[A. Letter from Officer Alexander Quiles, Port St. Lucie Police Department, expressing his appreciation to the Fort Pierce Police Department for their outstanding assistance during the escort of fallen St. Lucie County Firefighter to the Medical Examiner's Office; especially Deputy Chief Gillette, Lieutenant Fassanello, Officer Zamora and Acting Lieutenant Palacio. ]

PLEASE. >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?

>> YES COMMISSIONER GAINS. >> YES, MA'AM.

>> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON? >> MAYOR HUDSON? YES MA'AM.

>> WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM THE PORT ST. LUCIE POLICE DEPARTMENT EXPRESSING APPRECIATION TO THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR ASSISTANCE DURING THE ESCORT OF FALLEN FIREFIGHTER TO

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

THE MEDICAL OFFICER ESPECIALLY LIEUTENANT GILLETTE AND OFFICERSPLASIO. WE HAVE ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS OF THE

AGENDA. >> ANY CHANGES? IF NOT I WILL

ENTERTAIN A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> MOTION AND SECOND, CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE?

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> YES.

[A. Representative Dana Trabulsy, 2025 Legislative Update and Special Presentation]

>> COMMISSIONER GAINES? >> YES COMMISSIONER JOHNSON?

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

>> WE HAD NO ONE SIGNED UP FOR COMMENT FROM THE PUBLIC. SO WE WILL MOVE ONTO REPRESENTATIVE DANA TRABULSY WHO WILL GIVE US AN A LEGISLATIVE UPDATE THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE WITH US. MR. CHEST, DOIA HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY?

>> NO, MY FIRST TIME SEEING AND MEETING YOU, WELCOME IN. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME. IT WAS GREAT TO SEE YOU THIS MORNING. WE HAD ADVOCACY TRAINING IN PORT SAINT RUSE LOOSEY AND THANK YOU FOR SHOWING UP. IT WAS A LENGTHY SESSION, 105 DAYS, LONGEST SESSION IN THE HISTORY OF FLORIDA. I THINK DURING MY LAST FIVE YEARS IN OFFICE, I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF 1ST'S FOR THE RECORDS SO THIS IS ANOTHER ONE I COULD JUST PUT ON MY BELT AS A FIRST. WITH THAT IN MIND, I WILL GIVE YOU A LITTLE BIT OF A LENGTHY UPDATE BUT I HOPE IT IS INFORMATIVE. IT WAS QUITE A YEAR, A LITTLE SPICY IN THE FLORIDA HOUSE AND SENATE THIS YEAR. WE STARTED OUT THIS YEAR WITH 1951 BILLS THAT WERE FILED FOR CONSIDERATION. WE ENDED UP WITH 250 THAT WERE PASSED AND SIGNED BY THE GOVERNOR. WE HAD A FEW VETOES THIS YEAR, NOT INCLUDING THE LINE ITEM VETOES TO THE BUDGET BUT SOME LEGISLATIVE VETOES. ONE WAS MINE, ANOTHER FIRST, PRETTY BUMMED OUT ABOUT THAT. PLAN TO RUN IT AGAIN NEXT YEAR.

HOPEFULLY THE DEFINITION OF INSANITY IS NOT RUNNING THIS BILL OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND GETTING THE SAME RESULTS. WE HAD

[00:05:01]

WHAT WE THIPG IS $115.1 BILLION BUDGET. THERE ARE A FEW DIFFERENT NUMBERS FLOATING OUT THERE. IT HAS TO DO WITH THE LINE ITEM VETOES BUT THE VETOES IN THE BACK OF THE BILL. WE EHAD $567 MILLION IN LINE ITEM VETOES. I WILL TELL YOU THAT ONLY ONE OF MY PROJECTS WAS VETOED AND I WAS EXCITED FOR THAT. THE BUDGET ALSO MAINTAINS A $12.4 BILLION IN RESERVES. AND A RAINY DAY FUND IS AT $4.9 BILLION AND ACOVERALL WE WILL ARE IN GOOD SHAPE IN FLORIDA. OUR ONLY JOB AS A LEGISLATIVE BODY IS TO PASS A BALANCED BUDGET. WE DID THAT FINALLY THAT IS WHAT TOOK US 105 DAYS BUT WE GID GET THERE. FLORIDA CONTINUES TO ACHIEVE RECORD ECONOMIC AND EDUCATIONAL SUCCESS. WE ARE RANKED NUMBER ONE IN THE NATION IN EDUCATION, EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM, HIGHER EDUCATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND BUSINESS INFORMATION AND A FUN FACT, SINCE COVID, 3.7 MILLION NEW JOBS HAVE BEEN FORMED IN FLORIDA WHICH IS GREAT. WE ARE A LITTLE FLAT NOW BUT HOPEFULLY WE WILL SPARK BACK UP AGAIN. THIS YEAR'S BUDGET SUPPORTS TEACHER PAY, LAW ENFORCEMENT RAISES, RECORD AMOUNT OF K-12 PER PUPIL FUNDING, $1.4 BILLION TO CONTINUED EVER GLADES RESTORATION AND WATER QUALITY INITIATIVES AND $15 BILLION IN FLORIDA'S TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS. MANY OF THOSE HAVE BEEN FUNDED IN FORT PIERCE FOR THIS UPCOMING YEAR. WE DO HAVE SEVERAL TAX HOLIDAYS.

I WASN'T GOING TO MENTION OUR ELIMINATION OF THE BUSINESS RENT TAX BUT I DID IT ANYWAY. BUT WE DO HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT TAX HOLIDAYS. WE ARE CLOSING UP ON THE BACK TO SCHOOL HOLIDAY, HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS, PERMANENT RELIEF FOR BABY ITEMS WHICH IS AWESOME. WE HAVE A NEW TAX HOLIDAY, SEPTEMBER THROUGH DECEMBER WHICH IS FOR HUNTING AND FISHING. WE ARE CONTINUING TO MAKE SHOWS CUTS ON THE WAY, SAVING FLORIDIANS $128 MILLION ALONG THE YEAR. A FEW KEY TAKE AWAYS IN LEGISLATION THAT I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THAT MAY PERTAIN TO FORT PIERCE IS MY SAFE FLORIDA HOME PROGRAM. IT WAS RENEWED AGAIN THIS YEAR. IT IS A MATCHING GRANT FOR UP TO $10,000 FOR HOME OWNERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO PUT HURRICANE HARDENING EFFORTS INTO THEIR HOME. THE WINDOW IS OPEN RIGHT NOW IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO APPLY.

IT IS -- THEY CHANGED THE PROGRAM A LITTLE BIT. IN THIS FIRST WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY, IT IS SENIORS, WHICH I QUALIFY FOR NOW. AND LOW INCOME RESIDENTS. AND THEN IT WILL GO DOWN THE LINE AND GIVE PRIORITY FOR FIRST TO SENIORS AND THEN LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS. WITH THAT, WE HAVE INCORPORATED THE MY SAFE FLORIDA CONDO PROGRAM. THE MY SAFE FLORIDA HOME PROGRAM WAS SO SUCCESSFUL AND WELL RECEIVED AND WE KNOW THAT CONDO OWNERS ALSO WANT TO HARDEN THEIR HOMES. WE HAVE THE SAME TYPE OF GRANT PROGRAM UP AND AVAILABLE AS A PILOT PROGRAM FOR CONDO OWNERS THIS YEAR. THE ONLY STIPULATION IS THAT YOU MUST LIVE WITHIN 15 MILES OF THE COASTLINE IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR IT, TO HARDEN YOUR HOMES FOR HURRICANES. ALSO WITH HOME OWNER ASSOCIATIONS, WITH THE TRAGEDY THAT HAPPENED AT SURF SIDE A FEW YEARS AGO, YOU MAY BE AWARE AND KNOW WOE HAVE IMPOSED SOME PRETTY STRICT REGULATIONS ON CONDOMINIUMS THAT ARE OVER THREE STORIES HIGH JUST TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE MAINTAINING THEIR STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY. THAT HAS PUT A LITTLE BIT OF A BURDEN, GETTING THAT STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY RESERVE TESTING HAS PUT A BIT OF A BURDEN ON THE CONDO ASSOCIATIONS. WE DID EXTEND THAT OUT FOR ANOTHER YEAR SO THAT CONDO OWNERS, H.O.A.S HAVE TIME TO GET THE TESTING DONE. WE ARE ALLOWING CONDO OWNERS WHO HAVE TO FUND THEIR RESERVES AND MAY NOT HAVE THOSE DOLLARS THEMSELVES THE AVAILABILITY TO GET LOW INTEREST OR NO INTEREST LOANS TO HELP THEM FILL THE RESERVES. BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT

[00:10:01]

SURF SIDE TO HAPPEN WHEN THE RESERVES WERE FUNDED AND THE WORK WASN'T DONE AND THERE WAS TRAGEDY. WE DON'T WANT THE PEOPLE THAT WILL LIVE IN THE STRUCTURES 20 YEARS FROM NOW TO HAVE THE BURDEN OF THE COST. SO IT IS A HEAVY LIFT TO GET WHERE THEY NEED TO BE TO GET THE RESERVES IN PLACE. WE FILED AND PASSED AN ELECTION INTEGRITY BILL THIS YEAR. BASICALLY THAT PARTICULAR ONE IS FOR CITIZENS INITIATIVES. FOR US IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WHEN ABORTION WAS ON THE BALLOT AND MARIJUANA WAS ON THE BALLOT, SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS WERE COMING IN FROM OUT OF STATE AND SIGNING NAMES ON PETITIONS IN ORDER TO GET ON THE BALLOT. SO TO GIVE SOME MORE INTEGRITY TO THAT PROCESS, WHEN SOMEONE FILLS OUT A PETITION, NOT A PETITION AS IF WE WERE RUNNING FOR OFFICE BUT A PETITION FOR A BALLOT INITIATIVE, FIRST OF ALL, ONCE IT IS SIGNED, IT HAS TO BE TURNED INTO THE SUPERVISOR'S OFFICE WITHIN TEN DAYS. WE DON'T WANT A COLLECTION OF $100,000 GOING INTO THE SUPERVISOR AT WUP TIME. THEY MUST PROVIDE THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSE NUMBER OR LAST FOUR DIMGTS OF SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER SO THE SUPERVISOR CAN VERIFY THEY ARE CITIZENS OF FLORIDA TO GET THE INITIATIVE ON THE BALLOT. I PERSONALLY RAN SEVERAL BILLS THIS YEAR, ONE THAT I AM PROUD OF IS HOUSE BILL 1255. IT IS A COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATION BILL. EDUCATION IS MY JAM. I HAVE EIGHT GRAND KIDS AND I KNOW EVERYTHING I DO WILL AFFECT THEM. TWO THINGS WERE IN IT THAT I THOUGHT WAS GREAT WAS THAT NOW PARENTS HAVE TO OPT IN FOR CORPORAL PUNISHMENT. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT WAS A THING. I DIDN'T KNOW IN FLORIDA THAT THERE WAS STILL CORPORAL PUNISHMENT UNTIL TWO YOUNG STUDENTS FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA TOLD ME ABOUT IT. SO WE PUT IT IN THE BILL AND NOW PARENTS HAVE TO OPT IN FOR IT. WHAT I'M MOST PROUD OF IS THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PIECE. WE TALKED ABOUT IT EARLIER THAT IN FLORIDA, ACCESS TO CHILD CARE IS $5.9 BILLION DEFICIT TO THE STATE OF FLORIDA EVERY YEAR BECAUSE PARENTS CAN'T ACCESS QUALITY, AFFORDABLE EARLY CHILD CARE.

WHAT THIS DOES RIGHT NOW, PEOPLE WHO ARE IN A CERTAIN INCOME BRACKET AND WITH THE SIZE OF THEIR FAMILY CAN QUALIFY FOR A SUBSIDY FOR CHILD CARE BUT WE WERE FACING THAT ON THE FEDERAL POVERTY RATE. WHAT WE DID THIS YOUR WITH THIS BILL IS CHANGED IT TO THE STATE MEDIAN INCOME. WHAT THAT DOES IS ALLOWS MORE PEOPLE TO COME INTO THE SPACE AND ENTER INTO QUALIFIED EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING SITUATIONS. WE WILL BE ABLE TO EXPAND THAT AND PUT A TENTH IN IT SO OUR PARENTS CAN GET BACK TO WORK AND OUR YOUNG KIDS CAN HAVE A GREAT MISTO GO. WOE HAD A GOOD YEAR FOR APPROPRIATIONS IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY. I WAS ABLE TO BRING HOME WITH ALL APPROPRIATIONS RIGHT AT $33 MILLION. ALL OF THAT WAS TO ST. LUCIE COUNTY WITH THE EXCEPTION OF $1 MILLION I FILE FOR A.I.D.S. RESEARCH FOR THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI. MY BROTHER PASSED AWAY 30 YOURS AGO EAND IT IS A PASSION PROGRESS OF MINE AND I WILL CONTINUE TO FUND THAT. OTHER THAN THAT, IT WAS AT $33 MILLION. I WAS EXCITED WE WERE ABLE TO GET $5 MILLION FOR F.P.U.A. TO MOVE THE WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANT OFF THE ISLAND.

WE WERE ABLE TO SECURE THE $5 MILLION TWICE NOW. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HARD WORK AND ADVOCACY COMING UP AND SPEAKING TO PEOPLE. $600,000 FOR SEA GRASS RESTORATION, $500,000 TO CONTINUE THE 1TH STREET RESTORATION PROJECT. IT SHOULD COMPLETE THAT PROJECT NOW AND $241,000 FOR THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT INVESTIGATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT T. ALL IN ALL, IT WAS A LONG SESSION BUT A GREAT SESSION. I'M SO BLESSED TO BE ABLE TO SERVE FORT PIERCE, THIS COUNTY AND STATE. I'M SO THANKFUL FOR ALL OF YOU. I KNOW YOU HAVE HAD A ROUGH FEW WEEKS.

I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. I TRUST IN YOUR LEADERSHIP. I KNOW THAT FORT PIERCE JUST LIKE THE PASTOR SAID, THE BEST IS YET TO COME. I'M REALLY EXCITED TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS. THANK

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO FOR FORT

[00:15:01]

PIERCE. THE WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT I KNOW STOLE URHEART AND NOW WE ARE WELL ON THE WAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. COMMISSIONER

BRODERICK? >> I HAVE MENTIONED THIS AT THE COMMISSION LEVEL BEFORE AND PUBLICLY. I DON'T WANT TO DRAG UP NEGATIVE ISSUES BUT DANA TRABULSY IS WUP OF THE PRIMARY REASON THAT THE SEAT AT THE END OF THE DAYOUS IS EMPTY. HAD FORMER COMMISSIONER HAD NOT SUBMITTED A LETTER OF RESIGNATION. I APPROACHED THE TEAM, I DON'T HAVE THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ON SPEED DIAL UNFORTUNATELY DO. I CONTACTED ALL OF THEM IN AN EFFORT TO SPEED UP THAT PROCESS OF HAVING THAT SEAT VACATED. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGEPUBLICLY THAT DANA'S PARTICIPATION IN THAT PROCESS, SHE WAS A PART OF IT AND I THANK YOU PERSONALLY FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART FOR ALL OF THE EFFORT YOU PUT IPTHAT. CITIZENS FORT PIERCE NEEDED AND SHE WAS ON TOP OF IT. THANK YOU, DANA.

THAT WAS RESPECTED BY THE CITIZENS AND APPRECIATED BY THE

CITIZENS OF FORT PIERCE. >> THANK YOU.

>> YES, VERY SUPPORTIVE IN A DIFFICULT TIME. WE APPRECIATE THAT. ANYONE ELSE? ANY OTHER COMMENTS?

>> I WOULD MAKE A QUICK THANK YOU REPRESENTATIVE TRABULSY FOR COMING TODAY. WE LEFT THE CONFERENCE IN ORLANDO WHERE WE DO OUR WORK AND UNDER ADVOCACY AT THE STATE LEVEL. WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE CONVERSATION THAT WE NEED TO HAVE AND WOE NEED TO MAKE SURE OUR COMMUNITY UNDERSTANDS THE LEVEL WHEN IT COMES TO ADLORM DISCUSSIONS WE WILL HAVE. I'M ASKING AND SAYING PUBLICLY, I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT CONVERSATION, YOU HAVING THE CONVERSATION WITH US, WITH THIS COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT INFORMATION AND BOTH SIDES ARE UNDERSTOOD. BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A PUSH FROM SOME LEVEL THAT I HAVEN'T QUITE GRAS PED BUT THEN THERE IS A PUSH FROM THIS LEVEL WHEN WE ARE SITTING HERE TRYING TO BALANCE A BUDGET AND RUN AN ENTIRE CITY ON. IT'S GOING TO BE IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THAT OPEN DISCUSSION AND I LOOK FORWARD TO IT. WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD CORDIAL DISCUSSIONS, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE TOUGH. SO I WELCOME YOU AND LOOK FORWARD TO THAT CONVERSATION IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE, TO HEAR OUR PERSPECTIVE, AT LEAST MY PERSPECTIVE AS I LOOK AT THIS BUDGET WHEN IT COMES TO THE CITY. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE

DONE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I AGREE WITH YOU. I THINK THAT -- WE TALKED ABOUT IT A LITTLE BEFORE IN A MEETING, IT CAN BOW SOMEWHAT OF A SLIPPERY SLOPE. I THINK WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL HOW WE APPROACH THAT. I BELIEVE WE HAVE SOME OF THE SAME CONCERNS. I WILL BE FIGHTING FOR NOT JUST OUR CITY'S PERSPECTIVE, BUT OUR COUNTY'S PERSPECTIVE AND OTHERS LIKE US IN THAT REALM. I'M JUST GOING TO SAY COME URARLY, COME OFF. AND THE LOCAL CHAPTERS, YOU'RE ON IT. YOU ARE A MODEL FOR THE STATE. I APPRECIATE YOUR CONVERSATIONS AND YOUR CANDOR, QUITE FRANKLY. I DON'T NEED ANYONE TO DANCE AROUND THE SUBJECT. THANK YOU. I HAVE A HUGE FAVOR TO ASK YOU. THE FOLKS FROM F.P.U.A. ARE HERE AND I WOULD LOVE TO GET A PICTURE.

SURE. THAT WOULD BE GREAT. COME ON UP.

>> DID THEY SHOW UP FOR YOU? SO NICE. THANK YOU FOR INDULGING

ME. . >> I'M MAD FOR NOT THINKING OF IT. EVERYONE SMILE. ALL RIGHT. THERE WILL BE A FLASH, OKAY? BIG SMILES, PERFECT. ONE MORE FOR GOOD MEASURE.

>> THEY ARE FIERCE ADVOCATES. >> SO EVERYONE, LET'S GIVE A

[00:20:02]

ROUND OF APPLAUSE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALL RIGHT. YOU ARE WELCOME TO STAY BUT I'D GO HOME IF I WERE YOU. HAVE A NORMAL LIFE,

[11. CONSENT AGENDA]

TRY TO. >> ALL RIGHT. WE WILL MOVE ON TO

THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> IS THERE ANY ITEM ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO PULL? IF NOT, I WOULD ENTERTAIN A MOTION.

>> I WANT TO PULL ITEM C, SOMETHING THAT IS POSITIVE AND

GET A LITTLE CLARITY ON. 11C. >> ANYTHING ELSE. WE WANT TO

MOVE APPROVAL WITHOUT C. >> APPROVAL WITHOUT.

[C. Approval of Kimley-Horn & Associates Change Order No. 3 to Specific Authorization No. 4 for an amount not to exceed $69,320.00 for the Indian River Drive Downtown Waterfront Corridor Improvements.]

>> K CALL THE ROLL. >> ITEM 11C IS APPROVAL OF THE KINLEY HORN AND ASSOCIATES TO AUTHORIZATION NUMBER 4 FOR AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED 69320 DLFR FOR THE INDIAN RIVER DRIVE WATER

FRONT CORRIDOR IMPROVEMENTS. >> USUALLY WHEN I SEE CHANGE ORDERS, THAT SEPDZ ME OFF. THIS IS MORE OF A POSITIVE. THIS CHANGE ORDER COMING IP, I UNDERSTAND WHY BUT WHEN I READ THE BACKGROUND AND THE COST SAVINGS IN THIS, IT TRIGGERED SOMETHING ELSE. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THIS PROJECT BECAUSE IT IS A MAJOR PROJECT, IT WILL BE A GATEWAY TO THE DOWNTOWN BUT WHEN I SAW THE AMOUNT OF COST SAVING, OVER $3.3 MILLION IF I READ IT RIGHT, I WANTED THE PUBLIC TO BE AWARE OF THIS, OF WHAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT AND WHAT'S GOING TO TRANSPIRE. WHEN I HAD THIS BRIEF CONVERSATION WITH CITY ENGINEER, HE HAS DONE MAGIC HERE. I WOULD LIKE HIM TO SPEAK MORE ABOUT THIS AND WHAT IS HAPPENING AND THE CHANGE ORDER WHICH RESULTED IN THE 3.3

MILLION COST SAVINGS. >> STATE THE NAME FOR YOUR RECORD. WE ARE TRYING TO GET THE HABIT.

>> MARK, CITY ENGINEER. THE COST ESTIMATES CAME IN FOR WHAT WE ORIGINALLY PLANNED AND THEY WERE HIGH. SO TO GET THE PROJECT IN A PLACE WHERE WE COULD PROCEED AND WITHIN WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS AN ACCEPTABLE BUDGET, WE MADE CUTS TO THE PROJECT. I LIKE TO SAY WE ELIMINATED A LOT OF THE BELLS AND WHISTLES TO GET THIS PRODUCT IN A POSITION WHERE WE COULDED DO IT. SOME OF IT IS, ONE OF THE BIG THINGS WE WANTED TO KEEP IN THERE WAS THE BRIDGE. THAT BRIDGE IS 62 YEARS OLD I BELIEVE. WE WANTED TO KEEP THAT PART OF THE PROJECT IN THERE. WE ENDED UP SHORDENNING THE APPROACH TO SAVE MONEY. IT IS A LITTLE MORE STANDARD OF THE BRIDGE NOW. SOME OF THE DECORATIVE ASPECTS WILL NOT BOW THERE. BUT THE MAIN PART OF THE ROADWAY, LIGHTING ALL ALONG THE STRIP FOR PEDESTRIAN ACCESS, IMPROVEMENTS, ALL THAT STAYS IN.

IT WAS AN ELIMINATION OF THE FANCIER SIDE OF THE PROJECT. IT WILL STILL LOOK GOOD BUT IT IS MORE OF A UTILITARIAN APPROACH TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE. WE DID TAKE OUT BACK IMPROVEMENTS, CALLING THAT PHASE 2. WE WILL GET TO THAT BUT WE WANTED TO GET THE MEAT OF THE PROJECT IN HERE AND THE COST SAVINGS IS HOW WE

DID THAT. >> I THINK IN ADDITION WHAT I WOULD LIKE THE PUBLIC TO KNOW IS WITH THE PROJECT WE WILL GAIN ON

STREET PARKING. >> SOME OF IT, YEAH. HAD OF IT HAS TO DO WITH WE WERE LEASING SOME OF THE PARKING LOTS AND SOME OF IT HAD TO BE REARRANGED AN IT LITTLE BIT. IT WAS LIKE A PARK POLE THAT WE HAD TO TAKE OUT. BUT THERE IS STILL SOME STREET PARKING THERE BUT DEFINITELY FROM AN ACCESSIBILITY STANDPOINT, FOR PEDESTRIANS, IT WILL IMPROVE TREMENDOUSLY.

>> OKAY. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR MAKING SURE THE COST SAVING, PROJECT ALIGNS. WE HAVE THE NECESSITIES. WHEN I SAW THE HUGE COST SAVING, I KNEW SOME WOULD BE ELIMINATED AND I WANTED A LITTLE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING AND PERSPECTIVE THAT WE ARE ARE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE MONEY. IT WILL BE A GREAT ENHANCEMENT OVER WHAT IS THERE NOW, THE SAFETY CONCERN WITH THE BRIDGE AND TER OVER TIME, SOMETHING YOU NEED TO BE COGNIZANT OF, ESPECIALLY SALT WATER. SO I APPRECIATE YOU SPEAKING TO THE FACT. THAT'S IT FOR ME.

>> THE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE WHICH IS IN A STATE OF DISREPAIR IN MY

[00:25:02]

OPINION, THAT'S GOING AWAY. THAT WILL BE INTEGRATED INTO THE

NEW BRIDGE ITSELF. >> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, SIR.

YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION. >> WITH THAT, MAY I MOVE

APPROVAL OF CONSENT ITEM C. >> IS THERE A SECOND?

>> SECOND. >> CALL THE ROLL COMMISSIONER

[A. Quasi-Judicial Hearing - Review and approval of an application for a Conditional Use, with No New Construction by Aspatria Instittute d/b/a Aspatria College, located at 1404 S. 28th Street, Parcel Control Number: 2417-510-0025-000-3.]

BRODERICK. >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER GAINES. >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON. >> YES, MAYOR HUDSON.

>> YES, MA'AM. WE MOVE ON TO THE PUBLIC HEARINGS. WE HAVE A QUASI-JULGS HEARING FOR THE REVIEW AND UH-UH PROVAL OF APPLICATION FOR CONDITIONAL USE WITH NO NEW CONSTRUCTION BY ASPATRIA INSTITUTE LOCATED AT 1404 SOUTH 28 STREET.

>> ALL RIGHT. MADAM ATTORNEY, WE HAVE ONE QUASI-JUDICIAL. WOULD

YOU READ THE LEZE? >> THE COMMISSION ENGAGES IN LAW MAKING ACTIVITY BY PASSING LAWS AND ESTABLISHING POLICY. WHEN ACTING AS QUASI-U ADDITIONAL BODY, THE BODY IS HELD TO STRICTER. IT IS LESS FORMAL THAN CIRCUIT T COURT BUT MORE FORMAL THAN COMMISSION MEETING. MUST FOLLOW THE BASIC STANDARDS OF NOTED DUE PROCESS AND DECISIONS MADE BASED ON COMPETENT, SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE. COMMISSIONERS HAVE A DUTY TO CONTACT THE PROCEEDINGS MORE LIKE JUDGES THAN LEGISLATORS.

THAT IS WHY THE COMMISSION HAS ESTABLISHED THE UNIFORM PROCEDURES FOR QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARINGS THAT WILL BE FOLLOWEDED THIS EVENING. NO ONE SHOULD APPROACH ANYONE ON THE DIOUS, THE CITY CLERK DURING THE HEARING. IF DOCUMENTS ARE TO BE GIVEN TO THE CLERK, GIVE TO THE ANY OF THE POLICE OFFICERS IN THE CHAMBER. MADAM CLERK, HAVE WE MET THE NOTICE AND

ADVERTISING REQUIREMENTS? >> YES.

>> AT THIS TIME, WOULD YOU ASK COMMISSIONERS ABOUT EXPARTY

COMMUNICATIONS. >> YES, COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?

>> NONE THAT I'M AWARE OF. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?

>> NO, MA'AM. >> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON?

>> NO RGS MA'AM. >> MAYORER HUDSON? NO, MA'AM.

>> WOULD YOU SWEAR THE WITNESSES?

>> ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK PLEASE STAND AND RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND AND ANY MEMBERS FROM THE PUBLIC. DO YOU SOLEMNLY SWEAR AND AFFIRM TO TEAL THE TRUTH AND HOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. THANK YOU. STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> CARRIE CHARLES DRIVER, SENIOR PLANNER.

>> GOOD EVENING, MADAM MAYOR, CITY COMMISSIONERS. ON BEHALF OF THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT RGS WE BRING BEFORE YOU A CONDITIONAL USE APPLICATION DOING BUSINESS AT ASPATRIA COLLEGE. THE APPLICANT IS GIDARDO RODELO. PARCEL I.D. IS 2417-510-0025-000-3. THE ADDRESS IS 1404 SOUTH 28 STREET. WE CAN SEE AN AREA MAP OF THE LOCATION OF THE PARCEL BEING OUTLINED.

THE ACRES IS 0.68. ENSUMMARY, A CONDITIONAL USE, NO NEW CONSTRUCTION APPLICATION HAS BEEN SUBMITTED FOR REVIEW TO UPERATE THE COLLEGE AT 1404 SOUTH 28 STREET. HERE WE CAN SEE THAT THE FUTURE LAND USE IS GENERAL COMMERCIAL WHICH TO THE SOUTHWEST IS COMMERCIAL AND YOU HAVE RESIDENTIAL LOW TO THE EAST OF IT. THE ZONING IS C # GENCOMMERCIAL. AND TO THE NORTH AND EAST WE SEE R3, RESIDENTIAL, INTERMEDIATE. ACCORDING TO ARTICLE 5, SECTION 125-325, IT OUTLINED AND HIGHLIGHTS THE PURPOSE OF A CONDITIONAL USE AND THE REASON FOR THE ALLOWANCE.

SECTION 125-187 IS THE CITY ALLOWABLE USE TABLE. HERE WE CAN SEE EMGICATIONAL FACILITIES, COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITIES ARE CONDITIONAL USE AND THE ZONE THAT IT IS CONDITIONAL USE ALLOWED IN. HERE'S A PHOTO OF THE EXISTING BUILDING. IT WAS ONCE OCCUPIED BY AMERICAN CARE MEDICAL CENTER WHICH WAS A PHYSICIAN CARE BUILDING. WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE CONDITIONAL USE, THE APPLICANT PROPROSES TO UPDATE SIGNAGE. IN ADDITION TO

[00:30:01]

UPDATING SIGNAGE ON THE BUILDING, SOME OPERATIONAL DETAIL IS AS FOLLOWS. CLASSES MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY BETWEEN 8:00 A.M. AND 10:00 P.M. A TOTAL OF FOUR STAFF, TWO PART-TIME, TWO FULL-TIME. THE AGE GROUP RANGES FROM 17 TO 55. CLASSROOMS WILL BE HYBRID. HERE'S A LIST OF THE PROGRAMS AS WELL AS ASSOCIATE DEGREES THAT WILL BE OFFERED. HERE'S THE FLOOR PLAN OF THE EXISTING BUILDING. I'M JUST GOING TO SKIP TO THE NEXT SLIDE AS IT IS A TWO STORY BUILDING. BOTH LEVELS HAVE THE SAME FLOOR PLAN, OFFERING COMPUTER T LABS, TRAINING LABS, CLASSROOMS, RESTROOMS, LOUNGES. THREE OFFICES RGS FRONT DESKS AND STORAGE UNITS. THERE ARE NO DEMOLITION PLANS FOR THE PROPOSED NEW USE. HERE'S THE LAYOUT OF THE LANDSCAPE PLAN. IN ADDITION TO THE 20 TREES EXISTING ON THE PROPERTY, THE APPLICANT IS PROPOSING TO ADD THREE ADDITIONAL TREES AS WELL AS A 190 FOOT SHRUB TO THE PROPERTY TO INCREASE THE LANDSCAPING. AT THE JULY 14 PLANNING BOARD MEETING IT WAS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE USE WITH THE FOLLOWING TWO USES.

