[1. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:21]
I'D LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.
THIS IS THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE COMMITTEE AGENDA, IT IS JUNE 16, 2025. PLEASE STAND FOR THE OPENING PRAYER BY PASTOR RICK PALMA, JR., FROM COAST BAPTIST CHURCH AND PLEASE REMAIN STANDING FOR THE MRENG PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
>> LET US PRAY. DEAR FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THE TIME TO COME BEFORE YOU IN PRAYER. LORD, WE PRAY YOUR BLESSING UPON THESE COMMISSIONERS, LORD, FOR THE HARD WORK THEY DO FOR THEIR STAFF.
WE PRAY YOUR BLESSING UPON THEIR FAMILIES AND EVERYTHING THAT THEY'RE WORKING TOWARD FOR THIS COMMUNITY AND PUT YOUR BLESSING AND PROTECTION UPON THEIR FAMILY AND THEIR HOMES, LORD, JESUS. WE PRAY THAT WE WILL BE SUPPORTIVE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR COMMISSIONERS AND YOU'VE GIVE EMTHEM GIVEN THEM THEIR POWER, LORD, THAT WE BRING HONOR AND GLORY TO YOU AND I PRAY THAT YOU BE WITH THE PEOPLE OF FAITH, NOT ONLY OF MY CHURCH, BUT EVERY CHURCH AND EVERY PERSON OF FAITH IN THE COMMUNITY, LORD THAT WE WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE AND HELPFUL, LORD GOD. I PRAY FOR THE FIRST RESPONDERS WHO FIRST THEIR LIFE ON THE LINE EVERY DAY FOR US AND PRAY THAT YOU WATCH OVER THEM AND PROTECT THEM AND KEEP THEM SAFE.
I PRAY OVER THIS MEETING THAT WILL BE PRODUCTIVE AND GLORIFYING TO YOU, LORD, GOD, AND I ASK THIS ALL IN THE NAME OF JESUS.
>> 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.
[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
PRESS HERE, MA'AM. >> APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF MAY 19, 2025.
>> NEXT, WE HAVE APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE JUNE 2, 2025, REGULAR MEETING.
[A. Treasure Coast Waterway Clean Up Proclamation]
OKAY, WE HAVE A PROCLAMATION FOR THE TREASURE COAST WATERWAY CLEAN UP.>> ALL RIGHT. WE'VE GOT A COUPLE OF PEOPLE.
>> GOOD EVENING AND GOOD AFTERNOON.
THANK YOU. I'M FORREST, REPRESENTING THE TREASURE COAST WATERWAY CLEAN UP.
>> I'LL READ YOUR PROCLAMATION FIRST.
>> SO WHEREAS THE STATE OF FLORIDA HAS BEEN BLESSED WITH ABUNDANT, DIVERSE AND WONDROUS NATURAL RESOURCES WHICH INCLUDE FRESH WATER SPRING, THE GULF OF MEXICO, ATLANTIC OCEAN, EVERGLADES AND THE TREASURE COAST VERY OWN SAVANNAH ST.
LOUISIE RIVER AND THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON AND MANY OTHER TRIBUTARIES ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF WHAT MAKES THE TREASURE COAST SPECIAL PROVIDING HABITATS FOR PLANTS AND WILDLIFE. FOR COMMERCE AND TOURISM, COUNTLESS RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND A SOURCE OF INSPIRATION AND AWE, AND WHEREAS OUR GROWING POPULATION AND BEHAVIORS HAVE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED THE HEALTH OF THE WATERWAYS IN MANY WAYS INCLUDING ONE THAT IS HARD TO MISS, LITTER, TONS OF GARBAGE THAT LITTER OUR WATERWAYS AND SHORELINES AND WHEREAS MANY CITIZENS OF THE TREASURE COAST HAVE COME TOGETHER TO DO DO SOMETHING IT, TO CLEAN THE WATERWAYS AS PART OF A LARGER, FORT TO PROTECT OUR QUALITY OF LIFE AND TO SAVE OUR RIVERS. WHEREAS, THE 18TH ANNUAL TREASURE COAST WATERWAY CLEAN UP WILL BE HELD ON JULY 26, 2025, THANKS TO THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATION OF THE MARINE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION OF THE TREASURE COAST INC. , IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE FLORIDA NAVIGATION DISTRICT, SPONSORS AND THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS AND WHEREAS THE CITY CANNOT HONOR THE COMMITMENT WITHOUT CONTINUING TO FIGHT FOR BETTER WATER QUALITY WITHIN OUR LOCAL WATERWAYS.
THEREFORE, ISLAND HUDSON MAYOR OF FLORIDA, TO
[00:05:05]
HEREBY PROCLAIM, JUNE 16T H, AS TREASURE COAST WATERWAY CLEAN UP, TO CLEAN UP THE WATERWAYS AND TO REMEMBER THAT ALL LITTER EVENTUALLY MAKES ITS WAY TO THE>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.
AGAIN, I'M FORREST BLANTON, ACCOMPANYING ME IN THE PRESENTATION IS ANDY STEINBERG FROM THE COASTAL CONSERVATION ASSOCIATION, CORETTA SCOTT AND MIKE LEE FROM THE FORT PIERCE.
WE COLLECTED 180 TONS OF TRASH, AND LAST YEAR WE COLLECTED TONS OF CRASH.
IT'S A LOT OF FUN. WE REALLY LIKE TO BENEFIT THE ENVIRONMENT. IN 2/24, ST. LOSIE, AND WE'LL HAVE TWO TONS IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AND THE BOAT RAM AND THE MANATEE CENTER BOAT RAMP AND THE STANTON BOAT RAMP. WE THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS PROCLAMATION.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
[B. Youth Award Proclamations]
>> OKAY. THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS OUR FORT PIERCE YOUTH COUNCIL, AND THEY ARE GOING TO BE INTRODUCING OUR AWARD WINNERS THIS EVENING.
>> ALL RIGHTY, SO WHO IS GOING TO
GO FIRST? >> THE YOUTH COUNCIL IS HONORED TO PRESENT THE 2025 OUTSTANDING YOUTH AWARDS.
I AM JANESSA DIAZ, CHAIRPERSON OF THE YOUTH COUNCIL AND I'M IN THE 12TH GRADE AT LINCOLN PARK ACADEMY AND THEY THE YOUTH COUNCIL WILL INTRODUCE THEMSELVES.
>> MY NAME IS REESE ADAMS, I AM THE VICE CHAIRPERSON OF THE YOUTH COUNCIL. I AM IN THE 12TH GRADE AT LINCOLN PARK ACADEMY HIGH
WELCOME. >> HELLO, I AM NAOMI.
I'M THE SECOND VICE CHAIR OF THE YOUTH COUNCIL.
I AM GOING INTO TENTH GRADE, AND I GO
TO WESTWOOD ACADEMY. >> THANK YOU.
>> HELLO. MY NAME IS EMILY MALDONADO, AND I AM A YOUTH COUNCIL MEMBER. I GRADUATED THIS YEAR FROM FORT PIERCE WESTWOOD HIGH SCHOOL.
MY NAME IS ELIZABETH ALTON, I AM GOING INTO MY 12TH YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL AT FORT PIERCE CENTRAL.
>> THANK YOU. >> THAT'S MY GROUP.
>> WE'D LIKE TO THANK THE CITY COMMISSION FOR CREATING THIS PLATFORM FOR US TO PROVIDE INSIGHT INTO THE ISSUES AFFECTING OUR YOUTH, AND TO SUPPORT THESE AWARD RECIPIENTS, AND AS A SIGN OF THEIR SUPPORT EACH WILL RECEIVE A CITY OF FORT PIERCE SWAG BAG WHICH INCLUDES A CITY OF FORCE PIERCE PIN AND A GIFT CARD FROM AN ANONYMOUS DONOR AS WELL AS MORE THINGS.
>> OKAY. I THINK WE'RE READY TO READ THE PROCLAMATIONS.
>> SO WE'LL START WITH HOLLIS FORTUNE. IF HOLLIS CAN COME FORWARD?
>> SO, WHEREAS THE YOUTH IN OUR CITY ARE THE CITY'S MOST VALUABLE RESOURCES AND WHEREAS THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONERS RECOGNIZE THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY DEPENDS UPON YOUNG PEOPLE WE RAISE TO HANDE THE AFFAIRS OF TOMORROW, AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE YOUTH AWARD RECOGNITION PROGRAMS SEEKS TO SHOWCASE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUR OUTSTANDING AND TALENTED YOUTH, AND WHEREAS HOLLIS FORTUNE, A SIXTH GRADER AT CHESTER K. MOORE IS THE RECIPIENT OF THE HUMANITARIAN AWARD WHO PUT FORTH EFFORTS TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE, WHO ARE ACTIVE IN LOCAL OR STATE GOVERNMENT AND WHEREAS HOLLIS IS AN EXCEPTIONAL YOUNG LEADER EXCELLING ACADEMICALLY AND SERVING HER COMMUNITY WITH DEDICATION. AS CLASS PRESIDENT, SAFETY PATROL OFFICER AND PEER MENTOR AT CHESTER A. MOORE COUPLE COUPLE EMENTRY, SHE AIDS THE
[00:10:03]
HOMELESS, VISITS NURSING HOMES. SHE IS AN ACTIVE MEMBER OF GIRL SCOUT TROUPE 46061, THE ROYAL GEMS YOUTH GROUP AND HER CHURCH CHOIR, DESPITE PERSONAL HARDSHIPS INCLUDING THE LOSS OF HER BIOLOGICAL PARENTS AND OVERCOMING BULLYING, SHE HAS SHOWN REMARKABLE RESILIENCE AND DETERMINATION TO SUCCEED MAKING HER A TRUE INSPIRATION. WHEREAS, HOLLIS' RESILIENCE, LEADERSHIP AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO ACADEMICS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE MAKES HER AN INSPIRING ROLE MODEL DEMONSTRATING STRENGTH AND COMPASSION IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY.NOW, THEREFORE, I, LINDA HUDSON, MAYOR OF THE FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, URGE OUR CITIZENS TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OUR YOUTH. CONGRATULATIONS.
THANK YOU FOR THIS AWARD, AND I AM GLAD I AM PUTTING SMILES ON MULTIPLE PEOPLE'S FACES, AND ALWAYS BEING THE ONE THAT THEY CAN TRUST AND CALL ON TO DO THINGS FOR THE COMMUNITY. SO THANK YOU FOR THIS AWARD.
>> OKAY. OUR NEXT AWARD RECIPIENT IS JOSE HERNANDEZ.
>> WHEREAS THE YOUTH IN OUR CITY ARE THE MOST VALUABLE RESOURCES AND WHEREAS THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION RECOGNIZE THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY DEPENDS UPON THE YOUTH -- THE YOUNG PEOPLE WE RAISE TO HANDLE THE AFFAIRS OF TOMORROW AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE YOUTH AWARD RECOGNITION PROGRAM SEEKS TO SHOW CASE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE TALENTED YOUTH AND WHEREAS JOSE HERNANDEZ, A TENTH GRADER AT FORCE PIERCE CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL IS THE RECIPIENT OF THE STUDENT ATHLETE AWARD WHO SHOWS EXCELLENT IN THE CLASSROOM THROUGH BEHAVIOR AND MAINTAINING GRADES WHILE ALSO BEING AN ATHLETE, AND WHEREAS JOSE DEMONSTRATES EXCELLENCE IN ACADEMICS, ATHLETICS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE, MAINTAINING A 3. 5 G.P.A. AND EARNING HONOR ROLL DISTINCTION, HE EXCELS IN OLYMPIC- STYLE AMATEUR BOXING WITH A 2- 2 RECORD, DEMONSTRATING RESILIENCE AND DETERMINATION AS HE PREPARES FOR THE SILVER GLOVES ADVANCING TOURNAMENT. BEYOND THE RING, HE'S A DEDICATED COMMUNITY MEMBER ASSISTING WITH CHURCH CLEAN- UP EFFORTS AND SUPPORTING THE RELOCATION OF THE FACILITY. A STEADFAST LEADER, HE UPHOLDS HIS VALUES THROUGH UNWAVERING COMMITMENT AND EXEMPLARY CHARACTER.
WHEREAS, HIS DEDICATION TO ACADEMICS, ATHLETICS, SHOW CASES HIS LEADERSHIP AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE MAKING HIM A TRUE INSPIRATION TO THOSE AROUND HIM. NOW, THEREFORE THE MAYOR OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, DO HEREBY ISSUE THIS PROCLAMATION OF JOSE HERNANDEZ AND URGE OUR CITIZENS TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OUR YOUTH.
