 |
CITY OF FORT PIERCE CRA ADVISORY COMMITTEE |
|
CRA Advisory Committee Minutes
OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE FORT PIERCE CITY CRA ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2019, IN FORT PIERCE 2ND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM, 100 NORTH US HIGHWAY 1, FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA.
1.
CALL TO ORDER
2.
ROLL CALL
Ms. Gibbons entered the meeting at 2:06 PM.
Ms. Gibbons entered the meeting at 2:06 PM.
- Present:
- Lillian Jimenez; Jon Neprud; Curtis Johnson; Kristina Gibbons; Al Johnson; Michael Brown, Jr.; Hoyt Murphy, Jr.; Chair Charlie Frank Matthews
- Absent:
- Plythe Freedman
- Staff Present:
-
- Nicholas Mimms, City Manager
- Jennifer Hofmeister, Planning Director
- Shyanne Helms, Communications and Economic Development Manager
- Vennis Gilmore, Planner
- Alicia Rosenthal, Executive Assistant
3.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a.
Minutes from the August 21, 2019 meeting
Motion was made by Jon Neprud, and seconded by Michael Brown, Jr. to approve the minutes from the August 21, 2019 meeting.
- AYE:
- Jon Neprud, Curtis Johnson, Kristina Gibbons, Al Johnson, Michael Brown, Jr., Hoyt Murphy, Jr., Chair Charlie Frank Matthews
Passed
4.
CHAIRMAN VIEWPOINTS
Chairman Matthews mentioned that the city is sponsoring a job fair and Business Expo on Friday, September 20, 2019 at the IRSC Blackburn building.
Chairman Matthews reminded the committee that the October 2019 CRA meeting is canceled due to many committee members attending the Florida Redevelopment Association conference.
Chairman Matthews mentioned that the city is sponsoring a job fair and Business Expo on Friday, September 20, 2019 at the IRSC Blackburn building.
Chairman Matthews reminded the committee that the October 2019 CRA meeting is canceled due to many committee members attending the Florida Redevelopment Association conference.
5.
OLD BUSINESS
6.
NEW BUSINESS
Ms. Helms stated the city entered into a one year pilot program with Zagster to partner with Spin to offer electric scooters for rent. Ms. Helms explained in order to use the scooters, you have to download the Spin App on your cell phone and put in your payment information. Ms. Helms said there are 75 scooters on the island and 75 scooters on the mainland. Ms. Helms answered questions from the committee on the no ride zones, cut off time, and the scooters being treated as bicycles. Ms. Helms noted that Zagster has been very responsive with correcting any issues.
Chairman Matthews introduced the new Planning Director, Jennifer Hofmeister, and she spoke briefly about her experience.
Ms. Helms stated the city entered into a one year pilot program with Zagster to partner with Spin to offer electric scooters for rent. Ms. Helms explained in order to use the scooters, you have to download the Spin App on your cell phone and put in your payment information. Ms. Helms said there are 75 scooters on the island and 75 scooters on the mainland. Ms. Helms answered questions from the committee on the no ride zones, cut off time, and the scooters being treated as bicycles. Ms. Helms noted that Zagster has been very responsive with correcting any issues.
Chairman Matthews introduced the new Planning Director, Jennifer Hofmeister, and she spoke briefly about her experience.
a.
Water Taxi Service Presentation
Harold Smyth, manager of Causeway Cove, gave a presentation on a possible Water Taxi service for Ft. Pierce and provided handouts to the committee of routes, the St. Lucie-Martin Regional Waterways Plan with the St. Lucie TPO prioritized projects, grant options and types of water taxis.
Mr. Smyth provided ideas of how to fund the water taxi with charging a minimal fee of $5.00 to ride the taxi and each business with a drop off/pick up location could pay a monthly fee. Mr. Smyth was looking for a public/private partnership and suggested transportation grants and FIND grants to help out with the funding. Mr. Smyth suggested that the water taxi could also be used for emergency service.
Mr. Smyth answered questions from the committee on the hours or operation, the length of the entire route, how many minutes between stops, type of boats and boat tours versus a boat taxi.
Mr. Mimms stated that a private water taxi business can operate right now and the CRA does not have grants to help businesses. Mr. Mimms noted that if the FPRA is interested in a partnership, it will require bids and request for proposals and it will not happen in short order.
Mr. Smyth explained that waterway and transportation grants are needed because the water taxi is not profitable by itself, and he suggested that a 12 passenger boat would be needed for the water taxi.
Mr. Brown suggested a Water Taxi pilot program during season, to see what the demand is, and possibly couple the taxi with the trolley to circulate the beach.
Harold Smyth, manager of Causeway Cove, gave a presentation on a possible Water Taxi service for Ft. Pierce and provided handouts to the committee of routes, the St. Lucie-Martin Regional Waterways Plan with the St. Lucie TPO prioritized projects, grant options and types of water taxis.
Mr. Smyth provided ideas of how to fund the water taxi with charging a minimal fee of $5.00 to ride the taxi and each business with a drop off/pick up location could pay a monthly fee. Mr. Smyth was looking for a public/private partnership and suggested transportation grants and FIND grants to help out with the funding. Mr. Smyth suggested that the water taxi could also be used for emergency service.
