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

Tambra Varnadore, Commissioner, Ward 2

Brian Williams, Commissioner Ward 3—(entered at 4:48 p.m.)

 

Staff Present:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jeff Burton, CRA Director

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Deputy Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Amber LaRowe, Assistant City Clerk

 

 

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

 

1. CONNOR PARK PRESENTATION

Jeff Burton-introduced Jon and Vicki Moore of Moore 2 Design who would be making a presentation to the Commission along with other members of the community. A copy of the presentation is made apart of the minutes.

 

Jon Moore, introduced Damon Moore, Manatee County Parks and Natural Resources Department, who discussed what the County is doing regarding oyster restoration throughout various waterways in the County. He made some suggestions to the City regarding Manatee River and oyster restoration.

 

Joe Marsh, Cardno, discussed the history of the property and how the CRA came to own it. Mr. Marsh discussed the remediation for the property, cleanup efforts, and potential grants.

 

Elie Araj, Applied Sciences, provided an update on the stormwater area at Connor Park. He also displayed the overall park design concept.

 

 

2. PALMETTO BAY PRESENTATION

Jon Moore introduced Todd Barber, Reef Ball Foundation who gave a presentation on Palmetto Bay Preserve. A copy of the presentation is made a part of the minutes.

 

The following things were discussed:

 

·         Recap of the 2016 install EcoRap Living Seawall

·         Project objectives:

o   Connect Palmetto Living shorelines to transitional bay and estuary habitats

o   Establish Palmetto Bay as a preserve

o   Complete shoreline enhancements for living shoreline on west side of Green Bridge

o   Provide a high density habitat reef in deepest water of the bay

·         State and Federal permitting considerations need to be made

·         The consideration of boat traffic under the Green Bridge in this area

·         Habitat enhancement modules placed outside of seagrass zones to further protect the seagrasses in the shallow areas

·         Preservation depths range from 2.6 feet to 12 feet

·         Channel marker habitat

o   Helps support piling during storms or when struck by water craft

·         City Commission must considered desired preserve markers

·         Proposed pedestrian pier (similar to the one on Anna Maria Island)

·         East of Green Bridge Living Shoreline to help with the creation of an oyster reef

·         Next steps include:

o   Officially naming the bay—consider Palmetto Bay Preserve

o   Model to be developed based on Commission comments and recommendations

o   Identify funding source for permit

o   Initiate permitting

o   Identify construction and final design sources

o   Begin phase process of final design and contract with Reef Innovations

 

An overlay survey result was presented showing a guide to the physical construction of the habitat enhancements and markers. A marked channel for ingress/egress from the area residents’ docks was presented. Depending on the funding the marked channel will be private aids to navigate or regular pile channel markers with fishery enhancement device bases.

 

Mr. Burton stated that the Palmetto/USF Project funded by the Tampa Bay Estuary Program will help with some of the funding for Connor Park and reef ball project.

 

Mayor Bryant recessed the meeting at 6:15 p.m. for a ten minute break.

 

Mayor Bryant resumed the meeting at 6:30 p.m.

 

3. LINCOLN PARK POOL DISCUSSION

Tom Yarger, Manatee County, gave a recap of the timeline and meetings for the pool discussions. He presented two design options for the pool that essentially have the same amenities, just different layouts. A copy of the options are made a part of the minutes.

 

Mr. Yarger highlighted the main differences which included the filtration/pump house and the bath house/locker room being placed to the north end of the pool, near the parking lot, in option one and in option two both of those buildings are located to the west, creating a slight buffer between the pool and the main roadway.

 

The cost estimate for both options is approximately $5 million. Both options show alternates that include a shade structure with lounge chairs and a lesson/plunge pool with water slides. Option one alternate includes the same along with extra parking. The County preferred to have these alternates drawn in so that if they cannot be included now, they can be built in the future when more funding comes available.

 

Discussion ensued regarding option one versus option two. Commissioners Williams, Commissioner Varnadore, and Chief Tyler all prefer option two because the two buildings will not block view to the parking lot and will provide a slight buffer between the pool and the main road. Commissioner Smith preferred option one because of the more formal entrance.

 

Commissioner Cornwell wants to ensure there are plenty of shade structures and lounge chairs.

 

Mr. Yarger stated that the County will compile the comments tonight and bring back to the design group and the County Commission.

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 6:58 p.m.