Apr 07, 2026 Fort Pierce Utilities Authority

[00:00:03]

[LAUGHTER] >> GOOD AFTERNOON, PLEASE STAND

[MEETING TO ORDER]

GLAD YOU COULD MAKE IT. >> THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY.

AND I'D PLAY FOR -- PRAY FOR YOUR BLESSING, PRAYED FOR CLARITY OF THOUGHT, PRAY FOR THE WISDOM OF THESE LEADERS OF FPUA AND ALL OF THE DECISIONS THEY MAKE WILL BE FOR THE BEST GOOD FOR THE CITIZENS OF FORT PIERCE, AND NAME WE PRAY, AMEN.

>> AMEN. 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. >> LET'S CALL ROLE.

>> PRESENT. >> MRS. DAVIS MRS. GIBBONS

MAYOR HUDSON, PRESENT. >> AND WE HAVE A MOTION TO SET

[A. SET THE AGENDA]

THE AGENDA? >> APPROVAL.

>> SECOND. >> PERFECT, PLEASE CALL THE

ROLE. >> MRS. BENNETT? MRS. DAVIS? MAYOR HUDSON?

MR. FEE? >> DO WE HAVE ANY COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC TODAY? I DO NOT SEE ANY SO WE WILL

[C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]

>> SECOND. >> PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.

[D. CONSENT AGENDA]

>> APPROVED. >> SECOND.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLE.

[E.1. Resolution No. UA 2026-01 Security Deposits]

>> AND WE ARE NOW ON ITEM E, REGULAR AGENDA FOR TODAY.

>> THANK YOU MR. CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

THE FIRST ITEM THIS AFTERNOON IS A REQUEST TO ADOPT THE RESOLUTION 202601 AND REPEAL RESOLUTIONS 2006, 17 AND 2010 TO STREAMLINE OUR POLICIES FOR CUSTOMER DEPOSITS AND WE WILL

PRESENT THIS ITEM. >> THANK YOU.

GOOD AFTERNOON, MR. CHAIR, MAYOR HUDSON, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. TODAY I AM PLEASED TO PRESENT HOW THIS RESOLUTION MODERNIZES AND IMPROVES THE SECURITY DEPOSIT POLICIES IN WAYS THAT DIRECTLY SUPPORT OUR CUSTOMERS AND STRENGTHEN OUR OPERATIONS. FIRST, THIS RESOLUTION MERGES THE OLD RESIDENTIAL AND OLD COMMERCIAL DEPOSIT RULES INTO ONE UNIFIED, STREAMLINED POLICY. BY REPLACING TWO SEPARATE DOCUMENTS FROM 2006 AND 2010, WE HAVE CREATED A CLEAR, MORE CONSISTENT POLICY FRAMEWORK THAT IS EASIER FOR BOTH CUSTOMERS AND STAFF TO UNDERSTAND AND FOLLOW. THIS MODERNIZATION ENSURES EVERYONE RECEIVES THE SAME LEVEL OF TRANSPARENCY, FAIRNESS AND PREDICTABILITY. ONE OF THE MOST MEANINGFUL IMPROVEMENTS IN THIS NEW UPDATED POLICY IS THE INTRODUCTION OF A FIVE DAY WINDOW FOR CUSTOMERS TO PAY THEIR SECURITY DEPOSIT AFTER SERVICE IS ACTIVATED. PREVIOUSLY UNDER THE 2006 RESIDENTIAL POLICY, DEPOSITS HAD TO BE PAID THE SAME DAY THAT YOU REQUESTED SERVICE ACTIVATION. WHICH OFTEN CREATED DELAYS AND STRESS FOR HOUSEHOLDS THAT MAY BE WAITING ON FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. NOW WITH THE NEW POLICY, RESIDENTIAL TENANTS CAN BEGIN SERVICE IMMEDIATELY AND HAVE UP TO FIVE DAYS TO MAKE THEIR PAYMENT.

THIS IS, AGAIN, ESPECIALLY HELPFUL FOR CUSTOMERS RELYING ON ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS WHICH OFTEN TAKE A DAY OR TWO OR THREE TO PROCESS THE FUNDS AND THE COMMITMENT.

AND THIS ENSURES THAT UTILITIES ARE NOT DELAYED SIMPLY BECAUSE THE ASSISTANCE CHECK WASN'T RECEIVED YET.

THE SAME FLEXIBILITY NOW BENEFITS PROPERTY OWNERS AS WELL. DURING CLOSINGS AND RENOVATIONS.

