--------- Yeah, camera. >> Her computer's not upgraded. >> Mine never does. It's not refreshing. Yes. And I turned it off. How are you? >> Good. How are you?
>> You got my back, right? >> Mine's doing the same thing >> on camera. >> Yeah. >> I'm sorry. It It won't pull up today. >> It's because we have to update our password. >> I did that.
>> No, apparently out of town. >> Did it pull it up? Yep. >> So, what do I do? >> Sorry. >> Okay. Wait a minute. Here it is. Rob had it pulled up for me yesterday. Thank you. I'm so sorry.
>> It work. >> Oh, thank you. >> You're welcome. And if you just the city.com. It'll be right there in the middle. >> Don't go too Don't go too far. He's >> No, this is my This is my This is my
>> This is Rob's operator here. Madame clerk, are you ready? >> Good morning everyone and welcome to the Braden City Council meeting Wednesday, March 25th, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. at City Hall Council Chambers. At this time, as we always do and will always do as long
as I'm mayor, we'll do the invocation and the pledge. And Father Mike Brady with Christ Episcopal Church will come forward and we'll do the invocation. And thank you for coming. Father, >> good morning all. Let's take a moment
and put ourselves in the presence of God. Lord of the nations, grant your wisdom to our mayor and city council. Give them courage to apply that wisdom with integrity, clarity of purpose and compassion.
That not the extremes of party politics or posturing blind those who govern or motivate those who oppose so that we may all honor one another and seek the common good. Father, we pray for our city of Bradenton. Strengthen what is good
within her and teach us to cherish it. Strengthen these our leaders and guide them to do what is best for the people and give them the courage to argue for a future that will bring about the flourishing of our community. Lord Jesus, in your earthly life, you
shared our toil and respected labor. Be present with those where they work. Make those who carry on the industry and commerce of this community responsive to your will. And give us all a pride in what we do and a just return for our labor.
Kindle in every heart the true love of peace and guide with your wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth that in tranquility your dominion may increase until the world is filled with the knowledge of your love. Help us all to renew our commitment to
one another so that in our daily lives we may bear one another's burdens and rejoice to share one another's joys. And at this moment, Lord, we ask you to watch over those who work, watch, or weep this day. Give your angels charge
over those who sleep. Protect all who serve our community and law enforcement and first responders. Cover them with your presence. Guard them in their duties and give them hearts of compassion to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone they
encounter. Tend the sick, Lord Christ. Give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, and shield the joyful. We pray this in the
name of your blessed son, our savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. >> Amen. >> Amen. >> Thank you, Father. >> Join us in the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United
States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> We'll call this meeting to order. Madame Clerk, >> the first item on the agenda this
morning is a proclamation for Autism Awareness Month, April 2026. Whereas autism spectrum disorder is a complex developmental condition affecting millions of individual individuals worldwide characterized by
challenges in communication, social interaction, and behavior. And whereas individuals with autism contribute significant, excuse me, significantly to their communities, demonstrating unique talents, perspectives, and achievements.
And whereas increasing awareness and understanding of autism is essential for fostering acceptance, inclusion, and support for individuals and families affected by autism. And whereas the month of April is dedicated to promoting
autism awareness and encouraging action to address the needs and rights of individuals with autism. And whereas organizations, advocates, and communities work tirelessly to provide resources, education, and
support for individuals and families affected by autism. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Gene Brown, as mayor of the city of Bradenton, Florida, do hereby proclaim April 2026 as Autism Awareness Month, and encourage all
citizens to join in spreading awareness, showing support, and fostering a society that embraces diversity and inclusion. Sign, Jean Brown, Mayor. >> Thank you. And who do we have accepting this today? Welcome.
>> Good morning. >> Morning. >> I have notes because I tend to ramble. >> Good morning. My name is Margie Hedland. We are here on behalf of Responding to Autism. Responding to Autism is a Florida nonprofit made up of my amazing
family. This is my husband Martin. He's 36 ret 36 years retired from law enforcement. This is the reason, the heart and soul we do what we do. This is Martin and Dalton. They are 19 years old and they were both diagnosed with autism when they were two and a half. We also represent the Autism Society of Florida,
a wonderful organization that we work with and we also do their law enforcement trainings. Um, coming to Bradington's like coming home. We've been coming here since 2020. We were here like a week before the pandemic, y'all. got right in before, you know, the world shut down. Um, and
we've been coming ever since. We joked with the chief earlier that we go to the hotel and it's like coming to Disney. They're like, "Welcome home." Because they know us so well. Um, we want to not only thank the commission, the administration, the chief, the fire chief for welcoming us. Um, but you have
a foundation in your community called Bradington Blue, and they have just been such amazing hosts, so kind to us, generous, and the woman that started everything and brought us here, uh, Captain Valerie Knight. She's just,
she's amazing. Um, and it's thanks to the city of Bradington and y'all that we met the organization known as FLA PAC. That's the Florida Police Accreditation Coalition. So thanks to you guys, we got invited there and through that we've
already trained in we've got upcoming seven more communities. So what you guys do so well is making other communities better. Look, we've been everywhere from military bases in Pensacola to fire departments in South Miami Beach, but we've been here the most. This is our
home. And I follow you on social media. I meet the amazing officers throughout the years. And you guys are doing it right, impacting communities. When you guys have an event, everybody's welcome. You have inclusion. You guys should be incredibly, incredibly proud of how you
make your residents and your surrounding communities feel welcome. And that's our goal, right? We want everybody to be welcome and everybody to have a seat at the table. And I don't know another city that does it better than Bradington. So, we are so grateful for you and we just
look forward to the next time we get to come back and be with you. Thank you so much. >> Thank you. We appreciate um you doing what you do and and helping um others as well as the families. So, thank you, Councilman Schustler. Yeah, I I I just
wanted to say that uh these programs and um the incredible work that you all do supporting children um teens and adults um and their families uh who live in the area. And you mentioned responding to
autism, Autism Society of Florida, uh Bradenon Blue, and many, many others. I I recently had the opportunity to tour the Haven in Sarasota um and the work that they're doing with uh both in the adult community and with the children um
and many of those families live in Bradenton and it truly is God's work and to see >> uh to interact with the community and and see the achievements um it's just a really special thing. So thank you for
everything that you do. You can see in your community, everybody's welcome, whether you guys are having an event specifically for autism or just an event in one of your parks. There's always that thing that you guys have in place that everybody feels welcome and and you have some pretty amazing first responders. I got to tell you, we've
gotten to know a lot of them over the years. Just really great people. Um, >> yeah, y'all should be very proud of yourselves. >> Very proud. >> Thank you very much. >> Let's say just say hi. >> Hello. Hi. >> Hello. >> Hi. >> Hi. But these these are definitely the guys that get all the credit. It's it's
it's uh it's because of them, for them, and um we're incredibly proud. Thank you so much. >> Can we get a picture? You guys turn around and we'll stand up here behind you. >> All right, >> everybody. You guys seems to work
better. We can see everybody. I'll just >> Sure. Y >> get them all up. >> Especially Miss Manager Knight. >> Manager Knight. >> Y >> All right. But I don't want to block. Don't block the commissioners. No, we're
good. >> Squeeze in a little bit. >> Are you sure? >> That's Don't worry. We're good. >> Yeah. >> Squeeze in everybody. Squeeze in. >> That's okay. Wait,
wait, hold on. Thank you everybody. >> God bless you guys. Thank you for everything. We'll see you soon. >> A great day. >> Madame clerk left it there. Our next proclamation is for sexual assault
awareness day, April 8th, 2026. Whereas the theme of this year's no voice unheard event is see my strength to bring light to support and hope available to survivors. And whereas in the first six months of 2025,
reports of AI related child sexual exploitation to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children soared to over 485,000, up from 6,835 in the same period in 2024.
Some projections for 2025 estimated around 240,000 cases of child sexual abuse with 93% of victims knowing their abuser. 433,648 Americans 12 and older are sexually
assaulted or raped and 18,900 military members experienced unwanted sexual contact. And whereas sexual violence is not just a problem of stranger danger. While strangers commit 19.5% of sexual assaults, 39% are
committed by an acquaint acquaintance. 33% are committed by a current or former spouse, boyfriend, or girlfriend. 6% are committed by more than one person or the victim cannot remember. And 2.5%
are committed by a non-spouse relative. And whereas sexual assault is the most under reportported crime with only 310 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults reported to police. It is critical that all victims know
they have services available to them. And whereas Centerstone is one of Florida's 29 certified rape crisis centers providing services which include criminal justice advocacy, forensic medical exam accompaniment,
information and referrals, crisis intervention therapy, support groups, 247 crisis helpline, victim compensation and relocation application assistance. And whereas Centerstone remains committed to their goal of a community
free from sexual violence through ongoing prevention, education, and awareness for all citizens. Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Gene Brown, as mayor of the city of Bradenton, Florida, do hereby proclaim April 8th, 2026 as Sexual Assault
Awareness Day in Bradenton. Signed, Gan Brown, Mayor. >> Thank you. Who do we have coming forward everybody? Thank you. >> Welcome. >> Thanks. Uh we have our uh SART team here, Manatee County Sexual Assault
Response Team and also our Centerstone victim advocates from the rape crisis center. One of our core services we have to provide is uh facilitating a um sexual assault response team for the county we serve and we are very uh grateful for Bradenton City of Bradenton
their police department who uh has representation on our start team. We also have Manatee Memorial Hospital here. um Manatee County Sheriff's Office advocates, Many Memorial Hospital, SA Freedom, um and we do have other um
participants on our SART team, but today is our usual monthly meeting, and so we have our meeting here. Um and thank you so much for uh proclaiming this day. This year will be our 25th um sexual
assault awareness day um event. It's called No Voice Unheard. And we'll be bringing out artwork where survivors from our community of sexual violence have created different um communications through art over the years. It's like going through a museum. Um our victim
advocate team and some of our SART members also come together with other volunteers to display all the artwork from 25 years. And it's like walking through a museum in the gymnasium at the 13th AV Dream Center. It'll be on
Wednesday, April 8th from 5 to 6:30 and the whole entire community is invited. It's a familyfriendly event. Um, and it's just an opportunity for us as a community to show support uh for sexual
violence um survivors to show that um we do acknowledge that sexual violence occurs, but we also acknowledge there is hope and healing for a future um for all that have been abused. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. So we appreciate and it shows one of the things to me is what what our community is about collaboration and without collaboration even sometimes when you disagree with somebody you still got to collaborate in a way to help others and that's one thing that we have in Manatee County city of Bradenton
is collaboration is so important so we appreciate every one of you taking more of your time just even off work hours it's about how you help others so thank you for that appreciate it. >> Are we taking a picture? >> Yes, we're going to take a picture. Yep. So, we'll get our picture now.
>> Okay, perfect. Just give over to the clerk there. Either way, >> sorry, you're fine. If you want to give those to our clerk and we'll put some out in front too as well. >> Okay, if we can get a picture. >> You want to get in the middle and hold
the proclamation open? It's a good >> Thank you. >> Appreciate all your effort and work. We're good. >> Madame Clerk, >> the next item on the agenda is citizen comment.
>> All right. At this time, we'll have citizen comment. It will be accepted during the citizen comment portion of the meeting on any non-aggenda item, agenda items, future agenda items or topic of relevance to the city. Comments will be accepted on the public hearing hearings at the appropriate time. Um, at
this time I only have two citizen comment. First is Cecilia Hernandez and you'll have please state your name and city of residence and you'll have three minutes and then next will be Annie Rousini. Uh, good morning, Cecilia Hernandez. Um,
Bradington, Florida. >> Um, good morning, Mayor and Council. I am here regarding CottonMouth and the continued closure of the back dining area and new requirements. As of this week, Cotton Mouth is a restaurant and
it remains a restaurant. Dave is not here today. He had a family emergency, so I'm I'm here to speak in his behalf. Dave is not asking for a change in use, and he is not asking for an increase in occupancy. The backyard has been used as
a dining space for approximately eight years, including by the prior occupant of the property. The rear structures were added to support outdoor dining during inclement weather and year-round restaurant year-round restaurant operations. A red tag was issued for
unper unpermitted rear structures. Uh that is the issue Dave has been working on to correct. In response to the city's direction, Dave has obtained the life critical safety plan requested by the fire marshal. He has added an additional
points of egress. So there are now two means of exit. The permit the permitted documents are ready for submission and a general contractor is in the process of final registration with the city. To be clear, Dave is not asking to occupy the
backyard before the structures are permitted. He intends to comply with the fire marshall's inspection report and the red tag requirements. What we're asking for is a straightforward uh what we're asking for is straightforward. Once the rear structures are properly permitted and
approved, they should Dave should be allowed to resume occupancy in the use of the backyard dining area as a part of Cottonmouth's existing restaurant operations. After substantial time and money have have already been spent responding to
the issues identified identified by the city, additional requirements are now being raised and we still do not have a clear answer as whether the backyard or whether the backyard may reopen after the structures are permitted. Uh that
ongoing uncertainty is causing real financial hardship to lo small local business. The backyard dining area is meaningful part to Cotton Mouse operation and revenue and every additional delay makes hardship worse. So, I'm respectfully asking for a clear
forward path. Um, and I'm requesting if the structures are permitted and approved um that Dave be allowed to reopen and occupy the backyard dining area. Um, thank you. >> Thank you. Next is Annie Rini.
Good morning. >> Good morning, Annie Rousini, Village of the Arts. Um, as you know, I've been in the village now just ending my 27th year. Hard to believe. Scary really. Um, I'm here also to talk about uh David and
a situation that's arisen since we were here last in January. I think 28th. Uh David uh is still having music in the Village of the Arts a couple of days a week, usually Friday, Saturday. We've moved all the big music to Flamingo Bay as I think you already know. I know a
couple of you have at least one of you has already visited down there. Um and we're happy to share that experience with them and get them off the ground and it's working out really well. Music in the village of the arts. There's uh many um places that you can go for music in the village of the yards, but this
one place uh Cottonmouth is um every time there's music. Every time there's music, the neighbors are still calling the police. So, we have three cop cars come every single time there's music. I don't care if it's bluegrass um or if it's um the blues or country or you
know, any kind of music. Uh two people, three people. We don't usually have more than three people there anymore because we've moved our big groups to Flamingo Bay. This is disconcerting to our customers and literally tables of patrons have actually gotten up and left their tables. These days, we're in a
climate in America where law enforcement showing up in mass can be very intimidating and scary to people. And we literally have lost people. They have gotten up from their tables and left because mind you, only two police cars can actually fit in front of that little tiny place and there are three. So, it
really feels like you're surrounded. It's bizarre. Sunday brunch. Uh, and I just wanted to note that we're just having music 6:30 to 8:30 or 7 till 9ine on Fridays and Saturdays, sometimes on a Thursday. Sunday brunch was at 11:00
every uh, Sunday for many, many years. And as you know, the yoga place was closed down for many years since um, March 13th of 2020. And they've wanted to restart their business, changing the name, etc. And um so David has
accommodated them by changing his brunch time from the usual 11 o'clock for the last 5 and a half years to now 12:30 because uh Preston Whe uh student that he wants to have there from 11 o'clock until 12:00 every
Sunday. But as you know here in this room, Carrie, his wife Carrie um um oh gosh, >> what's her last name? Preston. Thank you. She has told us that she will not uh ever um um compromise in any way.
