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 4:50 pm)

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 (Joined the meeting at 4:32 pm)

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Edward Johnson, Interim CRA Director

Marisa Powers, City Attorney (Joined the meeting at 4:45 pm)

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.

 

 

 

1.               CPIP PRESENTATION BY CHIEF TYLER

 

Chief Tyler presented his CPIP report, provided through PowerPoint, which was included in the Minutes. This report highlighted the four Police Officers who are funded through the CRA and the programs they have been implementing throughout the CRA.

 

 Commissioner Smith questioned how many officers are working in the CRA. One per shift according to Chief. This is through the CPIP allocation. The rest of the officers patrol this area throughout their shift. One officer per shift is always designated to that area. Commissioner Smith went on to ask about felonies and misdemeanors, shootings, etc. Chief highlighted trends from last year vs this year. Commissioner Smith wanted more officers in the CRA. Chief went on to explain that homicides are not always dictated by police presence. Discussions continued between Chief and Commissioner Smith regarding the need for additional officers. Chief Tyler reiterated that most of their officers spend the majority of their time in the CRA.

 

 

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 Commissioner Jones discussed inviting the residents, in the heart of the CRA, to a community event where they can come and talk to the officers and report/discuss issues they may have. He suggested the area of 10^th Street across from the old Taylor Fulton Packing House. Chief Tyler noted that crime has gone down this year in the same reporting period. Discussions continued regarding the need for additional officers.

 

 

2.               MIKE MOORE WITH THE SOUTHERN GROUP WILL PROVIDE LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

 

Mike Moore, contracted lobbyist for the City of Palmetto, from the Southern Group, gave a presentation through PowerPoint. The PowerPoint was included in the Minutes.

 

There were funds of $1,000,000 allocated for improvements to low to moderate income areas within Ward 1 of the City within the budget that was passed by both chambers. They are still awaiting final approval from the Governor.  Mr. Freeman further explained what these funds could be used for.

 

Mayor Bryant emphasized that she thought it was important for the City to have a lobbyist advocating for Palmetto and she would like to see that continue in the years to come.

 

Mr. Moore detailed other bills that passed that may have an impact on our City.  He also noted bills that did not pass, that would have had a negative impact on cities. These were also included in the PowerPoint presentation.

 

Everyone is currently waiting on the Governor to review the budget/bills and see what he vetoes and when he signs off on the final budget. The next committee weeks will begin in November 2024, and regular session will begin in March 2025.

 

 Commissioner Williams asked what the Southern Group’s position was on Form 6 from the previous year. Mr. Moore responded that they took the position of their clients.

 

  Commissioner Williams asked for clarification on the camping that’s non-permitted.  He also asked if they could put provisions on all rental properties. Mr. Moore and Mr. Barnebey responded no, they cannot separate rental and owned homes in that way.

 

 Commissioner Jones thanked him for the presentation and asked for a copy to be sent to them. Ms. Bailey sent the Commissioners the presentation following the meeting. Commissioner Jones noted that he was skeptical at first when discussing the need for a lobbyist, but he now agrees they must have representation.    

 

 

3.               INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER ORDINANCE 2024-02 AND RESOLUTION 2024-10 (M.RAYAN/M.BARNEBEY)

 

Jake Bibler, City Planner, introduced the item. The point paper recaps the Ordinance that is being proposed. This item is also on the 7:00 pm agenda for First Reading. The Resolution 2024-10 will establish the fees, which will be presented on the Agenda, after the public hearing.

 

 

 

 

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 Mr. Rayan went on to reiterate that this is in conjunction with the previous discussion for an Industrial Wastewater Ordinance from the Workshop on February 26, 2024.  He discussed the fees they’re proposing. Mr. Rayan noted that Devin Bloome and Attorney Marisa Powers are in attendance, if the Commissioners had any questions.

 

 Devin Bloome, Project Manager for Veolia, explained that this allows City staff to regulate industrial plants from contaminating the city’s water with their discharge from their business. They will need to pre-treat the discharge before it enters our systems.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell explained her understanding of the Ordinance. Mr. Bloome clarified what the Ordinance allows. Currently our City Ordinances don’t address industrial waste. She had concerns with identifying businesses that will need to comply and how they will monitor these annual fees and enforce compliance.

 

 Mr. Bloome further explained the Florida Department of Environmental Protections, FDEP, code.    Mr. Rayan and Mr. Bloome answered how they would designate which businesses would need to comply. It’s outlined in the technical memorandum. The Engineers would determine the complexity of the chemicals for industrial users. This Ordinance would be for future and current businesses. 

 

 Commissioner Cornwell asked what the steps would be for current business owners. Mr. Rayan responded that they would need to get an application, submit the packet, and they will send the information out to the engineers. To use our facilities, they will submit an application fee of $2,000, which would be an annual fee. They will also be responsible for the pre-treatment on their site. Discussions continued over who needs to pay the fee.

 

 Commissioner Williams questioned the following items:

·         Is there a list of examples of current industrial users that we want to include in this Ordinance?

·         How will they enforce this Ordinance?

·         How will they determine if someone is already a pollutant?

It was answered that during the planning stage of a business coming to the City, they will make a determination with the engineers if they fall under the category as an industrial user. It was also reported that other local agencies have a similar Ordinance. They are trying to follow suit.

Commissioner Williams believed we will need a separate inspector. Mr. Rayan stated that businesses will have to submit these documents to them. They also do daily monitoring and monthly monitoring of their WWTP already. They will have Veolia and their engineer do spot checks periodically. He noted that this is a start.

 

Commissioner Williams believed the Ordinance needs to specify that it is the business’ responsibility, in big bold letters. Mr. Rayan stated it will be defined in the permitting packet itself. Commissioner Williams went on to question sewage on page 10 of the packet. Mr. Rayan reiterated that this was mirrored from the City of Tampa’s policy. Commissioner Williams thinks this needs to be more definitive. He thinks there are things in here that need to be fine-tuned. He stated that he expressed concern in February about funeral homes and their waste. Commissioner Williams didn’t think this was ready for tonight. He wants the staff and attorneys to go back through it. Mr. Rayan asked if they could move forward with this Ordinance, and they can always make updates in the future.

 

 Mr. Freeman clarified that there are two things that have to happen. The Ordinance will need to be adopted first to establish the policy and the Resolution will set the fee schedule and further details. We can have the first

 

 

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reading and push out the public hearing and have a workshop in between. Mr. Rayan suggested they reach out to Tampa to have further dialogue.

 

 Mr. Freeman went on to discuss the annual fee and having a third party to monitor.  The idea is that the fee will cover the third party to check on these businesses for compliance.

 

 Mr. Barnebey does believe this can move forward; however, they need to be able to identify who this will apply to, and they need to notify those businesses. Mr. Barnebey further clarified the significant industrial users.

 

 Commissioner Smith asked if they had talked to the Laundromat. Mr. Rayan said they are aware of the Ordinance. They have their own inspector to comply with the DEP. Funeral homes probably also have their own inspectors. 

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 6:00 pm.