[00:00:08]
>>> I'D LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.
THIS IS WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 14TH, 2026. THIS IS THE FORT PIERCE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY.
PLEASE STAND FOR THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
[4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
GAINES.>> FIRST ITEM IS APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE DECEMBER 9TH MEETING.
[5. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
>> NEXT IS ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS OF THE
AGENDA. >> ANY CHANGES OR IS THERE AA
MOTION? >> MOVE APPROVAL TO SET THING AGENDA AS PRINTED.
>> NEXT IS COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC.
[7. CONSENT AGENDA]
>> SEEING NO MOVEMENT WE'LL MOVE
AGENT. >> IS THERE ANY ITEM TO PULL, OR IS THERE A MOTION?
>> I'M GOING TO PULL ITEM B. I THINK BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF THE EXPENDITURE --
>> THAT'S WHY I LOOKED. I WAS WAITING ON YOU TO SAY
SOMETHING. >> DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION FOR AT A?
[B. Approval to Award Bid No. 2026-017 for the Trash and Recycling Receptacles for Downtown Fort Pierce, Jetty Park, and River Walk to the only respondent Big Belly Solar, LLC in the amount of $380,448.60]
>> MOTION AND SECOND. CALL THE ROLL.
>> B APPROVAL TO AWARD BID NUMBER 2026017 FOR THE TRASH AND
RECEPTACLES -- >> HISTORICALLY WHEN WE HAVE THESE LARGE TICKET ITEMS I LIKE TO PULL IT SO WE EXPLAIN IT TO THE CITIZENS. THIS IS A LARGE ITEM, $380,000. I'D LIKE TO GET THE INFORMATION OUT.
>> MS. DELGADO CAN EXPOUND ON MY QUESTIONS OR THE PROJECT OVERALL.
>> WE DO HAVE THE DOWNTOWN AND JETTY PARK AND RIVERWALK TRASH RECEPTACLES. FOR DOWNTOWN WE HAVE HAD SOME TRASH CANS THAT THEY'RE NOT IN THE BEST CONDITION.
SOME ARE MISSING LIDS. SO WE HAVE GONE OUT AND PUT OUT A BID TO REPLACE CERTAIN UNITS IN EACH LOCATION.
SO WE HAVE 56 UNITS IN DOWNTOWN. THESE ARE SOLAR POWERED, SOME OF THEM. AS YOU CAN TELL, THEY'RE ALL -- WE HAVE 15 BINS FOR 45 GALLON AND THEN WE HAVE FOR 150 GALLON SOME ARE GOING TO BE FULLY WRAPPED.
SOME WILL HAVE INSERTS ON THE SIDES.
WE HAVE FOR THE JETTY PART 28 UNITS AND WE HAVE THE LOCATIONS FOR THOSE TRASH CANS. SAME WITH THE RIVERWALK, IT'S NINE UNITS. WE HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT THE TRASH CANS WILL LOOK LIKE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> THEY'RE ALMOST TOO NICE TO BE TRASH CANS.
>> I THINK A FEW YEARS AGO WEWE A PRESENTATION ABOUT HAVING THE SOLAR POWERED TRASH CANS --
>> RIGHT. I'M GLAD WE'RE NOW DOING THAT.
BUT THEY'RE NOT ALL GOING TO BE SOLAR
>> MADAM CHAIR, SO OF THAT HOW MANY OF THESE EXTRA COMPACTERS ARE WE IN THIS DEAL?
[00:05:01]
>> LET'S SAY FOR EXAMPLE RIVERWALK WE HAVE SIX.
IT'S JUST MAINLY IN THE HEAVILY -- WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO WALK THROUGH ALONG THE RIVERWALK.
THEN THERE ARE CERTAIN AREAS WHERE THE MEMORIAL IS.
THAT'S GOING TO BE THE 45 GALLON ONES. THOSE AREN'T SOLAR POWERED.
THEY'RE NONPOWERED. THE 150 GALLON ONES ARE SOLAR POWERED. THEY ALSO HAVE A FULLNESS INDICATOR WHICH HAS A FLASHING LIGHT LETTING YOU KNOW THAT THE TRASH CAN IS
FULL. >> THIS IS TAKEN CARE OF BY PUBLIC WORKS?
>> ANOTHER QUESTION I WOULD HAVE IS THE WRAPS THEMSELVES.
WE WILL BE ABLE TO INTERCHANGE THEM, SEASONALITY OR EVENTS OR IS IT UNTIL IT FALLS OFF AND WE HAVE TO REDO THEM?
>> SOME OF THEM WILL HAVE INSERTS ON THE SIDES.
WHICH I'VE SPOKEN TO FORT PIERCE MAIN STREET. CERTAIN AREAS LIKE DOWNTOWN ON THE CORNERS --
>> THAT'S WHERE I WAS GOING. I DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU WRAPPED THE WHOLE CONTAINER, THE HOLIDAY SEASON, BUT IF WE HAVE INSERTS FOR EVENTS, QR CODES, WHATEVER WE CAN PUT IN THERE IF WE'RE TRYING TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THINGS. I'M IN SUPPORT OF IT OBVIOUSLY FOR THE REASONS OF HAVING AN AREA THAT IS MORE CONTROLLED AND NOT SO OPEN FOR PEOPLE TO GO THROUGH THE TRASH. PEOPLE DO THAT.
THEN THEY MAKE A BIGGER MESS THAN
BIRDS. >> AND BIRDS AND ALL OF THAT.
I THINK IT'S ALSO GOING TO BE A WAY FOR US TO VISUALLY HAVE SOME ART. SO MY LEST QUESTION ABOUT THE ART IS, WHO'S SELECTING THE ART WRAPS FOR THE CANS, AND WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE? IS THERE A COMMITTEE FROM CITY HALL?
>> NO. WE WILL BE DESIGNING IT, GRAPHICS. THEN THEY'LL JUST WRAP THEM.
ARTIST. >> BUT WE HAVE SOME INPUT ON WHAT'S GOING TO BE ON THOSE ACTUAL CANS, RIGHT?
>> WE USUALLY TAKE IT BEFORE THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
>> THAT WOULD BE GREAT. IT MIGHT BE A FEW
MONTHS. >> THEY'VE GOT TO DESIGN THAT PART. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
>> REAL QUICK, I KNOW YOU JUST TALKED ABOUT THE ART AND THE INSERTS AND I'M LOOKING AT THE PLACE. HAS THERE BEEN ANY TYPE OF CONSIDERATION FOR BUSINESSES OR SOMEBODY TO COME AND SAY, HEY I WANT TO ADVERTISE ON THIS TRASH CAN LOCATED AT SUCH AND SUCH AVENUE? YOU NEVER KNOW.
>> THAT'S SOMETHING WE'VE TALKED ABOUT IN POSSIBLY WORKING WITH THE RIVERWALK SINCE THEY HANDLE THAT.
>> MAYBE THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING ADDITIONAL TO ADD TO THEM SO THEY CAN KIND OF COORDINATE IF BUSINESSES WANT TO PROMOTE A CERTAIN EVENT GOING ON AS WELL.
>> I THINK WE HAVE AN EXPANSION OPPORTUNITY.
I THINK THERE'S A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY MAYBE GOING FORWARD THAT WE LOOK AT AN OPPORTUNITY IF THERE ARE BUSINESSES THAT WANT TO PUT THEIR NAME, LOGO, WRAP OR WHATEVER THAT MAY HELP US DOING THAT EVEN MORE THROUGHOUT THE FPRA.
>> WHEN I WAS GOING TO BRING UP IS THE KEEP FORT PIERCE BEAUTIFUL COMMITTEE USED TO GET SPONSORSHIPS TO WRAP THE UTILITY BOXES AND THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL BOXES. WE STARTED ON THE BEACH. WE'RE NOT -- WE'VE HAD A HIATUS.
WE HAVEN'T KEPT IT UP, BUT WE DID USED TO DO THAT AND SEE IF A BUSINESS WANTED TO SPONSOR A TRAFFIC SIGNAL OR A UTILITY BOX .
THAT COULD BE A GOOD ADVERTISEMENT FOR THE BUSINESS.
SO WE HAVE HAD EXPERIENCE DOING
THAT. >> I KNOW THAT THE WRAPS, WE WANT TO KEEP IT WHERE IT'S A CONSISTENT DESIGN AND THEN
[00:10:05]
ALSO -- IT WOULD ONLY BE THE INSERTS WHERE THE BUSINESS CAN ADVERTISE.THE WRAP WOULD BE HARDER BECAUSE THAT'S PERMANENT ON THE TRASH CAN. THEN WE'D HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE IT REMOVED AND REPLACED.
>> I UNDERSTAND. WE WANT TO MAKE IT SIMPLE.
AS COMMISSIONER JOHNSON SAID, WE'RE TRYING TO FIRST CLEAN UP THE BLIGHT OVER THERE WITH THE TRASH CANS LOOKING THE WAY THEY'RE LOOKING.
SO I LOVE THE SIMPLIFIED WRAP, BUT IT'S ALSO A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BUSINESSES IN THIS AREA TO SAY, HEY, YOU HAVE OPPORTUNITY TO PUT AN INSERT IN OR DO WHATEVER.
THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING. I DON'T WANT TO COMPLICATE IT.
WE HAVE 1500 WRAPS THAT WE'VE GOT TO GO OUT AND TRY TO WRAP GARBAGE CANS.
GET THE WRAP. JUST MAKE IT SO WE CAN HAVE THESE INSERTS TO ASK THE BUSINESSES IN THIS AREA OR FORT PIERCE, HEY, YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPONSOR THIS LOCATION AND PUT IN AN INSERT AND GO FROM THERE. JUST A
>> EXPLORE IT MAY BE. COMMISSIONER ER BROADER --
[A. King's Landing Quarterly Update - Bill Ware, Live Oak Holdings]
>> DO YOU HAVE AN UPDATE. >> MR. WARES AND THE CLAIM HAMBERS IS GOING TO GIVE US A SHORT PRESENTATION.
SO I HAVE SOME NOTES THAT I MADE FOR THIS PRESENTATION.
IF I CAN READ MY WRITING, I THINK I CAN CONVEY IT.
BEAR WITH ME. TO START OFF, JUST TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT OUR PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT WITH AUDUBON IS INTACT AND IN FULL FORCE AND EFFECT.
ALL IS GOOD THERE. WE'VE ENGAGED AND RETAINED THE LAW FIRM OF FOLEY AND LARDNER TO DRAFT THE DOCUMENTS RELATED THERE THERETO. WE'VE ENGAGED WITH KELLER WILLIAMS FOR THE MARKETING AND SALES OF OUR RESIDENTIAL CONDOMINIUM UNITS. BROOK HARRIS, WHO YOU MAY OR MAY NOT KNOW, WILL BE LEADING THAT CHARGE FOR US.
I'M MEETING WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE TOMORROW DOWNTOWN.
WE'RE LOOKING AT SEVERAL SPACINGS FOR OUR SALES CENTER. WE THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE ADVANTAGEOUS AND BENEFICIAL FOR ALL PARTIES FOR US TO LOCATE DOWNTOWN. SO WE'RE LOOKING AT A FEW SPACES THERE.
I SUSPECT WE'LL LAND ON ONE AND ARE EXCITEDEXCITED TAKING THAT ON AND DOING THE IMPROVEMENTS FOR OURSELVES IN OPENING UP OUR SALES CENTER IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE.
PROJECT DESIGN CONTINUES. WE'VE ENGAGED AND RETAINED STRATACON CONSTRUCTION EARLY ONTO ENGAGE THEM TO WORK WITH US IN PRECONSTRUCTION SO THAT WE'RE WORKING ALONGSIDE OUR CIVIL AND ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN TEAMS SO THAT THERE'S SOME CONTINUITY, IDEALLY SOME EFFICIENCIES FROM A CONSTRUCTABILITY STANDPOINT TO THE DESIGN.
SO WE'RE GLAD TO HAVE THAT UNDER WAY.
GROUP MEETINGS ARE UNDER WAY IN THAT RESPECT.
CIVIL PLANS, I'M PLEASED TO SAY, ARE 100% COMPLETE AND WILL BE SUBMITTED COMPLETELY ON OR BEFORE THIS FRIDAY. AND I'M ADVISED THAT THE FIRST TRANCHE OF THOSE PLANS HAVE BEEN UPLOADED TO THE CITY PORTAL YET TODAY. AGAIN, TODAY, TOMORROW AND BY FRIDAY THE CITY WILL HAVE RECEIVED 100% OF OUR CIVIL AND START THE REVIEW PROCESS. SO WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.
CONTINUED DISCUSSIONS WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, WES AND PETE AND CADDIAN AS IT RELATES TO THE INCENTIVE PROGRAMS THAT ARE ON THE BOOKS AND UPDATING OUR NUMBERS, SEEING AND EXPLORING WHAT OTHER INCENTIVES MAY BE AVAILABLE, CITY, COUNTY, STATE, FEDERAL.
THEY'VE BEEN REALLY HELPFUL AND A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH AND DILIGENT IN THEIR TIME WITH US.
SO WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THAT. I WAS GOING TO GIVE YOU SOME NOTES FROM JOE COLLIER THAT I HAD WRITTEN DOWN, BUT I ACTUALLY JUST RECEIVED A LETTER THAT I WOULD JUST AS SOON READ
[00:15:03]
TO YOU, BECAUSE IT'LL SUMMARIZE WHERE WE ARE WITH MARRIOTT.SO THIS IS A LETTER DATED TODAY. TO JOE COLLIER FROM KYLE GAGNEY, WHO I THINK SOME OF YOU IF NOT ALL OF YOU HAVE MET WITH MARRIOTT.
THIS IS TO JOE. AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ALREADY SIGNED A TERM SHEET FOR KINGS LANDING FOR A 140- UNIT, FULL SERVICE MAIN SAIL HOTEL AND OUR TRIBUTE PORTFOLIO.
OUR NEW FRANCHISE PROCESS DOES REQUIRE A LITTLE MORE DETAIL ON THE UP FRONT DESIGN WORK, WHICH WE HAVE BEEN WORKING THROUGH WITH YOUR TEAM. WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH THAT PROCESS SOON AND GET YOU ON THE NEXT FORMAL APPROVAL AGENDA NEXT MONTH.
THAT MEETING SHOULD BE JUST A FORMALITY, AS WE HAVE ALREADY WORKED THROUGH THE BUSINESS TERMS WITH YOU AND MAIN SAIL IS ONE OF OUR WELL KNOWN DEVELOPERS AND OPERATORS IN THE MARRIOTT SYSTEM. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF WE CAN ASSIST YOU FURTHER DURING YOUR DEVELOPMENT PROCESS.