>> FIRSTLY, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST AND WITH HIM I'VE BEEN ABLE TO BECOME THE BOXER I AM. I THANK YOU FOR THIS PROCLAMATION AND EVERYTHING YOU
DID FOR ME. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.
>> OKAY. OUR FINAL AWARD RECIPIENT OF THE EVENING IS MILAN TAYLOR.
>> WHEREAS THE YOUTH IN OUR CITY ARE THE CITY'S MOST VALUABLE RESOURCES AND WHEREAS THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION RECOGNIZE THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY DEPENDS UPON THE YOUNG PEOPLE WE RAISE TO HANDLE THE AFFAIRS OF TOMORROW AND WHEREAS THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE YOUTH AWARD RECOGNITION PROGRAM SEEKS TO SHOWCASE THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE OUTSTANDING AND TALENTED YOUTH AND WHEREAS MILAN TAYLOR, A NINTH GRADER AT THE LINDSAY SCHOOL OF THE ARTS IS A RECIPIENT OF THE VISIONARY AWARD WHO TURNED CREATIVITY AND KNOWLEDGE INTO AN PERSONIAL INTERPREN
[00:15:11]
OURIAL, DEMONSTRATING EXCELLENT ENTREPRENEURIAL TALENT. SHE RUNS A LEMONADE BUSINESS AND CHOREOGRAPHS HER OWN DANCE PERFORMANCES AT LOCAL VENUE, WITH OVER 30 HOURS OF DANCE SHE TRAVELS INTERNATIONALLY TO REFINE ARTISTIC AND BUSINESS SKILLS. AS AN ASSISTANT DANCE CAPTAIN, A CEO-TRAINED ENTREPRENEUR AND A DEDICATED VOLUNTEER WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS, SHE HAS EARNED RECOGNITION INCLUDING THE HIGHEST BUSINESS POTENTIAL AWARD AT CHILDREN'S BUSINESS FAIR. HER LEADERSHIP INSPIRES HER YOUNGER SIBLINGS AND THIS SUMMER SHE WILL CONTINUE HER GROWTH BY STUDYING DANCE HISTORY IN ITALY, AND WHEREAS MILAN'S DEDICATION TO ACADEMICS, ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND THE ARTS CONTINUES TO SHAPE HER EXTRAORDINARY JOURNEY INSPIRING OTHERS THROUGH HER PASSION, LEADERSHIP AND UNWAVERING PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE, NOW THEREFORE, I, LINDA HUDSON, MAYOR OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, DO ISSUE THIS PROCLAMATION IN RECKING ON MISSION OF MILAN TAYLOR AND URGE OUR CITIZENS TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF OUR YOUTH. CONGRATULATIONS.>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, AND I LOVE YOU ALL, AND THAT'S IT.
>> I THINK WE WANT TO GET A GROUP PHOTO WITH ALL OF THE WINNERS DOWN HERE IN FRONT. IF ALL OF THE WINNERS CAN COME FORWARD. BRING YOUR PROCLAMATIONS AND I THINK YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR SWAG BAGS.
I CAN SQUEEZE IN A LITTLE BIT.
ANDREA, WAIT! >> WE HAVE FAMILY PHOTO, TOO.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> ANYBODY WANT TO SAY ANYTHING?
COMMISSIONER GAINES. >> YES, YOU KNOW I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING.
>> FIRST OF ALL, BEFORE I GET TO THE AWARD WINNERS I WANT TO SAY TO OUR YOUTH COUNCIL, GREAT JOB.
>> GREAT JOB. YOU SEE? I'VE GOT MY SHIRT ON, I AM SO PROUD OF YOU GUYS, SO GREAT JOB.
TWO, MY AWARD WINNERS THAT ARE IN HIGH SCHOOL , GREAT JOB. I NEED YOU TO DO ONE MORE THING FOR ME. I NEED YOU TO COME JOIN US AND GET ONE OF THESE BLUE SHIRTS AND SIT ON OUR YOUTH COUNCIL AND SHAPE THE FUTURE FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF PEOPLE THAT ARE SITTING UP HERE BECAUSE ONE DAY WE'RE GOING TO BE OUT THERE LOOKING AT YOU GUYS SITTING UP HERE, ALL RIGHT? SO JUST FIND SOME TIME IN YOUR BUSY SCHEDULES TO SEE IF YOU CAN COME JOIN AND PUT ON ONE OF THESE BLUE SHIRTS WITH THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE YOU AND LAST TO MISS HOLLIS. NOW I UNDERSTAND WHY I DIDN'T SEE YOU ON MY SOFTBALL FIELD THIS YEAR, BECAUSE YOU WERE BUSY DOING EVERYTHING, YOU GET A PASS ON THAT, BUT WE NEED TO ADD TO YOUR TALENT -- SOFTBALL.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, I'M SO PROUD OF YOU BECAUSE WHAT YOU ALL DON'T KNOW IS HOW SHY SHE REALLY IS, AND FOR HER TO DO -- YOU CAN -- LATER, BUT FOR HER TO DO WHAT THE MAYOR JUST READ THAT SHE'S DOING ALMOST FELL OUT OF MY CHAIR HEARING IT. SO YOU SURPRISED YOUR COACH.
I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW, I AM SO PROUD OF YOU, BUT TO ALL OUR WINNERS, CONTINUE THE GREAT WORK. YOU ARE OUR FUTURE.
DON'T LET ANYBODY TELL YOU DIFFERENT. YOU ARE OUR FUTURE. SO, AGAIN, THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS.
[00:20:02]
>> I WANT TO ECHO WHAT COMMISSIONER GAINES SAID AND I WANT TO THANK THE PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS FOR THE SUPPORT YOU PUT BEHIND THESE BEAUTIFUL YOUNG PEOPLE. WE NEED THAT SUPPORT IN OUR COMMUNITY AND I AM SO PROUD OF YOU FOR BEING HERE TO SUPPORT THEM. THEY WILL NEVER FORGET THIS AND THANK YOU, YOUNG PEOPLE, FOR STEPPING FORWARD AND THANK YOU YOUTH COUNCIL FOR THE WORK THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO DO TO MAKE SURE YOUTH VOICES ARE HEARD IN OUR COMMUNITY.
>> I WOULD ADD QUICKLY THAT IT'S NOT OFTEN THAT I GET TO SIT THROUGH THE FIRST HALF OF THE CITY COMMISSION MEETING AND FEELING EXTRAORDINARILY GREAT. YOU FOLKS MADE OUR DAY. THIS IS AN EXCITING CEREMONY.
CONGRATULATIONS, AND I AM SECURE IN THE FEELING IN KNOWING THAT OUR CITY'S FUTURE IS GOING TO BE IN GOOD HANDS. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.
>> AND I WANT TO SAY THAT YOU MAY OR MAY NOT BE GOING AWAY TO COLLEGE WHEN YOU FINISH HIGH SCHOOL, BUT WE WANT YOU TO COME BACK TO FORT PIERCE IF YOU DO AND BE OUR FUTURE LEADERS BECAUSE FORT PIERCE NEEDS YOU. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK.
[A. Thank you card from Elizabeth Bowen expressing her family's deep gratitude to the Building Department staff for their professional and supportive assistance in addressing safety concerns, which led to effective action and restored their sense of security at home.]
THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA IS A THANK YOU CARD FROM ELIZABETH BOWEN EXPRESSING HER FAMILY'S DEEP GRATITUDE TO THE
[8. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
BUILDING DEPARTMENT STAFF FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE IN ADDRESSING SAFETY CONCERNS WHICH LED TO EFFECTIVE ACTION AND RESTORED TO THEIR SENSE OF SECURITY ATHOME. >> CHANGES TO THE AGENDA?
>> A MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.
>> MAYOR HUDSON, COMMISSIONER TAYLOR, YOU WILL NEED TO MOVE
[11. CONSENT AGENDA]
YOUR MICROPHONE CLOSER.>> WE'VE HAD NO SIGNUP IF UP FROM THE PUBLIC. WE'LL MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> THE LETTERS IN CAPITAL LETTERS NOW.
>> THEY'RE MUCH EASIER TO READ. IT REALLY MAKES IT MUCH EASIER TO READ.
>> I WENT TO LEARN MY ABCS AFTER
THAT. >> YOUR NUMBERS ARE NEXT.
>> ITEM C AND D ARE THE SAME, PLEASE OR NO?
>> ONE'S FOR PLAN REVIEW AND ONE IS FOR INSPECTIONS.
>> WHICH ONE IS FOR THE BILLING DEPARTMENT?
>> THEY'RE BOTH FOR THE BILLING
DEPARTMENT. >> I'D LIKE TO PULL THOSE.
>> ANYTHING ELSE? IF NOT, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION.
>> REMOVING ITEM D FOR THE DISCUSSION.
>> SECOND. >> ROLL CALL, PLEASE.
[C. Approval to award RFP 2025-11 for annual contracted Professional Inspection Services to GFA International, Inc. dba Universal Engineering Service of Port St. Lucie, Florida for an amount of up to $100,000.00 annually.]
[D. Approval to award RFP 2025-012 for annual contracted Professional Plan Review Services to GFA International dba Universal Engineering Sciences of Port St. Lucie, Florida for an amount of up to $100,000.00 annually.]
>> DO YOU WANT TO DO ITEMS C AND D TOGETHER?
>> JOINTLY. THE QUESTION IS COMMENT TO BOTH. WE'RE LOOKING TO FUND THIS, I'M ASSUMING THROUGH THE CITY'S GENERAL FUND. NO, THIS IS THROUGH THE ENTERPRISE FUND FOR THE BILLING
DEPARTMENT? >> LET ME READ THEM REALLY QUICK JUST FOR THE PUBLIC. IT WILL BE APPROVAL FOR THE AWARD OF RFP 2025- 11 FOR THE PROFESSIONAL INSPECTION SERVICES TO GFA INTERNATIONAL FOR AN AMOUNT UP TO $100,000 ANNUALLY AND ITEM D IS APPROVAL OF AWARD OF RFP 2025- 012 FOR THE ANNUAL CONTRACTED PROFESSIONAL PLAN REVIEW SERVICES TO GFA INTERNATIONAL FOR AN AMOUNT UP TO $100,000 ANNUALLY.
>> THE QUESTION WAS I'M NOT QUESTIONING THE EXPENDITURE.
I UNDERSTAND THE NECESSITY OF THE SERVICES REQUESTED.
>> BUILDING FUND, SIR. >> BUILDING FUND.
I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT BECAUSE MY INITIAL INTERPRETATION IS WE'RE APPROVING IT AS A GENERAL FUND AND IT'S A BUILDING PERMIT UNDER THEIR OPERATING BUDGET.
>> BASED ON THAT, I WOULD MOVE TO APPROVE ITEM C AND D.
>> SECOND. >> A MOTION AND SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.
[A. Quasi-Judicial Hearing - Review and approval for application for an innovative, Minor Site Plan, submitted by A-Ok Construction to develop a single-story duplex. The proposed duplex will be developed on 0.31 acres of land located at 209 N. 18th Street, more specifically located at Parcel Control Number: 2409-606-0041-000-0.]
[00:25:08]
>> OKAY. WE MOVE ON TO PUBLIC HEARINGS. WE HAVE A QUASI JUDICIAL HEARING FOR INNOVATIVE MINOR SITE PLANS SUBMITTED BY AOK CONSTRUCTION FOR A SINGLE DUPLEX. THE PROPOSED DUPLEX WILL BE ON . 31 ACRES OF LAND ON 209 NORTH 18TH STREET.
>> DO YOU WANT TO RECORD, COMMISSIONER GAINES'
>> I HEARD EVERYTHING, FOR THE RECORD, I DID HEAR EVERYTHING.
>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO READ, MADAM ATTORNEY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO READ THE PROCEDURES FOR QUASI JUDICIAL ITEMS?
>> IT SERVES THE LEGISLATIVE AND QUASI JUDICIAL ROLE.
WHEN ACTING AS A BODY THE COMMISSION PASSES LAWS AND ESTABLISHING POLICIES. WHEN ACTING AS A QUASIQUASI BODY THE COMMISSION IS HELD TO STRICTER PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS. QUASI ARE LESS FORMAL THAN PROCEEDINGS BEFORE A CIRCUIT COURT, BUT ARE MORE FORMAL THAN THE NORMAL COMMISSION MEETING. QUASI JUDICIAL MEETINGS MUST FOLLOW DUE PROCESS AND DECISIONS MUST BE MADE BASED ON COMPETENT, SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE AND COMMISSIONERS HAVE TO CONDUCT MORE LIKE JUDGES THAN LATHORS AND THAT IS WHY THE COMMISSION HAS ESTABLISHED THE UNIFORM PROCEDURES FOR QUASI JUDICIAL HEARINGS THAT WILL BE FOLLOWED THIS EVENING.
