[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6382123,"mediaKeyId","2127566-5d472679259d9d9ff609de611c099723","parentId",2127566,"title","Commission approvals: advisory appointments, screening committee and zoning exception","audioSeconds",2636,"startMs",4304000,"endMs",6940000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2127566-5d472679259d9d9ff609de611c099723&start=4304&end=6940","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2127566-5d472679259d9d9ff609de611c099723/thumbnail_4304000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6382123/Florida/Commission-approvals-advisory-appointments-screening-committee-and-zoning-exception","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382123-84d3e63e9307fc88959bc69f74793c8f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150148&Signature=M2HD1uGfE8Udzeg17PwEexcwOadiXZdzrqbmRAGbQo514HOMopy4sRvpbpgNqzB8E7e-~kCaGTiOQ-F43oTNeLJrd0S19Ys9OZyUxa1t7XazD0R4snY6VuiVOZmkzoz69CU-XCfFyGQ9fu2J4ERmDQsow8-jrsGxjr18i6QQWvWOYkyHgeIV7y0c9aKNDVM7GAcqf-jCKELczjRYrNbG0m-r2SkT9ZerLuAFRv1S-eeac4F~hzNfeR3RH5-xISvZ-J7dn1VJpWok57Spbf95CnlhuwhJDscn495BlSHPlLRCjTwquyaXZhLGS3wOA-vUNlTnt9mmHUSgI2dRxiPNiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Stuart, FL","date","2025-01-18T01:03:52.553Z","article","Stuart, Fla. — The City of Stuart commission approved several routine but formal actions on Jan. 13, 2025, including advisory-board membership ratifications, the establishment of an environmental-attorney screening committee, an extension of that job posting, and a zoning exception to permit certain commercial projects while excluding multifamily residential developments.

Votes at a glance

- Advisory-board appointments (Resolution ratifying board members): The commission ratified appointed advisory-board members and adopted member terms for 2025. The resolution included appointments to the Community Redevelopment Board and the East Stuart Historical Committee. The roll call for the ratification was recorded as unanimous.

- CRB at-large appointment (Community Redevelopment Board, at-large seat): Clay (Clay) Scherer was appointed to the CRB at-large position by commission vote. Roll call: Commissioner Reid—Yes; Commissioner Clark—Yes; Mayor Campbell Rich—No; Vice Mayor Collins—Yes; Commissioner Gioby—Yes. Outcome: approved (4–1).

- Environmental-attorney screening committee (Resolution 08‑2025): The commission adopted a resolution creating a screening committee to evaluate candidates for the new environmental-attorney position. The committee will include city staff, one commissioner, and two public appointees; staff will finalize membership and timeline. Vote: unanimous by roll call.

- Extension of advertisement for environmental-attorney position: With a unanimous roll call the commission extended the job-posting deadline by 30 days (new deadline set in staff follow-up). Staff said the posting had been shared with the Florida Bar environmental-law section and municipal job boards.

- Zoning-in-progress exception for commercial-only projects (Resolution 09‑2025): The commission adopted an exception that allows commercial project applications that do not include a multifamily residential component to proceed. Commissioners amended the draft language to replace “multi residential” with “multifamily residential” for clarity. Vote: unanimous by roll call.

What the votes mean: The advisory-board ratifications and at-large appointment fill volunteer seats used for local boards. The environmental-resolution and ad extension launch the city’s search for legal expertise for environmental regulation and potential litigation. The zoning exception opens the permitting process for commercial projects that do not include new multifamily housing, clarifying that single-family home additions remain allowable under the code.

