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 (Not Present)

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 7:01 p.m., followed by a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.  She also announced the passing of Mrs. Agnes Doyle, the wife of former Mayor of Palmetto,  Gordon Doyle.

 

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

 

 2.   PROCLAMATION:     Commissioner Cornwell presented the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month                                                 Proclamation.  Then, a two minute video that was created by the students, was                                       played as an appreciation for the proclamation.

 

3.   CITY COMMISSION AGENDA APPROVAL

 

                 Motion:  Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Varnadore                                                seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the May 17,                                                                                                   2021 City Commission Agenda with the addition of Consent                                                 Agenda item 5.G River Regatta 2022 and Agenda item 7.A                                                Small Matching Grant – Historical Preservation.

 

4.   PUBLIC COMMENT

The below speakers gave their opinions about the vacant lot that is across the street from the boat ramp being sold for improvement opportunities.

 

 

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             Julie Brown                                                           Rod Griffon

             Valerie Gillo                                                           Elaine Johnson

             Gene Brown                                                          Jeremy Nichols

             Brad Johnson (time yield to Elaine Johnson)         Al Tittle

             James Bradin                                                         Luke Bustel

             Regina Bradin (time yield to James Bradin)           Robert Gill

 

Commissioner Smith suggested that the boat ramp public speakers have their point of contact person meet with Mayor Bryant, and the Mayor will bring the information to the Board.  Mayor Bryant responded that she does not have any more data than what has been discussed in the Chambers, so meeting with the point of contact person will not be beneficial.

 

 Commissioner Williams summarized the various projects that were done in Palmetto to improve the City and spoke on the possible developments that could be done on the vacant property.

 

MAYOR BRYANT RECESSED THE CITY COMMISSION MEETING AT 7:42 P.M. TO RESTORE ORDER.

 

        MAYOR BRYANT RECONVENED THE CITY COMMISSION MEETING AT 7:56 P.M.  AND PUBLIC COMMENTS CONTINUED.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT CONTINUED

Richard Daeney       

Rick Gullett

 

 

5. CONSENT AGENDA

a.  Minutes: April 19th

b.  Special Function Permit - American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME)

c.  Special Function Permit - Twin Angels Charities Spring Fling

d.  Special Function Permit - CRA 4th of July Fest

e.  Resolution 2021-13 FY 2021 Mid-Year Budget Adjustment (J. Freeman)

f.  Debris Management Contract Extension (C. Miller/J. Freeman)

g. River Regatta 2022

 

                 Motion:  Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Cornwell                                                       seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the Consent                                                                                        Agenda as presented by staff with the addition of item 5.G                                               River Regatta 2022.

 

6.  LIEN REDUCTION - 1212 21ST AVENUE WEST (J. Freeman)

Mr. Freeman, City Clerk, discussed the Lien Reduction request and stated that the owner wants to revitalize the property and move someone into the home.

 

 

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Commission Smith requested clarification if the lien is for residential or business, and Mr. Freeman responded residential. 

 

 

               Motion:  Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Varnadore                                              seconded, and the motion carried 4-1 to approve the request                                                                                                  of the property owner of 1212 21st Avenue West, Palmetto,                                                           Florida to reduce the amounts owed on the utility lien and code                                                     enforcement lien on the property to $3,922.68 total and shall be                          paid in 30 days, otherwise, the request will be null and void.                                            Commissioner Williams voted nay.

 

 

7. APRIL CHECK REGISTER (informational only)

 

 

7.A  SMALL MATCHING GRANT – HISTORICAL PRESERVATION

    Mayor Bryant expressed that the $50,000 grant is for the VFW building.  And, if the Board does not make a decision tonight, the small matching grant for historical preservation will expire if not submitted by June 1st.

 

                 Motion:  Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Williams                                                seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to authorize staff to                                                      apply for the Small Matching Grant with the Department of                                                State, Division of Historical Resources for a Historical                                                            Preservation Grant up to the amount of $50,000 and authorize                                 the Mayor to sign the necessary grant application and the                                                    agreement.  

 

 

STANDING AGENDA ITEMS:

 

 

8.    TRAFFIC UPDATE

Mayor Bryant reported that the County hosted the Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation.  Also, a helicopter flew over the congested traffic areas to view for concepts to reduce the congestion.

 

9.    POLICE DEPARTMENT BUILDING UPDATE

Chief Tyler reported that last week he met with the architect and the contractor regarding the Police Department (PD) new building, and the proposed budgeted of 9.3 million was upheld and will be brought to the Board for approval.

