BOCC Takes Up Several Items in First Meeting Following Recess

BRADENTON — On Tuesday, the Manatee County Commission convened for its first regular meeting of the board since returning from recess. The BOCC held its last meeting—a land use meeting—on June 21. Commissioner Jason Bearden was absent from Tuesday's meeting.

Multiple items of note were brought before the board under Tuesday’s agenda. Here are some of the measures that were approved by commissioners today:

Item 30 (pulled from consent agenda) Execution of Interlocal Agreement with the City of Bradenton for the beautification of the Palma Sola-Perico Bay Medians on S.R. 64 between 11700 Manatee Avenue West (Manatee County Preserve) and Perico Way (for the North and South sides of the medians) - District 3   

Manatee County sought board approval to enter into an interlocal agreement with the City of Bradenton for the beautification and maintenance of medians along the Palma Sola Causeway.

The agreement would not be the first such agreement entered by the county with the city. Late last year, the BOCC approved an interlocal agreement to take over the responsibility of medians along Manatee Ave West from 43rd Street West to 75th Street West.

In its previous agreement, the City of Bradenton agreed to hand over responsibility for the medians' improvement and maintenance under the condition that the city would be responsible for providing an irrigation system and installing a well for watering.

On Tuesday it was learned that the city was administratively relinquished from the requirement of installing a well and irrigation system due to prohibitive costs. Those medians are currently maintained and watered by the county by using a manual sprinkler system and watering trucks.

Manatee County Parks and Grounds Deputy Director Carmine DeMilio answered commissioner questions about the agenda on Tuesday, informing commissioners that the total cost of the county's improvements to the five medians that were part of last year’s interlocal agreement with the city was $37,000. DeMilio did not state the ongoing cost of maintaining the improved medians.

Commissioner George Kruse—who pulled the item from the consent agenda for discussion—questioned whether the item could be deferred until after a meeting between county officials and City of Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown was had. According to Kruse, the meeting was scheduled to be held in the upcoming weeks and would include a discussion about the county's plans for the Palma Sola medians, shared responsibilities, and other details relevant to the agenda item.

County Administrator Charlie Bishop answered Kruse’s concerns, stating that the item was before the board for approval according to process. In addition, Bishop shared that the county was working out details with the city that could include the city’s tree fund reimbursing the county the cost of the trees planted during median improvements.

Concerning the interlocal agreement for the medians along the Palma Sola Causeway, Ingrid McClellan addressed commissioners during public comment in opposition to approving the item.

McClellan serves as the Vice Chairperson of the Palma Sola Scenic Highway Corridor Management Entity, Coordinator of the Scenic Manatee Advisory Committee, and Board of Directors Member of Citizens for a Scenic Florida Inc.

McClellan told commissioners that the Palma Sola Scenic Highway Management Entity was supportive of the county’s effort to beautify area medians but that it did not support the improvement plans for the medians before the board on Tuesday. The members were concerned, in part, about the county’s intention to remove six native live oaks and nine sabal palms.

McClellan referenced the City of Bradenton’s land use and development regulations, which note both tree species as “significant” to the area's landscape.

“We request that this item be tabled until the Bradenton City Mayor talks with the Bradenton Tree and Land Preservation Board at their next meeting,” McClellan told commissioners.

McClellan added that the Bradenton Tree and Land Preservation Board and Manatee County’s Tree Advisory Board were also in opposition to the BOCC approving the agreement and plans as they existed with the intended tree removals.

In addition, McClellan shared the results of a residents survey conducted by the Palma Sola Scenic Highway Corridor Management Entity, which she said showed that less than 15% of area residents desired the removal of the current median landscaping.

In her closing remarks, McClellan shared information she said she received from City of Bradenton Mayor Brown and county officials regarding the medians that the county improved along Manatee Ave between 43rd and 75th streets. In that instance, there was public opposition to the county’s removal of multiple fully-established shady lady olive trees. 

