[A. Email from April Ganzy expressing gratitude to the Grants Division for the down-payment assistance which allowed her to purchase her first new home; she offered a special thank you to Ms. Kimberlee Henton for her assistant and support throughout the entire process.]

WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM APRIL GANZY EXPRESSING GRATITUDE FOR THE GRANT DIVISION FOR THE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE, WHICH ALLOWED HER TO PURCHASE HER FIRST NEW HOME. SHE OFFERED A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO KIMBERLEE FOR HER ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT

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

THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS BUT WE MOVE ON TO THE ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA AND APPROVAL.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN ADDITION TO THE AGENDA. I WOULD LIKE TO GET AN UPDATE ON THE POLICE CHIEF SEARCH AND I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS PERTAINING TO THAT WE CAN ADDRESS IF WE GET AS

AN AGENDA ITEM THIS EVENING. >> SHOULD WE PUT IT UNDER CITY

COMMISSION MATTERS? ITEM 13? >> YES. I WOULD SUGGEST.

>> ITEM 13 HAS D. >> POLICE CHIEF UPDATE UNDER 13

D. >> ANY OTHER CHANGES? DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA? IF NOT, I WILL TAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE

AGENDA AS AMENDED. >> MOVED.

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

[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.]

PUBLIC. >> HAS ANYBODY SIGNED UP?

>> WE DO NOT HAVE ANYBODY SIGNED UP.

>> SINCE WE ADDED THE AGENDA, IS THERE ANYONE IN THE CHAMBER WHO WOULD WISH TO COMMENT ON THE ITEM? IF THERE IS, COME FORWARD AND IF YOU WENT UP ALONG THE WALL AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY THERE ARE OF YOU, BUT WE WILL TRY TO MAKE THIS AS EFFICIENT AS POSSIBLE AND WE WILL GIVE YOU THREE MINUTES, WHICH IS THE STANDARD THREE MINUTES. STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. LIMIT YOUR COMMENTS TO THREE MINUTES AND MISS COX WILL GIVE YOU A 10 SECOND WARNING. PLEASE COME FORWARD. THANK YOU FOR BEING

HERE. >> EVENING. MY NAME IS ELLEN GILLETT, 1701 WEST ROYAL TURN LANE AND I'M A RESIDENT OF FORT PIERCE FOR THE MOST OF THE LAST 58 YEARS AND NO SURPRISE TO ANYONE THAT I BELIEVE DEPUTY CHIEF CALEB GILLETT TO BE THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR CHIEF OF POLICE, BECAUSE I WITNESSED THE DEVELOPMENT OF HIS CHARACTER AND CAPABILITIES FOR THE LAST 48 YEARS. IT IS NO SURPRISE TO ME WHEN THE POLICE OFFICERS UNION RECOMMENDED HIM, AS THEY HAVE WORKED BESIDE HIM DURING HIS 24 YEARS EXCLUSIVELY WITH FORT PIERCE POLICE. YOU HAVE LOST A LOT OF OFFICERS IN THE LAST 24 YEARS, BUT CALEB STAYED. IT WAS ALSO NO SURPRISE TO ME TO SEE AN OVERWHELMING OUTPOURING OF LOCAL SUPPORT FOR HIM WHILE IT WAS VERY SURPRISING AND TROUBLING TO ME OF THE CITY'S RECENT AND I BELIEVE PREMATURE DECISIONS. OUT OF 57 APPLICANTS, YOUR CONSULTING FIRM MADE

[00:05:06]

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHIEF. UNTIL LAST WEEK, THE CITY INCLUDED FOUR PEOPLE FROM OUTSIDE THE AREA AND THREE LOCAL. YOU WISELY SURVEYED CURRENT OFFICERS AS TO WHOM THEY THOUGHT WOULD MAKE THE BEST CHIEF. YOU WISELY LISTENED TO CITIZENS SHARE THEIR INPUT.

THEN, UNWISELY IN MY OPINION, SUMMARILY DISMISSED NOT ONE, NOT TWO, BUT ALL THREE LOCAL CANDIDATES AND ONLY THOSE CANDIDATES AFTER A SINGLE INTERVIEW. ON FRIDAY, THREE FINALISTS WERE ANNOUNCED AND EACH MAY BE QUALIFIED ON PAPER, BUT THEY ARE COMPLETELY LACKING IN KNOWLEDGE WITH ITS UNIQUE CULTURE AND HISTORY AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. TO DISMISS THE THREE ALSO QUALIFIED CANDIDATES WHO KNOW BOTH INSIDE AND OUT IS NEITHER THE CITY'S BEST INTEREST NOR IN THE LONG-TERM. YOU MAKE THE ULTIMATE DECISION HERE, BUT THE COMMISSION MUST APPROVE IT, WHICH BRINGS ME TO MY REQUEST. I RESPECTFULLY ASK THE CITY TO RECONSIDER THE HIRING TIMELINE, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT UNTIL AFTER THE RUNOFF ELECTION IN JANUARY, ONLY ONE COMMISSIONER REPRESENTS DISTRICT 2. ROUGHLY HALF THE CITY'S POPULATION. AT A RECENT MEETING OF THE HISTORICAL SOCIETY, I NAÏVELY ANNOUNCED A MEET AND GREET ASSUMING THAT ALL SEVEN CANDIDATES WOULD BE THERE.

PLEASE CONSIDER RESTORING LOCAL CANDIDATES TO THE SHORT LIST INCLUDE THEM AT TOMORROW'S EVENT. DELAY THE FINAL DECISION UNTIL THERE IS A FULL COMMISSION, SO THE DISTRICT IS PROPERLY REPRESENTED FOR THIS VERY IMPORTANT DECISION. CHIEF AND DEPUTY CHIEF GILLETT HAVE BEEN DOING AN EXEMPLARY JOB IN THE SUMMER. I'M SURE THEY WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE THE CITY WELL FOR AS LONG AS YOU NEED THEM. THANK YOU.

>> NEXT. >> JAMIE BETH. I AM A 16 YEAR RESIDENT AT FORT PIERCE IN 1710 FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, 3949. I'M ALSO RUNNING FOR THE OPEN SEAT. OUR CITY IS IN THE MIDDLE OF SELECTING A NEW POLICE CHIEF AND ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT DECISIONS WILL FACE NOT JUST THIS YEAR, BUT POSSIBLY THE DECADE AND FORT PIERCE DESERVES A PROCESS WE CAN TRUST. MANY HAVE ALREADY ASKED ME, WHO IS ON THE SELECTION COMMITTEE? WHY NOW WHEN WE ARE FILLING AN EMPTY SEAT ON THE COMMISSION. NO LOCAL NEIGHBORHOOD LEADER AND NO LOCAL BUSINESS OWNER NO COMMISSION OR COMMUNITY VOICE. WHO SERVED ON THE SELECTION COMMITTEE? THESE ARE VERY FAIR QUESTIONS. TRANSPARENCY BUILDS CONFIDENCE.

ACCOUNTABILITY BUILDS TRUST. USING A COMMITTEE TO FILL SUCH POSITION. THE HIRING PACKET AND CANDIDATE ANNOUNCEMENT WOULD INCLUDE ALL COMMITTEE MEMBERS. THIS WAS NOT PUBLISHED FIA MEMO TO THE COMMISSION. THIS WAS ALSO NOT PUBLICLY AVAILABLE. HR RECRUITMENT BROCHURE ALSO NOT PUBLICLY POSTED. THE PRESS RELEASE WITH THE FINALIST, ALSO NOT PUBLICLY POSTED. HOW WE GOT TO THE PLACE AND WHO WAS ON THE COMMITTEE? OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IS AT A CRITICAL MOMENT. PUBLIC TRUST, OFFICER MOREL AND SIEBERT -- NEIGHBORHOOD 50 DEPENDS ON STRONG LEADERSHIP AND THAT MUST BE CHOSEN THROUGH CLEAR, OPEN AND COMMUNITY CENTER PROCESSES.

FORT PIERCE IS THE STRONGEST WHEN OUR COMMUNITY IS INCLUDED.

NOT INFORMED AFTER THE FACT. ACCOUNTABILITY IS NOT CONTROVERSIAL. TRANSPARENCY IS NOW POLITICAL. THAT IS WHAT I BELIEVE FORT PIERCE DESERVES ESPECIALLY NOW. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS NANCY AND I AM RETIRING WITH THE FORT PIERCE UTILITY AUTHORITY AND I WAS THERE FOR 27 YEARS AND I CONSIDERED IT A PRIVILEGE TO WORK FOR THAT AGENCY AND SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF CALEB GILLETT FOR FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT CHIEF OF POLICE . MY HUSBAND AND

[00:10:02]

I HAVE BEEN RESIDENTS OF FORT PIERCE OUR ENTIRE LIVES AND MY HUSBAND WAS BORN HERE AND WE HAVE KNOWN CALEB'S PARENTS SINCE BEFORE THEY GOT MARRIED, SO I GUESS THAT MEANS I'VE KNOWN CALEB SINCE BEFORE HE WAS BORN. HE IS ONE OF THE FINEST YOUNG MAN THAT I KNOW. HE PLAYED IN OUR HOUSE AND SPENT NIGHTS OVER WITH THE BOYS WHEN THEY WERE LITTLE AND MY BOYS WENT OVER TO THEIR HOUSE. I WAS A SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER FOR A FEW YEARS AND HIS GRANDFATHER WAS MY SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER BACK WHEN I WAS A TEENAGER. HE WAS ALSO A MEMBER OF MY OLDEST SON'S WEDDING PARTY, SO HE'S A SPECIAL GUY TO US. I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT HE SERVES THE CITY FORT PIERCE THE WAY HE DOES . I APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT HE COULD HAVE LEFT THE CITY TO SEEK HIS FUTURE AND FORTUNE SOMEWHERE ELSE, BUT HE COMMITTED HIMSELF TO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AND I'M VERY PROUD OF HIM . EVERY DAY, HE LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE, OUR COMMUNITY AS A FINE POLICEMAN AND AM VERY GRATEFUL. I'M A LITTLE BIT PERPLEXED, BECAUSE I SAW THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT HE DID NOT MAKE THE FINAL CUT THEY JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND. HE HAS THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE ACTING POLICE CHIEF AND ALSO THE LOCAL POLICE UNION WHO BETTER IN OUR COMMUNITY WOULD KNOW WHAT THE REAL REQUIREMENTS ARE OF THAT POSITION, CHIEF OF POLICE. WHAT PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY WOULD KNOW BETTER WHAT CALEB'S QUALIFICATIONS ARE THAN THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH HIM? I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND AND I'M QUITE PERPLEXED. I'M COMING TO YOU TO ASK YOU TO HELP ME UNDERSTAND WHY YOU DISQUALIFIED TO MEET THE PERSON WHO IS THE MOST HIGHLY QUALIFIED INDIVIDUAL FOR THAT POSITION. HE IS A HOMEGROWN INDIVIDUAL AND HAS BEEN PART OF THE COMMUNITY AND HAS COMMITTED YEARS OF HIS LIFE TO SERVING THE CITIZENS OF FORT PIERCE . I'M REALLY STRUGGLING WITH THIS DECISION AND I BELIEVE THE CITIZENS -- OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND WHY HE DID NOT MAKE THE CUT. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MA'AM. WHO'S NEXT? >> GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK. MY NAME IS DENNIS MCWILLIAMS AND I AM A PROUD RETIRED POLICE SERGEANT FOR THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT . IN A RECENT INTERVIEW, MADE REFERENCE TO HIRING A LEADER WHO REFLECTS THE COMMUNITY'S VALUES. I STAND BEFORE THE COMMISSION TODAY ASKING WHAT THOSE VALUES ARE AND WHAT HE ACTUALLY THINKS IS OF VALUE. IF IT'S LOYALTY, EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION DEMANDING TO HIRE RIGHT HERE IN HIS OWN BACKYARD, BUT THE CITY MANAGER DIDN'T SEE IT THAT WAY.

FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR 24 YEARS. HE HAS EARNED THE RESPECT OF OFFICERS AND THE COMMUNITY. NOT ONLY CAME BACK TO POLICE THE COMMUNITY AFTER GRADUATING WITH HIS BACHELORS DEGREE, BUT HE ACTUALLY GREW UP IN FORT PIERCE AND CARES ABOUT THE COMMUNITY AS HIS OWN , BECAUSE IT IS HIS OWN. AGAIN, CALEB GILLETT HAS THOSE THINGS, BUT APPARENTLY THE CITY MANAGER DID NOT SEE IT THAT WAY. MAYBE HE DISCOUNTED THAT HE WORKED TO OBTAIN HIS MASTERS DEGREE WHILE WORKING A FULL-TIME POLICE ADMINISTRATOR JOB, NO EASY TASK. PERHAPS IT IS COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND INTERNAL SUPPORT FROM THE TROOPS. LOOK AROUND THE ROOM AND I THINK YOU CAN CERTAINLY SEE HOW MUCH RESPECT HE HAS IN THE BUILDING AND IN FORT PIERCE. ALL OF THESE THINGS MATTER AND MUST HAVE MATTERED ON THE INTERVIEW COMMITTEE COMPRISED OF THREE PUT TOGETHER THE LIST OF THE TOP FOUR CANDIDATES FOR THIS GOVERNMENTAL BALL. BODY ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT. THE QUESTION I HAVE ON MY MIND IS, HOW DID ALL OF A SUDDEN THE LIST GET CUT TO THREE CANDIDATES WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF AT LEAST ONE OF THE THREE PEOPLE WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE INTERVIEWS OF THE SEVEN CANDIDATES? IT ALL SEEMS AS THE PEOPLE MIGHT SAY, SKETCH. THERE WERE THREE VERY QUALIFIED LOCAL CANDIDATES IN THE MIX OF THAT POSITION AND OF THEM ARE FINALISTS. ONE OF THE FINALISTS, ACCORDING TO THE PERSON I TALKED TO AND WAS ACTUALLY IN ON THE INTERVIEWS WAS A FINALIST, BUT NOW HE'S NOT. THIS IS NOT A GOOD START FOR US HIRING POLICE CHIEF DREW THE CITY'S VALUES UNLESS THEY DON'T VALUE THE RIGHT THINGS. FOR YEARS AND YEARS, WE HAVE BEEN PREACHING TO THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT SHOP LOCAL. WE DO THAT, SO SMALL BUSINESSES ARE ATTRACTED TO STAY IN FORT PIERCE AND DEVELOP OUR BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN AREA. SERVE THEIR COMMUNITY BY GROWING THEIR ROOTS IN FAMILIES. WHAT MAKES IT ANY DIFFERENT AND OUR MUNICIPAL

[00:15:03]

LEADERSHIP ROLES, HOW WILL WE GET PEOPLE TO STAY AT OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT IF WE CAN'T PROMISE OUR LOCAL HEROES THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN THE DEPARTMENT? I VALUE THAT

AND I HOPE YOU DO, TOO. . >> MY NAME IS TONYA AND I DON'T HAVE A LONG SCRIPT TO READ. DURING THE TO GIVE YOU MY ADDRESS? 3880 EDWARDS ROAD. I AM A SELF-EMPLOYED INDIVIDUAL THAT LIVES IN FORT PIERCE . I JUST WANT TO KNOW, WHY IS IT THAT YOU WANT TO HIRE AN OUTSIDER TO COME IN AND RUN THE FORT PIERCE DEPARTMENT? YOU START AS CASHIER, THEN YOU WORK YOUR WAY UP TO MAYBE CREW OR CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER. YOU HIRE WITHIN AND, WITHIN. THAT IS OFFICIAL FOR FORT PIERCE , SO WHY IS IT ONLY YOUR OPINION AND NOT THE PEOPLE'S OPINION THAT WORK AND LIVE HERE OPINION? DOES THAT NOT MATTER? THESE PEOPLE HAVE BUILT COMMUNITY TRUST AND WORK WITH THE CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN THROWN AT THEM THROUGHOUT THE YEARS IN THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THEY WORK WELL WITH THEIR PEERS . I JUST WANT ANSWERS AS TO WHY AND I'M SURE OTHER PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW WHY WE ARE NOT HIRING WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT THAT HAS ACHIEVED GOALS AND RESPECT IN THE COMMUNITY. THAT'S ALL. THANK

YOU. >> WHO'S NEXT?

>> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONER, MAYOR. CASEY DAVIS, 920 SOUTH U.S. HIGHWAY 1. IT IS WITH GREAT DISAPPOINTMENT THAT WE LEARNED THREE OF OUR LOCAL CANDIDATES HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED FROM CONSIDERATION FOR THE POSITION FOR CHIEF OF POLICE. HAVING HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING SIDE-BY-SIDE AND NOT TO HAVE GIVEN THEM FULL CONSIDERATION ALONG WITH THE VOICES WHO ENDORSES THEM AND THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. AS WE LOOK AHEAD, I WANT EMPHASIZE MY FULL SUPPORT FOR THE NEXT CHIEF OF POLICE WHENEVER HE OR SHE MAY BE. THIS CARRIES A SIGNIFICANT RESPONSIBILITY AND I HAVE FAITH THAT THE INDIVIDUAL SELECTED WILL BE WITH INTEGRITY, TRANSPARENCY AND GENUINE COMMITMENT TO THE DEPARTMENT AND COMMUNITY WE SERVE. THE PROCESS MAY NOT HAVE ALIGNED WITH WHAT MANY HOPE FOR, DEDICATION TO PUBLIC SERVICE WILL GUIDE US FORWARD TOGETHER.

>> WELCOME. >> 710 NORTH 18TH STREET, FORT PIERCE. I WAS ACTUALL COMING HERE TO SUPPORT THE OFFICERS AND I JUST FOUND IT UNJUST IF I DIDN'T SPEAK ON THE THREE CANDIDATES. THEY ARE MORE THAN CAPABLE. HAS BEEN A MOTHER OF EIGHT BOYS AND FIVE GIRLS IN OUR DEPARTMENT HAS SEEN A TREMENDOUS AS FAR AS THEY HAVE RESPECT FOR THE COMMUNITY. I WILL JUST SAY MR. GILLETT. I HAVE SPOKE WITH HIM BRIEFLY AND I WAS ASKING HIM ABOUT HIS ROLE AND TO KNOW THAT THIS IS A MAN WHO LOVES THE COMMUNITY, HIS WORDS WERE, IF IT'S NOT BY GOD, I DON'T WANT IT AND THAT WAS VERY VERY -- WAS A STRONG IMPACT ON ME. I JUST FEEL? I WANT TO KNOW WHO WAS THE VOTING MEMBERS WHO DID NOT QUALIFY THESE THREE INDIVIDUALS AS THE PROSPECT TO BECOME OUR NEXT CHIEF OF POLICE? THANK YOU.

>> CAN I GET YOUR LAST NAME AGAIN? THANK YOU. NEXT, PLEASE.

>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS TROY CARTER, 920 SOUTH U.S. ONE. MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, THANK YOU FOR THE CHANCE TO SPEAK ABOUT A DECISION THAT WILL SHAPE THE CITY FOR YEARS TO COME. CHOOSING THE NEXT CHIEF POLICE. THIS IS NOT A ROUTINE HIRE. OUR DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN THROUGH REAL TURMOIL AND OPERATIONAL FAILURES, SERIOUS MORALE ISSUES AND BASIC SYSTEMS BREAKING DOWN IS NOT A MOMENT

[00:20:06]

FOR EXPERIMENTS. THAT IS A MOMENT FOR STABILITY. TONIGHT, MY MESSAGE IS SIMPLE. WE SHOULD CHOOSE INTERNAL OR LOCAL CHIEF, SOMEONE WHO ALREADY KNOWS OUR PEOPLE, STREETS, PROGRAMS RATHER THAN BRINGING OUTSIDE AND WE HAVE TO LEARN ALL OF THIS WHILE WE ARE STILL IN THE CRISIS. THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO WEAR THE BADGE EVERY DAY ARE SAYING, WE TRUST THIS LEADER. YOU DON'T GET THAT VERY OFTEN. IF WE IGNORE THAT AND CHOOSE AN OUTSIDER, WE START THE NEXT CHIEF OFF WITH A TRUST DEFICIT AND WORKFORCE THAT FEELS AND IGNORED YET AGAIN. SECOND, PEOPLE WHO ARE ALREADY FIXING WHAT'S BROKEN. IT WAS IN AN OUTSIDER WHO STARTED THE HARD WORK ON OUR ADMINISTRATIVE RECOVERY, BUT LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT, INTERNAL AND LOCAL LEADERS WHO KEPT THE CITY COVERED WHEN MORALE AND RESOURCES WERE OUT WORST. NO MATTER HOW TALENTED WILL LEAD TO MORE PLAYERS AND WE DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF TIME. WE ARE NOT A STEPPING-STONE. SOME OUTSIDE CANDIDATES IN MULTIPLE CITIES ARE COMING TO THE DEPARTMENTS WITH THEIR OWN SERVICE RETENTION AND MORALE PROBLEMS. WE DON'T NEED A CHIEF WHO IS ALREADY LOOKING FOR THE NEXT JOB. NOT JUST A TITLE. THE MESSAGE YOU SEND MATTERS. LEARNING FROM WITHIN TELLS OUR OFFICERS IN OUR COMMUNITY, WE VALUE LOYALTY AND THOSE WHO STAY THE HARDEST TIMES. WE BELIEVE THE FUTURE -- SOLUTION CAN COME FROM OUR OWN PEOPLE. I URGE YOU TO RECONSIDER. PLEASE INCLUDE THE INTERNAL CANDIDATES AND CANDIDATES THAT APPLIED TO THE NEXT ROUND OF INTERVIEWS. WE DON'T NEED A STRANGER WITH A RESUME. WE NEED A NEIGHBOR WITH

A TRACK RECORD. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. WHO IS NEXT?

>> GOOD EVENING. 20 ORANGE AVENUE FORT PIERCE AND HAVE BEEN HERE FOR ABOUT 15 YEARS AND I AM HERE TO SUPPORT CALEB GILLETT.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS. I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT PRIOR TO THE FINAL DECISION BEING MADE, I HOPE THAT THE IMPACT AND CONSEQUENCES OF AN EXTERNAL HIRE WILL BE VERY STRONGLY COMMITTED -- CONSIDERED, EXCUSE ME. I'M AFRAID WILL NOT BE WELCOMED BY A COMMUNITY THAT FEELS NOT LISTENED TO AND BY A MORALIZED POLICE FORCE WHO FEELS NOT LISTENED TO. THIS POLICE DEPARTMENT IS UNFORTUNATELY USED TO BEING TOLD NO BY THE CITY. NO RAISES OR EQUIPMENT. THIS IS DEFINITELY A MORALE PUNCH RIGHT TO THE GUT. IT LIKELY TAKES A GOOD TWO YEARS TO UNDERSTAND AND ADJUST TO NEW COMMUNITY. THAT IS BOTH PERSONALLY WITH A MOVE AND PROFESSIONALLY AND BECOME TRULY EFFECTIVE. WHO IS GOING TO SHEPHERD THE NEWCOMER INTO OUR VERY TRAMPLED COMMUNITY? ARE TOP TWO OFFICERS, SHERIFF AND DEPUTY CHIEF BOTH HAVE RETIREMENT POSSIBILITIES WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR. WHO IS GOING TO SHEPHERD THE NEW CHIEF IN? I FEEL THAT THE HIGH PERCENTAGE WILLFULLY WITH A HOPE TO BE AFFORDED PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND SIGNIFICANT RAISES, WHICH THEY DON'T EXPECT TO GET HERE ANYMORE. WHO WILL HAVE THE BACK OF OUR NEW CHIEF? FORT PIERCE ALREADY DOES NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO ATTRACT AND RECRUIT COMPETITIVE LEVEL CANDIDATE. WE WILL HAVE LESS MONEY ONCE WE RELOCATE AN OUTSIDER WHO MAY FAIL OR JUST USE THE JOB AS A STEPPING-STONE AND STAY FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. IN RELOCATION AT THIS LEVEL COURSE WELL OVER $25,000, MONEY THAT WE CAN MUCH BETTER SPEND. WE KNOW THE DETAILED HISTORY OF OUR LOCAL CANDIDATES AND HOW THEY ARE PERCEIVED BY THE COMMUNITY AND COMRADES. WE HAVE ALL HEARD HOW MUCH THEY ARE RESPECTED. WE DON'T KNOW NEARLY AS MUCH ABOUT THE SURVIVING CANDIDATES. I HAVE READ THAT ONE OF THE CANDIDATE WHO WAS FORCED TO RESIGN OR BE FIRED. I DON'T KNOW EVERYBODY KNOWS THAT, BUT IT'S IN SEVERAL AREAS. ALSO, THE OTHER TWO ARE REFERRED TO OFTEN AS PREVIOUS OR FARMER. THAT IS AN EXECUTIVE SEARCH CONSULTANT AND I WOULD WANT TO KNOW WHY THEY ARE PREVIOUS OR FORMER AND NOT CURRENT. WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT THE FINAL DECISION WITHOUT CONSULTING ALL OF OUR

[00:25:03]

COMMISSIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT WE TAKE A PAUSE AND WAIT FOR OUR OPEN COMMISSIONER POSITION TO BE SEATED HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN. I HOPE YOU LISTEN TO WHAT IS BEING

EXPRESSED. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY

MUCH. WHO'S NEXT? >> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONER STAFF. I AM A NATIVE OF FORT PIERCE AND MY ADDRESS IS PO BOX 113 IS MY OFFICE ADDRESS. I'M HERE AND I DIDN'T MEAN -- THIS WASN'T ON THE AGENDA. AND LISTENING TO ALL OF THESE PEOPLE TALK ABOUT MR. GILLETT. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE CONFUSED BECAUSE OF THE PROCESS. WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IS UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS. THIS IS NOT ABOUT MR. GILLETT. IT IS NOT ABOUT QUALIFICATIONS. THE REASON WE ARE CONFUSED IS BECAUSE IT IS ABOUT CONSOLIDATION OF POWER. LET ME EXPLAIN TO YOU THE PROCESS RIGHT NOW. WITH STAFF APPARENTLY ONE IS SOMEONE WHO HAS NO LOYALTY WITHIN THE CITY. IF THEY ARE NEW, THEY WANT LOYALTY ONLY TO THEM. THE PROBLEM AND REASON IT'S COMING UP SO FAST AND YOU KEEP ASKING QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ELECTION.