OTHERS MAY NEED UTILITIES ACTIVATED BEFORE FUNDS ARE FULLY TRANSFERRED OR ESCROWED WITH THE NEW FIVE DAY PAYMENT WINDOW, THEY CAN GET UTILITIES RUNNING RIGHT AWAY.

MAKING PROPERTY TRANSITIONS SMOOTHER AND AVOIDING COSTLY DELAYS IN INSPECTIONS, REPAIRS AND TENANT PREPARATION.

[00:05:04]

THIS IMPROVEMENT NOT ONLY BENEFITS OUR CUSTOMERS BUT ALSO STREAMLINES OR REDUCES ADMINISTRATIVE BURDENS ACROSS OUR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND FIELD OPERATIONS TEAM.

IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT WHERE OUR POLICY FRAMEWORK HAS MODERNIZED, THE COST TO CUSTOMERS HAS NOT INCREASED.

THE MINIMUM DEPOSIT REQUIREMENTS REMAIN EXACTLY THE SAME AS THOSE USED IN OUR PRIOR RESOLUTIONS. WE ARE NOT RAISING DEPOSIT AMOUNTS OR INTRODUCING NEW FEATS JUST AS BEFORE, DEPOSITS CONTINUE TO BE DETERMINED USING A FAIR AND CONSISTENT METHOD, CUSTOMERS PAY EITHER TWICE THEIR AVERAGE MONTHLY OR THE ESTABLISHED MINIMUM, WHICHEVER IS GREATER.

THIS ENSURES THAT DEPOSITS REMAIN CONSUMPTION BASED AND EQUITABLE WITH LOWER USAGE CUSTOMERS CONTINUING TO BENEFIT FROM LOW AND DEPOSIT REQUIREMENTS.

THIS REVISED POLICY IS ABOUT FAIRNESS, FLEXIBILITY AND EFFICIENCY. IT MAINTAINS AFFORDABILITY, ENHANCES TRANSPARENCY, SIMPLIFIES OPERATIONS AND PROVIDES MEANINGFUL SUPPORT TO TENANTS AND PROPERTY OWNERS.

AND FAMILIES WHO RELY ON FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.

THROUGH THIS MODERNIZATION, WE ARE DELIVERING A POLICY THAT BETTER REFLECTS THE NEEDS OF OUR COMMUNITY, WHILE STRENGTHENING THE RELIABILITY AND RESPONSIVENESS OF FPUA SERVICE DELIVERY. THIS RESOLUTION WILL HELP US SERVE OUR CUSTOMERS MORE EFFECTIVELY, MORE COMPASSIONATELY AND MORE EFFICIENTLY, ALL WITHOUT INCREASING THEIR COSTS. AND WITH THAT I AM HAPPY TO TAKE

ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. >> I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, CHAIR, I JUST HAVE A STATEMENT. I JUST TAKE SO MUCH PRIDE IN YOUR EFFORTS AND IN EVEN IDENTIFYING -- IT IS LIKE A SOFTBALL GOOD I. IT IS KNOWING WHERE YOU ARE AND SERVICING THE NEEDS OF YOUR CUSTOMERS IN YOUR FOOTPRINT.

BECAUSE I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT THIS INDUSTRY HAS A ONE SIZE FIT ALL -- I KNOW THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT ARE IMMEASURABLE TO IDENTIFY WHAT SERVICES AND WHAT AMOUNTS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER IN THE TIMELINESS OF EVERYTHING. BUT TO REALIZE THAT THINGS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR YOUR CUSTOMERS, MORE EFFICIENT FOR YOUR ETERNAL -- INTERNAL OPERATIONS, IT LETS ME KNOW THAT YOU ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT WE ARE DOING.

AND I'M VERY PROUD OF YOU FOR THAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> QUESTIONS? WAS THERE ANY THOUGHT OR CONSIDERATION GIVEN TO JUST PRORATING THE DEPOSIT? FOR LET'S SAY, SIX MONTHS? OUR CUSTOMERS SOMETIMES STRUGGLE WITH THEIR MONTHLY UTILITY BILLS NOW, ESPECIALLY AS WE ENTER INTO THE SUMMER MONTHS WITH HIGHER UTILITY BILLS. ADDING A MONTHLY -- AN ADDITIONAL MONTHLY CHARGE, AGAIN, AS WE ENTER THESE HIGHER MONTHS, COULD ACTUALLY HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT BECAUSE THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PAY THAT EXTRA INSTALLMENT FOR THEIR DEPOSIT ARRANGEMENT, WHICH COULD LEAD THEM TO BE CAUGHT.

