Board of County Commissioners- Informal Meeting (2024-05-14)

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA Informal Meeting May 14, 2024 Convened: 1:00 PM Adjourned: 2:54 PM 1. CALL TO ORDER - CATHY TOWNSEND, CHAIR BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS The meeting was called to order at 1:00 PM by Chair Cathy Townsend, District No. 5. 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 Robyn Saint-Paen, Library Division Director Mark Freed, Library Division Manager of Grant Services Charles Lockwood, Library Division Manager of Information Technology Daniel Zrallack, County Engineer Benjamin Balcer, Planning & Development Services Director Sonji Hawkins, Emergency Management Division Director Oscar Hance, Emergency Management Division Manager Katrina Slay, Agenda Coordinator Vera Smith, Deputy Clerk Recording Secretary 2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 3. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Parliamentary Procedure Demonstration by the Fort Pierce Westwood Future Farmers of America Jenna Blankenbaker, an Agriculture (AG) Teacher and Future Farmers of America (FFA) Advisor at Fort Pierce Westwood Academy provided the Board with a brief demonstration of parliamentary procedure. The demonstration was hosted by a team of six members: Elizabeth Rufo – Chair Lilly Revels Laila Chastine

BOCC Informal Meeting Tuesday, May 14, 2024 1:00 PM 2 | P a g e Berkley Barnes Alyssa Coppock Jayden Weil Ms. Blankenbaker provided details of the debate and, with no time for preparation, she provided each member with a topic card for discussion. Each member must make a main motion and an additional motion, followed by four debates and two more motions. The process changes each time, allowing students to think in real-time. They are judged on their use of proper parliamentary procedure and Robert's Rules of Order, with a time limitation of 11 minutes for all orders of business. They proposed hosting a clinic for students applying for Surprised Agricultural Experience (SAE) grants, highlighting their significance for agricultural education, and underscoring the importance of SAE grants for financially challenged students. The Board commended the members for their enhanced communication skills and addressed meeting procedures. The presentation was provided for informational purposes, and no consensus was made. B. St. Lucie County Library System Robyn Saint-Paen, Director, Mark Freed, Manager of Grant Services, and Charles Lockwood, Information Technology Manager of the Library Division provide the Board with a brief overview of the Library Services Department. The library's mission is to advance knowledge, inspire lifelong learning, and strengthen the community. The St. Lucie County Library System began when the St. Lucie County Library Association was established in 1946 with a bequeath from PB Cobb, a prominent citizen of Fort Pierce. In 1954, the Fort Pierce branch of the St. Lucie County Library System opened with $23,000 raised through door-to-door fundraising and donations. It was the first county-supported library in the state of Florida. In 1958, the St. Lucie County Library Association entered a deal with the Okeechobee County Commission to form a regional library system. There are currently six library branches and a single joint facility partnership with the Pruitt Campus of Indian River State College. The library is also supported by a Library Advisory Board which consists of nine members. The library consists of 7.5 full-time equivalents (FTEs). In 2023, 777,000 books and other materials were checked out, 468,000 visited the library, 326,000 browsed the library site and 34,000 came into the library to enjoy a program or service. As of April 2024, 447,000 items have circulated, which has trended up by 3%, and the digital streaming service circulation is up 31%. Both digital and book checkouts are up 12%. At present, around 20,000 people have been to the library to enjoy a program and remain busy. The current budget for general operations is about $6.5 million costing the total county residents an approximate $15 per year to enjoy services and programs. The library is committed to being good stewards of taxpayers' dollars, taking every opportunity to look at efficiencies, return on investment, and cost savings. There are two new facilities on the horizon the Morningside and Port St. Lucie Branch. The Morningside Branch expansion building will be a small tween-friendly space with a focus on

