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Active involvement in every aspect of life in the Palmetto community.
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NEWS

LEGAL RESIDENCY CONFIRMED

On October 6th, Judge Logan's ruling was released, confirming my residency and ability to run for Mayor.

Before deciding to run for Mayor, I reviewed the City's charter, and all along felt confident that I was in compliance with all applicable laws.  I am pleased that legal review has confirmed this, and that the issue is now behind us.  I love Palmetto, and live, shop, serve the community, and attend church here.  It is home to me and my family.

I would be remiss is I did not thank so many Palmetto residents and businesses who have continued to show strong support of my candidacy, and look forward to continuing to meet with our residents as we discuss the issues which are so important to our City. 

Click here for City Attorney Residency Opinion


VIDEO OF MAY 5, 2008 COMMISSION MEETING

5-5 opening, proclaimations, public comment

5-5 Discussion re agenda approval

Surplus property for auction, McDonalds sign

Sign discussion cont, police pension board

Pension board cont, first reading Ord. 08-968,tree grant

Trees cont, signs, MCAT transfer station

Verizon wireless tower,Bankruptcy atty, FLC conference, tax value estimates

Commendation of police, upcoming events,existing employee background checks,speed bumps

Stop signs, public notification re events, grant writing staff, car lot on 8th Ave & boat sales, FLC Conf. in Tampa

Regatta Pointe, Atty billing, Jackson Pk, Elem School

Multicultural picnic, summer school, cinco de mayo, little league



VIDEO OF MAY 19, 2008 CITY COMMISSION MEETING

Opening, DPW Proclaimation, Special Function Rqst

Special function request, public comment

Public comment re lien cont.

Commissioner Williams wants Lukowiak annexation pulled from agenda

Discussion re: need for workshop for Lukowiak annexation

Verizon wireless tower discussion

Wireless tower discussion continued

Waste Management fuel cost increase

Waste Management discussion continued



VIDEO OF JUNE 2, 2008 CITY COMMISSION MEETING:

Opening, special function permits, length of meetings

Length of meeting, consent agenda

Lukowiak annexation, 9th Ave. demolition, Albertsons

Background checks

Employee perspective on retroactive background checks

FDOT lights, budget policies, release of lien, Sanctuary Cove parcels rezone advertisement

Terra Ceia CDD Conflict Assessment meeting

Terra Ceia continued, budget workshop schedule, downtown signs

Riverside Plaza, 7th St extension, Jackson Park, Elementary School, events in CRA

Mayor's update, Commissioner comments

Commissioner comments, adjournment

 

VIDEO OF JUNE 16, 2008 COMMISSION MEETING

Opening, Shavonda Bailey request, Consent Agenda

Sanctuary Cove Plan amendment

Sanctuary Cove Plan amendment, McDonalds sign discussion

McDonalds sign discussion cont.

McDonalds sign discussion cont.

McDonalds Sign continued, Debt Policy discussion

Debt Policy discussion cont.

Debt Policy discussion cont., Auditor contract

Auditor contract cont, Manhole & lift station rehab

Manhole rehab cont. & rehab of sewer line

Manhole rehab cont. & rehab of sewer line

Rehab of sewer line, piggyback contract discussion

1st Ward, Phase II Engineering, Grant award budget amendment

Securing of property, grant application for crosswalks

Historic Park improvements, FLC voting delegation, Attorney comments re: personnel policy and background checks

Background check discussion continued

Dept. Head comments

Stop Sign meeting schedule, sign ordinance meetings

Scott property improvements

Commissioner Williams re budgeted positions, Commissioners fiduciary duties and liabilities, Commissioner Varnadore re sign ordinance meetings

Commissioner Varnadore re sign meetings, Commissioner Lancaster re banners, adjournment

 

VIDEO OF JUNE 21, 2008 COMMISSION MEETING

Opening, free City mowing of Women's Club

Free mowing cont, noise at nightclub

Noise at nightclub cont.

Approval of agenda, consent agenda, discussion re: 1st Ward engineering

1st Ward engineering services, cont.

1st Ward engineering services, cont.

1st Ward engineering services, cont.

acceptance of grant for resurfacing of fishing pier, discussion regarding towing services for City

towing services continued, future utility expansion (fails for lack of 2nd), Commissioner Williams wants to go to bid rather than piggy back on 2004 contract prices

utility expansion and contracting, cont.

discussion regarding engineering fees due to ZNS for commission approved project changes, police department property environmental monitoring, DH comments

DH comments, cont.

DH comments cont (incl discussion re CDD stormwater)

Commissioner Comments - Lancaster re reclaimed water and nightclub noise. Varnadore re irrigation wells in developments, jackson park ILA, and the joint meeting with the School District re the new Elementary School, tomato festival flyer at historic commission. Williams re political candidates who are sitting in some office have an unfair advantage, when were well permits approved.

