City Council Meeting

one. Welcome to the Braden City Council meeting, Wednesday, June 10th, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. At this time, we will do as we always do, our invocation and our pledge. Um, Pastor Don had a another doctor's appointment, so he's gonna We're asking Vice Mayor Coker to do our prayer today. So, if we can all stand. Heavenly Father, as we gather today, we ask for wisdom, patience, and humility. In a season marked by strong opinions and spirited debate, help us to listen with respect, speak with kindness, and seek truth above division. Guide our decisions for the good of those we serve. Remind us that even when we disagree, we are neighbors and members of one community. Grant us clarity of mind, integrity of purpose, and a commitment to work together for the common good. We ask for your blessing on this meeting and all those affected by the choices we make. We ask all this in the name of the father and the son and the holy spirit. Amen. >> Amen. >> Please join us as all veterans in the audience. We say our pledge. >> I pledge algiance to the flag >> of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you very vice mayor Coker and everyone would this will call the meeting to order. Madame clerk, >> the first item on the agenda this morning is a proclamation for National Garden Week. Mr. Mayor, I have the honor of reading the proclamation as the Manatee River Garden Club is in W 2 in the city. >> Thank you, Councilwoman Barnaby. By the virtue of the authority vested in me as mayor of the city of Bradenton, I do hereby issue this proclamation honoring National Garden Week, June 7th through the 13th of 2026. Whereas gardeners have a passion for nurturing the beauty and resources of the earth through the planting of seeds, the care of all plants, and the riches of their efforts. And whereas gardeners seek to add beauty, splendor, fragrance, and nutrition to our lives through the growing of herbs, vegetables, foliage, and flowers. And whereas gardeners work to preserve our country's traditional spirit of independence and initiative through innovation and hard work. Whereas gardeners advocate the importance of all creatures, large and small, that share our world and their roles in a balanced and productive ecology. And whereas gardening furnishes a challenging and productive activity for our citizens, for those just learning as well as those having years of experience. And whereas gardening promotes a healthy lifestyle that lasts a lifetime, helps reduce stress from other areas of our life, teaches that rewards can come from diligent efforts. And whereas gardening enables members of garden clubs across the nation and the world to make a world of difference in the communities where they reside and work. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Gene Brown, as the mayor of the city of Bradenon, Florida, do hereby proclaim June 7th through the 13, 2026, as National Garden Week in Bradenton, and acknowledge the importance of all gardening and the numerous contributions of gardeners and national garden clubs. And it's signed by our mayor. >> Thank you. And who are we going to have accepting this today? Everyone wants to come up. Miss Barnaby will go down. Then we'll get a picture once we have some talking points. You want to stay down there with the Miss Barnaby? [cough] I think the uh I waited long enough to get almost there, but I think that'll be a good picture with you. >> Get her steps in. We'll >> stand up behind and get the picture. Thank you. >> As the president of the Manatee River Garden Club, I would like to thank the city of Bradenon for your support over the years. We are approaching our centennial in just a few years and we are very grateful as well for Maryanne's help with so many things which you'll hear about later in today's meeting. [laughter] >> Thank you. Appreciate it. Thanks for coming. [applause] >> Madame clerk, >> our next proclamation is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Whereas city of Bradenton seniors are valued contributing members to our society and it is our collective responsibility to ensure they can age with dignity and peace of mind. And whereas according to the FBI, elderly victims in the United States lost over 7.7 billion dollars to scams in 2025. And as a result, the Bradenon Police Department is proudly taking an active role in education and investigative resources to stem this epidemic. And whereas the city of Bradon recognizes the importance of protecting our most vulnerable citizens, prioritizing the prevention of elder abuse, and raising awareness to create a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older adults and their rights. And whereas eliminating abuse of older persons is a community responsibility. And the city of Bradenton urges all residents to join us in this global movement to promote a safer community for our elder citizens so they can live their golden years with the security and dignity they deserve. And whereas it is imperative to enhance efforts to permit, excuse me, to prevent elder abuse, including financial exploitation, neglect, and other forms of mistreatment by providing education, resources, and support to older adults and their caregivers. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Gene Brown, as mayor of the city of Bradenon, Florida, do hereby proclaim June 15, 2026, as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, and encourage all citizens to recognize and celebrate older adults and their ongoing contributions to the success and vitality of our city. Signed, Jean Brown, Mayor. >> Thank you, Chief. >> Hey, good morning. Thank you, Mayor Council. Uh obviously about three years ago um recognizing the large number of scams and elder abuse that was going on in our region uh Chief Beavenon at the time formed a task force basically to deal with this. Uh what we didn't know at the time is how egregious this crime really happens in our community. And every one of us sitting at this dis and in this room know somebody or has somebody close to them that's been affected by elder abuse or fraud. Um officer McNeel and uh Detective Kruula, he's on vacation. uh they do an amazing job of going out into this community um through awareness and education to to meet with these folks and and tell them that when you get that call saying this is Johnny grandma and I'm in jail and you have to wire $1 million in gold bars now. Uh they do a good job of saying that's that's not at all the truth. Unfortunately, it still happens and they do an incredible job of the backend work, the long research, the efforts of our intel analysts back there uh to trace these folks down and hold them accountable. And we've sent detectives all over this country to make arrests and do search warrants um to put these hold these people accountable. This is our most vulnerable citizens that and our children. And so kudos to them. Listen, I I might be the assistant chief or the acting chief of police, but this this agency doesn't function without people like what stands around me right here. So, they're the true >> and we just had one that um we went and got and he just got convicted, I believe. >> Yep. That was a gold bar scam, >> right? Over millions billions of dollars. >> Thank you. >> So, thank you again for having us. Diana, did you want to say anything? You love public speaking. [laughter] >> I don't. No, I really want to thank my command staff for allowing