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

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Deputy Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Amber LaRowe, Assistant City Clerk

 

Mayor Bryant called the meeting to order at 7:01 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

 

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

 

 

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

Betty Rhodes, City resident, discussed her opinions about there being bias at Public Works between different employees.

 

Attorney Barnebey assured Ms. Rhodes that if her grandson feels that he was terminated incorrectly, there is a name clearing hearing that he can request; the procedure can be found in the Personnel Policy.

 

Mike Contarino, business owner, R-Cubed, interested in purchasing the property next door to his business to expand.

 

The Commission would like to discuss the property next to R-Cubed at the next Commission meeting.

 

 

3. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL

A. July 22 and July 24 Minutes

B. 2020 River Regatta Special Function Permit 2/8/2020

C. It Works Green Carpet Event Special Function Permit 9/19 to 9/21/2019

D. School Resource Officer Agreement with School Board for 2019-2020 School Year

E. Surplus Vehicle-Auction

 

Items 3B and 3D were removed for discussion.

 

Motion:           Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the August 5, 2019 Consent Agenda, with items 3B and 3D removed, as recommended by staff.

 

3D SRO Agreement Discussion:

It was confirmed that Lincoln Memorial Academy will not be using a Palmetto Police Officer for their required School Resource Officer (SRO); instead, they will use a Guardian as State Statute allows at this time.

 

Mr. Freeman stated that staff is continuing to work with the School Board in regards to the section in the Agreement that outlines training reimbursement.

 

Motion:           Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve item 3D, School Resource Officer Agreement for the 2019-2020 school year.

 

3B River Regatta Special Function Permit Discussion:

Mrs. LaRowe explained that this is the actual Permit, prior discussions of this event were to determine if the City/Commission were in support of closing the road and Green Bridge for the event.

 

Motion:           Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve item 3B, Permit for 2020 River Regatta.

 

 

4. POLICE DEPARTMENT ADG STUDIES PRESENTATION

Chief Tyler explained that the reason this is on the Agenda tonight is to formalize the consensus that was reached on the July 24^th Special Commission Workshop meeting. He outlined the reasons he is in favor of this site selection.

 

Commissioner Smith expressed his opinions regarding the need for staff to discuss the construction of this Police Department next door to the current daycare that is on 10^th Avenue West. He would prefer that staff have direct contact with the business owners to ascertain their feelings of the Department being built next door.

 

Mr. Freeman indicated that he has left a couple messages at the daycare for the owner; however, has not yet been able to discuss the property and the construction. He and Chief Tyler will go out to the daycare to do their best to have a conversation with the owners and the new Police Department. After they make contact, they will brief the Commission.

 

Motion:     Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 4-1 to select study four (4) as the site and placement for the new Palmetto Police Department pending that Mr. Freeman and Chief Tyler reach out to the business owner(s) of the daycare on 10^th Avenue West and there are no concerns expressed. Commissioner Smith voted no.

 

5. FIRST READ ORDINANCE 2019-13 UTILITY

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS OF FACT; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF CHAPTER 29 "MASTER UTILITY SYSTEM REGULATIONS", SECTIONS 29-1 THROUGH 29-44; PROVIDING FOR A NEW CHAPTER 29 "MASTER UTILITY SYSTEM REGULATIONS", SECTIONS 29-1 THROUGH 29-44; PROVIDING FOR DEPOSITS AND CONNECTION CHARGES; PROVIDING FOR UTILITY USAGE CHARGES; PROVIDING FOR PAYMENT TERMS; PROVIDING FOR READINESS TO SERVE CHARGES; PROVIDING FOR ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES; PROVIDING REMEDIES; PROVIDING FOR APPLICABILITY, RATIFICATION, PRESERVATION AND RESERVATION OF RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

Motion:     Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to schedule the public hearing on Ordinance 2019-13 for August 26, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as same can be heard in these Chambers.

 

 

6. FIRST READ ORDINANCE 2019-19

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, AMENDING CHAPTER 29, ARTICLE VII, SECTION 29-207 OF THE CITY CODE OF ORDINANCES, PERTAINING TO THE CITY STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FEES; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

Motion:     Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to schedule Ordinance 2019-19 for a public hearing on August 26, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as same can be heard in these Chambers.

 

 

7. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 2019-08 DOMINIMUM SENIOR HOUSING

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 APPROXIMATELY 225 UNIT SENIOR APARTMENT RESIDENTIAL UNITS ON 6.28 ACRES OF PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED ON THE WEST SIDE OF HABEN BOULEVARD APPROXIMATELY 335 SOUTH OF U.S. 301; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (DOMINIMUM SENIOR HOUSING)

 

Mayor Bryant opened the public hearing.

 

Motion:     Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Smith seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to continue the public hearing on Ordinance 2019-08 to August 26, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as same can be heard in these Chambers.

 

 

 

 

8. DISCUSSION: MANATEE SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS (MSA) CONDUIT DEBT REFINANCE

Sandra Deitrich, Chief Financial Officer, MSA, discussed the reasoning behind the refinancing. She stated that there will be no liability by the City, nor any cost. All costs associated with this refinancing will be MSA’s responsibility. This is a 35 year loan and the assets at risk are those of MSA’s. Ms. Deitrich explained that this is a bank qualified loan with a $10 million cap.

 

Commissioners Smith and Varnadore would like information or to be educated on how other schools come forward and what, if any, is the City’s responsibility with assisting in that.

 

This was for information only, no action or consensus needed.

 

 

Mayor Bryant opened the August 5, 2019 CRA Board meeting at 8:01 p.m.

 

Mayor Bryant reconvened the City Commission meeting at 8:29 p.m.

 

 

9. TRAFFIC UPDATE

Nothing new at this time.

 

 

10. PALMETTO POOL UPDATE

Commissioner Varnadore expressed her concerns with the City maintaining the four acre property at Lincoln Park and what the City’s long term obligations are and what the County’s plans are for long term maintenance.

 

Commissioner Davis would like to be educated on if the value of the property (four acres) that the City wishes to turn over to the County is included in the County’s dollar amount proposal.

 

Commissioner Smith expressed concerns about the pool design and looks forward to having a presentation by the County.

 

 

11. POLICE DEPARTMENT BUILDING UPDATE

Nothing to report at this time.

 

 

12. DEPARTMENT HEADS COMMENTS

Mr. Rayan—updated the Commission on the status of various projects.

 

Mr. Freeman—would like to cancel the August 7^th budget workshop and present Version 2 of the budget at the August 12^th Budget Workshop meeting that is on the calendar. Also, there will be a special CRA Board meeting to immediately follow the Budget Workshop.

 

Chief Tyler—discussed how the Department is getting ready for back to school on August 12^th.

13. MAYORS REPORT

 

 

14. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS

Commissioner Williams—spoke regarding the Mayor makes the appointments to the various City Boards and those appointments are then ratified by the Commission. The Mayor does not just appoint someone to make decisions without the Commission having knowledge of such.

 

Commissioner Cornwell—would like to speak to Mr. Rayan after the meeting.

 

She asked Commissioner Varnadore if she could fill in at the August 20^th Historical Board meeting.

 

Commissioner Smith—asked Mr. Rayan to find out when/if CSX and/or FDOT plan to work on the 2^nd Avenue railroad tracks.

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 8:50 p.m.