[1. CALL TO ORDER]
[00:00:13]
MEETING TO ORDER. THIS IS THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE COMMISSION AGENDA. 17TH, 2025.
>> LET'S PRAY. HEAVENLY -- STAND HERE AND PRAY TO OPEN THIS MEETING. WE KNOW THAT'S A PRIVILEGE AND AS THAT. WE KNOW THAT'S NOT DONE EVERYWHERE. THE CITY COMMISSIONERS HERE. BLESS THE STAFF AND THE ADMINISTRATORS. LORD, WE ALWAYS PRAY THAT SOMEONE WOULD COME TO KNOW JESUS.
PRAY THIS IN JESUS' NAME, AMEN.
TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC STANDS ONE GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
ROLL CALL. WE RECEIVED A LETTER[A. Letter from Sophia and Gebre Kassaye expressing appreciation to Heather Debevec, Code Enforcement Officer, for her professional, respectful and helpful way she explained the city's rules regarding landscaping debris. ]
[8. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
EXPRESSING THEIR APPRECIATION TO HEATHER DEBEVEC. AND NEXT WE HAVE ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AND MAYOR, WE HAVE RECEIVED A REQUEST FROM THE APPLICANT TO POSTPONE ORDINANCE 25- 035 TO A DATE CERTAIN OF DECEMBER 15, 2025.>> SEPARATE MOTION FOR THAT TO POSTPONE IT TO A DATE CERTAIN, PLEASE.
>> MAKE SURE PEOPLE IN THE AUDIENCE KNOW WHAT THIS IS ABOUT MS. COX, PLEASE.
>> YES, THIS IS THE ORDINANCE FOR THE PROJECT AT 4945 EDWARDS ROAD.
>> OKAY SO WE WANT TO DO A SEPARATE MOTION FOR THAT.
>> MOTION TO MOVE THE DATE TO DECEMBER 15.
DATE SPECIFIC. MADAME, I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE THE DATE FOR THAT HEARING TO DECEMBER 15.
[9. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARINGS Any person who wishes to comment on an agenda item which is not under Public Hearings on the Agenda may be heard at this time and must sign up to speak in advance. Please limit your comments to three (3) minutes or less, as directed by the Mayor, as this section of the Agenda is limited to thirty minutes. The City Commission will not be able to take any official actions under Comments from the Public. Speakers will address the Mayor, Commissioners, and the Public with respect. Inappropriate language will not be tolerated.]
NAME AND ADDRESS AND IT'S CHARLES WILSON.>> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF.
MY NAME IS CHARLES WILSON. MY ADDRESS IS 1013 NUMBER 121 HUTCHINSON ISLAND, FLORIDA, 14949, WHICH IS OUR NEW ADDRESS. ONE OF THE REASONS WE'RE HERE TONIGHT, I'VE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON 13A, WHICH IS FIRST OF ALL TO CONGRATULATE THE CITY CLERK ON CONDUCTING A FLAWLESS ELECTION.
THEY'RE HARD TO DO AND WE'RE VERY, WE'RE VERY LUCKY THAT WE GOT THROUGH THE ELECTION. I'M APPALLED THAT THE TURNOUT WAS AS LOW AS IT WAS AND THAT EARLY VOTING AND ABSENTEE BALLOTS WERE SO DIFFICULT. IT WAS CLEAR FROM THE RESULTS THAT THIS ELECTION WAS ABOUT CHANGE AND REFORM. I'M HOPEFUL THAT ONE OF THE ITEMS CONSIDERED BEING REFORMED ARE ACCESS TO THIS AGENDA. WE CAME THIS EVENING WITH A GROUP OF PEOPLE TO MAKE A PRESENTATION AND WERE UNABLE TO DO THAT BECAUSE WE WERE TOLD AT THE LAST MINUTE, WERE TOLD WE COULDN'T. BUT AT THE END OF THE MEETING,
[00:05:03]
YOU'LL HEAR OUR THREE MINUTES' WORTH.WE'RE HOPEFUL, AND I'D LIKE TO TALK TO SOME OF THE CANDIDATES ABOUT MAKING CHANGES TO THIS AFTER THE ELECTION IS OVER. ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES AND THIS NEXT ELECTION IS JANUARY THE 13TH. WE'RE HOPEFUL WE GET A GOOD TURNOUT AND THAT YOU HAVE MORE, YOU'LL HAVE AN ADDITIONAL CITY COMMISSIONER BY THAT TIME. AND I HOPE THAT YOU'LL KIND OF CONSIDER BECAUSE I REPRESENT THE HUTCHISON ISLAND COMMITTEE WHOSE PURPOSE IS TO IDENTIFY THE ISLAND'S IDENTITY AND TO ANNOUNCE THEY HAVE A NEW POST OFFICE. WE'LL DO THAT AFTER THE MEETING APPARENTLY. AND ALSO THAT WE'VE BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE UNITED STATES CENSUS AS A SEPARATE PLACE. THERE IS NOW A SEPARATE PLACE CALLED HUTCHINSON ISLAND, FLORIDA. YOU WOULD HAVE MORE DETAILS BUT YOU'LL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER THE MEETING THE FIND OUT
[A. Fort Pierce Infrastructure Surtax Citizens Oversight Committee Annual Report 2024]
BECAUSE WE WERE NOT ALLOWED ACCESS TO THE COMMISSION.>> OKAY, WE WILL MOVE ON TO --
>> MAYOR HUDSON AND REPRESENTATIVES.
FILE. >> WHILE YOU'RE DOING THAT, I'D LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND WELCOME GERTRUDE WALKER.
SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
>> I'M SELENA GRIFFIN. I'M HERE TO PRESENT THE FORT PIERCE SURTAX OVERSIGHT REPORT. MR. BOB BURGE IS CHAIR OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE SURTAX, CITIZEN OVERSITE COMMITTEE AND HE WAS PLANNING TO BE HERE TONIGHT BUT HE CALLED ME THIS MORNING AND ISIS NOT FEELING WELL SO HE SENDS HIS REGARDS AND JUST ASKED ME TO CONTINUE WITH THE REPORT TODAY. BASED UPON HIS APPROVAL, THE COMMITTEE RESPECTFULLY SUBMITS THIS ANNUAL REPORT FOR YOUR ACCEPTANCE.
THE PURPOSE OF THIS REPORT AS NOTED IN THE RESOLUTION FORMING THE COMMITTEE IS TO ENSURE TRANSPARENCY AND PROVIDE THE CITIZENS OF THE CITY WITH THE ASSURANCE THAT THE FUNDS ARE BEING SPENT IN THE MANNER APPROVED BY VOTERS IN ACCORDANCE WITH STATE LAW.
THE COMMITTEE MET FOUR TIMES THIS YEAR.
IN JANUARY, APRIL, JULY, AND OCTOBER.
AS REQUIRED IN RESOLUTION 19-R06.
THE COMMITTEE WAS GIVEN UPDATES ON FINANCES AND BUDGETS ANDAND AND CONSTRUCTION STATUS OF THE PROJECTS.
IN 2024, WE RECEIVED A TOTAL AMOUNT OF SALES TAX REVENUE JUST OVER $2. 9 MILLION.
OUR EXPENSES WERE ABOUT $1. 3 MILLION.
OUR EXPENSES AND ENCUMBRANCES WERE LOWER THIS YEAR THAN IN PREVIOUS YEARS DUE TO SEVERAL MAJOR PROJECTS FINALIZING DESIGN AND MOVING FORWARD TO CONSTRUCTION. BASED ON A CASH IN CASH OUT ANALYSIS, THE BALANCE OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE ACCOUNT AS OF SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2025, IS SEVEN MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED AND SEVENTY THOUSAND.
THIS SHOWS THE LIFE OF THE CITY'S RECEIPTS OVER THE LIFE OF THE PROGRAM.
THIS IS A GOOD WAY FOR US TO TRACK ANTICIPATED MONTHLY RECEIPTS FROM THE STATE. MONTHLY REVENUE DROPPED ABOUT 2% OVER THE PAST YEAR. WE STILL BELIEVE CONSUMER CONFIDENCE IN THIS PROGRAM IS HIGH AND WE APPRECIATE THEIR SUPPORT.
THE MASTER PROJECT LIST IS OUR GUIDE FOR TRACKING REAL IMPROVEMENTS IN OUR CITY. AS YOU ARE AWARE, THE FOCUS OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE SURTAX WAS BETTER ROADS, BETTER ROAD QUALITY, AND MORE SIDEWALKS.
THE OHIO AVENUEAVENUE FROM 11TH STREET TO U.S. 1 WAS COMPLETED THIS YEAR, MARCH 2025.
THIS IS ONE OF THE PROJECTS ON OUR MASTER PROJECT LIST AND WE HAVE RECEIVED GOOD FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY ON THIS PROJECT. IT ACHIEVED THE GOALS OF THE PROGRAM AS IT PROVIDED A BETTER ROAD, MORE SIDEWALK, AND THE IMPROVEMENTS WILL HAVE AN
[00:10:01]
IMPACT ON WATER QUALITY AND STORM WATER MANAGEMENT. SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE SURTAX, THE CITY HAS RESURFACED NEARLY 14 MILES OF ROADWAYS.THE 2025 RESURFACING PROJECT BEGAN IN OCTOBER AND IS NEARLY COMPLETE. RESURFACING NEARLY TWO MILES OF ROADWAY AND REPLACING 4788 RAMPS.
SOME OF THOSE BIG PROJECTS I TALKED ABOUT THAT WERE COMING TO FINALIZATION. THE NEARLY $8 MILLION IN OUR INFRASTRUCTURE SURTAX BALANCE WILL BE USED TO COMPLETE TWO MAJOR PROJECTS ON OUR MASTER PROJECT LIST. THE FIRST IS INDIAN RIVER DRIVE FROM ARENA WAY TO SEA WAY DRIVE.
ABOUT $3 MILLION OF FUNDS IS COMBINED WITH GRANT AND FPRA FUNDS TO MOVE THIS PROJECT TO CONSTRUCTION. ABOUT $2 MILLION OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE SURTAX FUNDS WITH FUNDING FROM FPRA AND STATE GRANT FUNDS WILL COMPLETE THE RESURFACING OF AVENUE D FROM 29TH STREET TO U.S. 1.
WE ARE ALSO CONSIDERING EXTENDING THE RESURFACING APPROXIMATELY 1300 FEET TO THE CITY LIMITS TO THE WEST WHICH WOULD MORE OR LESS GIVE US THE COMPLETE PROJECT, AT LEAST THE TUS 1.
ABOUT -- ADDITIONALLY, ABOUT $800,000 OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE SURTAX FUNDS WILL BE USED FOR THE NEBRASKA AVENUE SIDEWALK PROJECT WHICH WILL CONSTRUCTION SIX INCH -- SIX FOOT WIDE SIDEWALKS ON BOTH THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH -- SOUTH SIDE OF NEBRASKA AVENUE FROM LAWN WOOD CIRCLE TO SOUTH 13TH STREET.
THIS PROJECT IS PARTIALLY FUNDED WITH A FEDERAL TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM GRANT FUNDS.
WE CONTINUE TO WORK ON PLANS FOR IMPROVING OUR SALES TAX INFRASTRUCTURE IMPACTS IN FORT PIERCE AND WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT OF THE CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE AND THE COMMISSION.
>> IS THAT -- THAT COMPLETE YOUR REPORT? ARE THERE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS FROM COMMISSIONERS? QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS?
>> NO, WE'VE BEEN BRIEFED ON THESE PROJECTS ALL THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS AND THE UPCOMING PROJECTS WERE QUITE WELL VERSED AND SPENDING.
>> I THINK WE'RE PRETTY EDUCATED ABOUT THAT.
>> COMMISSION -- >> JUST WANT TO AGAIN THANK STAFF AND THE COMMITTEE, RIGHT, THAT THEY SIT, THEY EVALUATE. WE HAVE CRITERIA SET FOR THESE ROADS. YOU EVALUATE THEM AND WE TRY TO QUICKLY ADDRESS THOSE ROADS THAT ARE THERE AND SO TO THE PUBLIC THAT'S HERE, YOU KNOW, THESE ARE, THE HALF CENT SALES TAX DOLLARS THAT YOU SEE IN WORK TO ADDRESS SOME OF THESE ROADS AND THERE ARE OTHER ROADS THAT ARE ON THAT LIST. YOU KEEP A MASTER LIST.
WE KEEP ADDING TO IT. AS YOU CAN ALSO KNOW THAT WE UTILIZE THESE FUNDS ALONG WITH OTHER FUNDS TO TRY TO MAKE SURE ROADS GET ADDRESSED BECAUSE WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED FROM ALL OF THIS IN THESE PAST YEARS IS THAT CONCRETE, ASPHALT, AND UNDERWATER STORM MANAGEMENT IS EXPENSIVE AND IT GOES UP EACH AND EVERY DAY.
I WANT TO AGAIN THANK THIS COMMITTEE FOR CONTINUING TO DO THE GOOD WORK. BEING VERY TRANSPARENT.
SO IF ANYONE EVER HAS ANY QUESTIONS, THEY CERTAINLY THAT DEPARTMENT, SO THANK
YOU. >> IF I COULD MAKE ONE COMMENT.
YOU AND I MENTIONED THE MASTER PROJECT LIST.
I DID NOT SHOW IT HERE TONIGHT, BUT OUR ANNUAL REPORT IS LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE.
>> AND THE MASTER PROJECT LIST IS AVAILABLE WITHIN THAT ANNUAL
REPORT. >> AND YOUR MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC IF ANYBODY --
>> WE HAVE MEETINGS QUARTERLY AND WE MUST ABIDE BY WHAT WE TOLD THE TAXPAYERS WE WERE GOING TO SPEND THE MONEY ON. AND COMMISSIONER JOHNSON IS RIGHT. WE'RE LEARNING EVERY DAY THAT FIXING A ROAD AND BUILDING A SIDEWALK, BUILDING A NEW ROAD, IS WAY MORE EXPENSIVE THAN IT USED TO BE AND IT JUST FEELS LIKE IT'S AN UPHILL BAT T.
>> YES, MA'AM. AGAIN, THANK YOU TO COMMITTEE AND STAFF FOR THIS REPORT.
DO ME ONE LAST FAVOR. THESE LAST TWO MAJOR PROJECTS THAT WE JUST TALKED ABOUT. PLEASE GET THE NOTICE OUT WHEN THEY START BECAUSE THOSE ARE TWO MAJOR AND JUST GET THE INFORMATION OUT BECAUSE YOU AND I BOTH KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET THE E- MAILS WHY EVERYTHING IS BACKED UP AND THEY DIDN'T KNOW. SO ANY KIND OF WAY WE CAN GET THE WORD OUT, JUST GET THE WORD OUT. I DON'T KNOW WHEN THAT ONE ON INDIAN RIVER DRIVE IS STARTING.
I KNOW IT'S COMING UP SOON. I THINK IT'S COMING
[00:15:02]
UP SOON BECAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE ON THE HOLIDAY SEASON.>> I'M JUST TRYING TO GET THE WORD OUT AGAIN AND HOPEFULLY, AND HOPEFULLY, WE'RE NOT COMING INTO AVENUE D AND INDIAN RIVER AT THE SAME TIME WITH THIS HOLIDAY AND THESE ROADS. THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING.
I WANT THEM DONE, BUT I JUST WANT THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU KNOW, YOU CAN'T GET A BETTER ROAD IF YOU'RE NOT INCONVENIENCED A LITTLE BIT.
SO I JUST WANTED TO GET THE WORD OUT.
>> SO NOT CLOSING ON DECEMBER 20TH IS PROBABLY NOT A GOOD IDEA, RIGHT?
I HOPE NOT. >> INDIAN RIVER'S TEED.
THEY'VE GOT THE SIGNAGE, MOBILIZING EQUIPMENT.
