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 (Entered the meeting at 4:42 pm)
STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:
Mark Barnebey, City Attorney (Entered the meeting at 4:32 pm)
Jim Freeman, City Clerk
Edward Johnson, Interim CRA Director
Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director (Present via ZOOM)
Scott Tyler, Chief of Police
Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk
Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant
Cheryl Miller, Finance Director
Matt Misco, Finance Manager (Present via ZOOM)
STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:
Noah Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant
Mayor Bryant opened the meeting at 4:30 pm.
Mr. Freeman reminded the Commission of the CDBG Housing Grant Informational Workshops, scheduled for August 5th. Flyers were given out to the Commissioners to pass on to residents. The application process will run for about 2 months.
Mayor Bryant noted Ms. Tipton’s retirement letter that she would circulate for the Commissioners to sign.
Mr. Freeman shared that we would have another meeting next Monday, August 5th. The agenda will be posted tomorrow morning. The second meeting in August will be on the 26th. There are two extra budget workshops tentatively scheduled in August, depending on need. He also noted that we currently have a meeting scheduled for November 4th, the day before the election, in case anyone wanted to cancel that meeting. Commissioner Jones thought we should. Commissioner Joiner agreed. Mr. Freeman suggested making a motion at tonight’s meeting to cancel, if that was the direction they would like to go.
Mr. Freeman noted that the updated pages for the budget had been placed at each Commissioner’s desk. These are the last 2 pages, correcting the error notated at the last meeting.
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July 29, 2024
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Mr. Freeman reminded the Commission that at the 7:00 pm meeting they would need to set the tentative millage and budget hearing dates, to comply with the TRIM process.
Mr. Freeman highlighted that staff are still working with the insurance representatives to drive those costs down. They are working on finalizing the salary study. Money has been allocated within the budget to implement the final results. State monies are still coming in. There are not any significant changes at this time. He is hoping to have a version 2 budget available at one of the tentative budget workshops or at the August 26th Workshop.
Commissioner Jones questioned the salary of the CRA Code Enforcement officer going from being funded by Public Works to the CRA. Mr. Freeman explained that they just earmarked monies within each department to account for the results of the salary study. Mr. Freeman explained that some employees may get a salary adjustment based on the salary study, but everyone will get a cost-of-living adjustment. He’s just not sure yet of the exact amounts for each department.
Commissioner Williams thought they would be wrong in not bringing back a higher millage rate. They can always decrease it. He wanted to have a cushion in case there were things that needed to be added throughout the budget discussions.
Commissioner Cornwell understood Commissioner Williams’ opinion. However, they have been given a solid budget, they have a good amount to work with and they are over the requirement to keep in reserves. She opined that the Mayor and staff have recommended the rollover rate, therefore she thinks it would be wise to keep it at that. They have a lot of citizens struggling financially. She thought they needed to support their needs. She did understand Commissioner Williams’ position, but she thinks budgeting for the bigger items can be discussed during CIP and future budgets. Commissioner Cornwell thought it was a great budget.
Commissioner Joiner asked Commissioner Williams what rate he would want to propose. Commissioner Williams stated that he was ok with the rollover rate, he just thought they needed to have a cushion in case something comes up in the next two months.
Commissioner Smith thought the water bills are high. Mr. Freeman noted that there is an annual increase, that was approved by Commission. It’s a standard 2% increase. Commissioner Smith wanted to get that down. He also thought the budget was good where it’s at right now.
Mr. Freeman noted that it is the staff’s job to answer questions and come up with solutions, as needed. If there is something they have a question about, they can still have that discussion, no matter what they decide tonight. Commissioner Williams didn’t think they were being responsible by reviewing this budget as a balanced budget and not diving into specifics. It was reiterated that there are reserves for unexpected events. Commissioner Williams believed there are a lot of things they need to discuss in the next two months. The reserves are only for certain circumstances.
Commissioner Cornwell further noted the unrestricted fund balance. We are $2 million dollars over what is needed in the reserves. She thought they needed to discuss those bigger projects and move more aggressively on completing them in the future. A lot of those projects will be part of the CIP budget discussions.
Mayor Bryant discussed Ward 1 Phase III and being successful in receiving state funding to aid in that. She understood Commissioner Williams’ concern, but she was hesitant to raise the millage rate, as there didn’t seem
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to be a consensus from the other Commissioners. The consensus was if it wasn’t necessary, they didn’t want to raise taxes, as it would be very upsetting for the residents.
Commissioner Williams asked Mr. Freeman what the parameters were for using the trailer park trust funds. Mr. Freeman answered that the Commission had full discretion. They aren’t required to keep that fund at a certain level. Commissioner Williams reiterated that he didn’t see any harm in raising the proposed millage temporarily.
1. 4th OF JULY RECAP FROM LEAH BROWN
Leah Brown passed out a handout, which was included in the Minutes. She referenced this handout to highlight the 4th of July event that she coordinated at Riverside. She shared that overall, she has received a great response to the event. She believed they had over 5,000 attendees. The handout highlighted the feedback she received and the overall budget for the event.
Mayor Bryant noted that they should let Ms. Brown start planning the event sooner next year.
Commissioner Williams opined that it was a job well done!
Commissioner Joiner was sorry she couldn’t be there, but she heard nothing but positive feedback.
Ms. Brown also thanked North River News for their help in advertising.
Commissioner Cornwell shared that it was such a wonderful event.
Ms. Brown mentioned that they may want to consider pushing the start time to 6:00 pm next year, due to the heat.
Commissioner Jones said it was a job well done. He had heard nothing but positive feedback.
Ms. Brown went on to share information about a European Holiday Market that will be going on at the Bradenton Area Convention Center and Palmetto Marriott from November 29th- December 8th. A handout was given to the Commissioners and included in the Minutes. Mayor Bryant will be lighting the Christmas tree at the market on Friday, November 29th.
Commissioner Williams thought that would be a great event. He asked how this will impact our Christmas in the park at the Historical Park. Ms. Brown answered that they are going to cross-promote. They will create a “passport” to highlight other events happening in the area. That is also the weekend of the boat parade.
Mayor Bryant spoke about the event she attended at the Marriott Hotel last Friday.
Ms. Brown shared that they are kicking off social events at the Marriott, starting this Friday from 5:30-7:30 pm.
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2. FY 2025 BUDGET DISCUSSION (J.FREEMAN)
This item was discussed before item number 1.
Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 5:33 pm.
Minutes approved: AUGUST 26, 2024
JAMES R. FREEMAN
James R. Freeman
City Clerk