>> OKAY. MADAM CLERK, HAVE WE MET THE ADVERTISING AND NOTICE
REQUIREMENTS? >> THE ADVERTISING AND NOTICE REQUIREMENTS HAVE BEEN MET.
>> WOULD YOU ASK COMMISSIONERS ABOUT EXPARTY COMMUNICATIONS?
>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK, ANY EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS?
WITNESSES? >> ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM WOULD YOU RAISE YOUR RIGHT
HAND? >> DO YOU AFFIRM TO TELL THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING, BUT THE TRUTH?
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> PLEASE
PROCEED. >> GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSIONERS, THIS EVENING WE BRING TO YOU A MINOR SITE PLAN INNOVATIVE PLAN FOR A DUPLEX. THE APPLICANT IS ANDRE BAXOM AND THE PROPERTY OWNERS IS AOK CONSTRUCTION, PARCEL IS 0041-0000 WITH AN ADDRESS OF 209 NORTH 18TH STREET. IN SUMMARY, THE APPLICANT IS REQUESTING A REVIEW IN APPROVAL FOR AN APPLICATION FOR A MINOR SITE PLAN INNOVATIVE DEVELOPMENT. THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 209 NORTH 18TH STREET. THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING TO DEVELOP A SINGLE- STORY DUPLEX WITH ENHANCED LANDSCAPING AND ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNS AND AN OUTDOOR COMMON AREA FOR ITS RESIDENTS. THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT IS LOCATED ON A PARCEL WITH APPROXIMATELY . 31 ACRES WITH THE FUTURE LAND USE OF ZONING R3 SINGLE FAMILY MODERATE.
>> ACCORDING TO ARTICLE 5 IS SECTION 125- 243, INNOVATIVE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ARE PRIMARILY CREATIVE IN IMAGE NATSIVE HOUSING MIXED USE AND COMMUNITY- ORIENTED DEVELOPMENT.
INNOVATION IS ACHIEVED BY USE OF MATERIAL, JUXTAPOSITION AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY AND BY EMPLOYING METHODS TO ACHIEVE DISTINCTIVENESS IN EXCELLENCE AND DESIGNING, DESIGN ACCESSIBILITY AND LANDSCAPING. HERE IS A MAP OUTLINING THE CITY LIMITS AND THE PARCEL AS IT'S LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS. THE SITE LOCATION AGAIN, THE SITE AREA IS APPROXIMATELY .31 ACRES.
FUTURE LAND USES ARE LOWDENSITY RESIDENTIAL.
ZONING R3, SINGLE- FAMILY MODERATE DENSITY.
SITE PLAN DETAILS, TWO DUPLEX SINGLE- STORY UNITS TOTALING SQUARE FOOTAGE OF 3,386.
WITH EACH UNIT BEING APPROXIMATELY A LITTLE OVER 1600 SQUARE FEET. LANDSCAPE DETAILS, THREE PALM TREES, TWO COCONUT, TWO TREE, ONE JAPANESE PALM
[00:30:05]
AND AN EXISTING OAK TREE IS ON THE SITE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT ACCORDING TO THE LANDSCAPE CODE ONLY FOUR TRES ARE REQUIRED, BUT WITH THE INNOVATIVE, THIS IS AN OUTLINE SHOWING THAT THE APPLICANT IS EXCEEDING THE FOUR TREES REQUIREMENT. FLOOR PLAN, AGAIN, 3 -- A LITTLE OVER 3300 SQUARE FEET TOTAL FOR THE BUILDING. EACH T IS PROPOSED TO BE THREE BEDROOMS, AND BATHROOMS AND STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES IN BOTH UNITS AND THE OUTDOOR COMMON AREA FOR THE RESIDENTS. HERE'S THE COLOR BOARD THAT THE APPLICANT, THE DEVELOPER IS USING WHICH IS TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE ARCHITECTURE DESIGN STANDARDS. SOME INNOVATIVE DETAILS, THE STYLE OF HOME DESIGN IS A SOUTH FLORIDA DESIGN STYLE.THERE WILL BE LIGHTING PROVIDED AROUND THE ENTIRE BUILDING, AROUND EVERY FOUR FEET AND HERE IT SHOWS THE COMMUNITY OUTDOOR COMMON AREA WITH ENHANCED LANDSCAPING. AT THE MAY 12, 2025, BOARD MEETING THE BOARD VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE CONDITION PRIOR TO THE ISSUANCE OF FINAL CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY SHALL BE APPROVED AND SHALL ACKNOWLEDGE THE FOLLOWING, THEREFORE THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION FOR THE CITY COMMISSION TO APPROVE THE SITE PLAN WITH THE NOTED CONDITION, ULTIMATE RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BE TO ONE, RECOMMEND APPROVAL TO ADDITIONAL OR MODIFIED CONDITIONS OR TWO, RECOMMEND DISAPPROVAL. THANK YOU.
>> A COUPLE OF QUICK QUESTIONS. WHAT IS TRIGGERING THE CONDITIONAL USE REQUIREMENT?
>> YES, SIR. SO COMMISSIONER BRODERICK, THE PROPERTY AGAIN IS LOCATED IN R3.
>> RIGHT. >> ACCORDING TO THE ZONING USE TABLE DUPLEXES IN R3 ARE ONLY PERMITTED UNDER THE INNOVATIVE DESIGN CODE, SO THAT'S WHAT'S TRIGGERED AS A DUPLEX DEVELOPMENT.
>> ONE FOLLOW-UP QUESTION, I THINK THE DESIGN STANDARDS HERE ARE GREAT.
IT WOULD BE GREAT CURB APPEAL AND THE FENCING THIS WILL BE AN ATTRACTIVE PROPERTY, SO CONGRATULATIONS TO THE DEVELOPER ON SELECTING THIS FORMAT. WAS THIS -- I READ THE PACKAGE, AND I WAS A LITTLE BIT CONFUSED AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THIS DESIGN STANDARD WAS SOMETHING THAT THE CITY HAD SUGGESTED OR DID THE DEVELOPER BRING THIS IN THEMSELVES?
>> SO THIS IS WHAT THE DEVELOPER HAD PRODUCED OR SUBMITTED WITH THE ADHERENCE TO THE CITY'S ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN STANDARD. SO WHEN WE LOOK AT THE DESIGN REVIEW CODE SECTION 125314 IT HAD TO LAY OUT CERTAIN TYPE HAPPENS OF ARCHITECTURAL STYLES THAT THE CITY HAS APPROVED AND SO THE APPLICANT JUST ALIGNED WITH WHAT WAS PRESENTED OR APPROVED BY THE
CITY. >> MY FINAL COMMENT IS THIS TIME OF INFIELD CONSTRUCTION IS PRECISELY WHAT WE SHOULD BE ENCOURAGING ON CITY- OWNED LOTS IN THE AREAS OF POTENTIAL ZONING AND ISSUES, ET CETERA, THAT CAN OBVIOUSLY BE EATEN TO STAND UP. CONGRATULATIONS.
I'LL TOUR YOUR CONSTRUCTION SITE. I'M THRILLED WITH THIS. I WISH WE HAD DOZENS OF THESE COMING IN.
>> I FEEL AS THOUGH IN THE NEAR FUTURE WE WILL HAVE AN ONSLAUGHT OF THIS TYPE OF PRODUCT.
IT PROVIDES -- I'M NOT SURE IF THE DEVELOPER IS SELLING IT, KEEPING IT AS AN INVESTMENT FOR RENTAL PROPERTY, ET CETERA, BUT THIS IS A GREAT SCENARIO, EVEN IF THE PROPER IS SOLD AND AN OWNER OCCUPIES HALF, RENTS HALF TO COVER THE EXPENDITURES, IF IT'S SOLD AS AN INVESTMENT PROPERTY AND IT PROVIDES THE WORK THAT I DESPERATELY NEED, LIKE I SAY, I'D LIKE TO SEE DOZENS. LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THE
I READ THAT THE COMMISSIONER WILL BE FIRST AND SAID EXACTLY WHAT YOU JUST SAID.
I LOVE THE YET HOW THE DEVELOPER USE WHAT WE HAD IN OUR CODE TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS. SO TO ALL OF THE OTHER DEVELOPERS, PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE HERE TO WORK WITH YOU AND WE ARE ASKING FOR YOUR INPUT BECAUSE THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL DRAWING.
SO YOU USE WHAT WE GAVE YOU TO COME BACK WITH A BEAUTIFUL PROJECT. I'M FAMILIAR WITH THE
[00:35:01]
AREA. I'LL BE DRIVING BY.WHEN HE SAYS HE'LL BE THERE EVERY DAY, TRUST ME, IF YOU SEE SOME GUY AND IT'S JUST HIM LOOKING AND SEEING WHAT'S GOING
>> HE'S GOING TO BE THERE. I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION AND I DIDN'T SEE IT BASED ON THE CONDITION.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONDITION WE'RE SAYING THE MAINTENANCE, KEEPING UP AND TRIMMING ESPECIALLY WITH ALL OF THE, MAILS WE'VE BEEN GIVEN, BUT TRIM GRASS AND ALL OF THAT. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE -- IS THE -- IS THE SELLERS OR THE BUYERS GOING TO BE RESPONSIBLE OR IF THE SELLER IS GOING TO MAINTAIN SOME TYPE OF LAWN SERVICE, AND IF THAT'S A QUESTION FOR THE DEVELOPER, I CAN WAIT FOR THAT.
I JUST WANT TO KNOW BECAUSE THAT CONDITION WAS -- WAS PUT OUT BY THE PLANNING BOARD. SO I'M SEEING IF I HAVE ANY ANSWER ON THAT.
>> YES. COMMISSIONER GAINES, SO WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT, THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING IT. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THESE WILL BE RENTAL PROPERTY, AND HE WILL BE HOME THAT THE LANDSCAPE IS UP TO PAR. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS ON FIRE --
>> YOU KNOW WHERE I'M GOING, SO -- OKAY.
>> OTHER QUESTIONS OF STAFF? OKAY.
I'D LIKE FOR THE APPLICANT TO COME FORWARD, PLEASE? HE'S GOTTEN A LOT OF GOOD COMMENTS ALREADY. THAT DOESN'T USUALLY HAPPEN, SO CONGRATULATIONS.
ADD ANYTHING -- FIRST OF ALL, DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF?
>> DON'T TOUCH YOUR MICROPHONE.
>> MY NAME IS ANDRE BAXON WITH AOK CONSTRUCTION.
Ú>> DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO COMMENT ON?
>> THIS WILL BE MY SECOND -- ACTUALLY THIRD PROJECT THAT I'M WORKING ON THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. IF YOU WANT TO CHECK OUT 950 SOUTH 19TH STREET.
THAT'S A NEW CONSTRUCTION HOME THEY JUST BUILT AND SOLD IT TO A REALLY NICE FAMILY, AND MY WHOLE THING IS I WANT TO BUILD BEAUTIFUL HOMES FOR, YOU KNOW, FIRST- TIME HOMEBUYERS.
SO THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO --
>> WE WANT YOU TO DO THAT, TOO.
>> I'M TRYING TO START A BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY AND THEY'VE BEEN VERY, VERY GOOD TO ME AND THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT IS A- 1, SO I
JUST WANT TO SAY THAT, TOO. >> GOOD. GOOD.
GREAT. YEAH. THIS IS BEAUTIFUL, I THINK. IT'S ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL.
VERY -- ANYTHING? >> YOU NEED TO BUY THE 20 LOTS AND TRY TO DO THE SAME.
>> TRYING TO. PRICES ARE GOING UP, BUT I GET IT YOU'RE THE SELF-DEFEATING ISSUE AND NOW YOU'RE PAYING FOR THE LOT, IT'S THE END RESULT, I'M PUTTING OUTA VERY NICE FAMILY, A VERY NICE HOME AND THE NICEST HOME ON THE STREET.
>> I THINK THE DUPLEX CONCEPT CARRIES A LOT OF CONSIDERATION BASED ON WORK -- JUST THE NEED FOR HOUSING, AND IN THIS INSTANCE I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU'LL BE KEEPING IT AS AN INVESTMENT.
OUTSTANDING. I THINK YOU WOULD HAVE QUITE A MARKET TO BUILD THESE AND SELL THEM TO FAMILIES THAT CAN'T AFFORD A SINGLE- FAMILY HOME THAT CAN OFFSET SOME OF THE EXPENSES WITH A TENANCY IN THE
>> GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR FUTURE ENDEAVORS.
>> THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF THE APPLICANT?
>> I THINK THE QUESTION WAS ASKED ABOUT THE MAINTENANCE.
SINCE YOU'RE GOING TO KEEP IT YOU'RE GOING TO DO THE
>> THAT'S FINE, JUST DO IT SO YOU WON'T GET NO EMAILS.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SIR. I THINK -- IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? IF NOT, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMISSION. MADAM MAYOR, I CLOSE THE KWAUS I- JUDICIAL 12A.
[B. Quasi-Judicial Hearing - Review and approval of an application for a Conditional Use, with No New Construction by Atlantic Coast Recycling, located at 3301 Avenue D, more specifically located at Parcel Control Number: 2408-214-0001-000-2.]
>> CONGRATULATIONS. WONDERFUL. OKAY.
>> NEXT WE HAVE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF AN APPLICATION FOR A CONDITIONAL USE WITH NO NEW CONSTRUCTION BY ATLANTIC COAST RECYCLING LOCATED AT 3301 AVENUE
D. >> HAVE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS BEEN MET?
[00:40:01]
>> DID YOU ASK THE COMMISSIONERS ABOUT EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS?
>> YES, COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?
>> I'M GOING TO SAY NO. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?
WITNESSES? >> ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS AM WHY, PLEASE STAND AND RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. DO YOU SWEAR OR AFFIRM TO TELL THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING, BUT THE TRUTH?
>> PROCEED. >> PLANNING DIRECT. THIS APPLICATION IS FOR CONDITIONAL USE OF AN EXISTING USE ATLANTIC COAST RECYCLING. SO WHETHER THERE IS AN EXISTING CONDITIONAL USE ON THE SITE OR NOT IS A BIT OF A QUESTION, BUT I THINK IT WAS DETERMINED THATTHAT EXISTING USEUSE THAT WHEN IT WAS ANNEXED AND DID NOT FULLY COMPLY WITH WHAT THE CONDITIONAL USE APPROVAL WOULD NEED TO HAVE ON RECORD. SO IN ESSENCE, THIS IS A REGULARIZATION OF THE USE THAT'S ALREADY IN PLACE. THERE ARE NO PROPOSED ENHANCEMENTS TO THE ACTUAL USE ITSELF OR CHANGES TO THE CONSTRUCTION ON SITE. THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING TO BRING THE LANDSCAPE UP TO CODE AND WE'LL GO THROUGH THAT IN A MOMENT.
SO THE SITE LOCATION IS RIGHT ON THE EDGE OF THE CITY LIMITS OF AVENUE D. IT'S BEEN THERE FOR MANY YEARS, SINCE 2007, IT WAS ANNEX SAID INTO THE CITY, AND CONTINUED TO USE -- BE USED OR INSTALL EQUIPMENT TO USE WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE RECYCLING CENTER.
IT'S 4. 22 ACRES. THERE IS A CANAL WHICH RUNS DOWN THE EASTERN BOUNDARY OF THE SITE.
AVENUE D RUNS ACROSS THE TOP AND ANGLE ROAD DOESN'T QUITE REACH THE SITE ITSELF, BUT IT'S TO THE WEST. THAT'S THE EXISTING SITE AS IT STANDS, AND WE DISCUSSED THE APPLICATION, BOTH OF THE TECHNICAL REVIEW COMMITTEE AND THE PLANNING BOARD. WE DID HAVE A COMMENT FROM THE COMMUNITY, THE COMMUNITY MEMBER CAME OUT AND SUGGESTED THAT WE LOOK AT THE LANDSCAPING IN THIS NORTHEAST CORNER. THE APPLICANT HAD ALREADY PUT A LANDSCAPING PLAN IN WHICH DID COVER THAT, AND I'LL BE ABLE TO SHOW YOU THAT IN A MOMENT. THE ZONING IS APPROPRIATE.
IT'S I- 1 INDUSTRIAL. FUTURE LAND USE IS INDUSTRIAL. THE CONDITIONAL USE IS REQUIRED BECAUSE IT'S RECYCLING.
THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL SITE PLAN THAT WAS ANNEXED IN AS PART OF THE ANNEXATION.
IT'S GOT 42% IMPERVIOUS OF THE TOTAL SITE TO AREA 4.4, I THINK, ACRES. THERE IS THE - - AGAIN, THE SITE PLAN AND THE ENHANCED LANDSCAPE PLAN AS PROPOSED BY THE APPLICANT WHICH SHOWS LANDSCAPE ALONG THE NORTHEASTERN CORNER AROUND THE EXISTING GATE INTO THE PROPERTY. SO IT WAS TAKEN TO THE PLANNING BOARD. THEY RECOMMENDED THAT IT BE MOVED TO THE CITY COMMISSION WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL, AND SO THE STAFF BRINGING THIS ALL TO YOU TODAY WITH THE SAME RECOMMENDATION THAT YOU APPROVE THE CONDITIONAL USE WITH NO NEW CONSTRUCTION FOR ATLANTIC COAST RECYCLING. QUESTIONS OF STAFF? COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?
>> WHAT TRIGGERED THIS APPLICATION? IS THIS A CODE ENFORCEMENT
ISSUE? >> I THINK IT WAS A BUSINESS LICENSE ISSUE. I THINK THE APPLICANT CAN ANSWER THAT MORE FULLY THAN I CAN.
IT WAS BROUGHT IN, AND THE RESEARCH WASN'T CLEAR WHEN I LOOKED AT THE RESEARCH WHETHER OR NOT THIS DID HAVE THE APPROPRIATE CONDITIONAL USE ATTACHED TO IT. SO RATHER THAN HAVE THAT DISPUTE NOT RESOLVED, WE SAID LET'S REGULARIZE THE WHOLE THING AND MAKE IT CONFORM TO THE CITY CODE AND BRING IT INTO A PLACE WHERE THE APPLICANT CAN CONTINUE
[00:45:01]
TO RUN THE BUSINESS WITHOUT A HINDRANCE OF THEBUSINESS. >> THE APPLICANT SAID WE'LL GO ALONG TO DO THAT.
>> SO, THANK YOU FOR THAT BECAUSE -- YEAH.
I DRIVE BY THIS ALL THE TIME AND KNOW WHAT'S POTENTIALLY HAPPENING IN THAT AREA. MY QUESTION IS WHAT TYPE OF LANDSCAPING ARE WE PUTTING HERE BECAUSE THE NAFF GAGSZ OF PEOPLE COMING OUT TO AVENUE THREE IS A BUSY STREET. WE'VE GOT A MIXTURE OF RESIDENTS AND A COMMERCIAL TRUCKS THAT LOAD AND UNLOAD THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT ARE PROCESSED HERE. I'M CONCERNED WITH TREES AND COVERAGE AS TO LINE OF SIGHT.
>> IT'S A BIT OF A CATCH 22, IF YOU LIKE.
DON'T GET ME WRONG. I THINK THIS WOULD BE A GREAT ENHANCEMENT FOR THE AREA, BUT STILL PUBLIC SAFETY IF SOMEONE PULLS OUT AND GETS PLOWED INTO IS MORE OF A CONCERN OF MINE. WE CAN HAVE BEAUTIFICATION, BUT WE HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF WHAT WE'RE PUTTING HERE AND LINE OF SIGHT AND I WANT TO WEIGH IN HERE BECAUSE LINE OF SIGHT HAS BECOME CRITICAL IN OUR COMMUNITY NOW.
>> SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE LANDSCAPE PLAN YOU WILL SEE THE VISIBILITY SPLAYS AS WE CALL IT HAS BEEN IN THE LINE OF SIGHT AND ENABLES THE LINE OF SIGHT A CERTAIN DISTANCE DOWN THE ROADWAY AND THAT'S SPECIFIED IN
>> AND THIS LOOKS PROBABLY GREATER THAN CITY CODE WOULD BE
>> SO THE LANDSCAPING FORMS THESE TRIANGLES BACK INTO THE SITE WHICH DON'T ACTUALLY EXIST TOO MUCH AT THE MOMENT. SO IT -- IT WOULD IMPROVE THE SITUATION IN TERMS OF HAVING THAT SPLAYED BACK RATHER THAN --
>> I WOULD AGREE. THIS IS GOING TO BE BETTER THAN WHAT'S THERE, I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I WEIGHED IN ON THAT, AND WE'LL BE WATCHING OBVIOUSLY, RIGHT? BUT IT'S IMPORTANT LINE OF
SIGHT. >> WE ARE VERY COGNIZANT OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD.
>> YES. >> AND THE COMMENTS THAT WE WERE GETTING BACK IN TERMS OF THE APPEARANCE AND THE SITING OF THE
ÚPROPERTY, SO -- >> IT'S A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT IS TRYING TO EMERGE AND THERE HAVE BEEN A NUMBER OF SALES OF PROPERTY IN THAT VICINITY WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS, AND SO I SEE POTENTIAL GROWTH HERE, RIGHT? AND I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE.
>> JUST REALLYREALLY FOLLOWING SINCE THE TIME IS HERE. IF YOU GO TOWARD THE EAST OF YOU, THAT'S A MAJOR COMMUNITY -- THAT'S A MAJOR COMMUNITY OVER THERE, SO THAT AVENUE D TO ANGLE ROAD IS A MAJOR SAN FRANCISCO BUS IS BUSY BECAUSE THEY GO TO ANGLE ROAD TO GO TO WESTWOOD ANDAND WHAT'S THE OTHER ONE? WHEREVER THEY'RE TRYING TO GO TO GET TO THAT AREA BECAUSE IT'S A MAJOR. SO WHENEVER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE SITE, I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER JOHNSON AND ALSO KEEP IN MIND THAT THAT'S A MAJOR FAIRWAY FOR SCHOOL BUSSES ALL DAY WHILE SCHOOL IS IN AND OUT TO PICK UP KIDS. SO THAT WOULD BE MY ONLY TWO CENTS TO ADD TO THE OWNER WHEN WE'RE DOING THE TREE AND WHATEVER WE'RE GOING TO PUT THERE.
>> SOMETHING JUST PROMPTED TO ME. AVENUE D CONSTRUCTION, WE'RE GOING FROM ANGLE ALL OF THE WAY BACK TO INDIAN RIVER DRIVE ON A MAJOR RENOVATION OF AVENUE D.
HAS THAT BEEN FACTORED IN HERE FOR TURN LANES, ET CETERA? THIS IS A MAJOR PROJECT, MADAM
MAYOR. >> THAT WILL GO TO ANGLE?
GOES. >> WE NEED TO CHECK ON IT.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF STAFF? ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? I'D LIKE FOR THE APPLICANT TO COME FORWARD, PLEASE. DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OF STAFF?
>> MADAM MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS, MY NAME IS DENNIS MURPHY HERE IN FORT PIERCE AND HERE REPRESENTING THE PROPERTY OWNERS FOR THE ATLANTIC COAST RESPECT RECYCLING SITE.
IN ANSWER TO THE INITIAL QUESTION THAT CAME UP, WHY ARE WE HERE? WE ASKED THE SAME QUESTION WHEN WE WERE FIRST APPROACHED ABOUT IT, AND IT DOES TIE INTO SOMETHING WITH THE SPECIFIC LICENSING REQUIREMENTS AND SO FORTH WITH THE CITY AS WE SIT TODAY. I DID THE INITIAL ANNEXATION OF THE PROPERTY FOR THE CLIENTS AT THE TIME.
AT THAT TIME WE ALSO CARRIED FORWARD AN EXISTING CONDITIONAL
[00:50:02]
USE AUTHORIZATION THAT WE HAD IN THE COUNTY AND IT ROLLED INTO THE CITY AND THAT WAS -- I'M LOSING TRACK OF TIME AND THAT WAS 10, 12, 15 YEARS AGO, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.>> SO RECENTLY, MY CLIENTS HAD COME TO GET NEW ZONING COMPLIANCES AND THEY WERE WERE DESCRIBING AND HOW THE BUSINESS WORKS AND THE BUSINESS IS THE SAME BUSINESS THAT WE NEEDED TO COME BACK IN AND GET A NEW, EXISTING CONDITION AND HENCE THE REASON WHY WE ARE HERE.
WE ARE MAINTAINING THE SAME OPERATION, NOTHING IS CHANGING AND THE NOTES ARE NOTED AND I'LL MAKE SURE THEY'RE CARRIED OUT ON THE PLANS AND WE WOULD RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THE THAT COMMISSION -- WE AUTHORIZE OUR APPROVALS FOR THE PROPERTY AND ALLOW US TO CONTINUE OUR
BUSINESS OPERATIONS. >> QUESTIONS OF THE APPLICANT?
