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

Daniel West, Mayor Elect

Tamara Cornwell, Vice-Mayor, Commissioner-at-Large 2

Sunshine Joiner, Commissioner, Ward 2

Sheldon Jones, Commissioner-at-Large 1 (Not Present)

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

Scott Whitaker, Commissioner-at-Large 1 Elect

Brian Williams, Commissioner, Ward 3 (Entered the meeting at 4:52 pm)

 

STAFF PRESENT IN CHAMBERS:

Mark Barnebey, City Attorney

Jim Freeman, City Clerk

Mohammed Rayan, Public Works Director

Scott Tyler, Chief of Police

Rowena Young-Gopie, CRA Director

Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk

Edward Johnson, CRA Consultant

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant

Kelsey Kappler, Senior GIS Analyst

Antoinette Kilgore, CRA Program Coordinator

Matt Misco, Finance Manager

Jenny Silverio, CRA Admin/Compliance Coordinator

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

   Mayor Bryant opened the meeting at 4:31 pm.

 

 

 

1.               SCHOOL SPEED ZONE CAMERA DISCUSSION (S. TYLER)

 

Chief Tyler introduced the topic of adding school speed zone cameras to the schools within the City. Jeff Duflock, RedSpeed, showed a video which explained the legislation that was passed to enforce speed limits 30 minutes before school, during school, and 30 minutes after school is in session. These videos were made part of the minutes. He provided a handout to the Commission, which was also made part of the minutes. After a 30-day warning period, violators who travel more than 10 mph over the speed limit during those hours will be issued a fine of $100. There will not be points added to their driver’s license, and it won’t affect their insurance. RedSpeed is already contracted with Manatee County, the City of Bradenton, and Sarasota.

 

 

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop

November 18, 2024

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 Commissioner Smith asked if the tag reader was accurate. Mr. Duflock answered, yes, very. Chief Tyler also spoke to that. Procedurally, every violation that is picked up, has to be verified by a City employee/police officer. 

 

 Commissioner Cornwell asked why Lincoln’s speed limit is set at 15 mph and the other schools are at 20 mph. Chief Tyler stated that is set by the County. Chief Tyler will look into it. Chief Tyler asked if the Commission was interested in moving forward and bringing something back. The Commission gave a consensus that they would be interested in having more information brought back.

 

Commissioner Smith questioned the hours. It starts 30 minutes before school, all school day, and 30 minutes after school. Florida Statute dictates how ticket proceeds are distributed. Chief spoke on this. The City receives a portion of the fines. A percentage goes to the school district, school crossing guard program, municipality, state of Florida, etc. Chief would like a large portion of the proceeds that go to the City to be used to fund the crossing guard program. This will not change the police officer/SRO allocations at the schools.   Mr. Freeman asked about procurement and if they were on the state contract. Mr. Duflock stated that Sarasota did a sole source and Manatee County went off a piggyback contract.

 

 

2.               CRA AWARD PRESENTATIONS (R. YOUNG-GOPIE)

 

Ms. Young-Gopie acknowledged the two recent Florida Redevelopment Agency graduates, FRA, Kelsey Kappler (Redevelopment Administrator Certification) and Herman Cadena (Redevelopment Professional Certification).

 

The City of Palmetto also received two awards at the FRA conference. FY23 Annual Report was awarded for their Financial Report. Matt Misco and Kelsey Kappler were acknowledged for their work on this. The second award was for the Flight of the Spoonbills. A short video was played, which was made part of the Minutes. The Flight of the Spoonbills received the Out of the Box Award.

 

 

3.               FY2025 CIP & HALF CENT PROJECT DISCUSSION (J.FREEMAN/M.RAYAN)

 

Mr. Freeman noted that this topic was for discussion only. It would hopefully be on the December 2^nd meeting for approval. This is for the typically larger infrastructure projects. This is usually a 5-year plan. The CIP is about $17 million. Mr. Freeman highlighted the projects and their funding sources, which were included in the Agenda.     Mr. Rayan echoed that there will be more information coming on these individual projects. He went on to highlight some of the infrastructure projects.   Mr. Misco discussed reallocated ARPA funds. There is a deadline to use some of those funds, so they have reallocated those funds to projects that will be moving along quicker.

 

 Mayor Bryant noted that they were successful last year in getting the $2.5 million appropriations towards some of these projects from the State.

 

 Commissioner Williams questioned the funds set aside for the 14th Avenue Park project. He asked if there is funding within there to remove the courts at Lamb Park. It was noted that they would dig out the existing courts and resod the area.   He then questioned the dredging at Jet Park. Mr. Rayan stated that it was completed. Commissioner Williams asked the percentage of the I&I that had been completed. Mr. Rayan responded that it is an ongoing project but he could provide him the information of what had been done so far.

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop

November 18, 2024

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Commissioner Williams also asked for the lead and copper replacement information. Mr. Rayan shared that the engineers will be doing a presentation in December or January with that information.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell questioned the traffic signals and the ones that were damaged during the recent hurricanes. It was answered that FDOT has certain ones they will be repairing. There are ones the City will be working with their vendor to assist with. Insurance claims have also been submitted for these damages.

 

 Mr. Freeman reiterated that this would come back on December 2^nd for approval, but it can be brought back at any point for adjustments.

 

 Mr. Freeman went on to highlight the Half Cent- Infrastructure Sales Tax Funding source list. This will also come back on December 2^nd for approval.   Mr. Misco noted that in the past they have made adjustments as needed.

 

 Mayor Bryant reiterated that any employee/Commissioner must complete cyber security training by December 15^th. Todd Williams will continue to assist with that.

 

 

 

Mayor Bryant adjourned the meeting at 5:48 pm.