That has not been our uh way in the village of the arts for the last 27 years. We all have managed to do this. There are six other businesses I said that are restaurants and some of those have music. Everyone's doing fine everywhere else. It's just in this little tiny corner of the village of the
arts. Uh, additionally, I would say that Carrie has told me uh personally that under no circumstances will she stop um calling the police and stop trying to close down. >> Thank you very much. >> Thank you for your time. >> This time I have no other citizen
comment. So um I'll close citizen comment and then ask uh Miss Singer the the email we got of course has responses from you and Mr. Dong and then obviously we got the fire marshal here. So, is there any comments you want to make now
or you want to just get with them and try to >> Yeah, we'll continue to work with them. I think um our main concern um fire safety, ADA access uh and any kind of sanitation uh adjustments that need to be made in terms of the occupancy and
the number of bathrooms that they need to have. That's mainly what we're trying to get worked out. I think right now we're disputing whether or not they we could have them go in front of our DRC because everybody's in the room and we can get a lot of things adjusted. Um, and their contention is that they've already been using the back area for
seating area for the restaurant. So, we're working with the fire marshall to iron out some of the last issues. I think they're going private provider on the actual structures. So, um, those won't be subject to city review. >> Okay. All right. >> And mayor. >> Yes, sir. I I I've spoken with Miss
Singer about this. um she's requested that they come in and talk to DRC about these issues. And my observations, and they're only my personal observations, is that this council has been very gratuitous on this issue. And I think it's important that these folks have to
come in and work through the fire inspector because of the fire protection, fire danger situations, work through the building department, because of health community and buildings building safety. And that's really where that has to
start. I would I would just urge basically all of us to make sure we have a consistent um uh direction that that should be the case. And I believe Miss Singer staff has also
utterly accommodated everything they can within the various codes and provisions and ordinances and rules of the city. And I thank you for doing that on behalf of this one entity when you have so many other entities in the city.
have Vice Mayor Coker and then Councilwoman Barnaby. >> Yes. Um Miss Singer, thank you. Um during COVID there were a lot of and I don't know how we accommodated all the restaurants to allow them to have the
outdoor space and I don't know if I've seen a in fact just this week I noticed that there are still quite a few restaurants that still have the same thing left over from CO which I think is great. I mean, that's why we're here in Florida, to enjoy the outdoors and
everything. So, I I mean, to keep a level playing field with everybody. I don't know if we need to readress what we allowed during CO or um you know, but just not to make it harder now just because we're out of that pandemic. Um I
just want to make sure we have even even playing field for everybody. >> Okay. >> Thank you, Miss Barnaby. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. missing doesn't every business doing any kind of work whatever you want to however you
want to describe it everybody comes through and goes through the process meeting with the I'm sorry DRC review committee >> okay because and and I know that I've had people contact me about wanting to
open a business in the city at a specific address or what have And I've recommended that they talk with your staff and your staff tells them even before they open a business to come in and let's look at the facility that you're talking about using to see if
it's if it's doable, if it's compatible, what are you going to be required to do to bring it up to code. Um, and this is this is not just something for Mr. Shiplet. This is something that we've asked just about every business that is doing any kind of
um coming into compliance or possibly expanding or whatever the terminology is that you want to use. We ask them is that not correct? >> That that is correct. Yeah. Change of use um almost always goes through the DRC. >> And so I think their contention is isn't
a change of use that this has been used as a restaurant in the back for some time. I think um I don't really have evidence of that, but we're looking we're looking to see if there was evidence of that they were already using it to that capacity. And I think it's also an occupancy and capacity issue
because of the number of patrons that would now be sitting in the back if they're offering musical entertainment together with the restaurant in the back. So, it's more tables uh at greater capacity and that that takes on some other issues. So,
>> right, I think Barnaby, thank you. Um, I think one of the things too, you say change of use. Um, we had a little thing called Milton that came through here that really adjusted what he could do back there because of the big tree being taken down. When they had the big tree,
it was probably 20% of the back area. So, that's something that, you know, I don't know how we look at that, but that, you know, probably needs to be factored in >> um because of a national disaster. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. So, all right. Well, I appreciate
it. Thank you, Andelle. We'll keep working, obviously. Thank you for the comment. At this time, I will move on, Madame Clerk. >> Item six is the consent agenda, and I'd like to note that item 6A is going to be pulled today and brought back to you at
a later date. So, staff has requested approval of items B through R. >> Mr. Perry. Mayor, I've had the opportunity to speak with council about the consent agenda and to address any questions or concerns that individual counselors may have expressed. Uh
there's just a couple of items that I'd like to maybe expound on a little bit. Um items B and C, which are our fire um uh unions contracts, the agreements with the Sun Coast Professional Firefighters Paramedics International Association
within items B and C. Um with us today is Mr. Huffman from the local IIAF is the representative of our local and uh Mr. Salvatorei who is a member and the vice president of Florida professional firefighters and a former Bradington firefighter as most of you know. Um it's
so good to have that type of expertise and connection in working with these contracts. I think it's been really important we have a protracted or rather lengthy negotiation session and uh these guys do really good for their memberships. The two memberships that they represent is the rank and file
which consists of about 70 firefighters and then the uh supervisory unit which consists of about five. Those are the two contracts before you. Um a lot of times with union contracts people want to know what are wages about and compensation. That's the key component. But I can assure you that these two
individuals go far beyond the wage and compensation article to look at a number of different things that are important to the community, to the department, and to the administration and mayor. In this particular case, we look at various staffing platforms that bring about the
best fire services delivery uh for the protection for the firefighters themselves. as it relates to personnel. Um, we had provisions for professional development and we also have provisions for training related there too. In this particular case, there's some really
great stuff with advanced life support. So, we're going to be trying to take our firefighters, get them trained in advanced life support so that they can basically push drugs and incubate and a few other of these medical procedures. Um, ultimately we have to have a medical
director um sign off on all these procedures. the training is considerably more than what we typically do under what's called basic life support. Um, and really the citizens when they're having a medical emergency, they want the most advanced life support they can have as fast as they can get it. It
makes sense if it was your family member, you know, or or anyone else's. And so really in year three, we're going to be able to implement where we put those advanced life uh support services on our fire trucks so that the first responder, whether it's it's EMS from
the county or whether it's uh Bradenon Fire Department, can provide those advanced life support services. That's a big plus. It really is. And uh we're working toward hard towards it. Cost us a little bit of money, but we think that it's worth it. There's a multitude of
other items in these contracts. The vote was overwhelmingly, when I say the vote, the ratification vote from the firefighters, and I don't know if Mr. Huffman and Mr. Salvator want to talk about that, but they were overwhelmingly supportive. Um, and the participation uh as it relates to the vote was
overwhelmingly engaged. So, my hat goes off to working on this excellent contract. It carries basically a three-year term. Um, and this is the second contract I've done with IIAF as I remember. Uh, the first one was when I first got here. This will take us pretty much all the way till I think 2029 or
2028 29, right? And it really sets the future. You know, we're in a business with police or fire where we compete with other public safety agencies over a number of different uh a number of different uh kind of levels that deal with compensation and equipment and and
and a whole host of other things and everything. And we think this does help us, you know, really match up comparatively with our surrounding fire districts. And there's challenges. Um those fire districts are independently funded through a a special tax for the fire district. Whereas a municipal
department such as ours has to be basically drawn out a general fund. And when you look at the general fund between the fire and the police, it represents about 65% of the general fund. And so these are tricky things to do. Um we had we work with really pros and and and my hat goes off to them. My
thanks goes out to them. >> Thank you, Mr. Perry. Um, any other questions or chair will entertain a motion for consent agenda with A being pulled? >> Well, I'll make the motion that we approve the consent agenda from B through R and then we can
>> Mayor, there's just one more. >> Let's get the discussion. Yes, sir. >> Okay. We have a motion by Miss Barnaby with B through R, second by Vice Mayor Coker. Uh, Miss Barnaby, did you have any further comment? >> No. Okay, good. >> All right. Mr. >> Yeah, I just wanted to comment really
quickly and and thank Mr. Perry and Mr. Huffman. my we've all had an opportunity to read through this contract and I just wanted to I I think it's great work that was done in the environment uh given the current tax environment and looking at
what may happen with ad uh um you know it's it's uh no no small task and so you know just wanted to acknowledge a great job. >> Good. Yep. And I know that um thank Mr.
Huffman, Mr. Salvatore for working see him in there a lot with you, Mr. Perry and Mr. Williams and that. But thank you for working with us and for us and all that you've done for our community even though both of you are kind of retired from the local day-to-day operation, but
we appreciate what you do every day and and obviously working through it and you know getting to this point so to make it whole. So appreciate it. All right, hearing no further discussion, we'll start the vote. Oh, I'm sorry. >> Can I address one? >> Let me get to Mrs. Moore first. >> Well, I just wanted to also reiterate
what um Councilman Shusler just brought up because I think it's a great educational opportunity for residents to hear that um I thought it was even more than 65% of our budget, but I would I'll need to confirm that. But it's being, you know, as we talk about that kind of
um action, I feel like it's notable that we're able to step up services and I want to point that out to people that we're able to actually increase the value of our services. >> Perfect. Thank you, Mr. Perry. just briefly on item 6R which is basically
the Kingston Estate uh water main improvements and and uh I want to just quickly talk about this particular project and we have of course have fire marshal Chris Melzer who's here um in lie of Chief Gear who and deputy chief
Kennedy who's who's out um kind of at other things today but this particular um item before you I want to really talk briefly about the project itself it's about 3500 linear f feet or 3/4 of a mile of really um piping that needs to
be replaced in the Kingston Estate area. The Kingston estate area is one of the most critical um areas for fire protection where we believe that there has not been uh that that that there's been aged infrastructure that is insufficient to fully service the area
according to today's modernized standards. Uh we're replacing a 2-in aluminum pipe with an 8 in basically pipe. There's problems with the cross-section and failure in the piping system. And we've worked closely um with with this is in Ward Five with with with
Councilwoman Coachman um to ensure that this area receives adequate fire protection. The nature of the area itself is fairly combustible when you look at other areas, right, that probably was developed a little bit later and and less density and the like. So, we were looking at various areas as
far as how to put together our CIP plan for fire protection for the next 10 years. And with the help and expertise of the fire marshall and the public works people, this was designated as the most critical. And I if if fire marshall Melzer wants to go a little bit further
on that, that's fine. We're looking at about a $ 1.5 million expenditure. Uh we once it's it's approved today, we'll get the notice to proceed out about 180 days to completion is estimated time. >> Thank you. >> All right. Um seeing no other
discussion, we'll start the vote and ward one. >> Yes. >> Two, >> yes. >> Three, >> yes. >> Four, >> yes. >> Five, >> yes. >> Carries 5 to zero. Madame clerk, >> item 7A is the second reading and public hearing for ordinance 4069. An ordinance of the city of Bradenton,
Florida, amending the City of Bradon land use regulations and form-based code to establish a process for the review and approval of certified recovery residences and for the consideration of requests for reasonable accommodations
from local land use regulations as mandated by section 397.487 487 Florida statutes amending chapter 4 of the land use regulations to create a new section 4.3.15 relating to certified recovery
residences. Amending chapter 10 of the land use regulations related to definitions. Amending article 12 of the formbbased code relating to definitions. Amending article 4, table 4.7 of the formbbased code relating to specific
functions and uses within transact zones. Amending chapter 4, section 4.3.6 of the land use regulations relating to group care homes and group care facilities. Amending chapter 3, section
3.2 of the land use regulations related to standard land use district regulations. Amending chapter 3, table 3.2.1.1 of the land use regulations relating to residential districts permitted uses and special uses, providing for
severability, providing for repeal of ordinances and conflict, and providing for an effective date. >> Good morning, Miss Singer. >> Uh, good morning. Robin Singer, planning community development director. Um this is an ordinance to incorporate uh um recovery residences, certified recovery
residences into our code um in accordance with what the state uh currently requires. Um this will define recovery residences and reasonable accommodation. Uh amend the definitions for group care homes and group care facilities to include certified recovery
residences. Provide for group care homes and group care facilities in the formbbased code. It currently doesn't address that use. um classify recovery residences as group care home or group care facility and establish a procedure for applying for a reasonable accommodation as a recovery residence
including appeals and revocation. So by including it with um uh defining it first and then including it with group care homes, it's basically afforded the same opportunities for approval that you would for other group care homes. and
other group care homes might be um uh adult congregate living facilities and it might be other kinds of care facilities, nursing homes and the like. Um and so this just prevents us from being discriminatory in our practices and approval process. So first of all it
defines it um and then it also provides for a reasonable accommodation. Now we already have um approval process for other kinds of group care homes and group care facilities and so this will be afforded those same opportunities for approval. But where that doesn't um
afford them the opportunity for approval and they want to dispute that they will have a reasonable accommodation process uh that they will need to follow. And so the definition of group care homes we already had in the definition in the land use regulation um uh recovery
homes. We're just replacing that with a certified recovery homes as defined by the statutes. >> And why is that important? >> That is important because it is a regulated um facility as opposed to something that wasn't really defined or regulated under the code. And then my my
qu reason for asking that question is because if I live next door >> to a house and that happens to that house, what if there's issues, what um would be the avenue to take care of those issues? >> It depends on the issues. If it is had
been approved as one, typically you're not going to see it in single family. Um but we do provide for group care homes um in in single family under certain circumstances as as mandated under the statutes. But um but if you do see one
coming in, there is a process for approval just like there would be for any other and that may be a local process or it may be a state certification process. And and we're in in cases where they would be allowed by right. And so the only districts that um
I believe we allow by right would be um our uh P professional district and our um industrial district. So in most cases you're going to see them go through a special use process or the reasonable accommodation process.
