PSL On The Mic

It's hard to imagine Port St. Lucie without the majestic Crosstown Parkway Bridge, which spans the beautiful North Fork of the St. Lucie River. But after 40 years, and a few bumps in the road, the bridge finally opened to traffic Sept. 28, 2019, and the City has a lot to celebrate.

On Episode 33 of PSL On The Mic, Beth Zsoka, Public Works executive project manager for community outreach, and Frank Knott, project manager with the Community Redevelopment Agency, reminisce about working side by side on the project and share information that proves the bridge is doing its job: alleviating traffic on two of the City's most heavily traveled roads.

Crosstown Parkway Bridge Extension Project: https://link.cityofpsl.com/3Xr5IxQ 
Public Works: www.cityofpsl.com/publicworks
Community Redevelopment Agency: www.cityofpsl.com/cra

Stay informed about City news, events, meetings and activities: www.cityofpsl.com/stayinformed

Like what you’re hearing? Suggest a topic for a future episode: www.cityofpsl.com/podcast

We're a few weeks into the new school year, so we wanted to highlight our school resource officers and the vital role they play in keeping students and teachers safe.

Port St. Lucie Police Officer Amanda McCarty joins us on Episode 32 to talk about her role as an SRO at Treasure Coast High School. SROs not only help create a safe learning environment; they also foster positive relationships with youth, handle criminal complaints and routine calls for service on campus, teach classes, mentor at-risk youth and lots more, including offering hugs when needed!

PSLPD school resource officers: https://link.cityofpsl.com/3XdoZma

Stay informed about City news, events, meetings and activities: www.cityofpsl.com/stayinformed

Like what you’re hearing? Suggest a topic for a future episode: www.cityofpsl.com/podcast

Is the City going back to twice-a-week trash pickup?
When will construction along Port St. Lucie Boulevard South be complete?
Could we get more activities for teens?
Is public art paid for by taxpayers?

Mayor Shannon Martin's first FAQ podcast was very popular, so she joins us again on Episode 31 of PSL On The Mic to answer more frequently asked questions from Port St. Lucie residents.

Stay informed about City news, events, meetings and activities: www.cityofpsl.com/stayinformed

Like what you’re hearing? Suggest a topic for a future episode: www.cityofpsl.com/podcast

Mayor Shannon Martin joins us on PSL On The Mic to talk about two important topics: taxes and the budget.

During its Summer Workshop, City Council was presented with the City Manager's proposed budget for FY 2024-25, and will officially approve it at the end of September. To be transparent, and to make sure residents' questions are answered, there will be two informational sessions, one in person Aug. 27 at the botanical gardens, and one virtually Aug. 29. There also are two public hearings, Sept. 9 and Sept. 23, where residents can share their opinions or concerns about the budget. 

Public participation in budgeting helps build trust between the City and its residents, and increases legitimacy and credibility in financial matters.

Your tax bill explained: www.cityofpsl.com/taxes
Balancing Act Tax Receipt Tool: www.cityofpsl.com/taxes
FY 24/25 Budget in Brief: www.cityofpsl.com/budget

Stay informed about City news, events, meetings and activities: www.cityofpsl.com/stayinformed

Like what you’re hearing? Suggest a topic for a future episode: www.cityofpsl.com/podcast

Regular physical activity is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being. It improves cardiovascular health, increases strength and endurance, enhances mood and reduces the risk of chronic diseases.

That's why, on Episode 29, we chat with Fitness Coordinator Christiana Marasa and Recreation Manager Anne Stadius from the fitness division of Parks & Recreation. Christiana and Anne tell us how the City's fitness programming and fitness centers can help members achieve their health and exercise goals. They also talk about Rock Steady Boxing, a non-contact boxing program designed specifically for individuals with Parkinson’s disease.

Fitness centers & programs: www.cityofpsl.com/fitness
Learn more about Rock Steady Boxing

Stay informed about City news, events, meetings and activities: www.cityofpsl.com/stayinformed

Like what you’re hearing? Suggest a topic for a future episode: www.cityofpsl.com/podcast

The City of Port St. Lucie's official podcast, PSL On The Mic, has been on the air for one year, and we're so excited to keep educating, informing and answering your questions about all things Port St. Lucie. 

