City Council - Regular Meeting

Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the City of Port St. Lucie City Council meeting this Monday, September 28th, 2026 at 6 o'clock p.m. Madam Clerk, please call the roll. Councilwoman Morgan.

Vice Mayor Caraballo. Here, ma'am. Please stand for the invocation and the pledge.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God,

We have one proclamation and a special presentation this evening. The proclamation is for Italian American Heritage and Culture Month. Whereas the month of October is nationally recognized as Italian American Heritage and Culture Month, a time to celebrate the rich history, culture, and achievements of Americans of Italian descent. And whereas Italian Americans have made significant and lasting contributions to the United States and to the state of Florida in the fields of art, science, business, education, government, medicine, law, cuisine, athletics, and public service. And whereas Italian

Madam Mayor, I'd just like to thank you for the proclamation. And as a proud Italian-American, maybe this is a prelude to a Columbus Day celebration next year.

Thank you. I can't with you. All righty. Next, we have Eagle Scout Project presentation by Ms. Erica Wilson.

Great, thank you. It's amazing what you're planning to do. I did see it in the backup material. So you should be very proud and very sorry you lost your grandfather, but what an amazing tribute it is to him and to your entire family. So I think it's going to be wonderful.

Council. Thank you, Madam Mayor. I just want to say a few things. Number one, about 23 years ago, I did my Eagle project. And I also had the opportunity to serve on the Eagle board locally for a little while. And so I've interviewed a lot of potential Eagle scouts. And when I first got in touch with Ms. Wilson through Ken Leadham, who I see in the back, who helps so many of our scouts locally, I was very impressed in the meeting that we had with Brad. Because a lot of these projects start out with the parents really laying down the groundwork, asking most of the questions. And Erica was very h

Thank you. Vice Mayor, did you have something?

I just wanted to say that I'm really excited. The submarine park is not too far from my home, and I walk that lake regularly. And I can tell you that that was the intent of that park from the people that want it dedicated. When the submariners came to the council about it, they really wanted a place to call their own. And the fact that you're adding on to that for them, I can only imagine their excitement for it. You're very impressive. You speak so well. I think you're going to knock it out the park. I can't wait to see it. We're ready to support it. Do we need a motion is what I'm wondering,

Let's get to the rest of the comments first.

No, it's okay. So this holds a very special place in my heart also. And it was interesting because I always called it submariners. It's submariners. I've been corrected. My dad was a retired Navy submariner. And Paul Hyatt, which we all know, and they were all instrumental in getting that. area for the U.S. submarine vets. So congratulations, and I had just sent a message to my brother to see if my dad had served on the Nautilus. I don't know. I know that he served on a number of submarines, but what a great honor, and it'll go on forever. Congratulations.

Thank you. Thank you so Okay. Councilman Pickett, would you like to make a few comments?

I think it's really nice that you're doing this project, especially putting it in a memorial park because all the memorials that we have in our park are all from different veterans organizations. from all over the city and guys who's been served all over the world. So to have something here locally done by our youth, I think is very special. And how many badges do you have?

Congratulations. Awesome. Thank you. Congratulations.

Yes, congratulations. All right. Is there a motion to approve? So moved.

I have a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Congratulations. We're looking forward to it. Thank you. Before we move on to public to be heard, I'd like to share our standards of decorum that we follow here in council chambers as outlined in section 11 of the council rules. Our meetings are to conduct business of the city, and we ask that all participants please uphold the principles of civility, honor, and dignity. When addressing the dais, please use proper language, direct comments to the chair, and refrain from any and all personal attacks, disruptive

Thank you, sir. Stephen Greer. The clerk, please. Good evening.

This isn't a dialogue, sir. You can speak for up to three minutes and then the council can at the end of public comment at the end of the public to be heard. If the council wants to respond, they can.

I have three people signed up to speak for 7E. That's a consent agenda item. If you want to come up, I'll have you speak now as opposed to on 7E. It's Michael Jones?

