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

Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk

Jake Bibler, City Planner

Annie Jones, Executive Assistant

 

 

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 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 August 25, 2025, City Commission Agenda

 

 

3.    PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Keith Green spoke on behalf of the Knights of Columbus. He invited everyone to the First Responders Mass on September 9^th at 6:30 pm.

• Key Point: The Knights of Columbus extended an invitation to the City Commission and government to their first responders’ mass on September 9th at 6:30 PM.
• Details: The event aims to honor first responders and has received support from the Palmetto Police Department, Bradenton PD, and Manatee County government.

 

 

Phil Gonella, Faith Director also spoke on behalf of the Knights of Columbus and promoted their First Responders Mass.

 

4.    CONSENT AGENDA   

a.  Minutes: 07/21/25, 08/04/25, 08/06/25

b.  Contract for 4^th of July Event Planning

c. Contract for Multi-Cultural Festival Event Planning

d. Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) 287 (g) Task Force Model with the United States Immigration  

     and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

e. Special Function Permit- NRFD Open House

f. Special Function Permit- FBC Fall Festival

g. Special Function Permit- Dr. MLK Parade

h. Resolution 2025-08: Budget Amendment FDEP Adaptation Grant- 25PLN19

i. Resolution 2025-13: Approving the Continued Existence of the Palmetto Community Redevelopment

   Agency Beyond September 30, 2039

j. Surplus City Hall Equipment

 

 

          MOTION: Commissioner Joiner moved, Commissioner Whitaker seconded, and the motion   

           carried 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda as presented by staff.

 

5.  AGRICULTURAL MUSEUM ADDITION

Mr. Freeman introduced this item. Friends of the Agricultural Museum, a non-profit organization, would like permission to place a storage shed on the Historical Park property.

Commissioner Cornwell asked about the maintenance of the building. Currently the City does own the other buildings and maintains them. Diane Ingram and Sandy Garrison spoke. Their thought is that it would become part of the museum at large and they are requesting the City maintain this as well. Commissioner Smith asked how this would work. Mr. Freeman answered that this would be a storage facility. He questioned if there would need to be a dedication or agreement for the City to maintain it. Ms. Ingram further clarified that they are maxed out on space.

Commissioner Joiner asked what the aesthetic would look like? They would like to have it match the building that is currently there.

Commissioner Whitaker also wanted it to match the current aesthetics. They will come back with architectural plans. They want it to be climate controlled. Ms. Powers noted that they need to ensure this building is added to any insurance policy.

• Task: Manatee County Agriculture Museum requested permission to place a storage shed (approximately 19x25) on city-owned historical park property.
• Details:
• The proposed location is west of the existing Ag Museum building.
• Friends of the Manatee County Agricultural Museum would pay for the building.
• Action Item: City staff to ensure the building is added to the city's insurance policy via an addendum. (Responsible: City Staff)
• Key Points:
• The city will likely take ownership of the building and be responsible for maintenance.
• The building's aesthetics must conform to the existing buildings.
• Consideration for climate control for artifact storage.

 

MOTION: Commissioner Whitaker moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the Manatee County Agricultural Museum, Inc. request to place a storage shed on the City-owned Historical Park property, West of the current Ag Museum and subject to approval from the Building Department and Planning Department that the proposed structure complies will all City codes.

 

6. WWTP EXPANSION (M.RAYAN)  

This item was discussed at the 4:30 pm Workshop.

• Task: Plan for the expansion of the wastewater treatment facility.
• Details: The goal is to increase wastewater treatment flow and address wet weather issues.
• Action Item: Authorize the Mayor and City Staff to sign the work assignment with Wade Trim to prepare implementation planning to include identification of near-term improvements, development of an implementation schedule, project phasing and capital improvement planning costs not to exceed $50,000.

Mr. Rayan recapped that this item was previously discussed and they’re asking to move forward with the project.

 

Commissioner Williams asked since Veolia couldn’t be here today would there be an impact? No, they will be here September 23^rd.

  

 

MOTION: Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Joiner seconded and the motion carried 5-0 to approve moving forward with planning the expansion of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) using Aerobic Granular System (AGS) and Alternative 3 as presented in the attached Facility Plan prepared by Wade Trim and authorize the Mayor and City staff to sign the Work Assignment with Wade Trim to prepare the implementation planning to include identification of near-term improvements, development of an implementation schedule, project phasing, and capital improvement planning not to exceed $50,000.

 

7.     PUBLIC HEARING: ORDINANCE 2025-06 AMENDING THE SIGN CODE

 

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 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.

 

The Public Hearing was opened at the 08/04/2025 Commission Meeting.

