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

Tambra Varnadore, Vice Mayor, Commissioner, Ward 2

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

Brian Williams, Vice Mayor, Commissioner, Ward 3

Sheldon Jones, Commissioner-at-Large 1

Tamara Cornwell, Commissioner-at-Large 2

 

Staff Present in Chambers:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Xaiver Colon, Assistant CRA Director

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant

Vanessa Cochran, Assistant City Clerk

Cassi Bailey, 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., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, and Pastor Ryan Akers, Palm View Baptist, gave the invocation for tonight’s meeting.

 

All persons intending to address the Commission were duly sworn.

 

2.      PROCLAMATION:  Mayor Bryant presented Coach Eddie Shannon, who is 100 years young, a Birthday Proclamation. Mr. Frank Brunner spoke a few words in honor of Coach Shannon.

 

   PROCLAMATION: Commissioner Varnadore read the Donate Life Month               Proclamation, and it will be mailed to LifeLink Foundation. The Proclamation declared April 2022 as Donate Life Month in the City of Palmetto.

 

 Mayor Bryant acknowledged that Troop 10 from Oneco, FL, was present and requested that Gabe Cole speak on the troop’s history. Mr. Cole introduced his troop.

 

3.        CITY COMMISSION AGENDA APPROVAL

 

            

 

City Commission Meeting

March 21, 2022

Page 2 of 5

 

Motion:            Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Williams                                               seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the March                                                                                                     21, 2022 City Commission Agenda.

 

4.     PUBLIC COMMENT

  Anthony DeRusso, liaison for Palmetto Sheraton/Marriott, gave an update on the Bradenton Area Convention Hotel.

 

  Marc Alexis from The Haitian Organization Connection came to invite everyone to The Haitian Flag Day Festival in Sutton Park on May 14^th.

 

  Betty Rhodes, a resident of Palmetto, gave her opinion on the need for CRA funding to be used for the homeowners. She also commented on the new Bradenton Area Convention Hotel and the desire for other events to be hosted at the Bradenton Area Convention Center besides the gun show.

 

  Junior Salazar, a resident of Ruskin, commented on the renaming of Lincoln Park.

 

  Keenan Wooten, a resident of Bradenton, commented on the renaming of Lincoln Park.

 

  Tom Westlake, a resident of Palmetto, commented on a new apartment being built near Heartland Fertilizer. He is concerned that the main entrance will be in his driveway.

 

 Glen Gibellina, a resident of Manatee County, present via Zoom, spoke on the Lincoln Park renaming   process. He sent an email earlier in the day and copies were given to The Commission. He also commented on affordable housing incentives for residents and the need for rentals.

 

Rodney Jones (Not present during public comment)

 

5.        CONSENT AGENDA

a.  Minutes: February 7, 2022 and February 28, 2022

b.  Legal Bills

c.  Special Event Permit - National Day of Prayer

d.  FDOT Traffic Signal Maintenance Agreement

 

                 MOTION:       Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams                                                      seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the                                                                                                                                  Consent Agenda as presented by staff.

 

6.        FIRST READING ORDINANCE 2022-04 MOORING OR ANCHORING OF LIVE-ABOARD VESSELS (M. BARNEBEY/S.TYLER)

This is a continued discussion and approval from today’s Workshop meeting.

 

 

 

City Commission Meeting

March 21, 2022

Page 3 of 5

 

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA AMENDING CHAPTER 10, ARTICLE I, TO ADD A NEW SECTION 10.1, REGARDING THE REGULATION OF MOORING OR ANCHORING OF LIVE-ABOARD VESSELS, FLOATING STRUCTURES, AND CERTAIN COMMERCIAL VESSELS; PROVIDING FOR EXCEPTIONS, DEFINITIONS, VIOLATIONS, ENFORCEMENT, AND PENALTIES; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

       Motion:       Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams                                            seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the First                                                 Reading for Ordinance 2022-04 and direct the City to                           advertise for the required public hearing.