 

  Commissioner Smith asked if there were any cutbacks regarding the PD project, and Chief Tyler replied that the inside work areas are not being modified.  However, they are looking at refiguring some of the outside areas such as mechanical systems that may save some money.

 

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 Mr. Freeman, City Clerk, reported that they have been working with the financial advisor on the PD project, and it will go out to Request For Proposal (RFP) next month for discussions with the bank to acquire the best terms and back to the Board sometime in July for the final financial approval.

  

COMMENTS:

 

10.    DEPARTMENT HEADS' COMMENTS

Mr. Rayan, Public Works Director (PWD), gave an update on the various projects going on throughout the City.  He specified that 5 bids were received regarding the MLK Restroom Project, and the Purchasing Department is assembling the committee to review the bids and make a recommendation.  Also, Mr. Rayan addressed the Lamp Post Place street light issue and stated that Florida Power & Light (FPL) will have to replace the transformer, and an estimate will be forwarded. Once the estimate is received, it will be presented to the Board for approval.

 

 Commissioner Smith inquired about the MLK Restroom Project bid process.  Attorney Barnebey referenced the City’ purchasing ordinance and stated that the bids are ranked by the Committee with a recommendation and presented to the Board to make a decision.

 

In regards to 1207 2nd Avenue West property, Mr. Rayan, PWD, stated that Karla Owens, Development Services Director, provided photos and data concerning the survey that was completed on the property.  The survey indicated that there is an 8 foot set-back on the property line and the foundation perimeters.  He expressed that a copy of the survey from the contractor is forth coming. 

 

Also, Mr. Rayan informed the Board that the residents of the Jett Mobile Home Park requested a stop sign be installed at 4th Avenue.  Mr. Ryan and Chief Tyler inspected the area and felt that it did not coincide with the City’s ordinance for major regulation change.  However, the sign can be installed at the northwest corner of 4th Avenue and Tennessee Street, if the Commission approves it.   

 

 

                  Motion:  Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Williams                                                        seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to have a stop sign                                                                  installed at the northwest corner of 4th Avenue and Tennessee                                                                       Street.

 

 

Next, Mr. Rayan expressed that there will be a construction meeting for the new Sheraton Hotel this Thursday, May 20th, 10:00 a.m., at the Bradenton Area Convention Center.

 

 Attorney Barnebey requested an Attorney/Client Session Meeting for June 10, 2021 at 6:00 p.m. lasting about 1 hour held in the Commission Chambers at 516 8^th Avenue West, Palmetto, Florida.  He added that the Commissioners, the Mayor, Attorney Charles Johnson, and he will be in attendance.  And, the meeting will be for the purpose of discussing settlements negotiations and strategy session related to litigation expenses for court case Lincoln Memorial Academy versus the State of Florida. 

 

 

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11.   MAYOR'S REPORT

Mayor Bryant received information that the street lights issue on 17th Street is a County matter, and the County will check on it.  She reported that the 7 day Covid positive testing average dropped to 4.7%.  And, County Commissioner Van Ostenbridge volunteered to work on getting additional areas for boat ramps/parking, and reports will be provided periodically.

 

12.   COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS

Commissioner Cornwell congratulated Chief Tyler on past events that were done for the kids and recommended that he come up with a few events for the kids to do while school is out.

 

 Commission Varnadore commented about the boat ramp, the investments done so far into the property, and emphasized that there needs to be a partnership with the County.  Mayor Bryant summarized the next steps that will be taken with the developers and the Board. On recommendation of Commissioner Varnadore, a motion was made to postpone any development on the property for 90 days. 

 

            Motion:  Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Smith seconded, and                                                a roll call vote carried 5-0 to postpone any development on the Shell                                                    Station property for 90 days to give everyone time to work together                                                      to find a solution.  

 

  Commissioner Smith inquired about the price to have the Commission Meetings televised, and Mr. Freeman stated that he reached out to METV and waiting to hear back.  Next, Commissioner Smith requested that Attorney Barnebey reach out to the Florida League of Cities for the attorney’s name who will be present at the Attorney/Client Session Meeting. 

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS CONTINUED

The below speakers gave their opinions on the operations within the City of Palmetto.

 

              Betty Rhodes                              Christi Ware (did not speak)

            Rodney Jones                            Phyllis Dunbar (did not speak)

            Jauana Phillips (did not speak)  

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 8:53 p.m.