Thank you. Would anyone else like to address public to be heard? Come forward, please. Please state your name for the record.

Thank you. Would anyone else like to address the council? Seeing no one, I'll close public to be heard. We're on to additions. Oh, council comments.

Yes, thank you, Madam Mayor. So I just have to put my comments on the record. I don't know where the rest of council stands. I believe that. Public safety is important. I've always backed law enforcement. I believe that our civil liberties and our constitution is important. I have called personally, me personally, have called for a complete pause on our program until we can develop an ordinance that identifies the city's official policy on this. We need to make sure, and I know a lot of these things are being implemented, But we need to make sure that there are punishments for misuse. We need

Thank you. Madam Mayor? Yes. Just for the record, and I know you might have not seen it because it did come out around 3 o'clock this afternoon, the chief did issue a policy as well as a white paper specifically on this, and so... I'm just I just want to make sure that that's just I came like at 306. So I'm sure not everyone got to see it. That's all.

Oh, thank you. I did. I did see that. I think there's a difference between a policy and a paper that's emailed and a public discussion on an important issue. So I do it with all due respect. I agree. But I do think there needs to be a discussion. And I'm supportive of pause until that discussion happens.

Yeah, I just you said that you want to see a policy come forward. So I was just noting it for the record that he just recommended a policy. So I appreciate your comments. I just wanted to make sure that it was clear that the chief has provided. I mean, I understand you have your opinion, but I think in fairness, because the chief isn't here this evening. So I don't want to. I definitely think the conversation, if it's going to come forward, needs to come forward when the chief of police is in the room. But he did provide that information. And so I just want to make sure that.

both sides are available for people to look at well and that's fair and the last time we publicly discussed this i know council was on board with having the city develop an ordinance and so i am supportive of having the city develop an ordinance that addresses those things and i think i think it's irresponsible of us to put the cart before the horse um until you know the policy should the the debated vetted policy with public input should come before um We have these cameras, which are a delicate balance between safety and constitutional protection. So I agree there's difference of opinion, bu

Also in that white paper, the police chief addressed that the nine cameras that's in county right away will be taken down by the vendor, and the nine cameras that's in the state right away will be taken down by the vendor. The city can't take them down. The vendor has to take them down. And there was a date. The date escapes me, Mr. City Manager. I don't have that date. It was sometime in October, but those 18 cameras will be taken down.

Mr. City Attorney, can you address the fact that the police chief has already instituted a pause based on the memo that came out a few weeks ago?

And it's going to come forward in the future. based on what the council directed at a prior meeting, correct? Just want to make sure that that's still in play. Thank you.

We're on to additions and deletions to the agenda and approval of the agenda. We've been asked to table seven I by the applicant. So please include that with the motion.

PUSH IN TO APPROVE CONSENT WITH ITEM 7I TABLED, AND I BELIEVE THEY ASKED FOR A DATE CERTAIN.

MADAM MAYOR, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. THIS IS THE REGULAR AGENDA.

OH, THIS IS THE REGULAR AGENDA. OKAY. GO AHEAD AND MOVE TO APPROVE THE REGULAR AGENDA.

WAS 7I TABLED FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA? YES.

They did provide a date. You don't want the date for the record? Yeah, it just said that they requested that no sooner than October 26th they're requesting the table for. Yep. Is there a second?

Second. Okay. I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Approval of consent. Is there a motion?

I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? Second. All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Moving on to second reading of ordinances. Ordinance 26-66.

I don't think we need one. Does anyone else need one?

Is there a motion? Motion to approve Ordinance 26-66 with the adoption with the changes.

Oh, it's not on here as a public hearing.

All right. Okay. Uh, so this is a public hearing this item. Would anyone like to address the council? Seeing no one will close the public hearing.

