C I T Y O F F O R T P I E R C E
CONFERENCE AGENDA MINUTES
Conference Agenda Meeting - Monday, October 13, 2014 - 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 8:30 a.m.
2.
Pledge of Allegiance
3.
Roll Call
- Present:
-
- Thomas Perona, Commissioner
- Linda Hudson, Mayor
- Absent:
-
- Rufus Alexander, Commissioner
- Edward Becht, Commissioner
- Reginald Sessions, Commissioner
- Staff Present:
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- Jeanette Conlon, Deputy City Clerk
- Robert Bradshaw, City Manager
- Robert Schwerer, City Attorney
Commissioner Rufus Alexander arrived at 8:45 a.m.
Commissioner Reginald Sessions arrived at 8:55 a.m.
Commissioner Reginald Sessions arrived at 8:55 a.m.
4.
New Business
A.
Discussion of Additional Restroom Facilities at PAL Park - Public Works Manager
Steve DiPalma, President of PAL, Officer Paul Pearson and Mike Reals, Public Works Manager explained the need for additional restrooms facilities at PAL Park, especially with outside activities; portable facilities are currently being used.
Officer Paul Pearson stated it would cost around $100,000. Through fund raising and donations, PAL has raised $50,000 and asked if the City could provide the additional funds.
Commissioner Perona stated this would be an asset to the entire park and it is very unusual that a group come to them with one-half (1/2) of the funding. Mayor Hudson asked if funding was available. Gloria Johnson, Finance Director, indicated that funds are available in the Parks MSTU.
Nick Mimms, Deputy City Manager stated back in 2010-2011, the park was to be improved and we need to look at the park as a whole for years to come maybe develop conceptual plan not just the restrooms.
Robert Bradshaw, City Manager, indicated that he will meet with Mike, Rebecca, and Paul ASAP and have it before the Commission to vote by end of November.
Officer Paul Pearson stated it would cost around $100,000. Through fund raising and donations, PAL has raised $50,000 and asked if the City could provide the additional funds.
Commissioner Perona stated this would be an asset to the entire park and it is very unusual that a group come to them with one-half (1/2) of the funding. Mayor Hudson asked if funding was available. Gloria Johnson, Finance Director, indicated that funds are available in the Parks MSTU.
Nick Mimms, Deputy City Manager stated back in 2010-2011, the park was to be improved and we need to look at the park as a whole for years to come maybe develop conceptual plan not just the restrooms.
Robert Bradshaw, City Manager, indicated that he will meet with Mike, Rebecca, and Paul ASAP and have it before the Commission to vote by end of November.
B.
Update of Entertainment District - Inlet Park - Deputy Chief, Planning Manager, Code Compliance Manager
Frank Amandro, Deputy Chief of Police, explained creating an entertainment district on South Beach, like there is downtown, would be allow for a special event once a month in this area. The area could be identified as from the round-about to the beach dune. He also corrected it is not Inlet Park as on the agenda but Jetty Park.
Commissioner Alexander expressed concerned about the security and asked if the special event permit holder can hire its own security; he understands there is a policy that the police cannot be present if alcohol is present.
Mayor Hudson is concerned about enforcement if there is a special event permit to allow alcohol and then we have people walking around with drink in hand; city ordinance prohibits alcohol in city parks, meaning Jetty Park.
Frank Amandro, Deputy Chief stated that at this time Jetty Park cannot be reserved for special events.
Commissioner Perona expressed his concern with enforcement; he referenced an event that took place at Archie’s over the weekend where motorcycles were parked in bike lanes and crowds, automobiles had difficulty getting through.
Commissioner Sessions also expressed he concerns over enforcement; he stated he went to an establishment on South Beach over the weekend and there were more people hanging around outside than inside.
Commissioner Alexander said he does not want to handicap businesses but need to be asking citizens.
Nick Mimms, Deputy City Manager, stated that with the reconstruction of Jetty Park, he is not sure this is what we want.
Frank Amandro, Deputy Chief, stated these are issues that can be looked at and addressed. He would like to get with the City Attorney and City Manager about the policy that police cannot be on premise where alcohol is served.
Rebecca Grohall indicated she wanted their feed-back so she is able to polish it up. Robert Bradshaw, City Manager, indicated that we need more time will check with other East Coast communities.
