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 6/3/25
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.
Invocation Reverend Brock Patterson, Longboat Island Chapel
Pledge of Allegiance George Knight, Veterans Services Counselor and Army Veteran
Announcements
Updates to Agenda - May 29, June 2, 2025
Item 45 deferred to June 17
Awards/Presentations/
Awards
Presentation of the Team Member of the Month for June 2025
Kate Burnett, Director of Human Resources, presented Jerome Pittman, HR Training specialist, as the team member of the month recognition. Described as the first to say I’ll teach that or help build that, he is professional, creative, and desires to help others succeed. He embodies welcoming new employees, core values of accountability, and civility.
Florida Water Environment Association Collection System of the Year Award
Item 43 -
Patrick Shea, Utilities Director said the award represents the county’s commitment to clean water. The department has 95 employees who maintain 765 lift stations that pump 25 million gallons daily, as well as maintaining 24,000 manholes (the entire structure). The past chair of the FWEA presented the award to the “silent sentinels” who make our collection system work to provide safe drinking water and sanitation. She reflected on the past hurricane season, acknowledging that they must stay and make sure the system works. Nick Wagner, Deputy Director, accepted the award on behalf of his team.
Presentations
Announcement of the 2025 Manatee County Government Summer Interns
Kate Burnett, Director of Human Resources, described the 27 interns as one of largest groups that the county has had for this 10-week project-based program. Each intern gave their name, their educational background, the department they’re working with, their mentor, and a description of their project. The projects ranged from websites to GIS analysis of county attributes, to analysis of county ADA infrastructure and more. They are working within many county departments, including libraries, health department, public safety department, public works department, property management, land use, sports, and leisure. The group includes current students, recent graduates, and graduate students from Florida schools as well as out-of-state colleges.
Examples of some of the projects are land use planning for an 11-mile segment of Rt. 675; examining ADA compliance through an inventory of missing sidewalk ramps; and public safety enhancements such as creating a database to self-report events.
Proclamations
Designating June as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) awareness month
PTSD affects about 13 million people annually, including veterans. Several local veterans supported the value of public awareness and expressed appreciation for the designation.
Employee Recognition – Item not on Agenda
Administrator Bishop recognized the service and the departure of Evan Pilachowski, Deputy County Administrator. Evan was praised and thanked for his leadership and professionalism. He was presented with the highest county recognition coin. Commissioner Felts said he set a good example for his willingness to get out in the field with citizens. Evan joined Manatee County in October 2022 as Director of Utilities.
Requests By Commissioners (Items to be pulled from Consent Agenda)
14 and 15 pulled by Commissioner McCann
Citizen Comments (Consent Agenda Items Only)
None in person or on the phone
Consent Agenda
Approved 7-0
Citizen Comments (Consideration for Future Agenda Items)
None in person or on the phone
Items Pulled From The Consent Agenda (by Commissioner McCann)
Item 14
Commissioner McCann asked for a presentation.
Ken Artin, representing Capital Projects Finance Authority, requested approval of an interlocal agreement for the issuance of bonds for the construction of the North River Charter Academy, to be located on Rt. 675 on an 11-acre site. Artin stated the county would have no liability for the bond.
Commissioner McCann asked what makes this school different from a public charter school. William Staros, school representative, stated that the school can operate autonomously and can determine curriculum based on the student body. The students (currently 200 enrolled) will be housed on the Parrish Charter academy campus in Fall 2025, then housed on the new facility in year two, when they are anticipating 450 students.
Select citizen comments
Chris had a lot of concerns about the location of the school on Rt. 675, which is a two-lane road and has no sidewalks. The road has unsafe conditions with storm water ditches, trucks speeding, and head-on collisions. The resolution should not be approved.
Approval of 6-1, Felts in opposition
Item 15 Pulled from Consent Agenda by Commissioner McCann
Commissioner McCann was concerned about a line of credit based on FEMA which he described as in “disarray”.
Commissioner Kruse responded that they have received FEMA approval for 100% reimbursement, but it can take 3-4 years to receive, and the problem is that providers must be paid for completed work. The decision was to get a line of credit to keep providers working.
