HomeMy WebLinkAboutJoint Budget Meeting Minutes 05-24-2007CITY OF FT. PIERCE/ST. LUCIE COUNTY
JOINT BUDGET MEETING
Date: May 24, 2007 Convened: 2:00 p.m.
Adjourned: 4:45 p.m.
Commissioners Present: Chairman, Chris Craft, Joseph Smith, Doug Coward, Paula A.
Lewis, Charles Grande, absent
City of Ft. Pierce Commission: Edwazd Beck, Rufus Alexander, Christine Coke,
Others Present: Doug Anderson, County Administrator, Dennis Beach, City Manager,
Marie Gouin, M & B Director, Ed Fry, Clerk of Courts, Don West, Public Works
Director, Millie Delgado-Feliciano, Deputy Clerk
Opening remazks were made by the Chairman of the Boazd of County Commissioners
and City Commissioners.
There are 14 items that will depend on funding.
Pazk Improvements
The County Pazks and Recreation Director addressed Dreamland Pazk and the potential
project, a memorial for Martin Luther King, Jr. The cost is approximately $250,000. This
is the cost of a similar memorial in Boca Raton. This memorial would be placed on the
east side of Dreamland Pazk. The cost to the County would be $50-75,000 and hopefully
they would have some contribution by the City of Ft. Pierce and the community.
Mr. Wazd from the Ft. Pierce Redevelopment Agency stated they have some funds
available for the project but have not gone out as far as allocating resources.
The City Manager stated the space has been donated but they have not identified the
funds.
Commissioner Smith stated he hoped they intended to move forward no matter what the
state does.
Lincoln Pazk Community Center- The County is attempting to acquire land across from
the center. Funds have been set aside for the purchase and they aze still negotiating with
the property owner.
The Pazks and Recreation Director advised the Boazd the Church is not part of the
acquisition.
Staff advised the Boazd they would look into the matter.
Commissioner Coward stated he was hoping to partner with the City of Ft. Pierce to shaze
in the cost. The County has allocated $500,000.
The City Manager stated they had allocated $1 million for the center. He recommended
the County taking the lead on this project and FPRA would also provide $lmillion.
City Commissioner Alexander commented on possibly relocating the building. He stated
the area has been neglected for many yeazs and they need to do something to enhance the
azea.
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Commissioner Craft reaffirmed the County's level of commitment and stated he did not
wish to put this project on hold.
Commissioner Smith and County Administrator Anderson stated they would follow up
with the property owner and find out information about the church.
Illous Ellis Park-Avenue M
Future improvements to this park are $620,000 for basketball covers and $250,000 to for
a ground spray to be added to the pool.
Jaycee Park- This park will be adding a ground spray at a cost of $35,000 and they will
provide the name of the contractor to the County since the price is much lower.
South Causeway Park- A memo had been received from the President of the South Beach
Association regarding the condition of the park.
The County has $240,000 from impact fees for design however there are no other funds
available at this time for improvements. The cost is estimated between $8 and 9 million.
Commissioner Coke stated the City nor the County, are in a position to spend $8 to $9
million on such a park. She recommended the City take the lead and not have the county
move forward with the design, but rather clean up, place pavilions and let the City Public
Works Department do preliminary work and leave space for future expansion of projects
as proposed earlier.
City Commissioner Beck stated the City is used to doing more with less and asked where
the funds would be allocated from other than the General Fund. He stated the County
does not have their portion (4.5 million).
The Parks and Recreation Director stated they can come up with a plan to improve the
aesthetics.
City Commissioner Beck asked the City Commission how much they were willing to
allocate to this project.
Mr. Ward advised the Boards that Erosion was a big issue.
It was recommended scheduling this issue be placed on the agenda for the next FPRA
meeting and also get a consensus if the Board is willing to commit and also have a
discussion on future maintenance and who will handle it.
Commissioner Coward state the County was a main contributor to the CRA in the City of
Ft. Pierce.
The Assistant City Manager recommended inviting the County to attend the next Jetty
Park meeting the City will be having on June 9th at 10:00 a.m. for input from the
grassroots level.
The County Administrator stated the County owns the road and should partner with the
city. He also advised the Boards the County had been approached by the new owners of
the Days Inn where they are looking to do a swap of property for the fire station east of
Chuck's Seafood. They would like to swap dollar for dollar for the property on the east
end of the Days Inn.
City Commissioner Beck advised the Board the Fire Board has not made a decision on
what they intend to do with the property.
Avenue D Road Improvements
The County advised the City they do not have funds available for Avenue D road
improvements.
Commissioner Smith stated he supports the project and would be looking to find funds to
assist the city in this project.
The County Administrator advised the Boards there is a cost of $1.5 million dollars for
the project of 25`h Street to 33`d Street. He stated they would look at the $43 million
dollars borrowed for transportation projects and if any money that is not allocated could
possibly be allocated for this area.
Governmental Service Complex
The City placed this project on the agenda for discussion. They stated the Criminal
Justice System needs to expand and they would also like to use this project as a re-
development tool.
City Commissioner Beck stated they were planning a charrette focusing in that area.
Com. Lewis stated she believed Community Services was being moved to the Sam's
building.
The County Administrator stated Judge Roby had requested the Juvenile Court be moved
to the Sam's building. He stated he would come back with a layout on the best way to
use the building.
Harbor Point RFP (possible FPRA funding) dredge site permanent spoil site-
City Commissioner Beck asked if the money was the issue for the RFP.
The County Administrator recommended waiting for ownership to change.
It was the consensus of the Board to put out an RFP for port property owned by the
County.
Taylor Creek- Phase I of this project has been completed and they are now going into
phase 3, phase 2 will follow which is the balance of the dredging of Taylor Creek.
The Public Works Director presented a map of potential spoil sites locations provided by
the City of Ft. Pierce. The County has not initiated a study and he asked if the County
was comfortable with studying the sites.
The City Commission stated it is the policy of the City that there not be a permanent site
in the city.
City Commissioner Beck stated the need a spoil site. He does not like burning property
and has a problem with having a spoil site on waterfront property.
The Public Works Director stated there is a large amount of muck to be removed in a
short amount of time and would like for it to be dredged all at once. They would need the
temporary site for 6 months to a year. Hauling would be the biggest problem, there
would not be a smell only a lot of trucks.
City Commissioner Alexander offered 17 acres of his own property for this use.
The Public Works Director stated he would get back to the Board and see if the site is
okay.
Lawnwood Recreational Maser Planning Charrette
The County Administrator addressed the Special Needs Shelter being placed in this
location. He advised everyone that FEMA and Insurance would be paying for the
majority of costs for this shelter.
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A discussion was held about the Skate Park. The estimated cost of the Skate Park would
be $555,847 and presently threw old be a short fall of 122,826 for the first phase.
Phase II of the Skate Park is presently unfunded at an amount of $270,000 and this cost
does not include the lighting.
Annexation Issues with Future Service Boundaries
The City Manager advised the Boazd that recently they had annexed individual parcels in
Sheraton Plaza and they are interested I going west to Sheraton Pazk azea. He asked if
the County would agree to square off the area.
Commissioner Coward stated he was not in support of forced annexation.
Commissioner Smith asked if the residents pay a city surchazge because they received the
city utilities without annexation.
The City Manager stated there is a 25% surcharge on each utility.
City Commissioner Coke stated the burden of this issues goes to those who can least
afford it, i.e. renters.
City Commissioner Alexander stated they needed to look at the azea across from Pazadise
Pazk and he would like to know how much they pay in taxes versus the surchazge.
Commissioner Lewis stated she would continue to have issues if it was an annexed area
rather than a service area. Depending on the valuation of the home, the surchazge may be
less than taxes and she would be uncomfortable if the city was to proceed with this issue
to the legislature.
Commissioner Coward stated they should work together to see if people wish to
voluntarily annex and would like for the property owners to have a choice.
City Commissioner Alexander stated they needed to look at the issue of District 1 versus
District II, as it may be a problem.
Com. Craft stated this may be issue between the City of Ft. Pierce and Tallahassee. He
sees some added benefits to it and may be open to it in the future.
Funding Source for Development along Jenkins Road
The Boazds were informed there is a coordinated effort on the improvements of
Okeechobee Road and South of Okeechobee.
a) they aze working with the developers on the funding of the area
b) Kings Highway cost for road improvements would be between 100 million dollazs
and 300 million dollazs
Post Office Museum
There is presently $1,284,422 toward the 50% share of construction cost. This does not
include costs for services in 2008. The museum would not be completed until late 2008.
They are not sure what Tallahassee will do or if they will have funds to operate the
facility. If it is renovated and the state decides to cut it from funding, they can use it for
other purposes, i.e. lease out the space.
Staff was directed to proceed and go out for bid.
Questions and Comments
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Commissioner Lewis stated she would like to revisit the tourist tax issue. The allocation
has become a hot topic and she is concerned with the recent movement of this issue. She
also requested a status report on the Port Council.
Commissioner Craft commented on streamlining and savings cost and directed staff to
find ways to consolidate efforts to provide services to the people.
City Commissioner Beck asked the following issues be addressed in the city budget
a) obtain the funds with the county's help for the complex
b) to update master plan for the Lawnwood Recreation azea and what other things can be
done to maximize the property and also include the School Board in the discussions
Commissioner Smith stated he would like both staff to work together on the green
building issue, the sustainable growth issue and also biodiesel.
Commissioner Lewis requested the City of Port St. Lucie be included in the consolidation
of services discussion.
Commissioner Coward stated he would staff to work with the city on clean energy issues,
and green buildings.
Public Comment
Ms. Beck ,South Beach Association addressed the board and stated she was excited to
hear that the City and the County in a joint effort would be working on the Causeway
pazk.
Mr. Ed Fry, Clerk of the Circuit Court addressed both the City and the County
Commissioners regarding a unified family court system concept the state was
considering.
City Commissioner Coke stated there should be a separate facility for all family court
issue and felt 7~' Street would be a good place for it. She addressed the use of court space
and stated she felt the space was not used properly and recommended finding a way to
start the court system at 7:00 a.m. and possibly have the Judges on split shifts.
City Commissioner Beck requested the state's comments in print.
Mr. Fry sated the Supreme Court has talked about it, however an Administrative Order
has not been issued at this point.
City Commissioner Beck recommended meeting with Stebbins and Scott and possibly re-
working the court rooms to address any emergency situations and the moving of criminal
defendants with the general public close by.
Mr. Ed Fry speaking as a resident of St. Lucie County requested the fitness trail at
Lawnwood Recreational center be once again opened. He felt this was very beneficial to
the public who enjoy this type of exercise.
There being no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned.
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