YES, OF COURSE WE SHOULD WAIT UNTIL ELECTION, THE PROBLEM IS THAT RIGHT NOW IF YOU TAKE A VOTE AND IF THE VOTE IS TIED 2-2, THE MANAGEMENT GETS WHAT THEY WANT. IF YOU WAIT UNTIL ANOTHER COMMISSIONER -- JENNY BETH WAS JUST UP HERE. IF SHE HAPPENS TO BE ELECTED AND SHE WANTS TO OVERRULE THE CITY MANAGER ON JANUARY 20TH, THEY CAN DO THAT. IF THAT COMES UP RIGHT NOW OR BEFORE JANUARY 20TH, THEY CAN'T AND YOU CAN'T STOP THEM, BECAUSE THIS IS A CITY MANAGER DECISION. LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, YOU CAN TALK ABOUT THE QUALIFICATIONS OR WHATEVER YOU WANT TO, BUT THE FACT IS THIS IS NOTHING SHORT OF CONSOLIDATION OF POWER TO BE ABLE TO KEEP ANYBODY ELSE FROM INFORMING THE PUBLIC TO THE POWERS THAT BE IN THIS BUILDING.

THANK YOU. >> WHO IS NEXT?

>> HE SET A WHOLE BUNCH AND YOU KIND OF STOLE MY THUNDER.

>> YOU NEED TO TELL US YOUR NAME.

>> GOOD TO SEE YOU. >> I AM A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER IN THE CITY AS OF EIGHT YEARS AGO. I SPENT 24 YEARS OF MY LIFE IN THE CITY SERVING IT AND I'M GOING TO BE BRIEF. I HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 33 YEARS AND I HAVE NO DOG IN THIS FIGHT. I DON'T WORK FOR THE AGENCY AND I DON'T KNOW ANY NEW CANDIDATES.

SOMEOF THE CANDIDATES HAVING MOVED FROM THE LIST AND ACTUALLY WORK FOR ME AND I TRAIN THEM, BUT THAT'S MORE HERE NOR THERE.

WHAT I WANT TO REMIND THE CITY IS THE DISASTER MISTAKE YOU MADE LAST TIME. THAT WAS A DISASTER. IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE ABOUT READY TO DO IT AGAIN. I DON'T WANT TO COME HERE TO TO THREE YEARS FROM NOW. SHAME ON YOU FOR DOING THAT. SHAME ON YOU IF THAT HAPPENS. WITH THAT BEING SAID, OUR PROFESSION, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE PEOPLE WANT TO BE TOP COPS, CHIEFS, SHERIFF'S, THEY DO IT BUT THE RESUME IN AND WHERE THEY FALL, FALLS. THEY DON'T LIKE IT, THEY DON'T LIKE IT. THEY MOVE ON. THAT IS UNTIL THEY FIND THE JOB OR CITY THEY WANT TO WORK FOR. THEY WILL BE HERE FOR TWO YEARS AND GONE. HERE FOR THREE YEARS AND GONE FOR TWO WEEKS AND GONE. THE GENTLEMAN JUST FINISHED SAYING PRIOR IS SPOT ON. YOU WILL MAKE YOUR DECISION THAT. WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY IS HAVE QUALIFIED PEOPLE IN THE AGENCY THAT ARE PROBABLY JUST AS WELL THAT IT IS THE ONES YOU JUST ENDED UP ON THE LAST THREE LIST FOR THAT SILENCING PRETTY

>> THANK YOU. NEXT? >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS

[00:30:02]

HOWARD DONE JR. AND I LIVE AT 900 SOUTH AVENUE. I STAND HERE BEFORE YOU AS A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF FORT PIERCE WHO CARES DEEPLY ABOUT OUR CITY, POLICE DEPARTMENT AND OUR COMMUNITY'S FUTURE. I WANT TO ADDRESS THE RECENT DECISION BY OUR NEW CITY MANAGER TO OVERLOOK QUALIFIED CANDIDATES FOR THE CHIEF OF POLICE POSITION IN FAVOR OF BRINGING ANOTHER OUTSIDER. AS YOU KNOW, THE CITY MANAGER HIMSELF IS NEW TO FORT PIERCE AND POLICE CHIEF FROM OUTSIDE. THIS DECISION IS DISAPPOINTING. HAVING A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE MORALE IN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND ON THE TRUST BETWEEN LEADERSHIP AND CITIZENS YOU SERVE. FOR YEARS, THE COMMUNITY MADE IT CLEAR. WE WANT A POLICE CHIEF WHO KNOWS FORT PIERCE . SOMEONE WHO HAS WALKED THE STREETS AND BUILD RELATIONSHIPS HERE. I UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGE WE FACE. WE HAVE DEDICATED MEN AND WOMEN WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT WHO HAS GIVEN DECADES TO THE CITY AND HAVE EARNED RESPECT OF OUR RESIDENTS TO PASS AND TO PASS THEM OVER.

THAT COMMENT IN THE COMMUNITY AND LEADERSHIP COMES FROM WITHIN, IT INSPIRES HOPE AND PRIDE. IT SHOWS OFFICERS IN OUR DEPARTMENT AND THE YOUNG PEOPLE GROWING UP IN FORT PIERCE THAT IF YOU WORK HARD AND SERVE WITHIN, YOU CAN ASPIRE TO LEAD AT HOME. BRINGING IN ANOTHER OUTSIDER RISKS THE DIVISION AND UNDERMINES MORALE AND GOES AGAINST THE COMMUNITY TRUST THAT IS SO VITAL TO PRACTICE PUBLIC SAFETY. I URGED THE COMMISSIONERS TO LISTEN TO THE VOICES OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE CONSIDER THE PATH YOU ARE ALL GOING DOWN. WE NEED LEADERS WHO ARE INVESTED IN FORT PIERCE AND OUR CITY DESERVES POLICE CHIEF FROM ALL COMMUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY. LET'S SUPPORT THOSE WHO HAVE ALREADY SHOWN DEDICATION TO FORT PIERCE AND GIVE OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT AND PEOPLE THE RESPECT THEY DESERVE.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, SIR. WHO'S NEXT?

>> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS JARED ROMAN HELLO. MADAME MAYOR, I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT, BECAUSE I KNOW FIRSTHAND THE HARD WORK THAT THEY DO AND I KNOW FIRSTHAND HOW HARD THEY WORK FOR THE VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIMES. THE COMMUNITY HAS SPOKEN AND THE POLICE UNION HAS SPOKEN AND THE CITY HASN'T LISTENED. WE WANT A POLICE CHIEF FROM THE COMMUNITY OR THE COMMUNITY PRIOR TO THE THREE CANDIDATES SELECTED BY THE CITY MANAGER HAVE ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERSHIP, BUT ALSO THE THREE LOCAL CANDIDATES HAVE EXCELLENT EXPERIENCE IN POLICE LEADERSHIP. THE THREE LOCAL CANDIDATES ALSO HAVE THE RESPECT AND TRUST OF THIS COMMUNITY AND THE BACKING OF OUR POLICE OFFICERS. I HOPE TONIGHT THAT THE COMMISSION AND CITY MANAGER LISTEN TO WHAT THE COMMUNITY IS SAYING AND TO RECONSIDER THEIR DECISION AND ALLOW THREE LOCAL CANDIDATES TO PARTICIPATE AS FINALISTS FOR THE POSITION OF CHIEF OF POLICE FOR THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT. THANK

YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS? ANYONE ELSE?

>> WE WILL BE MOVING ON WITH THE AGENDA AND FOR THOSE HERE TO ON THIS ITEM AND IT WILL BE THIRD SEEN THE AND WE HAVE SOME ITEMS TO DEAL WITH BEFORE WE GET TO THAT, SO JUST TO KEEP YOU

[11. CONSENT AGENDA]

INFORMED. >> NEXT, THE CONSENT AGENDA. ARE THERE ANY ITEMS THE COMMISSIONER WOULD LIKE TO PULL FROM THE

[00:35:05]

AGENDA? >> MADAME MAYOR, I'M GOING TO

PULL CONSENT AGENDA I. >> ALREADY. ANYTHING ELSE? IF NOT, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA

WITHOUT THAT ONE? >> I MAKE A MOVE THAT WE APPROVE

THE CONSENT AGENDA. >> IS THERE SECOND? CALL THE

ROLL, PLEASE. >>

[I. Approval of award of Bid No. 2026-004 City Park Restroom Cleaning to Morivalous Cleaning Inc., Fort Pierce, FL in the amount of $100,400.00.]

>> CONSENT AGENDA ITEM I PRETTY >> MADAME MAYOR.

>> APPROVAL OF 23 6-004, CITY PARK RESTROOM CLEANING TO WORK CLEANING OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA IN AMOUNT OF $1400.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHO FROM STAFF IS GOING TO ADDRESS SOME CONCERNS I HAVE PULLED THIS, BECAUSE IT'S AN ITEM I GET THE MOST CALLS ABOUT WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC REACHING OUT OF THE FACILITIES OR LACK OF AND THE INTENTION OR STATE ET CETERA. I WAS HAPPY WHEN I READ THE BACKGROUND, THE NUMBER OF APPLICANTS THAT PUT IN THE PROCESS AND WENT THROUGH AND COME TO WHERE WE ARE WITH THE SETTLING OF THIS. THINK WHAT I WANT TO TRY TO GET AN EXPECTATION AND UNDERSTANDING OF PUBLICLY IS THAT GOING OVER IT, HOW ARE WE MONITORING THIS CONTRACT? IT'S A ONE-YEAR CONTRACT UP FOR RENEWAL AND EXPANDING SERVICES NOW FROM THREE DAYS A WEEK, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, TO SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, SERVICE OF THE 16 PARKS THAT WE MAINTAIN FOR THE CITY. IS THAT CORRECT?

>> WOULD YOU STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD? I KNOW YOU ARE STAFF AND WE ALL KNOW YOU, BUT WE HAVE TO DO THAT FOR THE RECORD.

>> GOOD EVENING, MADAME MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS. LEWIS, INTERIM DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR PUBLIC WORKS. AS YOU ARE SAYING, COMMISSIONER JOHNSON, AS FAR AS WHAT IT'S GOING TO LOOK LIKE AS FAR AS CHECKS AND BALANCES, HE IS IN CHARGE OF FACILITIES, SO RIGHT NOW, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE A PROCESS WHERE THEY ACTUALLY GO THROUGH AND INSPECT THE RESTROOMS EVERY SINGLE DAY. THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OPENING AND CLOSING THE RESTROOMS AND I HAVE BEEN IN THE REST OF MYSELF AND THEY HAVE A CHECKOFF LIST WHERE THEY GO IN AND TOOK THE TIMES THAT THEY ACTUALLY GO IN AND INSPECT. AS FAR AS CHECKS AND BALANCES, THE FACILITY STAFF WILL BE THE ONES GOING IN THERE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GETTING THE SERVICE WE ARE ACTUALLY PAYING FOR.

>> THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO STOP, BECAUSE THAT'S EXACTLY IT. THE CHECKLIST AND THE UNDERSTANDING. I'M ASSUMING THAT WE HAVE AN OPEN AND CLOSING. I'M ASSUMING THAT THEY ARE AVAILABLE ON THIS WINDOW OF TIME OF THE SEVEN DAYS A WEEK THAT IN CASE ONE BATHROOM IS IN BAD SHAPE AND THERE IS SOMETHING THEY CAN RESPOND, IT'S NOT A ONE HIT IN THE MORNING AND THAT'S IT FOR THAT DAY, BUT I NEED TO UNDERSTAND AND I WANT THE PUBLIC TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE ARE GOING TO DEAL WITH THIS, BECAUSE THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I GET A LOT OF CALLS UNFORTUNATELY AND I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY CALL ME, BUT THEY CALL ME ON IT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE EXPLAINED THIS TO THE PUBLIC BECAUSE THIS IS AN INVESTMENT. WE HEAR THE PUBLIC AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING.

>> AS FAR AS THE WHOLE CHECKS AND BALANCES THING. IF THEY GOING TO THE RESTROOM NOT UP TO STANDARDS, THERE IS A CALL THAT CAN BE PLACED. ALSO, WHAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE OVER THE SENATE WASTE DEPARTMENT, WE ACTUALLY HAVE A TEAM THAT TAKES CARE OF THE BEACHES AND ALL OF THE PARTS. THOSE GENTLEMEN, THE CREW THERE, THEY ACTUALLY GO TO THE RESTROOMS AND INSPECT, AS WELL.

THERE HAS BEEN TIMES ON THE WEEKEND WHERE THEY ARE ONLY GETTING CLEANED THREE TIMES A WEEK AND IF THEY WENT THROUGH AND FOUND SOMETHING THAT WASN'T UP TO STANDARD, THEY WOULD RECOUNT REACH OUT TO HIS TEAM. TWO TEAMS ARE ACTUALLY GOING BEHIND THE CLEANING COMPANIES JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GETTING -- WE ARE ACTUALLY PAYING FOR IT. THERE ARE CHECKS

AND BALANCES IN PLACE. >> ESTHER COMMISSION, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER, WE ARE IMPLEMENTING TECHNOLOGY, AS

WELL, FOR THE CUSTOMERS. >> YES.

>> YOU WANTED TO ADD? >> MAYOR AND COMMISSIONERS.

>> STATE YOURSELF FOR THE RECORD.

>> JOHNSON, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER, CITY OF FORT PIERCE. AS OF HAVING PUBLIC WORKS OPERATIONS, ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE

[00:40:01]

INTRODUCING WITH THE CONTRACT IS PLACING QR CODES WITHIN RESTROOMS, SO ADDITION TO THE TIME AND CHECKLIST, THERE WILL BE THE ABILITY FOR THE PUBLIC -- IF THEY NOTICED SOMETHING IN THE GAP, THEY CAN SCAN THAT AND SEND A REPORT AND CREATE A WORK ORDER AND THE TEAM WILL BE DEPLOYED TO ADDRESS THAT IMMEDIATELY AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ARE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR ANDY SEND ME PICTURES AND PHOTOS. WE DO HAVE A PROBLEM OF UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS THAT REALLY WRECK THE RESTROOMS AND IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE. THERE IS NO RHYME OR REASON. WE ARE ALSO INCLUDING THE ABILITY TO REPORT ABUSE. THAT IS SO WE CAN TRY TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES ON THE LEVEL FROM A DIFFERENT

PERSPECTIVE. >> I APPRECIATE THAT. THESE ARE TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND WE WANT TO PROVIDE SERVICE BY CITIZENS.

THEY ARE THOSE ABUSERS AND WE WILL DEAL WITH THAT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I HAD AN EXPECTATION THAT THIS WINDOW OF TIME FROM SEVEN DAYS A WEEK, THERE IS A COMPANY ROAMING THE CITY THAT HAS A RESPONSIBILITY OF OUR 16 PARKS. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT OUR PARKS ARE VERSUS THE COUNTY PARKS AND WHAT THEY HAVE TO MAINTAIN. I JUST WANT TO PUBLICLY MAKE SURE I SPEND A LITTLE TIME TO ADDRESS THIS, BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, I HAVE SEVERAL PEOPLE WHO CALLED AND HAD THIS ISSUE. THEY TRY TO USE IT FOR RECREATIONAL FAMILY EVENTS OR SOCIAL OUTINGS. IT GOES LEFT, AS THEY WOULD SAY.

I'M DONE UNLESS THERE IS ANYTHING ELSE.

>> I JUST WANT TO ADD THAT OUR PARKS ARE SO HEAVILY USED AND I'M VERY WELL AWARE OF WHAT YOU CAN GO IN THE, CLEAN IT AND LEAVE. WE KNOW, ESPECIALLY JETTY PARK, JC PART, PARKS THAT ARE -- USED 24/7. I WOULD LIKE THE PUBLIC TO KNOW THAT WE TRY OUR BEST TO KEEP UP WITH CLEANING THE RESTROOMS, BUT IT CAN BE UNDONE IN A HALF HOUR IF YOU JUST LEFT IT AND I KNOW THAT FOR A FACT. I KNOW THAT THE TOUGH JOB.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>> DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION? >> MOTION AND SECOND. CALL THE

[A. Presentation and Public Hearing of the 2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER).]

ROLL, PLEASE. >> NEXT, WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PRESENTATION ON THE 2024 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE AND EVALUATION REPORT.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY LEAD IN? >> YES, CLARKSON WILL GIVE HER

PRESENTATION. HERE SHE IS. >> YOU KNOW TO IDENTIFY

YOURSELF. >> MY NAME IS DANELLA CLARK AND I AM THE GRANTS MANAGER FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS, CITY MANAGER, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODAY. I AM HERE TO DISCUSS THE 2024 CONSOLIDATED ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATION REPORT, AS ROLLED OUT BY SPECIFICATION. THIS IS OUR GRANT THAT I WILL BE DISCUSSING TODAY. I WILL GIVE A DEFINITION OF WHAT THE CAPER IS. YEAR END REPORT AND SUMMARIZING THE PROGRESS THROUGH THE ACTIVITIES OF 2024-23 FIVE PROGRAM YEAR AND ACTION PLAN. THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE USES THE CAPER TO HIGHLIGHT ANNUAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF HUD ENTITLEMENT FUNDS. IT MEASURES SUCCESSES AGAINST THE FIVE YOUR OBJECTIVES OUTLINED IN THE 2021-2025 CONSOLIDATED PLAN. THIS YEAR'S CAPER REPORTS ON PROGRESS IN THE 2024-2025 PROGRAM YEAR, WHICH STARTED OCTOBER 1, 2024 AND RAN TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2025. IT ALSO PROVIDES DETAILED DATA ON PROJECTS COMPLETED DURING THE PROGRAM YEAR AND THE NUMBER OF REHABILITATION UNITS COMPLETED THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTS ASSISTED. FEDERAL FUNDS EXPENDED AND RESOURCES USED WITH ALL RELEVANT DATA. THAT SAID, WE ARE ABLE TO ASSIST THROUGH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WITH FIVE SMALL BUSINESSES AND WE WORKED WITH FIVE PROJECTS WITHIN THE CITY OF

[00:45:03]

FORT PIERCE . WE WERE ABLE TO REHAB THREE HOMES AND WITHIN THE CENSUS TRACK, WE ASSISTED WITH PUBLIC SERVICES, 6000+ PEOPLE IN THAT CENSUS TRACK THAT IS COVERED WITH A TOTAL OF 6000 PLUS PEOPLE . WE DID A MINOR MISCALCULATION, BUT ON 14 PROJECTS, WE ARE ABLE TO ASSIST OVER 6000 PEOPLE. SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AS I SAID, WE SUPPORTED FIVE SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND ADVERTISEMENT OF THE GRANT ET CETERA. IT FOCUSED ON HELPING THE SMALL BUSINESSES GROW WITHIN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. FROM THE HOUSING PROGRAMS, WE ASSISTED THREE HOUSEHOLDS USING FUNDS FOR HOUSING REHABILITATION. WE CONDUCTED A MANDATORY ORIENTATIONS AND REHABILITATION WORKSHOPS TO INFORM THE GENERAL CITIZENRY OF THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY PLACE ON US. WE ALSO PROVIDED A DISASTER READINESS AND PREPAREDNESS WORKSHOP TO INFORM AND MAKE THE RESIDENTS HURRICANE READY FOR THE UPCOMING YEAR WORTH OF STORMS. WE WERE BLESSED THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING MAJOR OCCUR THIS YEAR AND HOPEFULLY IT CONTINUES THAT WAY. SOME OF THE PUBLIC SERVICES THAT WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE, WE PARTNERED WITH CAREER RESOURCE -- COAST CAREER SOURCE RESOURCE COAST FOR THE 10TH ANNUAL JOB FAIR. WE SUPPORTED THE RECREATION AND FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS, ASSISTED TWO LOW INCOME YOUTH PROGRAMS AND ALSO SUPPORTED SENIOR CITIZENS IN THEIR COMMUNITY GARDEN INITIATIVES. OUR RECOMMENDATION OR ASK OF THE COMMISSION IS THE APPROVAL OF THIS REPORT FOR SUBMISSION TO HUD AND THE GRANTS DIVISION WILL PROCEED AS CITY COMMISSION ADVISES.

>> ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? >> CAN YOU GO BACK TO THE PAGE -- I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE NUMBERS.

>> THE TOTAL IS INCORRECT. I'M SORRY. IT IS 6000 PLUS, BUT IN THE CENSUS TRACK WHERE WE PROVIDE PUBLIC SERVICES, THERE IS 5606 PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA AND WHO HAVE ACCESS TO ALL PUBLIC SERVICES AND WHETHER IT'S WITH PARKS.

>> WHAT IS THE RIGHT TOTAL? THE BOTTOM-LINE?

>> IT SHOULD BE 6000 PLUS. >> OTHER COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? THIS IS A PUBLIC HEARING, ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. SEEING NO MOVEMENT, AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. MIKE AND COME BACK TO THE COMMISSION AND REQUESTING APPROVAL OF THIS REPORT? YOU WILL MAKE A CORRECTION ON THOSE

NUMBERS. >> MOVE APPROVAL REPORT WITH THE NECESSARY CORRECTION TO THE ITEM LINE.

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

[B. 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. SECOND READING]

25-034. THE TERRITORIAL LIMITS OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA TO INCLUDE ONE PARCEL LOCATED NEAR OR AT EAST SOUTH MARKET AVENUE AND SOUTH U.S. HIGHWAY 1 AS SHOWN ON EXHIBIT A DIRECTING THE COUNTY PROPERTY APPRAISER TO ASSESS SAID PROPERTY AND PLACE IT ON THE CITY TAX ROLES AS OF JANUARY 1, 2026. COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR TO COLLECT TAXES ON THE DESCRIBED PROPERTY ESTABLISHING THE DESIGNATION AND FORT PIERCE LAND USE DESIGNATION AND DIRECTING THE FILING ORDINANCE WITH CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER'S. DIRECTING REVISION OF TO BE WITH DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND SUBMITTED TO THE OFFICE AND ECONOMIC DEMOGRAPHIC RESEARCH. PROVIDING APPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT HEREWITH AND PROVIDING FOR EFFECTIVE DATE. THIS IS THE SECOND READING.

>> ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE, COME FORWARD. SEEING NO

MOVEMENT. >> MOVE APPROVAL.

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

[C. Quasi-Judicial Hearing - Application for Major Site Plan for development review has been submitted by property owner, Emerson Peraza and Representative Culpepper & Terpening, Inc., to construct a 24,534 sq. ft new rebar manufacturing plant on 2.92 acres, located at 4201 Bandy Blvd., Fort Pierce, FL. The property is zoned Light Industrial, (I-1).]

