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, MAY 05, 2025.
1.
CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Hudson called the May 05, 2025 Regular Meeting of the City Commission to order at 5:05 P.M
2.
OPENING PRAYER - Pastor David Zoerhof, Genesis Community Church
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Commissioner Michael Broderick; Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr.; Mayor Linda Hudson; Commissioner James Taylor
- Absent:
- Commissioner Arnold Gaines
- Staff Present:
-
- City Manager Richard Chess
- City Attorney Sara Hedges
- City Clerk Linda Cox
Motion was made by Mayor Linda Hudson, seconded by Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr. to excuse the absence of Commissioner Gaines.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Michael Broderick, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner James Taylor
Passed
5.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a.
Approval of the minutes of the April 21, 2025 Regular Meeting.
Motion was made by Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., seconded by Commissioner Michael Broderick to approve the minutes of the April 2, 2025 Regular Meeting.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Michael Broderick, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner James Taylor
Passed
6.
PROCLAMATIONS
a.
Haitian American Heritage Month
b.
National Student Leadership Week
c.
Family Abduction Awareness Day
7.
LETTERS TO COMMISSION
8.
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion was made by Commissioner James Taylor, seconded by Commissioner Michael Broderick to approve the agenda as set.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Michael Broderick, 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.
No comments
10.
MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS
11.
CONSENT AGENDA
a.
Approval of Hold Harmless Agreement between City of Fort Pierce and Indian River State College regarding the donation of a decommissioned unmarked police vehicle to campus security.
b.
Approve award of the Sunrise Theatre Chiller Replacement to Airstron LLC, Bid 2025-007 to the second lowest bidder, Airstron LLC of Fort Lauderdale, FL in the amount of $242,320.00.
c.
Approval of Letter of Support to Congressman Brian Mast on behalf of St. Lucie County seeking federal funding for shore protection project.
Motion was made by Commissioner Michael Broderick, seconded by Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr. to approve the Consent Agenda.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Michael Broderick, 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.
Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 25-016 - An ordinance amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of Fort Pierce, Florida, Establishing Chapter 125-Zoning, Article VII - Supplementary Regulations, Division 1 - Generally, Section 125-328 - Boardinghouses and Roominghouses; to regulate the standards of operation of Boardinghouses and Roominghouses. SECOND READING.
City Clerk, Linda Cox, introduced the Ordinance, read by title only, into the record.
ORDINANCE NO. 25-016
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING CHAPTER 125 – ZONING, ARTICLE VII – SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS, DIVISION 1 – GENERALLY, SECTION 125–328 – BOARDINGHOUSES AND ROOMINGHOUSES TO REGULATE THE STANDARDS OF OPERATION OF BOARDINGHOUSES AND ROOMINGHOUSES; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE ; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. SECOND READIING
Mayor Hudson opened the public hearing.
Seeing no one, she closed the public hearing.
ORDINANCE NO. 25-016
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, ESTABLISHING CHAPTER 125 – ZONING, ARTICLE VII – SUPPLEMENTARY REGULATIONS, DIVISION 1 – GENERALLY, SECTION 125–328 – BOARDINGHOUSES AND ROOMINGHOUSES TO REGULATE THE STANDARDS OF OPERATION OF BOARDINGHOUSES AND ROOMINGHOUSES; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE ; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE. SECOND READIING
Mayor Hudson opened the public hearing.
Seeing no one, she closed the public hearing.
Motion was made by Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., seconded by Commissioner Michael Broderick to approve Ordinance No. 25-016.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Michael Broderick, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner James Taylor
Passed
13.
CITY COMMISSION
a.
Resolution 25-R37 Authorizing the Lease of Space in City Hall to Brian Mast, United States Representative
City Clerk, Linda Cox, introduced the Resolution, read by title only, into the record.
RESOLUTION NO. 25-R37
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE LEASE OF SPACE IN CITY HALL, 100 NORTH US HIGHWAY 1, FORT PIERCE, FL 34950 TO BRIAN MAST, UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; REPEALING ALL RESOLUTIONS IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
RESOLUTION NO. 25-R37
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE LEASE OF SPACE IN CITY HALL, 100 NORTH US HIGHWAY 1, FORT PIERCE, FL 34950 TO BRIAN MAST, UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVE; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; REPEALING ALL RESOLUTIONS IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Motion was made by Commissioner Michael Broderick, seconded by Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr. to approve Resolution No. 25-R37.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Michael Broderick, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner James Taylor
Passed
b.
Resolution 25-R38 Appointing Chase Whitaker to the City of Fort Pierce Parks Advisory Committee as Commissioner Broderick's appointee.
City Clerk, Linda Cox, introduced the Resolution, read by title only, into the record.
RESOLUTION NO. 25-R38
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, CERTIFYING THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE PARKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
RESOLUTION NO. 25-R38
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, CERTIFYING THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE PARKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Motion was made by Commissioner Michael Broderick, seconded by Commissioner James Taylor to approve Resolution No. 25-R38.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Michael Broderick, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner James Taylor
Passed
c.
Resolution 25-R39 Appointing Susan Garrett to the City of Fort Pierce Historic Preservation Board as Commissioner Broderick's appointee.
City Clerk, Linda Cox, introduced the Resolution, read by title only, into the record.
RESOLUTION NO. 25-R39
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, CERTIFYING THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
RESOLUTION NO. 25-R39
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, CERTIFYING THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE HISTORIC PRESERVATION BOARD, PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Motion was made by Commissioner Michael Broderick, seconded by Commissioner James Taylor to approve Resolution No. 25-R39.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Michael Broderick, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner James Taylor
Passed
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.
Matthew Burr
Eddy Harrison
Eddy Harrison
15.
COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER
a.
Reports
16.
COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION
Mayor Hudson commented on the legislative passing of the Live Local Act and opened the Commission's discussion.
The Commission discussed the Live Local Act and its impacts to the City and its far-reaching implications.
Commissioner Broderick commented on the waste management and FEC hauling issue and the negative impacts including health issues, and funding for the City.
City Clerk, Linda Cox commented on speaking with Congressman Mast.
City Manager Chess commented on the need for Congressional support as the City has no jurisdiction.
The Commission discussed the need for County involvement and the need for residents to contact their Congressman.
Mr. Chess commented on the funding opportunities for Federal and State funding including capital projects.
Commissioner Johnson commented on the recent tragedies in the Haitian community of the City.
Commissioner Taylor thanked Commissioner Broderick for his worked and commented that he too will make contact on behalf of the City.
Mayor Hudson commented on the FEC hauling issue and that the Legislature has adjourned but discussed the budget.
The Commission discussed the Live Local Act and its impacts to the City and its far-reaching implications.
Commissioner Broderick commented on the waste management and FEC hauling issue and the negative impacts including health issues, and funding for the City.
City Clerk, Linda Cox commented on speaking with Congressman Mast.
City Manager Chess commented on the need for Congressional support as the City has no jurisdiction.
The Commission discussed the need for County involvement and the need for residents to contact their Congressman.
Mr. Chess commented on the funding opportunities for Federal and State funding including capital projects.
Commissioner Johnson commented on the recent tragedies in the Haitian community of the City.
Commissioner Taylor thanked Commissioner Broderick for his worked and commented that he too will make contact on behalf of the City.
Mayor Hudson commented on the FEC hauling issue and that the Legislature has adjourned but discussed the budget.
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 6:04 p.m.
ATTEST:
| ____________________________ | _________________________________ |
|
CITY CLERK
|
MAYOR COMMISSIONER
|