C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
CONFERENCE AGENDA MINUTES
Conference Agenda Meeting - Monday, December 9, 2019 - 9:00 a.m.
City Hall - City Commission Chambers, 100 North U.S. #1, Fort Pierce, Florida
1.
Call to Order
Mayor Hudson called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
2.
Pledge of Allegiance
3.
Roll Call
- Present:
-
- Thomas Perona, Commissioner
- Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner
- Linda Hudson, Mayor
- Absent:
-
- Rufus Alexander, Commissioner
- Reginald Sessions, Commissioner
- Staff Present:
-
- Linda Cox, City Clerk
- Nicholas Mimms, City Manager
- Peter Sweeney, City Attorney
Commissioner Alexander arrived at 9:24 a.m.
4.
New Business
a.
Discussion on Old City Hall Lease Proposal
Mike Reals, Public Works Director, provided an overview of a proposed Interlocal Agreement with St. Lucie County to lease Old City Hall, the entire building, for use by their Community Services Department. The proposed lease rate should cover the revenues that we have been receiving from the prior tenant and facility rentals. Consensus was to proceed with the interlocal agreement as presented with the suggestion that they be requested to park on upper floors of the parking garage. Discussion also included the potential for build out of the 4th floor space in the Sunrise Centre has potential meeting space in the future.
b.
Discussion on Monument Sign at City Hall
Mike Reals, Public Works Director, provided an update on the proposed monument sign for in front of City Hall, including a preliminary drawing. He clarified that funding is not in his capital budget however the City Manager has identified capital improvement funding that can be used. Consensus was to move forward with the sign.
c.
Review of Charter Officer Benefits, including vacation accrual.
Pete Sweeney, City Attorney, provided a brief overview of his first year of employment, some of the efficiencies he has established as well as his vision for the future of this office. In his review, he uncovered some inconsistencies in our policy documents, specifically, the summary of benefits, a resolution establishing leave for the City Manager, City Clerk and department managers, and the adopted Personnel Rules and Regulations. The consensus was that leave and benefits for the charter officers should be consistent. It was also suggested that the reporting authority for staff within the offices of all Charter Officers, City Manager, City Attorney and City Clerk, should be clarified to avoid any future confusion; all staff of the charter officers should report to the respective officer and not through the City Manager. The City Manager was asked to review other administrative policies that may be or should be included in the rules and regulations. The City Attorney should work on clarifying language for leave and office structure for future adoption.
d.
Review of Quasi-Judicial Procedures
Pete Sweeney, City Attorney, commended the Mayor and Commissioners for their work with quasi-judicial hearings. He has received a lot of positive feedback from the community that has participated in our process. He offered to answer any questions anyone had and to provide one-on-one training for anyone that desired additional direction. They discussed competent substantial evidence and how it was uncomfortable and challenging but is what they must work with for these types of hearings.
e.
Discussion regarding Code-minimum distance requirements for alcoholic beverage sales
Jenn Hofmeister, Planning Director and Rebeca Guerra, Assistant Planning Director, provided an overview of the City's waiver of distances requirements and how they compare to other areas. Discussion included that the distance requirements may create obstacles for development in key areas and that overlay districts may be a great solution. While some of the language and discrepancies may be addressed in the code rewrite, staff was asked to develop some recommendations for future consideration.
5.
City Commission Boards and Committees Updates
Commissioner Perona indicated the retirement board received its financial update and we remain well positioned.
Commissioner Alexander had not report.
Commissioner Johnson reported the Main Street Sights and Sounds parade was wonderful and everyone worked extremely hard. He is serving on the Regional Planning Council Nominating Committee. At the recent EDC Luncheon, Kim Delaney of the Regional Planning Council provided an update on the Kings Landing project. Lots of positive reports about Fort Pierce at that EDC event.
Mayor Hudson announced the Roundtable is working on a project with St. Lucie Reads, along with the Department of Juvenile Justice's Disconnected Youth (ages 16-24 who are not in school and not employed). Sounds of the Season event is on December 20.
Mr. Mimms indicated that Jenn Hofmeister, Planning Director, reported that Mr. Gilmore in her office was interested in having a working census committee to make sure we have a complete count; everyone believed that was a great idea and the Census Bureau could also help identify low response areas for us.
Commissioner Alexander had not report.
Commissioner Johnson reported the Main Street Sights and Sounds parade was wonderful and everyone worked extremely hard. He is serving on the Regional Planning Council Nominating Committee. At the recent EDC Luncheon, Kim Delaney of the Regional Planning Council provided an update on the Kings Landing project. Lots of positive reports about Fort Pierce at that EDC event.
Mayor Hudson announced the Roundtable is working on a project with St. Lucie Reads, along with the Department of Juvenile Justice's Disconnected Youth (ages 16-24 who are not in school and not employed). Sounds of the Season event is on December 20.
Mr. Mimms indicated that Jenn Hofmeister, Planning Director, reported that Mr. Gilmore in her office was interested in having a working census committee to make sure we have a complete count; everyone believed that was a great idea and the Census Bureau could also help identify low response areas for us.
6.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Any person who wishes to comment on any subject may be heard at this time. Please limit your comments to three (3) minutes or less, as directed by the Mayor, as this section of the Agenda is limited to thirty minutes. The City Commission will not be able to take any official actions under Comments from the Public. Speakers will address the Mayor, Commissioners, and the Public with respect. Inappropriate language will not be tolerated.
Any person who wishes to comment on any subject may be heard at this time. Please limit your comments to three (3) minutes or less, as directed by the Mayor, as this section of the Agenda is limited to thirty minutes. The City Commission will not be able to take any official actions under Comments from the Public. Speakers will address the Mayor, Commissioners, and the Public with respect. Inappropriate language will not be tolerated.
Mario Wilcox
Rick Reed
Rick Reed
7.
Adjournment
Mayor Hudson adjourned the meeting at 11:00 a.m.