MINUTES OF A SPECIAL 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 6:00 P.M. ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 2016.
1.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Hudson called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Commissioner Kim Johnson gave the opening prayer.
2.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
3.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Mayor Linda Hudson; Commissioner Edward Becht; Commissioner Thomas Perona; Commissioner Reginald Sessions
- Absent:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander
- 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 excuse Commissioner Alexander from the meeting.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions, Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
Mayor Hudson read the policy regarding law enforcement deadly force encounters from the Office of the State Attorney.
4.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARINGS
Charlie Frank Matthews
Erica Tolbert
Cleaver Hayling
Terry Hagwood
Clorisse Stephens
Mark Hadden
Leon Hall
DJ Ferguson
Travon Simmons
Bishop Joseph Kidwell
Charlie Frank Matthews
Erica Tolbert
Cleaver Hayling
Terry Hagwood
Clorisse Stephens
Mark Hadden
Leon Hall
DJ Ferguson
Travon Simmons
Bishop Joseph Kidwell
5.
CITY COMMISSION
a.
Discussion regarding options for the investigation of the incident which occurred on April 23, 2016 involving the Fort Pierce Police Department.
Nicholas Mimms, City Manager, gave a brief overview of the incident. The investigation was immediately turned over to the St. Lucie County Sheriff's department to ensure complete transparency. The U.S. Attorney's Office, Department of Justice - Civil Rights unit, and the FBI are monitoring the investigation and are very supportive.
Commissioner Sessions stated that this incident should be handled with care and it should not be wiped under the rug. The St. Lucie County Sheriff's office handling the investigation is not going to work. There are too many personal relationships and connections, which is a disadvantage to a small town. We are striving for a fair, reasonable, independent determination of the facts of the case so that justice can be served.
James Messer, City Attorney, explained that if the members of the Commission so move to request the assistance of the Justice Department, then the Mayor, would either make a telephone call or write a letter to request intervention.
Chief Diane Hobley-Burney, stated that she felt it was in the best interest for all involved that the Police Department play no role in the investigation. She wants the community to know that there is nothing to hide and that she is looking for justice for the community, victim's family, and officers.
Further Commission discussion included offering condolences to the family, the time frame it will take for the Department of Justice to intervene and private citizens writing their own letters to Department of Justice.
Commissioner Sessions made a motion to direct the City Attorney to make a request with the Department of Justice to intervene in the investigations involving Demarcus Semer.
The motion failed due to lack of second.
Nicholas Mimms, City Manager, gave a brief overview of the incident. The investigation was immediately turned over to the St. Lucie County Sheriff's department to ensure complete transparency. The U.S. Attorney's Office, Department of Justice - Civil Rights unit, and the FBI are monitoring the investigation and are very supportive.
Commissioner Sessions stated that this incident should be handled with care and it should not be wiped under the rug. The St. Lucie County Sheriff's office handling the investigation is not going to work. There are too many personal relationships and connections, which is a disadvantage to a small town. We are striving for a fair, reasonable, independent determination of the facts of the case so that justice can be served.
James Messer, City Attorney, explained that if the members of the Commission so move to request the assistance of the Justice Department, then the Mayor, would either make a telephone call or write a letter to request intervention.
Chief Diane Hobley-Burney, stated that she felt it was in the best interest for all involved that the Police Department play no role in the investigation. She wants the community to know that there is nothing to hide and that she is looking for justice for the community, victim's family, and officers.
Further Commission discussion included offering condolences to the family, the time frame it will take for the Department of Justice to intervene and private citizens writing their own letters to Department of Justice.
Commissioner Sessions made a motion to direct the City Attorney to make a request with the Department of Justice to intervene in the investigations involving Demarcus Semer.
The motion failed due to lack of second.
Motion was made by Commissioner Edward Becht, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Perona to ask Department of Justice to evaluate if they think they should intervene.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Edward Becht, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions, Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
6.
ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mayor Hudson declared the meeting adjourned at 7:20 p.m.
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK
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MAYOR COMMISSIONER
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