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 6:30 P.M. ON MONDAY, MAY 1, 2017.
1.
CALL TO ORDER - Mayor Hudson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m.
2.
OPENING PRAYER - Clay Lindstrom gave the opening prayer.
3.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4.
ROLL CALL
- Present:
- Mayor Linda Hudson; Commissioner Rufus Alexander; Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson; Commissioner Thomas Perona; Commissioner Reginald Sessions
- Staff Present:
-
- City Clerk Linda Cox
- City Manager Nicholas Mimms
- City Attorney James Messer
5.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a.
Approval of minutes from the April 17, 2017 regular meeting
Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas Perona, seconded by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson to approve the minutes from the April 17, 2017 regular meeting.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions, Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
6.
PROCLAMATIONS
a.
Mayor Hudson issued a proclamation declaring May 2017 as Mental Health Awareness Month.
b.
Mayor Hudson issued a proclamation declaring May 2017 as Williams Syndrome Awareness Month.
c.
Mayor Hudson declared May 7 - 13, 2017 as Travel and Tourism Week.
7.
LETTERS TO COMMISSION - Copies of the following letters will be kept on file at the City Clerk's office.
a.
Memo from Mike Reals expressing his sincere appreciation for the efforts of the Police Department and the Youth Explorers that contributed towards the success of the Keep Fort Pierce Beautiful Great American Cleanup.
b.
Email from Irene A. Szedlmayer, Senior Planner, Growth Management Department, Martin County, thanking Libby Woodruff, Urban Redevelopment Manager for the dedication of her tremendous talents to the City of Fort Pierce, its neighborhoods and people.
8.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARINGS
Carole Mushier - item 13a
Carole Mushier - item 13a
9.
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Linda Cox, City Clerk, stated that the applicant requested to remove item 10c.
Linda Cox, City Clerk, stated that the applicant requested to remove item 10c.
Motion was made by Commissioner Reginald Sessions, seconded by Commissioner Rufus Alexander to approve the agenda as amended.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions, Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
10.
CONSENT AGENDA
a.
Approve grant award for Camilla Minus, owner of Camilla's Touch, Inc., in the amount of $3,000 as an eligible recipient under the 2016-2017 CDBG Grant Award for Small Business.
b.
Approve grant award for Ms. Jane Kyong, owner of Seoul Garden, Inc. in the amount of $3,000 as an eligible recipient under the 2016-2017 CDBG Grant Award for Small Business. Ms. Kyong received small business grant during 2015 PY.
c.
Approve grant award for Angela Brown, owner of business Florida Highwaymen Artist A.J. Brown, LLC in the amount of $3,000 as an eligible recipient under the 2016-17 CDBG Grant Award for Small Business. This item was removed at the applicant's request.
d.
Approve grant award for Marva Lamb, owner of Medical Training Center in the amount of $3,000 as an eligible recipient under the 2026-2017 CDBG Grant Award for Small Business.
e.
Approval of Communitywide Council recommendations for 2017 Public Service Grant Awards in the total amount of $50,000.
f.
Approval of travel expenses of $1652.21 for Commissioner Perona to attend the 2017 American Public Power Association National Conference being held on June 18 - 21, 2017 in Orlando, Florida.
g.
Approval of traffic equipment purchase from Econolite Group Inc. of Jacksonville, FL. in the amount of $141,966.00.
h.
Approval of request from Main Street Fort Pierce for a $20,000 contribution from the City of Fort Pierce towards the cost of the expenses for Stars Over St. Lucie, a 4th of July Celebration.
Motion was made by Commissioner Rufus Alexander, seconded by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson to approve items 10a, 10b, 10d, 10e, 10f, 10g and 10h.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions, Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
12.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
a.
Quasi Judicial Hearing - Application for Conditional Use with no new construction, with conditions, submitted by property owner, Pelican Properties LLC – John Mooney, to operate a three (3) unit Dwelling Rental, with minimum rental periods of one (1) month, at 1171 Seaway Drive, Fort Pierce, FL. The property is zoned Hutchinson Island Medium Density Residential (R-4A). Parcel ID: 2401-501-0288-000-7.
Kori Benton, Senior Planner, gave a presentation and was available for questions.
Commission discussion included target rental audience, sidewalks and enforcement.
Mayor Hudson opened the public hearing.
Seeing no one, Mayor Hudson closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Perona made a motion to approve the addition of no more than 12 contracted rents per year. James Messer, City Attorney, reminded that frequency and duration should not be addressed due the State of Florida preemption. Commissioner Perona withdrew his motion based on the 30 day minimum stay in the staff conditions.
Kori Benton, Senior Planner, gave a presentation and was available for questions.
Commission discussion included target rental audience, sidewalks and enforcement.
Mayor Hudson opened the public hearing.
Seeing no one, Mayor Hudson closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Perona made a motion to approve the addition of no more than 12 contracted rents per year. James Messer, City Attorney, reminded that frequency and duration should not be addressed due the State of Florida preemption. Commissioner Perona withdrew his motion based on the 30 day minimum stay in the staff conditions.
Motion was made by Commissioner Rufus Alexander, seconded by Commissioner Reginald Sessions to approve item 12a with the following staff conditions:
1. The applicant completes the proposed driveway (parking) improvements prior to zoning approval for the Business Tax application.