us to continue this program. It means a lot to the community here in the city of Bradenton. We get thank yous all the time pouring out their hearts because they could have been victims [clears throat] and we prevented them from that action happening. So, I just want to say thank you for allowing us to continue to have this program. >> No. And I think it's it's something that we saw even the past week and a half where they're now calling funeral homes >> again and getting back to get to and and I made a statement on TV and I'll stand by it. some words you don't want to use, but they are scum of the earth when they call somebody at their most vulnerable time and and try to do that. So, thank you to the Braden Police Department for getting that out on the social media because obviously social media is where they're actually getting it from and trying to use it. But when you're trying to go after, you know, especially our older population, right, Tony? >> Older population. So, yeah. So, yeah. So, I figured you, you know, that's why they brought you today. No. Hey, and and you got, we know, we're not making light of that, but you got to get people, you want people to listen because they do feel down at a time or they're elderly and their kids aren't around or and their kids could be 70 because they're 90 and they take advantage of that. And that's the sad part about what this scum of the earth does. So, let's really keep that. And if people hear this, watch this meeting and say, "Hey, nobody's ever going to call you and make you make a rushed payment and hang up and call whoever you're dealing with or call the police or call your family and have them help." >> I'm not going to call you and tell you you have a >> right. Well, they use names. And the biggest thing I've got lately is this is detect or this is uh Sergeant so- and so from the Manatee County Sheriff's Office and you've got um you miss jury duty >> and but if you pay $400, you know, so my wife's like, "Why do you keep talking to them?" I said, "Because the longer I talk to them, the less chance they're going to call somebody else and or it takes longer." But and uh plus it's fun to mess with them knowing it's >> traverse this city and some of the county. We we'll be honest. Uh north, south, east, and west is every bank, [snorts] uh every every nursing home, every elder place, everywhere. And and just to get that message out there and and we have resources available. You know, you guys have all seen the book. Uh we we give those out like they're candy because the more and more and more we can push this out to our community, the less opportunity they have to target this area. And that that's our ultimate goal >> to to eliminate this problem. >> Thank you for doing that. >> Y thank you for doing that. And and continuing. And I think it's a resource that the city of Bradenton having its own ple police department the way we do is able to get that out in a smaller package of our community because that's what makes a difference. So, absolutely. >> Thank you very much. >> Let's get a picture. [applause] >> [clears throat] >> I was gonna say mine are just mine are accessible. >> Scoot to the right a little bit. >> You stay that way. >> Do I need to go to the outside? >> Yeah. [laughter] >> There you go. That's perfect. >> Now we're Brian. Brian, >> Chief, why don't you go to the other side >> now? Can you see Maryanne? make it. >> Hang on. >> We're getting the box. Hold on. [cough] >> Thank you. >> Two guys that are like 63, but you know. >> Yeah. >> Madame clerk. >> Item 4 A is the Bradon area EDC update. >> [snorts] >> Welcome. >> Good morning, Mayor. >> Good morning, >> council. >> Elizabeth Corores with the Braden Area EDC. I'm glad to come before you guys again um asking for a formal adoption of the do coal plan. Um we have heard what you all had to say and have spent the last several months making those necessary changes to make this plan something that the city can adopt and be proud of. Um, just want to remind everyone to keep in mind that the Dover Coal Plan, while originally called an economic development action plan, is truly a visioning plan for the city and a tool in the tool belt for the EDC to put together a fullyfledged economic development strategy that we can move help move the city forward. Um, >> and Elizabeth, who do we have here with you today? I was going to introduce our uh brand new president and CEO, Shyra Okconor. Day eight on the job. Um >> we can answer any questions that you all have about the do coal plan. I know that you all received a copy um over a week ago and we have had individual conversations about the document itself. So, we're uh Kurt and myself are happy to answer any questions that you have about those changes, about things that you want to see. Um, and then also Shyra has some updates to share with you about our strategy moving forward. >> And and one of the things I'll say as we're going, the reason we did it here, presentations obviously, so we can get it taken care of. When the presentation's over, um, we're going to ask for a um motion to accept the do coal part. We're not saying we agree or disagree with anything. We're just accepting it so that process can end. Then we'll have more meetings. We may have a workshop with the EDC to really start to drill down on things, but we just wanted to finish the formal process while meeting Shyra in day eight for all of the part of that. We will recess for about 10 minutes after this presentation just to go out and say hi to her and shake her hand and get a few minutes with her individually if you want. But um that's kind of where we're at and why we did it this way. So, good morning. >> Good morning. Thank you. We're gonna come up to the microphone as close. >> I know. And excuse me, my voice is a little horse, but um I've also just circulated an outline of um a you know, just some thoughts. We're going to be putting together a strategy that we'll deliver to you the first week of September. And this is just an outline, some thoughts for you to peruse and to use as a starting point for our discussion as far as deliverables and actions to support the visioning plan. >> Good. Thank you. So, any questions right out of the box anybody would have or I know again it's a lot but it's not really >> the part to go through the whole >> plan. >> I mean I have a few little questions but nothing [cough] >> nothing real substantive very little that doesn't need to be done. >> Okay. All right. All right. And then again, they're open at any time to meet with you individually to get some ideas and areas and things of that nature. >> Text, phone call, email. >> Yeah. Signals, whatever. >> All right. So, um, that was kind of the plan. We would need a motion just to >> is is there >> accept it >> to just accept the plan. So, it's kind of that adopt the plan. Again, it's not adopting everything gonna happen. It's just adopting that the process is over with do coal. Is that correct, Mr. Ruticel? You look like you got a question or >> No, I think that's fine. Mayor, >> all right. So, chair will entertain a motion. >> So moved. >> All right. Word it. [laughter] >> Yeah. >> Second. >> All right. Any further discussion? Hearing none, we'll start the vote in ward one. >> Yes. >> Two, >> yes. >> Three, >> yes. >> Four, >> yes. >> Five, >> yes. >> Carries five to zero. So, thank you very much. And we'll take a 10-minute recess. You guys want to go out and shake her hand and