Commissioner Comments cont - Williams re CRA cell phone. Cornwell re quality of industrial wastewater, time of meetings

 

VIDEO OF JULY 28, 2008 COMMISSION MEETING

Opening, public comment

Approval of agenda, C & D withdraws application, public comment - Ray Varnadore, Jim Powell, Charles Smith, Bruce Varnadore speak against farm worker housing improvements

Public comments, cont - Mark Goodson, Gladys Sailes-Houston against farm worker housing improvements, Mike Council, C&D employee describes benefit, Shirely Groover Bryant asks questions about property & plan. Approval of consent agenda, discussion re millage rate

Approval of millage rate, budget amendment, Amer-I-Can funding approval

DH Comments (including under 21 ord, ice cream truck ord)

DH Comments (cont) - including Riviera Dunes Stormwater mitigation. Chris Lukowiak requests individual meetings with commissioners to discuss priorities

DH Comments (cont) - including sign ordinance workshop, mobility study. Mayor's Comments - MPO grant approved for crosswalks, MPO discussion re painting of Green Bridge. Commissioner Comments - Ball re CRA and EZ meetings, Cornwell re school starting, Williams re 4th of July

Commissioner Comments cont - Varnadore re health insurance costs and PD hourly wage

Commissioner Comments cont - discussion cont re PD hourly wage, Lancaster re under 21 ord, PD hourly wage, nightclub noise. Adjournment.

 

VIDEO OF AUGUST 4, 2008 COMMISSION MEETING

Opening, proclaimations, school resource officer contract, code enforcement job description and appointment

code enforcement discussion cont, resolution regarding regulating people under 21 in bars and nightclubs

discussion re: under 21 in bars (cont)

under 21 in bars (cont)

under 21 in bars (cont)

discussion regarding the investment of surplus funds

surplus funds investment (cont)

surplus funds investment (cont), ice cream truck regulation

Department Head Comments - Lukowiak: on vacation balance of week - Freeman - budget meeting schedules, cell phones. Commissioner Comments: Lancaster re chickens on streets, code enforcement issues and police officers walking 15 minutes of every hour. Ball re EZ meeting

Commissioner Comments (cont) - Varnadore re Terra Ceia Stormwater issue/ newsletter

Varnadore continued - Terra Ceia stormwater discussion continued, Sanctuary Cove irrigation wells, under 21 ordinance. Cornwell re Children's Summit and renovation of Scott's electric building. Williams re work done at Terra Ceia, stormwater drain on Riverside Drive and 7th Ave. Adjournment.

VIDEO OF AUGUST 25, 2008 COMMISSION MEETING

Opening, proclaimations

Pulbic Comments - Kelley Johnson requesting Riviera Dunes HOA stormwater mitigation, Shirley Groover Bryant dislikes the legal process required for CDD arbitration, Brett Varnadore reads a statement about many different topics, generaly anti-staff and pro-Commissioner Williams. Consent agenda.

Special function permits, public comment about Palmetto Elementary School

Public comment regarding Elementary School continued (incl PTO rep)

Comment re: Elementary School continued (incl. Boys and Girls Club rep)

Comment re: Elementary School cont.

Comment re: Elementary School cont (incl. Little League rep and Just for Girls rep)

Comment re Elementary School cont (incl Just for Girls and Boys and Girls Club reps)

Presentation of Proposal - Chris Lukowiak and Mike Pendley

Commissioner Lancaster - all schools have traffic

Presentation continued

Presentation cont. Resolution tabled.

Palmetto Elementary School discussion continued

Palmetto Elementary School discussion cont.

Palmetto Elementary School discussion continued -workshop scheduled

Cell antennas on top of building, budget resolution

Retirement of police dog, ice cream truck ordinance, revision of nuisance noticing requirements

Department Head Comments

Department Head comments, cont. Mayor's report, Commissioner Cornwell comments

Commissioner comments - Williams, Varnadore, Lancaster

 

VIDEO OF SEPTEMBER 8, 2008 COMMISSION MEETING

Opening and proclamations

Consent Agenda; Discussion on overtime expenses for Stepping Out for Domestic Violence

RES 08-27 - Palmetto Elementary School; Public Hearing - ORD 08-976 - GDP, Perle Fine, LLC

ORD 080-976 discussion continued; Public Hearing - Tentative Millage Rate and FY 2009 Budget; RES 08-29 - Tentative Ad Valorem Tax

RES 08-29 continued; RES 08-30 - Budget Adoption and discussion

RES 08-30 discussion continued; Urban and Community Forestry Grant acceptance

Commissioner Cornwell opens discussion on type of trees to be planted with Grant; Amendment to Professional Engineering Consulting Services Agreement

Extension of Veolia Water Contract; US 301 Utility Expansion and Canal Road Utility Project discussion

US 301 Utility Expansion and Canal Road Utility Project discussion continued

US 301 Utility Expansion and Canal Road Utility Project discussion continued; Jackson Park Drainage Project Interlocal Agreement discussion

Jackson Park Drainage Project Interlocal Agreement discussion continued

Jackson Park discussion continued; 1st Reading ORD 08-977; Department Head Comments - Attorney Hall, Chief Lowe, Mr. Freeman, Mr. Lukowiak, Mr. Schmitt; Mayor's Report

Commissioner's Comments - Cornwell-prohibiting political activity near City events

Commissioner Comments continued - Cornwell-prohibitng rentals during City events, reading of Personnel Policy

Commissioner's Comments - Cornwell continued; Williams

Commissioner's Comments - Williams continued; Varnadore; Lancaster; adjornment