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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTreasure Coast Council of Local Governments Meeting 9-3-14TREASURE COAST COUNCIL OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS Treasure Coast Council of Local Governments Meeting Wednesday, September 3, 2014 - 10 am 2300 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, Florida St. Lucie County Roger Poitras Administration Annex Third Floor Conference Room 3 1. Chairman Mowery called the meeting to order at 10:12 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 Peter O'Bryan, Commissioner, Chairman, Indian River County (IRC) 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 Jerome Adams, Councilman, City of Sebastian Richard Winger, Mayor, City of Vero Beach Linda Bartz, Vice Mayor, Port St. Lucie Kathryn Hensley, School Board Member & Secretary, St. Lucie County School District Tod Mowery, Commissioner, St. Lucie County Members Not Present: Karen Disney-Brombach, Indian River School Board Sarah Heard, Commissioner, Martin County James Christie, City Commissioner, City of Stuart Harry Charleston, Mayor, Town of Jupiter Island Dick Haverland, Council Member, Indian River Shores Margaret Helton, Commissioner, Okeechobee County Michael Busha, Martin County School Board Also Present: Taryn Kryzda, Martin County Commissioner Michael Durham, Martin County Attorney Michael Corbit, CareerSource Research Coast Deann Ferrell, CareerSource Research Coast Kathy LaMartina, South Florida Water Management District Kate Parmalee, Intergovernmental and Grants Coordinator, Martin County Kathy Salerno, Jeff Atwater, Florida Department of Financial Services Carrie Lira, Senator Joe Negron's Office Nicole Fogarty, State Representative Harrell's Office Ann Benedetti, St. Johns River Water Management District Ann Bolduc, State Representative Magar's Office Pat Christensen, Treasure Coast Regional League of Cities Susie Caron, Commissioner Mowery's Aide 4. Chairperson's Comments Chairman Mowery welcomed everyone and congratulated Joel Tyson, Vice Mayor of the City of Fellsmere and Peter O'Bryan, Indian River County Commissioner on being reelected. The Council had a general discussion about seeing many changes to FAC due to Commissioners around the state not winning reelections. Commissioner Mowery mentioned environmental issues popping up in St. Lucie County with regards to water farming and looks forward to gathering information to bring back to the board. On the Federal side, ISIS is to be closely monitored as a serious threat to our Nation. Commissioner Mowery gave an update on the Veteran's Nursing Facility. The St. Lucie Board or County Commissioners will be traveling to Tallahassee for the September Cabinet meeting and appreciates all the support and outreach that has been received and is confident St. Lucie County will be awarded the Facility. 5. Vice Chairperson's Comments Mayor Hudson spoke about St. Andrews School being a "One of a Kind School" located on the banks of the Indian River Lagoon providing outstanding educational opportunities and amazing amenities and feels this will put the "School on the Map". Historic Downtown Fort Pierce was listed in the Top 10 in the Country and the Fort Pierce Farmers Market was awarded #1 in the State of Florida. Also mentioning our National Navy UDT Seal Museum as a place to be sure to visit. The City of Fort Pierce Police Chief announced his retirement after 25 years of service and the city is diligently looking to fill the position. 6. Approval of the June 4, 2014 Meeting Minutes ON MOTION BY Port St. Lucie Mayor Linda Hudson, SECONDED BY Vice Mayor Joel Tyson, the members voted unanimously (11-0) to approve the June 4, 2014 meeting minutes as presented. 7. Treasurer's Report Councilman Watford reported the activity for the months of June through August 2014 (see attached report). Beginning balance 9971.26, Deposits TCRLC (1/2 BBQ) $675.59, Expenses for July BBQ $1351.18 with an Account Balance of $9,295.67 and a Certificate of Deposit balance of $11,320.60. ON MOTION BY Vice Chairwoman Linda Hudson, SECONDED BY, Ingrid Van Hekken Council Member, the members voted unanimously (11-0) to accept the Treasurer's Report as presented. 