C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
CONFERENCE AGENDA MINUTES
Conference Agenda Meeting - Monday, May 11, 2015 - 8:30 a.m.
City Hall - 2nd Floor Conference Room, 100 North U.S. #1, Fort Pierce, Florida
1.
Call to Order
Mayor Hudson called the meeting to order at 8:39 a.m.
Mayor Hudson called the meeting to order at 8:39 a.m.
2.
Pledge of Allegiance
3.
Roll Call
- Present:
-
- Linda Hudson, Mayor
- Rufus Alexander, Commissioner
- Thomas Perona, Commissioner
- Reginald Sessions, Commissioner
- Absent:
-
- Edward Becht, Commissioner
- Staff Present:
-
- Linda Cox, City Clerk
- Robert Bradshaw, City Manager
- Robert Schwerer, City Attorney
Commissioner Edward Becht arrived at 8:49 a.m.
4.
New Business
A.
Proposed Local Option Gas Tax Interlocal Agreement with St. Lucie County - Director of Finance
Gloria Johnson, Director of Finance, reported that we are poised to lose $500,000 from budget from our third largest revenue source without a chance to supplement and it will be a detriment to the City. The discussion determined that in order to keep the positive relationship we have with the County, we should request a short term extension and take that time to review fair options that do not negatively impact our municipality. County Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky recommended that we request a short term agreement and then propose another long term (20 - 40 year) agreement. Going forward, staff should adopt stronger policies to make sure we are on top of agreements to prevent this situation from happening again. The staff recommendation is for permission to request an extension of the current agreement and then propose a five (5) year phase-in. Consensus was reached to support staff's recommendation.
Gloria Johnson, Director of Finance, reported that we are poised to lose $500,000 from budget from our third largest revenue source without a chance to supplement and it will be a detriment to the City. The discussion determined that in order to keep the positive relationship we have with the County, we should request a short term extension and take that time to review fair options that do not negatively impact our municipality. County Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky recommended that we request a short term agreement and then propose another long term (20 - 40 year) agreement. Going forward, staff should adopt stronger policies to make sure we are on top of agreements to prevent this situation from happening again. The staff recommendation is for permission to request an extension of the current agreement and then propose a five (5) year phase-in. Consensus was reached to support staff's recommendation.
B.
Proposed Public Records Request Policy - City Clerk
Linda Cox, City Clerk, suggests a Records Request Policy to outline what we are doing in practice but that provides a more formalized approach to ensure every department is on the same page. Most records requests are fulfilled within ten (10) minutes. The challenge comes when there is a request for emails. Mrs. Cox recommends a defined time period for "extensive staff time" of one (1) hour. Another concern is the rate we charge for this time. The person that actually does the work is second in command in the MIS department which can make it very costly. In an effort to be transparent, we need to create a consistent policy that is fair to the City and taxpayers alike.
Linda Cox, City Clerk, suggests a Records Request Policy to outline what we are doing in practice but that provides a more formalized approach to ensure every department is on the same page. Most records requests are fulfilled within ten (10) minutes. The challenge comes when there is a request for emails. Mrs. Cox recommends a defined time period for "extensive staff time" of one (1) hour. Another concern is the rate we charge for this time. The person that actually does the work is second in command in the MIS department which can make it very costly. In an effort to be transparent, we need to create a consistent policy that is fair to the City and taxpayers alike.
C.
Specific recommendations from the City Commission regarding public safety.
Commissioner Perona requested to add this to the Conference Agenda based on previous comments regarding the Commissions' failure to help prevent crime within the community. The Commission, staff, and Police Department officials agree that there is more work that can be done to aid in crime prevention. The discussion included nuisance abatement, creating City Ordinances, other agencies responsible for enforcement, as well as the lack of community involvement in helping to solve crime. The Commission supports law enforcement initiatives, and believes that crime should be addressed as if it affects the entire city and not one specific area.
Commissioner Perona requested to add this to the Conference Agenda based on previous comments regarding the Commissions' failure to help prevent crime within the community. The Commission, staff, and Police Department officials agree that there is more work that can be done to aid in crime prevention. The discussion included nuisance abatement, creating City Ordinances, other agencies responsible for enforcement, as well as the lack of community involvement in helping to solve crime. The Commission supports law enforcement initiatives, and believes that crime should be addressed as if it affects the entire city and not one specific area.
i.
Brief Presentation by Roundtable of St. Lucie County, Inc. on Restoring the Village Youth Initiative activities.
Shaniek Maynard, on behalf of the Roundtable of St. Lucie County, provided an update on the Restoring the Village Youth initiative that was launched in September of 2014. The program's model is set to reach out to youth involved in gangs and linking them with services provided by the community. There are more than 10 agencies, as well as residents, that are assisting in laying the foundation. Accomplishments include, buy-in from key stakeholders, interviews and focus groups with teenagers and parents, establishing funding, and collaboration with PAL / FPPD. Ms. Maynard encourages the Commission to support law enforcement as well as the youth that need our help.
Monica Jacobson, Coordinator for Restoring the Village Youth Initiative, discussed her background working with crime and community conflict. She stressed the critical component of hiring outreach workers; there is a process and timeline set to find and train the right individuals.
Shaniek Maynard, on behalf of the Roundtable of St. Lucie County, provided an update on the Restoring the Village Youth initiative that was launched in September of 2014. The program's model is set to reach out to youth involved in gangs and linking them with services provided by the community. There are more than 10 agencies, as well as residents, that are assisting in laying the foundation. Accomplishments include, buy-in from key stakeholders, interviews and focus groups with teenagers and parents, establishing funding, and collaboration with PAL / FPPD. Ms. Maynard encourages the Commission to support law enforcement as well as the youth that need our help.
Monica Jacobson, Coordinator for Restoring the Village Youth Initiative, discussed her background working with crime and community conflict. She stressed the critical component of hiring outreach workers; there is a process and timeline set to find and train the right individuals.
ii.
Discussion by City Commission
Discussion from the commission requesting specifics pertaining to "support." Ms. Maynard answered that support means providing salary adjustments and professional development; ultimately funding. We need you (Commission) at the table; your presence at events, talking with your constituents, etc. and help us get our hands around the kids who are impacted by the issues in our community.
Discussion from the commission requesting specifics pertaining to "support." Ms. Maynard answered that support means providing salary adjustments and professional development; ultimately funding. We need you (Commission) at the table; your presence at events, talking with your constituents, etc. and help us get our hands around the kids who are impacted by the issues in our community.
5.
Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 11:38 a.m.
Meeting adjourned at 11:38 a.m.