Approval of Minutes from the April 6, 2015 meeting.

Mayor Hudson issued a Proclamation recognizing April 24, 2015 as Arbor Day.  It was received by Paul Bertram, Public Works.

Mayor Hudson issued a Proclamation recognizing May 1, 2015 as Law Day.  It was received by Carlos Wells, St. Lucie County Bar Association President.

Mayor Hudson issued a Proclamation recognizing April as Child Abuse Prevention Month.  Mayor Hudson accepted the proclamation on behalf of CASTLE.

Mayor Hudson issued a Proclamation recognizing April as Guardian ad Litem Month.  It was received by H.L. "Vern" Melvin, Circuit Director.

Commendation letter from The Daniel M. Center for Behavioral Change thanking the Building & Code Enforcement Department for their swift response when the building was hit by a car.

Email received from Mears Construction commending the Building Department, in particular, Kim West, for Kim's professional manner and great attitude.

Waive interest, penalties and administrative fees in the amount of $324.40 for lot clearing lien against 3061 S 10th St, Ft. Pierce, FL owned by Elizabeth Brown, 5202 Palmetto Dr., Ft. Pierce, FL, contingent upon payment of $139.93 within 60 days.

Reduce code enforcement fines in the amount of $32,290.00 against 3111 Boston Avenue owned by Danilo Ortega (TR) and Lurine Foster (TR), 3549 SW Riviera Street, Port St. Lucie, FL 34953 to $1000.00 payable in 60 days.

Reduce code enforcement fines in the amount of $262,915.00 against 508 N. 14th Street; previously owned by Alcinne Calixt (TR) C/O Reynard Millien, 508 N 14th St., Ft Pierce, FL and currently owned by Royston Dass, 1528 SW Abington Avenue, Port St. Lucie, FL 34953 to $1,000.00 payable in 60 days.

Approve Blackstreet Enterprises, LLC in response to RFP No. 2015-021 for an amount not to exceed $20,444.00 for rehabilitation of 2008 Avenue P funded by the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP).

Approve De La Hoz Builders, Inc. in response to RFP No. 2015-022 for an amount not to exceed $22,922.00 for rehabilitation of 2802 Avenue I funded by the State Housing Initiative Partnership (SHIP).

Approval of Lease Extension Agreement with Little Jim Bait and Tackle, Inc. for property located at 601 North Causeway Drive, Fort Pierce, Florida for a ten year period commencing on March 1, 2015 in the amount of $2,000.00 per month adjusted annually by CPI.

Approval of settlement agreement between Dickerson Florida, Inc. and the City of Fort Pierce.

Approval of Travel for Mayor Hudson to attend the Florida League of Cities Regional Summit Series - Economic Development Tools on August 11, 2015 in the amount of $173.77.

Approval of Employment Agreement between the City of Fort Pierce and Diane Hobley-Burney for her services as Chief of Police for a three year term commencing June 1, 2015 at an annual salary of $124,091.00 subject to City Attorney review.

Ordinance No. 15-009 - Amending Chapter 22 to permit Farmer's Market and Farm Stand Use in Light Industrial Zoning Districts.  SECOND READING

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

Planner Clarissa Davis appeared and was available for questions.

Mayor Hudson opened the Public Hearing.

Seeing no one, Mayor Hudson closed the Public Hearing.

Approval of application for Waiver of Distance submitted by Bunwin, Inc. (owner) and Robert Smith (applicant), operating as Celebrity Peacock Jazz and Blues Club, for a 4COP Alcoholic Beverage License, located at 510 Orange Avenue. Property is zoned C-3, General Commercial. 
 
Historic Preservation Officer Kori Benton appeared with a presentation and clarified the title for the agenda item should indicate a request for SRX Special Restaurant license, a type of alcoholic beverage license.  The applicant has revised the presented hours of operation to remain closed on Sundays to avoid the traditional church services.  City staff is recommending the Commission deny the waiver of distance application as presented based upon health, safety, welfare concerns and various issues related to criteria a., b. and c. presented in Section 3-11 of the City Code.
 
Mayor Hudson opened the Public Hearing.
 
Mr. Fred Ralston requested clarification of the address.
 
Mr. Mike Menard of Cook and Menard Architecture thinks this is a good idea.  He is 100% for fixing up the older building and bringing businesses to the west side of US 1 and feels the building will have parking issues no matter what type of establishment moves in based on the sheer size of the structure and that a restaurant that is open after hours can surely utilize the parking of the other businesses surrounding that are closed, thus eliminating mass parking issues.


Pastor Tim May of United Methodist Church stated parking has been an issue for the downtown Farmer’s Market and it was his understanding the Marina would be opening up and also looking for additional parking.  The City has a parking issue and he feels the church would then become the parking police, mentioning property owners taking the liberty of towing cars.  He wanted to remind everyone that the decision made tonight will set a precedence regarding other vacant buildings on the Orange Avenue corridor.  When initially approached the location was to be a Red Lobster type of restaurant, but it changed to a club atmosphere with live music until 2:00 a.m.; there needs to be a distinction between what a club is and what a restaurant is.
 
Mr. Robert Smith, applicant for Celebrity Peacock Jazz and Blues Club, stated this was to always be a restaurant with entertainment and alcohol that would bring business and jobs into the community, specifically the downtown area.  Mr. Smith stated he has been trying to work out the parking issues  by meeting with establishments and members of surrounding churches, obtaining permission from two that will provide written consent to utilize their after hours parking.  This is a business that provides jobs; the main thing is to bring back jobs. 
 
Commissioner Perona commented on the closing on Sunday, inquiring how this can be done on such a key day in the restaurant business.  Mr. Smith responded it was done to respect the churches and to eliminate any problems; he would take that chance so he could be a part of that downtown area.
 
Pastor Todd Smith of Common Ground Vineyard Church stated the church was started 19 years ago on Orange Avenue and for 3 ½ years on 2nd Street.  The church dealt with open containers on the street, intoxicated individuals and drug deals being conducted behind their building to which they had to call the Fort Pierce Police.   He wanted the Commission to know that when the focus shifted from a takeout restaurant to a bar and a liquor license came into play, the church felt they were being misdirected and withdrew their parking lot agreement.  He stated there is no problem supporting a legitimate business coming into the area, as long it is clear what the business is intending to do; there needs to be transparency.
 
Ms. Millie Santiago stated she does not agree with Pastor Tim May’s opposition of this business.  She feels this is a great opportunity for many to obtain jobs, not only a place to hang out.  Ms. Santiago sees this business as a way to extend the downtown area to the other side of U.S. 1 and wanted to say she does not agree with the church and is for the business.
 
Mr. Greg Rosslow stated the Church is like the home team, playing by the rules, while the restaurant owner is coming in and asking to change the rules.  He stated this does not seem right.  Further stating that most restaurants do not make it a habit to stay open until 2:00 a.m., he feels it is the entertainment aspect that is creating the opposition.
 
Ms. Robin Smith, a member of First United Methodist Church stated she thinks it is a good idea to have more jobs and a restaurant but she knows what it is like to go to clubs with the drinking and intoxication and fighting.  Ms. Smith is against the club.
 
Mr. Magnus Huggins of Magforce Protection Agency stated was hired by Celebrity Peacock and wanted the Commission to know there will be security on the premises to handle a variety of issues that may arise such as congestion and intoxication.
 
Seeing no one further, Mayor Hudson closed the Public Hearing.
 
Mayor Hudson stated there are people that are interested in this area filled with empty buildings and the Commission needs to be proactive of the Orange Avenue Corridor, regardless of what is decided.
 
Commissioner Perona feels one of the key issues is parking and he is not in favor of using the City’s parking garage to meet the parking requirements.  He is for this business coming to Fort Pierce, but states it would be detrimental to this area.

Baccalaureate Degree Legislation Update - Andy Treadwell, Administrative Director of Legislative and Executive Communications, Indian River State College.
 