APPLIED PERMIT PRIOR TO CERTIFICATE OF ISSUANCE AND TWO, NOTERIZED LANDSCAPE AGREEMENT IS DUE PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATE OF OUKUEPANCY. STAFF IS RECOMMENDING APPROVAL WITH THE NOTED CONDITIONS. ALTERINATE RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BE TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL WITH ADDITIONAL OR MODIFIED CONDITIONS OR RECOMMEND DISAPPROVAL. THANK YOU.

>> QUESTIONS OF STAFF? >> I JUST HAVE A COMMENT. THIS IS THE CLASSIC CASE OF A PERFECT REPURPOSING OF AN EXISTING PROPERTY T. LANDSCAPE UPGRADES TO SOFTEN ROAD SIDE VISIBILITY IS WARRANTED. I DRIVE PAST THIS BUILDING TEN TIMES A DAY, VERY FAMILIAR WITH IT. I THINK IT IS AN OUTSTANDING REUSE OF AN EXISTING FACILITY. I WOULD LIKE TO RECOMMEND THESE FOLKS TO FORT PIERCE. GREAT USE, GREAT LOCATION. IT CHECKS ALL THE

BOXES. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? ALL RIGHT. I WILL ASK THE APPLICANT TO COME FORWARD, PLEASE. YOU CAN STAND AT THE PODIUM AND STATE YOUR NAME FOR

US, PLEASE. >>

>> WELCOME. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF?

>> NO QUESTIONS. WE HAVE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE ANYTHING WITH US ABOUT YOUR

PROPOSAL? >> I STARTED THE INSTITUTE IN JACKSONVILLE. WE ARE EXPANDING IT TO WINTER HAVEN, TAMPA, AND FORT PIERCE. IT WILL BASICALLY, THERE IS A NEED FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND HEALTHCARE STAFFING. WE ARE BASICALLY EXPANDING THAT TO FORT PIERCE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I SAW YOU

WERE SWORN IN SO WE ARE GOOD. >> QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? THANK

YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

> IS THERE ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE WHO WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? ANYONE ELSE? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC COMMENT. I WILL BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMISSION.

>> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND.

>> CALL THE ROLL. >> FOR CLARIFICATION, THAT

INCLUDES THE TWO CONDITIONS? >> CORRECT.

>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES.

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

MA'AM. >> MAYOR HUDSON?

>> YES, MA'AM. CONGRATULATIONS, WELCOME TO FORT PIERCE. OKAY.

[B. Continued from the August 4, 2025 meeting. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 25-021 - Review and approval of an application to amend the Millcreek Planned Development (PD) zoning in respect of one (1) parcel containing approximately 62.51 acres, and generally located north of Orange Ave and West of 41st Street in Fort Pierce, with a Planned Development Final Site Plan for Pod 2 to construct a total of 439 dwelling units, distributed in 309 townhomes and 130 detached single-family homes at a density of 7.1 du/ac. The application submitted by applicant REDTAIL DG Tod Mowery on behalf of owner FM Millcreek Holding LLC. more specifically at Parcel ID #2407-124-0001-000-3 - SECOND READING.]

NEXT HAVE ORDINANCE 25-021, AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AMENDING MILL CREEK PLANNED DEVELOPMENT IN WERE T OF ONE PARCEL OF APPROXIMATELY 62.51 ACRES OF LAND LOCATED NORTH OF ORANGE AVENUE AND WEST OF 41ST STREET, APPROVING MILL CREEK POD TWO FINAL SITE PLAN THROUGH THE FINAL ZONING PROCESS, PROVING A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT ZONING

[00:35:03]

AGREEMENT, AMENDING ORDINANCE AS TO FINAL SITE PLAN APPROVAL, SEPARATION OF PODS, UNIFIED CONTROL AND UNITY OF TITLE, PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREFORE IN CONFLICT AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS WAS AN ITEM CONTINUED FROM AUGUST 4, 2025 MEETING. THIS IS THE SECOND

READING. >> THIS IS THE SECOND READING.

ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF? >> I DO HAVE A QUESTION. IT MIGHT BE BETTER FOR TODD. I WENT BACK AND REVISITED THIS STREET LIGHT ISSUE. I HAD SEVERAL DISCUSSIONS WITH LOCAL -- WITH OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES. LET'S PUT IT THAT WAY. THERE IS A HIGH LEVEL OF CONCERN REGARDING THE STREET LIGHT MATTER. I REMEMBER COMMISSIONER JOHNSON MADE A POINT OF THIS ABOUT EXPEDITING THE PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR THE LIGHTED INTERSECTION. WE THEN BACK TRACKED ON THAT LANGUAGE SOMEWHAT TO INDICATE -- I'M GOING TO BUTCHER THE LANGUAGE BUT TO APPLY AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME IS THERE ANY UPDATE AS TO WHERE THAT SITS? IT WAS ALSOMINATIONED THAT BEN CREEK THIRD PHASE WOULD BE DEALING WITH THE SAME INTERSECTION AND HAD THEY ALREADY BEEN OUT IN FRONT OF THIS BEING REQUIRED BY THE STATE D.O.T. TO PUT IN A LIGHT AND THAT THESE FOLKS WOULD THEN PIGGYBACK ON THAT. IS THERE

ANY UPDATE ON ANY OF THAT? >> MR. FREEMAN?

>> KEVIN FREEMAN, PLANNING DIRECTOR. I CAN LET THE APCOMPETENT CONTRIBUTE TO THE CONVERSATION ALSO. TRAFFIC SIGNALS REQUIRE WARRANT FROM THE STATE AGENCY. SO WE ARE ALWAYS, IN TERMS OF REQUESTING INSTALLATION OF TRAFFIC CIRCLES, WOE ALWAYS NEED TO POINT T OUT THAT IF AN IMPORTANT IS ISSUED, THEY WILL BE CONTRIBUTING TO THE SIGNAL INSTALLATION. IT IS DEPENDENT ON THE VOLUME OF RAFFIC GENERATED AT VAR POINTS IN TIME. WITHOUT THAT WARRANT, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET AN INSTALLTION OF A TRAFFIC SIGNAL ONGOING. THE APPLICANT IS AWARE OF THAT. WE ARE AWARE OF THAT. ONCE THE WARRANT IS ISSUED, THEN THE SIGNALIZATION WILL BE REQUIRED. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PHASES WITHIN THE MILL CREEK DEVELOPMENT AND THAT COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME. AS THE SITE PLANS COME THROUGH, THAT WOULD BE RECONSIDERED EACH TIME. THE TRAFFIC ANALYSIS WOULD BE LOOKED AT AND IF THAT WAS A TRIGGER, THEN THAT WOULD BE REQUIRED.

>> I GUESS MY CORE QUESTION IS, WE DON'T KNOW WHEN THAT WILL BE TRIGGERED NECESSARILY BECAUSE BANK CREEK IS DOING THEIR DEVELOPMENT, MILL CREEK WOULD DO THEIR PHASING ET CETERA. BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, BASED ON TRAFFIC STUDIES, IT IS GOING TO

BE INSTALLED. >> AT SOME POINT.

>> WHAT I'M CONCERNED ABOUT IS THERE IS A HIGH LEVEL OF CONCERN, EVEN WITH THE COMMERCIAL USERS OVER THERE RELATIVE TO THIS LIGHT T. I JUST WANT TO HAVE AN ASSURANCE OR COMFORT LEVEL THAT A LIGHT WILL END UP EXISTING THERE. EVE WITH ALL OF THE LANGUAGE IN THE DEVELOPER'S AGREEMENT, WITH THE NUMBER BUILT AND THE TRAFFIC VOLUME, THERE WILL BE A LIGHT.

>> I WOULD PREFACE THAT WITH THE FACT THAT IT IS THE LEVEL OF BACKGROUND TRAFFIC THROUGHOUT. SO THIS COULD OCCUR AT ANY MOMENT DEPENDING ON ANY OTHER DEVELOPMENTS THAT COME ONLINE.

IT IS TOTALLY DETERMINED BY DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. .

>> I UNDERSTAND. >> IT IS REALLY DIFFICULT FOR ME

TO SAY A DATE CERTAIN. >> OR X NUMBER OF UNITS CERTAIN.

>> EXACTLY. >> I'M FINE WITH THAT. I JUST WANT TO SAY AT THE BUILDOUT OF THE COMPLEX, BASED ON TRAFFIC STUDIES, THAT THIS LIGHT IS GOING TO BE A NECESSITY IN REFERENCE TO WHAT THE STATE REQUIRES. IF THAT'S THE CASE, I KNOW YOU ARE GOOD. I KNOW YOU CAN'T THROW A DART ON THE BOARD AND SAY IT IS THIS DATE OR THIS NUMBER OF UNITS COMPLETED. IT

WILL BE MORE DATA. >> IT IS TRAFFIC VOLUMES ALONG

THAT ROADWAY. >> RIGHT, UNDERSTOOD. I HAVE ONE FURTHER QUESTION HERE, I HAD SEEN, I WAS GIVEN PRIVY

[00:40:02]

INFORMATION RELATIVE TO EARLIER SITE PLANS. THIS IS A QUESTION FOR MR. MARY, ACTUALLY. WE ARE OPEN PUBLIC HEARING.

>> OH, MAYBE YOU CAN ADDRESS THIS. IN THE EARLY RENDITIONS OF F THE SITE PLAN, THERE WAS I BELIEVE 5 ACRES OF PUBLIC SPACE THAT WAS INCORPORATED THAT HAS NOW BEEN ELIMINATED I THINK IT HAS BEEN REASSIGNED THROUGHOUT THE SITE.

>> YES, THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENTIALS BETWEEN THE INITIAL, IF YOU LIKE THE OLD STYLE CONCEPT OF WHAT THIS SHOULD BE AND THEN MOVING INTO THE NEW STYLE OF PD PROCESSING.

IT WAS POINTED OUT TO THE APPLICANT AND I THINK IT WAS ADEQUATELY EXPLAINED THAT THAT WAS REDISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE PROPERTY. THERE HAVE BEEN CHANGES IN HOW STORM WATER AREAS NEED TO BE DESIGNED NOW. THAT WAS ALSO A FACTOR IN THE

REARRANGEMENT OF THE PROPERTY. >> WHICH I'M FINE WITH AS LONG AS WE HAVE IT WITHIN CONTEXT. I GUESS THERE IS A THIRD QUESTION, MY APOLOGIES. I CAN DO THIS ALL NIGHT LONG, YOU KNOW THAT. I DON'T INTEND TO. THERE IS A COMMON AREA FACILITIES OF CLUBHOUSE, POOL, OTHER AMENITIES THAT GO ALONG WITH IT. WHAT'S THE TRIGGER POINT AS TO WHEN THOSE HAVE TO BE COMPLETED? I GUESS THAT IS A QUESTION FOR THE DEVELOPER. I WILL HOLD AND WAIT

FOR HIM. . >> ALL RIGHT, ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF? THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. I'M JUST SITTING HERE THINKING OF A COMMON SENSE MATTER. EVERYONE KNOWS WITH THE TRAFFIC AND THE PROJECT THAT IS THERE AND BENT CREEK PHASE THREE, WE ARE GOING TO NEED A LIGHT. HOW CAN ME AS A CITY COMMISSIONER CALL D.O.T. AND SAY, HEY, I DON'T WANT TO WAIT. WE KNOW IT'S COMING. WE KNOW ALL OF THIS TRAFFIC IS COMING. THE TRAFFIC IS ALREADY BUSY. WE HAVE TWO PROJECTS COMING OUT OF THE GROUND. I DON'T WANT TO GET THE EMAILS WHEN PHASE ONE COMES AND THESE CARS START COMING AND CAN'T GET OUT AND ALL OF THIS STUFF COMES. SO IT HAS TO BE, AND DANA JUST LEFT BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE ASKED HER THIS. IT HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF COMMON SENSE APPROACH. IF YOU HAVE TWO MAJOR PROJECTS COMMON IN THE AREA THAT D.O.T. HAS TO SAY I'M NOT GOING TO WAIT, CAN WE DO SOMETHING, IS THERE A CALL I CAN MAKE OR SOMETHING I CAN DO? IT IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE SAT HERE AND WE KNOW THE PROJECT IS COMING. WE KNOW THE TRAFFIC IS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM. BUT WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR D.O.T. WHICH IS -- BEN CREEK ITSELF IS ALREADY A BIG PROPERTY OUT THERE. PHASE 3 WILL MAKE IT THAT MUCH BIGGER.

MILL CREEK WILL MAKE IT THAT MUCH BIGGER. THE CARS ARE COMING, THE TRAFFIC IS COMING CAN I CALL D.O. IT? I KNOW THE ANSWER IS THEY WILL PROBABLY HANG UP ON ME AND SAY LEAVE ME ALONE. BUT THERE HAS TO BE SOMETHING WE CAN DO TO LET D.O.T. UNDERSTAND OUR CONCERNS AND RESIDENTS' CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROJECTS THAT COME AND THE TRAFFIC. I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME ONE DAY WITH THE ANSWER.

IT WON'T BE THE FIRST TIME I CALLED TALLAHASSEE AND GOT HUNG

UP ON. >> MR. FREEMAN, DO YOU HAVE AN

ANSWER? >> WELL, THE ISSUE IS WE ARE DEPENDENT ON THE WARRANT BEING ISSUED FOR THE INSTALLATION OF THE SIGNAL. AND YES THAT CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME, DEPENDING ON THE BACKGROUND VOLUME OF TRAFFIC IN THE LOCATION. WE SEE PHASES OF VARIOUS DEVELOPMENTS AND MAYBE DEVELOPMENTS THAT ARE WIDER THAN WHAT THE AREA THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT. FDOT ARE WELL AWARE OF THAT. TRAFFIC ENGINEERS ARE WELL AWARE OF THAT. THIS HAS BEEN REVIEWED BY FDOT AND THE COMMENTS THAT WE RECEIVE SAY IT IS NOT TRIGGERING THE WARRANT AT THE MOMENT. THEY ARE AWARE, WE ARE AWARE, THAT SOMETIME IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE, THAT WOULD

[00:45:02]

OCCUR. WE GOT PROCESSES IN PLACE THAT WOULD ENABLE THAT SIGNAL TO

BE INSTALLED. >> OKAY, THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF STAFF? NOW I'M GOING TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING. IT LOOKS LIKE OUR FIRST PUBLIC SPEAKER IS RIGHT HERE AND BROUGHT UP A MAP. MR. MORY, PLEASE.

>> FOR THE RECORD, TODD MORY WITH REDTAIL. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO, IF YOU WOULD LIKE IS WALK YOU THROUGH A COUPLE OF THINGS AND THIS CAN HELP ANSWER SOME QUESTIONS AND TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE ELEMENTS THAT ARE TAKING PLACE. THIS IS THE PROPERTY APPRAISER'S MAP. I WILL CLICK ON A COUPLE OF THINGS BUT MICHELLE FRANKLIN'S SITE, WHEN I CLICK ON IT PULLS UP POP UPS

THAT ARE DIFFERENT. >> SHE HAS REDONE THE SITE.

>> WHAT I WILL DO IS IF YOU CAN SEE MY CURSOR MOVING, I WILL DO A LITTLE ORIENTATION. WE HAVE JENKINS ROAD RGS NORTH SOUTH INTERSECTION AT ORANGE AND JENKINS. THERE WERE TWO DIFFERENT PDS THAT YOU APPROVED SEVERAL YEARS AGO. WE REFERRED TO THESE AS WEST ORANGE AND THE SECOND AS MILLCREEK. THAT INCLUDED THIS PARCEL HERE, 30 ACRES. IT INCLUDED WHAT WE REFERRED TO AS THE F PROPERTIES. THE F PROPERTIES IS, I'M GOING TO DRAW WITH MY CURSOR, COMES DOWN AND WRAPS AROUND THESE TWO PARCELS, COMES BACK AND WE ARE MAKING THE SHAPE OF AN F, A SERIES OF PARCELS ALL IN THIS. THAT WAS KNOWN AS WEST ORANGE.

THAT PROJECT IS SET UP AT A MEDIAN OPENING THAT IS ALREADY IN PLACE THAT HAS LEFT TURN MOVEMENTS HEADING SOUTH AS WELL AS A LEFT TURN MOVEMENT GOING NORTH INTO THE SITE. SO THAT IS ANOTHER AREA THAT AS WE TALK ABOUT ISSUES, AND THINGS IN THE FUTURE THAT THERE WOULD PERHAPS BE THESE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT T IT.

I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH SEVERAL OF YOU AS WELL ABOUT T HOW THE PROCESS WORKS WITH THE STATE. THIS IS A D.O.T.

CONTROLLED ROADWAY SIMILAR TO U.S. 1. WHEN I DID THE OLD K MART SHOPPING PLAZA, WHEN WE PUT THE SIGNAL IN WITH THAT, THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY SAID I WANT T TO PUT A SIGNAL IN. STAFF SAID WE WANT YOU TO PUT A SIGNAL IN. IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO HAVE A SIGNAL. THE D.O.T. CAME BACK AND SAID I'M SORRY, WE DO A WARRANT ANALYSIS, THERE ARE EIGHT WARRANTS THAT MUST BE MET AND YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO MEET THE WARRANTS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. WE WENT THROUGH AN ENTIRE PROCESS. WE WORKED WITH THE LOCAL REPRESENTATIVE AT THE TIME AND TALKED ABOUT THE PLAZA. OF ALL THINGS, YOU RENOVATE AND YOU WOULD IMAGINE THERE WOULD BE A SIGNAL. WE MANAGED TO GO THRU A PROCESS WITH THE D.O.T. WHERE WE EXAMINED ALL TRAFFIC TO THE EAST OF U.S. 1 THAT COULD EVER HAPPEN AS WELL AS EVERYTHING FOR OUR PARCEL AND BRING IN WHAT IS CALLED THE BOATYARD PROPERTY. IN THE END, THEY SAID IF YOU CLOSE OFF ALL OF THESE OTHER ENTRANCES , SO WE CLOSED A SERIES OF FOUR AND PROVIDEDED DEDICATION FOR RIGHT TURN MOVEMENT ONTO VIRJ AVENUE, WE WILL ALLOW A SIGNAL TO TAKE PLACE BUT ONLY THROUGH A CERTAIN DESIGN AND IT WAS MORE LIMITED. THAT'S WHAT WE WENT THROUGH AT THAT TIME AND IT WAS ABOUT A 14 MONTH PROCESS THAT THEY PUT US THROUGH JUST TO GET THAT SIGNAL. THE SIGNAL IS THERE TODAY. YOU PERHAPS HAVE BEEN THROUGH THAT SIGNAL IF YOU ARE GOING THROUGH THE PLAZA. FOR THIS, WHAT T I'M REFERENCING FOR YOU TODAY IS WHEN A SIGNAL IS LOOKED AT AS MR. FREEMAN MENTIONED, THERE WILL BE AN EXAMINATION OF THE EXISTING TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. THEY WILL LOOK AT THE LEVEL OF SERVICE IN PLACE. THEY GO THROUGH THE WARRANT ANALYSIS. IN DOING SO, WHAT HAS COME UP IS THAT THEY DON'T JUST WANT TO ADD A SIGNAL FOR SIGNAL SAKE BECAUSE SOMEONE THINKS THEY NEED IT. WHAT THEY HAVE FOUND IS IF WE SAY TODAY WE ARE EXPERIENCING A BACKUP AT ORANGE AND JENKINS. IF WE ADD ANOTHER T SIGNAL AT THIS INTERSECTION FOR WHAT WE CALL WEST ORANGE AND THEN ANOTHER SIGNAL AT BENT CREEK DRIVE AND ANOTHER AT HARTMAN. THE SIGNALS SLOW TRAFFIC AND DON'T CREATE AN EFFICIENT FLOW OF TRAFFIC .

SO THEIR ANALYSIS DOESN'T LOOK AT WHETHER OR NOT -- THE AMOUNT OF TRAFFIC BUT WILL HAPPEN AS A RESULT OF THE SIGNAL. IF YOU ADD A SIGNAL, CHANCES ARE YOU MAY SLOW THE FLOW AND CREATE MORE BACKUPS YOU HAD PRIOR TO THE SIGNAL UNLESS YOU ARE ABLE TO HAVE A MRN THAT CREATES AN EFFECTIVE ROUTE THAT BECOMES A

[00:50:03]

BIG CHALLENGE. SECONDLY, THE MORE IMPORTANT FACTOR THAT THEY WILL LOOK AT, THEY LOOK AT THE INCIDENTS OF ACCIDENTS AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE ABLE TO DO SOMETHING THAT WOULD AFFECT WHAT YOUR ROLE IS AS A COMMISSION WHICH IS THE GENERAL HEALTH, SAFETY, WELFARE. IF THEY CAN IMPROVE THE GENERAL HEALTH, SAFETY, WELFARE, MAKE A SAFE SITUATION BASED UPON ESTABLISHED NORMS, THEN THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT. THEY KNOW THEY WILL NOT PAY% FOR IT. THEY KNOW IT IS NOT ABOUT COST. THEY KNOW IT WOULD COST AROUND HALF A MILLION FOR THE INSTALLATION. THEY KNOW IT WOULD BE THE IMPROVEMENT, LET ALONE ANY MEDIAN IMPROVEMENTS.

YOU CAN SEE THAT IF THE INTERSECTION WAS SIGNALIZED, SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TO DO MODIFICATIONS TO DO ANYTHING.

YOU HAVE THAT COST AND THE SIGNAL COST ITSELF. THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT THE COST. IT IS ABOUT THEIR TECHNICAL DATA MEETING THE WARRANTS IN PLACE. ONLY AT THAT POINT WILL THEY ALLOW SOMEONE TO DEVELOP IT REGARDLESS OF THE PRESSURE THAT COMES ALONG. THEY DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH PERCEPTION, THEY ARE FOCUSED ON THE REALITY. I DID HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH COREY BENTON AT THE COUNTY. HE LIVES IN BENT CREEK. WE WERE ABLE TO TALK.

FROM THEIR STANDPOINT, THEY WOULD LOVE TO SEE A SIGNAL.

THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT THAT. BUT IT IS AN ANALYSIS THAT WOULD TAKE PLACE. OUR PROJECT TO GO AND GET OUR APPROVALS WILL HAVE TO APPLY FOR NOT ONLY WATER PERMITS BUT THE D.O.T. PERMIT. AS WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS, OUR TRAFFIC ENGINEER AT&T THE LAST MEETING, JUAN ORTGA FOR TRAFFIC ENGINEERING GOES THROUGH THE PROCESS OF DESCRIBING TO THEM.

WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH A PREAPPLICATION PROCESS. WE DETAILED NOT ONLY WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH OUR PROJECT BUT THINGS IN THE SURROUNDING AREA. THAT IS ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP, THE FACT T THAT WE ARE ALSO BRINGING TO YOU AND THAT WE HAVE DISCUSSED WITH STAFF FOR WHAT WE CALL THIS 19 ACRE PIECE HERE WHICH IS JUST WEST OF BEN CREEK. THIS PARTICULAR PARCEL IS NORTH OF THE REALLY LARGE ANTENNA IN PLACE WITH ALL OF THE GUIDE WIRES. WHAT IS IMPORTANT IS IT CREATES THE MISSING LINK BETWEEN PETERSON ROAD WHICH CANNOT CONNECT. ALL OF THE TRAFFIC THAT WANTS T TO HEAD TO THE INTERSTATE AND SHOPPING AT THE INTERCHANGE OF OKEECHOBEE CANNOT DO THAT WITHOUT EXTENDIG OUT AROUND BY HARTMAN ROAD BY MOON SWINERS. WITH THE 19 ACRE PROJECT T, IT WILL IMPROVE THE CONNECTION BUT IT WILL DIMINISH THE TRAFFIC VOLUME COMING OUT OF BENT CREEK. SOMETIMES YOU WIN IN ONE AREA BUT THE WARRANT ANALYSIS SHOWS OTHER THINGS TAKING PLACE. THAT IS A CRITICAL CONNECTION TO MAKE, IT IS GATED ON EACH SIDE. YOU CAN'T CONNECT ON PETERSON ROAD. IT WILL BE A NICE CONNECTION. WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE AREA. TO YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTION, COMMISSIONER BRODERICK, I THINK THE TIMING HAS TO HAPPEN FROM A D.O.T. STANDPOINT AS WE MAKE APPLICATION FOR THE CONSTRUCTION PERMITS AND THEN IS WHEN THEY WOULD FULLY REVIEW THE TRAFFIC STUDIES AND REPORTS PROVIDED BY WARRANT ANALYSIS ON THEM.

>> THANK YOU. >> WOULD YOU LIKE TOSY ANYTHING

>>> I WANT EVERYBODY'S QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED, SO I

APPRECIATE THAT. >> THE DEVELOPER'S AGREEMENT AS WELL, SHE HAS MADE SURE THAT THE TIMING ELEMENTS, THE IMPROVEMENTS, THOSE THINGS ARE ALL LAID OUT IN THAT DOCUMENT SO IT DICTATES AS WELL WHAT HAS TO HAPPEN FOR THOSE IMPROVEMENTS, INCLUDING WHEN YOU TALKED ABOUT WHEN CERTAIN AMENITIES WOULD BE PROVIDED WITHIN THE PROJECT ITSELF. IT LAYS OUT WITHIN THE PROJECT THREE SEPARATE PHASES AND WHEN EACH OF THOSE ELEMENTS WOULD TAKE PLACE.

>> ALL RIGHT. >> THAT'S SUFFICIENT FOR ME.

>> ANYONE ELSE IN THE AUDIENCE LIKE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF

STAFF? >> NO, MAYOR.

>> OF STAFF? >> OH.

>> FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT. MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, I UNDERSTAND THE NEED THAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A LIGHT HERE. BUT SOMEONE THAT WORKS THE TRAFFIC CRASHES AND THE FATALITIES, THIS IS NOT THE ISSUE. TIMING KING AND

[00:55:02]

WEATHERBY, THOSE ARE YOUR MAIN ISSUES THAT NEED LIGHTS. I'VE HAD RESIDENTS REACH OUT TO ME, SPEAK TO ME ON THIS ISSUE, ASK WHAT THEY CAN DO TO BRING THIS UP. I TOLD THEM TO COME HERE, REACH OUT TO FDOT. I CAN TELL YOU I'VE WORKED ROLL OVERS, FATALITIES, SERIOUS BODILY INJURIES AT THOSE INTERSECTIONS.

THESE INTERSECTIONS HERE, I HAVE NOT WORKED A SINGLE CRASH.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. ANYONE ELSE? ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO ADDRESS? ALL RIGHTY. I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, AND I BRING

IT BACK TO THE COMMISSION. >> MADAME MAYOR, WITH THAT I WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT, AND THEN I DON'T THINK WE HAVE A QUESTION FOR STAFF, DO WE AT THIS POINT?

>> NO. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A MOTION.

>> WE'LL HAVE A MOTION. I'LL BRING A MOTION. I WANT TO THANK BOTH PARTIES, OUR STAFF, AND THE DEVELOPER FOR BRINGING THIS AND BRINGING BACK THIS DISCUSSION BECAUSE THIS WAS PART OF WHAT WE HAD THE LAST TIME. AND I'M GLAD WE WERE ABLE TO SEE THE TOTAL IMPACT OF THE AREA. WE'RE GONNA EVENTUALLY GET MORE EVEN ROAD IMPROVEMENTS OVER THERE THAT WILL PROVIDE FOR SOLUTIONS. I HEAR THE CONCERNS. I UNDERSTAND WHERE THE PUBLIC'S AT, BUT AGAIN BASED ON MY ANALYSIS AND WHAT I'VE HEARD, I'M COMFORTABLE MOVING THIS FORWARD. I MOVE APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE

25-021. >> IS THERE A SECOND?

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

>> COMMISSION ER BRODERICK? >> YES.

>> AND I TOO WOULD LIKE TO ADD IN LIGHT OF WHAT THE OFFICER SAID, THE RESIDENTS OF HIGH POINT HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR A TRAFFIC LIGHT FOR A LONG, LONG TIME. FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION KNOWS IT. THEY DO TRAFFIC COUNTS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. THE TRAFFIC COUNTS THEY DO ARE NOT ON U.S. 1. THEY'RE ONCOMING OUT AND COMING TO HIGH POINT DRIVE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE MAGIC IS WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION.

BUT I DO KNOW THERE ARE AREAS WHERE THE RESIDENTS WANT IT, AS THE OFFICER SAID THAT WHOLE TUMBLING AREA TOO.

>> AND THANK YOU FOR THAT. WE DO HAVE ANOTHER MECHANISM. TWO OF US SIT ON THE TPO BOARD WERE WE LITERALLY HAVE PRESENTATIONS FROM FDOT. WE HAVE OTHER CONVERSATIONS. WE BRING UP SAFETY CONCERNS. WE DO UTILIZE THAT COMMITTEE, WHICH IS NOT ONLY OUR CITY BUT THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE AS WELL AS COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES AS WELL AS A COUPLE OTHER SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERS ON THAT BOARD. SO WE DO TAKE ROAD SAFETY AND WE'RE PLANNING 10 YEARS DOWN, AND THERE ARE WAYS WE CAN ELEVATE.

AND ESCALATE, I'M SORRY, ESCALATE THE --

>> FDOT COMES TO OUR MEETINGS. >> THEY ARE FULLY AWARE. AND THE TPO BOARD HAS BEEN BRIEFED. I'M THE CHAIR OF THE TPO BOARD NOW.

