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
Kelsey Kappler, Senior GIS Analyst
Jenny Silverio, CRA Administrative & Compliance Coordinator
STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:
Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant
1. Mayor Bryant called the meeting to order at 8:19 pm.
2. CRA BOARD AGENDA APPROVAL
MOTION: Ms. Joiner moved, Ms. Cornwell seconded, and the motion
carried 5-0 to approve the September 9, 2024 CRA Board Agenda.
3. PUBLIC COMMENT
Betty Sailes Rhodes thanked Mr. Johnson for discussing the grant program at the Palmetto Youth Center. She suggested putting those flyers in peoples’ doors.
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September 9, 2024
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4. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Minutes: 08/12/2024
b. CRA Legal Invoices
c. CRA Resolution 2024-03: FY 2025 CRA Budget
MOTION: Ms. Joiner moved, Ms. Cornwell seconded, and the motion
carried 5-0 to approve the Consent Agenda as presented by staff.
5. FREEBEE PRESENTATION
Mr. Johnson introduced a free rideshare program that is being proposed for the Palmetto CRA area. If they would like to move forward, they will bring back a contract and interlocal agreement. The CRA would fund the program.
John Janice presented a PowerPoint, which was included in the Agenda.
Ms. Cornwell was excited to see this service come to Palmetto.
Mr. Jones questioned the cost compared to other ride services.
Mr. Janice noted that they’ve been working with Bradenton for about a year and it’s going well.
Ms. Joiner questioned if the contract would be separate from Bradenton. He answered yes, it would be a separate contract, but they would work together to provide the combined service areas with Bradenton.
It is a free service. The drivers can accept tips, but the drivers cannot solicit tips.
Mr. Williams thought this is a great program. He asked what the response time was. Their goal is to meet the demands within 15 minutes or less. This is what they’re able to accomplish in Bradenton. Mr. Williams asked if they would have any handicap vehicles. Mr. Janice answered yes, they would.
Mayor Bryant noted that they’re hoping it will be beneficial to both Palmetto and Bradenton.
The CRA Advisory Board recommended approval to move forward.
6. UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS- DIRECTION FROM CRA BOARD
Staff would like direction from the CRA Board regarding the two CRA-related unsolicited proposals that were presented at the September 9, 2024 Workshop.
Ms. Cornwell wanted to seek further discussions from the developers and the citizens before moving forward.
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September 9, 2024
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Mr. Jones thought they had a consensus on the properties on 11th Street for Re-envision. He suggested having a community event in that area, maybe at a church.
Mr. Williams noted that the developers all heard comments from the Commissioners, and he thought they needed to re-evaluate. They can then meet with them individually.
Frank Debous from ReEnvision asked for clarification. Their proposal breaks down into four components. The townhomes are of a higher priority from his understanding of the Commissioners comments. He asked for a point of clarification regarding the townhomes and apartments and community meetings.
Mr. Smith stated that all he needs to do is bring the pictures for all four locations to the communities.
The Stadlers were questioned. Mr. Jones didn’t think anyone was going to go for their new proposal.
The action on this proposal is separate from their current contract.
Ms. Joiner opined that it would be really hard to move forward without the boat parking.
Mr. Smith agreed about the boat parking. It is not an option to move forward without it.
Mr. Williams wanted to know if the Stadlers were going to move forward with their current contract. John Stadler is willing to meet with the Commissioners individually. He stated that this has been a difficult property to underwrite and get funding for.
Mr. Freeman asked what was going to change if we move it to October 7th, what additional information are they hoping to gain.
The Stadlers would like to have one-on-one meetings.
MOTION: Ms. Joiner moved, Mr. Smith seconded to move forward with the
unsolicited proposal from ReEnvision Palmetto, LLC and instruct
staff to proceed in a manner consistent with the options
provided under 255.065, Fla. Stat.
Mr. Williams asked what they are going to do about town meetings. Again, this is not a final action, they can still have the community meetings. There will be community meetings before it comes back for final approval.
The motion carried 5-0.
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September 9, 2024
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MOTION: Mr. Williams moved, Ms. Cornwell seconded, and the motion
carried 5-0 to defer moving forward with the unsolicited proposal from Stadler Development.
7. CRA DIRECTOR’S COMMENTS
No further comments.
8. CRA PRESIDING OFFICER’S COMMENTS
No further comments.
9. CRA BOARD MEMEBERS’ COMMENTS
No further comments.
Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 9:16 pm