City Council Meeting

everyone and welcome to the Bradenton City Council meeting Wednesday, April 22nd, 8:30 a.m. in City Hall Council Chambers and as always, we will have our prayer and our pledge and we're bringing up from Kingdom Life Church Christian Church, Pastor Don Steriano. Good morning. Would you stand, please? >> Please stand. >> everyone. As we're recognizing Police Week, my prayer will be uh focused on our wonderful officers that serve and protect. So, would you bow your heads, please? Father of heaven and earth, I lift up our valiant law enforcement officers before you now. I ask that you and all of heaven would take notice and honor this prayer for these who have vowed to dedicate their lives to serve and protect your children on the earth whom you dearly love. I pray that your mighty hand and your outstretched arm would go before them in the battle of justice, anointing them to be your ambassadors of divine order so to foil the deeds of those who plot evil. I ask of your Holy Spirit to envelop each of them with the peace of Christ that transcends understanding, guiding them with the wisdom of Solomon as they guard the citizens of our nation and this friendly city. Grant them the courage and strength of King David to defeat the Goliaths of wrongdoing and impart in them the loving-kindness of David the Shepherd to serve with compassion and a gentle hand, discerning when to be a lion and when to be a lamb that they may serve with the heart of the king and lead with the heart of a servant. As they continue to deploy to their unselfish assignments, I declare Isaiah 54:17 over them all that no warm weapon formed against you shall prosper and every tongue which rises against you in judgment shall be condemned. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their righteousness is from me, says the Lord. I pray that you would bless our city leaders as they govern the needs and the affairs of our city in these proceedings in this meeting today and it's in Jesus' name I pray and everyone said, "Amen." Amen. All right, please 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. Thank you, Pastor Don. >> [snorts] >> All right, we'll call this meeting to order. Madam Clerk. The first item on the agenda is a proclamation for Police Week and Peace Officers Memorial Day. Good morning. Good morning, Mayor, City Council. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read this. Whereas the Congress and President of the United States have designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which it falls as Police Week and whereas the members of Florida law enforcement agencies play an essential role in safeguarding the rights and freedoms of our citizens and whereas it is essential that all Florida citizens know and understand the problems, duties, and responsibilities of their police department and that members of our police department recognize their unwavering commitment to serve the people by safeguarding life and property by protecting them against violence and or disorder and by protecting the innocent against deception and the weak against oppression or intimidation. And whereas it is appropriate to commemorate police officers past and present who have dedicated their service to their communities and demonstrated utmost courage in preserving the rights and security of all citizens. And whereas on May 15th, we honor all peace officers who through their courageous deeds have lost their lives or have become disabled in the performance of duty. Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Gene Brown, as Mayor of the City of Bradenton, Florida, do hereby proclaim May 15th, 2026 as Peace Officers Memorial Day and May 10th through 16th, 2026 as Police Week and encourage all citizens to participate in activities honoring our police and peace officers. Thank you and who do we have accepting this award? >> Uh I'm accepting on behalf of Chief Kramer. Who is >> and all of everybody in the audience. >> Everybody in the room here today. If everybody would come forward, please. >> [applause] >> Any You have to tell them twice. Yeah. Yeah. Thank you. And the middle will be a little contorted. You want your box? >> [laughter] >> I mean, you need the box for this one. The mini box. I'm not sure. >> [laughter] >> We're going to have to squeeze in and turn it in an angle. 45° angle. >> 45° angle. Some of y'all never took geography. And usually I'm on >> [laughter] >> I'm always going to pick this Nobody blink. I'm kidding. Thank you. Thank you. >> [applause] >> Thank you very much, Chief, and uh obviously we love our Bradenton Police Department and are glad to be able to to have our own and work through things. Madam Clerk. Our next proclamation is Salvation Army Week, May 11th through the 16th, 2026. Whereas for more than 103 years, the Salvation Army Army has faithfully walked alongside the people of Bradenton serving not just physical needs, but restoring hope, dignity, and spiritual strength to individuals and families in their most difficult moments. And whereas the Salvation Army stands on the front lines wherever the need is greatest responding in times of crisis and uncertainty to those facing homelessness, hunger, addiction, and emotional or spiritual hardship, ensuring that no one in our community must struggle alone. And whereas the Salvation Army calls upon the citizens of Bradenton to continue to answer the call with faith and love to step forward with compassion, generosity, and purpose to help us expand life-changing programs that meet urgent needs and create lasting impact in our community. And whereas Salvation Army Week provides a meaningful opportunity to recognize and celebrate the power of philanthropy, volunteerism, and community partnership that continues to strengthen the City of Bradenton and uplift our most vulnerable neighbors. And whereas the week serves as a powerful reminder that each of us has a role to play and that though dry I'm sorry, that though giving our time, resources, and hearts, we can come together to bring hope, healing, and transformation to those who need it most during these most challenging times. Now, therefore, be it resolved that I, Gene Brown, as Mayor of the City of Bradenton, Bradenton, Florida, do hereby proclaim May 11th through the 16th, 2026 as Salvation Army Week in Bradenton and urge all citizens to give back to the community in any way that is personally meaningful. Signed, Gene Brown, Mayor. Thank you. And I know we have some people here to come forward, all the Salvation Army family. Good morning. Good morning, sir. Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you so much for giving us the opportunity to come today. With the your help, we have been working very hard in this city for over 100 years and we continue to tell you that we'll be here for another 100 years. As long as the need is there, we'll continue to fight. So, thank you so much. This uh week that you've given to us the to be able to proclaim uh the gospel and to proclaim the the work of the Salvation Army and continue it here. We can't do it without all of you. So, thank you so much, and we accept this this morning and we'll display it in a place of prominence and tell everyone as they come in that we will still be here and continue, and you can count on us. Thank you. Good. Well, I'll just start out by thanking you and your team, obviously, for all the time that in our city, we're doing a lot of things around our city that some people at times think they're they're not seeing something, but with the opportunity that we have to help those that need us the most, whether it's the homeless or other opportunities to to help people that are either having some mental issues, drug issues, different things. But, with the collaboration with the county through Fresh Start Manatee that will hopefully be opening up soon. Yes. The Under One Roof that's opened for the women Yes. and then also the collaboration with Salvation Army turning into a family shelter Yes, sir. that will be something that is County gets a lot of press on it. We're glad for that, but they're the big brother in the in the room, and we're glad to be working through that. And I think when we see the comments on Facebook that we're not doing anything or the social media and that, we are doing stuff as a team and it takes Salvation Army, and we appreciate what you're doing to really work the model into making our city the city the friendly city as well as the the next generation of how we help people. So, We appreciate your leadership in that, and you got a great team behind you. I do, sir. Thank you. The past teams have been unbelievable to continue that to to make it better in downtown Bradenton, but in the lives of people that need us the most at that time. Thank you, sir. We will We will continue to strive to do the most good and uh we invite all of you to come behind the red shield with us Yes. to be able to see those things that you were talking about. And we we I guess I should say I challenge you to come Come. and and be with us. So, tell us about a big item that's coming in hopefully soon and going to be working. Well, I'm glad you mentioned that up. Uh if you remember when the storms came through a couple of years ago, when it hit us, we lost all of our power and we had to take everyone that was in our our social love social media I'm sorry social service areas and move them into to county shelters. Paul Fowler is here with me, and Paul is the director of our social our our social services and it was on his responsibility that the the shoulders that that landed on, we had to move all of these folks out, and of course, when the power came back on in other places, well, they brought everybody back down, and we were out for about 4 days with no power. The mayor contacted us and the city council with your backing, we're able to put now a generator that should be on the ground very quickly. Uh it's been a lot of red tape because of power our gas lines that have to be run and everything else, but we thank you. That generator will be up and running and we will not lose power down there and be able to continue our services if and again, if we're hit by such a storm as what we had when Milton came through. And and that was came through as we all know up here, but the public came through CDBG monies that was available, and Vicky White and her crew did a great job at working through it, and takes a little longer at times than we always hope, but now I know I know that we're just waiting for the generator to get there. We're just waiting for it to get there. Pam Pam Burton, who is our our contracts person, has been working very quickly and very hard with your people down here, and Vicky's been doing a great job. Good. Well, thank you very much, and congratulations. >> Thank you, sir. Thank you. >> Let's >> [applause] >> Let's get a picture. You guys stand there, and we'll stand up behind you. Okay, that sounds good. >> Come on, guys. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, folks. Have a great day. Thank you. Yep, good doing good. See you soon. Appreciate it. Thank you. All right. Madam Clerk, I'll take this one. We're going to read another proclamation and it kind of plays into a lot of things that will come up very shortly. But, um it's a proclamation for Small Business Week, which is May 3rd through 9th that kind of missed the deadline to get on the agenda, but I'm going to take it executive privilege here and read it, the proclamation that we're going to do, and we'll have our chamber members come up, and I think when we have come up, if you're and I see a lot of people out there that may be here for something else, but also very active past chairmans of the chamber and that, we will ask you to come up and get in the picture as well if you're on the chamber board, so. Um whereas small businesses are the backbone of our local economy, creating jobs, driving innovation, and contributing to the unique character of our community. Whereas small business play a vital role in strengthening the economic health and resilience of the City of Bradenton by supporting local families, generating tax revenue, and fostering entrepreneurship. Whereas the dedication, creativity, and perseverance of small business owners and their families, excuse me, and their employees contribute to a vibrant and thriving business environment. Whereas small businesses enhances quality of life in our community by providing essential goods and services, supporting local initiatives, and investing in the neighborhoods they serve. Whereas the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the City of Bradenton plays a critical role in supporting, advocating for, and promoting small businesses throughout the region. Whereas the City of Bradenton is proud to recognize the contributions of small businesses and encourages residents to support local establishments during this special week and throughout the year. Now, therefore, it be resolved that I, Gene Brown, as mayor of the City of Bradenton, do hereby proclaim May 3rd through 9th, 2026 as Small Business Week, and urge all citizens to recognize the critical role small businesses play in our community and to support them by shopping locally and engaging with local entrepreneurs. Thank you, and congratulations for our chamber mem- chamber staff that's there. Others on the chamber board or that, please come forward as well. Mr. Chapman. I think you're on that through our school board, not to call you out, but um but anybody that's on that board, come up. Yep, and see Dr. Price out there, and others coming up. Um well, I'll start out by saying one of the things that I think is so important as we look through and I go to a lot of ribbon cuttings, whether they're in the city or the county, because we are one community, even though we have some boundaries with with what we do. One of the things that is so proud moments when you're out there is looking at how exciting people are. And we had it Jackie yesterday at the Kiwanis luncheon to give her talk, and we're the largest chamber in this region because by membership and and majority of our members are five employees or less. So, you know, we have a lot of small businesses that are out there, but sometimes we grow into bigger businesses. But, when you talk about what we can do to help individuals that are five employees or under that might not survive if they didn't have the chamber's help and the collaboration that we have. And when you look out at what we can do in the City of Bradenton our urban core is thriving at a point now, but I think we're going to be able to even grow that with other help out there with through our EDCs, through other memberships, chamber memberships and that, and I'm just so proud at this moment to not only serve on that board as a liaison for the city, but also to be a sponsor of the