C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
CONFERENCE AGENDA MINUTES
Conference Agenda Meeting - Monday, April 8, 2024 - 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 April 08, 2024, Conference Agenda Meeting to order at 9:00 A.M.
2.
Pledge of Allegiance
3.
Roll Call
- Present:
-
- Michael Broderick, Commissioner
- Arnold Gaines, Commissioner
- Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner
- Linda Hudson, Mayor
- Absent:
-
- Curtis Johnson, Jr., Commissioner
- Staff Present:
-
- Linda Cox, City Clerk
- Nicholas Mimms, City Manager
- Sara Hedges, City Attorney
4.
New Business
a.
St. Lucie Tourism - 2023 Visitor Tracking & Economic Impact Study Results
St. Lucie County Tourism and Marketing Director, Charlotte Bireley, gave the presentation on the results of the 2023 Visitor Tracking & Economic Impact Study. The Commission all agreed the results are exciting and surprising. They asked how our local businesses could benefit from the marketing and Ms. Bireley let them know local businesses can reach out to the tourism team to be featured in the marketing.
b.
Parks Advisory Committee Discussion on NW Pioneers Park Plaque Nominations
The Parks Advisory Committee Chairperson Charlene Adair gave the presentation on NW Pioneers Park Plaque Nominations. The Commission discussed the option of reopening the nominations. They asked if the committee could get with some of the pioneers who are around currently to see if they have any names they think should be added. They all agreed the nominations should only be for people who are no longer living. They asked the Parks Committee to start with the 6 they narrowed down and to send them to Commissioner Curtis Johnson for his approval as well.
c.
Parks Advisory Committee Discussion on Renaming 14th Street
Ms. Adair presented the discussion of renaming 14th St. The Commission discussed that the process of renaming a street would be an extensive mission, and it would require an overwhelming request to rename a street. They mentioned the amount of negative response they received when trying to rename 13th St.
d.
Discussion regarding proposed Certificate of Use Process and existing Business Tax Receipts
City Clerk, Linda Cox, presented the proposed Certificate of Use Process and existing BTRs. The Commission discussed the proposed process and suggested a few changes. They would like the inspections to be when the ownership changes or if the new business will be a different usage than the previous. They would like to know what other municipalities are doing for the change of ownership or usage portion of this process and how they handle issuing the certificates. They all agreed the point of a new process would be to have a program in place for our citizens to know what businesses are doing in our community, in case the state decides to get rid of the business tax receipt process. Ms. Cox let the commission know she will bring the information back to them in an Ordinance and asked that they let the program run for one year then revisit it for any changes or updates it requires. They all want to be business friendly.
e.
Surplus property disposition overview.
Redevelopment Specialist Miriam Garcia gave the Surplus property disposition overview. The Commission discussed the possibility of involving the County in building/ redeveloping new homes. They concluded that they would like to try the option of building one home and see how the process goes.
f.
2024 Strategic Plan Action Items
City Manager, Nick Mimms, gave the presentation on the 2024 Strategic Plan Action Items with the possible completion dates. Mr. Mimms let the Commission know that they will try to give updates every month on the progress of these items. The Commission did not have any questions for him.
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.
Marjorie Harrel
Susan Parry
Chad Ingram
Susan Parry
Chad Ingram
6.
City Commission Boards and Committees Updates
Commissioner Broderick had to excuse himself early.
Commissioner Gaines mentioned the Homeless Advisory Board was already addressed. The Affordable Housing meeting is coming up, and they are focused on the recommendations that weren’t approved. The Retirement Board met and discussed COLAs and the amount of money they are going to cost. He mentioned this will be coming back to the commission for further discussion. The Council on Aging meeting was canceled, and he was not able to make it to the Roundtable or the Treasure Coast Council on Local Government meetings.
Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson mentioned there are Main Street events coming up. The Tourism board information was covered during the meeting today. The Downtown Business Alliance is interested in the amount of homelessness in the city and giving the downtown area a needed refresh.
Mayor Linda Hudson mentioned the TPO did an analysis on the 2020 census data and Fort Pierce is considered a disadvantaged community. The Department of Transportation will be holding a meeting in Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce regarding the Turnpike work on the interchanges on Okeechobee Rd. The Treasure Coast League of Cities will be holding an ethics meeting on April 19th and on May 15th they will be hosting a luncheon. On May 21st the FPUA will be holding a meeting with the Commission to review budgets. FMIT will have the new rate increases soon.
Commissioner Gaines mentioned the Homeless Advisory Board was already addressed. The Affordable Housing meeting is coming up, and they are focused on the recommendations that weren’t approved. The Retirement Board met and discussed COLAs and the amount of money they are going to cost. He mentioned this will be coming back to the commission for further discussion. The Council on Aging meeting was canceled, and he was not able to make it to the Roundtable or the Treasure Coast Council on Local Government meetings.
Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson mentioned there are Main Street events coming up. The Tourism board information was covered during the meeting today. The Downtown Business Alliance is interested in the amount of homelessness in the city and giving the downtown area a needed refresh.
Mayor Linda Hudson mentioned the TPO did an analysis on the 2020 census data and Fort Pierce is considered a disadvantaged community. The Department of Transportation will be holding a meeting in Port St. Lucie and Fort Pierce regarding the Turnpike work on the interchanges on Okeechobee Rd. The Treasure Coast League of Cities will be holding an ethics meeting on April 19th and on May 15th they will be hosting a luncheon. On May 21st the FPUA will be holding a meeting with the Commission to review budgets. FMIT will have the new rate increases soon.
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 12:50 P.M.