODATION IS CITY COMMISSION TO APPROVE THE SUBMITTED APPLICATION WITH THE TWO CONDITIONS, ONE, SIGN PERMITS APPLIED FOR THE ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE AND OCCUPANCY, AND A NOTARIZED LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT DUE PRIOR TO THE ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY. ALTERNATE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE RECOMMEND APPROVAL WITH ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS OR, TWO, RECOMMEND THIS APPROVAL. THANK

YOU. >> QUESTIONS OF STAFF?

>> MADAM -- >> GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER

JOHNSON, THEN BRODERICK. >> COULD YOU GO BACK TO THE LANDSCAPE PLAN? DOWN AT THE BOTTOM. I AM MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS CORNER. U.S. 1 AND 24TH STREET. I SEE, BASICALLY, THERE IS ALREADY SHRUBBERY ON 23RD. YEAH. 23RD.

>> YEAH. >> AND ORANGE. I'M SORRY. AND ORANGE. I'M SORRY. I AM LOST. I'M ALL OVER THE PLACE.

>> OKAY. >> ORANGE AND 23RD. I KNOW THIS, ALL I HAVE IS GREAT CONCERNED ABOUT LANDSCAPING AND WHAT WAS THERE. I KNOW I'M GLAD TO SEE THERE WAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE HERE, BUT THE SHRUBBERY LINES GOING ALONG THERE IN A TREE THAT IS GOING TO GO ON THAT CORNER OF ?

>> YES, SIR. >> WHAT TYPE OF TREE IS GOING IN THERE? LIVE OAK? HOW BIG IS THAT GOING TO GROW TO BE?

>> THAT IS AN EXISTING TREE . >> NO TREE THERE NOW, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, A LINE OF SCHROH TRIMMED DOWN TO HEIGHT, AND I HAVE KNOW REAL CONCERNS ABOUT LINE OF SIGHT COMING OFF OF 23RD AND ORANGE , AND SO, I HAVE ASKED OUR ENGINEER TO LOOK AT THIS AGAIN, BECAUSE THIS HAS CAUSED SOME MAJOR CONCERN TO PEOPLE STICKIN THEIR NOSE OUT THERE WITH MAJOR TRAFFIC MOVING ON ORANGE , THEN THE NEXT I WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK, THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC TO UNDERSTAND HOW THAT IS GOING TO BE NAVIGATED HERE WITH THIS. SO, IT LOOKS LIKE , COMING IN OFF OF ORANGE , AND MAKING A TURN THAT WOULD HAVE THEM POINTING WEST AND COMING EASTERLY , WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE ON TRAFFIC SO THEY CAN NAVIGATE BOTH WAYS? CORRECT? IS THAT WHAT I'M

SAYING? >> CORRECT.

>> WHEN THEY COME OUT HEADING WEST, NUMBER ONE, IS THAT A

RIGHT TURN ONLY? >> YES.

>> I WOULD ASK ENGINEER TO LOOK AT THIS. I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THIS TRAFFIC FLOW HERE, AMOUNT OF CARS. A FAIRLY TIGHT SPACE.

YOU HAVE GOT A LOT OF TRAFFIC ON 23RD, COMING UP TO ORANGE. THAT IS A MAJOR ROUTE THAT CONNECTS NORTH AND SOUTH HERE. THE PROJECT IS A GOOD USE. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC HERE, AND FOR ME, GIVING A PERSON HERE THAT CAN TURN

[00:45:05]

>> IF I CAN, YES, ORANGE AVENUE IS ONE OF THE INTERESTS, AS WELL AS 23RD STREET AND 22ND. SO, THE PARENTS, WHEN THEY ARE DROPPING AND PICKING THEIR CHILDREN UP, THEY DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO USE ORANGE AVENUE, BECAUSE AGAIN, 22ND AND 23RD PROVIDES ACCESS AND AN EXIT FROM THE BUILDING TO GET TO THE BUILDING, WHERE THE PARENTS WILL PART AND WALK IN WITH THEIR CHILDREN . I

JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT. >> I AM FAMILY WITH THAT. BOTH OF THOSE ARE GREAT PARALLEL STREETS, BUT HOW WOULD THEY THEN NAVIGATE RIGHT/LEFT AND THAT TYPE OF THERE -- I HAVE GOT TO GET A BETTER FEEL FOR HOW THIS IS -- AND WHAT IS OUR OCCUPANCY

LOAD HERE, PERHAPS, WITH THIS? >> SO, I BELIEVE THE ESTIMATED ELGIN WOULD BE 152. NOW, AS FAR AS THE OCCUPANCY --

>> 152. 152 PEOPLE BEING DROPPED OFF, YOUNG PEOPLE , PERHAPS, THEN WE ALSO HAVE STAFF THAT HAS TO COME IN, OBVIOUSLY, COME IN AND WORK AND DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO. SO, YOU KNOW, I HAVE GOT CONCERNED ABOUT TRAFFIC THAT IS THE ONLY THING. HOW WE'RE GOING TO NAVIGATE THAT AND THE LINE OF SIGHT. OTHER THAN THAT, I AM

OKAY. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF STAFF? COULD YOU GO BACK TO THE PICTURE OF THE ACTUAL PHARMACY?

>> AS IT IS NOW, MAYBE WE CAN GET A BETTER IDEA.

>> IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING CURRENT, I CAN GO TO THE GOOGLE MAP AND POSSIBLY PULL IT UP.

>> I WAS JUST TRYING TO GET ORIENTED AND SEE WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE. SO, THE WESTERN PART OF THIS IS 23RD.

>> RIGHT. >> EASTERN PART IS 22ND, WHICH WOULD MEAN LESS BUSY THAN 22ND, WOULD IT NOT BE RIGHT ACROSS FROM THE 7-ELEVEN? WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IS ALL THAT IS GOING ON IN THERE, AND THERE IS NO DIVIDER THERE, BUT THAT

CENTER TURN LANE , I THINK. >> CENTER-TERM.

>> RIGHT, RIGHT. YEAH. YEAH. >> YEAH.

>> YEAH. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

>> MADAM MAYOR , I HAVE A COUPLE.

>> GO AHEAD. >> WHAT IS TRIGGERING THE

CONDITIONAL USE? >> DAYCARE.

>> ALL ZONING CLASSIFICATIONS, CONDITIONAL USE?

>> THAT IS CORRECT, FOR THE CITY.

>> I KNOW UNDER THE ACHILLES OF ALL OF THESE DAYCARE'S IS THE EXTERIOR PLAYGROUND THERE. COULD WE GO BACK TO THE SITE PLAN? I SEEM TO RECALL THAT THAT IS FULLY FENCED.

>> YES, SIR. >> AND THE ENTRANCEWAY TO THE PLAYGROUND IS FROM THE BUILDING ITSELF, NOT OUT INTO THE PARKING

LOT? >> THAT WOULD BE CORRECT.

>> OKAY. THE ONLY OTHER COMMENT I WOULD MAKE IS THAT, WITH THE CHANGE OF USE, BECAUSE THE SITE ITSELF IS PRETTY SPARSE WITH THE LANDSCAPE -- I THINK YOU IDENTIFY THAT, THE LOW HEDGE THERE IS PROBABLY 2 FEET OFF THE GROUND, MAYBE, AND A LARGE CURB CUT ON ORANGE AVENUE, SO I DON'T THINK YOU'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO SQUEEZE THAT DOWN TO A RIGHT-TURN TRAFFIC ONLY.

HOWEVER, IS THE ENTIRE SITE, LANDSCAPE PACKAGE, BEING BROUGHT

UP TO CURRENT CODE? >> YES, SIR, THAT WOULD BE PART

OF THE CONDITION WE USE . >> CANDIDLY, THE SITE'S PRETTY BARREN. IT IS AN ASPHALT -- ASPHALT -- IT NEEDS SOME SOFTENING WITH SOME LANDSCAPE BUFFERING, ET CETERA, SO, BRINGING IN SOME HARDWOODS, WHAT ELSE IS BEING ADDED TO THIS

PLAN? >> ASIDE FROM THE LANDSCAPING, MOST OF THE WORK WILL TAKE PLACE INTERIOR .

>> OKAY. WELL, IF THEY ARE BRINGING IT UP TO CURRENT CODE WITH LANDSCAPING, I CAN'T ASK FOR ANYTHING MORE THAN THAT .SO,

I'M GOOD. >> EVERYBODY ELSE OKAY? ANY

QUESTIONS OF STAFF? >> I HAVE ONE, MADAM MAYOR.

>> GO AHEAD. >> THE SITE PLAN NOTES THAT THE CURRENT, EXISTING ENTRANCE ON 22ND STREET, IS BEING CLOSED WITH LANDSCAPING, IS THAT WHAT I AM SAYING?

>> HAS TO BE UTILIZED . >> THE SITE PLAN , NEW

[00:50:03]

>> SO, I MISSPOKE EARLIER. YES, THIS, RIGHT HERE, THIS CLOSING RIGHT HERE, I BELIEVE ONE OF THE COMMENTS THAT ENGINEER HAD PROPOSED THAT THEY -- THERE WAS A COMMENT , THAT ENGINEER PROVIDED -- ABOUT CLOSING HIS SIDE. I DO BELIEVE THAT THIS, RIGHT HERE, IS BASED OFF COMMENTS THAT ENGINEER HAD PROVIDED WHEN HE REVIEWED IT, TO CLOSE THIS SIDE OF DUE TO SOME

STORM WATER . >> 22ND IS CLOSED.

>> GOING TO BE CLOSED, CORRECT. >> BE ABLE TO SPEAK. BE ABLE TO SPEAK. I SEE YOU. YOU WILL HAVE YOUR CHANCE.

>> I AM NO ENGINEER I FEEL LIKE, LOGICALLY, TRAFFIC FLOW-WISE, IT WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE TO KEEP AS MANY OF US AS MUCH CARD AS POSSIBLE OFF OF ORANGE AVENUE, AND EXITING AND ENTERING FROM THE BUILDING WOULD MAKE MORE SENSE TO ME .

>> THAT WAS ONE OF OUR ORIGINAL RECOMMENDATIONS , ONE OF STAFF'S ORIGINAL RECOMMENDATIONS, CLOSE OFF THE ORANGE ENTRANCE/EXIT AND MAINTAIN THE CURB CUTS AT EITHER END, BUT THERE WERE OTHER COMMENTS WE RECEIVED RELATING TO

ENGINEERING ISSUES . >> CAN WE GET SOME INFORMATION ON WHAT THESE ENGINEERING ISSUES ARE POSSIBLY?

>> OR WE ABLE TO HAVE ENGINEERING GOING? EVEN THOUGH I DON'T THINK ENGINEERING HAS BEEN SWORN IN, MR. JOHNSON?

>> YES , MR. -- >> COULD SOMEONE HELP US ?

>> YES, MA'AM. ALL ADDRESSES REPORTING FOR THE COMMISSION, THIS IS A QUASIJUDICIAL HEARING. EVIDENCE COMES FROM THE TESTIMONY FROM THE WITNESSES. COMMISSIONER JOHNSON HAD A QUESTION ABOUT A TREE MAY BE SOME DISAGREEMENT WITH STAFF'S UNDERSTANDING, JUST A REMINDER THAT THE COMMISSION STATEMENTS ARE NOT THE EVIDENCE . WHAT THE WITNESSES SAY IS THE EVIDENCE.

