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 (left the meeting at 5:16 pm)

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.

 

 

  Tom Yarger, Division Manager with Manatee County, provided an update on the Convention Center capital improvements. He presented a PowerPoint which was included in the minutes.

 

 Mayor Bryant questioned the cost of the project. Mr. Yarger answered that it will cost approximately $48 million.

 

Commissioner Cornwell questioned how many breakout rooms there will be. They are adding a new ballroom, and the existing rooms are being remodeled. They are hoping to create an entertainment destination. There will also be the ability to have outdoor concerts. Mr. Yarger also noted that the covered area from the convention center to the hotel will be a big selling point.

 

 Commissioner Williams opined that it was an excellent plan and the renderings looked beautiful. He wanted to emphasize the need to move handicap parking closer to the building. Mr. Yarger stated that they will be addressing that, along with adding electric parking spaces.

 

Commissioner Mathews asked what the timeframe for completion was. Mr. Yarger answered that they are trying to catch up to the progress of the hotel. They will be starting at the end of July. The first phase will be to remodel the interior, then they will move on to the construction. They are hoping to have the remodel and construction completed in March or April of 2024.

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop

June 27, 2023

Page 2 of 3

 

 Commissioner Smith asked what the original cost of building was. It was answered, approximately $5 million. Commissioner Smith also questioned how many the main floor can seat. Mr. Yarger stated that he didn’t know the exact number, but he would send that information to the Mayor to distribute.  

 

 Chief Tyler questioned if they would be losing any parking. Mr. Yarger didn’t believe so. They do have to shift some of the ponds around. 

 

 

1.               ORDINANCE 2023-12 REVISING APPEALS OF ADMINISTRATIVE DETERMINATION (B.CORNELIUS/K.HILL/M.BARNEBEY)

 

Mr. Cornelius, contracted Planner with Wade Trim, gave a recap of the history of this Ordinance. There was concern with the Planning and Zoning Board having the final determination of appeals regarding the Zoning Code and variances. He explained that the Planning and Zoning Board will now make a recommendation to the City Commission, but the Commission will make the final determination for issues related to the setbacks and building heights. Mr. Barnebey noted that this amendment was changed since their last discussion to address the 60-day appeal length, as requested by Commissioner Jones. Mr. Cornelius went through the entire document, highlighting everything that would be changed.

 

 Commissioner Williams asked Mr. Barnebey to explain the need for the language related to the Public Works Director or his/her designee. Mr. Barnebey explained that in the past, there have been several changes to the job title of the person in that position. They have corrected the confusion by adding a definition in the document.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell expressed her concern with engaging in variances. She doesn’t want variances to be allowed in cases that would prevent road expansion. She’s not as concerned with the height variances at this time, but the width of the road is a big concern. Mr. Barnebey responded that it will require a decision on variances coming back to the Commission for final approval. Mr. Barnebey gave an example of another city that needed a height variance of only 4 inches.

 

 Commissioner Smith commented on the building in Bradenton on the corner of 9^th Street and Manatee Avenue. He believes the proximity to the road is ridiculous.

 

 Mayor Bryant noted that the Florida Department of Transportation, FDOT, and the Metropolitan Planning Organization, MPO, raised issues with the same corner in Bradenton. 

 

 Mr. Barnebey reminded the Commissioners that their form 1 is due on July 1^st. Form 6 will become effective January 1^st, which will require them to set their net worth.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell watched the seminar regarding form 6, but asked if it was possible to look at the new form as a unit. She wants to make sure they are all doing it correctly. Mr. Barnebey is happy to do that. It was noted that they won’t send you the form, you must log in to complete it. They will look at it next year as a group. This is the form the County Commissioners have to fill out.

 

 Penny Johnston discussed the Florida League of Cities, FLC, convention in August. She wanted to go over the packets with the Commissioners.

 

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop

June 27, 2023

Page 3 of 3

 

 

 Mr. Freeman mentioned that Ordinance 2023-12 has already had the first reading, and it will be advertised for public hearing on July 31^st. Also at the July 31^st meeting, they will need to take a vote to set the proposed millage and hearing dates for the budget. The budget will be sent out to the Commissioners around the first week in July.

 

 Penny Johnston further discussed the packet which she handed out to the Commissioners for the FLC convention. 

 

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 5:20 pm.