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

Kera Hill, Development Services Supervisor

 

 

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 Jason Williams from Mount Raymond Full Gospel 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 Williams moved, Commissioner Cornwell

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

December 18, 2023 City Commission Agenda.

 

 

 

3.            PUBLIC COMMENT

 

  Betty Sailes Rhodes spoke on entertainment within the City. She also questioned an incident that happened last month on 8^th Avenue and 17^th Street.

City Commission Meeting

December 18, 2023

Page 2 of 4

 

4.               CONSENT AGENDA

a. Special Function Permit- Christmas Church Event @ Sutton Park

b. Resolution 2023-27 Bulletproof Vest Allocation

c. Construction/Final Site Plan for Bradenton Area Convention Center Addition

d. Redfish Cove- Consent to Waive Final Plat Requirement and Allow Lot Line Adjustment Process under Section 26-4(b), Code of Ordinances

 

 

 

                    MOTION:                   Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Jones seconded,

and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda as presented by staff.

 

 

5.                     PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 2023-14 AMENDING TERMS OF CRA ADVISORY BOARD AND PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD (M.BARNEBEY/J.FREEMAN)

 

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA AMENDING CHAPTER 11, ARTICLE 11, DIVISION 4, SECTION 11-81 TO REVISE THE TERM OF OFFICE FOR A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT ADVISORY BOARD TO TWO (2) YEARS TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE CITY’S CHARTER; AMENDING APPENDIX B, ARTICLE XII, SECTION 12.1 OF THE CITY’S CODE OF ORDINANCES TO REVISE THE TERM OF OFFICE FOR A MEMBER OF THE PLANNING AND ZONING BOARD TO TWO (2) YEARS TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE CITY’S CHARTER; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION, REPEAL OF INCONSISTENT ORDINANCES, SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

Mayor Bryant opened the Public Hearing at 7:10 pm.

 

 

Mr. Barnebey explained that these are changes to make the length of terms for Board members consistent with the Charter.

 

 

Mayor Bryant closed the Public Hearing at 7:11 pm.

 

 

                              MOTION:                   Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Jones

                                                                  seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to adopt Ordinance

                                                                  No. 2023-14.

 

 

 

Mayor Bryant recessed the City Commission Meeting to open the December 18, 2023 Special CRA Board Meeting at 7:11 pm.

 

 

Mayor Bryant reconvened the meeting at 7:25 pm.

 

City Commission Meeting

December 18, 2023

Page 3 of 4

 

6.       CONSIDERATION OF AGREEMENT OF PURCHASE AND SALE BETWEEN THE PALMETTO COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND THE STADLER DEVELOPMENT CORP. FOR THE NORTHWEST CORNER OF 8^TH AVENUE AND RIVERSIDE DRIVE (THE RIVERSIDE PROPERTY) (M.BARNEBEY/E.JOHNSON)

 

 

Mr. Barnebey explained that this item was scheduled to go before the CRA Advisory Board on December 14^th. However, they did not have a quorum. Therefore, this item has been moved to the CRA Advisory Board meeting on January 4^th. It will then be on the City Commission and CRA Board Agenda on January 8^th.

 

           

 

7.    NOVEMBER 2023 CHECK REGISTER (Informational Only)

 

 

STANDING AGENDA ITEMS:

 

 

8.               Traffic Update

 

Mr. Rayan reported that the traffic signal at US 301 and 7^th Street was activated after their last meeting. They are monitoring the left turn signal and may make modifications after the beginning of the new year.

 

 

 

COMMENTS:

 

 

9.            DEPARTMENT HEADS’ COMMENTS

 

  Mayor Bryant asked Mr. Johnson to have Ms. Kilgore get with her tomorrow about the multi-cultural festival.

 

 Mr. Freeman noted that the RFP for the remodel of the Women’s Club went out today. The responses are due back by February 7^th. The next meeting is scheduled for January 8^th. At that meeting they will be electing a new Vice- Mayor and Chair/Vice-Chair for the CRA Board. The surplus property South of the new Police Department is still within the 60 days for RFP. After the first of the year, he will be asking for authorization to conduct a salary study to ensure the City is competitive with the market for the upcoming budget year.

 

 Mr. Barnebey reminded the Commissioners of the form 6 requirements that they will need to complete by the end of the year. This is a big change from what they did last year. He also noted that they will be bringing back updates and reports for impact fees for development.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell questioned if accountants are well versed in form 6 requirements. Mr. Barnebey thought many of them would be. Mayor Bryant opined that they should take this opportunity to reach out to their legislative representatives to express their opposition to this new requirement.

City Commission Meeting

December 18, 2023

Page 4 of 4

 

 

10.             MAYOR’S REPORT

 

Mayor Bryant shared that a handout was given to the Commissioners for upcoming Community Workshops. This handout was made part of the minutes.

 

Mayor Bryant confirmed with Mr. Rayan that his next big project would be the Ward 1 Phase 3 project. He shared that this quadrant is from 2^nd Avenue to 4^th Avenue and 17^th Street to 14^th Street. It will cost an estimated $4.5 million.

 

 

 

11.             COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS

 

The Commissioners wished everyone a Merry Christmas.

 

 Commissioner Jones asked what the procedure was on police incidents in the City. He was referencing the public comment from Ms. Rhodes. Chief Tyler answered that this matter is under active investigation by an outside agency. He can’t say anything else until the investigation is complete and it is public record.

 

Commissioner Jones asked Mr. Rayan when the MLK restrooms will be open to the public. Mr. Rayan answered that they attempted to open them last week, but they had issues with the electrical components. They should be open on Wednesday.

 

 Commissioner Smith asked Mr. Rayan when Ward 1 Phase 3 will begin. Mr. Rayan answered that they are waiting on drawings for the lift station. He is hoping for right after the first of the year.

 

Commissioner Smith also asked if Chief had been updating the Mayor and Mr. Barnebey regarding the active investigation. Chief Tyler responded that he had. Otherwise, there are no details he can share.

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 7:41 pm.