[00:50:03]

HEARING FOR APPLICATION FOR A MAJOR SITE PLAN FOR DEVELOPMENT REVIEW SUBMITTED BY THE PROPERTY OWNER AND REPRESENTATIVE TO CONSTRUCT A 24,534 SQUARE FOOT NEW REBAR MANUFACTURING PLANT

ON. >> ALL RIGHTY BREAD WE HAVE TWO QUASIJUDICIAL'S. WOULD YOU READ OUR PROCESS FOR QUASIJUDICIAL

HEARINGS? >> THE CITY COMMISSION BUILDS A LEGISLATIVE AND QUASIJUDICIAL ROLE. THE COMMISSION ENGAGES IN LAWMAKING ENOUGH ESTABLISHING POLICIES. WHEN ACTING AS A QUASIJUDICIAL BODY, THEY APPLY THOSE LAWS AND POLICIES AND IS HELD TO STRICT PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS BUT LESS FORMAL THAN PROCEEDINGS BEFORE A CIRCUIT COURT THAT ARE MORE FORMAL THAN A NORMAL COMMISSION MEETING. QUASIJUDICIAL NOTICE OF DUE PROCESS AND DECISIONS MUST BE MADE BASED ON COMPETENT SUBSTANTIAL EVIDENCE. THEREFORE, COMMISSIONERS HAVE A DUTY TO DEDUCT THE PROCEEDINGS MORE LIKE JUDGES THAN LEGISLATORS. THAT IS WHY THE COMMISSION HAS ESTABLISHED UNIFORM PROCEDURES FOR QUASIJUDICIAL HEARINGS THAT WE WILL FOLLOW THIS EVENING.

FINALLY, NO ONE SHOULD APPROACH ANY MEMBER OF THE CITY COMMISSION ON THE DAIS, CITY ATTORNEY OR CITY CLERK DURING THE HEARING. IF DOCUMENTS WERE TO BE GIVEN TO THE CLERK, GIVE THEM TO SERGEANT AT ARMS FOR ANY POLICE OFFICERS IN THE CHAMBER.

>> NOW CALLED TO ORDER. HAVE WE MET THE COMPLIANCE WITH ADVERTISING AND NOTICE REQUIREMENTS? WOULD YOU ASK COMMISSIONERS ABOUT EXPERT TAKE MEDICATIONS, PLEASE?

>> NOTHING TO REPORT. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES? JOHNSON? MAYOR HUDSON ? INEQUITIES WHERE IN THE WITNESSES, PLEASE?

>> ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THE ITEM AND ANYONE IN THE AUDIENCE, PLEASE STAND AND RAISE WORLD RIGHT-HAND. THESE WERE, FROM TO TELL THE TRUTH, WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH?

THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS CARRIE, SENIOR PLANNER WITH THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT. THIS EVENING ON BEHALF OF THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT, WE BRING BEFORE YOU A MAJOR SITE PLAN MANUFACTURING AND PLANT NUMBER TWO. THE APPLICANT IS INTERPRETING AND INCORPORATED REPRESENTED BY REDHAWK THE PROPERTY OWNER. REPRESENTED BY MSN. PARCEL I.D.

IS 23415050010, 0003 ADDRESS 4201 BANDY BOULEVARD. IN SUMMARY, A MAJOR SITE PLAN APPLICATION HAS BEEN CEMENTED FOR DEVELOPMENT REVIEW. SEEKING APPROVAL TO DEVELOP AN INDUSTRIAL BUILDING USED TO MANUFACTURE METAL REBAR IS FOR CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES. HERE IS THE AREA REVIEW OF THE SITE LOCATION. 2.92 ACRES, GIVE OR TAKE. THE FUTURE LAND USE OF THE PROPERTY IS HI, HEAVY INDUSTRIAL. THE ONE OUTLIER OF THE PARCEL LOCATED WITHIN THE COUNTY IS INDUSTRIAL. THE ZONE AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE PROPERTY IS I ONE, LIGHT INDUSTRIAL AND OUTLIER PROPERTY SURROUNDING LOCATED WITHIN THE CITY WITHIN THE COUNTY PARCEL IS IH INDUSTRIAL HI. SITE PLAN DETAILS, THE PROPOSED BUILDING FOOTPRINT WILL BE 24,534 SQUARE FEET AND THE BUILDING HEIGHT, 35 FEET HIGH PROVIDED 41 PARKING SPACES, WHICH BREAKS DOWN TO 39 REGULAR A.D.A. SPACES -- 39 REGULAR SPACES INTO A.D.A. AND THE PROPOSE BUILDING WILL BE TWO LEVELS. BASED ON THAT DESCRIPTION, HERE IS A DRAWING OF THE PROPOSED BUILDING SHOWING THE SOUTHWEST, AS WELL AS THE NORTH ELEVATIONS. HERE ARE THE EAST AND THE WEST ELEVATIONS ALONG WITH THE COLOR BOARD, AND THE BUILDING WILL BE STUCCOED.

[00:55:05]

>> THE PLANNING BOARD RECOMMENDED IT BE FORWARDED TO CITY COMMISSION WITH A RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL. THE FOLLOWING CONDITIONS APPLY. NUMBER 1, PRIOR TO THE ISSUANCE OF A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY , IT SHALL BE APPROVED AND SHALL BE SIGNED, ACKNOWLEDGED IN THE FOLLOWING. NUMBER 2, A FIVE FOOT SIDEWALK IS REQUIRED ALONG BANDY BOULEVARD PRIOR TO AND ISSUANCE OF A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPATION AND ALL REQUIRED AGENCY PERMITS SHALL BE OBTAINED PRIOR TO THE BUILDING PERMIT SUBMITTAL. THE PROPOSED APPLICATION MEETS THE STANDARDS OF THE CITY CODE SECTION 125 313. STAFF RECOMMENDATION IS CITY COMMISSION APPROVED THE SITE PLAN WITH THE THREE CONDITIONS.

ALTERNATE RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD BE TO RECOMMEND APPROVAL WITH ADDITIONAL OR MODIFIED CONDITIONS OR RECOMMEND

DISAPPROVAL. THANK YOU. >> QUESTIONS FROM STAFF?

>> I HAVE SEVERAL. CAN YOU GO BACK TO THE AERIAL SHOT THAT ONE. NO -- THE PRIOR ONE. YES. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A LARGE TRACT OF LAND ADJACENT TO THIS. WE KNOW -- IS THAT IN THE CITY

LIMITS? >> THAT IS WITHIN THE COUNTY AS

WELL. >> ALL RIGHT. REGARDING THE FACILITY ITSELF , IS IT SERVICED BY -- DO YOU KNOW -- IS IT

SERVICED BY PUBLIC WATER ? >> FPUA IS AVAILABLE OUT THERE.

>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE MANUFACTURING OF REBAR USES A LOT OF TOXIC MATERIALS , AND THESE QUESTION MIGHT BE ASKED OF THE APPLICANT HOW THEY ARE MANAGING THESE MATERIALS ON-SITE BECAUSE I THINK THERE ARE THINGS THAT YOU UTILIZE. WE CAN ASK THEM WHEN THEY COME UP. I SEE YOUR HAND HERE IN THE DESIGN ELEMENTS OF THE BUILDING. CAN WE FLASHBACK TO THE TWO-STORY ELEMENTS I SEE WE HAVE THE OFFSETS AND COLOR SCHEMES AND SHUTTERING, ET CETERA THAT IS THE HALLMARK OF YOUR NEW PACKAGE OF IMPROVEMENTS YOU REQUIRE ON INDUSTRIAL PROPERTIES. I COMPLEMENT YOU ON THE UPGRADES YOU'VE INCORPORATED OR REQUESTED FROM THE DEVELOPER. I'M SURE THERE WAS A REQUEST.

IS THAT ACCURATE? >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> I SAW THE HAND BEHIND THE SCENE HERE. THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. ANY OF THE BUILDINGS WE CAN GET THAT ARE ATTRACTIVE ARE NOTHING BUT A BENEFIT TO THE CITY. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE ZONING CLASSIFICATION. IT IS ZONED LIGHT INDUSTRIAL BUT THIS IS A HEAVY INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION, CORRECT?

>> THIS IS A MAJOR SITE PLAN APPLICATION. THE USE COULD BE CLASSIFIED AS HEAVY INDUSTRIAL BUT THE SITE PLAN IS THE MAJOR

-- >> WITH THE MAJOR SITE PLANNING INCORPORATES A CHANGE OF ZONING AND THE USES APPROVED BECAUSE OF THE MAJOR SITE PLAN? I SEE DIRECTOR FREEMAN.

>> THESE ARE CLASSIFIED AS MANUFACTURING.

>> SO UNDER THE LIGHT INDUSTRIAL SO THE USE IS PROVIDED BECAUSE I WAS WONDERING WHY WE DIDN'T HAVE A CHANGE OF ZONING REQUEST.

I GUESS IF THERE'S A DEVELOPER HERE, I WILL HOLD MY QUESTIONS

FOR THEM. THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FROM STAFF? I WOULD LIKE THE APPLICANT TO COME FORWARD,

PLEASE. STATE YOUR NAME. >> GOOD EVENING. I'M THE ENGINEER OF RECORD REPRESENTING TRANSAMERICA REDHAWK REBAR.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF?

>> I AM HERE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.

>> YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY OR WOULD YOU LIKE US TO ASK

QUESTIONS? >> I CAN GO INTO THE RESPONSES.

THAT MIGHT HELP. TO YOUR QUESTION ABOUT THE OPERATION ACTUALLY HAPPENING THERE. IT IS A FABRICATION OF REBAR NOT THE CREATION OR SMELTING OR ANY KIND OF PROCESSING OTHER THAN BENDING REBAR RODS TO CREATE CAGES AND REINFORCEMENT STRUCTURES THAT GOING TO CONCRETE. SO THAT'S WHAT THEY DO.

>> YOU TAKE MATERIAL TRUCKED IN AND DROPPED ON-SITE AND IT'S PROCESS TO CREATE ALL THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF REBAR NEEDED

[01:00:04]

IN NEW CONSTRUCTION. >> BINDING, SHAPING.

>> THERE'S NO MANUFACTURING TAKING PLACE?

>> OTHER THAN THE FINAL PRODUCT OR THE REINFORCEMENT STRUCTURE.

>> THAT RESOLVES MY CONCERNS REGARDING HAZARDOUS MATERIAL BECAUSE THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THAT IS NASTY STUFF.

BUT IF THEY AREN'T DOING THAT, THAT IS A DIFFERENT SCENARIO AND

I'M SATISFIED WITH THAT. >> YOU'RE DOING ANYTHING THAT

PRODUCES TOXIC CHEMICALS . >> I DON'T KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT THE DETAILED OPERATIONS. I KNOW THEY DON'T PRODUCE IT THERE.

THEY GET IT DELIVERED AND THEY CUT IT. BUT WHAT THEY ACTUALLY NEED TO DO IN ORDER TO BEND IT AND CUT IT, I CANNOT ANSWER. I

DON'T KNOW. >> IF THAT IS THE CASE , WILL THIS FACILITY BE HOOKED INTO PUBLIC WATER AND PUBLIC SEWER?

>> IT IS. >> THERE IS NO LEACHING OF MATERIALS THAT WOULD BE POTENTIALLY PROBLEMATIC? MY CONCERN WAS GETTING THIS STUFF OUT AND THE ENVIRONMENT BUT IF THE PROCESSES DON'T INCLUDE THAT, THAT NIXES THAT BY WHAT WE SEE HERE AND IF THEY ARE IN PUBLIC SEWER, IT WILL GET SHIPPED OFF TO THE NEW SEWER TREATMENT PLAN.

>> THERE IS PROBABLY AN OIL INTERCEPTOR THAT WILL BE INSTALLED. THAT'S THE ONLY WASTEWATER PROCESSING THAT WOULD

HAPPEN ON SITE. >> SO YOU INSTALL THAT FOR

PARKING LOT DRAINAGE? >> SOMEWHERE ON THE SITE. IT WILL BE SOMEWHERE ON THE SITE. ACROSS THE STREET REDHAWK REBAR HAS ANOTHER FACILITY UNDER CONSTRUCTION RIGHT NOW. SO WE USED AN OIL WATER SEPARATOR THERE AND I SEE WE WILL NEED

WHEN HERE AS WELL. >> I'M COMFORTABLE WITH THAT.

THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OF THE APPLICANT? OTHER CONCERNS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND IS THERE ANYONE ELSE WHO WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE? ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. THANK YOU. BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMISSION.

>> I CAN MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE . WERE THERE CONDITIONS SET BY THE PLANNING BOARD? I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION

WITH THOSE CONDITIONS IN PLACE. >> IS THERE A SECOND. CALL THE

ROLL, PLEASE. >>

>> WELCOME TO FORT PIERCE, FOR THE SECOND TIME.

[D. Quasi-Judicial Hearing - Ordinance 25-020 - Review and approval of an application to rezone a single parcel containing approximately 11.54 acres and being located at or near 3804 Sunrise Boulevard in Fort Pierce, from Single Family Zone (R-1) zoning to Planned Development (PD) together with a Planned Development Final Site Plan for forty-eight (48) single-family residences. The application is submitted by applicant Blaine Bergstresser, KMA Engineering & Surveying, on behalf of owner DT VENTURES 1 LLC. - FIRST READING.]

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> WE QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARING - HAVE ANOTHER ORDINANCE 25-020 - REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF AN APPLICATION TO REZONE A SINGLE PARCEL CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 11.54 ACRES AND BEING LOCATED AT OR NEAR 3804 SUNRISE BOULEVARD IN FORT PIERCE, FROM SINGLE FAMILY ZONE (R-1) ZONING TO PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (PD) TOGETHER WITH A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT FINAL SITE PLAN FOR FORTY-EIGHT (48) AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE THIS IS THE FIRST READING.

>> HAVE WE MET THE ADVERTISING AND NOTICE REQUIREMENTS?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> WOULD YOU ASK COMMISSIONERS ABOUT EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS, PLEASE?

>> YES. >> I MET WITH THE DEVELOPMENT

TEAM. >> COMMISSIONER GAINES.

>> I MET WITH THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM AND RECEIVED EMAILS.

>> COMMISSIONER JOHNSON . >> DEVELOPMENT TEAM AND SOME

EMAILS AS WELL. >> ADD EMAILS TO MY LIST AS

WELL, PLEASE. >> OKAY. AND MAYOR HUDSON.

>> EMAILS. ONLY EMAILS. AND WOULD YOU SWEAR AND THE

WITNESSES , PLEASE. >> ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM, INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC , PLEASE STAND AND RAISE YOUR RIGHT HAND. DO YOU SWEAR OR AFFIRM TO TELL THE TRUTH THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH? THANK

YOU. >> PROCEED.

>> THANK YOU . TONIGHT WE ARE LOOKING AT THE SUNRISE LAKES FINAL SITE PLAN . YOU MAY RECALL THAT THIS APPLICATION HAS BEEN

[01:05:06]

BEFORE YOU PREVIOUSLY. >> TWICE BEFORE?

>> I THINK ONCE -- I DON'T RECALL. IT'S BEEN TO THE PLANNING BOARD MULTIPLE TIMES. THE RECOMMENDATION THE LAST TIME HE CAME TO THE COMMISSION WAS TO GO BACK FOR THE APPLICANT --

>> I RECALL. >> LOOK AT THE DENSITY AND THE ARRANGEMENT AND THE SCHOOL BUS STOP AND THE BUFFERS AND EVERYTHING ELSE AROUND THAT. THE PLANNING BOARD DID RECONSIDER THAT AND I WILL GO INTO THAT IN A MOMENT. THE APPLICANT HAS REVISED THE PLAN , REDUCED THE NUMBER OF UNITS AND THEIR . SO THE FUTURE LAND USE ON THE PROPERTY IS 6.5 UNITS PER ACRE.

THE ZONING IS FOUR UNITS PER ACRE. THE APPLICANT IS COMING IN WITH A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT OF 4.16 UNITS PER ACRE. THE SITE WAS RECENTLY ANNEXED INTO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. IT IS BORDERED BY SINGLE-FAMILY COCKE COUNTY , ZONING ON THE SOUTH AND WEST TO THE NORTH IS A CEMETERY AND THE EAST IS THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION BUILDING AND ACTIVITIES . BOTH OF THOSE HAVE INDUSTRIAL ZONING. SO THERE'S THE LOCATION OF THE SITE. SUNRISE BOULEVARD SOUTH OF BELLE AVENUE AND 25TH STREET TO THE WEST FORM THE BLOCK , IN ESSENCE. IT'S 11.54 ACRES. A BETTER CLOSE-UP IN TERMS OF AN AERIAL SHOT. YOU SEE THE CEMETERY FDOT ACTIVITY , RESIDENTIAL TO THE SOUTH AND TO THE WEST. THE EXISTING ZONING IS R1 THE COUNTY TO THE SOUTH AND WEST IS RS3 . FUTURE LAND USE IS LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL AND THE FUTURE LAND USE IS A MIXTURE OF AROUND THAT SITE. YOU SEE THE DEVELOPMENT AROUND THIS PROPERTY IS ESSENTIALLY INDUSTRIAL COMMERCIAL TO THE NORTH AND EAST AND LOW DENSITY RESIDENTIAL AND RESIDENTIAL USES PRIMARILY TO THE SOUTH AND THE WEST. THIS IS IN THE LOCATION WHERE IT'S INTERMEDIATE BETWEEN CITY AND COUNTY AND THAT INTERFACE BETWEEN WHERE IT OCCURS WE DO HAVE -- AS FAR AS WE CAN CONSIDER THE DEVELOPMENT PATTERN AROUND THERE AND THE INTERACTION BETWEEN COUNTY AND CITY FUTURE LAND USE AND THE INTEGRATION OF THOSE LAND USES BETWEEN THE ENTITIES. THE SITE PLAN -- THE MODIFIED SITE PLAN NOW INCORPORATES 48 UNITS RATHER THAN THE 50 PREVIOUSLY APPROVED -- PREVIOUSLY PROPOSED . AND INCORPORATES A BUS TURNING RADIUS AREA WE HAD SUBSEQUENT DISCUSSIONS BETWEEN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE APPLICANT, WHICH MAY BE REPORTED HERE TODAY AND THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE OF ADVICE THAT CAME AROUND FROM THAT. THE ARCHITECTURAL DETAILS ARE SIMPLE. SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL UNITS THE PLANNING BOARD ORIGINALLY AT THE SEPTEMBER 8TH MEETING RECOMMENDED DISAPPROVAL OF THE SUNRISE LAKES FINAL SITE PLAN AND DID OF A VOTE OF 6-1 AND THEY CITED AT THAT MOMENT THE REASON FOR DOING SO WAS A LACK OF SCHOOL BUS TURNAROUND AND STOP AND THE OVERALL NUMBER OF DWELLINGS , WHICH AT THAT TIME WAS 50. A REVISED PROPOSAL INCLUDING A SCHOOL BUS TURNAROUND AND THE SIDEWALK ALONG THE FRONTAGE OF THE PROPERTY ON SUNRISE BOULEVARD TO THE INTERSECTION OF BELLE AVENUE , AND YOU CAN SEE THE DISTANCE INVOLVED IN THAT . SO THE APPLICANT IS NOW PROPOSING A SIDEWALK TO LINK BELLE AVENUE OF RIGHT AWAY ALONG THE FRONTAGE OF THE DEVELOPMENT. AND A REDUCTION OF DWELLING UNITS TO 48 THAT WAS

[01:10:12]

PRESENTED ON OCTOBER 13TH WERE WAS RECOMMENDED TO MOVE TOTHE CITY COMMISSION TO AND APPROVAL OF 5-2. AT THE OCTOBER 13TH 2025 PLANNING BOARD THE SCHOOL DISTRICT RECOMMENDATION THAT A SCHOOL BUS BE PROVIDED INTERNALLY TO THE SITE AND ASSIGNED WITH THE APPROPRIATE TURNING RADIUS WAS REINFORCED BY THE PLANNING BOARD, HOWEVER, WE RECEIVED IS UP A SUPPLEMENTAL EMAIL WHERE THE SCHOOL DISTRICT STATED THAT AFTER REVIEWING THE ATTACHMENTS WITH THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT THAT THE BUS WILL RUN OVER THE CURBS WHEN NAVIGATING THE LOOP AND THERE WAS A RECOMMENDATION AT THAT TIME TO INSTALL A BUS SHELTER ON SUNRISE AND CREATE MORE PARKING INSTEAD OF THE LOOP. WE HAD ANOTHER EMAIL RECENTLY WHICH REINFORCED THE LOOP AND INCREASING THE RADIUS OF THE LOOP AND I THINK THEY WILL TALK TO THAT THIS EVENING. SO THE PRESENT SITE PLAN INCORPORATES THE ORIGINAL PLANNING BOARD AND SCHOOL DISTRICT RECOMMENDATIONS. THAT IS WHAT YOU SEE IN FRONT OF YOU.

I BELIEVE THE APPLICANT HAS INCREASED THE RADIUS OF THE LOOP NOT LONG BEFORE THIS PRESENTATION AND THEY WILL TALK MORE TO THAT IN THEIR PRESENTATION. IN ESSENCE, THE SITE PLAN , IF IT DOES INCORPORATE A LARGER RADIUS IS NOT AFFECTED SUBSTANTIALLY TO WHAT YOU SEE PRESENTED TONIGHT.

THERE WILL NEED TO BE VERY SMALL AMENDMENTS TO THAT SITE PLAN AND THOSE SHOULD BE INCORPORATED PRIOR TO THE SECOND READING, IF THIS ONE IS APPROVED. BASED ON FINDINGS OF THE PROPOSAL IS IT IS IN COMPLIANCE AND THE PROPOSAL PROMOTES THE PUBLIC HEALTH SAFETY AND GENERAL WELFARE THROUGH SITE DESIGN AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEENTS. I SHOULD SAY THAT WATER AND SEWER IS BEING EXTENDED DOWN SUNRISE TO THE SITE AND THAT HAS BEEN DONE IN CONJUNCTION WITH APPROVAL FROM FPUA AND REVISED APPLICATION MEETS THE STANDARDS OF THE CITY CODE SECTION 125314.

SO STAFF THEREFORE RECOMMENDS THAT THE CITY COMMISSION APPROVED THE APPLICATION SUBJECT TO THE CONDITIONS AS NOTED WITH RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL -- WITH A RECOMMENDATION OF APPROVAL SO WE HAVE CONDITIONS RELATING TO THE INSTALLATION OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE, A LIFT STATION , BUS DISTRICT SHELTER SIDEWALK CONNECTING THE PROJECT TO BELLE AVENUE ALONG SUNRISE BOULEVARD, ALL THOSE SHOULD BE -- SHALL BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO THE ISSUANCE OF A FIRST CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY. THE REVISED SITE PLAN WILL REQUIRE A PLAT . OPEN SPACE WILL BE MAINTAINED AT A MINIMUM OF 23% OF THE FINAL PD SITE AREA. THAT IS IN EXCESS OF WHAT NORMALLY WOULD BE REQUIRED FOR A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT. IT SHALL COMPLY WITH THE DENSITY AND RESIDENTIAL BUILDING HEIGHTS AS OUTLINED IN THE PREVIOUS SUNRISE LAKES DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AND THE DENSITY, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, IS 4.16 PROPOSED BUILDING HEIGHTS A SINGLE STORY. A WATER AND DRAINAGE PLAN WILL BE SUBMITTED. THERE'S AN EXISTING DRAINAGE DITCH AND THAT WILL NEED TO BE REGRADED AND A 20 FOOT DRAINAGE EASEMENT WILL BE RECORDED PRIOR TO COMPLETION OF SITE WORK. IT INCLUDES RESPONSIBILITIES DIRECTED TO THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION. A WALL MINIMUM OF SIX FEET WILL BE INSTALLED ALONG THE PROPERTY LINE AND THAT HAS BEEN REQUIRED OR RECOMMENDED DUE TO THE PROXIMITY OF THE POTENTIAL EXISTING INDUSTRIAL COMMERCIAL USE AND POTENTIAL AND FUTURE INDUSTRIAL COMMERCIAL USE THAT MIGHT OCCUR ON THAT PROPERTY.

THERE WILL BE AGREEMENTS RELATED TO PROVISIONS COVENANTS AND HOA AND THERE WILL BE ALL BINDING ON SUCCESSES IN TITLE 20 COMMITMENTS.

