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 (Not Present)
Tamara Cornwell, Commissioner-at-Large 2
Sheldon Jones, Commissioner-at-Large 1
Sunshine Mathews, Commissioner, Ward 2
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
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 Pastor Tad Mathews gave the invocation.
All persons intending to address the City Commission were duly sworn.
City Clerk, Jim Freeman, read the results from the election on November 8, 2022.
Judge Heather Doyle gave the Oath of Office for the Ward Commissioners.
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and
the motion carried 5-0 to adjourn the meeting sine-die at 7:11 pm.
Mayor Bryant reconvened the meeting at 7:17 pm.
City Commission Meeting
November 14, 2022
Page 2 of 6
2. CITY COMMISSION AGENDA APPROVAL
MOTION: Commissioner Jones moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded, and the
motion carried 5-0 to approve the revised November 14, 2022 City Commission Agenda with the addition of items 4h and 4i.
Proclamation: Farm City Week accepted by Patty Keen-Freed.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Phil Baker spoke on Riverside Property.
Julie Brown spoke on Riverside Property.
Lynn Meier spoke on boat ramp parking.
Betty Sailes Rhodes spoke on the Multi-Cultural event entertainment.
Elaine Johnson spoke via Zoom on Riverside Property.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Minutes: 10/17/2022
b. Special Function Permit-Recovery Fest
c. Special Function Permit- Party in the Park (Manatee Home Visiting Coalition)
d. Legal Bills
e. Planning & Zoning Board Member Application
f. Invitation to Bid- 7th Street Extension
g. Resolution 2022-27 Budget Amendment- 7th Street Extension
h. Resolution 2022-28 Adopt A Park (addition)
i. Walmart Opioid Settlement (addition)
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved to approve items 4a, 4d, 4e, 4i as
presented by staff, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Items 4b, 4c, 4f, 4g, 4h were pulled for discussion by Commissioner Cornwell.
Commissioner Cornwell had a few questions regarding the Special Function Permits (4b and 4c) because they were new events to the City.
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved to approve item 4b, Commissioner
Jones seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
City Commission Meeting
November 14, 2022
Page 3 of 6
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved to approve item 4c, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Freeman gave a brief background and clarification regarding the Grant funding on item 4f. Invitation to Bid-7th Street Extension and item 4g. Resolution 2022-27 Budget Amendment- 7th Street Extension. Mr. Barnebey would like the motion to be subject to his final review for item 4f.
MOTION: Commissioner Williams moved to approve the Invitation to Bid recommendation of award to Landmark Services of Southwest FL, Inc. – Bradenton, FL of $3,053,620.05 for the construction of 7th Street Extension and after Attorney review, authorize the Mayor to sign the attached agreement. Commissioner Jones seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved to approve item 4g. Resolution 2022-27 Budget Amendment for the 7th Street Extension. Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Cornwell stated that she pulled item 4h. Resolution 2022-28 Adopt-A-Park to expand on the details of the project and express her gratitude to those that came up with the project.
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved to approve item 4h. Resolution 2022-28 Adopt-A-Park, Commissioner Jones seconded.
Commissioner Jones stated that he really liked the project. He asked Mr. Colon to get him the information to pass along to organizations that may be interested. Commissioner Williams wanted to clarify that this program is to clean up the parks, not to make physical changes to the park. Commissioner Smith asked Mayor Bryant which sorority/fraternity was interested in adopting MLK Park. Mayor Bryant responded that it was Charles Whitfield, from Centerstone, that had a fraternity wanting to adopt MLK Park. Jennifer Hoffman, Keep Manatee Beautiful, also spoke via Zoom. She reiterated that the program is only to clean up the park, not to make any physical changes to the park.
Following discussions, the Motion on the floor carried 5-0.
5. FIRST READING ORDINANCE 2022-16 CHAPTER 10: COASTAL AREAS AND WATERWAYS ARTICLE V-DOCKS
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA AMENDING SECTION 10-117 OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO CODE OF ORDINANCES, PERTAINING TO DOCK RELATED STRUCTURES WITH ROOFS OR CANOPIES; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; REPEALING OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
City Commission Meeting
November 14, 2022
Page 4 of 6
MOTION: Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Cornwell
seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the First Reading of Ordinance No. 2022-16 and authorize staff to advertise the appropriate public hearings.
6. SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2022 CHECK REGISTER (Informational Only)
Mayor Bryant recessed the City Commission Meeting to Open the November 14, 2022 CRA Board Meeting at 7:55 pm.
Mayor Bryant reconvened the City Commission meeting at 9:02 pm.
STANDING AGENDA ITEMS:
7. Traffic Update
Mayor Bryant mentioned that at the last Metropolitan Planning Organization, MPO, meeting she expressed her continued concerns with the interchange and the impact it will have once the 7th Street light becomes active. She stated that they took note of her concerns.
COMMENTS:
8. DEPARTMENT HEADS’ COMMENTS
Mr. Freeman welcomed Commissioner Mathews and congratulated Commissioner Smith and Commissioner Williams as well for their return. Mr. Freeman reminded the Commission of the $3.2 Million grant that was awarded to fund the 7th Street Extension at 100%. He also mentioned the upcoming meetings on November 28th and December 5th. He asked the Commission for guidance as to when they would like the Agenda posted for the December 5th meeting, seeing as the 10 days prior falls on a Holiday. Mr. Williams expressed his desire to have the Agenda on Tuesday, November 29th and the rest of the Commissioners agreed.
City Commission Meeting
November 14, 2022
Page 5 of 6
Mr. Rayan echoed congratulations to Commissioners Mathews, Smith, and Williams.
Mr. Rayan provided updates on the following items:
· Traffic signal at 7th Street will be switching to a full light, but it won’t be activated until closer to the opening of the street extension.
· Hurricane Ian- reduced materials from the fairgrounds will begin being moved this week.
· Hurricane Nicole- the City fared pretty well.
· New Police Department is coming together beautifully.
· MLK Restroom Parks- waiting for electrical panels.
· Ward 1 Phase 3 project- waiting to hear from the Engineers at DEP.
Mr. Barnebey congratulated the newly elected Commissioners. He will get with Commissioner Mathews and any other Commissioners who would like a refresher course on policies and procedures. He also noted that he will get with Mr. Rayan regarding the Ordinance for boat coverings and will update the document based on the discussions from the Workshop. They will be extending the timeframe for the contract with Manatee Fruit Company. Manatee Fruit Company and the Dickenson Property contracts are both moving along.
9. MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Bryant congratulated all Commissioners that were sworn in during the meeting. She informed the Commissioners of her attendance at the Veterans Ceremony, introducing Vern Buchanan. She also attended the Reef and Beach Clean Up over the weekend.
10. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS
Commissioner Williams questioned the traffic circles on Haben Blvd and 23rd Street. Mr. Rayan responded that the Haben Blvd roundabout is part of the 7th Street Extension project. The roundabout at 23rd Street will begin in March or April 2023. Commissioner Williams asked Mr. Barnebey the status of the mediation meeting, which took place regarding Riviera Dunes. Mr. Barnebey responded that a draft settlement will be coming to the Commission, but they were coming up with plans prior to bringing it forward. He noted that this will take time, and he does not have a specific timeframe. There will be Public Hearings before anything is voted on. Commissioner Williams questioned if this was quasi-judicial, and Mr. Barnebey answered that it was. Therefore, it cannot be talked about with parties from either side at this point.
Commissioner Mathews stated that she is looking forward to working with everyone.
Commissioner Cornwell congratulated her fellow Commissioners. She asked Mr. Rayan to report on the Wastewater Treatment plant every 4-6 months. She would like to hear of the impact that new growth and development has on the plant. Commissioner Cornwell also questioned the mulch that has been made from downed trees and the ability for a school to use it. Mr. Rayan does not believe that is permissible per FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, but he will ask.
City Commission Meeting
November 14, 2022
Page 6 of 6
Commissioner Jones would like an update on the Safe Harbor Marina. The Mayor will ask and send that information out to the Commissioners. Commissioner Jones asked Mr. Barnebey if there can be a Workshop in January regarding the sign Ordinance. Mr. Barnebey agreed. Commissioner Jones congratulated his fellow Commissioners.
Commissioner Williams believed the mulch is not regulated for metal content; therefore, he does not think it can be used. He then asked for an update on Sanctuary Cove. Mr. Rayan responded that the Developer for the townhomes withdrew their application. Mr. Barnebey clarified that the approved Ordinance stands whether the Developer moves forward or not. Discussions continued between Commissioner Williams and Mr. Barnebey.
Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 9:32pm.
Minutes approved: NOVEMBER 28, 2022
JAMES R. FREEMAN
James R. Freeman
City Clerk