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

Jeff Burton, CRA Director

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Allen Tusing, 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.

 

1. CITY COMMISSION AGENDA APPROVAL

Mayor Bryant asked that item 14, 2020 River Regatta, be moved to item 6.A. on the Agenda and that item 3.C., Resolution 2019-20 be moved to item 6.B. on the Agenda.

 

Motion:     Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the June 3, 2019 Commission Agenda.

 

 

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

Nicholas Poulin, student of St. Pete College, spoke regarding Ordinance 2019-09. Mr. Poulin is in favor of the Commission adopting this Ordinance.

 

 

3. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL

A.    Sanctuary Cove Minor Modification

B.     Resolution 2019-19 Veolia Reimbursement

C.     Resolution 2019-20 Loan Refinance—this item has been moved to item 6.B. on the Agenda.

 

Mayor Bryant stated that the amount of the Veolia Reimbursement will be used towards generators for the wastewater treatment plant.

 

Commissioner Williams requested item 3.A. be removed for discussion.

 

Motion:     Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Davis second to approve the June 3, 2019 Consent Agenda item 3.B.

 

3.A. Sanctuary Cove Modification Discussion:

Commissioner Williams discussed his concerns on allowing the private docks to extend 30 feet into the private waterway. He stated that he knows of one dock that is approximately 40 feet. Mrs. Owens said that she will be looking into the 40 foot private dock as discussed earlier with Mr. Williams. Discussion ensued with the Commission asking for the measurement of the canal between Sanctuary Cove Way and 8^th Street East (a shown on the top portion of Exhibit A attached to the Agenda). Attorney Barnebey suggested that the deviation request be lesser of 25 percent of the canal or 30 feet.

 

Due to the discussion, this item will be brought forward to the next meeting with more information.

 

 

4. DESIGNATION OF VOTING DELEGATE FLORIDA LEAGUE OF CITIES

The League is asking for one Commissioner to be designated as the voting delegate during the Florida League of Cities Annual Business Session.

 

Motion:     Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to designate Commissioner Williams as the voting delegate for the Florida League of Cities Conference.

 

 

5. 1^ST PUBLIC HEARING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT

This public hearing was advertised on May 28, 2019. After advertisement, applicant withdrew their application.

 

Mayor Bryant opened the public hearing and closed the public hearing after having no public comment.

 

No action needed; the application has been withdrawn.

 

 

6. 1ST READ ORDINANCE 2019-09 GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA,PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS OF FACT; APPROVING ADOPTION OF A GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN AS DESCRIBED HEREIN FOR A RESIDENTIAL, PLANNED DEVELOPMENT CONTAINING 129 MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL UNITS ON 2.885 ACRES OF PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT 2701 U.S. BUSINESS 41; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (PALMETTO SRQ MULTI-FAMILY)

 

Motion:     Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Smith seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the first reading of Ordinance 2019-09 and authorize staff to advertise for the appropriate public hearings.

 

 

6.A. 2020 River Regatta Discussion:

Mayor Bryant discussed the recent meeting at the Palmetto Mobile Home Park with businesses in the City of Palmetto to discuss events in the City and the 2020 River Regatta event planned for February 2020.  The businesses were in favor of having the 2020 Regatta and allowing Mr. Fetchko, event organizer, to make things better in the City during the event.

 

The following business owners spoke in favor of the event:

 

·         Bob Gause

·         Vicki Moore

·         Dawn Morrison

 

Commissioner Cornwell read an email from business owner John Wright that speaks to being in favor of the event.  A copy of the email is made a part of the minutes.

 

Commissioner Williams expressed his opinions on why he is in favor of having the event again this coming year.

 

Commissioner Cornwell opined that Mr. Fetchko needs to come speak to the Commission and verbally acknowledge how he is going to make things better in the City.

 

Commissioner Williams called Mr. Fetchko and put him on speaker phone to answer questions posed by Commissioner Cornwell. Mr. Fetchko confirmed that the following activities will be located in the City during the 2020 Regatta:

 

·         LED Ferris Wheel

·         Tampa Bay Lightning Fan Fest

·         USF Bulls Street Team and Mobile

·         United States Navy Interactive Display

·         United States Army Climbing Wall and Trucks

·         National Guard (E-Sports Display) and Tent

·         Spectrum Sports Activation Team and Tent

·         F2/F3 Powerboat Vintage Display

·         Powerboat Kids Selfie Boat

·         Kids Zone Pittsburgh Pirates-Inflatables/Games

·         Top Gun Fly boarders Fan Tent

·         Country Concert Stage (All Day)

·         Food Festival Area

·         Coke Beverage Stations

·         SNN-TV Tent

·         Human Society of Manatee County

·         All-Star Jugglers/Stilt Walkers Shows

·         Manatee County YMCA

·         Manatee County Sheriff

·         Girl and Boy Scouts of Manatee County

 

The following are events that are to be determined during the Regatta:

 

·         Budweiser Clydesdales-Meet and Greet

·         Feld Entertainment Monster Trucks

·         Hot Air Balloon Display

 

Motion:     Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Smith seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the closing of the Green Bridge for the 2020 River Regatta event subject to the agreed upon items being a part of the Special Function Permit on the agreed upon site or another agreement entered into with the City, based on the above list that has been provided by Mr. Fetchko and will be reviewed in conjunction with the Special Function Permit/Facility Rental Agreement.

