MINUTES OF A SPECIAL 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 5:05 P.M. ON MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2021.
1.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hudson called the meeting to order at 5:06 p.m.
2.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr.; Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson; Commissioner Thomas Perona; Mayor Linda Hudson
- Staff Present:
-
- City Clerk Linda Cox
- City Manager Nicholas Mimms
- Interim City Attorney Tanya Earley
Ms. Earley excused herself from the meeting at the conclusion of the budget ordinance public hearings.
4.
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 fifteen 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 fifteen 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.
There were no comments from the public.
5.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
a.
Ordinance 21-029 levying and collection taxes for Fiscal Year beginning October 1, 2021 and ending September 30, 2022, adopting final millage rate. FIRST READING
Linda Cox, City Clerk, read Ordinance 21-029 in its entirety into the record on FIRST READING.
ORDINANCE NO. 21-029 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR THE LEVYING AND COLLECTING OF TAXES FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, FOR FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022, FOR THE PURPOSE OF RAISING SUCH AMOUNT AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO CARRY ON THE GOVERNMENT OF SAID CITY DURING SAID FISCAL YEAR AND TO PAY FUNDS SO COLLECTED INTO THE ACCOUNTS PROVIDED THEREFOR; ADOPTING THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE 2021-22 FISCAL YEAR FINAL MILLAGE RATE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA:
SECTION 1. The final millage rate of the City of Fort Pierce, Florida, for the Fiscal Year 2021-22 is hereby levied at the rate of 6.9000 per thousand dollar valuation for general City purposes; said rate being in excess of the roll-back rate by 4.62%.
SECTION 2. The City Commission of the City of Fort Pierce, Florida hereby levies a tax of 6.9000 per thousand dollar valuation on all real and personal property within the corporate limits of said City, subject to tax on the first day of January 2021, provided however that such 6.9000 shall not be levied upon property in the City of Fort Pierce exempt under state statute or federal constitution.
SECTION 3. That the City Manager is hereby instructed and directed to certify to the St. Lucie County Property Appraiser the above and forgoing enumerated Millage to be levied for all purposes, for the 2021-22 fiscal year in the said City of Fort Pierce, Florida, pursuant to the provision of the laws of the State of Florida and the Charter of the City of Fort Pierce.
SECTION 4. This ordinance shall be and become effective October 1, 2021.
Mayor Hudson opened the public hearing. Seeing no one, she closed the public hearing.
ORDINANCE NO. 21-029 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR THE LEVYING AND COLLECTING OF TAXES FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, FOR FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2021 AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022, FOR THE PURPOSE OF RAISING SUCH AMOUNT AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO CARRY ON THE GOVERNMENT OF SAID CITY DURING SAID FISCAL YEAR AND TO PAY FUNDS SO COLLECTED INTO THE ACCOUNTS PROVIDED THEREFOR; ADOPTING THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE 2021-22 FISCAL YEAR FINAL MILLAGE RATE; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA:
SECTION 1. The final millage rate of the City of Fort Pierce, Florida, for the Fiscal Year 2021-22 is hereby levied at the rate of 6.9000 per thousand dollar valuation for general City purposes; said rate being in excess of the roll-back rate by 4.62%.
SECTION 2. The City Commission of the City of Fort Pierce, Florida hereby levies a tax of 6.9000 per thousand dollar valuation on all real and personal property within the corporate limits of said City, subject to tax on the first day of January 2021, provided however that such 6.9000 shall not be levied upon property in the City of Fort Pierce exempt under state statute or federal constitution.
SECTION 3. That the City Manager is hereby instructed and directed to certify to the St. Lucie County Property Appraiser the above and forgoing enumerated Millage to be levied for all purposes, for the 2021-22 fiscal year in the said City of Fort Pierce, Florida, pursuant to the provision of the laws of the State of Florida and the Charter of the City of Fort Pierce.
SECTION 4. This ordinance shall be and become effective October 1, 2021.
Mayor Hudson opened the public hearing. Seeing no one, she closed the public hearing.
Motion was made by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr. to adopt Ordinance 21-029.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
b.
Ordinance 21-030 Adopting a Final Budget for Fiscal Year 2022, beginning October 1, 2021 and ending September 30, 2022. FIRST READING
Linda Cox, City Clerk, read Ordinance 21-030 into the record in its entirety on FIRST READING.
ORDINANCE NO. 21-030 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA; ADOPTING A FINAL BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2021, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA:
SECTION 1. The City Commission of Fort Pierce, Florida after having held a public hearing, hereby adopts as its final budget for the operation of the government of said City for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2021, and ending September 30, 2022, the estimates made by the City Manager of said City presented to the City Commission on September 13, 2021, which detailed amended estimates are now on file with the City Clerk and the Director of Finance.
SECTION 2. That it shall be the duty of the City Manager to set up the aforesaid appropriation of revenues and expenses on the account records of said City, to keep such accounts thereof, as required by the Charter of said City, as may be directed from time to time by the City Commission.
SECTION 3. This ordinance shall be and become effective October 1, 2021.
Mayor Hudson opened the public hearing. Seeing no one, she closed the public hearing.
ORDINANCE NO. 21-030 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA; ADOPTING A FINAL BUDGET FOR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, FOR THE FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING OCTOBER 1, 2021, AND ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 2022; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA:
SECTION 1. The City Commission of Fort Pierce, Florida after having held a public hearing, hereby adopts as its final budget for the operation of the government of said City for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2021, and ending September 30, 2022, the estimates made by the City Manager of said City presented to the City Commission on September 13, 2021, which detailed amended estimates are now on file with the City Clerk and the Director of Finance.