8. No Presentations 9. Committee Reports i. Florida League of Cities Vice Chairwoman Linda Hudson reported that five of the TCCLG Board Members are also Board Members of the Florida League of Cities, Linda Hudson, Linda Bartz, Richard Winger, Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch and Jerome Adams. Council Member, Linda Bartz reported the Florida League of Cities Conference had dynamic speakers and they learned a lot with regards to technology — Smart Cities. Councilman Jerome Adams shared that the Cities and Counties need to grow in the area of communication with the younger generation and use more technology and adapt to the future in ways of communication. ii. Florida Association of Counties Councilman Peter O'Bryan gave an update on Growth Management and our Water Supply being a critical issue. A state wide policy is to be discussed and are looking forward to positive legislation in this area. He will report more after the Policy Meeting. Medical Marijuana was discussed, Stuart is working on how and where the facilities will operate so as not to repeat the "Pill Mill" crisis. It was advised to be pro active and get an ordinance in place before the law goes in to effect. General discussion by the Board on the actions this law may create and how to be ahead of the curve if it passes in November. Mayor, Linda Hudson would like a speaker in the future to become better Informed and educated on this matter. Chairman Mowery will be serving on the FAC Medical Marijuana Workgroup along with the Florida League of Cities, Florida Sheriffs Association and Police Chiefs Association beginning in September and will give an update at the next meeting. iii. Florida Association of School Boards St. Lucie County Board Member, Katherine Hensley reported that the dynamics have shifted with the loss of Michael Busha on the board and Karen Disney- Brombach being defeated. Katherine Hensley will be submitting a five county Workgroup Agenda to the TCCLG. Children's Services Council has all counties on the ballot and encourages everyone to be aware. Judge Bailey has agreed to speak to the teachers in St. Lucie County, he doesn't speak directly to students but will share his History and Knowledge with the St. Lucie County District Teachers. Still working on the Broadband issues having to hard copy and fax things and we need to expand and update the capabilities. iv. Florida Research Coast No report v. CareerSource Research Coast Mr. Michael Corbit distributed a handout on Unemployment. He sees significant decreases overall and is hopeful this trend continues. Deann Ferrell, Director of Youth Area Services gave the history of the program starting in 1998. This program is geared to help youth find their path in life. Out of the 416 participants in the Federally Funded program, they had 156 positive outcomes succeed. The Goal is to get our youth employed or enrolled in college through training and attending job fairs. Internships to any business are appreciated, they are followed for one year to record the progress and success. vi. Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council Chairman Mowery gave the report in the absence of Michael Busha. Martin County is proposing to pull out of the TCRPC as they believe they may be better aligned with Broward, Miami Dade and Palm Beach Counties. They will be having another workshop to work through the issues. All Aboard Florida — is moving forward and has purchased a lot of steel for the rails. Mayor Winger stated the City of Vero Beach has budgeted for 2017 for each of the crossing. The cities and counties will have to pay for upgrades and any maintenance. City and County Attorneys are now working together (conference calls once a month) to keep updated on the issues. With so many questions and concerns and so much is to be determined, everyone needs to be aware and updated on any new information. Councilwoman Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch suggested we invite KC Traylor which Is representative of Not All Aboard Florida at our next meeting. Councilwoman Thurlow-Lippisch and Alderwoman Ingrid Van Hekken do not feel we are united and the TCCLG should be our voice and would like a designated leader in this battle. Chairman Mowery feels a spokesperson would be a full time job and with four counties and four different opinions and concerns if would be inappropriate to have a spokesperson at this time as we don't know all the facts. The City of Fort Pierce is waiting on an Environmental Impact Study spelling out possible Issues and concerns then they will respond accordingly. It is consensus that we will invite K.C. Traylor to be the speaker at the October Meeting. 10. Old Business Councilwoman Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch said with regards to the Lagoon Action that Senator Rubio calls the work being done is a Historic Achievement and she is very excited about every effort to keep everyone talking about it. It isn't an immediate fix but we have come a long way. 11. New Business Councilman Peter O'Bryan made a motion for a 2015 Nominating Committee to be: Vice Mayor, Joel Tyson, Commissioner, Jacqui Thurlow-Lippisch and Alderwoman, Ingrid Van Hekken. Motion Approved and Passes Unanimously 12. Legislative Issues Legislative Delegates Offices gave brief updates. 13. Adjourn There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 12:17 a.m. Tod Mowery, Chairman Treasure Coast Council of Local Governments Treasurer's Report June -Aug, 2014 Balance: May 31, 2014 $9,971.26 Deposits: TCRLC (1/2 BRQ) $675.59 Expenses: July BBQ $1,351A8 Balance: Aug 31, 2014 $9,295.67 10THNITI� Certificate of Deposit (0,150%, 11/27/14) $11,320.60