Elected Officials Present:

Tamara Cornwell, Vice Mayor, Commissioner-at-Large 2

Jonathan Davis, Commissioner-at-Large 1

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

Tambra Varnadore, Commissioner, Ward 2

Brian Williams, Commissioner, Ward 3

 

Elected Officials Absent:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Mayor

 

Staff Present:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jeff Burton, CRA Director

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Allen Tusing, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Amber LaRowe, Assistant City Clerk

 

Vice Mayor Cornwell 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 Commission were duly sworn.

 

PROCLAMATION:         Commissioner Smith presented the National Tartan Day proclamation to Carol Sensbach, President of the Bradenton Chapter of New World Celts and Bob Greene, Treasurer.  National Tartan Day is April 6^th.

 

PROCLAMATION:         Commissioner Williams read the Donate Life Month proclamation. No one was present to accept the proclamation at this time.

 

   PROCLAMATION:      Commissioner Cornwell presented the Child Abuse Awareness Month proclamation to Karen Vitone, CAC Therapist, Manatee Children’s Services

 

   PROCLAMATION:      Commissioner Varnadore presented the Sexual Assault Awareness Day proclamation to Tari Allen, Centerstone Victim Advocate Manager. Sexual Assault Awareness Day is April 4^th.

 

   PROCLAMATION:      Commissioner Davis presented the Water Conservation Month proclamation to Allen Tusing, Public Works Director and Penny Johnson, Executive Administrative Assistant.

 

 

1.  CITY COMMISSION AGENDA APPROVAL

 

Motion:           Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the April 1, 2019 Commission Agenda.

 

 

2.  PUBLIC COMMENT

Davis Potter, Palmetto resident, expressed his displeasure with the dredging or lack thereof. Mr. Tusing will be looking at the drain pipes to see what the issue is, if any, and how to go about fixing it.

 

John Smallen, Palmetto resident, questioned when new lights would be placed at the end of 11^th Street and 12^th Avenue West. Mr. Tusing stated that Florida Power and Light has a plan on when lights are installed and where; they have not made it to that section of the City at this time. Mr. Tusing will follow up with Mr. Smallen on the schedule of light placement.

 

 

3.  CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL

            A. City Clerk’s Office

1.      Resolution 2019-10 WCIND Grant for Derelict Boat Removal                         

2.      Resolution 2019-11 BB&T Capital Lease                                                           

            B. Public Works Department

                        1. Surplus of Obsolete Equipment                                                                             

            C. Police Department

                        1. Vehicle for Online Auction                                                                                   

                                               

 

Attorney Barneney clarified that 3.C.1. is the surplus of a Police Department vehicle that is no longer useable.

 

Motion:           Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the April 1, 2019 Consent Agenda as recommended by staff.

 

 

4. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 2019-02 GENERAL EMPLOYEES PENSION

An Ordinance of the City of Palmetto, amending Chapter 22, Personnel, Article IV, General Employees’ Retirement System, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Palmetto, amending Section 22-88, Disability; amending Section 22-94, Maximum Pension; amending Section 22-96 Miscellaneous Provisions; amending Section 22-108, Deferred Retirement Option Plan; amending Section 22-109, Reemployment after Retirement; providing for codification; providing for severability; repealing all ordinances in conflict herewith and providing an effective date.

 

Vice Mayor Cornwell opened the public hearing and closed the public hearing after no public comment.

 

Motion:     Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Smith seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to adopt Ordinance 2019-02.

 

 

5. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 2019-03 POLICE PENSION

An Ordinance of the City of Palmetto, Florida, amending Chapter 22, Personnel, Article V, Police Officers’ Retirement Plan, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Palmetto; amending Section 22-171, Definitions; amending Section 22-178, Disability; amending Section 22-187, Miscellaneous Provisions; amending Section 22-196, Reemployment after Retirement; amending Section 22-198, Deferred Retirement Option Plan; amending Section 22-200, Supplemental Benefit Component for Special Benefits – Chapter 185 Share Accounts; providing for codification; providing for severability of provisions; repealing all ordinances in conflict herewith and providing an effective date.

 

Vice Mayor Cornwell opened the public hearing and closed the public hearing after no public comment.

 

Motion:           Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to adopt Ordinance 2019-03.