 

 

6.B.Resolution 2019-20 Refinance Loan Discussion:

Mr. Freeman stated that the reason for the Resolution is to terminate the swap agreement and create a new consolidated loan of approximately $7.6M to pay off the 2004, 2005, and 2007 existing loans.

 

Marianne Edmonds, Public Resources Advisory Group (PRAG), gave a summary over what has occurred to cause this refinance to be considered by the City. She explained that PRAG and City staff began exploring options to minimize future interest rate risk as a result of the tax law changes. This new loan that is being proposed features a 2.544 percent fixed rate and the amortization schedule mirrors that of the three existing loans. Savings from the reduced interest rate will offset the cost of terminating the swap agreement. She stated that while the difference in cost to the City of refinancing versus continuing to pay the existing loans is projected to be minimal, there are expected to be some savings and the establishment of fixed payments and the elimination of variable interest rate risk will benefit the City in terms of future planning/budgeting decisions.

 

Discussion ensued regarding the refinancing, interest rates, amortization, legal fees, etc. Commissioner Smith expressed his opinions on why the information that the Commission has been provided is not enough for him to make a decision on this topic. He asked for all the information that Ms. Edmonds had with her that shows the interest rate currently versus the new interest rate. The information that Ms. Edmonds had was copied and distributed to the Commission.

 

Motion:     Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded, and the motion carried 4-1 to adopt Resolution 2019-20 approving and authorizing the Mayor to execute all documents related to the issuance of the Refunding Revenue Note, Series 2019 and the termination of the SWAP agreements in an amount not to exceed the principal of $7,600,000 after the City Attorney, Finance Director, and City Clerk approve all the agreements, with the following changes to such Resolution: removal of Exhibit B of the Resolution, an interest rate not to exceed 2.544 percent, the addition of a parameter that the net present value savings shall be no less than 0.00 percent of the refunded notes, and the SWAP termination fee shall not exceed $525,000. Commissioner Smith voted no.

 

 

 

 

7. 2ND PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 2019-04 SIDE YARD EQUIPMENT

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA,AMENDING APPENDIX B, SECTION 5.3 OF THE PALMETTO CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES REGULATING PROJECTIONS INTO REQUIRED YARDS; AMENDING SECTION 5.3 TO ALLOW STAIRS, PORCHES, AND MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT TO PROJECT INTO REQUIRED 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, since the last meeting, she has removed solar panels from the Ordinance and will work on bring something new forward that addresses solar panels.

 

Mayor Bryant closed the public hearing after hearing no public comment

 

Motion:     Based upon the staff report, the comments made at the public hearing, and finding the request to be consistent with the City of Palmetto Comprehensive Plan, Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to adopt Ordinance 2019-04.

 

 

8. APRIL CHECK REGISTER Informational Only

 

 

Mayor Bryant recessed the City Commission meeting at 9:01 p.m. to open the June 3, 2019 CRA Board meeting.

 

Mayor Bryant reconvened the City Commission meeting at 9:26 p.m.

 

9. SHORT TERM LEASE 911 5TH STREET WEST

 

Motion:     Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the proposed lease between the CRA and Berman Studios, LLC for 911 5th Street West and authorize the Presiding Officer for the CRA Board or the CRA Board Chair to execute the Agreement.

 

 

10. SURPLUS PROPERTY LOCATED AT 8TH STREET AND 10TH AVENUE WEST

At the time of publication, no items had been received by the City Clerk’s Office

 

Motion:     Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to continue this item to the July 22, 2019 Commission meeting at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as same can be heard in these Chambers.

 

 

11. TRAFFIC UPDATE

Mr. Tusing discussed the 10^th Street lane and railroad improvements. He reminded Commission this is a project to be completed by Florida Department of Transportation at the request of the City. The start date for the project is June 13, 2019 and will take approximately 70 days to complete.

 

 

12. PALMETTO POOL UPDATE

Mr. Burton informed the Commission that the County is ranking the three designers for the quality of the pool and it will be presented to the County Commission later this month.

 

 

13. POLICE DEPARTMENT BUILDING UPDATE

Nothing new.

 

 

14. 2020 RIVER REGATTA

Discussed as item 6.A.

 

 

15. DEPARTMENT HEADS COMMENTS

Chief Tyler—summer break is here and the Officers will be out patrolling.

 

 

16. MAYORS REPORT

Mayor Bryant discussed sidewalk violations. Chief Tyler confirmed that he will continue to provide information to residents regarding the blocking of sidewalks; warnings are being issued.

 

 

17. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS

Commissioner Davis—discussed a few more street lights that are out in the City.

 

Commissioner Smith—will be meeting with Mr. Tusing this week.

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 9:50 p.m.