C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
CONFERENCE AGENDA MINUTES
Conference Agenda Meeting - Tuesday, March 29, 2022 - 6:00 p.m.
City Hall - City Commission Chambers, 100 North U.S. #1, Fort Pierce, Florida
1.
Call to Order
Mayor Linda Hudson called the March 29, 2022 Redistricting Workshop of the City Commission to order at 6:00 p.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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- Linda Cox, City Clerk
- Nicholas Mimms, City Manager
- Tanya Earley, City Attorney
4.
Workshop
a.
Presentation - Kurt Spitzer of Kurt Spitzer and Associates
Kurt Spitzer, Kurt Spitzer and Associates, presented the two (2) proposed redistricting maps for the City of Fort Pierce and explained the entire redistricting process and how the census numbers are used within the maps.
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.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.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.
Mario Wilcox commented that he supports the need for a redistricting commission.
Mike Cully, Hibiscus Park President commented that that Hibiscus Park would like to remain in District 2.
Rebecca Isaac requested the number of minority voters.
Debra Hall, Vote by Mail Coordinator, Supervisor of Elections, clarified the process for Rock Road.
Charlie Frank Matthews submitted comments and recommendations from the Saint Lucie County Concerned Citizens, Inc.
Kai Fontaine supports alternative number one.
Barbara Bennett requested that Paradise Park and Sheraton Plaza be annexed into the City.
Mike Cully, Hibiscus Park President commented that that Hibiscus Park would like to remain in District 2.
Rebecca Isaac requested the number of minority voters.
Debra Hall, Vote by Mail Coordinator, Supervisor of Elections, clarified the process for Rock Road.
Charlie Frank Matthews submitted comments and recommendations from the Saint Lucie County Concerned Citizens, Inc.
Kai Fontaine supports alternative number one.
Barbara Bennett requested that Paradise Park and Sheraton Plaza be annexed into the City.
6.
Commission Comments and Discussion
Mayor Hudson inquired on the public question of the population count by race for both alternatives and addressed annexation requests. City Manager Nick Mimms explained the various methods of annexations and that they require County cooperation. Mr. Spitzer provided the population count by race of both alternatives.
Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson commented on the annexation of Paradise Park.
Commissioner Curtis Johnson inquired if the census report only provided two race categories, if those numbers are available to the public, if data on other ethnicities is included, is there in impact on that data of incarcerated citizens. Mr. Spitzer explained that what was recorded was single race black or single race white, although there are twelve to fifteen categories, data on Hispanics is provided but not sure if Haitian/Creole is an option, generally incarcerated persons are not included in the redistricting count.
City Clerk Linda Cox explained that the redistricting count is available and attached to the agenda and will be added as a single file.
Commissioner Gaines inquired of the area near Dan McCarty Middle School in alternative two, and the new number based on the redistricting changes Mr. Spitzer clarified that there is no population count because it is a school and that those number are available.
Commissioner Perona commented that ten years ago the difference was over nine thousand and explained that he is comfortable with the changes presented.
Mayor Hudson inquired of City Clerk Linda Cox the next steps in the redistricting process. Mrs. Cox explained that if consensus is reached there will be two public hearings, advertisement, and the boundaries will be redrawn. Once complete the information will be transmitted to the Supervision of Elections as is required for the upcoming election.
Commission Options
Mayor Hudson – Alternative 1
Commissioner Perona - Alternative 1
Commissioner Curtis Johnson – Alternative 1
Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson- Alternative 1
Commissioner Gaines – Neither
Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson inquired of additional options of Commissioner Gaines. Commissioner Gaines stated that he requires more clarity in the information presented as he has concerns.
Commissioner Perona thanked Mr. Spitzer.
Mayor Hudson thanked residents in attendance.
Commissioner Gaines thanked the Commission for accommodating with the additional workshop.
Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson commented on the annexation of Paradise Park.
Commissioner Curtis Johnson inquired if the census report only provided two race categories, if those numbers are available to the public, if data on other ethnicities is included, is there in impact on that data of incarcerated citizens. Mr. Spitzer explained that what was recorded was single race black or single race white, although there are twelve to fifteen categories, data on Hispanics is provided but not sure if Haitian/Creole is an option, generally incarcerated persons are not included in the redistricting count.
City Clerk Linda Cox explained that the redistricting count is available and attached to the agenda and will be added as a single file.
Commissioner Gaines inquired of the area near Dan McCarty Middle School in alternative two, and the new number based on the redistricting changes Mr. Spitzer clarified that there is no population count because it is a school and that those number are available.
Commissioner Perona commented that ten years ago the difference was over nine thousand and explained that he is comfortable with the changes presented.
Mayor Hudson inquired of City Clerk Linda Cox the next steps in the redistricting process. Mrs. Cox explained that if consensus is reached there will be two public hearings, advertisement, and the boundaries will be redrawn. Once complete the information will be transmitted to the Supervision of Elections as is required for the upcoming election.
Commission Options
Mayor Hudson – Alternative 1
Commissioner Perona - Alternative 1
Commissioner Curtis Johnson – Alternative 1
Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson- Alternative 1
Commissioner Gaines – Neither
Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson inquired of additional options of Commissioner Gaines. Commissioner Gaines stated that he requires more clarity in the information presented as he has concerns.
Commissioner Perona thanked Mr. Spitzer.
Mayor Hudson thanked residents in attendance.
Commissioner Gaines thanked the Commission for accommodating with the additional 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 7:47 p.m.