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 (Entered the meeting at 7:04 pm)
Sheldon Jones, Commissioner-at-Large 1
Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1
Brian Williams, 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
Kera Hill, Development Services Supervisor
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 pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, and Larry Collins from 11th Street Church of Christ, opened the meeting in prayer.
All persons intending to address the City Commission were duly sworn.
2. CITY COMMISSION AGENDA APPROVAL
MOTION: Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Smith seconded, and the
motion carried 4-0 to approve the August 1, 2022 City Commission
Agenda. (Commissioner Cornwell was not present at the time of the
vote.)
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Robby Stevenson- Trying to secure land to build an urgent care center. They have hit nothing but roadblocks. They would like to use the old police station.
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Commissioner Cornwell asked if there would be X-ray machines. Mr. Stevenson responded that it would be a state-of-the-art facility. She also asked what the hours would be. He responded that they would work up to being open 24 hours/day.
Commissioner Smith said it sounded good. He asked if it can be added to a Workshop. Mayor Bryant responded that they can set up a meeting with pertinent Staff.
Lynn Meier- contacted Department of Transportation (DOT) about 4 years ago regarding 8th Avenue and 12th/13th Street and the need for a crosswalk. She recently found out it is on a list, has been assigned a project number and it is on the 2024 schedule. She wants the Commission and the Mayor to use their influence to speed up this project. Mayor Bryant agrees. She said she will try to reach out to them. Ms. Meier also said she has been waiting to hear when the Riverside Community public workshops will be.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Minutes: 07/25/2022
b. Resolution 2022-17 Budget Amendment ARPA Project List
MOTION: Commissioner Jones moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded, and the
motion carried 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda as presented by staff.
Items #5, 6, and 7 were read into the record and the Public Hearings were opened.
After the items were read into the record, Mr. Cornelius, Wade Trim, gave a brief explanation of the items and what is being asked for. The staff recommended the approval of all three items. The Planning and Zoning Board also recommended the approval of all three Ordinances.
Andy Gerth- inquired about the number of homes that are being asked to develop on the land. Mr. Cornelius and Ms. Hill responded that in the application there was only mention of one home.
Commissioner Jones agreed that he does not want there to be more than one house added to that land.
Commissioner Williams asked Ms. Hill for clarification on the difference between Res-3 and Res-4 and the zoning 1 unit/acre.
Tim Lewis also expressed his concern with adding more than one home on the land.
Closed the Public Hearings
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5. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 2022-09 ANNEXATION (K.HILL/B.CORNELIUS)
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.
Mayor Bryant opened the Public Hearing at 7:15 pm.
Mayor Bryant closed the Public Hearing at 7:29 pm.
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Varnadore
seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to find the voluntary
annexation request by Jay and Lori Turner, owner of 1615 21st
Street West, consistent with requirements of Chapter 171,
Florida Statutes, for voluntary annexation, and move to approve
Ordinance 2022-09.
6. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 2022-10 SMALL SCALE FUTURE LAND USE AMENDMENT (K.HILL/B.CORNELIUS)
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 (RESIDENTIAL3.0), 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.
Mayor Bryant opened the Public Hearing at 7:16 pm.
Mayor Bryant closed the Public Hearing at 7:29 pm.
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MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Smith seconded, and the
motion carried 5-0 finding the requested small scale future land use
amendment, submitted by Jay and Lori Turner, owner of 1615 21st
Street West, to amend the future land use of the property from County
RES-3 to City RES-4, consistent with the City’s Comprehensive Plan,
and move to approve Ordinance 2022-10.
7. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 2022-11 REZONING (K.HILL/B.CORNELIUS)
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.
Mayor Bryant opened the Public Hearing at 7:17 pm.
Mayor Bryant closed the Public Hearing at 7:29 pm.
MOTION: Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Varnadore seconded,
and the motion carried 5-0 finding the requested rezoning, submitted
by Jay and Lori Turner, owner of 1615 21st Street West, to amend the
zoning of the property from County A-1 to City E-R, consistent with the
City’s Comprehensive Plan and Zoning Code, I move to approve
Ordinance 2022-11.
8. FY 2023 WASTE MANAGEMENT CPI/FUEL ADJUSTMENT (M.RAYAN/J.FREEMAN)
Mr. Rayan gave a brief background of the item being proposed as discussed at the July 27th Workshop. Commissioner Jones opined on the item. He believed we need to put the difference in money somewhere else.