chamber, as you look at when when you look at what you give back to a community, it's what they give back to you as a small business and as a community. And as big as Bradenton and Manatee County is getting we're still a small community. And when you look in our core, that is what we're thriving up here, so. We That's why took that executive privilege to get this on, and I thought it was important to wait till May, it would have already been kind of going on or over, but um thank you, and we appreciate what the chamber does. And as I say, when I get to talk at the ribbon cuttings, we have the best chamber in the world. Five-time Florida Chamber of the Year uh National Chamber of the Year and uh I may be right or wrong on this, but I think they changed the rules in Florida because of us. Because we won it 4 years in a row, and we probably would have kept winning it. And so, they said, well, you can only win it now once every 5 years. Well, as soon as the four times in a row, as soon as the 5 years came around, we were right up there. So, we were the first one to win it that was a repeat winner over 5 years. So, you know, Jackie goes, well, I don't know if that's totally true. I believe that. I'm going to the grave with that, but And I believe we're eligible next year. >> Yeah, so we're back into the 5 year again. But, congratulations, and thank you. Got something? Yeah, I just want to um thank you for taking that executive privilege and to the City of Bradenton for proclaiming Small Business Week and for their ongoing partnership in supporting our local business community. This recognition, which is a shared commitment to the entrepreneurship and small businesses that drive our local economy and shape the character of our community. Through strong collaboration between the city and the Manatee Chamber of Commerce, we are able to create meaningful opportunities, amplify the voices of those businesses, the community, and continue building a vibrant and resilient local economy together. So, grateful that again, when you go when you're part of the chamber, you know, it's just you can't go anywhere without having your your support. And of course, came here and we have all that. So, I don't know if Stu, if you want to say anything as immediate past chair or anyone else, but uh I want to thank you for your sponsorship over the years and contributions and connecting us to the city. So, we're grateful for that. Yes. Thank you. Yep. We appreciate it. Let's get a picture. >> [clears throat] [snorts] >> Thank you. Congratulations. >> [applause] >> Madam Clerk. Uh Mr. Mayor, I'd like to just we have a gentleman in the audience that we would like to recognize for some years of service. He's retiring with the city. I know. Um I'm going to have Director Lee come up. Yes, sir. >> And he'll take it from there. >> [laughter] >> Looks like he's excited. It's a good thing. Good morning, Mayor. Good morning. Morning. Morning, Mr. Mayor. Good morning. Perry. Morning. Mr. Jones. Would I I just wanted to take a moment uh obviously, Greg uh will probably tell you that March 8th, 2001 was a momentous date for him uh because that was the date that he started with the city of Bradenton. And now he's he's on the the verge of of completing his tenure with us over with over 25 years of service. So, we we didn't want to let him get away without first of all uh just giving him the opportunity to to be recognized. What what he does, if you all are not aware of it, is is not something that's glamorous and you know deserving of of or typically uh seeing recognition. But it it is at the foundation of what public works and utilities is all about. The infrastructure systems, you know, in in in in wastewater are are literally we we could not function without them. Um Greg has been the backbone of of that operation uh for 25 years. And we didn't want to let him get away without uh allowing him to to have a moment just to to uh uh if you want to say something. >> He's a man of few words. >> I was going to say. We want to give you the opportunity to Well, the only thing I want to say I want to thank you guys for giving me that opportunity in March of 2001. Mr. Barnaby, you was here. Thank you guys that helped you y'all was here. Uh it's been a pleasure working with a lot of you. I ain't going to say everybody, but most of you. [laughter] Yeah, it's been a pleasure. Uh and uh I really enjoyed working serving the citizens of Bradenton. Uh you know, I I put my all into it all these years, you know, to try to please the residents. Sometimes I did things I shouldn't have did, you know, by helping them out. But you know, if you if you find a elderly lady, you know, and she can't you know, she can't do it, you know, I went a little further up on the property. I know I shouldn't have did it, but it was just in my heart to do it. Uh but like I say, thank you guys. Okay. And I'll say that whenever we were having all the fun through the storms and everything else going on, anytime I came up to an area and I saw you there, I knew two things was going to get taken care of, no matter what. Some of the things that you said, but also that the scene was going to be controlled and calm because of your demeanor. So, a lot of times we don't see as much of that day-to-day. 24, we saw a lot of that and I just appreciate all that you've done and and uh Godspeed for the rest of your life and enjoy. Maybe not uh so much excitement at times, but thank you for what you've done for our city and made it the friendly city. Yes, sir. And that's important, so. Thank you. All right, Mr. Barnaby. Thank you for your dedication to our citizens. We knew that if you were on the scene, it was taken care of. Yes, ma'am. And we appreciate that very much. Mr. Perry. Just briefly, I want to say thank you to Greg for the last 5 years working with you. Greg was probably the person I saw out on the streets when I wasn't on duty and he wasn't supposed to be on duty either. After hours, it would be a sad day. I would buy buy buy GT Bray, I remember one time and here he is with the shovel, small crew trying to address some issues east side, same kind of thing, just always there. Kind of bought in the whole friendly city thing from the past and and taught his folks right. You know, Phil Campbell worked under his tutelage and and whenever I would have management discussions with them, I always felt comfortable that they were representing the true interest of the city to be service orientated and and and reflect that, let the citizens know. Great ambassador, great technician, great human uh resource kind of manager of his folks in his his unit and and you did it right, man. You really did. And and I know the work that you did is thankless and and I know that it's also the kind of work that really matters. Thank you. We appreciate it. >> [applause] >> Greg. >> [laughter] >> I got a picture. Thanks, sir. Memorialized. You almost made it out. Herb, stand with him. Yeah, Lance, why don't you get down there with him? Moving moving briskly. Knees to chest, knees to chest. >> [laughter] >> Thank you. Thanks, Greg. >> [applause] >> Madam Clerk. We do not have any presentations scheduled this morning. All right. At this time, we'll go to citizen comment. Citizen comment will be accepted during the citizen comment portion of the meeting on any non-agenda item, agenda item, future agenda item, or topic of relevance to the city. Comments will be accepted on