AT LEAST WITH THE FIVE DAYS, GENERALLY BY THE TIME THEY APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IF THEY NEED IT, HAVE GOTTEN IT BY THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY. THIS WILL HELP US AVOID HAVING TO TURN THEM AWAY ON A MONDAY WHEN WE REALLY RECEIVE THAT COMMITMENT FROM THE AGENCY ON A TUESDAY.

>> MY THOUGHT WAS, WHAT IF THE MONEY NEVER COMES IN? AND NOW WE HAVE AN ISSUE WITH RESOURCES THAT WILL CUT PEOPLE OFF. I MEAN THAT, TO ME, IS A LARGER BURDEN IN YOUR WAY THAN ANYTHING.

AND IF WE PRORATE IT, IT SEEMS TO ME WE WILL FIND OUT VERY QUICKLY WEATHERBY WILL BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT IN THE LONG TERM.

[00:10:04]

AND IF THEY APPLY FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE, THEY CAN WAS BRING THAT MONEY IN AND IMMEDIATELY PAY THAT DEPOSIT DOWN.

JUST A THOUGHT OUT THERE. BECAUSE I CAN SEE WHERE SOME INDIVIDUALS WERE WORKING EARLY HOURS, MAY BE 5:30 THEY ARE AT THE WORKSITE, 6:30 A.M. AND THEY ARE WORKING UNTIL FIVE OR 6:30 AT NIGHT. AND THEY CANNOT GET BACK AND GET THE DEPOSIT BACK TO FPUA WHERE THEY FORGET BECAUSE THEY ARE TIRED, THEY ARE FATIGUED. JUST EVEN TO MAKE THAT FINANCIAL APPLICATION FOR ASSISTANCE. AND I CAN SEE THAT FIVE DAYS IS A VERY SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THAT WE WILL PROBABLY BE SENDING

PEOPLE OUT PERIODS. >> RIGHT NOW THE CURRENT POLICY IS THREE DAYS SO WE ARE EXTENDING IT.

>> THE CURRENT POLICY FOR RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMERS THAT THERE IS NO WINDOW. FOR COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS, THERE IS A FIVE DAY WINDOW. WE FOUND THAT AFTER LOOKING INTO THIS, THAT THE RISK TO FPUA IS ACTUALLY GREATER WITH THE CURRENT RESOLUTION. AS COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS USE MORE POWER, THE USE MORE WATER INITIALLY WITHIN THOSE FIVE DAYS AND THE RISK WITH RESIDENTIAL WOULD BE MINIMAL BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT RUNNING EQUIPMENT, THEY ARE NOT RUNNING A FULL BUSINESS.

WE FIND THAT IN OUR EVERYDAY OPERATIONS, THAT 9.5 TIMES OUT OF TEN, ONCE THAT SERVICE IS DISCONNECTED, THAT THE PAST DUE BALANCE IS PAID AND IT IS RESTORED THE SAME DAY.

>> I'M SURE IT IS QUITE THE INCENTIVE.

ESPECIALLY IF IT IS IN THE SUMMER MONTHS.

SO BEFORE RESIDENTIAL, THERE WAS NO -- WAS THAT AN UNWRITTEN RULE

THAT THEY WERE THREE DAYS? >> IT WAS WRITTEN AS NO GRACE

PERIOD. >> BUT WITH THE LOGIC BETWEEN GIVING FIVE DAYS TO THAT AND THREE DAYS TO RESIDENTIAL?

>> I WISH I COULD TELL YOU THAT. I DON'T REMEMBER.

THESE POLICIES WERE WRITTEN OVER MULTIPLE DECADES SO THIS ATTEMPT IS TO STREAMLINE THOSE POLICIES TO BE JUST IN UNIFORM.

AND I THINK YOU ACTUALLY DO GOOD POINT THAT THE SERVICE REPS HAVE TO DEAL WITH A COMMERCIAL POLICY AND THE RESIDENTIAL POLICY AND

BRING THAT POLICY UNDER ONE. >> DOES MANAGEMENT FEEL LIKE THIS WILL NOT BE AN ADDED BURDEN TO MONITOR NOW WHEN THESE DEPOSITS ARE GOING TO GET IN? IT SEEMS TO BE AN ESCROW TASK.

>> RIGHT NOW THERE'S QUITE A BIT OF A LIFT BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO CONSTANTLY FOLLOW UP WITH A CUSTOMER AND CLOSE IT.

THERE'S A LOT MORE COORDINATION WITH THE CUSTOMER BECAUSE THEY ARE LOOKING TO GET IT TURNED ON RIGHT AWAY.

RIGHT? SO IF WE PROVIDE THE GRACE PERIOD, SPECIFICALLY IF THEY ARE GETTING ASSISTANCE, THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT ONCE THEY WALKED OUT THE DOOR.

