BRADENTON -- At Wednesday's meeting, the Bradenton City Council approved a special use permit and alcohol license for a site that is set to become one of only two breweries in the city. In other business, a special permit was also authorized for a Convenience Store/Service Station to be built on SR 64, west of I-75. Vice Mayor Gene Gallo and Councilman Bemis Smith were absent from the meeting.
1. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
- Invocation by Pastor Herb McMillian of First Church of the Nazarene.
- Pledge of Allegiance
2. OPENING OF COUNCIL MEETING
- Mayor Wayne Poston
3. PROCLAMATIONS
- Code Enforcement Officers’ Appreciation Week June 10-14, 2013.
City Clerk Carl Callahan spoke aloud the proclamation for Code Enforcement Officers’ Appreciation Week.
Director of Planning and Community Development Tim Polk gave the award to code enforcers present at the meeting. Polk had positive words for the men and women, saying they have "a very tough job in regards to making the city look good." He also stressed, "We don't push enforcement; we push compliance. We're not out there trying to write people tickets."
Councilman Patrick Roff also thanked the staff on hand, saying that while citizens tend to get upset at them due to the nature of their occupation, "You make more people happy than sad."
4. PRESENTATION
5. ADMINISTERING THE OATH
6. CITIZEN COMMENTS
7. CONSENT AGENDA (Passed unanimously, with Gallo and Smith absent)
a) Minutes: May 22 City Council meeting.
b) Request from BPD to donate $1,000 of forfeiture funds to Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s Inaugural Chief Challenge Fundraiser.
c) Public Event: Walk to End Alzheimer’s 2013 on 10/5/13 at Riverwalk.
d) Public Event: First Baptist Church request to close 13th Street between Manatee-4th avenues west for 24 hours starting 6 p.m. Aug. 9 for Day of Hope event.
e) Public Event: Downtown Bradenton Farmers’ Market 8-2 p.m. every Saturday from 10-5-13 to 5-31-14.
f) Public Event: Paws in Motion Walkathon on 3/8/14 on the Riverwalk.
g) Public Event: ArtSlam on 3/8/14 on 12th St. W. between Manatee-6th avenues.
h) Resolution 13-21: Reappointing Stephen Thompson to the Central Community Redevelopment Agency.
i) Resolution 13-22: Reappointing Len Najjar to the Construction Board of Rules & Appeals.
j) Resolution 13-23: Appointing Deputy Police Chief Warren Merriman to the Enterprise Zone Board.
k) Resolution 13-24: Reappointing Rigo Rivera to the Bradenton Housing Authority.
l) Resolution 13-25: Appointing JB Taylor to the Planning Commission.
m) No-cost contract extension with SWFWMD for the Aquifer Storage & Recovery program.
8. BUSINESS/ADVERTISING, PETITIONS, HEARINGS AND COMMUNICATIONS
SU.13.00101 WARD 4 NEIGHBORHOOD 7.03 PUBLIC HEARING (Passed unanimously, with Gallo and Smith absent)
Request of Michael Wagner, owner, for a Special Use Permit to operate a Light Manufacturing and Lounge use at 301 7th Street East (zoned T5).
AB.13.00023 WARD 4 NEIGHBORHOOD 7.03 PUBLIC HEARING (Passed unanimously, with Gallo and Smith absent)
Request of Michael Wagner, owner, for a 2-COP Alcohol Beverage License for use at 301 7th Street East (zoned T5).
The council's approval of a Special Use Permit and an alcohol license were the last two major steps for Michael Wagner's Little Giant Brewery, set to be opened on 7th Street East after remaining federal and state permits are obtained and construction. The Public Hearings encountered no opposition from the council nor the public.
SU.13.00104 WARD 4 NEIGHBORHOOD 20.03 PUBLIC HEARING (Passed unanimously, with Gallo and Smith absent)
Request of Belleair Development Group, agent for Stearns Bank, owner, for a Special Use Permit allowing a Convenience Store/Service Station use at 4455 & 4459 State Road 64 East (zoned SCC).
The permit for a Wawa convenience store/service station to open on SR 64 was approved without opposition.
9. NEW BUSINESS BY DEPARTMENT HEADS, CITY ATTORNEY AND COUNCIL
10. BUSINESS BY APPOINTMENT
11. COUNCIL REPORTS
Councilman Gene Brown remarked on the recovery from injury of absent Vice Mayor Gallo, saying he was advised that Gallo would be going home from physical rehabilitation today.
12. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS
Mayor Wayne Poston noted that the Florida Planning and Zoning Association recently gave the city an award for Design Excellence for its renovation of McKechnie Field, adding that attendance has increased since the renovation.