“Mayor Brown told me that it cost $40,000 to relocate the black olive shady ladies to G.T. Bray Park, and Carmine DeMilio told me that only 40-50% of them survived,” McClellan said, emphasizing that the relocation expense was in addition to the $37,000 that DeMilio had stated it cost the county to replant and improve the medians.

A letter from the Palma Sola Scenic Highway Corridor Management Entity, as well as additional public comments and information as provided by McClellan in person before the board, were attached to the agenda item on Tuesday’s meeting agenda.

Hearing no other public comments, Commissioner Kevin Van Ostenbridge motioned for the item's approval. Commissioner Ray Turner seconded the motion. The item was approved in a 4-1 vote, with Commissioner Jason Bearden absent, the BOCC District 1 seat vacant, and Commissioner Kruse casting a dissenting vote.

“To clarify,” said Kruse. “I voted ‘no’ because I think this should be tabled… I think we are being premature and jumping the gun on this.”

Item 74 (Community and Veteran’s Services) Acceptance of the determination of the Children's Services Advisory Board to not fund the Rubonia Youth Program emergency funding request submitted by Genesis Health Services, Inc., for FY24 youth programming at the Rubonia Community Center   

This item requested that the board accept the Children’s Services Advisory Board’s (CSAB) recommendation not to provide emergency funding of $68,420 to Genesis Health Services, Inc. for FY24 youth programming at the Rubonia Community Center.

James McCloud, President of Genesis Health Services, addressed the commission to express the need for youth programs at the Rubonia Community Center. McCloud told commissioners that Genesis Health Services used program reserves to fund a summer program that served 42 students.

There being no other public comment, commissioners expressed strongly their support for funding the underserved youth in Rubonia.

Commissioner Van Ostenbridge moved to approve the funding request despite CSAB's recommendation; Commissioner Kruse seconded the motion.

The item passed 5-0 with Commissioner Bearden absent and the BOCC District 1 seat vacant.

Item 76 (Convention and Visitors Bureau) Adoption of Ordinance No. 24-49 calling for a referendum of the qualified electors within Manatee County to consider an additional one percent of Tourist Development Tax and providing for placement of a referendum on the November 5, 2024, ballot. 

Manatee County Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau Elliot Falcione presented the item which requested the BOCC approve a proposed ordinance for referendum to appear on Manatee County voter ballots during the November 5 General Election.

Falcione told commissioners that the county meets the requirements to collect an additional 1% in Tourist Development Taxes. According to Falcione, 3.8 million visitors visited Manatee County last year.

Falcione explained that the tax would be imposed on short-term rentals within the county and not collected from resident taxpayers.

One resident—Louis Danial—questioned during public comment on the item whether any residents who may need to secure a short-term rental within the county would then be required to pay the tax.

Danial described possible scenarios under which a resident might require a short-term rental, such as home damage from a storm or other construction projects. Commissioner Mike Rahn answered Danial’s question affirmatively, saying that anyone—resident or not—who pays for short-term accommodations within Manatee County would be subject to the tax.

Having no additional public comments or questions from commissioners, Commissioner Turner motioned for the item’s approval, which was seconded by Commissioner Kruse. The referendum was approved to go before voters in November with a 4-1 vote of the board. Commissioner Bearden was absent, District 1 is vacant, and Commissioner Van Ostenbridge cast the lone dissenting voter.

Item 80 (Community and Veteran’s Services) Approval of the Children's Services Advisory Board's FY25 Investment Recommendations for Nonprofit Agencies Serving Children through the Children's Services Dedicated Millage (October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025)    

Commissioners were requested to approve the Children’s Services Advisory Board’s (CSAB) FY25 nonprofit agency funding recommendations.

The approval would provide $16,911,977 in public funding to 54 programs that serve at-risk, abused, neglected, and economically disadvantaged children in Manatee County.

Having reviewed 61 programs that applied for funding, CSAB recommended that the county approve the funding for 54 nonprofit applicants.

During the board’s discussion of the item, Commissioner Amanda Ballard commended the CSAB and the local nonprofits who provide needed services to area children and who endured the rigorous application process for funding support.