SO, THAT IS WHAT WE WOULD HAVE TO RELY ON. THOSE QUESTIONS MAY

NEED TO BE ASKED OF WITNESSES. >> SO, DO YOU NEED TO BE SWORN

IN ? >> THAT'S OKAY.

>> YOU SWEAR OR AFFIRM TO TELL THE WHOLE TRUTH, NOTHING BUT THE

TRUTH? >> I DO.

>> THANK YOU. >> MR. ANDREWS, CAN YOU HELP US

OUT? >> I'M GOING TO LOOK AT THE

COMMENTS. >> SEE WHAT YOU SAID?

>> I DID NOT REVIEW THIS ONE.

>> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, I KNOW WE HAD , IN THE PAST, WE HAVE LOOKED AT THAT CLEAR HIS OWN. THAT WAS A CONCERN . I THINK THAT WE BROUGHT IT UP ORIGINALLY, TOO, ON THIS. I KNOW , GOING BACK IN MY MEMORY, I THINK ONE OF THE CONCERNS WE HAD IS PUTTING EXCESS TRAFFIC BACK INTO THE RESIDENTIAL AREAS, ONTO 22ND AND 23RD INSTEAD OF KEEPING IT ALL ON A STATE HIGHWAY. SO, IT IS WHEN WE RUN ADDITIONAL VEHICLES BACK THROUGH THE RESIDENTIAL AREAS, WE HAVE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT , BECAUSE WHAT HAPPENED IS , IF THE SCHOOL DOESN'T HAVE THE UPPER STACKING AND EVERYTHING IN THERE, YOU GET BLOCKING DRIVEWAYS, AND STACKING IN FRONT OF THE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES. YEAH. AND I BELIEVE THE 22ND EXIT WAS NOT A PERMITTED DRIVEWAY EITHER . AND SO, THAT WAS A PROBLEM THAT WE HAD TOO.

>> 22ND? >> HOPEFULLY, THAT HELPS.

>> ANY QUESTIONS OF MR. ANDREWS BEFORE HE LEAVES? OKAY. THANK

YOU, SIR.ALL RIGHT. >> COMMISSIONERS, ANY QUESTIONS

OF STAFF? CALL UP THE APPLICANT? >> MADAM MAYOR?

>> YES, SIR. >> I THINK IT WOULD HELP. I'M OVER HERE LOOKING AT -- CAN YOU PULL UP THE GOOGLE EARTH? THE GOOGLE EARTH? GIVE EVERYBODY A BETTER PICTURE OF WHAT WE'RE SEEING? I AM GLAD MR. ANDREWS GAME, BECAUSE ONE OF MY CONCERNS WAS, IF WE FORCE THEM TO GO BACK INTO 22ND AND 23RD, ARE WE

[00:55:04]

ON ORANGE. >> YEAH

>> I'M JUST BEING -- THAT IS WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN -- SO --

>> THERE IS NOT A DRIVEWAY THERE?

>> NO DRIVEWAY. GO BACK TO 22ND, NOT PERMITTED, ALTHOUGH IT IS A FLAT -- TESTIMONY WAS THAT IT IS NOT THERE.

>> INTERESTING. >> AND MAY I ASK A QUESTION,

MADAM MAYOR? >> SURE.

>> IN THE PRESENTATION, SHOWED THAT THIS WOULD BE CLOSED OFF WITH LANDSCAPING, BECAUSE IT IS NOT OFFICIALLY PERMITTED, RIGHT? IT SHOULDN'T BE THERE ACCORDING TO THE SITE PLAN. OKAY.

>> CAN YOU GO A LITTLE BIT FURTHER SO WE CAN SEE THE OTHER SIDE OF ORANGE AVENUE FROM THAT VIEWPOINT? THERE. SO --

>> NO HARD CONCRETE IN SOME OF THOSE AREAS, IT IS JUST FLAT, RIGHT, SO YOU HAVE GOT PEOPLE? OKAY. THEN, GO TO 23RD NOW.

>> SO, RIGHT NOW, BASED ON THE PLAN, YOU WOULD HAVE TRAFFIC CAN COME IN OFF 23RD, TURN LEFT AND GO IN, AND YOU CAN HAVE PEOPLE COME OFF ORANGE AVENUE AND COME IN. AND SO, WHEN THEY GET HERE, TO THE STOP SIGN, COMING IN OFF ORANGE, THEY CAN GO RIGHT OR LEFT RIGHT NOW, BUT YOU CAN SEE THAT IT IS A DOUBLE-MARKED LANE RIGHT THERE. IT IS ALREADY DOUBLE-MARKED. I WILL BE PUTTING

ON THE APPLICANT. >> OKAY, GOOD?

>> I AM JUST TRY TO FIGURE OUT, COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, YOUR CONCERN IS, I UNDERSTAND TRAFFIC, AND I KNOW THE TIMES WHEN I AVOID THIS AREA, IN THE EVENING AND ON. YOUR CONCERNS ARE , THE PARENTS COME OUT OF THIS EXIT HERE, OFF OF 23RD, AND THEN MAKE THAT LEFT, THE STOP SIGN , YOUR CONCERNS IS TRYING TO GET BACK ACROSS TO HEAD EAST .

>> YES. AND IT IS THE STACKING. RIGHT? PEOPLE ARE COMING OUT THEIR RESIDENCE, TWO CARS ARE THERE, THEY GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT. RIGHT? SO, THEN THAT BACKS IT UP WHEN PEOPLE TRY TO GET OFF

ORANGE TO DROP EVERYONE OFF. >> OKAY.

>> AND THESE ARE YOUNG, YOUNG PEOPLE. I MEAN, GOING TO HAVE TO HELP THEM PROBABLY GET OUT THE CAR OR WHATEVER THAT LOOKS LIKE, OR EITHER THEY PARK AND GO IN, I DON'T KNOW. I WILL WAIT FOR THE APPLICANT, JUST TO SEE, SO, YOU ARE TALKING, YOU KNOW, AND MORE THAN AN HOUR WHEN PEOPLE ARE TRYING TO GET TO WORK, DROP THE YOUNG PEOPLE OFF TO GET TO WORK, THEN 5:00 WHEN EVERYONE GET OFF

TO GO PICK THEM UP. >> I GOT YOU. I SEE YOU.

>> CAN YOU GO BACK TO THE SITE PLAN, PLEASE? OKAY. THIS IS JUST KIND OF A -- PERFECT -- ALL RIGHT. THIS IS A FOLLOW-UP TO THIS LINE OF QUESTIONING HERE, IS IF YOU HAVE AN ENTRANCEWAY ON ORANGE AND AN ENTRANCEWAY ON 23RD, CARS ENTERING THE PROPERTY ON 23RD CAN'T PARK BECAUSE THE ANGLE PARKING IS IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE ANGLE PARKING IS UTILIZED FROM ORANGE, AND FROM 23RD , YOU CAN'T PARK . AND, A GOOD PORTION OF THE LOT, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 SPACES, ALL THE ONES IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING ARE NOT FUNCTIONAL. THAT ENTRANCEWAY . JUST AN OBSERVATION. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS A PROBLEM, OR PLANNING LOOK AT THAT, OR ENGINEERING HAD LOOKED AT THAT. YOU SEE WHAT I AM SAYING? IF THAT WAS APPROVED, THEN, KEVIN, DO YOU HAVE A COMMENT ON THAT?

>> JUST, YOU KNOW, IN EITHER DIRECTION, YOU CAN ACCESS THOSE PARKING SPACES, HALF-AND-HALF, ALL PARKING TO THE NORTHEAST .

>> YOU GUYS ARE SATISFIED WITH IT? I'M GOOD. I'M JUST MAKING

THE OBSERVATION. >> I THINK STAFF HAD A NUMBER OF DISCUSSIONS -- I KNOW STAFF HAD A NUMBER OF DISCUSSIONS -- REGARDING THE ACCESS, AND HOW TO WORK. OUR PREFERRED WAY OF DOING

[01:00:05]

RESOLVE THAT? >> YOU HAVE GOT 160 VEHICLES OR

MORE SHOWING UP IN A HALF HOUR. >>> -- PERIOD IN THE MORNING,

5:30 IN THE AFTERNOON -- >> YEAH.

>> I HAVE A FEELING THIS IS GOING TO BE A TRAFFIC ISSUE , QUEUING OUT ONTO ORANGE AVENUE. WHICH IS PRETTY DANGEROUS. SO, I WOULD LIKE THE APPLICANT TO GIVE THEIR INPUT ON IT, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING, THE SITE PARAMETERS, IT JUST APPEARS AS THOUGH THIS COULD BE TWEAKED TO HAVE A BETTER FLOW , AND I SEE YOUR SUGGESTION , ONE WAY IN, ONE WAY OUT WOULD PROBABLY BE ADVANTAGEOUS, BUT I'M NOT SURE IF THE DISCUSSION HAS BEEN HAD WITH THE APPLICANT, HOW ALL THAT WENT.

>> YEAH. THANK YOU. IT STILL DOESN'T RESOLVE , YOU KNOW, THE CROSSING OF ORANGE AVENUE . EITHER, YOU KNOW, 23RD OR 22ND JUST THAT ISSUE -- WE DID HAVE A NUMBER OF CONVERSATIONS WITH THE OPERATORS OF THE ENTITY HERE, AND THE WAY THAT THEY EXPERIENCE WHEN AND HOW PEOPLE ARE DROPPED OFF OR PICKED UP, THAT CAME INTO BEARING, IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, THE ACTUAL VOLUME OF TRAFFIC MOVEMENT AT ANY ONE TIME. SO, THAT IS THE WAY THAT THEY THINK THEY WOULD NEED TO DO ICH NOW TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE

QUESTIONS YOU HAVE RAISED. >> OKAY. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD? SO, I WOULD LIKE THE APPLICANT TO COME FORWARD, PLEASE. WELCOME TO YOU IDENTIFY YOURSELF, PLEASE.

>> HI. MY NAME IS LENNY ROMULUS. HONOUR AVENUE LEET ACADEMY.

>> ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF? >> FOR THEM?

>> YES. FOR THE STAFF, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR THESE

TWO? >> NO.

>> OKAY. SO, BUT WE HAVE QUESTIONS. AND SO, YOU HAVE BEEN HEARING OUR DISCUSSION. DO YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING BEFORE WE

ASK OUR QUESTIONS? >> I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE.

>> OKAY. >> SO, THE WAY OUR BUSINESS IS RAN CURRENTLY, WE ARE OPEN AT 5:00 A.M. TO 6:00 P.M.

>> WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED NOW? EXCUSE ME.

>> LOCATED OFF OKEECHOBEE ROAD , RIGHT ACROSS FROM THE WINGS.

