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

Sheldon Jones, Vice-Mayor, Commissioner-at-Large 1

Tamara Cornwell, Commissioner-at-Large 2

Sunshine Mathews, Commissioner, Ward 2

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

Brian Williams, Commissioner, Ward 3

 

STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk

Kera Hill, Development Services Supervisor

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant

Jenny Silverio, CRA Admin/Compliance Coordinator

 

 

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 Dave Robinson from Highway Life Church in Ellenton, 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 January 9, 2023 City Commission Agenda with the addition of item 7a.

 

 

 

3.    PUBLIC COMMENT

 

None

 

City Commission Meeting

January 9, 2023

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4.       CONSENT AGENDA

a. Minutes: 12/19/2022

b. Special Function Permit- Heritage Festival Grand Parade

c. Appointment of Appointed Officials (Department Heads)

d. Piggyback Contract Printing Services- Infosend

 

 

 

          MOTION:                   Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded, and

the motion carried 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda as presented by staff, except for item 4c which was pulled for discussion.

 

Commission Jones questioned the process of hiring a CRA Director and Assistant Director. He also questioned if Mr. Barnebey’s monthly rate was the same as what was listed in the budget. Mr. Barnebey answered that it is.

Commissioner Smith questioned the interview process of the CRA Director and Assistant CRA Director. Mayor Bryant said they are still in the process of interviewing.

 

 

          MOTION:                   Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Jones seconded, and the

                                                motion carried 5-0 to approve item 4c. Appointment of Appointed

                                                Officials (Department Heads).

 

5.       SELECTION OF VICE MAYOR

    

 

            MOTION:                   Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams

                                                seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to elect Commissioner

                                                Jones as Vice-Mayor.

     

 

 

6.       FIRST READING ORDINANCE 2023-01; SMALL AREA PLAN AMENDMENT OF THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MAP FOR A PORTION OF THE OLD PALMETTO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SITE FROM PUBLIC TO PLANNED COMMUNITY (B.CORNELIUS/K.HILL/M.BARNEBEY)

 

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 HERINAFTER DESCRIBED FROM PUBLIC FUTURE LAND USE MAP DESIGNATION TO PLANNED COMMUNITY FUTURE LAND USE MAP DESIGNATION, ON APPROXIMATELY 4.0 ACRES, MORE SPECIFICALLY LOCATED AT THE NORTHEAST CORNER OF 10TH AVENUE WEST AND 7TH STREET WEST (A PORTION OF THE OLD PALMETTO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SITE); FINDING THE REQUEST 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.

 

 

City Commission Meeting

January 9, 2023

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            MOTION:                   Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams

                                                seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the First

                                                Reading of Ordinance 2023-01 and move to authorize staff to

                                                notice this for the appropriate public hearings before the

                                                Planning & Zoning Board and City Commission.

 

 

 

Mayor Bryant recessed the City Commission Meeting to Open the January 9, 2023 CRA Board Meeting at 7:10 pm.

 

 

  Mayor Bryant reconvened the meeting at 7:21 pm.

 

 

 

 

 

STANDING AGENDA ITEMS:

 

 

7.       Traffic Update

 

The roundabout at 23^rd street should begin construction in February or March.

 

Mr. Rayan noted that he will be attending a meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, with the Florida Department of Transportation, FDOT, regarding a midblock crossing on 8^th avenue.

 

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant, also noted that there will be a public meeting with FDOT in our Chambers on January 25^th.

 

 

 

7a. Confirmation of CRA Chair and CRA Vice-Chair (ADDED)

 

 

 

            MOTION:                   Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Cornwell

                                                seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to confirm the

                                                election of Commissioner Williams as CRA Chair, and

                                                Commissioner Smith as CRA Vice-Chair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

City Commission Meeting

January 9, 2023

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COMMENTS:

 

 

8.       DEPARTMENT HEADS’ COMMENTS

 

Mr. Rayan provided the following updates:

·         There will be a kickoff meeting on Thursday for the 7^th street extension project.

·         The new police department is looking great. The interior is moving along. The pavement and curbing were installed. Painting is being done and electrical, light fixtures, and restroom fixtures are going in. The Department Heads have been attending bi-weekly update meetings.

·         The production of the electrical panel for the lift station at the MLK bathrooms won’t start until February 22^nd.

 

Commissioner Smith questioned the ward 1 phase 3 revitalization project. Mr. Rayan responded that he is hoping for a pre-bid meeting to be set up next week with the engineer. Mayor Bryant will be working on reaching out to the County Commissioner to get additional lighting in the area, on the county’s side.

 

Commissioner Williams asked if the fence material going around the new police department is chain link. Mr. Rayan responded that it is. Commissioner Williams also expressed his concern with the number of streetlights that are out around the City. Mr. Rayan explained that an employee went around on Friday and made a list of the outages, which is regularly done once a month. The police officers also inform public works when they see an outage. Mayor Bryant noted that the top part of the globes is missing on many lights along 17^th street. Commissioner Smith also opined that the lights need to be cleaned.

 

 

Mr. Freeman reminded the Commission of the next meeting on January 23^rd. On the Workshop agenda will be the old Palmetto Elementary site for further discussion regarding surplusing the property. He expressed congratulations to the Commissioners on their appointments and thanked them for his re-appointment.

 

Chief Tyler thanked the Commissioners for his re-appointment and congratulated them on their appointments.

 

Commissioner Jones noted that there were residents in the audience who came late to the meeting that would like to speak.

 

Robert Jones, Bryan Jones, and Betty Doby spoke on their concerns with the draining problems, lack of lighting, lack of security and excessive noise in their neighborhood.

 

Mayor Bryant assured them that they will investigate these concerns.

 

Commissioner Williams questioned the lack of streetlights. He asked if Mr. Rayan can look into Florida Power & Light, FPL, expediting streetlights being put in. Mr. Rayan will call them.

 

The Commissioners also discussed the problems with traffic near Palmetto High School.

 

 

City Commission Meeting

January 9, 2023

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Mr. Barnebey congratulated the Commissioners on their appointments and expressed his appreciation for his re-appointment. He also reported that the Lincoln Middle School Academy case was dismissed with prejudice. There is still the possibility of an appeal. He also noted that they have closed on the Dickinson Property.

 

 

 

9.       MAYOR’S REPORT

 

Mayor Bryant attended the 100^th anniversary dinner for the Bradenton Kiwanis club and presented a proclamation. Mayor Bryant noted that the other part of 7^th street is the $25 million project that the county is working on to connect the new hotel to the convention center. She also mentioned that the Green Bridge Fishing Pier is in bad condition. She plans to pursue funding for Manatee County to repair/replace the fishing pier with the possibility of a future water taxi location.

 

 

10.     COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS

 

Commissioner Cornwell informed everyone that the fair begins on Thursday, January 12^th. She highlighted events and attractions that will be happening at the fair. Commissioner Cornwell also noted that the Historic Board meeting was cancelled.

 

Commissioner Jones noted that the multi-cultural festival will be taking place this coming weekend, Saturday, January 14^th. He also mentioned the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. parade will be on the same day.

 

Commissioner Mathews thanked the Department Heads for all they do and congratulated fellow Commissioners on their appointments.

 

Commissioner Williams reported that there will be great rides this year at the fair. They will also have new food vendors. He encouraged everyone to visit the fair which starts Thursday, January 12th at 5:00 pm.

 

Commissioner Smith questioned if the multi-cultural event was being advertised on the gateway sign. It was answered yes, it is. He opined that next year they need to start planning the event earlier. He would like the Commission to know who the artist will be earlier as well.

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 8:01 pm.