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
Sunshine Joiner, Vice-Mayor, Commissioner, Ward 2
Tamara Cornwell, Commissioner-at-Large 2
Harold Smith, Commissioner Ward 1
Scott Whitaker, Commissioner-at-Large 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, CRA Director
Cassi Bailey, Deputy City Clerk
Jeff Bowman, City Planner
Gabriella Vork, Administrative Assistant
Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant
1. Mayor West called the meeting to order at 6:15 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: Joiner moved, Whitaker seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the September 28, 2026 City Commission Agenda
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
N/A
4. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Resolution 2026-13 WWTP Electrical Building Resiliency Improvements (Resilient Florida Program)
b. Convey Quit-Claim Deeds to the City for Additional Right-of-Way
c. Multicultural Event Planning Renewal with Aapex Connections, Inc.
d. City Legal Invoices
MOTION: Williams moved, Joiner seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda as presented by staff. 4a, 4b, 4d
Commissioner Smith removed item 4c.- asked for Mr. Freeman to explain the sponsorship funds through the city. The City would receipt it. Then she would have control of the funds. Ms. Powers explained this was in there last year. It was also in the 4th of July contract. It was so there was visibility of the funds for the event. It was just sponsorship funds for the event.
Smith moved to approve 4c. joiner seconded, and the motion carried 5-0
5. PUBLIC HEARING- RESOLUTION 2026-16 FY 2027 FINAL MILLAGE AND RESOLUTION 2026-17 FY 2027 FINAL BUDGET (J.FREEMAN)
Mayor West opened the Public Hearing on Resolution 2026-16 and Resolution 2026-17 to discuss the FY 2027 final millage rate and final FY 2027 budget at 6:21 pm.
The Mayor will:
· Discuss the percentage increase/decrease in proposed final millage over rolled back rate.
· Discuss the specific purposes for which the ad valorem revenues are being increased/decreased.
· Discuss the proposed final budget.
Mayor West closed the Public Hearing at 6:23 pm
a) RESOLUTION 2026-16: FY 2027 FINAL MILLAGE (Resolution to be read in its entirety)
MOTION: joiner moved, whiter seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to adopt Resolution 2026-16 at 6:26 pm.
b) RESOLUTION 2026-17: FY 2027 FINAL BUDGET (Resolution to be read in its entirety)
MOTION: joiner moved, Williams seconded, and the motion carried to adopt Resolution 2026-17 at 6:27 pm.
6. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 2026-12: RE-ZONE – JET MOBILE HOME OWNERS ASSOCIATION LLC-506 5TH AVE W (PLANNING)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA, REZONING APPROXIMATELY 0.8+/- ACRES OF PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT NORTH OF ILLINOIS STREET, SOUTH AND EAST OF TENNESSEE STREET AND WEST OF WISCONSIN STREET, PALMETTO, FLORIDA, FROM CITY ZONING RM-6 (MULTIPLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL) TO CITY ZONING MHP-1 (MOBILE HOME PARK), AND AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THIS ORDINANCE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (JET MOBILE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION, INC.)
Mayor West opened the Public Hearing at 6:29 pm.
Mr. Bowman presented a PowerPoint, which was included in the agenda. Planning and Zoning recommended approval. Staff recommends approval for the re-zone.
Ms. Petruff, attorney for the applicant, spoke.
Mayor West closed the Public Hearing at 6:35 pm.
MOTION: Cornwell moved, Williams seconded and the motion carried 5-0 based on the information and testimony provided, I find the request to rezone the subject parcel from RM-6 (Multiple Family Residential) to MHP-1 (Mobile Home Park District) to be consistent with the policies and intent of the Comprehensive Plan. I hereby move to recommend approval of Rezone RZ-2026-03 / Ordinance 2026-12 to the City Commission.
7. PUBLIC HEARING CONDITIONAL USE- PALMETTO MARRIOTT-ELECTRONIC MESSAGE CENTER SIGN (PLANNING)
Mayor West opened the Public Hearing at 6:36 pm.
Mr. Bowman presented the PowerPoint, which was included in the agenda. Planning and Zoning recommended approval. Staff recommends approval.
Nick St. John, Speed King Signs, spoke.
Brick-the measurement is just the messaging board itself.
Mayor West closed the Public Hearing at 6:40 pm
Cornwell questioned if they’re ok with emergency messaging- yes.
MOTION: Williams moved, Joiner seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 based on the information and testimony provided, I find the request for a Conditional Use Permit for an electronic message center sign located at 650 US 41 N to be compliant with Section 3-70, Code of Ordinances, and consistent with the standards for conditional use under Article XV, Zoning Code. I hereby move to approve this Conditional Use Permit (2026-02).
