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, Public Works Director

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

 

Motion:     Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the January 6, 2020 Commission Agenda.

 

 

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

The following residents spoke regarding the construction of the portable/modular home at 1508 7^th Street West. They were displeased with the size of the structure for the plot of land as well as the age of the home. They expressed several concerns regarding the safety and if it will be up to code for new construction.

 

·         Sherrie Kaylee

·         Bill Wright

·         McClellan Smith

·         Bob Pick

 

Mr. Tusing described the project and the house. He explained that the owner will be removing the air conditioning units from the sides of the house and will be installing new windows. He assured the residents that the home will have to meet the most current standards. The garage will be put on the backside of the home with a driveway in the rear.

 

Attorney Barnebey explained that the City cannot treat a modular home any different than stick built homes. There are distinctions between a modular home and a mobile home. As long as the home meets the setbacks as required, then it is in compliance.

 

Commissioner Smith would like more information from Karla Owens, Development Services Director, regarding the code and how this home meets it.

 

Commissioner Varnadore was shocked that this meets code and zoning requirements and encouraged staff to present the zoning code to the Commission as soon as possible so that these events do not keep occurring.

 

Discussion ensued regarding the owner of the adjacent lot. Commissioner Varnadore informed Mr. Barnebey that the two parcels are owned by different companies, however, the principal of both corporations is the same. Attorney Barnebey will review.

 

Commissioner Cornwell agreed with Commissioner Varnadore regarding the code and zoning requirements and would also like discussion on carports in the City.

 

Commissioner Smith requested the dates that the Building Official has gone to inspect the property and structure.

 

3. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL

A. 2020 Board Appointments

B. Blalock Walters Legal Invoices

C. 2020 Bed and Breakfast Weddings Special Function Permit

D. December 16 Minutes

E. Financial Advisor Agreement

F. Resolution 2019-50 Police Department Reimbursement

 

Motion:           Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the January 6, 2020 Consent Agenda as recommended by staff.

 

 

4. SELECTION OF VICE MAYOR

 

Motion:           Commissioner Smith moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to elect Commissioner Tambra Varnadore as Vice Mayor.

 

 

5. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 2019-24 PEDESTRIAN SAFETY (S. Tyler/M. Barnebey)

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA, RELATING TO UNLAWFUL ACTIVITY WITHIN PUBLIC ROADS AND RIGHTS-OF-WAY; REVISING REGULATIONS RELATED TO SOLICITATION AND PERMITTING; AMENDING CHAPTER 19 AND CHAPTER 25 OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO CODE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

Mayor Bryant opened the public hearing.

 

Attorney Barnebey stated that this Ordinance is drafted to be similar to that which has been adopted by Manatee County and the City of Bradenton. The definition for solicitation has been altered to match what is written in Florida Statute.

 

Chief Tyler discussed the statistics for pedestrian and bicycle collision in the City of Palmetto. He stated that the City has been ranked number one in both pedestrian and bicycle collision on connector and arterial roadways and in the top ten for every collision category as ranked by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). [FDOT ranks municipalities by size and population.]

 

After no further comments, Mayor Bryant closed the public hearing.

 

Motion:           Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to adopt Ordinance 2019-24.

 

Mayor Bryant recessed the City Commission meeting at 8:03 p.m. to open the January 6, 2020 CRA Board meeting.

 

Mayor Bryant reconvened the City Commission meeting at 9:10 p.m. 

 

 

6. PURCHASE AGREEMENT 834 RIVERSIDE DRIVE

This item was also discussed and approved by the CRA Board.

 

Motion:           Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Varnadore seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the Soho Sight contract for the sale of approximately 3.4 acres located at 834 Riverside Drive, Palmetto Florida as depicted in Exhibit A of the contract.

 

7. TRAFFIC UPDATE

Mayor Bryant informed the Commission that the next Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) meeting is on January 27^th.

 

She stated that there was recently a nice article regarding the award of the $1.5M grant for the extension of 7^th Street next to the Convention Center.

 

Commissioner Cornwell reminded everyone that tomorrow school is back in session so be mindful that traffic may be heavier than the last couple of weeks.