YEP. >> I WAS JUST GOING TO ASKASK INDIAN RIVER DRIVE. I'M NOT ENTIRELY SURE OF THEIR CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE. I WANTED TO SAY IT'S LIKE --
>> IMMINENT. >> AVENUE D, WE ARE GETTING A CONTRACT TOGETHER NOW. SO I DON'T FORSEE IT STARTING UNTIL SOMETIME EARLY NEXT
>> ENGINEER, COMMISSIONERS, YEAH, THEY'RE STARTING WITH INDIAN RIVER DRIVE IN THE COMING DAYS HERE.
MORRIS CREEK BRIDGE IS GOING TO BE SHUTDOWN.
AND THAT'S GOING TO BE FOR A WHILE.
INITIALLY, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO ROUTE AROUND U.S. 1 BECAUSE FPUA IS DOING WORK AT 2ND STREET. THAT'S FOR ABOUT 30 DAYS.
THEY HAVE TO BE OUT OF THERE BY DECEMBER 7TH FOR THE CHRISTMAS PARADE.
THEY HAVE TO BE OUT OF THERE. ONCE THEY MOVE OUT OF THERE, THEN YOU CAN ROUTE AROUND SECOND STREET.
>> IT'S WHAT I REMEMBERED. >> U.S. 1 IS THE ONLY AVENUE FOR 30 DAYS. OKAY.
[11. CONSENT AGENDA]
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU FOR THE GOOD NEWS AND THE BAD NEWS.>> NEXT, WE HAVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
>> ANY ITEM THAT ANY COMMISSIONER WOULD LIKE TO PULL?
>> I'M GOING TO PULL ITEM B AS WELL.
BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE A QUICK COMMENT ABOUT
>> OKAY. IS THERE A MOTION FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE AGENDA?
>> SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.
[A. Approval of Specific Authorization No. 2025 - 2: Professional Engineering Services for the Coach Fenn Park Improvement Project in an amount not to exceed $119,320 which will be reimbursed from CDBG funds.]
AUTHORIZATION 2025-2 PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE PARK IMPROVEMENT PROJECT IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $119,230 WHICH WILL BE REIMBURSED FROM CDBG FUNDS.>> COUPLE OF THINGS ON THIS. BRING ATTENTION TO THIS WELL DESERVING PROJECT THAT WE HAVE BEEN A LOCAL ORGANIZATION ALLIANCE HAVE TAKEN PART OF THIS. AND SO ONE OF MY CONCERNS IS AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH IT, IS WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ENGINEERING SERVICES, CAN YOU GIVE US AN UPDATE SO THAT THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDS WHERE WE'RE GOING WITH THIS AND HOW WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE?
>> IDENTIFY YOURSELF FOR US, PLEASE.
WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE BUT WE WANT IT FOR THE TAPE.
>> SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATOR, PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT.
>> SO FOR THE ENGINEERING SERVICES WE'RE TRYING TO PROCURE HERE, SO THEY'RE GOING TO ASSIST US WITH ESSENTIALLY COMING UP WITH THE CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS THAT WE'LL NEED SO WE CAN PUT THIS PROJECT OUT FOR BID.
FOR CONSTRUCTION WORK. THE DESIGN FOR THAT SITE THE GOING TO INCLUDE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW SPLASH PAD, INSTALLATION OF A NEW MODULAR RESTROOM, CONSTRUCTION OF NEW PARKING.
IN ADDITION TO UNDERGROUND UTILITIES AND ALSO A SHADE STRUCTURE FOR THE PLAYGROUND
IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE INVESTMENT HERE.
WE HAVE A BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB THAT'S THERE.
WE HAVE A RICH HOUSE THAT'S THERE, WHICH IS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE THIS PROGRAM RUNNING THERE. AND JUST A NEIGHBORHOOD THAT QUITE FRANKLY THIS WOULD PROVIDE A MUCH NEEDED RECREATIONAL AREA FOR IT.
SO THE CONSTRUCTION DESIGN YOU MENTIONED A MODULAR BATHROOM OR ARE WE TALKING --
>> ABSOLUTELY. IT'S PREFABRICATED SO KIND OF SPEEDS UP THE PROCESS AND THE GREAT THING ABOUT IT IS IT'S COST EFFECTIVENESS AS WELL.
WE DO UTILIZE SOURCED CONTRACTS WHERE THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
[00:20:01]
WE CAN FIND VENDORS THAT HAVE THESE PREFABRICATED RESTROOMS AND OUR ENGINEERING FIRM WILL ASSIST WITH JUST MAKING SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS RIGHT IN TERMS OF THE DRAWINGS THAT THEY PROVIDE AS TO THE REQUIREMENTS FOR WHAT THAT RESTROOM WILL REQUIRE FOR INSTALLATION.>> RIGHT. SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION PART. THE ENGINEERING STUFF.
THE STUFF THAT'S UNDERGROUND MOST PEOPLE DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO.
IT ALSO COST A LOT OF MONEY TO GET THESE DRAWINGS DONE.
ELECTRIC LINES, WATER LINES, SUER LINES AND SETBACKS AND WHO OWNS WHAT PIECE OF PROPERTY AND WHERE YOU CAN PUT STUFF.
WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS TO GET READY FOR AN RFP, RIGHT? THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND AS COMMISSIONERS. THAT WE HAVE A CLEAR VISION WHAT WE HAVE TO TRY TO DO IN THIS AREA.
WHAT CONCERNS ME IS I KNOW WE'RE GOING TO DRIVER A GREAT PROJECT BUT THE SAFETY, THE WELFARE, AND THE ADDRESSING OF VANDALISM OF STUFF THAT WE PUT THERE AND HOW WE DESIGN THAT AND HOW WE HAVE THAT IS A CONCERN TO ME.
I HAD A CONVERSATION, A VERY UNPLEASANT ONE, WITH A MEMBER OF THE LIONS AND THEY INVESTED A LOT OF MONEY IN SOME OF THETHE EQUIPMENT THAT'S THERE NOW AND IT WAS VANDALIZED. SO AS WE GET MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS AND GET THIS RFP OUT THERE, IT'S GOING TO BE IMPORTANT AND I DON'T KNOW HOW IT'S GOING TO HANDLE.
I'D LIKE AS A COMMISSIONER TO BE ABLE TO WEIGH IN ON WHAT THAT RFP LOOKS LIKE SO IT HAS A VISION FROM THIS COMMISSION AS TO THE EXPECTATION AND WE ALSO DO THE BEST WE CAN TO INCORPORATE THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE THERE SO THAT WE HAVE AN INVESTMENT THAT WILL NOT GET VANDALIZED AND IT IS AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMUNITY AND THEY UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS. AND SO AS WE GET READY FOR THAT RFP PROCESS, MR. CHESS, I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM US BECAUSE THIS IS A COSTLY INVESTMENT AND I'M JUST GOING TO SAY IT. I'M NOT GOING TO SPEND MONEY TO HAVE IT VANDALIZED. I'M GOING TO BE VERY, VERY UPSET. RIGHT.
SO WE'RE GOING TO SEND A CLEAR SIGNAL.
WE'RE GOING TO INVEST IN THIS AND PROVIDE A GREAT RECREATIONAL SPOT FOR PEOPLE.
>> AND AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THIS IS JUST FOR THE DESIGN.
>> JUST FOR THE DESIGN, RIGHT? HAVE WE IDENTIFIED MONEY FOR WHAT, FOR THE BUILD?
>> RIGHT. SO THE ENTIRETY OF THE GRANT IS FOR $800,000 TOWARDS THIS PROGRESS. SO UNFORTUNATELY THAT IS FOR THE PRE CONSTRUCTION, WHICH IN THIS CASE IS THE CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS. THE REMAINDER OF THOSE FUNDS WILL BE UTILIZED FOR SEEKING OUT BUILDING PERMITS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE IN ADDITION TO THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS.
>> SO PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THEY'RE NOT GOING TO SEE CONSTRUCTION TOMORROW.
>> RIGHT NOW, OUR TIMELINE, WE'RE LOOKING AT SEVEN TO EIGHT MONTHS FOR FINAL COMPLETION OF THE PROJECT.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? DO YOU WANT TO --
>> PIGGY BACKING ON WHAT COMMISSIONER JOHNSON SAID.
WILL THE COMMUNITY THAT THIS PARK IS, THIS PARK SITS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF. IT SITS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF ALMOST LIKE TWO DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES BUT IT'S ONE COMMUNITY.
WILL THEY HAVE A CHANCE TO HAVE A INPUT AS TO YOU KNOW, THEIR VISION OF A PARK THAT AS THEY'RE GOING TO BE THE ONE USING IT.
>> SO THE WAY THAT THIS PROJECT CAME ABOUT FROM MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT IT WAS WORKED ON FROM PRIOR YEARS BACK IN 2023.
>> THERE WAS A SITE PLAN. SO WE WANTED TO CONTINUE DOWN THAT ROUTE BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME CRITICAL ELEMENTS THAT DO NAT EXIST FOR ANY ORDINARY PARK LIKE RESTROOM FACILITIES IN THE PARK. THOSE ARE OBVIOUS, ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS. THAT'S WHAT THIS IS FOCUSED ON, GETTING THE ESSENTIALS THERE.
I KNOW THERE'S BEEN THE BASKETBALL COURT THAT WAS REPAVED. THEY INSTALLED NEW PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT. THERE'S ALSO WORKOUT EQUIPMENT.
A LOT OF GREAT OTHER THINGS BUT I THINK IN THE FUTURE, ESPECIALLY IF WE LOOK TO REVITALIZE SOME OF THE OTHER PARKS, THAT COMMUNITY INPUT WOULD BE PART OF OUR STRATEGY MOVING FORWARD.
>> I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR, THIS PROJECT, IT'S OF THE UTMOST IMPORTANCE THAT THIS PARK IS COMPLETE BY JUNE 30TH, 2026.
WE DO NOT HAVE AN EXTENSION OF THIS GRANT.
WHEN IT COMES TO BRINGING THE RFP TO YOU ALL AND GETTING INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY, THAT HAS TO BE A VERY, VERY SHORT WINDOW AND RIGHT NOW, WE'RE LOOKING AT MAYBE 45 DAYS TO 60 DAYS OF CONSTRUCTION FOR RPF PROCESS AND WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO CONDENSE THAT PROCESS, BUT WE ARE REALLY ON A VERY, VERY TIGHT BUDGET.
WE TALKED ABOUT THAT THIS MORNING AND WE WANT TO SHOW THAT WE REALLY EXPEDITE THIS PROCESS. SO WE MAY BRING IT TO YOU IN A DAY MEETING.
WE MAY HAVE TO HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING BUT IT'S CRITICAL WE KEEP THIS PROJECT ON TRACK TO BE COMPLETED BY JUNE 30TH.
[00:25:02]
>> MADAME, I'M FINEWE'RE MAKING INVESTMENT.
WE HAVE TO BRING THE COMMUNITY ALONG.
>> AND SO IF WE HAVE TO DO THOSE, I THINK WE OWE IT
OURSELVES. >> AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE EDUCATION IN THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE CONSTRUCTION IS CONSTRUCTION.
AND WHEN WE BUILD IT, WE CAN TALK ABOUT SAFEGUARDS WITH POLICE DEPARTMENT, HOW TO GO ABOUT SECURING THAT SPACE. BUT I BELIEVE THAT IT'S CRITICAL THAT WE HAVE EDUCATION BUY IN ON PROTECTING THE ASSETS THAT ARE BEING INVESTED.
>> I THINK WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME
PAGE. >> HOUSING AUTHORITY PARTNER HAS TO BE A PART OF THAT.
>> AND THANK YOU FOR MAKING SURE THAT WE KNOW THAT'S A SHORT TIMELINE. SO NOW WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE ALREADY. IS THERE A MOTION ON THAT?
>> I MOVE APPROVAL OF CONSENT 111.
[B. Approval of a St. Lucie County piggyback contract with Culpepper & Terpening for Construction Engineering and Inspection services for the Avenue D (from 29th Street to US 1) resurfacing project in the amount of $236,298.00.]
>> SECOND. CALL THE ROLE, PLEASE.
>> SO ITEM B IS APPROVAL OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY PIGGY BACK CONTRACT FOR INSPECTION SERVICES FOR AVENUE D FROM 29TH STREET TO U.S. 1 RESURFACING PROJECT IN THE AMOUNT OF $236,298.
>> I PULLED THIS ITEM BECAUSE MY PRACTICE NOW WHEN WE HAVE THESE LARGE TICKET ITEMS, I THINK THAT THE CITIZENS AND TAXPAYERS OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE DESERVE AN EXPLANATION.
CLEARLY, THIS IS FOR DESIGN AND ENGINEERING SERVICES, WHICH I'M ASSUMING IS A COMPREHENSIVE PACKAGE OF DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION OVERSIGHT, AND TESTING BUT I'LL LET YOU TAKE IT AWAY.
>> CITY ENGINEER. YES, THE PLAN'S ARE ALREADY DONE. THIS IS OVERSIGHT AND QUALITY CONTROL DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS TO MAKE SURE WE'RE GETTING WHAT WE WANT. WHAT WE EXPECT.
IDEALLY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE A SMALL BUT MIGHTY DEPARTMENT.
WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE MANPOWER TO HAVE PEOPLE OUT THERE ALL THE TIME WATCHING THESE PROJECTS AND MAKING SURE THE CONTRACTORS ARE DOING WHAT THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO
DO. >> THIS IS $236,000 WORTH OF SERVICES. THAT'S A MAJORITY OF YOUR STAFF TIED UP FOR AN INORDINENT AMOUNT OF TIME. THE OVERALL CONSTRUCTION COSTS ON THIS, DO YOU KNOW THAT
>> IT'S A COUPLE OF PERCENTAGE POINTS OF THE OVERALL COST OF THE PROJECT WHICH IN THE TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION IS NORMAL. SO THIS IS A VERY STANDARD COST AND THESE TYPES OF EXPENDITURES PROTECT THE TAX DOLLARS WE'RE SPENDING AND THE OTHERS WE'RE RECEIVING ON A GRANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S DONE CORRECTLY.
SO THANK YOU FOR THE EXPLANATION AND THAT'S THE REASON I PULLED IT.
THIS IS A -- THE THINGS THAT WE TALK ABOUT. THE BIG TICKET ITEMS PEOPLE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THIS IS WHAT PROPERTY TAXES ARE BEING USED FOR.
>> CLEARLY. THERE WAS A BIG EXPOSE ON THE NEWS THE OTHER NIGHT AND EVEN THE PEOPLE THAT WERE BEING INTERVIEWED SAID WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.
WE'RE GOING TO TAKE AWAY TAXES FROM CITIES AND TOWNS. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE REPLACEMENT IS.
GREAT. THAT'S A GREAT METHODOLOGY TO FUND POLICE AND ALL THE SERVICES.
PUBLIC WORKS AND ROADS AND SIDEWALKS, ET CETERA, DRAINAGE PROJECTS. WE COULD SPEND DAYS ON THAT
TOPIC. >> DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION? THERE'S A MOTION AND SECOND.
[E. Approval of Lease Agreement with Glynda Cavalcanti and Marlene Howard for a Temporary Parking Lot at Avenue E and Indian River Drive in the amount equal to the annual property taxes ($3,250.93 for 2025) for a period of two years with an option of a one-year renewal.]
CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.>> ITEM E IS THE TEMPORARY PARKING LOT AT AVENUE E AND INDIAN RIVER DRIVE IN THE AMOUNT EQUAL TO ANNUAL PROPERTY TAXES FOR 2025 FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS WITH OPTION OF A ONE- YEAR RENEWAL.
>> THE PROPERTY OWNER CONTACTED ME.
SHE ORIGINALLY CONTACTED ME TO BRING THIS INTO THE CITY ORIGINALLY SO I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS WHILE IT'S BEEN ONGOING.
HER CONCERN IS THAT SHE WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THE LEASE AGREEMENT AND WHAT WE WERE LEASING WERE TWO LOTS.
ONE IS THE PRIMARY LOT AND THE OTHER IS A SMALL SLIVER OF A LOT SHE WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION WAS INCLUDED IN THIS AGREEMENT. I SAID I DID NOT KNOW.
