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July 2026 City Manager's Report

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CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

July 2026

I T Y O F

PUBLIC WORKS

Road improvements, utility maintenance, and infrastructure projects keeping our city running smoothly

PARKS & RECREATION

New programs, park enhancements, and recreational activities for residents of all ages.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

Housing initiatives, neighborhood revitalization, and economic growth opportunities for our community.

IN THIS EDITION OF THE CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

CITY NEWS

The latest news, updates, and highlights from across the City of Fort Pierce

NEW BUSINESSES WELCOMED

The City of Fort Pierce proudly welcomes our newest businesses to the community.

CITY PROJECTS

Keeping you informed on the progress of projects and improvements underway throughout the City of Fort Pierce

PLANNING

Explore the latest development proposals, planning initiatives, and project updates that support the City's vision for thoughtful and sustainable growth.

CITY EVENTS

Stay informed about recurring community events, upcoming celebrations, and exciting new experiences taking place throughout the City of Fort Pierce

LEISURE AND RECREATIONAL SERVICES

Highlighting the City's commitment to enriching lives through youth programs, recreational opportunities, community beautification, and seasonal activities

SUNRISE THEATRE

Announcing new leadership at the Sunrise Theatre and inviting the community to experience exclusive benefits through the theatre's membership pass program.

POLICE DEPARTMENT

Showcasing the Fort Pierce Police Department's dedication to fostering positive relationships, enhancing public safety, and strengthening our community

REVENUE REPORTS

Monthly financial highlights from the Fort Pierce City Marina, Riverwalk Center, and Indian Hills Golf Course

BIGBELLY TRASH RECEPTACLES DOWNTOWN,

RIVER WALK & JETTY PARK

Community & Economic Development

The FPRA’s Bigbelly Smart Waste Receptacle pilot project was completed July 6–8, with all 93 solar-powered receptacles installed throughout Downtown, the River Walk, and Jetty Park As part of the project, 86 outdated trash receptacles were removed, including concrete and household-style rolling bins

Despite Florida’s intense summer heat, the installation team completed the project ahead of schedule The new enclosed, solar-powered compaction units help contain waste, reduce litter, deter wildlife and rodents, and create cleaner, more attractive public spaces

Staff will monitor the pilot program to evaluate improvements in cleanliness, maintenance, and operational efficiency The results will help determine whether the Bigbelly system should be expanded into additional FPRA redevelopment districts.

COMMUNITY & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Beautifying our Community

"Our team is committed to building a stronger, more resilient Fort Pierce for every resident."

The 2026 FPRA Mural Program officially kicked off the week of June 22, with artists beginning work at selected locations throughout the FPRA redevelopment districts. Artist Inna Parkhomenko has completed her mural at Dreamchaser Preschool, bringing a vibrant new public art installation to the site. Shannen Mythen also completed her mural at the Elks Lodge in time for the organization's 100th Anniversary celebration.

Building a More Beautiful Fort Pierce, One Project at a Time

City of Fort Pierce

CELEBRATING NEW BUSINESS IN FORT PIERCE

ATOUCHOFELEGANCEFLORIST&EVENTSLLC

PelicanSeafoodCompany

Joanne'sWorldofNutrition

LuckyDiamondInc

NEWIMAGEBARBERSHOP

VenuWorksofFtPierceLLC

JACKOFALLTRADESLLC

BHFOperatingCompanyLLC

SunshineStateofMindBoutiqueLLC

CedarFamilyChiropracticLLC

UncommonSportsPerformance,LLC

CandctiresandmoreLLC

AustinParkArtStudio, LLC

DanielWilliams

ShreeKanaLLC

The City of Fort Pierce proudly welcomes and celebrates the new businesses that choose to invest in our community We are committed to fostering economic growth and creating an environment where businesses can thrive

Every new business strengthens our local economy, creates opportunities, and contributes to the vitality and character of our community. Their investment reflects confidence in the bright future of Fort Pierce, and we are honored to support their success.