>> THANK YOU, SIR. ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE LIKE TO SPEAK TO THIS ISSUE? IF NOT, WE'LL CLOSED PUBLIC HEAR ANYTHING BRING IT BACK TO THE
MISSION. >> MAYOR, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE 12B.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU.
[C. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 25-018 Amending Chapter 103, Article III "Contractors". FIRST READING]
THANK YOU, MR. FREEMAN.NEXT WE HAVE A LEGISLATIVE HEARING FOR ORDINANCE 25- 018, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES AMENDING CHAPTER 103, BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS AND ARTICLE 3 CONTRACTORS BY AMENDING SECTION 103-86, BY MODIFYING AND DELETING CERTAIN DEFINITIONS AND AMENDING SECTIONS 103 SECTION 88 BY CORRECTING STATE STATUTE CHAPTER FOR 89 AND COMMENDING SECTION 89 BY REDUCING THE NUMBER OF BOARD OF EXAMINERS AND CONTRACTORS AND MEMBERS PROVIDING FOR APPOINTMENT, PROVIDING FOR OFFICERS DELETING THEIR REQUIREMENT OF REQUIRED MEETINGS AND RESTATING THE BOARD'S POWER TO ADOPT BYLAWS AND RULES, AMENDING SECTION 103-131 BY PROVIDING FOR APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS, AMENDING SECTION 103- 135 FOR CERTAIN FEES AND AMENDING TENSION 3-136 TO REFERENCE SPECIALTY CONTRACTORS AND TO PROVIDE FOR ALTERNATIVES AND EXEMPTIONS FOR PROVIDING PROOF OF BUSINESS TAX RECEIPT.
AMENDING SECTION 103- 141 BY PRECLUDING DISCIPLINE OF STATE- CERTIFIED SUBCONTRACTORS AND ELIMINATING STAYS ON APPEAL. AMENDING SECTION 3142 BY REGISTERED BY LOCAL CONTRACTOR MAY BE REPRIMANDED AND THE COMPETENCY CARD MAY BE SUSPENDED OR REVOKED. AMENDING SECTION 3-143 BY MODIFYING PROHIBITIONS OF UNLICENSED CONTRACTORS BY THE BUILDING OFFICIAL AND THE DESIGNEE AND PROVIDING FOR CIVIL PENALTIES TO BE ASSESSED IN AN AMOUNT ADOPTED BY RESOLUTION AND AMENDING SECTION 3- 144 BY DELETING LICENSING PROCEDURES TO THE STATE AND REPEALING ORDINANCES AND PART OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT WITH PROVIDING CALLS AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
>> MADAM AND COMMISSIONERS, THERE WERE AMENDMENTS SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF TEN OR
MORE. >> REALLY TO ABBREVIATE IT BECAUSE IT'S SIMPLER THAN IT SEEMS. THE STATE HAS MADE AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE CONTRACTOR'S LICENSING RULES SUCH THAT PREVIOUSLY LOCAL MUNICIPALITIES COULD LICENSE CONTRACTORS AND THEN THERE WERE STATE CERTIFIED OR STATE CONTRACTORS AND THEY'VE CHANGED IT TO WHERE THEY REMOVED THE ABILITY FOR THERE TO BE LOCAL CONTRACTORS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ALUMINUM CONTRACTORS AND FENCE CONTRACTORS. THOSE STILL CAN BE LICENSED LOCALLY. OTHER THAN THAT, EVERYTHING HAS TO GO TO THE STATE, THE APPLICATIONS AND THE LICENSES ARE ISSUED THROUGH THE STATE.
SO THIS HAS GENERATED THE CHANGES THAT WE'RE MODIFYING THE ORDINANCE TO BRING THEM IN COMPLIANCE WITH WHAT THE NEW STATE REGULATIONS REQUIRE.
AS WELL, OF THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS OF CONTRACTORS AND THE RULES THAT GOVERN THAT ARE HERE, AS WELL.
WE'RE HAVING SOME CHALLENGES WITH HAVING A QUORUM. SO WE HAVE TYPICALLY A BOARD OF NINE AND A QUORUM IS SERVE. RECENTLY IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE DIRECTION THAT ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD HAVE TO BE CITIZENS OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AND NOT NECESSARILY THE CITY AND THE COUNTY. SO OUR RECOMMENDATION IS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF THE BOARD MEMBERS FROM NINE TO FIVE, BRINGING THE QUORUM TO THREE AND THEN THAT WAY WE CAN, YOU KNOW, JUST BE ABLE TO ASSURE
[00:55:04]
THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO CONDUCT OUR BUSINESS AND I THINK THE AT- LARGE MEMBERS WAS CHANGED TO TWO FROM FOUR, AND THE LICENSED MEMBERS OF THE BOARD IS THREE. SO THIS IS A -- YOU KNOW, A PRETTY LARGE CHANGES AND REALLY WILL CONTINUE BUSINESS AS USUAL. THE BIGGEST CHANGES IS THAT THE APPOINTEES TO THIS BOARD WILL NOW BE MADE BY THE COMMISSIONERS SO THAT IT'S IN COMPLIANCE WITH ALL OF THE OTHER QUASI JUDICIAL BOARDS FOR THE CITY, AND LASTLY, REALLY, I THINK THAT'S IT. THERE ARE OTHER DETAILS THAT I COULD, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT ANY OF THE SPECIFIC DETAILS OR AMENDMENTS, I CERTAINLY CAN ANSWER THOSE, BUT IN GENERAL IT'S REALLY JUSTHOUSEKEEPING. >> MR. THOMAS, ARE THE PEOPLE THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE APPOINTING, ARE THEY REQUIRED TO BE A CONTRACTOR?
>> IF WE ARE ABLE TO MOVE TO THE FIVE TOTAL MEMBERS, THREE WOULD BE REQUIRED TO BE LICENSE HOLDERS AND THEN TWO WOULD BE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, GENERAL
PUBLIC. >> SINCE WE CAN'T TALK TO EACH OTHER WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO -- WE CAN HAVE FIVE, I GUESS, IF THEY WERE WILLING TO SERVE.
THERE'S NO PROHIBITION FOR THAT, RIGHT?
>> I WOULD THINK SO. MORE IS BETTER.
ALL RIGHT. OTHER QUESTIONS OF MR. THOMAS?
>> I DO, MADAM. JUST TO FOLLOW UP ON THE OTHEROTHER IF WE ARE GOING TO SUBMIT THE BOARD MEMBERS, YOU DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE MORE PRUDENT FOR YOUR BOARD THAT EVERYBODY ON THE BOARD BE A CONTRACTOR OR DO YOU NEED SOMEBODY THAT'S NOT A CONTRACTOR TO GET A DIFFERENT TYPE OF, YOU KNOW, LOOK AT EYES ON THINGS --
>> WHAT I'M THINKING IS BECAUSE THE FIVE OF US HAVE TO TO -- THREE OF US WILL PICK CONTRACTORS AND TWO OF US WILL PICK -- TWO OF US WILL PICK NINE CONTRACTORS AND I CAN SEE A PROBLEM COMING.
YOU KNOW WHERE I'M GOING. I'M JUST CALLING IT OUT, AND I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE EASIEST WAY TO DO THIS, AND IF YOU SAY YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME NON-CONTRACTORS ON THE BOARD AND THAT'S WHAT WE'LL HAVE TO DEAL WITH SOME TYPE OF WAY. THAT'S MY QUESTION.
>> I'M TRYING TO HELP YOU, MADAM CLERK.
>> MADAM MAYOR AND COMMISSIONER GAINES, THE COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD IS SPECIFIED BY THE ORDINANCE.
>> I THINK TWO WOULD BE JUST GENERAL PUBLIC MEMBERS AND THREE, IF WE MOVED TO FIVE, THREE WOULD
OF STAFF? >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?
>> WITH THE ELIMINATION OF LOCAL LICENSING BEING ABLE TO TAKE EFFECT? DOES THAT CHANGE THE OVERSITE OF THE CONTRACTOR'S BOARD?
>> THE LOCALLOCAL CAN'T -- NOW THE MAJORITY WILL BE A STATE LICENSE.
>> YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK PAINTING IS PAINTING IS THAT YOU DON'T NEED A LICENSE FOR IT LIKE OTHER CARPENTRY SKILLS THAT DO. IT'S A VERY INTERESTING TIME.
>> I'M KIND OF CURIOUS IF THERE'S A RELATIVE POINT IN MAINTAINING A CONTRACTOR'S BOARD BECAUSE THERE'S NOBODY TO
OVERSEE. >> WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO?
>> ARE THEY GOING TO DEAL WITH THE ALUMINUM CONTRACTOR? HOW MANY OF THEM ARE THEY KICKING AROUND? THREE? DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING? I GUESS IT'S A RHETORICAL QUESTION, IS A NECESSITY TO MAINTAIN THIS BOARD IN PLACE BECAUSE IT APPEARS AS THERE'S NO TRADES TO OVERSEE, NO GENERAL CONTRACTORS AND NO TRADES LEFT BECAUSE THEY'VE ALL BEEN USURPED BY THE STATE AGAIN.
>> MR. THOMAS? A REQUIREMENT TO MAINTAIN THE BOARD.
I THINK THAT YOUR STATEMENTS ARE VERY ASTUTE THAT THE ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE STATE AND HOME RULE AND ALL OF THESE CHANGES ARE COMING MORE RAPIDLY THAN WE CAN REALLY KEEP UP WITH THEM. I HAVE THE SAME CONCERN THAT YOU DO, AND SO NOT ONLY IS IT A CHALLENGE TO WONDER WHICH WAY THIS IS GOING. IT'S A CHALLENGE TO KEEP THE BOARDS POPULATED.
>> THERE'S NOTHING FOR THEM TO DO.
>> SOON ENOUGH WE'LL ALL BE APPLYING FOR THE BUILDING
PERMITS FOR THE STATE. >> I DON'T THINK THAT THEY
[01:00:01]
WOULD BE UNHAPPY WITH THAT. IT'S CRAZY.>> YOU CAN MOVE TO TALLAHASSEE. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF MR.
>> OKAY. ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD, MR. THOMAS?
>> ALL RIGHTY. THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NO MOVEMENT.
I WILL COME BACK TO THE COMMISSION, AND I GUESS WE'LL ENTERTAIN A MOTION.
>> A MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL ROLL, PLEASE.
[D. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 25-019 Amending Chapter 103, Article II "Building Code," Division 2 of the Code of Ordinances Entitled "Building Fees." FIRST READING]
NEXT WE HAVE ORDINANCE 25- 019 AN ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, ARTICLE II BUILDING CODE, DIVISION 2 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES ENTITLED BUILDING FEES SECTION 103- 53 PROVIDING FOR PLAN REVIEW FEES AND REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HERE WITH AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. MR. THOMAS?>> MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, THESE REVISIONS ARE REALLY JUST HOUSEKEEPING, ONCE AGAIN.
THE FEE SCHEDULE HAS NOT CHANGED, ZERO CHANGE TO ANY FEES. NO INCREASES.
I WANT TO EMPHASIZE, ABSOLUTELY NO INCREASES. WE'RE REALLY JUST DOING SOME HOUSEKEEPING CHANGES FOR VERBAGE AND DIFFERENT CLASSIFICATIONS THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT WEREN'T THERE
AND CLEANUP? >> THIS IS A CLEANUP, KIND OF?
>> FOR INSTANCE, I'LL GIVE YOU ONE EXAMPLE.
SO, SECTION 103- 53E, IT USED TO READ DEVELOPMENT PERMIT.
SO WE'VE MODIFIED IT TO SAY FLOOD DEVELOPMENT PERMIT BECAUSE WE HAD INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE DOING CONSTRUCTION IN SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREAS AND IT JUST SAID DEVELOPMENT PERMIT, AND THEY WERE -- THEY DIDN'T REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT WE WERE SAYING --
>> QUESTIONS OF MR. THOMAS? THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING.
ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NO MOVEMENT. I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMISSION. WHAT'S YOUR --
>> I MOVE TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 25-019.
>> A MOTION AND A SECOND. CALL ROLL, PLEASE.
[A. Resolution 25-R47 is for the approval of the lease renewal between the City of Fort Pierce and the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the State of Florida for the Submerged lands of the Fort Pierce City Marina Islands.]