I CALLED CITY MANAGER, HE SAID -- THIS WAS JUST THIS AFTERNOON SO THANK YOU FOR JUMPING ON IT.
HE INVESTIGATED ON IT. MS. KAMAN WAS THE ONE HANDLING THIS. SHE SAID NO, THE PRIMARY LOT WAS WHAT WE WERE RENTING. WHERE THE SECONDARY PIECE CAME IN, IT WAS AT SOME POINT IN TIME A THOUGHT, BUT IT WASN'T MEMORIALIZED INTO THE WRITING.
[00:30:01]
SO WHAT I'M GOING TO SUGGEST WE DO HERE IS APPROVE THE LEASE THAT IS PRESENTED NOW AND GET BACK WITH THE PROPERTY OWNER AND WHOEVER ELSE IS INVOLVED IN THIS DECISION TO SEE IF IT'S WARRANTED TO INCLUDE THAT OTHER PARCEL. THIS ISN'T A BANK BREAKER BY ANY MEANS. IF IT'S DETERMINED THAT IT WOULD BE WARRANTED, FINE. JUST BRING IT BACK TO A NEW LEASE BUT I THINK WE CAN LEAVE IT IN YOUR GUY'S CAPABLE HANDS. TO ME, IT'S IRRELEVANT.RELEASING THE PARKING. THAT'S THE MAIN THING.
THE PROPERTY OWNER WAS CONCERNED ABOUT A POTENTIAL LIABILITY THAT IF THIS LEASE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE SAME AGREEMENT, SOMEBODY TRIPS AND FALLS IN A RABBIT HOLE OR SOMETHING, SHE'S GOING TO HAVE EXPOSURE.
THAT WAS THE PRIMARY REASON SHE WAS BRINGING IT UP.
I HAVE NOT SEEN THE SITE PLANS. I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS CONSTITUTES IN THE SCHEME OF THINGS. IT'S WHAT I'M SUGGESTING.
LEAVE IT UP TO THESE GUYS. LET THE STAFF HANDLE IT.
COME UP WITH A SOLUTION AND IF WE NEED TO DO AN AMENDMENT, WE CAN DO AN AMENDMENT.
THAT'S MY SUGGESTION. >> COMMISSIONERS?
>> I SUGGEST, JUST SO I'M CLEAR, I GET WHERE YOU'RE GOING. GOING TO ASK MADAME ATTORNEY.
IS THIS THE PROPER WAY TO HANDLE IT? ESPECIALLY WHEN WE ARE GETTING INTO LEASE AGREEMENTS AND AMENDMENTS OF LEASE AGREEMENTS.
THE MAJORITY OF MY HEADACHES UP HERE ARE AMENDMENTS, AMENDMENTS TO LEASE AGREEMENTS.
THIS ONE IS NOT YOU KNOW, A BIG DEAL, BUT I'M PRETTY SURE PEOPLE HAVE SAT HERE, AN AMENDMENT TO A LEASE AGREEMENT ISN'T A BIG
DEAL. >> THAT'S USUALLY ME THAT SAYS THAT.
>> WHAT I'M TRYING TO GET AT, TRYING TO MEMORIALIZE WHAT WE KNOW FOR A FACT WE'RE UTILIZING AND IF WE'VE GOT TO CLEAN THIS UP, WE'VE GOT TO CLEAN IT UP.
BUT THIS THING'S BEEN KICKING AROUND CITY HALL FOR MONTHS.
>> I WANT IT FINALIZED AND I WANT IT RIGHT.
I'M JUST ASKING THE BEST PROCEDURE TO DO THAT. IS IT TO DO IT TONIGHT LIKE YOU SUGGESTED AND COME BACK WITH AN AMENDMENT?
>> COMMISSIONER GAINES, TO YOUR COMMITTEE, WE CAN DO IT THE WAY COMMISSIONER HAS SUGGESTED IN SPEAKING WITH THE CITY MANAGER. I DO NOT EXPECT THIS WE WILL BE COMING BACK FOR AN AMENDMENT, HOWEVER.
I DO BELIEVE THE CITY ENGINEER DID LOOK AT THIS TO SEE IF THE SECOND PARCEL WOULD BE OF USE TO THE CITY. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT MORE PARKING COULD NOT BE OBTAINED BY UTILIZING THE SECOND PARCEL. SO I DON'T EXPECT, AND THAT ALL DID HAPPEN TODAY. SO I DON'T EXPECT THERE TO BE AN AMENDMENT.
ADDITIONALLY, I THINK PUBLIC WORKS CAN CONFIRM RELATED TO THE LIABILITY QUESTION, THAT THE PARKING LOT IS ROPED OFF AS TO WHAT WE ARE ACTUALLY LEASING SO IF SOMEONE DECIDES TO GO ACROSS THE ROPES --
>> WE NEED TO GET THE PROPERTY OWNER ON THE SAME PAGE WITH WHAT STAFF IS SAYING AND I'M GOOD.
SHE HAS HER CONCERNS. I THINK IF IT'S EXPLAINED EXACTLY AS MS. HEDGES LAID OUT, THERE'S NO ISSUES. THIS IS A SMALL ITEM.
LET'S NOT OVERBLOW IT. I THINK IF IT'S EXPLAINED THAT WAY, THIS WHOLE ISSUE'S GOING TO GO. I'M MORE THAN HAPPY TO SPEAK TO HER AS WELL AND JUST MENTION THAT PORTION OF IT ABOUT THE, YOU'VE GOT A ROPED OFF AREA.
DON'T LOSE ANY SLEEP OVER THIS.
>> RIGHT. ANYTHING ELSE ANYBODY WANTS TO ADD? OKAY, WE'RE GOOD. JASON?
>> MADAM MAYOR, IN ADDITION, IF YOU WANT TO TAKE A LOOK, THERE'S ANOTHER PARKING LOT THAT WE HAVE THE SAME TYPE OF LEASE. JUST TO THE SOUTH OF THAT AREA WHERE THE AREA IS CORDENED OFF WITH THE ROPE.
SO I BELIEVE THE CONCERNS WOULD BE ADDRESSED OF WHAT YOU SPOKE ABOUT.
>> I CONFIRM WITH THE CITY ENGINEER STATED ABOUT THE PARKING. IF WE HAD PARKING ALONG THE SOUTHERN EDGE BUT THAT'S JUST A DRIVE AROUND, WE'RE NOT ADDING ANY ADDITIONAL PARKING SPACES BY INCREASING THAT FOOTPRINT.
>> IF THERE'S ISSUES, I'LL GET WITH MR. CHESS OUT IT.
>> I MOVE TO APPROVE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM E.
>> SECOND. >> CALL THE ROLL PLEASE.
[A. Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 25-034 Voluntary application to extend the territorial limits of the City of Fort Pierce florida to include one (1) parcel located at or near the corner of E. South Market Avenue and S US Highway 1, containing approximately 2.03 acres. The City Future Land Use designation is General Commercial (GC) and Zoning designation is General Commercial (C-3). Parcel ID: 2434-501-0004-000-5. FIRST READING]
[00:35:01]
OUR LEGISLATIVE HEARING. PUBLIC HEARING FOR 25-034, EXTENDING THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS TO INCLUDE ONE PARCEL AND LOCATE IT AT OR NEAR THE CORNER OF EAST SOUTH MARKET AVENUE AND SHOWN ON EXHIBIT A TO ASSESS SAID PROPERTY ON THE CITY TAX ROLES AS OF JANUARY 1, 2026. DIRECTING THE ST. LUCIE TAX COLLECTOR TO COLLECT TAXES ON THE PROPERTY.ESTABLISHING THE DESIGNATION, ESTABLISHING THE LAND USE DESIGNATION, DREGTING FILING WITH THE CIRCUIT COURT AND CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER OF ST.
LUCIE. TO BE FILED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND COMMITTED TO THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC AND DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY CLAUSE AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS THE FIRST READING.
>> ALL RIGHTY. THIS IS THE FIRST READING AND WHO IS GOING TO BEGIN? YOU'RE GOING TO IDENTIFY YOURSELF, AREN'T YOU?
>> I AM. CARRIE DRIVER, SENIOR PLANNING, PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT.
ON BEHALF OF THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, WE BRING BEFORE YOU AN ANNEXATION FOR THE APPLICANT IS KEITH TEAM. THE PROPERTY OWNERS ARE GOOSE DOCUMENT FUND. PARCEL ID -- A REQUEST TO REVIEW A VOLUNTEER APPLICATION FOR ANNEXATION FOR ONE PARCEL OF LAND AT OR NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF EAST MARKET AVENUE AND SOUTH U.S. 1 HAS BEEN SUBMITTED. THE SITE LOCATION AREA IS APPROXIMATELY 2. 03 ACRES. HERE IS A MAP OUTLINING THE CITY BOUNDARIES AS WE CAN SEE RED IS C3 AND THE CITY. BLUE IS I1 PD AND WE HAVE LIGHT YELLOW AND INTERMEDIATE. ANYTHING THAT IS NOT HIGHLIGHTED IS WITHIN THE COUNTY. PURSUANT TO 1.11.5. PROPERTY'S ANNEX SHALL RECEIVE A LAND USE DESIGNATION COMPATIBLE WITH THE COUNTY UNLESS OTHERWISE APPROVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION.
STAFF HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED WITHIN UNINCORPORATED ST. LUCIE COUNTY IN WITHIN FPUA SERVICE AREA. FURTHERMORE, PURSUANT TO -- SUBSECTION ONE WHEREAS THE LEGISLATION RECOGNIZES THAT ENCLAVES CAN CREATE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS IN PLANNING, GROWTH MANAGEMENT, IN SERVICE DELIVERY AND THEREFORE DECLARES THAT THAT IS THE POLICY TO ELIMINATE ENCLAVES. THE TAXABLE VALUE IS 34,991.
IN THE COUNTY, THE PARCEL CURRENTLY HAS A FUTURE LAND USE OF COM COMMERCIAL. IF APPROVED, THE PROPOSED FUTURE LAND USE IN THE CITY WILL BE GENERAL COMMERCIAL. CURRENTLY, THE ZONING IN THE COUNTY IS CG, WHICH IS COMMERCIAL GENERAL.
IF APPROVED, THE CITY ZONING WOULD CHANGE TO C3, GENERAL COMMERCIAL. FOR THE BACKGROUND, WE SEE SIX PARCELS THAT ARE NUMBERED. THESE PARCELS WERE CURRENTLY OWNED BY THE PROPERTY OWNER WHICH IS GOOSE DEVELOPMENT. THE ANNEXATION WILL CLOSE THE GAP. FOR THESE PARCELS AS WELL AS THERE ARE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR THE PARCELS.
THIS FUTURE LAND USE COMPARISON CHART SHOWS AGAIN THAT THE SITE AREA IS 2. 03 ACRES WHICH COUNTS ABOUT 88,000 SQUARE FEET.
CURRENTLY IN THE COUNTY, THERE'S NO OPPORTUNITY FOR RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT.
IF ACCEPTED IN THE PARCEL FUTURE LAND USE IS CHANGED TO GENERAL COMMERCIAL UNDER THE CURRENT LAND USE CODE, IT ALLOWS FOR 15 UNITS PER ACRE WHICH WILL GIVE A MAXIMUM DENSITY OF 30 UNITS PER ACRE.
30 UNITS FOR THIS PARCEL, EXCUSE ME.
AT THE OCTOBER 13TH, 2025 PLANNING BOARD MEETING, IT WAS APPROVED THE MOVE THE ANNEXATION
[00:40:01]
APPLICATION FORWARD TO CITY COMMISSION.AGAIN, STAFF HAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED WITHIN ST. LUCIE COUNTY -- AND WITHIN THE FPUA SERVICE AREA. THEREFORE, STAFF IS RECOMMENDING THAT CITY COMMISSION APPROVE THE APPLICATION WITH PROPOSED FUTURE LAND USE AND ZONE IN DESIGNATION.
ALTERNATE RECOMMENDATIONS WILL BE TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL WITH CONDITIONS OR RECOMMEND THIS APPROVAL.
>> THE OTHER PARCELS, ARE THOSE CURRENTLY ANNEXED INTO THE CITY?
>> YES, THAT IS CORRECT. THEY ARE CURRENTLY
ANNEXED INTO THE CITY. >> INTERESTING.
>> THAT IS CORRECT, COMMISSIONER
JOHNSON. >> SO COULD YOU GO BACK TO THE SLIDE THAT HAS THE CITY VERSUS THE COUNTY? HAS NO COLOR ON IT.
-- IT'S A MESS. LIKE A SHOTGUN BLAST DOWN THERE. OUR FIRM HAS ASSETS IN THE AREA.
YOU CAN THROW A BASEBALL AND HIT ONE BUILDING TO ANOTHER, THEY'RE SO CLOSE.
SO I WOULD BE VERY PLEASED TO SEE ALL OF THAT ANNEXED INTO THE CITY. IT'S ALL, THAT AREA'S GOING TO BE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT.
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT. LIGHT INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT.
THERE'S ALSO A FAIR AMOUNT OF HEAVY INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT ON MARKET AVENUE. IT'S A MIXED BAG THERE, BUT I STILL BELIEVE THERE'S THAT MAJOR ADVANTAGE TO BRING THIS INTO THE CITY TO GET SOME KIND OF CONTROL OVER THE ZONING OF THIS. LIKE I SAID, THIS IS JUST A MESS FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. NOBODY KNOW WHERE IS TO GO.
>> RIGHT. BUT THE ENCLAVE IS ALREADY
>> THIS ISN'T FORMING THE ENCLAVE.
>> ULTIMATELY, THIS IS ALL GOING TO GET CLEANED UP BUT ANYTHING WE CAN GET ON THE BOOKS NOW IS
GREAT. I'D LIKE TO OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING NOW IF THE APPLICANT IS HERE, YOU MAY GO FIRST.
ANY OTHER MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
SEEING NO MOVEMENT, I'LL COME BACK TO THE COMMISSION.
>> HE WAS LOOKING. WAS NOT SURE IF I NEEDED TO PRESENT.
>> DON'T NEED TO. IF YOU'D LIKE TO
ADD ANYTHING. >> IT WAS WHAT I WAS GOING TO REITERATE.
>> JUST FOR THE RECORD, IF WE COULD GET HIS NAME, PLEASE.
>> JUAN CHAPA. DO YU NEED THE ADDRESS AS WELL?
>> 301 EAST ATLANTIC BOULEVARD.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANYONE ELSE LOOKING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD.
I SEE NO MOVEMENT. BACK TO THE COMMISSION.
>> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. CALL THE ROLL, PLEASE.
>> OKAY, NEXT WE MOVE ON TO, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE ON TO
[A. Resolution 25-R78 accepting special election returns]
RESOLUTIONS BECAUSE THE, THAT WAS POSTPONED SO WE HAVE R-78. RESOLUTION OF CITY COMMISSION OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA ACCEPTING TURNS OF THE ELECTION HELD ON NOVEMBER 4TH, 2025. AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVEDATE. >> IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? DO YOU HAVE ANY STAFF
PRESENTATION? >> WELL NOT FOR THIS.
I THINK WE'LL TALK ABOUT, LET'S ADOPT THE RESOLUTION AND I WOULD LIKE TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT PRECINT. CHRIS RECEIVED 1,035 AND JAMIE RECEIVED 796 TOTAL VOTES. I THINK FOR ALL OF US THAT DIDDID CANVASSING BOARD PROCESS, THAT WAS DEFINITELY A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR US ALL AND SURELY WAS A LOT OF MEETINGS.
>> THE ONLY COMMENT I COULD MAKE IS THAT BEING COMMISSIONER FROM DISTRICT TWO, I WAS AT EACH POLLING STATION OR THE PRIMARY POLLING STATIONS THROUGHOUTTHROUGHOUT DAY AND I HAVE TO
[00:45:01]
SUGGEST THAT THE POLL WORKERS DID A PHENOMENAL JOB.I GET IT. IT WAS A LIGHT TURNOUT.
