MINUTES OF A SPECIAL MEETING WITH BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSION AND THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, HELD IN THE CITY HALL COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 100 NORTH U.S. #1, FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, AT 2:00 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2015.
1.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Linda Hudson called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
Mayor Linda Hudson called the meeting to order at 2:00 p.m.
2.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Mayor Linda Hudson; City Commissioner Rufus Alexander; City Commissioner Edward Becht; City Commissioner Tom Perona; City Commissioner Reginald Sessions; County Commissioner, Chair Paula Lewis; County Commissioner Chris Dzadovsky; County Commissioner Frannie Hutchinson; County Commissioner Kim Johnson; County Commissioner Tod Mowery
- Staff Present:
-
- City Manager Robert Bradshaw
- County Administrator Howard Tipton
- County Attorney Daniel McIntyre
- City Clerk Linda Cox
4.
PORT OF FORT PIERCE
Representative Larry Lee called in to express his excitement and support of the joint venture.
Dan McIntyre, County Attorney, presented the drafted interlocal agreement and discussed the proposition of the initial project being Fisherman's Wharf. The agreement gives the City the option to participate in the cost of appraisals and land acquisition. They have obtained quotes for appraisals and willing seller letters. Going forward the City and County will be full partners. The purpose of this meeting is to obtain agreement on the direction of the project.
Don West, County Public Works Director, discussed the fact that they have already obtained grants and have been approved to buy land with monies being available July 2016. In the interest of moving forward now, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has been receptive to handle without the signed grant contract, as long as the interlocal agreement is in place. The County will front the expense and will be reimbursed in July.
Design work for the road improvements should begin in January. The next component will be the bulkhead design, which will take place after ownership of additional parcels as well as additional grant funding is obtained. The FDOT will hire Transsystems to complete a study for a development plan of port-type business that will involve contacting potential tenants such as boat storage, Bahamas ferry, cruise operations, etc, to see if they would be interested in the area and to partner with the Port of Fort Pierce. The study should take 6 months. Phase 2 will be to create a business plan so that we can pursue additional grants. As the project develops, we may want to entertain another grant for dredging, as we will need to dredge the area.
The designs will be going on concurrently and Second Street is about 12 months from completion. The Harbor Point pond has been excavated and they are working closely with Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA) to handle water main, underground piping, overhead electric, concrete power poles and natural gas lines. We are limited where we can put storm water and there will be three separate ponds.
The Port Authority is seeking confirmation of the cooperation and partnership. It is suggested to coordinate with citizens while keeping in mind the state's desires. It would be great to have the agreement completed by the end of the year.
Former Mayor Bob Benton, introduced Buddy Haack of Taylor Lane Yacht and Ship, who stated that he is excited to have the two yachts being worked on currently. He will be able to provide accurate numbers on the economic impact soon. He has had to turn jobs away from his South Florida location and he would love to have the option to direct his clients to Fort Pierce. There is a unique opportunity for these yacht owners, who may also be private jet owners, to view Fort Pierce as a place to bring more business.
Commission discussion included appreciation for the collaboration between the State, County, City, as well as property owners. There is interest in having engineers and planners get together to discuss options for the ponds to become an attraction. The potential for mega yachts and port-like business to come to Fort Pierce is exciting and the discussion has been a long time coming. Robert Bradshaw, City Manager, confirmed that the approval of the interlocal agreement is on the November 16, 2015 City Commission agenda. The BOCC stated that they can add it on their agenda for November 17, 2015.
Representative Larry Lee called in to express his excitement and support of the joint venture.
Dan McIntyre, County Attorney, presented the drafted interlocal agreement and discussed the proposition of the initial project being Fisherman's Wharf. The agreement gives the City the option to participate in the cost of appraisals and land acquisition. They have obtained quotes for appraisals and willing seller letters. Going forward the City and County will be full partners. The purpose of this meeting is to obtain agreement on the direction of the project.
Don West, County Public Works Director, discussed the fact that they have already obtained grants and have been approved to buy land with monies being available July 2016. In the interest of moving forward now, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has been receptive to handle without the signed grant contract, as long as the interlocal agreement is in place. The County will front the expense and will be reimbursed in July.
Design work for the road improvements should begin in January. The next component will be the bulkhead design, which will take place after ownership of additional parcels as well as additional grant funding is obtained. The FDOT will hire Transsystems to complete a study for a development plan of port-type business that will involve contacting potential tenants such as boat storage, Bahamas ferry, cruise operations, etc, to see if they would be interested in the area and to partner with the Port of Fort Pierce. The study should take 6 months. Phase 2 will be to create a business plan so that we can pursue additional grants. As the project develops, we may want to entertain another grant for dredging, as we will need to dredge the area.
The designs will be going on concurrently and Second Street is about 12 months from completion. The Harbor Point pond has been excavated and they are working closely with Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA) to handle water main, underground piping, overhead electric, concrete power poles and natural gas lines. We are limited where we can put storm water and there will be three separate ponds.
The Port Authority is seeking confirmation of the cooperation and partnership. It is suggested to coordinate with citizens while keeping in mind the state's desires. It would be great to have the agreement completed by the end of the year.
Former Mayor Bob Benton, introduced Buddy Haack of Taylor Lane Yacht and Ship, who stated that he is excited to have the two yachts being worked on currently. He will be able to provide accurate numbers on the economic impact soon. He has had to turn jobs away from his South Florida location and he would love to have the option to direct his clients to Fort Pierce. There is a unique opportunity for these yacht owners, who may also be private jet owners, to view Fort Pierce as a place to bring more business.
Commission discussion included appreciation for the collaboration between the State, County, City, as well as property owners. There is interest in having engineers and planners get together to discuss options for the ponds to become an attraction. The potential for mega yachts and port-like business to come to Fort Pierce is exciting and the discussion has been a long time coming. Robert Bradshaw, City Manager, confirmed that the approval of the interlocal agreement is on the November 16, 2015 City Commission agenda. The BOCC stated that they can add it on their agenda for November 17, 2015.
5.
ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mayor Hudson declared the meeting adjourned at 3:28 p.m.
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK
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MAYOR COMMISSIONER
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