[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6564730,"mediaKeyId","3273958-1cd83c5ffd540a0976121fe9be2620a9","parentId",3273958,"title","Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County outline anchoring-limitation areas for inlet; county to file ordinance with state","audioSeconds",3325,"startMs",4095000,"endMs",7420000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3273958-1cd83c5ffd540a0976121fe9be2620a9&start=4095&end=7420","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3273958-1cd83c5ffd540a0976121fe9be2620a9/thumbnail_4095000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6564730/Fort-Pierce/St-Lucie-County/Florida/Fort-Pierce-St-Lucie-County-outline-anchoring-limitation-areas-for-inlet-county-to-file-ordinance-with-state","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564730-4686373b9651b8ce8669044c8e8ef58c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443026&Signature=Eyc4Q8HIqgupoiOcJZtzICt~Y7FIWLFbctjE~X5J93tQldnJ9ivLxJXfrVo4ZmiKHcjCjMW2GG7rLXrUd-1TjkafP8aXB5CfKAGFk96co-vCvsOZMx6DZOkE1mufHFbjhLSNBoG25lV-rlXMzMsqZPeT1KHEkby4zH6Gi8Y8ZOY03~gwuoeov~q1cODe54fHRv4WRoU2pY8fWe7Tls3KBE3EvDjXkpfeB1z~94QHOLjTcMMoKCgjsc60tHZp9uhCuhy79iPONo1LlqfP-ZROQugURHUqUXEyIoxDYEUCyOBLbk5xBRRsw18mMG1y4iCZEmqf3NzbS3SNZJF9ySPppA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Fort Pierce","date","2025-05-12T00:00:00Z","article","The City of Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County presented a draft ordinance and interlocal agreement intended to limit long-term anchoring in the Fort Pierce inlet, a measure county staff will submit to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) for review.

What the ordinance would do: Under the state statute cited by staff, the county must adopt the ALA ordinance. The draft limits any vessel from anchoring continuously more than 45 days within a designated Anchoring Limitation Area (ALA) in any six-month period. A vessel that reaches the 45-day limit must vacate \"all anchoring limitation areas\" and the immediate area for at least 24 hours and travel a minimum of 1 mile from the ALA before re-anchoring in those areas. The map shown to the commission identified multiple parcels in the inlet (each parcel below the statutory 100-acre limit) focused along the south side of the channel near Seaway Drive/Causeway and the north side around Wesley's Island. Exemptions identified in the draft ordinance include law enforcement, firefighting and rescue, commercial dredging, commercial fishing actively tending gear, riparian rights, mooring, and vessels within the Intracoastal Waterway.

Enforcement and staffing: City marina and code-enforcement staff said the marina would provide the primary on-water contact, notifying vessels, tracking days anchored and collecting evidence on potential violations. Marina staff said they will work with FWC, the sheriff
nd state law enforcement partners to issue citations and, in repeated cases, remove vessels (removals are not automatic and require enforcement actions). Marina staff reported plans for daily on-water presence through assigned code-enforcement personnel and said they have requested additional vessels and equipment. County representatives said the county will fund consultant work, signage and buoys and will assist with vessel removals; the county also has a derelict-vessel removal list and said five vessels were expected to be released by FWC for removal soon.

Waste-discharge and pump-out facilities: Commissioners and staff emphasized public concerns about discharge and wastewater from anchored vessels. Staff noted three nearby pump-out facilities (the City Marina, Harbour Town/Safe Harbor and a private Pelican facility) and the city's current $5 pump-out charge. Marina leaders said that charging a modest fee had encouraged pump-out use and that private mobile pump-out options exist but may not always be used by transient boaters.

Process and timeline: County staff said the county's ordinance must be submitted to FWC for a mandatory 30-day advertisement period before the county commission can adopt it; the city will then return an interlocal agreement to the commission for approval after the county's process advances. County staff said they had started the FWC process but had not yet submitted the final package; the earliest the city would consider an interlocal agreement was after FWC review and the county commission action.

Why it matters: The ALA aims to balance navigation safety, port access and public-use of the inlet against marina and resident complaints about continuous live-aboard anchoring, derelict vessels and possible impacts on water quality. Commissioners asked for clear enforcement commitments and a regular update on costs, staffing and the effect on the marina enterprise fund.

Quotations from the meeting
\"People will still be able to anchor in them, as provided within the law,\" City attorney staffer said when briefing the commission on the county draft.
\"If a boat has to move 1 day, that tells us that that boat is functional and it is not a derelict vessel,\" marina staff said, describing how movement can demonstrate vessel operability.