 

 

6. 4^th OF JULY FIREWORKS DISPLAY

Mr. Freeman explained that the annual fireworks display agreement had expired and the Purchasing Department requested quotes from five vendors that are currently registered with the City; four responded. After review, Zambelli Fireworks provided the quote that is the in the best interest of the City. Their quote is offered as an alternative to the specifications in the City’s initial solicitation; however, their offer is the same display as las year’s July 4^th event and at the same price.

 

The cost of the contract is $40,000 and will be evenly divided among Manatee County, Bradenton, and Palmetto.

 

Motion:           Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the July 4^th Fireworks Display Agreement with Zambelli in the amount of $40,000 for 2019, with the option to renew for two additional one year terms with Commission approval and authorize the Mayor to execute the new Agreement.

 

7. SRF LOAN AGREEMENT FOR EQUALIZATION BASIN

Mr. Freeman reminded the Commission of the process of the Invitation to Bid; Vogel Brothers Building Company out of Lakeland, Florida was the lowest bidder for the project at an amount of $6,404,249 [a copy of the full bid is available on the City’s website]. The amount is more than the $4.4M that was initially approved by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), and, based on conversations with FDEP, they feel confident the City will receive the necessary increase, due to the increasing materials costs for concrete and steel.

 

Motion:           Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve and authorize the Mayor to sign the Clean Water state revolving fund construction loan agreement (WW410201) in the amount of $4,337,428 with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection for the construction of an EQ Basin pending final attorney approval of the contract.

 

8. Award of Bid for Equalization (EQ) Basin

Commissioner Cornwell would prefer to identify a source in the event FDEP cannot increase the State Revolving Fund Loan for the project.

 

Motion:     Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve selection of Vogel Brothers as the first proposer and authorize Mayor and staff to negotiate an agreement and bring back to the Commission for approval.

 

Vice Mayor Cornwell recessed the City Commission meeting at 7:50 p.m. to open the April 1, 2019 CRA Board Meeting

 

Vice Mayor Cornwell reconvened the City Commission meeting at 8:45 p.m.

 

9. TRAFFIC UPDATE

Nothing new to report.

 

 

10. PALMETTO POOL UPDATE

Mr. Burton stated that Manatee County is reviewing the Purchasing Policy and going to go through the entire process of the pool selection again.

 

 

11. POLICE DEPARTMENT BUILDING UPDATE

12. DEPARTMENT HEADS’ COMMENTS

Attorney Barnebey—will be distributing a memo to the Commission outlining the current litigation in the City.

 

Chief Tyler—last week was the Department’s Mock Assessment that had no issues. The on-site Accreditation Assessment will be July 23^rd to July 25^th.

 

Mr. Freeman—complimented Vice Mayor Cornwell on how smoothly she ran the meeting on behalf of the Mayor.

 

Mr. Tusing—provided an update to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) project. Crews have started on 17^th Street to 10^th Street, the Manatee County Fairgrounds to 10^th Avenue. The waterline is being updated to increase fire protection and a large area will be covered with reclaimed water. Additional sidewalks will be installed as well as repairs made to the current sidewalks and paving of the roads.

 

Mr. Burton—discussed the current bills being proposed at the Legislation. There is a webinar tomorrow regarding some information on them. He expects something to pass regarding Community Redevelopment Agencies.

 

 

13. MAYOR’S REPORT

 

 

14. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS

Commissioner Smith—discussed the railroad tracks on 3^rd Street. Mr. Tusing stated that every ten years CSX (Railroad Company) re-profiles their tracks and levels them out.

 

Mr. Smith requested a meeting with Mr. Burton.

 

Commissioner Davis—in regards to the discussion that took place during the CRA Board meeting, Mr. Davis reminded the Commission that the City must be strategic in the zoning discussion so as not to potentially run businesses off.

 

Vice Mayor Cornwell—thanked Commissioner Varnadore for attending last month’s Historic Board meeting.

 

She was surprised at how easy it was to phone in on today’s Legislative Update phone discussion.

 

Mayor Bryant cannot attend the DeSoto Grand Parade at the end of the month and requested that Commissioners decide who can attend to represent the City.

 

Commissioner Cornwell opined that staff could look at installing mausoleums in the City cemetery to increase space if needed.

 

Commissioner Williams—discussed the different proposed Legislative bills that were discussed on today’s conference call; Mrs. Johnston has the information and will be distributing it to all the Commission.

 

Commissioner Varnadore—attended the Historical Board meeting and informed staff that the outbuildings at the Park need insulation. She is requesting that the City make this a priority.

 

Vice Mayor Cornwell adjourned the meeting at 8:58 p.m.