THEY WERE PROBABLY BORED OUT OF THEIR MINDS BUT EVERYBODY I SPOKE TO SAID IT WAS RUN PROFESSIONALLY, VERY WELL POLISHED. SO MY COMPLIMENTS TO THE SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS. YOU PULLED OFF A FLAWLESS EVENT.
THE RESULTS WERE TABULATED RAPIDLY AND POSTED ONLINE QUICKLY. SO I THINK IT WAS WELL-RUN.
I JUST HOPE AS PRIOR SPEAKER HAD MENTIONED THAT THE TURNOUT IN THE RUN OFF ELECTION WILL BE SIGNIFICANT. I THINK WE'RE AROUND 20% WHICH IS HIGHER THAN I THOUGHT. I WAS GUESSING 15, MAYBE 16%.
SO IT WAS SLIGHTLY HIGHER BUT PLEASE, GOODNESS GRACIOUS, FOLKS, THIS IS THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON THE ABILITY TO ELECT OUR OFFICIALS. 20% TURNOUT IS ONE OUT OF FIVE.
THAT'S WEAK. SO I'M PUTTING OUT A CHALLENGE TO THE RESIDENTS OF DISTRICT TWO. GET OUT OF YOUR BARCO LOUNGER, GO DOWN TO YOUR POLLING STATION AND CAST YOUR VOTE. IT'S NOT A LOT TO ASK.
WE NEED IT TO BE DONE. THE COMMISSION NEEDS IT TO BE DONE. WE WANT IT DONE APPROPRIATELY.
WE WANT EVERY VOTE TO COUNT AND WE WANT EVERYBODY THAT IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE TO VOTE. THAT'S IT.
>> JUST TO FOLLOW UP ON SOMETHING. BEFORE I WAS ELECTED, I USED TO BE A POLL WORKER, POLL WATCHER TURNING ALL THE ABOVE, WHATEVER TITLE YOU WANT TO GIVE TO SOMEBODY DOING THE ELECTIONS.
I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER BRODERICK. IT'S ALWAYS BEEN THAT WAY WITH MS. WELKER. SHE RUNS A TIGHT SHIP.
AND FOR MADAME MAYOR AND MADAM CLERK, I FEEL YOUR PAIN.
NOT ALL THEY DID, WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT. MS. WALKER MADE US LEARN HOW THE MACHINE WORKS AND HOW EVERYTHING WORKS AND SO IT WASN'T ANY FUNNY BUSINESS.
SO IF YOU EVER GET TRAINED FROM ST. ST. LUCIE COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS, YOU'RE GOING TO LEARN WHAT EVERYTHING MEANS.
EVERY LITTLE TAG, EVERY LITTLE EVERYTHING. I AGREE WITH YOU. I DIDN'T RIDE AROUND TO ALL THE POLLS. I RODE AROUND TO TWO TO SEE THE TURNOUT, BUT AGAIN, THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ELECTION.
WE HAVE A VACANT SEAT AND THIS IS YOUR CITY.
SO WITH THAT SAID, JUST GET OUT AND VOTE.
AND LET'S MOVE THE CITY FORWARD.
>> IS THERE SOMEONE TO MAKE A MOTION?
>> I MOVE APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION 25-R78.
>> JUST TO FOLLOW UP, WE HAVE A MS. WALKER WITH US IN THE AUDIENCE. IN PREPARATION OF THE RUNOFF ELECTION, WE HAVE A LITTLE INFORMATION AND SOME FEEDBACK WE NEED TO RECEIVE FROM YOU GUYS SO THAT WE CAN FINALIZE THE CALENDAR FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTION. ONE OF THE ITEMS WE NEED TO GET SOME FEEDBACK FROM YOU IS THE EARLY VOTING AND WHETHER OR NOT WE WANT TO PROCEED WITH EARLY VOTING FOR THE RUNOFF ELECTION. MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE THAT WE DO PROCEED WITH EARLY VOTING.
WE DID IT FOR THE LAST ELECTION. I THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE KEEP EVERYBODY'S OPTIONS OPEN. THAT IS SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, WE WOULD LIKE YOUR FEEDBACK ON SO WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT.
>> AND TO CLARIFY, WE EITHER HAVE TO DO EARLY VOTING ALL OF IT OR NONE OF IT. SO THERE'S NO WAY TO HAVE A SHORTER PERIOD.
>> AND I THINK ALSO JUST FOR CLARIFICATION AND JUST SO EVERYBODY KNOWS, THIS IS A WHOLE NOTHER ELECTION CYCLE. THE COST OF THE ELECTION, WE'RE STARTING ALL OVER AGAIN. IT WILL BE ALL NEW COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELECTION.
THEY HAVEN'T FINISHED TALLYING UP THE COST FROM THE LAST ELECTION.
BUT I THINK WE JUST NEED TO ANTICIPATE THAT IT WILL BE $60,000 LIKE IT WAS BEFORE AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN FIND SOME SAVINGS ALONG THE WAY. BUT WE JUST NEED TO PLAN FOR THAT.
>> MADAME MAYOR, I THINK THAT THE EARLY ELECTION, EARLY VOTING CAPABILITY IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT.
THIS IS A FORMAT THAT HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR A WHILE AND PEOPLE USED TO GOING TO EARLY VOTE ON SUNDAY A WEEK BEFORE THE ELECTION, ARE USED TO GOING ON SUNDAY.
SO IF WE PULL THAT OPTION FROM THEM, IT'S JUST, IT'S NOT THE PROPER WAY TO DO IT. WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO ANNOUNCE IT. WE'RE LESS THAN TWO MONTHSMONTHS FROM ELECTION. AND WITH A VOTER TURNOUT AT 20%, WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO HAVE EVERY OPTION POSSIBLE TO GO VOTE. I WOULD STRONGLY ADVOCATE NOT CHANGING ANYTHING.
[00:50:01]
MAINTAIN THE EXACT SAME FORMAT WE'VE HAD IN PLACE JUST FOR THE LAST GO ROUND FROM THIS.>> I SAID THAT FROM THE FIRST TIME THAT I DIDN'T WANT TO CHANGE ANYTHING.
I KNOW WE GOT SOME INFORMATION ON SOME PRECINCTS THAT MAKE SENSE. BUT AS FAR AS EARLY VOTING, WHATEVER IT IS, HOWEVER WE SET IT UP THE FIRST TIME, LET'S KEEP IT THE SAME TIME BECAUSE I WANT, LIKE YOU SAID, IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO VOTE ON SUNDAY AND THAT'S THEIR VOTING DAY, I WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO GO THAT SUNDAY AND VOTE. SO I WOULD NOT BE IN AGREEMENT TO CANCELING EARLY VOTING.
>> ARE YOU THERE, COMMISSIONER JOHNSON? EARLY VOTING? ALL RIGHTY.
>> LOUD AND CLEAR THAT EARLY VOTING --
HAVE -- >> THE OTHER THING I DO WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT IS THE PRECINCTS.
WE HAD TWO AND WE TALKED ABOUT THIS A LITTLE THE LAST TIME.
WE HAD ONE, 60, THAT WE HAD ONE VOTER.
AND WE HAD ANOTHER PRECINCT, PRECINCT 12, WHERE WE HAD TWO IN-PERSON AND TWO VOTE BY MAIL VOTERS. SO IT IS THE RECOMMENDATION OF MS. WALKER, SHE'S HERE AND CAN TALK ABOUT IT IF YOU'D LIKE TO HEAR FROM HER.
BUT DURING THE CANVASSING BOARD PROCESS, WE ALL DID TALK AND IT IS OUR STRONG RECOMMENDATION THAT WE DO NOT OPEN THOSE TWO PRECINCTS FOR THE RUNOFF ELECTION. MS. WALKER HAS INDICATED THAT SHE WILL DO INDIVIDUAL MAILED NOTIFICATION FOR THOSE VOTERS, FOR THOSE TWO PRECINCTS, BUT IT'S A MATTER OF EACH PRECINCT COSTS THE CITY ABOUT $2500 TO OPEN. AND YOU KNOW, FOR THE ONE FOR PRECINCT 60, THE ST. LUCIE SCHOOL, THOSE VOTERS WILL BE REDIRECTED TO THE PRECINCT OUT ON THE BEACH.
AND THE ONE THAT VOTES ON OLE YANDER WHERE WE HAD THE TWO, I THINK IT WAS TWO IN- PERSON VOTES AND TWO VOTE BY MAIL.
IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN. EVEN IF IT WAS FOUR VOTES THAT DAY. THEY'RE GOING TO MOVE JUST DOWN THE ROAD TO THE OTHER PRECINCT. SO THEY'RE NOT EVEN GOING ANY OTHER PLACE BUT DOWN THE ROAD. SO WE REALLY WOULD LIKE YOUR CONSENSUS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH CLOSING THOSE TWO PRECINCTS. THIS WILL COME BACK TO YOU FROM THE FORM OF A RESOLUTION AT A FUTURE MEETING BUT I THINK MS. WALKER AND I WOULD BOTH LIKE YOUR FEEDBACK ON THIS AND MS. WALKER IS HERE AND WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ADDRESS ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE SPECIFIC TO
>> I'LL GO. I'LL GO. I'LL TAKE IT.
YOU KNOW, WITH ONE VOTER COMING TO A PRECINCT, IT'S HARD FOR ME TO SIT HERE AND SAY NOT TO CLOSE IT AND SAY SAVE THE TAXPAYERS' MONEY. MY ONLY CONCERN WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW, DISFRANCHISING SOMEBODY FROM A VOTE. HOWEVER, IF MS. WALKER SAYS SHE'S GOING TO GET INFORMATION OUT TO THAT VOTER, YOU KNOW, I HAVE TO WEIGH THE BALANCE OF SAVING THE CITY MONEY FOR ONE VOTER TO COME WHENEVER THAT VOTER CAME AND THEN THE OTHER PRECINCT I'M HEARING IT'S JUST MOVING DOWN OLEANDER TO VOTE. SO AS MUCH AS I HATE MOVING PRECINCTS OR CLOSING PRECINCTS OR CHANGING HABITS OF VOTERS, I'M OPEN TO HEAR WHAT MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS SAY ABOUT TRYING TO BALANCE THIS SAVING TAXPAYERS MONEY VERSUS THE RIGHT FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE THEIR PRECINCTS OR KNOW WHERE THEY'RE VOTING. THAT'S WHERE I'M AT RIGHT NOW.
>> SO I WOULD JUST HAVE SOME QUESTIONS MS. WALKER TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING OF THESE TWO PRECINCTS.
WE KNOW WHAT TURNED OUT. WHAT IS THE ACTUAL POTENTIAL IN THESE DISTRICTS? HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA BEST YOU CAN --
>> WOULD YOU IDENTIFY YOURSELF FOR ME?
>> GERTRUDE WALKER, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE TODAY. AND YOUR QUESTION WAS --
>> TOTAL PEOPLE, 37 OUT OF THE ONE THAT HAD ONE VOTE.
>> ONE VOTE IN THAT PRECINCT. 37 REGISTERED VOTERS IN THAT PRECINCT.
>> AND WHAT OF COURSE, AND TO NOTIFYNOTIFY
[00:55:05]
LETTER TO THE 37 INDIVIDUALS IN THE PRECINCT TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THEIR PRECINCT HAS BEEN COMBINED WITH ANOTHER PRECINCT SO THEY CAN STILL GO AND VOTE AT A PRECINCT.>> AND THE OTHER PRECINCT THAT HAD THE FOUR PEOPLE THAT SHOWED UP, TWO PEOPLE.
WHAT'S THE APPROXIMATE SIZE OF THAT PRECINCT?
I THINK I JUST WANTED TO HEAR THAT FROM MY PERSPECTIVE.
I THINK THE PUBLIC ALSO NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND THAT, WE'RE NOT SAYING YOU CAN'T VOTE. YOU'LL GET A LETTER SAYING YOU CAN'T VOTE AND THEY'RE OPEN TO DO EARLY VOTING AS WELL. SO EARLY VOTING, YOU'VE GOT ALL OF THIS STUFF YOU CAN DO FOR US TO CONDENSE THIS DOWN TO WHAT WE HAD A VERY LOW TURNOUT FOR BOTH OF THESE. I'M PERFECTLY FINE WITH TAKING THIS EFFORT TO LET THEM KNOW TO COMBINE THESE PLACES AND GO FROM THERE.
I DON'T HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THAT.
>> IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT WE HAVE 78 VOTERS. TWO SHOW UP.
BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS. WE'LL SAVE THE TAXPAYER TAXPAYER INSTEAD OF BRINGING A POLLING STATION FOR ONE OR TWO VOTERS. EARLY VOTING IS AVAILABLE, THE PRECINCT DOWN THE STREET IS AVAILABLE SO I'M OKAY WITH IT.
>> I WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND, AND I DON'T, IF THIS IS IN YOUR BAILEY WICK OR OUR BAILEY WICK, AT THOSE TWO PLACES ON ELECTION DAY, THERE BE A SIGN. IF SOMEBODY FORGETS OR DIDN'T GET THE LETTER OR WHATEVER, THEY'LL KNOW WHAT TO DO. SO WE WANT TO DO EVERYTHING TO MAKE SURE, WE WANT TO INCREASE THE TURNOUT.
RECOMMENDATION. >> I AGREE WITH YOUR RECOMMENDATION. WE ALWAYS POST A NOTICE WHEN A PRECINCT IS CLOSED. IN THE CASE OF THE MASONIC LODGE, THERE IS ANOTHER POLLING PLACE RIGHT UP THE STREET ON OLEANDER THAT THEY'LL BE MOVED TO. SO THEY'RE PRETTY CLOSE IN PROXIMITY. WE'LL HAVE AN ARROW AND WE'LL POINT AND HAVE THE NAME OF IT ON IT. ALL OF THEM WILL RECEIVE A NOTICE THAT THEIR PRECINCT IS BEING COMBINED WITH ANOTHER PRECINCT.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD, MISS WALKER?
>> NO. I THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO COME TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE CITY ELECTION. I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONCOMMISSION FOR POINTING THE MEMBERS OF THE CANVASSING BOARD. THE HONORABLE LINDA HUDSON AND THE CITY CLERK, AS WELL AS WE HAD THE ADVICE DID YOU GO THE MEETING OF SARAH HODGES, YOUR ATTORNEY, AS WELL AS TINA. SHE WAS ALSO ONE OF OUR ALTERNATES AND OF COURSE, COMMISSIONER CURTIS JOHNSON AS WELL.
SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. WE HAVE AN EXCELLENT CANVASSING BOARD. THEY WERE THERE EVERY MEETING.
VERY HAPPY WITH THE RESULTS FOR THE ELECTION.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SERVING THE PEOPLE OF THE
COUNTY. >> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
SO I THINK WE HEAR A CONSENSUS ON MERGING OF THE TWO PRECINCTS.
>> WE'LL FINALIZE THAT IN THE FORM OF A RESOLUTION AND WE ALSO ADVERTISE THAT IN THE NEWSPAPER. WE'LL GET THAT PUT TOGETHER AND OUT FOR THE PUBLIC AS WELL.
>> PUT IT ON OUR WEBSITE. I'M SURE IT WILL BE ON THE SUPERVISORS' WEBSITE AS WELL.
[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.]
ALL RIGHTY. ARE WE GOOD ON THAT?>> YES, MA'AM. WE'RE READY FOR COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC.
>> COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION ON ANY SUBJECT. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND MISS COX WILL GIVE YOU A TEN DK SECOND WARNING. PLEASE COME FORWARD.
>> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS, WITH JONES FOSTER, WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA. I AM A RESIDENT OF THE AREA THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY ORDINANCE 25- 035 FROM EARLIER THIS EVENING. I WANTED TO COME UP AND THANK THE COMMISSION TO TAKE THE TIME TO READ OUR MATERIALS AND MEET WITH THE RESIDENTS. EVERYBODY TOOK A MEETING AND WE'RE SUPER GRATEFUL FOR THAT.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE CITY CLERK FOR BEING RESPONSIVE
[01:00:01]
TO ALL OF OUR QUESTIONS. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE APPLICANT AND FINDING WAYS TO REMEDY THE COMPATIBILITY ISSUES AND THAT'S ALL I HAVE.>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WHO IS NEXT? WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO NEXT?
