C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
CONFERENCE AGENDA MINUTES
Conference Agenda Meeting - Monday, January 11, 2016 - 8:30 a.m.
City Hall - 2nd Floor Conference Room, 100 North U.S. #1, Fort Pierce, Florida
1.
Call to Order
Mayor Hudson called the meeting to order at 8:31 a.m.
Mayor Hudson called the meeting to order at 8:31 a.m.
2.
Pledge of Allegiance
3.
Roll Call
- Present:
-
- Rufus Alexander, Commissioner
- Edward Becht, Commissioner (arrived at 8:33 a.m.)
- Thomas Perona, Commissioner (arrived at 8:35 a.m.)
- Reginald Sessions, Commissioner (arrived at 8:34 a.m.)
- Linda Hudson, Mayor
- Staff Present:
-
- Linda Cox, City Clerk
- Nicholas Mimms, City Manager
- Robert Schwerer, City Attorney (arrived at 8:39 a.m.)
4.
New Business
A.
Human Resources Initiatives - Kevin Browning, Human Resources Manager
Mr. Kevin Browning gave a brief presentation on HR initiatives since being employed with the City of Fort Pierce. He expressed that the Human Resources Department is seeking to make changes to better serve the 40,000+ residents, streamline procedures, provide excellent customer service and move into 21st century technology. He explained that a potential company has been explored to perform a compensation study. Also an employee self service portal will be created to help reduce paper and make information more accessible to employees. He explained that the employee rules and procedures is currently being updated by an attorney who is proficient in HR policies and procedures.
Mayor Hudson asked when were the policies last updated.
Mr. Browning explained that some policies have not been updated since 1992 and others since 2006.
Mr. Browning also explained that the Applicant Tracking system by Sungard should be ready to roll out by February 1, 2016.
Commissioner Sessions commented about retention specifically in the Police Department . He asked if there is an exit interview process in place to rectify high turn over rates with employment. He feels that the City could avoid going down the paths of lawsuits if something was in place.
Commissioner Alexander commented that there should be something in place to handle situations before they turn into major problems.
Commissioner Becht asked for the summaries of the exit interviews.
Mr. Mimms explained that if there are trends noticed from Departments when employees leave, then the HR Manager will bring that information forward. He explained that there is an attorney that has been retained to update the City's rules and regulations with a tentative completion date of April 1, 2016.
Mr. Mimms explained that the management team needs to be trained on how to deal with employees, understand HR laws, understand personnel rules and regulations, and understand how to identify deficiencies and act accordingly. He explained that Fort Pierce participated in the Salary Survey done at the City of Port St. Lucie which will result in a cost savings.
Commissioner Perona suggested that there should be an appeals process in place.
Ms. Barbara Moore explained that there is an appeals process in place and that the employee has a choice to either go through the appeals process or pursue other actions.
Mr. Kevin Browning gave a brief presentation on HR initiatives since being employed with the City of Fort Pierce. He expressed that the Human Resources Department is seeking to make changes to better serve the 40,000+ residents, streamline procedures, provide excellent customer service and move into 21st century technology. He explained that a potential company has been explored to perform a compensation study. Also an employee self service portal will be created to help reduce paper and make information more accessible to employees. He explained that the employee rules and procedures is currently being updated by an attorney who is proficient in HR policies and procedures.
Mayor Hudson asked when were the policies last updated.
Mr. Browning explained that some policies have not been updated since 1992 and others since 2006.
Mr. Browning also explained that the Applicant Tracking system by Sungard should be ready to roll out by February 1, 2016.
Commissioner Sessions commented about retention specifically in the Police Department . He asked if there is an exit interview process in place to rectify high turn over rates with employment. He feels that the City could avoid going down the paths of lawsuits if something was in place.
Commissioner Alexander commented that there should be something in place to handle situations before they turn into major problems.
Commissioner Becht asked for the summaries of the exit interviews.
Mr. Mimms explained that if there are trends noticed from Departments when employees leave, then the HR Manager will bring that information forward. He explained that there is an attorney that has been retained to update the City's rules and regulations with a tentative completion date of April 1, 2016.
Mr. Mimms explained that the management team needs to be trained on how to deal with employees, understand HR laws, understand personnel rules and regulations, and understand how to identify deficiencies and act accordingly. He explained that Fort Pierce participated in the Salary Survey done at the City of Port St. Lucie which will result in a cost savings.
Commissioner Perona suggested that there should be an appeals process in place.
Ms. Barbara Moore explained that there is an appeals process in place and that the employee has a choice to either go through the appeals process or pursue other actions.
B.