I BROUGHT THIS TO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S ATTENTION. WE BROUGHT IT TO FDOT'S ATTENTION. I JUST WANT THE PUBLIC TO KNOW YOUR CONCERNS DO NOT GO UNHEARD. THERE ARE OTHER BOARDS THAT WE SIT ON AS COMMISSIONERS THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT THIS STUFF IS COMMUNICATED TO THE POWERS THAT BE TO INCLUDE FDOT. COMMISSIONER GAINES, IT'S BEEN HEARD, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR THROUGH THE TRANSPORTATION PLANNING ORGANIZATION ALL ROADS IN ST.

LUCIE COUNTY AND WE'LL BE BRINGING UP TUMBLING, AND PART OF THAT IS COUNTY ROADS. I'M NOT 100% SURE THAT'S A CITY ROAD. MAYBE SOME OF THE ADVOCACY NEEDS TO BE WITH SOME OF THE

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. >> CONGRATULATIONS MR. MOWERY.

HARD FOUGHT BUT SUCCESS. >> YES.

[C. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 25-022 amending Chapter 2, Article IV, Division 5, Police Officers Retirement/Pension Funds to allow the Police Chief to opt out of the Police Officers Retirement Trust Fund and to increase DROP participation period to six years to mirror the general employee plan. SECOND READING]

>> ARE WE READY? >> YES.

>> SO NEXT WE HAVE ORDINANCE 25-022, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA AMENDING CHAPTER 2 ADMINISTRATION ARTICLE IV, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES DIVISION 5 POLICE OFFICERS RETIREMENT SLASH PENSION FUNDS, SUBDIVISION TWO, POLICE OFFICERS RETIREMENT TRUST FUND BY AMENDING SECTION 2-381.

DEFINITIONS, AT THE DEFINITION OF POLICE OFFICER TO ALLOW THE POLICE CHIEF TO OPT OUT OF THE POLICE OFFICER'S RETIREMENT TRUST FUND PLAN BY AMENDING SECTION 2-388. TO CORRECT AN INTERNAL INCONSISTENCY AMENDING DEFERRED RETIREMENT OPTION PLAN TO INCREASE DROP PARTICIPATION PERIOD TO SIX YEARS. PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS

THE SECOND READING. >> ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION ON THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NO MOVEMENT, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. BACK TO THE COMMISSION

[01:00:01]

FOR A MOTION. >> I MOVE APPROVAL.

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

ROLL PLEASE. >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?

[D. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 25-023 - Review and approval fo Voluntary Annexation by owner Troil South, LLC, to extend the territorial limits of the City of Fort Pierce, Florida, to include one (1) parcel at 1903 S. 37th Street. The proposed City Future Land Use designation is General Commercial (GC) and Zoning classification of General Commercial (C-3). Parcel ID: 2417-331-0001-000-0. FIRST READING]

>> YES. >> MAYOR HUDSON?

>> YES, MA'AM. >>> NEXT WE HAVE ORDINANCE 25-023, AN ORDINANCE EXTENDING THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA TO INCLUDE ONE PARCEL AT 1903 SOUTH 37TH STREET AND SHOWN ON EXHIBIT A DIRECTING THE PROPERTY APPRAISER TO ASSESS SAID PROPERTY AS OF JANUARY 1, 2026.

DIRECTING THE TAX COLLECTOR TO COLLECT TAXES ESTABLISHING THE ZONING DESIGNATION, THE LAND USE DESIGNATION, DIRECTING FILING OF THE ORDINANCE WITH THE CIRCUIT COURT AND CHIEF ADMINISTRATION OFFICER OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY, REVISION OF THE CHARTER BOUNDARY TO BE FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH. REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS THE

FIRST READING. >> ALL RIGHTY. STAFF, YOU MAY

PROCEED. >> ALL RIGHT. SENIOR PLANNER.

GOOD EVENING. BEFORE YOU, WE BRING YOU AN ANNEXATION APPLICATION FOR 1903 SOUTH 37TH STREET. THE APPLICANT IS GIA GRANDY. PARCEL ID IS 2417-331-0001-0000. IN SUMMARY, A REQUEST FOR REVIEW OF A VOLUNTARY APPLICATION FOR ANNEXATION FOR ONE PARCEL, AGAIN LOCATED AT 1903 SOUTH 37TH STREET WHERE THE AREA ACCORDING TO THE MAP, WE SHOW THAT THE ACREAGE IS .63. AND THE PARCEL IS OUTLINED IN YELLOW.

>> HMM. >> HERE IS A MAP, UM, HIGHLIGHTING THE CITY LIMITS. AGAIN, WE HAVE THE PARCEL IN QUESTION OUTLINED IN YELLOW, AND EVERYTHING IN THIS LIGHT VIOLET COLOR SHOWS THE CITY BOUNDARIES. ANYTHING UNHIGHLIGHTED SHOWS THE

COUNTY. >> A BIT OF FEW ENCLAVES THERE.

>> SO ACCORDING TO THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN POLICY 1.11.5, PROPERTIES ANNEXED SHALL RECEIVE A LAND USE DESIGNATION COMPATIBLE WITH THE COUNTY LAND USE DESIGNATION. STAFF HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED WITHIN AN UNINCORPORATED ST. LUCIE COUNTY AND IS CONTIGUOUS TO THE FORT PIERCE CITY MUNICIPAL BOUNDARY. PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 171.0461 OF FLORIDA STATUTE, WHEREAS THE LEGISLATURE RECOGNIZES THAT ENCLAVES CAN CREATE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS IN PLANNING, GROWTH MANAGEMENT AND SERVICE DELIVERY AND THEREFORE DECLARES THAT IT IS THE POLICY OF THE STATE TO ELIMINATE ENCLAVES. THE CURRENT TAXABLE VALUE OF THE PROPERTY IS $34,991. HERE IS THE FUTURE LAND USE. AGAIN, THE PARCEL IS CURRENTLY IN THE COUNTY. IN THE COUNTY FEATURED LAND USE DESIGNATION IS COMMERCIAL COM.

WE LOOK TO THE SOUTH, PARCEL OF THE NORTH, WEST, AND EAST WE SEE THAT THE PARCEL IS SURROUNDED BY CITY GENERAL COMMERCIAL. IF THE ANNEXATION IS APPROVED, THE FUTURE LAND USE WILL BE CHANGED TO GENERAL COMMERCIAL. HERE IS THE EXISTING ZONING MAP IN THE COUNTY WITH THE CURRENT COUNTY ZONING CLASSIFICATION IS COMMERCIAL NEIGHBORHOOD, CN. AND AGAIN, THE CITY BOUNDARIES WE SHOW C-3. GIVEN THE ANNEXATION IS APPROVED, THE ZONING WILL BE CHANGED TO C-3, GENERAL COMMERCIAL . THIS FUTURE LAND USE COMPARISON CHART JUST HIGHLIGHTS WHAT THE POSSIBILITIES CAN BE SHOULD THE APPLICANT OR DEVELOPER LATER PROPOSE TO DEVELOP RESIDENTIAL ON THE PROPERTY IF APPROVED FOR ANNEXATION. AGAIN, THE SITE AREAS .63 ACRES, WHICH COMES TO A LITTLE OVER 27,000 SQUARE FEET. WITH THE COMMERCIAL FUTURE LAND USE, RESIDENTIAL IS NOT ALLOWED. WITH AN APPROVED ANNEXATION, IF THE APPLICANT AGAIN PROPOSES RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT ON THE PROPERTY WITH A CHANGE FUTURE LAND USE TO GENERAL COMMERCIAL UNDER OUR CURRENT FUTURE LAND USE CODE, THE MAX DENSITY PER UNIT DWELLING ACRES PER UNIT IS 15.

WITH THE SIZE OF THE PARCEL, THE MAX UNITS ALLOWED WOULD BE NINE.

[01:05:09]

AT THE JULY 14TH PLANNING BOARD MEETING, IT WAS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO APPROVE THE ANNEXATION. THE PROPERTY IS WITHIN THE FUPA SERVICE AREA. WE ARE ASKING FOR THE APPROVAL OF ANNEXATION. RECOMMEND APPROVAL WITH CONDITIONS OR TO RECOMMEND

THIS APPROVAL. THANK YOU. >> QUESTIONS OF STAFF? ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF? THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NO MOVEMENT, I'LL BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMISSION FOR A MOTION.

>> I MOVE APPROVAL. >> SECOND.

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

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> YES.

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

[E. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 25-024 Creating Chapter 103, Article XII Mandatory Structural Inspections for Condominium and Cooperative Buildings. FIRST READING]

>> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON? >> YES.

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

>>> ORDINANCE 25-024, AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA CREATING BUILDINGS AND BUILDING REGULATIONS ARTICLE 12, MANDATORY STRUCTURAL INSPECTIONS FOR CONDOMINIUM AND COOPERATIVE BUILDINGS. PROVIDING FOR A TITLE IN SECTIONS 103-425, PROVIDING FOR APPLICABILITY IN SECTION 103-426, PROVIDING FOR DEFINITIONS IN SECTION 103-427, PROVIDING FOR A TIMEFRAME TO SCHEDULE OR COMMENCE REPAIRS FOLLOWING RECEIPT OF A PHASE TWO INSPECTION REPORT IN SECTIONS 103.428. PROVIDING FOR ENFORCEMENT IN SECTION 103-429, PROVIDING FOR RESERVATION OF SECTIONS 103-430 THROUGH 103-449. REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HERE, WITH, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS THE FIRST READING.

>> PAUL THOMAS, DIRECTOR OF BUILDING. REPRESENTATIVE TRABULSY EXPRESSED THE REASON FOR THIS ORDINANCE CHANGE. JUST TO CLARIFY AND MAKE IT AS SIMPLE AND BRIEF AS POSSIBLE, WITH THE SUNRISE OR SURF SIDE, WITH THE SURF SIDE BUILDING COLLAPSE, THERE WAS A NECESSITY FOR THE LEGACY INSPECTIONS. AND SO THESE ARE FOUR BUILDINGS THAT ARE THREE STORIES AND ABOVE THAT ARE CONDOMINIUMS. AND FOR ANY BUILDING THAT'S BEEN IN PLACE FOR 50, I'M SORRY FOR 30 YEARS OR MORE. SO PHASE ONE INSPECTIONS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE.

PHASE ONE INSPECTIONS ARE A THIRD PARTY ENGINEERING FIRM GOES THROUGH, THEY ANALYZE THE BUILDING TO SEE WHAT CONDITION IT'S IN. IF IT'S IN GOOD CONDITION AND THEY DON'T FIND DEFICIENCIES, THEN GREAT. YOU GET X AMOUNT OF ADDITIONAL YEARS. I THINK IT'S 10. IF THEY DO IDENTIFY DEFICIENCES, THEN YOU GO TO PHASE TWO. THE ENGINEER GOES THROUGH AND THEY SPECIFY WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE. THIS ORDINANCE BASICALLY JUST SAYS THIS GIVES THEM 365 DAYS IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE WORK THAT THEY IDENTIFY IN A PHASE TWO INSPECTION, WHICH IS IN LINE WITH WHAT REPRESENTATIVE TRABULSY MENTIONED, THAT THEY'RE TRYING TO MAKE IT DOABLE. SO IT DOESN'T RAMROD THE PUBLIC OR THE ASSOCIATIONS, ALLOWS THEM TO BE ABLE TO GET THEIR WORK DONE.

BUT IT ASSURES THEY DO ACCOMPLISH THE NECESSARY WORK.

>> IS THIS SOMETHING THAT THE CONDO ASSOCIATION, THE THREE-STORY THAT'S BEING INSPECTED, DO THEY PAY FOR THE

INSPECTION? >> YES. ABSOLUTELY.

>> SO IT'S NOT AN UNFUNDED MANDATE?

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> OKAY. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?

>> I HAVE A FEW. I'M QUITE FAMILIAR WITH THIS. WHEN THE STATE PUT THIS IN PLACE, IT WAS MAYHEM I GUESS IS THE BEST WAY TO PUT IT. GOOD TIME TO START AN INSPECTION BUSINESS, CLEARLY.

BUT SO THIS IS SIMPLY MIRRORING THE STATE STATUTE, WHICH IS THREE STORIES OR MORE. I THOUGHT IT WAS 40 YEARS, NOT 30 YEARS.

BUT I COULD BE WRONG ON THAT. THE 40-YEAR LEGACY INSPECTION, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT'S MORE COMPREHENSIVE THAN STRUCTURAL. ALSO INCLUDES HVAC INSTALLATIONS, ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS, PLUMBIN INSTALLATIONS, ETC. ARE WE

MIRRORING THAT AS WELL? >> YES. I CALL IT LEGACY. IT'S MILESTONE INSPECTIONS. TYPICALLY, THEY JUST EVALUATE THE ENTIRE BUILDING. PRINCIPALLY, IT'S GOING TO BE FOR SALT INTRUSION INTO THE REBAR. BUT THEY'RE LOOKING AT

ALL OF THE SYSTEMS. >> THE ONLY REASON I BRING THAT UP IS MY DAY JOB INVOLVES A LOT OF THIS STUFF. AND WE'VE SEEN

[01:10:02]

CLIENTS PUSH TO THE POINT OF VIRTUAL BANKRUPTCY BECAUSE OF THE IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE REQUIRED SUBSEQUENTLY TO BE UNDERTAKEN IMMEDIATELY OR WITHIN 12 MONTHS. SO THAT REQUIRES ENGINEER DRAWINGS TO BE DONE, SUBMITTED TO THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT, SIGNED OFF BY THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT, WORK THEN BEING COMPLETED, AND SUBSEQUENT FINAL INSPECTIONS BEING ISSUED.

FOR THE ENGINEERS TO CLOSE OUT THE REPORT AND GIVE THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT A FINISHED REPORT, THAT IT'S NOW IN COMPLIANCE.

AND IN ONE PARTICULAR INSTANCE, WE SAW THIS TAKEN TO THE POINT OF NOT ONLY WAS IT AN EXTERIOR INSPECTION, STRUCTURAL INSPECTIONS AND PRIMARY ELECTRICAL SERVICES AND ALL THIS, IT WAS INTERIOR INSPECTIONS OF THE UNITS. DOWN TO ELECTRICAL OUTLETS, ELECTRICAL PANELS.

>> INDIVIDUAL CONDOS, YOU'RE SAYING?

>> YES. IT WAS MASSIVELY BURDENSOME FROM A COST PERSPECTIVE AND A TIME PERSPECTIVE. AND TRYING TO GET'Y OF FORT PIERCE, THIS WAS ANOTHER LOCALITY. THAT MUNICIPALITY WAS LIKE NO, YOU DON'T HAVE TIME INSPECTIONS. YOU HAVE 12 MONTHS TO GET IT DONE. IF YOU DON'T HAVE IT DONE, YOU'LL BE IN VIOLATION. THIS WAS A LARGE INDUSTRIAL BUILDING. THEY WERE DEALING WITH EXIT LIGHTS. IT WAS REMARKABLE THE GYMNASTICS THIS CLIENT HAD TO GO THROUGH TO BRING THEIR BUILDING INTO COMPLIANCE. AND MY ONLY CONCERN HERE IS WE HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS, RETIREES IN CONDOS HERE THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF FLORIDA.

I'M NOT BELITTLING THE NEED FOR THIS TYPE OF INSPECTION, HOWEVER I'M VERY CONCERNED FOR PEOPLE ON FIXED INCOMES, ETC. LIVING IN CONDOS. YOU HAVE CONDOS OUT THERE ANYWHERE FROM $100,000 TO MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. THE FOLKS THAT CAN'T AFFORD OR ARE HAVING CHALLENGES AFFORDING THEIR CONDOS TO BEGIN WITH WILL NOW HAVE THIS ADDITIONAL BURDEN PLACED ON THEM. PAUL, THE MINUTIA OF THIS GOES INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE UNITS TOO, IS

THAT CORRECT? >> I'LL HAVE TO DOUBLE CHECK.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE MILESTONE INSPECTIONS REALLY ARE LOOKING AT THE STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS, IF THERE'S CRACKING, IF THERE'S ANY STRUCTURAL DEFICIENCIES.

>> I AGREE THAT IS THE ESSENCE OF WHY THIS SHOULD BE DONE. BUT I'VE SEEN THIS TAKEN TO A RIDICULOUS POINT WHERE THEY WERE QUESTIONING THE LOCATION OF EXIT SIGNS AREN'T HIGH ENOUGH ABOVE THE DOORS, JUST COMPLETELY RIDICULOUS THINGS SUCH AS THIS NATURE, AND THE UNIT OWNERS WERE BURDENED WITH THESE MASSIVE COSTS. NOT ONLY FOR THE COMMON AREA IMPROVEMENTS BECAUSE THERE WERE STRUCTURAL ISSUES WITH THIS BUILDING THAT WE REPAIRED, BUT THEN THE UNIT OWNERS WERE BURDENED WITH ALL THIS ADDITIONAL COST OF GEEZ, YOU HAVE A FILE CABINET LOCATED IN FRONT OF AN ELECTRICAL OUTLET, WHICH YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE. IT BECAME NONSENSICAL TO ME. I'M CONCERNED THE COST BURDEN WE'RE GOING TO SHIFT TO POTENTIAL UNIT OWNERS. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THOSE QUESTIONS ANSWERED AS TO WHAT IS THE SCOPE OF THIS? IF IT'S STRUCTURAL, I'M FINE BECAUSE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF A BUILDING IS ABSOLUTE, PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE. HAVING SAID THAT, WHAT'S THE MINUTIA WE'RE GETTING INTO? THAT'S THE OTHER THING, PAUL, THAT WOULD CONCERN ME. YOUR INSPECTION CAPABILITY. YOU KNOW, YOUR TEAM OF INSPECTORS OUT THERE FOLLOWING THESE ENGINEERS AROUND AS THEY'RE WRITING DOWN EVERY BIT OF MINUTIA ON A BUILDING SAYING YOU HAVE TO COME BACK AND INSPECT EVERY ONE OF THESE REPAIRS AND YOU HAVE TO PULL A PERMIT FOR EVERY ONE OF THESE REPAIRS. YOU SEE WHERE I'M GOING WITH THAT? I THINK IT'S AN EXTENSIVE BURDEN. I THINK WE NEED MORE ANSWERS ON THIS, PAUL. I'VE WORKED WITH THIS FOR YEARS NOW, AND IT'S CHALLENGING IS PUTTING IT MILDLY.

>> MADAME MAYOR, COMMISSIONER BRODERICK, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT REALLY THIS IS TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU DON'T HAVE A STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE LIKE WHAT HAPPENED.

>> I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE ALL WANT.

>> YEAH. I THINK IF IT STARTS BEING WHAT YOU'RE DESCRIBING, WE'RE GONNA HEAR, AND WE'RE GONNA SAY IT'S THE STATE LAW.

WE DIDN'T DO IT TO YOU, BUT IT NEVER MATTERS.

>> WHAT DOES THE LAW REALLY SAY? MY CONSUMPTION OF THIS LAW ON THE CONSUMER SIDE HAS BEEN ANYTHING BUT THE STRUCTURAL INSPECTIONS. THEY'VE BEEN GOING THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL SERVICES.

>> I DO THINK WE NEED THE ANSWER TO THAT.

>> I WILL DEFINITELY GET THE CLARIFICATION ON THAT. I THINK THERE IS SOME LATITUDE THAT GOES TOWARD THE CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATIONS, TYPICALLY THE ASSOCIATIONS WANT TO GO MINIMALIST BECAUSE IT'S EXPENSIVE. IF THERE ARE THOSE THAT WANT TO BE AGGRESSIVE OR WHATEVER, THEN THAT MAY BE WHAT

YOU'RE SPEAKING TO. >> THIS WAS ACTUALLY, I HATE TO

[01:15:02]

SAY IT, THIS WAS ON THE MUNICIPAL SIDE. THE INSPECTORS WERE REQUIRING THIS. REALLY SHOW ME. I DON'T SEE THAT IN THE PAPERWORK. IF WE COULD GET CLARIFICATION SO WE HAVE A COMFORT LEVEL THAT WE'RE SHOT SHIFTING THIS MASSIVE BURDEN OF EVERY UNIT IN THE CITY HAVING TO BE INSPECTED BY AN ENGINEER. YOU DON'T HAVE A GFI THAT'S WORKING AND YOU HAVE TO TEAR OUT ALL THIS CRAP AND UNIT OWNERS WILL BE GOING CRAZY TRYING TO GET THIS STUFF FIXED. I WANT TO BE SURE WHAT WE THINK WE'RE APPROVING IS WHAT WE'RE APPROVING. I WOULD HAVE A MUST'VE HIGHER COMFORT LEVEL BEFORE WE GO DOWN THIS PATH.

THIS THING IS A CHALLENGING UNDERTAKING. THINK ABOUT YOUR HOUSE GOING THROUGH CHECKING EVERY SYSTEM, EVERY CIRCUIT, EVERY ELECTRICAL PANEL, EVERY HVAC SYSTEM. SAY YOU HAD A CHANGE OUT OF YOUR AIR HANDLER FIVE YEARS AGO AND THEY DIDN'T PULL A PERMIT. THAT'S GONNA COME UP. GUESS WHAT? BUSTED. YOU KNOW? SO I JUST WANNA BE SURE, PAUL, WHAT WE'RE APPROVING IS WHAT WE'RE ACTUALLY DESCRIBING HERE FOR STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY, ETC.. IF THAT'S THE CASE, I COMPLETELY SUPPORT THIS. EVERY TIME WE'VE HAD THIS INSPECTION DONE, WE HAVE FOUND STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS IN THE BUILDINGS. SO WE'VE HAD TO GO OUT AND REPAIR THOSE, AND LEGITIMATELY SO. IF THAT'S THE CASE, I ADVOCATE FOR THIS COMPLETELY. IF IT'S MORE EXTENSIVE, INTRUSIVE MINUTIA-TYPE INSPECTION, THEN WE HAVE SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT.

>> ONE OF THE THINGS EARLIER TOD IN THE ADVOCACY TRAINING SEMINAR THAT DANA, SHE'S TALKED ABOUT RULE MAKING. SOMETIMES WHEN LEGISLATORS PASS A LAW AND THEY KNOW WHAT THEIR INTENTION IS BUT WHEN IT GETS TO BE IMPLEMENTED, IT GOES WAY BEYOND WHAT THE ORIGINAL INTENTION, AND THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE THAT WAS THEIR ORIGINAL INTENTION AT ALL. AND WE ALSO KNOW, YOU'RE RIGHT.

CONDONERS AND HOMEOWNERS ARE FACED WITH INCREASING INSURANCE AND INCREASING REPLACEMENT COSTS IF SOMETHING IS DAMAGED. SO THEY'RE ALREADY STRAPPED. WE DON'T WANT TO ADD TO THAT BURDEN. BUT WE ALSO DON'T WANT THEIR BUILDING TO COLLAPSE. SO.

>> WHAT I CAN SAY, MADAME MAYOR AND TO ALL THE COMMISSIONERS, SO A MILESTONE INSPECTION IS ESTABLISHED BY THE LEGISLATURE.

AND THE RECORD OF THOSE GOES BACK TO THE LEGISLATURE, AND THIS IS AN INSPECTION THAT IS NOT PERFORMED BY US. IT'S A THIRD PARTY. THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT NEVER HAS ANY PART IN THE PROCESS, EXCEPT MAKING SURE THIS GETS DONE. WHAT YOU'RE SPEAKING TO OF A CITY OFFICIAL GOING THROUGH AND DOING A FORENSIC INSPECTION, THAT'S NOT THE PROGRAM THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HERE. THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A STING OR SWEEP OR WHATEVER ELSE. AND I GUARANTEE YOU THAT WE ARE NOT DOING THAT HERE IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. THAT'S OBVIOUSLY NOT, THAT'S NOT COMPLIANT WITH WHAT THE INTENT OF THIS MILESTONE INSPECTION

PROGRAM IS. >> IS THERE A PROBLEM, PAUL, IF WE WERE TO JUST KICK THIS DOWN THE ROAD A COUPLE WEEKS AND HAVE YOU DO AN INVESTIGATION TO BE SURE THIS IS WHAT WE'RE PASSING? BECAUSE GUYS, THIS IS A BIG DEAL.

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK, I'M SORRY. I DON'T SEE WHAT YOU'RE MAKING THIS BIG DEAL. THIS IS MANDATED BY THE STATE.

>> BY THE STATE, RIGHT. >> AND SO I APPRECIATE YOUR PASSION FOR THIS, BUT I THINK THIS IS BEYOND THE SCOPE OF WE EVEN HAVE ANY CONTROL OF. I MEAN, OUR BUILDING DEPARTMENT IS NOT GOING TO DO ANY INSPECTIONS AS IT IS TO BEGIN WITH. SO WE'RE ASKING HIM TO DO SOMETHING THAT HE'S NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO

ANYWAY. >> THAT'S NOT ACCURATE. IF THE ENGINEERING REPORT SAYS YOU HAVE HVAC SYSTEMS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS THAT NEED TO BE CHANGED OUT, PERMITS ARE REQUIRED FOR THAT.

>> WHO IS GOING TO PASS THAT BACK TO THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT?

>> THE ENGINEERING REPORTS ARE REQUIRED TO BE SUBMITTED TO THE

BUILDING DEPARTMENT. >> YOUR DISCUSSION NEEDS TO BE WITH MISS TRABULSY. THEY PASSED THIS.

>> HOW CAN WE NOT APPROVE A STATE STATUTE? SHE JUST SAT HERE AND SAID THIS IS WHAT THEY PASSED. AND IT SAYS MANDATORY STRUCTURAL INSPECTIONS. SO WHAT ARE WE KICKING IT FOR?

>> IS THERE A STATE REQUIREMENT THE CITY PASS IT?

>> IT'S A STATE STATUTE. >> THESE INSPECTIONS ARE ALREADY HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. AND HAVE BEEN FOR YEARS.

>> WELL, COMMISSIONER BRODERICK, EVERY TIME I'VE SAT UP HERE AND SOMETHING HAS COME THROUGH THE STATE, OUR DIRECTOR HAS STOOD IN FRONT OF US AND SAID WE HAVE TO CHANGE OUR ORDINANCE TO MATCH THE STATE STATUTE. SO WHY IS THIS ONE DIFFERENT? THAT'S ALL I'M ASKING. THIS IS A STATE STATUTE. OUR REPRESENTATIVE WAS SITTING THERE AND SAID THIS IS ONE SHE PASSED. I CONCUR. I DON'T WANT ANY OF OUR RESIDENTS TO GO THROUGH WHAT YOU JUST

[01:20:02]

SAID. I DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT. BUT THIS IS ANOTHER STATE STATUTE THAT WAS PASSED IN TALLAHASSEE, AND EVERY TIME IT HAPPENED, WE'VE CHANGED THE BUILDING CODES AND ALL THESE OTHER CODES. THOMAS STOOD RIGHT THERE AND SAY THIS IS JUST IN LINE WITH THE STATE STATUTE, AND THIS IS WHAT I'M SEEING HERE.

SO I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING HOW WE CAN KICK SOMETHING DOWN THE ROAD THAT EVENTUALLY WE, WE, EVEN IF HE COMES BACK AND SAYS YOU KNOW WHAT? YOU'RE RIGHT. IT'S STILL THE STATE STATUTE. WE'RE NOT GOING TO ALIGN OUR CODE WITH THE STATE STATUTE? I'M JUST, I'M LOST RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE'VE DONE IT FOR EVERY OTHER STATE STATUTE. WE'VE AMENDED OUR CODE.

>> MR. THOMAS, YOU WANT TO CHIME IN HERE?

>> YES. HOPEFULLY I CAN ALLAY YOUR FEARS. THE MILESTONE INSPECTION LEGISLATION HAS BEEN IN PLACE. AND SO THIS PROGRAM AND THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN IN PLACE.

>> SEVERAL YEARS. >> YES. AND THIS CHANGE TO HAVE THE TIMEFRAME, THIS IS WHAT'S NEW REALLY. WE'RE NOT DOING ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY THAN WE WERE BEFORE. THERE ARE NO NEW REQUIREMENTS. THE ONLY CHANGE HERE IS THAT IF A THIRD PARTY IDENTIFIES DEFICIENCIES THAT REQUIRE REPAIRS AND PERMITS, THAT THEY'RE ESTABLISHING A TIMEFRAME THAT YOU HAVE 365 DAYS IN ORDER TO COMPLETE THE WORK. REALLY, THAT'S IT. SO YOUR CONCERN ABOUT, YOU KNOW, IF DEFICIENCIES OR PHASE TWO EXAMINATION OR REPORT COMES THROUGH, THEN THEY JUST GO THROUGH THE PERMITTING PROCESS. SO WE WILL AT THAT POINT GO THROUGH AND DO INSPECTIONS, BUT W'RE INSPECTING TO THE BUILDING CODE. WE'RE NOT INSPECTING THE BUILDING. WE'RE NOT INSPECTING THE UNITS. IF THEY SAY HERE'S CRACKS OR THEY NEED TO DO BALCONY REPAIRS. YOU SEE THAT FREQUENTLY WHERE THERE'S BALCONY REPAIRS, THAT'S THE INSPECTIONS WE'LL BE COMPLETING ACCORDING TO THE ENGINEER DOCUMENTS THEY'RE PROVIDING. WE ARE NOT GOING THROUGH A FORENSIC INVESTIGATION OF THE ENTIRE PREMISES. THAT'S NOT, THERE'S VERY, VERY ZERO POSSIBILITY THAT EVEN CAN HAPPEN BECAUSE THE ENGINEER WON'T DRAW

THAT UP. >> OKAY. THANK YOU.

>> ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD? >> I JUST WANTED TO BECAUSE THIS MILESTONE INSPECTION PROGRAM HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR A WHILE, AND WE'VE NEVER REALLY SPOKEN TO WHAT'S HAPPENING HERE IN FORT PIERCE. SO FORT PIERCE ONLY HAS ABOUT 50 STRUCTURES THAT QUALIFY

TO BE. >> 5-0?

>> WHICH IS VERY SMALL IN COMPARISON TO THE COUNTY. IT'S VERY SMALL. SO THAT'S GOOD. PROPERTIES LIKE THE RENAISSANCE ARE ONLY ABOUT 20 YEARS OLD, SO THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO THAT POINT. AND ALSO, HARBOR ISLE, THEY'RE STILL AT THAT 20-YEAR POINT SO THEY'RE NOT INCLUDED. FOR THE MOST PART, MOST OF OUR BUILDINGS ARE RELATIVELY SOUND. I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT.

