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Residents press Fort Pierce commission on trash, noise and a citizen push to amend the city charter
Summary
Public commenters urged revisions to animal-control and noise ordinances and criticized trash-collection performance; speakers also described a citizen campaign called “Take Back Fort Pierce” to pursue charter amendments, prompting commissioners to outline the legal petition and referendum steps required under Florida law.
A wide range of residents used the June 15 public-comment period to press the Fort Pierce City Commission on persistent trash, animal-control and noise problems and to raise concerns about a citizen campaign proposing charter amendments.
Several residents described missed garbage pickups and overflowing trash in neighborhoods such as Lincoln Park. Virgeline Davis told the commission she films the problem and said code enforcement follow-up had not resolved the issue. “Garbage out 24/7, 365 days a year,” she said, urging more active enforcement. Commissioners acknowledged the seriousness of the complaints and outlined near-term steps: deputy city manager Camille Wallace said the police department will deploy details in the Lincoln Park area on certain days and that staff will review the noise and animal-control ordinances.
Speakers also debated a local group called Take Back Fort Pierce. Charles Wilson described the group’s work on Hutchinson Island and said it planned charter amendments; Rick Reed and other commenters strongly criticized that effort, arguing the proposals could conflict with federal voting-rights protections and accusing organizers of trying to roll back gains in representation. Commissioner Zadofsky and another commissioner explained the legal avenues for charter changes, noting that Florida Statute 166.031 requires either a commission-initiated ordinance or a petition signed by at least 10 percent of registered electors to place an amendment on the ballot.
Commissioners used their closing comments to emphasize the need for a coordinated operational response to trash—combining new vehicles, routing improvements and staffing—and to ask the police chief to present enforcement strategies for persistent noise complaints. The commission also directed staff to review the animal-control ordinance raised by residents and to return with recommendations.
