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
Tamara Cornwell, Commissioner-at-Large 2
Sheldon Jones, Commissioner-at-Large 1
Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1
Brian Williams, Vice Mayor, Commissioner, Ward 3
STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:
Mark Barnebey, City Attorney
Xavier Colon, Interim CRA Director
Jim Freeman, City Clerk
Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director
Scott Tyler, Chief of Police
Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk
Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant
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. Pastor Nate Gardner, from Bayside Community Church, gave the prayer for tonight’s meeting.
All persons intending to address the City Commission were duly sworn.
2. CITY COMMISSION AGENDA APPROVAL
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and
the Motion carried 5-0 to approve the May 23, 2022 City Commission Agenda.
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and
the Motion carried 5-0 to add item k. Bradenton Area River Regatta to the consent agenda.
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May 23, 2022
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3. PROCLAMATION: NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK
Myles Gee, Commander of Manatee Sail and Power Squadron accepted the Proclamation. Mayor Bryant declared National Safe Boating week from May 21- 27, 2022 in the City of Palmetto. Myles Gee introduced his fellow members and spoke regarding their program.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
Bruno Kapacinskas, Southwest Florida Water Management District, is the new Government Affairs Regional Manager. He introduced himself as the point of contact for the Toilet Rebate Program. Mayor Bryant introduced Penny Johnston as the point person from the City for this program.
Melton Little relayed his concern and frustration with the building behind his office, located at 817 5th St W. He questioned why the building has yet to be condemned. Mr. Little showed pictures to the Commission of the building and highlighted his worries. Mr. Rayan, Public Works Director, will investigate this matter.
Betty Sailes Rhodes spoke on her concerns with the Lincoln Park Pool.
Mirna Urbina stated that she owns a Food Trailer on 10th Street, and they were denied a permit due to the Port a Let. Mr. Freeman and Mr. Rayan spoke on the subject and explained the reason for denial was because the Port a Let went against the City’s Ordinance and required special approval by the Commission. Discussions continued between the Commissioners and Ms. Urbina. Mayor Bryant stated that they will call her with a definitive answer or ask her to come back to a future meeting for further discussion.
5. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Minutes: 05/02/2022 & 05/11/2022
b. Special Function Permit- Hendriex Wedding
c. Special Function Permit- IT Works Memorial Day Employee Event
d. Resolution 2022-11 FY22 JAG Grant
e. Resolution 2022-12 FY22 Toilet Rebate Program
f. Resolution 2022-13 FY22 Bulletproof Vest Grant
g. Surplus City Hall Vehicle
h. Legal Bills
i. Authorization for Opioid Settlements
j. CDBG 7th St. Extension
k. Special Function Permit- Bradenton Area River Regatta (added at the meeting)
MOTION: Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Williams seconded,
and the Motion carried 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda as presented by staff.
6. APRIL 2022 CHECK REGISTER (Informational Only)
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May 23, 2022
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Mayor Bryant recessed the City Commission Meeting to Open the May 23, 2022 Special CRA Meeting at 7:42 P.M.
Mayor Bryant reconvened the City Commission Meeting at 9:07 P.M.
STANDING AGENDA ITEMS:
7. Traffic Update
None
COMMENTS:
8. MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Bryant provided an update on the Metropolitan Planning Organization, MPO, meeting she attended. She suggested for Mr. Colon to watch the video regarding the trails and the 10th Avenue corridor. She also discussed the Desoto Bridge. She stated that the plan is to repair the bridge as it currently is.
9. DEPARTMENT HEADS’ COMMENTS
Mr. Rayan provided updates on the following projects:
· MLK restroom is 6-8 weeks away from delivery of the lift station. The structure is complete.
· Chloramine Station has been online for a month now. They are still testing, but the overall results have been encouraging. They are in contact with the County to work through concerns.
· The Roundabout- waiting for updates from FDOT.
· The new Police Department- the floor has been placed, and there will be vertical construction soon.
· Public Works has a few new employees- GIS Compliance Coordinator, 2 people in their Parks Department, and the Building Official- has been on site 2 days a week.
Mr. Freeman asked if the Commissioners wanted to make a motion for the GIS Contract, the same as they did for the CRA Board.
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Varnadore
seconded, and the motion carried 3-2 to allow staff to sign and
execute the consulting agreement between the City and DMI
Sciences. Commissioners Jones and Smith voted nay.
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May 23, 2022
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Mr. Freeman provided the following updates and reminders:
· June 1st will be the Public Hearing at the Bradenton Area Convention Center at 7:00 P.M for the Ordinances referencing Riviera Dunes.
· 7th Street Extension Grant-the recommendation will come back within the next 90 days.
· ARPA Funding Project list will be on a Workshop either June 6th or June 20th.
· CDBG will have the 2nd Public Hearing on June 6th for Housing Rehabilitation.
· Remaining Parcel: Old Palmetto Elementary School- They will ask for recommendations before they surplus the property.
Chief Tyler is gearing up for the last week of school and summer break for the students. He is excited about the changes in the new Police Department.
Attorney Barnebey stated that the Commissioners should have gotten a memo from him regarding the lack of exemption filed by Reefs at Riviera Dunes, making it difficult for the Housing Finance Authority or the Property Appraisers Office to identify if they are in compliance with said exemptions. He does expect them to file for exemptions before March. He will provide updates when he has them.
10. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS
Commissioner Jones asked Mr. Rayan about the building official and if they have received any applications. Mr. Rayan responded that they have not. Commissioner Jones also questioned the City Planner position. Mr. Rayan replied that they had several interviews, but one withdrew their application, and the others did not meet the requirements. Commissioner Jones then questioned if Mr. Barnebey was the Attorney for NDC. Attorney Barnebey stated that he is not, but his firm does do some work for them. Commissioner Jones asked if that is a conflict of interest. Mr. Barnebey replied that if the Commission decides to move forward with NDC he will probably recommend they seek outside Counsel. Commissioner Jones also asked the Mayor about the progress of the Housing Urban Development Board. She stated that she is going to speak to some of the Board members that were on the Board previously. Commissioner Jones wished everyone a Happy Memorial Day weekend.
Commissioner Cornwell stated that she cannot attend the Historical Board meeting tomorrow. Commissioner Varnadore will attend. Commissioner Cornwell questioned why the City cannot go on a property if it needs to be condemned. She asked if this can be discussed at a future workshop. She wants to have a solution to this problem. Mr. Rayan responded that they would have to put a lien on the property before condemning the property. He also mentioned that they have a new Building Official and they are going to discuss this with him. Mr. Rayan will provide an answer as soon as possible.
Commissioner Varnadore re-iterated her hope to rectify the situation with the Lincoln Park parking lot. This was referencing a discussion from the Special CRA Board Meeting.
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Commissioner Williams, in following up with Commissioner Varnadore’s statement, mentioned that in further reading the minutes, there must be other documents that were part of the decision regarding the Lincoln Park parking lot. Commissioner Williams questioned Mr. Rayan about the Code Enforcement position. He believes we need at least two Code Enforcement Officers for the City, and one for the CRA. He wants to ensure it is in the budget. Commissioner Williams discussed the business that was spoken about earlier tonight (The Food Trailer). He said there is another business in Ward 1 that code enforcement needs to investigate.
Commissioner Smith thinks Mr. Colon did a great job today with the CRA hand-outs. He also expressed that the Board needs to speed up and work together at the Meetings.
Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 9:36 P.M.
Minutes approved: june 6, 2022
JAMES R. FREEMAN
James R. Freeman
City Clerk