Mayor Hudson called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Commissioner Perona arrived at 8:36 a.m.
Commissioner Becht arrived at 8:52 a.m.
Commissioner Sessions arrived at 9:21 a.m.

Dean Kubitschek, City Marina Manager
Don West, St. Lucie County Public Works
Bill Verge, owner of the USCGC Ingham
April Price, Executive Director of SHIP
Andy Brady, Navy Seal Museum and President of SHIP
Chris Dzadovsky, County Commissioner

April Price and others attended to share with the City Commission that Mr. Verge is interested in moving the USCGC Ingham to the City of Fort Pierce to create a museum at Fisherman’s Wharf.  This is simply an initial exploratory discussion to determine if there is interest in having the ship in Fort Pierce.  Bill Verge explained his desire to relocate the Ingham to Fort Pierce.   

DOT is currently working with the county to conduct a study on how the redevelopment of Fisherman’s Wharf could occur.  The County has asked that the potential of having the Ingham on site be incorporated into the study.  The depth of the wharf area will also need to be addressed.

Consensus was to move forward with vetting the project and to make sure that bringing in the Ingham won’t hamstring us in the future with other projects that may be viable in that area and that it is consistent with our master plan.  Additionally, we need determine if the project is sustainable and all necessary partners are in place.

The proposal before the commission from Lyle Sumek Associates is to follow up on our previous Strategic Plan to develop our Mission, the Vision for 2030, establish Goals for 2020 and create an Action Plan 2015-2020 to achieve the goals.    The funding has been identified and scheduling is underway for April.    Consensus was to move forward with the proposal. 

Deputy City Manager Nick Mimms reported we are in the third year of the Strategic Plan.  We updated our action plan to coincide with the strategic goals and objectives.   Staff provided an update which is in your packet and is available to answer any questions.  Mayor Hudson indicated that she likes that many departments are doing cross-training.   It would be helpful to tie what departments are doing to how it impacts our customers, the tax-payers. 

As to the status of the abandoned building ordinance, Marc Meyers indicated that he needs to sit down with the County Attorney and do some adjusting, and find out what the County’s experience has been.   Commissioners requested that the abandonment and landlord ordinances come back to the Commission at a conference agenda in December.

There was an inquiry as to why the County can cap code enforcement liens at $5,000.00 and we cannot.  Mr. Schwerer indicated that under the state statute, it is his opinion that we cannot impose a cap and the county just did it.  There was a request that the issue be researched further. 

It was requested that the City consider offering flu shots to all of our employees.

Expansion of the FPUA retail service area should be included in our strategic plan as a way to strengthen our city, lower rates and make our city financially healthier.

Rebecca Grohall, Planning Manager presented comments on behalf of the City of Fort Pierce on the draft Environmental Impact Statement for the All Aboard Florida project.  It was suggested that the study should address the impact on animals and/or endangered species crossing the railroad tracks, getting from one eco-system to another; the failure to address this issue and the potential for game culverts should be included in our comments.

Meeting was adjourned at 11:34 a.m.