>> Thank you. >> Um formbbased code again uh you see those two uses provided for at the bottom. uh our single family district is really the T3 and we are not listing any of those. Um however for group care homes there are some uh statutory
provisions for allowing them for six or under. Um but in other cases it's a special use um for these uses and T4R is does contain some single family as well but um it's more of a mixeduse district.
Um so the uh certified uh recovery residents may be classified as either a group care home or a group care facility under the land use regulations and sub subject to review and approval in accordance with the applicable provisions governing such uses. So again they're going through the same process as other kind of group care homes and
group care facilities. Um and then they may request a reasonable accommodation. So, it's just provided for um in the code um alternative reasonable accommodations. If the city council determines that the requested accommodation will impose an undue
financial or administrative burden on the city or require fundamental alteration of the nature of the city's land use and zoning regulation, the council may consider whether an alternative reasonable accommodation exists which would effectively uh meet the um disability related need. uh an
alternative re reason accommodation may constitute an approval of the requested accommodation with conditions. So in other words, city council is still going to have oversight on those. It's not just um they ask for it and they get it. You know, you you do uh have the
opportunity to um adjust and and make stipulations on the use or send them through an alternate process. Um so the procedures they would apply for um uh the application is required there's departmental review and there's final
determination um to city council within 60 days of receipt and so that's if they're asking for a reasonable accommodation. Um most of them as I said would probably go through a special use process and then there's other kinds of limitations and and stipulations on when
we have to act on these promptly within 60 days. So, um, with that, um, it's we not making any changes since first reading. And if you have any other questions, I don't know if the city attorney wants to, um, add anything. >> Wax poetic.
>> Well, no, but I'm happy to answer any questions. >> Yeah. Any questions before I go to public hearing? Seeing none, we'll go to the public hearing or open the public hearing. Anyone wishing to speak? Anyone wishing to speak? Anyone wishing to speak?
Hearing none, close the public hearing. The chair will entertain a motion. If there's no further question, let's get a motion then if there's any further discussion. >> Motion to approve uh 4069. Ordinance 4069. >> Second by Councilwoman Coachman. Any
further discussion? just make a quick comment that I said earlier or we said last time upon the first reading that you know I I think in general anytime we can align our local policies with state and federal uh it
creates consistency um and reduces confusion and in general it's a good thing for the community. >> Thank you. >> Can I just >> Yes, ma'am. >> Um Miss Singer, I'm sorry. Um the after the chart, those notes after the chart
are are just general. I'm sorry. I'm on page Well, I'm on >> Are you on the actual ordinance? >> Uh yes. Uh after the first chart, um the notes after that chart, I think it's
on p it's on page seven of my packet. Yes. If you go down just a little bit more, I think yes, right here. >> So, are these just generally speaking? These are notes regarding the entire chart, not specifically this one. So, just to be clear,
>> uh, approval of a certified recovery residents home or I mean group home or facility doesn't then prohibit other adjacent or in the vicinity property owners from selling alcoholic beverages or anything
like that. That's not meant to speak specifically to this. >> No. >> So, this doesn't affect adjacent property. >> I just want to make sure I'm looking at the right. >> Are you talking about in the that's
addressed in one through five? >> Yes. >> Where are you seeing that? >> It's um >> I saw >> it's just basically one through five. it. I mean, I I think that it's I think it means that these are just notes to the whole chart. >> Yeah.
>> So, I just want to make sure and and I'm I don't dispute the ordinance, but I um I want to make sure I understand the consequences of it. >> Yeah. That's basically it's a footnote to the chart and I'm not sure. >> Okay. So, it's general. It's not applicable specifically to this use.
>> Right. If I could, Mr. Mayor, if you look at the the numbered notes there, the only language that's being added is five. It's underlined. The rest of those notes are all existing. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Hearing no further
discussion, we'll start the vote in ward two. >> Yes. >> Three. >> Yes. >> Four. >> Yes. >> Five. >> Yes. >> And one. >> Yes. >> Carries five to zero. Thank you, Miss Singer. Madame Clerk. >> Item 8A is the contract for purchase and
sale for 1108 Second Street West. >> Mr. Perry, >> mayor, council. Um, item 8A, that contract for purchase of sale is basically a surplus property that was designated as a potential for affordable housing. It's a fairly modest
residential lot that is uh slightly west of of First Street. It's on Second Street. Um, and uh it had been in our inventory for quite some time. uh our policies and procedures and real property director um Corey Foron had been charged with kind of putting
together a whole host of different surplus properties and we've had good success in trying to market those properties, sell them and then take those funds particularly if it's designated as affordable housing and fund the affordable housing fund which previously had been a fund set up in the
city with no funds in it. And so as we sell that these properties, the the funds the money is returned to that fund and can be used for programmatic and and affordable housing development. Um this particular property again is a modest um residential lot vacant. Um it was sold
for under the contract for 52,000. I think it was advertised at 55. I forget what the appraisal was, but it was pretty close to that number as I remember. Um there's no inspection required. It's an ASIS sale and it it gives us the opportunity to bring in
cash for the affordable housing fund um and try to look at what we can do with that to assist in that particular undertaking and get these surplus properties that the city's holding with no particular intended use or benefit to the city off our books. That's kind of
the short long of it. >> Councilwoman Barnaby, >> thank you. Uh Mr. Perry or Miss Foron, whoever wants to answer this. Um we have these um surplus properties listed on our website. Correct. >> Yes, ma'am.
>> And this property has been listed on that website. >> Morton since >> for three years. Okay. Thank you so much. >> And I'm just going to ask, Mr. Perry, if you can just kind of give for the public a little bit um of what we've changed a
little bit to make these and get these properties sold because we've had this now come up a couple times with some properties that were derelic properties and even probably could have been in some uh disrepair after the hurricanes that and and we're getting good market
value for them now because why >> um we we really changed the process um of of how we market and advertise and really dispose of the properties, solicit interest, and then dispose of them. And and a lot of these properties
have been on the city's property roles for quite some time. They had been previously advertised um consistent with with Councilwoman Barnaby's point for multiple years, and we really didn't get much interest at all or if we did, we got I wouldn't sub fire sale offers like
>> $100 for >> Yeah. I mean, some of them were kind of ridiculous in my opinion. But what we did do was we enlisted the help of the urban group which is a specialty group. They've worked with the county and their acquisitions of properties for um different types of projects that the
county was doing. And so they their appraisal skills are good. We have all the properties appraised. We've been coming in very very close or at appraisal and sometimes even over appraisal. Um and we've been getting a lot of interest. A lot of these properties are very unique. Sometimes
it's dimensionally unique to the extent of they're narrow or not deep enough or too wide or you need assemblage of a property nearby. So I think that's kind of the problem in in some of the cases. You know, they're not what you would call probably premier development
opportunities and the like. But, you know, in this case, when you think about $52,000 for a a modestly sized residential lot, um, w with comparable home values in the area, and I believe that the the purchaser is intending on building a a home there, residence, um,
it it it meets a lot of our goals and objectives. So, we've had some good success, and you know, Corey does a lot of that, and everybody knows she works really hard down there, but, uh, that's another one of her expertises because she comes out of that real estate law background. >> Perfect. Thank you, Councilwoman Coachman.
>> Thank you. I I just wanted to comment, but you did touch on it, Mr. Perry. Uh, a lot of times lots such as the one we're speaking of because of the location and also the size of it. There's some unique
there's some unique lots. I I actually remember the home that was on that lot. It was one of my dear friends um her mom and her sister and all. So, it it kind of gets me a little bit, but I'm happy to see that we are doing what what that
fund is there to do. You know, we're now, you know, funding it so that we can maybe give some incentives to have more home more affordable homes built in in that area because that's so needed. not only
needed because people need homes, but also because we need more actual ownership, home ownership as opposed to 70% rental. So, it's great. Thank you. Thank you. >> Do we need a a uh a motion to approve or
is this just for comments? >> I think we probably do. >> Okay. >> So, move. >> So, moved by Councilwoman Coachman, a second by Miss Barnaby. Councilwoman Barnaby. Any other discussion? Hearing none, we'll start the vote in W three. >> Yes. >> Four.
>> Yes. >> Five. >> Yes. >> One. >> Yes. >> Two. >> Yes. >> Approved. Five to zero. Mr. Perry. Or I guess you got another on the >> Yep. Under item 8B, which is the city administration's request for approval to solicit a tax tax exempt revolving line
of credit for utility bridge financing purposes. This is a project that was kind of brought to us by some of our consultants that both from the finance side and from the construction side felt that because we are in the process of doing a multitude of different projects
that have various different reimbursement sources that uh we would need basically gap or bridge financing capacity commonly known as a line of credit. I asked Mr. Williams and his team from finance with Heidi and and
David Lindsay and host of other folks with the city that has that type of expertise to take a look at that. They contacted Julie Saint Marie who is our financial consultant that said typically what happens is we go to the banking industry. You're a municipal borrower
for short-term credit and uh you would be taxexempt on these projects so you get a preferable interest rate as well. Um we took a number at $10 million. We looked at a couple different variet options, but we thought $10 million is
probably pretty pretty reasonable um for the number of projects we have, the type of projects, and the typical funding. When you say, well, like what's what's gap financing or bridge financing? We will get an, you know, basically an award letter that has certain certain
terms as it relates the ability to draw funding and reimbursement from that fund. But a lot of times we at the same time on the other side of the ledger have contractors that are putting in what are called pay apps or we're pre-purchasing items uh so that we can
basically meet um timelines and might get caught on a supply chain situation where work has to stop because we can't get electrical switch gear whatever it might be. There's a multitude of different reasons why we need that gap financing. Now, um I think we definitely need it as an administrative
slashconstruction kind of component to our overall program that'll be used and mostly it's it it's related to um to utility improvements. But I I think also when I
put in here that I intend to bring to you a debt policy and this is really not approving any us to borrow $10 million. It's approving us to go to the market to try to and solicit the ability to get um an offering that would give us a line of
credit for $10 million. Ultimately, we're going to have to put a policy in place that allows some flexibility to make those payments in a timely manner, but at the same time give council the ability to kind of um approve the
allocations of those amounts is what I'm I'm contemplating. We had something like that where I previously worked. We had a very a very extensive debt policy and um you know it can run the gambit on the types of debt, the purpose of the debt and everything else. This is more
related to utility bridge financing for construction projects and we'll probably start with that within the debt policy itself. So again, I I just want you to understand that this is just to move forward and Mr. Williams can probably answer questions better than I can because he's been the nuts and bolts of
this. I'm gonna make a comment then we'll go to to Vice Mayor Coker and then Mr. Schustler and Mrs. Moore. Um, one of the things that I think that that you know we're all very uh fiscally responsible up here and one of the
things with us getting and moving forward with with so many projects that we don't want to miss anything because we don't have that financial support behind us. And sometimes you have to pay it out before you get it. and Mr. Perry
and Mr. Williams have um built a staff of what can we get from other governments, other entities to do some of our work without having to tax our citizens for it. So, I think it's
important to to give kudos to your whole administration, Mr. for going down the line and making sure that how we're going to make sure these projects get done. And I mean, one that probably is the most public is over in Mrs. Moore's ward and getting it done.
And one of the things with the grant, there was some timing issues that if we didn't do it, we would lose the grant. But coming up with ways to pre- purchase, to pre- get things, and now it's fully under construction, and now it'll be the neighborhood construction. So those are the type of things that I
think this really shows fiscal responsibility to make sure we are facing and fixing what we have but also having the financial means to get it done. >> So Mr. Perry, you want to comment on that anymore before? >> No, I think it's a really good point that you need agility. I I I think
that's probably the best term to use is some agility to do it particularly when you have multiple projects. Um and you gave a great example of of lift station 13 and and three. Um, I mean, I don't think it was 18 months ago that some of the neighbors and folks were saying this
is not going to happen timely. Um, and and a whole host of other types of things. And when you look at it, I think this week temporary list station 13 went live completely on its own. It took out of service probably one of the most failed compromised pieces of
infrastructure perhaps in Manatee County, you know, let alone the city of Bradon. And uh it's a I think kudos to to to Councilwoman. She said, "I never thought I'd say this about a list station, but it's beautiful."
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And I like that. I thought that was cute. Um and of course, we're working on three, but but three is a good example that you pointed out. And that's the type of agility we need. Just a perfect example of it. >> Yep. >> Thank you. >> And we put internal controls in place. I assure you.
>> That's important. Vice Mayor Coker. >> Yes. I I think you you got a great team here at the city and very fiscally um the flexibility I think is definitely paying off for all of us. But um you discussed
putting together a policy >> and I like I think that's a good idea because we don't know who's going to be sitting in all the seats down the road and we wouldn't want to get put into a bad position either. So is that something >> that >> a lot of other municipalities have in
Florida? I know you said you had it in Albuquerque, but um >> I I think that it's a really good question. I I think the detail of that policy to deals with maybe the size and the sophistication of the of the government. >> I would imagine the county has a has a
pretty good debt policy. I haven't looked at theirs and I'm going to start by seeing what's out there off the shelf comparatively. Mhm. >> I'm familiar with Alana West and and everything, at least the generics of it from a long time ago, but um but really
I think to answer your question, some do and some don't. And I think the larger ones and more sophisticated municipalities do because they have to. >> And for the very reasons you said, it isn't about one particular administration or one particular individual or one particular council. It's good policy to have guidelines that
transcend time and provide fiscal and financial responsible accountability and oversight. I don't think anybody would argue with that. >> Right. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Councilman Schustler.
