Bradenton City Council Meeting, April 8, 2026 — Transcript

Good morning everyone and welcome to the Braden City Council meeting on Wednesday, April 8th at 8:30 a.m. in city hall chambers. At this time uh we'll go ask everybody as we always do. We're going to do the pledge and the prayer. So, at this time, we'll ask you to stand and we'll do the prayer by Vice Mayor Jane Coker, followed by the pledge. Thank you. >> Morning. In the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Heavenly Father, we come together today with gratitude and purpose. Guide us with wisdom in our decisions and help us to listen to one another with respect and understanding. Teach us to work together in unity, setting aside differences for the good of our whole city. May our words be thoughtful, our actions just, and our hearts focused on serving others. Bless this meeting and all who who are present that what we do here may bring positive change to our community. Amen. Amen. >> Thank you. Join us in the pledge. I pledge >> allegiance 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. And we'll call this meeting to order. Madame clerk, >> the first item on the agenda this morning is a proclamation for National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 12th through 18th, 2026. Whereas emergencies can occur at any time that require police, fire or emergency medical services. And whereas when an an emergency occurs, the prompt response of police officers is critical to the protection of life and preservation of property. And whereas the safety of our police officers is dependent upon the quality and accuracy of information obtained from citizens who telephone the city of Bradenton Emergency Communication Center. And whereas public safety telecommunicators are the first and most critical contact our citizens have with emergency services. And whereas they are a vital link for our police officers by monitoring their activities by radio, providing them information and ensuring their safety. And whereas public safety telecommunicators of the Bradenton Police Department have contributed substantially to the apprehension of criminals, each dispatcher continually exhibits compassion, understanding, and professionalism during the performance of their job. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Gene Brown, as mayor of the city of Bradenton, Florida, do hereby proclaim April 12th through the 18th, 2026 as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Bradon in honor of the men and women whose diligence and professionalism keep our city and citizens safe. >> And who do we have accepting that today? manager Brad Meyers communications and uh one of our supervisors, Mike Carr on the shift. Uh thank you all very much for your acknowledgement and appreciation for what we do and try to provide for our citizens and our our officers. Thank you. >> Well, we definitely want to thank you and your whole team because when seconds matter, you guys are right on the spot. There's been a lot of things that we've been at over the years that the pressure is on and and your team has definitely stepped up. So, we appreciate that. So, thank you. And, uh, Chief Mr. Mayor, >> thank you, Mayor, Council. Um, Brad's a man of few words. Uh, but I will highlight a few things. Last year, 2025, 14,000 plus calls, 911 calls came into that center. Uh Bradon PD uh initiated over 104,000 calls for service last year, both initiated and dispatched. And and whether it's initiated or dispatched, excuse me, it goes through that that center. And um one thing I want to say is, you know, they are the first first responder. They they handle people in crisis. They they calm them down and they get the information to us and they do it in record time. We're we're well below the national average for a time from call to their center to an officer being dispatched and it's it's a it's a a testament to him and his team for the work that they do. They're phenomenal and we saw it last year. They help us solve cases the the homicide out east uh you know because of the due diligence of dispatch. Uh we had a suspect in custody in less than 20 minutes and that's unheard of in today's times there. I can't say enough good things about this center and and next week we'll honor them with food and treats and uh looking forward to it. So, thank you very much. >> Thank you. So, let's get a picture. Don't you don't get to go away. Stand right in front there and we'll stand up here. So, we have some vertically challenged >> Yeah. Everybody >> can't see Meredith. You can't see. >> Thank you. Madame Clerk, >> our next proclamation is for Crime Victim's Rights Week, April 17th through the 23rd, 2026. Whereas the term victim is more than just a label and has legal standing and protections that go along with it. And whereas crime victim's rights passed here in Florida and at the federal level guarantee victims the right to meaningfully participate and use their voice in the criminal justice process. Victim service providers, advocates, law enforcement officers, attorneys, and other allied professionals help survivors find their justice by enforcing these rights. And whereas the right to provide an impact statement ensures that victim's voices are considered in court during the sentencing and when applicable restitution process. And whereas including and elevating the voices of survivors makes it certain that they are heard and seen and creates a path to forging and sustaining community trust. And whereas engaging survivors create responses and services that are credible, meaningful, and centered on individual needs. And whereas survivors lived experience can serve as a catalyst for implementing innovative programs, shifting existing programs in new directions, and changing policies or practices that prevent survivors from assessing services or pursuing justice. And whereas National Crime Victim's Rights Week provides an opportunity to recommmit to listening to crime survivors in every space where decisions are made that could impact them. Manatee County Sheriff's Office Victim Advocate Unit is dedicated to amplifying the voices of survivors and creating an environment where survivors have the confidence that they will be heard, believed, and supported. Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Gene Brown, as mayor of the city of Bradenton, Florida, do hereby proclaim April 17th through the 23rd, 2026 as Crime Victim's Rights Week in Bradenton. Signed, Gan Brown, Mayor. >> Thank you. And who do we have coming forward for this? Everybody. >> Good morning. >> Morning. I'm Sandra. I'm the victim advocate manager at the sheriff's office and these are the advocates that respond to call outs. Um we have six of us. Um on behalf of the Mandy County Sheriff's Office Victim Advocate, thank you for the proclamation recognizing National Crime Victim's Rights Week. We truly appreciate the support and acknowledgement dedicated to the victims and survivors within City of Bradon and our entire community. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. And I think one of the things that we really do as a council up here is we collaborate with our whole community. And what a lot of people don't realize, even though we have a sheriff's office, we have Braden Police Department, we are still one county and we're within the county. And a lot of citizens don't realize and a lot of elected officials don't realize that um 40 almost 49% of taxes collected by the city of Bradenton pass through to the county other than it CRAAS. So really we are paying county taxes and we all work together and I know with Sheriff Wells and and Colonel Cassella all of the things that happen through our police chief Kramer and acting assistant chief I think it should be acting chief theers which first day on that job for a while but um that we all worked together well and and and even they talked about earlier the suspect that our dispatchers got in 20 minutes it was city of Palmetto, city of Bradenon and Many County Sheriff sheriff's office that did it together to protect our community. So, thank you for everything you do for those victims every day that we have here. So, we appreciate it. Let's get a picture. Everybody stand up there and we'll get it. >> Thank you. >> All right. And I'll just say one last thing that I just really wanted to mention to you all um that we know when you're dealing with victims of some of the worst things that can happen whether it's children or anyone at all. But what you guys see a lot every day is a tough job and we appreciate that even more because things that we've all seen over the years just are tough to deal with. So, as we say to all of our police officers and that if you ever need anything, ask for it. So, thank you, >> Madame Clerk. >> Our next proclamation is Child Abuse Prevention Month, April 2026. Whereas child abuse and neglect remain critical issues in Manatee County with more than 200 children removed from their homes each year, a rate of 5.3 per 100 children compared to the statewide rate of 3.7. And whereas the leading causes of child removal in Manatee County are caregiver substance misuse and inadequate supervision, demonstrating the urgent need for protection, education, and family stabilization support. Whereas child abuse and neglect can cause severe, costly, and lifelong problems among society and victims such as social, criminal, and academic difficulties and emotional, physical, and mental health challenges. Whereas 36.84% of children in Manatee County who entered foster care achieved a safe permanent home within 12 months, exceeding the statewide rate of 30.2%. 2% and reflecting the strength of a coordinated community response. And whereas research shows parents and caregivers who have social networks and seek support and systems in time of need or trouble are more resilient, less isolated, and better able to provide safe environments for their children. And whereas individuals, businesses, schools, and community and faith-based organizations must support the emotional, social, physical, academic, and mental development and well-being of all children. And whereas during April, prevent child abuse in Manatee County and pin wheels for prevention in collaboration with community partners will lead coordinated efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect by promoting awareness of healthy child development, positive parenting, and strong family relationships. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Gene Brown, as mayor of the city of Bradenon, Florida, do hereby proclaim April 2026 as child abuse prevention month, and urge all citizens to engage in activities whose purpose is to strengthen families and communities. Signed, Gan Brown, Mayor. >> Good morning. Welcome. Who are we going to have this today? Bring everybody up. Great group. Thank you. >> Good morning. Good morning. I'm Terry Smith, parenting specialist for Manatee Children's Services. Manatee Children's Services is a child advocacy center with the mission to advocate for and provide the resources, skills, and shelter to alleviate abuse through prevention and intervention for all children and families. Since 1977, our agency has been dedicated to breaking the cycle of abuse for over 12,000 children and families in Manatee County each year. Our programs change lives through immediate and long-term shelter, mental health services, intervention to detect abuse, and ongoing support for families to help prevent abuse. As the only child advocacy center in Manatee County, MCS also functions as the county's only emergency shelter respit for abused foster children. I am proud and honored to be a part of Manatee Children's Services. We also are a collaboration with safe children coalition and we have some of them here with us today. We thank you Mayor Jean Brown and Bradenton City Council for your recognition. It is appreciated. >> Thank you. And again, um, as we know, we've said this up here because my involvement with the Boys and Girls Club, but but children may only be 25% of the population, but they're 100% of our future. And if we don't try to protect them and especially those that need us the most, we appreciate what you do every day. And again, see a lot of things you don't want to see, but you're out there doing it. So, and the collaboration is great. So, we really appreciate it. So, picture Wait, wait, wait. >> Stand up here. We get everybody lined up and David will take the picture. >> Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> Did you get a drink of water, madam clerk? >> Yes, sir. >> Next. Thank you. >> Our last proclamation this morning is for National Arbor Day, April 24th, 2026. Whereas in 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees. This h holiday, excuse me, called Arbor Day, was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska. And whereas Arbor Day is now observed throughout the nation and the world. And whereas trees can reduce the erosion of our precious top soil by wind and water, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen, and provide habitat for wildlife. Whereas trees are a renewable resource, giving us paper, wood for our homes, fuel for our fires, and countless other wood products. And whereas trees in our city increase property value, enhance the economic vitality of business areas and beautify our community. And whereas trees, wherever they are planted, are a source of joy and spiritual renewal. Now therefore, be it resolved that I, Gene Brown, as mayor of the city of Bradenton, Florida, to hereby proclaim April 24th, 2026, as National Arbor Day, and urge all citizens to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands, and to support our city's urban forestry program by planting trees. By planting trees, we help to promote the well-being of present and future generations and enhance our community. signed. Gene Brown, Mayor. >> Thank you. And who do we have for this? Miss Miss Jennifer. >> Hopefully under represented after everybody had big groups, but that's okay. I'm loud enough for everybody. >> Uh, I just wanted to thank everyone on this board and former boards. Most of you were on it since I started, but I started nine and a half years ago. In that nine and a half years, we have given away over 6,000 trees in this community and most of them were paid for by you guys. And that is hugely meaningful, especially after the hurricanes, we have given away uh by well, by the end of May, we have two more giveaways. We have 400 more trees to give away. It will be over 2,000 trees since the hurricanes. and most of them are going to the city of Bradenton, but it is helping people all over this community. We lost over 30% of our tree canopy due to backtoback storms. And so, this has really helped put them in. And we actually have people who got some at the end of last year who have been bringing their