LWV County Commission Meeting Notes: 6/6/2023

The League of Women Voters of Manatee County Government Committee observes Manatee County Commission meetings for items of interest to citizens and the League and notes adherence, or lack of adherence, to good governance procedures and the Sunshine Law. The following are the major points from the board s regular meeting on 6/6/2023 observed by Tina Shope and Coleen Friedman.

ITEMS OF INTEREST
Link to Agenda and Meeting Video
Awards/Presentation/ Proclamations

• Presentation of the June Employee of the Month awarded to Scott Chapman, Stormwater Division - Supervisor, Public Works. Scott is in charge of sandbag operations, and during Hurricane Ian, the team distributed over 270,000 sandbags.
• Presentation of Heroism Award to Stacy Meeth, Transit Operator Supervisor, Public Works/Transit. Tracy was on personal time at the DMV when an individual passed out. Stacy performed CPR for over 10 minutes until EMS arrived.
• Certificate of Appreciation presented to Master Gardener Volunteer Class of 2023 in Manatee County, Florida, in recognition of their hard work and dedication to providing the community with research-based solutions and helping to support a rich, diverse, and healthy environment through the implementation of sustainable landscape practices. In the 2022 Fiscal Year, Master Gardener Volunteers donated over 10,000 hours.
• Letter of Support recommending the Florida Legislature designate a portion of U.S. 19 near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge a Memorial Roadway in memory of Army SPC Nicholas Panipinto. Nicholas was a lifelong resident of Manatee County and joined the US Army at age 18. Nicholas died at twenty years old on November 6, 2019, from injuries sustained after his M2A3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle rolled over on base at Camp Humphrey's in South Korea. His life has made an impact on all those that knew him and his death has spurred legislative changes to reform military safety.
• Zoning & Permit Navigator Demonstration - software that will help guide residents and business owners on projects, such as building or renovating a home. This tool will assist customers in navigating through the County's building and land development regulations while estimating permit fees. Video Link: https://youtu.be/v-5mkBnNLNg
• Adoption of Proclamation designating June 5- 9, 2023, as ""Code Enforcement Officers Appreciation Week"" in Manatee County, Florida.
• Adoption of Proclamation designating June 6, 2023, as ""Parrish Community High Bulls Girls Softball Day"" in Manatee County, Florida. This team has the highest GPA of any softball team in the state.

