Elected Officials Present:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Mayor

Tamara Cornwell, Vice Mayor, Commissioner-at-Large 2

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

Allen Tusing, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Amber LaRowe, Assistant City Clerk

 

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

 

 

1. Florida Power and Light (FPL) Energy Savings Guarantee Agreement

Madonna Rykken, FPL, made a presentation to the City Commission on FPL Energy Savings. A copy of this presentation is attached to the minutes. She reviewed how the energy savings program works which includes no upfront capital requirements, reduction of energy costs, short payback projects offset longer paybacks, improves building infrastructure, and reduction of operation costs. The goals of the audit were to focus on infrastructure concerns for the interior lighting city-wide, street lighting city-wide, air conditioning at Public Works and City Hall, and the windows at Public Works. Also, the energy conservation measures (ECM) are finalized, the savings finalized, and funding sources were identified.

 

Ms. Rykken discussed the various lighting opportunities at City Hall, Public Works, and the Wastewater Treatment Plant. FPL is planning exterior perimeter lighting, canopy lighting, parking lighting, and retrofit/replacement of existing features. In regards to street lighting, FPL is upgrading the 484 FPL street lights with LED lighting, new fixtures and smart nodes. The benefits include the reduction of annual costs, better color rendition, less light pollution and public safety is improved.

 

Water savings were discussed at City Hall to include replacing of fixtures to low flow which will save on water costs and reduce maintenance issues. All windows are to be replaced at Public Works with high performance, double pane insulation.

 

Financing is set up to allow savings to accrue before first payment is made. A twelve year maximum finance term was mentioned with payments to begin in August 2020.

 

Ms. Rykken informed the Commission of the next steps which include approval, finalization of contract and financing, implementation and construction, project closeout, and measurements/verification.

Attorney Barnebey informed the Commission that this item is on the 7:00 p.m. Agenda for possible approval. He asked that if the Commission is seeking to approve this Savings Guarantee that it be subject to his final approval.

 

 

2. FY 2020 Version 1 Budget

Mr. Freeman gave a presentation on Version 1 of the fiscal year 2019-2020 City budget. The millage rate remains the same as last year at $5.9671 which allows for a balanced budget at this time. He reviewed the assumptions page of the budget that can be found on the City’s website under the Finance page. The budget contains 148 funded positions; 126 full-time, 16 part-time, and 6 elected officials. There are two new positions funded in the budget, both full time and in the Public Works Department. General employees along with the Mayor and Commission are budgeted to receive a three percent increase with no increase for sworn officers based upon the Police Benevolent Association (PBA) agreement.

 

Mr. Freeman reviewed the City’s contribution to both pension plans which have decreased slightly since last year.

 

Commissioner Cornwell stated that she did some research on the United States cost of living and she found data that indicates an approximate increase of 1.8 percent. With that being said, she asked that Human Resources issue a memo to employees informing them of the 1.8 statistic and that the City is going above and beyond that at 3 percent.

 

Mr. Freeman stated that on the 7:00 p.m. Agenda tonight, there is a request for the City to adopt the proposed millage of $5.971 and to set the tentative and final budget and millage hearing dates in September. Staff is proposing that the tentative budget and millage date be September 11^th at 5:30 p.m. and then on September 23^rd at 7:00 p.m. Manatee County is holding their tentative budget and millage hearing on September 9^th that is why the City of Palmetto cannot have the tentative budget and millage hearings on that date.

 

Mr. Freeman reminded the Commission of the Police Department building discussion on Wednesday, July 24^th at 5:30 p.m. in Chambers and then the two community meetings on the Police Department on Tuesday July 30^th at the Palmetto Library at 6:00 p.m. and on Wednesday July 31^st at the Palmetto Youth Center at 6:00 p.m.

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 5:58 p.m.