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.

 

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

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 James McCrickard from Crossroads Christian 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 August 7, 2023 City Commission Agenda.

 

 

 

3.               PUBLIC COMMENT

 

None

 

 

City Commission Meeting

August 7, 2023

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4.            CONSENT AGENDA

a.    SRO Contract

b.    Surplus Property

c.     Legal Bills

 

 

 

                              MOTION:                   Commissioner Jones moved, Commissioner Cornwell

seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda items a and c.

 

4b. Surplus Property was pulled for discussion. Commissioner Cornwell asked for clarification on the surplus property procedure. Mr. Freeman explained the process.

 

MOTION:                   Commissioner Cornwell moved to approve item 4b. Commissioner Jones seconded, and the motion carried 5-0.

 

 

 

Mayor Bryant recessed the City Commission Meeting to open the August 7, 2023 CRA Board Meeting at 7:05 pm.

 

 

Mayor Bryant reconvened the meeting at 7:50 pm.

 

 

 

STANDING AGENDA ITEMS:

 

 

5.               Traffic Update

 

Chief Tyler asked everyone to be patient with traffic once school starts on August 10^th. He noted that traffic will be especially congested around Palmetto High School. The school is under construction along with the roundabout construction on US 41 and 23^rd Street.

 

Mr. Rayan noted that the 14^th Avenue sidewalk was completed.

 

 

 Commissioner Jones asked Chief Tyler about people illegally parking along 17^th Street near the high school. Chief Tyler answered that he has extra officers coming out the first few days of school. They are also working with the schools to try to help on the east side of the school to pull the parents in for drop off/pick up.

 

 

 

 

 

City Commission Meeting

August 7, 2023

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COMMENTS:

 

 

6.               DEPARTMENT HEADS’ COMMENTS

 

Mr. Freeman noted that there is a budget only workshop on August 16^th @5:30 pm. August 21^st will be the next regularly scheduled Commission meeting. If needed, there will be another budget workshop on August 28^th @5:30 pm.

 

 Mr. Johnson thanked Mr. Freeman for his help with the excel spreadsheet which was included in the Tax Incentive document presented during the CRA Board meeting. He noted that they collaborated on that together.

 

 

 

7.               MAYOR’S REPORT

 

Mayor Bryant reported that she is still working on the Green Bridge fishing pier with the Tourist Development Council. She also mentioned an earlier discussion to allow semi-trucks to park on the city owned lots on the southwest corner of 14^th Avenue and 10^th Street during the fair.

 

                                      MOTION:                   Commissioner Williams moved to allow the fair

                                                                                    to utilize the two properties on the corner of

                                                                                    14^th Avenue and 10^th Street for parking extra

                                                                                    vehicles. Commissioner Mathews seconded.

 

Ms. Cornwell questioned if there was a limited amount of time they can park there. It was answered that they would have to move their vehicles the day after the fair is over.

 

                                                                   The vehicles will have to be moved the

day after the fair closes. The motion carried 5-0.

 

Mr. Rayan clarified the area. Commissioner Williams stated that they will only use the soccer fields during the swine sales.

 

Mayor Bryant also noted that Palmetto High School is getting artificial turf on the football field. They are also working on the baseball field.

 

 

8.               COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS

 

 

Commissioner Cornwell wished for her fellow Commissioners to have a wonderful learning experience at their Florida League of Cities conference. She noted that she will be starting the school year on Thursday, August 10^th.

 

 

 

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August 7, 2023

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 Commissioner Williams asked for the following updates to be provided in the near future:

·         Issues at the Palmetto Mobile Home Club with the building department

·         Issues at the park’s restrooms

·         Status on the negotiations with Apogee for Riverside

 

 

 

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 8:01 pm.