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 (Left the meeting at 7:14 pm)
Dan West, Mayor Elect
Tamara Cornwell, Vice-Mayor, Commissioner-at-Large 2
Sunshine Joiner, Commissioner, Ward 2
Sheldon Jones, Commissioner-at-Large 1 (Not Present)
Scott Whitaker, Commissioner-at-Large 1 Elect
Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1
Brian Williams, Commissioner, Ward 3
STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:
Mark Barnebey, City Attorney
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
Ed Johnson, CRA Independent Contractor
Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant
Jake Bibler, City Planner
Jenny Silverio, CRA Admin/Compliance Coordinator
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 Phillip Hamm, gave the prayer for tonight’s meeting.
Mayor Bryant gave a brief statement expressing her gratitude for her time in public service.
City Clerk, Jim Freeman, presented the Certificate of the County Canvassers for the City of Palmetto reflecting the results of the City of Palmetto Election held on November 5, 2024, which were read into the minutes. Daniel West was elected as Mayor, Tamara Cornwell was re-elected as Commissioner-at-Large 2, and Scott Whitaker was elected as Commissioner-at-Large 1. For more detailed information, please refer to the Certificate of County Canvassing Board.
Judge Heather Doyle administered the Oath of Office for the Mayor and Commissioners-at-Large.
Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting sine-die at 7:14 pm.
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November 18, 2024
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2. Mayor West called the City Commission Meeting to order at 7:34 pm.
3. CITY COMMISSION AGENDA APPROVAL
MOTION: Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Joiner seconded,
and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the November 18, 2024 City Commission Agenda.
4. FARM CITY WEEK PROCLAMATION
Patty Freed Keen and FFA students accepted the Proclamation.
5. PUBLIC COMMENT
All persons intending to address the City Commission were duly sworn.
No public comment.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Minutes: 09/09/2024, 09/23/2024, 10/04/2024, 10/21/2024
b. Resolution 2024-31: FY2024 Year End Budget Amendment
c. Resolution 2024-34: Byrne Grant (JAG) Firearms Optics
d. Resolution 2024-35: Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety High Visibility Enforcement
e. 2025 Holiday and Meeting Calendar
f. Special Function Permit- MLK Parade
g. Special Function Permit- Christmas Event at the Palmetto Historical Park
h. Special Function Permit- I <3 My Community 5k and event (UPDATED DATE ONLY)
i. 2024-2025 WCIND Agreement-Derelict Boat Removal
j. Sole Source Purchase: Florida Bullet
k. City Legal Invoices
l. 7th Street W. RR/Crossing Replacement
m. Addendum to Debris Cleanup Rate Schedule
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams
seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda as presented by staff with the removal of item 6e. for discussion.
6e. was pulled for discussion by Commissioner Cornwell. She asked to consider alternative dates for the February 17th and March 17th meetings. Ms. Bailey suggested moving both meeting dates back a week in February and
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November 18, 2024
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March to accommodate and avoid having back-to-back meetings. Commissioner Williams asked that the meeting in July be moved up a week to allow for more time before they have to set a tentative millage rate for the next budget cycle. The new proposed dates were February 10th, February 24th, March 10th, March 24th and July 21st.
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams
seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve item 6e. with
the updated meeting dates.
7. SECOND 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 West opened the Public Hearing at 7:51 pm.
Mr. Barnebey summarized the legislation that has come about to bring us to this point, which was included in the Agenda packet.
Commissioner Williams asked if this would affect any fees. It was answered no, it would not.
Mayor West closed the Public Hearing at 7:53 pm.
MOTION: Commissioner Joiner moved, Commissioner Williams seconded,
and the motion carried 5-0 to adopt Ordinance 2024-04.
8. OCTOBER 2024 CHECK REGISTER (Informational Only)
Mayor West recessed the City Commission Meeting to open the November 18, 2024 Special CRA Board Meeting at 7:53 pm.
Mayor West reconvened the City Commission Meeting at 9:01 pm.
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COMMENTS:
9. DEPARTMENT HEADS’ COMMENTS
Ms. Young-Gopie is looking forward to the next chapter with the new Commissioner and new Mayor.
Mr. Rayan shared an update about debris removal.
Mr. Freeman congratulated Commissioner Cornwell, Commissioner Whitaker and Mayor West.
Chief Tyler echoed the congratulations.
Mr. Barnebey congratulated all. Mr. Barnebey also noted that the legislature is looking for possible projects in the local area. If anyone has any ideas, please get that information to Mayor West.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor West thanked everyone for the warm welcome. He noted that he loved meeting the students from Harvey Elementary that visited City Hall this week. He also thanked Penny for her help in the transition to his new position.
11. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS
Commissioner Joiner welcomed the new Commissioner and new Mayor.
Commissioner Smith congratulated the newly elected and welcomed back Commissioner Cornwell.
Commissioner Cornwell shared that she missed the bridge meeting due to being ill. She would like the Mayor and the Commission to look at construction and dredging ideas for under the bridge and explore the possibility of placing a boat ramp under the bridge, which was originally suggested by Commissioner Davis. She also shared that she spoke with Ms. Young-Gopie about adding super charging stations for electric vehicles. Commissioner Cornwell believed there would be no cost to the City. Ms. Young-Gopie will look at potential ideas.
Commissioner Whitaker thanked everyone for the warm welcome and noted that he was excited to work with everyone.
Commissioner Williams echoed everyone’s welcome aboard. He believed they had a good group. He shared that the state owns the land under the bridge, so that would need to be looked into to determine the restrictions/possibilities of that area.
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Mayor West adjourned the meeting at 9:10 pm.
Minutes approved: DECEMBER 16, 2024
JAMES R. FREEMAN
James R. Freeman
City Clerk