Ending
County and city staff will continue to refine the map, finalize the county\u000fWC submission and return an interlocal agreement for the commission\fonsideration after FWC advertising and county commission action. Commissioners asked for follow-up briefings on enforcement staffing, equipment needs and derelict-vessel removal status.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Fort Pierce - City Commission Regular Meeting - May 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The City of Fort Pierce and St. Lucie County presented a draft anchoring-limitation ordinance for the Fort Pierce inlet that would restrict continuous anchoring to 45 days in a six-month period and require a 24-hour, 1-mile break; county staff will file the ordinance with FWC and return to the city with an interlocal agreement.","taxTitle","Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County, Florida","taxId",55008,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6564736,"Fort Pierce review finds staffing, training and evidence-handling gaps; commissioners call for rapid follow-up",2180,6770000,8950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3273958-1cd83c5ffd540a0976121fe9be2620a9&start=6770&end=8950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3273958-1cd83c5ffd540a0976121fe9be2620a9/thumbnail_6770000.jpg","/articles/6564736/Fort-Pierce/St-Lucie-County/Florida/Fort-Pierce-review-finds-staffing-training-and-evidence-handling-gaps-commissioners-call-for-rapid-follow-up","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564736-7f1584d58162f4f95a59cd6f364b5522/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443026&Signature=WzPGatTcUbY6tQ5y0MUY40K8U~y27si-lEC8MG3Mnlh0j36u~xDFt1fIi8QTCPuH4Mo~SCxH53WWpt7JHU9cCThf~OJDDMhw5v-BuXlSp3s31dRO2CSkRq96NuNdIavk2Pvl9qX5X9E~wPAiFRcotT-ITZxBMxDOLtlhTzPRZZTj9zuCY45gBb6NqDa4AcQmSArDkDIBysTnGdJ6imRl2t1XPN1JQgvkE1ZyVhPUMB7j081BAHtupV-fomg6EWd8VlludSmZzwXmCaCBDQftixdT7SP9pKIoObzyY64N9-~5Mq8F1NzbVtXZQST5aFwmAiQubVCIg7Si2-YmxOv2aA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A consultant hired by the City of Fort Pierce found the police department understaffed, pressed by higher-than-expected workload and turnover, and using several processes that the consultant says should be modernized.

The final \"Police Operations and Data Analysis Report\" by the Center for Public Safety Management (CPSM) recommended changes ranging from pay-and-retention reviews to replacing some sworn positions with civilian staff, modernizing policies and procedures, improving training and clarifying evidence-handling procedures.

CPSM reviewed calls-for-service data and department organization, interviewed staff and compared Fort Pierce to nearby agencies. The consultant, Michael J\u0000. Jones (CPSM), told the commission the department should set minimum patrol staffing levels (a CPSM recommendation: 15 sworn officers per shift as a baseline) and said retention has become a national problem with local effects. \"From the very first of the hiring process until an officer is fully trained to go solo in the field is usually about 9 months to a year and it could cost almost a hundred thousand dollars,\" Jones said.

Why it matters: commissioners said the findings intersect with public safety, city reputation and budgeting priorities. Commissioner Chris Taylor stated he had reached a conclusion after the presentation: \"I'm ready for a change in our management at the police department.\" Commissioner Broderick proposed a special commission meeting to address the report's findings and funding options.

What the report found (high-level)
- Staffing and retention: CPSM documented elevated turnover and recommended a market comparison of pay and recruitment incentives; the report noted agencies in the region are offering larger hiring and lateral bonuses.
- Patrol staffing: CPSM recommended minimum squad staffing levels (15 officers per shift, with 17 preferred in some analyses) to reduce response gaps and enable sustained enforcement. Department leaders said community policing and response demands already strain the patrol force; Deputy Chief Kenny Norris told the commission the department handled roughly 100,000 calls for service over the prior year and is short dozens of officers.
- Civilianization: CPSM identified locations where sworn time could be shifted to civilian employees (property/evidence processing, information technology support and other technical roles) to return sworn officers to field duties.
- Policies, procedures and training: CPSM found several policies out of date and recommended a centralized, modern policy platform (for example Lexipol or an equivalent), plus more formal supervisor and leadership development, and regular, measurable training and succession planning.
- Evidence handling: CPSM and department leaders agreed the evidence/property room and chain-of-custody processes needed review and modernization after a documented mishandling that the department has been remediating. Major Eric Chan described the recent hiring of a civilian evidence technician and additional oversight steps; the department said a sworn officer currently oversees evidence while the civilian position is brought up to speed.

Department response and immediate steps
Chief Linda Hudson and her command staff presented an implementation-first approach: commanders outlined actions already underway, including policy reviews, supervisory training, expansion of field-training capacity and the recent hiring of a civilian in the evidence unit. Chief Hudson said professional standards, training and operational restructuring were active priorities.

Deputy Chief Norris said the department has implemented updated K-9 policy and was improving how time spent on reports is recorded in the CAD/RMS systems. Major Michael Santiago (Support Services) described recruitment and training work: a renewed recruiting pipeline, a quarterly supervisory training schedule, a renewed field-training officer (FTO) program and efforts to leverage local training resources.

Requests from commissioners and next steps
Commissioners requested a formal management response for each recommendation with prioritized corrective actions and an implementation timeline. Commissioner Broderick urged a special public meeting dedicated to police operations and resourcing; the commission directed staff to schedule follow-up sessions and to bring back a prioritized corrective-action plan tied to likely budget impacts.

Quotations from the meeting
\"From the very first of the hiring process until an officer is fully trained to go solo in the field is usually about 9 months to a year and it could cost almost a hundred thousand dollars,\" CPSM consultant Michael Jones said.
\"The police department is in crisis,\" Commissioner Broderick said during the commission discussion and called for an immediate, focused review.
\"I'm ready for a change in our management at the police department,\" Commissioner Taylor said in a public statement after the CPSM briefing.

Ending note
Department leaders said they will produce a management response to the CPSM report listing: (a) which recommendations they accept, (b) which actions are already underway, (c) a prioritized corrective-action plan with estimated costs, and (d) a timeline. Commissioners requested that plan be returned promptly so the commission can consider funding and other policy decisions ahead of the next budget cycle.
","A consultant\nnalysis of the Fort Pierce Police Department identified staffing shortfalls, retention challenges, outdated processes and evidence-handling weaknesses. Commissioners asked the department for an implementation plan and several called for an urgent public review.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6564722,"At-a-glance: commission votes May 12 — consent agenda approved; two infrastructure-surtax appointees certified",134,2651000,2785000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3273958-1cd83c5ffd540a0976121fe9be2620a9&start=2651&end=2785","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3273958-1cd83c5ffd540a0976121fe9be2620a9/thumbnail_2651000.jpg","/articles/6564722/Fort-Pierce/St-Lucie-County/Florida/At-a-glance-commission-votes-May-12-consent-agenda-approved-two-infrastructure-surtax-appointees-certified","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564722-914532c14f26f48fee3ef184e8fe52ae/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443026&Signature=hrh~dQvDka1qMbw4POuFjxF8jh4rWsrg0QdWt6G0MJfEIw18PhPYG-1x~n~22eJGlhmd9iw8-5Rhl5PGGUp9rgLjvyZkVZoF1G7YjJnTObOwPitDwB90vHD7~VYLOdNMPdQZmPd2YPuHTxPgwLr5BCjXylzZ4Onb3fK7PWYrn2uJ5k67ySzyClnKrpBHQTiDP4QTzmz-zkA~Zoav4isvZPFvs-GeO7SZ6tk4AKi1St5622FzCNZ8BJ9ctcC9f2SBe4qHMNu36LIo8EGzdEyu9flVI92dxRZ1GAJx6~FCdhgAS9wBjeBE6~~-ZWX6DKTQ4ku8Tgx7zf9UnRyBXoTbxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City Commission took the following formal actions during the May 12, 2025 meeting.

- Consent agenda: The commission approved the consent agenda by roll call (Commissioner Broderick: \"Yes\"; Commissioner Johnson: \"Yes\"; Commissioner Taylor: \"Yes\"; Mayor Linda Hudson: \"Yes\").

- Resolution 25-R-40: The commission certified an appointment to the infrastructure surtax citizen oversight committee (Chantelle Heipolit as Commissioner Johnson's appointee). Motion to approve was made by Commissioner Johnson; the roll call vote was recorded as: Broderick — Yes; Johnson — Yes; Taylor — Yes; Mayor Hudson — Yes.

- Resolution 25-R-41: The commission certified the appointment of an at-large member to the same oversight committee. Commissioners cast ballots and the commission announced Betty Jo Stark as the selected at-large member. The motion to confirm the appointment was approved by roll call (Broderick — Yes; Johnson — Yes; Taylor — Yes; Mayor Hudson — Yes).

