CITY OF PALMETTO
CITY COMMISSION MEETING
November 21, 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
Vice Mayor Harold Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Father Bernie Evanofski, Holy Cross, gave the invocation, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
City Clerk Jim Freeman presented the certificate of the City Canvassers for the City of Palmetto reflecting the results of the City of Palmetto Election held on November 8, 2016; the summary is attached to and made a part of these minutes. The results were as follows:
Shirley Groover Bryant was elected as Mayor, unopposed
Tamara Cornwell was elected as Commissioner-at-Large 2, unopposed
Jonathan Davis was elected as Commissioner-at-Large 1, unopposed
No. 8, City of Palmetto Proposed Charter Amendments passed with 3,065 votes
Judge Thomas M. Gallen administered the Oath of Office to Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant, Commissioner-At-Large 2 Tamara Cornwell, and Commissioner-At-Large 1 Jonathan Davis.
Mayor Bryant gave her inaugural address, commenting on several accomplishments that have been achieved during her last term as Mayor. She thanked current and past Commissioners and City staff for their hard work and effort in helping her to accomplish these projects. A copy of the inaugural address is attached to and made a part of these minutes.
Motion: Vice Mayor Smith moved, Commissioner Varnadore seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to adjourn the meeting sine-die.
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 with the newly sworn in Commissioners.
All persons intending to address the City Commission were duly sworn.
PROCLAMATION: Commissioner Cornwell presented the Boys and Girls Club Appreciation Day Proclamation to Tim Knowles and Dawn Stanhope, Boys and Girls Clubs of Manatee County.
1. CITY COMMISSION AGENDA APPROVAL
Motion: Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the November 21, 2016 Agenda.
2. PUBLIC COMMENT
Ann Marshall, resident, informed the Commission and the public that on Thanksgiving Day the First United Methodist Church will be serving a free community Thanksgiving dinner.
Ken Bowron Jr., 3550 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL, distributed a letter to each Commissioner regarding Beneficial Communities. Beneficial Communities is requesting the City’s consideration in funding a proposed Senior Development, Riviera Senior Apartments.
Motion: Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to amend the agenda to add Riviera West as item 4.A.
3. CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL
A. Mayor’s Office:
1. Appointment to the MPO Citizens Advisory Committee
2. Florida League of Cities Letter of Support: Appointing FLC President Susan Haynie to the 2017-18 Constitution Revision Committee
B. City Clerk’s Office:
1. Special Function Permits
a. Beerzone for the 2017 Regatta 2/5/2017
b. Spring Classic Bicycle Ride 2/12/2017
Motion: Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the November 21, 2016 Consent Agenda with the removal of item 3.A.2. for discussion.
3.A.2. Florida League of Cities Letter of Support Discussion:
Commissioner Williams explained that this letter is to support the appointment of the Florida League of Cities President, Susan Hayne, to the 2017-2018 Constitution Revision Committee. This support is from the Manasota League of Cities, the Florida League of Cities and the City of Palmetto.
Motion: Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Varnadore seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to submit the letter of support to Governor Rick Scott for the appointment of Susan Hayne to the Constitution Revision Committee.
4. 1ST READ ORDINANCE 2016-17 MOTOR VEHICLE SERVICE AND REPAIR USES AND SERVICE STATIONS
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA, REGARDING THE REGULATION OF VEHICLE REPAIR, MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIR USES, SERVICE STATIONS AND INDUSTRIAL USES; AMENDING APPENDIX B (THE ZONING CODE); AMENDING THE PALMETTO DOWNTOWN DESIGN CODE; DEFINING AND AMENDING THE DEFINITION OF CERTAIN TERMS; ESTABLISHING THE LIMITATIONS ON THE LOCATION OF VEHICLE REPAIR, MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIR, SERVICE STATIONS AND INDUSTRIAL USES; CREATING A “TENTH AVENUE” CHARACTER DISTRICT AREA; PROVIDING FOR PENALTIES; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABLILITY; PROVIDING FOR TERMINATION OF THE MORATORIUM RELATED TO MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIR - MINOR AND MOTOR VEHICLE REPAIR - MAJOR AND SERVICE STATIONS (ADOPTED JUNE 2016) AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
Motion: Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Davis seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to schedule public hearings for Ordinance 2016-17 on December 5, 2016 and on December 19, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as same can be heard in these Chambers and direct staff to advertise for same.
4.A. Riviera West (added):
Ken Bowron Jr., representing Beneficial Communities, explained to Commission that Beneficial Communities is requesting the City of Palmetto’s consideration of $37,500 in funding for the proposed senior development Riviera Senior Apartments. The requested funds would be conditioned upon Beneficial Communities receiving an allocation of housing tax credits from Florida Housing Finance Corporation (FHFC) and constructing the development. He explained that Riviera Senior Apartments will be an affordable senior development for residents 55 and over located on 6.4 acres along Haben Boulevard [the site that was on the November 7th agenda for approval of a General Development Plan]. Mr. Bowron displayed some pictures of other Beneficial Community properties. He stated the development is planned to be a 3-story building with a total of 90 units ranging in size from approximately 800 square feet up to 950 square feet.
Motion: Commissioner Davis moved, Commissioner Smith seconded, and the motion carried 3-2 to reconsider the motion made on November 7, 2016 regarding possible funding for affordable housing and this matter be brought forward to the next agenda for further action. Commissioner Cornwell and Commissioner Williams voted no.
Discussion: Commissioner Williams opined that this should be placed on a future agenda for further discussion and feedback from staff. He would not approve this tonight; but may consider it once more information is presented and further discussion is had.
Attorney Barnebey reminded Commission that the same motion that was made during the 7:00 p.m. on the 7th was also made at the CRA meeting that same night. If the City would prefer the CRA provide incentives and funding ($37,500) then the same motion would need to be reconsidered by the CRA Board.
Debra Woithe, City Planner, explained that part of the Florida Housing Finance Corporation Application states that the site plan, in the applicable zoning designation, has been reviewed. Mrs. Woithe has not seen a site plan for this development to review. Discussion continued around the submittal and review of a site plan for this site. Attorney Barnebey agreed with Mrs. Woithe regarding the site plan and stated that it appears the best that can be done tonight is to make a motion to reconsider last meeting’s motion regarding funding for affordable housing.
5. TRAFFIC UPDATE
None.
6. DEPARTMENT HEADS’ COMMENTS
Mr. Burton—on December 5th at 7:00 p.m. students from the University of South Florida (USF) will be coming to make a presentation to Commission regarding Economic Development.
In February he is planning to have a mid-project event for the USF projects that are going on. He will provide more information as he has it.
Mr. Freeman—congratulated the Mayor and Commissioners for being re-elected for another four years.
Chief Tyler—at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow he along with some of the officers will be at the Mount Caramel Community Center to distribute food from the Mayor’s Feed the Hungry Porgram.
Attorney Barnebey—congratulated the Mayor and Commissioners on being re-elected.
He informed Commission that discussions regarding the hotel next to the Civic Center are being held weekly; things are moving along very quickly.
7. MAYOR’S REPORT
Mayor Bryant wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
8. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS
Commissioner Williams—wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
He followed up his comments from earlier regarding the Beneficial Communities affordable senior housing project. He stated this is something he believes the Commission would be interested in learning more about and considering; however, due to the time constraints, it was not something they could approve tonight.
Commissioner Cornwell—wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
She is also looking forward to serving as Commissioner for another four more years.
Commissioner Davis—wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Commissioner Varnadore—wished everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 8:13 p.m.
Minutes approved: December 19, 2016
James R. Freeman
James R. Freeman
City Clerk