- Present:
- Mayor Linda Hudson; Commissioner Rufus Alexander; Commissioner Edward Becht; Commissioner Thomas Perona; Commissioner Reginald Sessions
- Staff Present:
-
- City Clerk Linda Cox
- City Manager Nicholas Mimms
- City Attorney James Messer
Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas Perona, seconded by Commissioner Edward Becht to approve the minutes of the November 7, 2016 regular meeting.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions, Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
Alfred Davis - Item 10f
Holly Theuns - Item 10n
William Barnes - Item 10l
Susan Parry - Item 13c
Dr. Kenneth Mills, Sr. - Item 12a
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Motion was made by Commissioner Rufus Alexander, seconded by Commissioner Edward Becht to approve the agenda as is.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions, Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
Commissioner Sessions requested to pull items 10c and 10n.
Motion was made by Commissioner Reginald Sessions, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Perona to approve items 10a, 10b, 10d, 10e, 10g, 10h, 10i, 10j, 10k and 10m.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions, Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
Motion was made by Commissioner Reginald Sessions, seconded by Commissioner Edward Becht to approve item 10c.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions, Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
Motion was made by Commissioner Rufus Alexander, seconded by Commissioner Edward Becht to approve item 10f.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Mayor Linda Hudson
- NAY:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
Motion was made by Commissioner Rufus Alexander, seconded by Commissioner Edward Becht to approve item 10l.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions, Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
Motion was made by Commissioner Reginald Sessions, seconded by Commissioner Rufus Alexander to deny item 10n.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
- NAY:
- Commissioner Thomas Perona, Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
Maria Lewicka, Historic Preservation Officer, gave a preservation and was available for questions.
Commission discussion included advertising versus notice to surrounding businesses and competing businesses in the corridor selling the same type of food.
Mayor Hudson opened the public hearing.
Candice Brown Geohheg, applicant representative, stated that they own the building next to the vacant lot and have plans to reopen within the year after renovations. She will put that in writing. Surrounding businesses have been contacted to test the climate in reference to joining the neighborhood.
Further Commission discussion included approving the variance for one year and consensus is to change the Ordinance to require actual notice to surrounding businesses.
Seeing no one else, Mayor Hudson closed the public hearing.
Motion was made by Commissioner Edward Becht, seconded by Commissioner Rufus Alexander to approve item 11a with a one year time limit.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions, Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
Linda Cox, City Clerk, read the Ordinance, by title only, into the record, on second reading.
AN ORDINANCE BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA; REZONING PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT 3798 SELVITZ ROAD, FROM IH, INDUSTRIAL, HEAVY, A SAINT LUCIE COUNTY ZONING DESIGNATION, TO I-3, HEAVY INDUSTRIAL ZONE, A CITY OF FORT PIERCE ZONING DESIGNATION; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Rebecca Grohall, Planning Director, gave an overview of the Staff visit to Precast Specialties' Pompano site and was available for questions.
Mayor Hudson opened the public hearing.
Roger Friend spoke in opposition.
Robert Gehrig, HOA representative, spoke in strong opposition.
Robert Scarletta spoke in opposition.
Katherine Barbieri spoke in opposition.
Jonathan Ferguson, SLC School District.
Jerry Jacques spoke in opposition.
William Taylor spoke in opposition.
Jeff Sabin, Waste Management, spoke in support.
Geraldine Murphy spoke in opposition.
Dan Riley spoke in opposition.
John Babbots spoke in opposition.
Ivan Lang spoke in opposition.
Valerie Bertel spoke in opposition.
Christian Sevilla spoke in opposition.
Seeing no one else, Mayor Hudson closed the public hearing.
Commission discussion included clarifying the zoning changes from County to City and the business being consistent with other businesses in the heavy industrial area.
Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas Perona, seconded by Commissioner Rufus Alexander to approve item 11b.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions, Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
James Messer, City Attorney, stated that this proceeding was extended soley to allow both parties to come to an amicable accommodation.
Richard Wolfarth, applicant, and Deborah Ross, HOA attorney, announced that they have reached an agreement and would like for the Commission to move forward.
Commission discussion included thanking both parties for working together and putting the contract in writing, providing the details of the agreement for Staff to review.
Motion was made by Commissioner Edward Becht, seconded by Commissioner Rufus Alexander to approve the request conditioned on the incorporation of the agreement between the applicant and the adjacent properties' HOA to writing, and then that writing being incorporated into the development order.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions, Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
Chief Diane Hobley-Burney gave a presentation on the administrative review of the Fort Pierce Police Department including the Grand Jury recommendations. Commissioner Sessions inquired into how the investigation of the Demarcus Semer case played into the administrative review. He would like to have an independent person to come in and review the department and present the information to the Commission. Commission discussion included creating policies that will improve the relationship of the police department with the citizens and appreciating the Chief's efforts since she has been here.