pictures to us at the um the tree giveaways and showing us what their trees are doing. Um, so it's it's really been a pleasure and an honor to help you guys um push that initiative out and we're always happy to do everything. And I'm happy to say that this year's Arbor Day trees went in yesterday. So if you saw the social media post, um, we have big trees along the riverwalk again. So that's very exciting. And April 18th is our Earth Day. And we're putting in even more plants and beautifification projects all around downtown starting from um 15th Street East to 15th Street West on Manatee Avenue. So please come out and join us everybody. Yeah, I know one of the things, Jennifer, that is is not just one month. It's year round that we're doing things and you work great with Ross and and our city staff and and keep things going. And and I think uh there was a tree I don't live at the house anymore that we got a lot of years ago from a tree giveaway that was about this big around. Now it's can't even get your arms around it because it's been so long ago 20 years ago. But it they it the little trees do grow and I think that's what people don't realize. Sometimes you want to put in a big tree right away but you got to put all those little ones in too and that's that's what's exciting and seeing it at the farmers market public market. Still the old days say the farmers market but but the public market every weekend that realize Brandon does you guys are there once a month and Yep. >> And that's >> last Friday of the month or so. >> Friday. Yep. Two more. So we appreciate it. Let's get a picture. >> Absolutely. >> I think we'll come down around you since you're by yourself. So we can do a little walkie. >> I'm honored. Thank you. >> Rob got the gray suit. >> Yeah, we do. Thank you. tell you after somebody >> cannot match with somebody. >> Mr. Mayor. Yeah. >> Did I hear something? >> It was me. >> Oh, hi. >> I just wanted to thank Jennifer. Uh, if you look on the invitation that we received today, right above where it says M andB, and I don't think that was I think that was a coincidence, but right above that, that's a picture of my greatg grandmother. >> Oh, wow. >> And my great aunt Mary. And the little boy that's cut in half is my great uncle Lloyd. And the gentleman standing there was a Willis. He was one of the hired hands. They had a pineapple farm in Palmetto >> and it was um open range and what they found out is that cows really like pineapples. So that's how my greatgrandfather ended up being the town clerk in Palmetto because the pineapple farm kind of didn't do too well after the cows found all of the pineapples. But uh I thank you for including that picture. >> Absolutely. >> And if for people watching this in the on TV, go to um Keep Manatee beautiful site and you can see all the activities going on and fundraisers and ways to donate to them. So that's very important because a lot of the stuff that happens is through donations and that's very important to keep that going because it's not only like I say for today, it's for the future. If we have any more storms, we want to be prepared for the next one >> and more trees are better. So, thank you, madame clerk. >> We do not have any presentations scheduled this morning. >> Okay. So, at this time, we're at citizen comments. Citizen comments 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 hearings at the appropriate time. So, at this time, we have one. We have Mrs. Simmons, please state your name, um, your city of residence, and you'll have three minutes. Welcome, >> Beth. Simmons, Man County. I did a completely unscientific um, watch yesterday my own traffic stud. I guess such I said it. And the reason I did it is last week I saw a kid with his sighted guide with the he had a white cane trying to maneuver that intersection. And I thought if he tries to do this on his own, he'll never make it. So I decided to sit and do this. From 11:00 yesterday till 1. So for two hours I saw a total of 113 vehicles run that stop sign and not only running. Most of them didn't even slow down. Um if if they did like the old misery roll we just call it when they slowed down but didn't quite stop I still count it that as a run but the people that did stop there was but four of those stop because there were people in the intersection or in the crosswalk. Um, four because the traffic ahead of them had stopped to let people cross and one because a bus was turning and they had no choice. So because of that, thinking of that kid with his white cane, I just thought that I would bring my unscientific traffic study to you and I actually went to the police department yesterday and spoke with someone at the side desk and he just said, "Well, we have limited deputies would expect us to do. So, back to you again. So, thank you. >> Thank you. At this time, I have no other cards. Is there any other citizen comment? Any other citizen comment? Seeing none, we'll close the citizen comment. Chief Theers, >> we'll address it, sir. >> All right. All right. Thank you. All right. Moving on. At this time, I'm going to do one thing. I'm ask Mr. Perry to uh introduce somebody today. >> Sure. Um council mayor and and our distinguished audience. On the dis today is Corey Fipps. Corey is the new fire um Brington Fire Department administrative officer. And so he is in the executive senior management over there. Miss Fipp's been with the city for about 10 years in the fire service. and he actually had come out of a pretty impressive military background as well. Um he was a a chief um of a crew that service Abrams A1 tanks um over in the battlefields and and the bases here in the US. Um so he knows how to work on some fairly heavy equipment. Yeah. And of course fire, you know, fire service has a lot of a lot of different types of equipment and the like. Um he in speaking with um Chief Chief Gar and and Chief Candidate who couldn't be here today for different reasons um they had talked to Lance and I about this position and try we were able to basically um fund it with some movement of other positions and the like. So, it's a net neutral um ad from a budgetary perspective, but from a programmatic perspective, it brings a great wealth of experience and and and and program um expertise and bandwidth to the department. And um we think it's a real good addition to continuously improving our um our skill sets in the public safety area. And I know that the police department have done that as well. So, Cory's before us. You haven't seen him before. Um, it's interesting when you go from like the worker B and fire, which I think is going to be probably LT and below, you wear a blue shirt or a gray shirt and now you wear a white shirt. And so that's the adage. I guess Doug, he knows a lot more about this legacy and history than I do. But, uh, now he's up in the executive management roles and he's got a really good background administratively as well. >> Welcome. And, uh, first off, we want to say thank you for your service because that's something that, as we see now, is more important than ever, what we're seeing. in and uh protecting the lives of our military is so important. But thank you for your service and welcome. You got anything you want to say? >> I just wanted to introduce myself, mayor, members of council, thank you for having me here today. It's an honor to be here to represent Chief Gear and Chief Kennedy and for Rob and Lance, everything you