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 2/27/2024.
Link to Agenda and Meeting Video
Invocation – Pastor Phillip Hamm, First Baptist Church of Palmetto
Pledge of Allegiance – Brian Parnell, Deputy County Administrator
No items were pulled from the Consent Agenda by Commissioners.
Presentations/Awards/
Retirement Award - Jimmie Hamrick, Jr has served his country (retired Army) and community as a specialty charge paramedic (assists in development and training) with 25 years on ambulance service. Mr. Hamrick was presented with a clock and thanked the Board for the recognition.
Presentation on Manatee 311 APP – Manatee 311 provides a central contact point with the county for citizens to report an issue, request a service, seek information/referrals, and direct complaints, compliments and suggestions regarding government service. As of 3/11/24, it can be accessed by app, telephone, or online.
Proclamation Designating March 7, 2024, as "Braden Castle Park Day" in Manatee County in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the unique historical community which is the first site for seasonal tourists. The site has cottages from 1920 and the central area also has the ruins of Joseph Braden’s 1850 Plantation Home constructed of poured lime (oyster shell) tabby.
Selected Citizen Comments for future agenda items
Selected Commissioner Comments
Public Comments:
Four citizens supported the motion, and one opposed it, saying it was too much money “to make people feel warm and fuzzy.” Glen G proposed they zone the property as agricultural for the next decade to protect it.
Motion passed 5-2, Ballard and Bearden voting no.
Approval of Consent Agenda with no public comment, 7-0
Items of Interest
Charlie Hunsicker, Director of Natural Resources, and Alissa Powers, Environmental Protection Division Manager, presented an overview of the proposed amendments. Background summary:
“The proposed amendment to Ordinance 04-39, the Manatee County Phosphate Mining Code, codified as Section 2-20 of the Manatee County Code of Laws, allows for operating permits to be approved administratively. The types of activities addressed in an operating permit application include incidental, site-specific operation details like updates to production and reclamation schedules, updates on volumes of clay disposition, sand tailings balances, environmental monitoring data, and surety and reclamation bonds. The master mining plans, significant amendments, and vested rights exemptions are presented in duly noticed public hearings before the Planning Commission and the Board and will continue to follow that procedure.
The text amendment also reduces the number of annual progress report hard copies, reflects the department name change, adjusts time frames to conform with Chapter 125, FS, and corrects scrivener's errors. The text amendment clarifies that an operating permit cannot be approved unless and until a Master Mining Plan has been approved by the Board and the applicant has demonstrated, with competent and substantial evidence, that the operating permit will be implemented pursuant to the requirements of the Phosphate Mining Code and the Master Mining Plan.”
Staff are requesting a change to allow them to approve the 5-year operating plans after the Board has approved master mining plans.
Kruse questioned the language in the proposed ordinance, and Staff responded that, in practice, any change in the master mining plan must be brought to the Board. Attorney Clague said that he wrote the original ordinance in 2004 during a moratorium on mining, and it was a very litigious time with the mining companies.
Selected Public comments:
Kruse noted the importance of the Board continuing to oversee the major mining plans but that the operating details are best left to staff with more knowledge.
Motion to adopt Ordinance 24-28 passed 7-0.
Items 42 -
And 43.
Acceptance of the Crooked River Preserve Special Warranty Deed for Parcel Number 860000058
Staff reviewed the agreement between the county and the Skidmore Family Trust, as described in the summary:
“Manatee County closed on the Fee Simple purchase of the 64-acre Crooked River Ranch on February 12, 2024. The Licensee was one of the owners of the Crooked River Ranch. The Licensee’s use of the property is subject to the County’s right to manage the parent tract as a public nature preserve. The Recreational Use License does not provide for exclusive use of the three acres. Rather, it provides a right to access three acres for passive recreational use such as family gatherings, cookouts, fishing, and camping. Allowed and prohibited uses defined in the License Agreement are consistent with the goals and objectives of the nature preserve and will not degrade or damage the natural habitat and/or wildlife.”
Natural Resources Director Hunsicker said accepting a special warranty deed is the “keys passed over” from the owner to the buyer. He noted that this is the first acquisition of land using ELMAC funds, and a celebration is planned for March 1.
Motions to accept 42 and 43 passed 7-0.
Item #44 – Report on Florida Department of Transportation "Cortez Road Corridor Vision Plan"
Clark Davis, Deputy Director of Public Works, introduced Tanya Merkel, FDOT, to give the midpoint update on the vision plan. The vision plan was initiated due to safety concerns and anticipated growth. Cortez Rd (301 to 121st St.) is one of the 3 highest areas of traffic accidents with 5100 crashes over a 7-year period. Manatee County is anticipated to grow by 215,000 residents by 2050. FDOT held stakeholder discussions with governmental representatives, citizens, and business members resulting in the plan. (See linked presentation)
Commissioner Agenda Items
Ballard- Community Cat Diversion Program
She raised concerns about removing feral/community cats from private property without the owner's permission. Some neighborhoods have dozens of cats, which are creating problems for the residents.
Ballard made a motion to direct staff to review the ordinance to find a way to amend the guidelines to assist the residents whom community cats adversely impact.
Public comment:
Lauren, a resident affected by community cats described how she and her family are unable to use their outdoor living areas due to cats spraying and using the lawn as a litter box; how her dog is constantly upset; and how other wildlife is drawn to the community cat feeding areas.
Ballard’s motion was approved 7-0.
Satcher- Safe Haven Baby Boxes
Satcher made a motion to have staff create a safe haven program for Board review, where babies can be safely and anonymously surrendered, locating the boxes at EMS stations.
Van Ostenbridge and Ballard expressed concern about liability, given that the station would have to be staffed 24/7, as well as the role of the State’s current safe haven laws. Kruse mentioned that in Citrus County, the boxes are $16,000 each and were funded through private donations. Note: Manatee County has 18 EMS stations.
Motion approved 7-0.
County Attorney Comments
Chair Rahn noted that today’s meeting was the last for County Attorney Clague and thanked him. Clague thanked the county, saying that he and his wife had raised two sons here, and he appreciated that.
Selected Commissioner Comments
Link to Good Governance Guidelines
The agenda was posted on a timely basis and was subsequently updated twice.
Chairperson Rahn demonstrated reasonable flexibility with citizens’ comments going beyond the 3-minute mark and was respectful in establishing the proper way to address commissioners.
There was no opportunity for public comments or input, as is required before a vote, on two items brought up during commissioner comments: adding a member to the Investment Oversight Committee and adding “In God We Trust” to the County chambers. In addition, these two items should have been brought to a vote at a subsequent meeting since they were not properly placed on the agenda as per their Rules and Procedures.
Commissioner Turner stated, “There is no logic in looking at future value rather than as a business transaction.” However, let's examine whether or not it would be a good "business" decision to acquire the Emerson Expansion property by paying more than the appraised value.
More Information on ELMAC and the Natural Resource Evaluation Criteria
Click here or information on how to phone or email the commissioners.
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Cwright
So, let me get this straight, according to KVO, 3.5 million is “an exorbitant price” to purchase 97 acres to expand the preserve & protect the environment from over development and insure the preserve is expanded for future generations… but our corrupt commissioners are happy to plunk down 40 million (40 MILLION?!?!) dollars to fund a veteran’s memorial park on the outskirts of the county?!?!
INSANE.
Friday, March 1, 2024 Report this
jimandlope
I agree there’s something “fishy” in this 40 million dollar park being, OK? I detect an alternative agenda here. Jim Tierney
Friday, March 1, 2024 Report this