HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Packet 11.12.2024SUSTAINABILITY DISTRICT
AGENDA
ST. LUCIE COUNTY
Regular Meeting
Tuesday, November 12, 2024
6:01 PM
St. Lucie County Commission Chambers
2300 Virginia Avenue
3rd Floor of Roger Poitras Building
Fort Pierce, FL 34982
BOARD MEMBERS
District No. 4, Chair
JAMIE FOWLER
District No. 3, Vice-Chair
LINDA BARTZ
District No. 1
CHRIS DZADOVSKY
District No. 2
LARRY LEET
District No. 5
CATHY TOWNSEND
Mission Statement
St. Lucie Works to deliver superior service that enhances our quality of life
*Final on 11/6
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Regular Meeting Tuesday, November 12, 2024 6:01 PM
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WELCOME
All meetings are televised.
All meetings provided with wireless internet access for public convenience.
Please turn off all cell phones and pagers prior to entering the commission chambers.
Please mute the volume on all laptops and PDAs while in use in the commission chambers.
GENERAL RULES AND PROCEDURES – Attached is the agenda, which will determine the order of business conducted at today’s Board
meeting.
INVOCATION-PLEDGE – To bring order and decorum to its meeting, the Board begins its meetings with an invocation followed by the
Pledge of Allegiance. Participation is voluntary.
CONSENT AGENDA – These items are considered routine and are enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of
these items unless a Commissioner so requests.
REGULAR AGENDA – Proclamations, Presentations, Public Hearings, and Department requests are items, which the Commission will
discuss individually, usually in the order listed on the agenda.
PUBLIC HEARINGS – These items are usually heard on the first Tuesdays at 6 p.m. or as soon thereafter as possible. However, if a
public hearing is scheduled for a meeting on the third Tuesday, which begins at 9 a.m., then public hearings will be heard at 9
a.m. or as soon thereafter as possible. These time designations are intended to indicate that an item will not be addressed prior
to the listed time. The Chair will open each public hearing and asks anyone wishing to speak to come forward, one at a time.
Comments will be limited to five minutes, and must be pertinent to the agenda item being considered by the Board.
As a general rule, when issues are scheduled before the Commission under department request or public hearing, the order
of presentation is: (1) County staff presents the details of the Board item (2) Commissioners comment (3) if a public hearing, the
Chair will ask for public comment, (4) further discussion and action by the Board.
ADDRESSING THE COMMISSION – Please state your name and address, speaking clearly into the microphone. If you have backup
material, please have eight copies ready for distribution.
NON-AGENDA ITEMS – These items are presented by an individual Commissioner or staff as necessary at the conclusion of the
printed agenda.
PUBLIC COMMENT – Time is allotted at the beginning of each meeting for general public comment. Please limit comments to three
minutes. Comments may pertain to any matter related to the Board’s duties as the County’s governing body. Comments in support
or opposition to candidates for public office are not pertinent to the Board’s duties. This includes any speaker identifying himself or
herself as a candidate for public office.
DECORUM – Please be respectful of others’ opinions.
MEETINGS – All Board meetings are open to the public and are held on the first Tuesdays of each month at 6 p.m. and on the third
Tuesdays at 9 a.m., unless otherwise advertised. Meetings are held in the County Commission Chambers in the Roger Poitras
Administration Annex at 2300 Virginia Ave., Fort Pierce, Fla. 34982. The Board schedules additional workshops throughout the year
necessary to accomplish their goals and commitments. Notice is provided of these workshops. Anyone with a disability requiring
accommodation to attend this meeting should contact the St. Lucie County Human Resources Department at 772-462-1456,
HumanResources@stlucieco.org or TDD 772-462-1428 at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
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Regular Meeting Tuesday, November 12, 2024 6:01 PM
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1.CALL TO ORDER
2.GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
3.APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A.Board of County Commissioners minutes for the Sustainability District Meeting of August 27, 2024.
B.Board of County Commissioners minutes for the Sustainability District Meeting of October 15,
2024.
4.CONSENT AGENDA
There are no items scheduled.
5.REGULAR AGENDA
There are no items scheduled.
6.MOTION TO ADJOURN
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Sustainability District Meeting
August 27, 2024 Convened: 1:04 PM Adjourned: 1:04 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 1:04 PM by Chair Jamie Fowler, District No. 4.
Present
Commissioner Cathy Townsend District 5, Commissioner Linda Bartz District 3, Commissioner Chris
Dzadovsky District 1, Commissioner Larry Leet District 2, Commissioner Jamie Fowler District 4
Also Present
Dan McIntyre, County Attorney
George Landry, County Administrator
Mayte Santamaria, Deputy County Administrator
Jason Davis, Deputy County Administrator
Barbara Guettler, MSBU Coordinator
Jennifer Garrity, Budget Manager
Benjamin Balcer, Planning & Development Services Director
Kori Benton, Planning & Development Services Planning Manager
Jennifer Hill, Office of Management & Budget Director
Pete Tesch, Economic Development Council President
Katrina Slay, Executive Aide to County Administration/Agenda Coordinator
Sydney Halleran, Agenda Coordinator
Vera Smith, Deputy Clerk Recording Secretary
2. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Fowler opened the meeting for public comment at this time. With no one wishing to address
the Board, Chair Fowler closed public comment.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A motion was made to approve all minute sets, and it passed unanimously.
RESULT: APPROVE
MOVER: Commissioner District 3 Linda Bartz
SECONDER: Commissioner District 2 Larry Leet
AYES: Cathy Townsend, Linda Bartz, Chris Dzadovsky, Larry Leet, Jamie Fowler
NAYS: None
EXCUSED: None
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Sustainability District Meeting Tuesday, August 27, 2024 1:00 PM
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A. Board of County Commissioners minutes for the Sustainability District Meeting of May 21, 2024.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
A motion was made to adopt the consent agenda, and it passed unanimously.
RESULT: APPROVE
MOVER: Commissioner District 1 Chris Dzadovsky
SECONDER: Commissioner District 2 Larry Leet
AYES: Cathy Townsend, Linda Bartz, Chris Dzadovsky, Larry Leet, Jamie Fowler
NAYS: None
EXCUSED: None
A. PUBLIC WORKS
1. Energy Special Assessment District (SAD) Annual Assessment Resolution
Adopted by Consent Vote
2. Special Assessment Notice of Intent - Permission to Advertise Public Hearing
Adopted by Consent Vote
5. REGULAR AGENDA
There were no items scheduled.
6. MOTION TO ADJOURN
With no other information to be brought for consideration before the Board, the meeting was
adjourned at 1:04 PM.
Please note: Final minutes are recorded in the official minute books filed with the Clerk of the
Circuit Court and available for inspection upon request.
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BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
Sustainability District Meeting
October 15, 2024 Convened: 9:03 AM Adjourned: 9:11 AM
1. CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 9:03 AM by Chair Jamie Fowler, District No. 4.
Present
Commissioner Cathy Townsend District 5, Commissioner Linda Bartz District 3, Commissioner Chris
Dzadovsky District 1, Commissioner Larry Leet District 2, Commissioner Jamie Fowler District 4
Also Present
Dan McIntyre, County Attorney
George Landry, County Administrator
Mayte Santamaria, Deputy County Administrator
Jason Davis, Deputy County Administrator
John Ferguson, St. Lucie County 4-H Agent
Benjamin Balcer, Planning & Development Services Director
Tahir Curry, Planning & Development Services Associate Planner
Thad Crowe, Planning & Development Services Senior Planner
Patrick Dayan, Public Works Director
Aimee Cooper, Environmental Regulations Manager
Brian Ingram, Environmental Planner
Barbara Guettler, MSBU Coordinator
Kori Benton, Planning & Development Services Planning Manager
Katrina Slay, Executive Aide to County Administration/Agenda Coordinator
Sydney Halleran, Agenda Coordinator
Vera Smith, Deputy Clerk Recording Secretary
2. GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENT
Chair Fowler opened the meeting for public comment at this time. With no one wishing to address
the Board, Chair Fowler closed public comment.
3. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. PUBLIC WORKS
1. Energy Special Assessment District
Barbara Guettler, MSBU Coordinator, presented this item to the Board. One of the funding
methods available for energy conservation and renewable energy improvements is to levy non-ad
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Sustainability District Meeting Tuesday, October 15, 2024 9:01 AM
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valorem special assessments on those properties that derive a direct benefit from the
improvements. This assessment is based on benefits and collected with property taxes using the
uniform method pursuant to Section 197.3632, of the Florida Statutes. To preserve this collection
option, the Board must adopt a resolution expressing its intent to use the uniform method
commencing in November 2025. The resolution must be considered at a duly advertised public
hearing held before January 1, 2025. The resolution does not in any way obligate the County to
levy special assessments; rather, it simply satisfies the legal requirement, preserving the County’s
option to use the uniform method of collecting if special assessments are levied.
Staff recommended the Board adopt the Energy Special Assessment District (SAD), notice of intent
resolution, and authorization for the chair to documents as approved by the County Attorney.
Chair Fowler opened the hearing for public comment at this time. The following people addressed
the Board.
• Chris Peterson (Fortify)
• Mark Shuffle (Wyatt Green Energy Fund)
With no one else wishing to address the Board, Chair Fowler closed the public hearing.
Commissioner Dzadovsky addressed the challenges in St. Lucie County as a leader in PACE efforts
with the solar energy loan fund. As part of that, the County created the highest level of consumer
protection. He advised that while there are new consumer protections, he highlighted the
importance of maintaining higher consumer protection standards within the state's limited
consumer protection elements. He is aware that there are bad actors across the country, which
should be considered when selecting a full-service provider in the PACE sector. He advised it is the
County’s responsibility to protect the citizens for consumer protection, to ensure individuals can
afford necessary services while protecting their interests. Some companies in the past have
provided homes with doors, windows, air conditioning, solar panels, and reinforced roofs, which
resulted in improvements exceeding the value of the homes and the financial capacity of the
individuals living in them. He believes community members should advocate for these
improvements while ensuring stronger consumer protection and vetting presenting companies.
Chair Fowler, agreed.
The Board did not have any further questions or comments on this item.
A motion was made to approve staff recommendations, and it passed unanimously.
RESULT: APPROVE
MOVER: Commissioner District 3 Linda Bartz
SECONDER: Commissioner District 5 Cathy Townsend
AYES: Cathy Townsend, Linda Bartz, Chris Dzadovsky, Larry Leet, Jamie Fowler
NAYS: None
EXCUSED: None
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Sustainability District Meeting Tuesday, October 15, 2024 9:01 AM
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4. REGULAR AGENDA
A. COUNTY ATTORNEY
1. Permission to Advertise - Request for Applications - Program Administrator Services - Property
Assessment Clean Energy (PACE)
Daniel McIntyre, County Attorney, presented this item to the Board. The proposal is to grant
permission to advertise and request applications for PACE program administrator services. In 2010
the County created the Sustainability District and established an Energy Financing Program which
offers qualified owners of real property an opportunity to acquire qualifying improvements and
repay the costs through a PACE Project and finance agreements. Revenue bonds were issued in
2010, and they were validated through a final judgment dated November 30, 2010. At the Board's
September 10, 2024, informal meeting, the Board discussed the newly enacted state law Chapter
2024-273 also known as Senate Bill 770. During the meeting, the Board provided general directions
to staff to develop a proposed competitive process for PACE providers for the Board to consider at
a regularly scheduled meeting. The application request has been provided to the Board with the
draft being based on a similar request prepared by the City of Cape Coral. The draft has been
updated to reflect the new state law and includes suggested revisions from County staff and the
County's special assessment bond counsel. Additional consumer protections for PACE funding
were adopted in August of 2023.
Staff recommended that the Board grant permission to advertise the Request for Applications.
Chair Townsend asked for clarification on accepting applications and vetting companies. In
response, Mr. McIntyre confirmed that the process will involve accepting applications from all
interested parties and vetting them through the Board.
Commissioner Dzadovsky commented, reiterating his previous statement from item 3. A.1. for the
record.
The Board did not have any further questions or comments on this item.
A motion was made to approve staff recommendations, and it passed unanimously.
RESULT: APPROVE
MOVER: Commissioner District 3 Linda Bartz
SECONDER: Commissioner District 2 Larry Leet
AYES: Cathy Townsend, Linda Bartz, Chris Dzadovsky, Larry Leet, Jamie Fowler
NAYS: None
EXCUSED: None
5. MOTION TO ADJOURN
With no other information to be brought for consideration before the Board, the meeting was
adjourned at 9:11 AM.
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Sustainability District Meeting Tuesday, October 15, 2024 9:01 AM
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Please note: Final minutes are recorded in the official minute books filed with the Clerk of the
Circuit Court and Comptroller available for inspection upon request.
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