At the Fort Pierce City Commission meeting on Jan. 13, Leslie Olson of District Planning Group and Moncee Martinez, sustainability program associate and staff to the Utility Advisory Committee, presented the committee’s second annual work plan on behalf of the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority (FPUA). Committee leaders described outreach goals, governance objectives and recent activities including workforce development and grant support.

The utility advisory committee (UAC), established in November 2021 by the commission and the FPUA board, is intended to provide a formal channel for citizen input to FPUA and to serve as a “brand ambassador” that educates and informs residents about utility services. Olson said the UAC aligns its annual work plan with FPUA’s board strategic goals and focuses on growth, rates, workforce development and community relations.

Moncee Martinez detailed UAC membership and engagement expectations. The committee currently includes chair Robert Portier, vice chairs Steve Diploma and Jesse Walker, and members Yvel Sierra, Mary Edwards, Pearl Davis, Bob Lynch and Pastor Jasmine Bernat; the UAC was actively recruiting for one at‑large appointment and an open seat associated with a commissioner’s appointment. Martinez said each member is asked to attend at least one FPUA outreach event and to collaborate with local groups on visibility and education efforts.

Olson and Martinez pointed to several accomplishments in 2024: two letters of support for grant proposals, a wastewater reclamation facility update that drew about 30 attendees, and a student job fair hosted at the Energy Services Center that drew more than 100 students and city department participation. Olson said the UAC also discussed electric and gas rebate programs and ways to make the rebate process easier for customers.

Commissioners asked how the UAC is reaching residents and whether the committee is taking meetings into the community. Commissioner Broderick emphasized alignment with the city’s jobs corridor initiative and asked the UAC to include that item in its upcoming agendas. Commissioner Gaines said he wanted better notification to churches and long‑standing neighborhood associations; Olson and staff asked the commission to provide contact points so the UAC could directly invite organizations to host meetings.

The UAC work plan also supports FPUA’s strategic objective to relocate the wastewater reclamation facility from South Hutchinson Island to a new Selvitz Road site; Olson said that project is under construction and that the UAC has written support letters for grant funding related to that work.

Olson said the UAC is focusing on governance activities that include producing an annual work plan and progress report, onboarding/orientation for new members, and at least two Sunshine Law training sessions per year. The committee’s goal is to strengthen communications between FPUA and ratepayers and to develop measurable objectives tied to the utility’s strategic plan.

Commissioners and staff encouraged continued outreach and suggested the city and FPUA post the UAC application prominently on their websites and do a public call for volunteers to fill vacancies.