Elected Officials Present:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Mayor

Tamara Cornwell, Vice Mayor, Commissioner-at-Large 2—(entered the meeting at 4:45 p.m.)

Jonathan Davis, Commissioner-at-Large 1

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

Brian Williams, Commissioner Ward 3

 

Elected Officials Absent:

Tambra Varnadore, Commissioner, Ward 2

 

Staff Present:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jeff Burton, CRA Director

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Mike Stinson, Police Captain

Allen Tusing, Public Works Director

Amber LaRowe, Assistant City Clerk

 

 

Mayor Bryant called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.

 

Presentation: Carol Westmoreland, Florida League of Cities, made a presentation to Commissioner Brian Williams for his service as a Commissioner for the City of Palmetto for 25 years. Commissioner Williams was elected as a City Commissioner in 1993.

 

 

1. ORDINANCE 2019-01 PARADE      

Attorney Barnebey informed the Commission that at the last couple of Department Head meetings, staff has discussed parades in the City and throwing beads and candy from the floats. Staff expressed concern for the safety of the parade attendees when things are thrown at them. Attorney Barnebey reviewed the other rules/regulations in the ordinance as attached.

 

Commissioner Smith asked several questions. He questioned how this Ordinance would be enforced and requested copies of other municipalities in Florida and their regulations on parades if they have one.

 

Commissioner Williams expressed his opinions on the Ordinance and requested review of other municipalities’ ordinances and/or permits in regards to parades. He would prefer to see something in the Ordinance and/or on the Permit that indicates the responsibility of the event organizer for cleaning up after their event.

 

Mayor Bryant exited the meeting at 5:29 p.m. and returned at 5:30 p.m.

 

Discussion continued on parades in other municipalities. Commissioner Smith would prefer to slow a parade down instead of prohibiting throwing of items from the parade route to the crowd.

 

Mayor Bryant exited the meeting at 5:32 p.m. and returned at 5:35 p.m.

 

Commissioner Williams would like standards on length of a parade, time of day, number of floats, etc.

 

Consensus was to bring back other municipalities’ ordinances and permits regarding parades.

 

Mayor Bryant reminded the Commission and staff of the transportation discussion held at the Civic Center beginning at 6:00 p.m. tonight with Representative Wengay Newton.

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 5:38 p.m.