>> THANK YOU, MR. THOMAS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> OKAY. NEXT WE HAVE RESOLUTION 25- R47, A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, APPROVING THE RENEWAL OF SOVEREIGNTY FOR THE SUBMERGED LAND B WAVE LEASELEASE BOT FILE NUMBER 560344636 FOR THE TERM OCTOBER 23, 2024, THROUGH OCTOBER 23, 2029, AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR TO EXECUTE THE LEASE RENEWAL DOCUMENT, REPEALING ALL RESOLUTIONS AND CONFLICT HEREWITH, AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
THIS IS THE LEASE OF THE SUBMERGED LANDS
THAT CONTAIN THE MARINA ISLANDS. >> LL RIGHTY. AND THIS IS BECAUSE THE LEASE IS UP WE HAVE TO RENEW.
>> I DON'T EXACTLY SEE HOW WE CAN'T RENEW IT.
>> WE DON'T WANT TO REMOVE THE
ISLANDS. >> IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION AND A MOTION?
>> I THINK DEAN WAS READY TO GIVE US A BIG SPEECH TONIGHT, RIGHT, DEAN?
>> NEXT WE HAVE COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC.
>> OKAY. THIS IS A TIME FOR ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO WANTS TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION, PLEASE COME
[15. COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER]
FORWARD. SEEING NO MOVEMENT. WE BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMISSION, AND WE'LL MOVE ON.>> NEXT WE HAVE COMMENTSES FROM THE CITY MANAGER.
>> WE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE ABUPDATE ON THE RECRUITMENT.
I WILL HAVE MR. SORENSON AND GIVE A BRIEF SUMMARY OF WHERE WE ARE AND THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE
RECRUITMENT. >> THANK YOU, SIR.
>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, HR MANAGER, AS MR. CHEST SAID I WANT TO GIVE A BRIEF UPDATE OF WHERE WE ARE WITH THE SELECTION OF AN EXECUTIVE SEARCH FIRM.
SO TO DATE, WE'VE RECEIVED FIVEFIVE QUOTES AND WE HAVE SELECTED RENE NARLICK AND ASSOCIATES TO CONDUCT THE SEARCH. THEY CAME IN AT $24,450 PLUS EXPENSES AND THEY PUT A CAP THAT EXPENSES ARE NOT TO EXCEED $4500. SO I'VE GOT THE
[01:05:01]
PROPOSED CONTRACT FROM THEM, AND I'M GOING TO BE PUTTING ROS TO HAVE THE CITY ATTORNEY TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND THEN MAKE THEIR CHANGES AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN RESOLVE THAT AND GET IT DONE. THEY DID SAY THE PROCESS WOULD TAKE AT THE MAXIMUM OF FOUR MONTHS, SO WE'RE LOOKING AT THREE TO FOUR MONTHS TO DO THE PROCESS, AND I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE.>> IT IS A FLORIDA FIRM. RENE, R-E-N-E.
THEY CALL IT NARLOCK, N-A-R-L-O-C-H.
>> ARE WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?
>> DO THEY HAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT?
>> WHEN THEY SUBMITTED SUMMARY TO ME, THEIR BID, THEY'VE DONE SEARCHES IN OTHER AGENCIES.
I DIDN'T BRING THE ACTUAL BID WITH ME.
I CAN PULL IT UP AND TAKE A LOOK AT IT, BUT THEY DO HAVE WHERE THEY SPECIALIZE IN GOVERNMENT AND DOING THESE TYPES OF SEARCHES WITH OTHER FLORIDA AGENCIES.
>> MAINLY THROUGH THE CITY OF ST. CLOUD
>> AND FOR FULL DISCLOSURE, MISS NARLOCH RECRUITED ME FOR A POSITION, AND I DIDN'T GET THE
BEFORE. >> YEAH, I MET HER BEFORE. I WENT THROUGH HER PROCESS, VERY DETAILED AND VERY TRANSPARENT AND KEEPS THE CANDIDATES INFORMED AND PARTICIPATES AND SHE JUST SITS IN THE CORNER AND WATCHES EVERYTHING. SO I THINK SHE'S VERY PROFESSIONAL AND YOU WOULD LIKE HER. IT'S A WOMAN-OWNED BUSINESS AND SHE'S OUT OF TALLAHASSEE AND DOES NATIONAL RECRUITMENTS. I KNOW BECAUSE I HAVE FIRST- HAND EXPERIENCE WITH HER, BUT I HAVE BEEN INDEPENDENT FROM THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS. I'VE GOTTEN THE QUOTES, HE AND MR. JOHNSON ARE COMMUNICATING WITH HER AND THEY'LL HAVE SEVERAL MEETINGS WITH HER BEFORE WE SIGN OFF ON THE DOTTED LINE ABOUT -- I WOULD SAY THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE RECRUITMENT HERE IN THE CITY.
>> ALL RIGHTY. CAN YOU SPELL THAT LAST TIME, N-A-R-L-O-C-H.
>> IT'S RENE, NARLOCH AND ASSOCIATES OUT OF
TALLAHASSEE. >> I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S YOU OR MR. CHEST. I'M ENVISIONING GATHERING RESUMES AND EVALUATING RESUMES AND THE SEARCH FIRM PRESENTINGPRESENTING THE RESUMES AND THEN AT SOME POINT WE'LL WILLOW IT DOWN AND THE COMMISSIONERS AS WELL AS THE CITY MANAGER WILL BE DOING THE
INTERVIEWING. >> SO THEY PROPOSEPROPOSE ACTUAL -- ALL OF THEM PROPOSED A SIMILAR TYPE OF PROJECT TIMELINE.
SO BASICALLY, THEY'RE GOING TO GO THROUGH AND THEY'LL VET THE INDIVIDUALS AND THEY'LL GATHER RESUMES AND THEY'LL GO THROUGH AND DO THEIR RESEARCH AND MAKE SURE WHO THEY PRESENT FOR US ARE QUALIFIED CANDIDATES AND WE'LL SIT DOWN AND TALK WITH THEM.
WE REALLY WERE HAVING MR. CHEST WAS GOING TO PUT TOGETHER AN INTERVIEW TEAM AND THEN BRING THE PERSON THAT THE TEAM HAS SELECTED TO COMMISSION FOR FINAL STAMP OF APPROVAL ON THAT, BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT WE ARE GOING TO INVOLVE THE ACTUAL COMMISSIONERS IN ACTUALLY INTERVIEWING THE POLICE CHIEF. IT WAS GOING TO BE A TEAM THAT THEY WOULD PUT TOGETHER.
>> IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF THE FINAL CANDIDATES, I'M OPEN TO THAT.
>> WELL, I'M JUST GOING BY WHAT WE DID BEFORE, BUT I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM OTHER -- FROM THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS IT -- IT'S A -- IT'S YOUR HIRE WITH OUR CONSENT, RIGHT? BUT YOU'RE THE MANAGER OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. SO WE HAVE TO KEEP THAT FINE LINE IN MIND.
>> I WOULD THINK, MADAM MAYOR. I'M COMFORTABLE WITH MR. CHEST AND HIS STAFF TO PUT TOGETHER THE INTERVIEW TEAM, BUT IF HE GOT DOWN TO TWO CANDIDATES OR THREE CANDIDATES IT'S A MEET AND GREET OR SOMETHING SO THAT WE CAN BE FAMILIAR WITH AT LEAST A TRUE POTENTIAL AS WELL AS THE COMMUNITY BEING ABLE TO LOOK TO SEE WHO THESE TWO POTENTIAL CANDIDATES WOULD BE, AND I WOULD ASK FOR CONSIDERATION WITH THAT. I DON'T KNOW YOUR FORMAT, IF YOU'RE COMING DOWN TO TWO OR THREE, I WOULD HOPE THAT AT LEAST THERE'S SOME TYPE OF PUBLIC OPPORTUNITY THAT PEOPLE CAN HEAR THEM AND MAYBE ASK A FEW QUESTIONS, AND YOU CAN -- AND IT'S NOT DEPENDENT ON HOW YOU CHOOSE, BUT AT LEAST THE PUBLIC CAN BE INVOLVED AND THEN THE SAME FOR THE COMMISSION IN TYPE OF A MEET AND
GREET. >> THAT'S NOT UNUSUAL, BUT WE CAN MAKE A NOTE OF THAT.
>> I WOULD SHARE THAT COMMENT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF ONCE IT'S NARROWED DOWN TO TWO OR THREE CANDIDATES THAT I THINK THAT THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS POSITION NECESSITATES OUR INVOLVEMENT TO A CERTAIN DEGREE. I RESPECT THE PROCESS OF THE CITY MANAGER MAKING THE HIRE WITHOUT CONSENT, BUT I
[01:10:01]
THINK OUR CONSENT IS GIVEN BASED ON SOME TYPE OF PERSONAL INTERACTION WITH THE APPLICANT. SO I'LL JUST SUGGEST THAT I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER JOHNSON THEY THINK IT WOULD BE WORTHWHILE FOR US TO INVEST THE TIME AND THE CRITICAL NATURE OF THIS POSITION DICTATES THAT WE HAVE A LEVEL OF INVOLVEMENT.>> I CAN CERTAINLY, AS I'M DEALING WITH MISS RENEE, I CAN CERTAINLY DISCUSS WITH HER, YOU KNOW, LOOK, WE'D LIKE TO SET UP WHEN WE GET DOWN TO TWO OR THREE CANDIDATES WE CAN SET UP A MEET AND GREET, AND I CAN HAVE THAT BE THE PROCESS.
>> MADAM MAYOR, I UNDERSTAND, AND I DON'T MIND MEETING CANDIDATES, BUT WE'RE HIRING AN EXPERT TO DO THIS JOB. WE'RE HIRING AN EXPERT TO DO THIS JOB, AND AS FALLS UNDER THE CITY MANAGER AND HR'S UMBRELLA, SO ALL I ASKASK IF THEY WANT TO MEET -- IF THE COMMISSION WANTS TO MEET AND GREET WITH THE CANDIDATES I'LL BE HERE TO MEET AND GREET, BUT WHAT I WANT IS FOR US TO HIRE THE BEST COMPANY, AND IT SEEMS LIKE YOU GUYS HAVE -- I'VE DONE RESEARCH AND IT SEEMS LIKE YOU GUYS HAVE FOUND A COMPANY THAT KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE DOING, BUT I WANT THE BEST COMPANIES TO GO OUT AND UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS HIRE FOR OUR CITY ATAT TIME, AND THAT WHATEVER INTERVIEWS AND WHATEVER IS GOING ON, THAT THE PUBLIC IS KEPTKEPT ABREAST OF ALL TIMES. TRANSPARENCY IS GOING TO BE VERY KEY HERE, AND I'M NOT TALKING ABOUT, YOU SAID, FOUR MONTHS. SO AT THE END OF TWO OR THREE MONTHS, WHICH IS WHERE WE ARE AND SOME TYPE OF UPDATE TO THE PUBLIC TO SAY, HEY, WE HAVE TO GET DETAILS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT ANY MORE PHONE CALLS, BUT I DON'T THINK DO -- LIKE, HEY, WE HAVE THIS THAT AND SOMETHING THAT THE PUBLIC CAN UNDERSTAND THAT THEY'RE NOT WAITING TO SAY LIKE WE SAY OKAY, WE'VE HAD 30 OFFICERS OR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL APPLY AND OUT OF THE 30 WE HAVE TWO.
OKAY. WHERE DID THE 30 COME FROM? JUST SOMETHING THAT THE PUBLIC CAN UNDERSTAND, THIS IS WHAT'S COMING IN AND THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT WANT TO COME BE THE NEXT POLICE CHIEF OF FORT PIERCE. THAT'S ALL I'M ASKING, BUT IF MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS WANT TO MEET AND GREET OR WHATEVER, THAT'S FINE, BUT ME, PERSONALLY, I THINK THIS INTERVIEW AND THIS ELECTION, I'M COUNTING ON YOU GUYS AND YOUR TEAMS TO CONVERSATE BASED ON THE MONEY WE PAID OUT ON THE SEARCH GROUP AND BASED ON WHAT WE NEED, HERE ARE THE CANDIDATES OR THE CANDIDATE THAT WE THINK WOULD BE THE BEST FIT FOR THE POLICE CHIEF. THAT'S WHERE I STAND.
>> TAYLOR, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD?
>> YEAH. IT FEELS LIKE WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE. JUST KEEP US UPDATED ONCE YOU GET TO THAT, WHERE YOU WILL BE SCHEDULING INTERVIEWS.
