HomeMy WebLinkAboutTCCLG.2026.01.07.Meeting.MinutesRegular Meeting — January 7, 2026, 11:15 AM
Marsh Landing, Fellsmere
No Zoom was Available.
MINUTES
Council Members Present
Bradley Goodbread, Okeechobee County Commission
Dowling Watford, City of Okeechobee (Treasurer)
Melisa Jahner, Okeechobee School Board
Robert Auwaerter, (Alternate for Brian Foley), Indian River Shores,
Ingrid Van Hekken, St. Lucie Village, (Secretary)
James Clasby, St. Lucie County Commission (Vice Chairman)
Campbell Rich, City of Stuart
J. Blake Capps, Martin County Commission
John Cotugno, City of Vero Beach
Kevin Docherty, Town of Ocean Breeze
Arnold Gaines, City of Fort Pierce, (via Zoom)
Amy Pritchett, Martin County School Board
Debbie Hawley, St. Lucie County School Board
Bob McPartlan, City of Sebastian
Laura Moss, Indian River County
Terri Baronborg, Indian River School Board, (via Zoom)
Frank Tadzikis, Town of Sewalls Point, (via Zoom)
Council Members Not Present
David Pickett, City of Port St. Lucie, (Chairman)
Inocencia Hernandez, City of Fellsmere
Angelina Perez, Village of Indiantown
Others Present
Mitch Kloorfain, Career Source
Nicole Fogarty, St. Lucie School District
Patricia Christensen, TCRLC and FLC
Terry Ann Paulo, Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council
Garry Ritter, City of Okeechobee, City Manager
Ken Krasnow, Cushman & Wakefield, Guest Speaker
Joel Tyson, Former Mayor of the City of Fellsmere
Christine Westenhaver, Aide to James Clasby
Derrick Hankerson, Aide to Brian Mast
1. CALL TO ORDER
Vice Chair Goodbread called the meeting to order at 11:30 AM.
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2. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mr. Watford led the invocation and Vice Chairman Goodbread led The Pledge of Allegiance.
3. INTRODUCTIONS
Self -introduction by Board members and guests.
4. CHAIRMAN'S COMMENTS
Vice Chairman Goodbread welcomed everyone.
5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Mr. Goodbread called for a motion to accept the Meeting Minutes from November 2025. Mr. Docherty made a motion
to approve; Mr. Clasby seconded the motion. Motion passed unanimously.
6. APPROVAL OF TREASURER'S REPORT
Mr. Watford gave the Treasurers report for November and December 2025. asked for a motion to accept the
Treasurer's Report. A motion was made by Ms. Van Hekken and seconded by Ms. Hawley. Motion passed unanimously.
7. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS
Ms. Van Hekken reported the town of St. Lucie Village received a grant for $17 million for water line installation.
Mr. Tyson, a guest from Fellsmere, reported a new City Manager was hired in Felsmere. Mr. Almondo Martinez.
Mr. Watford announced the holiday lights are still up for viewing until January 13.
Mr. Clasby reported a new County Attorney, Catherine Barbieri, who was hired. The County is also considered for the
largest Data Center in the state. It would be 15 million square feet in size.
Mr. Goodbread reported the Music Festival would take place in Okeechobee the first week of March with 40K attendees
expected.
Mr. Gaines reported a new Police Chief was hired in Fort Pierce and would begin February 1.
8. LEGISLATIVE MATTERS
After the presentation ended, the discussion continued on the possible outcomes of any of this legislation or the
elimination of property taxes altogether for homesteaded properties, as Governor DeSantis proposes.
9. NEW BUSINESS
a. Nominating Committee Report: Mr. Watford, in the absence of Mr. Foley, gave the Nominating Committee report,
and announced the Slate of Officers for 2026.
• Okeechobee County Commissioner, Bradley Goodbread for Chairman
• St. Lucie County Commissioner, James Clasby for Vice Chairman
• City of Okeechobee Mayor, Dowling Watford for Treasurer
• Martin County School Board Member, Amy Pritchett for Secretary
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Mayor Watford explained that Martin County School Board Member Marsha Powers was reappointed and the new
appointment was Ms. Pritchett. Since the seat is ceremonial in nature, the committee felt there wouldn't be any
issue with her taking on the position.
b. Election of Officers:
Mayor Watford asked if there were any other nominations from the floor. Seeing none, Mr. Watford made a motion
to accept the slate as presented. Mr. Auwaerter seconded. Motion passed unanimously.
10. INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS
There was an informal installation of the officers.
11. PROGRAM PRESENTATION
Mr. Ken Krasnow presented a report on the Commercial Real Estate Market and discussion of data centers and the
financial impacts.
12. COMMITTEE REPORTS
a. Treasure Coast Regional League of Cities/Florida League of Cities (TCRLC & FLC)
Ms. Christensen mentioned that the FLC Legislative Action Days is the last week of January. There is a small
group going up for the three days. She also announced that there will be an Ethics Class in April with the date
to be determined.
b. Florida Associations of Counties (FAC)
No report was given.
c. Florida School Boards Association (FSBA)
d. Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council
Terry Ann Paulo.
e. CareerSource Research Coast
Mr. Kloorfain
13. OLD BUSINESS
None
14. DISCUSSION OF SCHOLARSHIP FOR TCCLG
Ms. Jahner reported the committee will be meeting after the February 4t" TCCLG meeting in St. Lucie County.
15. ADJOURNMENT
As business before the Treasure Coast Council of Local Governments has concluded, Chairman Goodbread
adjourned the meeting at 12:35P PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia Christensen, Recording Secretary.
Treasure Coast Council of Local Governments — Minutes of the Meeting of March 5, 2025
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