CITY OF PALMETTO

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

August 15, 2016

7:00 PM

 

Elected Officials Present:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Mayor

Harold Smith, Vice Mayor, Commissioner, Ward 1

Tamara Cornwell, Commissioner-at-Large 2

Jonathan Davis, Commissioner-at-Large 1

Tambra Varnadore, Commissioner, Ward 2

Brian Williams, Commissioner, Ward 3

 

Staff Present:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jeff Burton, CRA Director

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Allen Tusing, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Amber Foley, Assistant City Clerk

 

Mayor Bryant called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m., followed by a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

All persons intending to address City Commission were duly sworn.

 

PROCLAMATION: Commissioner Cornwell presented the National Breastfeeding Month proclamation to Arielle Ball, BS, CLC, Founder and Owner of Lactation Love.

                                   

 

1.  CITY COMMISSION AGENDA APPROVAL

 

Motion:            Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the August 15, 2016 Agenda.

 

2.  PUBLIC COMMENT

None.

 

3.  CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL

            A. City Clerk’s Office

                        1. Minutes: May 16, 2016, July 27, 2016, August 1, 2016                                    

                        2. Blalock Walters Legal Bills                                                                            

                        3. Hernando DeSoto Half Marathon October 15, 2016                                                    

                        4. Interlocal Agreement with North River for Hydrant Park                       

            B. Police Department

                        1. School Resource Contract School Year 2016-2017                                                     

 

Motion:      Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the August 15, 2016 Consent Agenda with the removal of item A.3. for further discussion.

 

3.A.3. Hernando DeSoto Half Marathon Special Function Permit Discussion:

Commissioner Varnadore questioned how boat traffic was going to be handled during the hour of the event where Riverside Drive West will be closed.  Chief Tyler discussed his plans on having the officers handle the traffic.  It was decided that as there are breaks in runners, traffic will be directed by the officers stationed around both the boat ramp and the parking lot across the street.

 

Motion:            Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the Special Function Permit for the DeSoto Half Marathon.

 

4. CCNA FOR ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, SURVEYING AND MAPPING, AND LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE SERVICES

The Evaluation Committee recommends:

·         Architecture: Fawley, Bryant, Garry & Roberts, Moore 2 Design, and Ugarte & Associates

·         Engineering: Applied Sciences Consulting, Atkins North America, King Engineering Associates, Lombardo, Foley & Kolarik, McKim & Creed, Stantec Consulting Services, Wade Trim, Inc., and ZNS Engineering

·         Landscape Architecture: Gause & Associates

·         Surveying and Mapping: Clements Surveying, Hyatt Survey Services, and Leo Mills & Associates

 

Motion:            Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the evaluation committee recommendations and authorize staff to request price proposals and begin negotiations for continuing contracts with the firms as listed above.

 

5. LIEN REDUCTION REQUEST

Mr. Freeman in formed Commission that the property located at 507 14th Avenue West appears to have been vacant for the last ten years.  During this time, utility readiness to serve fees have accumulated along with penalties to the total amount of $6,497.55.  The penalty amount is $570.28.  The neighbor is interested in buying the property and is requesting a reduction in the lien.  Staff does not recommend waiving any fees other than the penalty amount.  Mr. Freeman asked that if Commission is interested in waiving the interest and penalty amount of $570.28, a time frame of 30 days should be given for payment to be made. 

 

Motion:            Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Cornwell seconded, and the motion carried to reduce the amount of the lien to $5,927.27 to be paid within 30 days.

 

6. PUBLIC HEARING ORDINANCE 2016-11 REZONE

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS OF FACT; REZONING APPROXIMATELY 0.14 ACRES OF PROPERTY GENERALLY LOCATED AT 706 13TH STREET WEST, PALMETTO, FROM MULTIPLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL           (RM-6) TO BUSINESS AND LIGHT COMMERCIAL (CG); PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE (Parcel ID #26302.0000/0; Property Owner: City of Palmetto)

Mayor Bryant opened the public hearing. 

