Special City Council

121 SW Port St. Lucie City of Port St.Lucie Blvd. Port St. Lucie, Florida 34984 Special City Council Meeting Minutes Gregory J. Oravec, Mayor Stephanie Morgan, Councilwoman, District I John Carvelli, Councilman, District II Shannon Martin, Vice Mayor, District III Jolien Caraballo, Councilwoman, District IV Monday, November 18, 2019 1:30 PM Council Chambers, City Hall 1. Meeting Called to Order A Special Meeting of the CITY COUNCIL of the City of Port St. Lucie was called to order by Mayor Oravec on November 18, 2019, at 1:30 p.m., at Port St. Lucie City Hall, 121 SW Port St. Lucie Boulevard, Port St. Lucie, Florida. 2. Roll Call Present Mayor Gregory J. Oravec, Vice Mayor Shannon M. Martin, Councilwoman Stephanie Morgan, Councilman John Carvelli, and Councilwoman Jolien Caraballo 3. Pledge of Allegiance Mayor Oravec led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance. 4. Public to be Heard Ralph Lewis, HATT Foundation, announced that the HATT Foundation was holding a Turkey Drive to collect 10,000 turkeys and invited the City Council to attend on November 23, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., located at 808 SW Glenview Court. 5. New Business 5.a Approve Staff Request to Pursue the Conceptual Master Plan 2019-1016 Process for an Adventure Park at the proposed Cameo/Crosstown site. Kelly Boatright, Project Manager, Parks and Recreation, stated that they were notified by FDOT that there was a proposal to install a Turnpike interchange through the property at the Crosstown and Cameo site, which was located 1501 SW Cameo Boulevard. She explained that the property was currently being utilized by the Public Works Department, as a milling storage site and as a debris site, if Page 1 of 8 Special City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2019 needed. She presented a photo showing the proposed concepts from August 2019 and October 2019 and explained that FDOT would work with the City on access issues. Mayor Oravec stated that he would continue to advocate for a tight diamond, as there were examples throughout the City or if they wanted to go over the property then they needed to elevate around Cameo and cross the site by elevation. Mayor Oravec and Vice Mayor Martin stated that they did not want the exit to split the property. Councilman Carvelli asked if there was discussion about using a parcel on Torino for the northbound exit, to which Mr. Keen, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director, responded that when the park was master planned, it showed the future need of the Turnpike in the northeast corner of the park to allow an expansion to widen. Vice Mayor Martin stated that she was against the interchange, as the Bayshore interchange was not far from the site. Councilwoman Morgan stated that she would like a northbound Turnpike entrance and asked where they would move the milling and debris site. Mayor Oravec stated that FDOT was advising against the northbound entrance to avoid vehicles moving across lanes of traffic to get into the rest area, to which Mr. Stocton, Assistant Public Works Director, confirmed and stated that there are plans to redo the Bayshore interchange in the future. Mayor Oravec requested the current FDOT Bayshore Plan and asked where the milling and debris site would be relocated, to which the City Manager responded that they had not identified a long-term location, as they were trying to lessen the amount of fill being stored. The City Manager explained that the most recent alignment appeared to give the City enough land to continue with Master Planning and inquired as to if the Council wanted to press ahead on the design of the Adventure Park. Councilwoman Caraballo asked if the City’s depiction was shared with FDOT, to which Ms. Boatright responded in the negative and stated that the drawing was a preliminary sketch. Councilwoman Caraballo requested that the City’s depiction of the project be shared with FDOT and asked staff to provide background in other areas of the State, who utilized the underpass concept. Councilman Carvelli stated that they were still waiting on the overpass bridge in St. Lucie West and suggested moving forward with the park. Vice Mayor Martin moved to advocate against any Turnpike Authority Plan that would take the City’s park land. Councilwoman Caraballo seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote. Page 2 of 8 Special City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2019 Vice Mayor Martin moved to direct staff to proceed with the Adventure Park and to remove ‘BMX’ from the project name. Councilwoman Caraballo seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote. Mr. Keen stated that they would proceed with the design and permitting of the Adventure Park. He stated that they would engage the public by using the same process used for the Winterlake Conceptual Master Plan Design Process and select a design-build contractor. Mr. Keen stated that they would reach out to FDOT and involve them in the public engagement process. He explained that the design process was scheduled for April 2020 and that the construction funds were not available until October 1. Councilwoman Caraballo suggested involving the Youth Council in the design process. 