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.
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:
Shirley Groover Bryant, Mayor
Tambra Varnadore, Vice Mayor, Commissioner, Ward 2
Sheldon Jones, Commissioner-at-Large 1
Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1
Brian Williams, Commissioner, Ward 3
STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:
Scott Rudacille, City Attorney
Xavier Colon, Interim CRA Director
Kera Hill, Development Services Supervisor
Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director
Scott Tyler, Chief of Police
Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk - absent
Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant
STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:
Tamara Cornwell, Commissioner-at-Large 2 (via Zoom)
Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant
Jim Freeman, City Clerk (via Zoom)
Mayor Bryant called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. Pastor Shelly Riker from Church on the Rock opened in prayer, which was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
All persons intending to address the City Commission were duly sworn.
2. CITY COMMISSION AGENDA APPROVAL-
Mayor Bryant suggested moving the public comments to Item 5.a. in consideration of guest speakers Ms. Chloe Conboy from Representative Vern Buchanan’s office and the FDOT affiliates that were in Chambers to give an update of local FDOT projects.
MOTION: Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Varnadore seconded, and the motion passed 5-0 to approve of the City Commission Agenda with modifications as mentioned.
Commissioner Cornwell added that she wanted to add reconsideration of Sutton Park basketball and tennis courts to the CRA Agenda.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT- moved to 5.a
4. MS. CHLOE CONBOY- REPRESENTATIVE VERN BUCHANAN'S OFFICE
Ms. Chloe Conboy wanted to introduce herself and let the Commissioners and audience know that Congressman Buchanan’s office was available to offer assistance with federal agencies, Veteran benefits, Social Security, passport issues, Medicare issues and more. She added that Office Field Representative Ms. Paige Morrison would be at City Hall on Friday July 1, 2022 from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. to meet with constituents.
5. FDOT PROJECT UPDATE
Ms. Gayle Woods, with Trans Systems and Consultant with FDOT and Ms. Abra Horne, District Administrator with FDOT wanted to present slides showing an update of the Palmetto Trails, the Bradenton-Palmetto Connector, and the US41 CMASS projects. FDOT has created a website with an overview of all local FDOT projects. Three speakers were in the audience to talk about the FDOT projects and the slide presentation was made a part of these minutes.
Bruce Landis spoke of the highlights of the Palmetto Trails Network study as they work on building a network, system linkage, bicycle and pedestrian safety, mobility, and social demands. The project began in 2020 and they discussed alternative alignment on the middle and northern side of the City, especially the Lincoln Tunnel. Unfortunately, the northwest corridor was not able to use the existing CSX right of way, so they had to find alternative pathways to connect to Washington Park. FDOT hosted four focus groups in 2021 and were also a part of other community events. They staged a large workshop in early Spring 2022. Currently, the team is preparing to do engineering and environmental analysis.
Commissioner Jones asked if they had finalized the future placement of the trail to Washington Park. Mr. Landis said the route was still undetermined. He said pedestrian crossing tools are also still being discussed. Cameras and lighting will be installed throughout the trail system.
Ms. Gayle Woods spoke about the Bradenton Palmetto Connector Spring update. The purpose of this project is to improve connectivity, road capacity and safety. The Alternative Corridor Evaluation (ACE) study is the first phase to find corridors to cross the Manatee River and verify the need for the new corridor. The second phase is the Planning, Development and Engineering (PDE) process. Studies confirm that 31% of the traffic is just passing through Palmetto. Ten (10) corridor choices are outlined in the study. FDOT is striving to be transparent about what is happening with this corridor project. The kick-off meeting is coming in the fall of 2022.
Commissioner Varnadore asked about timing. Ms. Abra Horne said the DeSoto Bridge is a completely separate project and replacement construction is anticipated in 2027. Possible widening of the bridge will be considered during the PDE stage. The predictive traffic will determine the number of lanes in the bridge. The study will consider, that assuming the DeSoto Bridge is in place, what will still be needed. Multiple alternatives will be presented.
Commissioner Williams asked about traffic detours during construction. Ms. Horne replied that there would be a maintenance of traffic plan during the bridge construction. Ms. Woods mentioned a website www.uglybridges.com that lists all the bridges in the country and their recent inspection dates. Ms. Woods assured the Commission that the DeSoto Bridge has been maintained over the years so although the bridge has “aged out” it will still be safe and standing during the reconstruction.
