Elected Officials Present:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Mayor

Tambra Varnadore, Vice Mayor, Commissioner, Ward 2—(Entered the meeting at 4:32 p.m.)

Tamara Cornwell, Commissioner-at-Large 2—(Entered the meeting at 4:34 p.m.)

Jonathan Davis, Commissioner-at-Large 1

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

Brian Williams, Commissioner, Ward 3

 

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. MARITIME MUSEUM DISCUSSION

Mr. John Pether, Board of the Gulf Coast Maritime Museum, made a presentation to the Commission on building of a maritime museum in the City of Palmetto. A copy of the presentation is made a part of these minutes. The presentation included a history of boat builder and ports in Florida, a rendering of what the museum could potentially look like, and a template for a long term lease.

 

Commissioner Varnadore questioned where the 1.7 acres for the museum would be located at. Mr. Pether informed the Commission that Mr. Burton identified one parcel in the downtown, along 10^th, to be located next to the Police Department. Commissioner Varnadore is interested in the museum but would like to consider other locations.

 

The Commissioners all expressed interest in the museum. The consensus was to have staff bring forward available sites in the City.

 

 

2. PRIORITIZATION OF USES FOR INCENTIVES

Commissioner Smith exited the meeting at 5:07 p.m. and returned at 5:09 p.m.

 

Karla Owens, Development Services Director, discussed the proposed economic incentive ordinance as attached to the Agenda. She focused the Commission’s attention on Section 6 of the Ordinance that discusses the eligibility for the incentives, nothing the different criteria that the applicant would have to identify to be eligible.

 

Commissioner Cornwell focused on Section 7.f. regarding alterations to businesses. She would prefer to see language that is stronger than “may” terminate the incentive payment; she would prefer “shall” so that there is little gray area. Mrs. Owens agreed that she will focus more attention on Section 7.f.

Mr. Burton discussed his opinions on this Ordinance and explained how the current CRA incentives are and have been working. He stated that if the City would like to incorporate economic incentives that the CRA can potentially fund, that can be an option, but this Ordinance would not specifically apply to the CRA. If the economic route is decided upon, the CRA should cease the incentives. Mrs. Owens disagreed with Mr. Burton’s synopsis of the intent of the Ordinance, stating that the intent is to work alongside the CRA and the incentives in place and add another layer/alternative.

 

Attorney Barnebey suggested a list is provided in ordinance format that prioritize the incentives and the uses in each zoning category.

 

More discussion needs to be had; this item will be carried forward to the next agenda.

 

 

3. PERSONNEL POLICY (M. Barnebey/J. Freeman)

Due to the time, this item was not discussed and will be carried forward to the next agenda.

 

 

Commissioner Williams motioned to recess the meeting and reconvene at the end of the tonight’s Commission meeting until 10:00 p.m. This motion died due to a lack of second.

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 6:02 p.m.