City Manager's

city manager’s BI-WEEKLY AUGUST 31, 2018 | VOL. 2 | ISSUE 13

Free Friday Concert Series Event at the Civic Center Featuring Big Pine Band

The City Manager, Mayor & Council

From left to right: Stephanie Morgan, Shannon M. Martin, Gregory J. Oravec, Jolien Caraballo, John Carvelli

Contact the City Manager, Mayor & Council

City Hall: (772) 871-5159 | 121 SW Port St. Lucie Blvd. Port St. Lucie, FL. 34984 City Council Office: (772) 871-5159

» Gregory J. Oravec, Mayor The City is led by a five-member elected [email protected] Council, which sets policy and determines the long-term vision for the City. The Council » Shannon M. Martin, Vice Mayor/District 3 appoints a City Manager to handle the daily [email protected] business affairs, and a City Attorney to provide legal advice. This system is called a » Stephanie Morgan, District 1 Council-Manager form of local government. [email protected] Each Council member has one vote, including the Mayor, so legislative authority is equally » John Carvelli, District 2 spread among all five members. [email protected] Russ Blackburn City Manager » Jolien Caraballo, District 4 [email protected] “Port St. Lucie is a Safe, Beautiful, and Prosperous » Russ Blackburn, City Manager [email protected] City for All People — Your Hometown”

TABLE OF CONTENTS

HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK FREE FRIDAY CONCERT SERIES AT THE CIVIC CENTER On Aug. 17 the Port St. Lucie Civic Center featured Big Pine Band for a fun, FREE night out at the new Free Friday Concert Series. Over 1,000 people attended this free event! Festivities began at 6 p.m. with an opening band. Guests were able to grab a bite to eat and kick back after a long week and enjoy their Port St. Lucie neighbors. Southern rockers, Big Pine Band, hit the stage at 7:30 p.m. Rain or shine, the Free Friday Concert Series event will always happen either outside at Village Square Stage or inside the Emerald Ballroom. There is great food available for purchase and a fully stocked cash bar. The Port St. Lucie Civic Center plans to offer the Free Friday Concert Series monthly throughout the year as both indoor and outdoor space is available. There is no charge for entry or parking. Should the event be held indoors due to inclement weather, please note that the Civic Center does not permit food and beverage to be brought into the facility. There will be food and beverages available for purchase. Vendor spaces are available for $25 per 10' x 10' booth space, including tax. The Civic Center will provide tables and chairs; the vendor must provide the tent, lighting and extension cords. Should you have any questions about this series or becoming a vendor, please call the Civic Center at (772) 807-4488. The next Free Friday Concert Series will happen on September 14, from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., featuring Oddessey.

Contact: Beth Zsoka | [email protected] | (866) 662-6273 | www.CrosstownParkway.com

Updates for the week ending August 24, 2018 • Deck pours on the east side anticipated to start next week, weather and materials permitting. • Work continues on Village Green Drive. • Traffic was shifted on Village Green to allow work to take place for the median. • Once the median is complete, the contractor will shift eastbound and westbound traffic to the north side of Village Green for utility work, drainage activities and reconstruction of the south side of Village Green. • One of two southbound left turn lanes are closed on US 1. Roadway activities on Village Green near US1 • One southbound lane and one northbound lane closed on US 1 from Savanna Road to Village Green Drive Intersection. • A portion of Huffman Road will be closed between US 1 and Village Green until September 15. • Contractor has installed 39 of 46 spans of trestle on the eastside. • The contractor continues to remove trestle from the west side. • The contractor will continue driving test piles on the east side of the NFSLR (test piles at bent 32 through 21 are complete). The contractor completed driving production piles at bent 23 and 22. (28 of 32 bents driven to date.) • Beams installed on spans 1 through 16 and 26 through 31. • Installing form work for deck spans 28, 29, 30 and 31. • Installing light pole bases along US 1. Median construction on Village Green • Installing chain link fences along the right-of-way behind residential properties.