To all of our newest business owners, welcome to Fort Pierce! We appreciate your commitment to our community and look forward to celebrating your growth and accomplishments for many years to come

JackandJaneAutoSales

GirlLetGoInc

MB&MBHoldings,LLC&AsureInvestment,LLC

St Marks'ThriftShopTreasureCoast

Prosthetic&OrthoticServices,Inc

JetsetEvents

TreasureCoastMedical&FireInstitute

AmericanLegionPost171

CRATRUCKCARANDRVREPAIRLLC

TesoroWellnessLLC

TREASURECOAST

WHEELS&TIRESLLC

SEBenchmarkAgency

SunnyFloridaDeliveryLLC

SponsorMeInc

D&HAUTOSALES

EKGMINISTRY

TynadyneLLC

ShimmersInk&SteelLLC

BeXquisitLLC

LifeinFocusLLC

Projects in Review

Request to Rezone property at 10050

W Midway RD:The 200-acre property is currently entitled for a mixed-use development known as Willow Lakes Planned Development, originally permitted as a surf park. The applicant proposes to rezone the property from Planned Development (PD) to General Commercial (C-3) zoning for approximately 26-acres located along the property’s frontage on Midway Road and to Light Industrial (I-1) for approximately 174acre balance of the property The property has a future land use designation of MXD, which allows for the foregoing zoning categories The applicant intends to develop a data center on the portion of the property to be zoned Light Industrial The applicant proposes placing a restrictive covenant on the land at the time of rezoning approval, limiting the Light Industrial zoned portion of the property to use as a data center. The portion of the property to be zoned General Commercial is intended for development for commercial retail uses, and could include a hotel, gas station and/or restaurants/fast food. A site plan application for a data center or other uses would be required after any city approval of this application

Sunset Gardens, 4945 Edwards Road, is a revised Planned Development Final Site plan consisting of 103 townhouse units in 19 buildings with associated amenities on approximately 17 58acres the Applicant has conducted a formal neighborhood meeting and voluntarily revised the plan to address neighborhood concerns, reducing the original proposal from 112 units in 20 buildings to 103 units in 19 buildings and incorporating substantial improvements to boundary treatments and stormwater management

Redevelopment of the existing Mercedes-Benz: dealership located at 4500 S US Highway 1, The proposal includes a new dealership building, demolition of existing structures, parking improvements, stormwater modifications, utilities, landscaping, lighting, and associated site improvements

City Commission Approved Projects

HEC Selvitz The city commission approved separate applications for the Voluntary Annexation, Future Land Use Amendment and Rezoning for two parcels off Selvitz Road in Fort Pierce The property consists of approximately 10 5 acres located along Selvitz Road within an established industrial corridor The site is currently vacant and under County jurisdiction, with an existing Future Land Use designation of Industrial (IND), the request is to assign a City Future Land Use designation of Industrial Heavy (IH) concurrent with annexation a request for a zoning designation of I-3 Heavy Industrial Parcel ID’s 2431-113-0002000-1; and 2431-505-0000-200-2

City Projects

The new KIA dealership at 5560 S US HWY 1 is moving along, the tie beam inspections were recently completed, and the roof structure is being installed.

Building department: The two duplexes being constructed at 1405 & 1407 N 16th St have the roof finished and stucco, drywall was recently completed

The two homes at 125 & 115 are in the final stages , cabinets and trim are being installed, and the roof is being finalized

City Events

Special Events:

8/8 PM

8/2 PM

8/3 PM y y q m –12:00 pm Every Wednesday – Wednesday Farmers Market- Marina Square 11:00 am – 7:00 pm

Every 1 Friday of the Month- Friday Fest-Marina Square 5:00 pm –9:00 pm st

The City of Fort Pierce Recreation Center continues to provide a safe, engaging, and enriching environment through quality programs, camps, and athletic development opportunities for youth and families in our community From seasonal camps to year-round programming, our focus remains on promoting recreation, creativity, and overall well-being.

TYLERPARKS&RECREATIONONLINEPORTAL

The City of Fort Pierce continues to offer residents a convenient way to view and register for recreation programs online through the Tyler Parks & Recreation Portal. This platform allows residents to:

• View a complete list of current recreation programs

• Register for classes, camps, and activities

• Manage household accounts and participant information

• Make secure online payments

• Stay informed about upcoming programs and opportunities

Residents are encouraged to utilize the online portal to stay connected with upcoming recreation opportunities and community events.

Residents are encouraged to stay connected and explore upcoming programs, camps, athletics, and activities by visiting the City of Fort Pierce Recreation webpage at: www.cityoffortpierce.com/recreation

For additional information regarding Recreation Center programs and services, please contact the Fort Pierce Recreation Center at 772-774-3792.

The Recreation Center recently received landscaping enhancements completed by the City of Fort Pierce Parks and Grounds Division. Beautification efforts included improvements to the landscaping surrounding the Recreation Center entrance and facility signage, including new plantings, trees, fresh mulch, and updated greenery designed to enhance the appearance of the property and create a welcoming environment for residents and visitors. A special thank you is extended to Lenard, Martez, Bernard, James Michael, Earnest, and the ent Parks and Grounds Division leadership team for their dedication and hard work in bringing these improvements fruition.

The improvements have significantly enhanced the cu appeal of the Recreation Cent and contribute to creating a welcoming atmosphere for participants, families, and visit

RECREATIONCENTERMARTIALARTSPROGRAM

The Recreation Center Martial Arts Program continues to provide youth with opportunities to develop discipline, confidence, focus, and leadership through martial arts training and competitive experiences.

UPCOMINGCOMMUNITYCOMPETITIONS

Artful Minds Youth Leadership & Wellness Martial Arts Invitational

• Saturday, August 15, 2026

• Vernon E Hargray Youth Enrichment Center – Miramar, Florida

• Free youth tournament divisions available

• Focus on youth leadership, wellness, discipline, and community engagement

Bamboo Dojo Invitational Karate Tournament

• Saturday, August 22, 2026

• Vero Beach Heritage Center – Vero Beach, Florida

• Competition categories include Kata, Kobudo, and Kumite

• Open to multiple martial arts styles and divisions

These events provide additional opportunities for local youth athletes to gain competition experience, build confidence, and represent the City of Fort Pierce Recreation Center Martial Arts Program throughout the community.

FALL2026COMMUNITYSHOWCASE

The Recreation Center Martial Arts Program is also planning to host a community showcase during Fall 2026, providing athletes an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and celebrate their accomplishments with family members, friends, and supporters. Additional information will be announced in the coming months.

City of Fort Pierce

The City's Summer Jam Camp program began on June 8 and will continue through July 31, serving youth ages 5-12.

The eight-week summer program is designed to provide youth with a safe, structured, and engaging environment through:

• Recreational activities

• Educational enrichment

• Arts and crafts

• Physical fitness and sports

• Field trips and special guests

• Character development opportunities

campers inthesun fun

Summer Jam Camp is now in full swing, and the Recreation Center is filled daily with laughter, learning, fun, and new friendships. Campers returning from previous years have continued to strengthen existing friendships, while many first-time participants have formed new and meaningful connections

Featured in this month's report are photos from several of our summer field trips, including visits to Skate Factory and Saint Lucie Lanes Campers enjoyed opportunities to participate in skating games, friendly competitions, and bowling activities that encouraged teamwork, sportsmanship, and recreation. Several campers earned prizes for their accomplishments during these activities.

During the first week of camp, City Manager Richard Chess, Commissioner Curtis Johnson, Deputy City Manager Camille Wallace, and Deputy City Manager DeVoshay Johnson visited the Recreation Center to welcome campers and staff to the 2026 Summer Jam Camp season. Their visit provided an encouraging start to another successful summer of programming

FOOTBALL & CHEER CONDITIONING & REGISTRATION

The Recreation Center continues preparing for the upcoming Fort Pierce Firehawks Football and Cheer season with growing participation and enthusiasm from youth and families throughout the community

Football and Cheer Conditioning currently takes place every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM at the Recreation Center Participants are actively engaged in:

• Agility and conditioning drills

• Endurance and strength development

• Cheer fundamentals and performance preparation

• Teamwork, discipline, and leadership-building activities

Registration for the 2026 Fort Pierce Firehawks season is now open Program Opportunities

• Flag Football (Ages 5–6)

• Tackle Football (Ages 7–14)

• Cheerleading (Ages 5–14)

Location

Fort Pierce Recreation Center 903 S. 21st Street

Fort Pierce, FL 34950

Required Documents

• Current physical examination dated after January 1, 2026

• Birth certificate

The Fort Pierce Firehawks program provides youth with opportunities to build confidence, develop athletic skills, make new friends, and be part of a positive team environment that promotes sportsmanship, leadership, and personal growth. For additional information, residents may contact the Fort Pierce Recreation Center at 772-774-3792 or visit the City of Fort Pierce Recreation webpage

Season memberships are now available for renewal or purchase! These memberships will be for the 26-27 Season, running from October to May.

Alongwithourseasonannouncement,weunveiledanexcitingnewmembershiptier:Professionalsin theSpotlight!Thisgroup,targetedatyoungprofessionalsfrom21-45,membersreceivethesame benefitsasour$75membershiptier,plusexclusiveopportunitiescraftedtoinspire,including: ➡Monthlynetworkingmixers(startingOctober2026) ➡Keynotespeakerevents ➡Accesstoagrowinggroupoflike-mindedprofessionals

➡Exceptionalliveentertainmentinahistoricsetting

WelcomeVenuWorks!

It’s June and with the sweet smell of summer breezes came a breath of fresh air: VenuWorks! On June 1st, VenuWorks began management of the Sunrise Theatre, with a contract in place until September 30, 2031 VenuWorks is a professional venue management and consulting firm serving facilities of all types and sizes across the United States. Founded in 1996, VenuWorks is the nation’s only 100 percent employee-owned company in the venue management industry.

Said Steve Peters, Founder and CEO of VenuWorks: “This is a treasured venue with a remarkable legacy, we understand how deeply it is woven into the cultural life and identity of the Fort Pierce community. [...] We look forward to working with the City, the staff, volunteers, local businesses, artists, and community partners...to serve Fort Pierce for generations to come.”

Under new management, the Sunrise Theatre recently held a job fair to engage with our local community. Our venue was packed with eager job-seekers, ready to continue the legacy of our historic legacy. We are proud to employ so many of our neighbors and friends in the Port St. Lucie area.

City of Fort Pierce

Tobe Announced

We’llbeannouncingour26-27Season showssoon,andwe’vegotsome excitingsurpriseswaitingforyou...stay tuned!

Fort Pierce Police Department

2nd Quarter Awards CeremonyPromotions July 1, 2026

Last week, the Fort Pierce Police Department proudly recognized the outstanding men and women who go above and beyond in service to our community during our 2nd Quarter Awards Ceremony.

Congratulations to our Officer and Professional Staff Members of the Month:

April: Public Works Staff Jose Velez & Officer Carlos Rodriguez

May: Officer Casey Miklosh & Officer Joshua White

June: Evidence Technician LaTonya Gamble & Officer Robie Troutman

We also recognized numerous members of our Community Policing Bureau and Crime Suppression Unit with Special Recognition Awards for their exceptional teamwork, dedication, and commitment to public safety. Congratulations to every recipient for your outstanding efforts

Congratulations to Brandon Lapolla on his appointment to Criminal Investigations Division as a Detective.

We also celebrated the dedicated employees reaching significant years of service achievements:

5 Years: Detective Cory Bernardini, Administrative Assistant Gabriela Gibbs,

Officer Angelo Tsaousis, Acting Sergeant Julia Viciere

10 Years: Detective John Ward

20 Years: Sergeant Steven Sobon

25 Years: Deputy Chief Caleb Gillette

30 Years: Detective Christopher Guadagno

Finally, we recognized several well-deserved promotions:

Captain Onese Rene

Captain Brian MacNaught

Major James Gagliano

Deputy Chief Eric Chan

Deputy Chief Caleb Gillette

Each award, milestone, and promotion represents countless hours of dedication, professionalism, and service to the citizens of Fort Pierce. Thank you to all of our recipients for your commitment to excellence and for making our department and community stronger every day.

This year's Indepe y p mmunity came together to celebrate America's 250th Birthday and the City of Fort Pierce's 125th Birthday in Downtown Fort Pierce.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate safely, as well as the City of Fort Pierce and Main Street Fort Pierce event organizers, first responders, public works crews, volunteers, and everyone behind the scenes who helped make this milestone celebration a success.

We are proud to serve such an incredible community and look forward to making many more memories to th America, and Happy 125th Bir

RICH House & Courageous Kids – Tuskegee Airman

Congratulations to Officer Dylan Columbus and System Analyst Synder Raymond, recognized this morning at the St. Lucie County Chamber of Commerce networking breakfast.

Thank you both for your dedication and commitment to serving our community. We appreciate all that you do!

Last weekend, student participants from the R.I.C.H. House and Courageous Kids programs were invited to participate in a special educational experience hosted by the General Daniel "Chappie" James, Jr. Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc The event was led by retired airmen who introduced participants to future career opportunities within the United States Air Force and the broader field of aviation and aerospace.

