CRA Board Members Present:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Presiding Officer

Tamara Cornwell, Chair

Tambra Varnadore, Vice Chair

Jonathan Davis

Harold Smith

Brian Williams

 

Staff Present:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jeff Burton, CRA Director

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Allen Tusing, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Amber LaRowe, Assistant City Clerk

 

Mayor Bryant called the meeting to order at 7:22 p.m.

 

 

1. CRA BOARD AGENDA APPROVAL

 

Motion:           Mr. Davis moved, Mrs. Cornwell seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the February 3, 2020 CRA Board Agenda.

 

 

2. PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

 

 

3. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL

A. January 6, 2020 Minutes

B. Blalock Walters Legal Invoices

C. Scrivener's Error Heartland Incentive Agreement

 

Motion:           Mrs. Varnadore moved, Mr. Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the February 3, 2020 CRA Board Consent Agenda as recommended by staff.

 

 

4. CRA DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS

Mr. Burton stated that as presented on the City Commission Agenda tonight, the CRA has designed a new logo with the seahorse, he would like to discuss this with the Board at the next meeting.

 

On the next agenda he will bring forward the contract/lease with the Palmetto Woman’s Club.

 

Mr. Burton is working with the engineers on downtown parking for the CRA properties and will bring that forward to the March agenda.

Mr. Burton may bring forward a discussion for a floating dock to a future agenda this year.

Manatee County staff called Mr. Burton in regards to Lincoln Park basketball courts. He stated that with the new pool, there will not be enough room for the courts so the County would like to work with the City for a new location for the courts. Mr. Burton proposed to work with the County on upgrading the courts at Lamb Park.

 

Discussion ensued. The Board did not express desire for Lamb Park to be a replacement for the courts at Lincoln Park. It was the consensus that the courts at Lincoln Park need to stay in that vicinity for the residents to enjoy. Mr. Burton was asked to discuss with the County the property that is next to Lincoln Park where there is a ditch that separates it from the Park.

 

Mr. Burton would like a motion by the Board to consider renting of CRA owned building to a business that is coming to the City. This business is seeking to purchase property and construct a new office space and would like to rent a space while the construction is taking place.

 

Motion:     Mrs. Cornwell moved, Mr. Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to allow Mr. Burton to work with legal regarding a short term rental agreement for a property on 4^th Street West and bring back to the Board for final approval.

 

Mr. Freeman clarified with Mr. Burton regarding said business purchasing City or CRA owned property. He asked Mr. Burton if there was a specific parcel or parcels that the CRA would like the City to review and consider for surplus. Mr. Burton identified a parcel on 10^th Street between 4^th and 5^th Avenues.

 

Mr. Burton discussed the annual July 4^th and Multicultural Event that the CRA hosts. He would like to have more discussion with the Board of having an outside vendor run the events. He stated that the events have become large and require a lot of staff time; with the CRA only having three staff members, it is stressful for the staff to coordinate those events along with performing daily tasks.

 

Discussion ensued with the Board asking for consideration of downsizing the events so they are more family oriented and less stressful. Mr. Burton was asked to put together information to memorialize his intent and bring forward for discussion.

 

Mr. Burton discussed contracts coming forward to the agendas that are over $10,000. To make the process run more smoothly, he would like to put these items on the consent agendas once a month. Mr. Williams asked for consideration if there will be a lot of contracts, to send out an email notifying the Board.

 

In regards to not enough staff, Mr. Smith asked Mr. Burton what was going on with the assistant position that was approved this past September. Mr. Burton stated that he is working with Human Resources to post the position.

 

 

5. PRESIDING OFFICER'S COMMENTS

Mayor Bryant attended the Multicultural Event and thought it was very good and well attended.

 

 

6. CRA BOARD MEMBER'S COMMENTS

Mrs. Cornwell—she is excited to see the base of the seahorse statue is coming along.

 

In regards to the fair and comments on the seahorse statue, Mrs. Johnston commented on the discussions she was privy to by guests discussing their memories of the old seahorse statue at Riverside.

 

Mr. Williams—signs on public right-of-ways; asked Mr. Tusing to make sure Code Enforcement is collecting them and reaching out to the people putting the signs up to stop. Mayor Bryant discussed the County’s efforts to start a volunteer program to train residents to pick up signs to help Code Enforcement out; she would like to consider doing the same thing here.

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 8:01 p.m.