MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, HELD IN THE CITY HALL COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 100 NORTH U.S. #1, FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, AT 6:30 P.M. ON MONDAY, JUNE 16, 2014.
1.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Hudson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2.
OPENING PRAYER - Pastor Pinkie W. Hendley of New Life Christian Fellowship Church offered the opening prayer.
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Mayor Linda Hudson; Commissioner Edward Becht; Commissioner Thomas Perona; Commissioner Reginald Sessions
- Absent:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander
- Staff Present:
-
- City Clerk Linda Cox
- City Manager Robert Bradshaw
- City Attorney Robert Schwerer
Commissioner Rufus Alexander arrived at 6:34 p.m.
5.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a.
Approval of the Minutes from June 2, 2014 meeting.
Motion was made by Commissioner Edward Becht, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Perona to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting on June 2, 2014.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
6.
PROCLAMATIONS
a.
Mayor Hudson issued a Proclamation declaring June, 2014 as National Month of Fitness, Health and Sports. It was received by Trainer Vickk, Victor Rivera.
b.
Mayor Hudson issued a Proclamation recognizing Deputy Chief Gregory L. Kirk's retirement from the City of Fort Pierce Police Department. City Clerk, Linda Cox, read a letter of congratulations to Deputy Chief Kirk from Representative Larry Lee, Jr.
7.
LETTERS TO COMMISSION
8.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Mr. George Gibson, 1401 Reynolds Court
Mr. Roy Darby, 619 South 6th Street
Mr. Patrick Henry, 1123 Granada Street
Mr. Rick Reed
Rev. John Lee, 1204 Avenue K
Fort Pierce PAL Youth Leaders - Audria Moore, Dakota Lawrence, Tykieca Dekle, Natasha Garwood
Mr. George Gibson, 1401 Reynolds Court
Mr. Roy Darby, 619 South 6th Street
Mr. Patrick Henry, 1123 Granada Street
Mr. Rick Reed
Rev. John Lee, 1204 Avenue K
Fort Pierce PAL Youth Leaders - Audria Moore, Dakota Lawrence, Tykieca Dekle, Natasha Garwood
9.
CONSENT AGENDA
a.
Waive interest, penalties, and administrative fees for Lot Clearing Lien in the amount of $631.75 against 711 Avenue I, owned by Suzanne and Al Bernetti, contingent upon payment of $307.50 within 60 days.
b.
Waive interest, penalties, and administrative fees for Lot Clearing Lien in the amount of $372.25 against 521 N 10th Street, owned by Patricia Briggs and Bernice Harrell, contingent upon payment of $53.69 within 60 days.
c.
Waive interest, penalties, and administrative fees for Lot Clearing Lien in the amount of $8,557.86 against 612 1/2 N 9th Street, owned by Charles E. Chavis, contingent upon payment of $1,419.41 within 60 days.
d.
Waive interest, penalties, and administrative fees for Lot Clearing Lien in the amount of $143.26 against 609 N 21st Street, owned by Mary Coleman, contingent upon payment of $30.00 within 60 days.
e.
Approval to submit and accept the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Emergency Safety and Security Grant 2014-2015 in the amount of $250,000.
f.
Approval to submit and accept the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, National Forum on Youth Violence Grant 2014-2015 in the amount of $20,000.
g.
Approval of request by BBE Investment Group to install an above ground LP tank at 680 Farmers Market Rd.
h.
Request award of the 31st Street sidewalk improvements construction contract to the lowest bidder, Lynch Paving and Construction Company, Inc. in an amount equal to $228,278.00.
i.
Approval of an Interlocal Agreement between St. Lucie County and the City of Fort Pierce for one webcam at Jetty Park and one webcam at the City Marina at a cost of $5,400 annually for the hosting fee for a 3 year term.
Motion was made by Commissioner Edward Becht, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Perona to approve the Consent Agenda in its entirety, items 9a - 9i.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
10.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
11.
MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS & REQUESTS
12.
CITY COMMISSION
a.