WE LOOK FURTHER TO ADVANCING THROUGH OUR APPROVAL STAGE AND SUBJECT TO THAT APPROVAL ONTO EXECUTING THE FRANCHISE AGREEMENT AND WORKING WITH YOU IN THE VERY NEAR TERM ON THIS EXCITING PROJECT. SINCERELY, KYLE GAGNEY.
THAT IS WHERE WE ARE WITH MARRIOTT. ALSO EXCITING. LASTLY, I'LL END BY SAYING THAT WE ARE VERY MINDFUL OF OUR PROJECT SCHEDULE THAT IS ACTUALLY EXHIBIT C IN OUR ORDINANCE, APPROVAL ORDINANCE.
AND I'M GLAD TO SAY THAT WE'RE TRACKING TO DELIVER PHASE ONE ON OR BEFORE JULY OF 2028 PURSUANT TO THAT SCHEDULE. WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO, BUT WE'RE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. WITH, THAT I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU ALL MAY HAVE.
SURE. >> I ALREADY KNOW THE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION BECAUSE MY PHONE HASN'T BEEN RINGING WITH YOU ON THE OTHER END.
BUT IN THE SCHEME OF THINGS YOU JUST DESCRIBED, THERE'S A LOT OF SOFT ISSUES THAT AREN'T NECESSARILY DOCUMENTED, YOU KNOW, HIRING OF THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR, ET CETERA TO WORK WITH YOUR ARCHITECTURAL TEAM AND ALL THAT.
ARE THERE ANY AREAS OF CONCERN OUTSIDE THE CONTRACT YOU HAVE WITH THE CITY WITH EVERYTHING ELSE YOU HAVE GOING ON THAT IS NOT TRACKING ON TIME
I'M HAPPY TO SHARE WHATEVER DOCUMENTS YOU'D LIKE TO SEE. BUT, NO, WE'RE TRACKING
WELL. >> BILL, LOOK, YOU ARE A MAN OF INTEGRITY. I TRUST YOUR WORD, BECAUSE I KNOW IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM, YOU'D GIVE ME A
QUESTION. >> IN THE GRAND OVERVIEW OF THIS, THE CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS ARE A PORTION OF THAT.
THEN THERE'S OTHER THINGS THAT ARE WHOLESALE SEPARATE.
THAT'S WHAT I WAS CONCERNED IN THOSE SOFT AREAS THAT THERE WEREN'T ANY DELAYS FROM YOUR FOLKS'
PERSPECTIVE. >> WE'RE RUNNING ON ALL BARRELS.
>> I TAKE IT FROM THE MARRIOTT LETTER THAT -- I MEAN, THERE WERE A LOT OF PHRASES IN THERE THAT THINGS ARE MOVING ALONG AND THERE'S NO HITCH SO FAR WITH
WE EXPECT AN APPROVAL IN THE FEBRUARY COMMITTEE
THANK YOU. IF YOU'RE GOING TO BE IN TOWN ON FRIDAY, I'D LOVE FOR YOU TO COME FOR COFFEE WITH THE MAYOR.
IF YOU CAN'T THAT FRIDAY, SOME TIME WHEN YOUR SCHEDULE ALLOWS IT, I'D LOVE FOR YOU TO DO THAT. I KNOW YOU HAVE EXPRESSED TO ME A WILLINGNESS AND AN INTEREST IN GETTING TO KNOW THE FORT PIERCE COMMUNITY.
>> SO WE'LL TRY TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
>> DEFINITELY MAKE THAT HAPPEN. THANK YOU FOR THE OFFER.
>> FORT PIERCE YACHT CLUB, THE BASE OF THE BRIDGE, THIS SIDE OF THE BRIDGE.
>> THAT'S ALL RIGHT. I'M HEADING BACK TOMORROW BUT I WILL MAKE ARRANGEMENTS.
>> GREAT. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
[B. Presentation of the Hutchinson Island Committee Initiative as Recommended by the CRA Advisory Committee ]
THANKS FOR THE GOOD NEWS.>> NEXT ITEM IS PRESENTATION OF THE HUTCHINSON ISLAND ADMIT TEE INITIATIVE.
[00:20:01]
>> MR. WILSON IS GOING TO PRESENT TO US THE HUTCHINSON ISLAND COMMITTEE INITIATIVE.
>> GOOD EVENING. BILL THOMPSON. I'M THE CHAIR OF THE FORT PIERCE CRA. HOW'S EVERYBODY? GOOD TO SEE EVERYBODY. OUR COMMITTEE VOTED TO APPROVE THE PRESENTATION OF THE HUTCHINSON ISLAND COMMITTEE HERE TONIGHT. WE HOPE YOU ENJOY IT.
WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT. THANKING YOU FOR GIVING US TIME TO PRESENT IT.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD,
PLEASE. >> MY NAME IS CHARLES WILSON.
MY ADDRESS IS POSTPOST OFFICE 1013-121, HUTCHINSON ISLAND, FLORIDA.
ALSO, I APPRECIATE COMING UP HERE.
YOU SCARED ME A LITTLE WHEN YOU ASKED FOR THE POTBELLIED DESIGNATION.
I THOUGHT YOU WERE CALLING ME --
>> -- TO PRESENT EARLIER. APPRECIATE THAT VERY MUCH. BUT IT'S TRUE.
>> AS YOU KNOW, HUTCHINSON ISLAND -- I'M FROM FORT PIERCE. I'M THE AGENT FOR THE HUTCHINSON ISLAND COMMITTEE. HUTCHINSON ISLAND IS A VERY VALUABLE PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.
HERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PICTURE OF THE VISTA THAT YOU SEE ANDAND IT'S SO IMPORTANT. I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH THESE FAIRLY FAST BECAUSE THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF QUESTIONS YOU GUYS HAVE AND I WANT TO GIVE YOU TIME TO ASK THEM.
PEOPLE KNOW THIS NAME ALL OVER THE PLANET, IT SEEMS. THEY'RE CONFUSED RIGHT NOW. THE HISTORY IS ABOUT 100 YEARS LONG. THIS STARTED -- DIDN'T EVEN HAVE THE INLET, WASN'T EVEN THERE.
THEN WE WENT THROUGH THE MILITARY YEARS.
THEN THE 2000S STARTED HAVING SOME OPPORTUNITIES.
BUT NOW WE'RE FACING A PROBLEM. THAT'S WHY WE'RE HERE AND THAT'S WHY OUR COMMITTEE FORMED.
THE PROBLEM IS, IN THIS NEW ERA OF ONLINE AND ELECTRONIC INFORMATION, WE SOMETIMES BECOME VICTIMS OF THINGS LIKE GOOGLE AND SEARCHES AND SO FORTH.
RIGHT NOW THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE HAVE A COMMUNITY TO OUR SOUTH THAT IS CLAIMING THE HUTCHINSON ISLAND BRAND, AND IT IS JENSEN BEACH.
HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF JENSEN BEACH ADVERTISING HAVING TO DO WITH HUTCHINSON ISLAND. THIS IS HARMFUL TO THE BUSINESSES THAT SHOULD BE HAVING THIS BUSINESS.
WE'VE BEEN GETTING SOME CONFUSION FROM OFFICIAL THINGS LIKE VISIT FLORIDA. HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF HOW THEY ARE BEING SENT NOT TO FORT PIERCE AND OUR 193 BUSINESSES THAT EXIST HERE. THEY'RE BEING SENT DOWN TO JENSEN BEACH. THE CLOTHING STORES, THE RESTAURANTS, EVERYTHING. THIS IS THE SIGNAGE THAT JENSEN BEACH HAS USING HUTCHINSON ISLAND. IN A MINUTE I'M GOING TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT WHAT HUTCHINSON ISLAND REALLY IS.
WHAT'S THE SOLUTION? THE SOLUTION WE'VE COME UP WITH IS CALLED THE HUTCHINSON HUTCHINSON ISLAND COMMITTEE, A VOLUNTEER COMMITTEE.
WE ORGANIZED A SMALL GROUP. THEY'RE GOING TO ATTRACT OTHER PEOPLE WHO ALREADY EXPRESSED AN INTEREST TO SERVE WITH US IN DIFFERENT COMMUNITY THINGS, DOING COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION, TRANSPORTATION, TOURISM AND PROMOTION AND INTERACTION WITH GOVERNMENT. WHAT DOES THIS NOT MEAN? HERE'S WHAT PEOPLE ARE SOMETIMES AFRAID OF WHAT WE WANT TO AVOID FROM THE OUTSET.
WE ARE NOT ADVOCATING A NEW TOWN. I WANT TO SAY IN ADVANCE THAT THE HUTCHINSON ISLAND ACTUALLY QUALIFIES TO BE ITS OWN TOWN.
IT MEETS ALL THE LEGISLATIVE QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED. IT'S A LONG PROCESS, BUT IT ACTUALLY MEETS THE REQUIREMENTS. WE'RE NOT RECOMMENDING THAT.
OUR WAY IS A COOPERATION BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE PUBLIC AND OUR VOLUNTEERS. ONE QUESTION THAT HAD COME UP EARLIER IS, WHAT IS THE ASK? WHEN I GET TO, THERE'S CERTAIN THINGS WE'RE GOING TO ASK YOU GUYS TO DO. BUT THE REAL ANSWER IS THERE IS NO ASK. WE'RE NOT ASKING FOR ANY MONEY.
WE DON'T NEED ANY FUNDING. WE DON'T NEED ANYTHING.
WHAT WE NEED IS IT BETTER. WE CAN DO IT BY OURSELVES, BUT IT WOULD BE BETTER IF WE DID IT TOGETHER.
SO THAT'S WHERE WE ARE. NOW, FLORIDA HAS SEVERAL DESTINATIONS LIKE THIS, HUTCHINSON ISLAND, SIESTA
[00:25:01]
KEY, CAPTIVA, SANTA ROSA, AMELIA ISLAND OUTSIDE OF JACKSONVILLE. THERE ARE SEVERAL THAT ARE SIMILAR WHERE THEY HAVE THEIR OWN IDENTITIES BUT THEY'RE NOT THEIR OWN CITY.AND NOW THE COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION IS AN IMPORTANT PART.
I'D LIKE TO INTRODUCE JENNIFER FRYE, THE HEAD OF PROTECT OUR WATERWAYS ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP. SHE IS OUR TEMPORARY CHAIRMAN OF THE HUTCHINSON ISLAND COMMITTEE.
>> GOOD EVENING, MAYOR, AND COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS JENNIFER FRYE. I'M A RESIDENT OF FORT PIERCE AND CHAIRPERSON OF PROTECT OUR WATERWAYS, FOCUSED ON PROTECTING OUR INLET, WATERWAYS AND ISLANDS. TODAY I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF HUTCHINSON ISLAND COMMIT COMMITTEE.
WE HAVE A CLEAR MISSION TO ESTABLISH AND PROTECT THE HISTORIC IDENTITY OF HUTCHINSON ISLAND IN FORT PIERCE. HUTCHINSON ISLAND, AS MR. WILSON MENTIONED, IS HOME TO APPROXIMATELY 183 LICENSED BUSINESSES OPERATING WITH 34949 ZIP CODE.
OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS BUSINESS OWNERS AND RESIDENTS AND CIVIC PARTNERS HAVE REACHED OUT ASKING HOW THEY CAN BE INVOLVED. IN RESPONSE WE HAVE FORMED A STRUCTURED ORGANIZATION. BY 2030, OUR INTENT IS SIMPLE BUT IMPORTANT. WE WANT HUTCHINSON ISLAND TO BE CLEARLY RECOGNIZED AS A FORT PIERCE DESTINATION, SUPPORTED BY ORGANIZED BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, ACTIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND CONSISTENT COMMUNICATION. WE ARE ALSO COMMITTED TO WORKING ALONGSIDE CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS SOUTH BEACH ASSOCIATION AND THE JC PROJECT.
THE EFFORT IS ABOUT COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION, NOT DUPLICATION. FROM AN ECONOMIC PERSPECTIVE, HUTCHINSON ISLAND DOES NOT EXIST IN ISOLATION.
THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ON THE ISLAND IS CLOSELY TIED TO THE HEALTH OF FORT PIERCE AS A WHOLE. OUR GOAL IS TO ASSESS AND ENHANCE THE WORK ALREADY BEING DONE BY CITY DEPARTMENTS AND THE ST. LUCIE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. TOURIST EVENT DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AND THE EDC. WHEN THE ISLAND IS PROPERLY IDENTIFIED AND PROMOTED, BENEFITS EXTEND WELL BEYOND THE SHORELINE. A FORMER MAYOR NOTED THAT ISLAND RESIDENTS ARE A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTOR TO THE CITY'S TAX BASE.
IF THAT'S THE CASE, THEN HUTCHINSON ISLAND SHOULD BE VIEWED NOT AS A CHALLENGE BUT AS AN OPPORTUNITY. WE RECENTLY HAD A CAN'T RUN A MESSAGE TOO BIG, TOO HIGH TOO MUCH AND THE VOTERS CLEARLY CHOSE A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.
THEY CHOSE GROWTH, OPPORTUNITY AND FORWARD MOMENTUM. RESPONSIBLE GROWTH ON HUTCHINSON ISLAND CREATES NEW REVENUE THAT CAN BE REINVENTED ACROSS FORT PIERCE.
THAT INCLUDES CLEANING UP AND IMPROVING THE MAINLAND, STRENGTHENING PUBLIC SAFETY AND POLICE BUDGET SUPPORTING MAIN STREET AND LINCOLN PARK. A STRONG ISLAND HELPS CREATE A STRONGER CITY. TRANSPORTATION AND VISIBILITY PLAY A CRITICAL ROLEROLE THAT SUCCESS. AND THIS IS WHERE WE MAY NEED SOME ASSISTANCE, BECAUSE IT'S BEYOND OUR REACH.
THE ATTRACTIVE SIGNAGE HELPS WELCOME ITORS AND CLEARLY DESIGN THE FACE. HUTCHINSON ISLAND WOULD WORK WITH THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS TO EXPLORE HIGHWAY SIGNAGE ON 95 AND THE TURNPIKE IDENTIFYING HUTCHINSON ISLAND NEXT EXIT. FOR MANY YEARS PUBLIC AND PRIVATE INTERESTS HAVE WORKED TO IMPROVE ROUTES CONNECTING 95, THE TURNPIKE TO FORT PIERCE AND ONTO HUTCHINSON ISLAND. THAT WORK SHOULD CONTINUE. KEY CORRIDORS SUCH AS ORANGE AVENUE, OKEECHOBEE ROAD, VIRGINIA AND JUANITA ARE GATEWAYS TO THE COMMUNITY. WHAT VISITORS SEE ALONG THIS ROUTE SHAPE THEIR FIRST IMPRESSION OF THE ISLAND AND THE CITY.
