This Commission Meeting was conducted utilizing Communications Media Technology. Some 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

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

Brian Williams, Commissioner, Ward 3

Sheldon Jones, Commissioner-at-Large 1

Tamara Cornwell, Commissioner-at-Large 2

 

Staff Present in Chambers:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Kera Hill, Development Services Supervisor

Jeff Burton, CRA Director

Xaiver Colon, Assistant CRA Director

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant

Vanessa Cochran, Assistant City Clerk

 

Staff Present Electronically:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

Vice Mayor Varnadore opened the meeting at 4:29 p.m.

 

1.   INFLOW & INFILTRATION (I&I) REPORT (M. RYAN)

 Mr. Rayan, Public Works Director, stated that the tonight’s topic addresses 2 items, the hydraulic capacity of the 24 inch gravity line and I&I characterization of the City.  He turned the presentation over to Travis Parker, Wade Trim.

 

 Mr. Parker gave the presentation on the sanitary sewer overflows (SSO) mitigation and the sewer system in the City of Palmetto.  A copy of the presentation is attached to the minutes. 

 

I&I KEY ISSUES

·         Wastewater flow sources

·         Sanitary Sewer Lining Program

·         Equalization Basin

·         Sanitary Sewer Evaluation

·         I&I Characterization

 

Mr. Parker stated that the next step is to identify and eliminate the inflow sources and evaluate the wastewater treatment plant capacities.  Then, he summarized the next stages for the SSO Mitigation, and these stages are addressed in the presentation and is a part of the minutes.

 

 

City Commission Workshop Meeting

January 24, 2022

Page 2 of 3 

 

 

 Commissioner Williams inquired about the lift station area locations at the Palm Bay and Colonial Manor Mobile Homes Parks and questioned the inflow and infiltration number usage accuracies.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell asked about the permits in place for down sprouts, the issues that causes the problem, and what can the City do about the large drains in the low areas that are collecting water into our system.

 

 Commissioner Jones stated why not replace the entire pipes versus using liners and asked for information on the completed areas that were done with lining the pipes.

 

 Commissioner Smith commented that the City could put retention ponds on City owned properties, or purchase properties to put retention ponds on to reduce flooding.

 

 Vice Mayor Varnadore questioned the 6 1/2 million dollars that was spent on the Equalization Tank that may have been better invested in the I&I issue, and asked how the point inflow sources will be removed.

 

  Commissioner Williams inquired about the timeframe to install the monitor meters and if the City has the water capacity to handle future projects.  He asked what progress can be done now to stop the flooding. 

 

Vice Mayor Varnadore communicated that the redistricting item will be added to the 7:00 p.m. meeting if time runs out to discuss it.

 

 Commissioner Smith inquired about how many pumps are available to pump the water out and the money spent to date on the project.

  

 Because the previous items consumed much of the time, discussion ensued about adding the Redistricting item to the 7:00 p.m. tonight’s meeting when time runs out.

 

2.   REDISTRICTING (Z. SCHWARTZ/M. BARNEBEY)

Commissioner Varnadore expressed that this item will be added to the 7:00 p.m. tonight’s meeting for discussion when time runs out at this Workshop Meeting.

 

 Mr. Schwartz presented the redistricting item and reported that the information was emailed to the Commissioners before tonight’s meeting.  Commissioner Varnadore asked what he needs from the Commissioners tonight.  Mr. Swartz stated that he needs Feedback from the Board.

 

 Commissioner Jones stated that the population has not grown and believes that nothing needs to be changed.  And, he would like another Workshop on this matter.

 

 Commissioner Smith questioned why 1 option was given and requested more than 1 map.

 

 Vice Mayor Varnadore instructed Mr. Schwartz to provide a map with more options at the next scheduled Workshop.

 

 

City Commission Workshop Meeting

January 24, 2022

Page 3 of 3   

 

 

 Vice Mayor Varnadore adjourned the meeting at 6:01 p.m.