>> MAYOR: GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE AND WELCOME TO THE CITY 506 PORT CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE COUNCIL MEETING MARCH 9th, 2026, AT 1:02 A.M. >> COUNCILMAN MORGAN. >> YES, MA'AM. >> MAYOR MARTIN. >> HERE, MA'AM. >> COUNCILMAN BONNA. >> YES, MA'AM. >> VICE MAYOR CARABALLO. >> HERE, MA'AM. >> PLEASE STAND FOR THE IN VOCATION AND THE PLEDGE. >> ALMIGHTY GOD IN HEAVEN, WE ASK THY BLESSINGS UPON THOSE GATHERED HERE THIS AFTERNOON AND UPON ALL THE CITIZENS OF PORT ST. LUCIE. LOOK WITH FAVOR ON OUR LEADERS AND GIVE THEM THE INSIGHTS, THE WISDOM, AND THE PATIENCE TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEMS AND TASKS COMING BEFORE THEM. PLEASE BLESS THEIR WORK AND THEIR DELIBERATIONS. AMEN. >> AMEN [PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE] >> MAYOR: PROCLAMATIONS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS. ACCEPT THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 HALF CENT SALES TAX ANNUAL REPORT. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MAYOR, CITY COUNCIL, AND CITY MANAGER'S OFFICE. COLT SCHWERDT. MR. KENNETH COLE IS GOING TO BE PRESENTING THE CITIZEN OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE PRESENTATION ON THE HALF CENT SALES TAX. >> MAYOR: GREAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH, COLT. GOOD AFTERNOON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MADAM MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL,. AS PREVIOUSLY INTRODUCED MY NAME IS KEN CONTROL AND I HAVE THE HONOR OF SERVING AS THE CHAIR OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE CITIZENS SURTAX OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE. ON BEHALF OF MY FELLOW COMMITTEE MEMBERS, I AM PLEASED TO REPORT THE SEVENTH ANNUAL INFRASTRUCTURE SURTAX REPORT FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 AND 2025. THIS PRESENTATION FULL FILLS OUR RESPONSIBILITY UNDER RESOLUTION 18-R95 WHICH REQUIRES THE COMMITTEE TO PROVIDE CITY COUNCIL WITH AN UPDATE OF THE USE OF THE SURTAX PROCEEDS, THIS PROGRAM CONTINUES TO PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN IMPROVING OUR CITY'S INFRASTRUCTURE AND QUALITY OF LIFE. THE COMMITTEE'S WORK IS GUIDED BY TWO PRIMARY OBJECTIVES, TO ENSURE THE SURTAX EXPENDITURES COMPLY WITH THE FLORIDA STATUTES 212.055 AND THE APPROVED BALLOT LANGUAGE AND TO CONFIRM THAT THESEESH PENDITURES EXUM PLY WITH THE CITY ORDINANCE 18-50 AND THE 2018 SALES TAX REFERENDUM 10-YEAR PLAN. I'M PLEASED TO REPORT THAT BETWEEN OCTOBER 1st OF 2024, AND SEPTEMBER 30th OF 2025, RECEIVED ALL THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS, PLANS, BUDGETS, PERMITS, AND REPORTS TO THOROUGHLY EVALUATE THE CITY'S PROGRESS. AFTER CAREFUL EVALUATION, THE COMMITTEE DETERMINED THAT THE CITY HAS USED THE SALES SURTAX PROCEEDS IN THE PAST YEAR IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW AND THE BALLOT LANGUAGE. THESE EXPENDITURES ARE FULLY ALIGNED WITH THE COUNCIL APPROVED 10-YEAR PLAN. I'D LIKE TO THANK THE CITY COUNCIL FOR ENTRUSTING US WITH THIS IMPORTANT OVERSIGHT RESPONSIBILITY. I'D ALSO LIKE TO EXTEND SPECIAL THANKS TO THE CITY MANAGER STAFF, THE SALES TAX ACTION TEAM, PUBLIC WORKS LEADERSHIP, AND THE CITY CLERK'S OFFICE FOR MAINTAINING THE COMMITTEE'S PUBLIC RECORDS AND SUPPORTING OUR WORK. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE DEDICATED MEMBERS OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE SURTAX COMMITTEE. ROBERT CHRISTIAN WHO IS OUR VICE CHAIR, ERNORTHWEST BODEM, VARPRO TEM, DONNA HUDSON AND TARA HARPER. THEIR CONSISTENT ATTENDANCE AT QUARTLY MEETING AND ACTIVE OVERSIGHT HAVE HELPED US FULL FIT OUR BOARD'S RESPONSIBILITIES. WE'D ALSO LIKE TO GIVE SPECIAL THANKS TO COLT SCHWERDT, AND MS. JASMINEPER DOW A FOR THEIR SUPPORT THEY GREATLY CONTRIBUTED TO THE COMMITTEE'S SUCCESS. SINCE THE VOTER APPROVAL OF THE HALF CENT SALES TAX REFERENDUM IN 2018, THE PROGRAM HAS GENERATED APPROXIMATELY $74.9 MILLION IN SURTAX FUNDS TO DATE. I'D LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS OVER THESE YEARS. SIDEWALKS TO DATE. 13.7 MILES OF NEW SIDEWALK HAVE BEEN COMPLETED THANKS TO $5.3 MILLION IN SURTAX FUNDING. ROAD RESURFACING. OVER 83 MILES IN ROADS HAVE BEEN REPAVED, WITH AN INVESTMENT OF $11.6 MILLION. INFLORESTA COR CORRIDOR IMPROVET PHASE 1 AND 2. THIS HAS IMPROVED TRAFFIC FLOW AND SAFETY ALONG THE CORRIDOR, ENHANCED PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE CONNECTIVITY, PARTICULARLY FOR THE SCHOOL ACCESS, AND ALIGNMENT WITH THE CITY'S STRATEGIC GOAL OF HIGH QUALITY INFRASTRUCTURE AND FACILITIES. COMMUNITY IMPACTS, IN ADDITION TO MAJOR INITIATIVES, SURTAX FUNDING HAS SUPPORTED NUMEROUS T ST. LUCIE, INCLUDING TRAFFIC SIGNAL UPGRADES, PEDESTRIAN SAFETY ENHANCEMENTS, SUCH AS IMPROVED CROSSWALKS AND LIGHTING, STORMWATER AND DRAINAGE UPGRADES, TO REDUCE LOCALIZED FLOODING, AND SIDEWALK EXTENSIONS CONNECTING RESIDENTS TO SCHOOLS, PARKS, AND OTHER COMMUNITY HUBS. TOGETHER THESE PROJECTS CONTRIBUTE TO A SAFER AND MORE CONNECTED COMMUNITY FOR ALL. LOOKING AHEAD, THE COMMITTEE RECOGNIZES SEVERAL UPCOMING CITY INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THE ANTICIPATED COMPLETION OF FLORESTA PHASE 3, AND THE PLANS STARTED AND DESIGNED FOR THE CALIFORNIA BOULEVARD WIDENING PROJECT FROM CROSSTOWN PARKWAY TO ST. LUCIE WEST BOULEVARD, WHICH ARE