the public hearings at the appropriate time. So, at this time I have several cards. Um One of them is is specific to one topic that could come up, so I'll call up Pat Simmons at this time. If you please state your name, you have 3 minutes. The others will probably do at the appropriate time when that item comes up, so it be right after this. So, good morning, Ms. Simmons. Let me show you my shirt. Bradenton uh Um Pat Simmons, Manatee County. Um this came across my desk on the 20th and I think it's something that you probably already know about, but they don't. Um it came to me [laughter] from the American Council for the Blind and it's called the interim final rule order. And it did like web mobile accessibility requirements for the state and local governments under title two of the ADA. And depending on the size of um the entity, it could be a year delay or could be a 2-year delay, which uh paper sounds great. Hey, we got a year to develop programs. But it in reality um extending these deadlines denies timely access to essential government services, information, forcing people with disabilities to wait even longer for rights that should already be applied. So, I wanted you to keep that in the back of your mind. And like one of my favorite politicians said, just because you can doesn't mean you should. And the second thing is real quick, um DEI, everybody thinks it only talks about race, but it also includes ramps, um sidewalks, and curb cutouts, subtitles and captions at TV, phones, and now movies. Um work accommodations for a variety of disabilities among many other things. So, I just wanted you to know that, let them to know that. That there are some things coming down the road that you probably hear about. So, thank you for your time. Ms. Simmons, can you turn and face the camera and let them zoom in on what's on your front of your shirt? Oh. So, they can so, the public can see it. Thank you. Um, like I said a second ago, the rest of the comments are on an item that I believe is going to be pulled from the consent agenda. So, I'm going to hold those until that if that happens. And then we'll go from there. If that's all right, pleasure of the board. Thank you. Um, so, we have no other citizen comments on I don't know about the comments. So, at this time, the chair will entertain a motion for consent agenda. Mr. Mayor. Yes, ma'am. I move to approve consent agenda agenda items A through L. Second. A through L. >> L. L. L and with leaving M off right now, and second by Ms. Coachman. All right. We're going to go ahead and vote on A through L, pulling M. All right. Um, no further discussion. >> Mayor, I have had the opportunity to speak with council about all the items that are on the consent agenda and try to answer any questions, provide any additional information, and address any other issues with council. Okay, so, we'll have vote on A through L with M pulled by Mrs. Moore. I will start the vote in Ward 3. Yes. >> 4. Yes. 5. >> Yes. 1. Yes. 2. Yes. >> Carries unanimously. Mrs. Moore. Um, I wanted to have a discussion with you all about the second extension of the contract between the City of Braintree and the Braintree Area Economic Development Corporation. Um, do you want me to say my com- you want me to go ahead and >> Go ahead, yes. Okay. I pulled the conversation that I wanted to have with you all, just to give you some background. I watched the county meeting at which the county adopted their most recent contract with the EDC, and it was really impressive. The presentation was great. Um, the you could tell that there was a lot of preparedness and research that went into that presentation and the contract terms. Um, notably the five targeted industries that they're going to be working on. Um, also the performance metrics, which not only measured activity, but also results. And then the payment being uh tied to that performance. Um, and so, you know, kudos for that because I thought that that was really well done. Um, my personal experience since we have um been under contract with them, and also in this time of transition that they're in with not having um not yet potentially or having it the loss of their um right, the loss of their CEO. Um, was that I had a great meeting with the interim CEO initially upon her appointment, and I thought that was really positive. I was very blunt about expectations and experience to date. I also had a great meeting with Mr. Landefeld regarding the Dover Coal Visioning Plan. Also very thorough, you know, very hopeful. Um, but then after that, I feel like um there's been little or inconsistent communication. Um, that really is the extent of the communication that I've had since uh the interim was appointed. And not only me, but also um with the CRA. Um, I don't think that they're communicating with the CRA either, and before I go into why the communication part I think is crucial, I'll just say about the actual contract itself, when you compare it to what was presented to the county, it it reads to me like it is a much of the same, and I think everyone up here and I think the EDC already is aware that I had issues with the previous contract, and what I thought was a little generality. We tried to correct that with three pages of deliverables, and now the current contract actually reduces the deliverables to only five bulleted items, which when I look at those five bulleted items, generally speaking, actually refer to work to determine future deliverables. Um, and I that was disappointing. That it felt like we were going in the wrong direction. Um, and then for the issue of the um of the communication, um it's one thing I mean like it's fine. I mean I expect communication because I think that we're all really interested in collaboration and and I think we all can acknowledge that not one entity is going to act in a silo. You know, the the chamber is relevant, the city is relevant, the EDC is relevant. Um, the CRA is relevant, and the reason why I I had concerns about a lack of communication in this process with the CRA is that I felt that it was undervaluing the role of the CRA. Um, I don't consider the CRA the work of the CRA to just be a bank or to be just grants and that sort of thing. Um, I think that the work that the CRA is doing behind the scenes is actually quite complicated and crucial to the success of our economic development plans going forward. And so, I want to see all of us bringing all of the the talents and the and the resources and the strengths together. Um, and so, I felt like the the the contract as it is, I would like to see us mod- you know, improve it. Um, and I would like to see commitment. [clears throat] I think if we I think if we table this particular contract with direction in those in those areas and any other areas that you all felt that they should focus on, we could get to a place where we felt more comfortable with what was going to be proposed, and also that would give us an opportunity to be reassured that that the EDC understands that it's all of those players. That it's every every part of that has value, and it it's without one of them or what, dropping off one or any of them is going to be problem it's just not going to be a success. >> [cough] >> That's my thought. That's pretty much that's it. Yeah, I I would agree with uh Ms. Gonzalez's points in terms of uh the presentation from what was presented was thorough. Um, the targeted industries is a good step uh from the