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 (Joined the meeting at 4:31 pm)

 

STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney (Joined the meeting at 4:32 pm)

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

Kera Hill, Development Services Supervisor

Matt Misco, Finance Manager (Joined the meeting at 4:44 pm)

Antoinette Kilgore, CRA Program Coordinator

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

   Mayor Bryant opened the meeting at 4:30 pm.

 

 

 

1.               ORDINANCE 2023-12: REVISING ZONING CODE ADMINISTRATIVE APPEALS, VARIANCES, DOWNTOWN ALTERNATIVE PLAN PROCESSES, AND OTHER RELATED REVISIONS (B.CORNELIUS/K.HILL/M.BARNEBEY)

 

 

 Kera Hill gave a recap of the history of this Ordinance. This was previously discussed as a proposed Ordinance in July 2022, then again in June 2023 as Ordinance 2023-12. The Planning and Zoning Board gave a recommendation of denial of this Ordinance at their September 2023 meeting.

 

 William Price, Planning and Zoning Board member, gave a recap of their recommendation of denial. Mr. Price expressed their consensus of disagreeing with the changes to have the final say being taken away from the Planning and Zoning Board and giving it solely to the Commission. He also expressed that they were concerned with extending the time frame for applicants.

 

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop

October 9, 2023

Page 2 of 4

 

 Commissioner Smith questioned why they recommended denial. Mr. Price further explained. He believed there was language that needed to be cleaned up. He also expressed that they didn’t believe it was a good idea to take away the Planning and Zoning Board’s decision making.

 

 Commissioner Jones expressed that this Ordinance was brought to them. They didn’t initiate these changes.

 

 Ms. Hill clarified that this was brought to the Commission and the Planning and Zoning Board due to the Commission asking the City’s Attorney’s office to look at these items, specifically the variances and appeals, to be brought to the Commission for final decision making, as opposed to the Planning and Zoning Board. This wasn’t something that staff initiated.

 

 Commissioner Williams gave the example of Epoch. The original deviations were developed by the Planning and Zoning Board and the Commission ultimately didn’t agree. Commissioner Williams would caution them on making this change. He opined that at that point, what would they need the Planning and Zoning Board for. He is not in favor of this Ordinance.  He thinks they could’ve vetted this earlier if they had Workshops to discuss it prior.     

 

This item will be on the 7:00 pm City Commission Agenda for a vote.

 

 

2.               CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN & HALF CENT INFRASTRUCTURE BUDGET DISCUSSION (J.FREEMAN)

 

 

Mr. Freeman explained that the CIP was previously discussed at the September 11^th, 2023 Workshop. He gave a recap of what was discussed. Based on the feedback from that meeting, they did make a few changes that were recommended by the Commission. The 7^th Street surface upgrades was previously questioned by Mr. Barnebey, and monies have been allocated in that area to perform upgrades through a different bucket of funding. Additional monies from impact fees were moved to the project at 10^th Street for the turn lane by CVS. They also added detail as to how long projects had been on the list, at the request of Commissioner Williams. Mr. Freeman referenced the packet which was included in the Agenda.

 

 Commissioner Williams questioned the carry forward funds. Mr. Freeman responded that this is a 5-year plan, but they are re-approving it every year. If the project has already started, then it needs to completed. If the project hasn’t started yet, they would have the ability to re-vote on it each year. Discussions continued between Commissioner Williams and Mr. Freeman regarding funds being reallocated in future years and their ability to use those funds for other projects.

 

 Commissioner Smith asked if they could cover all of the projects listed. Mr. Freeman answered, yes. These projects are fully funded. Commissioner Smith wants to know if they don’t get to these projects. Mr. Freeman said they can provide them with a mid-year update.

 

 Mr. Freeman went on to discuss the half cent sales tax. The purpose of the Resolution is two-fold. Every year they need to re-budget the funds that they are proposing to spend this year. They are also trying to clean up any new services or projects for the year. As requested by Commissioner Jones, $200,000 have been allocated for sidewalks. The Basketball Courts were previously listed at Lamb Park but they have renamed the project based on the approval to move those to 14^th Avenue. This year they are hoping to spend $1.8 million of the 15-

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop

October 9, 2023

Page 3 of 4

 

year budget. In the Agenda packet the 15-year project list is shown, along with the FY 2024 budget. Mr. Freeman highlighted individual projects that were listed. They have also listed projects that have been completed in the packet.

