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
Lorenzo Waiters, Captain- Police Department
Scott Tyler, Chief of Police (Joined the meeting @ 7:51 p.m.)
Jim Freeman, City Clerk
Xavier Colon, Assistant CRA Director
Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant
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 pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, and Pastor Jason Lane from Skyway Community Chapel, gave the prayer for tonight’s meeting.
All persons intending to address the City Commission were duly sworn.
2. PROCLAMATION: NATIONAL TARTAN DAY
Commissioner Cornwell delivered the Proclamation for National Tartan Day. Bob Greene accepted the Proclamation. April 6th, 2022, was declared as National Tartan Day in Palmetto, FL.
PROCLAMATION: CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
Mayor Bryant delivered the Proclamation for Child Abuse Prevention Month. April 2022 was declared as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Palmetto, FL. Proclamation was accepted by Krista Post. She explained that the blue pinwheel is the symbol of child abuse prevention.
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3. CITY COMMISSION AGENDA APPROVAL
MOTION: Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded,
and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the April 4, 2022, City Commission Agenda.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
None
5. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Minutes: 03/07/2022, 03/21/2022
b. Legal Bills
c. Special Function Permit – Haitian Flag Day
d. National League of Cities Video Program
Commissioner Williams asked for item 5d to be removed for discussion.
MOTION: Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded, and
the motion carried 5-0 to approve items a, b, and c on the Consent Agenda as presented by staff.
Commissioner Williams questioned the contract between the City and the vendors for the National League of Cities Video Program. Mr. Freeman stated that the agreement is for 2 years and there is no cost to the City.
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Varnadore seconded,
and the motion carried 4-1 to approve item 5d on the Consent Agenda as presented by staff. Commissioner Williams voted nay.
6. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 2022-03 CRA PLAN UPDATE (X. COLON)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION FOR THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA, MODIFYING THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT PLAN, PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
OPEN PUBLIC HEARING @ 7:20 p.m.
Mr. Colon stated that it is the same document as before; there are a few grammatical fixes, and budget projections added to the back.
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CLOSE PUBLIC HEARING @ 7:21 p.m.
Commissioner Williams questioned the 2041 expiration date of the CRA. Mr. Colon confirmed that this is the last day the CRA can exist. Commissioner Williams asked for clarification on downtown parking and community policing. He wants there to be wording in the document that will help with the sea level rising and the hazards that may occur. Palmetto Bay Fish Sanctuary was also discussed. Commissioner Williams requested a map of the parcels listed. The census that was used in the document was questioned. Commissioner Williams inquired about the 5-year forecast of monies. He asked if loaning the housing authority money was a possibility.
Mr. Colon stated for the record that the amended changes will be:
· Page 19- grammatical changes
· Page 28- the word “establishes” will change to “interprets”
· Page 98- the first bullet will change from “City” to “Area”
MOTION: Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Cornwell
seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to adopt Ordinance
2022-03 as amended.
7. MARCH 2022 CHECK REGISTER (Informational Only)
Recess the City Commission Meeting to Open the April 4, 2022, CRA Meeting
Mayor Bryant reconvened the meeting at 8:26 pm
STANDING AGENDA ITEMS:
8. Traffic Update
Mr. Rayan has reached out to the FDOT regarding the 23rd St and 8th Ave design, along with the 10th Ave. project. He is waiting to hear back from them.
COMMENTS:
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9. DEPARTMENT HEADS’ COMMENTS
Mr. Rayan provided updates on the following projects:
· Chloramine House
· MLK Project- lighting, plumbing, mechanical work
· New Police Department
· The application that was admitted to West Coast Inland Navigation District (WCIND) for dredging was denied.
· I & I project- revised proposal was received last week to reduce the cost
· Rebate from Veolia
Mr. Freeman provided an update on scheduling of the following projects:
· ARPA funding will be coming to a workshop in late May.
· 7th street extension plans will be coming forward at a future meeting for approval.
· The Public Hearings on the Boat Mooring Ordinance and the rezoning of Manatee Fruit Farm are scheduled for the April 18th City Commission Meeting.
Chief Tyler is excited with the developments of the new Police Department. Vertical construction will begin in 30-40 days. Manatee School District approached him regarding the SRO contracts. They are hoping to do a 70-30 partnership with the City. ARPA will be funding new next-gen portable radios. ARPA will also pay for body worn cameras. Commissioner Cornwell asked if there will be additional costs associated with these upgrades for maintenance. Chief Tyler said down the road there will be support costs.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Bryant spoke to the Chairman of the County Commission, and he is going to add the subject of re-naming Lincoln Park with the City to their agenda as soon as possible. He is planning to get approval for the Lawyers to meet first. Commissioner Cornwell wants there to be a process before the naming of anything begins. Attorney Barnebey will be meeting with the County’s lawyer before those meetings. Mayor Bryant spoke with the residents that are having septic tank issues. She is speaking to them on a one-by-one basis to get this resolved. She also provided an update on Palmetto High School. They took care of the flooding last summer. There will be a meeting tomorrow night regarding their re-modeling.
11. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS
Commissioner Jones questioned Mr. Colon going down to Sarasota Housing Authority. Mr. Colon reiterated that he didn’t go with the Mayor to that meeting.
Commissioner Cornwell provided an update about the 125-year anniversary event. She also questioned the issues with the septic tanks.
Commissioner Varnadore is thankful for all the paving that is being done.
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Commissioner Williams also commented on the paving. He requested a schedule for paving. Mr. Rayan stated that he will send it over to him. He also questioned the open positions in Mr. Rayan’s department. Mr. Rayan responded that the job fair will be 9am-2pm on April 14th. Commissioner Williams asked Chief Tyler about the surrounding community’s involvement in the new radio system. He also questioned the 70-30 partnership with the school board regarding the SRO’s.
Commissioner Smith requested the invoices for the Masonic Lodge property with liens from Mr. Freeman.
Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 9:06 p.m.
Minutes approved: april 18, 2022
JAMES R. FREEMAN
James R. Freeman
City Clerk