EVERYBODY NOTED THE WINGS? AND OUR PARKING LOT, NOW, HAD A SIMILAR DYNAMIC, ONE WAY IN, ONE WAY OUT.WE ACCEPT CHILDREN AS EARLY AS 5:00 A.M., NOT AFTER 9:00 ON THE PARENTS DON'T COME AT THE SAME TIME. THEY HAVE TO COME IN, PARK, SIGN THEIR CHILDREN IN, AND SAME THING IN THE EVENING, WE HAVE CHILDREN LEAVING AS EARLY AS 2:00 P.M., OF COURSE, BECAUSE THEY CAN'T EXCEED 10 HOURS A DAY OF SERVICES. IF THEY ARE THERE AT 5:00 A.M., FIRST CHILD ME THE BETWEEN 12:30 AND 2:00. THAT MEANS, YES, WE MAY HAVE AN ABUNDANCE OF CHILDREN, BUT ALL THE PARENTS WILL NOT BE REPORTING TO OUR PROGRAM AT THIS SAME TIME. IT IS NOT LIKE, THESE GROUP OF KIDS LEAVE AT 5:30. WE DON'T DO IT LIKE THAT. WE GO PER CHILD AND PER EXPERIENCE.

THE CHILD IS THERE AT 5:00, NEEDED TO BE PICKED UP BY 2:00.

THAT IS HOW WE EXPANDED TO THEM, AND THE PARENTS HAVE TO PARK, BECAUSE OUR PROGRAM REQUIRE A SIGNATURE FOR THE CHILDREN TO BE

PICKED UP AND DROPPED OFF. >> EVERYBODY?

>> EVERYBODY. >> OKAY. YUP.

>> AND THAT IS THE 22ND ENTRYWAY, THEY MADE US CHANGE IT ON THE PLAN DUE TO IT NOT BEING PERMANENT, BUT WE TALKED SEVERAL TIMES, AND IF THEY WANT US TO OPEN IT UP AND CLOSE ORANGE AVENUE, WE DO THE PERMITTING FOR IT. WE WOULD LIKE THE TRAFFIC FLOW TO BE CONDUCIVE FOR ORANGE AVENUE AND THE RESIDENTIAL, YOU

KNOW, HOUSING IN THAT AREA. >> IS THIS A LARGER FACILITY

THAN THE ONE YOU HAVE NOW? >> YES .

>> YOU'RE GOING TO BE INCREASING YOUR STUDENT SIZE?

>> YEAH. >> OKAY.

>> OKAY. QUESTIONS OF THE APPLICANT?

>> I ACTUALLY LOOK AT THIS ISSUE ON THE TRAFFIC FLOW , ONE WAY, DESIGNATED, ET CETERA -- THIS IS MORE OF A MANAGEMENT ISSUE THAT I THINK A CITY DICTATING WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE HERE. THIS IS GOING TO BE UP TO YOU TO MAKE IT WORK. YOU UNDERSTAND OUR

CONCERNS. >> YES.

[01:05:01]

>> QUEUING INTO THE RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, QUEUING OUT ONTO ORANGE AVENUE, OVERFLOW TO GET VEHICLES IN AND OUT OF THERE, AND FOLKS HAVE GOT TO WORK. YOU SEE MY CONCERNS ABOUT COMING IN ON 23RD? THIS IS GOING TO BE -- YOU'RE GOING TO BE OUT THERE PLAYING TRAFFIC COP FOR A WHILE TO GET YOUR PARENTS INDOCTRINATED TO THE SYSTEM THAT YOU ARE LOOKING TO DEPLOY TO BEST EASE YOUR FLOW OF TRAFFIC THAT WOULD BE MY OPINION. I THINK YOU WOULD BE EDUCATING THEM TO GET THIS DONE RIGHT, BUT I DON'T THINK THE CITY COMING IN AND LAYING DOWN DOCTRINE HERE IS REALLY ADVANTAGEOUS -- PERSONALLY, I NEED TO SEE IF THE REENTRANT IS REMAINED, THAT WAY, YOU HAVE MULTIPLE ACCESS POINTS TO BLEED OFF TRAFFIC IF IT IS CONGESTED. I'M NOT SURE YOU'RE LOOKING TO APPLY TO RECTIFY THE PERMITTING ISSUE ON 22ND TO MAKE IT LEGIT. MY SUGGESTION, YOU MAY WANT TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT

THAT. >> I WOULD BE WILLING TO DO IT.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOUR ENGINEERS OR WHATEVER CAN GET WITH CITY STAFF TO SEE WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST SOLUTION, BUT I JUST THINK HAVING A THIRD AXIS FOUR GOING EAST-TO-WEST IS GOING TO GIVE YOU ALL AVAILABLE ACCESSIBILITY TO YOUR SITE, EASE UP GETTING YOUR FLOW IN AND OUT OF THERE. SEEMS TO ME WEST-TO-EAST FLOW OR EAST-TO-MUST FLOW WOULD BE THE MOST LOGICAL, AND IT MAY END UP WORKING OUT THAT WAY THAT SOME PEOPLE START COMING UP 23RD AND SAY, ALL THEY HAVE IS PARKING THE OPPOSITE WAY. I HAD TO GO ALL THE WAY AROUND THE OTHER SIDE OF THE BUILDING. THEY WILL IMMEDIATELY GRAVITATE TOWARDS TAKING 22ND. I'M THINKING, YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO MANAGE THIS AND GET WITH THE CITY TO DEAL WITH THE 22ND ISSUE IF THAT IS WHAT YOU WISH TO DO TO KEEP THAT AXIS WE OPEN.

>> AND YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE ON OKEECHOBEE ROAD?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> I WAS ABOUT TO GO --

>> SHE HAS MOVED THE APPLICATION OUT.

>> YEAH. SHE MOVED OKEECHOBEE. WHEN A MINUTE --

>> MANAGE IT WELL OVER THERE. >> WE DO. LIKE YOU SAID, WE DO PLAY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT , BUT THAT IS PART OF OUR MOMENT PROCESS. WE LET THEM KNOW ONE WAY IN, ONE WAY OUT, YOU HAVE TO PARK, ET CETERA, YOU KNOW, BUT --

>> MY OFFICE IS RIGHT DOWN THE STREET FROM YOU. I NEVER SEE ANY ISSUE THAT YOUR EXISTING FACILITY. I'M GOING TO BUY IN HERE AND SAY, I HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOUR ORANGE GLOVES OUT THERE,

DIRECTING CARS AND ALL OF THAT >> THANK YOU.

>> I THINK YOU CAN MANAGE THIS AND KEEP IT APPROPRIATE.

>> OKAY. ANYBODY? >> DO JUST WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TESTIMONY TODAY, IT ALLEVIATES MY CONCERN. I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU ARE TRY TO GET A LITTLE GET OUT AND KEEP PARENTS MOVING, BUT THANK YOU. I AM MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE WITH THIS . AND I, TOO, WOULD ECHO, I'M NOT GOING TO WEIGH IN. I KNOW WHAT THE CONCERNS ARE, AND CONCERNS ARE PEOPLE COMING OUT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND WANTING TO TRY TO MAKE A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN AND HAVINGTO POKE THEIR NOSE OUT A LITTLE BIT TO TRY TO TRAVERSE THAT WEST ON ORANGE AVENUE THERE, AND I WOULD ALSO ECHO, COMMISSIONER BRODERICK'S POINT TOO, IT IS UP TO YOU ENTIRELY, 22ND STREET, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED THERE OR HOW THAT CURB GOT CUT DOWN. WE HAVE SOMETHING OPEN THERE, BUT IT MAY BE ADVANTAGEOUS TO YOU THAT YOU RUN YOUR BUSINESS HERE. SO, YEAH, IF YOU CAN NAVIGATE OKEECHOBEE ROAD AND WE HAVEN'T HAD ALAN -- ANY CHALLENGES I HAVE HEARD OF OVER THERE -- THIS WOULD CERTAINLY BE AN OPPORTUNITY, AND CERTAINLY A GREAT ADDITION TO WHAT SOME OF THE BUSINESSES ARE ALREADY STARTING TO DO IN THAT AREA, AND LANDSCAPING, AND BRINGING SOME PROPERTIES UP TO CODE. THANK YOU.

>> CARES. >> DAYCARE.

>> WE'RE GOING TO KEEP THE OLD FACILITY OPEN TOO?

>> WE ARE PLANNING ON DOING THAT WE ARE THINKING ABOUT IT .

>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR EXPANDING LOCALLY, AND KEEPING YOUR IS IN HIS RIGHT HERE, IN FORT PIERCE . IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A PHENOMENAL REUSE OF AN ANTIQUATED PROPERTY THAT I THINK YOU CAN REALLY DO SOMETHING SPECIAL WITH.

>> YEAH. THANK YOU. >> ANYTHING ELSE ? ANYTHING

ELSE? COMMISSIONER TAYLOR? >> NOT REALLY FOR THE APPLICANT . STILL HUNG UP ON THIS. THE CURB SITUATION. JUST LOOKING AT THE GOOGLE EARTH MAP, AND THE DISTANCES BETWEEN 22ND AND 23RD, IT IS KIND OF A MORE NARROW BLOCK, THEN OTHER ONES ON ORANGE AVENUE, AND IT REALLY JUST MAKES SENSE TO ME , IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME, TO HAVE 3 ENTRANCES AND EXITS ONTO ORANGE AVENUE WITH THAT SMALL OF A SPACE, AND, FROM WHAT I'M HEARING FROM THE APPLICANT, YOU ARE NOT HAVING WANTED 50 PEOPLE THERE ALL AT ONCE, YOU ARE COMING AT VARYING TIMES WITH ENOUGH PARKING, PEOPLE CAN PARK, AND I THINK IF WE CLOSE OUT ORANGE AVENUE, THE EXIT, IT WILL GIVE YOU MORE PARKING SPACES AND IMPEDE TRAFFIC TO THE ARTERIAL ROADS, WHICH MAKES WAY MORE SAFETY SENSE TO ME THAN -- YOU COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE 3 CARS, 1 ON

[01:10:03]

>> ARE YOU TESTIFYING? >> JUST FOR FUN. IT JUST MAKES MORE SENSE FOR ME TO BE -- WE HAVE GOT THESE ARTERIAL ROADS OFF OF ORANGE AVENUE, ALREADY MOVING EAST AND WEST ONTO 22ND AND 23RD, ONTO ORANGE AVENUE, AND IT JUST MAKES MORE SENSE TO KEEP THOSE OPERATING AND CLOSE OFF THAT ORANGE AVENUE EXIT, BECAUSE IT IS A FIVE-LANE HIGHWAY WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO TAKE YOUR LIFE INTO YOUR HANDS TRYING TO CROSS, GOING INTO THE OTHER DIRECTION. SO, JUST, I FEEL LIKE THE LEAST AMOUNT OF TIMES WE CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN ON ORANGE AVENUE, IT JUST MAKES MORE SENSE TO ME, AND ANY SAFETY ASPECT, AS I MENTIONED , AS THE STATE HAS DONE WITH OTHER ROADS , EVENTUALLY, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A MEDIAN ON ORANGE AVENUE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A MEDIAN ON ORANGE AVENUE EVENTUALLY WITH SOME LANDSCAPING IN THAT WHOLE AREA , AND WITH THE ARTERIAL ROADS ALREADY IN PLACE, IT MAKES A LOT MORE SENSE TO ME. I WOULD SAY, IF YOU'RE WILLING TO DO IT, WE FIGURED OUT AGAIN, 22ND, PERMITTED, AND LEGAL --

>> NO ORANGE AVENUE? >> THAT WOULD BE MY

RECOMMENDATION. MY PERSPECTIVE. >> THAT CAN BE IDEAL. YES.

