MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, HELD IN THE CITY HALL COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 100 NORTH U.S. #1, FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, AT 6:30 P.M. ON MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3, 2014.
1.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Hudson called the meeting to order at
2.
OPENING PRAYER - Mayor Linda Hudson offered the opening prayer.
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Mayor Linda Hudson; Commissioner Edward Becht; Commissioner Thomas Perona; Commissioner Reginald Sessions
- Absent:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander
- Staff Present:
-
- City Clerk Linda Cox
- City Manager Robert Bradshaw
- City Attorney Robert Schwerer
5.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a.
Approval of Minutes from the October 20, 2014 meeting.
Motion was made by Commissioner Edward Becht, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Perona to approve the Minutes of the Regular Meeting on October 20, 2014.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
- Other:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander (ABSENT)
Passed
6.
PROCLAMATIONS
a.
Mayor Hudson issued a Proclamation posthumously recognizing Judge Ralph Flowers. It was accepted by members of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
b.
Mayor Hudson issued a Proclamation supporting the Florida Surgeon General's Healthiest Weight Florida Initiative. It was received by Arlease Hall of the St. Lucie County Health Department.
7.
LETTERS TO COMMISSION
8.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Ms. Dodi Spence
Mr. Roy Darby, 619 South 6th Street
Mr. Patrick Henry, 1123 Granada Street
Ms. Jane Rowley, 4380 Christensen Road
Mr. Jim O'Dell
Mr. Frederick Jackson, 1211 Avenue D
Ms. Gwen Morris
Ms. Dodi Spence
Mr. Roy Darby, 619 South 6th Street
Mr. Patrick Henry, 1123 Granada Street
Ms. Jane Rowley, 4380 Christensen Road
Mr. Jim O'Dell
Mr. Frederick Jackson, 1211 Avenue D
Ms. Gwen Morris
9.
CONSENT AGENDA
a.
Approval to award contract for Bid No. 2014-026 Landscape Maintenance of Medians to Mr. B Lawn Service in an amount not to exceed $35,460.00 for one year with two one-year renewal options at no increase in price.
b.
Approval to purchase Christmas tree and ornaments from Clark Sales Display, Inc. in the amount of $9,350.00 for the Avenue A/Indian River Drive round-a-bout and to award contract for Bid No. 2015-003 to Let There Be Lights, Inc. to provide Holiday Lights at Marina Square in the amount of $63,440.00 for three years.
c.
Approval to piggyback National Intergovernmental Purchasing Alliance Contract No. 120576 for the acquisition of refuse containers from Toter, Inc., Statesville, NC, in accordance with the attached quote, for the amount not to exceed $71,431.00.
d.
Approval of Travel for Commissioner Sessions to attend the Florida League of Cities 54th Annual Legislative Conference in Orlando, FL on November 13-14, 2014 in the amount of $$753.43.
e.
Approval of Travel for Commissioner Alexander to attend the Florida League of Cities 54th Annual Legislative Conference in Orlando, FL on November 13-14, 2014 in the amount of $$753.43.
f.
Waive interest, penalties, administrative fees for Demolition Lien totaling $11,275.46 against 703 N 23rd Street, Ft. Pierce, FL, owned by Milagros Suarez and contingent upon payment of $7,644.50 with a payment plan.
Motion was made by Commissioner Edward Becht, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Perona to approve the Consent Agenda in its entirety, items 9a - 9f.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
- Other:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander (ABSENT)
Passed
10.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
11.
MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS & REQUESTS
a.
Discussion of proposal to construct raised medians within US 1 right-of-way to eliminate left turns onto U.S. Highway 1 from Old Dixie Highway.
Jack Andrews, City Engineer, appeared with a staff recommendation to approach TPO and DOT to further evaluate the raised median, or at a minimum redesign so as to keep open the entrance point to Avenue M.
A major concern is safety. He stated from experience and looking at the situation, the median would essentially block the entrance to Avenue M, affecting the businesses on the west side of U.S. Highway 1. Since there have been no accidents at this location for two years, he proposes to leave it as it is and reallocate the money to different intersections that he feels needs more attention.
It was a consensus that Mr. Andrews go back to the TPO to inquire of the original firm that conducted the study and request a possible alternate recommendation.
Jack Andrews, City Engineer, appeared with a staff recommendation to approach TPO and DOT to further evaluate the raised median, or at a minimum redesign so as to keep open the entrance point to Avenue M.
A major concern is safety. He stated from experience and looking at the situation, the median would essentially block the entrance to Avenue M, affecting the businesses on the west side of U.S. Highway 1. Since there have been no accidents at this location for two years, he proposes to leave it as it is and reallocate the money to different intersections that he feels needs more attention.