 

7.     FEBRUARY 2022 CHECK REGISTER (Informational Only)

 

 

STANDING AGENDA ITEMS:

 

 

8.       TRAFFIC UPDATE

No comments

 

COMMENTS:

 

 

9.       DEPARTMENT HEADS' COMMENTS

 Mr. Rayan, Public Works Director, gave the below updates on the various projects within The City.

·         Police Department

·         MLK Project

·         Chloramine Injection Project

·         I&I Project

 

 Commissioner Jones reported that the potholes on 14th Street need repairs.

 

 Mr. Freeman, City Clerk, commented on the below topics.

·         The 7th Street Extension Project is out for bid. It will be coming back for recommendation at a future Workshop.

·         The ARPA Funding list will be presented to The Board at an upcoming Workshop.

 

 Chief Tyler provided updates on the new Police Department Building.

 

 Mr. Colon, Assistant CRA Director, spoke on the Public Hearing for the CRA Plan on April 4, 2022. He also reported that the MLK Playground layouts will be presented at the next meeting. Mr. Colon discussed the SVN (realtor) extension for the Riverside property listing agreement. He asked the developers to give updated site plans to include boat parking with a deadline of March 31^st. He hopes to bring that and come to a decision on April 18, 2022.

City Commission Meeting

March 21, 2022

Page 4 of 5

  

10.   MAYOR'S REPORT

  Mayor Bryant commented on the housing project and the opportunity to move forward with affordable workforce housing. She referenced working with County Commissioner Kruse and Mayor Brown to try to increase the workforce and affordable housing. It will be presented to The Board for consideration at a future date. Mayor Bryant will be reaching out to the residents regarding their septic tank issues. She provided an update on Palmetto High School’s flooding problem. The School District allocated 25 million to fix the flooding issue. They have now added 39 million to replace the lower buildings and cafeteria. She commented on properties that have large liens and referenced the article she sent about how other cities are addressing this issue. She would like some direction from Commission.

 

11.   COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS

  Commissioner Smith addressed his concern with the name change of Lincoln Park. He shared that he has received an abundance of calls from residents expressing their dissatisfaction with the renaming of the park. He stated he would like the future football field to be named after Coach Shannon instead of the park. Attorney Barnebey stated that Manatee County owns 5 acres, and The City owns 11 acres (fields). The county operates the entire park.  He commented that The County can name their portion of the park whatever they want. He said ideally The County and The City would come together regarding the re-naming. Mr. Smith requested that The Mayor and Mr. Barnebey schedule a meeting with The County regarding this issue.

 

  Commissioner Varnadore requested a list of the foreclosure homes for the next Workshop.

 

  Commissioner Williams inquired about the 30-year agreement with the County, regarding Lincoln Park.  Attorney Barnebey will review this document. 

 

  Commissioner Cornwell commented on the lack of communication regarding the renaming of Lincoln Park by The County. She suggested that The Mayor follow up with The County to add this issue to a future agenda when the two entities meet. She announced that she will be attending the Historic Meeting tomorrow to discuss the plans of a history walk or drive, through the historic areas of Palmetto. Mr. Colon is working on a history project as well and will be speaking at the meeting tomorrow. He is planning a 125-year City Anniversary Event on July 1^st.

 

 Commissioner Williams commented on the Manasota Meeting and Attorney Barnebey will be speaking on affordable housing.

 

  Commissioner Jones commented on the name change for Lincoln Park. He also requested that The Mayor reach out to The County. He requested the Housing Project information and the re-establishment of The City’s Housing Board. Mayor Bryant stated she met with Sarasota county’s housing authority and the meeting was unsatisfactory.  He also asked Mr. Colon for Connor Park updates. Mr. Colon stated he will send him the updated timeline. He commented

City Commission Meeting

March 21, 2022

Page 5 of 5

 

that the current timeline indicates the completion will be in October 2022. Commissioner Jones

requested that Mr. Barnebey request a meeting with The County regarding Lincoln Park.

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 8:36 pm