Commissioner Alexander expressed concerned about the security and asked if the special event permit holder can hire its own security; he understands there is a policy that the police cannot be present if alcohol is present.
Mayor Hudson is concerned about enforcement if there is a special event permit to allow alcohol and then we have people walking around with drink in hand; city ordinance prohibits alcohol in city parks, meaning Jetty Park.
Frank Amandro, Deputy Chief stated that at this time Jetty Park cannot be reserved for special events.
Commissioner Perona expressed his concern with enforcement; he referenced an event that took place at Archie’s over the weekend where motorcycles were parked in bike lanes and crowds, automobiles had difficulty getting through.
Commissioner Sessions also expressed he concerns over enforcement; he stated he went to an establishment on South Beach over the weekend and there were more people hanging around outside than inside.
Commissioner Alexander said he does not want to handicap businesses but need to be asking citizens.
Nick Mimms, Deputy City Manager, stated that with the reconstruction of Jetty Park, he is not sure this is what we want.
Frank Amandro, Deputy Chief, stated these are issues that can be looked at and addressed. He would like to get with the City Attorney and City Manager about the policy that police cannot be on premise where alcohol is served.
Rebecca Grohall indicated she wanted their feed-back so she is able to polish it up. Robert Bradshaw, City Manager, indicated that we need more time will check with other East Coast communities.
C.
Discussion of City's payment of the employer's portion of the cost for Commissioners Perona and Sessions to buy back years of service in the retirement system - Finance Director
Commissioner Alexander expressed that commissioners should be entitled to retirement. Gloria Johnson, Finance Director, explained it is just a formality and that it would be coming to them on a City Commission agenda.
Mayor Hudson stated she did not have a problem with it.
Commissioner Alexander stated he had no problem with it.
Mayor Hudson stated she did not have a problem with it.
Commissioner Alexander stated he had no problem with it.
D.
Proposed Draft of Medical Marijuana Ordinance - Planning Manager
Rebecca Grohall, Planning Manager, explained this was in preparation since the issue is to be placed on the November ballot as a referendum.
Rebecca Grohall, Planning Manager, clarified that this would be a conditional use. She is meeting with St. Lucie County tomorrow and would like to get the Commissioners’ input as to distance requirements. St. Lucie County is seeking 2500 feet.
Commissioner Alexander stated that at the Florida League of Cities Conference they were asked for a moratorium of 9 months to 1 year to be able to come up with ordinances. City Attorney said distance has to be reasonable to not put anyone out of business.
Rebecca Grohall, Planning Manager, stated she would like some direction on distance requirement. Mayor Hudson stated more than 500 ft. but less than 2500 ft.
The consensus of all was 1000 ft.
Rebecca Grohall, Planning Manager, clarified that this would be a conditional use. She is meeting with St. Lucie County tomorrow and would like to get the Commissioners’ input as to distance requirements. St. Lucie County is seeking 2500 feet.
Commissioner Alexander stated that at the Florida League of Cities Conference they were asked for a moratorium of 9 months to 1 year to be able to come up with ordinances. City Attorney said distance has to be reasonable to not put anyone out of business.
Rebecca Grohall, Planning Manager, stated she would like some direction on distance requirement. Mayor Hudson stated more than 500 ft. but less than 2500 ft.
The consensus of all was 1000 ft.
E.
Letter of Interest from Artistry in Mosaics - Planning Manager
Rebecca Grohall, Planning Manager, explained this is a business looking to expand and is interested in purchasing the city property on Hayes and South 3rd Street.
Commissioner Perona stated business has been in Fort Pierce a long time would like to see expansion. Mayor Hudson asked about price. Rebecca Grohall, Planning Manager, confirmed that the price needs to be based on appraisal.
City Attorney indicated that we need to follow Charter for property disposition. Nick Nimms, Deputy City Manager, stated that RFP process would be the best process. The consensus of all was they were all comfortable with the RFP process.
Commissioner Perona stated business has been in Fort Pierce a long time would like to see expansion. Mayor Hudson asked about price. Rebecca Grohall, Planning Manager, confirmed that the price needs to be based on appraisal.
City Attorney indicated that we need to follow Charter for property disposition. Nick Nimms, Deputy City Manager, stated that RFP process would be the best process. The consensus of all was they were all comfortable with the RFP process.
5.
Adjournment
Meeting was adjourned at 10:35 a.m.