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 and the City Commission recognized Abel Varnadore and the IMG High School Basketball Team for winning the 2019 National Championship.

 

1. CITY COMMISSION AGENDA APPROVAL

 

Motion:     Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the May 20, 2019 Commission Agenda.

 

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

Bill Bowling, City resident, asked City Commission to consider a raised sidewalk on “D” Street that runs between 10^th Avenue and 11^th Avenue West to assist with Palmetto Mobile Home Park residents crossing to attend service at Palmetto Presbyterian Church and the Thrift Store there too.

 

Betty Rhodes, City resident, asked to speak to Chief Scott Tyler regarding a recent incident whereby she videoed Palmetto Police Officers mocking her and another resident on.

 

 

3. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL

A.    Minutes: April 15 and May 6

B.     It Works! May 23 Special Function Permit

C.     Blalock Walters Legal Bills

D.    Grant Administration FFY 2018 Economic Development Grant PiggybackGuardian

E.     NovaTime Time Management Software Agreement

F.      Resolution 2019-18 Half Cent Sales Tax Project List

 

Motion:           Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the May 20, 2019 Consent Agenda as recommended by staff.

 

4. FIRST READ ORDINANCE 2019-05 ANNEXATION-LAMBRECHT

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA, ANNEXING A PARCEL CONTAINING 3.8313 ACRES OF UNINCORPORATED MANATEE COUNTY, FLORIDA INTO THE CITY OF PALMETTO WHICH PARCEL IS REASONABLY COMPACT AND IS CONTGUOUS TO THE CITY OF PALMETTO; REDEFINING THE BOUNDARY LINES OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA TO INCLUDE SAID PARCEL;PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (LAMBRECHT-GRABER)

 

Motion:           Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 2019-05 and authorize staff to advertise for the appropriate public hearings.

 

5. FIRST READ ORDINANCE 2019-06 MAP AMENDMENT-LAMBRECHT

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA APPROVING A SMALL SCALE FUTURE LAND USE MAP AMENDMENT TO THE CITY'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP DESIGNATION FOR THE TERRITORY HEREINAFTER DESCRIBED FROM COUNTY FUTURE LAND USE MAP DESIGNATION IL (INDUSTRIAL-LIGHT), TO CITY FUTURE LAND USE MAP DESIGNATION HCOMIND (HEAVY COMMERCIAL INDUSTRIAL), CONSISTENT WITH THE GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND POLICIES OF THE ADOPTED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 163.3187, FLORIDA STATUTES; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (LAMBRECHT-GRABER)

 

Motion:     Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Smith seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 2019-06 and authorize staff to advertise for the appropriate public hearings.

 

6. FIRST READ ORDINANCE 2019-07 REZONE-LAMBRECHT

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA REZONING APPROXIMATELY 3.8313 ACRES OF PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF 17TH STREET EAST AND 16TH AVENUE EAST, PALMETTO, FLORIDA, FROM COUNTY ZONING LM (LIGHT MANUFACTURING) TO CITY ZONING CHI, (HEAVY COMMERCIAL AND LIGHT INDUSTRIAL), AND AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THIS ORDINANCE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (LAMBRECHT-GRABER)

 

Karla Owens, Development Services Director, informed the Commission that the subject property for all three Ordinances contains a 3.8313-acre vacant parcel located on the northwest corner of 17^th Street East and 16^th Avenue East. The subject property is directly contiguous to the existing City limits along its western boundary as well as to the south across 17^th Street East. William Lambrecht, Trustee, submitted an application for annexation, future land use map amendment, and rezoning for this subject parcel. Possible uses of the property include, but are not limited, to cement crushing plant, contractor offices and storage, lumber operations, packing plant, warehouses, distribution centers, places of industrial assembly, etc.

 

Mrs. Owens noted that the subject property is currently zoned and designated for the same type of uses in the County. Any access connection to 17^th Street West or 16^th Avenue East will require a right-of-way access permit from Manatee County.

 

Mrs. Owens was asked to take pictures of the surrounding houses and neighborhood to bring forward to the public hearing on all Ordinances.

 

Motion:           Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 2019-07 and authorize staff to advertise for the appropriate public hearings.

 

7. FIRST PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 2019-04 SIDE YARDS

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA, AMENDING APPENDIX B, SECTION 5.3 OF THE PALMETTO CODE OF ORDINANCES REGULATING PROJECTIONS INTO REQUIRED YARDS; AMENDING SECTION 5.3(b) TO ALLOW MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT TO PROJECT INTO REQUIRED SIDE YARDS; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

Mayor Bryant opened the public hearing.

 

Mrs. Owens stated that on May 16, 2019, the Planning and Zoning Board voted unanimously to recommend adoption of this ordinance. The only discussion that took place was in regards to solar panels in the side yard. Mrs. Owens stated that she did not add solar panels into this Ordinance; she took the current 5.3(b) that already includes solar panels and added “and side yard” to it.

