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 (Present via ZOOM)

Sheldon Jones, Commissioner-at-Large 1

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

Brian Williams, Commissioner, Ward 3

 

STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney (Entered the meeting at 4:31 pm)

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 Assistant

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

 

   Mayor Bryant opened the meeting at 4:30 pm.

 

 

1.               SWEARING IN OF NEW CRA CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER

 

Mr. Freeman swore in Robert Lamensa, as the new CRA Code Enforcement Officer.

 

 

2.               POLICE OFFICERS RECOGNITION (S.TYLER)

 

Chief Tyler swore in the following new Police Officers:

·         Cathleen Alleyne

·         Kyle Crum

·         Jorge Lopez II

 

 

Chief Tyler recognized the following Employee and Officer of the Year for the Police Department:

·         Don Barajas, Police Fleet and Inventory Specialist - 2023 Employee of the Year

·         Corporal Benjamin Schlabach - 2023 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year

 

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop

May 20, 2024

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3.               SPECIAL FUNCTION PERMIT- 4^TH OF JULY EVENT AND EVENT COORDINATOR CONTRACT (30 MINUTES)

 

Ms. Leah Brown with The Big Idea Events presented a Special Function Permit, on behalf of the City of Palmetto, for the 4^th of July event.

 

She noted that if the permit and contract are approved, they will open a call for vendors on June 3^rd and close on June 21^st. She recapped her proposal for the event.

 

 Commissioner Jones was concerned with parking if the event is at Riverside. Ms. Brown discussed her proposed parking options.   Commissioner Jones asked if her fee was part of the overall budget for the event. Ms. Brown answered yes, it is.

 

 Commissioner Smith asked who they were going to have for local talent. Ms. Brown hadn’t picked any particular vendors yet. He also questioned the alcohol sales. Ms. Brown noted that Desoto will submit a separate special function permit for the beer garden. They have created a beer garden concept, similar to the Regatta. She noted that the beer garden and children’s area are on separate sides of the event. Commissioner Smith questioned having open containers at the event. Chief Tyler and Gus Sokos Executive Director with Desoto spoke to their suggestions and procedures for identifying these items.

 

 Commissioner Williams asked about the food vendors and if they will pay to be at the event. They will not be charged if they have a registered business tax license with the City of Palmetto. All others will pay $150.

 

 Commissioner Jones asked why it was a year contract versus just for the event. Ms. Brown answered that she believed it was in case there were other events they wanted to use her for, they wouldn’t have to revisit the contract. Commissioner Jones was in favor of doing the contract for just this event.  Ms. Brown would be fine with that adjustment.       

 

Ms. Brown noted that they are hoping residents from neighboring communities will come to our City for the event.

 

 Commissioner Smith asked what the CRA will be helping with. They may have a booth, but they’re not sure if they will do it this year. He noted that he was concerned with moving the location to Riverside. Commissioner Smith asked Chief if they will have enough people down there. Chief responded yes; they have already been making tentative plans.  Mr. Sokos discussed the waterfront being our best resource and the benefits of having the event at Riverside, where the fireworks display will be.  Commissioner Smith questioned the budget and Ms. Brown reiterated that the $50,000 will be all inclusive. She went on to note that she would love to prove herself and exceed expectations. Commissioner Smith thought she had good people working around her. He just worried about the budget. She went on to explain that she wants to draw local talent, along with student performers.  Mr. Sokos shared his experience with this year’s Desoto pre-parade entertainment in downtown Bradenton and their success with getting local bands.

 

 Mayor Bryant is looking forward to making it family friendly and drawing people over to Palmetto from Bradenton that walk along the Riverwalk.

 

 

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop

May 20, 2024

Page 3 of 4

 

 Commissioner Williams further noted that it will reduce the police officers needed to have the event and the fireworks at Riverside. When it was at Sutton Park, they had to have more officers spread out between the two areas. He is in favor of the move to Riverside.     

 

 Mr. Freeman reminded everyone that this is on the 7:00 pm City Commission Consent Agenda for approval.