guys did to make this happen. Um I'm looking forward to working with all you guys uh in the future on a bunch of projects. So, thank you everybody. >> Good. Thank you. Appreciate you're here. Thank you for that Dair. >> Yes, sir. Mr. Perry, I'm going to read one thing before we do the consent agenda. Um, as mentioned about the Pina Colada Fest has changed their event date from July 11th, 2026 to July 25th, 2026. This event was already approved on the March 11th and this is only a date change. So, nothing changes. They just changed the date and we had to publicly announce that. So since it was a change, but nothing changed at all other than moving it back two weeks. So thank you for that. And then madame clerk, >> item six is the consent agenda and staff is requesting approval of items A through R. >> Mr. Perry, mayor, I have had the opportunity to speak with all councils regarding the consent agenda and the uh the items contained therein. I just wanted to point out that there was a late ad under item Q and R on an amended agenda. I thank Miss Melton for helping me out with that. Thought it was important to get it onto this agenda because it deals with um our infrastructure particularly. It's um for the the financial impact plan um from from Wooded and Karen and for those that fiscal plan you remember last meeting we actually adopted the FIP for wastewater. These two items separate the various different categories of utility being storm water and and drinking water and both of them are equally important. It's interesting as it relates to if you look at you know our drinking water our Everest res reservoir and the history of the drinking water um particularly surface water um at Everest reservoir for the city but um that plant uh it's it's a lifeline a surface water lifeline for the city and it's probably one of the best investments that the city's made. I think there's only 22 other surface water plants in the state actually and when you think about it you know out of 60 plus counties it's it's quite a bit um but it needs to be upkept and and and you have the plant and then you have the collection system and so like the wastewater system um we have some aged infrastructure that needs to be kept up to speed typically we need do that both on the short term and the long term but you know since I started we've always talked about strategic planning as you know from the from the uh fiscal plan before. Um, it looks at a longer view into into a a lengthy historical precept as it relates to, you know, potentially up to 50 years and then a shorter view and and a moderate view. And and I think you have to do that to try to get a handle on how to keep up with these systems that are worth in the hundreds of millions of dollars. when you look at the net asset value on our books of that and the services they provide to the community. So, uh I think the investment um is worth it to put together the FIP for both those drinking water and the storm water. storm water, I'd point out basically kind of came into existence um you know basically with the Clean Water Act, but the federal government really didn't enforce it for the better part of 20 years because it was what's called an unfunded mandate. And when you think about all the storm water projects we do, uh, east side storm drain project that we're doing right now out in Councilwoman Coachman's Ward and you know that that reaches neighborhoods and it eliminates flooding and it makes street travel safe and it makes economic development viable because we get a lot of rain here in in Florida and southeastern United States. But that's not a fully funded mandate either. It never was by the federal government. So now it's enforced basically with what's called um a an MS4 permit you have to get and e either through the directly the EPA or their designated agency in the state of Florida that designated agency is swift mud southwest water management district and so they require when we when we do government projects or the private sector does projects to basically have put together storm water management plans to deal with the impervious land so that their land now that used to be raw land, saturate the ground now has to go into our storm drain and conveyance. And we get some funding for that, but not enough to build conveyance and and collection and and wear systems and all these more advanced types of flows and to an outfall ultimately or other pre-treatment. Um, we are woefully underfunded. That's that's where I'm going with this long explanation. And I think a lot of entities are as well because it's a difficult thing to charge people for. They already pay property tax. They already pay utilities and things like that. But the reality is is that that storm water and and particularly on commercial property. We're looking at what we can do for commercial property because a lot of that deals with a with with basis of imperous land as plotted by the tax assessor's office. And they're they're woefully inaccurate, not because they're not trying to do a good job, but because of different things that happen on the property. And really what it should be is a charge based on how much impervious land you have. And there's a state law that deals with all this and makes it equitable. But I think that public works has talked about this for at least the five years I've been here, probably a few years before that. And we're going to have to uh we're going to have to take a look at our funding mechanisms and the modeling for our storm water as well. So this is a big part of that. drinking water. I could probably give you a longer explanation on, but we don't have time for it and you don't want it this morning, I would assume. But, uh, you know, these are obviously technical things that myself and my staff and our consultants deal with and and they're doing a good job. Really good job. I think Ger's out there and his team and, uh, you know, we our engineering has been supplemented. Anthony Bonitas has >> done storm water engineering as a lead for the county for about 18 years. He's probably one of the best in the area. Lance, you want to just add anything? Yeah, just real quick on the storm water. Um the storm water is part of our rate study as well. >> So it's not a forgotten utility. So I just wanted to add that. >> Well, we do know that storm water when we had the storms of 24, >> you know, the storm water and when that one 18 inches of rain in Sarasota Mante County um affected our bays and waterways the most because everything washed into them, >> right? And so when you're doing storm water, the ponds and all that are filters. And that's one of the things that something that, you know, we can control a little bit, but we don't don't control a lot. But we don't have the building that others do. So we're not able to do big ponds like neighborhoods do anymore. So we have to do other ways. And and and that's what I know we've done. Village of the Arts is probably one of our most successful storm water projects that is finished. And when we had that rush of rain during the storms of 24, there was no issues in in Village of the Arts. And one of the things we're doing with City Park is even growing that. So it's not just a city park that's going to be fun to look at. It's also going to be what's going to happen underneath the ground. And that's probably what has taken the longest on that project is the storm water in that area to improve it