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:

Dan West, Mayor

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

Sunshine Joiner, Commissioner, Ward 2

Harold Smith, Commissioner, Ward 1

Scott Whitaker, Commissioner-at-Large 1

Brian Williams, Commissioner, Ward 3

 

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 (Present via ZOOM)

Edward Johnson, CRA Independent Consultant

Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

   Mayor West opened the meeting at 4:30 pm.

 

 

 

1.               CERTIFIED MUNICIPAL CLERK PRESENTATION FROM THE FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF CITY CLERKS

 

Scotty Lynn Kelly, FACC Southwest District President, presented Cassi Bailey with her Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) Designation.

 

 

2.               FEMA UPDATE

 

Jovanna Garcia, FEMA Representative, was present to provide an update on the events going on in our community in the aftermath of the recent hurricanes. She wanted to encourage residents to understand that the letters they may be receiving of denial could be because of missing documents. It is not necessarily a definitive denial of assistance. They have provided over $1 billion in the state of Florida after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. She noted that FEMA workers should have their IDs displayed. She encouraged people to register. Residents may be under insured, and FEMA may be able to help. She shared that her direct number is 303-726-6528 and her email is Jovanna.garcia@fema.dhs.gov. She encouraged anyone needing assistance to visit Disasterassistance.gov to register.

City Commission/CRA Board Workshop

December 2, 2024

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 Commissioner Williams asked if the library would stay open as a FEMA disaster recovery center until January 6^th. She said it is determined by the State. It is a temporary site, not a fixed site. The current hours are Monday-Sunday 7:00 am-7:00 pm.

 

 

3.               14^th AVENUE PARK CONCEPTUAL DESIGN DISCUSSION

 

Mr. Freeman gave a brief history of this project. The Commission had previously given approval to move forward with conceptual designs for a park on 14^th Avenue.

 

Stu Henderson and associates from Fawley Bryant presented their designs for the park on 14^th Avenue. He highlighted a PowerPoint that was included in the Agenda.

 

  Mr. Rayan asked for the correction of the street. It’s 9^th Avenue not 9^th Street as listed on the PowerPoint.

 

 Commissioner Smith liked the concepts. He asked Mr. Freeman how we would pay for this. Mr. Freeman answered that they have funds allocated in the CIP, a mix of ARPA and Impact Fees, and funding from reserves. They don’t know how much the whole project will cost. They may need to do it in phases. He knows from previous discussions that the basketball courts are the priority. They won’t know the full price until they bid it out. They have currently allocated about $3 million. Commissioner Smith stated that the land was given to the City for the overflow of the cemetery needs.

 

 Commissioner Whitaker questioned if the parking they proposed is enough. Mr. Henderson stated that they will tighten up their needs as they go through the process.

 

 Commissioner Joiner loved the concept. She asked about adding a bathroom on the tennis court side. Mr. Freeman answered that they have money budgeted for that and they can move forward with that sooner than the rest of the project.

 

Commissioner Smith questioned how big the open field area was. Mr. Henderson noted that it is a little smaller than a high school soccer field. Commissioner Smith said everything looked good to him.

 

Ms. Bailey read the Minutes from 8/21/23 where Resolution 2023-18 was passed to absolve a resolution from 1943 regarding the use of the land for a cemetery overflow.

 

 Commissioner Williams asked how many tennis courts there were. There are four shown on the concept. He went on to discuss the pathway and walkways.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell asked about striping the open area fields, sitting areas and storage for stands, lawn equipment, maintenance for restrooms, hoses, etc. Splash pads were questioned. It was answered that they are very expensive. She was in favor of a phased approach and adding more shading.

 

 Commissioner Williams thought they could have more use running the basketball courts sideways to accommodate multiple courts. He would also like to have an area that they can add tetherball and four square. Mr. Rayan noted that they discussed fencing, but they didn’t want to fence in the whole area. They did discuss fencing the play area.

 

 

City Commission/CRA Board Workshop

December 2, 2024

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 Commissioner Smith thought they should put little league fields there. This will allow them to host tournaments. Mr. Henderson said they will bring back different options for field layouts.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell asked about concession stands.

 

Mr. Freeman noted that the next step would be to bring back more detailed drawings.  

 

 Mr. Rayan stated that they are looking at reconfiguring the current tennis/pickleball courts and enhancing the parking area.

 

Commissioner Cornwell suggested looking at solar options as shading.

 

 

4.               MULTI-CULTURAL FESTIVAL UPDATE (PALMETTO DOWNTOWN MAINSTREET)

 

Karon Dixon, Director of Palmetto Downtown Mainstreet (PDMS), discussed the Holiday Funland that will be December 20-22^nd at Sutton Park.

 

 Ms. Dixon discussed the PowerPoint presentation, which was included in the Minutes, for the Multi-Cultural Festival. It will be at Sutton Park and their headliner is Nathan Mitchell.

 

 Commissioner Smith asked how this event was started and how did PDMS get approval to organize the multi-cultural event. PDMS asked the CRA if they could host it. Commissioner Smith said they didn’t have any discussions about this. The event originally started at Lincoln Park. Commissioner Smith said people are mad that it’s not in Ward 1. He also doesn’t agree with having alcohol at the event.

 

 

Mayor West adjourned the meeting at 6:02 pm.