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.

 

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 7:55 pm.

 

 

 

2.               CRA BOARD AGENDA APPROVAL

 

 

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

5-0 to approve the December 4, 2023 CRA Board Agenda.

 

 

 

3.            PUBLIC COMMENT

 

 

 

None

 

 

 

 

 

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December 4, 2023

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4.               CONSENT AGENDA

a.    Minutes: 11/06/2023

b.    Keep Manatee Beautiful Agreement

 

 

                    MOTION:                   Ms. Cornwell moved, Ms. Mathews seconded, and the motion

carried 5-0 to approve item 4a.

 

  Item 4b. Keep Manatee Beautiful Agreement was pulled by Mr. Smith. He asked for Mr. Johnson to provide an update on the projects Keep Manatee Beautiful is doing during his monthly reports.

 

              MOTION:               Mr. Smith moved to approve item 4b., Ms. Cornwell seconded,

and the motion carried 5-0.

 

 

5.               CRA DIRECTOR’S REPORT (E.JOHNSON)

 

Mr. Johnson provided CRA monthly updates through a Powerpoint presentation which was included in the Agenda.

 

 

6.            CRA DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS

 

Nothing additional to report.

 

 

7.                     CRA PRESIDING OFFICER’S COMMENTS

 

Mayor Bryant noted that many people have commented on the Connor Park project. She shared that a new tv was put up in the lobby at City Hall to showcase the projects in the City.

 

 

8.            CRA BOARD MEMEBERS’ COMMENTS

 

 Mr. Jones questioned if anything had been done for the new Lincoln Park sign. Mr. Johnson answered that there has been no discussion about the concept. They approved the funds, but details have not been talked about. Mr. Johnson needs direction to move forward. He will begin the process.

 

Mr. Jones then asked when they will place the for-sale signs on the rental properties the CRA purchased. Mr. Johnson reported that they’re in the process of cleaning up the addresses and locations of those properties before they can put it out for RFP.

 

Mr. Jones questioned why the City is paying for Mr. Johnson to go to conferences. Mr. Barnebey- responded that it is not unusual for the City to pay for contracted employees to attend conferences. Mr. Jones said he didn’t see in the contract where it said they should pay for it. Mr. Barnebey said it’s up to the Commission and the contract they signed. Mr. Jones wanted Mr. Barnebey to look at the

 

CRA Board Meeting

December 4, 2023

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contract.   Mayor Bryant spoke that it was her intention for the City to pay for him to attend these conferences. He needs to go to represent the City’s CRA.  If necessary, the Mayor wants to update the contract.

 

 Discussions continued regarding Mr. Johnson’s contract and whether travel and conferences should be paid for by the City.

 

 Ms. Cornwell thanked Mr. Johnson for his recent assistance with a resident.   

 

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 8:22 pm.