YOU'LL SEE A LOT OF BALCONY REPLACEMENTS AND THINGS OF THAT SORT, BUT WE HAVEN'T HAD ANY CATASTROPHES LIKE IN JENSEN BEACH WHERE THE BUILDINGS HAD TO BE COMPLETELY ABANDONED, AND THE REBAR IS JUST FLAKING AWAY WITH YOUR HANDS. THOSE ARE REAL POSSIBILITIES, BUT WE DON'T HAVE THAT PROBLEM HERE IN FORT PIERCE. SO JUST FOR THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND WE'RE DOING PRETTY WELL WHEN IT COMES TO THE INTENT OF THE LEGISLATION.

>> MADAME MAYOR? >> YES, SIR.

>> TO THAT POINT, YOU PROVIDED A GREAT PICTORIAL FOR ME TO THINK ABOUT. SO THESE ARE, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF HOW MANY HAVE BEEN IN FORT PIERCE LOOKED AT? BECAUSE IT'S BEEN AROUND, AS YOU SAID, THIS INSPECTION HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR OVER A YEAR MAYBE ALREADY. DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA, ANY FEEDBACK TO YOU AND YOUR DEPARTMENT ON BUILDINGS HERE IN FORT PIERCE?

>> YES. SO THERE WAS A TIMEFRAME THEY HAD TO COMPLY, ALL OF THE BUILDINGS THAT WERE 30 YEARS AND OLDER. WE HAVE COMPLETED ALL 50.

>> OKAY. >> SO ANY REPAIRS THAT WE'RE COMING BACK WITH ARE EITHER IN THE PERMITTING PROCESS OR HAVE BEEN. BUT THEY'RE TYPICALLY VERY MINIMAL. WE DON'T HAVE ANY

MAJOR FAILURES. >> BUT ALL OF OUR 50 HAVE BEEN INSPECTED AND MINOR THINGS ARE BEING DONE, IF I HEAR YOU RIGHT?

>> YES. WE'LL SAY THE PHASE ONE INSPECTIONS, WHICH IS THE

STRUCTURAL PART. >> WHICH IS WHERE I'M GOING AND THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE OF. THE ONE, THE HIGH-RISE BUILDING DOWNTOWN, THE SENIOR LIVING CENTER, THAT IS ONE IN PARTICULAR THAT HAS GREAT CONCERN WITH RESIDENTS. HAS THAT

BEEN INSPECTED? >> I'M NOT SURE THAT QUALIFIES

AS A CONDO. >> OKAY.

>> SO THEY HAVE TO SPECIFICALLY BE CONDOMINIUMS.

[01:25:02]

>> AH. YOU HELPED ME NOW. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT.

>> AND SO WHAT'S CHANGED IN THIS IS THE TIMEFRAME. IS THE LEGISLATURE BEING MORE GENEROUS? IS THAT WHAT THEY'RE DOING?

>> WELL, I THINK IT'S REASONABLE.

>> WELL, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT YOU SAID IT'S NOW 365 DAYS. WHAT

WAS IT BEFORE? >> THEY DIDN'T HAVE A

TIMEFRAME. >> OH.

>> SO NOW THEY JUST SAY HEY, WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU A YEAR.

WE WANT TO SEE MOVEMENT IF THERE ARE DEFICIENCIES.

>> WE'RE DONE IN FORT PIERCE. >> YEAH.

>> YOU'RE DONE WITH THE PHASE ONE INSPECTIONS. YOU'RE NOT DONE WITH THE WORK. AND I THINK THE WORK WAS REGULATED BY THE PERMITTING TIMELINE IN EACH MUNICIPALITY, WHICH IS PROBABLY UNDER STATE OF FLORIDA BUILDING CODE. YOUR PERMIT'S GOING TO EXPIRE IN 180 DAYS OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE. THAT WAS THE DATE, IT WAS A DATE UNASSOCIATED TO THE LAW BUT DICTATED BY THE LOCAL BUILDING DEPARTMENT UNDER THE STATE OF FLORIDA BUILDING

CODE. >> MADAME MAYOR, I'LL PROVIDE A REPORT TO MR. CHESS THAT HE CAN GIVE TO ALL THE COMMISSIONERS WITH ALL THE DETAILS, ALL THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE, THE TIMEFRAMES, WHAT THIS MEANS YOU HAVE TO BE FINISHED WITHIN 365 DAYS, EVERYTHING THAT YOU'RE ASKING, I CAN PROVIDE A REPORT,

AND GET THAT INFORMATION TO YOU. >> THIS IS A FOLLOW UP ON THE PERMIT ISSUE. THE PERMIT DOESN'T LAST 365 DAYS UNLESS YOU'RE DOING CONTINUOUS INSPECTIONS, I'M ASSUMING. SO NOW YOU'RE AMENDING YOUR PERMIT TIMELINE TO THAT 365 DAYS FOR

THIS PROCESS. IS THAT CORRECT? >> I HAVE TO DOUBLE CHECK. IT WOULD APPEAR TO ME WHAT THE INTENT IS TO SAY WE WANT TO HAVE YOUR PERMITS IN THE WITHIN THE 365 DAYS. WHEN THE BUILDING, WHEN YOU'RE DOING INSPECTIONS, YOU GET BASICALLY 180 DAYS, AND EVERY PAST INSPECTION GIVES YOU ANOTHER 180 DAYS. SO IF YOU HAVE A BIG COMPREHENSIVE PROJECT TO DO, YOU MAY HAVE MORE WORK TO BE DONE THAN YOU CAN DO IN A YEAR. AS LONG AS YOU'RE IN THE PROCESS, I THINK THAT'S REALLY WHAT THE INTENT OF THE STATUTE

IS. >> I, I, I'LL GO ALONG WITH IT.

I HAVE MY HESITATION. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING THIS

REPORT. >> YES, SIR.

>> BECAUSE I THINK THE DAY WILL COME ITEST OOH IT'S GOING TO BE

A PROBLEM. >> AND WE NEED THE ANSWERS TO

YOUR QUESTIONS. >> I HAVE A LOT OF FAITH IN YOUR AND YOUR DEPARTMENT. I KNOW YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING. I'M GOING TO GO ALONG WITH THIS WITH MY OTHER COMMISSIONERS. BECAUSE MY GREATER CONCERN IS LIFE SAFETY AND ASSURING THE RESIDENTS THAT BUILDINGS IN FORT PIERCE AREN'T GONNA COLLAPSE.

SO I WILL GO ALONG. I WILL LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING YOUR REPORT.

>> YES, SIR. I'LL JUST COMMENT. WE'LL HAVE BEFORE OUR SECOND READING. THIS IS FIRST READING TONIGHT, RIGHT? SO IF ANYTHING DRASTIC COMES UP, WE CAN HAVE GREAT DISCUSSION.

>> THAT GIVES PAUL OPPORTUNITY TO CHECK INTO THE QUESTIONS I'VE

RAISED. >> IS THERE A MOTION?

>> MOVE TO APPROVE. >> WE NEED A PUBLIC HEARING

FIRST. >> OH.

>> THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING. ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NO MOVEMENT, I'LL COME BACK TO THE COMMISSION AND ENTERTAIN DISCUSSION OR A

MOTION. >> MOVE APPROVAL.

>> IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND.

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

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?

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

[A. Resolution 25-R61 appointing members to serve on the Fort Pierce Youth Council.]

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

>> YES, MA'AM. >>> OKAY. NEXT WE HAVE RESOLUTION 25-R-61, A RESOLUTION TO THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA CERTIFYING MEMBERS TO THE YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS THE RESOLUTION THAT APPROVES THE TWO EXISTING, IT REAPPOINTS THE TWO EXISTING MEMBERS TO THE YOUTH COUNCIL.

>> IS THERE A MOTION? >> MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> SECOND. >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK?

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?

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

[B. Resolution 25-R62 Adopting Updated Solid Waste Administrative Guidelines Approving the Schedule of Fees for the Collection and Disposal of Garbage and Trash ]

>> MAYOR HUDSON? >>> SO NEXT WE HAVE RESOLUTION 25-R-62, A RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA UPDATING SOLID WASTE ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES AND APPROVING THE SCHEDULE OF FEES TO REMOVE SECTIONS RELATED TO YARD TRASH AND RESIDENTIAL RECYCLING.

INCREASE FEES CHARGE AND YARD BULK WASTE COLLECTION COSTS BY WEIGHT AND CHARGE TIRE PICK UP BASED ON APPOINTMENT AND TYPE IN ACCORDANCE TO THE SECTION 3033 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA REPEALING ALL RESOLUTIONS AND CONFLICT HEREWITH AND PROVIDING FOR AN

EFFECTIVE DATE. >> MR. CHESS, DO YOU HAVE A

LEAD-IN FOR THIS? >> YES. DURING THE COMMISSION BUDGET WORKSHOP OF JULY 14, BASED ON THAT PRESENTATION, THE COMMISSION EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN ADDRESSING THE SOLID WASTE

[01:30:04]

COLLECTION RATES. MR. ATKISSON AND HIS TEAM WILL PRESENT THE

GUIDELINES AND RATE CHANGES. >> PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR. MADAME MAYOR, CITY COMMISSION, LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET THIS UP ON THE SCREEN. SO YES. AS PART OF THE BUDGETING PROCESS, WE DID SPEAK ABOUT THE EXPENDITURES, BUT THEN WE WENT AHEAD AND AS I STATED BEFORE, WE WORK WITH THE REVENUES. THE RESOLUTION THAT'S IN FRONT OF YOU, IT GOES ABOUT SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT WE MADE AS FAR AS HOW WE COLLECT AND THE COLLECTION, SO WE DID PUT IN THE TWO, HIGHLIGHTING IT'S THE TWO CUBIC YARDS OF BULK WASTE AND BULK WASTE MEANING COUCH, FURNITURE, THINGS ALONG THOSE LINES. YARD DEBRIS MEANING YARD DEBRIS THAT'S NOT IN A CONTAINER AND IT'S OUT, IT'S SEPARATE. SO PALM FRONS, LIMBS, AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. SO ON OUR OPERATIONAL GOAL FOR OUR CITY, WE WANT TO COLLECT EVERYBODY ON TIME. RIGHT? WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE PICK UP ALL THE DEBRIS AND DO IT IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER, AND SINCE IT IS AN ENTERPRISE FUND, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE OPERATE LIKE A BUSINESS AND THAT WE RECOVER THOSE COSTS. SO WE DID, YOU KNOW, SIMPLE EXCEL SEEING HOW MANY CUSTOMERS WE HAD, FIGURED OUT WHAT OUR COST WAS. WE PUT THROUGH A NUMBER IN THERE TO TRY TO BALANCE ON THE RESIDENTIAL SIDE AND ON THE COMMERCIAL SIDE, AND WE TRIED TO BE AS EVEN AS POSSIBLE. AND FOLLOWING TRENDS OF OTHER MUNICIPALITIES OF HOW THEY GO ABOUT SETTING THEIR RATES. SO GO BACK, PLEASE. SO YOU SEE HERE WE HAVE 13,910 RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS, AND WE HAVE 1,400 COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS. WE ACTUALLY MAKE MORE MONEY OFF OUR COMMERCIAL THAN WE DO OUR RESIDENTIAL. WE'RE COVERING ALMOST 24 SQUARE MILES. WE RUN COMMERCIAL SIX DAYS A WEEK. SO SIX DAYS IS MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY. THE TEAM THAT YOU SEE, CORE TEAM OF 21 DRIVERS, A FOREMAN, LEAD DRIVERS, ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF, CUSTOMER SUPPORT, MAINTENANCE REPAIR, TECHNICIANS, DIESEL MECHANICS.

ALL IN ALL, CURRENTLY WE'RE AT 44 POSITIONS. WE'RE LOOKING TO TAKE THAT TO 51 POSITIONS WHERE THE LARGE MAJORITY OF THOSE ARE THE GROUND MEN FOR THE, UM, THE BULK TRUCKS, THE GRAPPLE TRUCKS THAT PICK UP. BECAUSE AS STATED BEFORE, HAVING TO HAVE A GUY RUN A MACHINE AND THEN GET DOWN AND SWEEP UP AND GET BACK ON THE TRUCK AND DOWN, IT'S NOT SAFE. AND PLUS, IT'S VERY INEFFICIENT. WHEN YOU WORK IN TANDEM WITH TWO PEOPLE, THE PROCESS IS MUCH BETTER. IT'S MUCH CLEANER, AND IT WILL DELIVER A BETTER PRODUCT. WE ALSO PUSHING IN WITH OUR DIESEL MECHANICS. ONE OF OUR GOALS THIS YEAR IS WE'RE GONNA TRY TO GET OUR MECHANICS RUNNING LIKE A B SHIFT IN THE NIGHTTIME. SO WHEN THE DRIVERS COME BACK AND THEY HAVE THE TRUCKS AND THEY PARK THE TRUCKS, WE HAVE ANOTHER TEAM THAT'S IN THERE SERVICING THE VEHICLES DURING THE DOWN TIME. THEY ALSO, THE PRIMARY DAYS FOR RESIDENTIAL IS MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY. SO WEDNESDAY THERE ARE A LARGE AMOUNT OF REPAIRS THAT WE TRY TO GET DONE WHEN THE TRUCKS AREN'T RUNNING. SO WE REALLY TRY TO PUSH THROUGH AND GET THAT DONE. AND WE'VE BROUGHT ON SOME EXCELLENT MECHANICS. AS A FOREMAN POSITION AND A MASTER MECHANIC. SO SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE AS RISING COSTS OF EQUIPMENT, TRUCK REPAIR, AND LANDFILL FEES ARE SOLID WASTE GOES OUT TO OKEECHOBEE LANDFILL. AND WE'RE EXPECTING AN INCREASE THERE AS SOME OF YA'LL MAY KNOW, ST. LUCIE COUNTY, WE DON'T GO THERE. THEY HAD A DRASTIC INCREASE OVER THIS PAST YEAR.

SIGNIFICANT. I THINK IT WAS A 49, THEY WERE TAKING IT TO 69. I THINK THEY ENDED UP AT $79 FROM LAST THING I READ, WHICH IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT. WE BUDGETED, UM, NOWHERE NEAR THAT HIGH.

WE'RE AT I THINK IT WAS 2.4, AND WE TOOK IT UP TO -- NO, IT WAS 2.5, AND WE TOOK IT UP TO 2.6 MILLION FOR OUR TIPPING FEES. SO THAT'S ROUGHLY A 4% INCREASE. WE KIND OF BUDGETED THAT IN. THAT'S WHAT WE FEEL IT WILL BE. WE DISPOSE OF OUR WASTE WITH WASTE MANAGEMENT. IT'S A PRIVATE CONTRACTOR. OUR TRUCKS,, S, THE FIVE YEARS IS ABOUT THE NUMBER. YOU CAN PUSH IT TO

[01:35:04]

SEVEN, BUT THAT DOES CAUSE A LARGE AMOUNT OF STRAIN ON YOUR BUDGET. AND IT'S UNFORESEEN COST, JUST TO GIVE YOU A BACKGROUND ON THAT, WE STARTED OFF BUDGETING AT $350,000 FOR REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLES. THAT ENDED UP GOING UP TO $500,000.

CURRENTLY AS AN ACTUAL WITH ROUGHLY 10 MONTHS, 10 AND A HALF MONTHS, WE'RE AT $552,000. SO WHAT DOES THAT SAY? THAT MEANS OUR STUFF'S OLD, RIGHT? THE THING IS IT'S NOT DRIVER ERROR.

IT'S NOT ISSUES LIKE THAT. BECAUSE OUR TIRES, OUR BATTERIES, AND OTHER THINGS, THAT'S BELOW WHAT WE BUDGETED.

WE'RE DOING REALLY GOOD THERE. WE'RE DOING REALLY GOOD WITH FUEL. AND WE'RE DOING GOOD ACTUALLY WITH OUR TIPPING FEES AND EVERYTHING. WE'RE DOING GOOD THERE. WHERE WE'RE REALLY STRUGGLING IS IN EQUIPMENT RENTALS WHERE WE HAVE TO RENT TRUCKS TO TRY TO MAKE UP BECAUSE WE HAD A LARGE SHORTAGE OF MECHANICS AND JUST TRYING TO BE SERVICEABLE TO GET THEM ON THE ROAD. SOMETHING THAT'S REALLY HARD WHEN YOU'RE RUNNING A SOLID WASTE DIVISION IS THAT TRYING TO HAVE YOUR OPERATION MANAGER DEAL WITH BROKEN DOWN TRUCKS AND THINGS THAT AREN'T WORKING AND TRYING TO SHIFT PEOPLE AROUND, IT GETS TO BE A CHALLENGE. SO THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE TRYING TO ADDRESS.

ALSO, OUR CITY, WE CONTINUE TO GROW. AS YOU CAN SEE UP HERE, WE'RE BRINGING IN PLENTY OF CUSTOMERS INTO THE CITY, AND WE'RE TRYING TO GROW. WE'RE TRYING TO GROW OUR COMMERCIAL BASE. SO THE TRUCKS, WE'RE LOOKING TO ADD TO THAT SIDE TWO FRONT LOADERS. ALL IN ALL, WHAT WE'RE LOOKING TO ADD IS TWO SIDE LOADERS, TWO FRONT LOADERS, TWO GRAPPLE TRUCKS. WE'LL HAVE A, IT'S LIKE A LANDSCAPING DUMP BODY TRUCK, LIKE A ZUZU MPR IF ANY OF YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS, AND THEN TWO SIDE-BY-SIDE UTILITY VEHICLES WHERE THEY CAN WORK OFF ROAD AND GET INTO THE PARKS. SO YOU KNOW, OUR DIVISION IS SUPPORTING MANY OF THE TASKS THAT ARE IN LIKE THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT SIDE. HOWEVER, IF GARBAGE GOES ON THE FLOOR, WE HAVE SOLID WASTE THAT'S PICKING IT UP CURRENTLY, AND THE PEOPLE THAT WE'RE PUTTING TOWARD KEEPING THE PLACE CLEAN AND MEETING OUR STRATEGIC GOALS IS BEING UTILIZED THROUGH THE SOLID WASTE FUND. SO WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT AND SEE SOME OF THE POSITIONS, SOME OF THE THINGS WE'RE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH, THAT'S IT. WE'RE UTILIZING THAT STAFF AND THROUGH THE FUNDING OF THE SOLID WASTE

DIVISION. >> AND FOR THE PUBLIC'S CLARIFICATION, SOLID WASTE DIVISION IS AN ENTERPRISE FUND.

IT'S NOT IN THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT. IT'S WHAT YOU'RE

TALKING ABOUT. THANK YOU. >> THE ILLEGAL DUMPING AND EXCESS GARBAGE, I MEAN BY NOW WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO GET MORE SIGNS OUT THERE. WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO PUT BASICALLY SAYING DON'T DUMP HERE, BUT THE THING IS ONCE IT GOES ON THE GROUND AND IT GETS PICKED UP, IT BECOMES OUR COST. SO NO MATTER NOW, IT'S HOW DO WE GO ABOUT GETTING THE REVENUE BACK FROM THAT? THE CHALLENGE, AS COMMISSIONER GAINES HAS TALKED ABOUT MANY TIMES WITH THE EMPTY LOTS AND HOW WE GO ABOUT THAT.

WHAT OUR CODE STATES IS WE BILL THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY. SO THERE ARE A COUPLE THINGS THAT I SEEN THAT'S STILL IN THE CODE REVISION TO TAKE A LOOK AT BECAUSE ONE STATES THAT IT'S EVIDENCE THAT YOU HAVE A WATER METER, THAT THE PLACE IS OCCUPIED, AND WE CAN BILL ACCORDINGLY. THERE'S ANOTHER PORTION OF THE CODE THAT STATES IF YOU DON'T HAVE A WATER METER OR ELECTRIC METER, YOU CAN STILL BE BILLED. JUST TO HAVE THAT CLEARED AND SPELLED OUT TO EVERYBODY BECAUSE IT CONFUSES ME WHEN I LOOK AT IT. WE HAVE TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS. PEOPLE SAY HOW COME I'M GETTING CHARGED? WE GOTTA PICK UP THE MONEY SOMEWHERE, SO THAT'S CURRENTLY WHAT WE'RE DOING. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO THERE WAS IN 2023, THERE WAS A SOLID WASTE STUDY BY KESSLER CONSULTING. AS YOU CAN SEE, THERE WASN'T A RATE INCREASE FROM 2016 TO 2023. THERE WAS A RATE INCREASE PUT IN FOR 2024. BUT THIS HAS BEEN AROUND THE TIME THAT WE WERE, THERE WAS A LARGE AMOUNT OF INFLATION, ESPECIALLY IN THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT INDUSTRY ACROSS. SO GETTING INTO TRUCKS AND THEN THE DUMPSTERS AND THE TOTES AND EVERYTHING ELSE, IT SKYROCKETED.

SO THE AMOUNT THAT WE WENT UP TO FOR THE STUDY FOR $29.04, IT WAS

[01:40:06]

SUPPOSED TO KEEP GOING, YOU KNOW, IN FISCAL YEAR '25, THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AN INCREASE, BUT THERE WAS NO INCREASE. SO NOW HERE WE ARE GOING INTO FISCAL YEAR '26, WHERE WE'RE LOOKING AT THAT, AND WE'RE MAKING OUR PROPOSAL. AND THE SAME THING GOES WITH THE COMMERCIAL SIDE. WE ARE, WE ARE INCREASING THAT AS WELL. AND IT'S SLIGHTLY, ROUGHLY THE PERCENTAGE OF THE INCREASE FOR RESIDENTIAL 17%, AND THEN THE INCREASE -- AND THAT'S FOR SINGLE FAMILY HOMES. IT'S 20% FOR THE COMMERCIAL SIDE. AND JUST BECAUSE WE ARE AN ENTERPRISE FUND, THE STATE DOES, IT'S MANDATED AND IT'S IN OUR CODE THAT WE LOOK AT OUR FEES ON AN ANNUAL BASIS AND GO OVER AND TAKE A LOOK AND SEE WHAT THE COSTS ARE TO OPERATE THE DIVISION. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO WE DID DO SOME COMPARISONS TO TRY TO FIGURE THINGS OUT. YOU CAN SEE SOME OF THE POPULATIONS, THIS IS A LOT TO READ OFF. JUST KNOW THAT WE TOOK MANY OF THE PLACES INTO CONSIDERATION JUST TO SEE IF WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING IS FAIR, AND THERE'S SOME THAT'S MORE, THERE'S SOME THAT'S LESS. BUT IT'S KIND OF WHAT YOU WANT OUT OF IT. LIKE, WE COULD DECREASE SOME OF WHAT WE CHARGE, HOWEVER IT WOULD DIRECTLY AFFECT WHAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO OFFER. AND FROM LISTENING TO EVERYTHING THAT YOU ALL HAD TO SAY, I THINK THIS FALLS IN LINE EXACTLY WHERE YOU WANNA BE. IF YOU WANT TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT IT, WE CAN. OR WE CAN GO ON.

>> NEXT SLIDE. >> NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO THIS IS JUST KIND OF WHAT'S THE CHALLENGE, RIGHT? WHEN OUR BULK DRIVERS DRIVE OUT, WHAT DO THEY SEE? AND WHAT DO WE NEED TO RECAPTURE? SO THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF GARBAGE.

RIGHT NOW, AS IT STANDS, OUR CODE STATES THAT ANYTHING THAT'S ON THE GROUND IF IT'S NOT CONTAINERIZED 0-5 YEARS, IT'S $57, THEN IT JUST GOES UP. I THINK IT'S $114 FROM SIX TO 10 YARDS. BASICALLY, IT GOES UP $57 EACH TIME. THE AMOUNT THAT WE'RE PROPOSING TO FUND OUR OPERATION, JUST TO GIVE YOU AN UNDERSTANDING, SO IF YOU HAD SOMETHING THAT'S OUT IN FRONT OF YOUR HOUSE, SAY FIVE YARDS, AND YOU'RE CHARGED $57. SAY FOUR YARDS OF YARD DEBRIS. IF WE PICKED THAT UP ONE TIME, IT WOULD COST YOU $57. HOWEVER, IF YOU TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION OF WHAT I'M OFFERING, WE'RE OFFERING, IS FOUR CUBIC YARDS WITH EACH SERVICE, THEN YOU WOULD HAVE, YOU KNOW, YOU GO 12, YOUR 12 TIMES YOUR FIVE, $60. 12 MONTHS TIMES $5, WHICH IS ROUGHLY WHAT IT'S GOING UP, $60. YOU GET THAT SERVICE THAT ONE TIME WE TAKE CARE OF YOU, PLUS YOU GET YOUR OTHER BULK OR YARD DEBRIS INCLUDED. THAT'S A WAY TO LOOK AT IT. BUT IT'S NOT JUST CHARGING PEOPLE MORE. IT'S GIVING THEM SOMETHING IN ADDITION, AND ALSO KIND OF TAKING EVERYTHING, WHAT WAS SAID UP HERE OF NOT WANTING TO CHARGE FOR EVERY SINGLE THING THAT'S ON THE GROUND. WE AGREE. IF IT'S A LITTLE BIT, THEN WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO PICK IT UP, AND THERE SHOULD BE NO CHARGE IF WE OPERATE WITHIN THE GUIDELINES. HOWEVER, IF THEY DO GO OVER THAT AMOUNT, AND RIGHT NOW BASICALLY WHAT WE'RE CHARGING IS BY QUARTER LOAD. SO THIS 20-YARD TRUCK, WE CHARGE QUARTER LOAD, IT WOULD BE $57, $100, AND SO FORTH. THAT'S HOW WE GO ABOUT DOING OUR CHARGES RIGHT NOW. BUT THIS WILL MAKE IT, THE RESOLUTION WILL MAKE IT EXACTLY HOW WE'RE CURRENTLY OPERATING. BUT WE WANNA FOLLOW OUR OWN RULES, RIGHT? SO THAT WAY ONCE WE'RE GIVING THE CUSTOMER WHERE YOU CAN PUT STUFF ON THE FLOOR OR YOU CAN PUT DEBRIS ON THE FLOOR, THEN WE COME BY KNOWING THAT WE'RE GOING TO COME BY AND PICK IT UP, IT'S GOING TO LOOK GOOD, AND THAT'S THE GOAL. NOW, WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO DO IS TO SHIFT THIS FROM BEING THE BULK DEBRIS BEING ON MONDAY AND TUESDAY, AND THEN WHERE YOU HAVE YARD DEBRIS PICKED UP ON THURSDAY AND

[01:45:03]

FRIDAY. GO FROM JUST MONDAY AND TUESDAY EACH WEEK AND ALTERNATING WEEKS, BULK, YARD WASTE. BULK, YARD WASTE. THAT WAY THEY DON'T CO-MINGLE THEMSELVES. PLUS WHEN WE PICK IT UP AND WE DISPOSE OF YARD DEBRIS AND IT DOESN'T HAVE BULK MIXED IN WITH IT, THEN WE'RE PAYING MUCH LESS. ALMOST HALF. A LITTLE BIT OVER HALF, BUT ALMOST HALF OF WHAT THE COST IS OF REGULAR TRASH. NEXT PHOTO. I MEAN, NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO THIS IS JUST KIND OF GETTING INTO HOW IT'S BROKEN DOWN. THIS IS WHAT IT WAS, HOW IT WAS ON OUR WEBSITE. I DON'T NECESSARILY LIKE TO COME OUT AND SAY THIS IS WHAT IT COSTS, BUT THIS IS HOW IT IS, AND IT'S GOING UP TO, YOU KNOW, GOES UP TO $34. THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN PRICE IN THE MULTI-FAMILY, AND THE MULTI-FAMILY IS ANYWHERE FROM THREE UNITS TO 15 UNITS. THIS JUST KIND OF WENT IN LINE. I LIKE EVEN NUMBERS, BUT IT WENT IN LINE. IT'S ALMOST $23, UP TO $28. AND THE OTHER ONE IS $29 TO $34. SO WE JUST KIND OF KEPT IT THERE, AND THAT'S HOW WE COME ABOUT THAT NUMBER. NEXT SLIDE. SO THIS GETS INTO WHAT I SPOKE ABOUT BEFORE. THIS IS THE GOAL FOR THE YARD AND BULK. THIS IS WHAT WE'D BE CHARGING. RIGHT NOW, WE ARE CURRENTLY GETTING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT BUT NOWHERE NEAR THE AMOUNT THAT'S OUT THERE. WE WILL CONTINUE. AND EVEN WITH THAT EXTRA DRIVER, THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO GET THE PICK UPS. MY GOAL IN THE FUTURE, IF POSSIBLE, WOULD BE TO GET PEOPLE WHO HAVE MORE THAN THE AMOUNT TO MAYBE CALL IN AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT, AND THEN HAVE IT FOR A CERTAIN DAY TO KEEP THE DEBRIS OFF THE STREETS. SO WE CAN GO OUT THERE TO MAYBE GET SOME OF THE SMALLER PILES, AND THEN WE COME BACK FOR THE LARGER PILES. AND THEN, UM, YOU KNOW STILL MAKE MONEY BUT HAVE IT MORE COORDINATED TO HAVE LESS DEBRIS. THAT WAY MAYBE THEY SIT ON THE SIDEWALK FOR A DAY, THEN WE CAN PICK 'EM UP. I THINK THAT'S WHAT EVERYBODY HERE WANTS, INCLUDING MYSELF. AND KIND OF WHAT WE'RE DOING TO GET INTO THAT A LITTLE BIT IS WITH THE TIRES. SO THE TIRES, IF THEY CALL IN AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT, IT WOULD BE THREE DOLLARS PER TIRE. IF WE PICK 'EM UP, THEY DO FOUR TIRES, AND THEY TELL US ABOUT IT, WE'LL ONLY CHARGE $12. IF THEY DON'T TELL US ABOUT IT AND THROW THEM OUT THERE, NOT THROW 'EM OUT, BUT PLACE THEM OUT FOR PICK UP AND WE'RE NOT REALLY COORDINATING, WE'RE LOOKING FOR 'EM, IT'S MORE OF A BURDEN ON US OPERATIONALLY TO TRY TO SEE THOSE TIRES. SO THAT WOULD END UP COSTING $20 FOR THE COLLECTION. AND THE PICK UP, MEANING TRUCK TIRES. SO THIS WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT'S LARGER LIKE A LARGER TRUCK SIZE BECAUSE IT'S BY WEIGHT. WHEN WE DUMP IT, IT'S BY TONNAGE. THAT'S HOW WE DID OUR CALCULATIONS. WE BASICALLY LOOKED AT WHAT THEY COST AND TRIED TO GET IN LINE TO RECOVER OUR COST THERE. IT'S NOT A BIG COST-MAKING THING FOR US. IT'S JUST KIND OF RECOVERING OUR COSTS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO IN HERE, ON THE COMMERCIAL RATES, YOU SEE TWO CUBIC YARDS. WE DO TWO, FOUR, SIX, AND EIGHT.