Administrative Director of Legislative and Executive Communications of Indian River State College, Mr. Andy Treadwell, appeared and gave a brief update on legislation that may affect the Baccalaureate degrees at IRSC.  At the end of March, a strike all amendment was attached to Senate Bill 1252, an alarming measure attached would remove the work STATE from the school’s title.  Most alarming being a 5% cap of baccalaureate enrollment versus total enrollment, the school is currently at 9.1%.  Mr. Treadwell informed the Commission that last week a compromise was reached; the school name will remain the same and the school system will revert back to being called the Florida Community College System and the moratorium will be lifted on new 4 year plans.  These changes will appear as a strike all on Senate Bill 948.  At this time the council has settled with the issue, trying to move forward
 
It was the consensus of the Commission to approve ask Mr. Treadwell to draft a letter to be signed by City Manager Bradshaw and Mayor Hudson in support of Indian River State College from the City Commission. 

FPUA Commercial Utility Services Application process presentation by Bill Abramowicz, Customer Service Manager
 
Customer Service Manager, Bill Abramowicz, appeared and presented to the Commission at Mayor Hudson’s request the information he previously presented before the FPUA Board explaining application for utilities, services provided, clarifying the deposit and collection processes.  He stated there are approximately 5,000 local customers to FPUA.  He recommends start-up businesses call the UA at (772) 466-1600 to inquire about average bill and services available for a location and to verify the necessary deposit amounts, or any potential upgrades that may be needed.
 
Mr. Abramowicz addressed Commissioner Alexander and Commissioner Sessions concerns about the grease traps in the City.  He clarified they are not a local issue, there are federal laws and state, local and utilities codes that are in place that have to be followed.  When a neighboring business experiences backups and suffers damage, the UA is liable due to a lack of enforcement of the Codes.  In addition there are reports that have to be submitted on a regular basis to the Environmental Protection Agency.  Typically, they leave most businesses alone unless ownership and/or use of the building changes or it starts to affect the UA’s system.  If a business can avoid the grease trap, the UA does offer the business to qualify for an interceptor.  Secondly, the businesses have to hire an independent contractor to engineer and install the grease traps; none of this process is done by the UA. 
 
Commissioner Becht recommends the UA make recommendations to the local businesses with other businesses in waste removal, Commissioner Becht is optimistic that there is potential for an agreement between the local business and the waste removal company that may provide for a funding source for the necessary upgrades by an exclusive contract for the grease removal.  He stated there is no model there yet but he sees potential. 
 
Mr. Bradshaw stated his intent to have staff check to see if there are CDBG funds available to help address some of the grease trap issues.  Commissioner Becht believes this would be good use of funds to help the local businesses to stay in business.  Provided the funds are available there is potential for a great partnership with the UA.
 
Commissioner Sessions stated he is looking for solutions and ways to assist the public and be more business friendly.  Mayor Hudson added that everyone needs to be aware and on the same page to be able to assist the public, thanking Mr. Abramowicz for attending.  Commissioner Alexander brought to the attention of the Commission and FPUA a noticeable offensive odor that he has been complaining about for the past week on Avenue D.  In closing the Commission expressed their appreciation of Mr. Abramowicz.

Presentation of the Financial Report for the quarter ending March 31, 2015. 

Chief Accountant Johnna Morris appeared and stated the City has a stable financial position for the quarter.  There is a shortfall from the telecommunications tax for $250,000; however, there will be a revenue share increase of about $100,000 along with utilities transfer from the UA for $130,000.  At the end of the quarter the City is looking at a projected shortage of $19,000 in revenue, expenses are on target with no shortages recognized.
 

Discussion on Avenue D businesses requested by Commissioner Alexander.

Commissioner Alexander feels there has been enough discussion, he is looking forward to some action.

City Manager's Departmental Activity Report.

Mr. Bradshaw wanted to remind the Commission of the Strategic Planning Workshop scheduled for next week, Monday through Wednesday.  He stated that staff will meet from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Monday.  On Tuesday and Wednesday the Commission is to meet at the Riverwalk Center at about 9:00 a.m. until the close of the meeting at 5:00 p.m. He encourage them to come enjoy the continental breakfast before the meeting commences.