[01:15:03]

LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT WILL BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPATION AND REVISED FINAL SITE PLAN ARCHITECTURAL AND LANDSCAPING PLANS SHALL BE SUBMITTED FOR THE PROPOSED COMMUNITY CENTER -- AMENITY CENTER. THERE'S ONE ON THE PLANNED DEVELOPMENT AND THAT WILL BE REVIEWED WITH THE REVISED SITE PLAN. ALL APPLICABLE STATE AND FEDERAL PERMITS WILL BE OBTAINED BEFORE COMMENCEMENT THE BUS STOP LOCATION WILL BE APPROVED BY THE SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT PRIOR TO THE FINAL CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY. THAT, AGAIN, WILL BE SPOKEN ABOUT -- ADDRESSED BY THE APPLICANT WITH THEIR PRESENTATION. STAFF'S RECOMMENDATION IS APPROVAL SUBJECT TO THE 13 CONDITIONS AND, AS I'VE JUST COME THROUGH AND THAT ENDS THE STAFF PRESENTATION.

>> QUESTIONS FROM STAFF? >> I WANT TO BE SURE I HAVE MY CALCULATIONS ARE CORRECT. THIS SITE PLAN CONTAINS 48 UNITS , WHICH IS ADDUCTION IN THE ORIGINAL PLAN WE SAW A 50. BASED ON THE EXISTING ZONING , FORGET ABOUT THE PD. THE EXISTING ZONING WOULD ALLOW 11.5 FOUR ACRES WOULD ALLOW 44 UNITS

BEFORE YOU ROUND UP. >> YOU ROUND DOWN.

>> 44 THAT WOULD BE APPROVED THE WAY IT IS WITHOUT GOING TO THE

PD PROCESS. >> IN CARY THAT'S CORRECT. YOU WOULD NEED TO ACCOMMODATE THE MINIMUM LOT SIZES FOR THAT ZONING SO THE NUMBER COULD GO DOWN.

>> YOU ARE ELIMINATING -- YOU HAVE THE EASEMENT FOR DRAINAGE .

YOU HAVE A RECREATION CENTER EATING INTO THE GROSS MASS OF THE 11.54 ACRES. ASSUMING I'M CORRECT, WERE GOING FROM 44 UNITS THAT WOULD BE APPROVED THE THE EXISTING ZONING TO 48 UNDER

THE PD. >> I WOULD SAY THAT IN THEORY --

>> I'M NOT TRYING TO GET INTO THE WEEDS. I'M JUST LOOKING AT IT FROM WHAT THEY REQUEST AND THE CHANGES TO THE SITE PLAN I CONSIDERED TO BE SIGNIFICANT. THE LANDSCAPING WAS VERY IMPORTANT AND WHEN I MET WITH THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM WE REVIEWED THIS ISSUE IN SIGNIFICANT DETAIL. I WANT THEM TO PRESENTED IN SIGNIFICANT DETAIL BECAUSE THE CONCERN FROM THE RESIDENCE AND THAT AREA IS THE VISUAL IMPACT IT WILL HAVE IN THE TRAFFIC ISSUE . I'M NOT HAPPY WITH THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT SUGGESTION TO MOVE THE BUS STOP OUT ON SUNRISE. IT MAKES NO SENSE. SO IF THEY'VE ADDRESSED THE CURBING ISSUE FOR THE BUS ADEQUATELY, AND THE SCHOOL DEPARTMENT WILL SIGN OFF ON THAT, INSTEAD OF SHIFTING TO SUNRISE WHICH I THINK IS DANGEROUS. WE WILL WAIT TO WE GET TO THAT POINT.

>> ANYTHING ELSE? >> I SAW SOME UPGRADES IN THE EXTERIOR FINISHES AND I SEE THE DIRECTORS HAND IN THAT. BUT IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO INFLUENCE THESE AS THE STATE HAS MANDATED

THAT WE STAY AWAY FROM SUCH -- >> I THINK THE ISSUE WAS THE CONCERN WAS THE VIGIL NATURE OF THE STRUCTURES FROM SUNRISE AND THEY WERE SOMEWHAT GENERIC. BUT I LEAVE THERE ARE CHANGES MADE THERE. WE CAN LET THE DEVELOPERS ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS.

>> OTHER QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? >> I THINK THE DEVELOPER NEEDS TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE THINGS WE HAD IN OUR DISCUSSION

>> I. I WOULD LIKE FOR THE APPLICANT TO COME FORWARD, PLEASE. BUT I HAVE ONE FOR THE QUESTION FOR DIRECTOR FREEMAN.

IS THERE ANYTHING THAT YOU ASKED FOR THIS DEVELOPMENT PLAN THAT YOU DIDN'T GET FROM THE DEVELOPER?

>> NO. IN FACT , THEY PROVIDED MORE THAN WE WERE REQUESTING.

>> THANK YOU. BUT SIR, CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME , PLEASE AND I WANT TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OF STAFF. BUT GOOD EVENING. I'M REPRESENTING THE APPLICANT. I CURRENTLY DO NOT

HAVE QUESTIONS FOR STAFF. >> OKAY.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE PRESENTATION? AND DO WANT TO

ANSWER QUESTIONS? >> I WILL MAKE A BRIEF PRESENTATION AND I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

>> PLEASE PROCEED. >> I WANT TO GIVE A BRIEF

[01:20:05]

HISTORY OF THE PROJECT. IN DECEMBER OF 2023 WE MET WITH CITY STAFF TO DISCUSS A POTENTIAL TOWNHOME PROJECT LOCATED IN UNINCORPORATED SINK ST. LUCIE COUNTY. IT WAS SUGGESTED THAT THIS AREA WOULD BE BETTER SUITED AND MORE APPROPRIATE FOR SINGLE-FAMILY. SO BASED OFF THAT WE UPDATED THE SITE PLAN FOR 52 SINGLE-FAMILY DEVELOPMENT . WE APPLY FOR ANNEXATION IN FEBRUARY OF 2024 AND THEN WE GOT THAT APPROVAL AND SUBMITTE THE SITE PLAN IN APRIL 2024. DURING THIS PROCESS OF THE SUBMITTAL THE CITY WAS CHANGING THEIR CODE WHEN IT CAME TO THE PD PROCESS SO WE HAD TO RESUBMIT NEW APPLICATIONS. WE WENT THROUGH STAFF THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND GOT PRESENTED TO THE PLANNING BOARD IN MAY OF 2025. DURING THAT PLANNING BOARD MEETING WE WERE APPROVED 5-0 AND WE WENT TO THE CITY COMMISSION AND WE WERE TABLED IN JULY OF 225. WE MET WITH STAFF AND COMMISSIONERS, AND WE HAVE TALKED TO SOME OF THE RESIDENTS AND WE UPDATED PLANS AND WENT BACK TO THE PLANNING BOARD . WE WERE DISAPPROVED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2025 AND MET WITH STAFF AND TOOK SOME OF THE FEEDBACK WE GOT FROM THE PLANNING BOARD AND WENT BACK IN OCTOBER AND WE WERE APROVED BASED OFF OF THE UPDATED PLANS.

SO MR. FREEMAN TOUCHED ON WHAT SOME OF THE IMPROVEMENTS ARE, BUT THIS IS THE UPDATED SITE PLAN THAT LOOKS VASTLY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE PRESENTED IN JULY. ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS THAT THE PLANNING BOARD WANT US TO ADDRESS WAS THE BUS STOP. AS WAS STATED , WE'VE INCORPORATED AN INTERNAL LOOP SYSTEM . SO HOW THIS WOULD WORK THE BUS WOULD COME IN AND WE WILL HAVE A COVERED BUS STOP. CHILDREN WILL BE PICKED UP AND PARKING RIGHT DISTRICT HAD ASKED FOR PARENTS WHO ARE AWAITING OR TO SEE THE KIDS GET ON THE BUS OF THEY ARE WAITING TO PICK THEM UP AND THE BUS WOULD TURN AROUND AND EXIT ONTO SUNRISE. WE HAVE ALSO ELIMINATED TWO LOTS IN ORDER TO REDUCE THE DENSITY BUT ALSO TO FIT THIS ROUNDABOUT. THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION LAST TIME AT THE PLANNING BOARD OF WHAT IS THE INTENT OF THE PD. SO I PULLED THE CODE AND THIS IS WHAT IS LISTED. THE INTENT FOR A PD IS TO ESTABLISH RESILIENT LIVING AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT THROUGH THE APPLICATION OF ENLIGHTENED AND IMAGINATIVE APPROACHES TO COMMUNITY PLANNING , STORMWATER INFRASTRUCTURE PROPERTY DESIGN.

A PD SHOULD ROVIDE A VARIETY OF NATURAL FEATURES AND SCENIC AREAS, EFFICIENT LAND USE, ORDERLY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE PROTECTION OF ADJACENT AND EXISTING AND FUTURE DEVELOPMENT. I'M GOING TO TOUCH ON THE LAST ITEMS ON HOW WE BELIEVE THIS PLAN MEETS THOSE REQUIREMENTS. WHEN IT COMES TO A VARIETY OF NATURAL FEATURES , IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DEVELOPMENT WE HAVE A LARGE -- TYPICALLY THIS WOULD JUST BE PLANET SOD AND IT LOOKS VERY PLAIN. WE HAD THIS PLANTED AS A BIO SWELL. SO INSTEAD OF SOD YOU WILL HAVE NATURAL ROCKS AND NATURAL PLANTINGS. AND NOT ONLY GIVES MORMON AESTHETIC APPEAL BUT IT WILL ALSO PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT MORE WATER QUALITY WHEN IT COMES TO THE WE ARE GOING TO RELOCATE EXISTING PONDS . THIS IS JUST AN EXAMPLE OF SOME OF THE DRY PONDS BEING PLANTED. CYPRESS TREES AND GRASSES WOULD BE INSIDE OF THAT. ON TOP OF THAT WHEN IT COMES TO AMENITIES WE ARE TO HAVE A WALKING PATH AROUND THESE PONDS IS AN INCLUDED AMENITY FOR THE RESIDENTS. VARIETY OF NATURAL FEATURES. ONE THING WE HEARD DURING THE PLANNING BOARD WAS ABOUT HOW MANY EXISTING TREES ARE LOCATED ON THE SITE. AS PART OF THAT CUT TYPICALLY WE DON'T DO TREE MITIGATION CALCULATIONS AT THIS STAGE. IT OCCURS DURING THE BUILDING PERMIT PORTION, WE TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND THIS REPRESTHE TREES THAT WE WILL BE SAVING OR RELOCATING. ALL OF THESE IN GREEN OUR EXISTING OAK TREES YOU CAN SEE ON THE WESTERN BUFFER ON SUNRISE

[01:25:05]

WE WILL BE SAVING 26 OAK TREES. THE PINK BLOCKS OUR EXISTING PALM TREES THAT WE WILL PRESERVE IN THE LIGHT BLUE ARE THE EXISTING PINE TREES ON THE BORING ON THE BORDER. THE BLUE DOTS ARE EXISTING SABAL PALMS. WE WILL BE TAKING 220 SABAL PALMS AND PUT THEM IN THE LANDSCAPE BUFFER OR PLANTING THEM IN THE DRY POND AREAS THAT WE HAVE ON SITE. ANOTHER ITEM THAT WAS EFFICIENT AND ECONOMICAL LAND-USE. I THINK ABOUT HOW WE UTILIZE THE LAND. IN ORDER -- IF YOU LOOK AT WHERE THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED WE HAVE THE CEMETERY TO THE NORTH. THE CLOSEST NEIGHBORS TO THE SOUTH AND THE GOAL IS TO TRY TO DESIGN THIS SITE TO NOT NEGATIVELY IMPACT THEM. WE PUSHED THE DRIVEWAY TO THE NORTH AND IT TAKES AWAY FROM THE EXISTING DRIVEWAYS ON THE SOUTH OF SUNRISE AND ON THE SOUTHERN PROPERTY LINE WE HAVE AN EXISTING 20 FOOT DRAINAGE EASEMENT AND AN ENHANCED LANDSCAPE BUFFER BEFORE YOU GET TO LOTS. WE ARE TRYING TO CREATE A BUFFER BETWEEN US AND THE CLOSEST RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORS THAT WE HAVE. ANOTHER ITEM IS IMPROVED AMENITIES. WE REALLY SPENT A LOT OF TIME TRYING TO SHOW THAT ON THE PLANS. ORIGINALLY WE WERE CONSIDERING A CLUBHOUSE AND A POOL AREA IN THE MIDDLE. THROUGH SOME REDESIGN WE'VE ADDED A LOT HERE AND NEXT TO LOT NUMBER 1 WHERE WE HAD EXISTING LOTS WE'VE ADDED A CLOSED IN DOG PARK . WE ALSO HAVE INCORPORATED SOME GAZEBOS THAT ARE PART OF THIS TURN AROUND SO THIS ENABLES RESIDENTS TO COME IN, GRAB THEIR MAIL, TURN BACK INTO THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD AND GO TO THEIR HOUSE. THE BUS STOP. WE WERE WORKING WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT ON THIS ITEM. CURRENTLY THE BUS WILL COME IN AND THIS IS THE COVERED BUS STOP. IT WILL MAKE THE TURN AROUND HERE AFTER PICKING UP THE KIDS. THE ONLY IMPROVEMENTS TO THIS PLAN THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WAS LOOKING FOR WAS THEY WERE NERVOUS ABOUT THE BUS LEAVING AND MAKING A RIGHT TURN OUT OF THIS NEIGHBORHOOD. SO I TOLD THEM I WOULD UPDATE THE PLAN TO INCREASE THIS RADIUS SO THEY COULD SHOW THAT THE BUS WOULD HAVE NO ISSUE MAKING THAT RIGHT TURN OUT OF THE PROPERTY. AS I STATED , THE CLOSEST RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORS ON SOUTH. THIS IS THE SOUTHERN BUFFER RIGHT HERE. THERE IS AN EXISTING DRAINAGE DITCH THAT WE WILL PLACE IT 20 FOOT DRAINAGE EASEMENT ON AND ON TOP OF THAT WE WILL HAVE A 16 FOOT LANDSCAPE BUFFER BETWEEN THE LOTS AND WHEN YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT A 15 FOOT REAR YARD SETBACK , YOU HAVE 51 FEET BETWEEN OUR PROPOSED HOUSES IN THE SOUTHERN PROPERTY LINE. WE ARE TRYING TO PUSH THE PROPOSED BUILDINGS AS FAR AWAY FROM THE SOUTHERN NEIGHBOR AS WE CAN. WET -- THIS IS A TYPICAL SECTION OF THE WESTERN BUFFER. WE ARE SAVING FOR LARGE EXISTING OAKS. THERE'S A 20 FOOT EXISTING OAK RIGHT HERE AND WE WILL BE RELOCATING SABAL PALMS . AS YOU LOOK AT A MATURE TREE, IT ONLY PROTECTS YOUR VIEW IF YOU'RE LOOKING STRAIGHT UP. YOU STILL HAVE A WINDOW TO THE HOUSES, SO WE ARE GOING HAVE A THREE FOOT COCO PALM HEDGE . THAT GIVES YOU A GOOD BUFFER AND DIFFERENT TYPES OF VIEWS WHETHER YOU'RE DRIVING OR WALKING ON THE SIDEWALK. THIS IS A RENDERING OF WHAT THE SOUTHERN PROPERTY LINE WOULD LOOK LIKE. HERE ARE EXISTING TREES THAT THE PROPERTY TO THE SOUTH HAS. THIS REPRESENTS THE DRAINAGE EASEMENT AND THIS IS A RENDERING OF RELOCATED SABAL PALMS, AND DIFFERENT TYPES OF SHRUBS WE HAVE PROPOSED ON THE SOUTHERN PROPERTY LINE. THIS IS JUST ANOTHER ANGLE LOOKING DUE WEST . AND THEN, THIS IS AN ANGLE

[01:30:05]

LOOKING AT THE PROPOSED BUFFER ON THE WEST WITH EXISTING OAKS OR EXISTING SABAL PALMS AND THE PROPOSED PLANTINGS. ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT MR. FREEMAN MENTIONED WAS ADDITIONAL WORK WE PROPOSED SINCE THE LAST PLAN. IN DISCUSSION WITH STAFF AND WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT , WE PROPOSED EXTENDING THE SIDEWALKS AND THE CODE REQUIRES US TO PUT SIDEWALKS ALONG THE FRONTAGE. WE ARE PROPOSING TO INCREASE THAT AND RUN AN ADDITIONAL 1031 FEET TO BELL AVENUE. IN ADDITION TO HELPING OUR COMMUNITY WE THINK IT MIGHT BE BENEFICIAL TO THE NEIGHBORS BECAUSE THIS WILL ALLOW -- LET'S SAY SOMEONE WANTED TO USE OUR BUS STOP. IF YOU'VE EVER DRIVEN IN THAT AREA THERE'S NOT A LOT OF GOOD AREAS FOR KIDS TO WAIT. IF A KID WANTED TO THEY COULD EITHER WALK AND USE THE SIDEWALK OR OTHER PARENTS COULD USE OUR BUS STOP TO DROP KIDS OFF. WE THINK IT WILL HELP THE CONNECTIVITY IN THE EXISTING NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE THERE IS SIDEWALK ALONG BELL AVENUE THAT RUNS TO THE WEST, I BELIEVE, ALL THE WAY TO THE NEXT INTERSECTION. WE WILL BE EXTENDING ALMOST 1300 LINEAR FEET OF A FORCE MAIN TO THE PROPERTY LINE . IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT ALL OF THE EXISTING NEIGHBORS HERE IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY ARE ON SEPTIC. SO BY EXTENDING THIS FORCE MAIN DOWN TO THE SOUTH , AND ALLOWS FOR FUTURE CONNECTIONS, AND I BELIEVE FPUA IS TRYING TO RUN SEWER TO THOSE THEY CAN CONVERT FROM SEPTIC IN THE FUTURE. REAL QUICK. IT WAS BROUGHT UP ABOUT HOW BLAND THE ELEVATIONS WERE. AS PART OF THAT WE'VE ADDED SOME TRIM WORK ALONG THE HOUSES AND DIFFERENT COLOR SCHEMES , AND IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE BUILDER OF THE HOMES IS A LOCAL BUILDER WHO HAS DONE HOMES IN THE AREA. HE ALWAYS PROPOSES METAL ROOFS, IMPACT WINDOWS , AND WANTED ME TO SHOW YOU SOME OF HIS INTERIOR FINISHES THAT HE PUTS IN ALL OF HIS HOMES.

GRANITE COUNTERTOPS, STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES, HIGHER-END PICTURES THEN YOU MIGHT SEE IN A TRACK HOME COMMUNITY. I AM HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THE COMMISSIONER MAY HAVE.

>> WE APPRECIATE THE ADDITIONAL WORK YOU DID. THIS IS THE WAY IT

SHOULD HAPPEN, I THINK. >> THE 20 FOOT DRAINAGE AREA THAT YOU ARE PROPOSING ON THE SOUTH. WHO IS GOING TO MAINTAIN

THAT MOVING FORWARD? >> WHEN WE GO THROUGH THE FINAL PLAT, THAT WILL BE DEDICATED TO THE HOA. BUT IT WILL BE ACCESS GRANTED TO SOUTH FLORIDA MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AS WELL AS ST. LUCIE COUNTY BECAUSE IT GOES ON SUNRISE BOULEVARD , SO THEY WILL HAVE THE AVAILABILITY TO ACCESS IT FOR EMERGENCY

MAINTENANCE ISSUES. >> THE HOA IS RESPONSIBLE FOR

MAINTENANCE? >> YES.

>> GO BACK TO THE BUS PULL OUT TO THE RIGHT. IN THIS PLAN HERE YOU'VE ACCOUNTED FOR THE ADDITIONAL SPACE FOR THE BUS TO MAKE THE RIGHT TURN OR IS THAT ONE OF THE MINOR CHANGES TO THE

PLAN? >> THAT WILL BE ONE OF THE MINOR CHANGES. THIS RIGHT HERE -- A BIGGER RADIUS FOR THE RETURN.

>> OKAY. THANK YOU. THAT'S ALL THAT I HAVE.

>> FOLLOW-UP QUESTION. WHERE DO YOU STAND EXACTLY WITH THE COUNTY ON THIS? THEY ARE EXPECTING YOU TO DO A MODIFICATION OF THE PLAN AND HAVE TO SIGN OFF ON THAT?

>> CORRECT. I WILL SEND AN UPDATED PLANT SCHOOL DISTRICT SHOWING THIS UPDATED RADIUS. WE HAVE TO SUBMIT THAT TO THE

COUNTY. >> IS THIS ONE OF OUR

CONDITIONS? >> YES.

>> THIS IS RESOLVED. >> IT NEEDS TO BE APPROVED BY

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT. >> THEY APPROVE IT AND WE SAY

IT'S GOOD. >> CORRECT.

>> OKAY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DOES ANYONE ELSE IN CHAMBERS WANT TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AT ALL? ANYONE ELSE? OKAY. DO YOU

[01:35:05]

HAVE ANYTHING MORE TO SAY OR ARE YOU DONE? WE WILL BRING IT BACK TO THE COMMISSION. I WILL ENTERTAIN DISCUSSION OR EMOTION.

>> I WANT TO PUBLICLY THANK THE DEVELOPER AND MR. FREEMAN AND STAFF. THEY LISTEN AND I THINK THEY MET WITH SOME OF THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS OUT THERE AND PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY. THIS IS WHAT GOVERNMENT LOOKS LIKE THAT WE WORK TOGETHER OBVIOUSLY TO BRING A PRODUCT TO THE MARKET. AND ALSO PROVIDE THE RIGHT AESTHETICS FOR THAT AREA AS WE GROW. ON A PUBLICLY SAY THAT AND WITHOUT I MOVE THAT WE APPROVED THIS PLAN WITH THE 13 CONDITIONS

ATTACHED TO THEM. >> IS THERE A SECOND?

>> SECONDED. >> ANY DISCUSSION? CALL THE ROLL

PLEASE. >> MUCH FOR ALL YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS. THANK YOU.

[E. Quasi-Judicial Hearing - Ordinance 25-036. Amending the City's Zoning Atlas and rezoning two parcels containing approximately 75.981 acres of land, more or less, and being generally located at or near the southwest corner of Okeechobee Road and the Florida Turnpike and approximately 1500 feet south of Okeechobee Road in Fort Pierce, from (AG-1) Saint Lucie County Agricultural 1 Dwelling Unit per Acre to Planned Development (PD); approving a Final PD site plan; approving a Planned Development zoning agreement; providing for a severability clause; providing for repeal of ordinances or parts thereof in conflict herewith and providing for an effective date. FIRST READING ]

>> NEXT WE HAVE THE QUASI-JUDICIAL HEARING - FINAL OF THIS EVENING. ORDINANCE 25-036. AMENDING THE CITY'S ZONING ATLAS AND REZONING TWO PARCELS CONTAINING APPROXIMATELY 75.981 ACRES OF LAND, MORE OR LESS, AND BEING GENERALLY LOCATED AT OR NEAR THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF OKEECHOBEE ROAD AND THE FLORIDA TURNPIKE AND APPROXIMATELY 1500 FEET SOUTH OF OKEECHOBEE ROAD IN FORT PIERCE, FROM (AG-1) SAINT LUCIE COUNTY AGRICULTURAL 1 DWELLING UNIT PER ACRE TO PLANNED DEVELOPMENT (PD); APPROVING A FINAL PD SITE PLAN; APPROVING A PLANNED DEVELOPMENT ZONING AGREEMENT; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT HEREWITH AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. FIRST

READING . >> ALL RIGHT. HAVE THE ADVERTISING AND NOTICE REQUIREMENTS BEEN MET?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> ASKED COMMISSIONERS ABOUT X

PARTAKE COMMUNICATIONS. >> YES, MA'AM.

>> MAYOR HUDSON. >> NO, MAN.

>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO SWEAR IN THE WITNESSES.

>> ANYONE WISHING TO SPEAK, PLEASE STAND RAISE RIGHT HAND.

DO YOU SWEAR OR AFFIRM TO TELL THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH, NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH? THANK YOU.

>> MADAM CLERK, I WANT TO CHANGE MINE TO YES. I WAS TRYING TO

REMEMBER. SORRY. >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK.

>> LET ME JUST DO A QUICK READ ON THIS.

>> I'M GOING TO SAY YES I HAD SOME COMMUNICATION FROM SOMEONE ON THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM AND I RECEIVED SOME CORRESPNDENCE

FROM LOCAL RESIDENTS. >> THANK YOU.

