This Commission Meeting was conducted utilizing Communications Media Technology in accordance with the Governor’s Executive Order. Some Elected Officials and Staff members were present in the Commission Chambers while others were present via the Zoom application to respect the social distancing guidelines.

 

Elected Officials Present in Chambers:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Mayor

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

 

Elected Officials Present Electronically:

Tambra Varnadore, Vice Mayor, Commissioner, Ward 2

Tamara Cornwell, Commissioner-at-Large 2 (entered the meeting at 7:18 p.m.)

Brian Williams, Commissioner, Ward 3

Jonathan Davis, Commissioner-at-Large 1

 

Staff Present in chambers:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Karla Owens, Development Services Director

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Deputy Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant

Vanessa Cochran, Assistant City Clerk

 

Staff Present Electronically:

Cheryl Miller, Finance Director

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

   Mayor Bryant called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.

 

Pastor Tad Matthews gave tonight’s invocation, 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 Williams seconded, and the motion carried 4-0                                         to approve the September 28, 2020 Commission Agenda.

 

2.       PUBLIC COMMENT

Dominic Leclezio reported that since 2017 there has been a termite issue, and he reached out to Jeff Burton, CRA Director, to have the Growers Hardware’s space tented.  He added that between Growers Hardware, Palmetto Art Center, and Palmetto Plumbing there is an adjoining wall, and all the businesses have to be tented to solve the termite problem. 

 

Ron Berman, Berman Studios, stated that he is leasing the Growers Hardware space and volunteered to pay a portion of the tent fee if his lease is extended.   

 

 

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September 28, 2020

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Mayor Bryant asked if the Commissioners have any questions.

 

Commissioner Varnadore stated that more information is needed from Mr. Burton, CRA Director, and requested that it be placed on the next meeting agenda.

 

Mayor stated that the item will be placed on the next CRA agenda, October 5th. 

 

3.       CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL

a. Minutes: August 19th, September 14th, September 15th

b. Legal Bills

c. Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Grant

 

        Motion:  Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Varnadore seconded, and the                                                    motion carried 5-0 to approve the consent agenda as presented by staff.

 

4.         PUBLIC HEARING---FINAL MILLAGE RATE AND FINAL FISCAL YEAR 2021 BUDGET (J. Freeman)

 

Mayor Bryant opened the public hearing to discuss the Final Millage rate and Final Fiscal 2021 Budget.

·         We here tonight to adopt The City of Palmetto Final Millage and Budget for 2021 that begins on October 1, 2020.

·         The City proposes to adopt a FY 2021 Millage of 5.9671 per $1,000 of taxable value, which is 4.43% greater than the rolled back rate of 5.7138.  The roll-back rate is the rate that will allow the City to collect the same amount of revenues in comparison to the prior year. 

·         Taxable value in the City for the FY 2021 budget is $978,061,804 which represents an increase of 7.08% compared to the prior year.

·         The overall City-wide budget is $33,374,513, which is 2.55% higher than last year.  The General Fund budget is $12,894,534.  Additional revenues are being used to fund personnel costs, capital expenditures, public safety, CRA expenditures, and utility infrastructure needs within the City.

 

Mayor Bryant closed the public hearing after no public comment.

 

  a. RESOLUTION 2020-17 FY 2021 FINAL MILLAGE (read in its entirety)           

                   Motion:  Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion                                           carried 5-0 to adopt Resolution 2020-17.

 

         b. RESOLUTION 2020-18 FY 2021 FINAL BUDGET (Resolution to be read in its entirety)          

                     Motion:  Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Varnadore seconded, and the motion                                            carried 4-1 to adopt Resolution 2020-18.  Commissioner Smith voted no.

 

 

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 5. PUBLIC HEARING CONDITIONAL USE CU-2018-02 CHURCH ON THE ROCK (K.OWENS)

Karla Owens, Development Services Director, stated that the Conditional Use (CU) is a continuation from the last meeting and added that there are no changes to the item.  Mrs. Owens requested that the Board approve Conditional Use 2018-02.  

 

Mayor Bryant opened public hearing.

 

                    Motion:  Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion                                             carried 5-0 based on the Staff Report, the comments made at the public hearing                                            and finding the request to be consistent with Sign Ordinance #2020-06 and the                                                                     Comprehensive Plan, I move to approve Conditional Use 2018-02 subject to                                                      conditions as set forth in the order.

 

Mayor Bryant asked if there were any questions.  There were no questions.

 

Mayor Bryant closed public hearing.

STANDING AGENDA ITEMS:

6.   TRAFFIC UPDATE

Mayor Bryant read the Transform 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan press release, and is a part of the minutes.

 

7.    PALMETTO POOL UPDATE

Jim Freeman, City Clerk, expressed that the agreement will be on the Commission and CRA Board Meetings October 5^th for approval.

 

8.   POLICE DEPARTMENT BUILDING UPDATE

Scott Tyler, Chief Police, stated that there are no new updates.

 

COMMENTS:

 

   9. DEPARTMENT HEADS COMMENTS

Chief Tyler reported that 2 grants were awarded to the Police Department.  $12,000 dollars was awarded by Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) for overtime and to hand out educational materials during traffic stops, and $24,000 dollars was awarded by Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for the PD software conversion and labor.

 

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney, stated that if the governor does not extend the Zoom meeting deadline, that expires September 30^th, 3 commissioners must be present during meetings to take action, and others in Zoom.  

 

Mayor asked if there were any questions regarding the Zoom Meetings.  There were no questions.

 

 

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Jim Freeman, City Clerk, reminded everyone about next week’s meetings for the Workshop, Commission, and CRA on Monday, October 5^th.

 

Mayor Bryant read an email from Jeff Burton, CRA Director, requesting a CRA Special Meeting on Thursday, October 1^st, regarding Residential Riviera Apartment Project CRA Incentive.

 

               Motion:  Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Varnadore seconded, and the motion                                  carried 5-0 to schedule a Special CRA Board Meeting on Thursday, October 1^st, with                                      one item only.

 

Mayor Bryant stated that Mr. Burton will be advised to set up the meeting accordingly.

 

10.   MAYORS REPORT

Mayor Bryant thanked everyone for going on-line to review the Transform 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan. 

 

11. COMMISSIONERS COMMENTS

Commissioner Davis reported that there is a sprinkler leak near Hungry Howie’s.  Mr. Rayan stated that he will look into it.

 

Commissioner Williams stated that during the Florida League of Cities Annual Meeting, he was re-elected to the State Board as District 10^th Director for the next year.  He added if the Commissioners have anything to they want brought to the Board, to let him know.

 

Commissioner Cornwell inquired if Vice Mayor need to attend the Supervisor of Election since the Mayor is up for election. 

 

Mayor Bryant asked Mr. Freeman to follow up on the inquiry.

 

Commissioner Varnadore congratulated Mr. Rayan, Public Works Director, for the quick work done at 20^th Avenue, and Chief Tyler for getting the grants for the computers.

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned meeting at 8:11 p.m.