 

4.               WOMEN’S CLUB RENOVATION PROJECT #23-839 (E.JOHNSON) (REMAINING TIME)

 

Mr. Johnson read from the point paper, which was attached to the Agenda. He noted that this item was brought forward at a meeting on April 1, 2024. The Board asked him to bring it back to a Workshop and Special CRA Board Agenda for further discussion and vote.

 

Jon and Vicky Moore, Moore 2 Design, presented a PowerPoint Presentation, which was included in the Agenda.

 

 Commissioner Smith questioned how many square feet the building will be. It was answered: 5,460 sq ft.

 

 Commissioner Joiner loved this project and noted that it has been a long process getting to this point and she’s looking forward to moving forward.

 

 Commissioner Williams noted that they were here because of him and his concerns with this project. He thinks the project is over ambitious at this time, for what it’ll be. He discussed rental prices/rental hours and the need for employees. It would take 22 years to pay back the cost of this project. He thinks it’s too much for Palmetto right now. He thinks they can fix it up for less money.  He acknowledges it’s a great design. But he doesn’t want to spend that much money on this project. He noted the meeting from March 2022 and the need to move the basketball courts first. He questioned which projects they are willing to cut out to remodel the Women’s Club to this degree.

 

 Mayor Bryant discussed direct versus indirect revenue streams as a byproduct of other projects that have been done (ex: It Works). She noted that building the courts on 14^th Avenue is a City project and the Women’s Club is a CRA project. 

 

 Commissioner Cornwell discussed the removal of the celebration building and the intent to put money into the remodel of the Women’s Club. She knows many people that have gotten married there. They’re looking for a venue to bring people into our City. She noted that they aren’t taking money from other projects. There are projects we are no longer doing which will fund this project. The CRA is supposed to redevelop areas that need it. She likes the location and thinks it will draw people to the area. We don’t currently have a location to hold these types of events. This will help revitalize the area. She is in favor of this project and believes this is something the City needs.

 

 Commissioner Smith asked Mr. Johnson if the MLK playground equipment has been ordered. Mr. Johnson answered that it is in the works. The MLK project is already approved and moving forward. Commissioner Smith didn’t believe the Women’s Club project was originally budgeted for that high of an amount. Mr. Johnson referenced the document where they approved the budget in 2022. Commissioner Smith also stated that the basketball courts haven’t been moved yet. Mayor Bryant reiterated that the courts are a City project, not a CRA project. The basketball courts are also in the works for 14^th Avenue.   Commissioner Smith asked Mr.

 

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop

May 20, 2024

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Barnebey about the old fertilizer plant. Mr. Barnebey answered that it is still in the remediation process.

 

 Commissioner Williams referenced the building at Riverside, It Works, and opined that it was a failure to start with. Mayor Bryant responded that she wasn’t talking about the original project. She was talking about the investment that the CRA made into it. He thinks they can put new bathrooms in the building, drop the stage, and do minor remodeling to the building. They’re putting in things that don’t need to be done right now. He thinks the project needs to be re-thought out. He can’t move forward with how it is now. He thinks they’ll have to raise taxes if they want to move forward with this project.   Mr. Johnson stated that they didn’t have direction to move forward with the projects listed prior to him being the Interim CRA Director.   Mr. Johnson noted that the information provided was identified by the Finance Manager as areas where the money could come from. Our CRA is growing, Mr. Johnson didn’t believe there would be an issue with funding these projects in future budgets. He went on to say that they have assigned these dollars in previous years, and then they don’t move forward. The CRA can’t sit on the money. They must reallocate the money after three years anyways.

 

 Commissioner Williams would love to know what the cost would be to make the changes he’s proposing, and not the full remodel. Mr. Johnson responded that they would have to put it out for rebid if they piece meal the project.   Ms. Vicky Moore went on to discuss the history of funding for the project. The Board approved this project in 2022.

 

This item will continue to the 7:00 pm Special CRA Board Meeting for further discussion and consideration.

 

 Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 6:00 pm.