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
Tamara Cornwell, Vice- Mayor, Commissioner-at-Large 2
Sunshine Joiner, Commissioner, Ward 2
Sheldon Jones, Commissioner-at-Large 1
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 (Present via ZOOM)
Scott Tyler, Chief of Police
Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk
Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant
Jake Bibler, City Planner
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 Edward Gresham with Fresh Start Housing Ministry, 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 Joiner moved, Commissioner Williams seconded,
and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the July 29, 2024 City Commission Agenda
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Chris Williams expressed his interest in being on an advisory board for the City.
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4. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Minutes: 06/17/2024
b. Special Function Permit- Veteran’s Day Parade
c. Planning & Zoning Board Appointment
d. Police Surplus Vehicles
e. Resolution 2024-17: FDOT LAP Agreement
f. Legal Invoices
g. Ratification of Intervention in the case of Epoch Properties, Inc. v. GDAWG Ventures, LLC 2024CA-000974AX (ADDITION)
Commissioner Cornwell and Commissioner Jones asked to pull items 4c and 4g for discussion.
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams
seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda items 4a. ,4b. ,4d. ,4e. ,4f.
Commissioner Cornwell pulled item 4g. for discussion. She questioned the suggested motion. Mr. Barnebey explained that when they approve the consent agenda, they are approving the motion that is listed in the packets.
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams
seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve item 4g.
Commissioner Jones pulled item 4c. for discussion. He questioned MaryAnn Evans and asked if Blalock Walters had a conflict of interest with her. Mr. Barnebey answered no, they didn’t.
Commissioner Smith asked Mr. Barnebey who owned 510 16th Ave E. MaryAnn Evans owns the property, per the property appraiser’s website. Mr. Barnebey reiterated that he does not know her.
MOTION: Commissioner Jones moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded,
and the motion carried 5-0 to approve item 4c.
5. FISCAL YEAR 2025 PROPOSED AGGREGATE MILLAGE RATE AND DATES FOR TENTATIVE AND FINAL BUDGET HEARINGS (J.FREEMAN)
Mr. Freeman recapped the TRIM requirement to set a tentative millage rate and dates for the tentative and final budget hearings. This was discussed at the earlier Workshop. Mr. Barnebey reiterated that they can go down with the millage rate once it is decided on, however, they cannot go up.
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Smith seconded,
and the motion carried 5-0 to approve a proposed aggregate millage rate of $5.9671 for FY 2025 and to schedule the tentative budget hearing for September 9, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as same can be heard in these Chambers and a final budget hearing on September 23, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as same can be heard in these Chambers.
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6. PUBLIC HEARING CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT (CU 2024-01): ELECTRONIC MESSAGING SIGN FOR FEEDING EMPTY LITTLE TUMMIES, INC
Mayor Bryant opened the public hearing at 7:17 pm.
Jake Bibler, City Planner, explained the conditional use permit that was being presented. He referenced the application and packet, which was included in the Agenda. He noted that the Planning & Zoning Board voted to recommend approval. The electronic messaging sign is proposed to go on the south side of the building, along 8th Avenue. Jessica Ryherd, from Feeding Empty Little Tummies was present to answer any questions.
Commissioner Jones asked if this will be connected to emergency messaging for the City, if needed. Ms. Ryherd answered that it was the same programming that the City uses, and they would be able to use it, in case of an emergency.
Commissioner Williams asked for the total square footage with both signs. Mr. Bibler answered that applicants are allowed to request up to 60 feet per wall. Commissioner Williams thought it was 60 feet total, not per wall. Mr. Bibler further explained.
Mr. Bibler noted that at the P&Z Board meeting, the Board expressed frustration with something that is allowed per code being required to go through the P&Z Board and Commission. They asked that they be removed from that process. Mr. Barnebey answered that they could amend the code. He also discussed the previous question about the square footage allowed for signs, per City Code. Mr. Barnebey further discussed the code and the possibility of having electronic messaging signs on both sides of their building, which isn’t allowed per the code. He said they may want to revisit the restrictions of electronic messaging signs within the code. Mayor Bryant asked them to add that to their ongoing list of items that need to be updated. Mr. Bibler asked for guidance on revisions. Mr. Barnebey said they can discuss when they bring it back. They did discuss the option of asking for a variance to put up the second sign for the electronic messaging. Mr. Barnebey stated that the requirements for variance are very tough to meet. They have also proposed making changes to the variance requirements. He suggested changing the code if they don’t mind two signs at one site.
Commissioner Williams agreed this needed to be reviewed. But currently, he was not in favor of a variance for that. He was also not in favor of taking away the Commission’s ability to see items that come forward.
Commissioner Jones understood based off the size and shape of their building to add this signage.
Mayor Bryant closed the public hearing at 7:31 pm.
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams
seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the Conditional
Use Permit, CU 2024-01.
7. JUNE 2024 CHECK REGISTER (Informational Only)
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STANDING AGENDA ITEMS:
8. Traffic Update
Nothing additional to report.
COMMENTS:
9. DEPARTMENT HEADS’ COMMENTS
Mr. Barnebey shared that he attended the Florida Municipal Attorney’s meeting last week. He will be bringing back information about amendments to Florida Statutes regarding changes that will impact the City.
He also shared that Marisa Powers will be attending more of the Commission meetings. He opined that it is time for him to scale back. He will still be around, but he won’t be at as many meetings. Marisa Powers was named a firm Principle at Black Walters, at the beginning of the year.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Bryant reminded the Commissioners of the November 4th meeting, which is the night before the election. There had been some previous interest in canceling that meeting.
She reiterated that she would continue to lobby for the restoration of the Green Bridge Fishing Pier.
11. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS
Commissioner Cornwell thanked the Chief for the updates he provides to the Commissioners regarding incidents happening in the City.
Commissioner Jones asked Chief about the summertime BBQ in Ward 1. Chief Tyler shared that they did the children’s fishing tournament and two backpack community events for students over the summer. He will work on planning the BBQ event.
Mayor Bryant gave an update on the historic fire truck. She has it tentatively worked out with Colonel Pack, Bob Marble and the North River Fire Department.
Commissioner Williams noted that he received a letter from a Commissioner on Longboat Key asking if they can donate $200 for sea turtle nesting. The other Commissioners noted that they also received the letter.
Mr. Freeman reminded everyone of the CDBG Housing Informational Workshop on August 5th. Also, the RFP for Ward 1 Phase III is due back by August 7th.
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Chief Tyler mentioned the congressional awards put on by Congressman Vern Buchanan recognizing excellence in law enforcement. Corporal Ben Schlabach was chosen as an award recipient.
Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 7:44 pm.
Minutes approved: AUGUST 26, 2024
JAMES R. FREEMAN
James R. Freeman
City Clerk