 

 

Mayor West closed the Public Hearing at 7:25 pm.

 

Mr. Bibler noted that a request from the last meeting Section- 3-73 they changed “shall” to “may” per the Chief’s request.

Williams asked what we did about the signs on the right of ways. That is not addressed in the code language. Discussions continued regarding non-conforming signs and code enforcement. Code Enforcement Supervisor, Jeff Bowman, spoke via zoom. Mr. Bowman confirmed they issue a notice of violation if there is a non-conforming sign on private property.

 

Mayor West asked if they have a flag on their current property. They are grandfathered in if it was in place before this change. 

 

MOTION: Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Joiner second, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve Ordinance 2025-06, amending language to Chapter 3, Article III, as presented by staff.

 

8.       PUBLIC HEARING: CONDITIONAL USE NO. 2025-01 17^TH ST OPEN STORAGE

 

Mr. Bibler gave an introduction to this item. The applicant is not present.

 

Mayor West opened the Public Hearing at 7:34 pm.

 

Mr. Bibler presented a PowerPoint, which was included in the minutes.

 

Commissioner Smith asked what can and can’t be stored there.  Mr. Bibler answered that he transports portable buildings to and from schools. It is required to have fencing, which he will have to comply with. It was recommended for approval by the P&Z Board.

 

Mayor West closed the Public Hearing at 7:41 pm.

 

MOTION: Commissioner Joiner moved, Commissioner Whitaker seconded and based on the information and testimony provided, I find the requested conditional use permit for Open storage on a parcel in CHI Heavy Commercial and Light Industrial zoning district to be compliant with the Code of Ordinances and consistent with the standards for a conditional use under Article XV, Zoning Code. The motion carried 5-0 to move to approve Conditional Use Permit 2025-01.

 

9.    FIRST READING: ORDINANCE 2025-07: COMPREHENSIVE PLAN MAP AMENDMENT FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY  

 

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA, AMENDING ORDINANCE 2010-01, AS AMENDED; TO APPROVE AN AMENDMENT TO THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP TO CHANGE A +/- 1.86 ACRE PARCEL, FROM GENERAL COMMERCIAL (GCOM) TO PLANNED COMMUNITY (PC) FOR A PARCEL OF LAND LOCATED GENERALLY AT 903 11th STREET WEST, PALMETTO, FLORIDA; PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

Commissioner Williams expressed that he has a problem with the items listed on the agenda associated with this. Ms. Powers shared that typically it comes to Commission for First Reading, then to P&Z, then the public hearing at Commission. Commissioner Williams noted that this is being done differently than they have done in the past.  Mr. Bibler stated that they will see all of the information at the public hearing.  Commissioner Williams said this property is zoned business? Why would we want homes in this area? Ms. Powers clarified that tonight they are only asking for a first reading and to direct staff to schedule the appropriate public hearings.

 

Commissioner Smith clarified that they have to pass this. They are approving the reading of the title block and moving forward with advertising the public hearings. At the public hearing they can approve or deny the project.

  

 

          MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Joiner seconded, and the motion  

           carried 5-0 to approve the First Reading of Ordinance 2025-07 and direct staff to schedule

           the appropriate public hearings.

 

10. FIRST READING: ORDINANCE 2025-08 REZONE FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

 

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA REZONING APPROXIMATELY 1.86+/- ACRES OF PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT 903 11th ST W, PALMETTO, FLORIDA, FROM CITY ZONING CG (BUSINESS AND LIGHT COMMERCIAL) TO CITY ZONING PD-H (PLANNED DEVELOPMENT-HOUSING), AND AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THIS ORDINANCE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (MANATEE COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, INC.)

 

            MOTION: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Joiner seconded, and the motion  

           carried 5-0 to approve the First Reading of Ordinance 2025-08 and direct staff to schedule

           the appropriate public hearings.

 

11.  FIRST READING: ORDINANCE 2025-11 GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

 

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA APPROVING A GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN WITH CONDITIONS AND SPECIFIC APPROVALS LOCATED ON APPROXIMATELY 1.86+/- ACRES OF PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT 903 11th ST W, PALMETTO, FLORIDA, AND AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THIS ORDINANCE: PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (MANATEE COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY, INC.)

 

MOTION: Commissioner Joiner moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded, and the motion   

 carried 5-0 to approve the First Reading of Ordinance 2025-11 and direct staff to schedule   

 the appropriate public hearings.

