C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
CONFERENCE AGENDA MINUTES
Conference Agenda Meeting - Monday, July 10, 2023 - 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 meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
2.
Pledge of Allegiance
3.
Roll Call
- Present:
-
- Michael Broderick, Commissioner
- Arnold Gaines, Commissioner
- Curtis Johnson, Jr., Commissioner
- Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner
- Linda Hudson, Mayor
- Staff Present:
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- Linda Cox, City Clerk
- Nicholas Mimms, City Manager
- Tanya Earley, City Attorney
4.
New Business
a.
Presentation of Proposed FY 2023 - 2024 General Fund Budget, FPRA Budget and Enterprise Funds Proposed Spending Plans
Ms. Johnna Morris, Director of Finance, provided an overview of the proposed FY 2023-2024 General Fund budget which is balanced at $57,907,811, which is a $5,495,165 (10.5) increase from FY2023. There is no proposed change to the millage rate. Ms. Morris reviewed the current debt limits and maturity of existing debt. The FPRA budget is at $12,149,570 which is an increase of $2,760,890. Ms. Morris also reviwed the spending plans for the City's enterprise funds.
Consensus was to proceed with the budget as presented with no change in the millage rate.
Consensus was to proceed with the budget as presented with no change in the millage rate.
b.
Proposed FY 2023 - 2024 Capital Improvement Program
Mr. Jack Andrews, City Engineer, presented the City's FY 2023-2024 Capital Improvement program with an overview of completed projects in FY2022/23, current projects under construction, projects under design, and the proposed new construction projects. City Commission did not recommend any modifications.
c.
Solid Waste Rate Study - Mike Reals, Public Works Director
Mr. Mike Reals, Public Works Director, was present along with Peter Engle, Kessler Consulting, to provide an overview of the rate study which was conducted and described existing refuse collection services provided by the City with comparative information from other jurisdictions. The rate study reviewed a cost of service analysis, future costs and revenue requirements and a 5-year analysis of rate scenarios. Consensus was to move forward to formalize the rate increase recommendations for consideration and decision by the City Commission.
d.
Island Wastewater Reclamation Facility Relocation Update - Javier Cisneros, FPUA Utilities Director
Mr. Javier Cisneros, Director of Utilities, Mr. Bo Hutchinson, Director of Water and Wastewater Systems and Rachel Tenant, Public Affairs and Sustainability Manager, provided an update on the Water Reclamation Facility relocation. Discussion items included the cost not to exceed contract, construction progress, grant opportunities and funding status.
e.
Future Redevelopment of the Island Wastewater Reclamation Facility
Mr. Nick Mimms, City Manager, briefly reviewed the information provided regarding ownership of the property where the existing wastewater reclamation facility is located. Mr. Harold Smyth, adjacent property owner representative, was present and briefly discussed the desire for the city to move forward with development plans for the use of the property and to address any reverter or ownership issues which may arise once the plant is decommissioned. Consensus was that staff would initiate a discussion with all interested parties and a joint workshop would be organized in the future.
Mayor Hudson recessed the meeting at 12:35.
Meeting was called back to order at 1:00 p.m.
Meeting was called back to order at 1:00 p.m.
f.
Pilot Program for paid parking on the beach parking lots - update and review of RFP - Peggy Arraiz, Community Response Director
Ms. Peggy Arraiz, Director of Community Response, provided an overview of the paid parking pilot program which has been proposed for specific parks on the island. As drafted in the RFP for an operator, the program will be for 3 years and include hardware, software and enforcement personnel be provided as part of the scope of services. The Parking Committee recommended that program income would be divided equally between the general fund and a restricted fund for future parking needs and that all St. Lucie County residents be provided free parking permits. Consensus was to proceed with the RFP for the pilot program.
g.
An update of the operations at the Fort Pierce Animal Adoption Center (FPAAC) - Peggy Arraiz, Community Response Director
- General operations
- ARP funds
- Multi-jurisdiction cooperative efforts
Ms. Peggy Arriaz, Director of Community Response, and Summer Rulapaugh, Operations Manager, provided an update on the current operations of the Animal Adoption Center. They have have secured a primary veterinarian and several partnership agreements and grants to help defray the costs of animal care and provide rescue services for the adoption center. Also discussed were their successful efforts in working with the other area jurisdictions and future fundraising efforts. In general, everyone was pleased with the efforts and progress for the Animal Adoption Center.
h.
Impact Fee Study Update - Kev Freeman, Planning Director
Mr. Kev Freeman, Director of Planning, provided an update on the Impact Fee Study currently underway. Based upon current growth, the study will be proposing a new service area for Law Enforcement and look at our existing service areas (Parks and Recreation, Government Buildings, Solid Waste, Stormwater and Transportation) with recommended updates that will be consistent with state statutes. Staff is currently gathering the required data for the study.
i.
Compensation for the Mayor and Commissioners
Mayor and City Commission discussed the existing compensation and whether an increase is warranted. The last increase was April, 2021. The City Clerk confirmed that any change in compensation must be done via ordinance. Consensus was to proceed with a 10% increase to be consistent with the cost of living increases provided to employees over the last two years. An ordinance will be brought forward increasing the Mayor's salary to $40,000 and Commissioner salaries to $31,000.00.
j.
Review of compensation and benefits for City employees.
Mr. Nick Mimms, City Manager, discussed a request for an increase of the existing annuity cap for retirement of $100,000 for employees hired after October 1, 2012 to $130,000.00. After discussion, consensus was to proceed with raising the cap to $115,000.00 for employees hired after 2012.
Another request was for the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) to be extended from 5 years to 8 years; consistent with the recent change to FRS. After discussion, consensus was to proceed with the change.
Mr. Mimms also presented the salary study recommendations and implementation. After discussion, consensus was to proceed with implementing the salary study recommendations.
Another request was for the Deferred Retirement Option Plan (DROP) to be extended from 5 years to 8 years; consistent with the recent change to FRS. After discussion, consensus was to proceed with the change.
Mr. Mimms also presented the salary study recommendations and implementation. After discussion, consensus was to proceed with implementing the salary study recommendations.
Mayor Hudson left the meeting and passed the gavel to Mayor Pro Tem Arnold Gaines.
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.
Susan Parry.
6.
City Commission Boards and Committees Updates
No committee updates were offered.
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 Pro Tem Gaines adjorned the meeting at 3:38 p.m.