Approval of Minutes from the June 30, 2014 Budget Workshop.

Approval of Minutes from the July 7, 2014 meeting.

Mayor Hudson presented the Government Finance Officers Association Distinguished Budget Presentation Award to the City of Fort Pierce and Certificate of Recognition for Budget Preparation to Gloria Johnson, Finance Director.

Commendation Letter for Permit Specialist, Kim West, from Mr. Daniel Huff, General Contractor.  The commendation also recognized Allison Martin, City Clerk's Office.

Letter from St. Lucie County Public Schools STEM Committee expressing their great appreciation for the partnership with the  Sunrise Theatre for the STEM Rap Battle.  The event was a great success and an opportunity to showcase the young scientists and mathematicians in St. Lucie County Middle and High Schools.

Presentation by the Treasure Coast Youth Sailing Foundation to the Department of Public Works and letter of appreciation.

Approval of Johnson-Davis, Inc. Fairway Drive Emergency Drainage Repair work proposal in the amount of $113,331.69.

Approval of increase to Blanket Purchase Order #140279 in the amount of $7500. Requested funds are available in the existing Advertising budget line item #406-4600-575-4810.

Approval of authorization for staff to enter into contractual negotiations with Mosaic Development of Saint Petersburg, Florida pursuant to the review of qualifications and proposals associated with RFQ 2014-010 King Plant Property Redevelopment

2014-2015 Action Plan for Fiscal Year October 1, 2014-September 30, 2015 CDBG-Funded Activities.  FIRST OF TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS.

Libby Woodruff, Grants Administrator, appeared with a presentation and was available for questions.  She stated that in their grant award contract, it is requested that they hire locally if it is at all possible and at the next public hearing, the Commission will be provided a list of actual local workers that have performed grant related work.  Mayor Hudson requested they also be provided the requirements and eligibilities identified on the grant application.

Ms. Woodruff explained the term matching funds is the term used when we are matching dollar for dollar.  On a $10,000 project the applicant would put in $5,000 and then be matched with $5,000.  She encourages the applicants to budget the job in phases, at the completion of each phase the applicant submits receipts for the completed work to receive a re-imbursement of 50% of the submitted amount.

Mayor Hudson opened the Public Hearing.

Mr. Cleaver Hayling stated he takes issue with the creative budgeting of the CDBG funds.  He would like a clear, plain written explanation of where and how the funds will be spent.  He wants definite and explicit concepts, ideas and results.  He asked what share of the grant monies is going to what organizations and he asks for more and better accountability.

Mr. Robert Brown of Fort Pierce NW Community Project requested that the minutes reflect their comments and concerns about the accountability of the CDBG funds and expenditures.  He stated specific requirements of the program mandates that CDBG funds be used to principally benefit low and moderate income persons, not less than 70% of the total funds.  He listed public services for our youth as a priority and a dollar amount in this area is difficult to assess; Mr. Brown said $75,000 does not warrant a conversation of how ridiculous.  As to Public Amenities 1 and 2, he asked where these funds come from, the 70% or the 30%.  He inquired why the City is willing to divest money from the budget to maintain school district property and he states it is not clear if an improvement listed for parks is for only one park for the entire year.  Mr. Brown also identified the listed job descriptions are vague with the use of the term oversight.

Mr. Rick Reed commented on the funds for code enforcement; he stated he is all for code enforcement if it is done properly and ethically.  Mr. Reed feels it is done in the name of crime prevention and used as a punishment.  He suggests the that the mom and pops get taken care of, not the big people that are already successful.  This is taxpayer money, use it to help the least of us.

Ms. Irene Szedelmeyer of the Communitywide Council and a resident of Oakland Park shared that her neighborhood has recently reestablished their neighborhood association and has been meeting monthly. There is a concern of an increasing number of cars parked on lawns and across sidewalks due to the lack of space for more than one vehicle.  Ms. Szedelmeyer is advocating the $100,000 allocated for infrastructure be looked at for creating onstreet parking using some of the land and some of the right of way between the sidewalks and curbs.  She mentioned to the Commission a park between 10th and 12th and Florida with simply a set of swings that she feels is a little neglected.  She has advocated that Hibiscus Park and Oakland Park take on that park. She also stated that she shares the concerns of the previous speakers about the primary beneficiaries are supposed to be low to moderate income people.

