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:

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

Penny Johnston, Executive Assistant

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

   Mayor West opened the meeting at 4:30 pm.

 

 

 

1.               PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEE RECOGNITIONS (M.RAYAN)

 

Mr. Rayan recognized the three following individuals for receiving their certifications.

 

·         Jake Bibler, City Planner: American Institute of Certified Planners

·         Steve Spangler, Building Official: Certified Flood Plain Manager

·         David Korb, Building Inspector: Commercial Building Inspector Certification

 

 

 

2.            THE GFOA'S CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR EXCELLENCE IN FINANCIAL REPORTING (J.FREEMAN)

 

Mr. Freeman thanked Cheryl Miller, Finance Director and the whole Finance Department for their hard work. The City has been awarded the GFOA’s Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. This is the 19^th year in a row that the City has received this award. Cheryl Miller thanked her whole finance team and Mr. Freeman for their help. They also received their 15^th budget award.

 

 

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop

December 16, 2024

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3.               LEAD AND COPPER POWERPOINT PRESENTATION (M.RAYAN)

 

Mr. Rayan introduced this item. Alison Muck with McKim & Creed, presented the PowerPoint which was included in the Agenda. This is in response to the December 2021 Lead and Copper Rule. She explained the process in which they determine the materials used within the City for the drinking water service lines. They are asking City residents to fill out surveys to help them determine the materials that are used on properties that are currently unknown. There is a public dashboard where they can provide the information they have. This is a federal rule. The City has received a grant to help fund this project.

 

 Mr. Rayan asked Ms. Muck to detail the next phase. They have 10 years to identify/investigate and replace the pipes that need updated.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell asked if there is a certain year to classify different piping. Typically, 1950-1970. Most likely if a house was built after 1989, the pipes are probably galvanized steel. They also discussed the damage done from the hurricanes. She questioned if there was a payment plan/funding sources for the residents to fix the owner pipes. There will be workshops to discuss, and they are required to have a funding strategy.    Mr. Rayan explained that the current grant is strictly for the planning and design to accumulate the inventory. There will be future grants the City will apply for to help replace these pipes.

 

 Commissioner Williams asked if there was a way to measure lead in your tap water. There is required sampling, but there could be lead in your home. The testing is not always the most reliable. She explained the reason for the amended federal rule. He asked if there was a way to measure an acceptable level of copper. Yes, but they don’t have that number off hand. There are action levels for both copper and lead. Mr. Rayan stated they sample test yearly. Above ground/Cross connect pipes were discussed. Discussions continued regarding the timeline and the ongoing amendments to this rule and the process for replacing these pipes.      

 

 

 

4.               MULTI-CULTURAL EVENT DISCUSSION

This item will also be on the 7:00 pm Agenda for an action request.

 

This was brought forward for discussion after the December 2^nd meeting. The following questions were presented in the agenda packet.

 

·         Do we want to have an event for 2025?

·         If yes, what will be the date of the event?

 

 Commissioner Smith doesn’t think we have time to have the event next month in January. He thought February might be a good alternative. Commissioner Cornwell agreed they should have a great representation from all the community at this event. She believed February was much more realistic. Mayor West agreed with the February date.   Commissioner Williams thinks it is wise to postpone it. He asked how it would affect the MLK parade. Commissioner Smith stated that the City has nothing to do with the parade. They are two separate events.   Commissioner Joiner brought up the title of the event. Mayor West recapped that yes, they want to have the event, and it will be in February.

 

 

 

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December 16, 2024

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·         Where will the event be located?

 

 Commissioner Smith thought it should be at Lincoln Park. With it being in February, it is black history month, and they can incorporate other celebrations. Families can walk to the park. He opined that music is universal.  Commissioner Williams wondered if they could find a day there isn’t school to host the event. CRA told him the County will not allow an event in there with food trucks. He questioned what would happen if the County doesn’t want to do an event there. It was stated that we own the football field, it doesn’t mean we have access to the rest of the park. Commissioner Smith thought they could talk to the County Commissioners. Mr. Barnebey stated there may be a concern as to the availability of those fields in February. We do own that area and have access to it.   Commissioner Whitaker thought what they have discussed is very sensible. He doesn’t want to rush the planning of this event. They should investigate if they can do it at Lincoln Park. Mayor West recapped that they are wanting to do the event at Lincoln Park, if possible, or if not, they will have it at Sutton park.

 

 

·         Who will organize the event?

 

 Commissioner Smith stated that they should have the people interested in organizing the event speak.

 

 Karon Dixon, Palmetto Downtown Mainstreet, PDMS, recapped the presentation she gave on December 2^nd regarding the event. The inaugural event was in 2012. If this has been going on since 2012, why are we trying to wait until the last minute to make these decisions. These are things that should be asked/answered ahead of time.  Commissioner Smith stated that they missed meetings because of the hurricanes. He was originally going to suggest not having it because they didn’t have time to plan it, but he thought it could be done in February. Mayor West clarified that she is saying that in the future, they need to make these decisions much earlier.  Commissioner Cornwell reiterated that they do these events every year. It is not up to the Commission to bring up planning these events. She questioned who is the person/department that lights the match on these events. At this point, move forward for this year and decide after the event the details for next year.   Mayor West explained that the wrinkle came in when the CRA determined they could no longer plan these events.   Commissioner Williams echoed what Mayor West stated. The Commission was aware that this was forthcoming. He believed PDMS was planning to organize the event.

 

 Xtavia Bailey, Aapex Connections, presented a potential opportunity for her company to organize the multi-cultural event. She has already contacted the County Commissioners and they gave her their blessing with hosting an event at Lincoln Park. She read from a presentation that will be made part of the Minutes. She detailed her vision of the event. She was proposing they do the event on Saturday, February 15^th. The attendance has historically been higher when it was hosted at Lincoln Park. She briefly went over the budget she was suggesting for a total of $67,350. Anything over the $50,000 they will search for sponsorships.  Commissioner Smith thought it was a great presentation, if she can accomplish all of that. He verified if they could get the fields on the 15^th. Yes, she contacted the County Commissioners but they couldn’t confirm until they were given the go ahead from the City.  Commissioner Williams said it was a nice presentation. He questioned her fee to organize the event. She answered $5,000. Commissioner Williams questioned Commissioner Smith saying they shouldn’t have beer and wine at the last meeting. Commissioner Smith clarified what he meant. He stated that he felt that way if the CRA and the City were putting on the event.  Ms. Bailey stated that they would be having multi-cultural bands.

 

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop

December 16, 2024

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Mayor West adjourned the workshop at 5:45 pm.