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
Edward Johnson, Interim CRA Director (Not Present)
Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director
Scott Tyler, Chief of Police
Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk
Kera Hill, Development Services Supervisor
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 Reverend Tom Winter from Palm View Baptist 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 Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and
the motion carried 5-0 to approve the April 17, 2023 City Commission Agenda.
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April 17, 2023
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3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Brian Jones questioned the ditch drainage issue on his property. He also thanked the police for their increased presence in their neighborhood.
Tom Porter informed every one of the memorials for fallen officers that will take place on Thursday, May 18th at 9:00 am between the two courthouses in Bradenton. The keynote speaker will be Chief Tyler. He asked for the Commissioners to come to the event if they can.
4. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Public Works Surplus Vehicles and Small Equipment
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and
the motion carried 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda as presented by staff.
5. FIRST READING ORDINANCE 2023-07; UPDATE DOWNTOWN CORE DESIGN CODE AND ARTICLE IV, SECTION 4.4., ZONING CODE (K.HILL/B.CORNELIUS/M.BARNEBEY)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA APPROVING TEXT AMENDMENTS TO DOWNTOWN CORE DESIGN CODE AS INCORPORATED IN SECTION 4.4 OF APPENDIX “B” (THE ZONING CODE) OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO CODE OF ORDINANCES; AMENDING THE REQUIREMENTS FOR CHARACTER DISTRICTS FOR THE DOWNTOWN WATERFRONT DISTRICT, THE MIDTOWN DISTRICT, AND THE UPTOWN DISTRICTS TO ELIMINATE MAXIMUM HEIGHT, AND INTENSITY AND DENSITY REQUIREMENTS FROM THE DOWNTOWN CORE DESIGN CODE; FINDING THIS REQUEST TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND POLICIES OF THE ADOPTED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Commissioner Cornwell noted an email she responded to with an individual regarding height densities and height limitations. The individual she responded to, then replied all to the email which may have inadvertently broken the sunshine law. Mr. Barnebey asked the Commissioners to please not respond to the email at this point. This gentleman could be liable against the sunshine law. At this point there hasn’t been any violation by the Commissioners, to his knowledge.
Mr. Barnebey also noted that there are some things pending in legislature, that may affect this Ordinance. Depending on the outcome, there may need to be adjustments moving forward.
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Jones seconded,
and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the First Reading of
Ordinance 2023-07 and authorize staff to notice this for the
appropriate public hearings before the Planning & Zoning Board
and City Commission.
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April 17, 2023
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6. MARCH 2023 CHECK REGISTER (Informational Only)
STANDING AGENDA ITEMS:
7. Traffic Update
Chief Tyler mentioned that the construction is continuing at US 41 and 23rd Street.
Mayor Bryant mentioned information from the Florida Department of Transportation that she has emailed out to the Commissioners regarding the ongoing discussion of the Desoto Bridge repair/replacement. She will continue to send out information as she receives it.
COMMENTS:
8. DEPARTMENT HEADS’ COMMENTS
Mr. Freeman reminded everyone of the next two meeting dates on May 1st and May 15th.
Mr. Barnebey reported that the Riviera Dunes project will be coming back shortly. He also noted that the interlocal agreement was sent over for the naming of Lincoln Park several months ago. The County attorney didn’t have any legal concerns, but he hasn’t heard anything back from him. Mr. Barnebey has prepared a Resolution to move forward with naming the City’s portion of the park, if that were the direction the Commission would like to go.
Commissioner Smith questioned the document he had asked Mr. Barnebey to bring back to him showing where the Mayor had signed, after the Commission voted, to transfer part of the property to the County. Mr. Barnebey responded that it was emailed to him and the other Commissioners a couple of weeks prior. The rest of the Commissioners agreed they had received it.
9. MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Bryant provided an update on an area of concern that Commissioner Smith had mentioned, which is outside of the City limits. She took the District Commissioner on a tour of that specific area and shared their concerns. They had a great meeting, and it is now being handled by the County. She passed out a map of the location, which was included in the minutes.
Mayor Bryant also mentioned a map showing the parcel that was discussed at the last meeting regarding the baseball bat company, who was looking to obtain CRA incentives. The property is in Ward 1 but not in the CRA. The map was included in the minutes.
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April 17, 2023
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Commissioner Smith questioned if other properties that were annexed in were part of the CRA. Mayor Bryant stated that it just depends on the timing of when the CRA lines were drawn.
Discussions continued between the Commissioners, Mr. Barnebey and the Mayor regarding the proposed signage at Lincoln Park. Commissioner Jones wants the sign to state “Lincoln Park” first.
10. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS
Commissioner Williams expressed his confusion on the flooding concerns with Mr. Jones house, as mentioned during the public comments. He questioned what the City’s next steps are. Mayor Bryant reiterated that it is private party. The Commission will have to decide if they want to move forward with an easement. Mr. Barnebey noted that they would need easements from two additional properties to do the proposed work. Mr. Rayan is compiling estimates to bring to the Commission to show the overall cost to do those repairs.
Commissioner Williams also mentioned the report on the Desoto Bridge, indicating that it won’t be widened. Mayor Bryant stated they need to take a more active role in these discussions with the Metropolitan Planning Organization, MPO.
Mayor Bryant also noted that the interchange at 10th street and US 301 is dysfunctional. A lot of attention needs to be guided towards that. She will ask MPO and Florida Department of Transportation, FDOT, to come to a Commission meeting and provide an update. She strongly encouraged the Commissioners to dedicate their attention to the roadways.
Commissioner Smith asked Mr. Freeman for the breakdown of costs with each option for Connor Park from the original approval.
Commissioner Mathews informed everyone that she will not be able to be at the opening of Connor Park on April 27th because she will be out of town at a work conference.
Mayor Bryant noted that they are hoping to make a presentation at the Tourist Development Council meeting in June, highlighting Connor Park.
Commissioner Williams would like information to be sent out to residents to show them how to drive through roundabouts. He would like to be proactive.
Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 7:31 pm.
Minutes approved: MAY 15, 2023
JAMES R. FREEMAN
James R. Freeman
City Clerk