even that much more. And all of us know about it. I lived it a little bit. Pam probably lived it more. Um, and Miss Barnaby was here really through that. Um, which was uh Rogers projects that used to be two feet below >> storm water level and and so you know and you would go over there and help my friends clean out on Saturdays because they just basically dried it out and moved back in and that doesn't happen anymore and we're trying to eliminate it in other areas. Um, now Miss Moore, if we have six feet >> rise in the river, we can't do much about that. So, but anyway, Miss Barnaby, >> I just wanted to share because, and I think I've shared this before, but just to remind everybody, in 1998, the city decided that it was going to do something about collecting money for storm water runoff and projects. So, it was set up and I believe it was either every property was charged 25 cents a month or it was 50 cents a month. But what that meant was Mark and Maryanne Barnaby paid 25 or 50 cents a month for our property at our house and Walmart on Cortez Road paid 50 cents a month. >> Right. >> It was just a very one-time fit. I I I it was one of those crazy things where I'm thinking this makes no sense to me >> and that's one of the things we're going to try to revise so that equitable distribution the rate I just close out mayor was talking about you know the the the storms of 2024 >> if you just look at um the third quarter um I think it was might have been the sec no it was the third quarter because it was June to August June July and August we received over 49 inches of train. Now that's that's calculated as an average for the entirety of 14.4 square miles. So if you think about four, you know, that's that's 4T plus that that that's right below this dis. The entire city was covered with that much rain there to to to some of the state partners that we utilize and even federal partners. We have done a good job of accessing funding uh for certain of these projects we're talking about. We want to do more of that with this and and we need these types of facilities plans and studies and planning documents to access some of that additional funding. Um it is much more mainstream now to be able to fund storm flood control along with drinking clean water and and and and waste water. So it's part of the overall utility plan. It's a recognized utility in our in our um four utilities. We have those three plus golf. >> Well, I I think one of the things you did mention too and then then we'll get to the consent part of it um is you said that there was only about 20 that have their own surface well water and that's out of almost 500 >> municipalities and counties because there's over 400 >> municipalities right and then 67 counties. So when you add that up, you know, Bradenton did well to get that and the the mayor Evers and and the council at the time, kudos. And so when somebody looks 50 years from now, we're hoping they say the same thing about us. Hey, they did well and to try to make sure because we're only a blip in time, but we can make a difference. >> What you do now has a lot to do with where you're going to be 30, 40, 40 years from now. >> And really on water, you want a 50-year plan, >> right? Yeah. So, thank you, Mr. Perry. All right. Chair will entertain a motion to approve consent agenda. >> So, move. >> All right. By Mrs. Moore and second >> by Mrs. Coachman. Any further discussion? Hearing none, we'll start the vote in ward two. >> Yes. >> Three. >> Yes. >> Four. >> Yes. >> Five. >> Yes. >> One. >> Yes. >> Carries unanimously. Madam clerk, >> item 7A is the Edward Burn Memorial Justice Assistance Grant submission from the police department. >> Yes, sir. Captain Giddens. >> Good morning, Mayor Council. Uh Jeremy Giddens. I am the grant manager for the Brandon Police Department. Uh this agenda item is the uh fiscal year 2025 JAG earn burn JAG award is a formula based um grant. It's about a year delayed from the federal government. Um this grant has a couple of specific requirements for advertisement uh public notification advertisement for 30 days and submission and then submittal to the governing body for approval. And uh so we're asking for um your review, consent, and uh public hearing. >> All right. Any questions? >> So >> it was and I'll just add a few things. It was posted to the city's website, the PD and um police department site. It's been posted in our lobby as well. As of this morning, I have not received any public comment. Still two weeks to go. Any comments received will be submitted to DOJ. So, we'll open the public hearing here and see. Uh, we'll open the public hearing on the FY 2526 Edward Burn Memorial Justice Assistant Grant submission. Open the public hearing. Anyone wishing to speak? Anyone wishing to speak? Anyone wishing to speak? Hearing none, we'll close the public hearing. And uh, thank you very much. >> We don't need any approval for this. >> I do. Yes. >> Oh, you do? Okay. Okay. So, chair will entertain a motion to approve that motion to authorize the submission and acceptance of the FY 2025 Edward Burn Memorial Justice Assistance Grant. >> Second. >> All right. So, we have Miss Coker and I >> and a chorus of four. >> Chorus of four. I'm going to go to Miss >> Mr. Shusler. I heard him the loudest because he's the closest. All right. Um, we'll start the vote in ward three. >> Yes. >> Four. >> Yes. >> Five. >> Yes. >> One. >> Yes. >> Two. >> Yes. >> Carries five to zero. Thank you, Mr. Diddens. Madame clerk. Item 7B is the first reading for ordinance 4072. An ordinance of the city of Bradenton, Florida, annexing into the city of Bradenton certain real property contiguous thereto generally located east of 50th Street West and approximately 70 ft south of Manatee Avenue West. identified as 50750th Street West, parcel ID and 50950th Street West, parcel ID 362900005 and more particularly described herein, containing approximately 397 acres total and owned by Shiv PL and Zea Ray. a LLC respectively providing for findings of fact, providing for amendment to the city boundaries, providing for severability, and providing for an effective date. And the second reading and public hearing for that ordinance will be on May 13th. >> Okay. Item 7 C is the first reading for ordinance 4075, an ordinance of the city of Bradenton, Florida, amending part one, charter and related laws, subpart B, related laws, article 3, firefighters retirement system of the city of Bradenton, Florida. Amending section one, definitions to exclude contracted special details from the definition of salary. Amending section five sub paragraph 1 contributions to lower the employee contribution to 9% effective upon ratification to 8% effective October 1st 2026 and to 7% effective October 1st 2027 providing for codification providing for severability providing for a repeal of ordinance or resolutions and conflict and providing for an effective date and the second reading on public hearing for ordinance 4075 will be on April 22nd. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Item 7D is the first reading for ordinance 4076 an ordinance of the city of Bradenton, Florida relating to the provision of services, facilities, programs and local improvements within the city of Bradenton, Florida. Adopting chapter 75 of the city of Bradenton code of ordinances entitled master capital project and service assessments authorizing the imposition and collection of special assessments against property within the city of Bradenton. Providing certain definitions in defining the defining the terms assessment, service assessment, and capital assessment. Providing for the creation of assessment areas. Establishing the procedures for imposing capital and service assessments. Establishing procedures for notice notice and adoption of assessment roles. Providing that assessments constitute a lean or assessed property upon adoption of the assessment role. providing for providing that the lean for an assessment collected pursuant to sections 197.3632 and 197.3635 Florida statutes upon perfection shall attach the property on the on the prior January 1st the lean date for ad valorum taxes providing that a perfected lean shall be equal in rank and dignity with the leans of all state, city, district, or municipal taxes and assessments and superior indignity to all prior leans, mortgages, titles and claims. Authorizing exemptions, providing procedures for collection and assessments. Providing for a mechanism for the imposition of assessments on government property. Providing for issuance of obligations. Declaring the provisions of this ordinance to be supplemental. additional and alternative method providing for applicability and severability providing for conflicts and codification and providing an effective date. And the second reading and public hearing for that ordinance will be April 22nd. >> All right, great job. >> I stumbled on the last one. Sorry about that. >> Yeah, I'm having a lot of water. All right. So, uh, those are all set for the next readings and public hearing. So, >> and mayor, just on that last item on 076, I spoke with Miss Melton. We'll be inviting folks from uh >> from um Ironwood, >> right, >> to come to the meeting and make sure that we have a >> You're not talking into the microphone. I'm sorry. Understand? >> Make sure we have a um an exchange regarding their um ascent and agreement to this. >> Good. Perfect. >> Yep. Yeah, because that's getting started and will be done pretty quick. >> Yeah, they're actually starting set up this week and construction will actually start Monday or Tuesday of next week. Yeah, I've been over there a few times and I know Miss Barnaby has and they're very excited and I think that the majority of the people with our concerns have got out to to be know this is a good thing >> and it's working forward and we gave them many options >> right >> on how to do it and I think even some of them are working within their personal space of asphalt that they're going to work with our company and >> pay for it. So, so kudos to all of the city staff, >> Mr. Williams and Mr. Perry to pass it down. They've all done a great job and obviously with our public works >> quite a bit as well. So, everyone's been great at it. >> All right, moving on. New business by department head, city attorney or council. Mr. Perry, are you on up next? >> Yes, sir. Under item 8A, requesting approval for uh partial guaranteed maximum price GMP. >> If you don't talk into that microphone, I'm going to lose my mind. for construction management at risk services uh for the city of Bradington city park project. This uh as a quick overview is basically to been begin construction and complete construction over about a one-year period um of phase one. What phase one involves is the field that would be the new field um due south of 13th Avenue and due east of 9th Street directly north of the Lecom Park existing. It involves basically the groundwork, excavation, storm water that's necessary for the surface work and then basically the construction of an athletic um scaled facil uh baseball competition baseball field to meet high level baseball competition standards for the types and dimensions of the field, the types of features of the field. It's uh it's um a turf field surface. It's a a rather high-grade turf field surface. It's not the highest grade or the most expensive, but it is certainly um a very uh top quality product. Um we have gotten with the pirates field maintenance folks and and and and talked to them a little bit about both the design and the composition of some of these products. We have the architect and and engineers that have had to do a lot of work and we'll have to continue to do a lot of work particularly as it relates to storm water management because as mentioned by the mayor a lot of that village of the arts project kind of but conveys through that area. It's underground. It'll have to be relocated and redirected in certain cases. Um there'll be a lot of flat work for walkways and other um enjoyment experiences at the baseball field itself, including shade structures. There'll be batting cages. There'll be uh pitching um uh areas for relief pitching. There'll be observation towers that are required for electrical purposes and other reasons. Masco lighting to the tune of about 700 800,000 um and just a whole host of other things. And so this GMP represents about 14.7 million and what I would call hard construction costs to build those things. And then there's soft cost above and beyond that which is basically going to be the the Semar fee as well as the bonds uh that's necessary for shortity. um the risk um builder's risk insurance. There's contingency at I think we did 5% on the contingency here. And we're going to ve we're going to value engineer some of these things and try to get that number down a little bit. Um when you say a little bit, I I I think we can probably recognize maybe close to a million dollars in reduction, probably closer to threequarters of a million. But when we did pre-construction estimating on it, it's not too far from where we were at. We were expecting it to be about 14 point >> 14 million. >> Yeah. 14 and a little bit north of it actually. And um the funding if uh for this is we have a great deal of the funding um through through collateral sources that we've received from the county for it that we've received from um Congressman Buchanan's office. We've received state funding. And uh am I missing anybody out on that? That's it. >> I think that's it. Right. >> All right. Any questions for Mr. Ferry chair will entertain a motion to approve. >> So move >> by Miss Coachman. Is there a second by Miss Barnaby? >> Any further discussion? Hearing none, we'll start the vote in ward four. >> Yes. >> Five. >> Yes. >> One. >> Yes. >> Two. >> Yes. >> Three. >> Yes. >> Perfect. Thank you. Approve five to zero. Mr. Perry. >> Uh back on to item nine under unfinished business. Uh item A is the purchase of property between New Rogers uh garden limited partnership and the housing authority in the city of Bradenton. This is basically to purchase um the land that you would normally basically associate and kind of relate to be due west of Braden Village and that public housing area. Um that's that's both south of 13th and north of 17th Avenue. Um it was an area that was slated for future potential development um in in been with the city for a long time various types of ownership and and and and HUD arrangements and the housing authority arrangements and the like. But the short version is is that we would be purchasing what's really pretty much a rectangular property again within those perimeters of 13th to the north, 17th a to the south, Braden Village to the east, and uh as we know, I think it's 7th Street that's that cuts through there by Rogers Garden Elementary School and everything. Um that property will