THERE'S SOME OTHER CITIES THAT HAVE LIKE ONE YARD, THREE YARD.

I'VE NEVER EVEN SEEN ANY DUMPSTERS OF THAT SIZE. WE UTILIZE THE TWO, FOUR, SIX, AND EIGHT. THIS IS JUST ACROSS THE BOARD IS 20%. WHATEVER THE 20% WAS IS HOW YOU CALCULATE IT. IT WORKS OUT WELL LIKE THAT BECAUSE IT ALLOWS YOU TO GET A NUMBER THAT WORKS FOR YOU. IF YOU DON'T AND YOU TRY TO DO IT BY A CERTAIN DOLLAR AMOUNT, YOU HAVE TO COUNT ALL THE CUSTOMERS AND EVERYTHING ELSE. WHEN YOU JUST DO A PERCENTAGE, IT JUST WORKS ACROSS, MAKES IT A LOT EASIER FOR EVERYBODY. YOU WANNA LOOK AT THAT A LITTLE LONGER OR KEEP GOING? I THINK YOU ALL MAY HAVE THIS IN FRONT OF YOU ANYWAYS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO WHAT KIND OF IMPACT, WHAT KIND OF IMPACT DOES THIS HAVE FOR US? AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE GARBAGE SIDE, ON THE RESIDENTIAL GARBAGE SIDE, THE REVENUES WOULD GO UP $827,000 FOR REGULAR GARBAGE.

AND THE COMMERCIAL IS GONNA GO UP $1. 1,005,088. NEXT SLIDE. I

[01:50:05]

DO WANNA JUST GIVE YOU... SO WHEN I CALCULATED IT OUT OUR REVENUE FOR SOLID WASTE WITH THE FEES IS $12,594,126. AND OUR EXPENDITURES WAS $12,420,311. SO ROUGHLY $143,000 DIFFERENCE.

THAT GIVES US A LITTLE BUFFER IN CASE SOMETHING GOES WRONG. BUT IF ANYTHING HAPPENS OR IF WE DO REALLY WELL AND OUR REVENUE IS FINE, THEN MAYBE NEXT YEAR WHEN WE LOOK AT IT AND WE COME BACK HERE, WE SAY WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, THREE, $400,000 IN THE BANK, WHATEVER. THE WAY WE FEEL, WE DON'T REQUEST A RAISE THIS UPCOMING YEAR, SOMETHING THAT WE WILL LOOK AT ON A CONSISTENT BASIS. TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA WHERE WE ARE NOW, WHEN WE WERE BUDGETED FOR THE YEAR WAS $10.3 MILLION BUDGET. OUR ACTUALS IS AT $8.7 MILLION. SO IT'S REALLY CLOSE. WE'RE GONNA END UP LIKELY GOING, WE'RE GONNA GET REALLY CLOSE TO OUR NUMBERS, RIGHT? WHAT WE'RE BUDGETED AT. BUT THAT'S NOT REALLY HOW I'D LIKE TO OPERATE. IF THAT'S SHORT, THEN YOU GOTTA GET THE MONEY FROM SOMEWHERE, RIGHT? YOU HAVE TO GO INTO OUR RESERVES IN ORDER TO PULL THAT OUT FOR WHATEVER THE AMOUNT WE HAVE IN OUR RESERVES. WHICH I THINK IS AROUND $400 OR $600,000. SO NOW, SO OUR OPERATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS. THIS IS MY STAFF HELPED ME OUT WITH THIS, BUT I WAS TOLD 50% EMPLOYEE RETENTION. NOW WE'RE AT 95% EMPLOYEE RETENTION. SO THAT'S A HARD-WORKING GROUP.

I'M IMPRESSED, AND JUST THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT THEY DO, AND I DON'T, I NEVER HEAR COMPLAINTS OF HOW MUCH WORK THEY HAVE. THEY GET OUT THERE, THEY DO THE JOB, AND I'M IMPRESSED EVERY DAY. THEY HAVE AN EXCELLENT DIVISION MANAGER, LEROY LEWIS, AND HE HAS A TEAM THAT HE PUSHES ALONG, AND THEY HAVE FREQUENT MEETINGS. AND JUST HAPPY TO BE, YOU KNOW, PART OF THE TEAM. SO OUR TRUCK REPAIR TURN AROUND TIME WAS ONE WEEK.

NOW WE'RE GETTING TO ONE AND A HALF DAYS. SO WE DO HAVE, LIKE I SAID, NEW FOREMAN, GARAGE FOREMAN ON THE SOLID WASTE SIDE THAT'S IN THERE WITH THE MASTER MECHANIC. AND THEY'RE PROFESSIONALS. THEY'RE NOT HEY, LET'S WORK WITH THESE GUYS, THEY MAY KNOW HOW TO DO. NO, THEY'RE PROFESSIONALS, AND THEY'RE ABLE TO GET THINGS OUT QUICK. HOWEVER, IT DOES COST TO FIX 'EM. THERE'S OVERTIME IN THAT BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE POSITIONS TO FILL, WHICH IS I THINK THREE SOLID WASTE MECHANICS. SO JUST THINK THOSE GUYS ARE REALLY PULLING THE WEIGHT RIGHT NOW. WE DO HAVE A COMPANY THAT WORKS WITH US DOING THE PMS, SO BASICALLY LIKE THE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE, DOING THE OIL CHANGES, WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO BRING THAT BACK IN AND SAVE MONEY WHERE WE'RE DOING IT OURSELVES. WHEREVER WE CAN SAVE MONEY, WE'RE DOING OUR BEST TO SAVE MONEY. THAT'S THE GOAL.

70% ROUTE COMPLETION RATE. NOW WE'RE TRYING TO GET TO THE 100%. AS YOU KNOW, YOU ALL SEE THE STUFF ON THE FLOOR IN THE SOUTH THERE. WE'RE TRYING TO ASSIGN COSTS TO PICK THEM UP INSTEAD OF JUST GOING OUT THERE AND GRABBING IT. HOWEVER, WE'RE TRYING TO GET A SENSE OF WHERE WE DO RECOVER THOSE COSTS. AND I THINK WE'RE AT, I SEEN A REPORT WHERE I THINK WE'RE ALMOST AT LIKE 30-35 COST RECOVERY, THE AMOUNT OF LOADS THAT WE'RE ABLE TO BILL FOR. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO OUR FUTURE, OUR FUTURE PLAN, THIS IS IN PLACE RIGHT NOW. WORKING WITH HR TRYING TO GET PEOPLE IN. THERE ISN'T A WHOLE BUNCH OF MECHANICS OUT THERE. I THINK, I DON'T KNOW COMMISSIONER GAINES WAS TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THE TRADE SCHOOLS GETTING PEOPLE IN. BUT I THINK WE DO HAVE SOME VERY GOOD THINGS TO OFFER, AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL BE ABLE TO GET THOSE POSITIONS. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION SURVEYS AND IMPROVED CUSTOMER RESPONSE TIME.

WE ARE PUTTING STICKERS ON THE SIDES OF OUR TRUCKS, AND OUR

[01:55:04]

SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR, SHE IS SPEARHEADING THOSE EFFORTS TO GET OUT THERE AND GET OUR INFORMATION CAMPAIGNS. ON THE TRUCKS THAT ARE GONNA BE ON THE ROAD WITH THE STICKER, THEY'RE GONNA HAVE A QR CODE. WHEN YOU GO OVER THERE, YOU JUST PUT YOUR PHONE UP, HOPEFULLY PEOPLE AREN'T DRIVING AND DOING IT. SAY THEY COME TO A STOP OR WALK OUT, THEN THEY CAN GO GET THE QR CODE, AND TAKE 'EM RIGHT TO, YOU KNOW, OUR LANDING PAGE, AND MAKE SURE THAT THE MOST FREQUENTLY USED AND QUESTIONS THEY MAY HAVE INCLUDING ROUTE SCHEDULES AND THINGS ALONG THOSE LINES THAT ARE ON THERE. SO THERE'S NO CONFUSION. REVISING THE ORDINANCE TO INCLUDE APPROVED FEES IS WHAT WE'RE DOING TODAY. PART OF THIS ALSO INCLUDES TEMPORARY EMPLOYEES TO DO SOME OF THE CLEAN UPS THAT ARE AROUND DOWNTOWN AND ALSO GETTING OUT SOME OF THE UNSHELTERED INDIVIDUALS AND TRYING TO CLEAN UP AFTER THEM, AND THAT WOULD BE WITH THE TRUCK. AND ALSO DOING SOME PRESSURE CLEANING AND DIFFERENT THINGS. BUT WE WOULD UTILIZE THOSE PERSONNEL, AND ALSO THEY WORK OUT ON THE WEEKENDS. AND WE DO RUN A DISPOSAL IN OUR PARKS FOR TRASH COLLECTION IN THE DOWNTOWN AREA. WE RUN THAT SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. SEVEN DAYS. SO WE DON'T STOP WITH THAT COLLECTION, THOSE COLLECTION EFFORTS, EVEN THOUGH IF A CITY EMPLOYEE IS WORKING FIVE DAYS AND WHATNOT, THEN THE TRASH IS STILL GETTING COLLECTED BY STAFF. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN, INTERNALLY WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS SEEING THE BEST WAY. WHAT'S IN FRONT OF US NOW JUST BECAUSE OF THE SCALE, WE ARE TRYING TO GET, WE'RE GOING TO BE LEASING THE TRUCKS. HOWEVER, WE MAY GET TO A POINT WHERE WE CAN TRY TO GET TO PURCHASING INSTEAD OF LEASING THE VEHICLES.

SO WE'RE SAVING IN THOSE FINANCING COSTS. NEXT SLIDE. I THINK THAT'S IT. QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

>> QUESTIONS FOR MR. ATKISSON? COMMISSIONER GAINES, YOU WANNA

GO FIRST? YOU'RE SMILING. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. I'LL START WITH THIS. WHEN I LIKE TO TALK, AND I USED TO SIT UP HERE WITH THE TWO ENGINEERS, AND THEY WOULD USE THOSE ENGINEERING TERMS. AND IF IT WENT OVER MY HEAD, I'M PRETTY SURE IT'S GOING OVER THE RESIDENTS HEADS. FIRST QUESTION, WHAT IS FOUR CUBIC YARDS? HOW BIG IS IT? WHAT'S THE SPACE? WHAT ARE WE TALKING ABOUT? BECAUSE I SAW THOSE PICTURES. I CAN SHOW YOU SOME MORE. I COULD SHOW YOU SOME MORE. YOU KNOW I CAN. IN ANY OF THOSE PICTURES YOU SHOWED ME THAT WAS OUT THERE, ARE ANY OF THOSE PICTURES FOUR CUBIC YARDS?

>> NO. >> THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING, RIGHT? RIGHT. SO WHAT I'M HEARING IS, MAYBE IT WAS LIKE A FIVE DOLLARS A MONTH INCREASE. THAT'S WHAT IT WAS, I'M JUST

DOING RESIDENTS RIGHT NOW. >> JUST TO GIVE YOU A, A CUBIC YARD WOULD BASICALLY BE THE SIZE OF THIS CUBICLE.

>> I KNOW WHAT IT IS. >> I'M JUST PUTTING IT OUT THERE. I KNOW PEOPLE CAN'T SEE IT ON TV. BUT YOU KNOW, A REFRIGERATOR WOULD BE ALMOST TWO CUBIC YARDS, CLOSE TO IT. A CUBIC YARD IS THREE FEET BY THREE FEET BY THREE FEET.

THAT'S WHAT IT IS. IT'S A CUBE.

>> SO THE FIVE DOLLAR INCREASE, THAT'S WHAT WE ROUNDED UP. IT

WAS $29 TO $34. >> CLOSE, YEAH.

>> MY MOM IS LISTENING, SO I KNOW MYOMATA LITTLE BIT. SO IT'S LIKE FIVE DOLLARS, RIGHT? SOMEWHERE AROUND THAT. IF THEY GO OVER THE FOUR CUBIC FEET, RIGHT?

>> YARDS. >> YARDS. NOT FEET, YARDS. IF THEY GO OVER THAT, THEN THEY'RE CHARGED EXTRA? THEY'RE NOT

CHARGED ANYTHING? >> NO. IF IT'S YARD DEBRIS, IT'S GONNA BE SIX DOLLARS. WE GOT SIX DOLLARS, RIGHT?

>> CAN WE PUT THE SLIDE BACK UP TO SHOW THAT?

>> I'M JUST TRYING TO GET IT RIGHT MYSELF, GUYS.

>> SO FOR INSTANCE, THEY GET FOUR. SAY THEY HAVE EIGHT OUT THERE. THAT'S AN ADDITIONAL FOUR. SO FOUR TIMES THE SIX DOLLARS PER CUBIC YARD, IT WOULD BE $24. FOR EIGHT CUBIC YARDS,

THEY WOULD HAVE TO PAY $24. >> OKAY. TO BE CLEAR, FOR EACH CUBIC YARD OVER THE FOUR, YOU PAY SIX DOLLARS PER CUBIC YARD?

>> YES. FOR BULK BECAUSE IT COSTS US MORE TO DUMP THIS. AND

[02:00:04]

THIS COSTS LESS. THAT'S WHY I MADE THE PRICE DIFFERENT. IF THE IT'S COSTING ME LESS TO DUMP YARD DEBRIS, I'M NOT GOING TO

CHARGE YOU THE SAME AMOUNT. >> I UNDERSTAND TAKING IT TO SOMEBODY ELSE'S DUMP AND WE HAVE TO PAY THAT MONEY. I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT. SO THE RESIDENTS CAN HEAR WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO SELL AND GET THERE. BECAUSE ONCE THEY GET THAT FIRST BILL, THEY GONNA BE IN HERE, AND YOU GUYS GONNA BE OVER THERE, AND THEY GONNA BE STANDING HERE ASKING ALL THESE QUESTIONS. I'M TRYING TO GET IT OUT NOW SO WE ALL BE ON THE SAME PAGE. I GOT THAT. ATER THE FOUR, THEY CHARGE EVERY ADDITIONAL CUBIC YARD. SIX DOLLARS EVERY ADDITIONAL CUBIC

YARD. >> FOR YARD DEBRIS. FOR BULK DEBRIS, IT'S TWO CUBIC YARDS, THEN IT'S $10.

>> YARD DEBRIS, IF I CAN GET YARD DEBRIS CORRECT, WE CAN UNDERSTAND THE OTHER DEBRIS. SO I GOT IT. SECOND QUESTION. THIS CHARGE, IS IT AN EXTRA BILL COMING FROM YOUR DEPARTMENT? OR IS IT AN EXTRA BILL ON THE FPUA BILL?

>> FPUA. WE PAY FPUA APPROXIMATELY $20,000 A MONTH TO DO OUR BILLING. IT'S GONNA BE PART OF THAT.

>> I'M LETTING THE PUBLIC KNOW SO WHEN THEY START GOING THROUGH

THEY BILLS AND SEE, THAT'S. >> IF THEY GET IT NOW.

>> I JUST PULLED IT UP. THAT'S WHY I ASKED THE QUESTION.

>> EXCUSE ME. >> GO AHEAD.

>> SOLID WASTE DIVISION MANAGER. ONE OF THE REASONS BEHIND THAT WHEN JASON WAS SPEAKING ABOUT DOING ALTERNATING DAYS WHEN IT COMES TO YARD WASTE AND BULK AND KEEPING IT SEPARATE, BECAUSE WHEN WE DISPOSE OF BULK, WE'RE PAYING LIKE $49.10. AND THEN ON THE YARD DEBRIS SIDE, IT'S LIKE $27.14. SO AS LONG AS, YOU KNOW, THE RESIDENTS ACTUALLY SEPARATE EVERYTHIG THE WAY THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO, THERE'S ACTUALLY GONNA BE A SAVINGS TO THE

RESIDENTS. >> I'M GETTING THERE. I GOT THAT PART. THAT PART, THAT PART IS EASY FOR ME. PEOPLE UNDERSTAND IF YOU WANT DIFFERENT DAYS. I GOT THAT PART. THEY UNDERSTAND DIFFERENT DAYS, JUST LIKE THEY UNDERSTAND WHEN THEY PUT IT OUT THERE BLUE AND YELLOW. THE BLUE AND YELLOW BIN AND THE GREEN BIN. THEY UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT THEY'RE NOT GONNA UNDERSTAND THIS BREAK DOWN. SO THIS IS OUR TIME TO TALK ABOUT IT BEFORE WE VOTE ON IT BECAUSE ALL THEY GONNA SEE, SOMEBODY'S NOT LISTENING TO THIS, AND THEY GONNA BET A BILL, AND THEY GONNA GET A CHARGE. THEY GONNA START ASKING QUESTIONS WHY. THIS IS MY QUESTION. I GOT THAT ON THAT BILL. HOW DOES THIS AFFECT WHEN THAT BILL GOES UP AND THE BILL IS NOT PAID? BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE, A LOT OF PEOPLE RIGHT NOW ARE COMPLAINING EVEN THOUGH FPUA HAS DONE A GREAT JOB LOWERING THE ELECTRIC BILL, HAVE YOU TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION THAT FOR SOME FAMILIES, THIS FIVE DOLLARS OR WHATEVER, ESPECIALLY IF THEY START GETTING CHARGED SIX, SEVEN, $24, IF THE BILL DOESN'T GET PAID, HOW DOES THAT HELP OUR PROGRAM?

>> WELL, IF THE UTILITIES HAVE TO GET PAID. THAT'S PART OF IT.

>> THEY SHOULD BE PAID. BUT THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT LOOK FOR SERVICES, LOOK FOR SERVICES TO GO PAY THESE UTILITY BILLS. THEY GET IN LINE EARLY TO GET SOMEBODY TO PAY 'EM, AND IF THEY DON'T, LIGHTS GET CUT OFF. I'M THROWING THIS OUT HERE TO LET YOU UNDERSTAND. THIS LOOKS GREAT AND I UNDERSTAND WHY WE NEED IT, BUT TO EFFECT OUR COMMUNITY IF THEY CAN'T PAY IT OR THEY DON'T PAY IT, THEN WE'RE NOT GETTING ANY MONEY.

>> IT WOULD END UP GOING TO WHAT OUR CODE STATES. MADAME ATTORNEY WANTS TO OPINE UPON THAT? IT'S WHAT'S IN OUR CODE. IT SAYS IF YOU DON'T PAY, IT'S NOT WHAT I THINK, IT'S WHAT IT SAYS.

>> I READ THE CODE AND I'VE ASKED THIS QUESTION BEFORE. I'VE ASKED THIS QUESTION BEFORE. THE CODE HAS SAID FOR YEARS TO CHARGE, AND WE HAVEN'T. NOW WE ARE CHARGING PEOPLE MORE MONEY, AND PEOPLE ARE ALREADY HAVING PROBLEMS PAYING THESE BILLS. SO I'M JUST THROWING IT OUT THERE. IF THE BILLS ARE NOT PAID, IT AFFECTS A WHOLE BUNCH OF NOT JUST SOLID WASTE. THAT'S ALL

[02:05:02]

I'M SAYING. SO THAT'S WHERE I'M GOING WITH THAT. I'LL JUST THROW THAT OUT THERE. THIS LAST THING WITH THESE LOTS, WITH THESE OUT OF TOWN OWNERS OR THESE ELDERLY OWNERS THAT PEOPLE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF, HOW DOES THAT BILL GET SENT TO THOSE PEOPLE? THEY JUST GO DUMP, THEY KNOW SOMEBODY'S NOT THERE, OR THEY KNOW THE ELDERLY PERSON HAS BEEN MOVED TO A NURSING HOME, BUT SOMEBODY IN THE FAMILY'S TAKING CARE OF THE LOT, TAKING CARE OF THE WHATEVER, AND THEN THEY COME BACK AND THEY HAVE A BUNCH OF DEBRIS ON THEIR STUFF. AND YOU SAID YOU'RE GONNA CHARGE THE

OWNER. >> YEP. IF WE CAN'T RECOVER THE COST, THEN THE COST COMES BACK TO THE WHOLE, EVERYBODY AS A WHOLE SAYING THIS IS WHERE WE'RE AT, THESE ARE ALL UNRECOVERABLE COST, AND NOW IT HAS TO BE THIS AMOUNT. NOW, IT'S SET BY, IT'S A USER CHARGE. BUT THERE'S NO WAY, IT'S A FREE FOR ALL. NOT TO SAY FREE FOR ALL, BUT YOU CAN DUMP OUT THERE, IF WE DON'T CATCH YOU, WE DON'T CATCH YOU, THE CITY PICKS IT UP FREE OF CHARGE. THEN EVERYONE'S GOING TO END UP HAVING TO PAY THAT

BILL. >> THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS

PICK UP FREE OF CHARGE. >> YEAH, EXACTLY.

>> I GET THAT. BUT I ALSO KNOW WHAT I KNOW. THAT PEOPLE ARE DUMPING STUFF ON VACANT, OTHER PEOPLE'S PROPERTIES.

>> UH-HUH. >> AND I'M NOT GOING TO ASK YOU TO BE IN THE TREES HIDING TO TRY TO CATCH SOMEBODY, BUT I'M TELLING YOU IT'S HAPPENING. I DON'T WANT I HAVE AN ELDERLY PERSON IN A NURSING HOME THAT NEPHEW'S SUPPOSED TO BE TAKING CARE OF THE PROPERTY, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HAVE THIS BIG BILL AGAINST THIS PROPERTY OWNER. IF THAT BILL'S NOT PAID, WHAT HAPPENS TO THE PROPERTY? IS THERE A LIEN AGAINST THE PROPERTY TO PAY THIS BILL? I'M THINKING AHEAD OF THIS BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT'S ABOUT TO HAPPEN. IT'S NOT GONNA BE PICK UPS IN FRONT OF PEOPLE'S HOUSES ANYMORE. IT'S GONNA BE PICK UPS, IT'S GONNA BE PICK UPS ON VACANT PROPERTIES IN DISTRICT 1.

THEY'RE NOT GONNA BRING NO SOFAS DOWNTOWN IN OTHER PARTS OF THE AREA. THEY'RE GONNA BE PICKING LOTS, AND WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THESE OUTSTANDING BILLS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE MY ELDERLY PROPERTY OWNERS WHO ARE NOT PHYSICALLY ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR PROPERTIES, ARE THEY GONNA BE FACED WITH SOME TYPE OF LIEN AGAINST THEIR PROPERTY WHERE THEY COULD LOSE THEIR PROPERTY?

>> IT'S UNLAWFUL AS IT IS. IT'S AN UNLAWFUL ACT. I GET YOU. I UNDERSTAND. I PUT THE QUESTION OVER TO...

>> I KNOW IT'S UNLAWFUL. I KNOW IT'S UNLAWFUL. WE ALL KNOW IT'S UNLAWFUL. WHAT I'M SAYING IS IT BEING UNLAWFUL HAS NOT STOPPED IT. AND IT'S NOT GONNA STOP IT. SO I'M JUST THROWING IT OUT THERE. THIS IS THE ONLY TIME I GET TO TALK TO THESE GUYS IN FRONT OF YOU.

>> AND I WOULD SAY THIS JUST TO KIND OF ANSWER THAT. SAY SOMEONE THROWS, JUST SAY THEY HAPPEN TO THROW ON THAT LOT FOUR CUBIC YARDS OF YARD DEBRIS. JUST SAY THEY DID. THEY'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO. THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO PUT IT ON THEIR OWN. WE HAVE PLENTY OF OCCASIONS WHERE WE'LL SEE SOMEONE PUTTING SOMETHING THEY DON'T WANT IN FRONT OF THEIR HOUSE BUT THERE'S AN EMPTY LOT ACROSS THE STREET, SO YOU HAVE THAT DISCUSSION, AND WE HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE RIDING AROUND, AND SOMETIMES THERE'S THE CALLS WHERE THEY'LL TELL YOU THAT PERSON, I LIVE AT SO AND SO.

THEY WENT OVER THERE, THEY DUMPED IT, GO TALK TO THEM. WE HAVE DONE THAT, AND WE'VE HAD CODE ENFORCEMENT WENT OVER AND SAID THESE ARE THE RULES, YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO DO THAT. THE WAY IT IS NOW, SO IF THEY WERE TO GO OUT THERE AND DUMP THAT, RIGHT NOW WE'RE SUPPOSED TO CHARGE. SAY WE'RE COST RECOVER, WHAT'S KIND OF COMING IN FRONT OF YOU IS AT LEAST THERE'S A LITTLE BIT OF BUFFER THAT IF SOMEONE WERE TO GO DO THAT, WE STILL COULD END UP PICKING THAT UP AS LONG AS IT DIDN'T GO OVER THE FOUR YARDS AT THAT TIME OR TWO CUBIC YARDS OF BULK DEBRIS. NOW, THAT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO THAT PERSON. RIGHT NOW, IF THE IT'S ON THE FLOOR AND YOU SAY I DON'T AGREE WITH THESE RATES, THE CHARGE IS STILL THERE. UNLESS YOU DON'T WANT TO, WE'LL

MAKE THE RATES AT THIS NUMBER. >> I'VE NEVER SAID THAT. WHEN YOU FIRST BROUGHT THIS UP, WHEN YOU FIRST BROUGHT THIS UP, I LISTED OTHER CITIES THAT I KNOW THAT CHARGE FOR BULK PICK UP, AND I SAID IN MY COMMENTS THEN, YOU KNOW, THIS IS GONNA BE A HARD SELL BECAUSE PEOPLE IN FORT PIERCE ARE USED TO GETTING SOMETHING FOR, I'M NOT GONNA SAY FREE. BUT FOR FREE. BECAUSE IT WAS IN THE CODE TO CHARGE. NOW WE ARE ACTING ON OUR CODE, AND WE WANNA CHARGE. AND THAT'S GOING TO BE A PROBLEM WITH OUR

[02:10:02]

RESIDENTS BECAUSE WE DIDN'T DO IT BEFORE. I UNDERSTAND THAT WE NEED TO DO IT, AND I'M NOT SAYING NOT TO DO IT. I JUST HAVE QUESTIONS BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT I FEEL RESIDENTS ARE GOING TO DO OR LANDSCAPERS OR ALL THESE OTHER PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DO.

THEY'RE NOT GOING TO PUT IT ON THE OWNER'S PROPERTY. THEY'RE GOING TO PUT IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. I'M WORRIED THAT WE GONNA HAVE SOME LANDOWNERS AND SOME ELDERLY PEOPLE THAT I KNOW WHO HAVE PROPERTY IN OUR COMMUNITIES THAT ARE IN NURSING HOMES, AND A FAMILY MEMBER QUOTE-UNQUOTE IS SUPPOSED TO BE TAKING CARE OF THE PROPERTY, AND THEY'RE GOING TO GET STUCK WITH THIS BILL.

I'M TRYING TO PROTECT THOSE INDIVIDUALS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT THEM TO GET AN OUTSTANDING BILL AND SOMEBODY PUT A LIEN AGAINST THEIR PROPERTY. THEY HAD NOTHING TO DO. MAYBE I'M THINKING WAY AHEAD. MAYBE I'M THINKING WAY AHEAD. BUT I KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. ME AND YOU STILL, I OWE YOU A RIDE

AROUND. >> YEAH. I WOULD SAY THIS. JUST AN ANSWER TO THAT, AND THIS ISN'T A PROPOSAL, BUT THIS IS JUST SOMETHING THAT, A THOUGHT PROCESS. SAY THE CITY SAYS WE DON'T WANNA STICK THAT PERSON WITH THAT FEE BECAUSE SOMEONE ILLEGALLY DUMPED. WHAT WE'RE GONNA DO IS RAISE THE, WE'RE GONNA RAISE IT FROM $34 UP TO $37 TO RECOVER THE COST, AND WE'RE JUST GONNA PICK UP EVERYTHING AND NOT CHARGE ANYBODY. YOU SAY THAT'S WHAT I WANNA DO. I'M GONNA CHARGE $37.

WE'RE JUST GONNA RIDE AROUND AND PICK STUFF UP, WE DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT. I'D HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW I GET THAT MONEY BACK, BUT THEN ALSO YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A VERY DIRTY CITY, AND IT'S NOT GONNA MEET THE THING. THAT'S JUST HOW YOU WRAP KIND OF, I GUESS GET YOUR MIND TO WHERE YOU SAY IT'S, EVEN IF YOU LOOK OUT FOR THIS ONE INDIVIDUAL, YOU END UP IN THIS WAY THE PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING IT RIGHT THAT WANNA PAY LESS, YOU KNOW, EVEN THOUGH OTHERS ARE COMING IN AND DOING THE WRONG THING AND ILLGALLY DUMPING ON THEIR PROPERTY, BUT JUST SAY THEY'RE DOING THE RIGHT THING AND PEOPLE AREN'T ILLEGALLY DUMPLING ON THEIR PROPERTY AND THEY WANT TO THROW AWAY DEBRIS, WE'LL PICK IT UP. THERE MAY BE SOME PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT TO PAY THE $40 OR THE $57. SAY THEY HAVE FOUR CUBIC YARDS. NOW YOU CAN JUST PUT IT ON YOUR PROPERTY, AND WE'LL COME PICK IT UP. YOU DON'T HAVE WORRY ABOUT ILLEGALLY DISPOSING. WE'RE WORKING TO THE POINT WHERE WE'RE TRYING TO CRACK DOWN ON THAT.

YOU'RE GETTING SOMETHING FOR FREE WHERE YOU MAY NOT WANT TO GO ILLEGALLY DUMP THAT ON SOMEONE ELSE'S PROPERTY.