THAT PROCESS GETS HANDLED IN THE BACKGROUND.

>> WE'RE HELPING THEM WITH THAT ASSISTANCE PLAN WHEN THEY COME

IN? >> IF THEY ARE ELIGIBLE.

>> WE PROVIDE THEM WITH THE LOCAL AGENCIES THAT CAN PROVIDE ASSISTANCE, WE DO THAT. AS SOON AS THEY WALK IN IF THEY SAY THEY DON'T HAVE THEIR DEPOSIT MONEY.

I DO ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT FROM A WORKFLOW, THIS DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY ADDITIONAL FOLLOW UP ON THE BACK END.

WHAT HAPPENS IS WHEN WE SCHEDULE THE TURN ON, WE ALSO SCHEDULED THE DISCONNECT FOR FIVE DAYS LATER.

AND THAT IS AUTOMATIC. WHEN THAT PAYMENT IS RECEIVED, THAT SERVICE ORDER IS CANCELED. WHICH IS A PART OF OUR NORMAL, EVERY DAY DISCONNECT RECONNECT PROCESS.

>> I'M OPEN-MINDED TO GIVING IT A TRY.

IF YOU TELL US TO PHILLY IT'S A PROBLEM, I CAN'T BELIEVE HE WOULD GIVE COMMERCIAL FIVE DAYS AND REALLY NOTHING TO RESIDENTIAL, IT SEEMS LIKE IF ANYBODY NEEDS IT, IT WOULD BE COMMERCIAL. YOU WILL BE ENGAGED IN A SOPHISTICATED ACTIVITY, YOU KNOW BOAT IT RIGHT THEN AND THERE.

BUT HEY, YOU LEARN SOMETHING NEW.

>> CHAIRMAN, AS A RESULT OF THIS, BOTH WILL HAVE FIVE DAYS?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> SO I GUESS NOW WHAT WE'RE DOING IS JUST DOING SOMETHING THAT MAKES MORE SENSE, MAY BE.

>> MAKING IT UNIFORM. >> AND HELPING OUR RESIDENTIAL

CUSTOMERS, IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE. >> IT FEELS LIKE IS A 20 YEAR POLICY THAT HAS BEEN EDITED. I GUESS YOU BRING UP A VERY GOOD POINT. AS IT RELATES TO ELIGIBILITY OR

QUALIFYING FOR THOSE FUNDS -- >> FOR ASSISTANCE FUNDS?

>> CORRECT. WHICH IS ONE OF THE AREAS THAT YOU ARE ADDRESSING. YOU DON'T HAVE THAT CONFIRMATION PRIOR TO ESTABLISHING THE FIVE DAY GRACE PERIOD AND MOVING

[00:15:07]

FORWARD. >> NO, MA'AM.

SO WHAT HAPPENS IS THE CUSTOMER COMES INTO THE LOBBY, THEY LET US KNOW THEY WANT TO REQUEST SERVICE, THEY ASK FOR WHAT WE CALL A DEPOSIT QUOTE, WHICH IS JUST A SIGNED PAPER THAT PROVIDES THE NAME, ADDRESS, ACCOUNT NUMBER AND THEY TAKE THAT PAPER AND THEY BRING IT TO THE AGENCY TO SHOW THAT THIS IS WHAT THE UTILITY IS SAYING WE NEED FOR A DEPOSIT.

AND THEN THE AGENCY TAKES THAT AND THEN THEY DO THEIR ELIGIBILITY SIDE. AND THAT THEY FAX US OVER OR MAIL US OVER A COMMITMENT TO PAY THIS DEPOSIT AND WE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING THOSE COMMITMENTS WITHIN SEVEN -- THE CHECKS FOR THOSE COMMITMENTS WITHIN 7-14 DAYS.

>> REALLY YOU HAVE FIVE DAYS TO GET A COMMITMENT FROM THE AGENCY'S? OKAY.

SO THEN YOU WOULD MODIFY THE CUT OFF DATE THAT YOU HAD INITIALLY ESTABLISHED WITHIN FIVE DAYS, TO WHATEVER MEETS THE TERMS OF THE

COMMITMENT? >> NO.

THE POLICY REMAINS FIVE DAYS REGARDLESS OF HOW LONG THE AGENCY MAY TAKE. HOWEVER, IN OUR EXPERIENCE, WHICH EVERYDAY BUSINESS, WE GENERALLY GET THOSE COMMITMENTS WITHIN 24, 48 HOURS. SO THE CONCERN OF THEM RUNNING OUT OF TIME ISN'T REALLY A HIGH CONCERN FOR US, JUST BECAUSE THE STANDARD OPERATIONS SHOW THAT WE RECEIVED THOSE QUITE QUICKLY.

