C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
CONFERENCE AGENDA MINUTES
Conference Agenda Meeting - Monday, March 14, 2022 - 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 March 14, 2022, Conference Agenda Meeting to order at 9:00 AM.
2.
Pledge of Allegiance
3.
Roll Call
- Present:
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- Curtis Johnson, Jr., Commissioner
- Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner
- Thomas Perona, Commissioner
- Linda Hudson, Mayor
- Absent:
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- Arnold Gaines, Commissioner
- Staff Present:
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- Linda Cox, City Clerk
- Johnna Morris, City Finance Director
- Tanya Earley, City Attorney
- Attendees:
-
Commissioner Arnold Gaines arrived at 10:59am
4.
New Business
a.
Update on the Sunrise Humane Society and discussion on their request for representation from the Commission as a non-voting member of the Board of Directors.
Dr. Julie Kittems gave the update on the Sunrise Humane Society. She mentioned the municipal shelter was reopened, and they were able to move 1800 animals over the last year. She stated the Board of Directors are the ones who coordinate the fundraisers, and they are currently online through crowdfunding. Their meetings are the last Monday of every month at 4pm. The commissioner suggested Tom Perona to be the ex-officio member of the Board of Directors.
b.
The Parks Advisory Committee have analyzed the issues reported at Jetty Park and have summarized their conclusion in the attached report.
Parks Advisory Committee has received several complaints regarding loud music at the parks. They addressed the complaints by looking into other cities and their ordinances and how they enforce them. They have had lighted signs installed with the fines listed to assist the enforcement.
c.
The Parks Advisory Committee have analyzed the request for the sponsorships of public facilities throughout the City of Fort Pierce. Attached for your review, is the draft guidelines for the sponsorship of naming public facilites.
The Parks Advisory Committee reached out to different counties and cities for how they process these requests and were able to draft new guidelines for the sponsorship of naming public facilities. They also reviewed the sunshine law to ensure there was nothing there that would have to become a part of the new guidelines. The Commissioners would like to see in the guidelines the ability to not be able to name any public facilities after a living person or to be able to revoke the sponsorship if needed. Commissioner Curtis Johnson mentioned the ability to renew the sponsorship on a yearly basis.
d.
Update on the Short Term / Vacation Rental Program
Code Enforcement Director Ms. Peggy Arraiz gave the Short Term Rental program update. The Commissioners agreed they would like a way for citizens to be able to check the status of a Short Term Rental.
e.
Discussion of the development of current parking areas in Downtown Fort Pierce
Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson introduced this item knowing the growth the city is going towards in the upcoming years and mentioned he would like to start the discussion on parking in the downtown area. He mentioned it would be good to open the RFQ/RFP discussion. Commissioner Thomas Perona mentioned the Walker Parking Group is conducting a study of the parking in the downtown area.
f.
Discussion on Business Tax Receipt Rates
City Clerk Ms. Linda Cox presented the discussion on Business Tax Receipt rates and if the Commissioners would like to raise, decrease, or not change the BTR fees. The Commissioners debated whether it would help or hinder the current economics, they would like input from the citizens and business owners and to discuss further at the next conference agenda meeting in April.
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.
No Comments
6.
City Commission Boards and Committees Updates
Commissioner Arnold Gaines first apologized for being late. He stated the Lincoln Park Main Street wax exhibit did great, there will be a survey in Lincoln Park next month, and they are trying to develop the Lincoln Park heritage program. He also attended the town hall meeting for the Task Force on Homelessness for funding and affordable housing. He mentioned the Treasure Coast Council on Local Government discussed the Senate Bill 620, they passed the ban on smoking in parks, and that they passed the tree preservation bill.
Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson reported Main Street is doing well and that they are looking for Board members. TPO doesn’t meet until next month. The chamber had a great meeting regarding the growth of Downtown and within the City. His last update is that the Downtown Local Business Alliance is coming up with ideas for the downtown and are interested in kiosks.
Commissioner Curtis Johnson reported the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council met and had an overview of the Brightline project and the biggest item they discussed was safety. He also mentioned he received an invitation to the upcoming meeting the Port Advisory Board will be having. His last updated was that the Fire Board recognized a local hero, Mr. Carl Noble.
Commissioner Thomas Perona mentioned the Retirement Board system had a great increase in the last quarter and the Parking Board talked about the need for more Electrical Vehicle Parking.
Mayor Linda Hudson mentioned most of the meetings she attended were already updated by the other Commissioners and that the FPUA Agenda would be posted for the joint workshop.
Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson reported Main Street is doing well and that they are looking for Board members. TPO doesn’t meet until next month. The chamber had a great meeting regarding the growth of Downtown and within the City. His last update is that the Downtown Local Business Alliance is coming up with ideas for the downtown and are interested in kiosks.
Commissioner Curtis Johnson reported the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council met and had an overview of the Brightline project and the biggest item they discussed was safety. He also mentioned he received an invitation to the upcoming meeting the Port Advisory Board will be having. His last updated was that the Fire Board recognized a local hero, Mr. Carl Noble.
Commissioner Thomas Perona mentioned the Retirement Board system had a great increase in the last quarter and the Parking Board talked about the need for more Electrical Vehicle Parking.
Mayor Linda Hudson mentioned most of the meetings she attended were already updated by the other Commissioners and that the FPUA Agenda would be posted for the joint workshop.
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 Linda Hudson adjourned the meeting at 11:58 am