SECOND STILL STANDS. UNDER DISCUSSION, MADAM MAYOR. YES. I JUST WANT TO NOTE FOR THE RECORD, TOO, BECAUSE I KNOW WE SAID WE DON'T NEED A PRESENTATION, BUT WE DID HAVE AN EXTENSIVE PRESENTATION. WE DID. AND I REALLY DO THANK STAFF FOR TAKING THE TIME JUST TO VERIFY IF THERE WAS ANY ADDITIONAL THINGS THAT NEEDED TO BE ADDED TO THE COMP PLAN TO ENSURE THAT THAT IS FORWARD THINKING FOR THE FUTURE. SO YOU GUYS DID A GREAT JOB. THANKS. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS? All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Mr. Morejo, can we please make sure that these items are on here correctly and if there's a public hearing for them that it's listed on the agenda so the council is aware? Thank you.

Any questions for Ms. Sturgis? No. Thank you. Is there a motion, Council?

Motion to approve Ordinance 26-72. Second.

I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. 8C, Ordinance 26-86.

Motion to approve ordinance 26-86. Second.

I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. 8D, ordinance 26-87.

Motion to approve Ordinance 26-87. Second.

I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries.

Motion to approve Ordinance 26-88. Second.

I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. 8F, Ordinance 26-91.

I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Moving on to item 10, first reading of ordinances, 10A, ordinance 26-92.

Council, are there any ex parte communications to disclose? No. Thank you. Good evening.

If anyone's going to provide testimony, please stand so you can get sworn in.

ANY QUESTIONS? NO? OKAY. DOES THE APPLICANT WISH TO MAKE A PRESENTATION?

Thank you. Any questions for the applicant? No? Thank you. This item is a public hearing. Would anyone like to address the Council? Seeing no one, I'll close the public hearing. Council?

Motion to approve Ordinance 26-92. Second.

We have a motion and a second. Any final discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. 10B, Ordinance 26-93.

This item is a public hearing. Would anyone like to address the council? Seeing no one, I'll close the public hearing. Council?

Motion to approve ordinance 26-93. Second.

I have a motion and a second. All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Moving on to resolutions 11A, resolution 26-R77.

Go ahead. Thanks, Charlie, for the presentation. So I just want to make sure that the history on this is clear to you as well. You've been working on this readjustment before Amendment 3 was ever brought forward or even discussed by anybody, correct?

okay and the reason why i say that is because the city council has actively lowered its millage rate 11 years straight i think that we continue to apply pressure i'm sure city manager loves the pressure we continue to apply to continue to lower that rate and so upon examination from you and the finance department as far as how do we continue doing that the only way to be able to do that is to begin to stop subsidizing things that don't benefit the entirety or majority of the city and that's that to me is smart that's smart fiscal responsibility right because i'm going in to apply for a model h

And I don't know what's going to happen. Obviously, nobody does with Amendment 3, but I am going to say this, Mr. City Manager, depending on that outcome, be fully prepared.

that we will i will be one of five coming back i'm sure i'm not the only one that will be asking for further reductions in the millage going forward thank you any other comments yes thank you madam mayor so um on this i think you know it's it's very important um you know these fees haven't been adjusted since you said 2007. so i mean some of them you know i'm looking at them and i'm like they're going up considerably and so I'm glad that we have the you know the yearly adjustments and the three to five-year review because because that's important this the city's general fund should not be subs

Is there any way, I'm just thinking out loud, is there any way to kind of distinguish between a Walmart and a mom and pop? I know we do with like business tax.

Any other comments or questions? Okay. Is there a motion?

Motion to approve Resolution 26R-77. Second. Okay.

I have a motion and a second. Any final discussion? All those in favor? Any opposed? Motion carries. Moving on to 11B, Resolution 26-R78.