>> THEY WILL REMIND ME WHEN THEY COME UP TO TESTIFY.

>> PROCEED. >> THANK YOU , SITTING COMMISSION. CITY PLANNING DIRECTOR. THIS ITEM DEALS WITH THE CORTI CREEK REZONING AND THE FINAL SITE PLAN IT'S 316 RESIDENTIAL UNITS THEIR SPLIT BETWEEN 178 SINGLE-FAMILY AND 138 TOWNHOME UNITS. ORIGINALLY ANNEXED IN 2006 IT RETAINED THE EXISTING ST. LUCIE COUNTY ZONING OF AG ONE AND DESIGNATED A FUTURE LAND USE OF -- THEY ARE INCOMPATIBLE AND THIS REZONING ADDRESSES THAT COMPATIBILITY. THERE IS A SITE LOCATION WEST OF THE TURNPIKE. OKEECHOBEE ROAD TO THE NORTH. THIS IS A CLOSER VIEW

[01:40:09]

. THE CREEK RUNS THROUGH THE PROPERTY AND THE SITE PLAN INCORPORATES SOME CONSERVATION OF THAT AREA, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT. YOU SEE THE PROPERTY IS ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF THE CITY. IT SETS OUT TO PROVIDE A TRANSITION BETWEEN THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES AND HIGHWAY INTERSECTIONS TO THE EAST. YOU CAN SEE THAT IT'S IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO A VERY BUSY ROADWAY INTERSECTION AND OTHER ACTIVITIES THERE, BUT ALSO TO THE SITE TO THE WEST WE SEE 10 MILE CREEK AND THE IMPORTANCE OF THAT CREEK TO THE CITY AND THE COUNTY. IN THAT RESPECT IT INCORPORATES A LARGE PRESERVED WETLAND AS PART OF THE SITE LAYOUT IS INTENDED TO BE THE FOCAL POINT OF THE DEVELOPMENT. WITHIN THEIR THERE IS A 1.36 ACRE LAKE IN THE NORTHWEST PART OF THE PROPOSED SITE. THIS LAKE IS SURROUNDED BY A TRAIL THAT'S OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AND FUTURE RESIDENTS OF THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROVIDES UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR OUTDOOR ENJOYMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION. A PASSIVE PART OF THE 10 MILE CREEK ENVIRONMENT. IT'S DESIGNED, AND THIS IS COMING FROM THE APPLICANT'S NARRATIVE TO ENHANCE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND WILL FEATURE EDUCATIONAL SIGNS THAT PROVIDE INSIGHT INTO THE WETLAND ECOSYSTEM. ACCESS TO THIS NATURAL AREA IS FACILITATED THROUGH A SEPARATE ENTRYWAY ACCESSIBLE FROM GORDY ROAD THAT HAS ITS OWN DEDICATED PARKING AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC. FUTURE LAND USE EXISTING IS MIXED USE .

THE EXISTING COUNTY ZONING OF AG1 IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE CITY FUTURE LAND USE. I BELIEVE THAT WAS RETAINED ON-SITE TO ALLOW THE PROPERTY OWNER OR OPERATOR OF THE PROPERTY TO CLAIM AGRICULTURAL EXEMPTION. ZONING IS PROPOSED TO GO TO PLAN DEVELOPMENT. HERE'S THE SITE PLAN. YOU SEE THE MAJORITY OF THE UNITS ARE PUSHED TO THE EAST OF THE SITE. WEST OF THE SITE RETAINS THE WETLAND AND ALSO A BUFFER TO THAT WETLAND . THE PROPOSAL PHASE 1 TO THE EAST, PHASE 2 TO THE WEST THE CENTRAL PART OF THE PROPERTY. THAT IS THE LAKE. 1.36 ACRE LAKE WITH ACCESS TO THE PUBLIC AND PARKING AREA FOR ANY VISITORS. THAT IS ALSO ABLE TO BE ACCESSED THROUGH THE DEVELOPMENT ITSELF. THE LANDSCAPE PLAN IS VERY DETAILED. WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME WITH THE APPLICANT DISCUSSING THE BUFFERS AND THE PLANNED -- THE PLANTS AROUND THE LAKES . TO REITERATE AND REINFORCE THE WETLANDS AND BRING THE SITE MORE INTO THAT TYPE OF VISUAL OF APPEARANCE IN ENHANCING LANDSCAPE BUFFERS AND THE LANDSCAPING AS A WHOLE.

LANDSCAPE BUFFERS INCORPORATED BERM , THERE IS A WALL AND PLACES OR A CHAIN-LINK FENCE , DEPENDING ON THE LOCATION OF THAT. WE REALLY DO REINFORCE A COMPREHENSIVE VISUAL BARRIER AND THAT INCORPORATES, AS WE HEARD TO THE LAST APPLICATION, A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT HEIGHTS OF TREES , INFILL BUFFER PLANTING IN TERMS OF SHRUBS AND SO FORTH. THE APPLICANT HAS DONE A GOOD JOB FROM STAFF EXAMINATION OF PROVIDING A STANDARD BUFFER

[01:45:02]

AROUND THIS PROPERTY. MANY TREES AND I DON'T THINK THERE'S A TOTAL NUMBER OF TREES. BUT HUNDREDS OF TREES AND THOUSANDS OF SHRUBS IN THE TOTAL PLANTINGS. WE HAD A TRAFFIC ANALYSIS AND THE ULTIMATE CONCLUSION IS THE PROJECT MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS AND THAT WAS REVIEWED BY THE COUNTY AND FDOT . THE ENVIRONMENTAL THE APPLICANT PROVIDED AN ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY. IT SHOWED THERE WERE NO DIRECT WETLAND IMPACTS, AND A SURVEY WILL BE REQUIRED PRIOR TO SITE CLEARING ACTIVITIES AND THEIR OTHER CONSIDERATIONS LOOKED AT -- STAFF REVIEWED THE ENVIRONMENTAL STATEMENT AND WERE HAPPY THAT IT MET THE REQUIREMENTS. THE PROPOSAL INCORPORATES PRESERVED AREA MANAGEMENT PLAN. LOOKING TO GUARANTEE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND MONITORING OF THAT AREA. THE AREA PRESERVED AREA MAINTENANCE.

IT ALSO INCLUDES GUIDELINES TO HOW THAT MAINTENANCE AND MONITORING IS CARRIED OUT. IT ENCOURAGES PASSIVE USES SUCH AS BIRDWATCHING AND NONDESTRUCTIVE USES OF NATURAL AREAS AND CONDITIONS SO THEY DON'T AFFECT THE HYDROLOGY OR VEGETATIVE COVER OF THE PRESERVED AREA AS A WHOLE. ARCHITECTURAL RENDERINGS ARE PROVIDED BY THE APPLICANT. THE PROJECT WAS PRESENTED TO THE PLANNING BOARD MARCH 10TH, 2025, MEETING. BOARD RECOMMENDED THAT THE PROJECT BE FORWARDED TO THE CITY COMMISSION FOR APPROVAL WITH 11 CONDITIONS BY A VOTE OF 6-0. YOU WILL SEE, IN A MOMENT, THE NUMBER OF CONDITIONS HAS BEEN INCREASED DUE TO COMMENTS MADE DURING THAT PROCESS. BY THE FDO T. AND INCORPORATED IN THE ORDINANCE AND THE AGREEMENT. AS YOU ARE AWARE , THE NEGOTIATION WAS QUITE COMPLEX , AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO STAFF INVOLVED WITH THAT. AND THE CITY ATTORNEY AND THE CITY CLERK THAT MOVE THIS FORWARD. WE HAVE CONDITIONS. 16 NOW. AS YOU SEE, MOST OF THEM ARE RELATING TO THE CONDITIONS PUT FORWARD BY THE PLANNING BOARD . SIMILAR CONDITIONS AS YOU WOULD NORMALLY SEE IN THE FINAL SITE PLAN. LOOKING AT THE PLAN ITSELF , THE OPEN SPACE A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER OF OPEN SPACE. 50.62. MORE THAN HALF THE SITE BEING CONSIDERED TO BE OPEN SPACE. MAXIMUM DENSITY IS SIX UNITS PER ACRE. I THINK THE SITE PLAN AS PROPOSED IS LOWER THAN THAT. WE WOULD NEED TO SEE HER THE DEVELOPMENT REVIEW SYSTEM IN TERMS OF WHEN IT GOES TO THE BUILDING DEPARTMENT . WE WOULD NEED TO SEE FEDERAL AGENCY PERMITS . WE HAVE ENVIRONMENTAL , WOOD STORK FORAGING AND WE WANT TO BE CERTAIN THAT'S CARRIED OUT A DETAILED STORMWATER AND DRAINAGE PLAN WILL BE SUBMITTED AT THE TIME OF BUILDING PERMIT. A REVIEW OF THE TREE SURVEY AND TREATMENT TO GET TREE MITIGATION CALCULATIONS SHALL BE PERFORMED AT THE TIME OF THE DEVELOPMENT PERMIT COMPLIANCE REVIEW. UNITY OF TITLE THERE ARE TWO PARCELS INVOLVED WITH THIS. A FINAL PLAT SHALL BE OBTAINED PRIOR TO FIRST CERTIFICATE OF I CAN SEE OF RESIDENTIAL UNIT. DOES NOT MEAN TO SAY THAT THE APPLICANT CANNOT APPLY FOR A BUILDING PERMIT.

THEY CAN DO THAT UNDER RECENT STATE STATUTE, BUT THEY CANNOT HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY UNTIL IT'S COMPLETED. THE FINAL AGREEMENT IS BINDING. ALL EXISTING

[01:50:01]

REMOVED AND THE AREA RESTORED. DRAINAGE MITIGATION WILL BE REQUIRED FOR ANY IMPACT WITHIN THE FDOT RIGHT-OF-WAY. THESE FINAL CONDITIONS WERE PUT FORWARD BY FDOT AND WE HAVE INCORPORATED THOSE INTO THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AND THE ORDINANCE. IMPROVEMENT TO THE WESTBOUND LANE -- TURN LANE AT STATE ROAD 17 AND GORDY ROAD WILL BE EXTENDED TO ACCOMMODATE PROJECT TRAFFIC . THERE MUST BE NEW CONFIRMATION AND AGREEMENT WITH FDOT PRIOR TO ISSUANCE OF THE FIRST CERTIFICATE AT ROCK ROAD AND STATE ROAD 70. -- TO DETERMINE THE REQUIRED LENGTH.

THAT WILL BE DETERMINED BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. STORMWATER POLLUTION PLAN WILL BE SUBMITTED WITH THE BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION IF THERE'S MORE THAN ONE ACRE OF DISTURBED AREA AS DEFINED BY THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. THE APPLICANT SHALL DONATE ANY ADDITIONAL RIGHT-OF-WAY REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT THE MOST IMPROVEMENTS TO THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. NOTWITHSTANDING ALL THOSE, THE ISSUANCE -- A DEVELOPMENT PERMIT ORDERED BY THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE DOES NOT CREATE ANY RIGHT ON THE PART OF AN APPLICANT TO OBTAIN A PERMIT FROM THE STATE -- FROM A STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCY AND DOES NOT CREATE ANY LIABILITY ON THE PART OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE FOR ISSUANCE OF A PERMIT IF THEY FAIL TO OBTAIN. THE REQUISITE APPROVALS ARE OBLIGATIONS IMPOSED BY STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCY OR UNDERTAKES ACTIONS THAT RESULT IN VIOLATION OF STATE OR FEDERAL LAW . AS A STANDARD CONDITION IT'S REQUESTED AND RECOMMENDED BY THE STATE STATUTE AND WE ATTACH THAT TO ALL PERMITS AND APPROVALS. THEREFORE , BASED ON FINDINGS IT'S IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND THAT PROPOSAL PROMOTES PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND GENERAL WELFARE TO SITE DESIGN AND INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS, STAFF RECOMMENDS THE CITY COMMISSION APPROVED THE SITE PLAN SUBJECT TO THE 16 CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL AND AS I MENTIONED EARLIER ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS WERE ADDED AT THE PLANNING BOARD APPROVAL RECOMMENDATION APPROVAL TO ADDRESS THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COMMENTS THAT WE RECEIVED IN THE PROCESS. THAT

FINALIZE A STAFF PRESENTATION. >> IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME SINCE I'VE BEEN ON GORDY ROAD. LAST TIME I WAS THERE, IT WAS A VERY PRIMITIVE ROAD. COACH IT WAS REVIEWED BY ST. LUCIE COUNTY.

AND THEY DID NOT RECOMMEND ANY CHANGES.

>> IS IT STILL NOT PAVED? >> IT IS PAVED.

>> VERY OLD FLORIDA. THE 10 MILE CREEK -- I AM GLAD THEY ARE GOING TO BE PRESERVING A LOT OF THE WESTERN LAND ALONG THE CREEK BECAUSE THAT IS A PART OF OLD FLORIDA YOU CANNOT GET BACK. AND -- AND SO WHERE DO YOU ENTER FROM GORDY ROAD? WHERE DO YOU

ENTER? >> THE MAIN ENTRANCE IS ON THE NORTH PART OF THE PROPERTY. THE TURNPIKE RUNS --

>> YES. >>

>> - - IT IS FURTHER DOWN AS YOU GO DOWN GORDY ROAD . IT MAKES

ANS BEND. >> ON THIS PERIMETER BUFFERING SCENARIO, YOU INDICATED THEY ARE PUTTING UP A CONCRETE WALL AND

[01:55:03]

CHAIN LINK. >> IT DEPENDS ON THE LOCATION OF THE BUFFER. I WANT TO FIND OUT WHERE THAT IS BEING INSTALLED, HOW IT IS BEING INSTALLED AND WHAT CONSTITUTES A NEIGHBORING SURROUNDING PROPERTIES WE ARE - -

>> ESSENTIALLY, SORRY, COMMISSIONER.

>> GO AHEAD. >> ESSENTIALLY WHERE THE PROPERTY ABUTS GORDY, THE NEIGHBOR THERE IS PRIMARILY THE INTERSTATE AND ON-RAMP OFFRAMP OF THAT. WE DO HAVE SOME NEIGHBORS TO THE NORTH AND THE SOUTH.

>> OKAY. THAT IS ALL I HAVE GOT

>> COMMISSIONERS? STAFF? I WOULD LIKE FOR THE APPLICANT TO COME

FORWARD AND SEE YOUR NAME. >> GOOD EVENING. BOB - - HERE ON BEHALF OF THE APPLICANT THIS EVENING.

>> WELCOME TO DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION?

>> I DO NOT HAVE MANY QUESTIONS FOR STAFF BUT IF IT IS OKAY I

WOULD LIKE TO RESERVE THE RIGHT? >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> THANK YOU. I HAVE WITH ME THE APPLICANT AND OUR ENTIRE DEVELOPMENT TEAM INCLUDING GEORGE WITH - - WHO I WILL HAVE COME UP AND MAKE A SHORT PRESENTATION IN JUST A MOMENT. I WANTED TO STATE WITH A RECORD WE AGREE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION AND 16 CONDITIONS OF THE ORDINANCE. I WANT TO THANK MR. FREEMAN AND MISS EDGES, THESE ARE COMPLEX DOCUMENTS AND ARE ALWAYS TOUGH AND PROFESSIONAL AND WE APPRECIATE THEIR COOPERATION IN WORKING THROUGH THAT. MY CLIENT HAS SIGNED THE PD AGREEMENT AND WE DELIVERED IT TO THE CLERK. WITH THAT I WILL ASK - - TO COME UP AND MAKE A SHORT PRESENTATION. WE HAVE OUR ENTIRE TEAM IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU, SIR. >> GOOD EVENING.

>> GOOD EVENING. >> HERE TONIGHT TO REPRESENT THE CLIENT I HAVE THE APPLICANT AND PROPERTY OR NO I HAVE BEEN SWORN IN. I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE BOB'S COMMENTS ALWAYS A PLEASURE WORKING WITH KEVIN AND HIS ENTIRE STAFF, IT IS A LONG ROCESS. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK EACH OF YOU FOR VISITING YOUR COMMUNITY, THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICE YOU DO IN YOUR POSITIONS IS IMPORTANT. BRIEFLY AGAIN OUR TEAM IS HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. WONDERFUL ASSOCIATES THAT HAVE WORKED ON THIS PROJECT. I WILL TRY TO MOVE PAST SOME OF THE INFORMATION KEVIN ALREADY OVER HE DID AN EXCELLENT JOB. THERE ARE SOME THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO EMPHASIZE A LITTLE BIT MORE. THE LAND USE, THERE IS A EXISTING MIXED-USE BEING KEPT ON THE PROPERTY, THE COUNTY ZONING IS BEING CHANGED TO PLANNED DEVELOPMENT. THE PROJECT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE CARBINES OF PLAN, UNANIMOUS APPROVAL FROM THE PLANNING BOARD EARLIER THIS YEAR AND RECOMMENDED APPROVAL BY STAFF. THE LOCATION JUST SOUTH OF OKEECHOBEE ROAD TO THE WEST OF THE TURNPIKE AND 10 MILE CREEK DOES PATH - - THE MAJORITY OF THE WETLAND PRESERVE AREA IS LOCATED. IN TERMS OF LOCATION, THIS PROJECT OFFERS A GOOD TRANSITION IN PROVIDING HOUSING AND PROXIMITY TO THE INTENSIVE COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL NOTE BETWEEN THE TURNPIKE AND I HAVE 95 INTERCHANGES. FROM A SITE PLAN OVERVIEW, WE ARE ALMOST 76 ACRES IN TOTAL LAND AREA WITH 316 UNITS COMING TO ABOUT 14 UNITS PER ACRE WHICH IS LESS THAN THE MAXIMUM IN TERMS OF SOME FEATURES, WE ARE PROPOSING A PHASE DEVELOPMENT APPROACH AND THAT ROUGHLY SPLITS THE NUMBER OF UNITS IN HALF. THERE ARE SLIGHTLY MORE SINGLE-FAMILY IN PHASE TWO AND SLIGHTLY MORE OF THE TOWNHOME UNITS IN PHASE ONE. A LITTLE BIT OF THE SITE DATA.

KEVIN MENTIONED IT EARLIER, MORE THAN 50% PROVIDED OPEN SPACES.

THE PD REQUIRES 50.6 MINIMUM. WE ARE EXCEEDING THAT NUMBER BY LATEST REGULATIONS. WITH MORE THAN 17 ACRES OF PRESERVED AND WETLAND - - SPREAD OUT IN SMALLER SECTIONS THROUGHOUT THE PROPERTY. CONSOLIDATED LAND AREA FOR WILDLIFE PRESERVATION OF

[02:00:02]

THOSE AREAS. THE PUBLIC TRAIL WE ARE PROVIDING TO THE NORTH WHICH PROVIDES ACCESS TO THE NUMBER TWO ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE PROPERTY IS MORE THAN 1300 IN LENGTH. IT GOES THROUGH BOTH NATURAL BUFFER AS WELL AS PLANTED BUFFER WE ARE PROPOSING.

KEVIN WENT OVER SOME OF THE DETAILS OF THE LANDSCAPE PLAN.

OUR BUFFER IS PRIMARILY 25 FEET LOCATED ON THE NORTH AND EASTERN SIDES OF THE PROPERTY. THE LAND TO THE SOUTH IS OWNED BY STATE AND COUNTY AND IS A LARGELY CONSERVATION AREA. WE ARE GOING OVER THAT LANDSCAPE BUFFER IS YOU CAN SEE AROUND THE NORTH AND EAST PARTS OF THE PROPERTY. WE ARE PROPOSING A SIDEWALK TO BE CONSTRUCTED ALONG THE LENGTH OF GORDY ROAD THE LOCATION OF THE BERSERK, OTHER WETLAND AREA IN THE SOUTHEAST CORNER WHICH IS ALSO BEING PRESERVED. THE LOCATION OF THE TRAIL DOWN THE LAKE TO THE NORTH WHICH CONCLUDES AREA. MOVING INTO THE SITE PLAN A LITTLE BIT CLOSER WE WANT TO LOOK AT THE ENTRANCE, BUS STOP AND HOW THAT WORKS. MORE THAN ENOUGH ROOM FOR TURNING RADIUS OF THE BUS, IT IS QUITE COMFORTABLE. A PULLOUT AREA AS WELL FOR DROP OFF AND PROVIDE LOADING FOR KIDS. THERE IS A COVERED WAITING AREA AND - - WERE PARENTS CAN AT PARKING SPACES NEXT TO THE ADMITTED HE AREA. A VERY WELL THOUGHT OUT DESIGN RECEIVED APPROVAL FROM ST. LUCIE COUNTY AND THE SCHOOL BOARD. SOME OF THE ARCHITECTURAL - - THAT WE ARE PROPOSING, KEVIN WENT OVER SOME OF THE TOWN ELEVATIONS PROVIDING VARIATION AND DESIGN, DIFFERENT FLOOR PLANS, VARIATION AND ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES. A VERY WELL DESIGNED PRODUCT. A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE LANDSCAPING, THERE IS A LOT OF TREES BEING PLANTED AS WELL AS TREES BEING PRESERVED I WANTED TO SHOW THIS VIEW OUR LANDSCAPE PLAN IS BROKEN UP INTO SO MANY DIFFERENT PAGES SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TO GET A REPRESENTATION OF WHERE YOU ARE LOCATED. THE STREETS AS WELL AS A LOT OF EXISTING TREES LARGE BEING PRESERVED AROUND THE PROPERTY. YOU MENTIONED THAT OLD ORDER LOOK. MODIFIED THE SITE CONSIDERABLY TO TRY TO PRESERVE - - SEE THOSE DISPERSED AND WE ARE RELOCATING SOME OF THOSE TREES. THE OLD FOREST OAK IS HARD TO LOCATE, THEY ARE FRAGILE. SOME OF THE SMALL ONES - - ASSOCIATED WITH THAT. THE LOCATION OF LANDSCAPE BUFFER AND THE QUESTION ABOUT THE WALL.

CONCRETE WALL WILL PRIMARILY BE ON THE NORTHEASTERN BUFFER ON THE EAST PART - - BUFFER ON THE EAST PART OF THE TURNBACK TWO TURNPIKE. IN CONCLUSION AGAIN, THIS REQUEST MEETS THE COMPLAINS OF PLAN AS WELL AS LAND DEVELOP REGULATION AND HAS TWO ACHIEVED STAFF SUPPORT. HAPPY TO GO OVER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.

>> QUESTIONS? >> I HAVE A QUESTION IN TERMS OF GORDY ROAD HAVE NOT ASKED YOU TO MAKE ANY IMPROVEMENT?

>> WE ARE GOING TO BE MAKING SOME IMPROVEMENTS. IT WAS RELATIVELY RECENTLY REPAVED BUT WE ARE GOING TO EXPAND THE STABILIZED AREA OF THE SHOULDERS. IT MEETS THE COUNTY REQUIREMENTS, WE ARE JUST PROVIDING A LEVEL OF ADDITIONAL STABILIZED AREA ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE ROAD.

>> AND YOU ARE KEEPING THE HOUSE IS KIND OF FAR AWAY FROM 10 MILE CREEK WHICH COULD HAVE A TENDENCY TO FLY? YOU COULD HAVE SERIOUS SITUATIONS THERE SO I HOPE YOU ARE TAKING THAT INTO

CONSIDERATION. >> ABSOLUTELY OUR CIVIL ENGINEERS HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB AND FACTORED IN - - STILL MAKING SURE THAT THERE IS WATER FLOW TO MAKE SURE THE WETLANDS

DO NOT DRY UP. >> SOUTH FLORIDA WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICT WILL BE A PLAYER IN THAT I AM SURE.

>> WE HAVE ACTUALLY RECEIVED THEIR PRELIMINARY APPROVAL.

[02:05:03]

>> I THOUGHT I SAW IN THE PLAN, HOW MANY ENTRY POINTS INTO THIS DEVELOPMENT? THAT I SEE TWO? I THOUGHT I SAW ONE ON THE SOUTHERN END OF GORDY ROAD. EVEN DURING MAYBE MR. FREEMAN'S, IS

THAT AN ENTRY POINT DOWN HERE? >> IT IS A SECONDARY ACCESS PRIMARILY GOING TO BE FOR EMERGENCIES. THE MAIN INGRESS EGRESS IS TO THE NORTH WHICH WILL EXIT TOWARD OKEECHOBEE.

>> THAT WILL BE A GATED CODE ON THE BACK IN?

>> YES. >> EMERGENCY PERSONNEL WILL HAVE

ACCESS? >> YES, SIR.