>> BUT YOU ALLOW FOR 14 DAYS TO RECEIVE THE COMMITTED AMOUNT?

>> TO RECEIVE THE CHECK TO PAY THAT COMMITMENT, YES.

>> BUT YOU DON'T SHUT OFF AND PAY IT WHEN YOU KNOW IT'S

COMING? >> I'VE GOT A QUESTION.

MAYBE TO HELP CLARIFY, WHICH OF THESE AGENCIES PASS DIRECTLY? THE MONEY IS NOT GOING TO THE CUSTOMER AND THEN THE CUSTOMER TURNS AROUND AND BRINGS US THIS CHECK.

SO ONCE WE GET THAT COMMITMENT, IT IS 100% THAT WE ARE THEN GOING TO RECEIVE THAT CHECK FROM THEM UNLESS THERE IS SOME SORT OF OUTLYING REASON, I WOULD IMAGINE JUST 100% OF THE TIME

MAY BE. >> LEG 0.5.

AND IN THOSE INSTANCES WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE AGENCIES WHERE THE FUNDING AGENCIES JUST AS AN EXAMPLE.

IT IS NOW FUNDED THROUGH PROMISE.

WE HAVE HAD SEVERAL MEETINGS ON WHAT WE WOULD CALL STALE DATED COMMITMENTS, COMMITMENTS THAT ARE OLDER THAN THREE MONTHS.

AND THEN WE PROACTIVELY REACH OUT AND THEY'RE LIKE HEY, CAN WE LOOK INTO THIS? WE'RE STILL WAITING ON THE FUNDS FOR THIS. SO WE ACTIVELY MAKE SURE THAT IS

NOT STILL HOLDING ONTO IOUS. >> AWESOME.

>> I WANT TO MENTION, I THINK WE WORK WITH TWO OR THREE AGENCIES THAT ARE WELL-KNOWN, WELL-ESTABLISHED AND WE WE HAVE AGREEMENTS WITH THEM THROUGH THE BOARD ABOUT SPECIFICALLY TO PROVIDE DEPOSIT ASSISTANCE OR UTILITY PAYMENT ASSISTANCE.

SO THESE ARE PREAPPROVED. >> INCLUDING THE MUSTARD SEED,'S OVATION ARMY, THE HOMELESS SOCIETY, HIBISCUS CHILDREN'S CENTER FOR KIDS. AND MOORE.

>> DO WE HAVE A PROGRAM HERE? >> WE WILL STILL HAVE OUR PROJECT CARE PROGRAM AND THAT GOES DIRECTLY TO MUSTARD SEED AND THEN THE MUSTARD SEED MANAGES THOSE FUNDS FOR

CUSTOMERS. >> AND WE STILL DEAL WITH IMAGE

OF? >> THEY ARE A REPRESENTATIVE.

THERE WERE A LOCAL OFFICE. >> ALSO NOW, WHILE WE ARE WAITING ON THESE CHECKS, AFTER THE FIVE DAYS, THE BILL STILL COMES TO THEM AND THEY ARE REQUIRED TO PAY IT ON THAT PARTICULAR DATE. AND IT IS SET UP FOR THEM,

CORRECT? >> CORRECT.

>> MR. CHAIR, I DO HAVE ONE QUESTION THAT WILL MAYBE CLOSE A LOOP ON SOMETHING WE SPOKE ABOUT COULD HAVE BEEN A YEAR AGO NOW.

THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES TRANSFERRING FROM OWNERSHIP OF THE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES THEMSELVES. AND I KNOW THAT AT THE TIME, THE GENTLEMAN THAT WAS HERE IS A REALTOR AND HE WAS HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE POWER BEING CUT OFF RIGHT AWAY.

I AM SURE THAT THIS WILL ALLEVIATE THAT AS WELL.

BUT WAS THERE ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT THE FUNDS, SPECIFICALLY ON

[00:20:01]

WELL. >> I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK INTO THAT TO BE 100%. I DO KNOW THAT RECENTLY WE DID CREATE A NEW WAY FOR PROPERTY OWNER TRANSFERS TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN YOU CLOSE AT 4:00 ON A FRIDAY, YOU ARE NOT WITHOUT SERVICE. WE DID IMPLEMENT A NEW PROPERTY OWNERSHIP TRANSFER FORM THAT ALLOWS THE SELLER WHICH HAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF UPLOADING THE CLOSING DOCUMENT.

AND THAT GIVES US THE BUYERS INFORMATION.

