Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas Perona, seconded by Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr. to approve minutes from August 9, 2022, Regular Meeting.

AYE:

Chairperson Linda Hudson, Commissioner Arnold Gaines, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr.

Passed

Motion was made by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Arnold Gaines to approve consent agenda.

AYE:

Chairperson Linda Hudson, Commissioner Arnold Gaines, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr.

Passed

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnold Gaines, seconded by Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr. to approve the proposed Fiscal Year 2022-2023 FPRA Operating Budget.

AYE:

Chairperson Linda Hudson, Commissioner Arnold Gaines, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr.

Passed

City Manager, Nicholas Mimms, gave a brief presentation to request the authorization of expenditures for FRPA funds for downtown police details. The estimated cost will be of $156,000 a year for 2 officers to police the Downtown Areas on Friday nights, all day Saturday and Sunday mornings beginning October 1, 2022. These would be off duty police officers who would sign up for this detail, and they would be dedicated to this area and not pulled off from their law enforcement services.



Commissioner Perona advised that he loves this program, but he suggests that the officers who police this area should be carefully considered as they will be a diplomat for what the downtown area is, and personality is a key part in that.



Commissioner Curtis Johnson is concerned about the 2am crowd leaving the bar, and he wants to confirm that they will be officers who are signing up for these details. Additionally, the downtown area is vast, and the commissioner wanted to confirm how they will be getting around. He also wanted to clarify that these officers will be there to deter crime and can respond to any criminal activity.



Mr. Mimms stated that yes, the police would sign up for the details, they will be speaking to the chief to let her know the requirement that the officers will need to be ambassadors of the city. Mr. Mimms gave an example of the officers in Atlanta who had different uniforms and were very hospitable, communicative, and created a great presence in the visitor area. It is a small detail of two individuals, but they will have multiple options on modes of transportation to get around.



Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson stated that he is very appreciative of this detail, and he thinks in addition to the focus in the downtown area there are resources preserved for the peacock district and south beach.



Commissioner Gaines stated that if the bar closes at 2 AM and the detail leaves at 2am and something happens at 2:15 am, but the detail is gone, he suggests that maybe working with the time.



Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson advised that we should wait for some data and make changes according to that.

Motion was made by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Perona to authorize expenditure of the FPRA funds for Downtown Police Detail.

AYE:

Chairperson Linda Hudson, Commissioner Arnold Gaines, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr.

Passed

Miriam Garcia, Redevelopment Specialist, gave a presentation on the Targeted Corridor Paint program to support the revitalization of the FPRA by assisting property owners to restore and improve the appearance of their commercial and residential properties. This program offers financial assistance in the form of a reimbursable grant up to $1,000 per property for exterior paint and paint supplies and there is a total budget of $50,000. The targeted corridor will be Orange Ave, and all the parcels from 33rd Street all the way to Melody Lane will be eligible for this program.


The application will be processed on a first come, first served basis, applicants must submit application, paint swatches and photo for review eligibility. Once the application is approved, they may go out to purchase paint, submit a receipt and photo for reimbursement. In order to target every property and business owner of the Orange Ave Corridor, they will be issuing a social media/ press release, notice in the mail to all property owners, go door to door and attend the Orange Ave Corridor Association.


Chairwoman Hudson questioned if this program is open to both residential and commercial locations? Mrs. Garcia confirmed it is for both commercial and residential locations.


Commissioner Perona inquired if the grant winner is a commercial location will they need to obtain a permit.


Mrs. Garcia advised that she will confirm with the building Department if a permit is needed.


Commissioner Curtis Johnson inquired if they could request for the paint color palette consistent and see if any paint store would be able to partner with the city to obtain paint at a supplemented type of price structure.


Nicholas Mimms, City Manager, advised that the Orange Avenue Corridors does traverse the Historic District and there are certain colors with the historic district that need to be adhered to along the corridor.

Commissioner Gaines stated he appreciated the presentation and wanted to question if churches were eligible for the grant.


Mrs. Garcia advised that yes, nonprofit organizations were eligible for the program.
 

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnold Gaines, seconded by Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr. to the Targeted Corridor Paint Program.

AYE:

Chairperson Linda Hudson, Commissioner Arnold Gaines, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr.

Passed

Nicholas Mimms, City Manager, advised that there has been a surge of request for the utilization of the CRA properties. Whether these properties are given to someone, donated, or an agreement is done there are certain state required policies that must be followed.


Miriam Garcia, Redevelopment Specialist, provided an overview of the Disposal of the Property in the CRA and disposition procedures. The FPRA currently has 23 vacant properties declared as surplus which have interest from individuals and nonprofit organizations. Most recently staff has updated their procedures and added more item to their paperwork to ease the process in issuance of RFP.


Commissioner Curtis Johnson Jr., stated that there had previously been a program where they had surplus properties that were put out for solicitation. Additionally, that program did have some issues in which certain things were not getting done and a lack of urgency in the structure getting built. He would like to get an update on what changes have been made to avoid these same issues from arising in the future.


Commissioner Perona asked if they could get what the cost of maintenance of these properties.


Commissioner Johnson would additionally like to get the numbers of the tax revenue for these properties.


Nicholas Mimms, City Manager, advised that they have solicited for the FPRA, and City of Fort Pierce Properties, and they will come back to the board with additional information at the next meeting.