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 (Entered the meeting at 4:33 pm)

Brian Williams, Commissioner, Ward 3 (Entered the meeting at 4:42 pm)

 

STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Marisa Powers, City Attorney

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Rowena Young-Gopie, CRA Director

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.               CRA UPDATES (R.YOUNG-GOPIE)

 

 

Code Enforcement

 

Code Enforcement was not present.

 

   Community Policing Innovation Plan

 

Chief Tyler presented the 2^nd quarter Community Policing Innovation Plan. He will present this report quarterly. His PowerPoint was included in the Agenda. He discussed the reasoning for the CRA funding this allocation of extra police officers. This allows dedicated officers to always be present in the CRA. He went on to highlight other programs provided within the CRA. Crimes are reducing at approximately the same rate within the CRA as they are in the rest of the City. They have started to see a slight increase in Part 1 crimes at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Park.

 

 Commissioner Smith asked what the difference in the CRA zones are. Chief answered that the CRA only has one zone. CRA encompasses more than Ward 1. Commissioner Smith questioned who got robbed in MLK park.

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They were acquaintance robberies. Commissioner Smith wanted to know who was committing the crimes. Chief Tyler will provide him with what he is lawfully allowed. 

 

 Commissioner Cornwell noted that these reports are great. She questioned the time of day these crimes are occurring. He said it is generally after dark. She also questioned the types of theft and burglary that are occurring. Part 1 Crime is down significantly.

 

 Commissioner Jones questioned auto theft. Auto theft is when someone takes the car. Burglary is when someone takes something from a car, home, or business.   

 

 

   Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay

 

Ms. Young-Gopie shared the PowerPoint for this program, that was included in the Agenda. Rebuilding Together Tampa Bay’s mission is to repair homes, revitalize communities, and rebuild lives. Rebuilding Tampa Bay, RBTB, is helping Palmetto’s CRA to assist residents with repairs to their homes. They are currently working with the Palmetto CRA to identify homeowners that need home repair assistance. They have currently identified three homes. Their funding will allow them to assist with ten homes.

 

 Commissioner Jones appreciated this program, as this is a large need right now after the two back-to-back hurricanes. He questioned the funding that is still left. Ms. Young-Gopie will provide an update with this information.

 

 Commissioner Smith asked what the risk is for applying for this program. There is no risk other than them maintaining their home for the next 12 months. Ms. Young-Gopie is going to send out notifications to the residents of the CRA to assure them that it is safe to apply for these programs. They are working on getting out into the community and providing outreach to these residents as well.

 

 Commissioner Williams asked if there was a list of qualifications that are needed to apply. It is important for residents to reach out to the CRA, so they can assist them with the appropriate resources based on their specific needs.

 

 Commissioner Joiner asked if it is better for residents to reach out to the CRA or Rebuilding Tampa Bay. They can do either.

 

 Commissioner Jones reiterated that they are held to the standards of upkeeping their home for 5 years, then there are no strings attached. After 5 years, they can apply for additional assistance.

 

 Commissioner Smith asked what happens if the person passes away before the 5 years, can the family hold onto the house? They would have to go through the probate process. They wouldn’t have to do anything specifically through this program. There wouldn’t be a lien against the property.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell asked what the category of low income was. The AMI for Manatee County is $97,000. These are only CRA services. It is a first come, first serve system.

 

 

 

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 Commissioner Williams questioned the assessment process. RBTB completes the assessments and applies for the applicable permits themselves.

 

 

 CRA Monthly Newsletter Template

 

Veronica Jolley, an intern at the CRA, showcased the template for the newsletter, which was included in the Agenda.

 

 Commissioner Jones asked how this newsletter will be disseminated quarterly. The plan is to send out the first newsletter to everyone in the CRA, and then information on how to access the future newsletters online will be sent out.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell liked the before and after pictures of the residential rehabilitation projects. She also suggested showcasing other historical projects that have been redeveloped. For example, storefront grant recipients, the seahorse, Women’s Club, etc.

 

 

2.               ALTIER PURCHASE AGREEMENT (J.FREEMAN/M.POWERS)

 

This item was also on the 7:00 pm City Commission Agenda for approval.

 

Mr. Freeman gave a brief history of this item, which was also included in the agenda. This is a purchase agreement to sell the southern half of the old Palmetto Elementary site. Ther due diligence period was discussed because there was a discrepancy between the point paper and the contract. Mr. Freeman went on to discuss other aspects of the contract. They noted that 20% can be allocated as affordable housing and the other 80% as market rate. There are updated renderings included on the Agenda. They are proposing 1.68 spaces per unit parking.

 

Brad Baker thanked the Mayor and Commission for being so great to work with. Nicholas Altier and Abigail Altier were also present.

 

 Commissioner Williams asked that their funding be established at the time of closing. Mr. Baker explained that obtaining funding is a one-year process. He also noted that FDOT is also going to be working on the 10^th Avenue Complete Street Project. There is no federal or state funding for this project. The businesses will all be along 10^th Ave on the first floor. There is a separate parking requirement for retail.

 

 Commissioner Smith questioned the parking allocation of 1.68 spaces per unit. They’re going to meet code, which is 1.68. Parking will include a mixture of electric vehicle spaces, handicap and guest parking spaces. They went on to discuss the size of the units. They are trying to use size to assist with affordability. The market study will drive the price of the units. The project completion date is potentially four years out; therefore, it is hard to say exactly what the costs will be at the time of occupancy. They want this project to be successful, therefore they will adjust the costs based off the need.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell expressed concern with parking on 7^th Street West. She believed there are residential properties across from the property. She liked the placement of the townhomes. Their retention will most likely be vaulted underneath. They also plan to speak with the Police Department about their retention area. Garbage

 

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and ambulatory access was questioned.   Mr. Barker responded that retail parking would be on the exterior/street parking. This will evolve and improve through the process. They wanted to show their current thoughts.  Mr. Freeman noted that they reserved an area on 7^th Street to develop parking. Commissioner Cornwell thought there were prohibitions for parking on 7^th Street for hurricane evacuations.   Mr. Rayan confirmed there is currently no parking on 7^th Street. They reserved certain areas to develop parking as part of future projects.  

 

 Commissioner Jones believed this needs to be workshopped again. He believed more discussions need to happen before a decision is made.   The other commissioners gave a consensus to have another Workshop before a decision was made. Mr. Altier opined that he would like to see this move forward and then they can make accommodations and continue discussions based off commissioner comments and concerns. 

 

3.            CIP DISCUSSION (J.FREEMAN/M.MISCO)

 

This item will be discussed at a future date, as time did not allow.

 

 

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 6:07 pm.