say hi. item on the agenda is >> Oh, no. Let me call it back from recess. Oh, yes. I'm just making sure you're ready. TV's ready. >> All right. We'll come out of recess. Madame clerk, >> the next item on the agenda is citizen comments. >> All right. At this point in the meeting is where we have citizen comment. Citizen comment will be accepted during the citizen comment portion of the meeting on any non-aggenda items, agenda items, future agenda items, or topic of relevance to the city. Comments will be accepted on the public hearing at the appropriate time. And as we always do, um you would have three minutes. You'll state your name, your city of residence, and uh this time I have no cards, and I see no one in the audience. If you would come forward. All right. Appreciate it. None. Madame clerk. Item six is the consent agenda and staff is requesting approval of items A through N. >> Chair will entertain a motion. >> Mr. Mayor, I'll move for approval of the consent agenda as presented with items A through N. >> And Mr. Perry, um, we're on consent agenda and I know you have met with everyone. I I have your honor, I have the the opportunity to meet with all counsel and uh we actually spent probably a little bit more time than we typically do. Um and I think we went through it very thoroughly and get all the points and tried to address all the issues, provide information as necessary and um I think there was a from council's feedback a sufficient briefing on it. >> Good. So we have a motion by Miss Barnaby. Is there a second? >> Second. >> Miss Coachman. Any other comment? Hearing none, we'll start the vote in W two. >> Yes. >> Three, >> yes. >> Four, >> yes. >> Five, >> yes. >> And one, >> yes. >> Approved. Five to zero. Thank you, Madam Clerk. >> At this time, I'll administer the oath. Anyone wishing to speak during the following public hearing will please stand and raise their right hand. >> Yep. >> Do you swear or affirm that the factual statements and representations which you are about to present to this board will be truthful and accurate? Thank you. Item >> Good morning, Miss Singer. >> Morning. >> Item 7A is resolution 2641 relating to a dock located at 121550th Street Court East. >> Uh good morning. Robin Singer, planning community development director. Um we're here today for a special use for a um dock that exceeds the 80 foot length requirement uh in the code and also has some intrusions into the side setback requirement. Uh the applicant is Mark Parson's Duncan Seaw Wall um Doc and Boatlift um and um agent uh for Don uh Barry Jackson Jr. owner. Uh the property is located at 121550th Street Court East. Um and the zoning on it is R1 or single family zoning district. So this is permission for a private dock to extend 426 feet in total length and 162 feet beyond the shoreline and encroaches into the required uh 10-ft side setbacks to the property. So to give you an idea of the location of the property, this is Brad River Lakes. Um so of course south of uh State Road 64 and [clears throat] it's really down in the absolute corner um of the development. So, um, and it does retain some, um, water frontage through the configuration of this lot. So, the house is actually here facing on the culde-sac and it's probably the last property in a string of properties. And if you'll notice um, almost all of the properties along this frontage um, along the waterway have docks that extend out. So, their dock they're looking to extend out through the mangrove area and down to the waterline. And as mentioned, um this is in a low residential low density residential um land use designation and the R1 single family zoning designation. Um so the special use required um for a new dock that extends 162 linear feet. So the cutoff is 80 ft. Beyond that you have to get city council approval through the special use process. Um be a total of 106 pilings and all deck boards will be pressuret treated wood. The dock will be constructed through um 744 square ft of mangroves. um the applicant required in a DP permit and an ERP permit um and uh that approves construction and that full package of materials was included in your review package uh with a number of maps um delineated and you can see in some of those maps it actually indicates that some of those properties that's going through the mangroves is considered upland. So it is not all water that it's transversing through um the mangrove area. Uh this is a um copy of their survey uh giving you again the indication and it's sort of an easement area that runs this way and their property actually runs all the way out to the end here. Um again property configuration this is showing you their property actually ends approximately there and this is the dock configuration through the mangroves and out to the waterway. and some further diagrams of the impacted area of mangroves that was reviewed by DP and some site uh shots showing where the um where the dock is actually going to leave the the dry land um on the property and where it's going to come out and where the dock is going to be located. So, there are a number of special use uh standards that they have to meet. They must be um erect that they're erected um beyond the mean high water line and public waterways and beyond the shorelines, ponds or lakes and inside and this is what requires the special use. Um and uh they did in their uh package materials address all of these concerns. Um and we find that they're substantially consistent with all of the criteria and standards for the special use. Uh there are some recommended stipulations which the planning commission agreed with and the voted [cough] unanimously to support and that those are that the dock shall be kept in good working order and condition and not to degrade from the uh value of nearby properties. Dock design including amenities shall meet the requirements of the city of Bradenton ordinances. All other applicable state and federal permits are to be obtained before commencement of the development. Any conditions associated with the required FD permit will be met at time of construction as well as proper maintenance of mangro growth and removal of invasive species required leading up to and after construction. Uh the proposed erosion, sediment and control practices that minimize the number of pollutants entering the Braden River will be uh taken during and after construction in compliance with the erosion and sedimentation control standards enforced by the city's public works and utilities department. And with that, um, the applicant is here, applicant's representative is here to address any concerns or questions that city council may have. >> All right. Any questions of Miss Singer before we go to the applicant? >> I have one question. I noticed in there it said generally meets [laughter] the requirements. >> Yeah, we can change that to say meets. >> Okay. [laughter] Yeah. I mean, it just uh Okay. Well, why was it written? >> Um, well, I think in part it may be because of the location intruding into the side setbacks. >> Mhm. >> And so that was some of our concern. Were you talking it was it generally for city council for city's requirements or [clears throat] >> whatever you just flashed away from it might have been the planning commission. >> Okay. >> Yeah. generally meet the >> Oh, yeah. So, it Well, it does meet. I apologize. >> Okay. >> All right, Mr. Perry. >> I just got a couple questions. [clears throat] We talked about this. So, there