- Present:
- Mayor Linda Hudson; Commissioner Rufus Alexander; Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson; Commissioner Thomas Perona; Commissioner Reginald Sessions
- Staff Present:
-
- City Attorney James Messer
- City Clerk Linda Cox
- City Manager Nicholas Mimms
Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas Perona, seconded by Commissioner Rufus Alexander to approve Item 5A.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
Pastor Ted Rice, Pastor Christopher Fogal, Dr. David Thompson, Pastor Eldrew Baldwin and Mr. Michael Simos all spoke regarding Item 13C.
Motion was made by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Perona to approve the agenda with the addition of the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Application as Item 13D.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas Perona, seconded by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson to approve items 10a-10g on the Consent Agenda.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
Linda Cox, City Clerk, read the ordinance, by title only, into the record as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA AMENDING THE PROVISIONS OF FORT PIERCE CODE OF ORDINANCES CHAPTER 2, ADMINISTRATION, ARTICLE II. – CITY COMMISSION, SECTION 2-29 (PROCEDURE-GENERALLY); RELATING TO ORDER OF BUSINESS; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; REPEALING ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Ms. Cox indicated the new ordinance would move the Miscellaneous Reports & Requests to occur at the beginning of the Agenda; everything else would remain the same.
Mayor Hudson opened the Public Hearing. Seeing no one she closed the Public Hearing.
Motion was made by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Reginald Sessions to approve Ordinance 17-025.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
Linda Cox, City Clerk, read the ordinance, by title only, into the record as follows:
ORDINANCE NO. 17-026 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA AMENDING THE PROVISIONS OF FORT PIERCE CODE OF ORDINANCES CHAPTER 10 – MOTOR VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC, BY AMENDING SEC. 10-23 – REGULATIONS; DELETING SEC. 10-26 – PARKING FINES FOR IMPROPER PARKING IN HANDICAPPED SPACE; DELETING SEC. 10-27 – PARKING FINES FOR IMPROPER PARKING IN FIRE LANES; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; REPEALING ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Peggy Arriaz, Code Enforcement Manager, addressed issues consisting of moving Fire Lanes and Handicapped Parking into Chapter 10-23. A new provision was included to prohibit parking on city maintained right of ways and a catch-all which is the State Statute 316, thereby, automatically amending our Ordinance if the statute should change in the future; it also provides an exemption for our utility workers doing their job.
Mayor Hudson opened the Public Hearing. Seeing no one, the Mayor closed the Public Hearing.
Motion was made by Commissioner Rufus Alexander, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Perona to approve Ordinance 17-026.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
Linda Cox, City Clerk, introduced the ordinance, read by title only, into the record:
ORDINANCE NO. 17-027 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA AMENDING THE PROVISIONS OF FORT PIERCE CODE OF ORDINANCES CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE XIII.5, ENTITLED “SUPPLEMENTAL MUNICIPAL CODE ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES”; AMENDING SECTION. 2-259. - PROCESSING CITATIONS; PAYMENT OF FINES; HEARINGS; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; REPEALING ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Peggy Arraiz, Code Compliance Manager, made a presentation regarding the Ordinance which will transfer unpaid citations to the County Court for their collection efforts.
Mayor Hudson opened the Public Hearing. Seeing no one, the Mayor closed the Public Hearing.
Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas Perona, seconded by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson to approve Ordinance 17-027.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
Linda Cox, City Clerk, introduced the ordinance, read by title only, into the record.
ORDINANCE NO. 17-028 - AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA AMENDING THE PROVISIONS OF FORT PIERCE CODE OF ORDINANCES CHAPTER 5, ARTICLE XIII, SECTION 5-367 TO PROVIDE FOR SECURING VACANT STRUCTURES UTILIZING CLEAR POLYCARBONATE MATERIAL; ADDING CHAPTER 5, ARTICLE XIII, SECTION 5-369 CLEAN AND SAFE COMMUNITY INITIATIVE; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; REPEALING ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Peggy Arraiz, Code Enforcement Manager, presented the highlights of this initiative. Ms. Arraiz suggested $1 dollar per month be added to each utility bill, thereby, generating $282,348 annually and placing these funds, by ordinance and resolution, in a restricted fund to be used only to abate blight and nuisance conditions. It would require an annual audit be conducted and presented to the Commission; this would include a three-year sunset provision. The benefits of moving forward were presented including, but not limited to, less criminal activity, implementing safety in the community, the Police Force and emergency personnel, and bettering the aspect of the city neighborhoods.