During the program, our students learned that drones are an increasingly important tool utilized by both the United States military and law enforcement agencies across the country. Participants received hands-on instruction on how to safely operate a drone, including the critical importance of proper landing techniques. Following the instructional session, students were divided into teams and given the opportunity to fly drones independently, putting their newly acquired skills into practice. The experience provided participants with a unique and inspiring introduction to technology, aviation, and public service careers. The students engaged enthusiastically throughout the event, demonstrating teamwork, focus, and a genuine excitement for learning. The life lessons gained through this partnership extended far beyond drone operation, exposing participants to a legacy of excellence perseverance and service exemplified by the Tuskegee Airmen

UNITY

A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who joined us for the Fort Pierce Police Department’s 8th Annual Unity in Our Community event!

We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to our generous sponsors for making this event possible:

ABA Centers of Florida

Cheney Brothers Inc.

Children’s Services Council SLC

Clear VOIP Solutions

City of Fort Pierce

Flowers Bakery

Garber GMC

Gotta Go Green

Lamp and Ledger

LP Asphalt

Pepsi

Roll-Off Chick LLC

Scrap Gators LLC

Seaway Food Corp

Southern Eagle Distributing, Inc.

Wet N’ Wild Water Slides

Thank you to every community partner, vendor, volunteer, and participant who helped create such a welcoming and memorable experience.

Together, we’re building stronger relationships, fostering trust, and making Fort Pierce an even better place to live, work, and play.

Police Investigate foRT pIERCE

On Sunday, July 5, 2026, at approximately 3:43 a.m., Fort Pierce Police Department officers responded to the 300 block of South 14th Street in reference to gunshot wounds.

Upon arrival, officers located two adult victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. One 28-year-old, female, sustained a non-lifethreatening injury to her hand, while the second victim, a 28-year-old, male, sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries today, July 7, 2026.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the victims had been involved in an earlier altercation in the 5800 block of Okeechobee Road before returning to their residence. As they arrived home, an adult male believed to be involved in the previous altercation, approached and opened fire before fleeing the area.

This investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone with information on this incident is encouraged to contact the Fort Pierce Police Department at 772-462-6800 or Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at www.tcwatch.org

Every day, the men and women of the Fort Pierce Police Department work to keep our community safe through proactive policing, traffic enforcement, and responding to calls for service. These numbers represent the dedication and hard work of our officers, professional staff, and community partners who help make Fort Pierce a safer place to live, work, and visit.

A big thank you to 1st Phorm and Southern Eagle Distributing for stopping by the FPPD today with a surprise delivery of energy drinks for our officers and staff. Thank you for thinking of us and for being such great community partners!

AFPPD Recruiting at Crosstown Fellowship Church

The Fort Pierce Police Department is out recruiting today at Crosstown Fellowship Church in Port St. Lucie and we’d love to meet you!

Positions available:

• School Crossing Guard

• Police Officers (sponsored & certified)

We’ll be here until 1 p.m so stop by and meet Officer Medina and some FPPD recruits to learn more about joining our team and making a difference in your community.

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CITY MARINA REVENUE REPORT

INDIAN HILLS GOLF COURSE

STAY HYDRATED

Wow, it’s been scorching lately!! It definitely helps us in the fact that warmer temps accelerate the grass growth, but it certainly is difficult to keep your energy up as you get through the 4 hour round of golf.

Please make sure that when you are enjoying summer golf in these blazing temperatures, you drink PLENTY of liquids both BEFORE and DURING your round!! Secondly, make sure you keep an eye on your playing partners as well. Drinking plenty of water and Sport Drinks to replace electrolytes and eating snacks in the way of peanuts, protein bars or beef jerky are important to replace the salts that are lost through sweating.

A little help from Mother Nature in the way of the recent steady afternoon showers has gone a long way to our improvement. The greens are in excellent shape and our fairways are improving every day! The organic liquid fertilizers we have been using combined with the hot temperatures have the fairway grass moving quickly. We have been aggressively treating weeds and we have applied an insect application to improve the health of the roots of the fairway turf. Our second greens aeration is scheduled for early September and will be based on weather at the time.

Word of mouth is our greatest form of advertising, so we ask if you’ve played here and enjoyed the changes we’re making, please tell a friend….or two! If there’s something we can improve upon…tell US so we can keep getting better! We thank all of our members and guests for their support and we ask that you please “Like” and “Follow Us” on Facebook or Instagram to see almost daily updates on the golf course and our ongoing maintenance projects.

To

CITY OF FORT PIERCE MISSION STATEMENT