CITY OF PALMETTO

CITY COMMISSION MEETING

September 24, 2018

7:00 PM

 

Elected Officials Present:

Jonathan Davis, Vice Mayor, Commissioner-at-Large 1

Tamara Cornwell, Commissioner-at-Large 2

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

Tambra Varnadore, Commissioner, Ward 2

Brian Williams, Commissioner, Ward 3

 

Elected Officials Absent:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Mayor

 

Staff Present:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jeff Burton, CRA Director

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Allen Tusing, Director of Public Works

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Amber LaRowe, Assistant City Clerk

 

 

Vice Mayor Davis called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., followed by a moment of silence and the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

All persons intending to address the City Commission were duly sworn.

 

 

Proclamation:   Commissioner Varnadore presented the Red Ribbon Month Proclamation to Riley Bergmann, President of Palmetto High Youth in Action Team, and Ally Bergmann, Prevention Director, Drug Free Manatee. They both encouraged the Commission and the public to buy tickets to attend the Red Ribbon breakfast at Pier 22 on Wednesday October 10th from 7:00 to 9:00 a.m.

 

Recognition:      Commissioner Cornwell presented the “Perspective” team of Manatee County with a Proclamation recognizing the team for coming in 3rd place in the World Finals for the F1 In Schools racing competition.

 

                                    Team Perspective members who received the proclamation:

 

                                    Alana Kelly                                    Ahmad Ibsais

                                    Cassandra Atzrodt                                    Alex Kumar

                                    Jaxon Bunes

 

 

1.  CITY COMMISSION AGENDA APPROVAL

 

Motion:     Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Smith seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the September 24, 2018 Commission Agenda.

2.  PUBLIC COMMENT

Jack Labar, Palmetto resident, informed the Commission of an accident he was involved in whereby a City vehicle hit his vehicle. He is requesting reimbursement for the $500 deductible that he had to pay out of pocket; the accident was not his fault. Attorney Barnebey asked Mr. Labar to provide the City Clerk with his contact information.

 

 

3.  CONSENT AGENDA APPROVAL

            A. City Clerk’s Office

                        1. Minutes: August 27th and Workshop September 10th                                

                        2. Blalock Walters Legal Bills                                                           

                        3. Special Function Permits:

                                    a. First Baptist Church Fall Festival 10/31                                        

                                    b. Open Streets Manatee Event 11/10                                                           

            B. Public Works

                        1. Traffic Regulation 17th Avenue and 7th Street West                                 

           

Items A.3.b. and B.1. were removed from the Consent Agenda for further discussion.

 

Motion:     Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Smith seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the September 24, 2018 Consent Agenda with the removal of the two items as mentioned above.

 

3.A.3.b. Open Streets Manatee Special Function Permit Discussion:

Commissioner Cornwell questioned the CRA paying for the event. It was decided that the Commission will approve the event Permit as attached and then at the next CRA Board meeting, the CRA Board will discuss and potentially approve the cost for the event from CRA funds. Mr. Burton will provide the CRA Board with a point paper outlining the cost and funding source for this event.

 

Motion:           Commissioner Cornwell moved, Commissioner Varnadore seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to approve the Open Streets Manatee Special Function Permit and to have the funding information provided at the next CRA Board meeting.

 

3.B.1. Traffic Regulation 17th Avenue and 7th Street West Discussion:

Commissioner Varnadore is still looking to understand the specific criteria and/or policy that the City has regarding the installation of stop signs. She opined having stop signs can reduce speeding; however, when the residential area is inundated with them, they can tend to be ignored. She is requesting more information. Mr. Tusing asked for this item to be continued until the October 1st meeting for more information.

 

No action taken; this item will be on the October 1st Commission Agenda.

 

 

4. PUBLIC HEARING—FINAL MILLAGE RATE AND FINAL FISCAL YEAR 2019 BUDGET

 

Vice Mayor Davis opened the public hearing to discuss the final millage rate and final FY 2019 budget.

 

·         We are here tonight to adopt the City of Palmetto final millage and budget for FY 2019 that begins on October 1, 2018.

·         The City proposes to adopt a FY 2019 millage of 5.9671 per $1,000 of taxable value, which is 4.60% greater than the rolled-back rate of 5.7049. The rolled-back rate is the rate that will allow the City to collect the same amount of revenues in comparison to the prior year.