>> Yeah. I I I just wanted to say that um I think that you know this specific uh issue is about cash flows and I think that it is a good thing. Um I had a chance to talk to Mr. Perry in depth
about this and you know my experience mainly on the corporate side uh albeit different is somewhat similar in that I agree with what Jane said that a debt policy if I understand it correctly and we spoke about this previously the city was pay as you go um and an issue came
up well we're in a much different time with everything that you looked before us infrastructure-wise so you know when we looked at these sort of things on the corporate side we would build bond ladders of >> different credit ratings, um,
maturities, interest rates, uh, and and this to me is very very similar and I think it's it's prudent. It's a, you know, a debt policy. I I I look forward to seeing it. We are in a different time. I think it makes things clear and transparent. Um,
and that is uh what I have to say about the matter. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Moore. Um I I have one question, but um we we did talk about it at length and and I also think that that agility, that's a good way to put it, um is necessary for the scope
and magnitude of projects that we're dealing with right now. I think it's notable that uh we can try to obtain a product that has the interest and costs forgivable. So the public might be interested in hearing that that's what we're hoping for. So to the extent that
we're borrowing and to the point of being fiscally conservative, I think that that would um definitely be my preference. Um and then the other the question that I had though is I guess not maybe related to the debt policy, but for this particular um
bridge loan, are we does it go into a designated fund so that we know that that is you know like there are certain projects that have >> That's a good question. um it will and and we'll have to set up the accounting for that frankly that that's more of an accounting issue that you're referring to and it's a really good question
because you want to segregate those types of funds so that when you take money out or borrow money when you get the money back it goes back into the fund and the accounting of that we'll have to study a little bit frankly but right now remember what it's about is
going to the market this request before us. Yep. And I think one of the biggest things is is everybody said is this is setting us up to succeed, right? >> Where it's not something that you're going to look at and say, "Oh my gosh, we got $10 million we owe now."
>> It's saying that we got $10 million that we're going to be able to bridge that gap until the federal, state, or local reimbursement grants come in. >> That's correct. >> And and that's that's, you know, and it does cost a little money to to make money or get things done. And I think
we're showing very aggressively how we're making it better and doing things in the areas. I mean, I'd have to study it, but when you look at utility projects as it relates to the face it and fix it projects where either repair, replacement, or, you know, or or
complete revamping, um, I' I'd venture to say we're leveraging probably $2 of local enterprise money for every $10 of different outside funding that we get. Whenever you can build something
that costs a hundred million dollars and you only have to use our taxpayer or rateayer in this case uh funding for for tw you know 20 um it's a pretty good deal and it's really the only way a local government can get ahead of the
game because you can't rate your way out of this. I mean you just can't it it's too much. And this kind of relates to that to the extent of we could pay some of this these cash flow bills out of enterprise reserve. That's typically what we do. If you say, well, what would
you do if you didn't have this? How are you doing it now? That's how we're doing it. But that's really not what the intention of the enterprise reserves are. And and and when you start co-mingling that, it gets even more complicated. So your point about
segregating a separate um uh short-term payment you know fund and our account and handling the accounting for that and the banking and the reimbursement of the financing costs because a lot of these financing costs actually can be reimbursed even if we have interest
payments for a 12-month period 18-month period um that can be absorbed in some of the grants depending on the grant language. >> Well I think you made a great point there. These are shortterm fixes. We're gonna try to get it done, fix it in 12 to 18 months, and then reimburse the
>> the close out. I mean, what we do is when we close out the the grant, uh we should have a full accounting, and it will include, you know, financing costs and requests for reimbursement of financing if it's an eligible um rec compensation. Yeah, >> this is more
>> Oh, I was just going to follow up on that and say that um that uh I think that these type of investments in those projects and moving those projects along goes a lot a long way towards the kind of um economic redevelopment that we're hoping to see
as well. Um I think to some extent and this is a g bigger picture than the actual uh specific matter before us but I think when we really tackle those harder larger projects and make those investments then the the private sector is it makes it a little easier even just
for the for the smaller businesses like like the cottonmouths of the situation even for them to put themselves out there um and try to start a business open a business in an area. I think that when the city has uh really committed to making these kind of investments in the
larger scale infrastructure, it makes it a little easier for those businesses to take that risk. >> Mr. Schustler >> and uh Mr. Perry, you you touched on it and mentioned it. I just wanted to uh because it was unclear to me yesterday
when we talk about a revolver the fact that and it says it right in here that the interest in the financing uh may be reimbursable down the line. Um so that was unclear to me yesterday and I just wanted to reiterate that point sir that
>> um you know that is a benefit that when if we do this for cash flow flow purposes to get the project off the ground ground that when the grants come through is that correct >> that's that that's correct >> okay >> and the payment eligibility I mean every
grant on the has a grant agreement and sometimes they follow very stringent regulatory guidelines and sometime they're just unique to that grant. State direct appropriations are considerably different than some of the federal um pass through grants that we get through
the state D and the like if you look at components of that. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. >> So the chair will entertain a motion. One more quick thing I almost forgot to say which is that um in our conversation um we talked about how this is actually um related to the thing that we're going
to talk about next which is that it was suggested in the strategic plan that we're going to talk about next. So again just >> just make just pointing out that it's all related. >> Motion to approve. >> Yes, I will approve. Yes. >> Motion to approve. >> Second.
>> All right Mr. Shler, we've had extensive discussion and great discussion. We'll start the vote in ward four. >> Yes. >> Five. >> Yes. >> One. >> Yes. >> Two. >> Yes. >> Three. >> Yes. >> Carries. Five to zero. Mr. Perry. Item C um which is adoption of the by the city
of Bradenton of the five-year wastewater utility fiscal initiative plan which uh as a highlight points out about $ 160 million to be spent um in the fiscal years ahead through 2020 I'm sorry 2030.
Um so you know you got that five-year plan and it it's guidance it's it's not a commitment to it. What you're basically doing is saying that we received the plan and you're adopting it um and accepting the plan. The plan was prepared by wooded incarn. I think it's
very detailed as it relates to trying to identify the prioritized needs specifically and only to and exclusively there too waste water. It does not include drinking water. It does not include storm water um or otherwise. And
so when you think about it, that's 160 for just that. Well, how much is the rest of it, Rob? I mean, and we're working on that, frankly. Yeah. The good news is is that when you look at the funding we have received thus far and and really some of the stuff that is on
weight list from the uh SA which is special appropriations H&M Helen and Milton we are in probably the premier spot of all those those folks that are waiting for additional funds on top of the 54 we've received. The city of
Bradenton was was outlined specifically by DP and SRF in their evaluations of the projects themselves, our ability to do the projects, the need for the projects, the environmental benefits of those projects as the number one the number one municipal entity really
getting weight listed on that for 259 I think thousand million dollars more. And really how that works is that um they will look at the what was awarded thus far and whether people have been comp able and and had complied with the
preliminary grant submission requirements and some will and some won't and the ones that won't it'll go back into a pot and then that money be reallocated as well next year. And so we are at $259 million. The next closest
entity was 145 million. The one after that was 110 and no others were over a 100 million. I think there was a total of about 17 folks weight listed. That mean being said and how it relates to this particular adoption um
is that the I think if we keep doing the things we we're doing um we'll be able to continue to get um the assistance of other folks and the investment and confidence of them in the work we're doing and the benefit it provides. the end of the day that translate to a huge
fiscal, environmental, and quality of life benefit to our citizens. >> Well, Mr. Perry, you talk about quality of life, you know, and and we have a lot of things going on right now and some of the things that, you know, the city of Bradenon probably deserved in a way that
that to take care of some cleaning up our environment and that's one of the things that that we was important to all of us up here as we've gone through um to try to make sure that our quality of life, especially our waterways and the wastewater part of it is the most
important in the waterways. And so I know we're looking at all avenues to make sure that we are doing the right things to get to the next step. And as we talked about, you can't rate your way out of it and you can't tax your way out of it. We are doing a great job and
kudos to this council and again kudos to the administration and all of the staff that's making sure that that's getting the opportunity to succeed. And so this this resolution is is uh probably one of
the biggest ones that I think in the face it and fix it >> is in the moment. >> Mr. Mayor. >> Yes, ma'am. >> I'd like to move for approval of resolution 2630. >> There any anything else we need to do legal wise with that or just that's
okay. So we've got a motion by Miss Barnaby, second by Miss Coker. Any further discussion? I just have a >> comment to make. >> Yes, sir. >> When you look at this number, this 160 million 159600,000,
it's it's it's a big number, 2026 to 2030. Um, and I had a chance to discuss this with Mr. Perry yesterday. I just wanted to uh you know, let uh folks know that are that are listening to this that
it it does include um improvement and maintenance. you know, it's not just uh one and done. It does improve uh ongoing uh maintenance and looking at the Woodard and Cohen, you know, plan. So, I just wanted to point that out. >> All right, we've had discussion. We'll
start the vote in a ward five. >> Yes. >> One, >> yes. >> Two, >> yes. >> Three, >> yes. >> Four, >> yes. >> Thank you. Approved. Five to zero. >> Mayor, I have one other matter that >> Yes, sir. >> briefly address. Um, I know most of the
council, if not all of us, are aware of Dr. Tomasco, who was a former director of the Sarasota Bay Estuary, and of course, he's retired from that and has moved on to uh continue his professional um uh contributions to science and all
with the ESA. I myself and mayor had been talking with Dr. Tomasco about a variety of different um services that he could provide. And I've gotten proposals from Dr. to Moscow that are within my signature authority um which ultimately
the upper end of it's about 75,000 and there's a series of different um deliverables that I would like to explore with Dr. to Moscow um that I think are beneficial to you know some of the stuff we've talked about which is related to water quality in our
waterways um specifically trying to look at issues related to um the de FD's impairment determination of impairments you've heard that term before it's kind of a really scientific term Dr. Tamasto
is is is a you know obviously a very skilled and educated and and professionally developed individual with expertise in both theoretical and experimental science and and it's rare that you have the two. Usually you'll have someone that has an expertise in
one or the other but he's actually done studies to show that the theory works. You usually there's actually division within academic communities of those two types of things. We have the uniqueness of having Dr. Muso. So some of that, you know, does deal with DP's determination of impairments, uh the background levels
for fecal uh bacteria, the source of that bacteria, review of some of the infrastructure and and and study designs, uh field sampling and source identification. We've talked about that if there is um too much nitrogen and
seaggrass is dying, is it a human-caused source or is it a natural source such as grass clippings, bird, you know, uh >> DCs, >> DCs, thank you. And the like. And there's some really interesting studies in the area. Um, Rattlesnake Island's
one of them to the extent of there was a lot of feal bacteria out there, but there was no human source that could be identified. They don't there's no wastewater plant out there. There's really no grass that's getting cut that has fertilizer on it or the like, but
yet the natural conditions are still showing impairment because of that and higher levels and exceedences. So I guess from a regulatory matter what ma kind of what matters to the lawyers and the administrators and the council is
what what are we responsible for FT says a government is not responsible for naturally created conditions they're only responsible for human created conditions hence wastewater and other types of things and so I'd like to do a
deeper dive and I think that Dr. Tamasco has the expertise to really help us start to understand this to maybe educate the public a little bit in that regard and also probably posture us for some any type of uh environmental litigation challenges in a more
proactive and and proalictic manner prophylactic. >> One of the things that's very interesting and you kind of brought it up a little bit Mr. Perry is when you're talking with Dr. to Moscow and there's been areas that have spent tens of millions if not hundreds of millions of
dollars talking about you know and they fixed what they could control and the levels are still pretty much the same that they were before. So if we go and then people are going to say well why'd you waste all that money but you know we
had to fix it but it's coming up with what we control and then also still trying to help others and if you look at you know our our biggest area is Manatee River and the Braden River and we control what we can do there but we
don't control everything around it even some of our other municipalities >> are in those rivers so you know and we're finding that some of the levels that are coming up with the testing that's being done could have been like that for a hundred years or before a lot
of the things that are happening. So, I think it's important to to try to work with him and get because if something's wrong, he'll tell us. He's not going to fluff it just to make it look good for the public. If we can do something better, we're going to try. So, I'm I'm anxious. I'm excited to to try to face
it and fix it with that part of it. So this is more >> so is his um like the engagement potentially is to study not I mean because I feel like there's overlap with the Woodard current role in the wastewater um improvements
going forward and the strategic planning going forward with that. So he's basically going to do some like a scientific study of the quality of those two waterways. Some of it will involve actual field studies, collection
of samples and specimens um and some of it won't. There really isn't an overlap because Wooden and Curran is an engineering um environmental science you know firm and really Dr. Tomasco's work
is related more to the biology, chemistry, source identification, um kind of natural occurring conditions, impacts, you know, really the science more. I haven't met anybody at W
currently has a PhD in any hard science. >> Yeah. >> Met a lot of engineers. >> Yeah. And and physical people and they're good. They're really good at that. Yeah. >> More complimentary than it is. >> Yeah. I think that's a good way to put it. Excellent. It's more complimentary and it's an adjunct to it. >> Okay. >> And I think at this level of
sophistication, you know, like in Albuquerque, we used to have an urban biologist. What does an urban biologist do? He tells you what's causing coyotes and rodents and different things and stuff like that. And uh there's a value to that, believe it or not, a huge value
when you have those problems. And we what we have is, you know, we have coyotes, but we have rivers and and and and bodies of water and the like. And we Yeah, we have to know what's going on with them, you know. Yeah. >> And that was the nature of my question is I guess kind of like what his deliverable was. Is it and it could be a
scientific report, you know? >> Yep. >> Knowledge is power. I agree with that. So, I just wanted to make sure I understood what he is being tasked with doing. >> He's going all over the country. I don't even know if he's going all over the world and doing things with his new company. But the benefit we have is he knows our area.
>> And I think that's worth it. And I mean, and even going through some of the things we're going through, he's going to be able to help us and even maybe save us some money because so it'll be offset with what we pay him will be, I think, really offset with other things we're doing.
>> Yeah. >> So, all right. So, that was just for information, right, Mr. >> Information, but I if you wanted to do a motion just to uh proceed with with potential for engagement of Dr. Damasco, that might be helpful. I'll make a motion that we look into the >> engage with >> engagement of Dr. Tomasa.
>> Okay. >> Second. >> Mr. Mayor. Yes. >> I I think this is very important to do >> because if you all think back and you remember I can't remember how several weeks ago, almost a month, maybe more,
we had an unusual but a pretty heavy rainstorm when we hadn't had any for a while. And then there's an organization that is water testing and they went out and tested the water and it showed that you know there was all sorts of problems out
at uh between the the confluence of the Braden River and the Manatee River. And where did all this come from? Well, we don't have any kind of outlet there >> that drops anything out there. I'm no expert, but part of me goes,
there's a really big rrookery right out there. All of the the storm water and everything washed everything into into the river. And gee, you're wondering why you have suddenly different kinds of fecal matter out there. It was not a
man-made thing. It probably came from the bird island that's out there >> that washed it out >> that washed it out in into the river. But we can't say that with any certainty right now other than to say we don't have any kind of outfall there from any of our plants. So it did not come from
the city. But again trying to explain that to people that like oh yeah sure well >> but then a week later it was right back to lower numbers. >> Right. >> So you know there had to be some kind of natural situation that caused that.
again until you have an expert to say >> to help us with it. >> Right. >> All right. So, anything else? >> Well, are we going to vote? >> Yeah, we're going to say anything else before the vote. All right. We'll start the vote in ward one. >> Yes. >> Two. >> Yes.
