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
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 Pastor Joe Nesbit from Palmetto Seventh Day Adventist 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 Williams moved, Commissioner Jones seconded, and the
motion carried 5-0 to approve the February 6, 2023 City Commission Agenda with the addition of item 4e. Resolution 2023-01 Council of Governments Meeting.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
None
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February 6, 2023
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4. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Minutes: 01/23/2023
b. Special Function Permit-DeSoto Children’s Parade/Party in the Park
c. Special Function Permit – Weddings at Palmetto Riverside Bed & Breakfast
d. SHM Regatta Pointe, LLC-New FPL service request
e. Resolution 2023-01 Council of Governments Meeting on February 7, 2023 (ADDITION)
MOTION: Commissioner Jones moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded, and the
motion carried 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda as presented by staff.
Mayor Bryant recessed the City Commission Meeting to open the February 6, 2023 CRA Board Meeting at 7:04 pm.
Mayor Bryant reconvened the meeting at 7:20 pm.
STANDING AGENDA ITEMS:
5. Traffic Update
No Updates
COMMENTS:
6. DEPARTMENT HEADS’ COMMENTS
Mr. Rayan provided updates on the following items:
· They have received quotes from the electricians for the MLK park project. The actual panels won’t go into production until the 24th of February. He is hoping that all the electrical work can be completed by the time the panels come in.
· The new Police Department is approaching the completion date. Landscaping, electrical, and paving are being worked on. The chiller came in this past Friday. They are working with the vendor for the generator, which will tentatively arrive in May. Other arrangements are being made in the interim for a temporary generator.
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February 6, 2023
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· The 7th Street extension began a couple of weeks ago. Modifications are being done to the existing pond to shift it south to allow room for road alignment.
· The 8th Avenue Drive realignment project will hopefully be completed by the end of the month.
Commissioner Cornwell questioned the traffic patterns and possible paving that will need to be done on 10th Avenue once the new Police Department is opened. Mr. Rayan responded that they would take a quick look at it to see if anything needs to be done immediately, but the 10th Avenue Complete Street project will be forthcoming as well.
Commissioner Mathews questioned if anything had been worked out with the fencing at the new Police Department. Chief Tyler reviewed the overlapping design codes. They will be replacing the chain link fence with decorative aluminum fencing that will still be 8 feet tall.
Mr. Rayan noted that replacing the fencing will be upwards of $120,000.
Commissioner Smith questioned if the flooding on 2nd Avenue near the railroad tracks had been taken care of. Mr. Rayan responded that the maps indicated that it is a private property, not City owned property. He stated that if there is a code enforcement issue, he will send the code enforcement officers out there. The Mayor will send out that information to the Commissioners.
Mr. Freeman reported that they are anticipating official word on the Housing Rehab Grant of $750,000 soon. He expects to provide an educational campaign early in the summer to educate residents on the program. Mr. Freeman also noted that the façade on the front of City Hall has damage to the overhang. It may be storm related damage from Hurricane Ian. The entrance is currently being blocked off until it can be repaired. The next Commission meeting will be on February 27th, and there will be 3 Public Hearings during that meeting.
Commissioner Smith told Mr. Freeman that he has received a lot of complaints about resident’s water bill. He questioned where reclaimed water is being offered. It was answered on 4th and 5th streets. He said he has had complaints from up town about their water bill. Mr. Freeman noted that there was an annual increase in October, but there haven’t been any additional increases.
Chief Tyler was proud to announce his department participated in a voluntary program through Florida Municipal Insurance Trust, FMIT, and they received the Safety Excellence Initiative award. He also reported that they went live with their body camera system about 2 weeks ago. All uniform personnel, school resource officers and detectives have body cameras, and all marked vehicles have cameras as well. They are also changing their interview system at the new building to be on the same platform. He plans to buy body cameras for himself and the two captains in the near future.
Commissioner Smith asked how the body cameras work. Chief Tyler responded that he would send the Commissioners the policy and to let him know if they have any questions.
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7. MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Bryant passed out pictures of the most recent cleanup done by Keep Manatee Beautiful, cleaning up approximately 1,000 lbs of garbage. The pictures were made part of the minutes. There will be shoreline cleanups partnering with Aqua Ventures coming up soon. She also noted an article written by a resident in Terra Ceia regarding her love of the City of Palmetto and Florida.
Mayor Bryant attended Sam Scotts’ celebration of life this past weekend. He was a disabled veteran who had a tremendous impact on the City of Palmetto, in particular by starting a boy’s club in the City. Mr. Barnebey also noted that a former City of Palmetto Attorney, Alan Prather, had passed away.
Mayor Bryant reported that tomorrow, February 7th, Vern Buchanan would have a mobile office set up with some of his Staff, at City Hall. They would be stationed in the office next to the Mayor’s office if anyone had any Federal concerns they would like to discuss.
8. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS
Commissioner Mathews noted that she got to fill in for Commissioner Cornwell at the Palmetto Historical Commission meeting, which was a pleasure. She also mentioned that she had attended a few 4H Foundation meetings. At the last meeting they reported that everything went well at the fair and highlighted specific student accomplishments.
Commissioner Williams mentioned the Regatta which will be coming to the area this weekend, February 11th. They will be flying drones at the end of the evening instead of setting off fireworks. The Green Bridge will be closed on Saturday from approximately 4am- 11pm. There have been several electronic messaging boards alerting motorists to the upcoming closing of the road. Commissioner Williams also noted that the island communities at the Manasota League of Cities are asking for help. A legislative committee has met, making a proposal to combine Anna Maria, Holmes Beach, and Bradenton Beach into one island City. The island cities would like the City of Palmetto to support home rule. Commissioner Jones noted that he will support that effort. The consensus was for the Mayor to draft a letter of support and the Commissioners will all sign in support of home rule.
Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 7:51 pm.
Minutes approved: FEBRUARY 27, 2023
JAMES R. FREEMAN
James R. Freeman
City Clerk