I'D LIKE TO LOOK AT THE RESUMES AND ALL OF THAT KIND OF STUFF JUST TO STAY ABREAST OF IT. AS MUCH FUN AS THE CITY MANAGER INTERVIEWS WERE, I DON'T THINK IT'S NECESSARY FOR US TO DO THAT, AND I THINK MISS HEDGE WOULD AGREE WITH WHAT THE CHARTER STAYS WITH MAKING THE HIRING PROCESS, BUT YEAH, IF WE GET TO THAT POINT, WE'VE GOD A COUPLE THAT I NEEDNEED TO WEIGH IN ON IT, OBVIOUSLY, JUST SEND US THE RESUME IN THE LIST AND ON THE BACK END AND SEE WHAT'S GOING ON.
>> I APPRECIATE THAT -- I'M SORRY.
>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, BEFORE I OTHER TOET, IN THE PAST WE'VE ALWAYS SAID IF THERE ARE INTERNAL CANDIDATES THEY NEED TO BE IN THE PROCESS, AND INTERVIEWED AND INTERVIEW, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY -- FIRST OF ALL, THAT'S FAIR FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE ALREADY HERE, AND FOR OUR STAFF IT ALWAYS GIVES PEOPLE HOPE TO BE ABLE TO MOVE UP IF INTERNAL CANDIDATES ARE ALSO INCLUDED.
>> WE DID DISCUSS THAT, MADAM MAYOR AND INTERNAL CANDIDATES WILL CERTAINLY BE INCLUDED.
>> OKAY. SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE SEARCH FIRM.
>> THEY HAVE TO SUBMIT THE APPLICATION LIKE EVERYONE ELSE. THEY HAVE TO SUBMIT ASK GO THROUGH THE PROCESS, BUT THEY'LL BE RECOGNIZED
AS CANDIDATES. >> I AGREE WITH NOW.
I WANT NO ASH TRAESH THRESHOLD FOR INTERNAL CANDIDATES.
I WANT THEM ALL TO HAVE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY TO, BUT I AGREE THEY NEED TO MAINTAIN THE SAME PROCESS. I JUST WANT EQUITY ACROSS THE BOARD HERE.
[01:15:01]
>> COMMISSIONER TAYLOR TAYLOR AND I'M LISTENING TO WHAT COMMISSIONER BURKE SAID. WE CAN'T TALK TO EACH OTHER AND HOW IS THIS GOING TO PLAY OUT? AND MAYBE IT MIGHT BE A WEDNESDAY CONVERSATION WITH EVERYBODY, BUT WE'VE GOT TWO CANDIDATES AND WE'RE ASKING THEM TO BRING THOSE TWO CANDIDATES TO US, AND THEN ARE WE SAYING THAT BASED ON OUR FEEDBACK, OUR FEEDBACK FROM WHAT OUR TWO INTERVIEWS THAT THAT PLAYS A ROLE IN THE DECISION? WHAT ARE WE SAYING? BECAUSE I CAN SEE -- SEE WHAT I'M SAYING? IF -- IF WE GIVE THEM -- IF THEY'RE HIRING ONE CANDIDATE, WE DON'T KNOW -- THEY'RE NOT GOING TO TELL WANT YOU ALL TO T THEN THEY COME IN AND FOR SOME REASON WE HAVE ANOTHER CANDIDATE -- WE HAVE ANOTHER
CANDIDATE. >> INTERESTING CONFLICT.
HOW DOES THAT PLAY, BECAUSE WE'VE HIRED -- WE'VE HIRED THIS CONSULTANT TO DO HEAR TEAM AND THP JOB AND WE COME IN THE END WITH HIS INTERVIEW, DOES IT TAKE AWAY FROM THEIR DECISION? I'M NOT SAYING IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN.
I'M JUST SITTING HERE THINKING OUT LOUD WHAT'S THE BENEFIT OTHER THAN US KNOWING JUST WHO THEY ARE, US PUTTING OURSELVES INTO THIS -- THIS -- THIS -- I'M LOOKING FOR MY WORDS RIGHT NOW, THIS WHOLE PROCESS BECAUSE --
>> RIGHT, BECAUSE TRUST ME, IF FOUR OF US -- IF FOUR OF US OR THREE OF US SAY ONE WAY WE CAN SHAKE OUR HEADS AND SAY IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN AND THEY'LL GO BACK AND SAY THESE THREE COMMISSIONERS VOTED HERE.
THESE TWO VOTED HERE OR THESE FOUR OR THESE FIVE VOTES AND I DON'T WANT TO BE THAT PERSON TO SAY, HEY, WE PUSHED THIS CANDIDATE OVER THAT CANDIDATE. I'M JUST
CURIOUS. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES, I'M NOT CURIOUS. I MERELY WANT TO SEE WHO THE TWO CANDIDATES ARE. IT'S UP TO MR. CHESS AND HIS STAFF AND HIS TEAM TO DO. I JUST WANT TO BE FAMILIAR WITH THEM. I DON'T WANT TO BE POLLED.
ULTIMATELY -- >> IF IT'S WITH OUR CONSENT, I'M ASSUMING CONSENT IS A VOTE.
>> THE CONSENT COMES DOWN THAT MR. CHESS IS OUR EMPLOYEE AND IF WE'RE NOT SATISFIED WITH THAT AND THEY HAVE THE RAMIFICATIONS
OF THIS. >> RESPECTFULLY, I DISAGREE.
IF I'M INTERPRETING THIS CORRECTLY IT'S MR. CHESS THE CITY HIRE WITH OUR CONSENT.
>> THERE'S A VOTE. THERE'S A VOTE.
YEP, BUT I THINK WE'RE MAKING THIS TOO
COMPLICATED. >> I THINK SO, TOO.
>> SEE HOW IT ROLLS OUT. WE'LL DEAL WITH THAT PROBLEM IF IT'S THERE.
>> THINK MR. SORENSON HAS LISTENED TO US AND KNOWS KIND OF WHAT WE WANT AND HE CAN COME BACK AND SAY HERE IS THE PROCESS BETWEEN MR. SORENSON AND MR. CHESS. THEY HEARD US AND THEY KNOW WHAT WE WANT, SO --
>> THIS WAS VERY HELPFULFOR ME. I DID JOT DOWN WHAT -- WHAT COMMISSIONERS ARE LOOKING FOR.
I THINK MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE WE'RE WORKING THROUGH THE CONTRACT PROCESS, YOU KNOW, WITH MISS RENE. LET ME WORK THROUGH THAT AND BRING YOUR CONCERNS TO HER.
>> SHE MAY HAVE SOME INPUT WITH THIS.
>> SHE'S DONE IT WITH OTHER COMMISSIONS AND THIS IS NOT HER FIRST RODEO, UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS OUR PROCESS HERE IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. LET ME BRING THAT BACK, AND THEN I CAN GIVE ANOTHER UPDATE WITHIN MAYBE BY THE NEXT COMMISSION MEETING.
>> THERE WON'T BE AS MANY AS MENTIONED AND THE PUBLIC SAYS WE HAVE 30 CANDIDATES AND FIVE AND WHATEVER. WE'LL GIVE FREQUENT UPDATES SO YOU KNOW WHAT'S TAKEN PLACE AND YOU CAN DO THAT.
>> I THINK ALL OF US REALIZE NOW THAT THE ROLE OF POLICE CHIEF IS SO DIFFERENT THAN IT USED TO BE IN TERMS OF WHEN SOME DISASTER HAPPENS OR ANYTHING HAPPENS, SOMETHING GETS FOLKS ON THE -- THEY FOCUS ON THE POLICE CHIEF WITH CERTAIN THINGS SO WE KNOW THAT A PUBLIC-FACING JOB AS WELL AS A MANAGER'S JOB OR A POLICE JOB. WE'RE ASKING A LOT OF THIS PERSON, AND SO I KNOW YOU'RE WELL AWARE OF THAT, AND I KNOW WE'RE WELL AWARE, AND I THINK THE COMMISSION FEELS AN OBLIGATION TO BE -- TO BE ABLE TO KNOWINGLY AND CONFIDENTLY SAY YES, WE AGREE.
WE AGREE. THIS IS A GREAT CHOICE.
>> OKAY. SO, THANK YOU MR. CHESS.
[01:20:04]
THANK YOU, MR. SORENSON.>> OKAY. MISS COX, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING?
>> REAL QUICK. YOU ALL ASKED ABOUT ATTENDANCE AT COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I'M ASSEMBLING THAT FROM ALL OF THE MEETING ORGANIZERS. SO FAR THE FEEDBACK THAT I'M GETTING IS THAT WE REALLY DO HAVE PRETTY GOOD ATTENDANCE, SO ANY CHALLENGES OR PROBLEM COMMITTEES I'LL REACH OUT TO YOU INDIVIDUALLY AND LET YOU KNOW WHERE WE HAVE PROBLEMS, BUT SO FAR IT'S ALL BEEN PRETTY GOOD.
>> TOMORROW IS KEEP FORT PIERCE BEAUTIFUL, AND SO FAR WE HAVE A QUORUM SO FAR.
[16. COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION]
>> OKAY. CAN MADAM ATTORNEY, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD?
>> WE'LL MOVE ON. >> COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION.
>> ANY COMMENTS FROM ANY COMMISSIONERS? ANY COMMENTS?
>> REAL QUICK. LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYBODY THIS THURSDAY FOR OUR JUNETEENTH PROGRAM. SHE LEFT FOR THE NIGHT, BUT MISS HERRERA --
>> THE COVER GIRL IS GETTING AWARDED, AND IT'S WELL OVERDUE BECAUSE SHE DOES SO MUCH MORE THAN JUNETEENTH IN THE CITY AND ANY TIME SHE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE CITY SHE'LL BE RIGHT THERE.
THAT'S ONE THING I WAS GOING MENTION IN THE RFPRA MEETING AND MY ABSENCE I WAS DEALING WITHWITH PERSONAL FAMILY MATTER, AND I WENT INTO BEING A GOOD SON MODE AND FORGOT TO TEXT -- I TOLD THEM I FORGOT TO TEXT MISS COX. I APOLOGIZE, BUT I WENT INTO SON MODE.
>> I APPRECIATE, BUT YOU KNOW ME. I'M TRANSPARENT. I DID MEET WITH A SECTION OF THE POLICE UNION LAST WEDNESDAY, AND SOMETHING I WANTED TO SAY FROM THAT MEETING AND ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES TO KNOW, THAT THERE IS A -- THERE IS A -- I GUESS, AN UNDERLYING FEELING IN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT YES, WE'RE LOOKING FOR THIS POLICE CHIEF. WE JUST HEARD THIS AND WE'RE LOOKING FOR THIS DERT, OR A, TO PUT THE POLICE WITH THE SHERRIVE.
>> I WANT TO OFFER A SERVICE THAT IS OUT WORKING HARD TO KNOW THAT I'M NOT AWARE OF OF THAT PUSH.
>> I'M NOT A BEAR OF THE PUSH AND THAT'S WHY WE'RE NOT WILLING TO SPEND THE MONEY TO FIND THE NEXT POLICE CHIEF OF FORT PIERCE.
SO IF THAT CAN STOP ANY CONCERNS, I HOPE IT DOES, BUT IF NOT, MY OFFICE IS ALWAYS OPEN, AND MY LAST THING, I GOT AN EMAIL, AND I WANTED TO TALK TO -- I CAN'T CALL THE MAYOR OR COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, BUT I KNOW YOU GUYS SIT ON THE FILE BOARD. I GOT AN EMAIL AND A PHONE CALL, AND I'M TRYING TO DO SOME MORE RESEARCH, BUT I GOT A CALL ABOUT A -- I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GOT IT, COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, ABOUT A FAMILY THAT WAS HAVING AN EMERGENCY. THE MOTHER WAS HAVING A SEIZURE OR SOMEONE IN THE FAMILY WAS HAVING A SEIZURE AND THE EMS PERSON OR THEY'RE TELLING ME THAT THEY ASKED THE FAMILY TO TAKE THE PERSON AND WALK ABOUT FIVE BLOCKS AND MEET THE AMBULANCE DOWN, DIFFERENT FROM THE RESIDENCE. SO I'M TRYING TO GET TO MORE DETAIL RJS AND I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT REALLY HAPPENED AND I KNOW THEY'RE UPSET SINCE YOU GUYS ARE ON THE FIRE BOARD AND IF THE COUNTY IS LISS LISTENING IN THE UPROAR BY THE CMA COMMUNITY AND THEY WERE TOLD TO TAKE THAT PERSON AND MEET THEM FIVE BLOCKS AWAY FROM THEIR LOCATION, AND IF THAT IS THE CASE I DON'T KNOW HOW WE CAN LOOK INTO THAT, BUT THAT NEEDS --
>> I THINK WE NEED THE DATE. YOU DON'T WANT TO SAY ANY NAMES, BUT WE NEED THE DATE.
