This Commission Meeting was conducted utilizing Communications Media Technology.  Some Elected Officials and Staff members were present in the Commission Chambers while others were present via the Zoom application to respect the social distancing guidelines.

 

Elected Officials Present in Chambers:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Mayor (Not Present)

Tambra Varnadore, Vice Mayor, Commissioner, Ward 2

Sheldon Jones, Commissioner-at-Large 1

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

Brian Williams, Commissioner, Ward 3

 

Elected Officials Present Electronically:

Tamara Cornwell, Commissioner-at-Large 2

 

Staff Present in Chambers:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Deputy Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant

Vanessa Cochran, Assistant City Clerk

 

Staff Present Electronically:

Jeff Burton, CRA Director (Signed-in 4:50 p.m.)

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

Vice Mayor Varnadore called the meeting to order at 4:31 p.m.

 

 

   1. SEAHORSE PROMOTION (J. Burton)

The seahorse video was not operable and will be shown at the next Workshop scheduled January 4, 2021.

 

 

   2. ORDINANCE 2020-11 PARK HOURS (S. Tyler, M. Barnebey)

City Attorney Barnebey specified that the proposed Ordinance 2020-11 is to have the Riverside restrooms close at 10:00 p.m.  Then, Chief Police Tyler communicated that Mr. Rayan, Public Works Director, submitted a detailed report regarding the activities at the Parks’ restrooms.  Mr. Rayan presented the report to the Board that also included photos and overtime information.  The report is a part of the minutes. 

 

Discussion ensued: Topics discussed were Parks’ restrooms closing hours, Parks closing earlier than publicized, Park restrooms opened on weekends contributing to overtime staff hours, and the patrolling of the Parks.

 

Following the discussion, the Board decided that more data is required before a motion can be made and requested to have it rescheduled for another Workshop Meeting. 

 

 

 

Workshop Meeting

December 21, 2020

Page 2 of 3

 

 

   3. CITY OF PALMETTO 2021 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

City Attorney Barnebey presented the 2021 Legislative Priorities to the Board and stated that the four priorities below were being proposed for consideration.  The list is a part of the minutes.  After the presentation, Attorney Barnebey took questions from the Board.

 

·         Derelict Vessels,

·         The DeSoto Bridge

·         Water pollution and septic tanks near water bodies

·         Green Bridge Recreation Pier

 

Commissioners Smith and Jones requested more information on the bridges and proposed modifications, and Commissioner Williams stated that the list should include sea level raises, and the Tourist Development Tax Use Expansion.   Vice Mayor Varnadore asked if the legislative priorities were for getting funds, or starting the discussions, or is it to finalize them.

 

  Attorney Barnebey discussed the legislative priorities individually to provide a better understanding of the items.

 

The Board requested more information before the 2021 Legislative Priorities are adopted.

 

Vice Mayor Varnadore asked if there were any other comments, and there were none.

 

Vice Mayor Varnadore adjourned the meeting at 5:26 p.m.