Commissioner Williams stated he would be happy to be the contact for FDOT updates.
Xavier Colon questioned the timeline of 10th Avenue Complete Streets- phase II.
Richard Gullett asked who had the final say on where the bridge is built. Ms. Horne replied that everyone’s voice is equal.
Amy Sirmans, Consultant for FDOT. Safety is FDOT’s #1 priority. Eating, texting and taking photos are the top three distractions for drivers. Ms. Sirmans discussed the US 41 Corridor Mobility and Safety Study (CMASS) from University Parkway in Sarasota to 17th Street West transit station in Palmetto. The purpose is to enhance multimodal mobility and safety. They are currently in Phase l coordinating study results, focus groups, questionnaires, goals and objectives, and then will develop corridor strategies consistent with local comprehensive plans.
5a.) Public Comment
There were no public comments regarding non-agenda items.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Minutes: 06/01/2022 & 06/06/2022 (Workshop & Meeting)
b. Special Function Permit- Twin Angels Charities Back to School Event
c. Special Function Permit- 4th of July Fireworks
d. Resolution 2022-15 - Budget Amendment
e. Public Works- Emergency Purchases
f. Purchase Contract-Portion of Parcel 2414520059
g. Surplus Police Vehicles
MOTION: Commissioner Jones moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the consent agenda items a,b,c,e, and g as presented by staff. Items d and f were pulled for discussion.
6 d) Commissioner Jones asked for clarification on Connor Park and Woman’s Club budget.
6 f) Commissioner Jones asked for clarification about the requested 1.8 acres north of the waste water treatment plant to expand the waste water treatment “pond.” Tropic Isles has a lease agreement until 2023.
MOTION: Commissioner Jones moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve consent agenda items d and f.
7. FIRST READING ORDINANCE 2022-08 Amending City of Palmetto General Employee Retirement System
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO AMENDING CHAPTER 22, PERSONNEL, ARTICLE IV, GENERAL EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO; AMENDING SECTION 22-86, BENEFIT AMOUNTS AND ELIGIBILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Allen Tusing stated the Pension Board actively works to provide the best pension plan and to keep the costs down. It is very costly to change plans. Commissioner Smith questioned if we needed to do a more current study since it has been 20 years or so since the last comparison.
MOTION: Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 2022-08 and authorize staff to advertise the appropriate public hearings.
Commissioner Jones suggested the Board review every 3 years rather than waiting 5 years. Commissioner Williams opined that 5 years might be adequate. We need to know more.
8. FIRST READING ORDINANCE 2022-09 Annexation of 1615 21st St W
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA, ANNEXING A PARCEL CONTAINING 5.00 ACRES OF UNINCORPORATED MANATEE COUNTY, FLORIDA INTO THE CITY OF PALMETTO SPECIFICALLY LOCATED AT 1615 21ST STREET WEST, PALMETTO, FL 34221, WHICH THE PARCEL IS REASONABLY COMPACT AND IS CONTIGUOUS TO THE CITY OF PALMETTO; REDEFINING THE BOUNDARY LINES OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA TO INCLUDE SAID PARCEL; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION: Commissioner Jones moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 2022-09 and authorize staff to advertise the appropriate public hearings.
9. FIRST READING ORDINANCE 2022-10 Future Land Use Amendment- 1615 21st St W
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA APPROVING A SMALL SCALE FUTURE LAND USE MAP AMENDMENT TO THE CITY’S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; CHANGING THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP DESIGNATION FOR THE TERRITORY HEREINAFTER DESCRIBED FROM COUNTY FUTURE LAND USE MAP DESIGNATION RES-3 (RESIDENTIAL-3.0), TO CITY FUTURE LAND USE MAP DESIGNATION RES-4 (RESIDENTIAL-4), ON APPROXIMATLEY 5.00 ACRES MORE SPECIFICALLY LOCATED AT 1615 21ST STREET WEST, CONSISTENT WITH THE GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND POLICIES OF THE ADOPTED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 163.3187, FLORIDA STATUTES; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION: Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Jones seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 2022-10 and authorize staff to advertise the appropriate public hearings.
