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

Brian Williams, Vice-Mayor/Commissioner Ward 3

Tamara Cornwell, Commissioner-at-Large 2

Sunshine Joiner, Commissioner Ward 2

Harold Smith, Commissioner Ward 1, CRA Vice-Chair

Scott Whitaker, Commissioner-at-Large 1/CRA Chair

 

 

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 West opened the meeting at 4:30 pm.

 

 

 Xtavia Bailey gave a brief update on the Multi-Cultural event which will be held on February 15, 2025 at Lincoln Park. She noted that J. Holiday will be performing at the event as the headliner. She noted other bands that will be playing as well. They are working on food trucks, a kid’s zone, beer garden, and various other festivities that will be happening at the event. She discussed advertising she is working on to promote the event. They are still working on getting more vendors that would be interested in participating.

 

 Commissioner Smith said that seems really good. He asked Mr. Freeman if she has been given the $5,000 yet. No, not yet. They have invoiced the hotel convention center for their $10,000 contribution. That contract reads that it would be used for 4^th of July and Multi-Cultural events, split equally. Mr. Freeman noted that they may need to discuss the contract because it was originally with the CRA.

 

 Commissioner Williams spoke on his concern with the agreement being between the hotel and the CRA. Ms. Powers read from the original agreement.  Commissioner Williams asked if there are any events scheduled other than the 2 events mentioned. No, not at this time. Ms. Powers believed this needs to be a CRA Board agenda item, then they can split it as they see fit. The City Commission cannot direct the funds at this point. Ms. Bailey noted that she is working with Palmetto High school football players to possibly sponsor future scholarships. She is also trying to get Key Club members to volunteer. She spoke on the need for sponsors to make the event all they want it to be.

City Commission/CRA Workshop

January 27, 2025

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 Commissioner Smith asked if she thinks they can stay within the $55,000. She noted that she is really good at budgeting. Her goal is to get additional sponsorships to help offset the costs. Commissioner Smith wanted to donate $500 of his own money towards the event.

 

 

1.               WASTEWATER SYSTEM UPDATES WITH WADE TRIM (M.RAYAN)

 

This is a follow-up from the Workshop on September 23^rd where they originally discussed their findings for the wastewater treatment plant, WWTP. The goal tonight is to have a consensus to move forward with developing the roadmap for expansion.

 

 Travis Parsons, Engineer with Wade Trim, provided a PowerPoint presentation detailing their findings for the wastewater treatment plant expansion. The PowerPoint was included in the agenda. He discussed the concerns the City had with the pressure for reclaimed water that the east side of the City has experienced. The pressures do generally drop from west to east, because there is too much demand on the system. The pressure problems worsened during times of drought. There are several ways to help supply additional water to the east side of the City.

 

 Commissioner Williams questioned the drop from a 12” to a 4” line on the reclaim main diameter. Mr. Parsons can’t speak to why it was done that way. It wasn’t them who installed/designed that. With the amount of flow that is being drawn on the west side of town, even increasing the size wouldn’t be enough to fix the problems in the east.

 

 Commissioner Whitaker questioned the plan of getting more water across the City to the east side.

 

  Mr. Parsons went on to discuss House Bill 1557. This bill requires, by July 1, 2034, any wastewater treatment facility providing reclaimed water that will be used for commercial or residential irrigation within a nutrient BMAP or RAP area to meet advanced waste treatment standards. This is on reclaimed systems, not surface level water.

 

 The WWTP is currently at 83% capacity. With near-term commercial growth, the WWTP could reach 93% or more of permitted capacity. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection, FDEP, will likely require an annual Capacity Analysis Report update at that point.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell asked at 4 MGD what percentage would they be at? 50%. What number should they not go above?  They discussed projected flow through 2050. She asked why they chose 4 vs 5 MGD. The City’s current comprehensive plan brought them to the number of 3.17 in 2050. They can make adjustments to the roadmap if alternative scenarios come up.

 

 Commissioner Williams asked what the average infiltration rate was for our I&I system. The dry season is pretty low. Somewhere around 75 gallons per person. During the wet season, it skyrockets to approximately 250-300+ gallons per person. There is consideration for I&I vs this plan. They would love to get their peak hour flow, PHF, down from 4.1 to 3.5.

 

 During these workshops they’re building their roadmap. They’ve developed some site plans for 3 alternative plans.

 

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop

January 27, 2025

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 Commissioner Cornwell questioned moving from current system to the AGS.  Mr. Parson answered the theories behind the options. Discussions continued regarding the different systems.

 

 Mr. Parsons continued to discuss cost estimate considerations. They do not recommend 2A-1, 2A-2, or 2B. They recommend option 3 or 4. They want to know if they’re in agreement with moving forward with the roadmaps they’re proposing.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell asked where these AGS systems are in place now. Are there any AGS systems that are in Florida. Not right now in operation. Mr. Parsons believes this is more resilient than the old system.

 

 Mr. Parsons continued to affluent management discussions.  Advantages and disadvantages were discussed for ASR wells. A class V recharge well is the one they recommend. They should be ready to submit permits for this recharge well within the next couple weeks. Commissioner Williams asked if they can put that on hold to discuss more. It would just delay the process.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell had questions about drinking water standards for the class V recharge well.

 

 Funding options were highlighted. Wade Trim has a funding department that helps with grants, loans, etc.  

 

 Mr. Rayan discussed some of the funding. They’re pursuing grants, and they’re interested in what Wade Trim has to offer as well.  Mr. Rayan also clarified that the permits that were mentioned were for the wells only. He’s not sure if there is a solution in the meantime. They’re exploring the possibility of reallocating lines towards the east. There are no immediate solutions.

 

The injection well is the first piece of this whole project.

 

 

Mayor West adjourned the meeting at 6:05 pm.