These items appear on the city's records as formally adopted at the May 12 meeting.
","The City Commission approved the consent agenda and certified appointments to the infrastructure surtax citizen oversight committee (resolutions 25-R-40 and 25-R-41). Betty Jo Stark was selected as the at-large appointee in resolution 25-R-41.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6564726,"Lincoln Park Main Street reports new businesses and grants but lease for Means Court space still unsigned",1833,767000,2600000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3273958-1cd83c5ffd540a0976121fe9be2620a9&start=767&end=2600","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3273958-1cd83c5ffd540a0976121fe9be2620a9/thumbnail_767000.jpg","/articles/6564726/Fort-Pierce/St-Lucie-County/Florida/Lincoln-Park-Main-Street-reports-new-businesses-and-grants-but-lease-for-Means-Court-space-still-unsigned","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6564726-79f50bbc7186f448215bcc96f9b6f38d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443026&Signature=Taq68X-wppJF-NxwL6gJJUMQ90TbkOragdRfcvurVzpvk14EFeDuvnEYas3OiZjVc6EGNy~6sERZ14FrdFv0kRASSz3s8cg9B4k~jN6lQ0vuwTOjlaA4z~EV~ScxQuB85RggNJcudg~HFTLM7Qudf6lLNxqqUoy9bG0lqS~m5hQgodyktnjS6kF7ydQkKjxe~x50awg4GeWzn5RNkd~MKgPwaNHsY6vP8HtjhDAx1SE0O9~SJBCJV5ZBETolUGlh1qer-3qXlnhHtq9zOoEakxvCUTqpvoxlEvM73i6wETEwHCNLVfHUd5~VuK8wozD4UP1U4qtF8SubzRkDzTtXJQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lincoln Park Main Street briefed the City Commission on first- and second-quarter accomplishments for fiscal year 2025, including community programming, new commercial activity and ongoing historic-preservation projects. The presentation described public and private investments, volunteer activity and awards while flagging two key local issues: the group's lack of an executed lease for Means Court space and limited visible progress on the Lincoln Theater redevelopment.

Highlights cited by Pamela Carruthers, executive director of Lincoln Park Main Street:
- Net new businesses: 16 (as previously reported to Florida Main Street for a recent period), with 29 net new jobs recorded in the reporting period presented to the commission.
- Public dollars invested in the district reported as $8,480,000 and private dollars reported at $3,476,030 (figures presented from Florida Main Street reporting records; Carruthers said updated figures for 2023\u0000\u00002024 will appear in the next reporting period).
- Volunteer hours reported: 3,038 (through the previous reporting cycle).
- Cultural and community programs: Jazz on Moore's Creek, the Highwaymen Heritage Trail and other festivals; partnerships with local organizations including Indian River State College Small Business Development Center and the St. Lucie Cultural Alliance.

Lease and facility access: Carruthers told the commission Lincoln Park Main Street had not executed a lease for office space in Means Court because the building was not yet certified as habitable; \"it\ridn't get executed by the city,\" she said. Commissioners asked the city manager and legal staff if the lease issue was on the city's radar; city staff confirmed it is under legal review and said they are coordinating to resolve outstanding issues.

Lincoln Theater and redevelopment: Commissioners and staff discussed the Lincoln Theater (owned by the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Committee) and its slow pace of restoration. Carruthers said a 2020 state grant and a city match funded new design and budget work; REG Architects and others produced feasibility studies and recommended next steps, but Carruthers said little construction or redevelopment work has progressed since 2021. Commissioners asked the theater owners and restoration committee to appear with an updated schedule; the commission
greed to invite the theater's new president, Larriton McNeely, to a future meeting.

Funding and accountability: Several commissioners emphasized that the Main Street program now receives city general-fund support and therefore merits greater accountability and clear reporting of what Main Street initiates versus city-led investments. Commissioner Broderick said staff should clarify which improvements were initiated by Lincoln Park Main Street and which were funded or led by the Fort Pierce Redevelopment Agency.

Quotations from the meeting
\"My name is Pamela Carruthers. I am with Lincoln Park Main Street...\" Carruthers said when she introduced herself for the presentation.
\"Our lease agreement has not been executed because we are not functioning out of the building... it's just waiting until there's a green light from the city,\" Carruthers said of Means Court.

Ending
Carruthers said Lincoln Park Main Street will send the commission its board list and newsletter mailing list and will update financial and project figures at the next reporting period. City staff said they are coordinating on the Means Court lease and will follow up with the commission on status and timeline.","Lincoln Park Main Street presented its first- and second-quarter FY2025 report, citing new businesses, public and private investments, volunteer hours and cultural programming. Commissioners pressed for clarity about a not-yet-executed Means Court lease and the slow pace of Lincoln Theater redevelopment.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Fort Pierce, St. Lucie County outline anchoring-limitation areas for inlet; county to file ordinance with state

Fort Pierce review finds staffing, training and evidence-handling gaps; commissioners call for rapid follow-up

At-a-glance: commission votes May 12 — consent agenda approved; two infrastructure-surtax appointees certified

Lincoln Park Main Street reports new businesses and grants but lease for Means Court space still unsigned