HomeMy WebLinkAboutTCCLG.2025.05.07.Meeting.MinutesRegular Meeting — May 7, 2025
St. Lucie County Roger Poitras Administration Annex
Third floor conference Room 3
Zoom was also available.
Council Members Present
Bradley Goodbread, Okeechobee County (Vice Chairman)
Dowling Watford, City of Okeechobee (Treasurer)
Amanda Riedel, Alternate, Okeechobee School Board
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
Kevin Docherty, Town of Ocean Breeze
Arnold Gaines, City of Fort Pierce (Via Zoom and arrived at 10:20 am)
Laura Moss, Indian River County Commission, (via Zoom)
Members Not Present
David Pickett, City of Port St. Lucie (Chairman)
Ingrid Van Hekken, St. Lucie Village, (Secretary)
Teri Barenborg, Indian River School Board
Bob McPartlan, City of Sebastian
Angelina Perez, Village of Indiantown
Inocencia Hernadez, City of Fellsmere
John Cotugno, City of Vero Beach
Marsha Powers, Martin County School Board
Others Present
Patricia Christensen, TCRLC and FLC
Stephanie Heidt, TC Regional Planning Council
Jake Fojtik, Farm Bureau
1. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chairman Goodbread called the meeting to order at 10:00 AM.
2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Watford led the invocation and Chairman Pickett led The Pledge of Allegiance.
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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
Mr. Goodbread called for a motion to accept the Meeting Minutes from March. Mr. Foley made a motion to approve;
Mr. Docherty seconded the motion. 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 Marchand April Treasurer's
Report; Mr. Rich seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
7. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Mr. Clasby asked if other cities and towns were being affected by the Live Local Bill, like Fort Pierce. He was referring
to the new development in Fort Pierce being proposed on Seaway Drive.
Mr. Capp spoke about the old Golf World in Martin County which is going to be redeveloped. He also addressed the
Emergency Management Services bill waiting for the Governor to sign.
Mr. Rich addressed the changes where LDR"s will not be allowed, retroactive to 2024.
Mr. Goodbread spoke about the First Amendment Audit And the people coming to their commission meetings begin
disruptive and threatening.
Mr. Watford announced Gordy Pierce, who spoke at the BBQ a few years ago, passed away.
8. PROGRAM PRESENTATION
Mr. Jake Fojtik, Assistant Director of the Florida Farm Bureau gave a PowerPoint Presentation on the Farm Bureau's
services. He also addressed the reduction in farm services mostly due to young people don't want to continue farming
land which was generational.
9. LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
There was a lengthy discussion on a number of bills that went before the legislature, which died for this session. There
was also discussion on the House Tax Committee reviewing options on tax cuts.
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. July BBQ—The members agreed by consensus to hold the Joint TCCLG and TCRLC BBQon July 16 in Okeechobee.
Further information will be provided.
11. OLD BUSINESS
B. Continued Discussion the Implementation of a Scholarship for TCCLG
Mr. Watford presented a financial report to show the monies that TCCLG have on hand. Consideration of any
type of scholarships may mean at some point an increase in Membership Dues to the cities and counties.
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Mr. Foley left the meeting, leaving no quorum. No official action could be taken. Further discussion will take
place at the next meeting.
12. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Treasure Coast Regional League of Cities/Florida League of Cities (TCRLC & FLC)
Ms. Christensen announced that the Florida League of Cities will hold its Annual Conference in Orlando in August.
Information will be out soon for registration.
She also mentioned the Treasure Coast Regional League of Cities will hold its next lunch meeting on May 21 at the
Boathouse in Stuart. A number of Home Rule Hero's will be named.
b. Florida Associations of Counties (FAC)
No report was given.
c. Florida School Boards Association (FSBA)
Ms. Hawley announced a victory at the State on school start times. The Governor is expected to sign the bill.
d. Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council
Stephanie Heidt spoke about the FDEP Grant. There will also be a Resiliency Webinar. The Martin County Business
Development Board on May 29 will hold a workshop on Disaster Recovery and Stormwater.
e. CareerSource Research Coast
Mr. Kloorfain was not present; however he emailed an Unemployment Report, and it was distributed by Ms.
Christensen via email to all Board Members.
f. South Florida Water Management District and St. John's River Water Management District
No one present
13. OTHER BUSINESS
Since the Audit couldn't take place, a reminder needs to go out to remind Ms. Van Hekken and Mr. Foley that the books
still need to be audited prior to the next meeting in June or in July.
14. ADJOURNMENT
As business before the Treasure Coast Council of Local Governments has concluded, Chairman Pickett adjourned the
meeting at 11:29 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Christensen, recording Secretary.
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