 

 Mr. Freeman explained that the Resolution listed in the Agenda had a typo in section 2. A new Resolution has been given to the all the Commissioners and included in the Minutes. Mr. Freeman explained that in the Resolution included in the Agenda, it listed the amount as $88,209 in Section 2, as opposed to the updated version of $288,209. This is due to the $200,000 being allocated for sidewalks, as previously mentioned.

 

 Commissioner Smith asked how much money has been brought in for half cent. Mr. Freeman answered about $1.2 million per year. Commissioner Smith requested that they be given an update to show how much is spent. Mr. Freeman answered that he will incorporate that in an update at the same time as the CIP.  Commissioner Smith asked how much they spent on the new Police Department this year. Mr. Freeman answered about $9 million total. The fiscal year debt service was discussed.

 

 Commissioner Williams questioned the $325,000 allocated for Lamb Park, which was updated to 14^th Avenue. He asked if that was all it would cost for the new basketball courts. Mr. Freeman answered no, that’s what is allocated. A complete plan hasn’t been generated at this time. There will be other funding from CIP that will go towards it as well. Currently $600,000 has been allocated for that. It will come back to the Commission before anything is done.

 

 Both of these items will be on the Consent Agenda for a vote at the 7:00 pm City Commission Meeting.     

 

 

 

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

 

Mr. Johnson presented a PowerPoint to provide CRA updates. The PowerPoint was included in the Agenda.

 

 Jennifer Hoffman, Executive Director from Keep Manatee Beautiful, highlighted the PowerPoint, which was included in the Agenda, showcasing the projects they have been part of over the last year. Areas of Concentration were also discussed. She then went on to discuss the plan for 2024. She further explained the difference in the funding of $30,000 from last year and $50,000 this year.

 

 Mayor Bryant expressed that the garden program at the high school was amazing. She noted that a couple of Commissioners will be visiting Manatee School for the Arts this weekend. Their school adopted the City parks and they were the precursor to keeping the parks cleaned up. Former CRA Director, Mr. Colon formalized the program and worked with Jennifer at Keep Manatee Beautiful. They revitalized the adopt a park program after the adopt a road project.

 

 Commissioner Jones noted that they are doing a beautiful job. He questioned using a City property as a free garden. Ms. Hoffman answered that it will come before the Board in the future to discuss.

 

 Commissioner Smith stated that they were doing a pretty good job. He asked if Keep Manatee Beautiful oversaw all of the listed projects. Ms. Hoffman answered, yes. He then questioned her yearly budget. He believed that was a lot of money if she mostly used volunteers. Ms. Hoffman answered that she’s able to do all of these

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop

October 9, 2023

Page 4 of 4

 

projects with this budget. She’s worked hard to increase what they do and what they’re able to provide to the community. The budget has been turned into Mr. Johnson. Commissioner Smith asked to see it at the 7:00 pm meeting. He believed she should have enough money to pay kids, not just volunteer. Ms. Hoffman spoke on a previous program she ran in Texas. Mr. Johnson explained that the budget was not solely to pay employees. This pays for all the supplies and costs associated with all these projects. Commissioner Smith offered to help her with her program.

 

 Antoinette Kilgore, CRA’s Program Coordinator, provided an update on the Multi-Cultural festival.  She is working within the $50,000 budget. She emphasized that the time constraint is difficult.

 

 Commissioner Jones questioned the promotors. Ms. Kilgore explained the typical process each year. Commissioner Jones asked if there would be a kids zone. Ms. Kilgore answered that they aren’t able to budget for it this year. She did note that there may be a vendor that wants to do it, but it will be at his own expense. Commissioner Jones went on to ask about the costs of Artists. Ms. Kilgore read from documents from the two proposed promotors. These were included in the minutes. He asked when they will get an update. Ms. Kilgore stated that she wasn’t sure, as they are still working on all the details.

 

 Commissioner Smith asked for a copy of the prices. He stated that she was doing a good job and hopefully they can get a good artist.  Commissioner Smith then asked Mr. Johnson if everyone in his department got a raise. Mr. Johnson answered yes, the same as the rest of the City employees of 6%. He wanted to know how much everyone in his department is making by the 7:00 pm meeting. Mr. Johnson said he would try to get that information.

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 6:01 pm.