Elected Officials Present:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Mayor

Tambra Varnadore, Vice Mayor, Commissioner, Ward 2

Tamara Cornwell, Commissioner-at-Large 2

Jonathan Davis, Commissioner-at-Large 1

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

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 7:00 p.m., followed by a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

 

All persons intending to address City Commission were duly sworn.

 

 

Commissioner Varnadore presented the National Engineer's Week Proclamation to Marquis Bing, P.E., Past President of the ASCE Suncoast Branch and Geza Bankuty, P.E. Engineers Week is February 16^th to 22^nd.

 

 

1. CITY COMMISSION AGENDA APPROVAL

 

Motion:           Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the February 3, 2020 Commission Agenda.

 

 

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

Gary Alderman and John Pether of the Gulf Coast Maritime Museum asked the Commission to be placed on a future agenda to discuss the building of a large maritime museum in Palmetto. They would like to lease two acres of land from the City or CRA for one dollar a year and partner with the City to showcase boats, nautical tools, and memorabilia.  

 

Motion:           Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to place the discussion of a maritime museum in Palmetto on the next workshop meeting.

 

 

 

3. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL

A. Traffic Regulation - 4th Street

 

Motion:     Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the February 3, 2020 Consent Agenda as recommended by staff.

 

Mr. Tusing stated that signs will go up along the street and in the parking area now that this item has been approved.

 

 

  4. ANNEXATION AGREEMENT-BODY

 

                        AND

 

5. ANNEXATION AGREEMENT-ELLIS

Karla Owens, Development Services Director, discussed both Annexation Agreements together. These are voluntary annexation agreements; one for Jamie Ellis and one for Bruce and Marie Anne Body. These properties are located to the west of the City in unincorporated Manatee County. The Body property is located adjacent to Jill Brown’s property and the Ellis property is directly across the street from Dr. Lassen’s home. The Commission approved a sewer connection and voluntary annexation agreement in 2018 for both Ms. Brown and Dr. Lassen. These proposed annexation agreements allow for Mr. Ellis and the Body’s to connect to the City’s sewer system and provide a legal binding agreement to voluntary annex the properties when they become contiguous to the City. Not only do these agreements bind the applicants, but also any current or future owners of the property will be bound by this agreement as well. Mrs. Owens noted that if these agreements are approved, they will be recorded with the Manatee County Clerk of Courts.

 

Motion:     Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the Voluntary Annexation Agreement and Petition to Annex for Bruce and Marie Ann Body and authorize the Mayor to execute same.

 

Motion:     Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the Voluntary Annexation Agreement and Petition to Annex for Jamie Ellis and authorize the Mayor to execute same.

 

 

6. FIRST READ ORDINANCE 2020-01 CITY SEAL

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA, ADOPTING AN OFFICIAL CITY SEAL; ADOPTING AN OFFICIAL COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO SEAL; APPOINTING AN OFFICIAL CUSTODIAN OF THE SEALS; PROVIDING FOR USE AND PENALTIES FOR IMPROPER USE OF THE SEALS; MAKING RELATED FINDINGS; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

Attorney Barnebey informed the Commission that based on the discussion at today’s Workshop meeting, he will add the following to the Ordinance “clothing or novelty items (for example: pins, pens, and shopping bags) featuring the City or CRA seal which have been provided to an individual by the City, CRA, or an official of the City or CRA shall be authorized for use of the individual”.

Motion:     Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Varnadore seconded, and the motion carried 4-1 to authorize staff to advertise for a public hearing to consider the adoption of Ordinance 2020-01 with the addition as stated by Attorney Barnebey. Commissioner Smith voted no.

 

Mayor Bryant recessed the City Commission Meeting at 7:22 p.m. to open the February 3, 2020 CRA Board Meeting

 

Mayor Bryant reconvened the City Commission Meeting at 8:01 p.m.

 

 

7. TRAFFIC UPDATE

 

 

8. PALMETTO POOL UPDATE

 

 

9. POLICE DEPARTMENT BUILDING UPDATE

Chief Tyler informed the Commission that the Police Department is in the preconstruction phase. Staff met with the IT vendor on Thursday. Also, the architects are doing the design work for the conceptual which will be brought forward to the Commission for discussion.

 

 

10. DEPARTMENT HEADS COMMENTS

Mr. Freeman—thanked Mr. Burton for his compliments on the health fair that human resources put together; it was well attended.

 

He discussed the following topics that will be coming forward to the Commission for discussion:

 

ü  Maritime museum

ü  Prioritization of incentives for different uses

ü  Personnel Policy

ü  TECO Franchise Agreement

ü  Half-cent sales tax project list

 

Mr. Tusing—staff will be working this week to remove branches in the easements and near the power lines.

 

He discussed paving projects with the east to west corridor on the list.

 

 

11. MAYORS REPORT

Mayor complimented the antique car show that was held at Lamb Park on Sunday, it was well attended with many cars showcased.

 

Mayor attended the Conley Bull Riding Event at the Manatee County Fair Grounds this weekend; it was heavily attended.

 

She discussed the upcoming River Regatta event this weekend along with the Michael W. Smith concert at Sutton Park on Saturday put on by the Manatee Players.

 

 

12. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS

Commissioner Smith—questioned Mr. Tusing on the modular/mobile home on 7^th Street. Mrs. Owens stated that the house has improved, new windows have been installed, the air conditioning has been moved to the back and it has been cleaned up significantly.

 

Commissioner Davis—is looking forward to hearing more about the maritime museum.

 

Thanked Mr. Tusing and his staff for all the work that has been occurring around the City.

 

Commissioner Varnadore—is looking forward to the paving.

 

Commissioner Williams—suggested that the Commission review their profiles and update at least annually.

 

He opined that any follow up questions to staff should be funneled through Mrs. Johnston so that there can be tracking of any outstanding issues.

 

Commissioner Cornwell—questioned the traffic plans for the Regatta event. Mr. Freeman informed the Commission that there is a link on the City’s Website, on the home page near the bottom, which has maps for parking, traffic ways, etc.

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 8:26 p.m.