C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
CONFERENCE AGENDA MINUTES
Conference Agenda Meeting - Monday, August 8, 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 August 08, 2022, Conference Agenda Meeting to order at 9:00 A.M.
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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- Brittany Meredith, Deputy City Clerk
- Nicholas Mimms, City Manager
- Tanya Earley, City Attorney
4.
New Business
a.
Presentation by William Wims, President/CEO, New Horizons of the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee
New Horizons, Division Director, Ms. Kathryn Beverly gave the New Horizons of the Treasure Coast and Okeechobee presentation. Mayor Hudson asked how they are funded, and Ms. Beverly responded they are not a state agency, they receive funding through multiple organizations, and they work with insurance companies. The Commissioners asked how to get the word out that this program is available, and Mr. Wims responded they could visit the New Horizons website as well as calling 211, and they will direct the call to them directly.
b.
Fort Pierce Downtown Parking Analysis Presentation.
Senior Consultant, Tom Szubka and Lead Analyst Megan Gardo gave the Walker Parking Analysis presentation. Commissioner Perona stated that parking in the Downtown area will be an evolving issue with all the new projects coming up. Commissioner Gaines asked if we know the existing parking garages are being utilized. Parking Committee Chairman, Michael Broderick, gave recommendations from the Parking Committee, let the Commissioners know that the County Parking garage is open to the public, and they have been in contact with St. Lucie County to obtain a counting system for the garages. The Commissioners agreed they need more data to know the actual need for parking. City Manager, Nick Mimms mentioned calling a joint meeting with the County Commissioners. The Mayor asked if he could draft a letter expressing the urgency for a meeting with the County Commissioners regarding parking.
c.
Discussion on agenda for joint meeting with Housing Authority Board.
City Manager Nick Mimms introduced the discussion on the agenda for the joint meeting with the Housing Authority Board. The Commissioners stated this is an information-seeking meeting, they want them to bring their concerns to the table, they want to know their strategy for attainable housing, and be able to exchange ideas to better assist the City’s citizens.
d.
Staff will present information on the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Discretionary Grant to promote the Vision Zero safety plan.
.
.
Engineering Project Manager, Selena Griffett gave the presentation on Safe Streets and Roads for All. Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson asked if this is the same safety plan as the TPOs plan and Ms. Griffett stated this is a different plan. The Commissioners stated there is extra safety needed for getting pedestrians across the roads. Ms. Griffett stated she is putting together a presentation for the grant application on where, when, and how the accidents happened.
e.
Discussion of Utilities Bill Assistance
Special Projects Coordinator, Audria Moore-Wells and City Manager Nick Mimms gave the Utilities Bill Assistance presentation. The Commissioners mentioned creating a contract or agreement for when landlords receive assistance in completing the weatherization process, so it protects the tenant from getting removed.
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.
Frank Creyaufuiller
6.
City Commission Boards and Committees Updates
Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson mentioned the Tourism Board did not meet, the TPO Board was discussed, and the Chamber meeting young professionals are going to start Coffee with Community Leaders. He asked if the City would be able to switch up how the funds are being disbursed to Main Street.
Commissioner Arnold Gaines mentioned the Treasure Coast Council of Local Government met and discussed homelessness and attainable housing and that they invited State Legislators. The Retirement Board had a quick meeting and he mentioned how hard they are working to secure retirement funds for the City. Lincoln Park Main Street is still discussing the survey that went out. The Council on Aging did not meet. The Homelessness Task Force submitted the final recommendations to the County Commissioners. He mentioned that school starts Monday morning, so he urges everyone to start practicing safe driving and slowing down for school zones.
Commissioner Thomas Perona mentioned FMPA met, and they are working diligently. He mentioned Code Enforcement Director, Ms. Peggy Arraiz came to the Sunrise Humane Society meeting and discussed the plan for the City to assist the Humane Society with its funding issues. The Sunrise Theater meets tomorrow, and they will be going over the strategic plan and the PFM report for May. He also mentioned the Retirement board meeting was a quick one.
Mayor Linda Hudson mentioned a citizen will be joining the next Sunrise Theater meeting. They need to select a voting delegate for the Florida League of Cities for the upcoming poll this Saturday. Jeremiah Johnson volunteered to be the City’s voting delegate. The Treasure Coast League of Cities has a Conference coming up this Saturday morning. She mentioned that early voting starts August 13th through the 20th and Election Day is August 23rd.
Commissioner Arnold Gaines mentioned the Treasure Coast Council of Local Government met and discussed homelessness and attainable housing and that they invited State Legislators. The Retirement Board had a quick meeting and he mentioned how hard they are working to secure retirement funds for the City. Lincoln Park Main Street is still discussing the survey that went out. The Council on Aging did not meet. The Homelessness Task Force submitted the final recommendations to the County Commissioners. He mentioned that school starts Monday morning, so he urges everyone to start practicing safe driving and slowing down for school zones.
Commissioner Thomas Perona mentioned FMPA met, and they are working diligently. He mentioned Code Enforcement Director, Ms. Peggy Arraiz came to the Sunrise Humane Society meeting and discussed the plan for the City to assist the Humane Society with its funding issues. The Sunrise Theater meets tomorrow, and they will be going over the strategic plan and the PFM report for May. He also mentioned the Retirement board meeting was a quick one.
Mayor Linda Hudson mentioned a citizen will be joining the next Sunrise Theater meeting. They need to select a voting delegate for the Florida League of Cities for the upcoming poll this Saturday. Jeremiah Johnson volunteered to be the City’s voting delegate. The Treasure Coast League of Cities has a Conference coming up this Saturday morning. She mentioned that early voting starts August 13th through the 20th and Election Day is August 23rd.
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 Hudson adjourned the meeting at 12:07 P.M.