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? I JUST HAVE ONE COMMENT. THIS ONE IS THE SAME AS LAST, BUT I ALSO THINK THIS ONE HURTS A LITTLE BIT MORE BECAUSE EVERY FEE THAT WE CAN RECOVER ALLOWS US TO BUILD MORE ROADWAYS AND MORE PROJECTS. LAST TIME I CHECKED, WHICH I KNOW IS PROBABLY MORE EXPENSIVE NOW, BUT LAST TIME WE WERE TOLD A MILE OF SIDEWALK WAS HALF A MILLION. BY JUST THIS 2.8 MILLION SHORTFALL, THAT'S 5 MILLION, 5 MILES OF ADDITIONAL SIDEWALK YOU COULD POTENTIALLY DO A YEAR. utilize that $2.8 million to go after a grant for a $5.6 million project improvement. So again, just want to reiterate why it's so i

We have a motion and a second. Any final discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Thank you. 11C, Resolution 26-R79.

Second. I have a motion and a second. Any discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. Moving on to 13, new business, 13A, approved major site plan for PSL Westmoreland ALF.

Any questions for Ms. Tobin on the project? I think we're OK. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Council, to the direction.

I have a motion and a second. Any final discussion? All those in favor? Aye. Any opposed? Motion carries. 13B, approve the purchase and installation of three mosaic artworks proposed by Jay Muzaz at Torino Regional Park.

Questions? Comments? I'm good. You're good?

I'm not, I'm not going to, I'm going to go with whatever the council wants because to me it's not a whole dime. But I do, I love the idea of the pixel workshop. I think I understand why that put the artists over the edge with the incorporation of the public. But I like, this may not have even been his intent. I kind of do like Alex because when you look at dragons, for example, they're not, they're mythical creatures, but they're like derived from something. And so you could argue that an iguana, like someone saw an iguana and envisioned a dragon and that's where dragons came from. No differen

Madam Vice Mayor, I just want to say that dragons do exist, and I have slayed many of them. Okay!

I want your magic sword then. I don't know what books you're reading, but that's okay.

I just want to bring some fun to the public art discussion.

So are you going to get the sword? So there is a thing in the Florida House, I don't know if you guys know, where there's people that get dragon slayer swords. That's like a real thing. Yeah.

okay I'm really not like thrilled oh my god this is one great and wonderful to be honest with you I'm not really sure and I want to thank you for saying that because that's exactly I'm not really sure how unicorns mix with natural bears and cranes and bunnies that kind of is really like kind of just thrown in there I get the whimsical part but it doesn't really fit to me so The trailhead one is more in line with what we're trying to do from the nature perspective. The dragon's okay, but again, it's not exciting to me. Nothing really stands out as, oh, wow, like there's been other public art th

I feel exactly the same. I first looked at the trailhead one. I was like, okay, that's cool. I flipped next to the dragon. I'm like, okay. I like pieces of both artists. If we could combine both of them together, I think we'd have a winner. But to outright say this artwork is better than this artwork, I don't think so. I do like the iguana. To me, that's something that's cool. It looks cool.

I like the iguana, but A fire-breathing iguana? Yeah, it's different. It doesn't really speak to me. I don't know.

I don't know if residents would appreciate it. That's why we should have gone with the farm theme, but that's fine.

Well, I appreciate your input very much, and I understand it. My concern is, you know, we're spending funds, and it's not... You know, it's not really that great in my opinion. And if we're going to expend funds, I think it should be something that we're happy with as opposed to just this is just okay and let's just go with it for the sake of going with it. That's really never been our mantra here, right? We try to do it right the first time. And so... That's what I would prefer us to do. I'm good with that.

Well, you remember when they brought the different play elements in the park to us the first time? None of us liked those. Right. And we rejected that. And then what they brought back, everybody was excited about it. So I think if we did the same thing here, then we might see a better result the second time.

Okay, I'm fine with that. Again, we're going to spend funds. We have to be happy about what we're going to get as the end product.

