C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
CONFERENCE AGENDA MINUTES
Conference Agenda Meeting - Monday, May 9, 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 May 09, 2022, Conference Agenda Meeting to order at 9:00 AM.
2.
Pledge of Allegiance
3.
Roll Call
- Present:
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- Arnold Gaines, Commissioner
- Curtis Johnson, Jr., Commissioner
- Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner
- Thomas Perona, Commissioner
- Linda Hudson, Mayor
- Staff Present:
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- Linda Cox, City Clerk
- Nicholas Mimms, City Manager
- Tanya Earley, City Attorney
4.
New Business
a.
Presentation of 2022 Legislative Wrap-Up by Nicole Fogarty, Legislative Affairs Director
Legislative Affairs Director Nicole Fogarty gave the update on the 2022 Legislative wrap up. She mentioned this year’s meetings went better than last year's. None of the Commissioners had any questions for her.
b.
Sunrise Theatre Advisory Board - Strategic Planning Committee Presentation
Sharon Engle, Becky Shearer, and Lynn Singleton presented the Sunrise Theater Strategic Plan Update. Commissioner Perona asked about how they are planning to build business and how far out they are planning shows, they answered it depends on the type of show. Commissioner Gaines questioned how they are attracting specific events, how different local businesses can partner with the Theater, and if they could send out a questionnaire out to St. Lucie County Schools to get the younger crowd involved in the theater. Mr. Singleton stated the Sunrise Theater does approximately 1200 shows a year, they reach out through internet sales and presale's for the tickets, and part of the strategic plan is to offer packages that include local dining and theater admission. Commissioner Curtis Johnson questions the insurance inflation, and he would like to see requests for new insurance partners. Ms. Engle stated that they are looking into getting more quotes on the insurance. Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson asked about the staffing for the theater and if they could reach out to local schools for volunteers, Ms. Engle responded they are working on hiring a few part time and full time staff members within the first year of this Strategic Plan. Mayor Hudson mentioned the Sunrise Theater will be turning 100 years old next year.
c.
Edgartown Historic District update
Senior Planner Vennis Gilmore, Public Works Director Mike Reals, City Engineer Jack Andrews, and City Attorney Tanya Earley presented the update for Edgartown. Ms. Earley mentioned the City should create a specific definition for Live Entertainment as it is not defined in our Ordinance at the moment. Mayor Linda Hudson mentioned acoustic doesn’t have a definition as well. City Manager Nick Mimms suggested for staff to bring back specific definitions for Live Entertainment and Acoustic for the Commission to approve.
d.
Discussion regarding a request to rename Pinewood Park
Public Works Director Mike Reals and Vice Chair of the Parks Advisory committee Dr. Susan Hamburger presented the request for renaming Pinewood Park. Commissioner Gaines asked what the process of renaming parks and Mr. Reals let him know someone must come forward with an application or the Commission can submit the application for a name change. Mayor Hudson requested more information on the background of Pinewood Park before they approve the application.
e.
Discussion regarding implementing a Hometown Hero Banner Program in the City of Fort Pierce
Public Works Director Mike Reals and Code Compliance Manager Peggy Arraiz presented the discussion of implementing a Hometown Hero Banner Program. The Commissioners questioned if the banners would be restricted to Veterans Park and Mayor Hudson mentioned she would not like to restrict them to just the park. The Commissioners agreed they would like more information on the restrictions on when, where, and how long the banners would go up.
f.
Reconstruction of Jaycee Park
Public Works Director Mike Reals presented the reconstruction of Jaycee Park presentation. Commissioner Perona mentioned the Kiwanis club has a reveal date for the park rendering set for June 11th. Commissioner Curtis Johnson questioned the necessity for replacing the metal roofs rather than patching them and Mr. Reals mentioned they have been previously patched and the conditions of them are continually getting worse. City Manager Mimms mentioned Jaycee Park will be a part of the pilot program for paid parking. Commissioner Perona questioned if the boat ramp will be a part of the reconstruction plan and Mr. Reals responded it is not a part of the current plan.
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.
Juanita Dunn
Holly Theuns
John Nolli
Will Goulet
Tim O’Connell
Holly Theuns
John Nolli
Will Goulet
Tim O’Connell
6.
