HomeMy WebLinkAboutTCCLG.2025.03.05.Meeting.MinutesRegular Meeting — March 5, 2025
St. Lucie County Roger Poitras Administration Annex
Third floor conference Room 3
Zoom was also available.
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Council Members Present
David Pickett, City of Port St. Lucie (Chairman)
Bradley Goodbread, Okeechobee County (Vice Chairman)
Dowling Watford, City of Okeechobee (Treasurer)
Melisa Jahner, Okeechobee School Board
Ingrid Van Hekken, St. Lucie Village, (Secretary)
Debbie Hawley, St. Lucie County School Board
Brian Foley, Town of Indian River Shores
Campbell Rich, City of Stuart
Blake Capps, Martin County Commission
James Clasby, St. Lucie County Commission
Vinny Barile, Town of Sewalls Point, via Zoom
Marsha Powers, Martin County School Board, via Zoom
Kevin Docherty, Town of Ocean Breeze
Arnold Gaines, City of Fort Pierce (arrived at 10:10 am)
Teri Barenborg, Indian River School Board (via Zoom)
Members Not Present
Bob McPartlan, City of Sebastian
Angelina Perez, Village of Indiantown
Inocencia Hernadez, City of Fellsmere
Laura Moss, Indian River County Commission
John Cotugno, City of Vero Beach
Others Present
Patricia Christensen, TCRLC and FLC
Mitch Kloorfain, Career Source
Sherry McCorkle, South Florida Water Management
Richard Del Toro, SLC Sherrif
Paul Taglieri, SLC Sherrif's Office
Nicole Fogarty, SLC School Board Office
Gary Ritter, city of Okeechobee
Jake Fojtik, Farm Bureau
1. CALL TO ORDER
Chairman Pickett called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM.
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2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Watford led the invocation and Chairman Pickett led The Pledge of Allegiance.
3. INTRODUCTIONS
Self -introduction by Board members and guests.
4. CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS
Chairman Pickett welcomed everyone. He didn't have any comments.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Chairman Pickett called for a motion to accept the Meeting Minutes from January. Mr. Foley made a motion to approve,
Ms. Van Hekken seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
6. APPROVAL OF TREASURER'S REPORT
Mr. Watford gave the Treasurers report for January. Mr. Foley made a motion to accept the January Treasurer's Report,
Ms. Barenborg seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
7. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Mr. Clasby reported on the SLC Fair. It ends March 9. He also reported t P1 Motor Sports Race Car's was constructing a
facility on Okeechobee Rd. and there would be a ground breaking on March 10.
Mr. Docherty reported on the Jensen Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade. He also mentioned they were close to a final close
out with Sun Communities.
Mr. Pickett mentioned the NY Mets were in town.
Ms. Barenborg mentioned the IRC Superintendent of the year.
8. PROGRAM PRESENTATION
St. Lucie County Richard Del Toro gave a presentation on how he was reorganizing the Sheriff's Office.
9. LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
There was a lengthy discussion on a number of Bills being considered by the State House and Senate that were
preemptive of local decision -making authority. Several bills discussed centered around Sovereign Immunity, CRA's,
Local Option Taxes, Live Local and Accessory Dwelling Units.
The School District start time bill was briefly discussed and will most likely be amended to allow local districts to
determine start times.
10. NEW BUSINESS
A. Discussion the Implementation of a Scholarship for TCCLG
After a lengthy discussion it was decided that more information was needed before it could be determined if
TCCLG wants to establish a scholarship. Items of concern were, criteria, whether the scholarship would be
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through IRSC Foundation or open to other students going to other schools. Mr. Clasby suggested a scholarship
for teachers who need to purchase items for their classrooms.
Ms. Van Hekken asked about available funds. Would we be able to sustain the scholarship year after year with
the funds we currently have?
Mr. Foley said the amount of the scholarship would need to be determined and what it would be used for.
Further discussion will take place at the next meeting.
11. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Treasure Coast Regional League of Cities/Florida League of Cities (TCRLC & FLC)
Ms. Christensen announced that the upcoming Treasure Coast Regional League will hold an Ethics Class on April
24`" from 9:30 to 2 PM. Florida League of Cities Legislative Action Days are March 24-26 and Treasure Coast Days,
April 1 to 3.
b. Florida Associations of Counties (FAC)
No report was given.
c. Florida School Boards Association (FSBA)
No report was given.
d. CareerSource Research Coast
Mr. Kloorfain reported the unemployment rate dropped %%. He also mentioned that over 43000 people go to Pal
Beach to work from Indian River, St. Lucie and Martin Counties each day.
e. South Florida Water Management District
Sherry McCorkle reported Lake Okeechobee levels were going down.
12. OTHER BUSINESS
The Audit Committee needs to meet prior to the next meeting. A motion to appoint Ms. Van Hekken and Mr. Rich to
audit the books was made by Mr. Clasby and seconded by Mr. Capps seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
13. ADJOURNMENT
As business before the Treasure Coast Council of Local Governments has concluded, Chairman Pickett adjourned the
meeting at 11:18 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Christensen, recording Secretary.
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