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 (Entered the meeting at 4:33 pm)

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 (Not Present)

Cassi Bailey, Assistant City Clerk

Jake Bibler, City Planner

 

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

   Mayor West opened the meeting at 4:30 pm.

 

 

 

1.            ORDINANCE 2025-03: COASTAL HIGH HAZARD DISCUSSION (J.BIBLER/ATTORNEY)

 

This item was discussed after item #2. It is on the 7:00 pm Agenda for a Transmittal Public Hearing.

 

 Ms. Powers made clarifying comments related to this item. It won’t give a property owner in the CHHA an automatic right to this increased density. They still must get final approval from the Commission. They still have to go through a stringent process to gain approval. This came about when Mr. Gray submitted his unsolicited proposal for the property at 10^th Avenue and Riverside Drive. This modification does not give anyone an automatic right for increased density.

 

 Mr. Rayan also stated that the other parcel on 8^th Avenue and Riverside Drive will also be affected. That is why they need to do it throughout the whole area, not just for one property.

 

 Mr. Bibler did not provide additional material for this meeting. They wanted to dial this subject back to the core reasons for the amendment and answer any remaining questions the Commissioners had.

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop Meeting

April 21, 2025

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 Commissioner Cornwell questioned Exhibit A, Policy 8.5.15 #3 and the language of RES 4 and RES 6. Mr. Bibler answered that it is not changing the overall density for any future land use categories. It was clarified that Mr. Gray would have to submit a rezone application for planned community and propose a future land use amendment category change for his project.

 

 Mr. Bibler continued to explain the developers’ requirement to provide evacuation needs.  Mr. Freeman further clarified Gray’s requirements to apply for their comprehensive plan, re-zone and GDP.

 

 Commissioner Williams asked about insurance. He opined that the maps provided in the agenda packet are terrible. He questioned one of the provided maps, and the color in the area of Riviera Dunes. It is a combination of the coastal high hazard area and Res 14. He continued to question other maps and the CRA parcels in the CHHA. Policy 8.5.15 was further questioned. He requested documents be redlined that are being changed and to number the pages.

 

  Mr. Bibler asked if there was anything additional they wanted to see for tonight’s meeting at the transmittal hearing.

 

 Commissioner Whitaker questioned the comprehensive plan. Mr. Bibler stated that 10 units per acre is conservative. Moving from 10 to 45 units per acre is still conservative in comparison to neighboring jurisdictions.

 

2.               14^TH AVENUE PARK UPDATE (J.FREEMAN)

 

Javier Hernandez, Fawley Bryant, presented a park overview update. The PowerPoint was made part of the Minutes. They will move into the construction documents next. Nothing has really changed since the first time they presented the conceptual designs. He highlighted that they have increased the parking spaces from 15 to 59 spaces.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell asked if they had thought about doing a pedestrian crossing across 10^th Street. She asked what the walking distance was around the entire park. Mr. Hernandez answered .75 miles. At the pavilion, is there a place for dogs to get water/dog disposal bags? They have stand-alone water fountains, with dog water areas and water bottle fillers throughout the park. Trash cans are also throughout the park. She asked about striping the field for different sports. The individual organizations would be responsible for striping. There isn’t enough room for a full football field, as it is about 60 yards from one end to the other. She appreciated the extra parking.

 

 Commissioner Whitaker really likes the parking, and the pickle ball courts. He loved the designs. He liked having the open access field. He noted that his concerns involved the parking lot between the pavilion and pickle ball fields. He asked if they could add boulders in front of the picnic benches. He wanted to ensure everyone’s safety. Mr. Hernandez noted that here is a 6-inch curb, along with the bumpers in the current design, along with another slight bump going into the parking space. He will look into adding possible boulders as well.

 

 Commissioner Williams asked if there are spots for permanent grills. No, they’re keeping it open for anyone who wants to use the space. He would like to see an excess of handicapped parking. He wants to go overboard with handicap spaces if the park is going to be ADA compliant. He questioned lights on the walkway. He wants the park to be well lit. Mr. Hernandez confirmed that the whole entire path is lit with pole lights, the same lights

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop Meeting

April 21, 2025

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as other parks in Palmetto. He’s concerned about someone hiding behind a tree. A lot of the trees will be 15ft tall to start, they will bush out from the top.   Chief Tyler spoke that he incorporated safety protocols in their

design, so that isn’t a problem. Commissioner Williams said that he loved the design. They did a great job, he’s impressed. He would encourage, lighted sidewalks across to the tennis courts. He also suggested blue emergency light poles for emergency calls being added to all parks for safety.

 

 Commissioner Smith said everything looked good to him. He questioned if the 8 pickle ball courts will be used. Mr. Freeman shared that the current tennis courts are constantly being used for pickleball.  Commissioner Cornwell shared that statistically, the average age of pickle ball players is 34 years old. Commissioner Smith reiterated that he just wants to make sure they’ll be used.

 

 Commissioner Joiner is very excited about this park. She thinks it will be well utilized. She has had several conversations with residents who were looking forward to adding more pickleball courts to the area. She also questioned if the name of the park had been decided upon. No, that is just what they have been calling it.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell questioned the roof on top of the pavilion and potentially adding solar panels and security cameras. Mr. Hernandez answered that they are putting security cameras throughout the park. Commissioner Cornwell noted that Florida League of Cities, FLC, has been encouraging City’s to utilize large roof tops for solar panels.   Mr. Rayan said they are also looking at solar lighting. She also suggested the installment of multiple electrical outlets throughout the park and Wi-Fi capabilities. 

 

 Commissioner Smith asked Mr. Freeman about funding for the park. Mr. Freeman noted that the Commission has already approved $2.8 million for this project. They’re also looking into grants for additional funding. They’re going to put it out for bid within the next 30-45 days.

 

Mayor West adjourned the meeting at 5:34 pm.