Elected Officials Present:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Mayor

Tamara Cornwell, Vice Mayor, Commissioner-at-Large 2—(Entered the meeting at 4:55 p.m.)

Jonathan Davis, Commissioner-at-Large 1

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

Tambra Varnadore, Commissioner, Ward 2

Brian Williams, Commissioner Ward 3

 

Staff Present:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Mohammad Rayan, Public Works Deputy Director

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.

 

RECOGNITION: Mayor Bryant announced Keith Mitchell was chosen as Employee of the Year for 2019. The finalists were Officer Kevin Chastain, Employee of the First Quarter, Donna Gross, Employee of the Second Quarter, Penny Johnston, Employee of the Third Quarter, and Keith Mitchell, Employee of the Fourth Quarter.

 

 

1. ORDINANCE 2019-24 PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC SAFETY

Chief Tyler explained the importance of this Ordinance is to be consistent with Manatee County and the City of Bradenton. He provided traffic statistics that are part of tonight’s Agenda that show bicycle and pedestrian crashes from 2016 to 2019. There have been 28 crashes this year involving a motor vehicle and bicycle or pedestrian, with one fatality.

 

Commissioner Williams commented on the number of whereas clauses, opining that they were duplicative and/or could be combined. Also, he requested redlined versions of ordinances so that the Commission can see the changes between current and proposed. Attorney Barnebey commented that, most of the time, he prefers a redlined version; however, this Ordinance was almost an entire rewrite so that it would be consistent with the County and the City of Bradenton. He will provide a redlined version at the public hearing. Also, Attorney Barnebey stated that he will review the whereas clauses to see if any can be combined and will do so.

 

Commissioner Varnadore understood the reason for not having a redlined version and was fine with that; however, in the future, if a copy of the current chapter of the City Code could be provided, it would be helpful.

 

Commissioner Williams requested a copy of the statistical report as discussed tonight.

 

2. 4TH STREET PARKING DISCUSSION

Mr. Tusing presented a handout of 4^th Street Parking. A copy of this handout is made a part of the minutes. The handout shows a layout of the proposed no parking signage. In regards to fixing the sidewalk, the City can repair it, but he recommends putting in a higher curb-stop to discourage parking on the sidewalk.

 

Commissioner Varnadore questioned why there are not any no parking signs on 4^th Street to the corner of 10^th Avenue. Mr. Tusing stated that he agrees with the Commissioner and it was an oversight, he intends to have no parking on 4^th Street to the corner of 10^th Avenue.

 

Mr. Tusing will post the no parking sign locations and the intent to install them and notify the property owners; a copy will be posted at City Hall at least 10 days prior to the January 6^th meeting.

 

 

3. CSX PROPERTY AGREEMENT

Attorney Barnebey stated that he is asking for direction from the Commission on what to do with the property and the Agreement.

 

Commissioner Varnadore discussed her comments on the purchase of the land. At this point in time, she does not see the urgency nor is she interested in purchasing it for the amount and the restrictions in the Agreement. She questioned if someone else were to purchase the land that were not the City, what would happen with the road? Attorney Barnebey stated that the City can pursue the filing of an affidavit of maintenance of the roadway that the City has been maintaining for so many years. He agreed that any other potential purchaser would be subject to the same terms as presented to the City. If another purchaser came, they would have to do their research as anyone else and it would be recognized that the road would be the City’s according to the maintenance agreement as well as State Statute; it can be challenged in court though.

 

Commissioner Cornwell asked where the City would intend to get the funds to purchase the property. Mr. Freeman discussed different funding options and stated that he can provide written options at the next Commission Workshop.

 

In regards to how long it would take to close if CSX and the City could agree on everything, Mr. Barnebey stated that it could be 2 to 4 months’ time.

 

Attorney Barnebey opined that the City is the best purchaser for the property. Commissioner Williams would prefer that staff keep the discussion open on this property to move forward on the contract.

 

Commissioner Smith opined that spending money on a parcel of land that is not needed at this time is not the best use of the City’s funds; the priority should be on the Police Department and where to fund that.

 

Commissioner Varnadore would like to know more information on what all rights mean in the Agreement and also if the City decides not to follow through with the contract after the due diligence period with the extension, would the City lose the initial $32k and the $12k for the extension or just the extension cost of $12k.

 

Mayor Bryant requested the CSX Agreement come back to the Workshop on January 6^th and the 7:00 p.m. Agenda as well. Staff will be prepared with the funding options.

 

Commissioner Smith questioned if the current Police Department site could be surplused now as well as the vacant parcel to the south of the space where the new Police Department is to be built. He opined that getting it surplused instead of waiting for the building to be complete may be helpful for funding.

 

 

Mr. Tusing discussed the purchase of a Boom Truck that was allocated in the Capital Improvement Project list. He stated that the bid was $18k more than what was budgeted. Mr. Tusing plans to move some funding around and bring forward to the Commission.

 

Commissioner Cornwell left at 5:53 p.m. and returned at 5:54 p.m.

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 5:55 p.m.