Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas Perona, seconded by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson to approve the minutes from the February 18, 2020 Regular Meeting.

AYE:

Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions

Passed

Motion was made by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Perona to approve and set the Agenda as amended.

AYE:

Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions

Passed

Mr. Mimms introduced Mr. John Andrews, City Engineer, who provided an overview of the 2019 Annual Report from the Fort Pierce Infrastructure Surtax Oversight Committee, which is comprised of seven members of the public, five appointed by the City Commission and two appointed at large.  This committee acts as an oversight and advisory to the City Commission.  The mission of the members is to determine that all Surtax proceeds received by the City of Fort Pierce have been expended in a manner consistent with how the voters intended.  Mr. Andrews outlined some of the projects that have been completed such as the 7th Street reconstruction (between Wendell Road and 10th Street); and, Avenue A and Avenue B reconstruction (between 7th Street and 8th Street).  The 2020 proposed projects are the Citrus overpass bridge repair; 17th Street reconstruction (between Orange Avenue and Avenue D); Street resurfacing on 8th Street (between Avenue D and Avenue E); Avenue B (between 8th Street and 13th Street); and 5th Street (between Boston Avenue and Delaware Avenue).  The Surtax Oversight Committee has determined that the City of Fort Pierce is expending the money as the taxpayers intended. 
 

The Commission inquired as to how the road work is prioritized.  Mr. Andrews stated that the Surtax Oversight Committee works with the FPUA to determine where a complete project can be funded and completed versus resurfacing and mill work patching on a failing road which would require additional work in the future.  The projects are selected by roads determined to be in the worst condition.  The Commission inquired about the 17th Street project.  Mr. Andrews explained that the surtax money is combined with FEMA, Stormwater Utility and FPUA funds to do a complete project.  These projects also work with other utilities such as cable and telephone to provide underground cables. 

The Commission inquired as to the status of the Golf Course revenue request. Ms. Morris reviewed the request with Mr. Mimms.  They are waiting on the cost from the Golf Course before further evaluating the request which could be a potential revenue source. 

The Commission inquired as to the status of the Sunrise Theatre capital improvement wishlist.  Mr. Mimms explained that the detailed information the Commission received is the itemized list of work that has been done, the work that is requested to be done as well as the maintenance items which need to be completed. The funding for capital improvements to the Sunrise Theatre are generated by a surcharge on ticket sales.  There is no request for funding from the City of Fort Pierce. 

Ms. Johnna Morris, Finance Director presented information regarding the  Monthly Financial Report for the period ending January 31, 2020. This presentation included the Fund Evaluation Report; General Fund revenue and expenditures; Special Revenue Funds which include CDBG, FPRA, Grant Administration, and SHIP;  and Enterprise Funds which include Marina, Solid Waste, Golf Course, Sunrise Theatre, Building, and Stormwater.   There were no significant changes from the quarterly report.
 

Motion was made by Commissioner Reginald Sessions, seconded by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson to approve items 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, and 11g.

AYE:

Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions

Passed

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

ORDINANCE NO. 19-073 
 

AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA; AMENDING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO CHANGE THE DESIGNATION OF TWELVE (12) PARCELS GENERALLY LOCATED AT OR NEAR 1919 SOUTH 35TH STREET FROM CITY OF FORT PIERCE GENERAL COMMERCIAL (GC) TO CITY OF FORT PIERCE MEDIUM DENSITY RESIDENTIAL (RM); PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 
 

Mayor Hudson opened the Public Hearing. 
 

Seeing no one, Mayor Hudson closed the Public Hearing.

Motion was made by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Perona to approve Ordinance 19-073.

AYE:

Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions

Passed

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

ORDINANCE NO. 20-003 
 

AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA; REZONING TWELVE (12) PROPERTIES GENERALLY LOCATED AT OR NEAR 1919 SOUTH 35TH STREET FROM C-3, GENERAL COMMERCIAL, TO PD, PLANNED DEVELOPMENT; FURTHER APPROVING A DEVELOPMENT PLAN PURSUANT TO SECTION 22-40, PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 
 

Applicant Presentation:  Attorney Lee Dobbins of Dean Mead Law Firm was present on behalf of the Applicant.  Mr. Dobbins clarified that the units could be rentals or condominiums depending on market demand.  Regardless, they will most likely end up being student housing. 

Mayor Hudson opened the Public Hearing. 

Seeing no one, Mayor Hudson closed the Public Hearing.

Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas Perona, seconded by Commissioner Reginald Sessions to approve Ordinance 20-003.