Mr. Smyth answered questions from the committee on the hours or operation, the length of the entire route, how many minutes between stops, type of boats and boat tours versus a boat taxi.
Mr. Mimms stated that a private water taxi business can operate right now and the CRA does not have grants to help businesses. Mr. Mimms noted that if the FPRA is interested in a partnership, it will require bids and request for proposals and it will not happen in short order.
Mr. Smyth explained that waterway and transportation grants are needed because the water taxi is not profitable by itself, and he suggested that a 12 passenger boat would be needed for the water taxi.
Mr. Brown suggested a Water Taxi pilot program during season, to see what the demand is, and possibly couple the taxi with the trolley to circulate the beach.
Motion was made by Michael Brown, Jr., and seconded by Curtis Johnson to ask FPRA to explore the possibility of a pilot water taxi for the upcoming season to alleviate traffic on the bridge, encourage tourism and economic activity on the island and to contribute to water safety, and to consider using an appropriate portion of the surplus funds, that may exist after this current tax year, to fund the pilot program.
- AYE:
- Hoyt Murphy, Jr., Michael Brown, Jr., Al Johnson, Kristina Gibbons, Curtis Johnson, Jon Neprud, Chair Charlie Frank Matthews
Passed
b.
Fisherman's Wharf Community Input/Survey
Ms. Helms handed out the draft survey to the committee, and she said the city will be going out in the community to explain the project, which was the same process that was used for the HD King Power Plant survey.
Mr. Curtis Johnson suggested a picture with reference points be added to the survey so the community knows what area is being discussed.
Committee discussion ensued on distributing the survey at pop up tents, the farmer's market, and happy hours. The committee also suggested that local and international travel be distinguished in the survey under the marine related uses and that they add to the survey, anyone interested in the city can sign up to be on a Board.
Mr. Mimms said the city is working on interactive kiosks and bids are being evaluated on event signs.
Ms. Helms handed out the draft survey to the committee, and she said the city will be going out in the community to explain the project, which was the same process that was used for the HD King Power Plant survey.
Mr. Curtis Johnson suggested a picture with reference points be added to the survey so the community knows what area is being discussed.
Committee discussion ensued on distributing the survey at pop up tents, the farmer's market, and happy hours. The committee also suggested that local and international travel be distinguished in the survey under the marine related uses and that they add to the survey, anyone interested in the city can sign up to be on a Board.
Mr. Mimms said the city is working on interactive kiosks and bids are being evaluated on event signs.
c.
Recommendations to FPRA Board
The committee suggested that the city move forward with adopting the language from the St. Augustine ordinance for Panhandling.
- Fisherman's Wharf
- Water Taxi
- Panhandling
The committee suggested that the city move forward with adopting the language from the St. Augustine ordinance for Panhandling.
Motion was made by Jon Neprud, and seconded by Hoyt Murphy, Jr. to adopt the language from St. Augustine begging panhandling solicitation Ordinance 2018-06.
- AYE:
- Al Johnson, Michael Brown, Jr., Hoyt Murphy, Jr., Curtis Johnson, Kristina Gibbons, Jon Neprud, Chair Charlie Frank Matthews
Passed
7.
PUBLIC COMMENT
8.
STAFF AND COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Ms. Rosenthal stated that boot camp and hotel registrations have been made for the FRA conference in October.
Mr. Murphy spoke about how short term rentals could be important tools for investing in certain neighborhoods. Mr. Murphy stated he attended a meeting about short term rentals, and he was confused with all the restrictions. Ms. Gibbons mentioned there are lots of gray areas and not all county taxes are being collected.
Mr. Mimms said vacation rentals can be tedious and taxing on potential developers because the state preempts all local regulations when it comes to zoning.
Mr. Murphy suggested a flow chart may make it easier to understand. Ms.Gibbons said it is a good selling point to pinpoint a neighborhood right for development. Mr. Mimms stated an incentive could be created to ease the process of development for these type of rental units.
Chairman Matthews asked that the November CRA meeting agenda include discussion on short term rentals by the different departments that are involved.
Ms. Rosenthal stated that boot camp and hotel registrations have been made for the FRA conference in October.
Mr. Murphy spoke about how short term rentals could be important tools for investing in certain neighborhoods. Mr. Murphy stated he attended a meeting about short term rentals, and he was confused with all the restrictions. Ms. Gibbons mentioned there are lots of gray areas and not all county taxes are being collected.
Mr. Mimms said vacation rentals can be tedious and taxing on potential developers because the state preempts all local regulations when it comes to zoning.
Mr. Murphy suggested a flow chart may make it easier to understand. Ms.Gibbons said it is a good selling point to pinpoint a neighborhood right for development. Mr. Mimms stated an incentive could be created to ease the process of development for these type of rental units.
Chairman Matthews asked that the November CRA meeting agenda include discussion on short term rentals by the different departments that are involved.
9.
ADJOURNMENT