>> OKAY, VERY WELL. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I AM GOING TO ASK IF ANY OTHER MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WOULD LIKE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE, PLEASE COME FORWARD. OKAY. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING MORE TO SAY I'M GOING TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. YOU ARE CORRECT? WE ARE CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING AND

COMING BACK TO THE COMMISSION. >> I HAVE A QUESTION FOR DIRECTOR FREEMAN I DO NOT KNOW IF I ASKED MY CLOSING QUESTION.

IF I DID JUST TELL ME MICHAEL, YOU HAVE ALREADY ASKED. DID YOU ASK ANYTHING FROM THE DEVELOPER THEY HAVE NOT BEEN WILLING TO

PROVIDE? >> THIS HAS BEEN A COMPLEX NEGOTIATION, A LARGE PROPERTY, SENSITIVE TO THE APPLICANT HAS ADDRESSED EVERYTHING THAT STAFF AND THE AGENCY DEPARTMENTS HAVE

PUT FORWARD. >> I'M WAITING FOR THE TIME FOR YOU TO SAY YES I ASKED FOR SOMETHING I DIDN'T.

>> SO AM I, THANK YOU FOR GETTING OUT IN FRONT OF THAT.

>> WE ARE BACK TO THE COMMISSION. IS THERE ANY

DISCUSSION OR EMOTION? >> BEFORE I MAKE A MOTION THE ONLY DISCUSSION I WOULD HAVE IS, WE TALKED ABOUT THE WETLANDS AND EVERYTHING OUT THERE, PLEASE MAKE SURE THE SIGNS SAY HELLO, MR. ALLIGATOR. I KNOW IT SOUNDS FUNNY BUT, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT 17 ACRES OF WETLAND IN SOUTH FLORIDA. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT NUMBER 1.36 ACRE LAKE. WE HAVE PEOPLE WALKING. AND WE HAVE PEOPLE - - THE CREEK. DON'T SAY BEWARE JUST SAY HELLO BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO BE THERE. NO SMALL DOGS OR NO WHATEVER, DO NOT GO SWIMMING IN THAT WATER BECAUSE, THEY WILL BE THERE. I KNOW WE TAKE IT AS A JOKE BUT I DO NOT WANT ANY EMAILS COMING BACK SAYING YOU APPROVED THIS AND MY DOG GOT TAKEN BY A GATOR BECAUSE WE ARE IN 17 ACRES OF BUT LAND IN FLORIDA, MAKE IT MAKES SENSE. WITH THAT BEING SAID, I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE

APPROVE WITH OTHER CONDITIONS. >> I WILL SECOND THAT WITH THE COMMENT THAT I OWN PROPERTY IN CLOSE PROXIMITY WITH A 12 FOOT GATOR ON IT I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO MAKE SOME SIGNS.

>> FOR THE ALLIGATOR, RIGHT? >> I WOULD LIKE HIM OFF THE

PROPERTY. >> EMOTION IN THE SECOND.

>> YES. >> YES.

>> YES. >> THANK YOU, CONGRATULATIONS,

WELCOME TO FORT PIERCE. >> THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC

[A. A vote is requested to accept, reject, or counter a settlement offer received from the Plaintiffs in Case No. 2025CA001296: Prado and Prado v. City of Fort Pierce, et al.]

HEARINGS. NEXT WE HAVE A BOAT REQUESTED TO ACCEPT, REJECT OR COUNTER DEVELOPMENT OFFER FROM THE PLAINTIFFS PRADO V. CITY OF

FORT PIERCE . >> THIS IS YOUR ITEM, IS IT NOT?

>> YES MA'AM. BRIEF BACKGROUND AS A REMINDER. MR. PRADO PRESENTED YOU ALL WITH AN APPLICATION TO REZONE, IT WAS A ZONING MAP ATLAS AMENDMENT. THAT WAS BACK IN MAY, THE CONDITION - - COMMISSION DID DENY THE APPLICATION, SUBSEQUENTLY A LAWSUIT WAS FILED, A MOTION TO DISMISS WAS FILED BY MY OFFICE, THE JUDGE GRANTED THE MOTION TO DISMISS WITHOUT PREJUDICE MEANING, THE PLAINTIFFS COULD REFILE AND RESTATE A PROPER CAUSE OF ACTION AGAINST THE CITY IF THEY COULD DO SO. PRIOR TO FILING AN AMENDED COMPLAINT, THEY INSTEAD SENT A SETTLEMENT OFFER WHICH IS WHAT IS BEFORE YOU TONIGHT FOR CONSIDERATION.

BECAUSE OF THE TYPE OF LAWSUIT THAT IT IS, IT DOES NOT GO THROUGH INSURANCE FOR RESOLUTION, IT IS RESOLVED BY THE CITY ITSELF. THE SETTLEMENT OFFER WAS ESSENTIALLY THAT THE PLAINTIFFS WOULD AGREE TO DISMISS THE LAWSUIT WITH PREJUDICE MEANING, THEY CANNOT REFILE IT. THAT THEY WOULD BE

[02:10:05]

PERMITTED TO REAPPLY FOR THE REZONING TO A PLANNED ELEMENT AND THE CITY WOULD WAIVE THE APPLICATION FEES ASSOCIATED WITH THAT PLANNED DEVELOPMENT. AS A REMINDER, UNDER THE CITY CO., AN APPLICANT WHO IS DENIED A REZONING CAN REAPPLY AUTOMATICALLY AFTER SIX MONTHS. THIS HAS REACH THIS SIX MONTHS.

ADDITIONALLY, MR. FREEMAN REMINDED ME THAT THIS APPLICATION, WHEN IT FIRST CAME BEFORE YOU ALL, THE APPLICANT WITHDREW THE APPLICATION. IT WAS THEN THAT THE CITY REWROTE THE CODE ALLUDED TO EARLIER TONIGHT. DURING THE HEARING WHERE THE APPLICANT WITHDREW HIS APPLICATION, THE COMMISSION DID WAIVE THE FEES FOR THAT WE APPLICATION ALREADY. THERE HAS BEEN A WAIVER OF FEES PREVIOUSLY. I DID GO BACK AND CHECK THE MINUTES AND IT DOES REFLECT THAT WAIVER OF FEES. THE OFFER THEY HAVE EXTENDED NOW IS TO ESSENTIALLY DISMISS THEIR LAWSUIT AND US WAIVE THE APPLICATION FEE AGAIN. I AM SEEKING YOUR MOTION AS TO WHETHER TO ACCEPT, REJECT OR IF YOU WANTED TO MAKE SOME SORT OF COUNTER OFFER TO THAT PROPOSAL.

>> WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF REJECTING?

>> AS IT STANDS NOW, NO LAWSUIT IS TECHNICALLY PENDING BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN DISMISSED. THEY DO HAVE THE ABILITY TO REFILE THE LAWSUIT, IN WHICH CASE IF THEY DID, WE WOULD CONTINUE TO

LITIGATE THE LAWSUIT. >> THIS APPLICANT CAN PROCEED AHEAD BECAUSE OF THE TIME CORRECT?

>> CORRECT. WHETHER THE LAWSUIT IS PENDING OR NOT, THEY CAN WE FILE FOR THAT REZONING OR, REAPPLY.

>> RIGHT. >> COMMISSIONERS? QUESTIONS?

>> HE CAN ALREADY REAPPLY. HE HAS ALREADY BEEN DISMISSED. AND HE WANTS US TO AGAIN GRANT ANOTHER $5000 WAIVER. THAT IS WHAT IT IS. THAT IS THE NUMBER?

>> MISSIONERS, I WOULD HAVE TO DO FOR TO MR. FREEMAN ON THE EXACT AMOUNT. THE OFFER LETTER BASICALLY SAYS $5000. I DID NOT CONFIRM THAT BUT I DO BELIEVE IT IS IN THAT RANGE.

>> 5000? >> MR. FREEMAN, WOULD YOU LIKE

TO CONTRIBUTE? >> IT WOULD BE AROUND THAT

RANGE, YES. >> THIS IS MY FEELING. IF WE AGREE TO THIS WE ARE SETTING A PRECEDENT WHERE, IF YOU COME BEFORE US AND WE DENY SOMETHING, YOU GO FILE A LAWSUIT AND IT GETS DISMISSED OR, IT IS IN THE MIDDLE OF LITIGATION AND I COME BACK AND SAY OKAY, I WILL SETTLE AND NOT FILE ANOTHER LAWSUIT IF YOU LET ME GET BACK IN FRONT OF THE PLANNING AND WAIVE ALL MY FEES. WE HAVE TO PAY THE PLANNING DEPARTMENT TO DO ALL THE WORK. NOW WE ARE TELLING THEM TO WORK FOR FREE? I AM NOT FOR THAT. WE WAIVED IT BEFORE, HE PULLED IT. I REMEMBER THE LAWSUIT, THE LAWSUIT, AS I READ IT, WHAT HE ASKED FOR WAS ANOTHER HEARING. WHICH HE CAN HAVE. SO, WHY WOULD I GIVE UP $5000 OR PUT $5000 IN A LAWSUIT IF YOU WANT TO COME BACK AND PRESENT AT ANOTHER HEARING AND PRESENT HIS PROJECT TO THE PLANNING BOARD, LET HIM DO WHAT EVERY OTHER PERSON HAS TO DO PAY WHATEVER FEE HE HAS TO PAY GET IN FRONT OF THE BOARD AND GO TO THE PROPER PROCEDURES AND BRING IT TO US. THAT IS WHERE I STAND.

>> YOU ARE, AS ALWAYS, QUITE ELEGANT. - - ELOQUENT. I SAY WE DENY THE SETTLEMENT OFFER WITH THE TERMS YOU OUTLINE, LET HIM RESUBMIT LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE WOULD HAVE TO DO AND PAY THE FEES THE CITY NEEDS TO DO TO COVER OUR EXPENSES IN PROCESSING THIS APPLICATION. I AM ABSOLUTE, THAT IS THAT.

>> SOUNDS GOOD, WHO WANTS TO MAKE A MOTION?

>> I MAKE A MOTION WE REJECT THE SETTLEMENT OFFER.

>> SECOND. >> CALL THE ROLE PLEASE.

[B. Resolution 25-R79 authorizes a loan for the Sunrise Village affordable housing project and approves associated loan documents. ]

>> OKAY, NEXT WE HAVE RESOLUTION 25-R79 , RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA APPROVING A LOAN

[02:15:01]

TO BLUE ST. LUCIE LLC RELATING TO THE SUNRAYS VILLAGE HOUSING PROJECT APPROVING THE DECLARATION OF COVENANTS AND RESTRICTIONS AGREEMENT, UTILITY EASEMENT AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS TO BE HELD IN ESCROW AND PROVIDING FOR

AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> WITH HEDGES, THIS IS YOURS TOO, ANOTHER COMPLEX SITUATION.

>> IT WAS A JOINT EFFORT BETWEEN MYSELF, THE CITY MANAGER AND FINANCE DIRECTOR. I BELIEVE THE CITY MANAGER WILL DO THE INTRO

FOR YOU. >> ACTUALLY, IT IS ON THE LOAN PORTION WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE LOAN TERMS. A FOUR YEAR INTEREST ONLY ANNUAL PAYMENT LOAN. ACTUALLY, IN THE EXPIRATION, OUR DUE DATE IS DECEMBER 31ST, 2029. THE WAY IT WORKS IS THEY WILL PAY INTEREST EACH DECEMBER UP UNTIL 2029 AND MAKE A BALLOON PAYMENT OF THE $460,000 ON DECEMBER 31ST, 2029.

>> JUST SO I HAVE THIS CLEAR, A FOUR YEAR TERM, SIX AND HALF PERCENT YIELD. INTEREST ONLY PAYMENTS FOR THE FIRST 47 MONTHS IN ESSENCE, BALLOON PAYMENT OF $450,000 ON THE EXPIRATION OF

THE FOUR YEAR TERM? >> CORRECT.

>> I REMEMBER ALL OF THIS, THIS WAS A BIG ISSUE WHEN IT CAME UP THAT WE WERE GIVING AWAY FREE MONEY OR SOMETHING. THAT HAS BEEN CLEARED UP. WE ARE GETTING CLOSE TO MARKET RATE.

>> - - AFFORDABLE HOUSING. >> I UNDERSTAND.

>> I AM AGREEING WITH YOU. I UNDERSTAND WE ARE SUBORDINATING TO TD BANK AS THE PRIMARY LETTER. I DO NOT GET OVERLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SUBORDINATION, DO TO THE FACT THAT THE PROPERTY IS COLLATERALIZE IN THIS, I AM ASSUMING? OKAY, I AM COMFORTABLE WITH THIS STRUCTURE. I WENT OVER IT WITH THE CITY MANAGER TODAY SO I CLEARLY CAN UNDERSTAND WITH THE TERMS WERE. NOT A BAD INVESTMENT MECHANISM. I GET IT, WE ARE SUBORDINATING SO THERE IS SOME RISK. BASED ON ALL THE RELATIVE FACTS AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING ASPECT OF THIS, I CAN

SUPPORT THIS. >> DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD?

>> NO, - - STOLE MY THUNDER. >> MY APOLOGIES.

>> AND COMMISSIONER BRODERICK KNEW EVERYTHING BEFORE YOU SAID

IT. >> ONE FOLLOW-UP QUESTION, HOW

ARE THE FUNDING THIS? >> IT WILL COME FROM OUR RESERVE

AND GENERAL FUND. >> OKAY, THAT IS IT. I AM OKAY.

>> THIS IS AN UNUSUAL SITUATION.

>> YOU ARE RIGHT, IT IS UNUSUAL. THIS TERM OF THE LOAN I GOT ALL OF THAT AND CERTAINLY, I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT, THIS IS BASED ON WHAT HAS HAPPENED RECENTLY WITH THE MARKET IN THE ASPECTS OF A GOOD TERM. ARE THERE ANY PREPAYMENT PENALTY IF THERE WAS A WINDFALL AND THEY DECIDED TO CLOSE THIS OUT?

>> NO PREPAYMENT PENALTY. >> THEORETICALLY, THEY COULD THEN IF THEY WANT TO? OKAY, ALL RIGHT, JUST CHECKING.

>> THIS IS KIND OF TIED UP IN TAX CREDITS FROM THE STATE FOR

AFFORDABLE HOUSING. >> IT IS RECTIFYING AN ISSUE SO IT HELPS. WE COULDN'T GIVE THEM A - - FUND AND THEY PRESENTED THEIR LOAN DOCUMENTS TO THE STATE WITH US MAKING A CONTRIBUTION. INSTEAD OF THEM ASKING US TO GIVE THEM THE MONEY THEY SAID THEY WILL PUT IT ON THE BOOKS AS A LOAN THEY WILL

REPAY IT WITH INTEREST. >> I BELIEVE THE ORIGINAL COMMENT WAS GIVE US SOME MONEY. OUR RESPONSE WAS ARE YOU CRAZY? THIS IS AN ACTUAL SOLUTION. I AM ASSUMING YOUR DEPARTMENT WILL MONITOR THIS. IF THE PAYMENTS DO NOT COME IN TIMELY I WOULD

SUGGEST THIS BODY BE ADVICE. >> IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THEY ARE ANXIOUS TO IT BACK SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS.

>> MY UNDERSTANDING HOWEVER IT WORKS WITH THE GOVERNMENT CREDITS, WE NEED TO BE ON BOARD. AND THEY ARE READY TO GET STARTED TO GIVE US THE AFFORDABLE HOUSING THAT WE NEED AND PAY US BACK IS MY UNDERSTANDING, THEY HOPE TO PAY US BACK BEFORE THE FOUR YEARS COMES. IT IS A WIN-WIN FOR THE RESIDENTS AND THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. AND THIS COMPANY IS A

[02:20:06]

TOP-NOTCH COMPANY THAT I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH ON ALSO. FOR TD BANK TO GET THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THEY'RE TRYING TO GIVE OUT NOW I FEEL CONFIDENT. I DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE SUBROGATION BECAUSE - - RIGHT HERE SO WE ARE GOOD. I SAY IT IS A WIN WIN FOR EVERYBODY. AT THE END OF THE DAY WE MAKE SOME MONEY AND GIVE SOME AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO THE PEOPLE OF FORT PIERCE.

>> ARE YOU REFERRING - - REVIEWING THE LOAN DOCUMENTS?

>> WE HAVE THE LOAN DOCUMENTS, THAT IS WHAT IS ATTACHED WITH THE MORTGAGE WITH THE PROMISSORY NOTE. IT HAS BEEN AN EFFORT BETWEEN MY OFFICE, OUTSIDE COUNSEL, MR. - - AS WELL AS THEIR FINANCIAL ADVISERS IN REVIEWING THE DOCUMENTS.

>> I'M GOING TO POST MY QUESTION IS THERE ANYTHING IN THE LOAN DOCUMENTS WE SHOULD CONSIDER PROBLEMATIC FOR THE CITY? OR IS IS PRETTY MUCH STANDARD STUFF?

>> THAT IS NOT A FAIR QUESTION TO ASK ME.

>> LET ME REPHRASE, ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE LEGAL - -?

>> I BELIEVE IT IS IN AS GOOD OF SHAPE AS WE ARE GOING TO GET IT.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING OUTSTANDING YOU ARE NOT SATISFIED WITH?

>> NO, NOT AT THIS TIME. >> WHO WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A

MOTION? >> I MOVE FOR APPROVAL OF

25-R79. >> SECOND.

>> CALLED THE ROLE. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE TEAM I KNOW THERE WERE A LOT OF DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED UNDER THE CITY MANAGER'S JURISDICTION. YOU DID A GOOD JOB IN CLEANING THIS PROBLEM UP AND GETTING A SATISFYING DEAL BACK TO THE CITY COMMISSION. THIS HAS BEEN KICKING AROUND FOR A WHILE. IT WAS POTENTIALLY A PROBLEM. WE ALL KNEW WHAT THE RAMIFICATIONS WERE WHEN WE TURNED THIS DOWN. I THINK YOU ROLLED UP YOUR SLEEVES AND CAME BACK TO WORK AND CAME BACK WITH A SATISFACTORY PRODUCT.

>> HOW MANY UNITS? >> 106.

[C. Resolution 25-R80 appointing Daniel Noelke as an at-large member to the Parking Committee. ]

>> THANK YOU. >> LET'S MOVE ON.

>> RESOLUTION 25-R80 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY CERTIFYING THE REAPPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE PARKING COMMITTEE AND APPLYING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

THIS RESOLUTION WOULD APPOINT DANIEL NOELKE. BECAUSE AN AT-LARGE POSITION BECAME AVAILABLE, HE APPLIED FOR THAT SO HE COULD STAY ON THE PARKING COMMITTEE. HE WAS THE ONLY APPLICATION WE RECEIVED WHEN WE PUT IT OUT TO THE GENERAL

PUBLIC. >> WE LOVE TO HAVE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SERVE ON THE PARKING COMMITTEE.

>> YES WE DO, I MADE THAT SUGGESTION TO HIM.

>> I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE HIM.

>> CALL THE ROLE. NEXT, WE HAVE THE ADDED ITEM FOR THE POLICE

[D. ADDED ITEM: Police Chief Search Update]

CHIEF SEARCH UPDATE. >> I AM STUNNED NOBODY ELSE WANTED TO BUT THEIR APPLICATION IN TWO SERVE IN THE PARKING

COMMITTEE. >> LOTS OF COMPETITION.

>> I REQUEST THIS ITEM BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA. WE ARE GOING TO KIND OF NAVIGATE THROUGH THIS. I HAVE SOME CONCERNS AS TO THE PROCESS I WANTED TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS MY CONCERNS WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND WE HAVE A POSITIVE DISCUSSION RELATIVE TO THAT. HOWEVER I BELIEVE THERE ARE A COUPLE OF POINTS THAT NEED TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT THE SCOPE OF THE CANDIDATES REMAINING ON THE SHORT LIST. MY CONCERNS - - HIS RETIREMENT I THINK IS 12 MONTHS

OR LESS AT THIS POINT IN TIME. >> WHAT WE HAVE REMAINING IS INTERIM CHIEF AND INTERIM DEPUTY CHIEF. WE ARE ABOUT TO SIPHON

[02:25:12]

OFF - - POTENTIALLY VERY QUICKLY. IF WE PLAY SOMEONE - - A DEPUTY CHIEF'S POSITION OPEN AND WE WOULD BRING IN SOMEONE FROM THE OUTSIDE AS A NEW CHIEF. THE ENTIRE SENIORITY WE HAVE IS 12 MONTHS OR LESS AND THE CLOCK IS TICKING. I HAVE VERY SERIOUS CONCERNS. MY ASSUMPTION IS THAT, IF THE INTERIM DEPUTY CHIEF IS NOT INCLUDED, AT LEAST GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT HIS CASE TO THE CITY COMMISSION, WHICH I THINK HE CERTAINLY DESERVES AFTER SERVING 24 YEARS IN THE DEPARTMENT. HE HAS GIVEN HIS ENTIRE CAREER TO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. I BELIEVE WHATEVER SHORTCOMINGS WERE IN THE INTERVIEW PROCESS CANDIDLY, I AM NOT AWARE OF THOSE. JUST TO MAKE IT CLEAR. THE CITY COMMISSION WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE DECISION OF CREATING A SHORT LIST. I WANT THE PUBLIC TO BE AWARE OF THAT. I BELIEVE THAT IS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE CITY COMMISSION WAS ADVISED OF THE SHORT LIST AFTER IT HAD ALREADY BEEN POSTED ON SOCIAL MEDIA. LOOKING FOR A CANDID CONVERSATION WITH THE CITY MANAGER MIDAFTERNOON THIS PAST WEDNESDAY AND HE SAID, THIS IS A CONFIDENTIAL DISCUSSION. I GET OFF THE PHONE AND MY WIFE SAYS IT IS ALREADY ON SOCIAL MEDIA. WHAT YOU TALKING ABOUT, SOMETHING IS BEING TOLD YOU IN CONFIDENCE? I FOUND THAT TO BE DISTURBING TO PUT IT MILDLY. I WAS . I AM SUGGESTING THAT BECAUSE OF MULTIPLE CONCERNS, WE HAVE A GENTLEMAN THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY AN INSTALLED DEPUTY CHIEF. SUBSEQUENTLY, BECAUSE OF INTERNAL ISSUES IN THE DEPARTMENT, HE TRANSITIONED OUT OF THAT POSITION INTO I BELIEVE THE NIGHT SHIFT BOSS, LIEUTENANT OF THE NIGHT SHIFT. WE HAVE SOMEBODY THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN IN THE POSITION. NOT JUST AS AN INTERIM BUT AS A DEPUTY CHIEF. I AM LOBBYING TO HAVE HIM INCLUDED. I BELIEVE THERE WAS A DISCUSSION AT SOME POINT IN TIME WITH THE CITY MANAGER. I AM NOT CERTAIN IF I'M CORRECT ABOUT THAT BUT I SEEM TO RECOLLECT THAT CONVERSATION. FIRST I BELIEVE THAT HE IS QUALIFIED FOR THIS POSITION AND MY CONCERNS WERE THE SAME CONCERNS WHEN WE HIRED - - I THINK HE HAS DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB TO DATE AND WE TALK ABOUT LONG-TERM PLANS CONTINUOUSLY. I BELIEVE THE CHIEF'S JOB IS SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT. THE INTEGRAL KNOWLEDGE AND HAVING GROWN UP IN THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, HAVING BEEN IN THE DEPARTMENT FOR 24 YEARS MOVING FORWARD MAKES HIM UNIQUELY QUALIFIED THIS IS MY CONCERN WHEN WE HIRED - - I DO NOT HAVE A YEAR TO WAIT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF OUR DEPARTMENT.

THE FACT THAT THE POLICE UNION HAS ENDORSED HIM, THAT CARRIES A LOT OF WEIGHT WITH ME. CLEARLY PUT, THAT ENDORSEMENT MEANS WE WILL HAVE A COHESIVE WORKING UNIT MOVING FORWARD. WE CAN'T ENSURE THAT WITH SOMEBODY FROM THE OUTSIDE. I AM ASKING, GIVE THE GUY SHOT. I'M GOING TO ADD ONE OTHER THING. I BELIEVE IT WAS MENTIONED TONIGHT THAT HAVING A FIFTH CITY COMMISSIONER - - BECOMES CRITICALLY IMPORTANT. SWEARING I BELIEVE IS JANUARY 20TH FOR WHOEVER IS THE ELECTED PERSON. HAVING THAT ADDITIONAL SEAT FILLED ON THE DECISION OF SUCH MAGNITUDE TO THE CITY AND ITS RESIDENTS IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT. MY FINAL POINT IS THAT, THE OUTCRY FROM THE COMMUNITY TO THE SUPPORT

[02:30:05]

FROM A LOCAL GUY BORN AND BRED HER SERVED HIS ENTIRE CAREER HERE SPEAKS VOLUMES TO ME. HIS BASIS OF SUPPORT IS MASSIVE. IT IS CITYWIDE. IT IS NOT BRIDGED BY RACE OR CREED - - THAT COUPLED WITH THE ENDORSEMENT OF THE POLICE UNION, TO ME, SUGGESTS THAT WE NEED TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THIS GENTLEMAN AND HAVE HIM HAVE A SLOT TO COME AND MAKE A PITCH TO THE COMMISSIONERS AS TO WHY HE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION. THAT IS ALL I'VE GOT.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR THAT. I HAVE SOME CONCERNS WITH WHAT JUST HAPPENED TONIGHT. WE ADDED AN AGENDA ITEM AND WE LEFT OUT HALF OF THE RESIDENTS OF FORT PIERCE. HALF OF THE RESIDENTS DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING THAT WE WERE GOING TO PUT THIS AGENDA ITEM ON HERE THAT COULD HAVE COME TONIGHT THAT HAVE COULD HAVE COME TONIGHT AND SPOKE ON BEHALF OF OR AGAINST.

WE EXCLUDED THAT. TO ME, - - LOOKED LIKE THIS WAS ORCHESTRATED, NOT SAYING IT WAS BUT IT WAS ORCHESTRATED TO PUT THIS ON AND HAVE 1000 PEOPLE SPEAK TONIGHT. I AM TICKED OFF BECAUSE - - TONIGHT, WE DID THE OPPOSITE. IF YOU WANTED TO PUT THIS ON, WE COULD HAVE ASKED - - EVERYBODY IN THE PUBLIC A TIME TO COME IN AND SAY WHAT THEY WANTED TO SAY. YES, I VOTED FOR IT BECAUSE I WANTED TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING TO BE SAID TONIGHT. I AM GLAD I DID. I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT, IF PEOPLE IN FORT PIERCE, WOULD HAVE KNOWN THIS WAS GOING TO BE ON THE AGENDA. NOWHERE ON THIS AGENDA, A BIG AGENDA WHERE WE WERE GOING TO DISCUSS THE POLICE CHIEF. UNTIL WE GOT HIT TONIGHT AT 5:05 AND IT WENT ON THE AGENDA ABOUT 5:10. THAT IS THE FIRST THING I AM UPSET ABOUT. THE SECOND THING I AM UPSET ABOUT IS, WE HAVE A BIGGER PROBLEM AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST - - KNOWN HIM FOR A LONG TIME. I HAVE THAT OFFERS - - OFFICERS COME TO ME AND SAY PLEASE DO NOT DO IT. PLEASE BREAK UP THE CLICKS IN THE FOURTH PIERCE - - FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT. I HAVE ASKED THEM TO COME AND SPEAK AT THE PODIUM THEY SAID I WILL NOT COME FOR FEAR OF RETALIATION. WE HAV% A BIGGER PROBLEM OVER THERE. I AM TELLING YOU WHAT I KNOW AND WHAT PEOPLE ARE TELLING ME IN THE STREETS. WALKING UP TO ME IN PUBLIC, WE HAVE A BIGGER PROBLEM. IT HAS NOTHING RIGHT NOW TO DO WITH - - BUT, I AM MAD BECAUSE WE PUT THIS ON HERE, I SAID THAT. THE OTHER THING IS, I JUST HEARD IT AGAIN. ABOUT MOVING DOWN TO FIVE SEATS. MY SEAT, WHEN COMMISSIONER ALEXANDER WAS SICK AND HE MISSED ALL THOSE MEETINGS AND ALL THOSE IMPORTANT DECISIONS WERE MADE, NOT ONE TIME DID I HEAR ANYBODY COME UP HERE AND SAY, DISTRICT 1 IS NOT FULLY REPRESENTED. WE NEED TO PUSH THIS NOW, NOT ONE TIME. IF WE WANTED TO HAVE THIS PUT IT ON A SPECIAL MEETING, NOT AT MY CLOCK IN THE MORNING. AT 5:00 SO THE PUBLIC CAN COME. ALL WE HEARD TONIGHT WAS FROM A SMALL MAJORITY OF THE PUBLIC I HEARD EVERYTHING THEY SAID.

>> CALL A SPECIAL AGENDA. CALL A SPECIAL MEETING.

>> WHAT I NEED TO UNDERSTAND AND WHAT I NEED TO KNOW IS WHY I

[02:35:03]

HAVE CURRENT OFFICERS, WHY I HAVE CURRENT OFFICERS THAT ARE ASKING ME NOT TO DO THIS AND ARE AFRAID OF RETALIATION FOR COMING TO TELL US THIS. THAT IS A BIGGER CONCERN FOR ME. WHEN I HAVE OFFICERS WHO ARE AFRAID - - TELL US THE TRUTH, THERE IS A

BIGGER PROBLEM. >> COMMISSIONER, I WANT TO ASSURE YOU OF SEVERAL THINGS. THERE IS NOT ONE PERSON IN THE AUDIENCE THAT SPOKE HERE TONIGHT THAT I HAVE ANY CONVERSATION WITH PERTAINING TO THIS TOPIC. IN MY DECISION TO ASK FOR THIS TO BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA WAS DURING MY MEETING WITH THE CITY MANAGER TODAY AND I TOLD HIM I THINK I'M GOING TO PLACE THIS AS AN ADDITIONAL ITEM. THERE WAS NO PRE-THOUGHT OR LACK OF TRANSPARENCY I WANT TO ASSURE THE PUBLIC OF THAT. IF I SPOKE TO ANYBODY OUT HERE PRIOR TO THIS MEETING TONIGHT TO DISCUSS

THIS, BUT YOUR HAND UP. >> THAT IS MY POINT, AT NO TIME DID I SAY YOU DID THAT. AT NO TIME DID I SAY YOU DO THAT. WHAT I SAID, IF WE ARE UP HERE AND - - THAT IS WHAT HAPPENS.

>> IT WASN'T ORCHESTRATED BY ME. I AM JUST TELLING YOU HOW IT LOOKS. SITTING HERE TONIGHT I HAVE TEXT MESSAGES - - WHY DIDN'T WE KNOW THIS WAS ON THE AGENDA?

>> WHY DON'T WE SET A SPECIAL MEETING? I BELIEVE WE ALSO NEED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF A FIT COMMISSIONER. I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. I DON'T THINK ANYBODY BROUGHT UP TONIGHT DISTRICT 2 IS NOT BEING PROPERLY REPRESENTED.

>> WE JUST WENT THROUGH FOUR QUASI-JUDICIAL MEETINGS. NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN, IT IS SO CRUCIAL TO HAVE THIS FIFTH COMMISSION. I'M GOING TO TELL YOU WHY THAT IS CRUCIAL. WHAT YOU DID TONIGHT, WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DO OR WHAT THEY WANT IS A 3-2 VOTE. HE DIDN'T SAY IT BUT THAT IS WHAT HE'S TRYING TO GET, TRYING TO GET A 3-2 VOTE. IF THAT IS THE CASE WHERE THE FOUR OF US CANNOT MAKE A DECISION AND WE ARE RELYING ON A 3-TO VOTE, WHY BRING ANYTHING IN FRONT OF US? IT WILL ALWAYS BE A 3-2 VOTE.

I'M TELLING YOU HOW IT LOOKS. YOU CAN GET MAD AT ME, I DO NOT CARE BUT I'M TELLING YOU HOW IT LOOKS. HAD I KNOWN I WOULD'VE BEEN THERE. IT IS NOT ABOUT CALEB RIGHT NOW TO ME. IF HE IS THE BEST CHOICE AND HE COMES IN FRONT OF US AND WE THINK HE IS THE BEST CHOICE, I AM FINE WITH THAT. I HAVE OFFICERS COMING TO ME TELLING ME NO, I HAD TO LISTEN TO THAT.

>> THERE ARE A COUPLE OF POINTS I'M GOING TO MAKE THAT TOTALLY DERAIL THIS FROM MY PERSPECTIVE. WE ARE NOW TAKING ON SOMETHING THE CITY COMMISSION TECHNICALLY SHOULD NOT BE DEALING WITH. THE CITY MANAGER HIRES AND FIRES THAT EMPLOYEE. WE HAVE THREE EMPLOYEES APPEAR. THE CITY MANAGER, THE CITY ATTORNEY AND THE CLERK. THOSE ARE THE THREE, WHENEVER WE HAVE HAD A VACANCY, WE HAVE BEEN INTIMATELY INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS WORKING WITH THE RECRUITER AND - - INTERVIEW OF THOSE THREE POSITIONS WHEN WE NEEDED A POSITION. I HAVE SOME CONVERSATIONS WITH PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY. I HAD TO STOP AND HELP THEM UNDERSTAND. IN MY OPINION, THE CITY MANAGER AND HOPEFULLY, THEY WILL TALK ABOUT WHATEVER PROCESS HE HAD, I DO NOT WANT TO STEAL HIS THUNDER OR WHATEVER HIS COMMITTEE WAS BUT, THERE WAS A COMMITTEE THAT TOOK THIS LIST OF SEVEN OR SO APPLICANTS AND HAD A PROCESS

[02:40:03]

THEY WENT THROUGH AND ASKED QUESTIONS. AS A RESULT OF THAT, THEY DERIVED THREE OR FOUR CANDIDATES. FOR WHATEVER REASONS, THEIR QUESTIONS AND THAT GROUP OF PEOPLE CAME DOWN TO THIS. WHERE WE ARE NOW. I CAME EXPECTING TO SAY OKAY - - I LIVE WITH ANY ONE OF THESE THREE. - - EITHER POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE I WILL OBVIOUSLY RESPECT YOUR FEEDBACK THAT'S WHERE THE PROCESS WAS SUPPOSED TO WORK IN MY OPINION. NOW I AM BEING ASKED TO WEIGH IN AND ALMOST PICK THE CHIEF OF POLICE WHICH DOES NOT REPORT TO ME. HE REPORTS TO THE CITY MANAGER. IF I HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, I TALKED TO THE CITY MANAGER. HE WILL THEN INVITE THE CHIEF IN AND WE HAVE THAT DISCUSSION. THAT HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE. I'M GETTING CONCERNED FOR THE SECOND TIME I AM HEARING WE ARE MEETING WITH POLICE UNIONS. WE ARE MEETING WITH ALL OF THIS OTHER STUFF THAT IS GOING ON. WE HAVE NEGOTIATIONS GOING ON WHEN IT COMES TO SALARY AND MONEY AND EMPLOYMENT. THAT CONCERNS ME. I HAVE WATCHED THIS, I AM CONCERNED. I HAVE THE PUBLIC SHARING THEIR CONCERNS, ALL SEVEN OF THEM. PEOPLE ARE MAKING THEIR OPINION.

ULTIMATELY, WE SET A VISION OF WHAT WE WERE LOOKING FOR IN A POLICE CHIEF. WE GAVE THAT DIRECTION TO A HEADHUNTER WHO WORKED WITH THEM TO WHITTLE DOWN THE LIST AND DELIVER SOME CANDIDATES THAT MAKE THE MATRIX OF WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR. MUCH LIKE COMMISSIONER GAGNE HAS STATED I HAVE HEARD FROM PEOPLE IN THE PUBLIC TOO. OFFICERS THAT ARE NOT RANKED, EVERYDAY OFFICERS THAT HAVE CONCERNS. AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO COME HERE, THEY ARE OUT SERVING. THEY DO MAKE THEIR COMMENTS KNOWN AND I'VE HEARD THEM. I'VE ALSO HEARD FROM THOSE WHO HAVE COME TONIGHT. LIKE ALL OF US UP HERE, WE HAVE ROLLED OUR SLEEVES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES THAT SURFACE WHEN OUR PREVIOUS CHIEF WITH YOU WHICH HAD A LOT TO DO WITH FINANCES AND PLANS AND ALL OF THAT. WE CONTINUE TO WORK ON THAT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE TRYING TO MEET THOSE DEMANDS AS THEY GROW. WE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OUTPACE SOME OF OUR NEIGHBORING CITIES BUT WE WILL DO THE BEST WE CAN TO PROVIDE THOSE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GROWTH, PROMOTION AND DOLLARS. WHAT I DO NOT KNOW IS THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON IN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT THAT I AM NOT SURE WHO CAN SOLVE IT. I DO NOT KNOW IF AN INTERNAL PERSON CAN SOLVE IT OR AN EXTERNAL PERSON. BUT I CAN TELL YOU FROM A PERSPECTIVE, WHEN THEY ARE DEALING WITH PROBLEMS AND CHALLENGES ON BOTH SIDES, YOU HAVE TO COME IN AND CALL BALLS AND STRIKES ON ISSUES AND FACTS. THAT IS WHAT I AM LOOKING FOR IN A CHIEF. THAT IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO ME. THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS IN THAT POLICE DEPARTMENT. JUST LIKE THERE ARE TOUGH DECISIONS WE MAKE UP HERE EACH AND EVERY DAY. RIGHT NOW, THE BEHAVIOR I AM WITNESSING AND SEEING AND THE COMMENTS. I AM REALLY CONCERNED. I AM CONCERNED. I CAN ECHO WHAT COMMISSIONER GAINES IS SAYING. I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM SLOWING IT DOWN, LET'S MAKE IT PUBLIC, LET'S HEAR FROM MORE PEOPLE. I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM LISTENING TO ANY OF THE CANDIDATES BUT I TOO WOULD APPRECIATE A PROCESS THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR MORE PEOPLE TO BE HURT. I DO NOT DISAGREE. LIKE I SAY, A SPECIAL MEETING IS

A GREAT IDEA. >> I TELL YOU, WE HAVE MADE TOUGH DECISIONS THE FOUR OF US SOMETIMES THERE HAS BEEN THREE OF US. WE HAVE MADE MAJOR DECISIONS. WE WILL NOT OBFUSCATE OUR DUTIES. THAT AMERICA I AM DOWN - - MADAM MAYOR I DO WANT TO HEAR FROM OUR CITY MANAGER AT SOME POINT ON THE PROCESS.

>> BEFORE THAT I WOULD LIKE TO TALK. WHEN COMMISSIONER

[02:45:07]

ALEXANDER WAS SICK, WE DID EVERYTHING WE COULD TO ACCOMMODATE HIM. SOMETIMES, HE WAS ON THE PHONE BECAUSE REMEMBER THAT WAS COVID TIME TOO. NOBODY EVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT HIS LACK OF SERVICE. YOU DO NOT HIT A MAN WHEN HE IS DOWN. I THINK THAT IS, IN MY OPINION, A LITTLE BIT OF A DIFFERENT SITUATION. WE WERE ALL TRYING TO GIVE COMMISSIONER ALEXANDER AS MUCH AS - - HE WANTED AND HE WANTED IT AND HE DIDN'T WANT TO NOT SERVE. WE WORKED WITH THAT. WE ACCOMMODATED AS MUCH AS WE COULD SO HE COULD BE A PART OF THE PROCESS. NOBODY EVER BROUGHT UP THAT HE SHOULD NOT BE A PART OF THE PROCESS. I WANTED TO CLEAR THE AIR ON THAT. I WAS HERE WHEN WE INTERVIEWED FOR THE LAST POLICE CHIEF. THERE WERE NO INTERNAL CANDIDATES. I SHARED THE PROCESS WITH MR. CHESS. I SAID IS IMPORTANT THE COMMISSIONERS INTERVIEWED FIVE CANDIDATES. AND PROVIDED OUR INPUT TO THE CITY MANAGER FOR WHO WE THOUGHT WOULD BE BEST. - - SERVED THIS CITY 10 YEARS AND DID A LOT OF GOOD FOR THE CITY. WHEN SHE LEFT, SHE HAD TO LEAVE QUICKLY AND WE DID NOT GET TO THANK HER FOR ALL THE GOOD SHE DID AND EVEN HER POLICE OFFICERS GAVE HER CREDIT WHERE CREDIT WAS DUE. AT THE END, THERE WERE SOME PROBLEMS SHE LASTED 10 YEARS AND THOSE WERE 10 ROUGH YEARS. THOSE WERE ROUGH YEARS FOR POLICE OFFICERS THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTRY. SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE THAT - - STAYED AND SOME DID NOT. SO THERE DEVELOPED IN OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT A REAL FEELING FOR WE ARE GOOD ENOUGH. WE SERVE THIS CITY, WE WANT TO BE RECOGNIZED. I UNDERSTAND THAT.

AS A FEELING OF WORTH. A FEELING IF YOU ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE ON THE OUTSIDE, AREN'T WE GOOD ENOUGH? I THINK FORT PIERCE SUFFERS FROM THAT ANYWAY. ONE OF THE THINGS I WOULD HAVE LIKED FROM THE PROCESS IS THAT WE ARE NOW GOING TO BE INTERVIEWING THREE FINALISTS BUT, WE DO NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO COMPARE TO OUR OWN INTERNAL CANDIDATE. WHAT I WOULD HAVE LIKED IS TO BE ABLE, I WOULD LIKE TO INTERVIEW AN INTERNAL CANDIDATE, CALEB GILLETT. I AM JUST SAYING IT RIGHT THERE. LET ME TELL YOU, I HARDLY KNOW HIM BECAUSE HE HAS WORKED AT NIGHT. I KNOW HE HAS BEEN WITH US FOR A LONG TIME BUT I HAVE ONLY GOTTEN TO KNOW HIM RECENTLY IN HIS NEW ROLE AS INTERIM DEPUTY CHIEF. WE ARE GOING TO HEAR FROM YOU ABOUT WHOEVER WAS IN THE ROOM, WHO WAS PART OF THE INTERVIEW. I HAVE TALKED TO THE RECRUITER AND ONE OF THE THINGS I SAID TO BOTH OF YOU, IF WE ARE NOT GOING TO RECOMMEND A LOCAL PERSON, WE HAD BETTER HAVE A GOOD REASON. THE

[02:50:12]

LONGER I SERVE AS MAYOR I HAVE SUPPORTERS AND DETRACTORS. THAT JUST HAPPENS. I'M NOT SAYING TONIGHT HIGHER CALEB GILLETT, I'M SAYING FOR THE PROCESS TO BE FAIR WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO INTERVIEW CALEB GILLETT AT LEASE. THAT IS MY FEELING. - - THE COMMISSION WAS ABOUT READY TO PICK A CITY MANAGER, AS I WAS RUNNING I WAS ASKED FOR MY INPUT. BECAUSE THEY WERE ABOUT TO HIGHER AND THERE WAS SOME SENTIMENT TO WAIT TO MAKE THE DECISION UNTIL THE NEW MAYOR TOOK OVER. THAT IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS NOT OUT OF THE REALM OF - - YES, WE HAVE MADE A LOT OF DECISIONS BECAUSE WE HALF TO MAKE DECISIONS. IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT THE FIFTH ONE - - HOW YOU ARE ALREADY GOING TO 3-2, MAYBE YOU ALREADY KNOW MORE THAN I DO. I BELIEVE THAT TRUST IS BUILT UP OVER A LONG TIME AND I STUDIED THE RESUMES OF THE OUTSIDE CANDIDATES AND THEY ARE IMPRESSIVE. I'M GOING TO BE MEETING THEM TOMORROW AND I WILL TRY TO BE AS FAIR TO THEM AS THEY WOULD TO ANY ENTITY. I DO NOT KNOW HOW WE CAN EVEN FATHOM THAT - - IS A POSSIBILITY. I DO KNOW THAT ONE OF THE THINGS WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT WITH YOU, WHEN YOU GOT TO FORT PIERCE, HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE FOR YOU TO GET TO KNOW FORT PIERCE AND YOU HAVE DONE A REMARKABLE JOB. YOU REALLY HAVE MASTERED A LOT OF FORT PIERCE. MAYBE THIS IS ONE LESSON TO LEARN FOR ALL OF US IN TERMS OF HOW INVESTED OUR COMMUNITY IS IN OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND HOW BADLY WE NEED THEM. HOW MUCH WE WANT TO KNOW THEM PERSONALLY, HOW MUCH WE WANT THEM TO BE A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY. WHEN I WAS FIRST MAYOR THERE WAS A BIG PUSH FOR MAKING THE OFFICERS GET OUT OF THEIR CARS AND INTERACT WITH THE CITIZENS. WE DEVELOPED THE BIKE PATROL. THERE WAS A LOT OF COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THEY WANTED THEM IN THEIR LIVES. I FEEL LIKE THAT TRUST THAT WE NEED TO FEEL IN OUR CHIEF IN OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WE NEED TO BE LIKE, AND WE HAVE THE ROAD MAP. THE STUDY THAT WAS DONE. AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT HAS GONE THROUGH IT AND SAID THIS IS A THINK IN FAIRNESS WE NEED TO INTERVIEW THE INTERNAL CANDIDATE. I WOULD BE WILLING TO CHANGE MY SCHEDULE - - IF WE WANT TO HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING I DO NOT MIND THAT AT ALL. NOW MR. CHESS, IT IS TIME

IF YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING. >> I WAS GOING TO BRING IN THE HR MANAGER TO TALK ABOUT THE NEXT STEPS BUT I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE NEXT STEPS ARE. I WILL TRY TO ADDRESS THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE AND I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S COMMENTS AND CONCERNS. I HAD MAJOR RECRUITMENTS ALONG ALL TYPES OF - - ON PANELS FOR POLICE CHIEF RECRUITMENTS. ENGINEERS AND THE

[02:55:02]

LIKE. WHEN I GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS, A VERY IMPARTIAL PROCESS FOR ME. I AM NOT COMMITTED OR BEHOLDEN TO ANYONE IN THIS PROCESS. I WANT THE BEST CANDIDATE THAT COMES BEFORE ME.

THE LEADERSHIP, UNDERSTANDING THE MISSION OF THE DEPARTMENT BASED ON HOW I ENVISION IT AND THE MISSION OF THE CITY. THOSE WHO BEST EXPRESS THAT TO ME, IT RESONATES WITH ME. I CAN GO ON TO TALK ABOUT MY UNDERSTANDING, THEY UNDERSTAND WHAT MY ROLE IS I AM NOT HERE JUST TO HIRE A POLICE CHIEF I AM HERE TO HIRE AND BUILD A TEAM. WE HAVE SEVERAL VACANT POSITIONS AND THEY NEED TO BE COMPLIMENT TERRY. THEY NEED TO COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER. HOW DOES THE POLICE CHIEF COMPONENT WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO AND THE TEAM I AM TRYING TO BUILD. MR. GILLETT, I DO NOT KNOW HIM VERY WELL, I HAVE HAD SEVERAL MEETINGS WITH HIM. I CANNOT SAY THAT I KNOW HIM THAT I BELIEVE YOU ALL KNOW HIM VERY WELL. I WILL NEVER GET BEFORE YOU AND SAY WHY I DID NOT HIRE SOMEONE. THAT IS NOT THE PROFESSIONAL THING TO DO. ALL SEVEN OF THE CANDIDATES ARE GREAT. TWO OF THEM DID NOT RUN.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ONE. THOSE OTHER THREE WERE REALLY GOOD.

FROM MY PERSPECTIVE I HAVE TO BE BALANCED. I KNOW THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE OIL BUT THERE WERE TWO OTHER LOCAL CANDIDATES I THOUGHT DID A DECENT JOB. THERE WAS AN OUTSIDE CANDIDATE WHO WAS VERY WELL QUALIFIED. WE HAVE VERY STRONG CANDIDATES.

FOUR DID NOT GO FORWARD, THREE WENT FORWARD AND ULTIMATELY ONE WILL GO FORWARD AND THERE WILL BE TWO DISAPPOINTED KENNEDYS. I AM LOOKING FOR THE CANDIDATE THAT SHOWED THE MOST EXPERIENCE, LEADERSHIP, UNDERSTANDING FOR THE DEPARTMENT SHOULD BE GOING.