EXPECTED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL MOBILITY AND SAFETY AND BENEFITS FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE. AS THE CITY ENTERS THE FINAL YEARS OF THE VOTER APPROVED INFRASTRUCTURE SALES TAX, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS AT STAKE. THIS SURTAX HAS FUNDED ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS, STORMWATER AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS, THAT REDUCE LOCALIZED FLOODING, AND SAFETY AND MOBILITY ENHANCEMENTS THAT STRENGTHBS OUR CITY'S INFRASTRUCTURE. -- STRENGTHBS OUR CITY'S INFRASTRUCTURE. WITHOUT RENEWAL, MANY OF THESE IMPROVEMENTS WOULD HAVE BEEN DELAYED, ELIMINATED PLACING GREATER FINANCIAL PRESSURE ON PROPERTY TAX HOLDERS. RENEWING THE SURTAX ALLOWS ALL COST T BE SHARED BY THE RESIDENTS, BUSINESS, AND VISITORS WHILE ENSURING A STABLE TRANSPARENT FUNDING SOURCE THAT VOTERS ENDORSED. CONTINUED INVESTMENT THROUGH THE SURTAX HELPS MAINTAIN MOMENTUM, PUBLIC SAFETY, AND THE QUALITY OF LIEF AS OUR CITY CONTINUES TO GROW. I ENCOURAGE THE PUBLIC TO VISIT THE PSL HALF CENT SALES TAX ON THE PROJECT'S WEB SITE. IT'S A GREAT WAY TO SEE HOW THESE FUNDS ARE BEING USED TO MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE IN PORT ST. LUCIE. ONON BEHALF OF I REQUEST THE CIL ACCEPT THE FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 ANNUAL REPORT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THIS IMPORTANT PROGRAM. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE ON THE BOARD, AND TO ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE AS WELL. REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK AND LOOKING AT EVERYTHING WE DO. CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH. COUNCIL, ANY QUESTIONS? COMMENTS? >> I DO BUT I DON'T KNOW -- >> MAYOR: DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING? >> I THOUGHT COUNCILMAN BONNA WAS LEANING IN. >> I WANTED TO ECHO YOUR COMMENTS, MAYOR, ABOUT THANKING YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE BECAUSE ONE OF THE IMPORTANT THINGS WHEN A LOCAL GOVERNMENT GOES TO THE COMMUNITY AND ASKS FOR THIS, THIS INVESTMENT IN OUR ROADS AND INFRASTRUCTURE IS THE INDEPENDENT LOOK THAT YOU GUYS GIVE AT THE EXPENDITURES AND MAKING SURE YOU'RE DOING WHAT WE SAY WE'RE GOING DO DO, SO BECAUSE OF YOUR SERVICE, THE VOTERS ESPECIALLY TRUSTED TO MOVE THIS FORWARD, AND SO I WANTED TO THANK YOU BECAUSE IT'S AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF THAT. >> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. SO KEN, HOW LONG HAVE YOU SERVED ON THE CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE? >> SINCE THE BEGINNING. >> SO I KNOW YOU'VE BEEN THERE A LONG TIME, AND I REALLY TRULY APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE, AND IT'S RILE REALLY IMPORTANT LIKE COUNCILMAN BONNA THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CITIZENS ADVISORY COMMITTEE. RIGHTFULLY SO THERE WAS A DISCUSSION THAT'S OCCURRING AROUND THE STATE, ESPECIALLY ABOUT GOVERNMENT AND GOVERNMENT WASTE AND HOW GOVERNMENT CHOOSES TO SPEND THEIR MONEY AND THIS CITIZEN BOARD IS CITIZEN LED, AN UNPAID BOARD WE DON'T HAVE ANY PAID BOARDS IN THE CITY, BUT AN UNPAID BOARD THAT PROVIDESúFEEDE IMPORTANTLY ENSURES THAT IT'S BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE IN HOW IT'S SPENDING, AND IT'S ABIDING BY THE LAWS. THE QUESTION THAT I HAVE, BECAUSE THIS HAS COME UP IN PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETINGS, AND I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU SINCE THE LAST TIME YOU REPORTED, SO I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOU THOUGHTS ON THIS, AND I DON'T MEAN TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT. BUT FLORESTA IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF THAT PROJECT, SO INITIALLY WHEN WE STARTED THAT PROJECT, IT HAD A BUDGET I WANT TO SAY FOR THE ENTIRETY OF PHASE 1, PHASE 2, PHASE 3, OF WHAT, CITY MANAGER, $26 MILLION? AND AS THINGS HAVE HAPPENED IN THE WORLD AND PHASES HAVE OCCURRED, COSTS HAVE BEEN RISING, AND SO I'M WONDERING, I'M SURE YOU GET PRESENTATIONS AND SUCH. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS AS FAR AS THE RISING COST OF THESE PROJECTS, AND WHY IS THE CITY HAVING TO EXPEND MORE FUNDING IN THOSE AREAS? >> THE COST TO DO CONSTRUCTION IS RISING. I MEAN, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT THE, WHEN THIS, WHEN THIS SURTAX ORIGINALLY STARTED IN 2018-2019, WHEN IT REALLY GOT INTO GOING, WE HAD COVID, SO A LOT OF THINGS WERE SHUT DOWN, A LOT OF MATERIALS WEREN'T COMING IN FROM OVERSEAS, YOU KNOW, FOR OTHER ROADWAY PROJECTS, WHICH MEANS IT TOOK A DRAIN ON A LOT OF THE LOCAL MATERIAL THAT WE HAVE HERE THAT YOU WOULD USE FOR A CITY PROJECT, YOU KNOW, THE DEPARTMENT, YOU KNOW, D.O.T. WOULD GET IN THERE AND, FIRST AND GET THEIR STUFF. SO EVERYTHING COST AS LITTLE BIT MORE, AND AFTER EVERYTHING KIND OF RETURNED TO A SORT OF NORMAL, THE PRICES NEVER REALLY CAME DOWN. SO IT KIND OF -- THE COSTS OF THE PROJECTS ESPECIALLY FLORESTA REFLECTS WHAT THE GOING RATE PER MILE TO BUILD IS. >> SEWOULD YOU -- SO WOULD YOU SAY THAT NOT ONLY WE SPENT WAS STATUTE REQUIRED BUT WE WERE AS FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WITH THE DOLLARS GIVEN AS WE COULD, AND TRIED TO GET MATERIALS AS CHEAPLY AS POSSIBLE AND LABOR AS AFFORDABLE AS POSSIBLE? >> YOU HAVE. THE PUBLIC WORKS AND ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT OF PORT ST. LUCIE WORK VERY WELL WITH THE CONTRACTORS, ESPECIALLY WITH FLORESTA TO MINIMIZE INOVERHEAD COSTS, ESPECIALLY HAVING THE SAME CONTRACT THAT'S OUT THERE, I MEAN, COMPETITIVELY BID BUT HAVING THEM ALREADY IN PLACE LOWERED THE COST OF MOBILIZATION AND OTHER ITEMS. THEY ALREADY WERE SET UP. >> YEP, AND I KNOW WE'RE PUBLICLY, YOU KNOW, WE'RE PUBLIC FIGURES SO PEOPLE COME TO US ALL THE TIME, BUT I'M SURE YOURSELF AND THE BOARD, IF ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WANTED TO ENGAGE YOU IN CONVERSATIONS OF IS THE CITY SPENDING MONEY FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE WITH THE SALES TAX I'M SURE YOU GUYS WOULD BE VERY OPEN TO IT. >> OH, ABSOLUTELY. >> AS WELL. >> I THINK WITH THIS COMMITTEE, IT'S PROBABLY, AND I CAN'T SPEAK FOR ANY OTHER COMMITTEES, BUT FOR THIS ONE I CAN SAY THAT THE MONEY IS CLOSELY MONITORED. >> THANK YOU. AND I APPRECIATE THE TIME, COUNCIL, BUT AS WE CONTINUE HAVING THE DISCUSSION WITH THE PUBLIC, YOU KNOW, IF PROPERTY TAX IS GOING TO BE ON TOP OF MINE, BUT FISCAL SPENDING AND RESPONSIBILITY IS, AND SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE JUST ASK THESE QUESTIONS. SO THOSE INDIVIDUALS THAT WE'VE ENTRUSTED TO GIVE US THE REAL FEEDBACK, SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS, COMMENTS? >> THANK YOU, SIR, FOR YOUR REPORT, AND IT'S VERY REFRESHING TO HEAR SOMEBODY COME IN HERE AND SAY THAT GOVERNMENT IS SPENDING YOUR MONEY WISELY. BECAUSE THE HOT TOPIC OF TODAY IS HOT GOVERNMENT IS NOT SPENDING THE MONEY WISELY, SO TO HEAR THAT YOU KNOW, WE'RE ACTUALLY TAKING THE MONEY THAT WE SET -- AND DOING THE THINGS THAT WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO DO WITH IT, IS FOR ME, IT'S IT'S VY REFRESHING AND WHAT'S ALSO NICE TO SEE THE PROJECTS AROUND TOWN, YOU SEE THE SIGN AROUND THERE THAT SAYS THIS PROJECT WAS PAID FOR BY YOUR HALF CENT SALES TAX, AND I THINK TAS THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT FOR TRANSPARENCY TO THE PUBLIC WHERE WE CAN SEE THAT'S WHERE THAT MONEY'S GOING TO, SO THANK YOU, SIR. >> THANK YOU. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IS THERE A MOTION? >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FINAL DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AND OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU AGAIN, SIR. ALL RIGHT, WE'RE MOVING ONTO PUBLIC TO BE HEARD. THIS IS YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THE COUNCIL FOR UP TO THREE MINUTES ON ANY NON-AGENDA RELATED ITEM. I HAVE TWO PEOPLE WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. MR. MOORE? HELLO, SIR. IT'S SO NICE TO SEE YOU. >> GREAT TO SEE YOU. MAYOR MARTIN, COUNCIL. MY NAME IS JOHN MOORE. I LIVE IN DISTRICT 3. HAVE SINCE 1989, SEEN A LOT OF CHANGES, MOSTLY POSITIVE. THE REASON I CAME TODAY, I SAW SOMETHING IN THE PAPER THAT CONCERNED ME, AND IT WAS REGARDING TWO PENDING BILLS BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE. ONE IS SENATE BILL 11 -- 1134, AND THE OTHER ONE IS HOUSE BILL 1001, BOTH OF THEM HAVING TO DO WITH DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION. NOW, THERE ARE SOME RESTRICTIONS IN THESE TWO BILLS IF YOU WILL ON THE THINGS THAT MUNICIPALITIES, LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, WHATEVER, CAN DO IN REGARDS TO PUTTING MONEY UP OR SANCTIONING IT OR WHATEVER. NOW, I BELIEVE YOU ALL ARE FAMILIAR WITH THESE TWO PIECES OF LEGISLATION OR THESE TWO BILLS. BUT I BROUGHT BOTH OF THEM, THE SUMMARY OF BOTH JUST IN CASE YOU WEREN'T, AND I'LL READ IT RIGHT QUICK. BUT I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, AND I DON'T EXPECT AN ANSWER NOW, THE CITY PUTS ON A LOT OF ACTIVITIES TO ENCOMPASS AND ADDRESS ALL THE NEEDS OF ALL OF ITS CITIZENS, AND MAYOR MARTIN AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT IN THE PAST THAT ALL OF OUR NEEDS NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. SO I GUESS MY QUESTION IS, TO BE ANSWERED WHENEVER Y'ALL GET A CHANCE OR WHATEVER, HAS THE CITY THOUGHT ABOUT IF THIS PASSES, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR APPROACH TO CONTINUE THOSE SAME ACTIVITIES THAT THE YOU HAVE PUT IN ON IN E PAST, AND I WON'T GO THROUGH THE TROUBLE OF NAME ANY OF THOSE ACTIVITIES. YOU KNOW THOSE BETTER THAN I DO BECAUSE YOU HAVE APPROVED THEM. BUT THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT I HAVE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU VERY MUCH, SIR. >> THANK YOU. >> MAYOR: MS. SPENCE? GOOD AFTERNOON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I HAVE A NEIGHBOR, I HATE TO BE A PAIN IN THE NECK. WE'VE GOTTEN ALONG REALLY WELL SINCE THEY MOVED IN BUT THEY PLANTED THOSE GOD AWFUL EUREKA PALMS RIGHT ON THE PROPERTY LINE WHICH MEANS THE BASE OF THOSE CAN BE 5 TO 10 FEET WIDE, CONSTANTLY OVERGROWTH ON MOY PROPERTY. I CAME IN AND SPOKE TO CODE ENFORCEMENT. A WONDERFUL LADY AT THE WINDOW VERY NICE AND SHE SAYS BASICALLY IT FALLS ON THE HOMEOWNER WHO DIDN'T PLANT THEM ON MY SIDE OF THE PROPERTY TO MAINTAIN THOSE. I SEE OTHER CITIES ARE STARTING TO PUT IN PLACE WHERE THEY'RE TRYING TO CURB PEOPLE FROM INSTEAD OF MY NEIGHBOR WANTING THE WHOLE PLANT ON HIS PROPERTY, HE ONLY WANTS PORTION OF IT ON HIS PROPERTY, AND THE OTHER PORTION GETS STUCK ON MY PROPERTY, WHICH LEAVES ME HOLDING THE FOOT OF NOW CLEANING UP HIS MESS OF HIS TREES. THOSE THINGS ARE EXTREMELY, THEY CONSTANTLY GROW, GROW, GROW, GROW. YOU'RE CONSTANT MAINTENANCE ON THEM. IS THIS CITY ABLE TO PUT SOMETHING IN PLACE TO PREVENT THAT? I'M STUCK WITH WHAT I HAVE NOW. I'M STUCK WITH THE NONSENSE BUT FUTURE HOMEOWNERS SHOULDN'T HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS AND I KNOW IN THE CITY'S CODES YOU RECOMMEND THEM PUT THEM FOUR TO FIVE FEET IN BUT IF SOMETHING YOU KNOW A TREE OR BUSH OR SOMETHING IS GOING TO BE EIGHT TO TEN FEET WIDE THAT THEY'RE REQUIRED TO PUT IT ONTO THEIR PROPERTY SO IT DOESN'T BECOME THE ADJOINING NEIGHBOR'S PROBLEM? I'M JUST CURIOUS. AND THEN THE OTHER THING IS CAN WE GET FLOESTA MOWED BETWEEN PORT ST. LUCIE BOULEVARD AND CROSSTOWN? THE WEEDS ARE UP TO ME KNEES. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU. THOSE ARE ALL THE CARDS THAT I HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. WOULD ANYONE ELSE LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL AT PUBLIC TO BE HEARD? SEEING NO ONE, I WILL CLOSE PUBLIC TO BE HEARD. MR. CITY ATTORNEY, WITH REGARD TO MR. MOORE'S QUESTION, REGARDING THESE TWO BILLS, CAN YOU PROVIDE SOME CONTEXT AND ANSWER THAT FOR US? >>> SURE, I CAN LOOK THE BILLS UP. I'M NOT INTIMATELY FAMILIAR WITH THEM, BUT JUST LOOKING ONLINE IT LOOKS LIKE SB1134 WAS PASSED LAST WEEK BY THE SENATE AND IS IN MESSAGES NOW. SO THERE'LL BE SOME IMPACT TO THAT. AND THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A SUMMARY OF EACH BILL THAT REFLECTS MR. MOORE'S UNDERSTANDING, SO WHAT WE DO NEXT IS AS A CITY WOULD BE SOMETHING WE CONFER ON INTERNALLY OF WHAT WE'RE ALLOWED TO SPEND OUR MONEY ON ON PUBLIC FUNDS. >> MAYOR: RIGHT. DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING, VICE MAYOR? >> YES, I JUST WANT TO SHARE. THANK YOU, SO MUCH, MR. MOORE, AND I APPRECIATE SO MUCH WHEN RESIDENTS COME TO THE PODIUM TO DISCUSS STATE ADVOCACY ISSUES BECAUSE A LOT OF THESE ISSUES COME TO OUR TABLE AND WE BECOME PREEMPTED, WHICH THIS IS A PREEMPTION, AND THEN THEY'RE UPSET WITH US BECAUSE WE CAN'T SOLVE THEIR ISSUE FOR THEM, AND A LOT OF TIMES BECAUSE THE STATE HAS PREEMPTED US. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS STILL MOVING. I WANT TO GET YOU THAT ANSWER FIRST. I'LL HAVE MY TEAM LOOK INTO IT AND LET YOU KNOW BECAUSE SENATE BILLPET'S MOVING BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THE HOUSE BILL IS MOVING. RIGHT NOW THE REPORT I GOT THIS MORNING WAS THAT WE'RE LOOKING TO SINE DIE BUT MOST LIKELY THEY AREN'T EVEN GOING TO HAVE BUDGET DONE. SO IF THEY SINE DIE, FROM WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD ALL POLICY DISCUSSIONS AT THAT POINT ARE DEAD, IF WHATEVER HASN'T BEEN PASSED. AND THEN YOU'RE GOING TO MOVE FORWARD INTO SPECIAL SESSION, AND SO I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE OTHER BILL IS RIGHT NOW. THAT BEING SAID, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO JOIN IT'S CALLED LOCAL VOICES UNITED. AND THAT IS THE PUBLIC OR THE RESIDENT END OF THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES, WHICH HELPS US ADVOCATE ON THESE ISSUES BECAUSE IF YOU'RE EXCITED ABOUT THIS ONE, I HAVE SO MANY MORE WE CAN TALK ABOUT. SO I'M GOING TO -- I'M GOING TO ASK YOU TO CONTINUE TO STAY INVOLVED AND THEN MS. SPENCE, I WANTED TO GET TO YOUR ISSUE. I DO WANT YOU TO PROVIDE MS. SPENCE THE BACKGROUND ON THIS. FROM WHAT I RECALL, I THINK THAT THIS IS STATE STATUTE THAT DOESN'T ALLOW US TO GET, TO BE ABLE TO ENFORCE IT THAT THEY HAVE TO ENFORCE WHAT'S NOT ON THEIR PROPERTY LINE. THE ONLY REASON WHY I'M RECALLING IT THIS WAY AND I COULD BE SAYING IT COMPLETELY WRONG IS REMEMBER WHEN WE USED TO DO LOT CLEARINGS, OR WE DO LOT CLEARINGS AND THERE WAS LOT OF NAVIGATING ON HOW DO WE CLEAR A LOT THAT'S DERELICT THAT'S NOT BEING RESPONSIBLE THAT'S ENCROACHING IN SOMEONE ELSE'S PROPERTY, AND I THINK THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF STATE ISSUES, AND WE FOUND A WAY TO DO IT ON AN EMPTY LOT. BUT FROM WHAT I WAS TOLD, IT'S ALMOST VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DO ON AN ALREADY IMPROVED LOT, BUT I'LL LET YOU GET WITH THE CITY ATTORNEY TO HELP SORT THAT THE OUT. AND MR. MANAGER I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WERE IN THE BACK, BUT I WANTED TO SAY SHE HAD MENTIONED SOMETHING ABOUT FLORESTA AS FAR AS MOWING, SO I DON'T KNOW IF WE WANTED TO HAVE J.D. LOOK AT THAT REALLY QUICK. THANKS. >> THANK YOU, VICE MAYOR. I THINK SOME OF THE ISSUE REINVOLVING AROUND THE PLACEMENT OF TREES I'M SPEAKING GENERALLY NOT AS AN INPSYCHOPEDIA AN ENCYY LAW WRITTEN, THERE IS COMMON LAW TAT GOVERNS TREE PLACEMENT AND MAINTENANCE AND THE OBLIGATIONS SO I THINK THAT'S WHERE YOU'RE STUCK. WHAT WE CAN DO IS TAKE A LOOK AT OUR CITY CODE TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY FLEXIBILITY FROM A REGULATORY STATEMENT AND WE'LL GET BACK WITH YOU. >> YEP AND LOOK INTO THE LOT CLEARING PROGRAM. >> MAYOR: ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? >> NO, MA'AM. >> MAYOR: ALL RIGHT, WE'LL MOVE ON FROM PUBLIC TO BE HEARD TO ADDITIONS AND DELETIONS TO THE AGENDA AND APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA. IS THERE A MOTION? >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> MAYOR: I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. MOVING ONTO APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA. I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. MOVING ONTO ITEM 8, SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES, 8A, ORDINANCE 26-18. >> AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA, ABANDONING A PORTION OF A 20-FOOT WIDE REAR UTILITY AND DRAINAGE EASEMENT AFFECTING LOT 57 BLOCK 206 PORT ST. LUCIE SECTION 13 ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 13, PAGES 4, 4A THROUGH 4M, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECT EFFECTIVE DATE. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU. COUNCIL S THERE A MOTION. >> MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 26-18. >> SECOND. >> MAYOR: I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSIN? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. 8B, ORDINANCE 26-19. >> AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA, ABANDONING PORTIONS OF THE ACCESS AND UTILITY EASEMENTS AFFECTING PARCEL 1 OF GATLIN PLAZA CONDOMINIUM ACCORDING TO THE DECLARATION OF THE CONDOMINIUM OF GATLIN PLAZA CONDOMINIUM RECORDED IN OFFICIAL RECORDS BOOK 3409 PAGE 2468 OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU. COUNCIL S THERE A MOTION? >> MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 26-19. >> SECOND. >> MAYOR: I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. 8C, ORDINANCE 26-20. >>> AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA, ABANDONING A PORTION OF A 20-FOOT WIDE REAR UTILITY AND DRAINAGE EASEMENT AFFECTING LOT 4, BLOCK 2218 PORT ST. LUCIE SECTION 33 ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF AS ROD RECORDED IN PLATK 15 PAGE 1, 1A THROUGH 1V OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU, COUNCIL? >> MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 26-20. >> SECOND. >> MAYOR: I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. 8D, ORDINANCE 26-21. >> AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A RENEWAL LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE AND PORT ST. LUCIE POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE INC. FOR PREMISES LOCATED AT 2101 SOUTHEAST TIFFANY AVENUE. PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA, 3495052. PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU. COUNCIL, IS THERE A MOTION? >> MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 26-21. >> SECOND. >> MAYOR: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? >> JUST WANT TO THANK THEM FOR WHAT THEY DO. I MEAN, IT'S AMAZING HOW THEY SERVE THE KIDS IN THE COMMUNITY AND IF YOUR DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT PAL, PLEASE GO IN AND CHECK THEM OUT. >> ABSOLUTELY. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. 8E, ORDINANCE 26-23. >> AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA, DISSOLVING THE SUNDANCE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT PURSUANT TO SECTION 190.046 (10) FLORIDA STATUTES AND REPEALING CITY ORDINANCE NUMBER 24-26, PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU. WOULD ANYONE LIKE TO ADDRESS THE COUNCIL? SEEING NO ONE, I'LL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. COUNCIL. >> MOTION TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 26-23. >> SECOND. >> MAYOR: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. MOVING ONTO RESOLUTIONS. 11A, RESOLUTION 26-R18. >>> A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING AND RATIFYING AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY'S 401 AND 457B SPECIAL K PLAN PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> THANK YOU, COUNCIL? >> MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 26-R18. >> SECOND. >> I HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. 11B, RESOLUTION 26-R19. >> A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING AND RATIFYING AMENDMENTS TO THE CITY'S MISSION' SQUARE RETIREMENT DEFINED CONTRIBUTION 401 PLAN B DOCUMENTS AND 457B DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN DOCUMENTS. PROVIDING FOR THE ADDITION OF MANDATORY AND OPTIONAL PROVISIONS OF THE SETTING EVERY COMMUNITY UP FOR A RETIREMENT ENHANCEMENT ACT OF 2019, AND THG RETIREMENT ACT OF 2022. PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION. >> MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 26-R19. >> SECOND. >> MAYOR: I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. 11C, RESOLUTION 26-R20. >> A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE, FLORIDA, AUTHORIZING THE ACQUISITION OF REAL PROPERTY DESCRIBED AS TRACT E, PORT ST. LUCIE SECTION 19, AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 13, PAGES 19, 19A THROUGH 19K, OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA, AND A PORTION OF TRACT G, PORT ST. LUCIE, SECTION 33 AS RECORDED IN PLAT BOOK 15, 1, 1A THROUGH 1V OF THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FOR THE SOUTHWEST PAR DRIVE CORRIDOR ROUNDABOUTS PROJECT. ADDITIONAL GREENSPACE WITH A FUTURE CONSIDERATION FOR A PASSIVE PARK AND STORMWATER RETENTION AS BEING A PUBLIC NECESSITY. AND AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER OR HIS DESIGNEE TO TAKE ANY AND ALL APPROPRIATE ACTIONS TO ACQUIRE THE SUBJECT PROPERTY IN FEE SIMPLE, PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK THE CITY MANAGER AND THE TEAM FOR BEING ABLE TO BRING THIS FORWARD AND ACQUIRE MORE LAND FOR GREENSPACE AND ALSO WITH THE FORWARD THINKING BECAUSE WE KNOW IN THE FUTURE SAVONA