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 (left the meeting at 8:24 pm and returned at 8:25 pm)

Brian Williams, Vice Chair

Tamara Cornwell

Sunshine Mathews

Harold Smith

 

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 (left the meeting at 8:42 pm and returned 8:43 pm)

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 7:56 pm.

 

 

 

2.    CRA BOARD AGENDA APPROVAL

 

 

MOTION:                   Ms. Cornwell moved, Mr. Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the revised November 14, 2022 CRA Board Agenda with the addition of consent item 4b.

 

 

 

 

 

3.    PUBLIC COMMENT

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

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November 14, 2022

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4.       CONSENT AGENDA

a. Minutes: 09/12/2022

b. Keep Manatee Beautiful Agreement

 

 

MOTION:                   Ms. Cornwell moved, Mr. Williams seconded, and the motion carried

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

 

 

Mayor Bryant spoke on the potential performers at the upcoming Multi-Cultural Festival. Mr. Barnebey suggested establishing policies and guidelines, not discussing particular groups. Mr. Smith would like the Board to make the decision of choosing the entertainment. He opined that there cannot be a rap group at this time. Discussions continued between the Board Members regarding types of music they wanted to exclude and other limitations they would like to set. They also discussed if the Board would make the final decision or leave it up to the staff. Mr. Colon requested that the Board make clear policies before making a motion. Mr. Smith reiterated that he wanted the Board to make the decisions regarding the entertainment.

 

MOTION:               Mr. Smith moved to have no rap or hip hop at this time due to violence going on. Mr. Jones seconded.

 

Mr. Jones suggested to Mr. Colon to use more than one promotor when looking for entertainment options. Mr. Williams asked what the back story was that initiated this discussion. Mayor Bryant clarified that the initial group the CRA had chosen used to hip hop and/or rap at one time.

 

Mr. Smith revised his motion to state, no hip hop, no rap, no foul language at CRA events. Mr. Jones seconded, and the motion carried

5-0.

 

 Mr. Smith reiterated his desire for the Board to decide on the artist for the multi-Cultural event.

 

Mayor Bryant recessed the meeting at 8:28 pm.

 

Mayor Bryant reconvened the meeting at 8:32 pm.

 

 

5.      RIVERSIDE PROPERTY DISCUSSION

 

 

MOTION:                   Mr. Williams moved, Mr. Jones seconded, and the

motion carried 5-0 to move this item to November 28, 2022.

 

 

6.       CRA DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS

 

Mr. Colon provided the following updates:

·         Bob Gause will be at the meeting on December 5^th to give an update on Connor Park.

·         Women’s Club Construction Documents will be on the November 28^th Meeting Agenda.

·         P3 Parking Lot- E & L Construction will begin staging equipment at Lamb Park.

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November 14, 2022

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·         Riverside Property regrading will take place from November 14^th-November 28^th.

·         Palmetto Bay Oyster Project-the last permits were approved, designation of the area will be forthcoming.

·         Commercial Façade Grant- updates will be forthcoming.

·         Updated Website Presentation will tentatively be on December 5^th.

·         336 10^th Ave West- appraisal came in at $510,000.

·         Masonic Lodge- Title Search Pending.

·         Riverside Park West- discussed with the Audubon Society the possibility of a land swap to be able to develop Riverside West for a gift shop and bistro.

 

 

7.      CRA PRESIDING OFFICER’S COMMENTS

None

 

8.       CRA BOARD MEMEBERS’ COMMENTS

Mr. Jones questioned the map that Mr. Freeman passed out for the Memorial Tree Program. Mr. Jones suggested not planting around the lake and expanding the other area shown on the map. The map is made part of the minutes. Mr. Freeman will provide a revised map. Ms. Cornwell discussed the desire for shade while walking on the trails. Jennifer Hoffman, Keep Manatee Beautiful, stated via Zoom that the last several trees have been Olive Trees.

 

Mr. Smith questioned where the playground equipment will be. Mr. Colon responded that The Board chose the site which is on the southern side of the trail.

 

Ms. Cornwell asked for there to be postings indicating the closure of the areas in which the construction equipment will be staged. She also expressed her desire to have future conversations for the tennis and pickle ball court expansion. Ms. Cornwell would like the Women’s Club to be embedded with updated technology. She asked Mr. Colon if he is looking for an entity to manage that space. Mr. Colon responded that those decisions will be made further down the road.

 

Mr. Jones echoed the desire to have conversations regarding the tennis and pickle ball court expansion. He would like it put on the Agenda for December 5^th.

 

Mr. Williams requested the minutes where they voted with plans to spend 2.5 million dollars on the Women’s Club. He wants there to be plans, not just a concept with an estimate. Mr. Colon said he will have those on November 28^th for the Board’s review.

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 9:01 pm.