CITY OF PALMETTO

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

January 22, 2018

7:00 PM

 

Elected Officials Present:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Mayor

Brian Williams, Vice Mayor, Commissioner, Ward 3

Tamara Cornwell, Commissioner-at-Large 2

Jonathan Davis, Commissioner-at-Large 1

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

Tambra Varnadore, Commissioner, Ward 2

 

Staff Present:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jeff Burton, CRA Director

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Allen Tusing, Director of Public Works

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Penny Johnston, Executive Administrative Assistant

 

 

Mayor Bryant called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., followed by a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

All persons intending to address the City Commissioner were duly sworn

 

 Recognitions have been postponed.

 

 

   1. CITY COMMISSION AGENDA APPROVAL

 

MOTION:      Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the January 22, 2018 Commission Agenda with the suggestion of moving item 8 earlier in the agenda to item 2A.

 

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

 

2A. HISTORICAL PARK AGREEMENT              

  

Attorney Barnebey noted slight changes to Exhibit C and Exhibit E documents. Ms. Mandy Polson from the County Clerk’s Office expressed that the Historical Commission is satisfied with the changes.

 

MOTION:      Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the Interlocal Agreement relating to the Operation and Maintenance Agreement of the Palmetto Historical Park with the two amendments. 

   3. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL 

            A. Mayor’s Office

                        1. Appointment of David Sylvester to the General Employee Pension

     Board                                                                                                        

                        2. Appointment of Pam Roberts to the Planning and Zoning Board           

3. 2018 Board Appointments                                                            

            B. City Clerk’s Office

                        1. 1/8/2018 Workshop and Commission/CRA Minutes                               

                        2. 1/16/2018 Special Commission Meeting Minutes                                      

           

 

MOTION:      Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the January 22, 2018 Consent Agenda.

 

   4. LIEN REDUCTION REQUESTS

A.    1702 5th Ave W. Palmetto, FL 34221

 

City Clerk Jim Freeman summarized account history for the property at 1702 5th Avenue West.  There had been no water usage since the fire damage in August 2013, just readiness to serve charges.  The resident is requesting forgiveness for his $2442.90 utility debt.  Mrs. Ruby Graham spoke for her brother Gerald Fobbs, who was residing in the home prior to the fire.   Commissioner Smith opined that Commissioners should help the people in the community who have suffered a tragedy, and agreed a 50% discount should be reasonable request. Commissioner Varnadore suggested the City should consider an Ordinance for hardship cases when a home is uninhabitable due to a tragedy.  Mayor Bryant suggested moving this forward to a future agenda, allowing the staff to find a solution, without setting a precedent.  

 

 

B.     1104 26th Ave W. Palmetto, FL 34221

 

  City Clerk Mr. Freeman summarized the account history for the property at 1104 26th Avenue West. There has been no water usage since 2002.  The current owner bought the house in 2016 from the previous owner Eric Jackson for $23,100 without getting clear title.  Value of the house is approximately $58,000. Commissioner Varnadore wanted to know how many accounts have outstanding utility balances over $2000.  Commissioner Smith opined Ms. Holloway should attend the next meeting. Mayor Bryant suggested moving this forward to a future agenda, allowing the staff to provide additional information.  

                                                                

 

  5. RESOLUTION 2018-01 INTERLOCAL SERVICES BOUNDARY AGREEMENT  

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA; INITIATING THE NEGOTIATION PROCESS FOR AN INTERLOCAL SERVICE BOUNDARY AGREEMENT WITH MANATEE COUNTY PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 171, PART II, FLORIDA STATUTES (INTERLOCAL SERVICE BOUNDARY AGREEMENT ACT); IDENTIFYING SPECIFIED AREAS AND ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED IN THE INTERLOCAL SERVICE BOUNDARY AGREEMENT NEGOTIATIONS; PROVIDING FOR REQUIRED MAILING; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

Attorney Barnebey talked about the annexation for contiguous properties or unincorporated properties that would logically be serviced by the City.  This is the first step in the process. The next step will be to develop an agreement to bring before the City and the County Commissions.   Commissioner Cornwell opined property across the water is not considered contiguous. The City has previously annexed properties on Snead Island. Property owners may choose to be on the City’s sanitary sewer, and voluntarily annex single pieces of property.  Commissioner Williams discussed expanding City boundaries to include annexing another 100 feet offshore of submerged land to include docks.