Introduction of New Financial Transparency Portal - Johnna Morris, Finance Director
Ms. Johnna Morris gave a brief presentation on the features of the new financial transparency portal. She stated that this portal was created in an effort to streamline the public records request for financial information and to go to a paperless system. She highlighted that users will be able to see 5 years worth of history on the portal.
Ms. Johnna Morris gave a brief presentation on the features of the new financial transparency portal. She stated that this portal was created in an effort to streamline the public records request for financial information and to go to a paperless system. She highlighted that users will be able to see 5 years worth of history on the portal.
C.
Update on FY 2016 Capital Improvement Projects - Jack Andrews, City Engineer
Mr. Mimms explained that there have been recent discussions about the condition of the roads. Mr. Jack Andrews gave a presentation highlighting the proposed projects that the City wants to proceed with this year.
The reconstruction projects will include the following areas:
• 13th Street ( 350’ south of Avenue D to Avenue E)
• 17th Street (Orange Avenue to Avenue D)
• 7th Street (Wendell Road to S. 10th Street)
He explained that these roads will be done in conjunction with the Utilities Authority due to some failing utilities. A joint project is being done where the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA) will go in and replace water and sewer, drainage, sidewalks, curb and gutter, street reconstruction.
The resurfacing projects will include the following areas:
• Avenue M (13th Street to 25th Street)
• N 12th Street (Ave. H to Ave. K and Ave. L to Ave. M)
• 21st Street (Georgia Ave. to Dayman Ave.)
• Birch Street (Dayman Ave. to Nebraska Ave.)
• 23rd Street (Nebraska Ave. to Virginia Ave.)
Commissioner Alexander mentioned the existing Ordinance which establishes that when the City does a reconstruction project, the FPUA is to go underground with the utilities. Although there has not been much success with having the FPUA adhere to the Ordinance.
Commissioner Perona commented that if the FPUA is not going to adhere to the Ordinance, then ask them to at least put in the duct system for future improvement purposes.
Mr. Mimms reiterated that there is an Ordinance in place for any reconstruction project to be associated with all underground and overhead utilities. However, Fort Pierce needs to work with the FPUA to get an understanding of their strategic vision and share Fort Pierce's strategic vision so that the visions align with one another. He explained that if there is an Ordinance on the books that is not being enforced it is not consistent and it either needs to be deleted or enforced.
Mr. Mimms introduced Deputy Chiefs Frank Amandro and Kenneth Norris who gave a presentation. He explained that there is a possible opportunity to work with Legislative Delegation to apply for state funding to acquire equipment, material and other means to address the violence that has been taking place in the community. Shot spotter and surveillance cameras were two sources of technologies discussed in the presentation.
Mr. Mimms explained that there have been recent discussions about the condition of the roads. Mr. Jack Andrews gave a presentation highlighting the proposed projects that the City wants to proceed with this year.
• 13th Street ( 350’ south of Avenue D to Avenue E)
• 17th Street (Orange Avenue to Avenue D)
• 7th Street (Wendell Road to S. 10th Street)
He explained that these roads will be done in conjunction with the Utilities Authority due to some failing utilities. A joint project is being done where the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA) will go in and replace water and sewer, drainage, sidewalks, curb and gutter, street reconstruction.
The resurfacing projects will include the following areas:
• Avenue M (13th Street to 25th Street)
• N 12th Street (Ave. H to Ave. K and Ave. L to Ave. M)
• 21st Street (Georgia Ave. to Dayman Ave.)
• Birch Street (Dayman Ave. to Nebraska Ave.)
• 23rd Street (Nebraska Ave. to Virginia Ave.)
Commissioner Alexander mentioned the existing Ordinance which establishes that when the City does a reconstruction project, the FPUA is to go underground with the utilities. Although there has not been much success with having the FPUA adhere to the Ordinance.
Commissioner Perona commented that if the FPUA is not going to adhere to the Ordinance, then ask them to at least put in the duct system for future improvement purposes.
Mr. Mimms reiterated that there is an Ordinance in place for any reconstruction project to be associated with all underground and overhead utilities. However, Fort Pierce needs to work with the FPUA to get an understanding of their strategic vision and share Fort Pierce's strategic vision so that the visions align with one another. He explained that if there is an Ordinance on the books that is not being enforced it is not consistent and it either needs to be deleted or enforced.
Mr. Mimms introduced Deputy Chiefs Frank Amandro and Kenneth Norris who gave a presentation. He explained that there is a possible opportunity to work with Legislative Delegation to apply for state funding to acquire equipment, material and other means to address the violence that has been taking place in the community. Shot spotter and surveillance cameras were two sources of technologies discussed in the presentation.
5.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m.
The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 a.m.