Minutes for FPRA Regular Meeting - 5:05 p.m.

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MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE FORT PIERCE REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY, HELD IN THE CITY HALL COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 100 NORTH U.S. #1, FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, AT 5:05 P.M. ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2022.

CALL TO ORDER

Chairwomen Hudson called to order at 5:05 P.M.

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL

Present:

Chairperson Linda Hudson; Commissioner Arnold Gaines; Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson; Commissioner Thomas Perona

Absent:

Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr.

Staff Present:

City Clerk Linda Cox
City Manager Nicholas Mimms
City Attorney Tanya Earley

Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas Perona, seconded by Commissioner Arnold Gaines to excuse Commissioner Curtis Johnson Jr.

AYE:: Chairperson Linda Hudson, Commissioner Arnold Gaines, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona

Passed

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Approval of Minutes from the July 12, 2022, Regular Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency Meeting.

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Motion was made by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Arnold Gaines to approve the minutes from the July 12, 2022, Regular FPRA Meeting.

AYE:: Chairperson Linda Hudson, Commissioner Arnold Gaines, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona

Passed

COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Any person who wishes to comment on any subject on this agenda may be heard at this time. Please limit your comments to three (3) minutes or less, as directed by the Chairperson, as this section of the Agenda is limited to fifteen minutes. The FPRA Board will not be able to take any official actions under Comments from the Public. Speakers will address the Chairperson, Commissioners, and the Public with respect. Inappropriate language will not be tolerated.

No comments from the public.

CONSENT AGENDA

Approval of the Grant Agreement for Interior Uplift Grant - 616 Atlantic Avenue - Dance Ministries LLC

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Approval of the Grant Agreement for Interior Uplift Grant - 118 N 9th Street - Butts, Elmon

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Approval of Grant Agreement for Interior Uplift Grant - 709 S 5th Street - New Horizons of the Treasure Coast, Inc.

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Approval of the Grant Agreement for Interior Uplift Grant - 300 S. 6th Street - Fort Pierce Charter Development LLC

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Approval of the Grant Agreement for Interior Uplift Grant - 710 Orange Avenue - Botanical Sanctuary, LLC

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Motion was made by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Arnold Gaines to approve consent agenda, items 6a-6e.

AYE:: Chairperson Linda Hudson, Commissioner Arnold Gaines, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona

Passed

PULLED AT REQUEST OF STAFF Approval of Utility Easement – Avenue B Roadway Improvement Project #20200564-1-E5

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NEW BUSINESS

CRA Advisory Committee Update by Chairwoman Sabrina Taylor and Phil Thompson

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Sabrina Taylor, CRA Advisory Committee Chairwoman, provided her quarterly update on the CRA Committee progress. She thanked the board for the approval of the CRA advisory committee recommendation for the Interior Uplift Grant.

Ms. Taylor presents Tunnel to Towers, a foundation that provides mortgage-free homes to catastrophically injured veterans and first responders. This program can be a great opportunity to assist veterans and revitalize the City of Fort Pierce.

CRA committee board member, Phil Thompson, discussed how several surplus properties owned by the FPRA can be utilized by partnering with St. Lucie County, Tunnel to Towers and Congressman Mast to develop an innovative program that will help catastrophically injured veterans and First responders.

Chairwoman Hudson inquired if Tunnels to Towers also serves first responders.

Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson stated that this is great idea and in the past years there has been discussion about how to use the surplus properties. He recommended for the advisory committee to look at the properties and gather the information to bring back to the board. The Commissioner also stated that St. Lucie County started an effort for homeless veterans at Oleander and Edwards RD, this would be a great addition to that process.

Commissioner Perona questioned if the CRA advisory committee is giving their recommendation at this time.

Mr. Thompson advised that they do service to first responders, catastrophically wounded veteran, gold star families, and homeless veterans. Most recently someone donated about 100 acres in Tampa where Tunnel to Towers built 110 homes for first responders, catastrophically wounded veteran, and gold star families.

Ms. Taylor advised that the CRA discussed this idea last week and this is more of an informative presentation. They will be going back to the committee to start the process and research all details about this initiative to come back to the board with a full recommendation.

Ms. Taylor advised the board that they will have an update on the Orange Avenue revitalization in September or by the end of the year.

Authorize staff to enter into negotiations with the Original Florida Hall of Fame Highwaymen, Inc. to operate the City of Fort Pierce Florida Highwaymen Museum as the only responsive bidder for RFP 2022-021.

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Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas Perona, seconded by Commissioner Arnold Gaines to approve motion to authorize staff to enter into negotiations with the Original Florida Hall of Fame Highwaymen, Inc. to operate the City of Fort Pierce Florida Highwaymen Museum as the only responsive bidder for RFP 2022-021.

AYE:: Chairperson Linda Hudson, Commissioner Arnold Gaines, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona

Passed

STAFF COMMENTS

No staff comments.

BOARD COMMENTS

No board comments.

10.

ADJOURNMENT

Chairwomen adjourned meeting at 5:32 P.M.

ATTEST:

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CITY CLERK

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CHAIRPERSON