 

Discussion ensued regarding solar panels. Commission asked Mrs. Owens to provide alternatives at the next meeting regarding solar panels or to remove solar panels from the Ordinance altogether.

 

Mayor Bryant closed the public hearing after no public comment.

 

No motion needed. Mayor Bryant announced the second public hearing for Ordinance 2019-04 will be on June 3, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as same can be heard in these Chambers.

 

8. TRAFFIC UPDATE

Mr. Rayan discussed the 10^th Street West Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and CSX railroad crossing project that is to begin May 31^st and last approximately 70 days. He provided a map that outlines the alternative routes due to the closing on 10^th Street between 3^rd and 5^th Avenues.

 

Discussion: comments were made regarding the timeline and what will all be occurring over the 70-day timeframe. Mr. Rayan reminded the Commission that this is an FDOT Project so the City is on their timeline. Information will be available to the public on the electronic gateway sign, portable message board sign, the City’s website, and on the utility bills.

 

Mayor Bryant will be sending a link to the Commissioners to the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) website where information from the April 22^nd 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan is located.

 

Mayor Bryant recently spoke to FDOT regarding the 90 degree angle turn lane from the Green Bridge (south) to turn right onto Manatee Avenue West in Bradenton. FDOT will be reviewing the layout to make modifications to this turn.

 

Mayor Bryant informed the Commission that the MPO is planning a $1.5M project development and environment study for the Palmetto trails network.

 

Mayor Bryant discussed the public transportation task force meeting that will be discussing the Palmetto transit station mural.

 

9. PALMETTO POOL UPDATE

Manatee County has selected the design build team.

 

10. POLICE DEPARTMENT BUILDING UPDATE

Mr. Freeman and Chief Tyler will be having a conference call with Architects Design Group to discuss the spatial needs for the Department.

 

11. 2020 RIVER REGATTA UPDATE

Mayor Bryant stated that the applicant would like to send over the FDOT application for the Green Bridge closure during the event.

 

Commissioner Williams suggested that Mr. Fetchko, event organizer, reach out and discuss information with the Commission. A few Commissioners acknowledged an email that Mr. Fetchko sent regarding the layout and planned itinerary.

 

Mayor Bryant received a request from another organization that would like to have a concert at Sutton Park during the Regatta event next year.

 

The Commission would like to hear from the businesses that have been affected by the event in years prior.

 

12. DEPARTMENT HEADS COMMENTS

Mr. Rayan-discussed the projects that are going on throughout the City. The CDBG 10^th Avenue West project is about 20 percent completed.

 

The EQ Basin project is to begin June 10^th with a completion date of June 9, 2020.

 

Mr. Freeman—thanked the Commission for the comments at today’s Workshop meeting. He will be providing the information requested by the Commission before the June 3^rd meeting.

Chief Tyler-discussed the award ceremonies he has attended over the last couple of months. The Sons of the American Revolution recognized the Officer of the Year, Detective Joe Rogers, last month. Congressman Buchanan and the Manatee 100 Club recognized Officers Peters and Uruchima last month as well.

 

Attorney Barnebey-reminded the Commission of Manatee County’s annual Government in the Sunshine and Ethics Training on Thursday at the Convention Center. This is not a requirement to attend; however, all elected officials are required to complete 4 hours of ethics training annually.

Attorney Barnebey and Mrs. Owens are working on land use items and what considerations to make in the City; there will be workshops coming up for these discussions.

 

In regards to recent legislative bills, Attorney Barnebey is reviewing those.

 

13. MAYORS REPORT

Mayor Bryant distributed Form 9, Gift Disclosure Form. Also, she echoed Attorney Barnebey’s comments on Thursday’s training and encouraged any Commissioners not registered, to register before Thursday.

 

On Friday, Mayor Bryant attended a signing by Governor DeSantis for the no texting and driving bill.

 

She informed the Commission on the August 26 to August 28 Florida Housing Coalition Conference in Orlando. She recommended that any Commissioner attend that can. There will be individual meetings regarding affordable housing and funding.

 

Commissioner Cornwell cannot attend the monthly Historical Commission meeting and Commissioner Varnadore will be attending in her absence.

 

Mayor Bryant announced that Dan West, Manatee County Fair Manager, was inducted into the Florida Federation of Fairs Hall of Fame.

 

14. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS

Commissioner Smith—stated that Palmetto Mobile Home Park is too dark and the City needs to put more lights in.

 

Mr. Smith inquired about when restrooms will be installed at Martin Luther King Park. Mayor Bryant asked Mr. Smith to bring this up to the CRA Board at the next Board meeting.

 

Commissioner Davis—informed everyone that there have been changes to the annual hurricane season maps; they are in the lobby for everyone.

 

Commissioner Cornwell—announced that Manatee County schools are out at the end of the month.

 

Commissioner Williams—reminded everyone of the Healthy Teens Coalition dinner tomorrow from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Manatee Technical College.

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 8:31 p.m.