Bradenton City Council Agenda Results: May 22, 2013

BRADENTON – At Wednesday's meeting, the Bradenton City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that will effectively allow for vehicles to be impounded in relation to violations of prostitution, drug and decency laws. The council also passed a resolution that codifies its policy of invoking religious prayers at the beginning of meetings, and took time to recognize Harold Bridges and Jim Williams, two engineers from Jones Edmunds & Associates who have worked with the city since the 70's. 

1. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Invocation by Dr. Joey Mimbs of Bethel Baptist Church.

2. PROCLAMATIONS

-  Harold Bridges Day – May 22 City Clerk Carl Callahan gave the proclamation. Mr. Bridges was present to accept a certificate which was given to him by Public Works Director Claude Tankersley.

-  Jim Williamson Day – May 22

Callahan gave the proclamation. Present at the meeting, Williamson was also given a certificate. 

Tankersley gave some remarks for Mssrs. Williamson and Bridges: "As the proclamation stated, Mr. Williamson has been working with us for 5-6 decades, and Mr. Bridges has been working w us since the 70's."

Tankersley went on to say: "They say that the infrastructure of the city is the backbone of the city - without the water, the sewer, the roads, the stormwater, the solid waste facilities - there would be no civilized cities. And if the infrastructure of the city of Bradenton is its backbone, then by inference ... Mr. Williamson and Mr. Bridges are the backbone of this city. Everything that we have infrastructure-wise has been designed under their guidance and leadership ..."

3. PRESENTATION

-  Johnette Isham of Realize Bradenton: Update on Realize Bradenton events.

4. ADMINISTERING THE OATH

5. CITIZEN COMMENTS

6. CONSENT AGENDA (passed unanimously)

a) Minutes: April 24 City Council meeting.
b) Minutes: May 8 City Council meeting.
c) Public Event: Girl Scout Bridging Ceremony on May 29 at Riverwalk.
d) Request to authorize Mayor to execute a contract with Mega Waters Inc. for upgrades to the City’s ASR degasification system.

7. BUSINESS/ADVERTISING, PETITIONS, HEARINGS AND COMMUNICATIONS

ORDINANCE #2949              SECOND READING AND PUBLIC HEARING (passed unanimously - story to follow)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BRADENTON, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 54, ARTICLE IV, IMPOUNDMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES BY REPEALING SUCH ARTICLE IV IN ITS ENTIRETY AND ADOPTING A NEW ARTICLE IV RELATING TO IMPOUNDMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES USED TO FACILITATE CERTAIN CRIMES INCLUDING PROSTITUTION ASSIGNATION, LEWDNESS OR SOLICITATION OF SAME OR UNNATURAL OR LASCIVIOUS ACTS OR EXPOSURE OF SEXUAL ORGANS OR CONTAINING A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE AS DEFINED IN FLORIDA STATUTES 893.02 AND 893.03 OR COMMISSION OF ANY VIOLATION OF CHAPTER  893 OF THE FLORIDA STATUES AS AMENDED; PROVIDING FOR DEFINITIONS; PROVIDING FOR EXCEPTIONS, PROVIDING PROCEDURES; PROVIDING FOR PRELIMINARY HEARING AND ADMINISTRATIVE PENALTIES; PROVIDING ADMINISTRATIVE FINES AND FINAL HEARINGS; PROVIDING FOR POSSIBLE SETTLEMENTS; PROVIDING FOR APPEALS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

8. NEW BUSINESS BY DEPARTMENT HEADS, CITY ATTORNEY AND COUNCIL

Bill Lisch, City Attorney

RESOLUTION 13-19 (passed unanimously - story to follow)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BRADENTON, FLORIDA, RELATING TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS BY CODIFYING ITS POLICY REGARDING INVOCATIONS BEFORE MEETINGS OF THE BRADENTON CITY COUNCIL; MAKING FINDINGS; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

9. BUSINESS BY APPOINTMENT

10. COUNCIL REPORTS

Councilman Gene Gallo talked about the return of horses to the Palma Sola Causeway: "It's Summertime again and the horses have arrived on the Causeway, disposing of their food eaten 24 hours prior... I don't know whether we have to build a pipeline and pipe it somewhere ... in case you start getting emails, we're sending code enforcement people out this Saturday to talk with the people who are bringing their servant horses. By state or city ordinance, they have to have something similar to a business license, and we're going to see if it's the same business that was here last year, because he is delinquent in his license." 

Councilman Harold Byrd talked about crime in the city: As we said in the last meeting, we've been working with a crimewatch within the area ... we had a workshopone of the things I promised to bring forward is that we're having a problem within the wards (containing) homes that are abandoned or becoming dilapidated or in deplorable conditions ... (and we're) looking at ways we can try to address those issues as well as revisiting (issues we're having with) nuisance abatement ... criminal elements and gang activity. 

Mayor Wayne Poston mentioned a program that involves teaching young students how to deal with and avoid strangers, that will not be funded next year by the School District due to budget cuts. "We'll probably try to solicit funds from the communities to make sure that kids get the opportunity to learn and be safe," he said.

11. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS