MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING OF THE PARKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, HELD IN THE CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS, 100 N. US HIGHWAY 1, FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, AT 10:00 A.M. ON THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2026.
1.
CALL TO ORDER
Chairperson, Renella Mitchell, called the February 19, 2026, Parks Advisory Committee Board meeting to order at 10:04 A.M.
2.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Bob Burdge; Mary Ann Durkin; Ionis Knowles; Renella Mitchell, Chair
- Absent:
- Chase Whitaker; Betty Lesane
- Staff Present:
-
- Marsha Commond, Special Projects Coordinator
- Bianca Lopez, Deputy City Clerk
- Brittany Meredith, Deputy City Clerk
3.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a.
Approval of the minutes from the October 16, 2025 Parks Advisory Committee Meeting
Motion was made by Bob Burdge, seconded by Ionis Knowles to approve the Minutes from the October 16, 2025, Parks Advisory Committee Meeting.
- AYE:
- Bob Burdge, Ionis Knowles, Mary Ann Durkin, Chair Renella Mitchell
Passed
4.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Any person who wishes to comment on any subject on this Agenda may be heard at this time. Please sign the sign-up sheet in order to speak. Please limit your comments to no more than five (5) minutes, as this section of the Agenda is limited to thirty minutes. The Parks Advisory Committee will not be able to take any official action under “Comments from the Public” section.
Any person who wishes to comment on any subject on this Agenda may be heard at this time. Please sign the sign-up sheet in order to speak. Please limit your comments to no more than five (5) minutes, as this section of the Agenda is limited to thirty minutes. The Parks Advisory Committee will not be able to take any official action under “Comments from the Public” section.
Dr. Pinkie Hendley
5.
OLD BUSINESS
a.
Pinewood Park & Maravilla Park Field Trip - Repairs Update
Special Projects Coordinator, Marsha Commond, let the board know all the items that were discussed for Pinewood Park, Maravilla Park, and Pioneer Park have been addressed. If anyone notices any issues that need to be addressed, they are encouraged to reach out to Public Works. The phone number is 772-467-3794 or to use SeeClickFix.
b.
Pioneer Park Plaque Program Update
Motion was made by Ionis Knowles, seconded by Mary Ann Durkin to table this discussion until Board and Staff Discussion.
- AYE:
- Bob Burdge, Ionis Knowles, Mary Ann Durkin, Chair Renella Mitchell
Passed
6.
NEW BUSINESS
a.
Renaming of Coach Fenn Park
Ionis Jefferson started the discussion to rename Coach Fenn Park as there is already a building in his name, he does not need a park as well. This will need to go to the Commission to put out a call for nominations, and then it will come back to this board. This item will be either the March 16th or April 6th Commission Meeting and Ms. Commond asked that the board be present to answer any questions the Commission asks.
Motion was made by Ionis Knowles, seconded by Mary Ann Durkin to recommend the renaming of Coach Fenn Park to the Commission.
- AYE:
- Bob Burdge, Ionis Knowles, Mary Ann Durkin, Chair Renella Mitchell
Passed
b.
Seagrape/ Dune Vegetation Trimming Restriction
Ms. Commond let the board know that seagrape plants are regulated by the state to keep the vegetation safe. The board mentioned the recent cold weather may have killed off some of the plants, but we will not know until it officially warms up.
7.
BOARD AND STAFF DISCUSSION
Pioneer Park Plaque Update.
The call for nominations is required, and the Commissioners removed the ability for submissions for living people to be submitted for the nominations. They need more participation from different entities. The Commission will have final approval for the plaques. Ms. Mitchell is concerned this will prolong the process that has already been extended. They discussed the policy and the need for this process to go through the proper guidelines to ensure the project doesn’t get delayed even further.
The call for nominations is required, and the Commissioners removed the ability for submissions for living people to be submitted for the nominations. They need more participation from different entities. The Commission will have final approval for the plaques. Ms. Mitchell is concerned this will prolong the process that has already been extended. They discussed the policy and the need for this process to go through the proper guidelines to ensure the project doesn’t get delayed even further.
Motion was made by Mary Ann Durkin, seconded by Bob Burdge to start over and submit the original names in the new application.
- AYE:
- Bob Burdge, Mary Ann Durkin, Chair Renella Mitchell
- NAY:
- Ionis Knowles
Passed
8.
ADJOURNMENT
Chairperson, Renella Mitchell adjourned the meeting at 11:22 A.M.