This CRA Board Meeting was conducted utilizing Communications Media Technology. Some Staff members were present in the Commission Chambers while others were present via the Zoom application to respect the social distancing guidelines.

 

 

CRA Board Members Present in Chambers:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Presiding Officer

Tamara Cornwell, Chair

Tambra Varnadore, Vice Chair

Harold Smith

Sheldon Jones

Brian Williams

 

Staff Present in chambers:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Jeff Burton, CRA Director

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant

Vanessa Cochran, Assistant City Clerk

 

Staff Present Electronically:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

 

1.        Mayor Bryant called the meeting to order at 7:50 p.m.

 

 

2.     CRA BOARD AGENDA APPROVAL

 

                 Motion:  Commissioner Jones moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion                                                          carried 5-0 to approve the January 4, 2021 CRA Board Agenda.

 

3.        PUBLIC COMMENT

Mr. Glen Gibellina gave his opinions on the City of Palmetto’s affordable housing industry, and the Housing Authority Board. 

 

Commissioner Jones asked if there were any CRA funds available to restart the Housing Authority.  Mr. Burton, CRA Director, replied statutorily yes, and the CRA Plan will have to be updated to include it.

 

After extensive discussions, it was determined that the Affordable Housing issue be added to the February 1, 2021 Workshop Meeting. 

 

4.         CONSENT AGENDA

         a. Extension of Purchase Contract for 440 l0th Avenue West, Palmetto, FL 34221 (M. BARNEBEY)

 

 

CRA Board Meeting

January 4, 2021

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                       Motion:  Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the                                                                  motion carried 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda as presented by staff.

 

5.  ELECT CHAIR AND VICE CHAIR OF CRA BOARD

Commissioner Varnadore nominated Commissioner Smith as Chair for the CRA Board.

 

                              Motion: Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion                                                 carried 5-0 to elect Commissioner Smith as CRA Board Chair

 

Commissioner Cornwell nominated Commissioner Varnadore as Vice Chair for the CRA Board.

 

                              Motion:  Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Jones seconded, and the motion                                                                  carried 5-0 to elect Commissioner Varnadore as CRA Board Vice Chair.

 

6.     RFP RECOMMENDATION OF AWARD - 715 10TH AVE WEST (CITY) AND 1009 8^TH STREET  

            WEST (CRA) (J. BURTON)

 

                              Motion:  Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Varnadore seconded, and the                                                                 motion carried 5-0 to approve ranking committee recommendations and                                                                award R-Cubed Engineering as first ranked and authorize CRA/City 

                                          Attorney to draft and offer contract of sale and CRA Presiding

                                               Officer/Mayor to sign Contract.

 

 

7.     RFP RECOMMENDATION OF AWARD - 712 5TH AVE WEST (J. BURTON)

 

                      Motion:  Commissioner Jones moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the                                                           motion carried 5-0  to approve ranking committee recommendations and                                                                                                  award Cadena Construction LLC as first ranked and authorize the CRA Attorney                                                          to draft and offer contract for sale and CRA Presiding Officer to sign contract.

 

8.     CRA DIRECTOR'S COMMENTS

Mr. Burton, CRA Director, reminded the Board about the Parks’ trail system that will be implemented to allow the public to scan and watch CRA project videos by way of Quick Response Code (QR Code).  He also discussed the 7 tax certificates totaling $265,000 from remediating properties and stated that the certificates can be used for cash, incentives, and tax credits.

 

Mayor Bryant requested that Mr. Burton schedule a meeting to discussion how to proceed with the tax certificates.  

 

9.    CRA PRESIDING OFFICER'S COMMENTS

Mayor Bryant suggested to have the Quick Response Code (QR Code) implemented at Sutton Park and MLK Park.    

 

 

 

 

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January 4, 2021

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10.    CRA BOARD MEMEBER'S COMMENTS

Commissioner Smith commented that Mr. Burton, CRA Director, was doing a great job.

 

Commissioner Jones congratulated Mr. Burton and stated that the discussions went well tonight.

 

Commissioner Cornwell expressed concerns on how schools are selected to assist with the Comprehensive Plan, and asked for updates on the Pocket Neighborhood Project and the Shell Gas Station vacant property.  Mr. Burton replied that the Pocket Neighborhood Project is on-going, and the Shell Gas Station vacant property has a restrictions on the deed, and no residential property can be built on it.

 

Mayor Bryant stated that the City needs to make a decision on the Riverside Property, and Mr. Burton replied that he will have the developers return for a meeting.            

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 9:02 p.m.