>> Three is out of the room. Four. >> Yes. >> Five. >> Yes. >> And three. >> Yes. >> Carries five to zero. Thank you. >> All right. Um, madame clerk, we're going to I'm going to Mr. Perry, are you everything done? All right, >> nothing further. Thank you, councel.
>> I'm going to go to 11 right now. And you have something to tell us on that? >> Yes, sir. That item is going to be pulled and brought forward at a later date. >> Okay. All right. So, we'll go to council reports starting ward one.
>> Would you stop? Uh, actually, I really don't have um much to report. Um, I'm gonna have to add >> Okay, two. >> Um, well,
I'm trying to think right now because I was not making notes. Um, everybody had a hopefully a very nice spring break. School is back in session. All I'm going to and and this goes for anywhere throughout the city.
Please obey the speed limits. Please don't I it's it's it's really funny. It's it's for thee and not for me. It's like you speed when you're in a hurry, but you don't want anybody else speeding through your neighborhood. So, we seem to have a real problem right now with people
perhaps not planning ahead as well as they should have. So, encourage you to do that. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, Bamfest, Saturday, March 28th from 11 to 7. Um,
I'm looking forward to a big turnout. Uh, and as, uh, Miss Coachman likes to say, W 5 is alive, but I would like to say, and steal her thing, and I almost said it without giving her credit, the arts are alive in Bradenton. Um, live
music, art installations, food vendors, family activities. Should be a fun day. Um the other item that I wanted to mention is uh we all received the Bradon Area
EDC um corporation uh plan and uh I was pleased to go over it and look at it and read through all the details. Uh thank you Mr. Landfeld for bringing uh Elizabeth Cordez in to all of us and uh
having us look at it. Um it >> it is Oh, you haven't had yours yet. For those of us that has had my comment, uh it's a comprehensive framework. Um like any plan, uh I know it will continue to evolve and be tweaked and changed. Um
but I was pleased to look through it. It's a solid framework. um you know, intentional mixeduse neighborhoods. Uh things we all uh you know, one of the things we all need to understand are what I like to say the amenities. Um
we're blessed with the location that we have in Bradenton. Um but it's also about the lifestyle. Uh so frictionless living, I like to call it. Um, and as we continue to um look at this, it's it's it's important to be open and discuss uh
with all of our community partners. Um, you know, it's not just about new residences. It's also important that we help maintain and attract businesses. That's what's that's what economic development is all about. Uh, so uh good
framework. Um, and I look forward to working with uh and listening to the many community partners that we have. And I and I was, you know, I'm pleased to say that I think they have been very um open to input from uh, you know, all
of our community partners. >> Good. Thank you. Or four. >> Um, thank you. I, um, I am also really looking forward to us having a workshop where we really dive deep into that. Um, you know, speaking of amenities, and I
feel like Vice Mayor Coker can speak to this as, uh, you know, her her other job, um, planned, you know, development developers have a little bit of an edge in the way that they can really curate their amenities and have them already existing when people are thinking about
buying and investing. And so, our process is going to have to be a little different. But I think that that level of purposeful planning uh that we're about to engage in, I think will be really beneficial for us to be able to attract people and businesses uh to
invest in the area. So, I'm looking forward to that, too. Um Councilwoman Coachman and I I think our meetings are scheduled for next week. Um so, that will be fun. Um so, BAM, I was also going to mention BAM. BAM is I'm excited about BAM. I'm assuming that uh the
Realized Braon team is not here because they're so busy with planning Pam. Um but that I I'm excited about that. And I also love the way that it um uh what's the word? I'm activates uh the Riverwalk. So I I the way it spans the Riverwalk I think is really creative.
I'm excited about that. Uh I had a community meeting oh twoish weeks ago and I'm really pleased to report that I thought it went really well. Um if there's resident watching that uh was unable to attend, you know, feel free to reach out and obtain the information
that was discussed at that meeting because it was really a lot. Uh staff came very prepared and the people that were in attendance I think really appreciated all of the updates. The um level of detail uh about each project
that was discussed I thought was super helpful and very wellreceived. So, thank you to staff for that and I look forward to having more of those and it was required by the grants, but I'd love to have excuses to have community meetings. Um, and of course I have to tell you all
about uh what is happening with lift stations 3 and 13 until you're sick of it. Um, if you're not already. Um, uh, three is I almost took a picture this morning. three is very much under way to being demolished
and I feel like you can already see the way that's going to change the landscape of that river front street. Um so that's super exciting. The temporary lift station is in place. It looks very nice and neat. The construction I think went
really well and other than people telling me that it was loud sometimes that's to be expected. Um, I think it's been wellreceived with how it looks and and I have to say that um, Don Deona Deon, I'm mispronouncing his name, but
um, Don's response to the neighborhood has been just amazing. Um, he's been very uh, willing to engage with the immediate residents and just on top of uh, the the the progress of the
temporary construction. um when it was able to receive power from FPL, uh FPL was supposed to alert him and they didn't. He actually just showed up and saw that there was a transformer there and within two hours he had trucks and everyone relocating the power from the
the uh generator to hooking up to FPL. So his um management of the project has been really fabulous and lift station 3 is very much underway and also the de demolition of I can tell now because of the colors. The new one is blue and the old one was green and the blue one is
there and the green one is not visible to me anymore. So I can't get back there as it's appropriate that I'm not back there. But um but I can't actually see as well as I can see 13. But I can see that it's no longer visible. So that means it's being demolished. Um, so I'm
excited about that obviously. And the um the last thing I'll mention is kind of on the heels of I almost brought it up with the um Dr. Tomasco conversation, but it was seemed off off topic, but to Mr. Perry's comment about, you know, what's next, Rob, or how much is the
drainage and the or the storm water and the um the drinking water going to cost us? I I've was really impressed with Woodard Currens. I think you guys already know that that product I thought was really um just very detailed and well written and well thought out. I
would love to see us be able to also strategically plan for the other types of water specifically the drainage because this is what I was wondering about Dr. to Moscow is um to some extent I know that the water you know it runs off and it gets into our system and then that's how it affects the waste water
but is there something about drainage and should we be looking at like drainage projects to also alleviate and make sure that the quality of the water is good >> well we know that storm water when we had the 2024 storms we had that 50 inches of rain almost and we had that big rain of Debbie yes
>> for Sarasota Manatee County >> our levels when you did all testing um by Sun Coast Water Keepers were off the charts because that washed so much of the debris and stuff that causes that >> then it cleared up from just natural
right >> naturally. So no storm water is part of and drinking water is part of the >> going down the steps and that's we're asking for money for that too as we know. So I think that's it's a huge thing. So >> yeah, now that what after I don't have three and 13 to talk about,
>> I'll pick up uh >> on that. So >> drainage. >> All right. Um >> Thank you. >> Thank you. No, I'm just a couple things. I think that that one of the things that you said early on when you got on here is that your young child didn't know any difference. And I think that's one of
the things that that motivated us all to to say it's happening, but how do we make it happen? And again through the administration we can give directive or we can ask for directive but the administration is getting that done and that was some of them some of the residents said it'll never happen and
you know we one of the things I said in that one first meeting was you've never been with this council and with me and so this is so important and it costs money but we've had it with our finance team with all the the engineers and everything else and doing a great move
of bringing Woodard and Curran on. There may be some other ask in the future with Woodard and Current, but they have showed and stepped up what we can do, >> what they can do with us in this community, not for today, but for generations to change it. So, I think
that's very important. If I could just respond. Um, it it is very true when we were first talking about 3 and 13 and I I I have to thank council for >> putting up with me basically and and hearing about it constantly. Um, but
when we first started to talk about it there there was, you know, that was what I was hearing honestly was, you know, a pocket of community that was not trusting us to do what we said we were going to do. and the abs in just my personal opinion but I think it's coming
into um into being into being realized is the best way to get that trust to earn it is to do what we say we're going to do and here it is. it's actually happening and I mean I'm so excited and I never thought I would say that they're beautiful and I never thought I'd be this excited but it is it's happening
and so that is uh that's just I mean I feel I feel good about the community and how they are feeling and I feel good about the way you know everyone seems to be supportive and hardworking and >> well there were some tough decisions that had to be made. >> Yeah. and through our administration and
that and sometimes you have to, you know, I don't want to say go on faith, but sometimes you just have to make a decision to move on and we did and moving on in a positive way. We're setting it up to succeed. Glass is half full now instead of half empty. And that's what I hope the residents
understand. So, thank you, Miss Moore. Ward five >> is alive. >> Yes, it is. And just to kind of piggyback on what you were just discussing, welcome to the club with having a a community that feels like they've been neglected. Um, and it is a
great feeling when people seem to start trusting, you know, what we say we're going to do. And Ward Five is seeing that as well. Uh that's why I say ward five is alive because there are a lot of
things that you know for quite some time needed attention. Kingston Estates for one. Um and it's just great. It's just great because they're beginning to see it. Unfortunately, a lot of what we're doing
is underground, but I always ask I said, "Is it flooding as bad as it used to?" And they go, "No." I said, you know, voila. Uh, you know, so beginning to get that that
trust as well. I I'm still getting it though about McDonald's, but okay, that's another meeting. >> That's another meeting. Um, but uh yeah, it's it's just definitely great. And I was going to make a mention about the Kingston estate
um project and so I did. It's it's a great thing. Um, I am liaison with the Burlington Housing Authority and I'm I'm glad to say that, you know, in the past they may have had some staffing difficulties with the new executive
director. She's managing to actually have a full staff. It's just she has to train them all. Uh, and she hopes to be able to keep them, maintain them. and maybe there'll be another time I'll ask her to come and speak to us to give us
an update. >> Um, let's see. >> Just on that point, I I sent a letter and support me signed it as well for the um the renovation uh project. It's called a RAD grant. >> I think it's up to $40 million for Braden Village areas.
>> We each of those 300 plus units is going to probably be revamped. >> They've already done a few. >> They've already done a few. Yep. Yep. For for like $100,000. I mean that's that's a pretty >> it's awesome major investment. Yeah, >> a lot is going on. U the housing authority is alive. That's for sure.
Thanks to to that. Um >> and there's some other things she's probably going to be requesting of ser assistance. I talked to Miss Taylor. There you are. We spoke about some things. So it it it's a good
uh collaboration. I guess it's a very good it's very good. Um, not going to talk a whole lot. Um, I just want to just reiterate how this city government, the
people, not us, the people who are doing the thing, um, making the friendly city the friendly city. every department that I've had to deal with in the last couple
of weeks prompt responses uh for assisting in the um community and then that's public works PD uh public works that kind of takes a whole whole lot of other departments but
uh everything is just going so well and we have a excellent staff. Kudos that fire has a contract that is competitive to what's around us. Uh because it's
hard for us to keep people that are of the quality that we want and and it's understandable. Um, and I'm just I'm just glad that we were able to
reach that bar and I hope we can reach that bar for our other contracts as well because not only is compensation uh a a concern also um equipment and and
things that will assist in them doing what they have to do. And it takes a lot of money, but um I get it. 65% of our fund goes to that, but public safety is worth is quite worth it. That
and more. So, and I'll stop right there. War Five >> is alive. >> Perfect. That's a great saying. Um just real quick for me, BAMFest. Excited about the second annual Bamfest now and it was really successful last year. very
community-based and really showing what can be done. I mean, Bamfest, as we remember from Realized Bradenton kind of replaced the uh Bluesfest because it just kind of had aged out different things. But I think that brings this
brings a lot more people down to the award-winning Riverwalk. So, and that's something that you'll be hearing about in the near future about what projects will have to be done on the Riverwalk to update it because we need to keep that. I think that's important with our do coal study that was done is really how
we're engaging on all of that. Um do coal as you read through it and go through it I think is going to be important to tie in to some projects that we already have. So there and they did and there will be some deliverables and it's kind of in a combination but
city park is so important how it energizes an area that will grow throughout the city and we've talked about from that area with city park being important but also 17th Avenue 9th going down to 13th
to engage it all the way over to first to to Tamiami Trail. I got that right? uh Mr. Burton Tamiami Trail to make sure because we hear that 14th Street or you know 41 but for us when it gets into ours it's Tamiami Trail to
celebrate that all the way through downtown through the Riverwalk area and spread out all the way to Old Manatee because if we just have this policy this book and nothing happens with it then it's it's you know and and again
sometimes there is a 50-year projection on some things but we're working on what are part of that first part. And so I think as we go forward, it's going to be a challenge, but it's also going to be a glass half full challenge. And so I'm excited about that. Um pirates, if you
look around there, it's over. Spring training's over. And that's one thing I want the citizens to realize that spring training is a fraction of the year. City Park will be 12 months a year. and City Park will be used by the Pirates when
it's completed out, but it'll be more about what we in community engage in that. It won't just be baseball. It will be a lot of other things. Getting calls about a national cornhole tournament and they want to be there. So, that might be
a perfect thing with our EDC to work through and our TDC is manty county, but they work closely with us. You know, there might be concerts. There might be a lot of other things. So, don't just think that it's for baseball. It's going to be a lot of community engagement. And that's not even talking about the
Miracle Field. That's not talking about the playground that will be in front of Rogers that then will be open to the public with a splash pad in a neighborhood that has felt like they were neglected at times. And this will be there. And then, oh, by the way, a
community building that generationally will change opportunities for young people and PAL will be the main focus at that in that neighborhood. That again will give young people an opportunity to see how they
can mix with our community and and really engage. And I think that's so important that we're we're getting there now. You see that the canvas shop is being torn down. I don't know if they finished yesterday or not, but they're getting close. So, in May 1st, around
May 1st, we'll have a groundbreaking. So, that's exciting of that next first phase of four phases that will be that first phase. And that field will be done by spring training to be operable. And it's it's going to be the same dimensions of PNC Park, which kind of
gives that the dynamics. There's some other opportunities with the other two fields that will be done to be maybe some of the history and and we're bringing in a lot of the pirates history because of how long they've been here. But it's, you know, wouldn't it be cool to have one of the fields designed like
Forb that was originally up there and then the other field like their another field that was so just to bring that and that's an economic development opportunity. So there's really opportunities to continue the growth that is just not for that area because
when you go down ninth we want to develop a walkable the Lecom study was making it more walkable and I know we were all involved in that. So opportunity opportunity opportunity glass half full and we're setting this city up to succeed and I'm I'm excited about that and really proud of the
council and all the staff of what's happening. Um, I'm done and I see we have a a group of people in here and miss um ready to talk. >> You good morning. Nilsa Taylor, administrative services director. I
would like to congratulate Dave D. on his upcoming retirement. Um, congratulations Dave came to the city in 2018 after serving uh the city and county of Denver, Colorado for 16 years. Uh during
his tenure, he wore many hats in human resources and payroll before joining us as the payroll administrator. Um of note, Dave is a United States retired I got to read this. I'm sorry.