THERE'S ALSO QUALITY OF LIFE CONCERNS THAT DESERVE ATTENTION, INCLUDING THE DAILY ROTATION OF PANHANDLERS OF DALEY CREEK AND THE EVERYONE NCAMPMENT BEHIND THE PLAZA. THEY MAY WARRANT ADDITIONAL COORDINATION AND ASSISTANCE FROM THE CITY. AS WE LOOK AHEAD, WE ALSO THINK RESPONSIBLY ABOUT LONG-TERM COMMUNITY NEEDS.
WE HAVE IDENTIFIED SEVERAL EXISTING LOCATIONS ON HUTCHINSON ISLAND THAT COULD SUPPORT FUTURE COMMUNITY OR SHARED USE SPACES. THESE INCLUDE THE OLD FIRE STATION, FORMER ISLAND HARDWARE BUILDING. THOSE ARE JUST A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES. I NOW UNDERSTAND THE FORMER COAST GUARD STATION IS BEING REPURPOSED FOR A YACHT, LODGING AND EVENT USE. I CALLED ABOUT THAT ONE.
THESE ARE EXAMPLES THAT REFLECT THROUGH THOUGHTFUL PLANNING AND ADAPTIVE REUSE, NOT REQUESTS FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION.
WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR NEW TAXES, SERVICE OR FUNDING.
WE'RE ASKING FOR COOPERATION, COORDINATION AND RECOGNITION OF HUTCHINSON ISLAND AS A VITAL PART OF THE CITY'S FUTURE.
[00:30:03]
LET'S MOVE FORT PIERCE FORWARD TOGETHER.THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> TOURISM.
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR, MAYOR, COMMISSIONERS. GOOD TOO SEE YOU SEE YOU AGAIN.
I KNOW YOU GUYS WELCOME TOURISM WITH OPEN
ARMS. >> STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE
RECORD. >> MY NAME IS STACI ONONI.
I REPRESENT THE HUTCHINSON ISLAND COMMITTEE.
MY ROLE WITH THE COMMITTEE IS TO FOCUS ON TOURISM OVERALL, WHICH ALSO INCLUDES DEVELOPMENT, BRANDING, MERCHANDISING, PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS, JUST TO NAME A FEW.
TOURISM IS ONE OF FORT PIERCE'S MOST IMPORTANT ECONOMIC DRIVERS. HUTCHINSON ISLAND IS A PRIMARY ENGINE FOR THAT ACTIVITY.
TOURISM GENERATES A SIGNIFICANT PERCENTAGE OF FORT PIERCE GENERAL FUND REVENUE THROUGH SOURCES SUCH AS LODGING RELATED OCCUPANCIES, SALES TAXES FROM DINING, RETAIL, ATTRACTIONS, BIDS BUSINESSES TAX RECEIPTS.
EVEN MODEST INCREASES IN VISITATION CAN BE MEANINGFUL IMPACTS. A 5 TO 10% INCREASE IN ISLAND TOURISM ACTIVITY CAN TRANSLATETRANSLATE TO INCREASED HOTEL OCCUPANCY AND HIGHER SALES TAX REVENUE FOR THE CITY. ONE NEAR AND DEAR TO MY NATIVE FORT PIERCE HEART IS GREATER ECONOMIC STABILITY FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES.
WHEN TOURISM LEAVES HUTCHINSON ISLAND, THOSE DOLLARS DO NOT JUST DISAPPEAR. THEY GO TO COMPETING COASTAL DESTINATIONS. OUR OBJECTIVE IS TO RETAIN AND GROW TOURISM SO REVENUE STAYS HERE IN FORT PIERCE. BRANDING AND PROMOTIONS AS WE'RE GOING THROUGH THE SLIDES HERE, YOU'LL SEE ARE ESSENTIAL TO ACHIEVING THIS OBJECTIVE. DESTINATIONS THAT SUCCEED SUCH AS CHARLIE MENTIONED EARLIER, MR. WILSON, AMELIA ISLAND, SINGER ISLAND TO NAME A FEW, THEY'RE SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE THEY WERE CLEARLY BRANDED. THEY WERE CONSISTENTLY PROMOTED.
STILL IS AND THEY HAVE EXPERIENCE DRIVEN EVENTS THAT CONSISTENTLY GO ON THROUGH THE ISLAND THAT YOU CAN JUST SEE THE TANGIBLE INCREASES THAT IT PROVIDES OUR CITIES.
WE ALREADY HAVE EVENT US GOING GOING÷÷ THE ISLAND BUT WE NEED MORE STRUCTURE.
WE MUST BETTER LEVERAGE EXISTING TOOLS SUCH AS THE WEB CAM EXISTING OUT THERE. THAT SHOULD BE PROMOTED IN THIS WHOLE ENTIRE OBJECTIVE THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE.
THAT'S JUST ONE MINOR EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING WE CAN REALLY JUST KIND OF WRAP OUR ARMS AROUND AND MAKE AN EVEN MORE IMPACTFUL WAY OF COMMUNICATING THROUGHOUT THE ISLAND.
MERCHANDISING SUCH AS TANKS, TEES, SWEATSHIRTS, BASEBALL CAPS, CUPS. THIS IS COMPLETELY OPEN FOR DISCUSSION. WE WELCOME YOUR IDEAS, BUT THIS IS JUST THE PLATFORM WE'RE LOOKING AT CURRENTLY TO DRIVE MORE REVENUE TO THE CITY. IN THE NEXT SLIDE WE TALKED ABOUT COMMUNICATIONS. THAT IS AROUND NEWS.
AS YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A 34949 FACEBOOK PAGE THAT EXISTS THAT WE'LL START GROWING RAPIDLY HERE VERY SOON. WE WILL ALSO HAVE A PUBLISHING MAGAZINE THAT IS AVAILABLE. THERE IS ONE THAT ALREADY EXISTS THAT WE HAVE BEEN IN CONNECTION WITH THAT HAS BEEN PROMOTED AND VERY SUCCESSFUL.
GOVERNMENT RESOURCES LIKE YOURSELF ARE HUGE IN THIS.
LASTLY RESIDENT COMMUNICATIONS WITH THE WEB CAM IS JUST ONE.
WITHOUT YOUR HELP AND WITHOUT THE EMBRACE OF THIS PROJECT WE CAN'T EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE.
I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY. LET ME KNOW HOW I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> WHAT HAVE WE DONE SO FAR AND WHO THE HECK ARE WE? WE HAVE COMPLETED PHASEPHASE ONE.
WE DID THAT A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO AND WE'RE CONTINUING TO WORK ON THE ISSUE.
THE COMMITTEE HAS BEEN SURROUNDED BY A GROUP OF REAL ESTATE, TRANSPORTATION HOTELS AND PUBLISHING IDEAS. THE FIRST THING WE DID I'D
[00:35:05]
LIKE TO ANNOUNCE IS WE HAVE OFFICIALLY OBTAINED THE DESIGNATION OF A POST OFFICE THAT USES THE ADDRESS HUTCHINSON ISLAND, FLORIDA.SO AN OFFICIAL MEMO WAS SENT BY THE POSTMASTER TO PEOPLE ON THE ISLAND. WE'RE GOING TO BACK THAT UP WITH SOME ADDITIONAL PROMOTIONS. BUT WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY HUTCHINSON ISLAND LIKE THEY DO AMELIA ISLAND, AS AN EXAMPLE. YOU CAN NOW USE THAT IN YOUR ADDRESS. ONE INTERESTING THING, THE CURRENT SITUATION I'M GOING TO EXPLAIN TO YOU IN A MINUTE WHERE HUTCHINSON ISLAND ACTUALLY IS AND WHAT THEIR NAMES ARE, ISIS JENSEN HAS HUTCHINSON ISLAND. IT IS ACTUALLY CALLED HUTCHINSON ISLAND SOUTH.
NO. SOUTH HUTCHINSON HUTCHINSONISLAND. ANYWAY, SO THEY HAVE A POST OFFICE, BUT THEY ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE HUTCHINSON ISLAND AS THEIR ADDRESS. THEY MUST USE OCEAN BREEZE.
THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO CAN USE HUTCHINSON ISLAND ARE PEOPLE IN 34949 ZIP CODE.
WE HAVE A PARTNER AT A STORE LOCATION NEXT TO THE GROCERY STORE ON SEAWAY DRIVE WHERE THEY NOW HAVE CURRENT MAILBOXES THAT ARE GOING TO BE AVAILABLE AND WE CAN ADD AS MANY AS 600 MAILBOXES TO THIS LOCATION IF WE WANT TO.
BUT WE ARE AS PART OF OUR NEXT PHASE LOOKING AT A PERMANENT LOCATION WITH A REQUEST TO THETHE UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE TO PUT IN A FULL- FLEDGED COMMUNITY POST OFFICE.
WE BELIEVE WE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL AND WE WOULD LIKE TO COOPERATE WITH THE CITY, IS MAKING THAT REQUEST. RIGHT NOW IF YOU'RE A BUSINESS, YOU MAY ADDRESS YOUR OUTGOING AND INCOMING. IT HAS ALREADY STARTED TO WORK, BECAUSE REALTOR. COM AND WHATEVER THE OTHER ONE IS, IF YOU TYPE IN HUTCHINSON ISLAND, FLORIDA, IT WILL SHOW PROPERTY IN FORT PIERCE FOR THE FIRST TIME. SO WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE MAKE AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO.
THE SECOND THING WE MADE A CENSUS DESIGNATED PLACE.
THAT IS YOUR FIRST STEP OF IDENTIFYING YOURSELF. IT DEFINES YOUR BORDERS.
THE CENSUS DEPARTMENT WILL GIVE YOU STATISTICS ABOUT WHO LIVES THERE, THE DEMOGRAPHICS, WHO'S COMING IN, WHO'S COMING OUT.
SO WE NOW HAVE ACCESS TO ALL THAT INFORMATION.
THAT IS ALREADY IN PLACE AND HAS BEEN ADOPTED.
WE HAVE ONE SMALL THING WE MIGHT BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THE CITY ON. THAT'S THAT THE POST OFFICE AND CENSUS DEPARTMENT DON'T MATCH.
THE POST OFFICE SAYS IT'S HUTCHINSON ISLAND, FLORIDA. THE CENSUS SAYS IT'S HUTCHINSON ISLAND SOUTH. YOU CAN ONLY GET THAT CHANGED IN CENSUS YEARS. SO IT HAS TO BE CHANGED AND IT HAS TO BE FILED THREE YEARS BEFORE THAT.
SO A REQUEST HAS TO BE MADE BY 2027 AND IT HAS TO BE MADE BY A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY. IF Y'ALL DON'T WANT TO DO IT, THE COUNTY WILL DO IT. IT WOULD BE IN YOUR BEST INTEREST TO HAVE THE TWO OF THEM MATCH.
I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT VERY QUICKLY THAT FORT PIERCE ONLY REPRESENTS 10% OF HUTCHINSON ISLAND. SO THERE ARE OTHER PLAYERS THAT HAVE SAY IN SOME OF THESE THINGS.
BUT THE POINT THAT WE'RE MAKING RIGHT NOW IS THAT WE'RE FINE.
WE CAN DO EXACTLY WHAT WE WANT TO WITH WHAT WE GOT, AND WE DON'T NEED PERMISSION FROM ANYBODY.
IT'S JUST A MATTER OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE OVER ON THE ISLAND IDENTIFYING THEMSELVES AS HUTCHINSON ISLAND. BUT THERE ARE MANY THINGS WE CAN DO INCLUDING HAVE A TEMPORARY STATION FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. WE WANT TO HAVE BASICALLY A CITY HALL OR A COMMUNITY CENTER.
YOU HAVE THEM FOR DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES AROUND THE COUNTY.
THE ONLY PLACE THAT DOESN'T HAVE ONE IS WE USE THE BAPTIST CHURCHCHURCH ON THE BEACH.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF SUGGESTIONS.
ONE I REALLY LIKE IS I WOULD LIKE TO EXPLORE THE BUILDING THAT IS THE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING FOR THE WASTEWATER PLANT. IF YOU'RE GOING TO DECONSTRUCT THE WASTEWATER PLANT, PERHAPS ONE OF THE BUILDINGS YOUYOU HAVE TO DECONSTRUCT AND WE COULD LEASE OR BUY THE BUILDING TO USE EITHER AS A PEACE OST OFFICE OR A COMMUNITY CENTER.
THAT'S SOMETHING WE COULD DO IN COOPERATION THAT COSTS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING . SO CURRENTLY -- LET ME TRY TO EXPLAIN THIS VERY QUICKLY. WE'RE ALMOST DONE.
HUTCHINSON ISLAND GOES FROM THE INDIAN RIVER COUNTY LINE TO THE MARTIN COUNTY LINE, BORDERED BY THE RIVER AND
[00:40:01]
THE OCEAN. IT HAPPENS THAT ENTIRE AREA IS IN ONE ZIP CODE, 34949 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE PART THAT'S DOWN IN JENSEN BEACH.THAT HAS 34957. SO UNFORTUNATELY, BACK WHEN THEY FIRST DID THIS FOR THE CENSUS, THERE WAS A LOT OF CONFUSION, BECAUSE ACTUALLY NORTH HUTCHINSON ISLAND WAS SOUTH OF THE INLET, BECAUSE THEY WERE NORTH OF THE HUTCHINSON ISLAND THAT WAS IN STUART.
STUART WAS SOUTH HUTCHINSON ISLAND.
THIS PART OF THE ISLAND WAS NORTH HUTCHINSON ISLAND.
MANY YEARS AGO I WENT TO THE COUNTY COMMISSION AND HAD THEM CONTACT THE CENSUS DEPARTMENT AND WE SPECIFICALLY IDENTIFIED NORTH HUTCHINSON ISLAND AS BEING NORTH OF THE INLET AND SOUTH HUTCHINSON ISLAND AS BEING SOUTH OF THE INLET.
IT GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO NETTLES ISLAND WHERE THE MARTIN COUNTY LINE IS. A GREAT DEAL OF IT IS NOT WITHIN THE CITY BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE.
HOWEVER, THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT, NO PERMIT AND NO CHANGES NECESSARY TO CALL OURSELVES HUTCHINSON ISLAND, TO ACT LIKE HUTCHINSON ISLAND, PROMOTE OURSELVES LIKE HUTCHINSON ISLAND AND LIVE THE LIFESTYLE THAT IS HUTCHINSON ISLAND.
