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

Tamara Cornwell, Vice-Mayor, Commissioner-at-Large 2

Sunshine Joiner, Commissioner, Ward 2

Sheldon Jones, Commissioner-at-Large 1

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

Brian Williams, Commissioner, Ward 3 (Joined the meeting at 4:32 pm)

 

STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Edward Johnson, Interim CRA Director (Not Present)

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk

Jake Bibler, City Planner

Kera Hill, Development Services Supervisor

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

 

 Mayor Bryant opened the meeting at 4:30 PM.

 

 

 Mr. Rayan introduced Jake (John) Bibler, the new City Planner for the City of Palmetto. 

 

 

1.               INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER DISCUSSION (M.RAYAN)

 

Mr. Rayan introduced the topic for discussion. He noted that this is new for the City, as they are still working with the legal department and the engineers to draft this Ordinance. This is being brought forward because of the business that will be coming to the City that will be expelling wastewater from their cleaning facility. The Industrial Wastewater Ordinance would allow the City to implement a permitting program for industrial discharges and implement fees for permit reviews, and rates for the users. The City would also be allowed to levy fines in the event there is non-compliance. It would allow the City to review the facilities and the pre-treatment equipment during the pre-permitting process. This Ordinance would also allow the City to adopt a technical manual. Mr. Rayan discussed the purpose of the manual. They are trying to prevent discharges to our treatment plant that are out of compliance with what the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, WWTP, was designed to do. They are also hoping to prevent pollutants, protect the public health, and promote water re-use and recycling. They are still working on the permitting process and the fees that would be associated.

City Commission/CRA Workshop

February 26, 2024

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Included in the Agenda packet are rates based off the City of Tampa’s wastewater rates.

 

There are limitations within our wastewater treatment plant that we cannot exceed. Therefore, we need these industrial users to pre-treat the discharge that will be entering our systems. There are many cities/municipalities that have a similar Ordinance in place. They are also hoping to gain a better understanding of the mercury discharge from dentists’ offices.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell noted that the purpose of this Ordinance is to protect the City’s WWTP from infiltration from outside contaminates. She questioned what we formerly did to prohibit these contaminates. Mr. Rayan responded that there is nothing currently in place for industrial wastewater discharge. Commissioner Cornwell questioned regulating private citizens’ contaminated discharge. Mr. Rayan reiterated that this Ordinance is for industrial intrusion. Commissioner Cornwell questioned individual liquids and chemicals. This policy/Ordinance will strengthen their ability to monitor/oversee compliance. The workers at the WWTP will notify them of any change in chemicals they see coming into the plant. Commissioner Cornwell further questioned what policies our workers at the WWTP currently follow in regard to reporting. Mr. Rayan answered that they have daily reports and monthly monitoring reports that are sent to the DEP.

 

 Commissioner Williams asked if they could incorporate some of this into stormwater also. Mr. Rayan responded that he could look into that. Commissioner Williams stated that there is a lot of dumping into the stormwater drains and he thinks it’s important to look into regulation of that as well. Mr. Rayan noted that they can incorporate the stormwater structures around facilities, but he’s not sure if they can within the neighborhoods. Commissioner Williams asked what we have in place for regulation of chemicals in the stormwater system. Mr. Rayan responded, nothing at this time but they can look into it and code enforcement keeps an eye on compliance of that as well. Commissioner Williams asked if Quest diagnostics is being monitored. He also asked where funeral homes and doctor’s offices fall in with this. Mr. Rayan answered that he hasn’t expanded this Ordinance to go out that far. Commissioner Williams opined that he likes this policy.

 

 Commissioner Smith asked for clarification on the packing houses. Mr. Rayan answered that they reached out to the Mayor’s office and wanted to send their discharge through our WWTP system.

 

 Commissioner Jones asked if this would include any new industrial businesses. Mr. Rayan responded, yes. Commissioner Jones wants to look at the fines, and make sure they’re fair. Mr. Rayan will bring options back to them before anything moves forward. Meter deposits and rentals were further discussed. 

 

Mr. Rayan reiterated that this will be brought back at a later date for further discussions.

 

 Mr. Freeman wanted to make the Commissioners aware of a cyber-security incident. It involved the City and one of our vendors. They were able to determine the parties involved and minimize the impact.  He wanted to discuss the incident with the Commissioners individually in the next few days.

 

He also noted that the RFP for the parcel south of the new Police Department received one response. Their intention was to have them come before Commission later next month to make a presentation and determine if they want to move forward.

 

Mr. Freeman reported that the discussion of impact fees will be coming back to a workshop within the next couple of months. They are working with their vendor to review these. There are six general impact fees: transportation, parks, police, government, water, and sewer.

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop

February 26, 2024

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He also noted that there is a short turnaround for Commission meetings this week. The next meeting is scheduled for a week from today. We will publish the agendas tomorrow for next week as we wanted to wait for feedback from the public hearings tonight. The conditional use permit for Old Salt Marine will also be on that agenda.

 

 Mayor Bryant asked Todd Williams if there are more difficult levels of training to help with educating our staff on cyber security/potential attacks. Mr. Williams answered that Knowbe4 is the system we currently use for education. He noted that he can make the phishing attempts more sophisticated. He suggested having testing/campaigns more often, rather than every quarter, as they’re doing now. It’s the City’s call as to how often the employees do testing and they send out attempts to phish. Mayor Bryant noted that it is a very costly problem. We are fortunate that our staff jumped on the problem quickly as it could’ve been a lot worse. Commissioner Jones also recently got attacked. Mayor Bryant and Mr. Williams emphasized that we need to make everyone aware of the severity of this risk.

 

 Commissioner Williams asked Mr. Williams if we have it set up where employees who don’t use technology don’t have to do the Knowbe4 training. Mr. Williams answered that employees at public works that don’t use City computers or City phones, don’t have to take the training. Mr. Williams gave an example of what they’re seeing in these attacks. There is also remedial training for those who fail a phishing attempt. Mr. Williams said that Barracuda “grades” an email’s risk. It helps but it is not a perfect system.  

 

 Commissioner Jones asked Mr. Freeman if only one person was interested in the parcel south of the new police department. Mr. Freeman answered that they put the parcel out for an additional 60 days, as requested by the Commission, and they got one response.

 

Mayor Bryant emphasized the importance of the cyber security commitment that everyone using our system needs to take seriously. She wants it in our personnel policy going forward.

 

 Mr. Barnebey noted that he forwarded an email from Attorney Jay Daigneault to the Commissioners regarding the Harris Act Claim. If the Commissioners haven’t read it, please do so. Mr. Daigneault suggested three response options, but they are not limited to those three options. If they have any questions about the code amendments, he has time during the break to discuss.

 

 The audio from the last Planning and Zoning meeting is on the website, regarding the issues on tonight’s public hearings.

 

 Mr. Rayan gave examples of fees other cities use for a similar Industrial Wastewater Ordinance.

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 5:10 pm.