However, Commissioner Ballard felt that two of the nonprofits not recommended by the CSAB for funding should be—Manatee County Summer Blast Camp and Prodigal Daughters Journey Home.

In his comments, Commissioner Kruse agreed with Ballard’s position that the two additional nonprofits should be approved for funding. He added that the nonprofit Isaiah 1:17—which assists children who need emergency foster placement—should also be approved for funding.

Following board discussion, Commissioner Ballard motioned that the 54 programs as recommended by the CSAB for funding be approved, as well as the three additional nonprofit programs that had applied for funding but were not recommended by the CSAB. Commissioner Kruse seconded the motion.

The motion carried in a 5-0 vote of the board, with Commissioner Bearden absent and District 1 vacant.

The item’s approval provides more than $16 million in public support funding to the 54 programs recommended by CSAB, with additional funding approvals of $67,500 for the Manatee County Summer Blast Camp, $100,000 for Prodigal Daughters, and $96,000 for Isaiah 1:17.

Item 81 (Convention and Visitors Bureau) Appointment of 2 Elected Municipal Officials to the Tourist Development Council  

Commissioners unanimously approved the re-appointments of City of Bradenton Mayor Gene Brown and City of Palmetto Mayor Shirley Groover Bryant to the Tourist Development Council (TDC).

The TDC is comprised of nine appointed seats, three of which are to be held by elected officials. Both Mayor Brown and Mayor Bryant currently serve on the council, but their positions expired in June. Both applied for reappointment.

Commissioner Van Ostenbridge nominated the two city mayor applicants for re-appointment, and the commissioners approved the measure 5-0. Commissioner Bearden was absent, and the District 1 seat is vacant.

Item 82 (Property Management) Execution of Contract for Sale and Purchase from Orin J. Oberlander and Vicky L. Oberlander for the Triple Oak Preserve (Environmental Lands Candidate Property previously referred to as the Myakka Conservation Stewardship Area) and Execution of Escrow Agreement between Seller and County and Escrow Agent for property located at 30480 Betts Road, Myakka City, Florida 34251- District 1  

This item was for the execution of a contract of sale and purchase of the Triple Oak Preserve (previously referred to as the Myakka Conservation Stewardship Area) for $3,606,000 using ELMAC Conservation and Parks Project Referendum Funding.

The subject property is located in rural Myakka. It consists of approximately 50 acres of upland forest, 25 acres of forested wetland, 25 acres of mesic flatwoods, 5 acres of scrubby flatwood, and an acre of pond and freshwater marsh. Two existing residential structures are on the property.

County staff proposed that the smaller of the two residential structures could serve as an ADA visitor center and restroom, and the larger home could host environmental education, meetings, and community programs. The larger structure was noted for its proximity to agricultural clients.

The proposed use for the property includes public recreation, including hiking and biking trails, as well as nature observation and education.

Staff also noted that the property would not require restoration after purchase. ELMAC unanimously recommended the property for due diligence.

Commissioner Kruse made the motion to approve the purchase, which was seconded by Commissioner Turner. The motion was approved 5-0 with Commissioner Bearden absent and the District 1 seat vacant.

The approved purchase comes on the heels of commissioners’ approval of the purchase of lands adjacent to Emerson Point Preserve. During the item’s presentation on Tuesday, Property Acquisition Manager Charles Meador informed the board and the public that the purchase contract for Emerson Point expansion had closed.

Proclamations

Four proclamations were presented and approved by the board during Tuesday’s meeting, including; Pretrial, Probation, and Parole Supervision Week, National Health Center Week, and Parrish Community High Bulls Girls Softball Day.

The additional proclamation recognized the 30th Anniversary Celebration of Manatee County’s Habitat for Humanity Program.

To view Tuesday’s full meeting agenda, click here or visit www.agendaonline.mymanatee.org and select the July 30, 2024, regular meeting agenda.

To rewatch the meeting, including item presentations, board discussion, and public comment, click the videos below. The meeting video was recorded in two segments.