Ending — Staff will implement the commission’s decisions: HR and the screening committee will process environmental-attorney applications, the development office will accept commercial applications consistent with the new exception, and clerks will finalize advisory-board paperwork.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","1/13/2025 City Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","At its Jan. 13 meeting the City of Stuart commission ratified advisory-board appointments, approved an environmental-attorney screening committee and extended the hiring ad, and adopted an exception to the zoning-in-progress to allow non-multifamily commercial applications.","taxTitle","City of Stuart, Martin County, Florida","taxId",71255,"location","Florida","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6382128,"Commissioners raise homelessness and loss of local maternity services; city manager schedules hospital follow-up",4006,2514000,6520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2127566-5d472679259d9d9ff609de611c099723&start=2514&end=6520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2127566-5d472679259d9d9ff609de611c099723/thumbnail_2514000.jpg","/articles/6382128/Florida/Commissioners-raise-homelessness-and-loss-of-local-maternity-services-city-manager-schedules-hospital-follow-up","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382128-58aff4e4d24b6322476c4fd2ff1c58dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150148&Signature=ggoKPX5DSxihhIkdOYQxcTbeCsaO~BN4oznP4u29tncSuJvukCNOqJSLFRC6msy~7OqK4PetoIeATzBTbeCGGCQ1rC78vkUU0ncgs5FZYWTak2ZIpKwbxwsdP~8Rf3k068AUTlZW~u7NvZTCGotlS0LC3x98MfgOxrP2isceavAF43HOI3cmrJNNTop9wPlN5-HC9UcN~xEoaYLZrtMPuQ6KU1ML~rjULZkToBTtSEGhZOWwjwR7WrO704flpEsW1Tbea863MxqKSSIpMZYkoAjnTUyOnsvdt-Pm7iYihgK0gHBlN0Zm5~VVCclMOmRws9zGdDyLV7UZEcB57uCbHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Stuart, Fla. — Commissioners used the first meeting of 2025 to spotlight homelessness and the announced loss of nearby maternity and neonatal intensive-care access, and to press staff for follow-up steps.

Commissioner Gioby and Commissioner Clark described rising homelessness in the city and county and cited a statutory change they said took effect Jan. 1 (identified in the meeting as “statute 13/65”), which one commissioner summarized as making it unlawful to sleep outside on public land and directing municipalities to provide permitted camping locations with specified services (security, behavioral health, running water). Commissioners asked how the city would comply and what the county’s plans are to provide approved camping areas and services.

City Manager Mike Mortel and the city attorney said they had already met with county staff and the sheriff’s office about the new law and were preparing a standard operating procedure for city staff (parks, recreation and public works) to report evidence of camping or people storing personal items. Mortel said the police department already has policies in place and staff will deliver a reporting and follow-up system for city employees.

Commissioners also raised the scheduled April 2025 reduction in local maternity and neonatal services after Cleveland Clinic’s acquisition of Martin Memorial. Commissioners and the manager said residents could face a minimum 35-minute travel time to alternate services; Mortel said he had asked Cleveland Clinic’s Dr. Singh to attend a Feb. 10 meeting to explain the clinical and operational plan and answer commissioners’ questions.

Ending — The city manager said staff would assemble policy language and convene relevant partners — sheriff’s office, county, and hospital representatives — and bring updates to the commission at future meetings.

","Commissioners urged action on homelessness after a state law change and discussed an April 2025 loss of local maternity/neonatal services; city manager arranged Cleveland Clinic representation for a future meeting.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6382133,"Commission establishes environmental-attorney screening committee and extends hiring ad",1280,5170000,6450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2127566-5d472679259d9d9ff609de611c099723&start=5170&end=6450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2127566-5d472679259d9d9ff609de611c099723/thumbnail_5170000.jpg","/articles/6382133/Florida/Commission-establishes-environmental-attorney-screening-committee-and-extends-hiring-ad","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382133-cfcc96d2a0681ad44671406684a36270/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150148&Signature=aihKl9oRVYmJ4sdacgwfLb66g7udIzm8r5IntQDr3xuLdW4dVkPHG6vGpN-Y8s7KhK7gjbEZdZgOpp5oqOeicrin0U5PvBs7il6eFsa6H2phB5nfOEaURJBaTmDDGsayJ9DA2i3ppYZvNjjBAV9XR5xzwN9hZUtTxtUFNm550Z92zhYC3RtSgCIlVjL8fEadvEBweOpqXMaSurRGyvOPmVaVqBGDacZBEAg6OejHHd8NrwfvLbBOEvep~XOEXZ1rlozL1SsZ18Bo7wIYbWb5ZDtvqWA5tdJDAsnAhouNejcnjsNBGfXrh3QP3sHsH26sPjMkAxgLwYwTlbdhzgaucQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Stuart, Fla. — The City of Stuart adopted a resolution establishing a screening committee to evaluate applicants for a newly authorized environmental attorney position and voted to extend the application period for the posting.

City Manager Mike Mortel and staff presented a proposed screening process and job description for an environmental counsel position the commission previously authorized. The screening committee resolution passed unanimously; commissioners approved a committee composed of city staff and designated community members to review applications and produce candidate recommendations.

Several commissioners and members of the public urged the commission to consider outside specialized law firms or contract counsel in addition to an in-house hire. Attorneys and consultants who attended or addressed the meeting noted that complex water-quality and environmental litigation often requires specialized plaintiffs’ and defense counsel teams; they recommended retaining outside firms for certain litigation or technical work.

Following staff remarks, the commission voted to extend the public application deadline (the ad had been scheduled to close Jan. 17) by 30 days to broaden outreach and allow the screening committee to receive more candidates. Commissioners asked staff to confirm where the job ad is posted; staff said it had been sent to the Florida Bar environmental-law section and to standard municipal job boards. The commission did not limit the committee’s authority to recommend either a permanent in-house attorney or an arrangement using outside counsel.

Ending — The screening committee will review applicants and return recommended candidates and any recommended adjustments to scope (in‑house vs. outside counsel) to the commission for a hiring decision.

","Commission approved a screening committee to recommend an environmental attorney and extended the application period after commissioners debated in-house counsel versus outside-specialty firms.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6382138,"Florida Faith Alliance urges local awareness, county plans task force after Stuart presentation",1013,1117000,2130000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2127566-5d472679259d9d9ff609de611c099723&start=1117&end=2130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2127566-5d472679259d9d9ff609de611c099723/thumbnail_1117000.jpg","/articles/6382138/Florida/Florida-Faith-Alliance-urges-local-awareness-county-plans-task-force-after-Stuart-presentation","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382138-614257ae396e005375f14c655a00bfbd/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150148&Signature=HTwAxLvz6fqRdzCKz49lfymPYFRsgNFdz57aA7Sn8V-ffSpC8-9IdQou8qEdqc34QcxEcQwG2AUha2NTgmN~PaXRqPnFQXZL7e46U6RNOO-~Bm3ch3qPTHzkKg6t7EvF2ZC4hb1dd4Od9M4P5cnjGqECEzc1woSBM9l9SUVxDt8mPIfIT8o30kajVX~r60hB7e2zx10HbeViuccFx9PR3HJvMKVt79jtPeb2UYbgbuyrhU5w4bedB~6zR~JwLlSTbltdUPJFv32wq8jTT3PfHMl9AsDtTwMiiACtbkfqi7RLbQ3tx9Kkuimif8zsM9Sh4~rL47eKrk3CLRJpvraTJw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Stuart, Fla. — Lynn Barletta, founder of the Florida Faith Alliance, described awareness and prevention work on human trafficking during a City of Stuart proclamation and encouraged local officials and residents to support training, tip lines and a regional task force.

Barletta accepted the city’s proclamation declaring January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month and presented an awareness campaign called “Don’t Take the Bait,” which includes curricula and videos targeted at school-age children.

Barletta said Florida ranks third in hotline calls nationwide and recounted local cases and arrests: she told commissioners she and her organization had helped generate tips that led to multiple arrests in Martin County and nearby communities, including a December 2024 local arrest for grooming described in the presentation. She said her materials have trained school staff and county employees and that the program planned to reach tens of thousands of local students and employees.

In follow-up remarks, Chief Tuminelli and other officials said the Stuart Police Department is working with regional partners on Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task-force cooperation. Chief Tuminelli said an MOU with a regional ICAC group (Broward County–led task force) is on his desk and will be brought to the commission for consideration in the next meeting or two. Commissioners and the city manager said the sheriff’s office and federal Homeland Security investigative partners have been involved in local cases.

Barletta also noted recent state legislation and enforcement steps. She said HB 3 and other anti-trafficking bills passed in 2024 tightened state rules; commissioners and speakers cited those bills during questions about prevention and enforcement.

