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 (Entered the meeting at 4:32pm)

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:

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

Candace Muckefuse, Executive Assistant

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

THE AGENDA WAS REVISED ON 2/7/25 TO UPDATE THE ATTACHMENT FOR ITEM #2

 

 

  Mayor West opened the meeting at 4:30 pm.

 

 

 

1.               CRA RECOGNITION-KELSEY KAPPLER (R.YOUNG-GOPIE)

 

Ms. Young-Gopie introduced Kelsey Kappler and recognized her GIS Certification.

 

 

2.               4^TH OF JULY PRESENTATION FROM LEAH BROWN

 

This item is also on the 7:00 pm Agenda.

 

Ms. Leah Brown passed out packets that were made part of the Minutes. She also presented a PowerPoint presentation, that was also made part of the Minutes. Jill McGary joined Ms. Brown. Last year her company, The Big Idea, organized the 4^th of July event at Riverside. They are hoping to continue that partnership this coming year. They learned a lot from last year’s event and are hoping to expand on that with this year’s event. Last

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February 10, 2025

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year they only had 2 months to plan the event. They are excited to have approximately 5 months this year. They are hoping to add more sponsorships to increase the overall experience of the event.

 

 Commissioner Williams questioned extending the event further onto the pier. He asked if she was aware that the pier was damaged during the hurricanes. Ms. Brown explained what she meant. She was referring to the parking spaces toward the southeast, not on the actual pier. He also suggested she contact Sharon Hilstrom. He thought it would be important for them to include a booth for the Veterans.

 

 Ms. Brown spoke further on ways the Commissioners could help her reach out to local organizations to incorporate into the event. For example, the Palmetto Historical Society, Veterans organization, Manatee County Sheriffs Advisory Board, Agricultural groups, NAACP, etc. She is excited to work further with Mayor West, the Commissioners and City Staff. Gus Sokos, DeSoto, emphasized that they had a great event at the 4^th Fest last year with their beer garden.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell spoke on the Palmetto Heritage Festival that will be going on in March.  

 

 Commissioner Whitaker and Mayor West loved their presentation and look forward to working with them again.

 

 

3.               ORDINANCE 2025-02: IMPACT FEES (J.FREEMAN)

 

This item is also on the 7:00 pm Agenda.

 

Mr. Freeman introduced the item. This item was originally brought forward at the Workshop on August 26^th. He wanted to bring back their representative from Stantec for the new Commissioner and Mayor West’s benefit.

 

Peter Napoli with Stantec shared a PowerPoint, which was included in the Agenda. They gave this same presentation several months ago. They have been asked to update the City’s impact fees. The City currently charges 5 impact fees based on a 2006 study. These impact fees include water, wastewater, general government, police, and parks & recreation. They have decided to defer the water and wastewater due to the upcoming expansion of the wastewater treatment plant, WWTP, and infrastructure. They studied the general government, police, parks and recreation and road impact fees. He went through and highlighted the current fee schedule and the results of their study. Based on their study, he shared the recommended changes. The Ordinance associated with this item will be on the 7:00 agenda for First Reading. He also noted the new laws that have taken effect recently. He highlighted the State’s guidelines for phase in of the increase of these fees.

 

 Commissioner Williams would like a printed copy of the presentation. Commissioner Cornwell asked for clarification on leaving out the utility impact fees. Mr. Freeman further clarified the general impact fees and the comparison to other communities increasing their impact fees. Manatee County adopted 50% increase over 4 years.   Mr. Freeman further clarified that we would have a public hearing at the end of February. We can’t implement these changes until July 1^st. We would advertise and these rates would become effective after 90 days. Inflation has increased 47% since the last study in 2006.

 

 Commissioner Williams asked if they could go back and collect on development that has occurred in the past. It was answered, no. He asked if we could put this on a calendar so that it is assessed on a more regular basis going forward. Yes, we will start looking at this again in late 2027. 

 

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 Commissioner Cornwell further questioned the surrounding jurisdictions’ impact fees and the reasoning for the suggested increases for Palmetto. Each individual fee must be spread across 4 years for the percentage they are suggesting.

 

4.               UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL FROM NRFD FOR OLD POLICE STATION PARCEL

 

Mr. Freeman introduced this item. The North River Fire Department, NRFD, has submitted an unsolicited proposal for the old Police Station parcel. They are hoping to move their administrative offices to this property. They are interested in purchasing this site. Their unsolicited proposal was made part of the agenda. They proposed purchasing this land for $340,000. The City has not yet appraised this parcel.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell asked if this sale would be for the property “as is”. She questioned this because it is right next to the fertilizer plant. It would stay off the tax roll because the police previously occupied the land. She wanted to make sure they wouldn’t have to mitigate the property. Chief Tyler said the police worked there a long time.

 

 Commissioner Whitaker and Mr. Barnebey discussed the process of an environmental study and reiterated that we would be selling it “as is”. Commissioner Whitaker was in favor of considering selling it to the NRFD.

 

 Commissioner Williams asked if there was any advantage/disadvantage for a long-term lease. Mr. Barnebey said that could be a possibility, if they wanted to discuss that.

 

 Commissioner Smith agreed with Commissioner Whitaker.  Mr. Freeman explained that there is a provision in the code that would allow the City to sell the property to another governmental agency without the need for a formal bid process. If the Commission wants to get an appraisal, he would like direction to do so.   Commissioner Whitaker would be ok with considering a set price rather than doing an appraisal. Commissioner Cornwell was fine to move forward if they want to buy it “as is”.   Mr. Barnebey said they will have to declare the property as surplus. He asked if they would like to consider a proposal going forward. The Commissioners gave consensus.

 

 Mayor West shared that the Regatta is the weekend of February 22^nd. The Commissioners’ VIP packets are in the office. Tropic Isles community meetings have been scheduled. Penny Johnston is retiring at the end of February. Candace Muckefuse will be filling her position.   

 

Mayor West adjourned the meeting at 5:39 pm.