>> ANYTHING ELSE FOR THE APPLICANT? DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING

ELSE YOU WANT TO SAY? >> NO, MA'AM.

>> WE APPRECIATE YOUR -- >> THANK YOU.

>> THIS EXPANSION. WE APPRECIATE IT . THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

>> ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BEFORE THE COMMISSION? ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. SO, WE ARE CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING, AND WE ARE GOING BACK TO THE COMMISSION FOR A

DECISION. >> MADAM MAYOR ?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> AS A REMINDER, SECTION 125-37, SUBSECTION F, IF THE COMMISSION DOES DESIRE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BEFORE MAKING A DECISION ON THIS APPLICATION, IT MAY CALL FOR A RECESS TO A DATE CERTAIN TO OBTAIN THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

>> MADAM MAYOR, I WOULD HAVE A COMMENT ON THAT. I WOULD SUGGEST WE HAVE A RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS OWNER IN THE COMMUNITY , NOW THAT IT IS EXPERIENCING OF US EXPERIENCED IN THEIR BUSINESS -- LET ME TALK -- LOOKING TO EXPAND THEIR BUSINESS IN THE CITY. THEY ARE TAKING A REAL ESTATE ASSET THAT CANDIDLY COULD USE A LITTLE

BIT OF HELP. >> THIS IS INSANE.

>> I HAVE CONFIDENCE THAT THAT THEY ARE GOING TO ANALYZE -- WANT TO GET OPERATIONAL, THEY'RE GOING TO ANALYZE THE PARKING INFLOW SITUATION AND COME UP WITH ALTERNATIVES THAT ARE GOING TO WORK BEST FOR THEIR BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS AND THEIR PARENTS, AND THE KIDS, AND ALL THAT, AND THEY MAY BE BETTER IN FRONT OF US TO MAKE SITE PLAN CHANGES IN THE FUTURE. I AM DEFERRING TO THE OPERATOR TO LET THEM HAVE AT IT HERE INSTEAD OF US COMING DOWN AND SAYING, THE 5 OF US KNOW BETTER. YOU KNOW, WE'RE GOING TO DICTATE THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE THE POLICY. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT THE BUSINESS OWNER CAN COME UP WITH TO ALLEVIATE THE CONCERNS .YOUR PARENTS ARE GOING TO HAVE THE SAME CONCERNS WE DO. YOU KNOW, SO, IT IS GOING TO BE UP TO YOU TO MANAGE THAT AND WORK WITH YOUR CLIENTS AND ALL OF THAT TO GET THINGS FLOWING AS BEST THEY CAN, BUT I DO AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER TAYLOR'S COMMENTS, TURNING ON ORANGE AVENUE FROM A LIGHTED INTERSECTION, YOU'RE TAKING YOUR LIFE INTO YOUR HANDS. I DO IT EVERY DAY ON THAT AVENUE D OVER TO ORANGE . IT IS AUTHORITY. YOU KNOW, SO, I WOULD DEFER TO THE APPLICANT HERE TO ADDRESS THEIR BUSINESS CONCERNS , MANAGE THEIR BUSINESS APPROPRIATELY, AND COME UP WITH A SOLUTION THAT IS GOING TO WORK

BEST FOR THEM. >> MADAM MAYOR, I'M GOING TO CONCUR WITH COMMISSIONER BRODERICK , JUST BECAUSE WE HAD A APPLICANT COME AND SAY THAT THAT, WHAT YOU NEED ME TO DO.

>> RIGHT .THEY HAVE GOT TO FIGURE IT OUT.

>> TO MAKE THIS WORK , LET ME KNOW. SHE HAD HEARD ALL OF OUR CONCERNS TONIGHT. I AGREE WITH YOU, LET HER GO BACK AND GET WITH THE LANDING AND ENGINEERS TO SEE WHAT'S THAT FITS HER THIS, BECAUSE AGAIN, SOMETHING YOU HIT ON, SHE COULD HAVE MOVED THIS BUSINESS RIGHT OUTSIDE THE CITY, BUT ALL THAT, THEY SHOULD KEEP IT INSIDE OUR CITY, AND ATTACK THAT ORANGE AVENUE CORRIDOR THAT NO ONE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, BUT I SHOULD HAVE TOLD HER TO CALL THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ORANGE AVENUE COMMITTEE BOARD, BUT HE IS PROBABLY LISTENING. SO, HE WILL CALL, AND I WILL LET HIM KNOW TO CALL TOMORROW, BUT SPRUCE UP THAT BUILDING, AND LET HER AND HER PEOPLE DECIDE WHAT IS BEST

[01:15:04]

OUT. >> OKAY. IF THERE IS ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? I WILL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.

>> MADAM MAYOR, I WOULD MOVE TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND? >> SECOND .

>> OKAY. >> CLARIFICATION, ARE YOU GOING TO INCLUDE THE 2 STAFF COMMENTS ON YOUR SCREEN?

>> YES. THE STAFF COMMENTS. >> THANK YOU. OKAY.

>> TO CLARIFY, CONDITIONS? >> YES.

>> THANK YOU . >> ALRIGHTY. CALL ROLL, PLEASE.

[b. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 25-017 - Final Budget Amendment of the FY 2023-24 General Fund Budget. FIRST READING]

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> YES.

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

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

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

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

>> NEXT, WE HAVE A LEGISLATIVE --

>> CONGRATULATIONS. >> LEGISLATIVE HEARING ON ORDINANCE 25- 017, ORDINANCE AMENDING THE 2023-'24 BUDGET OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, INSERTING THERE IN A SCHEDULE ATTACHED HERETO, AND DESIGNATED AS THE 2023 -'24 FINAL BUDGET AMENDMENT. THIS , SCHEDULED, PROVIDING FOR INCREASES AND/OR DECREASES IN REVENUES AND APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE GENERAL FUND , PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE, THE 1ST READING.

>> MR. JOHNSON, ANYTHING BEFORE WE START?

>> IT IS HER SHOW? >> ALREADY, MS. MORRIS.

>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, I AM BEFORE YOU TONIGHT TO DO OUR FINAL BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR OUR FISCAL YEAR '23-'24 BUDGET .THIS HAS TO BE DONE BEFORE OUR AUDITORS PRESENT THE AUDIT, WHICH WILL BE COMING SHORTLY. I WILL NOTE THAT I HAD TO WORK WITH LINDA TODAY TO UPDATE THIS DOCUMENT . I PROVIDED IT, WE PROVIDED IT EARLY LAST WEEKEND. WE ARE CONTINUALLY WORKING WITH THE AUDITOR IN OUR AUDIT PROCESS ALL THE WAY UNTIL THE END OF MARCH, AND ON SATURDAY, THE AUDITORS SENT OVER THE FINAL DOCUMENTS, AND THERE WAS, IN THE ORIGINAL REPORT, ONE OF THE SECTIONS FOR OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT WAS ADMITTED IN THE FORMULA. SO, WE HAD TO ADJUST THIS DOCUMENT. SO, IF YOU WILL SEE BEFORE YOU OUR FINAL BUDGET AMENDMENT, OUR BUDGET STARTED AT THE 50 MILLION, 837,439, AND WE ARE AMENDING THAT THE 59,515,000 -- 389 THIS YOU SEE -- I PROVIDED, ALSO -- THE DOCUMENT THAT GAVE AN EXPLANATION AS TO WHAT INCREASED, WITH DECREASED IN THOSE VARIOUS LINE ITEMS. ORIGINALLY, I WAS SMILING BECAUSE I THOUGHT, WOW, WE WERE GOING TO BE SENDING TO DOES NOT 40 MILLION DOLLARS BACK TO OUR APPROPRIATED FUND BALANCE, AND THAT DID DECREASE SOME, WHICH I JUST SAW -- OKAY -- WE ARE SENDING $1.4 MILLIONTO THE ART FUND BALANCE. 600 OF THAT IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE RESERVED PER YOUR INSTRUCTIONS FOR OUR CAPITAL EXPENDITURES FOR NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET, 870,000 BEING RETAINED, AND GOING BACK TO FUND BALANCE. SO, ANY QUESTIONS ON REVENUE-BASED ON THE EXPLANATION THAT WERE PROVIDED? AND WHAT HAS BEEN PROVIDED HERE, WERE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR ANYTHING YOU WANT EXPLAINED ANY FURTHER ON

OUR S-2? >> 600,000 GOES TO X .

>> CORRECT. >> WE HAVE IN HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS IN EXCESS FUNDS, AND IN THEORY, COULD BE USED TO APPLY

TO DEBT SERVICE REPAYMENT? >> IT GOES TO FUND BALANCE. SO, WHATEVER WE ARE STRUCTURING FOR NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET, THAT IS MONEY THAT IS EXCESS OF WHAT WE SAID WE WOULD GET THIS YEAR THAT GOES TO OUR FUND BALANCE. IT INCREASES OUR FUND BALANCE TO BE

USED HOWEVER -- >> UNCOMMITTED FUNDS.

>> UNCOMMITTED FUNDS. CORRECT. >> LAST YEAR, DIDN'T WE MAKE A DEBT REDUCTION PAYMENT TOO? RIGHT?

[01:20:02]

>> WE HAVE BEEN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. HAVEN'T WE?

>> WE HAVE, BUT FPRA HAS BEEN PAYING MONEY.

>> BUT BEFORE THE -- >> THAT WAS THE REVERSE.

>> RIGHT. IT IS THE REVERSE. WE PAID FPRA'S GET DURING 2009, UP UNTIL 2012, AND IT WAS A TOTAL OF ABOUT $9 MILLION, DOWN TO 3

MILLION NOW. SO -- >> GOT IT DOWN.

>> MS. MORRIS, WE PROBABLY WILL GET THIS WITH THE AUDITOR'S REPORT, BUT WHAT IS OUR CURRENT DEBT.

>> CURRENTLY, IT IS, AT THE END OF LAST FISCAL YEAR, WE WERE AT 44 MILLION. THAT IS NOT TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE PAYMENTS THAT WE MADE THIS FISCAL YEAR.SO, IT WILL COME DOWN TO PROBABLY ABOUT

42 , SHOULD BE ABOUT 42. >> OKAY. SO, WE ARE WORKING AWAY

AT IT? >> WORKING AWAY.

>> REFINANCED A COUPLE OF TIMES?

>> YEAH. WITHOUT INCURRING ANY ADDITIONAL DEBT , WE WILL BE DONE WITH OUR DEBT SERVICE PAYMENTS IN 2030 -- 2 -- THAT IS OUR LAST PAYMENT WE WILL MAKE -- AND THAT IS ON THE MARINA, ONE OF THE MARINA -- THAT ONE FOR MARINA -- BUT THAT IS ALL THAT

WILL BE DONE. >> YEAH. IT HAS BEEN A LONG,

HARD CALL. I KNOW. >> YES. RIGHT.