United States Army Master Sergeant where he served our country for 21 years. Thank you very much. On behalf of administrative services and finance, thank you for your years of
service to the city and congratulations on your retirement. since I've been around, you're so outspoken. So, you want to give a few words? >> It's just been a real privilege to serve the city of Bradenton, uh, the
employees. That's what drives someone in my career field, you know, is making sure those that work so hard for you and the citizens are taken care of with the things that I can control and make sure that they never have to worry about that. and you've done a great job
because you know when we don't have to see things or know things I know you're doing them right. >> Yeah. >> We're proud to to have had you had for only nine years about or and just one of the things that um built a great staff and you're doing did a great job for us. So thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Can we get a picture? You want to get the whole staff up in front and we'll stand up. >> Dave be right in the middle. >> Have a picture. Oh, you got to go. >> Get >> get out there,
>> sir. Get in there. >> We were not. This was not a suggestion. And >> definitely thank you for your service. >> Yes. Thank you. Appreciate that. >> Without people like you and serving our country, we wouldn't be where we are.
So, >> thank you, Dave. Appreciate it. Master is the highest you can get a degree >> and they're the ones that really run everything. >> How's that possible? >> All right. Any other department heads?
All good. All right, Mrs. Barnaby. >> Well, today is a very auspicious occasion >> because today is the day that probably changed humanity.
Um, today is Rob Perry's birthday and and I know I I have it on pretty good authority that when God made you, he looked and said, "This ought to be fun."
So, the council has a little something for you. You know, we've made >> Oh my. >> It is a running shirt >> that says, >> "That's awesome.
>> I run better than the government." >> Yeah. That's That's says it all right there. >> That's clever. >> Sing Happy Birthday. Hey, we got to sing happy birthday. >> Oh, shall we sing happy birthday? >> Let's sing happy birthday. >> Maryanne should start that.
>> One, a two. One, two, three. >> Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to youar. Happy birthday, dear Rob.
Happy birthday to you. had a special guest. Too bad he couldn't stay. >> Really embarrassing. >> All right, Mr. Perry, >> just I want to say thank you, you know, to to our staff and and to my bosses on council and mayor and everything. Uh you
know, it's uh it's been 57 months that I've worked for you guys and uh when you like coming in to work with people and work for people, it makes a big difference. And you know generally at this point in your career at my tender age you are ready to head to the hill
you know for good reason but I I still like doing it and I like the challenges what we have as a city and the people I work for and the people I work with it makes a huge difference and um that day today I don't know how special it was
for humanity but uh if you ask me about the ride it's been it's been special for me and this has been a big part of it. Thank you. Great. >> Thank you Mr. Perry. Anything else? Anything else? All right, we'll be adjourned. Part: 2
of the Community Redevelopment Agency on Wednesday, March 25th, 2026. So, I'll stand and do the pledge of allegiance. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. Moving along to citizens comments. Citizen comment will be accepted during the citizen comment portion of the meeting on any
non-aggenda item, agenda item, future agenda item, or topic of relevance to the community redevelopment agency of the city of Bradenon. Comments will be accepted on the public hearing at the appropriate time. >> None, sir. >> None. Okay. Uh seeing as there are none,
uh we will move along to the consent agenda. >> Mr. Chair, I'll move that we um to approve the consent agenda item number 4A. >> Okay. >> Second.
>> Second. Great. >> All right. Uh all in favor uh say I. >> I. >> I. >> Uh consent agenda is passed unanimously. Um next up, uh downtown CRA.
>> Mr. Mr. Chairman, um the during the last budget, the CRA provided $250,000 to the city for improvements to Rossi Park and um they are continuing to proceed with that. They've made some potentially
made, last time we talked, we were checking on that, they've made some changes to what they're doing that that uh we just wanted to bring it forward to the board so the board would know what's going on with the money and where they're going to spend it. And we have Bill Ackles here who's representing the city today.
>> Okay, great. >> Hi everybody. >> Um just to kind of touch base on what Jeff opened up with is the project is proceeding.
Um however, there's been I've lost my my things here, haven't I? um couple adjustments to basically placement and design. The products still remain essentially, you know, the same. It's
it's they're sun shades. Um and so as you see on your screen, I'll try to demonstrate to you exactly what you have. So there's just a little bit of clarity. We just wanted to give you the update. That's all. Um the project, as you said, it's over at Rossy Park and we talked about the
placement. You'll see on the on the slide to the right side of the screen of the one bordering the uh splash pad and then products that are going to be placed in front of the stage area. Now, when I say in front of the stage, that's not going to block them.
And you're going to see that in just a second when they demonstrate it. This is going to be the placement in front of the stage. And what that's going to do is that's going to allow for the blockage of the sun later in the afternoon. It's a pretty good depiction here with the guy standing there, but
you'll see the bottom of the stage is the bottom of the shade is actually 10 feet. It's not going to block the stage or obstruct the stage in any way. But when it gets in the later afternoon, especially in the summertime, that's going to provide the people from watching whatever's on the stage from
being blinded by the sun. Um the second one is going to be these are the products that are going to be border the uh splash pad. Little bit over top of the uh the forever lawn, a little bit over top of the splash pad, which is at the times that I've been out there with
the community, people are constantly, especially those blast pads, get us some shade. Get us some shade. Give us some shade. Um, having said that, what we've kind of done is also, you're going to see in just a minute that the exercise pads when you go around over by the
hospital, those shades need to be replaced over top of the the exercise portion of it. They call it the exercise pad or whatever it may be. There's three of them in there. there. We're not going to change anything on that. We're just going to replace damage ones. In
combining the two, we were able to to get the cost for both under the $250,000 that you granted us. Plus, we were even able to get reductions further in that in the cost. So, our costs keep going
down. That's a good thing. I think that's a good thing. Um, the Rossy Park ones, they're kind of there. They're right around the $28,000 range. That's a pretty big construction project. And the ones that you'll see in just a minute over that that need to be replaced over
at the exercise pads, it's pretty much just more of amount of reinstalling those once we once the product gets there. And I think they reduce that down to 39. So we're we're good and and the prices keep going down. Um the concern
maybe you might have about the Rossy Park project is it's a construction project. They're going to go in there. They're going to pour some footers. They're going to they're going to tear stuff up. It's going to be a disruption. Um what we're looking at is the replacement for the uh exercise pad
covers to be done mid April, early to mid April, and the Rossi Park project to be totally completed before the end of June. So once we get into the Fourth of July uh events and everything else like that, it it'll be just completely and
totally done. I've received assurances from the from the contractor, from the guy that we're working with. Yep. We're right on time. Everything's going. As a matter of fact, they're getting ready to um submit the uh permit application to the city of Bradon. So once they do
that, the movement of that is actually on our shoulders, not on on their shoulders, but it's it's progressing forward. We just wanted to give you an update uh kind of exactly so you guys know exactly what's going on. Blue shades, you know, just like we have we talked about some different colors and
things like that, but in order to match kind of with the fading and stuff like that, we don't want to go too crazy on it. and the Rossy Park ones. What you'll see is just in case you're not familiar with the location that I'm talking about. It's right over across from the hospital as you come around the curve. Um, and you can see the picture of what
happened to them. And they're gone now. It doesn't look like that right now. They're just those shades are just simply missing. And what we'll do is you'll see on the depiction with the blue triangles exactly all what we're doing there. So, um, again, that's the cost where we started off, I think, at
$41,000. It's reduced down the other day to another 39,000. So, um, just kind of show that we got the money. We're we're still within that grant amount that we're going and I don't know if we'll be fortunate enough to lower the price anymore, but if hey, if they keep
dropping it, we'll keep taking it. >> Yeah. >> That's it. We just wanted to get you an update. That's all. >> Great. Thank you, Mr. Ackles. >> Um, regarding discussion comments, I see uh >> Yep. Questions. Miss Coker. >> Yeah. >> First and then Miss Moore. With regard
to um during the project, are you going to have to close down all of Rossy Park or just a a small area of it? And are there any events that were previously scheduled for there that we're going to interfere with? >> We've already addressed the um the
events that were going there. Um Kelly obviously was involved in that and knows well aware of it. um the construction of it, whether we actually closed the entire park or not, I'm not entirely certain of that answer. I would venture a guess that um depending on where they
are at the construction. It could be. It could be for a portion of time. I don't know how long because they do go in and they're going to pour footers. I mean, they're they're going to rip up part of that forever lawn. Um they're going to pour the footers. So, these this is not just something like a sign. even those
reinforced signs that we use sometimes where we bolt it to the ground. Now, these things are these things are structures. Um, so obviously you know why because when the wind comes up so they don't go away and instead of having sun shades we have kites. Um, but yeah, so it takes it's not a major where we
were looking at it. I think they go down I can't remember exactly how deep they go down into the footers and everything else like that. So there might be a portion of time where it's it's pretty much shut down just because it's a construction site. Thank you.
>> Um if you um maybe you've already done this, but maybe it would be a good idea to get with uh Miss Shadik to begin advertising the disruption in the park if we're going to be able to move that quickly. >> Yeah, we'll keep her Yeah, that'll all
be, you know, we'll keep it out posted and everything else as soon as we get it. Um the big thing this way, I'd say with the park more so because from what I understand with the pad. It's just them going out there securing them up. But the uh the pad, we just we really
don't have a time yet when they'll start. And I say this kind of tongue and cheek, but also sincerely is because once they get that permit application in, the guys that they're waiting on is us, you know, we're it's it's on our shoulders. So once we know that, I'm
sure we'll get with everybody and get the the notice out and so that people know and everything else like that. Get um regardless of the interruption, I think from what I've been talking about with people just bumping into them when I'm walking around out there, >> it's going to be a welcome thing,
especially at that splash pad because I hear what are you guys doing? Well, we're going to put up some shades. Oh, thank God. >> Yeah. >> Any other questions? Yes. Do we have a motion? >> I'll I'll move to approve the revised design and placement for the Rossi Park
Sunshade project as requested by city administration within the previously authorized funding amount of 250,000. >> Second. >> Miss Coker with the motion and Miss Moore with the second. Um
go to the vote. All in favor say I. >> I. uh passes unanimously. Next item on the agenda in the downtown CRA is the community redevelopment agency scheduling of the singing river
official dedication. I know that Mr. Campbell is very much looking forward to discussing this. So you know this is one of the things about having pro projects that are completed and successful is then you have to start learning how to
announce them and have a policy for that and uh uh this was just a experience on learning that. So, um, in the end, we told everybody, including city staff,
that on CRA projects, the CRA board will determine when they want to have the if they want to have and when they want to have their groundbreaking or ribbon cutting. And in this case, it's a ribbon cutting. And um in the past in other
cities I have uh had um caterers come out and just do put something you tables out and depending on what you want to do. This is a big project for public art. It's the biggest project I've been involved with as far
as dollars are concerned. So um and it's obviously a statement piece uh on the Riverwalk. So, I would suggest you might want to consider, you know, same we've done this before. We're on a city council day or if you
want to do it in the evening, you know, we can we can even arrange that. We just need a little time to uh get with a caterer, have everything set up, have uh have it set up for uh a couple speeches,
um you know, and then uh and a ribbon cutting in this case. So question is is when would you like to do that? I will tell you this the Braden Herald has been calling me and I have been putting them off until I know when the ribbon cutting is because they wish to attend.
Got it. Understood on that. If if I may comment just for a minute I I do think that this is a big project that everyone is going to love. There are lots of stakeholders in it. uh as an arts community and as a community um I think
it was the right thing to do uh in terms of visibility. We don't want to leave anyone out and we want everyone to be included in that. Um so uh you know I'm I'm happy that this came before us and thank you uh Dr. burden for uh you know
bringing it to us this way uh because this won't be the only one and I do know that um you know I think it's extremely important uh because people do want to celebrate it and we should be proud of it and it is a uh you know a significant piece that will attract people to to the
Riverwalk. So having said that in terms of uh you know uh Miss Coker in terms of >> yeah in terms of scheduling everything else >> oh yes prior to deciding I did reach out
to the artist and ask his availability >> around the May June timeline. Uh he he suggested providing a few different dates so we can make sure that we you know have have his availability as well. So, just wanted to let you you all know
about that. >> He uh made June in time frame. >> Uh I I just reached out and said, you know, I don't know if we can make April happened. Maybe the LA maybe late April, but um just reached out for May, May, June, and
>> late April the city is covered up with the grand parade and okay other things. So, >> so I I just wanted to provide that feedback that he recommended, you know, if he could get it one or two dates, two dates minimum, just so he can get make sure which date works best in his
schedule. >> Well, and al along the lines that I like for our advisory boards to feel um valued, I think that they need input. The public art board needs input on this. Personally,
>> it goes without saying. I'm not having all of those art Well, the other thing is if it's if it's far enough in advance and it's we we pro provide the artist with a couple of dates, you know, we definitely want the artist here and if people are given far
enough notice. Again, I would think it would be a workable thing. I I just having served on that public art I know how much time it is to go select the artists and meet with them and the you remember
>> I do remember but again I think if we pick a couple of dates and and having the artist here >> is critically important >> and you know when you when you get into June you're getting into people's vacations and things and that's going to
be difficult. So I would I would say May would be better. Just don't do Memorial Awaken. >> No, I I don't think doing anything. >> You okay? >> It's in my box. >> Crushed by an apple box. >> Hate when that happens. I see.
>> Yeah, sure. People probably >> um do the um I agree that June is going to get too late and and well, it's going to be even harder to work around what is sounding like a large amount of people's schedules. Um, do do the art board
themselves have a meeting scheduled for May? Because maybe in lie of their meeting, if they didn't have anything super, you know, like if they could punt or if we could work around their meeting, then that would already be on their calendars presumably. >> We we do have a meeting scheduled in May, the typically 8 in the morning.