doesn't seem to be this property in any direct contact with with the waterfront other than the mangrove areas. Is that correct? >> Correct. >> And it's 426 feet in length. Yes. >> What if it goes 1600 feet in length? Would it if it was 1,600 feet or 2,000 feet? Yeah. >> At what point how how much can you traverse a mangrove >> to access water? >> That is really a question for D. I mean, we don't >> if if D is willing to approve it. We don't really have any special standards in our zoning regulations regarding uh how much mangroves can be impacted. We generally turn that over to the state for review. >> Do you know what the state uses for criteria? >> I'm not an expert in that. >> Does it strike you as strange that you can traverse mangroves that you don't own? >> I've seen other >> I've seen them too. I don't know if I've seen 400 feet. I mean I I have seen some long ones. So >> yeah, they have had you know they do have standards that you have to meet in in terms of how you're impacting. In other words, you can cut them back and maintain them, but you have still have to maintain them. So, you know, they're not able to clear cut this entire area. They're just clearing the area that the dock >> I think it's a 4 foot wide dock. >> Yeah. >> And [clears throat] obviously with a dock, you're going to have to have footings and posts. >> Yeah. >> Yes. And it talks about in there the square footage of the dock and the the number of posts that are implied. We were surprised as well. I will tell you that when we first saw this, but they went through the appropriate process. Um, Greg's here because he was part of a conversation with D just confirming that all their standards were being met and they were in agreement with [snorts] this. So, um, yeah, they they did support it. They and they do have the documentation in the package materials. It's funny because D won't allow us sometimes to move a tie pole four feet. >> Yeah. >> But they'll allow 416 ft in linear length and 4 feet wide and all the substructure that has to go to support that through a mangrove. >> So, Vice Mayor Coker and then Councilman Moore. >> Okay. Uh yeah, I have two other questions. Uh, one, Miss Singer, my understanding with repairarian rights, and I I mean, obviously this is an odd-shaped lot, is that you take your boundaries and then the lines just go out. >> Yeah. >> I I mean, how do you even figure the riparian rights on this? >> Right. And it's and it's a good question because it's also uh according to their survey, it their property is not just that dry land portion. And some of this according to some of the documentation I saw in the D permit actually is considered upland. Some of this peninsula that was required. So I mean you it could be argued that this is your repairarian lines extending from the end of the property. Um or you know I I don't know how else you would do that. Generally we say the extension of the side property lines but in this case the side property lines would be all the way down here. So, it is an oddly configured one that I'm glad that it does come before city council because it's not one that administratively we'd be able to make that call. >> And then my my other question might be for the attorney is microphone. >> You show up. >> Um uh how much discretion do we have on this? Well, we have criteria that we use in evaluating the special use permit. Um, so, you know, I would encourage you to look at the criteria. At the same time, we do have to balance that with the [clears throat] riparian rights of the property owner, which is why the state does permit these types of encroachments into the mangroves because they do because their property touches the mean high water line, they do have riparian rights, which includes the right to warf out to navigable waters. So subject to reasonable criteria I would say is is something that the city can apply. Um so we should look at at the criteria that we have. >> That was helpful. [laughter] >> Yeah. I wish I had Yeah, it's not a great answer, but to be honest, I hate the fact that we do public hearings on these docks. We shouldn't be in this situation. We've talked about it um internally a lot. Um we really ought to pull these out of the public hearing realm, but >> Okay. If I could just Sorry. Um on Can you go back to the picture? [clears throat] I mean, where exactly does it touch the mean high water line and can you explain to me what the difference is with uplands? What what what does that mean? >> I'd like to have the uh applicants representative. >> Let me get that, but let's get Mrs. more first and then we'll go to the applicant because he can explain some of this maybe about you know >> it it's odd shaped >> but that doesn't mean that it's not right or wrong it's you know I don't know I mean it's but I think that there's an opportunity you know if I had this I would be asking for the same thing you know because it touches it so Mrs. more. >> I was just going to point out that um anecdotally I've um I have assisted other clients with the procurement of a permit and the determination of um upland and and repairarian rights related to that and I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination but it was um a difficult and challenging process. So, I do feel like the the FT is really making people prove that they have the repairarian rights to get the permit. So, I'm a little comforted by the fact that they h actually have the permit issued. Um, and also something else that's giving me comfort is that they are required to mitigate the impact on the um on the mangroves. But not only are they required to mitigate it, but the permit also says that just the plan itself is not evidence of successful mitigation. So they are it's a process is what I'm understanding here not being an expert at all. And so they're going to have to ongoing, you know, remove the invasive species and and make sure that the mitigation is actually mitigating. That's my understanding. >> All right. Well, let's get the applicant and then can probably ask answer some questions. Please state your name and >> Mark Parsons. Duncan Sewell. Thank you. So, do you have anything you want to say what you've heard so far and then we can >> Yeah, I I mean I think we all agree it's a very unique property. Um the city attorney kind of outlined the repairarian rights of the the property owner, which is why the DP issued the permit. Um Mrs. Moore is correct in the process to get a D permit is an arduous one. Um it's not always successful. Uh they're very thorough. They're obviously it's in the name of the the institution. They're very environmentally friendly. Part of this plan is the mitigation plan which she had had mentioned. Before construction starts, they will make a site visit kind of survey invasive species and the percentages that make up that nearly third of an acre uh piece of mangroves. [clears throat] following construction within three months they'll come out do another inspection and then I believe it's by monthly for the first year and then once a year for three years following that and it has to maintain the success rate that's outlined in the permit. So it's it's a very stringent mitigation and success plan for the natural resources that will be affected. Um, mangroves typically if they're manicured properly, which it will be a certified mangrove specialist who will be doing the trimming. Um, only in the path of the dock will they be trimmed. So, um, let me see if I can't back that up a little bit. That kind of gives you a good shot that the dock kind of comes through the middle of it. So either side of that mangrove island will be unimpacted. Um the dock will be raised at 5 foot above a mean high water level. Decking will be half inch spacing. This is a D requirement that allows enough light to get underneath the structure to allow the mangroves that are trimmed to be to to regrow. So part of this permit again is is maintenance on the owner's behalf, which if he doesn't maintain the mangrove trimming, it will envelop that dock. So it it is incumbent upon him and beneficial to him to to maintain the mangrove trimming semianually to keep it out of at bay essentially. So any other questions? I'm I'm happy to answer, but I know that's generally the biggest concern in these scenarios. Councilwoman Barnaby. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Can you indicate on the picture that you have, um, are they going to remove all of the invasives in that area? Are they just going to remove invasives along the the dock line? Because they're talking about Brazilian pepper and carrotwood trees. And what I know about those two species is that um Brazilian pepper recede crazily and that's why there's they're such a problem. And carrotwood can can grow just about anywhere. If it's growing in a mangrove, it can grow anywhere. So if you're only going to remove certain parts of that, it I think it's like almost like a losing battle because it's going to keep receding and re regrowing, I guess, is how I would say it. So the top right shows the mangrove impacts. That is the area where the mitigation is required. And part of these follow-up inspections, part of the success rate that they call out in this permit is that the mitigation is working, I believe, within plus or minus 5%. So throughout the first three years, they're going to monitor this to make sure that the mitigation is successful. It's it's not just a matter of you implemented it. You have to prove success over the course of the first three years. >> Okay. >> That timeline will extend if you have not achieved that success. One other question because where you see where the house is located and you see the length of the dock and it abuts or is is next to at least two neighbors there. My question is is there any kind of security system on that dock? Because if someone comes up the river and starts partying on that dock, the people that are going to hear it first is not necessarily the owners. Is there any kind of system? >> There's been no requirement either from the city or the state for any any such situation. And and in our experience, I've not ever seen that required. Um obviously >> I'm saying I don't know that it's ever been required, but >> I don't I don't disagree with you. >> I have a lot of problems in Ward two along the river with people coming and get climbing on people's structures and docks and stuff. And >> I've had clients come home to people in their pool hanging out. >> Like it's it's pretty brazen. So I It's a great question. Um but it's it's not anything that's ever been really required of us in any regulatory agency. >> Are they going to have water and lighting? I mean, are they going to have electric out there? >> They will have electric and water out there. Yes, ma'am. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. [cough] I think and again as it's been stated you know sitting up here and going through several doc situations that you know obviously I think this board is a a property rights board. We believe people have property rights and even though this is a unique situation uh most times if we approve something because we think we had to then we look at it and we say well the D will take care of it because sometimes they come up before they have approval and we it's depending on if they get the approval and you know D approving it gives me a sense of security that they've met the requirements now it'll be the long-term maintenance of those requirements. And that's what I think the only thing that to me is you can't assume somebody's going to be bad. You got to assume they're going to be good. And we But if there was something that they didn't maintain it, they would go back to D if the mangroves grew over it and and I know that's an HOA, I believe. So what requirements will the HOA have and different things to make sure it's maintained correctly? That would be the thing you would hope. It's easy for the person living there now to say, "I'm gonna maintain it because I just spent the money to do it, right?" >> But a future owner of the home might say, "I don't use it." >> But that's also adding value to the home. >> So, I just think that's a big thing. Miss Moore, >> do you um if you could remind me does the D permit have a have a expiration date that they would have to actually renew it and have the D consider the >> the actual authorization for the dock? Mhm. >> It it may I don't know off the top of my head to be honest with you that generally I believe they're good for 12 months >> to get the dock. >> Correct. >> Right. Just to approve it. >> No, I think it's a it's a unique situation, but if it meets all requirements, >> you know, I think that the homeowner has an expectation. >> Part of the purchasing of this property was the fact that it had repairarian rights. Um, so when I met the client at his house, I was like, where are we putting this stock? >> [laughter] >> Um, and so he walked me out there, showed a survey, and you know, the first conversation was I was like, "You need to hire a permitting consultant to to get your FD permit because City of Bradon is probably going to require that to prior to even applying. And so that's kind of the path we took to make sure a the state would be okay with it before we even brought it to the table to you guys." >> All right. Well, thank you. I think any other questions or we'll go to the public hearing. >> Well, I I would like to ask Mr. Dong to come up because he's the one that had >> it >> the information. >> Do you want to let's do the public hearing and then have him talk after? >> Is that a problem? >> Are we allowed to do that? >> Sure. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Yeah. I just thinking to see that and then we'll know others. All right. Thank you. All right. At this time, we'll open the public hearing. Anyone wishing to speak? Anyone wishing to speak? Anyone wishing to speak? Hearing none, we'll close the public hearing. Mr. along. >> Sorry. >> It's okay. >> Can you just share with us your conversation with D? >> Sure. Um Hannah Gordon, our uh city planner, was actually assigned this case, but she's at a FEMA training this week, so we're covering for her. Um when we got the application when it was received we were shocked ourselves. Um like wow there's a D approval letter in here and this is 400 feet of dock going through mangroves. So myself Hannah Kim Claybach from public works Don Johnny from public works all had a Zoom call or teams call with D to just confirm that they were good with everything and they were fine with everything that was applied for through the applicant. It was a complete application. They were comfortable with it. They kind of went through the same regulations Mr. Gordon or um Mr. Parsons went through. So, we were fine with it and just proceeded forward, took it to planning commission and here we are today. So, it was just kind of a general conversation trying to get us a little comfort level with D to make sure we understood really where they were coming from because we were a little taken back ourselves. And they're they're going [clears throat] this distance to be able to get to navigable waters. >> Yes. >> Because the you can see there's a little bit of water. >> There's a not deep enough. >> It's not deep enough. >> Not deep enough. >> Okay. >> Yeah. So that was our conversation. We just wanted a comfort level on our end too to make sure that we were good and they were good too. So you know it is a unique lot. >> It is. So, the city approved it that direct that way at some point. I don't know why, but they did, but we have to work with what we've got in front of us, and that's we're doing our best. >> All right, I'm going to go to Mrs. Moore. And then >> I I found it it is um it does have to be there's monitoring annually for three years after the first year. So, the D will remain involved with them >> for at least that period of time. >> All right. Vice Mayor Coker, >> can you explain uplands and what that distinction is? >> It's basically the area not in it's on their property. It's it's a different elevation. So, it's not really within the mean waterline area. [snorts] So, mangros grow pretty much everywhere. >> I think it means the property goes like this >> and it goes up a little bit. >> Up a little bit. >> Okay. So the chair will entertain a motion. >> I'm move to approve special use >> permit application. >> All right. We have a motion by Mrs. Moore, a second by Mrs. Coachman >> subject to the stipulations >> with the stipulations. Agreed. Agreed. Okay. Both agree on that. Um we've had discussion. Is there any further discussion? >> Hearing none, we'll start the vote in ward three. >> Yes. >> Four. Yes. >> Five. >> Yes. >> One. >> Yes. >> Two. >> File this away under things I really don't understand. Yes. >> Carries. Five to zero. Thank you very much. [laughter] >> Moving on, madame clerk. >> Item 7B is the second reading on public hearing for ordinance 4077, an ordinance of the city of Bradenton, Florida, proposing an amendment to the Bradenton City Charter. proposing a charter amendment to section eight of the city charter to remove the designation of the mayor as exeicio president of the council to remove the mayor's right to cast a vote in the event of a tie and to provide that the mayor is not a member of the city council calling for a referendum on the proposed amendment to the charter to be held at the general election on November 3rd 2026 providing the ballot title and ballot summary for the referendum, providing for direction to the city clerk in coordination with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections, providing for severability, conflicts, and an effective date. >> Mr. Rudicel um the question of the way it's worded is what you thought was the best legal way to meet the requirements if there's any challenges I believe and it still leaves everything else in order in the charter from the [clears throat] mayor's standpoint authority in that it's just so to take away the tiebreaker vote and meet the requirements >> that's correct I mean the understanding what the intent was and and why this was being pursued. I mean, if the language stays in there about, you know, being an exeicio president of the council and things like that, it suggests that the mayor is still a member of the council, which even non- voting members can be subject to the sunshine law. So, we just wanted to clarify that. >> Any questions before we go to the public hearing? All right, hearing none, we'll open the public hearing. Anyone wishing to speak? Anyone wishing to speak? Anyone wishing to speak? Hearing none, we'll close the public hearing. Chair will entertain a motion. >> If we wanted to discuss, do you want motion? >> Let's get the motion and then then we can go into further discussion. >> Miss Barnaby, did you have >> I was just adjusting. Okay. You always say the microphone. Vice Mayor Coker. >> Okay. >> Where is it? >> To approve ordinance 4077. >> Okay. Uh, I'll make a motion to approve ordinance 4077. >> Second by Mr. Schustler. >> All right. Discussion. Miss Moore. Um I just generally speaking for both of these um I think it's a very appropriate obviously for voters to vote for for us to put issues you know questions about the charter and amendments to the charter um out to the voters. My comment for both of them to all of you guys is I uh recently attended um Maninnesota League of Cities meeting and I found out that we are one of uh very few cities in Sarasota and Many counties that are not actually required by our charter to appoint a commission to review the charter on regular intervals, five or 10 years. And um and while I think that that I think that these both are issues that I I know we've heard from people throughout the community, I wonder if there's any appetite for going in that order for us considering either amending the charter to require so require and that be the charter amendment that we start with or whether this process of putting these two things on the ballot and I know it would take time and I know we might miss this window of um opportunity with the election coming up in November. Um but I that was my question to you all is I have no problem with voters deciding these matters, but do we want to when presenting them to voters go through a a a maybe what I would maybe consider to be a more lengthy but thorough process of having a commission review the charter in its totality before we bring them to the voters. So, it's really more of a question. All right. >> I'm not opposed to doing it, but I just wanted to get a pulse check for you all. >> Vice Mayor Coker and then Councilman Shusler. >> Um, >> prior to your being on council, there was a lot of discussion about the charter review and quite honestly, it became very political and um, I really hate to see us go down that road, especially in the climate that we're in. Councilman Shusler, >> I was going to say in terms of a charter review, when was the last charter review back >> ever? >> Right. Well, that part of it, but we did some that we had some charter review when we changed. We actually updated the charter and we basically it said that police chief will be he will be in a lot of the terminology in it. And so there was three things that were on the ballot that were corrected that um one was voted down by the citizens has taken away the mayor's authority over the police department because again that made it more political in my opinion >> because if all of a sudden you know you have to have five people making a decision in an emergency situation would have been very difficult. We've seen other councils that have that and it's very difficult. So, and like you said, I don't disagree with having some things, but I think you take out the politics. That's a great idea, but you can never take out the politics and that's where, you know, can do it. I have no problem. But you're looking at 24 to 36 months when you do these committees. And we know how we have Mr. Perry said once something to me one time that I reminded him that we're in election mode every year because we have two years of something. So, it's not about taking it away from the citizens, but it's about giving you let them decide if this fails or passes. I'm fine both ways, >> you know, but I think it's something that we keep talking about things, but when you then go to a