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 8/134/24.
Quorum of 6 - District 1 Commissioner position vacant.
Invocation – Pastor Gene McIntyre
Pledge of Allegiance Dylan Rawley, Eagle Scout
Presentations
Presentation - Update on Invest 97L (Hurricane Debby) [abbreviated due to online video starting late]
Items pulled from Consent Agenda – None
Awards/Proclamations
Selected Citizen Comments - Future Agenda Items
Commissioner Responding Comments:
Citizen Comments – Consent Agenda Items: NONE
Approval of Consent Agenda, 6-0
Regular Agenda Items of Interest
Item #57 - Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization Citizen Advisory Board Applications. According to the Bylaws of the Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) for the Sarasota/Manatee Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), nominations for CAC members are recommended by the member governments for ratification by the MPO Board. Manatee County Commissioners make recommendations for appointments to the CAC. The Board voted on 2 positions.
Pat Simmons was nominated by Kruse for the disabled citizen at-large position. Citizen comment called and Pat spoke asking them to imagine being in a wheelchair during the flood last week. Approved 6-0.
Ballard nominated John Agnelli for the unincorporated position. No public comment. Approved 6-0.
Item #58 - Reconsideration of FY24/25 Non-profit Investment Recommendation for Operation Warrior Resolution.
For FY23/24, the Board approved first-year funding for Operation Warrior Resolution in the amount of $81,270. The Results First Program provides specialized mental health treatment for vets and their families suffering mental health challenges. For FY24/25, Operation Warrior Resolution applied for non-profit investments in the amount of $85,775, a 5.5% increase year-over-year.
Based on the updated scoring methodology adopted in 2023, Operation Warrior Resolution was not recommended for funding as it did not meet the Board’s minimum scoring threshold. After discussion at the July 30, 2024 Regular meeting, the Board directed staff to bring back a resolution to fund Operation Warrior Resolution for FY24/25 in the amount requested.
Funding approved 6-0
Item #59 Report – Cultivating Resilience: Oyster Restoration in Manatee County.
Discussion of several ongoing projects that involve oyster restoration in Manatee County, including 1) the Manatee River Oyster Restoration Master Plan, 2) Manatee County’s Oyster Restoration Aquaculture Lease, 3) Intertidal oyster restoration at Robinson Preserve, 4) the Oyster Shell Recycling Program, 5) Living Shoreline projects that include oyster habitat, and 6) our County-wide Vulnerability Assessment, which will also consider the benefits of oysters. Manatee County is making substantial investments in restoring habitat which in turn provides measurable benefits to recreation, sport and commercial fishing, and storm resilience for our coastlines. These activities are supported by substantial federal and state agency competitive grants secured by the Natural Resources Department over the last three years.
Commissioner Agenda Items: NONE
Link to Good Governance Guidelines
The meeting live stream started late, at 9:05, with the meeting in process during the Storm report, and cut out at 11 am, returning at 11:43 am. The replay on the County YouTube channel does not include the missing portions. Much of the very important Storm report is not available due to this.
Once again, Rahn had to be reminded to ask for public comment on the Consent agenda before the vote.
The Board unnecessarily attempted to rush the first MPO vote. After calling for public comment and seeing Pat Simmons stand to do so, several commissioners attempted to quiet her and move the nomination/vote forward. The Clerk reminded the Board that Pat should be encouraged to speak if she would like to.
Thank you to Commissioner Kruse for quickly responding to an email query about the outcome of Item #58, since the live video was unavailable for that portion of the meeting. His support for keeping citizens informed is noted.
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jimandlope
Sounds like the only people who know what they’re doing are not Commissioners. James Tierney
Sunday, August 18 Report this