·         Taxable value in the City for the FY 2019 budget is $851,616,557 which represents an increase of 4.93% compared to the prior year.

·         The overall City-Wide budget is $29,187,704 which is 7.4% higher than last year.  The General Fund budget is $12,085,714.  Additional revenues are being used to fund personnel costs, capital expenditures, public safety and utility infrastructure needs within the City.     

 

After hearing no public comment, Vice Mayor Davis closed the public hearing.

 

A. RESOLUTION 2018-27 FINAL MILLAGE (read in its entirety)                   

 

Motion:     Commissioner Smith moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to adopt Resolution 2018-27.

 

B. RESOLUTION 2018-28 FINAL FY 2019 BUDGET (read in its entirety)            

 

Motion:           Commissioner Williams moved, Commissioner Smith seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to adopt Resolution 2018-28.

 

 

5. RESOLUTION 2018-30 FY 2019-2023 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN (CIP)                      

A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF PALMETTO, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEARS 2019-2023; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 

Mr. Freeman informed the Commission of the following changes to the CIP since the September 10th Workshop meeting:

·         The new Public Works facility building has been replaced with a Public Administration building

·         The Palmetto Area Reclaimed System (PARS) expansion project funding has been corrected to remove the funding from the current revenue and replace it with additional FY 2018 funding carried forward

·         FY 2018 funding carried forward has been updated to reflect current balances that have been affected by an expenditure or encumbrance from the date of the last meeting

 

Motion:     Commissioner Varnadore moved, Commissioner Williams seconded, and the motion carried 5-0 to adopt Resolution 2018-30.

 

 

 

 

STANDING AGENDA ITEMS:

6. TRAFFIC UPDATE

Mr. Tusing stated that he has not received any new information regarding the construction on the Green Bridge. Discussion ensued regarding the one lane closure on the Green Bridge headed south into the City of Bradenton. Mr. Tusing was asked to reach out to the County and/or Florida Department of Transportation to obtain an update on the status of this project.

 

 

7. PALMETTO POOL UPDATE

Mr. Burton explained that Manatee County is waiting for information from the engineer. When he receives new information, he will provide that to the Commission.

 

 

8. POLICE DEPARTMENT BUILDING UPDATE

Nothing new to report at this time.

 

 

COMMENTS:

9. DEPARTMENT HEADS’ COMMENTS

Mr. Burton—mentioned the award that will be presented by the Florida Redevelopment Association for the Palmetto CRA’s recent work with the University of South Florida’s Community Sustainability Partnership Program.

 

Mr. Burton discussed a few properties owned by the City that the CRA may be interested in purchasing and redeveloping for future needs of the City.

 

Mr. Tusing—provided the Commission with System 4 Plans for their review.

 

Mr. Freeman—thanked the Commission for approving the FY 2019 budget and CIP. The half-cent sales tax funding will be provided to the Commission at the October 1st Workshop.

 

 

10. MAYOR’S REPORT

Vice Mayor Davis thanked Mr. Rayan for helping over the weekend with the installation of the bat houses at Estuary Park. He informed the Commission of the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council meeting for Monday October 8th.

 

 

11. COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS

Commissioner Williams—commented on the sandbags at the CRA Office, opining that they are a hazard and would like them to be removed.

 

He welcomed Mr. Rayan to the City as the new Public Works Deputy Director.

 

Commissioner Cornwell—recently attended the Historic Board meeting and questions were asked regarding the status of the Conduit Agreement. Attorney Barnebey explained that he has some comments to review and then it will be forwarded to the County Attorney for his review/approval. Attorney Barnebey will reach out to Dick Pack regarding the status of the Agreement.

 

Also, the Historic Park is looking for volunteers in 2-hour blocks to help with the Halloween in the Park and the Christmas in the Park events.

 

Commissioner Davis—attended the St. Johns Missionary Baptist Church 120th Anniversary event. He complimented the event and provided a book for the Commission and staff to review showcasing the Church over the years.

 

 

Vice Mayor Davis adjourned the meeting at 8:19 p.m.

 

Minutes approved: October 15, 2018

 

James R. Freeman

 

James R. Freeman

City Clerk