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

 

Staff Present:

Jeff Burton, CRA Director

Cheryl Miller, Finance Director

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Deputy Director

Scott Rudacille, Chief Assistant City Attorney

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Amber LaRowe, Assistant City Clerk

 

 

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

 

Cheryl Miller, Finance Director, introduced Catherine Dublin. Mrs. Dublin is the new Payroll Accountant for the City.

 

 

1. PRESENTATION: Sutton Park

Jon and Vicki Moore, Moore 2 Design, made a presentation to the City Commission on Sutton Park options for equipment, lighting, pavilions, sidewalk, parking, etc. A copy of the presentation is made a part of the minutes.

 

The following points were discussed in regards to upgrades/renovations to the Park:

·         New playground equipment

o   Space theme

§  Three options presented

o   Red, white and blue colors

o   Separate play equipment for older children versus younger children

·         Base material underneath playground equipment:

o   Rubber base

o   Engineered wood fiber

o   AstroTurf

o   Combination of all of the above

·         Walkways

·         Lighting

·         Pavilions

·         Permeable pavers

 

The estimated cost for playground equipment was $430,000 with an estimate of $160,000 for the poured rubber base underneath the equipment. Mr. Moore mentioned that $220,000 has been budgeted in half cent sales tax funding for Sutton Park play equipment.

The cost for demolition and rough grading was discussed with Mr. Rayan indicating that the Public Works Department could take on most of that to cut down on the expense of an outside company performing the work.

 

The Commission discussed their favorite playground options as it applies to those presented by Mr. Moore. Option two was the one that most Commission favored and they all agreed that poured rubber was the best choice for the equipment and that red, white, and blue would be a nice color theme. There was discussion on more one seat spinner chairs as well as wheelchair access to the swing set. Commissioner Varnadore opined a monkey bar set would be a nice addition. Commissioner Williams would like to see a rock wall feature.

 

Commissioner Davis echoed the above and asked that the child in the audience come speak on what they like to play on at the playground. The child (unknown name) came to speak and indicated she liked rock walls, monkey bars, slides, merry-go-rounds and swings at the playground.

 

Commissioner Williams would like a safety report on merry-go-round equipment.

 

 

2. FY 2020 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

Mr. Rayan explained the attached fiscal year 2020 capital improvement plan (CIP). The proposed plan for this fiscal year is $3,855,838 of which $3,505,838 is funded. The funding sources for the projects are:

·         Current revenues from water, sewer, stormwater and reuse

·         Unused funds from fiscal year 2019 that are being carried forward into this fiscal year

·         Fund balance from General Fund and Road and Bridge Funds

 

Mr. Rayan reminded the Commission on the recent adoption of the utility rate study for water, sewer, stormwater and reuse that resulted in additional funding for the projects on the CIP.

 

Staff is currently developing the half-cent infrastructure project list and will bring back to the Commission soon. Previously, the CIP included street paving projects which were funded by Road and Bridge Fund Balance; these projects will now be included in the half-cent infrastructure fund.

 

Commissioner Williams asked Mr. Rayan to bring back information on how much is left to complete the reuse in the City.

 

Commissioner Smith asked Mr. Rayan to look into the 14^th to 16^th Streets at 2^nd Avenue project.

 

In regards to Palmetto Area Reuse System (PARS), Ms. Miller explained that Finance is looking to pay off a State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan; however, is considering revisiting the PARS expansion first before the loan is paid.

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 5:34 p.m.