I'M NOT GOING INTO INTERNAL STRIFE. HEARING THIS AND HEARING THAT. I HAVE NO CLUE FROM BOTH SIDES BUT, I HEAR THE NOISE, I LET IT GO. WHEN THE CANDIDATES GET BEFORE ME, WE HAVE A SERIES OF QUESTIONS WE ASK. THOSE THAT DO VERY WELL DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS CERTAINLY IT RESONATES. I SEE SOME OF THEM HAVE NOT INTERVIEWED IN YEARS, THAT PLACE A MAJOR PART. ALL OF THE FACTORS CAME INTO PLAY SO I'M TRYING TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING FROM YOU. I UNDERSTAND YOUR SENTIMENT. THERE IS NO WAY I'M GOING TO DISCOUNT THAT. WE HAD AN OUTSIDE RECRUITMENT FIRM VERY SEASON, WHO DID A NATIONAL PRETREATMENT.

A BEDDED THE CANDIDATES. WE HAD 15 GOOD CANDIDATES. I'M NOT BEHOLDEN, I DO NOT KNOW ANY OF THOSE CANDIDATES I AM BRINGING FORTH. THEY JUST PERFORMED BEST DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS AND I NEED TO BE IMPARTIAL AND UNBIASED TO KNOW ABOUT THE BEST CANDIDATE FORWARD. NOT WASTE ON SOMEONE SAYING, YOU KNOW, LONGEVITY HAS ITS PLACE BUT EXPERIENCE AND LEADERSHIP HAS A BETTER PLACE AND - - THERE ARE TIMES, I WAS ONLY DOWN THE ROAD IN BROWARD COUNTY I COULD'VE BEEN FROM ALASKA. WE DO NOT WANT ANY NEWCOMERS, OUTSIDERS, THEY WILL NOT BE WELCOME. IF YOU DO NOT WANT PEOPLE FROM THE OUTSIDE, I DIDN'T GROW UP LIKE THAT I WASN'T RAISED LIKE THAT. OUTSIDE DOESN'T MEAN YOU ARE WRONG, IT MEANS YOU ARE DIFFERENT. WE NEED DIFFERENT TODAY. IF YOU WANT TO GIVE THE PERSPECTIVE UPDATE OF WHERE WE ARE GOING I AM FINE. SO I DID A QUICK QUESTION. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THIS PROCESS FOR CLARITY. THE CITY CHARTER STATES THE PROCESS BY WHICH THE CHIEF OF POLICE IS HIRED. IF I RECOLLECT THAT CORRECTLY IT IS THE CITY MANAGER'S DECISION WITH THE APPROVAL AND EXCLAMATION POINT APPROVAL.

>> YES, SECTION 48 OF THE CITY CHARTER. SECTION C SAYS THE CHIEF OF POLICE SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE CITY MANAGER WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY COMMISSION, IT THEN GOES INTO DISCHARGE WHICH IS BY THE CITY COMMISSION FOR THE CITY MANAGER WITH THE CONSENT OF THE COMMISSION. THE HIRING IS A CITY MANAGER'S DECISION. HE WOULD BRING THAT TO YOU ALL BASICALLY TO RATIFY THAT DECISION AND HAVE A VOTE ON HIS DECISION.

>> I AM COMING BACK TO THAT BECAUSE THIS ADDRESSES

[03:00:03]

COMMISSIONER - - THE PROCESS ITSELF. THIS STRIKES ME AS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE COMMISSION AND CITY MANAGER WHICH CANDIDLY, ALL ISSUES ARE. THIS ONE JUST HAPPENS TO BE OUTLINED SPECIFICALLY IN THE CHARTER THINK THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN MANAGEMENT AND ELECTED OFFICIALS. I THINK BOTH OF YOU ARE CORRECT ON THAT POINT BUT I BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT TO POINT THAT OUT TO THE COMMUNITY THAT THE ROLE OF THE COMMISSION IS AS INTEGRAL IN - - - - THERE IS A DISTINCT POSSIBILITY IT COULD BE UNANIMOUS COULD BE 4-1, 3-2, IT COULD BE VOTED DOWN. ANY OF THOSE POSSIBILITIES ARE OUT THERE. I THINK THE PROCESS SPEAKS FOR ITSELF CLEARING THAT ULTIMATELY, THIS BODY HAS THE ABILITY TO APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE. THAT IS WHAT IT SAYS IN THE CHARTER, WE ARE NOT GOING

TO CHANGE THAT. >> MR. SORENSEN, ARE YOU GOING

TO ADD ANYTHING? >> THIS IS JUST A PERSPECTIVE

PLAN IN A NUTSHELL. >> WHAT I HAVE ASKED TO GIVE IS A QUICK UPDATE OF WHERE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS. YOU ARE CORRECT IN THAT TOMORROW, THERE ARE THREE INDIVIDUALS MEETING WITH YOU BECAUSE OF SCHEDULING CONFLICTS YOU HAVE WEDNESDAY.

TOMORROW EVENING, THERE HAS ALREADY BEEN PUBLISHED, ALREADY BEEN SET A MEET AND GREET FROM 5:30 TO 7:30. THAT IS THE PUBLIC'S OPPORTUNITY TO COME AND SPEAK WITH THE CANDIDATES.

WE WILL HAVE LIGHT HORS D'OEUVRES AS WELL AS REFRESHMENTS. WE WILL HAVE THE CANDIDATES AT THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING IN THE ROOM. PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE TO CHASE THEM AROUND THE ROOM. WE WILL HAVE TABLES SET UP WHERE PEOPLE CAN MINGLE AND TALK. AFTER THAT, ON WEDNESDAY BEGINNING AT 9:00, THE CANDIDATES, THE THREE FINALISTS WILL BEGINNING - - BEGIN TO MEET WITH COMMISSION. WE WILL ROTATE THEM ALL THE WAY UNTIL NOON.

THEY WILL HAVE LUNCH FROM NOON UNTIL 1:00 AND AT 1:00 INTERVIEW COMMITTEE WILL PICK BACK UP AND HAVE A FINAL INTERVIEW WITH THEM. ONCE THAT IS DONE, THERE WILL BE A COMMITTEE DEBRIEF WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON WITH THE SEARCH FIRM TO KIND OF TALK THROUGHOUT THE CANDIDATES AND MAKE A FINAL DECISION WHO MR. CHESS WILL RECOMMEND TO CITY COMMISSION.

>> THE MEET AND GREET TOMORROW NIGHT IS JUST FOR THE THREE

FINALISTS. >> THE MEET AND GREET IS JUST FOR THE THREE FINALISTS THAT WERE CHOSEN TO COME. I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY THE FINALISTS ARE ALREADY HERE IN FORT PIERCE TONIGHT, THAT WE TOMORROW MORNING THEY CAN MEET WITH YOU.

THEY WILL BE IN TOWN FOR TWO DAYS.

>> COMMISSIONERS? >> LET ME JUST EXPRESS MATTER MAYOR, YOU AND I HAVE EXPRESSED A DESIRE TO INTERVIEW CALEB GILLETT. WE NEED A MOTION TO ACCOMPLISH THAT? WE ARE ALL TURNING TO THE CITY ATTORNEY TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

>> I DO NOT LIKE GIVING THIS ANSWER BUT MY ANSWER IS THAT IT IS A DECISION BY THE CITY MANAGER. I DO NOT BELIEVE A MOTION TO FORCE HIM TO THE PROCESS WOULD BE APPROPRIATE. I BELIEVE THAT IT IS HIS DECISION HOW HE WANTS TO CONTROL THIS PROCESS AT THIS POINT IN TIME. HE HAS RECEIVED YOUR FEEDBACK I CAN SEE HIS BRAIN SMOKING AS I AM TALKING. I'M SURE HE IS CAPABLE OF DECIDING HOW HE WANTS TO PROCEED FORWARD.

>> MADAM MAYOR, MY CONCERN IS ONE KIND OF PRECEDENT ARE WE SETTING? THERE ARE OTHER CANDIDATES TOO THAT WE HAVE HEARD FROM THE CITY MANAGER THAT SAID HE THOUGHT THEY DID A GOOD JOB. AS AN HR PERSON IN MY BACKGROUND, THAT WILL BE A CONCERN THAT WE PICK ONE OVER THE OTHER TWO OR THREE THAT ARE LOCAL OR THE SEVEN THAT WERE THERE IN THAT PROCESS.

[03:05:04]

>> IN THE PAST WHEN WE HAVE HAD SEARCHES, WE HAVE GIVEN THE COURTESY WHEN A COMMISSIONER SAID I WOULD LIKE TO INTERVIEW THIS PERSON WE HAVE AGREED TO THAT COURTESY.

>> WHEN WE GO TO THE PROCESS AND LOOK AT THAT, I THINK THE CITY MANAGER MADE US AWARE OF THE SEVEN PEOPLE THEY WERE LOOKING AT AND I THINK WE ALL GOT AN UPDATE ON THAT. I KNOW I DID. AT THAT POINT, WE WERE MADE AWARE. THEN THE PROCESS OF THE COMMITTEE - - I THINK WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS WE CAN HAVE THE DISCUSSION NOW OF THE PROCESS BUT I CAN TELL YOU IF I AM NOT GOING TO DO IT FOR ONE I WILL NOT DO IT FOR THE OTHERS.

>> IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHERS THAT YOU WANT I WOULD TOO.

>> MR. CHESS, WE WERE AT SEVEN TOTAL? WE GOT DOWN TO THREE.

>> EXCUSE ME. ALSO I HAVE ALWAYS SAID I WILL BRING THE TOP THREE OR FOUR. EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. BECAUSE I DIDN'T BRING FOUR DOESN'T MEAN I HAVE LEFT SOMEONE OUT. MAYBE I WILL BRING FOUR. I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR IT WASN'T AS IF WE HAD FOUR CANDIDATES NO TWO MAYBE FOUR. I DECIDED TO JUST GO WITH THE THREE, THEY WERE THE THREE TOP CANDIDATES.

>> THERE WERE THREE THAT STOOD OUT?

>> FOR ME YES. >> OKAY.

>> I AM JUST SITTING HERE DUMBFOUNDED. I REMEMBER SIX MONTHS AGO WE WERE LOOKING FOR A CITY MANAGER. WE HAD THINKS SEVEN, IF I REMEMBER. I SAT IN THE SEAT AND I ASKED, SINCE WE HAVE THE SEVEN PEOPLE LET'S INTERVIEW ALL SEVEN. THEN WE VOTED 3-2 - - YOU SAID NO. TOO MANY. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE NOW. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE NOW? THAT WAS SIX MONTHS AGO. I SAT RIGHT THERE AND SAID WELL, THERE ARE PEOPLE ON THIS SEVEN I WOULD LIKE TO INTERVIEW. IT WAS SAID SEVEN IS TOO MANY. IT WAS ALSO SAID IF ANY CITY COMMISSIONER WANTED TO INTERVIEW A CANDIDATE THEY WOULD LET THAT PERSON INTERVIEW THE CANDIDATE. IT WAS A 4-1 BOAT FOR MY REQUEST TO INTERVIEW ALL SEVEN. WE ENDED UP INTERVIEWING ALL SEVEN. OUT TONIGHT, SIX MONTHS DOWN THE ROAD IT IS DIFFERENT. WHY IS IT DIFFERENT NOW THAN THEN. THAT IS WHY I AM SO FRUSTRATED. I UNDERSTAND WE ARE AT A DAY AND AGE WITH THE CONSTITUTION AND CITY CHARTERS AND CITY ORDINANCE DON'T MATTER BUT, THEY MATTER TO ME. IF YOU DO NOT LIKE HOW THE CHARTER IS WRITTEN, MAKE A MOTION, PUT IT ON THE BALLOT SO WE CAN CHANGE IT. THIS IS HOW IT IS WRITTEN. SIX MONTHS AGO I ASKED TO INTERVIEW ALL SEVEN CANDIDATES FOR THE CITY MANAGER AND THEY VOTED IT WAS A 4-1 BOAT NO. I ACCEPTED THAT AND INTERVIEWED THE FOUR OR WHATEVER WE BROKE IT DOWN TO AND THAT IS HOW WE GOT HERE. TONIGHT, THAT PROCESS IS DIFFERENT. WHAT IS THE PROCESS GOING TO BE GOING FORWARD. ARE WE GOING TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHEN TO FOLLOW THE CHARTER? WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? THAT IS WHY I AM SO FRUSTRATED BECAUSE WE ARE PICKING AND CHOOSING WHAT THE CHARTER SAYS. NOWHERE IN THIS CHARTER DOES IT SAY WE TELL THE CITY MANAGER WHO TO PICK.

NOWHERE. NO DIFFERENCE. THERE'S NO DIFFERENCE. THE CHARTER IS THE CHARTER FOR EVERYTHING WE DO. COMMISSIONER JOHNSON SAID WE

[03:10:04]

HAVE A CITY CLERK, WE HAVE A CITY ATTORNEY. WE HAVE A CITY MANAGER. THAT IS WHO WE DIRECT TO EVERY THING ELSE FALLS UNDER THE CITY MANAGER. THE CHARTER SAYS THE CITY MANAGER PICKS THE POLICE CHIEF AND BRINGS IT TO US. WE VOTE YES OR NO. IF WE VOTE NO, HE HAS TO GO BACK AND START ALL OVER AGAIN. ALL OVER AGAIN. IT TAKES THREE REGARDLESS OF WHO IS UP HERE TO GET A YES AND MOVE SOMETHING ON. I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ARE WE DOING DOES OUR CHARTER NOT MEAN ANYTHING TONIGHT? DOES IT NOT MEAN ANYTHING THIS TIME? WHAT IS DIFFERENT BETWEEN THIS TIME AND LAST TIME? IT WAS A CHARTER OFFICER WE WERE VOTING LAST TIME WHEN I ASKED TO INTERVIEW ALL SEVEN. WHAT ARE WE DOING? AS A CANDIDATE - - MIGHT HAVE BEEN ONE OF THE 15, THEY EXCLUDED ME BUT NOW THEY'RE GOING TO ASK SOMEBODY ELSE, HOW IS THAT FAIR.

HOW IS THAT FAIR TO MY POSITION. SHOULD I COME TO THE CITY COMMISSION AND SAY I WANT TO BE INTERVIEWED OR CONTACT ONE OF US TO SAY I WANT TO BE INTERVIEWED. ARE WE GOING TO TELL THAT CANDIDATE NO? WE ARE GOING DOWN A SLIPPERY SLOPE HERE. THAT WILL COME BACK TO WRITE US. IT WILL COME BACK TO BITE US. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT IS GOING ON UP HERE TONIGHT. I KNOW WHAT THE CHARTER SAYS BECAUSE I READ IT. YOU CAN TRY TO PUT ANY KIND OF SPIN YOU WANT ON IT. THE CHARTER SAYS WITH THE CHARTER SAYS.

>> WHAT I AM HEARING IS TWO OF US ARE REQUESTING AN ADDITIONAL INTERVIEW AND TWO OF US ARE SAYING NO. IS THAT WHAT I'M

HEARING? >> I WANT TO MOVE FORWARD WHO THE CITY MANAGER HAS SELECTED TO LOOK AT THAT FIRST AND HAVE THAT PROCESS TO UNDERSTAND THIS COMMITTEE THAT SENT THESE THREE PEOPLE OUR WAY. I AM SCHEDULED TO MEET WITH THEM WEDNESDAY. IT HAS ALREADY BEEN PUT ON MY CALENDAR. I HAVE A FOLLOW-UP

QUESTION. >> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN THIS IS THE TIME FOR THE COMMISSION TO TALK. YOU WILL HAVE A TIME TO TALK AT PUBLIC COMMENT IN JUST A BIT. I'M NOT SURE WHO THIS QUESTION GOES TO. I HAVE HEARD NOW THAT THERE WAS A SHORT LIST THE ORIGINAL SHORT LIST WAS SEVEN AND THE SHORT SHORT LIST I'VE HEARD NUMBERS THREE AND FOUR. WHICH IS IT?

>> THREE. >> THREE, THERE WAS NEVER A

FOURTH CANDIDATE. >> THREE WAS RESENTED, WE NARROWED IT DOWN FROM SEVEN CANDIDATES. WE DISCUSSED FOUR CANDIDATES AND THERE WAS A BIG DISPARITY. THE REASONS WHY THERE WAS DISPARITY WE DECIDED JUST SEND THREE BECAUSE THAT IS WHO I WOULD HIRE. THAT IS HOW IT WENT.

>> WENT FROM SEVEN TO FOUR, TO THREE.

>> FOUR TWO THREE - - FOUR TO THREE IN A HEARTBEAT. THAT IS

HOW WE LAID THAT OUT. >> I GUESS MY QUESTION WOULD BE, THERE IS NOTHING FOR US TO MOTION AND PASS IT THE SHORTLIST HAS BEEN DRAFTED TO THE THREE AND WE HAVE NO JURISDICTION IN THIS MATTER THEN WE MOVE ON WITH THREE. I'M ASSUMING THAT IS A CORRECT CONCLUSION FROM WHAT THE CHARTER SAYS AND WHAT EVERYBODY'S RESPONSIBILITY CZAR.

>> WE HAVE MADE OUR WISHES KNOWN.

>> WE HAVE. >> ALL FOUR OF US HAVE. THE PROCESS HAS GOT TO BE THE PROCESS. UNTIL IT ISN'T.

[03:15:01]

>> THE PROCESS HAS TO GO FORWARD.

>> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM? ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANYTHING

TO SAY? >> NO, THANK YOU.

[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.]

>> LET'S MOVE ON. >> THE NEXT ITEM ON THE AGENDA'S COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC. THIS IS THE TIME FOR ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC TO ADDRESS THE COMMISSION. YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES, STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. YOU WILL GET A 10 SECOND WARNING. PLEASE, WHOEVER WANTS TO COME FORWARD PLEASE

COME FORWARD. >> I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE - - CONCERNED CITIZENS. I AM MORE THAN SHOCKED. I'VE WORKED NORMALLY AS PRESIDENT OF THE NAACP IN THIS COUNTY FOR 20 OR 30 YEARS. I WATCHED THE PROCESS OF CITY MANAGERS GETTING HIRED AS WELL AS POLICE CHIEFS. THE THING THAT BOTHERS ME IS IT THIS COMMUNITY AND THAT IS NOT FAIR. NUMBER ONE, THE CHARTER SAYS EXACTLY HOW THINGS SHOULD GO. WHETHER THE CITY MANAGER WANTS TO SEND TWO NAMES OR THREE NAMES. HE HAS THAT POWER IN THAT CATEGORY. I CAME INTO THE MEETING WALKED INTO CITY HALL AROUND 10 MINUTES TO 5:00 AND I ASKED CAN I GET A PAPER TO SIGN TO SPEAK AND THEY TOLD ME NO. I TOOK MY LITTLE CARD THAT I HAD AND TORE IT UP. I AM JUST TELLING YOU I CAME AND IT SAID IT WASN'T GOING TO BE ON THE AGENDA SO I TORE MY NOTES UP.

THEN I SIT HERE AND LOOKED AT ABOUT 15 PEOPLE SPEAK IT WAS AN INSULT TO ME. THE OTHER THING I WANT TO SAY IS THAT FAVORITISM HAS NOTHING TO DO AND POLITICS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH SELECTING A QUALIFIED PERSON. OVER THE YEARS I'VE WATCHED THAT HAPPEN WE NEED TO NOT DO IT NEED TO STICK BY THE RULES IN THE BEST QUALIFIED PERSON. YOU LIVE HERE JUST LIKE I DO AND YOU KNOW THERE ARE SOME GRIPES GOING ON SERIOUSLY AT THE FORT PIERCE POLICE DEPARTMENT. MY OFFICE HAS OFTEN GONE AND DEALT WITH SOME UNUSUAL SITUATIONS. EVEN TO THE POINT OF CURSING AND ALL OF THAT. I DO NOT KNOW WHERE YOU WILL BE WHEN THOSE PEOPLE ARE DISGRUNTLED EMPLOYEES. WHAT I WANT TO DO IS - - AND THOSE CANDIDATES COME HERE WHETHER THEY ARE QUALIFIED OR NOT WE

NEED TO PICK ONE AND MOVE ON. >> WHO IS NEXT?

>> JOHN CUMMINGS. MADAM MAYOR, DISTINGUISHED COMMISSIONERS. I THOUGHT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT ANOTHER PROJECT. THE SUNSET GARDEN PROJECT. IT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA. BUT, I ENJOYED BEING HERE AND LISTENING IS A PAST CITY COMMISSIONER OF ANOTHER TOWN. I UNDERSTAND YOUR POSITIONS. HOWEVER, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. IT IS A MESS, WE CANNOT GET OUT. THE RESIDENTS IN THE SUBDIVISION THAT I AM ASKED, YOU CANNOT GET OUT. THE TRUCK TRAFFIC ALONE IS RIDICULOUS. SOMEBODY HAS TO CONTACT THESE COMPANIES, ALL THE MAJOR TRUCKS. THEY ARE ALL COMING DOWN THAT ROAD. I UNDERSTAND AND I REALIZE THAT EDWARDS WAS ORIGINALLY A CITRUS GROVE. I REMEMBER FORT PIERCE AS THE CITRUS TOWN. WE HAVE SUCH AN ISSUE WHEN THEY START BACKING UP FROM THAT LIGHT AND THEY BACKUP ALL THE WAY TO JENKINS AND I AM SITTING THERE FOR 10 MINUTES NOT GETTING OUT AND THEN I FINALLY GET OUT AND I TRY TO GET OVER TO MIDWAY, I CANNOT DRIVE AN - - BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A MESS. ON THE SAME SIDE IF WE GET OVER TO

[03:20:06]

MIDWAY WE HAVE TO GO 30 MILES PER HOUR WHEN EVERYONE ELSE INCLUDING OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT IS BREAKING THAT SPEED LIMIT IN THE MEANTIME, SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE TO HELP US GET RID OF THE TRAFFIC WE ARE ALWAYS DEALING WITH EVERYDAY. SO I YIELD TO YOU I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS - - WHO IS HANDLING THAT BUT SOMEBODY NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN AREAS SUBDIVISION WE CANNOT GET OUT. THEN THE PEOPLE ACROSS FROM EDWARDS CANNOT GET OUT. WE HAVE A REAL PROBLEM THERE. I UNDERSTAND ALL THE ISSUES AND AS A PAST COMMISSIONER I KNOW IT IS NO FUN AT TIMES. I YIELD TO YOU AND APPRECIATE THE TIME.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. YOU CAN CHECK WITH STAFF ABOUT THAT ITEM.

NEXT? >> HELLO. I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY SOMETHING. I SPOKE FIRST, IN NO WAY DID I KNOW THIS WOULD BE ON THE AGENDA. I WAS EXPECTING TO SPEAK BECAUSE I WAS TROUBLED ALL THREE LOCAL CANDIDATES WERE DISMISSED AT ONE TIME. WITHOUT YOU HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET THEM. I WAS NOT ADVOCATING JUST FOR ONE NAME BUT ALL THREE LOCAL MEN TO BE GIVEN THE CHANCE TO SHOW YOU WHAT THEY HAVE GOT. I WAS EXPECTING TO SPEAK IN THIS TIMEFRAME. I HAD NO IDEA THERE WOULD BE A SPECIAL ITEM ON THE AGENDA. IT WAS JUST ON MY HEART AND I KNEW THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WERE UPSET BECAUSE THEY HAD SPOKEN EARLIER OR HAD EMAILED AND THEY FELT LIKE THEY HAD NOT BEEN HEARD. I KNEW PEOPLE WERE PLANNING TO COME TONIGHT BUT I WAS EXPECTING THIS TIMEFRAME, NOT EARLIER. I DO THINK THAT ALL THREE LOCAL CANDIDATES SHOULD BE ADDED BACK IN AND GIVEN A CHANCE TO MEET THE PUBLIC TOMORROW NIGHT. THAT WAS MY REASON FOR

SPEAKING. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. WHO IS NEXT?

>> GOOD EVENING. WE HAVE MENTIONED THE CHARTER. THE CHARTER SAYS THAT THE COMMISSION WILL VOTE. AS A PRACTICAL MATTER YOU ARE FOLLOWING THE CHARTER. MR. CHESS MAKES A CHOICE THE COMMISSIONERS DO NOT LIKE THEY SIMPLY WILL VOTE NO. - - IN THE LAST MEETING ALONE WE GAVE $500 TO THE FIREFOX BECAUSE MR. GAINES SPOKE SO HIGHLY OF THEM. THAT IS HOW MUCH I ADMIRE AND APPRECIATE HIS COMMENTS AND THOUGHTS. I WANT TO SAY HOW COULD THIS BE ORCHESTRATED, IT WAS JUST ANNOUNCED YESTERDAY.

THE INFORMATION JUST CAME OUT. IT COULD NOT HAVE VERY WELL BEEN ORCHESTRATED. MR. GAINES IS ALSO A CHAMPION OF LAW AND FAIRNESS.