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 5:21 PM)

Tamara Cornwell, Commissioner-at-Large 2

Sunshine Joiner, Commissioner, Ward 2 (Not Present)

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 Administrative Assistant

Kera Hill, Development Services Supervisor

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

   Mayor Bryant opened the meeting at 4:30 PM.

 

 

 

1.               EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

 

Mayor Bryant awarded employee of the year to Selena Resendiz, Senior Dispatcher from the Police Department.

 

 

 

2.               MOORE 2 DESIGN PROJECT UPDATE PRESENTATION (E.JOHNSON)

 

Mr. Johnson introduced Moore 2 Design, consultant for the CRA. Jon and Vicky Moore presented a PowerPoint to highlight projects they have been working on. The PowerPoint was made part of the Agenda packet. The two projects they discussed were the Palmetto Bay Aquatic Habitat and the restoration of the Women’s Club.

 

 

 Commissioner Jones asked to be made aware of how many applicants they receive and the order in which they are ranked for the upcoming restoration of the Women’s Club. He would like to be given all of the information.   Mr. Freeman explained the selection committee’s process the purchasing department follows.

 

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January 8, 2024

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 Commissioner Smith questioned who puts the committee together. Mr. Freeman answered that the purchasing department coordinates that. Commissioner Smith opined that he didn’t want City employees to be on the reviewing committee. He believed it was a conflict of interest.   Mayor Bryant stated that she isn’t aware of any provisions prohibiting City employees from being on the recommendation committees. She believed they are a vital part of these committees. She stated that if the desire of the Commission is to change this, it needs to go to a City Commission meeting to be voted on.    Commissioner Smith wants to know who is on the committees ahead of time.   Mr. Freeman reiterated that it is a recommending body, and the Commission makes the final approval.

 

 Commissioner Williams echoed the Mayor in that they are a legislative body and what they are discussing is dealing with day-to-day business. The Commission will make the ultimate decision on the project. The committee scores the applicants and makes a recommendation. He did not believe this was a legislative concern.

 

 Commissioner Smith reiterated that he didn’t believe it is fair for City employees to be on the committees.

 

 Mayor Bryant expressed her concern with changing the current procedures.

 

 

3.               MULTI-FAMILY UNIT IMPROVEMENT AND INCREMENT REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT (E.JOHNSON)

 

Mr. Johnson read the point paper which was included in the Agenda recapping the agreement being proposed for the multi-family unit improvement and increment reimbursement agreement with Sight Development.    Aaron Thomas, representing Sight Development, highlighted a few elements of the projects. The plan is for 204 units. They will be at affordable housing rates, which are 80%-120% of the average median income, AMI. It is about 105% AMI. They are asking for an 80% reimbursement over a period of time expiring in 2041, with a $10 million cap. They discussed the importance of the incentive. The project will address an incredible need within the City.

 

  Michael Minsburg, Principal of Sight Development, highlighted previous projects and the proposed project through a PowerPoint, which was included in the Agenda.

 

 Commissioner Jones asked how much each apartment would cost. Mr. Minsburg answered that a studio would be $1650, the 1 bedroom is $1771, the 2 bedroom is $2,066, and the 3 bedroom is $2675. Commissioner Jones asked how long these prices are locked in. Mr. Minsburg stated that the prices are not locked in.   Mr. Johnson referenced page 54 of the market analysis, which is the rental rate analysis. He highlighted that they have factored in a 2% growth in the figures by completion. Commissioner Jones opined that he didn’t want to see a giant jump in price once they have approved the incentives and wants the rates to remain affordable. Commissioner Jones also questioned the jobs that will be created. Mr. Minsburg responded that they always try to use local vendors, minorities, veterans and women owned businesses.

 

 Commissioner Williams asked for Mr. Minsburg to repeat the rent prices. He then asked when this study was prepared. It was answered early November 2023. Market rate and affordable rates were discussed. Commissioner Williams asked when their due diligence period was over. It was answered that their due diligence period is already over. The remediation action plan and closing timeline was discussed. Mr. Johnson stated that they have until December 31, 2025 to start construction on this project. The last time he spoke with Palmetto

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January 8, 2024

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Green they are waiting for a signed site continuation plan to get to the no further action requirement. Commissioner Williams asked when they approved their site plan. Their GDP was approved in 2018 and amended in December 2022. Mr. Minsburg noted that construction should take between 21-24 months.

 

 Commissioner Smith questioned how much the 3-bedroom apartments were. Mr. Minsburg answered $2675. Commissioner Smith asked Mr. Johnson if that is the average rental prices. Mr. Johnson answered that it averages about 105% AMI and that is based on our area.

 

 Commissioner Jones asked when Palmetto Green will start repaying the money to the CRA. Mr. Johnson answered that the payment doesn’t happen until the sale has occurred.

 

 Commissioner Williams asked for updates and documentation to be presented to the Commission to refresh their memory on these ongoing projects.

 

 Commissioner Smith asked if this is the original group from 2018. It was answered no, it is a different group. 

 

 Mr. Barnebey explained that the land use approvals historically run with the land. The code will change if they approve the code changes as proposed in Ordinance 2023-05 to a period of 3 years with the ability to add one-year extensions. It shouldn’t matter who does the development, it is what they are developing. There will be a timeframe moving forward. Sight Development came before them in December 2022 with an amendment. The original plan was approved in 2018 with a different company.      

 

 

4.               ORDINANCE 2023-05: AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTERS 8, 9 AND 10 OF THE ZONING CODE (B.CORNELIUS/K.HILL/M.BARNEBEY)

 

Mr. Barnebey reminded the Commission that this was brought to a previous Workshop. They addressed the previous concerns in the updated proposed Ordinance. He recapped the changes that were made, which was included in the Agenda.

 

This item will be on the Agenda at the 7:00 PM City Commission Meeting for First Reading.

 

 

5.               ORDINANCE 2023-15: AMENDMENT TO ZONING CODE TO ALLOW USED BOAT SALES, BOAT RENTAL, BOAT REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE, AND BOAT STORAGE IN ADDITION TO NEW BOAT SALES IN COMMERCIAL CORE ZONING DISTRICT AND RELATED CHANGES (B.CORNELIUS/K.HILL/M.BARNEBEY)

 

Ms. Hill gave a recap of this Ordinance. This was brought to a previous Workshop in December. This stemmed from a Conditional Use permit that was originally brought to Commission in September from Old Salt Marine. She discussed the changes since the last Workshop, which was included in the Agenda packet.

 

  Commissioner Williams asked if they got any push back from Compass Boats. Ms. Hill answered that they didn’t have time to speak with them yet. They can do that going forward. Mr. Barnebey responded that he did give a copy to Old Salt Marine’s Attorney.

 

 

 

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January 8, 2024

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 Mr. Freeman noted that the First Reading was held already on December 4^th, 2023. This Ordinance will require 2 Public Hearings moving forward. The Conditional Use permit is due back on February 5^th, 2024. If they decide to move this forward, the Public Hearings will be the next two meetings.

 

 Commissioner Williams believed they shouldn’t do anything until Compass Boats has time to vet this as well.  

 

 Mr. Freeman clarified that staff would contact Compass Boats and the 2 public hearings will be on January 22^nd and February 5^th, 2024.

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 5:28 PM.