HomeMy WebLinkAboutTreasure Coast Council of Local Governments Meeting 12-3-14TREASURE COAST COUNCIL
OF
LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
Treasure Coast Council of Local Governments Meeting
Wednesday, December 3, 2014 -11 am
2300 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, Florida
St. Lucie County Roger Poitras Administration Annex
Third Floor Conference Room 3
1. Vice Chairwoman Hudson called the meeting to order at 11:23 a.m.
2. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
3. Introductions were made:
Members Present:
Dowling Watford, Council Member and Treasurer, City of Okeechobee
Ingrid Van Hekken, Alderwoman, St. Lucie Village
Joel Tyson, Vice Mayor, City of Fellsmere
Linda Hudson, Vice Chairwoman and Mayor, City of Fort Pierce
Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch, Commissioner, Town of Sewall's Point
Richard Winger, Mayor, City of Vero Beach
Margaret Helton, Commissioner, Okeechobee County
Tom Campenni, Commissioner, City of Stuart
Dick Haverland, Council Member, Town of Indian River Shores
Sarah Heard , Commissioner, Martin County
Tod Mowery, Commissioner, St. Lucie County
Greg Oravec, Mayor, Port St. Lucie
Jerome Adams, Councilman, City of Sebastian
Michael Busha, Martin County School Board
Members Not Present:
Peter O'Bryan, Commissioner, Chairman, Indian River County (IRC)
Shawn Frost, Indian River School Board
Kathryn Hensley, School Board Member & Secretary, St. Lucie County School District
Harry Charleston, Mayor, Town of Jupiter Island
Also Present:
Michael Corbit, CareerSource Research Coast
Richard Stetson, CareerSource Research Coast
Skip Lange, Florida Accelerator
Pete Tesch, Director, St. Lucie County Economic Development
Kathy LaMartina, South Florida Water Management District
Canadace Walls, Congressman Patrick Murphy's Office
Nicole Fogarty, State Representative Harrell's Office
Karen Sweeney, State Representative Harrell's Office
Kathy Salerno, Jeff Atwater, Florida Water Management District
Kate Parmelee, Intergovernmental and Grants Coordinator, Martin County
Pat Christensen, Treasure Coast Regional League of Cities
Susie Caron, Commissioner Mowery's Aide
Linda Cox, Mayor Hudson's Assistant
4. Chairperson's Comments
Chairwoman Mowery welcomed everyone and stated what a great, positive,
productive group this is and it has been a pleasure being the Chairman. He spoke
about the Palm Beach BOCC Meeting that had just occurred and that he, Michael
Busha and several others attended with regards to possibility of PBC moving from
the TCRPC to the Council South. After intense and inappropriate discussion from
Councilwoman Pricilla Taylor with regards to Fort Pierce, the Palm Beach Officials
voted 36 out of 38 to remain in the TCRPC. Commissioner Mowery feels that Ms.
Taylor's comments were defaming toward our community and would like to find a
way to rebuild the connection and the TCCLG may well be the avenue to make this
happen. Mayor Hudson stated she would personally reach out to Ms. Taylor and
see what she could do to help the situation.
Commissioner Mowery announced that Nicole Fogarty was just hired by St. Lucie
County as the Governmental Affairs Director and Karen Sweeney will be the contact
for Representative Gayle Harrell's office.
Commissioner Mowery presented the TCCLG Gavel to Mayor Hudson and
thanked her for taking on the role of Chairwoman.
Chairwoman Hudson accepted the gavel and stated that the door is always open
suggestions and welcomes them. She will extend an olive branch to Pricilla Taylor.
Chairwoman Hudson asked if the newly elected Vice Chairman, Richard Winger
would like to say anything. Vice Chairman Winger reminded everyone that the
Legislative Delegation meeting will be Friday at 9 A.M. at the City of Vero Beach
And that the City of Vero Beach is starting to spend money on the Septic Step
System as they are very dedicated to the issue.
5. Approval of the November 12, 2014 Meeting Minutes
ON MOTION BY Council Member Joel Tyson,
SECONDED BY Council Member Dick Haverland, the
members voted unanimously (14-0) to approve the
November 12, 2014 meeting minutes as presented.
6. Treasurer's Report
Councilman Watford reported no activity for the month of December 2014.
ON MOTION BY Councilman Jerome Adams, SECONDED
BY, Councilman Tom Campenni, Council Member, the
members voted unanimously (14-0) to accept the Treasurer's
Report as presented.
7. Committee Reports
i. Florida League of Cities
Patricia Christensen reported the Florida League of Cities will be hosting
Ethics Training 101 on February 11, 2015 from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. at the Port St.
Lucie Community Center and all Elected Officials and Staff are welcome to
attend to fulfill the Annual State requirements. There will be no charge for this
event. A flyer and application will be sent to all TCCLG Members.
ii. Florida Association of Counties
Councilman Tod Mowery reported that FAC has a new Executive Director, Scott
Shatley and the Legislative Priorities for 2015 are: Economic Development
Department of Juvenile Justice and Amendment 1. More to come in the New Year.
iii. Florida Association of School Boards
No Report
iv. Florida Research Coast
Pete Tesch stated that the Economic Development Council has been very active
attending the National Business Aviation Conference in Orlando and picked up
several prospects. He is working hard at branding the Treasure Coast with a
Regional Area approach with unlimited opportunities with a focus on assets of sites
regionally. Great things are heading our way and look forward to a bumper 2015
year.
v. CareerSource Research Coast
Michael Corbit stated that employment opportunities continue to improve on
the Treasure Coast.
vi. Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council
Councilman Michael Busha reminded everyone of the TCRPC next meeting
on December 12, 2015 that will include an FDOT Presentation and Legislative
Priorities as a Region and it was to the wise to choose one or two items for the
Region as a whole to be most effective.
10. Old Business
None
11. New Business
Chairwoman Linda Hudson introduced her Assistant, Linda Cox and she will be
the contact for the coming year. The 2015 meeting schedule was submitted and
approved and will be distributed to all member.
Mayor Greg Oravec introduced himself as a new member and is interested in
working together to bring strong leadership to our region.
12. Legislative Issues
Legislative Delegates Offices gave brief updates.
13. Adjourn
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 1:30 p.m.
Tod Mowery, Chairman