 

MOTION:      Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to adopt Resolution 2018-01 with the changes the attorney described.  

 

 

  6. RESOLUTION 2018-02 ATTENDANCE AT JOINT GOVERNMENTAL MEETINGS

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR THE ATTENDANCE AT A COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS MEETING WITH THE COUNTY COMMISSION AND VARIOUS OTHER GOVERNMENTAL BODIES LOCATED WITHIN MANATEE COUNTY FLORIDA; ESTABLISHING THE TIME AND PLACE FOR SUCH MEETING; AND PROVIDING FOR AND EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

Attorney Barnebey stated we are now required to have a resolution to meet with the Council of Governments

 

MOTION:      Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to adopt Resolution 2018-02.

 

 

 7. RESOLUTION 2018-03 One-Half Cent Sales Tax Infrastructure Funding List                                                                                                                               

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA, REGARDING PUBLIC FINANCE; ESTABLISHING GUIDELINES FOR EXPENDITURE OF PROCEEDS OF AN INFRASTRUCTURE SALES TAX; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

MOTION:      Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Smith seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to adopt Resolution 2018-03.

 

 

  9. DECEMBER CHECK REGISTER (Informational Only)                                               

 

 

  10. TRAFFIC UPDATE

Commissioner Varnadore opined that traffic on 6th Avenue and 9th Street in Bradenton getting worse. This project is on the short list for the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

 

MOTION:      Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to submit a letter from the City of Palmetto to the City of Bradenton and the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) asking the City of Bradenton for two turn lanes at the 6th Avenue and 9th Street intersection.

 

 

   11. NOISE

No update.

 

 

12. PALMETTO POOL UPDATE

No update.

 

 

   13. DEPARTMENT HEADS’ COMMENTS

Commission felt the seawall lighting was a great project but too expensive, and perhaps not the best use of CRA funds at this time.

 

MOTION:      Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded and the motion carried 5-0 to continue the CRA Living Seawall Lighting project indefinitely.

 

   Mr. Tusing, Director of Public Works, stated the milling and paving at 17th Street and 14th Avenue project should be complete in just a few days.

 

   Mr. Freeman, City Clerk, commented the Historical Grant is in the final six (6) months of restoration, including the windows and restoration of Carnegie Library.  The last phase will include the restoration of all the outparcels.  The grant will be closed out by June, 2018.

 

  Chief Tyler reported a very successful fair, with no fair related incidences within the City. He also added that No Parking signs are posted and being enforced along 12th Avenue West.

 

 

   14. MAYOR’S REPORT

Mayor Bryant reminded the Commission and Department Heads of the meetings scheduled with the mobile home parks. A Manatee County Area Transit (MCAT) representative is coming to one of the meetings. She also talked about the MPO meeting held today inVenice, with Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte County and Punta Gorda represented. Discussion focused on proposed legislation trying to limit expenses for the hotel rooms used for the large training conferences. Mayor Bryant suggested the MPO Chair write a letter encouraging legislators to not affect Home Rule.   Ms. Chris Howze, the owner of the old schoolhouse painting done by Cory Wright, asked that the painting be hung at the Carnegie Library in the Historical Park.  Mayor Bryant has been invited to sit on a Mayor’s Panel on February 27, 2018 at a Safe Streets Summit/ Complete Streets at Glasser Children’s Museum.

 

 

   15. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS

Commissioner Cornwell questioned if we could try to reschedule the meeting with Tropic Isles to a night or weekend. Mrs. Johnston explained that after conversations within Tropic Isles residents, Monday February 5th at 10:00 a.m. was the time the Park selected.

 

   Commissioner Williams talked about people speeding on 8th Avenue.  Chief Tyler said he is having officers run radar.

   FDOT has a new rendering for the flyover bridge.  They will be providing the information to us. Several questions are answered on their website and will be clarified in their upcoming drafts.

 

 Commission Davis thanked staff for the no parking signs on 12th, on behalf of the residents.

 

   Commissioner Smith said the Multicultural Festival cold but successful. Railroad tracks crossings are in serious disrepair. Mr. Tusing opined that CSX is very difficult to deal with.

 

  Commissioner Cornwell asked Mr. Burton to motivate County Commission about the pool. The County Fair was great and the Veteran’s Parade within during the Fair was fabulous.

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 8:46 p.m.

 

 

Minutes approved:

 

 

James R. Freeman

James R. Freeman, City Clerk