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

Sunshine Joiner, Chair

Brian Williams, Vice Chair

Tamara Cornwell

Sheldon Jones

Harold Smith

 

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 8:55 pm.

 

 

 

2.               CRA BOARD AGENDA APPROVAL

 

 

 

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

carried 5-0 to approve the March 4, 2024 CRA Board Agenda.

 

 

 

 

3.            PUBLIC COMMENT

 

No public comment.

 

 

 

 

 

CRA Board Meeting

March 4, 2024

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4.               CONSENT AGENDA

a. Minutes: 01/08/2024

b. CRA Legal Invoices

c. Berman Studio Lease

 

 

 

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

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

 

 

5.               CRA DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS

 

Mr. Johnson provided the following updates:

·         Habitat for Humanity pulled out of the Residential Rehab Program. They will be bringing back a re-write of the program with Rebuilding Together. In the meantime, they are referring anyone who reaches out with a need for residential rehab to the Manatee County SHIP program.

·         On March 26^th they are planning a community day where staff will be walking around the community making businesses aware of the programs being offered by the CRA. On the same day, the Mainstreet Program will be conducting a community walk along 10^th Avenue over to 8^th Avenue. The Mainstreet Program will be covering the Avenues, and the Staff will be covering the Streets. He encouraged all of the Board members to join them from 1:30-4:30 pm on that date.

 

6.                  CRA PRESIDING OFFICER’S COMMENTS

 

No additional comments.

 

 

7.               CRA BOARD MEMEBERS’ COMMENTS

 

Ms. Cornwell asked if they could explore the idea of super charging stations for electric vehicles in our area. She stated that she also mentioned this to Mr. Rayan. Ms. Cornwell opined that it may draw new people to our community. Mr. Freeman noted that City Hall has two stations.

 

Ms. Cornwell went on to discuss “decorative fencing” and the need to define it, specifically along 8^th Avenue.   Mr. Barnebey answered that we have very specific requirements under our design code defining “decorative fencing”. They will send the Commissioners a copy of that section.

 

Ms. Cornwell spoke about the mural that was proposed by artist, Mr. Berman, at the Workshop. She noted an article she read and the power of art to draw people into an area. She opined that they need to be open minded to see what the cost would be. In the CRA budget there was funding allocated for art. Ms. Cornwell stated that Sarasota changed their community by bringing art to their area.

 

 Mr. Jones asked if Habitat for Humanity pulled out of any projects that were already started for the Housing Rehab program. Mr. Johnson answered no, they didn’t pull out of any current projects. They carried out the projects that were in their queue at the time.

CRA Board Meeting

March 4, 2024

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Mr. Jones asked about getting CPIP updates from the Chief. It was answered that they were planning to do that at this meeting, but there were too many other items on the Agenda. He will be prepared to give that update at the next CRA Board meeting.

 

Mr. Jones went on to ask if there were any updates on the Lincoln Park signs being added to the park and if he heard back from SWFWMD regarding the placement of the playground at MLK Park.

 

 Mr. Johnson answered that they were working with three sign makers and asked them to submit proposals. They’re giving them time to work on their offers to present. He is hoping to have more updates at the next CRA Board meeting. Mr. Johnson went on to read the response he received from SWFWMD on February 28, 2024 regarding the playground placement at MLK park and their current status of evaluating the request.

 

 Mr. Williams asked if the City/CRA would have liability with the proposed charging stations. Mr. Barnebey answered that he wouldn’t think so. He went on to say that there would be a lot of steps before they could make any decisions.

 

Mr. Williams opined that art comes in many forms. He believed that Connor Park had art already. He thought the money could be used in better ways than what was proposed at the Workshop.

 

 Mr. Jones asked about the old Habitat for Humanity area off 11^th Street Drive and 12^th Street near the railroad tracks. He talked to someone with their HOA regarding the growth around the fence.  He suggested they reach out to Mr. Johnson or attend a CRA Board meeting.

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 9:18 pm.