THAT'S HOW I SEE IT. >> I HEAR WHAT YOU SAYING. YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES IT'S GOOD TO AGREE TO DISAGREE BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T THINK LIKE WHAT YOU JUST SAID. THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT SOMEBODY ELSE. THEY CARE ABOUT THEIR BILL. AND THEY CARE ABOUT THEIR BILL. AND I KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. I KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON IN MY DISTRICT. AND I'M TRYING TO PROTECT. I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANYBODY GOING OVER ON THE BEACH DUMPING STUFF ON THE BEACH. I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT ANYBODY GOING PAST ORANGE AVENUE DUMPING STUFF PAST ORANGE AVENUE. BUT I KNOW PEOPLE COME INTO DISTRICT 1 AND DUMP STUFF AND LEAVE. AND I DON'T WANT THOSE RESIDENS TO BE CHARGED EXTRA FOR STUFF THEY DIDN'T DO. NOW, IF YOU CLEAN OUT YOUR HOUSE OR YOU CLEAN OUT YOUR RENTAL PROPERTY, SOME OF THOSE PICTURES, BECAUSE SOME OF THOSE PICTURES ARE EVICTIONS, AND YOU PUT ALL THAT STUFF OUT OF THERE, AND YOU ASK US TO PICK IT UP, YOU NEED TO PAY FOR IT. I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT. IT'S THE OTHER ISSUES, THE OTHER

CONCERNS I HAVE. I'LL SIT BACK. >> LET'S GET SOMEBODY ELSE IN

WILL HERE. >> MADAME MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, I WANT TO PROVIDE CLARIFICATION. IF SOMEONE DOES NOT PAY THE FEES FOR THEIR COLLECTION SERVICES, THE CODE SAYS THAT WE SHALL SUSPEND THOSE SERVICES TO THAT PROPERTY. IT THEN ALLOWS US TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION, WHICH WOULD BE A LAWSUIT. SO THIS IS NOT LIKE WHAT YOU'RE USED TO WITH SPECIAL MAGISTRATE STRAIT WHERE LIENS ARE ROUTINELY FILED. THIS WOULD GO THROUGH A COURT PROCESS FOR THIS CITY TO COLLECT FEES THEREAFTER. SO THERE ARE, UM, ADDITIONAL I GUESS PROTECTIONS FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD IN THAT IT WOULD GO THROUGH A COURT PROCEEDING RATHER THAN WHAT YOU'RE USED TO SEEING WHERE LIENS ARE FILED IN A DIFFERENT

CONTEXT. >> GET SOMEBODY ELSE IN HERE.

>> I'M GONNA LET YOU GO, AND I'LL COME BACK.

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> A COUPLE OF COMMENTS. ONE, ON THE FEE STRUCTURE, I WANT TO POINT SOMETHING ELSE OUT TO YOU.

[02:15:03]

IN THE COMMERCIAL DUMPSTER WORLD, WE HAVE ILLEGAL DUMPING

EVERY DAY. >> EVERYWHERE.

>> AND WHAT HAPPENS IS I'M PAYING $375 A MONTH TO HAVE AN EIGHT CUBIC YARD DUMPSTER HAULED. IT'S NOT THROUGH YOU GUYS. YOU COME OVER THERE AND DUMP AN APARTMENT-LOAD OF CRAP IN MY DUMPSTER, I HAVE NO RECOURSE AT ALL. I'M PAYING TO HAVE THAT DUMPSTER REMOVED, DUMPED AGAIN, AND EXTRA PICK UPS. THESE ARE COSTLY EVENTS FROM A BUSINESS OPERATION STANDPOINT. SO I'M JUST SAYING IF PEOPLE ARE ILLEGALLY DUMPING, THIS HAPPENS CONSISTENTLY. AND UNFORTUNATELY, THE PROPERTY OWNER IS BURDENED WITH THIS. IT HAPPENS IN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES, BUT MORE IT HAPPENS IN COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES. PEOPLE THINKS OPEN DUMPSTERS, IT'S OPEN SEASON TO DUMP IN THEM.

>> WE HAVE ONE RIGHT DOWN THE STREET.

>> I'M SYMPATHETIC TO THIS PLIGHT BECAUSE THE PROPERTY ACROSS THE STREET FROM MY OFFICE GETS ILLEGALLY DUMPED ON EVERY WEEK BECAUSE NOBODY'S THERE. WE OBSERVE IT CONTINUOUSLY. HAVING SAID THAT, I'M SYMPATHETIC, BUT I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANY OTHER SOLUTION OTHER THAN TO CEASE SERVICE TO THE PROPERTY AND MOVE FORWARD. THAT'S NOT MY PRIMARY CONCERN. MY PRIMARY CONCERN, MR. ATKISSON IS THIS, THE PROPOSED RATES YOU'RE SUGGESTING HERE, A, IS IT ENOUGH TO MEET THE STRATEGIC GOALS OF THE CITY'S OUTLINE TO CLEAN THE CITY UP? YOU'RE LOOKING AT ACQUIRING SIX TRUCKS UNDER A LEASE SCENARIO. ARE WE BETTER OFF LOOKING TO PURCHASE THOSE TRUCKS, FINANCING THE TRUCK, AND PURCHASING THEM SO WE OWN THEM ON A LONGER TERM BASIS? YOU INDICATED THE LIFE SPAN OF THESE TRUCKS IS FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS.

I'M ASSUMING WE'RE LEASING FIVE TO SEVEN YEARS. BACK UP THAT COMMENT. YOU MADE THE COMMENT IF WE DON'T GET THE INCREASE YOU'RE PROPOSING, WE HAVE TO GO INTO RESERVES TO FUND

DAILY OPERATIONAL COSTS. >> YES, IT HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE. IT WOULD FIRST COME THROUGH THE RESERVES OF THE ENTERPRISE FUND, AND THEN IT WOULD HAVE TO LIKELY BE, LIKELY

COME FROM THE -- >> GENERAL BUDGET OF THE CITY.

LET'S PUT AN EXCLAMATION POINT ON THAT AND HOLD THAT THOUGHT.

AN ENTERPRISE FUND IS A BUSINESS. WE CAN ALL AGREE ON THAT. IT'S IN ESSENCE A FOR-PROFIT BUSINESS EVEN THOUGH GOVERNMENT IS NOT FOR PROFIT. WE ALL KNOW THAT. THAT'S THE THEORY. HAVING SAID THAT, ANY CITY DEPARTMENT HAS AN ENTERPRISE FUND THAT IS DIPPING INTO ITS RESERVES TO FUND ITS DAILY OPERATIONS IS A DIVISION THAT'S GOING OUT OF BUSINESS.

IN THE FREE ENTERPRISE WORLD, THAT'S A BUSINESS THAT'S NOT GOING TO BE HERE NEXT YEAR. SO OBVIOUSLY, WE CAN'T DO THAT. SO I'M GONNA FOCUS ON THE QUESTION OF GENERATION OF REVENUE. WE'RE LOOKING AT ENGAGING ANOTHER SIX TRUCKS, WHICH I COMPLETELY ADVOCATE. I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA. WE NEED STAFF FOR THOSE TRUCKS. SOME OF THESE ARE RESERVE TRUCKS. SOME ARE BROKEN.

ARE YOU CONFIDENT IN THE NUMBERS YOU'VE GIVEN HERE TO MEET THE GOALS OUTLINED IN THE STRATEGIC PLAN THAT THE CITY STAFF AND CITY COMMISSION WORKED DILIGENTLY ON TO CLEAN THE CITY UP? I WANT TO BE SURE THAT YOU ARE BEING PROVIDED WITH THE ASSETS THAT YOU NEED TO COMPLETE THE GOALS OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN.

>> I FEEL CONFIDENT, AND SOME OF THOSE NUMBERS THAT I GAVE YOU ARE THINGS THAT AREN'T HARD LINE AS FAR AS I CAN PULL BACK FROM IF NEED BE, LIKE TEMP EMPLOYEES OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. IF I NEED TO PULL BACK, THOSE ARE NUMBERS BASED OFF OF US PURCHASING. THERE MAY BE SOME TIME WHERE IT TAKES US THREE MONTHS OR FOUR MONTHS TO GET IN THE TRUCK, MAYBE FIVE MONTHS.

THOSE ARE THE EXPENDITURES, AND THAT'S MONEY YOU ACCUMULATE, RIGHT? WE MAY GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE HAVE MECHANIC THAT IS ARE OUT THERE SERVICING REAL GOOD MECHANICS, AND MAYBE WE CAN PUSH THE LENGTH OF THESE VEHICLES A LITTLE BIT FURTHER.

AND THEN MAYBE NEXT YEAR WHEN WE GET INTO OUR CAPITAL PLAN, THE CITY MANAGER, WE'RE TAKING THAT ON NOW TO WHERE WE CAN SAY HEY, YEAH, WE NEED TO BUY MAYBE NEXT YEAR WE REPLACE TWO, BUT WE REPLACE WITH CASH. AT THIS POINT NOW, I DON'T WANT TO PUT THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF SIX VEHICLES PLUS A MID-SIZE PURCHASE AND TWO SMALLER PURCHASES ALL ON THE FUND, AND THEN JACK UP THE RATES THAT ARE SUPER HIGH. I DON'T WANT TO DO THAT. I FEEL COMFORTABLE BASED OFF THE ACTUALS I JUST TOLD YOU, THAT I WENT OVER, AND I EXPLAINED THE NUMBERS. WE'RE GOING TO GET VERY CLOSE TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THAT TIPPING FEES MAY GO UP. BUT ALSO GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE WE CAN SEE OUR NUMBERS AND SEE WHERE WE ARE AS WE'RE MOVING ALONG. I THINK IT'LL GIVE US A GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF HOW WE WANT TO GO OPERATIONALLY. I THINK WE'LL BE GOOD WITH WHERE WE ARE. WE'RE KIND OF MAKING DO. THE QUALITY OF THE SERVICE ISN'T ABLE TO

[02:20:06]

MEET THE EXPECTATIONS OF WHAT YOU'RE ASKING. WE'RE DOING WHAT WE CAN DO WITH WHAT WE HAVE. I THINK IT WOULD HELP US OUT AND GET US WHERE WE NEED TO BE. THOSE NUMBERS ARE SOMEWHAT FIXED, BUT EVEN AT THE END OF THE YEAR IF YOU HAVE EMPLOYEES THAT AREN'T THERE, LIKE IF YOU HAVE VACANCIES, THAT'S COST SAVINGS THAT YOU HAVE OVER TIME. SO I THINK WHEN WE GET HERE HOPEFULLY NEXT YEAR WHEN I'M IN FRONT OF YOU, I'M GOING TO SAY WE HAVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT, AND I JUST HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO BUY VERSUS MAYBE THE $500,000 MAYBE I'M ABLE TO GET TWO GRAPPLE TRUCKS OR A FRONT LOAD OR WHATEVER IT MAY BE, AND OUTRIGHT BUY IT TO MAINTAIN OUR TRUCK LEVELS. AND THEN SAY WE HAVE MECHANICS THAT ARE DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB THAT WE'RE ABLE TO KEEP THOSE TRUCKS ROLLING, AND THAT I FEEL COMFORTABLE. RIGHT NOW WITH THE AMOUNT WE'VE HAD TO GO INTO RENTALS AND RENTING TRUCKS, I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE COMING IN HERE AND ASKING FOR SHOULD I GET A FRONT LOAD OR SHOULD I GET A SIDE LOAD? I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO DO. I'D LIKE TO GET COMFORTABLE, AND THEN HAVE THE TRUCKS, AND THEN GET TO A POINT WHERE WE CAN GO AHEAD AND JUST GET TO THE POINT IN THE CAPITAL PLAN WHERE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE MOVING ALONG. THAT WAY WHEN I COME BACK TO THE COMMISSION AND SAY WE'RE GONNA DO A RATE INCREASE, WHETHER IT BE FOR SALARIES EVERY YEAR THAT GO UP OR HOWEVER THAT MAY BE, BUT MY GOAL IS TO DRIVE THOSE OTHER LARGE COSTS LIKE EQUIPMENT COSTS DOWN. I DO FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THAT, UNLESS THERE'S SOMETHING GREATLY UNEXPECTED BY WASTE MANAGEMENT. BUT I DO FEEL COMFORTABLE, SIR.

>> JUST A QUICK FOLLOW UP, AND I'LL LET CURTIS TAKE IT AWAY.

YOU'RE PROJECTING AN INCREASE IN REVENUE BETWEEN RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, APPROXIMATELY $2 MILLION A YEAR. I GUESS I'M JUST CONCERNED, IT'S A LEGITIMATE CONCERN BECAUSE I NEED YOU TO HAVE THE ASSETS YOU NEED TO EXECUTE THE PLAN.

THAT'S MY BASELINE ON THIS. AND AT $2 MILLION A YEAR, YOU'RE LOOKING AT HIRING EIGHT MORE PEOPLE, DRIVERS, AND PICK-UP GUYS OR SECOND MEN ON THE GRAPPLE TRUCKS, ETC. AND SIX VERY EXPENSIVE VEHICLES. IS $2 MILLION SUFFICIENT TO BE ABLE TO

ACCOMPLISH THAT? >> YES. IN THE AMOUNT OF THE TRUCKS AND EVERYTHING IS $600, I THINK CAPITAL WAS $660,000. THAT WAS FOR THE CAPITAL. THAT TOOK INTO CONSIDERATION THE LEASES PLUS THE PURCHASES. AND END UP SO YOU KNOW ONE OF THE PURCHASES WE HAD TO DO ALREADY BECAUSE THE FRAME WAS LIKE RUSTED OUT.

COULDN'T EVEN USE IT. SO WE'RE RENTING IT FOR ALMOST $700 A MONTH. IT'S LIKE WE NEED TO BUY IT, RIGHT? BUT YES, WE DO, SIR.

>> SO YOU HAVE A COMFORT LEVEL THERE ON THAT EXTRAPOLATION OF THAT CASH TO GET YOU THE ASSETS YOU NEED TO FULFILL THE STRATEGIC PLAN. HAVING SAID THAT, I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU'RE LEASING EQUIPMENT UP FRONT DUE TO SHORTFALL OF X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS SITTING IN A BANK ACCOUNT SOME PLACE. WE'RE NOT DIPPING INTO RESERVES TO BE SPENDING IT ON EQUIPMENT.

THAT'S FOOL HARDY. OVER A DURATION OF TIME, WE GET OUT OF THE LEASING BUSINESS, WE GET INTO THE PURCHASING BUSINESS. IS

THAT THE DIRECTION YOU WANNA GO? >> I DON'T WANT TO SPEND MONEY ON FINANCE CHARGES. I HAVE TO NOW, BUT THE GOAL IS NOT TO BE THERE. WE WANT TO BUILD UP MONEY.

>> TAKE THE INTEREST PAYMENTS WE'RE MAKING ON THE FINANCE CHARGES AND PLOW THAT INTO ADDITIONAL PERSONNEL AND ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT TO BOLSTER YOUR OVERALL PROGRAM. SO THAT'S THE GOAL STARTING RIGHT NOW WITH THIS INCREASE IN FEES AND INCREASE IN $2 MILLION A YEAR OF REVENUE?

>> YES, COMMISSIONER. >> I'M BUYING INTO YOUR

PROGRAM. >> APPRECIATE IT.

>> THIS IS THE INFANCY OF IT, AND THEN EACH YEAR ROLLING FORWARD, WE'RE NOT LEASING EQUIPMENT, WE'RE PURCHASING

EQUIPMENT. >> SOME OF THIS ALSO GOES TO LIKE DUMPSTER, WE'RE LOOKING AT DIFFERENT TYPE OF DUMPST ENCLOSURES, SOMETHING THAT'S MORE ECONOMICAL. THERE'S PLENTY OF EXPEND SURES. WE HAVE A ROOF THAT'S STARTING TO CORRODE. WE HAVE OTHER THINGS WE'RE LOOKING AT OF LARGER, SAY, CAPITAL EXPENDITURES AT THIS TIME THAT WE MAY NOT HAVE IN THE UPCOMING YEAR. SO WE PUT A ROOF, WE TAKE CARE OF SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE IMMEDIATE, WE MAY NOT HAVE THOSE COSTS IN THE FUTURE IN

FY27. >> MY ONLY CONCERN, AND THIS IS MY RESERVATION, IS THAT WE'RE SHORT FUNDING YOUR NEEDS. AND THAT WOULD BE A HUGE ERROR. WE HAVE, WE'RE ABOUT TO TAKE A BITE OF THE APPLE HERE. I'D LIKE TO GET IT RIGHT SIZED THE

[02:25:02]

FIRST TIME. IF YOU'RE TELLING ME AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT, AND MR. CHESS I'M SURE HAS REVIEWED THIS AS WELL, IF YOU TWO ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THE INCOME STRATEGY, THE REVENUE STRATEGY TO OFFSET WHAT WE NEED TO ACCOMPLISH THE GOALS IN THE MASTER PLAN, I'LL TAKE THAT AT FACE VALUE, AND WE'LL SEE YOU

IN A YEAR. >> IF I CAN JUST CHIME IN.

STRATEGICALLY, THERE IS A NUMBER OF ANALYSES THAT NEED TO BE DONE. AND CERTAINLY, WE HAVE A MEETING SCHEDULED NEXT WEEK, A FLEET REPLACEMENT PLAN DEFINITELY FOR OUR HEAVY

EQUIPMENT. >> YEP.

>> WE NEED TO HAVE, WE SHOULD HAVE A PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE

PLAN, JUST BASIC OIL CHANGES. >> SURE.

>> THEN WE HAVE THE MAJOR REPAIRS FOR FAILURES. SO WE NEED TO LOOK AT THOSE TYPE OF VEHICLES IN THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF OUR VEHICLES. IN SOME INSTANCES, WE MAY CONTINUE TO LEASE. A LEASE VERSUS PURCHASE ANALYSIS HAS TO BE DONE. THE NUMBERS REPRESENT OUR PLAN, BUT I BELIEVE GOING FORWARD WE HAVE TO HAVE A FLEET REPLACEMENT PLAN, A FLEET MAINTENANCE PLAN, A PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE PLAN. THE EMPLOYEES WE'LL BRING ON BOARD STRATEGICALLY BASED ON WHEN WE ACQUIRE THE EQUIPMENT.

SO THE NUMBERS REPRESENT, AS I SAID, OUR STRATEGIC APPROACH.

BUT THOSE AREAS THAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON ARE OUR ASSETS, THE LIFE OF THOSE ASSETS. IF THE WE ARE LEASING, WHAT'S THE MAINTENANCE PLAN? WE MAY HAVE A BETTER MAINTENANCE PLAN THROUGH A LEASE THAN BRINGING IT IN IF HOUSE. THEN HAVING QUALIFIED MECHANICS TO DO THE WORK. SO AS PRESENTED, THAT WORKS. BUT WE STILL WANT TO REFINE THE ANALYSIS, AND THAT HAS TO BE DONE IN GREAT DETAIL, AND WE HAVEN'T DONE THAT LEVEL OF DETAIL, FRANKLY. BUT THE NUMBERS REPRESENT THE PLAN. BUT I BELIEVE ONCE WE SIT DOWN, GET THE REPLACEMENT PLAN, THE PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE PLAN, AND THE EMPLOYEES TO DRIVE THE HEAVY EQUIPMENT, WE'LL SEE EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE.

>> IT'S NOT JUST A REPLACEMENT PLAN, IT'S AN EXPANSION PLAN.

>> WHEN I THINK OF REPLACEMENT PLANS FOR VEHICLES, YOU'RE TALKING 10 OR 20 YEARS. YOU'RE LOOKING AT PARTS, MATERIALS, THE TYPE OF VEHICLES WHETHER ELECTRIC VEHICLES OR DIESEL VEHICLES DEPENDING ON WHAT ROUTE WE'RE GOING. AND THE TECHNOLOGY ON THOSE VEHICLES. MAYBE WE NEED ONE PERSON, YOU NEVER KNOW. NOW WE NEED TWO. SO I THINK TECHNOLOGY WISE AND THE TYPE OF VEHICLES WE INTEND TO PURCHASE OVER THE NEXT 10-20 YEARS, THE PLAN SHOULD BE A 20-YEAR PLAN, NOT JUST A FIVE-YEAR PLAN. SO OUR CURRENT, OUR CURRENT EQUIPMENT, OUR CURRENT INVENTORY WE HAVE ON HAND, HOW THAT'S GOING TO LOOK OVER THE NEXT 10-20 YEARS, THAT'S THE OUTLOOK WE SHOULD HAVE. WE HAVE A FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. SOME OF THOSE VEHICLES MAY ONLY HAVE A THREE-YEAR LIFE DEPENDING ON HOW OFTEN IT GOES OUT AND THE ROUTES IT RUNS. THEY MAY NOT BE ON A ROUTE EVERY SINGLE DAY, SOME THREE TIMES A WEEK, SOME FOUR A WEEK. SO CORRECT, IT'S ABOUT THE EXTENDED LIFE OF OUR EXISTING ASSETS AND GROWTH AS WE BRING ON MORE VEHICLES. THAT'S HOW THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN SHOULD WORK FOR FLEET.

>> YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT, MR. ATKISSON. MAKE IT WORK.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BRODERICK. I APPRECIATE THAT.

I'M NOWHERE CLOSE TO WHERE YOU ARE BECAUSE I SPENT A LOT OF TIME THIS WEEKEND AT OUR CONFERENCE TALKING ABOUT THIS VERY SAME MATTER. SOMEHOW, I GRAVITATED TOWARD THIS BECAUSE I WANTED TO UNDERSTAND. I AGREE WITH MR. CHESS. THERE'S A LOT MORE MATH THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE THAT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND.

WE'RE ON FIRST READING TODAY. WE'RE GOING TO IMPROVE SOMETHING, AND I'M NOT SURE I UNDERSTAND THE MATH, NOR HAVE WE DONE THE MATH TO UNDERSTAND THE AGING OF OUR FLEET, WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO, AND HOW THIS ALL ROLLS UP. SPECIFICALLY ON THIS CAPITAL ACQUISITION OF EQUIPMENT. A PERSON THAT'S SEEN THE ESCALATION OF THIS ON DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS HERE IS CONCERNING TO ME WHEN WE TALK ABOUT OUTRIGHT PURCHASE. I KNOW THE WEAR AND TEAR ON THOSE REFUSE TRUCKS AS THEY RUN THROUGH OUR CITIES AND THE MECHANICAL MOVEMENTS, AND STUFF'S JUST NOT BUILT LIKE IT USED TO BE BUILT, AND IT BREAKS.

SO I REALLY NEED TO FEEL COMFORTABLE. THERE'S MORE WORK BETWEEN YOU AND MR. CHESS THAT I NEED TO HAVE TO REALLY UNDERSTAND THIS, TO REALLY GET INTO THE NUTS AND BOLTS, LITERALLY, OF THIS. BECAUSE AFTER MY CONVERSATION THIS PAST WEEKEND, THERE ARE A LOT MORE QUESTIONS ON WHY WE WERE'T DOING CERTAIN THINGS, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT CAME TO LEASING CERTAIN PRODUCTS. THIS GUY WAS INTIMATELY AWARE BECAUSE HE'S IN FORT PIERCE RIGHT NOW WITH HIS BUSINESS. AND SO I WANNA BE ABLE TO LOOK AND EVALUATE. SO THAT'S MY COMMENT ON THAT. BUT I GOTTA GO BACK TO THIS BULK SITUATION AND YARD WASTE. IF I UNDERSTAND YOU RIGHT, AND I UNDERSTAND PRICES HAVE TO GO UP. I GET IT. I UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT THEN TO PENALIZE THOSE THAT ACTUALLY PAY THE INCREASED COST AND SAY WE HAVE TO PAY EVEN MORE FOR ILLEGAL DUMPING IS JUST NOT SETTLING RIGHT FOR ME. IT'S UNFORTUNATE WE HAVE A GREAT DEAL

[02:30:03]

OF PROPERTIES IN DISTRICT 1 AND SOME THE IN DISTRICT 2 THAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET DEVELOPED. WE'RE INVITING DEVELOPERS IN SO WE CAN HAVE DEVELOPED PROPERTIES. AS YOU KNOW, THAT WOULD DECREASE THE ACTUAL DUMPING OF MATERIALS ON OTHER PEOPLE'S PROPERTY. AS A COMMISSIONER WHO'S WATCHED THIS FIRSTHAND AND CONFRONTED NEIGHBORS, I'VE CALLED CODE ENFORCEMENT, I'VE CALLED YOU, AND I'VE REPORTED THIS STUFF THROUGHOUT THE DISTRICT. SO I GET IT. I UNDERSTAND THAT. MY CONCERN GOES BACK TO COMMISSIONER GAINES AND TO THE POINT OF IF THAT LANDOWNER IS NOT HERE, VACANT LANDOWNER, WHATEVER, THEY HAVE NO IDEA IN SOME CASES WHAT'S GOING ON ON THEIR RESPECTIVE PROPERTY. I'VE SEEN THESE PEOPLE RIDE AROUND THE AREA AND DUMP TRASH ON PROPERTIES THAT DON'T BELONG TO THEM. IF I UNDERSTAND YOU CORRECTLY, THEN SAID PROPERTY OWNER IF IT WAS MY PROPERTY AND THEY DUMPED ON IT, I WOULD THEN GET THE FEE FOR THAT ON MY PROPERTY. IS THAT CORRECT, SIR?

>> CORRECT. >> SO AT THAT PARTICULAR POINT, IT WOULD BE ME DEALING WITH YOU. AND IF I DON'T PAY IT, IN THIS CASE IF I DON'T HAVE UTILITY, IF I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING, IT'S GOING TO COME AGAINST MY PROPERTY, RIGHT? SO I HAVE TO ENFORCE PEOPLE ILLEGALLY DUMPING ON MY PROPERTY.

>> SAME AS IF SOMEONE WERE TO DUMP IN FRONT OF YOUR HOUSE.

>> BUT THAT'S A TOTALLY DIFFERENT SITUATION. I'M LIVING THERE. SO I'LL DEAL WITH THAT. BUT WHAT I HEAR YOU SAYING THEN IS THAT OUR PROCESS RIGHT NOW IS THAT WOULD GO THROUGH BEING PUT ON YOUR LIGHT BILL. IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YOUR SOLID WASTE COLLECTION, IT GOES THROUGH THE FPUA BILL.

>> NO. IF THEY DUMPED ON MY PROPERTY, YOU COME TO MY HOUSE, I HAVE EIGHT, 12 YARDS, WHATEVER IT IS, I'M GOING TO GET A BILL FOR THAT BASED ON THIS GOING FORWARD.

>> OUR BILLING MECHANISM IS THROUGH FPUA.

>> IF I DON'T PAY THAT ENTIRE BILL, LIGHTS WILL BE CUT OFF.

THAT'S JUST THE WAY IT WORKS. THAT SHOULDN'T BE A SURPRISE TO ANYBODY. YOU CAN'T PAY PARTS OF YOUR LIGHT BILL. YOU EITHER PAY THE ENTIRE BILL OR NOT. BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE ASKED THAT, RIGHT? WE HAVE GARBAGE ON THERE, WASTEWATER, EVERYTHING'S ON THAT BILL. IF YOU DON'T PAY THE TOTAL AMOUNT THAT'S DUE, YOUR LIGHTS WILL BE CUT OFF, PERIOD. THAT'S HOW IT WORKS. SO GOING BACK TO A VACANT PROPERTY, THOUGH, SO MY PROPERTY THAT I OWN, I DON'T HAVE A UTILITY CONNECTION TO IT, NOTHING THERE, HOW ARE YOU GOING TO NOW GET THAT BILL TO ME? BECAUSE MY

PROPERTY WAS DUMPED ON. >> IT'S WHAT'S IN THE CODE.

THE CODE READS, THERE'S A SECTION UNDER THE CODE THAT READS -- I DIDN'T BRING IT TODAY. IT STATES IF YOU DON'T HAVE A METER, THE MEANS BY WHICH THE CITY CAN COLLECT THE MONEY.

IT DOESN'T SAY THE CITY WILL ABSORB IT.

>> I'M NOT TRYING TO SAY THE CITY SHOULD. I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE COST BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO STAFF OR SOMEBODY TO PUT TIME IN, RESEARCH IT, PULL THAT UP, AND GET THAT TO ME SOME KIND OF WAY SO I CAN PAY THAT BILL THAT'S BEEN ILLEGALLY DUMPED ON MY PROPERTY.

>> YES. >> SO I APPRECIATE STAFF. I APPRECIATE YOU. THIS IS NOT A HOSTILE CONFRONTATION BECAUSE I ROAD YOU AROUND. I SHOWED YOU THAT. SOME OF THESE PICTURES IN HERE ARE GREATLY CONCERNING TO ME. THIS IS GOING TO HAVE TO BEGIN TO CHANGE HOW WE COMMUNICATE TO THIS COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE TO RESET THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. WE GOT THAT RESET IT.

BECAUSE THOSE PICTURES, AND IF YOU CAN GO BACK TO THOSE PICTURES OVER THERE PLEASE. GO BACK TO THAT ONE YOU JUST PASSED. I GOT A QUESTION. HOW WOULD YOU PICK THIS UP?

>> THAT WOULD BE COMMERCIAL, AND THEN WE HAVE A FEE FOR THE AMOUNT OF DEBRIS THAT'S ON THE FLOOR.

>> GOT IT. THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT.

>> WE END UP CHARGING THEM ABOUT IT.

