Local Government Bradenton City Council Agenda Results: December 12, 2012

BRADENTON – The mood at the last city council meeting of 2012 was often sentimental, as council members and department heads honored outgoing Ward 2 Councilwoman Marianne Barnebey. Vice Mayor Gene Gallo presented Barnebey with a plaque commemorating her service. Having served on the board since 1998, Mrs. Barnebey vacated her seat earlier in the year to make an ultimately unsuccessful bid for reelected Mayor Wayne's Poston's spot. Poston was absent from the meeting. Barnebey's seat will be filled next year by Gene Brown, who won the Ward 2 election in November .

Other business at the meeting included a review of the time of construction for the planned 12th Avenue and 14th Avenue bridges, and approval of a financial package for the Manatee Players.

1. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Invocation by Fidel Diaz of First Hispanic Baptist Church

2. PROCLAMATION

3. PRESENTATION Vice Mayor Gene Gallo honored Mrs. Barnebey for her service in office. "You've served for 15 years and you've served them admirably. The city is going to miss you." After concluding his remarks, Mr. Gallo presented her with a plaque from the city, which read: "In grateful recognition of your 15 years of dedicated professional service, your commitment to listening to concerns of the citizens and your love of the city of Bradenton."

4. ADMINISTERING THE OATH

5. CITIZEN COMMENTS Manatee County Commissioner John Chappie was present at the meeting to thank Mrs. Barnebey for her service during comments.

6. CONSENT AGENDA (passes 5-0)

a) Minutes: Oct. 24 City Council meeting.
b) Minutes: Nov. 14 Council meeting.
c) Police lieutenant contract.
d) Public Event: St. Stephen’s Falcons 5K run on Saturday, Feb. 9.
e) Resolution 12-50: Reappointing Vernon DeSear and Michele Weaver to the Downtown Development Authority.
f) Resolution 12-51: Establishing a mileage reimbursement rate for employees using personal vehicles to travel on city business.
g) Resolution 12-52: Community Development Block Grant CAPER annual report.
h) Resolution 12-53: Community Development Block Grant program amendment.
i) Resolution 12-54: Appointing Ben Bakker to Planning Commission.
j) Resolution 12-55: Recommendation of Award for 12th and 14th Ave. W. bridge replacement and 20th St. W. drainage improvement construction project.
k) Execution of State Revolving Fund Loan Agreement for 12th and 14th Ave. W. bridge replacement and 20th St. W. drainage improvement construction project.
l) City consent of agreement for Braden River Utilities to assign to Lakewood Ranch Stewardship District construction of reclaimed water line to Lakewood Ranch.
m) Line item adjustment for Water Distribution.
n) Line item adjustment for Riverwalk projects.

7. BUSINESS/ADVERTISING, PETITIONS, HEARINGS AND COMMUNICATIONS (passes 5-0)

SECOND READING OF ORDINANCE 2944             PUBLIC HEARING
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF BRADENTON, FLORIDA, AMENDING PART 1, CHARTER AND RELATED LAWS, SUBPART B, RELATED LAWS, ARTICLE IV, POLICE OFFICERS’ RETIREMENT SYSTEM, OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF BRADENTON, FLORIDA, AMENDING SECTION 4, FINANCES AND FUND MANAGEMENT; ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF FUND; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

The ordinance, which was first mentioned in November's meeting, would make changes to the investment policy for the pension plan of the Bradenton Police Department as outlined in the ordinance. The changes are as follows: item 5 statement, "Stocks commingled funds administered by national or state banks, mutual funds and bonds or other evidences of indebtedness...", would be changed to removed the words "administered by national or state banks". Also, a new item would be added onto the ordinance: "Master Limited partnerships are authorized, shall not be considered as equities nor bonds, and must trade on a major exchange."

Mr. Callahan gave an explanation for the item's presence on the agenda: "This really pertains to the change in allowing an additional investment, rather than a change in how the operation of the fund works. There is no financial impact on the fund, and that's required before we approve this particular item." No citizens came forwad to speak in favor or in opposition of the ordinance.

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

9. BUSINESS BY APPOINTMENT

10. COUNCIL REPORTS A round of commendation was given to Mrs. Barnebey by all of her fellow council members.

During his report, Councilman Bemis Smith mentioned that he recently spent a few days working on the federal effort with Hurricane Sandy and observing the storm's damage to areas of New Jersey. He said that the storm had given him "a new outlook on what would happen after years of not being hit by a storm," and that the city needs to prepare its citizens for such a disaster.

11. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS Each department head also commended Mrs. Barnebey for her time in office.

City Police Department Chief Michael Radzilowsky noted that there would be a "Honoring The Badge" community event for children at the Cortez Toys R Us on December 18, where police officers will talk to kids.

In his report, Public Works Department Head Claude Tankersley thanked the council for recently approving a contract for constructing two bridges, one for 12th Avenue and the other for 14th Avenue. Mr. Tankersley noted that the bridges will be built one at a time, first with the one planned for 12th Avenue, on which work will start on the MLK holiday, with completion expected by Memorial Day. Construction for the 14th Avenue bridge will begin on Memorial Day and go through the summer, with completion planned by Halloween.

Also before the end of the meeting, Mr. Gallo made a motion for support for a financial package for Manatee Players. The motion passed 4-0, with Mrs. Barnebey abstaining due to a potential conflict of interest.