Building Department www.CityofPSL.com/Building Main Number: (772) 871-5132 Inspections: (772) 871-5040 Addressing: (772) 344-4259 Permitting: (772) 871-5132 Contractor Licensing: (772) 871-5062 Plan Review: (772) 344-4398

BUILDING HIGHLIGHTS • A pre-build meeting was held with GL Homes regarding Express Permitting. • Building Department conducted a stakeholder meeting with General Contractors on August 13th. • Building Department met with Jeff Bowers on August 15th to map out the permitting procedures for moving the Peacock Property structures to the Botanical Gardens site. • Permits were issued for Grande Palms Apartment complex. • Permit for temporary fencing was issued for Ardie R Copas Nursing Home.

Chick-Fil-A

COMMERCIAL PERMITS ISSUED • 8/13/18 – 1817097 – Texas Roadhouse – 210 NW Peacock Blvd • 8/13/18 – 1823883 – Dr Vinyard Unit 104 – 291 NW Peacock Blvd Ste 104 • 8/13/18 – 1819515 – K & S Warehouse iii – 1390 NW Commerce Centre Dr • 8/15/18 – 1804971 – Healthcare at Tradition – 11380 SW Village Pkwy • 8/16/18 – 1819495 – Remodel CVS – 9801 US Hwy 1 • 8/20/18 – 18-27327 – demo bldg – 218 SW PSL Blvd for upcoming Burger King • 8/20/18 – 1827330 – demo bldg – 203 SW Essex Dr. for upcoming Burger King • 8/21/18 – 18-25169 – new fountain & flag pole for Chick-Fil-A – 1611 NW SLW Blvd • 8/21/18 – 1825725 1825716 – wall signs for Walmart – 10855 South US Hwy 1 • 8/21/18 – 1825448 & 1825449 – low voltage data & access control - 582 NW University STE 325 Mid-Florida Credit Union • 8/22/18 – 1825676 – site lighting for Botanical Gardens – 2462-SL SE Westmoreland Blvd • 8/22/18 – 1813945 – shell only, new retail Bldg. B (Gatlin Palms) – 1299 SW Gatlin Blvd • 8/22/18 – 1813945 – shell only, new retail Bldg. A (Gatlin Palms) – 1278 SW Gatlin Blvd

DEPARTMENT ACTIVITY FOR AUGUST 9-22 • Permits Issued—1,637 • Single Family Permits Issued—94 • Single Family Certificates of Occupancy Issued—84 • Inspections Completed—4,929 • Plans Reviewed—465 • Permits Applied for Online—635

CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY • 8/21/18 – Fabi’s Brazilian Bakery—1329 SW Gatlin Blvd

Civic Center www.CityofPSL.com/Civic Hours: Monday - Friday; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Address: 9221 S.E. Civic Center Sales Office: (772) 807-4488 Place Port St. Lucie, FL. 34952 [email protected]

MARKETING The Business Development Specialist attended 7 business networking meetings and workshops focusing on promoting the value and flexibility of the Civic Center while highlighting the successful events that are currently contracted to showcase our value to the community.

Last week, Tim Fuller attended the ASAE in Chicago. Civic Center shared 4 other venues through Visit Florida, held at McCormick Place in Chicago. ASAE, the American Society of Association Executives, holds this convention once each year with over 38,000 members from their convention. It is an ideal place to meet prospects that could use our great Civic Center for regional meetings, trade shows and educational events. We successfully obtained the list of all attendees and directly discussed our ASAE Booth in Chicago venue with over 73 event planners, along with learning a great deal from other similar properties from around the country. This is one more outreach to bring business to Port St. Lucie.

AUGUST 17–31, 2018 EVENT SUMMARY • Civic Center Free Friday Concert- Big Pine Band • The South Florida Church of Christ • TC Championship Bodybuilding and Fitness Show • South Florida Event Management Bridal Show • Sandra & Bonaventure Wedding • Lishelen & Austin Wedding

SEPTEMBER 1–15, 2018 UPCOMING EVENTS • 9/09/18—South Florida Church of Christ Church Service • 9/11/18— 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony • 9/15/18— Puerto Rican Association for Hispanic Affairs Presents Hot Wheelz 3rd Annual Tokyo Car Show Big Pine Band at the Civic Center

TC Championship Bodybuilding & Fitness Show

www.CityofPSL.com/News Communications Department [email protected] (772) 871-5219

VIDEO UPDATE

• Positively Port St. Lucie TV & Radio Show  Segment 1—Water Flushing  Segment 2—Tree Giveaway  Segment 3—Crosstown Update  Segment 4—Sales Tax Update • PSL Living  SLC Community Transit System & Survey  Recycling and the NICE Program

PRESS RELEASE UPDATE Solar Panel Time-lapse Video 8/27/18: Free chlorination to flush PSL utility lines 8/21/18: PSL Public Works achieves 4th re-accreditation

SALES TAX BOOKLET & BANNER—www.CityofPSL.com/SalesTax

The Communications Department continues to work and meet with staff for the Half-Cent Sales Tax open house. In addition to the webpage, a booklet, flyers and banners have been created.

Voters will be asked to decide on a half-cent sales tax on November 6. The half-cent increase would help improve roads, build more sidewalks and support water quality projects in unincorporated St. Lucie County, Port St. Lucie, Fort Pierce and St. Lucie Village. The increase will expire in 10 years.

FACEBOOK— SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENT

Animal Control’s Free Spay & Neuter Services Facebook post reached an astounding 33,446 people and received 1,182 reactions, comments and shares, making it our most engaging post this week. A short website URL was also given to this event information: www.CityofPSL.com/PetFix.

• The Story: Due to the overwhelming interest in the community, Port St. Lucie Animal Control has decided to bring the mobile spay/neuter unit, OperationSOS, back for recurring Wednesdays starting August 29th on location at Animal Control.

Keep Port St. Lucie Beautiful’s #IamPSL Facebook post reached 7,320 people and received 575 reactions, comments and shares, making it our second most engaging post this week.

• The Story: Navy veteran, Ronald Soares, and his dog have been walking and picking up litter and other assorted items throughout the City for the past nine years. KPSLB recently sat down with Mr. Soares, who has lived in PSL for 40 years, to thank him for his contributions to keeping PSL clean.

Neighborhood Services Department

(772) 871-5010 | [email protected] www.CityofPSL.com/NSD

SPECIAL RECOGNITION — SAFE, CLEAN, BEAUTIFUL Neighborhood Services received a concern from a neighbor about an eviction pile that was scattered on the street. Code Specialists Michael Dickerson and Nephtali Linares bagged all of the loose items and neatly placed them roadside for pickup. Neighborhood Services staff had WastePro pick-up the pile that same day. The concerned citizen expressed his gratification to the Human Resources Department for our efficient service.

Before After

NICE SURVEY — WELCOME SIGNS Neighborhood Services Neighborhood Improvement & Community Engagement (NICE) Program would like to gather feedback from residents about new neighborhood welcome signs. The NICE Program’s goal is to provide and maintain vibrant neighborhoods by engaging with residents. Residents who have signed up for neighborhood updates will receive this survey through their email.

If you’d like to receive updates about your neighborhood, please submit your email address by filling out the form on our website: www.CityofPSL.com/NICE .

Parks & Recreation Department www.CityofPSL.com/Recreation

Port St. Lucie Community Center P&R Civic Center Recreation & Fitness Robert E. Minsky Gym Saints Golf Course [email protected] (772) 807-4499 (772) 344-4142 (772) 398-2901 (772) 878-2277

UPCOMING EVENTS

• “Great Kids” Drop-in program • Monday, August 31 - September 14, Minsky Gym • September 4-6 & September 10-13, Civic Center • Pickleball, Mondays, September 3 & 10, Wednesdays, September 5 & 12, Thursdays, September 6 & 13, Civic Center • Tot Drop, Tuesdays & Thursdays, September 4, 6, 11, & 13, Civic Center • Beginner & Advanced Karate, September 4, 6, 11 & 13, Civic Center • Pee Wee Dunkers, Tuesday, September 4 & 11, Minsky Gym • Line Dancing, Wednesday, September 5 & 12, Civic Center • M&M Sweeties, Wednesday, September 5 & 12, Civic Center Karate • Advanced Baton Twirlers, Wednesday September 5 & 12, Civic Center • Wild, Wacky Wednesday, September 5 & 12, Minsky Gym • Tot Time, Thursday, Sept. 6 & 13, Minsky Gym • Youth Pizza Jam, Friday, September 7, Minsky Gym • Junior Basketball Registration begins Saturday, September 8, online and at either Civic Center, Minsky Gym or Community Center • Dance Combo, Saturdays, September 8 & 15, Civic Center • Movin' & Groovin’, Saturdays, September 8 & 15, Civic Center • Tutus and Taps, Saturdays, September 8 & 15, Civic Center

FITNESS MEMBERS APPRECIATION DAY

We appreciate our members!

Make sure to stop by the Humana Fitness and Wellness Center at the PSL Civic Center on Sept. 5 or the Community Fitness and Wellness Center at the PSL Community Center on Sept. 7 and we'll give our members a FREE gift!

Fitness Membership includes access to both Humana Fitness & Wellness Center and Community Fitness & Wellness Center. Silver Sneakers, Prime, and Optum Fitness Advantage Provider!

View our Events Calendar for more information about this event.

For detailed information about each fitness center, please visit: www.CityofPSL.com/Fitness.

www.CityofPSL.com/Police Police Department Office: (772) 871-5000

POLICE NEWS UPDATE

DISTRICT 1—

• Unknown suspects broke windows in five parked cars on five different streets in zone 24 with unknown objects. The streets affected are N.W. Dragon Street, N.E. Little Kyak Point, N.W. Egret Avenue, N.W. Dorothy Street, and N.W. Manville Drive. This spree is currently under investigation. This activity remains under investigation.

• On August 21, 2018 at a home on S.W. Fairway Avenue, Special Investigations Division Detectives executed a narcotics search warrant. Inside the residence, detectives located 45 grams of cocaine, 34.5 grams of liquid methamphetamine, 28.5 grams of Mollie, .5 grams of heroin, 20 ml of testosterone, 57 alprazolam pills, 10 clonazepam pills, and 254 grams of Marijuana/THC. Two individuals were arrested on scene and warrants will be pending. One person on scene was charged with trafficking in Cocaine, Methamphetamine and Mollie along with various other narcotics violations.

DISTRICT 2—

• Case 2018-16988: Following an incident at a hardware store located on St. Lucie West Boulevard where a group of suspects were involved in retail thefts using a rented vehicle, a “Be on the Lookout” (BOLO) was sent to surrounding agencies. The same group hit stores in Indian River County and ran someone over while fleeing. Florida Highway Patrol located the group southbound on I-95 and pursued them until they bailed out of the vehicle and fled on foot in Port St. Lucie. Neighborhood Police Bureau Officers and Criminal Investigation Division Detectives apprehended all five suspects, who reside in Broward County. Detectives connected them to the incident at the store and they were charged with Grand Theft, Resisting Arrest & Resisting a Merchant. The investigation is ongoing and more charges are pending.

• Case 2018-15440: Criminal Investigation Division Detectives followed up on a felony shoplifting case where the suspect stole several items of jewelry from a retail store in St. Lucie West. The images of the suspect were disseminated in a bulletin and the detective received multiple tips identifying the suspect as a 53-year-old female who has a lengthy arrest history for similar crimes. After a positive identification, Detectives arrested the suspect for Felony Retail Theft

• On August 23, 2018 Detectives conducted a search warrant at a residence on S.W. Valnera Street. Loose cannabis, cannabis wax, steroids, drug paraphernalia and digital scales were recovered in addition to live ammunition and over $10,000 in US currency. Detectives took four adult males into custody for drug possession charges, and possession of ammo by a convicted felon. The currency was seized.

DISTRICT 3—

• Case 2018-12190: Criminal Investigations Division Detectives investigated an auto burglary, where the suspect stole several items, including the victim’s credit cards at a home on S.W. Westfield Street. The victim believed his son’s 37-year-old wife committed the burglary. Detectives learned that the suspect utilized an automobile service to have the vehicle doors unlocked so that she could commit the theft. The suspect was also found to have used the stolen credit cards fraudulently in Indian River County. She was arrested for Auto Burglary and Grand Theft. The Vero Beach Police Department is pursuing additional charges.

DISTRICT 4—

• Case 2018-10099: The US Marshal’s Task Force was able to track a 24-year-old male suspect through Social Media postings and apprehended him in Palm Beach County on multiple felony warrants obtained by NPB related to an incident that began at a fast food restaurant located on S. U.S. Highway 1 in May 2018. The incident involved a battery on an officer, vehicle pursuit, and eventual battery and injury to K-9 Dingo.

• Cases 2018-10690 & 10691: Fraud, 10117 S US Highway 1, Rent A Center – Criminal Investigation Division Detectives began two separate investigations after the store manager of a rental center informed them about a 20-year-old female suspect from North Carolina and a 38-year- old male suspect from Port St. Lucie fraudulently obtaining property through a lease agreement and never making any payments. Detectives obtained active felony arrest warrant against the female suspect for Leasing Property with Intent to Defraud, $25,000 bond and arrested the male suspect on two counts of Leasing Property with Intent to Defraud and two counts of Providing False Information to a Pawnbroker after he pawned the items that he obtained from the rental center.

10 Police Department Cont’

UPCOMING P.A.L. EVENTS

• Boxing: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. • Karate: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 6-8 p.m. • Baton Clinics: Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m. • Drum Line Practices: Sundays from 3-5 p.m. • The PSL Police Athletic League will be holding its annual Golf Tournament on Saturday, September 22, 2018 at Gator Trace Golf & Country Club. The entry fee for the four-person team scramble is $400 per team. This includes green fees, cart, breakfast, lunch, trophies, door prizes and raffles. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m.

Planning & Zoning Department

(772) 871-5212 | [email protected] www.CityofPSL.com

PLANNING & ZONING MISSION To assist the public and to direct and encourage quality community development in accordance with adopted policies, codes, and laws which enhance the City, protect the environment and make the City a better place to live.

This is accomplished by: • Providing quality and timely customer assistance and information • Implementation of the City's Comprehensive Plan • Continued reviews and updates of land development code • Preparation of innovative plans to direct the city's future • Efficient development review processes

DID YOU KNOW ABOUT ONLINE SUBMITTALS? Online The Planning and Zoning Department is accepting online submittals for applications. Visit our Online Submittals Submittals page to access the website and upload documents. Please contact the Planner of the Day at (772) 871-5212 to obtain the review fee for your project.

COMPREHENSIVE PLAN— View the Comprehensive Plan on the City’s Website The City of Port St. Lucie Comprehensive Plan guides future development, maintains quality of life, and provides for economic development. It also regulates land use and provides the basis for zoning regulations. The Comprehensive Plan covers ten major topics, each known as an element: Future Land Use, Transportation, Housing, Infrastructure, Conservation and Coastal Management, Intergovernmental Coordination, Recreation and Open Space, Economic Development, Capital Improvements, and Public School Facilities. Only the goals, objectives and policies are adopted by ordinance.

PLANNING AREA SINGLE FAMILY UNITS MULTIPLE FAMILY UNITS TOTAL UNITS POPULATION COUNT ONE (1) 3,131 609 3,740 Check out the TWO (2) 2,511 447 2,958 GIS Neighborhood Map THREE (3) 16,366 1 16,367 for detailed demographics, FOUR NORTH (4N) 15,212 529 15,741 parks, schools, and more! FOUR SOUTH (4S) 9,691 26 9,717 FIVE (5) 1,915 12 1,927 NOTE: The US Census estimated SIX (6) 4,519 1,214 5,733 the City's population to be 189,344 as of July 1, 2017. SEVEN (7) 5,409 2,267 7,676 EIGHT (8) 5,320 1,653 6,973 NINE (9) 3,046 1,092 4,138 TEN (10) 557 154 711 FOURTEEN 67 0 67 CITY TOTAL 67,744 8,004 75,748 12

www.CityofPSL.com/ Public Works Department Office: (772) 871-5100

SIDEWALKS UNDER CONSTRUCTION— • Oakridge Drive (District 4) - Glenwood Drive to the Southbend Boulevard Roundabout (1.6 miles) is scheduled for completion by January 5th . See photos right.

UPCOMING SIDEWALK CONSTURCTION PROJECTS— WWW.CITYOFPSL.COM/SIDEWALKS STREET REPAVING PROGRAM— WWW.CITYOFPSL.COM/REPAVING • Paar Drive (District 3) – Savona Boulevard to Port St. Lucie Boulevard (0.8 miles) - fiscal year 2018/19 The program completed 21.3 miles of road resurfacing for FY 17/18. City Council approved • Paar Drive (District 3) – Port St. Lucie Boulevard to the 2018 update to the Ten-Year Repaving Plan Darwin Boulevard (1.0 miles) - fiscal year 2018/19 on July 25th. • Macedo Blvd (District 1) – Selvitz Road to St James Drive (1.0 miles) – fiscal year 2019/20

ROADWAY PROJECTS Woodland Trails Neighborhood Traffic Calming (District 3) – Staff is working to secure a contractor for the construction of a signalized intersection at Savona/Paar as well as an eastbound right-turn lane which will be completed prior to the end of the year. Earnest Street is now open and speed tables were installed on Earnest Street and Daemon Street. Traffic patterns will be monitored, and additional traffic calming measures will be installed, as needed. Woodland Trails

Bayshore Boulevard and Selvitz Road Roundabout (District 1) – Construction of a roundabout at Bayshore & Selvitz began in the summer of 2017. This project has exceeded the contractual completion date of April 22nd. Contractor is completing curb placement, stamped concrete, asphalt placement, and final grading and sodding. Current estimated completion date, with weather days, additional work, and delays attributed to the contractor, is August 31, 2018. After completion of the roadway, the center of the roundabout will be landscaped with an area reserved for a future art feature.

Bayshore & Selvitz 13 Public Works Department Cont’

ROADWAY PROJECTS CONTINUED— Bayshore Boulevard / Port St. Lucie Boulevard Intersection Improvements (Districts 1 and 4) – Construction began June 11th. Motorists should expect delays related to the construction, especially between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. The contractor will be implementing lane closures during these hours. There may be short term lane closures during the day for curb placement and other operations that cannot be performed at night. For more information regarding construction, please contact the Turnpike Enterprise construction project manager, Roxanne Riggs, at [email protected] or the Public Information Officer, Fiorella Teodista, at Fiorella.teodista@ dot.state.fl.us.

KEEP PORT ST. LUCIE BEAUTIFUL To learn more about KPSLB, visit: www.CityofPSL.com/KPSLB KEEP AMERICA BEAUTIFUL AFFILIATE

Paar Estates Neighborhood Cleanup – Keep Port St. Lucie Beautiful, in partnership with Adopt-a-Street Group - Danville Couch Potatoes (Mark & Terry Williams), invite community members who reside in the Paar Estates neighborhood and all City of Port St. Lucie residents to participate in our first mini-neighborhood cleanup event for 2018-2019. The cleanup is on Saturday, September 8, 2018, from 9 AM to 11 AM. Volunteers will meet- up at Whispering Pines Park to sign-up, enjoy a delicious breakfast provided by our sponsor, The Bagel & Bean Company, and pick-up/borrow any litter tools needed. Litter tools borrowed, and any trash bags filled, will be brought back to Whispering Pines Park.

Southbend Lakes Neighborhood Cleanup — Keep Port St. Lucie Beautiful, in partnership with KPSLB Committee Members (all Southbend residents) Darlene McLaughlin, Judith Sekscenski (Adopt-a-Street volunteer), and Sarah Taylor, invite community members who reside in the Southbend Lakes neighborhood and all City of Port St. Lucie residents to participate in our second mini-neighborhood cleanup event for 2018-2019. The cleanup is on Saturday, October 6, 2018, from 8 AM to 10 AM. Volunteers will meet -up at Jessica Clinton Park - Pavilion 1 to sign-up, enjoy a delicious breakfast provided by our sponsor, The Bagel & Bean Company and pick-up/borrow any litter tools needed. Litter tools borrowed, and any trash bags filled, will be brought back to Jessica Clinton Park.

Give-A-Tree, Spread-the-Shade Tree Giveaway— Plant a tree for a loved one on Saturday, September 15, 2018, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (or until all trees have been given out). Keep Port St. Lucie Beautiful and the City will give away an assorted variety of trees that are native to Florida.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day— Saturday, October 13, 2018, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Public Works facility located at 450 SW Thornhill Drive. This event makes it easy for residents to dispose of their unwanted household chemicals and hazardous waste by providing a convenient place and time where the materials can be handed over to experts, free of charge, for proper disposal.

