+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.

 

ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Shirley Groover Bryant, Mayor

Sheldon Jones, Vice-Mayor, Commissioner-at-Large 1

Tamara Cornwell, Commissioner-at-Large 2

Sunshine Mathews, Commissioner, Ward 2

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

Brian Williams, Commissioner, Ward 3

 

STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Edward Johnson, Interim CRA Director

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

   Mayor Bryant opened the meeting at 4:30 pm.

 

 

 

1.               CRA DIRECTOR’S REPORT (E.JOHNSON)

 

 

Mr. Ed Johnson provided a CRA update, presented through a PowerPoint, which was included in the Agenda.

 

 Commissioner Williams questioned the Main Street Committee meetings and if their meetings are advertised. Mr. Johnson stated he would send a calendar to the Commissioners with the dates of their meetings.

 

 Commissioner Jones questioned when they will get a rough draft of the CRA’s budget. He also asked when they can come in to discuss the Riverside property with the developer. Mr. Freeman stated that the CRA’s budget will be presented with the overall budget to the Commissioners in July. The preliminary millage will need to be established at the beginning of August. Mr. Johnson also answered that the Board gave the Mayor authorization to begin negotiations with the developer for the Riverside project. Once a contract has been agreed upon, it will be brought back to the Board. They will have opportunities to interact with the developer through the planned development and site plan process.

 

 

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop Meeting

June 5, 2023

Page 2 of 3

 

 

 Commissioner Williams questioned if they are supposed to meet with the CRA Advisory Board at least once before the budget. Mr. Barnebey responded that he does not believe they are required to do so, but they have on occasion in the past. Mr. Johnson stated that there is a budget discussion with the Advisory Board that will be scheduled and publicly noticed.

 

 Bob Gause provided an update on Connor Park, which is in the close out stage of the project.   

 

 Commissioner Williams mentioned the great benefit the park is turning out to be.

 

 Mr. Barnebey mentioned item number 7 that is on the Agenda for tonight’s meeting regarding Riviera Dunes. He does recommend moving forward with the First Reading and setting the date for the Public Hearing. Mr. Barnebey mentioned Senate Bill 102, where the legislature passed Ch. 2023-17 amending section 166, Florida Statutes. They have provided a provision regarding affordable housing. There will not be Commission approval for affordable housing projects. It will go to the City staff for approval.

 

 Commissioner Smith asked for clarification if affordable housing projects will come to the Commission for approval. Mr. Barnebey stated that according to the amendment, they will not come to the Commission for approval, they will be reviewed and approved by City staff if it meets the criteria. Mr. Barnebey provided a copy of the revisions, which were made part of the Minutes.

 

 Mr. Barnebey stated that the financial disclosure statement change will be effective in January 2024. Starting next year, the Commissioners will have to complete a form 6, which is a much more detailed form.  The forms are due for this year by July 1^st, 2023.

 

 Commissioner Jones brought up the MLK Park playground location for discussion, which is on the 7:00 Agenda tonight for approval. He didn’t agree with the location that was being presented on the Agenda.

 

 Mr. Johnson explained the reasoning for the new proposed placement of the playground at MLK park. The proposed motion at tonight’s meeting was discussed. The proposed location is just west of the new bathrooms and near the pavilion. The other location, which was discussed in the past, is a drainage basin.

 

 Commissioner Smith questioned who told Mr. Johnson it floods in that area. Mr. Johnson answered that it was in the document showing the drainage easement that was created for flooding. The drainage easements are put there for major rainy events to handle the accumulations of water. The possible locations of the playground equipment were further discussed.

 

 Commissioner Jones and Commissioner Williams continued the discussion on the best location of the playground.

 

 Commissioner Jones thinks it’s cluttered in the area near the restrooms, and he has a major concern with a playground being near the railroad tracks. He stated when they discussed the location in the past, they picked option 1, which was east of the pavilion and past the last pond. They didn’t have it where it is being proposed now. Commissioner Williams’ biggest concern is putting a fence around the pond. Commissioner Williams also said if they put a fence around the playground, they can’t get to the railroad tracks.

 

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop Meeting

June 5, 2023

Page 3 of 3

 

 

 Commissioner Smith said he thought there was supposed to be a fence around the whole playground. He also agreed that they shouldn’t have children near the railroad tracks. Mr. Johnson responded about the fence line, which was at the edge of the drainage basin. The idea was to move the playground near the pavilion and bathrooms. He also discussed the additional funding request is to add fencing, lighting, cameras, benches, etc. The whole playground would be fenced. The current cameras are on the pavilion and bathrooms. Additional cameras will be needed. The playground equipment alone is over $300,000, which is already budgeted for. The motion tonight is for additional funding. Commissioner Smith questioned Mr. Freeman, asking how much the last playground equipment cost at Sutton Park. Mr. Freeman responded that off the top of his head, he believed it was around $225,000 which was 2 or 3 years ago. The cost of Hydrant Park was also discussed. The Commission chose the equipment at MLK park to be ADA compliant. The State contract and the piggybacking process for the price of the equipment was discussed.

 

 Mr. Rayan presented Chief Tyler with the Certificate of Occupancy for the new Police Department.

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 5:17 pm.