>> WHICH IS WHAT COMMISSIONER BRODERICK WAS SAYING. I GET IS THAT PART. TO ME, THAT'S ENFORCEABLE. SOME CAMERAS, WHATEVER WE CAN FIND WHO'S DOING THAT. NONETHELESS, LET'S GO BACK TO THE RESIDENTIAL ONES THAT WERE HERE EARLIER THAT HAD A LOT OF THIS STUFF HERE. SO OBVIOUSLY, BULK PICK UP IS ANYTHING BUT LIKE YARD DEBRIS. SO IF YOU CUT DOWN TREES IN YOUR YARD AND ALL THAT STUFF, THAT'S YARD WASTE. IF YOU HAVE A CERTAIN CUBIC YARDAGE, THE PROBLEM IS WE KNOW WHEN YOU MIX BOTH OF THEM TOGETHER, WHICH PEOPLE DO, THEN YOU HAVE A PROBLEM BECAUSE YOU'RE GETTING PROBABLY DOUBLE CHARGED IF YOU

PICKED IT UP. >> WASTE BRINGS WASTE. SO IF WE DON'T GET OUT THERE IN TIME AND IT ENDS UP SOMEONE THROWS A BUNCH OF OTHER DEBRIS MIXED IN THERE, THEN IT BECOMES LIKE IF WE CAN SORT IT OUT AND GET SOME OF THAT STUFF AWAY WITHOUT HAVING TO JUST GRAB IT ALL, THEN WE'LL DO THAT. WE WANNA BE NICE ABOUT IT, RIGHT? PLUS WHEN WE GO DISPOSE, BECAUSE MANY OF OUR EMPLOYEES ARE MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AS WELL. WE'RE NOT

[02:35:02]

TRYING TO DO THE WRONG THING. IF WE SEE SOMETHING HAPPENING AT THE TIME OR SOMEONE'S TAKING SOMETHING WHERE THEY SHOULDN'T TAKE IT, I GO OUT, AND I CAN SEE THE TREE THAT WAS TRIMMED. I CAN SAY HEY, THIS WAS THE ONE, THEN WE GO OUT THERE. SOMETIMES WE FIGURE THOSE THINGS OUT. AND SOMETIMES THEY'LL SAY HEY, THAT'S THAT GUY RIGHT THERE THAT'S DOING THAT. THEN WE MAKE THE CONTACT, AND IT STOPS. IF THERE'S NO, I GUESS, INCENTIVE FOR THAT PERSON TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT OR STOP THAT FROM COMING, THEN IT'S JUST A COMPLAINT, BUT IT FALLS BACK TO US AS A CITY.

AND I WILL SAY THIS. THIS AIN'T MY FIRST TIME DOING IT, BUT THIS CAME UP BEFORE. GOING ABOUT THE PROCESS, IT IS MY BELIEF THAT IT WILL GET CLEANED UP, BUT WE NEED SOME OF THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE COMMUNITY. JUST LIKE YOU HEAR WHEN YOU HEAR POLICING, WE NEED INVOLVEMENT OF THE COMMUNITY. SAME THING FROM US. WE NEED THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE COMMUNITY TO TRY TO STOP THIS BECAUSE IT'S A CRIME, AND IT'S ASKING A CITY EMPLOYEE TO STOP THE MISCHIEVOUS NATURE OF SOMEONE ILLEGALLY DUMPING ON SOMEBODY'S PROPERTY.

YOU BASICALLY JUST COST THIS PERSON MONEY, RIGHT? AND HOWEVER WE GET THAT OUT, WHETHER THE PUBLIC INFORMATIONAL CAMPAIGN, THERE'S NO SUCH THING AS YOU GETTING OFF FREE OR WHATEVER.

YOU JUST COST SOMEBODY ELSE. YES, IT'S BAD. BUT MAYBE IF IT'S A SMALL AMOUNT, MAYBE THAT PERSON DOESN'T HAVE TO GET CHARGED. MY THING IS EVEN HOW IT STANDS NOW, JUST HOW IT STANDS NOW, WE'RE SUPPOSED TO CHARGE. AT LEAST WHAT WE'RE DOING HERE, WE'RE TRYING TO CHARGE A LOT LESS. BECAUSE IF YOU BREAK IT DOWN, $57, RIGHT, FOR FIVE CUBIC YARDS, THAT'S $10 PER CUBIC YARD RIGHT OFF THE BAT. EVEN IF THE IT'S TREE DEBRIS. I'M SAYING YOU CAN HAVE THIS, AND I'M GIVING A FAR LESS, IT'S LESS OF A STING. AT LEAST I'M TRYING TO, WE'RE TRYING TO RECTIFY SOME OF THIS COST THAT SOMEONE MAY INCUR. IF YOU CALL IN AND SAY HEY, THEY GOT THE DEBRIS OVER THERE, WHAT ARE YOU GONNA DO ABOUT IT? WE GO PICK IT UP. JUST PICK IT UP, DON'T WORRY ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE CALL CAME IN. WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING IS THAT EMPLOYEE WILL SAY I'M JUST PICKING IT ALL UP. WHEN THAT HAPPENS, THEN OUR COSTS START GOING UP.

>> SKY HIGH. >> AND I AGREE WITH YOU.

THERE'S NOTHING THAT I'M DISAGREEING WITH WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. HOW WE ARE GOING ABOUT IT AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO IT IS CONCERNING TO ME. I HAVE A RESOLUTION THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE THESE PRICES AFTER THE SECOND READING IF WE GET THERE.

I'M SAYING COMMISSION, MADAME MAYOR, THERE ARE MORE NUMBERS I NEED TO LOOK AT HERE. COMMISSIONER BRODERICK, YOU WERE ON YOUR BOX ABOUT CONDOMINIUMS. I'M ON MY BOX ABOUT THIS, RIGHT? BECAUSE THERE'S SOME NUMBERS HERE THAT DRAMATICALLY AFFECT THE RESIDENTS HERE, ALL RESIDENTS. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WE'RE DOING. I AM NOT THERE ON THE OUTRIGHT PURCHASE OF VEHICLES RIGHT NOW. I NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF COST VERSUS, I MEAN PURCHASE VERSUS LEASING. AND BASED ON WHAT I LEARNED THIS WEEKEND FROM HAVING SOME OF THESE CONVERSATIONS, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE TAKE THAT UNDER CONSIDERATION. I APPRECIATE THE EFFORT FROM STAFF. I WANT YOU TO HEAR FROM ME I APPRECIATE IT.

I'VE ASKED FOR THIS. WE'VE ASKED FOR THIS. WE HAVE A CHALLENGE IN OUR COMMUNITY, AND WE'VE GOT TO BEGIN TO ADDRESS IT. I DON'T KNOW WHY IN THE PAST WE HAVEN'T CHARGED ON SOME OF THESE BLATANT ABUSES, RIGHT? AND BRINGING THIS TO THE ATTENTION, MAYBE THIS IS THE START OF THAT. WE'RE GOING TO NEED THE COMMUNITY. WE'RE GOING TO NEED SOME HELP. WE HAVE TO TRAIN OUR HOMEOWNERS AS TO INSTEAD OF CUTTING DOWN THE ENTIRE TREE AND PUTTING IT ON THE CURB, DO IT IN PHASES, OR PAY FOR IT TO BE PICKED UP, AND CALL IN TO DO IT. WE HAVE EDUCATION FOR OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. THIS ILLEGAL DUMPING THING, WE'RE GONNA FACE THAT AS A COMMISSION. AND WE'RE GONNA HAVE TO BE ABLE TO REALLY ADDRESS THIS BECAUSE THERE ICE SOME ABUSES GOING ON IN OUR CITY RIGHT NOW. SO THANK YOU. I

APPRECIATE IT. >> YOU'RE WELCOME.

>> MR. ATKISSON, I HAVE SEVERAL QUESTIONS HERE. SO RIGHT NOW, IF THE WE HAVE AN ILLEGAL DUMPING ON A VACANT PROPERTY, IS THERE A

BILL SENT? >> WE GO, IF IT REACHES A CERTAIN AMOUNT, THEN SOMEONE WILL GO OUT THERE. AND I'LL

DEFER. >> SO RIGHT NOW, A LOT OF IT IS WHAT WILL PROBABLY MAKE YOU SMILE, COMMISSIONER GAINES. WE

[02:40:04]

SEE ILLEGAL DUMPING. IF WE CAN'T IDENTIFY WHO THE PROPERTY OWNER IS, WE'LL JUST GO AHEAD, AND WE'LL PICK IT UP. BUT YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT IT HOW IT CATCHES UP TO US ON THE BACK

END. >> I'M ASKING YOU HOW YOU DO IT NOW. IF YOU KNOW THE PROPERTY OWNER, YOU BILL 'EM?

>> WE WILL. AND OF COURSE WE WANT TO KEEP THE CITY BEAUTIFUL,

RIGHT? >> I'M NOT ARGUING. I'M JUST TRYING TO FIND OUT INFORMATION. YOU DON'T NEED TO JUSTIFY IT. I APPRECIATE YOU WANTING TO KEEP THE CITY BEAUTIFUL. I THINK WE ALL DO. YEAH, WE ALL DO. SO THE FORMER RATE, YOU SAID WE DID A STUDY, AND THEN THERE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A RATE INCREASE

LAST YEAR THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN. >> RIGHT.

>> AND DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH THAT RATE INCREASE WAS ABOUT?

>> IT WAS THE FIRST TIME WAS ON COMMERCIAL, IT WAS ROUGHLY 20%.

AND THE LAST ONE WOULD HAVE TOOK US UP TO AROUND, I WANNA SAY, IT WAS LIKE $31 OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> SO THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE GRADUAL INCREASES.

>> NOW THAT WE KIND OF MISSED THAT, WE HAVE TO CATCH UP TO

THAT. >> ACTUALLY, IT WOULD HAVE STEPPED DOWN IF WE KEPT UP WITH THE PROPOSAL. IT ACTUALLY WOULD HAVE A RATE INCREASE OF 20%. AND AS THE YEARS WENT ALONG, IT

ACTUALLY WOULD HAVE WENT DOWN. >> OKAY. BECAUSE WE WERE GOING

TO BUILD UP SOME RESOURCES. >> YES, MA'AM.

>> OKAY. ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR THAT. SO THE EXTRA CHARGE THAT YOU CHARGE NOW OR ARE PROPOSING BEYOND TWO CUBIC YARDS, HOW DOES THAT, THAT HAPPENS WHEN THE TRUCK GETS

THERE? HOW DOES THAT HAPPEN NOW? >> SO IF SOMEONE, IF THEY GO OUT THERE AND IT'S EXCESSIVE NOW, THEN THEY LOOK AT IT, AND THEY'LL CALL IN FOR A WORK ORDER. SOMEONE WILL GO OUT THERE AND LOOK AND ANALYZE THE SIZE, AND THEN COME UP WITH THE PRICE.

AND THAT'LL BE THE PRICE. AND SOMETIMES THERE'S CUSTOMER CONTACT WHERE THEY'LL LET THE PERSON KNOW HOW MUCH IT COSTS.

>> THAT TAKES STAFF TIME. >> YES.

>> TO BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH THAT. RIGHT. RIGHT. OKAY . SO DURING A HURRICANE, AFTER A HURRICANE, ALL THOSE CHARGES, DO YOU SEE ALL THOSE CHARGES APPLYING?

>> AFTER A HURRICANE KIND OF THINGS OPEN UP. IT'S NOT, WHILE YOU'RE WAITING FOR, FOR INSTANCE, WE HAVE A DEBRIS MANAGEMENT CONTRACTOR. THEY SEE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THINGS OUT, THEY TAKE IT OUT. THAT'S JUST WHAT HAPPENS. THERE CAN BE TREE DAMAGE, AND PEOPLE ARE EMPTYING OUT ALL THE FURNITURE, SPRING CLEANING, BUT YOU END UP JUST GOING OUT THERE AND PICKING IT UP. I MEAN, YOU CAN'T GET INTO THAT ARGUMENT. YOU'RE IN

DISASTER MODE. >> I'M NOT ARGUING. I'M JUST ASKING YOU. I JUST WANNA KNOW WHAT YOU SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING.

>> DURING THAT TIME, WE'LL PICK UP THE BULK, LEAVE THE YARD DEBRIS FOR THE CONTRACTOR TO COME IN AND GRAB THAT.

>> YOU KIND OF MANAGE THAT DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE WE'RE ALL IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. IS THAT RIGHT?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> EXPLAIN TO ME ABOUT THE ALTERNATING PICK UP. LIKE MY, UH, DEBRIS AND BULK IS ON THURSDAY NOW, EVERY THURSDAY. I THINK. BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT.

BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE ALL THAT MUCH BULK.

>> DEPENDING ON WHATEVER YOUR PICK UP IS, IF IT'S ON THURSDAY, YOU HAVE MONDAY AND THURSDAY. YOUR BULK IS SUPPOSED TO BE ON MONDAY, AND THEN YOUR YARD DEBRIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE ON

THURSDAY. >> THAT'S THE WAY IT IS NOW?

>> YEAH, THAT'S THE WAY IT IS NOW. THAT CREATES STUFF ON TOP, AND IF WE CAN'T, YOU KNOW, AND SOME PEOPLE THEY JUST END UP THEY TAKE IT OUT ANY TIME AND THROW IT OUT THERE. THE GOAL IS TO TRY TO GET THE COMMUNITY, AND THIS WOULD BE IN CAMPAIGNS OF COURSE, BUT GET IT OUT TO WHERE THIS WEEK IS GONNA SUNDAY OR MONDAY, THEY PUT THEIR DEBRIS OUT. IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE 24 HOURS IN ADVANCE. THEY PUT OUT THE YARD DEBRIS. IF FOR SOME REASON IT'S MONDAY AND WE CAN'T GET TO IT, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THAT BY WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY. WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET IT BY THAT TIME. THAT WAY YOU DON'T HAVE TO CO-MINGLE. THAT'S WAY TOO MANY TIMES TO HAVE BULK AND YARD

DEBRIS COLLECTION. >> WHAT ARE YOU PROPOSING?

>> THIS WEEK, YOU HAVE FOUR YARDS OF YARD DEBRIS. AND JUST BECAUSE I TELL YOU, YOU HAV FOUR YARDS, THE LARGE PORTION ISN'T GONNA MAKE FOUR YARDS OVERALL. SO WE'RE NOT, WE DON'T FACTOR IT IN THE LIKE THAT. THE AVERAGE PERSON, SAY YOU MAY HAVE, I DON'T KNOW, 16-20 YARDS A YEAR YARD DEBRIS.

[02:45:01]

>> UH-HUH. >> MAYBE 10 YARDS OF DEBRIS OF BULK. THAT DOESN'T MEAN THEY'RE GONNA HAVE.

>> NOT GONNA ALL BE AT THE SAME TIME.

>> THEY'RE NOT GONNA USE IT ALL UP AT THE SAME TIME. BUT THAT WAY, IT GOES OVER THE TIME WHEN SOMEONE CLEANS UP THE YARD.

>> EXPLAIN TO ME ABOUT ALTERNATING. LET'S GET BACK TO

ALTERNATING. >> THIS WEEK, IT'S YARD DEBRIS.

SAY IT WAS THIS WEEK, SAY IT STARTED THIS WEEK, YOU PUT OUT THE YARD DEBRIS, THE YARD DEBRIS GETS PICKED UP. BULK IS THE

FOLLOWING WEEK. >> THAT'S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO,

THAT'S NOT -- >> WE HAVE A CALENDAR. THERE WOULD BE A CALENDAR ON A WEBSITE. WHAT WEEK IS THIS? MY

PICK UP IS THIS MONDAY. >> THAT LEADS ME TO MY BIGGEST QUESTION IS IF THIS IS ENACTED, ARE YOU PROPOSING THIS

IMMEDIATELY? >> THIS IS A RESOLUTION. SO IT'S NOT AN ORDINANCE. WE'RE NOT, I KNOW COMMISSIONER JOHNSON WAS TALKING ABOUT IT'S A FIRST READING. IT'S A RESOLUTION.

>> I UNDERSTAND THAT. ARE YOU PROPOSING THIS TO START THE

FIRST OF THE YEAR OR OCTOBER 1? >> THIS WOULD GO INTO EFFECT

I'D IMAGINE -- >> MADAME MAYOR, IF I MAY?

>> WE'RE LOOKING AT A 30-DAY CAMPAIGN WITH MESSAGING.

>> THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO ASK IS THE ROLL OUT. SO YOU NEED

TIME FOR THAT. >> IF THIS IS APPROVED AT THE SECOND HEARING, WE'RE LOOKING AT 30 DAYS.

>> APOLOGIZE TO TALK OVER EVERYBODY, BUT I'M GOING TO JUMP IN. I APOLOGIZE. THIS IS A RESOLUTION. THERE'S ONLY ONE

READING. >> RIGHT.

>> WE DO NOT HAVE A SECOND READ. SO IF THIS IS APPROVED TONIGHT, IT'S APPROVED TONIGHT, AND WE DO NOT HEAR IT AGAIN. THE RESOLUTION IS WRITTEN THAT THESE WILL BE EFFECTIVE AS OF AUGUST

1ST, 2025. >> OCTOBER 1ST.

>> WHAT'D I SAY? >> YOU SAID AUGUST.

>> THEY WILL BEGIN WITH THE NEW FISCAL YEAR. I DID WANT TO PROVIDE ONE ADDITIONAL CLARIFICATION. THE DISCUSSION RELATED TO THE CHANGING OF SCHEDULE OF WHEN WASTE IS PICKED UP IS NOT A PART OF THIS RESOLUTION. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD OCCUR LATER ON BECAUSE THAT IS CONTROLLED BY CODE. CURRENTLY, YOU ARE ONLY LOOKING AT THE FEES. SO ANY CHANGE TO YOUR SCHEDULE WOULD BE SOMETHING YOU WOULD ADDRESS LATER ON, BUT I BELIEVE THAT IS THE INTENT MOVING FORWARD TO BRING THAT BACK TO YOU. BUT THAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN WHAT YOU ARE

LOOKING AT TONIGHT. >> SO.

>> CAN I COMPLETE MY SENTENCE NOW? WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO, IT STILL WORKS WITH THE OCTOBER 1ST DATE, IS HAVE A 30-DAY CAMPAIGN. WE GET THE MESSAGING OUT THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA, THROUGH FPUA FOR THE ELDERLY PAMPHLETS, WHATEVER WE NEED TO DO AT THE FAITH-BASED INSTITUTIONS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE MESSAGE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING AND HOW WE'RE DOING IT. IF IT'S OCTOBER 1ST, WE HAVE MORE THAN 30 DAYS.

SO TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION. >> THAT'S WHERE I WAS GOING BEFORE WE TOOK THE DETOUR. THIS SEEMS TO NEED TO BE A REALLY, UM, EXPANSIVE EDUCATION CAMPAIGN FOR OUR RESIDENTS. I MEAN, BECAUSE A LOT OF WHAT YOU'RE PROPOSING IS GONNA REQUIRE RE-EDUCATION. AND I'M, UM, I'M AWARE OF OTHER CITIES, INCLUDING PORT ST. LUCIE THAT ARE ALSO INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, BOTH OF THEM ARE INCREASING THEIR SOLID WASTE FEES SIGNIFICANTLY. AND IN THE CASE OF PORT ST. LUCIE, IT'S REDUCED SERVICE. SO I SUPPORT THIS, AND I SUPPORT THE GOAL THAT YOU HAVE, WHICH IS OUR GOAL, WHICH IS CLEANING UP THE CITY AND KEEPING IT CLEAN AND KEEPING IT CLEAN FOR OUR RESIDENTS AND GETTING YOUR RESIDENTS USED TO THAT. I JUST THINK WE'RE GONNA NEED, IF THIS PASSES, WE'RE GONNA NEED A LOT OF EDUCATION. A LOT. IN A LOT OF

DIFFERENT FORMATS. >> JUST TO ADD TO WHAT WE'RE SAYING HERE. OUR COSTS ARE GONNA BE, MAYBE NOT THE CAPITAL, BUT SALARIES ARE GETTING READY TO GO UP. WE'RE ALREADY GETTING UP THERE. WE'RE TRYING TO KIND OF RECOVER SOME OF THE THINGS BEFORE WE GO AND IMPLEMENT. BUT WE'RE VERY CLOSE. AND THAT'S KIND OF HOW IT WAS BUILT. I WILL SAY THIS, TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION WE'RE FLUID IN HOW WE ACT, SO IF THE IT'S A

[02:50:02]

STICKING POINT OF YOU TALK ABOUT THE ILLEGAL DUMPING, UNTIL WE FIGURE OUT A RESOLUTION FOR THAT, THEN MAYBE WE LOOK AT THAT, AND SAY HEY, UNTIL WE FIGURE OUT KIND OF STAFF, YOU KNOW, THIS IS HOW WE OPERATE. WE DON'T NECESSARILY GO PUT THAT BURDEN, BUT WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOME KIND OF SOLUTION, AS YOU STATED, COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, TO WHERE IT'S FAIR FOR EVERYBODY.

I DON'T WANT SOMEONE WHO'S ON A FIXED INCOME TO GET HIT WITH A $400 BILL BECAUSE SHE'S WHEREVER SHE'S AT AND WHATNOT.

I DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN EITHER. WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE DO THAT. I THINK THERE IS AN ORDINANCE ASPECT THAT WE HAVE TO COME IN AND ADDRESS TO TRY TO TIDY THINGS UP BECAUSE IT'S NOT PERFECT. BUT THIS WILL HELP US RECOVER OUR COSTS. THIS WOULD, AS IT STANDS NOW, LESSEN THE BURDEN IF SOMEONE WERE TO GET DUMPED ON AT THEIR HOUSE WITH WHAT THE CURRENT THING IS. SO EVEN, IT WOULD BE MORE BENEFICIAL TO WHERE WE CUT -- THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT TOMORROW WE'RE GONNA BE OUT THERE NOT ON OCTOBER 1ST OUT THERE CHARGING EVERY SINGLE. WE'RE TRYING TO GET IT TO WHERE THERE'S A HAPPY MEDIUM. WE'RE TRYING TO GET DOWN THE RIGHT STEPS. BUT THIS IS MORE BENEFICIAL IN ITS CURRENT FORM THAN HOW IT CURRENTLY STANDS. IT'S JUST NOT, YOU KNOW, LIKE I SAY, WE'RE NOT CHARGING THOSE PEOPLE LIKE MR. LEWIS STATED. RIGHT NOW, IF WE CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT, WE'RE NOT BILLING THOSE PEOPLE. THEN WE CAN STILL KIND OF DO THE SAME TYPE OF THING. HOWEVER, IF IT WAS FOUR CUBIC YARDS OF YARD DEBRIS, THEN WE CAN JUST PICK IT UP, AND KEEP IT MOVING. AND THEN WE'RE FINE. AND MOVE ALONG UNTIL WE COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT EVERYBODY EXPERIENCES, IT DOESN'T MATTER JUST FORT PIERCE, IT'S EVERYWHERE. THIS IS SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK AT. BUT I THINK HOW IT IS NOW, IT WOULD ADDRESS MANY OF THOSE, AND ACTUALLY BENEFIT EVERYBODY ELSE. MEANWHILE, ALLOWING US TO RECOUP SOME OF THE COSTS WE NEED TO ENACT SOME OF THESE INITIATIVES.

RIGHT NOW IF THERE'S NO INCREASE, WE GOTTA PUSH IT, I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING FOR THAT. I CAN'T DO ANYTHING THERE. MAYBE JUST THROWING THAT OUT THERE, AND YOU HAVE MY, SAY MY DEVOTION. I WANNA STOP TO TRY TO DO WHAT I CAN TO STOP THE ILLEGAL DUMPING, BUT I THINK, YOU KNOW, THIS WOULD BE BENEFICIAL TO MANY. AND HELP US OUT. BECAUSE IT'S HOW WE ENFORCE IT. AND WE'VE HEARD YOU. WE'VE GOT IT. WE'VE GOT

OUR MARCHING ORDERS. >> OKAY. ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER

DISCUSSION? >> MADAME MAYOR, AS WE WRAP UP, I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR ON THE FEES. GO BACK, IF YOU CAN PUT THAT BACK UP JUST SO THAT I'M CLEAR IN WHAT WE'RE ASKING. THE

ROLL-IN PHASE IS OCTOBER? >> OCTOBER 1ST IS WHEN IT WILL

BE EFFECTIVE. >> WE ROLL OUT, IMPLEMENTATION IS OCTOBER 1ST. YOU'RE GOING TO EASE INTO THIS AND DO A LOT OF

EDUCATION. >> NO. WE'RE GOING TO DIVE INTO

IT. >> DON'T DO THAT.

>> WE GOT IT READY. SO WE'RE GONNA BE MOVING.

>> YEP, YEP, YEP, YEP. >> SO THIS IS THE SLIDE. THIS IS THE ONE WE NEED TO CRYSTALLIZE. SO MY TRASH NOW IS GOING TO BE $21.46 ON MY BILL. YARD WASTE IS GONNA BE ON THERE AT $8.35 RECYCLING. SO MY BILL WILL BE UP TO $34 NOW?

>> CORRECT. AND YOU CAN'T PICK AND CHOOSE.

>> NO, NO. I'M NOT EVEN GOING THERE. I KNOW THAT. TRUST ME.

JUST SO I'M CLEAR, YARD WASTE IS ALSO, AND RESIDENTIAL I GUESS

THAT'S BULK AND/OR YARD DEBRIS. >> IT'S YARD WASTE IS JUST YARD

DEBRIS. IT'S GREENERY. >> ALL RIGHT. AND FOUR CUBIC YARDS WILL GET ME $8.35, RIGHT? JUST SO I'M CLEAR. ANYTHING

OVER THAT, I EXPECT TO GET? >> ACTUALLY, FOR $8.35, YOU CAN GET EIGHT. THAT'S FOR THE MONTH. THAT'S A MONTHLY BILL.

SO YOU GET EIGHT AND YOU GET FOUR. PEOPLE AREN'T GONNA USE UP TO THEIR AMOUNT, HOPEFULLY NOT. WE'D BE IN BAD SHAPE IF THAT'S THE CASE. IT ALLOWS THEM IF YOU WANNA, SAY SOMEONE DOES CUT SOMETHING DOWN. MAYBE THEY TAKE A LITTLE BIT OUT THEN, AND THEY BRING IT BACK. OUR PEOPLE AREN'T OUT THERE LIKE THAT'S FOUR AND A HALF, YOU KNOW? IT'S BETTER FOR US TO PICK IT UP THAN TO, YOU KNOW, HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT MESSING AROUND FOR SIX

DOLLARS. >> YOU HAVE A BIG JOB. YOU HAVE

A BIG JOB. >> I'M NOT ASKING. YOU GUYS DO A GREAT JOB. I'M NOT ASKING YOU GUYS TO PICK UP NOTHING FOR

[02:55:03]

FREE. THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M SAYING. I'M NOT ASKING YOU GUYS TO PICK UP ANYTHING FOR FREE. WE ALL, EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM WANTS WANTS FORT PIERCE BEAUTIFUL. EVEN OUR CONGRESSMAN WHO WALKED IN, HE WANTS FORT PIERCE BEAUTIFUL. THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M SAYING. I DEAL WITH REALITY. SO FIVE DOLLARS IS FIVE DOLLARS. YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW WHY WE DIDN'T DO IT. MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE THIS, AND I'VE TALKED TO THE CITY MANAGER. HE KNOWS MY CONCERNS. WE TAKE THE NEXT 30, SOMETHING THE MAYOR SAID, NEXT 30-40 DAYS, AND WE DO ALL WE CAN TO EDUCATE COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES, EDUCATE RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES, EXPLAIN THIS, EXPLAIN THIS. I KNOW MADAME ATTORNEY SAID IT'S DIFFERENT DAYS. YOU DIDN'T SEE IT. DIRECTOR SOLOMON SAW ME TRYING TO FIGURE OUT MINE. IF I'M HAVING PROBLEMS, I KNOW THE RESIDENTS WILL BE LIKE WHAT ARE THEY TALKING ABOUT? SO THIS WOULD BE MY SUGGESTION. THE FIVE DOLLARS AND THE INCREASE, THAT REALLY DOESN'T BOTHER ME. I TELL YOU WHAT BOTHERS ME. MORE LISTENING TO EVERYBODY HERE, I WOULDN'T PUSH FOR THIS, JUST ME, I WOULDN'T PUSH FOR OCTOBER 1ST. I WOULDN'T PUSH THIS FOR OCTOBER 1ST. I WOULD USE THIS TIME, AND TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, MOST OF THE MONTH OF OCTOBER TO EDUCATE AND TO GET THE WORD OUT WHAT IS REALLY ABOUT TO HAPPEN. I WOULD TRY TO GET THE WORD OUT WHAT'S REALLY ABOUT TO HAPPEN. AND DIRECTOR, WHEN YOU SAID DIVE IN NOVEMBER, WE DIVE IN. BECAUSE IF WE GET THE WORD OUT AND WE DO EVERYTHING, THEN EVERYBODY HAS, THAT'S WHAT? 30, ALMOST 40 DAYS, 45 DAYS. SOMETHING AROUND THERE. 1234

>> 60. WE'RE IN AUGUST NOW. TWO MONTHS, RIGHT?

>> 60 DAYS. >> WE GET INTO IT, AND FOR SOME OF THE PEOPLE I LOVE THE IDEA WITH THE QR CODE, BUT YOU JUST KNOCKED OUT HALF OF OUR POPULATION WITH THE QR CODE BECAUSE THEY'RE NOT GOING TO GO OUT THERE AND TAKE THAT PICTURE.

IF YOU ASK FOR THE QR CODE, THEY'RE GOING TO LOOK AT YOU AND SAY I HAVE NO IDEA. IF WE TAKE THE NEXT 60 DAYS TO GET THIS OUT, AND THEN WE JUMP INTO IT, I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH THAT.

I'M JUST CONCERNED THAT IT'S GONNA BE A MAD BACKLASH TO US, AND THAT'S NOT WHAT YA'LL TRYING TO DO. BUT FOR THE RECORD, I DO NOT WANT THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE TO LOSE A DIME PICKING UP ANYTHING THAT WE HAVE TO PICK UP. LAST THING I'LL SAY, AND WE CAN MOVE ON. GUYS, WE NEED TO LOOK AT SOMETHING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CODE SAYS. I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT THE CODE ABOUT THIS ILLEGAL DUMPING. WE NEED TO LOOK AT GOING AFTER SOME OF THESE PEOPLE. IF WE'RE NOT GOING AFTER 'EM WHEN WE GET THE CALLS AND WE GET WHATEVER AND WE KNOW THESE COMPANIES ARE ILLEGAL DUMPING, I DON'T KNOW HOW WE CAN DO IT, BUT LET'S START FINDING THESE COMPANIES INSTEAD OF FINDING THESE PROPERTY OWNERS, AND THAT WOULD STOP 'EM. THAT WOULD STOP 'EM. THAT'S MY OPINION. I DON'T KNOW HOW WE DO IT. I'M NOT ASKING YOU GUYS TO HAVE YOUR GUYS GOING OUT. I')M NOT ASKING THAT. I'M ASKING US.