Utility Systems Department www.Utility.CityofPSL.com

Customer Service & Billing Utility Engineering Administration & Field Operations Mon - Fri; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Mon - Fri; 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. 24 hours a day/365 a year (772) 871-5330 | [email protected] (772) 873-6400 | [email protected] (772) 873-6400

Free Chlorination to flush lines, Aug. 31 to Sept. 28— In order to maintain water quality and compliance with regulatory requirements, we will temporarily modify our disinfection process:

• Modification entails the use of free chlorine as opposed to chloramine during this four-week time period. • Periodic modifications to the water disinfection process are standard practice and recommended by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) as a precautionary measure to maintain high water quality in the City’s distribution system. • Customers served by Port St. Lucie Utility Systems may notice a slight chlorine taste and odor during this time. These conditions are temporary and will not cause any adverse health effects. • Those who are especially sensitive to the taste of chlorine can keep an open container of drinking water in the refrigerator for a few hours to allow the chlorine taste to dissipate. Hydrant Flushing • Flushing of fire hydrants will take place Saturday, Sept. 8 to Friday, Sept. 28 between the hours of 9 p.m. and 7 a.m. During this time, your tap water may become cloudy and discolored—a temporary condition that should not last more than a few hours. • Visit utility.cityofpsl.com for more information, maps, and schedules

Area 2 of McCarty Ranch Extension Water Quality Project awarded FDEP FY18 Section 319(h) Grant for $644,020 —

• Received notice of funding letter on Aug. 22 from Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) • Funds will be used for construction-related costs • Area 2 will be complete and operational within 2 years of receiving grant funds • Area 1 is currently under construction and is anticipated to be complete October 2018 • This project is anticipated to keep up to 21% of excess freshwater C-23 Canal discharges from entering the North Fork of the St. Lucie River McCarty Ranch • Visit www.CityofPSL.com/McCartyRanchWaterProject for more project information

Utility Systems collected more than $600 worth of items for homeless students in St. Lucie County— • USD employees donated new socks, underwear, uniforms, and toiletries for the St. Lucie County School District Student Services’ closet • Gently-used clothing was also collected • Over 1,200 homeless children from kindergarten to 12th grade in St. Lucie County just started a new school year—many in need of these basic items • The students get three outfits and one bag of toiletries twice during the school year

Donations

Sarah Prohaska Feature Story Communications Manager

PSL Public Works Department achieves 4th re-accreditation Post Date: August 21, 2018 | Read Article Online

The City’s Public Works Department has achieved its fourth prestigious re-accreditation designation from the American Public Works Association – evidence the department is working toward the highest standards for management practices. This accomplishment also reinforces the department’s work on the City’s strategic goal to be a high-performing government organization. The City’s Public Works Department oversees City resources that manage the planning, design, construction and maintenance of City infrastructure and various facilities. This includes roads and bridges, water quality and drainage, traffic operations and landscaping. “The Public Works Department works on projects and initiatives that directly affect residents’ quality of life, such as traffic control, sidewalks, road maintenance, stormwater, water quality and litter control,” City Manager Russ Blackburn said. “There are very few accredited public works departments in the nation. It is highly regarded because it shows our taxpayers that the City’s Public Works Department follows the highest standards and is consistent and thoughtful in its practices.” The APWA Re-Accreditation program recognizes public works agencies that go beyond the requirements of the management practices established nationally in the public works industry, as contained in the APWA Public Works Management Practices Manual. APWA Region IV Director Doug Layton announced Port St. Lucie’s re-accreditation during a presentation at the City Council’s Aug. 20, 2018 meeting. The Re-Accreditation of the City’s Public Works Department indicates the department met all applicable Re-Accreditation documentation and practices over time. “This APWA Re-Accreditation demonstrates the commitment and dedication of the men and women of this department to serve with excellence and make Port St. Lucie a safe, beautiful, and prosperous city,” said Interim Public Works Director Roxanne Chesser. “The City of Port St Lucie’s Public Works Department is extremely proud to receive this honor.” The City of Port St. Lucie Public Works Department was the seventh agency in North America to be awarded Accreditation, and the first agency in the State of Florida.

Staff Group Photo

16 www.CityofPSL.com