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 10/24/2023  observed by Karen Curlin.

Link to Agenda and Meeting Video

Presentation

Jeff Pace, GIS Team Lead, gave a presentation on a new Human Resources (HR) Dashboard. This automated system, developed in-house, is updated nightly to provide County management with information on their organizations, including personal information, upcoming retirements, turnover, skills, vacancies, and more.

Awards/Proclamations

• Proclamation Designating November 4, 2023, as the "25th Anniversary Manatee County Stand Down" in Manatee County - Turning Points is a non-profit agency that provides and coordinates services to prevent and reduce homelessness in Manatee County with a remarkable variety of services designed to assist individuals and families on their path to financial stability and independence. Programs include free medical and dental care for the uninsured, rental and utility assistance, veterans’ services, day resource services (such as hot showers, laundry services, clothing, food), and employment services. Over 8,300 people received help last year. Turning Points’ 25th anniversary event, Stand Down Manatee, will be held Saturday, November 4 from 8-12 at the Manatee County Fairgrounds and they will offer lunch, clothing, medical and dental screenings, eye exams, a job fair, showers, and much more. All are welcome.
• Proclamation Designating November 2, 2023, as "Ellen Meade Day" in Manatee County - Ellen is a Bradenton native who founded Ellen Meade Studios a performing arts academy that successfully enriched the lives of thousands of students for 50 years.
• Proclamation Designating November 9-18, 2023, as "Farm City Week" in Manatee County - the 68th annual Farm City Week celebration in Manatee County. Farm City Week is a celebration of agriculture and the contributions the industry has made to the local economy.
• Proclamation Designating October 22-28, 2023, as "Little Black Dress Initiative Week" in Manatee County - The Junior League of Manatee County is participating in an online awareness and fundraising campaign to highlight how poverty restricts choices, opportunities, and access to resources. Advocates wear one black dress (or outfit) for five consecutive days, in an effort to spark conversations and awareness.
• Proclamation Designating November 10, 2023, as "Marine Corps Birthday" in Manatee County - the United States Marine Corps (USMC) is celebrating its 248th birthday on this date.
• Proclamation Designating November 11, 2023, as "Veterans' Day" in Manatee County.
• Proclamation Designating November 7, 2023, as "Victims of Communism Day" in Manatee County - Victims of Communism - Manatee, Inc. is a non-partisan group interested in increasing awareness of the evils of Communism to high school students in Manatee County. On May 9, 2022, HB 395 was signed into law which denounces Communism as a political system and proclaims that November 7 of every year to be declared as “Victims of Communism Day” to be observed throughout the state of Florida.

Selected Citizen Comments- Future Agenda Items

• One person spoke about the repercussions of the County Commission’s vote against wetlands protections, saying wetlands represent habitats for 100+ species and act as a sponge for runoff water.
• Glenn Gibellina said he wrote the governor questioning why the recent park opening was by invite only. He said he championed the park but was not invited. He also noted he is against the allocation of funds to a veterans-only project and that $15M in federal funds for homelessness & mental health was diverted by the BoCC and residents are due an explanation.
• Andra Griffin, among other things, requested call-in commenting for BoCC meetings.

Selected Citizen Comments – Consent Agenda

Glenn Gibellina commented on Item 33, a house purchased by the county 1 year ago for $900,000 and now being sold as surplus with an assessed value of $750,000. He stated this is a wasting taxpayer money and poor planning.

Consent Agenda Passed 7-0 with no discussion.

Item 45 - Confirm appointment of Nicole Knapp as Director of Development Services, approved 7-0

Nicole Knapp worked for Manatee County for 8 years ago, bringing with her nearly 20 years of land development experience. At Manatee County, she has served as the Public Hearing Section Manager, Planning Section Manager for Emergency Management in Public Safety, Comprehensive Planning Division Manager, and the Impact Fee Administrator. For the past 4 months, Nicole has been serving as the Interim Director of Development Services. Ms. Knapp earned a degree in Municipal Planning and Development. She is also a Certified Public Manager.

Item 46 – Confirm appointment of Lee dePalo as Director of Community and Veterans Services, approved 7-0

Lee dePalo spent most of his career in public service but joined the county after two years in the private sector where he served as the Chief Operating Officer for an emergency management startup. Prior to that, he was the Regional Administrator for FEMA Region VIII, where he oversaw and coordinated FEMA’s all-hazards preparedness and emergency management efforts within the region’s 29 tribal nations and the states of Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming. Mr. dePalo is a U.S. Air Force veteran whose career spanned 26 years, 14 locations, and multiple combat deployments. He was a career special operations and combat rescue helicopter pilot. Mr. dePalo graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Management. He also holds a Master of Strategic Studies degree from Air War College and a Master of Arts degree in management from Webster University.

Commissioner Comments

• Ballard announced her commitment to Mixon Farm’s legacy and wants the farm to be protected as green space. 
• Bearden recognized Molly White, of the Parks & Rec Department for assisting with opening the Gov Ron DeSantis Park.
• Van Ostenbridge thanked Carmine DeMilio for help at GT Bray Park with the replacement of dying vegetation and planting of new trees in the parking lot.

GOVERNANCE

Link to Good Governance Guidelines

The short meeting was efficiently run.

The commissioners continue to make political comments that are irrelevant to county business and inappropriate, for example, Beardon accused some Florida colleges of “implanting ideology.” 

Click here or information on how to phone or email the commissioners. 

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