5.b Discuss Renewal of Paintball Park Lease 2019-1010 Mayor Oravec stated that the memo outlined that the taxable valuation could change and clarified that the applicant was aware he was responsible for paying the increase, to which Deputy City Attorney Beskovoyne responded in the affirmative. Vice Mayor Martin moved to renew the paintball park lease without an increase in rent. Councilwoman Caraballo seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote. 5.c Discuss Conceptual Traffic Calming Improvements to 2019-922 Westmoreland Boulevard and Southbend Boulevard. The City Manager stated that the Sandpiper residents requested that the City consider modifications to the Westmoreland Traffic Calming. Frank Knott, Project Manager, stated that the goal of the projects was to develop innovative concepts that would aide in speed reduction and deter aggressive driving. He stated that the roadway classifications were Westmoreland Boulevard an urban minor arterial and Southbend Boulevard an urban principal arterial. He explained that both were arterial roadways, and it was not likely, nor was it a goal to reduce traffic volume. Mr. Knott stated that Westmoreland Boulevard’s posted speed was 30 mph and that the average 85th percentile speed was 38 mph. Mr. Knott presented ideas, which included green bike lane markings, flashing traffic calming signs, standard traffic calming signs, and upgrading existing chicanes. He stated that the total amount would be $85,600. Page 3 of 8 Special City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2019 Councilwoman Caraballo asked if the trips per day were calculated prior to Crosstown being open, to which Mr. Knott responded in the affirmative. Councilwoman Caraballo asked if there would be another traffic study to show to impact of Crosstown, to which Mr. Knott responded in the affirmative and stated that another study would be completed in a month. Mayor Oravec asked if the TPO was on an annual schedule, to which Mr. Knott responded in the affirmative and stated that it took 3 months to get the information. Mr. Knott stated that Southbend Boulevard (northern portion) southbound posted speed was 40 mph and that the 85th percentile speed was 43 mph and that the northbound posted speed was 40 mph and that the 85th percentile speed was 44 mph. It was consensus of the Council to install raised crosswalks and consider a well-planned round-a-bout at Southern Eagle Drive. Mr. Knott stated that Southbend Boulevard (southern portion) southbound posted speed was 40 mph and that the 85th percentile speed was 50 mph and that the northbound posted speed was 40 mph and that the 85th percentile speed was 52 mph. Mr. Knott presented ideas for the initial phase, which included intersection artwork (N.I.C.E.), flashing traffic calming signs, raised crosswalk, landscape pods, thermoplastic striping, and VMS board temp awareness. He stated that the total amount would be $177,00 and that the future phase with intersection artwork would be $16,000. Mayor Oravec would like to evaluate the Greenway Plan, and suggested a linear park, along the Turnpike, in southern Southbend. Councilwoman Caraballo stated that she would agree to double-stripping, but she did not think that would stop the cars from passing. Councilwoman Morgan stated that she agreed with double-stripping and landscape pods. Barry Lee, spoke against Item 5 c) and suggested ways to minimize cut-through traffic. Phil Millevolte spoke against Item 5 c) and suggested using a flashing traffic calming sign. Mayor Oravec stated that he supported all the traffic calming recommendations, and he thought that staff could work with the neighborhood associations and have open houses. Mayor Oravec Page 4 of 8 Special City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2019 suggested using the remaining funds from the 2018-2019 Road and Bridge Fund, as the funding source for the Traffic Calming Project. Vice Mayor Martin stated that she agreed and stated that the Traffic Calming measures needed to be effective. Councilwoman Caraballo stated that she would like neighborhood meetings to be held, before money was spent. Mr. Stocton stated that they typically did not place the flashing signs in residential areas, as residents complain about the flashing lights. Vice Mayor Martin stated that they needed to find the balance between what people thought was effective. It was consensus of the Council that the Westmoreland chicanes needed to be updated. Councilwoman Caraballo moved to direct staff to schedule workshops to discuss effective traffic calming measures for both roads. Councilman Carvelli seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote. 5.d Accept the Fourth Quarter 2018-19 Strategic Plan Report 2019-1018 Councilman Carvelli moved to postpone Item 5 d). Councilwoman Morgan seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote. 5.e Discuss Humane Society Proposal 2019-1052 Mayor Oravec stated that the City was deeply troubled by the Humane Society’s downward spiral, as the Humane Society was always a trusted community institution. Mayor Oravec stated that the ‘Fresh Start’ proposal was asking the City to be a partner for a turnaround, and he believed that the proposal had merit. He explained that the City was relying on a temporary shelter and stated that the problem would become more expensive over time. Vice Mayor Martin asked what the operational service looked like going forward and stated that the City was not paying enough for animal sheltering services. She explained that the item was never brought forward, and the contract was always renewed. Mayor Oravec stated that the previous leadership never provided audits to show that the City was not paying enough. Mayor Oravec inquired as to what the City should expect to pay in sheltering services, to which Chief Bolduc responded that it was important to remember that the City gave land to the Humane Society, which resulted in a reduced rate for animal sheltering services. Chief Bolduc