Mayor Hudson opened the Public Hearing.
Mike Perri spoke in opposition to including in utility bill.
Rick Reed spoke in opposition to including in utility bill.
Mayor Hudson closed the Public Hearing.
Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas Perona, seconded by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson to approve Ordinance 17-028.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona
- NAY:
- Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
Linda Cox, City Clerk, introduced the ordinance, read by title only, into the record:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA AMENDING THE PROVISIONS OF FORT PIERCE CODE OF ORDINANCES CHAPTER 15 – SIGNS AND BILLBOARDS ADOPTED VIA ORDINANCE NO. 17-019 IN ORDER TO CORRECT SCRIVENERS ERROR IN SEC. 15-7 PERMITTED SIGNS BY CORRECTING THE TEMPORARY SIGN SIZE FOR MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONES; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
The Commission expressed their desire to reassess this matter and acquire more information and recommendations as to sizes of both signs and lots and how it would relate to this issue. As a result, City Manager, Nicholas Mimms, suggested to reconfigure how it is presented and instead of a Scriveners Error it would be presented as a Proposal to Amend the Ordinance and would be reevaluated in approximately 60 days.
Mayor Hudson opened the Public Hearing. Seeing no one, the Mayor closed the Public Hearing.
Motion was made by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Perona to deny Ordinance 17-029.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
Johnna Morris, Finance Director, presented the highlights of the Annual Report for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, as well as, the criteria for awarding Cost of Living Adjustments (COLA) to retirees.
Johnna Morris, Finance Director, presented the Financial Report for July 31 2017.
Gloria Johnson was appointed by Commissioner Rufus Alexander.
Frank Fee, III was appointed by Commissioner Jermemiah Johnson.
Eddie Becht was appointed by Commissioner Thomas Perona.
Darrell Drummond was appointed by Commissioner Reginald Session.
Ben Bryan, Jr. was appointed by Commissioner Mayor Linda Hudson.
The alternates selected after voting were Harold Smyth and Bob Burdge.
Linda Cox, City Clerk, introduced the resolution, read by title only, into the record:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA, CERTIFYING THE APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO THE CHARTER REVIEW COMMISSION; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Motion was made by Commissioner Thomas Perona, seconded by Commissioner Rufus Alexander to approve Resolution 17-R29.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
City Clerk, Linda Cox, expressed applications may be submitted until the Agenda is published and the Commission will vote at the next meeting.
Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson suggested 13th Street be renamed down to where it intersects with Sunrise Blvd., thereby, extending through City Limits of Fort Pierce, renaming across the entire city from Zephyr Avenue to the Canal right of way by means of a Resolution.
City Clerk, Linda Cox presented this item for approval.
Motion was made by Commissioner Reginald Sessions, seconded by Commissioner Rufus Alexander to approve Item 13D.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
Pastor Tim May spoke on Hurricane Harvey Care Packages.
Ms. Linda Jones with Parents of Murdered Children spoke of the National Day of Remembrance.
Reverend Kenny Mills thanked the Mayor and the Commission for mentoring future leaders.
Nicholas Mimms, City Manager, addressed the projections of Hurricane Irma and the preparations being made for emergency operations, and shelters provided as safe havens.
Commissioner Rufus Alexander encouraged prayers.
Commissioner Thomas Perona advised if winds exceeded 50 mph the emergency responders would cease operations.
Commissioner Reginald Sessions exhorted people to take media reports on Hurricane Irma seriously and be safe.
Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson asked the public to be cautious about post-storm activity.
Mayor Linda Hudson encouraged Fort Pierce representation of the Jessica Clinton Heart Health screenings for kids on November 4, 2017 on Milner & Midway Road.
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CITY CLERK
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MAYOR COMMISSIONER
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