>> 97 MILLION WHEN I TOOK OFFICE IN 2012.

>> RIGHT. >> 97 MILLION.

>> YEAH. >> SO, QUESTIONS OF MS. MORRIS?

ON REVENUE -- >> DID YOU PRESENT THE

EXPENDITURES YET? >> NOT YET.

>> OKAY . >> SO, AGAIN, YOU WILL SEE OUR EXPENDITURES YOU SEE WHAT FUNDS INCREASED AND DECREASED. I WILL SAY -- I DID LET OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS KNOW TODAY -- MOST DID A PRETTY GOOD JOB IN TRYING TO STAY WITHIN THE BOUNDS OF THEIR BUDGET. SAID, IT WAS A LOT OF PRAYER AND PRUDENCE IN THAT ORDER, AND SO, YOU CAN SEE WHAT DEPARTMENT AT THE INCREASES, MOST DECREASED , DIDN'T USE ALL OF THEIR FUNDS THAT THEY WERE ALLOTTED.I DID EXPLAIN , ON THE EXPLANATION SHEET, WHAT THOSE WERE. HR WAS BECAUSE OF STAFFING . WE HAD SOME APPROVAL PAYOUTS, ANYTIME A STAFF LEADS, WE DON'T BUDGET FOR LONG-TERM ACCRUALS.

ANYTIME THERE ARE THREE EMPLOYEES THAT LEFT, SO, ALL THOSE ACCRUALS HAD TO BE PAID OUT. SO, THAT INCREASE WAS MAINLY DUE TO THOSE ACCRUALS . OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT WAS THE INCREASE . YOU CAN SEE, FROM THE 623,000 , MOST OF THAT WAS THE SALARIES THAT WERE A PART -- THE NEGOTIATIONS THAT WHAT WAS ACTUALLY BUDGETED, THEN SOME OF THAT IS EXPENDITURE AS WELL. I THINK THAT WAS ABOUT $200,000 IN EXPENDITURES. SOME OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE EXPENDITURES THAT WERE NOT BUDGETED THAT WE HAD TO PAY AS WELL. SOME OF THAT WITH PAYROLL COSTS ALSO. THEN, OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENTS ARE ALWAYS THE UNFORESEENS , AS A MATTER FACT, JASON AND I HAD A LONG TALK TODAY WITH OUR NEW CLUB THAT WORKED WITH THE PUBLIC'S DIRECTOR, AND A VERY OPTIMISTIC AS TO MOVING FORWARD, SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT QUITE SOME TIME, IS FOR US TO LEARN TO BE PROACTIVE INSTEAD OF REACTIVE YOU KNOW, DETERMINING OUR MAINTENANCE PLAN. YOU KNOW, FIVE-YOUR MAINTENANCE PLAN. WE WILL KNOW WHAT, YOU KNOW, NEEDS TO BE MAINTAINED , AS OPPOSED TO ALWAYS REACTING TO IT. NOT AN UNBUDGETED EXPENSE, BUT THINGS WE HAVE TO ADDRESS ONCE THEY BUBBLE UP. LIKE I SAID, I'M VERY OPTIMISTIC AFTER SPEAKING WITH HIM AS TO HOW WE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT, BUT THAT IS WHERE WE ARE AMENDING THAT, AND --

>> THE MINISTRY DEPARTMENT, WHICH IS KIND OF A CATCH-ALL, IT SAYS THAT -- PERSONNEL COSTS -- WHAT PERSONAL COSTS ARE IN THAT?

>> WE HAVE -- THERE WAS ABOUT 16,000 OR SO. I THINK WE HAD THE SUMMER YOUTH -- SOME YOUTH WE HAD HIRED THAT WAS OF THAT, BUT WE ALSO HAVE TO PAY HEALTH INSURANCE COST FOR THOSE OFFICERS THAT WERE KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY. SO, AS LONG AS THERE ARE BENEFICIARIES REMAIN , REGRETTABLY, WE LOST 1 THIS YEAR , AND SOME OF THE OTHER ONES , UNTIL THEY GET REMARRIED OR EITHER ARE DECEASED, WE HAVE TO PAY THEIR HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THAT YEAR, THEN, WE ALSO BUDGET -- WE BUDGET $1 BILLION THOUSAND ANNUALLY FOR THE HEALTH CLINIC , AND THAT IS CAPTURED IN SERVICE COST UNDER THE HEALTH BENEFITS.

>> THAT IS WHERE THAT IS? >> THAT IS WHERE THAT IS

>> THAT IS WHERE WE ENCOURAGE EMPLOYEES TO GO THERE, AS

OPPOSED TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM? >> FOR HEALTHCARE COSTS. WE ONLY

[01:25:02]

>> RIGHT. RIGHT. THAT IS A GOOD PROBLEM. I WAS A LITTLE ALARMED AND MILITARY SUPPLIES, UNTIL I REALIZED IT WAS IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRUMP TRIAL. SO, THAT EXPLAINS THAT A LITTLE BIT SO --

QUESTIONS? >> YES, COMMISSIONER GAINES .

>> TO MY COLLEAGUE , TO THE LEFT OF ME, CAN WE ADD TO YOUR LIST WHAT OUR CONGRESSMEN TO GET OUR MONIES BACK FOR? OUR POLICE OFFICERS FOR THE TRUMP TRIAL, AND EVERYTHING , SIR?

>> YEAH. ALREADY REQUESTED THAT.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> YUP.

>> I MEAN, WITH PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP BEING IN OFFICE, YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN HE MIGHT COME BACK TO FORT PIERCE AND DO WHATEVER HE WANTS TO DO. MIGHT NOT BE FOR THE TRIAL, BUT MAYBE COME TO FORT PIERCE, AND DON'T WANT HIM TO HAVE TO BE THERE. SO, LET'S START THINKING, LET'S START THINKING, YOU KNOW, WE MIGHT HAVE TO INCREASE THAT DEBT, BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T BEEN PAID

BACK, SO -- >> CITY COMMISSION.

>> YEAH. OKAY. >> WELL, BASED ON OUR --

>> YEAH. >> YOU KNOW HOW WE ARE NOW.

>> YOU ARE THE MONEY. >> BASED ON OUR TIME AS TO WHEN WE RECEIVE FEDERAL DOLLARS, I WOULDN'T COUNT ON IT ANYTIME

SOON. >> RIGHT RIGHT BUT IF YOU SEE ONE OF THE HURRICANES, YEAH, FEMA REIMBURSEMENTS FROM 16, WAS IT, 1 OF THEM THAT WE JUST GOT IRMA.

>> JUST GOT, , IT SAID IN HERE.

>> YEAH. WE HAVE THE RECEIVABLE, BUT SOMETIMES IT IS YEARS BEFORE

WE ACTUALLY EVER GET IT. >> OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ?

>> MADAM MAYOR? >> YES, SIR?

>> YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER BREAKDOWN -- OBVIOUSLY, THE 25% ON FACILITIES , STUCK OUT TO ME, AS WELL AS THE 10% PARKS AND GROUNDS INCREASE, 8 AND 9. YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER SPECIFIC

INFORMATION ? >> WE CAN GET SPECIFIC PROJECTS, BUT IT IS MOSTLY MAINLY, TOO, LIKE I SAID, FACILITIES, MAINTENANCE -- WE MIGHT NOT BUDGET FOR THEIR CONDITION , YOU KNOW, THAT MIGHT GO DOWN, THEN, THAT IS A 90,000 TO $ 150,000 EXPENDITURE COST THAT WAS UNBUDGETED, BUT WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT BECAUSE IT HAS TO BE REPAIRED SO, IT IS A LOT OF UNFORESEENS WE ARE NOT BUDGETED FOR, BUT THEY HAD TO BE DONE.

>> WE DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO PROCEED, JUST THINGS, LIKE OUR

MAINTENANCE PLANS. >> THEY ARE BUDGETED EXPENDITURES. YEAH. THEY WEREN'T BUDGETED PROPERLY.

>> I KNOW WE ARE WORKING ON THAT. OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, WE SHOULD KNOW WHEN AN AIR-CONDITIONER IS ABOUT TO BE DONE, WITH THE CURRENT LIFECYCLE, BE ABLE TO -- USING THAT EXAMPLE -- BUT YEAH, I WOULD LOVE TO SEE JUST SOME FURTHER LINE ITEM BREAKDOWNS FOR WHERE THAT INCREASE WENT, SPECIFICALLY, IF THAT IS POSSIBLE.

>> WE HEARD THE OTHER NIGHT, OR THE MEETING, THAT MUCH MORE IS

NEEDED . SO -- >> RIGHT .

>> I'M SORRY, I INTERRUPTED YOU.

>> IT'S ALL RIGHT. >> GOOD .

>> ONE I THINK SAID , PORTABLE RESTROOMS. LOCAL RESTAURANT SITES. SO -- $60,000 IN THAT LINE ITEM, I'M SURE .

>> YEAH. >> YOU RAISE A VALID POINT. CAP EX ON BUILDING CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES IS UNPREDICTABLE, AT BEST . YOU KNOW, THE SUNRISE THEATER, RIGHT NOW, FOR A LARGE UNIT OVER THERE, AND THOSE THINGS, THEY DON'T GIVE THOSE

THINGS AWAY. >> GO TO HOME DEPOT AND GET ONE.

>> $50,000 COULD BE ON THE LOW SIDE.

>> OUR STRATEGIC PLAN , WE ARE TAKING A HARD LOOK AT ALL OF OUR

FACILITIES. RIGHT? >> YEAH.

>> YUP. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF MS. MORRIS? ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF STAFF? THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.

ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD.

SEEING NO MOVEMENT, I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND COME BACK FOR

A MOTION. >> MADAM MAYOR, MOVE APPROVAL,

ORDINANCE 25- 0 PLAIN 17. >> SECOND MOTION AND SECOND

PRETTY COOL THE ROLE. >> COMMISSIONER BROJA?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?

[a. Resolution 25-R22 Appointing Staci Dunn to the Keep Fort Pierce Beautiful Advisory Board as Mayor Hudson's appointee. ]

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

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

>> YES, MA'AM. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

>> WE HAVE RESOLUTION 35- R-22, RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, , AND THE MEMBERS TO THE KEEP FORT PIERCE BEAUTIFUL ADVISORY BOARD AND PROVIDE FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS RESOLUTION APPOINTS STACY DUNN AS MAYOR HUDSON'S APPOINTIVE.

>> A MOTION? >> SECOND .

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

[b. Resolution 25-R25 approving City Manager contract.]

[01:30:01]

>> COMMISSIONER BROJA? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER GAINES? YES, MA'AM.

>> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON? YES, MA'AM.

>> NEXT, RESOLUTION FPRA FOUR, RESOLUTION FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, PROVING THE CITY MANAGER CONTRACT, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY CLAUSE, REPEALING ALL RESOLUTIONS AND CONFLICT HEREWITH, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE .

>> YOU, MISS OUT IS? >> YES, MA'AM, MADAM MAYOR.