>> NO. I'M TALKING IN GENERAL TONIGHT TO YOU AND COMMISSIONER JOHNSON BECAUSE YOU ARE ON THE FIRE BOARD AND I WILL GIVE YOU THE DATES.
MADAM ATTORNEY WHAT I'LL DO AND MADAM CLERK, YOU WILL GO TO THE FAMILY. THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME PERMISSION TO CALL THEIR NAMES OUT, BUT THEY ARE UPSET. SO I WANTED TO LET THEM KNOW THAT I DID GET THE EMAILS AND PHONE CALLS, BECAUSE I THINK WHEN I CAME UP TO THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE FOR ME TO CALL BACK ANOTHER FAMILY MEMBER, AND I HAVEN'T CALLED THAT FAMILY MEMBER BACK. SO SOMETHING IS THERE, AND I'M TRYING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM
[01:25:03]
OF IT, BUT I'LL GET THE INFORMATION AND PASS IT TO THE CITY CLERK AND WE CAN GO FROM THERE, BUT IF THAT'S GOING ON, THAT CAN'T BE. THAT'S A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPY AND AGAIN, I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYBODY FOR THE JUNETEENTH÷÷ FESTIVAL.>> I ALSO MET WITH THE POLICE UNION, AND I THOUGHT IT WAS AN EXTREMELY PRODUCTIVE MEETING.
I CONSIDER HAVING AN OUTSTANDING RELATIONSHIP WITH THE MEMBERS AND THEIR REPRESENTATION AND CANDIDLY, COMMISSIONER GAINES, I'M THE ONE THAT HAS HAD OPEN DISCUSSION WITH ANYBODY THAT BRINGSES IT BRINGS IT UP TO ME REGARDING THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ASSISTING, AND I BROUGHT THIS DISCUSSION UP WITH THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNION. I DIDN'T SAY THIS WAS AN ISSUE FOR ME.
I JUST SAID, LOOK, WE HAVE EXTREME STAFFING ISSUES, SHIFTS ARE UNDERMANNED AND IF WE NEED TO ASK THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TO TAKE OVER PERIPHERAL PATROLS OF THE EXTERIOR ELEMENTS OF THE CITY, I MENTIONED THAT TO THE UNION AS A POSSIBILITY, THEY CAME BACK TO ME WITH A VARIETY OF IDEAS THAT WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT. SO THEY ARE ACTING PROACTIVELY TO ENHANCE AND PROTECT THEIR POSITION, AND I LISTEN TO THOSE IDEAS WITH GREAT INTEREST TO PURSUE THOSE FURTHER, AND I INTEND TO PURSUE THOSE FURTHER, AND I DIDN'T BRING THIS UP AS AN OPTION THAT I'M PUSHING ON ANYBODY IN ANY CAPACITY.
I DID BRING IT UP THAT IT'S OUR RESPONSIBILITY AS CITY COMMISSION TO PROVIDE THE PROTECTION TO THE CITIZENS OF THIS CITY, AND I'M GOING TO INVESTIGATE ALL ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE. THAT'S AS FAR AS THE DISCUSSION WENT, AND MY MEETING WAS TWO WEEKS AGO.
I WILL ADMIT TO THE FACT THAT I DID BRING IT UP AS A DISCUSSION POINT AND THAT WAS BETWEEN ME AND THE REPRESENTATIVE. NO NEFARIOUS PLAN HERE, AND I'LL JUST PUT THAT TO REST AND IF ANYBODY HAS QUESTIONS ABOUT IT YOU ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO COME BY MY OFFICE OR MAKE A PHONE CALL AND I'M MORE THAN HAPPY TO DISCUSS IT. ON A MORE UPBEAT TONE, I HAD WANT OPPORTUNITY TO ATTEND WITH COMMISSIONER CHESS AND THE SOUTH KINGS HIGHWAY PROPERTY HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION MEETING LAST THURSDAY. I HAVE TO SUGGEST THAT THE PROPERTY OWNERS AND THAT ORGANIZATION WHICH BASICALLY CONTROLS ALL OF THE REAL ESTATE ON SOUTH KINGS HIGHWAY AND MILLIONS OF SQUARE FEET IN DEVELOPMENT POTENTIALLY.
THERE IS A BIG PROBLEM OUT THERE, AND I'LL GET TO THAT MOMENTARILY, BUT MR. CHESS WAS THERE TO HEAR THE -- THE PRIMARY DISCUSSIONS TAKE PLACE AFTER THE MEETING AND NOT TO EVERY SINGLE PERSON I SPOKE TO WHICH WAS ALL OF THE PRIMARY DEVELOPERS IN THE ROOM, THEY'RE ALL AWARE OF THE FACT THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE ANNEXED IN THE TEA AND NOT A SINGLE ONE OF THEM RAISE AID CONCERN ABOUT THAT.
IST I WILL CONTINUE TO BE WITH THE GROUP, THEY MEET
PROPERLY. >> I'M ON THEIR LIST AS PROPERTY OWNER AND I CAN CONTINUE YOUR DISCUSSIONS AND MOVE THEM FORWARD.
NOT THAT WE HAVE CONTROL OVER THIS BECAUSE WE DON'T, THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT -- IN OTHER WORDS, IT COULD POTENTIALLY STYMIE THE DREAM FOR THE AREA, OUR DREAM TO ENHANCE TAX REVENUES TO THE CITY, IT IS FULLY AWARE OF THE SITUATION, BUT THEIR BOUNDARIES ARE HARD BOUNDARIES.
THIS ISN'TING IS THAT SOMETHING THAT CAN RUN THE LINE. IT JUST DOESN'T HAPPEN.
THE STATE HAS COMPLETE INVOLVEMENT WITH THE IMPRINT AS TO WHO PROVIDES POWER WHERE? I WAS AT A MEETING WITH JAVI.
I SAID THERE MUST BE ANYTHING, HE SAID WE NEED A CONGRESSIONAL ACT. IT'S A SERIOUS PROBLEM OUT THERE, AND I PLEDGE TO THE GROUP, I THINK I MADE THE STATEMENT THAT THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE WILL GET BEHIND WHATEVER POWER WE CAN BRING TO THAT DISCUSSION, WE ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO SO TO CONTINUE TO ENHANCE THE DEVELOPMENT OUT OF SOUTH KINGS HIGHWAY BECAUSE AS OF RIGHT NOW THERE ARE 2 MILLION SQUARE FEET GOING INTO THE PLANNING BOARD INTO THE COUNTY AND THEY CAN'T GET POWER. AS RIDICULOUS AS THAT SEEMS AND FPL'S POSITION IS THIS IS PAY TO PLAY.
YOU WANT POWER? YOU PAY FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE.
THAT'S A NON- STARTER AND THAT SIMPLY IS NOT GOING TO
[01:30:03]
HAPPEN. SIMPLY PUT, WE MAY BE ASKED TO PROVIDE SUPPORT TO THE ORGANIZATION AND TRY TO ENCOURAGE FPL TO STEP UP AND SUPPLY CUSTOMERS WITH THE POWER THAT THEY NEED AND FPA IS IN THE POWER TO HELP. THEY CAN'T CROSSTHE STATE. >> WE HAVE THE CAPACITY, AND HOW DID HE BROUGHT IT UP TO THE
AUDIENCE? >> THEY HAVE LIMITED CAPACITY AVAILABLE. IT'S READY TO GO.
FRUSTRATED. >> IT IS REGULATED BY THE STATE. WE DON'T NEED FEDS, WE NEED STATE LEGISLATORS.
>> MAYBE THAT'S WHERE WE TURN TO NOW.
I'LL HEAD UP THAT INITIATIVE WITH SEVERAL REPRESENTATIVES TO GET WITH THE HARD DELEGATION AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT THIS AND SEE BECAUSE THIS WOULD BE AWFUL.
>> THAT'S TERRIBLE. >> IF WE CAN'T EXPAND OUR PROPERTIES AND GENERATE THE TAX DOLLARS WE NEED AND PROVIDE THE JOBS THAT OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS BECAUSE OF FPL, THAT'S A SIN.
>> YEAH. AND IF WE CAN'T -- ESPECIALLY, IF WE HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO IT AND WE CAN'T. ? SO THERE'S GOT TO BE A WORKAROUND HERE, AND THE VOICE OF A LOWLY COMMISSIONER FROM THE CITY OF FORT FORT PIERCE IN THE HALLS OF TALLAHASSEE, AND THEY NEED OUR HELP. ONE OF THE PRIMARY DEVELOPERS HE'S IN FOR 4 MILLION SQUARE FEET, GIVE OR TAKE. MICHAEL, WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP ME?
>> WE CAN ALSO GET THE FNPA WHICH IS THE -- THEY HAVE LOBBY IFTDS IN TALLAHASSEE.
>> THIS IS A VERY, VERY ISSUE FOR OUR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES. THEY ARE OOH ON THEIR COOPERATION TO HELP THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE IN PROVIDING JOBS AND DEVELOPMENT WAS 1 HUN, I SPOKE TO EVERY DEVELOPER IN THE ROOM BEFORE I LEFT THATTHAT DAY.
SO I'LL NEED SOME ASSISTANCE FROM MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS HERE TO MOVE THIS AGENDA FORWARD.
I KNOW WE HAVE SOME PEOPLE THAT HAVE DEEP, COMMITTED REPRESENTATIVES WITH THE STATE REPRESENTATIVES. I KNOW THEM AND I DON'T HAVE THAT DEEP SCENARIO TO SAY HEY, YOU NEED TO FIX THIS NOW, GET ON IT. INCREASE THE BOUNDARIES OR SOMEONE GET ON THE PHONE WITH THE CEO OF FPL AND SAY GET THIS DONE IN ONE CAPACITY OR ANOTHER, RUN YOUR -- GET YOUR POWER THERE.
>> YEAH. IT'S TO BE AN ARM WRESTLING
MATCH, THAT'S FOR SURE. >> ONE OF US SITS ON THE COMMISSION FOR THE UTILITIES.
COMMISSIONER GAINES. >> TRUST ME, I WILL BRING THIS UP.
>> I'LL GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION THAT I HAVE AVAILABLE ON THIS ISSUE, SO I WILL LIAISON TO YOU OR HAVE THEM LIAISON TO YOU.
>> I'LL BRING IT UP IN THE FIRST
MEETING. >> WE'LL BRING THIS UP.
>> IT'S AS SIMPLE AS THAT. THESE FOLKS, THEY'RE NOT ASKING, THEY'RE JUST SAYING, WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM.
>> OKAY, WE'RE HERE TO HELP. THAT'S OUR JOB IS TO.
THE HELP THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, SO WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO GET IT DONE.
>> THEY'RE GETTING OUR WATER? THEY'RE GETTING NATURAL GAS AND WATER AND THEY'RE THRILLED WITH THAT AND THEY LOVE THE RELATIONSHIP.
THEY JUST HOPE FPU COULD PROVIDE THE WHOLE NUT FOR THEM AND THEY CAN'T.
>> IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR THE CITY.
>> IT IS OFF THE CHAIN ON THIS. WE'RE READY TO SPIN METERS AND GENERATE REVENUE OUT THERE, AND THERE'S A LOT OF REVENUE TO BE MADE, AND SO I THINK THAT JAVI WILL BE AN ALLY IN THIS DISCUSSION, AS WELL. SO I'LL START TEAMING THESE PEOPLE TOGETHER AND I'LL COME TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR LOCAL CONNECTIONS TO MAKE THIS WORK.
>> I JUST WANT TO SAY FOR MISS MARJORIE, WHEN I WAS FIRST MAYOR IN 2013, SHE WOULD CALL ME TO SAY AND THIS WAS LONG BEFORE WE HAD A HOLIDAY AND LONG BEFORE SHE WOULD HAVE A CELEBRATION DOWN AT THE WATERFRONT WITH SOME YOUNG PEOPLE AND I WULD GO DOWN THERE AND CELEBRATE JUNETEENTH WITH HER, AND SHE WOULD TELL ME WHAT IT WAS ALL ABOUT AND TELL THE YOUNG PEOPLE AND SO SHE'S BEEN DOING THIS A LONG, LONG TIME, SO GOOD FOR HER AND GOOD FOR THEM FOR RECOGNIZING HER. SO OPINION THAT'S ALL I HAVE, UNLESS THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER.
WE WILL BE ADJOURNING, IF EVERYONE WOULD LEAVE THE CHAMBERS, PLEASE. WE'LL BE TURNING OUT THE LIGHTS AND IF YOU WANT TO TALK TO ANYONE OF THE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.