IF WE WANT TO CHANGE IT JUST TO MAKE IT GOOD, WE ONLY HAVE ONE MORE YEAR TO DO THAT. THAT'S OUR PERMANENT POST OFFICE FACILITY. THESE ARE A COUPLE OF THE BUILDINGS THAT WE WERE CONSIDERING.
THIS CAME UP AFTER THE LAST MEETING.
AND I'M ALMOST DONE. THIS IS A PUBLIC- PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP. THERE ARE THINGS THE CITY CAN DO BETTER THAN WE CAN. THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THE CITY CAN. AND THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO BETTER IF WE DO THEM TOGETHER. IF WE DON'T GET CAUGHT UP ON WHO'S IN CHARGE AND WHAT KIND OF -- WHO GETS PAID AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS AND WE PAY ATTENTION TO WHAT'S BEST FOR THE COMMUNITY OF HUTCHINSON ISLAND, A THREE-WAY PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN FORT PIERCE AND THE HUTCHINSON ISLAND COMMITTEE AND PRIVATE INDUSTRY THAT'S GOING TO POP UP FROM ALL KINDS OF PLACES, NOT JUST US, OTHER PEOPLE, OVER ON THE ISLAND. THAT'S WHAT THIS PARTICULARLY IDENTIFIES. SO BASICALLY THAT'S WHERE WE ARE. WE FORMED OUR COMMITTEE. WE'RE DOING WELL.
WE'RE ALL SET. WE'D LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO HELP US. IF YOU DON'T FEEL THAT'S NECESSARY, THEN WE APPRECIATE IT.
WE'LL BE FRIENDS, BUT AT THE SAME TIME WE CANNOT LET HUTCHINSON ISLAND LOSE HUTCHINSON ISLAND AS A BRAND. IT'S JUST TOO IMPORTANT TO OUR COMMUNITY. NOW, Y'ALL CAN ASK ME ALL THE TOUGH, NASTY QUESTIONS YOU WANT TO ASK
ME. >> QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONERS?
>> MS. FRYE IN HER PRESENTATION INDICATED THAT RECENT ELECTION YESTERDAY IS AN INDICATOR THAT THAT CITIZENS AREN'T CONCERNED ABOUT GROWTH AND THAT THE ELECTION RESULTS ARE A LITMUS TEST FOR UNBRIDLED CONSTRUCTION AND MASSIVE DEVELOPMENT OUT ON SOUTH HUTCHINSON ISLAND.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S THE PERCEPTION.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S THE ELECTION RESULTS, CANDIDLY.
I DON'T BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT THE RESIDENTS WANT. I JUST WANT TO GET THAT ON THE RECORD, BECAUSE THAT STATEMENT HITTING THE RESIDENTS OUT ON HUTCHINSON ISLAND IS GOING TO BE A SIGNIFICANT CONCERN.
>> I THINK WHAT SHE MEANT WAS -- WE'VE BEEN ASKED THE QUESTION, ARE WE FRONTING THIS FOR DEVELOPERS.
THE ANSWER IS NO. WE HAVEN'T TAKEN ANY MONEY FROM DEVELOPERS OR ASKED THEM. THAT HASN'T BEEN A PART OF THE MIX. HOWEVER, THE ISLAND IS NOT GOING TO BE THE SAME FOR THE NEXT HUNDRED YEARS.
THERE'S GOING TO BE SOME GROWTH.
THE OBJECT IS TO HAVE BETTER GROWTH.
ONE OF THE THINGS IF WE CAN BE PART OF A DISCUSSION WITH THE CITY, ONE OF THE DIFFICULTIES FRANKLY IS IT'S JUST HARD TO DISCUSS THINGS WITH THE CITY. IT TOOK US FOUR MONTHS TO GET BEFORE YOU GUYS. WE WANTED TO DO IT A LONG TIME AGO. THINGS LIKE THE RFPS, WHEN YOU HAVE AN RFP ABOUT THE ISLAND AND ABOUT ISLAND LIVING, IT WOULD REALLY BE NICE TO HAVE SOMEBODY THAT KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT THE ISLAND TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RFP.
SO IF WE HAVE SOME SORT OF ADVISORY, WHAT WE WOULD LIKE IS IF WE HAVE SOME SORT OF ADVISORY POSITION THAT WE'RE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT KIND OF PROJECT OR AT LEAST BE ADVISORS TO PEOPLE -- IF THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT LITTLE GEM BRIDGE, THEY'RE NOT QUALIFIED TO CHOOSE THAT AND THEY CAN'T TALK TO ANYBODY. SO THEY NEED TO TALK TO SOMEBODY. IN ORDER FOR US TO COME TO THE AGENDA -- LIKE IN JENSEN BEACH THEY HAVE ONE OF THESE.
[00:45:02]
WHAT THEY HAVE IS THE SITTING COMMISSIONER FROM THAT DISTRICT IS THE ADVISORY LIAISON WITH THAT COMMITTEE, NON- VOTING COMMITTEE MEMBER, BUT THEY'RE ABLE TO GO ON AN OFFICIAL BASIS. IF I WERE SITTING IN THE AUDIENCE AND YOU WERE TO CALL ME UP AND SAY HEY, WHAT'S GOING ON ON HUTCHINSON ISLAND, I COULD COME UP AND ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.IF I DON'T HAVE ANY DESIGNATION LIKE THAT, Y'ALL DON'T WANT TO HEAR FROM ME.
THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION, MR. BRODERICK IS I APPRECIATE JENNIFER'S PRESENTATION, SHE'S A COMMITTEE MEMBER AND SHE'S THE CHAIRMAN AND I'M JUST A POOR AGENT, BUT I DON'T WANT YOU TO TAKE THAT INTO THINKING THAT THIS GIVES THE GREEN LIGHT FOR DEVELOPMENT. I THINK DEVELOPMENT IS GOING TO PLAY A PART, BUT CERTAINLY NOT THE KIND OF DEVELOPMENT THAT --
>> THAT CAUSING EN EVERYBODY TO BE SO
FEARFUL. >> I APPRECIATE THAT.
I WAS NOT BEING CRITICAL. THE COMMENT WAS MADE.
IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED FROM THE PERSPECTIVE THAT WE HAVE CONCERNED RESIDENTS FROM THE DIRECTION THE ISLAND IS GOING.
I AGREE THE ISLAND IS NOT GOING TO BE THE SAME AND THERE'S GOING TO BE CHANGE MOVING FORWARD. THAT'S GOING TO BE MITIGATED BY THIS BODY. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE OVERSIGHT AS TO WHAT TAKES PLACE OUT THERE.
I WANT THE RESIDENTS TO BE ASSURED THAT THIS IS JUST NOT OFF TO THE RACES AND DEVELOPER, IT'S A WIDE- OPEN GATE, DO WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DO.
>> THAT'S A GOOD EXAMPLE OF WHY WE WANT TO COOPERATE.
THE PRESENTATION IS SO WE CAN HAVE THIS DISCUSSION.
WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE ON THINGS LIKE THAT, PARKING, RFPS, BEACH EROSION, ALL KINDS OF THINGS WE CAN BE
HELPFUL ON. >> THAT'S ALL I REALLY HAD.
I APPRECIATE THE INPUT. THE PRESENTATION WAS QUITEQUITE NICE.
>> COMMISSIONERS? ANYBODY ELSE?
>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A CITY? THAT WAS THE OTHER QUESTION Y'ALL HAD ASKED ME ALL THE TIME.
>> IT'S A THREE- YEAR PROCESS. REQUIRES THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND A VOTE BY THE PEOPLE. YOU COULD BE ON THE BALLOT BUT YOU DO QUALIFY.
HUTCHINSON ISLAND QUALIFIES AS A CITY.
THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR A CITY ARE 5,000 PEOPLE, A POPULATION DENSITY OF EIGHT PEOPLE PER SQUARE MILE, MORE THAN EIGHT AND CLEARLY DEFINABLE BOUNDARIES, RIVER, OCEAN, PRETTY CLEARLY DEFINABLE. THE QUESTION WOULD BE HOW MUCH OF HUTCHINSON ISLAND WOULD YOU BE A CITY? DOES THAT GO ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE JENSEN BEACH LINE, DOES THAT INCLUDE NORTH BEACH AND SOUTH BEACH? YOU CAN'T GET NORTH HUTCHINSON ISLAND AND SOUTH HUTCHINSON ISLAND TO BE IN THE CITY. BUT YOU COULD IF THEY WERE A DESIGNATION. NORTH HUTCHINSON ISLAND IS A CENSUS DESIGNATED PLACE, LAKEWOOD PARK, WHITE CITY. ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA IS THE VILLAGES. THE VILLAGES IS NOT A TOWN.
IT'S NOT A MUNICIPALITY. IT IS SIMPLY A CENSUS DESIGNATED PLACE.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR, WE HAVE SECURED FOR HUTCHINSON ISLAND TO BE. SO YOU WOULD HAVE TO GET A REFERENDUM AND YOU WOULD HAVE TO PLACE IT ON THE BALLOT IN 2028.
AND THEN IF IT PASSED AND PASSED THE LEGISLATURE, YOU COULD BE A CITY IN 2030.
>> WELL, AS THE SITTING COMMISSIONER FROM THIS DISTRICT, DISTRICT TWO, AND A RESIDENT OF HUTCHINSON ISLAND, THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN WIDELY ADVOCATED BY THE RESIDENTS OUT THERE THAT I'M AWARE OF. BUT IF IT WERE TO BECOME AN ISSUE, THEN WE WOULD ADDRESS IT. I DON'T SEE THE POINT IN GETTING INTO THE WEEDS ON THAT CURRENTLY OBVIOUSLY.
>> IT'S NOT UP TO US. THAT'S NOT WHAT OUR PLAN IS.
I JUST KNOW WE'VE HAD PEOPLE ASK US ABOUT IT.
ACTUALLY THEY'VE ASKED US TO COMMISSION A SURVEY TO FIND OUT EXACTLY HOW MANY PEOPLE ON THE ISLAND WOULD LIKE TO SEPARATE THEMSELVES.
I PERSONALLY DON'T THINK IT'S NECESSARY. I THINK IF WE CAN WORK WITH THE CITY AND TRULY WORK WITH THE CITY THAT WE CAN AVOID THAT.
BUT IF YOU CAN'T, IF Y'ALL DON'T WANT TO PARTICIPATE WITH US, THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO DO SOMETHING.
DEPENDING ON WHO THEY ARE, IT JUST MEANS WHENEVER WE PUT UP THE SIGN THAT SAYS WELCOME TO HUTCHINSON ISLAND IT WON'T SAY WELCOME TO HUTCHINSON ISLAND.
IT JUST SEEMS TO ME IT WOULD BE MUCH BETTER IF WE DID IT ALL TOGETHER. THERE ARE THINGS YOU CAN'T DO.
WE OWN ALL THE WEBSITES. WE OWN DOMAIN SITES, ABOUT 40
[00:50:07]
OF THEM. VISIT HUTCHINSON ISLAND.HUTCHINSON ISLAND WELCOME CENTER.
SO WE ARE PREPARED AS BUSINESS PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO LIGHT THE FIRES UNDER EXPANSION OF BUSINESS SERVICES AND JOBS ON THE ISLAND AS WELL AS ITS IDENTITY.
>> MADAM CHAIR, I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR MAKING THE PRESENTATION TONIGHT.
EVERY TIME I HEAR ABOUT THIS, I LEARN A LITTLE BIT MORE.
>> SO THAT'S WHERE I'M AT RIGHT NOW. THERE'S A LOT MUDDLING THROUGH MY HEAD RIGHT NOW.
>> WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE US TO DO? WE HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA FOR THE 20TH THAT WE WERE SCHEDULED TO BE BEFORE YOU.
SO I DON'T KNOW WHY. BUT WE UNDERSTAND WHY THERE WOULD BE RESISTANCE FROM THE CITY TO SOMETHING WE'RE TRYING TO DO. THIS IS PRETTY DANGEROUS.
THIS IS MAYBE 50% OF YOUR REVENUE. OVER THE NEXT TEN OR 20 YEARS THE FPRA WILL PROBABLY MAKE 50 MILLION A YEAR FROM WHAT'S GOING TO TAKE PLACE OVER ON THE ISLAND.
SO I UNDERSTAND THE HESITANCY AND I UNDERSTAND THE FEAR, ESPECIALLY WITH THE CITY MANAGER AND HIS STAFF.
WHAT A DISASTER THAT WOULD BE TO LOSE HUTCHINSON ISLAND'S REVENUE TO THE CITY. WE'RE NOT HERE TO HARM THE CITY. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE QUOTE, WHATEVER'S BEST FOR THE CITY , SOMETIMES WHAT INTERNAL GOVERNMENT THINKS IS BEST FOR THE CITY IS NOT THE SAME AS WHAT PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY LIVE HERE THINKS IS BEST FOR THE CITY. THAT'S WHERE THE RUB
IS. >> THERE'S A QUICK COMMENT ON THAT. I DID AN ANALYSIS MONTHS AGO.
I DON'T HAVE THE NUMBERS RIGHT OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT HUTCHINSON ISLAND REPRESENTS APPROXIMATELY 50% OF THE ADD VA LOR VALOREM TAX REVENUE.
>> THE THINGS WHAT WE'D LIKE COOPERATION ON IS ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO TALK TO YOU.
COSTS NOTHING. POTENTIAL LOCATION, WHICH WE CAN EITHER BUY OR LEASE OR SOMETHING SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A PLACE FORFOR THINGS TO TAKE PLACE.
WE'RE NOT CONTROLLING THE CIVIC PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO BE THERE.
WE'VE GOT LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE VOLUNTEERED, SAID THEY WANT TO BE INVOLVED.
THEY'RE WELCOME. NOBODY GETS TURNED AWAY.
REQUEST FOR SIGNAGE, THE REQUEST FOR SIGNAGE ON I- 95 PARTICULARLY BECAUSE JENSEN BEACH DOESN'T HAVE AN EXIT SO THEY CAN'T PUT UP A SIGN THAT SAYS HUTCHINSON ISLAND. ONLY ORANGE AVENUE CAN DO THAT.
IF WE MAKE A REQUEST TO D.O.T. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN HUTCHINSON ISLAND BECOMES OWNED BY FORT PIERCE. THAT'S WHAT WE'RE AFTER.
AND IF YOU CAN HELP US WITH WHATEVER NECESSARY PERMITS THERE ARE TO PUT UP SIGNS IN THE CORRECT PLACES, YOU KNOW, WOULD BE HELPFUL.