Commissioner Smith does not think they can do the 10% increase this year. He suggested doing 5% now and 5% next year.
Commissioner Williams understands why they need to increase the costs due to fuel and the increase in employee costs. He believes you have to treat the vendors fairly. If they are going to increase the salaries of City employees due to cost of living, they need to do the same for the vendors.
Commissioner Varnadore thinks they should compromise. She does not want to do the full 10% increase.
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Mr. Freeman responded that this is an annual calculation.
Mr. Barnebey stated the cap is set at 4% per the contract. The Commission can compromise if they would like to. They are not modifying the contract; this would be for FY23 only.
Commissioner Smith does not believe giving them more money will make the service better. The job needs to be done right.
Commissioner Jones asked Mr. Freeman for the calculations for a 7% increase. He also opined that it is not a fair comparison to discuss the increase of City Employees salaries to that of a vendor contract.
Commissioner Williams stated, “service is service”. Waste Management provides a service, the same as City Employees do. He believes Waste Management is doing a good job overall.
Commissioner Smith asked what the cost would be for the City with 5% compared to 7%. Discussions continued regarding the difference in prices between the percentages. He wants the City to save money if they can.
MOTION: Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded,
and the motion carried 5-0 to Approve the request to waive the 4%
CPI/Fuel adjustment limit for the FY 2023 year only and authorize the
7.0% CPI/Fuel adjustment for Waste Management service fees.
Mayor Bryant recessed the City Commission Meeting to Open the August 1, 2022 CRA Board Meeting at 7:51 pm.
Mayor Bryant reconvened the meeting at 8:53 pm.
STANDING AGENDA ITEMS:
9. Traffic Update
Mayor Bryant stated she will reach out to FDOT regarding the 8th Street/Crosswalk as brought up by Ms. Meier. Mr. Colon and Mr. Rayan stated they are already working with them on this project.
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COMMENTS:
10. DEPARTMENT HEADS’ COMMENTS
Mr. Colon shared with the Commission about the ribbon cutting ceremony he went to for Jenera’s Salon and Spa. He is excited to have more businesses coming to our area.
Mr. Rayan gave updates on employment vacancies and the interviews they are doing within his department. The new Police Department’s roof is on, insulation will be coming, interior walls are being framed, sewer and water lines are being installed, electrical/plumbing/carpentry work is taking place right now.
Mr. Freeman reminded the Commission of the August 9th Budget Workshop from 5:30-7:00 pm.
The following topics are forthcoming at future Workshops:
· A Vacation Rental Ordinance
· The surplus of the old Palmetto Elementary and old Police Department
· City/CRA Parking discussion
The CDBG Housing application was submitted, he will let the Commission know once he hears the outcome. A Workshop for candidates regarding signage will be next week, August 8th.
Chief Tyler is excited about the progress of the new Police Department. He is very proud to announce his department did great with their accreditation, they had no corrective actions, only a couple of minor suggestions.
Mr. Barnebey attended the Florida Municipal Attorneys Conference, along with Marisa Powers. He will get out a memo of items that will affect the City. He was appointed as the Chair Elect.
11. MAYOR’S REPORT
The Council of Governments meeting is tomorrow, August 2nd at 4:00 pm at the Convention Center. She and Penny Johnston attended an event where they dedicated a house to a veteran through Habitat for Humanity.
Mayor Bryant commended Penny on her efforts with grant writing. She has submitted an application for a Historic Preservation grant for the City. She has been taking courses for grant writing.
12. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS
Commissioner Jones would like Mr. Rayan to look into the Ordinance regarding portable containers. He wants the residents to get a public apology if they are in fact in compliance. Mr. Rayan responded that he will look into it.
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Commissioner Cornwell thanked Mr. Rayan and Penny for their assistance. She also thanked Chief Tyler for mentioning that schools will be beginning on August 10th. Commissioner Cornwell commended Chief on his Officers actions in which she has witnessed.
Commissioner Varnadore congratulated Chief Tyler and his whole Department on their recent accreditation. She also congratulated Penny for grant writing. Congratulations were given to Mr. Barnebey on being appointed Chief Elect.
Commissioner Williams wanted to remind everyone to respect the City staff.
Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 9:10 pm.
Minutes approved: august 22, 2022
JAMES R. FREEMAN
James R. Freeman
City Clerk