Resolution 14-R20 Amending Rule 17 of the Rules of Procedures for Code Enforcement Proceedings
Motion was made by Commissioner Edward Becht, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Perona to approve Resolution No. 14-R20.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
b.
Resolution No. 14-R21 appointing members to the Code Enforcement Board.
Motion was made by Commissioner Edward Becht, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Perona to approve Resolution No. 14-R21.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
Commissioner Alexander expressed concern on the light agenda. He stated that when the commission asks for things to be done and brought back to them it should be done in a timely fashion. This agenda could have addressed some of those issues.
13.
COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER
a.
City Manager's Activity Report
Mr. Schwerer stated that under Florida Statute 286.011 he is required to make a public announcement that he would need to have an executive session, a shade meeting, with the Commission in reference to a pending lawsuit. The Treasure Coast Marina LC etal vs Ken Pruitt, Property Appraiser and the City of Fort Pierce and Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency.
Mr. Bradshaw reminded the Commission of the budget workshop scheduled for June 30th and the second one on July 30th, if needed. He wanted to thank the budget team, the department heads as well as the elected officials; things are moving forward. The City has another tight budget year coming up and we are all pulling in the right direction to make it successful.
Mr. Jack Andrews responded to Mayor Hudson's inquiry on the activity report. He stated we will be able to have services at the Veteran's Park on Veteran's Day. The first phase of the project will be completed, the restroom addition and some of the exterior improvements. The remainder of the project will be complete by Veteran's Day 2015.
Mr. Schwerer stated that under Florida Statute 286.011 he is required to make a public announcement that he would need to have an executive session, a shade meeting, with the Commission in reference to a pending lawsuit. The Treasure Coast Marina LC etal vs Ken Pruitt, Property Appraiser and the City of Fort Pierce and Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency.
Mr. Bradshaw reminded the Commission of the budget workshop scheduled for June 30th and the second one on July 30th, if needed. He wanted to thank the budget team, the department heads as well as the elected officials; things are moving forward. The City has another tight budget year coming up and we are all pulling in the right direction to make it successful.
Mr. Jack Andrews responded to Mayor Hudson's inquiry on the activity report. He stated we will be able to have services at the Veteran's Park on Veteran's Day. The first phase of the project will be completed, the restroom addition and some of the exterior improvements. The remainder of the project will be complete by Veteran's Day 2015.
14.
COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION
Commissioner Alexander was pleased to note that Jetty Park appeared to be busting at the seams, this is a good thing. People are visiting the park and returning. He asked if there were portable toilets that could be set down on a foundation that could be utilized, not just port-o-lets. This is an area that is very popular and needs to be addressed, especially for the summer months. He is discouraged by the killings of the young in Fort Pierce and worried there is not enough for kids to do. He knows PAL has their hands full but he does not think it is being taken serious enough. It is a serious concern and we need to do something as a whole as the City. He stated this is not just in one area, it is all the children throughout the city.
Commissioner Becht expressed concern that the ability of the City to do the things it needs to do is limited by the number and quality of people in place. Without enough people, deadlines get missed and response times get lengthened. Commissioner Becht has requested to receive action minutes of their meetings, an email by Wednesday, of things that are supposed to happen and by what date. The Commission has got to follow through and make sure their items are on with an action and response time. Action minutes is a simple solution to connect staff and the Commission more.
Commissioner Sessions stated a picture is worth more than a thousand words in terms of crime in our city. If we can take an effort towards promoting tourism with an agreement and webcams then we can certainly take the same concept and put it on the streets of the City. A lack of witness participation makes it difficult to solve the crimes and the shootings in this area, if you have a picture you don't need a witness. Light up hotspots with cameras, they have helped larger cities to eradicate crime and adopt the same methods to eradicate crime that we use to promote tourism. He said it is time we step out of the box because we have a crisis here. Drastic times warrant drastic measures, we cannot continue to do business as usual.