BUT NONE OF THIS IS REQUIRED. IT'S ALL JUST HELPFUL.
SORRY TO HAVE TAKEN SO MUCH OF YOUR TIME.
WE'VE BEEN WAITING SIX MONTHS TO PRESENT THIS TO YOU.
>> MADAM CHAIR, COMMISSIONERS, MIGHT WANT TO SAY FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE SITTING IN THIS SEAT I'M JUST -- I'M STILL TRYING -- I'VE READ THE PRESENTATION THAT WAS PRESENTED BEFORE YOU PRESENTED IT. I READ EVERYTHING THEY GAVE ME.
YOU SPOKE BEFORE AND YOUR TEAM SPOKE BEFORE WHEN YOU GUYS DIVIDED THE THREE MINUTES AND FINISHED -- I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU JUST SAID ABOUT YOU JUST LISTED SEVERAL WANTS.
AND TO ME, I'M STILL NOT UNDERSTANDING -- MAYBE IT'S JUST ME. MAYBE I'M TIRED.
MAYBE IT'S JUST NOT CLICKING TONIGHT.
YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY IT'LL CLICK.
WHAT IS OUR ASK? THIS IS THE LAST TIME -- WHAT IS THE OFFICIAL ASK FOR THE CITY? FROM WHAT I'M HEARING IS -- BECAUSE I HAVEN'T SEEN IT BUT I'VE HEARD IT.
YOU WANT US TO HELP YOU GET A SIGN SAYING OUT BY
[00:55:02]
ORANGE AVENUE OR OKEECHOBEE, WHEREVER YOU WANT IT, JUANITA, I READ EVERYTHING, A SIGN SAYING HUTCHINSON ISLAND, FORT PIERCE THIS WAY, ONE MILE. SO ARE YOU ASKING US THAT YOU WANT TO PETITION FDOT TO PUT A SIGN UP AND YOU WANT US TO AGREE WITH IF D.O.T. WANTS TO PUT THAT SIGN ON, SOME TYPE OF LETTER FROM THE CITY SAYING WE AGREE WITH THAT?>> BECAUSE WE DON'T -- IF WE HAD THE AUTHORITY TO CHANGE THEM SIGNS ON 95, WE WOULD HAVE BEEN CHANGING A WHOLE LOT OF SIGNS IN THE FIVE YEARS I'VE BEEN HERE, BUT WE DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO THAT. THAT'S ONE ASK I'M HEARING. YOU KNOW HOW I OPERATE.
>> THAT WAS ONE OF THE ASKS THAT WE KNOW ABOUT.
WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IS OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS AS WE'RE TRYING TO DO THIS, THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE GOING TO COME UP THAT WE HAVEN'T THOUGHT OF SO FAR.
HOLD ON. SO THAT'S ONE. SECOND THING I HEARD WAS SOMETHING ABOUT -- YOU ALREADY HAD THE CENSUS DESIGNATION -- HOW CAN WE HELP YOU WITH THAT? GO AHEAD.
I'M LISTENING. >> ONLY GOVERNMENT CAN MAKE A REQUEST OF THE CENSUS BUREAU OR -- DATA, ONLY A GOVERNMENT CAN DO IT.
NOW, THE COUNTY HAS ASKED US TO PRESENT TO THEM.
>> OUR FIRST STOP IS HERE BECAUSE WE WANT TO PARTICIPATE WITH THE CITY.
>> I GOT IT. THAT'S NUMBER TWO.
EITHER A LETTER FROM US OR THE COUNTY SAYING WE WANT THIS CENSUS DESIGNATION TO SAY WHATEVER YOU WANT IT TO SAY.
>> SO THAT'S AN AGREEMENT LETTERLETTER OR TO THE CENSUS BUREAU. OKAY.
I JUST HEARD INVOLVEMENT WITH DECISIONS ON STUFF THAT'S GOING ON SUCH AS COMMITTEES AND RFPS AND ALL OF THAT STUFF. HAS SOMEBODY PREVENTED ANY RESIDENT FROM HUTCHINSON ISLAND FROM SAYING I WANT TO VOLUNTEER TO A THING? THE REASON I'M ASKING IS THIS, BECAUSE THERE ARE OTHER AREAS INSIDE OF FORT PIERCE THAT WE DO STUFF LIKE THIS. I'M GOING TO STAY WITH MY DISTRICT. WE HAVE A LINCOLN PARK MASTER PLAN GOING ON NOW. THE CITY MANAGER AND HIS TEAM PUT TOGETHER A TEAM TO ASK QUESTIONS TO GO OUT TO DO WHATEVER. WE DIDN'T PUT -- PEOPLE IN THAT POSITION. WITHOUT HIM OR STAFF TO PUT THE TEAM TOGETHER AND THEN THEY RAN OUT AND TALKED TO PEOPLE. ARE YOU SAYING YOU WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT THAN THAT? YOU WANT TO PICK WHO GOES OUT AND TALKS ABOUT HUTCHINSON ISLAND? OR IF WE PICK A TEAM, YOU WANT THAT TEAM TO COME TO YOU GUYS OR SOMEBODY FROM HUTCHINSON ISLAND AND GET IDEAS?
>> WE WANT TO BE A RESOURCE SO THAT -- LET'S TAKE LITTLE GEM BRIDGE. IF YOU TAKE AN RFP LIKE LITTLE GEM BRIDGE, YOU HAVE TO KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THE ISLAND TO WRITE THE CRITERIA PROPERLY. DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE PEOPLE.
IT HAS TO DO WITH WRITING THE CRITERIA IN SUCH A WAY THAT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A RESTAURANT IN DOWNTOWN DETROIT AND A SANDBAR WITH A BUNCH OF DRUNKS ON JET SKIS. SO YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE SOMEBODY THAT KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE ASKING WHEN THEY WRITE THAT RFP.
IT JUSTHELPS. WHEN THE RFP CAME OUT, ONE OF THE THINGS THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT, THE CITY MANAGER WAS TALKING ABOUT THAT ONCE THE CONE HAPPENS, THAT THEY CAN'T TALK TO YOU AND THEY CAN'T TALK TO THE CITY MANAGER, I DON'T THINK.
BUT THERE CAN BE DESIGNATED ADVISORS THAT THEY CAN GO TO THAT DON'T HAVE THAT.
WE JUST WANT TO BE THE RESOURCE SO THAT YOU THINK OF IT THAT SAYS IF THE THREE PEOPLE ARE LOOKING AT THE RFPS AND THEY CAN'T TALK TO ANYBODY ELSE, THEY CAN'T TALK TO EVEN OTHER, WHERE ARE THEY GOING TO GET THE
[01:00:01]
QUESTIONS ANSWERED?>> I SEE WHERE YOU'RE GOING WITH THAT. SITTING HERE TONIGHT, I HAVE TO SCRATCH MY HEAD A LITTLE BIT MORE BECAUSE NOW AS A COMMISSIONER I WOULD BE STEPPING INTO CITY ATTORNEY HAT AND A CITY MANAGER HAT.
AND THAT'S SOMETHING I'M NOT WILLING TO DO, BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW AND I DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE RAMIFICATIONS OR WHATEVER GOES INTO ALL OF THE, YOU KNOW, THE RFPS AND EVERYTHING.
THAT'S WHY WE HIRE A MANAGER AND ATTORNEY AND CITY CLERK AND WE GO OUT AND DO THAT. I GET WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.
YOU WANT TO BE AN ADVISOR. I DON'T KNOW THE REALITY OF THAT. THAT'S WHY I'M TALKING TO YOU TONIGHT TO GET ALL THESE ANSWERS IN MY HEAD, BECAUSE I'M TRYING NOT TO PUT MY LAWYER HAT BACK ON. AS YOU SAY, MY SPIDER SENSE IS GOING CRAZY UP HERE. THAT'S WHY I'M LOOKING LIKE
THIS. >> BELIEVE ME, I DON'T WANT EITHER HAT EITHER, THE ATTORNEY HAT OR THE CITY MANAGER HAT. BUT I DO KNOW THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE RFP PROCESS. JUST AS PART OF THE SOLUTION TO THE RFP PROCESS, I KNOW FROM MY WORK WITH OTHER CITIES AND OTHER COUNTIES, THE REASON THAT YOU'RE HAVING THIS PROBLEM IS THAT YOU DON'T HAVE A MEANS FOR DOING WHAT I'M SUGGESTING THAT YOU DO.
I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GET THERE.
>> LET ME SAY THIS. LET ME SAY THIS.
THE CITY HAS BEEN AWARE FOR A COUPLE YEARS NOW, YOU KNOW, THAT -- AND THIS IS NOT TAKING SIDES, THAT WE HAVE SOME RFPS OUT THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE GONE OUT. I'LL PUT IT THAT WAY.
AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO FIX THAT.
CITY ATTORNEY AND THE CLERK, THEY'VE BEEN WORKING TO FIX THAT.
SO THAT'S A PROCESS GOING. AND WE SPENT ENOUGH TIME ON THIS. ME -- YOU THIS QUESTION. BECAUSE WHAT I WOULD REALLY LIKE INSTEAD OF A PRESENTATION -- THE PRESENTATION IS GREAT. ALL THE SPEAKERS IS GREAT.
PLEASE DON'T TAKE THAT I DON'T WANT YOU COMING TO TALK TO ME, I DON'T WANT YOU TO MAKE PRESENTATIONS. WHAT I WANT -- YOU KNOW ME, I'M BLACK AND WHITE, A LITTLE GRAY. THAT'S ME.
GIVE ME A LIST, GIVE ME A LETTER, GIVE ME A STATEMENT SAYING I WANT A, B, C, D, E FROM THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. PRESENT IT TO THE CLERK, PRESENT IT TO WHOEVER. THEN LET US DISCUSS THAT, LET LEGAL LOOK AT IT, THE CITY CLERK, THE CITY MANAGER LOOK AT IT. THEN WE COME BACK AND WE PUT A, B, C, D -- PLEASE DON'T GO TO Z.
>> IT IS ON ONE OF THE SLIDES. THERE ARE SIX THINGS ON THE
SLIDES. >> PUT IT TO US AND LET US DISCUSS THAT. I CAN'T CALL MIKE, I CAN'T CALL CURTIS.
I CAN'T CALL CHRIS. I CAN'T CALL MAYOR HUDSON.
BUT IF I GET THIS LETTER IN THIS PACKAGE OR GET THIS LETTER THROUGH THE CITY CLERK OR THROUGH WHOEVER, NOW I CAN START DISCUSSING IT IN MY ONE ON ONES AND SAY, HEY, MADAM ATTORNEY, CLERK, MR. MANAGER, WHAT LEGALITY DO WE HAVE WITH A, WITH B, WITH C, WITH D? CAN WE DO THIS? HOW DOES THIS HELP THE CITY? HOW DOES THIS HURT THE CITY? HOW DOES THIS HELP THE RESIDENTS OF HUTCHINSON ISLAND OR HURT THE RESIDENTS. EVERYTHING LOOKS GREAT IN A PRESENTATION, BUT I HAVE TO THINK FOR IT WHEN I'M NOT SITTING HERE WHAT AM I GOING TO DO FOR THE RESIDENTS THAT ARE COMING BEHIND ALL OF US IN HERE TO MAKE THIS DECISION. I'M TRYING TO LOOK AHEAD.
I DON'T HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL, BUT IF I CAN GET THAT, THEN I CAN START PUTTING MY SKILLS AND MY RESEARCH INTO YOUR SIX -- AND I KNOW IT WAS ON ONE OF THE THINGS, BUT LIKE AN OFFICIAL LETTER FROM YOUR GROUP SAYING THIS IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR HELP FOR OR PARTNERSHIP FOR WITH THE CITY OF FORT
>> ONE IS TRANSPARENCY. SO IT CUTS OUT ALL OF THE HE HE SAID, SHE SAY, THE LITTLE RUMORS IN THE CITY.
IT'S A DOCUMENT, THIS IS WHAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR.
THEN WE CAN GET THAT AND DISCUSS IT AND GO FROM
THERE. >> I WOULD BE HAPPY TO DO THAT.
IT'S IN THERE, BUT IT'S PROBABLY NOT TERRIBLY CLEAR.
>> BUT I WILL DO THAT IN A FOLLOW- UP LETTER TO THE CITY MANAGER AND OUTLINE THOSE SIX THINGS. YOU CAN GO THROUGH THEM AND SAY, YES, WE CAN DO THIS, NO, WE CAN'T DO THIS.
[01:05:05]
WE'RE NOT GOING TO FAULT YOU FOR THINGS YOU CAN'TYOU KNOW HOW I OPERATE. WHEN IT COMES TO STUFF LIKE THIS, I HAVE TO LOOK AT IT AND I'M GOING TO TAKE EVERY ASK
INDIVIDUALLY. >> I APPRECIATE IT.
THAT'S PERFECTLY REASONABLE. I'M SORRY I'M UNCLEAR.
>> TRUST ME, I'M NOT SAYING ANYBODY THAT SPOKE TONIGHT OR THIS PRESENTATION WAS UNCLEAR. BUT FOR ME, MAYBE I'M JUST TIRED TONIGHT, BUT FOR SOME REASON THE DOTS ARE NOT CONNECTING FOR ME AND BEFORE I SAY SOMETHING IT'S PROBABLY ME, I WOULD RATHER LET ME MAKE MY DOTS AND MAKE MY PICTURE AND THEN I'LL BE ABLE TO REPRESENT NOT ONLY DISTRICT ONE, HUTCHINSON ISLAND AND EVERYBODY THAT'S GOING TO BE INVOLVE IN THIS.
I'LL BE ABLE TO SIT HERE AND MAKE A BETTER DECISION.
>> I WILL BE DO THAT. THE PROBLEM I HAVE WHEN I WROTE SOME OF THESE IS I'M TRYING TO THINK O A SYSTEM THAT WORKS FOR THINGS THAT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE YET.
BECAUSE THIS IS A THREE- YEAR THING, HOW DO WE MAKE HUTCHINSON ISLAND STRONGER. THOSE ARE OUR IDEAS.
>> JUST PUT IT BECAUSE THAT WILL SPARK CONVERSATION AMONGST US TO SAY OKAY, DID THEY THINK ABOUT THIS OR DID THAT DO THAT. RIGHT NOW I JUST WANT A LETTER AND WE GO FROM THERE.
>> YOU'LL HAVE IT IN THE MORNING FROM OFFICIAL HUTCHINSON ISLAND STAIR
STATIONARY. >> I THINK YOU HAVE SOME UNIQUE ASKS THAT ONLY THE CITY AS A MUNICIPALITY CAN REQUEST, SUCH AS D.O.T. MODIFICATION OF SIGNAGE ON THE HIGHWAY. THAT'S A ONE-OFF.
