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, OCTOBER 2, 2017.
1.
CALL TO ORDER
2.
OPENING PRAYER - Pastor Elder Eldrew Baldwin, First Bethel Missionary Baptist Church
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 Attorney James Messer
- City Clerk Linda Cox
- City Manager Nicholas Mimms
5.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
a.
Approval of the Minutes of the September 5, 2017 regular meeting, the September 12, 2017 special meeting and the September 18, 2017 regular meeting.
Motion was made by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, 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
6.
PROCLAMATIONS
Mayor Hudson issued the proclamations.
Mayor Hudson issued the proclamations.
a.
Lights on Afterschool Proclamation
b.
Public Utility Week Proclamation
c.
Parents of Murdered Children Proclamation
7.
LETTERS TO COMMISSION
The following letters will be kept on file in the City Clerk's office.
The following letters will be kept on file in the City Clerk's office.
a.
Letter from Charlene Adair expressing appreciation to the entire staff for their efforts during Hurricane Irma.
8.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC ON AGENDA ITEMS NOT REQUIRING PUBLIC HEARINGS
There were no public comments from the public.
There were no public comments from the public.
9.
ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS TO AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion was made by Commissioner Reginald Sessions, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Perona to approve item 9a.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
10.
MISCELLANEOUS REPORTS
a.
Doug Coward, Executive Director with Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF) spoke about the many ways in which they help rebuild and empower underserved communities by providing access to affordable and innovative financing for sustainable property improvements including energy efficiency, renewable energy, wind-hazard mitigation, and water conservation. Mr. Coward presented three financing options for home owners in the community, especially for those living on a fixed income.
11.
CONSENT AGENDA
a.
Approval of Blanket Purchase Orders for the Public Works Department for Fiscal Year 2017-2018 to ensure efficient maintenance, service and repair of all City owned facilities, amenities and equipment.
b.
Approval of annual/blanket purchase orders for the Police Department for FY2018 in an amount not to exceed $487,893.00.
c.
Approval of Lease between the City of Fort Pierce and McAlpin Cavalcanti & Lewis, CPA for office space in the City Hall Annex Building for a term of one (1) year.
Motion was made by Commissioner Rufus Alexander, seconded by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson to approve items 11a - 11c.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
12.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
a.
Legislative Hearing - Ordinance 17-032, Amending City Code Section 22-22 - Allowed Uses, specifically within the Commercial Parkway Zone (CP-1) ; to classify Wholesale Trade as a permitted use within the subject district. SECOND READING
City Clerk, Linda Cox, introduced the ordinance, read by title only, into the record.
ORDINANCE NO. 17-032 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA; AMENDING CHAPTER 22, ARTICLE III, BASIC ZONING DISTRICTS, SECTION 22-22, ALLOWED USES TO CLASSIFY WHOLESALE TRADE AS A PERMITTED USE IN THE COMMERCIAL PARKWAY, CP-1, ZONE; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Kori Benton, Senior Planner, did not have anything to add.
Mayor Hudson opened the Public Hearing. Seeing no one, the Mayor closed the Public Hearing.
City Clerk, Linda Cox, introduced the ordinance, read by title only, into the record.
ORDINANCE NO. 17-032 - AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE, FLORIDA; AMENDING CHAPTER 22, ARTICLE III, BASIC ZONING DISTRICTS, SECTION 22-22, ALLOWED USES TO CLASSIFY WHOLESALE TRADE AS A PERMITTED USE IN THE COMMERCIAL PARKWAY, CP-1, ZONE; PROVIDING FOR A SEVERABILITY CLAUSE; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES OR PARTS THEREOF IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Kori Benton, Senior Planner, did not have anything to add.
Mayor Hudson opened the Public Hearing. Seeing no one, the Mayor closed the Public Hearing.
Motion was made by Commissioner Reginald Sessions, seconded by Commissioner Thomas Perona to approve Ordinance 17-032.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
13.
CITY COMMISSION
a.
Monthly Financial Report for the Month Ending August 31, 2017.
Johnna Morris, Finance Director, presented the Monthly Financial Report for August 2017. As the Finance Department reconciles total accounts and final invoices for the fiscal year they will have the final numbers as to what the needed transfers will be for the Golf Course and Sunrise Theatre.
Johnna Morris, Finance Director, presented the Monthly Financial Report for August 2017. As the Finance Department reconciles total accounts and final invoices for the fiscal year they will have the final numbers as to what the needed transfers will be for the Golf Course and Sunrise Theatre.
b.
Approval of letter of appreciation to Michelle Franklin, St. Lucie County Property Appraiser for their assistance following Hurricane Irma.
Commissioner Thomas Perona expressed he saw Ms. Franklin evaluating the homes in Fort Pierce immediately after Hurricane Irma and commended her commitment and work ethic.
Commissioner Thomas Perona expressed he saw Ms. Franklin evaluating the homes in Fort Pierce immediately after Hurricane Irma and commended her commitment and work ethic.