AYE:

Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions

Passed

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

ORDINANCE NO. 20-006 
 

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA CHAPTER 3, SECTION 3-9, ELIMINATING SUBSECTION 3-9(4) FOR THE REQUIREMENT OF A FOUR-FIFTHS VOTE BY CITY COMMISSION IN THE EVENT THAT THE PLANNING BOARD RECOMMENDS DISAPPROVAL OF A WAIVER OF DISTANCE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF AN ALCOHOL LICENSE FROM THE STATE OF FLORIDA; RENUMBERING CHAPTER 3, SECTION 3-9; AMENDING CHAPTER 22, SECTION 22-76, ELIMINATING SUBSECTION 22-76(2) FOR THE REQUIREMENT OF A FOUR-FIFTHS VOTE BY CITY COMMISSION IN THE EVENT THAT THE PLANNING BOARD RECOMMENDS DISAPPROVAL OF A CONDITIONAL USE OR IN THE CASE OF A PROTEST AGAINST AN APPLICATION SIGNED BY 20% OF THE OWNERS WITHIN 500 FEET OF SAID APPLICATION; RENUMBERING CHAPTER 22, SECTION 22-76; AMENDING CHAPTER 22, SECTION 22-128, ELIMINATING THE REQUIREMENT OF A FOUR-FIFTHS VOTE BY CITY COMMISSION IN THE EVENT OF A PROTEST AGAINST AN APPLICATION AMENDING THE TEXT OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE OR THE ZONING ATLAS THAT IS SIGNED BY 20% OF THE OWNERS OF EITHER THE LOTS INCLUDED IN SUCH PROPOSED CHANGE OR THOSE WITHIN 500 FEET OF THE AREA INCLUDED IN THE PROPOSED CHANGE; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;  REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 
 

Staff Presentation:  Rebeca Guerra, Assistant Planning Director provided an overview of the proposed text amendment.  This ordinance would eliminate the requirement for a four-fifths vote by the City Commission when more than twenty percent of mailed notifications are received back as opposed on an application for development.  Ms. Guerra provided a comparison chart for requirements of surrounding Cities and Counties.  The four-fifths vote will only be required when the Planning Board recommends denial of re-zoning or text amendments.  What is eliminated is the City Commission four-fifths vote requirement for a Waiver of Distance for alcohol license if Planning Board recommends disapproval; on Conditional Use if Planning Board recommends disapproval or twenty percent of property owners object; and on Text Amendment or Rezoning if twenty percent of property owners object.  The Planning Board voted unanimously to recommend approval of this ordinance text amendment.  Staff recommends approval. 
 

Property owners within five hundred feet of a subject property are notified by mail and by posting to the subject property prior to the City Commission meeting.  Staff is reviewing adding the notification process before a Planning Board meeting as well.  The City Commission agrees that notifications should be done at the Planning Board stage as opposed to just before a City Commission meeting which would allow more time for the public to address their concerns. 
 

Mayor Hudson opened the Public Hearing.  Seeing no one, Mayor Hudson closed the Public Hearing. 
 

The City Commission acknowledges and appreciates the thoroughness of the Planning Board’s vetting process on applications.

Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas Perona, seconded by Commissioner Rufus Alexander to approve Ordinance 20-006.

AYE:

Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions

Passed

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

ORDINANCE NO. 20-007 
 

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR A MORATORIUM ON THE IMPOSITION AND COLLECTION OF CITY IMPACT FEES FOR A PERIOD OF 12 MONTHS WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE CITY’S DESIGNATED URBAN INFILL AND REDEVELOPMENT AREA REQUIRED BY SECTIONS 22-408, 22-415 THROUGH AND INCLUDING 22-419 OF THE CITY CODE; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; PROVIDING A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE;  AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 

City Manager Nick Mimms provided an overview of the proposed ordinance.  The proposed ordinance will provide a moratorium on the imposition and collection of City impact fees within the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Area for a period of 12 months. The concept of this moratorium was presented to the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Board as part of the city’s overall economic development strategy. This proposed ordinance was approved by the City of Fort Pierce Planning Board.   This will benefit entire CRA area including:  Downtown, Lincoln Park, Peacock Arts District, South Beach and Port of Fort Pierce/Fisherman’s Warf which are within the existing FPRA boundaries.   Key points include suspending the collection of City Impact Fees in an effort to stimulate and encourage new development; will apply to all new construction within the boundaries of the City’s designated urban infill and redevelopment areas for which a building permit is issued subsequent to the adoption of this ordinance; and, will continue for one year after the effective date of this ordinance.  This ordinance was approved by the Planning Board. 

Mayor Hudson opened the Public Hearing.   

Public Comment: 
Jeanne Arias – supports ordinance. 
Jean Batalien - supports ordinance.
Kirk Roberts – supports ordinance. 
Lazatha Murphy – supports ordinance.   
 

