By Sarah Myrick staff writer
July 28, 2004

PORT ST. LUCIE — In an effort to resolve a lawsuit challenging two Port St. Lucie annexations, the City Council is requesting a meeting with their St. Lucie County counterparts.

After a private attorney-client session with City Attorney Roger Orr and City Manager Don Cooper on Tuesday, council members unanimously approved a motion to send the county a letter requesting a meeting either Friday or Aug. 4.

In February, the St. Lucie County Commission voted to sue Port St. Lucie to stop the annexation of the Lennar-Becker Groves and Kenco Communities property, alleging it was illegal.

Last week, attorneys for both sides met with a mediator and agreed to allow two more weeks for a settlement before going to court.

The two government bodies met in April in an attempt to resolve the dispute, but were unsuccessful.

On Tuesday, City Council members said they were hopeful the meeting would prevent a time-consuming and costly lawsuit from going to court.

"We want to try to clarify some issues that came up during mediation," Mayor Bob Minsky said.

County Commissioner Frannie Hutchinson said the council's action was "great news." She hoped an agreement could be reached after several months of both sides researching the issue.

"I think that's great news if we can get back to the table and hopefully work it out," she said. "If there's a willingness on both sides, anything can happen."

- sarah.myrick@scripps.com

Copyright 2004, TCPalm. All Rights Reserved.