 

 

12.  FIRST READING: ORDINANCE 2025-09 REZONE FOR TURNKEY HOUSES

 

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA REZONING APPROXIMATELY 0.32+/- ACRES OF PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT 2700 10th ST W, PALMETTO, FLORIDA, FROM RS-3 SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONING TO CITY RS-4 SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL ZONING, AND AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THIS ORDINANCE: PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

 

            MOTION: Cornwell moved, Joiner seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the  

           First Reading of Ordinance 2025-09 and direct staff to schedule the appropriate public

           hearings.

 

13. FIRST READING: ORDINANCE 2025-10 AMENDING SUBDIVISION REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES

 

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA AMENDING CHAPTER 26 OF THE PALMETTO CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARD THE REQUIRING FOR AND PROCESSING OF SUBDIVISION PLATS; FINDING THE AMENDMENTS 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.

 

           MOTION: Commissioner Joiner moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the First Reading of Ordinance 2025-10 and direct staff to schedule the appropriate public hearings.

 

14. JULY 2025 CHECK REGISTER (INFORMATIONAL ONLY)

 

Mayor West recessed the City Commission meeting to open the August 25, 2025, Special CRA Board Meeting at 7:59 pm

 

Mayor West reconvened the City Commission meeting at 8:46 pm.

 

15. PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT BETWEEN PALMETTO CITY OF PALMETTO AND G&L ALLIANCE LLC FOR 1620 8TH AVE W PID-2624600009 & 725 17TH ST W PID-2625600109 AND RESOLUTION 2025-15 BUDGET AMENDMENT FOR THE PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

 

            MOTION: Commissioner Joiner moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 4-1 to approve the contract for the purchase of the parcels, a budget resolution to transfer $800,000 to the CRA’s land account to complete the purchase transaction, and authorize the Mayor to execute this contract, any extensions, and all documents necessary to effectuate the purchase of the property. (Commissioner Smith voted nay.)

 

16. SECOND AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT OF PURCHASE AND SALE AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE PROPERTY (GRAY PROPERTIES)  

 

Ms. Powers explained this item.

 

MOTION: Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Joiner seconded, and the motion carried 4-1 to approve the Second Amendment to Agreement of Purchase and Sale and Development of the Property and authorize the Mayor to execute the same. (Commissioner Smith voted nay)

 

17. DEPARTMENT HEADS’ COMMENTS

 

Ms. Young- no comments

 

Mr. Rayan provided updates on the following:

·         Appreciated moving forward with the WWTP expansion

·         10^th avenue complete street- first set of engineers’ questions have been given to FDOT for review.

·         Ward 1 Phase III ongoing

·         Trying to address flooding concerns from last year on 24^th avenue near 13^th street, now focusing on 17^th street on 24^th avenue

 

 Mr. Freeman reiterated the budget timeline:

·         Tentative- September 8^th- CRA budget on Workshop as well

·         Final Budget- September 23rd

·         Will also work with Ms. Young-Gopie and Ms. Powers on workshop items regarding residential façade grant and color palettes.

·         He also referred to the Downtown Core Design Code for guidance on color palettes.

·         Gray project is still ongoing. Operating Agreement for spaces in parking garage needs to be agreed on. This agreement will come to commission in the near future. Still working to clear the title then the developer can move forward with GDP plan and onward.

 

Chief Tyler reported:

·         We’re 2 weeks into the school year.

·         All is going well so far. Traffic hasn’t seemed as bad as some years.

·         Thanked commission for their continued support.

 

Ms. Powers:

·         Working on color palettes will bring back to Commission. Working on unsolicited proposal ordinance. A lot of municipalities are charging for those. It takes a lot of staff’s time and attention to these.

·         Will also be providing a legislative update.

·         She knows it can be frustrating with the procedures with first readings, etc.-

 

18. MAYOR’S REPORT

 

Copy of Christmas lights given to each of the Commissioners. If they’re ok with them, they will move forward. They will need approximately 80. Williams has seen lit banners in other communities. He thinks we should look at that too as you’re entering town.

 

19.  COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS

 

Commissioner Cornwell- likes the idea of banners for the nation’s birthday coming up too. She wants there to be a sense of continuity with the lights as they go down the road. She thinks they could draw people to our City if we had a great holiday display. She likes the seahorse theme. She wants the décor to all be lit up.

 

Commissioner Joiner- thanked the department heads for all their hard work. She liked the seahorse as well and snowflakes.

 

Commissioner Williams- they received a letter from The Chair of Sanctuary Cove opposing a change to the bridge path, corridor B modified. He believes they need to state publicly what they want to FDOT.

 

Whitaker thanked Ms. Powers for keeping the city safe. Thanked the Chief for their presence around the schools.

 

 

Mayor West adjourned the meeting at 9:11 pm.