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

Brian Williams, Chair

Harold Smith, Vice Chair

Tamara Cornwell

Sheldon Jones

Sunshine Mathews

 

STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Edward Johnson, Interim CRA Director

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 7:41 pm.

 

 

 

2.               CRA BOARD AGENDA APPROVAL

 

 

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

5-0 to approve the May 1, 2023 CRA Board Agenda.

 

 

 

3.               PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Johnny McKenny from J&J Barbeque spoke about receiving notification that he wasn’t allowed to be a vendor for the CRA’s 4^th of July event.

 

Mayor Bryant mentioned complaints they had received in the past.

 

Mr. Johnson responded that he was told this has been an ongoing issue for several years. However, that’s all the information he has, as this will be his first 4^th of July event for Palmetto’s CRA.

CRA Board Meeting

May 1, 2023

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 Mr. Jones read an email that was passed out to the Commissioners and included in the minutes. The email was from the previous Interim CRA Director, Xavier Colon to the Mayor from July 2022 informing her of the concerns with J&J BBQ and their intent to not use them as a vendor for future events.

 

 Mr. Smith stated that they have been trying to stop him from coming for 9 years. He disagreed with them denying him as a vendor.

 

Mr. Barnebey stated it is up to the CRA Board to decide how to move forward.

 

 Mr. Williams said it was up to Mr. Johnson on how the situation would be handled. He noted that he oversees setting up vendors for the Manatee County Fair and has never had any issues with J&J BBQ.

 

 Ms. Cornwell has done several events with J&J BBQ and in her experience, he was an excellent vendor as well.

 

 Ms. Mathews questioned if he had other people that have worked for him at these events, as maybe the concern was with them and not him. He responded no, he has always been the one who participated at the 4^th of July event.

 

 Mayor Bryant noted that it will not be tolerated for anyone to come into the CRA office and yell at staff.

 

Mr. Johnson stated that he will be at this year’s event and the rules will be followed. If they are not, the vendors will be notified in writing. He stated that they would give him another opportunity at this year’s event.  

 

 

 

4.               CONSENT AGENDA

a. Minutes: 04/10/2023

b. Resolution 2023-02 Mid-Year Budget Adjustment

 

 

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

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

 

 

 

5.               CRA DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS

 

The CRA Director made a presentation to provide updates during the Workshop.

 

 

 

6.                     CRA PRESIDING OFFICER’S COMMENTS

Mayor Bryant is pleased with Connor Park opening.

 

 

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May 1, 2023

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7.               CRA BOARD MEMEBERS’ COMMENTS

 

Ms. Cornwell thanked Mr. Johnson for reaching out to her ahead of the meeting and she appreciated his handling of the situation today.

 

Mr. Williams asked Mr. Johnson to update his voicemail from the previous Jeff Burton’s voicemail.

 

Mr. Smith echoed that Mr. Johnson did a great job.

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 8:10 pm.