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:

Dan West, Mayor

Brian Williams, Vice-Mayor/ Commissioner Ward 3

Tamara Cornwell, Commissioner-at-Large 2

Sunshine Joiner, Commissioner, Ward 2

Harold Smith, Commissioner Ward 1

Scott Whitaker, Commissioner-at-Large 1

 

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 (Not Present)

Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk

Jake Bibler, City Planner

 

 

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

1.               Mayor West called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, and Commissioner Sunshine Joiner, 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 Whitaker seconded,

and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the April 21, 2025 City Commission Agenda.

 

 

 

3.               NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER PROCLAMATION

 

Jim Corbett accepted the proclamation. He passed out a flyer for the upcoming events, which was included in the Minutes.

City Commission Meeting

April 21, 2025

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4.               PUBLIC COMMENT

 

 Denise Byram-Perez, Learning Is Fun Child Care at 1525 10^th St W, spoke on the safety of crosswalks and crossing guards. The crosswalk by Palmetto Elementary School, has a crossing guard, Chuck. He is a wonderful individual. She would like to bring attention to this dangerous intersection, where cars fly through the area during school times.

 

 Betty Sailes Rhodes said the Mayor is doing a great job. She questioned giving money to Palmetto Downtown Mainstreet. She opined that it is illegal to give money to them, if they are not a 501(C)(3).

 

 

5.               CONSENT AGENDA

a. Minutes: 03/24/2025

b. Special Function Permit-2026 Bradenton Area River Regatta

c. 2^nd Amendment to Wastewater Privatization Contract

d. City Legal Invoices

 

 

                    MOTION:                   Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Joiner seconded,

and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda as presented by staff, with the removal of item 5c. for discussion.

 

 Item 5c. was pulled from the consent agenda by Commissioner Cornwell. Mr. Rayan shared that Veolia’s contract was amended in 2022 to add additional services. Since that time, they have determined that these tasks neede to be explored elsewhere for back flow testing. This has now been removed from their contract, and that is reflected in the 2^nd amendment to the wastewater privatization contract.  Commissioner Cornwell asked what year that contract would’ve ended. It was extended for a 2-year period at the beginning of 2025, ending December 2026. This amendment would run the same length. It was determined that the $205,000/year for the backflow task would be removed from the contract.

 

 The other tasks of the contract remain, as is.   Mr. Smith asked when this was done. The contract was approved on August 28, 2012, an extension was approved on October 1, 2022, and a second amendment was approved on March 4, 2024.

 

  Commissioner Whitaker clarified that they are removing the backflow portion of the contract. The money they’re saving from Veolia can be reallocated to a new company to perform the backflow portion.

 

 Commissioner Williams asked when the last time the backflow was inspected. It is ongoing. The employees are employed by Veolia. How long will it take them to piggyback? The Utility Manager is in discussion with a company that helps the county. Staff are going to continue to do it the best they can until they find the appropriate company to assist. Veolia is currently still doing these inspections. It will terminate on May 1^st. We would have to re-negotiate this whole thing if they want them to continue doing so for an extended amount of time. We have staff that are licensed to do so, until they find another company.

 

 Commissioner Whitaker reiterated that we have staff that can perform these tests. The repairs are what takes the most time.

City Commission Meeting

April 21, 2025

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                    MOTION:                   Commissioner Cornwell moved to approve item 5c,

Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0. 

 

6.               PUBLIC HEARING: ORDINANCE 2025-03 A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENT TO ALLOW COASTAL HIGH HAZARD AREA ALTERNATIVES AS PERMITTED BY STATUTE 163.3178(8), FLORIDA STATUTES (J.BIBLER/ATTORNEY)

 

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA APPROVING TEXT AMENDMENTS TO THE PALMETTO COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDING OBJECTIVES 1.6 AND 8.5 REGARDING DEVELOPMENT WITHIN THE COASTAL HIGH HAZARD AREA (CHHA) AND RELATED POLICIES; AMENDING THE MAXIMUM DENSITIES AND INTENSITIES ALLOWED WITHIN THE CHHA IF CERTAIN CRITERIA CAN BE MET; FINDING THIS AMENDMENT TO BE CONSISTENT WITH THE GOALS, OBJECTIVES, AND POLICIES OF THE ADOPTED COMPREHENSIVE PLAN, AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 163.3184, FLORIDA STATUTES; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT, SEVERABILITY, PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

Mayor West opened the Public Hearing at 7:35 pm.

 

Mayor West closed the Public Hearing at 7:36 pm.

  

                        MOTION:                   Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Joiner seconded,

                                                            and the motion carried 5-0 to transmit Ordinance 2025-03 to the

                                                            Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

 

 

 

7.               FIRST READING: ORDINANCE 2025-04 REZONE (J.BIBLER/ATTORNEY)

 

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA REZONING APPROXIMATELY .178+/- ACRES OF PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT 817 5TH ST W, PALMETTO, FLORIDA, FROM CITY ZONING RM-6 (MULTI-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) TO CITY ZONING CC, (COMMERCIAL CORE), AND AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THIS ORDINANCE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (GEORGE L. LAMMLEIN JR.)