BOCC Informal Meeting Tuesday, May 14, 2024 1:00 PM 3 | P a g e dedicated programming and skill building for many students who may visit for before and after school care. The Port St. Lucie Branch will be demolished and replaced with a modern structure double the size of the current building. It will have programming space with updated technology to better serve the community. During the construction phase, temporary container offices will be set up at the edge of the property to ensure limited service continuity. There will also be some self-services at the Port St. Lucie Community Center. The new Port St. Lucie Branch will have a robot library, a vending machine with curated books, and digital Amazon lockers for 24/7 pickup. The library's digital resources, include databases, e-books, and streaming services, to keep pace with changing times. Also, library program services include summer reading and STEM/STEAM classes, and specialized spaces like the memory studio and digital lab. In closing staff highlighted the Library Division's accomplishments with community resources with the school system to inform students about the wide variety of career opportunities upon graduation, summer reading collaboration with the Parks & Recreation Division/St. Lucie County Public Schools, public art, Book-A-Tech, services for Spanish-speaking communities, Music Mondays Program, and the new limited edition library cards to increase user signups. Commissioner Fowler inquired about the start date for the construction of the Port St. Lucie Library. The staff has been informed that the ongoing bid for the project has been postponed until June 19, 2024. They intend to keep the library open for summer reading, so it will be closing on August 3, 2024, and they are considering a date in September. The staff was asked about the age limit for summer reading participation and advised there is no age restriction for the summer reading program. The presentation was provided for informational purposes, and no consensus was made. C. Draft Mining Permit Exemptions Presentation Daniel Zrallack, County Engineer, presented the Board with an overview of the drafted Mining Permit Exemptions. According to the County Land Development Code, mining is any activity that entails the excavation or removal of earth over 100 cubic yards (5 truckloads) from one (1) parcel of property to another parcel of property, or from one (1) area of a parcel of property to another area on the same parcel if a public road is used. The difference between mining and mining permit exemptions is that mining is for commercial purposes. Excavated materials are sold as a business, typically with a permit lasting up to 20 years, and go through the full permitting process and require the submittal of a mining permit application. Mining permit exemptions are for everything else and are not a commercial mining operation, usually consisting of much smaller excavation areas associated with a development, but they also require the submittal of the permit application process. Section 11.05.11 A.2., of the Land Development Code outlines activities that are exempt from the mining permit requirement, including an exemption for the removal of material for development in which the material is being excavated to provide on-site stormwater management. Several exemptions are listed in that section for installing utilities, digging drainage ditches, removal of material from an existing agricultural operation, and swimming pools. The Board may grant an exemption when the material is being excavated associated with on-site development. The removal of over 100 cubic yards requires a public hearing. In both mining permit

BOCC Informal Meeting Tuesday, May 14, 2024 1:00 PM 4 | P a g e exemptions, staff complete an evaluation to ensure there are no undue adverse effects on adjacent properties with every application. Staff provided examples of recently approved mining permit exemptions of excavated fill leaving each site and highlighted: • Azalea (5,000 cubic yards/250 truckloads) • Cabo Rio Resort (30,000 cubic yards/1,500 truckloads) • Creekside (900,000 cubic yards/45,000 truckloads) Off-site hauling assists with elevation restrictions, adjacent flooding, maintaining drainage, site conditions, landscaping, profit margins, etc. Developers are encouraged to use as much as possible onsite to assist with damage to roadways, disruption to neighbors, additional traffic, etc. In the process of the exemption, the applicant has the responsibility of applying, posting a public notice sign for a public hearing at the site in a location with high public visibility, and establishing a bond for potential roadway damage. The County has the responsibility of an ad for the public hearing, mailer notices, haul route evaluation, staff report, roadway monitoring, pre-haul inspection and video, periodic inspections, and post-hauling inspections for any adverse effects. The fees for the exemption include a $350 application fee and approximately ±$250 for a public notice sign for the applicant. The County's portion of the cost includes a ±$400 public hearing newspaper ad, $25-$50 for mailed notices, and $300-$1,500 for 5 to 10 staff hours, totaling between $725 and $1,950. The application fee of $350 paid to the County is intended to cover all County expenditures, but it does not. Staff provided an overview of other counties in Florida that have similar application fees for mining permits and exemptions, and they ranged from $125 up to $5,000. Staff advised the $350 for the mining permits is very low and can be visited later to be increased. As for the mining permit exemptions, staff are suggesting increasing the amount from $300 to $1,000 to appropriately cover the County’s portion of the cost on each application. Resolution 97-029 needs to be updated with the listed fees collected within the County to align with the county's expenditure. Staff suggested that mining permit exemptions of 30,000 cubic yards and below be administratively approved, while exemptions over 30,000 cubic yards require a public hearing for the Board's approval. The Board discussed the potential changes to application fees for developers and potential involvement in mining operations within city limits. Upon discussion, the Board agreed to increase the mining permit exemption application fee from $350 to $ 1,000 and staff administratively approved mining permit exemption applications under 30,000 cubic yards and reporting to the Board, with applications over 30,000 cubic yards requiring a public hearing. Staff will bring the item back to the Board. D. Follow up on Potential LDC Text Amendment for 4H Pigs in Residential Zoning Districts Benjamin Balcer, Planning & Development Services Director, and Monica Graziani, Building & Code Regulations Manager presented to the Board an update on the potential of the Land Development Code (LDC) to allow pigs, associated with the County's 4H and Future Farmers of America (FFA) Programs, within certain residential zoning districts in unincorporated St. Lucie County. In a previous meeting, the Board directed staff to analyze a potential text amendment to allow for the keeping of pigs on residentially zoned plots, with a lot size of 1 acre or more. The existing County regulations allow livestock keeping, including pigs within the AG and AG Residentially Zoned

BOCC Informal Meeting Tuesday, May 14, 2024 1:00 PM 5 | P a g e properties. Agriculture Residential properties may not house livestock within 100 ft. of any adjacent property line. The existing regulations prohibit livestock within Residential Zoning Districts with the focus of controlling noise, odor, and pests which can become a nuisance and impact neighbors. The staff has determined that approximately 933 residentially zoned parcels would be eligible for the program if the ordinance stipulates a lot size standard of 1 acre or more. Staff highlighted specific areas of the County that would be eligible to participate in the program including White City, Indian River Estates, Indian River Drive, numerous lots north of Midway Road/Sunrise Drive/Easy Street, and western Indian River Estates. The unincorporated areas surrounding the City of Fort Pierce, many parcels north of Edwards Road around Indian River State College, south of Orange Avenue around the Jenkins and Hartman Road corridors, and Harmony Heights would also qualify for the program. The eligibility of the program is limited in the northern section of the County within the Lakewood Park area, but it does include the area north of Indrio Road along Conleys Place and Grovers Road. Residents in the Lakewood Park area contacted the staff to request them to increase the ability to keep livestock on their property. Staff advised the Board's interest in discussing certain standards including setback requirements, a registration program coordinated with the 4H extension office, and the duration of use limits. Staff drafted the proposed regulations, including using the adopted backyard chicken registration program as a guide: • All residentially zoned parcels 1 acre or greater not protected under the county Riverine Shoreline Protection regulations would be eligible. • Limit the number of pigs to one (1) per child enrolled in the 4H or FFA Program with a maximum limit of two (2) pigs per acre. • A minimum size requirement of a 10x10 ft. pen for pig enclosures. • All enclosures and confinement fencing be located at a minimum of 30 ft. from the adjacent property line and 100 ft. from a residence under different ownership. The enclosure and fence area should be at the rear of the lot. • Screening of the pig enclosure from adjacent properties with a 6 ft. tall opaque fence, wall, or vegetative buffer. • Duration of use standard of 16 weeks prior to the County Fair. • Eligibility registration requirement for the 4H or FFA student and property owner will need to submit a signed and notarized affidavit confirming understanding and compliance with the program. Including a letter from the 4H extension agent or appropriate school official confirming care with a sketch of the enclosure and fenced-in area meeting the setback and size standards. • County staff will be responsible for the inspection of the property prior to issuing the registration. • If the registration holder is found in violation and is not corrected the registration will be revoked. The student will be responsible for an appropriate location for the pig within thirty (30) days. Staff previously discussed the ability to construct additional pens at the 4H farm, as an option if a pig needs to be relocated. Staff requested the Board provide input on certain provisions of a future text amendment that would be presented by staff for approval.

BOCC Informal Meeting Tuesday, May 14, 2024 1:00 PM 6 | P a g e Berley Barnes of the Fort Pierce Westwood FFA Program commented on the 16-week duration standard regulation and suggested that a more reasonable time frame might be necessary, considering that some 4H and FFA members participate in swine circuit (livestock) competitions across the state and country throughout the year. Mr. Balcer commented on the amendment of the policy and the importance of incorporating everyone's situation into the drafted language. He advised the Board would decide to allow for certain stipulations and multiple fair activities for FFA students. The 16-week duration was discussed with the Extension Office and compared to other municipalities that have the same type of regulation within their land development code. The amendment is mainly for residential neighborhoods not for farm areas. All participants would need to be members of 4H or the FFA Program. Commissioner Dzadovsky commented on the item and advised it does not fit into the residential classification the same as backyard chickens. He expressed concern regarding the challenges of the proposal to allow chickens/pigs in residential areas due to potential nuisance for neighbors. He also questioned the legality of zoning the exemption. He mentioned that the nuisance is being brought to the neighbors who do not farm and advised that he would not support the item if brought forward for approval, not because of FFA or 4H, but due to its inappropriate location. He would be more supportive of creating more space at the facilities that are available such as the 4H farm and the fairground. Chair Townsend commented and advised that she supports the item moving forward and providing the programs with what would be needed with the direction of the Board. Commissioner Fowler commented that upon listening to the FFA program members and their concerns she feels the proposed changes would not meet the needs of participants. She expresses concern about the need for a different conversation about zoning regulations for kids with multiple pigs. Commissioner Leet commented on the proposed lot/acreage for program members, but the duration needs to be updated. He is for the proposed moving forward at the Board's discretion. Lilly Revels, Jayden Weil, Elizabeth Rufo, and Berkley Barnes of the Fort Pierce Westwood FFA Program inquired about their specific situations, training process, and nuisance complaints, and expressed concerns about the regulations. The group emphasized the importance of the item moving forward to provide more opportunities for students to have the ability to show any type of livestock or market animals and keep the passion of the programs. Ms. Graziani asked if the Board would like to move forward with the possibility of allowing properties with less than one acre to participate with the stipulation that regulates adjacent property owners would provide their consent to swine on the neighboring property with maintenance requirements. Commissioner Bartz expressed concern about the duration time frame and advised more work