committee, who gets to pick the committee? Who gets to do that? And right now in the climate we're in in Mante County, it becomes a lot more interesting. So, >> Miss Coachman, >> that's not usual for me. >> Yeah. >> Um, question real quickly, Mr. Rouso, at the tail end of your when you were speaking about this, you said not being a voting member doesn't necessarily release from the sunshine law. >> That's correct. So our purpose for doing this is >> well that [laughter] so if the mayor is removed not only removed from the tiebreak vote vote but it's also clarified that the mayor is not a member of the city council. >> Gotcha. >> Then he doesn't have any any voting power at all in that. >> And that's what it says in there. That's why I said there's three parts to it >> other than just taking away the one >> was because when when Mr. Ruticell wrote it and did his research, that's what I called and asked him out privately, well, what does that do? It's still I'm still the chair of the meeting, >> but I just don't have a voting power and I'm not considered even though, you know, people don't sometime most people don't think of me as a member of the council now. >> Yeah. >> Because it's not part of the five. >> You don't think it's public? Yeah. we don't often even exercise that. >> Um I just wanted to say this too. I mean >> in fact our system of government is a hybrid. >> You know it it it I just kind of I I guess I'm trying to wrap my head around what would this do to that? Are we moving closer to being a weak mayor? >> I'm a weak mayor now. It's always been a weak man. So, one of the things that and Mrs. Moore brought it up probably more than anything >> and and that's why, you know, I think that talking about it and going through things >> is, you know, there's times that we're working through a process with the administration, with others, and you know nothing about it, >> right? And you know, again, politically, there can be good and bad things in in life when you're up here. But one of the biggest things is if there's opportunity for me to be able to tell you where we're at, tell you because obviously the citizens when they vote the mayor, you know, I'm one of one. When you vote the council, you're one of five. So you need three votes to get anything through where if I'm able to say, "Here's what we're doing." And the vote, the tiebreaking vote is very ever used in my lifetime up here as councilman in that. But I always wanted to know more information. So again, if it's a two to two tie for some reason and the mayor is breaking that tie, then there's 50% of the board at that moment is upset. So I'm trying to think how it can make it better. Now obviously I think that that with what we're doing in this city is a lot positive but how do we make it even more positive and again everything in life is political but how do we continue to work down the path that we're doing with what we had yesterday with city park we saw the collaboration and that's what my goal is you know so it's something that I just think was the right time and and when over all the years I've been here this has been something that's been talked out and moving forward. Um, I don't think there's a good or bad way when you say charter review required or not. I don't know that either one of them's what the weight of it is, but it's something we can look at and, you know, go forward. But you're looking at 24 to 36 months and in today's climate, would it be only political? >> All right. Yes, ma'am. >> Does this mean we can put you on the CRA board? Well, there's a there would be a seventh there's seven members able to be on that board. >> Just questioning. >> We'll figure that out when the citizens speak. All right. Hadn't thought about that, but All right. So, we've had a motion by Vice Mayor Coker, a second by Councilman Schustler to approve going on the ballot ordinance 4077. Start the vote in ward four. >> Yes. >> Five. >> Yes. >> One, >> yes. >> Two, >> yes. Three. >> Yes. >> Carries 5 to zero. Madame clerk. >> Item 7 C is the second rating and public hearing for ordinance 4078. An ordinance of the city of Bradenton, Florida proposing an amendment to the Bradenton city charter. Proposing a charter amendment to add a section 14 to the city charter to provide for term limits for the mayor and city council members. calling for a referendum on the proposed amendment to the charter to be held at the general election on November 3rd, 2026. Providing for the ballot title and ballot summary for the referendum. Providing for direction to the city clerk in coordination with the Manatee County Supervisor of Elections, providing for severability conflicts and an effective date. >> All right. Um, this is something obviously Mr. Rudel had we talked about um and he had went over and written the the ordinance to process through. Um, I just over the years, you know, something that I brought up early on in 2012, not because I think anybody that's been here has been any other different than a good steward of our community, but at times that, you know, I and I voted I say right out of the box, I think it was in the 90s when legislative did eight years and looking at that time, you know, they said a lot of things back then who was going to control things and I don't necessarily agree both ways. There's been some good and bad with it, but one of the things that I never thought eight years was enough in a situation. 12 years is what, you know, seems to be good. And and again, we're not, you know, you can be president for eight years, you can be governor for eight years, but you can never go back. There's opportunity with this to go back at a time. Um, and if you move or do something, get out, then move in another district or ward. So, I just thought it was the right time to bring it up. And again, I believe this is an 8020 in the community. The citizens probably believe in some term limits. And you know, we're in good times right now, I believe, with our council and our community in the city of Bradenton. So, when's the best time to bring something up? When it's good, not when there's controversy. So, and I I know that um and I won't steal your thunder, Councilwoman Coachman, but you only had one response. I've talked to a few people that have heard about it and support it, but I know we got one email >> and uh that was shared through the clerk's office. So, it it is not either way a hot button item, but it's everybody that I've talked to, two or three people that have seen it are supportive of it. [clears throat] >> So, other comments or we'll get a motion and then we'll go to the discussion or we have to do the public hearing. So, why don't we do the public hearing now? We'll open the public hearing. Anyone wishing to speak? Anyone wishing to speak? Anyone wishing to speak? Hearing none, we'll close the public hearing. Chair will entertain a motion then for discussion. >> Mr. Mayor, >> yes. >> I move for approval of ordinance 4078. >> All right. Is there a second? >> Second. >> All right. Miss Coachman. Thank you. All right. Discussion. Anyone? >> I just >> Yes, ma'am. Miss Moore. >> I saw you. You called on you. >> I I did. I heard her. Um I again same same comment uh as before you know just the uh it's appropriate for voters. I I think I mean I get the political aspect. I but this is just the way my brain works. I like process. I feel like we get a better product. Um, and for this one too though, I I wanted to just I feel like I have