>> Um, which, you know, we could with enough advant advanced notice, we could push that back. We don't really at this point need to have a meeting. Um, but >> I didn't >> we could reschedu our
typical meeting for that that launch date. I'm I'm not trying to be dismissive of but all I mean trying to schedule a meeting like this with the mayor with the artist with us with
advisory I mean there's never going to be the perfect date but the best way to ensure that people are aware of it and can arrange themselves to be able to do that is to put it far enough in the future >> that Yeah.
>> Oh, there you go. >> Again, I'm not being dismissive of the art board by any stretch of the imagination. Having done, as many of us up here, having done events, I mean, if if it might be August before we are able
to get something where every single person could come, but giving people enough I mean more than two weeks, two weeks notice, not enough. >> Okay. So, >> so then I guess the next question is to
what are we looking at like a certain day or time of he suggested a council meeting day? That would be Wednesday. Our first our council meeting in May is the 13th. We do not have a CRA meeting that day. >> She could do it later in the day because
yeah, we know we're all going to be in town, right? >> So, would that be our first >> Well, like like you said, we're going to need multiple dates to to provide to the artists. So, Well, for me, the um
>> I' I'd recommend if you if you choose a Wednesday that the you give them a second date that's not a Wednesday, but in that same that way if he does things on Wednesday consistently. >> You know, you're just spreading it around. So you could do a Wednesday,
then the there's uh Thursday the 21st, which is a week after that, which which would give him a Thursday and an extra week for everybody to be able to >> Well, and and it I mean, I'm assuming he's flying in.
>> He's He's local. He's a three-hour drive away. >> Oh, okay. Well, I I would say like a Thursday or a Friday. >> Not that. >> And what? >> Not the 22nd. That's Memorial Day weekend. >> That Memorial Day weekend of >> Yeah, >> it's also Manti High Graduation Weekend.
Um, >> uh, the May 14 and 15 is the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council Summit, which I'm committed to attending, and I think we do have some staff that's doing that. >> There's a couple other conflicts on that, too. >> A lot of high school graduation.
>> Yeah. Why don't we just go the same week as the city council like Wednesday or Thursday of that week? >> Thursday for that week is the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council. But I mean that would just be me. I mean I there is some staff I think but if I don't know it would it might be a little tough for
me but >> um >> what about the week of the week before it? Is that too soon do you think to do a save the date? gives us almost >> a month and a half. >> A month. >> Yeah. At least a month. That's >> just to get feedback. Yeah. You know, if
we start tomorrow, we get at least >> Yeah. >> General consensus. >> That's fine. >> Yeah. What are your thoughts on offering him >> May 6 or seven or 13? Those are two Wednesdays and a Thursday. >> Sounds good to me.
>> I'm good with anything. And then what time are we thinking? >> Late afternoon, evenings. >> We could do again if if if you know later in the afternoon does give you a little bit more of a you know it's cooler probably
>> and it gives if if people are working you know it gives them time to be able to get out and get there. So I would say in the a like later afternoon um >> three >> yeah in 3 four five o'clock and then uh that gives us time to get it set up and
uh the everything set up and and we could do it then >> yay I wouldn't do it much later than five because I think you lose people if they go home >> after work then they don't want to come back out. >> Yeah. >> That's fun. And then uh again I I
appreciate this um h how do we avoid this in the future? I mean is it just nearing completion? We bring it up at a meeting >> in the future while we're nearing completion and the and and the artist you know we we can give the artists their final check at the ribbon cutting
which means the artist will show up. >> Yes, they will. So, so, uh, we will have it scheduled prior to completion and, um, we'll go from there. We'll bring it to a board meeting prior to and have the
board approve it a few months in advance and then we can put out a save the date right after that. How are we addressing the public since it's a park and presumably there might be >> you mean the public attending the ribbon cutting or the public massing the park
because you guys are going to be there? >> There are the >> we could we could put an invitation at the park. You could put something out a week ahead of time saying please join us. >> And we we also have uh the screens we
can talk to the bishop and see if they can stick something up. be posted on the website as well. >> Yeah. >> And the the city update. >> I like the signage at at the uh structure itself. >> Yes, >> that's great.
>> I also liked your idea about a little chachki type thing. Yeah. Okay, good. >> Absolutely. We'll work on that. Anybody that >> somebody to sing? No, I'm just kidding. I am just kidding. >> Of course.
>> No, I'm kidding. It is. I was just gonna say that. I was >> I know I know somebody that can sing. Yes, I do. >> I know it. But you beat me the art. >> Okay. Uh moving along. Uh new business
project updates. >> Uh yeah, just uh just so you know. Um and then Chris can talk about it if he wants to. Uh MLK is currently out for RFP. I'm sorry. Another Okay. Love Park.
>> Love Park will go out to bid tomorrow. And so then we'll probably have I think the end of April, I think it's April 29th is the um deadline day. So then we'll have
a team to go out and start to, you know, to work with to start that renovation there coming up soon. >> The uh we We're also heading toward a closing on the advertisement for Bryant
Commons for a sale for um it would probably be a housing project. Uh the the so far I've heard town houses, I've also heard multif family housing. So, uh it's not closed yet. So, just letting you know that by the time we meet next,
we should have a ranking of however many um applicants we have for the purchase of that site. Uh I'll also let you know that um usually when things happen in society, financing
tends to tighten up. So, you can imagine right now with all the things that are going on in the world that financing is at uh at a trickle. It wasn't at a full-blown open faucet before, but it's
even tighter than it is now. So, um, folks that are lining up to do projects are probably slowing down a little bit because they cannot get the financing lined up because the banks are just waiting to see what happens next, which
is normal. Um, we have um demolition for the Bellamare property which is across from Lecon Park. Uh, we're lining that up. That should be happening sometime in the near future. uh the older buildings that we purchased. The properties right across
from the gate and we are talking to different folks about what type of project might go there. We've talked about parking lots. We've talked about uh mixed use buildings, commercial, retail space, things like that on 9inth
and we'll be bringing that back. But I just wanted to let you know that sometime in the near future those buildings will be gone and we'll have a cleared piece of property and uh we will fence it off to to protect it. So because that would definitely be a major
league parking space for somebody who's using Leon Park. So um >> ask a question about that. >> Sure. >> Have we closed on that yet? >> We closed on the 7th. >> Okay. >> We we're we're
I noticed the real estate for sale sign still on it. >> I think it's on the property just south. >> Oh, so we we that's not included in the sale. >> No, no, it's just north of 13th, I believe. Believe it's 13th. No, it's not 13th. It's just north of
>> property. 17th. Yes, ma'am. >> So, we are heading toward and lining up demolition for that. Um, if you haven't been talking to, you will be talking soon to Professor Green from USF about Main Street. Uh, we will be getting you
information. Uh, the application process for Main Street starts June 1st and closes September the 30th, I believe. And part of their agreement with us is to get us an application to submit to the Main
Street program for the downtown Bradon area. Uh I strongly suggest you talk with him because he's one he's just uh very very uh knowledgeable person about urban redevelopment and two about the main
street program and what it can do. Uh not at this meeting this morning but at the previous city council meeting it was mentioned multiple times about uh a downtown business association. A main street program can provide that
for you. So that's part of that program. Also, we will get you information every year. They have just like the Florida Redevelopment Association, they have a Florida Main Street association. Well, not an association, the um Department of
State puts it on around the state of Florida in some city that has a Main Street. And um uh it's not as big as the FRA, I will let about half the size. Um, but they have all kinds of programs
discussing what Main Streets can do, how they do it. Uh, there's exhibits from other cities of what they're doing and we will get you that information and it's something you you might wish to attend. It's usually later in the year and um I went to one in the land that uh
was really good and the land has a beautiful Main Street program. So um Chris, what else you got? anything >> before we leave the main street. May I >> Yes. >> Um so you had mentioned in previous
meetings that um that Mr. Green, Dr. Green, is it Dr. Green? >> Uh it's professor >> professor. Professor Green um uh I got distracted. Um that he has students, grad students collecting data.
Will they reduce that in some kind of writing as part of the like will we get to >> hear whatever they collect? >> Yeah, you will you will receive all that when they do their final present. In fact, they'll make the final presentation. The ma the master students will um he has about six of them working
on this. um they've been in the office and um I've worked with a few dozen graduate students on different projects and they are usually very energetic and eager to show what they know.
So, and they're usually up todate on all of the software and different types of data. Um so, I be prepared. They will come in and show you all kinds of things that we don't know about the city of Bradenton, about the infrastructure in
the area and and some really great ideas about how to placemake and how to use the Main Street program to further your long-term goals. I will say this that over the years, you know, when CRAAS
cease to exist, what is especially downtown CRAAS, what is it that can be done that could continue those efforts? And a Main Street program is that type of long-term
uh organization that can focus on and it doesn't have to just be your main main street in downtown. This can be done in other locations also. We just want to get the first one done so that we can get through the process
and get it started. Once you apply and they accept, it's a three-year process and they strongly encourage uh participating in all of the training sessions. This is a national program
that each state adopts and Florida's had it around for quite some time. So, it was built in response to um malls and taking businesses out of the old main streets and it has um evolved
very well. So, um um but we will keep you up to date. If you're interested in knowing more about it, we can arrange for um you to attend and actually talk to people that are running Main Streets. >> Uh curious about that question, Dr.
Burton. Um, in a city of our size, is there different merchant areas and are going to be? We talk about the downtown association. It's is there any city of our size, say
60 to 100,000 that has like one association or, you know, I mean, we obviously don't want five or 10, >> right? >> Um, what are your thoughts? The good good thing about it's it's built similar to a CRA. You know, CRAAS by state law, there's only one agency. There's only
one board, a CRA board. You can have multiple areas like Braden has three. Tampa has eight. Uh but there's, you know, it's the Lord of the Rings. There can, you know, one ring that ruled them all. And this is the ring right here.
So, in the case of a Main Street, it's a nonprofit organization. And you could set them up to be running multiple main streets because it's the same uh structure. They have a very
well-defined structure that has been built over decades and uh you put your plan together similar to um a CRA. Um, the reason it works so well in an existing downtown is is because once
it's set up and running and once, you know, in this case, I I would strongly suggest that, for instance, the downtown area that the the CRA fund it for a period of time to get it up and running to prime that that
that pump. And they know this that once it's once we cease to exist, that funding ends. They're not meant to be funded by CRAAS in the long term. They are meant to be self- sustaining and that's where that
association comes in because you become a member of the main street and you pay a dues to the main street and there are things the main street does for that area. So, um there are also bids uh business uh improvement districts that the state allows. If you ever want to
talk about that, we can talk about that. Um there are dare I say DDAs. Um but the uh the uh thing about the DDA is that you've learned about those. There are a few of them left in the state of Florida. There's like 13 left.
Um but what why we started this was because the city expressed an interest in like Main Street and we need to know about how to do the parking on Main Street. We need to know about associations. We've heard this from the
just in listening at meetings and um the solution in my opinion is a main street program. Um and it gives you that that other body to be able to assign them to do those things
while they're funded by the CRA. They would be treated like the police department or any other entity that receives money from the CRA. They would come in annually during budget. They would give you a report on what they've done. They would tell you what they plan on doing and then you would approve
their funding and that way there's this accountability. But at some point that has to cease to that has to end. So um that's what we would do. >> Great. Thank you Dr. Burton. Mr. Mayor
>> wish to speak. >> Jean Brown, mayor, city of Bradenton. >> Address, >> Bradon, Florida. Um, >> I thought that was a great presentation by Dr. Burton there about the main street merchants type situation. And we
know that we need a kind of a merchant association to come together for all of our streets and most of them are in the CRA to begin with. And that's one of the things that we on the city council and through the legislative budget put quite a bit of money into where if there's a
way to collaborate it, we could even grow it more where they're looking and working together. Um I didn't see my three minutes didn't start. Um but no I think that's something that can be very collaborative with the merchants because
they are looking for something to combine them not divide them and right now most of the small businesses don't have the time to do it >> where if there's a way to get it where old manatee kind of all the way through
15th Street in West to really set it up to succeed and I think that's what this could That could be the carrot that gets things really rolling well. >> So, thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> Excellent. >> That hurts.
>> I know. >> I know that hurts. >> Any other uh updates, discussion? >> Uh Todd wants to talk to you about grants. He gave you a nice little >> Yeah, I just briefly favor >> wanted to give you all an update on our
grant program. I won't go into too much detail, but I wanted to provide a snapshot of our dashboard. Uh, as you can see, we're turning for 20. Well, we're not turning. We're at 21 grants. Actually had one turned in yesterday. Uh, which is on pace with last year's uh grant applications of 48. So, we're
we're the program's strong. And I'd say even the applications we're receiving this year are are more serious. uh by by that I mean they're going they're they're they're move they're applying with intention not just with the hopes of completing a
project. So I expect to see uh more and more money being invested into our three different CRAAS. >> Uh believe it or not, Tammy Ammy Trail uh is the number one uh utilization of our grant program. They're at 10 10 currently. uh they're really taking
advantage of the public art grant. As you can see, there's some of those within uh the Village of the Arts that were put up through the Wonder Wall uh festival. So, that's that's really a cool thing to see. Um as well as as our
downtown, the funding for that is, I believe, 74% of our of our total funding up to just shy of $2,000. So, uh we're we're we're making traction. I just wanted to make sure you were aware of it. give you a brief overview. If you had questions, I'm happy to answer them
for you as well. >> Okay. Excellent. Um I saw Miss Coachman start to Okay. Do you have a >> She did say, >> but do you >> I have a little I have a new thing that I haven't had a chance to ask anyone about, so it's going to surprise everyone. >> Let's do that.
