MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, HELD IN THE CITY HALL COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 100 NORTH U.S. #1, FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, AT 5:05 P.M. ON MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2024.
1.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hudson called the December 16, 2024, Regular Meeting of the City Commission to order at 5:05 P.M.
2.
OPENING PRAYER - Elder Ruben Mitchell with Victory and Praise Worship Center
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Commissioner Michael Broderick; Commissioner Arnold Gaines; Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr.; Mayor Linda Hudson; Commissioner James Taylor
- Staff Present:
-
- Acting City Manager Linda Cox
- Records Management Coordinator Tina Rel
- City Attorney Sara Hedges
5.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a.
Approval of the Minutes from the December 02, 2024 Regular Meeting
Motion was made by Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., seconded by Commissioner Arnold Gaines to approve the minutes of the December 02, 2024 Regular Meeting.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Michael Broderick, Commissioner Arnold Gaines, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner James Taylor
Passed
6.
PROCLAMATIONS
a.
Special Presentation of a Donation by Hibiscus Park Neighborhood Association
Luca Bradley, Hibiscus Park Neighborhood Association presented a donation to the City for Christmas lights.
The Commission commented on the benefits of neighborhood associations.
The Commission commented on the benefits of neighborhood associations.
b.
Dorothy Brennan Learn to Read St. Lucie County Proclamation
7.
LETTERS TO COMMISSION
a.
Email from AJ Alexio commending Building Department employees: Janice Espino, Tioka Wolfhagen, Danielle Goncalves, Frank Remling, and Anthony Jetmore, for going above and beyond to provide helpful and knowledgeable support.
8.
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion was made by Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., seconded by Commissioner Michael Broderick to approve the agenda as set.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Michael Broderick, Commissioner Arnold Gaines, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner James Taylor
Passed
9.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARINGS
Any person who wishes to comment on an agenda item which is not under Public Hearings on the Agenda may be heard at this time and must sign up to speak in advance. 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 an agenda item which is not under Public Hearings on the Agenda may be heard at this time and must sign up to speak in advance. 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
10.
MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS
11.
CONSENT AGENDA
a.
Approval and acceptance by the City of Fort Pierce for the Sub-award received from Indian River State College for $95,444.00 to be used for the purchase of security cameras.
b.
Approval for a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) Resilient Florida Grant Agreement for a City of Fort Pierce Comprehensive Vulnerability Assessment (FDEP) Grant Agreement.
c.
Approval for a partnership between the Fort Pierce Animal Adoption Center and PetSmart Charities.
Commissioner Broderick pulled item 11c
Motion was made by Commissioner James Taylor, to approve items 11a and 11b of the Consent Agenda.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Michael Broderick, Commissioner Arnold Gaines, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner James Taylor
Passed
As to item 11c
Commissioner Broderick inquired on the details of the agreement.
Janey Vanderhorst, Code Compliance Supervisor, introduced Summer Ralapaugh, Animal Shelter Administrator, to present the partnership agreement with PetSmart Charities.
City Attorney, Sara Hedges expressed concerns with the indemnification clause and the agreement's approval.
The Commissioner inquired about the agreement with other municipalities, recommended establishing contact with them, and recommended continuing the item for additional information.
Commissioner Broderick inquired on the details of the agreement.
Janey Vanderhorst, Code Compliance Supervisor, introduced Summer Ralapaugh, Animal Shelter Administrator, to present the partnership agreement with PetSmart Charities.
City Attorney, Sara Hedges expressed concerns with the indemnification clause and the agreement's approval.
The Commissioner inquired about the agreement with other municipalities, recommended establishing contact with them, and recommended continuing the item for additional information.
Motion was made by Commissioner Michael Broderick, seconded by Commissioner Arnold Gaines to continue the item 11c until the January 21, 2025 Regular Meeting.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Michael Broderick, Commissioner Arnold Gaines, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner James Taylor
Passed
12.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
Quasi-Judicial Hearings follow a strict set of rules and procedures which can be found on the City’s website using this link: https://www.cityoffortpierce.com/DocumentCenter/View/6740/Quasi-Judicial-Procedures. All Quasi-Judicial decisions by the City Commission must be based on competency substantial evidence. Competent substantial evidence is evidence which will establish a substantial basis from which the fact at issue can reasonably be inferred. It includes fact or opinion evidence offered by an expert on a matter that requires specialized knowledge and that is relevant to the issues to be decided. It is evidence a reasonable mind could accept as having probative weight and adequate to support a legal conclusion. Hypothetical, speculative, fear or emotion based generalized statements that do not address the relevant issues and that cannot be reasonably said to support the action advocated, are not competent substantial evidence.