COMMISSIONERS, BEFORE YOU IS A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE CONTRACT WITH MR. CHESS . AS YOU GO THROUGH THAT, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, PLEASE LET ME KNOW I WILL POINT OUT THE 2 MOST RECENT CHANGES THAT I DID EMAIL YOU ALL ABOUT, ANY REFERENCE TO THE FPRA DIRECTOR HAS BEEN REMOVED , SO, THE FPRA BOARD WILL HAVE TO ADDRESS WHO THEY WANT THEIR DIRECTOR TO BE. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE SPECIAL MEETING THAT IS COMING UP, THAT WILL BE ADDRESSED, AND ADDITIONALLY, HE ASKED FOR THE RELOCATION EXPENSES ORIGINALLY AT 7250 , IF I MEMBER CORRECTLY, TO BE INCREASED TO 10,000 DUE TO LOSING HOUSING HE WAS LOOKING AT , NOT BEING ABLE TO SIGN AN AGREEMENT FOR THAT IN TIME. SO, WE DID CHANGE THAT LANGUAGE AND TWEAK IT A LITTLE BIT TO WHERE IT SAYS, UP TO $10,000 WITH HIM, PROVIDING PROOF OF THOSE COSTS INCURRED, AND THOSE WERE THE MAIN CHANGES . IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS REGARDING ANY OF THE TERMS OF THE AGREEMENT, I'M

HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM. >> QUESTIONS?

>> I HAVE ONE QUESTION. >> YES?

>> SECTION 2 , HIGHLIGHTED THE AREA OF THAT PROVISION , RELATIVE TO 6-MONTH EVALUATION, UPON THE MANDATORY 6-MONTH EVALUATION, CITY MANAGER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO 95% SALARY INCREASE UPON SAM'S FACTORY PERFORMANCE REVIEW BY CITY COMMISSION. WHAT CONSTITUTES A SATISFACTORY REVIEW?

>> MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, ESSENTIALLY, ANYTHING THAT WOULD ALLOW HIM TO CONTINUE WITH HIS EMPLOYMENT . SO, IF THE COMMISSION DETERMINES, AT THAT POINT, YOU ARE UNHAPPY WITH HIS SERVICES AND WISH TO SEVER HIS EMPLOYMENT WITH THE CITY, HE WOULD GET THE 5% AND WOULDN'T HAVE A JOB, BUT IF YOU PROCEED FORWARD WITH HIS EMPLOYMENT PAST THAT 6-MONTH PERIOD, HE WOULD

RECEIVE THE 5% INCREASE. >> THANK YOU.

>> NO QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION? ANY DISCUSSION?

>> NO. JUST REAL QUICK, MADAM MAYOR, JUST SO WE CLEAR , BECAUSE I KNOW THERE WAS THE HICCUP BEFORE WHEN HE HAD FOUND SOME HOUSING , THAT IT WAS INSIDE THE CITY LIMITS -- OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS -- WE CLEAR ON THAT, BECAUSE I DON'T WANT MOVING UP, THEN WE HAVE TO PAY THEM BECAUSE HE A STREET OVER AND JUST OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS, SO, HE UNDERSTAND INSIDE CITY LIMITS, HE HAS THE PARAMETERS OF THE CITY LIMITS .

>> MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, YES, SIR. THE ISSUE WAS NOT ON HIS NOT UNDERSTANDING THE TERM. THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH HIS REALTOR. HE HAS BEEN CHECKING MYSELF AND MR. JOHNSON ON ANY HOUSES HE HAS BEEN LOOKING AT, AND PROVIDED THEM WITH THE CITY WEBSITE TO SHOW THE CITY LIMITS AS WELL. SO, HE HAS THAT CLEAR.

HE UNDERSTANDS THE TERM.HE FULLY INTENDS TO BE WITHIN THE CITY

LIMITS. >> CLARIFICATION. YEAH. WE ALL

UNDERSTAND IT TOO. >> YES. RIGHT.

>> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? IS THERE A MOTION?

>> MADAM MAYOR, I MOVE APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 25-R-25.

>> SECOND? >> SECOND .

>> COLORADO, PLEASE. >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?

>> I HAVE A BRIEF STATEMENT. I HAVE SERVED ON THIS BODY FOR COMING UP ON 2 1/2 YEARS . ONE OF THE ITEMS I HAVE LEARNED FROM FORMER COMMISSIONERS AND CURRENT COMMISSIONERS IS CONSISTENCY OF BOAT ON PARTICULAR TOPICS , AND I HAVE SEEN THIS FROM PAST COMMISSIONERS, CURRENT COMMISSIONERS, ET CETERA IN THAT

VEIN, I CAST MY VOTE AS A NO . >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?

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

[c. Resolution 25-R26 approving the FY 2024 Final Budget Amendment for Grant Funds.]

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

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

>> YES, MA'AM. >> WE HAVE RESOLUTION 25-R-26, RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, PROVING FINAL A BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR CITY OF FORT PIERCE GRANT FUNDS FOR FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2023, ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2024, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE

. >> MS. MORRIS, DO YOU HAVE --

>> LOOKING AROUND -- I DON'T SEE GRANTS, I'M LOOKING AROUND.

>> YOU WILL DO A PRESENTATION ON THE GRANTS, BUT, I CAME PREPARED

[01:35:02]

. IF YOU WOULD LIKE ONE -- >> I THINK ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS HAVE QUESTIONS. DO COMMISSIONERS HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE GRANT FUND? DO YOU FEEL THE NEED OF A PRESENTATION ABOUT THE GRANT

FUNDS? ANYONE? >> I DO NOT

>> OKAY. SO, MS. MORRIS , YOU MAY NOT BE NEEDED .

>> ONE QUICK QUESTION. >> OKAY.

>> OFF-TOPIC SOMEWHAT, DID WE RECENTLY ENGAGED THE SERVICES OF A NEW GRANT WRITER FOR THE CITY?

>> I AM THE GRANT WRITER. THROUGH THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE, THEY DID, IN THE INTERIM, WE DID NOT HAVE ONE, WE HAVE LOST OUR GRANT WRITER, GOT A GRANT WRITER BACK, BUT IN THE INTERIM, THEY DID DO A CONTRACT WITH A COMPANY PROVIDING GRANTS AS WELL. WE DO HAVE AN ON-STAFF MEMBER.

>> SO, WE ARE DOING STRICTLY IN-HOUSE GRANT-WRITING, OR WE

ARE USING BOTH OUTSIDE? >> CURRENTLY, BOTH BECAUSE WE

HAVE COPIES OUT OF CONTRACT. >> THANK YOU.

>> MADAM MAYOR, AN A■BUNDANCE O CAUTION, I WOULD LIKE MS. MORRIS TO PULL THIS UP FOR THE PUBLIC THAT IS HERE AS WELL .

>> FINE. >> IF THERE IS SOME ARMAMENTS FOR THE RENT FUNDS, I WANTED TO BE FULLY UNDERSTOOD.

>> OKAY. >> THANK YOU.

>> I THINK, JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, THE OUTSIDE GRANT WRITER, I THINK, AS SOON AS , AT THE END OF THE MONTH, I THINK THAT CONTRACT IS TERMINATED, WE ARE NOT CONTINUING . IT GOES

UNTIL THE END OF THIS MONTH. >> RIGHT

>> MS. MORRIS? >> OKAY. THE FIRST IS THE AMENDMENT FOR THE FUNDS FOR CDGB. ORIGINALLY BUT IT WITH 1 MILLION, 379, BUDGET IS BEING AMENDED TO 844,008 50, AND IT IS NOT A LOSS OF FUNDS. WE ARE JUST AMENDING THE BUDGET, BASED ON WHAT THE ACTUAL EXPENDITURES AND REVENUE WERE. THE INCREASE IS AN ALLOCATION THAT WILL BE FOR THE BALANCE, AS WELL AS FIRE PROJECTS THAT ARE STARTED, AND WHAT HAS HAPPENED AND CONTINUES TO HAPPEN WITH FUNDS FROM CDGB ARE EXPANDING THE FUNDS IN A TIMELY FASHION . FOR INSTANCE, WE JUST, I THINK, IN AROUND OCTOBER, WE OPENED UP OUR REHAB PROJECTS, ALL BID OUT, THEN WE HAD THE HURRICANE. WE HAD CONTRACTORS THAT BID ON THE OBJECTS, THE HURRICANE HAPPENED, THEY COULD GO MAKE MORE MONEY BASED ON THOSE PROJECTS, AND THEY WITHDREW FROM THE PROJECTS, WHICH MEANS THE WHOLE PROCESS HAD TO BE REBUILD, PUT OUT FOR BID AT THE END, THE VENDORS HAD TO COME BACK ON. SO, IT IS ALL A LOT OF TIMING , HAVING TO GET DONE, NEEDS TO BE DONE IN A TIMELY FASHION. SO, WE ARE JUST AMENDING THE BUDGET TO WHAT WE ACTUALLY, YOU KNOW, PROPOSED THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE TO THE ACTUAL ITEM. SO -- THAT IS THE CDGB. WITH OUR BUDGET FOR 550,000, NOW 382 FOR THE SHIP, AGAIN, BASED ON THE PROJECTS , AND WHAT ACTUALLY OCCURRED. MOST OF THAT IS DOWN PAYMENT , AND WE AWARD THE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE AND ALLOCATE THOSE TWO , YOU KNOW, THE CITIZENS , BUT, IN THIS CLIMATE, THEY COULD NOT, OR HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND HOUSES THAT THEY CAN ACTUALLY AFFORD. AND SO, BECAUSE WE HAVE THE APPROPRIATION THERE, AND THEY CAN'T FIND A HOUSE, WE DON'T EXPEND THOSE FUNDS AS WELL, WHICH WILL GO BACK INTO THE FUND BALANCE WE USE, OR

APPROPRIATION TO BE USED . >> WE GET TO RETAIN, WE DON'T LOSE THAT. WE RETAIN IT IN THE FUTURE.

>> RIGHT. AND, OUR GRANT ADMINISTRATION FUND , THIS IS THE FUND THAT CAPTURES ALL OF OUR PROGRAM INCOME THAT COMES BACK IN, INTO US , AND I THINK IT WAS 2005, 6, AROUND THE TIME, WE HAD MAJOR HURRICANES. WE HAD THE HURRICANE REHOUSING PROGRAM, AND HOW THE CITY STRUCK THAT PROGRAM AT THAT TIME WAS THEY SET THOSE UP AS LOANS. A LOT OF LOANS AND PROJECTS THAT WERE TO BE PAID BACK . AND SO, ALL OF THE INCOME THAT COMES BACK COMES BACK INTO PROGRAM INCOME, BUT IT CAN ONLY BE USED FOR THE FUTURE PROGRAMS, EITHER THROUGH SHIP AND CDGB. WE HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO USE OUR ALLOCATION WE CURRENTLY HAVE, SO, THE 532 THAT WAS BUDGETED, WE DID NOT HAVE TO USE.SO, IT GOES BACK INTO THE FUND BALANCE TO BE USED IN FUTURE PROGRAMS AS WELL.