stated that the rates depended on the type of sheltering operation and how much fundraising was being done. He explained that whoever was contracting with the shelter should pay enough to cover the sheltering Page 5 of 8 Special City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2019 costs. Chief Bolduc stated that the Humane Society was running, roughly, $150,000 short and explained that the number varied depending on donations. Mayor Oravec asked what the cost was per capita, to which Chief Bolduc responded between $3 - $6. Mayor Oravec inquired as to what Martin County was paying, to which Chief Bolduc responded $5. Councilman Carvelli inquired as to if there was a timeline, to which the City Manager responded that there was a foreclosure process and that they would like to meet again on the 9th. He explained that the City Attorney needed to review the proposal and compare to the alternative Policy, which was already adopted. Councilman Carvelli stated that he would like a description of service, costed out, and a legal ruling on membership for a 501(c)(3) Board. Vice Mayor Martin stated that she took at tour of the temporary shelter and stated that something needed to be done very soon. She stated that everyone there was doing the best that they could, but it was not optimal. Vice Mayor Martin volunteered to be a member of the Oversight Board for the Humane Society and stated that she would like to see individuals on the Board with good financial experience with non-profits. Councilman Carvelli suggested presenting a Letter of Commitment to the bank to delay the foreclosure. Councilwoman Caraballo stated that she supported the discussion moving forward, but she was concerned that the City was bailing out the Humane Society’s debt and that the City would cover any overages for the next 2 years. Councilwoman Caraballo stated that she would like to see stronger measures and she would like to know if the Council could, legally, be part of the process of the bylaws. Councilwoman Caraballo inquired as to if the Legal Department could research placing a lien on the property in the amount of $150,000 to allow the taxpayers to recoup their investment. Mayor Oravec stated that the City’s Charter called for the Mayor to make appointments with the advice and consent of the Council. Mayor Oravec stated that he has always asked each Councilmember for 2 nominations, and he was unsure how the Planning and Zoning Board deviated from that practice. Mayor Oravec stated that he was advocating for that system, to which the City Attorney responded that they would have to explore, as there were a variety of paths to take. Mayor Oravec suggested that board meetings may have to be held in the Sunshine, in order to have adequate oversight. The City Attorney Page 6 of 8 Special City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2019 explained that it was a private 501(c)(3) non-profit cooperation and that the bylaws would need to be amended. Mayor Oravec stated that he would like to keep the Humane Society, as a private non-profit. Councilwoman Morgan stated that there was an active RFP with Ft. Pierce and requested an update. Councilwoman Morgan stated that she would like to see a copy of the audit, and she inquired as to the timeframe on the interlocal agreement. She stated that she agreed with bailing out the debt, but there needed to be precautions to ensure that they would budget for the future. Mayor Oravec inquired as to if the Council was obligated to be a part of and to agree to any RFP that is currently out, to which the City Manager responded in the negative and stated that the City collectively participated in the RFP’s issued by Ft. Pierce. Councilwoman Morgan inquired as to if the shelter would serve the entire county, to which Mayor Oravec responded that they were unsure. Councilwoman Caraballo stated that she was not comfortable writing a check for the debt without the appropriate oversight, such as a budget, which would be public record. Vice Mayor Martin stated that she would like the City to manage, as she did not feel comfortable with other organizations managing such an important issue. Councilwoman Caraballo stated that she was not comfortable with another entity partaking in the venture without taking the same sense of responsibility. She stated that Ft. Pierce or the County should be part of the investment, if they wanted to be involved. Councilman Carvelli suggested that staff bring a report showing the progress being made to the next Council Meeting, to which the City Manager responded that the next meeting was on the 25th and explained that they would receive updates regularly and would place the item on the December 9th Agenda. The City Manager explained that they would need to meet with Ms. McInturff and the negotiating team before providing a recommendation. Mayor Oravec stated that they could call a Special Meeting to have an open policy discussion over critical deal points. Vice Mayor Martin moved to have staff evaluate proposals and come back with recommendations. Councilman Carvelli seconded the motion, which passed unanimously by voice vote. Melissa McInturff, Board Chair, Humane Society of St. Lucie County, gave a brief presentation and announced that there would be a Save the Shelter event on December 7th from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. 6. Adjourn Page 7 of 8 Special City Council Meeting Minutes November 18, 2019 There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 4:00 p.m. ______________________ _______________________ Karen A. Phillips, City Clerk Calleigh N. Myers, Deputy City Clerk Page 8 of 8