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:
Jim Freeman, City Clerk
Marisa Powers, City Attorney
Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director
Scott Tyler, Chief of Police
Rowena Young-Gopie, CRA Director
Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk (Not Present)
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 Executive Assistant Penny Johnston 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 September 23, 2024, City Commission Agenda with the addition of the Declaration of the State of Emergency Resolution 2024-29 as item 6c.
3. SUICIDE PREVENTION PROCLAMATION
Mayor Bryant presented a proclamation to Ms. Victoria Tegas, Director of Advancement and colleague Viviana Rodrigues from Centerstone.
4. PUBLIC COMMENT
No public comments.
September 23, 2024
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5. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Minutes: 08/12/2024 & 08/26/2024
b. Special Function Permit- Christmas & Santa at Old Main Street
c. Special Function Permit- Palmetto Downtown Mainstreet’s Holiday Fun Land
d. Special Function Permit- I <3 My Community Event
e. Masonic Lodge Foreclosure
f. WWTP- Class V Recharge Well
g. Resolution 2024-28: Updated Manatee County Fair Association
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Joiner seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda with the removal of Item E, as otherwise presented by staff.
Item E- Comm. Smith thinks this should be on a workshop to continue negotiations. Commissioner Williams feels we should move forward with foreclosure. Commissioner Jones feels this has nothing to do with the City, but Mr. Jasper Green and Mr. Parker need to make a decision. Commissioner Joiner says that all interested parties would be contacted in the foreclosure procedure. Ms. Powers says we need to call the question and the City can move as quickly or slowly as we need to during the foreclosure. This action would bring everyone to the table.
MOTION: Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Joiner seconded, and the motion carried 4-1 to authorize the City Attorney to proceed with the foreclosure of the Masonic Lodge located at 1607 3rd Avenue West in Palmetto. Commissioner Smith voted no.
6. PUBLIC HEARING-RESOLUTION 2024-23 FY 2025 FINAL MILLAGE AND RESOLUTION 2024-24 FINAL FISCAL YEAR 2025 BUDGET (J.FREEMAN)
Mayor Bryant opened the Public Hearing at 7:24 p.m.
The Mayor discussed:
- The percentage increase/decrease in proposed final millage over rolled back rate.
- The specific purposes for which the ad valorem revenues are being increased/decreased.
- The proposed final budget.
Mayor Bryant closed the Public Hearing at 7:26 p.m.
a) RESOLUTION 2024-23: FY 2025 FINAL MILLAGE (Resolution was read in its entirety)
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September 23, 2024
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MOTION: Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Joiner seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to adopt Resolution 2024-23. (voted at 7:28 p.m.)
b) RESOLUTION 2024-24: FY 2025 FINAL BUDGET (Resolution was read in its entirety)
MOTION: Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Joiner seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to adopt Resolution 2024-24. (voted at 7:30 p.m.)
6c. DECLARATION OF STATE OF EMERGENCY RESOLUTION 2024-29
Mr. Freeman explained that Tropical Cyclone 9 may strengthen into Hurricane Helene and this resolution would allow the City to move into emergency procedures.
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve Resolution 2024-29.
7. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 2024-03: EXPEDITED PERMITTING (M.POWERS/J.BIBLER/K.HILL)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA APPROVING TEXT AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER 7 (“BUILDING AND BUILDING REGULATIONS”) OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO CODE OF ORDINANCES TO ADD SECTION 7-11 TO ESTABLISH MASTER BUILDING PERMITS; AND CHAPTER 26 (“SUBDIVISIONS”) OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO CODE OF ORDINANCES ESTABLISHING RESTRICTIONS AND VESTED RIGHTS FOLLOWING PRELIMINARY SUBDIVISION PLAT APPROVAL; ADDING A NEW SECTION ALLOWING FOR THE EXPEDITED ISSUANCE OF BUILDING PERMITS; ADDING BUILDING PERMIT REQUESTS TO THE PRELIMINARY SUBDIVISION PLAT APPLICATION PROCESS; FINDING THIS REQUEST TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND POLICIES OF THE ADOPTED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mayor Bryant opened the Public Hearing at 7:33 p.m.
There were no comments.
Mayor Bryant closed the Public Hearing at 7:33 p.m.
Attorney Powers talked about the added language to page7, section 26-13 (g) addressing new planning legislation that will be going into effect January 1, 2028, so staff would not need to amend the ordinance to cover the language to increase the number from 50% to 75% when identifying the number of building permits of the planned homes the City must issue in a few years.
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September 23, 2024
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MOTION: Commissioner Joiner moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded,
and the motion carried 5-0 to approve Ordinance 2024-03 with
the added language.
8. 1st PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 2024-04: HOME BASED BUSINESSES & OCCUPATIONS (M.POWERS/J.BIBLER/K.HILL)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA APPROVING TEXT AMENDMENTS TO APPENDIX B OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO CODE OF ORDINANCES TO AMEND REGULATIONS FOR HOME OCCUPATION AND HOME-BASED BUSINESSES; FINDING THIS REQUEST TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND POLICIES OF THE ADOPTED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mayor Bryant opened the Public Hearing at 7:37 p.m.
There were no comments.
Mayor Bryant closed the Public Hearing at 7:38 p.m.
No motion was needed. The second Public Hearing is scheduled for October 7, 2024.
9. August 2024 Check Register (Informational Only)
COMMENTS:
10. DEPARTMENT HEADS’ COMMENTS
Mr. Freeman- CDBG Registration for Applications is still open for low to moderate income citywide interested in making up to $80,000 in residential improvements. The CRA has a similar program for residents within the CRA.
Commissioner Jones asked how many applications have been received to date. Mr. Freeman responded that we have received 3 and we have the capacity to respond to 10 or 11 applications.
Chief Tyler spoke about dedicated mental health professionals with Centerstone and USF. A grant was submitted in July 2024 for funding and we hope to have a response later in October. Counselors would be available on an on-call basis to respond to non-violent situations.
Mr. Rayan is thankful for authorization for the engineers to move forward with the Class V Well work assignment. He reported that the 10th Avenue Complete Street Project should be fully executed
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September 23, 2024
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by FDOT in a few weeks and with the Notice to Proceed with the design to be granted later in November. Mr. Rayan mentioned the Ward I, Phase III project groundbreaking ceremony that is being planned, along with selecting the preconstruction date. The City needs to confirm with the contractor about the “buy American” provision included with the $2.5 million appropriation from the state. He also talked about revisions and the final dollar amount which were incorporated in the bid process. Mayor Bryant interjected that the state legislators who were helpful attaining the funding are also being invited to the groundbreaking.
Rowena Young-Gopie expressed that she is happy to be working with the City and is setting up individual meetings with each of the Commissioners.
11. MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Bryant spoke at the end of the meeting to report that she attended her last meeting at the Metropolitan Planning Organization. She asked the group for an update on the midblock crossing on 8th Avenue West, and she was assured by the MPO that it will be happening.
Mayor Bryant also shared current photos and reported what is happening at the Oakridge Apartments. She opined that the comments made during the last Commission meeting were maligning to the property ownership, not accurate, and would have been more appropriate to have it vetted through Code Enforcement.
12. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS
Commissioner Cornwell congratulated Commissioner Williams because his daughter-in-law is being named Hispanic Woman of the Year.
Manatee County will be closing on Thursday. The City staff will continue to watch and send notice as soon as a decision is made.
Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m.
Minutes approved: NOVEMBER 18, 2024
JAMES R. FREEMAN
James R. Freeman
City Clerk