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 (Entered the meeting at 4:45 pm)

Sunshine Joiner, Commissioner, Ward 2

Sheldon Jones, Commissioner-at-Large 1

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

Brian Williams, Commissioner, Ward 3

 

STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Edward Johnson, Interim CRA Director (Not Present)

Marisa Powers, City Attorney

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

   Mayor Bryant opened the meeting at 4:31 pm.

 

 

 

1.               ERIE ROAD PROPERTY (PID #659600059) DISCUSSION (J.FREEMAN)

 

Mr. Freeman introduced the topic, as previously discussed on 02/05/2024. He highlighted the property in question, which was included in the Agenda packet. Mr. Bunce, who owns the property to the West of the approximately .25 acre property in question, approached the City wanting to buy the small piece of property the City owns. Mr. Freeman noted that Staff would like direction on moving forward. At the previous Workshop they discussed options of surplusing the property, leasing the property, or creating an easement over the property. If the Commission decides to surplus the property, the City would follow their standard procedures.   Mayor Bryant mentioned that Manatee County had previously mentioned they may have a need for the property. It took over a year for her to get a response from them. They have now determined that they do not have a need for this property.

 

 Commissioner Jones asked Mr. Stephen Bunce how this piece of property got fenced in. Mr. Bunce responded that he cleaned up both his property and the City’s properties. He came into City Hall at that time and told them he had cleaned up their portion of the property. City of Palmetto picked up all the debris at that time. He stated that no one objected to him taking care of the piece of property since 2006. Mr. Jones noted that normally they don’t allow a resident to fence in City property. According to an employee Commissioner Jones spoke to, they went out there at some point in time and mowed the grass.   Mr. Bunce answered that no one from the City

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has come out there since he fenced in that area. He also spoke about a piece of the property that was sold to another resident around 2004, and a survey was provided to Mr. Freeman. Mr. Freeman stated that he did have the survey from Mr. Bunce, but it was still unclear as to the piece of property being sold to a neighbor around that time. He did a quick look and couldn’t find anything in the Minutes to corroborate the sale.

 

 Commissioner Smith questioned Mr. Freeman on the tax history of the property. It wasn’t clear when he looked since it was a portion of the larger property. He asked Mr. Bunce if the City of Palmetto had come out and mowed that property. Mr. Bunce answered that the City hasn’t done anything to that property since 2004. Commissioner Smith asked the Mayor if Manatee County stated they didn’t have any use for that property. She confirmed. He asked if she spoke to the School Board about this property. Mr. Freeman answered that the City owns the property but the County maintained the closure permits with the landfill.   Mayor Bryant further explained Manatee County’s involvement. The School District would likely not take any steps forward because they wouldn’t be able to close the dump/have it sealed.   Mr. Freeman further explained the process after the landfill was closed.   Commissioner Smith asked Mr. Bunce why he would want the property. Mr. Bunce answered that he would like to have another access point to his property.   Mr. Freeman further explained. Discussions continued about the road and the gate and who owns each and who maintains them. The Arrow Club keeps the pepper trees cut back and the pots out of the road, according to Mr. Bunce. The City of Palmetto owns the road. They continued to look at the property appraiser website and discuss all the area the City of Palmetto owns. The City is not maintaining any of it. Mr. Bunce wanted to make sure there weren’t any conflicts with him using the road. Mr. Freeman explained the RFP process if they go that direction to sell the property. There are other steps that would need to take place before they can move forward. The City is not using it, so it is up to the Commissioners.

 

 Mayor Bryant felt like there was a consensus for the Attorneys and Staff to work with Mr. Bunce.

 

 Commissioner Williams wanted staff to pay attention to the drainage ditch behind the property. He also wanted them to discuss the need for a turnaround if the gate was moved further back on that road.  He questioned if a release of liability would be needed from Mr. Bunce.  He said he assumed we had that with the Radio Club. He also noted that he would like to know the value of property and the cost of a turnaround. He said he would be willing to move forward with this after these issues were addressed.

 

 Commissioner Joiner would agree to looking at surplusing this property with those same contingencies Commissioner Williams mentioned.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell was concerned about surplusing the property. She was not concerned with giving him an easement to access the property and use of the property. Her concern with surplusing the property was being able to access the other property we own and the ditch.

 

 Commissioner Jones opined that providing access to the property would be the easiest thing. The City could grant him a letter to access his property. He stated that fencing the property was another issue that could be discussed later. He didn’t realize based on the last conversation that the City of Palmetto owned the large area behind the property in question. He reiterated that there was a consensus to allow him access to the property.

 

 Commissioner Smith asked Mr. Bunce if he was driving in that way now. Mr. Bunce answered no, not yet. Commissioner Smith went on to question the turnaround that Commissioner Williams referenced. It was clarified that there is a gate at 69^th Street. In order to allow Mr. Bunce to access the property, that gate would need to

 

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be moved further North. In doing so, a turnaround would need to be accessible in case someone drove down that road by accident. Mr. Bunce answered it wouldn’t help him to leave the gate there. Mr. Bunce stated that the Arrow Club also wanted that gate moved. Discussions continued regarding the gate.

 

 Commissioner Williams stated that there doesn’t have to be an environmental study if he’s buying the property. He said we need to have a release from him stating that he’s not concerned with the environment on the property. Commissioner Williams thinks staff should deal with this. He agreed to allow him access for now, and eventually sell the property. Mayor Bryant will ask the Department Heads to come up with suggestions at their next meeting.

 

 Commissioner Smith reiterated that he didn’t know that the City owned all the land behind these properties. He stated that we need to watch what we’re doing with turning that old landfill into something else. It could be worth a lot of money for the City. Mr. Freeman stated that he believed the goal would be to eventually use the property for something, but he’s not sure of the environmental rules in doing so.

 

 Commissioner Jones reiterated the consensus to allow access and come back with options.

 

 Mr. Freeman agreed that they had some questions they needed to get answered and then they could bring back some short-term and long-term options.

 

Mr. Bunce reiterated that if they give him access to the property, they need to do something about the gate.  

 

 

2.               CONSIDERATION OF PURCHASE OF FLORIDA AUDUBON SOCIETY PARCEL (MAYOR/LEGAL)

 

Ms. Powers introduced the topic noting the City’s desire to offset the use of a portion of Riverside Park West with another piece of property near Estuary Park. They would need to have a similar size property in order to do a land exchange. They asked the Florida Audubon Society, FAS, if they would be willing to sell the property included in the Agenda packet.

 

Ms. Powers emphasized that the purpose of today was to see if the Commission is interested in moving forward. The FAS agreed to recommend approval of the sale for $50,000 with three stipulations which were detailed in the point paper.

 

 

 Commissioner Cornwell asked what the FAS’ definition of involvement was. Ms. Powers answered that would be something that would need to be further defined and explored. Commissioner Cornwell would not be in favor of them having the final say over future plans. She didn’t think the price was bad and she thought overall it would be a win/win.

 

 Commissioner Williams asked Mr. Freeman about the areas around the boarder of the two parcels shown in the packet. Mr. Freeman and Ms. Powers stated that they were probably right of ways or easements between the parcels. Commissioner Williams went on to question where the connection points would be for a trail. He confirmed that $50,000 was for both parcels. He thought purchasing the properties was the right thing to do, but he would like more details before moving forward on future plans for that property. Mr. Freeman stated that the next step would be to bring this item to a 7:00 pm meeting for approval of purchase of the discussed properties.

 

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Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 5:31 pm.