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 (left the meeting at 5:32 pm, and retuned at 5:33 pm)

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:

Marisa Powers, 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

Cheryl Miller, Finance Director

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

   Mayor Bryant opened the meeting at 4:30 pm.

 

 

 

1.            SENATOR BOYD’S POST SESSION UPDATE

 

Senator Boyd was not able to attend the meeting. This item will be rescheduled.

 

 

2.               ORDINANCE 2023-04 DISCUSSION (B.CORNELIUS/K.HILL/M.BARNEBEY)

 

This item was moved to after the CRA-MLK Placement of Playground discussion. Brad Cornelius, Contracted Planner with Wade Trim, gave a recap of the item being brought back for discussion. Mr. Cornelius explained that this was the first set of text amendments involving the calculation of intensity and density under the future land use classifications. This item was continued from the June 5, 2023 City Commission meeting. There will be an adoption Public Hearing held on August 21^st.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell questioned on page 7 the language referencing 10 dwelling units per acre. She stated that it should read that it is capped at 10, not “shall be” 10. She would like to see the language “up to” throughout the document. Mr. Cornelius agreed to make those adjustments.

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop

August 7, 2023

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 Commissioner Williams questioned how this will affect Florida Statute 102. Mr. Cornelius responded that from his understanding, these limitations within the coastal high hazard area do not apply to the Live Local Act. However, they anticipate there will be litigation in the future about it because the statute doesn’t address it.

 

  Commissioner Cornwell noted on page 15 a grammatical error that needed to be adjusted.

 

3.               CRA- MLK PLACEMENT OF PLAYGROUND (E.JOHNSON)

 

This item was moved to first on the Agenda. Mr. Johnson gave a recap of the item. Moore 2 Design gave a presentation, which was included in the Agenda. John and Vicky Moore discussed the project through their PowerPoint. They suggested using the north site at MLK due to the restrictions with Southwest Florida Water Management District’s, SWFWMD, approval and the distance to the restrooms. Leo Mills, Surveyor, spoke regarding the project.

 

 Commissioner Jones was concerned with the safety of the park, regarding the proximity to the railroad tracks. He noted that this park is completely different than other referenced parks. It is a walking park. He is in favor of the playground being on the south side of the park.

 

  Commissioner Smith asked Mr. Johnson where the parking would go. Mr. Johnson answered that they would create approximately 3 parking spaces at the south end, down towards 12^th Street, on property that they already own. The amount of handicap parking spaces was discussed, and parking along 12^th Street.  On the north side, there is parking at the entrance to the youth center that could possibly be utilized. It wouldn’t be designated parking. Commissioner Smith opined that they need to come up with another idea for parking. He thinks they can put equipment anywhere on that property.   Mr. Mills spoke about the agreement with SWFWMD. He referenced the agreement which was included in the Agenda. The location of the restrooms and the playground equipment was debated. He went on to discuss the challenges with using the central location for the playground equipment.

 

 Commissioner Williams questioned the SWFWMD money that was given to the MLK park and the possibility of having to pay it back if they go against the agreement. He noted that the park has evolved over time. He agreed with the recommended placement, towards the north end of the park.

 

 Commissioner Mathews agreed with Commissioner Williams that additional money shouldn’t be spent to pay back SWFWMD, if not necessary. She also agreed with the location being near the restrooms.

 

 Commissioner Jones wanted the documentation showing the million dollars that was split with the City and SWFWMD. He also wanted to know how much money the City would have to pay back. Mr. Moore stated that he didn’t say it had to be paid back. He said it was a possibility. Commissioner Jones reiterated that he didn’t want the location to be near the railroad tracks and he thought it will be too clustered in that area.  He wants to use the southern location.

 

 Commissioner Smith reiterated his parking concerns. He wanted to know what money was initially spent for the entire park. Mr. Freeman agreed to get him the documentation, but it wouldn’t be by the 7:00 pm meeting that night. Mr. Freeman and Mr. Johnson agreed to work together to get him that information by the next meeting on August, 21^st.

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop

August 7, 2023

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  Commissioner Williams questioned if Commissioner Smith and Commissioner Jones had read the document which was attached in the Agenda. Commissioner Williams emphasized that some of the information they were asking about was already in the Agenda packet.

 

 Commissioner Smith and Commissioner Jones reiterated that they wanted to see the SWFWMD agreement, showing the provisions and the outline of what would need to be paid back, if they went against the agreement.

 

 

  Mayor Bryant mentioned that this park was originally supposed to be a walking park. This park has evolved over the years. Through the changes, there will be additional steps that need to be completed.

 

 

 

4.               BUDGET DISCUSSION (J.FREEMAN/C.MILLER)

 

Mr. Freeman gave a recap of the previous budget discussion. The next budget meeting is scheduled for August 16^th, 2023. The Agenda will be sent out a week in advance of this Workshop.

 

 Mayor Bryant wanted to seek input from Senator Boyd for additional funding options. She and Mr. Freeman have been interviewing lobbyist to assist. Mr. Freeman noted that they may need more funding for a lobbyist than originally allocated for. The legislative session does start earlier this year.

 

 Commissioner Williams noted that the fair director called him today and asked to use the corner piece of property on 14^th Avenue and 10^th Street for stock trailers during the fair, as they have done in the past.

 

 Mayor Bryant shared that she and Amanda Ballard were going to get together to discuss the possibility of putting beach volleyball courts in Palmetto to help the beach volleyball teams at Palmetto High School have a place to practice closer to their school. She mentioned Blackstone Park being a possible option.

 

 Commissioner Jones asked if Mr. Rayan had talked with the Mayor if there was anything else his department needed in regard to the budget. They are discussing increasing wages and looking into options. The new uniforms are ready to be ordered.

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 5:43 pm.