THIS WAY THE BUYER CAN REQUEST TO ACTIVATE SERVICE BEFORE WE HAVE THEIR SIGNED DEED OR SETTLEMENT STATEMENT, YES.

>> ONE FOLLOW-UP QUESTION. DO OTHER MUNICIPAL POWER COMPANIES TO SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THIS? I KNOW THE OTHER REGION HAS A COPY OF THE DEED.

UNDER WONDERING, MAYBE THEY HAVE A GOOD REASON FOR THAT.

AND WOULD SEEM TO DISTINCTION BETWEEN HIGH INCOME OR LOW INCOME, IT IS JUST TO GIVE THE DEPOSIT.

DOES ANYBODY ELSE TO SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THIS? THAT WAY WE COULD DRAW ON EXPERIENCE OR ARE WE GOING TO BE

THE FIRST ONE TO GIVE IT A SHOT? >> I LIKE TO THINK WE ARE COMMUNITY OWNED SO THAT IS PROBABLY PART OF IT.

>> WE COULD DO THINGS THAT NORMALLY OTHERS CAN'T.

>> IT IS A BIT OF BOTH. SO YOU HAVE WORKED AS AN OWNER,

NOT A TENANT, IS MY QUESTION. >> THIS PEOPLE BUYING RESIDENTIAL. THEY ARE MOVING IN THAT DAY AND THEY HAVE GOT TO SHOW UP, THEY'VE GOT TO HAVE A DEED AND A

CHECK TO DEPOSIT. >> WE EXPLORED OUR IOU.

HOW THEY WORK WITH TENANTS, SPECIFICALLY.

BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO CATER TO.

THEY ACTUALLY GIVE TEN DAYS FOR TENANTS TO PAY THE FIRST HALF OF THEIR DEPOSIT. AND THE SECOND HALF OF THE DEPOSIT IS DUE ON THE 22ND DAY. 12 ADDITIONAL DAYS.

>> THEY DO A PRORATION TYPE SCENARIO.

BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT YOUR CONNECTIONS WITH THESE OTHER COMMUNITY -- I'LL CALL THE MUNICIPAL CHARITIES, YOU GOT A GREAT SUCCESS WITH THEM GOING 24 HOURS YOU WILL HAVE A "YES" OR "NO". HAVE YOU EVER HAD A NO FROM ANY

OF THEM? >> THIS IS KIND OF ROUTINE FOR THEM. JUST MAKE IT UNIFORM ACROSS THE BOARD, FINANCE IT. SO I WILL READ THE RESOLUTION?

>> RESOLUTION YOU A 2026-01, SCHEDULE A SECURITY DEPOSIT FOR THE UTILITY SERVICES FURNISHED BY FORT PIERCE UTILITIES AUTHORITY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA,, ARTICLE 12, REPEALING RESOLUTIONS NUMBE, PROVIDING FOR COMPLEX AND EFFECTIVE DATE.

>> A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> MOVE APPROVAL FOR RESOLUTION

YOU A 2026-01. >> SECOND.

>> PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.

[E.2. Resolution No. UA 2026-10 Interlocal Agreement with the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency for Jaycee Park Water Tank Mural Project]

>> NEXT ITEM. >> THANK YOU, GREAT JOB.

THE LAST ITEM THIS AFTERNOON AS WE ARE GETTING AT BAPTISM BY FIRE TODAY. [LAUGHTER] I THINK THIS MAY BE HER SECOND PRESENTATION BUT SHE DID IT REALLY WELL. THIS IS ACTUALLY A TOPIC THAT WE HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH FOR PROBABLY CLOSE TO HALF A YEAR, MAY BE EVEN LONGER. THE TEAM HAS WORKED REALLY HARD AND WE ARE PROUD OF THEM LOOKING AT EVERY POLICY AND SEEING WHERE WE CAN STREAMLINE AND IMPROVE OUR PROCESSES.

SO NICE JOB. THE LAST AND THIS AFTERNOON IS A REQUEST TO ADOPT RESOLUTION YOU A 2026-10 FOR AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE FPR A FOR A MURAL ON THE WATER TANK AT

[00:25:03]

>> THANK YOU. AS MENTIONED, WE ARE HERE ASKING FOR YOUR APPROVAL TO ENTER AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE FORT PIERCE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY TO INSTALL A MURAL ON THE WATER TANK AT JAYCEE PARK. THIS PROJECT WAS IDENTIFIED BY THE FORT PIERCE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY IN THEIR ANNUAL BUDGET DEVELOPMENT FOR THEIR MURAL PROGRAM.