>> MY ADDRESS, MY BUSINESS ADDRESS --
>> I'M GOING TO STOP YOU. YOU NEED HER TO SPELL HER NAME FOR YOU?
>> INDIAN RIVER DRIVE, SUITE 407, FT. PIERCE, FLORIDA.
SO MY COMMENT IS REGARDING 12A ANNEXATION.
I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THAT ANNEXATION OF THE CITY FROM COUNTY COULD BE VERY FISCAL IN THE NEAR FUTURE SINCE ST.
LUCIE COUNTY PLANNING TO INCREASE THE FEE FROM RESIDENTIAL TWICE FROM $6,500 TO $13,000.
AND COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL FIVE, SIX TIMES.
1,000 SQUARE FEET WILL BE $1,400 IMPACT FEE.
AND THE REASON FOR THAT, BECAUSE THEY WANT TO SLOW DOWN DEVELOPMENT OF PORT ST. LUCIE. AND MY OBSERVATION IN A YEAR, PORT ST. LUCIE IS BLOSSOMING AROUND THE AREA.
HOWEVER, FORT PIERCE LOOKS LIKE A STEP CHILD TO COMPARE.
IF THIS IMPACT FEE WILL BE ADOPTED BY ST. LUCIE COUNTY, IT WILL BE A DEATH PENALTY TO DEVELOP CITY OF FORT PIERCE.
I KNOW THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE IS GIVING A LOT OF CREDIT TO RESIDENTS WHO WANT TO IMPROVE AND BUILD AN IMPACT FEE DISCOUNT. HOWEVER, WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK INTO ANNEXATION OF MANY AREAS IF WE WANT TO DEVELOP THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. THE CITY OF DAYTONA, THEY ANNEXED THEMSELVES FOR THE SAME REASON. COUNTY WAS DICTATIG HOW CITY OF DAYTONA SHOULD BE DEVELOPED AND IT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO CITY OF FORT PIERCE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN DEVELOPMENT AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AS WELL. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WHO IS NEXT?
>> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS AND STAFF. CHARLIE WILSON.
1013 SEA WAY DRIVE. I AM IN A GROUP.
WE WERE SUPPOSED TO, WE WERE PLANNING TO MAKE A PRESENTATION THIS EVENING.
THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE IN THE BACK THAT PROBABLY STILL WANT TO THE AT LEAST ADDRESS THE BOARD IN SOME WAY, EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE BEEN PREVENTED FROM DOING A FULL PRESENTATION. I HAVE THREE ANNOUNCEMENTS TO MAKE. ONE IS THAT HUTCHINS ISLAND HAS BEEN DESIGNATED BY THE POSTAL SERVICE AS 34949. YOU MAY NOW ADDRESS ALL OF YOURYOUR OR PACKAGES TO HUTCHINSON ISLAND FLORIDA, 34949 AND THEY WILL BE DELIVERED. THIS IS NOT THE CASE FOR JENSEN BEACH. IT STANDS TO GAIN BY OUR TOURISM LOSS CANNOT USE HUTCHINSON ISLAND, FLORIDA, AS THEIR HAVE THINGS DELIVERED. WE HAVE IN THE AUDIENCE A LADY WHO HAS A POSTAL FACILITY AND SHE HAS VERY KINDLY OPENED THE HUXINSON ISLAND'S FIRST ACTUAL POST OFFICE. WE HAVE THREE YEARS PLAN TO HAVE A PERMANENT POSTAL LOCATION ON THE ISLAND. AND SHE WILL, I THINK SHE WANTS TO ADDRESS THAT. THE SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT IS THAT THE UNITED STATES CENSUS BUREAU, WE HAVE, OUR COMMITTEE HAS ACCOMPLISHED GETTING THEM TO RECOGNIZE HUTCHINSON ISLAND AS AA CENSUS DESIGNATED PLACE. IT IS JUST LIKE A CITY
[01:05:01]
EXCEPT ITIT OPERATE AS A MUNICIPALITY. EXAMPLES OF A CENSUS DESIGNATED PLACE IS THE VILLAGES IN CENTRAL FLORIDA IS NOT A TOWN.IT IS ACTUALLY A CDP. THE SAME WITH OTHERS.
SO HUTCHINSON NEEDS TO TAKE ITS PLACE WITH ITS OWN IDENTITY FOR THAT VERY REASON. I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO MENTION, WHAT WE ARE AFTER, WE WANT A COOPERATIVE EFFORT TO BE PART OF FORT PIERCE.
THERE ARE COMMUNITIES IN FORT PIERCE.
THERE ARE LOTS OF COMMUNITIES WITHIN FORT PIERCE.
HUTCHINSON ISLAND STILL MEANS THERE'S AN INLET, A JETTY, STILL MEANS THERE'S A FORT PIERCE PARK. WE HAVE HISTORY AND WE HAVE EVENTS. AND SOME OF MY FRIENDS WILL DISCUSS THAT.
BUT IF YOU HAD, ONE THING IT IS NOT.
WE ARE NOT SEEKING TO BE A NEW TOWN. IT DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY NEW TAXES. IT DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY NEW SERVICES, NOR DOES IT REQUIRE APPROVALS OF ANY KIND.
THIS IS A PUBLIC EFFORT THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO JOIN WITH YOU TO BE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE. I DO BELIEVE THAT YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT HUTCHINSON ISLAND MEETS THE STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS OF A SEPARATE CITY. THEY COULD BE A SEPARATE CITY IF THEY WANT TO. WE DON'T WANT TO.
WE WANT TO COOPERATE WITH YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO RETURN THE REST OF MY TIME.
WHO IS NEXT? WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO NEXT?
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS JENNIFER FRYE. I'M AN OFFICER WITH PROTECT OUR WATERWAYS AND A SPEAKER WITH THE NEWLY FOUND FORMED HUTCHINSON COMMITTEE. A PRIVATELY FUNDED ORGANIZATION.
OUR MISSION IS STRAIGHTFORWARD. WE WANT TO ESTABLISH, STRENGTHEN AND PROTECT THE HISTORIC IDENTITY OF HUTCHINSON ISLAND AS PART OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE.
IN RECENT MONTHS WE'VE BEEN APPROACHED BY RESIDENTS, BUSINESSMEN, CIVIC PARTNERS, WHO WANT TO JOIN AND PARTICIPATE. AS A RESULT WE HAVE ALREADY BEGUN IMPLEMENTING IN THE LONG- TERM PROGRAM AND COMMUNITY PLAN. SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE DOING IS ESTABLISHING HUTCHINSON ISLAND AS A DESTINATION, AS A FORT PIERCE DESTINATION. IT MEANS WE COORDINATE EFFORTS TO ENSURE THIS BARRIER ISLAND REMAINS TIED TO THE CITY, NOT DILUTED, MISLABELED OR REDIRECTED ELSEWHERE. THE REDIRECTED ELSEWHERE IS IMPORTANT. THE BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, THAT'S ANOTHER THING WE'RE WORKING.
ON THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 183 BUSINESSES ON THE ISLAND.
THEY RECOMMEND THEIR INTERESTS AND ENSURE THEY HAVE A UNIFIED VOICE. AND WE PLAN TO COOPERATE AND WORK WITH THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, THE ST. LUCIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. SOME OF THE THINGS WE'VE DONE, WORK WITH EXISTING CIVIC GROUPS INCLUDING SOUTH BEACH ASSOCIATION, THE JC PROJECT, AND PROTECT OUR WATERWAYS. OUR GOAL IS ALIGNMENT.
NOT DUPLICATION AND ENSURING EVERYONE IS MOVING IN THE SAME DIRECTION, PROMOTING COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, COMMUNITY, AND TOURISM. ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT WILL INCLUDE IS BRANDING, PUBLIC INFORMATION AND COORDINATING MESSAGES TO STRENGTHEN THE ISLAND'S RESIDENTS AND THE FORT PIERCE'S OVERALL IDENTITY.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE SPEAKING ABOUT IS TOURISM AND SIGNAGE. A GOAL WE HAVE IS MAYBE ON 95, A DIRECTION THAT SAYS HUTCHINSON ISLAND NEXT EXIT.
WE WOULD WELCOME THE CITY'S PARTNERSHIP IN MAKING THAT POSSIBLE.
I'VE SPOKEN BEFORE WITH YOU ALL ABOUT THE CITY AND THE REVITALIZATION OF THOSE AS WE CONTINUE CLEANING AND IMPROVING FORT PIERCE'S CORRIDORS, EVEN SMALL ENHANCEMENTS MATTER. FOR EXAMPLE ON INGLEWOOD AND ORANGE, THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL IS A PRIMARY GATEWAY AND IT COULD BENEFIT FROM SOME FRESH PAINT.
I DRIVE BY IT EVERY DAY AND I SAY, WHY DON'T WE JUST PAINT IT? IF I COULD, I WOULD MYSELF. FOR EXAMPLE, SO TO TAKE CARE OF THAT. A CLEAN BRANDED, WELCOMING CORRIDOR BRINGS CUSTOMERS TO LOCAL SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS, GUESTS TO HOTELS, PARTIAL AND BEACHES, AND SUPPORT WITH THAT REVITALIZATION PROCEEDS A STRONG ECONOMIC BASE AND POTENTIAL FOR NEW LOCAL JOBS.
WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR FUNDING. WE'RE NOT CREATING A NEW TOWN.
WE REQUIRE NO NEW SERVICES. THIS IS A VOLUNTEER PUBLIC AND PRIVATE EFFORT TO SUPPORT THE CITY AND STRENGTHEN THE ISLAND TO THE PUBLIC AND BUSINESS OWNERS, IF YOU WISH TO JOIN OUR
[01:10:01]
>> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS. MAYOR HUDSON, ADMINISTRATORS.
MY NAME IS STACY AND I AM REPRESENTING THE HUTCHINSON ISLAND COMMITTEE AS WELL. THAT'S LOCATED AT 1013 HERE ON HUTCHINSON ISLAND. MY TOPIC THIS EVENING VERY QUICKLY FOR YOU IS VERYVERY IMPORTANT.
OUR CITY OF FORT PIERCE SHOULD BE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT TOURISM ON THE ISLAND LEAVING OUR CITY. TOURISM GENERATES A SIGNIFICANT PERCENT OF THE CITY'S TAX REVENUE, AS YOU ALL PROBABLY KNOW. IT'S A KEY FINANCIAL COMPONENT FOR OUR CITY THAT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT AND WE HAVE TO REALLY PROTECT IT. MY DUTIES OF THIS COMMITTEE WILL BE SEVERAL THINGS, AND JUST FOR SAKE OF TIME, JUST TO LIST A FEW.
TOURISM, AS I MENTIONED, MERCHANDISING, COMMUNICATING TO THE PUBLIC, MEDIA COVERAGE, AND BRANDING.
BRANDING IS VERY IMPORTANT TO THIS PROJECT.
WE HAVE CREATED A VERY FRIENDLY AND WELCOMING LOGO.
IT SAYS HIGH. LIKE THE WORD HIGH.
IF I HAD MORE TIME, I WOULD SHOW YOU.
THERE IS A JUMP DRIVE AROUND HERE OF A POWER PLAY POINT THAT I KNOW MOST OF YOU HAVE SEEN THAT WE MET IN PERSON. IT'S VERY FRIENDLY.
IT IS VERY APPEALING. IT WILL ALSO DRAW LOCAL CITIZENS AND I THINK IT WILL ALSO DRAW THOSE THAT ARE COMING IN TO SEE OUR BEAUTIFUL CITY, WHETHER THEY'RE HERE TEMPORARILY OR LOOKING FOR PERM CITIZENSHIPS. UNFORTUNATELY FOR THE SAKE OF TIME, I CAN'T SHOW YOU THESE BUT I WILL BE HOSTING EVENTS.
I THINK THIS IS THE FUN PART OF THE TOURISM AS WE KNOW.
WHEN I GOT THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH YOU INDIVIDUALLY, COMMISSIONER JOHNSON AS WELL AS COMMISSIONER GAINES HAD AN IDEA TO ADD A JAZZ FESTIVAL LIKE WE SEE IN NEW ORLEANS. THEY ARE BASED RIGHT HERE IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA AS YOUR RECOMMENDATION, AND I'M SUPER EXCITED ABOUT IT. THEY WERE VERY EXCITED TO HEAR ABOUT THIS. WHEN YOU THINK OF THIS PROJECT, OR ORGANIZATION IN GENERAL, I REALLY WANT TO YOU VISUALIZE AMELIA ISLAND, SINGER ISLAND, ANNA MARIA ISLAND, AS THE CONCEPTUAL OBJECTIVE HERE. IT REALLY IS TRULY STILL GOING TO REMAIN PART OF FORT PIERCE.
WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF COMMUNICATION AROUND THIS LEADING UP TO THIS EVENING SO NOW THE PUBLIC IS GETTING A CHANCE TO HEAR ABOUT IT. BUT CURRENTLY, IN PLACE IS THE SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM AS WELL AS A MAGAZINE PUBLICATION.
THIS WILL SUPPORT ALL OF OUR TOURISM EFFORTS, AND I'M JUST VERY QUICKLY GIVING YOU THE, A TOP SIDE VERSION OF IT. THERE ARE SO MANY DIFFERENT LAYERS TO THIS THAT WE CAN DEFINITELY TALK FOR HOURS ABOUT.
THIS IS A HUGE ASSET TO OUR CITY.
I'M JUST STANDING HERE IN FRONT OF YOU AND ASKING FOR YOUR CONFIDENT SUPPORT.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU. WHO'S NEXT?
>> GOOD EVENING. MAYOR, COUNCIL.
MY ADDRESS IS 1013 SEAWAY DRIVE. I'M THE OWNER OF SOUTH BEACH PACK AND SHIP. MR. WILSON CONTACTED ME A SHORT TIME AGO EXPLAINING THE PROJECT OF THE COMMUNITY -- OF THE COMMITTEE, WANTING TO OFFER A POST OFFICE AS PART OF IT. NOT WANTING TO REINVENT THE WHEEL, HE WAS HOPING WE COULD PROVIDE THE SERVICE. AND WE GUARANTEED HIM WE COULD.
WE OPENED PACK AND SHIP A YEAR AND A HALF AGO.
THAT WAS AFTER OPERATING SURFSIDE COIN LAUNDRY FOR SEVEN YEARS AND TALKING TO THE RESIDENTS COMING IN.
IT WAS AN IDEA WE HAD. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS WONDERFUL BECAUSE THE MOST PART IS THEY DON'T LIKE TO LEAVE THE ISLAND.THEY WANT TO GET AS MANY SERVICES AS THEY CAN.
SO WE OPENED IT. IT HAS BEEN VERY SUCCESSFUL.
WE HOPE TO CONTINUE AND TO BE ABLE TO OFFER IT TO THIS COMMITTEE. WE HAVE SOME ADVERTISEMENT -- JUST TO SHOW YOU SOME OF THE SERVICES THAT WE DO SERVICE, AS WELL AS THE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE. WE ALSO OFFER UPS, FEDERAL EXPRESS, FEDERAL EXPRESS EXPRESS, WE HAVE POST OFFICE BOX RENTALS WHICH HAS BEEN QUITE POPULAR WITH THE BOATING COMMUNITY, WE HAVE PACK AND SHIP, SHIPPING SUPPLIES, GREETING CARDS, COPY AND
[01:15:02]
PRINTING SERVICES, DIGITAL SCAN EVERYTHING, AMAZON RETURNS WITH LABELS, WE HAVE A NOTARY PUBLIC ON STAFF, WE DO LAMINATING, FAXING, SHREDDING, UPS DROP- OFFS AND FEDERAL EXPRESS DROP-OFFS.SO I THINK WE'RE A GOOD FIT TO PROVIDE THE SERVICE THAT THEY'RE LOOKING FOR.
THANK YOU. >> WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO NEXT.
>> GOOD EVENING. THIS IS MY SON.