Ending — Officials asked staff to provide details and next steps: the police department indicated it will present formal task-force documents and a proposed MOU to the commission for approval at an upcoming meeting.","Florida Faith Alliance founder Lynn Barletta presented a city proclamation declaring January Human Trafficking Awareness Month, described local arrests and awareness work, and urged local agencies to adopt training and reporting practices; police said an ICAC memorandum of understanding is forthcoming.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6382142,"City debate over Brightline grant request ends without new commitment after county warning",2773,2757000,5530000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2127566-5d472679259d9d9ff609de611c099723&start=2757&end=5530","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2127566-5d472679259d9d9ff609de611c099723/thumbnail_2757000.jpg","/articles/6382142/Florida/City-debate-over-Brightline-grant-request-ends-without-new-commitment-after-county-warning","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6382142-40c123a2bf144c59ed77e0600dc8b128/orig.mp4?Expires=1771150148&Signature=eOMSVKtzCfgPpbPf12T3PAVURbLGDTnOiw9vK06TMRWT-jnze-Lc13dAUsoMjQZ4~pzEKkgf4Jvl2TiBAMpKAYTwBG29~3S2uT529vSFviMz5KYNRZv1hQ0MZ1ruFEBiEMQTIPq1iEO32yYzZ3IvbGBdmb~F07Tni9NtnHucpTajgjQhSVZ0L2CcEMX5usAK4eNWW0Fi254yfA~OIGqsqcjybY2wUozDjulM-9F36ZdTs0YFG3mwn3lc-XuAjB9EaJkoC0RSSJ7mB3o5EKB30QkCjgcUhAg0vpyDDF9~R-IZuNERlkK9mso~b~nZ74me2S1ZLNI0Wd5dWKUDtOeOrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Stuart, Fla. — City commissioners discussed a request from Martin County for a letter of support for a grant application tied to a proposed Brightline station, but no new commitment was made after a motion to provide a letter was withdrawn.

The county sent a January 7 letter asking the City of Stuart to provide a letter of support for the county’s grant application for a downtown rail station. The county’s letter warned that a refusal would be a breach of section 6 of an interlocal agreement between the county and the city and “may” prompt legal action, language several commissioners described during the meeting as a threat of lawsuit.

Commissioners raised several legal and policy questions. Vice Mayor Collins and Commissioner Gioby (spoke under the name on record) said the county’s move appeared to preempt prior negotiations and to change terms of the 2018/2023 agreements with Brightline. They argued the county had already altered the cost-sharing arrangements and that the current county grant filing did not reflect the interlocal agreement the city previously relied on.

City Manager Mike Mortel told commissioners the county asked for the city’s letter by Jan. 21 and that staff cannot respond to the county without a commission vote because responding would require a public-agenda action under Florida’s Sunshine laws. Mortel said the item could go on the Jan. 27 meeting agenda for a formal decision.

During public comment and an extended commission exchange, at least one commission member moved to supply the letter of support but later withdrew the motion amid objections about procedure and the underlying interlocal agreement. A formal vote to provide the requested letter did not take place; the motion was explicitly withdrawn from the record.

Commissioners discussed alternatives including amending the interlocal agreement, rescinding disputed performance obligations, or leaving the matter to be taken up later with a full agenda and public notice. Commissioner Gioby recommended placing an agenda item returning the interlocal-agreement options and any letter request on the Jan. 27 agenda.

The commission also discussed the broader planning context: the project’s appearance in the Martin County MPO long-range plan and references to the county comprehensive plan and shared fiscal obligations. Several commissioners said they were open to a county-funded grant application in principle but not if it changed previously agreed cost-sharing or land conveyance terms.

Ending — The commission concluded the meeting without producing the requested letter. City staff said they would place the county’s request on a future agenda if the commission directs it; absent that formal agenda item no city action can be taken.

","City commissioners debated a county request for a letter supporting a Brightline train station grant. A motion to provide a letter was made and later withdrawn after commissioners raised legal and policy concerns; staff said any formal response requires a future agenda item.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission approvals: advisory appointments, screening committee and zoning exception

Commissioners raise homelessness and loss of local maternity services; city manager schedules hospital follow-up

Commission establishes environmental-attorney screening committee and extends hiring ad

Florida Faith Alliance urges local awareness, county plans task force after Stuart presentation

City debate over Brightline grant request ends without new commitment after county warning