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 (Via telephone into Zoom Meeting)

Tambra Varnadore, Vice Mayor, Commissioner, Ward 2

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

Brian Williams, Vice Mayor, Commissioner, Ward 3 (Entered the Meeting at 4:59 p.m.)

Sheldon Jones, Commissioner-at-Large 1

Tamara Cornwell, Commissioner-at-Large 2

 

Staff Present in Chambers:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney (Entered the Meeting at 4:50 p.m.)

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Kera Hill, Development Services Supervisor

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 4:31 p.m. and changed the order of the items to discuss.  Connor Park Update was presented first, and Paid Parking followed.

 

1.        EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR RECOGNITION

Item removed from agenda rescheduled for February 28, 2022 Workshop Meeting.

 

2.         CONNOR PARK UPDATE (X. COLON)

This is a continued discussion from the January 24th meeting about what material the pedestrian half of the Connor Park trail will be.  Mr. Gause, Gause and Associates, provided a sample of the rubberized product and other samples, which were discussed and presented to the Board for consideration.  He reported that he reached out to Manatee County regarding the bonded rubber material used for Robinson Preserve Park trails and was told that there has not been any significant problems.  Also, during the January 24th meeting, the Board raised concerns about bicyclists using the trails and stated that they could cause possible damage to the trails and harm to pedestrians.  Mr. Gause referenced Manatee County Robinson Preserve Park and stated that the bicyclists preferred not using the trails because the soft material slows them down.  In conclusion, Mr. Gause recommended the original specialized rubberized product by ARC for the pedestrian half of Connor Park trail and suggested that an annual maintenance inspection agreement be considered as well.   

 

 

 

 

 

City Commission Workshop Meeting

February 7, 2022

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 Discussion ensued regarding the project’s cost, including an annual maintenance inspection agreement, and the material for the pedestrian trail. 

 

Commissioner Jones inquired if more color options were available for the rubberized material and requested estimates of the entire project with maintenance included from Rubberway and ARC.     

 

 Commissioner Smith agreed with Commissioner Jones about the entire cost of the project and favored the rubberized material for the pedestrian trail.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell suggested using a similar design as Martin Luther King Park and requested a phone call be made to the Miami Park that has the same trail way material as Manatee County Robinson Preserve Park and ask if they have had any issues with the material.  In response to Commissioner Cornwell, Mr. Gause stated that he feels confident about the material since there are no shaded areas where Robinson Preserve Park trails are, and they have not experienced any significant problems.  Commissioner Cornwell gave her consensus to move forward with the ARC product.

 

 Commissioner Varnadore expressed that she is not in favor using rubberway material for the pedestrian trail and favored using pavers.  She addressed the weather relating to flooding and ask if the rubber material will hold up.  Mr. Gause responded that since the trail is at the top of the bank, which is higher than the road elevation, the area will not be affected.  Commissioner Varnadore reiterated that she does not believe it is a good idea to put rubber material on the trail because it will be costly due to the Florida weather patterns.

 

Commissioner Cornwell questioned if the ARC product is chosen, can a price check be done with the other company, Rubberway.  Mr. Gause answered that the price was checked with the other company already, and it is higher.

 

Commissioner Smith referenced the maintenance inspections previously mentioned and stated that if something happens, it will be covered under the maintenance agreement.  He stated that he will go along with what the Board’s decides.

 

Commissioner Jones gave consensus for the ARC product.

 

Commissioner Williams entered the meeting at 5:00 p.m.

 

Commissioner Williams gave consensus for the ARC product. 

 

 The Board gave their consensus to move forward with the ARC product.   

 

3.        PAID PARKING (X. COLON)

This is a continuation discussion from August 2021 Pilot Program for the boat parking solution.

 

 Mr. Colon, Assistant CRA Director, gave a brief summary of the discussion from the August 2021 meeting. 

 

 

City Commission Workshop Meeting

February 7, 2022

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        He stated that the Board requested additional information on the Paid Parking Pilot Program, and Brooke Krieger, ParkMobile Consultant, is present to provide that information and answer questions.  He informed the Board that the item is also on the tonight’s agenda at 7:00 p.m.

 

 Mrs. Krieger gave the presentation on the Paid Parking Pilot Program, and the presentation is a part of the minutes.  The purpose of the presentation was to find a possible solution to improve the boat parking congestion problem.  She provided an overview of what ParkMobile does and offered scenarios on how the operation may work for the City.  The details that were provided to the Board consisted of the following:

·         Customer Services Support

·         Zone Parking and Reservations

·         Apps features

·         Administration & Analytics Portal

·         Boat Ramps Using ParkMobile in United States and Prices

·         Implementing Paid Parking

·         Signage

 

 Mr. Colon provided comments on why the paid parking pilot program will be beneficial to Palmetto in solving the congestion boat parking issue.

  

 Commissioner Varnadore inquired about the hourly reservations, specifically, if paid hours were not used are spaces locked out because someone paid for more time than needed, and who enforces the Paid Parking Pilot Program.  Mrs. Krieger replied that if there are available spaces to park, they can be reserved, so spaces are not locked out, and the City Police will have to enforce the paid parking.  

 

Commissioner Smith voiced that the City Police do not have the personnel to enforce the program and stated that he is not in favor of the program because it is easier to monitor cars than boats.

 

Commissioner Jones agreed with Commissioner Smith and stated that he wants to hear from the boaters.  He is not in favor of the project, but maybe in the future.

 

Commissioner Williams stated that he has concerns regarding the revenue received versus the boat ramp repairs and inquired if ParkMobile has integrated services that capture car tags.  He expressed that it is too early for a program like this without hearing from the boaters.

 

Commissioner Cornwell inquired how the program identifies residents and non-residents and how paid parking handles black out days for special events i.e. parades, boat races, etc.   

 

 Mayor Bryant commented that the idea to charge for parking came from the boaters who expressed this at one of the Commission Meetings.  She reported that there are some overnight parking issues that this pilot parking program may resolve, and this overnight parking concern will be presented to the Board.  Mayor Bryant expressed that the Paid Parking Pilot Program needs to move forward and thanked Ms. Bushell for coming to Palmetto and giving the presentation.  Commissioner Jones reminded the Board that the boaters requested the entire parking lot for boat parking and not a few parking spaces.

      

 

 

City Commission Workshop Meeting

February 7, 2022

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Vice Mayor Varnadore adjourned the meeting at 5:57 p.m.