It was a consensus that Mr. Andrews go back to the TPO to inquire of the original firm that conducted the study and request a possible alternate recommendation.
12.
CITY COMMISSION
a.
Appointment/Reappointment of a regular member and an alternate member to serve on the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council for a one-year term.
Motion was made by Commissioner Edward Becht, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Perona to reappoint Commissioner Thomas Perona as regular member and Commissioner Reginald Sessions as alternate member.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
- Other:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander (ABSENT)
Passed
b.
Approve Resolution No. 14-R34 reappointing Frank M. Blandino, Esq. as a Special Magistrate for a two-year term.
Motion was made by Commissioner Edward Becht, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Perona to approve Resolution No. 14-R34.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
- Other:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander (ABSENT)
Passed
c.
Approve Resolution No. 14-R35 reappointing Fran O. Ross, Esq. as a Special Magistrate for a two-year term.
Motion was made by Commissioner Edward Becht, seconded by Commissioner Reginald Sessions to approve Resolution No. 14-R35.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
- Other:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander (ABSENT)
Passed
13.
COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER
a.
City Manager's Departmental Activity Report
Mr. Bradshaw had two quick items for the Commission. First of all, an update on the search for the new Police Chief is moving forward. Mayor Hudson signed and executed the agreement allowing the process to begin. Secondly, was a reminder on the strategic workshop they are planning for some time in April 2015. He stated the Commission will be kept posted.
Mr. Schwerer stated the U.S. District Court has appointed Robin Rosenberg, a former 15th Judicial Circuit, Circuit Judge. She is our new District Judge and the new sitting Judge for Fort Pierce. There is a reception scheduled for her on November 13, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. Mr. Schwerer has the invitation that will be forwarded to the City Clerk to be forwarded to the members of the Commission. He stated they do need to respond if they are attending; your name is required in advance for security purposes.
Mr. Bradshaw had two quick items for the Commission. First of all, an update on the search for the new Police Chief is moving forward. Mayor Hudson signed and executed the agreement allowing the process to begin. Secondly, was a reminder on the strategic workshop they are planning for some time in April 2015. He stated the Commission will be kept posted.
Mr. Schwerer stated the U.S. District Court has appointed Robin Rosenberg, a former 15th Judicial Circuit, Circuit Judge. She is our new District Judge and the new sitting Judge for Fort Pierce. There is a reception scheduled for her on November 13, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. Mr. Schwerer has the invitation that will be forwarded to the City Clerk to be forwarded to the members of the Commission. He stated they do need to respond if they are attending; your name is required in advance for security purposes.
14.
COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION
Commissioner Perona would like to address Mr. and Mrs. Rowley’s issues with annexation. He has talked with them and talked with staff and feels it would be helpful to schedule this as an item for a conference agenda. The consensus was to schedule the Rowley’s for discussion at a conference agenda. Commissioner Perona wanted to remind the public to please go out and vote tomorrow.
Commissioner Sessions wanted to follow up with Mr. Schwerer’s comments and ask if he thinks it will bring more noticeable activity to the City. Mr. Schwerer responded Federal Court is mostly by paperwork, but this does give the City the ability to say we now have a Judge here in full time status. There will be activity created by her courtroom, both on the civil and criminal side of the bench.
Commissioner Becht stated tomorrow is election day, go vote.
Mayor Hudson wanted to remind everyone the UDT’s Navy Seal Museum Muster is this weekend from Friday to Sunday. Also, All Aboard Florida hearings are going to be in Vero Beach at the Richardson Center from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. and in Port St. Lucie Thursday at the Civic Center from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. Make sure to vote.
Commissioner Perona would like to address Mr. and Mrs. Rowley’s issues with annexation. He has talked with them and talked with staff and feels it would be helpful to schedule this as an item for a conference agenda. The consensus was to schedule the Rowley’s for discussion at a conference agenda. Commissioner Perona wanted to remind the public to please go out and vote tomorrow.
Commissioner Sessions wanted to follow up with Mr. Schwerer’s comments and ask if he thinks it will bring more noticeable activity to the City. Mr. Schwerer responded Federal Court is mostly by paperwork, but this does give the City the ability to say we now have a Judge here in full time status. There will be activity created by her courtroom, both on the civil and criminal side of the bench.
Commissioner Becht stated tomorrow is election day, go vote.
Mayor Hudson wanted to remind everyone the UDT’s Navy Seal Museum Muster is this weekend from Friday to Sunday. Also, All Aboard Florida hearings are going to be in Vero Beach at the Richardson Center from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. and in Port St. Lucie Thursday at the Civic Center from 3:30 to 7:00 p.m. Make sure to vote.
15.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Hudson declared the meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.
There being no further business, Mayor Hudson declared the meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK
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MAYOR COMMISSIONER
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