Linda Cox, City Clerk, read the Resolution, by title only, into the record.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE RETURNS OF THE GENERAL ELECTION HELD ON NOVEMBER 8, 2016, AS PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY SUPERVISOR OF ELECTIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Motion was made by Commissioner Edward Becht, seconded by Commissioner Rufus Alexander to approve item 13a.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions, Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
Linda Cox, City Clerk, read the resolution, by title only, into the record.
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA ACCEPTING THE PROPOSAL OF CAPITAL ONE PUBLIC FUNDING, LLC TO PURCHASE THE CITY'S NOT TO EXCEED $1,350,000 TAXABLE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT REVENUE NOTE, SERIES 2016A THE PROCEEDS OF WHICH WILL BE APPLIED BY THE CITY TO REPAY $1,250,000 OWED THE FORT PIERCE UTILITIES AUTHORITY AND TO PAY COSTS OF ISSUANCE THEREOF, THE CITY'S NOT TO EXCEED $900,000 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT REVENUE NOTE, SERIES 2016B THE PROCEEDS OF WHICH WILL BE USED BY THE CITY TO ACQUIRE LAND FOR PUBLIC PARKING AND TO PAY COSTS OF ISSUANCE THEREFOR AND THE CITY'S NOT TO EXCEED $1,500,000 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT REVENUE NOTE, SERIES 2016C, THE PROCEEDS OF WHICH WILL BE USED BY THE CITY TO PURCHASE RADIOS AND RELATED EQUIPMENT FOR USE BY THE CITY'S EMERGENCY SERVICES EMPLOYEES AND TO PAY COSTS OF ISSUANCE THEREOF; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF A LOAN AGREEMENT WITH SAID LENDER TO SECURE THE REPAYMENT OF SAID LOAN; PROVIDING FOR THE PAYMENT OF SUCH NOTES FROM THE CITY'S COVENANT TO BUDGET AND APPROPRIATE NON AD VALOREM REVENUES ALL AS PROVIDED IN THE LOAN AGREEMENT; AUTHORIZING THE PROPER OFFICIALS OF THE CITY TO DO ANY OTHER ADDITIONAL THINGS DEEMED NECESSARY OR ADVISABLE IN CONNECTION WITH THE EXECUTION OF THE LOAN AGREEMENT, THE NOTES, AND THE SECURITY THEREFOR; AUTHORIZING THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF OTHER DOCUMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH SAID LOAN; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas Perona, seconded by Commissioner Edward Becht to approve item 13b.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Mayor Linda Hudson
- NAY:
- Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
Motion was made by Commissioner Reginald Sessions, seconded by Commissioner Rufus Alexander to reconsider the Humane Society Contract.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
- NAY:
- Commissioner Thomas Perona, Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
Motion was made by Commissioner Edward Becht, seconded by Commissioner Rufus Alexander to approve item 13c.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Mayor Linda Hudson
- NAY:
- Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
Joyce Jackson
Shaniek Maynard
Reverend Kenneth Mills
Cindi O'Connell
Nicholas Mimms, City Manager, expressed his honor to have worked with Commissioner Becht.
Jim Messer, City Attorney, gave an update on the Wilson's Game Room Nuisance Abatement.
Commissioner Perona mentioned attending the grand re-opening of the A.E. Backus Museum, the Retirement Board is in the top 9 in funding and hitting financial expectations and expressed his gratitude for working with Commissioner Becht.
Commissioner Sessions extended his appreciation to District 1 for re-electing him and he will do all he can to make Fort Pierce a better place. He stated he respects Commissioner Becht and has enjoyed working with him over the years.
Commissioner Alexander gave compliments to Commissioner Becht and wished him well. He expressed concern about the Grease Trap program and as to why we are paying before the jobs are complete. There have been lights out on Avenue D and Avenue A.
Commissioner Becht mentioned it is time for a change and spoke briefly about Jeremiah Johnson's competence. He spoke about his mother saying that he lost his mind and his families overall support in reference to his initial decision to enter local politics. He feels good about the leadership, the city is in a good place financially, the dog park being one of his prouder merit badges and how he feels he was involved in hiring very qualified senior management.
Mayor Hudson thanked Commissioner Becht for being her right hand for many years and she has appreciated his ability to keep them civilized.
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CITY CLERK
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MAYOR COMMISSIONER
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