C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
CONFERENCE AGENDA MINUTES
Conference Agenda Meeting - Monday, May 10, 2021 - 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:
-
- Linda Hudson, Mayor
- Rufus Alexander, Commissioner
- Curtis Johnson, Jr., Commissioner
- Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner
- Thomas Perona, Commissioner
- Staff Present:
-
- Linda Cox, City Clerk
- Nicholas Mimms, City Manager
- Tanya Earley, Assistant City Attorney
Commissioner Alexander participated by telephone.
4.
New Business
a.
Safe Families for Children presentation
Ms. Jackie Herron-Whitfield and Ms. Sharon Reed provided an overview of the services offered by Safe Families for Children; they provide a chance for parents to get back on their feet before abuse and neglect occur. Parents experiencing a temporary crisis can arrange for their children to stay with families while they address the issues that led to their situation. The organization is currently expanding into St. Lucie County and is holding a training on Saturday, May 15 if anyone is interested.
b.
Request by the Kiwanis Club regarding Jaycee Park
Kiwanis Club members Mike Pelletier, John Barbieri, and James Burchard discussed their desire to reconstruct the children's play area at Jaycee Park into an accessible playground. Commissioner Tom Perona is also a member of the club. They estimate the total project cost to be between $400,000 and $450,000. They would like the City of Fort Pierce to contribute $200,000 and they will raise the remaining funds necessary to build the project from the community. Consensus was to move forward to develop a Memorandum of Understanding with the Kiwanis Club to proceed with this project.
c.
TCRPC presentation of South Beach Western Peninsula Update
Dr. Kim DeLaney, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council and Jennifer Hofmeister, Planning Director provided on update on developing an overlay zone of the South Beach Western Peninsula with a recommended approach and timeline for the project. Consensus was to move forward to secure the services of the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council to assist in the effort.
d.
Second Quarter Financial Report
Ms. Johnna Morris, Finance Director, provided the second quarter financial report which is positive. Based on the current financial condition, mid-year cost of living increases, retroactive to April 1, were discussed. The teamster union employees should receive 8% and the non-bargaining employees will received increases ranging from 4% to 8% based upon their current salaries. The total cost is $353,545.00 which will be funded from the city's fund balance.
Additional discussion included how the city intends to meet the requirements of the new Florida minimum wage law, avoiding salary compression and how we will fund the increases moving forward using American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Consensus was to move forward with the mid-year cost of living increases and to adopt a policy to incorporate the proposed changes to the pay plan so it is clear how the city plans to accomplish these goals.
Additional discussion included how the city intends to meet the requirements of the new Florida minimum wage law, avoiding salary compression and how we will fund the increases moving forward using American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Consensus was to move forward with the mid-year cost of living increases and to adopt a policy to incorporate the proposed changes to the pay plan so it is clear how the city plans to accomplish these goals.
Ms. Johnna Morris, Finance Director, provided the second quarter financial report which is positive. Based on the current financial condition, mid-year cost of living increases, retroactive to April 1, were discussed. The teamster union employees should receive 8% and the non-bargaining employees will received increases ranging from 4% to 8% based upon their current salaries. The total cost is $353,545.00 which will be funded from the city's fund balance.
Additional discussion included how the city intends to meet the requirements of the new Florida minimum wage law, avoiding salary compression and how we will fund the increases moving forward using American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Consensus was to move forward with the mid-year cost of living increases and to adopt a policy to incorporate the proposed changes to the pay plan so it is clear how the city plans to accomplish these goals.
Additional discussion included how the city intends to meet the requirements of the new Florida minimum wage law, avoiding salary compression and how we will fund the increases moving forward using American Rescue Plan Act funds.
Consensus was to move forward with the mid-year cost of living increases and to adopt a policy to incorporate the proposed changes to the pay plan so it is clear how the city plans to accomplish these goals.
e.
Discussion of new procedures for selection of auditing services contract
Johnna Morris, Finance Director, provided an overview of the new requirements for the selection of the City Auditor. Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson volunteered to be the Commission representative on the committee and to serve as its chair. The City Clerk will draft a resolution establishing the committee for approval at the May 17 meeting; consensus was that there will be five members, including the commissioner, with no residency requirements that will be appointed by Mayor and Commissioners not serving on the committee.
f.
The Planning Department will be presenting the current status of members to the Board of Adjustments and entertaining incorporating BOA's responsibilities within those of the Planning Board. The membership is intended to be five (5) persons from our community. Last month, Chairman Bill Nunn resigned, leaving an already short list of members to three (3). If one is required to recuse him or herself, the quorum is not met.
Ms. Jennifer Hofmeister, Planning Director provided an overview of the current situation with the Board of Adjustment and ongoing difficulties in achieving quorum for their meetings. Discussion included transferring the duties of the Board of Adjustment to the Planning Board or even a Special Magistrate. The planning department will investigate what other municipalities are doing and addressing potential conflicts. City Attorney Pete Sweeney will be asked to weigh in regarding the conflicts.
g.
Presentation on Hurricane Preparedness by the Building Department.
Paul Thomas, Building Official and Flood Plain Administrator, provided a detailed overview of hurricane preparedness and the importance of floodplain management and flood insurance. He left the commission with a handout developed to assist them in dealing with the public in the event of an emergency with explanations as to why certain decision must be made to protect the entire community and insure our qualifications for FEMA assistance should it be necessary.
5.
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.
Charles Wilson
Diane Williams Townsend
Tina Hendrick
Ashton Depeyster
Diane Williams Townsend
Tina Hendrick
Ashton Depeyster
6.
City Commission Boards and Committees Updates
Mayor and Commissioners provided brief updates. Mayor Hudson agreed to assume the Fort Pierce Area Council attendance from Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson because of an ongoing conflict.
7.
Adjournment
Immediately following adjournment, please move toward the doors and exit the chambers. This allows for the safe and courteous exit of all persons, and those on the dais. Conversations after the meeting should be held outside of chambers, in the foyer or elsewhere, but not in the commission chambers where lights will be out as soon as the chambers are empty.
Immediately following adjournment, please move toward the doors and exit the chambers. This allows for the safe and courteous exit of all persons, and those on the dais. Conversations after the meeting should be held outside of chambers, in the foyer or elsewhere, but not in the commission chambers where lights will be out as soon as the chambers are empty.
Mayor Hudson adjourned the meeting at 1:11 p.m.