Commissioner Williams questioned why the annexation fee was waived. Mrs. Kera Hill responded that according to an existing resolution when an annexation, comprehensive plan amendment and rezoning is all done at the same time, the fees will be waived.
10. FIRST READING ORDINANCE 2022-11 Rezoning- 1615 21st St W
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA REZONING APPROXIMATELY 5.00 ACRES OF PROPERTY SPECIFICALLY LOCATED AT 1615 21ST STREET WEST, PALMETTO, FLORIDA, FROM COUNTY ZONING A-1 (AGRICULTURAL SUBURBAN), TO CITY ZONING E-R (ESTATE RESIDENTIAL), AND AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THIS ORDINANCE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
MOTION: Commissioner Jones moved, Commissioner Varnadore seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the first reading of Ordinance No. 2022-11 and authorize staff to advertise the appropriate public hearings.
11. ORDER OF DENIAL ORDINANCE 2022-07
Ed Vogler represented the applicant. The applicant opined they could certainly do this project without deviations. They want to do business with the City of Palmetto.
Shay Hawkinberry reminded the audience that during the June 6th meeting Commissioner Jones, Cornwell, Smith and Varnadore said they supported the housing project, just not the deviations. She requested that the Commission revise the final order to approve the general development plan without the deviations, as it follows the City comprehensive plan and zoning code. The applicant listened to each of you and agreed to remove the deviations. She opined the housing project would benefit the entire community and bring jobs and revenue dollars into the City.
Dan Lobeck opined that the applicant had every opportunity to resubmit the plan without the deviations. He stated that now they have to start over with a new plan.
Commissioner Varnadore asked Mr. Rudacille for legal clarification and then moved to reconsider the plan. The motion died due to lack of a second.
MOTION: Commission Williams moved, Commissioner Jones seconded, and the motion carried 4-1 to approve the Final Order Denying Ordinance 2022-07 General Development Plan/Riviera Dunes Apartments. Commissioner Varnadore voted no.
12. ORDER OF DENIAL ORDINANCE 2022-05
MOTION: Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Smith seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the Final Order Denying in Part Ordinance 2022-05 Amending Section 6, Subsection G Transportation and Adding New Conditions for Transportation Mitigation and Traffic Monitoring Consistent with Section 380.06, Florida Statutes; Adding a New Table A(1) Related to the Proposed Riviera Dunes Apartments General Development Plan
RECESSED THE CITY COMMISSION MEETING TO OPEN THE JUNE 27, 2022 SPECIAL CRA BOARD MEETING at 8:28 p.m.
RECONVENED THE CITY COMMISSION MEETING at 10:18 p.m.
STANDING AGENDA ITEMS:
13. TRAFFIC UPDATE COMMENTS: none
14. DEPARTMENT HEADS' COMMENTS
Commissioner Smith commented that there was a light out on 4th Avenue.
Mr. Rayan went over updates in Public Works and the construction project of the Police Headquarters building. Mr. Rayan stated City staff always focuses on being environmentally safe and sound.
Mr. Freeman reserved additional workshops July 27, 2022 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. and Aug 9, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the upcoming budget, in addition to regularly scheduled meetings.
15. MAYOR'S REPORT
Mayor Bryant talked about the 125th Anniversary at the Palmetto Historical Park from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. She gave a brief overview of the 4th of July plans at Sutton Park. Music beginning at 5:00 p.m. with Lazy Bonez, 7:00 p.m. Neal McCoy and 9:15 p.m. fireworks over the Manatee River.
16. COMMISSIONERS' COMMENTS
Commissioner Jones asked for an update from Mr. Barnebey about the block voting and for specification on where candidates can put campaign signs. He asked the Mayor for the most current Housing Board information.
Commissioner Williams thanked Public Works for modifying the traffic island on 17th Street across from Lincoln Memorial Academy. He also requested we compile a City Development Advisory Board of about 10-15 citizens and business owners to help rebrand the City.
Commissioner Cornwell thank Mr. Rayan and the Chief for all they did during the rain event over the weekend.
Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 10:35 p.m.