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 (Not Present)

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

 

 

STAFF PRESENT ELECTRONICALLY:

Todd Williams, Information Technology (IT) Consultant

 

 

   Mayor West opened the meeting at 4:30 pm.

 

 

 

1.               4^th OF JULY EVENT UPDATE AND DISCUSSION

 

This item was discussed after item #2.

 

Leah Brown was present to discuss the upcoming 4^th of July event. She passed out a packet, which was made part of the Minutes. The Special Function Permit application is on the 7:00 pm Consent Agenda for approval.

 

She highlighted pages 4 & 5 of the permit, the trolley, parking map and the event layout. No one had any requests to switch the trolley system. Ms. Brown noted that they added more shaded seating. They were able to purchase a cooling unit. This will be able to be used for other City events as well in the future. The Chief wanted to talk to Ms. Brown after the meeting to discuss his concern regarding promotional anchored boats. His concern was that if they anchored some boats, they would encourage additional boats to anchor near there. She will have them advertise on Riverside Drive instead. She is also going to add more food trucks this year.

 

None of the Commissioners expressed any concern with the permit application.

 

 

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop

May 5, 2025

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 Ms. Brown highlighted sponsorship opportunities, which were part of the packet. This included a detailed breakdown of who attended the 2024 event.

 

  Commissioner Smith asked if the 4^th of July event had gotten their $5,000 sponsorship from the Palmetto Marriott. Mr. Freeman answered that they haven’t received anything from the 2024 invoice yet. They haven’t invoiced for 2025.   Ms. Brown shared that Mr. Deruso mentioned that they might bring their hotel food truck over to the event. He is interested in doing a larger activation.

 

 Ms. Brown went on to discuss the entertainment. They decided to have two live bands this year. In between the acts, they are going to have a DJ. The bands will have longer sets. They are also adding Imagine Circus, as fun street performers.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell asked how people in wheelchairs will use the trolley system or will there be designated handicap parking? IT Works is allowing the City to use their whole parking lot, which will be designated for event handicapped parking.   

 

2.               ORDINANCE 2025-05: DESIGNATED SWIM AREA AND ESTABLISHING RELATED VESSEL-EXCLUSION ZONE (M.POWERS)

 

Ms. Powers recapped this item. The CRA has the oyster reef ball project out in the bay. There was concern a couple months ago about boats anchoring in this area. Legal was tasked with creating an option to limit this. There are very few options to regulate boats. One option is to designate the area as a swim area. The other is an anchor limitation zone. This would have to be done through the County and they would still be able to anchor for 45 days. Legal came up with this option to prevent boats from anchoring in this area. They determined the swim area based off where the oyster reef balls are located. If this was passed, FWC would install the appropriate signage. They are the only ones who can do this. The City can’t put signs in the water. This is the only option to help regulate this issue. Any penalty would be monetary.

 

 Commissioner Cornwell questioned boats going through the area. There is a navigational channel the boats can use. They would still be allowed to navigate through that area, they just can’t anchor there. The no swim area would be the areas other than the navigational channel.   Chief Tyler explained where the navigational channels are.

 

 Commissioner Smith asked why they are doing this. Ms. Powers re-iterated what she had previously explained. The oyster reef balls are there and when boats anchor there, they can damage the reef balls.

 

  Commissioner Whitaker is a huge advocate of conservation and what the oyster reef balls do for the river is vital. Anchors can drift. They can damage these reef balls. He loves this, except he questioned where the swim area is exactly? If they park on Riverside, are they going to be entering the river at that area? Are we liable if someone is swimming there without a lifeguard?   Ms. Powers agreed that there are access issues. There is no increased liability on the City. This is the best solution to accomplish the goal for boats not to be allowed to anchor in this area. If it doesn’t put us in liability, Commissioner Whitaker feels much better about it.

 

  Commissioner Smith asked what happens if someone swims there? Ms. Powers stated that all we’re doing is designating that area as a swim area. He doesn’t think we should do this.   Mayor West clarified that this is on the 7:00 agenda for First Reading.

 

City Commission/CRA Workshop

May 5, 2025

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3.               CRA UPDATES (R.YOUNG-GOPIE)

 

Moore 2 Design

Jon and Vicky Moore presented their quarterly report. This was included in the agenda. A YouTube video was also shown, showcasing the Women’s Center renovation. The link was made part of the Minutes. They want to move forward with removing the tennis courts as soon as possible. They are anticipating opening in the Fall. They went on to provide an update of the MLK Park playground equipment. This was also included in the PowerPoint on the agenda. SWFWMD has tentatively agreed on an exemption to move forward. They are submitting their paperwork next week. They went on to discuss the Palmetto Ferry Landing. They will be submitting it first to the DEP next week. Palmetto Trails at Estuary Preserve was started in 2011.

 

  Commissioner Cornwell asked about storing one’s kayak at Estuary Park. They would like to install kayak storage lockers. Materials for trails, ease of access with strollers to the playground area, and the safety concerns being near the highway were discussed. Mr. and Mrs. Moore stated that they want to revitalize the playground area.

 

They also provided updates on the following:

·         Freedom Sculpture: rendering for the sculpture on Haben Blvd at the roundabout.

·         The VFW Armory: renovations are ongoing. They want to replicate the historical entry.

·         They are doing work to showcase how the CRA spends money, “Your CRA Dollars at Work”.

·         Palmetto Bay: divers are going to be out Thursday and Friday to assess damage to the reef balls.

  

Keep Manatee Beautiful

Jennifer Hoffman, Keep Manatee Beautiful, gave an update on their partnership with the CRA. This presentation was included in the Agenda.

  

Police Department

Chief Tyler provided an update on Individual Part 1 Crimes in the CRA. This was also included in the agenda.

 

 

Mayor West adjourned the meeting at 5:59 pm.