Elected Officials Present:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Mayor

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

 

Staff Present:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Mohammed Rayan, Deputy Director of Public Works

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Amber LaRowe, Assistant City Clerk

 

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 Commission were duly sworn.

 

Mayor Bryant presented the National Day of Prayer Proclamation to Jason Lane, Skyway Community Chapel. National Day of Prayer is May 2^nd.

 

1. CITY COMMISSION AGENDA APPROVAL

 

Motion:     Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the April 15, 2019 Commission Agenda.

 

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

Linda Svenson, representing Sanctuary Cove, discussed the City’s outdated Code regarding side setbacks for mechanical equipment (the last time it was reviewed and adopted was 1960). She asked the Commission and staff to consider taking some time to review the Code to bring up to more current standards; it is creating an issue for homeowners in the new Sanctuary Cove subdivision as well as existing homeowners throughout the City. She discussed an issue with a current homeowner that has a violation and will be subjected to fines.

 

The Commission would like to review this issue and continue the code enforcement violation hearing that is scheduled in April.

 

Motion:     Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to continue the Code Violation scheduled at the end of this month to the regularly scheduled May Special Magistrate Code meeting.

 

Jean Moreland, City resident, complimented the City on their recent discussion and plan to implement affordable housing. She would like the City’s Housing Authority to consider the income for most families with a minimum wage job.

 

Commissioner Smith requested information on who is on the Housing Authority Board; Mr. Freeman will speak to Mr. Smith tomorrow with the information.

 

3. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL

A. Special Function Permits

B. Resolution 2019-12 Mid-Year Budget Cleanup

C. Resolution 2019-13 Half Cent Sales Tax Infrastructure Project List Update

D. Resolution 2019-15 Half Cent Sales Tax Infrastructure Funding

E. Resolution 2019-14 Byrne Grant-Rapid ID

F. City Withdrawal from The Accord

G. Blalock Walters Legal Invoices

 

The Commission removed items 3B, 3C, and 3F.

 

Motion:     Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the remaining items that were not removed on the April 15, 2019 Consent Agenda as recommended by staff.

 

3. B. Resolution 2019-12 Mid-Year Budget Cleanup Discussion:

Commissioner Varnadore questioned if the budget item titled “survey of City” is really a legal description because the price is very inexpensive. Mr. Freeman and Attorney Barnebey agreed with Commissioner Varnadore’s interpretation of the item and indicated it was meant as a legal description.

 

Motion:           Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to adopt Resolution 2019-12.

 

3. C. Resolution 2019-13 Half Cent Sales Tax Infrastructure Project List Update Discussion:

Commissioner Varnadore questioned the Lincoln Park Bathroom Facility as well as the Celebration Center deck. Mr. Rayan will look into her questions with Mr. Tusing and get back to her.

 

Commissioner Smith requested a copy of the total updated list of all project completed and/or requested to date of City Hall; Mr. Freeman will call Commissioner Smith tomorrow regarding this.

 

Motion:           Commissioner Smith moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to adopt Resolution 2019-13.

 

3. F. City Withdrawal from the Accord Discussion:

Attorney Barnebey addressed concerns on why it is acceptable to dissolve the Accord. He stated there are other ways to address concerns that the Accord was supposed to do. He cited statues, ordinances, and interlocal agreements.

 

Motion:           Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve item 3. F. City Withdrawal from the Accord.

 

 

 

 

4. INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT PALMETTO TRANSIT STATION MURAL

Mayor Bryant discussed the mural for the Palmetto Transit Station. The proposed mural is attached to the Agenda. She stated that this same Agreement is on the Manatee County Commission meeting for Tuesday April 23^rd for, hopeful, approval.

 

Motion:     Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the Interlocal Agreement regarding the Palmetto Transit Station Mural between Manatee County and the City of Palmetto.

 

5. AWARD OF BID FOR EQUALIZATION (EQ) BASIN

Mr. Freeman reminded the Commission that this is a continuation of the discussion from the April 1^st Commission meeting. This motion tonight is to approve Vogel Brother’s bid of $6,409,249.

 

Motion:           Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve Vogel Brothers Building Company's bid of $6,409,249 for the construction of an EQ Basin and authorize the Mayor to execute the Construction Agreement. The award of the Contract is contingent upon Vogel Brothers Building Co. providing the executed Construction Agreement, required certificates of insurance, payment and performance bonds.

 

6. POLICE DEPARTMENT PROGRAMMING AND ARCHITURE DESIGN SERVICES AGREEMENT

This item was removed from the Agenda and will be placed on the May 6^th Commission Agenda.

 

7. MARCH CHECK REGISTER Informational Only

 

8. TRAFFIC UPDATE

Mayor Bryant informed the Commission of various meetings around the City for traffic updates.

 

9. PALMETTO POOL UPDATE

The County is still moving forward on discussions.

 

10. POLICE DEPARTMENT BUILDING UPDATE

 

11. 2020 RIVER REGATTA

Mayor Bryant met with Mayor Poston and Elliot Falcione. Mayor Bryant expressed the concern of little participation on the City of Palmetto side for the event. Mr. Fetchko will be coming this week to meet with the Mayor to discuss her concerns for the City’s participation.

 

The Commission asked staff to find out from the Florida Department of Transportation if they will close the Green Bridge down for the event if the City officials do not sign their permit for road closure.

 

Commission all expressed their concerns regarding the event, the negative impact it has on the local businesses and little to no activities on this side of the Green Bridge for spectators.

 

Motion:           Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 3-2 not to support the City of Palmetto’s participation in the 2020 River Regatta. Commissioners Davis and Smith voted no.

 

Commissioners Smith and Davis expressed their opinions with not participating in the event, and how it could affect the businesses if the City of Bradenton still hosts the event with nothing on this side of the River for our residents.

 

12. DEPARTMENT HEADS COMMENTS

Mr. Rayan—updated the Commission of the ongoing grant project for 10^th Street West and 17^th Street West from 9^th Avenue West to 13^th Avenue West.

 

He stated that there the inflow and infiltration program is essentially complete.

 

Mr. Freeman—thanked the Commission for their feedback on the trial run of the agenda management software as well as feedback as it pertains to the proposed changes for the Personnel Policy.

 

13. MAYORS REPORT

Mayor Bryant informed the Commission that on April 22^nd Mike Maholtz and Karla Owens will be making a presentation at the 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan Public Meeting on City projects. Mayor invited the Commission to attend if they can; it will be at the USF Sarasota/Manatee Selby Auditorium in Sarasota.

 

14. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS

Commissioner Davis—attended the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Commission meeting today. He dropped of information on retention ponds to the Mayor from the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

 

Commissioner Cornwell—will be attending the Historic Board monthly meeting tomorrow evening.

 

Commissioner Williams—asked Staff and/or the Mayor to discuss with the Hernando DeSoto Society if at next year’s event there can be some temporary fencing around the children’s playground at Sutton Park so that Children can access it and adults will stop using it as seating.

 

He discussed the accumulation of homeless people now gathering on 5^th Street by the old Olympia Theater building.

 

Mr. Williams stated that the Legislative call-in this morning was good and encouraged fellow Commissioners to listen when/if they can.

 

Commissioner Varnadore—informed every one of the April 27^th 4-H Foundation golf tournament.

 

She wished everyone a Happy Easter.

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 8:24 p.m.