be used for two major purposes. One is for storm water um retention areas as necessary for a swift mud permit. That permit will be necessary for improvements that are made both to city park facilities as well as to PAL facilities. We've contemplated getting PAL, the Police Athletic League, a ready um uh shovel ready pad that would be due south of 13th um Avenue in between Bradenton Village and Rogers Gardens Elementary School. That would take probably about two fifths of the property. The pad would be able to accompany parking um in ingress egress parking and then about a 50 to 60,000 square foot multi-use building. that building would be able to be used both for recreational purposes, for gymnasiums and things of that nature for PAL within their traditional um kind of uh their what the work they do as well as multi-use meeting space. That multi-use meeting space envisions basically the school district and and other folks in the education and and and and career development world coming in to provide programming for both youth in the community um as well as for young adults in the community. So some of the things we're contemplating for the youth is, you know, reading at grade level, career development, enhancing some things that after school they might need a little bit of help with some kids, you know, ch reading and things of that nature. Um, and then the adults maybe some professional development from MTC, Menty Techchnical College. I always use the example um of some of the technical programs they have over there where if you get your certificate in a one or two-year program, you can go from making $15 an hour to 35 pretty well. And so the future looks a lot brighter. And I think when you have young kids and and and limited and challenged background, um we need to help those folks out. Um, I think it's a real good thing for the community, the city to do to support the community as it relates to opportunities and and raising everybody's lot in life, so to speak, including the children. Um, so that PAL is pretty important. We can't afford to build the POW, you know, because whatever that that that project cost and it has a field, a football field as well as basketball courts, football field to the south and basketball courts um to the to to the west. Um PAL does a good job with youths and community. um just like Boys and Girls Club probably does and did as it relates to, you know, utilizing youth sports and getting them in the front door with youth sports and then getting into more kind of um uh I guess self-development type of programs thereafter and and that's really what the objective is um as it relates to community and neighborhood development in that PAL center. Beyond that to the south um we have concepts a concept permit in um with swift mud in order to do the storm water management and get the permits we need. We have to co-permit basically the school board, Pirate City, I'm sorry, Lecon Park, City Park itself, um the PAL and and other folks and really when you look at that property from a technical legal perspective and you know we have Corey in the back and her and Will Robinson have done and David Kronite and a lot of other folks, John Tatum at Wingate have done a and his folks have done a really good job of trying to figure about how do we take this property and unencumber it so that we can do these development things that we want to do objectives the building pad for PAL and ultimately the storm water and the reason why it's so tricky is there's about 14 different easements that run over it over the last 50 or 60 years many of them are abandoned in place but the holders of those easements um some people don't even know they have it but you know David Kankite who likes to go down to property uh clerk's office and looked at the records from way back when goes, "Guess what? There's an easement that goes through there." And so trying to resolve that has been tricky. It's involved um a variety of different techniques that we've done um to to to resolve those. We're at a point where um where Will Robinson, our attorney, who has done a really good job on this, is satisfied that we are on a situation that any incumbrances that do exist, we are still on very good legal footing. Um we've been we've been able to resolve about 95% of them, but there are a couple of small tiny things that between most of us, we all think that the title is clean. And to that fact, we've been able to get shy on the title. And what that means is we've been able to get title insurance. So tit title insurance companies, they don't issue title insurance if they think you got encumbered property. So they've done that. And then I'll wrap up because I know I'm getting along in the tooth. The survey work, too. So it involved a lot of survey work. It's 11.3 acres. the funding source for it is basically going to be 100% from other o other funding sources, not city uh funds directly. Um they'll funds that given to the city for acquisition and development of the park. The purchase price is 1.35 million and then it has some closing costs that are particularly higher because of some of the things I I outlined in my long summary of our long road to basically get to this point with the property. I appreciate that and and again we see it every day. Sometimes the council hears parts of it and and can only really bring it up in this meeting as because of sunshine. So I think the public really needs to understand through this as well as through the county a lot of things are happening in our community that are going to make things better as we go forward for the entire community. And and it's not just baseball fields. It's really a whole community opportunity to make young people's lives better as well as getting some of the young people the people that are at the young adults that didn't get opportunities. So, we're trying to make it where it's going to be a win-win and it gives people opportunity to come to Bradenton and see how great we are. So, that's it. So, >> I think this will be award-winning. >> Yeah. >> Well recognized project when it's complete, >> when it's done. So, >> for sure. And uh you put it well. intentional and and and there's benefits of community development, transportation, economic development, education, and >> you know, when you can do all that on the same dollar, it's a pretty good deal. It's >> a good thing. >> Yeah. >> All right. Chair will entertain a motion. Miss Coachman. >> Mr. Mayor. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Motion to approve purchase and authorize the mayor to execute all transactional documents required to complete the purchase. >> Second. >> Second by Miss Barnaby. So, we've had extensive discussion. We'll start the vote in ward five. >> Yes. >> One, >> yes. >> Two, >> yes. >> Three, >> yes. >> And four, >> yes. >> Appreciate that. Carries five to zero. >> Mr. Perry, anything else before we move on? All right. Just didn't want to make sure. Sometimes he pops things in that are good. All right. Council reports. We'll start in Ward two. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. I would like to thank uh all of the staff members that were very helpful to me. I was recently able to go and visit uh our oldest son who I hadn't seen in almost a year. So, it was very helpful to have Miss Milton and Miss Thomas and Mr. Williams keeping me a breast of what was going on and sharing if they if I needed to return a phone call or if it whatever it was. I appreciate it very much. I always know when I go I can try to relax a little bit because you all are are doing such a fine job for the city. So, thank you very much. Uh it was very um bittersweet coming back and learning of the passing of Connie Butler Novak. Her father was um Claire Butler of the veterinarian. They've been in the community a long time and that was quite a shock to me to find out. And then our own uh Dr. Burton lost his father Ken Burton Senior and I think the information about that was sent out by Miss Kaiser as far as the services and such. And then uh for those of us that were uh at Manatee High of a certain age can always remember Coach Eddie Shannon. That is a huge loss. I know he was 104, but he was someone that this community regard held in high regard respected. And I don't think we will ever realize everything that that man did to help us get to the community that we are now to go through integration in as much of a of of a peaceful process as possible. And he will be sorely missed. And to the younger people in the community, we're looking for one of you to step up. We can't keep losing these giant figures. And I know he only stood five feet tall, but he was a giant. We can't keep losing these types of people with their integrity and their work ethic and not have it affect our community. So, my challenge to you is who's it going to be and who's going to step up? >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. >> Thank you. Ward three. Mr. Shusler. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Um, I did want to kind of go back and just discuss for uh 20 seconds ordinance 40676, the first reading. Uh, I received a call last night and Mr. Perry did mention it um even during the consent agenda and the question was a fair question. It was asked by the resident uh what's this all about? I'm paying my property taxes. And that was something that Mr. Perry mentioned during the consent agenda. And I just wanted to say that 4076, it's it's more about establishing a fair process for special assessments uh which are used for specific properties that benefit directly from things uh such as roads, drainage, and other infrastructure. this doesn't approve any specific project and would still require, you know, public notice, input, and city council approval. Uh, so I I did go through her concerns. I did mention Ironwood, but I thought it was uh fair to point out that uh it's just about setting the process up for any special assessments, not in addition to and not across the entire city. As we move through April, I I did want to recognize since Miss Melton went through all the proclamations and everything uh the several important observances that we went through today uh that highlight the heart of our community. This week is National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. So, I'd like to take a moment to point out uh and thank the dispatcher and uh dispatchers and communication professionals who were often the first common voice in moments of crisis. uh their work is absolutely critical to public safety and they deserve our appreciation. April's also crime victim's rights week, a time to reaffirm our commitment to supporting victims and ensuring they are heard, respected, and protected. Uh in addition, it's child abuse prevention month, which reminds all of us of the shared responsibility we have to look out for the well-being of our children and families. Uh, also looking ahead is Earth Day and National Arbor Day. It's a great opportunity to appreciate and invest in the natural beauty of our city. Whether it's planting a tree or simply taking pride in our green spaces, these small efforts do make a lasting impact. Around Bradenon, we're continuing to see positive momentum. From increased activity around our public events to ongoing progress with initiatives such as Fix It and Face It and many others, it's an exciting time to be in Bradon and we all look forward to keeping that momentum going in the year ahead. >> Thank you, >> Miss Moore. >> Um, let's see. Is anyone doing the walk today that begins on the at the Dream Center? I don't know if you all got the letter in the email. Um I was I was just going to mention to you all that I was going to attempt to do it uh because I love walking >> and it's for a good cause and whatnot, but I think it might get rained out, so I'm not positive about that. But I was just going to let you all know that I was going to try my best to be there. Um but we're gonna I'm going to play it by ear now, but just wanted to let you all know. Um yesterday I had was it yesterday or Monday I had the very good fortune to I believe it was Monday to volunteer at um Manatee School of the Arts career day and I got to meet uh Lieutenant Seymour's daughter who was delightful very um smart and um articulate young woman um and it was great. I was very much upstaged by a former CIA agent and that made the lawyer city council woman very not interesting. Um, but it was great to hang out with the kids uh and talk about their futures and whatnot. Um, I'm not sure if we've I don't think we've met since BAM happened, but I just wanted to express that I thought it went really well. Um, the only thing that I think I saw that um, and I've talked to Chief Kramer about it, but and maybe he's already talked to um, uh, Chief Theers and Mr. um, um, gosh, I'm spacing out on Paul's last name. >> Driscoll. >> Driscoll. Um, about ebikes on the sidewalks. I don't know if you guys are like, if you've observed this, and my my son had an ebike, and I think that they're useful and they have their purpose, but some of them were so large. Um, I mean, one person was actually actively riding it on the sidewalk with a helmet on like a with all the pedestrians. And so I just thought that was if to the extent that you all are looking into it, I would encourage that um thing to look at. And then um and we're I mean I'm not I love multimodal like discussions and whatnot, but I feel like there's maybe a safety thing that we have to figure out. Um I'm excited about the singing river river cutting. that's a kind of a ways in a you know in the future but just thinking about things that are actually happening in Ward 4 that is I'm I'm looking forward to that and the feedback I've gotten from that art since now it is fully installed has been really good it's been warmly received uh and then finally I was just going to share that I'm excited about the storm water work that we're doing with the fiscal initiative plan and uh while I still love to talk about lift stations now that some of that work is really like moving along and and can't, you know, it's not going to be derailed in any way. I'd like to look forward to uh to assessing some areas in W 4 that need and and all over Ward 4. There's some in in River Isles, I think, that needs attention and um and in in the immediate neighborhood that's adjacent to downtown. Uh you know, that's just rainy day. I we are very aware that if there's you know another storm surge of six feet we're are what we do in this regard is probably not going to make a huge impact but just for everyone's quality of life and I know you all already know that but that's just something I'm looking forward to working on >> and I think that's it. >> Thank you coach. >> Okay. Um just want to say um touch on something that uh Councilwoman Barnaby mentioned and um this community has had some gr