 

 

8. PALMETTO POOL UPDATE

Attorney Barnebey stated that the agreement for the pool is with County legal staff; Bill Clague is working on it.

 

 

 

 

9. POLICE DEPARTMENT BUILDING UPDATE

Chief Tyler stated that staff has met with the construction manager at risk and are working on the agreement; he plans to bring this to the next meeting.

 

 

10. DEPARTMENT HEADS COMMENTS

Mr. Tusing—in regards to the discussion of the 4^th Street parking issue, he would like to know if it was the Commission’s intent to have no parking from the corner of 10^th and 4^th Street West to 9^th and 4^th Street West.

 

The Commission discussed this question and decided that a sign for temporary unloading (15 minutes maximum) would be allowable in front of the Canvas Shop that is on 4^th Street West. Based on this discussion, Mr. Tusing will prepare a new traffic notice and have it posted to the Website and outside of City Hall.

 

Attorney Barnebey—has prepared an Ordinance to protect the City Seal; he will bring this forward to the next Workshop and first read at the 7:00 p.m. meeting.

 

He is working with the Women’s Club of Palmetto in regard to possible acquisition, he hopes to have an agreement to the CRA Board in February.

 

 

11. MAYORS REPORT

Mayor Bryant announced the following upcoming events:

 

v  Multi-Cultural Festival on January 18^th from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Lincoln Park

v  MLK Parade on January 18^th

v  Manatee County Fair opens on January 16^th, running until January 26^th

o   January 21^st free gate day, paid for by PalmettoBUILD. They ask for a donation. Veteran’s Parade same day

v  Bull Riding Festival on January 31 and February 1

v  Manatee River Regatta on February 8^th

 

 

Mayor Bryant discussed today’s meeting at Tropic Isles Mobile Home Park.

 

 

12. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS

Commissioner Varnadore—questioned if the roads will be done when the Fair starts. Mr. Tusing explained that 13^th Avenue was milled today and will be repaved by the end of the week. He then discussed angled parking along 13^th Avenue West on the west side of the road only. The Commission agreed for Mr. Tusing to see if the parking could be installed after the paving is complete.

 

Commissioner Williams—questioned paving and utilities along 5^th Street West between 10^th Avenue and 14^th Avenue. Mr. Tusing indicated that that area is getting ready to be paved.

 

Mr. Williams discussed the potholes along 3^rd Avenue on the bend. Mr. Tusing will go out to look at it.

 

In regards to the stop sign that was removed on 3^rd Street Drive, Mr. Tusing will look into when it was removed and go about closing the loop in the removal process.

 

Mr. Williams asked Mr. Tusing to have Code Enforcement review the temporary building attached to the Aluminum Furniture business.

 

Commissioner Cornwell—wished everyone a Happy New Year.

 

Mayor Bryant asked staff to think about a procedure for handling the weekend events; she would prefer a short term and long term strategy.

 

Mayor Bryant reached out to Tony DeRusso regarding the hotel at the Convention Center. She said that the project is on track and Mr. DeRusso plans to share more news with the City in the near future.

 

Commissioner Smith—requested information on when 14^th, 15^th, and 16^th Streets will be paved. Mr. Tusing stated that the paving and sidewalk straightening will be completed once the piping is complete in that area.

 

In regards to the railroad tracks on 2^nd Avenue. Mr. Tusing indicated that both the railroad tracks there and on 7^th Street are in the budget to be repaired this fiscal year.

 

Mr. Smith asked about the lineup at the Multi-Cultural Festival. Mr. Burton stated that there has been a verbal agreement for the Mangoes to perform and Ginuwine will be the main act.

 

Mr. Burton informed the Commission that, due to the construction of the Lincoln Park Pool over the next few years, he is looking into moving the Festival to Lincoln Memorial Academy during the construction.

 

Mayor Bryant asked Mr. Burton for a list of events and times to be sent to the Commission and Mrs. LaRowe so that it can be added to the City’s Website. She also asked for a slide to be prepared and sent to City Hall for the Gateway Sign.

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 9:41 p.m.