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CITY OF FORT PIERCE CRA ADVISORY COMMITTEE |
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CRA Advisory Committee Minutes
OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE FORT PIERCE CRA ADVISORY COMMITTEE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, IN FORT PIERCE COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 100 NORTH US HIGHWAY 1, FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA.
1.
CALL TO ORDER
2.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Charlie Frank Matthews, Chair; Al Johnson; Hoyt Murphy, Jr.; Kristina Gibbons; Sabrina Taylor; Ellen Mancini; Carolyn Mann-Lurry
- Absent:
- Plythe Freedman; Michael Brown, Jr.
- Staff Present:
-
- Sara Delgado, Administrative Assistant
- Shyanne Harnage, Communication/Economic Development Manager
- Peggy Arraiz, Code Compliance Manager
3.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a.
Approval of Minutes from the November 18, 2020 Meeting
Motion was made by Hoyt Murphy, Jr., and seconded by Kristina Gibbons
- AYE:
- Al Johnson, Carolyn Mann-Lurry, Ellen Mancini, Hoyt Murphy, Jr., Kristina Gibbons, Sabrina Taylor, Chair Charlie Frank Matthews
- Other:
- Michael Brown, Jr. (ABSENT), Plythe Freedman (ABSENT)
Passed
4.
CHAIRMAN VIEWPOINTS
Chairman Matthews viewpoints:
1. The Board needs to make concentrated rules regarding the names changes of the streets in the CRA District.
2. Lincoln Theater needs solid planning for funding. What are their goals and priorities and who are the leading groups.
3. He encourages everyone to attend any State of Florida workshops, an FRA accreditation.
4. Marketing and advertising abandon properties for sale and put them back on the tax roll.
5. In house note, encourage the board to deal with planning, concrete priorities and at the end of 3 months, something needs to get done.
1. The Board needs to make concentrated rules regarding the names changes of the streets in the CRA District.
2. Lincoln Theater needs solid planning for funding. What are their goals and priorities and who are the leading groups.
3. He encourages everyone to attend any State of Florida workshops, an FRA accreditation.
4. Marketing and advertising abandon properties for sale and put them back on the tax roll.
5. In house note, encourage the board to deal with planning, concrete priorities and at the end of 3 months, something needs to get done.
5.
OLD BUSINESS
a.
Priority Corridor Improvements - Avenue D, Orange Avenue, US1
Kristina Gibbons began conversation of the US1 corridor, she would like a seamless entry into the City so it doesn't look like Fort Pierce is disjointed from the rest of the Treasure Coast. There needs to be more trees, shrubbery and some nicer areas need to be displayed better. By the bridge, the property at Dixie Highway cutoff has become a junkyard and it needs to be enforced that they need to cover it up with shrubbery. Some guidelines need to be created. She would like to see more foliage closer to US1 to slow down traffic.
Ellen Mancini suggested a commonality signage, plants or benches for the incoming roads to Fort Pierce, something consistent in those areas.
Hoyt Murphy agreed on the commonality of landscaping. He suggests that there should be requirements for current businesses to maintain the landscaping. He wanted to know if there was a city ordinance that requires some standard in maintaining, Peggy Arraiz answered yes that there is an ordinance.
Sabrina Taylor asked what is the vision, do they want to keep the small town appeal as people come from North and South or a mix of more urban environment.
Charlie Frank Matthews suggested setting up 2 categories: First, what can be done at no cost and second, what will have a cost. As an example of no cost is street sweeping, signage along US1 and city pride signs.
Shyanne Harnage suggested a plan with a list of things they would like to see done to all the corridors in order to present to the FPRA Board and then the FPRA will direct staff. Staff will then present to the CRAAC who will then present to the FPRA and then they can provide funding sources.
Kristina Gibbons asked if anything was happening with 7th Street. Shyanne Harnage mentioned that Engineering will start with 5th Street and in January 2021 they will begin looking for bids, Shyanne asked if it could be expanded to 7th Street and will follow-up with Engineering.
Ellen Mancini suggested a commonality signage, plants or benches for the incoming roads to Fort Pierce, something consistent in those areas.
Hoyt Murphy agreed on the commonality of landscaping. He suggests that there should be requirements for current businesses to maintain the landscaping. He wanted to know if there was a city ordinance that requires some standard in maintaining, Peggy Arraiz answered yes that there is an ordinance.
Sabrina Taylor asked what is the vision, do they want to keep the small town appeal as people come from North and South or a mix of more urban environment.
Charlie Frank Matthews suggested setting up 2 categories: First, what can be done at no cost and second, what will have a cost. As an example of no cost is street sweeping, signage along US1 and city pride signs.
Shyanne Harnage suggested a plan with a list of things they would like to see done to all the corridors in order to present to the FPRA Board and then the FPRA will direct staff. Staff will then present to the CRAAC who will then present to the FPRA and then they can provide funding sources.
Kristina Gibbons asked if anything was happening with 7th Street. Shyanne Harnage mentioned that Engineering will start with 5th Street and in January 2021 they will begin looking for bids, Shyanne asked if it could be expanded to 7th Street and will follow-up with Engineering.
