Local Government Bradenton City Council Agenda Results: November 14, 2012

BRADENTON – Wednesday morning's City Council meeting was fairly routine, as permits and other items were all approved unanimously by council members, with no protest given from said members or from citizens. A proclamation for World Prematurity Day on November 17 was given, and the election results from November 6 were certified by the council. Councilman Bemis Smith was absent from the meeting.

1. INVOCATION AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Invocation by Carole Kay Monaco of Manatee County Christian Coalition.

2. PROCLAMATIONS 
- World Prematurity Day - Nov. 17, 2012 City Clerk Carl Callahan gave a proclamation for World Prematurity Day on November 17, "to help bring awareness to the seriousness of the problem of premature birth." Mr. Callahan noted that there were 29,975 premature births in Florida in 2009, "which accounts for a societal annual loss of 26.2 billion in medical expenses and lost wages," as well as taking a financial and emotional toll on affected families. He recognized the work done by March of Dimes in both supporting such families and doing research for the purpose of improving the health of infants and reducing the risk of prematurity. 

Members of the Manatee County Healthy Start Coalition were in attendance to accept the proclamation and to thank the council.

3. PRESENTATION

4. ADMINISTERING THE OATH 

5. CITIZEN COMMENTS No citizen comments were given at Wednesday's meeting.

6. CONSENT AGENDA (all items on Consent Agenda approved 4-0, with councilman Bemis Smith absent)

a) Public Event: Long Live Haiti March on Saturday, Jan. 12. 
b) Public Event: Procession of Virgin Guadalupe on Sunday, Dec. 9. 
c) Minutes: Oct. 10 City Council meeting. 
d) Resolution 12-49: Official zoning atlas scrivener's error correction.

7. BUSINESS/ADVERTISING, PETITIONS, HEARINGS AND COMMUNICATIONS

SU.12.0097  WARD 2  NEIGHBORHOOD 12.02          PUBLIC HEARING (passes 4-0, with Smith absent) 

Request of Trevor Greene (Greene Marine Construction, Inc.), agent, for Robert Brodbeck, owner, for a Special Use Permit to locate a dock separated by a public right-of-way from address 1921 Riverview Boulevard (R-1 zoning). 

The first public hearing of the meeting was for a request by Greene Marine Construction, Inc. owner Robert Brodbeck to receive a Special Use Permit to construct and maintain a  dock from his residence at 1921 Riverview Boulevard. Trevor Greene of Greene Marine Construction, Inc., and agent for Mr. Brodbeck, was in attendance to personally request the permit. Mr. Greene explained that the situation was a little unusual due to "...Riverview Boulevard (being between) the house and the water, so we're crossing the right-of-way for the dock, (which is) directly across the street from the house." 

That oddity was not sizable enough to provoke any opposition. Mayor Wayne Poston expressed having no issue with the request by way of noting that there were already several boat docks in the area. Councilman Patrick Roff, while supporting the request, took time to note that the permit was acceptable because Mr. Brodbeck owned property across from the proposed dock: "people can't assume that they can come to the council and get a dock anywhere where there's a street; you have to have a piece of property."

SU.12.0098  WARD 8  NEIGHBORHOOD 1.03           PUBLIC HEARING (passes 4-0, with Smith absent)
Request of Allison Sotelo, owner, for a Special Use Permit to establish an Auto Sales/Rental Use at an existing auto repair business located at 2416 1st Street West (UCC zoning). 

Allison Sotelo was present to formally request a permit to launch a car sales business that would exist in the same building in which Meineke Car Care is located, with a split between the current business and the proposed one already in place. No opposition was spoken in reference to the request.

FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE 2944 (motion to approve a second hearing for the ordinance approved 4-0, with Smith absent) 

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. 

Mr. Callahan gave a brief hearing for the ordinance, which would make a few changes to the investment policy for the pension plan of the Bradenton Police Department as outlined on the ordinance. After the hearing, a motion was made to approve a second hearing for December 12, when the ordinance will be decided on by the council. The changes proposed by the ordinance are as follows: 

Item 5 of the policy, "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". 

In addition, a new and seventh item is proposed on the ordinance: "Master Limited partnerships are authorized, shall not be considered as equities nor bonds, and must trade on a major exchange."

Mr. Callahan further elaborated on the ordinance after the meeting, saying that "Investment policy is part of the ordinance, so you can't really adopt the investment policy without changing the ordinance to reflect it. If they could unilaterally do that, they would just change the investment policy." He explained that the second hearing will simply name the investment partnerships noted on the ordinance.

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

Claude Tankersley, Public Works & Utilities Director 

Potable water agreement with Manatee County (passes 4-0 with Smith absent) Public Works & Utilities Director Claude Tankersley explained that the recommended agreement was to supersede previous agreements in place, "one from 1975 and a second one dated 1983," for the provision of water between Manatee County and the city. Mr. Tankersley said that the agreement will combine the two previous ones: "It provides not only for the sale of wholesale potable water between the county and the city but also for emergency connections."

Carl Callahan, City Clerk & Treasurer/Chief of Staff 
Financing agreement between Manatee Players and Bradenton Kiwanis (withdrawn) Mr. Callahan recommended to withdraw the item from the meeting, explaining that more discussion is needed with the involved partners to ensure that they are in harmony with the agreement.

Another request from the meeting, which was not on the agenda list, was one for approval of a Publix liquor store at Beachway Plaza on Manatee Avenue West. Director of Planning and Community Development Tim Polk recommended approval with two stipulations: 1. liquor store hours would be 10am - 10pm 7 days per week; and 2. prohibition of consumption of alcohol on the premises. The motion was adopted 4-0, with Smith absent.

9. BUSINESS BY APPOINTMENT 

10. COUNCIL REPORTS Councilman Patrick Roff gave some information that was brought up during a recent Manasota League of Cities meeting, in which the board attorney for Fort Myers talked about his city's methods of tracking foreclosed properties. Mr. Roff said that tracking of the Ft. Myers properties had proven to be very efficient thus far, and proposed that similar policy be discussed in the future for use in Bradenton. 

Councilman Gene Gallo congratulated Manatee High School for winning another district championship, and all council members wished citizens a Happy Thanksgiving.

11. DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS