Special City Council

121 SW Port St. Lucie City of Port St.Lucie Blvd. Port St. Lucie, Florida 34984 Special City Council Action Agenda 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 Please visit www.cityofpsl.com/tv for new public comment options as a result of COVID-19. NOTICE: INDIVIDUALS ARE SUBJECT TO MEDICAL SCREENING PRIOR TO ENTERING ANY CITY BUILDING AND ENTRY MAY BE DENIED IF ANY INDICATOR OF ILLNESS OR PRIOR EXPOSURE IS IDENTIFIED. Monday, May 18, 2020 1:30 PM Council Chambers, City Hall 1. Meeting Called to Order 2. Roll Call 3. Pledge of Allegiance 4. Public to be Heard There was nothing heard under this item. 5. Resolution Approved 5.a Resolution 20-R57, Amending the City of Port St. Lucie 2020-289 Neighborhood Traffic Calming Policy to Clarify Roadway Segment Requirements, Clarify the Petition, Ballot, and Approval Process, and Change Recommendation Authority to the Public Works Director OTHER: Council requested that the Public Works Department provide an annual update at the Retreat. OTHER: Councilwoman Caraballo requested that staff ensure the petition process is fair and consistent. Page 1 of 4 Special City Council Action Agenda May 18, 2020 ACTION: Motion passed unanimously by roll call vote to approve Resolution 20-R57. 6. New Business 6.a Update on Westmoreland Riverfront Park Playground Design 2020-401 OTHER: Vice Mayor Martin requested/suggested the following: moving the water play structure east a bit, which will also allow for more canopy coverage; adding a fourth bay for a wheelchair swing, perhaps between play areas #5 and #6; adding an art station between play areas #1 and #2 for field trips and homeschoolers; putting picnic tables under the Banyan Trees for shade; obscuring the restroom and having it match the overall design, and getting community sponsorships from businesses for this or some of the play elements. She indicated she liked entry option #2, Lookout Hill and the alligator sculpture. OTHER: Councilwoman Caraballo requested/suggested the following: achieving the landscaping standards and shading as shown in the presentation and that staff let her know if the budget does not support this; look into using kinetic sand; implementing a Park Ranger Program at the park for an educational experience; using flexed paving or the like over the roots of the trees; and finding ways to keep the sand clean. She stated she liked entry option #2, Lookout Hill and the alligator sculpture. OTHER: Councilman Carvelli requested/suggested the following: clear separation between the play areas for the different age groups; areas of seating for parents to sit and talk while children are playing; and lighting the park for security and evening events. He stated his concerns with the alligator sculpture. OTHER: Councilwoman Morgan indicated she liked entry option #2 and expressed her concerns regarding the alligator sculpture, as it may seem scary for some small children to play on. Councilwoman Caraballo suggested the alligator could be used as a teaching tool by the Park Ranger. OTHER: Mayor Oravec requested/suggested the following: adding another swing apparatus, where the wheelchair bay and another nest could be added; the park operate at night as well; an educational signage package be presented the next time Council sees this plan; Banyan trees at the entrance of and in the park for shade with a long term maintenance plan; putting a giant painting or piece of art on the restroom facility and utilizing the Community Art Fund for a painting; including lighting for landscaping, signage, entry, emergencies, eye in the sky, etc., in their next presentation; having the park rangers give tours and run programs; putting a dingy next to the ship to separate the age groups, and making the ship larger; adding a fire pit and Adirondack chairs for roasting marshmallows; having an FPL solar tree with an educational aspect; and seeking grants and corporate sponsorships. He stated he likes entry option #2 and Lookout Hill. Page 2 of 4 Special City Council Action Agenda May 18, 2020 OTHER: Councilman Carvelli requested that staff look into the hours of operation at the Botanical Gardens as it relates to the gates opening and being locked. ACTION: Motion passed unanimously by voice vote to approve naming the district “The Port” and naming the park “Pioneer Park.” Discussion: OTHER: Councilwoman Caraballo indicated she is looking forward to seeing the branding, marketing and simplicity and requested adding gas to the site for the fire pit. OTHER: Mayor Oravec stated the sign should be special like Typhoon Lagoon. He also requested two lanes out to add a right turn lane and an overflow parking plan. He asked that the next presentation include budget, timeline and milestones. He suggested looking at the properties across the street on Westmoreland for eventual conversion to park - like overflow parking, should any become available. Approved 6.b Review and Accept the Biweekly Report/Strategic Plan 2020-402 Update OTHER: Council consensus was that two days will be needed for the next Strategic Planning Retreat scheduled for June 15-16, 2020 at the Community Center. OTHER: Council requested honest, realistic, transparent, accurate information be presented at the Retreat along with what the City needs to finish if there is a recession and ways to deal with a potential shortfall. OTHER: Mayor Oravec requested that the monthly Realtor’s Report be sent to all council members. OTHER: Councilman Carvelli suggested preparing 10%, 20% & 30% budget reduction scenarios to understand the effects. OTHER: Council agreed that job preservation of employees comes first, and discretionary general fund expenditures and projects come second. OTHER: Council consensus was that City Hall should be open. Mr. Graham indicated that he will share this desire with the City Manager. OTHER: Councilman Carvelli stated there is a discrepancy on whether daycare centers and camps that closed are allowed to be open and reopen. Legal will check on this. Presented 6.c Housing Assistance Program 2020-433 Page 3 of 4 Special City Council Action Agenda May 18, 2020 ACTION: Motion passed unanimously by voice vote to approve adding Update on Rental/Mortgage Assistance Program for COVID-19 to the Agenda. ACTION: Motion passed unanimously by voice vote to approve staff’s request to close applications until such time as additional funding becomes available. Discussion: OTHER: Council requested that the current applications be reviewed first, in numerical order, for the next round of funding. OTHER: Councilwoman Caraballo requested that Council be updated as soon as staff knows anything as well as receive regular updates. OTHER: Council consensus was to join the Florida Association of Counties and Florida League of Cities in respectfully requesting that the $1.275 billion be earmarked to provide necessary resources to local governments that were not direct beneficiaries of the Cares Act dollars. OTHER: Council consensus was to join the National League of Cities in supporting bipartisan legislation that will provide funding to all cities, towns and villages and to complete American economic recovery. Approved 7. Adjourn Page 4 of 4