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.

 

ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Presiding Officer

Sheldon Jones, Chair

Brian Williams, Vice Chair

Tamara Cornwell

Harold Smith

Tambra Varnadore

 

STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Xavier Colon, Interim CRA Director

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

 

1.       Mayor Bryant called the meeting to order at 7:52 pm.

 

 

 

2.    CRA BOARD AGENDA APPROVAL

 

 

MOTION:                   Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and

the motion carried 5-0 to approve the August 1, 2022 CRA Board Agenda.

 

 

 

3.    PUBLIC COMMENT

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

 

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4.    CONSENT AGENDA

a. Minutes: 06/27/2022

b. Legal Bills

 

 

          MOTION:                   Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Varnadore seconded,

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

 

 

 

5.       2023 COMMUNITY POLICING INNOVATION PLAN

 

Chief Tyler presented a PowerPoint that is included in the Agenda. He highlighted each slide and explained what is included in the plan for FY23.

 

Commissioner Jones questioned Officers stationed at Walmart. Chief Tyler responded that the majority of their Part 1 crimes are at Walmart. They have removed those numbers from their overall statistics. Commissioner Jones thinks Walmart should have their own security so the Officers can respond to other incidents.

 

Commissioner Smith asked for clarification on felony petty theft. Chief Tyler responded that repeat offenses are felonies.

 

Chief Tyler stated that unlocked cars are the biggest cause of burglaries. He urged everyone to lock their vehicles.

 

Commissioner Williams asked if there are any issues at Sanctuary Cove. Chief Tyler responded that there have not been any Part 1 crimes.

 

Chief Tyler announced that he will be coming before Commission in the future to ask for the funding of additional Officers.

 

Mr. Colon, Interim CRA Director, said they are committed to adding lighting and cameras to all their new projects.

 

 

 

MOTION:                   Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded,

and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the CPIP Allocation for FY23 as presented to the Board.

 

 

 

6.       PALMETTO BAY OYSTER RESTORATION PROJECT

 

Mr. Colon gave a brief summary of what was discussed at the Workshop regarding the project. The impact it has on the coastal flood maps and wave attenuation is extremely important along with the aquatic restoration.

 

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Public Comments:

 

Ron Berman re-iterated the importance of the project.

Troy Brown, Suncoast Aqua Ventures; non-profit volunteer organization, spoke in favor of the project.

Cheryl Huntsinger, Suncoast Aqua Ventures, spoke on the effects live-aboard/derelict boats have on the waters.

Ernesto Lasso de la Vega, Sarasota Baywatch, spoke in favor of the project.

Jason Thomas, spoke in favor of the project.

 

Mayor Bryant mentioned the letter of support that was received by Ed Chiles that she read into the record at the Workshop.

 

 

 

              MOTION:                   Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Cornwell

                                                      seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to allow CRA Staff to

                                                      implement the Palmetto Bay Oyster Restoration Project as set

                                                      out in the FDEP & US Army Corp of Engineer Permits with the

                                                      purchase of the type of wave attenuators out to RFP.

 

 

               

7.       CRA DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS

 

Mr. Colon had to push the P3 Church Parking to the August 22^nd Meeting. Two bids came in. The big change in price came from adding cameras and lighting to the proposals. Riverside Community Workshops will be forthcoming. Mr. Colon also mentioned reclassifying the Assistant CRA Director position. The Senior GIS Analyst position was delayed due to salary negotiations.

 

 

 

8.    CRA PRESIDING OFFICER’S COMMENTS

 

Mayor Bryant congratulated the Board for a good meeting.

 

Commissioner Jones questioned the plan for the CRA Director position. He asked if the Mayor is going to open it up for other applicants. Mayor Bryant expressed that she plans to appoint Mr. Colon as the CRA Director at the beginning of the year along with the other department heads.

 

Commissioner Jones questioned the need for cameras at the parking lot. He doesn’t agree with spending additional money on cameras for a parking lot. He wants there to be lighting there but not cameras. Mr. Colon clarified that this is Right of Way Parking and is part of the CPIP Plan. Chief Tyler expressed that they only would cover the street parking. He wants to see this in all areas in the future.

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Anywhere they build Right of Way, CRA wants to install cameras. Commissioner Jones thinks they should be targeting more parks.

 

Mayor Bryant expressed her strong belief in the need for cameras.

 

 

 

9.    CRA BOARD MEMBERS’ COMMENTS

 

Commissioner Cornwell asked Mr. Colon where one can locate the Residential Rehab applications. Mr. Colon said to call the CRA office and Antoinette will provide residents the application and they will be added to the list. Commissioner Cornwell shared that she was witness to a horrific crime and cameras do help with those situations. The area she was in did not have cameras. As a school district employee, the schools have added cameras and it helps with these difficult situations in keeping everyone safe. She agrees with the Chief, and agrees with the need for cameras in all upcoming projects.

 

Commissioner Williams said he just came back from the Complete Street conference, and cameras are highly recommended for public safety. He believes they are definitely needed. He also clarified that the cameras are at every park.

 

Chief Tyler reiterated his recommendation to have cameras.

 

Commissioner Smith would like cameras to be added in Ward 1.

 

Commissioner Williams mentioned his Complete Street conference in Deland. He learned so much and would highly recommend everyone attending. He believes we need to be proactive.

 

Commissioner Jones clarified that he is in favor of the Complete Street Project. He is also in favor of cameras on 10^th Street.

 

Mayor Bryant re-iterated the need for cameras.

 

Ray Bellamy believes we need another set of eyes. Cameras are needed. The longer you wait, the more it will cost. The safety of our community is the most important thing.

 

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 8:53 pm.