AND THIS WAS INTENDED AS A PARTNERSHIP WHERE THEY WOULD LEAD THE MURAL SELECTION PROCESS THE SAME AS THEY DO -- WHERE THE MURAL ARTIST -- CALL FOR ARTISTS AS THEY DO FOR ALL OF THE MURALS THAT THEY LEAD. THIS ONE WILL BE UNIQUE IN THAT FUA STAFF AND FPRA STAFF WILL COME TOGETHER FOR A SELECTION MEETING THAT WILL HONOR THE SUNSHINE LAWS AND ENSURE THAT THE MURAL BE PLACED ON THE WATER TANK AT JAYCEE PARK AND IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN ALL BE PROUD OF.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE WILL ALSO BRING BACK TO THIS BOARD PRIOR TO INSTALLATION OF THE MURAL.

AND WITH THAT, I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY

HAVE ABOUT THIS. >> WHAT IS ON THE TANK RIGHT

NOW? >> IT IS BEIGE.

[LAUGHTER] >> THANK YOU, WE ARE NOT PROUD

OF BEIGE. >> IT IS 25 FEET TALL, BEIGE

WALL. >> ARE WE GOING TO GET A

PROFESSIONAL TO DO IT? >> YES.

>> WANT TO PUT A LOCAL ARTIST UP 25 FEET UP THERE.

>> THE ARTIST SELECTION PROCESS STARTS WITH A POSTING ON SOMETHING CALLED CAFE, WHICH IS WHERE FPRA WILL POST OUR SPECIFICATIONS, GENERALLY WHAT IT IS WE ARE LOOKING FOR TO INSTALL ON THIS TANK. AND THEN ARTISTS WILL SUBMIT THEIR QUALIFICATIONS, PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WITH MURALS OF THIS SIZE AND TYPE AND THE DESIGN THAT THEY ARE PROPOSING.

>> THANK YOU. >> WHAT IS THE COMMITMENT FOR

THIS? >> OUR COMMITMENT IS TO CLEAN THE TANK AHEAD OF TIME. SO WE WILL PRESSURE WASH IT, FACILITIES IN THE WATER RESOURCES TEAM ARE CONNECTING TO GET IT PRESSURE WASHED. IF NEEDED, WE MAY PAINT IT OR TOUCH IT UP FOR PRIMING. IT SOUNDS LIKE THE TEAM DOES NOT THINK THAT WILL BE NECESSARY. OTHER THAN THAT, FPRA IS PAYING FOR THE MURAL THROUGH THEIR MURAL PROGRAM.

>> HOW MUCH DID THEY USUALLY SPEND?

>> $60,000? >> THEY HAVE BUDGETED UP TO $60,000 FOR THIS PARTICULAR MURAL.

I THINK WHAT THEY WILL DO WHEN THEY DO THE CALL ON CAFE IS PROPOSED SOMETHING A BIT LOWER SO THAT THERE IS ROOM FOR

CONTINGENCY IF IT GOES UP. >> I HAVE A QUESTION.

SO IT IS SOMEBODY -- THE CALL FOR ARTISTS IS GOING TO ASK FOR -- IS FPUA AND PART OF THE CALL SO THAT THEY KNOW THIS IS A -- IS IT GOING TO BE A UTILITY THEMED ART?

>> WHAT WE HAVE DISCUSSED, BECAUSE IT DID COME UP, IS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO PUT SOMETHING THAT ALIGNS MORE WITH THE PLAYGROUND THAT IS ON THE SITE. WE WANT TO CONNECT THE WHOLE LANDSCAPE. SO THERE IS SOME ALREADY WRITTEN LANGUAGE BUT IT IS SUMS VERSION OF ALIGNING AND THE PLAYGROUND WHICH IS KIND OF AQUATIC, BOATS, PIRATE THEMED.

I THINK THE FPRA TEAM TRIES NOT TO BE TOO SPECIFIC BECAUSE YOU'RE PUTTING THIS TO THE ARTISTS AND YOU WANT TO SEE SOME CREATIVITY. BUT ALSO NOT TOO BROAD THAT WE

ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE. >> THIS ISN'T AN ADVERTISEMENT

FOR IT? >> NO.

>> QUESTION? >> HOW WILL WE KNOW WE ARE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE REDEVELOPMENT?

>> THE AGREEMENT WITH THE ARTIST AFTER THEY ARE SELECTED WILL INCLUDE DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW THIS IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH FPUA AND A FPUA BUILDING. THERE WILL BE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE ARTISTS AFTER THEY ARE SELECTED AND THAT IS WHEN WE COME BACK TO THE BOARD. LOOKS LIKE I'M GETTI

>> IS THERE A TIMELINE FOR COMPLETION?

