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 (Present via ZOOM)
Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk
Jake Bibler, City Planner
Edward Johnson, CRA Consultant
STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:
Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant
Mayor West opened the meeting at 4:30 p.m.
1. ORDINANCE 2025-03: COASTAL HIGH HAZARD AREA DISCUSSION (J.BIBLER/ATTORNEY)
Jake Bibler introduced this item. It was previously discussed at the March 10, 2025 Workshop. The First Reading was on March 10, 2025. This item will have a public hearing at the P&Z meeting on April 17th and a Transmittal Public Hearing at the City Commission meeting on April 21st.
Commissioner Williams asked how the CHHA will affect individual owned properties vs large developments, for example the Gray property. This policy change wouldn’t affect them differently. This affects the density, which would be applicable for both individual owned properties and large developments. Residential 4 and Residential 6 are not proposed to be affected by this.
Mr. Bibler gave a presentation that the GIS analysist put together. This was made part of the minutes. There are 3,502 parcels affected by this change. The majority are in the conservation area. They don’t allow development in those areas any ways. The largest after that is the downtown commercial core, which will be the most affected. The highest density is the Planned Community, PC, going from 10 units per acre to up to 45 units per acre.
April 7, 2025
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Commissioner Williams questioned the CRA owned property on 7th Avenue and 4th Street, the property behind the current CRA office. Mr. Bibler thinks the current future land use category for that property is RES 14. The proposal is to change it to the PC land use category. There is zero affect for single family homes.
Mr. Bibler went through more of the presentation, which broke down the acreage within the current CHHA. Commissioner Williams asked if in the future he can make sure any drawings or pictures are included in the agenda for them to study ahead of time. There are a total of 337 vacant parcels in the CHHA.
Commissioner Smith asked how much land of the Manatee Fruit Company is within the City. Mr. Bibler explained that they are zoned with Manatee County districts. We don’t have a current zoning district for agriculture designation.
Commissioner Cornwell wants there to be a differential of park/not buildable vs vacant/buildable land on the maps. Mr. Bibler explained how this information was queried. She requested more detailed maps with current development. She wants to know future needs/how it will affect those properties, so they can plan for future development on a well thought out system. Mr. Bibler explained the challenges that would come from what she is asking. It would be very time consuming. He suggested hiring a consultant to analyze all of that data. If that is what the Commission would like, they can go out for bids. Larger planning firms, ex: Kimley Horn, might be better equipped to help with that analysis. Commissioner Cornwell doesn’t see how they can move forward without this information. He shared that the City of Bradenton permits up to 220 units per acre/ 20+ stories. Our highest is PC- 45 units/per acre. She’s uncomfortable moving forward without a plan. This doesn’t take away that anyone proposing a development over 14 units per acre would need to bring forward a development plan for Commission approval. It is up to the applicant to provide a plan for evacuations.
The consensus was to bring this to the next Workshop for further discussion.
Commissioner Cornwell explained how she analyzes data.
Ed Johnson discussed the waterfront plan that was developed around 2006. Discussions continued between the Commissioners and this original plan.
2. REENVISION LAND USE RESTRICTION AGREEMENTS (R.YOUNG-GOPIE)
This item is also on the 7:00 CRA Board Meeting Agenda.
Mr. Johnson read the point paper into the record, which was included in the Agenda. This is a detailed overview of the item. The CRA Advisory Board, who met on 4/3, recommended five additions changes/additions to the agreements. A copy of the document read by Mr. Johnson was made part of the Minutes.
Commissioner Cornwell questioned the low income being changed to moderate income, in section (i). It will be changed in all 3 contracts. Sections 2.10 or 2.11 depending on the contract (2.11) first contract, multi-family (2.11) and final home ownership development (2.10).
Section 2.1- within 30 days of signing- they will provide a conceptual schedule with key timeframes- this is for informational purposes only.
City Commission/CRA Workshop
April 7, 2025
Page 3 of 4
Section 4.1 (b) to rescind and “all” incentives- needs to be “any”. Add an exhibit of aerials of each agreement.
ReEnvision-Frank Dubois/President of ReEnvision Palmetto, LLC, spoke on the calendar outline/conceptual calendar.
Commissioner Cornwell asked that he update them throughout the process.
Commissioner Williams noted that they’re going to transfer approx. $1.6 million dollars of property. He asked what their investment piece is. Mr. DuBois answered. They will be investing at least $5 million in equity in the property. All of their properties will be on the City’s tax roll.
section 4.1 (c)- CRA shall be entitled…
Ms. Powers clarified they can’t bind future boards. She further explained the reasoning for keeping the wording as is. Discussions continued between Commissioner Williams and Ms. Powers.
Mr. Dubois further explained their process for each property.
Commissioner Cornwell questioned the 55+ above community. Only 55-year-olds and above can live there. It will have to go through annual compliance.
Commissioner Whitaker clarified that the bond agreements have to follow the rules, and it will come back on them if they don’t follow those rules.
3. CRA UPDATES (R.YOUNG-GOPIE)
· Code Enforcement
Mr. Rob Lamensa presented a 2nd quarter CRA report. The PowerPoint was included in the agenda.
Commissioner Smith asked about the garbage issue in that area. Mr. Lamensa said the residents told him they forgot to take out the trash. Commissioner Smith said waste management isn’t picking up the garbage regularly.
Commissioner Williams asked about closure rates on these cases. Mr. Lamensa pointed out a section of the PowerPoint that detailed this information.
Commissioner Smith said he’s doing a great job.
Commissioner Williams asked about putting up a fence to block the area under the bridge. It was answered that when they fix the fence, individuals just cut it again.
Commissioner Whitaker agreed that the code enforcement department has done a great job throughout all of the City. Properly pulling permits and having licensed contractors is so important for the safety of residents. He thanked him for all of their efforts. Commissioner Joiner echoed the same sentiments.
City Commission/CRA Workshop
April 7, 2025
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· Keep Manatee Beautiful-NOT PRESENT
· Moore 2 Design- NOT PRESENT
· Rebuilding Tampa Bay
Rebecca with RBTB, presented a PowerPoint, which was included in the agenda.
Commissioner Smith thanked her for her help with the community. He asked who she is working with at the CRA. She is working with Jenny. He has elderly people in his neighborhood that need someone to go to their house to help explain things to them. Mr. Johnson said to refer them to him or Rowena. Rebecca noted that Sylvia with RBTB has been able to help a lot as well. Sylvia is from Palmetto.
Commissioner Whitaker said it was very nice to see these pictures and see this program that is helping people in their community.
· Palmetto Downtown Main Street
Jordan Chancey, President with PDMS, presented a PowerPoint, which was included in the agenda.
Commissioner Smith asked if they are a nonprofit. Mr. Chancey answered that they are in the process. They have submitted all their paperwork. They’re in limbo. Commissioner Smith asked Mr. Freeman if he knew they weren’t nonprofit. They are structurally set up that way. Commissioner Smith opined that Mr. Chancey needs to get with Mr. Freeman to help him with that.
Commissioner Williams asked about Nick Gray. He’s very receptive to feedback and working with PDMS.
Mayor West adjourned the meeting at 6:10 pm.
Minutes approved: MAY 5, 2025
JAMES R. FREEMAN
James R. Freeman
City Clerk