City Commission Boards and Committees Updates
Commissioner Arnold Gaines attended the Treasure Coast Council of Local Governments and received an update on the bills that were passed. Maps sent out new legislative districts. Lincoln Park Main Street completed the survey, the Lincoln Pak Heritage Education Program is printing a brochure describing their program, the African American Art and History Center is in the works and finalization on black archive exhibits late June. Council on Aging is holding its first bingo night and they want senior citizens to know during the summer if they need assistance with their electric bills, they can contact the Council on Aging. The Homelessness Task force meets Friday and will be presenting the final recommendations for County Commissioners regarding what the board needs and what they will be tasked with going forward. Attended the Concerned Citizens Committee meeting and was a guest speaker.
Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson will be attending the Chamber Board meeting tomorrow, and they will be discussing moving the meetings to every other month. Tourism board meets Wednesday. The TPO board meets next month. Downtown Business Alliance discussed the scooters and the evaluation of their contract. Main Street meetings are going strong, and they are doing well. He asked if the City would be able to raise the retirement benefit for the police force and Commissioner Perona responded the request would have to come from the administration office and not from the Commissioners.
Commissioner Curtis Johnson mentioned he will not be attending the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council meeting, so he will need someone to fill in for him. The Fire Board is meeting soon and at the last meeting, they dedicated an ambulance to go to Liberia, Africa. The Seaport Advisory board met last month and had a presentation from the Director and the dredging project that is happening in the Taylor Creek area.
Commissioner Thomas Perona mentioned the Jaycee Park project and the upcoming event for the unveiling of the new plans for the park. The Sunrise Humane Society is working hard and does not have enough employees and volunteers to keep up with the level of work required. The Parking Committee meets this week. The Retirement Board did not meet last month.
Mayor Linda Hudson mentioned the Fire Board dedicated a fire station on the beach to Dr. Liu, they received the report from the Fire District on their pension, they will be building four new fire stations, one a year, and they are working on the mural for Commissioner Alexander in the station on Avenue D. The Florida League of Cities has a big meeting in June where they will receive the Legislative Update and Curtis Johnson and Mayor Hudson will be receiving the Home Rule Hero Award. She mentioned Maddie Williams with the Treasure Coast Builders Association will be performing with her band The Dreamers on May 12th at 500 Orange Ave for the St. Lucie Cultural Alliance. She mentioned the Referendum for the November election and that the Tax abatement applies to Fort Pierce.
Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson will be attending the Chamber Board meeting tomorrow, and they will be discussing moving the meetings to every other month. Tourism board meets Wednesday. The TPO board meets next month. Downtown Business Alliance discussed the scooters and the evaluation of their contract. Main Street meetings are going strong, and they are doing well. He asked if the City would be able to raise the retirement benefit for the police force and Commissioner Perona responded the request would have to come from the administration office and not from the Commissioners.
Commissioner Curtis Johnson mentioned he will not be attending the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council meeting, so he will need someone to fill in for him. The Fire Board is meeting soon and at the last meeting, they dedicated an ambulance to go to Liberia, Africa. The Seaport Advisory board met last month and had a presentation from the Director and the dredging project that is happening in the Taylor Creek area.
Commissioner Thomas Perona mentioned the Jaycee Park project and the upcoming event for the unveiling of the new plans for the park. The Sunrise Humane Society is working hard and does not have enough employees and volunteers to keep up with the level of work required. The Parking Committee meets this week. The Retirement Board did not meet last month.
Mayor Linda Hudson mentioned the Fire Board dedicated a fire station on the beach to Dr. Liu, they received the report from the Fire District on their pension, they will be building four new fire stations, one a year, and they are working on the mural for Commissioner Alexander in the station on Avenue D. The Florida League of Cities has a big meeting in June where they will receive the Legislative Update and Curtis Johnson and Mayor Hudson will be receiving the Home Rule Hero Award. She mentioned Maddie Williams with the Treasure Coast Builders Association will be performing with her band The Dreamers on May 12th at 500 Orange Ave for the St. Lucie Cultural Alliance. She mentioned the Referendum for the November election and that the Tax abatement applies to Fort Pierce.
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 1:36 pm