CENSUS, THAT'S A ONE-OFF. THESE ARE THINGS THAT GOVERNMENTAL SUPPORT IS NEEDED TO ACCOMPLISH.
WE CAN GET IT IN WRITING FROM YOU, GIVE US AN IDEA WHAT THE PROCESS IS. WE CAN DIGEST THAT AND COME BACK WITH COMMENTARY. THERE ARE THINGS THAT ARE MORE COMPLICATED IN YOUR REQUEST LIST THAT CANDIDLY I BELIEVE WILL BE PROBLEMATIC BUT WE'LL GET TO THAT ONCE WE GET THE OFFICIAL REQUEST.
I AGREE WITH MR. GAINES ENTIRELY HERE, THIS IS A RARITY.
BUT I AGREE WITH HIM COMPLETELY THAT WE ARTICULATE THIS IN WRITTEN FORM.
WE CAN REVIEW IT WITH STAFF AND SAY WE CAN DO THIS, MAKE THE D.O.T. SIGNAGE WHICH I THINK WOULD BE A GREAT IDEA ON 95 DRIVING TOURISM TO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE. IT NEED TO BE IN THAT WRITTEN FORM.
THAT WAY WE CAN DIGEST IT AS A COMMISSION AND WORK WITH STAFF AND PROVIDE OUR DIRECTION TO STAFF TO ACCOMPLISH THESE
ITEMS. >> IN CASE THIS IS THE ONLY TIME I GET TO TALK TO YOU GUYS, DO YOU LIKE THE IDEA? WE SPENT A LOT OF TIME WORKING ON THIS.
IT'S A FAIRLY UNIQUE IDEA OF HOW WE CAN MAKE THIS COMMUNITY BETTER. THAT'S ALL WE'RE TRYING TO
DO. >> IT'S A CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TYPE ACTIVITY WITH CIVIC INVOLVEMENT ON STEROIDS, CANDIDLY.
ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO PROMOTE AND ENHANCE THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY ON HUTCHINSON ISLAND, OF COURSE THAT BLEEDS INTO DOWNTOWN AND ALL OVER THE CITY BY DRIVING MORE TOURISTS HERE.
TOURIST DOLLARS ARE CANDIDLY ONE OF OUR ONLY SOURCES OF REVENUE IF TALLAHASSEE HAS THEIR WAY.
ANYTHING WE COULD DO TO ENHANCE THAT WOULD CATCH MY
ATTENTION. >> AS LONG AS STAFF KNOWS WE'RE INVITED BACK, WE'LL BE ON STANDBY AND FULFILL ALL THE REQUESTS YOU MADE SO FAR AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE WORKING WITH YOU GUYS.
I DON'T NEED TO TALK TO ANYBODY ELSE. IF WE'RE GOING TO WORK TOGETHER, WE'RE GOOD.
PRESENTATION. >> I THINK THE SLIDES YOU PRESENTED MIGHT BE DIFFERENT THAN WHAT'S ATTACH TODAY ED TO THE AGENDA. IF YOU WOULD PROVIDE THAT TO THE CLERK -- I WAS LOOKING FOR THE ONE THAT HAD THE ASK ON IT.
I CAN'T FIND IT. AT YOUR CONVENIENCE --
[C. Zora House Presentation by Zora Neale Hurston Florida Education Foundation and The Conservation Fund]
ON. >> THE PRESENTATION BY THE FLORIDA EDUCATION FOUNDATION AND THE CONSERVATION FUND.
>> YES. WE WILL HAVE A PRESENTATION.
WE'RE GOING TO BRING THE PRESIDENT OF THE ASSOCIATION IN, EDUCATION FOUNDATION.
[01:10:04]
>> WHATEVER'S COMFORTABLE FOR YOU.
IF THE TWO OF YOU ARE GOING TO PRESENT, YOU MIGHT SIT DOWN THERE AND MAKE SURE YOU STATE YOUR NAMES FOR THE RECORD.
I'M A BROKEN RECORD ON THAT, BUT THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO DO LEGALLY HERE. WHO'S GOING TO START?
>> MY NAME IS MARINA SANTOS. I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE -- FLORIDA EDUCATION FOUNDATION.
>> MATT SEXTON WITH THE CONSERVATION FUND, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FOR THE EASTERN UNITED STATES. I'M LOCATED IN STUART.
>> I MEAN, I CAN KICK IT OFF. SO THREE YEARS AGO THE CONSERVATION FUND WAS APPROACHED BY THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION AS WELL AS THE NATIONAL RELIGIOUS PARTNERSHIP FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND INTRODUCED TO THE ZORA NEIL HURST FLORIDA ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION FOUNDATION ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF TRYING TO SECURE THE ZORA NEIL HURST HOUSE THAT WAS THEN OWNED BY THE BENTON FAMILY WHO STEWARDED THAT PROPERTY AND WAS HOST TO ZORA BACK IN 1957 TO 1960 IN THE LAST THREE YEARS OF HER LIFE.
THE CONSERVATION FUND, WE'VE BEEN AROUND SINCE 1985.
WE HELPED -- A MILLION ACRES AROUND THE COUNTRY.
WE HAVE A PROGRAM CALLED THE LEGACY PLACES INITIATIVE WHERE WE'RE WORKING TO PROTECT AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL AND HISTORIC SITES, A LOT OF WHICH RELATE TO THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT, BUT BEYOND THIS. I WAS FIRST INTRODUCED TO ZORA IN HIGH SCHOOL READING "THEIR EYES WERE WATCHING GOD" AS WE WORKED ON EVERGLADES RESTORATION WORK. I WENT BACK AND RE- READ THE BOOK OF COURSE. CHAPTER 18 WHERE SHE TALKS ABOUT THE 1927 HURRICANE.
>> RIGHT. THERE WAS '26 AND --
>> '26 IN MIAMI, '28 IN OKEECHOBEE.
>> EXACTLY. THAT WAS FACE E FASCINATING TO ME AND SHAPED SO MUCH OF WHAT SOUTH FLORIDA IS LIKE FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL STANDPOINT AND EVERGLADES. WHEN I LEARNED ABOUT THIS PROJECT, I JUMPED RIGHT ON IT.
THE CONSERVATION FUND, WE HAVE A REVOLVING FUND.
THAT ALLOWS US TO COME IN AND BUY ENVIRONMENTAL PROPERTIES, HISTORIC CULTURAL PROPERTIES AND HOLD THOSE PROPERTIES UNTIL LONG- TERM OWNER IS IN PLACE TO BE ABLE TO BUY IT OFF OF OUR HANDS AND TAKE IT FORWARD FOR THE MANAGEMENT. WE STEP IN AND WORKED WITH THE BENTON FAMILY TO ACQUIRE THE PROPERTY, THE HOUSE AND THE THREE LOTS. WE DID THAT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FOUNDATION. WE ENTERED INTO AN MOU WHERE THEY WOULD STEWARD AND MANAGE THE PROPERTY WHILE WE ALL WORKED TO RAISE FUNDS TO PAY BACK OUR REVOLVING FUND BUT ALSO TO COME UP WITH A PLAN FOR THE LONG- TERM PRESERVATION OF THE PROPERTY, SHORING UP THE STRUCTURE AND ALSO MAKING IT SUITABLE FOR PUBLIC VISITATION AND INTERPRETATION AS PART OF THAT LARGER ZORA RELATED HERITAGE TRAIL AND THE TOURISM OPPORTUNITY AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES IT INCLUDES.
THAT WAS A LOT. I'LL HAND IT OVER TO
MARINA. >> SO JUST TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT THE FOUNDATION ANDAND WE LOOK LIKE, THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY NINE COMMITTEE MEMBERS, THREE BOARD MEMBERS, ACTUALLY FOUR BOARD MEMBERS .
WE'VE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL, WE FEEL LIKE, IN NOT ONLY PARTNERING WITH THE CONSERVATION FUND BUT ALSO IN CREATING A LOT OF THINGS FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
AND SO WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT QUITE A BIT.
WE'RE A 5013 C AND OUR MAIN MISSION IS TO PRESERVE THE LEGACY OF ZORA NEIL HURSTON. I GOT INVOLVED THROUGH BRENDA COOPER THROUGH THE AGAPE CENTER OR THE HELPING HAND NEIGHBORS HOUSE. THEN WHEN WE FOUND FACT THAT THE BENTONS WERE SELLING THE PROPERTY, OF COURSE WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BEST FOR US TO ACQUIRE IT AND THEN JUST HAVE THE WHOLE FOUNDATION, HAVE EVERYTHING ZORA RELATED. SO OUR COMMITTEE HAS BEEN VERY
[01:15:04]
DILIGENT AND FAITHFUL IN DOING A LOT OF THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY LIKE SPECIFICALLY RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A GRANT WITH THE TREE EQUITY PARTNERSHIP. IT'S THE NATIONAL RELIGIOUS PARTNERSHIPS. SO WE'RE GOING TO BE -- IN MARCH WE'RE GOING TO BE PLANTING TREES FOR OUR COMMUNITY, NONPROFITS, BUSINESSES AND CHURCHES TO SEE THAT REBEAUTIFY OURWONDERFUL. >> THAT'S PART OF WHERE WE'RE GOING. NOT ONLY THAT, BUT WE ARE PLANNING TO HAVE CHILDREN'S SUMMER PROGRAMS AT THE MUSEUM.
AND THAT'S SEPARATE, OF COURSE, FROM THE HOUSE ON AVENUE L. AND GET DESIGNATION FOR THE MUSEUM. WE HAVE THREE PHASES FOR THE AVENUE L PROPERTY WHICH IS A HISTORIC SITE.
FIRST IS TO REPAY THE CONSERVATION FUND AND ACQUISITION COSTS. OUR TIMELINE FOR THAT IS DECEMBER OF 2027. WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO PAY THIS ESTIMATED AMOUNT. THIS ESTIMATED AMOUNT HAS ACTUALLY INCREASED BECAUSE THE CONSERVATION FUND WE ENLISTED HELP WITH THAT AND A CONTRACTOR FOR THAT. THAT'S OUR FIRST PHASE, IS TO PAY BACK THE ACQUISITION COSTS.
PHASE TWO IS THE PRESERVATION OF THE PROPERTY.
WE HAVE AN ESTIMATED BUDGET AND A TIMELINE . WE'D LIKE TO START FEBRUARY OF 2026 AND GO POSSIBLY UNTIL DECEMBER OF 2026.
THIS MAY BE PUSHED BACK A LITTLE BIT, BECAUSE THE FOUNDATION IS STILL IN NEED OF FUNDS.
AND BEING THAT THE MUSEUM IS UNDER RENOVATION.
WE HAVE LIMITED INCOME COMING IN RIGHT NOW .
WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING JUST ON DONATIONS FROM OUR COMMUNITY.
THE ESTIMATED BUDGET -- AND WE DID GET A CONTRACTOR TO GIVE US ESTIMATIONS ON WHAT IT WOULD COST TO BRING THE AVENUE L PROPERTY UP TO SPEED AND EVEN DO MORE BECAUSE WE'D LIKE TO TURN IT INTO A VISITOR CENTER. SO WE WANT TO BRING IT TO CODE.
SO WE ENCOURAGE QUESTIONS AND PROVIDE THOUGHTFUL RESPONSES WITH VARIOUS SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS TO ENHANCE AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION. WE ALSO WOULD LIKE TO DO LIVE POLLS AND SURVEYS WITH OUR AUDIENCE AND THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA AND DIFFERENT TYPES OF ENGAGEMENTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE AUDIENCE FEELS INVOLVED IN WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE FOUNDATION.
ZORA NEIL HURSTON IS KNOWN WORLD WIDE WITH HER BOOKS AND WRITINGS. SO OUR KEY DELIVERABLES IS TO, FIRST OF ALL, GET THE BUILDING UTILITIES, THE WATER, SEWER, ELECTRIC.
THE BUILDING RIGHT NOW IS TOTALLY, YOU KNOW, FREE OF ANY OF THAT. IT HAS NONE.
AND IT'S IN DISREPAIR ON THE INSIDE.
WE'D HAVE TO DO TERMITE TREATMENT, DRYWALL REPAIR, THE KITCHEN, BATHROOM, EVERYTHING INSIDE THE BUILDING.
IT'S SUCH A SMALL LITTLE BUILDING.
BUT AS YOU ALL KNOW, BUT IT IS SIGNIFICANT AND IT WILL BE SIGNIFICANT FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
WE WANT TO PUT IN AIR- CONDITIONING, A MINI SPLIT.
AND WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PRESERVE THE HISTORIC PART OF THIS SO THAT IT'S NOT TAMPERED WITH OR MOVE ANYTHING OR ACCESS ANYTHING OR CHANGE ANYTHING ON THE INSIDE. AND EVERYTHING NEEDS TO BE COMPLIANT. WE WANT TO CREATE WALKWAYS IN THE FRONT AND THE REAR AND PAINTING AND ALL TYPE OF HISTORICAL FINISHINGS.
PHASE THREE IS THE CREATIVE PART OF THE RESIDENCY.
[01:20:03]
AND OUR TIMELINE FOR THAT WOULD START IN MARCH 2027 AND GO UNTIL POSSIBLY JUNE 2028. OUR BUDGET RIGHT NOW FOR THAT IS UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME, BECAUSE THE CREATIVE PORTION OF IT TAKES A LITTLE BIT MORE WORK TO FIGURE OUT FURNITURE AND THIS KIND OF THING FOR INSIDE. SO WE WANT TO TRANSFORM THE HURSTON HOUSE INTO A DYNAMIC LITERATE LITERACY AND CULTURAL HERITAGE HUB. THE PROGRAM FEATURES IS THE COMMUNITY INPUT, THE MUSEUM READY, INTERIOR WITH RESTORATION WITH REPLICA FURNITURE AND INTERPRETIVE SIGNAGE, SOUNDSCAPE ROOMS AND MAKE IT LIKE A VIRTUAL TYPE THING INSIDE. COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL GARDEN.THE PROPERTY IS LOCATED ON THREE LOTS.
AND SO BECAUSE OF THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A AREA OUTSIDE FOR CONCERTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT ON THE OUTSIDE. THE ZORA PERFORMANCE COURTYARD IS WHERE WE WOULD DO THE COVERED STAGE AND THE SEATING FOR EVENTS. WE WOULD LIKE TO PUT A TINY HOME OR A MODULAR ON THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING ON THE BACK OF THE BUILDING FOR ARTISTS AND ALSO FOR OFFICE SPACE. IT'S ABOUT 400 TO 550 SQUARE FEET THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR TO PUT A MODULAR IN AND AN ARTIST THAT WOULD LIKE TO STAY, COULD STAY AND HAVE RESIDENCY FOR POSSIBLY SIX MONTHS.