Quasi-Judicial Hearings follow a strict set of rules and procedures which can be found on the City’s website using this link: https://www.cityoffortpierce.com/DocumentCenter/View/6740/Quasi-Judicial-Procedures. All Quasi-Judicial decisions by the City Commission must be based on competency substantial evidence. Competent substantial evidence is evidence which will establish a substantial basis from which the fact at issue can reasonably be inferred. It includes fact or opinion evidence offered by an expert on a matter that requires specialized knowledge and that is relevant to the issues to be decided. It is evidence a reasonable mind could accept as having probative weight and adequate to support a legal conclusion. Hypothetical, speculative, fear or emotion based generalized statements that do not address the relevant issues and that cannot be reasonably said to support the action advocated, are not competent substantial evidence.
a.
Presentation and Public Hearing of the 2023-2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER).
Donella Clarke, Grants Administrator, and Kimberlee Hinton, presented the 2023-2024 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) and requested approval of the 2023 draft.
The Commission inquired on the community garden, job fair attendee employment numbers, funding source and amount, elected official participation, and community engagement.
Ms. Hinton commented that an employee hiring report will be available in 2025 and provided details on receiving additional funding.
Ms. Clarke commented that the HUD is the funding source, providing $564,875, of which all was allocated, and the citizen participation plan next year, which determines funding.
Mayor Hudson opened the public hearing.
Seeing no one, she closed the public hearing.
The Commission reiterated the need for community engagement to increase positive outcomes and funding.
The Commission inquired on the community garden, job fair attendee employment numbers, funding source and amount, elected official participation, and community engagement.
Ms. Hinton commented that an employee hiring report will be available in 2025 and provided details on receiving additional funding.
Ms. Clarke commented that the HUD is the funding source, providing $564,875, of which all was allocated, and the citizen participation plan next year, which determines funding.
Mayor Hudson opened the public hearing.
Seeing no one, she closed the public hearing.
The Commission reiterated the need for community engagement to increase positive outcomes and funding.
13.
CITY COMMISSION
14.
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.
No comments
15.
COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER
Acting City Manager Linda Cox commented that Pinewood Park has reopened, monitoring dancing lights, conference call conflict for strategic planning, and wished everyone Happy Holidays.
a.
Reports
16.
COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION
Commissioner Johnson commented on the Rufus Alexander Toy Drive on Saturday the 21st from 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.
Commissioner Broderick commented on his experience during a ride-along and the Rufus Alexander Toy Drive.
Commissioner Gaines wished everyone a Merry Christmas, commented on the Rufus Alexander toy Drive, the Lions Club, safety, and thanked the staff for their work.
Commissioner Taylor congratulated the Fort Pierce Rotary Club, commended the public works department, acknowledged the St. Lucie Education Association as the recipient of a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, and wished everyone Happy Holidays.
Mayor Hudson commented on the attendance of the Rotary Club and receiving the Paul Harris Award, presented to the legislative delegation, and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
Commissioner Broderick commented on his experience during a ride-along and the Rufus Alexander Toy Drive.
Commissioner Gaines wished everyone a Merry Christmas, commented on the Rufus Alexander toy Drive, the Lions Club, safety, and thanked the staff for their work.
Commissioner Taylor congratulated the Fort Pierce Rotary Club, commended the public works department, acknowledged the St. Lucie Education Association as the recipient of a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency, and wished everyone Happy Holidays.
Mayor Hudson commented on the attendance of the Rotary Club and receiving the Paul Harris Award, presented to the legislative delegation, and wished everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
17.
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 Hudson adjourned the meeting at 6:17 p.m.
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK
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MAYOR COMMISSIONER
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