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 9 A.M. ON MONDAY, OCTOBER 13, 2025.
1.
Call to Order
Mayor Hudson called the October 13, 2025, Day Meeting to order at 9:00 A.M.
2.
Pledge of Allegiance
3.
Roll Call
- Present:
- Commissioner Arnold Gaines; Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr.; Mayor Linda Hudson
- Absent:
- Commissioner Michael Broderick
- Staff Present:
-
- City Manager Richard Chess
- City Attorney Sara Hedges
- City Clerk Linda Cox
Motion was made by Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., seconded by Commissioner Arnold Gaines to excuse Commissioner Michael Broderick.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Arnold Gaines, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
4.
Approval of Minutes
A.
Approval of the minutes from the September 9, 2025 Day Meeting.
Motion was made by Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., seconded by Commissioner Arnold Gaines to approve the minutes from the September 9, 2025 Day Meeting.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Arnold Gaines, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
5.
Proclamations
6.
Additions or deletions to agenda and approval of the agenda.
Motion was made by Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., seconded by Commissioner Arnold Gaines to pull item 9c at staff's request and to move 11c to the Regular meeting scheduled for 10/20/2025
- AYE:
- Commissioner Arnold Gaines, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
7.
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
8.
Miscellaneous Reports and Presentations
A.
St. Lucie County School District Update - Building on Excellence: A Year in Review & What's Ahead - Dr. Jon Prince, Superintendent
St. Lucie County School Board Superintendent, Jon Prince, gave an update on the St. Lucie County School District and shared that the District received an "A" rating. Commissioner Gaines thanked Dr. Prince and his staff for all their hard work. He also asked about the Classroom to Careers program to see if the City would be able to take part in the program. The programs St. Lucie County has for children help to prepare them for the workforce.
9.
Consent Agenda
A.
Approval of expenditure for Requisition 2026/26000359 in the amount of $60,000.00 payable to the St. Lucie County Supervisor of Election for the costs associated with the Special Election.
B.
Approval of expenditure to increase Purchase Order No. 250837 with De La Hoz Builders, Inc. to provide rehabilitation services for B. Eutize 317 North 26th Street, from $46,898.00 to $58,168.00; total change order amount of $11,270.00 for painting and new gutters.
Motion was made by Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., seconded by Commissioner Arnold Gaines to pull item B and approve item A.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Arnold Gaines, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
Commissioner Johnson asked why the total went up after the initial purchase agreement. Grants Division Manager, Donnella Clarke, let the commission know that the final charges came in at $55,631.00. Community Resource Specialist Kimberlee Henton, stated the painting and gutters were not on the original quote. The gutters were found to be damaged, and the paint needed to be refreshed.
Motion was made by Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., seconded by Commissioner Arnold Gaines to approve the change order with the correction of the total cost to $55,631.00.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Arnold Gaines, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
C.
PULLED AT THE REQUEST OF STAFF - Approval to contract with Fort Pierce Urgent Care in an amount not to exceed $175,000, to provide walk-in medical services for employees covered under the City’s health insurance plan for a period of one (1) year.
10.
City Commission - Resolutions
A.
Resolution 25-R65 - Amending the Rules of Procedure for Condemnation and Demolition of Structures.
City Clerk Linda Cox introduced the resolution, read by title only, into the record.
RESOLUTION NO. 25-R65 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA; AMENDING THE RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR CONDEMNATION AND DEMOLITION OF STRUCTURES; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; REPEALING ALL RESOLUTIONS IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Interim Director of Community Response, Shaun Coss let the Commission know these are updates to comply with the new state statutes.
RESOLUTION NO. 25-R65 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA; AMENDING THE RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR CONDEMNATION AND DEMOLITION OF STRUCTURES; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; REPEALING ALL RESOLUTIONS IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Interim Director of Community Response, Shaun Coss let the Commission know these are updates to comply with the new state statutes.
Motion was made by Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., seconded by Commissioner Arnold Gaines to approve Resolution 25-R65.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Arnold Gaines, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
B.
Resolution 25-R71 Appointing Chase Whitaker to the City of Fort Pierce Parking Committee as Commissioner Broderick's appointee.