 

  Mr. Bibler will give a full presentation at the Public Hearing. It is not scheduled for a Workshop, but they will have a full presentation at the Public Hearing.

 

                   MOTION:                   Commissioner Joiner moved, Commissioner Williams seconded.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell questioned if the property has mixed use on it now. She wants it to be detailed in the presentation what it is now, what it should be, and what it will be.

 

                                                            The motion carried 5-0 to approve the First Reading of

                                                            Ordinance 2025-04 and authorize staff to notice this for the

                                                            appropriate public hearings.

City Commission Meeting

April 21, 2025

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8.               RESOLUTION 2025-05 (CHARTER REVIEW COMMITTEE APPOINTMENT) (ATTORNEY)

 

Ms. Powers reminded them that they spoke about the charter review committee appointments at the last two meetings. She asked if they would announce their appointments. If not, they can continue it to the next meeting.

 

 Commissioner Smith thinks this needs to be put on a Workshop. He wants to change the charter.   Ms. Powers explained that the charter review committee can propose changes, this would then be voted on by the Commissioners. If they want to change the charter, they must have a charter review committee.

 

 Mayor West says he’s not prepared to appoint his committee members at this time.

 

  Ms. Powers further explained the charter review process. Commissioner Smith reiterated that he wanted to have a Workshop to discuss it further. Mayor West asked the rest of the Commission if anyone would like to discuss this further. No one else expressed an interest in having an additional Workshop to discuss the Charter Review Committee. Therefore, the Mayor stated this would not go on a Workshop agenda.

 

This item was moved to the next meeting to vote.

 

 

 

9.            MARCH 2025 CHECK REGISTER (INFORMATIONAL ONLY)

 

 

COMMENTS:

 

 

10.             DEPARTMENT HEADS’ COMMENTS

 

Mr. Rayan provided updates on the following items:

·         Ward 1 Phase III-installation of the main line/water line on 2^nd Avenue has been completed.

·         Finalizing the Grant for the 10^th Avenue Complete Street Project. They will then send them to our legal department and FDOT. It will then be advertised and get an Engineering firm to put together a scope of work and project design.

·         Finalizing the 8^th Avenue and 10^th Street turning lanes engineering plans.

·         Working with the engineers on the smoke testing in the underground lines.

·         Submitted the permit application for the underground reduction control well.

·         On April 23^rd and 24^th, he will travel to Folley, Alabama to visit the Riviera Wastewater Treatment Plant, where they are utilizing the new system we are looking to install at our facility. He will report back after.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell asked about the smoke testing and where it will be concentrated. It will start with system 2 and system 3, which is north and south of 10^th Street, at 14^th Avenue, progressing West.

 

 Commissioner Williams asked at a past meeting for a copy of the previous smoke testing that was done. Mr. Rayan has large booklets with the results. Commissioner Williams wants a condensed report.

City Commission Meeting

April 21, 2025

Page 5 of 5

 

 Mr. Freeman addressed the public comment regarding Palmetto Downtown Mainstreet, PDMS, and their non-profit 501 (c)(3) status. According to Sunbiz.org, in 2022 they filed documents as a non-profit corporation, 501 (c)(3). They have since filed Florida Non-Profit Annual Reports. Commissioner Smith asked when it was voted on to give them that money. It was part of the CRA’s budget.

 

 Mr. Freeman went on to share that Manatee School of the Arts, MSA, will be coming forward at an upcoming meeting to discuss conduit financing.

 

 Chief Tyler shared that a couple of meetings ago they voted to approve a conditional use permit for a party rental venue, where the old kidney center was. It has come to his attention that as the owner is completing renovations, the building may be used as a live music/bar/nightclub. Chief and staff are further researching this item.

 

 

11.             MAYOR’S REPORT

 

Mayor West shared that he attended Desoto Children’s Parade and had a great time.

 

 

12.             COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS

 

 

Commissioner Cornwell said that regarding the CHHA, she thinks it is important to get accurate information out to the public. She recommends creating an article that they can put with the water bill. She also asked that the Chief follow up with the public commentor, Denise, to address her concerns with the crossings in the school zone.

 

 Commissioner Williams shared his concern with a bill that is going through the legislative committees proposing the state to kill the CRAs. He also noted that they could share the CHHA information on the City’s new social media platforms.

 

 Commissioner Whitaker has had 3 or 4 residents complain about potholes and Mr. Rayan immediately took care of it. He appreciates the priority he gives them.

 

 Commissioner Smith thanked everyone here, including Mayor West. He appreciates how he handles the meeting. He asked for the reason the State is wanting to take away the CRAs. Commissioner Williams noted that ultimately, they are trying to take away home rule. 

 

 

Mayor West adjourned the meeting at 8:11 pm.