Seeing no one else, the Mayor closed the Public Hearing.

Mr. Mimms responded to Commissioner Alexander and stated the administrative portion of the grants is funded by grant monies, all but $20,000 that comes from the General Fund and funds the covers of only two employees. They are responsible for the different programs within that department such as FPRA, CDBG, SHIP, NSB and FEMA.
 
Mr. Mimms confirmed there is a specific set of guidelines that is required to be followed along with committee reviews.  He stated everything they do, every award they recommend comes before the City Commission to be approved.  The final oversight is the Commission after it has gone through an entire process including community surveys and also the Communitywide Council with every decision made sensitive to the low and moderate income levels.  If the Commission would like to reallocate a committee recommendation, they may as long as it stays within the guidelines set forth.  Community survey and staff input were used to generate the different elements and this guideline was presented to the Communitywide Council for their input and recommendation; this is what is not in draft form for Commission consideration.
 

Ordinance No. 14-017 - Amending City Code Section 22-22, Allowed Uses; Eliminating the differentiation of public and private elementary, middle or high schools.  SECOND READING

City Clerk Linda Cox introduced the ordinance, read by title only, into the record.

Kori Benton, Historic Preservation Officer, appeared and was available for questions.

Mayor Hudson opened the Public Hearing.

Seeing no one, the Mayor closed the Public Hearing. 
 

Ordinance No. 14-018 - Right of Way Abandonment - Boston Avenue Extension East of South Indian River Drive. (Postponed from July 7, 2014 meeting).

City Clerk Linda Cox introduced the ordinance, read by title only, into the record.

This ordinance was postponed from the July 7, 2014 meeting, this is still in first reading and staff is requesting postponement until the August 4, 2014 meeting.

Mr. Bradshaw stated that staff feels a need for the Commission to look at all available options with this property.  He wanted to be clear this postponement is not a stall, staff is looking to make this as fair as possible.   There are several options the Commission needs to be aware of and discuss.  In all fairness, a full commission is needed to make a decision.

Motion was made by Commissioner Perona, Mayor Hudson relinquished  the gavel to acting Mayor Pro Tem Sessions and seconded the motion to postpone Ordinance No. 14-018 to the August 4, 2014 meeting.

Quarterly Financial Report for period ending June 30, 2014.   

Gloria Johnson, Finance Director, appeared with a brief presentation.  She stated at the Budget Workshop scheduled for July 30, 2014 the Commission will be provided actual numbers for the June 30th quarter report comparisons and  will be working with more detail.
 
General Fund is currently in a financial stable position with exceptions for Golf Course, Sunrise Theater and CRA.  The county ad valorem, gas and telecommunications tax all came in lower than projected making the overall projected shortage for this year $289,000.

Discussion led by Commissioner Alexander regarding the designation of Lincoln Park, Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, as a "Common Good Community" by the Allegany Franciscan Ministries.

Commissioner Alexander stated he did not confirm the date and unfortunately the nuns are on retreat and unavailable to be at this meeting.  When they return at a meeting in the very near future they will do a presentation.
 

Resolution No. 14-R22 appointing Linda George to the Keep Fort Pierce Beautiful Advisory Board.

Resolution No. 14-R23, authorizing the issuance to SunTrust Bank of the City's not to exceed $3,920,771 Capital Improvement Revenue Note Series 214A.

City Clerk Linda Cox introduced the resolution, read by title only, into the record.

Mr. Schwerer, City Attorney, appeared with a recommendation to approve the resolution, authorize the transactions contemplated therein and proceed to pre-closing.

Departmental Activity Report

Mr. Bradshaw reminded everyone of the upcoming Budget Workshop on July 30th.  He stated the vendor ordinance is ready for presentation to the Commission on the August 4th meeting.  He wished to congratulate the Commission on the steps they took with the Marina project and the King Power Plant.  These are two huge projects for the economic development arm of the City and we appreciate the Commission stepping forward and letting staff move forward with these two projects.