City Clerk Linda Cox introduced the resolution, read by title only, into the record.
RESOLUTION NO. 25-R71 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, CERTIFYING THE APPOINTMENT OR REAPPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE PARKING COMMITTEE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
RESOLUTION NO. 25-R71 - A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, CERTIFYING THE APPOINTMENT OR REAPPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE PARKING COMMITTEE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Motion was made by Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., seconded by Commissioner Arnold Gaines to approve Resolution 25-R71.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Arnold Gaines, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Jr., Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
11.
New Business - City Commission Discussion Items
A.
Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council (TCRPC) presentation of findings, recommendations, and public input from the Comprehensive Plan Evaluation & Appraisal Review (EAR) public outreach to date to the City Commission to generate further discussion and recommendations; this presentation is informational only.
Stephanie Heidt with the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council gave the presentation of findings, recommendations, and public input from the Comprehensive Plan Evaluation and Appraisal Review. The Commission discussed the growth coming to the city and the areas that receive the most foot traffic.
B.
Succession Planning Presentation
Human Resources Manager Jared Sorenson presented the Succession Plan. Commissioner Gaines asked if the department head would be the only one to choose the successor and Mr. Sorenson let him know that it would be a combination of the department head, City Manager, and the human resources department, and it could be more than one person chosen for the succession plan. They thanked the Human Resources Department for putting together this plan. Johnson asked if they could build the succession plan into a dashboard they could review easily. Rolling this out to the Department heads within the next few months.
C.
POSTPONED TO OCTOBER 20, 2025 MEETING. Six-month evaluation of Richard Chess, City Manager
12.
City Commission Boards and Committees Updates
Commissioner Gaines mentioned the Treasure Coast League of Local Government met, and SB 180 was a large discussion. The Affordable Housing Committee signed off on the last presentation to be presented to the commission. The Council on Aging did not meet. The Homeless Task Force annual report was finalized to submit to the County. The Retirement Board met, and retirement funds are going strong. He is a part of the Trustee Leadership Council, which is a yearlong class. He found that the City of Fort Pierce communicates with the retirement board, and he said the other cities and counties don’t talk to each other. He commented on the White Cane Walk event, and he noticed the residents of the city are starting to clean up and the campaign is working.
Commissioner Johnson mentioned the Fire District is growing. They just opened the new fire station in Port St. Lucie in the Tradition area and are going to be opening a new station on Kings Highway within the next few months. The TPO has a meeting coming up. The Seaport Advisory met, and they are providing updates on the port area. He commented on the evaluation of Mr. Chess’ performance, and the culture shifting and betterment of the city with his guidance.
Mayor Hudson commented that she notices citizens are starting to clean up after themselves. The Tourism Tax Development board met, and they purchased a new mobile tourist bus and held a contest to name it, and it is now named Lucie. It is to help promote tourism in St. Lucie County. Fort Pierce Utilities Authority won an award, the 2025 Utility of the Future, from the Water Environment Federation. The Treasure Coast Regional League of Cities meets this week to discuss the upcoming legislative session. The Policy committee she is on is discussing property taxes.
Commissioner Johnson mentioned the Fire District is growing. They just opened the new fire station in Port St. Lucie in the Tradition area and are going to be opening a new station on Kings Highway within the next few months. The TPO has a meeting coming up. The Seaport Advisory met, and they are providing updates on the port area. He commented on the evaluation of Mr. Chess’ performance, and the culture shifting and betterment of the city with his guidance.
Mayor Hudson commented that she notices citizens are starting to clean up after themselves. The Tourism Tax Development board met, and they purchased a new mobile tourist bus and held a contest to name it, and it is now named Lucie. It is to help promote tourism in St. Lucie County. Fort Pierce Utilities Authority won an award, the 2025 Utility of the Future, from the Water Environment Federation. The Treasure Coast Regional League of Cities meets this week to discuss the upcoming legislative session. The Policy committee she is on is discussing property taxes.
13.
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 adjorned the meeting at 11:12 A.M.
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK
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MAYOR COMMISSIONER
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