get-go, from this period last year to now, uh my hesitancies have been around deliverables, um and what actually the metrics are. Um, the second concern of mine, which I agree with you, holds true today is after those initial meetings and the Dover Coal presentation, it just seems that from where we are, whatever the source of it is, that it's disorganization and it's not on the same page. Um, you know, invites being missed, invites not being sent, saying um and you know, furthermore, when when we check with our partners, the CRA for instance, in those documents, seems to me that the CRA is mentioned repetitively, and yet when asking members within the CRA staff, uh has this happened? Has this occurred? Seldom, if at all. Um, and that that's just, you know, my opinion of um you know, so so, here we are in terms of transparency and um community buy-in from other partners that obviously economic development is extremely important. Um, but it seems that we're not being represented adequately. And I and I I also agree with you that if we do redo the contract, uh there has to be directives in there. I'm personally you know, we we don't have a vote. Um, that kind of stands out to me. Uh I don't know. I you know, I thought the contract was up in January. Uh there's language within here that it was you know, so I I I'm kind of at a loss as to where we even are on the on the current contract as well. And I I feel like we're not being represented. Ms. Coker, Vice Mayor Coker. Yes. Um, I uh you know, it would be redundant for me to repeat a lot of it, but I I want to say that I I see a lot of faces here, and I know a lot of people that are involved with this that I have a tremendous amount of respect and and like a lot. But, I have to I feel like I have to work on behalf of the taxpaying citizens, and so, um you know, as much as I like you and and and think that you do a lot of great things for our community, I I feel like um when it comes to the City of Braintree, maybe um maybe we aren't being as well served. Um I have been somewhat vocal. I I mean, when you hear members that don't even want to be called Bradenton, that was very disconcerting to me. Um and um I while the Dover Kohl report was good, it was very frustrating that when it when it was presented to us, we had not even seen a uh copy of it and we couldn't engage or ask um meaningful questions at that time. Um and I agree with the not having a vote, um which maybe there's good reasoning behind it. I haven't heard it. Um but we had all expressed a big concern about the new hire being from local. And when not even one of the finalists was a local, it doesn't seem like um our requests or feelings were even considered. And uh I have been a big proponent of economic development. I would think I was one of the you know, one of the initial people that pushed us to do it. But unfortunately, um you know, at this point, the way it the way it's been done up till now is uh I I'm I'm I just cannot support it at this time unless we make some changes or address some of those. All right, thank you. Mr. Perry. Mayor, when I did my briefings with um council, there was there was a wide variety of of comments and different opinions and ideas and suggestions that referenced EDC's service of the city of Bradenton as it relates to economic development. And um it was interesting to hear those comments. I think when you talk about economic development in general, whether you're in a large city or at a state level where I sat in cabinet rooms and listened to the state's economic development director, I've I've come to realize that first off, I'm not an economic development expert um and that the variety and diversity of economic development has a certain core that deals with recruitment of new companies, retention of existing companies, and expansion of of those companies. But beyond that, it's a very amorphous type of thing, economic development. And everybody seems to say, "Well, what we want you to do is kind of find us the secret sauce." And I tell people, "The city of Bradenton, as I told our council, is 14.4 square miles. It's a fairly urban area. It's not Manatee County. Uh Manatee County has a whole eastern plane of developability for both commercial, residential, transportation infrastructure, and we're not that." Um whatever we do, we have to figure it out. And and I think that's pretty common to a lot of places. And when you talk about economic development, and I know that Ms. Parrish sat down with every councilor, I think, to talk about this particular extension, this is what this is, of a contract, that when she sat down with them, she got probably a lot of good ideas, and I don't disagree with some of the comments I heard. I think the point I'm trying to make is that everybody thinks that this economic development is going to get you to the promised land. You know, we're not we're not um Microsoft where we got a sugar daddy that says, "Well, bring Microsoft up to northwestern United States into Washington." And and and and we're not, you know, Palo Alto and the hub of technology. And we're not Albuquerque, New Mexico that has Los Alamos National National Labs that does all the physics for the United States or Sandia National Labs that does the computer computing and engineering along with Air Force Research Labs. We're the city of Bradenton, and I think it's going to be even particularly harder, being such, to find what our quote secret sauce is. When we identified the five industries as a specific objective, >> [cough] >> and and that's what we're asking you to provide to EDC to allow them to work with you, to work with the chamber, to work with our partners to try to identify what they can be. Because in talking with councilors, again, it's not unlike talking with the folks on the street. A lot of people have different ideas. But the reality is the only thing I can identify in the city of Bradenton after 5 years of of being pretty close to what's going on around here is that we have a we have a health care industry that that that's really good, and we have a tourism industry. I can't identify any particular other industry. We don't have an airport. We have one down in Bradenton. I know EDC's working with the county on on the on the airport aviation type of initiatives and the like. So, you know, as we move forward, I think it's important to look at well, what would this EDC do for Bradenton? How would they service our council, our citizens, our administration, our mayor, the people? And and really, we got a lot going on. We've got a marina repair project that basically takes the cornerstone of downtown that's going to we're applying for basically $8 million in grants in EDA grants, economic development grants through the US Department of Commerce, and I need some help with that, basically, as far as saying, "How does that marina impact all of the downtown and all of the city and the surrounding areas?" Because we're putting together a competitive grant. So, those people have to go out and they got to talk to Realize Bradenton, they got to talk to downtown merchants, they got to talk to Chamber of Commerce, they got to talk to these people so that I can get supporting documentation. I don't have the resources to do that, and I don't think any councilors do, either. And I don't think the guys at the public safety or anybody else in this room, including in including CRA. So, there are services that are like that