>> I was excuse me. >> We may want to do that first. >> Okay, Liz Moore. Um so I have been thinking about uh you know we starting with the do coal results the draft that we've been
reading um and just with some of the new developments that we've been doing in around um downtown and um the riverwalk park itself. Uh I feel like we've got a lot new you know a lot of new projects bringing a lot of new people which is
wonderful and that's what we want and you all know how I feel about like increasing mobility and all those great things. something something has been coming up more frequently when I'm out and about talking to people about all the things that we have going on and that is the idea of a dog park. Um, and as we
consider I know he's already laughing as we consider that we are you know increasing density in some areas and making things a little more urban. Um, and you know as as I go out to restaurants and talk to people and whatnot you know the the question is
always why are people not out? Why are people not walking around? And I people have this was not my idea. There have been and it's not even just the same person. One was my son. Um but um I have been having a few people say, "Why don't you guys consider doing a dog park and
get people who are living in the all the apartments that are going up near downtown an outdoor space that they could socialize?" And because it's dog related, I think it would be used. So just I'm throwing that out there as maybe a
as we consider hopefully extending the Riverwalk because of the >> just just so you know in in um Channel District when I first got to Tampa they said what's the biggest problem after I'd walked through said you have too many dogs because they were
killing all the plants that they had put out on the streets. >> Oh yeah. Um, and we had come up with a way to address that. So that because the other thing you need to know about dogs is is that the owners of the dogs spend a lot of
money on those dogs and you find that if you have dogs in your neighborhood, I mean the people will spend their disposable income in that neighborhood to improve it for the animals. Um, we will look into that for you. We, like I
said, we have I've I've had an experience with a number of dog parks and again um it's a healthy sign when you have a lot of animals in an area because
economically the owners spend money. They really do. But you really have to plan for it and plan well because you know and then there's also the dogs themselves. You have to to work to make sure that >> Right. >> Yeah. So, let me let me take a look at that. Especially and and if you're known
as a dog friendly city, you're going to draw those people with those expensive dogs into your city. And it again, it's it's an interesting um kind of an analysis that it it really does help your economy
because they they do spend money. So, >> that was my thought too, just like anecdotally just to share with you guys. Um, so when the art first started going up in Mineral Springs Park, that was my that was the one citizen comment was my son who said, "What what are the dogs going to do?" And I said, "That's not a
dog park and they should be on leashes there." Um, and so he was the first one that was like, "Well, what what about the dogs?" And then um it was actually because of the um apartments that are going up in between Sarah Studios and the art center, uh people also were telling me that what are people going to
do with their dogs? And again, the answer was, "Well, that's not a dog park. you should have your dog on a leash. But there does seem to be an interest. And I find just in my own neighborhood, in my own personal life, that's how I get to know the neighbors, you know, like the before their, you know, uh, whoever, you know, Marie, they
are, you know, spots mom or the lady that walks the Beagle, that kind of thing. I I just wanted to ask if anyone remembers seemed like 920 one of their um one of their draws was there was supposed to be a dog something
>> but that'd only be for their residents I'm sure. >> Well, I know I'm just saying that was an amenity. Yes. Remember >> that's what I thought. I I just want wanted to make sure I was remembering that correctly because I think that was like one of my first or second meetings. It was a while back. I just wonder. But
yeah, having dog a dog park or something. Yes. I just would like to know what what liability, >> right? I think they're probably harder. I public works. I haven't talked to anybody about it, >> you know, because Yeah. >> I'd like to look into that, too. Just
from like a cleanliness standpoint. I spent a period of time in Florida in Miami and it was literally a s show. So, um, you know, it's just >> something to look at, too, in terms of, you know, and there are a lot of positives
with looking into it. >> Be fun. >> Well, I'd like to go back to the grants. >> Yeah, back to the grants. Yeah. Oh, I'm sorry. Sorry. Sorry. >> Yep. >> Um, uh, I was not able to go to the the wall of art or >> the Wonder Wall. Yes, >> Wonder Wall. Thank you. Um, I because
this was done with grant money. Is that what you're saying? They are in the process of they've applied for some grants uh the which is okay in our in our policy uh because it's a permanent display of of public art. Uh so three of
the the three or four we have four applications. I have three of the uh after pictures here for you >> on the back and thank you for pointing that out. I forgot to mention that earlier, but I just wanted to provide you with those screenshots as well.
>> I just want to make sure if if if something like that's done and they're using CRA money that we are getting credit for it. Um that so that people know that that we're supporting them because we took a hit >> having to remove some of the public art
off the streets and stuff like that. And you know, I just want to make sure that, you know, just like any other grant, we're getting credit. >> The the the artist guild is the applicant and they did they did give us a shout out on their social medias uh as
a you know, >> we have a that we have the right to >> um put a you know, a sign out there displaying that this was funded by the CRA. We just haven't got to that point yet of >> Okay. getting those signs out there. But
that's something we need to work on. >> And also, especially with when we start talking about public art, um I know that we had a policy and procedures for public art and it had to be approved as far as nothing controversial
if our tax dollars are being used at it. So, I don't know who is making sure of that because it doesn't sound like this process ran through the public artboard, did it? >> It actually did. >> It did. Good. Okay. That's part of our our policy is >> okay >> they have to apply then they have to be
approved by the public art board and then the CRA board we >> let you have eyes on it prior >> that's why we have policies >> Mr. Mr. Campbell outside I'm just curious outside of at Wonder Wall. There were some murals
and public art that were outside of the >> Oh, we've had we've had quite a few murals put up outside of Wonder Wall. Yeah. Over the past year, year and a half. >> Yeah. The uh I don't have that number downtown. We've had uh to be honest with
you, and I've told Todd this, I'm amazed how many public art grants we have. It's a 50-50 split. So, yeah, they we pay, they pay. Uh they have to do the work first. It has to be depending on the size of it, either appraised by uh an
art appraiser or if it's less than $10,000, we go and check to make sure it was it was it was actually put up. Um over by the Braden and Ice building, ice factory, there's a someone put a we have one person put a mural up there.
>> Um >> the um Magnolia Wellness put one up. >> Yes. Uh so um uh I'm impressed that we've had this much and at the same time it does go through the uh the art board.
They verify that it is in their opinion art. And we've even had one we've taken to the uh planning department because it had verbiage on it or a image of a mug of beer.
>> Oh yeah. Yeah. >> Just to make sure it wasn't, you know, it met the criteria of the city that it's not advertisement. >> So, uh so we definitely uh check check and check to make sure everybody is is
check, you know, everybody's good with it. So, um, Chris, do you have anything else? It's uh >> uh the only other thing is is that uh Todd did go to the folks over at CDBG that also do SHIP and on the
redevelopment grants just to to give him a we are working it specifically in central so that if you need a new roof, you probably qualify through SHIP and then you would qualify with us and that
will get you most of the way to having impact windows or a new metal roof on your house. Uh you have to go through the ship's process. The ship processes are much more restrictive than ours. So we are very comfortable like if they
meet ship then we're good with it. Um they have to meet with the building code all of those things. So as you can see with our graphs that central is lagging a little bit behind in grant applications and that was one of the things that was brought to our attention
was you know they got to come up with the 50%. So we have partnered with uh CDBG to um help meet that. So that that makes it a little easier because in the end it's usually
uh the lower socioeconomic neighborhoods that suffer the most in a natural disaster. And the houses are usually older, the roofs are usually older. They're not impact windows. It's hard to put some of this stuff up to protect your windows.
So, this is our way of helping to ensure that because we know what a hurricane can do now to help make sure that everybody has an opportunity to protect their homes because in the long run, if we don't, it'll cost us more later as a
community. So, um that's our I just want to let you know that's what we're doing in Central to get the the grants up. So, um, other than that, I think it's a >> anything else.
>> I I have something I want to bring up. >> Um, and I I guess I need clarification. our community police unit because it's considered a specialty unit, you know, um and it's really
separate from the other specialty units because it's funded by uh you know the CRA. What is it our funds are used for? I mean, I assumed it was everything, but
I just want want to >> So, community policing innovation under the statute, it's it's defined. It's one of those few things that actually defined it, and it's very close to community policing just in general. Um, >> SAPED.
>> Um, so when we hire a community police officer, they're allowed to do just about everything that a police officer can do. They can do motorized patrol. They can do walking patrols. They can do neighborhood watch type things. They can
do um uh just about everything. And I can I can get you that definition. So the idea is is for them to be in the neighborhoods working with the community to not only
address active uh criminal activity, but to be working to create improvements uh wi with us to reduce crime in the future like lighting, cameras, um you name it. anything that that that
may help reduce crime. >> And uh the the the state statute does not, you know, put a lot of accountability measures into that. Um but we do in the
fact that every year, just like everybody else that receives money from us, they have to come before this board. And that is this board's opportunity to um address and discover and to curtail
>> activities that are if there's something that's going on that that you that you know isn't working. In terms of the policing, I think they're all doing an awesome job because the core of the crime,
it it includes all three CRAAS and more in one than maybe the other two. >> Sure. >> Now, the vehicles, are those purchased by CRA money? >> Yes. >> All right. So, did we have the
opportunity to even select the vehicles or were they just >> they have to be specific about >> I mean I know they have to be but I mean did were we >> well and that that that it comes down to you know you're talking about policing
so you don't want Chris or I to be selecting vehicles for police >> office I don't mean that really I'm just saying would they at least come and say uh we would we suggest gest trucks or we
suggest Suburbans or >> they have >> Yukons, Taho, >> and they have the >> SUVs >> and they also have vehicles like cars. >> Yeah. So, >> but some of the vehicles, the trucks,
they're not even they don't have a cage or anything. So, if they had to transport someone to the jail, but I'm I'm really not. Usually though, from what I've seen, the trucks are being used when they're dealing with homeless individuals and their act and and all of
their I'm just saying what I've seen. >> All right. >> The homeless activ, you know, when they are dealing with someone that's homeless and they have all of their possessions with them. It's easier to put those in trucks. >> I don't know that I've seen I've seen
them transfer a a prisoner. Yeah, they have >> in the in the trucks. >> Yeah. >> So So probably the best thing to do is is at the next CRA board meeting is have the police department come in >> have >> and and answer your questions because
again you're asking the the wrong people >> and I'm really not really getting I I got into the weeds on that and that wasn't where I was going. I guess what I'm saying is I don't know most if if if any of you got to visit the CRA police
office >> um the uh over at the parking garage. I went in there. It was kind of cute. Well, they've now moved. >> They've moved to uh a room or section of uh just jewelers.
And I'm I was like, well, who decided to do that? I mean, shouldn't shouldn't we have some say on where they go and then shouldn't we have >> Again, that is a that is a question we need to bring in the police department
administration to answer that for you. Um, >> yeah, we we we learned about it in visiting gestularers on a different subject >> and then um and then they applied for a city grant to help fund some of the
furniture. Not a lot of money. $1,200 I think it was. Yeah. So, um if you would like to know more about that, we can arrange to have the police department come in and give you their uh you know, their policy on what they're doing.
>> I gota >> Yeah. Yeah. It's um >> I don't think it's, >> you know, no offense to myself or Chris or Todd, but we're not You want to talk about real estate, we'll talk to you about real estate. You want to talk about incentives? We'll bore you about incentives.
>> Okay. Well, really, again, I wasn't really saying, you know, we should have something or, you know, we should be the ones that say, "Hey, I think you should raid that house or you raid that." No, not that. I'm just saying for them to be housed where their office is. I mean, we we have
>> I mean, evidently, I felt it was no room in on the other side of this building and that's why they were there. But now to move somewhere else, I I just didn't understand that part. >> Maybe it was a proximity, a location issue. I mean, I I like your idea, Dr.
Burton, because as the BPD moves away, >> that is a substation that's right here. >> From my understanding, the Tamiami Trail in and downtown CRA officers are going to be housed there. >> Where? >> So, just at the just jeweler's location.
>> Oh. And then the other split them up. >> I don't think I think they're all okay. >> I'll be happy to we'll invite the police. >> We'll have Miss Miss Coker. Uh >> I I would I don't I don't believe that we as a board should be making decisions
like that. I think we have to >> They have an office. >> Yeah, I don't I mean we we've I don't believe that I think that that's law enforcement. And I'm assuming that they're making that decision on what they think is the best for the policing.
And I don't think us being involved in that is a good idea. I I don't like that. >> Well, I don't I think we should have some idea of where they are. >> I agree. >> I'm not saying that we don't know that we shouldn't know where they are, but >> Okay. >> I don't think we should be the ones saying, "Oh, you can't sit go there. You
need to go here." Because that could get political. >> That could be true. >> Yeah, I do think so. I mean, in terms of I want it in my ward, not in your ward or >> Yeah. Well, it sounds like that's what we're doing. But anyway, that that's for
another time. They can come and present to us. We could ask those questions. >> Miss Moore. >> Um Well, I I I appreciate everything that both of you just said, but I um I disagree a little bit because I liken this office location to us deciding where the police department itself
actually is situated. So, I think to some extent we I'm just surprised we didn't know. I mean, at least I didn't know. >> And and I also feel like to some extent if we're putting officers in a private space >> with their own surveillance. >> I just Yeah. Like I don't know that that
just strikes me as >> be a donation. >> Yeah, >> it is. It is. >> Oh, so it's >> Yeah, it's donated. >> Yes. We don't we don't pay for their office. >> That's what we were told. >> Very generous of them. So at at the same
time being a former elected myself, you don't like being surprised if >> someone someone comes up and says, "By the way, your police officers like you don't know." Believe me, we we have conversations about making sure that we do our best to make sure if you come in
and talk to us on a weekly basis or you know bi-weekly basis or if we know it's something that's really sensitive to what we will make sure we get in contact and talk to you that way at least you know because there's nothing worse than you know going by and seeing something
and someone come up going thank you so much as the CRA board for doing that and you're going okay >> isn't There's usually an officer at our meetings, CRA meetings. >> Yeah. Yeah, we usually do. I I was looking to see why they weren't here, but >> they very well be short and
>> but they will be invited and and uh and again, don't get me wrong, this is the CRA's money and as the board, you have the right to ask the questions to them >> about the the money they're spending and
um and that is that is that is fine to do. They would be in here. We're what in almost April. Budgets right around the corner and they would be in here anyway >> and they will be in here and they will
give you a presentation on what they've done and what they plan on doing for the next year for the money they receive from us. That's very important. You know that you know me. There are other departments we want your money. Well, you have to come in and ask the board. And then they don't and they don't get
the money because it's part of the process. It's part of being transparent so that the public can come in and listen and learn what's going on >> or watch it on >> Well, to be honest, I don't know if anyone in that unit knew they were just
told. >> I understand. Uh that's something you need to talk with the decision makers that made that decision. And you you have every right you will more. Did you have a >> No.
>> Okay. Not to further confuse things, but I just wanted to say too if we are to have that CRA uh Bradenton Police Department discussion and and I don't know, maybe this is a a question for city council. But when we look at it as it pertains to
the CRA, uh there have been numerous noise complaints within the CRA and it really is a discussion about whether or not that is something that is code enforcement or BPD.
>> Um so >> when they come in >> Yeah. that Yes. You know that's just wanted to >> state that um any further discussion
>> we are adjourned 302