8. CONTINUED PUBLIC HEARING-ORDINANCE 2026-11 GDP -BRADFORD BAKER/ PALMETTO PLACE, LLC/ 702 10TH AVE W, PALMETTO, FL 34221 (PLANNING)
THIS WAS CONTINUED FROM 08/17/2026, 08/03/2026 & 07/20/2026
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA APPROVING A GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR A DEVELOPMENT INCLUDING A MAXIMUM OF 178 MULTIFAMILY UNITS, 15,000 SQUARE FEET OF RETAIL/OFFICE/RESTAURANT, AND 6,700 SQUARE FEET OF AMENITY SPACE WITH CONDITIONS AND SPECIFIC APPROVALS LOCATED ON APPROXIMATELY 4.5+/- ACRES OF PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT 702 10TH AVENUE WEST, PALMETTO, FLORIDA, AND AS MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED IN THIS ORDINANCE; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (PALMETTO PLACE, LLC)
MOTION: Joiner moved, Whitaker seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to continue the public hearing to October 19, 2026 at 6:15 pm or as soon thereafter as can be heard in these chambers.
9. AUGUST 2026 CHECK REGISTER (Informational Only)
Mayor West recessed the City Commission Meeting to open the September 28, 2026 CRA Board Meeting at
Mayor West reconvened the City Commission Meeting at 7:00 pm.
COMMENTS:
10. DEPARTMENT HEADS’ COMMENTS
Mr. Freeman- thank you for new budget approvals. Quick turn-around for meetings. Branding- next week at workshop and at 6:15 pm meeting. CSX property- final stages of Phase II should have final results soon. Extension of due diligence until January. He will get the results in front of them as soon as possible. 2nd estimate on survey was more than first. Complete streets project- 2 business meetings working in conjunction with PDMS with local business owners. Both will be at palmetto library. One will be on Friday and the other will be the following week. Palmetto Place-GDP extension was discussed- they did submit updated information- but staff hasn’t had a chance to comment on it. Then it will be put back on agenda. We’ve talked about 3 different things. 8th avenue beautification.
Smith-car lot-8th-need to look at it- new city hall should be on main road.
Mr. Rayan- asked by WM to put an amendment- ask permission as of Oct 1st- for new bulk
June 1st- Sep 30th 1.98- 2.06 /per household for bulk pick up. Oct 1-Sep 30 will be absorbed by the City through our contract. Smith asked when they pick up the garbage in our area? Nothing has changed. Mr. Rayan can check the schedule. North of 10th is Tuesday and Friday. WM is scheduled to come on Oct 19th to give an update. 3 year extension.
MOTION: Cornwell moved to authorize the mayor to execute the WM addendum 2 to the amendment on June 15, 2026 contract, Joiner seconded and the motion carried 5-0.
Mr. Rayan- pursuant to their direction at last meeting- they sent letter of interest to 4 companies. All 4 firms returned letters of interest back to them.
Late Friday afternoon they received information that Mr. Devin Bloome is no longer associated with Veolia.
10th Street and 8th Avenue is trying to move forward. Hopefully will hear soon. Eminent domain will be last resort.
Patriot Park is moving along.
Ms. Young- look at all the plans holistically and decide which will be incorporated in Rede
Ms. Powers- Epoch properties-summary judgement was awarded
Bronte Davis-court entered dismissal
11. MAYOR’S REPORT
Went to event- DAR-24 in by 24 in bronze plaque of our revolutionary war patriots- want to donate
Everyone was good with it
Introduced Gabriella Vork, the Mayor’s new Assistant.
Thanked Ms. Dixon for all she does
Next meeting, next Monday
12. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS
Cornwell- what is going on with the bridges? MPO-is putting together final recommendations- 2031 start? 6 lane Desoto bridge
Whitaker-CSX property- phase I is back- Phase I recommended the phase II- Mr. Freeman would like to look at it before he comments.
Joiner- temporary filtration system- how is everything going with that? It has gone into operation. Mr. Rayan- samples were collected from there- they were within close margins of our system- additional testing was taken on Thursday and Friday, haven’t seen results yet. His understanding is Veolia is bringing people to evaluate the system.
Williams-recommends workshops to discuss the plans going forward. Rowena what do we have in the CRA to improve 8th avenue quickly? Infrastructure funds. Consulting funds for design. Funds available for pressure washing. Moe-send him names of those 4 companies.
Smith- chief-flock cameras-no flock cameras in city of palmetto. Go down 4th avenue. It looks like flock camera on left side.
Mayor West adjourned the meeting at 7:32 pm.