This Commission Meeting was conducted utilizing Communications Media Technology.  Some 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

Brian Williams, Vice Mayor, Commissioner, Ward 3

Sheldon Jones, Commissioner-at-Large 1

Tamara Cornwell, Commissioner-at-Large 2

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

Tambra Varnadore, Commissioner, Ward 2

 

Staff Present in chambers:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Jeff Burton, CRA Director

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant

Vanessa Cochran, Assistant City Clerk

 

Staff Present Electronically:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

1.  Mayor Bryant called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  Pastor Steve Goudy, Church of Hope, gave the invocation followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. 

 

      All persons intending to address the City Commission were duly sworn.

 

2.    PROCLAMATION:       Commissioner Jones presented the National Arbor Day Proclamation to Moe                                                 Rayan, Public Works Director.

 

3.     CITY COMMISSION AGENDA APPROVAL

    

                 Motion:  Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Varnadore seconded, and the                                motion carried 5-0 to approve the April 19, 2021Commission Agenda with the                                       addition of item 6A Stormwater Master Plan.

 

4.  PUBLIC COMMENT

Ms. Palmetto Teen USA, Riley Weymer, stated that she will be competing in December 2021 for Ms. Florida Teen USA and discussed her expectations regarding the pageant.

 

Ms. Kelly Hillman, Manatee School for the Arts, commented on the Open House Tours for grades 6th to 12th.

 

Alice McClary gave her opinion on the additional residential developments and stated that it would cause sewage problems.

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Rodney Jones gave his views on how the City’s government operates in deception.

 

Betty Rhodes spoke of her disapproval of the Lincoln Park name change.

 

 Mr. Burton, CRA Director, gave a narrative of the boat ramp’s history and spoke on the long term advantages the redevelopment of the property would bring the City.

 

The following members of the public expressed their disapproval of the Riverside property redevelopment and stated that it would eliminate many boat parking spaces.   

 

Elaine Johnson                                                                   Brian Bustle

Al Tittle (time yield to Elaine Johnson)                             Phill Baker

Jeremy Nicholas (time yield to Elaine Johnson)                Rick Gullett

Robert Douglas Gill                                                           Julie Brown

 

 Commissioner Smith commented that an emergency Workshop Meeting needs to be scheduled due to the residents’ concerns about the redevelopment of the Riverside property.

 

5.  CONSENT AGENDA

a.     Minutes: March 1st and March 22nd

b.     Legal Bills

c.     Special Function Permit Jupiter Marine Family Fun Day

d.     Special Function Permit Star Academy's Annual Recital

e.     Resolution 2021-11 Council of Governments Meeting

f.     Resolution 2021-12 Veolia Reimbursement

 

            Motion:  Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Varnadore seconded, and                        the motion carried 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda as presented by                              staff and to remove item 5E for discussion.

 

5.E  RESOLUTION 2021-11 COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS MEETING DISCUSSION

          Commissioner Jones asked for clarification concerning the Council of Governments Meeting, and Attorney Barnebey replied that the resolution only gives permission to attend the meeting.  Then, Commissioner Williams added that there is no voting on issues at these meetings.      

 

                                Motion:  Commissioner Jones moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion                                        carried 5-0 to approve Consent Agenda item 5E as presented by staff.

 

6.  MARCH CHECK REGISTER (Informational Only)

 

6.A STORMWATER MASTER PLAN

This item is a continuation from today’s Workshop Meeting at 4:30 p.m. 

 

 

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                        Motion:  Commissioner Varnadore moved, and Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion                                        carried 5-0 to authorize the preparation of the Stormwater Plan for the downtown area                                     not to exceed $150,000 to be cost shared by the CRA approximately 27% and the City                                    approximately 73%.

 

STANDING AGENDA ITEMS:

 

7.    TRAFFIC UPDATE

Mayor Bryant acknowledged that the traffic light at US 301 and Canal Road is operating. 

 

PUBLIC COMMENT CONTINUED

Public comments continued regarding the disapproval of the Riverside property redevelopment.   

 

 Brian Clooney

        David Spitnale (called upon but not present)

        Tom Morr

 

 Discussion ensued among the Board.  Commissioner Williams agreed with Commissioner Smith that a Workshop needs to be scheduled for the boat ramp and requested May 3rd.  Commissioner Jones agreed with Commissioners Williams and Smith on the meeting.  Commissioner Varnadore expressed that the City needs to partner with the County and to postpone the May 3rd meeting and take no action because the County is a vital part of the solution.  Mayor Bryant emphasized that she would like to have representation on May 4th at the Council of Governments Meeting because she requested that the boat ramp issue be added to the agenda. Commissioner Smith addressed transparency at the meetings and suggested having them televised.  Next, he made a motion.   

 

                    Motion:  Commissioner Smith moved, Commissioner Jones seconded, and the motion                                          failed 3-2 to have the City of Palmetto’s meeting televised live by METV starting                                          August 2021.  Commissioners Cornwell, Williams, and Varnadore voted nay.

 

  Commissioner Cornwell stated that she agreed with Commissioners Smith, Jones, and Williams to have the Workshop Meeting May 3, 2021.

  

  Commissioner Jones commented that he agreed with Commissioners Smith, Cornwell, and Williams on the May 3rd Workshop Meeting.  Commissioner Varnadore declared that she will accept the date and time the Board choses.

 

   Mayor Bryant requested that the Boat Ramp Parking item be placed on the May 3, 2021 Workshop Agenda and advise the developer not to attend the meeting.  Commissioner Smith inquired if a motion should be made, and Attorney Barnebey responded that one could be made.

     

                        Motion:  Commissioner Smith moved, Commissioner Jones seconded, and the motion carried 5-0                                  to have the boat ramp parking item added to the May 3, 2021 Workshop Agenda and                                advise the developers not to attend the meeting.

 

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8.  POLICE DEPARTMENT BUILDING UPDATE

Mr. Rayan, Public Works Director (PWD), stated that the engineering is ongoing, and there is nothing new to report.

 

COMMENTS:

 

9.  DEPARTMENT HEADS’ COMMENTS

None

 

10.    MAYOR'S REPORT

Mayor Bryant spoke on the Tourist Development Council new program, Love It Like A Local, and stated that it is aimed to encourage visitors to the area.  Then, she read the proclamation.

 

11.   COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS

Commissioner Varnadore addressed the needs for improvements regarding 10th Street West and 8th Avenue and commented on how the Board procrastinates on making decisions.

 

Commissioner Williams stated that the Board needs to discuss concerns more often, so they can be addressed.

 

Commissioner Cornwell asked about the Lamp Post Place lights status and also reported that 17th Street lamps were broken.  Mr. Rayan, PWD, stated that he will check on the items.

 

  Commissioner Jones commented that when he reaches out to a department he needs a response.  He also inquired about other issues including a house on 24th Avenue West.

     

  Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 9:39 pm