>> THIS FISCAL YEAR, FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND WE ARE TRYING TO MOVE A LITTLE BIT QUICKER AS WELL BECAUSE IT CAN BE VERY HOT.

SO TRYING NOT TO HAVE THEM PAINTING THROUGH THE SUMMER, FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT HAS BEEN SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS. WITH THE ATTORNEY AT THE CITY AS

[00:30:03]

AND THEN FROM THERE I BELIEVE HE SHOULD BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD.

>> MR. CHAIR, WE JUST FINISHED THE MURAL ON THE ECM AND IT COVERS THE WHOLE BUILDING, IN THE EAST SIDE OF THE BUILDING.

ARTISTS DID THAT. SO THIS IS A LITTLE HIGHER.

BUT IT IS QUITE BEAUTIFUL, REALLY.

>> I LIKE THE MURAL. CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT THEY DO

WITH THE TANK. >> I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT THE SEAL FISH MURAL IN THE PROJECT MURALS, BOTH WERE PART OF THIS

PROGRAM AS WELL. >> CAN WE HAVE A READING OF THE

RESOLUTION? >> RESOLUTION YOU A 2026-10, A RESOLUTION BY THE FORT PIERCE UTILITIES AUTHORITY ENTERING AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE FORT PIERCE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND THE UTILITIES AUTHORITY FOR THE INSTALLATION OF A PUBLIC ART MURAL ON THE WATER TANK ARE LOCATED AT JAYCEE PARK PROVIDED

FOR REPEAL AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> ALL IN FAVOR WITH A MOTION TO

APPROVE? >> SECOND.

[F. DIRECTOR COMMENTS]

>> DIRECTOR COMMENTS? >> A COUPLE COMMENTS HERE.

THE FPUA MAINLAND WATER RECLAMATION AND USE FACILITY, THE PLANT THAT WE HAD THE RIBBON-CUTTING FOR EARLIER THIS YEAR. [LAUGHTER] HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE FLORIDA PROTECTION AND RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION WORD FOR OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE FOR OUTSTANDING PLANT OPERATION, MANENT AND COMPLIANCE.

PACIFIC RECOGNIZING THE NEW PLANT FOR ITS STATE-OF-THE-ART INFRASTRUCTURE AND INNOVATION AND LOCATION.

IT HIGHLIGHTS THE CONSISTENT COMPLIANCE WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION TO PROTECT FLORIDA'S WATER QUALITY.

WE'RE REALLY PROUD OF THAT AWARD AND YOU WILL SEE MORE ABOUT THAT SOMEWHERE ON SOCIAL MEDIA SHORTLY HERE.

I WILL BE OUT OF THE OFFICE FOR A FEW VACATION DAYS, MR. RUTHERFORD WILL BE IN CHARGE.

AND OF COURSE I WILL FORWARD MYSELF ONTO HIM.

[LAUGHTER] AND THE NEXT BOARD MEETING WILL BE APRIL 12TH -- THE 21ST AT 4:00 IN THE CITY CHAMBERS.

[G. ATTORNEY COMMENTS]

>> THANK YOU. IT'S FROM THE ATTORNEY?

>> JUST ONE. IT IS FILING SEASON, WE WILL BE STARTING TO HARASS YOU EACH INDIVIDUALLY WITH EMAILS TO REMIND YOU TO FILE YOUR FORM ONE FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES BY JULY FIRST. I SEE THE MAYOR --

>> YOU TO GET THE REMINDERS ANYMORE, DO YOU? EXCEPT FROM YOU. USED TO GET THEM FROM GERTRUDE

WALKER. >> AND I BELIEVE WHEN THEY WENT TO THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEM THAT YOU REMINDERS MAY BE CHANGED SO NOW YOUR REMINDER IS ME. SO I WILL CHASE YOU AROUND, YOU HAVE ABOUT SEVEN WEEKS. EMAILS WILL BEGIN SHORTLY AND THEY WILL GET MORE INTENSE AND FOLLOW-UP WITH PHONE CALLS AND I WILL BE MONITORING TO MAKE SURE YOU GET IT DONE BY JULY FIRST.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT REMINDER. [LAUGHTER]

>> NOW YOU? [LAUGHTER]

[H. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS]

>> WE WILL MOVE ON TO COMMENTS FROM THE BOARD.

ANYONE? ANYONE?

>> WINNING THAT AWARD MAY HELP US GET MORE MONEY.

>> YES. I DON'T WANT TO GUARANTEE ANYTHING, BUT, YES,, EVERY AWARD WE GET HIGHLIGHTS THE GREAT WORK THAT FPUA AND PARK STAFF IS DOING.

INCLUDING THE FLORIDA RURAL WATER ASSOCIATION.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.