 

Debra Woithe, City Planner, explained that this is a rezone request for the property that the City of Palmetto purchased on October 15, 2015.  This vacant lot sits between a structure built as a warehouse in 1951 and a complex of residential duplexes built in 1967.  There are several single family homes built across the street.  The City of Palmetto is seeking an amendment to the zoning map which would assign Commercial General zoning to the vacant lot that is currently zoned as multi-family residential. 

 

The lot size is approximately 50’ wide and 100’ deep.  The current zoning provides for primarily medium density residential multifamily developments.  It also allows for single family homes that meet the RS-4 dimensions; however, having a single family home placed between the commercial/light industrial zoned property and a multi-family home does not seem desirable.  Commercial General provides for a variety of retail and commercial services compatible with surrounding uses and residential districts. 

 

Mrs. Woithe indicated that the property would be well used to provide additional parking for the adjacent lot to the west.  Parking as a “principal use” is allowed in CG, CHI, and P.  Given the surrounding zoning and current uses, CG is the most appropriate zoning for this property.

 

The Planning and Zoning Board held a public hearing for this item on July 21st.  The Board recommended approval of Ordinance 2016-11 with a vote 2-1.  Mrs. Woithe indicated that Ms. Mary Lancaster, resident across the street from this property, spoke against the rezone to CG during the public comments with concerns that, if another business were to be built there, parking and other issues related to the crowded business would worsen.

 

Mayor Bryant closed the public hearing after hearing no public comment.

 

Attorney Barnebey informed Commission that once the City decides to sell the property, restrictions can be placed on it at that time.

 

Commissioner Varnadore expressed her opinions on keeping the oak trees on the property.  She would prefer the lot to be designated for parking only. 

 

Commissioner Smith requested something be done regarding the dumpster on the lot next door with the strong odor emitted and the wetness that is continuously draining from it.

 

Motion:      Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to adopt Ordinance 2016-11.

 

7. 1st READ ORDINANCE 2016-12

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA, PROVIDING FOR FINDINGS OF FACT; AMENDING ORDINANCE NO. 2006-876 TO APPROVE A CONCEPTUAL/GENERAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR PID # 2580010409 AND 2580010509 ON +/- 6.28 ACRES, ZONED PD-H (PLANNED DEVELOPMENT-HOUSING); PROVIDING FOR REPEAL OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. (GDP 2016-01, RIVIERA WEST LLC, PID#2580010409 AND 2580010509)

Motion:      Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Varnadore seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to schedule Ordinance 2016-12 for a Public Hearing on September 12, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as same can be heard in the Chambers.

 

8. JULY CHECK REGISTER (Informational Only)                                                            

 

 

9. TRAFFIC UPDATE

Mayor Bryant issued a letter regarding Palmetto Mobile Home Park’s issues with crossing 8th Avenue West.  Billy Hattaway commented back and will be discussing the issue with Mayor.

 

 

10. DEPARTMENT HEADS’ COMMENTS

Mr. Burton—will be taking some time off in September for surgery.

 

Mr. Freeman—will be finishing up meetings with the Commission regarding the Compensation Study.

 

He noted that the next budget hearing is scheduled for August 24th at 5:30 p.m.  After this hearing, the regularly scheduled Commission meetings are September 12th and September 26th to adopt the tentative and final budget.

                                                          

Chief Tyler—first week of school went well with no issues other than traffic.

 

Attorney Barnebey—a case that has been going on for nine years finally has been resolved in the City’s favor.

 

11. MAYOR’S REPORT                                                                                                      

 

 

12. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS

Commissioner Cornwell—attended several events last week.

 

She complimented the Palmetto High School zone last week with traffic moving along better than previous years.

 

Commissioner Davis—informed Commission and staff that a community prayer is held from 7:45 am to 8:45 am at First Baptist Church of Palmetto in the youth room upstairs every Tuesday morning.

 

Commissioner Smith—will be calling Mr. Freeman tomorrow.

 

Mayor Bryant announced a Governor’s Veterans Service Award event will be on Thursday August 25th at 1:30 p.m. at the National Guard Armory off of 13th Avenue East in Bradenton.  Mayor Bryant will be in attendance.

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 8:19 p.m.

 

Minutes approved: September 12, 2016

 

James R. Freeman

 

James R. Freeman

City Clerk