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 (Not Present)

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 7:55 pm.

 

 

 

2.               CRA BOARD AGENDA APPROVAL

 

 

MOTION:                   Mr. Williams moved, Ms. Cornwell seconded, and the motion carried 4-0 to approve the April 1, 2024 CRA Board Agenda as presented by staff.

 

 

 

 

3.               PUBLIC COMMENT

 

No public comment.

 

 

 

 

 

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April 1, 2024

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4.               CONSENT AGENDA

a. Minutes: 3/4/24

b. CRA Lease Agreement

c. CRA Legal Invoices

 

 

 

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

4-0 to approve the Consent Agenda as presented by staff.

 

 

 

5.               402 PALMETTO WAREHOUSE, LLC TAX INCENTIVE REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT (E.JOHNSON)

 

Mr. Johnson introduced Mr. Cameron Walsh and Mr. Michael Walsh, from Ocean Properties, and the new Sudsco West Facility that is being built in Palmetto. It will create over 150 jobs in our area.

 

They presented a PowerPoint, which was included in the Agenda and Minutes.

 

 Commissioner Williams asked if they could get a copy of the tables from the presentation. It was confirmed their presentation was on the Agenda, besides the video, which will be made part of the minutes. 

 

 Mayor Bryant noted that they gave $10,000 towards scholarships at Palmetto High School.

 

 Mr. Johnson read from the point paper, which was included in the Agenda.

 

 

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

carried 4-0 to approve the Tax Incentive Financing (TIF) Reimbursement Agreement for 402 Palmetto Warehouse, LLC in the amount not to exceed $1,500,000.00 with a payout period of fifteen (15) years.

 

 

6.               WOMEN’S CLUB RFP (E.JOHNSON)

 

Mr. Johnson introduced the project and read from the point paper, which was included in the Agenda. Stellar Development ranked as the highest development based on the review committee’s rankings. The backup material was attached to the Agenda.

 

 Mr. Williams wasn’t in favor of this project. He was not in favor of making changes to our budget. He didn’t think this was the right time. He wished they could do the project in phases.

 

 Mr. Smith agreed. He thought there should be an additional Workshop to discuss it further.

 

 

 

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April 1, 2024

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 Mayor Bryant didn’t think they would be successful in phasing this project. She has had many people come to her in favor of rehabilitating this property. She was very disappointed that they’re not in favor of moving forward.

 

 Mr. Williams noted that he was in favor of doing the renovations inside but wasn’t in favor of doing the renovations outside, right now.  Mr. Johnson mentioned that the Fire Marshall stated they would have to put sprinklers on the whole building. He also noted that if they take the project apart and do it in pieces, they will have to re-do the RFP, which will delay the project again. 

 

 Mr. Williams wasn’t comfortable with the changes in the budget and taking money from other projects. Mr. Johnson explained that they can reallocate funds to those other projects. They need to spend the CRA funds and not keep pushing them forward. Future budgets can fund the other projects. It’s not hurting anything; it’s just moving the dollars to different accounts until they’re ready for those projects.   Mayor Bryant believed this project was important to the community.

 

 Mr. Smith asked what the original budget for the project was. It was originally budgeted at $2.7 million. This proposal is estimated at $4.3 million.

 

 Mayor Bryant stated that they will bring this to a future Workshop when all five Board members are present.

 

 

 

7.               CRA DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS

 

Mr. Johnson provided updates on the following items:

·         They have been tasked to come up with signs for Lincoln Park and staff have been working with three contractors to submit proposals. They’re still waiting on two of the companies to submit their proposals. They’re trying to keep it within the $30,000 budgeted amount.

·         They’re still looking into getting benches at Connor Park, as requested by Mr. Williams.  They received a proposal to do that, which he will bring forward. It is estimated at a little over $9,000 for the 2 benches.

·         He’s working with the Finance department on the annual report. They are hoping to present it at the May CRA Board meeting.

·         He is also working to create a reef ball paver program for the Riverside East sidewalk. This would be a fundraising project for the Mainstreet program. They found an engraver that lives in Bradenton. They will be bringing this forward in the near future.

 

 

 

8.                     CRA PRESIDING OFFICER’S COMMENTS

Mayor Bryant noted that she is very troubled with the idea of putting playground equipment in a wetlands area at MLK Park. She also noted that this location would be at least three football field lengths from the restrooms. She wanted to bring it back to be discussed further.

 

 

 

CRA Board Meeting

April 1, 2024

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9.               CRA BOARD MEMEBERS’ COMMENTS

 

Mr. Smith asked what companies Mr. Johnson was contacting for the Lincoln Park signs.  Mr. Johnson wasn’t sure of all three names off hand. The three companies are from Manatee County. Mr. Smith wanted him to check if they had reached out to the one-off 17^th Street.

 

Mr. Smith went on to ask how long it will take to get the playground equipment. Mr. Johnson asked for clarification as to whether he was asking about the procurement of the equipment. Mr. Johnson went on to say they can piggyback off the statewide contract once they receive authorization from the Board to move forward. He needs permission from the Board to move forward on the location of the playground equipment at MLK Park. He was waiting on SWFWMD for their opinion on location, as requested by the Board. Mr. Smith opined that he doesn’t care where it goes, he just wants the equipment there.

 

Discussions continued regarding the MLK playground site. Ms. Bailey read the motion that was made on 10/09/2023 at the CRA Board meeting. They pulled up the map from the Agenda packet from 10/09/2023. The Board agreed that they should have the playground near the restrooms.

 

 

                        MOTION:                   Mr. Williams moved to approve the placement of

playground equipment, as previously budgeted, near site 1, to the north of the gazebo and west of the walking path. Mr. Smith seconded, and the motion carried 4-0.

 

 

 

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 8:55 pm.