>> I AM HERE RECOMMENDING A SMALL TEAM.
THEY JUST WON A SUPER BOWL THIS SATURDAY.
WE WERE SO PROUD OF THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE THE SMALLEST TEAM EVER WITH DIFFICULTIES AND EVERYTHING, AGAIN, ONE OF THE UNDEFEATED TEAM OF WEST MILLBURN. A TEAM OF 45 KIDS VERSUS 17.
IT WAS INTIMIDATING FOR OUR KIDS. WE'RE THE WINNERS IN THE END.
18- 0 WHICH WAS IMPRESSIVE. I AM HERE ASKING FOR RECOGNITION FOR THESE KIDS. THEY HAVE HAD A DIFFICULT SEASON WITH MINIMUM THINGS. ALSO, I WANTED TO SEE IF COULD YOU DO A RECOGNITION HERE FOR THE NEXT MEETING, AND PROCLAMATION, A FORMAL PROCLAMATION FOR THEM AND THE COACHES WHO HAVE WORKED SO HARD AND FINALLY MADE IT TO THIS SUPER BOWL.
I REMEMBER STARTING THE SEASON AND I WAS AGAINST THAT SPORT. AND HERE'S MY SON THAT ALWAYS WANTED TO BE IN.
I HAVE A 10-YEAR- OLD, 221 POUNDS. I REALLY WANTED TO DO IT.
MORE THAN ANYTHING, WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING FOR THESE KIDS. I OWN A RESTAURANT HERE, AND I'M GOING TO DO THE FINAL EVENT.
BUT I DON'T HAVE A VENUE FOR IT.
IN ORDER FOR ME TO PROVIDE IT FOR THE FAMILIES AND THE KIDS, THEY NEED TO BE CELEBRATED.
THEY NEED TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED. I ASK THE RECREATIONAL CENTER IF THEY WILL DO IT, WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE 903 SOUTH 21ST STREET. THEY MADE SURE THEIR HANDS WERE TIED. I PLANNED THIS AHEAD OF TIME.
I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR DATES, LIKE DECEMBER 7 OR THE 14TH OR ANY DATE.
THEY SAID IT WAS UP TO HIGHER GROUNDS TO DECIDE THIS.
I'M HERE ASKING TO YOU PLEASE DO SOMETHING FOR THESE KIDS.
THEY NEED TO BE MOTIVATED. WE DON'T HAVE ANY TROPHIES FOR THOSE KIDS. WE'RE TRYING TO GATHER MONEY FOR THE KIDS FOR TROPHIES FOR THE KIDS. ALSO FOR THE COACHES.
I THINK IT IS A LITTLE SAD TO GO THROUGH THIS WHEN THESE KIDS WORK SO HARD, FOUR DAYS OF THE WEEK, ALMOST TWO DAYS AND A HALF, TO WORK OUT.
FOR ME TO SEE THE LAST GAME AND SEE HOW HARD THEY WORKED. THEY ARE LIKE A BRICK WALL IN FRONT OF THE OTHER TEAM. TO NOT ALLOW THEM TO PUT ONE POINT ON THE OTHER TEAM. IT WAS IMPRESSIVE TO SEE.
SO I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVER US FOR A VENUE, FOR FAMILIES AND THE KIDS TO BE TOGETHER.
THERE IS NO WAY I CAN SEPARATE THE KIDS AND THE COACHES IN A SMALL VENUE AND THE PARENTS TO BE LEFT OUT.
I WANT EVERYBODY TOGETHER SO I CAN CATER TO ALL OF THEM.
AND IF I CAN HAVE A MEETING WITH YOU IN PRIVATE, I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT. I KNOW THE PEOPLE AT THE REC CENTER HAVE TRIED BUT THERE'S ONLY SO MUCH THEY CAN DO ACCORDING TO THEM.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. SO SHE NEEDS TO FINISH AND THEN YOU CAN START. SAY YOUR NAME AND YOUR ADDRESS.
YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. >> HELLO.
>> GO AHEAD. >> MY NAME IS DIEGO.
807 STREET. I'M ONE OF THE COACHES FOR THE FIRE HAWKS. I'M GOING TO BE HONEST, THE RECOGNITION SHOULD HAPPEN. I TRULY BELIEVE THESE KIDS WORKED VERY HARD.
WE SPLIT TWO 10-YEAR- OLD TEAM. 45 KIDS ON ONE TEAM COMPARED TO US THAT ONLY HAD 17, 18 KIDS.
I MEAN, I TRULY BELIEVE THAT, I DON'T KNOW HOW THE EXPLAIN IT. I FEEL LIKE THE SPORTS AT THE RECREATIONAL CENTER, I FEEL LIKE TRY TO MAKE SOME TYPE OF FUND- RAISER FOR THE KIDS. WE'RE IN FORT PIERCE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE CITY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF MONEY.
[01:20:04]
I SPENT MY OWN MONEY FOR CLEATS, SHOULDER PADS, HELMETS -- NOT HELMETS. SORRY. BUT ACCESSORIES THEY NEED. CLEATS AND SOCKS.I FEEL LIKE THAT SHOULD BE FUNDED BY THE CITY.
THESE KIDS ARE THE FUTURE. YOU HAVE SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS AS THE FUTURE OF THE CITY. AND I BELIEVE THAT THE FORT PIERCE RECREATIONAL RECREATIONAL THE FIELD IN FRONT OF IT AND THE FIELD BEHIND IT SHOULD BE MAINTAINED BETTER.
I MEAN, THE FENCE, FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAVE, WE RUN LAPS AROUND THE FIELD AND WE HAVE TO TELL THE KIDS, BE CAREFUL FOR THE FENCE.
IT IS NEARLY HANGING OFF. KIDS CAN GET STRACHD.SCRATCHED? WHAT IS IT CALLED?
>> WHAT SHE WAS GOING TO SAY, WE HAVE PUT -- WE DID PUT A WORK ORDER.
NOT A COMPLAINT BUT A WORK ORDER FOR THE FENCE.
THIS IS LIKE, THEY'RE RUNNING AROUND THE FIELD AND EVERY FIVE YARDS, THEY HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT FIRE ANTS BECAUSE THE FIELD HASN'T BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY. OR WE HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE GRASS GETTING WAY TOO HIGH.
THE FENCE HANGING OFF. ALL I ASK IS THAT YOU GUYS, THE HIGHER-UPS, THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF ORT PIERCE, HELP THE KIDS OUT, THE FOLKS AT THE RECREATIONAL CENTER, HEY, LET'S MOVE ON 20 YARDS TO THE LEFT BECAUSE THERE'S A PILE OF FIRE ANTS. I'M SCARED OF ANTS.
I DON'T LIKE BEING BITTEN BY ANTS. I DON'T LIKE ITCHING THE NEXT DAY EITHER. THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.
>> THIS IS NOT A DIALOGUE. YOU JUST TALK TO US. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WHO IS NEXT? WHO WOULD LIKE TO GO NEXT?
>> 2625 -- TO PIGGYBACK OFF WHAT SHE SAID.
I HAD THE PRIVILEGE BECAUSE THERE WAS NOT A VENUE TO HOST THESE YOUNG KIDS, I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF HOSTING THE FIRE HAWK TEAM, THE COACHES, AND ALL THE FAMILIES AT THE RESTAURANT SATURDAY TO CELEBRATE THEIR VICTORY. THEY DROVE BACK FROM THEIR VICTORY AND CAMECAME SPENT THE AFTERNOON.
THESE YOUNG MEN, THROUGH HARD WORK AND DISCIPLINE, DEDICATION, PRODUCED A WIN FOR THIS CITY.
AND YOU ALL ARE KEENLY AWARE, WE AIN'T BEEN GETTING MUCH POSITIVE NEWS. AND THESE YOUNG KIDS BROUGHT IT FOR US. I AM AND KEENLY AWARE OF THE BUDGET AWARE OF THE BUDGET ISSUES AND THE ISSUES WITH THETHE FIRE HAWKS IN THE PAST.
THESE KIDS SHOULDN'T BE PUNISHED FOR THAT. THEY WENT OUT AND BROUGHT FORT PIERCE A WIN. THAT SHOULD BE HELD IN HIGH ESTEAM.
THEY SHOULDN'T, AGAIN, THEY SHOULDN'T BE PUNISHED FOR THIS.
WE SHOULD BE LEADING BY EXAMPLE. IT WAS A PRIVILEGE TO HAVE THEM.
IT MADE MY DAY. IT MADE MY WEEK.
AND I HAVE, I HAD THE PARENTS CALLING ME.
I'M NOT AN ELECTED OFFICIAL. MY JOB IS TO SELL HAMBURGERS AND PANCAKES. AND MY PHONE WAS RINGING OFF THE HOOK FROM PEOPLE I'VE NEVER EVEN MET BEFORE BUT THEY SAID WE KNOW YOU HELPED.
THERE SEEMS TO BE, AND I HAVE EXPRESSED THIS TODAY, AND I FELT GOOD WITH THE CONVERSATION, BUT THERE IS A PROBLEM OVER THERE AT THAT REC CENTER.
I CALLED TWO OR THREE MONTHS AGO, WENT OUT THERE MYSELF.
THAT FENCE IS IN DEPLORABLE SHAPE. THE KIDS RUN INTO IT, WE'RE LOOKING AT LIABILITY AND I EXPRESSED THAT.
THE FENCE IS STILLSTILL DOWN. THE ONLY THING THEY DID WAS WRAP CRIME TAPE AROUND IT.
THE FENCE NEEDS TO BE FIXED RIGHT AWAY.
AND YOU'VE GOT MANAGEMENT ISSUES OVER THERE.
I HAVE SAT BACK AND WATCHED HOW THEY TALKED TO THE PARENTS. WHEN I WENT IN THERE, IT WAS HI, MR. RICK, HOW ARE YOU? I'M NOT A PARENT.
I'M A TAXPAYER. BUT LET'S TREAT THESE PARENTS ARE RESPECT. AND THAT'S NOT BEING DONE. THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION? OH, YOU'VE ALREADY BEEN UP HERE.
NO, MA'AM. YOU ONLY GET ONE BITE OF THE
[01:25:03]
APPLE. OH, DONNA.>> THANK YOU FORTUNE TO ADDRESS
>> 20 ORANGE AVENUE, FORT PIERCE, 34950.
I SIMPLY WANT TO ASK YOUR HELP IN GETTING A NIGHT'S SLEEP.
THE TRAIN, BRIGHT LINE. THE NOISE LEVEL WAKES ME UP AT NIGHT. IT WAKES UP ALL MY NEIGHBORS.
I HAVE IMPACT WINDOWS. I DON'T SLEEP THROUGH THE NIGHT. ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO TAKE THE FINGER OFF THE HORN AND MAKE IT A LITTLE LIGHTER, A LITTLE SHORTER WOULD GO A LONG WAY. THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. ANYONE ELSE?
[15. COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER]
OKAY. WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT PART OF THIS.>> NEXT, WE HAVE COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER.
>> I HAVE QUITE A FEW COMMENTS TO MAKE. FIRST THE COMMENTS REGARDING THE FIRE HAWKS. CERTAINLY, NO ONEONE SPOKEN TO MR. REED. I'M NOT AWARE THAT THE SPEAKERS THAT SPOKE THAT WE DO HAVE AN EVENT SCHEDULED AT THE RECREATION CENTER. AND WE ARE GOING TO HONOR THE FIRE HAWKS TEAM. I DID SPEAK TO THE DEPUTY CITY MANAGER AND WE DO HAVE A PLAN AT THE RECREATION CENTER. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT. AS WELL AS RECOGNIZING THE FINAL HAWKS TEAMS HERE IN THE COMMISSION MEETING.
WE DISCUSSED THAT TODAY. COMMISSIONER JOHNSON AND I.
WE ARE RECOGNIZING THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF OUR ATHLETES AS WELL AS THE SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY. SO I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HAVING THE PASSION YOU HAVE TO SUPPORT OUR YOUTH. WE'RE SUPPOSED TO DO BETTER AND WE'RE HERE TO CELEBRATE THEM.
THAT IS BEING RECOGNIZED AND CELEBRATED.
AS WELL AS THE COMMENT ABOUT THE CUSTOMER SERVICE AND MANAGEMENT, DEALING WITH THE PARENTS AND ALL. I'VE DISCUSSED THAT. THAT WILL BE ADDRESSED. THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO EVERY STORY. WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS FIRST. IT IS A MATTER OF% US MAINTAINING.
IN ALL CASES WE SHOULD ALMOST ALL PARENTS AND STUDENTS AND ATHLETES. I WANT TO ADDRESS THE FIRE HAWKS COMMENT AND I'LL HAVE MA FORWARD. I WANTED TO GIVE A BRIEF JU UPDATE ON THE POLICE CHIEF INTERVIEWS. THE FOLLOWING WEEK, DECEMBER 3RD, WE'LL HAVE THE SECOND ROUND OF INTERVIEWS.
AND WE'RE LOOKING AT HAVING PERHAPS DECEMBER 2ND A MEET AND GREET OF THE FINAL CANDIDATES.
WE'LL HAVE THE SECOND ONE. WE'LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN THAT WILL BE AND DECEMBER 3RD, WE'LL HAVE THE FINAL INTERVIEWS. AND DECEMBER 2ND, I BELIEVE WE'LL BE MEETING WITH THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE MAYOR. AND I HAVE TWO STAFF COMMENTS.
ONE, OUR PUBLIC WORKS -- THERE YOU GO.
HE'S CROSSING OVER TO THE LION'S DEN.
HE'LL BE A CITY MANAGER. HE'S GOING BACK TO HIS COMMUNITY. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE JASON FOR THAT AND I WISH YOU VERY WELL IN YOUR CAREER ENDEAVORS. SO HIS LAST DAY ACTUALLY WILL BE NOVEMBER 22ND, THIS FRIDAY, SATURDAY.
SO CONGRATULATIONS, JASON. AND YOU'RE ALL AWARE, THAT THE DEPUTY CHIEF HAD PUT IN HIS PAPERS QUITE A FEW MONTHSMONTHS THAT WERE EXTENDED ON OUR BEHALF BECAUSE WE NEED THE ASSISTANCE.
DEPUTY CHIEF'S LAST DAY WILL BE NOVEMBER 27TH . SO I, IF YOU WORKED WITH HIM, VERY PROFESSIONAL, VERY RESPONSIVE. THE CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONAL.
I BELIEVE HE'S BEEN IN THE CITY FOR TEN YEARS, DOING A GREAT JOB. PRIOR TO BEING WITH THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, HE WAS WITH THE CITY OF TAMPA FOR TEN YEARS.
A GREAT PROFESSIONAL STAND- UP GUY.
WANTED TO MAKE THAT COMMENT ON HIS BEHALF.
>> DID YOU KNOW THE REMARKS ABOUT THE FENCE --
>> DEFINITELY. THE REMARKS ABOUT THE FENCE.
WHAT STRUCK ME, WE TALKED ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE PARENTS, INTERACTION
WITH THE TEAM. >> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS ADDRESSED.
>> ABSOLUTELY. WE'LL MAKE AN ANNOUNCEMENT REGARDING THE RECREATION CENTER CELEBRATION FOR THE FIRE HAWKS TEAM, AS WELL AS THE, RECOGNIZING THEM AT THE NEXT COMMISSIONER MEETING. THAT'S THE
ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR THE CITY
[01:30:01]
MANAGER? OKAY. WE'LL MOVE ON.[16. COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION]
MISS COX, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING?>> NEXT WE HAVE COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION. WHO WOULD LIKE TO START?
COMMISSIONER GAINES. >> I'M GOING TO JUMP BACK ON THIS FIRE HAWKS ISSUE. FOR THE PARENT WHO WAS IN THE AUDIENCE AND THE PARENTS WHO ARE LISTENING, I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE MISCOMMUNICATION OR THE NOTICE CAME THAT THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE WAS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING FOR THESE KIDS. THAT HAS NEVER BEEN THE REASON.