Motion was made by Commissioner Reginald Sessions, seconded by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson to approve item 13b.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
c.
Approval of a letter of thanks to Charlotte Bireley, Tourism and Marketing Director and the TDC for their efforts in promoting the City of Fort Pierce.
Commissioner Rufus Alexander expressed how he's seen the city of Fort Pierce increase in tourism and commended the TDC for the great job they are doing. Mayor Hudson agreed. Commissioner Reginald Sessions attributed a lot of the positive things happening in our city to the TDC.
Commissioner Rufus Alexander expressed how he's seen the city of Fort Pierce increase in tourism and commended the TDC for the great job they are doing. Mayor Hudson agreed. Commissioner Reginald Sessions attributed a lot of the positive things happening in our city to the TDC.
Motion was made by Commissioner Rufus Alexander, seconded by Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson to approve item 13c.
- AYE:
- Mayor Linda Hudson, Commissioner Rufus Alexander, Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson, Commissioner Thomas Perona, Commissioner Reginald Sessions
Passed
14.
COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC
Luca Fontaine Bradley spoke.
Luca Fontaine Bradley spoke.
15.
COMMENTS FROM THE CITY MANAGER
a.
City Manager's Report
City Manager, Nicholas Mimms, spoke about the progress made post Hurricane Irma and the speed of the debris removal process. Michael Reals, Public Works Manager, addressed the struggles to rehabilitate the city after the hurricane, how many routes have been completed and how many are left. The staff members of the Public Works Department are working diligently and arduously six days a week in order to get this tumultuous job completed. Because Hurricane Irma affected the entire state of Florida, versus just a few counties, most contractors have headed farther south where there was more damage leaving us to our own devices and making this a time consuming job for our city and staff. The City Manager is projecting this job will be completed by the holidays.
On October 10, 2017 the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners will hold a meeting to discuss the sales tax on infrastructure projects.
There was substantial damage to the Orange Blossom Business Center. There were several hundred employees and students displaced because of the flooding. While notice has been provided, guidelines and rules from the State must be followed.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) notified us they are changing their Collaborative Reform Initiative of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Chief Diane Hobley-Burney submitted a letter to the DOJ in hopes that they will continue to work with our local Police Department.
There will be a St. Lucie County joint meeting on October 26, 2017 to discuss annexation, 2018 sales tax initiative, waste water treatment plant, and port development.
City Manager, Nicholas Mimms, spoke about the progress made post Hurricane Irma and the speed of the debris removal process. Michael Reals, Public Works Manager, addressed the struggles to rehabilitate the city after the hurricane, how many routes have been completed and how many are left. The staff members of the Public Works Department are working diligently and arduously six days a week in order to get this tumultuous job completed. Because Hurricane Irma affected the entire state of Florida, versus just a few counties, most contractors have headed farther south where there was more damage leaving us to our own devices and making this a time consuming job for our city and staff. The City Manager is projecting this job will be completed by the holidays.
On October 10, 2017 the St. Lucie County Board of County Commissioners will hold a meeting to discuss the sales tax on infrastructure projects.
There was substantial damage to the Orange Blossom Business Center. There were several hundred employees and students displaced because of the flooding. While notice has been provided, guidelines and rules from the State must be followed.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) notified us they are changing their Collaborative Reform Initiative of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services. Chief Diane Hobley-Burney submitted a letter to the DOJ in hopes that they will continue to work with our local Police Department.
There will be a St. Lucie County joint meeting on October 26, 2017 to discuss annexation, 2018 sales tax initiative, waste water treatment plant, and port development.
City Attorney, James Messer, expressed how impressed he was with how dynamic the members comprising the limited Charter Review Commission are, and believes they will come before the Commission and present several different constructive and progressive alternatives.
16.
COMMENTS FROM THE COMMISSION
Commissioner Thomas Perona thanked the staff again with the help at Percy Peak, as well as, the volunteers. He felt proud to form a part of this city's administration and being a resident of this city.
Commissioner Rufus Alexander also thanked the volunteers and staff.
Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson found the City Manager's report, as well as, the Building Department's permit activity to be very encouraging.
Mayor Linda Hudson thanked the Hibiscus Neighborhood for attending the Commission Regular Meeting. She also thanked all of the volunteers for their arduous work and their commitment to our city and community.
Commissioner Thomas Perona thanked the staff again with the help at Percy Peak, as well as, the volunteers. He felt proud to form a part of this city's administration and being a resident of this city.
Commissioner Rufus Alexander also thanked the volunteers and staff.
Commissioner Jeremiah Johnson found the City Manager's report, as well as, the Building Department's permit activity to be very encouraging.
Mayor Linda Hudson thanked the Hibiscus Neighborhood for attending the Commission Regular Meeting. She also thanked all of the volunteers for their arduous work and their commitment to our city and community.
17.
ADJOURNMENT
ATTEST:
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CITY CLERK
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MAYOR COMMISSIONER
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