BOCC Informal Meeting Tuesday, May 14, 2024 1:00 PM 7 | P a g e needs to be done and she is in support of 4H, but there is a difference in living in a residential area and would need more input. The Board discussed spot zoning, revision of the proposed duration standard of use, concerns of neighbors, code complaints, eligible areas, enforcement mechanisms, acreage, and the need for more time to address zoning regulations for agricultural land. The Board suggested meeting with more FFA and 4H groups to get additional input on regulations and scheduling a town hall meeting to get more public input on the proposed policy change The Board suggested staff continue discussions on the proposed policy and return with any revisions or additional information in a couple of months. E. Proposed Joint Meeting with the City of Port St. Lucie Discussion George Landry, the County Administrator, discussed with the Board the upcoming joint meeting with the City of Port St. Lucie on June 13, 2024, tentatively. The City of Port St. Lucie sent a letter to the County requesting a joint meeting to discuss the shared traffic network. The County responded with a letter expressing interest in coordinating a joint meeting to discuss long-range plans including various city services, including transit, traffic, solid waste, Commerce Center Drive, and Southern Groves. Upon discussion, the following topic of discussion will be proposed for the June joint meeting with the City of Port St. Lucie: • Update on Transit Services • Traffic network Rangeline Road • Update on the City's 2045 Mobility Plan • Update on Solid Waste • Update on Southern Groves • Airport update County staff and the City of Port St. Lucie's staff will discuss before the meeting about mining and Commerce Center Drive. If they decide on these matters, there will be no need for further discussion. They will focus on updates about commerce and mining and may consider adding other topics later. There also were mentions of the ongoing discussion with West Energy regarding the Tropicana property purchase. F. Public Safety Department Update - 2024 Atlantic Hurricane Season Oscar Hance, Emergency Management Division Manager, and Sonji Hawkins, Public Safety Assistant Director, presented to the Board the 2024 hurricane season outlook and preparedness measures in St. Lucie County. The 2023 hurricane season was the fourth most active on record, with 20 storms, 7 hurricanes (including 4 major), and 1 that made landfall in Florida. FEMA and its federal partners have provided more than $820 million to help with disaster recovery. The 2024 hurricane outlook predicts a busy season. Currently, the El Niño conditions are likely to transition to La Niña conditions over the next few months, leading to hurricane-favorable wind conditions. Sea surface temperatures in the Eastern and Central Atlantic are currently at record warm levels and are anticipated to remain well above average for the upcoming hurricane season. The warmer- than-normal tropical Atlantic provides a more favorable dynamic and thermodynamic environment for hurricane formation. The forecast predicts a higher-than-average likelihood of major hurricanes

BOCC Informal Meeting Tuesday, May 14, 2024 1:00 PM 8 | P a g e hitting land, with 23 named storms, 11 hurricanes, and 5 Cat-3 expected for 2024. Staff advised it only takes one hurricane to make landfall to make it an active season. Staff highlighted the County's disaster preparedness guide, weather stem, friendly shelters (11 general population, 2 pet friendly, and 2 special needs), and Emergency Operation Center, emphasizing the importance of thorough preparations for every hurricane season and collaboration in emergency management. Public Safety staff have participated/will participate in several events throughout the County including Earth Day, Public Safety Festival, Community Preparedness Day, and the Hurricane Expo to inform residents and visitors of the importance of being prepared. The Emergency Management Division engages in various training exercises and outreach events to prepare for hurricanes and other hazards. The presentation was provided for informational purposes, and no consensus was made. 4. ADJOURNMENT With no other information to be brought for consideration before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 2:54 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.