>> I AGREE. I THINK MR. CHESS WITH OUR CHARTER OFFICERS, WE NEED TO FIGURE SOMETHING MORE AGGRESSIVE THAT HAS NOTHING TO

DO WITH SOLID WASTE. RIGHT. >> I WAS THINKING OF SOMETHING, AND THERE WAS A CODE WHERE I SEEN IN A FORMER CITY WHERE THE HOMEOWNER PUT IN A POLICE REPORT FOR A STOLEN GARBAGE CAN, THEY GOT A POLICE REPORT, THEN THE FEE WAS WAIVED. SO ILLEGAL DUMPING IS A CRIME, RIGHT? BUT WHEN YOU SAY THAT SOMEONE ILLEGALLY DUMPED, THEY NEED TO ILLEGALLY DUMP. IF YOU FILL OUT AND MAYBE YOU SUBMIT SOMETHING, I'M NOT TRYING TO OVERBURDEN THE POLICE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, BUT IF THEY WERE TO SUBMIT SOMETHING SAYING SOMEONE ILLEGALLY DUMPED, THEN THROUGH THAT, THAT FEE IS WAIVED. AND THAT PROVIDES SOME FORM TO RELIEVE THAT PENALTY, BUT THEN THAT PERSON IS STATING, MAKING A POLICE REPORT THAT YEAH, SOMEONE DID COME OVER AND DO THAT TO MY

[03:00:03]

HOUSE. THEN MAYBE THAT'S A WAY TO, YOU KNOW, SETTLE THAT.

>> YEAH. I APPRECIATE THAT. BUT I THINK WE'RE GONNA DO IT, YOU PICK IT UP, AND WE'LL, BUT WE APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT VERY MUCH BECAUSE YOU HAVE EXPERIENCE IN THIS.

>> AND THIS 100 ROUGHLY JUST FOR ABOUT EVERY MONTH WE DELAY IT, THERE'S ABOUT 160. RIGHT NOW, IT'S ABOUT $165,000 A MONTH IN LOST REVENUE, ADDITIONAL LOST REVENUE.

>> THAT'S REAL MONEY. >> IT'S REAL MONEY. MADAME MAYOR, I AGREE. I'M OKAY WITH THE FEES ON THE RESIDENTIAL.

LIKE I SAID, I THINK AS WE MONITOR AND GO FORWARD, MY REAL ISSUE IS GONNA BE THIS BULK PICK UP STUFF BEING DUMPED ON THESE LOTS. WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THE PUBLIC TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE TO US BECAUSE RIGHT NOW, NOW, I GOT A PHYSICAL CALL, BUT EVEN WHEN I REPORTED IT, THEY WANTED A PICTURE OF IT BEING DONE, AND THAT WAS DIFFICULT AT THAT POINT. SO I'M WILLING TO TAKE THE CHALLENGE ON. WE HAVE TO MONITOR CASE BY CASE, BUT I THINK WE ALSO HAVE TO COMMUNICATE TO THE PUBLIC WHAT ABUSE IS. THESE PICTURES NEED TO BE CIRCULATED SO WE REALLY GET PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THIS IS ABUSIVE. THIS IS ABUSIVE. AND IT'S COSTING 100-SOME-THOUSAND DOLLARS.

>> IT'S UNACCEPTABLE. >> I AGREE. NO ARGUMENT.

>> YEP, YEP. >> OKAY. I'M GOOD.

>> OKAY. SO I NEED A MOTION. >> I MAKE A MOTION TO ADOPT THE PLAN AS OUTLINED BY COMMISSIONER ATKISSON. I MEAN, DIRECTOR ATKISSON. AND MAKE IT EFFECTIVE FOR OCTOBER 1.

>> IS THERE A SECOND? >> I'LL SECOND IT.

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

>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES?

>> THIS MOTION WAS OCTOBER 1? >> UH-HUH.

>> 165,000 IN REVENUE. >> DID YOU VOTE?

>> I DIDN'T VOTE YET. NO. MY VOTE IS NO.

>> YOU SAID NO? >> NO.

>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER JOHNSON?

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

>> YES, MA'AM. SO YOU GOT SOME EDUCATING TO DO.

>> WE'LL DO OUR BEST. >> AND I HEARD YOU SAY YOU'RE GONNA, YOU'RE GOING TO BE SENSITIVE TO THE ABSENT PROPERTY

OWNERS, TO ALLEVIATE THE FEARS. >> THAT'S WHAT I FELT.

>> MADAME MAYOR, HERE'S WHERE I'M AT WITH THIS SO THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS. THIS IS A RESOLUTION. WE PASS RESOLUTIONS ALL THE TIME. IF WE GET TO A POINT WHERE THIS HAS BECOME ABUSIVE AND PUNITIVE, WE WILL REVISIT THIS AND ADAPT AND ADJUST AS ACCORDINGLY. I WANT THE PUBLIC TO HEAR THAT. WE CAN DO THAT AT ANY TIME. WHAT I'M GOING TO NEED THE PUBLIC TO HELP US DO IS PUT THAT PICTURE BACK UP THERE AGAIN, PLEASE. THE PUBLIC IS GONNA HAVE TO HELP US STOP THIS IN THE COMMUNITY.

IT'S TWO THINGS. IT'S MIXING IN STUFF THAT SHOULDN'T BE MIXED TOGETHER BECAUSE IT INCREASES THE COST. AT BEST, IF YOU'RE MOVING OUT, LET'S TRY TO SCHEDULE WHEN THIS STUFF IS GOING TO BE PICKED UP SO WE CAN GET IT IN A TIMELY MANNER. YOU KNOW IT'S THERE. WE GET IT OFF THE STREET AND IT DON'T SIT OUT THERE FOR TWO, THREE, FOUR WEEKS. THIS IS STARTING MY CAMPAIGN. I WANT THIS ONE SLIDE HERE BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT WE NEED TO TRY TO HELP THE COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND, AND WE NEED THIS IN CREOLE, WE NEED THIS IN SPANISH, AND WE NEED THIS TO GO THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY SO THAT PEOPLE

UNDERSTAND. OKAY? >> AND I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT POINT BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW THAT IS NOT APPROPRIATE. AND THEY CAN, CAN THEY CALL SOMEBODY AND SAY I'M PLANNING TO MOVE OR I'M GOING TO DO THIS? IS THERE SOME KIND OF WAY YOU CAN HAVE COMMUNICATION AND HELP PEOPLE

UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY CAN DO? >> IT'S ON THE CITY WEBSITE UNDER PUBLIC WORKS AND SOLID WASTE. YES, YOU CAN REACH OUT TO US. HOWEVER WE CAN HELP YOU OUT, WE PREFER THAT YOU CALL US IN ADVANCE, AND THEN WE CAN HANDLE IT FROM THERE.

>> IT WOULD BE BETTER IF THEY CALL, AND THEN YOU CAN HELP THEM

PLAN. >> THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO. THE QUICKER, IF IT GOES OUT THERE, WE CAN HAVE IT PUT OUT TO WHERE ON THAT WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY THOSE ADDITIONAL DAYS, THAT WE CAN HAVE SCHEDULED ITEMS LIKE THAT, WE KNOW IT'S GOING TO BE A VOLUME, THEN WE CAN GET IT PICKED UP. WE CAN MAKE SURE IT'S CHARGED, THE PERSON'S NOT CAUGHT OFF GUARD, AND THE CITY IS CLEANER.

>> OKAY. WE EXPECT GREAT THINGS. >> THANK YOU.

[C. Resolution 25-R63 appointing an at-large member to the Fort Pierce Planning Board.]

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >>> ALL RIGHT. I THINK WE CAN

MOVE ON. >> OKAY. NEXT WE HAVE RESOLUTION

[03:05:05]

25-R-63, A RESOLUTION CERTIFYING THE APPOINTMENT OF A MEMBER OF THE CITY PLANNING BOARD AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

SO THE TERM OF NICHELLE CLEMANS EXPIRED. WE HAVE APPLICATIONS FROM DONOVAN HOBERT, BETTY JO STARK, AND NICHELLE CLEMANS.

>> I THINK WE CAN MAKE A MOTION HERE.

>> I MAKE A MOTION TO REAPPOINT NICHELLE CLEMANS.

>> SECOND. >> CALL ROLL, PLEASE.

[D. Resolution 25-R64 Nebraska Avenue Sidewalk FDOT LAP Agreement for approval and signature by City for award of $666,354.00 in federal Transportation Alternative Program (TAP) funding for construction of the project.]

>>> OKAY. NEXT WE HAVE RESOLUTION 25-R-64, A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA TO ENTER INTO A PROGRAM AGREEMENT WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR CONSTRUCTION OF NEBRASKA AVENUE FROM NS LAWNWOOD CIRCLE TO NORTH 13TH STREET. A TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM GRANT AND AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR, CITY CLERK, AND CITY ATTORNEY TO EXECUTE SAID AGREEMENT ON THE PART OF THE CITY AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

>> MR. CHESS, DO YOU HAVE? >> EXCUSE ME. ACTUALLY, IT'S AN FDOT AWARDED GRANT, AND WE RECOMMEND APPROVING IT. I WANTED THE CITY ATTORNEY TO CHIME IN UNDER INDEMNIFICATION ASPECT OF THIS AWARD. IT'S A LITTLE DIFFERENT LANGUAGE.

>> MADAME MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, ATTACHED TO THE MEETING, THERE IS THE MEMO FOR RLS-25-217. SO I DID OUTLINE THROUGHOUT THAT AGREEMENT THERE ARE TERMS IN THE AGREEMENT WITH FDOT THAT REQUIRES THE CITY TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND DEFEND FDOT IF THERE IS A LAWSUIT. SO ESSENTIALLY, THAT MEANS THE CITY WILL BE TAKING ON THAT FINANCIAL LIABILITY. WE'VE HAD THIS DISCUSSION A FEW TIMES RECENTLY. STAFF DID GO BACK WITH FDOT TO REQUEST THAT THEY REMOVE THAT LANGUAGE. IT WAS NOT IN THE PREVIOUS AGREEMENTS WITH FDOT. THEY HAVE REFUSED TO DO SO. I'VE OUTLINED IN MY MEMO THE CONCERNS FOR THIS, THAT IT TAKES ON ADDITIONAL LIABILITY TO THE CITY, ADDITIONAL LIABILITY TO THE TAXPAYERS IF THERE IS A LAWSUIT. IN WHICH WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY THAT JUDGMENT, PAY FOR ATTORNEYS FEES, DEFEND THEM.

ADDITIONALLY, THERE ARE SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY PROTECTIONS THAT COME INTO PLAY, WHEREBY WE MAY BE WAIVING SOVEREIGN IMMUNITY. OUR INSURANCE CARRIER SAID WE MAY BE VIOLATING OUR INSURANCE POLICIES IN WHICH THEY COULD DENY COVERAGE TO THE CITY.

SO THERE ARE CONCERNS THAT IF A LAWSUIT WERE TO COME, THAT TERM COULD RESULT IN ISSUES TO THE CITY MOVING FORWARD. SO ULTIMATELY, THE DECISION WHETHER TO APPROVE THIS OR NOT IS UP TO THE COMMISSION. IT IS A BALANCING OF RISK OF WHAT YOU'RE WILLING TO DO. THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT I THINK HAS EXPLAINED AMONGST STAFF WHY THIS NEEDS TO BE APPROVED. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THEM, I RECOMMEND YOU DO THAT. BUT IT IS ULTIMATELY YOUR DECISION. MY RECOMMENDATION IS AGREEMENTS WITH THAT LANGUAGE NOT BE SIGNED BECAUSE OF THE LIABILITY THAT IT CREATES FOR THE CITY. HOWEVER, YOU LEGALLY CAN SIGN IT.

>> MISS HEDGES, IS THERE AN INDICATION THIS IS GOING TO BE

IN FDOT AGREEMENTS FROM NOW ON? >> I SUSPECT THAT IS CORRECT.

>> SO FROM NOW ON, WE WOULD BE FACED WITH THIS SAME THING?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> AND SO IF WE WANT FDOT TO DO SOMETHING FOR US, FOR INSTANCE, IF THIS IS WHAT I THINK IT IS, I REMEMBER THIS PROJECT BECAUSE I WENT OUT THERE AND LOOKED AT IT, THIS IS SIDEWALKS IN THE, UH, AREA NEAR THE HOSPITAL. AND IT'S FOR CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO WALK AND WAIT FOR THE SCHOOL BUS. AND IF THIS IS WHAT I THINK IT IS, THIS HAS BEEN A WHILE COMING, AND I'M VERY HAPPY THAT IT'S ABOUT TO HAPPEN. EXCEPT NOW, THERE'S THIS GLITCH. MORE THAN A GLITCH. SO COMMISSIONERS, DO YOU WANT TO HEAR FROM THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT ABOUT

THIS PROJECT? >> NOT THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT.

>> YEAH, I WANT TO HEAR, BUT I WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT AS HE'S MAKING HIS WAY HERE. THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO TAKE BACK

TO THE TPO BOARD. >> THIS HAS FAR-REACHING

IMPLICATIONS. >> WE APPROVE THESE SIDEWALKS, PORT ST. LUCIE HAS A TON OF THEM COMING ABOARD. SO THIS IS SOMETHING WE MAY NOT AGREE TONIGHT, BUT I'D WANT TO TALK

[03:10:04]

TO MR. BUCKWALL AND TPO TO SEE HOW OTHER JURISDICTIONS ARE HANDLING THIS. THAT'S WHERE I'M AT.

>> I HAD ONE OTHER COMMENT TO THAT, COMMISSIONER JOHNSON. I'M NOT INCLINED TO WALK AWAY FROM $666,000 OF FUNDING BECAUSE THERE'S A POTENTIAL RISK FOR LITIGATION. IF THAT WAS THE CASE, THERE WOULDN'T BE A SINGLE BUSINESS OPEN IN THIS COUNTRY. SO LET'S SEE WHAT THE ENGINEER HAS TO SAY.

>> YEAH. THE OTHER RISK YOU RUN WITH THAT, THIS BECOMES A STAIN ON THE CITY IF WE DON'T EXECUTE THIS. POTENTIALLY CAUSING US NOT TO GET DOT FUNDING GOING FORWARD ON ANYTHING. SO THAT'S THE FURTHER IMPLICATION OF THIS. I UNDERSTAND THE LEGAL ASPECT OF IT. AND I AGREE, TPO BOARD DEFINITELY NEEDS TO HEAR ABOUT THIS, BUT THAT'S THE OTHER RISK WE RUN.

>> IS DOT INVOLVED IN THE INDIAN RIVER DRIVE?

>> NO. >> OKAY. BUT THIS HAS IMPLICATIONS FOR ANY FDOT PROJECT WITH US. I PRESUME THEY'RE NOT SINGLING FORT PIERCE OUT. IT WILL BE OTHER

MUNICIPALITIES TOO. >> IT SEEMS TO BE AN UPDATED AGREEMENT BASED ON WHAT WE'VE UNDERSTOOD.

>> I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO IT TOO MUCH, BUT SOMETHING MUST HAVE TRIGGERED SOMETHING FOR THIS TO GO IN THERE. ARE WE AWARE OF THAT FROM OUR ASPECT OF FROM LEGAL WHAT HAS HAPPENED? I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM TO GOING INTO A RISK UNDERSTANDING RISK AS TO WHAT'S OUT THERE. BUT ULTIMATELY, WE ARE THE STEWARDS OF THE TAXPAYERS' MONEYS. YEAH, I AGREE. IT'S GOT AN UPSIDE. I HAVE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE PROJECT. THEN AGAIN, I WOULD NOT BE A GOOD STEWARD IF I DON'T ASK THE QUESTION TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT ARE THEY TRYING TO SIGNAL HERE? AND WHAT KIND OF RISK AM I ASSUMING? AND YEAH, I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO IT WITH FDOT, BUT I DO HAVE TO ASK SO I UNDERSTAND. BECAUSE I CAN'T GO BACK AND SAY WELL, I KNEW THAT OR I DIDN'T KNOW THAT.

>> WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS IF THIS IS DELAYED UNTIL THE NEXT

MEETING? >> WE LOSE THE FUNDING.

>> OOH, SO WE GOTTA DO IT TONIGHT?

>> CELINA IS THE PROJECT MANAGER.

>> I'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM MISS CELINA. SHE COMES TO TPO

MEETINGS AS WELL. OH, BOY. >> YES. THIS HAS, THIS NEEDS TO BE OBLIGATED. IT HAS BEEN FEDERALLY OBLIGATED. TAP FUNDS ARE FEDERAL FUNDS. THEY NEED TO BE FEDERALLY OBLIGATED. WE NEED TO RETURN THIS AGREEMENT, EXECUTE IT TO FDOT NO LATER THAN SEPTEMBER 5TH SO THAT THEY CAN THEN GET IT BACK TO US SO WE CAN MOVE FORWARD. THEY OBLIGATED THOSE FUNDS, THEY HAVE PROMISED THOSE FUNDS TO BE SPENT THIS FISCAL YEAR.

>> UH-HUH. UH-HUH. >> AND IF WE CAN'T GET IT DONE TONIGHT, WE CAN'T GET THEIR SIGNATURES AND ALL THE WORK THEY HAVE TO DO ON THEIR END. SO YES, UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE AT THE LAST MINUTE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT, LIKE I SAID, WHEN I SPOKE WITH FDOT AND TRIED TO UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, WHAT OTHER FUNDS MAY BE AFFECTED, I COULDN'T GET A STRAIGHT ANSWER.

THEY SAID LAP. SO ANY CERTIFIED LAP AGREEMENT, THAT'S WHAT THIS IS. SO ANY PROJECT, ANY FUNDS THAT REQUIRE THAT LAP --

>> WHAT'S THE LAP ACRONYM STAND FOR?

>> LOCAL AGENCY PROGRAM. >> OKAY. THE ACRONYM AGENCY.

>> YEP. >> OKAY, YEAH. OKAY.

>> UH-HUH. >> WOW.

>> SO MISS HEDGES, IT'S HOLD HARMLESS. SO THAT MEANS WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS THERE ISN'T SOMEBODY FROM FORT PIERCE ON THE JOB, IT'S JUST FDOT DOING IT, AND IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, THEN WE'RE LIABLE? IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE SAYING? IS THAT WHAT IT

IS? >> MADAME MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, SO YOUR HOLD HARMLESS, INDEMNIFY, AND DEFEND IS TAKING ON KIND OF ALL OF THIS. SO THEY WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS RELATED TO THE SIDEWALK PROJECT. THAT WOULD FALL TO THE CITY FOR LIABILITY PURPOSES. WE WOULD HAVE TO DEFEND THEM IN COURT, MEANING PAY FOR THEIR ATTORNEY, OR PROVIDE THEM AN ATTORNEY. AND INDEMNIFYING THEM MEANS, AGAIN, WE'RE TAKING ON ALL THAT RESPONSIBILITY TO WHERE WE PAY ANY SORT OF JUDGMENT AGAINST THEM IF IT IS TO BE ORDERED AGAINST THEM. SO IT'S EVERYTHING. IT'S BASICALLY AS

IF WE'RE THE ONES BEING SUED. >> THEY'RE GOING TO DO THE

[03:15:01]

WORK, RIGHT? >> WE WILL ISSUE THE CONTRACT.

>> OKAY. >> ONCE WE GET, ONCE THE AGREEMENT IS SIGNED AND COMES BACK TO US, THEY WILL GIVE ME AN AUTHORIZATION TO ADVERTISE. I WILL ADVERTISE THE PROJECT, WE WILL HAVE TO GET A CEI FOR THIS BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF FEDERAL PAPERWORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

>> WHAT'S A CEI? >> CONSTRUCTION, ENGINEERING,

AND INSPECTION SERVICES. >> THANK YOU.

>> SO WE WILL HAVE TO GET A CEI ON BOARD. WE WILL HAVE A CONTRACTOR. JUST LIKE ANY OTHER CITY PROJECT, EXCEPT THAT NOW WE HAVE TO FOLLOW FEDERAL PROCESSES TO GET IT CONSTRUCTED.

>> I DO HAVE A QUESTION HERE. >> YES, SIR.

>> MISS HEDGES, THIS MAY GO TO YOU. WE'RE GOING TO ENGAGE A SUBCONTRACTOR? WHY ARE WE NOT SHIFTING THE BURDEN OF THIS TO THEM AND MAKING THEM PROVIDE LIABILITY INSURANCE AND THE NECESSARY INSURANCES TO PROTECT THIS RISK?

>> TO THE CONTRACTOR? >> IT GIVES THOSE PROTECTIONS TO

THE CITY. >> WELL, I CAN WORK WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY AND KIND OF GIVE HER AN IDEA OF WHAT THE CONTRACTOR LICENSE, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO SUBMIT THAT TO FDOT TO HAVE IT RETURNED AND REVIEWED, AND I CAN CERTAINLY WORK WITH HER. AND MAYBE THAT WILL, I WAS GONNA ASK THAT ACTUALLY. IF THAT, IF SOMEHOW THAT GETS PASSED ALONG TO THE CONTRACTOR.

>> THAT CAN BE IN THE RFP. THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE THIS INSURANCE AT THESE LEVELS TO PROTECT THE CITY.

>> THE AGREEMENT WITH FDOT REQUIRES ANY CONTRACTORS OR SUBCONTRACTORS TO AGREE TO INDEMNIFICATION, DEFEND, HOLD HARMLESS THE CITY AND FDOT THROUGH THE STATE. SO THAT DOES ALSO GET PASSED ON FROM US TO THEM. THAT IS A STANDARD PART OF

OUR CONTRACTS FOR CONSTRUCTION. >> THANK YOU. OKAY. AM I REMEMBERING THE SIDEWALK PROJECT CORRECTLY?

>> YEAH. >> YOU'RE THE ONE THAT SENT US

THE E-MAIL? >> I'M THE ONE, YEAH. IT'S

BEEN A WHILE. >> IT TAKES A LITTLE WHILE.

>> I KNOW, I KNOW, I KNOW. I'M VERY PLEASED ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT WILL HELP SOME SCHOOL KIDS WAITING FOR THE BUS, AND THAT'S,

YEAH, GREAT. >> YES, SIR?

>> I HAVE A QUESTION BECAUSE I'M LOST NOW. IF THE INDEMNIFICATION IS PASSED ON TO A SUBCONTRACTOR, RIGHT, SO BASICALLY WE'RE AGREEING TO THIS, BUT WE'RE GOING TO TURN IT OVER TO A SUBCONTRACTOR, I GUESS MY QUESTION IS TO MADAME ATTORNEY, IF THE WE KNOW THAT, WHY WOULD YOU SAY TO NOT SIGN IT IF WE CAN PUT THE LIABILITY ON SOMETHING ELSE? BECAUSE I KNOW WHERE YOU WERE GOING WITH IT. AND WHEN YOU THINK OF LIABILITY, MY COLLEAGUES THINKING OF AN ACCIDENT OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPENING ON THE ROAD, BUT WHAT I'M THINKING IS AN ENGINEER COMES IN TO SIGN OFF ON SOMETHING AND HE DON'T KNOW WHAT HE'S DOING AND THE SIDEWALK CRACKS AND FALLS IN.

THAT'S A LAWSUIT. IT'S ALL OF THE ABOVE. IT'S NOT JUST WHILE THEY'RE DOING IT. IT'S WHEN THEY PUT IT THERE AND WHATEVER AND THEY DON'T DO IT RIGHT, MIX THE CONCRETE WRONG OR SOMETHING, AND SOMEBODY FALLS OR FALLS IN, THAT'S A LAWSUIT. AND MY QUESTION IS, I READ EVERYTHING YOU WROTE. I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY YOU WOULD SAY NO WHEN WE COULD PUT IT OVER TO THE OTHER

SIDE. WHAT AM I MISSING THERE? >> MADAME MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, THE STATE OF FLORIDA WILL COME TO US FOR WHAT WE'RE REQUIRED TO DO. WE'LL GO TO THE CONTRACTOR FOR WHAT THEY'RE REQUIRED TO DO. LET'S SAY YOU HIRE JOE SCHMO CONTRACTOR WHO GOES OUT OF BUSINESS. THEY'RE GONE. THE CITY IS GONNA BE HERE AND THEY'LL BE COMING TO THE CITY.

>> THEY GO OUT OF BUSINESS TWO MONTHS AFTER THEY FINISH THIS PROJECT, THEN WE BACK ON THE LAM?

>> I DON'T THINK WE INTEND TO HIRE JOE SCHMO CONTRACTOR, BUT

IT HAPPENS. >> DON'T DO THAT, MISS GRIFFIN.

>> THERE'S RISK IN EVERYTHING, MADAME MAYOR.

>> HOW DOES THE COMMISSION FEEL? >> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

>> IS THERE A SECOND? IS THERE A SECOND?

>> I'LL SECOND. >> CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.

>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK? >> YES.

>> COMMISSIONER GAINES. >> NO, MA'AM.

[14. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Any person who wishes to comment on any subject may be heard at this time. Please limit your comments to three (3) minutes or less, as directed by the Mayor, as this section of the Agenda is limited to thirty minutes. The City Commission will not be able to take any official actions under Comments from the Public. Speakers will address the Mayor, Commissioners, and the Public with respect. Inappropriate language will not be tolerated.]

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

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

>>> NEXT, COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC.

>> STATE YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES AND MISS COX WILL GIVE YOU A 10-SECOND WARNING. WELCOME.

[03:20:04]

>> 5708 PALM DRIVE, FORT PIERCE. MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, CITY MANAGER, THE REMOVAL OF THE PLAQUES ON THE JETTE UPSET A LOT OF PEOPLE. HOWEVER, THAT'S WHY YOU GUYS ARE IN THESE POSITIONS.

YOU HAVE BIG SHOULDERS. SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO DO THINGS THAT PEOPLE DON'T APPRECIATE, BUT IT'S FOR THE GREATER GOOD.

IN THIS CASE, I THINK REMOVING THE PLAQUES WAS A GOOD THING. MY WIFE AND ONE OF HER SIBLINGS WANT TO HONOR HER PARENTS. SHE WENT TO THE CITY, SHE PAID THE MONEY FOR THE BENCH, THEY PUT A BENCH OUT THERE, AND YOU KNOW THEY GOT TO HONOR THEIR PARENTS THAT WAY. SO AGAIN, I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE PLAQUES. I KNOW YOU TOOK A LOT OF HEAT ON IT.

LASTLY, WHEN IT COMES TO THE SOLID WASTE GARBAGE, I SPOKE TO THE CITY MANAGER WHEN HE FIRST CAME ON BOARD, AND 15 YEARS AGO I DID A MEMO WITH THE UTILITIES TO SAY WHY IT WAS A GOOD THING TO PUT IT ON THE TAX BILL, JUST LIKE IT'S IN THE COUNTY. THEY DON'T HAVE PROBLEMS WITH SPECIAL PICK UPS. EVERYTHING GETS PICKED UP. YOU BILL THE PROPERTY OWNERS,EVERYONE PAYS THEIR FAIR SHARE. THERE'S NO ILLEGAL DUMPING. THE PROBLEM IS YOU HAVE SO MANY RENTALS, AND I KNOW THE LANDLORDS DON'T WANT % IT ON THE TAX BILL. THEREFORE, THE RESIDENTS, THE RENTERS ARE FORCED TO TAKE THOSE INCREASES ALL THE TIME. SO THE ULTIMATE SOLUTION IS TO DO LIKE THE COUNTY, PUT IT ON THE TAX BILL, AND ALL THIS GOES AWAY. THANK YOU. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR STAYING TONIGHT. GOOD TO SEE YOU. ANYONE ELSE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION? PLEASE COME FORWARD. ANYONE ELSE? WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, CITY COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS ALICIA DIXON. I'M HERE TO DISCUSS A SHIP. MY AUNT APPLIED FOR SHIP IN 2022. SHE WAS AWARDED HER FIRST APPLICATION FOR $50,000 ON FEBRUARY 1, 2023. SHE WAS THEN APPROVED AGAIN FOR ADDITIONAL $50,000 ON APRIL 5, 2024. WITHIN THAT TIMEFRAME, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO HER HOME. WE'VE BEEN VERY PATIENTLY WORKING WITH SHIP. I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN DRASTIC TURNOVERS OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, BUT I THINK IT'S INADEQUATE THE TIMEFRAME THAT IT'S BEEN TAKING TO GET CONTRACTORS, SUITABLE CONTRACTORS, FOLLOW UP BY THE DEPARTMENT. I'VE MADE SEVERAL CALLS. I'VE COME TO A MEETING BEFORE, BUT I WASN'T ABLE TO SPEAK BECAUSE I DIDN'T GET HERE IN A TIMELY FASHION BECAUSE I WORK, AND I WAS HOLD YOU HAVE TO BE HERE BY 4:30, SO I GOT HERE AT 4:00 TODAY SO I COULD HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY. I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A CHECK AND BALANCE SYSTEM WITH OUR DIFFERENT PROGRAMS, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO ASSISTING THE ELDERLY OR PEOPLE WHO ARE NEEDING ASSISTANCE FOR THEIR HOMES TO BE REPAIRED. I HAVE THE LETTERS HERE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM. THIS SHOULD NOT TAKE THREE YEARS TO HAVE WORK DONE THAT HAS YET TO BE DONE FOR OUR PROGRAM. I'VE LEFT, I'VE SPOKEN TO ONE OF THE ORGANIZERS HERE THAT'S OVER YOUR DEPARTMENT. SHE SAID THEY HAD A MEETING YESTERDAY. I AM WAITING TO HEAR BACK FROM THE DEPARTMENT THAT I SENT THE E-MAILS TO THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO GET BACK TO ME FOUR DAYS AGO. I AM BEING VERY PATIENT. SHE SAID THEY'RE GOING TO DO AN EMERGENCY PROCESS, WHICH IT SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE THAT. WE NEED TO HAVE A CHECK AND BALANCE SYSTEM WHERE EVERYBODY KNOWS HOW EACH PROGRAM OPERATES, WHAT IS REQUIRED OF THE CONTRACTORS, WHAT THEY SHOULD DO BEFORE THEY EVEN SUBMIT A BID SO THEY WOULD NOT WASTE THE CONSUMER, THE INDIVIDUAL'S TIME, OR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU.