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 (Present via ZOOM)
Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk
Annie Jones, Executive Assistant (Left the meeting at 8:21 pm)
Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant
1. Mayor West called the meeting to order at 7:03 pm, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance, and Commissioner 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 August 4, 2025 City Commission Agenda.
3. VEOLIA REIMBURSEMENT CHECK PRESENTATION
Devin Bloome and Todd Peatry with Veolia, presented the City with a reimbursement check of $148,000.
4. 4TH OF JULY REVIEW FROM LEAH BROWN
Ms. Brown shared a recap from the 4th of July event. She handed out a packet to the Commissioners, which was made part of the minutes. Commissioner Williams believes they should enter into an extended contract with Ms. Brown to coordinate this event.
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5. PUBLIC COMMENT
Susan Dionian spoke and referenced a handout, which was included in the minutes. This was regarding the lift station next to her house.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Resolution 2025-11: FY 2025 Mid-Year Budget Adjustment
b. City Legal Invoices
c. Duty Pistol Replacement
d. Outside Board Appointment
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Joiner seconded,
and the motion carried 5-0 to approve items 6b., and 6d. on the
Consent Agenda as presented by staff.
Commissioner Cornwell pulled item 6a. for discussion. She asked if they were just moving funds from one area to the other. Mr. Freeman answered, yes, they do this each year when needed to reallocate funds in different areas. She further questioned individual allocations and leases. She wants to better understand why we lease certain items versus buying them.
Commissioner Williams wants to know how these changes affect the new budget. It doesn’t have any effect on the current budget. Commissioner Williams asked what happens to the money from a funded project. Mr. Freeman further explained miscellaneous revenue.
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams
seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve item 6a.
Commissioner Cornwell inquired about the variety of pistols in use by the department. Chief Tyler explained that the current duty pistols have experienced long-standing issues with misfiring while holstered. Due to safety concerns, he is not comfortable continuing their use. He clarified that all officers are issued the same type of pistol and do not have individual preferences in weapon selection.
MOTION: Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Joiner seconded,
and the motion carried 5-0 to approve item 6c.
7. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 2025-06: SIGN CODE CHANGES-TO BE CONTINUED TO AUGUST 25, 2025 AT 7:00 PM
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 3, ARTICLE III, SECTION 3-62 TO AMEND LANGUAGE RELATING TO SPECIFIC APPROVALS AND REMOVE PROVISIONS RELOCATED TO ANOTHER SECTION; SECTION 3-63 TO REMOVE PROVISION RELOCATED TO ANOTHER SECTION; SECTION 3-65 TO CORRECT A SCRIVENER’S ERROR AND ADD RELOCATED SECTION RELATING TO PROHIBITED SIGNS AND VEHICLE AND TRAILER SIGNS; SECTION 3-66 TO AMEND LANGUAGE RELATING TO SANDWICH BOARDS
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AND ADD ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO SIGNS EXEMPT FROM PERMIT REQUIREMENTS; SECTION 3-67 TO AMEND LANGUAGE RELATING TO TEMPORARY SIGNS BY PERMIT AND TO REMOVE PROVISIONS RELOCATED TO ANOTHER SECTION; SECTION 3-68 TO AMEND LANGUAGE RELATING TO WALL SIGN SETBACKS AND TO ADD A TABLE RELATING TO SETBACK REQUIREMENTS; SECTION 3-73 TO REMOVE LANGUAGE RELATING TO RETURNING SIGNS REMOVED BY THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Mayor West opened the Public Hearing at 7:43 pm.
THIS PUBLIC HEARING WILL BE CONTINUIED TO AUGUST 25, 2025 AT 7:00 PM.
8. WASTE MANAGEMENT CONTRACT EXTENSION (M.RAYAN)
Mr. Rayan stated that this item was on the 4:30 pm Workshop agenda for discussion.
MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Joiner seconded,
to authorize the Mayor to execute a three (3) year extension
pursuant to the provisions in the existing 2015 Franchise
Agreement between the City and Franchisee in accordance with
the attached exhibit ‘A’ option (2).
Commissioner Smith asked how much two pick-ups a week will cost. It was answered $22.15 a month, per household, which is approximately $8.23 more than the current rate.
The motion carried 4-1. (Commissioner Smith voted nay)
Mayor West recessed the City Commission Meeting to open the August 4, 2025 CRA Board Meeting at 7:49 pm.
Mayor West reconvened the City Commission Meeting at 8:20 pm.
COMMENTS:
9. DEPARTMENT HEADS’ COMMENTS
Mr. Rayan provided several updates during the meeting. Ward 1 Phase III is ongoing, and staff is in the process of finalizing in-kind projects. He shared a proposal to install generators at lift stations to improve reliability. The City is also seeking CRA funding to purchase boards to help mitigate flooding at the wastewater treatment plant. Additionally, funds were allocated to address flooding issues at 24th Avenue. Mr. Rayan noted that the discussion on plant expansion will be brought back at the August 25th workshop, along with a report from their recent visit to Foley, Alabama.
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Mr. Freeman shared that the Veteran’s Day Parade and Service adjusted their time from 8:00 am-12:00 pm to 10:00 am-2:00 pm on Nov 11th. The budget workshop is on Wednesday, August 6th from 5:30-7:00 pm. The tentative budget hearing will be on September 8th and the final budget hearing will be on September 23rd.
He will be bringing back contracts for the next 4th of July event and Multicultural event.
Chief Tyler shared that the Palmetto Police Department was accredited with The Commission for Florida Law Enforcement Accreditation, CFA. In 2022 they received the excelsior accreditation. Last week, they were re-accredited with no corrective actions and received a perfect excelsior re-accreditation.
Mr. Rayan also noted the smoke testing they performed, and the minor deficiencies found. They are working to correct them. They are continuing their testing in other areas of the city. They are going to be installing light poles at the roundabout on Haben Blvd. They are then going to continue getting the 7th street extension lit up.
10. MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor West expressed gratitude to everyone who participated in backpack giveaway events in preparation for the upcoming school year. He also gave a shout out to Manatee Food Bank for showing up at Lincoln Park and handing out food to those in need.
11. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS
Commissioner Cornwell asked about the ethics training that is being offered in October and December. She asked if Ms. Jones would send those dates out to all the Commissioners. She appreciated the signage and repairs Public Works has been doing. She went on to share that school is starting on Monday, August 11th.
Commissioner Williams said he was confused why staff put time limits on the Workshop agenda items. Mr. Freeman answered that we have done it in the past out of respect for the representatives of each agenda item. We have some flexibility of going into the dinner hour, if needed. It is there to help allocate that time.
Commissioner Williams inquired whether the City has a minimum maintenance palette or guidelines for paint colors on buildings and suggested that this be readdressed and incorporated into the code. He also raised concerns about boats anchoring near the reef ball structures and questioned what measures are in place to protect the area. Chief Tyler responded that most of the boats in that area are mobile and equipped with functioning toilets, and that the department takes appropriate action when necessary. He recommended that residents with ongoing concerns about the boats contact their state representatives.
Commissioner Whitaker asked Mr. Rayan about county representatives coming to the meeting on August 25th. Mr. Rayan answered that he believes the county has received approval to move forward and are working on the design. He opined that Leah Brown has done a great job and thinks they should continue with her contract and the event coordinator for the multicultural festival.
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Commissioner Smith asked when they are going to pave the streets for Ward 1 Phase III. Mr. Rayan had those discussions with the contractors, they are working on the infrastructure underground, then it will be paved. They are hoping to get it paved as soon as possible.
Commissioner Williams wants a written report on Ms. Dionian’s concern during public comment. Mr. Rayan will forward them the documents he has sent to the DEP. Commissioner Williams asked if staff has had discussions with the resident. Yes, they have.
Commissioner Cornwell would like to have discussions on how we can best celebrate the nation’s upcoming birthday.
Mayor West adjourned the meeting at 8:49 pm.
Minutes approved: AUGUST 25, 2025
JAMES R. FREEMAN
James R. Freeman
City Clerk