that have to be supplemented. Be honest with you, when you look at what we've done in Bradenton, we have absolutely left port. Have we identified the destination? I don't think so. But we know that we took things in the past and we've been trying to be more intentional, whether it's more intentional in hundreds of millions of dollars in utility upgrades, whether it's more intentional in affordable housing, attainable housing, and all the great work that's been done there, particularly with the CRA and some of our partners, whether it's intentional as it relates to the private sector development of housing, whether it's intentional as it relates to um Avenue of the Arts and our attempts to do that with the potential to bring a fairly significant educational institution that has housing and everything else so that when you put that new $1 into the Bradenton economy, it generates about 5 and 1/2 dollars worth of economic output. Other than having an economic degree, I don't know a whole lot about economics. I I really don't as it relates to economic development, but I know that these services that that we have to kind of hone down are going to be unique to Bradenton, and I would ask that we consider, it's certainly within your prerogative. I I don't discount the comments you've made and and and everything, and I think it needs to be heard by EDC. But there are all types of different things that we're looking at, whether it's the the the FDOT Bradenton connector, um the city center redevelopment, Harbor Point, and and and and and and and and and and basically Old Manatee, the homeless initiatives that you talked about, Fresh Start. That's all economic development. And typically, it's not traditional, and I don't think it was served before and it was looked at in the right perspective because that's what EDC could be helping us with. At picking up those those those, you know, paddles and and rowing the boat with us on. So, you know, we're looking at we're looking at today an extension. I think it's worth worthy of consideration to provide the extension in order to continue services and not reach a gap. When I look at the alternative that if we don't do EDC and we try to start some other alternative, there is going to be a startup gap, and I don't want to lose that. So, with that, I appreciate the opportunity to get long-winded and kind of give a a fairly comprehensive view from the administration's perspective. Thank you, Mr. Perry, and then it's my turn first. Okay. Cuz I I uh talked to that I I don't disagree with almost all the comments, you know, from our councilors and our administrator. One of the things that that Mr. Perry, Mr. Williams, and I sit in the box basically 7/24, and the councilors don't get to hear a lot of the things because, you know, and we're all under sunshine here, which that's something I'll probably bring up at the next meeting about um probably going on the ballot this year. I don't know if it's too late, Mr. Rudacille, but I do want to and I'll say it now, I want to put on the ballot for the citizens to vote to take away my vote as the tiebreaking vote because then I will be able to, you know, talk with the council people during things like this to get the information out. And although, you know, like I said, I agree with everything that was kind of said to a point, um Vice Mayor Coker, um I might agree with you on a lot of the way that things kind of happened through the search and some of the things that might not have been, you know, I did want a local person, um but I also, you know, know that there's times in life, there's you know, dynamics that go along with that that we have to [clears throat] address as it it's a ebb and flow. Um but I I do agree with Mr. Perry, it's at a point where this is an extension of what we already had while working through the process of seeing what the next steps are. They are not saying we're going to do this, this, and this, these five things and that's it. And that's what I'm comfortable with. Um this is an extension though of half of what we're going to we put in budget for it. You know, it's $50,000 to finish out this year. We have not paid them any other money of the 100,000 that was in budget. So, that was something that I felt was important. I don't know that the EDC staff at the time and our interim director and executive committee, they would have wanted to get the whole hundred, but I felt that we they've already done a lot of work for us already through the Dover Coal. Whether we agree exactly with everything on Dover Coal, that was something on me and for the most part because I felt like we had to get a product that came out in the first part of that with the transition of executive director leaving, a new interim coming in, and really jumping on board at you know, I've seen a lot of executive directors that leave and they bring in an interim and the interim rides it even locally here, but we've been fortunate in this community to have others that came in and made the school district better during their interim. This Amanda Parish stepped up and made our our EDC a better transition stopgap to get to that point. And and really did meet. Again, some of the meetings that you talk about that you didn't have, I'll take that because some of it was more about trying to get a good product out, trying to get a product that we can actionable. And when you look at some of it, you know, obviously you're all in wards and you've got destinations of your ward and you want things there, but we also look at the city. And all of us do that, but then we also get a little self-serving when in your ward, which that's what you're supposed to do. But it's got to be in a collaborative way. And I just think that, you know, moving forward, >> [clears throat] >> um I again, we don't always have to agree on exactly everything, but this is [clears throat] something that, you know, I believe it's it's the right time to push it forward with all the comments. They hear it. Obviously, when the new executive director comes in, I expect them to be meeting more and maybe even a monthly update at our meetings. Because again, it's going to be hard to meet with every all five of you, not because of their schedule, but because of your schedules. I'll meet with them again every day if I had to and we talk about it. What is the right thing for ward 1 2 3 4 5 is going to be different. The CRA, um I saw this happen when this board, I'm not saying individuals sitting here, but the count city council members um in particular, four of them, and I was the one that voted against it and I will always it's one of the best things I think could have happened for us, but I was not for the transition from the advisory boards on the CRA to the council basically taking it over at the time because we had we didn't have a plan. And so it took almost two plus years to get that plan. And when the individual council member, which I have a lot of respect for, brought it up and then it passed 4 to 1 and came to me and said, "Well, what's your plan?" Well, I was the one that voted against that from the standpoint of knowing that you bring something up, you got to have a plan for it. And the CRA suffered for that for two years. And that was the the sad part. And but I know losing that scenario, I wasn't against the scenario, but I was against what was next steps. And if I wish we would have had next steps on that to get better because it set it back. So, to say that, moving forward, I believe it's the right time to extend it and it's only extended it through this year and then we're going to have a time over the next few months in the budget and stuff to figure out is it going forward, you know, and and maybe we do, maybe we don't. I've been very supportive of it because if we don't have any plan, then we're going backwards. And this is a plan to basically extend it. Like I said, the CRA is so important in this city that it's going to help a lot of things and it's not just a checkbook, but it's also how it's going. But there's a lot of the city that's not in the CRA. So, the CRA can't work outside of its boundaries right now. So, we need somebody else to be helping with that. And I think sometimes out of controversy comes greatness. And I think the EDC board, I know the EDC board is going to be better. And when you're volunteers on a board, basically the board, I think they've heard some of the stuff. Um I don't disagree that why some of the votes why some of us don't have votes and others do, and I think government didn't get a vote in my opinion because they were basically ad hoc members on the committee. They never expected them to be at a higher rate of committee uh monetary commitments. So, I think that needs to be addressed. I agree with that. I know it was brought up at our county commission yesterday. And so I think that's something that when the new executive director gets here that they need to take a good look at. And I think that model was just followed when the EDC split off from the chamber. So, I don't think it was a anybody doing anything against anybody. So, there was no conspiracy there. It was just there wasn't a a lot of uh communication at that point about why. So, but that's my opinion and I know that some of the people out in the audience and have heard me say that why do doesn't the city have a vote? And you know, I don't there's some other dynamics going on with whether it's executive committee or not, but um I just really think that there's an opportunity to move forward today while still getting these questions answered and working through it because there's a lot of hoppers in the the situation right now that they are doing that sometimes you can't say it until it comes out. That's why the EDC because some businesses that are thinking about it don't want it hard to be known. Just like when you hire an employee, sometimes your employee doesn't want that in the public yet because if they decide they don't get the job, then their boss is mad at them because they applied for a job. And if they do get the job, they got to transition out in the right way to give the respect of their previous business. So, that's a it's a hard, you know, thing to balance. So, you know, I just really think that there's an opportunity to keep the train moving collaboratively and that's what we do. So, Vice Mayor Coker. Okay. Um I was uh wanting to respond to Mr. Perry. I would put an explana- exclamation point on what you said. I completely agree with you 100%. I think my question is which is the entity to do it. Um the EDC I believe um the way it's been acting is not the person to do it for us. I am completely in support and behind you know, if we can get that to a point where they are working on our behalf, we do have those deliverables, we do have more influence over the decisions that are being made and um but to to say, "Okay, here's another $50,000 while you while you're figuring it out." Um I'm that's what I'm struggling with. If I and and the way what we're being asked to vote for today um is uh I would certainly bring it back up if we could address the concerns that we've talked about somehow in that and I I I would like the idea to say that we're going to continue along with them, but at least tie that 50,000 to something concrete, not that we'll look and develop. We'll, you know, I I would like to see it tied to something a little bit more concrete if we're going to do that. Um so, that's my my feeling. Ms. Moore. Um right. I also I also agree with what Mr. Perry said. I'm not I to be clear, I don't think at this moment in time it's wise for us to create an economic development department or or, you know, and hire handful of new people. Um but I think everything you just said could be reduced to the contract. I mean, we could actually be executing an an an extension that identifies the type of work that they're going to be doing and then measures it and then bases their payment on that. Um I also think that um I agree with Vice Mayor Coker that if the deliverables are so general that it feels like I'm paying them to figure it out. Um and I don't think that it is on you to their their their level of communication with council and the CRA, I think is on them. I don't think that is on I don't think you necessary you I don't think you should take the blame for that because I think that they I mean, I feel like I made it very clear that I was having an expectation of more communication and whatnot. Um and this is not at all to trash anyone or to or to criticize the Dover Coal report necessarily. Um I mean, I I'm looking forward to us getting to the point where we have more discussions about the Dover Coal actionable items and whatnot. Um but I just don't feel comfortable with the way the contract is written right now. And it was the same concerns that I had the previous extension, and then they were addressed somewhat with three pages of very detailed deliverables. And so that's why I feel like we've kind of gone backward in that regard. Um and or regarding that communication, I just also want to make it clear that I I feel like we make ourselves available. Um I I have very specific thoughts, and it spans wards. You know, it spans Ward 4 all the way through, you know, I have I do this thing cuz I literally have a picture in my mind of what we want to fill in from Riverwalk to City Park. And um and I I want to share those with them. You know, I think that that's the appropriate thing. Um so my my thought is that I don't think anyone is saying that we don't think that there's a place for the EDC. I think that there is work for the EDC to do. But I'm just not I'm lacking in confidence that the EDC is going to uh bring all the players to the table. Uh like I said, I really feel like it's a collaborative effort between city, CRA, chamber. Um and I'd like to see the contract reflect what we are asking them to do. If we're asking them to do certain things, then I think that the contract should reflect that. And And I think that we could table it and let them work on that. And And then we can move forward. Well, I'll say a couple of things. Again, I don't disagree with all the things that have been said. Um they've actually been working since January, if you look at the contract, for free. So they've been doing a lot of that stuff already. Um cuz the the way the the 3-year contract was written, but it again every year being renewed, that February and June was 50,000 and 50,000. So, you know, what have What have they already done that we paid for? But that's that's again why I felt that bringing it up this way was they're only going to get 50 through this year, and then we would have a >> [cough] >> to the [clears throat] October 1, so we get them on the the right cycle. Um So, yeah, on that part of it, you know, trying to be fiscally responsible, make sure we just didn't pay 100 for what we didn't know. And we're we're getting it. Um communication-wise, again, I I appreciate you saying that, but some of the things they've already done a huge part of the Dover Cole that we asked them to do. Whether we all are going to agree 100% we like Dover Cole's concept 100% is not never going to happen anyway. I love parts of it, and some parts I'm like, it's not realistic. You know, and and when you're planning something for 50 years from now, that I hope some of you in the room are alive, but most of us won't be. We want actionable items now. I think that's important. So, when I go to Councilwoman Barnaby, Well, my question, I guess, to to Ms. Moore is that if if you're making if you are going to make a motion to table it, will you make a motion to table it to a very specific time? Sure. I mean, I it's And And then if you make a tabling motion, there's no discussion following it cuz there's no discussion on a tabling motion. So I think everybody ought to speak their peace if they're going to do that. >> And I'm going to let first I'm going to let the EDC Council come up Okay. before we hear anything. So >> But my again, my thought being this is not something that I don't think should be tabled indefinitely. I think there needs to be a very soon time certain. Because I would not vote in favor of an you know, let's table it with no date or time attached to it. I could not support that. Thank you. At this time I'm going to let Chris C come up, and he can say his last name. For the good part, and he's the current uh chair of the EDC as the volunteer. I am. Good morning, everyone. My name is Chris Chun Faleonae, hence the Chris C. Um I I appreciate the time and and discussion this morning from everyone, and and I think we have heard a lot of this feedback over the past couple of months, and on behalf of our board, many of whom we have our board members in the room. I've been in a board member on the EDC for 10 years. Um as the current 2026 board chair, um more than 120 investors that we have representing our organization, some of those leaders here today that are leaders of their businesses and CEOs representing finance institutions, hospitals, health care providers, consultants, workforce development, major utilities, business alliance, chamber members, our education partners. Um and I know Kurt Landefeld couldn't be here today, he's traveling, but I know he sent you all all letters and has been working um extensively with with each of you. Um we are here because the support of this short-term contract extension is really critical to allow us to continue to do the work that we have been doing, as was pointed out, since the beginning of the year in good faith. Um that work includes a lot of meetings with staff, with the work with the Dover Cole team, above and beyond even what was contracted within that Dover Cole agreement. Um and I think that the the time and an effort that has gone above and beyond is really about the the commitment that this organization has to the city of Bradenton. We are here. We are committed because we know that economic development is good for our community. It drives benefits. It drives new new business growth. It keeps the good businesses that are here. It allows them to grow. We are the organization that dot connects the chamber, the CRA, the the Lakewood Ranch Business Alliance, the county, all of the different organizations within our community, the visitor bureau, the island communities, Palmetto. We are the organization that is responsible for business recruitment, expansion, and retention within the broader Manatee County area, and within the Bradenton area EDC, our job is committed to seeing prosperity across all of our partners and our organizations. Um I think I want to just note out it's really important. A lot of the feedback we hear, we agree unequivocally. Agree with a lot of it. And I think that it's important as we look forward to tackling some of these things, they're they're foundational changes to our bylaws of an organizational structure that were just carried over from when the organization split from the chamber over 15 years ago. And so to change those in a time um where we are in um a new search for our economic um our new economic development leader, um who we will be announcing next week. Um I am really really excited to take on these changes that are really foundational to make sure that we have the representation of all of our investors as voting members in the board. We've heard that loud and clear, and our executive committee and our board, I think the um overwhelmingly agrees with that. Um it's important to note that our new leader um has an active job. Um that's why we've been very confidential. They are serving active clients across the country and across the globe right now. Um they are actively communicating their transition plan with those clients. We are really respectful of that process. I can share with you this candidate who is coming in has had ties to this community to this community since they were a child. They have grown up coming and visiting to this community. They have grown up on the Gulf Coast of Florida. They are University of Florida graduate. They are coming home to our community to do the job of their dreams. They are already planning to move here before this opportunity came up because they want to be here and come home to this community. They are a 30-year economic development professional with an impeccable and incredible resume. Currently, they're teaching economic development agencies across the world how to be better economic development agencies. We have the best candidate coming in to lead this organization, and we are all really really privileged to have her come to our community and bring that experience. Um have heard a bit about the contract discussions and the metrics. I think it's important to note that in the contract metrics that we want to iron out, yes, we want to iron those out because we want to tie them to those specific actions in that rejuvenation plan. We want to tie our work specifically to making that plan actionable. In addition to the regular work that we do day in and day out, we need those metrics to be paired with you all, and that action plan doesn't exist right now. And so yes, we need to do that with you all and align those align this extension with the fiscal year. And lastly, I think it's important to renote that we've heard a lot about um you know, the the support of staff and and the work that the EDC is doing to support the administration in in carrying out the work that the city needs to do day in and day out in this space. And we've talked a lot about the dollars and cents of the contracts and comparing it to the um the to the county contract. To To be clear, that county contract is $300,000. It's six times the amount of contract amount that we are talking about today in this contract. So the metrics, the the the deliverables, all of the things associated with it are inherently six times more impressive or more more elaborate, if you will. And so I frankly, I would love for the city to to continue to invest in at higher levels and continue to grow the work that we're doing and grow the metrics and deliverables. But I think what we're trying to do is is be respectful of aligning metrics and deliverables commensurate with the performance of the work that needs to be done and the scope of work aligning that with the fee.