For Episode 28, we do a little switcheroo as Innovation Strategist Avi Monina takes over as guest host to chat with Social Media Manager Maureen Kenyon about the lessons we learned, the episodes we loved and what we're planning for the future. Also, meet the trio of staffers who create and produce the award-winning podcast. 

Stay informed about City news, events, meetings and activities: www.cityofpsl.com/stayinformed

Like what you’re hearing? Suggest a topic for a future episode: www.cityofpsl.com/podcast

July is Park & Recreation Month, and with more than 50 parks, playgrounds and recreation facilities in Port St. Lucie, there's a lot to celebrate! 

Brad Keen, acting director for Parks & Recreation, joins us for an in-depth discussion about all things parks and playgrounds, including how we decide when the City needs a new park, the push for all-inclusive playgrounds and why parks play such a vital role in our residents' lives. Brad also shares new information about parks coming online soon, including Riverland Paseo Park and Tradition and Torino regional parks.

Parks map: www.cityofpsl.com/parks
Parks & Recreation: www.pslparks.com

Stay informed about City news, events, meetings and activities: www.cityofpsl.com/stayinformed

Like what you’re hearing? Suggest a topic for a future episode: www.cityofpsl.com/podcast

The Port St. Lucie Police Department’s K9 Unit is a team of highly trained police dogs and officers that bolsters the fight against crime in Port St. Lucie and provides protection for officers and residents. But the K9 Unit is also a testament to the extraordinary bond between humans and their canine partners, working tirelessly to ensure the safety of the City.

On Episode 26, Sgt. John Fazio, who leads the unit, and K9 Officer Will Harris chat with us about how the dogs and officers are trained, what makes a good handler, the challenges of working with a four-legged partner and lots more. Did we mention K9 Bodhi visits with us, too? He does!

K9 Unit: www.cityofpsl.com/government/departments/police/recruitment/k-9-unit
Port St. Lucie Police: www.cityofpsl.com/police

Stay informed about City news, events, meetings and activities: www.cityofpsl.com/stayinformed

Like what you’re hearing? Suggest a topic for a future episode: www.cityofpsl.com/podcast

We're finally putting the Port in Port St. Lucie! 

On Episode 25, CRA Director Jen Davis and Parks Projects Administrator Kelly Boatwright give us the 411 on the awesome amenities that await us at Pioneer Park and The Port District, an area that stretches from just south of the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens, up to and including Lyngate Park. 

The City of Port St. Lucie has long recognized the value of the North Fork of the St. Lucie River, and for years, residents, business owners and visitors have expressed their desire for more ways to enjoy it. Jen and Kelly take us on a "tour" of Pioneer Park and The Port District and explain how the City succeeded in developing a "destination" for visitors while at the same time, ensuring those plans fit in with the natural environment and the City’s character. 

The grand opening of The Port District and Pioneer Park is Saturday, June 15 during Port Fest.

The Port District: www.cityofpsl.com/theport
Port Fest: www.cityofpsl.com/portfest

Stay informed about City news, events, meetings and activities: www.cityofpsl.com/stayinformed

Like what you’re hearing? Suggest a topic for a future episode: www.cityofpsl.com/podcast

On average, eight people are killed and 49 are seriously injured on Florida’s roads every day. In the majority of those crashes, driver behavior is a contributing factor. 

On Episode 24, we chat with Katie Kehres, the Florida Department of Transportation's District Four safety administrator, about Target Zero, a statewide initiative to reduce the number of transportation-related serious injuries and deaths across Florida to zero. 

Target Zero focuses on identifying behaviors that contribute to crashes and understanding why those behaviors occurred, identifying the specific target audience and creating impactful messages to influence safe driving. It focuses on influencing change in these specific behaviors before they occur. 

The City of Port St. Lucie has been partnering with FDOT on this initiative since October 2022, when it was chosen as the lead for Target Zero's kickoff.

Target Zero: www.fdot.gov/agencyresources/target-zero
FDOT District 4: https://www.d4fdot.com/
Stressed behind the wheel? Download a playlist! www.fdot.gov/projects/targetzero/speeding 

Stay informed about City news, events, meetings and activities: www.cityofpsl.com/stayinformed

Like what you’re hearing? Suggest a topic for a future episode: www.cityofpsl.com/podcast