6.
NEW BUSINESS
a.
Code Enforcement Presentation by Peggy Arraiz, Code Compliance Manager
Peggy Arraiz circled back to the question Hoyt Murphy had regarding the landscaping. There is a code and it says that if it is a part of the required site plan then it is supposed to be maintained as needed. The difficulty is the enforcement. First, they would need to know what is on the site plan and then staffing. Staffing has been focused on patrolling the beaches and working 7 days a week with only 4 code enforcement officers. Two positions have been posted, and they will close at the end of the year and that should help. Peggy said they depend on the planning department for these site plans to know if the landscaping was a part of the initial project. IT has been working on something to possibly make it more accessible for them to look up the site plans.
Peggy went on to speak on Abandoned and condemned properties mentioning there is the Clean & Safe Community Initiative. On the utility bills there is a $1 surcharge and that money goes to a restricted fund for the Initiative, before it was only allowed for demolition. In October 2020, the Commission opened it up for the Nuisance Abatement abandoned property, pools, boarded houses so the money is being used routinely. Peggy mentioned of a new way that homes are being boarded which is called clear boarding, the wood is not being used at the front only on the back and sides. Condemnations and demolitions have been on almost every City Commission meeting. She gave information on the daily fines and foreclosures.
Hoyt Murphy spoke on slum lords, street maintenance and encouraging homeowners and businesses with a letter on a regular basis from the Mayor recognizing their hard work on maintaining landscaping. He also brought up the facade of the Kmart Plaza and Peggy Arraiz mentioned there is an active code case and the owner has received a continuation until March to take care of a few items.
Peggy went on to speak on Abandoned and condemned properties mentioning there is the Clean & Safe Community Initiative. On the utility bills there is a $1 surcharge and that money goes to a restricted fund for the Initiative, before it was only allowed for demolition. In October 2020, the Commission opened it up for the Nuisance Abatement abandoned property, pools, boarded houses so the money is being used routinely. Peggy mentioned of a new way that homes are being boarded which is called clear boarding, the wood is not being used at the front only on the back and sides. Condemnations and demolitions have been on almost every City Commission meeting. She gave information on the daily fines and foreclosures.
Hoyt Murphy spoke on slum lords, street maintenance and encouraging homeowners and businesses with a letter on a regular basis from the Mayor recognizing their hard work on maintaining landscaping. He also brought up the facade of the Kmart Plaza and Peggy Arraiz mentioned there is an active code case and the owner has received a continuation until March to take care of a few items.
b.
Play Equipment Downtown at the request of Kristina Gibbons
Kristina Gibbons spoke about play equipment around the Downtown area and it will give children something to do while the parents shop. She provided 5 city owned properties that could potentially have the play equipments. She provided pamphlets with examples and pricing as well. Charlie Frank Matthews asked about the cost and how would it be funded. Kristina suggested this idea to presented to the FPRA, and then they may look into the funding. It was agreed to present this idea to the FPRA.
c.
FPRA-Owned Property behind Percy Peek Gymnasium at Avenue D/North 29th Street
Charlie Frank Matthews spoke about the FPRA owned property behind the Percy Peek Gymnasium at 29th Street and Ave D, mentioning a group would like to put a soccer field on that property. Shyanne Harnage said there are two other parties that are interested in the property, it is also a part of the FPRA plan and the plan suggests a neighborhood grocery, retail or townhomes. It was agreed to present to the FPRA Board that the property be put for RFP.
d.
Homeless Coalition Board
Motion was made by Carolyn Mann-Lurry, and seconded by Kristina Gibbons that Hoyt Murphy will represent at the Treasure Coast Homeless Services Council.
- AYE:
- Al Johnson, Carolyn Mann-Lurry, Ellen Mancini, Hoyt Murphy, Jr., Kristina Gibbons, Sabrina Taylor, Chair Charlie Frank Matthews
- Other:
- Michael Brown, Jr. (ABSENT), Plythe Freedman (ABSENT)
Passed
The Homeless Coalition Board meets on Friday's in Vero Beach and Mr. Charlie Frank Matthews is asking for someone to represent the City at the meetings. Hoyt Murphy volunteered to attend the meetings for one year.
7.
PUBLIC COMMENT
8.
STAFF AND COMMITTEE MEMBER COMMENTS
Shyanne Harnage mentioned that if the board members cannot make it in person to the FPRA meeting it would be beneficial to try to watch the meeting online, especially the FPUA Smart City initiative.
Motion was made by Kristina Gibbons, and seconded by Sabrina Taylor to approve three recommendations to the FPRA Board including the corridors, playground equipment and putting up for RFP the property behind Percy Peek Gymnasium.
- AYE:
- Al Johnson, Carolyn Mann-Lurry, Ellen Mancini, Hoyt Murphy, Jr., Kristina Gibbons, Sabrina Taylor, Chair Charlie Frank Matthews
- Other:
- Michael Brown, Jr. (ABSENT), Plythe Freedman (ABSENT)
Passed
9.
ADJOURNMENT