>> MADAM MAYOR, IF I AM SO UNDERSTANDING, THIS IS WHAT I WANTED -- AGAIN -- THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY LITTLE SOAPBOX -- THESE FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE, BUT WE HAVE GOT TO GET MORE OF OUR RESIDENTS TO APPLY FOR THESE OPPORTUNITIES AND MOVE FORWARD,

[01:40:04]

BUT I'M JUST GOING TO -- >> BE ABLE TO AFFORD THE HOUSE,

LIKE SHE SAID. >> YEAH, BUT --

>> THAT IS FOR THE DOWN PAYMENT.

>> DOWN PAYMENT, RIGHT. >> THE PROBLEM BECOMES, THE HOOD IS SO RESTRICTED AS TO WHO YOU CAN AFFORD, HOW YOU CAN AFFORD, AND THAT IS A LOT OF THE PROBLEM WE BROUGHT INTO HERE, AND THEN ONCE WE ALLOCATED, WE GET AN INFLUX OF ALL OF THE APPLICANTS, THE MONEY IS ALLOCATED, BUT DURING THE RUN OF THE COURSE OF WHAT ALL IT TAKES TO GET IT DONE, THE PROJECT MAY NOT MATERIALIZE, OR EITHER YOU GET GOING, AND THROUGH THE PROCESS, YOU REALIZE THAT IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CANNOT -- YOU KNOW -- WE CAN SAY, WE WILL GIVE YOU $100,000. IF THE CONTRACTOR GOES OUT AND SAYS, WE CAN'T FIX THIS HOUSE FOR THAT, NEEDS TO BE A TOTAL TEAR DOWN AND REBUILD, AND IT IS NOT ADVANTAGEOUS TO THE CITIZENS TO GO IN AND PUT IN NEW WINDOWS OR A STRUCTURE THAT IS GOING TO FALL APART, SO, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE TO WEIGH IN THE BALANCE FOR THE CONSTRUCTION PEOPLE ONCE THEY GO IN AND SEE HOW THE PROJECT IS GOING. SO, IF IT IS FOR OUR MONEY, IT WOULD BE GREAT, BUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS VERY PARTICULAR ABOUT THEIR MONEY, AND DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO PAY THAT.

>> WE ENCOUNTER, DURING COLLEGE, SOME PEOPLE WE TRIED TO HELP COULDN'T COME UP WITH THE PAPERWORK , BECAUSE THERE WERE RESTRICTIONS. SO, WE KNOW WHAT IS IN THAT FEDERAL PAPERWORK

BUSINESS . >> OKAY. RIGHT. RIGHT. AND THEY AUDIT OVER, AND OVER, AND OVER AGAIN. THEY WILL AUDIT, THEN CLOSE THE BOOTH, COME BACK WITH ONE AUDIT AGAIN.

>> A LOT OF STAFF TIME. >> RIGHT.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS ON THIS? OKAY. IS THAT THE FINAL?

>> ALRIGHTY. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION OR QUESTIONS? OKAY.

IS THERE A MOTION? >> MADAM MAYOR, I MOVED TO

APPROVE 25-R-26. >> SECOND.

>> MOTION IN A SECOND. CALL THE ROLL.

>> PROJECT? >> YES, MA'AM.

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

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

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

>> , FROM THE PUBLIC. >> AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION. 3 MINUTES. STATE

YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. >> SO, WANT TO SPEAK? THIS IS

[15. COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER]

THE TIME >> OKAY. I WILL CLOSE PUBLIC

HEARING AND MOVE ON. >> OKAY. COMMENTS FROM THE CITY

MANAGER? >> MR. JOHNSON?

>> ONLY ONE, ACTUALLY, SINCE WE ARE MENTIONING GRANTS. NOTIFIED TODAY THAT OUR -- SOMETHING THE COMMISSION HAD WANTED TO SEE AN EXPANSION OF, OUR LEASING SERVICES PROGRAM. FOUND OUT TODAY THAT THEY WERE -- THE SERVICE COUNSEL -- INITIATING AND DRAFTED FOR THE REC CENTER. SO, EXCITED ABOUT

THAT. >> YEAH..

>> CHILDREN'S SERVICE COUNSEL? GENEROUS. THANK YOU. YUP.

>> READY? >> MS. COX, DO YOU HAVE

ANYTHING? >> YES, MA'AM. I SENT YOU ALL A NOTICE EARLIER TODAY, THIS IS FOR IN YOUR ROLE AS THE FPRA BOARD, BUT WE WILL BE HOLDING OUR SPECIAL MEETING MARCH 31ST, UNLESS I HEAR FROM ALL OF YOU THAT YOU CAN'T DO IT ON THAT MORNING. SO, IF YOU CAN'T DO IT ON MARCH 31ST AT 9:00, IF YOU WILL LET ME KNOW RIGHT AWAY, BECAUSE I HAVE TO ADVERTISE THIS ONE IN THE NEWSPAPER. SO, I HAVE TO PICK A DIFFERENT DATE IF YOU

[16. COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION]

>> OKAY. ANYTHING TO ADD? >> NO.

>> ALRIGHTY.WE WILL MOVE ON. >> COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION?

>> WHO WOULD LIKE TO START? >> MADAM MAYOR, I WOULD LIKE TO START I WILL BE BRIEF. COMMISSIONERS, MADAM MAYOR, I DON'T KNOW HOW WE CAN DO THIS, BUT YOU KNOW, ON THE CALL THIS MORNING, FOR THE LEAGUE OF CITIES, YOU KNOW, THESE BILLS ARE CONTINUALLY -- THEY CONTINUE TO ASK US -- TO -- RESPOND BACK WITH RESPONSES -- AND SO, I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS POSSIBLE -- RIGHT -- THIS IS A LEGAL THING, A CLERK THING. YOU KNOW, THERE ARE CERTAIN BILLS THAT ARE JUST -- PERTINENT AND GERMANE TO US IN THE CITY -- YOU KNOW, IF IT IS THE FPA TRANSFER OR CRA -- IF WE CAN JUST LIST THOSE THINGS THAT ARE PERTINENT TO US , AND MAYBE WE HAVE 1 LETTER WE CAN ALL SIGN , IF WE IN AGREEMENT TO

[01:45:03]

>>YEAH, BUT THERE IS SO MANY -- THINKING WHILE YOU ARE ASKING -- BECAUSE YOU ARE ASKING, LIKE, BASIC TALKING POINTS FOR ONE

LETTER THAT COVERS IT ALL. >> WE, THE COMMISSION, STAND IN OPPOSITION OF BLANK -- LET'S SAY, UTILITY TRANSFER OR DISBANDMENT, I'M SORRY. YEAH. THAT IS WHAT I'M ASKING .

>> MADAM MAYOR, IT WOULD NEED TO BE APPROVED IN SUCH A LETTER, BUT IF YOU WANTED STAFF TO WORK ON, FROM A STAFF PERSPECTIVE, PROBABLY THE STAFF ISSUES AND COMMISSION ISSUES ARE IN LINE.

THE CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION FOR PROVIDING SUCH A LETTER THAT YOU ALL COULD CONSIDER AT A LATER

MEETING. >> YEAH, BECAUSE THEY DID ASK ON THE IMPACT OF THESE THINGS TO OUR CITY, SO, WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND FROM A BUDGET STANDPOINT WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY DISBAND THE CRA, IF WE CAN'T DO THE UTILITY TRANSFER, THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WILL DIRECTLY IMPACT OUR BUDGET.

>> AND THEY ALSO TALKED ABOUT HOW THE ABOLITION OF POVERTY TAX

-- >> ABSOLUTELY .

>> IS WHAT THEY WANT, IS WHAT YOUR POLICE AND FIRE BUDGET -- OF COURSE, WE DON'T HAVE FIRE, BUT WE HAVE FIRE COUNTY.

>> RIGHT. >> SO, YEAH, --

>> I THINK WE NEED SOME NUMBERS FROM STAFF, MADAM MAYOR, TO HELP WITH THAT. THAT IS THE IMPACT WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT.

>> TREASURE COAST, REGIONALLY, CITIES HAVE PREPARED A FORM, WHICH I THINK I SHARED WITH STAFF , AND IT IS QUITE

EXTENSIVE. >> OKAY .

>> IT ASKED FOR THAT KIND OF INFORMATION.

>> RIGHT. >> I THINK WE HAVE A MEETING TOMORROW MORNING, MAYBE WE CAN DISCUSS THAT AND SEE WHAT WE CAN

PROVIDE FOR MR. JOHNSON. >> MADAM MAYOR, YOU ARE CORRECT TO PROVIDE THE FORM, IT IS FORTHCOMING. I EXPECT TO HAVE IT IN FRONT OF ME TOMORROW, AND OUR MEETING WITH THE REMAINING COMMISSIONERS ALSO. YOU CAN AT LEAST GET A VIEW AS TO THOSE.

>> IT CAN BE SHARED WITH EVERYBODY. THAT WILL HAVE SOME GOOD NUMBERS IN IT. THAT IS MY HOPE.

>> IT WILL BE THE NUMBERS, WHATEVER THEY ARE.

>> OKAY. YEAH. THE CALL WAS QUITE EXTENSIVE, QUITE LONG , AND IT SEEMED -- I THINK THEY REALLY ONLY GAVE US VERY FEW HIGHLIGHTS, BECAUSE IF YOU LOOK AT THE LIST OF BILLS, THERE IS SO MANY PROPERTY TAX BILLS, SO MANY CALLS FOR EXTENSION.

>> EVEN TO COME BACK, WHEN IT COMES TO -- WHAT IS THE BUILDING CODE WHERE ALLOWING FOR BUILDING UP TO A CERTAIN POINT WITHOUT

EVEN HAVING TO GO THROUGH? >> DAVID CRUZ CALLED THE

DEVELOPERS -- >> YES FOR THE DEVELOPERS --

>> HE CALLED AT THAT -- >> IT IS STARTLING, YOU KNOW -- AND I THINK WE HAVE TO BRING OUT PUBLIC ALONG, BECAUSE WE GOING TO NEED TO HAVE THEM UNDERSTAND, WE NEED THEIR HELP. RIGHT? THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS BATTLING IN TALLAHASSEE, STATE REPRESENTED OF ANY STATE SENATOR, AND IF THESE THINGS GO THROUGH, THAT HANDCUFFS YOUR LOCAL LEADERS TO BE ABLE TO ADVOCATE FOR YOU ON THINGS THAT YOU WANT TO SEE DONE IN YOUR COMMUNITY, OR NOT DONE IN YOUR COMMUNITY WITHOUT US HAVING ANY SAY SO

>> YEAH. ALL THE THINGS THAT WE DO WITH THE CRA DEPARTMENT, WE

CAN DO WITH THE CRA. EXACTLY. >> THAT IS IT FOR ME ON THIS.

>> THANK YOU. >> I'M JUST GOING TO FOLLOW UP ON COMMISSIONER JOHNSON AND YOUR COMMENT ABOUT THESE BILLS. IT IS ONE THING TO TELL THE PUBLIC THAT WE JUST DID ABOUT WHAT THESE BILLS ARE TRYING TO DO , BUT WE NEED TO LET PUBLIC NOW, WHEN THEY SAY, THIS BILL PASSED , YOU KNOW, YOUR TRASH PICKUP MIGHT BE ONE DAY INSTEAD OF TWO DAYS, OR WE JUST TALKED ABOUT PARKS, CLEANING, ROADS MY NOT BE DONE . WE NEED TO BREAK IT DOWN SO THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS, WE ARE NOT JUST APPEAR TRYING TO BE THE RULERS, YOU KNOW, THROW OUR HANDS UP AT TALLAHASSEE. THESE ARE REAL SERVICES THAT WILL BE CUT IF THESE BILLS GO THROUGH, BECAUSE HOW WE GOING TO PAY FOR IT? HOW WE GOING TO GET IT DONE?