DIGITAL MEDIA AND JUST TRYINGTRYING KEEP UP WITH ALL THE ELECTRONICS AND ALL OF THE NEW TECHNOLOGY THAT'S GOING ON AND PLACE THAT INSIDE OF THE BUILDING.
THESE ARE SOME OF THE CATEGORIES, INTERIOR FURNISHINGS AND REPLICAS, LIGHTING, EQUIPMENT ON THE INSIDE, COMMUNITY GARDEN, STAGE AND OUTDOOR SEATING, MODULAR TINY HOUSE OUTSIDE, FURNISHINGS INSIDE, GROUNDS MAINTENANCE AND PLACING BATH AND KITCHENETTE INSIDE THAT LOOKS SIMILAR TO WHEN ZORA POSSIBLY LIVED THERE.
THIS IS A SUMMARY. OUR TOTAL WOULD BE $235,000.25.
>> IF ANYBODY HAS ANY QUESTIONS --
>> I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND, DO YOU HAVE THIS MONEY? ARE YOU ASKING FOR THIS MONEY?
>> WE'RE ASKING RIGHT NOW FOR THE CITY TO HELP US WITH PARTNERING SO THAT WE CAN START WITH PHASE ONE AND BEGIN WITH ACQUISITION COSTS.
>> SO THE CONSERVATION FUND -- IS THAT THE RIGHT WORD?
>> OKAY. YOU HAVE PURCHASED IT?
SO YOU WANT MONEY TO PURCHASE IT FROM THE CONSERVATION FUND IS WHAT I GET?
>> THAT'S PART OF IT. WE'RE LOOKING AT ORGANIZATIONS AS WELL TO HELP US WITH THE ACQUISITION COSTS. WE ARE DOING FUNDRAISERS. WE HAVE A FUNDRAISER COMING UP IN MARCH. EVERY YEAR WE'RE DOING MORE THINGS TO TRY TO HELP THAT PROCESS TO
GO. >> SO THEY'RE NOT GOING TO KEEP THE PROPERTY.
>> YOU DON'T KEEP THE PROPERTY?
>> NO. IT WOULD TRANSFER TO THE
FOUNDATION. >> YOU SAVED IT IN
YES. >> THEN YOU SAVED IT KIND OF FOR THEM. HAVE I GOT THAT RIGHT?
>> OKAY. NOW I UNDERSTAND WHY THE PRESENTATION AND WHY THE DOLLAR SIGNS. SO THIS HOUSE ISN'T -- IS IT ON A HISTORIC REGISTER?
I IF YOU START IMPROVING IT OR WHATEVER, I WONDER DOES IT HAVE TO GO TO OUR HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMITTEE, IS THAT RIGHT? I MEAN, WE'D HAVE TO DO THAT, I WOULD THINK.
I'M JUST THROWING THAT OUT THERE, IS A STEP, I
>> I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU WHAT CONDITION IT WAS IN.
I GATHER THAT IT PROBABLY JUST WASN'T KEPT UP.
CORRECT. >> AFTER SHE MOVED TO
[01:25:01]
THE WELFARE HOME, I GUESS.RIGHT. >> OTHER QUESTIONS OR ANYTHING ELSE FROM ANY OTHER COMMISSIONERS?
>> YEAH. >> SO THIS GOES BACK SOME TIME.
I'M INTIMATELY FAMILIAR WITH THIS GROUP AND WHAT THEY WERE DOING.
MUCH LIKE WHAT COMMISSIONER GAINES STATED EARLIER, SOME OF THIS PROBABLY NEEDS TO COME IN THE FORM OF SOME TYPE OF WRITTEN ASK. I THINK TAKING A PAGE FROM WHAT HE JUST SHARED SO THAT WHEN WE SIT WITH STAFF TO TALK ABOUT THINGS, BECAUSE THERE ARE ALL KIND OF THINGS LEGALLY POPPING UP, CAN WE DO THIS, CAN WE DO THAT, A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO TALK WITH OUR STAFF ON THAT ADVISES US FROM LEGAL. I DON'T KNOW LEGAL.
THAT'S HER JOB. HE'S A CITY MANAGER.
AND RELATIONSHIPS AND HOW THESE THINGS FOSTER TOGETHER -- SO THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT POP TO MIND. YOU KNOW, YOU ACCEPTED THE INVITATION TO COME BECAUSE THIS IS THE ONLY TIME I GET TO SIT WITH MY FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS TOTO PUBLICLY HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS. WE CAN'T JUST PULL UP A CHAIR AND SAY WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS. SO IT'S KIND OF EARLY LEARNING PROBABLY FOR SOME OF THEM, NOT SO MUCH FOR ME. THIS HOUSE WAS IN ABSOLUTE DISREPAIR.
IT WAS LITERALLY RAINING IN IT BECAUSE THE FASCIA BOARD WAS GONE. I KNOW THEY WENT AND SEALED IT BACK SO FURTHER DAMAGE AND DETERIORATION IS NOT DONE TO THE PROPERTY.
IT IS IN THE HISTORIC AREA. IT'S IN LINCOLN PARK.
IT'S LITERALLY ACROSS THE GATE FROM LINCOLN PARK SCHOOL WHERE SHE TAUGHT. IT'S RIGHT IN THE BACK OF IT.
I'M SAYING THIS NOT TO SAY THAT -- THIS IS NOT TO BE FRUSTRATING OR LONG DRAWN OUT.
IT JUST TAKES THIS PROCESS TO BEGIN TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH STAFF ON WHAT WE CAN AND CANNOT DO. I THINK WE WOULD RESPOND BETTER IF YOU HAD THAT IN WRITING TO SAY, HEY, THIS IS WHAT WE'RE ASKING THE CITY OR THE FPRA BOARD TO DO. THEN THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR US TO CORRESPOND BACK IN A WAY TO SAY, THIS IS A CHALLENGING AREA, BECAUSE OF THIS, THIS AND THIS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE, RIGHT? SO I THINK THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF CONVERSATIONS AND INFORMATION AND FEEDBACK THAT WILL BE VERY HELPFUL TO YOU AND HELPFUL TO US TO LEARN, YOU KNOW, ABOUT THIS. IT MAKES SENSE.
IT FITS WITH EVERYTHING ELSE WE HAVE ZORA HERE.
WE HAVE A GRAVER SITE AND THE MUSEUM COMING ALONG AND THE HOUSE WHERE SHE LIVED IN THERE.
I SEE THE POTENTIAL OF PERHAPS EXPANDING THAT FOOTPRINT TO BRING IN SOME OTHER OPPORTUNITIES TO DO SOME THINGS TO ACTIVATE THE PROPERTY. I'LL JUST CALL IT THAT WAY.
THAT'S MY COMMENT I WANTED TO ADD TO THE BOARD JUST TO GIVE SOME CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND. I THINK THAT'S WHERE WE WOULD GO FROM HERE.
>> RIGHT. AND PART OF THE DUST TRACKS TOUR SHOWS THE CHRONICLE WHERE SHE WORKED. THAT'S ALL HERE IN FORT PIERCE.
THE PLACE WHERE SHE WORKED, LINCOLN PARK ACADEMY. THERE'S JUST SO MUCH WHERE SHE TOUCHED HERE IN OUR LOCAL CITY, YOU KNOW, AND EVEN IN OTHER PLACES WHERE ZORA IS POPULAR, THEY DON'T HAVE THE TYPE OF THINGS WE HAVE, THE AMENITIES WE HAVE FOR ZORA.
>> WELL, WE HAVE A CONNECTION.
>> THAT WAS ONE OF THE NEAT THINGS FOR ME, WAS EVERYONE HERE -- JUST ABOUT EVERYONE HERE IN THE COMMUNITY OF FORT PIERCE AND IN LINCOLN PARK HAS A FAMILIAR CONNECTION TO ZORA. COMMISSIONER JOHNSON HAS DEEP PERSONAL CONNECTION, MARINA.
AND EVERYONE ELSE I'VE MET. SO THAT WAS REALLY INSPIRING FOR ME TO BE A PART OF IT. SO I'M REALLY THANKFUL FOR THAT AND ALSO THANKFUL TO COMMISSIONER JOHNSON FOR RECOGNIZING AT THE SAME TIME WE REMEMBER RECOGNIZING THAT ROOF, IRONICALLY, FROM A HURRICANE WAS IN A BAD STATE ALONG WITH THE FASCIA.
WE WERE ALL LOOKING AT THAT AT THE SAME TIME AND THINKING WE REALLY NEED TO GET THAT ROOF REPAIRED.
SO THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT BROUGHT US TOGETHER AS WELL.
>> GOOD. COMMISSIONER GAINES, YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD?
>> NO. LIKE I SAID BEFORE, I KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS HOUSE AND OTHER STRUCTURES THAT ZORA NEALE HAS HAD HER HANDS ON. I'VE SAID IT SEVERAL TIMES WHEN WE'VE HAD OTHER DISCUSSIONS ABOUT HER,
[01:30:01]
THE ONE THING NO OTHER CITY HAS, WE HAVE IT ALL HERE. AGAIN, I NEED TO SIT DOWN WITH STAFF INDIVIDUALLY AND FIGURE OUT LEGALLY, FIGURE OUT, YOU KNOW, STUFF, WHAT WE CAN DO, WHAT WE CAN'T DO, YOU KNOW, ASK CERTAIN QUESTIONS.MAYBE THERE ARE GRANTS OUT THERE THAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT SINCE IT'S ON THE NATIONAL HISTORY, YOU KNOW.
MAYBE ONCE WE GET INTO THE WEEDS AND DO EVERYTHING -- YOU KNOW, I'M A GRADUATE OF HOWARD.
SHE WAS AT HOWARD. MAYBE WE CALL SOME PEOPLE AT HOWARD AND SAY, HEY, YOU KNOW, WE NEED SOME HELP DOWN HERE AND SOME OTHER SCHOOLS DOWN HERE. YOU NEVER KNOW.
IT'S A WHOLE LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES. I NEED TO SIT DOWN WITH MY THREE CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS AND DISCUSS THIS AND LET THEM TELL ME, ALL RIGHT, BEFORE YOU SAY SOMETHING, YOU CAN'T DO THIS, YOU CAN'T DO THIS, DON'T ASK FOR THIS.
I'M JUST TELLING YOU HOW IT WORKS. AND THEN I GO BACK AND SAY, OKAY, WHAT ABOUT THIS, WHAT ABOUT THAT? YOU KNOW, I LOVE THE PRESENTATION.
I DON'T KNOW IF HOW MUCH TIME YOU HAVE IN FORT PIERCE OR WHENEVER YOU COME BACKBACK FORT PIERCE, BUT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE COMMUNITY, MY DAD KNEW HER.
>> HE KNEW HER. HE STILL REMEMBERS HER.
HE WAS THE ONE WHO SAID WHEN SHE CAME BACK INTO FAME, LET ME GO SHOW YOU WHERE SHE IS BURIED.
>> MAYBE CURTIS' FATHER KNEW HER
ALSO. >> HE WAS THE UNDERTAKER.
>> MAYBE THEM TWO -- I DON'T KNOW IF COMMISSIONER ALEXANDER WAS STILL -- THOUGH HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN PART TOO.
THEY WENT AND FOUND THE GRAVE.
>> I KNOW MY DAD AND I'M PRETTY SURE MR. JOHNSON SENIOR AND COULD HAVE BEEN COMMISSIONER ALEXANDER BUT THEY WENT OUT THERE AND AND CUT THAT GRASS ON THAT WHOLE CEMETERY AND FOUND THE GRAVE. THAT'S WHY YOU GOT ALL -- CATCH HIM ON THE RIGHT DAY, HE COULD PROBABLY TELL YOU SOME STORIES.
GET HIM TALKING, HE COULD PROBABLY TELL YOU SOME STORIES THAT YOU'VE NEVER HEARD BEFORE.
>> THAT'S JUST HIM. SO I THROW THAT OUT THERE TO YOU. BUT YOU'VE GOT MY MIND GOING.
I JUST NEED TO GET TO MY CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS.
THIS MIGHT BE A BIGGER PROJECT THAN JUST FORT PIERCE.
WE COULD TURN THIS INTO SOMETHING REALLY MAJOR ONCE WE GET THE IDEA AND LEGAL, WHAT WE CAN DO AND CAN'T DO AND EVEN WITH THE STATE. YOU KNOW, THE STATE UNDERSTANDS WHO SHE IS.
>> SHE'S IN THE HALL OF FAME. SHE'S IN THE ARTISTS HALL OF FAME.
>> RIGHT. THE STATE UNDERSTANDS WHAT WE'RE SAYING. SO I SAY GIVE US TIME.
AS COMMISSIONER JOHNSON SAID, GIVE US TIME TO GET OUR HEAD AROUND IT AND START OUR PROCESS.
THE ONE THING UNFORTUNATELY IS GOVERNMENT MOVES AT THEIR OWN LITTLE PACE. BUT IN THIS DAY AND AGE WITH EVERYTHING GOING ON, I KIND OF LIKE THE SLOW PACE, BECAUSE IF YOU MAKE A WRONG DECISION AND SOMETHING AND I GOT PEOPLE COMING IN THE DOOR, KNOCKING ON THE DOOR ASKING TO LOOK AT MY BOOKS AND OTHER THINGS, WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS, WHY ARE YOU DOING THAT.
SO I WOULD RATHER, LIKE I SAID, HAVE MY ONE-ON- ONE MEETINGS WITH MY CONSTITUTIONAL OFFICERS.
THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE THEIR MEETINGS WITH DIRECTORS AND STUFF. CHEYENNE IS BACK THERE. I EE HER.
WE PUT ALL OUR HEADS TOGETHER AND WE COME UP WITH EITHER SOME HOW WE CAN HELP.
DON'T KNOW IN THIS TIME AND AGE WITH ALL THE UNCERTAINTY THAT WE COULD WRITE A WHOLE BILL, BUT WHATEVER WE CAN TRY TO HELP. IT'S A START.
THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO DO, MADAM
CHAIR. >> I'D LIKE TO SAY ONE MORE THING. YOU KNOW, I APPRECIATE BEING BEFORE YOU TODAY. WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW AS A FOUNDATION, AS AN ORGANIZATION, WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO WHAT WE NEED TO DO FOR THE COMMUNITY, YOU KNOW, FOR THE CHILDREN WITH LITERACY WITH DYSLEXIA.