Commissioner Perona inquired of an update on United for Animals. He also wanted to make sure the City is ready for the upcoming Hurricane Season. He asked if the City's action plan is in place and up to date. The community looks to us for leadership in those situations and we don't have a lot of lead time. We need to get that information out there. The more prepared we are, the safer we are, the more we survive it and the quicker we come back from it.
Mayor Hudson echoed Commissioner Alexander's frustration on the shootings and homicides. It is very frustrating when you know your police force is working to be very present in the community and are trying to prevent and suppress crime activity. She wonders about the good people that get lost in it all. When the World Changers came to Fort Pierce last week they helped to fix up houses in a community they were unfamiliar with. She commended them for the wonderful thing they did for the City. That kind of positive force helps and she is looking forward to them coming back next year. The Mayor also attended the Zion Daughter's of Distinction Ministry, there were eight troubled children, now graduates, that had completed a 10 week program and were starting to get their lives back on track. Richard and Teresa Farnell do this program on North 7th Street, she commended them on the work they do helping these children. She wanted to thank Weatherbee Elementary School for giving her the opportunity to speak at their graduation ceremony. And she just wanted to give a shout out to all of our good young people out there because we do have a lot of good, young people in our community. Thank you to our law enforcement for all that you are doing.
Commissioner Alexander was pleased to note that Jetty Park appeared to be busting at the seams, this is a good thing. People are visiting the park and returning. He asked if there were portable toilets that could be set down on a foundation that could be utilized, not just port-o-lets. This is an area that is very popular and needs to be addressed, especially for the summer months. He is discouraged by the killings of the young in Fort Pierce and worried there is not enough for kids to do. He knows PAL has their hands full but he does not think it is being taken serious enough. It is a serious concern and we need to do something as a whole as the City. He stated this is not just in one area, it is all the children throughout the city.
Commissioner Becht expressed concern that the ability of the City to do the things it needs to do is limited by the number and quality of people in place. Without enough people, deadlines get missed and response times get lengthened. Commissioner Becht has requested to receive action minutes of their meetings, an email by Wednesday, of things that are supposed to happen and by what date. The Commission has got to follow through and make sure their items are on with an action and response time. Action minutes is a simple solution to connect staff and the Commission more.
Commissioner Sessions stated a picture is worth more than a thousand words in terms of crime in our city. If we can take an effort towards promoting tourism with an agreement and webcams then we can certainly take the same concept and put it on the streets of the City. A lack of witness participation makes it difficult to solve the crimes and the shootings in this area, if you have a picture you don't need a witness. Light up hotspots with cameras, they have helped larger cities to eradicate crime and adopt the same methods to eradicate crime that we use to promote tourism. He said it is time we step out of the box because we have a crisis here. Drastic times warrant drastic measures, we cannot continue to do business as usual.
Commissioner Perona inquired of an update on United for Animals. He also wanted to make sure the City is ready for the upcoming Hurricane Season. He asked if the City's action plan is in place and up to date. The community looks to us for leadership in those situations and we don't have a lot of lead time. We need to get that information out there. The more prepared we are, the safer we are, the more we survive it and the quicker we come back from it.
Mayor Hudson echoed Commissioner Alexander's frustration on the shootings and homicides. It is very frustrating when you know your police force is working to be very present in the community and are trying to prevent and suppress crime activity. She wonders about the good people that get lost in it all. When the World Changers came to Fort Pierce last week they helped to fix up houses in a community they were unfamiliar with. She commended them for the wonderful thing they did for the City. That kind of positive force helps and she is looking forward to them coming back next year. The Mayor also attended the Zion Daughter's of Distinction Ministry, there were eight troubled children, now graduates, that had completed a 10 week program and were starting to get their lives back on track. Richard and Teresa Farnell do this program on North 7th Street, she commended them on the work they do helping these children. She wanted to thank Weatherbee Elementary School for giving her the opportunity to speak at their graduation ceremony. And she just wanted to give a shout out to all of our good young people out there because we do have a lot of good, young people in our community. Thank you to our law enforcement for all that you are doing.
15.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Hudson declared the meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
There being no further business, Mayor Hudson declared the meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK
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MAYOR COMMISSIONER
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