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
Link to Agenda and Meeting Video
To view a particular item in the video, click on that item on the agenda and then click on the video that is inset in the agenda.
Commissioner Siddique absent, Commissioner Felts voted by phone
Invocation Pastor Todd Poppell, First Baptist Church, Palmetto
Pledge of Allegiance Anthony Allford, Veteran Services Counselor and Air Force and Navy Veteran
Announcements
Updates to Agenda - May 15, May 16, May 19
Awards/Presentations/
Proclamations
For 10 years, Danielle Brown, Business System Support Analyst, has gone above and beyond to provide world-class support to both internal and external Manatee County Utilities customers. Recent examples, she volunteered every Saturday to be at libraries to help citizens navigate a new, complicated customer information system and, in response to the 3 hurricanes, she put in many hours to assure that the 311 system ran well.
2025 Herman W. Goldner Award
Wren Krahl, Executive Director, Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, presented the award to Charlie Hunsicker, Director of Natural Resources. This Award is for the leadership of Director Hunsicker which has added to Manatee County preserves, managed beach renourishment, accomplished significant native habitat restoration, added boat ramps and artificial reefs, and implemented educational programs on agriculture and the environment.
Presentations
Presentation by Feeding Tampa Bay of their Annual Report
Lorena Hardwick, Chief External Affairs Officer with Feeding Tampa Bay, gave a presentation of this organization’s work providing food for those in need, and enabling them to become self-sufficient. Last year they provided 5,382,362 meals and worked with 25 community partners.
Commissioner Kruse questioned how much of their work is in Manatee County, feeling the bulk of their work is in Hillsborough and Pinellas County.
Proclamations
Adoption and Presentation of Proclamation Designating May 18-24, 2025, as "Emergency Medical Services Week" in Manatee County
The proclamation was received by James Crutchfield, Deputy Director Manatee County Public Safety, in recognition of their quality emergency care for those with sudden illness or injury. In addition, they provide follow-up care, access to telemedicine and innovative Integrated Mobile Health Programs.
Adoption and Presentation of Proclamation Designating May 26, 2025, as "Memorial Day" in Manatee County
Kelly Lipp, Manatee County Veterans Services received the proclamation to honor those in military service who paid the ultimate sacrifice and the Gold Star Families. Kelly spoke about a significant number of events taking place in the Manatee and Sarasota area on Memorial Day.
Adoption and Presentation of Proclamation Designating May 2025, as "National Drug Court Month" in Manatee County
Five individuals who have turned their lives around, because of taking advantage of Drug Court, gave inspirational presentations. Drug Court offers drug offenders an opportunity to receive treatment and education, rather than conviction on a drug offense.
Adoption and Presentation of Proclamation Designating May 22, 2025, as "National Stop Bleed Day" in Manatee County
Carol Bissinger, Trauma Program Manager at Bayfront Medical Center, accepted the proclamation, which encourages all to receive training in how to stop severe bleeding in an emergency. The Center has trained more than 11,000 citizens.
Select Citizen Comments
Commissioner Kruse gave an update on animal shelter construction. Bishop shelter is on schedule to be complete by end of 2025. The prison kennels are nearing completion, and they will then move some dogs there.
Approval Of Consent Agenda
Approved 6-0 (Commissioner Siddique absent)
Advertised Public Hearings - Legislative
Item 62. Public Hearing and Adoption of Resolution R-25-071 approving the inventory list of county land available for use as Affordable Housing within the jurisdiction of Manatee County, Florida
Every 3 years the state requires counties to provide a list of surplus properties that are buildable today. There are 6 properties on the list. Within the next 2 to 3 months the county will have a process for contacting the county about purchasing or conveying the properties. Kruse noted that lots should have more than one home on each property.
Approved 6-0
REGULAR
Community and Veterans Services
Item 72. Acceptance of Grant Award for Medical Equipment for the Animal Welfare Community Center; and Adoption of Budget Amendment Resolution B-25-088, amending the FY 2025 Manatee County Annual Budget
Manatee County Animal Services has received a $50,000 grant from the Manatee Community Foundation, which will be used to purchase essential medical equipment to support spay/neuter surgeries and animal wellness care at the new Community Center.
Sarah Brown, Director of Community and Veteran Services, stated the high cost of pet medical care is a major reason for surrendering pets. Veronica Thames, Chief Executive Officer of Manatee Community Foundation announced that the Pet Resource Center in downtown Bradenton will soon open with a full-service medical suite.
Motion to accept grant and adopt budget amendment 6-0.
Government Relations
Item 63. Manatee County Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-DR) Update and Approval of the Draft Action Plan
Michele Davis, Grant Administration Division Manager, asked for approval of the draft action plan. The HUD grant is $252,711,000 to support long term recovery efforts from hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton. The plan details how the funds will be used to meet unmet needs. Public comments open for 30 days starting May 24. The plan is due June 30.
Motion to approve 6-0.
Property Management
Item 64. Execution of Contract for Sale and Purchase from George G. Graham, Jr. for the North Pine Island (Environmental Lands Candidate Property), Bradenton, FL 34208 - District 2
During the July 1, 2024, the Environmental Lands Management and Acquisition Committee (ELMAC) meeting, ELMAC recommended to the Board of County Commissioners the conservation acquisition of the remainder of Pine Island. The mangrove island supports Tampa Bay's only rookery for wood storks.
Debra Woithe, Environmental Lands Division Manager, asked for approval of the purchase to complete the Pine Island Preserve.
Motion to purchase approved 6-0.
Public Safety
Item 65. Adoption of Budget Amendment Resolution B-25-076 for the COAD Public Safety Initiative
Jodi Fiske, Director of Public Safety, described the function of COAD, Community Organizations Active in Disasters as leading disaster relief efforts among several organizations. United Way Suncoast manages the staff and the request is to fund a part-time Disaster Relief Officer position to specifically coordinate Manatee County’s needs and be prepared for the upcoming hurricane season. Currently, there are 70 plus non-profits involved.
Motion to adopt the budget resolution 6-0.
Reports
Community and Veteran Services
Item 66. Systems Advocate Program Annual Report
Nathan Scott, Child & Family Well‐Being System Coordinator, Florida Dept of Health, provided a report to the Board of County Commissioners regarding the child welfare system and the Family Safety Alliance. The Family Safety Alliance (FSA) is responsible for oversight of the child welfare system in the Twelfth Judicial Circuit, which includes Manatee, Sarasota, and DeSoto Counties. Of the 3 counties, Manatee has 70% of the removals/abandonment of children. He did state that Manatee's youth court is doing an excellent job.
The report notes the alarming increase in high acuity/high-risk youth who end up in the care of the state due to substantial behavioral disorders. The majority of these youth are post-adoption "abandonment". These 56 youth represent 17% of the youth population in out of home care but 70% of the cost, which averages $14,000 a day per child. The presentation covered a number of new initiatives to decrease removal of youth from their home initiated as a result of Family Safety Alliance workshops.
Commissioner Ballard noted that the Children’s Services Advisory Board is funding parent education and a program for mothers at risk of substance abuse, P2P.
Select citizen comments.
Cecelia, an officer in Thompson, a mental health organization, stated that her organization works with teens to get them into the workforce.
Public Works
Item 67. ‘Light Up Manatee’ Program Status Update and Roadway Lighting Policy Discussion
Chris DeCosta, Assessment Coordinator and Aaron Burkett, Traffic Operations Manager, presented an update on the roadway lighting program named “Light Up Manatee” approved by the Board in 2023 with funding of $3 million. Chris described “hot spots” identified in Districts 4,2, and 3, based on crime and crash data. The lighting project includes neighborhoods and thoroughfares.
Commissioner’s comments
Commissioner Bearden spoke about his concern as to the goals of the program and the need for clearly defined measures of success. Evan Pilachowski suggested that they can return to the Board with data on the districts where lighting was installed.
Commissioner Agenda Items
Item 73. Attorney Liability Insurance for Commissioners and Staff
The title is incorrect. Commissioner Bearden’s concern is the liability risk to the commissioners who vote in violation of SB 250 or SB180. The commission is attempting to return to prior wetlands regulations, and these bills would likely prevent that. The county attorney said that the issue could best be explored in a workshop.
Link to Good Governance Guidelines
The agenda was updated three times and items and attachments were added on May 19, after the deadline for online public comment.
The League commends the County Administrator for reading the agenda items aloud and introducing the staff speakers.
Commissioner Kruse was dismissive of Andra's suggestion of a dollar limit on consent agenda items to highlight large dollar expenditures to the public. The objective to alert the public is admirable. Other organizations do put a limit on the amount of an expenditure that can be put on a consent agenda and it can be done without being disruptive to the meeting by setting a higher limit, such as $10,000 and/or requiring the dollar amount of the proposed purchase in the title of the item.
Commissioner Bearden needs to be more cognizant of the volume of his voice and the aggressiveness of his questioning as he pursues an item of deeper concern for him. An example is his behavior questioning the lighting program
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