to say that I have some element of concern about um about narrowing a pool of candidates. Uh because it's a difficult thing to be able to, you know, financially and time be able to to perform this role. Uh and times are changing and things are more complicated. Um, so I just note that out there for people when they're thinking about it. I do think that it, you know, fresh ideas are always a good thing. Fresh faces, you know, uh, fresh excitement and passionate for or passion for some other, you know, some other thing that might be happening in the city at that time. Um, but that's my only concern about um, term limits in this particular instance. But um the other thing I was going to mention is just the ballot itself has, you know, now we're we're adding to a ballot that has some heavy weighted considerations. And I want to make sure that we're we're giving voters the absolute best, you know, information and clearly written things so that they can make good educated choices about what's on the ballot. Um >> we were talking about ours first though, >> right? Yes, we were. [laughter] and we're being very thorough. >> Um so um so that I just raised those things as you know maybe more for just generally speaking for people to consider as they move forward with this overall obviously all the charter amendments are appropriate for voters to decide. [clears throat] I'm gonna play a little devil's advocate with you on the part about thinking it will disenfranchise people to a point [clears throat] because when you are in a town and you see long-term council members or mayors sometimes that disenfranchises people more than if there might be an open seat coming up because then you have more people that are will say well I'll take a chance at that but I don't want to go against a 20-year incumbent. So, you know, that's again, it's not about and again, I think it's a good time right now because I don't think we're going to have a lot of us up here that want to be here 20 years. You know, I just don't believe that. And and and I've said it all along. I'm not going to be a 20-year mayor. And you can take that to the bank. Um where people say it before they get elected, but do they say it when they're elected? Right. >> And then all of a sudden, one more, one more, one more. Um, so I just think it's the right time and again if it gets voted up or down, we live with it. So I saw Miss Barnaby's first and then Vice Mayor Coker. >> Well, again, I have always said we need to listen to the voters what they want to do. It's their government and they pay for it. So I think this is just another opportunity to do that. >> And it's not always when it's a a controversial time. I think this is these two items are non-controversial right now because it's not somebody as a board or the mayor pushing it for self gain. >> It's going to help the community generationally going forward. And I believe we use that term a lot in our community's collaboration. So, all right, Vice Mayor Coker and then Councilwoman Coachman. >> Yeah. Uh my only concern um while I would love to think that I've gone unopposed twice now is because of everybody so happy with me. But um what what in the I mean sometimes there aren't people that want to step up and and be leaders. It's not easy sometimes. What happens in that event >> if nobody applies for the job and the person's term limit out? >> There's not an exception for that. Right. >> I don't know. Somebody would jump in at the last minute. >> Well, I just feel like we're putting in a hoop that, you know, I hope we don't trip on at some point, but >> unintended consequence. Okay. >> I don't think it'll happen, but because somebody will jump in. It's always has happened. Somebody's jumped in. >> Okay. >> Well, >> that is um I think that that actually is a good point. You're a good example of um um of what could happen. And I to follow that train of thought. It does seem like you know and maybe another tiny concern is that then we are moving towards more appointments versus people taking that opportunity to which I it's not that you know obviously we have to appoint if there's a vacancy but I certain you know I think everyone up here would agree that that's not the goal. We would rather that people you know have to >> well I think that and and and that plays right into maybe why term limits are important because I'll look at it the opposite side. there was a 30-year member in that seat before her >> and was the community disenfranchised in that ward because they knew it wasn't worth trying to run against that person and the new person just got lucky >> because there was two I I ran for my election in 2012 and it was a filling of the two-year remaining part of the seat. So, I filled those two years and then both of my terms were unopposed. So I don't know if it was I was good or again it was going after a very positive long-term person before and you know so I think I don't I would in my mind guess that that will never happen you know that nobody but you know if that's the case then the whole community is disenfranchised with what's going on. So I I just think it's the right time. Again, the community will have the chance to speak on a lot of things on that ballot and it's going to be uh interesting to see and and again that's why the ballot is there and that's why constitutional amendments and charters are able to be done right or wrong. So appreciate the conversation. I think it's a great one and and uh it's been out now for months. Yeah. Okay. I'm sorry, Miss Coachman, but it's been out now for months and you see we've really had no engagement >> per se. So, Miss Coachman, >> um, before I even say what I was about to, um, in the case of Vice Mayor Coker, third year, the third term, no problem. and you get to take a break [laughter] because when there's a council member and Mayor Brown, you were an example of that. If the people are pleased, [clears throat] you're unopposed. Um, and there's still also that caveat that because you are so good at what you're doing, people won't run. a different perspective won't even attempt. Whereas if that third term occurs and someone runs or two people run because they feel like oh I can you know it's a possibility um just consider it a vacation [laughter] a four-year vacation because from what I understand it starts over you know after yeah so [snorts] anyway for that but my my question I guess I'm questioning myself is finding that sweet spot. You know, 12 is it does sound like the most logical as opposed to 16 and that being uh you know, four terms. Um, but just just looking at my personal situation, I'm in my second term and some of the things I had hoped to see in my first term, you know, they it it wasn't uh jelled yet. Um, so eight is definitely not enough. I'll tell you that. even though I'll just be here for eight, but u but I I think 12 is I guess the sweet spot, but I'm also thinking about some things that are in place and a a a third term would be great. Um, and I don't know, depending on some of the projects we have going on and CRA might need five to see it through, but I'm just [laughter] but I I'm definitely for this going forward to the public and and hear what they have to say. >> Thank you, Miss Moore. >> Um, I was just going to follow up on your comments. It just made me think that um that uh I definitely agree with you. >> [laughter] >> four is four is way, you know, you're just literally learning something so new. Um and and