IS GOING TO NEED TO BE WIDENED AND YEAR GOING TO NEED MORE STORMWATER RETENTION AND THERE ARE VERY FEW PIECES OF LAND WHERE WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET THAT STORMWATER RETENTION, AND THIS WILL IMPROVE THE FLOWS ON EITHER SIDE IN THE FUTURE WHEN WE NEED THE ROAD WIDENED, SO THANK YOU, MR. CITY MANAGER, AND TO THE TEAM FOR THAT. I APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH. IS THERE A MOTION? >> MOTION TO APPROVE RESOLUTION 26-R20. >> SECOND. >> MAYOR: I HAVE A MOTION AND A ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. MOVING ONTO 13A, NEW BUSINESS. REQUEST FOR ATTORNEY/CLIENT SESSION WITH THE CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS PENDING LITIGATION IN THE MATTER OF CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE V. WASTE PRO OF FLORIDA, INC., CASE NUMBER 2021-CA-001628. MR. CITY ATTORNEY? >> YES, GOOD AFTERNOON, MADAM MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL. AS THE ITEM INDICATES, JUST UNDER CHAPTER 286 FLORIDA STATUTES, WE'RE ALLOWED TO MEET IN THE SHADE ON PENDING LITIGATION WITH COUNCILMEMBERS, THE CITY MANAGER, AND OUR, MYSELF AND OUR OUTSIDE COUNSEL FOR THE SPECIFIC PURPOSES OF DISCUSSING STRATEGY OR NEGOTIATION ONLY. JUST SO EVERYONE KNOWS, THAT IT'S TAKEN DOWN AND TRANSCRIBED. THIS IS THE FIRST STEP. I HAVE TO ASK AT A PUBLIC MEETING TO HOLD THE MEETING. OUR NEXT STEP WILL BE TO PROPERLY NOTICE THE MEETING FOR SHADE. >> MAYOR: GREAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. COUNCIL, IS THERE A MOTION? >> MOTION TO APPROVE 13A. >> SECOND. >> MAYOR: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. 13B, REQUEST FOR ATTORNEY/CLIENT SESSION WITH THE CITY COUNCIL TO DISCUSS PENDING LITIGATION IN THE MATTER OF McTIGUE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY -- McTIGUE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY INC. V. CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE, CASE NUMBER 2025-CA-2754. >> SAME REQUEST, MADAM MAYOR, DIFFERENT CASE, SAME CRITERIA. >> MAYOR: IS THERE A MOTION? >> MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SECOND. >> THAT WAS PLANNED. >> MAYOR: THAT WAS. [LAUGHTER] ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES. MOVING ONTO THE CITY MANAGER'S REPORT. MR. MEREJO. >> THANK YOU, MADAM MAYOR. JUST REALLY QUICK, AS WE KNOW NOT ONLY TO OUR RESIDENTS BUTT- ALSO TO THIS COUNCIL. AND I KNOW WASSER HAS BEEN IN -S BEEN IN THE NEWS FOR A LITTLE WHILE BUT I DO WANT TO REPORT THAT -- IS NOW EOPEN FROM A.M. TO SUNSET. SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. OUR RESIDENTS CAN ENJOY KAYAKING AND BIKING AND NATURE TRAILS AND NATURAL RESOURCES OUT THERE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I KNOW EVERYONE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE THAT BEAUTIFUL GREENSPACE THAT WE ACQUIRED A FEW WEEKS AGO NOW. AWESOME. COUNCILWOMAN MORGAN. >> FEBRUARY 25TH THE FIREBOARD MEETING, THE 26th CHAMBER BOARD MEETING, LOTS OF BOARDS, ON MARCH 2nd, THANK YOU, CHIEF, FOR ARRANGING THIS, I DID A TOUR OF THE NEW POLICE TRAINING FACILITY. WOW. WE SAY WOW A LOT ON THIS, BUT UNBELIEVABLE. KUDOS TO EVERYTHING. IT IS GOING TO BE AMAZING WHEN THAT OPENS UP. ON MARCH 3rd THE EDC LUNCHEON WHERE PEPPA AND ALSO STEVENNEN VAN CORPS GAVE AN UPDATE ON THE SOCCER STADIUM AND ON THE 4th BEAUTIFUL DAY OF THE PORT PRESERVE TRAIL AT THE RIBBON CUTTING. I HAVE BEEN DOING QUITE A FEW RIDE ALONGS WITH THE FIRE STATION, I AM KNOWN AS THE WHITE CLOUD. NOTHING EVER HAPPENS. THEY LOVE ME. I THINK THEY'RE ALL TAKING BIDS ON ME TO COME RIDE WITH THEM. HOWEVER, COMMA, WHEN RIDING TO STATION 10, AND GETTING OUT THERE AT DALTON AND PORT ST. LUCIE BOULEVARD WAS A NIGHTMARE, AND IT WAS, IT'S VERY SCARY, AND I GET IT BECAUSE I CAN BE AT A STOP LIGHT AND YOU HEAR ALL THE SIRENS AND THE -- AND THEY'RE TRYING TO GET THROUGH AS FAST AS POSSIBLE, TO A CALL, AND YOU FREEZE BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO. I WANTED TO GIVE KUDOS BECAUSE I DID SEND AN EMAIL TO CHIEF LANGAL AND ALSO TO PUBLIC WORKS AND THEY'RE WORKING ON IT AND GAVE THEM THE UPDATE AND THEY'VE MOVED DALTON UP A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE IT IS SO CRITICAL FOR THAT STATION TO GET OUT, SO I APPRECIATE THAT, AND JUST BE AWARE WHEN YOU HEAR THOSE SIRENS AND THEN YOU SEE US NOT US BUT THEM, BUT FLYING BY, AND WE WERE ACTUALLY OUT GOING TO A STRUCTURE FIRE, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY STATIONS GOT CALLED, AND YOU'RE GETTING EVERYBODY OUT OF THE WAY, AND THEN THE CALL GETS CANCELED, WHICH IS A GOOD THING, BUT THEN PEOPLE LOOK AT YOU LIKE WHY DID YOU JUST DO THAT TO ME? SO IT'S, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, AND IT CAN SAVE A LIFE. SO BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS, AND JUST GET OUT OF THE WAY. AND IT WILL BE EASIER SOON ONCE THE LIGHTS ARE ALL TAKEN CARE OF. SO THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME DO THAT LITTLE THE SPIEL. GRAB THE GREEN, PORT ST. LUCIE, BECAUSE OUR ANNUAL IRISH FESTIVAL IS HERE. JOIN US FROM 3:00 TO 9:00 SATURDAY MARCH 15th AT THE MIDFLORIDA EVENT CENTER FOR MUSIC, TRADITIONAL IRISH PERFORMANCES, FOOD, MARKETPLACE VENDORS, YOU CAN EAT, DRINK, AND SHOP. AND LISTEN TO MUSIC. FOR FREE. WELL, THE FOOD'S NOT FREE. AND CULTURAL ACTIVITIES, THE PARADE STARTS AT 3:00, AND THEY WILL BE PALM BEACH PIPES AND DRUMS, AND THE -- >> SAY THAT AGAIN. >> TIERNA GRANYA. IT IS SCHOOL OF IRISH DANCE. SO, I WOULD'VE JUST SAID COME OUT AND SEE A JIG. BUT DON'T MISS TRADITIONAL IRISH MUSIC FROM RORY MACOMB. COME OUT AND HAVE FUN AND BEST WISHES OF GOOD WEATHER FOR YOU. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU. COUNCIL MEMBER PICKETT? >> FEBRUARY 24th I ATTENDED THE GLADES CUT-OFF PD&E STUDY AND IT WAS INTERESTING TO ME SEE TO WHAT THE COUNTY PROPOSED TO PUT FORWARD ON THAT MUCH NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS ON THAT CORRIDOR. AND IT LOOKS LIKE ONCE EVERYTHING IS DONE, IT IS GOING TO BE NICE. MARCH 4th I ATTENDED THE TREASURE COAST COUNCIL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND THIS PAST SATURDAY, I ATTENDED THE FUNERAL FOR A LONGTIME PORT ST. LUCIE RESIDENT. SHE WAS 105 YEARS OLD. SHE JUST CELEBRATED HER 105TH BIRTHDAY COUPLE MONTHS AGO AND PASSED AWAY IN FEBRUARY. SO MY ANNOUNCEMENT IS THE NEXT PHASE OF OUR SHORE STABILIZATION INITIATIVE ALONG THE E CANAL IS SET TO BEGIN THIS MONTH WHEN CREWS START PLACING ROCKS ALONG THE CUANY AND ALL BANK NORTH OF SOUTHWEST HERITAGE 7. THIS FINAL STAGE -- SAFEGUARD NEIGHBORHOOD INFRASTRUCTURE AND IMPROVE WATER MANAGEMENT. THESE IMPROVEMENTS ARE FUNDED THROUGH STORMWATER FEES WHICH ALLOW US TO UPDATE AND MAINTAIN CRITICAL WATER INFRASTRUCTURE ENSURING SAFE WATER FOR ALL. THANK YOU. >> MAYOR: THANK YOU. VICE MAYOR? >> YES, ON THE THIRD I ATTENDED THE EDC LUNCHEON WITH THE PSL SPORTS CLUB. FANTASTIC JOB. THEY ALSO REPORTD REPORTED OTTHE ON TIME AND ON BUDGET HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE VERY SOON, NOT THE SCHOOL BUT THE TRAINING GROUND FOR YOUTH THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THAT, I REALLY WANT TO GET THAT OUT MORE BECAUSE I THINK THAT'S GOING TO BE AMAZING FOR THE COMMUNITY. THREE, FOUR PORT PRESERVE TRAIL RIBBON CUTTING WHICH WAS FANTASTIC. AND THEN ON SATURDAY I WAS NOT ABLE TO ATTEND THE LITTLE LEAGUE OR MS. BOO BUSHAY'S FUNERAL. MY DAUGHTER WAS BAPTIZED SO WE HAD FAMILY IN TOWN BUT I DO WANT TO SAY, COUNCIL MEMBER PICKETT THANK YOU FOR GOING TO HER SERVICE. SHE SAY AMAZING BUT NOT ONLY 105 BUT ALL THERE. WE ALL TOOK TURNS GOING TO HER BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION AT THE CHURCH AND EVERY YEAR I SPOKE TO THE WOMAN, SHE WAS JUST 100% THERE, JUST ACTIVE, ASKING ABOUT MY FAMILY, ASKING ABOUT US AS A CITY. I MEAN, SHE'S GOING TO BE SORELY MISSED, BUT I KNOW SHE'S WITH HER LORD CELEBRATING WITH ALL OF HER FAMILY. AND WITH THAT, TODAY IS THE FIRST DAY OF FLOOD AWARENESS WEEK, WHICH IS A GREAT TIME TO ENHANCE OUR PREPAREDNESS AND SAFETY MEASURES AT HOME. SOME THINGS YOU CAN DO NOW IS LEARN ABOUT FLOOD RISKS IN YOUR AREA AND THEIR POTENTIAL IMPACTS ON YOUR HOME. READ UP ON HOW TO SECURE YOUR PROPERTY AND CREATE AN EMERGENCY KIT. DID YOU KNOW THAT THE CITY PARTICIPANTS IN NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCE RATING SYSTEMS AS A CLASS 5? WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? THAT MEANS THAT ALL PROPERTIES IN THE SPECIAL FLOOD HAZARD AREA RECEIVE A 25% DISCOUNT ON FLOOD INSURANCE POLICY AND OTHER PROPERTIES HAVE RECEIVED A 10% DISCOUNT AS OF APRIL 1st, 2023. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS, VISIT WWW.CITYCITYOFPSL.COM/FLO. WITH THAT, CITY MANAGER I THINK THIS FACT IS IMPORTANT WHEN WE DISCUSS STORMWATER IN THE BUDGET SEASON. WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT HOW STORMWATER IMPROVING OUR FLOOD RATING HELPS KEEP PEOPLE'S INSURANCE RATES DOWN, AND WE ALL KNOW HOW EXPENSIVE INSURANCE IS, SO ANY SAVINGS IS HUGE TO THE COMMUNITY. AND ALSO JUST REAL QUICK OFF THE SUBJECT BUT KIND OF ON THE SUBJECT, YARD WASTE FOR THE THE FREEZE, ANY UPDATE? I KNOW STAFF WAS TRYING TO SEE IF WE HAD AN ADDITIONAL PICK-UP OR LARGER PICK-UP OF SOME KIND BECAUSE I HAD A RESIDENT THAT WAS INQUIRING ABOUT HOW HAVING O CUT BACK MORE THAN NORMAL BECAUSE OF THE FREEZE, DO WE KNOW? >> WE'RE EVALUATING THAT AND WE'LL GET BACK WITH COUNCIL ONCE WE HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE. >> THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> MAYOR: COUNCIL MEMBER BONNA. >> THANK YOU, MAYOR. SO YESTERDAY I ATTENDED ONE OF THE BIG EVENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY, THE YANKEES-METZ GAME, ANTHONY AND I WERE IN PIN STRIPES, THEY ARE DOING -- >> ABSOLUTELY NOT ACCEPTABLE. >> THE YANKEES WERE DOING OKAY, BUT THEN WE HAD TO LEAVE A LITTLE EARLY TO GO TO MY WIFE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY AND THINGS FELL APART. BUT SO WE WON'T TALK ABOUT HOW IT ENDED BUT IT WAS A DISASTER. >> GO METZ. METS! >> I'M A ST. LUCIE METS FAN. BUT ON THE 7th, I ATTENDED TWO OPENING DAYS, PSL SOFTBALL, GIRLS SOFTBALL AT JESSICA CLINTON PARK AND RIGHT AFTER SOUTHWESTERN PORT ST. LUCIE LITTLE LEAGUE WHERE I WAS A STAR RIGHT FIELDER AND I LIKE TO SAY A CLEAN-UP HITTER, THE NUMBER 9 POSITION IN THE BATTING ORDER WHEN I WAS A YOUTH,. [LAUGHTER] AND. >> MAYOR: OH, MOO MY GOODNESS. >> SO WE ATTENDED BOTH OF THOSE, AND THEN IT WAS A 70s INSPIRED EVENING ALTHOUGH I JUST WAS IN A PLAIN GREEN SHIRT AND JEANS AT THE HUMANE SOCIETY'S BLUE JEAN BALL. ON THE 5th WE CHECKED OUT THE ST. LUCIE COUNTY FAIR WHICH WAS PHENOMENAL THIS YEAR. THE 4th THE PORT PRESERVE TRAIL RIBBON CUTTING. THE 27th OF FEBRUARY DID A SPEAKING ENGAGEMENT AT LAKE PARK AT TOWN PARK. THANK YOU, I SEE PETER WEBB IN THE AUDIENCE, HE WAS THERE AS WELL. THE 26th OPIOID ABATEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THE 24th, I DID A TOWN HALL AT VITALIA. THE 23rd WAS OUR LAST COUNCIL MEETING, AND IT WAS THE FIRST MEETING THAT I HAVE MISSED IN MY ENTIRE TERM ON COUNCIL, WE, YOU KNOW, WHEN WE WENT ON MY HONEYMOON MY WIFE DID A CITY CAN YOU BELIEVE MEETING WITH ME -- COUNCIL MEETING WITH ME IN ICELAND. I DID A MEETING ON A BENCH IN ITALY. I DID A MEETING AT LIKE 4:00 IN THE MORNING IN ISRAEL WHEN I WAS ON PILGRIMAGE. SO BUT WE HAD, WE HAV A NEW BISHOP IN THE AREA, AND I HAD, WAS ABLE TO GO TO VESPERS, I WANTED TO TALK BECAUSE IN, SO- DIDN'T GET THE MICROPHONE AT THAT MOOTING. I MEETING. I HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THE WEEKEND BEFORE THAT MEETING, WHAT I CALL SUPER SATURDAY. SO I STARTED AT A HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS EVENT WITH UACT, PREVIOUSLY CALLED THE FLORIDA FAITH ALLIANCE. I TALKED ABOUT THE CITY'S INITIATIVES AND KIND OF UPDATED A LOT OF THE STAKEHOLDERS ON A LOT OF OUREFFORTS. THEN WENT TO OPENING DAY, YOU KNOW, AT MET STADIUM. THEN ATTENDED THE KEN FREED MEMORIAL BARBECUE. AND ALSO THE GRACEWAY VILLAGE CELEBRATION UNDER THE STARS, AND THEN THE NEXT DAY I TOOK MY TWO DATES TO THE DADDY DAUGHTER DANCE WHICH IS ONE OF THE MOST PHENOMENAL EVENTS WE DO IN THE CITY SO THANKS STAFF FOR DOING THAT. AND NOW THAT I'VE DONE TWO REPORTS IN ONE, THE CITY HAS RECEIVED THE GOVERNMENT FINANCE OFFICER'S ASSOCIATION DISTINGUISHED BUDGET AWARD FOR FISCAL YEAR 25-26. THE AWARD IS THE HIGHEST FORM OF RECOGNITION IN GOVERNMENT BUDGET. THIS ACHIEVEMENT MARKS THE 37th CONSECUTIVE YEAR THE CITY HAS RECEIVED THIS AWARD. AND IN RECOGNITION OF ITS COMMITMENT TO MEETING THE HIGHEST PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENTAL BUDGETING. IN ADDITION THE CITY'S BUDGET ALSO RECEIVED OUTSTANDING RATINGS FOR PERFORMANCE MEASURES, SPECIAL STRATEGIC GOALS, AND STRATEGIES AND BUDGET PROCESS. ALL RIGHT. THAT IS MY REPORT. >> YOU DID FORGET ONE THING. >> WHAT DID I FORGET. >> DIDN'T YOU HEAR COUNCIL MEMBER TALK ABOUT IRISH FESTIVAL. DO YOU NOT HAVE A SPECIAL PERSON IN YOUR FAMILY WHO CAN IRISH DANCE. >> AUBREY IS AN IRISH DANCER. IOAMAY OR -- YOU MAY OR MAY NOT SEE HER. >> [OFF MIC] >> [LAUGHTER] >> YEAH. >> FORGETTING HE'S NOT IRISH. HE'S ITALIAN. >> SHE'S REALLY GOOD THOUGH. >> MAYOR: I DON'T THINK HE SPEAKS GAELIC. >> AND SOMETHING SPECIAL HAPPENED AT WHISPERING PINES. I'LL LET THE MAYOR TALK ABOUT THAT BUT THAT WAS REALLY AWESOME WHAT YOU DID. >> MAYOR: OH, YEAH, ABSOLUTELY. I ALSO HAD FIRE BOARD. I SPOKE AT VALENCIA WALK LAST WEEK. IT'S NICE TO BE ABLE TO GET INTO VALENCIA WALK. IT'S ONE OF THE NEWER RIVERLAND COMMUNITIES. HADN'T BIP THERE BEFORE. HADN'T BEEN THERE BEFORE. I DID CARIBBEAN RADIO LAST WEEK. WE DID HAVE OPENING DAY FOR LITTLE LEAGUE SOFTBALL. IT WAS AWESOME. GIRL POWER. MORE POWER TO THE YOUNG LADIES OUT THERE. SOUTHWEST LITTLE LEAGUE OPENING DAY. GOT TO COMMEND SHAWN LEWIS. BOY OH BOY DOES HE PUT ON AN AMAZING OPENING DAY. I THINK IT JUST GETS BETTER AND BETTER EVERY YEAR. AND FOR THOSE THAT DON'T KNOW SHAWN, SHAWN HAS BEEN THE PRESIDENT OF THE SOUTHWEST LITTLE LEAGUE FOR 20 YEARS RUNNING, HAS WORKED WITH OVER 20,000 KIDS AND THEIR FAMILIES. AND COUNCILWOMAN BONNA AND I FOR ALL OF HIS WORK AND HIS DEDICATION AND PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR AMAZING PARKS AND REC DEPARTMENT, COUNCILWOMAN BONNA AND I PRESENTED HIM WITH THE KEY TO THE CITY ON SATURDAY MORNING. SO THAT WAS REALLY AWESOME. HE'S JUST AN AMAZING GUY, AND IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT BASEBALL OR FOR HIM IT'S ABOUT FAITH. IT'S ABOUT FAMILY. IT'S ABOUT COMMUNITY, AND THE WAY HE HAS BROUGHT SO MANY PEOPLE TOGETHER HAS JUST BEEN REALLY TRULY AMAZING. AND SO HE'S WELL DESERVED OF THAT RECOGNITION. AND OF COURSE OUR AMAZING PORT PRESERVE TRAIL. WE OPENED LAST WEEK, AND IT'S PART OF MY ANNOUNCEMENT, WE UNVEILED THAT NEW DESTINATION FOR NATURE LOVERS MARCH 4th WITH THE GRAND OPENING OF THE PRESERVE TRAIL, 13-ACRE CONSERVATION AREA, AND SCENIC PRESERVE AT THE PORT DISTRICT. IT OFFERS RESIDENTS AND VISITORS A PEACEFUL RETREAT TO RELAX, WALK AND ENJOY THE OUTDOORS, RIGHT IN THE HEART OF OUR CITY. IT ALSO CONNECTS TO THE EXISTING BOARDWALK ALONG THE NORTH FORK OF THE ST. LUCIE RIVER, WHICH SPANS MORE THAN THREE QUARTERS OF A MILE, THIS PROJECT IS PART OF THE CITY'S NATURALLY PSL GREENSPACES AND PLACES INITIATIVE, WITH SUPPORT -- WHICH SUPPORTS INCREASING RESIDENTS' ACCESS TO PARKS, TRAILS, AND NATURAL AREAS. AND WE ALSO RECEIVED A GRANT FROM THE FLORIDA INLAND NAVIGATION DISTRICT SO IT'S IMPORTANT TO THANK THAT BOARD AND CHAIR TREBOLSI FOR THAT AS WELL. I KNOW WE ALL HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO WALK THE TRAIL, AND IT WAS REALLY BEAUTIFUL. I HAD FAMILY IN TOWN OVER THE WEEKEND FROM CONNECTICUT, AND FROM FLAGLER BEACH, SOME AUNTS AND UNCLES WHO CAME DOWN TO VISIT. I TOOK THEM DOWN TO THE PORT DISTRICT, AND THEY ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. GOT TO WALK ON THE BOARDWALK A LITTLE BIT, AND THEY ALSO REMARKED HOW ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL IT WAS AND TOLD ME TO TANK ALL OF YOU ON THE COUNCIL FOR SUCH A BEAUTIFUL PLACE FOR RESIDENTS TO AND VISITORS TO ENJOY. SO WITH THAT, THAT'S ALL I HAVE. AND WE ARE ADJOURNED.