WE'RE GOING TO KEEP IT MOVING FORWARD. AS WE WAIT, I BELIEVE THAT THINGS WILL COME AROUND AND THINGS WILL WORK OUT. THAT'S THE REASON WHY WE CONTINUE TO ORGANIZE BUSINESS MIXERS.
[01:35:03]
THEY'RE SMALL LITTLE INTRICATE THINGS WE CAN DO FOR THE COMMUNITY. BUT WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT SO THIS WAY WHEN THE TIME COMES, THEN IT COMES AND IT WILL COME THE RIGHTWAY. >> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK.
>> I'M NOT FROM FORT PIERCEPIERCE I DON'T KNOW THE HISTORY. HAVING SAID THAT, I'M GOING TO SUGGEST TO YOU THAT I ALWAYS IN THIS POSITION TRY TO BE A GOOD STEWARD OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS. THAT'S ONE OF MY MOST CRITICAL ROLES. WE HAVE MADE SNAPSHOT SIGNIFICANT ERRORS IN GIVING OUT MONEY OR FUNDS WHERE THE END RESULT HAS BEEN CANDIDLY DISASTROUS.
WE DON'T HAVE TITLE TO THIS PROPERTY, SO US JUST WRITING A CHECK FOR EVERYTHING YOU'RE ASKING FOR I HAVE SERIOUS RESERVATION WITH. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN YOUR REQUEST IS YOUR DELIVERABLES.
WHAT DO YOU CONTEMPLATE DOING WITH THE MONEY SPECIFICALLY, WHAT'S THE TIMELINE, ET CETERA.
YOU SAY YOU'RE GETTING AN ESTIMATE FOR RENOVATION OF $142,000 GIVE OR TAKE. I'M IN THE RENOVATION BUSINESS, SO I WILL DISSECT YOUR PROPOSAL
OKAY. >> I'M SUGGESTING YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE SPECIFIC NUMBERS, SPECIFIC DELIVERABLES BASED ON ANY FUNDING THAT THIS BOARD MAY CONSIDER GIVING TO YOU.
I LIKE DETAIL WHEN IT COMES TO CONSTRUCTION.
SO PLEASE PROVIDE THAT. AS I SAID, THE CITY HAS MANY, MANY, MANY DEMANDS UPON ITS LIMITED RESOURCES, SO WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAUTIOUS IN HOW WE ALLOCATE THOSE RESOURCES TO ORGANIZATIONS 501 C 3S FOR EXAMPLE THAT WE DON'T HAVE AN OWNERSHIP INTEREST IN THE PROPERTY. I JUST WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND MY CONCERNS SO IT GIVES YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THOSE IN THE WRITINGS THAT COMMISSIONER GAINES IS SUGGESTING YOU SUBMIT. WE'RE GOING TO DIVE INTO THOSE DETAILS IN GREAT DEPTH.
>> MADAM CHAIR, I'LL COME ALONG WITH COMMISSIONER BRODERICK, BUT THAT'S THE TYPE OF RESPONSE THAT WOULD COME BACK, BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE THINGS IN OUR FINDINGS THAT MAY BE TROUBLESOME BECAUSE OF OUR SITUATION AS A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY OF WHAT WE CAN AND CANNOT DO. WE DON'T KNOW THAT UNTIL WE GET THE LETTER AND WE CAN SPELL IT OUT TO YOU, HEY, THIS COMPLICATES THIS BECAUSE OF THIS, THIS AND THIS.
HERE'S A PATHWAY, HERE'S SOMETHING ELSE TO CONSIDER, ET CETERA.
BUT YOU DON'T KNOW THOSE THINGS UNTIL YOU MAKE THE FORMAL PETITION AND ASK SO IT'S TRANSPARENT, EVERYBODY KNOWS AND IT'S CLEAR AND DOCUMENTED BY STATUTE AND LEGAL STUFF AND EVERYTHING ELSE WE HAVE TO DEAL
WITH. >> AND THANK YOU FOR EXPANDING ON THAT. I WOULD ALSO LIKE YOU TO POINT OUT IN THE DOCUMENTATION YOU'RE GOING TO SUBMIT WHAT GRANTS YOU ARE SEEKING.
>> THE CITY, IN MY OPINION, SHOULD NOT BE THE SOLE PROVIDER OF FUNDING FOR THIS PROJECT. THERE SHOULD BE HISTORICAL GRANTS AVAILABLE, AS COMMISSIONER GAINES WAS REFERENCING, ET CETERA, NATIONALLY AND STATE LEVEL. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CONCERTED EFFORT AND WHAT THAT EFFORT IS TO SECURE FUNDING THROUGH POTENTIAL GRANT RESOURCES.
>> THAT IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT. IT'S WHAT THE STATE ASKS US WHEN WE ASK THE STATE FOR MONEY. THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF SKIN WE HAVE IN THE GAME, HOW MUCH MONEY WE'RE PUTTING INTO
>> I THINK IN A WAY WE KIND OF NEED -- I MEAN, YOU GAVE US A GOOD OUTLINE, BUT A LITTLE BIT MORE DIRECT BUSINESS PLAN, THIS IS HOW WE SEE GETTING THE MONEYMONEY THAT -- BECAUSE THIS IS A BIG PROJECT BUT IT'S -- I AGREE IT'S IMPORTANT, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE -- WE NEED TO BE, AS HE SAID, A GOOD SHEPHERD OF TAX
ABSOLUTELY. >> I WANT TO ADD ONE THING.
I'M NOT CRITICAL OF THIS. THIS BOARD HAS DISCUSSED THE EXPERIENCE OF ZORA NEALE TO THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE AT LENGTH. I BOUGHT INTO ALL THOSE DISCUSSIONS IN ITS SBIERT.ENTIRETY.
IT'S SUCH A HISTORICAL DYNAMIC TO THE CITY THAT I KNOW THE CITY IS GOING TO WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN SOME FASHION. SO I'M NOT BEING CRITICAL.
I'M JUST SAYING THIS IS WHAT I NEED TO GET ME ON BOARD WITH SPENDING MONEY.
>> IT'S WHAT WE ALL NEED. WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN AND CAN'T DO TO SUPPORT.
IT MAY NOT COME IN ACTUAL CURRENCY, BUT OTHER THINGS THAT WE CAN AS A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY LEND OURSELVES TO HELP DO AND HELP ADVOCATE FOR.
>> AND WE DO HAVE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE INTERESTED IN PARTNERING WITH
[01:40:01]
US TO HELP WITH THE ACQUISITION, TO HELP WITH SOME OF WHAT WE NEED AS FAR AS RENOVATIONS AND BRINGING IT UP TO CODE AND SO FORTH.THE ZETAS ARE VERY, VERY INTERESTED IN JOINING IN AND DOING THIS.
AND THERE ARE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT WANT TO JOIN
IN. >> I WOULD SUGGEST ARTICULATING
THAT. >> WE'RE NOT LOOKING FOR THE CITY TO BUY THE WHOLE KIT AND CABOODLE, YOU KNOW? WE'RE JUST ASKING THAT YOU CONSIDER HELPING US AND PARTNERING WITH US, YOU KNOW, TO BE A PART OF IT, BECAUSE IT'S MAJOR FOR THE CITY.
>> I'M NOT DISAGREEING WITH YOU.
I AGREE WITH YOUR CONCEPT IN ITS ENTIRETY. I DO UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS. IT'S JUST I DON'T WANT THE CITY AS A STANDALONE AGENT TO WRITE OUT A CHECK FOR A QUARTER MILLION DOLLARS AND SAY HAVE A NICE DAY. ARTICULATE THAT IN YOUR WRITINGS TO THE CITY. THE PARTNERSHIPS WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A HARD LOOK AT. PARTNERING WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WE CAN BUY INTO THAT BECAUSE WE KNOW YOU HAVE OTHER LOCAL SUPPORT FROM DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY. I'D LIKE TO SEE THEM AS
WELL. >> COMMUNITY SUPPORT IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT. YOU KNOW, THERE OUGHT TO BE A PARTNERSHIP WITH LINCOLN PARK ACADEMY SOMEHOW, BECAUSE OF ITS PROXIMITY, BECAUSE SHE WAS A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER.
AND THERE ARE ALL KINDS OF AVENUES THAT YOU CAN EXPLORE.
THE WORLD CHANGERS COME HERE EVERY SUMMER.
WHEN THE TIME COMES TO DO THE PAINTING AND DOING THE YARD WORK OR DOING THE GARDENING AND ALL THAT KIND OF STUFF, YOU CAN GET THE INVOLVEMENT OF YOUNG PEOPLE FROM SOME PLACE ELSE.
I AGREE WITH YOU, I THINK THERE ARE PEOPLE COMING HERE AND DOING THE DUST TRACKS TRAIL AND GOING TO THE GRAVE AND WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT. AND THAT -- IF THERE IS ANYWAY THAT YOU -- AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH TIME YOU SPEND AT THE 9TH STREET MUSEUM OR HOW MUCH -- I MEAN, IF THERE'S SOME WAY YOU CAN TRACK THAT ABOUT INTERNATIONAL INTEREST IN ZORA NEALE THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL TOO.
>> WE DEFINITELY HAVE OUR WORK CUT OUT FOR US, NO DOUBT ABOUT
THAT. >> THAT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY THERE ARE QUESTION MARKS ON PHASE THREE, BECAUSE THERE'S OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF US IN THE COMMUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN SHAPING WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT THE DIFFERENT FEATURES ARE ON THE SITE.
FANTASTIC IDEA. ACTUALLY, WE DID KNOW THERE WAS AN OPERA SINGER WHO WAS ACTUALLY VISITING THE SITE.
WE SAW IT POSTED ON INSTAGRAM, HER STORY ABOUT IT.
I MEAN, THIS IS WITH NO OR VERY LIMITED MARKETING ABOUT THE ZORA PRESENCE HERE. WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHEN YOU BROADCAST THAT STORY NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY, THE DRAW THAT COULD CREATE, IT'S PRETTY EXCITING.
IF THAT WAS AN INVITATION, I WOULD LOVE TO COME MEET AND HEAR STORIES.
>> I'D GET IN TROUBLE AND GIVE YOU HIS NUMBER.
I MEAN, AND MADAM MAYOR WILL AGREE, HE'S -- I COME FROM A FAMILY WHO'S BEEN HERE SINCE 1932.
HE'S CONNECTED TO THAT. THAT WAS HIS GRANDFATHER.
ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT YOU CAN THINK OF THAT HAPPENED IN FORT PIERCE. STORIES YOU WANT TO HEAR, STORIES YOU DON'T WANT TO HEAR, HE LIVED IT AND HE'S BEEN HERE. HE'LL BE 88 NEXT SUNDAY.
I MEAN, YOU KNOW, THE MIND IS HERE, THE MIND IS GONE.
SO WHILE WE HAVE HIM HERE, HE'S PROBABLY WATCHING RIGHT NOW SITTING AT THE TABLE YELLING AT ME RIGHT NOW TELLING ME TO BE QUIET. ONCE THE HISTORY IS GONE, WE CAN'T GET IT. PRIME EXAMPLE, HE FOUND SOME STUFF, MADAM MAYOR, I TOLD HIM TO BRING IT BECAUSE I WANT TO SEE IT. HE FOUND SOME DOCUMENTS IN A BACK ROOM FROM 1917 FROM MY GREAT GRANDFATHER.
I HAVE TO GO THROUGH THOSE. IF THERE'S ANYTHING IN FORT PIERCE, I'LL MAKE COPIES AND GIVE TO YOU.
THAT'S THE TYPE OF STUFF HE HAS.
LIKE I SAID, JUST WHAT YOU JUST SAID ABOUT WE HAVE NO IDEA AND WHAT MADAM MAYOR SAID, WE HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY FAMOUS ARTISTS HAVE COME THROUGH FORT PIERCE, STOPPED THERE, LOOKED, TOOK PICTURES, CRIED, READ, WHATEVER, WE HAVE NO IDEA UNLESS THEY POST IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA. BUT EVERYBODY DON'T POST ON SOCIAL MEDIA, ESPECIALLY FAMOUS PEOPLE DON'T POST ON
[01:45:02]
SOCIAL MEDIA.BUT YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN THEY FLEW INTO PALM BEACH OR FLORIDA ORLANDO OR DRIVING TO MIAMI, LET ME STOP HERE AND SEE WHAT THIS TRAIL IS ALL ABOUT. BUT THE PRESENTATION, IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THAT TYPE OF INFORMATION, THE MORE YOU CAN GIVE US WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT IT, THE MORE WE WANT.
BUT WE NEED TO GET THIS. AGAIN, THIS IS SUCH A BIG DEAL.
I'M GLAD YOU SAID YOU HAD OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
THIS COULD BE A NATIONAL PROJECT.
>> BECAUSE EVERY CITY -- I CAN NAME SIX OR SEVEN CITIES THAT HAVE AN ANNUAL FESTIVAL.
SO THEY HAVE AN ANNUAL FESTIVAL. SO WHY NOT TAP INTO ALL THESE FESTIVALS AND SAY, HEY, YOU KNOW, LET'S PRESERVE WHATEVER, LET'S JOIN THIS GROUP AND CONSERVE WHAT WE'RE CELEBRATING.
>> SURE. >> I THINK A LOT OF YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT MARJORIE HARRELLHARRELL PART OF OUR COMMITTEE AND PART OF OUR BOARD.
SHE WAS ZORA'S STUDENT. SO SHE ALONG WITH YOUR DAD, THE STORIES THEY CAN TELL WITH IT.
SO IT'S NICE HAVING HER THERE BECAUSE AS A HISTORIAN SHE GIVES US A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT LEADS US IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
>> COMMISSIONER BRODERICK, YOUR POINTS WERE WELL TAKEN.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THIS HAS BEEN AS AN INTRODUCTORY MEETING AND CONVERSATION AND THE MATERIALS PRESENTED WERE EARLY STAGES BUT WE WANT TO PROVIDE YOU WITH ALL THE DETAILS. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.
WE UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANT ROLE YOU ALL PLAY AS A RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CONSTITUENTS AND THE CITY.
>> GREAT. WELL, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, SIR, FOR STEPPING IN FROM THE CONSERVATION FUND. WE APPRECIATE THAT.
OKAY. SHALL WE GO ONTO BOARD COMMENTS, BOARD MEMBERS? ANYBODY GOT ANYTHING TO SAY?
SO FOR THE GOOD OF THE ORDER, I GUESS WE'RE GOING TO ADJOURN.
I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.
I WILL BE LEAVING
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.