2. Registration of a local property manager, and secondary property manager, accessible at all times to resolve complaints or violations of City Code;
3. Issuance of guide booklets for renters regarding local rules and public service resources to minimize conflicts;
4. Installation of a sidewalk connection, or payment in-lieu of construction, along the Alhambra Street property line pursuant to City Code Sections 22-62 (b) & (d); and
5. The applicant files for and obtains St. Lucie County & City of Fort Pierce Business Tax Licenses within thirty (30) days of Conditional Use approval.
- AYE:
- Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions, Mayor Linda Hudson
Passed
13.
MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS & REQUESTS
a.
Update and discussion on parking enforcement activities
Rebecca Grohall, Planning Manager, and Peggy Arraiz, Code Compliance Manager, gave a presentation on the parking enforcement activities and were available for questions. The parking committee has active participation from the Police and Public Works departments. The discussion included the City parking garage, vacancy rates, parking enforcement and marina parking possibilities.
Commission discussion included good enforcement solutions and including the County in the discussion to alleviate parking concerns in the County garage.
Rebecca Grohall, Planning Manager, and Peggy Arraiz, Code Compliance Manager, gave a presentation on the parking enforcement activities and were available for questions. The parking committee has active participation from the Police and Public Works departments. The discussion included the City parking garage, vacancy rates, parking enforcement and marina parking possibilities.
Commission discussion included good enforcement solutions and including the County in the discussion to alleviate parking concerns in the County garage.
14.
CITY COMMISSION
a.
Discussion led by Commissioner Perona regarding a dog friendly park on the beach.
Commissioner Perona stated that if we have the ability to govern dogs on the beach, the discussion will be between the City, County, State and Federal government. There are presently free roaming dogs on the beaches and the commission may need to consider implementing a dog-friendly beach. Chief Hobley-Burney stated that the police department has issued warnings and notified people of the policy.
Commission discussion included enforceability, jurisdiction, and trying to provide the amenity to citizens. Community input will be essential. The consensus was to begin the discussion with the County and see if the option is available.
Commissioner Perona stated that if we have the ability to govern dogs on the beach, the discussion will be between the City, County, State and Federal government. There are presently free roaming dogs on the beaches and the commission may need to consider implementing a dog-friendly beach. Chief Hobley-Burney stated that the police department has issued warnings and notified people of the policy.
Commission discussion included enforceability, jurisdiction, and trying to provide the amenity to citizens. Community input will be essential. The consensus was to begin the discussion with the County and see if the option is available.
15.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Joyce Jackson
Pat Cements
Gabriella Ferraro
Michael Marsh
Charlie Hayek
Mario Wilcox
Leticia Cruz
Cherri Johnson
Joyce Jackson
Pat Cements
Gabriella Ferraro
Michael Marsh
Charlie Hayek
Mario Wilcox
Leticia Cruz
Cherri Johnson
16.
COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER
a.
City Manager's Report
Nicholas Mimms, City Manager, spoke to highlights from the City Manager's Report such as Keep Fort Pierce Beautiful, Arbor Day and Paint our Town. Praise in the Park event was well attended by staff and community. Oxbow's Earth Month celebration was this weekend and Mayor Hudson attended as well as staff. The Conference Agenda is on May 8, 2017.
Chief Hobley-Burney announced community meetings that will be held on May 2 - 4, 2017 to meet police department staff and to have concerns address.
Nicholas Mimms, City Manager, spoke to highlights from the City Manager's Report such as Keep Fort Pierce Beautiful, Arbor Day and Paint our Town. Praise in the Park event was well attended by staff and community. Oxbow's Earth Month celebration was this weekend and Mayor Hudson attended as well as staff. The Conference Agenda is on May 8, 2017.
Chief Hobley-Burney announced community meetings that will be held on May 2 - 4, 2017 to meet police department staff and to have concerns address.
17.
COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION
Commissioner Alexander wants Fort Pierce's story to be told and encourages young people to keep up the positive story.
Commissioner Perona inquired about the WRAC committee and wants to know if they need Commission direction.
Commissioner Sessions spoke about the EPIC event over the weekend and he enjoyed seeing City employees there to support. The area needs uplifting and he feels it was a win-win. The Rock Church opened Sunday and it was a community event.
Commissioner Johnson mentioned the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 4, 2017 and there will be an event at the River Walk center at Noon. He announced a lot of good things happening this week including the Wesley Island Pig Roast, Sailfish, Cinco de Mayo at Veteran's Memorial Park and Friday Fest.
Mayor Hudson spoke about Oxbow's Earth Month event which was a nice collaboration between the County and both cities. She participated in a press conference discussing HB7105 bill that passed.
Commissioner Alexander wants Fort Pierce's story to be told and encourages young people to keep up the positive story.
Commissioner Perona inquired about the WRAC committee and wants to know if they need Commission direction.
Commissioner Sessions spoke about the EPIC event over the weekend and he enjoyed seeing City employees there to support. The area needs uplifting and he feels it was a win-win. The Rock Church opened Sunday and it was a community event.
Commissioner Johnson mentioned the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 4, 2017 and there will be an event at the River Walk center at Noon. He announced a lot of good things happening this week including the Wesley Island Pig Roast, Sailfish, Cinco de Mayo at Veteran's Memorial Park and Friday Fest.
Mayor Hudson spoke about Oxbow's Earth Month event which was a nice collaboration between the County and both cities. She participated in a press conference discussing HB7105 bill that passed.
18.
ADJOURNMENT - There being no further business, Mayor Hudson declared the meeting adjourned at 8:58 p.m.
ATTEST:
| ____________________________ | _________________________________ |
|
CITY CLERK
|
MAYOR COMMISSIONER
|