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

City Commission clarified for the record that this ordinance is for the City of Fort Pierce impact fees within the FPRA and does not affect FPUA or the St. Lucie County impact fees.  Mayor Hudson will bring this ordinance to the FPUA for their consideration of a similar moratorium on their fees. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Rufus Alexander to approve Ordinance 20-007.

AYE:

Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions

Passed

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

RESOLUTION NO. 20-R13 
 

A RESOLUTION DETERMINING THAT A CERTAIN BUILDING OR STRUCTURE LOCATED AT 505 N 13TH ST IN FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, 34950 IS UNSAFE AND A NUISANCE THAT CONSTITUTES A MENACE TO THE BUSINESS, HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE COMMUNITY; AND THAT ALL PARTIES OF INTEREST MUST SHOW CAUSE WHY THE STRUCTURE SHOULD NOT BE CONDEMNED AND DEMOLISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CHARTER OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE; AND NOTIFYING ALL PARTIES OF POTENTIAL ACTION BY THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE FOR FAILURE TO ACT; AND THAT A PUBLIC HEARING BE HELD AT THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED CITY COMMISSION MEETING ON APRIL 6, 2020 AT 6:30 PM, IN THE CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS LOCATED AT 100 NORTH US HIGHWAY 1, FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA; AND  PROVIDING FOR NOTICE TO ALL PARTIES. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas Perona, seconded by Commissioner Rufus Alexander to approve Resolution 20-R13.

AYE:

Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions

Passed

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

RESOLUTION NO. 20-R14 
 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, CERTIFYING THE APPOINTMENT OF A MEMBER TO THE PARKING COMMITTEE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 
 

Mr. Marvin Grimsley – Appointed by Commissioner Alexander 

Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas Perona, seconded by Commissioner Rufus Alexander to approve Resolution 20-R14.

AYE:

Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions

Passed

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

RESOLUTION NO. 20-R16 
 

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, CERTIFYING THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. 
 

Miss Lita Moore – Appointed by Commissioner Alexander 

Motion was made by Commissioner Rufus Alexander, seconded by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson to approve Resolution 20-R16.

AYE:

Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions

Passed

Nick Mimms, City Manager reminded the public that March 7, 2020 is the Keep Fort Pierce Beautiful Great American Clean-Up.  This will include graffiti abatement, beautification projects and litter control.  Regarding construction updates, the Melody Lane seawall project is substantially complete.  The Ohio Avenue realignment should be complete in April 2020.  The permitting hub in the Sunrise Center will finally receive a Notice to Proceed in early March 2020.  Dredging of sediment in the Intercoastal Waterway has begun.  Mr. Mimms wants everyone to be assured that the City of Fort Pierce is closely monitoring the Corona Virus COVID-19 and had issued a press release today.  City of Fort Pierce is working with the Department of Health and St. Lucie County to monitor developments.  The City of Fort Pierce is emphasizing preventative measures for all municipal employees and citizens by distributing internal and external informational broadcasts.  In the event the Department of Health contacts St. Lucie County Emergency Operations Center to escalate the threat level of the Corona Virus COVID-19 or any other hazard, the City of Fort Pierce will work closely with our area agencies to implement our joint emergency operations plan to adequately respond to this situation.  The safety of all citizens are a priority.  Regarding the animal sheltering, the City of Fort Pierce staff met with the St. Lucie County staff to discuss the parameters of the upcoming interlocal agreement.  Ms. Peggy Arriaz will meet with the Legal Department to develop a draft agreement.  A proposed draft will be presented at the March 16, 2020 City Commission meeting.  St. Lucie County is preparing an extension of the Temporary Shelter Agreement that currently ends on March 31, 2020.  On March 10, 2020 will be the final Strategic Planning meeting. 
 

Attorney Pete Sweeney also commented that his department will be working with staff to develop an Interlocal Agreement regarding the Savannah Road Animal Shelter. 

Commissioner Alexander is concerned about the growth of the City of Fort Pierce specifically with the Jenkins Road Charter School development.  Mr. Mimms said the only issue that has come up is with the landscape design which included the clearing and removal of several native trees.  Mr. Mimms will provide the City Commission with a thorough and detailed update once the planning staff has met with the development team.  Mr. Mimms has assured the Commission that the City of Fort Pierce has neither caused any delays nor presented any obstacles for the developer. 

Commissioner Sessions also has concerns with the Charter School project and unexpected costs that may be detrimental to the development.   

Commissioner Johnson said Jenkins Road and Edwards Road are important corridors that we need to be focused on.  The pressure is great on DOT to put a turnpike interchange anywhere south of Midway Road. 
 

Commissioner Perona has no updates. 
 

Mayor Hudson provided an update for this legislative session.  The Bill that is getting a lot of attention is regarding short term rentals.  Amendments are being introduced.