Sheila MacLean, Finance Director, said that there are costs of $60 million from the storm already. The idea is to not impact the cash flow of the the county. She also said that the County has already received federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-R) money. The County is faced with obligations vs cash and reserve account funds. The best idea is not to use reserve and recover dollars from FEMA; historically we recover those dollars in 2 to 3 years. The county has already received close to $30 million from FEMA. The plan is to use $42 million of the note.
McCann’s central concern is that grants have been pulled back by the Trump administration, and the state should be on its own. If you don’t get FEMA money where will the cash come from? He also questioned how the public can be informed about the drawing down of the note which led to an explanation of the FEMA reporting requirements, which are handled by consultants. He questioned Finance Director Maclean about the need for an additional staff member. MacLean noted that the consultant is not privy to internal information because the county has internal controls for the financial process.
Select citizen comments
Glen questioned hiring an additional employee for six years when the money could be expended in less than that time.
Approved 6-1 ,McCann opposed
Select citizen comments on Future Agenda items
Pat suggested that an intern investigate ADA signs at crosswalks and cuts, as some are not framed in yellow, needed for those with vision disabilities.
Carol Whitmore, former commissioner, asked the commissioners to make the intern program permanent, citing a past project about a viewing area at the airport that was implemented.
Bibi was concerned with the expense for repurposing buildings and maintenance of Mixon Fruit Farm. She wanted the project to be utilized throughout the county through the schools and be cost effective.
Advertised Public Hearings - Legislative
Item 34. Adoption of Ordinance 25-33, Amending Chapter 2-4 of the Manatee County Code – Regulation of Retail Animal Sales
Sarah Brown, Director Community and Veterans Services (from county staff) presented a new ordinance to govern retail animal sales. The new ordinance has requirements that were used in the Pinellas County ordinance.
Commissioner Kruse gave the history of this process including a comment about the new Tallahassee legislation which created the need for amendment of previous ordinance. This allows existing stores to stay in place. A possible monopolistic license by prohibiting competition gives him biggest heartburn. In 2021 they prohibited any retail sales. This one adheres to state regulations. Now they are 100% legally compliant. Ordinance allows the stop of tide of future stores.
The commissioners engaged in a lengthy discussion of the legality and constitutionality (Bearden) of the ordinance. Some were concerned about controlling businesses and extra work for the county. The Pinellas model has been defended successfully in all court cases that have been brought.
The motion was approved 7-0.
REGULAR
Administrator
Item 36. Appointment of a Citizen Member to serve on the 2025 Value Adjustment Board, and Appointment of Commissioners to serve on the 2025 Value Adjustment Board
Vicki Tessmer, Supervisor, Board Records, Tax Deeds, and Value Adjustment Board asked the Board for appointments of 3 commissioners to serve on the Value Adjustment Board (VAB) – one to serve as chairman, one to serve as a member, and one to serve as an alternate. Commissioners also needed to elect a Citizen Member to serve on the 2025 VAB.
Commissioner Kruse nominated Commissioner Bearden, who was not on the dais at the time. The members held a voice vote to select him 6-0, with Bearden absent for the vote. Commissioners nominated and approved Commissioner Kruse as a VAB member 6-0. Kruse nominated Commissioner Felts as alternative, and she was approved 6-0. Kruse nominated Bearden to serve as Chair and that was approved 6-0.
Kruse nominated one of two applicants, Sylvia Fedor, a previous member of the VAB Board, and she was approved 7-0 with Bearden returning to the dais.
Community and Veterans Services
Item 37. Approval of Proposed Projects and Activities for FY 2025/26 Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Annual Action Plan
Julia Vieira, Community Development Project Manager, did a power point presentation detailing the recommendations made by the 10-member Scoring Committee of recipients for FY25/26 HUD grants. Eighteen of the 35 applications received were recommended for funding, which comes from regular grants and special allocations.
The proposed funding is comprised of:
There is a 15-day public comment period that will begin June 4.
Motion to approve passed 7-0.
Financial Management
Item 38. Execution of Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Addendum to Agreement No. 25-TA005778LP for Animal Community Center; and Adoption of Budget Resolution B-25-071
Michelle Worley, Division Manager of Construction Services, displayed pictures of the animal community center, which will include indoor and outdoor training areas, a small medical space, some offices, and a pet food pantry. Completion is expected in Spring 2026.
GMP $2,068,787.94
Motion approved 7-0.
Item 39. Execution of Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) Addendum to Agreement No. 25-TA005938JK for Bishop Animal Shelter Phase II Adoption Building; and Adoption of Budget Amendment Resolution B-25-070.
Michelle Worley, Division Manager, Construction Services outlined the elements of Phase 1, including prefab kennels, fencing for the animal areas, and temporary adoption building to be completed by December 2025. Phase 2 includes the new adoption building to be completed in summer 2026. Kennels going up at the jail will be open in July 2025.
GMP $5,840,082.50
Motion approved 7-0.
Chair Kruse commented that a lot of effort has gone into animal welfare, with great initiatives. He is enthusiastic about the animal community center concept, which aims to reduce pet relinquishments to shelters by providing resources within the community.
Government Relations
Item 40. Approval of Manatee County's draft Citizen Participation Plan for the Lasting Manatee CDBG-DR Program
Michele Davis, Grant Administration Division Manager, asked for approval of the Manatee County draft Citizen Participation Plan for the Lasting Manatee CDBG-DR program. After approval, the Citizen Participation Plan will be published on the Lasting Manatee CDBG-DR website for a 7-day public comment period.
Motion approved 7-0.
Public Works
Item 41. Project Status Update on 44th Avenue East Extension
Chad Butzow, Public Works Director, said that the 44th Ave East extension is the “highest visibility project in the county.” In his update, he noted that in 2007, when he began working for the county, the project was dubbed “the road to nowhere”. The groundbreaking for the last phase (the overpass on the west side of I-75) took place in 2023. Now he is confident that the road could be open in early August. The project has had challenges such as relocations of gopher tortoises, as well as eagle monitoring and special work processes in portions of the project area.
Commissioner Siddique requested an after-action report on the utilization of the new road once opened, and the reduction of traffic on State Rds. 64 and 70.
Chair Kruse requested that the ribbon cutting be scheduled at a cooler time of the day than the previous ribbon cutting two years ago.
REPORTS
Natural Resources
Item 42. START Annual Update
The Director of Solutions to Avoid Red Tide, START, Sandy Gilbert, provided the annual report for the group’s efforts to reduce excess nutrients. MANATEE COM REPORT 2.PDF.pdf
There has been an effective oyster recycling program along with efforts to reduce the runoff of stormwater by providing grants to communities for pond efficiency improvement with plantings and erosion prevention.
County Administrator Comments
County Administrator Bishop introduced Jodie Fiske, Director of Public Safety, to give some announcements. She said due to the recent rains, the county burn ban has expired.
Director Fiske noted that as the official hurricane season has begun, she wanted to note the ways her team is preparing. There are already 7 sandbag locations open. The team has done 50 presentations across the county on storm preparation. She talked at length about the integrated data system the county has in place through Peregrine, which will allow data from many parts of the county to come to the emergency operations center. She said that the system expedited the county’s ability to meet the requirements in 2024 from FEMA for substantial damage assessments, which led to faster processing for residents.
Commissioner Comments
Commissioner Bearden brought up that he has continued to research public official liability insurance and asked Commissioner McCann to take the reins from him.
The commissioners made comments about the budget process. They were reminded that there is a 3-day workshop scheduled next week where they will have an opportunity to question department heads.
Link to Good Governance Guidelines
The League notes that there was extensive discussion under Commissioner Comments at the end of the meeting when it seemed out of place to trigger long discussions that the public doesn’t know in advance. Generally, these Comments are meant to highlight upcoming events.
There were multiple times when the commissioners’ remarks couldn’t be heard as when the chair was nominating members for the VAB. The tone of that process was questionable with the chair and other Board members nominating Bearden into multiple roles when he wasn’t present to respond. It was disrespectful to the staff lead as well. Commissioner McCann turned away from the microphone several times and couldn’t be heard.
Issues of professional liability may be important but the way it has been brought up isn’t clear. Citizens don’t know why this is coming up repeatedly.
The League encourages the Chair to enforce procedural rules for motions and discussion.
The recognition of something as important as a departing employee should be on the agenda.
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David Daniels
Thank you, again, LWV, for providing this valuable public service.
Monday, June 9 Report this