EVERY CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM THAT HAS COME THROUGH FORT PIERCE, WE'VE BROUGHT INTO CITY HALL, WE'VE HAD SOMETHING FOR THEM. THE GAME WAS THREE DAYS AGO, SATURDAY. SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE GETTING YOUR INFORMATION FROM OR WHO IS TELLING YOU THAT IT IS UPPER MANAGEMENT.
WE'VE ALWAYS HONORED, NOT ONLY THE FIRE HAWKS BUT ANY OTHER TEAM IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE THAT DOES SOMETHING. WE BRING THEM TO CITY HALL.
AND WE HONOR THEM. SO I'M GLAD THAT YOU SPOKE TO THEM AND EVERYTHING IS BEING TAKEN CARE OF.
BECAUSE AS A COMMISSIONER WHO HAS SAT IN THIS SEAT ALMOST FOUR YEARS, EVERY BUDGET, EVERY TOPIC, EVERY BIT OF MONEY THAT STUFF COSTS, I SAY YOU.
I SAY YOU. I'VE TALKED ABOUT FIELDS THROUGHOUT THE CITY. I WON'T GET ON THAT TODAY.
I UNDERSTAND. AS LONG AS I'M SITTING HERE, THE YOUTH WILL ALWAYS BE THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY TO ME.
I AM A YOUTH COACH. I STILL COACH.
FOR THE YOUNG MAN THAT SPOKE THAT WANTS TO CROSSOVER AND HELP ME COACH, YOU'RE MORE THAN WELCOME.
I COACH SOFTBALL AND I NEED ALL THE HELP I CAN GET.
IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW TO COACH SOFTBALL, I'LL TEACH YOU.
I UNDERSTAND THE MONEY YOU SPEND AS A COACH. I'M WILL HAVING TO THESE COMMENTS.
WE JUST WON AND I THINK THERE WAS A GAME SUNDAY THAT THEY WON. ANOTHER GAME SUNDAY THAT THEY WON. AND WE'RE HERE MONDAY NIGHT AND I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW YOU GOT SOME TYPE OF NOTICE OR SOME TYPE OF COMMENT THAT WE WEREN'T GOING TO DO ANYTHING FOR THE FIRE HAWKS. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT COMES FROM. WE'VE ALWAYS DONE SOMETHING FOR THE KIDS. WE NEED ALL THE POSITIVE STORIES THAT WE CAN GET. AND BRINGING KIDS INTO CITY HALL AND TELLING THEM THANK YOU. THAT'S WHAT WE DO.
THE LAST TIME I THINK WE HAD SOMEBODY IN HERE WAS WHEN THEY WON THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP AND THEY ALL CAME IN AND SOME OF THEM SPOKE AND WE HAD A BIG THING. SO CITY MANAGER, I'M GLAD THAT YOU MADE PLANS TO DO WHATEVER AND I'LL WAIT FOR THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND MAKE SURE I'M THERE.
MY NEXT COMMENT IS ABOUT THIS -- I'M TRYING TO -- I UNDERSTAND THE HUTCHINSON ISLAND COMMITTEE.
I UNDERSTAND -- LET ME BACK UP. I THINK I UNDERSTAND, I THINK I UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY'RE TRYING TO DO WITH MAKING, SECURING TOURISM THAT ANOTHER CITY, I WON'T CALL THEM OUT. I'LL LET YOU CALL THEM OUT.
HAVE BEEN TAKEN AWAY FROM FORT PIERCE AND CALLING THAT HUTCHINSON ISLAND AND THEY'RE TRYING TO COME BACK TO THE HUXINSON ISLAND ORIGINALLY IN FORT PIERCE. I GET THAT.
I UNDERSTAND. I'M TRYING TO SEE HOW, WHAT AM I MISSING WITH THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE GROUP? IT'S NOT A NEW CITY. THEY'RE NOT TRYING TO BECOME A CITY. THEY'RE TRYING -- SO I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE DID THIS COME IN? IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE WE HAVE, DO WE HAVE ANY POWER OVER THEM? CAN WE DICTATE? CAN THEY DO ANYTHING THEY WANT TO DO? SO I'M SAYING ALL THESE QUESTIONS BECAUSE I DON'T ANSWER QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS. SO I DON'T KNOW, I'M THE ONLY ONE THAT HAS QUESTIONS OR MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS HAVE QUESTIONS. BUT I DON'T KNOW WE SHOULDN'T PUT THEM, GIVE THEM A TIME JUST TO ANSWER QUESTIONS AND SO AT LEAST, IF I HAVE QUESTIONS, I'M PRETTY SURE OTHER RESIDENTS HAVE QUESTIONS.
[01:35:01]
AND THEN I CAN ASK LEGAL QUESTIONS WHEN THEY COME UP.MADAM ATTORNEY, EVEN ONE-ON-ONES.
SO I'M JUST CURIOUS. I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS AND I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE I'LL SET UP ANOTHER ONE-ON- ONE WITH THE GROUP AND GET THEM ANSWERED INDIVIDUALLY SETTING. I THINK I THINK THAT ONLY HELPS MY ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS.
I DON'T THINK IT HELPS THE PUBLIC WHO MIGHT BE LISTENING TO THIS, WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON.
THIS CARD THAT WE GOT, IS IT GOING TO SAY 101, HUTCHINSON ISLAND, FLORIDA OR FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA.
I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DEAL WITH THAT. THE FOUR OF US CAN'T GO OUTSIDE TONIGHT AND TALK HOW WE'LL DEAL WITH IT. SO INDIVIDUALLY, WHENEVER I TALKED TO THEM INDIVIDUALLY IN MY OFFICE, IT'S BETWEEN US. WE TALK. I LOVE THE IDEA. I LOVE THE INITIATIVE. IF I CAN KEEP ALL THE TOURISM FROM GOING NORTH AND SOUTH AND DIRECTED BACKBACK FT. PIERCE AND INTO SOME OF THE BUSINESSES CROSSING WEST OF U.S. 1.
WE NEED TO SUPPORT THEM ALSO. I'M ALL FORM.
I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS THAT, THE PUZZLE IS NOT COMING TOGETHER. SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE FELLOW COMMISSIONERS AND MADAM MAYOR, HOW WE GET THOSE ANSWERED. THAT'S MY COMMENT.
YOU SEE ME IN MY COLORS. LAST MONTH, ADAM MAYOR AND THE CITY GAVE THE LOCAL CHAPTER OF MY FRATERNITY 65 YEARS OF SERVICE, TODAY THE, THE FRATERNITY IS CELEBRATING 114 YEARS OF BEING IN EXISTENCE AND DOING PUBLIC SERVICE. SO YOU SEE ME WITH MY COLORS ON, OR YOU GO ON SOCIAL MEDIA. TODAY IS OUR DAY.
I'M NOT GOING TO CALL MISS MORRIS OUT.
I CAME IN WITH IT ON ANDAND SHE LIKE, WE KNOW.
I WANT TO SAY HAPPY FOUNDERS DAY.
>> CONGRATULATIONS. GREAT ACHIEVEMENT.
>> SO CONGRATULATIONS FOR THAT, COMMISSIONER GAINES, BY THE WAY. BACK WHEN I PLAYED FOOTBALL, I THINK WE HAD LEATHER HELMETS AND STEEL CLEATS.
SO YOU KNOW HOW LONG AGO THAT WAS. I FIND IT REMARKABLE THEY FIELDED A TEAM WITH 17 PLAYERS. THAT MEANS MOST OF THEM WERE PLAYING OFFENSE AND DEFENSE AND SPECIAL TEAMS. NEVER CAME OFF THE FIELD. THAT'S REMARKABLE.
TO GO OUT AND BEAT A FULLY STAFFED TEAM.
I DON'T KNOW HOW IT'S POSSIBLE BUT THEY DID.
AND THEY BEAT THEM CONVINCINGLY AND THAT'S CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION.
THESE ARE 17 SUPERLATIVE ATHLETES, APPARENTLY.
THIS VICTORY IS NEEDS TO BE MEMORIALIZED.
IT IS TRULY AN ACCOMPLISHMENT. I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS EVENT.
I PLAN ON ATTENDING AS WELL. AND YEAH. WE'LL REMINISCE ABOUT FOOTBALL -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS CALLED THEN. I'M GOING TO SEGUE INTO THE HUTCHINSON ISLAND ISSUE. I'LL BE QUITE CANDID ABOUT THIS. I'M NOT REALLY SURE, COMMISSIONER GAINES, THIS MAY PIGGYBACK ON WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE ASK IS. I'M SUGGESTING, I'M EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF US LOSING REVENUE BECAUSE I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH.
I WENT ONLINE AND LOOKED UP HUTCHINSON ISLAND.
IT SENT NO JENSON BEACH. IT DIDN'T EVEN MENTION THIS.
AS FAR AS THE MAILING ADDRESS IS CONCERNED, MY WIFE TOLD ME TEN YEARS AGO THAT YOU CAN USE HUTCHINSON ISLAND AS A MAILING ADDRESS. SO THAT'S BEEN ON THE BOOKS FOR A WHIL. THEY'VE CLEANED IT UP AND WE NOW HAVE AN OFFICIAL ADDRESS FOR THE POSTAL SERVICE.
IT IS KIND OF AN EXCITING TOURISM- RELATED ENTERPRISE.
I WOULD LIKE TO LARRY THE PRESENTATION. I, TOO, HAVE MANY, MANY QUESTIONS. AND I ASSURE YOU, TOMORROW, BEING A RESIDENT OF HUTCHINSON ISLAND AND THE COMMISSIONER THERE, MY PHONE WILL BLOW UP ABOUT THIS. SO I DO NEED ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS. I WANT TO UNDERSTAND CLEARLY WHAT THE END GAME IS HERE.
WHAT THE CITY'S PARTICIPATION MORE OR MAY NOT BE. EVEN IF THEY'RE ASKING FOR
[01:40:02]
PARTICIPATION. I DIDN'T HEAR THAT BROUGHT UP TONIGHT. I WOULD FEEL LIKE IF WE'RE LOSING TOURISM DOLLARS. IF SOMEBODY TYPES IN HUTCHINSON ISLAND, I WANT A CONNECTION TO BRAND NEW SHOPS, DOWNTOWN.PART OF THE LINKAGE THAT GOES WITH THAT.
I WANT TO HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE IN THEIR MIND SO THEY CAN GIVE IT A VETTING PROCESS.
AS YOU STATED, EXPOSE THE ISSUES TO THE RESIDENTS BY US HAVING A DISCUSSION UP HERE. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ELECTED TO DO. IT IS A VERY NOVEL AND UNIQUE COULD NOT SEMI. I HAVE MET WITH THEM PRIVATELY.
WE NEED TO GET INTO THE GRAN LATER OF THIS AND FIND OUT WHAT'S GOING ON. THE REPORTS WERE THE READER'S DIGEST VERSION, IF PEOPLE EVEN REMEMBER WHAT READER'S DIGEST IS, THE TOURISM ASPECT OF THIS IS A CRITICAL COMPONENT.
THIS CITY, WE ARE THE NUMBER ONE DOWNTOWN LOCATION, TOURIST LOCATION IN THE COUNTY.
THE NUMBER TWO IS THE CITY MARINA. HOWEVER BEHIND ARE THE BEACHES OUT ON HUTCHINSON ISLAND BEHIND THOSE TWO? I'M SURE IT IS CLOSE PROXIMITY. THE JETTY PARK WAS NUMBER FOUR OR FIVE ON THAT LIST. WE NEED TO CAPITALIZE ON IT.
COMING INTO THE CITY AND I'M GOING TO PRESENT TO YOU, EACH PRESENTER MADE A SPECIFIC TOPIC TO SAY WE ARE NOT LOOKING TO SEPARATE FROM THE CITY.
AND WE NEED TO TAKE THAT TO HEART THAT THAT IS NOT THE INTENT OF THIS ENTERPRISE, THAT THEY WORK TO WORK WITH THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AS PART OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THEM COME UP HERE AND HAVE THEM MAKE A PRESENTATION TO US IN ITS ENTIRETY. I DO HAVE MANY QUESTIONS, JUST LIKE YOU. SO I THINK IF THE COMMISSION GIVES DIRECTION TO CITY MANAGER, LET'S GET THEM ON THE AGENDA TO HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY. HE'LL BE VERY HAPPY TO GET THAT DONE. I THINK THAT'S IT. FIRE HAWKS AND HUTCHINSON ISLAND. I THINK THAT'S ABOUT THAT.
I DID HAVE SOMETHING ELSE. IF IT DAWNS ON ME -- I KNOW THERE WAS SOMETHING ELSE. AND WASN'T QUITE AS PLEASANT AS EITHER ONE OF THOSE.
>> I THINK IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE TRASH
TRAIN. >> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, ARE YOU READY?
>> I'LL START OFF WITH SOMETHING A LIVE DIFFERENT AND I'LL COME BACK TO THIS.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS COMING SATURDAY AT THE GYM.
I THINK THERE WILL BE FOOD ITEMS AND TURKEY.
THAT'S THIS COMING SATURDAY. IT'S ON THE CALENDAR.
FIRST COAST FOOD BANK. AND MEET PEOPLE THAT ARE LISTENING TO THIS, WE NEED VOLUNTEERS WITH THE CITY, ET CETERA.
I'LL BE THERE. BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I LOOK FORWARD TO THE SERVICE THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO FOR THE RESIDENTS OF FORT PIERCE, ST.
LUCIE COUNTY. THE GOVERNMENT SEEMS TO BE OPENING BACK UP NOW. AND PEOPLE ARE STILL HURTING. BUT THAT IS TOP OF MY MIND NOW AND A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT I SEE, THE NONPROFITS IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE STEPPING UP NOW WITH EITHER TURKEY GIVEAWAYS OR FOOD GIVEAWAYS. THANK YOU, ESPECIALLY AS WE GET INTO THE HOLIDAY HERE WHICH WILL START THIS COMING WEEKEND AND CONTINUE ON. SO THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE NONPROFITS OUT THERE. I TRY TO SHARE AS MANY FLIERS I GET OF DIFFERENT STUFF IN OUR COMMUNITY TO LET PEOPLE KNOW.
SO THANK YOU. SO THE OTHER THING, I, TOO, AM DISTURBED BY THE COMMENTS WE HEARD ABOUT THE FIRE HAWKS. WE HAVE A LITTLE CHALLENGE WHEN IT COMES TO COMMUNICATION. I DON'T HAVE KIDS PLAYING FOOTBALL. I KNOW SOME BUT I DON'T HAVE KIDS. I WASN'T AS INTIMATELY AWARE THAT THEY WERE IN A CHAMPIONSHIP.
I THINK THERE ARE SOME GREAT OPPORTUNITIES ALL AROUND THAT IF I COULD HAVE MADE IT, I WOULD HAVE. BUT JUST KNOWING WHERE WE ARE WITH IT. WE HAVE A RECREATIONAL DEPARTMENT. THEY HAVE PUT TOGETHER A SCHEDULE. I'M SURE THEY HAVE A BUDGET.
I'M SURE WE RECOGNIZE THE FIRE HAWKS WHEN THEY WON THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN ORLANDO, THE SUPER BOWL. WE BROUGHT THEM HERE.
WE'RE GOING TO DO THE SAME WITH THIS.
SO JUST REST ASSURED THAT THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE EVER FORT PIERCE HAS ALWAYS RECOGNIZED OUR ATHLETES. SO I LOOK TOWARD TO HEAR WHAT OUR PLAN WILL BE
[01:45:01]
AND HOW WE WILL FURTHER ASSIST WITH THAT.SO I TAKE A LITTLE DEFENSIVE THE HUTCHINSON ISLAND.