Well, and what I like about the mural too is that it's no different than like our wraps and stuff. You have the opportunity for future artists to redesign it too because, I mean, it should be something that continues to live, right? So as trends happen, as things happen, AS FUTURE COUNCILS COME FORWARD, IT MIGHT BE A NEW ART PROJECT FOR NEW ARTISTS AND LOCAL ARTISTS 10, 15 YEARS FROM NOW. SO I THINK IT'S JUST A DIFFERENT APPROACH.

IS THERE A MOTION TO REJECT THE PROPOSAL AND START FRESH? SO MOVED. I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY FINAL DISCUSSION? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. City Manager's report.

So to tag on with Torino, New roundabouts at the intersections of Torino Parkway with California and Cashmere Boulevards have increased traffic capacity and pedestrian mobility while involving safety. These projects were funded by the half-cent sales tax approved by St. Lucie County voters in 2018, ensuring that improvements continue to benefit the community. To learn more about half-cent sales tax projects, visit cityofpsl.com forward slash sales tax. I will say that the traffic flows so nicely on Torino now, especially with the third one that was put in at Torino and Torino. It's the only is

On the 15th, I went to Florida Coast Medical Center's one-year anniversary and happy to say that they're doing well in our community and we really welcome them. The 17th, I went to Kate's going away party that we had here. The 25th, I attended the Treasure Coast Best Places to Work banquet. And I want to give congratulations to two of our employees who were singled out amongst their peers, Keisha Bryant and Corey Johnson. And also, big way to go for the city, we was named for the 18th straight year Best Place to Work. So good job to our HR team. My announcement is calling all decorating goblin

Vice Mayor? On the 17th, I also attended Kate's farewell. I'm so happy for her, but at the same time, we're so fortunate to have had her at the time that we did. I ALSO ATTENDED THE LEAGUE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING ON THE 24th THROUGH THE 26th. AND I'M GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF PAST PRESIDENTIAL PRIVILEGE. THIS WAS COUNCILMAN MORGAN'S LAST MEETING. AND I WANT TO THANK HER FOR HER SERVICE TO THE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES ON BEHALF OF I'm going to say on behalf of the current president, because I know Mark would agree with me, I think that it has been an absolute pleasure to have you side by

Sorry. Important announcement. Fall is the perfect time to clean out the garage and the shed, but not everything belongs in the trash. I'm getting old. I need glasses every once in a while. Keep Port St. Lucie beautiful. Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day offers residents a safe, convenient way to dispose of unwanted household chemicals, electronics, and other hazardous materials. The drive-thru event is 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, October 10th at Public Works Complex on Thornhill Drive. City staff will unload the materials at no cost. Find out what is accepted and what is not by visiting c

Awesome. Thank you. I too attended the Best Places to Work. Congratulations again to our city staff and the city of Port St. Lucie for being one of the best places to work in the community. Attended the Children's Services Council Update Luncheon where they honored several champions for children in the community. Attended my final meeting at the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. attended the Vietnam Veterans POW MIA Ceremony, and attended what was supposed to be my last meeting of the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee, but the members of the committee wanted me to be there to pass

Thank you. SO I ATTENDED COFFEE WITH THE COUNCIL, FIRE BOARD MEETING, HUMANE SOCIETY BOARD MEETING, FLORIDA COAST MEDICAL CENTER BOARD MEETING, AND THE ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY. AND VERY PROUD TO SAY THAT IN THE ONE YEAR THAT IT HAS BEEN OPENED, IT WON BEST HOSPITAL IN THE CITY. SO THAT'S REALLY AN AMAZING ACCOMPLISHMENT. I ALSO ATTENDED THE POW MIA CEREMONY AND THE CHILDREN'S SERVICES COUNCIL COMMUNITY IMPACT AWARDS. And for my announcement, the City of Port St. Lucie's Naturally PSL Green Spaces and Places program was recently awarded the 3CMA Award of Excellence for Resident Participation, whic