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 (Joined the meeting at 4:31 pm)

Sunshine Joiner, CRA Chair, Commissioner, Ward 2

Sheldon Jones, Commissioner-at-Large 1

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

Brian Williams, CRA Vice-Chair, Commissioner, Ward 3

 

STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Edward Johnson, Interim CRA Director

Marisa Powers, City Attorney

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk

Jake Bibler, City Planner

Kera Hill, Development Services Supervisor (left the meeting at 5:40 pm)

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

   Mayor Bryant opened the meeting at 4:30 pm.

 

 

 

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

 

 

THIS ITEM WAS ALSO ON THE 7:00 PM AGENDA FOR 2ND PUBLIC HEARING AND POTENTIAL APPROVAL.

 

Mr. Cornelius, contracted City Planner with Wade Trim, discussed the changes that have been made to the Ordinance since the last Public Hearing on 02/26/2024. He highlighted Mr. Lobeck’s email that was sent to the Commission prior to the meeting and made part of the minutes. Mr. Cornelius met with Jake Bibler and Kera Hill and discussed changes that they were comfortable with recommending based off of Mr. Lobeck’s suggestions. Mr. Cornelius went through each item that was sent through the email, which was included in the minutes. Mr. Cornelius went through the point paper he included in the Agenda, which outlined the history of the changes that have been made to this Ordinance through past discussions.

 

 

 

 

City Commission-CRA Workshop

March 4, 2024

Page 2 of 4

 

 

 Commissioner Williams and Mr. Cornelius discussed what determines a substantial deviation, an amendment vs. modification, height restrictions, and a revision to the Live Local Act that is going through legislation but hasn’t been signed by the Governor yet. Mr. Cornelius will update them once it becomes effective.

 

 Commissioner Jones questioned the 5% vs. 10% parking requirement. Discussions continued regarding the need for the difference in percentage. Mr. Cornelius reiterated that any change would come to the City Commission for approval and any changes would have to come to City Commission for reduction.

 

 Commissioner Smith questioned why the new factory being built behind the packing house didn’t come to them regarding the parking plans. Mr. Cornelius stated that it met all the zoning requirements, therefore didn’t need to come before them.

 

Mr. Cornelius will explain the recommended changes at the 7:00 pm meeting before they vote.

 

 

 

2.               APPLIED SCIENCES VULNERABILITY ASSESSMENT PRESENTATION (E.JOHNSON)

 

Mr. Elie Araj and Mr. Brian Cook presented the PowerPoint of the Vulnerability Study that was performed for the City of Palmetto, which was included in the Minutes. This was a project that was supported by the CRA and fully funded by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), through the Resilient Florida Program. This is an “x-ray” in time of the flood risk in our City. This assessment is to highlight the flood vulnerability we may have in our area. The state will support the next steps to help correct any major areas of concern. Their report is due by the end of March to the FDEP. They will share their final report once it has been generated.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell opined that the natural flow of water would be her main priority, rather than focusing on low lying home areas. She would like suggestions for things they can do systematically to help survive with the water over the next 100 years, for example the problems on 20^th Avenue.

 

 Commissioner Williams commented on the need for the City, with the help from grants, to be able to cleanup and maintain the areas so they can drain properly. For example, Lake Roulette and Carr Drain were mentioned. These are the priorities for him to begin with. He went on to discuss storm surge and the possibility of putting in flood gates like Louisiana has done. He would like the experts to tell them what other communities in Florida have done to help with these problems and provide suggestions to move forward with. Commissioner Williams wanted to make sure our systems have the capacity to receive these large amounts of water. Mr. Araj stated that not too long ago, people didn’t want to talk about the Sea Level Rise. The state has now begun to discuss these problems and wants to help with possible aid. Mr. Araj also mentioned that we were able to get the grants for the reef balls because the City was already engaged in the vulnerability study. We were ahead of the game. He opined that we have “some time” to help prevent these problems. Commissioner Williams disagreed that we have time.

 

 

 Commissioner Cornwell opined that it would be great if they could store extra water for future use.

 

 

 

City Commission-CRA Workshop

March 4, 2024

Page 3 of 4

 

3.               CONNOR PARK UPDATE PRESENTATION (E.JOHNSON)

 

Mr. Johnson highlighted the presentation for Connor Park, which was included in the Agenda. Mr. Gause was not present. The project is basically complete. They came in under budget by $178,400.40. He mentioned a few ongoing issues. The reef balls have been re-set and permanently anchored. He went on to discuss a maintenance contract they are negotiating for the duck tails to be removed from the pond. The contract will also be for ongoing maintenance of the pond. They are also working with the legal department to create an interlocal agreement between City and CRA to maintain this park.

 

 Commissioner Williams mentioned discussions they previously had about 3 pipes near reef balls that spray out water. If they want to move forward with that, they will need to have more discussions and develop a plan to allocate additional monies. Commissioner Williams asked if single benches can be added evenly around the walkway. They will also look into that.

 

 

 

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

 

 

Mr. Johnson introduced Jon and Vicki Moore, with Moore 2 Design, who provided updates on their ongoing and upcoming projects. Their presentation was included in the Agenda.   Mr. Ron Berman, Berman Studios, presented a rendering of a mural he created that he would like to add to the West Coast Tomato building across from Connor Park. This would incorporate a lot of the history of Palmetto.

 

 Commissioner Williams liked the idea, but he is not in favor of spending CRA money on this. He wants to spend CRA money on other items, for example, streetlights, cameras, signage, etc. He doesn’t recommend spending money to do this. He also had a problem with it being someone else’s property.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell loved it. She thought it set an artistic stamp in the area. She thought it was absolutely gorgeous and shows the roots and diversity of our community. She was in favor of adding murals to the City.

 

 Commissioner Smith agreed with Commissioner Williams that they can use the money in Ward 1. He also opined that the picture is deceiving.

 

 Mayor Bryant stated that the CRA Advisory Board recommended it. She also mentioned that the McClure family agreed to having it go there. Mr. Johnson also spoke about an application they are working on submitting for Connor Park for the National Brownfields’ Phoenix Award. They were hoping to include the mural rendering with the submittal as something that would be forthcoming to accent Connor Park.

 

 Commissioner Joiner loved the artwork and agreed with Commissioner Cornwell. She stated that people seek out murals.

 

 Commissioner Williams liked the artwork; he just doesn’t want the CRA to pay for it. 

 

 

City Commission-CRA Workshop

March 4, 2024

Page 4 of 4

 

 

 Commissioner Jones agreed that they shouldn’t put a mural up on someone else’s property. He liked the artwork, but he thinks murals would be more appropriate downtown on our own property.

 

 Commissioner Smith asked what the picture means. Mr. Berman responded.

 

 Mayor Bryant suggested bringing this back at the next CRA Board meeting with more information and can vote on it at that time.

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 6:00 pm.