YES, I MET WITH THEM. I AGREE AND UNDERSTAND EVERYTHING ABOUT MARKETING WITH THAT. I JUST WANT TO CAUTION US THOUGH. WE HAVE SET PRECEDENT AS TO HOW THINGS GET ON OUR AGENDA AND HOW THEY COME TO US. WHEN PEOPLE COME TO US, THEY'RE EITHER ANNEXING, WORKING THROUGH WHATEVER DEPARTMENT, ENGINEERING, PLANNING, WHATEVER IT IS. CR 8, THEY BRING PROJECTS TO US AND WE HAVE DISCUSSION THERE. THAT'S HOW THEY GET IN FRONT OF US. I WANT US TO BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT THIS. I THINK THAT YES, I WANT TO HEAR IT. BUT I THINK THERE SHOULD BE A LINE WITH CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS THAT CAN HELP ALLEVIATE AND ANTICIPATE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS WE MAY HAVE.
BECAUSE YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, RIGHT? NO WONDER IT IS ALREADY OUT THERE. NOW WE HAVE A PR NIGHTMARE BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO SPECULATE AND HAVE ALL THESE THINGS GOING ON RIGHT NOW. AND WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS GOING ON. AND THIS GROUP IS WELL DOWN THE TRACK WITH IT. THE POST OFFICE IS ESTABLISHED.
THEY'VE DONE ALL THESE THINGS. NOW WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND, HOW DID WE UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE ASKING OF US TO DO AND HOW DO WE BRING THE PUBLIC ALONG WITH THAT. AND THE LAST PART I'M GOING TO SAY, AT SOME POINT, THIS NEEDS TO BE A PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.
AND REALLY HAVING THE PUBLIC ASK THEM THESE QUESTIONS.
BECAUSE THIS IS EVERY THIS IS A VERY WELL ORGANIZED GROUP THAT HAS ACCOMPLISHED A GREAT DEAL ALREADY AND ESTABLISHING A SOCIAL BRAND, AN IDENTITY, ADDRESSES, WEBSITES, HE THINKS.
AND IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THEY HAVE A LOT MORE OF THOSE ANSWERS AND A LOT OF IT IS NOT REALLY CONTINGENT UPON THE CITY DOING ANYTHING. AND ONE OF THE THINGS I HEARD FROM THE GROUP, WE DO HAVE RECOGNITION OF MANY COMMUNITIES HERE IN FORT PIERCE.
PARADISE PARK, HARMONY HEIGHTS, YOU HAVE ALL THESE DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE HERE THAT HAVE IDENTITY. WE AS A COMMISSION, AS A PART OF OUR STRATEGIC PLAN, LINED OUT THAT WE WERE WORKING WITH THESE DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES TO HAVE RECOGNITION IF THEY WERE THERE. THE ARTS, THE PEACOCK ARTS DISTRICT. SO WE HAVE A PRECEDENT HAVE WORKING WITH ORGANIZATIONS. THIS IS A VERY WELL ORGANIZED ONE COMPARED TO SOME OF THE WORKED WITH THAT MAY NOT BE AS ORGANIZED BUT WE'VE TRIED TO COME ALONG AND WORK WITH THEM ON THEIR IDENTITY.
THE NEIGHBORHOOD, CULTURE, ET CETERA.
SO I WELCOME THE CONVERSATION. BUT WHAT I WOULD JUST SAY, I WANT TO MAKE SURE, TOO, THAT WE'RE BRINGING STAFF ALONG THAT MAY EVEN HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS THAT WE HAVEN'T ANTICIPATED, BECAUSE PART OF THIS, TOO, IF I RECOLLECT RIGHT, THIS IS IN THE CRA DISTRICT AS WELL.
THE CRA. SO I JUST WANT US TO UNDERSTAND, A LOT OF QUESTIONS BUT SOME OF THIS MAY NOT BE THE FORM WE NEED TO START. THEN IT WILL CREATE MORE CHOICE EVERY CHAOS.
>> I AGREE. I JUST WANT THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS. I DON'T CARE HOW WE GET IT THROUGH THE STAFF OR WHATEVER. SO WHEN I START GETTING CALLS, I START GETTING EMAIL, I WILL BE ABLE TO ANSWER A QUESTION INSTEAD OF SAYING GO TO THEM OR I'LL GET BACK TO YOU. I HATE THAT ANSWER, I'LL GET BACK TO YOU OR I DON'T KNOW.
SO ARE YOU SAYING, HAVE THEM COME MEET WITH THE DEPARTMENTS? AND THEY BRING A REPORT BACK TO US. I JUST WANT ANSWERS AND TO SEE WHERE --
>> THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING. IT COULD BE SOMETHING THAT IS A HYBRID. WE HAVE PLANNING.
THEY CAN BRING THIS AND BRING IT BACK AND INTRODUCE US TO THIS LIKE THEY'VE DONE EVERYTHING ELSE THEY'VE INTRODUCED US TO TO SAY, HEY, HERE'S WHERE WE ARE. AND LEGAL NEEDS TO WEIGH
IN. >> CAN I JUST MAKE THE COMMENT?
>> I AGREE WITH THE COMMITTEE APPROACH.
WE HAVE SEVERAL OF THEM. BUT THE CITY HAS AN ORDINANCE.
ANYONE WHO WANTS TO GET ON THE AGENDA, IT'S IN THE CODE, THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO WRITE THE CITY MANAGER FENCE DAYS BEFORE THIS COMMISSION MEETING.
THE CITY MANAGER REVIEWS IT. IF HE FEELS THAT IT IS ADMINISTRATIVELY RELATED TO CITY BUSINESS, I AM REQUIRED TO PASS IT ON TEN DAYS BEFORE THE CITY MEETING. THERE IS A PROCESS IN PLACE TO GET SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA. AT LEAST GO THROUGH THAT
[01:50:02]
PROCESS. BUT ON THE OTHER SIDE AS WELL, WE HAVE VARIOUS COMMITTEES IN WHICH THEY CAN BE PRESENTED. BUT THERE IS A PROCESS ALREADY IN PLACE TO GET AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA.WE CAN GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS. BECAUSE SOMETHING IS PRESENTED TO ME, I THINK I'LL LET YOU ALL KNOW. I WON'T PUT SOMETHING BEFORE YOU THAT YOU HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO DISCUSS AND GIVE ME A CONSENSUS ON INDIVIDUALLY.
FOR MANY REASONS, I DID NOT PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA FWUFRL PROCESS TO GET IT ON THE AGENDA WAS NOT FOLLOWED.
YOU CAN GO TO 2- 49 AND YOU WILL SEE WHAT THAT PROCESS
IS. >> SO I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM HEARING IT. I'M CLEARLY SAYING THERE IS A PROCESS. WE HAVE SOME COMMITTEES.
I WANT THEM TO GET A HEADS-UP ON THIS TO ANTICIPATE SOME OF THE QUESTIONS AND BRING IT FORTH.
>> LET ME BE VERY CLEAR. I AGREE.
I JUST WANT ANSWERS. IF SOMEBODY CAN GIVE ME SOME ANSWERS TO WHAT I HAVE ABOUT THIS WHOLE THING.
IF THE PROCESS TO GET IT ON THE AGENDA WASN'T FOLLOWED, I'LL TURN TO THE CITY MANAGER AND SAY THANK YOU.
IN THE PAST, WE HAVEN'T FOLLOWED RULES.
I'M 100% CORRECT. THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO DO. IF WE FLOOD TO GET IT IN FRONTFRONT OF CRA, FPRA, PLANNING, MANAGER'S OFFICE, CLERK'S OFFICE, ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, I DON'T CARE HOW THEY DO IT.
I WANT SOME TYPE OF UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WE'RE ABOUT TO EITHER PARTNER WITH OR HAVE SOME TYPE OF IDEA, AS COMMISSIONER BRODERICK SAID, TO ASK. TO ASK.
IF STAFF OR ONE OF OUR DEPARTMENTS CAN GIVE US THOSE ANSWERS AND PRESENT A PRESENTATION, I'M HAPPY.
I JUST WANT SOME ANSWERS TO SEE WHAT THE ASK IS, WHAT OUR PART IN THIS WILL BE.
AND AS A COMMISSIONER, I NEED TO KNOW THAT.
AS I'M SITTING HERE TONIGHT, I DO NOT.
>> I HAVE TWO QUICK FOLLOW-UPS. ONE, THE THOUGHT THAT WAS KICKING AROUND IN MY HEAD WAS DEALING WITH THE FIELD AT THE REC CENTER. OBVIOUSLY, IT IS IN A STATE OF DISREPAIR. FIRE ANTS AND FOOTBALL PLAYERS DO NOT COHABITATE WELL. AND BROKEN FENCES THAT KIDS CAN GET HURT ON.
WE ONLY HAVE 15 PLAYERS TO START WITH.
I DON'T NEED PLAYERS INJURED ON A KNOCKED- DOWN FENCE. CAN WE PLEASE GET PUBLIC WORKS TO WORK ON THIS? WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO.
WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO? WE HAVE A CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM.
WE SHOULD HAVE AA FACILITY ON WHICH THEY CAN PLAY BALL ON.
I'M JUST ASKING, CAN WE PLEASE INVESTIGATE THAT.
REGARDING THE HUTCHINSON ISLAND THING, I SEE A TWO- PRONGED APPROACH. IF THEY HAVE TO GO UP THROUGH THE COMMITTEE INFRASTRUCTURE,S FINE. THAT'S THE PROCESS THAT'S REQUIRED. CRA WOULD SEEM TO BE THE CAMP TO START IN TO POSE THEIR IDEA. I ALSO SEE NO REASON WE CAN'T GET OUT IN FRONT OF THIS. I ASSURE YOU, TOMORROW YOUR PHONES WILL BE RINGING. PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONS AND WE DON'T HAVE ANSWERS. I WOULD LIKE TO AT LEAST SEE THEM MAKE THEIR PRESENTATION. THAT DOESN'T MEAN IT WON'T BE MODIFIED BASED ON WHAT THE COMMITTEE MEETING IS. THEY'VE MET WITH SOME STAFF PREVIOUSLY. IS THAT CORRECT?
>>> GO THROUGH THE PROCESS TO GET ON THE AGENDA PROPERLY. S ABOUT THE RULE.
ABIDE BY THE RULE AND THAT'S THAT.
I SUPPORT THOSE INITIATIVES FULLY.
I WANT TO KNOW. I'M VERY CURIOUS.
WE CAN GET IT TO THE CITY COMMISSION. THROUGH THE PROCESS BUT ALSO THROUGH A PRESENTATION HERE. THAT'S MY SUGGESTION.
>>> WHATEVER YOU DO AND GOVERNMENT IS ALL TRANSPARENT.
THERE IS NO SECRECY. IFSOMETHING HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE AND THERE IS A PARTNERSHIP THAT IS ESTABLISHED , THE
[01:55:04]
GOVERNMENT HAS TO DO EVERYTHING IN THE SUNSHINE. AND SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE TO THEIR LIKING . BUT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF AND THE HUTCHINSON ISLAND COMMITTEE NEEDS TO BE MINDFUL OF. NORMALLY, WE DO -- WE HAVE TRIED TO TAKE IDEAS THAT CITIZENS HAVE AND FIT THEM INTO WHEREVER A BOARD OR COMMITTEE, WHEREVER IT MEETS. OR THE VETTING. WE NORMALLY DO THAT. BUT WE ARE ALSO VERY, VERY MUCH TRYING TO PROMOTE NEIGHBORHOOD IDENTITY AND NEIGHBORHOOD IMPROVEMENT. AND SO I THINK THAT WE -- THIS IS AN EXCITING IDEA BUT WE NEED TO BE MINDFUL OF THE FACT THAT -- I WILL JUST HAVE TO SAY IT. WHEN GOVERNMENT IS INVOLVED, THEN EVERYTHING IS TRANSPARENT . AND TRANSPARENCY -->> IT GRINDS TO A VERY SLOW CRAWL .
>> RIGHT. SO , BUT I WENT TO THE COUNTY'S EDUCATIONAL MEETING THEY HAD ON QUIET ZONES AND IT HAS BEEN A WHILE. AND I BELIEVE WHAT THEY SAID IS THE MENACE APPELLEE HAS TO REQUESTED AND IT GOES THROUGH THE COUNTY AND THEN THERE HAS TO BE A CERTAIN DISTANCE. AND SO IF THERE IS ONE QUIET ZONE, DOWNTOWN FORT PIERCE, THERE WILL BE THREE QUIET ZONES BECAUSE
THEY ARE ALSO CLOSE TOGETHER . >> HEAVY INTO DENSITY.
>> YOU ARE A TRANSPORTATION GUY. YOU KNOW ALL OF THIS. YOU TELL
US. >> IN BROWARD COUNTY TRANSPORTATION, THEY ARE GOING THROUGH THIS WITH THE BROWARD COMMUNITY RAIL SOUTH. IT GOES FROM HOLLYWOOD TO FORT LAUDERDALE. THE CRITICAL THING ABOUT THE ASSESSMENT FOR THAT TYPE OF QUIET ZONE , YOU LOOK AT THE DENSITY OF THE AREA .
DOWNTOWN, I THINK ORANGE AVENUE U.S.1, THAT IS WHERE THE MAJOR INTERSECTION IS . THAT IS HIGHLY CHALLENGING. CERTAINLY, WE CAN LOOK AT THAT BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF VEHICLES AND
PEDESTRIANS -- >> SHAPE THE -- SAFETY
CONCERNS. >> AND LOOKING AT THE DENSITY OF THE AREA. I JUST WANT TONOTE THAT THAT IS ONE OF THE MAJOR
CHALLENGES FOR THE AREA . >> IF YOU CAN EXCUSE MYSELF, I
HAVE A MATTER . >> ALL RIGHT. I THINK I WAS THROUGH. FIREFOX. I WANTED TO SAY THAT MR. CHASSE AND I WENT TO A FIREFOX GAME EARLIER AND IT WAS HOMECOMING AND ACTUALLY, OUR VIDEO, BOBBY DID A WONDERFUL VIDEO. IT WAS ON SOCIAL MEDIA TO PROMOTE THE FIREFOX. SO WE HAVE DONE RECOGNITION OF THE FIREFOX ALREADY . AND WE CERTAINLY ARE VERY PROUD OF THEM NOW. SO WE HAVEN'T IGNORED THEM .
>> WE WOULD LIKE TO GET THAT VIDEO. IF I CAN COMMENT. TH E ASSOCIATION, THE UMBRELLA OF WHICH THE FIREFOX ARE UNDER WITH THE OTHER TEAMS IN BREVARD COUNTY, FROM THE HOMECOMING WE WENT TO, THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION WROTE A LETTER TO MYSELF AND THE DEPUTY CITY MANAGER ON HOW ORGANIZED THE EVENT WAS AND HOW WELL BEHAVED THE PLAYERS WERE IN THE PARENTS.
HOW CLEAN THE FIELD WAS . AND HOW WE HONORED EVERY SINGLE STUDENT, PLAYER AND PARENT ON THE FIREFOX TEAMS, ALL THE TEAMS AND THE CHEERLEADERS. WE BROUGHT THEM UP THE FIELD FROM THE FIELD GO ALL THE WAY TO THE 50-YARD LINE AND PRESENTED THEM WITH ROSES. EVERYONE WE PLAYED -- EVERY PLAYER AND EVERY PARENT WAS ORGANIZED INDIVIDUALLY ALONG WITH PICTURES COMING OFF THE FIELD. SO WE RECOGNIZE THE PASSION WE HAVE FOR THEM. I THINK YOU WERE THERE AND YOU SAW THAT. MORESO, I DIDN'T REALIZE THE PRESIDENT RECOGNIZE THAT FROM AFAR. HE WROTE A LONG APPRECIATION TO THE CITY OF FORT LAUDERDALE LEISURE
>> FORT PIERCE, I'M SORRY. SO WE'LL HAVE BEEN RECOGNIZED .
WE HAD A GREAT TIME THAT AFTERNOON .
>> EXACTLY. ANOTHER THING, I WANT TO SAY ABOUT THE FIREFOX IS THAT THEY EMPHASIZED ACADEMICS AS WELL AS CLINICS AND TEAM SPORTSMANSHIP AND FOR THAT, I'M VERY PROUD OF THAT. OKAY. WE ARE GOING TO ADJOURN. IF EVERYBODY WOULD LEAVE THE CHAMBERS, WE
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.