SECTION 2. That it shall be the duty of the City Manager to set up the aforesaid appropriation of revenues and expenses on the account records of said City, to keep such accounts thereof, as required by the Charter of said City, as may be directed from time to time by the City Commission.
SECTION 3. This ordinance shall be and become effective October 1, 2021.
Mayor Hudson opened the public hearing. Seeing no one, she closed the public hearing.
Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas Perona, seconded by Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr. to adopt Ordinance 21-030.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
6.
NEW BUSINESS
a.
Review of City Attorney applicants and selection of final candidates for interview.
Linda Cox, City Clerk, introduced the consultants that are handling the City Attorney recruitment effort. Mr. Robert Slavin and Mr. David Krings, Slavin Management Consultants, joined the meeting via Teams Video Call.
Mr. Bob Slavin provided a brief overview of their process. They had received a total of 16 applicants. Consensus of the Commission was that the City Attorney should be in-house counsel and not as a contract attorney.
The Commission indicated there was no need to review each candidate as they had all reviewed the documentation provided. They were asked to rank their top 7 candidates in order of preference.
Mr. Bob Slavin provided a brief overview of their process. They had received a total of 16 applicants. Consensus of the Commission was that the City Attorney should be in-house counsel and not as a contract attorney.
The Commission indicated there was no need to review each candidate as they had all reviewed the documentation provided. They were asked to rank their top 7 candidates in order of preference.
Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr. ranked as follows: Tanya Earley, Manny Anon, Aleksandr Boksner, Elizabeth LaConte, Rafael Suarez-Rivas, Andrew Mai, Susan Garrett.
Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson ranked as follows: Tanya Earley, Manny Anon, Aleksandr Boksner, Elizabeth LaConte, Rafael Suarez-Rivas, Susan Garrett, Andrew Mai.
Commissioner Tom Perona ranked as follows: Tanya Earley, Manny Anon, Aleksandr Boksner, Elizabeth LaConte, Susan Garrett, Andrew Mai, Rafael Suarez-Rivas.
Mayor Linda Hudson ranked as follows: Tanya Earley, Manny Anon, Elizabeth LaConte, Rafael Suarez-Rivas, Aleksandr Boksner, Susan Garrett, Andrew Mai.
Based upon the points ranking, the final ranking was as follows: Tanya Earley (4), Manny Anon (8), Aleksandr Boksner (14), Elizabeth LaConte (15), Rafeal Suarez-Rivas (21), Susan Garrett (24), Andrew Mai (26).
The City Commission will move forward to interview the top 4 candidates on September 27, 2021. That being, Tanya Earley, Manny Anon, Aleksandr Boksner, and Elizabeth LaConte. In the meantime, Mr. Slavin will gather additional background information. A representative from Slavin Management Consultants will attend the interviews on September 27 in-person.
Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson ranked as follows: Tanya Earley, Manny Anon, Aleksandr Boksner, Elizabeth LaConte, Rafael Suarez-Rivas, Susan Garrett, Andrew Mai.
Commissioner Tom Perona ranked as follows: Tanya Earley, Manny Anon, Aleksandr Boksner, Elizabeth LaConte, Susan Garrett, Andrew Mai, Rafael Suarez-Rivas.
Mayor Linda Hudson ranked as follows: Tanya Earley, Manny Anon, Elizabeth LaConte, Rafael Suarez-Rivas, Aleksandr Boksner, Susan Garrett, Andrew Mai.
Based upon the points ranking, the final ranking was as follows: Tanya Earley (4), Manny Anon (8), Aleksandr Boksner (14), Elizabeth LaConte (15), Rafeal Suarez-Rivas (21), Susan Garrett (24), Andrew Mai (26).
The City Commission will move forward to interview the top 4 candidates on September 27, 2021. That being, Tanya Earley, Manny Anon, Aleksandr Boksner, and Elizabeth LaConte. In the meantime, Mr. Slavin will gather additional background information. A representative from Slavin Management Consultants will attend the interviews on September 27 in-person.
b.
Review of applications to serve on the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority Board as an at-large member and selection of final candidates for consideration.
The City Commission has received 8 applications for consideration for the at-large seat on the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority.
The Mayor and Commissioners each selected three candidates in an effort to narrow the field of candidates in order to schedule individual interviews prior to a final vote.
Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr. selected Nichelle Clemons, Craig Francisco, Larry Lammers.
Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson selected Nichelle Clemons, Craig Francisco, Larry Lammers.
Commissioner Tom Perona selected Richard Albosta, James Harding, Larry Lammers.
Mayor Linda Hudson selected Craig Francisco, Larry Lammers, Ronald Poppell.
Based upon the votes, the following individuals will move forward to individual interviews: Nichelle Clemons, Craig Francisco and Larry Lammers. The City Clerk will work with the candidates and the Mayor and Commission to schedule individual interviews. The Commission will make their final selection of the new FPUA Board member at the October 4 meeting.
The Mayor and Commissioners each selected three candidates in an effort to narrow the field of candidates in order to schedule individual interviews prior to a final vote.
Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr. selected Nichelle Clemons, Craig Francisco, Larry Lammers.
Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson selected Nichelle Clemons, Craig Francisco, Larry Lammers.
Commissioner Tom Perona selected Richard Albosta, James Harding, Larry Lammers.
Mayor Linda Hudson selected Craig Francisco, Larry Lammers, Ronald Poppell.
Based upon the votes, the following individuals will move forward to individual interviews: Nichelle Clemons, Craig Francisco and Larry Lammers. The City Clerk will work with the candidates and the Mayor and Commission to schedule individual interviews. The Commission will make their final selection of the new FPUA Board member at the October 4 meeting.
7.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Hudson adjourned the meeting at 5:54 p.m.
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK
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MAYOR COMMISSIONER
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