[01:50:04]

THAT IS THE WORD WE NEED TO GET OUT, GET OUT TO OUR RESIDENTS.

THAT IS WHERE I AM AT NOW. >> THE LEAGUE HAS AN EFFORT CALLED LOCAL VOICES UNITED, WHICH IS SUPPOSED TO BE REACHING OUT TO OUR CONSTITUENTS , AND WE CAN PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION ON HOW TO GET THIS INFORMATION TO THEM DIRECTLY SO THEY UNDERSTAND HOW THIS LEGISLATION IS GOING, BUT I HAVE TO SAY, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENS IS WE ARE SO CLOSE TO OUR CONSTITUENTS AND THE LEGISLATORS ARE NOT , SO, OUR CONSTITUENTS ALWAYS WANT US TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. THEY DON'T WANT TO HEAR, THE LEGISLATURE HAS TIED OUR HANDS. THEY DON'T WANT TO HEAR THAT.

>> I AGREE WITH YOU, 100%, MADAM MAYOR, BUT YOU AND I BOTH KNOW, AS ELECTED OFFICIALS , A CALL FROM YOUR OFFICE OR MY OFFICE,

THEY WILL TAKE THE CALL. >> YES.

>> BECAUSE A COURTESY, BUT TWO OR THREE CALLS FROM A NUMBER THEY DON'T KNOW FROM A RESIDENT , IN THE COMMUNITY?

>> MORE EFFECTIVE. >> MORE EFFECTIVE, EXACTLY.

ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. >> YOU WANT TO GIVE YOUR REPORT, COMMISSIONER GAINES? ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY? COMMISSIONER

TAYLOR? >> JUST A QUICK UPDATE ON THE TOUR'S DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FUNDS, THIS IS MORE RELATED TO FPRA, BUT CONVERSATION AND THE REQUEST FOR THE FUNDS HAS KIND OF OPENED UP A BROADER CONVERSATION WITH TDC, RECOGNIZING THAT THEY DON'T REALLY HAVE A SET PROCESS ON HOW TO REQUEST FOR THESE FUNDS FROM THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, SO, CURRENTLY, BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T ASKED FOR ONE BEFORE, SO WE'RE NOT SURE HOW TO HANDLE IT. BUT MS. BYERLY WITH THE TDC IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON THAT SET PROCESS, HOPING TO HAVE THAT FINALIZED BY NEXT WEEK. THEY'RE WORKING PRETTY QUICKLY . IN TERMS OF APPLICATIONS , THEN WE CAN MAKE THAT APPROVAL FOR APPLICATION AND ASK FOR THOSE FUNDS. I FEEL OPTIMISTIC THAT WE WILL AT LEAST GET SOMETHING FROM IT. LIKELY IT WILL BE THE ENTIRETY OF WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO ASK FOR, BUT IT WILL BE SOMETHING, AND I'M PRETTY EXCITED ABOUT THAT. WE WILL SEE NEXT WEEK ONCE WE SEE THE APPLICATION ITSELF, AND OUR DEPARTMENT IS WORKING QUICKLY AND CLOSELY WITH CHARLOTTE AND HER TEAM , SO WE CAN GET THIS DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. GOOD

NEWS. >> THANK YOU.

>> THIS IS YOU EXCITED, RIGHT? >> YUP.

>> ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONER BROADRIDGE?

>> FOLLOW-UP QUESTION PERTAINING TO THAT .WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING, ON THAT PARTICULAR PROJECT, -BACKS A CERTAIN POINT IN TIME, X. IS THERE ANY OPINION AS TO WHAT THAT POINT IN TIME IS? GO ALL THE WAY BACK TO ACQUISITION THROUGH CHANGE ORDERS, THROUGH COMPLETION? WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT,

JAMES? WHAT IS THE ASK? >> BASED ON MY CONVERSATION WITH CHARLOTTE, THIS ISN'T TYPICALLY HOW IT WOULD BE DONE, BECAUSE WE ARE BASICALLY ASKING FOR A REIMBURSEMENT BECAUSE THE MONEY HAS ALREADY BEEN SPENT. TYPICALLY, THAT WOULDN'T NECESSARILY BE HOW IT WOULD GO. I GAVE HER KIND OF A BALLPARK FIGURE BASED ON WHAT I HAVE SEEN WITH WHAT WE HAD IN GRANT FUNDING, THEN WHAT WE HAVE SPENT SPECIFICALLY FROM FPRA WAS ROUGHLY CLOSE TO $1/2 MILLION, 500 AND CHANGE . MY OPINION IS

WE ASK FOR ALL OF THAT, -- >> EVERYTHING OUTSIDE OF THE

ORIGINAL GRANT? >> RIGHT. THAT IS WHAT I HAD INDICATED THAT CHARLOTTE, ANYTHING THAT INVOLVES WHAT WE HAD IN THE GRANT, I THINK WE SHOULD REQUEST, BECAUSE I MEAN, I WOULD BE HARD-PRESSED TO FIND ANOTHER PROJECT THAT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS OF TDC, BECAUSE IT IS CAPITAL PROJECT, NORTH OF MIDWAY ROAD AND TOURISM-BASED .

[01:55:02]

>> HAVE TO COME BEFORE THE WHOLE COUNSEL?

>> HOPING TO HAVE KIND OF A CONSENSUS FROM THE TDC AS A COUNSEL, THEN GO TO THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS .

>> SO, ONCE IT WORKS THROUGH TDC -- I'M SURE YOU WILL LET US KNOW -- SO WE CAN HAMMER ON OUR COUNTY COUNTERPARTS.

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> IS ONE OF THEM WILL GET 5:FALL -- PHONE CALLS, OVER AND OVER.

>> THE FUND BALANCE IN THAT -- EARNED -- I THINK 2.1 MILLION IS SITTING THERE WAITING TO BE USED FOR PROJECTS LIKE THIS.I ALSO MENTIONED THE MARINA SQUARE PLACE-MAKING INITIATIVE WE HAD A CONTRACT WITH , THAT THE FUNDS WE WERE PLANNING TO SPEND ON THAT AND RENEWING AND ALL THAT, WHICH WOULD BE A CAPITAL PROJECT FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT, AND, YOU KNOW, I KEEP HAMMERING THAT POINT, CITY OF FORT PIERCE DOWNTOWN IS THE NUMBER ONE TOURIST DESTINATION IN THE COUNTY. SO, WHERE BETTER INVESTMENT FOR THE TDC MONEY THAN TO BE DOWNTOWN WITH THAT MUSEUM? SO -- I'M ALWAYS A PROPONENT OF ASKING FOR ALL OF IT, THEN WE WILL WORK ITS WAY UP FROM THERE.

>> IT APPEARED TO ME -- I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS BECAUSE OF THIS PROJECT AND THE ORGANIZATION BEHIND IT -- THE THEATER ON AVENUE D WOULD APPEAR TO BE PERFECTLY ALIGNED , POTENTIALLY, FOR THIS TYPE OF FUNDING MOVING FORWARD, BUT I UNDERSTAND THERE HAS BEEN AN INCREASE MADE TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MANAGING THAT AND THEIR RESPONSE HAS BEEN CRICKETS. SO --

>> YEAH. IT IS HARD TO ASK OF WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW IS RIGHT .

>> RIGHT. AND A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION ON THAT PHONE CALL YOU HAD THIS MORNING, BUT ARE FOLKS THAT YOU ARE COMMUNICATING WITH -- ARE THEY GIVING A LOT OF CREDENCE TO SOME OF THESE BILLS ACTUALLY PASSING? ARE THEY SAYING, THIS IS JUST -- GOING TO

BE A FAILED ATTEMPT? >> THEY ARE TAKING EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM SERIOUSLY. THERE IS SEVERAL THINGS AT PLAY. ONE IS THAT THERE IS TWO NEW LEADERS IN THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE THAT HAVE THEIR OWN RARITIES, AND THE LEADER'S PRIORITIES CARRY A LOT OF WEIGHT, AND THERE IS A REAL MOVE TO -- CONCERN ABOUT PROPERTY TAXES AT THE LEVEL OF PROPERTY TAXES FOR THE MARKET -- THAT'S KIND OF BEHIND WHAT THE GOVERNOR IS TALKING ABOUT , TALKING ABOUT ABOLISHING IT IN THE CONSENT . SO, THEN, THERE IS A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THERE WITH THEIR DIFFERENT IDEAS ABOUT

REDUCING PROPERTY TAX. >> 4% SALES TAX , THAT WILL WORK

WELL . >> OR AN INCOME TAX. RIGHT THERE SEEMS TO BE A HEAVY INVOLVEMENT OR DEPARTMENT --

>> YES. OF ELEMENT HAS CERTAINLY GOT THEIR HAND ON THIS. BEING ABLE TO SAY WHAT THEY WANT TO DO, HOW THEY WANT TO DO IT AND

THAT KIND OF INPUT . >> 100%.

>> YEAH. >> SO, ALSO, EVEN IF SOMETHING ISN'T MOVING THROUGH A COMMITTEE OR ISN'T ASSIGNED TO A COMMITTEE, BUT WE LEARNED THIS MORNING IS THAT -- AND I HAVE SEEN THIS IN THE PAST -- IT DOESN'T MEAN IT IS GOING TO DIE IT COULD JUST BE PLUGGED INTO ANOTHER BILL AT THE LAST MINUTE.

AND SO, IT IS KIND OF LIKE, YOU CAN'T TELL UNTIL IT IS OVER.

>> OKAY. >> RIGHT.

>> THEY LEAVE AND GO HOME. >> MADAM MAYOR, YOU WILL HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY NEXT WEEK ON BEHALF OF THE FLORIDA LEADERS,

AND WILL BE ADVOCATING, I THINK? >> ADVOCATING FOR THE FLORIDA LEGAL, THE SAME WAY YOU WILL BE WITH THE TREASURE --

] >> OKAY, GOT IT.

>> I WILL NOT BE IN THE LEGISLATOR.

>> OKAY. GOT IT. OKAY. >> YEAH. WILL BE GOING UP THERE.

>> YOU DON'T GET MUCH TIME WITH THEM.

>> NO. >> MUCH FACE TIME, AND IT DOESN'T REALLY MAKE OF THIS IN MY OPINION -- IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE IF YOU DON'T GO, BECAUSE THEN THEY THINK, OKAY, WHAT -- IF YOU GET SIX MINUTES WITH THEM -- THAT IS WHAT .

>> SO -- ALL RIGHT, OKAY. I THINK THAT WE SHOULD ADJOURN HERE . SO, WHAT I WOULD LIKE IS FOR THE COMMISSION CHAMBERS TO BE EMPTIED, AND WE ARE ADJOURNED . TURN OUT THE LIGHTS.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.