Citizen Comments on Future Agenda Items Brianne Murphy thanked the Commission for inviting Boys and Girls Clubs to attend the Government in Action program and requested that other organizations be asked to participate in the program. Item #24, pulled by Commissioner Rahn from the Consent Agenda, Execution of Agreement No. 23-R080813SAM for Manatee County Animal Services Adoption Building Design Services with HDR Architecture, Inc. Staff requested approval to move forward with engaging HDR Architecture Inc to work on the design plan for the animal shelter for $1.4 million. The company selected is based in Nebraska, with an office in Tampa. Rahn wanted to know why a local company was not selected. Staff reviewed the in-depth process, and noted this was only for the design phase and the county is not tied to this company for the entire process. Van Ostenbridge stated that design cost is typically 10% of the total cost, which would indicate a $15 million project, not the $8 million budgeted. Attorney Clague noted the county process required selection based on qualifications, not location. Interim County Administrator Washington said that staff has taken it as far as they can without meeting with the architect. He has been given input from Kruse, but they do need funds to consult with an architect to pursue either construction or a prefab building option. Commissioner Kruse stated there are companies that make prefab kennels, up to 16 per building that have heat/AC and plumbing. They could be available within 6 weeks for $300,000, suggesting the county purchase 8. They can harden them and the total cost would be closer to the original $4 million. The units provide flexibility to add for expansion and even place at other locations. Motioned to table the discussion and for Kruse to bring back a proposal after the summer recess. Passed 7-0 Item # 54, Update to the County's Personnel Policy Allowing Concealed Firearms in the Workplace This is a follow-up from the April 11 meeting when commissioners directed staff to create a policy to allow county employees to carry concealed firearms at work. This topic was originally brought forward by Commissioner Satcher in May of 2022. Consistent with state laws, the policy excludes long guns and rifles and does not allow an employee to openly carry a gun in public. From the policy, the right for staff to carry a concealed firearm while working will be subject to the following limitations: I. An employee must be over 21 years of age, not have a disqualifying felony, not have a domestic violence charge on his/her record, or an injunction prohibiting them from carrying a concealed weapon of any kind. II. An employee possessing a firearm under this subsection must retain control of it, on their person, at all times. III. A firearm carried under this subsection may not be left in an unoccupied county vehicle at any time. IV. An employee possessing a firearm under this subsection must keep such firearm concealed. An employee may secure a concealed firearm in a locked drawer (for example, a desk or filing cabinet) exclusively under the employee's control meaning only the employee has a key to the lock. An employee may conceal the firearm in his/her purse, briefcase, or backpack, but must keep such purse, etc., in his/her direct control at all times (for example, an employee securing a firearm in a backpack, must carry the backpack with them at all times). V. An appointing authority has the authority to prohibit a given class or group of employees from possessing a firearm otherwise permitted under this subsection upon a determination by the appointing authority that the nature of duties or circumstances of the employee's work environment renders the carrying of such firearm impractical or unsafe (for example, the possibility the employee's duties involve entering on or into facilities where carrying a concealed firearm or weapon is prohibited by law). Note: this policy does not apply to the Manatee County School District and Florida law does not allow citizens to carry a concealed firearm in certain places, including police stations, prisons/jails, courthouses, polling places, government meetings, schools, colleges, professional athletic events, career centers, establishments licensed to dispense alcohol for consumption on the premises, and airport terminals. Citizen Jeanette Eubanks Kelly asked the commissioners not to support the policy, calling it madness and adding, ""How are we to know those with weapons are mentally capable? "" Six people submitted online comments against the policy. Approved 7-0. Effective 7/1/2023. Item #55, Construction Trades Board Advisory Seat Appointments The Construction Trades Board (CTB) was established in 1994 to license and, where appropriate, discipline contractors as defined in Florida Statues 489. Todd Hubbard was appointed to Seat 2 and Rory Adams to Seat 4. Item #58, Approval and Execution of Amendment 2 of the Solid Waste Franchise Agreements Presentation made at May 2 Work Session, after the commission directed staff on February 28 2023 to go back to the drawing board rather than a authorize new contract that would begin 10/2023 with less service and higher costs to residents. Amendment 2 creates an extension for two years based on the 2-1-1 existing plan (2x per week garbage pickup, 1x yard waste, 1x recycle). No adjustments to service were made so it s still unlimited yard waste, 1x per year dumpster, and free bulk pick-up. Service under this extension is identical to current service for all unincorporated Manatee County but will be more expensive. Approved 7-0. Item #60, Update on Manatee County Animal Services All volunteer positions were filled. One hundred applied and 30 new volunteers are on board. Public Comment by Joyce Jordan who volunteers at the shelter. She reported that there are many sick dogs and thinks it is due to asbestos in the shelter. She also stated that they caught 25 rats in the last week and requested an exterminator. County Administrator Lee Washington reported that the shelter has been tested for asbestos and none was found. COUNTY ATTORNEY COMMENTS Attorney Clague reported on the county administrator search saying there were 12 applicants, and the application period ends June 24. COMMISSIONER AGENDA/COMMENTS Bearden said he wants to work with the county attorney to create an ordinance regarding illegal businesses like prostitution, and trafficking, and give landlords the ability to evict businesses fronting for illegal activities.
Clague stated that landlord-tenant issues are preempted by the state and that the county can look at illegal activities. Kruse wanted to know if they were going to pass an ordinance to make illegal things illegal.
Commissioners Baugh, Rahn, and Satcher agreed with Beardon. No motion was proposed. Baugh noted that the LWR library was set to open in September and that she is meeting with the Library Board on August 2. She said it doesn t seem we ve gotten anywhere with the changes discussed in April/May.
Ballard said she is waiting for the Administrator to draft changes so they can vote to expand the library advisory board. Kruse reminded the board that they only voted to add 5 people to Library Board; none of the other things discussed were voted on, including books being reclassified, parent notifications, etc. Discussion ensued about whether the responsibility of drafting the change in the Library Advisory Board belonged with Administration or Legal. Clague stated the board will have something when they come back from summer recess. Rahn reported that a posting is coming later in the week for the additions to the Investment Advisory Board. He also reported that FPL completed a study and Manatee County is over 18,000 streetlights short. GOVERNANCE